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Turkey starts process of ratifying Finland's membership in NATO — Erdogan

"Finland has taken concrete steps to fulfill the terms of the memorandum necessary to join NATO," the Turkish leader pointed out

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

© AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici

ANKARA, March 17. /TASS/. Turkey is ready and begins the process of ratifying Finland's membership in NATO, the country’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday at a press conference in Ankara following talks with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto.

"An important topic of our talks was Finland's accession to NATO. Finland has taken concrete steps to fulfill the terms of the memorandum necessary to join NATO. We are ready and have decided to start the ratification process for Finland's accession to NATO. We are confident that Finland will play an active role in ensuring NATO's security," the Turkish leader pointed out.

Ruling Georgian party accuses EU ambassador of interference in election process

Earlier, Pavel Gerchinsky criticized the ruling party's election videos, which showed footage of the destruction brought by the fighting in Ukraine in contrast to the views of peaceful Georgia

UN General Assembly adopts Russian resolution against glorification of Nazism

The document was supported by 120 countries, while ten abstained and 50 voted against it

Iran not going to allow Israel to launch new round of violence — envoy to Russia

According to Kazem Jalali, the behavior of Western countries is "surprising" in this context

Desertion epidemic reaches massive proportions in Ukraine — journalist

Accoridng to Vladimir Boiko, the total number of deserters now stands at 170,000 people

Cuba officially applies to join BRICS as partner country — senior diplomat

Carlos Pereira noted that BRICS "is consolidating global politics and the hope of the Global South as a key player"

IDF detects several projectiles launched at central Israel from Lebanon

This was Monday’s third shelling attack on central Israel

Kalashnikov gunmaker to launch serial production of upgraded AM-17 assault rifle

The AM-17 assault rifle is set to replace the AKS-74U submachine gun accepted for service in 1979

Press review: Israeli reprisal against Iran looms and Iraq bets on Russia amid US exit

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, October 3rd

Nobel Prize laureates in physics to be announced in Stockholm

Clarivate company forecasts that this year’s award may go to three scientists - Rafi Bistritzer of Israel, Pablo Jarillo-Herrero of the United States and his compatriot Allan H. MacDonald

Israel reports killing Hezbollah commander in Beirut

The statement notes that Suhail Hussein Husseini was responsible for the arms supply from Iran, as well as its distribution among Hezbollah units

Israel launches limited operations against Hezbollah in southwestern Lebanon — IDF

Over the past year, the 146th Division has operated in the northern sector of Israel’s border with Lebanon

Ukrainian troops leave key defense positions in Tsukurino in DPR

An uneasy situation has also emerged for Ukrainian troops in the neighboring community of Gornyak, the defense circles said

Russia's allies come to rescue after Siemens fails to deliver on Akkuyu NPP deal

According to Alexander Novak, Russia and the Turkish side are assessing how this situation will impact the overall project timeline

Man-made emergency situation introduced in Crimea’s Feodosia in wake of fire at oil depot

Traffic was suspended on two streets in downtown Feodosia

Israeli attack on Lebanon kills firefighters eliminating consequences of previous strike

According to the report, the incident took place in the town of Baraachit

Israel 'unlikely' to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities — The New York Times

"Nonetheless, there is a rising call inside Israel, echoed by some in the United States, to seize the moment — to set back, for years, or more" the Iranian nuclear program, the article reads

White House unable to confirm report of Bout’s involvement in weapons supplies to Houthis

I can't confirm that report today, White House Press Secretary said

West intends to use militants to destabilize Eurasia once Ukraine conflict is over

According to Sergey Naryshkin, Ukrainian officers stationed at the Al-Tanf US military base in Syria work out ways how to deliver attacks on Russian servicemen on duty in Syria

Slovakia ready to host lower-level meetings for summit on Ukraine — prime minister

Slovakia, as Fico noted, is interested in continuing intergovernmental consultations with Ukraine

Ukraine may start using French fighter jets next year — minister

Sebastien Lecornu specified that the aircraft will have new equipment, in particular air-to-ground combat capabilities

Russian troops liberate Grodovka community in Donbass region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 410 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip kill at least 13 people, 25 wounded — WAFA

Emergency services continue search and rescue operations in in the Bureij refugee camp in the central part of the enclave, the agency noted

Ukrainian servicemen loot apartments of Ugledar residents before fleeing — top brass

The ministry emphasized that the Ukrainian troops tried to literally knock people out of the town

Russian soldiers eliminated Ukrainian militants who shot civilians in Kursk region

During one of these clashes, fighter eliminated two Ukrainian soldiers in hand-to-hand combat

