Sri Lanka made a strong presence at the International Buddhist Forum held in Tuva, Russian Federation, from August 18 to 21, 2026, with a high‑level delegation led by Minister of Culture Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.

Addressing the Opening Ceremony and Plenary Session, Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi underscored Sri Lanka’s historic role in preserving and disseminating Buddhism, highlighting its position as a leading custodian of the Theravada tradition.

The delegation included Commissioner General of the Department of Buddhist Affairs Gamini Senerathne, Senior Lecturer at the Pali and Buddhist University Saman Peramuna, Editor‑in‑Chief of the National Encyclopedia Dr. Ranjana Senasinghe, and Embassy Counsellor Mihiravi Dissanayake. 

They joined panel discussions on Buddhism and ecology, Buddhist tourism, translation of Buddhist texts, and temple architecture, strengthening Sri Lanka’s engagement with the Russian Buddhist community and international institutions.

The Buddhist clergy delegation featured Ven. Rajangane Piyadassi Thero of Pepiliyana Sunethradevi Pirivena, Ven. Rakwane Gnanaseeha Thero of Chittaviveka Monastery, and clergy from Jetavana Monastery. They contributed perspectives on Buddhism and consciousness, traditional medicine, and State relations, while also conducting meditation sessions and Dhamma discourses.

The Forum, held under the patronage of President Vladimir Putin, drew more than 600 delegates from across Asia, Europe, and Africa, including religious leaders, diplomats, scholars, and researchers. It rotates annually among Russia’s Buddhist regions, Buryatia, Kalmykia, and Tuva.

On the sidelines, Minister Senevi met Tuva’s Minister of Culture Viktor Chikzhit to discuss cultural and religious cooperation, including exchanges between monastic and academic institutions. He also gave interviews to TASS and Russia‑24, speaking on Buddhism’s role in Sri Lanka’s cultural identity and proposing a “New Literary Cultural Triangle” for Eurasian cultural collaboration.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow said it looks forward to continued participation in future editions of the Forum, positioning Sri Lanka as a hub of Theravada Buddhist heritage and international dialogue. (Newswire)

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Russian carrier S7 Airlines will open a new international route linking Novosibirsk in Siberia with Colombo, beginning 20 December 2026, according to Aviation Voice Asia.

The service will provide a direct air link between Siberia and Sri Lanka, giving Russian travelers easier access to Colombo and popular island destinations such as Hikkaduwa, Bentota and Trincomalee.

Flights will operate twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays.

Departures from Tolmachevo Airport, Novosibirsk are scheduled at 5:15 am (Thursdays) and 5:00 am (Sundays), arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport at 1:40 pm.

Return flights from Colombo will leave at 2:50 pm on the same days, reaching Novosibirsk at approximately 2:15 am the following day.

The total journey time is expected to be around 10 hours, including a technical refueling stop in Jaipur, India, where passengers will remain onboard.

S7 Airlines has announced that tickets for the new route are already on sale, marking the airline’s latest expansion into South Asia. (Newswire)

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The Russian capital was ablaze Thursday, after Ukraine launched what appeared to be its largest attack on the city since the Kremlin invaded its neighbor more than four years ago. 

Waves of Ukrainian drones hit a major oil refinery in Moscow for the second time this week, sending thick clouds of black smoke and flames rising over the city through the morning. Local commercial flights were also disrupted.

Kyiv cast the attack as revenge for strikes on a historic monastery that had drawn global condemnation. It comes as President Donald Trump signals renewed engagement with the conflict, boosting European hopes that he may back tougher action against Russia to try and force it to the negotiation table.

A video geolocated by NBC News showed a drone flying into a plume of smoke over the Kapotnya refinery, which is in the southeast of Moscow and just 10 miles away from the Kremlin.

The facility is seen already engulfed in flames, as air defense rockets are fired at the drone before it crashes on site, throwing up a ball of fire.

Ukraine has been striking oil facilities deep inside Russia after a leap in drone capabilities, an intensifying campaign that Kyiv’s allies say has given the country “new momentum” in the war. It has led to widespread damage to energy infrastructure, helping to spark a fuel crisis centered in occupied Crimea.

Successful attacks on Moscow remain rare, however, with the capital protected by layers of air defense.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 190 drones have been shot down on approach to Moscow overnight, with several reaching the oil refinery. State news agency Tass called it “the most massive drone attack on the Moscow region in two years.”

