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West sought to strip Belarus of independence and Russia gave helping hand — Lukashenko

The West "will never be able to break our relations, they will only grow stronger," he stressed

MINSK, December 19. /TASS/. The West was seeking to deprive Belarus of its independence and sovereignty but Moscow extended a helping hand to it, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday after talks with his visiting Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

"If anyone tries to tear us apart, to drive a wedge between us, they will fail. It was not him (the Russian president - TASS), not Russia who attacked me along the perimeter in the 2020s. Russia extended a helping hand to us when we were pressed from there (the West - TASS). They wanted to deprive us of independence and sovereignty," Lukashenko said.

The West "will never be able to break our relations, they will only grow stronger," he stressed.

"Today, together with the [Russian] president and our colleague we have actually created a basis for a future leap forward. And we will make it," he pledged.

"There is not a single matter that cannot be settled," the Belarusian leader stated. "Russia has always been meeting us halfway and we are meeting its halfway."

"You know, we are co-aggressors, the worst and most toxic people on this planet. We are only arguing who is the worst. Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] says that it’s me. I begin to think that it’s him. So, we have decided that both," he added jokingly.

Belarus will be able to defend its sovereignty only with Russia’s help, Lukashenko said.

"Let us be frank, can we defend our independence and sovereignty by ourselves, without Russia? No, we cannot. And he (Putin - TASS) did not refuse to help us when we needed it. <…> He reached out to help as a close friend of Belarus," he said.

Middle East conflict

US grants Israel license to kill by vetoing UNSC resolution — Iranian Foreign Ministry

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Russia monitors situation in Kursk Region after reports of ATACMS missiles — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that "it is hardly possible to be guided by the reports of a TV channel"

Biden's decision to use ATACMS on Russia threatens to kill Americans — Tucker Carlson

The journalist also criticized US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (a Republican representing the state of Louisiana) for "not even mentioning it in public or in leadership meetings" with factions in the lower house of Congress

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

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

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

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Elon Musk denies his impact on Trump’s decisions on nominates for cabinet positions

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Normal interaction between Russia and Sweden will not resume yet — Russian ambassador

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Zelensky to have no input if Russia, US negotiate, ex-Prime Minister says

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

Training Ukrainian troops makes France direct participant in combat — top Russian diplomat

"The same goes for talk about using French-made SCALP missiles [in Ukraine] which are identical to the UK’s Storm Shadow," Sergey Lavrov noted

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

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

More than 80,000 users were left without power in Gorlovka on Tuesday morning due to the Ukrainian armed forces' shelling

US Congressman urges to impeach Biden for allowing strikes deep into Russia

"By authorizing long range missiles to strike inside Russia, Biden is committing an unconstitutional Act of War that endangers the lives of all US citizens," Thomas Massie said

Russian army traps Ukrainian troops in Chasov Yar — intelligence center

The official reported that fighters from the 98th Airborne Division were engaged in fierce battles

Putin ready for talks on Ukraine, including with Trump — Kremlin

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Indonesia accepts invitation to become partner state in BRICS, ambassador announces

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Russian embassy warns UK about dangers of calling for Moscow’s ‘defeat’

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Avtovaz plans exporting about 20,000 cars by year-end

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Russia’s special military operation to continue — Kremlin

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Putin confirms Russia’s readiness to assist CAR with security challenges

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Israel could annex West Bank in two weeks, journalist Hersh says

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

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

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Gallup poll shows sharp decline in Ukrainian support for American policies

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

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Russian stock indices falling on Wednesday — market data

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Ukraine conflict moves towards NATO-Russia direct clash — expert

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Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Trump's new presidency will be fundamentally different from his first — expert in the US

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Belarusian TV to air documentary film about foreign mlitary invasion plan

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US Embassy in Kiev to be closed on November 20

"The US Embassy recommends that US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced," the statement on the official embassy website said

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Ex-UK Labor party leader wants PM to clarify situation with Storm Shadow missiles

Jeremy Corbyn called for de-escalation of the situationin Ukraine and the search for a diplomatic solution to achieve peace

Pentagon official admits US arsenals shrinking amid Ukraine, Mideast crises

Сommander of United States Indo-Pacific Command Samuel Paparo emphasized he was speaking about "the stocks of the United States of America, and the high end capabilities of the United States of America"

Up to allies to decide whether or not to authorize strikes inside Russia — NATO chief

"I would generally say let’s not communicate too much and not make our adversaries more wise than is necessary," Mark Rutte added

