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Military operation in Ukraine

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Putin may be invited to France in 2024, says Macron

The French president noted that this is possible in the case of peace talks on Ukraine

PARIS, December 20. /TASS/. French President Emmanuel Macron does not rule out that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be invited to visit the country in 2024 once Ukraine peace talks are held, Macron said in a televised interview on the France 5 channel.

"Only if he [Putin] holds peace talks and changes the situation with [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky," Macron said in a long television interview broadcast on France 5 TV channel.

Journalists who spoke with the French President discussed major events coming up in 2024, including celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy. They listed the participants in the upcoming celebrations, noting that the Russian leader probably would not be among them.

The last time Russian President Vladimir Putin attended events marking the anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy during World War II was 10 years ago, in 2014. The event was also attended by then-Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko and US President Barack Obama. Francois Hollande, who held the post of President of France at that time, together with the then German Chancellor Angela Merkel, organized the first meeting of the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany on June 6 at the Chateau de Benouville (France) since the start of the Ukrainian crisis. In total, the leaders of the four countries met five times in this Normandy format. The last meeting took place in December 2019.

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Ukraine Vladimir Putin France Emmanuel Macron Military operation in Ukraine

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Operation in Rafah to have ‘devastating’ impact on Middle East — UN chief

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres recalled that more than 1.2 million people are seeking shelter in Rafah

Ukrainian command throws unfit soldiers to front line in Ocheretino, POW recounts

Alexander Vedernikov was mobilized for military service in the Rovno Region as "relatively fit" and had not received any special training

US undermines participation of Russian representative in UN Committee on Information

Dmitry Polyansky added that Moscow hoped that the current situation will be "cardinally corrected." He also reiterated that legally binding agreements with the host country existed

Infrastructure facility suffers damage in Kiev-controlled part of Kherson Region

No details provided

Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

The Russian Investigative Committee added that measures are underway to locate their whereabouts and bring them to criminal liability

Press review: Belarus' new national security strategy and Russia, US butt heads at UN

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 26th

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

Russia’s Battlegroup East improves frontline positions — top brass

The adversary lost up to 85 troops, four pickup trucks, two self-propelled artillery systems, an electronic warfare station and a field munitions depot

One woman killed, another one wounded in Ukraine’s shelling of Kursk Region village

According to region’s governor Roman Starovoit, two civilians were wounded in the shelling attack on the village in the morning

Chinese diplomat comments on Blinken’s warning on support to Russia

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian pointed out that the US was supplying Ukraine with arms and ammunition and at the same time making unfounded accusations regarding trade between China and Russia

Kremlin spokesman says Zelensky’s fate is sealed

The comment concerns both the fate of Zelensky and the outcome of the Russian special military operation

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"

Israeli army identifies Lebanese attack, strikes back in border areas last night

Two anti-tank missiles were fired toward Dovev on the border with Lebanon

US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

European banks’ tax payments in Russia rise four-fold in 2023 — newspaper

The Financial Times notes that more than half of the European banks’ tax payments correspond to Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank International

US defeat in Ukraine only matter of time, says North Korean Defense Ministry official

The head of the North Korean Defense Ministry’s Department of External Military Affairs slammed the US for pushing for an escalation of the conflict and trying to change the situation in Ukraine at any cost

Medvedev warns that Russia’s default may entail Europe’s default

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the European Union’s financial system is not very stable and people are losing confidence

Blinken speaks in favor of immediate ceasefire in Gaza Strip — Department of State

According to the spokesman, Blinken had a meeting with foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization

Ukrainian government allocates $392 million to buy more drones

Ukraine’s government has already allocated more than $1 billion to purchase drones this year

Russia, Turkey to hold consultations on issues on UN agenda — Russian foreign ministry

It will be another round of bilateral consultations, a Russian foreign ministry official said

Russian drivers bought 500,000 baseball bats last year to settle road disputes — police

Only one pair of baseball gloves and one ball was sold over that year

Former US NSA employee sentenced for purported interaction with Russia

Jareh Sebastian admitted that "he used an encrypted email account to transmit excerpts of three classified documents to an individual he believed to be a Russian agent"

Kiev regime’s brutality: Ukrainian POWs open up about ruthless anti-retreat squads