The capital’s major airports went into temporary shutdown Thursday morning “to ensure flight safety,” Russia’s transportation ministry said.

A day earlier, Russia’s aviation authority announced restrictions on flights by light ​private aircraft and drones in ‌Moscow and surrounding regions — a possible sign the Kremlin is looking to ramp up protections for the capital. Ukrainian drones first attacked the refinery on Tuesday.

The attacks come at a tricky time for the Kremlin, which is facing growing internal discontent with Vladimir Putin’s leadership and handling of the war.

Kyiv has been open about what it calls its “long-range sanctions” against Russia.

“This is a fully justified response to Russian attacks on our cities and communities, and another important result of our warriors’ work against facilities that sustain Russia’s war machine,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post X Thursday, sharing a video of the Russian capital burning and covered in smoke.

All of Ukraine’s partners “have noted the precision and effectiveness of our mid-range strikes and long-range sanctions” in recent days, he added, signaling that the U.S. is now on Ukraine’s side.

“If Ukraine is burning, then your Moscow will be burning too,” Zelenskyy said later Thursday, in an audio note shared with reporters.

Washington-led efforts to settle the conflict have been stalled by the Trump administration’s focus on the Iran war in recent months.

But with the peace agreement now signed with Tehran, Trump said he would refocus on Russia’s war and appeared newly aligned on the issue with allies at the Group of Seven summit this week. Just hours before the refinery strike, Zelenskyy said he held “an important coordination call” with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, “that can bring about significant change.”

The stunning footage of the refinery fire appeared on social media Thursday despite the ban on sharing videos and photos showing “results of drone strikes” that came into force in Moscow last month to “prevent disinformation.” In most videos, people behind the camera can be heard gasping and swearing at what they are seeing.

Other footage showed Moscow residents seemingly unfazed by the smoke in the background. Some casually rolled down the sidewalks on their scooters, as others talked on their phones and waited at bus stations.

“One of the most popular questions asked by Muscovites this morning is ‘What is going on?’” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X.

“I can answer. Your country started a war of aggression against ours,” he added. “For years, it has been killing our people. Now that you know what’s going on, ask Putin when he is planning to end it.” (CNBC)

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, in an open letter posted as the Russian leader was speaking to the media at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. It comes a day after Ukrainian strikes on the Russian city.

“We can all see that Russians are finally becoming less comfortable with this reality — with the fact that the war is bringing more and more negative consequences to Russia,” Zelensky wrote. “They do not like the fact that there is no end in sight to your war.”

The Ukrainian leader said Putin “regularly” postpones deadlines to capture Ukrainian regions, specifically Donetsk.

“And you will not capture it this year either,” he said.

Zelensky called for a direct meeting with Putin to end the war and stressed that peace shouldn’t wait until the US turned its attention from Iran to the Ukraine-Russia war.

“We see that the United States is fully focused on the issue of Iran, and it would be wrong to simply wait until the war in Europe returns to the center of its attention,” Zelensky said.

“Ukraine proposes ending this war through direct engagement between us — and you. I am proposing a meeting,” he wrote, adding that it should take place in a third country and that a clear date should be set. During those meetings, Zelensky said a full ceasefire needs to be in place.

“An attempt to establish real silence is the best way to begin talking to one another.”

The Kremlin has seen Zelensky’s letter and Putin will be briefed on it, Russian state outlet TASS cited Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying. He also said that if Zelensky wants to meet Putin, “he can come to Moscow.”

Zelensky reiterated in the letter that him traveling to the Russian capital is a non-starter.

Meanwhile in St. Petersburg, Putin said proposals made by US President Donald Trump to end the war could “be the basis” for peace agreements but would require compromise from both countries.

“We generally agreed to these compromises. We just need to convince the Ukrainian side of this, and that’s it,” he said. “But overall, I believe they could very well be the basis for agreements between Russia and Ukraine and could put an end to this conflict.” (CNN)

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Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) met Russian Deputy Defence Minister Vasily Osmakov in Moscow on May 26 during an official visit to the Russian Federation.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Defence Secretary’s participation in the 1st International Forum on Security and the Annual Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues, scheduled from May 26 to 29 in Moscow.

During discussions, the two sides exchanged views on regional and global security challenges and reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation between Sri Lanka and Russia in areas of mutual interest. Discussions focused on military-technical cooperation, capacity-building initiatives and opportunities to expand training exchanges between the two countries.

