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

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Declaration of martial law in South Korea

Motion to impeach South Korean president submitted to parliament — Reuters

The impeachment requires support by 200 members of the 300-seat National Assembly

SEOUL, December 4. /TASS/. The proposal for impeaching President Yoon Suk-yeol has been officially submitted to the South Korean parliament, the Reuters news agency reports.

In accordance with the national legislation, the impeachment motion is to be put to the vote within 24-72 hours from the moment of formal introduction: on December 6 or 7.

The impeachment is being initiated by six opposition parties. It requires support by 200 members of the 300-seat National Assembly. The presidential People Power Party has 108 mandates. Some of its legislators are known to have voted in favor of lifting martial law.

However, even if the two-thirds majority target is met, the case will be considered by the Constitutional Court. Its quorum for discussing such issues is seven members. Now the court has six out of nine members. The appointment of judges is approved by the president. In accordance with some interpretations of the fundamental law he can leave the positions vacant.

Declaration of martial law in South Korea

Ruling party leader calls for suspension of South Korean president from power

According to Han Dong-hoon, if Yoon Suk Yeol remains in power, there is a "great danger" that situations similar to martial law will be repeated

Press review: South Korean crisis deepens as Kremlin rules out talks with Kiev

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 4th

Russian army captures soldiers of Ukrainian presidential brigade

The POWs are currently being kept safe and are receiving all necessary assistance

Finland dashed friendship, joint hockey games with Russia overnight — Lavrov

The Foreign Minister suggested that the previously existing good-neighborly relations between Russia and Finland only burdened Helsinki

Versatile system for various scenarios: foreign media about close-up shots of Tsirkon

The launch in question took place on December 3, 2024, during joint exercises by the Russian Navy and Aerospace Forces in the eastern Mediterranean Sea

Lavrov supposes Germany together with US could shed light on causes of Navalny's death

Talking to the American journalist, the Russian foreign minister noted the indifference of politicians and UN officials, as well as representatives of the Western press

Russia committed to preventing Ukraine from acquiring nuclear weapons — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed to alarming statements by Kiev officials, "which not only question the viability of the Budapest Memorandum but could also be interpreted as an outright attempt to review Ukraine's non-nuclear status"

There can be no winners in nuclear war — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat recalled that back in 1987, US President Ronald Reagan and General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev approved a formula that meets the interests of the entire international community: "no nuclear war"

Ukraine faces tragedy, Palestine - disaster, says top Russian diplomat

Sergey Lavrov noted that Israel's operation in response to the terrorist attack acquired the proportion of collective punishment, which is against international humanitarian law

Lavrov envisions inclusive, polycentric Eurasian architecture

The Russian foreign minister expressed regret that "the OSCE leadership and those who manipulate it deliberately keep this organization from doing constructive work and outside the objective course of history"

Ukrainian front collapses as Kiev faces worst situation since conflict started — analyst

Maria Berlinskaya noted the demoralization of Ukrainian society that, she said, is brought about by the actions of the country's military and political leadership and the corruption of officials

Developments in Russia’s Kursk Region: Ukrainian commander under investigation, losses

Investigators started a criminal case against Colonel Pavlo Rozlach, who ordered cluster munitions with poisonous substances to be used in the Kursk Region

Hamas approves proposal to set up committee to run Gaza

"The Hamas delegation concluded meetings in Cairo, where it held a dialogue with representatives of the Fatah movement on the establishment of a committee to run Gaza, which will facilitate the implementation of agreements at the national level to achieve full unity and end the division of Palestinian ranks," the group said in a statement

Ruling party leader calls for suspension of South Korean president from power

According to Han Dong-hoon, if Yoon Suk Yeol remains in power, there is a "great danger" that situations similar to martial law will be repeated

Mystery illness puts Congolese health officials on general alert

According to the latest data, 40% of all deaths happen among children under the age of five

PREVIEW: Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov to take part in Doha Forum

A meeting of the ministers of the Astana Process countries is also planned amid the escalation of the situation in Syria

Russian, Syrian military jets eliminate at least 300 militants over day

According to senior officer, also was destroyed 9 multiple rocket launchers, seven tanks, 28 armored combat vehicles

Russia in talks with Chinese automaker on production localization — minister

Negotiations are being held proactively

Gold could become dollar's main competitor in world trade — Sechin

Rosneft CEO added that the US has lost its leadership in science, industry, and finance and has failed to maintain a fair world order

Lavrov considers Trump strong, friendly, but not pro-Russian

"I think he's a very strong person. A person who wants results," the Russian top diplomat said

