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Lavrov, top Togolese diplomat discuss economy, investment — Russian MFA

The sides confirmed that Moscow and Lome had the same or similar positions on regional and international issues of mutual interest

MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Togolese counterpart Robert Dussey have discussed ways to boost political, trade, economic, and investment relations, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement following talks on the sidelines of the second ministerial meeting of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo.

"The parties discussed pressing issues related to the further gradual strengthening of Russia-Togo ties in the political, trade, economic, investment, and humanitarian fields," the statement reads.

"They confirmed that Moscow and Lome had the same or similar positions on regional and international issues of mutual interest," the ministry added.

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Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov

Military operation in Ukraine

Russia’s offensive in Zaporozhye forces Kiev to expand evacuation zone

The reason behind this decision is an increase in the operational range of Russian drones, the source said

Russia not at war with West, West fights Russia with Ukrainian nationalists’ hands — Putin

The President stressed that Russia was ready to end the conflict in Ukraine, provided its security was guaranteed in the medium and long term

EU cannot continue proxy war against Russia due to financial problems — Chinese expert

Wang Yiwei said the idea of using frozen assets for military purposes "effectively exposes the hypocrisy of the EU"

Lawsuit against Euroclear filed in time — Central Bank chief

Elvira Nabiullina said that it is difficult for her to comment on specific arguments prevailing among EU member-countries that did not approve the confiscation of Russian assets

Lukashenko says he is ‘outgoing’ president

According to the Belarusian leader, he wants to establish good relations between Minsk and Washington

Russian troops to move westward after liberating Kupyansk-Uzlovoi — Putin

As the president stressed, the Russian troops have been assigned a very important task to eliminate the enemy group on the left bank of the Oskol River

Belarus will not completely relocate its factories — Lukashenko

According to the President, agreements on localizing the production of Belarusian tractors and trucks in Vietnam are being implemented

US aware that continued conflict will end in Ukraine's defeat — intelligence chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the US administration has begun seeking compromise solutions and they were identified and articulated in what is known as the Trump peace plan

UK 'co-running war' in Ukraine — former French military officer

When asked about the presence of Western servicemen in the area of the Russian special military operation, Xavier Moreau emphasized that there are "many British" in Ukraine

Russia’s Safonov makes football goalkeeping history in French PSG FIFA championship win

The final match of the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup between Paris Saint-Germain football club from France and Brazilian Flamengo FC was played at the 45,000-seat capacity Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

Gold futures record high on Comex again — market data

The precious metal price gained 0.92% to $4,401.9 per Troy ounce

Press review: EU leaders clash over Ukraine and Trump approves Taiwan arms sale as test

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 19th

Lavrov tells Europe we don't need your help on Ukraine deal, just don't blow it up

"The Russian-American dialogue is based on understandings reached in Alaska," the Russian top diplomat stressed

Zelensky cannot withdraw troops from Donbass due to nationalist resistance — opposition

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that Western media outlets consistently report significant pressure from Washington on Kiev and Europe regarding this issue

Russia ready to restore intergovernmental trade commission with Slovakia

Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov heads the commission from the Russian side, Maria Zakharova noted

Hungary 'absolutely ready' to host Russia-US summit — top diplomat

Hungary has maintained a pro-peace position since the onset of the conflict, Peter Szijjarto noted, despite what he called "enormous political attacks" against Budapest

Zelensky admits Biden told him Ukraine would not be brought in to NATO before conflict

Vladimir Zelensky noted that he repeatedly raised the issue with the White House, becoming a kind of running joke among US officials

Putin points to new report on special military operation by General Staff chief

The supreme commander-in-chief emphasized that the Russian army had the full strategic initiative, advancing in all directions

Hungary, Czechia, Slovakia refuse to finance Kiev — EU summit statement

The European Council agrees to provide a loan to Ukraine of EUR 90 billion for the years 2026-2027 based on EU borrowing on the capital markets backed by the EU budget headroom

Orban describes EU loan for Ukraine as 'lost money' — Reuters

Viktor Orban assured that his country "is staying out" from European financing of the Kiev government

Russia gradually returning to world sports — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that "this is a welcome process that can only be supported"

West can simply steal countries’ gold and foreign exchange reserves — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader that the country held a record level of gold and foreign exchange reserves at present and suggested rethinking the strategy for managing international reserve assets

FACTBOX: Oreshnik ballistic missile

According to the Russian president, the combat testing of the Oreshnik missile system was conducted in response to an attack by US-made and British-made long-range missiles on Russian territory