According to one of them, a platoon, which refused to fight, left, and no one ever saw them again

Armenia still CSTO members, wants its mechanisms to operate duly — top diplomat

It is necessary to make efforts to ensure due operation of all mechanisms within it, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirziyan said

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

Mortar gunners destroy about ten Ukrainian servicemen

Russian fighters occupied better positions owing to accurate mortar fire and concerted action

Medvedev vows Moscow's response to US law on seizing Russia's frozen assets will sting

The Russian Security Council deputy chairman suggested enacting legislation to allow Russia to confiscate assets belonging to the citizens of unfriendly countries

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Russian air defense forces block Ukrainian attempt to use ATACMS on Crimea — politician

The Ukrainians used several ATACMS ballistic missiles in an attempt to attack civilians on the peninsula

Russia’s Battlegroup East takes new positions near Ugledar — top brass

One of the assault regiment commanders told that Ukrainian units frequently deliver erroneous artillery strikes on their own positions

Lavrov informs Tajik counterpart about terrorism-prevention measures in Russia

Tthe two top diplomats agreed that it is necessary to continue developing the time-tested Russian-Tajik allied relations of strategic partnership and strengthen their positive dynamics

Medicine for Bekhterev’s disease may cause medical tourism to Russia — Health Minister

Previously, the media reported that the Russian Health Ministry registered the first treatment for the Bekhterev’s disease in the world

Russian envoy slams Israel’s smear campaign against UNRWA

"As of now, over 180 agency’s employees have been killed in the Gaza Strip which is an absolute record low for the UN," the Dmitry Polyansky noted

NATO views Russian ‘invasion’ of neighboring member as unlikely in near future — WSJ

The bloc worries that Russia "might spark conflict" in neighboring NATO member countries in the shorter term though, the newspaper wrote

Number of flooded homes in Russia drops to 9,341

Most of the flooded homes are in the Orenburg, Kurgan and Tyumen regions

US authorizes energy-related transactions with Russian banks until November 1

According to the document, the banks in question include the Central Bank of Russia, VTB, Alfa Bank, Sberbank, Vneshekonombank, Otkrytiye, Sovkombank, Rosbank, Zenit and Sankt-Peterburg

US court sentences Russian national to 12 years in jail for supporting terrorism

In January Murat Kurashev, who resides in Sacramento, admitted his guilt

Dollar, euro in the red as trading session kicks off

Yuan ticked up by 0.25 kopecks to 12.7 rubles

Ukraine’s force in Donbass is estimated at 90,000 men — Donetsk militia

Most Ukrainian forces are on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Eduard Basurin noted

Two police officers killed in militant attack in Russia’s North Caucasus

Several improvised explosive devices were found at the scene

NATO defense ministers to discuss support for Ukraine in Brussels on May 16

The first session will see the Chiefs of Defense meet in a NATO-Ukraine Council format to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation on the ground, and NATO and Allied continued support to Ukraine

Tucker Carlson interviews Russian philosopher Dugin

The interview lasted over 20 minutes

Unaware of decline of its military industry US gets trapped in Ukraine — French historian

Emmanuel Todd believes that "one of Washington's goals is to prevent a rapprochement between Russia and Germany"

Russian forces liberate settlement of Semyonovka in Donetsk People’s Republic

Inflicting a defeat on forces of the 68th Infantry Brigade, the 23rd and 115th mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces, the 109 Territorial Defense Brigade and mercenaries from the International Legion near Novoalexandrovka, Arkhangelskoye, Tarasovka and Zavetonoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Kiev openly flaunts involvement in murder of Russian journalists — Russian mission to UN

Dmitry Polyansky noted that Russian journalist Daria Dugina, military reporter Vladlen Tatarsky, Tavriya broadcasting company editor-in-chief Rostislav Zhuravlyov, Rossiya-24 TV reporter Boris Maksudov were killed by Ukrainian intelligence agencies and their agents

Netanyahu vows Israel will conduct operation in Rafah in any case

Israeli Prime Minister stressed that this will be done regardless of the potential agreement with the Palestinian radicals on the release of hostages

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

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

Panic on frontline growing on Ukrainian side — Kremlin

Russia must support the current dynamics in the special military operation zone, Dmitry Peskov said

