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European Commission raises Russia’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 1.3%

At the same time, the forecast for 2027 was lowered from 1.2% to 1.1%

BRUSSELS, May 21. /TASS/. The European Commission raised its forecast for Russia’s GDP growth in 2026 from 1.1% to 1.3%, according to the EC’s spring economic forecast.

"Russia’s GDP growth is expected at 1.3% in 2026 and 1.1% in 2027," the report said.

At the same time, the forecast for 2027 was lowered from 1.2% to 1.1%.

Russia expects strengthening of cooperation with China in unmanned technologies

Russian private and public companies interested in developing cooperative chains took part in Drone World Congress 2026 in Shenzhen

Russia to restrict flower imports from Armenia from May 22 — watchdog

The regulator clarified that the decision was made to protect Russia's phytosanitary safety and export potential

Bank of Russia’s gold reserves in ounces fall to their lowest level since February 2022

In February 2022, the monetary gold reserves of the Bank of Russia also amounted to 73.9 million troy ounces

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

Russia to help Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda contain Ebola outbreak — MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Russia is committed to providing all necessary aid and facilitating efforts in every possible way

West's current aggression stems from decline in influence, fear of competition — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov also noted that "the financial and economic system led by the West after World War II can no longer function in a way that guarantees continued benefit for Western countries"

Putin, Xi building world order free from Western influence — former CIA officer

Larry Johnson stressed that the visit by Vladimir Putin to Beijing underscores the seriousness of the relationship between Russia and China

It’s getting harder for West to conceal negative effects of helping Ukraine — diplomat

The governments of European countries were unable to properly evaluate the potential consequences, Yulia Zhdanova said

Reaction to Putin’s China visit, clear message to world, failure to isolate Russia

According to former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are signaling to the West that they are establishing a new world order free from its dominance

Press review: Turkey to host Russia-Ukraine talks as NATO starts drills by Russian border

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 12th

Merlin-VR recon drone can fly 150 km without losing signal — operator

The senior UAV crew operator noted that thanks to improved communication quality, the flight range can be increased to 260 km

Russia develops Odyssey repeater to increase UAV strike range

The Aviatechnolab Design Bureau said the Odyssey system extended the range of attack unmanned aerial vehicles to 70 kilometers

Putin-Xi meeting shows sides’ commitment to strengthening ties — expert

John Kavulich opined that Russia is particularly interested in China as both a purchaser of resources from and as a provider of products and services required to sustain the economy of Russia

New Ukrainian tactics for extreme overload of Russian air defenses fail — soldier

The unit's fighters have personally seen that the Moscow-made Yolka interceptor drone is capable of countering Ukrainian UAVs in various situations

China, Russia to improve military cooperation mechanisms — joint statement

Moscow and Beijing intend to deepen mutual trust in the military sphere

Russia to respond to aggression as Kiev plans to launch drones from Latvia — intel agency

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence reported that service members from the Ukrainian army’s Unmanned Systems Forces had been deployed to Latvia to prepare attacks on Russia from the Baltic country’s territory

Russia holding nuclear forces drills — top brass

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the drills are set to practice readying some of nuclear forces’ units and formations for accomplishing assigned objectives

Putin-Xi meeting highlights failure of attempts to isolate Russia — US expert

James Carden emphasized that the world order is now undoubtedly multipolar and the policy of the Donald Trump administration in the Middle East is only accelerating America's isolation

Talks with MOL on buyout of Russian stake in NIS not going well — Vucic

Belgrade is hoping for understanding from the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Serbian president added

US military aircraft struck by Iran makes it to Kuwait — TV

Iran also fired at two US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conducting a search and rescue operation

Kremlin says calls from Lithuania’s top diplomat to attack Kaliningrad verge on insanity

Dmitry Peskov believes that such statements should not be taken seriously

Putin, Xi Jinping wrap up informal meeting over tea

During the 90-minute sitdown, the most important issues on the agenda were broached

Putin meets Chinese engineer 26 years after iconic joint photo

The Russian president received a porcelain tea set as a souvenir from Peng Pai and presented him with a reciprocal gift

