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Military operation in Ukraine

Putin-Zelensky encounter possible but requires certain preparations, Kremlin aide says

Yury Ushakov stressed that no one rejects the possibility of such meeting

MOSCOW, June 14. /TASS/. Moscow does not reject a possible direct contact between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky but this requires thorough preparations, Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov said on Tuesday.

"No one rejects this possibility but it requires the corresponding conditions and, importantly, very thorough preparations. No one will meet with Zelensky without this just for any purpose," Ushakov said.

The Russia-Ukraine negotiations have been ongoing since February 28. Several meetings took place in Belarus, following which the sides continued their talks via a video link-up. A face-to-face round was held in Istanbul, Turkey on March 29.

Russian President Putin told reporters on April 12 that Kiev had departed from the accords reached in Turkey and brought this process to a deadlock. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on April 20 that Moscow had handed over to Kiev its draft document on agreements with clear-cut formulations and expected a reply. The Russian and Ukrainian leaders did not meet during the negotiating process.

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Foreign policy Military operation in Ukraine

Maxim Oreshkin promoted to deputy chief of Kremlin staff

Oreshkin has served as presidential aide since 2020 and was Russia's economic development minister in 2016-2020

Germany to give Ukraine IRIS-T air defense system in May — ambassador

Martin Jaeger added that Germany also provided Ukraine with Gepard self-propelled air defense systems and a completely new system that was developed in Germany: the Skynex

Discussions of candidates for security bloc, Foreign Affairs ministers to finish in Russia

The plenary session is expected to begin at 14:00 Moscow time with the personal participation of all candidates

Developer shows first image of Russia's new Sarmat ballistic missile

The RS-28 Sarmat is the newest heavy liquid-propelled intercontinental ballistic missile currently being co-developed to replace the world’s largest and most formidable ballistic missile, the Voyevoda

Ukrainian commanders trading blame with each other over defeats near Kharkov — NYT

Many in Ukraine reportedly believe that their country’s situation in the conflict with Russia has significantly worsened

US, NATO policy in Central Asia fraught with danger of 'color revolutions' — diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin stressed that Russia was and is a reliable partner of Central Asian countries

Central Asian countries aware of risks of joining anti-Russian sanctions — diplomat

"Apparently, overseas and in Brussels they naively think that Central Asian countries will not resist this Western expansion," Mikhail Galuzin stated

Russia’s Dnepr group destroys 15 Ukrainian watercraft on Dnieper’s right bank

In addition, the enemy lost 2 armored combat vehicles, 5 electronic warfare stations, 2 vehicles, and 28 drone control points, head of the group’s press center Roman Kodryan

State Duma approves deputy prime ministers of the Russian government

On May 7, the day of Vladimir Putin’s inauguration, the Russian government resigned, in accordance with the law

Russian budget expenditures on national projects reach $12.32 bln

This is 37% of planned budget assignments, the Ministry of Finance said

Georgian legislature to pass foreign-agents bill in final reading on May 14 — PM

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, it "will play a crucial role in ending the so-called polarization that was imposed from the outside"

US veteran calls Washington’s decision to drop Elbe Day celebrations with Russia ‘dumb’

That was the last good link that we had, Frank Cohn said

Russian diplomat says NATO sees Ukraine as tool against Russia

Zakharova expressed confidence that Stoltenberg is interested in Ukraine's future only in the context of confrontation with Russia, while he "takes no interest at all" in the future of Ukrainians

Western strikes on Yemen have no excuse — Russia’s ambassador to UN

Vasily Nebenzya also noted the failure of attempts "to justify this aggression by Security Council Resolution 2722 or by references to the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter"

Ukraine’s shelling of civilians backfires, unites Russians against common enemy — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik cited as an example this March, when during the presidential election in Russia's regions bordering Ukraine the number of shellings increased significantly, especially in the Kursk Region

At least 20 people killed in Israeli airstrike in central Gaza Strip

According to the TV channel Al Mayadeen, they were killed during the strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp

Profit of Russian microfinance organizations in 2024 may rise by 39% — experts

According to the Bank of Russia, in 2022, the profit of microfinance organizations also increased by 39% year-on-year, and by 40% - in 2023

Russian robotic drone jammers shield evacuation groups in Ukraine operation

The innovation was prompted by the existence of gray zones in areas of combat operations that are dangerous for groups to evacuate wounded personnel, Denis Oslomenko noted

Protesters in Cyprus call for end to funding Kiev following terrorist attack on Belgorod

