23 Nov 2022, 05:00

Eurovision organizers undecided on whether Russians should vote

The UK's Liverpool to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine

GENEVA, November 23. /TASS/. The question of allowing Russians to participate in the vote to choose the winner of the Eurovision 2023 song contest remains open, European Broadcasting Union spokesperson David Goodman has told TASS.

"The full list of non-participating countries that can vote next year will be published closer to the time of the event," he said, commenting on the EBU’s recent announcement about changes in the contest’s rules.

Earlier, the EBU said that those wishing to vote from a country that is not participating in the Eurovision Song Contest will only be able to do so via a secure online platform using a credit card from their country.

The list of countries whose residents will be allowed to vote is yet unknown.

"Only audiences from countries allowed to vote online, as stipulated by the Reference Group, the Contest’s governing board, will be able to cast a vote and be charged respectively," the company said.

The United Kingdom’s Liverpool will host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine. The final is scheduled for May 13, 2023.

Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Italy’s Turin. The UK took second place, while Spain was third. Traditionally, the song contest takes place in the winning country. Ukraine initially announced its readiness to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 but the EBU later said that the possibility to hold the event in the UK was under consideration due to security reasons.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU)’s list of participants has 27 entries. Russia and Belarus are not among them.

Moscow Zoo sets world record for diversity of animal species

The Moscow Zoo is home to 1,253 species

Kiev does not want peace, Moscow-Washington efforts alone not enough — Kremlin

"The Kiev regime refuses to settle the conflict through negotiations," Dmitry Peskov noted

Yesterday, 11:22

European peacekeepers in Ukraine would mean causes of crisis will not disappear — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister also said that Vladimir Zelensky has become a "pure Nazi" and a traitor to the Jewish people

Yesterday, 07:33

Karin Kneissl: Europe’s borders may be changed

Karin Kneissl, former Austrian foreign minister and head of the “G.O.R.K.I.” center at St. Petersburg State University, told TASS in an exclusive interview why Russia should not rush to let European companies enter its market, explained what could be hidden behind the US deal on rare earth minerals, and also assumed what European countries could vie for Ukrainian lands

Russia says its artillery destroyed Ukrainian vehicles, troops in Kursk Region

According to the statement, following the confirmation that the Ukrainian forces were eliminated, the artillery crews promptly left their firing positions

NATO is dead, British expert says

Timothy Ash noted that Europe could no longer rely on the US security guarantee

Trump-Zelensky clash shows resolving Ukraine crisis will be hard — Kremlin

Zelensky’s visit to Washington on February 28 was marred with a heated argument in the White House’s Oval Office

Yesterday, 17:11

US not planning to sign minerals deal with Ukraine — treasury secretary

"It is impossible to have an economic deal without a peace deal," Scott Bessent said

IN BRIEF: What we know about a car striking a crowd in Mannheim

The driver is in custody

Yesterday, 11:28

Lavrov calls discussions in Europe about peacekeepers for Ukraine impertinent

"This plan to introduce ‘peacekeepers’ into Ukraine is continuing to incite Kiev for a war against us," Russian Foreign Minister said

14 May 2021, 16:17

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Kiev does not want peace, Moscow-Washington efforts alone not enough — Kremlin

"The Kiev regime refuses to settle the conflict through negotiations," Dmitry Peskov noted

Two days ago, 17:19

Trump wants to stop ‘meat grinder, ’ Zelensky needs money to continue — Musk

On February 28, Vladimir Zelensky had a meeting with the US President at the White House

Europe risks becoming pawn in new world order, says German expert

According to Carlo Masala, the only alternative for Europe is to become self-reliant

Russia’s air strike destroys dozens of Ukrainian troops in Gulyaipole in Zaporozhye area

The Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike by FAB-1500 and FAB-500 bombs on the Ukrainian army’s deployment and amassment areas in Gulyaipole

Yesterday, 05:09

Trump-Zelensky meeting most disastrous in US history — senator

"President Zelensky showed up in the Oval Office and decided he was there to battle Donald Trump, decided he was there to insult Donald Trump, decided he was there to attack and belittle Donald Trump," Ted Cruz said

No formalized peace plan on Ukraine on agenda yet — Kremlin

The question of the Ukrainian settlement is one of the central international problems of recent years

Two days ago, 16:20

Less than 28,000 Ukrainians mobilized in February with losses of 38,900 troops

Ukraine’s desperate attempts to improve the situation with replacing losses on the line of combat engagement have been unsuccessful, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Europe organizes Ukraine-led crusades against Russia to spite Trump — expert

According to Andrey Bystritsky, the European ruling elite is attempting to ascribe qualities to Ukraine that do not exist

Trump urges US to address domestic issues to 'not end up like Europe'

