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NATO to name Rutte as future secretary general on June 26 — AFP

EU leaders previously greenlit Mark Rutte's candidacy at a summit in Brussels on June 17, which was convened to discuss appointments to key EU and NATO posts

BRUSSELS, June 25. /TASS/. The North Atlantic Council will meet at the level of ambassadors on June 26 to officially name outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next secretary general of the alliance, AFP reported, citing unidentified diplomats.

Rutte would assume office in October.

EU leaders previously greenlit Rutte's candidacy at a summit in Brussels on June 17, which was convened to discuss appointments to key EU and NATO posts. Then, Hungary and Romania, the last NATO members that opposed the appointment, withdrew their objections.

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Middle East conflict

Nasrallah’s elimination to help bring home people of Israel’s north — Netanyahu

"As long he was alive, Nasrallah could promptly restore the Hezbollah potential, which we undermined," the Israeli Prime Minister said

Russia strongly condemns Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader — Foreign Ministry

"Once again we are urging Israel to immediately end hostilities," the statement said

Chinese foreign minister urges US to stop imposing sanctions on Beijing over Ukraine

Wang Yi warned the US against using the issue of Ukraine to foment block confrontation

Netherlands decommissions F-16 planes, transitions to F-35s

This type of planes stayed on duty for over 45 years, and was useful both inside and outside of the country

Global South voices concern over risk of further escalation of Ukraine crisis

The platform calls on all parties to the conflict to comply with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter

Coalition’s strikes on Yemen hurt UN mediation efforts — special envoy

According to Hans Grundberg, sustainable peace in Yemen is achievable, but UN diplomats need de-escalation in the Middle East on the whole to work more effectively

Russian diplomat sees hostile US policy as obstacle to dialogue about New START

"If we are seriously talking about strengthening security, the anti-Russian policy first needs to be abandoned," Sergey Ryabkov emphasized

Iran's supreme leader moved to secure location amid reports of Hezbollah chief’s death

According to the media outlet, the move was part of tightened security measures

Presidential aide warns West against trying to kick out Russia from Baltic Sea

Nikolay Patrushev added that in violation of international rules, Russian ships are disconnected from the satellite communication network, which creates risks to the safety of navigation

Belarus, Russia plan to sign treaty on security guarantees — foreign minister

The countries are looking to conclude the agreement by the 25th anniversary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus

Israel determined to achieve complete victory in Gaza, PM says

Hamas has to "surrender, lay down its arms and release all the hostages," Benjamin Netanyahu stressed

IDF General Staff approves plans of further actions against Hezbollah

Herzi Halevi mentioned the "elimination of terrorist organizations and their potential," the "return of hostages" from the Gaza Strip and the "safe return of the residents of both [Israeli] north and the south to their homes" among the upcoming tasks

Zelensky to leave US without permission to attack Russia with Western weapons — newspaper

According to the report, "no shift in Washington’s stance on the use of the long-range missiles was announced"

Israeli army officially confirms death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah

According to the army, Israeli "fighter jets conducted a targeted strike on the Central Headquarters of the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which was located underground embedded under a residential building in the area of Dahieh in Beirut."

External forces want to wipe Georgia off world map with opposition’s hands — ruling party

According to the founder of the ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, the UNM party founded by the former president, Mikhail Saakashvili, and the political, non-governmental and media organizations gathered around it are "pressing for the interests of external forces and trying to drag Georgia into the horrors of war"

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah not hurt in Israeli attack — TV

The broadcaster said that the movement’s leadership would make a statement on Israel’s act of aggression against Lebanon in the coming hours

FACTBOX: What is known about gas station explosion near Makhachkala

Dagestan’s Interior Ministry said that five people died in the explosion, and ten more were injured

Events in Lebanon stand in the way of peace in Yemen — UN special envoy

According to Hans Grundberg, it is affecting conflict resolution and the possibilities of making serious and strategic decision making

Captured soldier urges countrymen to get out of Ukraine

Vasily Kozub surrendered without a fight when Russian troops entered his dugout

Israeli aircraft strike near Beirut airport — report

Earlier, the IDF said its Air Force was striking Hezbollah sites

Zelensky leaves US without permission to use Western weapons to strike deep inside Russia

The President of Ukraine said that during a trip to America he presented his “victory plan” to the United States

Russian presidential aide, Baltic Fleet chief discuss regional situation, combat training

