Russia and Ukraine carried out another prisoner swap on Friday, said the Russian defense ministry.

In accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements on June 2 in Istanbul, a group of Russian military personnel was returned from the territory controlled by Ukraine on June 20, the ministry said, not giving the number of released prisoners. "In return, a group of prisoners of war of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was transferred," it added.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said that the returned captives include sergeants and soldiers from the Ukrainian Navy, Land Forces, Territorial Defense, Airborne Forces and other units.

During their latest round of talks in Türkiye's Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine agreed on an "all-for-all" exchange involving seriously ill and wounded prisoners, as well as soldiers under the age of 25.

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U.S. President Trump will make a decision on whether he will order a strike against Iran in the next two weeks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing on Thursday.

"Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiation that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, he will make my decision whether or not to go in the next two weeks," Leavitt read a statement from Trump who responded to speculation about whether the United States would directly get involved in the conflict between Iran and Israel.

Iran must agree to no enrichment of uranium, and Tehran must not be able to achieve a nuclear weapon as part of any diplomatic agreement, Leavitt said. She declined to give details, including how the two sides are communicating. The White House says Trump plans to hold daily National Security Council meetings through the weekend as he weighs future responses to the Iranian situation.

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The US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack on Thursday warned Lebanese group Hezbollah against getting involved in the conflict between Iran and Israel. Barrack, who is also the US ambassador to Turkiye, is on his first visit to Beirut, where he met top Lebanese officials including parliament speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah. Hezbollah suffered devastating losses in its war against Israel last year, which ended with a ceasefire agreement in November.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, exchanging views on the situation in the Middle East. Putin and Xi stressed the need for a diplomatic solution. Xi told Putin that "Promoting a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities is the top priority. Armed force is not the correct way to resolve international disputes". Dialogue and negotiation are the fundamental way out, he said, calling on the international community, particularly major countries that have a special influence on the parties to the conflict, to make efforts to cool down the situation.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, showing his willingness to step up ties with Moscow. The two leaders met on Thursday in St. Petersburg, where an international economic forum is underway.

Putin began the meeting by saying Russia's relations with Indonesia are developing steadily. He said there are good prospects in various areas of cooperation, including agriculture, space, energy and military technology. In response, Prabowo thanked Russia for having helped Indonesia to become a full member of the BRICS group of emerging economies this year.

He said relations continue to improve, adding that there have been many advances in various fields, and the economy is improving. Jakarta has shown interest in deepening cooperation with Russia in many areas. The two countries held their first joint naval drills last year.

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The White House has quoted US President Donald Trump as saying he will decide within two weeks whether to take military action on Iran, while leaving the door open to negotiations.

Trump has hinted at the possibility of US military intervention in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, saying, "I may do it, I may not do it."

In response to a reporter's question, Leavitt confirmed that correspondence between the Trump administration and the Iranian government is ongoing. She added, "If there's a chance for diplomacy, the president is always going to grab it, but he's not afraid to use strength as well."

The White House says Trump plans to hold daily National Security Council meetings through the weekend as he weighs future responses to the Iranian situation.

Ref : NHK

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot’s called for restraint, deescalation and a halt to the strikes on both sides during a press conference in Paris, on Thursday, the seventh day of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Barrot reiterates France's commitment to diplomacy, reviving nuclear negotiations with Iran, and advancing a two-state solution for peace in the Middle East.

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NHK has learned that North Korea is considering sending workers to a drone manufacturer in Russia to boost production in exchange for training in how to operate the unmanned aircraft.

Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea continues to deepen as Russia increases its production of drones amid its invasion of Ukraine. North Korea, meanwhile, aims to strengthen its military.

The two countries signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty last June that requires each side to provide military assistance in case of contingency.

Pyongyang has since deployed troops to Russia.

NHK learned of the plan from diplomatic sources in the West and Russia.

The factory in question is said to be in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in the central Russian republic of Tatarstan. A total of 25,000 workers from North Korea are to be dispatched there.

Ref : NHK

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will send military builders and sappers to help restore Russia's western Kursk region, Russian news agencies said on Tuesday.

Sergei Shoigu, the head of Russia's Security Council, held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the second time in less than two weeks, Russian news agencies reported. Shoigu said DPRK would send "a division of builders, two military brigades, 5,000 people" as well as 1,000 deminers to Kursk.

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Japan's defense minister has ordered the dispatch of two Air Self-Defense Force C-2 transport aircraft to Djibouti, a country in the Horn of Africa, to be on standby to evacuate Japanese citizens in Israel and Iran.

Nakatani Gen issued the order on Thursday amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

Japan's Foreign Ministry says roughly 1,000 Japanese nationals are in Israel and 280 in Iran.

As airports in the two countries have been shut down, the Japanese government is preparing to evacuate those who wish to leave by land.

The ASDF aircraft and about 120 personnel will leave for Djibouti as soon as they are ready. This is in preparation for a possible air evacuation of Japanese citizens when airports in Israel or Iran reopen.

Nakatani said the Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Forces, in close cooperation with the Foreign Ministry, will do everything they can to secure the safety of Japanese citizens abroad.

Nakatani said that in light of the current situation in the Middle East, his ministry will be considering a range of possible measures to respond.

A senior foreign ministry official said buses for land evacuation are scheduled to leave Iran Thursday morning local time, and Israel later on Thursday for neighboring countries.

Ref : NHK