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European Parliament approves plan to phase out Russian gas imports by late 2027 — Reuters

The plan applies to both pipeline and liquefied natural gas

PARIS, December 17. /TASS/. The European Parliament has approved the EU's plan to phase out Russian gas imports by late 2027, Reuters reported.

Lawmakers voted 500 in favor, 120 against and 32 abstained, the agency said. The European Parliament is an advisory body. Its decisions are not binding on EU member states. The ban still requires formal approval by EU ministers, expected early next year.

The plan applies to both pipeline and liquefied natural gas.

As Jordan Bardella, MEP and leader of the French National Rally party, stated during the debate, sanctions against Russian gas and Belarusian potash have led to a doubling of fertilizer prices. European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jorgensen stated that the European Commission also intends to completely ban EU countries from purchasing Russian oil and nuclear fuel, for which separate documents may be prepared. Hungary and Slovakia are strongly opposing the ban on energy imports from Russia.

Annual inflation in Russia down to 6.34% from December 9 to 15 — Economy Ministry

Price growth rates changed by 0.05% for foods

Turkey’s Marmara Sea recedes 20 meters from shore — TV

According to the TV channel, the phenomenon occurred in the Marmaraereglisi district of the Tekirdag province in western Turkey

US prepares new sanctions against Russia if Ukraine deal fails — news agency

According to Bloomberg, the new restrictions could be announced as early as this week

West supplies arms to terrorists in North Caucasus — Putin

The President noted that the West liked to speak the language of force with Russia

Russian shipbuilders deliver 19 ships, three subs to Navy in 2025

Head of the Russian Presidential Directorate for State Defense Industry Policy Viktor Yevtukhov emphasized that domestic innovative solutions were used in the construction of each ship

Immediate change of government in Ukraine would lead to Western squabbling — expert

Alexander Dudchak pointed out that Washington would probably want to replace Vladimir Zelensky with someone more manageable and willing to quickly respond to instructions from US President Donald Trump

Russian ambassador calls efficiency of increasing British military spending questionable

Andrey Kelin noted that the British military department's 2025 overruns may amount to more than 2 billion pounds

Trump to sum up results of outgoing year in his address — White House

Earlier in the day, the US leader announced his plans to address the nation on Wednesday evening

Ministerial meeting in Cairo to formalize new level of Russia-Africa relations

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin described the event in Cairo as "a milestone event in Russia-Africa relations" in 2025

Ukraine's non-NATO pledge moot as alliance decides everything — top Hungarian diplomat

Peter Szijjarto emphasized that Ukraine’s membership in NATO was "purely a Ukrainian agenda item"

Trump says Ukraine 'already lost territory'

Donald Trump also added that the US is working with Europe on the security guarantee

Russian troops liberate Novoplatonovka in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,520 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Russia adds Deutsche Welle to list of undesirable organizations

Bulgaria’s For Free Russia, Estonia’s House of Ingria, Norway’s Nature and Youth, and Germany’s Alliance for a Free Democratic Russia were also added to the list

Russia does not deny anyone right to security, but insists on NATO not expanding — Putin

It was publicly stated that there would be no NATO expansion to the east and the West "couldn't care less" about these promises, the Russian leader noted

Czech Republic's ruling party to abstain from European Parliament vote on Russian gas

ANO MPs announced their decision to journalists in Strasbourg

Lukashenko says Ukraine simply handed Crimea over to Russia, no one fought for it

"There was no war in Crimea," Alexander Lukashenko said

Germany withdrawing Patriot air defense systems, military personnel from Poland

The command in Rzeszow has been taken over by the Dutch military

Every fifth EU resident at risk of poverty — Spanish PM

Pedro Sanchez called for the implementation of "urgent measures" because the housing crisis is already "resonating across Europe" and becoming "a new factor of Euroscepticism"

West started war in Ukraine, Russia is trying to end it — Putin

The Russian president reiterated that it was the destructive forces in Ukraine, with the support of the West

Russia will not agree to deployment of Western troops in Ukraine in any form — MFA

Russia is open-minded in terms of what decisions might be made, Sergey Ryabkov noted

Total of 94 Ukrainian UAVs intercepted and destroyed overnight over Russian regions

31 of them were destroyed over the Krasnodar Region

Investigative Committee outraged by publication of footage of school attack near Moscow

According to Armen Gasparyan, if the media does not adhere to the request of the Human Rights Council, the state should punish them

