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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Eurasian Economic Union and India negotiating free trade zone agreement, Lavrov says

The EAEU earlier signed agreements on establishing a free trade zone with Vietnam, Singapore and Serbia

MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. An agreement on establishing a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and India is currently being negotiated, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview to The Times of India.

Read also

Russia, India plan to jointly produce military equipment

"Currently, New Delhi and Moscow are vigorously working to prepare a new intergovernmental agreement on the mutual protection of investments, which will by far increase investor protection for both sides," Lavrov said. "The agreement on a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union and India which is currently being negotiated should also contribute to this," he added.

The EAEU earlier signed agreements on establishing a free trade zone with Vietnam, Singapore and Serbia. A temporary agreement on establishing a free trade zone was also signed with Iran. Talks on establishing a free trade zone are underway with Egypt, Israel and Argentina.

Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.4 mln cubic meters

The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route to supply Russian gas to western and central European countries

Putin’s visit to Asia became Washington’s worst fears coming true — US diplomat

Russian leader needed only four days to anger the US, ambassador of United States to Japan Rahm Emanuel said

Hungary to take no part in NATO mission in Ukraine — PM

According to Viktor Orban, "Hungary wants to remain an island of peace in Europe"

US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier arrives in South Korean port

It was joined by two Aegis-equipped destroyers, the Yonhap news agency said

At least 100 draft dodgers try to flee Ukraine daily — official

Calculations take into account "only those who are detained or reported by border guards from neighboring countries"

Houthis, Islamic Resistance in Iraq attack commercial vessels in Israel’s Haifa

The movement reported that its drones attacked Haifa-bound cattleship

Press review: China in NATO crosshairs over Russia support and Kiev eyes ZNPP return

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 19th

Russia takes note of drastic changes in security area — Putin

The Russian president said some Western experts don’t see a problem in using nuclear weapons

Bundeswehr orders 8.5 bln euro worth of ammunition from Rheinmetall

The first shipments under the new contract are scheduled for early 2025

Energodar's power supply restored after Ukrainian attack on Raduga substation

As a result of the attack, power outages occurred in Energodar and at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant facilities

Ukraine shells three villages in Russia’s Belgorod Region

According to preliminary information, there have been no casualties

Russian-Georgian movie receives award at Shanghai Film Festival

This year, the film contest includes 50 movies from 29 countries and regions

Gazprom gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine reach 42.4 mln cubic meters

The transit line through Ukraine remains the only route to supply Russian gas to western and central European countries

Countries that recognize Palestine

Hungarian PM says West's quest to defeat Russia in Ukrainian conflict hopeless

While blaming Russia for the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, Viktor Orban pointed out that the main reason for the conflict was Kiev's intention to join NATO

Ukrainian Armed Forces tried to attack Donetsk, more than 20 explosions heard

Information about the victims is being clarified

Russian travel aggregators expect 40% yoy increase in bookings from foreigners in 2024

The expert added that, according to an analysis of data from the largest market players in Russia, total views of travel aggregator sites last year reached 1.2 billion

Poland at risk of direct confrontation with Russia, Belarus — Medvedev

According to the politician, "Poland's reckless actions, if rashly supported by its NATO allies, may have far-reaching dangerous consequences for the entire world"

US destroyed three Houthi drone boats in Red Sea

CENTCOM also reported that three ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen towards the Gulf of Aden

Measures to ensure nuclear safety at Zaporozhye NPP implemented in full

It was reported earlier that the infrastructure facilities of the NPP are powered down after the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked the Raduga substation

Russia-Vietnam joint statement following Putin’s visit: key provisions

Russia and Vietnam "consistently strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership in the spirit of friendship and mutual assistance amid the tough international situation"

West to discard Zelensky once Russia consolidates successes on battlefield — SVR

The SVR dismissed Zelensky’s latest claims about "bringing Russia to its knees," calling them laughable

IN BRIEF: Key points of Putin’s address to military college graduates

The Russian leader noted that Russia plans to keep developing its nuclear trifecta, because this is a guarantee of strategic deterrence and balance of powers in the world

Hungary sees end to Ukrainian conflict as one of its priorities — premier

Among other priorities, Viktor Orban named EU membership progress for West Balkans

