When conspiracy satire looks this cool, you don’t need facts – you need a phonk soundtrack

Heroic Slavic warriors triumph over evil reptilian invaders to pounding phonk beats. These surreal showdowns have racked up millions of views and spawned a wave of spin-offs, including video games, comic books, and tabletop RPGs. What started as a mock academic lecture quickly turned into a full-blown cultural phenomenon – fueled in part by some deep-rooted medieval nostalgia.

One of the most well-known stories in the Ancient Rus vs. Lizards mythos is 'The tale of how the Russian hero Danila Trumpov drove the accursed Lizards from the Slavic States of America'. In this fictional legend, a Russian version of Donald Trump defeats a shadowy alliance of humanoid lizards, who are supposedly aided by Bill Gates.

Trumpov wields imaginative techniques like the “Republican Egg Squeeze” and the “Texas Burger Bomb,” and even manages to sabotage the lizard lobbyists by replacing the dollar with the ruble. In the end, the forces of Slavic justice prevail, and the Lizards are forced to retreat to the distant planet of Nibiru.

This is just one installment in a sprawling fan-fiction universe created as a joke, but which has grown far beyond its origins. What began as light-hearted parody has developed into a full-fledged narrative world that mixes satire, absurdity, and pseudo-history – while also poking fun at the cult of Russia’s supposed ancient supremacy.

The “war” begins

In March 2023, a strange YouTube video appeared, starring an AI-generated character introduced as “Professor and four-time historian Alexey Sergeyevich Bagirov.” Speaking with an air of authority, the professor unveiled what he described as the long-suppressed truth of Russian history: that the ancient Rus civilization once stretched across nearly the entire Earth.

Bagirov’s lecture combined several familiar conspiracy tropes – claims of lost civilizations with advanced technology, an ancient war between humans and shape-shifting lizards, divine interventions by pagan gods, and secret documents allegedly hidden from the public. His arguments leaned heavily on loose word associations and “secret documents,” while the visuals featured intentionally janky PowerPoint slides with exaggerated animations, accompanied by loud, distorted background music.

But the creators went further than simply remixing old conspiracies. They built a whole new mythological framework. According to Bagirov, the ancient Rus not only coexisted with dinosaurs – they were actually friends. He explains that the word dinosaur supposedly derives from the Old Slavic root dino, meaning “child,” and that the name of the Slavic pagan god Zavra identifies him as the “divine ancestor” of all dinosaurs.

In a follow-up video, Bagirov adds a central stylistic twist to the saga: the Slavic reinterpretation of all names and terms. He describes how dinosaurs played an important role in the daily lives of the Rus. Brachiosaurus Brachislav helped build houses and studied astronomy; Styracosaurus Stavrislav took part in mammoth hunts; and a pterodactyl named Pterodimir flew children to school.

In the third video, Bagirov introduces the main villains: the Lizards from the planet Nibiru – an idea familiar to fans of post-Soviet conspiracy lore. In this universe, the Lizards are jealous of the glory of the Rus and want to destroy it. Their weapon is deception: they try to seduce the Rus with fake sciences – especially mathematics. To that end, they dispatch agents such as Euclid, Archimedes, Democritus, Plato, and others, each programmed with 2G radiation, to infiltrate the ancient region of Russo-Greece.

Through all this, Bagirov satirizes the genre of amateur pseudo-historians who emerged in the post-Soviet space – those who claim access to secret truths, reject mainstream science, and lean heavily on unverifiable legends or misreadings of historical texts. These theorists rarely seek real evidence, but often captivate audiences with promises of lost national grandeur and sinister enemies.

Though clearly absurd, the videos resonated with viewers. The fictional characters were so outrageous, and the tone so deliberately ridiculous, that the series became far more popular than anyone had expected – perhaps even more than the creators intended.

Slavic strikes back

The characters of the Rus and the Lizards soon found a second life in short-form video content. These clips featured AI-generated visuals, voiceovers in mock-serious tones, and of course, pounding phonk soundtracks. The volume of content rapidly multiplied, and the Rus vs. Lizards universe continued to evolve, layering in more absurdist and satirical details.

In these stories, the source of the Rus’ supernatural vitality is the water of Lake Baikal – an intentional nod to the lake’s revered status in Russian culture and to pseudo-scientific beliefs about the mystical power of “charged water.” The Rus are portrayed as a global civilization, and this is reflected in the fictional renaming of countries: Australorussia, Egyptoslavia, the Slavic States of America, and more. These names parody pseudo-historians who try to rewrite history to suggest that Russia once ruled the entire planet.

Religion in the Ancient Rus universe is a hybrid of Orthodox Christianity and revived paganism. On the one hand, characters shout catchphrases like “You fiends, at least fear the Lord!”; on the other, they perform bizarre rituals to Perun and other old Slavic deities. This mashup reflects the worldview of certain fringe groups who, in recent decades, attempted to revive pre-Christian Slavic faiths – often blending them with nationalist ideology and pseudoscience.

Aside from the irony and satire, the meme’s success was also driven by how visually compelling the characters were. They looked cool. Their armor, weapons, and over-the-top powers appealed to a younger audience, especially in meme format. This led to a wave of commercial spinoffs.

In September 2023, a small indie game studio called theBratans released a video game titled Ancient Rus vs. Lizards. In the game, players control various Rus heroes and fight off waves of Lizard enemies using magical powers and fantastical weapons. One highlight is the “Slavic Egg Squeeze,” in which a giant chicken assaults the enemy by hurling explosive eggs.

Though the game began as a joke, it turned out to be well-crafted, atmospheric, and enjoyable to play. Despite its modest scope, it quickly became one of the ten top-selling games in the Russian segment of Steam, earning 97% positive reviews from players.

The game turned out to be so popular that in the spring of 2025, its sequel was released – with improved graphics, gameplay, script, and even with the support of a large Russian business.

Shortly after the first part of the game’s release, a major Moscow-based publisher began producing comic books set in the same universe. Titles included Rus vs. Lizards: In Africa, Rus vs. Lizards: On the Moon, and Rus vs. Lizards: The Revenge of Drocheslav – the last name being a cheeky play on a vulgar Russian word ‘drochit’, meaning 'to masturbate'.

Next came a tabletop role-playing game, a themed expansion for the Russian collectible card game Berserk (often seen as the local version of Magic: The Gathering), and an avalanche of branded merchandise.

In a digital culture where memes rarely survive more than a few weeks, Ancient Rus vs. Lizards has become a rare long-term hit – and there’s a good reason why.

Imagining ancestors that never were

Yes, the Ancient Rus vs. Lizards universe is over-the-top, funny, and self-aware. But part of its staying power lies in the gap it fills. For various historical and political reasons, modern Russians know significantly less about their own early medieval past than, say, the British know about Anglo-Saxon England or the French about Charlemagne’s empire.

