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Putin says US pressure on Modi to cut Russia ties is 'detrimental' as $100 bn trade target looms
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Putin backed India's independent foreign policy and projected $100 bn bilateral trade, saying US pressure on Modi to cut Russia ties has produced no results.Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during their meeting on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum at the Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday, June 4, 2026(Sergei Bobylev/Pool Sputnik Krem)Vladimir Putin has publicly defended the durability of Russia's partnership with India, projecting bilateral trade between the two nations will reach $100 billion in the coming years and dismissing American pressure on New Delhi to scale back its engagement with Moscow as both ineffective and harmful to the international order. The Russian president made the remarks during an interaction with heads of leading global news agencies including PTI on Thursday.Putin says US pressure on India will backfireAddressing Western efforts to push India towards distancing itself from Russia, Putin was unequivocal that such tactics have produced no meaningful results."The US is trying to put pressure on India when it comes to cooperation with Russia on some tracks. But everyone has understood that putting pressure on Narendra Modi (and India) that has the largest population in the world, is detrimental for international relations and for bilateral relations," Putin said.He added that direction of the pressure is immaterial. "It doesn't matter where this pressure comes from. We don't see any negative consequences.""There are no serious repercussions emanating from the state of affairs. We are developing our ties with India and will continue doing that," he said.Russia projects $100 billion trade milestone with IndiaPutin expressed confidence in India's economic trajectory, linking it directly to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."India is among the world's major economies and is currently demonstrating an impressive rate of economic growth," he said, adding that bilateral trade is on course to breach the $100 billion threshold.Responding to a question from PTI's chief executive and editor-in-chief Vijay Joshi, Putin elaborated: "India is one of the leading economies of the world that has showed the highest rate of economic growth. This is not something that comes out of the blue. This is result of the hardwork that the government of India has been doing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."India's ties with Washington pose no structural threat to Russia, Putin saysPutin indicated that India's deepening relationship with the United States does not unsettle Russia, framing New Delhi's independent foreign policy as a feature rather than a complication."We are glad that India is developing its relations with all countries it thinks important for its national interests," he said when asked whether India's alignment with Washington generates friction for Moscow.Russia considers India a "reliable partner" and sees no negative consequences from New Delhi's bilateral engagements with other nations, Putin said, adding: "India is a great nation and democracy and Russia will continue to expand its relations with it."Putin dismisses EU as Ukraine mediator, questions Zelensky's legitimacyOn Ukraine, Putin reiterated willingness to pursue a resolution but placed the burden of compromise on Kyiv rather than Moscow. He dismissed European Union nations as viable mediators, arguing that Brussels could contribute to de-escalation by persuading Ukraine to negotiate rather than continuing to arm it.Putin questioned the political standing of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose presidential mandate he argued has expired. "Will they hold elections or not? We should ask these questions," he said.On the question of trust, Putin was pointed: "How can Russia trust people who have been harping about the need to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia for years?"Putin drew a distinction between the tw
Russia launched a large-scale, deadly attack on Ukraine's capital city, Kyiv, early Tuesday, leaving at least 13 dead and over 100 injured across the country. The attack, according to Russia's defence ministry, was in retaliation for the ‘terrorist attacks’ committed by Kyiv.A resident stands at a site of a Russian drone and missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 2, 2026.(REUTERS)Days after Russia claimed that Ukraine launched a drone attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant over the weekend, Moscow on Tuesday (local time) launched a large-scale, deadly attack on the Ukrainian capital city, Kyiv.The deadly attack damaged residential and commercial buildings and killed at least 13 people, CNN reported, citing authorities, who added that the strike was part of a broad offensive on targets across Ukraine.Over 100 injured across the countryThe officials noted that four people were killed in the capital city and nine in the central city of Dnipro, with over 100 wounded across the country, of whom 65 were injured in the city.The Russian strikes were reported in Dnipro, where at least 35 people were injured, and Kharkiv, where 14 were hurt, including a child. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said that a rescue operation is underway at the site of a four-storey apartment building in Dnipro that authorities said was “effectively levelled,” as six people remain unaccounted for.Residential buildings damagedImages released from the country's State Emergency Services showed a fire engulfing a badly damaged house as firefighters tried to control the flames, while the windows and facade of what appears to be the front room of another debris-filled home were completely blown away.According to the report, Kyiv's air defences appeared less active during a ballistic missile strike around 7 AM. A strong smell of smoke hung in the air across the city on Tuesday morning.The overnight strikes also resulted in power outages and sent residents scrambling to shelters as air raid sirens sounded.According to the mayor, a suspected missile strike targeted a 24-storey residential building in Shevchenkivskyi district, causing a fire, following which a blaze broke out in a nine-storey building in Podil after debris struck the roof. Elsewhere in the city, Russian strikes damaged a clinic, and debris fell on the grounds of a kindergarten, Klitschko added. In Bucha, three homes, warehouse facilities, and non-residential buildings were damaged, Kalashnyk said.Ukrainian authorities react to overnight assaultVitali Klitschko, Kyiv's mayor, described the overnight attack as a “massive enemy attack.” He added that there are fears that people remain trapped under the debris of a multi-storey apartment block in Podilsky district that partially collapsed after a “double tap” Russian strike.Kyiv's regional governor, Mykola Kalashnyk, said, “Throughout the night, the enemy launched massive attacks on the Kyiv region using drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Our peaceful towns and villages were once again under attack.”Russia launches overnight assault in KyivAccording to the Ukrainian military, Moscow's overnight assault involved over 656 drones and 73 missiles, including advanced hypersonics. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that the vast bulk of the drones and just over half of the missiles were shot down.Moscow fired at least eight of its advanced hypersonic Zircon missiles toward Ukraine, the air force said, noting that none were intercepted. Experts have previously told CNN that the Zircon missiles are nearly impossible to shoot down.Russia's response to the assaultReacting to the overnight assault, Moscow's Defence Ministry said its "massive strike" targeted Ukraine's defence, military, fuel, and transport facilities in several key regions in response to what it said were “terrorist acts committed by the Kyiv regime,” TASS reported.According to the state news agency, the overnight assault included “high-precision long-ran
Ukrainian strikes on Russian military and defense facilities, including drone attacks on Moscow, aim to weaken Russia's war efforts. An Indian national was killed amid these attacks, marking the largest offensive since the invasion began in 2022, according to Ukrainian officials.Ukraine launched its biggest overnight drone attack on the Russian capital in more than a year.(X)An Indian national, working at the Indian Embassy in Russia, has been killed and three others have been injured after a drone attack in Moscow on Sunday. According to the Indian Embassy in Russia, officials have visited the location and met the injured workers in the hospital.“The Embassy condoles the loss of life and is working with the company management and local authorities to provide necessary assistance to the workers,” the Indian diplomatic mission said in a post on X.Ukraine launches large-scale attack on RussiaWhile the Indian Embassy did not provide further details about the drone attack, Reuters, citing Russian officials, reported that at least four people were killed, including three in the Moscow region, after Ukraine launched its biggest overnight drone attack on the Russian capital in more than a year.Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had vowed retribution on Friday following Russia's heaviest drone and missile attack on Kyiv over a two-day period since the war started more than four years ago.Confirming the attack, Zelenskyy post a video on X of a drone in flight, columns of black smoke and fire crews trying to extinguish the flames."Our responses to Russia’s prolongation of the war and its attacks on our cities and communities are entirely justified," Zelenskyy said.He added that Ukraine was able to strike targets more than 500 km from the border despite dense Russian air defences around Moscow."We are clearly telling the Russians: their state must end its war," he said.Ukraine's defence ministry also said that Moscow and the region "have experienced the largest-scale attack since the full-scale invasion began" in February 2022.More than 550 drones shot downRussian authorities said its Air defences shot down 556 drones overnight across the country, with another 30 drones intercepted after dawn.These interceptions took place across 14 Russian regions, as well as the Crimean peninsula annexed from Ukraine and the Black and Azov seas. In Moscow alone, authorities said air defence systems intercepted more than 80 drones overnight.Ukraine strikes Russian oil refineryUkrainian drones had also damaged unspecified “infrastructure” and several high-rise buildings, Andrei Vorobyev, the Governor of Moscow oblast, said.Ukraine's security service SBU has also claimed to have hit an oil refinery and two oil-pumping stations in the Moscow region."Strikes on defense-industry facilities, military infrastructure and oil logistics sites reduce the enemy's ability to continue its war against Ukraine. These attacks show that even the heavily protected Moscow region is not safe," the SBU said on Telegram.Russia has yet to confirm the strike. Renewed attacks post-Victory Day truceThe Ukrainian strikes follow the end of a brief ceasefire that allowed Russia to hold its annual Victory Day parade on May 9. Zelenskyy had even mocked the Victory Day parade by issuing a decree that "permitted" the annual event, which was significantly scaled down this year.Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air force has said that Russia attacked Ukraine with 287 drones overnight into Sunday, 279 of which were shot down or jammed.About the AuthorBobins Vayalil AbrahamBobins loves telling the human side of all stories, from the intersection of geopolitics, international relations, and conflicts around the world. In his nearly one-and-a-half-decade career as a journalist, Bobins has covered South Asia, the Middle East, and North America, from elections to mass protests and conflicts. Bobins has also done extensive reporting on environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability, f