Russian ambassador says Washington’s sanctions benefit firms working for US intelligence

US tried to "to scare away businesses from normal mutually beneficial interaction, and consumers from purchasing Kaspersky products," Anatoly Antonov said

Russia wins BRICS Games in phygital football

Venezuela came in third, conquering athletes from Brazil

Over 20 Ukrainian drones shot down over Bryansk Region in just one hour — governor

No one was injured

Press review: Vietnam, Russia forge closer bonds and EU imposes fresh sanctions on Moscow

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 21st

Japan was ready to attack Soviet Union in case Nazis captured Leningrad — archive

The Japanese were also collecting information about the Red Army in the Far East, including naval and military air bases and railroads

Press review: Russia, DPRK sign strategic pact and Israel authorizes offensive in Lebanon

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, 20th

Putin lays wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier on Day of Remembrance and Sorrow

The traditional ceremony to pay homage to the Soviet military who perished during the Great Patriotic War that Russia fought against Nazi Germany in 1941-1945 took place in the Alexander Garden

US applying unfair competition technique against Kaspersky Lab — Kremlin

"They resort to such techniques every time," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Medvedev cites facts of Zelensky usurping power

As the Ukrainian president, he simply "hid in his drawer" 32 laws, thus violating the сonstitution, the Russian Security Council deputy chairman said

White House concerned by Netanyahu’s upcoming speech at US Congress — Politico

Joe Biden’s advisors don't know what Israeli Prime Minister is going to say, newspaper reported

MMA fighter Jeff Monson converts to Islam

He recited the shahada, a statement of faith in Islam, in Moscow on Wednesday.

US moves to close Russian visa center, strips Russian diplomats of tax privileges — envoy

According to Antonov, the US side did not provide any explanations for its move

Russian strikes turn Western hardware into scrap metal — KCNA

"Russia's military edge is further assured on the Ukrainian battlefield," the news agency stressed

KCNA releases text of comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with Russia

TASS collected the key provisions of the open-ended treaty

Ukraine sustains roughly 130 casualties in area controlled by Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr

Also, Ukrainian boats attempting to disembark on the left bank of the Dnieper River were destroyed, and FPV drones, as well as surveillance and strike drones were downed actively, Battlegroup Spokesman Roman Kodryan said

Putin’s peace initiative is Russia’s fourth proposal on Ukraine, says top diplomat

Ukraine itself "destroyed its territorial integrity with the hands of those who came to power through a bloody state coup and began to impose Russophobic and Neo-Nazi rules," the top Russian diplomat stressed

US coalition’s drone attacks truck in Syria from Iraq, deaths reported — Russian military

Deaths and injuries among Syrian citizens were reported as a result

Ukrainian drone eliminated over Russia’s Bryansk Region — top brass

Earlier, Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz said on his Telegram channel that a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone had been shot down over the region

Missile danger alert declared throughout Belgorod region, multiple explosions heard

According to a TASS correspondent, the sounds of explosions were heard within a minute after the alert was announced

Kim Jong Un gifts Putin two Pungsan hunting dogs

According to the expert, the North Korean people see this dog as "a companion," and not just a pet

US intelligence agencies plan to use AI against undesirable countries

At the same time, according to Head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin, the activities of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service are aimed exclusively at protecting Russia's interests

Restrictions on US weapons prevent Kiev from hitting key Russian airfields — WaPo

Ukrainian officials told the newspaper that the United States has restricted the range to less than 100 kilometers from the border

Sanctions and peace initiatives: what Putin told reporters in Hanoi

Possible changes in Russia’s nuclear doctrine, a treaty on military aid with North Korea, peace initiatives and sanctions were among the issues raised by the Russian president

Kiev’s attempts to drive Russian forces out of Kharkov Region will cost it dearly — Putin

The Russian president also said that Russia has no goal to approach Kharkov

Democrats may bring in new candidate if Biden performs bad in debate with Trump — Hersh

As the journalist has been told, Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, or J.B. Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, may replace US president in this scenario

EU’s new sanctions ban private flights and charters in the interests of Russian citizens

According to the document, the new ban will apply to any flights for which a Russian legal entity or individual has the authority to determine the place of takeoff and landing

