Latest news with #RT
News18
20 minutes ago
- Politics
- News18
Russia Proposed Plan To End Iran-Israel Conflict, Putin Says He Informed Trump, Netanyahu
Last Updated: Kremlin warns region is sliding into war, says ready to mediate as nuclear plant fears grow. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he has personally shared Moscow's proposal to resolve the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict with three key figures: US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian. However, he was quick to clarify that he is not seeking to mediate. 'I spoke with Netanyahu, Pezeshkian and Trump, key players in this situation," Putin said. 'I shared Russia's vision for resolving the conflict. I hope our proposals will be implemented". 'We are not seeking to mediate, we are just proposing ideas. And if they are attractive to both countries, we'll be happy about it…Now our proposals are also being discussed, we have contacts with our Iranian friends almost on a daily basis, so let's see," he further added. Putin also noted that Israel's large Russian-speaking population factored into Moscow's concerns. 'Israel today is almost a Russian-speaking country. A large number of people from the USSR live there. Moscow takes this into account," he said. I spoke with Netanyahu, Pezeshkian, and Trump, key players in this situation — Putin'I shared Russia's vision for resolving the conflict. I hope our proposals will be implemented' #SPIEF — RT (@RT_com) June 20, 2025 The comments come as the Kremlin issued a broader warning about the spiraling crisis in West Asia. 'The region is plunging into an abyss of instability and war," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday, adding that the situation carries the risk of 'geographic expansion and unpredictable consequences." Russia, which maintains ties with both Tehran and Tel Aviv, has called for restraint from all sides and urged the United States not to launch strikes on Iran. Moscow has also pushed for a diplomatic resolution to tensions around Tehran's nuclear programme. Nuclear safety concerns also came to the fore after Israel briefly claimed on Thursday that it had struck Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant, before retracting the statement. Russia's nuclear energy chief Alexei Likhachev warned that any such attack could cause a 'Chernobyl-style disaster." Likhachev, who heads Rosatom, said on Friday the plant remained 'normal" and under control. 'We very much hope that all our signals from yesterday reached the Israeli leadership," he said. According to him, over 300 Russian specialists are currently stationed at the site, along with their family members. This brings the total Russian presence at Bushehr to around 500. First Published: June 20, 2025, 23:08 IST
Mint
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Will Israel kill Khamenei? Tel Aviv signals possibility of striking Iran's Supreme Leader: 10 points
Iran-Israel conflict: Tensions have sharply intensified between Iran and Israel over the past week following Israel's large-scale bombing campaign targeting Iran, based on claims that Tehran was close to developing a nuclear weapon. Iran rejected the accusations and retaliated with a series of drone and missile attacks. Israel has also declared that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei could be targeted. Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, declared on Thursday that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 'can no longer be allowed to exist' following an Iranian missile attack that struck an Israeli hospital. 1. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that a U.S. attack on Iran would be a grave error, stating that direct American involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict would only heighten instability across the region, ANI reported. 2. Commenting on the possible US strike, Peskov said, 'Moscow believes it is a wrong move. This is a step that is bound to lead to further escalation, a major escalation, and would only complicate the situation in the region,' RT reported. 3. The White House has said that US President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether the United States will join Israel in its ongoing war with Iran. 4. Addressing a briefing on Thursday (local time), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read out a statement from President Trump, who acknowledged the potential for diplomatic negotiations despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East. 'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' Leavitt quoted the President as saying. 5. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "can no longer be allowed to exist," following recent reports that the U.S. had blocked Israeli plans to assassinate him, AFP reported. 6. Katz's remarks came in response to a new wave of Iranian missile strikes, which left 40 people injured, according to Soroka Hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba. 7. "Khamenei openly declares that he wants Israel destroyed -- he personally gives the order to fire on hospitals," Katz told journalists in the city of Holon near Tel Aviv. He added, 'Such a man can no longer be allowed to exist.' 8. