13 Mar 2020, 21:30

Russian MP: PACE spring session cancelled due to coronavirus outbreak in Europe

Leonid Slutsky earlier said that Russia would react with understanding to such a step, considering it logical amid the pandemic declared by the World Health Organization and the need for steps to prevent the virus from spreading further

MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/. The spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) scheduled to be held in Strasbourg in April has been cancelled because of the novel coronavirus outbreak in Europe, Chairman of the Russian State Duma (lower house) Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky told reporters on Friday.

"The PACE spring session, which was scheduled to be held in Strasbourg from April 20 to April 24, has been cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak in European countries. The decision was made at the level of the Council of Europe’s leadership," he said.

"Security measures are the primary concern," he added.

Slutsky earlier said that Russia would react with understanding to such a step, considering it logical amid the pandemic declared by the World Health Organization and the need for steps to prevent the virus from spreading further.

An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease was registered in central China at the end of last December. On March 11, the World Health Organization recognized it as a pandemic. COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in more than 110 countries. According to official statistics, about 134,000 people have contracted the virus. More than 5,000 of them have died. A total of 45 cases have been confirmed in Russia so far.

PREVIEW: Shanghai to host Russian-Chinese conference on global, Eurasian challenges

The event titled "Space of Joint Development: Global and Eurasian Dimensions" kicks off in Shanghai on March 31

Yesterday, 05:22

Ukraine’s army loses dozens of combat vehicles northwest of Sudzha in Kursk Region

The largest amount of the destroyed Ukrainian military equipment remains in the settlements of Malaya Loknya, Nikolskoye, Pogrebki, Lebedevka and along the Korenevo-Sudzha road

Two days ago, 16:48

IN BRIEF: What is known about Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities

TASS has compiled main facts from the statements by the Russian Defense Ministry

Yesterday, 07:50

Yemen’s Houthis claim attacking US aircraft carrier three times in last 24 hours

"The counteraction operation involved missile troops, unmanned aerial vehicles and naval forces that used several cruise missiles and drones," the Houthi spokesman said

Yesterday, 21:41

Special police staff neutralizes shooter in Murmansk, no one injured

The attacker acted alone, and he has been wounded

Yesterday, 02:14

Kiev troops start using FPV drones of longer range

The new drones were detected in the Zaporozhye, Orekhov, Dzerzhinsk, Kremennaya and Kharkov directions of the special military operation, as well as in Russia’s borderline areas of Belgorod and Kursk

Yesterday, 00:18

Putin congratulates Russian Muslims on Eid al-Fitr holiday

Russian president noted the important contribution of Muslim organizations into Russia’s public and spiritual life, and their role in charitable, educational and patriotic projects and initiatives

Two days ago, 18:10

China not ready to join potential Russia-US dialogue on strategic stability — Russian MFA

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Channel One that the US wants to engage China in the strategic stability negotiations with Russia but the decision to do so is up to Beijing and Russia will respect its choice

Yesterday, 13:20

Earthquake with 7.1 magnitude occurred near Tonga

The earthquake epicenter was at the depth of 10 km, 76 km to the southeast from the city of Pangai with the population of about 1,700 people

Yesterday, 21:38

Trump says he is serious on re-election opportunity — TV

The US President noted that "it is still too early to think about this"

Yesterday, 17:40

Camera crew attacked by drone in Donetsk People’s Republic

TV channel said that The drone exploded nearby, fragmentations partly hit the car

Two days ago, 12:17

Ukraine loses more than 190 troops in Kursk Region over day — top brass

The Defense Ministry also said that Russian servicemen had liberated the Veselovka settlement in the Sumy Region

Two days ago, 05:53

Assets of Ukrainian businessman Shifrin arrested in Russia on fraud case

The businessman was granted Russian citizenship in October 2016. In 2022, after the onset of the special military operation, he applied to the Russian embassy on renunciation of Russian citizenship

Two days ago, 17:42

World Press Photo defends TASS photo correspondent’s win in regional contest

According to the organizers, the complaints will be reviewed in accordance with the contest’s rules and procedures