China imposes sanctions on 13 US arms manufacturers over supplies to Taiwan

The assets of the blacklisted individuals and entities will be frozen, and engaging in business with them will be prohibited, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said

Syrian air defenses repel drone attack in airspace over Homs — radio station

There were no further details provided regarding the UAV attack

Lavrov says US attacked Russia by proxy of Ukraine

"President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin has repeatedly said that we were left with no other option but to start the special military operation," the Russian foreign minister stressed

Lavrov says events unfolding in Syria nothing but complex game with large number of actors

The Russian foreign minister expressed hope that the context which the sides were planning for this week would help stabilize the situation

Macron says he will stay in office until his presidential term ends in 2027

He condemned the opposition, which he said is "only thinking about the presidential election."

Icy Russia-US relations a product of Washington not keeping its word — Lavrov

The examples are numerous, including in regards to the Ukrainian crisis, the Russian top diplomat stressed

Russia expects West to take Oreshnik missile test seriously — Lavrov

"We don't want to aggravate the situation, but since ATACMS and other long-range weapons are being used against mainland Russia as it were, we are sending signals," the Russian foreign minister stressed

Protesters in Tbilisi launch fireworks at Georgian parliament building

A group of unidentified your people unexpectedly brought fireworks and started firing them

Lavrov stays silent about meetings with US officials so as not to ruin their careers

When asked if the conversations were meaningful, the Russian top diplomat replied in negative

OSCE Ministerial Council meeting opens in Malta

The Russian delegation is represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Kiev troops attack DPR territory three times in past day

All three attacks were carried out in the Gorlovka direction

Russia wants no nuclear war with US — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat emphasized that according to Russia's military doctrine, the most important thing was to avoid a nuclear war

Putin convenes Security Council to discuss production of dual-use goods

This is important both for the economy as a whole and for maintaining and improving the country's defense capability, the head of state said

Moscow doesn’t think resolution of Ukrainian issue sole purview of Russia, US — Lavrov

"We prefer the manners which dominate in BRICS, in Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where the UN Charter principle of sovereign equality of states is really embodied," the Russian top diplomat stressed

Russia to judge Trump administration by concrete steps — Lavrov

"It's obvious that the Biden administration would like to leave a legacy to the Trump administration as bad as they can," the Russia's top diplomat pointed out

Tucker Carlson's interview with Lavrov gets 2 million views on social network X

Lavrov's conversation with Carlson lasted almost an hour and a half

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, UAV assembly workshop over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 560 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a German-made Leopard tank in its area of responsibility over the past day

FACTBOX: Release of new Russia-North Korea treaty

The document came into force on December 4 and will be valid indefinitely

US doesn't like Georgian election results, that's why it ignores OSCE report — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister recalled that the monitoring mission of OSCE presented a positive report on the elections in Georgia

Roscosmos ready to make Oreshnik missile as powerful as Russian Defense Ministry wants

Russia responded by firing its newest Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile with a non-nuclear warhead at a Yuzhmash Ukrainian defense industry plant in the city of Dnepr, President Vladimir Putin said earlier

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

Several confidential US-Russia communication channels exist — Lavrov

"There are several channels, but mostly on exchange of people who serve terms in Russia and in the United States. There were several swaps," the top Russian diplomat said

Moscow helps Minsk overcome Western sanctions — envoy to Russia

Minsk made a strategic decision to preserve and develop its domestic capacities despite the sanctions, Alexander Rogozhnik said

Intensive talks on Gaza underway, may affect entire region — Israel's president

In Isaac Herzog's view, resolving the situation in the Palestinian enclave could open the door to renewed negotiations on normalizing Israel's relations with Saudi Arabia

Zelensky softens rhetoric on territorial concessions to Russia — web portal

According to the report, the rhetoric has changed as Russian troops break through Ukrainian defenses on their increasingly rapid westward advance

Russian troops advance in Kurakhovo, encircling it from west — official

On December 4, Vladimir Rogov said that the Russian army was conducting a mop-up operation in the settlement of Stariye Terny in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Russia does not intend to destroy brotherly Ukrainian people — Lavrov

The minister recalled that Russia had warned for years that NATO's approach to its borders would create a problem, and Russian President Vladimir Putin had spent years explaining this on international platforms to people who dreamed of the "end of history" and their dominance

Russia would like to see sanctions lifted, but economy stands firm — Lavrov

"The more we live under sanctions, the more we understand that it is better to rely on yourself, and to develop mechanisms, platforms for cooperation with ‘normal’ countries who are not unfriendly to you, and don't mix economic interests and policies and especially politics," the top diplomat said