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army’s energy infrastructure over past day

According to the latest figures, Kiev loses 1,405 troops along engagement line in past day

Putin baffled by NATO Secretary General Rutte's war-with-Russia talk

The Russian president advised that Mark Rutte read the national security strategy of the United States, which is a key player, creator and main sponsor of NATO

Putin to sum up 'Results of the Year'

It will begin at noon Moscow time on Friday

Russia ready to consider halting strikes deep inside Ukraine on election day — Putin

The Russian president still noted that if Kiev wants to use the elections solely to stop the offensive momentum of Russian troops, then this is the wrong choice

EU to issue 90 billion euro in interest-free loan to Kiev — Merz

The German Chancellor said that "the Russian frozen assets will remain blocked until Russia has paid reparations to Ukraine"

EU summit fails to expropriate Russian assets, but may do so in future — von der Leyen

"The member states have agreed to finance Ukraine through an EU borrowing on the capital markets for an amount of 90 billion euro for the next two years," Ursula von der Leyen said

Possible pause in Russian airstrikes thwarts Kiev's plans to avoid elections — senator

Konstantin Kosachev said that Russia is prepared to act for peace, and this is one of the main messages today

Four US planes spotted again near Venezuela's maritime border — dispatchers

"At least four carrier-based aircraft, namely Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter-bombers, are over neutral waters in the immediate vicinity of the Venezuelan border," the source said

Kremlin warns about consequences for masterminds, perpetrators of Russian asset seizure

"Those who made decisions collectively, those who made decisions individually and those who put them into practice will all bear responsibility," Dmitry Peskov said

Russian president Putin starts year-end Q&A session

Everyone has a chance to address the president, as only a smartphone is required to do so

US Treasury removes six entities, two individuals from anti-Russian sanctions

The sanctions will no longer apply to Russian citizen Dmitry Bugayenko and Finnish citizen Evgenia Dremova

Press review: Trump seeks to pressure Moscow as EU desperate to find funds for Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 18th

Share of missing Russian servicemen must be reduced to absolute zero — Putin

"If we compare the beginning of the year with now, the number of people who were listed as missing has decreased by 50%," the Russian president said

Inevitable Ukrainian surrender to make peace talk much easier — SVR

According to Sergey Naryshkin, no one will be able to prevent the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict after that

Durov compares UK’s future to dystopian thriller

V for Vendetta’s totalitarian UK felt far-fetched 20 years ago, now "it feels less like fiction and more like a government action plan," Telegram co-founder said

Russian army continues to advance west of Seversk, Putin says

The Russian leader recalled how the report on the liberation of Seversk was presented

IN BRIEF: Resuming nuclear tests, NATO threat: what Russia's military chief of staff said

The North Atlantic Alliance, under the pretext of a so-called Russian military threat, has "significantly increased" its military presence near Russia’s borders

Lavrov to discuss preparations for third Russia-Africa summit in Cairo

It will be the first event of the format held on the African soil, the Russian Foreign Ministry said

Europe should consider Putin's words on placing Oreshnik missile on combat duty — expert

Military-Political Analysis Bureau head Alexander Mikhailov emphasized that the tactical and technical characteristics of the Oreshnik missile allow the Russian army to launch a strike targeting any spot in Europe

US pauses green card lottery after Brown University shooting — Reuters

On the evening of December 13, a shooting occurred at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, leaving at least two dead and nine others injured

Russia hopes Serbia stands by national interests, not West's lies — SVR chief

"We will not interfere and will respect whatever choice they make," Sergey Naryshkin added

Russia-UK relations head south after Putin's Munich speech in 2007 — foreign intel chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, it has been a gradual process

Trump not ruling out war with Venezuela

The US leader declined to clarify whether US strikes on Venezuelan vessels could directly lead to war

Refusal to use Russian assets for loan to Kiev will be victory for law — Dmitriev

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Russian Direct Investment Fund, it was a "major blow to EU warmongers" led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Russian intel chief reveals recent extended call with MI6 director

Sergey Naryshkin said the phone conversation was held "just a few days ago"

Hundreds of thousands of Russian troops fighting in special military operation — Putin

The Russian leader noted that not all of them planned to build civilian careers after the special military operation

ECB will not support loan mechanism for Ukraine breaching EU laws — Lagarde

Article 123 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union prevents the ECB from printing money explicitly to finance government spending