Trump warns of additional tariffs on Iran

According to Reuters, US President made this statement to reporters on board Air Force One

Russia ready to work with Europe without ‘being fooled’ by it — Putin

They are acting inconsistently, constantly trying to fool, Russian President said

About 99% of LPR, more than 70% of DPR, Novorossiya liberated, says Putin

According to the Russian president, "along the entire line of engagement, the strategic initiative is fully with the Russian Armed Forces"

Trump planning Saudi trip in May — Axios

This was reported by two US officials and a source familiar with the president's travel plans

Two days ago, 21:15

Interim Syrian president announces formation of new government

The foreign and defense ministers, Asaad al-Shaibani and Murhaf Abu Qasra, have retained their posts

Two days ago, 19:48

Hamas accepts mediators’ proposal on Gaza ceasefire

Al-Hayya said that the group has accepted an Egyptian plan for forming an independent body of experts to oversee civil administration in Gaza

Yesterday, 15:28

Presidential election in Ukraine may be held in July — The Economist

Vladimir Zelensky will attempt to catch his competitors by surprise, hoping that they will fail to arrange an efficient campaign within a short term, the source said

IN BRIEF: What we know about detention of Gagauzia’s head Evghenia Gutsul

On March 25, Evghenia Gutsul was detained at the Chisinau Airport

Two days ago, 16:08

Kiev continues attacks on Russian energy infrastructure facilities — Russian top brass

According to the ministry, the Kiev regime has just increased the number of attacks on energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions, despite Zelensky’s claims

Putin describes floating out of Perm nuclear sub as milestone for Russian Navy

"It is supposed to enter service with the Russian Navy and to start performing its combat tasks next year," the president added

Trump suggests there is `psychological’ deadline for Russia to agree to Ukraine ceasefire

The US leader also expressed confidence that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, would like to make a deal to resolve the Ukraine conflict

Putin proposes introducing UN external governance in Ukraine to hold election

The Russian president reiterated that such precedents under the auspices of the UN existed in East Timor, New Guinea and parts of former Yugoslavia

EU plans to cut agricultural imports from Ukraine starting in June — AFP

No details were given about specific commodities to be affected by the reduction or how much imports will plunge

Yesterday, 04:56

Russian mobile hospital arrives in Myanmar

The additional force comprises 50 rescuers, doctors and medical workers

Yesterday, 03:45

US forces strike Islamic State positions in Somalia

The report says the militants presented a threat to the US military

Russian embassy slams British PM’s ceasefire deadline idea as 'absurd'

"The arbitrary deadlines Starmer hastily devised in his remarks to journalists are completely unfounded — especially given London’s clear intent to derail any peace initiatives," the statement reads

Trump serious about normalization with Russia, EU has no option — ex-US intel official

Graham Fuller did not rule out that Europe would also move towards normalizing relations with Russia in the foreseeable future

Yesterday, 15:25

Actor Richard Chamberlain died at age of 90

According to him, the actor died on March 29 in Waimanalo, Hawaii, due to complications following a stroke

Yesterday, 17:45

No mentioning of Red Army’s heroic deeds by UN gives rise to concerns — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Guterres, when speaking at the ceremony dedicated to the 80th anniversary of liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau, did not mention the Red Army a single time, although the Memory Day for these victims was established according to results of the heroic deed of the Red Army fighters

Ukraine to owe US more than $120 bln under revised minerals deal — newspaper

Additionally, Ukraine is required to make its own contributions to this fund

EU leaders prepare for conflict with Russia, Hungary will not go to war — Orban

While Europe continues to speculate that the Ukrainian conflict could spread across the continent, the Hungarian prime minister dismissed this notion, stating, "This is not true"

Two days ago, 06:46

Trump administration demands control over Ukraine's economy — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Ukrainian authorities fear that the terms of the agreement will limit their ability to attract other investors and rebuild infrastructure

Two days ago, 04:31

Many Asian countries’ leaders invited to Victory Day parade in Moscow — Russian MFA

It became known earlier that the Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party To Lam would be present at the parade