Acting on precise intelligence inputs generated through risk-based passenger profiling, officers from the Air Intelligence Unit intercepted the traveler at the international arrival terminal in New Delhi from San Francisco on May 15.The passenger was placed under arrest in accordance with Section 104 of the Customs Act. Photo: XCustoms officials stationed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi have intercepted an American national of Indian origin carrying 115 smuggled gold bars. The contraband, weighing approximately 3.5 kilograms, was discovered hidden inside a uniquely modified belt, authorities confirmed on Saturday.In an official statement, senior Customs officials monitoring illegal trade patterns noted that this significant bust "directly correlates" with a sudden spike in gold smuggling attempts over the past week. This surge follows a recent policy shift that increased the Customs duty on gold imports from 6 percent to 15 percent, drastically altering illicit market dynamics and profit margins for smugglers.Acting on precise intelligence inputs generated through risk-based passenger profiling, officers from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) intercepted the traveler at the international arrival terminal. The passenger had landed in New Delhi from San Francisco on May 15 and was allegedly attempting to covertly navigate through the green channel to evade detection, the statement detailed."With the margin of profit per kilogram skyrocketing, international syndicates appear to have shown heightened desperation by deploying increasingly complex concealment methods," the statement said.During a subsequent physical search, AIU officers uncovered the 115 gold bars neatly concealed within the inner lining of a specially designed belt worn under the passenger's trousers. The confiscated bullion consisted of 24-karat purity (999.9) and weighed exactly 3,565 grams.Customs authorities stated that the gold was being illegally brought into India as contraband and was officially seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962. Consequently, the passenger was placed under arrest in accordance with Section 104 of the same Act, the statement said.About the AuthorRajendra SaxenaWith a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades at the highest levels of financial journalism, Rajendra Kumar Saxena stands as a cornerstone of the editorial leadership team at Livemint.com. In his current capacity as Content Editor, he is responsible for managing the comprehensive editorial lifecycle of the publication. His role is multifaceted, encompassing the strategic selection of high-impact stories, original reporting, and meticulous editing. Furthermore, Rajendra is instrumental in executing a sophisticated Search Engine Optimization (SEO)-driven content strategy, ensuring that the platform's digital content reaches a global audience while maintaining the highest standards of journalistic integrity and accuracy prior to publication. Rajendra’s professional journey is characterized by a profound expertise in a wide array of critical sectors. His analytical depth covers global economics, commodities, and stock market dynamics (across both Indian and United States landscapes). Beyond the financial markets, he possesses a keen understanding of political affairs, banking and finance, foreign affairs, and the rapidly evolving technology sector. His eighteen years journey in financial and business journalism includes a significant tenure at Financialexpress.com and freelance contributions to The Hindu. Currently based in Delhi, Rajendra holds a Master of Journalism degree from the prestigious Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication (MCNUJC). His blend of academic rigor and decades of on-the-ground experience makes him a leading voice in navigating the complexities of today’s financial world. Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. HomeNewsIndiaMajor g
Ukraine came under “one of the longest” Russian attacks with drone barrages targeting regions close to the border with NATO members in the western and southwestern part of the country, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.Ukraine Comes Under Major Russian Drone Strikes Near NATO BorderUkraine came under “one of the longest” Russian attacks with drone barrages targeting regions close to the border with NATO members in the western and southwestern part of the country, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.Neighboring Slovakia briefly closed all border crossings with Ukraine due to security reasons, while the authorities in Hungary summoned the Russian envoy. Prime Minister Peter Magyar condemned the assault as the most severe targeting a region inhabited by a Hungarian minority since Russia’s full-scale invasion began more than four years ago.Local authorities in Ukraine said drones hit residential buildings, municipal infrastructure and energy facilities. At least six people were killed and dozens more injured, including children, Zelenskiy said on X.The resumption in strikes follows a brief ceasefire over the weekend announced by President Donald Trump after Moscow pushed Kyiv for a temporary truce to allow Vladimir Putin to host a Victory Day parade in his capital.The US president said on Tuesday that a “settlement” between Russia and Ukraine is “getting closer.” Trump arrived in China for a state visit on Wednesday as the two economies look to stabilize ties with a summit playing out against the backdrop of the Iran war. Zelenskiy said the timing of Russia’s renewed attacks was not a coincidence.“In this difficult geopolitical moment, Russia is clearly trying to disrupt the overall political atmosphere and draw attention to its evil – seeking to do so at the expense of Ukrainian lives and Ukrainian infrastructure,” the president said.In Rivne, western Ukraine, at least three people were killed when a drone hit a residential building, according to local officials. Two train drivers were killed in a another strike that also damaged engines, cars and substations, Zelenskiy’s aide, Dmytro Lytvyn, told reporters.With assistance from Andras Gergely.©2026 Bloomberg L.P.This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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