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Russian stocks up as main trading session opens

As of 10:00 a.m. Moscow time the MOEX and RTS indices gained 0.25%

MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/. Russia’s stock market went up as the main trading session started on Thursday as the MOEX and RTS indices gained 0.25% to 2,802.32 and 1,154.46 points, respectively, according to trading data as of 10:00 a.m. Moscow time (07:00 a.m. GMT). The yuan exchange rate against the ruble added 7.35 kopecks as trading opened compared with previous closing to 11.364 rubles.

As of 10:15 a.m. Moscow time (07:15 a.m. GMT), the indices were down by 0.4% at 2,794.18 points and 1,115.11 points, respectively. Meanwhile the yuan exchange rate was down by 1.55 kopecks at 11.275 rubles.

The MOEX Index with additional IMOEX2 ticker rose by 0.15% as morning trading session started on the Moscow Exchange as of 7:00 a.m. Moscow time (4:00 a.m. GMT), reaching 2,799.58 points.

MMK cuts steel and pig iron output in 2025

Sales of metal products totaled 9.85 mln tons over the reporting period, down 7.2% compared with the previous 12 months,

EU turning into military alliance, preparing for war with Russia — top Hungarian diplomat

According to Peter Szijjarto, the current EU leadership has forgotten that the union was created to ensure peace and prosperity for its member states and now seeks to "impose military obligations on them"

Ukrainian military use toxic agents against Russian army, civilians — Russian diplomat

Russia regularly shares relevant data with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the UN Security Council and General Assembly, director of the Russian foreign ministry’s international organizations department Kirill Logvinov said

US doesn’t refuse from talks with Iran, but has other option — JD Vance

US Vice President recalled that President Donald Trump is sending his two best negotiators to Geneva to continue efforts "try to strike the best deal possible"

Iran against building nuclear weapon, Pezeshkian reiterates ahead of Geneva talks with US

"The enemies insist that Iran should not seek a nuclear weapon, but we have repeatedly stated that we are not seeking a nuclear weapon," the Iranian president pointed out

Russia has ability to destroy nuclear weapon delivery to Ukraine en route — lawmaker

Viktor Vodolatsky said that Russia will protect its territory from the use of a nuclear weapon

Up to 400 Iranian soldiers killed during January unrest — president

Masoud Pezeshkian added that more than 2,000 were innocent civilians

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

Indian Navy concludes Milan 2026 exercise with Russian Navy frigate participation

The closing ceremony and summing up the exercise results took place aboard the Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

West wants to escalate Ukraine conflict to global level — Russian delegation in Vienna

Those who are obstructing peace in Ukraine and sponsoring the war there cannot expect a place at the negotiating table to end it, Yulia Zhdanova added

Venezuela need to hold election to achieve its potential — Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that to have elections Venezuela needs to have political parties, political movements and a media environment that allows people to campaign and get the word out

British, French embassies make cliched statements about nukes for Kiev

According to Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev, there was no responsible, serious, or official high-level reaction

Russia initiated third stage of Eastern Range upgrade — PM

The second phase of the program was designed until late 2024

Russia considering proposal to help Cuba with fuel — Novak

"The intergovernmental commission for development of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Cuba is dealing with that," the deputy prime minister said

US insists on trilateral arms control agreements involving Russia, China — Rubio

US Secretary of State stressed that there will be no agreement if Beijing refuses to work toward it

Russian coal exports to remain at 200 mln tons in 2026 — expert

The Asian coal market is currently experiencing a local reduction in output in China, as well as temporary supply disruptions in Australia due to flooding and plans to restrict production in Indonesia

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

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,345 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Switzerland to apply paragraphs of 19th EU sanction package against Russia

Measures include the complete ban on purchases and imports of Russian liquefied natural gas and the ban on transactions with certain cryptocurrencies pegged to the Russian ruble

Ukraine to resume oil supplies to Slovakia in March at the earliest — Fico

Kiev has repeatedly postponed the time for the restart of oil deliveries to Bratislava, with February 26 indicated as the latest deadline before

