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Ukraine elections would be optimal for deciding who will sign peace deal — Lavrov

Asked whether Russia was ready to sign a peace treaty with Vladimir Zelensky, the Russian top diplomat emphasized that Zelensky lacked legitimacy

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Holding elections in Ukraine would be an "optimal option" in deciding who could sign a peace agreement from the Ukrainian side, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has told the media.

"A future peace agreement is to prevent a repetition of what the coup plotters did to seize power in 2014. Then we will look at who has legitimacy to act on behalf of the Ukrainian authorities. The current Constitution, which the president has analyzed in detail many times, seems to allow us to consider the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada. But, perhaps, the best option would be to hold elections," Lavrov said.

Asked whether Russia was ready to sign a peace treaty with Vladimir Zelensky, Lavrov emphasized that Zelensky lacked legitimacy. "You are putting the cart before the horse. First you have to have a treaty, and when it is agreed, we will decide. But President Zelensky, as President [Vladimir] Putin has repeatedly said, does not have legitimacy. This is recognized inside Ukraine as well.".

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Ukraine crisis Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov

Middle East conflict

IAEA Board to hold extraordinary session on June 16 at Russia's request — envoy

Session will be connected with the Israeli strikes on Iran

Russia calls on UN to give unambiguous assessment of Israel's strikes on Iran

"Well as call for an immediate end to any forceful pressure and an end to the practice of unilateral military steps," Vasily Nebenzya stressed

EU transfers €1 billion in aid to Ukraine — von der Leyen

The EU brought its total spending on supporting Kiev since the beginning of the special military operation to €150 billion, the European Commission head said

Iran launches over 100 drones toward Israel — army spokesman

Effie Defrin urged Israelis to "exercise resilience and patience" as "hard times lie ahead"

Rubio’s greetings on Russia Day on June 12 `polite gesture’ — Russian MP

Leonid Slutsky also recalled that Russia and the United States have agreed to hold a new round of bilateral talks, "and in Moscow, this time around"

Mother commits ritual murder of 3-year-old daughter in western Ukraine — local police

The suspect currently remains in custody as pretrial investigations continue

Houthis call for moving embassies in Tel Aviv away from possible rebel targets

If the enemy government does not meet the relevant requirements of any of the embassies, Houthis recommend that these diplomatic missions be closed so that the enemy does not put them at risk

Israel will deliver intensive strikes against Iran in coming days — ABC News

The United States were informed in advance about plans to start the operation against Iran, the TV channel said

Ukraine, Russia to pore over memoranda exchanged at talks — Foreign Ministry

"As agreed on May 16, the Russian side handed over to the Ukrainian delegation a detailed two-part memorandum outlining its position on ways to achieve long-term peace and a possible full-fledged ceasefire," Maria Zakharova said

Death toll in Iran’s Tabriz climbs to five — media

According to Mehr, another 12 people received injuries

Russia opposes external interference in Iraq’s domestic affairs — UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya welcomed the actions of the Iraqi leadership aimed at preventing the country from being drawn into regional crises amid the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

UN General Assembly adopts resolution on ceasefire in Gaza, Israel’s responsibility

The document was supported by 149 countries, including Russia, China, Oman, Saudi Arabia, France, Switzerland and Japan

From 150 to 200 missiles launched from Iran against Israel — TV

Nine missile drops were recorded, according to N12 television

TASS correspondent denied accreditation to cover NATO summit

The North Atlantic Alliance will hold a summit on June 24-25

Russia to form drone troops as separate branch of the military — Putin

Fighting against various unmanned aerial vehicles has required "new approaches and non-standard solutions," Russian President explained

India secures status of reliable energy partner of Russia — expert

India's energy deals are commercial, transparent, and anchored in mutual benefit, Manish Vaid emphasized

Most important thing now is internal mobilization of every person — Putin

The Russian president stated that the most vital task was the internal mobilization of each individual and society as a whole

Armenia, Azerbaijan holding consultations to sign peace agreement — Armenian PM

On March 3, the Armenian Foreign Ministry reported that Yerevan and Baku had agreed on the text of the peace agreement and completed the negotiation process

IN BRIEF: What is known about plane crash in India

There were 242 people on board the plane, including two pilots and ten cabin crew

Patriarch Kirill of Russia offers condolences to Indian PM Modi over Ahmedabad air crash

"My heart goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy", the document reads

US studied and combined Russian, Ukrainian proposals on settlement — envoy

Keith Kellogg added that he participated in numerous peace meetings, held in Jeddah, Riyadh, Paris, London and Istanbul