The officials also discussed matters related to former Sri Lankan military personnel currently serving in the Russian Federation.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Russia, Shobini Gunasekara, Counsellor Mihiravi Dissanayake and Counsellor (Defence) Air Commodore Dinesh Kasagala were also present at the meeting. (Newswire)

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A meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin has started in Beijing, Chinese state media report.

Xi welcomed Putin to the Chinese capital on Wednesday, shaking hands with the Russian leader outside the Great Hall of the People before their talks, video by Russian media showed.

Before entering the Great Hall, Putin and Xi walked down a red carpet, rolled out to greet the Russian leader, and stood as a military band played both their countries’ national anthems.

Putin began the talks by hailing the “strong, positive” momentum in cooperation between Russia and China, according to Russian media.

“Even amid unfavourable external factors, our cooperation and economic cooperation is showing strong, positive momentum,” Putin told Xi.

Addressing Putin, Xi lauded the “unyielding relationship” between China and Russia.

“We have been able to continuously deepen our political mutual trust and strategic coordination with a resilience that remains unyielding despite trials and tribulations,” Xi told Putin, according to China’s Xinhua news agency.

The Chinese leader also addressed the US-Israel war on Iran, telling his Russian counterpart that further conflict was “inadvisable” and a ceasefire was necessary.

“A comprehensive ceasefire is of utmost urgency, resuming hostilities is even more inadvisable and maintaining negotiations is particularly important,” Xi said, according to Xinhua.

In a video address released before meeting Xi, Putin said Russia and China were prepared to cooperate with each other on the “core interests ‌of ⁠the two countries, including the protection of sovereignty and national unity”, the Reuters news agency reports.

Both countries are actively expanding ⁠ties in economy, politics and defence, Putin said, adding that “a close” and “strategic” connection between Moscow and Beijing ⁠was playing “a stabilising role” in global relations.

“We are not aligning against anyone, but working ⁠for the cause of peace and universal prosperity,” Putin said.

Putin is being accompanied by a large delegation of Russian businesspeople and government leaders, and the Kremlin has announced that the two leaders will sign some 40 different agreements, covering everything from the economy and tourism to education. (Al Jazeera)

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The Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake, represented Sri Lanka at the XVII International Economic Forum held in Kazan, Russia, under the theme “The Role of International Routes in Developing Foreign Trade.”

The Ministry said the session highlighted the importance of international transport connectivity for trade, shipping, and regional economic stability. 

Addressing the forum, Minister Rathnayake emphasized that the expansion of global trade routes creates greater opportunities for developing nations to integrate into international markets and strengthen their economies. (Newswire)

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A Russian delegation led by Health Minister Mikhail Murashko will undertake a three-day visit to Sri Lanka in May.

According to the Ministry of Health, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko will be in Sri Lanka on an official visit from 03 – 05 May. 

During the visit, the Russian Health Minister will hold discussions with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Nalinda Jayatissa.

The Russian delegation will hold discussions on strengthening relations and cooperation between Russia and Sri Lanka in the health sector.

The delegation is also scheduled to hold talks with Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, according to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.

On May 4, the Russian Health Minister and his delegation will visit the Colombo National Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Colombo. 

The two countries also intend to reach agreements between their health ministries, the Health Ministry added. (Newswire)

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The Trump administration has renewed a waiver allowing nations to buy sanctioned Russian oil at sea ‌for about a month.

The US Treasury Department’s waiver lets countries purchase Russian oil and ‌petroleum products loaded on vessels through May 16.

It replaces a 30-day waiver that expired on April 11 and excludes transactions involving Iran, Cuba and North Korea.

The move is part of the administration’s effort to control global energy prices that have shot higher during the US-Israeli war on Iran.

It came after nations in Asia, suffering from the global energy shock, pressed Washington to allow alternative supplies to reach markets.

“As negotiations (with Iran) accelerate, Treasury wants to ensure oil is available to those who need it,” ‌a Treasury Department spokesperson ‌said.

Just two days earlier, Treasury ⁠Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would not be renewing the waiver for Russian oil and another for Iranian oil, ​which is set to expire on Sunday.

Global oil prices tumbled nine per cent on Friday to about $US90 a barrel after Iran temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz, an oil choke point in the Gulf.

