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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The U.S. Trump administration reportedly dissolved a working group on pressuring Russia to be more flexible in peace talks with Ukraine, Reuters reported on June 17, citing three unnamed U.S. officials.

U.S., Russia: New Reports Signal Dwindling U.S. Pressure on Russia To Negotiate

Russia's ambassador to the United States, Alexander Darchiev, said a new round of U.S.-Russia negotiations will take place in Moscow "in the very near future," Reuters reported on June 11.

Russia, U.S.: Next Round of Talks Is Imminent, According to Russian Ambassador

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that Russia and Ukraine might need to "fight for a while" before they would get more serious about de-escalating the war, The New York Times reported on June 5. 

Russia, Ukraine: Trump Suggests Two Sides May Need To Fight More Before Ready for Peace

Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he held a call that lasted over an hour with Russian President Vladimir Putin in which the two discussed the war in Ukraine and Iran's nuclear program, according to a June 4 post on Truth Social.

Russia, U.S.: Trump Announces Call With Putin in Which Two Discuss Ukraine, Iran

U.S.-Iran Relations

Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul, Turkey, for their second face-to-face encounter since May 19, Reuters reported on June 2. 

Russia, Ukraine: Delegations Hold Second Meeting in Istanbul

Europe

Germany

Energy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government said it supported including the Nord Stream pipeline ban in the European Union's next sanctions package against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, the Financial Times reported May 23, citing officials familiar with the matter.

Europe, Russia: Germany Backs EU Sanctions on Nord Stream Pipelines 

Russian President Vladimir Putin told a televised meeting of government officials that the government has "approved the creation of a necessary security buffer zone along our borders" and that soldiers "are actively working to accomplish this task," Russian state-run outlet TASS reported May 22.

Russia, Ukraine: Putin Says Work Underway for 'Security Buffer Zone' Along Border

On May 21, Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that work on a memorandum for a potential peace agreement with Ukraine was making progress, but that the Kremlin will keep the content secret for now, The Moscow Times has reported.

Russia, Ukraine: Moscow 'Making Progress' on Its Peace Offer, but Insists on Maximalist Demands

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Rescue teams work at damaged buildings in Nobonyad Square following Israeli airstrikes on June 13, 2025, in Tehran, Iran. 

Global Trade

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: G7 Leaders' Summit, More Israeli Attacks on Iran

An image shows a row of flags from the G7 members.

Economics

The June 15-17 summit will provide an opportunity for the bloc to discuss trade tensions and the war in Ukraine, but the meeting is more likely to expose transatlantic divisions over Trump's tariffs and reluctance to pressure Russia.

What To Expect From the First G7 Summit Following Trump's Return to the White House

Snapshots

Poland

Right-wing opposition candidate Karol Nawrocki waves to supporters in Warsaw, Poland, following the presidential runoff election on June 1, 2025.

The incoming conservative president will likely veto many of the centrist government's domestic reforms, while his euroskeptic views will sustain foreign policy incoherence, potentially undermining Poland's economic outlook and its credibility as a regional leader.

Poland Braces for More Political Gridlock Following Nawrocki's Presidential Victory

Global Elections

Service members of Ukraine's 13th Khartia Brigade load a Vampire drone with food and ammunition supplies to be delivered to the infantry at the frontline on March 7, 2025, in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. 

Ukraine's recent string of asymmetric attacks on Russian soil could make Moscow more flexible in negotiations, but it also risks diplomatic blowback that at least temporarily scuttles peace talks.

The Implications of Ukraine's Audacious Attacks on Russia

Mexico

South Korea

Ukrainian, U.S. and Russian delegates meet for peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 16, 2025. 

The Weekly Rundown: Ukraine-Russia Talks, Mexico's First-Ever Judicial Elections

Columns

On Geopolitics

Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 18 at the Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow. The increasing costs of the war in Ukraine will increase Moscow's incentive to end it, but only in the medium to long term.

The increasing costs of the war in Ukraine will increase Moscow's incentive to end it, but only in the medium to long term.

The Role of Economics in Russia's War Strategy

This combination of pictures shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) during a press conference in Berlin on June 11, 2024, and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow on March 18, 2025.

While direct talks mark a notable development in the peace process, Moscow will not make meaningful concessions unless it faces bolder action from the West (particularly the U.S.), like asset seizures and increased military aid to Ukraine.

Russia Agrees To Hold Talks With Ukraine Amid U.S. Pressure, but Peace Will Remain Elusive

Supporters of the PiS party demonstrate April 12 in Warsaw, Poland. Poland will hold a presidential election May 18 and runoff June 1 if no candidate obtains more than 50% in the first round.

Social Issues

The outcome of Poland's election will determine whether Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist government will coexist with a cooperative president or continue to face institutional constraints from an ideologically opposed president.

Poland's Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

The allure of implementing a sphere of influence model is more likely to disappoint those who may argue that it would create more stability and security.

The Temptations of a Sphere-of-Influence Model of International Relations

Drag-line excavator mines rare earth materials on Ukrainian soil on Feb. 25, 2025, in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine. 

A new U.S.-Ukraine economic deal offers Washington a long-term stake in Ukraine's critical resources -- and a potential lever in ceasefire diplomacy.

New Strategic Pact Gives U.S. Stake in Ukraine's Economic Future

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (2 L) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) attend a meeting with European and Ukrainian officials on April 17 at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris.

Ukraine will be forced to choose between compromising on its supposed red lines to de-escalate its war with Russia, or risk losing U.S. support and its battlefield position. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

SITUATION REPORTS

U.S., Russia: New Reports Signal Dwindling U.S. Pressure on Russia To Negotiate

Russia, U.S.: Next Round of Talks Is Imminent, According to Russian Ambassador

Russia, Ukraine: Trump Suggests Two Sides May Need To Fight More Before Ready for Peace

Russia, U.S.: Trump Announces Call With Putin in Which Two Discuss Ukraine, Iran

Russia, Ukraine: Delegations Hold Second Meeting in Istanbul

Europe, Russia: Germany Backs EU Sanctions on Nord Stream Pipelines

Russia, Ukraine: Putin Says Work Underway for 'Security Buffer Zone' Along Border

Russia, Ukraine: Moscow 'Making Progress' on Its Peace Offer, but Insists on Maximalist Demands

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