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Trump says he considers resolving Ukraine conflict as priority

The US President-elect believes that even though the situation in the Middle East is also important

Donald Trump Sarah Meyssonnier/ Pool via AP

Donald Trump

© Sarah Meyssonnier/ Pool via AP

PARIS, December 11. /TASS/. Resolving the conflict in Ukraine is a priority, US President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview with the Paris Match magazine following his visit to France.

According to him, there are a lot of crises in the world but resolving the Russia-Ukraine issue is a priority.

Trump believes that even though the situation in the Middle East is also important, it’s easier to resolve than the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Trump also said that as US president, he would maintain defense ties with France and discuss the Ukraine issue with the French leadership.

Vladimir Zelensky said on December 8 that he rejected Trump’s call for an immediate ceasefire. However, he did not comment on the US president-elect’s remark about Kiev’s readiness to make an agreement with Moscow.

Trump’s inauguration is set for January 20, 2025. During his election campaign, Trump announced plans to end the Ukraine conflict. Zelensky has repeatedly acknowledged that there is a risk of ending US support for Ukraine if Trump returned to the White House. The US president-elect said in an interview with NBC News on December 8 that Kiev could "possibly" expect it wouldn’t get as much military aid from the US when he’s back in office.

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Conflict in Syria

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US commercial satellites surveyed Russia’s Engels airstrip ahead of Kiev’s strike attempt

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Neither HAMAS nor Egypt has confirmed the reports so far

Sanctions on Gazprombank to be lifted, says head of Turkey-Russia Business Council

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FACTBOX: What we know about Mohammed al-Bashir, head of Syria’s interim government

The interim government’s mandate is expected to last three months

Trump says he considers resolving Ukraine conflict as priority

The US President-elect believes that even though the situation in the Middle East is also important

Just a few km of Lugansk People’s Republic territory remain to be liberated — lawmaker

"People from all regions of our huge country are taking part in battles to liberate the remaining tiny piece of the LPR territory," Yury Yurov said

Sanctions fuel tech jump in Russia — Putin

The head of state underlined that Russia currently has everything for a technology breakthrough in the digital sphere

West could make ‘crazy’ move to hand over nuclear weapons to Ukraine — National Interest

The transfer of American-made B-61 nuclear bombs appears to be the most likely scenario, the report said

NATO looking to divide up Western Ukraine among members — Russian diplomat

"No NATO ally would ever receive the copious amounts of [funds and weapons] that non-member Ukraine has," Maria Zakharova argued

Russian defense chief commends growing defense ties with India

Andrey Belousov stressed that the relationship based on trust between the two countries’ leaders was crucial for strengthening bilateral ties between Russia and India

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Fight of major world players unfolding in Syria, says Belarusian president

Alexander Lukashenko also pointed to his long record of interaction with Syria's leaders

Texas, California decolonization reflects global shifts, says Russian intel chief

"We are currently witnessing the true decolonization of the Global South, which has come to see itself as a full-fledged political actor rather than a subordinate ‘backyard,’" Sergey Naryshkin noted

Syria’s interim cabinet to focus on preventing collapse of statehood — PM

"We are face with big challenges but our previous experience of governing the Idlib governorate and adjacent territories has furnished us with vast expertise," Mohammed al-Bashir noted

Ukraine drone production drastically drops due to intrigues in Zelensky's office — Rada

"The Defense Ministry has barely purchased any drones throughout 2024," lawmaker Maryana Bezuglaya added

Syria’s Assad was no dictator, didn’t kill anyone, Lukashenko says

According to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry, the Belarusian embassy in Syria remains in Damascus and the diplomats will continue working

Polish Defense Minister recognizes Kiev's critical situation in special military op zone

According to Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Ukrainian population feels "enormous war fatigue"

Russian Su-35S fighters cover aircraft in air strikes on Ukrainian army in Kursk area

One of the fighter jets uncovered enemy air defense sites by its weapons suite, the statement added

