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Putin-Biden phone call planned for December 30 — White House

The statement underscores that Washington "continues to engage in extensive diplomacy" with European Allies and partners, while "consulting and coordinating on a common approach in response to Russia’s military build-up on the border with Ukraine"

WASHINGTON, December 29. /TASS/. US President Joe Biden plans to have a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday, says White house National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said Wednesday, adding that the US leader intends to discuss a number of topics including the upcoming diplomatic contact with Russia.

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Putin’s phone call with Biden scheduled for late Thursday evening — Kremlin

"President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will hold a phone call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Thursday, December 30, 2021 to discuss a range of topics, including upcoming diplomatic engagements with Russia," Horne said in a written statement, published on Twitter.

The statement also underscores that Washington "continues to engage in extensive diplomacy" with European Allies and partners, while "consulting and coordinating on a common approach in response to Russia’s military build-up on the border with Ukraine."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS that the phone call between the two leaders is planned for Thursday evening.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacks Israeli airbase in Eilat

The news outlet said that on Saturday, the movement launched a missile at Israel’s port of Haifa on the Mediterranean

Russia not depending on foreign gas turbines anymore — Rostec

"Two plants were constructed in Crimea and one in the Taman Peninsula - the Udarnaya, which we will launch in full as early as in this year," Sergey Chemezov noted

Russian forces knock out Ukrainian troops from two strongholds in LPR — expert

The situation near Belogorovka remains "stably tense," Andrey Marochko said

US election results to not affect desire to inflict strategic defeat on Russia — Lavrov

No matter who wins the election, Russia is "by and large the enemy," the minister said

Russian troops seize Ukrainian T-64 tank near Ugledar in DPR

The Ukrainian crew had the time to leave the vehicle while the tank was evacuated and is currently under repairs

DPR city significantly damaged in fighting, leader reports

According to Denis Pushilin, the enemy has installed major fortifications in Ocheretino

Russia puts Ukraine’s former top security official, ex-top diplomat on wanted list

The Russian Interior Ministry’s database does not specify the crime of which Alexey Danilov is suspected

Ukraine lost best fighters near Artyomovsk, retired general says

Sergey Krivonos added that relocation of troops from one direction to another will not solve Ukrainian forces’ problems, and that each fighter should be used according to their specialization

Israeli army detects launch of 40 munitions from Lebanon

In response, the IDF struck the sources of the fire

China to look for ways of settling Ukrainian crisis jointly with France — Xi

Xi arrived on a state visit in France on Sunday

Russian President Putin attends Easter service at Christ the Savior Cathedral

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin attended the service together with Putin

Israeli army says three servicemen killed in southern Gaza Strip

Another 11 servicemen were wounded

Death toll in Israeli army attack on Rafah up to 21

Children were among the victims, Al Jazeera reported

Israeli forces face resistance in West Bank raids

According to the Al Jazeera TV channel, the raids took place mainly in the cities of Silwan, Tubas, Tulkarem and Hebron

Almost 34,600 Palestinians killed in Gaza since last October — Health Ministry

77,765 people have been injured

US confirms Russian troops enter US base in Niger

News of the Russian deployment to the airbase follows after Niger’s military rulers told Washington in March that it must withdraw the nearly 1,000 US military personnel stationed in the country

Military attaches visit trophies exhibition on Poklonnaya Hill

The Russian Defense Ministry opened an exhibition of trophy equipment in front of the Victory Museum on May 1

Ukrainian troops attack Easter procession near monastery in DPR

It is noted that there have been no casualties

US may send troops to Ukraine if Kiev defeated, Democratic leader says

The US House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also pointed out that a pro-Russian faction in the Republican Party is gaining momentum, which he accused of delaying the approval of additional funding for Kiev's military needs

FSB detains Tambov resident for plotting terrorist attack on court buildings

Russian Railways employees inspecting areas adjacent to the Tambov train station noticed a suspicious man placing something into a pile of construction debris

Involvement of US nuclear potential in drills around DRPK affects Russia’s interests

Vasily Nebenzya noted the militarization of the region with direct involvement of Washington and other NATO member states, "located tens of thousands of kilometers away from North Korea"

Russia working to bring senior Ukrainian officials before tribunal, diplomat says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, "the official process is underway with the Russian Interior Ministry beginning to determine those to be placed in the defendant pool"

Ukraine’s military loses 8 drones, 33 UAV control posts in Kherson area over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 45 personnel, a US-made 155mm M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, a US-made 155mm M777 howitzer and a 122mm D-30 howitzer in the Kherson direction over the past 24 hours, the ministry reported

Israeli army begins evacuation of civilians from Rafah

Civilians are being urged to move to an expanded humanitarian zone in the al-Mawasi and Khan Younis areas, the paper notes

Russian services PMI index down to 50.5 points in April

The PMI value above 50 points is indicative of the business activity growth and the value below that level flags its slowdown

Ukraine presumably used US-made Excalibur shell for strike at Tokmak

Ministry of Emergency Situations employees continue to remove the debris

Russian troops wipe out German-made IRIS-T air defense system over past day

The Ukrainian army lost over 350 personnel and several items of military hardware in battles with Russian forces in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Putin’s trip to China will rivet world’s attention, Kremlin spokesman predicts

The countries will jointly announce the time of this trip, Dmitry Peskov said

Ukrainians trying to leave country into Moldova — border guard service

Andrey Demchenko from the State Border Guard Service added that the border guard service is trying to thwart such escape attempts in cooperation with Moldovan counterparts

Russian forces carry out 25 group strikes at energy, military industrial facilities

The Russian Defense Ministry noted that the strikes also hit temporary deployment locations of Ukrainian neo-Nazi militias and foreign mercenaries, as well as concentrations of military vehicles

Russian troops liberate Ocheretino community in DPR — top brass

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Avdeyevka area over the past 24 hours amounted to 380 personnel, a US-made Abrams tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, including a US-manufactured Bradley

Hamas confirms its readiness to reach ceasefire agreement with Israel

According to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas delegation has arrived at the current talks "with a positive mood and flexible positions"

Fire gutting German plant of industrial group making IRIS-T air defense systems

The Diehl Group also makes ammunition and communications systems

Blasts reported in Kharkov

An air raid alert has been declared in the Kharkov Region

Shiite units clam to have attacked Israel’s Haifa

Israel neither confirmed nor refuted this information

Swiss president does not confirm Pope Francis’ participation in meeting on Ukraine

According to the Swiss president, she was received by the pontiff on May 4 and they had "an interesting conversation in a cordial atmosphere"

Kyrgyz president to attend SEEC meeting, Victory Day parade in Moscow

According to Muratbek Azymbakiev, report "on the implementation of strategic directions for Eurasian economic integration until 2025" will be presented to the heads of state at the SEEC meeting

South Korea-Russia relations were not doomed to worsen because of Ukraine, says expert

According to Park Byung-hwan, director of the Eurasian Strategy Research Institute, countries in their relations with each other are not guided by morals, but only pursue state interests

France preparing contingent of 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine — intelligence chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French military "fears that such a large military unit cannot be transferred and stationed in Ukraine unnoticed"

Putin congratulates Orthodox Christians on Easter Sunday

Russian President also emphasized the "constructive, productive activity of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian confessions" that preserve Russia's historical, cultural and spiritual heritage

Russia’s Rublev wins 2024 Madrid Open title

Russian tennis star has defeated Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime

After drone attack on Kremlin Russia has no choice but to eliminate Zelensky — Medvedev

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, according to Dmitry Medvedev, "is not even needed for signing an instrument of unconditional surrender"

President of Laos to visit Russia on May 7-11 — Foreign Ministry

The presidents of Russia and Laos last met on October 17, 2023, in Beijing, where they both participated in the Belt and Road International Forum

Retaking Chasov Yar is just a matter of time for Russia — Ukrainian intelligence

Vadim Skibitsky admitted that the Russian forces now operate as a "single body, with a clear plan, and under a single command"

Xi says hopes his visit to France will help strengthen trust between countries

The two leaders last met in April 2023, when Macron visited China

Russia not initiating severing of relations with Baltic States — diplomat

"It is highly undesirable to come to this point," Maria Zakharova said, adding that Russia would continue to use diplomatic measures of influence

Criminal case opened against Zelensky, arrest warrant issued — police database

According to the entry, Zelensky is wanted over a Russian Criminal Code article

Ukrainian authorities talk about negotiations guided by public sentiments — experts

Political researcher Oleg Posternak noted that the authorities constantly carry out sociological public opinion surveys, see the dynamic and adjust their statements in accordance with the poll results

Russian troops to practice employing non-strategic nuclear weapons in missile drills

The missile drills will aim to maintain troop combat posture and will also come as a response to inflammatory statements and threats by some Western officials against Russia, the ministry specified

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

Former US President will not reveal it until the election, the Daily Telegraph reported

Death toll from drone attack on minivans in Russia’s Belgorod Region rises to seven

Also, 15 employees sustained wounds of varying severity

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

Russian citizen Vinnik pleads guilty in US court in money-laundering case

His attorney said that his jail term should be less than 10 years

Al Jazeera to continue covering Gaza conflict despite Israeli ban

The network also said that following searches by Israeli police at its offices in Jerusalem, "the channel went dark"

Europe does not create preconditions for interest-based dialogue with Russia — Lavrov

"If they are ready to base their cooperation not on the balance of power, but on the balance of legitimate interests, then a promising conversation can take place," the minister said

Talks on Gaza end in Cairo, Hamas delegation returning to Doha — TV

The movement’s delegation is returning to Doha, no further details were gven

Press review: Biden losing traction amid student protests and EU's right-wing prospects

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 3rd

Niger says Russia supplied military equipment, humanitarian aid

According to the Tele Sahel TV channel, Russia has sent several instructors as well

Russia puts former former Ukrainian Interior Minister on wanted list

The Russian Interior Ministry’s database does not specify under which article Arsen Avakov is wanted

Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

Russia has "very constructive and friendly relations" with Turkey, Dmitry Peskov stressed

French President Macron says dialogue with Russia must be continued

Emmanuel Macron also said that technical capabilities and the striking range of Russian ballistic missiles endangered European countries

Al Jazeera Media Network condemns ban on its operation in Israel

The Israeli government earlier made a decision to shut down the Al Jazeera television channel in the country

Israel not to accept Hamas reestablishing control over Gaza — Netanyahu

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that his government is doing its best to see the release of the hostages held in the enclave, maintaining that it is Palestinian radicals who are blocking the talks by making unacceptable demands

Our Lady of Kazan icon transferred to Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral

On November 4, 2023, when Russia celebrated National Unity Day, the patriarch declared that the oldest copy of the Our Lady of Kazan icon, which was believed lost, had been found

US creating NATO bases in Ukraine under guise of training centers — Belarusian president

"Unfortunately, the Ukrainian authorities don't care a bit about their own people and they don't hear our concerns," Alexander Lukashenko noted

End-of-conflict issue becomes stumbling block in Israel-Hamas deal — media

According to the Axios news outlet, Hamas wants guarantees that the fulfillment of all the terms of the deal will lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not agree

West recognizes deteriorating situation in Ukraine — Lavrov

Western countries need to think how not to lose to Russia in the conflict, the minister said

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns troops about 'new round of war' coming

Previously, Russian Defense Minister Sergey announced, that, in 2024, the Ukrainian armed forces lost over 111,000 troops and 21,000 weapons and vehicles

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

EU's handling of Ukrainian refugee issue could lead to new crisis, says Russian official

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, European Union countries would like "to get rid" of refugees because supporting them has taken a toll on the economy

Algeria requests UNSC session on mass graves in Gaza — source

Earlier UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for an independent investigation into the tragedy

At least 20 missiles fired by Hamas, Hezbollah at Israel, several people hurt — media

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed reports about the shelling attack on Kerem Shalom

Dollar will be worth nothing unless issue of country’s national debt solved, Musk says

Earlier, Vitor Gaspar, director of the International Monetary Fund’s Fiscal Affairs Department, said that the growth of the US national debt spurred side effects across the globe

Top Turkish diplomat warns about more wars in Gaza if two-state solution is not reached

Turkey has repeatedly stressed that the only way of settling the conflict between Israel and Palestine is to establish an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with the capital city in East Jerusalem

Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacks Israeli airbase in Eilat

The news outlet said that on Saturday, the movement launched a missile at Israel’s port of Haifa on the Mediterranean

Any aggression against Crimea to be met with crushing retaliation — Russian MFA

In recent days, Maria Zakharova continued, Ukrainian forces "have been seen using several US-made ATACMS long-range missiles, which were secretly received a month ago, against Crimea"

Swiss conference to be showcase for Zelensky's failed peace plan — Medvedev

"It will allow our armed forces to continue cleaning the territory of Novorossiya from neo-Nazis without interference and without looking back at someone's moronic 'peace initiatives,' and all of us - to carry out meticulous work on the speedy return of our ancestral territories to Russia," Dmitry Medvedev pointed out

Top UK diplomat knows nothing of repentance, Lavrov says

David Cameron "reiterated his position that British weapons can be used by the Ukrainians to attack any target on Russian territory," the minister emphasized

UAE deliver 400 tons of food to Gaza Strip

UAE has delivered more than 31,000 tons of humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, to the Palestinian enclave since October 2023 when the current spiral of escalation began

Russia holds final rehearsal of Victory Day Parade on Moscow’s Red Square

Participants in the special military operation in Ukraine will also march across Red Square

President of Guinea-Bissau to attend Victory Day parade in Moscow - embassy

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said more than 9,000 people, aircraft and 75 units of military equipment will take part in the parade on Red Squar

FSB eliminates Ukrainian saboteur who arrived in Russia from Lithuania

The saboteur was caught emptying yet another cache full of weapons outside Gatchina in the Leningrad Region which he was planning to use in an attack at a fuel depot in the Tosno District in the same region

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

‘Peace formula’ on Ukraine to succeed if West halts arms supplies — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted remarks by Josep Borrell who asserted that without Western arms supplies Kiev would capitulate in two weeks

Holy Fire from Jerusalem delivered to Christ the Saviour Cathedral

The service is conducted by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill

Immortal Regiment event held in Tokyo

The event included the official part, a concert of war-time songs and a procession

Dollar up to 91.65 rubles, euro up to 98.88 rubles on Moscow Exchange

The yuan rate remained unchanged, trading at 12.696 rubles

Hamas doesn’t want to reach agreement with Israel — Israeli defense minister

According to the minister, the Israeli army is ready to continue combat operations in the entire Gaza Strip, including in Rafah

UN stands up for press freedom, spokesman says

A free press provides an invaluable service to ensure that the public is informed and engaged, Stephane Dujarric said

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Lavrov slams Europe’s striving to isolate Russia as silly

It demonstrates the quality of decisions passed by European politicians in the west of the continent, Russian Foreign Minister said

Russia adds another former Ukrainian minister to its wanted list

The Russian Interior Ministry’s database does not specify under which article Yury Stets is wanted

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

Lavrov characterizes Europe's economic problems due to US pressure as ‘monstrous’

Using Germany as an example, the minister recalled that the prosperity of the European industrial complex is largely based on Russian energy resources

Israeli Air Force intercepts drone approaching from east

No injuries or damage were reported, the army’s press service said

Kenya flood death toll reaches 228

The situation is expected to worsen in lowland and coastal areas, and landslides and mudslides may also occur in areas with steep slopes and ravines, the country's Interior Ministry said

Andrey Rublev now ranks sixth in ATP rating

He won the 2024 ATP Madrid Open on May 5

Russian mortars destroy Ukrainian stronghold in Donetsk area — top brass

After the first round, the drone operator made an adjustment, followed by the second and third rounds, and the target was hit, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Czech government officially recalls ambassador from Russia — news agency

The foreign minister also said that Jan Ondrejka will not take part in the upcoming inauguration of Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 7, citing the current state of bilateral relations

Russia launches production of smartphones with protection against data leakage

A special feature of AYYA T1 is the impossibility of unauthorized data collection by cameras and microphone thanks to the option of their hardware shutdown

Final report on 2019 Aeroflot Superjet 100 crash in Sheremetyevo complete — IAC

The Committee underscored that, during the investigation, all hazard factors are being forwarded to the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport (Rosaviatsiya), the designers, the producers and the users of this type of aircraft