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Turkish, Russian Diplomats Discuss Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks, Russian Ministry Says 

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during a press conference in Ankara, Türkiye, February 24, 2025. (Reuters)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during a press conference in Ankara, Türkiye, February 24, 2025. (Reuters)
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Turkish, Russian Diplomats Discuss Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks, Russian Ministry Says 

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during a press conference in Ankara, Türkiye, February 24, 2025. (Reuters)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during a press conference in Ankara, Türkiye, February 24, 2025. (Reuters)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan spoke on Monday to discuss Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's proposal to hold direct Russian-Ukrainian talks this week in Türkiye, the Russian ministry said.

"The heads of the two ministries discussed issues linked with the initiative by Russian Federation President V.V. Putin about beginning direct talks on a Ukrainian settlement on 15th May in Istanbul," the ministry said in a statement.

A Turkish diplomatic source earlier said the two ministers had spoken, but gave no further details.

Putin issued the proposal at the weekend after European leaders met in Kyiv and urged Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire in its war in Ukraine by Monday or face new sanctions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded by saying he was prepared to meet Putin in Türkiye on Thursday.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump offered to join the prospective Ukraine-Russia talks in Türkiye.

Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address on Monday, said Russia had made no response to his proposal to hold talks with Putin on Thursday.

Zelenskiy said Trump supported the proposed meeting "and we would like him to find the opportunity to be in Türkiye."

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Khamenei Says Israel Initiated a War as Iran Fires Missiles in Retaliation

Smoke rises after a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Smoke rises after a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
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Khamenei Says Israel Initiated a War as Iran Fires Missiles in Retaliation

Smoke rises after a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Smoke rises after a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said in a statement on Friday that Israel initiated a war and said it will not be allowed to do "hit and run" attacks without grave consequences.

"The Zionist regime (Israel) will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime. The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured," Khamenei said in a statement.

Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Iran's nuclear and military structure Friday, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to attack key facilities and kill top generals and scientists -- a barrage it said was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon.

Iran’s state news agency reported that Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles toward Israel as part of its retaliation for Israel's Friday attack.

IRNA said the Iranian military had dubbed its operation "Severe Punishment."

Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as sirens sounded across Israel following what the country's military spokesman said was the firing of missiles from Iran. 

The ongoing military and intelligence operation raised the potential for all-out war between Iran and Israel and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval.