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Majority of Republicans skip Zelensky’s speech in Congress — paper

According to the report, some lawmakers were not present due to bad weather and the upcoming Christmas holidays

WASHINGTON, December 22. /TASS/. Only 86 out of the 213 House Republicans were present during Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s address to Congress, The Hill newspaper wrote on Thursday.

According to the report, some lawmakers were not present due to bad weather and the upcoming Christmas holidays.

"Critics of Ukraine aid showed little openness to being open to changing their minds because of the speech," the paper wrote.

On December 21, Zelensky spent several hours in Washington at Biden’s invitation. He met with the US president and the leadership of the US Congress and delivered a speech there. Ahead of Zelensky's visit, the US announced a new military aid package totaling $1.85 billion. For the first time, it included a battery of the Patriot air defense system (the truck-mounted launcher, radar and control station).

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Ukraine United States Vladimir Zelensky

Kiev expects limited effect from deliveries of F-16 fighter jets

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US rejects WTO, puts pressure on competitors — Putin

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Putin’s peace initiative being last chance to save Ukrainian state — politician

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Tourist exchanges between Russia, North Korea gain traction — minister

Russian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Alexander Kozlov also said that the Moscow Zoo and ballet dancers recently paid a visit to North Korea

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries and territories

The countries and territories mentioned in the list imposed or joined the sanctions against Russia after the start of a special military operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine

Ukraine conference in Switzerland risks failing short — Bloomberg

Аgency pointed out that the meeting’s attempts to find a path for a "just peace" may be futile

Thailand's ruling party reaffirms willingness to join BRICS as soon as possible

Thailand is ready to continue to cooperate with all those countries that support multilateralism, said Nalini Thavisin, head of the international committee of the Pheu Thai Party

Conference on Ukraine reveals differences in viewpoints — Swiss president

The final communique of the conference was supported by 80 out of 91 participating countries

Israeli military successfully intercepts suspicious aerial target — army

No air raid sirens were activated in accordance with protocol

Trump vows to halt ‘never-ending’ payments to Kiev if winning election

Ex-US President repeatedly stated earlier that he would be able to stop the conflict in Ukraine in case of his return to the White House

Mass graves of civilians with traces of torture found in Avdeyevka

DPR’s emergencies services told TASS earlier that tens of thousands of munitions had been disposed of in Avdeyevka

Houthis claim Verbena vessel attacked by them sinks in Gulf of Aden

Attecked ship "is at risk of sinking in a few hours," the Houthi spokesman said

United Russia to hold international inter-party forum in Vladivostok

Delegations from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Laos, Tajikistan, Thailand, Venezuela and other countries will take part in the forum

Engagement between both parties needed for peace in Ukraine — Indian foreign ministry

India was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Pavan Kapoor

Georgian Legion POWs say they were trained by NATO instructors — video

The ideology of the Georgian Legion, the POW said, was Russophobia: "kill Russians and do not to take prisoners"

Kremlin has nothing to say to participants of Swiss summit on Ukraine

The Swiss authorities plan to hold the conference on Ukraine on June 15-16 at the Burgenstock resort

No one waits for Armenia, Ukraine to join European Union — Medvedev

Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council warned that the ‘mountains of gold,’ including membership in the European Union, were offered to Yerevan in exchange Armenia’s complete loyalty

Some Ukrainian legislators begin to discuss Putin’s peace proposal — Duma speaker

"Actually, according to our information received over the parliament’s channels, some Verkhovna Rada deputies have already begun doing that," Volodin added

Hezbollah leading region to dangerous escalation — Israeli army spokesman

According to the Daniel Hagari, Hezbollah's actions "jeopardize the future of Lebanon" and play into the hands of Hamas radicals

Bern sees no problems with Putin’s participation in potential conference on Ukraine

According to Swiss President Viola Amherd, such exceptions are possible when the participation of government officials in conferences are needed

Four settlements in Kursk Region shelled by Ukrainian troops during past day

Drone attacks were reported near the Krupts crossing and in the villages of Troitskoye and Sergeyevka

President of Cuba visited Russian warships

"Welcome, friends from Russia," Miguel Diaz-Canel said

Putin appoints Titov his envoy for relations with international organizations

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Senior Russian lawmaker slams latest US sanctions, sees confidence in dollar cracking

In Vyacheslav Volodin's view, economies can see now that the United States uses the dollar "as an instrument of political pressure"

Russia to continue establishing buffer zone until Ukraine stops shelling attacks — Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier in the day that Russia offers a new peace proposal on settling the conflict in Ukraine

Russian team wins 160 medals during first three days of BRICS Games

The competition will end on June 23

Conference on Ukraine in Switzerland is a trial of Russia — lawmaker

The senator noted that the countries participating in the conference know the statements that Russian President Vladimir Putin made on June 14 at a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry and they are discussing them

