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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Suspension of visa procedures in Russia not revenge, US ambassador stresses

This is connected with the necessity to cut down the US Embassy's staff, according to John Tefft

© Alexandr Sherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, August 23. /TASS/. The suspension of nonimmigrant visa operations in Russia is "not about being vindictive," US Ambassador to Russia John Tefft said in an interview with TASS.

"It's not about being vindictive. It's about being able to do this properly," the diplomat said. "And we will start again on September the 1st." "And it's unfortunate but we don't have any choice because we have a lot of responsibilities here. The (Russian - TASS) government is requiring us to have fewer people to do them. It's as simple as that," he explained.

Read also

US suspends procedure of issuing nonimmigrant visas throughout Russia as of August 23

"This is simply because we've been told by the Foreign Ministry that we have to cut down our staff to 455. And so we're in the process of doing that right now," Tefft went on to say. He noted that visa issuance process involves not only employees of the Consular Section. "It's not just a question of visa officers. It's all the processing. It's the security," he stressed.

The ambassador noted that residents of Crimea "can apply for a visa here in Moscow," if they have Russian passports. He also confirmed that the US diplomatic mission in Moscow will stop issuing visas to Belarusian citizens after September 1. "They will have to go to another embassy like Warsaw or Kiev or some other to apply to get their visas," the diplomat added.

Special cases

Tefft noted, however, that he does not think the decision to suspend visa operations in Russia will have an adverse effect on bilateral ties in culture, science and education. "I don't think so. I don't think it will. You know, this is a new world we're entering here. We're going to have to see how it goes," he said answering a question on the issue.

Read also

"And if there are special cases we'll take a look at those special cases to deal with them," the diplomat promised. "So I wouldn't make any big judgements about impacts until we have actually a chance to see how it works out once we've started down that road."

"You know, if there's some professor who needs to get to the United States for some urgent consultation or something, I think our people will find a way to get him a visa to do that," Tefft said. "That said, it's going to be very hard, because we just don't have enough people to do the job. We were already getting increasing numbers of Russians who wanted to go even before this."

"And the pure volume - it's literally numbers - the volume goes up and the Foreign Ministry has reduced the number of people we have to be able to service those people," the ambassador concluded.

Military operation in Ukraine

Unable to counter Russian tactics, Kiev’s forces may retreat to Dnieper — Ukrainian expert

"The opponents are now using tactical techniques that we still have nothing to counter with," Oleg Starikov said

Russian Defense Ministry presents slideshow of Ukrainian plot to capture Kursk nuke plant

Ukraine planned to engage 20,000 troops, 27 tanks, 50 units of armored hardware, 30 units of tube artillery and five multiple launch rocket systems

Western military assistance to Ukraine tops 100 bln euros — minister

Ukraine regularly asks for additional military assistance from its Western partners, occasionally criticizing them for delays and insufficient amount of supplies

Kiev wants to exchange only militants from its nationalist battalions — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, Kiev is also "interested in the fate of foreign mercenaries who took part in combat operations against Russia"

NATO intends to fight 'defensive battles' thousands of miles from its territory — Lavrov

According to Lavrov, all reasonable observers understand "that this is a road to nowhere"

Trump reaffirms to end Ukraine conflict and prevent global war if elected

Throughout his campaign, Donald Trump has vowed to resolve the Ukraine conflict even before his inauguration, should he reclaim the White House

List of BRICS partner countries agreed, Putin says

According to the Russian leader, the list of potential candidate countries was also agreed upon

Trump has 61% chance of winning US election — bookmakers

The US general election is being held on November 5, 2024

Russia’s Medvedev cautions next US leader against adding fuel to fire in Ukraine

The politician doubted the deep state in the United States wants another global war

Japan’s defense minister says North Korea launched 7 missiles that flew 400 km each

Japan issued a protest to Pyongyang through diplomatic channels

Russian forces display ingenuity and unconventional tactics in liberating DPR — official

Donetsk People’s Republic head Denis Pushilin also emphasized that the enemy should not be underestimated, so as not to diminish the significance of Russian forces' achievements

No military alliance provided for in Russia-DPRK partnership treaty — senior diplomat

According to Andrey Rudenko, Russia openly tells this to "all North Korea’s neighbors who sometimes and, lately, very often, express certain concerns"

Kiev may look at Qatar-mediated agreement with Russia on non-targeting energy facilities

According to Andrey Yermak, a principle like the one of the grain deal could be used in this context, but no talks between Kiev and Moscow are being held at the moment

Hollywood actors face pressure to endorse Harris or risk career setbacks — Elon Musk

The US presidential election is set to take place on November 5, with voters also selecting a third of the Senate, the entire House of Representatives, and governors for 11 states and two territories

Kiev strikes on Kursk NPP may cause Chernobyl, Fukushima-like disasters — Russian military