Putin sees EU's Russian asset grab as daylight 'robbery'

The Russian leader emphasized that the European Union is trying to do it overtly

US actions in Venezuela display Washington's neocolonial approach — Russia’s UN envoy

"Starting with false pretexts of combatting drug trafficking and terrorism, Washington has already moved on to open threats of military aggression and seizure of the territory and natural resources of a sovereign state," Vasily Nebenzya said

Russia, Africa working to increase number of intergovernmental commissions

19 such commissions are already operational

Russia advances in Donbass while West plays shell games — Ukrainian opposition politician

Viktor Medvedchuk also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it abundantly clear that the desire for war in this situation does not come from Russia

Cessna 550 business jet crashes in US with victims — TV

The crash killed people, but their number and identities have not yet been disclosed

Dmitriev calls for resignation of Merz, von der Leyen after failure at EU summit

The Chief Executive Officer of Russian Direct Investment Fund added that Friedrich Merz and Ursula von der Leyen "spent all their political capital, promised results – and delivered a spectacular failure"

Euro democracy in US crosshairs, meddling threat in Russian elections: Lavrov statements

The Russian foreign minister said that the US had sent a strong signal to Europe criticizing the democracy "that is practiced in Europe"

FACTBOX: What is known about EU summit’s ruling on Russian assets

Ukraine's funding will be provided from the EU budget in the amount of 90 billion euros, EC President Ursula von der Leyen said

IN BRIEF: What is known about situation around frozen Russian assets

Four EU officials said that a key point in the discussion was the idea of excluding Hungary and Slovakia from the general debt repayment scheme, as both countries oppose further aid to Ukraine

EU replaced its ‘strategic defeat’ mantra with ‘maximum damage’ — Naryshkin

"They no longer prioritize ‘strategic defeat,’ because they have already realized that it will be impossible, so they want to deal maximum damage to Russia instead," director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said

`He’s an actor’: Putin remarks on controversial Zelensky selfie

The skies over Kupyansk in the Kharkov Region are teeming with drones, and approaching the city is virtually impossible, the Russian head of state noted

Trump's efforts, piglets, Russia's secret weapon: Putin's statements at 'Results of Year'

The Russian president explained that when he took a jab at Europeans by calling them "piglets," as the Western media translated the Russian term, he was not referring to anyone specific in Europe, but rather to a "group of people"

Russia’s Intelligence Service likens declared unity of West to chimera

"It is based not on the common core interests of the peoples of these countries, but on the megalomania and exclusivity of their elites," Sergey Naryshkin, Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, said

FACTBOX: S-500 Anti-Aircraft Missile System

The system is being developed with the capability to be operational for the next 25 years

Russia insists that West honor security commitments — Putin

The Russian president stressed that Moscow wants to ensure the establishment of a reliable security system in Europe

Kiev counterattacks near Krasnoarmeysk, trying to slow Russian advance — expert

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the liberation of Krasnoarmeysk on December 1

Russia to eliminate threats to Kaliningrad Region should they emerge, says Putin

The Kaliningrad Region is separated from mainland Russia by the borders of European Union countries

Route to Slavyansk opens from liberated Seversk — Putin

The head of state recalled that the Russian side had long ago urged the Kiev regime to withdraw its troops from the territories of the republics which do not want to live under nationalist control

EU 'war party' to pay Kiev 'reparations' itself — Foreign Ministry

"Brussels did not even notice how absurd the situation had become for the EU," Maria Zakharova stated

Lavrov gives war-minded European hawks a piece of his mind

The Russian foreign minister stressed that Moscow advocates for "ensuring indivisible security – in an honest manner and on equal terms"

Western military presence in Ukraine in any format unacceptable for Russia — MFA

Maria Zakharova stated that such pseudo-peacekeepers would become legitimate targets for the Russian army

Intelligence services remain ‘almost sole’ link between Russia, Europe — SVR

Responding to a question about whether the Russian side observes more common sense in the approaches of European countries’ intelligence services than in the activities of their politicians, Sergey Naryshkin noted that "the approaches of intelligence services generally align with the policies of their states"

'Political stumble' for Merz, von der Leyen, as EU fails to seize Russian assets — NYT

As The New York Times reported, the outcome made Europe "appear indecisive at a key moment"

Kiev and Europe try to disown compromises of Trump plan, Naryshkin says

"We have seen that in recent weeks both the Kiev regime and its European patrons, contrary to common sense, have been trying to disown those, in my opinion, sound, fair compromises proposed in the so-called Trump peace plan," Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said