Press review: Germany mulls Nord Stream restoration as Zaporozhye NPP sparks talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 28th

Russia displays counter-UAV laser rifle

According to the designer company, the laser beam destroys the drone body, propeller, engines, battery

Yesterday, 02:14

Foundation pit of Paks-2 NPP in Hungary ready, but first concreting delayed

The construction is being carried out in accordance with the project by Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom

Yesterday, 04:19

US needs to modernize its nuclear arsenal — US secretary of energy

In Chris Wright's words, 'the best thing about nuclear weapons is to not use them'

Yesterday, 19:29

Russian traveler Fyodor Konyukhov boarded on cargo ship sailing to China

The voyager was taken on board of a cargo ship sailing to China’s Qingdao, the center informed

20 Dec 2024, 16:25

Putin agrees 'Russian world' now faces war

The Russian leader also agreed with Sergey Mironov, head of the "A Just Russia - For Truth" faction in the Duma, who said that "the birth rate is insufficient, because the matter concerns extinction"

EU not present at Russia-US talks on Ukraine at fault of Brussels — Austrian ex-chancellor

On March 24, representatives of Russia and the United States met in Riyadh to discuss the resumption of the Black Sea initiative

Ukraine will not recognize US military aid as debt, Zelensky says

The previous version of the deal was not signed because of a verbal spat between Vladimir Zelensky and US leaders at the White House

Two days ago, 05:58

Ukrainian troops control only three settlements in Kursk Region — commander

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday that the battlegroup North had liberated the village of Gogolevka in the Kursk Region

American bases to be targeted if US invades Iran, says Iranian parliament speaker

US Presidential National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated on February 23 that Washington was considering all options regarding Iran’s nuclear program

Yesterday, 12:06

Russian troops liberate Zaporozhye community in Donetsk region over past day

TASS has compiled the main information about the special operation progress over the past 24 hours

LG Electronics partly restarts its plant in Moscow Region — newspaper

The plant was producing washing machines and refrigerators

Zelensky doing damage control after losing big in Jeddah talks — expert

Mikhail Pavliv explained that in Jeddah, the Americans got everything they wanted in the military aspect from Ukraine very quickly

Yesterday, 06:48

Russian rescuers start work in quake-hit Myanmar — Emergencies Ministry

Russia has sent three planes with rescuers, dog handlers, doctors and an airmobile hospital to Myanmar to help eliminate the consequences of the devastating earthquake

Russian forces to overwhelm Ukrainian troops, Putin believes

"There are grounds to think that we will finish them off," the Russian leader said

Yesterday, 16:39

Three drones destroyed in Crimea - Russian Defense Ministry

The Russian Defense Ministry said that on March 30, within the period from 04:50 p.m. to 05:20 p.m. Moscow time, air defense means on duty destroyed three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the territory of the Republic of Crimea

Trump says would not want to put secondary tariffs on Russia

"It would not be very good for them", said the American President

Yesterday, 15:07

US to impose restrictions on Russian oil if no deal on Ukraine is reached — Trump

Trump said that would be that if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States

Two days ago, 04:37

Russian army in Kursk Region forging ahead to border with Ukraine

The Russian Defence Ministry said earlier that assault units of the Don Cossack air assault regiment based in Feodosia had taken an important fortified strongpoint of the Ukrainian army in the borderline

Yesterday, 14:22

Finnish president dreams of engaging US in Ukrainian conflict Russian diplomat

The Finnish president said earlier in an interview with the Politico news outlet that the "armed to the teeth" Ukraine should be in the basis of the deterrence policy

Militaries in France, Europe bracing for war with Russia — newspaper

A French officer told the newspaper that his country’s military is "getting ready for the worst"

Russia’s Battlegroup West downs 17 Ukrainian drones, wipes out 23 drone control centers

According to the spokesman for the battlegroup Ivan Bigma, the battlegroup hit two mechanized, one assault and one territorial defense brigades in the Kharkov Region, the LPR, the DPR and in the Serebryanka forestry

