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Anti-Russian sanctions

Berlin may seize frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine if allies follow suit — Bloomberg

According to the news agency’s sources, Berlin "is open to using billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine rebuild as long as legal issues can be resolved and allies follow suit"

NEW YORK, January 3. /TASS/. Germany considers the possibility of using the frozen Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine once allies follow suit, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday citing sources.

As the news agency said, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government "supports Ukraine’s demand for war reparations but hasn’t yet taken an official position on seizing assets from the Russian state."

According to the news agency’s sources, Berlin "is open to using billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine rebuild as long as legal issues can be resolved and allies follow suit."

Bloomberg said citing "officials familiar with the discussions" that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock "wants Russia to pay for the damages caused in Ukraine" and insists that "seizing at least some of the frozen assets needs to be an option."

However, Finance Minister Christian Lindner "is more cautious," as he believes that potential confiscation of the assets of Russia’s Central Bank "could create a dangerous precedent" and result in legal problems for European nations and their allies.

The DPA news agency reported in mid-December, citing the German government’s statistics, that Berlin had frozen the assets of Russian individuals and entities targeted by European sanctions to the tune of 5.046 billion euros. In particular, the frozen financial assets amount to slightly more than 2.2 billion euros and nearly 1.1 billion accounts for movable property.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a special military operation following a request for help from the leaders of the Donbass republics. In retaliation, the West has slapped sweeping sanctions on Moscow.

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Sanctions vs. Russia Germany

Canadian PM on Putin-Scholz talks: Ending Ukraine crisis requires `a level of engagement’

Ottawa is continuing to engage closely with Kiev, Justin Trudeau added

China ready to work with Trump administration, Xi tells Biden

Among other issues, the two leaders are expected to discuss the situation around the Ukraine crisis and the Asia-Pacific region

Press review: Switzerland open to hosting Putin-Trump talks as NATO and EU back Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 15th

Russia's newest Su-57 fighter jet superior to China's new J-35 — test pilot

Sergey Bogdan emphasized that the newest Russian fighter was a "magnificent platform for a future generation of configurations, just as the Su-27 aircraft in its heyday"

Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania refuses to step down amid riots

According to him, the government is also staying in the country and continues its work

Canadian PM on Putin-Scholz talks: Ending Ukraine crisis requires `a level of engagement’

Ottawa is continuing to engage closely with Kiev, Justin Trudeau added

Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

Earlier, the entrepreneur opined that the bloodshed in Ukraine would end soon

Russia, China eyeing new gas route via Kazakhstan — Novak

Consideration of the route is at the initial phase, the Russian official said

RFK Jr. calls for immediate US-Russia talks on Ukraine

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward his latest peace proposal for the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, which envisages the recognition of the status of Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions as Russian constituencies

Hostages taken in restaurant in Paris suburb — TV

Meanwhile, Le Figaro reported that the perpetrator stated his intention to commit suicide

Musk says Trump, himself have public mandate for change

US President-elect Donald Trump announced earlier that Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy would lead the Department of Government Efficiency in his new administration

Polish foreign minister confirms meeting with European counterparts to discuss Ukraine, US

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski added that apart from the top diplomats from France and Germany, Warsaw also invited Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga

Russian troops organizing logistics, ammo delivery in Kupyansk outskirts — military expert

"Logistics is being organized to enable our troops to retain their positions they are trying to secure," Andrey Marochko explained

Finland seizes over 30 more real estate properties owned by Russian government

The value of these confiscated apartments is more than ten million euros, the agency said

Russian investigators preparing query over case of Russian boy wounded on Crete

“We’ll press forward for getting familiarized with the course of investigation of that crime,” Markin said

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"

Fesco’s container turnover between Russia and China reach 280,000 TEU in 9M 2024

Fesco will launch the direct service between China and the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk this month, the company's president Pyotr Ivanov said

Foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraine’s side near Kupyansk, says military expert

Most of the intercepted talks deal with military issues, using a special talk chart, Andrey Marochko specified

Ukrainian troops surrender as Russian forces advance — captive

Alexander Rapolyuk noted that they had originally been sent to the Kursk Region under the pretext of replacing their comrades, but upon arrival, they found that the servicemen they were meant to replace had already been killed

Gazprom has the right to stop gas supplies to Moldova due to country’s debts — Moldovagaz

