{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Conflict in Syria

Diplomat says UN may act as mediator at Astana talks between Damascus and opposition

Astana will host peace talks on Syria on January 23

© EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA

UNITED NATIONS, January 17. /TASS/. Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, suggested on Tuesday the United Nations act as a mediator between the Syrian government and the opposition at the forthcoming talks in Kazakhstan’s Astana.

"The Astana format envisages invitation of United Nations representatives who might act as mediators in contacts between the Syrian parties," Churkin said at a U.N. Security Council meeting dedicated to the situation in the Middle East.

Read also

He said the meeting in Astana is "a kind of a bridge towards inclusive Geneva talks appointed by U.N. Secretary General’s Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura on February 8."

Commenting on Russia’s proposal, U.N. Secretary General’s Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said that the United Nations is still looking at its possible role at the Astana talks but pledged the organization would offer as much support as possible.

Earlier in the day, Haq confirmed to TASS that the U.N. had received an official invitation to the talks in Astana. He said Staffan de Mistura had formed a delegation that would be led by his deputy Ramzi Izz Eddin Ramzi.

Astana will host talks on the situation in Syria on January 23. It is yet unknown who will take part in the negotiations. However Reuters said most of Syria’s armed groups plan to take part. The talks are to focus on issues of maintaining ceasefire throughout the country, humanitarian assistance and prisoner release. Plans to hold consultations in Astana were announced after a meeting between Russia’s, Turkey’s and Iran’s foreign minister in Moscow on December 20, 2016. The three ministers spoke in favor of a nationwide ceasefire in Syria.

Tags

Foreign policy Syrian conflict

Russia not initiating severing of relations with Baltic States — diplomat

"It is highly undesirable to come to this point," Maria Zakharova said, adding that Russia would continue to use diplomatic measures of influence

Xi Jinping to pay official visit to Serbia on May 7-8

It was previously reported that Xi Jinping will visit France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5 to May 10

Wounded Ukrainian soldiers have to pay ambulances to take them to hospital — US expert

The ex-Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor also noted the continued Russian advance on the front line

Israeli military says it killed one of Islamic Jihad commanders in Rafah

According to the IDF, the commander, Ayman Zaarab, took part in the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023

Top Turkish diplomat warns about more wars in Gaza if two-state solution is not reached

Turkey has repeatedly stressed that the only way of settling the conflict between Israel and Palestine is to establish an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with the capital city in East Jerusalem

Russian diplomat blasts Cameron for approving strikes on country with nuclear weapons

Maria Zakharova said Russian agencies in charge of defending the country would undoubtedly retaliate if there were any strikes inside Russia

Retaking Chasov Yar is just a matter of time for Russia — Ukrainian intelligence

Vadim Skibitsky admitted that the Russian forces now operate as a "single body, with a clear plan, and under a single command"

Russia says its forces destroyed two militant bases in Syria’s Homs province

In the area of al-Tanf, nine violations were registered over the past day, said Major General Yury Popov

Al Jazeera Media Network condemns ban on its operation in Israel

The Israeli government earlier made a decision to shut down the Al Jazeera television channel in the country

Moscow court orders arrest of 12th suspect in Crocus City Hall terror attack

Dzhumakhon Kurbonov, a Tajik citizen, will remain in custody until May 22

US confirms Russian troops enter US base in Niger

News of the Russian deployment to the airbase follows after Niger’s military rulers told Washington in March that it must withdraw the nearly 1,000 US military personnel stationed in the country

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Involvement of US nuclear potential in drills around DRPK affects Russia’s interests

Vasily Nebenzya noted the militarization of the region with direct involvement of Washington and other NATO member states, "located tens of thousands of kilometers away from North Korea"

Ukraine presumably used US-made Excalibur shell for strike at Tokmak

Ministry of Emergency Situations employees continue to remove the debris

G7 considers giving Ukraine $50 bln worth of aid — Bloomberg

The US pushing to sign an agreement when G7 leaders convene in Italy in June

Russian troops seize Ukrainian T-64 tank near Ugledar in DPR

The Ukrainian crew had the time to leave the vehicle while the tank was evacuated and is currently under repairs

Russian troops liberate Ocheretino community in DPR — top brass

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Avdeyevka area over the past 24 hours amounted to 380 personnel, a US-made Abrams tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, including a US-manufactured Bradley