Group of Russian climbers found dead in Nepal — mountaineering community

One of the climbers began to feel symptoms of altitude sickness and was forced to descend to a lower camp, Spokeswoman Anna Piunova said

FACTBOX: What is known about the death of Russian climbers in Nepal

On the morning of October 6, the group of climbers left the camp to climb, and after that contact with them was lost

Ka-52M attack Ukrainian military near Kursk Region’s border

Helicopters carried out strikes against Ukrainian manpower and armored vehicles

US intelligence believes Russia wants to see Trump as next US president

"We also continue to assess that China is not seeking to influence the presidential election," the spokesperson said

Hezbollah claims it struck Israel's Glilot military base near Tel-Aviv

Hezbollah also shelled the settlements of Adamit, Hanita and Shlomi in Western Galilee from its multiple rocket launchers in the reported period

US journalist describes Russia’s liberation of Ugledar as "major setback" for Kiev

In Stavros Atlamazoglou opinion, now the Ukrainian military will have to ensure that the Russian forces don’t take advantage of the fall of Ugledar "and create an operational breakthrough in the wider area"

Russian stock indices falling on Monday — market data

The yuan ticked up by 0.47% to 13.51 rubles over the day

FACTBOX: Commonwealth of Independent States

Members of the Commonwealth are states that have acceded to the CIS Charter within one year of its adoption

Buffer zone between Israel, Lebanon to be protected by peacekeepers — US official

"For a variety of reasons" UNIFIL and the Lebanese armed forces have been failing "to prevent Hezbollah from sitting in those areas just over the border from Israel and launching rocket strikes and other attacks against Israel.", US Department of State Spokesperson said

Court in Moscow hands down lengthy prison sentence to 72-year-old US mercenary Hubbard

The court also ordered 142,000 hryvnias ($3,400) confiscated from the defendant and paid to the Russian state

Shipbuilders to deliver Project 22800 missile corvette Rzhev to Russian Navy

All the work was carried out in compliance with the construction schedule and large-size equipment and weapons systems were mounted on the ship

Israel yet undecided on time, targets of its response to Iran — diplomat

"We will choose the exact location and the way of the response," the Jewish state’s Permanent Representative to the UN Danny Danon has told

Putin to celebrate his birthday in office

The Russian President turns 72

Increase in violence in Middle East may affect entire world, Russian envoy says

Gennady Gatilov emphasized that "on October 7, 2023, the world was shaken by a horrifying tragedy in Israel, which claimed the lives of nearly 1,200 people and shattered thousands of human fates"

Sixteen submunitions for HIMARS rockets destroyed in Kursk Region in past day

The ministry’s branch noted that bomb experts inspected the liberated settlements in the Kursk Region every day as part of efforts to ensure civilian security during a counterterrorism operation

Houthis say they hit targets in Tel Aviv, Eilat with missiles, drones

The Houthis greeted Hamas and Hezbollah fighters on the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and promised to continue delivering strikes on Israel and hampering the passage of Israel-linked ships across the Red Sea until Tel Aviv "lifts blockade of the Gaza Strip and ends its aggression against Lebanon"

Termination of Russian gas transit to EU can affect fuel supplies to Ukraine — FT

Further to the loss of transit fees, the pipeline shutdown could "even threaten Ukraine’s own gas supply if its pipeline infrastructure becomes a target," Director of the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies Mario Holzner said

Ukrainian attacks kill 70, injure 300 civilians in Kursk Region — envoy

"The significant part of these people are those injured on the territory controlled by the Kiev militants," Rodion Miroshnik said

Situation in Ugledar remains tense as Ukrainian troops continue shelling attacks

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the liberation of Ugledar on October 3

Probe underway in Spain into death of Russia’s female triathlete

Yelena Smirnova was 41

Iranian lawmaker calls to revise country’s defense doctrine banning nuclear weapons

Iran has repeatedly emphasized that the supreme leader’s fatwa that the production of nuclear weapons in the country is against Islam is in effect in the country

Press review: West's new NATO angle for Kiev and Putin plans powwows with regional bigs

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, October 8th

EU approves new sanctions regime against Russia for 'hybrid activities'

It specifies that this mechanism is aimed against certain "Russia’s destabilizing actions abroad"

Scientists Ambros, Ruvkun win Nobel Prize in Medicine for groundbreaking microRNA work

The Nobel Committee said that microRNAs are "fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function"

Polish mercenaries in Ukrainian ranks openly shoot civilians in Sudzha

Eyewitnesses confirm the large presence of Poles in the area

Iran, its allies working toward pact to counter potential US, Israeli attack

The authors of the bill argue that Iran’s Security Council should be in charge of considering applications to join the Pact of Resistance

