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Almost all Russia's settlements with China, India conducted in national currencies — VTB

Chief Executive Officer Andrey Kostin said that over these years, the trading partners have gradually moved to a payment system that practically does not use the dollar or euro

MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Almost 100% of Russia's settlements with key trading partners such as China and India are now conducted in national currencies, Chief Executive Officer of VTB, Russia's second-biggest bank, Andrey Kostin said.

"If we take Russia and its settlements with key trading partners like China and India, we've switched almost 100% to national currencies: the ruble, yuan, and rupee. In the EAEU countries, the share of settlements in rubles is around 90%. Within the BRICS countries, settlements in national currencies, I believe, already exceed 60%. Over these years, we have gradually moved to a payment system that practically does not use the dollar or euro," he noted.

That said, the dollar remains one of the most important means of payment in the world, Kostin added.

Putin sees prospects for closer defense cooperation with Africa

He recalled that first the former Soviet Union and then Russia supplied African countries with large quantities of weapons and combat vehicles, trained specialists in their production, use, and repairs, as well as military personnel

Bank of Russia sets new requirements for payment equipment developers

Approaches effective since 2020 will be replaced

Zelensky says there are no specific agreements with Russia on energy truce

The head of Kiev regime noted that he was not yet ready to say whether an energy truce would be reached

Zelensky asked for meeting with Putin, not the other way around — Kremlin

Earlier, the Kremlin confirmed that Zelensky had an open invitation to Moscow for talks with Putin, and that Russia would ensure his safety if he came

Putin-Trump phone talk scheduled for Saturday — Kremlin

Kremlin spokesman confirmed the US media reports saying that Trump and Putin will speak on the phone on Saturday

Russia honored all defense export contracts, with revenues above $15 bln — Putin

Such results provide an additional opportunity to allocate funds for the upgrade of defense sector plants, for the expansion of their production capacities, and for looking-forward scientific studies, Putin said

Europe rejects Zelensky's claims about delay in delivery of Patriot missiles — news agency

The European officials did not provide any details

Erdogan’s adviser says Turkey will stop operation in Syria after capturing Manbij

"Turkey is presently setting up a 90-kilometer buffer zone," Ilnur Cevik, an adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayuip Erdogan, said

Turkish lawmaker says Astana talks unprecedentedly successful

A lawmaker believes the Astana talks marked the first step in settling the Syrian crisis

UR-100N UTTKh missile service life to be extended by several years — developer

The UR-100N UTTKh missiles are used as carriers for the Avangard hypersonic warhead

Russia to send Cuba diesel fuel and equipment worth $62 mln in aid

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko added that Russia will send repair kits for damaged power equipment

Diplomat calls Western panic over risk of nuclear accidents in Ukraine 'far-fetched'

"Due to power outages at nuclear power plants under Kiev's control, it was necessary to reduce output capacity periodically," Russian envoy to international organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said

Russia calls on UN to abandon political games around humanitarian aid to Syria

According to the ministry, the situation when UN officials become part of the propaganda campaign to discredit the anti-terrorist efforts taken by Russia and Syria is "inadmissible"

OSCE gets no official invitation to observe Turkmen elections

The government of Turkmenistan has not extended an official invitation to the OSCE for sending observers to the presidential election

US Justice Department announces release of all documents from Epstein case file

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche pointed out that the US Department of Justice is publishing "more than three million pages, including more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images in total"

EU cracks down on dissent, defies democracy it once lectured Russia on — Kremlin

"They are departing from the very standards of democracy they have long proclaimed and sought to impart to other nations, including us," Dmitry Peskov said

Interstate Aviation Committee suspends certificate for Boeing-737 aircraft in Russia

According to public sources nearly 190 Boeing-737 aircraft of different modifications are currently in service in Russia

Russian envoy discusses Kiev’s hunt for medics, intensified attacks and manipulation at UN

Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador at Large on Kiev’s War Crimes Rodion Miroshnik said that at least 293 children suffered from Ukrainian attacks in 2025

EU is party to Ukraine conflict, cannot monitor ceasefire — senior Russian diplomat

Alexander Grushko also mentioned the disastrous experience the European Union has accumulated in recent years and its subversive role

Russia to present battle-tested innovations at Saudi Arabia expo

"Rosoboronexport is expanding its range of weapons and military equipment promoted on the international market," the company's CEO Alexander Mikheyev added

Free higher education should be off limits to “C” pupils, minister says

According to Kuzminov, “The majority of even poor people agree that ‘C’ pupils should not get higher education at the expense of taxpayers”