Yesterday, 03:17

Hezbollah warns it will not tolerate Israel’s unjustified aggression

According to the secretary-general of the movement Naim Qassem, Lebanon should resist Israel politically and diplomatically

Yesterday, 09:06

Russian forces engaged in fierce fighting to retake last few communities in Kursk Region

In particular, in the area of the settlement of Basovka, Russian forces have dislodged Ukrainian troops from a stronghold and are consolidating their gains, a source said

Yesterday, 17:48

Europe standing to lengthen life of Kiev’s regime — Lavrov

Instincts of the ruling class in Europe are clearly demonstrated in developments in Ukraine, the top Russian diplomat said

Yesterday, 12:42

Over 670 Sudzha residents in Kursk Region evacuated to safe areas since March 12

At temporary accommodation centers, psychologists render all necessary psychological assistance and support to evacuated civilians

9 Dec 2024, 17:02

'Street rat' Zelensky fumbles Paris talks — Ukrainian lawmaker

"After Trump’s team slammed Zelensky’s inappropriate attire, he’ll either need to start wearing a suit or continue to be looked at as a street rat," Alexander Dubinsky said

Yesterday, 18:32

EU ready to react as single whole to US duties

Trade wars do harm to all the parties, Scholz noted

Yesterday, 07:52

Chances exist to rescue people from under rubble in quake-hit Myanmar — Russian rescuers

A powerful 8.2-magnitude quake hit Myanmar on March 28, claiming the lives of more than 1,600 people

8 Apr 2013, 17:00

Monument to nationalist leader Bandera destroyed in Lvov region

Police said they have started an investigation

Russian forces liberate Gogolevka: situation in Kursk Region

Russian troops are engaged in fighting in the center of Guyevo in the Kursk Region, facing the most skilled units of the Ukrainian army's special operations forces

Two days ago, 11:18

Russian forces liberate Panteleymonovka, Shcherbaki — top brass

TASS has compiled the main information about the special operation progress over the past 24 hours

Yesterday, 08:47

Russian investigators find new facts of Ukrainian army’s crimes in Kursk Region

The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal probe into these crimes under part 2, article 205 (‘A Terrorist Act’) and part 3, article 356.1 of Russia’s Criminal Code (‘Marauding’), she said

Yesterday, 13:21

First German launch vehicle fell soon after launch

The launch was made from the Norwegian Andoya launch site

Two days ago, 08:57

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian special units in Guyevo — security forces

"The enemy expects to hold off the advance of the Russian armed forces as long as possible, hoping to escape through the forest to the Sumy Region," the source said

Yesterday, 16:38

Death toll after earthquake in Bangkok rises to 18 — authorities

Seventy-six people were reported missed thus far, the center said

France, UK assisted Ukraine in strike on Sudzha gas metering station — Foreign Ministry

According to Maria Zakharova, the guidance and targeting of the strikes were conducted using French satellite systems, while UK specialists provided the coordinate input and carried out the launch

Two days ago, 05:35

Russian army advances cautiously in Chasovy Yar — military expert

Andrey Marochko noted that due to the ongoing active fighting in Chasovy Yar, it is currently difficult to count the area liberated and mopped up of Ukrainian troops

Bolivian leader looking forward to visiting Russia this spring, ambassador says

However, with Bolivia facing political infighting ahead of the presidential election, the president’s agenda is quite busy

Iran sends its official response to Trump’s letter via Oman

According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the message comprises two documents

14 Jul 2024, 09:37

Assassination attempt on Putin mentioned by Budanov prepared with US money — Russian MFA

"Yesterday one of chiefs of the Kiev regime Buganov openly admitted that the Ukrainian intelligence service prepared assassination attempts on the Russian president. This assassination attempt was again prepared with US money," Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel

Trump rules out NATO membership for Ukraine

US President Donald Trump announced this to reporters on board Air Force One

5 Apr 2022, 11:07

Medvedev weighs in on goals of Ukraine special operation

According to the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, the most important goal is "to convert the bloodthirsty and the total, fabricated-myth-laden consciousness of some Ukrainians"