The terrorist acts committed by the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir "Zelensky against the civilian population of Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk and other Russian border territories are criminal," said Mikis Filaniotis head of the Cypriot branch of the International Russophile Movement

Economic effect from introducing AI to surpass $10.9 bln — official

By 2030, this figure is expected to exceed $120.77 bln, Candidate for the post of Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said

Russia-Ukraine draft peace treaty was 75% agreed in April, Russian envoy says

Russia handed over the document to the Ukrainian side on April 15, Vladimir Medinsky recalled

Polish authorities persecute supporters of relations with Moscow, Minsk — ex-judge

Tomasz Schmidt sees some "positive" trends in Polish society, which, unlike the authorities, is determined to restore relations with Moscow and Minsk

Russian official lauds defense industry as world’s most powerful in basic arms output

Denis Manturov noted that the geopolitical situation was prompting the need constantly to improve operational characteristics of armaments and military hardware

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Russian troops wipe out 10 pieces of Western armor in DPR

It is noted that the number of destroyed Western armored vehicles could be considerably larger

Russian Defense Ministry personnel chief arrested for allegedly taking bribe

According to investigators, Yury Kuznetsov, who was the head of the 8th Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, received a bribe from commercial entities in return for doing certain favors for them from 2021-2023

Ukraine shells Krasnodon in LPR due to Russia’s successes in Kharkov area — ruling party

"They think that they can intimidate us but we know that our victory is near," Ivan Sanayev noted

Egypt threatens to end its mediation between Israel, Hamas — WSJ

The officials said Egypt is also blocking any humanitarian aid trucks from entering Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing

Upgraded tank anti-FPV drone systems arrive for Russian troops in Ukraine operation

New Triton drone suppression systems can be mounted on both armor and quad bikes, sea boats and any objects that require protection against FPV drones, Denis Oslomenko elaborated

Battlegroup North liberates four settlements in Kharkov Region in past day

Russian air defenses also downed a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet

Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet crashes in Far East

The pilot ejected and was not injured in the accident

Caracas, Moscow expanding bilateral cooperation — top Venezuelan diplomat

Vershininn is taking part in the second meeting of national coordinators of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, which is underway in Caracas

Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

The government is tasked to present eleven new National Projects by September 1 of this year

Kharkov regions aspiring to join Russia — interim administration

According to Head of the Kharkov Region’s interim civil administration Vitaly Ganchev, residents are already making numerous enquiries about receiving the Russian citizenship

US ban on Russian uranium imports leads to turmoil in international relations — ambassador

"The delicate balance between exporters and importers of uranium products is under threat," Anatoly Antonov said

Figure skater Valieva to play several roles in Tatiana Navka’s ice show

Earlier, Navka’s team said on its social networks that the Ruslan and Lyudmila ice show will be performed in Sochi in the summer

Protesters in Georgia reconvene to rally against foreign-agents bill

The Georgian parliament's Legal Affairs Committee endorsed the third reading of the bill on foreign agents on Monday

Russian air defense systems destroy 25 Vampire MLRS shells over Belgorod region

It was reported earlier that multiple explosions were heard in Belgorod after the missile threat was declared, according to a TASS correspondent

Europeans go for broke seeing risk of collapse for Kiev in special op situation — Kremlin

According to Peskov, currently, "the moment is crucial."

Russia’s Federation Council holds consultations on security, intelligence appointments

The candidates were nominated by President Vladimir Putin and their names were submitted to the council on May 12

Armenian police detain 38 opposition activists since morning

Archbishop Bagrat, the leader of Armenia’s Tavush for the Homeland opposition movement, on Monday night called for tougher pressure on the authorities through civil disobedience

Switzerland conference on Ukraine aims to issue ultimatum to Russia — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov stressed that "the conference has long been the talk of all those who are trying to defeat Russia on the battlefield"

Ukrainian military redeploys reserves towards Kharkov

"Depending on the development of the situation the build-up of the group will continue," according to the report

Russian troops destroy over 30 Ukrainian observation posts in Kherson area over past day

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on May 12 that Russian troops had inflicted roughly 50 casualties on the Ukrainian army in the Kherson direction over the past 24 hours

Lavrov, Libyan representatives discuss resuming intergovernmental commission

Parties expressed "mutual interest in establishing and strengthening mutually beneficial multifaceted cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Putin proposes Belousov as Shoigu's replacement: what is known about cabinet reshuffle

Other heads of security ministries and services, as well as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, will retain their posts in the government

