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Middle East conflict

Not all parties interested in ceasefire in Israeli-Palestinian conflict — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, the Israeli side is openly waiting for the outcome of the election in the United States "in hopes that this news will alleviate the global community’s pressure on Israel in favor of terminating this, as a matter of fact, terrible situation"

MOSCOW, August 27. /TASS/. Some parties to the conflict in the Gaza Strip do not want the fighting to stop, hoping that if the hostilities continue, the global political landscape will change in their favor, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"It looks like not everyone wants a ceasefire. Moreover, some participants in this process are clearly interested in continuing the hostilities, keeping the situation in such a violent state in hopes that the global political landscape changes in the future," he said after talks with his Yemeni counterpart, Shaya Mohsen al-Zindani.

According to the top Russian diplomat, the Israeli side is openly waiting for the outcome of the election in the United States "in hopes that this news will alleviate the global community’s pressure on Israel in favor of terminating this, as a matter of fact, terrible situation." He recalled that the armed conflict in Gaza is continuing "in violation of international law" and has claimed more than 40,000 lives.

The Russian minister stressed that like many other countries, Russia condemns the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack but it insists that "it is unlawful to respond with collective punishment." He slammed the Israeli top brass’ rhetoric that there are "no civilians in the Gaza Strip, with everyone older than three being a terrorist" as "a dangerous mentality" and called on Israel to refrain from statements "reminiscent of a quite different ideology that the Jews themselves suffered from."

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 after militants from the Gaza Strip-based radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion on Israeli territory, killing many Israeli kibbutz residents living near the Gaza border and abducting more than 240 Israelis, including women, children and the elderly. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria, as well as a ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.

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Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov

US not ready for dialogue with Russia on Ukraine, Russian ambassador says

"The Americans are unwilling to negotiate. They are uncomfortable discussing that. They say they do not control the Ukrainians," Anatoly Antonov said

Western companies still working in Russia, despite promises to leave — Bloomberg

It was noted that most of these companies rebranded instead of leaving the country

US intends to adjust aid to Ukraine — Blinken on strikes deep into Russian territory

The high-ranking official avoided directly answering the question about strikes deep into Russian territory with US-made weapons

Countries need to grasp consequences of hosting US military bases — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova cited Germany, which portrays itself as a democratic state with a well-developed legal system, as an example

Moscow reaches breaking point with British spies in Russia — intelligence official

According to the statement, "any diplomatic etiquette has been thrown completely out the window"

Finland’s territory not to be used to attacks against Russia — General Staff

Finnish Defense Forces General Staff noted that it monitors the situation around the attack of Ukrainian drones in the Murmansk Region

Zelensky says Biden responsible for his ‘peace plan’

The Ukrainian president said that he was unable to fully disclose his initiative because he had given his word to the American president

Argentine football star Messi arrives in Moscow for friendly match with Russia

Sportsmen arrived together with his partner in FC Barcelona and the national team, defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano

UK diplomats working in Russia engaged in harming Russian people — diplomat

"We fully share the Russian Federal Security Service's assessment of the activities of the so-called British diplomats," Maria Zakharova emphasized

US imposes sanctions on Rossiya Segodnya media group, TV-Novosti, Eurasia NGO

Restrictions are also imposed on Eurasia NGO Director Nelly Parutenko

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 12 times in past day

Russia and Turkish servicemen escorted UN humanitarian convoys in the al-Hasakah governorate in their zones of responsibility

Russia to see NATO’s permit to use long-range weapons as direct involvement in war

According to the Russian diplomat, such a scenario would cardinally change Moscow’s relations with Western countries

Kremlin calls for critical approach to reports of drones flying into Russia from Norway

Dmitry Peskov cautioned "against treating reports of various digital media or media-like outlets as primary sources"

North Korea shows off enriched uranium production facility for first time — media

The news agency noted that this was the first time that North Korea had publicly disclosed any details about its uranium enrichment site via state media