Ukrainian parliament will not oppose against Zelensky on peace proposals — politician

"They are fully under external control of the collective West," Viktor Medvedchuk said

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia's plan would mean ending the conflict once and for all, not freezing it

Russia’s defense chief listens to reports on special military operation in command center

As the ministry specified, Andrey Belousov also listened to a report on coordinating the work of Russian peacekeeping units and the commandant’s service in new Russian regions

Ukrainian drone shot down over Krasnodar Region — defense ministry

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Sweden says Russian military aircraft violated its airspace

The Swedish Armed Forces claim that they had to scramble two JAS-39 Gripen fighters to force the military jet to leave the country’s airspace

Seismic exploration equipment first big test conducted on Franz Josef Land

The researchers have conducted aerial photography of Cape Melekhov, analyzed digital terrain models and orthoimages

Putin made it clear that conditions for peace in Ukraine will be set by Russia — opinion

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with senior officials of the Russian foreign ministry on June 14 that a peace solution to the Ukrainian conflict is impossible without Russia’s participation and an honest dialogue with it

France turns down Russian request to hold UNSC meeting on downed plane Wednesday — mission

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting at 3:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. GMT) on Wednesday

Iran calls on G7 not to link conflict in Ukraine to its relations with Russia

The spokesperson emphasized "Iran's unwavering commitment to human rights"

Danish F-16’s to be priority target for Russian forces if supplied to Ukraine — MP

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said earlier after a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that Kiev expects Denmark to supply F-16 fighter jets in the near future

Almost all BRICS leaders confirm participation in Kazan summit, Lavrov says

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Battlegroup Center improves tactical position in 24 hours — Russian Defense Ministry

"Four counterattacks by assault groups of the 23rd, 110th mechanized and 68th ranger brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces were repelled," the ministry added

Ukrainian troops in Volchansk will soon be trapped in a pocket — Russian lawmaker

As the State Duma deputy Viktor Vodolatsky noted, despite the fact that it is a small city, it is heavily fortified

Path to nuclear-free world getting harder, Japanese official says

Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized that under such circumstances, practical efforts should be made to achieve nuclear-free world

About 20 NATO countries involved in conflict in Ukraine — lawmaker

"I believe they are in a state of war with Russia," Sergey Tsekov said

Russian forces develop Perun strike-transport drone — top brass

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Kiev uses army as cannon fodder in attempts to straighten frontline near Kharkov — expert

Andrey Marochko also said that in Volchansk and Liptsy "the situation is very complicated," as the enemy is constantly moving manpower and military equipment there

Number of supporters of Burgenstock final document reduced to 78

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Criminals who took hostages in Rostov accused of preparing terrorist act in 2023

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G7 decision to use seized Russian assets for Kiev’s needs is illegitimate — envoy Antonov

Anatoly Antonov noted that the loan proposed by the G7 for Ukraine is secured by stolen money, and the United States is trying to force its satellites to take responsibility for it.

Russian forces receive new batch of Su-34 bombers

Rostec First Deputy CEO Vladimir Artyakov said the bombers are intensively used in Ukraine operation

Rostov prison hostages’ condition satisfactory after release — law-enforcement agencies

The prisoners who took the employees of the Rostov-on-Don pre-trial detention center hostage were eliminated

Participants in Swiss forum on Ukraine may be charged for adopted initiatives — diplomat

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Russian Foreign Ministry to implement president's orders to a tee — Lavrov

"Because everyone understands that the fate of our country depends on this, the fate of our people and, to a certain extent, the fate of the whole world," the top Russian diplomat noted

Hostage takers in Rostov detention center eliminated, hostages safe — authorities

A criminal case has been opened into the hostage taking

Putin’s proposals need to be discussed to save world — diplomat about Swiss forum

Putin put forward new peace proposals seeking to resolve the conflict in Ukraine

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Russian forces foiled the Kiev’s attempts to carry out attacks on Russian facilities with fixed-wing drones, Defense Ministry reported

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Five Palestinians killed in Israeli army attack in Gaza — TV

Several other people were seriously wounded

Obama leads frozen Biden off stage — Republican Party

Former US President had to help Joe Biden to find the exit after his speech, said representatives of the National Committee

Trump attributes presence of Russian ships at the port of Havana to Biden's weakness

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Conference in Burgenstock calls for Ukraine’s sovereignty over ZNPP

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The S-500 will replace the S-400 Triumph air defense system

Pentagon not denying report on its discrediting of Chinese vaccines

US military also said that it counters China in the information space

Putin slams statements about Russia’s intention to attack Europe as 'absolute nonsense'

