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Russian President Vladimir Putin shared on Friday that Moscow is ready to start a new round of talks with Ukraine. More to come...

Former United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned US President Donald Trump on Saturday against recognizing Crimea as Russian territory, claiming that would be "a mistake of epic proportions." "I get the frustration … I'm not naive about what’s physically possible in this moment, but that doesn’t mean one should go and say, ‘and we are giving up for all time," Pompeo, who served as the top US diplomat during Trump's first term, stated at the Black Sea Security Forum in Odessa. "This is one of the things I hope to communicate," he added.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Friday dismissed the idea of Turkey or any other country acting as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine during the proposed negotiations in Istanbul on June 2. Zakharova thanked Turkey for its hospitality and for creating a negotiating platform, noting that the first round of discussions was held in "comfortable conditions." Kiev has not yet confirmed its participation in the new round of talks, although Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said the negotiations must "yield results." Additionally, the country's President Vladimir Zelensky said Moscow had not sent a peace memorandum to Kiev, despite...

United States President Donald Trump admitted on Wednesday that he "can't tell" if his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin truly wants to end his country's ongoing military campaign in Ukraine. Speaking at the White House amid the Swearing-In for the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Ferris Pirro, Trump said that "I'll let you know in two weeks" after more negotiations have taken place. He also complimented US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff for "doing a phenomenal job" mediating the talks between Russia and Ukraine and for "dealing with him [Putin] very strongly." Asked about his...