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Trump did not invite Putin to his inauguration in January — Kremlin

The ceremony will take place on January 20, 2025

MOSCOW, December 12. /TASS/. US President-elect Donald Trump did not send an invitation to his inauguration in January to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"No, he didn’t send an invitation," the spokesman said, answering a question.

Previously, the CBS News TV channel reported citing its sources that Trump invited Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the inauguration. The Chinese embassy in Washington has not yet confirmed this report to TASS. According to the TV channel, several high-ranking foreign representatives are expected to attend the ceremony, potentially including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The ceremony will take place on January 20, 2025.

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Foreign policy Dmitry Peskov

Anti-Russian sanctions

Western sanctions outlived their usefulness, it's just grandstanding — senior diplomat

"There is nothing left in the foreign policy arsenal of this group except sanctions," Sergey Ryabkov noted

Israeli tanks spotted 20 kilometers from Damascus — TV

The Israel Defense Forces has yet to comment on the information

Russia’s Alliance for Artificial Intelligence joins international AI-alliance

The document was signed in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Texas, California decolonization reflects global shifts, says Russian intel chief

"We are currently witnessing the true decolonization of the Global South, which has come to see itself as a full-fledged political actor rather than a subordinate ‘backyard,’" Sergey Naryshkin noted

Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seeks to prove CIA involved in his uncle’s assassination — Axios

According to the sources, to this end, RFK is advocating for his daughter-in-law Amaryllis Fox Kennedy to be appointed First Deputy Director of the CIA. Axios notes that Trump feels like he owes Kennedy Jr. for helping him win the election and wants to pay him back

Putin to award state decorations to outstanding Russians in Kremlin

More than 30 people were invited to the ceremony

Armed militants kill ten servicemen in southwest Niger

According to AFP, seven more were wounded

New Syrian government to decide on fate of Russia’s military bases — opposition

"The issue of military bases is a sovereign decision of the Syrian state," Mohammed Alloush stated

Conversation with Putin took place in most dangerous period of conflict in Ukraine — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister did not specify what issues he had discussed with the Russian president

Medvedev delivers personal message from Putin to Xi Jinping

The politician is currently having a two-day working visit to China

Trump may unravel fresh loan to Kiev by lifting sanctions on frozen Russian assets — NYT

The move would not affect the European portion of the loan

Russian forces strike Ukrainian army, equipment in 141 areas over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 515 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy ammunition depot in its area of responsibility over the past day

Ukraine ready to discuss deploying foreign troops within its borders — Ukrainian official

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky admitted that nobody among his allies had discussed this matter in detail

Oreshnik missiles to eliminate need for nuclear weapons, Putin says

This is why, in President Putin’s words, Russia behaves with caution and even restraint in all areas

Seven Ukrainian drones taken down and jammed in Sevastopol — governor

According to the city’s rescue service, no damage was reported in the city, and its airspace is being monitored for threats

Syria’s new leader says his forces had no outside support

The operation to capture Damascus had been prepared for a long time, Ahmad al-Sharaa said

Erdogan says he and Putin are the only two leaders in world

Turkish President also said that he respects Germany’s former Chancellor Gerhard Schroder

Analysts upgrade Russia’s key rate, inflation forecasts — Central Bank

Inflation outlook has been upgraded to 9.2% (+1.5 pp compared to October) for 2024, to 6% (+0.7 pp) for 2025, and to 4.5% (+0.4 pp) for 2026

US withdrawal from Afghanistan helped rededicate resources for Ukraine — Blinken

Blinken was then asked whether he saw any connection between the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the start of Russia’s special military operation

Ukrainian commander acknowledges 'incredibly brutal' situation near Krasnoarmeysk

The Ukrainian General Staff also reported that the "situation on the frontline remains challenging," highlighting the Krasnoarmeysk, Kurakhovo, and Vremevsky areas

Medvedev to meet with senior Chinese officials in Beijing

He will also visit the monument of the Communist Party of China, which opened in 2021 to commemorate the party’s 100th anniversary