United States making progress with both Russia, Ukraine — Vance

The US vice president also noted that the US administration is continuing diplomatic efforts to bring the negotiations to a point at which both Russia and Ukraine will consider their objectives sufficiently achieved and bring the conflict to an end

FACTBOX: What we know about incident with US-registered speedboat in Cuban waters

According to Cuba’s Interior Ministry, four people aboard the Florida-based speedboat were killed, and another six were injured

Iran calls Trump’s comment about Tehran's nuclear ambitions 'empty chatter'

Esmaeil Kousari, General of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said that before the February 26 negotiations on the nuclear dossier in Geneva Iran must maintain a high degree of readiness and "constantly monitor the actions of the enemy"

Inflation decline in Russia creates base for economic growth — Novak

"Inflation dropped from 9.5% to 5.6% as of the end of the last year," the deputy prime minister noted

IN BRIEF: Putin speaks at Future Technologies Forum

Russia is proud that its scientists made a "sound contribution" to biosciences, the Russian leader said

Vietnamese PM wants to boost economic ties with Russia

Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam-Russia relations have entered a new era of development

Ukraine’s military unhappy with ineffective UAVs supplied by Western countries — media

The Ukrainian officer admitted that Ukraine’s allies were unaware of how quickly the situation changes during 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 suffer heavy losses in Dnepropetrovsk Region — Russian security official

According to the source, the enemy is attempting to resist the advance of Russian troops, relying on surprise and taking advantage of weather conditions

Top Iranian diplomat outlines provisions of potential deal with US to Omani counterpart

Abbas Araghchi is leading the Iranian delegation to the third round of Oman-mediated talks with the United States

Russia remains committed to its stance on need for establishing Palestinian state

According to the director of the Russian foreign ministry’s international organizations department Kirill Logvinov, Moscow stands for a real ceasefire and all-round humanitarian assistance,

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

Russia to start production of Tu-214 airplane — PM

The certification of the medium-range airliner Tu-214 was completed in December 2025

If Kiev rejects talks, Russia to oust Ukrainian troops from new regions by force — envoy

Gennady Gatilov pointed out that Kiev "has to recognize the incorporation of the new regions into Russia and withdraw its armed forces from these territories"

Giatsint-B howitzer crews disrupt rotation of Ukrainian troops in Dobropolye area

During airborne reconnaissance, an unmanned aerial vehicle operator of the group’s unmanned systems troops located hidden enemy positions

Russia demands financial blockade of Cuba be ended — diplomat

The Russian side supports Havana in its legitimate demands for an immediate end to the US trade, economic, and financial blockade, Kirill Logvinov said

China urges US to avoid war with Iran — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning added that China is "ready to continue acting as a responsible major power" in the current situation

Jailed Gagauz head rejects Chisinau’s proposal to resign in exchange for closing her case

Relations between Chisinau and Comrat became strained in 2023 after Evghenia Gutsul won elections in the autonomy and proclaimed a course toward closer relations with Russia, criticizing Chisinau’s policy of confrontation with Moscow

US ultimatum to Kiev could end conflict in one day — British politician

"Until Trump does that, the war will continue," Leader of the Workers Party of Britain George Galloway said

Russia creates global level solutions for digital platforms — Putin

Russia is proud that its scientists made "a sound contribution" to bioscience, the head of state added

Putin, Lukashenko to hold meeting of Union State’s Supreme State Council

The meeting will be held in Moscow

Msta-S crew hits Ukrainian fort in Dnepropetrovsk with Krasnopol shell

Live recording confirmed a direct hit on permanent firing positions and dugouts buried deep underground, as well as the destruction of enemy personnel and communications equipment

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

Press review: India to continue buying Russian oil as US amasses major force near Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 20th

US set to discuss with Iran its conventional weapons — Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed out that Iran possesses a very large number of ballistic missiles and naval assets that threaten US shipping

US committed to Ukraine settlement efforts, but Trump’s patience is not infinite — Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also emphasized that Donald Trump’s patience is not infinite