Most of what we do know about the 9th–11th centuries – a crucial period for medieval storytelling – comes from the Primary Chronicle, a dry and formal chronicle of events in early Rus. Aside from a few famous rulers, we know very little about the daily lives, beliefs, or personal stories of the people who lived during that era.

So while Russia has real medieval figures, it doesn’t have a vibrant, mythic tradition of legendary heroes – no King Arthur, no Roland, no Ragnar. Attempts to fill that gap with fiction often fall flat: the characters are too perfect, the dialogue stiff, the plots too generic. These stories lack the strangeness and spontaneity that real myths tend to have.

Ancient Rus vs. Lizards manages to succeed where others have failed. Its characters are unquestionably noble, its invented “ancient language” adds flavor, and its plots – however ridiculous – always lead to good defeating evil. The storylines, like the “Russian-Jewish army” storming “Lizardburg,” are absurd in the best way possible: they’re strange enough to be funny, but structured enough to be entertaining.

And of course, this mythos doubles as a satirical vehicle for commentary on US politics, Ukraine, and other hot-button topics – always in high demand with the Russian internet audience.

The three remaining candidates to lead MI6 are women, including former envoy to China Barbara Woodward, according to the newspaper

Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) will be led by a woman for the first time since its creation in 1909, the Sunday Times has reported. The current MI6 chief, Richard Moore, will step down this autumn.

The British newspaper reported on Sunday that interviews for the position were held last week, and all three shortlisted candidates are women. According to the publication, the UK’s ambassador to the UN and former envoy to China, Barbara Woodward, is among the contenders.

The identities of the other two are being kept secret as they currently serve as MI6 officers.

In contrast, Woodward lacks a background in intelligence. She taught English in China before joining the Foreign Office in 1994. The Sunday Times noted that critics of ‘Beijing Barbara’ have accused her of being reluctant to criticize the Chinese government while serving as ambassador to the country, and siding with Beijing over the issue of Taiwan independence later on.

The newspaper quoted former Tory leader Duncan Smith, who was sanctioned by the Chinese authorities, suggesting that Woodward’s potential appointment as MI6 chief could “end in disaster for the UK,” as she “was less than robust about Chinese actions” in her previous role.

The final decision on the appointment rests with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, based on recommendations from an expert panel comprising Foreign Secretary David Lammy, National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, and other senior officials.

In February, the US Senate confirmed the nomination of former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, giving her oversight over 18 US intelligence agencies, including the CIA and FBI.

The Iraq War veteran lacked prior intelligence experience and has been an outspoken critic of the US intelligence community and the country’s foreign policy, including its support for Ukraine. Her positions led some detractors to question whether she is fit for such a sensitive post.

The Ukrainian leader has said he would be “waiting” for the Russian president on Thursday but only if Moscow agrees to a truce first

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has stated he is ready to “personally” meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye on Thursday but only if Moscow first agrees to a truce. His statement came in response to Russia’s proposal to begin peace talks without pre-conditions.

“I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Zelensky wrote in a post on X on Sunday. He still maintained that Kiev awaits “a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy.” The Ukrainian leader also stated that he expected Moscow not to look for “excuses” this time. 

On Saturday, the Russian president offered Kiev the opportunity to restart direct negotiations in Istanbul, which it unilaterally walked away from in 2022. Moscow was ready to return to the negotiating table without any preconditions, the Russian leader said at the time.

Russia has repeatedly stated that it was ready for peace talks at any time. It also maintained that it was seeking a lasting solution to the conflict rather than a temporary one. It opposed Kiev’s 30-day truce demand on the grounds that Ukraine would use it to rearm and regroup its military.

Zelensky issued a similar demand on Saturday following a meeting with a group of European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They also supported Kiev’s demand that Russia agree to a truce.  

US President Donald Trump also expressed his hope that Moscow and Kiev could soon agree to a month-long truce. He also warned that “the US and its partners will impose further sanctions” if an agreement is reached but not respected. 

On Sunday, the American president said that Kiev should agree to Moscow’s peace talks proposal “immediately.” According to him, Moscow did not want a mere ceasefire but wanted “to negotiate a possible end to the bloodbath.”

The Kremlin has rejected what it described as external pressure surrounding the proposed truce. Putin also noted that Kiev violated the three ceasefires proposed by Moscow: the 30-day US-brokered moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, which expired last month, the unconditional Easter ceasefire, and the recently lapsed 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire.

Slovak PM Robert Fico has praised Moscow’s offer of talks to Kiev, saying the two should be left to make peace without interference

Many Western states want the Ukraine conflict to continue, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said. This explains their lukewarm response to Moscow’s proposal for direct talks with Kiev, he has argued.

Earlier on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Ukraine the opportunity to restart negotiations to resolve the conflict next Thursday in Istanbul, Türkiye.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that his country is prepared to host the talks. US President Donald Trump welcomed the proposal, writing on Truth Social that he expects “a BIG week upcoming.”

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, however, said Putin’s offer is “not enough” and called for a ceasefire first.

”I am shocked that there is a proposal that on May 15, Russians and Ukrainians can meet in Istanbul for direct talks where concrete results can be obtained, and I hear statements from Germany and France that they do not agree,” Fico told a press briefing on Sunday following his visit to Moscow for Victory Day. “What do they have to do with it all? Isn’t it a matter for Ukraine to decide?”

Fico warned that the conflict will “last years more” if Kiev’s Western backers don’t stop interfering and start “respecting basic things,” including the right for Russian and Ukraine to work out a settlement one-on-one.

The prime minister went on to say that Western interference was behind the failure of the previous Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul in 2022. “Everything was ready, Ukraine was ready to sign a peace agreement, but the big boys from the West came and said no, we have to use this war to beat the Russians.”

“Many Western countries really want this war to continue,” Fico added. He expressed hope, however, that this will change once Russia and Ukraine sit down for talks. “This is a matter of Ukraine and Russia above all. If they are interested in working, they will be working.”

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has called Putin’s proposal a “positive sign” and said he is “ready to meet” for talks. He insisted, however, that a ceasefire should come first, suggesting that it begin on May 12.

Moscow has been wary of a prolonged pause in the fighting without a formal deal, warning it could allow Kiev to regroup and rearm. Ukraine rejected Russia’s 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire, and the Russian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian forces violated that short-term truce multiple times.

The US president, however, expressed doubts that Kiev will be able to reach a deal with Moscow

US President Donald Trump has urged Ukraine to “immediately” agree to the proposal of direct unconditional talks put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier on Sunday.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump suggested the proposed direct negotiations would, at least, help to clarify the positions of the sides of the conflict and show “whether or not a deal is possible.” 

“President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH. Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY,” the US leader wrote.

If it becomes clear that reaching a deal is not possible “European leaders, and the US, will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly,” Trump stated.

“I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the Russian president proposed that “the Kiev authorities resume the negotiations they interrupted in 2022” without any preconditions on May 15 in Istanbul. The peace settlement process must start with talks, which could ultimately yield “some kind of new truce and a new ceasefire,” Putin added.

