Middle East conflict

31 Jan, 14:36

Palestinians to start leaving Gaza on February 1 — Health Ministry

The ministry gave no information on how many Palestinians will be taken to Egypt for treatment

CAIRO, January 31. /TASS/. The first group of sick and wounded Gaza residents will be taken to Egypt on February 1 through the Rafah border crossing, which effectively stopped working in May 2024, the enclave's Health Ministry said.

"The first group of sick and wounded persons will be taken out of Gaza through the Rafah border crossing on Saturday, February 1," the ministry said in a statement on its Telegram channel, though giving no information on how many Palestinians will be taken to Egypt for treatment.

The Rafah border crossing was the main gateway for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, as well as for the transfer of sick and injured Palestinians to Egypt. However, in May 2024, it shut down. On May 7, the Israeli military took control of the Palestinian side of the crossing, and Cairo responded on May 11 by stating that it had no intention of coordinating with the Jewish state on further actions regarding the checkpoint. A few days later, Egyptian authorities held Israel fully responsible for the closure of Rafah and the disruption of humanitarian aid delivery to the residents of the Palestinian enclave.

Since January 19, when the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement came into effect, the Egyptian authorities have been preparing for the reopening of the checkpoints. At present, humanitarian aid regularly enters Gaza through the Kerem Shalom and El Oga checkpoints, located on the border with the Jewish State, after undergoing inspections by the Israeli military.

Trump’s entire team supports halting talks with Zelensky — US national security advisor

Mike Waltz added that productive negotiations and a minerals deal would have been a "positive moment for Ukraine

Yesterday, 15:32

Russian forces dislodge Ukrainian troops from Privolnoye in Donbass area

Russian forces thus continue advancing westward in the Donetsk People’s Republic to the administrative border of the Zaporozhye Region, Vladimir Rogov said

Yesterday, 09:35

Trump sends sobering message on Ukraine to Europe — media

At a White House meeting on February 27, the US president dismissed the possibility of the United States providing military support for a potential European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine

Two days ago, 10:00

Press review: UK undermines Russia-US talks as top Russian diplomat talks Syria, Ukraine

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

Trump may end even indirect support for Kiev following meeting with Zelensky — newspaper

Moreover, "the final shipments of ammunition and equipment authorized and paid for during the Biden administration could be canceled imminently," New York Times writes

Yesterday, 12:38

Zelensky in no-win situation in talks with Trump — expert

On February 27, the US president confirmed his intention to sign an agreement with Vladimir Zelensky regarding the mining of rare earth elements and other minerals in Ukraine

Trump not interested in reviving Ukraine minerals deal now — Reuters

Representatives of the Ukrainian delegation began "begging" to sign the deal immediately after being told to leave the White House, according to the report

Yesterday, 17:12

NATO secretary general to participate in March 2 meeting on Ukraine in London

On February 25, it was reported that this meeting will build upon the one held in Paris last week

Yesterday, 19:04

Rare minerals deal between the US, Ukraine canceled — reporter

It is noted that White House confirms press conference is canceled

Russian Battlegroup South inflicts damage on Ukraine’s Azov nationalist battalion

"The Ukrainian army lost over 170 troops, a tank, two armored combat vehicles, three pickups, and six field branch artillery weapons, with two of them produced in the West," battlegroup spokesman said

Zelensky's attempt to act like ‘tough guy’ at meeting with Trump insulted everyone — media

"Now Zelensky will have to figure out how to fix this on his own. We can’t fix it for him," senior US official said

Two days ago, 08:35

Kiev must sign mineral deal to avoid total collapse of US-Ukraine ties — Chinese expert

Although a deal offered to Ukraine by the European Union "may be fairer than that of the US, it comes too late," Zhang Hong believes

Yesterday, 13:01

Industries in eastern Germany count on return of Russian gas supplies — Bloomberg

According to the report, resumption of supplies from Russia would allow businesses in Germany, which are facing many problems due to rising energy prices after refusing Russian gas, to restore their competitiveness