But the war has already created the worst global energy supply disruption in history, the International Energy Agency has said.

The war, which is entering its eighth week, has damaged more than 80 oil and gas facilities in the Middle East, and Tehran has warned it could close the strait again if the recent US navy blockade of Iranian ⁠ports continues.

US President Donald Trump ​has also faced pressure from partner countries on the oil price. A US source said partner countries on the sidelines of Group of 20, World Bank and International Monetary ​Fund meetings in Washington ‌this week had requested the US extend the waiver.

US lawmakers from both political parties had slammed the administration over the sanctions waivers, ​saying ​they stood to help the economy of Iran while it was at ​war with the US and of Russia as it was at war with Ukraine.

The ‌waivers could impede the West’s efforts to deprive Russia of revenue for its war in Ukraine and put Washington at odds with its allies.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said now is not the time to relax sanctions against Russia.

Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev said US-Russian economic and energy co-operation will continue, in a social media post about the renewal of the waiver.

He had said the first waiver on Russian oil would free 100 million barrels of crude, equal to almost a day’s worth of global output. (Australian Associated Press)

BREAKING: The US has authorized transactions involving Russian oil loaded onto tankers before April 17, with the authorization remaining in force until May 16.

US-Russian economic and energy cooperation will continue. pic.twitter.com/NBK3lOuZB5

— Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) April 18, 2026

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Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath met with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko at the Ministry in Colombo on Thursday (02), where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

According to a Foreign Ministry statement, visiting Deputy Minister Rudenko praised Sri Lanka as a “very beautiful country” with “friendly people,” noting that Russia considers Sri Lanka a longstanding friend. 

He assured that Russia is prepared to support Sri Lanka whenever needed, pledging a swift supply of Russian oil during the current energy crisis, encouraging Russian investors to explore new opportunities in Sri Lanka, and promoting greater tourist arrivals. 

He also expressed readiness to provide compensation for Sri Lankan war veterans who lost their lives in Russia’s conflict against Ukraine.

Minister Vijitha Herath welcomed Russia’s willingness to assist, stressing that Sri Lanka deeply values the support of its “old friend” during a time of pressing energy needs. 

He highlighted that the two countries share nearly 70 years of diplomatic ties and said the present moment is ideal to further strengthen relations, including through long-term trade agreements.

The meeting underscored both nations’ intention to deepen cooperation across energy, investment, tourism, and diplomatic spheres, reinforcing the historic friendship between Sri Lanka and Russia. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka could expand trade with Russia through Vladivostok using existing aviation and maritime routes, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake said.

Speaking to Sputnik India, the minister noted that Sri Lanka’s position along major Indian Ocean shipping lanes and its established air connectivity could support faster trade links with Russia.

“If we think about starting something in immediate terms, within months, the best option is aviation, as we already have well-established connections,” he said, adding that cargo operations could begin through commercial flights.

He also pointed to Sri Lanka’s maritime links with countries such as China, Japan and South Korea, noting that Vladivostok is geographically close to these routes.

The minister highlighted the role of Hambantota Port in facilitating trade, noting its growing capacity as a regional logistics hub.

“There is already significant infrastructure in place. Hambantota has developed into a major automobile export hub in South Asia to Africa,” he said.

He added that these existing systems could be leveraged to develop sea-based trade links under a broader Eurasian transport framework. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to meet with visiting Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin this evening (26) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, with discussions centring on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. 

According to the President’s Office, talks are expected to focus on enhancing collaboration between Sri Lanka and the Russian Federation, including potential partnerships in fuel supply, energy security and long-term cooperation. 

Deputy Minister Marshavin, who is on an official visit to Sri Lanka, was welcomed upon arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport by Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Nishantha Jayaweera, Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Levan S. Dzhagaryan, Additional Secretary/ Europe and North America – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, M.R.K. Lenagala, and Director General /Europe & North America of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sugeeshwara Gunaratna.  

The visit underscores ongoing efforts by both countries to deepen diplomatic and economic ties, particularly in the energy sector, amid evolving global market conditions. (Newswire)

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A delegation led by Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin has arrived in Sri Lanka today (26) for an official visit.

Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin is in Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Government of Sri Lanka.

During the visit, several meetings and discussions are expected to take place, focusing on potential solutions to help address the country’s ongoing energy crisis.

According to the Russian News Agency Tass, Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin told reporters that Sri Lanka is interested in supplies of oil and other energy resources from Russia. 