Cuba declares ‘international emergency’ amid US threats

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing for duties on foreign countries that provide any oil to Cuba

Russia acquired sound portfolio of new defense export orders last year — Putin

Therefore, the Russian system of military-technical cooperation not merely demonstrated efficiency and high resilience, the head of state stressed

Analysts estimate losses of Western countries from sanctions at $60.2 bln

According to the survey, Germany leads in terms of income deficiency in monetary terms

Press review: Russia ready to aid Syria as Trump tariffs fall short on US national debt

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, January 29th

EU to replace Russian oil price cap by complete ban of marine transportation — Bloomberg

The news agency said the proposal was backed by EU countries, which adopt sanction packages under the principle of unanimity

Rosoboronexport's order portfolio exceeds $60 billion — CEO

The company's CEO Alexander Mikheyev told TASS following a meeting of the Commission for Military-Technical Cooperation with Foreign States chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin

Expert says Syria talks in Astana have important psychological effect

From the practical point of view, the meeting is only a first step in a long settlement process, a Russian expert said

Putin sees prospects for closer defense cooperation with Africa

He recalled that first the former Soviet Union and then Russia supplied African countries with large quantities of weapons and combat vehicles, trained specialists in their production, use, and repairs, as well as military personnel

IN BRIEF: What we know about current escalation around Iran

Donald Trump is looking at different military options against Iran, ground operations among them, but prefers to find a diplomatic solution to the situation

Grinch tanker detained by French Navy has no connection with Russia — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow considers any infringement on freedom of navigation unacceptable

Trial against seven Russians from MV Myre Seadiver crew to start within hours

Myre Seadiver crew was detained at the port of Lagos on October 19, 2012 on arms smuggling charges

Wheat to Cameroun shipped first time from Russian Baltic seaport

The batch with the volume of 47,700 metric tons was shipped from the port of Vysotsk in the Leningrad Region

Robots used in Russian Army commanders’ assembly

The main yardstick for the advanced systems is their relevance to combat units, Army Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Oleg Salyukov said

Tank army to be formed near Moscow by wintertime — source

Russia's first Tank Army and the newly-formed 20th Combined Arms Army will be the first to receive the newest Armata tanks and Kurganets infantry fighting vehicles, the source says

Erdogan’s adviser admits success of al-Bab operation impossible without Russia

On February 24, the Turkish military claimed to have taken full control of the city of al-Bab

Trump considering raids, special forces ops inside Iran — media

Among the riskiest scenarios under consideration is the covert deployment of US special forces to destroy or disable Iranian nuclear sites that were not hit during the US strikes in June 2025

Trump's inaugural address: When America is united, America is totally unstoppable

Tthe United States’ 45th President Donald Trump says the current change of government in the United States means transferring power back to the American people

France needs at least 10 years to reach Russia's level in hypersonic weapons — expert

Xavier Moreau explained that Russia is the only country in the world capable of mass-producing hypersonic weapons

Western intelligence agencies find no evidence of Iran's creation of nuclear weapons — NYT

According to US estimates, Iran has not built new nuclear facilities, although activity has been observed at two unfinished sites in Natanz and Isfahan, the newspaper said

Russian Knights aerobatic team marking 25 years since foundation

Russian Knights aerobatic group is the only one in the world doing its public displays on the Sukhoi-27 heavy fighters

Russian military-technical cooperation with Africa returns to level seen during Soviet era

It has even surpassed it in some respects, Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev told

Russian Defense Ministry is forming new armies

These include two tank armies, two Air Force and Air Defense armies

Сommander: Russia’s MiG-35 fighter jet has big potential in Syria-like conflicts

Russian Aerospace Force Commander-in-Chief Bondarev earlier said the MiG-35 would become Russia’s sole light fighter jet

NPO Mashinostroyeniya meets all orders from Russian Defense Ministry

NPO Mashinostroeniya produces the Tsirkon hypersonic missile, the Onyx cruise missile, the Bastion coastal defense missile system, maintains the UR-100N UTTKh intercontinental ballistic missile, and creates Earth radar surveillance satellites

Putin certain Europe to embark on stable development path

Russian President Vladimir Putin is certain that Europe will embark on a stable development path and turn the situation for the better

Sarkozy slams idea of Ukraine’s NATO integration

According to the French ex-president, "Ukraine is a friend of Russia and should be a friend of Europe"

Russia, Indonesia to sign four documents on Thursday

Yury Ushakov noted that arrangements enshrined in interdepartmental agreements "cover a broad sphere of cooperation"

