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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Lavrov to hold talks with Saudi top diplomat in Moscow on August 29

The Russian Foreign Ministry says Sergey Lavrov will hold talks with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir in Moscow on August 29

© Alexandr Sherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, August 23. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold talks with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir in Moscow on August 29, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.

"We consider the upcoming meeting between the two foreign ministers as part of regular and trust-based dialogue with our Saudi partners, which concerns a wide range of issues of mutual interest," she said. "There will be a thorough discussion of the relevant aspects of Russia-Saudi relations and the implementation of agreements made during Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud’s visit to Moscow in October 2017," she added.

Read also

Russia, Saudi Arabia agree to expand cooperation to stabilize energy markets

"There will also be an exchange of views on the current situation in the Middle East and North Africa, the focus will be on the need to resolve issues facing this strategically important region through political and diplomatic means, including dialogue based on mutual respect, taking in consideration the interests and concerns of all the parties involved," Zakharova stressed. "The meeting’s agenda includes the situations in Syria, Yemen, Libya and the Persian Gulf area, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," she said, adding that the two foreign ministers would also discuss "the prospects for joint activities in relation to strategic dialogue between Russia and the Persian Gulf states."

According to Zakharova, much attention will be paid "to trade, which has been growing steadily." "In 2017, trade doubled to $915.2 bln compared to 2016," she said.

"The Russian-Saudi intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation has been playing an important coordinating role," Zakharova went on to say. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, cooperation between Russian Direct Investment Fund and the Saudi Public Investment Fund has also been important for interaction Moscow’s interaction with Riyadh. She also emphasized "the importance of close Russia-Saudi coordination concerning the situation on the global oil market in relation to the OPEC+ agreement."

"The Russian Culture Week, planned to be held in Saudi Arabia in the fall, will contribute to boosting humanitarian ties between the two countries," Zakharova noted.

Tags

Military operation in Ukraine

Two children killed, seven injured after UAV debris fell on children’s center in Krasnodar

Two adults have been hospitalized, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said

Gaining control of Kudiyevka, Russia advances on two settlements at once — expert

Andrey Marochko says Russian troops are advancing towards Bugayevka and Goptovka

Russia’s sole aircraft carrier to get advanced air defense systems during upgrade

Upgrade works on Russia’s sole aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will begin in May

Countries unsympathetic with Russia note Nazism heroization in Ukraine — Putin

Despite the well-known Russophobia in Polish politics, the Polish authorities are paying serious attention to the fundamental foundations of today's Ukrainian statehood, Russian President said

Voting at Kazakhstan’s parliamentary elections over

Voting at overseas polling stations continue

Houthis attack Yemeni port of Mokha with missiles, drones

The Houthis also attempted an attack on an oil tanker in the Bab El Mandeb Strait

Ukraine attacks Ozon warehouse in Orenburg with drones — official

There are no casualties

American lawmakers’ visit to Russia to help in fight against Russophobia in US

Dialogue is always better than silence, independent candidate for US President Diane Sare said

Air defense repelling drone attack targeting industrial zone of Nevinnomyssk

Governor Vladimir Vladimirov says that some drones have been shot down

Russia’s Iskander missiles destroy up to 40 trucks modified for UAV launches near Kiev

Throughout the day, the Russian armed forces continued to strike drone launch sites, as well as ships and seaports used by the Ukrainian military, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes off Japan’s Hokkaido

No casualties of damage were reported

Minsk, Pyongyang to sign visa-free travel agreement soon — top Belarusian diplomat

Maxim Ryzhenkov added that the agreement is ready, with only several technical aspects remaining

Trump's initiatives toward Seoul, Pyongyang confined to 'media imagery' — expert

Sergey Lebedev recalled that congressional elections in the United States are drawing near, so "the Trump administration and the Republican Party need to demonstrate some tangible results to voters"

Israel won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — Netanyahu

The Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"

Two clergymen injured after Ukrainian drone attack near church in Gorlovka

At the moment of the attack, the clergymen were at a parking lot in front of the church

Russian troops liberate 11 communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russian troops delivered one massive and nine combined strikes by precision-guided weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, logistics centers and cruise missile launch sites over the week