Ukraine admits worsening of situation for its troops near Selidovo in DPR

According to spokesman for Ukraine’s 15th Kara-Dag brigade of operational assignment at the National Guard of Ukraine Vitaly Milovidov, the Russian military has intensified the suppression of Ukrainian firing positions

Russian, Chinese warships practice anti-submarine tasks in Asia-Pacific

"A Ka-27PL anti-submarine helicopter was used to search for the notional enemy’s submarine," the Pacific Fleet’s press service said

Surprise was ‘key factor for success’ in Ugledar — battle group East’s deputy chief

All those who took part in storming this stronghold will be nominated for state decorations

North Korea has no intention of attacking South Korea — Kim Jong Un

The North Korean leader added that Pyongyang had declared a course toward de facto recognition of the existence of two separate states

Kiev uses Western chemical weapons under guise of smoke shells in Sudzha — top brass

These munitions in the amount of 3,800 shells were supplied to Ukraine in September 2023 under a military assistance package, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov pointed out

Kiev, allies start to realize need for negotiations with Russia — FT

The article says that "the mood is shifting" in "Washington and some western capitals," as well as "in the corridors of" the Kiev government

CIS foreign ministers adopt statement on security in Eurasia — executive committee

The statement reaffirms the readiness of the Commonwealth countries "to make a practical contribution to the creation of an architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia, sustainable and long-term stabilization of the military and political situation, as well as the settlement of existing regional conflicts and the prevention of new ones"

Iranian military denies reports of explosions near nuclear facilities — media

The sources indicate, however, that Iran's key nuclear sites could be targeted in a future escalation if Tehran retaliates

Putin to receive CIS leaders in Kremlin

During the summit, the leaders will discuss key cooperation tasks of the Commonwealth, as well as topical regional and international problems and outline main areas of work in the future

IAEA chief warns against any attacks on employees of nuclear plants

"Any targeting of employees of nuclear power plants would constitute a blatant violation of this pillar fundamental for overall nuclear safety and security," Rafael Grossi said

Press review: Russia urges Israel to see reason and NATO at wits end on how to help Kiev

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, October 4th

Israeli official confirms that HAMAS leader Sinwar still alive — portal

According to the source, Sinwar sent a number of messages to HAMAS mediators in Qatar recently

Russian teen sensation Andreeva breaks into top-20 of WTA Rankings for first time

Mirra Andreeva also won a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris in women’s doubles (playing in pairs with Russia’s Diana Shnaider)

Russia remains integral to ITER project — organization’s Director General

According to Pietro Barabaschi, ITER is proud to have Russia involved, and will not change its policy of cooperation

Settling conflict with Russia among Georgia’s top priorities — PM

Dwelling on the government’s foreign policy plans for the next four years, Irakli Kobakhidze cited resetting relations with the United States and the European Union as "the most important national ask"

Middle East crisis exposed how limited US influence is — Politico

The newspaper’s sources said the White House "had to make hard calls" against the backdrop of tensions in the Middle East, which have "complicated US efforts to build relationships in some other parts of the world."

Russia-Azerbaijan relations develop positively — Putin

The Russian leader and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev gathered for an informal meeting on Monday evening

SVR chief implicates US, Britain in Nord Stream sabotage

"While the investigation into this sabotage is ongoing in the West, "its course gives no hope that the real culprits behind the incident will ever be punished," Sergey Naryshkin stressed

Uganda gives US ambassador three days to leave country

According to Ugandan Armed Forces Commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba, William Popp engaged in activities that are inconsistent with his diplomatic status

Ukrainian conflict can end in 15 days without Western support for Kiev — Borrell

In that case, Russian President Vladimir Putin would have achieved his goals, the EU top diplomat said

Russia’s FSB finds cache of chemical substances in DPR

The weapons and ammunition have been handed over to the Russian army for further use

Hezbollah fighters use paragliders in attempt to infiltrate Israel’s northern border — TV

Lebanese TV channel also reported earlier that on October 6, Hezbollah fighters tried to enter the territory of the Israeli state through an underground tunnel system in the Kibbutz Doviv area

Ukraine not going to renew gas transit agreement with Russia — Ukrainian PM

The International Energy Agency earlier highlighted the significant risk for the full stop of Russian gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine after 2024, because the gas transit contract between the two countries expires at the turn of this year

Russian assets frozen in the Netherlands melt to 97.2 mln euros from 660 mln — newspaper

According to the publication, "Russian assets worth more than half a billion euros were apparently released with the approval of the ministry"