Risks of another quake occurring in Mandalay, Myanmar persist — Russian rescuers

Meanwhile, the Russian Emergencies Ministry has started to regroup its 120 rescuers in Myanmar to quake-hit Mandalay

It is now obvious to everyone what Western jurisdictions are worth — Putin

"But now the covers have completely fallen off, as they say, and it has become evident to everyone what the various high courts in the European capitals, Western jurisdictions, where many sought to hide in, are worth," the Russian president said

Yesterday, 13:23

Iran rejects direct talks with US on its nuclear program — Iranian president

Iran stressed in its reply letter that the Islamic Republic never avoided direct talks and only unfulfilled pledges triggered problems on that issue that must be resolved to restore trust between the two countries while the fate of the negotiations "will be determined by the behavior of the Americans"

Yesterday, 21:36

Unknown person opened fire from roof in Murmansk — governor

Law enforcement staff is in action

Trump says Zelensky wants to back out of rare earth deal

US President says Zelensky will "get into trouble" if he backs out of deal

Yesterday, 15:46

Two drones downed over Bryansk Region — Russian Defense Ministry

The Russian Defense Ministry said that on March 30, within the period from 03:05 p.m. to 03:20 p.m. Moscow time, air defense systems on duty destroyed two Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the territory of the Bryansk Region

Yesterday, 21:40

Gaza’s Health Ministry urges the UN to investigate murder of medical workers in Rafah

Bodies of fourteen dead people, with communication with them lost several years ago, were found in a collective grave on Sunday

17 Aug 2022, 22:35

Ukrainian army delivers massive strike on Energodar using heavy artillery — authorities

Information on casualties and damage to infrastructure is being specified, the city’s military-civilian administration reported

Two days ago, 15:37

Russian medics, rescuers arrive in Myanmar to deal with quake’s aftermath

According to the ministry, the rescuers have brought along all the equipment necessary for search-and-rescue operations

INTERVIEW: Russia’s money meant for UN gets stuck amid latest US sanctions — diplomat

According to Kirill Logvinov, this constitutes a major problem for the UN

Yesterday, 15:57

Russian Ministry of Emergencies starts survey in Myanmar’s Mandalay

Rescuers are now choosing a site for their base camp and performing the survey to determine the scope of forthcoming work, TASS reports

Ukraine talks see progress — Trump

"I think we're making progress, but there's a lot of ill will between the parties," the US leader said, commenting on the situation in Ukraine

Yesterday, 15:35

Trump says he is going to have phone talk with Putin shortly — TV

The previous telephone conversation between the two leaders was held on March 18

28 May 2019, 04:32

By 2025, developed countries to lose quarter of their nuclear capacity — reports

The sharp decline in the nuclear power generation sector will damage the energy security of those nations and will hamper the achievement of environmental goals

Houthis attack another US aircraft carrier in Red Sea — spokesman

According to Yahya Saria, by striking the aircraft carrier, the Houthis prevented "the enemy's attempts to redeploy its warships to the southern Red Sea and expand its aggression against Yemen

Russian rescuers pull woman survivor out of rubble in wake of Mandalay quake

The joint operation with Chinese rescuers lasted almost eight hours

Yesterday, 02:21

Diplomat explains external governance mechanism in context of Putin’s remarks on Ukraine

Commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent remarks on Ukraine, Kirill Logvinov told TASS that following negotiations, Russia or mediators have an opportunity to file a relevant request to the organization

Too early to discuss details of Putin’s external governance plan for Ukraine — Kremlin

Earlier, the Russian leader said that external governance has been introduced globally before and that the practice could pave the way for legitimate talks on resolving the Ukraine conflict

Press review: Russia and US advance Black Sea deal as nuclear divide deepens in Europe

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 26th

Two days ago, 00:57

Kiev trying to reassemble front, force Russian army to retreat from Volchansk — expert

Andrey Marochko said that development of combat power is registered in this area, including by assault teams

Two days ago, 10:03

Lula da Silva confirms plans to attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow

Lula da Silva also said that he plans to discuss the potential peaceful settlement in Ukraine with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during his visit to Russia in May