ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, June 2, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
2nd round of Ukraine-Russia peace talks today
The second round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia is scheduled to be held in Istanbul's Ciragan Palace at 1 pm (1000GMT) on Monday, Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier Sunday that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will be leading his country’s delegation.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Vladimir Medinsky, presidential aide to Vladimir Putin, would head the Russian delegation.
Reactions from Moscow and Kyiv will be followed as the Turkish metropolis Istanbul to host the second round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Gaza ceasefire, prisoner exchange talks
The Egyptian and Qatari mediation efforts in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas after the two countries issued a joint statement, saying they continue to work on bridging the remaining gaps to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which would allow for the resumption of indirect negotiations based on the proposal put forward by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The statement said that both Cairo and Doha look forward to quickly reaching a temporary ceasefire for 60 days, leading to a permanent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
Updates from Cairo or Doha on progress in bridging remaining gaps along with statements from Israeli or Hamas officials will be followed. Also, comments from Witkoff on the status of the talks will be tracked.
Israel targeting Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid
Reactions following the killing of nearly 50 Palestinians and injuries to over 200 others by Israeli forces at a humanitarian aid distribution point in Rafah.
Likely UN response to Hamas’s call for an independent international commission to investigate the incident.
Reactions from global stakeholders, humanitarian organizations, or regional actors will be watched.
Continued fighting between Sudanese army, RSF forces
Developments as heavy fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) spreads across Kordofan states and a cholera outbreak worsens in six regions, including war-hit Khartoum, amid worsening humanitarian conditions and displacements.
Statements from medical officials or international organizations like the World Health Organization on efforts to contain the cholera outbreak and updates on humanitarian aid delivery will be tracked.
Closing arguments in Mahmoud Khalil case
Louisiana immigration judge Jamee Comans has given lawyers in the case of Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil until Monday to file written closing arguments in his case. A Syrian-born Palestinian activist, Khalil was detained on March 8 despite being a lawful permanent resident and was removed to a detention facility in Louisiana.
US General Assembly to elect president
UN General Assembly to elect leader for its 80th session. Candidates include former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expected to deliver remarks.
Guyana Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to brief reporters as South American nation takes over the UN Security Council presidency for the month of June.
Poland's presidential election runoff results
Karol Nawrocki has won Poland’s presidential election with 50.9% of the vote, narrowly defeating Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski in a fiercely contested runoff, according to official results released by the country's Election Commission. Reactions to be followed.
Lithuania hosts Bucharest Nine summit
Lithuania hosts summit of leaders from the Bucharest Nine, or B9, grouping. In addition to Lithuania, members are Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary.
International Labor Conference
The member states of the International Labor Organization meet at the annual International Labor Conference to review international labor standards. The conference also passes resolutions that provide guidelines for the ILO's general policy and future activities.
Lavrov to meet with UN senior official
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to receive Tom Fletcher, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The parties plan to discuss some of the most acute humanitarian crises, including those in the Middle East, such as the crises in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, in Syria, Lebanon, Sudan and Yemen, as well as Myanmar and Afghanistan. They will also discuss UN’s activities in Ukraine.
President Erdogan to chair Cabinet meeting
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will chair the Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex.
African Court to elect new president
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) to vote for a new president during the court’s 77th ordinary session. The elected president will succeed Tanzanian Justice Imani Daud Aboud, who is concluding her four-year term.
South Korea set for snap presidential elections
South Korea is set for June 3 snap presidential elections. Opposition Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung is leading the pre-poll surveys while ruling People’s Power Party’s Kim Moon-soo remains in second place. The snap elections were due after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted from office over his failed bid to impose martial law on Dec. 03.
EU Commission vice-president meets Filipino president in Manila
EU Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas continues her two-day visit to the Philippines where she is scheduled to meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Bilateral ties as well as regional developments are expected to be discussed.
Japanese government holds news conference in Tokyo
Japanese government spokesman holds regular news conference in Tokyo. The spokesman is expected to deliver statements on national and international issues, including US tariffs.
THE ECONOMY
Turkish banking sector figures
Turkish banking watchdog BDDK will announce sector figures for April.
SPECIAL REPORTS
US aid failures face growing criticism as Israel starves Gaza, deepens humanitarian crisis
Report exploring how Washington’s high-profile aid operations in Gaza, including the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and a multimillion-dollar floating pier, failed to alleviate Palestinian suffering and are drawing backlash for undermining core humanitarian principles.
The story highlights criticism from the UN, Red Cross, and other NGOs, who say the US has prioritized political optics over effective relief, and avoided applying concrete pressure on Israel to open crossings to allow in desperately needed essentials, including food and medical supplies.
The report also explains why humanitarian groups have distanced themselves from the US-backed GHF, citing neutrality concerns. It has comments from Tommaso Della Longa, spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Chris Doyle, a political analyst and director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding.
INTERVIEW - Germany’s new chancellor prioritizes Türkiye as key NATO and foreign policy partner: Ex-ambassador
Interview with Eckart Cuntz, the former German ambassador to Türkiye, examining prospects for closer bilateral ties under the new government led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Cuntz explains why Merz sees Türkiye as a pivotal strategic partner in Europe’s foreign and security landscape, emphasizing the new German leader’s commitment to strengthening dialogue and cooperation, particularly in light of Ankara’s diplomatic role in crises from Ukraine to Gaza.
The former diplomat says past European governments underestimated Türkiye’s importance, calling it a “big mistake,” but says that Merz is signaling a new chapter with his pragmatic approach.
South Korea presidential election: All you need to know
Explainer on South Korea’s presidential election set for June 3, where voters will pick a successor to Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached after he tried to impose martial law last December.
The story presents an overview of the election process and main contenders, while also providing context about the significance of the vote, particularly in the aftermath of the domestic political turmoil seen in South Korea over the past six months.
The report explains the main issues in the election, including a slowing economy, tariff tensions with the US, ties with North Korea and deep polarization inside the country, and has comments from Cho Hee-kyoung, an academic at Hongik University in Seoul.
NEW MEDIA
VIDEO - Interview with Eckart Cuntz, the former German ambassador to Türkiye, on prospects for bilateral ties under the new government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who he says views Türkiye as a pivotal strategic partner in Europe’s foreign and security landscape.