Ukrainian withdrawal from Kursk Region to deal 'symbolic blow' for Kiev — newspaper

At the same time, a Ukrainian military officer told the newspaper that the situation in the area was difficult for Ukrainian forces

US not ready for dialogue with Russia on Ukraine, Russian ambassador says

"The Americans are unwilling to negotiate. They are uncomfortable discussing that. They say they do not control the Ukrainians," Anatoly Antonov said

Putin discusses Foreign Ministry issues with Security Council members

"We will ask Sergey Viktorovich [Lavrov] to tell us about his recent contacts with his foreign colleagues," the president said

West's decision to attack deep into Russia won’t change situation on front — commander

"For us, nothing will change directly on the front, because the front is moving and will continue to move until Russia wins," Apty Alaudinov emphasized

No decision on strikes deep into Russia expected after Biden-Starmer meeting — Kirby

Previously, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that US President Joe Biden intends to discuss the withdrawal of restrictions on Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory with US-made weapons with Prime Minister Starmer in Washington

Hungary has more unexpected peace initiatives on Ukraine in stock, PM Orban says

Budapest plans to "continue to have unexpected initiatives that will each take us one step closer to peace," the Hungarian Prime Minister said

Russian forces advance in all directions, Kiev running out of resources — newspaper

Russia also sucessfully repelling the Ukrainian incursion into its borderline region of Kursk, the La Repubblica newspaper’s military columnist Gianluca De Feo wrote

Less volunteers join Ukrainian army due to command's poor attitude — POW

It is reported that servicemen were deployed to build fortifications near the front line and could be left out of contact for an indefinite period

Russian Su-34 jet hits Ukrainian forces in Kursk border area with aerial bombs

According to the Defense Ministry, after receiving confirmation from the intelligence service that the targets had been destroyed, the crew returned safely to the airfield

Aerial bomb strikes Ukrainian personnel near DPR's Selidovo

Several pieces of hardware and ammunition were also destroyed in the area

Moscow to respond with tough countermeasures to Tokyo’s unfriendly steps — MFA

The Russian side gave a principled assessment of the current state and prospects of bilateral relations "which have degraded to an unprecedently low level," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

US, allies launch campaign to address alleged threat posed by RT — Blinken

Blinken added that Washington would impose sanctions on three entities and two individuals that were supposedly involved in such operations, including, as the US claims, alleged meddling in Moldova’s internal affairs and the upcoming election in that country

FIDE Ethics Commission cancels suspension of Russian Chess Federation membership

The suspension of membership was replaced with a €45,000 fine

IMF supports Turkey's decision to join BRICS — fund representative

Earlier Julie Kozak stated that the IMF supports the expansion of BRICS in order to take advantage of global integration

Second phase of polio vaccination campaign to kick off in Gaza in two weeks

The second phase will last 14 days, Gaza’s health ministry said

Israeli military declares Hamas’ Rafah brigade obliterated

According to the IDF, in recent weeks Israeli units also operated in the Tell al-Sultan neighborhood in western Rafah

Putin's statement on consequences of strikes deep into Russia reaches addressees — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Putin's statement admitted of no dual interpretations

European Commission offers new ways to secure sanctions on frozen Russian assets — Reuters

One of the options includes extending the asset freeze for five years with a review every 12 months

Criminal case into Ukraine’s attack on Kursk has over 200 volumes — official

Among the charges that are now being investigated are murders, attempted murders and terrorism

Telegram CEO cooperates with French authorities, responds to police requests — paper

In turn, the prosecutor's office in Belgium also "noted recent readiness of the Telegram administration to cooperate"

Bank of Russia confirms resumption of consultations with IMF

Head of the regulator Elvira Nabiullina said that it is "a routine, permanent practice for all IMF members"

Russian arms get the job done in special op — senior military official

Alexander Fomin noted that "Western weapon systems, purportedly possessing some high performance characteristics, according to promotional ads, burn perfectly well on the battlefield without any chances for restoration"

UK has enough malice to make decision on use of its weapons for strikes at Russia — envoy

"London has enough Russophobic malice to make a decision on the use of its long-range systems [for strikes] deep into Russian territory," the diplomat said on Russian TV.

