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Kremlin has no information on AfD attempts to establish contact with Moscow — spokesman

"However, as a German political force whose popularity is showing a steady uptrend and which advocates the advisability of establishing relations with our country - that certainly appeals to us," Dmitry Peskov said

MOSCOW, September 22. /TASS/. The Kremlin has no information regarding rumored attempts by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to establish contact with Moscow, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.

"No, I do not have such information," Peskov said when asked for a comment on reports of alleged AfD attempts to establish contact with Moscow.

"However, as a German political force whose popularity is showing a steady uptrend and which advocates the advisability of establishing relations with our country - that certainly appeals to us," Peskov added to explain how the Kremlin generally views such statements from the AfD.

"Of course, such statements appear far more favorable to us than the statements of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is essentially notorious for his confrontational rhetoric toward Russia."

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Foreign policy Germany Dmitry Peskov

Russia’s SVR comments on yet another EU’s attempt to seize sovereign Russian assets

European officials fear that without seizing Russian assets, they "will not be able to endlessly fund the corrupt Kiev regime, which constitutes the expenditure side of NATO’s conflict with Russia," the SVR argued

Russia’s Lavrov, US’s Rubio expected to meet in New York on Wednesday — diplomat

The General Debate of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly commences in New York on Tuesday

Battlegroup North disrupts supplies to surrounded Ukrainian troops in Kharkov area

More than 200 Ukrainian Baba-Yaga hexacopters have been destroyed since the beginning of September, the head of the Planning and Counter-UAV Operations Department of the 11th Army Corps, with the call sign Karta, said

Poland says US may deploy 15,000 troops in country

Between 6,500 and 7,500 US military personnel are stationed in Poland at present

Saudi forces fire more than 130 missiles, shells at northern Yemen in 12 hours — TV

According to sources, populated areas in the Az-Zahir and Haydan districts came under fire

Damaged civilian facilities in Samara Region, 297 downed UAVs: Ukrainian attack aftermath

As a result of the Ukrainian attack, one civilian died and four others were injured in Russia’s southwestern Samara Region

Over 70 world leaders, 45 heads of state to attend UN General Assembly High-level Week

The Russian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

US could push Ukraine toward peace, but it lacks will to do so — former CIA officer

Larry Johnson believes that Washington has leverage over Kiev, yet so far it has been unwilling to use that leverage

IN BRIEF: What we know about AfD, Left Party victories, CDU defeat in Germany’s elections

The Left Party has won elections to the Berlin House of Representatives for the first time ever

US, China fail to agree on extending trade truce — FT

According to the newspaper, the disagreements primarily concern the length of the deal’s extension

West attempted to interfere in State Duma elections, but failed — lawmaker

Vyacheslav Volodin stressed that it is only up to people Russia to determine their fate and the future of the country

UAE presidential adviser says conflict around Iran to drag on

UAE Presidential Adviser on Diplomatic Affairs Anwar Gargash said that its intensity will change

Russia’s Battlegroup West destroys HIMARS rocket, 117 Ukrainian UAVs in past day

The battlegroup’s spokesman added that 56 UAV control centers as well as three satellite communication stations were destroyed

IN BRIEF: Military-industrial, energy, metallurgy facilities hit in strike by Russian army

The Russian Armed Forces launched a massive strike using precision land-, sea-, and air-based weapons, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, against targets in Ukraine overnight, the Defense Ministry reported

IN BRIEF: Preliminary results of Russian elections, United Russia leads, governors elected

According to the data from the Central Election Commission, 90.45% of ballots have been counted so far

DPRK successfully tests new-type weapon — agency

The report did not provide any information regarding the type or characteristics of the new weapon

Macron says he discussed supplies of interceptors to Ukraine with Trump

French President said he had a "very good" and "very constructive" discussion with his American counterpart

Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate for September 22 to 84.1 rubles

The official yuan exchange rate declined by 2.22 kopecks to 12.5448 rubles

Brussels still all hyped up about misappropriation of Russians assets frozen in EU — SVR

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service emphasized that European bureaucrats are in a hurry to seize Russian money

Russia has to achieve goals by force, no hope for dialogue with Kiev — former CIA officer

Larry Johnson said the denazification of Ukraine has to take place, which means new elections

Lukashenko congratulates Putin on successful election days — BelTA

The Belarusian president said that the election results convincingly demonstrate the Russian people's commitment to the course charted by Vladimir Putin

PhosAgro boosts domestic supplies by nearly 30%, triples exports to Africa in 1H 2026

According to the company's financial report, total agrochemical sales declined by 1.9% to 6.1 million tonnes

EU envoys to continue talks on deal to lift sanctions on Russia's Usmanov, Fridman

No final decision has been reached yet.

