7 Feb 2023, 09:42

Estonian embassy in Moscow confirms departure of republic’s ambassador from Russia

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced earlier that it was downgrading its diplomatic ties with Estonia, with the entire range of bilateral relations demolished

MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. The Estonian embassy in Moscow has confirmed Tuesday’s departure of the republic’s Ambassador Margus Laidre from Russia.

Commenting on whether the Estonian envoy has left the country, an embassy official said, "Yes, today."

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced earlier that it was downgrading its diplomatic ties with Estonia, with the entire range of bilateral relations demolished. The Baltic country’s ambassador was instructed to leave Moscow on February 7.

Later, the Estonian Foreign Ministry announced that Russian Ambassador to Tallinn Vladimir Lipayev would have to exit the Baltic country at the same time as the Estonian ambassador is set to leave Moscow. According to Lipayev, the Estonian authorities have created an atmosphere "which is absolutely abnormal for diplomatic relations" and have left Moscow no other choice but to downgrade diplomatic relations.

Middle East conflict

More than two million people in Gaza have no food, essentials — TV

Gaza residents have no funds to repair houses and organize shelters and "search for any available materials in the debris," Al Jazeera said

Yesterday, 04:05

Russia’s Battlegroup West causes Ukraine to lose over 250 troops, two Starlink terminals

The battlegroup’s air defense units shot down 12 fixed-wing drones

Avtovaz sales slipped 4% in February — automaker

Meanwhile, Avtovaz sales gained 28.4% month on month

Two days ago, 12:14

World food prices almost 8.2% higher than a year ago — FAO

The FAO Cereal Price Index continues to rise, up 0.7% from January, but 1.1% lower than in February last year

Lavrov compares Macron to Hitler, Napoleon

"Because they stated openly: 'We must conquer Russia, we must defeat Russia'," the top Russian diplomat said

Two days ago, 14:08

Serbian army unit to participate in Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9 — Kremlin

Aleksandar Vucic also reaffirmed that he would come to Moscow for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s Victory in the Great Patriotic War

Yesterday, 22:01

Hamas spokesman confirms fact of direct talks with the US

The spokesperson did not give any details about persons attending talks in Qatar from US side or the time when the consultations had started

Two days ago, 10:00

Press review: EU boosts Kiev’s military power while London disrupts Ukraine peace talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 7th

Yesterday, 07:43

Humanity could not achieve so much without women — State Duma speaker

"In fact, there would be no world at all," Vyacheslav Volodin said in his congratulations on International Women’s Day

Two days ago, 23:43

Putin congratulates women on International Women’s Day

Putin wished success, health, well-being, and all the best to Russian women

Yesterday, 04:45

Israeli army receives orders to urgently prepare for combat operations in Gaza — media

Talks have come to an impasse, according to the Kan radio station

BRICS' ability to drive economic growth trumps any external challenges — expert

Brazil took the helm as BRICS chair on January 1. In 2024, the bloc was headed by Russia

Two days ago, 20:57

UK unable to replace US in terms of intelligence for Ukraine — Russian envoy to London

Andrey Kelin agreed that "all the hostile statements coming from London lack any real foundation"

Two days ago, 18:09

US finds it harder to engage with Ukraine than with Russia — Trump

The US leader noted that the Russian side "has all the cards"

Press review: Zelensky seeks talks as Europe hesitates to introduce military service

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Two days ago, 08:53

IN BRIEF: What we know about explosions and impact on infrastructure in Ukraine

An air alert was announced throughout the country at night

11 Nov 2024, 14:27

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"

Two days ago, 13:16

Vucic confirms plan to attend Victory Parade in Moscow in 'great' phone call with Putin

Among other issues, the two leaders discussed political cooperation and the need for more intergovernmental work to restore bilateral trade and boost economic ties between their countries in what Vucic called a meaningful phone call

Russian military orbital vehicle successfully enters orbit

A stable communication link with the spacecraft was established and maintained, and its on-board systems are functioning properly, it added