Bank of Russia petitions for immediate enforcement of court ruling on Euroclear — TASS

The Moscow Arbitration Court received a petition

US authorities charge Raul Castro — news agency

The report does not specify exactly what the charges are

Ukraine launches five attacks on DPR settlements over past day

Reports indicate that three civilians were wounded

Another strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran

One of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI said

Putin’s visit to China to provide impetus to both countries’ projects worth $200 bln

Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov highlighted an in-depth dialogue that took place during the visit

Trump says ready to wait for agreement with Iran for a few more days

Thus, the US leader commented on the possibility of resuming US strikes

Armenia made series of unfriendly steps towards Russia recently — top security official

According to Sergey Shoigu, this is how Moscow views the decisions to join the International Criminal Court, to extradite Russian citizens to third countries, and to make things harder for Russian economic entities

Trump says US has no plans of easing Iranian sanctions until deal is reached

Donald Trump said that he is not doing any relief until Iran signs an agreement

US searches Iranian tanker in Gulf of Oman — CENTCOM

According to the statement, over the course of the US naval blockade of Iran, which has lasted more than a month, US servicemen have redirected a total of 91 commercial vessels

US deploys two laser-armed destroyers to Middle East — portal

Both ships are equipped with the ODIN laser system, which is designed to disorient drones

Russian drone detectors upgraded to detect Ukraine’s Martian UAVs — developer

The developer noted that these AI-powered drones had been spotted on the line of contact at the beginning of the year, and now the Ukrainian armed forces had increased their use

Press review: Russia, China shape new global security while Moscow launches nuclear drills

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 20th

Visa-free travel, porcelain set, oil and gas: highlights of Putin's visit to China

The Russian president announced agreement on forty bilateral documents

Russia liberates around 80 settlements as part of special military op in 2026 — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that Russia is consistently carrying out the objectives of the special military operation

Russian troops deliver nuclear warheads to missile brigade in Belarus during major drills

The personnel of the missile brigade of the Republic of Belarus are practicing combat training assignments of receiving special munitions for Iskander-M theater missile systems, loading launch tubes with them and stealthily advancing to the designated area to prepare for launches

Russian electronic warfare systems being upgraded continuously — official

According to FSMTC Director Dmitry Shugayev, the EW systems quickly become obsolete, so technical solutions must stay ahead of today’s needs

Putin thanks Xi Jinping for extensive joint work in Beijing

The Russian president stressed that Moscow and Beijing had carried out productive and substantial work

Moscow, Beijing want to prevent multipolarity from turning into chaos — Lavrov

Russia and China are interested in building normal relations among all states, including between the SCO and BRICS, the Russian foreign minister said

Russia-China ties rest on solid material foundation with focus on energy — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister reiterated that "Russia is the leading supplier of pipeline natural gas to the People's Republic of China"

Trump to discuss arms sales with Taiwan’s leader

The US president said that he speaks to everybody

Putin, Xi highlight exemplary relations, their role as strategic pillars at Beijing talks

The Russian leader described Russia and China as "important trade partners for each other"

Russia receives permit to export beef to Indonesia — watchdog

An important milestone was the inspections of the Russian facility conducted by Indonesian representatives in March and October 2025

West mistakenly thought it can subdue Russia, China — Russia’s top diplomat

Great powers and peoples, such as the Russian and Chinese cannot be enslaved, Sergey Lavrov said

Svarog 1000 heavy-duty robotic platform to be tested in special military op

An important feature is the availability of two platform versions — one powered by gas and the other powered by diesel

Iran rebuilding military industrial base faster than expected — CNN

According to the TV channel, Iran could fully reconstitute its drone attack capability in as little as six months

Ukrainian counterintelligence officer supplies dozens of coordinates for Russian strikes

Sergey Mikhailov surrendered in the Zaporozhye direction. He said he does not want to return to Ukraine

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Russian troops destroy German-made Gepard anti-aircraft gun in Ukraine operation

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 990 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Press review: Putin and Xi address Middle East and Ukraine as UN tires of debating Kiev