Yesterday, 14:40

Romania may become hub for deployment of peacekeepers to Ukraine — interim president

"The peace agreement will certainly need guarantees, and these guarantees will most likely involve the stationing of troops either in Eastern Europe or Ukraine," Ilie Bolojan said

Yesterday, 19:43

Rare minerals deal between the US, Ukraine canceled — reporter

"Ukrainians were begging to reset," Fox News reporter Jacqui Heinrich added, citing the White House officials

Yesterday, 20:51

Russian official says Zelensky prone to ‘bloody provocations’ after White House spat

According to Yevgeny Primakov, Kiev has few ways to save face, and "to spill a lot of innocent blood at once and then blame it on Russia is one of the easiest ones"

Yesterday, 20:55

US halts Ukraine’s energy grid restoration support plan — NBC News

In addition to ending the Ukraine Energy Security Project, USAID is also dramatically downsizing its presence in Ukraine

Yesterday, 15:51

Minerals deal to turn Ukraine into 51st US state — paper

The agreement says that an investment fund for the reconstruction of Ukraine, which will receive 50% of the country's income from minerals – not only rare earth metals, but also other resources, including titanium, uranium, lithium – will be set up

Lavrov rules out freezing Ukraine conflict along engagement line

"We have a constitution based on the will of the people," the top Russian diplomat told reporters

Ukraine loses over 220 troops in Kursk Region in past day — Russian Defense Ministry

"An infantry fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier, 11 armored combat vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, and seven artillery pieces were destroyed," the Ministry said

Yesterday, 14:13

Russian, US diplomats discuss steps in Istanbul to fund their embassies

The Russian Foreign Ministry specified that the sides touched upon "the issues related to Russia’s diplomatic property in the US in the context of returning to the Russian side six facilities, wrongfully expropriated in 2016-2018"

Yesterday, 16:13

Return of US tech companies would pull Russia back into 90s, 'dependency' — IT CEO

According to Natalya Kasperskaya, should they return to Russia, these American companies will hold on to their "usual approach," that being predatory pricing, enormous discounts, lobbying, and bribery

Two days ago, 07:59

NATO continues supplying Ukrainian forces for counterattacks — expert

According to Colonel Vitaly Kiselyov, the movement of a large number of equipment and manpower of the Ukrainian armed forces is reported in the Kursk and Krasnoarmeysk directions

Europe may face street protests, former top Austrian diplomat warns

Kneissl stressed that in Europe, "politics has turned into a business where people make profits and build ties in order to get high posts"

Yesterday, 18:29

US to withdraw support for Kiev if Zelensky fails to seek peace — Trump

"And if we're out, you'll fight it out," the US president pointed out

Yesterday, 14:56

US agrees to appointment of Darchiev as new Russian ambassador — Russian MFA

Alexander Darchiev is expected to depart for Washington shortly

German car industry has no prospects on Russian market — Kneissl

"The demand for expensive German cars will remain niche, for a small group of people who consider them as a status symbol," the head of the "G.O.R.K.I." center of the St. Petersburg State University thinks

Yesterday, 12:34

Lavrov, Vulin discuss strategic partnership between Russia and Serbia — Russian MFA

"Special attention was paid to a Kosovo settlement and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina," the statement reads

Yesterday, 15:03

Musk jumping the gun by saying that ISS should be deorbited — Russian cosmonaut

Oleg Artemyev speculated that Musk's suggestion to abandon the ISS was made "in haste, without sufficient consideration"

Yesterday, 19:44

Zelensky interjects, engages in disputes, makes rude remarks to media at Trump meeting

Zelensky ignored the question about the chance of holding elections in Ukraine

11 Nov 2024, 09:24

US plans to remove 'arrogant' Zelensky and stage 2025 elections in Ukraine — SVR

"At the initial stage, it is planned to encourage entities within the Ukrainian civil society under their control, through US 'democratization' foundations and think tanks, to come up with a corresponding initiative," the statement reads

