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Turkey expects NATO to understand its security concerns — President Erdogan

The Turkish president claims that Ankara has no claims to foreign territories, but it is paramount for the country to safeguard national security

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

© AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici

ANKARA, May 18. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expects that NATO will show an understanding about such sensitive for Ankara issues as security and border protection, Erdogan said in the parliament on Wednesday.

"NATO is taking steps to expand its eastern flanks. We see that amid the Ukraine crisis, somebody is greeted with a [warm] embrace and is shown goodwill. As a NATO ally, we have been combatting terrorism for years, but have not seen such an attitude towards us. We expect our allies to understand our sensitivity, to respect and possibly to support us," Erdogan said at the meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party, which he heads.

The Turkish president claims that Ankara has no claims to foreign territories, but it is paramount for the country to safeguard national security.

"We have no claims to foreign territories. We are determined to eradicate the origins of what poses a threat to our security," Erdogan said referring to the Turkish military operations against Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria.

"Have not our NATO partners channeled weapons and ammunition to the terrorist organizations whose activities target Turkey?" the president asked rhetorically.

Erdogan has repeatedly castigated NATO for the refusal to help fight Kurdish separatists near the Turkish borders.

Having joined NATO in 1952, Turkey is one of its oldest members, with the second-largest army in the alliance.

Israeli military says it recovered body of hostage who was captured in October 2023

"We will continue to act decisively and tirelessly for the return of all our abductees, both the living and the dead," the Israeli prime minister went on to sa

US, Europe did not yet take last step to steal Russia’s assets — Putin

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

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

Russia ready to bury the hatchet with Georgia, needs to see desire from Tbilisi — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, Moscow hopes that traditional Georgian wisdom will win out

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"

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

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"

FACTBOX: What to know about rupture of telecom cable between Sweden, Finland

The newspaper said the Global Connect fiber optic network suffered a massive failure in Finland

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

Georgian mercenary hit with criminal charges, POWs: situation in Kursk Region

Strikes by operational-tactical aircraft and artillery fire hit enemy manpower and hardware in the Kursk and Sumy regions

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

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

Syrian troops regain control over several districts northeast of Hama

According to the report, pro-government forces managed to advance towards the outskirts of the town of Khanasir

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

The interview is "absolutely fascinating," the journalist said

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

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

Trump's attempts to stop de-dollarization by force risk backfiring — Bloomberg

According to the experts, such tactics are pushing countries to jointly seek alternatives to the dollar

‘Desperation in the air’ — expert on Kallas’ statement on sending troops to Ukraine

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

Trump tells Trudeau Canada to become 51st US state if it doesn’t stop migration

According to media, the comment prompted the Canadian delegation, including the prime minister, to "laugh nervously"

Russia develops new-generation Kedr strategic missiles system

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

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Ukraine has lost its chance for NATO membership, a ‘normal’ peace treaty with Russia — MP

"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

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

"We need probably more people to move to the front line," Mark Rutte stressed

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

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier emphasized that the West’s provocative policies could have dire consequences if they further escalate the conflict

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

Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

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

Syrian forces push militants back from city of Hama — newspaper

According to the report, terrorist positions and routes are under fire, several militants have been wiped out and their military equipment has been destroyed

Telecommunications cable between Sweden, Finland disrupted, newspaper reports

According to the report, it was a submarine internet cable

Developments in Russia’s Kursk Region: arrest of mercenary in absentia, Ukrainian losses

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

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

Iraq sends tank units to reinforce border with Syria

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

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

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

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

Workers of South Korea’s biggest railway company KORAIL will also go on an indefinite strike on december 5

Georgian ruling party leader Garibashvili quits his party — TV

No further details were provided

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

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Over the past 2-3 years, the Russian economy has fundamentally change, the Russian leader noted

Ukrainian army to draft all men soon, officer warns

It is reported that employees of recruitment centers are being reassigned to army positions at the home front

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

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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"

Russian forces mopping up Stariye Terny community in Donbass region, says official

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

South Korea unpredictable, Pyongyang right to worry about its security — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova also pointed to the fate of former South Korean leaders: some were killed, overthrown, imprisoned, some committed suicide

South Korean opposition initiates president’s impeachment — news agency

The vote on the bill should be held within 24 to 72 hours from the time of its consideration at a plenary session

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

Lavrov speaks about situation in Ukraine, region’s future in interview with US journalist

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Andrey Marochko said that in order to take full control of the LPR, Russian forces had to push Ukrainian troops out of five more settlements

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Vasily Nebenzya said that the Syrian military, with support from Russia and other allies operating at the request of the legitimate Syrian authorities, is repelling the militants

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

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Military instruction pays special attention to servicemen’s individual training

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Georgian president unable to become opposition leader — prime minister

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

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

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

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

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Syria has been in conflict since 2011

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It is reported that the US president-elect has yet to establish a working group to develop a peace plan for Ukraine

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

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

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Andrey Marochko noted that the Ukrainian army was fighting with all its might to beat back Russian forces near the settlement of Belogorovka, hoping to prevent them from making gains and increasing Russia’s pressure on the northern section of the frontline

Syrian forces break through encirclement in coordination with Russian military

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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

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

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Russian troops break through Ukrainian defenses near Kupyansk, says military expert

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The ruling party and the opposition condemned this decision

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

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

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

Russian army captures soldiers of Ukrainian presidential brigade

The POWs are currently being kept safe and are receiving all necessary assistance

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

Russian Navy, Aerospace Forces launch precision missiles in Mediterranean drills

All the designated targets were engaged by direct hits

Putin comments on Trump’s threats to impose 100% duties on goods from BRICS countries

The Russian leader noted that the dollar was now used as a tool of political pressure

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

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Zelensky softens rhetoric on territorial concessions to Russia — web portal

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Zelensky says Ukraine tested new types of missiles

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

Russian troops enter Novy Komar settlement in DPR — politician

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

"The United States and its allies are using every opportunity to sow chaos in the country, applying sanctions to asphyxiate the country’s economy and supporting Idlib-based terrorists and the extremist underground in the SAR," Vasily Nebenzya said

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

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

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

Ukrainian front collapses as Kiev faces worst situation since conflict started — analyst

Maria Berlinskaya noted the demoralization of Ukrainian society that, she said, is brought about by the actions of the country's military and political leadership and the corruption of officials

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

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Opposition party leader Nika Gvaramia detained in Georgia

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