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov pointed out that one of Ukraine’s primary objectives in its incursion into the Kursk Region was to capture the Kursk NPP

Iran has hundreds of missiles capable of inflicting severe damage Israel — WSJ

The article states that the Israeli attack has compromised the air defense systems protecting key Iranian facilities

Press review: Trump, Harris clash in swing states as EU likely to keep sanctions on Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 5th

North Korea probably launched ballistic missile, Japan’s coast guard says

The missile, whose type remains unclear so far, fell about 20 minutes after launch, the agency said

AI predicts Harris’ victory over Trump

The forecast predicts Trump has a 73.3% chance of winning Arizona, a 62.1% chance in North Carolina, and a 61.8% chance in Georgia

Moldova’s opposition to challenge presidential election results with Constitutional Court

According to Sor, the opposition has evidence of massive ballot rigging in favor of the incumbent president during the presidential election

Malaysia rejects US call to 'stop being friendly' with Russia — PM

Anwar Ibrahim said the call came during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the 19th East Asia Summit in Laos

For US losing dollar as a standard of settlements would be like losing a war, Trump says

The Republican presidential candidate criticized the current US administration for allowing the unification of Russia, China, Iran, the DPRK and a number of other countries into one group

West itself signed death warrant for dollar, turning it into punishment tool — Lavrov

At the same time, the volume of mutual settlements in national currencies in foreign trade between the BRICS member countries reaches around 65%

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg appears at a rally in Georgia

According to some reports, she came to the country at the invitation of a non-governmental organization

Trump says he’s fighting 'evil democrat system,' not Harris

The United States presidential election is set to be held on November 5

Sandu wins Moldova's elections with 55.33% of votes, Stoianoglo gains 44.67%

In total, 1,699,025 people came to the polling stations in Moldova and abroad, which is more than 54.31% of the people included in the electoral lists. In the second round of the 2020 presidential elections, this figure reached 58.22%

Russia’s Fregat booster delivers 53 small satellites into target orbit

Considering Ionosfera-M No. 1 and Ionosfera-M No. 2 heliogeophysical satellites put into orbit, Russia launched a record 51 domestic satellites into orbit

Attempts to capture ZNPP lead to pointless deaths of mobilized Ukrainians — governor

Yevgeny Balitsky noted that the safety of the ZNPP and its perimeter is reliably safeguarded by the Russian military, and that "the power plant's personnel are performing their duties"

Moscow calls on Seoul to refrain from sending weapons to Ukraine — diplomat

"We call on our South Korean colleague to think twice and not to embark on this extremely dangerous path, which will lead Seoul to nothing good", Anna Yevstigneyeva said

Putin to accept diplomatic credentials from 28 ambassadors of countries like Japan, Canada

The ceremony on Tuesday will be the first in 2024

Putin reiterates Russia’s willingness to engage in talks with Ukraine

Nearly three hours of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul on March 29, 2022, yielded principles for a potential agreement, including Ukraine's commitment to maintain a neutral, non-aligned status and its pledge to refrain from deploying foreign weapons, including nuclear weapons, on its territory

Russian Air Defense Forces shot down four HIMARS missiles, Hammer bomb, 42 Ukrainian UAVs

Russia’s East battlegroup improves its position, Ukraine loses up to 110 servicemen

Russia says 6 Ukrainian drones shot down over Bryansk Region overnight

Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz said there were no casualties and destruction as debris of the downed drones hit the ground

Fencing installed around Harris’ residence in Washington ahead of election

Apart from that, additional fencing will be installed around the US Capitol and the US Department of the Treasury in Washington

NATO’s aircraft conducts numerous flights over border — Belarusian Defense Ministry

According to Major General Vladimir Kupriyanyuk, significant numbers of effective troops are already stationed in Eastern Europe, including in Poland and the Baltic states

Presidential election voting kicks off in most American states

Some swing states, including Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania have already begun voting

Chisinau denies hundreds of thousands of Moldovans in Russia right to vote — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that the Moldovan election was "neither democratic nor fair" and was "fraught with electoral manipulations"

Soyuz-2.1b blasts off from Vostochny spaceport carrying 55 Russian, foreign satellites

The Ionosphere-M satellites, which are the main payload, are set to be put into a sun-synchronous orbit within an hour

Trump admits he may lose election

The US general election is being held on November 5, 2024

US State Department says 10,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia’s Kursk Region

They "could enter combat in the coming days," Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman said

Russia says Т-80 tanks of battlegroup East disrupt Ukrainian attack in South Donetsk area

According to the statement, following the combat mission, the tank crews quickly left their firing positions and returned to the waiting area to evade retaliatory fire by enemy artillery

Enemy plans to seize Kursk NPP, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Units of the battlegroup continued offensive operations, defeating Ukrainian formations in the areas of the settlements of Daryino, Leonidovo, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novoivanovka and Plekhovo

