31 Jan, 14:24

Transactions via Faster Payments System growing — Bank of Russia

Each fourth transaction is the payment for goods or services, the Central Bank said

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. The number and the volume of transactions made via the Faster Payments System (SBP) surged twofold in annual terms in 2024, the Bank of Russia said.

In total, the system processed over 13.4 bln transactions totaling 69.5 trillion rubles ($705.6 bln), the regulator informed.

The average number of transactions via the system per day was growing steadily from quarter to quarter. In the last quarter of 2024, 45 mln transactions were made daily. The average figure a year ago was 26 mln transactions per day, the regulator said.

Each fourth transaction is the payment for goods or services, the Central Bank said. The number of trading and service businesses accepting payments via the Faster Payments System was about 2.2 mln by the start of 2025, the regulator added.

Trump announces intention to impose reciprocal tariffs starting April 2

The president emphasized that he originally wanted to set the date for the tariffs to be implemented on April 1, but decided to move it to April 2 to avoid associations with Fool's Day

Yesterday, 22:05

Putin to address Interior Ministry board meeting on Wednesday

The event is expected to assess the results of last year’s performance of Russian law enforcement agencies and outline their priorities for 2025

Yesterday, 00:22

Europe has spent more funds on Russian hydrocarbons than on aid to Ukraine – Trump

US President wrote on his Truth Social page

Two days ago, 13:14

Nord Stream pipeline not meeting EU interests — EC spokesperson

If the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is restored and put into service, it should operate within the framework of European legislation, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said

Yesterday, 15:34

Ukraine seeks to boost gas imports to stockpile reserves for heating season — Bloomberg

According to the source, Ukraine would need to import approximately 3.5 bln cubic meters of gas to meet domestic demand

Yesterday, 15:23

Trump, Putin to negotiate without Ukraine — Kneissl

According to the former Austrian Foreign Minister, the next stage of the talks is a meeting between the two presidents

Ukraine won’t make territorial concessions in exchange for peace — Zelensky

Such an agreement would risk causing tensions in the future, he said the Guardian reported

Yesterday, 19:31

US to immediately increase tariffs on Canada if it imposes reciprocal measures — Trump

"Our reciprocal tariff will immediately increase by a like amount," US president said

Yesterday, 22:42

Authorities in Russia’s Makhachkala impose counter-terrorism operation regime in Semender

So far, a group of militants plotting a terrorist attack on a law enforcement facility has been besieged in Makhachkala, the National Antiterrorism Committee reported

Yesterday, 05:58

Ukrainian lawmaker calls on Zelensky to apologize to Trump following aid suspension

According to Alexey Goncharenko, the Ukrainian authorities should now "turn off emotions and turn on reason"

Yesterday, 07:39

FACTBOX: Overnight UAV attacks on Russian regions

Air defense forces on duty intercepted and destroyed 18 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions last night, the Defense Ministry said

Yesterday, 19:03

Russia, Myanmar developing cooperation in renewable energy — Putin

More than 90% of oil was supplied to the market of Myanmar from Russia in 2024, the President recalled

Karin Kneissl: Europe’s borders may be changed

Karin Kneissl, former Austrian foreign minister and head of the “G.O.R.K.I.” center at St. Petersburg State University, told TASS in an exclusive interview why Russia should not rush to let European companies enter its market, explained what could be hidden behind the US deal on rare earth minerals, and also assumed what European countries could vie for Ukrainian lands

Yesterday, 04:31

Zelensky showed ‘clear unwillingness’ to participate in peace process, Vance says

US Vice President JD Vance said, that he don’t care what Zelensky says

Yesterday, 17:48

Myanmar military to take part in Victory Parade in Moscow on May 9 — Putin

A unit of the Myanmar armed forces will take parade on Red Square along with the Russian military

Yesterday, 09:31

Kremlin assumes Europe may ramp up military aid to Kiev

"We see that some European countries are stating their commitment to continuing comprehensive assistance," Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 09:53

Ukrainian army unable to hold beyond few months without US weapons supplies — expert

Alexander Mikhailov noted that even the supplies that continued until recently did not live up to the scale of those recorded in 2023