“Supplies of energy resources. Not merely oil but also the other ones. The volumes are not yet known,” Marshavin said, before his visit to Sri Lanka. 

This week,  Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, said that the government has begun diplomatic discussions with Russia to obtain fuel.

Speaking at the post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday (24), he said attention is being focused on securing fuel through government-to-government agreements.

“Discussions with Russia are ongoing at a diplomatic level. In the past, we did not have the opportunity to obtain oil from Russia, but we are trying to see whether this can be done through agreements between governments.”

He added that Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister is expected to visit the country soon for further discussions.

Sri Lanka is facing a fuel supply issue after Iran decided to block the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict with the US and Israel. (Newswire)

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Russia on Monday (Mar 23) called for a “political and diplomatic” settlement to the Middle East war, just as US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington and Tehran had held talks on ending the conflict.

Trump said Monday the two sides had, over the last two days, held “very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities”.

Trump also said he had ordered a halt to threatened strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, after earlier issuing an ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The waterway has remained effectively closed since the start of the war sparked on Feb 28 by US-Israeli bombardment of Iran.

In a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Russia’s top diplomat Sergei Lavrov urged an “immediate cessation of hostilities and a political settlement that takes into account the legitimate interests of all parties involved, above all Iran,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a readout of the call, which Moscow said was initiated by Iran.

There was no mention of US-Iran talks – which have not been confirmed by Tehran – in the Russian statement. 

Iranian media said on Monday there were no negotiations between Tehran and Washington, despite Trump’s claim.

“There are no talks between Tehran and Washington,” said Mehr news agency citing Iran’s foreign ministry, adding that Trump’s statements were part of a push “to reduce energy prices”.

Russia is one of the Islamic Republic’s closest allies and has slammed the US-Israeli strikes on the country, but has not publicly offered military support.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had earlier said the “situation should have transitioned to a political and diplomatic settlement”.

“This is the only thing that can effectively contribute to defusing the catastrophically tense situation that has now developed in the region,” Peskov told reporters at a briefing.

He was speaking before Trump’s statement that talks had taken place.

Russia – which helped build Iran’s only operational nuclear power plant at Bushehr – has warned against strikes that could endanger the site that the UN’s nuclear watchdog announced last week was hit by a projectile.

“Of course, this poses a very serious security threat if this trend continues,” Peskov said Monday.

“We consider strikes on nuclear facilities to be potentially extremely dangerous and fraught with, perhaps even irreversible, consequences,” he added. (CNA)

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The Trump administration on Thursday issued a new license allowing countries to temporarily purchase certain Russian oil products, the same day Brent crude prices settled above $100 per barrel for the first time since August 2022 as the war with Iran drags on.

Temporarily lifting the sanctions on oil from Russia, a major exporter, comes despite previous US pressure on Russian oil companies as part of a bid to stem the flow of cash funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

“To increase the global reach of existing supply, @USTreasury is providing a temporary authorization to permit countries to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote on social media. “This narrowly tailored, short-term measure applies only to oil already in transit and will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government, which derives the majority of its energy revenue from taxes assessed at the point of extraction.”

The license, posted to the US Treasury site, only applies to Russian crude or petroleum products loaded on vessels as of March 12. The license authorizes those shipments through April 11.

Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and ranking member on the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations criticized the decision on social media. “As Putin helps Iran target Americans in the Middle East, @POTUS is now filling the Kremlin’s war coffers. Instead of squeezing Russia’s faltering economy, the President’s ill-planned war is giving Putin a windfall while American families face higher prices,” Shaheen wrote.

CNN previously reported that the US has granted Indian refiners a 30-day waiver to buy Russian oil currently stranded at sea. Bessent, at the time, said the move was “to enable oil to keep flowing into the global market.”

The war, now in its second week, has seen the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil travels, effectively closed to tanker travel. Oil prices have jumped, and analysts, economists and traders have warned that even a rapid end to the war won’t necessarily mean a quick re-opening of the strait.

As the energy shortage worsens, countries have scrambled to stem the economic impact by curbing consumption, capping fuel prices and tapping into emergency oil reserves. (CNN)

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Sri Lanka has recorded the highest number of deaths among South Asians who joined the Russian army to fight against Ukraine, according to a new report by Himal Southasian.