“We are set on serious negotiations with Ukraine. Their aim is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and to achieve a long-term lasting peace for a historical perspective,” the president stressed.

The Russian offer has been criticized by Kiev and its Western backers, who demand the talks be preceded by the establishment of at least a 30-day truce. This stance was reiterated by Vladimir Zelensky minutes after Trump made his remarks. The Ukrainian leader demanded a truce be announced on Monday.

“We await a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy. There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally. I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses,” Zelensky wrote on X.

In 2022, Zelensky explicitly prohibited engaging in any negotiations with Russia as long as Putin is in power. While the ban remains in place, Zelensky has somewhat softened his position as of late, claiming it actually applied to everyone in Ukraine except himself.

The aborted 2022 Istanbul talks should serve as the starting point, adjusted for the “real situation” on the ground, presidential aide Yury Ushakov says

Peace negotiations with Ukraine should consider both the current realities on the ground and the groundwork laid during the 2022 Istanbul talks, an aide to the Russian president, Yury Ushakov, has said.

He made the remarks after Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Kiev the opportunity to resume direct talks “without any preconditions.” Speaking in the early hours of Sunday, Putin proposed a new round of talks that would take place on May 15 in Istanbul.

Ushakov told Russia’s Channel 1 that any peace talks with Ukraine should take into account the points that were worked out by the sides during the 2022 negotiations, which Kiev unilaterally walked away from. “The real situation” on the ground should “obviously” be considered as well, he added.

Also on Sunday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the “objectives of negotiations are clear – to eliminate the root causes of the conflict” and to protect Russian interests. He went on to suggest that Ukraine is not really independent, and much would depend on the decisions of its Western backers.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that his country is ready to host talks between Moscow and Kiev.

In a televised address, Putin stressed that Moscow is “set on serious negotiations with Ukraine,” and is seeking a “long-term, sustainable peace” that addresses the root causes of the conflict.

He did not rule out that the talks, if resumed, could yield “a new ceasefire” honored by both sides, which could pave the way to a comprehensive peace settlement.

”The decision is now up to the Ukrainian authorities and their supervisors,” the Russian president said.

In 2022, Moscow and Kiev reached a draft peace deal in Istanbul, in which Ukraine reportedly agreed to neutrality and limitations on its armed forces, while Russia offered the withdrawal of its troops and security guarantees. However, Kiev abruptly walked away from the talks – a move which Russian officials claim was encouraged by then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is said to have urged Kiev to “just continue fighting.”

In November 2023, David Arakhamia, an MP allied with Vladimir Zelensky and who led the Ukrainian delegation, confirmed that this was the case. Johnson, however, has denied the allegations.

The Ukrainian leader seeks to regroup the country’s armed forces under the guise of agreeing to talks, Rodion Miroshnik has said

Kiev’s response to Russia’s offer of unconditional peace talks shows that Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky wants to use it to rearm and regroup the country’s military, Rodion Miroshnik, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s ambassador-at-large, has said.

On Saturday night, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Kiev the opportunity to restart direct negotiations in Istanbul, which it unilaterally walked away from in 2022. Russia is ready to return to the negotiating table without any preconditions, he said.

Zelensky responded by demanding that Russia first agree to a 30-day ceasefire starting on May 12.

“Is this what agreeing to start negotiations without conditions looks like?!” Miroshnik, who is tasked with investigating the Ukrainian military’s alleged war crimes, wrote in a post on Telegram on Sunday. Zelensky is essentially “setting preconditions” for unconditional peace talks, he added.

Earlier on Sunday, Zelensky wrote on Telegram: “We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire – full, lasting, and reliable – starting tomorrow, May 12, and Ukraine is ready to meet.”

After meeting with European leaders in Kiev on Saturday, Zelensky demanded that Russia agree to a 30-day ceasefire. The Kremlin rejected what it described as external pressure surrounding the proposed truce. Moscow has also warned that a temporary pause in the fighting could be used by Kiev to regroup and strengthen its military.

Russia has said it is ready for peace talks at any time, and seeks a lasting resolution to the conflict that addresses the root causes. On Saturday night, Putin stated that Kiev has violated three ceasefires offered by Moscow: A 30-day US-brokered moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure which expired last month, an Easter ceasefire, and a 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire. He added that Ukraine tried to intimidate foreign leaders who attended the May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.

London wants to make Russia believe it has supplied Kiev with more weapons than it has in reality, a report says

The British military is supplying Ukraine with flat-pack decoys designed to mimic real military hardware, The Times reported on Saturday, citing sources. The effort is aimed at deceiving Russian forces and exaggerating the amount of modern equipment on the front line.

At the heart of the effort are so-called “Ikea-style” kits resembling British-supplied tanks, artillery, and air defense systems that are designed to stretch Russia’s surveillance and strike capacity. “We haven’t gifted a huge amount of these, so anything we can do to make the quantities look greater on the front line is advantageous to us,” RAF Squadron Leader Lowri Simner told the paper.

The deception campaign is being managed by Taskforce Kindred, a 20-person team within the British Defense Ministry that works with industry specialists. They rely on digital images of equipment to create realistic replicas, which are then printed on flat materials, shipped to Kiev, and quickly assembled close to the combat zones.

Some of the replicas are meant to resemble such equipment as Challenger 2 tanks and AS-90 self-propelled guns. The paper notes that decoys have come a long way from what was used during World War II. The impetus to improve the replicas has come from modern drones and satellites with formidable reconnaissance capabilities.

For every five real vehicles sent to Ukraine Kiev also receives as many as 30 decoys, according to Colonel Olly Todd, a military lead with the Taskforce Kindred. “You could be quite easily fooled,” he noted, adding that decoys are a “fundamental” facet of modern warfare.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Katerina Chernohorenko said, as quoted by The Times, that Russia has also been actively using decoys, particularly during drone strikes. She said many of the UAVs sent by Moscow carry minimal explosives but are designed to bait Ukrainian air defenses and waste ammo, which is often in short supply.

Despite its continued military support for Ukraine – which has reached £13 billion ($17 billion) – UK defense officials have sounded the alarm about the country not being ready for a full-scale war with a near-peer adversary due to years of underinvestment and procurement delays.

Russia has condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, warning that they only prolong the conflict without changing its ultimate outcome.

Moscow is “set on serious negotiations” with Kiev to bring a “long-term lasting peace,” the Russian president has said

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed starting peace talks with Ukraine without any preconditions as soon as Thursday.

The president made the remarks early on Sunday as he addressed the media at the conclusion of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory Day. Russia hosted numerous foreign dignitaries over the days surrounding the celebrations, including the leaders of China, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

Putin offered to start unconditional talks with Ukraine “without delay” on May 15 in Istanbul, where “they were held earlier and where they were interrupted,” referring to the negotiations held in Türkiye during the early phase of the conflict in 2022. 

