Russia

The U.S. House approved Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, USAID closed after six decades, and a religious freedom watchdog issued a report on Russia.

In Russia, one criminal law and one civil law have been used to prosecute “blasphemy” and enforce compliance with President Vladimir Putin’s government.

Russia has rejected the Vatican’s offer to host talks for ending the war in Ukraine, despite international support for the idea.

A move to hold talks between Ukraine and Russia at the Vatican appeared to gain momentum May 19, following a call between the U.S. and Russian presidents.

(OSV News) — Though only days into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has given war-weary Ukrainians reason to hope that Russia’s aggression against their nation — now in its 11th year …

Pope Leo XIV met privately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife May 18, their second encounter of the day, after the inauguration Mass.

(OSV News) — The Vatican’s Secretary of State has offered to “eventually make the Vatican … available for a direct meeting” between Ukraine and Russia, as May 16 talks between those …

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a one-on-one meeting at the Vatican April 26 ahead of Pope Francis’ funeral Mass.

Ukrainian Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk called on the international community to act after Russia’s Bright Thursday attack on Ukraine.

 (OSV News) — Forty religious leaders have sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling for the return of nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children forcibly transferred …