{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Chinese foreign minister demands US adhere to principle of one China

According to Qin Gang, the Taiwan issues is an important problem that affects China’s key interests and is linked with "the most obvious risks"

BEIJING, June 18. /TASS/. China demands the United States stick to the principle of one China and refrain from helping separatists in Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Sunday at a meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"We insist that the United States adhere to the one-China principle and bilateral agreements, implement its commitments concerning the refusal from supporting activists of the so-called movement for Taiwan’s independence," China’s Central Television quoted him as saying.

According to the Chinese minister, the Taiwan issues is an important problem that affects China’s key interests and is linked with "the most obvious risks."

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the Kuomintang’s remaining forces headed by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) were defeated in the Chinese Civil War and took refuge on the island. Taiwan has preserved the flag and several other symbols of the Republic of China that had existed before the Communists took over the mainland. According to China’s official position supported by most countries, including Russia, the Island of Taiwan is one of China’s provinces.

Tags

China United States

US Secretary of State plans to visit Kiev — Politico

Antony Blinken will travel to Ukraine this week, the newspaper reported

Kharkov authorities acknowledge advance of Russian troops

The head of the military administration cited the delay in Western arms deliveries as the reason for the Ukrainian forces' failures

Switzerland conference on Ukraine aims to issue ultimatum to Russia — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov stressed that "the conference has long been the talk of all those who are trying to defeat Russia on the battlefield"

Putin pardons 52 female convicts — Kremlin

First and foremost, the pardon covers women with minor children, pregnant women and women, whose relatives are involved in the special military operation

Europeans go for broke seeing risk of collapse for Kiev in special op situation — Kremlin

According to Peskov, currently, "the moment is crucial."

Sullivan, Austin, Brown spend 90 minutes discussing military assistance with Ukrainians

The officials on the Ukrainian side were Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and the presidency’s chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, the US official said

Nearly two million Russians take icy dunk to celebrate Epiphany Holiday

The ritual dunks in the icy baptismal waters will continue during the daytime

Developer shows first image of Russia's new Sarmat ballistic missile

The RS-28 Sarmat is the newest heavy liquid-propelled intercontinental ballistic missile currently being co-developed to replace the world’s largest and most formidable ballistic missile, the Voyevoda

Serbia’s ambassador to return to Kiev soon — President Vucic

Serbia’s embassy in Kiev suspended operation in March 2022 due to security considerations

Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

The government is tasked to present eleven new National Projects by September 1 of this year

Police in Tbilisi starts dispersing protesters near Georgian Parliament’s building

Protestors refuse to follow the instructions of the police, a TASS correspondent reported

Russian delegation not to accept any infringements on its rights in PACE — lawmaker

Russia won’t accept any secondary sanctions, the senator stated

Germany to give Ukraine IRIS-T air defense system in May — ambassador

Martin Jaeger added that Germany also provided Ukraine with Gepard self-propelled air defense systems and a completely new system that was developed in Germany: the Skynex

Russian, Bolivian presidents discuss bilateral relations — Kremlin

Vladimir Putin and Luis Arce focused on "the implementation of mutually beneficial joint projects in trade, economy and energy"

Jordan condemns Israeli settlers’ attacks on humanitarian aid convoys

Sufyan Quda emphasized, "despite the provocation, the convoys delivered humanitarian supplies to the Palestinian enclave, given the threat of starvation looming over them"

Russian troops destroy Ukrainian army positions in area bordering Belgorod Region

"The personnel of the Battlegroup North actively employ FPV drones in the special military operation to eliminate the Ukrainian army’s dugouts, manpower and various military equipment," Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Multiple deaths, at least 20 wounded in Ukraine’s shelling of Belgorod

At least eight people were reported to have been killed and 20 - wounded, including two children

Russian troops destroy over 16,000 armored vehicles in Ukraine operation — top brass

Russian troops improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on the Ukrainian army in the Kharkov area over the past day, the ministry reported

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Poland cancels talks with Ukraine over corruption allegations

It is reported that the Polish Agriculture Ministry failed to solve all the problems of the farmers, which led to their mass protests

