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Putin, Lukashenko chat prior to meeting of Union State council

The presidents met at the Grand Kremlin Palace

MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko held a brief conversation ahead of a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State, the Kremlin press service reported.

The presidents met at the Grand Kremlin Palace. Putin and Lukashenko exchanged a firm handshake, followed by a warm embrace.

After a short exchange, they sat down at a coffee table and continued their discussion.

A meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus is currently underway at the Kremlin, co-chaired by Putin and Lukashenko.

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Foreign policy Vladimir Putin Belarus Alexander Lukashenko

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US to authorize conditional Venezuelan oil resale to Cuba — OFAC

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Russian UAV crews cut off power to Ukrainian facilities on Dnieper’s right bank

Despite difficult weather conditions and the enemy’s electronic warfare systems, Russian military personnel successfully completed their mission

US president mentions Russia twice in record State of the Union address

Donald Trump spoke of Russia in the context of the Ukrainian conflict and as he made a reference to the presence of Russian weapons off Venezuelan coast

Russia considering proposal to help Cuba with fuel — Novak

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Russian forces repelling Ukrainian attacks, advancing near Gulyaipole — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, serious fighting continues near the settlement of Ternovatoye

Russian diplomat warns of risks of terrorists getting access to toxic agents due to Kiev

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Russian troops apply pressure on Ukrainian forces in Krasny Liman — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that the enemy had partially succeeded in stabilizing the situation in Krasny Liman

Orban blames Zelensky for trying to drag Hungary into Ukraine conflict

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Zelensky regime may turn into Islamic State’s twin — Dutch expert

Kees van der Pijl emphasized that the efforts of Russia and its allies in the Ukrainian peace process were crucial in preventing such a development

Starlink sells user terminal data to US intelligence agencies — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin emphasized that disseminating sensitive information to the general public abroad is unacceptable

First 200 Storm reconnaissance drones delivered to Russian troops

The Gaskar company company also developed a cargo drone capable of transporting loads weighing up to 25 kilograms over distances of up to 20 kilometers

Russia's oil and gas revenues declining, partially offset by other revenues — Kremlin

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Press review: EU delays Ukraine association as US businesses demand Trump tariff refunds

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Russia to start production of Tu-214 airplane — PM

The certification of the medium-range airliner Tu-214 was completed in December 2025

Russian diplomat sees UK, France flirting with Kiev over nukes

Maria Zakharova noted that, over the past week, the media had downplayed the news by diverting global attention

US fears strike on Iran could carry political costs due to risk of casualties — Politico

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Up to 400 Iranian soldiers killed during January unrest — president

Masoud Pezeshkian added that more than 2,000 were innocent civilians

US doesn’t refuse from talks with Iran, but has other option — JD Vance

US Vice President recalled that President Donald Trump is sending his two best negotiators to Geneva to continue efforts "try to strike the best deal possible"

Two Russians in St. Petersburg planned terrorist attack against senior military official

According to the Russian Federal Service, the suspects have been detained and have confessed to their involvement

Russia demands financial blockade of Cuba be ended — diplomat

The Russian side supports Havana in its legitimate demands for an immediate end to the US trade, economic, and financial blockade, Kirill Logvinov said

Ukrainian troops suffer heavy losses in Dnepropetrovsk Region — Russian security official

According to the source, the enemy is attempting to resist the advance of Russian troops, relying on surprise and taking advantage of weather conditions

Those who blew up Nord Streams now blocking Druzhba pipeline — top Hungarian diplomat

Peter Szijjarto called it a disgrace that the EU has not yet completed its investigation into the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, which, he recalled, constitutes an act of state terrorism

Ukrainian military use toxic agents against Russian army, civilians — Russian diplomat

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Sanctions, support of population, tasks for 2026: Mishustin’s report to State Duma

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Russia has ability to destroy nuclear weapon delivery to Ukraine en route — lawmaker

Viktor Vodolatsky said that Russia will protect its territory from the use of a nuclear weapon

Russian National Guard troops take out Ukrainian radar station in Kharkov area

Servicemen of the National Guard of Russia struck the target using FPV attack drones

European security architecture is in deep crisis — Dutch expert

Kees van der Pijl emphasizes that the continent's future hinges largely on the outcome of the Ukrainian crisis

US ultimatum to Kiev could end conflict in one day — British politician

"Until Trump does that, the war will continue," Leader of the Workers Party of Britain George Galloway said

FACTBOX: What we know about third round of Iran-US talks in Geneva

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Msta-S crew hits Ukrainian fort in Dnepropetrovsk with Krasnopol shell

Live recording confirmed a direct hit on permanent firing positions and dugouts buried deep underground, as well as the destruction of enemy personnel and communications equipment

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Jailed Gagauz head rejects Chisinau’s proposal to resign in exchange for closing her case

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Andrey Marochko said that personnel of the Russian Armed Forces had pushed Ukrainian troops back more than 12 kilometers from the state border

Washington has yet to clarify strategic objective toward striking Iran — former envoy

The American people deserve that, Dan Shapiro noted

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US Coast Guard refrains from comments on incident in Cuban waters

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Zelensky, Trump discuss upcoming meeting between US, Ukrainian delegations in Geneva

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Kiev blocking Druzhba pipeline on Brussels’ orders to remove Hungary’s PM

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Iranian government confirms talks with US in Geneva on February 26

Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani added that Iranian Foreign Ministry officials will report on the progress of the consultations

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Denis Nosikov, head of the regional department of the South territorial defense forces, noted that various fortifications are being constructed around the region