Iran claims to have disabled Israel’s Iron Dome air defense in past strikes

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Admiral Nakhimov cruiser to sail out on auxiliary engines in November

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

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

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World Aquatics withdraws ban on participation of Russian athletes in relay races

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

Railroad development to strengthen ties with foreign partners — Russian PM

Mikhail Mishustin added that "it is necessary to modernize border crossings in coming years, including introduction of practice of electronic paperwork"

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Pentagon confirms that US authorized use of antipersonnel landmines in Ukraine

Ukrainian side had committed to not using the mines in areas populated by civilians

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

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The Turkish leader reiterated that "both Russia and Ukraine are Turkey’s neighbors"

Russian forces strike ammo plant in Ukraine’s Sumy Region in drone attack

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US gives Ukraine green light to use Storm Shadow for strikes deep inside Russia — media

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

According to Dmitry Suslov, retaliatory measures may include the handover of more advanced weapons to the forces "that are directly fighting against the US, particularly, in the Middle East"

No laymen in Western intel agencies despite decline of ruling class — Russian spy chief

Sergey Naryshkin emphasized that irrationality had particularly affected leading European countries, where presidents, prime ministers, and chancellors unfailingly served the interests of globalist capital

French Foreign Ministry refuses to disclose number of SCALP missiles shipped to Ukraine

Ministry Spokesman Christophe Lemoine also avoided answering if Paris supports strikes with these missiles on Russian territory, only saying that the missiles were shipped to Ukraine, and Ukraine

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

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

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

Col. (Ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson confirmed to TASS that the launch of ATACMS missiles would be impossible without "US/NATO satellite feeds and/or personnel"

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

According to Sumantra Maitra, Washington’s move will not improve Kiev’s situation

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

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US senator labels Biden’s approval for ATACMS strikes on Russia as unconstitutional

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

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

Freezing Ukrainian conflict unacceptable for Russia, says Kremlin

"It is important for us to achieve our goals, which are well known to everyone," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Washington refrains from naming those responsible for Baltic Sea cable rupture — DoS

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

US takes responsibility for Palestinian deaths by vetoing UNSC resolution — Russian envoy

Vasily Nebenzya noted that Russia has no doubt that "the Israelis themselves are also interested in ending the spiral of violence"

Moscow’s response to strikes with Western arms on Russian soil to be felt — diplomat

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Press review: Biden OKs long-range missile use as backlash to Scholz’s Putin call grows

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 18th

Biden’s ATACMS decision aimed at tying his successor’s hands — expert

In his opinion, Russia "should not fall for this gambit," and "just keep on winning"

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"

FACTBOX: What is known about Russian nuclear deterrence policy

The first Russian nuclear doctrine was ratified and published by decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 21, 2000

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

According to Andreas Kluth, the decision on ATACMS may have been another attempt by the current Washington administration to provide Ukraine with support until the president-elect comes to power

Sweden detected ship movements when cable damage occurred, minister says

According to the police, the situation is currently being monitored and work is underway to determine measures that need to be taken

Pentagon refrains from commenting on Ukraine’s missile attack on Bryansk region

Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also declined a request to comment on the US permission to use ATACMS missiles for deep strikes on Russia

US Senate refuses to block arms supplies to Israel

More than 60 out of 100 senators voted against the three corresponding resolutions, while 17 legislators supported them

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

Ukrainian losses, captives, aid to civilians: situation in Kursk Region

Russian tactical and operational/tactical aircraft, missile forces hit enemy manpower and equipment in the Kursk and Sumy regions, the Defense Ministry reported

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

The last Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference was held on December 14, 2023

US strategic forces ready for Biden-Trump transition — Pentagon

"The nuclear forces is ready on January 19, just like it will be ready on January, 20," Rear Admiral Thomas Buchanan said

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

UK police say no video evidence of Russians’ involvement in Salisbury case

According to the report, CCTV cams were not installed on Christie Miller road in Salisbury

Six European countries accuse Russia of allegedly attacking security architecture

"Moscow's escalating hybrid activities against NATO and EU countries are unprecedented in their variety and scale," the statement reads

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

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

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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

Belarusian security agency says Minsk aware of Poland’s efforts to prepare terrorist cells

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

According to Oleg Stepanov, since the authorities of the country have long acted, "especially in security matters, according to the rule 'what Uncle Sam says, so Ottawa will do' and don’t blush about this."