{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Russian finance ministry does not believe country is obligated to repay 'tsarist debts'

Earlier, Noble Capital RSD filed a lawsuit against Russia demanding the payment of $225.8 bln based on the country's alleged obligations under sovereign bonds issued during the Russian Empire

MOSCOW, January 21. /TASS/. Russia’s Finance Ministry does not believe the country is under any obligation to repay "tsarist debts," Deputy Finance Minister Vladimir Kolychev told reporters.

"That's right, yes. Even the Soviet Union didn't think it was necessary to pay, and the Russian Federation certainly doesn’t," he said, confirming that Moscow rejects the idea that it needs to repay "tsarist debts."

"As I understand it, this is a lawsuit. In Russia, the Prosecutor General's Office represents the defendant in all foreign lawsuits. Frankly, I don't know the details, but if a lawsuit is filed, Russia will certainly defend itself," Kolychev noted.

Earlier, Noble Capital RSD filed a lawsuit against Russia demanding the payment of $225.8 bln based on the country's alleged obligations under sovereign bonds issued during the Russian Empire. The Russian Federation, the Russian Finance Ministry, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, and the National Welfare Fund were named as defendants.

Scientists have methods to assess adaptation reserves in Arctic expeditions' participants

The research was conducted during the Arctic Floating University voyages in 2024 and 2025

Russia not surprised by Moldova’s decision to leave CIS — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that the republic did not participate in the work of the organization

Moldova’s withdrawal from CIS to take more than one year

The resolution will enter into force after an official notification by the Moldovan foreign ministry

Global aluminum production gain 1.05% in 2025

Aluminum production in Russia and East Europe surged by 1.7 times annually in 2025 to 7.06 mln metric tons

Trump’s single statement pushes Zelensky to edges of Davos forum — Russian diplomat

No problems facing Ukraine and the Ukrainian people could have prevented Zelensky from racing to Davos had he had the chance to meet with the US president, Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik noted

East battlegroup artillery destroys Ukraine’s strongholds in forest belts of Zaporozhye

It is noted that the strike weakened Ukraine’s defense in this area and deprived the enemy of prepared lines to hold positions

Hundreds of Impulse heavy-duty ground robotic systems delivered to special op zone

The All-Russian People’s Front said that the Impulse platform supports remote control via radio or fiber optics

Air Force 1 en route to Davos returns to Washington due to malfunction — White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitte said that it was a minor issue, and the plane was returning back as a precaution

Still early to speak of Russia’s participation in Board of Peace on Gaza — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said there are a lot of questions about this initiative so far

Ukrainian lawmaker names cause of heating problems in Kiev

Anna Skorokhod noted that the previous winters had been quite warm in Ukraine, so no one had made preparations for the winter season, but now "the situation is tough"

At some point EU will have to talk with Russia on Ukraine — European commissioner

According to Andrius Kubilius, dialogue with Russia makes no sense without a strategic plan

Europe should not allow someone else to engage in dialogue with Russia — Macron

At the same time, French leader did not confirm whether a G7 meeting with Russian representatives could take place in Paris in the coming days

Orban rejects Hungarian opposition's plan to abandon Russian oil and gas

The Hungarian government repeatedly stated that it cannot yet manage without Russian energy supplies, but continues to diversify its supply routes and sources

Danish pension fund decides to sell US Treasury Bonds

AkademikerPension holds US bonds worth about $100 mln

European Parliament suspends ratification of trade deal with the US — AFP

The trade deal was clinched between the EU and the US in 2025

Russia considers British, French arsenals in nuclear security matters — Lavrov

Speaking about China's participation in such negotiations, the minister recalled that Beijing had already made its position clear

Kremlin agrees that Trump will go down in history if he annexes Greenland

According to Dmitry Peskov, by resolving the issue of Greenland's accession, the US leader will go down not only in US history, but in world history as well

Zelensky cancels trip to Davos due to disrupted meeting with Trump — Rada member

Alexey Goncharenko said that no agreement will be signed

Kiev mayor says Ukrainian capital on brink of humanitarian disaster

Vitaly Klichko noted that "the situation is critical with basic services — heating, water, electricity"

Trump says he continues effort to resolve Ukrainian conflict

The US leader also reiterated that he had ended "eight wars"