Yesterday, 01:31

Zimbabwe doing everything possible to join BRICS, top diplomat says

The African country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amon Murwira also noted that Zimbabwe could learn from Russia how to find local solutions to local challenges

Ukraine to continue fighting at current pace without US aid only until summer — TV

Earlier, the US Armed Forces have suspended military aid supplies to Ukraine, a Pentagon spokesman told TASS

Two days ago, 16:30

Europe should provide Ukraine with security guarantees — US Treasury Department

According to Scott Bessent, Washington does not intend to give such guarantees to Kiev

Yesterday, 14:04

Demands by US for elections, peace settlement to end Zelensky’s career — senator

Natalya Nikonorova added that Vladimir Zelensky has started to recognize how desperate his situation is even before his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington

Yesterday, 08:03

NASA to utilize different station after finishing use of ISS

"We'd like to have another station in place, so we can continue our work in low Earth orbit," Ken Bowersox, head of NASA’s manned spaceflight directorate, said

Yesterday, 19:06

Two German parties see amping up defense capabilities as key goal after coalition talks

"Germany remains on the side of Ukraine," The Social Democratic Party of Germany and the conservative bloc between the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union also said

US Vice President Vance said pro-Ukrainian protesters frightened his daughter

US Vice President was walking with his daughter when a group of Ukraine supporters followed them around and shouted

Two days ago, 14:55

British will have to return to Russia everything being "generously given away" — Volodin

According to the Speaker of the Russian State Duma, Russia now "has every reason to respond in a similar way and confiscate British property" located in our country

Press review: EU opposition backs US aligned approach as Russia mediates talks with Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 5th

Two days ago, 11:26

Russia may retaliate against EU militarization — Kremlin

European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen offered the association’s countries a rearmament plan for 800 billion euros and a 1.5% increase in military spending the day before

Two days ago, 12:14

Russian troops liberate four communities in Donetsk region over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicted roughly 575 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the week, the ministry reported

Yesterday, 04:18

Russia’s state arms exporter confirms contract to provide engines for Indian tanks

According to the Indian Defense Ministry, the T-72 tank is the mainstay of the tank fleet of the country’s army

Two days ago, 10:49

Russian forces strike mercenary concentrations, airfields in western Ukraine — expert

In addition, airfields with concentrations of NATO-standard and Soviet-made warplanes were hit, according to Vitaly Kiselyov

Yesterday, 03:31

Top US diplomat reaffirms Washington’s commitment to ending Ukraine conflict

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga on the phone

Yesterday, 06:33

NASA uses previously utilized Crew Dragon capsule for Crew-10 mission

"That new capsule had a little bit of problems in production," NASA manager for Commercial Crew Program Steve Stich said

Two days ago, 17:26

Fighting continues in Assads’ hometown of Qardaha continues — agency

According to the agency’s source, the government military has broken into the city held by the pro-Assad forces and are fighting against them within the city limits

Two days ago, 19:41

Paris, London’s mediation will only complicate talks on Ukraine — Russian diplomat

Andrey Kelin noted that the "chief peacemakers" - French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer - are seeking to outdo one another and "assume the leading role" in a bid to "keep afloat the Ukrainian project

Two days ago, 15:00

Route through Russia may become only way for rotation of IAEA experts at ZNPP

Mikhail Ulyanov recalled that the rotation of experts was under discussion throughout February, but each time the process was disrupted

Orban wants to ask Macron if it is wise for France to continue supporting Ukraine

The Hungarian PM emphasized Ukraine had failed to defeat Russia over the three years when the US was in the camp of Kiev’s Western supporters

Yesterday, 04:01

Russia’s Battlegroup Center makes Ukraine lose up to 600 troops in past day

According to Alexander Savchuk, the battlegroup’s units continued to move deeper into enemy defenses

