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Vladimir Putin's annual press conference

Female sports may become extinct with male transgender athletes' arrival, says Putin

Laurel Hubbard, a transgender from New Zealand debuted this year at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in women’s weightlifting competitions

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. The women’s sports may become to be extinct with the arrival of male transgender athletes, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

"A male declares to become a female and competes, let us suppose, in weightlifting or any other sports competition," Putin said during his traditional end-of-the-year news conference in Moscow. "This is the end to female sports [in this case]. Where is a common sense here?"

Laurel Hubbard, a transgender from New Zealand debuted this year at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in women’s weightlifting competitions, but failed to clear the opening stage in the 87-kilograms weight category.

Hubbard, who was a male athlete when he was born and then changed gender to female in 2012, won a silver medal of the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships in the women’s under 90-kg weight category.

Russian President Putin held his customary year-end news conference on December 23. Only 507 reporters were invited this year since restrictive measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 are in effect.

This year his conference kicked off at 12:12 Moscow Time and lasted for 3 hours and 56 minutes. The president fielded the questions of 44 people, focusing on both domestic and international issues.

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Vladimir Putin's annual press conference

Russian football team ends 2024 in 34th place on FIFA World Rankings

The FIFA World Ranking is still topped by Argentina, followed by France in 2nd place and Spain in 3rd place

Putin challenges West to try to intercept Oreshnik missile in Kiev

"Let them choose a target, say, in Kiev, and amass their air and missile defense systems there, while we will launch an Oreshnik missile at the target," the Russian leader said

Putin says he is always ready to talk to or meet with Trump

The Russian leader noted that he did not know when he would meet with the US president-elect

Putin calls issue of Vladimir Lenin’s burial extremely sensitive

"These are certainly not the questions to be addressed during a Q&A session or press conference," the head of state said, commenting on several remarks by a reporter

Russia achieves key objective in Syria — Putin

According to head of state, the groups that fought against Syrian government forces have gone through major internal changes

Russian army’s combat readiness now highest worldwide — Putin

"We are increasing production of everything necessary for our army and navy," the Russian leader said

Armenian Airlines to resume flights to Moscow, other Russian cities on December 20

The airline suspended all flights for aircraft maintenance purposes on October 14

Missing plane’s beacon signal detected in Kamchatka

The plane is yet to be found, Kamchatka emergencies minister Sergey Lebedev said

Putin describes Oreshnik missile as cutting-edge Russian weapon

While Western anti-missile systems have seen "substantial" upgrades, no one will ever be able to shoot down Oreshnik missiles, the Russian leader boasted

Putin says he gained much from former French President Jacques Chirac

The French politician passed away on September 26, 2019, at the age of 87

Israel Defense Forces reports killing two field commanders in West Bank

Tarek Doush was eliminated in a strike by an IDF aircraft, and Dossam Awfi, a significant military operative in the Tulkarm terrorist network, was also eliminated together with two additional terrorists

Massacre staged by retreating Ukrainian troops in Selidovo — report

According to Maxim Grigoryev, videos of interviews with witnesses and preliminary forensic examination of the bodies indicate that most of the victims are elderly women

Putin reflects on his talks with former German Chancellor Kohl

The Russian president praised Helmut Kohl as a "pivotal political figure of our time"

Russian troops advance towards Neskuchnoye in Donbass region

Vladimir Rogov told TASS on December 17 that Russian troops had approached the outskirts of Storozhevoye from the side of the liberated settlements of Makarovka and Blagodatnoye and engaged in battles for that community

High-ranking US diplomat to visit Damascus soon — Axios

According to the portal, United States Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf will pay a visit to Damascus

European nations discussing deployment of up to 100,000 troops to Ukraine — agency

The sources also point out that "the debate so far revealed confusion over whether a future European mission would undertake a traditional peacekeeping role, such as monitoring a ceasefire line, or provide a robust deterrent against" Russia

Ukraine deprives European countries of access to Russian gas — Putin

The Russian leader noted that Ukraine could exist only with support from the West, particularly from Europe

Spain expands deliveries of lethal weapons to Ukraine — Russian ambassador

Yury Klimenko welcomed both the embargo imposed by Spain already after October 7, 2023 on arms shipments to the Middle East conflict zone, and the words of the Spanish prime minister to the international community with a call to follow the example of his country

What is known about apprehension of perpetrator of terror attack on Russian general

The suspect admitted to being recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services

Armenia agrees not to deploy third countries’ forces on border with Azerbaijan — PM

"Once the border delimitation process is over, there will be no need for the presence of third countries’ forces at any sector along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border," Nikol Pashinyan said

