Latest news with #Russian-American
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Time of India
Russia arrests US-Russian woman accused of smuggling gun
AI- Representative Image MOSCOW: Russian customs agents arrested a Russian-American woman at a Moscow airport for trying to bring a gun into the country in her suitcase, officials said Friday. Russia's Federal Customs Service said the woman, a dual citizen, was travelling from the United States via Turkey and was stopped at Moscow Vnukovo airport. "Vnukovo customs officers stopped the illegal import of a pistol and a bank cheque worth $138,000," it said on social media. The customs service said officers had stopped her during a random control check in the green lane of the customs corridor of the airport, used by passengers who do not have goods to declare. "The suitcase was found to contain an American Colt Commander, .45 calibre with three empty magazines," it said. The woman- who lives in the United States- had said she was "unaware of the need to declare the goods," it added. Russia- which has strict gun laws- opened a criminal case against her for smuggling firearms. Moscow has arrested several US citizens since launching its Ukraine offensive in 2022- but the trend has slowed since Donald Trump returned to the White House.
Yomiuri Shimbun
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Rubio Says US and Russia Have Exchanged New Ideas for Ukraine Peace Talks
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the U.S. and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks after he met with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia Thursday. 'I think it's a new and a different approach,' Rubio told reporters after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. 'I wouldn't characterize it as something that guarantees a peace, but it's a concept that, you know, that I'll take back to the president.' He didn't elaborate. Rubio added that President Donald Trump has been 'disappointed and frustrated that there's not been more flexibility on the Russian side' to bring about an end to the conflict. 'We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude. And then we shared some ideas about what that might look like,' he said of the 50-minute meeting. 'We're going to continue to stay involved where we see opportunities to make a difference.' In a statement released shortly after Thursday's meeting, Russia's Foreign Ministry said that 'substantive and frank exchange of views' had taken place on issues including Ukraine, Iran, Syria, and other global problems. 'Both countries reaffirmed their mutual commitment to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts, restoring Russian-American economic and humanitarian cooperation, and unimpeded contact between the societies of the two countries, something which could be facilitated by resuming direct air traffic,' the statement said. 'The importance of further work to normalize bilateral diplomatic relations was also emphasized.' The two men held talks in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, which brings together 10 ASEAN members and their most important diplomatic partners including Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, European nations and the U.S. The meeting was their second encounter since Rubio took office, although they have spoken by phone several times. Their first meeting took place in February in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the Trump administration sought to test Russia and Ukraine on their willingness to make peace. Thursday's meeting occurred shortly after the U.S. resumed some shipments of defensive weapons to Ukraine following a pause, ostensibly for the Pentagon to review domestic munitions stocks, that was cheered in Moscow. The resumption comes as Russia fires escalating air attacks on Ukraine and as Trump has become increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin. US diplomatic push could be overshadowed by tariff threats Rubio was also seeing other foreign ministers, including many whose countries face tariffs set to be imposed Aug. 1. 'These letters that are going out in these trade changes are happening with every country in the world,' Rubio told reporters. 'Anywhere in the world I would have traveled this week they got a letter.' Rubio sought to assuage concerns as he held group talks with ASEAN foreign ministers. 'The Indo Pacific, the region, remains a focal point of U.S. foreign policy,' he told them. 'When I hear in the news that perhaps the United States or the world might be distracted by events in other parts of the planet, I would say distraction is impossible, because it is our strong view and the reality that this century and the story of next 50 years will largely be written here in this region.' 'These are relationships and partnerships that we intend to continue to build on without seeking the approval or the permission of any other actor in the region of the world,' Rubio said in an apparent reference to China. Trump notified several countries on Monday and Wednesday that they will face higher tariffs if they don't make trade deals with the U.S. Among them are eight of ASEAN's 10 members. U.S. State Department officials said tariffs and trade won't be Rubio's focus during the meetings, which Trump's Republican administration hopes will prioritize maritime safety and security in the South China Sea, where China has become increasingly aggressive toward its small neighbors, as well as combating transnational crime. But Rubio may be hard-pressed to avoid the tariff issue that has vexed some of Washington's closest allies and partners in Asia, including Japan and South Korea and most members of ASEAN, which Trump says would face 25% tariffs if there is no deal. Rubio met earlier Thurday with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has warned global trade is being weaponized to coerce weaker nations. Anwar urged the bloc Wednesday to strengthen regional trade and reduce reliance on external powers. Rubio's 'talking points on the China threat will not resonate with officials whose industries are being battered by 30-40% tariffs,' said Danny Russel, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute and a former assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific during the Obama administration. When Anwar said 'ASEAN will approach challenges 'as a united bloc' he wasn't talking about Chinese coercion but about U.S. tariffs,' Russel noted. Majority of ASEAN members face major tariff hikes Among ASEAN states, Trump has announced tariffs on almost all of the bloc's 10 members. Trump sent tariff letters to two more ASEAN members Wednesday: Brunei, whose imports would be taxed at 25%, and the Philippines at 20%. Others hit this week include Cambodia at 36%, Indonesia at 32%, Laos at 40%, Malaysia at 25%, Myanmar at 40% and Thailand at 36%. Vietnam recently agreed to a trade deal for a 20% tariffs on its imports, while Singapore still faces a 10% tariff that was imposed in April. The Trump administration has courted most Southeast Asian nations in a bid to blunt or at least temper China's push to dominate the region. In Kuala Lumpur, Rubio also will likely come face-to-face with China's foreign minister during his visit. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is a veteran of such gatherings and 'fluent in ASEAN principles and conventions,' while Rubio 'is a rookie trying to sell an 'America First' message to a deeply skeptical audience,' Russel noted. Issues with China remain substantial, including trade, human rights, militarization of the South China Sea and China's support for Russia in Ukraine. U.S. officials continue to accuse China of resupplying and revamping Russia's military industrial sector, allowing it to produce additional weapons that can be used to attack Ukraine. Earlier on Thursday, Rubio signed a memorandum on civilian nuclear energy with Malaysia's foreign minister, which will pave the way for negotiations on a more formal nuclear cooperation deal, known as a 123 agreement after the section of U.S. law allowing such programs. Those agreements allow the U.S. government and U.S. companies to work with and invest in civilian energy nuclear programs in other countries under strict supervision.
Qatar Tribune
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
US, Russia exploring path to normalised ties: Moscow
DPA Moscow Russia and the United States plan to continue efforts to normalize their strained relationship after the country's top diplomats met in Malaysia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his US counterpart Marco Rubio spoke for nearly an hour during a meeting in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, according to Moscow. 'We have confirmed our mutual commitment to finding peaceful solutions to conflict situations, restoring Russian-American economic and humanitarian cooperation,' the ministry said in a statement. The meeting took place on the sidelines of ASEAN foreign ministers' talks, with discussions also covering Russia's war in Ukraine, as well as developments in Iran and Syria. Russia also reiterated its desire to resume direct air travel with the US, saying it would help facilitate 'unhindered contact' between the two countries' societies. Moscow emphasized once again 'the importance of continuing efforts to normalize the operation of bilateral diplomatic missions.'
The Advertiser
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'New' ideas raised in US-Russia talks, Russia hits Kyiv
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks after he met with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia. "I think it's a new and a different approach," Rubio told reporters after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "I wouldn't characterise it as something that guarantees a peace but it's a concept that, you know, that I'll take back to the president". He did not elaborate. Rubio added that US President Donald Trump has been "disappointed and frustrated that there's not been more flexibility on the Russian side" to bring about an end to the conflict. "We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude. And then we shared some ideas about what that might look like," he said of the 50-minute meeting. In a statement released shortly after Thursday's meeting, Russia's foreign ministry said that "substantive and frank exchange of views" had taken place on issues including Ukraine, Iran, Syria and other global problems. "Both countries reaffirmed their mutual commitment to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts, restoring Russian-American economic and humanitarian co-operation, and unimpeded contact between the societies of the two countries, something which could be facilitated by resuming direct air traffic," the statement said. "The importance of further work to normalise bilateral diplomatic relations was also emphasised." The two men held talks in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, which brings together 10 ASEAN members and their most important diplomatic partners including Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, European countries and the US. Hundreds of Russian drones and more than a dozen missiles targeted Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions in a second massive air attack in two days earlier on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who met allies in Rome to lobby for critical weapons and investment, said the attack on Thursday had involved about 400 drones and 18 missiles, primarily targeting the capital. Local authorities said two people were killed, 23 were wounded and damage reported in nearly every district of Kyiv. Explosions and anti-aircraft machine gun fire rattled the city. Windows were blown out, facades ravaged and cars burned to shells, including in the city centre where an apartment in an eight-storey building was engulfed in flames. "This is terror because it happens every night when people are asleep," said Karyna Volf, a 25-year-old Kyiv resident who rushed out of her apartment moments before shards of glass showered her home. Ukrainian air defences stopped all but a few dozen of the drones, authorities said, a day after Russia launched a record 728 drones at Ukraine. Escalating Russian strikes in recent weeks have strained Ukraine's air defences at a time when its troops are facing renewed pressure on the front line, and forced residents in Kyiv and across the country to seek cover in bomb shelters. "Residential buildings, vehicles, warehouse facilities, offices and non-residential buildings are on fire," Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on the Telegram messaging app. Russia's defence ministry said it had hit "military-industrial" targets in Kyiv as well as military