Trump threatened new strikes on Iran and the seizure of Kharg Island as U.S.-Iran fighting widened across Gulf states and the Gulf of Oman. Iran said the latest U.S. attacks made the ceasefire “practically meaningless,” while mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan continued.
Posts tagged as “Dmitry Peskov”
Seven people were killed and 11 injured when a drone hit a bus travelling through Russian-controlled Donetsk, the region’s Kremlin-installed leader said. The strike came during a broad exchange of drone and missile attacks involving Russia, Ukraine and Russian-held territory.
France and the UK intercepted the Russian oil tanker Tagor in the Atlantic, targeting vessels evading sanctions amid the Ukraine conflict. The operation underscores ongoing efforts to enforce maritime sanctions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Beijing to strengthen ties, sign multiple agreements, and discuss global conflicts. Energy cooperation and the Ukraine war were key topics, with no breakthrough on a major gas pipeline deal.
Russian drone strikes killed two and wounded two in Odesa ahead of a 32-hour Orthodox Easter ceasefire. A prisoner exchange returned 175 Russian soldiers, while both sides prepared for the ceasefire amid ongoing tensions.
The United States has temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil, allowing the purchase of petroleum products already loaded onto ships before the announcement, aiming to ease global energy market disruptions caused by conflicts in the Middle East. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized the measure is narrowly tailored to avoid benefiting Russia financially and to increase existing supply amid restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. While Russia welcomed the move as stabilizing global markets, European governments and some U.S. lawmakers criticized it for potentially strengthening Russia’s position and undermining sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict.
On Easter Sunday, tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated as both nations accused each other of violating a temporary ceasefire, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reporting continued aggressive actions by Russian forces. Despite the ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, breaches were reported by both sides, each blaming the other, in a conflict that has persisted since February 2022. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed there was no directive to extend the ceasefire, suggesting hostilities could resume, while the international community closely monitors the situation due to its impact on regional stability.
The anticipated joint statement from the United States and Russia regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine was not released, as Russian officials continued to review details from recent talks held in Saudi Arabia. These discussions aimed to establish a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, but despite initial optimism from the U.S. team, no written agreement was reached. The absence of a formal agreement highlights the ongoing complexities and challenges in achieving a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, as Russian military operations in Ukraine persist.