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This week in photos: Pelosi’s clapback, Pope's UAE tour and Macron’s school lunch visit

The world in pictures from TASS photo gallery

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 12

Local residents perform a Buddhist ritual during celebrations marking the Lunar New Year and the start of the Year of the Pig, in the central square of the village of Aginskoye, Russia, February 5

© Yevgeny Yepanchintsev/TASS

A model displays a creation of Ze Garcia fashion brand during a fashion show held in the opening day of 080 Barcelona Fashion event at Sant Pau center in Barcelona, February 4

© EPA-EFE/Enric Fontcuberta

A Cirque du Soleil cast member displays a place stick for a guest during preparations for the British Academy of Film and Television Awards ceremony at the Royal Opera House in London, February 7

© REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

Festival director Dieter Kosslick and members of the International Jury Juliette Binoche, Trudie Styler, Rajendra Roy, Sandra Hueller, Justin Chang and Sebastian Lelio at the opening ceremony of the 69th Berlin Film Festival in Berlin, February 7

© REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

People look at the shredded Banksy painting "Love is in the Bin' at the Museum Frieder Burda in Baden-Baden, February 5. It was originally titled 'Girl with Balloon' and since it destroyed itself during an art auction in London, it's called 'Love is in the Bin'

© Uli Deck, DPA via AP

US President Donald Trump turns to House speaker Nancy Pelosi, as he delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 5

© AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

The Waka are welcomed onto the beach at Waitangi, New Zealand, February 6. The Waitangi Day national holiday celebrates the signing of the treaty of Waitangi on February 6, 1840 by Maori chiefs and the British Crown, that granted the Maori people the rights of British Citizens and ownership of their lands and other properties

© Phil Walter/Getty Images

Dogs sit backstage at the 16th annual New York Pet fashion show in New York, February 7

© REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Pope Francis attends an Interreligious meeting at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, February 4. His visit represents the first papal trip ever to the Arabian Peninsula, the birthplace of Islam

© AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

French President Emmanuel Macron has lunch with students at a school canteen in Etang-sur-Arroux, France, Febuary 7

© EPA-EFE/LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the university's rector Nurali Salikhov visiting crime laboratory of Russian-Tajik Slavonic University, Dushanbe, Febuary 5

© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

A dog is seen at a snow covered path during cold weather at Ovacik district of Tunceli, Turkey, February 6

© Sidar Can Eren/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Nancy Pelosi's applause to Donald Trump, Pope Francis' historic trip to Abu Dhabi, Emmanuel Macron eating lunch with students and other photographs of the week. The world in pictures from TASS photo gallery

Trump sues BBC for defamation over edit of his speech — agency

According to the news agency, the US leader requested at least $5 billion in damages

Putin renews ban to supply oil, oil products under price ceiling until June 30, 2026

The ban was effective until the end of 2025

Turkish warplanes take down drone over Black Sea — defense ministry

The Turkish Ministry of Defense did not specify where exactly the drone came from

Thai immigration on alert for mercenaries amid conflict with Cambodia — TV

Stricter control measures will be taken at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, as well as at airports in the cities of Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hat Yai

Moscow says West morally culpable for Ukraine’s murders of Russian journalists

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that, unlike tongue-tied Western human rights organizations, Moscow will demand that authorized international officials do their duty in a conscientious manner

Germany agrees on ten-point plan to expand military cooperation with Kiev — media

The German government also plans to build a sort of alliance with its European partners to jointly purchase weapons for Ukraine

Hungary, Slovakia prepare to challenge EU ban on Russian oil and gas in court — Szijjarto

The plan of the European Commission to reject Russian oil and gas breaches EU legislation, the minister said

US can resolve all issues with Venezuela peacefully — Belarusian president

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that he had raised the Venezuela issue at a recent meeting in Minsk with US Special Envoy for Belarus John Cole

Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard digitalization boosted output by 70% — Patrushev

The official noted that the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard was one of the first Russian shipbuilding companies to implement a comprehensive digitalization project