The meeting, which took place at the fleet’s headquarters and involved Baltic Fleet Commander Sergey Lipilin, discussed the military and political situation in the region

EU fears world war, interested in Brazil-China peace plan — newspaper

According to the sources, officials from a number of countries, including EU members, contacted Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York

Temporary base of mercenaries hit near Ukraine’s Odessa

Meanwhile, explosions have also been reported in the city of Sumy in southeastern Ukraine

All resistance forces in Middle East support Hezbollah, Iranian supreme leader says

The entire resistance front in the region is on Hezbollah’s side and supports it

Press review: Putin sends nuke smoke signal to West and China shows off military might

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 26th

Ukraine’s poorly trained new recruits often flee their positions — newspaper

"The commanders estimated that 50 to 70% of new infantry troops were killed or wounded within days of starting their first rotation," the report said

Dagestan declares Saturday day of mourning for victims of explosion at gas station

State flags will be lowered throughout the region

Spiral of violence escalates beyond Israeli-Palestinian conflict — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreighn Minister, conflict at Lebanon-Israel border areas echoes in other parts of the region

Lavrov calls on US to embrace peace, demand end to war in Middle East

Russian Foreign Minister made the statement at a UN Security Council meeting

Evacuation of Ukrainian troops from Ugledar urgently needed, military expert says

Vladislav Seleznev underscored that the Ukrainian troops are in a "critical shortage" of resources, necessary to counter the Russian forces on this swath of the frontline

Russian air defenses shoot down Ukrainian drones over Bryansk, Oryol regions

On-duty air defenses destroyed a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle over the Oryol Region

Russia's Su-35 backs up jets striking Ukrainian hardware, facilities in Kursk Region

"During combat missions, Su-35S fighter crews patrolled the assigned area and provided cover for bomber and attack aircraft, as well as army aviation helicopters, during air strikes on Ukrainian military facilities and equipment," the defense ministry stated

Russian troops cut all supply routes for Ukrainian troops in DPR's Ugledar — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, Russian forces now control more than a third of the settlement

Ukraine shrinks each time talks with Russia are disrupted — Lavrov

Russia is glad to see any initiatives concerning the Ukrainian settlement, including the one proposed by former US President Donald Trump, the Russian foreign minister said

Israeli military still studying outcome of precision attack on Beirut

According to Defense Forces Spokesman Daniel Hagari, the IDF is "at peak readiness on all fronts"

Israeli army calls up three reserve battalions

It is done in accordance with the situational assessment

Right to nuclear retaliation is no message to the West

The key factor of the updated doctrine is that Russia retains the right for a retaliatory nuclear strike in response to an aggression with conventional forces and arms against it, Igor Korotchenko stated

Death toll from gas station explosion in Russia’s Dagestan rises to 13

Another body has been found

Ending dependence on Russian fossil fuels is hard to achieve goal for EU — Bloomberg

Despite Western sanctions, imports of Russian fossil fuels to the European Union stood at around $1 billion per month at the end of 2023

Helicopter with Russian pilots crashes in Pakistan, there are casualties — Geo TV

At least six people died and eight others were injured, the TV channel reports

West, not Russia, to blame for blocking work of UN bodies — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister drew attention to the fact that the West, in pursuing its policy of hegemonism, continues to escalate confrontation

Russia, Belarus to link border cities by railroads — Russian Deputy PM

Smolensk, Pskov, Vitebsk, and other cities are among them

Russia says its military repairmen retrieved US-made MaxxPro from battlefield

According to Defense Ministry, the American armored vehicle was destroyed by an FPV drone unit of the battlegroup Center’s special-purpose unit

Lavrov offers condolences to top Lebanese diplomat over deaths in conflict with Israel

Sergey Lavrov and Abdallah Bou Habib held a meeting on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly

Russian Foreign Ministry gives Israeli ambassador talking-to over critical remarks

According to the ministry, a rebuttal to Simona Halperin’s statements was posted on its official website

Through West’s fault it is impossible to reset global cooperation — Lavrov

Russia’s initiatives on Eurasian security and independent payment mechanisms are receiving good feedback worldwide, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said

Zelensky's visit to Washington shows significant decline in his popularity — media

The report said that few US lawmakers attended the meeting with the Ukrainian president, and the leaders of Congress made no efforts to elevate the profile of his visit

