OSCE officials arrive in Moscow for ‘dialogue’ on Ukraine
Senior officials from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) arrived in Moscow on Thursday for what they have described as dialogue on the Ukraine conflict. – The…
Norway’s security service sees stepped-up Russian espionage in Arctic
Russia is expected to step up spying in Norway this year, focusing increasingly on the country’s Arctic mainland and the Svalbard archipelago, the Norwegian domestic security service PST said on…
UN Security Council to exempt sanctions on humanitarian aid for North Korea
A United Nations committee has approved exemptions from wide-reaching sanctions against North Korea to allow fresh humanitarian aid to reach the country. – The members of the UN Security Council…
US calls for new multilateral arms control agreement following new START expiry
The United States on Friday called for a new arms control agreement after the treaty that set caps on Russian and U.S. strategic nuclear weapons deployments expired on Thursday. –…
Russia responds to EU call for ‘fresh Arctic policy’
Moscow would welcome a new EU Arctic policy if it is aimed at international cooperation and not confrontation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. – Russia is an Arctic nation…
France tells Syria anti-ISIS fight is its ‘absolute priority’
France’s foreign minister said Thursday that sustaining the fight against ISIS group is an “absolute priority” for Paris, after meeting his Syrian counterpart in Damascus. – Jean-Noel Barrot is on…
UK sanctions Sudanese leaders over ongoing conflict
Britain sanctioned six individuals suspected of committing atrocities in Sudan’s war or of fueling the conflict through the supply of mercenaries and military equipment. – The measures targeted senior commanders…
China backs Cuba against ‘external interference’ as foreign minister visits Beijing
China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty and security and “opposes unwarranted interference by external forces“, China’s foreign minister told his Cuban counterpart on Thursday, as the U.S. tightens…
US, Ukraine, Russia delegations agree to exchange 314 prisoners, Witkoff says
Delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia have agreed to exchange 314 prisoners, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Thursday, adding that significant work remained to end the…
Deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine categorically unacceptable for Russia — MFA
Russia considers the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine entirely unacceptable, with Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asserting that such forces will be regarded as legitimate military targets. –…