The Kremlin is expanding its military presence in the Arctic and preparing a foothold for resource-driven expansion, according to Andrii Cherniak, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russia wants to end the war in Ukraine "as soon as possible," preferably through peaceful means, and is ready to continue negotiations — provided that Kyiv and its Western allies are willing to engage, President Vladimir Putin said.
Speaking during a roundtable with top editors of major international news agencies late on June 18, Putin added that he is ready to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and "Russia does not care who represents Ukraine in negotiations, but insists that any final agreement must bear the signature of legitimate authorities."
The Kremlin has long sought to portray Zelensky as "illegitimate" in an attempt to discredit Kyiv. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Feb. 18 that Putin, who has ruled Russia for over 20 years, is ready for talks with Zelensky, but "legal aspects related to his legitimacy" must be considered.
Ukraine's allies had generally ignored this propaganda narrative until U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to echo the Kremlin's lines claiming that Zelensky was a "modestly successful comedian" turned "dictator" who "refused to have elections."
Ukraine has not held elections during Russia’s full-scale invasion because they are legally prohibited under martial law, which was declared on Feb. 24, 2022, just hours after the war began. Ukrainian law also mandates that elections must be safe, equal, and uninterrupted—conditions that are impossible to meet amid ongoing Russian attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.
Asked if he would be willing to speak with Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Putin said that “if the Federal Chancellor wants to call and talk, I have already said this many times — we do not refuse any contacts."
"And we are always open to this… They stopped, let them resume. We are open to them,” Putin said, adding that he, however, questions Germany’s role as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war: "I do doubt if Germany can contribute more than the United States as a mediator in our negotiations with Ukraine. A mediator must be neutral. And when we see German tanks and Leopard battle tanks on the battlefield… and now the Federal Republic is considering supplying Taurus missiles for attacks on Russian territory… using not only the equipment itself, but also Bundeswehr officers — here, of course, big questions arise."
Bien que le gouvernement fédéral ait réalisé des progrès en matière de diversité et d’équité dans la fonction publique, des inégalités salariales persistent, selon un nouveau rapport du Conseil du Trésor.
The U.S. State Department said Wednesday it is restarting the suspended process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their social media accounts for government review.
The department said consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles.
The American B-2 stealth bomber is the only plane capable of carrying the bombs needed to strike Iran’s deepest nuclear facilities, but the decision to use them is not without risk.
The American B-2 stealth bomber is the only plane capable of carrying the bombs needed to strike Iran’s deepest nuclear facilities, but the decision to use them is not without risk.
The U.S. Senate is postponing action on a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill until at least July, as other legislative and foreign policy priorities dominate the agenda, Semafor reported on June 18.
Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have been working on a revised version of their bill that would impose secondary sanctions on Russian trading partners, while shielding Ukraine’s allies from penalties and making technical adjustments. But momentum has stalled as Republicans push President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, and the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel demands urgent attention.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) acknowledged on June 18 that a "July timeframe" was now more realistic for the sanctions bill. "We’re very open to moving, we’re trying to work with the administration from a timing standpoint," Thune said, according to Semafor. Graham added that the Senate is "going to have to wait a bit," citing shifting global developments. "Things are changing now with Iran… that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten about Russia or Ukraine. Not at all. Iran is center stage, but sooner rather than later," he said.
Trump has not yet signaled support for the legislation, which remains a critical obstacle.
While sanctions enjoy broader Republican backing than direct military aid to Ukraine, GOP lawmakers are hesitant to move forward without Trump’s approval. The U.S. president left the G7 summit in Canada early, skipping a planned meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, as attention shifted to a potential U.S. response to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. "All the focus is on Israel and Iran right now," said Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), though he noted that he is "all for putting sanctions" on Russia.
Graham and Blumenthal had hoped to secure passage of the bill ahead of the G7 summit after visiting Ukraine earlier this year. Blumenthal said he and Graham were "making tremendous progress" with the administration, but acknowledged that other priorities were pushing the legislation off the floor.
Supporters of the sanctions argue the bill would give Trump more leverage in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We want to strengthen our hand in the negotiation," said Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.). "We want to help effectuate an outcome in Ukraine, so we’re trying to use it in a way that actually helps get something done." The legislation would authorize secondary sanctions on countries that continue to purchase Russian energy or conduct other major trade with Moscow.
Despite uncertainty around timing, both Graham and Blumenthal continue to refine the bill to ensure broader support, including a carveout for Ukraine’s allies and changes to accommodate the global banking system. "There is no evidence that Putin is going to slow down," Graham told Semafor. "We need to change the approach. I think the sanctions will give the president leverage."
L’ex-PDG de la SAAQ est resté muet pendant une rencontre à laquelle participait le conseiller politique de l’ex-ministre des Transports, François Bonnardel, même s’il a réalisé que de fausses informations sur les coûts du projet CASA lui étaient fournies. Ce n’est qu’en privé, que Denis Marsolais a jugé bon de corriger de tir.