Ukrainian armed formation trapped near Selidovo in DPR — security forces

"Heavy combat is underway with all logistics being cut off on that section of the frontline," the source said

Ukrainian attack kills civilian in Russia’s Belgorod Region

The town of Shebekino came under attack once again today

US to never absolve itself of responsibility for Nasrallah’s assassination — Pezeshkian

Iranian President claimed that the order to assassinate Hezbollah leader was given from the US

Press review: EP extends hand to Russia and Tehran ready to talk nuke deal with US

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 24th

Hezbollah movement confirms death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah — statement

The movement also vowed to continue its fight against Israel

Israeli airstrike kills Hamas field commander in southern Syria — army statement

Ahmad Muhammad Fahd was responsible for carrying out terror attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel from the area of southern Syria

Hamas calls assassination of Hezbollah leader a ‘cowardly terrorist attack’

The radicals believe that the "US Administration is also responsible for its constant political, diplomatic and military support [to Israel] and for its silence and incapability to condemn" the Jewish state

Violence spreads far beyond Israeli-Palestinian conflict — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister noted, that there is an unprecedented level of confrontation in the Palestinian territory and in the Lebanese-Israeli border area

Ukraine conflict to drag on for years based on Korea scenario — Serbian president

Aleksandar Vucic pointed out that major US opinion polls had put the Ukraine conflict in ninth place in the top ten important issues

Violators of UNSC Resolution 1701 on Lebanon must face harsh reprisals — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister called on the sides "to immediately cease hostilities, which would prevent further bloodshed"

Switzerland can not serve as neutral venue for talks — Russian envoy

Speaking about the recent decision of the lower chamber of the Swiss parliament to "recognize the famine in Ukraine as genocide," Sergey Garmonin noted that the Russian Embassy’s statement on the matter emphasized that "it is not based on any historical facts"

US declares full-scale war on freedom of speech — Russian MFA

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recalled that on September 4 and 13, Washington imposed sanctions on a number of Russian media outlets

Middle East on cusp of major war, says Lavrov

Lavrov said that even though the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly passed several resolutions calling for a ceasefire and sustainable humanitarian access to Gaza, the Israeli military operation continues

Serbian sniper says Russia fights against 50 countries led by UK, US, France

According to Dejan Beric, fighters from these countries and their equipment are directly involved in the conflict

Firearms cache discovered along President Tokayev’s motorcade route in Kazakhstan — police

A criminal case has been initiated over this incident

Nearly half of those present in UN Security Council hall walk out before Israel’s address

israeli Permanent Representative Gilad Erdan was to address the council after Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour

Russia says its Ka-52M helicopters take out Ukrainian troops, equipment in Kursk Region

According to the ministry said, the strikes on the previously detected enemy targets were delivered with air-borne missiles

Putin announces transition to national currencies in export payments

The President noted that Russia's partners were interested in it to the highest degree

Elimination of mercenaries, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

In total, the enemy lost more than 17,750 people during the fighting

China, Brazil's peace plan on Ukraine supported by over 110 countries — diplomat

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian also said that Beijing is willing to contact relevant parties and jointly promote a political solution to the crisis

Russian prime minister approves list of countries imposing destructive attitudes

It includes the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other states

Russian forces destroy long-standing Ukrainian stronghold — politician

"This is significant because the stronghold allowed Ukraine to control a fairly large area in the Orekhovo direction," Vladimir Rogov said

Moody’s downgrades Israel’s ratings to Baa1

According to the agency, the move stems from the escalation of Israel’s conflict with the Lebanon-based Hezbollah movement

Polish president admits that many Westerners want to resume business with Russia

Andrzej Duda, nonetheless, expressed support for the Kiev authorities' position that Ukraine "must regain control over its internationally recognized territories"

Almost 90% of oil supplies to Europe redirected to other countries — Novak

"We directed the greater portion to the Asia-Pacific Region, to Africa, to Latin America - where energy resources are in demand at present," the official said

US creating NATO bases in Ukraine under guise of training centers — Belarusian president

"Unfortunately, the Ukrainian authorities don't care a bit about their own people and they don't hear our concerns," Alexander Lukashenko noted

Iran to take measures following Israeli strike on Beirut — president

Masoud Pezeshkian expressed condolences to the families of all people killed

The West's climate agenda would lead to death of Global South’s economy — Russian ministry

It's necessary to create a new industry based on the climate, but one that will lead to growth, Russia’s First Deputy Minister of Energy Pavel Sorokin said

