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New free trade agreement between EAEU, Iran to double mutual trade

It was noted that respective talks ended in February

MOSCOW, March 30. /TASS/. The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) expects the agreement on free trade with Iran signed this January to allow doubling mutual trade turnover, EEC Spokeswoman Iya Malkina told reporters on Thursday.

"The temporary agreement enforced in October 2019 allowed doubling our trade to around $6 bln, while the new agreement, as we suggest, will allow at least doubling it again," she said when asked about the prospects of a full-fledged free trade agreement between the EAEU and Iran.

Respective talks ended in February, Malkina noted, adding that the agreements reached with EAEU nations are currently being fine-tuned.

Double tax convention between Russia, the UAE become effective

The agreement will promote mutual attraction of investments

Press review: Russia may revise Ukraine talks post attack and China launches Taiwan drills

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 30th

FACTBOX: Kremlin’s New Year magic begins with century-old fir

On December 23, Russia’s main New Year tree was set up in the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square, fully decorated and ready for the holidays

Russian scientists create 72-qubit quantum computer — Rosatom Quantum Technologies

According to Yekaterina Solntseva, Director of Quantum Technologies at Rosatom State Corporation, it is especially important that the scientists have taken another step toward progressively improving the reliability of operations

Kazakhstan begins its term of EAEU presidency

The presidency is passing to Astana in an extremely difficult period marked by turbulence in the global economy, Kazakh political analyst Talgat Kaliyev said

Turkmenistan takes over as CIS chair

Stanislav Pritchin, Head of the Central Asia Department at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of World Economy and International Relations, said that the fact that Turkmenistan takes the reins of the CIS chairmanship shows that the country views this organization as important and effective

Israel intends to disarm Hamas in 2026 — Chief of General Staff

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir emphasized that 2026 will be a crucial year for shaping security realities for the state of Israel

Five children taken to hospital following Ukrainian attack on Kherson Region

Meanwhile, the Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation based on Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code, committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko announced

FACTBOX: New Year’s key traditions reviewed

The custom of decorating Christmas trees dates back to biblical myths

Fire destroys 150-year-old church building in Amsterdam

There is a danger of the building collapsing

BRICS Plus to hold naval exercise in South African waters in early January

The exercise will be held on January 9-16 and will involve BRICS Plus navies "for an intensive programme of joint maritime safety operations, interoperability drills and maritime protection serials," the South African Ministry of Defense and Military Veterans said

Major natural disasters of 2025

TASS has summarized the worst natural disasters of the year

Every third Russian decorates their New Year’s tree with Soviet toys – poll

Experts also found that 75% of respondents confirmed that their families still preserve tree decorations from previous generations

FACTBOX: Presidential elections around the world in 2025

Twenty-seven countries across the globe elected their leaders in 2025

Ukraine attacked settlements of Donetsk People's Republic four times during day

Two residential buildings and a civil infrastructure facility were damaged

Double tax convention between Russia, the UAE become effective

The agreement will promote mutual attraction of investments

FACTBOX: Cities awarded Russia’s New Year’s capital title

TASS has prepared this factbox on the project dubbed The New Year’s Capital of Russia

IN BRIEF: Global reactions to Kiev’s attack on Putin’s residence

The Russian leader told Donald Trump that Moscow's position in negotiations to resolve the conflict would be reassessed

Belarusian leader calls attack on Putin’s residence savage state-level terrorism

Lukashenko also wonders who needs this

Venezuela condemns Kiev’s attempt to strike on Putin's residence

The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry also expressed solidarity with the people and government of Russia and demanded that Kiev "immediately cease terrorist acts that threaten the lives of civilians"

Attack on Putin's residence was guided by NATO systems, expert says

Andrey Marochko believes that disrupting negotiations on a peace settlement of the conflict was Kiev's primary aim in the attack

Trump and Netanyahu discussed possible strikes on Iran in 2026 — Axios

According to the official, Trump would likely support such strikes if the US finds that Iran is taking concrete steps to restore its nuclear program

Russian human rights ombudswoman calls on Kiev to return to large-scale prisoner exchanges

Russia continues to provide the Ukrainian side with lists of ordinary soldiers and military personnel whom it considers necessary for inclusion in exchanges

German chancellor says year 2026 may be decisive for Europe

In his opinion, the year 2026 may be "the moment of a breakthrough"

China to shift to more proactive macroeconomic policy in 15th five-year plan — Xi Jinping

The Chinese president added that the country will pursue a more proactive and effective macroeconomic policy

Head of Russian delegation in Vienna talks about obscenity of Europeans at OSCE site

Head of the Russian delegation to the Vienna talks on military security and arms control Yulia Zhdanova also noted that "there is a total degradation of the negotiating culture among the Europeans"

Kim Jong Un wishes Happy New Year to soldiers serving in Russia

The North Korean leader called on the KPA soldiers to remain brave

FACTBOX: Major man-made disasters of 2025

On November 25, a massive fire broke out in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong, China, claiming 161 deaths

Major man-made disasters of 2025

Terror plot targeting schoolchildren thwarted in Adygeya — FSB

A citizen of a Central Asian country, who supports an international terrorist organization outlawed in Russia, has been detained

Russian MFA says Russia won’t invade Ukraine, blames US for ‘aggressive plans’

Maria Zakharova said it was "absurd" to say Russia nurtured any aggressive plans about Ukraine

EU member states have legal right to buy Sputnik V vaccine — European Commission

They themselves will shoulder the consequences, Chief Spokesman Eric Mamer said

Over 100,000 consumers left without power in Ukraine’s western Volyn Region

Air raid sirens went off in the region last night; local media outlets reported explosions in the town of Lutsk

Russian government extends parallel import mechanism through 2026

The list of goods permitted for parallel import will be reduced in categories where Russian manufacturers or companies from friendly countries have largely replaced firms from unfriendly countries, namely in cosmetics, electronics, and light industry, the ministry said

Presidential elections around the world in 2025

Twenty-seven countries across the globe elected their presidents in 2025

US attacks drug traffickers in Pacific Ocean, kills three people — The Pentagon

Intelligence has confirmed that the vessels were traveling along a known drug smuggling route in the eastern Pacific Ocean and were overloading drugs

Canada's support for Ukraine example of strategic helplessness — Russian ambassador

"Ottawa is a hostage to its own political decisions," Oleg Stepanov said

Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York city mayor

The ceremony was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James

Trump criticizes George Clooney's acquisition of French citizenship

The US leader pointed out that France is "in the midst of a major crime problem because of its absolutely horrendous handling of immigration"

White House withdraws National Guard from Los Angeles, Portland and Chicago — Trump

The Donald Trump administration has previously insisted on the presence of National Guard in these and other American cities

Ukraine takes part in NATO Article 5 response drills for first time ever

Around 1,500 civil and military specialists took part in maneuvers all over Europe

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian servicemen attempting to break through to Kupyansk

According to the Russian Defense Ministry the FPV drones destroyed three pickup trucks used by Ukrainian militants to transport assault troops and Ukrainian infantry

EU refuses to believe Kiev's attack on Putin's residence

As EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas asserted, this is "a deliberate distraction" and its aim is to "derail real progress towards peace"

One civilian killed, three wounded in drone attack in Belgorod Region

The wounded persons were taken to the Shebekinsky Central District Hospital

Top defense official calls Russian army ‘world’s most combat-ready’

According to Andrey Belousov, the Russian army has proven in practice that it can ensure the country's sovereignty

US discussed security guarantees for Kiev with ‘European Three’ and Ukraine — Witkoff

According to the US leader's special representative, one of the topics of conversation was economic assistance to Ukraine and its recovery after the conflict

Drone attack on cafe, hotel in Kherson Region kills at least 24 people

The governor pointed out that the attack had come right about midnight

US kills five people as it attacks drug traffickers' ships anew — The Pentagon

According to the US Southern Command, intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were involved in drug smuggling

Putin's New Year's address lasted 3 minutes 20 seconds

It became one of the shortest New Year's addresses of the president

INTERVIEW: Effect of Trump’s new approach to Ukraine felt at UN — diplomat

The US avoids anti-Russian attacks and calls for a peace agreement, noted Polyansky

Trump called Russia ‘invincible’ after May 9 Victory Day Parade in Moscow — NYT

The publication also notes that, when assessing leverage for making deals, Trump has always believed that the advantage lies with the strongest

