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Russia not threatening anyone, seeks friendly relations with US, assures Putin

Russia poses no threat to the US, Vladimir Putin stated

© Mikhail Klimentyev/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Moscow seeks friendly relations with Washington and only takes retaliatory measures, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly.

"Russia seeks full-fledged, equal and friendly relations with the US. Russia threatens no one and all measures we take in the security area are purely retaliatory, which means they are defensive," he said.

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Putin stated that "the policy towards Russia the US has been pursuing in recent years can hardly be described as friendly." "Russia’s legitimate interests are ignored, various anti-Russian campaigns take place on a regular basis, more and more sanctions are introduced, for which we give no reason and which are illegitimate from the standpoint of international law, the legal basis of the global security system that came to be in recent decades is being unilaterally destroyed," the Russian leader pointed out.

"That said, Russia is being designated as almost the main threat to the US. I will say frankly: that’s not true," Putin added.

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Syria demands UNSC take measures to stop Israel’s attacks

A source in the Syrian defense ministry told the agency earlier that Israel had staged an attack from the occupied Golan Heights on Monday evening

Ukrainians do not want war with Russia, but US keeps them trapped — expert

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Russian Air Defense Forces shot down four HIMARS missiles, Hammer bomb, 42 Ukrainian UAVs

Russia’s East battlegroup improves its position, Ukraine loses up to 110 servicemen

Moldova’s presidential runoff can be considered valid — CEC

Turnout in the second round has amounted to 54.18%

Putin to accept diplomatic credentials from 28 ambassadors of countries like Japan, Canada

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Israeli minister’s suggestion of nuclear strike on Gaza raises questions — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova stressed that such statements by Israeli officials shed light on the true reasons why Tel Aviv was opposing the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East

US to hold 60th election of president, vice president on Tuesday

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US warns it won’t be able to restrain Israel if Iran attacks — report

An Israeli official said the message was passed from Washington to Tehran through the Swiss

Press review: Putin highlights GDP growth while the Russian military claims top rank

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Russian-North Korean partnership treaty called to stabilize region — Russian diplomat

"The treaty’s provisions, including article 4 on mutual support in case of an armed incursion, will be fully implemented, if need be," Anna Yevstigneyeva said

Putin meets with visiting North Korean foreign minister — Kremlin spokesman

On November 1, Choe Son Hui held talks with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov

BRICS to consider expanding group in 2025 — Lavrov

"Criteria for the partner country category will be agreed upon," the Russian Foreign Minister said

Mishustin to travel to Minsk for meeting of Russia-Belarus Union cabinet

The meeting’s agenda includes about 20 issues, such as mobile communications tariffs and development of suburban rail service

Soyuz-2.1b blasts off from Vostochny spaceport carrying 55 Russian, foreign satellites

The Ionosphere-M satellites, which are the main payload, are set to be put into a sun-synchronous orbit within an hour

Putin to accept letters of credentials from 28 new ambassadors on November 5

The ceremony will also be attended by representatives from Argentina, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Finland

Economic sanctions against Russia not working — top Hungarian diplomat

As an example, he cited Europe’s continuing purchases of Russian liquified natural gas and Russian uranium supplies to the United States for the production of fuel for US nuclear plants

Talks on settlement in Gaza continue — diplomatic source

The Egyptian proposal involved a 12-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release four Israeli hostages and then the sides would hold talks about "a more long-lasting ceasefire"

Russia’s latest Lotos artillery gun for paratroopers to receive counter-drone system

After successfully undergoing all preliminary trials, the new self-propelled artillery system was sent for state tests

NATO intends to fight 'defensive battles' thousands of miles from its territory — Lavrov

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Google’s fines in Russia reach stratospheric levels — lawyer

Google can return to the Russian market only if it complies with the court’s decision

Russia is not going to attack Poland, Baltics, Ukraine through Belarus rule — Lukashenko

The Belarusian President called for building relations in a neighborly manner

Moldova’s opposition to challenge presidential election results with Constitutional Court

According to Sor, the opposition has evidence of massive ballot rigging in favor of the incumbent president during the presidential election

