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PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN UKRAINE

Zelensky leads with 73.09% after 80% of ballots counted

Incumbent Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko has received 24.57% of the vote

KIEV, April 22. /TASS/. Vladimir Zelensky has taken the lead in the runoff stage of the Ukrainian presidential election with 73.09% of the vote, the Ukrainian Central Election Commission informed after counting 80% of electoral ballots.

Incumbent Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko has received 24.57% of the vote.

According to the commission, 2.32% of ballots have been declared invalid.

Zelensky has taken the lead in all regions of Ukraine, except the Lvov Region. The voter turnout in the runoff stage of the election reached 62.07%, the commission informed earlier.

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Middle East conflict

Lebanon receives draft ceasefire agreement with Israel from US — newspaper

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the 13-point document provides, among other things, for the transition of the country’s southern areas after the withdrawal of Israeli troops under the control of the Lebanese army

Trump to nominate North Dakota governor Burgum as interior secretary

The official announcement will be made on Friday

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Ukrainian army attacks Kharkov Military-Civil Administration car with drones

The car's chassis, body, and cabin were badly damaged in the attack

Participants in Sir Bani Yas forum in UAE understand causes of Ukrainian crisis — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister arrived in Abu Dhabi to take part in the Sir Bani Yas international peace and security forum and has already held a series of bilateral meetings

54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

116 countries, including Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Serbia, and Syria, supported the document

Gazprom has the right to stop gas supplies to Moldova due to country’s debts — Moldovagaz

Chairman of the Board of the Russian-Moldovan gas distribution company Vadim Cheban noted that he was not aware of any plans by the Russian gas holding to take advantage of this opportunity

Release of 23 Russians taken to Ukraine from Kursk Region being discussed — ombudswoman

The documents are currently being considered by the Verkhovna Rada’s commissioner for human rights, Dmitry Lubinets and his office

Russia, US have many annoyances, it is hard to pick worst one — Kremlin spokesman

Earlier, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Baku

Russia inks first deals to deliver Su-57 fifth-generation fighter to foreign customers

Alexander Mikheyev also explained the expectations and effect of the demonstration of Russian military hardware at Airshow China in Zhuhai

South Korea to support Ukraine in response to Russia-North Korea alliance — president

As Yoon Suk Yeol said, the reported dispatch of North Korean servicemen to participate in Russia’s special military operation "poses a serious security threat not only to the Korean Peninsula and Europe but also to the entire world"

Iran may retaliate against Israel before Trump's inauguration — newspaper

From a number of high-ranking Iranian politicians' point of view, such a move would "strengthen Tehran's position in negotiations" with Trump's team

European Commission upgrades outlook on Russian GDP growth for 2024, 2025

According to the report, private investment, supported by government-subsidized loans, increased as demand for domestic goods picked up, following the exit of foreign firms

FACTBOX: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

APEC economies account for 62% of the world’s GDP and 47% of global trade, with approximately 3 billion people living in countries that participate in the forum

Opposition seizes control of entire complex of Abkhazia’s government buildings

A representative of the republic's authorities told TASS that Abkhazia’s President Aslan Bzhania is absent from the building of the presidential administration

Musk, Iran’s UN envoy discuss ways to ease tensions between Iran, US — NYT

According to the report, the meeting took place in New York on Monday and lasted for more than an hour

Politician slams Western elites for behaving like 'collective Hitler' on Ukraine issue

Viktor Medvedchuk added that there was no unified position in the West regarding the situation in Ukraine

Russia's liberation of Stepanovka in DPR spells trouble for Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovo

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Armed Forces had liberated the settlement of Stepanovka in the DPR

Football fans clash during France vs Israel football match in Paris

The match is taking place a week after a Europa League match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv football club wreaked havoc in Amsterdam

Kremlin comments on possible return of Japanese, European cars to Russia

No official statements have been received so far from European automakers regarding the return to the Russian market, Dmitry Peskov noted

Russian Rubicon drones strike Ukrainian trench shelters

"Upon detecting enemy positions and equipment, the data was immediately relayed to the strike force," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

France wraps up training of new Ukrainian brigade — minister

The brigade is equipped with French weapons

Kalashnikov concern trains first group of operators for Bars-Sarmat UAV unit

The soldiers studied the hardware, including the drones’ electronics, internal systems and rules of operation