Israeli warplanes bomb southern outskirts of Beirut

The Lebanon 24 news portal said ground targets for Israeli strikes included military intelligence headquarters and ammunition depots

Harris evades question on NATO membership for Ukraine

The US vice president also said she would not discuss Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin without Kiev’s participation

Chinese-Russian relations withstand all tests, continue developing — Chinese ambassador

Over the past 75 years, our relations have survived the tests of the difficulties of the international situation and have always maintained vitality and energy

Belarus hails Russia’s adjusted nuclear doctrine as reinforcing mutual stance

Alexander Lukashenko pledged that Belarus would never unilaterally use nuclear weapons, even if these weapons were its own

Investigative Committee of Belarus charges 45 people with plotting coup

According to the committee, investigative actions are currently underway, inter alia "inspections, searches, seizure of property, and other procedural measures

Lavrov briefs CIS colleagues on Russia’s approaches to Middle East, Ukraine crises

Russian Foreign Ministe adopted a number of joint statements, including on the principles of cooperation in ensuring security in Eurasia, the unacceptability of using unilateral restrictive measures in international relations

Russia hammers Ukrainian military airfields by Kinzhal hypersonic missiles

Russia’s Battlegroup South liberated the community of Zoryanoye Pervoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day, the ministry reported

At least 16 caches with US-made weapons found in hideouts of Syrian militants

While examining militant hideouts, struck by the Russian Aerospace Forces since September 23, 2024, a total of 16 caches with US-made weapons were found

Russia repels enemy attacks, hits reserves, Kiev loses troops: situation in Kursk area

Russia’s battlegroup North continued offensive operations and defeated the Ukrainian troops near Daryino, Lyubimovka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novy Put and Plekhovo

Russia’s Su-25 ground-attack aircraft foil rotation of Ukrainian troops in Kursk region

After the use of aviation weapons, the crews performed a maneuver, released decoy flares, and returned to the departure airfield

Russia to keep gathering evidence of Kiev’s use of toxic chemicals, diplomat says

"The perpetrators of these and other crimes against Russian citizens will be identified and won’t avoid being duly punished," Maria Zakharova noted

Underground tunnels were built in Lebanon to attack Israel, envoy says

When we launched an operation in Lebanon a week ago - after a whole year of diplomatic efforts and negotiations - we immediately discovered the same underground depots and tunnels designed for an attack on Israel

Iran's foreign minister advises Israel not to test Tehran’s willpower

Abbas Araghchi added that the purpose of his visits to Syria and Lebanon was "to show that Iran has supported and will support the resistance with all its might"

Cuban leader calls Putin his friend in message of birthday greetings

The Russian president turned 72 on October 7

Lavrov cautions West against discussions of allowing Kiev to strike deep into Russia

At a meeting in Kiev on September 11, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky did not make any decisions regarding the authorization for Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia with US-supplied weapons

Realities for settlement in Ukraine have changed significantly — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat said that "the issue of the day should be ending the conflict, not establishing a ceasefire"

Case against Ukrainian militants: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 150 servicemen, three armored fighting vehicles, as well as two artillery pieces, four mortars and two vehicles

Orban says his country 'will not surrender' to Brussels, world powers, migrants

Hungarian Prime Minister also praised Italian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, saying that in Hungary he was seen as a hero for securing Italy's borders and protecting Europe

Russia’s female triathlete dies at Ironman tournament in Barcelona

"Yelena Smirnova drowned at the Ironman competition in Barcelona," Natalya Smirnova said

Press review: Gaza conflict turns one year old and who could be Russia's next envoy to US

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, October 7th

FACTBOX: CIS Summits

Currently, Commonwealth of Independent States brings together 11 post-Soviet countries, while two states have effectively suspended their work and cooperation within the CIS - Moldova and Ukraine

Trump criticizes $300-bln aid to Ukraine amid hurricane in US

US Republican presidential candidate also criticized the government’s post disaster response in certain US states, most notably North Carolina

Russia praises China’s balanced position on Ukrainian issue — ambassador

According to Igor Morgulov, Russia proposes to Eurasia's "constructive players" to work together on the formation of a new security architecture based on equality and indivisibility, taking into account the potential of existing multilateral formats

Nuclear test ban organization says Iranian seismic event looks like earthquake — diplomat

A 4.5-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Iran’s province of Semnan southeast of the capital Tehran on October 5

North Korea to speed up steps toward becoming military super power, Kim says

"The military alliance of the United States and the Republic of Korea, as flouted by the puppets themselves, has become completely nuclear-based, and we need to keep our military preparedness at an endlessly high level," Kim Jong Un added