Russia has drafted a peace memorandum outlining its conditions for ending the conflict in Ukraine and plans to present it to Kyiv during a new round of direct talks in Istanbul on June 2, led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The talks are aimed at reaching a lasting peace agreement. Turkey will host the negotiations, with gratitude expressed to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for providing a hospitable venue.
https://www.news18.com/world/russia-to-present-peace-memorandum-at-june-2-talks-with-ukraine-in-istanbul-ws-l-9357136.htmlThe Nordic nations' resilience model empowers local authorities to respond in crises, unlike in other parts of Europe where the army may intervene. This approach was highlighted by Martha Turnbull, Director at the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki, Finland. Experts warn that Russia's sabotage campaign is rising and could target energy grids, internet cables, and water supplies, with Norway's Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik stating that sabotage has become a significant threat since World War II. Even Tvedt, Chief Security Officer at the Kongsberg Group, reported suspicious incidents, including attempts to destroy fighter jet engines and breach factory perimeters. Experts like Matthew Redhead believe Moscow is increasing its activities to a "pre-war" level, but ordinary people and local authorities may be less prepared for a crisis due to their perceived distance from the front line.
https://thestar.com/news/world/europe/nordic-nations-embrace-total-defense-as-the-risk-of-sabotage-and-war-rises/article_fc977406-43e9-5f2d-b012-371b6e0540e4.htmlRussian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness to work with Ukraine on a peace accord, following a call with US President Donald Trump on May 19. Russian diplomat Vladimir Medinsky proposed a new round of direct negotiations in Istanbul, which Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov agreed to discuss. The next meeting will focus on the "modalities of settlement and ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine, with each side preparing their vision for the talks.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/russia-proposes-to-hold-next-peace-talks-with-ukraine-in-istanbul-on-june-2-8531458The International Criminal Court has issued war crimes and crimes against humanity charges against President Vladimir Putin and Kremlin adviser Yevgeny Prigozhin, alleging they were involved in the forcible transfer of tens of thousands of children from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. Additionally, two top Russian military officers have been charged with war crimes for overseeing missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian civilian targets such as electricity grids and residential homes.
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-united-nations-war-crimes-drone-kherson/33428429.htmlChinese students studying in the US are facing uncertainty after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that some will have their visas revoked due to connections to the Chinese Communist Party or involvement in "critical fields". The move affects thousands of students, with China being the second-largest country of origin for international students in the US.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/world/chinese-students/7OHH24T3YREZHDBAQPCBVXJA7Y/US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that some Chinese students studying in "critical fields" and those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party will have their visas revoked, affecting over 270,000 international students from China, who make up a quarter of all foreign students in the US. A Chinese student at Johns Hopkins University likened this move to the 19th-century Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited Chinese immigration and banned citizenship for those already in the country.
https://stltoday.com/news/nation-world/article_7b65497b-e792-4b8f-a1aa-d32455765c27.htmlThe US plans to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced. This move escalates the Trump administration's push for greater scrutiny of foreigners attending American universities. China had the second most students in the US in 2024, behind India.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/immigration/us-to-revoke-chinese-student-visas-in-escalating-crackdown-1The US is threatening to revoke visas for an unknown number of Chinese students, including those with ties to the Chinese Community Party or studying critical fields, as part of a broader effort to reduce Chinese influence on US campuses. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement, which has been met with swift condemnation from the Chinese government and some US lawmakers. The move is expected to affect over 275,000 Chinese students currently studying in the US, who bring significant tuition payments.
https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-student-visa-republicans-056bb72cd0f06f6ea0148c3bbcac9be6The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused Serbia of continuing to supply ammunition to Ukraine despite a ban on trade relations with Kiev. The scheme allegedly uses fake end-user certificates and intermediary countries, including NATO nations such as the Czech Republic, Poland, and Bulgaria. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić previously confirmed that exports to Ukraine reached approximately 800 million euros in June last year.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/974785-russian-foreign-intelligence-service-serbian-military-industry-is-trying-to-shoot-us-in-the-back