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Ukraine forces ordered to withdraw from key battleground city

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Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Sievierodonetsk

Ukrainian forces have been ordered to withdraw from the key battleground city of Sievierodonetsk after weeks of fierce street fighting, in order to limit more casualties and regroup, but the move will be seen by Russia as a significant victory.

Ukraine officials said there was very little left to defend in the bombed-out eastern city, where hundreds of civilians remain trapped in a chemical plant.

The order to withdraw on Friday came four months to the day since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent tens of thousands of troops over the border, unleashing a conflict that has killed thousands, uprooted millions and reduced whole cities to rubble.

Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Gaidai said troops inSievierodonetsk had already received the order to move to newpositions.

“Remaining in positions smashed to pieces over many monthsjust for the sake of staying there does not make sense,” Gaidaisaid on Ukrainian television.

The withdrawal from Sievierodonetsk would mark the biggest reversal for Ukraine since the loss of the southern port of Mariupol in May.

The latest Russian advances appeared to bring the Kremlincloser to taking full control of Luhansk, one of Moscow’s statedwar objectives, and set the stage for Sievierodonetsk’s twincity of Lysychansk to become the next main focus of fighting.

Vitaly Kiselev, an official in the Interior Ministry of theseparatist Luhansk People’s Republic – recognised only by Russia- told Russia’s TASS news agency that it would take another week and a half to secure full control of Lysychansk.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, but abandoned an earlyadvance on the capital Kyiv in the face of fierce resistancebolstered by Western arms.

Since then Moscow and its proxies have focused on the southand Donbas, an eastern territory made up of Luhansk and itsneighbour Donetsk, deploying overwhelming artillery in some ofthe heaviest ground fighting in Europe since World War Two.

Ukraine on Friday again pressed for more arms, with its topgeneral, Valeriy Zaluzhniy, telling his U.S. counterpart in aphone call that Kyiv needed “fire parity” with Moscow tostabilise the situation in Luhansk.

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‘ORDERLY RETREATS’

South of Sievierodonetsk, Ukrainian soldiers also withdrew from the towns of Hirske and Zolote in the face of overwhelming Russian forces, said Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Arestovych said the orderly retreat from the towns was a good thing in that it broke with a Soviet and post-Soviet military tradition to never retreat, whatever the circumstances.

He said Ukraine’s military had learnt the hard lesson of trying to defend positions at all cost during battles with pro-Russian forces in 2014.

“Now, for the first time, we have a precedent where our boys retreated in an orderly fashion,” he said in an online video post.

Russian troops had entered Hirske and fully occupied the surrounding district on Friday, municipal head Oleksiy Babchenko said.

“There is a red flag flying over the municipaladministration (in Hirske),” a spokesperson for the regionaladministration told Reuters by telephone.

Ukraine’s foreign minister played down the significance ofthe possible loss of more territory in the Donbas.

“Putin wanted to occupy the Donbas by May 9. We are (there) on June 24 and still fighting. Retreating from a few battlesdoes not mean losing the war at all,” Dmytro Kuleba said in aninterview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

The general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said its troopshad some success in the southern Kherson region, forcing theRussians back from defensive positions near the village ofOlhine, the latest of several Ukrainian counter-assaults.

Ukrainian media showed footage of a school smouldering andgutted by Russian shelling in Avdiivka — a town in Donetskregion just inside Ukrainian-held territory. Reports said theschool had been used as a first aid centre and the attackdestroyed medicine and other supplies.

Reuters could not confirm the details of the fighting.

Russia says it sent troops into Ukraine to degrade itssouthern neighbour’s military capabilities and root out peopleit called dangerous nationalists.

Ukraine, which says Russia has launched an imperial-styleland grab, this week won new support from the West.

The war has had a massive impact on the global economy andEuropean security arrangements, driving up gas, oil and foodprices, pushing the EU to reduce its heavy reliance on Russianenergy and prompting Finland and Sweden to seek NATO membership.

The West has imposed an unprecedented package of sanctions on Russia, its top companies and its business and political elite in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

The measures have triggered an exodus of foreign firms, raised the prospect of Russia defaulting on its sovereign debt, and look set to trigger a deep economic contraction.

In a major sign of support, European Union leaders this week approved Ukraine’s formal candidature to join the bloc – a decision that Russia said on Friday amounted to the EU’s “enslaving” neighbouring countries.

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Iran Signals Reluctance for Talks Despite Ceasefire Extension With US

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Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei

Iran Signals Reluctance for Talks Despite Ceasefire Extension With US

Iran has acknowledged the extension of its ceasefire with the United States but signalled hesitation over participating in further negotiations, raising concerns about the future of diplomatic efforts and the stability of the fragile truce.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the extension on Tuesday, stating that the move was intended to give Tehran more time to submit a “unified proposal” aimed at ending the conflict. The decision came just before the ceasefire deadline and followed mediation efforts led by Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, confirmed the extension but stopped short of committing to renewed talks. He emphasised that diplomacy would only be pursued if it aligns with Iran’s national interests and security priorities.

The cautious stance reflects growing internal divisions within Tehran. Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, criticised the extension as “meaningless,” accusing Washington of attempting to dictate terms while delaying potential military action.

Reports from Iranian media suggest that Tehran may decline participation in proposed talks scheduled to take place in Islamabad, although no official withdrawal has been announced. The uncertainty highlights deep mistrust between both sides, particularly over the conditions attached to negotiations.

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Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high. Recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz, including Iran’s reported seizure of vessels, have reinforced concerns that both countries continue to apply strategic pressure while diplomacy stalls.

