Contents tagged with Kremlin
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Russia proposes Istanbul agreements as basis for Ukraine peace talks
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has stated that Russia is yet to determine its negotiator for discussions with Ukraine, as the Istanbul Agreements are set to form the cornerstone of potential negotiations. Peskov denied that the recent strike on Ukraine's power infrastructure was a response to French President Emmanuel Macron's proposed ceasefire plan.
"We have also heard statements from Washington suggesting that these could serve as a foundation and starting point for talks. Certainly, …
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U.S. sanctions deepen Russia's economic woes: oil revenue shortfall exceeds expectations by $2 trillion
In a significant economic blow, U.S. sanctions have driven a massive hole in Russia's critical oil revenue streams. Moscow had forecasted its budget with oil prices at $70 per barrel, yet prices have plummeted below $60.
Previously, Russians feared the impact of new U.S. sanctions, but the reality has proved to be far more daunting.
On Tuesday, the Russian government officially conceded that reaching a budget shortfall due to these new sanctions could sum up to 2 trillion rubles. This equates …
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Kremlin praises Trump's halt on Ukraine military aid, hopes for sanctions relief
In a recent statement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that halting U.S. military assistance could drive Ukraine towards peace talks. His comment comes in response to reports about a potential full stop to Washington's military support for Kyiv.
"While details are yet to emerge, if this is indeed the case, it’s a decision that could genuinely prompt the Kyiv regime to engage in the peace process," Peskov shared with Russian journalists on Tuesday. "This would be the best …
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Ukraine warns of Russian propaganda push as Kremlin plans to declare 'victory' over Ukraine and NATO
Russian propagandists have been instructed by the Kremlin to advance narratives about Russia's victory in the war against Ukraine by the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion—February 24, 2025, reports the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
"Moreover, these plans may also include mentioning 'Russia's victory over NATO,' as for a long time, Moscow propaganda has depicted the war against Ukraine as a war with the Alliance," notes the Ukrainian …
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Russia seeks sanctions relief and asset recovery in U.S. talks
Among the conditions for ending the war and restoring peace in Ukraine, Russia has demanded that the U.S. lift the freeze on its state assets and soften sanctions. The Moscow Times reports, citing a diplomatic source familiar with the Riyadh meeting, that Moscow is pushing for access to approximately $6 billion—part of the Central Bank's reserves invested in dollar assets prior to the war's onset. Western nations have sanctioned a total of $300 billion of the Central Bank's reserves, with …
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High-stakes diplomacy: Russia-U.S. talks in Riyadh seek resolution to Ukraine conflict
Russian and American officials are gearing up to orchestrate a summit between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, a prospect that could mark a significant diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Another critical subject on the agenda, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, is the restoration of the full spectrum of relations.
The delegations from both Russia and the United States are scheduled to meet on February 18 in Saudi Arabia to lay the groundwork for the …
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Russian bot network 'Doppelgänger' floods Western media with misinformation amid Ukraine aid freeze
In a bid to sway public opinion, the Kremlin-linked bot network 'Doppelgänger' has begun disseminating pseudo-journalistic articles advocating for a recent decision by the new U.S. President Donald Trump to freeze aid programs for Ukraine.
The propaganda push contends that Europe, too, should stop assisting Kyiv.
The articles have surfaced on clone websites of notable outlets like Germany's Der Spiegel and France's Le Parisien, claiming to represent the voices of the German and French …
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Russia's hidden financial crisis: military spending pushing economy to the brink
Amidst an aura of apparent stability lies a significant financial crisis in the Russian economy, largely driven by massive military expenditures, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reports.
As the war with Ukraine continues, along with an increase in the military budget to 8% of GDP, Russia's official state deficit in 2024 hit just 1.9%. However, the newspaper notes this figure conceals a sharp rise in corporate debt, fuelled through commercial banks under Kremlin directives.
Since the …
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Russia's diplomatic blunders: downing of Azerbaijani passenger plane deepens Kremlin's isolation
In a striking example of the Kremlin's unfolding foreign policy, Russia finds itself increasingly surrounded by hostile states, even alienating those who once sought dialogue.
The self-styled "grand" strategy continues to baffle observers, as nations that were once neutral or friendly turn away, driven by its own diplomatic blunders. The latest episode sees a dramatic downturn in relations with Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev, demanding acknowledgment and apologies for a downed Azerbaijani …
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Russia rejects ceasefire talks with Ukraine, demands legal guarantees amid diplomatic standoff
Russia has firmly dismissed the notion of a ceasefire with Ukraine, labeling it a "road to nowhere". Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has critiqued Western discussions around a ceasefire, arguing that they serve only to "pump Ukraine with weapons" rather than foster genuine peace talks. Lavrov asserts that Russia requires concrete agreements, distinctly separating themselves from what he describes as "empty talks."
At a recent press conference in Moscow, Lavrov reiterated Russia's …