Gazprom highlights untypically low gas reserves in European UGS for December

In particular, gas reserves in UGS facilities in the Netherlands have fallen below 60%

EU membership to provide no security guarantees to Ukraine — top Hungarian diplomat

The Hungarian government has repeatedly stated that it will not allow Ukraine's fast-tracked accession to the EU, as it would ruin the European economy and spark a direct armed conflict with Russia

Trump says he held conversation with Putin recently

The US leader did not give any details

Russia hopes Iran will ratify convention of Caspian Sea status by August 2026 — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister recalled that all other Caspian littoral states have ratified the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea

Russia’s pipeline gas supplies to Turkey up 14% in 10M 2025

In October, Turkey imported a total of 1.63 bcm from Russia via the TurkStream and Blue Stream

Oil transit from Russia to China via Kazakhstan does not require US approval — minister

Regarding large companies in the republic where Russian participants subject to sanctions are present, in Astana, "all of those projects received so-called exemptions from sanctions," Yerlan Akkenzhenov said

Russian compatriots among victims of terrorist attack in Australia — foreign ministry

"Moscow strongly condemns the barbaric extremist attack, as a result of which 15 innocent civilians, including a ten-year-old girl, were killed and dozens were injured," Maria Zakharova stated

Trump says Ukraine 'already lost territory'

Donald Trump also added that the US is working with Europe on the security guarantee

Press review: Kiev and Europe seek to derail peace plan as Ukraine awaits $5 bln EU aid

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 15th

Ukrainian forces stretched thin in DPR, Russian commander says

Alexey Vereshchagin, commander of the Nevsky reconnaissance-assault brigade of Battlegroup South’s volunteer corps said that his "brigade’s zone of responsibility covers the city of Soledar, as well as the Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka area"

Cryptocurrencies will never become money in Russia — lawmaker

Anatoly Aksakov said such currencies can only be used as an investment instrument

EU continues blacklisting companies, individuals

Seventeen individuals and four legal entities were added to the list in total

EU could lose global credibility if Mercosur deal fails — European Commissioner

The main critics of the deal are European farmers, particularly beef, poultry, and dairy producers

Merriam-Webster names 'slop' as word of the year

Slop is defined as "digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence"

Russia wants to develop cooperation with Iran within CSTO — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov noted that Russia wants to cooperate with Iran and with its other neighbors, including within the Collective Security Treaty Organization

EU gets ready for war with Russia, wants military plants in Ukraine — Hungarian minister

Brussels claims that it will be "investment into Europe’s security," but, from Hungary believes "there's no logic in this"

Florida man sanctioned by EU for pro-Russia social media posts

The EU Council claims that John Mark Dougan holds American and Russian citizenship

Kuzya the crocodile, who lived with Novosibirsk man for 30 years, set to go back to Cuba

The owner is willing to surrender Kuzya if professional care is ensured

Ukraine’s NATO membership 'out of question,' EU foreign policy chief admits

Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for tangible security guarantees

UNGA passes Russia-initiated resolution against glorification of Nazism

Among those who voted against the resolution were Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan

Ukraine cannot stay afloat without EU funding — newspaper

El Pais noted that the Ukrainian government does not know where to find at least €15.4 billion to balance the budget

Germany’s spending on support for Ukraine exceeds 75 bln euro since 2022 — Merz

According to the Chancellor, Germany will also allocate 170 million euro to ensure energy supplies in Ukraine

About 10,000 mercenaries fighting for Kiev regime killed in Ukraine — ex-intel officer

However it is difficult to give the exact number of mercenaries killed in Ukraine, noted Vasily Prozorov

Zelensky to fail in trying to take Crimea back, secure NATO membership — Kremlin

According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, "there is a one million percent guarantee that it’s impossible"

Contacts with US on Ukraine drive Russia's stance home to Americans — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that Washington has started to understand what needs to be done to achieve a lasting and long-term settlement of the conflict

