Latest Politics News — Main events today

Turning Point: EU Restores Communication Channel with Kremlin for the First Time in Two Years

Politics 06/18/2026, 13:19

European Council President António Costa has restored a communication channel with the Kremlin for the first time since 2022. Brussels intends to protect its interests in future negotiations but officially does not comment on the details of contacts with Moscow. 🇪🇺🤝🇷🇺

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Buffer Zone and Rear Attacks: How the Situation is Changing on the Frontline and in Border Regions

Politics 06/18/2026, 13:05

Russian forces have intensified activity in Sumy Oblast, attempting to create a buffer zone, but no breakthroughs on the frontline have been recorded. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are successfully holding back the assault in the east and striking the enemy's rear, blocking their logistics. 🇺🇦🛡️🚀

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Strike on a bus with children: how Russia and Belarus are using the incident to escalate

Politics 06/18/2026, 13:01

🚨 Russia and Belarus accused Ukraine of striking a bus with children. Ukraine denies it, and ISW cannot verify the facts. 🇺🇦🇷🇺 #Ukraine #Belarus #InformationWar

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Massive Strike: Russia Launched 246 Targets at Ukraine in a Single Night

Politics 06/18/2026, 12:55

On the night of June 18, Russia launched a massive strike on Ukraine, firing 7 missiles and 239 drones. Air defense shot down most targets, but impacts were recorded in Kyiv, Poltava, and other cities. 🚀💥

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Hybrid War Against Moldova: Russian Intelligence Agencies Collecting Citizens' Databases for Fraud

Politics 06/18/2026, 12:51

Moldova's Security Service has warned about the large-scale collection of citizens' data by Russian intelligence agencies. The obtained information is passed to organized criminal groups for fraud and card theft. The goal of the attack is to destabilize society and undermine trust in the authorities. 🇲🇩🚨

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Diplomacy as the Continuation of War: Ghalibaf on the Victory of Negotiations and the Return of Refugees to Lebanon

Politics 06/18/2026, 12:48

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf stated that diplomacy has become the continuation of war, allowing security to be restored in the region. He noted that within 24 hours of the ceasefire, 50% of refugees returned to Lebanon, although Trump retains the threat of resuming strikes if negotiations fail. 🇮🇷🤝🇺🇸

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NMT under air raids: NCEC confirms unchanged rules and action algorithms for applicants

Politics 06/18/2026, 12:44

NCEC officially states: NMT rules during air raids remain unchanged. We analyze what to do if the siren sounds during the exam and how the situation in Odesa affected retake statistics 🇺🇦📝

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Mission to save the alliance: Rutte flies to Washington to smooth over conflict with Trump ahead of the Ankara summit

Politics 06/18/2026, 12:38

Mark Rutte is urgently flying to Washington to smooth over the conflict with Trump over Iran and save NATO from a rift ahead of the Ankara summit 🇺🇸🇪🇺. On the agenda are the Strait of Hormuz and military spending. Trump may attend the summit in July.

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Two Bridges Under Fire: New Drone Attacks in Crimea and the 'Island' Strategy

Politics 06/18/2026, 12:21

On the night of June 18, drones attacked two strategic bridges in Crimea — a railway bridge and the "humpback" road bridge. Eyewitnesses report 20 explosions and fires in the Razdolnoye area. Kyiv aims for the complete isolation of the peninsula, turning it into an "island" 🇺🇦🚧🔥

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Massive Russian Attack on Ukraine: Explosions in Kyiv, Poltava, and Sumy; Air Raids in Eight Regions

Politics 06/18/2026, 12:14

On the morning of June 18, Russia attacked several Ukrainian cities at once: explosions were heard in Kyiv, Poltava, and Sumy. Air raids have been declared in eight regions, and air defenses are repelling drone strikes. Earlier that night, ballistic missiles were fired at the capital and Poltava. 🚨🇺🇦

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Trump proposes that Europe and Ukraine produce American weapons under license

Politics 06/18/2026, 03:58

Donald Trump proposed that Europe and Ukraine produce American weapons under license due to a shortage of stockpiles in the US. At the G7 summit, the parties agreed on the transfer of technologies for the creation of air defense systems and long-range weapons. Zelensky called his negotiations with G7 leaders "a conversation that can change a lot" 🇺🇸🇺🇦🤝

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Trump thanks Putin and Xi Jinping for 'neutrality' in conflict with Iran

Politics 06/18/2026, 03:54

Donald Trump publicly thanked Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping for their 'neutrality' in the conflict with Iran. The US President stated that Moscow and Beijing did not complicate the situation, while allies faced criticism. 🇺🇸🤝🇷🇺🇨🇳

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Trump signs memorandum with Iran: deal details and threat of renewed attacks

Politics 06/18/2026, 03:51

Trump officially signed a memorandum with Iran in Versailles, cancelling the planned ceremony in Geneva. 🇺🇸🤝🇮🇷 The parties have 60 days to finalize the deal on ending the war, otherwise the US threatens to resume attacks. 🚀

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Strategy shift: EU extends sectoral sanctions against Russia for a year for the first time

Politics 06/18/2026, 02:20

The European Union is changing the rules of the game: for the first time, sectoral sanctions against Russia will be extended not for six months, but for a whole year. 🇪🇺🚫🇷🇺 The main blow of the 21st package is aimed at the energy sector and war financing. Slovakia and Hungary do not object to the new term. 📉

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Missile strike on Kyiv and Poltava: what is known about the night attack on June 18

Politics 06/18/2026, 01:49

On the night of June 18, Russia launched a missile strike on Kyiv and Poltava. Explosions were heard in the cities, and residents are urged to stay in shelters. This is a new escalation following the attack on June 15, when 60 missiles were fired at Ukraine 🚀🇺🇦

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Trump and Iran sign memorandum to end war: deal details and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz

Politics 06/18/2026, 01:37

The US and Iran have signed a memorandum to end the war and open the Strait of Hormuz. Trump signed the document twice: first electronically, then personally in France. 🇺🇸🇮🇷 On Friday, delegations will gather in Switzerland to discuss the nuclear program.

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Zelenskyy and Rutte in Brussels: Air Defense Priorities and Invitation to Ankara Summit

Politics 06/18/2026, 01:02

In Brussels, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Main topics: obtaining US licenses for air defense production, replenishing the PURL fund, and an invitation to the summit in Ankara. 🇺🇦🤝🇳🇦

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Zelenskyy on talks with Trump and Macron: 'This could change a lot'

Politics 06/18/2026, 00:23

Zelenskyy called talks with Trump and Macron 'turning points' for peace. G7 leaders discussed missile supplies and sanctions against Russia. Trump stated that Russia will not win on the battlefield. 🌍🤝 #Ukraine #Trump #Zelenskyy

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