"We should spend less time worrying about [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, and more time worrying about migrant rape gangs," the US president wrote

Yesterday, 11:21

While US talks about wanting to end conflict in Ukraine, Europe demands war — Lavrov

Lavrov also recalled the opinion of many researchers that over the last 500 years, all world tragedies were born in Europe, the United States did not play the role of instigator

Canada doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine — Trudeau

Prime Minister told it reporters in London following a meeting of Western leaders devoted to the Ukrainian conflict

Putin knows everything about Trump-Zelensky dispute — Kremlin

"He has taken into account what has happened," Dmitry Peskov said

Two days ago, 20:20

‘Unprecedented dressing down’: Russian diplomat on Trump-Zelensky meeting

It "is also indicative of the political weakness and extreme moral degradation of the European leaders who continue to support the maniac leader of the Nazi regime who has lost touch with reality," Maria Zakharova said

Two days ago, 22:47

Tucker Carson urges to ‘start blaming’ Zelensky for serious war crimes

"Over the past three years, with the tacit support of its western patrons, the Ukrainian government has committed a remarkable number of serious crimes," the journalist said

Use of frozen Russian assets is very difficult issue — UK Prime Minister

Keir Starmer spoke against the immediate lifting of anti-Russian sanctions in case of ceasefire

Anora featuring two Russian actors wins Oscar as best picture

Also nominated for the prize were The Brutalist, A Completely Unknown, Conclave

Yesterday, 12:40

Putin congratulates Gunba on his election as President of Abkhazia — Kremlin

Allied and friendly relations between Russia and Abkhazia will be strengthened under the newly elected President, Russian leader said

IN BRIEF: What we know about fire at Ufa oil refinery

A fire was reported at the Ufa oil refinery in the early hours on Monday

Saying that conflict far from over is ‘worst statement’ Zelensky could make — Trump

The US President emphasized that the Kiev government "doesn’t want there to be peace" as long as it has the US backing

Russia says its Buk air defense system destroyed Ukrainian air-launched missiles over DPR

The ministry added that anti-aircraft crews are on 24-hour combat duty

While seeking dialogue with US Russia presses for goals of special operation — Kremlin

"At the same time, Russia continues the special military operation in order to achieve all goals that were set from the very beginning," Dmitry Peskov said

Zelensky unwilling to grasp reality in terms of territorial concessions — Kremlin

"Russian [President Vladimir] Putin has repeatedly stated that any discussions based on the Istanbul agreements must take into account the new realities on the ground," Dmitry Peskov said

Two days ago, 00:36

Musk says time to find out what happened to aid to Ukraine

"Time to find out what really happened to the hundreds of billions of dollars sent to Ukraine," he said

Von der Leyen calls for supplying enough weapons to make Ukraine ‘steel porcupine’

She made the statement following a summit of Western leaders in London

Press review: US-Ukraine clash may affect peace and Europe could support Kiev post-Trump

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 3rd

Russia says Ukraine lost APC in battlegroup East’s area of responsibility

The enemy lost 2 armored fighting vehicles, one MT-LB, an Akatsiya self-propelled artillery unit, said Alexander Gordeyev, a spokesman for the battlegroup

Ukraine’s intelligence says situation near Krasnoarmeysk critical

Earlier, Denis Pushilin, the head of the Donetsk People's Republic, said that Kiev’s forces were trying to counterattack in the areas of Krasnoarmeysk and Dzerzhinsk

Press review: Russia, US take another step to mend ties as Kiev tries to outwit Washington

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 28th

14 Jun 2024, 14:13

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia's plan would mean ending the conflict once and for all, not freezing it

Financing for Kiev discussed in London aims at continuing war — Kremlin

"This is our understanding, and the rest will depend on what peace plans will be drawn up and what peace plans will be put up for debate," Dmitry Peskov noted

Yesterday, 20:50

Hamas refuses to extend first phase of Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel — official

The movement’s senior official Mahmoud Mardawi stressed that the terms of the deal with Israel "cannot be revised" and called on the mediators to "compel the occupational authorities to implement the agreement

Yesterday, 20:35

UK to issue $2 bln loan to Ukraine for military purchases — PM

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also recalled that on Saturday London and Kiev had signed a 2.26 billion pound loan ($2.8 billion) from the frozen Russian assets

Hungary to decide on Russia sanctions depending on guarantees from Brussels — Szijjarto

The Hungarian top diplomat noted that the European Commission "has already violated two out of four commitments"

Russia hammers Ukrainian military airfields, UAV assembly workshops over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 605 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and four armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility

Yesterday, 11:12

Russia, US admit that they cannot think the same, but they must prevent war — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreign Minister, where interests do not coincide, "the duty of responsible powers is to prevent this disagreement from degenerating into confrontation"

