Speaking in an interview published by the Kremlin, Putin said Moscow anticipated the return of US officials who had previously held multiple rounds of talks in the Russian capital.

“We expect that after all the events are over, after the active phase on the Iranian track has passed, we will see the arrival of those representatives of the US administration with whom we have already met in Moscow repeatedly,” Putin said.

“We are ready to continue negotiations and discuss all the details,” he added.

Putin made the remarks while responding to a question on the state of Russia-US relations following the Group of Seven summit in France, where US President Donald Trump urged Moscow to “make a deal with Ukraine.”

The comments suggest that the Kremlin believes Washington’s diplomatic focus on the Middle East has temporarily delayed broader engagement with Russia, including discussions on the war in Ukraine and other bilateral issues.

Trump has recently adopted a more optimistic tone regarding Ukraine’s military position. On Wednesday, he said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was performing well in the conflict, despite previously arguing that Kyiv lacked the necessary leverage to secure victory against Russia.

No timetable was provided for the proposed negotiations, and neither Moscow nor Washington announced the agenda or composition of any future delegation.

Russia and the United States have maintained intermittent diplomatic contacts despite the continuing conflict in Ukraine, with both sides periodically indicating willingness to pursue dialogue on issues of mutual interest while fundamental disagreements remain unresolved.

Rubio said the United States was working toward arranging the visit and that he was expected to travel to India later this year to prepare for Trump’s trip.

“We’re working toward sometime early next year to have the president come,” Rubio told IANS, adding that negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement were nearing completion. “We’re on the last inches of getting it done and it’s very positive,” he said.

The proposed visit follows a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France last week, where Trump described their discussions as “very good.”

India has sought a visit by Trump for several months, with discussions also including the possibility of a broader meeting involving Japan and Australia as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation among Indo-Pacific partners.

Relations between Washington and New Delhi have faced strains over the past year after the United States imposed higher tariffs on Indian goods, citing India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Bilateral ties have also been affected by U.S. engagement with Pakistan, India’s regional rival.

Rubio traveled to India last month in an effort to stabilize relations. However, diplomatic tensions resurfaced after three Indian sailors were killed during attacks on commercial shipping involving U.S. naval operations in the Gulf.

Despite those challenges, officials from both countries have continued negotiations on trade and broader strategic cooperation, with Rubio signaling that progress toward a bilateral agreement remains positive.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the United States was increasingly acting as a party to the conflict rather than an impartial broker, following recent commitments by Group of Seven leaders to intensify economic pressure on Russia and expand support for Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

“As for the United States, judging by their actions, they appear to be abandoning any claim to the role of an objective mediator and are instead pursuing a course of escalating sanctions pressure on Russia,” Lavrov told foreign diplomats in Moscow.

The remarks come as U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to secure a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine remain largely at a standstill. President Donald Trump, who returned to office in 2025 after pledging to swiftly end the conflict, has sought to encourage direct engagement between the two sides. However, negotiations have produced little tangible progress amid deep disagreements over territorial and security issues.

During a summit in France earlier this month, G7 leaders endorsed a joint statement reaffirming support for Ukraine and calling for stronger measures against Russia’s wartime economy. The communiqué included commitments to increase deliveries of air-defense equipment to Kyiv and tighten sanctions targeting Russian revenue streams, particularly in the energy sector.

Lavrov also criticized European governments for expanding military assistance to Ukraine, arguing that the continent was contributing to instability rather than promoting a diplomatic resolution.

“Europe is once again becoming a major threat to international peace and security,” Lavrov said, referring to ongoing military support provided by European allies to Kyiv.

The conflict, now in its fifth year, began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and remains Europe’s deadliest war since World War Two.

A central obstacle to negotiations remains Moscow’s demand that Ukraine withdraw its forces from parts of the eastern Donbas region still under Kyiv’s control as a prerequisite for broader peace talks. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly rejected the proposal, arguing that territorial concessions would encourage further Russian demands and undermine the country’s sovereignty.

With both sides maintaining positions that remain far apart, prospects for a breakthrough in negotiations appear limited despite continued diplomatic contacts and international mediation efforts.

Tajani called Trump’s remarks “serious and offensive” toward both Meloni and Italy, while announcing the cancellation of his scheduled visit to Washington this weekend.

The dispute erupted after an interview with Trump aired on Italy’s La7 television network on Friday. According to the broadcaster, Trump said Meloni had requested a photo opportunity with him during the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains and claimed she had “begged” for it. La7 published a dubbed version of the exchange online.

