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Ukraine stands zero chance of EU membership, DPR head says

Denis Pushilin described Western pledges to admit Ukraine as an EU member as a way of manipulation

DONETSK, July 24. /TASS/. Ukraine does not have a chance of joining the European Union, Denis Pushilin, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), told TASS in an interview.

"Ukraine did not have these chances either in or before 2014, nor has it had any ever since," Pushilin argued.

He described Western pledges to admit Ukraine as an EU member as a way of manipulation.

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Foreign policy Ukraine

Anti-Russian sanctions

Congressional approval of new anti-Russian sanctions not inevitable — lawmaker

Anna Paulina Luna noted that "Congress members often put forward legislation mainly as messaging, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to be voted on"

Use of depleted uranium munitions to bring down Ukraine’s agro-exports — Russian military

Earlier, the UK’s Minister of State for Defense Annabel Goldie said, in a written response to an inquiry by a member of the House of Lords, that the British authorities would provide Ukraine with shells containing depleted uranium, which were particularly effective against armored vehicles

EU blacklists Gazprom Media Holding CEO Zharov

The sanctions against Alexander Zharov are justified by his company’s activities, which allegedly helps to form opinions about the conflict in Ukraine

Russia disagrees with UNESCO decision to recognize Chersonesus as endangered — envoy

Rinat Alyautdinov noted that the Russian side regularly sends reliable information on the state of preservation of Tauric Chersonesus to UNESCO

US rejects Iran’s claim of control over Strait of Hormuz

Commercial vessels continue to use the strait with US military support, CENTCOM said

Most Moldovans oppose unification with Romania, NATO accession — poll

The poll surveyed 1,015 respondents between July 10 and 20

EU’s 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions blacklists 15 Chinese firms

The blacklist also includes three companies from Turkey, three from Kyrgyzstan, two from Kazakhstan, two from the United Arab Emirates and one from India

Russia observing positive momentum in special military operation — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is open to negotiations

Zelensky confirms that ships cannot enter Ukrainian ports

Earlier, Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Taras Vysotsky said that carriers had suspended operations with Ukrainian sea ports starting on July 22

FACTBOX: Key takeaways from the Lavrov-Rubio meeting

The Russian foreign minister reaffirmed Russia's readiness to settle the conflict in Ukraine and its commitment to the agreements reached in Anchorage

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Russia, Turkey discuss actions if Ukraine syphons off gas

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Foreign mercenaries threw grenades at Kursk residents — Investigative Committee

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Russian Armed Forces liberate Belitskoye in DPR: what's known

The Russian Armed Forces are conducting measures to search for and eliminate Ukrainian soldiers still hiding in the basements

SpaceX again postpones its Starship test launch

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US Congress delegation to visit Russia in fall or winter — US lawmaker Luna to TASS

Anna Paulina Luna didn't give specific dates because of security reasons

Trump believes Iran not ready for deal, thus US must continue combat operations

Iranians "got some evil intentions," the US president said

Russia cuts supply route serving Ukrainian troops near Pisarevka in Sumy Region — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Krovnoye-Khoten road has come under the near-total control of the Russian military

Russian troops liberate Belitskoye community in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,420 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

US air campaign against Iran running out of steam — Politico

According to the report, the conflict is unlikely to shift decisively without a major escalation, including the deployment of ground forces

Russian troops control greater part of Pisarevka in Sumy Region — expert

Andrey Marochko says a portion of the settlement remains in the so-called gray zone

Russia remains open to talks on Ukraine — Kremlin

However, in a situation where the Kiev regime is being prodded by European capitals to continue the war, Russia, too, is pressing ahead with its special military operation, Dmitry Peskov said

EU blacklists businessman Mikhail Gutseriyev, Russian energy companies

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EC acknowledges EU failed to ban entry for participants in Russia's military operation

The European Commission president made no mention of the ban on transporting Russian liquefied natural gas to third countries

EU blacklists founders of FPV drone maker Piranya

The company manufactures up to 10 000 drones monthly and the Russian Army views its products as being extremely valuable in its military operations, the document reads

Kiev’s Western handlers consider civilian transport legitimate target — official

Oleg Murachev said the Ukrainian armed forces are also increasing the use of various types of AI-powered unmanned systems, primarily of Western manufacture