China to look for ways of settling Ukrainian crisis jointly with France — Xi

Xi arrived on a state visit in France on Sunday

Yakutia to roll out web platform to study indigenous languages

It will include training programs, games and interactive resources for teachers

President of Guinea-Bissau to attend Victory Day parade in Moscow - embassy

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said more than 9,000 people, aircraft and 75 units of military equipment will take part in the parade on Red Squar

Holy Fire from Jerusalem delivered to Christ the Saviour Cathedral

The service is conducted by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill

Putin wishes injured at terrorist attack recovery

The president also conveyed compliments to medical staff, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said

Fire gutting German plant of industrial group making IRIS-T air defense systems

The Diehl Group also makes ammunition and communications systems

Putin addresses Russians with New Year's greetings from Kremlin

Residents of Kamchatka and Chukotka, where the New Year is already coming were the first to see it

Hamas doesn’t want to reach agreement with Israel — Israeli defense minister

According to the minister, the Israeli army is ready to continue combat operations in the entire Gaza Strip, including in Rafah

Israel hits back on Hamas targets in southern Gaza Strip

Approximately 10 projectiles were fired from the area adjacent to the Rafah Crossing toward the area of Kerem Shalom

Blasts reported in Kharkov

An air raid alert has been declared in the Kharkov Region

Putin congratulates Orthodox Christians on Easter Sunday

Russian President also emphasized the "constructive, productive activity of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian confessions" that preserve Russia's historical, cultural and spiritual heritage

Russia not initiating severing of relations with Baltic States — diplomat

"It is highly undesirable to come to this point," Maria Zakharova said, adding that Russia would continue to use diplomatic measures of influence

Russian troops wipe out German-made IRIS-T air defense system over past day

The Ukrainian army lost over 350 personnel and several items of military hardware in battles with Russian forces in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Russia’s Rublev wins 2024 Madrid Open title

Russian tennis star has defeated Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime

French President Macron says dialogue with Russia must be continued

Emmanuel Macron also said that technical capabilities and the striking range of Russian ballistic missiles endangered European countries

Lavrov slams Europe’s striving to isolate Russia as silly

It demonstrates the quality of decisions passed by European politicians in the west of the continent, Russian Foreign Minister said

Our Lady of Kazan icon transferred to Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral

On November 4, 2023, when Russia celebrated National Unity Day, the patriarch declared that the oldest copy of the Our Lady of Kazan icon, which was believed lost, had been found

Press review: Biden losing traction amid student protests and EU's right-wing prospects

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 3rd

US destroyed Germany’s domestic energy supply as it blew up Nord Stream — Carlson

The journalist emphasized that the alliance "is terrible for the United States and should be disbanded immediately"

Chinese President Xi Jinping embarks on European tour to France, Serbia, Hungary

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that these visits would boost global peaceful development

Russian investment in India’s strategic sectors of economy reaches $1.26 bln

India plans to step up cooperation with Russia in the area of oil and gas, metals, strategic natural resources and industrial equipment related to railways, ports and shipping industry

US, Britain, Ukraine behind Crocus City Hall attack — FSB chief

Alexander Bortnikov believes that Ukraine has been trying to prove it is capable enough

Two Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers perform flight over Bering Sea near Alaska

The crews of Su-30SM aircraft of the Aerospace Forces provided fighter support

Russia holds final rehearsal of Victory Day Parade on Moscow’s Red Square

Participants in the special military operation in Ukraine will also march across Red Square

Certain countries hope US aid to Ukraine to lower pressure on Russian assets issue — FT

According to the newspaper, certain countries expect this problem to fall by the wayside because Ukraine is in a more stable financial position now

Hamas confirms its readiness to reach ceasefire agreement with Israel

According to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas delegation has arrived at the current talks "with a positive mood and flexible positions"

Polish general expects Russia to continue wiping out Abrams tanks in Ukraine

Waldemar Skrzypczak underlined that "no tank is invincible"

Russia urges partners not to take part in conference on Ukraine in Switzerland — diplomat

Bern had invited more than 160 delegations to the conference on Ukraine

Mexicans, Colombians recruited in US jails to be deployed in Ukraine — SVR

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service said that in case the inmates agree to this "mission," "they are promised full amnesty, reckoning they would never come back"

Swiss president does not confirm Pope Francis’ participation in meeting on Ukraine

