HOT: » Which party would you vote for (if you could) in the upcoming snap vote in Bulgaria on April 19?
Send to Kindle
Trump and Putin connected by phone for the first time this year, holding what the Kremlin described as a substantive conversation covering the war in Iran, the situation in Ukraine, and Venezuela's role in global oil markets. The call came just hours after Putin had warned publicly that the ongoing conflict was pushing the world toward an energy crisis.
The US-Israeli assault on Iran triggered the sharpest spike in oil prices since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Gulf producers have scaled back output following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, amplifying supply disruptions across global markets.
Speaking at his Florida golf club after the call, Trump said Putin had expressed a willingness to help on Iran, to which Trump reportedly replied that ending the Russia-Ukraine war would do even more good. Putin, for his part, stated that Russia - the world's second-largest oil exporter and holder of the biggest natural gas reserves - stood ready to resume supplying European customers if they wished to return to long-term energy cooperation.
Against this turbulent backdrop, three sources familiar with internal deliberations told Reuters that the Trump administration is weighing a significant easing of oil-related sanctions on Russia. The aim would be to help offset supply losses stemming from the Middle East conflict, though critics note such a move could undercut efforts to deprive Moscow of war revenues in Ukraine. Options reportedly on the table range from broad sanctions relief to narrower arrangements allowing specific countries, such as India, to purchase Russian crude without fear of US penalties. Last week, Washington already gave India a temporary waiver to buy Russian oil already at sea in order to help it manage the shortfall.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov described the Trump-Putin exchange as likely to carry practical weight going forward, adding that Trump views a swift ceasefire and durable settlement in Ukraine as being in American interests. Ushakov also suggested that Russia's military advances should push Kyiv toward the negotiating table.
Several Gulf states have reported missile and drone strikes on their territories just hours after the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire agreement, raising fresh questions about whether the truce is holding on the ground
Global markets reacted sharply after US President Donald Trump stepped back from imminent military action against Iran, instead tying a suspension of strikes to Tehran’s agreement to a temporary ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
On the 40th day of the war, a tentative pause in hostilities has been announced, as US President Donald Trump said Washington would suspend its attacks after Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire
A leaked transcript of a phone call between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin shows Orban offering extensive support to Moscow and describing himself as ready to help “in any way” in relation to the war in Ukraine
The conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran entered its 39th day amid intensified rhetoric, ongoing strikes and mounting international concern
Israel has carried out a strike on a major Iranian petrochemical facility in the southern city of Asaluyeh, marking a further escalation in the ongoing conflict.
A leaked transcript of a phone call between Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin shows Orban offering extensive support to Moscow and describing himself as ready to help “in any way” in relation to the war in Ukraine
Vladimir Putin stated that Armenia cannot realistically pursue membership in the European Union while remaining part of the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union, arguing that the two frameworks are fundamentally incompatible
A Russian An-26 military transport aircraft has crashed in Crimea, killing all 29 people on board, according to information released by the country’s defense ministry and cited by Russian state media
Audio recordings allegedly capturing conversations between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó have been leaked to the media
Ukrainian authorities have reported the existence of a recruitment network operating across parts of Eastern Europe, including Bulgaria, which is allegedly involved in organizing sabotage and destabilization activities in support of Russian interests
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has publicly expressed gratitude to Russia and President Vladimir Putin, saying Moscow’s political backing and statements of support provide encouragement to Tehran during the ongoing conflict
Aniventure Comic Con Returns to Bulgaria with Star Guest Christopher Judge!
Global Fuel Shock: Oil Jumps Over 40% Since Iran War Began