Kurchatov Center’s chief shows Putin model of lunar settlement, small nuclear power plant

Mikhail Kovalchuk noted that while developing the model, the researchers had an idea of covering it with a special cap

Kiev blocking Druzhba pipeline on Brussels’ orders to remove Hungary’s PM

Ukraine’s former Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov opined that "it was not Kiev’s own decision"

Starlink sells user terminal data to US intelligence agencies — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin emphasized that disseminating sensitive information to the general public abroad is unacceptable

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"

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

Russian diplomat calls incident in Cuban waters 'aggressive US provocation'

As Maria Zakharova stressed, the move is aimed at escalating the situation and triggering conflict

Iran ready to engage with US or respond to its threats — parliament’s speaker

Iran makes it clear to the Americans in a direct and decisive way that all options are being considered, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said

Russia to test digital ruble use soon — PM

This is a challenging case, Mikhail Mishustin added

Orban blames Zelensky for trying to drag Hungary into Ukraine conflict

The Hungarian prime minister added that Vladimir Zelensky's actions "endanger the secure and affordable energy supply of Hungarian families"

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"

Press review: EU delays Ukraine association as US businesses demand Trump tariff refunds

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, February 25th

Share of oil, gas revenues in Russian budget to be less than 20% — Finance Minister

The Russian budget indicators for this year may be amended subject to the market situation, Anton Siluanov noted

Russian forces repelling Ukrainian attacks, advancing near Gulyaipole — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, serious fighting continues near the settlement of Ternovatoye

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

Russian PM outlines key goals for government in 2026

"The first and the key task is to preserve and increase our people," Mikhail Mishustin said

Iran says to be more careful in talks with US, taking into account past experience

On February 26, Geneva will host the third round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States to resolve the situation around the republic's nuclear program

North Korea ready for normalization with US, but it depends on Washington — Kim

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stressed that the future of relations between North Korea and the United States fully depends on the United States’ approaches

Larry Summers to resign from Harvard over Epstein ties — CNN

Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton said Summers has also resigned from his role as co-director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government

Russian diplomat warns of risks of terrorists getting access to toxic agents due to Kiev

Close contacts between the Kiev regime and terrorist groups in the Middle East and Africa have been repeatedly confirmed, Kirill Logvinov said

Russia has questions to Board of Peace’s Charter, mandate — diplomat

Director of the Russian foreign ministry’s international organizations department Kirill Logvinov recalled that the inaugural meeting of the US President Donald Trump-led Board of Peace was held in Davos on January 22

Iranian government confirms talks with US in Geneva on February 26

Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani added that Iranian Foreign Ministry officials will report on the progress of the consultations

West punishes Iran, Cuba, Venezuela for independent policies — Russian diplomat

Kirill Logvinov noted that modern colonial practices regrettably became more entrenched in the toolkit of Western countries

Ukrainian army trying to divert attention from failures to Odessa defenses — expert

Retired Colonel Timur Syrtlanov noted that all cities located in the combat area were always preparing for defense

Consequences of Ukrainian attacks: seven people die, medical unit destroyed

Kiev struck the Kurkovichi village in the Bryansk Region using kamikaze drones

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

Yandex tops ranking of most expensive companies on Runet in 2025 — Forbes

Ozon was ranked second in the ranking, followed by the merged company Wildberries and Russ

Zelensky, Trump discuss upcoming meeting between US, Ukrainian delegations in Geneva

According to Vladimir Zelensky, US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son in law Jared Kushner also joined the call

Sixty-one foreign air carriers flying to Russia — Transport Minister

Plans for 2026 are to continue working on the upgrade of airport infrastructure and commission passenger terminals in Barnaul, Blagoveshchensk and Orenburg in particular, Andrey Nikitin added

Liberating Grafskoye, Russian troops advancing southeast of settlement — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that Grafskoye has "extremely difficult terrain," which is affecting the speed of the Russian army’s advance in this area

Serbian interior minister hospitalized in grave condition — TV

According to the TV channel, Ivica Dacic has been placed on life support

Those who blew up Nord Streams now blocking Druzhba pipeline — top Hungarian diplomat