South Korea’s ex-defense minister attempts suicide — Yonhap

The former official’s current health condition is not life-threatening, the agency said

Biden administration may remove HTS from list of terrorist organizations — NBC

Two sources expect this to happen soon, but one official said related discussions are still at early stages at this point

Russian economy expected to grow by 3.9% in 2024 — Novak

This is much above the average growth rates globally, the Russian deputy prime minister noted

Russia completed its mission in Syria some time ago — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that "now, we need to proceed based on the realities on the ground"

Hezbollah hopes that Syria’s new government can resist Israeli attacks

According to Israel’s N12 television channel, 350 Israeli fighter jets have hit 320 strategic facilities of the Assad army over the day

Special military op to end after all goals set by Putin achieved — Kremlin

"These goals can be achieved both as a result of the special military operation and as a result of the peace talks," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Trump unlikely to keep US aid to Ukraine at current volumes — NYT

The report says that Kiev depends on foreign aid to keep its economy afloat

Yemeni Houthis say they attacked two US destroyers in Gulf of Aden

The movement’s military spokesperson said that this was the second attack on destroyers and support ships in the past ten days

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According to the united regional court press office, an international arrest warrant was issued for the defendant

Houthis say they attacked targets in Israel with drones

The movement attacked military facilities in Jaffa and Ashkelon, military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said

Ukrainian troops attack DPR’s Yenakiyevo with long-range weapons — DPR head

According to Pushilin, Ukrainian forces staged six shelling attacks on the DPR, using long-range weapons, 155mm artillery systems and a combat drone

US allocates $20 bln loan to Ukraine on account of revenues from Russian assets

The loan is provided within the framework of the initiative of the Group of Seven on provision of the $50 bln loan to Kiev, the Treasury said

Erdogan says he and Putin are the only two leaders in world

Turkish President also said that he respects Germany’s former Chancellor Gerhard Schroder

Russia urges West to end support for Zelensky following attack on IAEA personnel — MFA

Russia also called on the US, the United Kingdom, and their allies to take measures to bring those responsible for the act of provocation to justice

Suspension of Russian gas transit via Bulgaria last resort measure — source

The Bulgarian side expects that the problem with transit payment will be solved and sees "nothing critical" in the evolved situation

Syria’s new government to prevent attempts to split country — opposition

"We want to rebuild Syria, which is in line with its people’s wishes," spokesperson for the Syrian opposition’s political department told

Zelensky demands security guarantees for Ukraine at meeting with Trump — agency

According to the sources, Zelensky’s meeting with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris lasted 35 minutes

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"We stand united in advocating for the establishment of a just and democratic world order founded on genuine equality and adherence to international law, free from all forms of discrimination, coercion, and sanctions pressure," the Russian leader emphasized

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Israeli tanks spotted 20 kilometers from Damascus — TV

The Israel Defense Forces has yet to comment on the information

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Hungarian Foreign Minister did not specify which events exactly the Hungarian government plans to carry out on Wednesday and Thursday

Russia comes close to achieving special military operation's goals — intel chief

"Russia holds the initiative in all areas, while the Ukrainian armed forces are on the verge of collapse and the Zelensky regime has lost its legitimacy, along with the ability to make agreements," Sergey Naryshkin pointed out

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Tiberio Graziani recalled that Italy had sent its ambassador to Damascus to resume diplomatic relations with the Bashar Assad government shortly before power in that country was seized by the armed opposition

Lukashenko confirms Belarus has nuclear weapons

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The UN agency also reported that the security and humanitarian situation in the country remains unstable

Bashar Assad's son graduates with honors from Moscow State University — newspaper

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The Russian diplomat added that it "would be very wrong for me to elaborate on what happened and how it was resolved."

