Category: News

Bulgaria is ready to support the expansion of sanctions against Russia, Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova told Bulgarian journalists in Brussels, where she arrived to attend a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. “Bulgaria’s reservations were taken into account, and we are ready to support the package,” she said.

Bulgaria had objections to the inclusion in the sanctions list of Russian Patriarch Kirill and Vagit Alekperov, owner and former president of Lukoil. It argued that including the Patriarch would have no economic or financial impact on Russia and would not contribute to ending the war. At the same time, such a measure is likely to be used for propaganda purposes, including to fuel anti-European sentiment. As for Alekperov, it insisted that his presence in the sanctions package would have significant adverse consequences for the operations of the Lukoil Group companies that play a key role in Bulgaria’s economy.

Petrova noted that there is still no full agreement on the sanctions proposed by the European Commission due to objections from Greece in the energy sector and from Austria in the financial sector. “Clearly, defending a national position does not lead to isolation. Bulgaria can achieve its objectives when it is able to defend its position with well-founded arguments,” Petrova commented.

Foreign Minister Petrova also announced in Brussels that she will be traveling to Kyiv on Wednesday for talks focused on opportunities for the further development of Ukraine’s energy security. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has submitted bills to the Verkhovna Rada proposing a 90-day extension of martial law and general mobilisation in the country from August 2. The relevant documents have been published on the website of the Ukrainian parliament. The bills will now be considered by the relevant parliamentary committee before being put to a vote in the full parliament. Martial law and general mobilisation have been in force in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, following the launch of Russia’s military operations. If approved, this would mark the 20th extension of both measures.

This article is published under an agreement between Armenpress and Moldpres. Moldovan President Maia Sandu will participate for the first time in a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on July 13 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Moldovan state news agency Moldpres reported. The Coalition of the Willing is a political and diplomatic coordination format co-chaired by France, Germany and the United Kingdom, bringing together 37 countries, most of them European. The coalition aims to support Ukraine and help ensure a just and lasting peace by preventing renewed aggression after a ceasefire is reached. Discussions in Paris will focus on strengthening support for Ukraine. According to the publication, Moldova’s participation in the Coalition of the Willing is a natural continuation of the support it has provided to Ukraine. It notes that Moldova’s participation is fully compatible with the country’s constitutionally enshrined neutrality, as the coalition is a flexible framework for cooperation that also includes other neutral European states. Each participating country independently determines the form and scale of its contribution in accordance with its constitutional framework. Since the start of Russia’s military operations against Ukraine, Moldova has supported its neighbouring country by providing shelter to Ukrainian refugees, ensuring transit corridors for Ukrainian exports, offering humanitarian and energy assistance, and contributing to the training of Ukrainian deminers in humanitarian demining. Moldpres notes that, with its 1,222-kilometre shared border with Ukraine, Moldova is a reliable security partner for Ukraine and the rest of Europe. According to the agency, the security of Ukraine and that of Moldova are closely interconnected, and a just and lasting peace in Ukraine would bring stability to Moldova and the entire continent.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and announced restrictions targeting Iranian shipping. Trump made the remarks in a post on the Truth Social platform. “The Strait of Hormuz is open and will remain open, with or without Iran,” the U.S. president wrote. According to Trump, the United States is reinstating a blockade on Iran under a framework in which the restrictions will apply only to Iranian vessels or customers associated with Iran. He said all other countries would continue to have fair and free access to the strait. Trump also announced that the United States would henceforth be known as the “Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz.” According to his post, the United States plans to receive compensation equivalent to 20% of shipping revenues to cover the costs of ensuring security in the strait. “The process will begin immediately,” Trump wrote.

Yemen’s Houthi movement, which controls the country’s north, on July 13 accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport and vowed to retaliate, Reuters reported. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree described the strikes as “blatant aggression” and said they marked the end of a period of reduced tensions in the long-running conflict. He said Saudi Arabia would face the consequences and that the attack would not go unanswered. Saudi Arabia has not responded to the accusations. Earlier on July 13, the Defence Ministry of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, based in the country’s south, said its forces had targeted the runway of Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing. Yemen has been engulfed in civil war for more than a decade. The Houthis seized the capital, forcing the internationally recognised government to relocate to the south. The government, based in the southern port city of Aden, is backed by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. The government’s defence minister said diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran and the Houthis to stop what he described as violations of Yemeni airspace by Iranian aircraft had been exhausted. He added that government forces would respond “by all available means” to any hostile aircraft violating Yemen’s airspace. Meanwhile, Information Minister Muammar bin Mutahar Al-Eryani said the Houthis had seized an aircraft belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross at Sanaa airport and detained its pilots.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has submitted her resignation to the Verkhovna Rada. Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, announced the move in a post on Facebook. “The Verkhovna Rada has received the resignation letter of Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko,” Stefanchuk wrote. According to Stefanchuk, parliament will consider the matter in the near future. He also thanked Svyrydenko for her service during an exceptionally difficult period for the country. Svyrydenko became Ukraine’s prime minister on July 17, 2025, following the resignation of Denys Shmyhal. Before her appointment, she served as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy. Earlier, she was Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. On July 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a comprehensive government reshuffle, saying Ukraine was changing its political strategy and that the shift required personnel changes. At the same time, Zelensky proposed that Svyrydenko remain part of his team and lead a new key area of work, without providing further details.

Armenia has issued a commemorative postage stamp dedicated to the 150th birth anniversary of Hrachia Acharian as part of the “Prominent Armenians” series.

The stamp, issued on July 13, 2026, has a face value of 320 drams and features renowned Armenian linguist, lexicographer, Honored Scientist of the Armenian SSR, and Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR Hrachia Acharian (1876–1953) against the background of his manuscripts.

The stamp also bears the inscriptions “150th Anniversary” and “Hrachia Acharian” in both Armenian and English.

The UNESCO logo appears on the stamp, as the 150th anniversary of Hrachia Acharian’s birth has been included in UNESCO’s 2026-2027 Calendar of Anniversaries of Eminent Personalities and Important Events.

Technical details

Issue date: July 13, 2026

Designer: David Dovlatyan

Printer: bpost Philately & Stamps Printing (Belgium)

Stamp size: 30 × 40 mm

Stamps per sheet: 10 Print run: 10,000

The Yerevan Mayor’s Cup International Boxing Tournament will be held at the Dinamo Sports Hall in Yerevan from July 21 to 26.

According to the Yerevan Municipality, the tournament is included in the official calendar of European Boxing, the continental federation of World Boxing.

Competition will begin at 11:00 a.m. on July 21.

The finals are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on July 25, while the closing ceremony will take place on July 26.

Armenia’s U16 men’s national basketball team won the FIBA U16 EuroBasket Division C title on home soil in Yerevan.

According to the Basketball Federation of Armenia, the Armenian team defeated Malta 97-68 in the final to claim the gold medal.

Armenia finished the tournament undefeated, winning all of its matches.

Armenia U16 national team player Anthony Sargsyan has been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the FIBA U16 European Championship Division C, held in Yerevan. The Basketball Federation of Armenia announced the award in a statement. During the tournament, Sargsyan averaged 21.0 points, 14.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and an efficiency rating (EFF) of 36.0, making a major contribution to Armenia’s unbeaten run to the Division C title. “Anthony was also named to the tournament’s All-Star Five, confirming that he was one of the standout players of the championship,” the statement said.