Witkoff follows his country’s policy on Ukrainian conflict settlement — Kremlin

US President Donald Trump stated earlier this year, explaining why he selected Steve Witkoff as his special envoy, that he was an outstanding negotiator

Russia, China could become world leaders if US does not step up — Biden

The former US president also called on Washington to continue to adhere to its current role, saying that the US "owes it to the world"

Erdogan warns against attacks on commercial ships in Black Sea

Turkey issue a clear warning to both sides concerning this matter, the Turkish president said

MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center director shot dead in US

According to the newspaper, the scientist was found with gunshot wounds at his Brooklyn home on Monday

Whole world, save for Europe, condemns US actions in Caribbean — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister underscored that "all other countries have clearly expressed their positions"

West, Kiev use African groups to carry out sabotage against Russia’s interests — Vershinin

According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, the "criminal actions of the Kiev regime and its patrons, who cooperate with local terrorist groups and provide them with support," pose a grave threat not only to Africa, but to the entire world

Ukrainian strike on Zaporozhye NPP is another act of nuclear terrorism — Balitsky

"There are no words to describe the sick attempts by the enemy to shell a nuclear facility," Zaporozhye Region Governor Evgeny Balitsky said

Foreign journalists to be able to ask questions during Putin’s Q&A session — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov also noted that there will be journalists from unfriendly countries as well

Revival of Nazism in EU and Europe’s 'bent towards stealing:' What Lavrov said

Russian Foreign Minister also noted that the situation around Russia’s frozen assets made it clear that "stealing is in the Europeans’ blood"

Trump names countries that will truly play important role — Kneissl

"Europe no longer plays any role in the world at all," the former Austrian Foreign Minister noted

Russia maintains steady position against Western troop deployment to Ukraine — Kremlin

Russia's position has been clarified by the president and at other working levels, Dmitry Peskov recalled

Lukashenko says Putin seeks to achieve peace in Ukraine conflict

Belarusian President believes that Vladimir Zelensky also wants the end of the conflict

Karin Kneissl: Zelensky Has No Chance Left

West tries to destabilize situation in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger — Deputy Foreign Minister

Sergey Vershinin also pointed out that Moscow is paying increasing attention to building multifaceted cooperation with Africa’s subregional communities

Former UN expert warns against deploying European force to Ukraine

Alfred de Zayas stressed that "NATO boots on the ground would only mean an escalation to the war"

NATO plans confrontation with Russia by 2030 — top defense official

"We are not the ones making threats; we are the ones being threatened," Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov stressed

Hungary to use US nuclear fuel at Paks NPP after 2028

Fuel for the Paks nuclear power plant will be produced at a joint venture in Europe established by Rosatom and the French company Framatome, Lantos noted

Putin highlights contribution of North Korean soldiers to liberating Kursk Region

Alongside Russian specialists, combat engineers from North Korea took part in the difficult task of clearing the Kursk Region from explosive devices

Press review: EU sees Russia as threat while US ramps up attacks on boats near Venezuela

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 17th

European countries' drift towards Beijing won’t change China's peaceful policy — diplomat

"China's position on the Ukrainian crisis has always been consistent and unambiguous," Guo Jiakun emphasized

Every new meeting gives Witkoff opportunity to better understand Russia’s stance — Kremlin

In a speech at the White House on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump commended Steve Witkoff as "a great dealmaker"

EU, US coordinate security documents for Ukraine — NYT

According to the sources, a priority is to reduce the size of Ukrainian troops from 900,000 to a "peacetime level" of 800,000, strengthening Ukraine’s army with EU and US support

Russia says rising tensions around Venezuela carry unpredictable fallout

Russia reaffirms its solidarity with the Venezuelan people in the face of the challenging times they are going through

Russia may ultimately replace UK in technology deal with US — Dmitriev

Russian Presidential Special Representative Kirill Dmitriev emphasized that "the UK needs to learn to solve real problems - not imaginary ones"

No concessions from Russia, dialogue with US: statements by Russian senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov reiterated that Russia "stands firm" on the understandings reached during the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Anchorage

Two Project 677 Lada submarines to be laid down in 2026 — Navy chief

Lada-class submarines are quiet and capable of diving to depths of around 300 meters

BRICS nations seek alternatives to US dollar — Brazilian official

According to Celso Amorim, BRICS nations continue discussions of potential payment mechanisms that the group’s members could adopt

