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European leaders accuse Putin of undermining peace talks in Istanbul

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Leading diplomats from the European Union (EU) have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of undermining the process by refusing to participate in peace negotiations planned for May 15 in Türkiye, aimed at ending the conflict with Ukraine.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Poland, Czechia, and Estonia made strong statements on the matter.

Delegations from the warring countries are already in Türkiye. The Ukrainian delegation is effectively headed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while the Russian delegation is led by Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that Zelenskyy showed good faith by coming to Türkiye, but where Putin should have been seated, there remained “an empty chair.”

Barrot stated, “Putin is trying to buy time, and it is clear that he does not want to enter into peace negotiations, despite US President Donald Trump expressing his readiness and willingness to mediate.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made a similar statement. The Minister expressed, “Putin is exaggerating his position. The whole world expects him to finally fulfill the demand to sit at the negotiating table with a delegation appropriate to the seriousness of the situation.”

According to Wadephul, Zelenskyy’s willingness to engage in direct dialogue with Putin deserves respect, but the Russian side “is not showing a sign that it is approaching the negotiations seriously.” Wadephul warned that this behavior would not be without consequences and that Europe was discussing further sanctions.

On the other hand, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, speaking at a high-level meeting of NATO diplomats in Antalya, argued that the Kremlin’s decision to send a low-level delegation to the negotiations in Istanbul showed that Putin was “trying to buy time.”

Sikorski added, “We hope that the US President sees this cynicism for what it is and draws the right conclusions.”

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated that Putin’s refusal to meet Zelenskyy directly in Istanbul showed the Russian President’s cowardice.

The Minister remarked, “The real question is whether this can be called a peace negotiation. Putin is clearly afraid. He sent one of the ideological figures, which in itself is a signal of how he is approaching this, meaning not very positively.”

Lipavský also added that his counterparts attending the informal meeting in Antalya expressed a shared view that Putin’s actions showed he did not want to take a step forward.

The Czech Minister said, “European leaders clearly stated that new sanctions could be forthcoming.”

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also criticized the level of the Russian delegation tasked with conducting the first direct talks with Kyiv in three years.

Tsahkna declared, “Russia’s rejection of a ceasefire and sending an ultra-nationalist with no political status to Istanbul instead of Putin is a slap in the face to Ukraine and its allies. Russia is still not interested in peace, which means we need to increase pressure.”

Lipavský and Barrot also shared a photo taken with US Senator Lindsey Graham. The two ministers reported that the congressman confirmed the US was ready to tighten sanctions on Russia if Putin continued to stand in the way of peace.

Putin had proposed the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since spring 2022 take place in Istanbul on May 15. This offer came in response to a demand from the US and EU countries for a 30-day ceasefire.

Zelenskyy had announced he was ready to meet Putin in person in Türkiye. However, the Russian President sent a delegation led by his aide, Medinsky.

The negotiation group also included Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin.

Zelenskyy described the Russian delegation as “a show.” Ukraine was expected to be represented in the negotiations by Head of the Presidential Administration Andrey Yermak, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Andrey Sibiga, and Presidential Diplomacy Advisor Igor Zhovkva. It was noted that Zelenskyy planned to attend the meeting only if Putin also participated.

Diplomacy

Trump announces ceasefire between Israel and Iran after missile strikes

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US President Donald Trump has announced a “complete and total ceasefire” between Israel and Iran, signaling an end to the conflict. Iran’s Fars News Agency also reported that a ceasefire with Israel began at 7:30 AM local time (7:00 AM TRT).

The Fars News Agency announced the development on its Telegram page with the headline, “The Beginning of the Ceasefire.”

Before the ceasefire took effect, Iran launched four waves of missiles at Israel. Iranian media reported, “After Iran’s final missiles found their targets, causing numerous casualties and injuries among the Zionists, the ceasefire was set to begin at 7:30 AM Tehran time.”

According to The Jerusalem Post, missile strikes from Iran killed five people and injured at least 20 others in Beersheba. The attacks triggered sirens across Israel at least six times in just over an hour. Damage was also reported in the northern Sharon region, with injuries in the Hadera area.

On his social media platform, Truth Social, Donald Trump commented on the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, extending his “congratulations to all.”

Trump announced that a “full agreement has been reached for a complete and total ceasefire between Israel and Iran.” He noted that the war would be considered “over at this point,” adding that Iran would initiate the ceasefire, with Israel following suit 12 hours later. Trump also stated that within the next 24 hours, the world would “hail” the official end of what he called the “12-day war.”

Stressing that each side would remain “peaceful and respectful” during the ceasefire, Trump remarked, “Assuming everything works as it should, and it will, I want to congratulate both countries, Israel and Iran, for having the fortitude, courage, and intelligence to end what should be called the ’12-day war’.”

Trump suggested the conflict could have lasted for years and devastated the entire Middle East, “But it did not, and it never will! God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the US, and God bless the world.”

“Unlimited ceasefire”

In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump mentioned that many lives had been lost due to the conflict between Israel and Iran. Arguing that the situation could have worsened and “leveled the entire Middle East,” he emphasized the importance of the ceasefire agreement between the two nations.

“It’s a great day for America. It’s a great day for the Middle East. I am very happy to have been able to get the job done,” Trump said.

When asked about the duration of the ceasefire, Trump responded, “I think the ceasefire [between Israel and Iran] is unlimited. It will last forever.” He declared that the conflict between the two countries was “completely over,” adding that he did “not believe they will ever fire at each other again.”

Vance: Nuclear infrastructure destroyed

In an interview with Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance claimed that US strikes had destroyed Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, asserting that Iran “can no longer produce nuclear weapons.”

“We are now in a place we were not a week ago,” Vance said, suggesting that a week earlier, Iran was very close to possessing a nuclear weapon. “Now, Iran cannot produce a nuclear weapon with the equipment it has, because we destroyed it.”

Vance stated that Trump had “truly hit the reset button” with the weekend’s strikes, adding, “Tomorrow is truly a new day, the end of the ’12-day war’.” He concluded, “I believe this is the end of the Iranian nuclear program and the beginning of something truly great for peace in the Middle East.”

Tel Aviv has not yet commented on the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which Trump announced unilaterally overnight.

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Iranian foreign minister travels to Moscow for Putin talks after US strikes

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin following US attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran.

Araghchi warned that the aggression by the US and Israel will have serious consequences not only for the Middle East but for the entire world.

Scheduled to meet with President Putin on Monday, Araghchi stated upon his arrival in Moscow that the US attack calls the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) into question and will have negative implications for international security.

“The US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities has cast doubt on the NPT, shaken the non-proliferation regime, and will have adverse consequences for international security,” Araghchi remarked. “This is a concern now being voiced by many countries.”

On June 22, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed to Sputnik that Araghchi had arrived in Moscow for talks with the Russian administration.

‘Silence on aggression will have consequences’

In a phone call with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, Araghchi issued a warning to the international community. “The silence and inaction of the international community in the face of this aggression will have far-reaching consequences for all nations,” the Iranian minister said.

Araghchi emphasized that the actions of the US violate all norms of international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter.

He asserted that the attacks by Israel and the US can only be described as “aggression,” while the Islamic Republic is acting within the framework of legitimate self-defense.

US attacks and international reactions

Early on Sunday, the US announced it had struck three Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan. Following the attack, US President Donald Trump stated that Tehran “must agree to end this war, or it will face much more serious consequences.” While Trump later claimed the nuclear facilities were completely destroyed, Iranian military officials declared the US attacks were entirely ineffective and threatened a harsh response.

The US strikes drew widespread international condemnation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the attacks as a dangerous escalation and a threat to global peace. Russia strongly condemned the strikes as a grave violation of international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions, calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to provide an impartial response.

Cooperation with Russia against common threats

Before his visit to Moscow, Araghchi stated that Iran and Russia share common concerns and adversaries.

“We appreciate the Russian Federation’s stance in condemning the attack in the strongest terms,” Araghchi posted on Telegram, noting that the special circumstances in the region necessitate a closer relationship between the two countries.

“We have always had common concerns, common worries, and common enemies with Russia,” the minister added. “We have always shared common beliefs and held close consultations to counter mutual challenges and threats. This is precisely what will be done in the meeting with the Russian President on Monday.”

Iran denies that its nuclear program has a military dimension. On June 18, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that the agency has not seen any credible evidence that Iran has an active nuclear weapons program.

According to a CNN report on June 17, citing sources familiar with the matter, US intelligence assessments have reached a similar conclusion, indicating that Iran is not actively pursuing nuclear weapons.

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Citigroup warns oil could hit $90 if Strait of Hormuz is closed

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According to Citigroup, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could cause Brent crude oil prices to soar to as high as $90 per barrel. However, the company also argued that a prolonged shutdown of this critical waterway is unlikely.

Analysts, including Anthony Yuen and Eric Lee, referenced the bank’s current optimistic scenario, stating, “The closure of the strait could lead to a sharp increase in prices. However, we believe the process would be brief, not lasting several months, as all efforts would be focused on reopening it.”

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway at the entrance of the Persian Gulf. Approximately one-fifth of the world’s daily oil production, including from leading OPEC producers Saudi Arabia and Iraq, passes through it.

Citigroup estimates that a disruption could interrupt the flow of about 3 million barrels of oil per day for several months.

According to Citigroup, any interruption in Iran’s crude oil exports might have less of an impact on prices than anticipated. The bank noted that the country’s shipments have already decreased, with Chinese refineries purchasing less.

Brent futures are currently trading at around $77 per barrel.

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