Yesterday, 16:18

Constitutional court allows Georgescu to run in Romania's presidential election

His candidacy must, however, also be approved by the Central Electoral Bureau

China, Russia to optimize visa regime — Chinese Embassy

"We are now discussing these issues and will endeavor to optimize the visa regime and create more comfortable conditions for trips of citizens of the two countries and expansion of exchanges and cooperation," Zhang Wei told

All systems ready for SWIFT in Russia, but it is a dying technology — lawmaker

According to Anatoly Aksakov, new options for mutual settlements have been developed

Two days ago, 20:59

Trump considers moving US contingent from Germany to Hungary

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US Congress may censure lawmaker Green for trying to interfere with Trump's speech

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Two days ago, 19:23

Kabul blast plotter confesses to involvement in Crocus attack — US Justice Department

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Two days ago, 18:46

Iran next major international issue, 'interesting days ahead' — Trump

The US leader emphasized that he couldn't let Iran have nuclear weapons

More than two million people in Gaza have no food, essentials — TV

Gaza residents have no funds to repair houses and organize shelters and "search for any available materials in the debris," Al Jazeera said

Two days ago, 01:54

Russia ready for negotiations on Ukraine, but no temporary ceasefire — ambassador to UK

Andrey Kelin dismissed the idea of a temporary ceasefire, previously put forward by French President Emmanuel Macron

Yesterday, 02:38

India becomes strong country prioritizing relations with Russia — Moscow’s envoy

Denis Alipov emphasized that India "considers Russia as one of the strategic priorities"

Trump says he threatened BRICS with 150% tariffs for seeking alternative to dollar

According to the US president, he has not heard anything from BRICS after these threats

Yesterday, 10:26

South Korean president leaves detention — Yonhap

He was greeted by a large number of supporters at the main gate of the detention center, according to the report

Europe not to win arms race against Russia as Moscow has no intention of joining — Kremlin

"We will focus on our own matters and secure our own interests," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

IN BRIEF: Lavrov comments on Macron’s `nervous’ remarks, Ukraine peacekeeping plan

According to the Russian foreign minister, the French leader’s nuclear rhetoric presents a threat to Russia, while Moscow remains open to a frank dialogue with all parties

Yesterday, 20:29

One killed, two wounded as Syrian military patrol runs into ambush in Latakia — report

According to the report, the patrol ran into the ambush near the town of al-Haffa

Yesterday, 14:19

Kremlin spokesman accuses France of lying, violating agreements

Dmitry Peskov made the statement in response to comments by French President Emmanuel Macron, who said Russia wasn’t honest about the Ukrainian crisis

Two days ago, 16:25

US fears Kiev may sell software for Storm Shadow missiles — expert

British-made Storm Shadow missiles have reportedly become "useless" for the Ukrainian military, as their deployment requires U.S. intelligence

Yesterday, 21:47

Israel to send delegation to Doha for talks on Gaza — PM office

According to the Ynet web portal, representatives of Mossad, the Israel Security Agency, the Israel Defense Forces, Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Gal Hirsch and Adviser to the Prime Minister Ophir Falk will be in the delegation

Two days ago, 15:44

Russia’s Olympic team unlikely to appear under national flag at 2026 Olympics — minister

The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be held in Italy, in the cities of Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo

Yesterday, 02:40

Russian cosmonauts aboard ISS congratulate women on International Women’s Day

Ivan Vagner pointed out that International Women’s Day was a great occasion to thank the women

Supplies of US-made precision weapons being cut off to be very painful for Kiev — DPR head

According to Denis Pushilin, it would be wrong to assume that the pause in the current military aid by the US to Kiev would immediately impact the fighting

Two days ago, 15:22

Poland to seek access to nuclear weapons — PM

According to the Polish prime minister, the political negotiations with France on the nuclear umbrella are "at a very advanced stage"

Yesterday, 19:31

France condemns surge of violence in Syria, calls for all crimes to be investigated