Crimea as important for Russia’s security as Greenland for US — Lavrov

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

Ukrainian energy needs $1bln worth of energy equipment — minister

The Ukrainian energy sector urgently needs new transformers, mobile substations and power grid equipment, Economic Minister Alexey Sobolev said

US seizes Sagitta tanker in Caribbean — Pentagon

The US Southern Command emphasized that the tanker operated in defiance of US President Donald Trump’s established quarantine

Russia wants to remain Canada’s good neighbor — ambassador

Oleg Stepanov said this while commenting on Canadian prime minister’s anti-Russian rhetoric during the World Economic Forum in Davos

At least 75 Ukrainian drones downed over Russian regions overnight

45 of them were destroyed over the Krasnodar Region

Moldova’s president’s aspirations for unification with Romania carry risks of impeachment

Earlier, Maia Sandu said that she would vote for Moldova’s unifying with Romania in a referendum, explaining her position by saying that "it is becoming more and more difficult for a small country to survive"

Canada views collective West as thing of past — Canadian premier on US policies

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney opined that up until now Western countries assumed that their geographical position and membership in various alliances automatically guarantees economic prosperity and security

Legacy-minded Trump wants to be remembered for annexing Greenland — Medvedev

The senior Russian security official wondered how far the current US leader would go to achieve that goal

Zelensky doubts Ukraine will join Trump’s Board of Peace

According to Vladimir Zelensky, diplomats are working on the invitation

Zelensky says he doesn’t believe talks with US have reached dead end

The head of Kiev regime emphasized that the talks continued non-stop

EU troop deployment to Greenland aimed at deterring US — WSJ

Officially, European capitals presented the deployment as military exercises aimed at countering Russia and China

Ukraine not among top issues discussed during Davos meeting on energy — Naftogaz head

Sergey Koretsky emphasized that Kiev needs more Western financial support to meet the energy demand in Ukraine

Israeli bullets found in bodies of children killed in Iran — TASS source

Unrest in Iran began on December 29, 2025, after street protests triggered by a sharp fall in the Iranian rial exchange rate, spreading across most major cities

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military sites over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 200 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

EU diplomats fear Trump could misinterpret Greenland troop deployment — media

The FT noted that Danish officials said the troop deployment was preceded by "months of fruitless private diplomacy" with Washington

Zelensky does not back Trump's idea of bringing Greenland into US

Vladimir Zelensky expressed hope that Washington "will listen to Europe’s diplomatic message"

Former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe’s killer sentenced to life in prison

The defense has requested a 20-year prison sentence for Tetsuya Yamagami

Gold prices continue to grow, hitting new all-time high of $4,850 per troy ounce

As of 6:11 a.m. Moscow time, the precious metal traded at $4,852.6 per troy ounce

Ukraine policy, Russia's refusal to engage in rules-based dialogue: Lavrov’s statements

According to the foreign minister, Russia is ready to work with anyone willing to "negotiate honestly, on an equal footing, without blackmail or pressure"

Lavrov sees no grounds for signing mutual assistance accords with Greenland, Iceland

The Russian foreign minister admitted that it is unlikely that "anyone in Nuuk or Reykjavik is seriously considering this topic"

Putin to discuss with government issues raised during Q&A session

Russian President responded to 77 questions during the combined Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference

FACTBOX: What we know about Gaza Board of Peace

As of now, invitations have reportedly been received by heads of state and government of nearly 60 countries

US to scale down participation in 30 NATO mechanisms — WP

According to the newspaper, among the advisory groups facing cuts are those dedicated to the alliance’s energy security and naval warfare, special operations and intelligence

Hungary, Slovakia to challenge ban on Russian fuel supplies at EU court — top diplomat

The countries have already drafted legal rationale behind their motion to reverse the Europan Commission’s plan "making purchases of Russian natural gas impossible beginning from October 2027," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said

Trump believes he prevented NATO from ending up in ‘ash heap of history’

The US leader has on numerous occasions stated that he considered himself the savior of the North Atlantic Alliance

Europe to blame itself for advent of world-without-rules era — senior Russian legislator

