17 Jan, 08:25

China’s oil production up 1.8% in 2024, gas output gains 6.2% — statistics

Moreover, China purchased 553.42 mln tons of oil from other countries (down by 1.9%), while gas imports increased by 9.9% to 131.69 mln tons

BEIJING, January 17. /TASS/. Oil and gas production by Chinese companies rose by 1.8% and 6.2% in 2024, respectively, compared with 2023, the National Bureau of Statistics of China reported.

Chinese firms produced 212.82 mln tons of oil and 246.4 bln cubic meters of gas in the reporting period, according to the report.

In December, China’s energy firms produced an average of 577,000 tons of oil and 700 mln cubic meters of gas per day, according to official figures. Refining slipped by 1.6% last year to 708.43 mln tons.

Moreover, China purchased 553.42 mln tons of oil from other countries (down by 1.9%), while gas imports increased by 9.9% to 131.69 mln tons.

According to the General Administration of Customs of China, Beijing increased oil imports by 11% in 2023 (to 563.99 mln tons), while gas imports rose by 9.9% (to 119.97 mln tons). Russia is the leading energy exporter to China, which purchased 107 mln tons of oil from Russia in 2023 (up by 24%) and 8 mln tons of liquefied natural gas (up by 23%). Supplies via the Power of Siberia increased 1.5-fold to record 22.7 bln cubic meters.

VTB chief executive sees no prospects for return of Visa, Mastercard to Russian market

The return of Visa and Mastercard could be possible in the context of a general removal of sanctions, Andrey Kostin noted

Rubio refutes Politico publication on US plans to lift sanctions on Nord Stream 2

Earlier, Politico wrote citing sources that the US was debating whether to lift sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and potentially other Russian assets in Europe

Russia ready to debate new strategic stability treaty with US — top security official

According to Sergey Shoigu, this conversation is possible only if all the factors affecting security are considered comprehensively

Yesterday, 09:27

Russia protests Japan’s plan to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine — MFA

The ministry condemned Tokyo’s initiative, asserting that it amounts to complicity in the Kiev regime’s crimes and warned that such actions will entail severe retaliatory measures

Russian forces foil rotation of Ukrainian troops near Kupyansk — military expert

Russian soldiers detected Ukrainian militants’ cluster and delivered a combined strike

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service chief, CIA director may meet soon

Sergey Naryshkin said that he had had a telephone conversation with John Ratcliffe

Yesterday, 23:40

INTERVIEW: Europe wants to be ready for war with Russia by 2030 — Shoigu

Russian Security Council Secretary noted that Ukraine's mobilization potential is weakened

Yesterday, 15:20

NATO should be real alliance, not pact between US, 'handful of junior partners' — Rubio

"It has to be a NATO in which your partners are carrying their weight," the US secretary of state added

Yesterday, 14:33

US understands Russia's position on Ukraine better after consultations — Rubio

According to the US secretary of state, the next thing is to find out whether the sides are "in the same neighborhood"

Russian Pacific Fleet warships begin business call at Thailand

The Russian naval ships were welcomed on the coast by a military band of the Sattahip Royal Thai Navy Main Base and high-placed Thai officers

Yesterday, 17:20

US public debt to reach 127% of GDP by 2030 — IMF

Should there be no major changes in the state policy, deficit is projected to decline to 5.6% GDP, the report said

Yesterday, 18:19

Russia has no territorial claims to the Baltic states — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov underlined that Russia has no problems with the Baltic states

US debates lifting sanctions on Nord Stream 2 — Politico

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff has been the main proponent of lifting sanctions on Nord Stream 2, according to the publication

Yesterday, 17:23

Peace in Ukraine possible after Kiev withdraws troops from Donbass, Novorossiya — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that these regions are enshrined in the Russian Constitution as an integral part of it

INTERVIEW: Delegates from 150 countries to attend security conference in Moscow in May

According to Sergey Shoigu, issues of security in post-Soviet space, the development of cooperation with neighboring countries both on the bilateral basis and within multilateral organizations

At least 45 Palestinians killed, over 100 injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip — TV

According to the sources, more than 100 people were injured and the number of casualties continues to grow after nighttime raids

Glencore's exit from Russneft finalized

Among new shareholders of Russneft is the Emirati OCN International DMCC

Yesterday, 19:41

White House slams Zelensky's attempts at megaphone diplomacy ‘unacceptable’

Leavitt also pointed out that no one has asked Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian territory

Yesterday, 19:00

Zelensky not moving towards peace, but in opposite direction — White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Donald Trump's "patience is running very thin"

Cuba stands against unilateral anti-Russian sanctions — senior diplomat

Cuba calls for "a diplomatic, constructive and realistic solution to the ongoing conflict in Europe, Josefina Vidal Ferreiro said