Ukrainian army selling US weapons to Mexican cartels, Tucker Carlson says

Earlier, Carlson said that "the Ukrainian military is selling about half of the arms they get from the United States into international black markets

Yesterday, 14:02

Twenty Ukrainian troops convicted in Russia for crimes in Kursk Region

"As many as 332 criminal cases have been initiated on charges of crimes committed by Ukrainian armed units," chairman of the Russian Investigating Committee Alexander Bastrykin said

US ready to resume negotiations on minerals deal with Ukraine

US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stressed that the deal would be "a very positive step forward for all sides"

Yesterday, 10:20

Russian troops defeat Ukrainian forces near Kramatorsk in DPR

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 320 servicemen, four vehicles and five field artillery pieces, including a 155 mm FH-70 howitzer

Yesterday, 12:38

Over 27,000 people recognized as victims of Ukraine’s invasion in Russia’s Kursk Region

Chairman of Russia’s Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin also said that data on the destruction of over 20 cultural heritage sites have been recorded

Yesterday, 11:20

West cannot explain future of Ukraine’s territory, Russian language under peacekeepers

"No other language has been subjected to such aggression," Russian Foreign Minister said

Yesterday, 19:16

EU summit in London decides to continue helping Kiev — UK PM

Keir Starmer reiterated that the United Kingdom and France will begin working with the Kiev authorities on a plan for ending hostilities and later will present this plan to the United States

Yesterday, 10:26

New configurations of US foreign policy largely coincide with Russia’s — Kremlin

"We are voting for a UN General Assembly resolution that contains absolutely balanced wording on the Ukrainian crisis," Peskov noted

Yesterday, 19:07

European Commission chief calls for urgent rearming Europe

Ursula von der Leyen also promised to revise budgetary norms and financial rule in the EU that are controlled by the European Commission

Russian troops advance near three communities at DPR-Zaporozhye border

North of Skudnoye, Russian troops have approached the settlement of Dneproenergiya and begun battles for its liberation, Vladimir Rogov specified

Soyuz-2.1b rocket blasts off from Plesetsk with Russian Defense Ministry satellite

The rocket launch was successful, the Defense Ministry said

Two days ago, 19:14

Up to 150 Ukrainian militants eliminated in Russian strike on testing ground

Russian forces used an Iskander missile system, the Russian Defense Ministry said

If Europe succeeds in getting Zelensky to talks - kudos to it, Kremlin says

The British capital hosted a meeting to discuss peace in Ukraine on Sunday

US to sign metals deal with Kiev when Ukraine has new authorities — Kneissl

The former Austrian foreign minister recalled that in the past Western companies often had problems in Ukraine because of "corruption and the inability to find reliable partners"

Kremlin not commenting on Bild’s report on Nord Stream 2 talks

Dmitry Peskov noted that the information had already been refuted

Trump-Zelensky clash shows how right Putin is regarding Ukraine — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Putin is aware of the details about what happened and took them into account

Collective West is falling apart, but warmongers still strong — Kremlin

"They remain silent on the necessity of negotiating peace terms as soon as possible," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

11 Nov 2024, 14:27

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Ukrainian parliament fails to pass resolution extending Zelensky's powers

There were 218 votes for, eight short of the 226 votes required to pass the resolution

Russian military orbital vehicle successfully enters orbit

A stable communication link with the spacecraft was established and maintained, and its on-board systems are functioning properly, it added

Zelensky not ready to talk peace — White House

US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz emphasized that "time is not on Zelensky's side"

NATO turned into offensive alliance in late 1990s, former U.S. ambassador says

Jack Matlock noted that he had been a participant in the negotiations when the Western countries had promised the leadership of the Soviet Union not to expand NATO to the East European countries

Yesterday, 22:34

US DNI Gabbard sees reality in Ukraine as exact opposite of democracy

Moscow bans nine Japanese citizens, including top diplomat — foreign ministry

The list also includes Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome and former Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda

Goal of Donetsk region liberation unaffected by Kiev's efforts in US, UK — head of region

Denis Pushilin noted that Kiev's actions were being monitored in Donetsk

Yesterday, 23:01

Ukraine won’t make territorial concessions in exchange for peace — Zelensky

Such an agreement would risk causing tensions in the future, he said the Guardian reported

Yesterday, 22:37

Iranian vice president for strategic issues tenders resignation — agency

According to the sources, Javad Zarif asked resignation after Iran’s parliament voted to remove Hemmati from office

Hungary’s Orban to tell EU leaders at March 6 summit that Kiev’s EU accession unrealistic

In Hungary’s view, Orban argued, Ukraine joining the EU any time soon would ruin both the country’s agriculture and the entire European economy

