Latest news with #Medvedev
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
World War 3: Will Ukraine's drone strike inside Russia raise the risk of a global nuclear war?
Ukraine launched a major drone strike on five Russian air bases ahead of scheduled peace talks in Istanbul. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the attacks, which damaged multiple aircraft. Ukraine said it had destroyed nearly 40 Russian aircraft, including TU-95 and Tu-22 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons. The strike was prepared over 11 months by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). The escalation comes just before the second round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. International observers said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is trying to increase pressure on Moscow before the talks begin on June 2. Russia's delegation, led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medynsky, has already reached Turkey. Despite the meeting, experts have said there is little hope for an immediate ceasefire. World War 3: Fears of nuclear escalation resurface The strikes have raised concerns about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin might respond with nuclear weapons. On May 4, Putin addressed the issue in a state television interview. 'There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons ... and I hope they will not be required. We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like DNA Discovery Reveals Truth About Native Americans Daily Sport X Undo Last year, Putin updated Russia's nuclear doctrine, which now permits the use of nuclear weapons even in response to a conventional attack supported by a nuclear-armed country.' Former Russian President Warned of World War III last week Tensions escalated further this week as former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned of the threat of World War III amid rising hostilities between Washington and Moscow over the Ukraine conflict. Medvedev, who now serves in a senior security role, made the remark after a fiery statement from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Live Events You Might Also Like: Is World War III coming? US-Russia social media slugfest escalates; Medvedev's comment sparks global alarm, Trump aide counters Trump, writing on his social media platform Truth Social, criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming that his past leadership had prevented 'really bad things' from happening to Russia. 'He's playing with fire!' Trump warned, seemingly frustrated by the absence of a ceasefire. Hours later, Medvedev responded on X, saying, 'I only know of one REALLY BAD thing — WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!' European nations prepare for broader conflict In March this year, European countries advised citizens to prepare for emergencies. Governments in Sweden, Finland, and Germany have issued civil defence guides recommending stockpiling food, water, and medicines. These measures were advised amid rising military tensions and concerns about future security in the region. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Russia could attack Europe by 2030. 'If anyone miscalculates and thinks they can get away with attacking Poland or any other ally, they will be met with the full force of this fierce alliance,' Rutte said during a visit to Warsaw, shortly after a Russian missile hit the Ukrainian city of Sumy. Some defence experts believe that if Ukraine falls, Russia may try to advance into neighbouring countries such as the Baltic states, Finland, or Poland. According to military analysts, this could force NATO into direct conflict with Russia. You Might Also Like: Russia Ukraine war: Smuggled trucks, drones, over year long planning, here's how Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers, airbases are destroyed Many in US and Europe think 'World War II likely within five to 10 years' Last month, on the eve of eighty years after the end of the Second World War, new polling suggests that many people in the US and western Europe believe a more destructive global conflict could erupt within the next decade. Rising tensions with Russia are viewed as the most likely trigger for such a war. The YouGov survey, conducted ahead of the 80th anniversary of VE Day, found that between 41% and 55% of respondents in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain considered another world war to be very or fairly likely within five to ten years. In the United States, 45% of those polled shared this concern. Most also said the lessons of the Second World War remain relevant and should continue to be passed on to younger generations. Middle East and Asia add to global instability While Europe prepares for potential escalation, the Middle East is witnessing renewed violence. Israel's strikes in Gaza have put the ceasefire agreement at risk. In southern Lebanon, Hezbollah is under attack, and Syria remains unstable. The United States has carried out airstrikes in Yemen targeting Houthi forces. Reports suggest Iran may be working toward nuclear capability, with unconfirmed intelligence indicating a possible exchange of military technology between Russia and Iran. Recently, tension increased between India and Pakistan after a terror attack in Pahalgam led by Pakistan-based terrorists. India launched a strike on nine terror targets in Pakistan, which escalated into a wider conflict between the two nuclear-powered nations. Elsewhere in Asia, the US and China remain in a standoff over Taiwan, with both sides increasing military activity. Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned that the rising pressure could push the world closer to a major conflict. Analysts have cautioned that the use of military force by either side could result in global consequences. North Korea's role in Ukraine raises further alarms In January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces had captured North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops. According to reports, North Korea had sent hundreds of troops to support Russia. This raised further concerns about the growing number of countries indirectly involved in the Ukraine conflict. Is a global war underway? Military and political analysts are questioning whether the world is already in the early stages of a broader war. With conflicts intensifying in multiple regions and nuclear rhetoric on the rise, governments are adjusting their defence policies. European nations are deploying air defence systems such as the US-made Patriot missiles and Israel's Arrow 3 interceptor. There is also ongoing discussion in Europe about creating a more independent nuclear deterrent, with countries like Poland expressing interest in tactical nuclear weapons. Across capitals, officials stress that these are precautionary steps. However, the speed at which countries are increasing defence readiness and civil preparedness shows the level of concern.
