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Ukraine closes checkpoints on border with Russia, Belarus

Ukrainian citizens, staying in those countries and willing to return home, will have an opportunity to do so safely and without restriction, Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said

MOSCOW, February 27. /TASS/. Ukraine has temporarily closed checkpoints on its borders with Russia and Belarus, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said on Saturday.

"The government has made the decision to temporarily close checkpoints on the state border with Russia and Belarus," he said. "Ukrainian citizens, staying in those countries and willing to return home, will have an opportunity to do so safely and without restriction."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation in order to protect people "who have been suffering from abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years." The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories. Its objectives are demilitarization and denazification of the country.

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The qualified majority implies that 16 out of the 27 EU member countries, home to over 55% population of the European Union, need to support the move

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First NPP in Belarus significantly strengthened country’s energy security — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader stressed that energy was the guarantor of economic development and a matter of national self-sufficiency

Press review: Trump seeks to pressure Moscow as EU desperate to find funds for Ukraine

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

Anti-drone systems of Rosel holding protect Russia’s infrastructure — Rostec

The state corporation noted that the integrated defense of facilities is based on the principles of long-range detection, identification, tracking, and suppression of enemy drones

EU elites put stake on anti-Russian policy — Russian intelligence chief

Sergey Naryshkin noted that leaders of certain European countries are "in a dangerous situation"

Ex-MMA fighter Monson says it took him some time to become Putin’s supporter

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Maduro vows full effort to protect Venezuela’s sovereignty under any circumstances

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Russian defense technologies unmatched by Western military-industrial complex — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that established industrial production would make it possible to make tens and even hundreds of items per year to provide strategic coverage for all critical areas and facilities in the Russian border regions

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TikTok signs deal to sell its US business — Axios

Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will collectively own 45% of the US entity, nearly one-third of the company will be held by affiliates of existing ByteDance investors, and nearly 20% will be retained by ByteDance

Lukashenko says he cannot be president forever

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West can simply steal countries’ gold and foreign exchange reserves — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader that the country held a record level of gold and foreign exchange reserves at present and suggested rethinking the strategy for managing international reserve assets

UK introduced sanctions against Russian oil producers

In total, restrictions affected 24 legal entities and individuals, including companies from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and the UAE

EU summit communique makes no mention of Russian assets, meeting continues

The European Council press service has not yet provided journalists with even an approximate ending time for the first day’s discussions

Belarus will not completely relocate its factories — Lukashenko

According to the President, agreements on localizing the production of Belarusian tractors and trucks in Vietnam are being implemented

Russian-speaking association carries general elections in Latvia

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Russia alarmed by worsening humanitarian situation in Syria — UN mission

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EU replaced its ‘strategic defeat’ mantra with ‘maximum damage’ — Naryshkin

"They no longer prioritize ‘strategic defeat,’ because they have already realized that it will be impossible, so they want to deal maximum damage to Russia instead," director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said

Russian intel chief reveals recent extended call with MI6 director

Sergey Naryshkin said the phone conversation was held "just a few days ago"

Russia’s Safonov makes history for PSG in FIFA championship win

The Russian national team’s goalkeeper is the first one in history to save four penalties in a row in a match at a FIFA tournament

Karin Kneissl: Zelensky Has No Chance Left

Kremlin gets set to be briefed by US on talks with Ukraine, EU

According to Dmitry Peskov, the Russian side is working on arranging contacts with American counterparts

EU fixated on idea of stealing Russia's money to continue war in Ukraine — Kremlin

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Russian authorities hope for good harvest next year — PM Mishustin

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Lukashenko says he is ‘outgoing’ president

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Four EU officials said that a key point in the discussion was the idea of excluding Hungary and Slovakia from the general debt repayment scheme, as both countries oppose further aid to Ukraine

Intelligence services remain ‘almost sole’ link between Russia, Europe — SVR

Responding to a question about whether the Russian side observes more common sense in the approaches of European countries’ intelligence services than in the activities of their politicians, Sergey Naryshkin noted that "the approaches of intelligence services generally align with the policies of their states"

Russia gradually returning to world sports — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that "this is a welcome process that can only be supported"

Kiev and Europe try to disown compromises of Trump plan, Naryshkin says

"We have seen that in recent weeks both the Kiev regime and its European patrons, contrary to common sense, have been trying to disown those, in my opinion, sound, fair compromises proposed in the so-called Trump peace plan," Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said

Russian military doing everything to celebrate Victory in peace — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that "the Kiev regime continues to demonstrate its true nature"

Belarusian economy remains stable despite sanctions — Lukashenko

The Belarusian president specified that the debt burden is declining, gold and foreign exchange reserves are at a historical high, and confidence in the national currency has deservedly increased

Russia-UK relations head south after Putin's Munich speech in 2007 — foreign intel chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, it has been a gradual process

Russia does not deny anyone right to security, but insists on NATO not expanding — Putin

It was publicly stated that there would be no NATO expansion to the east and the West "couldn't care less" about these promises, the Russian leader noted

Tucker Carlson believes Trump may declare war on Venezuela

The journalist added that he does not know whether the announcement "will actually happen"

Zelensky cannot withdraw troops from Donbass due to nationalist resistance — opposition

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that Western media outlets consistently report significant pressure from Washington on Kiev and Europe regarding this issue

INTERVIEW: Ukraine can return to normalcy when Nazism snuffed out — intel chief

Sergey Naryshkin said "the Ukrainian people must find the strength and will to eliminate the neo-Nazi plague"

Kremlin warns about consequences for masterminds, perpetrators of Russian asset seizure

"Those who made decisions collectively, those who made decisions individually and those who put them into practice will all bear responsibility," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia’s Intelligence Service likens declared unity of West to chimera

"It is based not on the common core interests of the peoples of these countries, but on the megalomania and exclusivity of their elites," Sergey Naryshkin, Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, said

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army’s energy infrastructure over past day

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Georgia's Labor party says accession to NATO detrimental for Georgia.