German chancellor calls for peace talks with Ukraine in phone call with Putin

Olaf Scholz also highlighted "Germany’s unwavering determination" to support Kiev "for as long as it takes”

Zelensky’s new plan for Ukraine is ‘an attempt to imitate’ busy activities — politician

Vitaly Ganchev noted that Zelensky's plans "pose no particular interest anymore to anyone and they the proposals are certainly not taken seriously"

Press review: Switzerland open to hosting Putin-Trump talks as NATO and EU back Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 15th

Ukrainian people don't need support promised by Scholz after talks with Putin — Lavrov

Commenting on the Russian side's assessment of the conversation, the top diplomat emphasized that there is already a corresponding comment from the Kremlin

One third of Mariupol residents, who fled to Ukraine, already returned

Lack of due support, and accommodation issues, are the reason

All weapons pledged by Biden to Kiev to be delivered before he leaves office — Pentagon

Department’s Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh expects that for the 'next coming months of this administration'

Mass production of Lada Iskra cars planned to begin in spring 2025

In June, Avtovaz presented its new model Lada Iskra for the first time at SPIEF

Abkhazia’s opposition demands cancelation of investment agreement, president’s resignation

In case the authorities do not accept the opposition's demands, former lawmaker Natali Smyr called on the protesters not to leave the square around the complex of government buildings

Xi Jinping advocates for child-centric China

"It is essential to place great importance on traditional family values," the Chinese leader stressed

Zelensky tried to dissuade Scholz from telephone talks with Putin — news agency

According to the source, Vladimir Zelensky told Scholz that the conversation with Putin "will only help to reduce the isolation" of Russia

Russia awaits Trump’s proposals on Ukrainian settlement — Lavrov

"Russia's position was clearly worded by the Russian president on June 14, 2024," Sergey Lavrov stressed

Musk says Trump, himself have public mandate for change

US President-elect Donald Trump announced earlier that Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy would lead the Department of Government Efficiency in his new administration

Russia always fulfilled its trade obligations, ready to cooperate with Germany — Putin

"It was underscored that Russia has always been committed to its treaty and contractual obligations in the energy sector and is ready for mutually beneficial cooperation if the German side shows interest in this," the statement says

Developments in Kursk Region: Ukrainian fighters suffer losses, face charges in Russia

Ukraine lost more than 100 servicemen, a tank, an armored fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, two D-30 122-mm howitzers, a mortar and an electronic warfare station over the past day

Foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraine’s side near Kupyansk, says military expert

Most of the intercepted talks deal with military issues, using a special talk chart, Andrey Marochko specified

Gagauzian public figure sees possibility of early parliamentary polls in Moldova

Mihail Vlah told TASS in an interview that the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity 'has started urgent preparations'

Russia introduced temporary restrictions on enriched uranium exports to the US

This is a tit-for-tat measure against the restriction of Russian uranium products imports introduced by the US for 2024-2027 and the ban to be imposed by it since 2028 onward

Russian forces capture 10 km of LPR border — military expert

On October 16, Andrey Marochko informed TASS that Ukrainian forces were still operating near three key towns in the LPR’s west: Svatovo, Kremennaya, and Lisichansk

Chechen leader reports eliminating Ukrainian troops in Sumy Region

According to Ramzan Kadyrov, fighters from the 34th Akhmat-Russia motorized rifle regiment conducted reconnaissance using unmanned aerial vehicles

Russian Marines destroy Challenger 2 tank with FPV drone in Kursk Region

Previously, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the enemy lost 10 tanks in the Kursk region in the past 24 hours

Israel hits nuclear research facility in Iran, Axios claims

In October, Axios reported that an Israeli strike on Iran had disabled a crucial component of Iran's ballistic missiles production program

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 430 troops, ten tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, 19 armored combat vehicles, 33 motor vehicles, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station

EU needs to rethink anti-Russia sanctions — Orban

Industrial companies in EU countries pay for gas and electricity several times higher than their main competitors in the US and China, the Hungarian prime minister noted

Russia open to Ukraine talks based on June proposals, Putin tells Scholz

"Russia's proposals are well known and outlined, in particular, in a June speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry," the Russian president said

Kennedy Jr. added to Mirotvorets list after Trump’s appointment

Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump previously nominated to head the U.S. National Intelligence Agency, is also still on the list

APEC leaders to discuss digitalization, sustainable economic growth in Peru

The official part of the summit will be held, resulting in the adoption of the final declaration