Moscow court arrests Russian citizen for attempt to join Ukrainian armed formation

According to a source, Maxim Dmitriyenko served in the French Foreign Legion for three years

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister highlights EU’s double standards to Ukraine, Gaza Strip

Alexander Grushko discussed with Deputy Foreign Minister of Egypt Khalid Emara in Cairo "the processes of formation of a multipolar world, key trends in the evolution of international relations, and the changing role of international organizations and associations"

Kharkov authorities acknowledge advance of Russian troops

The head of the military administration cited the delay in Western arms deliveries as the reason for the Ukrainian forces' failures

Russian, Bolivian presidents discuss bilateral relations — Kremlin

Vladimir Putin and Luis Arce focused on "the implementation of mutually beneficial joint projects in trade, economy and energy"

Armenian opposition leader Bagrat Galstanyan calls for more protests across country

He said that the opposition movement "will increase pressure across the entire country, from the north to the south"

Russia’s S-300PS in Tajikistan confirm combat readiness

In April, at a meeting of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff of the CIS armed forces special attention was paid to the development of the joint communication and air defense systems

Press review: Russia installs new defense minister and Ukrainian terror in Belgorod

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 13th

Russian aluminum inventories at LME warehouses fall by over 60% in April

According to LME, aluminum reserves at the end of April amounted to 116,300 tons

All blazes caused by Ukrainian attack on industrial zone in Krasnodon localized — LPR head

"As many as 28 people have been evacuated from buildings," Leonid Pasechnik said

Mauritius working on Mir system introduction — Russian Ambassador

Mir cards are now accepted in nine countries but operations of the system are limited in six of them

Freight train cars derailed near Russia’s Volgograd

According to the press service of the Volga Railway, it was a result of the interference of unauthorized persons

Head of Main Personnel Directorate of Russia’s Defense Ministry Yuri Kuznetsov detained

A search was conducted at both Kuznetsov's job and his home, other specifics about the criminal case have not been revealed, law enforcement agencies told TASS

If West wants to solve Ukraine conflict on battlefield, 'so be it' — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Russia was ready to negotiate peace not only in words, but also in deeds

St. Petersburg Exchange will act as platform for exchange of Yandex N.V. shares

Acceptance of applications will begin no later than May 16

Sullivan, Austin, Brown spend 90 minutes discussing military assistance with Ukrainians

The officials on the Ukrainian side were Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and the presidency’s chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, the US official said

Africa sees Russia as key security partner amid competition from global players — diplomat

Mikhail Bogdanov described Africa as "the continent of the future," a place of "truly inexhaustible natural and human resources" with "an increasingly large and high-margin market"

Russia’s onslaught on Kharkov may compel Ukraine to truce — NYT

On May 11, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported liberating several populated localities in the Kharkov Region

Number of those wounded in LPR’s Krasnodon up to six — LPR head

According to Leonid Pasechnik, missile fragments, presumably of US-made ATACAMS, were found in a park and near a residential house

Motor rifle troops in Urals receive upgraded T-72B3M tanks

The T-72B3M is a heavily upgraded version of the T-72 main battle tank

NATO unable to prevent GPS jamming in Baltic region — retired Polish general

Waldemar Skrzypczak said he believes Russia is involved in the suppression of the GPS signal over the Baltic Sea to "test the alliance's reaction"

Shoigu to oversee Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, not head it — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that the service is headed by Dmitry Shugayev

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace six times in past day

Apart from that, in his words, one shelling attack on positions of Syrian government troops by militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra was reported in the Aleppo governorate in the Idlib de-escalation zone

Fit nation: Russia to see widespread increase in people exercising by 2036 — official

"We will build at least 350 sports facilities per year in our regions for all age categories until 2030," Dmitry Chernyshenko noted

Officials in Kharkov Region move to evacuate 113 orphaned children

The head of the regional military administration said that "only nine children with foster parents from the Volchansk community have volunteered to leave"

Aerospace Forces receive new Su-35S fighters

Su-35S have passed ground and flight trials and flew from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to the deployment airfield

Gazprom builds up gas supplies to China via Power of Siberia by 37.4% since year’s start

Gazprom regularly provides daily supplies above contractual obligations, the company noted

Swiss singer wins Eurovision 2024 contest

Nemo Mettler won with The Code song

Yemen interested in supplies of Russian equipment for its thermal power plants

Deputy Energy Minister Sergey Mochalnikov and member of the Yemeni Advisory Council Rashid Barabaa also discussed prospects for implementing joint projects in the field of green energy