Israel delivers 17 airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

Among the targets was an industrial zone in Daoudiya and warehouses holding construction equipment

Russian defense exports to grow significantly in 2026 — Putin

Additional support measures will be introduced within the framework of the new federal project for development of military-technical cooperation with foreign countries for the period of 2026-2028, the Russian leader added

Europe has withdrawn 80% of gas it pumped into storage facilities for heating season

Gas withdrawal from UGS facilities in EU countries amounted to around 758 mln cubic meters on January 28

Assad says Syria ready for direct talks with all opposition representatives

Bashar al-Assad has stated that Damascus is ready for direct talks with representatives of all the opposition groups (including the armed ones), according to a Russian lawmaker

Russia’s nuclear triad to gain new hypersonic component — expert

Alexander Stepanov cited projects such as the GELA hypersonic drone, capable of reaching speeds of up to 11,000 km/h, a new unmanned aerial vehicle capable of reaching Mach 7 and launching payloads into orbit, and the Champion long-range hypersonic drone bomber

Expert believes Trump wants to pull US-Russia relations out of deadlock

The expert believes foreign policy has a purely applied meaning for Donald Trump, considering the unfavorable atmosphere that surrounded his arrival at the White House

Previously doxed teenager says Mirotvorets database used to intimidate children, parents

According to Faina Savenkova, the founders of the website and those backing it should be prosecuted under Russian law

Russia, Turkey agree to continue work with Syrian participants in Astana meeting

The Astana peace talks have brought together representatives of the Syrian government, opposition, as well as Russia, Turkey and Iran as the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement in Syria

Kremlin reiterates offer for militants to leave Aleppo 'still on the table'

The Defense Ministry is working hard to make more Syrian armed opposition groups join the ceasefire

Russia seeks to facilitate return of civilians to Palmyra

The Russian Defense Ministry has decided to send officers of the International Demining Center to Palmyra

Kurdish institutions, army to merge with Syrian state apparatus

The agreement provides for the integration of self-governing institutions into Syrian state structures, as well as the regulation of the status of civil servants

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

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 1,300 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 22 enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukraine, Europe should support Trump’s peace plan — Russian special envoy

Kirill Dmitriev commented on Vladimir Zelensky’s statement that Ukraine did not receive a batch of air defense missiles because Europe did not pay for them

Parachute landing system for military vehicles to be tested in Russia

The multi-dome parachute landing system was designed to airdrop the BMD-4M armored fighting vehicles with crews inside from military transport aircraft

Russian strategic bombers hammer Islamic State facilities in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor

The Russian long-range bombers delivered the massive strike after flying over Iraq and Iran, Russia’s Defense Ministry reports

Russian top diplomat says ceasefire deal in Syria open to all except IS and Nusra Front

Lavrov also believes efforts in establishing full-fledged dialogue with the United States on Syria will succeed

Russia develops 340 military-technical cooperation projects with foreign countries — Putin

According to Putin, joint work in this area will improve the characteristics of existing weapons and equipment, as well as develop new promising models, including those in demand on the global market

Press review: Russia, UAE hold Kremlin talks and NATO plans defense bank by 2027

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, January 30th

Agricultural trade between Russia and UAE doubles in 3 years reaching $400 mln

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev noted the importance of joint work on developing a BRICS grain exchange

WSJ: Syrian army is about to retake militant-controlled east Aleppo

According to the newspaper, the militants are becoming "desperate"

Action legend Seagal lists mansion outside Moscow for sale

According to the statement, the residence includes a two-story mansion, a two-car garage, a guest house, a bathhouse, and a barbeque gazebo, all situated on a forested plot of 1,500 square meters

Rosatom delivered uranium, gold mining target for 2025

First Deputy CEO of Rosatom Nedra Alexey Shemetov said that commercial operation of the Severnoye goldfield in Yakutia kicked off

Naryshkin intends to improve discipline in Duma in civilized way

“I come out for the deputies to participate in the debates of all bills with the discipline and the knowledge of their work”

Share of grain in Russian agricultural exports to decrease to 25% by 2030 — minister

In 2025, exports of agricultural products with high added value grew by 8% to $19 bln, Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut noted

Trump not to back down from trying to get Greenland — Jeffrey Sachs

Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University likened Trump’s behavior to that of a four-year-old child

Crew, passengers of EMERCOM’s Mi-8 delivered to Chita safely

Three crew members and four passengers “feel well”

Russia will ensure rights of gas exporters if EU violates agreements — MFA

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that Russia has long been successfully redirecting gas supplies toward new centers of global economic growth, primarily in Asia

Russia to take into account Japan’s source toward supporting Kiev, anti-Russian sanctions

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, amid the current developments in Japan, where "a parliamentary election campaign has recently started, speculations on the above-mentioned topic are seen as pure populism"

Russia delivers batch of wheat to Syria first time under new power — source

The Pola Marina vessel supplied 6,600 tons of wheat to the Syrian port of Latakia on Sunday, April 20

Energy ceasefire will change nothing for Kiev — former prime minister

Nikolay Azarov said that restoring the system will require approximately two years, emphasizing that the damage is so severe that a mere week’s pause is insignificant

Bad weather complicates search for lost An-2 plane in Sverdlovsk region

Moreover, there is practically no information where the plane was heading when it was lost

Russia, Iran, Turkey setting up ceasefire monitoring mechanism in Syria

Russia, Iran and Turkey are committed to the principles of Syria’s sovereignty

Eurasian Economic Union to start free trade zone talks with four countries

Belarusian Vice Prime Minister Natalia Petkevich said that the EAEU approved the top-priority countries

Trump asks Putin to refrain from striking Kiev until February 1 — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov did not clarify whether Russia had responded to Trump’s proposal to halt the strikes

Europe completely at a loss, does not know where to turn — Russia’s ambassador to UN

Vasily Nebenzya said that Europe became a victim of its own conceptual framework, based on rules it once promoted

Russian diplomat questions data on Ukraine conflict compiled by UN agencies

According to Rodion Miroshnik, those agencies rely on quite a strange playbook to collect the data based solely on reports from one side of the conflict

Zelensky's policy boils down to dragging out talks as long as possible — politician

At the same time, former Ukrainian prime minister Nikolay Azarov noted that Vladimir Zelensky's refusal to visit Moscow was expected

Over 320 types of weapons tested in operation in Syria — Russia’s defense minister

Sergei Shoigu pointed out that the weapons that can operate at a longer range than air defense systems or MANPADs were needed to protect the hardware

Syrian opposition refuses to attend Geneva II conference

Earlier in the day, a delegation of the Syrian opposition met with the Friends of Syria Group, which brings together Western and Arab states

FACTBOX: What is known about winning bid to acquire Domodedovo Airport

Perspektiva LLC, a subsidiary of the Sheremetyevo Airport, has won the auction

UN has no moral right to participate in Ukraine talks — envoy

Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya added that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "clearly playing on one side"

Moscow hopes Astana talks to improve situation in Syria

Russia expects important decisions, which will help consolidate the cessation of hostilities, reduce the level of violence in the country and improve the humanitarian situation

Netherlands ruling coalition declares Russia ‘key security threat’

The agreement does not provide any specific evidence or confirmed facts, and the wording is general and evaluative

Moscow ready to clarify issue of 'safe zones' in Syria with US

The Russian top diplomat added that Moscow is prepared to negotiate with US on combating terrorism "at any time"

New Astana meeting on Syria to focus on separating opposition from Jabhat al-Nusra

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the new meeting is scheduled for February, 6

Guterres’ 'bizarre statement' and costly Russophobia: MFA spokeswoman’s statements

Maria Zakharova also said that Moldova’s Russophobia is pushing the country "to nowhere" and costs it too high

Putin announces additional measures to support defense sector in 2026-2028

"It is extremely important to effectively use available financial and other mechanisms and instruments of support" as Russia expects growth in the export of its defense products in 2026, Putin stressed

FACTBOX: Trump declares state of emergency in US over alleged threat from Cuba

Under US law, this grants the president authority to impose duties on goods from countries supplying oil to Cuba

Defense chief praises Russian military's success in Syria

Special operations groups and special forces teams have demonstrated their high efficiency in Syria, according to the Russian defense minister

Russia’s space industry may see further budget cuts — space agency

Russia’s draft federal space program for 2016-2025 seeks $34 billion, which is already $11.2 billion less than was originally planned

Putin praises Russian weapons as advanced and battle-tested

The Russian leader noted that the groundwork laid allows for expanding both the range of weapons and the geography of supplies

Frontline situation speaks for itself — Kremlin

Russian forces are going on a successful offensive in Donbass as they clear one locality after another of Ukrainian formations over there

Not only Ukraine, but also entire Western world losing to Russia — Internet entrepreneur

Kim Dotcom, founder of the file-sharing network Megaupload, said that Russia should not waste time normalizing relations with Western countries