airfields. with AP US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks after he met with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia. "I think it's a new and a different approach," Rubio told reporters after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "I wouldn't characterise it as something that guarantees a peace but it's a concept that, you know, that I'll take back to the president". He did not elaborate. Rubio added that US President Donald Trump has been "disappointed and frustrated that there's not been more flexibility on the Russian side" to bring about an end to the conflict. "We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude. And then we shared some ideas about what that might look like," he said of the 50-minute meeting. In a statement released shortly after Thursday's meeting, Russia's foreign ministry said that "substantive and frank exchange of views" had taken place on issues including Ukraine, Iran, Syria and other global problems. "Both countries reaffirmed their mutual commitment to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts, restoring Russian-American economic and humanitarian co-operation, and unimpeded contact between the societies of the two countries, something which could be facilitated by resuming direct air traffic," the statement said. "The importance of further work to normalise bilateral diplomatic relations was also emphasised." The two men held talks in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, which brings together 10 ASEAN members and their most important diplomatic partners including Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, European countries and the US. Hundreds of Russian drones and more than a dozen missiles targeted Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions in a second massive air attack in two days earlier on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who met allies in Rome to lobby for critical weapons and investment, said the attack on Thursday had involved about 400 drones and 18 missiles, primarily targeting the capital. Local authorities said two people were killed, 23 were wounded and damage reported in nearly every district of Kyiv. Explosions and anti-aircraft machine gun fire rattled the city. Windows were blown out, facades ravaged and cars burned to shells, including in the city centre where an apartment in an eight-storey building was engulfed in flames. "This is terror because it happens every night when people are asleep," said Karyna Volf, a 25-year-old Kyiv resident who rushed out of her apartment moments before shards of glass showered her home. Ukrainian air defences stopped all but a few dozen of the drones, authorities said, a day after Russia launched a record 728 drones at Ukraine. Escalating Russian strikes in recent weeks have strained Ukraine's air defences at a time when its troops are facing renewed pressure on the front line, and forced residents in Kyiv and across the country to seek cover in bomb shelters. "Residential buildings, vehicles, warehouse facilities, offices and non-residential buildings are on fire," Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on the Telegram messaging app. Russia's defence ministry said it had hit "military-industrial" targets in Kyiv as well as military airfields. with AP US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks after he met with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia. "I think it's a new and a different approach," Rubio told reporters after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "I wouldn't characterise it as something that guarantees a peace but it's a concept that, you know, that I'll take back to the president". He did not elaborate. Rubio added that US President Donald Trump has been "disappointed and frustrated that there's not been more flexibility on the Russian side" to bring about an end to the conflict. "We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude. And then we shared some ideas about what that might look like," he said of the 50-minute meeting. In a statement released shortly after Thursday's meeting, Russia's foreign ministry said that "substantive and frank exchange of views" had taken place on issues including Ukraine, Iran, Syria and other global problems. "Both countries reaffirmed their mutual commitment to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts, restoring Russian-American economic and humanitarian co-operation, and unimpeded contact between the societies of the two countries, something which could be facilitated by resuming direct air traffic," the statement said. "The importance of further work to normalise bilateral diplomatic relations was also emphasised." The two men held talks in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, which brings together 10 ASEAN members and their most important diplomatic partners including Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, European countries and the US. Hundreds of Russian drones and more than a dozen missiles targeted Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions in a second massive air attack in two days earlier on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who met allies in Rome to lobby for critical weapons and investment, said the attack on Thursday had involved about 400 drones and 18 missiles, primarily targeting the capital. Local authorities said two people were killed, 23 were wounded and damage reported in nearly every district of Kyiv. Explosions and anti-aircraft machine gun fire rattled the city. Windows were blown out, facades ravaged and cars burned to shells, including in the city centre where an apartment in an eight-storey building was engulfed in flames. "This is terror because it happens every night when people are asleep," said Karyna Volf, a 25-year-old Kyiv resident who rushed out of her apartment moments before shards of glass showered her home. Ukrainian air defences stopped all but a few dozen of the drones, authorities said, a day after Russia launched a record 728 drones at Ukraine. Escalating Russian strikes in recent weeks have strained Ukraine's air defences at a time when its troops are facing renewed pressure on the front line, and forced residents in Kyiv and across the country to seek cover in bomb shelters. "Residential buildings, vehicles, warehouse facilities, offices and non-residential buildings are on