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 21st

UEFA announces new qualifying criteria starting after 2028 Euro Cup

In the new structure, the UEFA Nations League will transition, as of the 2028/29 edition from the current four leagues to three leagues of 18 teams

Russia did not recognize Ukraine, which aspires to join NATO — top diplomat

Russia recognized Ukraine as a non-nuclear, non-bloc and neutral state, Sergey Lavrov said

Zelensky, Europe practically hang off Trump's shoulders after Anchorage — Lavrov

They demanded that the Americans change course, the Russian foreign minister said

Foreign air defenses fail to stop even 8% of Ukrainian drones attacking Russia — expert

According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, Russia has developed and produced new interception systems tailored to combat drones and organized a multi-layered, echeloned defense with an end-to-end targeting and control system

EU uses civilian infrastructure for military purposes — Russian diplomat

Paris is using production capacities of major civilian companies for large-scale production of defense products, Yulia Zhdanova said

European Commission head wants to turn Baltic states into anti-Russian base — MP

Chairman of the State Duma International Affairs Committee and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Leonid Slutsky also noted that the European Commission ignores the fact that drones detected in the Baltic countries are from Ukraine

Russian forces readied for missile launches during nuclear drills — top brass

Overall, the drills involve over 64,000 military personnel and more than 7,800 pieces of armament, including over 200 missile launchers, more than 140 aircraft, 73 surface ships and 13 submarines

Armenia’s actions contradict relations with Russia, risk causing changes — senior diplomat

According to Mikhail Galuzin, Moscow had previously "conveyed its negative attitude toward such steps to the Armenian side in a completely frank and partnership-oriented manner"

Europe seeks to block any talks on Ukrainian settlement — Russian diplomat

According to Russian Foreign Ministry's Ambassador-at-Large for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik, the European Union’s actions show a complete lack of willingness to follow a peaceful path

US charges against Raul Castro have no legal basis — Cuban president

The Cuban President pointed out thatthe US is lying and manipulating the events surrounding the 1996 incident involving aircraft belonging to the narco-terrorist organization ‘Brothers to the Rescue'

Hostilities to expand beyond Middle East region if US attacks Iran again — IRGC

The IRGC added that Iran had not used all its combat capabilities in previous rounds of fighting

Merz proposes 'associate EU membership' for Ukraine — DPA

The German Chancellor expressed doubt that Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations would be concluded any time soon

Ukraine has to make painful concessions to achieve peace — media

The news outlet noted that the imbalance in resources between Russia and Ukraine has always meant that Kiev would never be able to succeed

Putin concludes his visit to China

A brief farewell ceremony was organized for the Russian leader upon his arrival at the airport

Iran publishes map of IRGC-controlled area around Hormuz Strait

According to the Iran’s Persian Gulf Surveillance Agency, ships may pass through Iranian-controlled waters only with permission from the PGSA

Qatar calls for respecting freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz

According to Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, contacts are currently being held at various levels to restore stability and ensure safe navigation in the Persian Gulf

Tanker with Iranian oil change course, heading to China — PTI

The change in the destination of Pin Shun appears to be payment-related, Sumit Ritolia, Lead Research Analyst at Kpler, noted

Ukrainian drone attacks in Belgorod Region leave three people injured

In the town of Shebekino, a drone struck a moving vehicle

Pakistani army chief of staff to arrive in Tehran with message for Iranians — TV

The details of the message have not been disclosed

Putin’s visit to China shows growing understanding among SCO, BRICS members — US expert

Retired US Army Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson noted that BRICS countries stood for ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability’ while the US seemed to stand for ‘Sanctions and War’

FACTBOX: What is known about Bank of Russia vs Euroclear litigation

According to the case database, the appellate court partially upheld Pervaya Management Company's claims and ruled that Euroclear must pay it approximately 32 billion rubles

SpaceX files for IPO

The company plans to list on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol SPCX

Possibility of Putin-Trump meeting, spirit of Beijing: what Kremlin aide said

Yury Ushakov emphasized that he knew nothing about the "spirit of Anchorage," in contrast to the "spirit of Beijing," which indeed exists

Trump not happy with Cuba’s defense ties to other countries

America will not tolerate a rogue state harboring hostile foreign military, intelligence and terror operations just ninety miles from the American homeland, the US president noted

