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European Commission to propose Russian assets seizure scheme in several weeks

Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Economy, Productivity, Implementation and Simplification added that that in 2024, at the initiative of the Commission, G7 countries allocated a loan facility of 45 bln euro for Kiev

PARIS, October 21. /TASS/. The European Commission will come up with a proposal on how to expropriate Russian assets in several weeks after the EU summit on October 23-24, said Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commissioner for Economy, Productivity, Implementation and Simplification.

"Should European leaders agree to take this work forward in their meeting on October 23 and 24, the Commission stands ready to come forward with a proposal in the coming weeks," he said,

The commissioner also added that in 2024, at the initiative of the Commission, G7 countries allocated a loan facility of 45 bln euro for Kiev, which is to be serviced and repaid out of revenues from reinvesting frozen Russian assets, and 25.3 bln euro were already spent.

Cuba denies US accusations of receiving compensation for security services

Havana also reiterated its right to import fuel from willing markets, free from interference or unilateral coercive measures imposed by the US, Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, said

Finnish politician reveals Helsinki's secret plans to deploy nuclear weapons

According to him, some people in Finland feel like the country is at war with Russia

Moscow’s January 9 snowfall inks 146-year record — meteorologists

"The snowfall closes the top five for the entire period of meteorological observations," a source in the country’s Hydrometeorological Center said

FACTBOX: A rundown of Russia's sanctions on EU officials

Russia-EU economic relations unlikely to recover even within decade — economist

According to the economist, the Russian economy and budget system have already adapted to the severing of old ties

Putin signs law on reliable Russian Internet

The document presupposes the centralized operation of the Runet if it is disconnected from the global network infrastructure

Oreshnik’s launch is sudden, undetectable by satellites — analyst

The range of the Oreshnik system is up to 5,500 kilometers

European leaders lack expertise to make proper assessment of Ukraine crisis — Swiss MP

According to Mettan, today’s European leaders did not experience World War II and came of age only at the end of the Cold War

Russia-US talks on Ukraine experience difficulties, but they can be overcome — expert

Dmitry Suslov highlighted media reports about a potential meeting in Paris involving Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s Special Presidential Envoy for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund

US business interests orchestrate Madagascar crisis — newspaper

Influential businesses in the US linked to President Donald Trump see the instability as an opportunity to reshuffle their agents in Madagascar to the detriment of national sovereignty, the article says

Trump issues executive order to protect Venezuelan oil revenues from legal action

The proceeds from oil sales are sovereign property of the Venezuelan government held in custody in the United States, according to the document

Cuba is ready to defend its independence to last drop of blood — President Diaz-Canel

He further noted that the United States has no moral standing to criticize Cuba, as it often reduces human lives and international relations to mere commodities

Iran to retaliate against Israel, US if attacked, parliament speaker warns

US President Donald Trump announced Washington’s readiness to come to the "rescue" of Iranian protesters

Iranian president calls on people to demonstrate to protest unrest

Masoud Pezeshkian extended condolences to the families of civilians who lost their lives and cautioned young people against involvement in terrorism

EU will continue to churn out sanctions against Russia — expert

Andrey Bystritsky, Chairman of the Board at the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai International Discussion Club, characterized EU sanctions as more than mere punitive measures

Russian forces launch Oreshnik strike in response to Kiev's attack on Putin's residence

According to the ministry, "the strike goals were achieved"

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Russian armed forces destroy Ukrainian forces’ equipment near Kupyansk — Defense Ministry

The ministry noted that specialists from the unmanned systems troops have reduced the reconnaissance-to-strike cycle to a minimum

US to file criminal charges against Marinera ship crew — attorney general

The ship’s crew members undertook "frantic efforts to avoid apprehension" of the tanker, which reportedly was "responsible for transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran," Pam Bondi said

Phosphorus munitions used by Ukrainian troops in Donbass first time in 2019

Agonizing Kiev regime vents its anger on Russian civilians — MFA

Maria Zakharova called on international organizations to provide an impartial assessment of the terrorist assault carried out by the Ukrainian military against civilians in Russia’s regions

