https://www.rferl.org Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is an international news organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Mon, 11 May 2026 12:56:33 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL Former senior US diplomat Gordon Gray, who served as deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs under President George W. Bush, says indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran are likely to continue despite what he described as significant pain and pressure on both sides. https://www.rferl.org/a/ambassador-gray-iran-trump-negotiations-diplomacy/33754183.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ambassador-gray-iran-trump-negotiations-diplomacy/33754183.html Mon, 11 May 2026 09:52:53 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East As the US-Israeli war with Iran continues to impact and shape the region, journalists from RFE/RL's Central Newsroom and Iranian service, Radio Farda, deliver ongoing updates and analysis. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil-blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-us-hormuz-oil-blockade-gulf-israel/33640284.html Mon, 11 May 2026 09:01:00 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories US President Donald Trump has angrily rejected Tehran's response to a US peace proposal as "totally unacceptable," continuing a deadlock over bringing an end to their war. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-response-peace-proposal-unacceptable/33753884.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-response-peace-proposal-unacceptable/33753884.html Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:37 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown StoriesMiddle East After Russia and Ukraine agreed to pause hostilities for three days starting on May 9, both sides said there had been attacks on their territory in violation of the deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is "not even trying" to observe the cease-fire along the front lines. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-cease-fire/33753868.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-cease-fire/33753868.html Sun, 10 May 2026 21:03:05 +0200 UkraineVideo ArchiveVideos A Russian drone hit a high-rise residential building in Ukraine's second-largest city, authorities said, injuring at least five people and straining a three-day cease-fire timed for Victory Day celebrations. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-drone-attack-war-cease-fire/33753723.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-drone-attack-war-cease-fire/33753723.html Sun, 10 May 2026 09:49:17 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Iranian media said Tehran has sent its response to the latest US peace proposal, but the country's officials have maintained belligerent stance toward the United States. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-trump-rubio-irgc-war-negotiations/33753414.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-trump-rubio-irgc-war-negotiations/33753414.html Sun, 10 May 2026 01:30:02 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Russian forces marched in Moscow's Red Square during May 9 Victory Day events, commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. One day earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a three-day cease-fire starting on May 9. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-victory-day-parade-ukraine-cease-fire/33753398.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-victory-day-parade-ukraine-cease-fire/33753398.html Sat, 09 May 2026 20:12:07 +0200 RussiaVideo ArchiveVideos Iran blamed the United States for a recent escalation of skirmishes in the Persian Gulf as Washington awaits a response from Tehran over the latest proposal to end their war. https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-peace-proposal-response/33752830.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-peace-proposal-response/33752830.html Sat, 09 May 2026 14:57:25 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Russian President Vladimir Putin said he thought the conflict with Ukraine is "coming to an end," but stressed that he would meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy only once a final peace deal has been agreed. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ictory-day-parade-putin-speech-ukraine-war/33753222.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ictory-day-parade-putin-speech-ukraine-war/33753222.html Sat, 09 May 2026 11:47:28 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline In an online post, US President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a three-day cease-fire deal starting on May 9. The date coincides with Victory Day celebrations in Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there would be no attacks on the site of the celebrations. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-putin-zelenskyy-cease-fire-victory-day/33752919.