According to the Russian president, it is not Russia that poses a danger to Europe, but its dependence on the US

Certain countries offer Ukraine communication channels with Russia, Kiev says

Switzerland hosted the conference on Ukraine on June 15-16 at the Burgenstock resort

Former Austrian Foreign Minister Kneissl confirms West’s plans to split up Russia

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Hearing on US journalist Gershkovich espionage case to be held in closed session

It is noted that the process will be held behind closed doors

Ukrainian lawmaker says conference in Switzerland was a failure

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Document of Ukraine’s surrender to be Russia’s next proposal to Kiev — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposals were realistic

Israeli army conducts raids in West Bank — TV

military stormed the city of Qalqilya, the Aqabat Jaber camp in Jericho, the Silat Al Dahr settlement and several villages in the Jenin area

Ukraine ready to pay West in people’s organs for military assistance — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Kiev regime is rapidly turning the country into a global hub of human organ trafficking

Unfreezing of Russian assets tied to peace process, support for Ukraine — Meloni

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Cuban president praises Russian Navy ships’ visit to Havana — ambassador

According to Viktor Koronelli, Miguel Diaz-Canel left notes in the books of the honored guests

West to stop Kiev from responding to Putin’s peace initiatives — politician

"So the collective West is losing more than acquiring from the standoff with Russia," Viktor Medvedchuk said

Moscow Exchange not to trade euro, US dollar since June 13

These changes will cover the stock market, the currency market, and the standardized derivatives market; the futures market will operate as usual

Kazakhstan is switching to new form of political system — incumbent President Tokayev

He also announced cardinal reforms of the country’s economy

German politician calls for heeding Putin's initiative for Ukraine

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New Russian regions not going back to Ukraine, end of story — Putin

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Peace process without Russia inconceivable — Swiss president

Amherd said that in Burgenstock, they "will be making that first crucial step. It is up to us to make sure it is followed by a second."

About 9,300 Palestinians held in Israeli jails — TV

According to the report, the detainees include 75 women and 250 children

US, South Korea, Japan may sign agreement to combat nuclear threat — minister

The agreement could be reached before the inauguration of the next US president in January 2025

Nuclear powers continue to modernize their arsenals — report

In January 2024, there were some 12,121 nuclear warheads in the world, of which 9,585 were on alert

Biden didn't freeze on stage, he greeted crowd — White House spokesman

Repuplicans' interpretation of Biden's actions inLos Angeles is wrong, Andrew Bates said

Russia wins 33 gold medals on fourth day of BRICS Games

The Russian team also won 28 silver and 18 bronze medals

Russia not going to fight against everyone — Putin

The head of state has repeatedly said that Russia has never refused from talks, unlike the Ukrainian side

Press review: G7 pushes EU to tap Russian assets and BRICS sends strong message to West

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 11th

Four conditions for negotiations with Kiev: what Putin said at Foreign Ministry

Russia considers Ukraine's neutral, non-aligned, non-nuclear status and the lifting of all Western sanctions as a necessary condition

Kiev recognizes need for talks with Moscow to resolve conflict

Both sides' voices need to be heard to settle the conflict, Dmitry Kuleba said

Press review: G7 to tap iced Russian assets for Ukraine loan and BRICS candidates unveiled

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 14th

NATO chief, Zelensky’s reaction to Putin’s peace proposals quite predictable — Kremlin

This was not a warning, neither was it an ultimatum as Zelensky nervously took it, Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said

G7 decision on Russian assets to expedite independent payment system creation — expert

It would be interesting to see how G7 leaders would explain to third countries invited to their summit that Russia is an exclusion and such practice would never be used against India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia or any other state, Melkulangara Bhadrakumar noted

Russia ranked world’s second largest military power — GFP

More than 60 individual criteria were factored into the rankings, including the number of military troops, financial and logistics capabilities, as 145 world powers were considered

Russian MP slams Burgenstock conference’s document as void and dead

Addressing the closing ceremony, Swiss President Viola Amherd admitted that different viewpoints had been voiced during the conference

Zelensky should think about Putin’s peace proposal, Kiev’s situation’s worsening — Kremlin

Peskov stressed that "every time Putin voices peace initiatives and when attempts are made to enter the political and diplomatic channel, there are certain conditions on the ground, each time they worsen for Ukraine."

Russia to give military-technical response if F-16 jets appear over Ukraine — Lavrov

Russia had presented "a very serious demarche" within the framework of the UN Security Council panel "nuclear five" in connection with the possibility of F-16 aircraft being prepared for transfer to Ukraine to carry nuclear weapons

NATO holds consultations on putting nuclear weapons on alert — chief

Jens Stoltenberg refused to go into operational details about how many nuclear warheads should be operational and which should be stores