Medvedev says any new uprising in Ukraine would seek to execute current leaders

The Russian politician said the goal of Zelensky and his team is to stay in power in the country as long as possible

Ukraine’s attempt to seize ZNPP threatens global nuclear industry — spokeswoman

The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant is well-protected Yevgeniya Yashina added

Kiev's violation of agreements means less territory for Ukraine — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister also recalled the Istanbul agreements

Ukrainian National Guard troops with vehicles deployed on Belarusian Border — General

According to the report, "reconnaissance operations of all kinds continue against Belarus, including mobile signals intelligence teams and drones"

Ukraine admits number of deserted soldiers from Armed Forces of Ukraine surpasses 100,000

Earlier, military lawyer from the Center for Support of Veterans and Their Families Roman Likhachev said that more than 100,000 servicemen had voluntarily left their units

Elon Musk claims war mongers back Kamala Harris’ 'puppet regime'

According to Elon Musk, those within the US administration who support Vice President Harris "profit off of wars," a situation he described as "insane"

Kiev reports tense situation for Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovsky direction

In late October, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov informed that the Russian Armed Forces continued to make solid progress in the Kurakhovsky direction

Israel steps up readiness for potential Iranian strike — report

The IDF has not ruled out the possibility of an Iranian response from Syria, Yemen, or Iraq, rather than directly from Iran, the newspaper reported

Rebels capture strategic town in eastern Congo bordering Uganda

M23 units resumed their offensive in North Kivu in mid-October, capturing over ten major settlements

US to hold 60th election of president, vice president on Tuesday

Election results must be officially certified in states by December 19

Kursk region will be cleared of Ukrainian forces — Putin

He added that victory is impossible without volunteers who support the fighters at the front

Harris has 4-point lead over Trump in final PBS election poll

An earlier poll conducted by Research Co. revealed that Harris was ahead of Trump in swing state Pennsylvania by one percentage point

PREVIEW: Putin to lay flowers at monument on Red Square to mark National Unity Day

Representatives of religious denominations, public and youth organizations will take part in the ceremon

Syria demands UNSC take measures to stop Israel’s attacks

A source in the Syrian defense ministry told the agency earlier that Israel had staged an attack from the occupied Golan Heights on Monday evening

Hezbollah fires 105 rockets from Lebanon at Israel on November 3 — IFD

The army "will continue to protect Israel and its people from threats" from Hezbollah, the press service noted

US election results will bring peace or third world war — Serbian leader

The United States presidential election is set to be held on November 5

Talks on settlement in Gaza continue — diplomatic source

The Egyptian proposal involved a 12-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release four Israeli hostages and then the sides would hold talks about "a more long-lasting ceasefire"

Russian Guardsmen uncover Ukrainian arms cache with over 100,000 munitions in LPR

The arms cache also stored more than 600 artillery shells and engineer explosive items, eight anti-tank missiles, over 100 grenade launcher projectiles

Meta makes AI models available to US government for military purposes

According to Nick Clegg, "these kinds of responsible and ethical uses of open source AI models like Llama will not only support the prosperity and security of the United States, they will also help establish US open source standards in the global race for AI leadership"

Russia’s Ionosfera-M satellites successfully put into orbit after launch

Soyuz-2.1b rocket also carried 53 other satellites

BRICS countries dominate world economy — official

He pointed to the improved quality of life in the BRICS countries, the birth rate among the key factors and noted other demographic and socio-economic reasons

Germany ‘shamefully resigned’ itself to destruction of Nord Stream — Lavrov

Lavrov also drew attention to the fact that "reckless proposals" are being made about strikes with Western long-range systems deep into Russian territory

No difference for Russia who wins presidential election in US — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, if Washington's policy shifts after the election, Russia will be ready to consider any US proposals that do not contradict its interests

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

Ukraine attacks Belgorod Region with 20 munitions, two UAVs in one day

Vyacheslav Gladkov noted that two drones were shot down over the town of Schebekino and the Belgorod District

Kremlin spokesman denies Russia ships explosives across EU

"We have never heard any official accusations," Dmitry Peskov said

Attacks on reserves and Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces lost over 150 troops in the Kursk area in the past day

West’s erroneous course and preventing major war — what Putin told foreign ambassadors

Russia remains ready for talks with Ukraine, the Russian president noted

Putin meets with visiting North Korean foreign minister — Kremlin spokesman

On November 1, Choe Son Hui held talks with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov

Treaty between Russia, North Korea corresponds to geopolitical situation — senior diplomat

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during the Russian head of state’s visit to Pyongyang in June

Russian diplomat slams Moldova’s election as most undemocratic in country’s history

The outcome of the runoff presidential election "exposed a profound split in Moldovan society, which began after the first round of election and the referendum on European Union membership," Maria Zakharova noted