Consequences of using nuclear bomb, Russian developments: Putin's statements

The Russian president said that Russia has promising defense and civilian developments, and some of them have not yet been publicly presented

Larry Summers to resign from Harvard over Epstein ties — CNN

Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton said Summers has also resigned from his role as co-director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government

Russian troops liberate Grafskoye community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,345 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

West wants to escalate Ukraine conflict to global level — Russian delegation in Vienna

Those who are obstructing peace in Ukraine and sponsoring the war there cannot expect a place at the negotiating table to end it, Yulia Zhdanova added

China urges US to avoid war with Iran — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning added that China is "ready to continue acting as a responsible major power" in the current situation

FACTBOX: What we know about incident with US-registered speedboat in Cuban waters

According to Cuba’s Interior Ministry, four people aboard the Florida-based speedboat were killed, and another six were injured

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military sites — top brass

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Vietnam-Russia ties model of healthy international relations — Vietnamese PM

Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam "consistently attaches great importance and strives for a steady development of traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with the Russian Federation in all areas"

Confirmation of new UN Secretary-General expected in fall — Russian Foreign Ministry

Kirill Logvinov, Director of the International Organizations Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, explained that following "interactive dialogues" scheduled for late July, the process will advance to candidate discussions within the UN Security Council

Russia could launch nuclear strikes on France, UK if they arm Kiev with nukes — Medvedev

"This is the proportional response that Russia has the right to," the Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed

US lawmakers expects authorities to share details about incident with boat off Cuba

The Representative from Florida Maria Elvira Salazar noted that she is closely monitoring reports

US insists on trilateral arms control agreements involving Russia, China — Rubio

US Secretary of State stressed that there will be no agreement if Beijing refuses to work toward it

Share of oil, gas revenues in Russian budget to be less than 20% — Finance Minister

The Russian budget indicators for this year may be amended subject to the market situation, Anton Siluanov noted

Those planning to transfer nuclear weapons to Kiev should be brought to justice — speaker

Vyacheslav Volodin noted that France and Great Britain began to make "clumsy attempts" to explain their actions

West punishes Iran, Cuba, Venezuela for independent policies — Russian diplomat

Kirill Logvinov noted that modern colonial practices regrettably became more entrenched in the toolkit of Western countries

Press review: Trump pushes Iran strike plans and Israel threatens Gaza as Hamas vote nears

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, February 26th

British army, air force begin preparations for deployment to Ukraine — Defense Secretary

Defense Secretary John Healey stressed he had already accelerated the allocation of $270 million so that the forces have the necessary equipment for deployment

New Dutch cabinet missed opportunity to restore dialogue with Russia — embassy

The Russian embassy stressed that Russia has "duly taken note" of this signal from the kingdom’s authorities

Food crisis invented by West, Kiev to blame Russia — diplomat

Director of the Russian foreign ministry’s international organizations department Kirill Logvinov stressed that there have never been any food shortages in reality

Russian lawmakers adopt appeal over risk of nuclear weapon transfer to Ukraine

State Duma deputies call on the parliaments of France and Great Britain, the European parliament, and also specialized organizations and agencies within the system of the United Nations Organization to take urgent measures to avert a potential nuclear conflict

State Duma approves appeal to Bundestag over risk of nuclear weapons transfer to Kiev

The decision is adopted unanimously

Vietnamese PM wants to boost economic ties with Russia

Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam-Russia relations have entered a new era of development

Top Iranian diplomat outlines provisions of potential deal with US to Omani counterpart

Abbas Araghchi is leading the Iranian delegation to the third round of Oman-mediated talks with the United States

Ukrainian army trying to divert attention from failures to Odessa defenses — expert

Retired Colonel Timur Syrtlanov noted that all cities located in the combat area were always preparing for defense

Russia to test digital ruble use soon — PM

This is a challenging case, Mikhail Mishustin added

Armenian PM says no plans to remove Russian military base from his country

Nikol Pashinyan said the relations between Armenia and Russia are currently at the transformation stage

UK, France readying to arm Ukraine with nuclear bomb — Foreign Intelligence Service

According to the SVR, the British and the French realize that their plot is "a gross violation of the international law, first of all the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and carries the risk of destroying the global non-proliferation system"

Russia develops first tactical guided munition with range of over 100 km

The system was created in record time based on the experience of active deployment of guided munitions in the special military operation zone

Russia has questions to Board of Peace’s Charter, mandate — diplomat

Director of the Russian foreign ministry’s international organizations department Kirill Logvinov recalled that the inaugural meeting of the US President Donald Trump-led Board of Peace was held in Davos on January 22

Dutch expert calls Western plans to provide Kiev with 'dirty bomb' an act of desperation

Kees van der Pijl noted that divisions between NATO and EU allies are likely to deepen as the conflict persists

US committed to Ukraine settlement efforts, but Trump’s patience is not infinite — Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also emphasized that Donald Trump’s patience is not infinite

Putin, Lukashenko to hold meeting of Union State’s Supreme State Council

The meeting will be held in Moscow

Russian diplomat calls incident in Cuban waters 'aggressive US provocation'

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US set to discuss with Iran its conventional weapons — Rubio

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed out that Iran possesses a very large number of ballistic missiles and naval assets that threaten US shipping

North Korean leader announces development of new secret weapons, anti-satellite technology

Kim Jong Un specified that work will begin on intercontinental ballistic missile systems for ground and submarine launch, AI-powered unmanned attack systems

Joint UK-Ukraine drone production legitimate target for Russian forces — Mema

"Supplying weapons to a country at war is a violation of international law, and selling weapons for this purpose is illegal," a member of the Finnish national-conservative party "Freedom Alliance" said