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Military operation in Ukraine

Easter ceasefire was initiated by Putin, Kremlin spokesman says

The Russian president declared a cessation of hostilities at a Saturday meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov

MOSCOW, April 21. /TASS/. The Easter ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict was proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"It was Putin’s initiative," he pointed out in response to a TASS question about communication with the US on the matter.

Putin declared a cessation of hostilities at a Saturday meeting with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov. The 30-hour truce lasted between 6:00 p.m. Moscow time (3:00 p.m. GMT) on April 19 and midnight on April 21.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Ukraine’s military makes daily attempts to cross Russian state border — Putin

The Russian president said this at a meeting with the heads of municipalities in the Kursk Region

New national project on space to unite groundbreaking areas of work — Russian PM

The space sector is a major field, which "is of crucial importance for ensuring gradual growth of national economy, strengthening of technological sovereignty," Mikhail Mishustin said

Crocus attack damage totals nearly 6 bln rubles — Russia’s Investigative Committee

Alexander Bastrykin noted that the case materials for the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall have grown to 500 volumes, and will soon be handed over to the prosecution

Trump administration plans to strip 200,000 Ukrainians of refugee status — WP

Besides Ukrainians, the decision may affect 500,000 Haitians

US against including 'further support' for Kiev in G7 Finance Ministers’ statement — media

According to sources, the United States is also opposed to describing Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine as "illegal"

West hijacks UN to advance own interests — Medvedev

"Today, the UN secretary general is expected to show initiative in fulfilling mediating obligations and personal courage in the spirit of his predecessors," the Russian official noted

New US administration focuses on diplomatic means to resolve conflicts — Medvedev

Medvedev mused on the idea of whether international law was necessary for regulating relations between various peoples

NATO considers Putin-Trump conversation 'good sign' — chief

Mark Rutte added that "it is good and positive that the American president immediately followed up this phone call with the Ukrainian president and European leaders"

Leader of Romanian nationalists urges to hear Durov before election results validated

According to the final election results, published by Romania’s election authority on Tuesday, Dan got 6,168,642 votes in the runoff, while Simion got 5,339,053

Existence of Pacific fleet is vital for Russia’s defense in Far East — Navy commander

"At present, the Pacific Fleet is a powerful and balanced group of forces", - admiral Alexander Moiseyev said

Belgium ready to send troops to Ukraine as soon as there is truce — top defense official

Theo Francken said that Russian forces must withdraw from Ukrainian territory immediately following a ceasefire

Putin challenges West to try to intercept Oreshnik missile in Kiev

"Let them choose a target, say, in Kiev, and amass their air and missile defense systems there, while we will launch an Oreshnik missile at the target," the Russian leader said

Zakharova dismisses Western claims talks on Ukraine cannot be held without ceasefire

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman reiterated the government’s position that Europe only wants a ceasefire in order to provide the Ukrainian army with a breather

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Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya recalled Estonia and NATO aircraft’s recent attempt to detain the Gabon-flagged Jaguar ship in the neutral waters

Golden Dome missile shield project to take about three years — Trump

Russia and China believe that the Golden Dome project spells complete refusal to recognize the link between strategic offensive and defensive weapons

EU imposes restrictions against ten companies from China, UAE, Belarus, Israel

In total, the 17th package of anti-Russia sanctions included 17 individuals and 58 legal entities

EU member states decide to lift economic sanctions on Syria — Kallas

"We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria," the EU top diplomat stated

Space national project approved overall at strategic session in Russian government

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Israeli army ready to change its tactic in Gaza if hostage release agreement is reached

On May 18, Israel said that it was expanding operations in the southern and northern Gaza Strip as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots involving five army divisions

Russian forces encircle Ukraine troops in Donetsk area’s Konstantinovka

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EU hell-bent on derailing Ukraine peace process — Russian diplomat

"EU has a pathological aversion to acknowledging the progress being made toward a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," Maria Zakharova said

Putin-Trump phone call touches on MacArthur's wise words about renewed militarism

The two presidents highlighted the foresight of the general's warnings

Trump delays additional sanctions to maintain leverage on Russia, Ukraine — Rubio

In his words, Russia’s proposals on peaceful settlement of the conflict will show Moscow’s determination for ending the conflict