Russian forces liberate settlement of Vishnyovoye in Donetsk People’s Republic

Israel steps up readiness for potential Iranian strike — report

The IDF has not ruled out the possibility of an Iranian response from Syria, Yemen, or Iraq, rather than directly from Iran, the newspaper reported

Prosecutor's Office deems activities of US-based business society undesirable in Russia

The international company incorporated in the United States has been engaged in promoting the policies of unfriendly states regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and actively supports the LGBT community, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office explained

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg appears at a rally in Georgia

According to some reports, she came to the country at the invitation of a non-governmental organization

Attacks on reserves and Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Ukrainian armed forces lost over 150 troops in the Kursk area in the past day

Former CIA, Pentagon chief describes incursion into Kursk as Kiev’s ‘strategic mistake’

In Robert Gates opinion, Russia is capable of continuing its special military operation in Ukraine until it decides that its goals are met, and underestimating its ability to carry on "is a huge mistake"

Events in Bangladesh show similarities with color revolutions — Indian expert

According to Melkulangara Bhadrakumar, "these developments signifying the ascendance of Anglo-American influence in the highly strategic Bay of Bengal region are a setback for both India and Russia — and China"

Germany ‘shamefully resigned’ itself to destruction of Nord Stream — Lavrov

Lavrov also drew attention to the fact that "reckless proposals" are being made about strikes with Western long-range systems deep into Russian territory

At least 70 people killed in Gaza over past 24 hours — TV

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 43,400 Palestinians have been killed and 102,300 wounded in the Gaza Strip since the conflict escalated in October 2023

US citizen who shared data on Ukrainian military with Russian army wants to stay in Russia

Daniel Martindale noted that after peace is restored, he would like to go back to farming

For US losing dollar as a standard of settlements would be like losing a war, Trump says

The Republican presidential candidate criticized the current US administration for allowing the unification of Russia, China, Iran, the DPRK and a number of other countries into one group

Russian forces destroy US-made Stryker armored fighting vehicle in Kharkov Region

The target was attacked by an FPV drone, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Georgian opposition plans to disrupt first session of newly-elected parliament

He called on the opposition to hold a rally on November 21, when the Central Electoral Commission is to release the final protocol of the parliamentary election

Industrial facility suffers damage in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region

Meanwhile, explosions have been reported in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and the Kirovograd Region

Ukrainian lawmaker Bezuglaya calls out ‘catastrophic situation’ in country’s army

Maryana Bezuglaya accused Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky for his alleged failure of the military operation in Russia’s borderline Kursk area and the complicated situation in the southern directions of the frontline

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Trump catches up with Harris in latest poll before election — The New York Post poll

Both candidates have received 49% support among likely voters, with 2% saying they would back another candidate

Fencing installed around Harris’ residence in Washington ahead of election

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Russian Guardsmen uncover Ukrainian arms cache with over 100,000 munitions in LPR

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Around 100 air attacks of Ukrainian Armed Forces in DPR were foiled in one week

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Russia says 6 Ukrainian drones shot down over Bryansk Region overnight

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"We call on our South Korean colleague to think twice and not to embark on this extremely dangerous path, which will lead Seoul to nothing good", Anna Yevstigneyeva said

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Gazprom supplies 42.1 mln cubic meters of gas to Europe via Ukraine

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Iran has hundreds of missiles capable of inflicting severe damage Israel — WSJ

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Medvedev says any new uprising in Ukraine would seek to execute current leaders

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Ukrainian ombudsman asks Russia to provide lists of Ukrainians POWs for exchange

Dmitry Lubinets contacted his Russian counterpart Tatyana Moskalkova

Attempts to destroy Iran’s nuclear capacity may expand conflict — top Turkish diplomat

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Syrsky admits Ukraine faces one of strongest Russian offensives since 2022

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Plane with 103 Russian POWs lands near Moscow

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West itself signed death warrant for dollar, turning it into punishment tool — Lavrov

At the same time, the volume of mutual settlements in national currencies in foreign trade between the BRICS member countries reaches around 65%