Russia’s Lavrov arrives in Kyrgyzstan to take part in meeting of SCO foreign ministers

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Two civilians wounded in Ukrainian shelling attacks on DPR in past day

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Ukraine repeatedly fails at International Court of Justice — Russian diplomat

According to Anna Yevstigneeva, the International Court of Justice has managed to defend its independence

Press review: Russia offers lifeline on Iran and Trump works art of nuke deal with Saudis

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, July 20th

Civilian infrastructure damaged during drone attack on St. Petersburg

Governor Alexander Beglov heads a crisis response center that coordinates first responders, utility workers and intra-departmental communications

EU imposes 21st sanctions package, targeting individuals, companies

The list includes, among others, Director General of ANO Dialog Vladimir Tabak, Public Chamber member Maxim Grigoriev, investment corporation Sistema, and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich

Russian forces carry out more strikes on Ukrainian ports, infrastructure facilities

Strikes on the port of Odessa hit infrastructure facilities used to unload and store military cargo

EU expands sanctions against Russian financial and banking sectors

The Council is imposing asset freezes and a prohibition to make funds available to 94 banks and major financial institutions, as well as to an important figure in Russia’s banking establishment

At least 256 children killed by Ukrainian forces in DPR since 2014

The republic’s human rights commissioner Darya Morozova added that a total of 1,076 children have been wounded in the reported period

Ukraine's losses from port shutdown estimated at $2 bln per month

An alternative export route runs through Romanian ports, but its capacity is limited

Lavrov refutes Kiev’s lies about situation at front to Rubio — MP

The Russian foreign minister also confirmed the readiness of the Russian side for negotiations

FACTBOX: Oil price cap freeze, bank restrictions in EU’s 21st sanctions package

The EU has banned its banks from conducting cross-border transactions with 32 Russian banks, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said

Talks between Lavrov, Rubio have concluded, lasting more than half hour

During the conversation, the parties planned to focus particular attention on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine

One killed, three injured as Turkish cargo ship en route from Russia hit in Black Sea

According to Oksijen newspaper, the attack occurred in international waters off the coast of Turkey's Samsun province

IDF to deal 'crushing blow' to Iran, if it attacks Israel — Ynet

Defense Minister Israel Katz stressed that Israel is ready for any development of events

Venezuela being run by US Secretary of Energy — Trump

Donald Trump asserted that the US has a great relationship with Venezuela

Ukraine's security services try to trick Russia into striking civilian sites-intel officer

A military intelligence officer cited as an example the received coordinates of a target in Zaporozhye transmitted by the Ukrainian security services several days ago

EU blacklists manufacturers of Russian drones Gortenzia and Veterok

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Press review: Zelensky gives army chief the heave-ho and US, Saudi Arabia tie nuclear knot

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Koshchey drone deployed to special military op area for airlifting cargo

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Washington administration officials plan to visit Russia — US Congress member Luna

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Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov and Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova placed special emphasis on the importance of deepening interaction and intensifying joint efforts

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Alexander Bastrykin added that efforts to assess the full scale of damage caused by Ukrainian forces are ongoing

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The energy crisis tsunami is coming, Russian Presidential Special Representative for Investment and Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries said

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Marat Berdyev commented on the Group of Twenty’s move to bar Russian officials from G20 events

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All the measures introduced take effect immediately upon their publication in the Official Journal of the EU

Ukrainian attack wounds four in Belgorod Region

A man in serious condition with multiple shrapnel wounds is being transported to hospital

Combat trainer aircraft crashes in Moscow Region — Russian Defense Ministry

The flight was carried out without ammunition

Minsk shares with Warsaw evidence of risk of terrorist attack — Belarusian MFA

According to the statement, the primary target appears to be the underage children of a Polish activist with Belarusian citizenship

Blasts heard in several Iranian cities, Qeshm Island — agency

Other details are unknown at this point

US completes another wave of strikes on Iran — CENTCOM

According to the statement, the strikes targeted Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities

Ukraine stands zero chance of EU membership, DPR head says

Denis Pushilin described Western pledges to admit Ukraine as an EU member as a way of manipulation

