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Venezuela plans to join BRICS this year — vice president

Delcy Rodriguez thinks that joining BRICS "with the new international financial system will be a positive factor" in the country’s economic development

CARACAS, May 23. /TASS/. Venezuela plans to officially join the BRICS group of nations this year, and this will have a positive effect on the country’s economic development, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said.

"[China] is a part of the BRICS group of nations, which Venezuela plans to officially join this year, because it is a path to a new world, where hegemony no longer exists and the international law is respected," she said at a ceremony to sign an agreement with China, aired by Venezolana de Televisión.

In her opinion, joining BRICS "with the new international financial system will be a positive factor" in the country’s economic development.

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China Venezuela BRICS

European leaders approve heads of major EU institutions for next 5 years

Ursula von der Leyen was re-appointed president of the European commission, former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Costa will head the European Council, while Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas will become the new EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy

Ex-British envoy to Russia points to West’s role in provoking conflict in Ukraine

According to Anthony Brenton, "when NATO enlargement first loomed, both former Director of the US Department of State Policy Planning Staff George Kennan and former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger warned of the likely disastrous effects for Russia-West relations"

Many countries already realize toxicity of dollar monopoly — Russian Foreign Ministry

The need to search for alternative methods of cross-border payments is obvious, Sergey Ryabkov noted

Arresting foreign officials may trigger declaration of war — Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev made this statement at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum

EU needs additional military investments over next decade — EC head

Ursula von der Leyen "confirmed earlier reports by Euractiv that the EU’s executive estimated the European defense industry requires around €500 billion worth of investment over the next decade"

US diplomat says Russia ramped up its defense industry after starting special operation

Nicholas Burns stressed that it is "far stronger now than it was even in the beginning" of the conflict

Electronic warfare systems jam 32 Ukrainian drones in Kursk Region

According to Governor Alexey Smirnov, the roofs of a house and an administrative building were damaged in the village of Tyotkino after an attack by Ukrainian drones

CSTO delegations discuss future command-and-staff exercise in Kazakhstan

The participants discussed the general idea of the exercise, the schedule of drills, the make-up of the exercise’s joint command, and other organizational issues

US replies with old cliches to charges of involvement in Sevastopol terror attack — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that similar rhetoric "has been heard from all platforms in the West for a long time, but in essence it does not change anything about what is happening," while "the puppets in Kiev feel their own impunity and continue to be condoned by the United States and other NATO countries"

Theft of sovereign assets can be regarded as act of aggression — Medvedev

"We will have to take tit-for-tat measures in accordance with the reciprocity principle," the politician said

Russian analyst says US helped engineer coup in Bolivia

Among other reasons for the attempted coup, Alexander Stepanov named a deal with Russia to build a $600 million industrial complex in Bolivia to mine and produce lithium carbonate

NATO won’t be part of Ukraine conflict, it won’t cross this line, says Scholz

According to the German chancellor, the NATO summit will discuss the strengthening of its role in coordinating support for Ukraine and training the Ukrainian armed forces

Russian forces destroy 12 Ukrainian drone control centers — defense ministry

Apart from that, seven fixed-wing reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed by air defense systems and electronic warfare tools, spokesman for the Battlegroup West Ivan Birma said

Vovan and Lexus say prank call to Joe Biden possible

The prankers noted that they do not utilize AI algorithms in their pranks yet, but they do not rule out that they might use them in the future

Putin highlights good relations between Russia, Republic of Congo

"I am talking about the political level, where relations have been growing noticeably, as well as trade and economic ties," the Russian leader noted

Search for ATACMS fragments in Sevastopol after Ukrainian attack to take at least 2 days

Alexey Krasnokutsky pointed out that the sub-munitions scattering area of ATACMS missiles was rather large, but a significant part of the territory has been inspected already

Uzbekistan to start building small capacity nuclear plant in fall — Uzatom

The NPP construction center identified the priority tasks enabling to start operations on the building site within the determined timeline. Construction of the builders camp and the required infrastructure will start on the site at present

Russia strikes Ukrainian military airfields by precision weapons — top brass

Russian troops struck massed Ukrainian manpower and military hardware in 117 areas over the past day, the ministry reported

ICC’s claim of intent to cooperate with Russia absurd, Kremlin spokesman tells TASS

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 proposals about Ukraine time-sensitive — Medvedev

The politician said this proposal is based on two positions

New security architecture in Eurasia to exclude external military presence — Russia’s MFA

Maria Zakharova recalled that the initiative to create a new continent-wide security architecture in the Eurasian space had been put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin

EU fails to approve measures to allocate $50-billion loan to Kiev — EC president

Charles Michel said that discussions on the subject will continue over the next few weeks