Scholz, Putin agree to maintain contact — source in German cabinet

It is reported that Scholz expressed concern over reports about the alleged deployment of North Korean servicemen to Russia

Abkhazia’s opposition has nothing against country's relations with Russia — statement

"As the opposition, we have always emphasized the importance of brotherly and strategic ties between our countries," the statement reads

Abkhaz officials, opposition hold talks after seizure of government compound

Protesters are demanding the resignation of President Aslan Bzhania

Russian forces liberate Voznesenka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 655 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukrainian intel officers in Syria to be eliminated as terrorists’ accomplices — diplomat

According to Alexander Lavrentyev, there are "in fact Russian troops stationed" in Syria

Ukraine not holding talks on gas transit from Russia after December 31 — Energy Ministry

The agreement between Gazprom and Naftogaz on the transit of Russian gas to Europe expires on December 31

US missile defense site to defend Poland from Russia too — Polish minister

At the same time, the official evaded a direct question of whether the facility is capable of protecting country from missiles

Gazprom says EU artificially destroys gas demand to the detriment of its own economy

As for global gas demand, gas consumption in January-October increased by 80 bln cubic meters year-on-year, the company noted

German chancellor holds phone call with Putin for first time in two years — agency

The phone call lasted about an hour

Ukrainian battlegroup deprived of regular supplies in Kurakhovo in Donetsk area — expert

The Ukrainian battlegroup’s supplies have been impaired in the Kurakhovo area after Russian forces placed a road section west of that community under their gunfire control, Andrey Marochko clarified

European politicians repeat their position on Ukraine like mantra, says Kremlin

"Russian President Vladimir Putin told Olaf Scholz in detail about Russia's vision of what is happening, about possible prospects for the development of the situation," Dmitry Peskov said

IN BRIEF: What is known about drone attack on Russia’s Krasnodar Region

Damage will be assessed, and local authorities will provide assistance with restoring the damaged buildings

Clear Zelensky won't be the one to decide about talks with Russia, says Lavrov

"Russian President Putin has repeatedly said that we have never refused to negotiate," the Russian foreign minister reiterated

RFK Jr. calls for immediate US-Russia talks on Ukraine

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward his latest peace proposal for the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, which envisages the recognition of the status of Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions as Russian constituencies

Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Russian troops liberate five communities in Donbass region, Kharkov area over week

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 4,715 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 10 Western-made artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia's newest Su-57 fighter jet superior to China's new J-35 — test pilot

Sergey Bogdan emphasized that the newest Russian fighter was a "magnificent platform for a future generation of configurations, just as the Su-27 aircraft in its heyday"

Israeli anthem booed before start of football match in Paris

Prior to the event, leftist politicians and activists staged a protest at a square in Paris’ northern suburb of Saint-Denis

Only plan Zelensky should be thinking about is 'plan of surrender' — opinion

In a video address on November 14, the Ukrainian president unveiled a ten-point plan covering the issues of security, energy, weaponry, production in Ukraine, and cooperation with allies

FACTBOX: Putin, Scholz hold phone talks first time in two years

The talks were initiated by Berlin

Top diplomats from UK, France, Germany to discuss Ukraine’s future

Reuters wrote with reference to anonymous sources that the sides would also discuss what Trump’s return to the Oval Office could mean for the world

Zelensky announces work on new action plan

In terms of weapons, the plan will focus on production in Ukraine and cooperation with partners

Court sentences ‘Russian Volunteer Corps’ members to life in prison in absentia

According to the investigation, the defendants, acting as part of a Ukrainian sabotage group, armed with firearms and explosives, illegally crossed the Russian border and infiltrated two settlements in the Bryansk Region, opening fire at civilian cars and people

European Commission gives ‘positive assessment’ for payment of 4.1 bln euros to Kiev

The commission concluded that Ukraine had satisfactorily fulfilled the nine agreed reform indicators for this payment

Opposition in Abkhazia demands early presidential election

A Central Election Commission official has told TASS that if the president agrees to resign today, an early election should be held within three months

Hundreds of people participate in protest rally near Abkhazian parliament

Members of the opposition broke onto the parliament’s premises, having rammed a metal fence with a motor vehicle

Trump to fundamentally rethink US policy on Ukraine conflict, says Iranian expert

Serious differences of opinion may arise between Washington and other NATO members regarding support for the Kiev regime, Mehdi Seif Tabrizi noted