Kiev wants to exchange only militants from its nationalist battalions — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, Kiev is also "interested in the fate of foreign mercenaries who took part in combat operations against Russia"

Hezbollah fires 105 rockets from Lebanon at Israel on November 3 — IFD

The army "will continue to protect Israel and its people from threats" from Hezbollah, the press service noted

NATO undecided on intercepting projectiles over Ukraine — top Polish diplomat

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk earlier said that Warsaw and its NATO partners will discuss the possibility of taking down projectiles over western parts of Ukraine near the Polish border

Cargo Dragon lifts off from Florida launch site to head for ISS

The 31st commercial mission to deliver cargo to the orbital outpost departed from John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 9:30 p.m. US East Coast time

Japan’s defense minister says North Korea launched 7 missiles that flew 400 km each

Japan issued a protest to Pyongyang through diplomatic channels

Israel hits Hezbollah intelligence headquarters near Damascus — IDF

According to the IDF, Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters has a branch in Syria, "which includes an independent intelligence gathering, coordination, and assessment network."

Situation dire for Ukrainian troops along entire frontline, says DPR head

Meanwhile, the potential of Ukrainian armed forces should not be underestimated, Denis Pushilin cautioned

Rheinmetall plant in Ukraine Russia's legitimate military target — Kremlin

Earlier, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger announced that the company was opening a plant in Ukraine specializing in the repair and production of armored vehicles

Malaysia rejects US call to 'stop being friendly' with Russia — PM

Anwar Ibrahim said the call came during a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the sidelines of the 19th East Asia Summit in Laos

Austria accepts terms of payment for Russian gas in rubles — Chancellor

On March 23, the Russian president ordered that unfriendly states must pay for Russian gas in rubles

Western military assistance to Ukraine tops 100 bln euros — minister

Ukraine regularly asks for additional military assistance from its Western partners, occasionally criticizing them for delays and insufficient amount of supplies

Ukraine admits number of deserted soldiers from Armed Forces of Ukraine surpasses 100,000

Earlier, military lawyer from the Center for Support of Veterans and Their Families Roman Likhachev said that more than 100,000 servicemen had voluntarily left their units

Ukrainian forces lose 11,800 soldiers on LPR borders in a week — military expert

During the mentioned period, the Russian military destroyed 196 vehicles, 89 various armored vehicles, five tanks, three multiple launch rocket system launchers

Kremlin spokesman says he cannot recall Putin ever talking to Kamala Harris

"When Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US President Joe Biden, Mrs. Harris was not in Geneva," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia says its troops mined, blocked one route used by Ukrainian forces in Kursk Region

According to the ministry, soldiers of the regiment's reconnaissance company with the call signs Porsh and Pochta destroyed the enemy that was covering the passage in the engineering barriers and moved forward to fulfill the combat mission

North Korea probably launched ballistic missile, Japan’s coast guard says

The missile, whose type remains unclear so far, fell about 20 minutes after launch, the agency said

Opposition rally near parliamentary building in Tbilisi ends without incidents

President Zourabichvili and all the opposition parties refuse to recognize the election results, slamming them as rigged

Azerbaijan, Iran hold joint naval drills in Caspian Sea

The ministry said earlier that the drills involved two ships and more than 100 servicemen of the Azerbaijani Navy

Sandu wins Moldova's elections with 55.33% of votes, Stoianoglo gains 44.67%

In total, 1,699,025 people came to the polling stations in Moldova and abroad, which is more than 54.31% of the people included in the electoral lists. In the second round of the 2020 presidential elections, this figure reached 58.22%

Total losses of Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk Region reach over 29,600 servicemen

Meanwhile, over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have lost over 350 servicemen

Kiev's violation of agreements means less territory for Ukraine — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister also recalled the Istanbul agreements

Sandu is winning in 2nd round of Moldovan presidential elections with 55.04% — CEC

Votes at a number of polling stations abroad are yet to be counted

Russia says Т-80 tanks of battlegroup East disrupt Ukrainian attack in South Donetsk area

According to the statement, following the combat mission, the tank crews quickly left their firing positions and returned to the waiting area to evade retaliatory fire by enemy artillery