06/06/2026

SATURDAY | JUNE 6, 2026

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Zelensky calls for meeting with Putin

KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a face-to-face meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a rare open letter to the Russian leader on Thursday, shortly after the Kremlin chief had conceded that Moscow needs to strengthen its air defences following Ukrainian attacks. US President Donald Trump, who had boasted he could end the war within a day of taking office, said a meeting would be “great” and pushed both sides to compromise. o ‘Ukraine ready for full ceasefire during negotiations’ Ukrainian

this war, Ukraine will continue fighting for its existence,” said Zelensky in the letter. When asked about whether Russia’s offensive against Ukraine has become a “strategic disaster”, Putin said Russia is “advancing along the entire line of contact”. “We are absolutely ready and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine through peaceful means.” The pace of Russia’s advance has slowed since late 2025 and recent data shows that Ukraine has regained ground against Russia. Ukraine recaptured more territory than it lost to Russian forces in May for the second straight month, according to an AFP analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War. – AFP

leader needs “analysis” after his initial five-year term expired in 2024. Martial law prohibits elections during wartime in Ukraine and Zelensky has offered to stage a vote or referendum on a final peace deal if a full ceasefire is in place. Putin has said he would only meet Zelensky to finalise an already agreed deal, rejecting calls to meet before then. “Zelensky can come at any time to Moscow,” state media quoted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying after the letter was published. Ukraine has intensified its long-range retaliatory strikes on Russian energy and military targets in recent months. “If you do not personally come to the conclusion that it is time to end

an Trump’s attention largely absorbed by the US-Israeli war with Iran, launched more than three months ago. “They are going to both make compromises, I suggested those compromises, and we have had a lot to do with it,” Trump said of Ukraine and Russia, without specifying. Russia has demanded Ukraine pull out of its eastern Donbas region, large parts of which Kyiv’s army still controls, as a precondition to peace talks. Speaking to foreign journalists in St Petersburg just before Zelensky’s appeal was published, Putin had repeated his frequent questioning of the Ukrainian leader’s legitimacy. He said the question of whether Zelensky is Ukraine’s legitimate agreement, with

The Kremlin said Putin has not yet been shown the letter but said Zelensky could meet Putin in Moscow “any time”, a proposal that Zelensky ruled out in his letter. “Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us and you. I am proposing a meeting,” he said in the letter. “I propose to set a clear date for such a meeting. Ukraine is ready for a full ceasefire for the duration of the negotiations.” Zelensky has repeatedly called for a meeting with Putin, saying only face-to-face talks will yield an agreement on territory. Direct addresses from Zelensky to the Russian leader are rare. Months of US-led negotiations have failed to bring the sides close to

US legislation passed to sanction Russia WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives passed legislation on Thursday to provide aid to Ukraine and impose new sanctions on Russia, the latest sign that some Republicans are willing to defy party leaders and push back on President Donald Trump. The House voted 226 to 195 for the Ukraine Support Act, which reached the floor after languishing for months. A handful of Republicans joined Democrats in signing a discharge petition to force the vote. On Thursday, 18 Republicans and one independent who normally votes with them joined Democrats to pass the Bill. It was the latest sign of a crack in what had been virtually unanimous support among members of Trump’s party for his policies. Passage came a day after a smaller group of House Republicans joined Democrats to pass a resolution that would force the withdrawal of troops from hostilities with Iran unless Congress declares war or orders the use of military force. However, the future of the Ukraine Support Act is uncertain. To become law, it must be passed in the Senate, whose Republican leaders have not allowed votes on Russia sanctions legislation that has broad bipartisan support, saying they would wait for Trump’s guidance. If it did pass the Senate, the Bill would likely be vetoed by Trump. While many members of Congress from both parties supported Ukraine in the first years after the start of the war with Russia in February 2022, some of Trump’s closest Republican allies, including House and Senate leadership, have grown cooler towards Kyiv since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. Trump has also kept decisions on sanctions at the White House, not Congress, since starting his second term. US aid to the Kyiv government has slowed sharply even as Russia and Ukraine have been pummeling each other with missiles, drones and artillery. Peace talks are stalled, with Ukraine rejecting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand that it surrender territory it has defended since 2022. The Ukraine Support Act includes measures to help Ukraine rebuild after the war, authorises more than US$1 billion (RM4 billion) in assistance for Kyiv and up to US$8 billion in support via direct loans. It also imposes stiff sanctions and export controls on Russia, including on financial institutions, oil and mining and Russian officials. – Reuters

Residents chanting during a rally in support of Mojtaba in Tehran. – REUTERSPIC

Iran to manage Strait of Hormuz with Oman: Minister ISTANBUL: Iranian Foreign Minister

okay with it. “I would say I am not his favourite person, but with that being said, he is probably a professional. In some circles, he has a very good reputation, actually.” Asked if such a meeting could happen in the United States, Trump said: “I have not really heard too much about it. I did not suggest it, but some people have suggested it.” US State Secretary Marco Rubio said on Tuesday he believes Mojtaba is “increasingly engaging” in the ongoing US-Iran talks. “I think there are indications out there that he is increasingly engaging at some level, although all of his communications have been in writing and through intermediaries,“ Rubio told lawmakers at a Senate hearing. – Bernama-Anadolu the Tyre district killed three people and wounded seven others, including three children and two women. Another strike on Arab al-Jal in the Sidon district injured seven people, among them two children and four women. The strikes come a day after Lebanon and Israel agreed to renew their ceasefire and establish “pilot zones” placing the Lebanese army in exclusive territorial control, with all non-state actors excluded. – Bernama-Anadolu

the strait in accordance with international law. In the same interview, Abbas said communication with Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remains ongoing, and his directives are received “in due time” and implemented precisely. He added that there is broad national consensus around Iran’s leadership and state affairs are proceeding “in a very good direction”. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would be open to meeting Mojtaba if the two sides reach a peace deal, reported Xinhua. “I do not want to meet. But if I did meet, I would be honoured to meet him. I would like to see if we make a deal, but if we make a deal, it is possible that I would meet him. I would be

Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday Iran and Oman would jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz in line with international law, Anadolu Ajansi reported. In remarks carried by Iran’s state broadcaster Irib citing Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen TV, Abbas said Iran and Oman, as the countries bordering the strategic waterway, have the “natural right” to coordinate and make decisions regarding its management. He said Tehran would exchange views with Gulf countries over developments related to the strait but stressed that decisions concerning its administration would ultimately be made by Iran and Oman. He also said efforts by both sides are aimed at ensuring safe passage for all ships through

Nine killed by Israeli strikes in Lebanon despite ceasefire ISTANBUL: Nine people were killed and several others injured on Thursday in Israeli airstrikes in eastern and southern Lebanon despite a renewed ceasefire agreement, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing Lebanese media reports. in the Tyre district, killing one person and injuring another. The agency also said a civilian vehicle was struck on the Zefta-Nmeiriyeh road in the Marjayoun district, wounding a man, woman and their daughter from Jdeidet Marjayoun. The injured were transferred to the Al-Rai Hospital in Sidon for medical attention.

The National News Agency said Israeli strikes on the town of Sohmor in the western Bekaa region killed five civilians while four others were wounded. In southern Lebanon, an Israeli drone targeted a motorcycle in the town of Maaroub

In a separate attack, an Israeli drone hit a vehicle on the Zefta-Kfarroumane road in Nabatieh, causing injuries. An Israeli strike on the Al-Masaken area in