Data provided to Himal Southasian and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) by Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the official body responsible for handling POWs and tracking foreign fighters, shows that at least 275 Sri Lankans have died in the conflict. 

This figure is significantly higher than the 59 deaths acknowledged by the Sri Lankan government in February 2025.

The dataset, partly obtained from sources within the Russian military, covers the period from the start of Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 to September 2025.

It indicates that a total of 455 individuals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who joined Russian forces have been killed on the battlefield.

The report also highlights the struggles of widows seeking compensation for their deceased husbands, alongside the operations of illegal agents and recruitment networks that facilitated the enlistment of Sri Lankans into the Russian military. (Newswire)

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India’s access to crucial energy supplies received a temporary boost on Friday after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a 30-day waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil. 

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a Russia-related licence “Authorizing the Delivery and Sale of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products of Russian Federation Origin Loaded on Vessels as of March 5, 2026 to India,” the Treasury said in a statement.

It said the transactions, including from vessels blocked by various sanctions regimes, are authorized through the end of the day on April 3, 2026.

The move comes as the administration seeks to stabilise global energy markets amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Highlighting the importance of the bilateral relationship, Secretary Bessent described India as an “essential partner” of the United States. 

In a post on X, he wrote, “President Trump’s energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded. To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil. This deliberately short-term measure will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government as it only authorizes transactions involving oil already stranded at sea.”

President Trump’s energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded.
To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil.…

— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) March 6, 2026

The post added, “India is an essential partner of the United States, and we fully anticipate that New Delhi will ramp up purchases of US oil. This stop-gap measure will alleviate pressure caused by Iran’s attempt to take global energy hostage.”

In an effort to pressure Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, US President Donald Trump had imposed sanctions on Russian oil majors Lukoil and Rosneft last November. India’s imports of Russian crude fell to about 1.1 million barrels per day in January, the lowest since November 2022, as New Delhi sought relief from US tariffs, pushing Moscow’s share of overall oil imports down to 21.2%, industry data showed. The source said the share climbed back to around 30% in February.

Oil production has been hit across the Middle East amid strikes on major oilfields in the Gulf, with the situation aggravating due to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime chokepoint that handles 20% of global oil supplies.

Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura refinery and Iraq’s Rumaila oil field were among the world’s major oil supply units that have been struck over the past few days.

The US and Israel’s war against Iran has shot up oil prices amid a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude went up to $83.07 per barrel this morning. However, despite such a hike in global prices, sources have ruled out any possibility of increasing petrol and diesel prices in India. (NDTV)

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Russia’s internet regulator Roskomnadzor has removed”youtube.com” from its DNS (Domain Name System) servers. If a user tries to access the site directly without a VPN (Virtual Private Network), their router can no longer assign the address to its IP address.

This means that You Tube is no longer accessible in Russia. The WhatsApp domain has also disappeared from Roskomnadzor’s servers. The Russian government has also launched a campaign against the messenger app Telegram, leading analysts to say Roskomnadzor is cracking down on platforms beyond its control.

If DNS servers are like the internet’s phone book, IP addresses are numbers assigned to computers, smartphones and routers to make them accessible and identifiable.

A VPN creates an encrypted connection between a user’s device and a server, allowing the user to bypass geo-blocking and surf anonymously.

DW reviewed tips from experts and internet users on how to circumvent Russian blocks. In an anonymous survey, when asked whether they had noticed problems with YouTube in Russia, 46% of respondents told DW they used the video platform via a VPN, 24% reported ongoing connection problems despite using a VPN. Another 27% told DW they did not live in Russia, while 3% said they did not use a VPN and had experienced disruptions.

NDNS: Alternative internet directory
The DNS servers of Roskomnadzor should actually be referred to as NDNS, or the National Domain Name System, according to internet censorship expert Michael Klimarev, who posted this on the Telegram channel zatelecom.

He said the software and hardware system had been introduced in Russia alongside the Sovereign Internet Law.

“It is an alternative ‘internet directory’ that Russian telecommunications providers must use,” he explained.

He added that according to the law, Russian providers are not allowed to use international domain registrars but only NDNS, enabling the authorities to control access to websites centrally.

According to the na_sviazi Telegram channel, 13 domain names were recently removed from NDNS, including those of DW, BBC, Radio Liberty, Facebook and Instagram.