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared to travel to Geneva on Friday for talks with the European Union's top diplomat and officials from the UK, France, and Germany. Moscow believes it is a wrong move. This is a step that is bound to lead to further escalation. 9. Early Friday, Israeli airstrikes reached the northern Iranian city of Rasht, located on the Caspian Sea, according to Iranian media reports. The Israeli military had issued warnings urging civilians to evacuate the area around Rasht's Industrial City, southwest of the city center. Meanwhile, on Thursday, anti-aircraft fire was heard throughout Tehran, and residents in the central city of Isfahan reported seeing air defenses in action after nightfall, AP reported. 10. Iran's supreme leader on Wednesday rejected US calls for surrender. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf on Thursday criticised Trump for using military pressure to gain an advantage in nuclear negotiations, AP reported. (With inputs from agencies)
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Business Standard
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Putin open to talks, questions Zelenskyy's legitimacy for inking peace deal
Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for a meeting with Putin, stating that he alone can resolve pressing bilateral issues, including disputes over territory ANI Europe Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed doubts about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 's authority to sign a treaty, while indicating he was open to meeting him for peace talks, RT reported. "Signature must come from legitimate authorities," the Russian President said on Wednesday. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for a meeting with Putin, stating that he alone can resolve pressing bilateral issues, including disputes over territory. However, speaking to international media at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin raised concerns over the Ukrainian leader's legitimacy. RT quoted Putin as saying, "If the Ukrainian state entrusts someone to negotiate on its behalf, suit yourself, let it be Zelenskyy. The question is, who will sign the document?" Zelenskyy's presidential term officially ended last year, and no successor has been elected due to the imposition of martial law. Zelenskyy argues that he can remain in office under the current conditions, though the Ukrainian Constitution states that presidential powers should be transferred to the parliament's speaker in such a case. "Propagandistically, one can say anything about the legitimacy of the current authorities, but we care about legal aspects and not propaganda when dealing with serious issues," RT quoted Putin as saying. He also noted that since many Ukrainian officials are appointed by the president, Zelenskyy's questionable legal status casts doubt on the authority of those serving under him. RT reported Putin as stating, "But the signature must come from legitimate authorities. Otherwise, whoever comes after him will toss it to the dumpster. That's not a way to conduct serious business." Despite these concerns over legitimacy, Russia has returned the remains of 1,212 Ukrainian soldiers in the latest exchange with Kyiv, RT reported, citing Kremlin official Vladimir Medinsky. The bodies, recovered from multiple front-line regions, mark a continued effort in the humanitarian coordination between the two nations. According to RT, the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War first announced the transfer. The remains were recovered from Kursk, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions of Russia, along with Ukraine's Kharkiv region. No individual identities were released. Meanwhile, Russia received the remains of 27 of its soldiers during the exchange. RT further reported that Medinsky, Moscow's chief negotiator in talks with Kiev, stated on Telegram that both sides had agreed to initiate "urgent sanitary exchanges" involving severely wounded prisoners of war. He emphasized Russia's commitment, saying, "Russia does not abandon its own people." The exchange followed discussions held earlier this month in Istanbul. As per RT, Moscow had earlier offered to return over 6,000 Ukrainian bodies but accused Kiev of delaying acceptance. Despite logistical setbacks, Russian Lieutenant General Aleksandr Zorin affirmed Moscow's intent to uphold the agreement, calling it a "purely humanitarian action. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Business Standard
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Kremlin warns US against Iran strike, cautions of major escalation