Infamous Ukrainian database Mirotvorets doxes two foreign observers at Russian elections

Austrian publicist Flo Osrainik was among the observers in the city of Alchevsk and Serbian politician Miljan Damjanovic - in the city of Mariupol

Residents of another English village plan referendum on leaving UK

According to the newspaper, the village is Barnham in the eastern county of Suffolk, with a population of just over 600 people

Moscow to host Dialogue about Fakes 4.0 forum

Representatives of federal executive agencies, international experts, media representatives, and the business community have been invited to participate in the event

Ukraine virtually lost its steel industry — FT

According to the article, strikes damaged blast furnaces at three facilities, including two plants owned by Metinvest and an ArcelorMittal facility in Krivoy Rog

Kazakh leader, Putin discuss schedule of joint events — press office

According to the statement, the presidents exchanged views on current issues of bilateral cooperation

Former CIA analyst says EU has no means to back threats against Russia

Larry Johnson added that European economy, as well as cultures are broken

Gazprom resumes gas supplies via Power of Siberia after scheduled maintenance

The maintenance was carried out from September 15 to 22

Prince Harry in talks to make Diana documentary — Telegraph

According to the newspaper, the Duke of Sussex wants to mark the 30th anniversary of Diana’s death

Russian government zeroes out grain export duties through end of 2026

The Russian Agriculture Ministry noted that the decision aims to support domestic producers and exporters of grain and oilseed crops

IN BRIEF: Kremlin spokesman covers NATO’s nature, US sanctions

According to Dmitry Peskov, Russia has largely adapted to the sanctions and has also found ways to reduce the negative effects of their implementation

Guterres remains in contact with Moscow, Kiev — UN chief’s representative

Stephane Dujarric stated that he currently had no information about whether a trilateral meeting on resolving the Ukrainian crisis on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly high-level week would take place

Ukrainian conflict has been toughest to solve — Vance

US Vice President JD Vance noted that there are reasons to expect progress after a contact between Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky scheduled for September 22

TASS chief Kondrashov calls on all OANA members for joint protection of truth

Andrey Kondrashov pointed out that OANA should be not simply serving as a platform for exchanging news, but turn into a full-fledged community of professionals who work together in order to develop standards and jointly counter threats

Dutch businesses cutting ties with ICC for fear of US sanctions — diplomat

According to a diplomatic source, mostly IT companies are behind the move

IN BRIEF: Key takeaways from Finance Minister Siluanov speech at Moscow Financial Forum

According to the minister, Russia has built up an immunity to the US "sanctions from hell"

Ukraine’s transport minister acknowledges loss of 600 railway locomotives

According to Ukraine’s Minister for Reconstruction, Infrastructure and Transport Nikolay Kalashnik, decision has been made at the Carpathian Eight meeting to establish a "railway coalition"

Russian stock market climbs at open

The MOEX Index rose 0.52% to 2,269.76 points, while the RTS Index gained 0.52% to hit 847.29 points as of 9:00 a.m. Moscow time

Putin slams AI spread in infocommunications as 'serious challenge'

The Russian leader noted that it is necessary to establish modern standards and rules aimed at ensuring reliable protection and information confidentiality and raising the effectiveness of countering digital risks

Press review: US may impose sanctions on ICC as AfD may push for early elections

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 22nd

Kiev to lose much of its foreign currency revenue without steel industry — expert

Vasily Prozorov noted that claims regarding the total collapse of the Ukraine's steel industry could be exaggerated

Indian Defense Ministry signs $61 mln contract for power units for T-72, T-90 tanks

The contract was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh

Russia plans to boost coal output to 660 mln tons, rise exports to 350 mln tons by 2050

The program includes developing promising deposits and establishing new production centers in the east of the country

Oil production on Russian shelf to reach 23 mln tons this year — ministry

Gas production could total 53 bln cubic meters

Output at Libya's largest oil field drops by 200,000 bpd — Reuters

National Oil Corporation Chairman Massoud Suleman did not provide a reason for the decrease

Russian unmanned systems have good export prospects in Africa — expert

Denis Fedutinov emphasized that the Africa Aerospace and Defense international exhibition serves as a potential point of entry for Russian unmanned systems into the market of not only South Africa, but also of neighboring countries

