EU struggles to agree extension of Russia sanctions The EU has delayed the expiry of sanctions on Russia by seven days to September 22, a spokesman for the Irish EU presidency said on Monday, after failing to reach an agreement on a six-month renewal. The question is whether to remove Russian-Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov from the list. France has joined Slovakia in calling for his removal, citing national security concerns, EU diplomats said. “France is one of the countries most committed to increasing pressure by all means on the Russian war machine, as well as supporting Ukraine,” a French diplomatic source said. “We are facing a specific national security issue and wish to respond positively to international partners who have approached us regarding Mr. Usmanov.” EU sanctions require unanimous approval from all 27 member states and must be renewed every six months.Arpan Rai15 September 2026 07:10 Close Putin aide finances Trump Jr’s wedding celebrations Donald Trump Jr’s new wife, Bettina, has confirmed that their May weekend wedding celebration was partially financed by a man with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a post on her Instagram page Monday morning signed by the couple, Bettina Trump wrote that the man, Umar Kremlev, was a “dear friend,” who “very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding. It was an extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend, and something we were and continue to be incredibly grateful for,” she continued. ProPublica reported that Kremlev “footed the bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars in wedding expenses,” including the renting one of the two private islands where the three-day party and fireworks show were held. Putin recently honored Kremlev with the Order of Friendship, according to the International Boxing Association, and accompanied Putin to China as part of a Russian delegation, according to Chinese state media cited by the outlet. Vladimir Putin and International Boxing Association (AIBA) president Umar Kremlev tour the newly opened international boxing center at the Luzhniki sports complex. in Moscow (AFP/Getty)Arpan RaiSeptember 15, 2026 06:50US imposes Iran-related sanctions on Russia’s VTB The United States imposed further sanctions on Russia’s VTB Bank, accusing it of involvement in Iranian affairs sanctions evasion The action builds on sanctions imposed against VTB, Russia’s second-largest lender, in 2022, when the bank was attacked following Ukraine’s large-scale invasion. Moscow said VTB had opened offices in Iran, established banking relationships with sanctioned Iranian lenders and helped build financial channels designed to facilitate trade and financial coordination between Moscow and Tehran and disrupt “those who provide material, technological or financial support that enables the Iranian regime to sustain its terrorist enterprise,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the statement. “Treasury will not tolerate any support for the regime and will continue to identify, expose and isolate Iran’s enablers,” he said. Bessent warned last week that President Donald Trump’s administration would sanction a major bank as it continues to apply economic pressure on Tehran to end a more than six-month conflict between the United States and Iran.Arpan RaiSeptember 15, 2026 06:27Watch: Zelensky says Ukraine will support energy ceasefire as ‘first step’ to end warZelensky says Ukraine will support energy ceasefire as ‘first step’ to end war warArpan RaiSeptember 15, 2026 06:09North Korea’s Kim promises to expand ties with RussiaNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he will “expand and deepen” joint work with Russia in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media KCNA reported this morning. In a response sent Monday to Putin’s congratulations on the 78th anniversary of North Korea’s founding, Kim said the Pyongyang government had a firm will to expand cooperation with Russia “in a comprehensive manner” based on friendship, mutual assistance and what he described as the countries’ alliance relations. Russia’s victory in the current “sacred war to defend the country’s security interests and international justice,” language that appeared to refer to Russia’s war in Ukraine. He pledged his “unwavering support” to Putin and the Russian people. The comments come as Moscow and Pyongyang have grown noticeably closer, with North Korea sending troops to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine in 2024 and deepening military cooperation under a mutual defense pact.Arpan RaiSeptember 15, 2026 05:46 Animal rescuers seriously injured in Russian drone attack while saving dogs in Ukraine Ruslan Horbal, a volunteer with Animal Rescue Kharkiv (ARK), was on a rescue mission in the war-torn city of Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine when a Russian drone hit the vehicle, killing one of the rescued dogs. He had barely gathered the animals into the back of the car when the attack occurred. “It happened very quickly. There was an explosion, smoke and glass everywhere,” Horbal, who was hospitalized after the attack, recalled in an interview with The Independent. “At first I was confused. It took me a moment to understand what had happened. Then I started checking if everyone was alive and if the animals were okay. That’s when I realized I was seriously injured too. There was a lot of blood.” Arpan RaiSeptember 15, 2026 05:17 Russia attacks gas station and warehouses in kyiv, says mayor A drone hit a gas station in the Ukrainian capital, kyiv, in the early hours of today, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on the Telegram messaging app, There was also a strike at warehouses in another part of the city. A Reuters witness heard an explosion in kyiv. The attack comes after US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to attack each other’s energy targets. Russia has recently begun “attacking gas stations in kyiv, expanding the reach of the targeted facilities.” In recent months, Russia attacked about 300 gas stations, mainly in or near Ukraine’s frontline regions. Arpan RaiSeptember 15, 2026 04:52 Zelensky says Ukraine will support energy ceasefire as ‘first step’ to end war Volodymyr Zelensky has said kyiv was willing to support a US-led proposal for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine protecting energy sites, but only if Washington could guarantee Moscow was truly prepared to end its war. Zelensky made his comments in his late-night video address after US President Donald Trump said Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to attack each other’s energy targets. “If this can become the first step in de-escalation, a step toward ending Russian attacks on our critical infrastructure and our attacks in response, Ukraine is ready to support de-escalation,” Zelensky said. “So far, no one has seen any genuine willingness on the part of Russia to bring the war to an end. “But if our American partners can guarantee Russia’s genuine readiness to end the war aimed at destroying lives, and to do so in an honest and long-term manner, Ukraine will take its own measures to reduce tension,” said Zelensky. Arpan RaiSeptember 15, 2026 04:40 Drone attack damages industrial facility in Russian Samara region A drone attack damaged an industrial facility in the Russian region of Samara on the Volga River, Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said on Telegram, without naming the facility. The region is home to several large oil refineries and some residential buildings were also affected.Arpan RaiSeptember 15, 2026 04:06.