Israel attacks Tabriz three times today — media

Earlier, Iranian media reported that Israel struck the territory of an oil refinery in Tabriz at night and attacked the airport area

Iranian military develops plan to response to potential Israeli strike — newspaper

CBS News reported earlier that US officials had been told Israel was fully ready to launch an operation into Iran

US sifting additional forces to Middle East after Israeli strikes — AP

AP also reported that US President Donald Trump is holding a meeting with members of the US National Security Council

US wants to stop Ukrainian conflict along the frontline — Kellogg

He went on to say that the recognition will only be de facto, not by the law

Russia hands over another 1,200 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen to Ukraine — source

Kiev has not handed over a single body to the Russian side

Russia continue honoring Istanbul agreements — source

Russia transferred 1,200 more bodies of died Ukrainian servicemen, while Kiev did not give any bodies of died Russian military, earlier reports on Friday said

Vucic offers Ukraine Serbia's help in rebuilding region

The Serbian president said that Belgrade continued to support territorial integrity of Ukraine and was open to providing both humanitarian and political assistance

Iran retaliates by attacking dozens of targets in Israel — IRGC

Iranian military attacked military facilities and airbases in response to Israeli attacks on Iran’s territory

Iran closes its airspace — Al Mayadeen

The airspace was closed until further notice

Ukraine loses up to 1,380 troops in special military operation zone in past day

In particular, the Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 155 troops in the area of operation of Russia’s Battlegroup North, over 240 troops in the area of operation of Battlegroup West, over 190 soldiers in the area of operation of Battlegroup South

Israeli strikes impossible without US knowledge, coordination — Iranian foreign ministry

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Iran had "a legitimate right to respond" over the attack, in accordance with the UN Charter

Press review: Moscow sees no peace intent in Kiev as US aids Ukraine strikes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 11th

Plane bringing Russian POWs from Ukraine lands in Moscow Region

All these Russian soldiers will undergo treatment and rehabilitation at the Defense Ministry’s medical organizations

Israel prepared for possible full-fledged war with Iran — Netanyahu’s office

Dmitry Gendelman, an adviser in the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, stressed that Israel "first and foremost relies on its own military forces and capabilities, both in defense and offense"

Iran's Atomic Energy Organization labels IAEA complicit in Israel strike

"The AEOI regards the [IAEA's] silence as a complicity in the Zionist regime's actions and believes that by doing so, the agency has become a toy in the hands of the Zionist regime, losing its credibility as a respected international body," Tasnim quoted the AEOI as saying

Israel, US to pay for strikes on Iran — military spokesman

In his words, the attacks were organized with the US support

Russia's Tu-22M3 long-range bombers perform scheduled flight over neutral Baltic waters

Su-30SM and Su-27 jets escorted the long-range aircraft

Ukraine's refusal to accept soldiers’ bodies heralds war of civilizations — French expert

"This contempt for the fallen is truly shocking," Xavier Moreau said

US Boeing X-37 may carry weapons of mass destruction — Head of Roscosmos

According to Dmitry Rogozin, the Russian side believes that the United States is trying to launch weapons into space with the help of the Boeing X-37

Iranian authorities inform IAEA Bushehr NPP safe — Grossi

No increase in radiation has been observed at the Natanz site, IAEA Director General stated

IRGC confirms death of its commander, to deliver response

Ali Fadavi went on to warn that the IRGC is prepared to deliver a forceful response to Israel’s actions

Russia reaches new heights step by step, Putin says

"We increase Russia’s industrial, technological and scientific capabilities," the head of state pointed out

Russia boost exports by 20% last year, despite sanctions — Der Spiegel

The German federal statistical authority said earlier that EU countries, despite anti-Russian sanctions, imported oil and gas from Russia to the amount of 21.3 bln euro in 2024

Russia strongly condemns Israel’s attack against Iran — Foreign Ministry

Moscow also expects that the West, which provoked anti-Iran hysteria in the International Atomic Energy Agency, will now realize the results of its harmful policy

Israel attacked Iran over its progress toward getting nuclear weapons — envoy

"Israel will not permit an existential threat to emerge from a regime that openly declares its intent to carry it out," the ambassador stated

IRGC confirms Israeli strikes killed its air force chief

The brutal terrorist aggression and crimes committed by the Zionist regime today resulted in the martyrdom of the valiant and illustrious commander of the Aerospace Force, IRGC Major General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, along with a group of brave and loyal servicemen," the statement says