Just a few km of Lugansk People’s Republic territory remain to be liberated — lawmaker

"People from all regions of our huge country are taking part in battles to liberate the remaining tiny piece of the LPR territory," Yury Yurov said

Nuclear disarmament cooperation with unfriendly nations unacceptable — diplomat

These countries pursue anti-Russian policies, act aggressively, and supply our enemies with weapons, Sergey Ryabkov said

Oreshnik launch serves as warning to certain political figures overseas — Ryabkov

"It was also a signal to their European clients, who have completely lost it as well, that Russia means business," the Russian deputy foreign minister added

Russia completed its mission in Syria some time ago — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that "now, we need to proceed based on the realities on the ground"

Kiev rejects peaceful solutions, Putin tells Orban

"Viktor Orban expressed his willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at jointly finding political and diplomatic solutions to the crisis, considering his contacts with several Western leaders," the statement reads

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Air defenses destroyed 16 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight across Russian regions, the Defense Ministry reported

Syrian caretaker government head says his predecessors left economy in ruins

Assad’s government has lost the support of its people, and, therefore, "fell faster than expected," Syria’s new transitional Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said

Russian troops close in on Ukrainian combat group at Kurakhovo power station in DPR

According to the source, the Ukrainian battlegroup is unsuccessfully trying to leave the power station’s premises

Press review: Israel controls Golan Heights as Kiev plans aid summit before Trump’s term

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US could facilitate peace by ordering Ukraine out of Donbass, says Russian diplomat

"Those who expect Russia to make concessions are either poorly informed or have a short memory," Maria Zakharova noted

Israel to maintain presence in Golan Heights buffer zone until it gets security guarantees

The prime minister’s office stressed that Israel’s actions in the Golan Heights area were defensive in nature and stemmed from a government change in Syria

UN General Assembly adopts resolution demanding immediate ceasefire in Gaza

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OMV announces termination of contract with Gazprom Export due to suspension of supplies

Prior, OMV received approximately 7,400 MWh per hour, corresponding to approximately 5 TWh per month, at the Austrian Slovakian border, the company added

Hungarian PM lays out his vision for Ukraine resolution in call with Putin — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto added that the Russian president also clarified his position on the matter, pointing to "obstacles hindering the process" of a peaceful settlement

Kremlin vows retaliation after Ukraine’s ATACMS missile attack on Taganrog airfield

According to Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the response will come when and how Russia thinks fit

Tomb of Bashar Assad’s father set on fire in Syria, report says

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Russian troops gradually eliminate Ukrainian forces in Kharkov frontline area — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that Russian troops were conducting active operations across the entire Kharkov frontline

Revenues from West’s frozen assets allocated for support of Russian regions — ministry

The US Department of the Treasury said earlier that a $20 bln loan would be provided to Ukraine and paid in tranches

Press review: Dubai hosts nuclear powers' meeting as OSCE preps Ukraine for EU and NATO

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

Ukrainian troops near Novosyolka surrender rather than counterattack

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Israel openly acknowledges its role in recent events in Syria — diplomat

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Two fixed-wing drones downed over Black Sea

The military keeps the situation under control, Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said

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One of the fighter jets uncovered enemy air defense sites by its weapons suite, the statement added

Slovak PM vows not to support Ukraine joining NATO

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According to the ministry, the Polish envoy was warned that "Belarus reserves the right to take any response measures it deems necessary."