CTV News
21 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Putin's tough stance on a Ukraine peace plan shows his resolve on Russia's demands
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting of the Russia - Land of Opportunities Supervisory Board at the Kremlin in Moscow, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) By making harsh, uncompromising demands in peace talks with Ukraine while continuing to pummel it with waves of missiles and drones, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a clear message: He will only accept a settlement on his terms and will keep fighting until they're met. At the same time, he has sought to avoid angering U.S. President Donald Trump by praising his diplomacy and declaring Moscow's openness to peace talks — even as he set maximalist conditions that are rejected by Kyiv and the West. Trump, who once promised to end the three-year-old war in 24 hours, has upended the U.S. policy of isolating Russia by holding calls with Putin and denigrating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At the same time, however, Trump warned Putin against 'tapping me along' and threatened Moscow with sanctions if it fails to back his peace proposals. Trump says Putin is 'playing with fire' In recent days, Trump signaled he was losing patience with Putin, declaring the Russian leader had gone 'crazy' by stepping up aerial attacks on Ukraine. He also said: 'What Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He's playing with fire!' Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president who serves as deputy head of Putin's Security Council, fired back: 'I only know of one REALLY BAD thing — WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!' Fyodor Lukyanov, a Moscow-based analyst familiar with Kremlin thinking, said Putin is engaged in a 'psychological game' with Trump, with both men thinking they understand each other well. 'Putin's tactics is apparently based on an assumption that the issue has a lesser priority for his interlocutor, who wants to get rid of it one way or another, while for the Russian side, nothing compares to it in importance,' Lukyanov wrote a commentary. 'In this logic, the one who sees it as something of lesser importance will eventually make concessions.' While Ukraine's European allies urge Trump to ramp up sanctions against Moscow to force it to accept a ceasefire, some fear that Trump may end up distancing the U.S. from the conflict. If the U.S. halts or reduces military aid to Kyiv, it would badly erode Ukraine's fighting capability. Growing Russian pressure Kyiv already is experiencing a weapons shortage, particularly air defense systems, leaving it increasingly vulnerable to Russian missile and drone attacks. Across the over 1,000-kilometre (over 600-mile) front line, the exhausted and outgunned Ukrainian troops are facing increasing Russian pressure. This month, Russian forces accelerated their slow push across the Donetsk region, the focus of Moscow's offensive, grinding through Ukrainian defenses at the quickest pace since last fall. Russia also expanded its attacks in the northeastern Sumy and Kharkiv regions following Putin's promise to create a buffer zone along the border. Many observers expect Russia to expand its offensive over the summer to try to capture more land and set even tougher conditions for peace. 'Moscow thinks its leverage over Ukraine will build over time, and since Trump has strongly implied that he will withdraw from negotiations the Russian military is set to intensify its operations,' said Jack Watling of the Royal United Services Institute in London. He predicted Russia would intensify efforts to take all of the Donetsk region while also pressing a bombing campaign. 'The Kremlin will want to suggest a deteriorating situation as negotiations continue and to signal to Europe that the rear is not safe, to discourage European militaries from putting forces in country,' Watling said in an analysis. Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin, Moscow-based analyst, said the long-expected offensive hasn't yet begun in earnest as Russia is cautious not to anger Trump. 'If Kyiv derails peace talks, the Russian army will start a big offensive,' he said. Putin's conditions for peace Putin has demanded that Ukraine withdraw its forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson — the four regions that Russia illegally annexed in September 2022 but never fully controlled. That demand had been rejected by Kyiv and its allies, but the Russian delegation reportedly repeated it during talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 16. Those talks, the first since botched negotiations in the opening weeks of the war, came after Putin effectively rejected a 30-day truce proposed by Trump that was accepted by Kyiv. Russia had linked such a ceasefire to a halt in Ukraine's mobilization effort and a freeze on Western arms supplies. Putin proposed talks to discuss conditions for a possible truce. Trump quickly prodded Kyiv to accept the offer, but the negotiations yielded no immediate progress except an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners each. Russia offered to hold another round of talks Monday in Istanbul, where it said it will present a memorandum setting conditions for ending hostilities. It refused to share the document before the negotiations. Some observers see the talks as an attempt by Putin to assuage Trump's growing impatience. 