FPV drones take out Ukrainian convoy in Kursk Region — Defense Ministry

The first drone successfully intercepted a fleeing pickup on the move, while the second drone struck another vehicle parked near a wooded area, neutralizing additional personnel," the ministry reported

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Bashar Assad took over as the leader of the Syrian Arab Republic in the summer of 2000 after the death of his father Hafez Assad, who had been at the helm of power since 1971

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According to Vladimir Rogov, Ukrainian units in this section of the frontline are currently in control of Annovka, a small area surrounding it, and Uspenovka, through which they are receiving supplies

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"The new Syria will be based on justice and law," spokesperson for the Syrian opposition’s political department told

Many US partners asking Russia `not to stop halfway’ on Ukraine — SVR chief

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Russian FPV drone wipes out Ukrainian army shelter in Kursk area

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Mohammed Alloush expressed hope that "Syria will become a country of local and global peace, without the presence of foreign military bases of any party there"

Group of militants from Syria tries to cross into Leban — Lebanese military

According to the statement, "unidentified individuals with firearms crossed the border, and headed towards a roadblock of the Lebanese armed forces, firing into the air"

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According to Sergey Marchenko, Kiev can "allocate sufficient budgetary resources to afford the necessary ammunition and military equipment in 2025"

US Department of State approves possible sale of F-16 equipment to Kiev

The US believes that the deal "will improve Ukraine’s capability to meet current and future threats"

Russian Railways resumes passenger rail service with China, North Korea

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Syrian opposition controls city of Tartus hosting Russian base — source

The opposition's armed forces did not and have no plans to penetrate the Russian military bases, which continue to operate normally, the local source noted

Syria should not be turned into base of terrorists — top US diplomat

Antony Blinken "emphasized the need to facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance, prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors," department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller said

Trump may unravel fresh loan to Kiev by lifting sanctions on frozen Russian assets — NYT

The move would not affect the European portion of the loan

Poland shouldn’t send troops to Ukraine, senior security official says

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According to the source in the Kremlin, Russia has granted asylum for Syria’s former President Bashar Assad and his family members

Kurdish coalition says it maintains contact with Syria’s new government via US

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Bulgaria may stop gas transit from Russia if payment solution not found — minister

As Vladimir Malinov explained, at the moment, the Bulgarian state gas company Bulgargaz has received all payments

US losing ground in post-Soviet space, everywhere else, Russian intel chief says

According to Sergey Naryshkin, SVR intel says that the post-Soviet space remains the priority destination of attacks by US and UK intelligence

Israel attacks two ports in Syria harboring 15 Syrian military ships

The press office noted that "dozens of ship-to-ship missiles with a range between 80 and 190 km, which posed a threat to civilian and military ships in this region, were destroyed" during the strikes

Russian forces liberate 1.5 square miles near Kurakhovo — official

"Russian forces have liberated four square kilometers in and west of the settlement of Sukhiye Yaly," Vladimir Rogov said

Euroclear warns of risks in confiscating seized Russian assets — Bloomberg

According to the head of Euroclear, the use of the sanctioned Russian assets to provide aide to Ukraine, as proposed by the EU, could undermine confidence in the existing international financial system and create a dangerous precedent

Syrian airline restarts ticket flights to Moscow and back

Tickets are currently available for a flight from Damascus to Moscow on December 18 and back on December 19, 2024

Medvedev arrives in China on two-day visit

The Russian deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council is to hold meetings with China’s top officials

Russia maintains contact with all political forces in Syria, diplomat says

A related statement has already been issued recently by Russian Foreign Ministry

Medvedev to begin his two-day visit to China

Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council is expected to meet with senior Chinese government officials

Russia expands list of e-visa eligible countries

At the same time, Andorra and Serbia, who have agreements on visa-free travel with Russia, were taken off the list

Major Syrian cities experience food shortages — UN

On top of that, hospitals all over Syria are filled beyond capacity, the UN agency said

New Syrian government to decide on fate of Russia’s military bases — opposition

"The issue of military bases is a sovereign decision of the Syrian state," Mohammed Alloush stated

Israel attacks Syria’s largest airbases, destroying dozens of helicopters, fighter jets

According to Al Arabiya, strikes were also delivered the special force headquarters in the city of Qamishli