Diplomat comments on appearance of Ukrainian flag demanding elections during Euro 2024

A Ukrainian flag with a call "Give Us Elections" was spread during the group stage match between Ukraine and Slovakia on Friday

Putin sees no need to include first strike concept in Russia’s nuclear doctrine

A retaliatory strike will be enough to destroy the enemy, Russian President said

Russian troops should scale up FAB-3000 bomb strikes at key Ukrainian army sites — expert

"Considering a substantial strike effect of this munition, its use can be recognized as successful," Igor Korotchenko underlined

Tens of thousands of Ukrainians hiding from draft officers — NYT

Ukrainian men expressed fear of dying in the "bloody trench warfare", the newspaper reported

Russia to take measures to prevent Kiev’s attacks on energy facilities — foreign ministry

Ukrainian attacks at Russian energy infrastructure aimed at inflicting irreparable damage to the economy and creating the risk of a man-made disaster, Maria Zakharova said

Energodar’s only remaining substation struck by Ukrainian troops — ZNPP

This was Ukraine’s second attack on the energy infrastructure in Energodar in recent days

Three people killed, four - injured during Donetsk shelling by Ukrainian Armed Forces

Four other people were wounded in the Kuibyshevsky district of Donetsk and in Gorlovka

Russian plane makes observation flight over CIA, Pentagon and White House

A US State Department official confirmed that the path of the observation flight had been agreed by Washington and Moscow

Taiwan records approach of 41 Chinese PLA aircraft, seven vessels in past day

Aircraft, vessels and ground-based air defense systems were dispatched by the Taiwanese Army

Moscow plans to give adequate response if US closes Russian visa centers

"If such measures are implemented, the Russian side will give an adequate response," the diplomat emphasized

24th package of Tokyo’s sanctions seen as another step to ruining relations with Russia

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned Tokyo about tough and painful countermeasures

Russia’s FSB detains Islamic State supporters in Rostov-on-Don

They planned to carry out terrorist attacks on schools and hospitals in the Rostov region

USS Dwight Eisenhower leaves Red Sea — Pentagon

USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group will arrive in the US Central Command's area of responsibility after completing a scheduled exercise in the Indo-Pacific as early as next week

US doubts likelihood of significant Ukrainian battlefield success — journalist Hersh

Seymour Hersh described US President Joe Biden’s foreign policy as a "disaster," as "Biden is continuing to send billions to Ukraine" and urging the US allies in NATO to do the same

Ukraine to lose territories, NATO when all said and done — media

According to the publication, the Swiss conference has demonstrated that "international support for a forever war is waning and the time for ugly compromises is beginning"

British Navy reports attack on vessel off Yemen’s Aden

"The crew are reported safe," UKMTO said

Russian air defense takes down air targets over borderline Belgorod Region

According to the governor, a Ukrainian air attack on the village of Komsomolsky damaged a private residence and an enterprise

Yerevan suggests creating mechanism for ceasefire violation inquiries with Baku

The document also says the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan has been regularly publishing reports about Armenian military units allegedly violating the ceasefire

Skripals reluctant to appear at inquiry into death of Dawn Sturgess — lawyer

Sturgess’s family still want the Skripals to be kept on the list of possible witnesses

Israeli fighter jets attack Hezbollah military targets in Lebanon — IDF

"Throughout the day, IDF troops fired to remove threats in the areas of Ayta ash Shab, Jibbain, and Tallouseh," the press service noted

US intelligence agencies plan to use AI against undesirable countries

Sergey Naryshkin noted that this could become a very serious problem for all mankind

Houthis show drone boat that hit, sank Tutor bulk carrier

The footage aired on the Al Masirah television channel shows the Toofan-1 drone boat and the moment of the attack on the vessel

Scholz wished to make secret deal with US on Nord Stream 2 — newspaper

According to the report, confidential papers confirm that the German chancellor "not only approved the project, but for years actively advocated it" and "by means of a dubious deal tried to prevent the United States from sanctions against the pipeline"

Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019

Israeli strike on residential building in Gaza leaves three dead

An unspecified number of people were wounded as a result of the attack

Houthis claim attacking US aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower in Red Sea

Additionally, the rebels attacked the Transworld Navigator bulk carrier with ballistic missiles in the Arabian Sea