'Putin has devised a way to offer Trump an interim, tangible outcome from Washington's peace efforts without making any real concessions,' said Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. Facing Western accusations of stalling, the Kremlin responded that the conflict can't be resolved quickly and emphasized the need to address its 'root causes.' When Putin invaded Ukraine, he said the move was needed to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and protect Russian speakers in the country -– arguments strongly rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies as a cover for an unprovoked act of aggression. Along with those demands, Putin also wants limits on Ukraine's sovereignty, including the size of Ukraine's military, and for Kyiv to end what Moscow sees as glorification of Ukraine's World War II-era nationalist leaders, some of whom sided with the invading forces of Nazi Germany over the Soviet leadership in the Kremlin. A Kremlin negotiator who's been there before Seeking to underline that Moscow will press home its initial demands, Putin appointed his aide Vladimir Medinsky to lead the Russian delegation in Istanbul. He also led the Russian side in the 2022 talks. Kyiv reportedly has asked the U.S. to encourage Putin to replace him. The soft-spoken, 54-year-old career bureaucrat, who was born in Ukraine, ascended through the Kremlin ranks after writing a series of books exposing purported Western plots against Russia. In an interview with Russian state television after the May 16 talks, Medinsky pointed to Russia's 18th century war with Sweden that lasted 21 years, a signal that Moscow is prepared to fight for a long time until its demands are met. 'History repeats itself in a remarkable way,' he said. The Associated Press
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Next Gen stars run amok at Roland Garros
Novak Djokovic has a list of Next Gen stars to beat to his 25th Slam title. Photo: EPA Whoever branded Roland Garros as 'Couture On Clay', has clearly never been. The French Open is no catwalk, nor cakewalk. It 's the most physically grueling and unpredictable of all four Slams, synonymous with bad injuries and major upsets: 16th Seed Grigor Dimitrov, one of the fittest on Tour, retired injured at two sets up, in his opener, versus American, Ethan Quinn. Former No 1, Daniil Medvedev and former Finalists, Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Karolina Muchova- not to mention Top 10, Alex De Minaur were all exiting turnstiles come Round 2, at the hand of rank outsiders. Tsitsipas' loss to Italian qualifier, Matteo Gigante, 6-4,5-7,6-2,6-4, being the most significant, in that it shone a spotlight on yet another emerging, aggressive Next Gen. As for leading Next Gen star, teenage Joao Fonseca, he reached another milestone, in progressing to the third round of a Major on debut, becoming the youngest Brazilian to win a clay court match since 1963 and leapfrogging up the rankings to No 54. He had to fell in form, 30th seed, Hugo Hurkacz, followed by French wild card, Pierre-Hughes Herbert, in a tight three-setter, 7-6(4), 7-6(4),6-4. Meanwhile his nemesis, 19-year-old, Miami champion, Jacob Mensik axed Hamburg Finalist, Alexandre Muller in straight sets. And the youngest of French musketeers, new No 1, Arthur Fils, under immense patriotic pressure on Court Phillips Chatriere, stole the show in an epic five-set thriller, in which he overcame Spain's Jaume Munar to earn his first ever victory on clay. Less fortunate but no less heroic, in terms of Herculean French effort, was veteran Gael Monfils brave 6-3, 4-6, ,6-3, 7-5 stand, against seemingly unstoppable British No 1, Jack Draper. If the French are impressing in their own arena, then so too are their arch-rivals across the channel: For first time in the Open era, three Brits - No's 1-3, Draper, Jacob Fearnley and Cameron Norrie have all progressed to Round 3 at Roland Garros. Take a bow Norrie, who took down Medvedev, in another hard fought five-setter, 7-5,6-3,4-6,1-6,7-5 in achieving this. Interestingly the Top billing, prematurely eliminated, namely Medvedev, Ruud and De Minaur have pointed fingers at the current mandatory scheduling on Tour: 'I don't think they have daughters..' complained the droll Russian. The Norwegian took it a step further: 'It's a rat race, if you skip a tournament, you lose out economically and financially..' Ruud, who was beaten 2-6,6-4,6-1,6-0, by Portuguese No 1, Nuno Borges, while nursing a lingering knee injury, was accusing the ATP system of making players feel obligated to play tournaments, while injured, at the risk of losing, or defending points. That said, those, forced to take an extended break, with an unplayable injury ,eg. World No 2, Carlos Alcaraz, or a drug ban, eg. World No 1, Jannik Sinner, do reap the rewards of rest, on their return: Both Nos 1 & 2 have cruised through to Round 3 on their respective sides of the Draw: Alcaraz producing mercurial shots, whist sending Hungarian No 1, Fabian Marozan- no pushover- packing. Sinner to date, not really tested by either newly married Arthur Rinderknech or retiring Richard Gasquet. Then there is the three ex French Open and current Olympic champion, who cares not a jot about rankings or finances, and is playing only to procure a 25th Singles title, with which to catapult himself into a stratosphere, reached by no other player- male of female, one Novak Djokovic. He too is taking scalps in week one (McKenzie McDonald & Corentin Moutet) but that 15-year-age difference, in a field full of Next Gen phenomena, could prove his stumbling block.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Medvedev suggests reason Zelensky wants three-way Trump-Putin meeting
Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky suggested holding a three-way meeting with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a bid to gain some legitimacy as a leader, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has claimed. Zelensky, whose presidential term expired more than a year ago, has repeatedly cited martial law as a pretext for refusing to hold a new election. The Kremlin argues that he is now 'illegitimate' as a leader. In a post on his Telegram channel on Friday, Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, wrote that the reason why Zelensky wants a meeting with both Trump and Putin at the same time is 'obvious enough.' 'A three-way conversation means [he] can get a massive legitimacy boost by latching onto the clout of those at the table,' the Russian official claimed. Medvedev also surmised that Zelensky could capitalize on such a meeting domestically, using it as a pretext to put off elections further and to convince Ukrainian elites that 'now is not the time to change horses in midstream.' On Tuesday, Zelensky stated that 'we are ready for the 'Trump, Putin, and me' format, and we are ready for the Trump-Putin, Trump-Zelensky format, and then the three of us.' According to Zelensky, while several venues for the potential summit were being considered, Türkiye was the 'most realistic option.' The following day, Trump said he was prepared for a trilateral meeting with Zelensky and Putin 'if it's necessary.' Speaking during his visit to Kiev on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that he believes 'it is possible to cap the first and second direct Istanbul talks with a meeting between Mr. Trump, Mr. Putin, and Mr. Zelensky, under the direction of [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan.' Also on Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that Putin is open to holding high-level direct talks with Kiev. However, he said these should be preceded by concrete progress being made in the negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. The representatives of Moscow and Kiev last met in Istanbul on May 16, marking their first formal negotiations since 2022. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov proposed holding the next round of direct discussions on June 2, also in Istanbul.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Norrie stuns Medvedev in French Open
Britain's Cameron Norrie needed five sets to get past 11th seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Photo: AFP Britain's Cameron Norrie ousted former world number one Daniil Medvedev in a marathon five-set first round match at the French Open on Tuesday. Former US Open champion and five-time Grand Slam runner-up Medvedev was dumped out in the first round for the sixth time in Paris, losing 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 1-6, 7-5 in just under four hours. British number one Norrie, ranked 81, threw his racquet in the air in delight as he claimed his first win in five meetings with the 11th-seeded Russian. Norrie had battled back from a break down in the decider, surviving after Medvedev had served for the match at 5-4 in the fifth set. "Disappointed to lose, that I didn't manage to serve it out," said Medvedev. "It was a great fight. He played well. I didn't play good enough. So that's why I lost." Norrie said: "Playing Daniil is not easy. It was always going to be a tricky match for me. It was just pure emotion at the end and pure instinct. "I lost to him two weeks ago. He completely chopped me in Rome. In a Slam, beating him in five sets is impressive for me. I can take a lot of confidence." Norrie said his semi-final on clay in Geneva last week against 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic had been "really helpful" in preparing for Roland Garros. "I felt it was just a continuation of that match today. It was like playing the fourth set against Novak in the first set against Daniil. "I managed to get it over the line, it was a crazy match." The 29-year-old Medvedev's best finish in Paris was the quarter-finals in 2021. Norrie, also 29, plays the second round in Paris for the fifth time against Argentina's Federico Gomez who rallied past American Aleksandar Kovacevic 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-1. "Massive forehand. Massive serve. I know on his day, he's very tough to beat," said Norrie of 144th-ranked Gomez. "He must be playing well to beat Kovacevic on clay. It's a huge win." Fonseca thanks Kuerten Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca began his French Open campaign with a 6-2 6-4 6-2 win over Hubert Hurkacz in front of a packed crowd on Court Seven and attributed the huge support to the popularity of compatriot and former champion Gustavo Kuerten. All three of former world number one Kuerten's Grand Slam triumphs came at the French Open (1997, 2000 and 2001) and 18-year-old Fonseca said that he had made the tournament more popular with Brazilian tennis fans. "I knew there is going to be a lot of Brazilians here in Paris, a lot of Brazilians living here and they come a lot," Fonseca told reporters after his win over 30th seed Hurkacz on Tuesday. "I think because of Guga (Kuerten), because of the tradition, there is a lot of Brazilians." One of the rising stars of the men's tour, Fonseca shocked ninth seed Andrey Rublev on his Grand Slam main draw debut at the Australian Open in January and became the youngest Brazilian to win an ATP tournament at the Argentina Open the following month. Fonseca said he wanted to focus on improving himself instead of the growing pressure brought on by rising expectations. "Sometimes the pressure is going to come. It's normal. You need to deal with it," he added. Fonseca may not enjoy the same level of support in the next round on Thursday as he faces Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