Zelensky describes Hungarian PM’s ceasefire proposal as political PR stunt

Vladimir Zekensky claimed that "the Hungarian prime minister has no mandate to hold talks"

Putin shrugs off potential deployment of US THAAD missile defense systems in Ukraine

According to the Russian president, there are a lot of "our men" in Ukraine who want to liberate their country from neo-Nazism and Russia is maintaining ties with them

Lavrov explains Russia’s position on Ukrainian settlement to Swiss counterpart

"The Russian side stressed the inadmissibility of NATO’s eastwards expansion, which was among the key reasons of the current situation, which made the special military operation unavoidable," the statement reads

Orban ready to discuss Christmas ceasefire with Zelensky

The prime minister was asked about this during his speech to the Patriots for Europe faction of Members of the European Parliament, which took place before the EU leaders' meeting

Four new Russian regions moving toward self-sufficiency at a rapid pace — Putin

According to the head of state, tax revenues have seen a consistent increase in absolute figures

Putin says he wells up with pride when Russians succeed, same as with his own family

The president noted that Russia was not just about vast territories but also about its people, history, culture and traditions

Hungary takes US sanctions against Gazprombank as political revenge — Szijjarto

The Hungarian foreign minister stressed that the American sanctions against Gazprombank affected those countries where governments are in power that pursue independent policies

Nuclear doctrine, special op, Oreshnik missile: what Putin said at Direct Line Q&A session

According to the head of state, the situation in the special military operation zone is "changing significantly"

Russian nuclear defense chief's aide Ilya Polikarpov killed in Moscow explosion

Ilya Polikarpov had been involved in humanitarian activities with TASS and the Russian Heritage Foundation

IAEA team travels to Ukraine to assess condition of electrical substations

The inspectors will assess seven electrical substations on which the country’s NPPs allegedly "depend to safely generate electricity," according to the post

Outgoing US administration to continue aid to Kiev until Trump’s inauguration

US administration currently has $5.6 to help Ukraine under the PDA mechanism, and another $1.13 - under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder said

Witnesses confirm involvement of detained suspect in Russian general’s assassination

"The sufficiency of information about the crime and Kurbonov’s involvement is confirmed by testimony from the affected persons and eyewitnesses, crime scene examination, study of material evidence and documents, and other evidence as a whole," according to case files

Putin's message on Moscow’s course in Syria neutral, Russians’ safety is priority — expert

According to Boris Dolgov, external actors should not be discounted either, since "Israel may well expand its zone of occupation, which may cause some kind of response"

Russia’s UN envoy criticizes US for double standards on AI technologies

If US continues with approaches of the past - imposing rules on others while simultaneously freeing themselves from these rules - it will repeat its historical mistakes, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said

Press review: Israel and Hamas near a truce while Zelensky drafts a new negotiation plan

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

FACTBOX: What we know about missing An-2 plane in Russia’s Kamchatka

The An-2 airplane with two crew members and one passenger was transporting 800 kg of commercial cargo on the Milkovo - Ossora route

Medvedev suggests that Elon Musk launch campaign to amend US Constitution

Article II of the US Constitution stipulates that: "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President"

Putin’s proposal for talks meant for Trump, not Zelensky — analyst

"Putin is ready for dialogue, Trump is ready for dialogue, but the dialogue will be hard and tough," Vladimir Zharikhin, deputy director at the Institute of CIS Countries, said

Russia interested in attracting high-skilled professionals — Putin

For doing this a special program has been developed in Russia, though, "probably, not everything works efficiently so far," the Russian president said

Aleppo taken by 350 militants while 30,000 gov’t troops retreated without fight — Putin

The Russian president recalled that no Russian land troops had been deployed to Syria, with Russia having only an airbase and a naval base

Moscow court rules to arrest Uzbek man in Russian general’s assassination case

According to the ruling, Akhmadzhon Kurbonov will be kept in custody until February 17, 2025

BRICS not against West, Putin recalls

"We are not working against anyone; we are working in favor of our own interests and those of the member states," the Russian leader emphasized

Total number of messages to Putin’s Direct Line surpasses 2.5 mln

Meanwhile, the number of messages to the president using social media beat last year’s record

Oreshnik test launch forces London to take a step back — Russian ambassador

According to Andrey Kelin, the UK’s official reaction to the launch of the Oreshnik missile was rather vague

Putin points to growing strength of Russian Armed Forces

The president noted that the 155th Marine Brigade of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, the 810th Marine Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet, and the 76th and 106th airborne divisions were engaged in fighting in the Kursk Region, along with motorized riflemen and mechanized infantry units from the Northern Military District

