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Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a proposal for a direct meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating that such a meeting currently lacks meaning. He reaffirmed that Moscow's military campaign will only cease when its stated objectives are met. Zelenskyy's open letter seeking talks was dismissed as insincere by Putin, who insists Ukraine must first halt its offensive.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the EU wants to launch a gradual integration process for six Western Balkan countries. Speaking at a summit in Montenegro, Merz emphasized the bloc’s commitment to eventual membership, while EU leaders backed faster, more credible enlargement.
Despite a temporary ceasefire and ongoing negotiations, the US and Iran have continued to trade attacks and warnings, raising fears of a broader conflict. Recent strikes on Kuwait, Bahrain, and UAE facilities, as well as Iranian responses, have heightened tensions. Meanwhile, both sides have made contradictory signals, hinting at both a possible deal and a readiness to resume full-scale war.
Iran’s minister asserted that security is a necessary precondition for sustainable development, stressing the vital role of regional stability. Without security, he argued, long-term economic and social progress is unattainable, urging all stakeholders to collaborate on bolstering security as a foundation for common prosperity.
The UN's World Food Programme warns that the US-Iran conflict is driving millions into hunger as oil price spikes fuel global food insecurity. In Somalia, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, rising fuel and food costs are pushing vulnerable populations into severe food shortages.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin proposing a direct meeting to end the conflict, now in its fifth year. The offer comes amid ongoing heavy fighting and stalled peace efforts. Zelenskyy warned of growing war fatigue in Russia and suggested Switzerland, Turkey, or Arab nations as potential venues.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has mediated a local ceasefire near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, allowing urgent repairs to war-damaged infrastructure. The truce, the sixth negotiated by IAEA chief Rafael Grossi since 2022, aims to restore a key power line critical for cooling the plant’s six shutdown reactors. Violent attacks continued elsewhere in Ukraine, including a drone strike near Kyiv that killed four people.
Iran's national team and its supporters face tremendous hurdles with US visa rejections and the ongoing US-Israel war, jeopardizing their World Cup participation. High visa costs, rejection rates, and geopolitical tensions also deter many global fans from attending.
The United States has announced new sanctions targeting Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, his family, and senior officials, as Cuba grapples with severe food shortages and blackouts. President Donald Trump has threatened further action, while Cuban leaders condemn the measures as interventionist and vow resistance.