Moscow is “set on serious negotiations” with Kiev and aims to “eliminate the root causes” of the conflict in order to achieve a “long-term lasting peace,” Putin stated. 

Here is the president’s speech in full:

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good evening, or maybe good night already. I want to greet everyone. Ladies and gentlemen. Colleagues.

Allow me to once again congratulate all of you on the Great Victory Day! Thank our friends and foreign partners who have been with us in Moscow these days at the anniversary celebrations to bow to the generation of winners.

We honor all those who contributed to the common victory over Nazism, including our allies in the anti-Hitler coalition, Chinese soldiers, participants in the anti-Fascist resistance in Europe, fighters of the people’s liberation movements in Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, and volunteers from Latin American countries.

Together with our friends and like-minded people, we share a common memory and respect for history, heroic deed of true heroes who fought for freedom, and of course, our responsibility for the future, for building a more just and safer world. The issues that directly affect the stable, sustainable development of the entire world community – Eurasia and other world regions – were at the center of the bilateral and the multilateral meetings held in Moscow.

Of course, they were held in a special, solemn, festive atmosphere, but at the same time they were extremely rich and informative, filled with topics of the political, economic and humanitarian agenda.

Summing up, and this is exactly what I would like to do now, I would say that in four days, from May 7 to May 10, we hosted official visits by the leaders of three foreign states: the People’s Republic of China, the Venezuelan Bolivarian Republic and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Additionally, 20 bilateral meetings were held with the heads of the CIS countries, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. In total, 27 heads of state from the CIS, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, as well as about 10 heads of international organizations took part in the celebrations. Another six countries were represented at a high level.

We see inspiring evidence of genuine consolidation around the enduring ideas and values of our common Great Victory in such a wide participation of delegations from foreign countries and international organizations.

We are grateful to the leaders of the 13 states who sent units of the national armed forces to participate in the parade on Red Square. Their shoulder-to-shoulder march with our ceremonial units filled the common holiday with special energy and the spirit of military brotherhood, tempered during the Second World War.

I was pleased to personally thank the military leaders of the Korean People’s Army and convey my warmest words to soldiers and commanders of special forces units of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who, jointly with our servicemen, professionally, and I want to emphasize this, faithfully performed their assignments during the liberation of the Kursk Region border areas from the Kiev regime forces. I would like to emphasize: they showed courage and heroism, acted – I want to say this again – professionally, to the highest degree, showed good training and preparation.

And of course, it was a special honor for all state leaders to salute the main heroes of the Victory anniversary on the stands – WWII veterans from Russia, Israel, Armenia and Mongolia.

I would like to highlight that, despite threats, blackmail and obstacles caused, including the closure of airspace, the leaders of several European countries – Serbia, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina – came to Moscow. I would like to reiterate: we understand the massive pressure they faced, and therefore we sincerely appreciate their political courage, firm moral position, decision to share the holiday with us, to pay tribute to the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War, World War II, who fought for their Fatherland and for deliverance from the brown plague of the whole world, of the entire mankind without any exaggeration.

It is important for us that millions of Europeans, state leaders that pursue sovereign policies, remember this. This gives us optimism and hope that sooner or later, based on the lessons of history and the opinion of our peoples, we will begin to move towards restoring constructive relations with European states. Including those who today still do not give up the anti-Russian rhetoric and clearly aggressive actions against us. They are still trying – we can see it right these days – to talk to us, in fact, in a boorish manner and through ultimatums.

Our comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction with the People’s Republic of China can serve as a genuine example of modern equal relations in the 21st century. Chinese President Xi Jinping was the chief guest at the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.

We have had exceptionally fruitful negotiations, we have adopted two joint statements at the level of heads of state, and we have signed a number of intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements covering such areas as energy, trade, finance, science, culture and much more. As I have already said, it has been agreed that in September I will pay an official return visit to China for the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of victory over militaristic Japan.

It is deeply symbolic and natural that the principal, in fact the main commemorative events related to the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe and Asia will be held in Moscow and Beijing – in the capital cities of the states whose peoples passed through the hardest trials and paid the highest price for the common Victory.

Colleagues, I think it is obvious to everyone that the talks and meetings held in Moscow also touched on the issue of resolving the conflict in Ukraine. We are grateful to all our guests, our friends, for the attention they are paying to this conflict and for the efforts they are making to bring this conflict to an end. In this connection, I believe it is necessary to dwell on this topic separately.

So, I want to say that, as it is known, Russia has proposed ceasefire initiatives on several occasions, but they, these initiatives, have been repeatedly sabotaged by Ukraine. For example, the Kiev regime defiantly violated about 130 times the 30-day – I want to make it a point – 30-day moratorium, from March 18 to April 17, on strikes against energy facilities, which was declared in accordance with our agreement with US President Donald Trump.

The Easter truce initiated by Russia was not observed either: the ceasefire regime was violated by Ukrainian forces almost 5,000 times. Nevertheless, for the celebration of Victory Day – and we consider this to be a sacred holiday for us as well, just imagine that we lost 27 million people – we declared a ceasefire for the third time on this holiday, which is sacred to us.

Incidentally we conveyed to those of our colleagues in the West who, in my opinion, are sincerely looking for ways to settlement, our position on this issue, on a ceasefire on Victory Day, and that in the future we do not exclude the possibility of extending the terms of this truce – but, of course, after analyzing what will happen in these several days, based on the results of how the Kiev regime will react to our proposal.

And what do we see? What are these results? The Kiev authorities, as you can see for yourself, did not respond at all to our ceasefire proposal. Moreover, after the announcement of our proposal – and this happened, as you remember, on May 5 – the Kiev authorities launched large-scale attacks in the early hours of May 7. As many as 524 unmanned aerial vehicles and a number of Western–made missiles participated in the strike, and 45 unmanned boats were used simultaneously in the Black Sea.

Actually, during these three days of the ceasefire that we announced – on May 8, 9 and 10 – happened what you also saw from the media, in fact, from your reports, it was clear: during this time, five targeted attempts were made to attack the state border of the Russian Federation in the area of the Kursk Region and at the junction with the Belgorod Region, precisely during the days of the ceasefire we announced. Additionally, another 36 attacks were made in other areas. All these attacks, including attempts to enter the territory of the Russian Federation in the Kursk Region and the Belgorod Region, were repulsed. Moreover, our military experts believe that they had no military significance, were conducted solely for political reasons and the enemy suffered very heavy losses.

As I have already said, the Kiev authorities not only declined our ceasefire proposal, but also, as we all saw, tried to intimidate the leaders of the states who gathered for the celebrations in Moscow. You know, when I met with colleagues here in Moscow, a thought occurred to me. I’ll share it with you: who were they trying to intimidate among those who came to Moscow to celebrate the Victory over Nazi Germany? Who were they trying to frighten? Those who have come to us are leaders not by position or a post, they are leaders by character, by their beliefs and willingness to stand for their beliefs. And who was trying to intimidate them? Those who stand at attention and salute, applaud former SS soldiers? And elevates those who collaborated with Hitler during WWII to the rank of national heroes? It seems to me that this is an attempt with obviously unsuitable means and those who are trying to do this do not correspond to the scale they expect themselves.