European Union spends 130 bln euro to support Ukraine — von der Leyen

According to her, the EU accounts for 47% of weapons sent to Ukraine with around 40% being provided by the United States

First days of Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War in pictures

The Great Patriotic War began at 4 am on June 22, 1941, when Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union

Russian, Uzbek security agents work to identify accomplices in general’s killing in Moscow

"The special services of the Republic of Uzbekistan are doing all they can to provide assistance," the agency said

Russia ready to work with UK, but only if interest mutual, says Putin

As the head of state stressed, if that did not happen, Russia would be fine "without our former allies in the anti-Hitler coalition"

Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

It is planned to launch it in general circulation in early 2025

Diplomat calls UN rights commissioner out for hypocrisy over Kirillov killing

The Russian diplomat recalled that a few months ago, when terrorist methods were used in Lebanon to detonate pagers and other electronic devices, the high commissioner himself and OHCHR experts promptly issued condemnations, calling for a thorough investigation of the incident

Sum of fines imposed on Google in three years exceeds $241 mln

Meanwhile, the number of blocked Russian YouTube channels keeps growing, the agency said

Zelensky admits the impossibility of reclaiming Donbass, Crimea

Vladimir Zelensky responded negatively when asked whether Kiev could temporarily abandon its claims to Crimea or Donbass

Venezuela’s Maduro reveals ultra-right plot to trigger civil war in South American nation

Plots and attempts to destabilize the situation in Venezuela had been "foiled by military and police units, as well as judicial and law enforcement forces," Nicolas Maduro stated

Abkhazian lawmaker accused of fatal shooting in the country’s parliament

"Lawmaker Adgur Kharazia, who fled the scene, is suspected of the shooting," acting Interior Minister Robert Kiut said

Press review: EU imposes new anti-Russian sanctions and Russia braces for NATO conflict

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 17th

Ukraine will soon run out of willing fighters, Putin says

The head of state pointed out that ex-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said at some point that Ukraine "needs to keep fighting until the last Ukrainian"

EU determined to keep Russian assets frozen until compensation paid to Kiev — resolution

The decisions of the European Council are legally binding for the EU institutions and all its member states, and can only be revised by a unanimous resolution of another summit

Ukrainian army floundering, while Russian forces continue to advance — Putin

"The enemy is unable to gain a foothold in the positions where it has retreated," the Russian president noted

Russia to combat high inflation — Putin

The President emphasized that Russia took first place in Europe in purchasing power parity, leaving the United Kingdom well behind

Russia’s international reserves up by $3.8 bln to $618.2 bln over week — Central Bank

Russia’s international reserves are highly liquid foreign assets available with the Bank of Russia and the Russian government

Yemeni Houthis say they struck military target in Tel Aviv with drone

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saria added that the unmanned aerial vehicle "has successfully reached its target"

Special military op evolves, Russia liberates territory by kilometers — Putin

The Russian leader characterized what is happening on the line of engagement as "a classic of the development of combat operations"

Western hysteria over North Korea-Russia cooperation proves success — Foreign Ministry

North Korea's Foreign Ministry has criticized the G7 and several Western countries, labeling them "a bunch of thugs," for their statements on cooperation between North Korea and Russia

Putin responds to question about Russia's weakness by quoting Mark Twain

The president noted that Russia had become much stronger over the past two or three years as it became a truly sovereign country

Russia to retaliate to Kiev’s attack by Western missiles on Rostov Region — top brass

The attack was carried out by six US-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles and four Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles

Putin says Russia should have launched special op earlier

The Russian leader recalled that the 2014 events in Crimea had been spontaneous

Ukrainian forces try leaving positions southwest of DPR’s Krasnoarmeysk — security service

It is reported that Ukrainian positions in the settlement are under intense artillery fire by the Russian Armed Forces

German Armed Forces to upgrade its Taurus missiles — report

According to the report, the agreement aims to keep the systems functional so that they can potentially be used in modern conflicts

Strikes on Yemen by Israel, US serve as aggression against all Arabs — Hezbollah

Hezbollah views Israel's actions as a continuation of the war against Lebanon, Syria and Palestine, backed by the Yemeni Houthi rebel Ansar Allah movement, the statement reads

Putin says critics who insult him tell on themselves

According to the Russian president, people do it "because of their impotence"

Russia to invite World War II allies to next year’s Victory Day parade

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the comment following a statement on the subject by Vladimir Putin