Russia-EU relations may change under new European Commission — diplomat

"I don’t think that the Russia-EU dialogue is lost forever," Vladislav Maslennikov said

US may agree on normalizing relations with Russia in 2026 without EU participation — Orban

Orban believes that while the West previously managed to demonstrate unity, "that is now over"

One person killed and several injured in terrorist attack in Aleppo, Syria — SANA

According to the news agency, the explosion was carried out by a suicide bomber

Ukraine operation confirms advantages of Russian weapons over western ones

Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Alexey Shevtsov still noted that the latest weapons are useless without properly trained personnel

FACTBOX: Major natural disasters of 2025

In January, large-scale forest fires erupted in southern California, affecting Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange counties, destroying more than 16,000 buildings

Kiev spends Western funds on civilian killings, Russian diplomat says

Earlier, Kherson Region Governor said that a drone attack on a cafe and a hotel had killed 24 people and left another 50 injured

Financial Times calls its 2025 predictions most unsuccessful

Among the incorrect forecasts were a peaceful deal on Ukraine and bitcoin exceeding $200,000

Novak: EU must undertake to guarantee Ukraine’s payment of debts for Russian gas

Ukraine’s debt to Russian state-controlled energy giant Gazprom totals $5.3 billion

Putin will now use restyled Aurus car — Kremlin

Putin made the first trip on the Aurus exactly six years ago, on May 7, 2018, when he also departed to the inauguration

Kiev to face retaliation for terrorist actions, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova pointed out that Vladimir Zelensky "is trying to accuse Russia of lying, and claim that nothing like that happened"

FACTBOX: New Year holidays in Russia

According to a government decree, the New Year holidays in 2025–2026 will last 12 days — from Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to Sunday, January 11, 2026

Putin delivers his traditional New Year's address from Kremlin

It was broadcast in the country's easternmost time zone, where midnight had already set in - Kamchatka and Chukotka

Ukraine loses 32 dugouts and 10 drones during day from actions of battlegroup South

Russian forces also destroyed two enemy UAV control points

Ukraine’s prepaid gas enough for only 5 days — Gazprom CEO

Gazprom exports to non-CIS countries increased by 4.3% to 130.8 bln cubic meters since the beginning of the year, the company reports

Cyprus takes over six-month presidency of EU Council from Denmark

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides noted that his country was assuming the EU Council presidency “against the backdrop of acute geopolitical upheaval and unpredictability”

Ukraine saw no advancement on EU accession in 2025 — newspaper

The newspaper noted that "the already ambitious target of closing negotiations by 2028 is slipping out of reach"

SCO chairmanship passes to Kyrgyzstan

The Kyrgyz chairmanship will be held under the slogan '25 years of the SCO: together towards sustainable peace, development and prosperity,' with the priority being the realization of economic cooperation capabilities

Belarusians never seek conflicts, but they can stand up for themselves — Lukashenko

"The opponents would never understand that we are in the habit of creating, not breaking, uniting, not stirring up, talking, not shouting," the Belarusian leader said in his New Year's address

Chief of Russian General Staff inspects Battlegroup North

He has heard reports from the commander of the group, Col. Gen. Yevgeny Nikiforov, about the current situation in the zone of responsibility

Russia downs 168 Ukrainian UAVs over regions overnight — Defense Ministry

61 of them were destroyed over the territory of the Bryansk Region

New government in Gaza possible if Hamas disarms — Netanyahu

In Netanyahu’s opinion, the Palestinian movement must "vanish"

Russia to demonstrate SJ-100, Il-114-300 jets at air show in India

SJ-100 and Il-114 aircraft are also planned to be placed on a static display for showing to potential customers, the Russian trade mission in India added

Putin extends Christmas, New Year greetings to foreign leaders — Kremlin

Among NATO leaders, US President Donald Trump and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Putin’s greetings

Lukashenko says Slovakia’s PM to visit Belarus

According to the press service of the head of Belarus, Lukashenko noted that he would be glad to see Fico on Belarusian soil to discuss strategic issues of interstate cooperation

Russian diplomat slams Kiev’s attack on civilians in Kherson Region as act of terrorism

