U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 50-minute phone call regarding the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

According to Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, Putin condemned Israel's missile strikes on Iran. Both leaders discussed the possibility of reviving talks surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. Analysts believe the call may hint at new geopolitical alignments and future diplomatic coordination. Meanwhile, Croatia's Foreign Minister confirmed that their consul and his wife in Tel Aviv were injured in the recent Israeli attacks.

Amid rising tensions and fears of a possible Russian attack, Poland has deployed fighter jets to strategic locations along its 232-kilometer border with Russia. The move comes after sightings of Russian aircraft and drones beyond Ukrainian airspace. Poland and its NATO allies have begun joint air patrols. The government is also planning mandatory military training for adult men. Poland previously accused Russia of airspace violations and suspicious naval activity. Since 2022, Poland has actively supported Ukraine and criticized Russia’s nuclear moves in Belarus.

Russia carried out intense drone and missile attacks on several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, early Friday, killing six and injuring at least 80. The strikes are believed to be in retaliation for Ukraine's recent drone attacks on Russian bomber aircraft. Civilian areas, including apartment buildings and infrastructure, were heavily damaged. Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed emergency workers were among the dead. Ukraine's air force reported over 400 drones and 45 missiles launched, making it one of the largest single assaults of the war.

Russia and Ukraine are preparing for their biggest prisoner exchange yet, with 1,200 captives from each side set to be released between June 7 and 9. Russian advisor Vladimir Medinsky stated this could be the largest swap since the war began. Peace talks in Istanbul continue, with Russia proposing a two-phase peace plan and Ukraine insisting on an immediate ceasefire before leadership-level meetings. Russia also plans to return 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers' bodies and retrieve its own, signaling a shift toward long-term peace.

Peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine remain at a standstill, with no significant progress expected in the near future, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Recent talks in Istanbul saw Ukraine call for a full and unconditional ceasefire, a demand Moscow rejected. Both sides did, however, agree on prisoner exchanges and exchanged peace proposals. Peskov emphasized the complexity of the situation and dismissed hopes for a quick resolution. He also said a summit involving the presidents of Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. is unlikely unless negotiators reach a substantial agreement. Moscow is demanding a troop withdrawal from four Ukrainian regions as a precondition for ceasefire, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insists on a full and unconditional truce.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has laid out conditions to end the Ukraine war, demanding a written commitment from NATO to halt further expansion and a rollback of certain sanctions. According to Reuters, Putin wants assurances that countries like Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova will not be granted NATO membership. Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Putin for being dismissive of ceasefire talks, accusing him of “playing with fire.” Meanwhile, Moscow rejected a proposed trilateral meeting involving Trump, Zelensky, and Putin.

During peace talks held in Istanbul, head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky stated, “We do not want war, but we are prepared to continue fighting—one year, two years, even 21 years. We fought Sweden for that long before.”

Ukraine reportedly rejected Russia’s demand to withdraw its forces from four regions. In response to Ukraine’s strong objection, Russian negotiators warned, “Next time, the demand will include five regions.” Despite these tensions, both sides agreed to a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals.

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a mutual exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war each, following talks held in Turkey. Russian envoy Vladimir Medinsky stated that Ukraine has requested a direct meeting between the two presidents, which is under consideration. Both sides have reportedly agreed to present a framework for a possible ceasefire. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that discussions also included a potential summit between Presidents Zelensky and Putin. Notably, former U.S. President Donald Trump had expressed interest in joining the talks, but Russian President Vladimir Putin did not respond.

For the second consecutive night, Moscow has come under heavy drone assault from Ukraine. In response, four major airports—Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, and Zhukovsky—have been temporarily shut down for security reasons. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that at least 19 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and shot down across the city. Debris from some drones landed on a major highway, but no casualties have been reported. Meanwhile, in Russia’s Kursk region, a Ukrainian attack damaged a power substation in the town of Rylsk, injuring two people.

Russia has offered to help de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. In a phone conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s readiness to support a political resolution. Lavrov had earlier held similar discussions with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Sunday that Russia has enough power and resources to bring the war in Ukraine to a "logical conclusion" without the use of nuclear weapons. Reflecting on his 25 years in power, Putin said, "I do not consider myself a politician. I still breathe the same air as millions of Russians." Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration over the lack of progress in peace talks to end the war.

Ukraine launched a large-scale overnight attack using 183 drones and two ballistic missiles on various Russian targets, including Novorossiysk port in the Black Sea. The attack damaged a grain terminal and several residential buildings, injuring at least five people, including two children. Novorossiysk’s mayor declared a state of emergency following the assault.

In a humanitarian gesture marking Easter Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine from Saturday 6 PM to Sunday 6 PM local time. His forces were instructed to suspend all military operations during this period. While Ukraine has yet to respond officially, Putin stated, “We hope Ukraine will reciprocate. However, our forces must remain ready to respond to any provocations or violations.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with recently freed hostage Alexander Trufanov and his family in the Kremlin. He attributed Trufanov’s release to Russia’s longstanding relationship with the Palestinian people and expressed hope for more such humanitarian successes. Putin publicly thanked Hamas’ political leadership for heeding Russia’s request and facilitating the release.

Despite ongoing wartime turbulence, the Russian ruble has outperformed all global currencies, becoming the best-performing currency against the US dollar in 2025. According to Bloomberg data, the ruble has appreciated by 38% since the start of the year. This surge is largely attributed to declining confidence in the US dollar, exacerbated by former President Trump’s global trade conflicts.

Investment returns on the ruble have surpassed those of the Swedish krona and Swiss franc, which appreciated by 13% and 11% respectively. The British pound also recorded a modest gain of around 6%. Meanwhile, gold and silver prices have risen by 23% and 12%, respectively. The ruble’s remarkable performance has been bolstered by Russia’s high interest rates—currently set at 21% by the central bank—and restrictions on capital outflow for foreign companies.