French general slams idea of creating ‘coalition of willing’ as utter nonsense

Dominique Delawarde believes that all discussions are currently "limited to dialogues and idle talk that will have no consequences"

Yesterday, 12:30

Russian troops liberate Tarasovka community in Donetsk region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 335 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry added

Yesterday, 08:45

Xi Jinping to use Hongqi N701 limousine in Moscow — source

Hongqi will supply twenty H9 executive cars and ten H10 business minivans for guests during the Victory Day activities

Russian Army approaches Grigorovka in Donbass region to almost 1 km — expert

Russian forces also managed to expand the zone of control west of Belogorovka in the neighboring Lugansk People’s Republic

Trumps says it is harder to deal with Ukraine than with Russia

US President says US needs to make deal with Vladimir Zelensky

Two days ago, 18:07

Zelensky reports explosion at Motor Sich plant

The authorities in Kiev usually do not disclose incidents at military facilities and factories

Yesterday, 22:37

Kiev worries US to cut off military aid due to failure of talks — newspaper

According to the The Wall Street Journal, Ukrainian officials "are worried that Trump might blame Kiev for a breakdown in talks and refuse to provide further military aid"

Yesterday, 22:47

Vucic thanks Putin for support against color revolution in Serbia

Serbian President said earlier that an attempt to carry out a color revolution had been made in Serbia during the March protests

Yesterday, 23:35

No positive response from Kiev on return of Kursk Region residents — ombudswoman

According to the Tatiana Moskalkova, fifty Kursk Region residents are still remaining in Sumy

Threats to Belarus still exist, Oreshnik deployment justified — Russian security official

According to Sergey Shoigu, European countries are building up their military presence near the western borders of the Union State of Russia and Belarus and don’t demonstrate any readiness to deescalate the situation

US’ first steps toward detente deserve attention — Russian Security Council chief

Commenting on reports that US President Donald Trump may withdraw more than 20,000 US troops from Europe, Sergey Shoigu noted, "So far, this is only a statement of intent

Yesterday, 20:47

Investigators fail to detain Republika Srpska president in Istocno Sarajevo - news outlet

According to its information, representatives of the Interior Ministry of Republika Srpska (an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina) prevented SIPA from doing so

Yesterday, 19:38

Russia, China to sign new investment protection agreement

The new agreement after its signing will replace a similar one that was enforced in 2006

Yesterday, 19:02

Putin, Trump both agree that refusing to engage in dialogue 'absurd' — Peskov

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that the administration of former US President Joe Biden lacked the desire to maintain a dialogue

Trump’s remark on Crimea in line with Russia’s position — Kremlin spokesman

The US president stated earlier that Vladimir Zelensky’s statement on the front page of the Wall Street Journal that Ukraine would not recognize Crimea as part of Russia was harmful to peace talks

Yesterday, 15:52

US can no longer serve as guarantor of Europe’s security — Pentagon chief

Pete Hegseth reiterated that the US will ask its NATO allies in Europe to increase their military spending to 5% of their GDP

Yesterday, 17:57

Russia able to guarantee security to four new regions' residents — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that "totally transparent referendums were organized in the regions, during which the residents were able to express their position"

Yesterday, 13:29

IN BRIEF: What is known about earthquake in Istanbul

No casualties have been reported

Yesterday, 22:54

Entire Kursk Region to be mopped up soon — Russian Security Council chief

According to Sergey Shoigu, the situation in the special military operation zone is now the key factor influencing both international affairs and the situation inside Russia

Yesterday, 15:17

US pressure causes China, Russia to enhance cooperation in space

Wu Weizhen, the chief designer of China’s Lunar Program, said that Washington has exerted pressure on China’s attempts to engage with European countries

Yesterday, 18:29

Putin's meeting with Witkoff may take place on April 25 — Axios

The Gulfstream G650 plane with the US special envoy on board is reportedly heading towards Russia from Paris

Yesterday, 13:53

Russian forces move forward in Gornal after wedging in Ukrainian defenses — officer

According to the regiment commander with the call sign Apostol, Gornal is the last settlement in the Kursk Region that is being held by Ukraine

Yesterday, 20:20

India uncovers cross-border linkages in Kashmir terrorist attack — Foreign Ministry

According to India's First Deputy Foreign Minister Vikram Misri, the attack came after a successful election in Jammu and Kashmir and amid the region’s economic development

Yesterday, 13:44

Russian forces eliminate Ukrainian troops that seized Gornal monastery in Kursk Region

The regiment commander with the call sign Apostol said that a clean-up operation was underway at the monastery

Yesterday, 20:55

Russia’s gold production up 6.9% in March - Rosstat

Compared to February 2025, production fell by 11.3%

Yesterday, 13:00

Russia says its Marines routing Ukrainian units in Kursk Region village of Gornal

"The Marines are successfully forcing enemy units from key fortified positions in the area of the settlement," the statement reads

