# Russia
The European Commission promises to finalise the 21st package of sanctions against Russia: what is the deadline?
The European Commission is set to finalise the EU’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia this week and submit it to the Council of the European Union for approval.
Armenia is holding parliamentary elections against a backdrop of deteriorating relations with Russia
Parliamentary elections began in Armenia on 7 June. Eighteen political parties are vying for seats in parliament, and the vote is taking place against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between Yerevan and Moscow
Syryskyi spoke about the situation on the front line: Russia is building up its forces
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi provided an update on the situation in the Southern Operational Zone. According to him, Russia has concentrated over 71,000 troops in the Oleksandrivka sector alone
Russia showcased robots at the economic forum in St Petersburg: the battle ended with a fall and laughter from the audience
At the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, a demonstration robot battle did not go to plan. Instead of fighting, one of the robots turned around, drove off in the opposite direction and fell over in front of the spectators
Africa is building a gas pipeline to Europe to replace Russian gas
Algeria has begun construction on its section of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, which is intended to link Nigeria’s gas fields with European markets. The project could become one of the new routes for gas supplies to Europe following a reduction in dependence on Russia
Drone attack on St Petersburg: residents advised to stay indoors
Following a drone attack in St Petersburg, widespread disruptions to mobile internet services were reported. Local authorities have urged residents not to go out due to the threat of further strikes
2,000,440 km². Putin claimed that Russia had seized territory in Ukraine four times the size of its total area
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has claimed that the Russian army is allegedly advancing on all fronts in Ukraine on a daily basis and has already allegedly seized 2,000,440 km² of Ukrainian territory — four times its total area.
The free sale of petrol has been completely halted in Crimea
Restrictions on the sale of petrol have been introduced in at least 15 regions of Russia, as well as in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Rubio described the invasion of Ukraine as a ‘strategic disaster’ for Russia
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine had been a strategic disaster for Russia, and that the Kremlin had failed to achieve most of its key objectives.
Will every second drone be a jet? Syrsky reveals Russia’s plans
Russia wants to double the proportion of jet-powered attack drones in its attacks. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are already preparing for new challenges.
Trump personally asked Xi Jinping to help stop the war in Ukraine during a meeting in Beijing
During a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump raised the issue of the war in Ukraine. According to sources, he asked Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to restart the peace talks.
Moscow is looking for a way to bring 'its' campaign to a close without it looking like a defeat – WP
The Kremlin is exploring options for ending the war against Ukraine, as the Russian economy and military face mounting difficulties. The capture of the entire Donetsk region is gradually becoming Putin’s key condition for ceasing hostilities, indicating a significant scaling back of Moscow’s initial ambitions.