IAEA cooperated with Israel against Iran — intelligence source

According to the report, the IAEA also allegedly disclosed to Israel the names of Iranian nuclear scientists, who were later assassinated in sabotage attacks

IDF says concluded wave of strikes on air defense sites in western Iran

The attacks destroyed dozens of radar stations and missile launchers, the press service said

Press review: Kiev rejects fallen soldiers’ return as Musk rift exposes Trump policy flaws

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 9th

Russian factory launches new centrifuges for uranium enrichment

A gas centrifuge operates on a separator principle

Iran must agree to nuclear deal before too late — Trump

The US President stated that he had already warned Iran of consequences in case it refuses to conclude an agreement on its nuclear dossier

Russia to stay in touch with Iran, Israel for conflict resolution — Kremlin

Kremlin’s press service said that after conversations of Russian President Vladimir Putin with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu

NATO countries should already be starting to learn Russian — MFA spokeswoman

Maria Zakharova suggested that if NATO countries had engaged with the Russian language earlier, they wouldn’t have wasted money trying to cancel Russian culture, history, and economy

UN urges to avoid dangerous standoff between Iran, Israel

Antonio Guterres reiterated the position he expressed publicly earlier and stressed the need "to avoid, at all costs, a deadly confrontation that might get out of control,"

Russia could see imported cholera cases, but government prepared — sanitary watchdog

"There is a significant incidence of cholera in different countries, with a large number of deaths," chief of sanitary watchdog Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova said

Qatar to work on termination of Israel’s aggression against Iran — PM

"The parties discussed in the conversation the latest developments in the region, including the Israel’s attack against the territory of the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran," the Qatari Foreign Ministry said

Israel Defense Forces say Iran fired fewer than 100 rockets, most intercepted

"There were a few hits on buildings," Efi Defrin said

Turkey maximized security measures in view of Israel’s attack against Iran

Turkey believes diplomacy is the only way to settle disputes between the United States and Iran on the Tehran’s nuclear program

Iran requests emergency UNSC meeting over Israeli strikes

"Committing a reckless, illegal and deliberate act of aggression, the Zionist regime has carried out a series of coordinated military attacks on the nuclear facilities and civilian infrastructure of Iran," the document, quoted by Tasnim, states

Trump says he is not worried about possible outbreak of war in the Middle East — Reuters

US President claims that Israel's ultimate goal is to prevent Iran from having nuclear weapons

Rubio states US’ desire for engagement with Moscow on Ukraine in Russia Day greeting

"On behalf of the American people, I want to congratulate the Russian people on Russia Day," the US Secretary of State said

Actor Richard Chamberlain died at age of 90

According to him, the actor died on March 29 in Waimanalo, Hawaii, due to complications following a stroke

IN BRIEF: Israel attacks Iran: global reaction

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation aimed at disrupting Iran’s nuclear program and warned that the strikes would continue

Israel already destroyed a ‘large portion of Iran's missile arsenal — Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister also appealed to Iranians to begin the struggle to overthrow the government

Ukraine’s Zelensky says he should lead talks on territories, not delegation in Istanbul

The Ukranian delegation does not have a mandate to discuss Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Vladimir Zelensky said

Iran to respond to Israel’s actions — Khamenei

Iran's Supreme Leader further warned that "through this attack, the Zionist entity has brought upon itself a painful and bitter fate"

Rostec CEO brands Challenger tank 'a cooking pot'

Russian designers also studied German-made Leopard tank and found no breakthrough solutions to borrow

Israel eliminates three Iranian top military commanders — IDF

"We can now confirm that the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command were all eliminated," the statement reads

IAEA Board of Governors passes anti-Iranian revolution — Russian envoy

"Three countries (Burkina Faso, China and Russia) voted against," Mikhail Ulyanov said

IN BRIEF: What is known about exchange of bodies of soldiers between Russia, Ukraine

Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky noted that on Thursday, Moscow and Kiev will begin urgent "sanitary exchanges" of heavily wounded prisoners of war

Air Arabia suspends flights to Russia, other countries

The decision was made "in view of the current situation and airspace closing" in the Middle Least, the airline said

Russia condemns sharp escalation of tensions between Israel, Iran — Kremlin

According to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the Russian Foreign Ministry will soon issue a detailed statement on the situation on the instructions of President Vladimir Putin

FACTBOX: Israel begins operation Rising Lion against Iran, braces for response

The Jewish state’s Defense Minister Israel Katz described it as a "preemptive strike" and warned his compatriots about Iran’s looming retaliatory attack