French general sees `drop-in-the-ocean’ effect from potential Taurus supplies to Ukraine

Dominique Delawarde also dismissed as "a major farce" debates about sending troops to Ukraine

Battlegroup West destroys 42 Ukrainian drone control centers, 3 Starlink stations

In the course of counterbattery activities, ten mortars

Intense fighting continues in Gornal village as Ukraine seeks to deploy reinforcements

The Ukrainian army command tried to deploy several assault groups equipped with armored units but they were eliminated

Russian FPV drone operators thwart attempted weapons delivery to Ukrainian positions

Apart from that, the battlegroup’s quadcopter dropped munition on Ukrainian positions near the village of Otradnoye

Yesterday, 23:47

Trumps says may meet with Putin after visit to Saudi Arabia

The White House announced on Tuesday that Trump will travel to the Middle East from May 13 through 16

Yesterday, 18:25

Russia copes with sanctions, which boomerang back on EU — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Europe needs "cheap security and cheap energy" to keep its high global standing

US understands Russian position on Ukrainian ceasefire terms — top security official

"The Russian government proceeds from the need to eliminate the initial causes of the Ukrainian crisis and to ensure the guaranteed security of the country," Sergey Shoigu said

Yesterday, 19:36

US not to slash tariffs against China unilaterally — White House

On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced the introduction of tariffs on products from 185 countries and territories

Yesterday, 16:51

London meeting on Ukraine ends with 'agreement on further consultations'

Earlier, the UK government said that talks on a peace settlement in Ukraine at the level of foreign ministers, which were to be held in London on Wednesday, had been postponed

Yesterday, 20:23

Zelensky's resignation not among Russia's demands — Kremlin

According to the Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, doubts "are related to martial law and some articles of the Ukrainian constitution"

INTERVIEW: Easter truce violated by Ukraine 4,900 times — senior security official

Sergey Shoigu recalled that the NATO and EU leadership had said that they were ready to confront Russia, regardless of the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine

Yesterday, 16:27

Nord Stream pipes still stored in Germany — newspaper

Pipes are reportedly kept in a warehouse located in an industrial park in the Lubmin Community, where the landfall of the gas pipelines is situated

Two days ago, 16:16

FACTBOX: What to know about explosion at Russia’s military unit

According to Governor Alexander Avdeyev, first responders are working at the scene of the explosion in the region’s Kirzhach District

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: Russia, Oman discuss key issues as US may probe Ukrainian war crimes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 23rd

Yesterday, 20:59

Kremlin spokesman says Zelensky doesn’t control all Ukrainian military formations

Some nationalist battalions don’t listen to him, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 14:28

Putin grants citizenship to former deputy mayor of French commune Talant

The respective presidential decree has been published

Press review: Europe, Ukraine undermine US peace plan and Washington seeks return to Libya

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

French general predicts Russia will be through with special military op by Christmas

The French military expert confidently stated that Russia will continue its operations not only until it fully liberates the four federal regions but may even advance as far as Odessa

Yesterday, 13:00

JD Vance calls on Ukraine, Russia to freeze border along current line of contact

In his view, both Russia and Ukraine would need to make certain concessions under such a scenario

Yesterday, 20:45

Kremlin spokesman says Ukraine should adopt neutrality, accept territorial reality

"And so is the recognition of reality regarding the territories", Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 18:00

Kremlin says Russian businesses do not want Western firms to return

Russian business owners still have to pay back loans taken out under certain market conditions, Dmitry Peskov added

Yesterday, 10:29

Russia doubles production of armaments, electronic warfare systems last year — Putin

The head of state emphasized that in 2024, almost all defense facilities "successfully completed the assignments under the State Defense Order, efficiently and on time"

Yesterday, 14:23

Russia bars entry to 21 UK lawmakers — MFA

The decision came as a "response to London's ongoing confrontational policies, which include efforts to demonize our country, fabricate many anti-Russian narratives"

Yesterday, 17:38

Trump accuses Zelensky of making 'harmful' statements on Crimea

According to the US president, the sides "are very close to a Deal"

Russia reserves right to use nuclear arms in event of Western aggression — Shoigu

According to the official, Russia is "carefully monitoring Europe’s military preparations"

Yesterday, 20:58

Europe needs to do more to reach settlement in Ukraine — White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Vladimir Zelensky was not moving toward peace in Ukraine, but in the opposite direction

ICC officials understood Putin’s arrest warrant could not be implemented — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary pointed out that ICC officials "should not be seen as foolish or ignorant people"

Yesterday, 09:33

Washington to quit negotiations on Ukraine if Moscow, Kiev reject its plan — Vance

According to JD Vance, the border may not wind up as the exact front lines as they stand now