Serbia’s Vucic hopes for no more escalation in Ukraine

The Serbian president also stated that various parties in Europe and the world are not ready to engage in a dialogue to solve all the problems that have piled up

‘Invitation to disaster’ — Lavrov on US politicians mulling surgical nuclear strikes

The top Russian diplomat noted that earlier, US National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said that the Americans do not want any escalation while their European allies will suffer if nuclear weapons are used

Russia would like normal relations with US — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister emphasized that the countries were not at war

Russia’s National Wealth Fund totals 13 trillion rubles as of December 1 — ministry

As of November 1, 2024, the National Wealth Fund amounted 12.73 trillion rubles

Russian, US chiefs of general staff discuss conflict in Ukraine — Pentagon

The Pentagon and the US Joint Chiefs of Staff have not yet replied to a TASS request for a comment

Russian gunners carry out over 100 strikes on Kiev forces near Kupyansk in 24 hours

Military expert Andrey Marochko noted that the "hottest spots" in terms of the number of strikes carried out by Russian artillerymen were the areas of the settlements of Kucherovka, Petrovpavlovka, Lozovaya and Glushkovka

Lavrov's interview with Carlson lasts hour and half, tackling mostly Russia-US ‘war’

In one hour and 22 minutes, the top diplomat answered questions about possible solutions to the Ukrainian crisis

Lavrov’s interview with Tucker Carlson turns out very interesting — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, the interview is currently being translated and will be released in a couple of days

Protest in Georgial’s capital Tbilisi ends peacefully

At some point, the participants decided to leave the square in front of the parliament building, marching down Rustaveli Avenue towards the Tbilisi Opera building

West could 'exile' Zelensky to London if ceasefire reached — newspaper

According to the report, this move could allegedly be accompanied by the country's "swift" accession to the EU, with economic aid for reconstruction and the deployment of European peacekeeping forces

FACTBOX: OPEC+ talks on stabilization of oil market

Strike with Oreshnik shows Russia’s resolve to prevent ‘strategic defeat’ — Lavrov

"The message which we wanted to send by testing in real action this hypersonic system is that we will be ready to do anything to defend our legitimate interests," the Russian foreign minister stressed

Putin questions logic behind Volkswagen leaving Russia

The Russian president stressed that Russia allowed its German partners to operate under free market conditions in the country

IN BRIEF: Situation in Ukraine, Russia's relations with US: Lavrov's interview to Carlson

TASS has compiled the key statements of the Russian foreign minister

US is going bankrupt fast — Elon Musk

US entrepreneur, along with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswami, will head the newly created "Department of Government Efficiency" in Donald Trump’s administration

Tsunami threat after earthquake in California cancelled — NOAA

According to the NOAA website, there is currently "no tsunami warning, advisory, watch, or threat.".

Trump’s policies against BRICS to affect supplies of semiconductors — Malaysian minister

Malaysia as a BRICS partner country is aware of Trump’s threats to impose tariffs for participants of the alliance should they abandon the dollar in mutual trade settlements, Malaysian Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said

Boris Johnson could stop peace process on Ukraine driven by immediate desires — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister said it in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson

Zelensky not thinking straight wanting to bring back people of Russian culture — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister recalled Vladimir Zelensky's interview in September 2021, where the Ukrainian leader advised people feeling associated with the Russian culture to "get out to Russia"

US journalist Tucker’s interview with Lavrov to be published early on Dec. 6 — diplomat

Maria Zakharova earlier said that the interview with Russia’s top diplomat turned out to be "very interesting" and it included questions regarding the present-day relations with the United States, Ukraine as well as other issues

Lavrov briefs Carlson about Russia’s relations with West over last 30 years

Carlson reminded Lavrov of the ideas of a number of politicians in Washington who 20 years ago proposed bringing Russia into the Western bloc

Gazprombank remains sole authorized bank in ruble gas payments

Gazprombank does not provide assistance any more to foreign buyers in converting foreign exchange to rubles for purposes of payments for natural gas, the credit institution said

Ukrainian army to draft all men soon, officer warns

It is reported that employees of recruitment centers are being reassigned to army positions at the home front

Russia and US not at war, but hybrid war being waged against Moscow — Lavrov

What is going on in Ukraine is that some people call it hybrid war, the Russian foreign minister noted

Russia informed US about Oreshnik missile test, Washington mishandled information — Lavrov

The message was sent to the United States 30 minutes in advance

Tucker Carlson only indirectly touched on topic of China in his interview with Lavrov

The interview focused on acute issues such as the Ukrainian crisis, relations between Russia and the USA, and the situation in Syria

Press review: Putin declares Russian economy's recovery as US reevaluates BRICS stance