82,000 square meters of St. Petersburg warehouse on fire — Emergencies Ministry

The warehouse building measures 680 by 120 meters

Protests in Ukraine unlikely to change regime, expert believes

Alexander Dudchak, a leading researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries, said that the protests "can be used as a formal pretext" if there is an order "to replace Zelensky"

Dry cargo ship carrying weapons hit in port of Chernomorsk

Moreover, seven fuel storage tanks were hit, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Ozon’s logistics center in Krasnodar attacked by drone

According to preliminary information, there were no casualties

Minsk, Pyongyang to sign visa-free travel agreement soon - top Belarusian diplomat

They will sign it in the near future, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov said

Militants carried out more than 10 attacks injuring two people in southern Thailand

The perpetrators set fire to vehicles belonging to utility services, damaged cell phone towers, and attacked administrative buildings and a shop, Thai PBS reported

American rapper Lil Pump says loves Putin

"God bless Putin," the rapper said after his concert in Moscow

PSG with Safonov in squad drew with Rennes in opening round of French championship

In the next round, PSG will play against Lille

Press review: US, Iran opt for war of attrition as Kiev diverts focus with Russia attacks

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 17th

Nearly 70 houses damaged, 15 people injured in fire and explosion in Taiwan — newspaper

According to Taipei Times, by now, the fire was extinguished

Kiev sends elite units to stabilize front in Dobropolye, DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko says Ukrainian command is trying to stabilize the situation amid a panic-ridden sentiment in the army caused by the advance of Russian forces

West may replace Zelensky with ‘cheaper character’ — expert

According to Alexander Dudchak, a leading researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries, Vladimir Zelensky puts too much into his pocket

Putin assesses Russia’s grain export potential at no less than 60 million tons

According to the Russian president, wheat is among the main items of Ukrainian exports, but logistical problems caused by Russia’s retaliatory strikes, will not lead to a shortage on global markets

Russia’s Baltic Fleet to hold large-scale drills in westernmost Kaliningrad Region

Over 1,500 targets of various sizes and dimensions have been made to simulate adversary manpower and armor and more than 30 simulation fields have been set up, according to the Fleet's press office

EAEU-UAE economic partnership agreement may enter into force in 2026 — Russian deputy PM

According to Denis Manturov, this will be an important addition to the Russian-UAE agreements signed last year on free trade in services and the elimination of double taxation

Israel could cease to exist after the Middle East conflict — senior Russian officer

Apty Alaudinov says Israel’s objective is to drag both the US and the entire NATO bloc into the struggle

Internet shutdown in Iran exceeds 48 days — NetBlocks

The blackout has become the longest nationwide internet disruption ever recorded worldwide

Ukraine attacks Donetsk People’s Republic eight times in 24 hours, wounding two people

Six residential buildings, a car, and three civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged

Intensity of attacks on Donbass, Novorossiya directly linked to Western subsidies — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik said that after the 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine was approved by the EU in April, a sharp escalation began

Iranian parliament speaker calls for refusing from US dollars in trade

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stressed that the use of US dollars in trade as an outdated method of payments

Russian plane extinguishes major wildfire hotspots in Serbia

According to the Russian emergencies ministry, over the four days of participating in firefighting operations, the aircraft has performed 19 flights and dropped an overall of 798 tons of water

Small aircraft crashes into water near beach in Florida — police

The sole occupant of the plane was taken to hospital

US may be forced to take unpopular measures over mounting debt — WP

The story says that the US pays about $1 trillion annually in interest on the national debt

Shutodown of Armenian NPP to make Yerevan more dependent on other states — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant is a "system-forming element in the republic’s energy balance"

Russian military keeps attaining special op’s goals, accelerate offensive — Putin

The Russian armed forces keep successfully coping with their tasks until the goals of the special military operation are achieved, Russian President said

Government must keep under control situation with fuel — Putin

There are certain inconveniences for people, Russian President said

Press review: Iran war strains US global reach as Washington revives Gaza settlement talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, August 18th

No party to gain significant advantage in US Congress after midterm elections — expert

The president’s party almost always loses seats in the Senate and the House in the midterms, so that is the baseline expectation, Professor of Political Science from the California Institute of Technology Rod Kiewiet said