NATO making plans of sending its troops to Ukraine — Russian deputy defense minister

According to Alexander Fomin, this may lead to a direct military confrontation of nuclear powers

West tries to hide its desire to engage in hostilities against Russia — Duma speaker

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is studying the consequences of a nuclear explosion, Vyacheslav Volodin said

US, allies launch campaign to address alleged threat posed by RT — Blinken

The top US diplomat claimed that that the media group allegedly interfered in sovereign affairs of foreign countries, "possessed cyber capabilities and engaged in covert information and influence operations"

Xi accepts Putin invitation to attend BRICS summit in Kazan, China’s top diplomat says

According to Wang Yi, the two leaders will "build on their strategic interaction" at the summit

German jets scrambled over Baltic Sea over Russian Tu-142, Su-30 planes

Such mutual checks are mostly routine

Russia’s Su-34 fighter-bomber destroys Ukrainian troops, equipment in Kursk Region

The strike involved aviation bombs with universal planning and correction modules, which allow precise strikes from a safe distance from the line of contact

Orban says EU countries start thinking about settlement in Ukraine after his initiative

The Hungarian prime minister added that he was preparing new events as part of the peace initiative, expected "in the coming weeks"

Israel’s prime minister offers Putin mediation on Ukraine — Kremlin

The phone conversation was held at Israel’s initiative

White House taking Putin’s words about NATO’s involvement in Ukrainian conflict seriously

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that by allowing Ukraine to use its weapons to strike deep inside Russia the West will get directly involved in the Ukrainian conflict

Press review: UK may jettison Russian sanctions and Berlin eyes olive branch on Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 10th

Ukraine’s army loses roughly 300 troops, seven tanks in Kursk area over past day

As the Russian Defense Ministry specified, "the operation to destroy Ukrainian armed formations continues"

Bank of Russia’s chief names main disadvantages of high inflation for Russia

Elvira Nabiullina stressed that high inflation meant greater price volatility

War correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny discharged from hospital

On August 7, Poddubny was injured in the Kursk Region near the border, where fighting with Ukrainian groups is taking place

US’ Blinken admits Ukraine’s discussion of strikes at Russia may cause escalation

The US diplomat also noted that he discussed strikes at Russia during the meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and his British counterpart and plans to report on the outcome of his negotiations to US President Joe Biden

Break of diplomatic relations with UK would be extreme measure — Russian mission

According to Dmitry Polyansky, there are "many stages" of lowering diplomatic relations in diplomatic practices to express resentment over the other side’s actions

Serbia, Russia agree on increasing inter-parliamentary cooperation

"As the sides noted, in the near future the existing good cooperation between the parliaments should be further enhanced through interaction at the level of working bodies," the statement reads

Press review: BRICS challenges existing security concepts and Europe's economy in trouble

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, September 13th

Ukrainian strike on DPR kills three civilians

The head of the republic, Denis Pushilin, said that the strike was carried out on a production site of the Novotroitskoye ore mining department using HIMARS MLRS with precision-guided M30A1 missiles.

Ukrainian breakthrough attempts repelled: developments in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost up to 300 troops and seven tanks, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

US not to be able to sit nuclear conflict in Europe out — Russian ambassador

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that nuclear terrorists is the Kiev regime’s hallmark

US puts pressure on Turkey which pursues its interest fostering ties with Russia — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov notedthat Ankara "continues to be guided exclusively by its own interests, including fostering trade and economic and other cooperation with" Moscow

Attempts to isolate Russia may cause escalation of Ukrainian conflict — envoy of Brazil

Rafael de Mello Vidal noted that the Brazilian leadership consistently advocates peace and "works every day to find a solution to this conflict"

Brazil’s delegation to BRICS Media Summit note association’s role in fighting fake news