Ukrainian troops launch seven attacks on Zaporozhye region in past day, killing one

Governor Yevgeny Balitsky added that one man was injured in an attack on the village of Velikaya Znamenka

Germany’s Left party critical of ‘multinational force’ idea for Ukraine

According to Soren Pellmann, the deployment of NATO forces to ensure the security of Ukraine’s airspace would lead to the "further escalation of the situation"

FACTBOX: Russia hit by 94 drones overnight, 2 injured in Krasnodar Region

Two civilians were wounded by falling drone debris in the Slavyansky district of the Krasnodar Region

Putin studies questions from Russians for upcoming Q&A session in detail — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that there were fewer pressing questions from the participants of the special military operation

Hungary refuses loyal cooperation with EU on issue of Russian assets — Orban

Viktor Orban also said that EU leaders violated EU law by proposing to make decisions on Russian financial assets not by consensus, but by a qualified majority vote

Russian army gains steam as Ukraine's falls apart — Putin

The Russian president thanked the Defense Ministry for keeping Russia strong on the battlefield

EU might bypass Belgium in vote on Russia’s frozen assets — Politico

Diplomats warn against this decision, arguing that it could further divide an already fractured bloc, plunging it into a real crisis

Russia had to start special op to change world — Serbian journalist

Mario Bojic said it needed to happen for the world to change

US calls security guarantees offered to Ukraine sweet deal

According to the sources, Russia and Ukraine have agreed on about 90% of the conditions in the draft with the exception of territorial concessions

Africa should be free to manage its national resources independently — diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin stressed that Africans should stop financing the prosperity of the United States, the European Union, NATO, and their allies at their own expense

Arctic Council has good chance of maintaining its relevance — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minster noted that, overall, "there are certain advances" in the work of the Arctic Council

'Coalition of willing' has not called Putin's hotline, Kremlin official jokes

The event will be held at noon on December 19

China opposes use of frozen Russian assets by European Union — MFA

Beijing advocates for the creation of a "positive atmosphere and favorable conditions for advancing dialogue and negotiations" through the efforts of all interested parties

US national security strategy states diagnosis for Europe — Deputy Secretary of State

According to the Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, the US President laid out "in clear and simple terms" that there is a turning point that Europe is facing

Lavrov to hold separate talks with African countries at Cairo meeting

On the sidelines of the second ministerial conference in Cairo, Russian Foreign Minister will also sign a set of documents

Moscow to make no concessions on Donbass, Novorossiya and Crimea — Ryabkov

The diplomat noted that in 2022, following referendums, the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Lugansk People’s Republic, as well as Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions, were formally incorporated into Russia

Steel consumption in Russia to fall to lowest level since 2011 in 2025 — forecast

The decline from the historical peak amounts to nearly 20%

Kupyansk is under Russian army’s control — Battlegroup West

According tp the report, Battlegroup West forces are firmly rebuffing all the Ukrainian army’s attacks on communities near Kupyansk, keeping them under control

Backing out of reparations loan for Kiev to damage EU’s image — Politico

The qualified majority vote on using the assets, which the paper called a "nuclear option," also splits the EU

US declares end of era of global trade convergence in document to WTO — FT

The six-page document lists US grievances against the organization, veiled attacks on China for accumulating huge trade surpluses and on India for blocking improvements in the WTO's decision-making process

Fitch warns Euroclear of potential rating downgrade over Russian assets confiscation

The agency explained that the move "reflects Fitch's view of potentially increased liquidity and legal risks for Euroclear Bank"

Ukraine’s ex-commander-in-chief warns about risks of civil war after conflict is ended

In Valery Zaluzhny's words, "the end of the war and the return of around one million of soldiers" will be "another challenge to the state and civil society"

Georgian PM says Tbilisi’s prospects for NATO membership are vague

Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized that Tbilisi should be pragmatic about the developments

Russia unaware of outcome of talks on Ukraine between US, Kiev and Europe — Kremlin

Moscow has not yet received this information, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Merz assesses chances of EU agreement on Russian assets at 50-50

German Chancellor admitted that Europe has certain fears concerning the potential use of Russian frozen assets

Russian forces thwart Ukrainian troops attempt to approach liberated Kupyansk

Airborne observation posts and mobile air defense teams ensured combat safety of the self-propelled guns

Rome requires clarification for risks related to use of Russian assets — Meloni

Making the decision "on guarantees of financial support to Kiev" is challenging and it should be done "at the level of EU leaders" with consideration of the scale of legal and financial factors, the Italian PM said

