Foreign relations of Russia

Moscow said Thursday it had denied an upcoming consular visit to detained US reporter Evan Gershkovich in retaliation for Washington not issuing visas to several Russian journalists.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov complained last weekend that the United States had denied visas to Russian journalists due to travel with him to the UN headquarters.

Democratic Front leaders Milan Knezevic (L) and Andrija Mandic (R) at a pre-election rally in Podgorica, Montenegro in March. Photo: EPA-EFE/BORIS PEJOVIC

Defence lawyer Miroje Jovanovic asked the court to separate the proceedings against Mandic, Knezevic and Mandic's driver Mihailo Cadjenovic from the other ten defendants as the secret files apparently do not relate to them.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on April 7 that it is crucial to ensure the shipment of Russian grain, ammonia and fertilizers in order to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Turkey's foreign minister said on Friday he agreed with Russia's request to lift obstacles to Russian fertilizer and grain exports, and that this needed to be addressed to extend the overall Black Sea grain deal involving Ukraine.

Day 408 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Russia's U.N. ambassador on Monday dismissed U.S. and European Union descriptions of its presidency of the Security Council this month as an April Fool's joke and announced a meeting to be chaired by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on defending the principles of the U.N. Charter, which Moscow is widely accused of breaking by invading Ukraine.

In accordance with the regular rotation, Russia will begin presiding over this UN body in April, and as announced by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the first session under Russian leadership will be chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Day 394 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

"We will continue to deny it," Lavrov said and added that no one is trying to convince Kyiv to return to the negotiating table with Moscow. "Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is not independent, he is being manipulated," he believes.

Hill pointed out that it is important that Belgrade has been very constructive in terms of engaging on the European plan with Pristina and that this will ultimately affect the pace by which Serbia moves toward the West.