US conducts operation to seize Russian oil tanker Marinera — Reuters

It also said that US troops were also involved in the operation

West must grasp consequences of Russian assets seizure — Foreign Ministry

"Such steps will inevitably affect the stability of the eurozone and the attractiveness of the EU jurisdiction for foreign investors, primarily from Asian and Middle Eastern countries," Maria Zakharova said

Air defenses down 33 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in seven hours

On-duty air defenses intercepted and destroyed 33 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles between 9 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Moscow time (6 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. GMT)

Ukraine loses about 1,330 troops in special military operation zone in past day

Units of Russia’s Battlegroup North hit the forces of two Ukrainian mechanized brigades and an assault regiment near Kondratovka, Miropolye, and Andreyevka in the Sumy Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Greenland party leaders call on US to stop disrespecting island

The authors note that Greenland is a democracy and wishes to continue cooperation with both the United States and Western countries

Iran accuses Israel, US of organizing protests in country

The work of law enforcement agencies in the country is aimed at preventing such threats

Damage to Qatari embassy in Kiev result of Ukrainian air defense failure — Russian MFA

There were no designated military objectives near the Qatari diplomatic mission, the ministry noted

Project to build road from Kolyma to Anadyr drawn up

The new road will provide round-the-year transport link to the Magadan region

Criminal case against pyramid scheme founder dropped in Novosibirsk

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Wildberries launches sales in Germany

In the near future, Wildberries plans to enter the markets of France, Italy and Spain

Russian air defenses shoot down seven Ukrainian drones in five hours

Four drones were shot down over the Belgorod Region and another three over the Kursk Region, Russia’s Defense Ministry said

Gerasimov says international security deteriorates as West wants to keep dominating

It is reported that the Russian forces keep the initiative and advance in the whole front despite colossal aid to Kiev from the West

Russian artillery forces wipe out over 110 Ukrainian targets in past week

An artillery battalion commander with the callsign Kulak said that battlegroup members particularly targeted engineering and special equipment used by the Ukrainian army to strengthen fortifications

Europe’s wrong Ukraine policy leads to dead end, Swiss politician says

Guy Mettan pointed out that ex-German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former French President Francois Hollande had pretended to comply with the Minsk Agreements in order to cover up Ukraine’s rearmament and Kiev’s plans to take back control of Donetsk and Lugansk by force rather than through diplomacy

Trump feared operation in Venezuela could turn into 'Carter's disaster' — media

The American leader noted that this operation “destroyed the entire Carter administration"

Almost 1 million cubic meters of snow removed from Moscow streets over two days

Cleanup operations continue around the clock, as snowfall persists at a slightly reduced intensity

Aeroflot to restore its Sheremetyevo flight schedule by 8 a.m. on January 11

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US fighter jets deliver strikes against 35 Islamic State locations in Syria — Al Arabiya

According to the television channel, over 20 fighter jets struck terrorist locations in Syria firing some 90 high-precision missiles at IS targets

Europe has no strategy to prevent possible takeover of Greenland by US — FT

European leadership circles are considering retaliatory measures, including closing US military bases or banning the purchase of US Treasury bonds

NATO builds up forces on borders of Russia-Belarus Union State — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, NATO member states try convincing the world community that they are preparing not for war, but for some kind of just peace in Ukraine, seeking "some kind of role in the settlement"

Ukraine, US to sign $800-bln post-conflict reconstruction deal in Davos

The loan will be provided within a decade

Putin's envoy reminds Kallas no defense system can stop Oreshnik

This is how Kirill Dmitriev commented on Kaja Kallas's statement about the Russian strike with the Oreshnik missile

Volvo files application to register three trademarks in Russia

Two of them are for Volvo, and the third is for Volvo Penta

Russia, Venezuela maintain strategic partnership — ambassador

Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov emphasized that these relations of strategic partnership will continue in all areas

Russia to make more efforts to remove irritants in relations with US — senior diplomat

