Canada is rapidly deepening defense cooperation with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden to secure the Arctic as U.S. backing appears less certain after Donald Trump’s threats to seize Greenland. Canadian officials say they are moving beyond reliance on American protection, while Russia expands military activity and China grows involvement in Arctic resources. Prime Minister Mark Carney frames the shift as “middle power” alliance-building, including Ranger-style concepts, defense production ramp-ups, and ongoing talks on Greenland security.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov went viral in Delhi after a repeatedly buzzing phone derailed a press conference and he joked, “If you don’t surrender your phone, they will take out a gun,” prompting laughter. The lighter moment stood out during his stay for talks with PM Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar around Ukraine, West Asia, and energy trade. Lavrov also said Russia’s oil shipments to India have increased using openly published trade data ahead of a US waiver expiry.
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As India awaits an extension of a US waiver allowing purchases of sanctioned Russian crude, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Moscow has increased oil supplies to New Delhi. Speaking to media on the sidelines of BRICS foreign ministers meetings in New Delhi, he said the shipment rise is visible in publicly available trade data. Lavrov met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, discussing energy trade, defense production, and assurances on fertilisers and coking coal.
A major Russian barrage over Kyiv highlighted a grim split in Ukraine’s air defenses: drones are largely stopped, but ballistic missiles are the stubborn problem. In a seven-hour attack, Russia launched 675 drones and 56 missiles; Ukraine’s network jammed and shot down all but 22 drones, but 15 missiles still penetrated. Officials say the gap is driven by a shortage of Western anti-missile systems and scarce, extremely expensive interceptor ammunition, worsened by US spending in the Middle East.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russian crude exports to India have increased, citing published records and insisting the trend depends on Indian buyers rather than Moscow alone. His comments came during the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, where he also accused the US of trying to monopolize global energy markets and sideline Russian firms like Lukoil and Rosneft. The remarks land as India continues purchasing discounted Russian oil despite Western sanctions and regional turbulence in West Asia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters in Delhi that the Strait of Hormuz crisis was not caused by Iran, arguing the problem emerged only after US and Israel launched aggression before February 28, 2026. At the BRICS summit’s closing event, Lavrov said Iran had no prior issues with navigation and called for addressing root causes. He also urged long-term mediation role for India, saying it could bring UAE and Iran to dialogue while Pakistan’s efforts focused only on urgent talks.
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Russia’s flagship Urals crude export blend has surged to its highest tax-purposes level since October 2023, reaching $94.87 a barrel for May calculations. The jump is attributed to Iran war disruptions that have constrained Persian Gulf supplies and boosted demand for Russian barrels after flows through the Strait of Hormuz were affected. With oil and gas providing around a fifth of budget revenue, higher prices are helping the Kremlin refill its rainy-day fund and delay non-priority spending cuts, even as a stronger ruble trims takeaways.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told RT India that India’s interests in Russian energy supplies will not be affected, even as he accused the United States of “unfair competition.” Ahead of a visit for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Lavrov alleged Washington seeks to dominate and “seize all energy routes” globally, pressuring countries that maintain ties with Russia. He also criticized Europe for dropping Russian contracts, arguing bans are politically driven and will force higher-cost imports of US LNG.
Likely Russian government hackers attempted to compromise a security researcher known for investigating spyware attacks, including efforts to hijack Signal accounts. Instead of being taken by surprise, the researcher reversed the intrusion and uncovered new details about the hackers’ espionage campaign. The case highlights how sophisticated targeting can extend beyond victims to the investigators studying them.
As West Asia remains volatile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iran’s Abbas Araghchi and Russia’s Sergey Lavrov in New Delhi during the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting. Araghchi used unusually sharp language, accusing the US of “bullying” and urging member states to unite against what he called a US-imposed world order, even as no peace pathway is in view.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss the Ukraine war and West Asia. Modi reiterated India’s long-standing focus on dialogue and diplomacy, while Lavrov briefed him on bilateral cooperation and conveyed greetings to President Putin. Lavrov is also set to attend the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in the same context.
Russia mounted its largest aerial assault in a two-day stretch, firing hundreds of drones and missiles that struck Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The attacks damaged residential and other infrastructure, killing at least 11 people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Western partners to keep backing air-defense systems as the strikes continue.
Russia launched what Ukrainian officials call its largest drone assault over two days since the war began, targeting Kyiv as the main focus alongside other cities. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said damage spread across roughly 20 locations in Kyiv and the surrounding region. Officials reported at least three deaths in Kyiv and around 40 injuries, including two children.
New Delhi hosted the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed delegates from member and observer nations. The session marks the start of India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship, assumed on January 1, and focuses on global and regional challenges. The participation of Russian FM Sergey Lavrov underscored the agenda’s geopolitical weight.
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India and Russia’s foreign ministers met to deepen energy trade and economic ties, while also reviewing fast-evolving tensions in West Asia. India reiterated it will continue importing Russian crude oil and said all existing energy agreements will remain intact. The talks underscored the strength of the bilateral relationship even as global uncertainty mounts.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Delhi, focusing on energy and trade ties. The discussion also ranged over the West Asia crisis and the ongoing Ukraine conflict, with both sides emphasizing shared interests in strengthening multipolarity. BRICS foreign ministers have gathered for a wider conclave as diplomacy and strategy take center stage.
Russia launched at least 800 drones at Ukraine, killing six people, as President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack despite Moscow’s recent peace overtures. He said the bombardment unfolded during US President Donald Trump’s visit to China and argued the timing appeared intentional, targeting Ukraine on Wednesday with a massive aerial assault.
Russia is intensifying drone strikes across Ukraine, hitting infrastructure and civilian areas, while President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urges the international community to step up support. The pressure comes as Trump signals possible peace talks, even as Kyiv appears more emboldened amid the mounting damage and urgency on the ground.
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A leaked Spanish government document says the Russian ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean after an engine-room explosion in December 2024, and may have been carrying components for submarine nuclear reactors. The report, citing the document, links the incident between Spain and Algeria to nuclear equipment, raising fresh questions for investigators and international security officials.
Russia has reiterated that any ceasefire or comprehensive peace talks depend on Ukraine withdrawing its forces from the Donbas region. The push follows President Putin’s claim that the war is nearing its end. Ukraine’s President Zelensky has dismissed the demand as surrender, rejecting Moscow’s conditions for negotiations to begin.
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