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No initiatives from Paris regarding potential Putin-Macron phone talk yet — Kremlin

"Putin has repeatedly reiterated that he remains open to any communication and that Russia did not initiate any cancellation of these contacts," Dmitry Peskov noted

MOSCOW, November 18. /TASS/. Paris has not yet come out with any proposals regarding a potential phone conversation between French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while the Russian leader remains open to any communication, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Earlier, Macron said a conversation with Putin is possible "when relevant conditions and circumstances appear."

"There have been no initiatives regarding this yet," Peskov told reporters. "Putin has repeatedly reiterated that he remains open to any communication and that Russia did not initiate any cancellation of these contacts. Therefore, as soon as there is a desire to talk on the French side or any other side, they can do so," he added.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Putin on Friday, marking their first phone conversation since December 2022. According to the Kremlin, they discussed Ukraine, the Middle East crisis, and bilateral relations between Moscow and Berlin. The two leaders agreed that their aides would maintain communication. Peskov has said that the phone call indicates that Scholz has the political will to learn Moscow’s position at first hand.

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Foreign policy Dmitry Peskov

Military operation in Ukraine

Army specialists helping Rosatom secure Zaporozhye nuke plant - official

A regiment of radiation, chemical and biological protection troops has been additionally deployed to the plant

European politicians repeat their position on Ukraine like mantra, says Kremlin

"Russian President Vladimir Putin told Olaf Scholz in detail about Russia's vision of what is happening, about possible prospects for the development of the situation," Dmitry Peskov said

US permission to strike deep into Russia unlikely to change Ukrainian conflict — NPR

US-based NPR broadcaster notes that the stock of such missiles in Ukraine is limited, since they have already been used during the conflict

Phone conversation between Putin, Scholz lasted one hour — Kremlin

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, marking their first phone conversation since December 2022

Pentagon chief believes Ukraine conflict will be resolved through talks

Pentagon chief said that following a meeting with his Australian and Japanese counterparts

Eight killed, 17 injured in knife attack in China

No further details have been provided

Ukraine loses almost 10,100 troops while trying to counterattack in LPR last week — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, from November 9 to November 15, the battlegroups North, West and South destroyed 32 Ukrainian tanks, 75 field artillery guns and over 320 different combat vehicles

US is now at war with Russia, Ritter says

According to former US intelligence officer Scott Ritter, the United States "is a direct party to the invasion and occupation of Russian soil," because it helped Kiev plan its incursion into the Kursk Region

Damage to infrastructure reported in southeastern Ukraine

According to Dnepropetrovsk Region Governor Sergey Lysak, damage was reported in the region’s Nikopol District

Press review: Switzerland open to hosting Putin-Trump talks as NATO and EU back Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 15th

Decision on strikes inside Russia seals US puppet Zelensky’s fate — commentator

The New York Times reported earlier, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-made ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

US communicates its decision to authorize Kiev to strike inside Russia 3 days ago — Axios

These weapons were authorized for use in the Kursk Region only, the news outlet said

Top Hungarian diplomat blames West for trying to expand war in Ukraine

Peter Szijjarto pointed out that "the supporters of war in Washington and Brussels have launched a final, desperate attack on the new reality"

US military industrial complex seeks to unleash World War III — Donald Trump Jr.

"The Military Industrial Complex seems to want to make sure they get World War 3 going before my father has a chance to create peace and save lives," he said

Biden authorizes use of US long-range weapons to strike inside Russia — media

According to the report, it is not ruled out that Joe Biden may allow to use American missiles to deliver strikes not only on the Kursk Region but also elsewhere in Russia

Trump likely to revoke Biden's authorization to attack deep into Russia — magazine

"Nevertheless, there is every possibility Trump will repeal the decision - indeed, his camp has already accused Biden of trying to 'escalate' the conflict", Lisa Haseldine pointed out

Biden sets stage for WW3 by letting use US weapons to attack deep into Russia — senator

Earlier, The New York Times reported, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized strikes from the territory of Ukraine deep into Russia with ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles

West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

According to Dmitry Suslov, retaliatory measures may include the handover of more advanced weapons to the forces "that are directly fighting against the US, particularly, in the Middle East"

Poland may hand Russian consulate’s building in Poznan over to Ukraine — minister

The lease term for this property by the Consulate General of the Russian Federation expires at the end of this month, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said

Long-range US missiles in Ukraine to be legitimate target for Russian troops — senator

The potential launch of long-range weapons from Ukrainian territory or elsewhere is defined in detail in Russia’s new nuclear doctrine, Viktor Bondarev noted

Houthis say they attacked Tel Aviv, Ashkelon

According to Sarea, the Houthi drones "successfully hit their targets" in Israel

Abkhazia’s opposition agrees that vice president will act as head of state

Adgur Ardzinba, Leader of the Abkhazian Popular Movement, said that the entire cabinet is to resign

Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Talks on Iran Nuclear Deal to resume soon, Iranian foreign minister says

According to Abbas Araghchi, since the presidency of late Ebrahim Raisi, Iran-US talks were held through the mediation of Oman, but the process has been suspended since May

Paris, London authorize strikes inside Russia — newspaper

According to Le Figaro, Kiev "will be able to use SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles for these purposes"

German defense minister calls for trying to build dialogue with Russia on Ukraine

Boris Pistorius, however, noted that he sees no changes in Moscow’s course

RFK Jr. calls for immediate US-Russia talks on Ukraine

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward his latest peace proposal for the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, which envisages the recognition of the status of Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions as Russian constituencies

Hostages taken in restaurant in Paris suburb — TV

Meanwhile, Le Figaro reported that the perpetrator stated his intention to commit suicide

Russian missile frigate enters Mediterranean Sea in long-distance deployment

In the Mediterranean Sea, the missile frigate’s crew will accomplish missions as part of the Russian Navy’s standing taskforce

One third of Mariupol residents, who fled to Ukraine, already returned

Lack of due support, and accommodation issues, are the reason

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

Ukraine is running low on Storm Shadow missiles — The Daily Telegraph

Reports on whether Kiev is authorized to use the UK-supplied missiles for deep strikes on Russia have been controversial over the past few months

54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

116 countries, including Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Serbia, and Syria, supported the document

Putin made Russia’s position on long-range missile strikes perfectly clear — Kremlin

The New York Times reported earlier, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-made ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia, namely the Kursk Region

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

Apart from that, two violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019 linked with the flights by the US-led coalition unmanned aerial vehicles were reported

Clear Zelensky won't be the one to decide about talks with Russia, says Lavrov

"Russian President Putin has repeatedly said that we have never refused to negotiate," the Russian foreign minister reiterated

Russia open to Ukraine talks based on June proposals, Putin tells Scholz

"Russia's proposals are well known and outlined, in particular, in a June speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry," the Russian president said

Trump team fears negative impact of allegations against Hegseth — media

According to sources, many in Trump's team are reportedly disappointed

Europe’s financial, military resources depleted due to Ukraine situation — Fico’s adviser

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga said earlier that the total military help from the US and European states to Kiev had exceeded 100 bln euro

US should not get involved in disputes in South China Sea — Xi

Separatist activities in Taiwan are incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Xi Jinping added

Decision to allow use of long-range weapons against Russia is ‘insane’ — Maduro

"The American imperialism has entered a phase of madness and revenge," the Venezuelan president noted

Rising stakes and escalation: Reaction to US decision on strikes inside Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already clarified his position on US long-range missile attacks on targets inside Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented

Lavrov arrives in Rio de Janeiro to take part in G20 summit

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Netherlands regrets leak of Biden’s decision on strikes inside Russia

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Russia sees 'freezing' of Ukraine conflict as unacceptable, Kremlin spokesman says

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Kursk Region’s newspaper editor-in-chief killed in Ukrainian drone attack on her car

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov represents Russia at the event

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Dmitry Peskov said that "these strikes are carried out by those countries that give permission, because targeting, other maintenance is not done by Ukrainian servicemen"

Russian troops liberate DPR's Leninskoye, Makarovka

Russian army hits Ukrainian energy facilities

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Case against Georgian mercenary, prisoners, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Twenty-four Ukrainian servicemen surrendered as prisoners of war over the past day

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The French leader said that a conversation with Putin is possible "when relevant conditions and circumstances appear," the BFMTV television channel reported

Scholz describes his phone call with Putin as important and detailed

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Earlier, The New York Times reported, citing sources, that Biden had authorized strikes from Ukrainian territory deep into Russia using ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles

West to face 'devastating' response if it allows Kiev to strike deep into Russia — MFA

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Ukrainian militants trained in special camps since 2005 — former SBU officer

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Chinese diplomat urges to cool situation in Ukrainian conflict

