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Events in Ukraine ‘resurrected’ NATO, ‘awakened’ EU — French Foreign Minister

According to Jean-Yves Le Drian, "Europe has asserted itself as a power, remained united and proved that it can swiftly make even long-reaching decisions"

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian EPA-EFE/KIMMO BRANDT

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian

© EPA-EFE/KIMMO BRANDT

BERLIN, April 5. /TASS/. Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine has already caused three main consequences: ‘awakening’ of the EU, ‘resurrection’ of NATO and cohesion of the Ukrainian nation, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in an interview for Die Welt, published Tuesday.

"It [operation] has caused awakening on three directions. First, it has reinforced the Ukrainian nation," Le Drian said. "Second, it has led to an awakening inside the EU."

According to the top diplomat, "Europe has asserted itself as a power, remained united and proved that it can swiftly make even long-reaching decisions."

Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister emphasized that this is not the same Europe that was before the Russian operation in Ukraine.

According to Le Drian, the EU decided to put an end to its energy dependence from Russia and to reinforce its defenses, by approving the first defense strategy of the Union - the EU Strategic Compass - and by establishing its rapid response forces.

"And, last but not the least: the war has also resurrected NATO," Le Drian concluded.

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The embassy noted that Minsk resolutely rejects Washington’s attempts to meddle in its domestic affairs by holding a "second strategic dialog" with opposition members residing outside Belarus

Russian army captures soldiers of Ukrainian presidential brigade

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Syrian forces push militants back from city of Hama — newspaper

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Lavrov’s interview with Tucker Carlson turns out very interesting — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, the interview is currently being translated and will be released in a couple of days

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The Ukrainian army lost a total of more than 37,935 servicemen since the start of the hostilities

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US seeks to preserve its occupation of northeast Syria — Russia’s UN envoy

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Russia develops new-generation Kedr strategic missiles system

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Syrian troops regain control over several districts northeast of Hama

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Russia strongly condemns terrorist incursion in Syria — envoy to UN

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NATO countries want Ukraine to fight until the last young soldier — Szijjarto

The minister noted that the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels will continue on Wednesday

US journalist Carlson says he arrived in Moscow for interview with Russia’s top diplomat

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Russian Embassy in UK brands Starmer’s hints at talks on Ukraine as hypocritical

The Russian diplomatic mission stressed that "a genuine peace in Ukraine may be achieved exclusively by eradicating the crisis’ root causes, the shaping of which was greatly contributed to by the British and their allies

Kremlin spokesman sees no grounds for Russia-Ukraine negotiations so far

Dmitry Peskov added that number of countries have already offered to host such talks, including Qatar

Europe quietly prepares for World War III — Newsweek

Europe’s preparation for war with Russia is visible through increased defense spending in certain countries, the article says

Oreshnik missile proves all of Ukraine within Russia’s weapons reach — expert

Ou Si-Fu stated that the purpose of using the latest system was to "demonstrate the capabilities of new types of offensive weapons, which the Ukrainian side cannot counter, and that the whole of Ukraine is within Russia's strike range"

Relations between Armenia, CSTO passed point of no return — Pashinyan

According to the Armenian Prime Minister, Yerevan suspended its participation in CSTO because of the absence of the "appropriate reaction" to the "external aggression at the borders of sovereign Armenia in 2021 and 2022"

Escalation in Syria clearly involves Ukrainians — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova ighlighted reports suggesting that the Kiev regime's security services are collaborating with terrorists, supplying them with drones and sharing expertise in their use

Putin questions logic behind Volkswagen leaving Russia

The Russian president stressed that Russia allowed its German partners to operate under free market conditions in the country

Russian Navy, Aerospace Forces launch precision missiles in Mediterranean drills

All the designated targets were engaged by direct hits

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Vladimir Rogov said earlier that the liberation of that settlement would deny the Ukrainian army the possibility to relocate units directly between Solntsevka in the north and Kurakhovo

CSTO to hold drills in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan in 2025 — bloc’s chief

"I should also note that the Kyrgyz Defense Ministry takes a very responsible approach towards holding such drills and I am deeply convinced that the exercises which will run on the territory of Kyrgyzstan in 2025 will also be held at a very high organizational level," Imangali Tasmagambetov said