Chairman of the Board of the Russian-Moldovan gas distribution company Vadim Cheban noted that he was not aware of any plans by the Russian gas holding to take advantage of this opportunity

Fire in women’s shelter near Moscow put out

The fire in a safe house for women in the city of Odintsovo near Moscow has been put out

Scholz's call to Putin speaks of intention to learn Russia's position firsthand — Kremlin

The conversation took place at the initiative of the German side

Lavrov outlines Moscow’s approach to Ukrainian crisis during visit to UAE — ministry

Lavrov arrived in Abu Dhabi to take part in the Sir Bani Yas international peace and security forum

Russian troops liberate five communities in Donbass region, Kharkov area over week

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 4,715 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 10 Western-made artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian forces capture 10 km of LPR border — military expert

On October 16, Andrey Marochko informed TASS that Ukrainian forces were still operating near three key towns in the LPR’s west: Svatovo, Kremennaya, and Lisichansk

Russia's liberation of Stepanovka in DPR spells trouble for Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovo

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Armed Forces had liberated the settlement of Stepanovka in the DPR

Georgia’s ruling party scores 53.93% in elections, wins 89 mandates — CEC results

Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party has won the parliamentary elections with 53.93% of the vote

Ceiling collapses at Siberian mine, at least one trapped - investigators

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday

Russia inks first deals to deliver Su-57 fifth-generation fighter to foreign customers

Alexander Mikheyev also explained the expectations and effect of the demonstration of Russian military hardware at Airshow China in Zhuhai

APEC Summit declaration takes Russia’s interests into account — Deputy Prime Minister

He said that the document was adopted by a consensus, and the Peruvian presidency "even twice made sure" that it has been achieved, and was told in response: "yes, the consensus has been achieved."

Egypt president to visit Russia August 25-27 — spokesman

Egyptian media reported earlier this week that al-Sisi had indefinitely postponed his visit to Russia following his mother’s death

IN BRIEF: What is known about drone attack on Russia’s Krasnodar Region

Damage will be assessed, and local authorities will provide assistance with restoring the damaged buildings

Abkhazian president leaves capital after opposition’s ultimatum

At present, Aslan Bzhania is staying in his home village of Tamysh

Helsinki court hasn’t received Russia’s appeal against seizure of properties in Finland

Moscow can appeal the court's decision until December 5

Trump picks campaign spokesperson for White House press secretary

Karoline Leavitt served as an assistant press secretary during Trump's first presidential term

Scholz, Biden have nothing to offer Putin — German expert

"He [Scholz], like another lame duck in the US - Joe Biden, has nothing to offer," Prof. Thomas Eger of the University of Cologne told the Bild newspaper

Hypothetical Russia-US arms treaty needs to take other threats into account — Pentagon

According to Washington, future bilateral agreements or arrangements with Russia will need to account for U.S. deterrence requirements and other strategic threats globally

Swedish minister in charge of gender equality suffers from bananaphobia

The phobia is so strong that special precautions need to be taken before her meetings

Russia routs Brunei 11:0 in friendly football match

That is the biggest ever victory for the Russian team

Ukrainian people don't need support promised by Scholz after talks with Putin — Lavrov

Commenting on the Russian side's assessment of the conversation, the top diplomat emphasized that there is already a corresponding comment from the Kremlin

Russia not invading Ukraine and has no such plans — Russian ambassador to US

The leadership of our country has repeatedly declared and continues to declare its readiness to continue solving outstanding problems through diplomacy, Anatoly Antonov said

European Commission upgrades outlook on Russian GDP growth for 2024, 2025

According to the report, private investment, supported by government-subsidized loans, increased as demand for domestic goods picked up, following the exit of foreign firms

APEC leaders approve three outcome documents at Lima Summit

According to the president, three documents were put to vote: the statement of the APEC leaders, the Lima Roadmap to Promote the Transition to Formal and Global Economy, and the Ichma Statement on a New Look to Advance the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific

Ukrainian intel officers in Syria to be eliminated as terrorists’ accomplices — diplomat

According to Alexander Lavrentyev, there are "in fact Russian troops stationed" in Syria

Press review: Trump forms foreign policy team and Europe sets course for militarization

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 13th

Russian troops liberate DPR's Leninskoye, Makarovka

Russian army hits Ukrainian energy facilities

IN BRIEF: Protesters storm parliament building in Abkhazia

Opposition members made several attempts to break into the parliament building and managed to enter the square in front of parliament