I will repeat: we have proposed steps towards a ceasefire on many occasions. We have never refused to engage in dialogue with the Ukrainian side. Let me remind you again: it was not us who interrupted the negotiations in 2022; it was the Ukrainian side. In this connection, despite everything, we propose that the authorities in Kiev should resume the negotiations that they interrupted at the end of 2022 and resume direct talks. And, I stress, without any preconditions.

We suggest starting without delay next Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul, where they were held earlier and where they were interrupted. As you know, Turkish colleagues have repeatedly offered their services to organize such talks, and President Erdogan has done a lot to organize them. I recall that as a result of these talks a joint draft document was prepared and initialed by the head of the Kiev negotiating group, but at the insistence of the West it was simply thrown into the basket.

Tomorrow we are going to have a conversation with the President of Türkiye, Mr Erdogan. I would like to ask him to provide such an opportunity to hold talks in Türkiye. I hope that he will confirm his desire to contribute to the search for peace in Ukraine.

We are set on serious negotiations with Ukraine. Their aim is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and to achieve a long-term lasting peace for a historical perspective. We do not rule out that in the course of these negotiations it will become possible to agree on some kind of new truce and a new ceasefire. And a real ceasefire that would be observed not only by Russia but also by the Ukrainian side and would be the first step, I repeat, towards a long-term, sustainable peace, rather than a prelude to continuing armed conflict after the Ukrainian armed forces have been rearmed, re-equipped and frantically digged trenches and new strongholds. Who needs such peace?

Our proposal is, as they say, on the table. The decision is now up to Ukrainian authorities and their supervisors, who are seemingly guided by their personal political ambitions, rather than the interests of their peoples, want to continue the war against Russia at the hands of Ukrainian nationalists.

Let me reiterate myself: Russia is ready for talks without any preliminary conditions. There are combat actions and war going on now, and we propose to resume negotiations that were not interrupted by us. Well, what’s wrong about it?

Those who really want peace cannot but support this. At the same time, I would like to express my gratitude once again for the mediation services and efforts aimed at a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis undertaken by our foreign partners, including China, Brazil, African countries, the Middle East, and recently the new Administration of the United States of America.

In conclusion, I would like to once again thank everyone who shared with us the festive celebrations dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory over Nazism. I am sure that the spirit of solidarity and harmony that united us in Moscow these days will continue to help us build fruitful cooperation and partnership in the name of progress, security and peace.

I would also like to take this opportunity to note the tremendous role of journalists, representatives of international information agencies, TV channels, and the press who covered the anniversary events and the many-hour program of current negotiations and working meetings. Much has been done to ensure that people in different countries of the world experience the unique atmosphere of the current holidays in Moscow. Of course, I thank you for this meeting as well, as it is held quite late and, of course, everyone is already tired.

Thank you very much for your attention, as it’s almost half past one in the morning, or even later than half past one in Moscow, God be with you.

Thank you very much for your attention. Goodbye.

The Russian president has proposed resuming direct negotiations with Kiev next week

French President Emmanuel Macron has downplayed Russia’s proposal to restart direct peace talks with Ukraine, saying it is “a first step,” but not enough. He made the remarks to reporters on Sunday, while returning from a trip to Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Kiev the opportunity to restart direct negotiations, which have been on hold since 2022, “without any preconditions.” Putin stressed that Moscow is ready to start “without delay,” and suggested meeting on May 15 in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that his country is ready to host the talks, telling Macron in a phone call that this could be “a historic turning point.”

Macron, however, insisted that the process should start with a “full and unconditional” 30-day ceasefire, referring to a proposal made by the leaders of Ukraine, the UK, and EU the day before, and which is reportedly supported by the US.

“It is a first step, but it is not enough… It’s a way of not responding. We must not give up,” Macron stated, claiming that Putin’s offer is a delaying tactic. “It shows that he is looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time.”

Macron also claimed that “an unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations, by definition.”

“We must stand firm with the Americans to say that the ceasefire is unconditional and then we can discuss the rest,” he said.

US President Donald Trump has welcomed Putin’s proposal, writing on Truth Social hours after the announcement that this is “a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine,” with “a BIG week upcoming!”

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky said Putin’s proposal is a “positive sign” and that he is “ready to meet” for talks. He insisted, however, that the first step should be a ceasefire, which he suggested should begin on May 12.

Moscow previously warned that Ukraine could use a prolonged pause in the fighting without a formal agreement to regroup and rearm. In his address, Putin said Kiev has violated three ceasefires proposed by Moscow: A 30-day US-brokered halt on strikes against energy infrastructure that expired last month, an unconditional Easter truce, and a 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire.

Istanbul hosted the last direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks in 2022, shortly after the escalation of the conflict. Moscow said that while the sides were making progress at the time and had worked out a preliminary peace treaty, the process was derailed by Kiev’s Western backers. The agreement eventually fell through, and Zelensky later issued a decree banning peace talks with Putin.

The US president could reportedly make the announcement during his upcoming trip to the Middle East

US President Donald Trump could formally recognize the state of Palestine at the upcoming Gulf-US summit in Saudi Arabia, the news outlet Media Line has reported, citing unnamed diplomatic sources.

Palestine is recognized as a sovereign nation by 147 countries, including Russia and most nations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. However, most Western European countries, Israel, and the US do not officially consider it a sovereign state. Many nations have called for its recognition as the only way to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict, which escalated in 2023 when Israel launched a military operation in Gaza following a surprise Hamas attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis and saw 250 taken hostage.

“President Donald Trump will issue a declaration regarding the State of Palestine and American recognition of it, and that there will be the establishment of a Palestinian state without the presence of Hamas,” a Gulf diplomatic source, who declined to be named or disclose his position, told the outlet. The source also added that the announcement “will be the most important declaration that will change the balance of power in the Middle East.”

The report comes amid speculation over remarks Trump made earlier this month during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney when he repeatedly teased “a very, very big announcement about a certain subject” that he planned to make either before or during his upcoming trip to the Middle East. While he did not specify what the announcement would entail, he said it would be “very positive.” Some observers suggest it could refer to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has denied that the US has plans to recognize Palestine, chiding the Jerusalem Post, which picked up the Media Line report, for trusting unchecked sources. “Jerusalem Post needs better sources than this unidentified ‘source’… This report is nonsense. @Israel doesn’t have a better friend than @POTUS!” he wrote on X on Saturday.

Trump has not previously expressed any intention to recognize Palestine. During his first term in office, he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, despite the Palestinians’ claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state under the 1993 Israel-Palestinian peace accords.

During his current term, however, Trump has been involved in mediating efforts to reach a lasting resolution to the conflict. While the sides reached a ceasefire in January, Israel resumed its operation against Hamas earlier this spring. Earlier this week, he suggested there could soon be an announcement on a new Gaza ceasefire proposal, saying there was “a lot of talk going on about Gaza right now.”