Russian cutting-edge missile frigate holds artillery firings in Arctic drills

"The combat exercises were conducted in the Barents Sea waters closed for shipping," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Netanyahu asks Biden to prevent issuing of ICC warrants against Israeli officials — report

A spokesperson of the US National Security Council refused to comment on the phone call between the two leaders, but pointed out Washington’s position, which says that the ICC jurisdiction does not cover the situation in Palestine

UNRWA Chief: Number of child lives lost in Gaza is staggering

US first caused, now purposefully drags out Ukraine conflict — Shoigu

The Russian top defense official added that in order to achieve its goals, Washington is exerting unprecedented pressure, including on its partners

Armenia, Russia in dialogue to resolve problems in relations — top Armenian diplomat

Some issues require complete mutual understanding, but Isuch problems exist in any relations, said Armenian Foreign Minister Aarat Mirzoyan

Republika Srpska president praises Moscow-Banja Luka relations, favors strengthening them

Milorad Dodik also touched upon the topic of sanctions mentioned by Patrushev earlier

Senior security official says Russia isn’t at war with Ukraine

Nikolay Patrushev said Ukrainian traditions are familiar to Russians, just like the Russian heritage is inseparable from Ukrainian culture

Hamas receives proposal to release 33 hostages in exchange to ceasefire — TV

The proposal consists of two phases, the first of which calls for 20 to 33 hostages to be released in exchange for the pause in hostilities

Russian troops recover first Abrams tank from special military operation zone

It will be put on public display at the Patriot Park on Poklonnaya Hill

Mass graves of civilians with traces of torture found in Avdeyevka

DPR’s emergencies services told TASS earlier that tens of thousands of munitions had been disposed of in Avdeyevka

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"

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Russian envoy attends solemn event dedicated to liberation of Sachsenhausen death camp

Participants the mourning events laid flowers and wreaths to three memorials

Russian drone operators destroy Ukrainian positions near Semyonovka, Spornoye

Troops of the combat group "South" destroyed Ukrainian positions near two settlements

US bails Ukraine out after Moscow attack, covering Zelensky with ISIS — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that a number of factors directly and indirectly indicate the US authorities’ involvement in sponsoring the Ukrainian terrorism

Top security official advises West to keep door open for joint research work with Russia

Nikolay Patrushev cited recent research showing that a simulated eruption of the Yellowstone Caldera, which has shown increasing signs of active volcanic status over the years, and what consequences such a natural disaster could potentially leave in its wake

UK’s Cameron calls on Hamas to accept ‘very generous’ offer on ceasefire in Gaza

In his opinion, Hamas has been given "a very generous offer of sustained 40 days ceasefire, the release of potentially thousands of Palestinian prisoners, in return for the release of these hostages" that have remained in captivity for over 200 days

Russia’s response to West’s seizure of Russian frozen assets to be tough — diplomat

Maria Zakharova drew attention to The Wall Street Journal’s report that Germany allegedly wants to leave Russia’s frozen assets intact to used them as a tool during the conflict settlement talks to force Russia cede part of the Ukrainian territory it has taken control of

About 2,000 people to be evacuated in North Poland due to unexploded ordnance

The unexploded ordnance was found near a retail site in Kazimierz on April 25

Zelensky says Kiev negotiating with Washington its support for next 10 years

According to Zelensky, Kiev wants this agreement with the United States to be "the strongest" one among similar documents it has already signed or is planning to sign with other allies

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

First group of suspected coup plotters goes on trial in Germany

Federal prosecutors filed charges in the case against a total of 27 people

German minister highlights Soviet troops’ role in liberating Auschwitz-Birkenau camp

According to German Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir, the lesson of National Socialism is that war must never happen again

Dollar unchanged, euro up to 99.57 rubles on Moscow Exchange

The yuan remained at 12.74 rubles

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

Russia’s Battlegroup East improves positions in DPR, hits roughly 100 Ukrainian troops

Ukrainians lost two pickup trucks and two US-made 155mm M777 howitzers

Ukraine’s army chief acknowledges Russia’s successes in several frontline areas

Thus, according to Syrsky, the most difficult situation for the Ukrainian army is unfolding in the Pokrovksky and Kurakhovsky areas in the Kiev-controlled part of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), where Ukrainian units had to retreat