Leonid Slutsky recalled that Russia had repeatedly warned of the impending crisis in European security and the economic dangers posed by Brussels' increasingly Russophobic policies

Trump en route to Zurich after delay caused by aircraft malfunction — AFP

According to the White House press pool, the US leader transferred to a smaller aircraft

More than a half of Russian foreign trade transactions made in rubles — PM

Progress is even more notable as regards the so-called "backbone" countries, where the total indicator of trade in national currencies crossed the level of 90%, Mikhail Mishustin said

Russian presidential envoy tells Polish premier that appeasement is EU’s only choice

Donald Tusk earlier called the appeasement policy a "sign of weakness"

Severe geomagnetic storms strikes Earth

The sun exploded with a powerful X1.9 flare on the evening of January 18, launching a huge blob of solar material, known as a coronal mass ejection, towards the Earth

Gold prices hit new all-time high, exceeding $4,800 per troy ounce

By 4:11 a.m. Moscow time the price stood at $4,805.4 per troy ounce

Putin orders to put Canpack, Rockwool assets in Russia under temporary new management

The decision took effect on December 31, 2025

Belarusian president signs document on Belarus joining Gaza ‘Board of Peace’

It is noted that the appeal was sent in full accordance with the procedure outlined in Donald Trump’s letter

Number of wounded in drone attack on south Russian apartment block rises to 11

Nine of them were hospitalized, including two children

Real effective exchange rate of ruble up 17.1% in 2025 — Central Bank

In December 2025, the real effective ruble rate edged up by 2.8% against the dollar

West discusses doing away with NATO — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister pointed out that the Euro-Atlantic concept of security and cooperation has proved unworkable

Trump supports preserving UN despite formation of Board of Peace

The US leader acknowledged that the Board of Peace could potentially replace the UN

Netanyahu says wants to turn Israel into ‘global power’

Benjamin Netanyahu specified that Israel needed strong defense and independent production capacity

Moldova elections mark worldwide setback of West — Russian diplomat

"Everything is being swept aside," Maria Zakharova noted

EU has no interest in 'picking a fight' with US over Greenland — diplomacy chief

Kaja Kallas stressed that direct threats "will not pressure Denmark into handing over Greenland"

Press review: Europe, US on brink of trade war as Russia ready to respond to UK plans

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, January 19th

United States possesses weapons unknown to anyone else — Trump

The US leader did not provide details about the mentioned weaponry

Europe is displaying 'blatant helplessness' over Greenland — Russian legislator

Vyacheslav Nikonov observed that recent days have witnessed a noteworthy development, which he described as a "geopolitical reset of Europe to zero"

Russian finance ministry does not believe country is obligated to repay 'tsarist debts'

Earlier, Noble Capital RSD filed a lawsuit against Russia demanding the payment of $225.8 bln based on the country's alleged obligations under sovereign bonds issued during the Russian Empire

US no longer Europe’s ally, says Belgian PM

According to Bart De Wever, the shift in America is not bound to one presidency

Russian security forces say 1,424 Ukrainians detained on Belarus-Ukraine border in 2025

More and more Ukrainian citizens are choosing to flee to Belarus rather than Europe, Russian security forces said

Israel says seizure of UNWRA compound in Jerusalem was legitimate

The Israeli side once again claimed that UNWRA was linked to the radical Palestinian movements Hamas and Islamic Jihad

Denmark threatens to seize land under Russian embassy buildings — ambassador

Vladimir Barbin said the embassy in Denmark is operating in the face of tough opposition from the Danish authorities and an actual blockade

Russian forces push Ukrainian army away from Dnieper river shore near Kherson — commander

The Ukrainian army is trying to hold its positions at the edge of the right bank of the Dnieper River and is secretly shelling the left bank of the Kherson Region while avoiding any active armed clashes

Thirteen injured, 75 drones downed in Adygea: aftermath of attack on Russian regions

In Adygea, 13 people, including two children, were injured due to a drone strike on an apartment building

US Treasury Secretary urges EU not to respond to Trump's tariffs over Greenland

According to Scott Bessent, US President Donald Trump, who is set to arrive in Davos on Wednesday, is open to proposals for resolving the issue

BRICS contribution to global economy growing — Russian PM

Mikhail Mishustin said that Russia needs foreign economic activity to strengthen dynamics in many industries, expand the demand for Russian goods and services