EU summit communique makes no mention of Russian assets, meeting continues

The European Council press service has not yet provided journalists with even an approximate ending time for the first day’s discussions

EU's decision to support Ukraine confirms that it does not want peace — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova said that EU member states decided to further prolong the Ukrainian conflict

Bank of Russia reduced key rate to 16%

According to the regulator, the economy continues to return to a balanced growth path

FACTBOX: Drone hits Lipetsk, cuts power in Rostov-on-Don after Ukrainian overnight attack

Power outages occurred in Rostov-on-Don and two districts of the Rostov Region

Fico highlights need for compromise at European Council

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico repeatedly said that he would refuse to vote for any support for Ukraine's military needs at the summit

Ex-NASCAR racer killed in business jet crash in North Carolina

The members of Gregory Biffle's family were among the victims, a member of the US House of Representatives Richard Hudson said

Ukrainian forces fail to retake parts of Krasnoarmeysk, suffer losses — Putin

According to the Russian president, the enemy is achieving no success

Ukrainian forces execute civilians in Seversk — Hero of Russia

According to Naran Ochir-Goryaev, the Ukrainian troops were primarily targeting young people between 30 and 40 years old

Desertion in Ukrainian armed forces grows — Russian intelligence chief

"In contrast to the Ukrainian side, the Russian army is continuously advancing, liberating several villages and cities each week." Sergey Naryshkin stated

Lukashenko says he cannot be president forever

Alexander Lukashenko named himself "a departing president"

Russophobic policies to cause further degradation of EU — Naryshkin

"The European Union has somehow missed the general trends and dynamics in global politics and global affairs," director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service noted

Continuation of conflict in Ukraine extremely dangerous — Belarusian president

The Belarusian leader commented on rumors that the end of the conflict in Ukraine is disadvantageous to him and the military-political leadership of the republic

Krasny Liman to be liberated in near future — Putin

The head of state added that Russian forces currently control about half of the city

Special EU decision now needed to unblock frozen Russian assets — von der Leyen

The qualified majority implies that 16 out of the 27 EU member countries, home to over 55% population of the European Union, need to support the move

EU leaders looking for ways to finance Ukraine, but Hungary will not support them — Orban

"There is a huge possibility that no matter what kind of aid they would want to provide to Ukraine, Hungary will stay away from it," he said

Russian defense technologies unmatched by Western military-industrial complex — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that established industrial production would make it possible to make tens and even hundreds of items per year to provide strategic coverage for all critical areas and facilities in the Russian border regions

Russia alarmed by worsening humanitarian situation in Syria — UN mission

"We are concerned by the fact that, despite political shifts in the country and the efforts by UN agencies, the humanitarian situation not only remains dire but is also showing signs of systemic deterioration," Dmitry Polyansky said

IN BRIEF: Putin's statements on Ukraine at 'Results of the Year' conference

The president said that Russian troops in the special operation zone are advancing in all directions, fully seizing the strategic initiative

EU diplomats do not rule out retaliation against Ukrainian elites by angry mob — SVR

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said that the Mindich-Zelensky case is undermining Ukraine

Europe will have to reopen dialogue with Russia — Macron

The French president believes that "Europeans and Ukrainians, will have to find the right framework to re-engage in this discussion in a proper manner"

Russian troops liberate four communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted more than 1,795 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy tanks and 20 armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Putin receives random but curated questions from Russians for Q&A session — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, to date, more than 2,100,000 questions have come in via different channels

FACTBOX: Putin’s statements on EU’s attempts to seize Russian assets

The Russian president noted that if Russian assets are seized, Russia will defend its interests in court and seek to identify jurisdictions that are not dependent on political decisions

Russian asset seizure to undermine trust in Euro zone, Putin warns

The president pointed out that apart from Russia, many other countries also keep their gold and currency reserves in Europe

TikTok signs deal to sell its US business — Axios

Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will collectively own 45% of the US entity, nearly one-third of the company will be held by affiliates of existing ByteDance investors, and nearly 20% will be retained by ByteDance

Ukrainian army has practically no strategic reserves left — Putin

The President emphasized that the attempts by the Ukrainian army to regain lost positions "at any cost," as is being done in the area of Krasnoarmeysk, are not succeeding

EU leaders discuss ‘uncapped financial guarantees’ to Belgium — Euractiv

According to the report, the EU leaders are poised to continue the summit until a result is reached