Tucker Carson urges to ‘start blaming’ Zelensky for serious war crimes

"Over the past three years, with the tacit support of its western patrons, the Ukrainian government has committed a remarkable number of serious crimes," the journalist said

Yesterday, 16:30

Around 93% of flowers come to Russia from Netherlands, Ecuador, Kenya, and Colombia

Since the beginning of 2025, customs authorities have cleared 17,000 tons of fresh cut flowers for 12.2 bln rubles ($136.46 mln)

Yesterday, 06:31

Russian troops destroy 20 out of 31 US Abrams tanks of Ukraine

Earlier, The New York Times quoted senior Ukrainian officials as saying that the remaining Abrams tanks had been withdrawn from the battlefront

Two days ago, 07:48

Putin-Trump summit being expedited now — CNN

On February 12, Putin and Trump talked over the phone

Yesterday, 19:01

Vance says weapons supplies to Ukraine could resume if Kiev agrees to talks

"When the Ukrainians come to the negotiating table, everything is on the table," the US Vice President stressed

Yesterday, 15:03

Pause in Ukraine aid shows Trump not ‘washing hands of it’ — expert

Andrey Bystritsky does not anticipate that Washington's example will be mirrored by its allies, including those outside Europe

Yesterday, 18:41

Death toll from Israel’s actions in Gaza Strip exceeds 48,400 — health ministry

Seven bodies were retrieved from under the debris during the past day

Zelensky says in his letter Kiev ready to sign resource deal any time soon — Trump

On February 28, Zelensky arrived at the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. During the conversation in the presence of journalists, an argument broke out between them

Yesterday, 08:03

Rupture between Trump, Zelensky 'probably irreparable,' says ex-US ambassador

According to Chas Freeman, "Mr. Trump very clearly has called for elections in Ukraine"

Yesterday, 09:34

Musk offers Zelensky to give up power, leave Ukraine

On February 28, Vladimir Zelensky visited the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: Europe pushes for Ukraine peace as Israel warns of renewed Gaza operation

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, March 4th

Yesterday, 11:27

Ukraine loses around 60 soldiers after Russia’s capture of DPR’s Burlatskoye

On March 1, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the liberation of the settlement of Burlatskoye in southern DPR

Yesterday, 15:54

Russia aims to become a global leader in bioeconomy by 2036 — PM Mishustin

Mikhail Mishustin highlighted that Russia possessed significant competitive advantages, including vast and diverse bioresource reserves, which should be leveraged to secure leadership in the field

Yesterday, 14:40

Czech operator of Druzhba pipeline confirms disruptions in oil supplies

The pipeline operator said that it is working to determine the causes of the incident

Two days ago, 23:48

Zelensky wants ‘forever war,’ not settlement of Ukraine crisis — Musk

"Zelensky wants a forever war, because he loses his spotlight on the international stage as soon as peace is achieved," Musk wrote

Yesterday, 13:28

Ukrainian assault forces flee battlefield upon encounter with Russian troops — fighter

According to the Russian serviceman, in the liberation of the settlement of Burlatskoye, at least three Ukrainian army groups fled upon encountering Russian assault teams

Yesterday, 13:00

Brussels 'declares war' on European leaders supporting Trump — Russian intelligence

The European Union’s leadership is obviously behind the decision to bring charges against Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu, the SVR emphasized

Two days ago, 13:39

Zelensky's resignation condition for peace to come — French politician

Florian Philippot pointed out that "high-level calls for Zelensky's resignation were multiplying"

Yesterday, 14:58

Ukraine looks for Starlink substitute in case US disables it — official

The official admits that transition to the new systems will be difficult and leave the Ukrainians without one of their key battlefield advantages

Yesterday, 19:20

Russian budget revenues up 26% in 2024 to over $400 bln — Accounts Chamber

This is higher than projected total revenues, according to the report

Trump unveils plans to build Golden Dome missile defense shield

The US president emphasized that US President Ronald Reagan (in office from 1981 to 1989) had plans to create such a missile defense system, but the technologies of the time did not allow the project to be implemented

Yesterday, 17:29

Zelensky expressed regret but did not apologize for incident during his meeting with Trump