Russian stock market indices mixed on Thursday — market data

Higher volatility of the currency market remains the main problem, Alexander Bakhtin from BCS Investment World says

Diplomat calls Ukraine’s attack on Sevastopol direct result of Burgenstock conference

Alexander Grushko said that peace was an easy goal to attain through the Minsk agreements, which provided for the Lugansk and Donetsk regions reunification with Ukraine

EU, Ukraine sign agreement on security guarantees for Kiev

The signing took place on the sidelines of a two-day EU summit, whose agenda includes discussions of the conflict in Ukraine and related issues, among other things

Saudi Aramco, US Sempra on purchasing 5 mln tons of LNG per year

The companies are currently negotiating a binding purchase and sale agreement as well as a definitive equity participation agreement on substantially equivalent terms

10 servicemen involved in coup attempt arrested in Bolivia

Previously, the authorities announced that the Bolivian general Juan Jose Zuniga, who took the troops to the square before the government building in La Paz, may be sentenced to 15-20 years

Lavrov says West will allow killing Russians in Ukraine if conflict becomes frozen

According to the top Russian diplomat, American experts proposed to end hostilities and suggested "looking at the Korean scenario"

Russia for clear mandates for UN peacekeepers — Interior Minister

Vladimir Kolokoltsev noted that the contribution of UN police units to the protection of civilians was undeniable

CEOs of major Russian energy companies named on 'Kremlin report'

Among them are Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, Lukoil CEO Vagit Alekperov and Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin

China brings back panda diplomacy with US, to send two giant pandas to San Diego Zoo

Zoo officials will restrict visitor access to the animals for several weeks after their arrival

Third of Ukrainian troops surrender near Lisichansk, LPR’s envoy to Russia says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, the operation to liberate the LPR would be brought to an end as soon as the operation in Lisichansk was finished

Russia to expedite creation of register of damage from Western sanctions — Medvedev

"Claims for compensations will be presented later in our country and in foreign jurisdictions," the official said

BRICS to suspend admitting new members for a while — Lavrov

"By the overwhelming majority, the ten nations decided to ‘take a pause’ with new members to ‘take in’ the new members who have doubled the association," he said at a meeting with speaker of Belarus

Finns set up 100 camps for USSR citizens during Great Patriotic War — security official

The largest concentration camp center was Petrozavodsk

West trying to make another anti-Russia out of Finland — Security Council

Washington, 'under NATO’s umbrella,' has turned Finland into a dependent semi-vassal,"Rashid Nurgaliyev pointed out

Rutube again available in App Store

The app was removed from the App Store on June 17

What is known about failed coup attempt in Bolivia

On June 26, a group of Bolivian military officers led by General Juan Jose Zuniga, who was dismissed as army commander on June 25, occupied the square in front of the government building in La Paz

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian troops trying to entrench near Belogorovka, says LPR

After suffering casualties, the Ukrainian troops "had to retreat to their previous positions," Andrey Marochko said

Moscow - St. Petersburg high speed rail to cost $20.6 bln — Finance Ministry

The railroad with the length of 679 km will cover six regions: Moscow and St. Petersburg, Leningrad, Novgorod, Tver, and Moscow Regions

Press review: US, Russian defense chiefs touch base and new sheriff in town at NATO

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, June 27th

Russia ready for honest dialogue with the West — deputy foreign minister

"Russia has repeatedly stressed that it does not cut itself off from anyone, and has repeatedly expressed its readiness to cooperate," Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Over 30 buildings, 20 cars damaged in Ukraine’s June 23 missile attack on Crimea

Alexey Krasnokutsky added that damage is still being assessed

Rubber goods storage on fire in Yaroslavl Region — Emergencies Ministry

The roof has collapsed in part, and forty firemen and twelve vehicles are extinguishing the fire

Russia taking measures in response to US involvement in strikes on Sevastopol — diplomat

Commenting on the likelihood of the Russian side using tactical nuclear weapons in response to the shelling of Sevastopol, Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that "the Russian president, as the supreme commander-in-chief, makes such fateful decisions"

Body of US diplomat found in Kiev hotel — report

Medical data provided by the US Embassy show he had a high level of cholesterol

Ukraine signs security agreements with Lithuania and Estonia

The contents of these agreements was not disclosed

Blended finance only way for private capital’s participation in infrastructure

"We need a mechanism, through which the resources accumulated in the private sector can be moved to sectors of the economy and projects in demand at present," VEB.RF Senior Banker Sergey Storchak said

Agreement between Gazprom, NIGC to turn Iran into gas hub — Iran’s acting president

Cooperation between the two countries will lead to signing of larger agreements and contracts, Mohammad Mokhber said