Trump praises Putin, Xi as 'very smart' people

Earlier, Trump said he gets along very well with Putin as he reiterated that the Ukraine crisis would have never escalated, had he been US president

Report on alleged North Korean missile in Ukraine made by non-field experts — UN source

"There were three experts: on finance, general issues and the nuclear program", the source said

No conditions for talks with Kiev at this time — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stated that the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin "is well-known"

G7 agrees to work toward transitioning away from Russian gas imports

In a separate statement, the Group of Seven reaffirmed its commitment to reduce reliance on civil Russian nuclear-related goods

Russian stocks mixed as Tuesday trading opens

The MOEX was higher at 3,479.14 points, while the RTSwas down at 1,177.03 points

Zelensky’s legitimacy to be soon called in question — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, it will be done from the legal point of view in any case

Two civilians injured in Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Kursk region — governor

10 homes and a power transmission line were damaged

Russia to grant asylum to Kyrgyz citizen convicted of participation in special military op

According to Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Irina Volk, the young man lived in Russia even before the start of the special military operation and worked in the film industry

Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

NATO has had no designs against Russia, will never have them, Blinken claims

During the July 2023 summit in Vilnius, NATO leaders called Russia "the most serious and direct threat to security"

CTBTO chief highlights Russia’s commitment to ban on nuclear testing

Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization Robert Floyd stressed that it is pleased to see the Russian Federation state that its commitment to the CTBT and its nuclear test moratorium remains unchanged

Conflict in Ukraine may develop into nuclear war, top Hungarian diplomat warns

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto recalled that after the outbreak of the conflict western politicians promised to supply the Ukrainian army only with helmets and blankets, then came weapons, tanks, warplanes

Press review: US tries to strong-arm China and Zelensky's bid to bring men home

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 25th

Houthis attack two commercial vessels, two US destroyers

Movement’s representative Yahya Saria said that the Ansar Allah delivered drone strikes on two US destroyers in the Red Sea. According to him, the hits "reached their targets"

Russian air defenses down aerial target near Belgorod, governor says

There were no casualties or damage though

Clearing explosive threats in Gaza to take 14 years, UN estimates — TV

Israel’s destruction of Gaza has generated around 37.5 mln metric tons of debris across the enclave, the bulk of this being laced with unexploded bombs and other munitions

Russia strikes major thermal power plant in western Ukraine — underground resistance

Five missiles hit Dnepropetrovsk while a strong blow with the subsequent detonation was registered in Krivoi Rog, the spokesman specified

Musk sees plans for ten-year security agreement for Ukraine as ‘insane’

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said earlier that Ukrainian and US officials were discussing the amount of military, financial and other aid to Kiev for the next ten years as part of talks on a bilateral security agreement

Gazprom delivering 41.9 mln cubic meters of gas to Europe through Ukraine via Sudzha

The volume also stood at 42.4 mln cubic meters on April 28

Battlegroup South improves frontline positions — Russian Defense Ministry

Forces of Russia’s Battlegroups East and West have moved to more advantageous positions in the special military operation zone

France denies Olympic accreditation to volunteers from Russia

Paris 2024 volunteer program director Alexandre Morenon-Conde said on March 21, 2023 that the volunteer program was open for all, without any exclusions

British maritime agency reports another incident off Yemen coast

According to the British maritime security company Ambrey, a Malta-flagged container ship came under attack while on route from Djibouti to the Saudi port of Jeddah

Governor says term of Russian land lease to China will be known within year

The authorities of Russia’s Trans-Baikal Territory announced their decision on leasing out to China a total of 115,000 hectares of land for a term of 49 years

Fatah, Hamas officials express desire to achieve reconciliation at Beijing talks — envoy

The parties agreed to continue dialogue and seek Palestinian unity as soon as possible

Russia to launch missile ship Taifun, patrol ship Viktor Veliky in May

A solemn ceremony will be held at the Gorky Zelenodolsk shipyard

Russia’s Dnepr Battlegroup destroys 21 Ukrainian drone control centers in past day

The Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 50 militants, an M777 howitzer, ten mortars, five boats, said Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo