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Zelensky-Baerbock meeting cancelled due to disagreements on Nord Stream 2 — reporter

Officially this was described as a scheduling blunder, CNN host Jake Tapper noted

NEW YORK, February 8. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky cancelled his meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock due to disagreements regarding the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and military aid to Kiev, CNN host Jake Tapper tweeted Monday.

"A source close to the Ukrainian government tells me that President Zelensky canceled his meeting today with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock because the FM refused to say Germany would abandon Nord Stream 2 pipeline even if Russia invades, and because of Germany’s refusal to provide any military assistance directly or indirectly to Kyiv," Tapper tweeted.

"Officially this was described as a scheduling blunder but it was not — it was intentional, the source tells me," he added.

"Germany is increasingly viewed more of a Russian ally than a western ally by many in Eastern Europe and Kyiv," the source told the CNN host.

On Monday, Baerbock disclosed that she was unable to meet with Zelensky, because the meeting was also supposed to be attended by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, but the French side had a change of plans.

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Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky

Middle East conflict

Turkey seeks justice against Israel for genocide in Gaza — Erdogan’s Party

Previously, the media reported that the International Criminal Court had issued an arrest warrant for former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for presumed war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024, in Palestine, including in the Gaza Strip

US decision on missile strikes aimed at provoking Russia, expert says

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Official declines to say if US gives Ukraine targeting data for Storm Shadow missiles

US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller also declined to discuss the presumed first strike on Russia with the missiles

Ukrainian frontline may 'collapse' under onslaught of Russian forces — BBC

According to the experts, Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s borderline Kursk Region turned out to be a "strategic catastrophe" amid "manpower shortages"

Ukraine, not Russia, posing a threat to the Baltic region — Kremlin

Two underwater cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea on November 17 and 18

Press review: Russian air defenses can down Western missiles as EU conducts live exercise

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 19th

ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant for alleged crimes in Gaza Strip

The Israeli side's objections concerned the court's jurisdiction over the situation in Palestine in general and Israeli citizens in particular, as well as the right of states to conduct investigations independently before referring cases to the ICC

Biden’s actions increase likelihood of escalation in Ukraine — PM

Viktor Orban asserted that the government’s mission is to prevent Hungary from being dragged into the Ukrainian conflict

Ukrainian special services assemble unit for sabotage attacks in Kupyansk — official

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Moscow hopes West will thoroughly analyze Russia's nuclear doctrine — ambassador

Andrey Kelin also recalled that the policy of the Russian leadership enjoys the full support and confidence of the country's population

Rubicon center drones hit Ukrainian equipment in Russia's Kursk Region

The Russian Defense Ministry released footage showing the destruction of the enemy equipment

Russia counts on West's responsibility in nuclear deterrence issues — Kremlin

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Humanitarian crisis in Kiev-controlled Kupyansk district of Kharkov Region near critical

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Moscow-Washington hotline not in use now — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that there have been no contacts via this new channel lately

Ukraine’s former top commander sought to blow up Turkish Stream pipeline, report says

According to the media, Valery Zaluzhny was so thrilled when he learned of plans to sabotage the submarine Nord Stream pipelines across the Baltic Sea that he sought to expand that operation

Newly arrived Ukrainian soldiers rob, loot in Kharkov Region’s Kupyansk

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Russian forces push Ukrainian troops 10 km away from Lisichansk in LPR — expert

Russian troops have taken new lines and positions northwest of Zolotaryoka as a result of successful operations

Putin previously warned about Kiev's attempts to blow up TurkStream pipeline — Kremlin

According to the newspaper, Zaluzhny was so enthusiastic about the Nord Stream pipelines sabotage that he "even wanted to expand" the operation

Residents of Kupyansk, Kovsharovka in Kharkov Region returning to their homes

People are refusing to go to safer places because of Ukraine's unwillingness to provide basic sanitation for refugees

US decision on strikes inside Russia stems from malice rather than strategy — journalist

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At least 66 people killed in Gaza Strip by an Israeli strike — Al Jazeera

It was also reported that over 100 people were wounded

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Ex-German chancellor never expected Russia to tolerate Ukraine’s NATO membership — memoir

Angela Merkel added that another fallacy was the belief that the status "would act as a deterrent," and that Moscow "would accept these developments without taking action"

Putin sends message to those seeking to 'add fuel to fire' before Trump’s return — expert

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According to Stavridis, the Ukrainian armed forces are facing "mounting personnel losses," while Kiev is growing concerned about the possibility of the incoming US administration

Moscow won’t allow US to silence UNSC as Washington backs Israel — Russian UN envoy

According to Vasily Nebenzya, the Security Council should "bring peace, stability and prosperity to the Middle East"

Trump may soon start talks with Russia following Biden’s decision on ATACMS — news agency

