The Kremlin says a settlement in Ukraine can’t be facilitated by a drop in global oil prices as U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested

In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission just sued Elon Musk, accusing him of not notifying that agency or shareholders of his purchases of Twitter shares in early 2022. They claim that, by hiding his accumulation of stock, Musk was able to buy the company on the cheap.

President Donald Trump is threatening to impose stiff taxes, tariffs and sanctions on Russia if an agreement isn’t reached to end the war in Ukraine.

The Treasury in a statement said Washington was imposing fresh sanctions on almost 100 critical Russian entities - including Russian banks and companies operating in Russia's energy sector - that were previously sanctioned by the United States. It said the move increases secondary sanctions risk for them.

Ukraine said on Friday it had struck a Russian oil refinery and a microchip factory in a huge drone attack that caused fires at the refinery's production facilities and an oil pumping station.

The GRU reportedly paid the militant group $200,000 for each killed coalition soldier and smaller amounts for Afghan troops. Overall, the Taliban received $30 million, with money also going to other groups opposing the government in Kabul, the report said.

Trump promised during his campaign that upon his return to the White House, he would swiftly end Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia said on Monday it had summoned the Moldovan ambassador in Moscow to protest against what Russia's foreign ministry called "unfounded accusations" against the Russian ambassador in Chisinau by a Moldovan political party.

He also said Moscow is ready for talks with the U.S. on a broad range of issues. In an interview Friday with Russian state TV, Putin praised Trump as a “clever and pragmatic man” focused on U.S. interests.

Current and former European and U.S. officials have raised concerns about some of President Donald Trump’s picks for top intelligence posts.

Since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia’s economy has surpassed expectations. But some experts say this image of resilience is a mirage crafted by the Kremlin.