According to the Swiss president, she was received by the pontiff on May 4 and they had "an interesting conversation in a cordial atmosphere"

Criminal case opened against Zelensky, arrest warrant issued — police database

According to the entry, Zelensky is wanted over a Russian Criminal Code article

France preparing contingent of 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine — intelligence chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French military "fears that such a large military unit cannot be transferred and stationed in Ukraine unnoticed"

Russia not depending on foreign gas turbines anymore — Rostec

"Two plants were constructed in Crimea and one in the Taman Peninsula - the Udarnaya, which we will launch in full as early as in this year," Sergey Chemezov noted

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

Any aggression against Crimea to be met with crushing retaliation — Russian MFA

In recent days, Maria Zakharova continued, Ukrainian forces "have been seen using several US-made ATACMS long-range missiles, which were secretly received a month ago, against Crimea"

Putin’s trip to China will rivet world’s attention, Kremlin spokesman predicts

The countries will jointly announce the time of this trip, Dmitry Peskov said

Russia launches production of smartphones with protection against data leakage

A special feature of AYYA T1 is the impossibility of unauthorized data collection by cameras and microphone thanks to the option of their hardware shutdown

Ukrainian president loses one-third of Telegram subscribers

According to TGStat, 10,372 people unsubscribed from the channel in the past week

Example of Great Patriotic War veterans inspires amid current trials — Putin

President expressed hope that the festival would arouse great interest among the participants and become a bright event among the events dedicated to Victory Day

Kenya flood death toll reaches 228

The situation is expected to worsen in lowland and coastal areas, and landslides and mudslides may also occur in areas with steep slopes and ravines, the country's Interior Ministry said

Russian forces carry out 25 group strikes at energy, military industrial facilities

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the strikes also hit temporary deployment locations of Ukrainian neo-Nazi militias and foreign mercenaries, as well as concentrations of military vehicles

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

"In any case, whatever the modality of providing this aid, de facto it is about provoking Ukraine into further hostilities down to the last Ukrainian, putting guarantted money in the pockets of the US," Dmitry Peskov said

Russian citizen Vinnik pleads guilty in US court in money-laundering case

His attorney said that his jail term should be less than 10 years

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

Former US President will not reveal it until the election, the Daily Telegraph reported

Ukraine's intelligence recognizes impossibility of victory on battlefield

According to Vadim Skibitsky, "meaningful negotiations can begin only in the second half of 2025 at the earliest"

US should refrain from statements fraught with escalation — Russian ambassador

Vladimir Zelensky's regime is in agony, Anatoly Antonov said

Russian troops wipe out military train with Western armaments in DPR over past day

Russian troops improved their tactical position and repelled eight Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Avdeyevka area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Shiite units clam to have attacked Israel’s Haifa

Israel neither confirmed nor refuted this information

Ruling party wins parliamentary election in Togo

Prior to the election, the parliament adopted a new constitution that changes the country's form of state rule from presidential to parliamentary

FSB eliminates Ukrainian saboteur who arrived in Russia from Lithuania

The saboteur was caught emptying yet another cache full of weapons outside Gatchina in the Leningrad Region which he was planning to use in an attack at a fuel depot in the Tosno District in the same region

Czech government officially recalls ambassador from Russia — news agency

The foreign minister also said that Jan Ondrejka will not take part in the upcoming inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 7, citing the current state of bilateral relations

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

Turkey does not intend to transfer S-400 to any country — defense minister

Britain and Spain are not against the sale of fighter jets to Ankara, while Germany, as a member of the consortium that produces the Eurofighter, has not yet approved the deal

After drone attack on Kremlin Russia has no choice but to eliminate Zelensky — Medvedev

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, according to Dmitry Medvedev, "is not even needed for signing an instrument of unconditional surrender"

More children killed in Gaza over 6 months than in all world conflicts in 4 years — UNRWA

Philippe Lazzarini pointed out that it is very difficult to get precise figures under war situation

US creating NATO bases in Ukraine under guise of training centers — Belarusian president

"Unfortunately, the Ukrainian authorities don't care a bit about their own people and they don't hear our concerns," Alexander Lukashenko noted

Kremlin slams Macron's statement about possible sending troops to Ukraine 'very dangerous'

On May 2, the French President named in an interview two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev's request and Russia's breakthrough on the front line