MQ-9 Reaper drone buzzes dangerously close to Russian warplane in Syrian skies — military

The Russian pilot demonstrated high professionalism and took timely measures to prevent a collision

West harbors Ukraine's vain hopes of returning to pre-2014 borders — experts

The experts also point to the Western misconception that Russia will allegedly attack Europe after achieving the special military operation goals, starting with Poland and the Baltics

Europe’s KNDS defense holding unveils new howitzers, come may be sent to Ukraine — TV

According to the report, the Kiev government may receive 50 such howitzers

Putin's visits to Asia accelerate Russia's strategic turn eastward — Chinese envoy

Chang Xuhong also noted that certain powers, in pursuance of their geopolitical interests, "stir up ideological differences and actively forge exclusive groupings in the Asia-Pacific region, trying to replace cooperation with confrontation"

Russia to launch app for compatriots living abroad

According to the agency for international humanitarian cooperation, it is very imprtant, "because compatriots want to receive prompt and comprehensive information about what is happening here"

None of candidates for joining eurozone meets necessary criteria — EC

The criteria evaluate indicators such as the stability of the financial system, price levels, and stable exchange rates

Finland planned genocide of Soviet people in 1940-1941 — Russian Security council

Rashid Nurgaliyev pointed out that, on July 8, 1941, one day before the beginning of the Finnish offensive north of Lake Ladoga, Carl Gustaf Mannerheim issued the order number 132, its fourth clause reading: "capture the Russian population and send it to concentration camps"

Bretton Woods system dead and gone — Putin

"There is no other guarantee, so to say, other than confidence in the US economy, in the current global financial system," the Russian leader noted

West plays nuclear roulette by prolonging conflict in Ukraine — experts

According to the scholars, the dynamics of the conflict indicates that the search for its political resolution is more relevant than ever before

Disrespect for immunity of countries could be step toward war — Medvedev

"Russia, like most countries of the world, including, incidentally, the United States of America and the largest countries - China, India - is not a party to this theatrical institution called the ICC," the official stressed

Russia, US keep communication channels open — senior diplomat

"There are contacts at other levels and along other lines, along the lines of presidential administrations, in particular along the lines of intelligence services, diplomatic agencies are in contact with each other on their own issues," Sergey Ryabkov said

French PM may limit president’s actions in foreign policy — expert

"The prime minister may introduce red lines or restrictions to the president," Sebastien Chenu said

Demand for summer tours to Vietnam among Russian tourists rises several-fold

Tour operator ITM Group is also seeing a higher number of bookings to Vietnam - sales are now three times higher than for the whole of 2023

Houthis, Islamic Resistance in Iraq attack commercial vessels in Israel’s Haifa

The movement reported that its drones attacked Haifa-bound cattleship

What is known about coup attempt in Bolivia

Chinese defense official warns of hellish consequences for US’ Taiwan drone plans

"Those who are clamoring about turning other people's homes into hell should first prepare to be sent to a hell of their own," Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesman Wu Qian said

West-imposed order contradicts international law, says Medvedev

"Meanwhile, approval of the will of states is the original act that international law norms emerge from and this cannot be done in any other way," the Russian Security Council deputy chairman said

Nuclear doctrine may be amended based on experience of operation in Ukraine — Russian MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Russia's President Vladimir Putin order an exercise to practice the skills of using non-strategic nuclear weapons was a signal that drove the message home not only for military professionals and not only for diplomats, but also for the general public in Western countries

IN BRIEF: US ambitions to 'rule the world' doomed to failure, Lavrov tells forum

It is reported that Russia is open to dialogue with Europe based on the recognition of new territorial realities enshrined in the country’s constitution

Production at former Volkswagen car plant in Kaluga will restart on August 1

In May 2023, German automaker Volkswagen completed the sale of its Russian assets to the local investor Art-Finance LLC for 125 million euros

Russia vows comprehensive defense measures in nuclear conflict — senior diplomat

Russia has never favored the US idea of limited nuclear war, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Russia’s Navy to receive over 40 new ships in 2024 — Putin

In 2023 the number was 33

No NATO invitation for Kiev during July summit — US diplomat

Julianne Smith reiterated that NATO will not accept countries engaged in a military conflict as its members

West not taking growing nuclear threat seriously enough, senior diplomat says

Meanwhile, Sergey Ryabkov noted, "the situation is tenuous, alarming, and, let’s face it, dangerous"

No way right to veto will disappear, says UN secretary-general

"Whenever there is a veto, there is an explanation given to the General Assembly," Antonio Guterres said

