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Central Bank digital currency being developed as alternative to SWIFT — expert

Alexander Shokhin noted that this model is already working, leading to a streamlined transaction process

ISTANBUL, October 31. /TASS/. Work is underway to replace payment models of SWIFT and others with a much more convenient digital currency system via the central banks, head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Alexander Shokhin said at the Verona Eurasian Economic Forum, noting that the idea of creating a digital BRICS currency has as yet not materialized.

"Let’s remember that the idea of creating the digital currency of BRICS member-countries was proactively discussed during Russia’s presidency in BRICS. The project was called BRICS Bridge. It has not been finalized yet. We see nevertheless that our partners, including the People’s Republic of China, are working on similar projects. Traditional instruments like SWIFT are beginning to be replaced with digital currencies through central banks.

This model is already working, leading to a streamlined transaction process, he noted.

"These transactions go through in a few seconds. Countries of the Gulf and Southeast Asian countries have already joined the Chinese digital yuan platform also. Ergo, we are seeing not merely the digitization of some old tools and mechanisms in the financial and banking sphere but essentially the creation of new digital platforms that may change the paradigm of cross-border trading and financial operations," Shokhin added.

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

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

European leaders, Zelensky, Trump to hold phone call on December 27 — Reuters

According to his information, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will also take part in the discussion

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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

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

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Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that Kiev's regime terrorizes civilians by targeting civilian infrastructure

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

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The talks between the two leaders lasted around two hours

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

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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

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Kiev currently characterizes the strength of its armed forces at about 800,000

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

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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

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

Ukraine loses over one million troops in three years of fighting

The 2024 toll exceeded 595,000, which is more than in the first two years taken together

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

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Group of mercenaries from Ukrainian National Guard wiped out Kharkov Region

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Sergey Ryabkov said that nobody can rewrite history

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

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

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Submerged car retrieved from river in Russia’s Yakutia, child’s body found inside

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Russia’s figure skating star Valieva excluded from national team’s roster

"Everything is done in compliance with the legislative documents," Director General of the Figure Skating Federation of Russia Alexander Kogan said

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Slutsky urged patience, noting that the details still need to be worked out to ensure tangible results

Gazprom reports record gas withdrawals from European storage facilities during holidays

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

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Mobilization in Ukraine, NATO near Kaliningrad: Foreign Ministry statements

TASS has compiled the key statements by the official representative of the Foreign Ministry

Nearly 970 ceasefire violations by Israel reported in Gaza Strip since October 10

418 people were killed and more than 1,140 were injured

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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

Moscow will give a harsh response to theft of Russian assets in European Union — MFA

"If the European Union dares to steal Russian assets, the consequences for the entire global financial system will be extremely negative," Maria Zakharova noted

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

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

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Russian troops liberate eight communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

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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

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

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Russia rescued Ukrainians abandoned by Kiev in Sumy Region — human rights commissioner

Russian troops brought them to a safe place in Belgorod

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

Silver price hits record high

By 1:14 a.m. GMT, the value of silver accelerated its growth to $75.235 per troy ounce

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

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

Earlier, in an article for Rossiyskaya Gazeta on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Russia and China, Lavrov emphasized that the West is deliberately escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait

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

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

They are designed to photograph the planet's surface and obtain stereoscopic images to create digital terrain models

Air defenses destroy 43 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within three-hour period

15 of them were destroyed over the Rostov Region

Russia launches satellites for its allies from Vostochny spaceport

These include satellites to serve scientific research and technology needs of companies based in Russia and friendly states

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

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

DPRK leader sends New Year greetings to Russian president — KCNA

"On behalf of the government of the DPRK and the Korean people, I extend the warmest and sincerest greeting of best wishes to you and, through you, to the government of the Russian Federation and the fraternal Russian people on the occasion of the New Year 2026," Kim Jong Un said

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

Zelensky uses elections to delay settlement — top Russian senator

Valentina Matvienko added that Zelensky is being pushed toward these statements by "European war instigators"

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

When Armenia promotes relations with the United States and the European Union, there is no secret agenda for pushing Russia away behind this, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said

Over 100 rioters detained in Latakia city — TV

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

Press review: Ukraine aid dips in 2025 and US, Europe tussle over tech dispute

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 26th

Attempt to ‘give Ukraine time’: Merkel on Minsk agreements

She expressed doubt that at that time NATO states would have been able to support Kiev to the extent that they do now

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"

Kremlin spokesman confirms Putin-Trump phone call

Trump described this call as "good and very productive"

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

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian units in northwest of Kupyansk — Defense Ministry

Offensive actions are underway

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"