Moscow views Western military biological activities as security threat — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that such activities "are most often carried out through affiliated organizations and private companies that act as contractors"

Israeli strike on Iran kills civilians, children — Interior Ministry

"There is no doubt that the guilty will be severely punished," Eskandar Momeni said

NATO aims to 'fully expend' Ukraine’s human, industrial potential — Russian embassy

According to the Russian embassy, "the fate of Ukraine and its inhabitants, on the other hand, is of little concern to NATO military planners"

Names of participating countries at Intervision song contest revealed — organizers

Russia will be represented by Merited Artist of the Russian Federation Yaroslav Dronov

Israeli PM Netanyahu plans to hold talks with Putin soon — PM’s Office

Earlier, the Prime Minister's office said that Netanyahu also intends to hold a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump during the day

Orban replies to Zelensky’s threats to Hungary

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said, that country doesn't want to give the Hungarian money to Ukraine

Kiev’s unwillingness to compromise to lead to more territorial losses — Russian negotiator

Vladimir Medinsky said that "if Ukraine keeps being driven by the national interests of others, then we will be simply forced to respond"

US hopes to continue talks on Iran’s nuclear program — Trump

"There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back," the US leader said

Medvedev allows use of nuclear weapons by Russia when ‘patience runs out’

The politician underscored that no one really needs a nuclear conflict - it is "a very bad story with a very difficult outcome."

Estimated damage from Iran’s retaliatory attack to be different, IDF warns

The goal of the Israeli operation is "to secure a safer future for the State of Israel and its civilians", Israeli Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir said

Israel to get ‘appropriate response’ for strikes against Iran — Pezeshkian

In its turn, the Kremlin’s press service informed that the Russian leader expressed his condolences to the authorities and citizens of Iran over the heavy death toll resulting from Israeli strikes

IAEA Board to hold extraordinary session on June 16 at Russia's request — envoy

Session will be connected with the Israeli strikes on Iran

Russia, Ukraine carry out another prisoner exchange

The Russian service members are currently in Belarus, receiving the necessary medical and psychological assistance, the Russian Defense Ministry added

Russian troops developing an offensive in Dnepropetrovsk Region — top brass

Kiev loses 1,275 troops in all frontline areas over past day

IAEA chief tells Iranian authorities ready to assist in ensuring nuclear safety

Rafael Grossi also called on both sides to display maximum restraint to avoid further escalation

Trump stands ready to defend Israel if Iran retaliates — media

Unnamed US officials told Fox News that the US has in recent weeks increased its arsenal of missiles for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system

Russian air defenses down Neptune missile, 1,582 Ukrainian drones in past week

Russian troops also liberated five settlements in the Donetsk People's Republic and one in the Sumy Region over the past seven days, the Defense Ministry added

Trump says is disappointed in Russia, Ukraine

"That’s a terrible bloodbath that’s going on," the US leader commented on the conflict

Foreign ministers of Russia, UAE expressed concerns due to Israel’s operation against Iran

"The ministers at the same time expressed utmost concerns in view of the military operation of Israel against Iran, undertaken in violation of international law and regulations of the UN Charter," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Airport in Lugansk to be able to receive widebody aircraft — transport minister

Albert Apshev said that the construction of the airport was planned to be finalized in 2028

Russian MFA to issue statement on Iran-Israel crisis soon

The IDF launched a large-scale operation on the night of June 13, with its air force striking military targets and nuclear facilities

Israel may strike Iran on Sunday — WSJ

According to the sources, Israel wants Iran to stop producing fissure material, which may be used for making an atomic bomb

Iranian president pledges country's enemies to regret their mistakes

"The Iranian people and the country's government will not keep silent in the face of this crime," Masoud Pezeshkian said

Houthis hit US Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier using missiles, drones

Earlier, it was reported that the US had targeted underground facilities of the Houthis in the Amran Province, located in the northwest of Yemen, along with the movement's positions in the Saada Province

Microsoft's main legal entity in Russia decides to file for bankruptcy

Microsoft closed its branches and separate divisions in 13 Russian cities in December 2024 - January 2025, as follows from its financial statements

Jordan downs several missiles, UAVs that crossed its air border

The state-run Petra news agency did not specify which country the downed missiles and UAVs originated from

Israeli leadership responsible for aftermath of strikes on Iran — Russia’s envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya stressed that "the Russian Federation resolutely condemns this action" by Israel