No true partnership in relations between Poland and Ukraine — Polish president

According to Karol Nawrocki, Ukraine does not feel that Warsaw's support is vital for Kiev, while Vladimir Zelensky is used to the guaranteed support of Poles

At Berlin talks, Zelensky refuses economic zone in Donbass, troop withdrawal — newspaper

European countries disagree with Washington's position, believing that the issue of territories is not subject to discussion until Ukraine receives security guarantees

Russian troops liberate Peschanoye, gain foothold at Gaichur River — security sources

During the liberation of the settlement, servicemen of the 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 29th Army of Battlegroup East destroyed more than two platoons of Ukrainian army personnel from the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade

Implementation of Trump’s Gaza plan under question — Lavrov

Both parties - Israel and Hamas - say that its provisions are being violated, Russian Foreign Minister said

Spain has provided Ukraine with aid amounting to 2 billion euros — prime minister

In November, following a meeting with Vladimir Zelensky in Madrid, Pedro Sanchez promised a new package of military aid to Kiev valued at 615 million euros

US, Ukraine hold difficult talks in Berlin — WSJ

The talks lasted five hours and will continue on Monday

Berlin says no plans for direct dialogue with Russia

Some European leaders, the head of the European Commission and the NATO secretary general, are expected in the German capital in the evening

EU youth seek to turn bloc into ‘United States of Europe’ — Politico

Support for the EU among Europeans has reached a record high in polls, the newspaper noted

Russia, Iran have huge potential for trade growth, it needs to be stimulated — Lavrov

Lavrov said that one should not forget that besides trade between the two countries, there is also investment cooperation

US-Ukraine negotiations continue in Berlin, Zelensky says

The US delegation includes special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and the American leader's son-in-law, entrepreneur Jared Kushner

Power Machines to invest in production facilities by 2030 — chief executive

The company orients towards the master plan for the energy sector development by 2042 approved by the Russian Ministry of Energy

Russian human rights ombudswoman appeals to UN over archaeologist’s arrest in Poland

Tatiana Moskalkova asked UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk to help the Russian archaeologist restore justice

Europe works against US in Ukraine peace process — Lavrov

"Europe is using the Ukrainian crisis to assert themselves, to put a spoke in the United States wheel in its quest to seek a just settlement," the Russian foreign minister said

Only Russia, Ukraine, US can discuss territorial concessions — Polish president

At the same time, Karol Nawrocki himself stated that he still dreams of being at the same negotiating table for peace in Ukraine with the leaders of Russia, the United States and representatives of Kiev

Russia never wavered in its support of Iran in JCPOA talks — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that Moscow has tried to work with the Europeans to persuade Washington to return to compliance

Russia to support Iran’s efforts toward settling crisis with IAEA, West — Lavrov

"The Iranian nuclear program was dismantled, despite the fact that it was endorsed by the UN Security Council resolution," Sergey Lavrov pointed out

Ukraine carries out four attacks on Donetsk People’s Republic in past day

Two civilians were reported injured

Trump sues BBC for defamation over edit of his speech — agency

According to the news agency, the US leader requested at least $5 billion in damages

Normalization between Iran and Arab world to strengthen regional security — Lavrov

This initiative is becoming more and more relevant, especially when Iran is tried to discriminate against in terms of the Iranian nuclear program, trying to deprive Iran of its legitimate rights

US showing interest in Lukoil's assets due to sanctions, Astana has priority — minister

According to Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov, the government is not currently conducting any negotiations to purchase those assets

Moscow’s video game studios clinch export contracts

According to Moscow Deputy Mayor Natalia Sergunina, the total amount of transactions made with the support of the city was over $12.6 mln

US insists on complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbass during talks — AFP

According to the source, the US delegation "is taking Russia’s position" on this issue

EU 'traps' itself into Russia reparations loan plan for Ukraine, expert says

Boris Pervushin said this approach threatens to erode long-term trust in Europe as a stable and predictable economic space