Peter Szijjarto called it a disgrace that the EU has not yet completed its investigation into the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, which, he recalled, constitutes an act of state terrorism

Russian National Guard troops take out Ukrainian radar station in Kharkov area

Servicemen of the National Guard of Russia struck the target using FPV attack drones

China to support development of Germany, other countries — Xi Jinping

The Chinese leader stressed that was still following the path of peaceful development

Russian UAV crews cut off power to Ukrainian facilities on Dnieper’s right bank

Despite difficult weather conditions and the enemy’s electronic warfare systems, Russian military personnel successfully completed their mission

US-registered boat enters Cuban waters, opens fire — Cuban interior ministry

As a result of the clash, four Americans were killed and six were wounded

Food crisis invented by West, Kiev to blame Russia — diplomat

Director of the Russian foreign ministry’s international organizations department Kirill Logvinov stressed that there have never been any food shortages in reality

Plans by Paris, London to give Kiev nuclear arms show they lost touch with reality — envoy

They are mistaken in hoping to avoid responsibility, Gennady Gatilov said

Vietnam-Russia ties model of healthy international relations — Vietnamese PM

Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam "consistently attaches great importance and strives for a steady development of traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with the Russian Federation in all areas"

Trump says he is working hard to facilitate Ukrainian conflict settlement

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

Litasco may go to arbitration due to external management of assets in Bulgaria

The measures taken by Bulgaria constitute breaches of its obligations under the applicable bilateral investment treaty and the Energy Charter Treaty, the company said

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

Cuba detains accomplice in attack on patrol boat

According to Cuba’s Interior Ministry, Hernandez Santos "has already confessed to his actions"

Merz says he asked China to use its influence to end conflict in Ukraine

The German chancellor said that signals from China are taken very seriously in Moscow

Russia’s Krasnopol-M2 guided shell exceeds Western analogues in accuracy — Rostec

The use of these guided munitions turns self-propelled artillery units and towed howitzers from area suppression weapons into a tool for the precise destruction of enemy targets, Rostec representatives said

Ukrainian army preparing Odessa region for all-round defense

Denis Nosikov, head of the regional department of the South territorial defense forces, noted that various fortifications are being constructed around the region

US to authorize conditional Venezuelan oil resale to Cuba — OFAC

The favorable licensing policy is directed towards transactions that support the Cuban people, including the Cuban private sector, OFAC said

US Coast Guard refrains from comments on incident in Cuban waters

Earlier, the Cuban interior ministry said that a US-flagged boat entered Cuban waters and opened fire at approaching Cuban military

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

British army, air force begin preparations for deployment to Ukraine — Defense Secretary

Defense Secretary John Healey stressed he had already accelerated the allocation of $270 million so that the forces have the necessary equipment for deployment

US lawmakers expects authorities to share details about incident with boat off Cuba

The Representative from Florida Maria Elvira Salazar noted that she is closely monitoring reports

Iranian foreign minister arrives in Geneva to participate in talks with US

The Foreign Ministry also said the Iranian delegation plans to meet with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi this evening to outline Tehran's position "on sanctions and the nuclear program"

Tisza may become first "trash river" in Europe — environmentalist

"Rivers are used to deliver waste to the ocean instead of dump trucks in certain poor Asian countries," head of Green Patrol organization’s environmental projects Roman Pukalov said

New Dutch cabinet missed opportunity to restore dialogue with Russia — embassy

The Russian embassy stressed that Russia has "duly taken note" of this signal from the kingdom’s authorities

Sanctions, support of population, tasks for 2026: Mishustin’s report to State Duma

The premier mentioned six tasks facing the state in 2026

Tehran ready for both peaceful and military scenarios — Iran’s top diplomat Araghchi

Abbas Araghchi said that his country is capable of effectively defending itself

China, Germany support UN and development of green technologies

Beijing and Berlin confirmed that they will encourage the expansion of interpersonal contacts and boost culture and sports cooperation