# Russia
Xi Jinping told Donald Trump that Vladimir Putin might come to regret invading Ukraine
During talks in Beijing, Xi Jinping told Donald Trump that Vladimir Putin might eventually come to regret the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The conversation also touched on the International Criminal Court and Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Lavrov has stated that Russia will not return to Eurovision due to ‘satanism’
Russia will not return to Eurovision due to the presence of ‘satanism’ at this international song contest. Earlier, the head of Eurovision stated in an interview that, in theory, Russia could be readmitted to the contest.
The shortage of AI-95 petrol in Russia is worsening due to problems at refineries and rising demand
The shortage of AI-95 petrol in Russia is becoming increasingly acute. This is due to emergency repairs at oil refineries, a reduction in oil processing volumes and a seasonal rise in demand.
Belarus has begun nuclear exercises with Russia: what does this mean?
The Belarusian Ministry of Defence has announced the start of exercises involving units specialising in the operational use of nuclear weapons and nuclear support. The exercises are being conducted jointly with Russia.
Russia and Belarus held joint nuclear exercises following drone strikes on Moscow
Russia and Belarus held joint exercises to practise the use of tactical nuclear weapons. This took place the day after a large-scale attack by Ukrainian drones on Moscow and the surrounding region.
Russia attacked a Chinese vessel in Ukrainian territorial waters — Navy
On the night of 18 May, Russian forces attacked a Chinese merchant vessel that was in Ukrainian territorial waters.
The proportion of non-performing assets in Russian banks has exceeded a critical level
In the Russian banking sector, the proportion of non-performing assets has exceeded 10%, which, according to the International Monetary Fund’s methodology, is considered a sign of the onset of a systemic banking crisis.
Following the drone attacks on Moscow, Peskov stated that there was no threat to Russia’s existence
Following a massive drone attack on Moscow, Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that there is currently no threat to Russia’s existence. He also referred to nuclear deterrence as the cornerstone of the country’s national security.
The US has not extended the easing of sanctions on Russian oil
The administration of US President Donald Trump has decided not to extend the temporary exemption from sanctions that allowed certain countries to purchase a portion of Russian crude oil
Zelenskyy has commented on the drone attack on the Moscow region
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the overnight attack on the Moscow region and stated that Ukraine would continue to respond to Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities
Sandu has responded to Putin’s decree on Transnistria
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has stated that Vladimir Putin’s decision to make it easier for residents of Transnistria to obtain Russian citizenship may be linked to Russia’s attempts to recruit more people for the war against Ukraine
Explosions and fires broke out in Zelenograd following a drone attack
On the night of 16 May, the Moscow Region of the Russian Federation came under a large-scale drone attack. Reports are coming in from various areas of fires, damage to residential buildings and casualties