Ukrainian Armed Forces resumed attack on Donetsk, air defense systems operational

The air defense system is working

Russia’s strikes hammer Ukrainian military airfields, mercenaries’ sites over week

Russia’s Southern Battlegroup improved its frontline positions and inflicted roughly 4,290 casualties on the Ukrainian army over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Over 35 Ukrainian drones, 8 projectiles shot down in Kursk Region in 24 hours — governor

No one was injured and any resulting fires were extinguished

Russia’s Pacific Fleet begins deployment to exercise involving 40 ships

The Fleet explained that this is the first time this exercise is considered bilateral

Putin travels on trusted Russian aircraft — Kremlin

"All machinery in our country that transports citizens is also maintained at the proper level," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Russia dispatches plane to US to pick up diplomats whose assignment is ending — MFA

Maria Zakharova stressed that this is "not about expulsion, but about the restrictions that Washington has created for Russian foreign institutions in their work"

Missile danger announced, explosions heard in Belgorod

According to the TASS correspondent, the sounds of explosions were heard simultaneously with the alert being announced

Poland mulls closing border with Belarus — foreign ministry

"For now, we are researching whether it will impact Poland’s economy," Radoslaw Sikorski said

Venezuela about to join BRICS — executive vice president

The country is ready to offer its fuel and mineral resources to future partners, Delcy Rodriguez said

Trophy T-64 tank wipes out Ukrainian positions near Chasov Yar

"Yesterday, the T-64 on which Maxim Likhachev surrendered departed on a combat mission near Chasov Yar," a security official in the Donetsk People’s Republic said

Chinese expert sees US inability to stop Russia-Vietnam cooperation

"US-Vietnam relations cannot replace Russia-Vietnam relations in the present or foreseeable future," said Yang Danzhi, a research fellow at the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Three people killed, four — injured during Donetsk shelling by Ukrainian Armed Forces

Four other people were wounded in the Kuibyshevsky district of Donetsk and in Gorlovka.

Weapons embargo against Iran not linked with nuclear deal — diplomat

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stressed that the term of the restrictions had expired

Work of Zaporozhye NPP infrastructure facilities disrupted due to Ukrainian forces’ attack

The functionality of infrastructure facilities was disrupted

Russia demands US remove its nuclear weapons from Europe — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that said missions are based on the forward deployment of US weapons in Europe "thousands of kilometers away from the US national territory and within operational reach of Russian territory"

US coalition's drones fly too close to Russian plane in Syria — top brass

During the day, one shelling attack on positions of government forces from terrorists was reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone

EU’s 14 package of sanctions against Russia targets 27 cargo ships — EUobserver

All 27 vessels will be banned from entering ports and gateways of EU Member States, as well as from using a wide range of services related to maritime transport, according to the document

Interior minister points to attempts to expel Russia from Interpol

Vladimir Kolokoltsev pointed out that these restrictions played into the hands of international transnational criminal groups, those individuals who devise criminal schemes and engage in drug trafficking and cybercrime

Ukraine lost Canadian armored combat vehicle Senator for the first time

At the same time, the Russian Armed Forces carried out a group strike on Ukrainian energy facilities and warehouses of Western aviation weapons overnight

Kiev regime suppresses family ties of Ukrainians, sending them to slaughter

Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev noted that "the long-suffering population of Ukraine is overwhelmingly Russian."

US apparently assisted Azov militants before ban was lifted — portal

The conclusion is based on indirect statements made by US officials and photographs published by the military unit itself

Armenia's recognition of Palestine to harm its relations with Israel — Netanyahu's adviser

"This step will have serious long-term consequences for Israel-Armenia relations," Dmitry Gendelman noted

Drone attack repelled in west Russia’s Smolensk region, no casualties — governor

Air defenses responded to an attack over Smolensk and Yartsevo

Up to 100,000 people go missing in Russia every year, says official

As many as 70,000 to 100,000 people go missing in Russia every year and 25% of them are never found

West wants to privatize matters of security in Eurasia — Lavrov

"A network of associations, grouped around the ASEAN based on principles of equality, equal indivisible security, consensus and mutual respect - the West wants to dismantle these structure," the foreign minister said