All hostages held in restaurant near Paris released — TV

According to the report, no one was injured. The negotiations with the perpetrator continued for about two hours

China hopes for Canada's respect for 'one China' principle — Wang Yi

"We hope that Canada will fully understand the high delicacy of the Taiwan issue and sincerely abide by the 'one China' principle," the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying on its website

Abkhazian Civic Chamber establishes group for negotiations between authorities, opposition

Previously, CC members Sokrat Dzhindzholia and Ruslan Khashig voiced their initiative to act as mediators in the negotiations between President Aslan Bzhania and the Abkhazian opposition

Press review: US to maintain aid to Israel while Kiev regime faces challenge to retain it

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, November 14th

Iran to speed up development of nuclear program in response to upcoming IAEA’s resolution

On November 14, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami said that Tehran will not allow the European trio to pressure the republic in regards to its nuclear program

Zelensky’s new plan for Ukraine is ‘an attempt to imitate’ busy activities — politician

Vitaly Ganchev noted that Zelensky's plans "pose no particular interest anymore to anyone and they the proposals are certainly not taken seriously"

Russia always fulfilled its trade obligations, ready to cooperate with Germany — Putin

"It was underscored that Russia has always been committed to its treaty and contractual obligations in the energy sector and is ready for mutually beneficial cooperation if the German side shows interest in this," the statement says

Clean energy, reform of WTO, AI’s potential: outcome declaration of APEC summit

The participants intend to contribute to streamlining international trade producers and plan to continue working on the reform of the World Trade Organization, the declaration says

FACTBOX: Putin, Scholz hold phone talks first time in two years

The talks were initiated by Berlin

Putin congratulates Gazprom on completion of work on Nord Stream 2

The gas pipeline is ready for operation, the Russian President said

FACTBOX: Abkhazian leader leaves capital amid opposition’s demands for polls

TASS compiled main facts about the situation in the country

Trump picks Liberty Energy CEO Wright as Energy Secretary

The post of US Energy Secretary is currently held by Jennifer Granholm

Russian helicopters notable for high reliability — company

Russian helicopters in China are mainly used by the Ministry of Emergency Situations for aviation protection of forests, rescuing in earthquakes and elimination of consequences of natural disasters

2026 APEC Summit to take place in China

The Chinese leader made this announcement on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Lima

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

IN BRIEF: What is known about situation in Abkhazia

In order to stabilize the situation, President Aslan Bzhania decided to withdraw from the parliament a bill on the ratification of the agreement with Russia on the implementation of investment projects by Russian legal entities on the territory of the republic

Developments in Kursk Region: Ukrainian fighters suffer losses, face charges in Russia

Ukraine lost more than 100 servicemen, a tank, an armored fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, two D-30 122-mm howitzers, a mortar and an electronic warfare station over the past day

Trump not to meet with foreign leaders before inauguration - Kyodo

According to the report, the Japanese government was notified about it by Trump’s team

Eight killed, 17 injured in knife attack in China

No further details have been provided

Press review: UK and French leaders discuss Ukraine as the dollar continues to climb

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 12th

Zelensky announces work on new action plan

In terms of weapons, the plan will focus on production in Ukraine and cooperation with partners

Bzhania to run for president in case of early resignation

He also highlighted the pressure being exerted on members of parliament to unlawfully demand his resignation

Trump team fears negative impact of allegations against Hegseth — media

According to sources, many in Trump's team are reportedly disappointed

Phone conversation between Putin, Scholz lasted one hour — Kremlin

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, marking their first phone conversation since December 2022

Scholz-Putin talk should be welcomed, as it is right step — Bundestag

The lawmaker emphasized that politicians who are "intoxicated by war" and advocate for an imposed peace or the continuation of the conflict "until Kiev's victory" are only contributing to further loss of life

Trump to zero in on fragmenting BRICS, Ukraine to take back seat — expert

According to the political scientist Boris Mezhuyev, in all likelihood attempts to replace the presidents of Brazil and Venezuela, and pit India, Russia and China against each other are coming

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand become BRICS partner countries — Russian MFA

"The BRICS Summit in Kazan demonstrated the desire of the global majority to establish a fair world order, reform global institutions and build equitable economic ties," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said

Russia open to Ukraine talks based on June proposals, Putin tells Scholz

"Russia's proposals are well known and outlined, in particular, in a June speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry," the Russian president said

