Free Republic

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has addressed swirling rumors about his declining health with a cryptic message on mortality. -snip- In a video published Tuesday, Kadyrov said in a voiceover that he "increasingly hears gossip about my illness," but didn't confirm or deny whether his health was deteriorating. "They say that I am dying, I have little time left," the Chechen leader said. "Firstly, illness and death are the path of every person. No one living has passed this road. Secondly, it is not illness or threat that shortens life. Its length is determined only by the one who gave breath."...

A new round of talks between Russia and Ukraine could be take place in the Vatican mid-June, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing informed sources. The newspaper said a US delegation led by Secretary of State and Acting National Security Advisor Marco Rubio and including Special Presidential Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg would also be present. Pope Leo XIV has said the Vatican is willing to host peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv to try to end the war in Ukraine (ANSA).

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov revealed on Monday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his United States colleague Donald Trump is not being "in preparation" at this time, according to RIA Novosti. Meanwhile, Trump and Putin are expected to speak on the phone at 10 am ET. The White House further explained Trump also plans to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after speaking with Putin. The US president is expected to issue a statement after his conversation with Putin.

US President Donald Trump has described the upcoming May 15 meeting between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul as "very important," APA reports. Speaking to journalists, Trump expressed hope for a positive outcome from the talks between Moscow and Kyiv representatives. "The Thursday meeting with Russia and Ukraine is very important. I’ve been very insistent on making this meeting happen. I believe something good could come out of it," he said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday slammed U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies and sweeping tariffs, saying they harm multilateralism as he met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow. -snip- "The latest decisions by the U.S. president to unilaterally put tariffs on trade with all countries in the world undermine the great idea of free trade and strengthening multilateralism," Lula said during a bilateral meeting with Putin. The leftist leader said he intends to strengthen Brazil's strategic partnership with Russia, citing "political, commercial, cultural, scientific and technological interests" as he sees room to increase trade.