The Ukrainian leader wants a full ceasefire to precede direct negotiations with Moscow

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has responded to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for direct peace talks by reiterating his demand that any engagement must be preceded by a comprehensive ceasefire. Moscow, however, has said the settlement process must begin with talks, possibly followed by a ceasefire – not the other way around.

On Sunday, Putin proposed resuming direct negotiations with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul, Türkiye “without any preconditions.” He noted that Russia has never refused dialogue and expressed hope that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would facilitate the meeting.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described Putin’s proposal as “a serious offer” aimed at achieving a lasting peace through meaningful negotiations.

Responding to the offer, Zelensky took to Telegram, saying: “It is a good sign that the Russians are finally thinking about ending the war. Everyone in the world has been waiting for this for a long time. And the very first step in actually ending any war is a ceasefire.”

“We expect Russia to confirm a ceasefire – full, lasting, and reliable – starting tomorrow, May 12, and Ukraine is ready to meet,” he added.

Andrey Yermak, the head of Zelensky’s office, echoed his remarks, stating, “First, a 30-day ceasefire, then everything else. Russia must not mask the desire to continue the war under verbal constructions.”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed Kiev’s response, saying: “Judging by the reaction… they didn’t read the transcript of the Russian president’s statement very carefully, nor the hundreds of comments from global political figures and media publications supporting it.”

Putin’s proposal is “absolutely clear,” Zakharova stressed. “First, negotiations about the root causes [of the conflict], and then we can talk about a ceasefire.”

This came after leaders from France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and EU proposed a “full and unconditional” 30-day ceasefire, arguing that this would “create room for diplomacy,” while noting that the US has expressed support for the initiative.

According to Peskov, Putin supports the idea of a ceasefire “in general,” but “there are lots of questions” that remain unresolved. Moscow previously expressed concern that a halt in the fighting would allow Kiev to regroup its battered troops. It has also insisted that all Western arms shipments to Ukraine must be suspended for the duration of the ceasefire.

New Delhi and Islamabad have announced a truce and will have further discussions on May 12 to formalize the agreement

Following the recent escalation between India and Pakistan, the two nuclear-armed nations announced a ceasefire on Saturday. Both sides have issued directives to enforce the truce, and the director-generals of the two countries are expected to hold further talks on May 12, according to New Delhi.

India continues to maintain a heightened state of alert and operational readiness as ceasefire violations and cross-border tensions persist, the military said. 

The ceasefire came into effect at 5:00pm local time. Just three hours later, however, explosions were heard in Srinagar, Kashmir and other parts of India.

“Over the last few hours, there have been repeated violations of the understanding arrived at earlier this evening between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan. This is a breach of the understanding arrived at earlier today,” India’s foreign secretary stated at a late night briefing.

“We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility.”

Minutes later, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the nation, thanking the military for what he called a “historic success” in their operation against India. As a “responsible nation,” Pakistan has given a positive response to the ceasefire proposal, he said.

Islamabad will pursue “the path of negotiations” to ease tensions with New Delhi, Sharif added, without mentioning the ceasefire violations reported by the Indian side.

Shortly before New Delhi and Islamabad announced the truce, US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social account that the two nations had agreed to immediately cease hostilities “after a long night of talks mediated by the United States.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the two nations were ready to “start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.” While New Delhi has not officially confirmed the US role in mediating the ceasefire, the Pakistani prime minister thanked Trump, among others, including the leaders of China, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, for their role in achieving the ceasefire.

Military escalation 

The escalation between the two neighbors began on May 7, when India launched Operation Sindoor against non-military and non-civilian targets in Pakistan.

New Delhi said it was targeting terrorist bases in the country in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in India’s Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory in late April that killed 26 tourists. The Resistance Front, believed to be linked to the Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility for the attack, but later denied it.

Islamabad denied having any involvement. Indian investigators, however, claim to have identified the attackers’ planners and communication hubs connected to Pakistan.

New Delhi said on May 7 that it struck nine suspected terrorist-linked sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. “Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature,” the Indian government stated, adding that it has shown “considerable restraint in the selection of targets and method of execution.”

During the first phase of the operation, India claimed that it struck nine locations in Pakistan. Islamabad, however, claimed that 31 civilians were killed in the initial strike and called the operation an act of “unprovoked aggression,” vowing to respond accordingly.

Hours later, it launched attacks on various locations in Jammu and Kashmir, which New Delhi said resulted in at least 16 fatalities and dozens of injuries.

India stated that on the night of May 8-9, Pakistan launched around 300 drone attacks across 36 locations in India. The targets included cities, military establishments, and religious places, indicating a deliberate attempt by the Pakistan Army to strike a wide range of locations. The drones used in the attacks were reportedly Turkish-made, officials added.

India reportedly used the Russian-made S-400 mobile surface-to-air system to repel the attacks, according to government sources familiar with the situation. “S-400 was a part of the layered air defense of India,” the sources said. “They were used to track aerial threats.”

India responded by targeting air defense radars and systems in various locations in Pakistan, according to the Indian Defense Ministry. The Indian attacks caused damage and wounded soldiers, Pakistani officials were cited as saying by AP. 

On May 9, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan Al Marsoos (unbreakable wall), in what it said was retaliation for Indian strikes on its territory and the Pakistani-controlled part of Kashmir region, which has been claimed by both nations since 1947, when they gained independence from Britain. 

Islamabad said the operation aims to “protect Pakistan’s sovereignty, security, and oppressed citizens,” calling it a “befitting” response to Indian “aggression.” The government claimed to have “successfully targeted key Indian military installations,” destroyed a brigade headquarters at G Top, and hit a missile storage site in northern India.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan had no choice but to retaliate to the Indian attacks, but later signaled willingness to deescalate if India halts further strikes.

India responded with “retaliatory” precision airstrikes on Pakistani air bases and radar sites. The military released time-stamped images of intact air bases and confirmed only limited damage to personnel and infrastructure at Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda.

Indian officials denied Islamabad’s claims of critical infrastructure damage, calling them “lies, misinformation, and propaganda.” The military released time-stamped images of intact air bases and confirmed only limited damage to personnel and infrastructure at Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda. India also denied claims that its S-400 systems and BrahMos base were hit.

India also denied claims that its S-400 systems and BrahMos base were hit.

The Indian Army later stated that it destroyed several terrorist launchpads near the Line of Control in response to the Pakistani strikes, calling them “hubs for planning and executing terror attacks against Indian civilians and security forces.”

Diplomatic standoff 

Following the April 2 Pahalgam attack, the two countries took sweeping measures to further downgrade diplomatic and trade ties. 

India-Pakistan relations have been strained for decades over Kashmir. The two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought four wars and have had repeated border skirmishes. Relations have been nearly frozen since 2019, after the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government abrogated Article 370 of the constitution, which granted a certain level of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. 