NATO establishes new 'strike fist' near Russia's western borders — Shoigu

The Russian official highlighted that NATO was transitioning to a new combat readiness system, capable of deploying a force of 100,000 troops within 10 days, 300,000 within 30 days, and up to 800,000 after 180 days

Sending peacekeepers to historical Russian lands may lead to WWIII, Shoigu warns

According to Sergey Shoigu, rather, the notion of `peacekeepers’ conceals the pursuit of control over Ukraine and its mineral resources

Yesterday, 17:06

Russia to achieve its goals peacefully or militarily — Kremlin spokesman

"The initiative on the battlefield belongs to Russia," Dmitry Peskov noted

Yesterday, 14:50

Putin grants Russian citizenship to German anti-fascist Liane Kilinc

According to open sources, Kilinc is the chairwoman of the charity foundation "Peace bridge — Aid to war victims"

Battlegroup East eliminates 4 Ukrainian drone control centers

In the course of counterbattery activities, two field artillery systems and four drone control centers were wiped out

Yesterday, 17:09

Russia wants negotiations, while Europe wants war — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Europe "has not shown any signs of independence"

Zelensky frames Washington by using US-made weapons during Easter truce — Russian MFA

"Targeted attacks on Russian civilian facilities in the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, and Kherson regions, as well as in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Crimea, were reckless and shameless," Maria Zakharova said

Yesterday, 18:15

Russia doesn't need democracy lessons from Europe — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov cited the example of banker Dominique Strauss-Kahn's candidacy being withdrawn for the French presidential election in 2012 on trumped-up charges as an example of this hypocrisy

Yesterday, 11:06

London meeting on Ukraine fails to happen due to disagreements in positions — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that the London meeting was supposed to give the US "an opportunity to continue its mediation efforts"

Yesterday, 13:27

Senate speaker resolutely rejects idea of sending European troops to Ukraine

According to Valentina Matviyenko, the idea was doomed from the start

Yesterday, 09:31

More than 92 countries, territories confirm participation in SPIEF-2025

Asian, African and Latin American nations showed particular interest in the forum's agenda this year, advisor to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov said

Nearly 90 Ukrainian drones downed over Russian regions in nighttime

In paticular, 45 UAVs were intercepted over the Republic of Crimea

Yesterday, 16:08

Africa tired of West’s arrogance, double standards — Russia’s ambassador to UN

Vasily Nebenzya added that Africans do not intend to put up with this state of affairs

Yesterday, 03:41

US waiting for Ukraine’s response to Trump’s final proposal on settlement — Axios

At the same time, sources said that Ukrainian emissaries want 'to discuss a 30-day ceasefire during Wednesday's meetings in London rather than Trump's peace plan framework'

Yesterday, 16:32

Russia is not going to attack anyone — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia has not had any problems with Finland or Sweden

Yesterday, 15:05

Mi-28NM helicopter obliterates temporary base of Ukrainian troops in Kursk border region

"Before taking off, the crew received the coordinates of a temporary base of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk Region’s border zone," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

China backs resolving root causes of Ukraine crisis — top Russian security official

"In contrast to the West’s aggressive rhetoric, Beijing calls for ending the escalation and launching efforts to find solutions aimed at securing long-term and sustainable peace," Sergey Shoigu noted

Yesterday, 12:44

Gornal now only Kursk Region village with Ukrainian presence — commander

"We are busy completely clearing our territory up to the border," the commander said

Yesterday, 18:27

Almost 200 civilians killed since Kiev incursion into Kursk Reg — Investigative Committee

According to the report, more than 49,000 people have been negatively affected by the fighting

Russian FPV drone destroys British-made AS-90 howitzer in Kharkov Region

A FPV fiberoptic combat drone operator delivered a precise strike on a 45-ton self-propelled system of the 155mm caliber

Shoigu sees West looking to create Asian version of NATO

Sergey Shoigu described the situation in the Asia-Pacific region as complicated and said that it tended to get worse

Yesterday, 12:31

Immigrants, talks with US, Afghanistan: Lavrov runs gamut with reporters

The Russian foreign minister confirmed that another round of Russian-US talks is expected to take place "soon," without specifying the exact date

Russia may resume nuclear tests in response to such actions by US — security official

Warranty periods for some types of their nuclear munitions are expiring and the development of new types of weapons is underway, this "may push Washington toward resuming nuclear tests," Sergey Shoigu said

Yesterday, 14:18

IN BRIEF: What is known about fire at parking lot of Moscow’s Afimall City shopping center

Emergency services said later that construction materials and gas cylinders, stored at the entrance to the parking lot, had gone on fire

INTERVIEW: Russia ready for dialogue with US, but will not rely on words — Shoigu

The history relations with the United States shows that we can trust only concrete actions rather than verbal statements, Russian Security Council Secretary said

19 Chinese planes approach Taiwan — defense ministry

Taiwan’s defense agency has regularly recorded the approach of Chinese warplanes and warships of late