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The Kremlin said on Friday that some progress had already been made in talks about a possible peace settlement to end the war in Ukraine but that contacts were rather complicated with the United States.

"Contacts are quite complicated, because, naturally, the topic is not an easy one," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"Russia is committed to resolving this conflict, ensuring its own interests, and is open to dialogue. We continue to do this."

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he wanted to achieve a peace deal quickly, but could not be involved in the search for a settlement indefinitely "if one of the two parties makes it very difficult".

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking earlier in Paris after meeting European and Ukrainian leaders, said the sides had just days to show progress or Washington would abandon its efforts.

Asked if the United States could withdraw from the search for a peace settlement in Ukraine, Peskov said that was a question for Washington.

"We believe that some progress can already be noted," Peskov said, citing a temporary moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, though he said Ukraine had not adhered to it.

"Therefore, certain developments have already been achieved, but, of course, there are still many complex discussions ahead."

Peskov, when asked if the energy moratorium was over, said that it had already been a month but that no orders from the president had been received to change Russia's position.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council and a representative of Russian hawks, expressed approval for the US remarks on the X social media platform.

"American officials have said that if there is no progress on the Ukrainian case, the United States will wash its hands of it. Wisely," Medvedev wrote in English. "And the EU should do the same. Then Russia will figure it out faster."

Reuters

India has said that its decision to withdraw the transshipment facility extended to Bangladesh would not affect Bangladesh’s exports to Nepal and Bhutan. In a weekly press conference, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson at the  Ministry of External Affairs said decisions would not affect  regional integration and trade.

We do have that in mind that regional trade needs to be promoted, he said, so that how I would look at India-Bangladesh ties.  Last week, India revoked the transshipment facility it granted to Bangladesh, meaning Bangladesh can no longer export goods to third countries through Indian ports and airports.

The European Union has announced a €1.6 billion ($1.8 billion) aid package to support the Palestinian Authority and fund projects in the the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.

European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica stated that the Palestinian Authority will get more than two-thirds of the two-year investment to improve financial stability, governance, and private sector growth, Reuters reported.

The aid will be contingent on PA alterations, as part of broader measures to boost resilience and post-war recovery amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza.

India has reiterated its position that border issues with Nepal will be resolved through bilateral mechanisms. 

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said: “We have a bilateral mechanism with Nepal to discuss these issues.” 

He further said: “Now, when you take some unilateral action, that does not mean that the situation on the ground will change or the reality will change.” 

So what is how we look these border issues that you pointed out, he said. The spokesperson was responding to a question asked whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and KP Sharma Oli during their meeting in Thailand discussed the border issues