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Russia’s reaction to Austrian OMV’s failure to pay for gas justified — MFA

The company stated it would seek damages amounting to 230 million euro for failing to receive the contracted volume of gas from the Russian company for delivery to Germany

Russian troops liberate Ilyinka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 500 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day

FACTBOX: What is known about UAV attacks on Russian regions

During the night, air defenses intercepted and destroyed two Ukrainian UAVs in the skies over the Rostov and Volgograd regions

US strategic forces ready for Biden-Trump transition — Pentagon

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Captives, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 150 people, while five Ukrainian servicemen surrendered

Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Russian troops liberate Dalneye community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 380 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a British-made howitzer and four US-made artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day

Russian diplomat accuses West of using coercive measures to punish certain countries

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Decision on strikes inside Russia seals US puppet Zelensky’s fate — commentator

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Putin’s Q&A session and press conference to be held on one of December Thursdays — Kremlin

"The direct line and press conference are being prepared," Dmitry Peskov said

US Senate refuses to block arms supplies to Israel

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Muneo Suzuki described Joe Biden’s decision as "dangerous and provocative"

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West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

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Soyuz rocket carrying Progress MS-29 cargo spaceship blasts off from Baikonur spaceport

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Media from unfriendly states will be admitted to Putin's annual press conference — Kremlin

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Russia to use revenues from frozen assets of Western investors — Finance Minister

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Russia must be able to defend itself — Erdogan on revised nuclear doctrine

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Allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with US weapons irresponsible — Slovak PM

Robert Fico noted that authorizing the use of long-range weapons for strikes against Russia would not alter the balance of power in the conflict zone

Kremlin condemns report on Storm Shadow missile use against Russian targets as escalation

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Kiev suffering fiasco on entire front line — aide to DPR head

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China slams US nuclear policy for undermining global stability

The United States continues to modernize its nuclear triad, Lin Jian noted

Humanitarian situation in Gorlovka harsh as Ukraine targets key infrastructure — DPR head

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Putin orders protection of critical infrastructure, including Crimean Bridge — Kremlin

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Canada neglects its sovereignty by approving transfer of land mines to Kiev — diplomat

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Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

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No Western sanctions to limit Russia’s foreign trade — minister

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Russian troops raise flag in central Kurakhovo in Donetsk region — politician

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Press review: US lets Kiev use anti-personnel mines and Iran may halt uranium enrichment

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Weapons supplied to Ukraine cannot reach Russian territory, Spanish defense minister says

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Trump to continue using Ukraine to contain Russia — Valdai program director

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Russian forces dislodge Ukrainian troops from half of positions in Kurakhovo in DPR

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Defeating Ukrainian forces near Olgovskaya wood, enemy losses: situation in Kursk Region

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Zelensky admits Ukraine can't fight its way back to 1991 borders

Vladimir Zelensky also talked about the Crimean Peninsula, stating that Kiev is ready to "bring Crimea back diplomatically"

NATO deployment to Ukraine would mark its entry into the war, Russian diplomat warns

According to Maria Zakharova, the Estonian minister is inciting other NATO members to engage in a venture that is "bound to fail"

Russia to address NATO’s engagement in strikes deep inside country — SVR

Sergey Naryshkin observed that the military and political elites in the West are increasingly recognizing the gravity of Russia's intentions and the need for greater caution in their actions

ATACMS missiles unlikely to keep Kiev from losing conflict — American expert

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Moscow, Minsk in constant contact on potential threats to Belarus — Kremlin

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US vote at UNSC rejected chance of stopping 'horrific bloodshed' in Gaza, Russian MFA says

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Romanian presidential candidate vows to end military aid to Ukraine

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NATO enters conflict, Russia has every right to attack its targets now — expert

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Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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Japanese lawmaker praises Putin's restraint amid decision to strike deep into Russia

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China holds US responsible for disrupted defense ministers' meeting in Laos

Wu Qian stated that the United States must immediately correct its mistakes, "honestly respect China’s main interests, and seek to create favorable conditions for high-level contacts between the military of the two countries"

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

US uses veto right to block new UN Security Council draft resolution on ceasefire in Gaza

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Gallup poll shows sharp decline in Ukrainian support for American policies

The number of people who oppose what the US authorities are doing has risen by 21% and now stands at 37%

Biden's decision on missile strikes on Russia is his 'last gasp' — Japanese lawmaker

Earlier, Muneo Suzuki emphasized on his blog that the decision that this decision by Biden on the tail-end of his presidency looked like "a last gasp"

Xi Jinping calls for unification of more voices for peace in Ukraine

"We need to bring together more voices of peace and pave the way for a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis," Chinese president said

Preliminary data shows anti-ship missile downed over Sevastopol waters — official

Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said that all emergencies services currently work in the high alert mode

Russian troops advance in areas north, south of Velikaya Novoselka in DPR — official

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