Ahead of the G20 summit in Miami, speculation is mounting over whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend. The Kremlin says a high-ranking Russian official will be present, but stops short of confirming Putin’s participation. With global tensions rising, Russia is signalling that the summit matters and expects consequential discussions—leaving the key question unresolved.
The Centre has been pulled to the Supreme Court over reports that 10 Indians died while fighting alongside Russian forces in the Ukraine war. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said the matter needs “tactful handling”, noting there may be immense difficulty in retrieving mortal remains from the conflict zone.
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Ukrainian local authorities issued a mandatory evacuation order for families with children in Pokrovsk, an eastern city that still has about 53,000 residents. Officials say Russian forces are moving so quickly that parents and children must leave the city and nearby areas. The order raises urgent questions about protection, logistics, and remaining civilian access.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre chief Richard Horne warned that the country’s gravest cyber threat now comes from hostile states including Russia, Iran and China. He described a “seismic” geopolitical shift and urged UK firms to strengthen defences, warning that state-backed attacks could be far larger in scope during potential conflict and target critical systems.
Russian Prime Minister nominee Mikhail Mishustin told lawmakers he wants to keep Russia an open market for foreign companies, even as Western sanctions continue. His statement signals intent to avoid new barriers for international businesses, but observers are watching for the next step: concrete policy changes or real-world implementation that matches the promise.
India appears to be converting the global oil dislocation into advantage as Russian refineries face disruption from Ukraine strikes. With crude at record low prices, India boosts diesel exports to Europe and seeks to capture margins even as US trade pressure grows. The outcome hinges on how long disruption in Russian refining lasts versus pressure on India’s energy flows.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit New Delhi next year for the 23rd India Russia Annual Summit, according to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow on July 8–9, 2024 for the 22nd summit. The upcoming dates could shape how both countries reset diplomatic momentum and deepen cooperation.
Russia has launched an online service called “Time to live in Russia” to bring foreign workers to the country amid widening labour shortages. The initiative targets applicants with in-demand skills and an expressed respect for traditional Russian values, including scientists, entrepreneurs and creative professionals, aiming to match staffing needs with newcomers willing to integrate.
With Russian oil increasingly off-limits, India is looking at alternatives. Venezuelan crude from Caracas is tempting for cost reasons, but turning that promise into profit depends on navigating complex supply chains, pricing, sanctions risk, and refinery compatibility. The real question is whether volumes and economics can align quickly enough to matter.
India has expanded the roster of Russian insurers permitted to provide marine insurance for ships calling at Indian ports. The update increases access to protection and indemnity coverage by allowing additional Russian firms to operate. Several newly included companies have authorisations running through 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2030, extending coverage well into the future.
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Russia’s central bank has already sold about 21.8 tonnes of gold in 2026, or roughly 22,000 kilograms, according to a Kitco report citing regional reporting. The move is linked to a widening budget deficit, reported at $61.2 billion by end-March, as Moscow seeks funds amid mounting fiscal pressure.
The US has extended sanctions relief for Russian seaborne oil by 30 days, responding to requests from vulnerable countries including India. Officials say the step is meant to ease supply disruptions and help cool rising energy prices amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The extension is expected to support stability in global oil markets while uncertainty continues.
India and Russia have agreed under the Indo-Russian Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement to station up to 3,000 troops on each other’s territory at any given time. The pact also allows deployment of up to five warships and ten military aircraft per side, with an option to extend beyond the initial five-year term.
A Chainalysis report says groups connected to Russia and Iran are increasingly using cryptocurrency to finance the purchase of low-cost military drones and related components. The findings highlight how digital assets are being routed into military supply chains, making transactions harder to track through traditional banking channels. Authorities may face new enforcement challenges as crypto use grows.
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New European sanctions are restricting fuels refined from Russian crude, even when the processing happens outside Russia. The move targets the core of India’s oil arbitrage and export strategy that has generated billions. With timelines tightening and revenue at stake, traders and policymakers now face the urgent question: what fuel route can replace the blocked play fast enough?
Geopolitical expert Hal Brands argues that globalisation powered the rise of Russia and China as credible challengers to the US. He says Donald Trump’s approach could push strategic de-escalation with Russia and recalibrate NATO. Meanwhile, Brands warns China may benefit from fractures between the US and Europe, as advanced technology and great-power competition return to center stage.
Vladimir Putin warned that Russia may “cut off Ukraine from the sea” after Kyiv’s underwater drone strike hit two tankers tied to Russia’s “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea. Moscow said it will consider retaliatory measures against ships linked to countries supporting Ukraine and plans to expand strikes on Ukrainian ports and vessels approaching them.
India’s crude oil imports fell sharply in March as conflict in the Middle East disrupted tanker routes and effectively halted transit through the Strait of Hormuz. With supplies delayed, India leaned more heavily on Russian crude, reshuffling its supplier rankings. Russia stayed the top source while Saudi Arabia climbed into second place as other flows weakened.
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As Western countries tighten immigration, Indian workers are being courted elsewhere. Russia and Japan are opening pathways to address demographic decline and labor shortages, while India’s proposed Overseas Mobility Bill seeks to create structured, safer routes for jobseekers abroad. The shift could redefine where Indians look for work and how overseas hiring is managed.
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