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RTS Index exceeds 1,200 points first since September 20, 2022

As Wednesday trading opened the RTS rose by 0.12% to 1,196.12 points, while the MOEX Index edged up by 0.07% to 3,466.35 points

MOSCOW, May 15. /TASS/. The RTS Index rose above 1,200 points during Wednesday trading for the first time since September 20, 2022, according to data provided by the Moscow Exchange.

As of 3:52 p.m. Moscow time (12:52 p.m. GMT), the RTS Index was up by 0.45% at 1,200.06 points. By 4:04 p.m. Moscow time (1:04 p.m. GMT) the RTS had slightly narrowed gains to 0.38% trading at 1,199.19 points, while the MOEX Index was up by 0.15% at 3,469.15 points.

As Wednesday trading opened the RTS rose by 0.12% to 1,196.12 points, while the MOEX Index edged up by 0.07% to 3,466.35 points.

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Special op experience, work of defense industry sector: Putin's statements

The president noted that the Russian defense-industrial complex is operating steadily, providing the armed forces with the necessary equipment

Trump rejects suggestions Russia not serious about peace in Ukraine

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Aist-2T satellites launched from Vostochny spaceport put into orbit

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At least 20 years for Ukraine to meet EU accession criteria — German MP

According to the MP, the EU has long ceased to be a community of economic and social cooperation and has become an instrument of unilateral political orientation of European states

Deployment of Oreshnik was response to West’s aggressive moves — Belarus' defense minister

Only time will reveal how this will influence the broader situation, Viktor Khrenin added

Press review: Zelensky peace plan is no-go for Russia and Trump puts on peacemaker hat

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Hezbollah refuses to disarm until Israel withdraws troops from Lebanon — leader

The group’s leader Naim Qassem emphasized that the government’s striving for a monopoly over weapons now is in the interests of the United States and Israel

EU’s decision on loan to Ukraine deals major blow to Zelensky, allies — newspaper

From a technical standpoint, this is a relief, but politically it is a defeat for Zelensky and his European allies, who promised to make Moscow pay, but in reality, settled for a compromise

US abandons decades-old partnership with Europe in 2025 — newspaper

The newspaper also emphasized it was now unclear whether Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty on collective defense was anything more than an empty declaration

Three killed, dozens hurt in riots in Syrian western governorates — TV

According to the television channel, an officer of the new government’s security forces was among those killed

Protests erupted in western Syrian provinces, gunfire reported — TV

Some demonstrators said they were demanding the release of activists previously detained by the new authorities

Comex silver futures climb to new all-time high of over $82 per troy ounce

By 2:05 a.m. Moscow time, the silver price accelerated gains to trade at $82.67 per troy ounce

Netanyahu flies to US for talks with Trump on Gaza, Iran — media

According to its sources, the meeting will take place at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on December 29

Russia to increase number of high-tech defense industry enterprises — factsheet

The state armaments program for 2027-2036 envisions the widespread integration of innovative technologies, including artificial intelligence

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: Russia appreciates efforts by Trump

Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia becomes new FIDE World Rapid Women's Champion

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At least 13 people killed as train derails in Mexico

98 people were injured, the country's president Claudia Sheinbaum said

Trump says has spoken with Putin over phone ahead of meeting Zelensky

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov confirmed to TASS that such a phone call did take place

Kupyansk under control of Battlegroup West — Russian defense ministry

TASS has compiled the main information about the situation in the special military operation zone over the past 24 hours

Working groups on Ukraine, cooperation prospects: details of Putin-Trump phone call

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EU goods imports into Russia exceed exports — Eurostat

Exports of Russian goods to the EU amounted to 21.7 bln euro, while imports of goods from the EU into Russia totaled 22.2 bln euro

President Vucic confirms plans to organize parliamentary elections in Serbia in 2026

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Abdul-Malik al-Houthi stressed that the movement will consider any Israeli presence as threat to security in the region

Russian forces now occupy both banks of Seversky Donets River — military expert

Andrey Marochko said that significant success has been achieved in this area in a very short time

Greenland acquisition could raise US companies' market value by $1 trillion

Russia must focus on enhancing the valuation of its mineral resources in the Arctic Region, Alexey Chekunkov emphasized

Japan should weight everything before assuming militarization course — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov noted that the detrimental influence of such an approach on the regional stability is obvious

Gazprom reports record gas withdrawals from European storage facilities during holidays

In particular, gas storage levels in Germany have fallen below 60%

Zelensky’s inner circle transfers $50 mln every month to UAE accounts — Turkish newspaper

At the same time, it published no documents to prove the transfers, according to Aydinlik

Russia can receive unlimited number of Indian specialists — first deputy PM

Denis Manturov confirmed that the labor mobility agreement was signed during the Russian-Indian summit in New Delhi

Russia will achieve all military operation goals by force if Kiev rejects peace — Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting at one of the command posts of the special military operation

US National Security Strategy does not contradict dialogue with Russia — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov stressed that Moscow will assess its results based on the following steps made by Washington