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It is unclear whether the Chinese leader accepted the invitation, CBS News reported

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Russian sleeper agents open up about secret trip to 2018 World Cup

The married couple, Artyom Dultsev and Anna Dultseva, returned home as a result of an exchange

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Putin says 'strong AI' may appear soon

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The transfer of American-made B-61 nuclear bombs appears to be the most likely scenario, the report said

Ex-Ukrainian officer shocked by high number of foiled terror attacks in Russia

Ukraine developed a major multi-phase operation to carry out the attack, Vasily Prozorov went on to say

Two aerial targets shot down in Sevastopol — governor

The governor earlier said two fixed-wing drones were destroyed over the Black Sea

Russian economy expected to grow by 3.9% in 2024 — Novak

This is much above the average growth rates globally, the Russian deputy prime minister noted

West determined to dismember Russia, eliminate its peoples — Security Council’s secretary

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Russia to retaliate to Kiev’s ATACMS missile attack on Taganrog airfield — top brass

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Zelensky rejects Hungary's proposal to establish Christmas ceasefire with Russia — Orban

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Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria

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Moscow slams decision to grant Kiev loan funded by Russian frozen assets

"Theft of Russian assets will ricochet the United States and its satellites," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

US House of Representatives approves $884-billion defense budget

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Press review: Russia's role in Syria questioned and UN hints at a possible SC summit

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EU envoys agree on 15th package of anti-Russia sanctions

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West fails to weaken Russia through Ukraine-related sanctions, says Slovak PM

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West may sacrifice Ukraine using its 1938 playbook for Czechoslovakia — Slovak PM

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Syrian opposition’s Cairo Platform to work on new constitution — coordinator

"We should participate in drafting the new constitution in order to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2254," a member of the Syrian Constitutional Committee and the High Committee on Negotiations Firas al-Khalidi said

Trump did not invite Putin to his inauguration in January — Kremlin

The ceremony will take place on January 20, 2025

Syria’s new government set to disband security forces

Syrian armed opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said he is working to "dissolve the security forces of the previous regime and close the notorious prisons"

Kiev says Hungarian premier’s ceasefire proposal makes no sense

Viktor Orban wants to play the role of a man "who can resolve something, to make comments on something," an adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office, Mikhail Podolyak, said

Trump says he considers resolving Ukraine conflict as priority

The US President-elect believes that even though the situation in the Middle East is also important

Russia comes close to achieving special military operation's goals — intel chief

"Russia holds the initiative in all areas, while the Ukrainian armed forces are on the verge of collapse and the Zelensky regime has lost its legitimacy, along with the ability to make agreements," Sergey Naryshkin pointed out

Pentagon says Russia could fire Oreshnik missile at Ukraine again within days

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Bashar Assad's son graduates with honors from Moscow State University — newspaper

Hafez Assad was handed his diploma by the rector of the university, Viktor Sadovnichy, along with other Syrian students who also graduated from MSU

Time magazine to give ‘Person of the Year’ status to Trump — Politico

To celebrate the unveiling of the cover, Trump will ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday morning, according to people familiar with the plans

Zelensky wrong to think that Biden corruption link gives him impunity to do what he wants

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed out that the scale of corruption between the US and Ukraine is truly astonishing

US commercial satellites surveyed Russia’s Engels airstrip ahead of Kiev’s strike attempt

Earlier, it was reported that, on Monday morning, Kiev attempted to strike the two airstrips with Soviet-made jet drones in order to disable Russian long-range aviation planes

Hungary, Russia find payment workaround for gas amid sanctions against Gazprombank

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stressed that "there are no factors on either the Hungarian or Russian side that would prevent us from finding a way out of the current situation"

Ukraine to lose third of territory, get no invitation to NATO — Slovak PM

Robert Fico also emphasized that the conflict's repercussions would significantly impact Ukraine's internal stability

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Russia urges West to end support for Zelensky following attack on IAEA personnel — MFA

Russia also called on the US, the United Kingdom, and their allies to take measures to bring those responsible for the act of provocation to justice

Syria’s Ba’ath party announces suspension of its work

The party’s ruling body said in a statement, published in its official newspaper, that "party work and activities in all forms and aspects should be paused until further notice"

Moldova following Ukraine’s path, Russian diplomat warns

Maria Zakharova commented on reports of Chisinau signing a defense and security partnership agreement with London

Russian forces occupy several high-rise buildings in Donbass region's Kurakhovo — official

"There is fighting near the town hall building but Ukrainian forces still control it," the official said