Ukrainian drone attack causes fire in apartment building in Russia’s Adygea — authorities

Regional head Murat Kumpilov stressed that emergency services are working at the scene

Press review: EU's Greenland litmus test and Russia eyes Trump's Peace Council invite

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, January 20th

Israel begins demolishing UNRWA compound in Jerusalem

The UNRWA compound’s territory will be transferred to government control and put up for sale

US to begin ground operations against drug trafficking soon — Trump

Donald Trump also added that the US government plans to start operations against drug trafficking by land soon

Europe should fear US, while fear of Russia is unjustified — political scientist

Jeffrey Sachs recommended that Europe make its own security arrangements

US does not intend to maintain long-term military presence in Syria — envoy

According to US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, the US prioritizes defeating ISIS remnants, supporting reconciliation, and advancing national unity without endorsing separatism or federalism

One killed, 15 wounded in commuter train accident in Spain’s Catalonia — agency

Doctors and police are working at the scene

NATO to become far weaker without US — Trump

The US President also stressed that he had made NATO "much better and stronger"

EU still has chance to resume economic cooperation with Russia — senior legislator

Leonid Slutsky acknowledged that realizing this potential requires political will

Europe’s chances to play role in Ukrainian settlement missed — Lavrov

According to the Russian top diplomat, Europe missed its opportunity on three occasions

Trump believes Greenland issue to be resolved, NATO preserved

Donald Trump stressed that the US needs Greenland for security purposes

Witkoff describes talks with Dmitriev as ‘very positive’

This is how the US President's Special Representative answered Izvestia's question

IN BRIEF: Lavrov on irreversible multipolarity, Board of Peace, US territorial ambitions

The Russian foreign minister said that Moscow sees inconsistency in the Trump administration's approach to international security issues

France aims to foster dialogue with BRICS within G7 — Macron

Emmanuel Macron stated that France would strive to restore the G7 as a forum for candid dialogue

Greenland issue political rather than military — NATO general

Alexus Grynkewich emphasized that the alliance's mission to defend and deter aggression against any part of its territory had not changed

France proposes holding NATO drills in Greenland — Reuters

According to the source, the French armed forces are ready to join the exercises

Russia does not challenge others' rights, will not let anyone ignore its own — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that fundamental actions to further strengthen national sovereignty are of paramount importance

EU-Mercosur free trade agreement will not be ratified in Hungary — Orban

The Hungarian PM noted that the European Commission had tried to cheat by introducing additional rules that would allow the agreement to enter into force before it was approved by EU parliaments

Greenland dispute stems from colonial era legacy — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister noted that in the mid-20th century an agreement was signed, making it part of Denmark

Multipolarity is here to stay, we'll still have to negotiate — Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, the current centers of growth reflect an objective historical process

Pistorius has to live with statements about 'inevitable' NATO-Russia war — Lavrov

On November 15, 2025, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that a war between Russia and NATO could allegedly begin before 2029

Russia reiterates its commitment to strengthen ties with CAR after presidential election

The Russian side hopes that Central African society will continue moving along the path of sustainable political and socio-economic development

Russian envoy arrives at negotiation venue in Davos

Kirill Dmitriev is expected to speak with US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and US entrepreneur Jared Kushner

NORAD says its planes to arrive in Greenland soon

"This activity has been coordinated with the Kingdom of Denmark", North American Joint Aerospace Defense Command noted

Opposition politician calls Moldova bankrupt country

According to Ilan Sor, living standards in the country have fallen sharply in the past six years, with gas prices jumping six times and electricity tariffs rising four-fold

Evacuation ordered at south Russian apartment building after drone fragments fall nearby

In the settlement of Afipsky, drone fragments fell near an apartment building, including the warhead

IN BRIEF: Threats to 'abduct' Putin,' Greenland: statements by Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova said all issues around Greenland should be resolved within the framework of international law

Kalashnikov delivers batch of electric motorcycles with trailers to special op zone

The motorcycle and two-seater electric scooter are designed for silent transportation

Europe might agree to hand over Greenland to appease US — Bloomberg

A sense is growing that events are spinning out of control, the newspaper said