Russia says its troops mined, blocked one route used by Ukrainian forces in Kursk Region

According to the ministry, soldiers of the regiment's reconnaissance company with the call signs Porsh and Pochta destroyed the enemy that was covering the passage in the engineering barriers and moved forward to fulfill the combat mission

Russia does not seek confrontation, hopes Europe begins to cooperate — Putin

"I trust that a rational, balanced approach to cooperation with Russia will prevail once again," the Russian leader stressed

Putin to accept letters of credentials from 28 new ambassadors on November 5

The ceremony will also be attended by representatives from Argentina, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Finland

Total losses of Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Region reach over 29,600 servicemen

Meanwhile, over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost over 350 servicemen

Sandu is winning in 2nd round of Moldovan presidential elections with 55.04% — CEC

Votes at a number of polling stations abroad are yet to be counted

Kiev capable of staging provocation with use of nuclear fuel — Defense Ministry

It is reported that the Kiev regime is capable of launching a provocation directed against Russia's population in order to destabilize the situation

Russian-North Korean partnership treaty called to stabilize region — Russian diplomat

"The treaty’s provisions, including article 4 on mutual support in case of an armed incursion, will be fully implemented, if need be," Anna Yevstigneyeva said

Press review: Lavrov embarks on EU visit and Russia permits individual crypto mining

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 1st

Crowds throw mud at Spanish king during visit to flood zone

As a result, the king's visit to Paiporta was cut short

Russia hammers Ukraine’s missile armament workshops, military airfields over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 510 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported

Ukrainian lawmaker Bezuglaya calls out ‘catastrophic situation’ in country’s army

Maryana Bezuglaya accused Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky for his alleged failure of the military operation in Russia’s borderline Kursk area and the complicated situation in the southern directions of the frontline

NATO number one threat to global peace, says French politician

It is stted that NATO considers the EU as "a registration office of its members"

Russia supports fair relations in economy — Putin

According to the head of state, Russia follows a constructive course in its foreign policy that addresses both its interests and global trends

Cargo Dragon lifts off from Florida launch site to head for ISS

The 31st commercial mission to deliver cargo to the orbital outpost departed from John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 9:30 p.m. US East Coast time

Ukraine’s Security Service carrying out sabotage activities against ZNPP employees

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov recalled that shelling attacks on the nuclear plant by Ukrainian troops had been of little concern for the global community

Musk slams Harris for false claim about US troops in combat zones

Earlier, Harris had said, "There is not one member of the US military in active duty in a combat zone — in any war zone around the world"

NATO prepares for open armed confrontation with Belarus and Russia — top brass

According to Major General Vladimir Kupriyanyuk, "the collective West continues to demonstrate an increase in the intensity of activities aimed at early preparations for military action"

Harris, Trump tie in Dixville Notch, starting election

As is tradition since 1960, residents of Dixville Notch cast their ballots around midnight local time, several hours before voting starts in other parts of the country

Ukrainian forces lose 11,800 soldiers on LPR borders in a week — military expert

During the mentioned period, the Russian military destroyed 196 vehicles, 89 various armored vehicles, five tanks, three multiple launch rocket system launchers

Southern sector of Ukrainian defense in DPR close to collapse — The Guardian

Kupiansk military-civilian mayor Andrey Besedin described the situation as "critical" and said that approximately 1,400 people were refusing to evacuate from their homes, awaiting the arrival of Russian troops

Over 78 mln US citizens vote early in presidential election — Florida State University

According to the report, more than 42.6 million people attended polling stations

Situation dire for Ukrainian troops along entire frontline, says DPR head

Meanwhile, the potential of Ukrainian armed forces should not be underestimated, Denis Pushilin cautioned

Opposition rally near parliamentary building in Tbilisi ends without incidents

President Zourabichvili and all the opposition parties refuse to recognize the election results, slamming them as rigged

Mishustin to travel to Minsk for meeting of Russia-Belarus Union cabinet

The meeting’s agenda includes about 20 issues, such as mobile communications tariffs and development of suburban rail service

Google’s fines in Russia reach stratospheric levels — lawyer

Google can return to the Russian market only if it complies with the court’s decision

Former CIA, Pentagon chief describes incursion into Kursk as Kiev’s ‘strategic mistake’

In Robert Gates opinion, Russia is capable of continuing its special military operation in Ukraine until it decides that its goals are met, and underestimating its ability to carry on "is a huge mistake"

Bulgaria, Westinghouse sign engineering deal for additional reactors at Kozloduy NPP

The cost of construction has not been determined yet, but is expected to be between $14 billion and $30 billion

Prosecutor's Office deems activities of US-based business society undesirable in Russia

The international company incorporated in the United States has been engaged in promoting the policies of unfriendly states regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and actively supports the LGBT community, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office explained