Washington would be making a serious mistake by launching an attack on Iran, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, warning that direct US involvement in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict would further destabilise the region, as reported by RT. Tensions have escalated since last week after Israel launched a large-scale bombing campaign against Iran, alleging that Tehran was on the verge of producing a nuclear bomb. Iran denied the allegations and responded with multiple drone and missile strikes. The exchange of hostilities between the two nations has continued, stoking fears of a wider regional war. Commenting on the possible US strike, Peskov said, "Moscow believes it is a wrong move. This is a step that is bound to lead to further escalation, a major escalation, and would only complicate the situation in the region," RT reported. He further cautioned, "Such conflicts are capable of setting the entire region on fire." Peskov reiterated Russia's willingness to help mediate and resolve the crisis, while calling any notion of regime change in Iran by the US or Israel "unacceptable." When asked about this possibility, Peskov echoed President Vladimir Putin's long-held position: "We believe that it is unacceptable to have such conversations, and even more so to take such actions," RT reported. Peskov said President Putin has maintained communication with both Tehran and Tel Aviv since the conflict began and has a "complete picture" of the situation. He added that while there is currently "little ground" for talks, Moscow remains actively engaged. Putin, addressing a late-night Q & A with journalists on Wednesday, revealed that Moscow had proposed several compromise frameworks to all involved parties -- including the US, Israel, and Iran, as reported by RT. He suggested that a possible settlement could include mutual security guarantees that preserve Iran's right to peaceful nuclear technology and Israel's right to security. Meanwhile, the White House has said that US President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether the United States will join Israel in its ongoing war with Iran. Addressing a briefing on Thursday (local time), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read out a statement from President Trump, who acknowledged the potential for diplomatic negotiations despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East. "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," Leavitt quoted the President as saying. Leavitt also reiterated the administration's stance on Iran's nuclear program. In response to a question about the contours of any possible deal with Iran, Leavitt said, "No enrichment of Uranium and... Iran is absolutely not able to achieve a nuclear weapon. The President has been very clear about that.
India.com
17 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
Russia-Ukraine War: Putin Questions Zelenskys Legitimacy To Seal Peace Deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed doubts about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's authority to sign a treaty, while indicating he was open to meeting him for peace talks, RT reported. "Signature must come from legitimate authorities," the Russian President said on Wednesday. Zelensky has repeatedly called for a meeting with Putin, stating that he alone can resolve pressing bilateral issues, including disputes over territory. However, speaking to international media at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin raised concerns over the Ukrainian leader's legitimacy. RT quoted Putin as saying, "If the Ukrainian state entrusts someone to negotiate on its behalf, suit yourself, let it be Zelensky. The question is, who will sign the document?" Zelensky's presidential term officially ended last year, and no successor has been elected due to the imposition of martial law. Zelensky argues that he can remain in office under the current conditions, though the Ukrainian Constitution states that presidential powers should be transferred to the parliament's speaker in such a case. "Propagandistically, one can say anything about the legitimacy of the current authorities, but we care about legal aspects and not propaganda when dealing with serious issues," RT quoted Putin as saying. He also noted that since many Ukrainian officials are appointed by the president, Zelensky's questionable legal status casts doubt on the authority of those serving under him. RT reported Putin as stating, "But the signature must come from legitimate authorities. Otherwise, whoever comes after him will toss it to the dumpster. That's not a way to conduct serious business." Despite these concerns over legitimacy, Russia has returned the remains of 1,212 Ukrainian soldiers in the latest exchange with Kyiv, RT reported, citing Kremlin official Vladimir Medinsky. The bodies, recovered from multiple front-line regions, mark a continued effort in the humanitarian coordination between the two nations. According to RT, the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War first announced the transfer. The remains were recovered from Kursk, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions of Russia, along with Ukraine's Kharkiv region. No individual identities were released. Meanwhile, Russia received the remains of 27 of its soldiers during the exchange. RT further reported that Medinsky, Moscow's chief negotiator in talks with Kiev, stated on Telegram that both sides had agreed to initiate "urgent sanitary exchanges" involving severely wounded prisoners of war. He emphasized Russia's commitment, saying, "Russia does not abandon its own people." The exchange followed discussions held earlier this month in Istanbul. As per RT, Moscow had earlier offered to return over 6,000 Ukrainian bodies but accused Kiev of delaying acceptance. Despite logistical setbacks, Russian Lieutenant General Aleksandr Zorin affirmed Moscow's intent to uphold the agreement, calling it a "purely humanitarian action."
