All articles tagged with #putin
At Cannes, Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev used his Grand Prix moment to urge President Putin to end the Ukraine war, saying millions on both sides dream of stopping the carnage; his film Minotaur, set during the invasion, finished runner-up to Cristian Mungiu's Fjord, and he said he is ashamed of Russia's actions while living in exile in France, noting that many Russians will see the film via pirated copies or VPNs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine for a deadly drone strike on a Luhansk dorm and ordered retaliation, a claim Kyiv denies as it urges restraint; the incident prompted UN Security Council discussions and IAEA monitoring of a near-nuclear facility issue while Russia suffered drone-related damage to an oil terminal and Ukraine said it struck Russian oil facilities. Back home in Kyiv, protesters pressed a bill to declare missing soldiers dead; in broader Western discussions, US troop deployments in Europe are being reduced and lawmakers push for rapid Ukraine aid amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and congressional debates over defense funding.
Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged retaliation after accusing Ukraine of a deadly drone strike on a student dormitory in Starobilsk, Luhansk, killing six and injuring 39 with 15 missing; Kyiv admitted carrying out the attack, saying it hit the Rubicon drone unit, while Moscow disputed nearby military targets and ordered retaliation planning.
Russian mid- and lower-level officials privately warn Vladimir Putin’s political system may have no future amid waning public support and the protracted war in Ukraine, though those closest to Putin feel relatively secure; economists warn the economy may not withstand a prolonged conflict, and the Kremlin is tightening internet controls to curb dissent.
Xi’s Beijing visit with Putin showcased a deep, highly formal China–Russia alignment: a senior, energy-focused delegation, a long joint statement with numerous signed documents, and private and cultural events, signaling strategic convergence. By contrast, Trump’s visit produced few major deals, a smaller cabinet-level U.S. delegation plus a broad business contingent, and a televised banquet, underscoring a more transactional dynamic and higher political stakes for Trump given his rarer trips to Beijing. The two visits differed in host reception, agendas, and post-meeting symbolism (Putin–Xi photo exhibition and private tea vs. a Temple of Heaven visit and a televised state banquet), reflecting Beijing’s enduring Moscow partnership vs. a less consistent China–U.S. relationship during Trump’s term.
Bloomberg reports Putin aims to end the Russia-Ukraine war by the end of 2026 on what he calls victorious terms, including full control over Donbas, and to secure a broader European security agreement that acknowledges Moscow’s territorial gains. Kremlin officials denied a fixed deadline; meanwhile, battlefield assessments suggest Ukraine has stabilized fronts, with mobilization and casualty dynamics adding pressure on Moscow.
Xi Jinping hosted back-to-back summits with Trump and Putin that looked similar in ceremony but revealed two different diplomatic approaches: a transactional, leverage-based stance toward the United States and a more cooperative, strategic partnership with Russia.
Putin and Xi unveiled a joint declaration to advance a “multipolar world” and signed 20 agreements (with 20 more to come), while extending their long-standing partnership and pledging closer bilateral cooperation despite ongoing Western tensions. A firm launch date for the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline was not set, though the route via Mongolia and a 50 billion cubic meters per year capacity were discussed. Xi described their relationship as a model for major powers and both leaders stressed sovereign foreign policy and regional stability as they seek to broaden cooperation beyond Europe and the United States.
Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin condemned recent strikes as treacherous and urged the United States to halt its Iran-related actions, calling for de-escalation and an end to the Iran war.
Armenia’s prime minister Nikol Pashinyan steers the country toward Europe ahead of June elections, skipping Vladimir Putin’s Victory Day parade and hosting EU leaders, signaling Moscow’s waning influence in the South Caucasus. Russian officials respond with belligerence and propaganda, but Armenia’s closer ties to Europe and Ukraine, along with Azerbaijan’s distance from Moscow over Nagorno-Karabakh, illustrate that Putin’s project to rebuild a Russian-led empire is unraveling as Western realignments accelerate Moscow’s decline.
EU foreign ministers are weighing a joint European envoy to negotiate with Vladimir Putin, with Angela Merkel or Mario Draghi among leading candidates, and discussions also naming Finland’s Alexander Stubb and Sauli Niinistö; Washington and Kyiv have signalled openness to Europe engaging Russia alongside US-led talks as the EU aims to avoid sidelining itself. Zelenskyy wants Europe to have a strong voice in any settlement, while some caution that public debate could reveal EU divisions and complicate negotiations.
Putin travels to Beijing for a two-day state visit to meet Xi Jinping, aiming to deepen Russia–China ties in the wake of Donald Trump’s trip to China. The live coverage highlights Russia’s growing dependence on Beijing amid Western sanctions, the potential for energy and trade deals (including a possible Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline), and Beijing’s careful balancing act over Ukraine and Western relations as both leaders seek stability in a shifting geopolitical landscape.
Russia launched three days of major nuclear drills from May 19–21, involving about 65,000 troops and thousands of weapons, including missile launchers and submarines, with test launches planned, and joint training on Belarus's territory; the exercise comes as Putin travels to China and after the end of the New START pact, with Moscow stressing a responsible approach while prioritizing its nuclear forces.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Beijing for a two-day state visit with a delegation of ministers and top executives to reinforce Moscow–Beijing ties after Trump’s visit and press ahead on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, with a joint declaration planned.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Beijing May 19-20 to meet Xi Jinping, aiming to deepen the China–Russia partnership and discuss international issues, timed to the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation, following recent talks between Xi and Trump.