https://english.pravda.ru/ PravdaReport: Russian news and analysis https://english.pravda.ru/pix/logo180.png https://english.pravda.ru en Wed, 03 Jun 2026 08:47:09 +0300 https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166931-russia-and-us-hold-new-talks/ 6848848165b1457c1790b8302def062e Russian and American experts met last week to discuss mutual irritants in bilateral relations, Alexander Gusarov, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's North Atlantic Department, said in an interview with International Affairs magazine. "The dialogue between the Russian Foreign Ministry and the U.S. State Department on eliminating 'irritants' has not stopped and continues on a regular, systematic basis at the level of experts. Incidentally, the most recent such meeting took place a week ago," Gusarov said. According to him, one of the key results of the talks has been the stabilization of the work of Russian and American institutions. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:24:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166930-finland-seizes-russian-assets/ 1ac7b02d366d950f72f74ed9c8c80824 The authorities of Finland have confiscated Russian assets worth approximately €4 million. According to the Finnish public broadcaster Yle, Russia had transferred €3.7 million to Finnish authorities under a European Union cross-border cooperation programme. "The Enforcement Authority has confiscated Russian assets worth nearly €4 million… The claimant, as before, was the Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz and its subsidiaries," the authority said. Russia transferred the funds before the start of military operations in Ukraine, after which the programme was discontinued. The money remained on the balance sheet of the Finnish authorities. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:14:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/world/166928-ukraine-moves-drone-production-to-nato-countries/ f244eb5e34d04fa7cd3186a6188925c9 The Armed Forces of Ukraine have stepped up UAV strikes on Russian territory. The danger lies in the fact that Kyiv has moved their production into NATO's military-industrial complex, effectively becoming an unofficial participant in the alliance. Ukraine Enters Military-Industrial Complex of NATO Countries At the beginning of the year, the Kyiv regime reached an agreement with NATO countries — Belgium, Germany, Canada, Poland, Denmark, Norway and others — to move all major military production facilities from its territory into their jurisdictions. This was caused by the fact that Russia destroyed up to 50% of Ukraine's production capacity in 2025. At present, only small "garage" enterprises that equip drones remain in Ukraine, while large-scale production has been completely relocated abroad. Their products are delivered secretly and put into use immediately. This has produced results in terms of the scale and range of deployment, with a corresponding increase in damage and casualties in Russia. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:47:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166924-st-petersburg-international-economic-forum/ 3eacb6ae1ecee73708f859bc5fc679b5 The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is set to welcome a large number of foreign leaders and senior government officials this year, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said. Speaking ahead of the event, Ushakov said that approximately 20,000 participants from more than 100 countries have already confirmed their attendance. Political leaders and government representatives from around 76 countries are expected to take part in the forum. Among the confirmed guests are: Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Abkhaz President Badra Gunba. Global Leaders to Join SPIEF Plenary Session Mirziyoyev, Suluhu Hassan, Han Zheng, and Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud are scheduled to speak at the forum's main plenary session on June 5. Russian President Vladimir Putin will also deliver a keynote address during the event. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:39:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166920-foreign-spyware-operation/ 3f1b609744ed76b6c35ecb058da70acf Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has claimed that it uncovered and disrupted what it describes as one of the largest foreign intelligence operations ever conducted against the country through the use of spyware targeting mobile devices. According to an FSB operative quoted by state news agency TASS, foreign intelligence services allegedly deployed malicious software to gain access to the phones of Russian officials and individuals with access to classified state information. The agency described the operation as a complex, multi-layered intelligence effort involving coordination among several foreign states and warned that it carried significant security risks and potentially far-reaching consequences. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:58:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166919-india-plans-114-french-rafale/ 087324e9fb258456e086f76845edb4cd India plans to acquire 114 French-made Rafale fighter jets in a deal valued at approximately $40 billion, according to sources within the country's Ministry of Defence cited by local media. The proposed agreement would mark one of the largest defense procurement programs in India's history and further strengthen the country's efforts to modernize its air force capabilities. Under the reported terms of the contract, India would assemble 94 of the 114 aircraft domestically, while France would deliver the remaining jets directly. Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:30:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166917-iran-suspends-us-talks-hormuz-blockade-middle-east-escalation/ 6372558bc07d658ad64c1ad69df7dfd1 Relations between Tehran and Washington have reached a critical point following a sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Iran has announced the immediate suspension of its negotiation process with the United States, accusing Washington of enabling the actions of the Israeli military. The decision comes amid intensified fighting in Lebanon and Gaza, effectively nullifying previous ceasefire understandings. The conflict now risks expanding beyond regional clashes and developing into a large-scale maritime blockade of strategically vital waterways. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:04:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/world/166916-pentagon-silence-on-taiwan/ 3c48d47274d13ef69003fd2d517e223c The Pentagon's decision not to mention Taiwan at a major security forum has sparked discussion about shifting US priorities, military-industrial challenges, and the future balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region. Pentagon Forgets About Taiwan Behind Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's diplomatic silence on Taiwan lies a systemic crisis within the American military-industrial complex and tactical doctrines. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth pointedly avoided mentioning Taiwan in his keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore on May 30. Western analysts believe this was done to avoid unnecessary confrontation with Beijing. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:47:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/world/166915-usa-brazil-sovereignty/ 11f299c960ab7269e8dff8f91c24d7aa The United States has designated two of Brazil's largest criminal organizations as foreign terrorist groups, a move that could reshape migration policy, security cooperation, and the country's political landscape ahead of presidential elections. Trump Administration Draws Brazil Into a New Political Dispute The United States has added Brazil's criminal organizations Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO). Washington argues that both groups operate beyond Brazil's borders, extending their activities across Latin America and into the United States. The administration of sitting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva opposed the measure, maintaining that these organizations are criminal enterprises rather than terrorist groups because they lack a political or religious ideology. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:35:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166913-zelensky-seeks-end-to-hostilities/ bbd4297bc9cb885679140e3254e028b9 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has set a goal of ending hostilities before the onset of winter, head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov (included on the list of terrorists and extremists of Rosfinmonitoring) said. "This is genuinely his objective — to bring hostilities to an end as quickly as possible, preferably before winter. As head of the President's Office, I will certainly do everything possible to achieve the goal set by the President of Ukraine," Budanov said. He described the objective as timely, well-considered and realistic. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:27:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/world/166911-eu-considers-central-asia-migrant/ 434568c23c18b791127322628929b3e4 A proposal reportedly under consideration in Brussels could significantly alter Central Asia's international profile and trigger domestic political debate across the region. According to Politico, the European Union is examining the possibility of establishing migrant holding centers in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan for asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected within the EU. The initiative is reportedly being discussed confidentially by the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Germany and Greece. In exchange, participating countries could receive simplified visa arrangements. Astana and Tashkent Reject the Role of Regional Migration Hubs Uzbekistan did sign an agreement with Austria during the official visit of Austrian foreign and interior ministers on May 7. However, the agreement concerns the transit of refugees through Uzbekistan to Afghanistan rather than their resettlement within the country. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:01:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166908-france-detains-russian-linked-oil-tanker-tagor-in-atlantic/ 4a1388acaa695d2f9f4c952c6d83437a French naval forces have detained the oil tanker Tagor in the Atlantic Ocean, French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron announced that the vessel was allegedly operating in violation of international sanctions. "Yesterday morning, the French Navy detained another oil tanker coming from Russia that is subject to international sanctions — the Tagor. Our determination remains unchanged and absolute,” the French president wrote on X. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:24:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166904-kalashnikov-new-skat-220-drone/ 2c19347c8bfcdf6fd261feaa7541f34d Kalashnikov has started supplying its new SKAT 220 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle to customers, according to the company's press service. The high-speed drone is based on the larger SKAT 350M platform, which is currently used in the special military operation zone. Engineers reduced the size and weight of the new model, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:59:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166902-putin-and-pashinyan-call/ c54dcf0372d644ec8c78945aaaac7ac7 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a telephone conversation, according to a statement released by the Kremlin. During the call, Putin congratulated Pashinyan on his birthday and wished him good health and continued success. "Relations between our countries and peoples have traditionally been friendly in nature. We are interested in their further steady development,” the Kremlin said in its statement. Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:40:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166901-putin-ukraine-nato-russia-security/ 538ff9b6eff02c20a56ef80afd354125 Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to journalists in Astana following his visit to Kazakhstan and made a series of statements regarding the special military operation, negotiations with Ukraine, the European Union and security threats facing Russia. The head of state said Moscow remains open to continuing negotiations on a settlement in Ukraine. "There are no negotiations as such at the moment, although we are ready for them. We have never refused negotiations,” the Russian leader stated. Fri, 29 May 2026 21:24:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166900-romania-drone-incident/ e479514264b5dc9167e1a6ff7f82cdef The drone strike on a residential building in the Romanian city of Galați triggered a diplomatic dispute and renewed calls for tougher anti-Russian sanctions across Europe. The incident occurred during the night of May 29, when an unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the roof of a high-rise apartment building and sparked a fire on the 10th floor. Galați lies approximately 14 kilometers from the junction of the Romanian, Ukrainian and Moldovan borders. Fri, 29 May 2026 21:00:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166899-putin-comments-romania-drone-incident-nato-tensions/ 193cde0a789f648e023e294a4dc1e9a4 Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that experts must examine the wreckage of the drone that crashed in Romania before anyone can determine its origin. Speaking to journalists in Astana, Kazakhstan, Putin said no one can reliably identify the source of the unmanned aerial vehicle without a professional investigation. "No one can say where a particular aircraft came from until experts conduct a proper examination of that aircraft,” the Russian leader stated. Fri, 29 May 2026 20:45:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166898-north-korea-private-car-ownership/ 3e846bd92c742b0f49776cb9f7356dbe North Korea is reportedly experiencing a rapid increase in the number of private vehicles after authorities relaxed decades-old restrictions on personal car ownership. For years, the country remained known for its nearly empty roads. Some estimates suggested that North Korea had only around 30,000 vehicles nationwide — roughly one car for every 800 residents. Reports now indicate that licensed drivers can purchase one vehicle per household through state-authorized dealerships, fueling a noticeable rise in traffic congestion and parking shortages. Fri, 29 May 2026 19:40:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/166897-kremlin-romania-drone-incident/ a697acd61921e87d478d13da58ef2ae8 The Kremlin confirmed that President Vladimir Putin received a report about the drone incident in Romania, according to presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov. When asked about the briefing, Peskov replied briefly: "And how could it be otherwise?" The incident involved a drone that struck a high-rise residential building in the Romanian city of Galați, near the border with Ukraine's Odessa region. Fri, 29 May 2026 19:33:00 +0300 World https://english.pravda.ru/world/166885-pashinyan-crossroads-of-peace-armenia-economic-crisis/ d8a4544f91087278e5765cdd638d9ebb Nikol Pashinyan's election platform, which presents Armenia as a "crossroads of peace,” could lead to financial collapse and a sharp fall of the dram amid conflict with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Parliamentary elections in Armenia are approaching and will take place on June 7. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has built the campaign platform of his Civil Contract party around two key ideas. Armenia intends to remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union while simultaneously continuing reforms based on European standards for as long as possible. Thu, 28 May 2026 19:52:00 +0300 World