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 5th

Russian forces push Ukrainian troops out of positions in Dzerzhinsk

According to the report, this was one of the most important Ukrainian strongholds in the area

Polish MFA says Moscow's response to closure of consulate in Poznan symmetrical

Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski offered no answer to the interviewer's question whether Warsaw was going to take any action in response to Russia's decision

Slovakia, Hungary intrigued by idea of new security architecture for Eurasia — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister underscored that, to the West’s displeasure, the process of building a new architecture of security in Eurasia has already started

Russian forces battling for Sukhiye Yaly, Konstantinopolskoye near Kurakhovo — official

The operation involves clearing a pocket of land south of Kurakhovo, Vladimir Rogov said

Slovak consulate in St. Petersburg announces it will close at end of December

According to Slovakia's Foreign Ministry statement dated August 28, the Republic will close its embassies in such countries as Denmark and Norway, as well as the consulates general in Krakow and St. Petersburg by December 31, 2024

Russia 'making gains' along entire frontline, NATO chief says

Mark Rutte once again called on NATO countries to increase weapons supplies to Kiev

Lavrov tells Tucker Carlson about previously unknown conversation with Blinken

According to Sergey Lavrov, the US Secretary of State told him that the US that wanted to inflict strategic defeat upon Russia "only in Ukraine"

Russian MFA says Malta canceled visa for its spokeswoman ahead of trip to OSCE meeting

It happened just as the Russian delegation was about to board a flight from Moscow, the ministry said in a statement

World is now closer to nuclear war than ever before — US journalist Carlson

No one in Washington "is working to make sure that this conflict doesn’t become a nuclear holocaust," the journalist said

Foreigners can pay for Russian gas to Gazprombank via third parties

Gazprombank can now open not merely type K special accounts but ruble and currency accounts also

Russia studies West's reconciliation offers that align with its interests — top diplomat

"We bear in mind that after the end of the Cold War, the West agreed on some right things, extolled these right things in theory, however, in practice, blatantly violated all agreements and did everything to undermine the legitimate interests of Russia, and any other competitor in general," the minister said

Moscow ready for any events unfolding around Ukraine, top Russian diplomat says

"The Russian side strongly prefers a peaceful solution through negotiations on the basis of respecting legitimate security interest of Russia, and on the basis of respecting the people who live in Ukraine," Sergey Lavrov stressed

Putin comments on Trump’s threats to impose 100% duties on goods from BRICS countries

The Russian leader noted that the dollar was now used as a tool of political pressure

Lavrov says at summits Europeans run away from him and behave like kids

According to Russian Foreighn Minister, It's becoming 'contagious' when somebody sees an American or a European talking to him

Western Europe wants to come to Russia's borders through Ukraine — Lavrov

And there were plans that were discussed almost openly to put British naval bases on the Sea of Azov, Russian Foreign Minister said

US 'grooms' Kurdish separatists in Syria — top Russian diplomat

The Americans are using the profits from the oil and grain sold to help the separatists, Sergey Lavrov said

Russian forces cut off sole road from Kurakhovo in Donbass area

The Ukrainian battlegroup actually has no chances left to leave the town, the source specified

Tsunami threat declared on US West Coast after magnitude 7 earthquake

The warning covers the northern part of California, including San Francisco, and a portion of the neighboring state of Oregon

Top Russian diplomat lists conditions for peace in Ukraine

The foreign minister emphasized that Russia cannot tolerate the situation "when the Ukrainian legislation prohibits the Russian language, the Russian media, the Russian culture, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church"

Syria pulls forces out of Hama to save civilian lives — defense minister

The minister warned that terrorists are working to take advantage of the current situation in their media efforts

Ball in contacts with Russia on Trump's side, says Lavrov

The foreign minister stressed that Russia respected the choice of the American people

Putin to visit Minsk to take part in Supreme State Council of Union State

According to the Kremlin press service, at the meeting "special attention will be paid to strengthening the common defense space of Russia and Belarus"

West makes serious mistake thinking Russia’s ‘red lines’ could be moved — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat noted that statements by some NATO officials about the possibility of preventive strikes on Russia cause concern

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian troops at Chasov Yar plant

According to the report, enemy troops are defecting in large numbers in this section of the frontline

Russian foreign minister arriving in Qatar

A ministerial meeting of countries participating in the Astana format is also expected to take place in Doha amid aggravation of the situation in Syria

Ukraine losing conflict with Russia, Dutch defense chief says

Ruben Brekelmans pointed out in a parliamentary debate that Moscow was capturing increasingly large areas in the east, and Russia's "military might is growing"