Armenian premier sees no reason to preserve OSCE Minsk Group

Nikol Pashinyan told the country’s parliament in June that the OSCE Minsk Group, comprising Russia, the United States and France, de-facto stopped its work after February 2022

No military logic behind Ukraine’s attack on Kursk Region — Putin

Many experts have noted that Ukraine’s "operation" in the Kursk Region is ambiguous in its nature

Ukrainian units in Kurakhovo ordered to hold ground until Trump’s inauguration — official

According to Vladimir Rogov, Russian assault teams in the city continue to advance westward

During Maduro’s inauguration, Russia to be represented at due level — diplomat

The invitation was sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin

Putin suggests Zelensky may flee abroad, says Russia would take him in

"But he will be taken care of by those people whose interests he is serving now," the Russian leader said

Zelensky’s rudeness towards Orban shows lack of culture in Kiev regime — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that the Kiev regime refused to support Viktor Orban’s efforts, while Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the contrary, did support them

Syria’s new leader assures new authorities have no ties to Al Qaeda

"Now I am acting in Syria’s supreme interests," Ahmed al-Sharaa said, adding that he never took part in hostilities in Iraq

West pushing Kiev to continue conflict — France’s Le Pen

Marine Le Pen told the newspaper that she believes US President-elect Donald Trump can get Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky to hold talks and a diplomatic solution will be found

Terror attack on Israeli consulate thwarted in New York

The Times of Israel newspaper reported that the detained suspect was a supporter of terrorist organizations

Russian cosmonauts install X-ray spectrometer on Zvezda module’s exterior

The extravehicular activity is conducted by Ovchinin, who is wearing Orlan-ISS spacesuit No. 5 with red stripes, and Vagner, wearing Orlan-ISS spacesuit No. 4 with blue stripes

Rutte announces launch of Command on Ukraine, calls to refrain from discussing peace

NATO secretary general claimed that Western states should focus on arms shipments to Ukraine

Iraq returns over 1,900 servicemen who fled Syria during opposition’s advance

The Iraqi authorities urged Syria’s current government to ensure the security of the returning military, guarantee their amnesty and reunification with families

Putin to sum up results of outgoing Year of the Family

According to the Kremlin press service, participants will address additional measures of federal support aimed at reversing demographic trends in the country

Press review: Who benefits from Russian general's murder as Trump lacks Kremlin strategy

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

Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

According to the Turkish newspaper, the former Syrian president did it to ensure his own safety

Russian gas importers to receive deferral on payments via Gazprombank until April 1, 2025

Since April 2022, under the presidential decree, buyers from unfriendly countries paid for supplies using special type K accounts in Gazprombank

Putin to take wait-and-see approach with Russian bases in Syria

"The vast majority of the countries of the region tell us that they would like our military bases to stay up in Syria," the Russian president stated

Russian public may one day decide to bury Lenin proper, Putin speculates

The Russian president still noted that "today, especially in today’s Russia, we must not do anything that could divide the country"

Russia to press for return of its diplomatic property under new US government — diplomat

"We remain focused on the issue, so the new administration should be prepared that that we will constantly ‘pester’ them in that regard," Sergey Ryabkov said

US has 2,000 troops in Syria, up from previously reported 900 — Pentagon

Pentagon Spokesman Patrick Ryder did not specify the type of troops that arrived in Syria to fight the Islamic State

Scholz, Trump agree conflict in Ukraine goes on for too long

"The sides paid special attention to the issues of security policy in Europe," German Government Spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said

Putin begins his Q&A session combined with major press conference

According to Alexandra Suvorova, the number of appeals exceeded 2.2 million by the start of the program

Russia will increase its share in global LNG market

The head of state noted that attempts are being made nevertheless to prevent our growth, adding that this is an unfair tool of restraining competition

Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

State trials of S-500 are under way at a testing range in southern Russia

Russian troops liberate two communities in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 520 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy howitzers in its area of responsibility over the past day

Russia getting stronger, will make decisions regardless of opinions of others — Putin

According to the Russian president, the state of the economy and the strengthening of defense capabilities allow Russia to depend little on anyone

Russian forces setting up fire pocket for Ukrainian troops in Kharkov area — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that if the Ukrainian command "does not react to these risks in time," up to a battalion of Ukrainian soldiers will be pushed against the Lozovaya River, cut off from any routes of retreat

US keeps silent its money turns Zelensky regime into terrorist cell — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, the State Department "did not hesitate to include blatant falsehoods in its report"

Oreshnik’s launch is sudden, undetectable by satellites — analyst

The range of the Oreshnik system is up to 5,500 kilometers