Xi says China ready to share poverty reduction experience with SCO states

The Chinese president emphasized the importance of joint efforts to "build a beautiful world free of poverty with prosperity for all"

Russia sends note to UN head over West’s treatment of Russian journalists

Attached to the letter is a list of documented cases of various forms of ill treatment of Russian journalists abroad since 2022

Useful conversation, memorandum with Ukraine: statements after talk between Putin, Trump

The telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Donald Trump lasted more than two hours

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The restrictions affect 82 individuals and legal entities

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According to the report, Ukraine hopes to elaborate "joint positions" with its European allies

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The politician said that the international legal order was most stable at the stages "when it was built with active participation of all states," including Russia

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The Paris prosecutor's office rendered its decision on May 12 "on the grounds that such a trip abroad did not appear imperative or justified," the newspaper wrote

Conversation between Putin, Trump important with regard to Ukraine — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman pointed out that currently Ukraine is de facto externally controlled by the US and European countries

Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk Region was sheer waste of elite units — expert

Andrey Marochko emphasized that the fallen soldiers and foreign mercenaries, most of whom were provided with "the best" training and equipment, had been trained in Western countries under NATO instruction

IN BRIEF: What is known about 17th package of EU sanctions on Russia

The European Union blacklisted six companies from China, two firms from the UAE, as well as the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant

Russia’s Medvedev sees ‘long way to go’ before memorandum with Ukraine can be signed

"The most difficult task now is to fill this memorandum with the necessary content," the official noted

Russian paratroopers repel Ukrainian army’s attempts to land on left bank of Dnieper River

Expert Vitaly Kiselyov said that the Ukrainian military is aware that its forces are running out

Russia considers Donbass, Novorossiya issue settled — Medvedev

The politician reiterated that globally, there are normally two models of recognizing the new subject entities of international law. In the first case, a declaration of independence of a certain territory is sufficient, while in the second case, the recognition of an independent state by other countries is also needed

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According Maria Zakharova, certain NATO countries are attempting to reconfigure the existing navigation order in the waters of the Black Sea based on international law "and not on their distorted ideas about geography"

For signing agreements with Ukraine its authorized officials are to be found — Medvedev

The Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council explained that the arrangements "will only be challenged if they are made by authorized persons"

Hungarian parliament passes in final voting bill on country’s withdrawal from ICC

Over two-thirds of lawmakers voted in favor of the bill

USAID told Zelensky to unleash war with Russia over Donbass, former Ukrainian PM says

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Russian air defenses take down 127 Ukrainian drones over various regions overnight

Air defenses intercepted and destroyed 41 fixed-wing Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the Bryansk Region

EU extends exemption from oil price cap for Sakhalin-2 project

The extension is granted for one year until 28 June 2026

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Stan is a Russian machine-tool manufacturer that produces modern numerical control machines for high-tech industries, including aerospace and defense

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Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov arrives in Yerevan

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Alexey Goncharenko added that Ukraine’s top brass no longer spares the lives of servicemen, by holding military training next to the frontline and issuing late orders to retreat

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The Russian foreign minister emphasized Moscow's firm position on this issue

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The total volume of Russia’s Eurobonds owned by non-residents at nominal value went up to $9.102 bln

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Li Shaoshi noted the longstanding "prospects for expansion of the Sino-Russian energy cooperation"

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Elvira Nabiullina touched upon the demand for the digital ruble in cross-border payments and the capabilities of artificial intelligence in macroeconomic analysis

New US missile shield to intercept nuclear weapons — Pentagon chief

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Russia ready for talks with Ukraine without preliminary conditions — Medvedev

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council said that such talks would make it possible to reach peace

Durov says ready to testify about foreign meddling in Romanian presidential election

He also accused France of interfering in the voting

Kremlin discloses what else Putin-Trump talks covered, such as threats from Kiev, WWII

As Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov pointed out, the US leader acknowledged that the Russians made the most sacrifices during World War II

INTERVIEW: Russian state arms exporter discusses joint projects with 20 countries

Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev said the discussions centered around "over 100 projects of technological cooperation on products for all types of troops with the potential worth over $30 billion"

Russia’s Pacific Fleet regularly gets new warships, submarines — Navy commander

Admiral Alexander Moiseyev said that this year, the fleet’s military units have demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and combat readiness during various training events