Responding in a video statement, Meloni described Trump’s account as “completely fabricated” and expressed surprise at the comments.

“Donald Trump’s statements are completely fabricated. I am frankly stunned,” Meloni said. “I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his own allies.”

She added: “Italy and I do not beg.”

The unusually direct public rebuttal marked one of Meloni’s sharpest responses to Trump since the start of his second term. The Italian leader had initially sought to preserve close transatlantic ties and position herself as a bridge between Washington and the European Union, including by attending Trump’s inauguration as the only European Union head of government present.

Relations between Rome and Washington, however, have become increasingly strained over several foreign policy issues. Meloni has criticized the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran as illegal, while Italy remains a firm supporter of Ukraine, an issue that has also generated friction with Trump.

Differences over U.S. tariffs and Washington’s support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza have further complicated bilateral relations.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto also rejected Trump’s characterization, saying he could not imagine Meloni asking anyone for a photograph.

“I can, however, imagine how much it cost her to set aside what Trump had said weeks ago, to serve the interests of Italy, of Europe, and of the West,” Crosetto wrote on X.

He added that such remarks did not benefit either country or the broader Western alliance.

The controversy follows earlier criticism directed at Meloni by Trump in an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper in April, when he faulted her opposition to the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran. Meloni did not publicly respond at the time.

The latest exchange has brought those tensions into the open, underscoring the challenges facing one of Washington’s traditionally closest partners in Europe as disagreements widen over key geopolitical issues.

Addressing EU leaders during a summit in Brussels, Zelensky said Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion was central to the continent’s future and that rapid integration into the European Union would provide the strongest long-term guarantee for European stability and security.

“The future of Europe — free, united and of course in peace — is being decided in our defense,” Zelensky said in excerpts of his remarks released on social media.

The Ukrainian leader acknowledged that support for an accelerated accession process was not unanimous among EU member states. Hungary, one of Kyiv’s most vocal critics within the bloc, opposed language endorsing a faster membership track and secured its removal from the European Council’s final statement.

“The most important such step — I know that not everyone loves this — could be a fast-track path for Ukraine to join the EU,” Zelensky said.

The European Council’s statement welcomed the launch of accession negotiations with Ukraine and said it looked forward to opening additional negotiating chapters under the bloc’s merit-based enlargement framework. However, it omitted any commitment to speeding up the process.

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on X that Budapest had succeeded in deleting references to accelerated accession from the summit conclusions.

“It wasn’t easy,” Magyar wrote.

The debate over Ukraine’s EU ambitions unfolded as Kyiv intensified its long-range military campaign against Russia. Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian drones struck targets deep inside Russian territory, including an oil refinery in Moscow, in one of the latest attacks aimed at critical infrastructure.

Zelensky cited Ukraine’s ability to conduct long-range strikes as evidence of its military capabilities during meetings this week with U.S. President Donald Trump and other Group of Seven leaders in France.

In separate comments posted on Telegram, Zelensky reiterated Kyiv’s goal of ending the war before the end of 2026, while acknowledging the challenges of negotiating with Moscow.

“Of course, we want to end this war before winter — through diplomacy and by putting pressure on Russia. But we understand who we’re dealing with,” he said.

Referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky said Ukraine needed continued military and energy support should the conflict continue through another winter. He called for additional air-defense missiles, fuel supplies, energy equipment and a package of at least 300 missiles.

The Ukrainian president also urged European partners to strengthen financial support for Kyiv’s armed forces and called for the release of 6 billion euros from the European Peace Facility, an EU mechanism designed to support international security and defense efforts.

EU ambassadors agreed last week to advance membership negotiations with both Ukraine and Moldova, opening discussions on the first of six policy and legal clusters that candidate countries must complete before joining the bloc.

Ukraine’s latest drone attacks came amid escalating exchanges between Kyiv and Moscow. Ukrainian officials described the strike on Moscow’s refinery as retaliation for an attack that damaged a nearly 1,000-year-old monastery, an allegation Russia has denied.

Zelensky maintained that Ukraine remained open to direct talks with Putin but urged European governments to sustain sanctions pressure and financial assistance.

“Europe has to be engaged for us to have a strong position, to commit fully on sanctions without loopholes, on confiscation without exceptions and on funding Ukraine,” he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after Thursday’s attacks that Moscow would continue carrying out what he described as massive coordinated strikes against Ukrainian targets on a regular basis.

