Maria Zakharova

Russia said Sunday its forces had gained territory near the key battleground town of Chasiv Yar in east Ukraine, highlighting the pressure facing Kiev as it gears up to receive $61 billion in new U.S. aid.

Ukraine meanwhile reported renewed Russian strikes against its civilians.

Russia's Foreign Ministry is actively engaged in negotiations to establish visa-free travel agreements with several nations across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as reported by TASS.

Russia has issued a stark warning to the European Union, threatening "decades of legal action" if the EU proceeds with plans to utilize proceeds from its frozen assets to support Ukraine.

Russia perceives Pope Francis' recent call for talks with Moscow to end the conflict in Ukraine as a subtle message directed towards Ukraine's Western allies, urging them to relinquish their aspirations to defeat Russia and acknowledge the West's role in the Ukrainian war, according to Italy's ANSA news agency.

Moscow has officially voiced its dissatisfaction with European Union (EU) ambassadors who refused to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, citing concerns over interference in Russia's upcoming presidential elections.

The Kremlin spokesman told reporters that Russia had taken steps in this regard and invited the German ambassador in Moscow to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RIA Novosti reported.
Peskov also pointed out that the conversation between German officers about the planned strikes on Crimea shows the direct involvement of the West in the conflict in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has accused Germany's Bundeswehr of orchestrating plans to strike Russian territory, following the release of a leaked recording purportedly capturing discussions among high-ranking German military officials. The revelation has prompted scrutiny of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's leadership and raised concerns about potential military actions against Russia.

During a House Armed Services Committee hearing, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivered a stark message, asserting that if Ukraine were to lose its battle against Russia, NATO forces would engage in combat against Moscow. Austin's remarks came amidst tensions spurred by French President Emmanuel Macron's suggestion of potential Western military deployment to Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Turkey on Friday and Saturday, his spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, as the two countries prepare a visit to Turkey by President Vladimir Putin.

Lavrov will attend a forum and hold talks with his Turkish counterpart, Zakharova said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Thursday discussed "the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza" and steps that could be taken on it at the G20 in Rio de Janeiro, a Turkish diplomatic source said.