Akhmat Kadyrov's name to be forever inscribed in history of Russia — Putin

The Russian president pointed out that "Akhmat-Khadzhi was a courageous man, who understood very well how hard the burden was and what risks he was going to take on"

Israel warns Hamas against launching drones from Gaza

It would target those responsible for that, the Israeli prime minister’s office said

Russia is sole guarantor of Ukraine's sovereignty — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Western policies, suggesting that the West has little genuine interest in Ukraine as an independent or prosperous nation

Top Iranian diplomat compares US sanctions to movie seen many times before

According to the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the United States’ new anti-Iranian course is doomed to failure, as were all of its previous attempts

Two children killed, seven injured after UAV debris fell on children’s center in Krasnodar

Two adults have been hospitalized, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said

Russia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesman

According to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold

Kiev builds up grouping near Druzhkovka to contain Russia — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, there is an influx of enemy personnel and equipment both in the settlement of Raiskoye and in Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka

Israel hits Hamas weapons manufacturing site in Gaza Strip, eliminates its commander

According to IDF, the attacked Hamas weapons manufacturing site was located "near an aid distribution point operated by an international organization"

Shock from massive drone attacks on Donbass and Novorossiya mostly over — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik said that Russian authorities are finding ways to reduce the pressure from Ukraine and to create acceptable living conditions for the civilian population

Putin, Trump to talk to each other at APEC summit if both are there — presidential aide

According to Yury Ushakov, there are no signals or hints in this regard yet as the summit is still three months away

Five parties surpassing 5% threshold to win seats in Kazakh parliament — exit polls

The Adilet party scored more than 70% of votes

Russia not to put up with Kiev holding neo-Nazism as basis of state ideology — Putin

The current Ukrainian government has laid the foundation for the state the neo-Nazism ideology, Russian President said

Russian Embassy in UK denies allegations on Moscow’s plans to lower relations with London

As for the state of Russia-UK relations across all areas, they have deteriorated to an unprecedentedly low level entirely on London's initiative, the Russian Embassy said

Russia ready to undertake mediation efforts to stabilize Middle East — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov emphasized that the situation in Lebanon is a factor complicating attempts to revitalize the negotiation process between Washington and Tehran

Russia’s grain harvest to reach 100 mln metric tons in coming days

Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut noted that the volume harvested this year is higher than last year

Iran has scenario to avoid impacts of US sanctions — IRGC spokesman

In Hossein Mohebi's words, the Iranian authorities "are developing economic ties right under the United States' nose, bypassing them, and the results will be seen in the near future"

Putin describes attempt to defeat Russia in 40 days as another provocative move

The president said the 40-day deadline expired on August 5

Number of injured in chairlift collapse in Russia’s Nalchik climbs to eight

It was clarified that two of those injured had been discharged following a medical checkup

Witkoff, Kushner’s visit to Moscow delayed — source

This visit is unlikely to take place before the end of August, the source said

Independent candidate for US president sees rich opportunities in space cooperation

That is cooperation to protect our precious little planet from being struck by an incoming asteroid or comet, Diane Sare said

Russian forces strike two trains transporting military cargo in Ukraine

The Russian defense ministry published footage of Geran drones hitting two rail locomotives

Trump loses trade war with Canada — The Atlantic

According to the article, the pressure directed at Ottawa has not proven effective

Musk agrees that state debt of $50 trillion will be critical for US

Earlier this week, the US state debt exceeded record $40 trillion

More than 20 people injured in earthquake near Tokyo

No abnormal situations were recorded at the nuclear facilities, the fire service reported

AfD to withdraw Germany from eurozone, Schengen Agreement if comes to power - leader

Germany was much better off before the introduction of the euro, co-chair of the Alternative for Germany Alice Weidel said

Trump frames upcoming midterms as battle to defeat communists who he says never laugh

US President said he has never seen a happy communist

US sanctions against Iran will backfire on US economy, Iranian parliament speaker warns

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf illustrated the boomerang effect by several photos showing that economic pressure on Iran and disruptions in energy markets would ultimately have consequences for the United States

Voter turnout at Kazakhstan parliamentary elections exceeds 65% by late afternoon

The lowest turnout was reported in the country’s largest city of Almaty at 36.65%, and the largest in the Kyzylorda region at 81.38%, according to the CEC