"Fake news is something that seriously poisons the modern society due to the very rapid development of the Internet," CMA Group President Jose Juan Sanchez said

Biden may soon approve use of US weapons to strike deep inside Russia — ambassador to US

Anatoly Antonov stressed that it could happen any moment

Russia pushing Ukrainian troops out of Kursk Region, will undoubtedly succeed — Lavrov

The foreign minister pointed out that "it is the West that supplies Ukraine with offensive weapons that are used in terrorist attacks"

Rhetoric about lifting ban on strikes into Russia with Western arms doesn’t promote peace

Ukraine will be among the items high on the agenda of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' various bilateral meetings

Russia will not tolerate activities of undeclared British secret service officers — MFA

"Our uncompromising stance on this issue will be formulated in accordance with the interests of national security," Maria Zakharova stated

Reaction to permission to hit Russian territory with Western weapons to follow — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, "this raises significantly the degree of the collective West’s involvement in this war around Ukraine"

Russia waits for US to explain how warfare agent got in hands Ukrainian troops — diplomat

"The Russian side thoroughly registers chemical incidents evidencing that Ukraine violates its commitments under the CWC," Vasily Nebenzya said

Netherlands unable to send Patriot system to Ukraine after unnamed ally leaves it hanging

In June, the Netherlands announced that it and an ally had teamed up to jointly provide Ukraine with a Patriot air defense system

Russia, Turkey disagree on Crimea’s status, Moscow keeps persuading Ankara — Kremlin

"We hope that over time this will allow Ankara to understand us better and to agree with our arguments," Dmitry Peskov explained

Iranian embassy says Sky News report on missile deliveries to Russia speculative fiction

"No evidence of missiles being loaded or unloaded, and the location isn’t even specified," the embassy said

NATO has been prepping Ukraine for war with Russia for eight years, Ukrainian POW says

It is noted that the Ukrainian media outlets have been deliberately shaping Russia’s negative image

Russian commandos redeploy to Uzbekistan for drills on Afghan border

In the course of joint practical measures, the troops will accomplish the combat training tasks of ensuring the state’s territorial integrity

Germany does not supply arms to Ukraine for strikes on Russia’s interior — cabinet

According to the official, Berlin "has nothing to add" to its earlier statements about German weapons supplied to the Kiev regime

Moscow views transfer of Russian aircraft to Ukraine by Portugal as hostile move — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, it is evident that in this way Lisbon "is seeking to faithfully demonstrate its allied zeal and obedient compliance with the trajectory imposed on the Europeans by their handlers from across the ocean"

Over 280 port infrastructure facilities in Ukraine destroyed or damaged — official

The Nikolayev and Odessa regional authorities periodically report port infrastructure and warehouse damage and Kiev calls for strengthening the country’s air defense

Kremlin calls on Trump, Harris to stop dragging Putin’s name into political squabbles

The United States remains "negative and unfriendly" toward Russia anyway, regardless of which of the two parties their presidential nominees represent, Dmitry Peskov argued

Kiev lost some 7,000 troops in Sudzha district of Kursk Region — commander

According to Apty Alaudinov, Ukraine is taking heavy casualties

Severing diplomatic relations with UK out of question — Kremlin

Earlier, an anonymous representative of the Russian security services said that six UK diplomats had been expelled from Russia

Ukraine’s failed attack on drilling rig may be sign of infighting in its military — expert

According to Vasily Prozorov, the attack might be a result of infighting between Kirill Budanov and Alexander Syrsky

Bank of Russia sees problems with cross-border settlements, in dialogue with partners

Elvira Nabiullina noted that the Bank of Russia is carefully studying digital payment instruments and sees their prospects

China’s maritime police send two ships to Russia for joint patrols

"The Sino-Russian drills and joint patrols are not directed against any third sides and have nothing to do with the current international and regional situation," China’s Coast Guard said

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

Over the past day, six violations of the Syrian Arab Republic’s airspace regulations were registered in the Al-Tanf zone, committed by a pair of F-15 fighter jets (twice), and a pair of A-10 attack aircraft of the coalition