The meeting took place in Evian-les-Bains, France, where Modi attended the summit as a guest of French President Emmanuel Macron. It came a week after India formally protested a U.S. strike on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman during Washington’s military campaign aimed at restricting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Appearing alongside Modi, Trump dismissed suggestions of tensions between the two countries

The discussions come a day after Washington and Tehran signed an interim agreement that commits participating parties to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, a provision that could complicate Israel’s efforts to preserve a military presence in areas it has seized during recent operations.

Two Israeli officials, including a senior official close to Netanyahu, told Reuters that Israel is seeking U.S. acceptance of its continued troop deployment south of Lebanon’s Litani River, a strategically important area that Israeli leaders regard as essential to national security.

The senior official said Israel was conducting “stubborn negotiations” with Washington and would not retreat from its core position that troops should remain deployed in southern Lebanon despite mounting international pressure.

A second Israeli official said the outcome could ultimately depend on whether Trump chooses to exert direct pressure on Israel by linking compliance with the broader U.S.-Iran diplomatic framework to future bilateral cooperation.

Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Israel expanded military operations in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah launched attacks against Israeli territory on March 2 in support of Iran following the outbreak of hostilities involving Tehran and its regional allies. Israeli forces subsequently carried out a large-scale air and ground campaign aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s military infrastructure.

Israeli officials have described territory captured in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria as part of a network of “buffer zones” designed to provide strategic depth and reduce security threats along Israel’s borders. Netanyahu has consistently rejected calls for withdrawal from those areas, arguing that they are necessary to prevent future attacks.

The dispute over Lebanon has become one of the most visible points of friction between Trump and Netanyahu despite their close cooperation during the conflict with Iran.

Speaking at the conclusion of the G7 summit in France on Wednesday, Trump publicly urged the Israeli leader to exercise greater restraint in Lebanon and suggested that military actions should be calibrated to support diplomatic efforts rather than undermine them.

“Netanyahu happens to be a good man, gets a little excited sometimes,” Trump told reporters.

The U.S. president added that Israel could adopt a “softer touch” in dealing with Hezbollah and questioned the necessity of extensive military strikes in response to every perceived threat.

“We have a little dispute over Lebanon. I say you can do a little softer touch, Bibi,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.

The disagreement reflects broader tensions surrounding efforts to convert the U.S.-Iran interim agreement into a permanent settlement. Iran has repeatedly argued that any durable regional arrangement must include an end to hostilities in Lebanon and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied areas.

Netanyahu has maintained that Israel is not bound by agreements negotiated between Washington and Tehran and retains full freedom of action against Hezbollah.

Despite the public disagreements, Trump acknowledged Netanyahu’s role during the conflict with Iran and praised the close military coordination between the United States and Israel throughout the campaign.

Trump also rejected reports suggesting that Washington had excluded Israel from discussions surrounding the interim agreement, stating that he had personally shared the memorandum of understanding reached with Iran. The framework is expected to serve as the basis for broader U.S.-Iran negotiations scheduled to begin in Switzerland on Friday.

The talks over Lebanon underscore the challenge facing both governments as they attempt to balance military objectives, regional diplomacy and competing visions for post-conflict security arrangements across the Middle East.

Meeting at their summit in Evian-les-Bains on the shores of Lake Geneva, the leaders issued a joint statement welcoming an interim accord reached between Washington and Tehran that is expected to launch negotiations toward a broader settlement to end the regional conflict.

“We underline the need for the negotiation to address the threats posed by Iran in the region and beyond and ensure that they never obtain a nuclear weapon,” the G7 leaders said.

The agreement, expected to be formally unveiled on Friday, extends a ceasefire first announced in April by a further 60 days to allow negotiations on a permanent settlement. The conflict has reportedly killed more than 7,000 people, with most casualties occurring in Iran and Lebanon.

The summit provided U.S. President Donald Trump an opportunity to brief fellow G7 leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan on the framework reached with Tehran. While the group has consistently shared concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear activities, many members had previously expressed reservations about the military confrontation that preceded the negotiations.

G7 leaders said they were prepared to support implementation of the accord. A maritime security initiative led by Britain and France is expected to assist in safeguarding shipping routes as the Strait of Hormuz is anticipated to reopen following months of disruption.

Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, significant issues remain unresolved. Iran’s government remains in power, its stockpile of enriched uranium has not yet been transferred or dismantled, and Tehran has not committed to ending support for allied armed groups across the region.

Trump said the agreement guarantees that Iran will not acquire a nuclear weapon, while U.S. officials indicated future negotiations would address the fate of Tehran’s enriched uranium reserves.