fire," Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on the Telegram messaging app. Russia's defence ministry said it had hit "military-industrial" targets in Kyiv as well as military airfields. with AP US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks after he met with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia. "I think it's a new and a different approach," Rubio told reporters after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "I wouldn't characterise it as something that guarantees a peace but it's a concept that, you know, that I'll take back to the president". He did not elaborate. Rubio added that US President Donald Trump has been "disappointed and frustrated that there's not been more flexibility on the Russian side" to bring about an end to the conflict. "We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude. And then we shared some ideas about what that might look like," he said of the 50-minute meeting. In a statement released shortly after Thursday's meeting, Russia's foreign ministry said that "substantive and frank exchange of views" had taken place on issues including Ukraine, Iran, Syria and other global problems. "Both countries reaffirmed their mutual commitment to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts, restoring Russian-American economic and humanitarian co-operation, and unimpeded contact between the societies of the two countries, something which could be facilitated by resuming direct air traffic," the statement said. "The importance of further work to normalise bilateral diplomatic relations was also emphasised." The two men held talks in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, which brings together 10 ASEAN members and their most important diplomatic partners including Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, European countries and the US. Hundreds of Russian drones and more than a dozen missiles targeted Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions in a second massive air attack in two days earlier on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who met allies in Rome to lobby for critical weapons and investment, said the attack on Thursday had involved about 400 drones and 18 missiles, primarily targeting the capital. Local authorities said two people were killed, 23 were wounded and damage reported in nearly every district of Kyiv. Explosions and anti-aircraft machine gun fire rattled the city. Windows were blown out, facades ravaged and cars burned to shells, including in the city centre where an apartment in an eight-storey building was engulfed in flames. "This is terror because it happens every night when people are asleep," said Karyna Volf, a 25-year-old Kyiv resident who rushed out of her apartment moments before shards of glass showered her home. Ukrainian air defences stopped all but a few dozen of the drones, authorities said, a day after Russia launched a record 728 drones at Ukraine. Escalating Russian strikes in recent weeks have strained Ukraine's air defences at a time when its troops are facing renewed pressure on the front line, and forced residents in Kyiv and across the country to seek cover in bomb shelters. "Residential buildings, vehicles, warehouse facilities, offices and non-residential buildings are on fire," Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on the Telegram messaging app. Russia's defence ministry said it had hit "military-industrial" targets in Kyiv as well as military airfields. with AP
West Australian
10-07-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
'New' ideas raised in US-Russia talks, Russia hits Kyiv
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States and Russia have exchanged new ideas for Ukraine peace talks after he met with his Russian counterpart in Malaysia. "I think it's a new and a different approach," Rubio told reporters after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "I wouldn't characterise it as something that guarantees a peace but it's a concept that, you know, that I'll take back to the president". He did not elaborate. Rubio added that US President Donald Trump has been "disappointed and frustrated that there's not been more flexibility on the Russian side" to bring about an end to the conflict. "We need to see a roadmap moving forward about how this conflict can conclude. And then we shared some ideas about what that might look like," he said of the 50-minute meeting. "We're going to continue to stay involved where we see opportunities to make a difference." In a statement released shortly after Thursday's meeting, Russia's foreign ministry said that "substantive and frank exchange of views" had taken place on issues including Ukraine, Iran, Syria and other global problems. "Both countries reaffirmed their mutual commitment to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts, restoring Russian-American economic and humanitarian co-operation, and unimpeded contact between the societies of the two countries, something which could be facilitated by resuming direct air traffic," the statement said. "The importance of further work to normalise bilateral diplomatic relations was also emphasised." Local authorities said two people were killed, 23 were wounded and damage reported in nearly every district of Kyiv. Explosions and anti-aircraft machine gun fire rattled the city. Windows were blown out, facades ravaged and cars burned to shells, including in the city centre where an apartment in an eight-storey building was engulfed in flames. "This is terror because it happens every night when people are asleep," said Karyna Volf, a 25-year-old Kyiv resident who rushed out of her apartment moments before shards of glass showered her home. Ukrainian air defences stopped all but a few dozen of the drones, authorities said, a day after Russia launched a record 728 drones at Ukraine. Escalating Russian strikes in recent weeks have strained Ukraine's air defences at a time when its troops are facing renewed pressure on the front line, and forced residents in Kyiv and across the country to seek cover in bomb shelters. "Residential buildings, vehicles, warehouse facilities, offices and non-residential buildings are on fire," Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said on the Telegram messaging app. Russia's defence ministry said it had hit "military-industrial" targets in Kyiv as well as military airfields. with AP