Poland has zero desire to defend Ukraine, top Polish diplomat says

According to Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland is now discussing whether to shoot down Russian cruise missiles over Ukraine's airspace from its own airspace without entering the Ukrainian territory

Musk warns of looming World War Three if US approves strikes on Russian soil

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that Washington’s intention to let Kiev use its long-range projectiles for strikes deep into Russia’s interior is another step in escalating the conflict

Trump’s plan on Ukraine envisages demilitarized zone, Kiev’s neutrality — running mate

Apart from that, "the Germans and other countries have to fund some Ukrainian reconstruction", David Vance said

Putin invites Cabinet to consider restricting exports of uranium, titanium, nickel

The Russian leader reiterated that the government should "think about certain restrictions on supplies to the foreign market" of these and a number of other goods

Witnesses confirm Ukrainian citizen’s involvement in journalist Dugina’s assassination

The court ruling on Natalya Vovk’s arrest in absentia says that files presented to the judge prove that suspicions of her involvement were justified

Germany has not passed information on Scholz peace plan to Russia — Zakharova

At the same time, Maria Zakharova said, in case of such a peace initiative from Germany "no one will give it a standing ovation," because it is Scholz, who alongside others "sends money and weapons to the Kiev regime"

Ten settlements liberated by Russian forces in Kursk Region in past week

Ukraine's losses stood at 3,520 troops in the operational area of the battlegroup North

Russian national football team should play two more friendlies this year — RFU chief

"We are holding talks about the Russian national team’s matches in October and November," Alexander Dyukov said

Six UK diplomats working in Moscow engaged in intelligence, subversive activities — FSB

"The revealed facts give grounds to consider the activities of UK diplomats sent to Moscow by the Directorate as a threat to Russia’s security," the report said

Attacks with Western weapons on Russia can backfire on NATO — expert

"It may even come to nuclear strikes, but I hope this won't happen," Sergey Karaganov said

Storm Shadow missile strikes into Russian territory not to help Ukraine win — BBC reporter

According to Jeremy Bowen, if Ukraine is allowed to hit Russia with Western missiles, it might add another layer to the conflict and certainly give the Ukrainians another means to hit Russia with, but it will not bring Ukraine victory in the war

Press review: US moves to allow strikes inside Russia and Trump, Harris trade debate blows

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 12th

Ukraine suffers heavy losses after repeated attempts to advance in Kursk Region — army

Apty Alaudinov emphasized that "the situation remains difficult but under control"

West afraid to even discuss interception of Russian missiles over Ukraine, Zelensky admits

Vladimir Zelensky noted that Western states did discuss ensuring Israel’s air defense during the Iranian attack on April 13, but they refuse to make the same steps for Ukraine

Four US nationals convicted of conspiracy to work for Russia — US Justice Department

The statement alleged that they acted under the direction of Russian anti-globalization human rights activist Alexander Ionov

US-led coalition's aircraft violate Syrian airspace eight times in past day

Such actions set a dangerous precedent for air incidents and accidents, and escalate the general situation in Syria’s airspace

Russian MFA says Ukraine set up ‘something like concentration camps’ in Kursk Region

"For example, from 70 to 100 civilians were forcibly taken into the basements of the Sudzha boarding school, where they were subjected to psychological abuse and used for filming propaganda stories by Ukrainian and foreign journalists," the report says

Bank of Russia raises key rate by 100 bp to 19% per annum

At the same time, operational indicators and GDP data for the Q2 of 2024 indicate a slight slowdown in Russian economic growth mainly due to rising constraints on the supply side and a declining external demand, the Bank of Russia said

Russian diplomat slams plans to simulate nuclear blast aftermath in Russia as absurd

Mikhail Ulyanov noted that such rhetoric is irresponsible

No weapon can become game changer for Kiev — Pentagon

In Washington’s opinion, Ukraine should focus on employing capabilities currently at its disposal