Death toll in partially collapsed apartment building in Belgorod climbs to 15

Belgorod and its suburbs came under massive shelling by the Ukrainian armed forces earlier on May 12

France sends outdated missiles to Kiev in move to save money, expert believes

However, these missile systems should not be underestimated as they are high-precision weapons that have an operational range of up to 560 kilometers, depending on specific modification, Alexander Stepanov said

Relations with Russia are really important for Israel — Ambassador to Moscow

Dialogue between Israel and Russia is important, including on those topics where the parties "absolutely disagree," Simona Halperin said

Ukraine shells Krasnodon in LPR due to Russia’s successes in Kharkov area — ruling party

"They think that they can intimidate us but we know that our victory is near," Ivan Sanayev noted

Polish soldier Emil Czeczko who fled to Belarus found hanged in Minsk

A forensic examination will be held to establish the cause of the man’s death

Putin approves structure of new government

According to his decree, the distribution of authority between deputy prime ministers has changed

Officials in Kharkov Region move to evacuate 113 orphaned children

The head of the regional military administration said that "only nine children with foster parents from the Volchansk community have volunteered to leave"

Kharkov regions aspiring to join Russia — interim administration

According to Head of the Kharkov Region’s interim civil administration Vitaly Ganchev, residents are already making numerous enquiries about receiving the Russian citizenship

Russia's first in 10 years drifting expedition wraps up work in Arctic

Over the mission's 19 months, the polar station on the world's first ice-resistant self-propelled platform, which was built for it, has covered about 3,000 nautical miles (5,500 km)

Western strikes on Yemen have no excuse — Russia’s ambassador to UN

Vasily Nebenzya also noted the failure of attempts "to justify this aggression by Security Council Resolution 2722 or by references to the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter"

North Korean delegation arrives in Russia’s Primorsky Region — news agency

Bilateral exchanges between Russia and North Korea have intensified since the second half of 2012

Protesters in Cyprus call for end to funding Kiev following terrorist attack on Belgorod

The terrorist acts committed by the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir "Zelensky against the civilian population of Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk and other Russian border territories are criminal," said Mikis Filaniotis head of the Cypriot branch of the International Russophile Movement

Kiev describes situation in Volchansk as extremely challenging

According to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, "fierce fighting" is taking place in the Kharkov Region

S-500 system to be supplied to Armed Forces after 2015

Victor Gumenny said the advanced systems may solve the tasks of air-space defence and may fight hypersonic weapons

Ex-Yandex employee detained for state treason, sponsoring Ukraine — FSB

According to the FSB, he subsequently left Russia while hiding from partial mobilization

Georgian legislature to pass foreign-agents bill in final reading on May 14 — PM

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, it "will play a crucial role in ending the so-called polarization that was imposed from the outside"

Swiss singer wins Eurovision 2024 contest

Nemo Mettler won with The Code song

Egypt threatens to end its mediation between Israel, Hamas — WSJ

The officials said Egypt is also blocking any humanitarian aid trucks from entering Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing

Georgian PM condemns police violence against protesters

Irakli Kobakhidze urged everyone "to meet all provocations with maximum tolerance"

State Duma approves deputy prime ministers of the Russian government

On May 7, the day of Vladimir Putin’s inauguration, the Russian government resigned, in accordance with the law

West may benefit from Zelensky’s elimination to put blame on Russia — DPR head

Lavrov says crisis in Council of Europe showed that ultimatums are unacceptable

The Russian delegation to PACE was stripped of its rights to vote, take part in monitoring missions or make up the PACE leadership institutions in April 2014 over the events in Ukraine and Crimea to be fully reinstated in the organization in June 2019

Formidable Sarmat: Satan’s successor that can pierce any defense

TASS’ military analyst fills us in on one of the greatest secrets of Russia’s defense industry

Gazprom supplies record volumes of gas to Russians in May due to cold weather

Despite the end of the autumn-winter period, Gazprom confidently supplies consumers with almost winter volumes, the company noted

Shoigu to oversee Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, not head it — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that the service is headed by Dmitry Shugayev

