There are still big questions as to just who was on the plane, which was filmed as it spiralled into a fiery crash near Belgorod. Yusov said only five bodies were delivered to the Belgorod morgue. Ukrainian journalists from Radio Liberty managed to confirm at least three of them were Russian crew members. Russia has … Read more
Ukrainian authorities uncovered a corrupt arms procurement deal worth nearly €36.4 million, the Ukrainian security service announced late Saturday. Former and current “high-ranking officials” in Kyiv’s defense ministry were involved in the plot, dating to 2022, to steal funds meant for procuring 100,000 mortar rounds, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in a statement. The … Read more
He claimed the Russian army detected two missile launches from Ukraine-controlled areas that hit the plane. “Most likely, it was American Patriot systems or European, probably French,” Putin said. POLITICO could not independently verify his claims. Putin refuted theories of “friendly fire” for the downing of the aircraft. “There are friend-or-foe systems, and no matter … Read more
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Saturday the only way to end Russia’s war against Ukraine is for Kyiv to give up some of its territory to the invaders, and reiterated his opposition to NATO membership for Ukraine. “There has to be some kind of compromise,” Fico told Slovak public broadcaster RTVS on Saturday, … Read more
A huge Russian fuel export terminal near St. Petersburg was forced to suspend operations on Sunday after a suspected attack by Ukrainian drones, according to media reports. Russian energy company Novatek suspended operations at the giant Ust-Luga Baltic Sea fuel export terminal due to a fire purportedly started by a drone attack, multiple media outlets … Read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering visiting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang soon, North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported on Sunday, as the two countries seek closer ties against a backdrop of increasing pressure from the West. Putin “expressed his willingness to visit [North Korea] at an early date,” the outlet … Read more
People attend the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, January 18, 2024. Denis Balibouse | Reuters The potential for generative artificial intelligence, when interest rates might be cut, and the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip were key topics at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this … Read more
LONDON — Volodymyr Zelenskyy has invited Donald Trump to Kyiv, but on one condition. The Ukrainian president said the former U.S. president would be welcome to visit him in the capital — as long as Trump is able to stop the war with Russia within 24 hours, as he once promised. Trump has boasted that, … Read more
As the World Economic Forum draws to a close in Davos, Power Play rounds off the week with analysis of an eventful week in the Swiss Alps. Host Anne McElvoy brings together a top team of POLITICO’s reporters: Alex Ward, national security reporter based in Washington; Nahal Toosi, senior foreign affairs correspondent; and Suzanne Lynch, … Read more
China won’t be playing a mediation role between Russia and Ukraine anytime soon, Australian ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd said, as Beijing’s priority remains keeping a stable alliance with Moscow. “If [Chinese President] Xi Jinping looks at the world, he looks at Russia, he sees a neighboring state, a massive common border with whom … Read more