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Fico highlights need for compromise at European Council

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico repeatedly said that he would refuse to vote for any support for Ukraine's military needs at the summit

Russia welcomes election of Chile's new president — diplomat

Maria Zakharova added that Russia and Chile have been linked by decades of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation

Putin receives random but curated questions from Russians for Q&A session — Kremlin

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EU leaders upset about late start to Brussels summit — media

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US relations thaw proving difficult — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that Russia's principled position, firmly based on the protection of national interests, respect for traditions, and a sustained readiness for pragmatic dialogue, constitutes the only correct approach

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Zelensky admits Biden told him Ukraine would not be brought in to NATO before conflict

Vladimir Zelensky noted that he repeatedly raised the issue with the White House, becoming a kind of running joke among US officials

Trump says US wants back oil rights allegedly taken by Venezuela

"They took all of our oil from not that long ago", US President said

EU leaders discuss ‘uncapped financial guarantees’ to Belgium — Euractiv

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Russia ready to restore intergovernmental trade commission with Slovakia

Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov heads the commission from the Russian side, Maria Zakharova noted

Four US planes spotted again near Venezuela's maritime border — dispatchers

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"We will not interfere and will respect whatever choice they make," Sergey Naryshkin added

Desertion in Ukrainian armed forces grows — Russian intelligence chief

"In contrast to the Ukrainian side, the Russian army is continuously advancing, liberating several villages and cities each week." Sergey Naryshkin stated

Ex-NASCAR racer killed in business jet crash in North Carolina

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EU diplomats do not rule out retaliation against Ukrainian elites by angry mob — SVR

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said that the Mindich-Zelensky case is undermining Ukraine

Durov compares UK’s future to dystopian thriller

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Washington's main concert complex to be renamed in honor of Trump and Kennedy

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Western military presence in Ukraine in any format unacceptable for Russia — MFA

Maria Zakharova stated that such pseudo-peacekeepers would become legitimate targets for the Russian army

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Special customs regime will make Hainan a development leader — expert

Deputy Director of the Swedish Belt and Road Institute noted that the launch of such a regime shows a firm commitment to expanding openness

FACTBOX: S-500 Anti-Aircraft Missile System

The system is being developed with the capability to be operational for the next 25 years

NATO plans confrontation with Russia by 2030 — top defense official

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Ukrainian soldiers’ morale collapses after corruption scandal — SVR

According to the report, an increasing number of newly mobilized troops are deserting their positions, unwilling to risk

US Treasury removes six entities, two individuals from anti-Russian sanctions

The sanctions will no longer apply to Russian citizen Dmitry Bugayenko and Finnish citizen Evgenia Dremova

Russia to boost fertilizer output by 3% to 65 mln tons in 2025

Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers President Andrey Guryev noted that by this figure Russia has surpassed the United States, India, and Canada and has firmly held second place globally behind China for several years

EU leaders looking for ways to finance Ukraine, but Hungary will not support them — Orban

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Corruption scandal fallout, threat to Ukrainian elites — Russia’s SVR statements

According to the intelligence service, the corruption scandal in Ukraine has resulted in "a sharp decline in the morale of Ukrainian troops on the frontlines"

Lukoil left Ghasha concession in the UAE in November — mass media

The Russian company transferred its 10% participation interest to ADNOC

Ukraine’s unused gas in 2013 may cause fines of almost ten billion dollars

Ukraine’s incomplete receipt of gas in 2013 may cause fines of almost ten billion dollars

Whole world, save for Europe, condemns US actions in Caribbean — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister underscored that "all other countries have clearly expressed their positions"

Netanyahu approves record gas deal with Egypt under US pressure — Axios

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Euro democracy in US crosshairs, meddling threat in Russian elections: Lavrov statements

The Russian foreign minister said that the US had sent a strong signal to Europe criticizing the democracy "that is practiced in Europe"

EU countries spend increasingly more for militarization — Russian intelligence chief

This is manifested not merely in statements but also in specific decisions, in budgets approved and in financial resources spent, Sergey Naryshkin noted

Russia, Africa working to increase number of intergovernmental commissions

19 such commissions are already operational

UK 'co-running war' in Ukraine — former French military officer

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Venezuela is Russia’s ally, Moscow, Caracas are in constant contact — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro spoke on the phone on December 11

US aware that continued conflict will end in Ukraine's defeat — intelligence chief

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Russian stock market indices mixed on Thursday — market data

The MOEX Russia Index lost 0.24% to 2,753.07 points

Hostile forces seeking to push Russia from global arena – Putin

"They are still afraid of our nuclear potential because Russia is a strong irritant," he said

Russian troops destroy 67 foreign mercenaries in battles for Yunakovka — defense source

According to the source, they were mostly Colombian nationals

FSB reports thwarting terror plot near administration building in Russia’s Volgodonsk

A female college student with 10 kilograms of an improvised explosive device was arrested

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Bank of Russia lowers dollar rate to 80.03 rubles for December 19

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Russia’s international reserves down $0.5 bln over week to $741 bln

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Further funding for Ukraine risks prolonging conflict with Russia, Hungarian PM warns

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Russian forces holding their positions near Kupyansk, despite Ukraine’s counterattacks

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