The European Union is moving closer to banning all imports of Russian oil and natural gas more than three years after Moscow launched its unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Analysts say the Kremlin is prioritizing its own war against Ukraine, as well as its relations with Gulf nations that don’t want to see a stronger Iran.

A U.S. government working group that formulated strategies for pressuring Russia into peace talks and ending the war in Ukraine has been disbanded by the White House, Reuters reported on June 17. Officials cited by the news outlet said it was established this spring but became increasingly irrelevant as it became clear U.

ASTRA reported that the Ukrainian HIMARS hit the Russian convoy in a strike in Makiivka on June 13 around 20 miles from the front line in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. The strike also destroyed a Russian Defense Ministry bus, and military vehicles.

Kyiv. Russian drones and missiles struck Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Tuesday, June 17th, destroying an apartment building, residential structures, injuring up to 16 people, city officials said.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said a 57-year-old suspect was arrested on Sunday in the killing of a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband while posing as a police officer.

The Austrian government has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but also stressed the need to maintain diplomatic relations with Moscow.