Launch of Xudapu NPP to provide China with cheap, clean energy — Putin

According to the Russian president, Moscow and Beijing also have major potential for cooperation in renewable energy, particularly in implementing joint low-carbon generation projects

Tehran reviewing US response to ceasefire proposal — Iranian Foreign Ministry

The parties exchanged messages several times, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said

New round of Washington-Tehran talks may take place in early June — TV

According to the TV channel, the meeting is expected to take place "in Islamabad after the end of the Hajj season"

Putin’s visit to China to boost trade, tech exchange — former US congressman

According to Dennis Kucinich, the meeting between the Russian and Chinese leaders underscores the significance of leaders who strive for mutual benefit through cooperation within the emerging consciousness of multipolarity

Pezeshkian asks global community to judge which side, Iran or US, actually favors dialogue

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited the world to judge which side engages in terrorism

Russian lab in DPR assembles up to 400 FPV UAVs from seized Ukrainian drones in two weeks

According to the Russian officer, on average, it takes five to six captured enemy unmanned aerial vehicles to assemble one operational drone

Xi Jinping plans to visit North Korea — media

According to the news agency, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited North Korea in April

Camp of anti-Iranian opposition forces comes under missile fire near Erbil — TV

No information has yet been released regarding possible casualties from the attack

Root causes of conflict in Ukraine, visa formalities: Russia-China statement highlights

Russia and China will improve military cooperation mechanisms

Trump says in no rush to make decisions on Iran, Strait of Hormuz, giving diplomacy chance

The US president earlier stated that he had decided to postpone the resumption of hostilities against Iran at the request of Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

Russian fiber optic drones have operating range up to 50 km — officer

The acting commander of a technical maintenance unit of the Russian Battlegroup East’s 29th Army added that the fiber optic cable length varies depending on the nature of the combat mission

Russia to support Cuban people, Havana informed about assistance parameters — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow strongly condemns any attempts to blatantly interfere in the internal affairs of the sovereign state

EU plans to use Russian assets without consent amount to robbery — Zakharova

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stressed that any attempts to whitewash such actions with pseudo-legal statements, wording or invented slogans are untenable

US Navy's Nimitz aircraft strike group arrives in Carribean Sea — command

The carrier is accompanied by the destroyer USS Gridley and a supply ship

FACTBOX: Aftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, casualties in Syzran

Two people died and several others were injured in a drone attack on the city of Syzran in Russia’s southeastern Samara Region

Japan remains committed to postwar pacifist path — Cabinet

Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki emphasized that Tokyo pursued an "exclusively defense-oriented policy"

Russia’s nuclear drills 'silent message' to those who threaten it — expert

According to Yevgeny Poddubny, demonstrating the possibility of launching a nuclear strike in the event of a threat to the existence or integrity of the country could have a sobering effect on adversaries

Iran, US continue to discuss Tehran’s 14-point peace plan — Iranian foreign ministry

The 14-point document focuses on ending hostilities and trust-building measures

Cuban revolutionary leader Castro charged with murder, destruction of aircraft

Raul Castro was charged with four counts of murder, two counts of destruction of an aircraft and a conspiracy to kill US citizens

Development of Russia-China partnership: key Putin’s statements

Trade turnover between Russia and China has grown by more than 10% this year

Russia’s Battlegroup East fighters modernizing drones for specific missions — commander

According to the report, technical specialists can increase the number of engines, change battery capacities, upgrade the propeller-motor unit, and reinforce drones with new structures

US set for long-term increase in tariffs worldwide — source

The US wants to overhaul the international trading system because it believes its national interests have been constrained by outdated mechanisms, the source said

Xi, Putin send clear signal of increased stability to global community — Chinese experts

According to the executive director of the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University Liu Jun, the statements by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping indicate that relations between Beijing and Moscow are focused on the long-term strategic outlook

Putin, Xi attend TASS-Xinhua photo exhibit on Russia-China relations’ development

TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov and Xinhua CEO Fu Hua took the high-ranking guests to an improvised tour, presenting 26 photographs