Reacting to the April 22 massacre, New Delhi reduced the staff at the Pakistani High Commission, expelled Pakistani diplomats, and closed its land border. It also suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals and advised Indian citizens in Pakistan to promptly return home. 

Also, for the first time in six decades, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, which allows the two countries to share the waters of the Indus River system. New Delhi said the measures would remain in effect “until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”

Islamabad has denied it had any involvement in the Kashmir attack. It issued a reciprocal response to India’s measures on Thursday, suspending key bilateral agreements and cross-border routes, closing its airspace to all Indian-owned or operated airlines. India later responded with the same measures.  

Islamabad was especially outraged over India’s unilateral suspension of the water treaty, warning that if India follows through on its threat to block the rivers, it would take this as “an act of war.”

Neither Islamabad nor New Delhi has issued an official statement on the status of the agreement following the announcement of the ceasefire. Sources in the Indian government on Saturday noted that the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty remains intact. India will not share any hydrological information with Pakistan and will proceed with water infrastructure projects on the three northern rivers, the sources added. 

Sources in New Delhi also said that while Washington did not directly mediate the ceasefire, it played a role in deescalation by placing “direct pressure” on Pakistan, linking the provisional release of a $1 billion IMF loan, which New Delhi opposed, to immediate acceptance of the ceasefire. The US also formally acknowledged that New Delhi has revised its war doctrine, under which any future terrorist attack will be treated as an act of war, the sources added.

Ankara is ready to help Moscow and Kiev pick up the settlement process “where they left off” in 2022, the president has said

Türkiye has accepted Russia’s request to mediate direct peace talks with Ukraine, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. The country previously hosted negotiations between Moscow and Kiev in 2022, which ultimately collapsed after Ukraine walked out.

In a phone call on Sunday, Erdogan welcomed Putin’s recent statement suggesting that “talks between Russia and Ukraine would continue in Istanbul from where they left off,” adding that Ankara “was ready to host negotiations that would lead to a permanent solution.”

The Kremlin has confirmed the call, stating that the two leaders “discussed in detail the Russian president’s initiative to resume direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations.” 

“The Turkish side will provide all possible assistance in organizing and conducting negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting peace.”

On the same day, Erdogan told French President Emmanuel Macron that “a historic turning point” to end the conflict had been reached, and that this opportunity should be seized.

This comes after Putin offered Kiev the opportunity to restart direct negotiations in Istanbul on May 15, “without preconditions.” Kiev ultimately walked away from reaching a settlement in 2022 under pressure from London, and Vladimir Zelensky later issued a decree banning himself from any negotiations with Putin. 

Zelensky and several of Kiev’s Western backers have been insisting that Russia agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire before direct talks. Putin noted that Kiev has not adhered to the three ceasefires offered by Moscow.   

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that while Moscow supports the idea of a ceasefire “in general,” “there are lots of questions” that remain unresolved. Moscow previously voiced concern that the halt in hostilities would allow Kiev to regroup its battered troops and has insisted that all Western arms shipments to Ukraine must be suspended for the duration of the ceasefire. 

Türkiye hosted several rounds of negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in the spring of 2022. Moscow later said the talks had yielded tangible progress, including a tentative draft agreement on Ukraine’s neutral status, security guarantees, and other core issues. However, Moscow accused then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson of derailing the peace process, claiming that he advised Kiev not to accept the terms and to “keep fighting.”

While Johnson has denied the claim, David Arakhamia, head of the Ukrainian delegation at the time, acknowledged that he had played an influential role in the process.

Tobias Thyberg resigned as security adviser hours after images were sent to the prime minister’s office and news outlets

A former Swedish ambassador to Ukraine was forced to resign a top security position hours after taking up the role following the publication of explicit photos taken from a gay dating app.

Tobias Thyberg resigned from his post as Sweden’s national security adviser following the circulation of explicit images from the Grindr app to his political masters and the press. The scandal has sent shockwaves through the new NATO member’s political establishment, reportedly raising questions about the reliability of security vetting and possible foreign involvement.

Thyberg, who served as Sweden’s ambassador to Ukraine from 2019 to 2023, was appointed national security adviser shortly before midday on Thursday, according to a timeline published by the newspaper Dagens Nyheter.

About 30 minutes later, an anonymous email containing explicit photos, allegedly of Thyberg, was sent to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s office. The images, reportedly taken from an old Grindr account, were later shared with media outlets, including the Dagens Nyheter.

By midnight, Thyberg had informed the outlet that he would not assume the role, confirming the leak. “I should have informed about this but I didn’t,” he told the newspaper, referring to the pictures.

The paper noted that the images were not public, but were shared on a private channel, and that many were six or seven years old. It is unclear who accessed and distributed the pictures, but the Dagens Nyheter said the sender had used a private email service with strong encryption protection.

Kristersson has ordered an investigation into the scandal but refused to speculate about the potentially compromising materials. Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer confirmed that the sensitive images had not surfaced during the security check, noting that Thyberg should have disclosed them voluntarily. Peter Hultqvist, a former Swedish Defense Minister, suggested that the scandal could disrupt the country’s cooperation with its international partners.

The outlet reported, citing sources, that there is speculation within the Swedish government that a foreign power may be behind the emergence of the images. Another source told the paper that it is “incomprehensible why this vulnerability was not discovered in the security clearance. The position is placed in the highest security class.”

The role of national security adviser in Sweden, which was only created in 2022, is not as prominent as its US counterpart, but it still has significant influence. The advisor reports directly to the prime minister and handles classified information. The position has come under increased scrutiny recently following the January resignation of Henrik Landerholm, who was indicted after allegedly leaving classified documents in a hotel room – a charge he denies.

Scott Bessent has urged Congress to raise or suspend the debt ceiling to avoid running out of money to cover federal expenses

The US could default on its obligations by the end of summer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned. In a letter to Congress on Friday, he urged lawmakers to act by either raising or suspending the debt ceiling – a cap on how much the government can borrow – to avoid running out of money to cover federal expenses.

The country hit its current statutory debt limit of $36.1 trillion in January. Once the ceiling is reached, the government can no longer borrow to meet its obligations in full and on time. By now, total US debt has risen to $36.2 trillion, according to official data. However, the Treasury has relied on ‘extraordinary measures’ – primarily accounting tactics like pausing payments into civil service retirement funds – to continue to meet its obligations and delay default.

Republicans have reportedly been working on a legislative package that would raise the limit by up to $5 trillion, largely by extending and expanding President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. However, recent reports suggest that negotiations are progressing slowly and could take months.

Bessent said there is a “reasonable probability” that the Treasury’s emergency measures will run out by August, when Congress is scheduled to recess. He called on lawmakers to finalize the package by mid-July, warning that missing the deadline could leave the government without options to stave off default.

“I respectfully urge Congress to increase or suspend the debt limit by mid-July, before its scheduled break, to protect the full faith and credit of the United States,” Bessent wrote in a letter addressed to House Speaker Mike Johnson.