IN BRIEF: Revival of Nazism in EU and Europe’s 'bent towards stealing:' What Lavrov said

Russian Foreign Minister also noted that the situation around Russia’s frozen assets made it clear that "stealing is in the Europeans’ blood"

US conducts strikes on three drug-carrying vessels in Pacific Ocean — Pentagon

A total of eight men were killed during these actions

Direct strike by Western sanctions cost $100 bln for US business — AmCham

The AmCham President also informed about the poll on the issue of the impact of Western sanctions on the US business

European countries note progress in Ukrainian conflict settlement

The EU leaders "appreciated the strong convergence between the United States, Ukraine and Europe"

Gas reserves in UGS facilities in Europe fall below 70%.

The withdrawal rate since the beginning of the heating season is about 30% higher than the average for the past five years, according to data from GIE

EU social spending cuts to benefit the military will intensify, sparking protests — expert

According to Nikolay Gaponenko, protests by farmers, transport workers, and civil servants will transform from sporadic into a permanent background of public life in European elite countries by 2030

Russian embassy in The Hague calls on the Netherlands to end 'anti-Russian hysteria'

The embassy also recalled that Acting Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans recently called for increased military support for Kiev and expressed the need to "be prepared for a conflict with Russia by 2030"

EU prepares for war with Russia, forces Serbia to choose sides — ex-premier

Aleksandar Vulin said that freedom reigns supreme in Serbia, but that’s not the case in the EU

Gas reserves in European UGS facilities down to around 70%

The European Commission requests EU members to make sure that their UGS facilities are 90% full from October 1 to December 1 of each year for ensuring elevated reserves for the winter period

White House believes that Israel violated ceasefire regime in Gaza Strip — Axios

According to the report, US President Donald Trump, during a recent conversation, told Benjamin Netanyahu that he needs to be a "better partner" regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip

Bank of Russia sells yuan worth $188 mln with settlements on December 12

The Central Bank sold yuan on the domestic market in the amount of 14.8 bln rubles with settlements on December 11, 2025

EU 'light years' away from seizing Russian assets, Polish PM says

Donald Tusk said that it won’t come to any fundamental decisions at the European Council meeting

IAEA should remain impartial regarding Iran — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said that Moscow will encourage the resumption of Iran-IAEA cooperation

Russian troops liberate Peschanoye community in Dnepropetrovsk Region over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,480 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Assad did not coordinate his approaches with Russia before resignation — Lavrov

Our efforts were collaborative, involving other international partners, primarily Iran and Turkey, noted Lavrov

Russneft to produce 6.14 mln tons of oil, 2.08 bln cubic meters of gas in 2025

In 2024, the company reduced oil production by 5% year-on-year to 6.092 mln tons

US thinks that 90% of issues solved between Russia and Ukraine — Reuters

The White House views the December 14-15 talks in Berlin as positive

Russia did not betray Syria, developments there are its domestic affair — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov also noted that Russia has smooth, stable relations with the new authorities

Lavrov discusses Russia-US ties with American Chamber of Commerce officials

The Russian top diplomat shared his opinion about what's going on internationally and prospects for the development of Russian-US relations in the context of the Trump administration’s commitment to promoting a lasting settlement of the conflict around Ukraine

EU leaders want to drag all of Europe into war with Russia — Hungarian top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto noted that Budapest intends to "stay away from this"

Russian specialists, CAR security forces ensure president's safety at rally in Sibut

The Central African Republic will hold a presidential election on December 28

US Treasury rejects Xtellus' offer to buy Lukoil foreign assets — Reuters

Earlier, Xtellus had offered to organize a swap of Lukoil securities held by U.S. investors in a cashless deal to return them to Lukoil in exchange for the Russian company's global assets

Lavrov slams EU’s aggressive actions as biggest global threat

According to Sergey Lavrov, Brussel pushes EU countries toward "disregarding the interests of own people"

Russia tests prototype of Ariadna non-satellite navigation system — NTI Fund

The NTI Fund specified that, unlike other domestic solutions and foreign analogues, the technology offers precise positioning of up to 15-20 cm

