Putin Open to Talks with Zelenskyy Amid Legitimacy Concerns

Russia has officially designated Amnesty International as an “undesirable organisation,” according to a statement from the Russian Prosecutor General’s office released on May 19, 2025. This ruling, which stems from a 2015 law criminalizing involvement with such groups, forces Amnesty International to cease all activities within the country. This latest move marks a significant escalation in Russia's ongoing crackdown on dissent, which intensified following the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Currently, Russia’s blacklist of "undesirable organisations" includes 223 entities, comprising various independent news outlets and human rights groups. The Prosecutor General's office accused Amnesty International of engaging in “Russophobic projects” aimed at fostering political and economic isolation of Russia. The international human rights organization, established in 1961, has been vocal in documenting human rights abuses and calling for the release of unjustly imprisoned individuals. Amnesty International has yet to respond to this recent development.

Russia has officially designated Amnesty International as an "undesirable organization," making any involvement with the group a criminal offense. This decision, announced by the Russian Prosecutor General’s office on May 19, 2025, places Amnesty among 223 entities deemed undesirable under a 2015 law. The move marks a continuation of the Kremlin's sweeping repression of critics, activists, and journalists that has escalated following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Prosecutor General's statement accused Amnesty of conducting "Russophobic projects" that threaten Russia's political and economic interests. In its long history since 1961, Amnesty has documented human rights violations worldwide, including allegations of crimes committed by Moscow during the Ukraine conflict. The organization has also condemned the Russian government's crackdown on dissent, which has led to widespread arrests. Following this designation, individuals or groups cooperating with Amnesty in Russia are at risk of prosecution. Amnesty International has yet to respond to this recent ban.

A former FBI agent has claimed that Russia's top military intelligence agency, the GRU, actively sought to exploit the vulnerabilities of billionaire Elon Musk, employing tactics involving sex and drugs. Jonathan Buma, who served 16 years as a counterintelligence officer, stated that such operations were approved by President Vladimir Putin himself, according to a report aired by German broadcaster ZDF on May 18, 2025. Buma detailed that the GRU anticipated Musk's susceptibility to women and drug use, viewing it as an opportunity for potential blackmail. He alleged that Russian agents utilized Musk's known interests in desert raves and adult entertainment as direct access points. Buma further indicated that Musk had likely engaged in discussions with Putin, an assertion corroborated by a Wall Street Journal report detailing secret conversations between the two since at least 2022. The GRU is noted for its aggressive espionage operations globally, often employing unconventional means to achieve its objectives. Buma, who is currently on bail after being charged with leaking confidential information, asserted there is substantial evidence supporting his claims.