Russian diplomat sure history will `cancel’ Zelensky

Maria Zakharova commented on Vladimir Zelensky's threats to make the Russian airspace dangerous for passenger flights through the massive use of drones

App designed to help foreign students adapt to life in Russia officially rolls out

The service is currently available in 13 languages

FACTBOX: Russian strikes hit logistics center, port infrastructure facilities

Russian forces carried out overnight drone strikes on Ukrainian logistics centers, warehouses, and ports, as well as vessels used in the interests of the Ukrainian armed forces, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russia shoots down 45 drones over day

The on-duty air defense forces intercepted the Ukrainian UAVs over six Russian regions

Finnair forced to launch 24-hour flight due to Russian airspace ban

The route from Finland to Australia will include a technical stopover in Bangkok

US warns Netherlands about looming large-scale sanctions against ICC — AP

The restrictions may affect the majority of financial transactions with the court and potentially paralyze its operations

Kiev lies, listing soldiers as civilians allegedly killed in Bucha — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister said it was established that the memorial lists the names of dozens of individuals, including Ukraine military personnel, Security Service of Ukraine officers, members of "defense units," police, and the National Guard, as well as fighters from the nationalist "Azov" force

World has turned upside down: warmongers are hailed as peacemakers — Fico

The Slovak PM urged to cherish peace, "for it came at such a high price"

Guterres-Lavrov meeting set for Thursday — UN chief’s representative

The Russian foreign minister will travel to New York on September 22

US denies entry to Iranian journalists for UN General Assembly — Iranian MFA

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei noted that "a nation that once took pride in tearing down the Iron Curtain now finds itself standing behind one of its own"

Ukrainian settlement matter of time, US to press on with efforts — Vance

The US Vice President confirmed that US President Donald Trump plans to meet with Vladimir Zelensky later this week

West's energy crisis could accelerate shift of industrial leadership to BRICS — expert

Vasily Koltashov noted that the current energy crisis differed from the events of 1973 - 1985 due to the presence of rapidly growing industrial and technological competitors challenging the West

FIFA chief says he is open to discussing FIFA reforms

The next FIFA Council meeting is scheduled for October 15

Russian forces strike logistics centers, ports in Ukraine

A bulk carrier carrying cargo intended to support the Ukrainian armed forces to the port of Odessa was hit while crossing the sea

Press review: State Duma set to keep five parties while Europe faces record fuel prices

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, September 21st

ICC did not revoke arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Galant despite US sanctions

According to ICC acting prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan, the prosecutor's office is guided by "the law and the evidence" and rejects "any attempt to suggest that we have some other ulterior motive"

US wants to invest $5 bln in restoration of energy in Middle East — WSJ

Under US President Donald Trump’s plan, eight of Washington’s regional partners must contribute an amount matching the US investment to the fund, bringing its total size to $10 bln

Kiev seeks to destabilize Russia with election-day attacks — expert

Vasily Prozorov stressed that drone strikes on Russian territory pursued "no military objective"

United Russia ahead in Duma election with 90.43% of ballots processed

It is followed by the CPRF with 13,84%, the LDPR with 8.9%, New People with 7.94%, and A Just Russia with 4.95%

Ukrainian troops retreat from several key fortified positions in Dobropolye, DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko said the Russian Armed Forces had expanded their zone of control in the Druzhkovka area

Ukraine sought to draw Poland into hostilities with Russia — opposition leader

According to Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the Ukrainians hoped to draw Poland into the conflict "by creating a single state"

White House press pool TV channels refuse to cover events with Trump

US President Donald Trump previously denied access to the White House to CNN, MS NOW, and Politico

Russia’s SVR warns EU against attempts to confiscate sovereign Russian assets

The Foreign Intelligence Service said that countries in the Global South will no longer consider European jurisdictions as a safe haven

US to open two new military bases in Greenland — Reuters

According to the news agency, the US "plans to re-establish a Cold War-era military base in southern Greenland and set up another on the east , now used by the Danish dog sled patrol"

Mendel proposes to remove Zelensky from power for health reasons

According to Zelensky's former press secretary, the head of Kiev regime had "something like an epileptic seizure" a week ago

The President's course, West’s failure to discredit Russian vote: Lavrov's statements

The Foreign Minister said that officials had exposed all Western attempts to portray the parliamentary elections as undemocratic

Iran to strike new US targets in Middle East with new weapons in case of aggression — IRGC