Hungary blocks paper on security guarantees, military aid for Kiev — media

On February 24, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that Hungary would not support the European Union's plan to allocate tens of billions of euros in additional military aid to Ukraine

European leaders decide to continue war in Ukraine — Orban

The meeting in London was attended by the leaders of Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Finland, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden, as well as European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

Two days ago, 18:36

Trump’s entire team supports halting talks with Zelensky — US national security advisor

Mike Waltz added that productive negotiations and a minerals deal would have been a "positive moment for Ukraine

Yesterday, 11:21

Lavrov says Trump is practical person with ‘common sense’ as his motto

According to Lavrov, Trump’s team, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are absolutely reasonable people, that’s why in Riyadh "two serious countries" were able to discuss problems

EU leaders shun Trump, keep making mistakes — Hungarian politician

Mate Kocsis emphasized that EU leaders "should prioritize peace instead of war; engagement with the US instead of conflicts; competitive advantages instead of defense spending"

Paris, London propose partial month-long ceasefire in Ukraine — Macron

President of France also said he hoped communication between US Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky will be restored

Yesterday, 11:07

Ukrainian Armed Forces lost over 240 servicemen in Kursk direction in 24 hours

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the enemy lost more than 64,535 servicemen during the fighting in the direction of Kursk

Trump says stupid to ask whether US sides with Ukraine

Reporter asked if Zelensky thought the US was on his side

Zelensky made last visit to US, from now on Kiev to be represented by military — Kneissl

According to Karin Kneissl, "from a purely legal point of view, Zelensky is no longer president since last May"

Yesterday, 11:11

Trump's common sense says to ‘step aside" from Kiev, Biden's pride prevailed — Lavrov

"It is not for nothing that Donald Trump now constantly says in connection with any conflict, considering US’ position, that there must be common sense," Russian Foreign Minister said

23 Jan 2023, 19:07

Ukraine run by CIA, MI-6 specialists, not Zelensky — former PM

Ukraine’s former Prime Minister (2010-2014) Nikolai Azarov said the Ukrainian authorities are fulfilling ready-made plans "under supervision from Western specialists"

European leaders to meet for Ukraine discussions much more often - Fidan

Turkish Foreign Minister expressed hope that there will be an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, followed by a permanent peace agreement

Putin-Trump summit being expedited now — CNN

On February 12, Putin and Trump talked over the phone

Trump to discuss cutting off aid to Ukraine with team on Monday — newspaper

It is reported that the package of measures may include the suspension or cancellation of military aid to Kiev agreed during the previous US administration

Court sentences two Ukrainian air pilots to terms of up to 26 years for terrorism

The prosecution had asked for a 30-year imprisonment for both defendants each

29 Sep 2015, 03:18

US spend up to $5 billion to overthrow Viktor Yanukovych - Putin

According to Vladimir Putin, the outcome of any actions aimed at overthrowing the legitimate government "is very negative"

China expects sustainable peace in Ukraine — diplomat

On February 28, Zelensky arrived at the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump

Zelensky says ready to sign minerals deal with US

The agreement that’s on the table will be signed if the parties are ready, he went on to say

Trump's argument with Zelensky marks end of collective West — media

The breakdown of the US-European alliance, along with Trump's pursuit of a more limited vision of American interests, suggests that the world is entering a new era, the publication asserts

Yesterday, 16:43

US understands that Putin will not be easy to negotiate with — Rubio

But it wants to try to clarify Russia’s position on settling the Ukrainian conflict, the US Secretary of State said

Yesterday, 09:11

Quick results in Russia-US cooperation should not be expected — Kremlin

Answering a question about possible cooperation on rare earth metals, the Kremlin representative pointed to the position of the US side, which notes that "first a settlement around Ukraine, then the economy"

Zelensky's resignation condition for peace to come — French politician

Florian Philippot pointed out that "high-level calls for Zelensky's resignation were multiplying"

Yesterday, 11:08

UK, Canada, Germany supply the deadliest weapons to Ukrainian Armed Forces

Ukrainian Armed Forces receive drones, which are widely used not only in combat operations, but also in attacks on civilian infrastructure, Alexander Bastrykin said

Yesterday, 15:58

Rubio calls on Zelensky to realize importance of talks on settling conflict in Ukraine

"I hope he comes to the realization that we're actually trying to help his country here before it suffers thousands of more casualties," the US Secretary of State said

Over 30 Kursk Region residents evacuated to Russia from Ukraine — rights commissioner

The Russian citizens were brought back with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the mediation of the Republic of Belarus

Two days ago, 04:34

Russia has won special military operation — Kneissl

"No one expected Russia to be so stable," former Austrian Foreign Minister said

Yesterday, 04:54

Ukrainian attacks on Russian regions kill 652 — top investigator

There were 23 children among them, Alexander Bastrykin said