Russia hopes for resumption of dialogue with US under Trump — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, changes in bilateral relations could be possible depending on who the US president-elect appoints

Crimean amateur astronomer discovers new comet in solar system

In April, the astronomer said that he had discovered a large asteroid with a diameter of about 200 meters, potentially dangerous for the Earth

Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania refuses to step down amid riots

According to him, the government is also staying in the country and continues its work

Russian troops organizing logistics, ammo delivery in Kupyansk outskirts — military expert

"Logistics is being organized to enable our troops to retain their positions they are trying to secure," Andrey Marochko explained

Ukrainian troops surrender as Russian forces advance — captive

Alexander Rapolyuk noted that they had originally been sent to the Kursk Region under the pretext of replacing their comrades, but upon arrival, they found that the servicemen they were meant to replace had already been killed

Outgoing US administration should end military support for Ukraine — Hungary’s Orban

Viktor Orban believes it would be only fair and just for the outgoing Biden administration to reduce military support for Ukraine as power changes hands

Russian troops storm into Kupyansk outskirts in Kharkov Region — military expert

Troops from various Russian army units are engaged in battles in the outskirts of Kupyansk, Andrey Marochko said

Gaza radicals post new video of hostage identifying himself as Russian national Trufanov

The man pointed out that the hostages' lives "are in grave danger every day," and recalled the country’s religious obligation to ransom the hostages

Putin tells Scholz agreements on Ukraine should proceed from realities on ground — Kremlin

"Possible agreements should take into account Russia’s interests in the security sphere, proceed from the new territorial realities and, above all, eliminate the causes of the conflict," the Russian leader said

Zelensky's new plan for Ukraine is just another effort to stay in media spotlight

In his video address on November 14, Zelensky announced 10 provisions of his new plan, including matters of security, energy, armaments, industrial development in Ukraine, and cooperation with partners

Russia does not interfere in US affairs, says Kremlin spokesman about Trump's appointments

Earlier, Trump announced the nomination of Florida Senator Marco Rubio for the secretary of state

Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

Earlier, the entrepreneur opined that the bloodshed in Ukraine would end soon

IN BRIEF: What is known about situation in Abkhazia

In order to stabilize the situation, President Aslan Bzhania decided to withdraw from the parliament a bill on the ratification of the agreement with Russia on the implementation of investment projects by Russian legal entities on the territory of the republic

Ukraine's Kurakhovo Reservoir dam blast to help, not hurt Russian troops — expert

At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

Scholz's call to Putin speaks of intention to learn Russia's position firsthand — Kremlin

The conversation took place at the initiative of the German side

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

Putin states degradation of Russian-German relations due to Berlin’s policy — Kremlin

After 2022, Berlin has been pursuing an openly unfriendly policy against Russia, supporting the anti-Russian sanctions

Swedish minister in charge of gender equality suffers from bananaphobia

The phobia is so strong that special precautions need to be taken before her meetings

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand become BRICS partner countries — Russian MFA

"The BRICS Summit in Kazan demonstrated the desire of the global majority to establish a fair world order, reform global institutions and build equitable economic ties," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said

Trump to zero in on fragmenting BRICS, Ukraine to take back seat — expert

According to the political scientist Boris Mezhuyev, in all likelihood attempts to replace the presidents of Brazil and Venezuela, and pit India, Russia and China against each other are coming

US does not fulfill LNG contracts for Europe worth tens of billions of dollars — Gazprom

In addition, the United States is influencing the global gas market with its verbal interventions regarding the possible withholding of LNG supplies to China, as well as a temporary suspension of the issuance of export licenses, Deputy Head of the Department - Head of the Directorate at Gazprom Kirill Polous said

Finland seizes over 30 more real estate properties owned by Russian government

The value of these confiscated apartments is more than ten million euros, the agency said

US views Russia as present-day threat, Trump may prioritize containing China — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that reputation matters the most to the United States which does not care about the real fates of peoples, in particular the Ukrainian one

Western efforts to vilify Russia climax, Moscow fights back — MFA

"We are witnessing the culmination of the Anglo-Saxons' systematic efforts to vilify our country, exerted over decades, and maybe even centuries," Maria Zakharova said

IN BRIEF: Protesters storm parliament building in Abkhazia

Opposition members made several attempts to break into the parliament building and managed to enter the square in front of parliament