The countries for whom international humanitarian law still has a meaning should make a proper legal and political assessment of this inhumane act

FACTBOX: Cities awarded Russia’s New Year’s capital title

Ryazan has taken on the title of the New Year’s capital for the second time during the project’s existence

Earth to be illuminated by year’s largest Sun on January 3

The difference between the Sun's diameters in January and July will be most noticeable when professional photographs are placed side by side, astronomers noted

Russia to retaliate Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia’s actions against Russian embassies — MFA

On December 30, the charges d'affaires of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia were summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where they were presented with a strong protest

Zelensky, Western media's denial of attack on Putin's residence is insane — Kremlin

In response to a question from a Western agency journalist regarding the possible public presentation of the attack’s evidence, Dmitry Peskov replied: "I don't think there should be any evidence here when such a massive drone raid was carried out"

Airlines cancel over 100 flights across Turkey on January 1 over bad weather

On New Year's Day, 42 out of 81 provinces declared a yellow weather hazard code

Bulgaria should support efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine — president

Rumen Radev noted that 2025 brought the first hopes for ending the conflict

FACTBOX: Major aviation disasters of 2025

At least 12 such incidents were recorded during the year, including two involving big passenger jets

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends concert in Pyongyang on occasion of New Year

The event was also attended by senior personnel of the party and the government, including members of the Presidium of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea

Zelensky will have to hide for rest of life, Medvedev predicts

"The stinking Kiev bastard is trying to derail the settlement of the conflict", Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

PREVIEW: Digital ruble greenlit for Russian budget revenues

The mass introduction of the digital ruble for all categories of users is planned from September 2026

Attack on Putin’s residence marks major step towards Kiev’s collapse — expert

"The Kiev regime is betting on another round of escalation", Vadim Gigin, a member of the Belarusian lower house of parliament, said

Russia’s Battlegroup West repels three Ukrainian attacks on Kupyansk direction — top brass

Russian forces also struck energy facilities used for Ukraine's military-industrial complex

Putin believes rumors of his 'palace' were used in scheme to brainwash Russians

Putin says the palace he allegedly owns doesn’t belong to him or his relatives

Earth to be illuminated by year’s largest Sun on January 3

The difference between the Sun's diameters in January and July will be most noticeable when professional photographs are placed side by side, astronomers noted

FACTBOX: Celebrities who passed away in 2025

In 2025, a great many well-known politicians, statesmen, scientists and cultural figures passed away

Over thousand soldiers desert from Ukrainian army daily — reporter

Accoridng to Ukrainian journalist Vladimir Boyko, this number means the army is gone, and it can no longer be rebuilt

Putin and Lukashenko discuss drone attack on Russian President’s residence

During the conversation, they also touched on other pressing issues

IN BRIEF: Key takeaways from Vladimir Putin's New Year's address to Russian people

TASS has compiled the head of state's key statements from his New Year’s address

British destroyer may have violated Russian border for reconnaissance — expert

Earlier on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Black Sea Fleet, acting in cooperation with the border guard force of the federal security service FSB, stopped a violation of the state border by the destroyer HMS Defender off Crimea's Cape Fiolent

Trump promises to strive for peace on earth in 2026

The US President didn't answer questions about the CIA's role in the attack on Venezuela or whether American troops would put boots on the ground in Ukraine

Ukraine might cut gas imports from Russia thanks to joint deals with China

This was announced by the Ministry of Energy and Coalmining of Ukraine after a working meeting of Ukrainian coal and energy Minister with Chinese ambassador to Ukraine

Oreshnik missile system assumes combat duty in Belarus — Russia’s top brass

The Oreshnik road-mobile intermediate-range missile system was employed for the first time in November 2024

Russia’s Aerospace Forces down Ukraine’s Su-27 fighter jet

In addition, Russian air defenses downed a smart bomb and 250 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Over 500,000 Ukrainian troops killed or wounded in action in 2025

Besides, Russian forces destroyed 19 Ukrainian warplanes, over 50 missile systems, more than 67,000 drones, and over 6,500 tanks and other armored combat vehicles in 2025

Zelensky wouldn't dare to attack Putin's residence without direct order — ex-PM

Nikolay Azarov also stressed that the target had been chosen deliberately