Nearly 270 Ukrainian drones taken down over Russian regions during day

Russian air defense systems intercepted and destroyed Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over Crimea, the Arkhangelsk, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Rostov, Smolensk, Tula, Moscow, and Krasnodar Regions, and the Black Sea, he Russian defense ministry said

Over 250 Ukrainian militants holed up in Azovstal steel plant surrender — DPR

According to the territorial defense headquarters of the DPR, the wounded are receiving medical assistance

Russia’s Team Spirit grabs Dota 2 trophy at The International for third time

The tournament was held in Shanghai

Russian athletes win medal count at 2026 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships

The Italian team took second place, athletes from Great Britain came in third

Kiev glorifies those behind killing hundreds of thousands of Russians, Poles, Jews — Putin

The basis of the Ukrainian statehood today is based on this neo-Nazi ideology, Russian President said

US Navy has announced development of ultra-long-range air-to-air missile

The range of the AIM-424 missile exceeds 460 km

Russian military strikes trains delivering military cargo in two regions of Ukraine

The Russian defense ministry said that "regular strikes on rail infrastructure and locomotives used for supplying troops, disrupt the logistics of the Ukrainian armed forces"

Prince Harry and his family not to return to Britain permanently — The Times

A source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the newspaper that they are not sure how long their stay would last

Six people injured in Nevada wildfire — agency

According to the report by the Associated Press, the fire dubbed Hawk spread across 53 square kilometers

Press review: Ukraine crisis nears peak as Israel-Turkey tensions rise over Syria

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, August 20th

Russia expands control zone in Novogrigorovka in DPR with drones — expert

Andrey Marochko says almost all Ukrainian units have retreated from the settlement

Resolution of fuel issues underway, PM Mishustin keeps situation under control — Putin

A special commission has been set up, Russian President said

NATO, EU to be unable to talk their way out publicly from assisting Ukraine — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister pointed out that Russia will be taking into account everything that "openly Russophobic elites are doing now in Britain, in Brussels, in Paris, in Berlin, in other NATO and EU countries, in the vast majority of these countries"

70 vessels redirected by US military since resumption of blockade of Iran - CENTCOM

U.S. forces have redirected 70 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 to ensure compliance

Russia’s cutting-edge weaponry capable of ‘blinding’ enemy's army

TASS outlines domestic electronic warfare systems

Candidate for US president calls for more active humanitarian exchanges with Russia

There are far more similarities than differences between the two nations, Diane Sare said

Press review: Ukraine conflict fuels EU ultra-right as Trump seeks Iran pressure via Oman

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 19th

IN BRIEF: Putin comments on Kiev’s provocative moves and Russia’s retaliatory strikes

The enemy is trying to intimidate Russians and disrupt the upcoming parliamentary elections, due in September, but these attempts will fail, the president said

Kiev attacks civilian targets to exert political pressure on Russia — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik added that his working trip to Novorossiya confirmed information about attempts to blockade entire cities, complicate logistics, disrupt the delivery of food, priority goods and medicines, and the supply of energy and water

New corruption scandal in Kiev directly involves Zelensky, former PM says

Nikolay Azarov added that the new scandal involves "people who came to his office almost every day"

Putin says economy behind motives of Polish PM Tusk's words about Nord Stream

The Russian president noted that initially the Nord Stream-2 route was planned to stretch across Poland

Large gas field discovered in Iran

The field also contains gas condensate

Nvidia in $6 billion deal to create competitor to Chinese AI models — WSJ

According to sources cited by the newspaper, the deal will allow the company to use AI startup Poolside’s technologies and hire most of its engineers

West's war on Russia, Russian flag as symbol of justice — Lavrov’s remarks

The foreign minister emphasized that the West will try to disrupt the September elections to the State Duma, but "these plans will thwarted"

Ukraine signs documents on drone production in Finland

Vladimir Zelensky and Finnish President Alexander Stubb took part in a roundtable meeting on defense cooperation in Kiev

Russian troops hit Ukrainian army’s energy, transport infrastructure sites in past day

Targets attacked by operational/tactical aviation, attack drones, missile forces, and artillery

Iran to attack other oil export routes if Gulf countries support US sanctions — official

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said that "not a single drop of oil will be shipped from the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz" if Iran's neighbors join the sanctions