"Minimal progress has been made," Sergey Ryabkov added

Botswana plans to open embassy in Moscow soon — foreign minister

This is a process that, of course, involves allocating resources and appropriate preparation, the foreign minister noted

Thousands of New Yorkers protest against Trump administration’s policies

The demonstrators gathered near Central Park in Manhattan, then marched down Fifth Avenue, where the Trump Tower skyscraper, owned by the US leader, is located

Cuba condemns US announcement to close airspace over Venezuela

Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla called the decision "an aggressive act that no state has the authority to perform outside its national borders"

US wants Russia, China to stay away from Greenland — Trump

Donald Trump also expects Caracas to become its ally in the future

Over $300 bln paid for Russian gas stolen by West from Russia - Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister stressed that Russia has decided to switch to rubles in payments for its gas in order to stop "the shameless robbery" by the West

Venezuela lauds UNGA voting results on lifting blockade of Cuba — foreign ministry

Venezuelan foreign ministry Yvan Gil Pinto demanded "an immediate, complete and unconditional lifting of the blockade, ending all coercive measures and removing unilateral sanctions against Cuba"

Iranian authorities ready to heed people’s demands, implement reforms — Pezeshkian

Iranian President asserted that the demonstrators are expressing their disagreement with the worsening economic situation, but they are not setting markets on fire or committing criminal acts

EU working on sanctions against US over Greenland plans — newspaper

The Sunday Telegraph points out that "a more extreme option could be to evict the US military from its bases in Europe, denying it a key staging post for operations in the Middle East and elsewhere"

NATO would collapse if US annexed Greenland — Danish lawmaker

Rasmus Jarlov also called the hypothetical annexation of the island by the US "probably the most unjustified territorial claim in history"

Creation of buffer zone proceeds according to plan — Putin

The elimination of encircled enemy groups on the eastern bank of the Oskol River and in Dimitrov continues

One of Russia's oldest centenarians, Nafiza Zharylgapova, dies at 112 years of age

In her final days, she dedicated her time to visiting children in the Kazakh city of Uralsk, where she was laid to rest

Olkhovsky describes Bublik's entry into top 10 of ATP rankings as big surprise

On Sunday, Alexander Bublik secured victory at the ATP tournament in Hong Kong

Russian forces hit Ukraine’s defense facility, energy sites used by Ukrainian army

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a total of 670 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 108,406 drones, 645 missile systems, 27,057 tanks

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

According to him, "the whole illusion has shattered in the past four days"

Lukashenko says there was collusion, betrayal in situation with Maduro's capture

The Belarusian leader also called for caution amid the events in the Bolivarian Republic

Tehran rioters burn down 25 mosques, harm 26 banks, three medical centers — mayor

According to him, rioters harmed ten government buildings, 48 fire trucks, 42 buses and ambulances, as well as 24 apartments

Russia calls on US to cease illegal activities against Marinera — MFA

The United States is required to ensure humane and dignified treatment of Russian citizens and not create obstacles to their speedy return to their homeland

Russian Doomsday Planes’ service life is 25-30 years — manufacturer

Doomsday Planes were designed as national airborne operations centres that could be used by the senior military leaders in case of a nuclear war or other very serious conflict

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir dies at 78

He succumbed to underlying lung issues, the family said

US striking Islamic State in Syria — Fox News

For the second time since December 19, 2025, the US military is launching airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria in retaliation for the killing of two National Guard soldiers and a translator, the presenter said on air

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

Potential EU sanctions on US companies unlikely to be effective — Russian senator

The Sunday Telegraph reported earlier that the EU was working on sanctions against American companies over US President Donald Trump’s plans to acquire Greenland

US government mulls holding nuclear test, but has no clear plan yet — energy secretary

Chris Wright also stressed that the US nuclear arsenal has to be meaningfully better than all of its foes in the world

Ukrainian lawmakers seek to abolish draft deferments for students over 25

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Trump does not intend to pardon Maduro — NYT