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-putin-zelenskyy-cease-fire-victory-day/33752919.html Fri, 08 May 2026 23:33:19 +0200 UkraineVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to steady ties with Italy and the Vatican during a visit to Rome shaped by disputes over Iran, NATO, and migration. He also defended Washington’s military posture in the Middle East and warned Tehran against trying to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-rome-vatican-iran-hormuz-ukraine-nato-troops/33752859.html https://www.rferl.org/a/rubio-rome-vatican-iran-hormuz-ukraine-nato-troops/33752859.html Fri, 08 May 2026 18:52:11 +0200 IranNews When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Leonid and Valentyna Stoyanov, two veterinarians in Odesa, took in as many injured and abandoned animals as they could. Soon, they were making regular trips to the front lines to rescue animals affected by the war. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-veterinarians-rescued-animals-front-lines/33752175.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-veterinarians-rescued-animals-front-lines/33752175.html Fri, 08 May 2026 15:45:30 +0200 UkraineVideo ArchiveVideosThe Rundown Stories Sources in the Pakistani Taliban told RFE/RL that the group’s leadership has been ordered to relocate from the Afghan capital, Kabul, where it is allegedly based. https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-pakistan-taliban-ttp/33752593.html https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-pakistan-taliban-ttp/33752593.html Fri, 08 May 2026 15:02:29 +0200 AfghanistanFeaturesPakistanThe Rundown Stories US President Donald Trump announced a three-day cease-fire in the war between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides quickly confirming they had agreed to the truce along with a major prisoner swap. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-victory-day-cease-fire-drone-attacks/33752482.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-victory-day-cease-fire-drone-attacks/33752482.html Fri, 08 May 2026 08:39:19 +0200 UkraineNewsRussiaRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Security is tight as Moscow prepares for the May 9 Victory Day parade on Red Square, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. For the first time in nearly 20 years, the event will be held without military hardware. Mobile Internet restrictions are already in effect across the Russian capital. https://www.rferl.org/a/snipers-checkpoints-limited-internet-moscow-prepares-for-victory-day/33752111.html https://www.rferl.org/a/snipers-checkpoints-limited-internet-moscow-prepares-for-victory-day/33752111.html Thu, 07 May 2026 19:20:10 +0200 VideosRussiaVideo ArchiveThe Rundown Stories The United States sees energy security in the Western Balkans as a national security priority and is stepping up efforts to help the region reduce its dependence on Russian supplies, Joshua Volz, a special envoy for energy integration at the U.S. Department of Energy, told RFE/RL. https://www.rferl.org/a/us-envoy-balkan-energy-security-national-security-priority/33751868.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-envoy-balkan-energy-security-national-security-priority/33751868.html Thu, 07 May 2026 13:15:50 +0200 FeaturesBosnia-HerzegovinaMontenegroSerbiaKosovoNorth MacedoniaThe Rundown Stories Oil production cuts, plumes of smoke, altered plans for President Vladimir Putin: Ukraine’s strikes on oil facilities, military installations, and air defense systems are taking a toll on Moscow’s capacity to fight its war against Ukraine. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-drone-deep-strikes-oil/33751182.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-drone-deep-strikes-oil/33751182.html Thu, 07 May 2026 10:42:28 +0200 RussiaFeaturesUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories In an interview with RFE/RL, Barry Pavel, a former senior director for defense policy and strategy at the National Security Council, who served as a special assistant to the president under George W. Bush, unpacks the strategic meaning behind recent developments in the US war with Iran. https://www.rferl.org/a/pavel-interview-security-iran-ceasefire-war/33751442.html https://www.rferl.org/a/pavel-interview-security-iran-ceasefire-war/33751442.html Thu, 07 May 2026 09:53:39 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Stories Iran said it was reviewing the latest US proposal that sources say would end the fighting but leave several key issues open, as US President Donald Trump claimed a deal was “very possible” but also warned of renewed fighting if Tehran rejected the deal. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-peace-proposal-trump-ceasefire-hormuz/33751441.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-peace-proposal-trump-ceasefire-hormuz/33751441.html Thu, 07 May 2026 01:31:41 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Russia warned Kyiv-based diplomats and representatives of international organizations to prepare to evacuate the Ukrainian capital, saying its forces would launch a "massive" missile attack against the city if Ukraine disrupted its May 9 World War II commemorations. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-kyiv-ukraine-victory-day-wwii-attack-parade/33751440.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-kyiv-ukraine-victory-day-wwii-attack-parade/33751440.html Thu, 07 May 2026 00:20:24 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories