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VTB posts 8.9% decrease in net profit under IFRS for 2025 to $6.5 bln

Q4 2025 net profit amounted to $1.5 bln, down by 31.2% year-on-year

MOSCOW, February 25. /TASS/. Net profit of VTB Group under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) amounted to 502.1 bln rubles ($6.5 bln) in 2025, which is 8.9% lower than the record result of 2024, Russia’s second-largest lender said in its financial report.

Earlier, VTB projected net profit for 2025 at around 500 bln rubles.

Q4 2025 net profit amounted to 121.3 bln rubles ($1.5 bln), down by 31.2% year-on-year.

Assets of the group grew by 2.3% last year to 36.9 trillion rubles ($482 bln).

US to expand fuel exports to Cuba’s private sector amid energy crisis — newspaper

At present, Cuban business owners can purchase small amounts of fuel in the United States and ship it to the island

West’s goal is to give Zelensky time to rearm his forces — Russia’s OSCE envoy

Dmitry Polyansky says that this tactics is compatible with "today’s version of the so-called European values"

Kiev forces lost over 150 soldiers in Kostantinovka in 24 hours — military expert

Vitaly Kiselev says that almost 40 more Ukrainian soldiers were heavily wounded

Spanish top diplomat says peace in Ukraine still far off

According to Jose Manuel Albares, no one is currently raising the issue of deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine

Iran ready to do everything necessary to reach deal with US — senior diplomat

If there is a political will on all sides, the deal can be reached as soon as possible, Majid Takht-Ravanchi said

Battlegroup West destroy 59 heavy combat quadcopters of Kiev troops in one day

The fighters also eliminated 39 drone control points, Spokesman for the Battlegroup West Ivan Bigma says

Ex-UK Ambassador to Russia Brenton calls for stopping viewing Russians as enemies

The official says that people exaggerate, "see the Russian hand behind a lot of things"

Ukraine may return to its 1654 borders after special military op ends — expert

Pepe Escobar pointed out that at the end of the conflict, Ukraine may be completely fragmented, as its neighboring countries dream of regaining the territories that Ukraine acquired thanks to the Soviet Union's political will

Plans to supply Kiev with nuclear bomb breach international law — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow urged London and Paris to initiate parliamentary investigations

UK PM’s spokesperson denies reports on London’s plans to transfer nuke arms to Kiev

The UK will continue its efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, a spokesman for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer added

Ukraine wants to lay hands on nukes to use them against Russia — senior legislator

Konstantin Kosachev recalled that Ukraine had never had the status of a nuclear power

Medvedev calls transferring nuclear technologies to Kiev ‘direct path to world war’

The politician recalled that Moscow had repeatedly stated the consequences of such steps

Two suspects in assassination attempt on President Vucic arrested in Serbia

The suspects have been placed into custody

Relations with Russia important strategic component of Vietnam’s policy — foreign minister

Vietnam want to promote and develop relations with Russia, Le Hoai Trung added

Trump reveals his favorite word

The US president said that he loves word "tariff" more than any other word in the dictionary

Handover of nuclear weapons to Kiev to make NATO party to conflict — expert

Alexander Stepanov added that the transfer of nuclear technologies or warheads to the Kiev government will be another red line crossed, presenting an existential threat to Russia

Russian scholar Andrey Lankov detained in Latvia — Delfi

Lankov was taken to an immigration service office

UK, France readying to arm Ukraine with nuclear bomb — Foreign Intelligence Service

According to the SVR, the British and the French realize that their plot is "a gross violation of the international law, first of all the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and carries the risk of destroying the global non-proliferation system"

Liberating Karpovka, Russian troops establish bridgehead on Nitrius River — expert

Andrey Marochko said that it will facilitate the further liberation of this area

Russian troops liberate Rizdvyanka community in Zaporozhye Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 170 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian diplomat sees UK, France flirting with Kiev over nukes

Maria Zakharova noted that, over the past week, the media had downplayed the news by diverting global attention

Transferring nuclear weapons to Kiev would be crime — State Duma speaker

This is a violation of international law, Vyacheslav Volodin said

G7 undertakes commitment to work on nuclear safety in Ukraine — statement

The group also expressed its "continued support" to US President Donald Trump’s efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine

Russian Embassy warns of energy markets destabilization risk due to UK sanctions

Attempts to impose trade and economic dictates cannot produce any positive outcome, the embassy noted

Senators urge investigation into plans by London, Paris to arm Kiev with nuclear weapons

The body also proposed that the UN Security Council, the IAEA , and the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons carry out investigations in accordance with their respective mandates

Macron acknowledges lack of unity in 'coalition of willing' on guarantees to Kiev — AFP

The French president also called it important to continue peace talks, but at the same time said he was "skeptical about the prospects for a quick agreement"

Kiev to attack civilians if it acquires nuclear weapons — expert

Maxim Zubarev emphasized that Ukraine is deliberately prolonging the negotiation process

Egyptian, Russian foreign ministers discuss regional situation, including Iran

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that his country is making every possible effort to create a favorable environment for negotiations between the United States and Iran and to turn this crisis into a diplomatic one

Transfer of nukes to Kiev would be most significant threat to Russia since 1941 — expert

"It could be worse than the Cuban Missile Crisis, because a real confrontation is underway here, and the clock ticking toward nuclear catastrophe is evidently approaching a critical point," Andrey Marochko said

US sanctions 3 Russian individuals, 3 companies from Russia, UAE due to cyber threats

Russian company Matrix, Dubai-based Advance Security Solutions and Special Technology Services are on the list

US president mentions Russia twice in record State of the Union address

Donald Trump spoke of Russia in the context of the Ukrainian conflict and as he made a reference to the presence of Russian weapons off Venezuelan coast

Ex-prime minister of Norway suspected of ties with Epstein attempts suicide — portal

The politician was hospitalized and is currently in serious condition

Russia calls on Europe to reconsider its course of escalating confrontation — Nebenzya

Russia's permanent representative to the UN says that European countries should torpedo the ongoing negotiations

Tucker Carlson trying to talk Trump out of war with Iran — US expert

Andrew Napolitano believes that Trump's use of force against Tehran is practically predetermined

European Troika should start dialogue with Russia — deputy head of AfD faction

Markus Frohnmaier said the AfD has repeatedly put forward the initiatives to lift sanctions against Russia and unfreeze its assets in case of progress in resolving the conflict

US abstains from voting on anti-Russian General Assembly resolution on Ukraine

A total of 107 countries voted in favor, while 12 were against, including Russia, Belarus, Iran and North Korea

Ukrainian troops facing difficulties due to Starlink shutdown — commander

According to communications platoon commander of the 49th Combined Arms Army of the Battlegroup Dnepr, the Ukrainian reconnaissance drones and FPV drones are now flying less frequently and the operation of their live monitoring and recording systems has been significantly reduced

Russian foreign minister to discuss cooperation in UN, ASEAN with Vietnamese counterpart

Sergey Lavrov recalled that in May of last year, on the sidelines of the meeting of the leaders of Russia and Vietnam as part of the celebration of the anniversary of the Great Victory in Moscow, a consultation plan between the foreign ministries of both countries for 2025-2026 was signed

Ex-UK Ambassador to Russia Brenton calls for expanding dialogue with Moscow

According to Tony Brenton, there no signs of improvement in relations between Moscow and London due to the position taken by the UK authorities in support for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia

Russia to raise question of nuclear arms supplies to Kiev at OSCE — envoy

According to Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, the UK and France believe that "Kiev would be able to aspire to more advantageous terms of ceasing the hostilities" if it possesses nuclear weapons

Russia capable of fighting back if West transfers nuclear weapons to Kiev — envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya expressed hope that "reasonable people" in the UK, France would restrain their leaders from such steps

India may order up to 40 Su-57 fighter jets from Russia — TV

According to the sources, the purchase of Su-57 fighter jets is being considered as a potential measure to strengthen the country's aircraft fleet amid growing regional security challenges

Military drills by US, Canada, Denmark indicate militarization of Arctic — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that such exercises appear to be an effort to reinforce NATO countries’ military presence in the Arctic

Russia aims at development of multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov says that Vietnam is a very important partner of Russia in Asia

US deploys over 150 aircraft near Iran after Geneva talks — WP

The current US military presence in the region is the largest since the operation in Iraq in 2003, the newspaper noted

Western aid cannot solve problem of high losses among Ukrainian troops — Russian MP

Since the beginning of 2026, Kiev has already lost about 65,000 personnel

Top Hungarian diplomat secures US support for energy security amid Ukrainian blackmail

The US is interested in Hungary's success in the energy sector as a new period started after a "joint work in the nuclear sphere," Peter Szijjarto says

Putin calls for tough measures against Russophobia, attempts to divide Russian society

The Russian leader recalled that 2026 was declared Russian People’s Unity Year

Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia to team up to counteract Ukrainian blackmail — Szijjarto

The minister also said that he had agreed with Serbia’s Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic to accelerate the preparation to build an oil pipeline between the countries

Russian troops advance in four areas near Slavyansk in few days — expert

The Russian army expanded the control area near the Krivaya Luka locality

Armen clashes reported on border between Pakistan, Afghanistan — TV

No casualties were reported

Russia to allocate over $3.1 bln for space activities in 2023 — Putin

It is noted that everyone has an interest in Russia’s plans "in this exceptional sector"

German defense minister says Ukraine conflict unlikely to be resolved on battlefield

Boris Pistorius also reiterated Berlin’s intention to continue supporting Kiev

Russian troops continue to advance, battling near Svyatogorsk — DPR head

Denis Pushilin stressed that the advance in the north of the Donetsk People’s Republic was bringing closer a solution to the region’s water supply problem

Russia could launch nuclear strikes on France, UK if they arm Kiev with nukes — Medvedev

"This is the proportional response that Russia has the right to," the Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed

Kiev would have destroyed Donbass if not for Russia — DPR head

Denis Pushilin added that thanks to Russia’s support, the region’s residents "persevered, became part of the family of Russian regions, and are now restoring Donbass"

EU policy adds fuel to fire of conflict in Ukraine — European Parliament member

It leads to its dangerous escalation, Danilo Della Valle said

Kiev is failing to stabilize the front near Slavyansk — Russian military expert

Andrey Marochko says that Ukrainian servicemen are unable to contain the advance of the Russian army

Press review: Russia readies for new Ukraine talks as US aids Mexico in cartel crackdown

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, February 24th

UN Human Rights Council increasingly failing, turning into farce — Belarus

According to Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Sekreta, today a global reform has been imposed on the states again accompanied by reductions, optimizations, and liquidation in the hope that it will help restore efficiency, including in the Human Rights Council

NATO fully funds all US arms deliveries to Ukraine — Trump

The American leader called NATO member states "friends and allies"

US demands that Kiev should refrain from attacking American economic interests — envoy

Olga Stefanishina said the demarche from the State Department revealed that the United States does not currently have the same economic interests in Ukraine as it does in Kazakhstan

Coalition of the willing confirms its intention to send troops to Ukraine

The coalition of the willing also said that it would continue imposing sanctions on Russia, as well as providing financial and technical support for Kiev

IN BRIEF: Russia’s stance on UK, French plans to hand over nuclear weapons to Kiev

Paris and London’s plans to transfer nuclear technologies to Kiev for the purpose of creating a bomb as bordering on insanity, Dmitry Peskov said

West ignored invitation to roundtable in Vienna about causes of special op — diplomat

Permanent Representative to the OSCE Dmitry Polyansky says that the European countries are "trying to disrupt " the Russian, US peace efforts

Attempts to help Kiev obtain nuclear weapons to trigger Russia’s tough response — diplomat

Russia’s position that Ukraine cannot possess nuclear weapons is uncompromising and categorical, Maria Zakharova stressed

Trump states that United States seeks dominance in Western Hemisphere

The US president pledged to protect national interests, defend the country from "violence, drugs, terrorism, and foreign interference"

Iran expects to sign fair agreement with US very soon — foreign minister

Abbas Araghchi says a deal is within reach "but only if priority is given to diplomacy"

Foreign ministers of Russia, Egypt discuss strengthening of trade and economic cooperation

"The primary focus was on issues of continuing close foreign political coordination between Russia and Egypt on current problems at international platforms," the Russian Foreign Ministry noted

German defense minister confirms no supplies of Taurus missiles to Ukraine

"Taurus will not resolve and will not end this war," Boris Pistorius underscored

United States received 80 mln barrels of oil from Venezuela — Trump

The US leader also said that American oil production had grown by more than 600,000 barrels per day

Consequences of US strikes against Iran difficult to predict — former UK envoy to Russia

Tony Brenton emphasized that one of the current Donald Trump’s campaign promises was to avoid dragging the country into "more big, long-term, remote wars"

Trump claims Iran has not promised to US to give up nuclear weapons

The US leader also says he will not allow Tehran to obtain the weapons

Russia to use SS-19 ICBMs as carriers for Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles — source

About 30 UR-100N UTTKh liquid-propellant missiles were delivered from Ukraine for the ‘gas debt, according to the source

Terrorist attack at Savelovsky railway station could have been recruitment result — Putin

The president stressed that this incident "requires additional work" from the FSB

Idea of infringing on Russia’s sovereignty can come only to sick mind — expert

President of the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center Mikhail Kovalchuk explained that Russia "has practically the world’s most advanced nuclear weapons" at this point

US military potential enough for only four or five days of strikes on Iran — newspaper

The newspaper noted that the start of the conflict could result in casualties among US military personnel, which would greatly affect the MAGA electorate

FACTBOX: Key details of UK’s new sanctions against Russia

A total of 240 legal entities, seven individuals, and 50 vessels have been added to the UK sanctions list against Russia, according to the Foreign Office

West left Russia with no choice but to start special op — envoy to OSCE

Russia's opponents will not be able to silence the inconvenient truth about their years of interference, about their attempts to turn Ukraine into an ‘anti-Russia,’ Dmitry Polyansky said

Ukraine could go bankrupt by April due to dispute with Hungary — magazine

Mandiner emphasized that in the context of general mobilization, more than a third of Ukraine's budget goes toward financing the army

Trump says he is working hard to facilitate Ukrainian conflict settlement

The conflict wouldn't have happened during his presidency, the official says

Senator Voloshin warns Paris, London nukes in Kiev’s hands to have strategic effects

Alexander Voloshin emphasized that nuclear weapons should never serve as tools for unilateral blackmail

European Parliament passes first resolution omitting Ukrainian ‘military victory’

The document only calls for pressure on Russia to strengthen Kiev's negotiating position and provide military guarantees to Kiev after the signing of peace

Bank of Russia set dollar rate at 76.63 rubles for February 25

The official euro rate was increased by 29.88 kopecks to 90.5821 rubles

Consequences of using nuclear bomb, Russian developments: Putin's statements

The Russian president said that Russia has promising defense and civilian developments, and some of them have not yet been publicly presented

West’s attempts to ensure dominance, lack of will for peace in Ukraine: envoy’s statements

According to Gennady Gatilov, NATO countries' actions, including the development of security guarantees for Kiev, demonstrate their unwillingness to settle the Ukrainian conflict

Witkoff and Kushner to meet with Umerov in Geneva on February 26 — media

The next round of negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement may take place in ten days, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff says

Roscosmos buys Earth observation satellite data from private company for first time

The Sputnix Group confirmed that the contract had been signed

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

Ukraine suffers more than 1.5 million casualties since Russia launched special military op

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has lost about 65,000 servicemen since the beginning of 2026

By transferring nuclear weapons to Ukraine the West is trying to prolong conflict — expert

Andrey Marochko also did not exclude the possibility that, should Kiev acquire nuclear capabilities, it might attempt to conduct strikes deep into Russian territory

Moldovan president says hope to resolve Transnistrian problem soon

According to Maia Sandu, Chisinau is taking "major steps toward the economic and social reintegration" of Transnistria

London, Paris at work on transfer of nuclear weapon components to Ukraine — Russian MFA

"Efforts are focused on ensuring that the appearance of such weapons in Kiev looks like the result of the Ukrainians' own development," Maria Zakharova noted

Polish court dismisses appeal against detention of Russian archaeologist Butyagin

The judge says that the defense did not prove the absence of a high risk of escape of the archaeologist

12 US F-22 fighter jets arrive in airbase in southern Israel — media

According to Kan, the fighter jets arrived in Israel as part of the US military deployment campaign in the Middle East

About 6.5 million Somalians at risk of starvation because of ongoing drought — statement

The country's government declared a state of emergency last November. The $852 million UN assistance plan elaborated in January may help 2.4 million people

Russia develops first tactical guided munition with range of over 100 km

The system was created in record time based on the experience of active deployment of guided munitions in the special military operation zone

Russia’s Battlegroup East forces destroy seven enemy UAV control centers in a day

The fighters downed 20 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Nuclear bomb to turn Kiev into 'monkey with grenade' — Zaporozhye official

Anton Bibarov-Gosudarev said that the transfer, if it happens, will violate the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and become nonsense in international law

Vilnius, Kiev sign agreement on production of weapons for Ukraine in Lithuania

The country will also create conditions to relocate Ukrainian defense companies, establish joint ventures

Ukraine turning into deserted zone amid military losses — MP

Mikhail Sheremet added that the policy of the Vladimir Zelensky regime has led what was once a prosperous Ukrainian state to an irreversible tragedy