Zelensky presses US lawmakers for more aid, or Ukraine would cede lands — WaPo

On Tuesday, Vladimir Zelensky failed to secure a breakthrough in talks with Congress which remains deadlocked over US President Joe Biden’s request for supplemental funding for Kiev

Experts of Ukraine’s Energoatom inspecting Belene NPP equipment for purchase — news portal

The Ukrainian side expressed hope of signing an agreement on the purchase of the equipment in June

Russia didn’t invite officials from unfriendly countries to victory parade, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova said veteran organizations in unfriendly countries weren’t affected by the decision not to invite officials

Envoy says Russian House in Vienna will continue to thrive despite opposition

In a commentary, the Austrian Foreign Ministry’s press service confirmed that the Russian House is a part of the embassy so it falls under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

Freak snowstorm hits Moscow

The snow falling on the ground does not melt immediately

St. Petersburg Exchange will act as platform for exchange of Yandex N.V. shares

Acceptance of applications will begin no later than May 16

Russia-Ukraine draft peace treaty was 75% agreed in April, Russian envoy says

Russia handed over the document to the Ukrainian side on April 15, Vladimir Medinsky recalled

One in two Germans believe Russia unlikely to attack NATO, poll shows

Only two percent of respondents are confident that the German army is well prepared to defend the country, while 39% believe the armed forces are in poor condition.

US forms new anti-China, anti-Russia proxy alliances in APR — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that the Pentagon has formed a kind of strike group comprising Japan, the Philippines and Australia, which includes high-accuracy and long-range weapons systems and components of the US missile defense and air defenses

Russian military intel declassifies WWII documents, hands them over to Victory Museum

"This is the first time in history that reports of the heads of military intelligence and cipher telegrams from foreign hubs in Germany on preparations for an attack on the Soviet Union are shown here," Igor Kostyukov said

Russia’s S-300PS in Tajikistan confirm combat readiness

In April, at a meeting of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff of the CIS armed forces special attention was paid to the development of the joint communication and air defense systems

Mercenaries’ flow to Ukraine declining — Business Insider

A half of coming mercenaries now is from Latin America, Carl Larson, a US veteran that participated in hostilities in Ukraine in summer 2022

Ukrainian military redeploys reserves towards Kharkov

"Depending on the development of the situation the build-up of the group will continue," according to the report

Search and rescue operations over at partially collapsed residential building in Belgorod

Seventeen people were rescued, a spokesperson for the Russian Emergencies Ministry said

Fit nation: Russia to see widespread increase in people exercising by 2036 — official

"We will build at least 350 sports facilities per year in our regions for all age categories until 2030," Dmitry Chernyshenko noted

Ukraine replaces Kharkov group commander for second time in two months

Mikhail Drapaty, who continues to be a deputy chef of the general staff, replaced former Kharkov group commander, Yury Galushkin, who was appointed to the post in early April 2024 to succeed Andrey Gritskov

Press review: Russia installs new defense minister and Ukrainian terror in Belgorod

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 13th

Ukrainian presidential office confirms London’s agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador

Verkhovna Rada legislator Alexey Goncharenko said on Monday that the UK had granted its agrement to the Ukrainian former Commander-in-Chief

Russia’s Federation Council holds consultations on security, intelligence appointments

The candidates were nominated by President Vladimir Putin and their names were submitted to the council on May 12

Russian troops destroy over 30 Ukrainian observation posts in Kherson area over past day

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on May 12 that Russian troops had inflicted roughly 50 casualties on the Ukrainian army in the Kherson direction over the past 24 hours

If West wants to solve Ukraine conflict on battlefield, 'so be it' — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Russia was ready to negotiate peace not only in words, but also in deeds

Russia always prefers talks to fighting, wars, says Lavrov

The first Russian-Ukrainian negotiations after the launch of Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine took place in Belarus in early March 2022 but the talks yielded no tangible results

About 15,000 children killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 — authorities

At least 30 children died of malnutrition

Conference in Switzerland pointless without Russia — Turkish diplomatic source

"However, the talks’ success will rest on Kiev’s willingness to hold dialogue, which is absent judging by the recent statements by Ukrainian leaders," the source added