According to Zelensky, Ukraine would like further cooperation and communication to be constructive

Yesterday, 20:45

Armenia can be member of either EAEU or EU, but not both — Russian ambassador

"It is impossible to be with both. And this is not the position of the Russian side, but a question of objective reality," Sergey Kopyrkin said

Yesterday, 19:10

Russia, Myanmar finalize talks on investment protection agreement

Russian companies consider Myanmar as one of areas for the launch of investment projects, the press service of the Russian Economic Development Ministry said

Yesterday, 19:35

Russia, Myanmar sign agreements on diplomas, construction of small nuclear power plant

The documents include a memorandum on the basic principles of constructing a small-capacity nuclear power plant in Myanmar

Yesterday, 20:47

US, Ukraine may sign minerals deal within hours — agency

According to the sources, US President Donald Trump may announce the deal during his address to Congress

Two days ago, 08:57

IN BRIEF: What we know about fire at Ufa oil refinery

A fire was reported at the Ufa oil refinery in the early hours on Monday

11 Nov 2024, 14:27

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Yesterday, 18:32

US starts trade war against Canada, Ottawa imposes reciprocal tariffs against Washington

Ottawa has also filed a claim at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the introduction of the US increased tariffs on Canadian goods

Yesterday, 19:09

Kremlin doesn’t confirm Putin will help mediate nuclear weapons talks between US, Iran

"No, I can’t confirm it," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 14:54

Russian finance ministry to decide on diamonds purchases to Gokhran at end of Q2

Deputy Finance Minister Alexey Moiseev confirmed the information that the Finance Ministry had made a provision for purchases of diamonds from Alrosa to Gokhran for 2025

Press review: Russia, US take another step to mend ties as Kiev tries to outwit Washington

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 28th

Yesterday, 18:30

UNGA adopts resolution on 80th anniversary of end of WWII

The document was passed by a consensus

Yesterday, 23:44

Russian embassy offers condolences over death of Canada’s oldest WWII veteran

The embassy especially highlighted this legacy ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Second World War

Yesterday, 18:56

Pope Francis needs non-invasive mechanical ventilation in nighttime

The 88-year-old pontiff has been receiving treatment at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February 14 after being diagnosed with double pneumonia

Yesterday, 12:39

US can lift sanctions from Russian banks after signing good rare earth metals deal-expert

Bartu Soral also said that "Russia has the potential to give US President Donald Trump what he needs," and if the parties reach an agreement, "some or even all of the sanctions imposed on Russian banks [by the United States] may be lifted"

Trump says US receives 'strong signals' for peace from Russia

"We’ve had serious discussions with Russia," the US president said

Yesterday, 20:52

Houthis say they downed US drone over Yemen

"Our air defense forces have managed to shoot down a US MQ-9 drone which violated Yemen’s airspace and was carrying out a hostile mission over the Hodeida governorate," the movement’s military spokesperson Yahya Saree said

Two days ago, 14:14

Russia’s air strike destroys dozens of Ukrainian troops in Gulyaipole in Zaporozhye area

The Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike by FAB-1500 and FAB-500 bombs on the Ukrainian army’s deployment and amassment areas in Gulyaipole

Yesterday, 18:33

Requirement on sale of foreign currency revenue by exporters to be extended for one year

The regulation, which has been in force since October 2023, was set to expire on April 30

Two days ago, 12:21

Russia hammers Ukrainian military airfields, UAV assembly workshops over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 605 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and four armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility

Zelensky sure to lose Ukraine election, Lukashenko says

"These issues should be negotiated in a calmer manner," the Belarusian leader said

Air defenses down eight Ukrainian drones over four Russian regions overnight — top brass

Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz later said on his Telegram channel that there had been no casualties or damage after the drone attack in the region

14 Jun 2024, 14:13

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia's plan would mean ending the conflict once and for all, not freezing it

Yesterday, 15:56

Lithuania reduces volume of cargo transit by rail to Kaliningrad by 30%

At the same time, Lithuania increased the quota for cement supplies to the region by rail by 20,000 tons compared to last year

Yesterday, 01:40

White House confirms suspending military aid to Kiev

According to Reuters, "the official said the US is pausing and reviewing aid to ensure it is contributing to a solution"

Yesterday, 08:36

Foreign high-ranking security officials to meet in Moscow in May — Shoigu

The Russian security official pointed out that during this meeting, "another round of consultations in the Russia-ASEAN format will take place"

Yesterday, 18:46

Draft decree on guarantees to new foreign investors in the works — ministry

"Fundamentally, political will obviously exists, the president has given such an instruction," Russian Deputy Finance Minister Alexey Moiseev said

Yesterday, 07:56

Russian Su-34 bomber wipes out Ukrainian army stronghold by glide bombs in Kursk area

After receiving confirmation from reconnaissance that the Ukrainian army’s personnel and stronghold had been destroyed, the crew safely returned to its airfield, it said

Yesterday, 20:01

Myanmar PM praises Russia's role in balancing international relations

According to Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar highly appreciates the mutual respect and trust in relations with Russia, a country he described as a "reliable and trusted" partner

Yesterday, 18:01

Trudeau says introduction of tariffs on Canada by Trump "dumb thing to do"

The Canadian PM reiterated that Canada would never become the 51st state of the US

Yesterday, 16:08

Lukashenko signs law to ratify security guarantees treaty with Russia

The relevant bill was earlier passed by the Belarus’ House of Representatives and approved by the Council of the Republic

Yesterday, 03:32

Russia against stationing European peacekeepers in Ukraine — envoy

Ulyanov also emphasized that "European officials are putting the cart before the horse," when they discuss sending peacekeepers to Ukraine

Yesterday, 14:00

Supplies of US-made precision weapons being cut off to be very painful for Kiev — DPR head

According to Denis Pushilin, it would be wrong to assume that the pause in the current military aid by the US to Kiev would immediately impact the fighting

Yesterday, 15:40

Myanmar backs Russian special operation in Ukraine, believes Russia will win — PM

According to Min Aung Hlaing, the conflict in Ukraine was prompted by the actions of the West

Yesterday, 17:52

Myanmar’s prime minister invites Putin to visit his country

Min Aung Hlaing thanked Vladimir Putin for the reception and expressed readiness for further cooperation

Yesterday, 12:21

Tusk confirms suspension of US military aid through Poland

The Polish prime minister described this decision by the White House, along with the talk of a possible removal of some US sanctions against Russia as the "biggest challenge in recent decades"

Yesterday, 18:18

Russia and Myanmar's views on world affairs practically coincide — Putin

According to the Russian president, the sides coordinate efforts on many international platforms and advocate peaceful and sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region

Two days ago, 05:31

European leaders decide to continue war in Ukraine — Orban

The meeting in London was attended by the leaders of Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Finland, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden, as well as European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

Yesterday, 14:06

Putin, Myanmar’s PM begin negotiations in Kremlin

A joint statement by Vladimir Putin and Min Aung Hlaing, as well as the signing of a number of intergovernmental and interagency documents are planned

Yesterday, 16:29

ATACMS missile debris found, neutralized near Bryansk

The debris of a Western-made ATACMS missile was found in a forest area on the territory of the town of Seltso

Yesterday, 15:21

US spy plane makes flight over Black Sea — Flightradar

The plane took off from the Italian airbase in Sigonella, Sicily, and executed several extended overflights over the Black Sea before returning to Sicily

Trump compares US spending on Ukraine to 'taking candy from baby'

"Biden has authorized more money in this fight than Europe has spent by billions and billions of dollars," the US president emphasized

Yesterday, 04:37

Europe eggs Zelensky on for continued combat, Vance says

US Vice President said in an interview with Fox News

Yesterday, 15:05

Incident in Serbian parliament constitutes attempt to overthrow power — president

"This is not a political opposition but a destructive force seeking to bring Serbia to its knees!" Milorad Dodik stated

Yesterday, 12:24

US, Iran should settle differences through talks — Kremlin

The representatives of Russia and Iran did not confirm or deny this information to the news agency; the White House did not respond to a request for comment

Yesterday, 05:15

Ukraine lacks troops to continue combat, US cannot provide enough arms, money, says Vance