Seven EU countries against expropriation of Russian assets — news outlet

According to the report, Belgium, Hungary, and Slovakia initially opposed the plan, and they have now been joined by Italy, Bulgaria, Malta, and the Czech Republic

Kiev ready to hold elections, renounce NATO aspirations — media

Bild reported that Kiev is allegedly also ready to "freeze" the current line of engagement but refuses to withdraw its troops from the entire Donbass territory

Hungarian, Polish foreign ministers exchange heated remarks on Russian assets online

The spat started with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s post, which stated that the EU leaders’ decision to seize Russian assets without consulting Hungary violates numerous laws and is "a declaration of war"

Hungary will not let EU to send military mission to Ukraine — top diplomat

"This will escalate the conflict to a degree that we cannot foresee, and will put Hungary and its people into a serious danger," Peter Szijjarto stressed

Kiev lying about battlefield situation to influence US peace plan — source

The Ukrainian mass media are disseminating reports alleging that the Ukrainian army has taken control of the settlements of Kondrashovka, Radkovka, and Moskovka northwest and southwest of Kupyansk

Russian exports to the US up 35% in 2025 — AmCham

The US business invested about $100 bln during 25 years in Russia, the AmCham President said

Sri Lanka views uninterrupted Russian oil supplies, says ambassador

The Sri Lanka State Oil Corporation is currently holding negotiations both on LNG and on the modernization of the oil refinery, Shobini Gunasekera said

'Coalition of Willing' prepares plans to deploy troops to Ukraine — British PM

Keir Starmer stated that the prior question is whether a just and lasting peace can be achieved

Europe missed all chance to take part in Ukrainian settlement — Lavrov

"The West is turning a deaf ear to everything related to real facts Russia has repeatedly pointed to within the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and at meeting with ambassadors to Moscow," Sergey Lavrov said

Iran would like to resume dialogue with US, IAEA, Russia ready to assist — Lavrov

He also reaffirmed Russia's stance, condemning the unjustified attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities

US, Europe to provide security guarantees to Kiev in case of truce — German chancellor

Friedrich Merz stressed, however, that the parties would need to discuss the details

Ukrainian MP points out Umerov has not been back to Ukraine since start of US talks

Rustem Umerov was appointed to lead Ukraine’s delegation to the talks with the US side on November 29 in place of Vladimir Zelensky’s office head Andrey Yermak

Italy softens language in Ukraine bill to get it passed ahead of EU summit — paper

According to the newspaper, the government also "encrypted" certain obstacles to approving a form of "reparation loan" to Kiev at the expense of frozen Russian assets

Serbian culture minister at center of investigation into case of General Staff buildings

The defendants in the case also include the Culture Ministry Secretary, the acting Director of the Republican Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments and the acting Director of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Belgrade

FSB detains 10 Russians blackmailed by Ukraine security agencies to stage sabotage acts

The citizens were persuaded to cooperate with false security services, under the threat of being charged with treason, for which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment, for financing the Ukrainian armed forces

No IAEA inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites without condemning Israel — official

The agency, which failed to condemn the attacks and has no instructions regarding the inspection of damaged sites has no grounds to declare its intentions to inspect," head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami said

EU seeking to turn Ukraine into ‘perpetual’ source of tension — Russian senator

According to Alexander Voloshin, NATO’s advance on Russian borders in bypassing formal procedures violates the principle of indivisible security

EU blacklisted forty vessels said to carry Russian oil — Kallas

The European Union intends now to sanction tankers without waiting for approval of huge sanction packages, the EU top diplomat noted

EU’s 19 packages of sanctions on Russia weaken European economy — Italian official

Italian deputy prime minister and minister of transport and infrastructure Matteo Salvini emphasized that sanctions brought European economies to their knees, leading to more expensive energy for Italians

Strong wind gust knocks down Statue of Liberty replica in Brazil

The incident caused no casualties