No discussions of NATO invitation for Ukraine, only weapons supplies — bloc’s chief

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reiterated that NATO allies agreed that "the future of Ukraine is in NATO"

Ukrainian army to draft all men soon, officer warns

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Russian MiG-31I jets with Kinzhal missiles take part in Mediterranean drills — top brass

The Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces are conducting their joint drills with the observance of international law and agreements with foreign states on the prevention of incidents at sea beyond the territorial waters and airspace above them, the ministry said

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Lavrov dismisses West's ceasefire idea: 'not a path to peace'

According to the top Russian diplomat, Moscow is ready for an honest discussion

Russian troops liberate two communities in Donbass area, Zaporozhye Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 370 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy ammunition depot over the past day, the ministry reported

Georgian ruling party leader Garibashvili quits his party — TV

No further details were provided

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In these conditions, Russia was forced to retaliate, the president stressed

Russia traps Ukrainian forces at Kurakhovo pipe plant — security services

The report clarified that the Ukrainian armed forces in this frontline area are being pressured by Russian troops from the north, south, and east

Top German diplomat says Berlin could send peacekeepers to Ukraine — agency

Annalena Baerbock also believes that along with security guarantees for Ukraine in the form of NATO membership, "international presence aimed at ensuring a ceasefire" could be considered

Iran’s senior military commander, Belousov discuss ways of countering terrorists in Syria

"Syria's neighbors should take the necessary measures to prevent terrorists from receiving external assistance," Lieutenant General Mohammad Bagheri said

Strategic defeat would mean destruction for Russia, Putin says

The head of state thanked the troops participating in Russia’s special military operation for rising up to defend the country this time

South Korean government agrees to lift martial law — Yonhap

In a televised address, the President Yoon Suk Yeol pledged to support the corresponding ruling of the parliament

Russian forces take up positions in downtown Kurakhovo in DPR — activist

Vladimir Rogov told TASS earlier that Russian troops had moved past the city center in Kurakhovo to fight in the city’s west

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The ruling party and the opposition condemned this decision

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Earlier, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the imposition of martial law

Tucker Carlson says US embassy in Kiev barred Zelensky from doing interview with him

The journalist added that Vladimir Zelensky was permitted to have a conversation with CNN, but not with him

Thirteen more global brands to enter Russian market

The companies have confidentiality clauses when they make deals, so sparse details can be offered, including timelines for market entry, Marina Malakhatko said

Russia 'making gains' along entire frontline, NATO chief says

Mark Rutte once again called on NATO countries to increase weapons supplies to Kiev

FACTBOX: Central Bank chief highlights key rate, inflation

The key rate is a strong tool to counter inflation and it helped to "prevent entering an inflation spiral"

Zelensky softens rhetoric on territorial concessions to Russia — web portal

According to the report, the rhetoric has changed as Russian troops break through Ukrainian defenses on their increasingly rapid westward advance

Russian ombudsman publishes list of 630 POWs Kiev refuses to take back

Tatyana Moskalkova pointed out that these POWs have been in Russian captivity for over one year

Over 300,000 personnel undergo combat training for Ukraine operation — Russia’s top brass

Military instruction pays special attention to servicemen’s individual training

World is now closer to nuclear war than ever before — US journalist Carlson

No one in Washington "is working to make sure that this conflict doesn’t become a nuclear holocaust," the journalist said

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According to Ralph Bosshard, "statements by leading European politicians will become more extreme as Ukraine’s defeat in the war draws nearer"

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South Korea’s largest trade union to go on indefinite strike until president resigns

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Syrian army takes control of Hama city’s outskirts — TV

According to the broadcaster, there are no militants left in the area and security is fully ensured by Syrian forces

Russia to hold several conversations on situation in Syria — Foreign Ministry

Syria has been in conflict since 2011

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Syrian forces break through encirclement in coordination with Russian military

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Russian Su-34 bomber destroys Ukrainian armor by glide bombs in Kursk area

The Su-34 frontline bomber delivered the strike by aerial bombs with the unified glide/adjustment module, the ministry specified

Bank of Russia assumes possibility of key rate lifting in December

The 15th VTB Russia Calling! Investment Forum is being held on December 4-5 in Moscow. TASS is the information partner of the forum

West does not share advanced equipment fearing it may end up in Russia — Ukrainian expert

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"The interview will be released in the coming days," Maria Zakharova added

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"Such things are done from a strong position. Now, Zelensky has led the country to a state where such a position has been lost, regrettably," the Ukrainian lawmaker said

Nearly third of those identified at protests in Tbilisi are foreigners — ruling party

The current wave of protests was sparked by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's statement on November 28 when he said that the ruling Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia party had decided to postpone any talk about launching accession negotiations until late 2028 and decline any funding from the European Union

Trump reportedly has three plans for Ukraine, one drafted by VP-elect Vance — Reuters

According to the report, alongside Vance's plan, Donald Trump is reviewing settlement proposals from Keith Kellogg, whom he proposed as his assistant and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia

Telecommunications cable between Sweden, Finland disrupted, newspaper reports

According to the report, it was a submarine internet cable

Russia's test of Oreshnik missile proves lack of trust in West — diplomat

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Trump must restore relations with Russia to end Ukraine conflict — expert

Alexander Dynkin described the "the first minimal but extremely necessary steps" for Washington

Russians to receive a record $66.7 bln in 2024 — VTB

The tax on gains from deposit interest will remain at the level of 13-15%, Dmitry Breitenbikher noted

NATO may offer Ukraine deferred membership in 2025, top Portuguese diplomat says

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NATO chief says bloc needs to be sure Ukraine has enough people to send to fight

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Siberian cat Putin gave as a gift to governor of Akita Prefecture in 2012 dies in Japan

Over the 12 years of his life, Mir was treated like a member of Norihisa Satake's family

Press review: South Korean crisis deepens as Kremlin rules out talks with Kiev

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 4th

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Opposition party leader Nika Gvaramia detained in Georgia

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MEP says that Zelensky himself does not believe in military solution in Ukraine

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Russia never rejected dollar — Putin

"We were denied of its use but the denial, as our saying goes - they got what they fought for," the Russian leader said

Swiss court to review Nord Stream 2 operator’s debt

The bankruptcy procedure for Nord Stream 2 AG has been renewed until January 2025. Transliq AG remains the temporary administrative receiver

Iraq sends tank units to reinforce border with Syria

The spokesman Yahya Rasul denied reports alleging that some PMF units crossed into Syrian territory

Ukraine to make concessions to Russia under Trump’s plan — agency

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West seeks to shift blame for its Ukrainian madness onto Ukrainians — Russian diplomat

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Russian troops enter Novy Komar settlement in DPR — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, Russian troops have liberated approximately 20 square kilometers north of Velikaya Novoselka, near the village of Razdolnoye

Only quarter of Western companies leave Russian market — Putin

The Russian leader noted that "despite political pressure, many partners, including from Western Europe and the United States, remained on the Russian market"

Georgian president unable to become opposition leader — prime minister

Irakli Kobakhidze recalled that Salome Zourabichvili’s presidential term expires on December 29

Initiators of South Korean martial law fail to subjugate whole army — TV channel

According to the report, Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun proposed the idea to President Yoon Suk Yeol

US is going bankrupt fast — Elon Musk

US entrepreneur, along with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswami, will head the newly created "Department of Government Efficiency" in Donald Trump’s administration

South Korea’s defense minister apologizes to citizens, resigns — media

According to media reports, it was Kim Yong Hyun who advised the president to impose martial law

Russian MFA says Malta canceled visa for its spokeswoman ahead of trip to OSCE meeting

It happened just as the Russian delegation was about to board a flight from Moscow, the ministry said in a statement

Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, satellite reconnaissance failed to detect the launch and flight of this missile

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Authorities order evacuation from 180 settlements in Ukraine Sumy Region — official

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Russia hammers Ukrainian military airfield infrastructure over past day — top brass

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South Korean opposition tells president to resign, threatens to impeach him — Kyodo

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Ukraine leaves first line of defense due to risk of encirclement of Nadiya in LPR — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that the enemy units have begun to rapidly reinforce their positions near the Pershotravnevoye-Raigorodka motor road

South Korea’s national security adviser resigns — Yonhap

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Russian forces take control of LPR administrative border near Stelmakhovka — expert

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