Hossein Mohebi emphasized that the changes would affect the geography of war, weapons and military equipment used

Uzbek leader congratulates Putin on successful State Duma elections — Kremlin

During a telephone conversation, the Russian president and his Uzbek counterpart discussed topical issues of the allied relations between the countries

Expert predicts long-term energy crisis for West, names most vulnerable sectors

According to Vasily Koltashov, attempts to curb oil prices by raising interest rates can only limit price growth at the expense of shrinking Western economies and their manufacturing sectors

Kiev loses 9,300 troops, mercenaries in combat over past week — expert

Andrey Marochko said the heaviest manpower losses were inflicted on Ukrainian armed formations in the area of responsibility of the Battlegroup Center

US may ‘pluck numbers out of air,’ while Iran publishes truth about dead — Mehr agency

According to the agency's Managing Director Mohammad Mehdi Rahmati, the US can change the figures to suit their own goals

Fact-checking is most politicized media area — Foreign Ministry spokeswoman

Maria Zakharova called for joining forces to stand up for truth and denounce lies

Western media play games against Russia by alleging drone attacks in EU countries — Lavrov

As the Russian foreign minister noted, it eventually turns out that "it was either not a drone at all, a Ukrainian drone, or a drone that could not be positively identified as belonging to Russia"

Putin could speak on Ukraine at news conference after Belarus talks on Thursday — Kremlin

The Russian president is scheduled to take questions jointly with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko

CIA chief meets with Zelensky in Ireland — Reuters

The CIA Director John Ratcliffe also visited Moscow on August 25

Budapest not to allow construction of petroleum product storage for Ukraine — Magyar

The Hungarian PM emphasized that the matter had not progressed beyond the signing of the memorandum of understanding and no other agreements had been signed

Kyrgyz president congratulates Putin on successful holding of Duma elections

The Kyrgyz leader noted that inter-parliamentary ties were "an important component of the Kyrgyz-Russian relations of strategic partnership and alliance"

Kremlin comments on Ukrainian attacks during elections, settlement process

Dmitry Peskov noted that massive Ukrainian attacks during the elections in Russia were aimed at disrupting the voting but failed to have an effect

CEC chairwoman comments on preliminary election results, unprecedented threats

Voter turnout in the State Duma election stood at 59.32%, with more than 62.6 million citizens casting ballots

Trump’s approval rating hits lowest level of his political career — Reuters

According to the news agency, the approval rating of the incumbent US president stands at 32%

Russian stock indices decline as trading closes on Moscow Exchange

The MOEX index fell by 0.88%, the RTS index declined by 0.76%

Lavrov slams false flag operation in Bucha as 'most cynical farce'

The Russian foreign minister said this at the Dialogue on Fakes 4.0 international forum

UN General Assembly High-level Week opening in New York

The Russian delegation is led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

What we know about foiled terrorist attack on voting day in Donetsk

A Donetsk citizen established contact with SBU officers and voluntarily agreed to assist them in their terrorist activities, the FSB Public Relations Center said

Ukraine has become lawless territory with security forces fighting for money — envoy

"Therefore, relations between the GUR, the SBU, and other security agencies are a struggle for money, not for political line," Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik said

Zelensky will have to hide for rest of life, Medvedev predicts

"The stinking Kiev bastard is trying to derail the settlement of the conflict", Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Battlegroup North takes 100 sq km in Kharkov Region last week — expert

Andrey Marochko said that 10 settlements came under the Russian forces’ control

UN chief Guterres is 'frankly confused' in his statements on Bucha events — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister mentioned this in connection with sharing the details about the victims and their real names

World media must team up to fight against fake news — GFCN expert

According to Timofey V, the key vulnerability of the modern media environment lies in the isolation of national response mechanisms

IMF once again urges Kiev to find its own funds amid another budget shortfall

Ukraine needs to receive around $52.6 bln from its Western partners next year, but only about $20 bln has been confirmed so fa

TASS signs documents on cooperation with OANA countries' news agencies

The documents were signed between TASS and agencies SPA, Yonhap and Bernama

Trump opens helipad on South Lawn of White House

Video footage showed Donald Trump cutting the ribbon on the paved path leading to the helipad in the presence of construction workers

Kiev loses about 1,440 troops in special military operation zone in past day — top brass

Russian forces launched strikes overnight on logistics centers, warehouses and ports in Ukraine, as well as vessels involved in supporting the Ukrainian military