Le drame d’Amqui, où trois piétons ont trouvé la mort, relève-t-il d’un accident, d’une imprudence, ou plutôt d’un plan échafaudé par un homme frustré, hargneux, qui voulait avant tout tuer des « morveux » pour se venger de la société ?
Après plus de 50 ans dans les médias québécois, le caricaturiste Serge Chapleau a été nommé mercredi après-midi chevalier de l’Ordre national du Québec par le premier ministre du Québec François Legault à l’Assemblée nationale.
New data on the explosive growth of women’s sport in Canada underscores its rising popularity, but also reveals that its structural supports still lag behind.
Jessica Doherty, vice-president of strategy and growth at Torque Strategies, presented findings from a new national survey on Wednesday morning at the espnW Summit Canada at Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works. One of the study’s main findings is that 60 per cent of Canadians believe perceptions of women’s sport have improved over the past three years.
A three-year-old Montreal girl, reported missing on Sunday by her mother who was charged with child abandonment this week, has been found alive in Ontario, according to Quebec provincial police.
Sûreté du Québec Sergeant Geneviève Bruno said she was found by Ontario Provincial Police around 3 p.m. Police said the girl was discovered alone, but conscious and able to speak with officers, along a highway near St. Albert, Ont.
Le Bal des finissants de l’école Paul-Hubert aura lieu pour la première fois au Colisée Financière Sun Life de Rimouski. Environ 500 jeunes vont pouvoir festoyer entre amis, ce vendredi 20 juin, avant de se diriger vers leurs projets postsecondaires.
L’équipe responsable de la vie étudiante au Paul-Hubert promet aux jeunes une soirée royale. Elle était accompagnée d’un comité de 28 élèves pour organiser les festivités.
L’événement se tient au Colisée, cette année, en raison des travaux prévus au Centre des congrès de l’Hôtel Rimouski.
« Nous avons choisi la thématique royale et ça va paraître dans la décoration. Nous avons misé sur la surprise pour que les jeunes soient épatés. De le faire au Colisée après la Coupe Memorial, nous trouvions ça grandiose pour les élèves. Nous voulons les faire danser pour qu’ils s’amusent tous ensemble », explique la technicienne en loisirs à l’école Paul-Hubert, Vanessa Caron.
Les techniciennes en loisirs Chantal Ouellet et Vanessa Caron ainsi que la responsable de la vie étudiante, Catherine Langlois. (Photo courtoisie GMX photobooth)
« Pour la première fois au Colisée, les finissants nous ont demandé d’avoir quelque chose en lien avec l’Océanic. Il y aura des surprises liées à ça. Nous travaillons avec le comité du bal depuis novembre et nous avons pris leurs idées. C’est un grand défi de faire ça au Colisée parce que c’est grand et nous sommes heureuses de le relever », ajoute l’autre technicienne en loisirs, Chantal Ouellet.
Soirée festive
Les organisatrices de la soirée souhaitent que les jeunes puissent profiter au maximum de leur Bal de finissants puisqu’ils seront réunis pour une dernière fois avant de poursuivre leurs études qui seront à l’extérieur pour certains.
« Nous croyons en nos jeunes. Toute l’année, nous sommes avec eux pour les aider et leur faire vivre plusieurs expériences. C’est la journée la plus importante de l’année pour moi parce que c’est là que nous les félicitons et que nous leur montrons que nous les apprécions. Nous voulons leur donner un des plus beaux souvenirs de leur vie », exprime madame Ouellet.
La cérémonie de remise des diplômes 2025 de l’école Paul-Hubert. (Photo courtoisie Josée Gagné)
Une vingtaine de membres du personnel de la polyvalente participent aussi à la réussite du Bal.
Le départ de la parade des finissants se fera, à 15 h 30, du Paul-Hubert. Les familles sont invitées à les accueillir au Colisée vers 15 h 45.
Cérémonie des diplômes
La cérémonie de remise des diplômes s’est tenue le 15 juin à la Salle Desjardins-TELUS.
« Les familles étaient très contentes d’être là parce que c’était une belle occasion de célébrer la fête des Pères. Plusieurs papas étaient extrêmement fiers et contents de vivre ça », exprime la responsable de la vie étudiante, Catherine Langlois.
La nouvelle mascotte de l’école a été dévoilée pour l’occasion. La loutre PHilou a été créée par le gouvernement étudiant et les élèves ont pu s’exprimer sur son image et son nom en votant pendant l’année scolaire.
La nouvelle mascotte de l’école Paul-Hubert, PHilou. (Photo courtoisie Josée Gagné)
Le Paul-Hubert compte 530 finissants, cette année. Madame Langlois souligne que la cohorte 2024-2025 était particulièrement dynamique.
« Ils sont impliqués et ils sont très conscients des enjeux de la société autant localement qu’à l’international. Ils sont super allumés et parfois ils trouvent des solutions incroyables à des enjeux plus grands que nous. Ils sont très inspirants. »
While faulting some towers for inefficient practices, the report recognized significant external factors and called on Congress to help address the problem.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that during a phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, he rejected his offer to mediate in negotiations with Iran, offering him to "mediate your own".
Connexion
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova
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