Trump says wants to discuss weapons in space with Putin later

In February, the US government, including President Joe Biden, leveled unsubstantiated accusations against Russia

New world order to sprout from current global standoff — Medvedev

Medvedev noted that, despite all violent wars of the past, "people, by their nature, certainly always aspired for peace, and countries, regardless of their differences, learned to reach agreements with each other

Press review: Russia, Ukraine may hold new talks in Istanbul as EU eyes Baltic oil flows

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 19th

World in unusual situation when US against war and Europe all for it — top US diplomat

According to Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump is focused on stopping hostilities in different parts of the world and supports settling major armed conflicts as soon as possible

Medvedev jokes about Macron's 'suspicious napkin' on train ride video

The Elysee Palace later clarified that the item was merely a handkerchief, not any illicit substance

Azerbaijani-Russian trade turnover up almost 40% in January-April year-on-year

Russia ranked third among Azerbaijan's trade partners in the first four months of this year after Italy and Turkey, according to the report

Pope Leo XIV confirms readiness to host negotiations on Ukraine

The Pontiff held a phone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Trump says to take wait-and-see approach on sanctions following talks with Putin

Top diplomats of the European Union approved the 17th package of anti-Russian sanctions, blacklisting 17 individuals and 58 legal entities, on May 20

Israel recalls delegation to Doha talks on Gaza — Netanyahu’s office

The senior negotiation team will return to Israel for consultations

US plans to allocate around $175 billion for its Golden Dome missile shield — Trump

According to the US president, Canada was interested in joining the project

Almost 100 people killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza in past day — TV

The report says that around 300 people were wounded in the past 24 hours

Project Rassvet by Bureau 1440 to be Russia’s response to Starlink — Roscosmos

The Russia’s space corporation will create low orbiting broadband communications

Pivotal moment for Kiev to make decisions — Russian MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed hope that Kiev’s "instinct to preserve what remains of its statehood" would prevail

Israel prepares to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities — CNN

It was unclear to the sources whether the Israeli authorities have already made the final decision to attack

Zelensky opposes peace as talks could mean verdict to him — Russian lawmaker

"War until the last Ukrainian standing is a harsh phrase but this is what reflects Zelensky’s current approach," Leonid Slutsky pointed out

Russia will view ‘coalition of the willing’ in Ukraine as reoccurring threat — Medvedev

The politician mentioned that mandates to maintain peace and security are traditionally associated with the UN Security Council

Trump says not concerned about reports of Russian military buildup near Finland, Norway

"Those two countries are going to be very safe", US president said

Ukraine seeks to include 'political' prisoners in POW swap with Russia — news outlet

The report pointed out that Kiev's desire to expand the swap list may be due to the fact that, if the agreed "1,000 for 1,000" swap goes ahead, Ukraine could be left with few Russian prisoners in custody

Medvedev says West sees that Global South rejects rule-based order

According to the politician, the West is pushing for strict adherence to the rule-based order, regardless of what other countries think

Zelensky confirms settlement memorandum may be signed

According to Zelensky, the US president indicated that the document would include broader plans for a settlement beyond just a ceasefire

Inflation expectations in Russia up to 13.4% in May from 13.1% in April

In April, expected inflation also went up slightly compared with its March level of 12.9%. In March, it fell sharply from 13.7% in February

Expert describes liberation of Maryino in Sumy Region as Russian army’s strategic success

Maryino is more than 10 kilometers away from the Russian border, and this is a serious bid by the Russian army to create a buffer zone

US designs new missile shield with space-based interceptors — Trump

In his words, the United States will employ "technology that's even far advanced" than Israel’s Iron Dome

Lavrov to discuss bilateral, regional and integration topics in Yerevan

The Russian foreign minister is scheduled to meet with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Vahagn Khachaturyan

Poland has no intention to send troops to Ukraine — PM

According to the Donald Tusk, Warsaw is not being pressured on this issue by its Western partners

EU introduces restrictions against 189 tankers transporting Russian oil

The restrictions ban entry into EU ports for those vessels, as well as any transactions by European companies with them

In response to Zelensky’s call for sanctions, Trump says it’s for him to decide

US president also spoke highly of his latest phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and European leaders