One of the most contentious issues remains Lebanon, where hostilities continue despite progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations. Israel launched military operations in Lebanon earlier this year targeting Hezbollah positions, and Israeli forces continue to hold territory in the country’s south.

The G7 statement called for an “immediate robust ceasefire” in Lebanon and urged the disarmament of Hezbollah. Iran has maintained that any lasting regional settlement must include an end to hostilities in Lebanon and an Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas.

Israel has rejected such conditions and insists it retains the right to conduct military operations against security threats. The issue has contributed to visible tensions between Washington and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Speaking at the summit, Trump criticized Israel’s handling of the conflict, signaling a rare public divergence between the United States and its longtime ally.

A Hezbollah spokesperson told Reuters that the group believed Tehran would not support a permanent settlement if Israeli forces remained in Lebanese territory.

The proposed agreement also carries significant economic implications. According to officials familiar with the framework, it includes provisions for a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran, financed by neighboring Gulf states and contingent upon Iranian compliance with the accord’s terms.

A senior U.S. official said Washington would waive sanctions on Iranian oil exports under the arrangement, potentially increasing global crude supply. Energy analysts caution, however, that regional oil and gas production could require months to return to full capacity.

Reflecting concerns over disruptions to maritime trade, G7 leaders committed to accelerating efforts to diversify energy transportation routes and expand strategic reserves to reduce exposure to chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Financial markets reacted positively to signs of de-escalation. Brent crude prices fell below $80 per barrel, reaching their lowest levels since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict, as traders anticipated the restoration of shipping traffic and energy exports.

The G7 also reaffirmed collective support for Ukraine, including its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and agreed to intensify sanctions pressure on Russia.

The unified stance underscored Kyiv’s strengthened diplomatic position following a series of successful drone operations that have complicated Moscow’s military calculus and renewed international discussion about prospects for peace negotiations.

The statement followed what Trump described as a “very good” meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other G7 leaders on Tuesday. Zelensky indicated he could hold further discussions with the U.S. president during the summit as diplomatic efforts surrounding the war continue.

Trump’s call with Putin lasted nearly an hour, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, who said the US president emphasized the need to end hostilities and was prepared to encourage European allies and Kyiv toward that goal.

Ushakov said Putin argued that Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure would not alter the battlefield situation and said that if Zelensky wanted to meet, he should travel to Moscow.

The discussions also included Iran, with Trump saying an agreement with Tehran was close and that details could soon be made public, Ushakov said.

Zelensky said he had a “wonderful conversation” with Trump and thanked him for supporting Ukraine. He said the two leaders discussed steps that could help move toward peace and agreed to continue discussions during the G7 summit.

The diplomatic contacts came as fighting continued. Ukrainian drone attacks killed two people in Russia’s Oryol and Bryansk regions, according to local authorities. A separate drone strike hit fuel storage facilities in Russia’s Yaroslavl region, causing fires.

Zelensky said the Yaroslavl strike targeted an oil facility important to Russia’s reserves. Ukraine has increased attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, arguing that the sector supports Moscow’s war effort.

The calls took place as Trump prepared to travel to France for the G7 summit, where Ukraine is expected to be a major issue. Zelensky is scheduled to join discussions with world leaders.

The conflict has remained a challenge for Trump, who previously said he could end the war quickly but has since shifted focus toward broader diplomatic efforts.

Separately, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom detained a tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” vessels accused of helping evade sanctions linked to the war.

British forces boarded the tanker Smyrtos in the English Channel in cooperation with French authorities. Starmer said the operation was aimed at increasing pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

S President Donald Trump is expected to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France this week, with discussions set to focus on geopolitical crises and their impact on trade, energy and global supply chains, Egypt’s presidency said on Sunday.

The Egyptian presidency said El-Sisi would hold several meetings with world leaders during the summit, including a bilateral meeting with Trump.

The talks will take place as leaders gather in Evian from June 15 to 17 for a summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, with the Middle East conflict among the main issues on the agenda.

The French presidency said Macron had invited leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to discuss regional developments linked to the war in the Middle East.

The G7 meeting comes after the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran in late February, escalating tensions in the region and increasing pressure on international energy routes.

Egyptian officials said El-Sisi’s meetings would address efforts to resolve international crises and manage their economic consequences, including disruptions affecting trade flows, energy markets and supply chains.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not attend the summit because of prior commitments, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The G7 includes leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, along with invited representatives from countries including Brazil and India.

Macron was scheduled to arrive in Evian on Sunday evening, while Trump and other leaders were expected on Monday.

The summit agenda includes discussions on ending the Iran conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route affected by regional tensions