“A failure to suspend or increase the debt limit would wreak havoc on our financial system and diminish America’s security and global leadership position,” he added.

Bessent went on to warn that “waiting until the last minute to suspend or increase the debt limit” could have “serious adverse consequences” for financial markets, businesses, and the federal government, harm business and consumer confidence, and raise borrowing costs for US taxpayers.

The Congressional Budget Office has projected that the emergency measures would be exhausted in August or September.

The debt ceiling was raised three times under former President Joe Biden. Trump has argued that the cap should be abolished entirely, calling it pointless if it’s routinely lifted.

Bessent has pledged that a default will be avoided. Speaking at a House Appropriations Committee hearing last week, he said, “The US government will never default,” assuring lawmakers that the Treasury “will make sure that the debt ceiling is raised.”

The US president has welcomed Moscow’s overture aimed at resuming direct negotiations with Kiev

US President Donald Trump has expressed support for his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin’s proposal to resume direct peace talks with Ukraine. Putin earlier suggested restarting negotiations, which have been on hold since 2022, in Istanbul, Türkiye next week.

Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday to praise what he called “a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine! Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending ‘bloodbath’ hopefully comes to an end.”

The US, he added, “wants to focus, instead, on Rebuilding and Trade. A BIG week upcoming!”

Putin previously proposed resuming direct negotiations with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul, where talks were last held in 2022. Moscow said that while the sides were making progress toward peace at the time and had reached a preliminary draft agreement, the process was derailed by then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who advised Kiev to “keep fighting.” Johnson has denied the claim.

”We propose resuming talks without any preconditions,” Putin said, stressing that Russia has never refused dialogue. He added that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his readiness to facilitate the meeting.

Responding to the Russian leader’s new proposal, French President Emmanuel Macron called it “a first step, but not enough” to ensure a path to peace.

Putin’s remarks came after the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and the EU floated a proposal for a 30-day “full and unconditional” ceasefire, which they claimed would “create room for diplomacy,” adding that the US supports the initiative. Several European leaders also threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia if it rejects the ceasefire.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Russia needs to “think about” the ceasefire proposal. He added that while Putin supports the idea of a ceasefire “in general,” “there are lots of questions” yet to be resolved.

Moscow previously expressed concern that Ukraine could use a pause in the fighting to regroup its battered and exhausted troops while continuing forced mobilization. Russia has also insisted that Western arms shipments must be halted during a ceasefire.

Regarding the threat of new sanctions from EU nations, Peskov said Russia is “resistant to any kind of pressure.”

Washington has approved American weapons deliveries from German stockpiles, as Moscow calls for negotiations

The US has approved the transfer of 100 Patriot air-defense missiles and 125 long-range artillery rockets from German stockpiles to Ukraine, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing a congressional official. Under US export rules, American-made systems cannot be re-exported without prior approval from Washington.

The move follows Russia’s declaration of a 72-hour unilateral ceasefire from the start of May 8 to the end of May 10 to mark Victory Day, as well as President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to hold direct peace talks in Istanbul on May 15.

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has long advocated for long-range missiles and Patriot systems. He recently stated that Kiev is prepared to spend $30-50 billion on US weapons or obtain production licenses, and has instructed his government to pursue a Patriot deal. Each unit costs over $1 billion and requires around 90 personnel to operate.

Since returning to office in January, US President Donald Trump has not authorized new military aid for Ukraine. Shipments previously approved under former President Joe Biden have been nearly exhausted. According to the New York Times, the Trump administration has shown little interest in pursuing further assistance, instead urging European NATO allies to take on a greater share of the burden in supporting Ukraine.

On Thursday, the Ukrainian parliament ratified a landmark agreement with the US that grants Washington preferential access to critical natural resources, including rare-earth elements. Originally signed in April, the deal outlines the creation of a joint investment fund to support Ukraine’s economic recovery. While it does not include formal security assurances, Kiev views the agreement as a pathway to deeper cooperation with the US and potential future military support.

“This gives us hope,” Egor Chernev, the deputy chair of Ukraine’s parliamentary defense committee, said, as quoted by the New York Times. He noted that Ukrainian forces are running low on long-range missiles, artillery, and ballistic air defense systems, the majority of which are produced in the US.

In April, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin could not immediately send more Patriot systems due to supply issues. However, he confirmed plans to deliver four German-made IRIS-T SLM systems and 30 additional missiles. Germany has also sent 60 mine-resistant vehicles, 50,000 artillery shells, and one IRIS-T interceptor.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government has decided to stop publishing shipment details, aiming to establish “strategic ambiguity.”

Russia says it remains open to dialogue but insists that halting Western arms shipments is a prerequisite for any lasting ceasefire. Kiev has repeatedly called for a 30-day truce in recent months, describing it as critical to launching diplomatic efforts. Moscow has pushed back against the proposal, arguing that a pause would largely benefit Ukraine by giving its forces time to regroup and replenish their stockpiles.

The new manufacturing facility will help New Delhi increase its defense stockpiles amid a volatile security environment

India has inaugurated a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile production unit in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, according to Defense Ministry officials.

The facility, inaugurated by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, will manufacture one of the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missiles, with a range of 290-400km and speeds up to Mach 2.8, officials from the ministry added.

BrahMos Aerospace is a joint Indo-Russian venture launched in 2005. It was named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. India’s Defense Research and Development Organization has a 50.5% stake in the company, while Russian NPO Mashinostroyenia holds 49.5%. 

In addition to the manufacturing unit, the BrahMos Aerospace Integration and Testing Facility has also been launched. This facility will be crucial for the testing and assembly of missiles, the Defense Ministry officials added. 

The BrahMos Aerospace Production Unit in Lucknow is set for inauguration by Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh (virtually) and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today.

The Rs 300 crore facility is a key part of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor and represents India’s… pic.twitter.com/J4hSuXED0P

— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) May 11, 2025

The event also saw the laying of the foundation stone for the Defence Testing Infrastructure System (DTIS), which will be developed at the unit, to test and certify defense products. 

Built at a cost of $35 million, the BrahMos production unit in Lucknow was completed in three-and-a-half years, according to officials. In March, India’s Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) had approved the procurement of 250 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, according to India Today TV, citing unnamed sources.

The BrahMos missile has become a crucial part of the Indian military’s arsenal. It is designed for high-precision, long-range strikes against ground targets and can engage threats on land, sea, and underwater platforms.

Initially, the missile had a range of 290 kilometers (180 miles), but continuous upgrades have increased its range and enhanced its strategic capabilities. 

The developments come after Russia and India signed a new defense pact in February this year. The new agreement streamlines logistics and enhances cooperation between the armed forces of the two nations, facilitating joint military operations and activities, ministry officials said.

Currently, around 60% of the Indian military’s equipment is of Russian origin. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, the country is also working towards indigenization of its defense sector and has achieved success in some areas with support from private players.