IAEA inspectors notified of high voltage power supply line shutdown at ZNPP

The reason for the shutdown remains unknown

Situation at OSCE security forum worsens under Danish chairmanship — Foreign Ministry

"The language of hostility and hatred was heard with renewed vigor at the Forum along with calls for the 'punishment' of the Russian leadership, which the Danish ambassador openly called 'a source of inspiration'," the department added

54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

116 countries, including Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Serbia, and Syria, supported the document

Russia introduced temporary restrictions on enriched uranium exports to the US

This is a tit-for-tat measure against the restriction of Russian uranium products imports introduced by the US for 2024-2027 and the ban to be imposed by it since 2028 onward

Air defenses destroy 34 Ukrainian UAVs over five Russian regions

"Alert air defense forces destroyed 34 Ukrainian UAVs: 20 over the Kursk Region, 11 over the Bryansk Region, one UAV over the Republic of Crimea, one UAV over the Belgorod Region and one UAV over the Kaluga Region," the ministry said in a statement

Chechen leader reports eliminating Ukrainian troops in Sumy Region

According to Ramzan Kadyrov, fighters from the 34th Akhmat-Russia motorized rifle regiment conducted reconnaissance using unmanned aerial vehicles

German government confirms death of ten Germans in Ukraine since February 2022

The request was filed by Bundestag member Andrej Hunko of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance - Reason and Justice party

Talks on Iran Nuclear Deal to resume soon, Iranian foreign minister says

According to Abbas Araghchi, since the presidency of late Ebrahim Raisi, Iran-US talks were held through the mediation of Oman, but the process has been suspended since May

Abkhazian president’s office says investment agreement with Russia not revoked

Aslan Bzhania has not signed the document

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

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Clear Zelensky won't be the one to decide about talks with Russia, says Lavrov

"Russian President Putin has repeatedly said that we have never refused to negotiate," the Russian foreign minister reiterated

Gazprom says EU artificially destroys gas demand to the detriment of its own economy

As for global gas demand, gas consumption in January-October increased by 80 bln cubic meters year-on-year, the company noted

APEC Summit declaration negotiated, contains no politicized narratives — Russian envoy

According to Berdyev, the APEC "is returning to a normal constructive work."

Scholz discussed his plans to talk to Putin with US, French, UK leaders — Bild

Scholz met with US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Berlin on October 18

China-Japan relations far more than bilateral — Xi

Xi Jinping also emphasized China's willingness to "work with Japan in accordance with the principles and directions established in the four political documents signed by the two countries"

Russian missile frigate enters Mediterranean Sea in long-distance deployment

In the Mediterranean Sea, the missile frigate’s crew will accomplish missions as part of the Russian Navy’s standing taskforce

Putin tells Scholz agreements on Ukraine should proceed from realities on ground — Kremlin

"Possible agreements should take into account Russia’s interests in the security sphere, proceed from the new territorial realities and, above all, eliminate the causes of the conflict," the Russian leader said

One third of Mariupol residents, who fled to Ukraine, already returned

Lack of due support, and accommodation issues, are the reason

About 5,000 people took part in protests in Abkhazia Saturday — opposition representative

New people come to participate in the protest every day, they become numerous, Mikaa said

European politicians repeat their position on Ukraine like mantra, says Kremlin

"Russian President Vladimir Putin told Olaf Scholz in detail about Russia's vision of what is happening, about possible prospects for the development of the situation," Dmitry Peskov said

Oil and gas account for third of Russian-Chinese trade turnover — Deputy Prime Minister

In 2023, Russia supplied 107 million tons of oil to China, meeting 20% of China's needs for it

Putin-Scholz phone conversation was arranged promptly — Kremlin spokesman

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday

Russia awaits Trump’s proposals on Ukrainian settlement — Lavrov

"Russia's position was clearly worded by the Russian president on June 14, 2024," Sergey Lavrov stressed

Turkey does not consider pullout from NATO — Erdogan’s party

Earlier, on Wednesday, the deputy leader of the Turkish Motherland Party, Ethem Sancak, said that Turkey might leave NATO in five to six months due to provocative actions against Ankara

Scholz, Putin agree to maintain contact — source in German cabinet

It is reported that Scholz expressed concern over reports about the alleged deployment of North Korean servicemen to Russia

Zelensky tried to dissuade Scholz from telephone talks with Putin — news agency

According to the source, Vladimir Zelensky told Scholz that the conversation with Putin "will only help to reduce the isolation" of Russia