"The bloodshed, the killing, the economic devastation, it’s making everyone worse off," JD Vance said

Yesterday, 09:21

Ukraine to feel US aid suspension in days or weeks — CNN

It would take some time — perhaps several days or weeks — for the impact of the US pause in military aid to be felt among Ukraine’s battlefield fighters, but once the country’s current stocks begin running short, the effect would be severe, even if other nations rush to fill the gap, the official familiar with the matter said

Yesterday, 00:29

Ukrainian army lost 19 Abrams tanks out of 31, rest taken off frontlines, NYT says

The newspaper noted that of "the 31 highly sophisticated Abrams tanks that the United States provided Ukraine in 2023, 19 have been destroyed, disabled or captured

Two days ago, 07:09

Russian military orbital vehicle successfully enters orbit

A stable communication link with the spacecraft was established and maintained, and its on-board systems are functioning properly, it added

Yesterday, 09:28

US move to suspend military aid to Kiev may facilitate peace process — Kremlin spokesman

"Undoubtedly, we have yet to figure out the details but if it’s true, then this is a decision that really can push the Kiev regime towards a peace process," Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 09:37

Kremlin agrees with Trump that he "gave Russia nothing except grief"

Trump introduced sanctions against Moscow and supplied Javelin missile systems for Kiev

Yesterday, 08:15

Russia breaches Ukrainian defenses near Zagryzovo, gains nearly one kilometer — expert

Andrey Marochko said that when advancing in this area, Russian forces have also taken control of two forest belts to the west of Lozovaya, and have progressed up to 600 meters (0.37 miles) toward Novaya Kruglyakovka

US Treasury Secretary Bessent tells Fox News no plan to sign resource deal with Ukraine

CBS News quoted multiple sources as saying that a deal is not finalized yet, with US President Donald Trump now holding out for a "bigger, better deal"

Yesterday, 14:52

Putin thanks Myanmar PM for gift of six baby elephants

The animals have been relocated to the Moscow Zoo

Trump reads Zelensky's letter on readiness for peace talks during his speech to Congress

According to the US leader, the letter also pointed out that Zelensky and his team "stand ready to work under President Trump strong leadership to get a peace that lasts"

Yesterday, 13:13

Russian jets hit Ukraine’s 37th Marine Brigade headquarters in Donetsk area — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, the strike on the brigade's headquarters will affect the management of Ukrainian troops at this section of the engagement line, where Russian units are advancing from the DPR toward the borders of the Zaporozhye Region and Ukraine's Dnepropetrovsk Region

Yesterday, 13:45

Trump sees Putin as partner, Zelensky as foe — report

According to Axios, Trump is making moves that are aligned with Russian interests, such as the decision to suspend US military aid to Ukraine

Yesterday, 15:24

EU’s plan to weaken Russia through military aid to Ukraine unattainable — Russian senator

Commenting on the recent meeting between Vladimir Zelensky and Donald Trump, Olga Bas assumed that the expectations of Zelenesky from the meeting were probably not met, which led to the conflict

Yesterday, 09:15

'Europe Plus' coalition needed to 'dissect' Ukraine after peace treaty — senator

Igor Kastukevich said that, in return, the EU will offer "highly conditional military and humanitarian aid, which in reality will remain in the pockets of the corrupt leaders of the Kiev regime and will not reach either the military or the civilian population

Yesterday, 15:59

Russia’s budget deficit to be higher than planned at current oil prices — ministry

The budget is based on $70 per barrel, Deputy Finance Minister Vladimir Kolychev noted

Yesterday, 14:04

Hezbollah calls change of power in Syria as ‘major strategic loss’

According to Ali Fayyad, the new Syrian leadership’s position on Israel "is confusing and poses a lot of questions, as Israel infiltrated and occupied Syrian territory without any stance taken from the new leadership"

Yesterday, 11:28

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots in past day

The Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 595 personnel, two armored combat vehicles and five pickup trucks, it specified

Yesterday, 07:57

Washington’s NATO backing of Ukraine to dwindle — Chinese expert

On March 4, the US suspended military aid to Ukraine