Russia does not care about Trump's ultimatum of sanctions unless Moscow agrees to a peace deal in Ukraine, a senior security official said.

President Donald Trump on July 14 announced the U.S. would impose "severe tariffs" on Russia unless Moscow agrees to a deal to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days, but experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent say the plan is deeply flawed.

Recent arrests of each other's citizens by Russia and Azerbaijan could trigger a conflict that sucks in Armenia, Turkey, Iran, Israel and Central Asia

Trump's threat against Russia runs parallel to a Senate-led effort to pass crippling sanctions on countries that buy Russian energy.

Iran has announced the formation of a new Muslim bloc with Turkiye, Pakistan, and other nations, aiming to strengthen regional unity amid escalating tensions with Israel.

Lucy and Vitaly answer all that, and consider the delicate diplomatic balance Turkey is attempting to strike during this conflict, alongside the BBC’s Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse. Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko.

A rift has developed between Russia and Azerbaijan, which have had long political, economic and cultural ties.

Azerbaijan has been pushing back against Russian dominance in the Caucasus region, seeking closer ties with Turkey and Israel.

Once strategic partners in the post-Soviet order, Russia and Azerbaijan are drifting into open hostility. From diplomatic snubs to deaths in custody and geopolitical realignments, ties between Moscow and Baku are under unprecedented strain.

President Donald Trump on Monday laid out a pair of steps intended to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine, including funneling new weapons to Kyiv and threatening economic punishment on Moscow if peace isn’t reached in 50 days,