The ministry reiterated its commitment to a transition of power in Syria that is peaceful and inclusive, not influenced by foreign meddling and guarantees the preservation of "ethnic and confessional pluralism"

Yesterday, 00:00

Industrial facility, gas station suffer damage in Ukraine's southern Odessa Region

Earlier, air raid sirens went off in the Odessa Region

Two days ago, 15:45

UK removes Russian bank, Turkish company from its sanctions list

The reasons for removing the mentioned companies from the sanctions list are not specified

Two days ago, 10:23

Russia prefers diplomacy, but now must defend itself with special operation — Kremlin

"But in conditions when the same Ukraine refuses dialogue and, moreover, legally prohibits such dialogue for itself, we continue the special military operation to ensure our interests," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Yesterday, 04:43

Qatar sought to act as mediator on energy issues between Russia, Ukraine — PM

"We were working on the energy file, but unfortunately, it didn't work out," Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said

Two days ago, 12:53

Trump anticipating things when calling for complete denuclearization — Russian diplomat

Mikhail Ulyanov noted that some cuts or arms control measures were "quite understandable"

Yesterday, 04:04

South Carolina carries out US’ first execution by firing squad in 15 years — agency

Brad Sigmon, 67, was sentenced to death for killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents with a baseball bat

Two days ago, 16:04

China will not pit one side against the other in Ukraine conflict — expert

China is neither the instigator of the crisis nor a party to it, dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China Wang Wen stressed

Two days ago, 17:11

Russia offers India very favorable deal on Su-57 fighter jet — ambassador to New Delhi

Denis Alipov expressed confidence that Russia was "in a very good position," if India announced a tender

Yesterday, 17:15

Zelensky reiterates he won’t participate in talks with US in Saudi Arabia

He announced that Ukraine will be represented by a team including his chief of staff Andrey Yermak, deputy chief of staff Pavel Palisa, Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov

Germany concerned of F-35 jets deal with the US after decisions on Ukraine — Bild

Germany specifically fears that F-35A to be supplied to the German armed forces will be fitted with the Kill Switch system and the US will simply deactivate them if necessary

US against team to combat circumvention of anti-Russian sanctions in G7 — Bloomberg

Washington blocked the Ottawa’s proposal to establish a team for closing of loopholes in anti-Russian restrictions

29 Mar 2024, 11:04

Construction of third stage of Eastern polygon preliminarily estimated at over $40 bln

The preliminary cost of the project has increased as the carrying capacity of the Eastern polygon has risen to 270 mln tons, Valentin Ivanov noted

Two days ago, 13:40

France can deploy nuclear weapons in other European states — envoy

Mikhail Ulyanov stressed that there was no point for France in transfering nuclear weapons to other European countries

Kiev planning to deploy foreign mercenaries to Chasov Yar in Donetsk region — expert

In that frontline area, the enemy is hastily delivering concrete slabs by railways to create a defensive line, Vitaly Kiselyov said

10 Jul 2024, 09:30

NATO looking to divide up Western Ukraine among members — Russian diplomat

"No NATO ally would ever receive the copious amounts of [funds and weapons] that non-member Ukraine has," Maria Zakharova argued

Two days ago, 16:26

Assad’s armed supporters act on instructions from abroad — Syrian intelligence

The security forces said that the armed men involved in the clashes were linked to former special forces commander Suhayl al-Hasan

Russia’s defense chief inspects laser innovations at Sarov federal nuclear center

Andrey Belousov held a working meeting with the heads of the Russian Federal Nuclear Center and specialized military agencies

Two days ago, 09:25

US company Maxar cuts off Ukraine's access to satellite images — news outlet

Militarny pointed out that Maxar is the main supplier of commercial satellite images for the Ukrainian armed forces

Weekly inflation in Russia slowing down to 0.15% — statistics

Consumer prices ticked up by 0.1% from the start of March and by 2.09% year to date