Lavrov horrified by Israel's statement there are no civilians in Gaza

Moscow hopes that Israel will hear the voice of the world's overwhelming majority on the situation in Gaza, the top Russian diplomat said

Zelensky admits Ukraine unwilling to prolong conflict due to high casualties

Previously, Ukraine announced that it will prepare a settlement plan after the first conference in Switzerland, which will be presented to Russia at the second similar meeting

Ukraine-EU agreement doesn’t contain practical guarantees of security

With respect to the current conflict, the EU reaffirmed the commitments that are already in place and pledged to continue honoring them

Assets to be withdrawn from US jurisdiction — Russian Security Council

"The most efficient mechanism will be the withdrawal of all the sovereign assets out of the US jurisdiction and structuring of deals without using the dollar," Dmitry Medvedev noted

Putin hands Order of Honor to Congolese president

Talks between the two leaders are taking place at the Kremlin

Politician blames former British PM for Ukrainian battle casualties

The Reform UK leader Nigel Farage did not rule out that Ukraine would have to give up some of its territories in order to put an end to fighting

EU countries will not seize Russian assets in the near future — expert

"Legal registration of any mechanisms associated with seizure or deprivation of property rights would be a serious blow to their reputation," Ekaterina Arapova said

Two bodies found at site of train derailment in Komi — Russian Railways

Russian Railways said that it had opened an investigation to establish all the details of the incident

Lavrov condemns coup attempt during phone call with Foreign Minister of Bolivia

The Foreign Ministry underscored that, during the conversation, Sergey Lavrov stated "Russia’s full and unwavering support for the government of President Luiz Arce"

Press review: Indian PM to visit Moscow and EU-Ukraine accession talks officially begin

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 26th

Putin hopes construction of warships will be cheaper

Russian President said it at a meeting on shipbuilding

Russia’s wheat export to China up nine-fold in January-May — Agroexport

Australia, France and Canada are among top three largest wheat exporters to China in natural terms

Most Americans consider Biden too old to be efficient president — poll

The poll also revealed that, if the elections took place right now, 48% of voters would have picked Donald Trump, 78, while only 42% would have cast their ballots for Joe Biden

Seven Ukrainian drones destroyed over Russian regions during night

Kiev’s attempt to stage an attack on facilities in Russia with the use of fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles was thwarted

West getting closer to point of no return by taking anti-Russian measures — diplomat

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that foreign policy all-permissiveness and overindulgence in the feeling of impunity in the long run will lead to an escalation

New sanctions hinder work with external partners, in Russia everything works fine

Russian Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov emphasized that by the moment the restrictions had been introduced Russia had prepared a plan of action and it worked, with no catastrophe happening

Russian embassies overflowing with requests to relocate to country — MFA

Maria Zakharova also drew attention to the fact that the Russian Foreign Policy Concept touches upon the topic of traditional values 11 times

Yemeni Houthis report joint attack with Iraq’s Islamic Resistance on Haifa

The US and its allies launched Operation Prosperity Guardian aiming to ensure both the freedom of navigation and the safety of maritime traffic in the Red Sea

Is Gaddafi's gloom prophecy in regard to Europe bound to be fulfilled?

As Europe’s migrant crisis grows far and wide, many Russian media are recalling the late Libyan leader Muamar Gaddafi’s gloom prophecy made several months before his violent death

Discussions on South Caucasus need to be moved out of Switzerland — Russian delegation

"This is related to the fact that the Geneva venue is no longer comfortable for Russia and its allies," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin added

Russia mulls downgrading diplomatic relations with West, no decision made yet — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov explained that "at a time when the Western countries openly declare that their main aim is to achieve Russia's strategic defeat on the battlefield, of course, this cannot but cause a response from Moscow"

No French troops to go to Ukraine if Bardella becomes PM, says politician

Marine Le Pen reiterated her statements that the 28-year-old Jordan Bardella should take over as head of the country's Cabinet

US permits oil supplies from Sakhalin-2 to Japan until June 28, 2025

The general license does not authorize any transactions otherwise prohibited by restrictions against Russia imposed earlier

Direct Russia-US clash to entail massive use of nuclear weapons — expert

Yevgeny Buzhinsky pointed out that despite all the modeling that had been carried out over decades, it is impossible to accurately predict what effect a massive use of nuclear weapons would have on the globe

US weaponizing Taiwan just like it did with Ukraine — Russian diplomat

Ivan Zhelokhovtsev also pointed out that Russia and China "are well aware of the risks of the Asia-Pacific region’s NATOfication"

Ukrainian officials deny cholera outbreak in Kherson — spokesman of region’s governor

According to Vladimir Vasilenko, wells on the right bank of the Kherson Region are not maintained due to lack of electricity