Nearly 1,500 killed in Ukrainian attacks across Russia since 2022 — top investigator

Alexander Bastrykin said the cases document artillery and missile strikes, drone attacks, and cross-border incursions carried out by Ukrainian nationalists

EU says imposes sanctions against Russia’s central bank deputy chairman

Within the Bank of Russia, Sergey Belov oversees the Cash Circulation Department, the Field Institutions Department, the Administrative Department, and the Russian Union of Cash Collection Divisions

Lavrov-Rubio conversation confirmed hope for common sense, says senior Russian legislator

Grigory Karasin emphasized that objective information regarding the situation along the engagement line, as well as the destructive role played by Europe, should prove beneficial for Washington

Former Ukrainian soldier recounts story of his desertion, coming to Russia

According to Vladimir Lipka, while he was serving in the Sumy area, he saw Americans in the ranks of the Ukrainian armed forces

Ukrainian agriculture to suffer most from country's port closure — expert

Alexander Dudchak said that recently grain terminals in Ukrainian ports reduced their operations by about a third, and cargo transshipment volumes began to decline sharply

Ukraine tries to prevent Russia evacuating citizens from Konstantinovka — officer

The deputy commander said the enemy fires back at the civilian population while the evacuation is underway

US lawmaker points to attempts to set people of Russia, US against each other — lawmaker

US Congress member Anna Paulina Luna stressed that сlaims about Russia’s interference in the US presidential election were disseminated in the United States as part of a political campaign

Zimbabwe joins BRICS New Development Bank

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube said that it is a positive step in securing credit lines

US to retaliate against Iran for Houthi attacks — Trump

Earlier on Thursday, the Houthis fired ballistic missiles and drones at two oil tankers of the kingdom, which violated their naval blockade of Saudi Arabia

NATO recon aircraft circling in Kaliningrad Region area

Over the past few months, air traffic controllers have recorded nearly a dozen similar flights of the Bombardier Challenger 650 Artemis II near the Kaliningrad Region

EU imposes sanctions on three oil refineries in Russia and one in Belarus

The EU is also imposing a ban on transactions with a Georgian refinery allegedly involved in trading and refining Russian oil

Dvorkovich suspends duties as FIDE chess federation president

Arkady Dvorkovich considers this decision unlawful and unfair, and this decision will be immediately challenged by all possible means

Russia not to concede to West in confrontation in Ukraine — expert

Hanna Notte added that since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis, Moscow has gained support from non-Western countries that have refused to make "a binary choice between Russia and the West"

Russian stock market closes higher as major indices post gains

The yuan edged up 2.85 kopecks to 11.573 rubles

US-Saudi nuclear deal hangs on Riyadh signing accord with Israel — Trump

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Only 6% of Britons would volunteer to enlist in armed forces if war broke out — poll

Confidence in the armed forces appears limited, as 53% of respondents expressed a lack of trust, compared to 38% who did trust the military

Failure of information war against Russia forces US to revise approaches — expert

Sergey Grinyaev noted that the US and its allies had been unable to break the will of the Russian people or weaken the Russian leadership

EU blacklists Indian branches of Russian banks VTB and Sberbank

Also, the EU blacklist includes Indian companies Falcon Toolings, and Zepto Microwave and Chip Devices Assembly

EU adds AFK Sistema to sanctions lists

The EU calls Sistema a large business conglomerate, without making any other accusations, except that it is a legal entity engaged in an industry that provides a significant source of income to the government

Kremlin spokesman addresses US contact, nuclear non-proliferation, peaceful nuclear energy

Dmitry Peskov said that Russia and the United States maintain contact on Ukraine but it would be premature to say that efforts to resolve the conflict are being stepped up

Serbia to hold parliamentary elections in fall, presidential polls to follow — president

Aleksandar Vucic said that now it is up to the people to express their will

Meeting between Rubio, Lavrov on sidelines of ASEAN events scheduled for 06:50 Moscow time

The schedule is subject to change, the US State Department warned without elaborating

US sets import tariffs for Russia at 12.5% — document

The tariffs will replace the temporary global tariffs on American imports that were introduced on February 24 for a 150-day period