Two days ago, 07:38

Israel conducts most devastating operation in West Bank in past 58 years — UNRWA

"This operation is the single-longest and most destructive since the second intifada, resulting in the largest displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank since the 1967 war," Philippe Lazzarini said

Yesterday, 15:15

IOC’s Bach urges international federations to review restrictions for Russian athletes

"The mission of the Olympic Movement is to unify," Thomas Bach said in an interview with AP

Two days ago, 17:24

Iran's mission to UN says did not receive Trump's letter for Khamenei

Earlier, the US President said in an interview that he would prefer to make a deal with Tehran and reiterated that Iran should not have nuclear weapons

Kremlin agrees that conflict in Ukraine is US proxy war with Russia

"We have discussed this several times, stating that this is fundamentally a conflict between Russia and the collective West. And the collective West, of course, primarily refers to the United States," Dmitry Peskov remarked

Yesterday, 17:37

Shooting in Toronto pub leaves 12 people injured — police

According to local police officer Paul McIntyre, three unidentified masked men burst into the Scarborough area pub on Friday, right on the day of its grand opening, and opened fire

Court sentences two Ukrainian air pilots to terms of up to 26 years for terrorism

The prosecution had asked for a 30-year imprisonment for both defendants each

Two days ago, 01:32

US froze military aid to Kiev because Zelensky took it for granted — intelligence chief

According to Tulsi Gabbard, US President Donald Trump thus sent a signal to Vladymyr Zelensky

Two days ago, 15:35

Russia alarmed by sharp aggravation in Syria — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stressed that in such extreme circumstances, Russia urges "all influential Syrian leaders who can affect the situation on the ground to make every effort to end the bloodshed as soon as possible and prevent civilian casualties"

Two days ago, 13:26

Trump considers Ukraine pawn which can be sacrificed — media

Farah Stockmann also expressed the opinion that the current administration has come to realize two things: the liberal world order was sustained solely by American military might, and US residents no longer want to pay other people’s bills

Respite for Ukrainian forces on battlefield unacceptable — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, the true intention of France and the UK, which came up with a plan for Ukraine, was to prevent a collapse of the front line for Ukrainian forces

Two days ago, 15:02

Georgia asks Baltic states to stop involving others in confronting Russia — speaker

Shalva Papuashvili emphasized that these three post-Soviet countries want Georgia to be a tool and a means against Russia

Two days ago, 09:04

Hungary’s Orban questions EU’s capacity to provide more military aid to Ukraine

The Brussels summit showed that, further down the road, "the Europeans would like to sponsor the Ukrainian army"

Two days ago, 12:30

France may deploy nuclear weapons in other European countries — envoy

"It definitely can't transfer it. This is prohibited by the Non-Proliferation Treaty. As for deploying — yes, it can," Mikhail Ulyanov said

Yesterday, 02:37

Europe does not know how to resolve Ukraine crisis, Trump says

The US president said that he had always had a good relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin

Yesterday, 16:53

Iran won’t negotiate with US until it stops imposing its interests — Khamenei

The comments were in response to a letter from US President Donald Trump, where he proposed talks on Iran’s nuclear program

Yesterday, 00:28

Ukrainian forces likely to pull out of Russia’s Kursk Region within two weeks — newspaper

The Kursk Region came under a massive attack from Ukraine on August 6, 2024

Two days ago, 11:09

FACTBOX: What we know about clashes between security forces, Assad supporters in Syria

The domestic security authority imposed curfews in Latakia, Tartus, and Homs amid ongoing clashes that have become the fiercest since the change of power in Syria in December 2024

Central Banks of Russia, Jordan become main sellers of gold among regulators in January

The largest buyer of gold in January was the Central Bank of Uzbekistan

EU cannot effectively replace Starlink satellites, expert believes

Earlier, a European Commission spokesperson, Thomas Regnier, told reporters that the bloc is working to develop an alternative to Starlink for Ukraine but that it will become operational by 2030 only

Yesterday, 07:00

Restrictions on Women's Labor in Russia and the world