Mount Etna erupts, sending lava up to 400 meters into the sky

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Press review: Ukraine mulls elections and Trump plans laser fleet as gold prices soar

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Japan should weigh everything before assuming militarization course — Lavrov

Earlier, Lavrov emphasized that Russia is concerned about Japan’s remilitarization, warning that this trend could lead to the dismantling of the current global order

West's policy on Ukraine rules out peaceful coexistence with Russia — German expert

Werner Patzelt emphasized that regardless of the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia "will not cease to be part of European geography and geopolitics"

Last of world-famous Dionne quintuplets dies at age 91 — New York Times

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Europe ‘adding fuel to the fire’ in the Middle East — Russia’s top diplomat Lavrov

Lavrov noted that in 2025, we witnessed unprecedented events with Israel carrying out a direct act of aggression against Iran together with the United States, which targeted facilities related to the Iranian nuclear programme with missile and bomb strikes despite the fact that these facilities benefit from IAEA’s guarantees

Threat of direct conflict between Russia, US in now past — senior Russian MP

Now, in his words, efforts are needed to reduce the number of conflicts

Netanyahu expected to ask US support for another operation in Gaza — TV

The Israeli prime minister apparently needs such an operation to demonstrate strength to satisfy his partners before making further concessions

West’s eyes are 'wide shut' to corruption scandals in Kiev, says Lavrov

These scandals did nothing to prevent Europe from using the Kiev regime as a battering ram against Russia, Russian Foreign Minister said

Armenia doesn’t want to sever ties with Russia — top diplomat

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EU wants closer cooperation with Russia to remove economic barriers - Merkel

According to the German Chancellor, Russia “has already confirmed its committement to the principles of free trade”

Europe openly states about its preparations for war with Russia — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that after a new administration came to power in the United States, Europe and the European Union emerged as the main obstacles to peace

Europe's biggest nightmare is Ukraine deal on Russia's terms — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that nobody can rewrite history

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Trump believes prospects for new meeting with Putin hinge on settlement progress

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French movie star Brigitte Bardot dies at 91

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Anatoly Aksakov said that he expects this work to be completed next year

Russia launches satellites for its allies from Vostochny spaceport

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Zelensky to call referendum for Trump’s plan if he is not satisfied — Axios

Vladimir Zelensky plans to agree on a framework agreement with the US leader to end the conflict

Russia terminates agreement on cross-border cooperation with Finland — decree

The Russian Foreign Ministry has been instructed to notify the other party of the decision

Updated US National Security Strategy questions for first time NATO’s expansion — Lavrov

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Russia stands against Taiwan’s independence in any form — Lavrov

Russia recognizes Taiwan as an integral part of China and stands against the island’s independence in any form

France looks to reinforce Kiev’s army with four PMCs — Russian administration in Kharkov

Recruitment offices for the four PMCs will be established in nine French cities

Trump slams UN for not doing enough to settle conflicts, including in Ukraine

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Tu-214 to be produced step by step after all modifications are completed by 2026

Earlier on Saturday, the updated Tu-214 received approval for a major redesign of its standard configuration

Liberation of Gulyaipole opens good prospects for offensive — Putin

Vladimir Putin also noted the effective actions of the Battlegroup Center in eliminating Ukrainian forces near Krasnoarmeysk in the Dimitrov agglomeration

Global Fact-Checking Network exposes opposition’s fake claims about CAR president

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Europe’s so-called ‘War Party’ ready to go to full extent — Lavrov

Whether leaders like Ursula von der Leyen, Friedrich Merz, Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron and the like have reached a point of no return is hard to say

Russia open to contacts, but Europe is not interested in that — senior Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, political contacts between the sides are maintained but this in not done publicly

Iran exercises maximum restraint in view of provocations — Lavrov

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Over 100 rioters detained in Latakia city — TV

The defense ministry has deployed additional forces and armored vehicles to Latakia and Tartus

Trump describes his phone call with Putin, meeting with Zelensky as excellent

The US leader said that he discussed a lot of points with his Russian counterpart

European contingents in Ukraine to be legitimate targets for Russian forces — Lavrov

In mid-December, leaders of major European countries issued a statement saying that security guarantees for Kiev should include the creation of European-led multinational forces for Ukraine

Russia only hits Ukraine’s military plants, not people — envoy

The Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador at Large on Kiev’s War Crimes said that Russia "does not set the task of making life of the Ukrainian population unbearable"

Eight Tu-214 aircraft may be produced in 2026, 12 in 2027, industry minister says

Anton Alikhanov emphasized that current efforts and ongoing work provide confidence in meeting the 20-aircraft annual production goal by the end of 2027

Fregat upper stage with 52 satellites separates from Soyuz-2.1b upper stage

The Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket was launched from the Vostochny spaceport at 4:18 p.m. Moscow time

Russia to support China in case tensions escalate in Taiwan Strait — top diplomat

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Trump, Zelensky holding phone call with European leaders — news agency

The talks between the two leaders lasted around two hours