Biden signs decree banning uranium imports from Russia — White House

The United States believes that a ban on imports of uranium from Russia will allow the United States to eliminate dependence on Russia in the field of peaceful nuclear energy

Dollar rises to 91.36 rubles, euro falls to 98.4 rubles

The yuan increased by 1.2 kopecks to 12.59 rubles

Conflict between Russia, Ukraine may last about 10 years — Polish foreign minister

Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed that the conflict in Ukraine may last for a few more years. No one, in his opinion, can say whether it is to last for five years

Ukraine replaces Kharkov group commander for second time in two months

Mikhail Drapaty, who continues to be a deputy chef of the general staff, replaced former Kharkov group commander, Yury Galushkin, who was appointed to the post in early April 2024 to succeed Andrey Gritskov

Experts of Ukraine’s Energoatom inspecting Belene NPP equipment for purchase — news portal

The Ukrainian side expressed hope of signing an agreement on the purchase of the equipment in June

Kiev reports difficult situation in Kharkov region

This direction has been strengthened, Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky said

Death toll in partially collapsed apartment building in Belgorod climbs to 15

Belgorod and its suburbs came under massive shelling by the Ukrainian armed forces earlier on May 12

Kiev describes situation in Volchansk as extremely challenging

According to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, "fierce fighting" is taking place in the Kharkov Region

US Secretary of State plans to visit Kiev — Politico

Antony Blinken will travel to Ukraine this week, the newspaper reported

Russian troops destroy Ukrainian army positions in area bordering Belgorod Region

"The personnel of the Battlegroup North actively employ FPV drones in the special military operation to eliminate the Ukrainian army’s dugouts, manpower and various military equipment," Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Russian, Sudanese officials talk conflict settlement in republic — Foreign Ministry

According to the statement, the parties discussed further strengthening the partnership between the two countries, "including maintaining an active political dialogue"

State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin thanked State Duma lawmakers for approving his candidacy for the prime minister’s office

Russia working to ensure that migrant influx not loophole for terrorism — senior diplomat

"We firmly believe that terrorism and extremism have neither religion nor nationality," Mikhail Galuzin noted

US is plotting another pandemic — Russian Defense Ministry

"We do not rule out the United States may use so-called defensive technologies for offensive purposes, as well as for global governance by creating crisis situations of biological nature," lieutenant general Igor Kirillov stressed

Fire on motor ship in Russia’s Arkhangelsk extinguished

The North-Western Transport Prosecutor's Office organized a probe into the incident

Polish soldier Emil Czeczko who fled to Belarus found hanged in Minsk

A forensic examination will be held to establish the cause of the man’s death

Formidable Sarmat: Satan’s successor that can pierce any defense

TASS’ military analyst fills us in on one of the greatest secrets of Russia’s defense industry

China supports Serbia in defending its sovereignty on Kosovo issue — Xi

Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Serbia on May 7-8

North Korean delegation arrives in Russia’s Primorsky Region — news agency

Bilateral exchanges between Russia and North Korea have intensified since the second half of 2012

Blinken arrives in Kiev to discuss US aid to Ukraine — Reuters

According to the report, US Secretary of State "hopes to send a strong signal of reassurance to the Ukrainians who are obviously in a very difficult moment"

Russian troops destroy over 16,000 armored vehicles in Ukraine operation — top brass

Russian troops improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on the Ukrainian army in the Kharkov area over the past day, the ministry reported

Putin pardons 52 female convicts — Kremlin

First and foremost, the pardon covers women with minor children, pregnant women and women, whose relatives are involved in the special military operation

Serbia’s ambassador to return to Kiev soon — President Vucic

Serbia’s embassy in Kiev suspended operation in March 2022 due to security considerations

Protesters end rally against foreign-agents bill in Georgia without scuffles with police

Even though there was an announcement to end the rally, people are staying near the legislature at Rustaveli Avenue

Forum on future of BRICS countries may be held in 2025

According to The Russia’s Agency for Strategic Initiatives, the VISION FORUM BRICS+ may be held in 2025 in the UAE

Ukrainian commanders flee Kupyansk, leaving covering force — Russian lawmaker

The Kharkov direction is the most important and challenging frontline area for Russian troops, Viktor Vodolatsky pointed out

US forms new anti-China, anti-Russia proxy alliances in APR — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that the Pentagon has formed a kind of strike group comprising Japan, the Philippines and Australia, which includes high-accuracy and long-range weapons systems and components of the US missile defense and air defenses