Hungary to continue peace mission to resolve Ukraine conflict, says top diplomat

This peace mission is a continuous one

Kiev's 2025 arms deliveries at risk due to lack of money from allies — news agency

According to the media, some allies are experiencing difficulties with financing and others are refusing to increase financial aid to Kiev

Lavrov blasts France’s idea to limit veto power in UNSC as shameless move

"Britain and France themselves generally play along with those who want to force the process," the Russian foreign minister pointed out

Ukraine loses over 370 troops, eight armored vehicles in Kursk area in past day

Over the past day, the Ukrainian armed forces lost over 370 troops, eight armored vehicles, including a tank, two US-made M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and five armored combat vehicles

Remarks about preparations for war with Russia mirror West’s position — Kremlin spokesman

Germany has developed an operational plan for a war with Russia; NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Rob Bauer said that a conflict was highly likely, while Chief of the General Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces Major General Vahur Karus even highlighted Tallinn’s readiness to conduct a pre-emptive strike

Death toll from gas station explosion in Russia’s Dagestan rises to 12

Another body has been pulled out from under the rubble

Israeli strike on Beirut kills Hezbollah leader’s daughter — TV

According to the broadcaster, Zainab Nasrallah repeatedly made public statements about loyalty to Hezbollah’s aims

War in Lebanon could lead to further escalation, involve outside powers — Guterres

War in Lebanon could lead to further escalation involving outside powers, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said

Nuclear arms to be used as soon as NATO attacks Belarus, Lukashenko says

According to the Belarusian leader, Minsk is getting ready for such a development

US trying to drive wedge between Russia, Ukraine for years, says Assange

He recalled numerous warnings on the part of Russia that the attempts to bring Ukraine into NATO might trigger a civil war in that country

US, UK prepare Europe for suicide venture against Russia — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister pointed out the "pointlessness and danger of the very idea to fight to victory with a nuclear power like Russia"

Russia sees interest in increasing gas supplies to Asia — Novak

The needs for energy resources are also growing in this region, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister said

Kremlin to announce in due time which countries are on nuclear deterrence list

The day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the changes to be made to the nuclear doctrine and, according to the Russian leader, "the range of countries and military alliances to which nuclear deterrence will apply has been expanded"

Drought-stricken Botswana to kill, eat 20,000 elephants unless Germany takes them — report

Mokgweetsi Masisi pointed out that Botswana was facing its "worst drought in 50 years," causing widespread famine among the people

Hungarian PM rejects allegations that country would not defend itself if threatened

Viktor Orban also warned against drawing parallels between the events of 1956 and the conflict in Ukraine

Russian air defenses destroy five drones over Belgorod, Kursk regions last night

The Kiev regime’s attempt to carry out a terrorist attack on targets in Russia using fixed-wing drones was foiled

Biden questions Zelensky’s decision to attack Russia’s Kursk Region — media

The US president is also "somewhat dubious about Zelensky’s 'victory plan,'" which the latter presented to him during a visit to Washington on September 26

Russian forces carry out group strike on Ukrainian army’s airfield infrastructure

The attack involved high-precision long-range weapons

IRGC deputy commander Nilforushan killed in Israeli airstrike at Beirut — Mehr

The news agency reported it without providing any additional details

Moscow court to hear case of 73-year-old American accused of fighting for Ukraine

Under the influence of Ukrainian media, Stephen Hubbard joined the Ukrainian military without fully understanding the situation

Ukraine loses over 2,980 military personnel in responsibility zone of battlegroup West

The group’s units improved their positions along the front line, defeating formations from six Ukrainian mechanized, tank, and assault brigades, as well as two defense brigades and a brigade of the National Guard

Hezbollah loses contact with leader on Friday night — agency

Contact with Hassan Nasrallah was lost on Friday night

Presidential aide accuses West of trying to isolate Kaliningrad Region

"Work is underway to redirect diesel fuel, cement, crushed stone and other cargoes to the specialized tanker fleet, bulk carriers and dry cargo ships," Nikolay Patrushev said

Some foreign mercenaries in Kursk Region already eliminated — army

Major-General Apty Alaudinov noted that it should not be surprising that many mercenaries had come from countries considered friendly to Russia

Trump says he will visit Ukraine

The US Republican presidential candidate did not specify when he planned to make a trip to Ukraine