Diplomacy

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered Wednesday to help mediate an end to the conflict between Israel and Iran, suggesting Moscow could help negotiate a settlement that could allow Tehran to pursue a peaceful atomic program while assuaging Israeli security concerns, AP reported. Speaking to senior news leaders of international news agencies on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin noted that “it’s a delicate issue,” but added that “in my view, a solution could be found.” Meanwhile, Iran launched a fresh salvo of missiles at Israel on Thursday, with a hospital reported hit, as US President Donald Trump warned he was weighing US military action in the conflict.

The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will only be welcome at the dinner for heads of state and government leaders at the Huis ten Bosch Palace during the summit. This is evident from the summit programme, announced on Monday (16 June). In previous years, the Ukrainian head of state was given a much more prominent place in the programme. The United States, under the leadership of president Donald Trump, objected to Zelensky's invitation to this year's summit.