The US President also made it clear that he has "no intention of pardoning" the other individuals

High time for Europe to talk to Russia — Italian PM

However, she believes that the conditions for Russia's return to the G7 have not yet been met

Russia grateful to US for decision to release two Russians from Marinera crew — diplomat

According to Zakharova, the Russian side is urgently addressing issues related to the return of its freed citizens to their homeland

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

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

Russia and Syria create joint air defense system

Russia's air defense group in Syria includes a radio engineering battalion, a battery of Pantsir-S units and the S-400 air defense missile systems

Female civilian dead as Ukrainian drones target Russian city of Voronezh

Doctors performed surgery on her but the injuries proved fatal, regional Governor Alexander Gusev said

China, South Africa will resist ‘the law of the jungle’, hegemony — Wang Yi

Wang Yi confirmed that Beijing will continue to work on eliminating tariffs on South African goods

US tech billionaire Musk slams UK government as ‘fascist’

That is what he said in response to a previous media reports that more than 12,000 people were arrested in the UK for online comments

Trump says there will be no more oil or money going to Cuba

The US president also mentioned Venezuela, saying that the country "now has the United States of America" to protect it

US President Trump instructs JSOC to draft Greenland invasion plan — UK daily

US president has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland to join the United States

US President Trump ponders several options regarding strikes on Iran — NYT

Donald Trump has not made a final decision, the New York Times daily reported

White House thinks Trump will preserve good relations with Putin, Xi, despite Venezuela

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Fico calls for Kallas's removal as EU head of diplomacy

The EU is facing an unprecedented crisis, the Slovakia’s prime minister declared

Police arrest drugged driver after 5-minute car chase through Kazan airport

Several police officers were injured in the chase which lasted for some five minutes

Danish PM shocked by Trump's, his administration's statements about Greenland — NYT

Trump has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland to join the United States

Russian sabre fencer Mikhailova wins Grand Prix in Tunisia

Yana Egoryan and Milena Sergeyeva advanced to the round of 16, whereas Olga Nikitina and Evelina Popova were eliminated after the round of 32

EU is pursuing increasingly irresponsible policy — Chinese expert

Yan Xuetong further explained that EU member states are "considering the possibility of deploying troops in East Asia, yet they are unable to guarantee their own security"

At least 200 rebel leaders detained in Iran — Tasnim

During the operations, a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, grenades, and Molotov cocktails were seized from the hiding places of the pogromists, the agency said

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 25th

Cuba denies US accusations of receiving compensation for security services

Havana also reiterated its right to import fuel from willing markets, free from interference or unilateral coercive measures imposed by the US, Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, said

What Solzhenitsyn said about Putin, and vice versa

The prominent writer and historian, who was exiled to GULAG camp, was born on December 11, 1918

Nordic nations reject Trump’s claim of Russian threat facing Greenland — newspaper

"There are no ships, no submarines," a senior diplomat said

Iran announces arrest of two Mossad-affiliated organizers of protests

According to the Tasnim news agency, the detainees played "a key role in organizing mass unrest in the country"

Russian Armed Forces liberate five settlements over week — top brass

The battlegroup East continued to advance deep into enemy defenses

Russia opposes any Western military contingent in Ukraine — Medvedev

It’s been said a thousand times: Russia won’t accept any European or NATO troops in Ukraine, Medvedev wrote on X in English.

Temperatures inside Soyuz spacecraft do not exceed acceptable levels — Roscosmos

According to Roscosmos there is nothing to threaten the security and comfort of the crew

Situation in Venezuela stable, authorities maintaining order — Russian envoy

"The authorities confidently control public order," Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov added

Kremlin spokesman critical of NATO chief’s remark about preparations for war

This must be a statement by a person from the generation that has forgotten what World War II was like, noted Dmitry Peskov

Venezuelan authorities declare constancy of foreign policy — Russian envoy

"Venezuelans, in their contacts with us, confirmed their commitment to adhering to the provisions of this document and, in general, to the spirit and principles of our partnership," Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov said

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 24th