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian pointed out that Beijing has always encouraged and supported all efforts aimed at the peaceful settlement of the crisis

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"The global situation is approaching the dangerous threshold," Kim Jong Un said

Foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraine’s side near Kupyansk, says military expert

Most of the intercepted talks deal with military issues, using a special talk chart, Andrey Marochko specified

Ukrainian intel officers in Syria to be eliminated as terrorists’ accomplices — diplomat

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Russian army traps Ukrainian troops in Chasov Yar — intelligence center

The official reported that fighters from the 98th Airborne Division were engaged in fierce battles

Putin congratulates Gazprom on completion of work on Nord Stream 2

The gas pipeline is ready for operation, the Russian President said

Russia inflicts damage on gas production facilities used for Ukraine’s defense industry

Energy facilities backing Ukrainian defense industry extensively attacked

Scott Ritter says US decision to allow attacks deep into Russia proves West’s desperation

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Blast occurs at Udmurtia facility, preliminarily due to drone

The blast did not cause serious damage, the staff have been evacuated

Swedish minister in charge of gender equality suffers from bananaphobia

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Western intelligence services operate in Ukraine since 2005 — former security officer

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Developments in Kursk Region: Ukrainian fighters suffer losses, face charges in Russia

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German envoy doubts time is ripe for talks on Ukraine ceasefire

"It’s quite clear that Europe will play its part in resolving" the conflict, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff said

Ukrainian troops surrender as Russian forces advance — captive

Alexander Rapolyuk noted that they had originally been sent to the Kursk Region under the pretext of replacing their comrades, but upon arrival, they found that the servicemen they were meant to replace had already been killed

Trump may pressure Ukraine to end war with Russia, Turkish expert suggests

According to Ilter Turan, Ukraine lacks the capacity to sustain its confrontation with Russia for an extended period without support from the US and Europe

Kremlin says tone of Putin-Scholz conversation was businesslike, quite frank

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 15

Japan may toughen sanctions against Russia, North Korea over their cooperation — NHK

According to the Japanese broadcaster, Tokyo is concerned that the cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang has allegedly an impact on security in Europe and Asia

Trump may review Biden’s decision on strikes inside Russia with US missiles

"I suspect most everything will be under review," a member of Trump’s transition team said

Press review: Biden OKs long-range missile use as backlash to Scholz’s Putin call grows

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Secret prisons in Ukraine overseen by Western intelligence — former SBU officer

Alexander Mazur stressed that all the information is reported to the top officials

Le Figaro removes statement about France authorizing strikes against Russia

The newspaper has not yet responded to a TASS inquiry asking why the statement was removed

China stands against any steps aimed at Ukrainian conflict escalation — diplomat

Spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United States Liu Pengyu stressed that Beijing stood for a peaceful and diplomatic settlement of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine

Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov to participate in G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the minister will hold a series of bilateral talks and meetings on the summit’s sidelines

Ukrainian army attempts to redeploy reserves to DPR — republic’s head

Denis Pushilin specified that the situation in Kurakhovo is hopeless for the Ukrainian army, however, the Ukrainian units have not been ordered to retreat

Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

Earlier, the entrepreneur opined that the bloodshed in Ukraine would end soon

Relations with Russia to improve for mutual benefit, says Finnish President Stubb

The Ilta-Sanomat daily pointed out that Alexander Stubb had been in the presidential office for eight months already, but never managed to hold any talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Putin has already voiced his position strikes inside Russia with US weapons — diplomat

Earlier The New York Times reported that US President Joe Biden has allowed to use US-supplied long-range missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, to strike inside Russia

Russia awaits Trump’s proposals on Ukrainian settlement — Lavrov

"Russia's position was clearly worded by the Russian president on June 14, 2024," Sergey Lavrov stressed

Kremlin says decision to launch ATACMS missiles deep into Russia 'escalation of tensions'

Moscow's position should be absolutely clear to everyone, Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Ukrainian people don't need support promised by Scholz after talks with Putin — Lavrov

Commenting on the Russian side's assessment of the conversation, the top diplomat emphasized that there is already a corresponding comment from the Kremlin

Ukraine loses up to 420 troops in Kursk area over day — top brass

The Russian troops destroyed two US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, one German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicle and a German-made 155 mm PzH 2000 howitzer over the past day

Strikes on Ukrainian military sites to prevent launch of missiles — Russian lawmaker

According to Andrey Kartapolov, Russia "will definitely" respond to such a decision by Western countries