Armenian opposition leader Bagrat Galstanyan calls for more protests across country

He said that the opposition movement "will increase pressure across the entire country, from the north to the south"

Russia’s onslaught on Kharkov may compel Ukraine to truce — NYT

On May 11, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported liberating several populated localities in the Kharkov Region

Polish authorities persecute supporters of relations with Moscow, Minsk — ex-judge

Tomasz Schmidt sees some "positive" trends in Polish society, which, unlike the authorities, is determined to restore relations with Moscow and Minsk

Expert: Middle East conflict makes NSR global priority logistics route

The Middle East conflict affects directly the global logistics flows, Alexey Fadeev noted

Protesters end rally against foreign-agents bill in Georgia without scuffles with police

Even though there was an announcement to end the rally, people are staying near the legislature at Rustaveli Avenue

Ukraine’s shelling of civilians backfires, unites Russians against common enemy — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik cited as an example this March, when during the presidential election in Russia's regions bordering Ukraine the number of shellings increased significantly, especially in the Kursk Region

US is plotting another pandemic — Russian Defense Ministry

"We do not rule out the United States may use so-called defensive technologies for offensive purposes, as well as for global governance by creating crisis situations of biological nature," lieutenant general Igor Kirillov stressed

US veteran calls Washington’s decision to drop Elbe Day celebrations with Russia ‘dumb’

That was the last good link that we had, Frank Cohn said

Russia remaining second largest supplier of LNG to Spain

In the first four months of 2024, Madrid purchased 26,854 GWh of gas from Russia, according to data provided by Spanish energy company Enagas

Russia’s upgraded Tu-160 strategic bomber prototype to perform debut flight in 2018

Serial production of Tu-160M2 bombers should begin in 2023

Putin hears reports on `barbaric’ attack at Belgorod, gives all instructions — Kremlin

"All necessary instructions have been given," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said as he condemned the latest missile attack on Belgorod as barbaric

Mauritius working on Mir system introduction — Russian Ambassador

Mir cards are now accepted in nine countries but operations of the system are limited in six of them

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace six times in past day

Apart from that, in his words, one shelling attack on positions of Syrian government troops by militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra was reported in the Aleppo governorate in the Idlib de-escalation zone

Caracas, Moscow expanding bilateral cooperation — top Venezuelan diplomat

Vershininn is taking part in the second meeting of national coordinators of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, which is underway in Caracas

Russian diplomat says NATO sees Ukraine as tool against Russia

Zakharova expressed confidence that Stoltenberg is interested in Ukraine's future only in the context of confrontation with Russia, while he "takes no interest at all" in the future of Ukrainians

Russian commandos redeploy to Uzbekistan for drills on Afghan border

In the course of joint practical measures, the troops will accomplish the combat training tasks of ensuring the state’s territorial integrity

Russian official lauds defense industry as world’s most powerful in basic arms output

Denis Manturov noted that the geopolitical situation was prompting the need constantly to improve operational characteristics of armaments and military hardware

Yemen interested in supplies of Russian equipment for its thermal power plants

Deputy Energy Minister Sergey Mochalnikov and member of the Yemeni Advisory Council Rashid Barabaa also discussed prospects for implementing joint projects in the field of green energy

Russia to enter new promising markets for growth of non-resource-based exports

Growth of labor efficiency is the key factor for Russia to become one of the world’s top four economies, Alexander Novak noted

State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin thanked State Duma lawmakers for approving his candidacy for the prime minister’s office

Putin’s decision to appoint Belousov as Russia’s defense chief explained by Kremlin

"On the battlefield today, the winner is the one who is more open to innovation <…>. Therefore, at this stage, the president has made a decision for a civilian to head the Defense Ministry," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Seismic activity recorded at Russia's Lake Baikal

It is highlighted that the quake's intensity in the city of Ulan-Ude was between 3 and 4 (weak to moderate), and was around 3 in Irkutsk

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty suspends work in Russia

Earlier, Roskomnadzor restricted access to the RFE/RL website for publishing unreliable information about Russia’s military operation in Ukraine