Until now, Roskomnadzor had primarily used Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to restrict internet access. This data processing technology enables internet traffic to be analyzed and filtered.

DPI can also slow data transmission and ensure videos load slowly or not at all for Russian YouTube users. So, in the past, the video platform was technically available, but did not always work.

Independent telecommunications expert Alexey Uchakin told the business portal of the Russian media group RBC that he presumed Roskomnadzor’s capacity to slow down data transmission was limited, and the regulator might have opted for more restrictions to free up its own resources to block Telegram.

‘Nothing works without a VPN’

In comments on DW’s YouTube channel, users reported a deterioration in the quality of access to the internet.

“Even with a VPN, there is a noticeable slowdown and instability,” noted one user.

“YouTube is more difficult to watch,” said another, adding: “But I don’t think that’s because of YouTube but because of the VPN. I use free versions.”

Another user said they never turned off the VPN on their laptop “because nothing works without it.”

Tips on how to circumvent blocks are already being exchanged on social networks in Russia. However, some users fear that the authorities will also be able to detect settings used to circumvent censorship.

Last year, a law that imposes a fine of up to 5,000 rubles (approx. €55 or $65) for searching for “extremist material” on the internet and also using VPNs came into force.

YouTube has not officially been classified as an “undesirable organization” in Russia, but authorities regularly accuse the platform of distributing prohibited content.

What can ordinary internet users do?

“If only one NDNS is available in a country, no settings can help restore normal DNS functionality,” says the na_sviazi Telegram channel.

“In this case, a user must seriously consider protecting their data traffic and choose reliable VPNs.”

But many users have also complained that even VPNs are not reliable. Some presume this is partly due to restrictions imposed by VPN providers themselves or ad blockers.

Klimarev confirmed VPNs and third-party DNS services did not offer complete protection. He says internet providers could also block alternative DNS services.

For him, a reliable VPN is still the most effective way to stay in touch with the outside world, but he warned that the Russian authorities might falsify IP addresses: “And then you won’t be directed to where you want to go.”

If a user cannot access genuine websites, they might be directed to fakes designed to steal logins, passwords and bank details.

Officially, Roskomnadzor has justified the restrictions on Telegram by saying the platform has violated “Russian law” and is a “threat to citizens.”

A Moscow court already fined Telegram for refusing to delete “prohibited content” and failing to comply with the “obligations of a social media operator.”

Klimarev believes that if the situation continues to develop in similar fashion, “at some point, there will be a completely different internet in the Russian Federation that differs from the global one. And it will not be trustworthy.” (DW)

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa requested Russia’s support to rebuild livelihoods, restore the damaged railway and road systems, and rehabilitate infrastructure affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. 

The request was made during a special meeting between the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Levan Dzhagaryan, and MP Sajith Premadasa at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo today. 

During the meeting, MP Premadasa explained to the Russian Ambassador the challenges faced by people affected by Cyclone Ditwah, and requested support to rebuild livelihoods of the disaster‑affected people. 

He also conveyed, on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka, gratitude for the assistance already extended by the Russian government during this difficult time. 

MP Premadasa further emphasized the importance of strengthening long‑standing trade cooperation between the two countries, noting that such ties would provide vital support for Sri Lanka’s recovery. (Newswire)

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Secretary General of the Sri Lanka–Russia Friendship Society and Head of the Russian Geographical Society in Sri Lanka, Saman Weerasinghe, has been conferred one of Russia’s highest civilian honours, the Order of Friendship (Orden Druzhby).

According to reports, one of Russia’s most prestigious civilian honours was conferred on Saman Weerasinghe by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow on Russian National Unity Day (04 Nov). 

Saman Weerasinghe received the honour in recognition of his decades-long contribution to strengthening diplomatic, cultural, and economic relations between the two nations.

“Saman Weerasinghe makes a great contribution to strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties with Russia,” President Putin said, addressing the ceremony, and commending Saman Weerasinghe’s role in enhancing bilateral relations.

In his acceptance speech, Saman Weerasinghe expressed gratitude to President Putin for acknowledging his contribution and reaffirmed his commitment to deepening cultural, educational, and humanitarian cooperation between Sri Lanka and Russia.

Saman Weerasinghe served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Russia from 2015 to 2018, and currently serves as General Secretary of the Sri Lanka–Russia Friendship Society and Chairman of the Centre of the Russian Geographical Society in Colombo. (Newswire)

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