Ukrainian troops mine evacuation routes for civilians from Dimitrov

Igor Kimakovsky added that, because of this, the routes must be constantly changed

Ukrainian troops attacked refugees during evacuation from Krasnoarmeysk, killing woman

Another woman was injured

Liberating Gerasimovka, Russian troops expand bridgehead along Gaichur River — source

As a result of active combat operations, assault groups of the 36th Brigade advanced along the western bank, taking under control a 2-kilometer sector along the front and up to a kilometer in depth

Russia successfully carries out multiple projects in Africa — senior diplomat

Sergey Vershinin pointed out that one of the priorities was to assist Africa in achieving food self-sufficiency

Any sanctions harmful to fostering relations — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that it is obvious

Putin blames West for Yugoslavia’s breakup

The president noted that nothing that was created in the post-war period worked in relations with the West

Russia will help strengthen Africa’s defense capabilities — Vershinin

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said that Moscow is already assisting in building capacity of African countries to counter internal and external threats

Anti-government protests took place in Slovakia — TV

The protests, where people demanded the resignation of the government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, a Social Democrat, were organized by opposition liberal parties and movements of Slovakia

FACTBOX: Project 677 Lada-class submarines

Project 677 diesel-electric submarines are designed to destroy enemy surface ships and vessels, conduct patrols, conduct reconnaissance, protect sea lanes, lay minefields, and perform other missions

Upgraded Force drone intercepting Ukraine’s UAVs in Belgorod Region

The Drone Force company previously announced the development of a reconnaissance version of the 15-inch Force drone with proprietary software and shifted control frequencies

Kiev lying about battlefield situation to influence US peace plan — source

The Ukrainian mass media are disseminating reports alleging that the Ukrainian army has taken control of the settlements of Kondrashovka, Radkovka, and Moskovka northwest and southwest of Kupyansk

Czech PM confirms his country will not provide guarantees of funding for Ukraine

"The Czech Republic does not question the need for the European Union to support Ukraine," Andrej Babis added

Putin vows that special military operation's goals will be achieved

In any international situation, the armed forces remain the key guarantor of Russia's sovereignty and independence, its security and future, the Russian leader emphasized

Hungarian PM asks Putin about Russia’s response if EU uses frozen assets

According to Viktor Orban, Moscow responded that "a decisive response will follow, based on all mechanisms of international law"

Kremlin has not seen reports about possible new US sanctions

Bloomberg reported earlier, citing sources, that the United States is preparing new sanctions against Russia’s energy sector

Europe has no plan B in case seizure of Russian assets is rejected — Finnish PM

Petteri Orpo said he does not want to think about that

India's BRICS presidency in 2026 promises to be eventful — Russian envoy

Last year several countries began working within the BRICS framework, and many states are planning to join this association, the diplomat noted

Russian troops liberate Gerasimovka in Dnepropetrovsk Region over past day

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that the Ukrainian army lost roughly 235 troops, two tanks and three armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup East

Press review: US-Ukraine talks fail on Donbass as Kiev struggles with election competition

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 16th

Lukashenko believes conflict in Ukraine will end in peace

Belarusian President emphasized that if the issue of a peaceful settlement depended solely on US President Donald Trump, then given his current policies the conflict would have ended long ago

Four regions stand out in push to bring 'traditional' foreigners to Russia — Lavrov

The minister recalled that practical steps had previously been outlined to implement Russian President Vladimir Putin's decree on the voluntary resettlement of foreign citizens who share the country's traditional spiritual and moral values

Special op, nuclear forces, Oreshnik and Burevestnik: what Putin told defense officials

The Russian president noted that Russia’s strategic nuclear forces will continue to play a key role in deterring aggression and maintaining the global balance of power

US spy strategy in the Himalayas could have also been aimed at Soviet Union — expert

Recent reports by The New York Times revealed that during a covert operation in 1965, the CIA installed a SNAP-19C nuclear generator on Mount Nanda Devi’s summit to monitor Chinese missile activity

Kiev's proposals will reveal how much Zelensky seeks peace — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow needs to review the documents that emerged from discussions between the Americans, Europeans, and Ukrainians

Lavrov, Iranian foreign minister to discuss regional security, Iran’s nuclear program

US President Donald Trump and his peace initiatives related to Ukraine and the Gaza Strip will also be on the agenda of the talks