On the U.S. side, officials have indicated that discussions remain fluid, with ongoing internal consultations affecting the timeline for negotiations. Washington has also made it clear that the ceasefire is temporary and dependent on measurable progress.

Key issues continue to divide both nations. The United States insists on halting Iran’s nuclear programme, while Tehran demands sanctions relief and an end to economic and maritime restrictions as conditions for meaningful engagement.

Pakistan’s mediation has positioned Islamabad as a potential venue for renewed dialogue, but the latest signals suggest that bridging the gap remains difficult.

While the ceasefire extension has reduced the immediate risk of escalation, analysts warn that without concrete steps toward agreement, the diplomatic window could close quickly, raising the possibility of renewed confrontation.

Iran Signals Reluctance for Talks Despite Ceasefire Extension With US

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Trump Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breaches as US–Iran Peace Talks Collapse

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US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump

Trump Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breaches as US–Iran Peace Talks Collapse 

US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of repeatedly violating a fragile ceasefire agreement, as efforts to revive stalled US–Iran peace talks face increasing uncertainty amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

The temporary truce, which is expected to expire within days, is reportedly under severe strain after Iranian authorities confirmed that no delegation has yet been sent for renewed negotiations scheduled to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump stated that Iran had violated the ceasefire “numerous times,” though he did not provide specific details or evidence of the alleged breaches. The accusation has further heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran at a critical moment in the peace process.

A new round of negotiations had been expected to involve a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, following earlier talks in Islamabad that ended without a breakthrough. However, Iranian state media reports suggest that no officials have departed for the meeting, raising doubts over whether the dialogue will proceed as planned.

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The breakdown in talks comes amid escalating geopolitical friction, including disputes over maritime activity and strategic waterways. Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, have intensified concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies.

Both the United States and Iran continue to trade accusations of ceasefire violations. Washington claims Iranian-linked forces targeted vessels in key maritime corridors, while Tehran insists that US naval actions and the reported seizure of an Iranian-linked ship constitute clear breaches of the agreement.

Despite the deadlock, Trump maintained that the United States remains in a strong negotiating position. He stated that Washington is confident it will ultimately secure a favorable agreement, even as diplomatic efforts continue to stall.

However, he also warned that failure to reach a deal could lead to renewed conflict. According to Trump, if the ceasefire expires without extension, “lots of bombs start going off,” signaling the possibility of a sharp escalation in hostilities.

Diplomatic efforts by Pakistan have intensified in recent days, with officials urging both sides to extend the truce and return to negotiations to avoid further escalation. Islamabad has been playing a mediating role in attempts to stabilize the situation and restart dialogue.

Despite these efforts, Iranian officials remain skeptical, accusing the United States of negotiating under pressure while maintaining sanctions and military pressure. A senior Iranian parliamentary official reiterated that Tehran would not engage in talks “under the shadow of threats,” warning that any renewed conflict could escalate rapidly.

Inside Iran, the prolonged crisis has deepened economic pressure and public uncertainty, with reports of worsening conditions despite the temporary ceasefire. Inflation, restricted trade, and instability have contributed to growing frustration among citizens.

At the regional level, the crisis is also affecting broader diplomatic dynamics, with parallel negotiations involving Israel and Lebanon continuing in Washington as part of wider efforts to manage tensions across the Middle East.

For now, the future of the US–Iran ceasefire remains uncertain, with both sides holding firm positions and diplomatic channels struggling to produce progress. Analysts warn that the coming days will be critical in determining whether the truce can be extended—or whether the region risks sliding back into open conflict.

Trump Accuses Iran of Ceasefire Breaches as US–Iran Peace Talks Collapse

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Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

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US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump

Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

US President Donald Trump has ruled out extending the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran beyond its current deadline, warning that failure in ongoing negotiations could lead to renewed military confrontation.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Trump said he was not in favour of prolonging the truce, stressing that both sides must move quickly to reach a binding agreement.

“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said, indicating that the situation remains time-sensitive as diplomatic talks continue under pressure.

The ceasefire, which is expected to expire on Wednesday evening, has temporarily eased tensions between Washington and Tehran, allowing both sides to regroup following weeks of heightened conflict and military escalation concerns.

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Trump noted that both countries had used the pause to “restock,” describing the truce as fragile and warning that it could collapse if negotiations fail to produce results.

He further suggested that the breakdown of talks could trigger a return to military operations, stating that he “expects bombing” to resume if diplomacy fails. According to him, the U.S. military remains fully prepared for any required action.

“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” he said, defending a strong negotiating posture.

The president also reiterated earlier warnings about targeting Iranian infrastructure, including strategic facilities such as transport routes and power installations, arguing that such measures would weaken Iran’s military logistics and operational capacity.

Despite his hardline position, Trump acknowledged that Iran’s population is “incredible,” while describing its leadership as resistant to compromise. He insisted that a negotiated deal could still allow Iran to “become a strong nation again” if it agrees to terms acceptable to Washington.

The comments come as senior U.S. officials prepare for further diplomatic engagements, with Vice President JD Vance expected to participate in upcoming discussions aimed at extending the ceasefire and reducing tensions in the region.

Trump also criticised Iran’s internal handling of unrest, referencing reports of violent crackdowns on protests, which he said further complicate efforts toward lasting peace.

The latest remarks highlight continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S.–Iran ceasefire negotiations, with global observers closely watching whether diplomacy or renewed conflict will define the next phase of relations between both countries.

Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran

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