US not to tolerate political games, disrespect of country — homeland security secretary

Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem thanked US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance "for standing up for America"

2 Sep 2024, 11:31

Ukraine will lose in Kursk — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the Kursk attack was meant to stop the Russian advance in Donbass

Yesterday, 19:09

Trump tells off Zelensky for 'acting disrespectfully' to US

"What you are doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country," the US president said

Two days ago, 15:54

Lukashenko says no one can resolve Ukraine conflict without Kiev

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States and Russia have not yet begun formal negotiations to resolve the crisis in Ukraine

Yesterday, 18:42

Pope Francis has bronchial spasm, urgent aid needed

It is reported that the Pope’s condition required non-invasive lung ventilation

Europe turns into secondary player on international stage — ex-top Austrian diplomat

Karin Kneissl, former Austrian foreign minister, also noted Europe was showing "a disastrous approach to history"

Yesterday, 19:03

Zelensky leaves White House early after sparring with Trump

The UNIAN news agency reported that Zelensky and Trump canceled the joint news conference that was to have followed the talks

Ukraine’s fertile soil more important than minerals — ex-Austrian foreign minister

Karin Kneissl pointed out that like Russia, Ukraine was rich in fertile lands, and major investment houses such as BlackRock, as well as Chinese investors, had expressed an interest in it

Less than 28,000 Ukrainians mobilized in February with losses of 38,900 troops

Ukraine’s desperate attempts to improve the situation with replacing losses on the line of combat engagement have been unsuccessful, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Relations between Trump, Zelensky may be ‘irreparable’ — media

According to US official, what happened at Trump’s meeting with Zelensky at the White House was "disastrous"

Two days ago, 17:04

Trump extends anti-Russian sanctions linked to Ukraine for one year

"These restrictive measures "must continue in effect beyond March 6, 2025," the US president said

Yesterday, 13:12

Russian troops liberate eight communities in Ukraine operation over week

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 1,340 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 34 enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the week, the ministry reported

Zelensky refused to apologize for heated exchange with Trump

"I’m not sure that we did something bad," Vladimir Zelensky said

Two days ago, 15:51

Russian army 7 km away from Kupyansk — head of Kharkov regional military-civil authority

Vitaly Ganchev noted that the front line in the Kupyansk area was gradually widening

21 May 2024, 06:04

Ukraine’s Zelensky should be tried for war crimes, DPR head says

Denis Pushilin pointed out that it was Zelensky who gave criminal orders and took a position that seriously endangered both the residents of Donbass and the population of the rest of Ukraine

Trump believes peace deal to precede security guarantees to Kiev

That doesn't mean security guarantees "can't happen as part of that negotiation, but you have to have an agreement," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said

Rallies in support of, against South Korean president taking place in Seoul

According to unofficial police estimates, about 60,000 people are participating in a rally in support of the head of state

Yesterday, 12:12

IN BRIEF: Key takeaways from latest round of Russia-US talks in Istanbul

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s North Atlantic Department Director Alexander Darchiyev headed the Russian delegation

Putin says European elites eventually to be "at Trump’s feet wagging their tails"

Russian President has expressed confidence that his US counterpart Donald Trump will quickly establish order among European elites

Yesterday, 20:06

Russia, China underscore importance of diplomatic solution for Ukrainian crisis

The Secretary of the Russian Security Council and the President of China also noted the need to continue coordinating efforts at key international platforms, in the first instance in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Trump says Zelensky overplayed his hand, has to say he wants to make peace

"We're not looking to go into a ten-year war and play games," US leader said

31 Jan 2023, 14:12

US played key role in ousting Ukrainian president in 2014, researcher says

Jeffrey Sachs noted that the course of NATO expansion to Ukraine and Georgia was adopted by US President George Bush Jr. back in 2008

Trump wants to stop ‘meat grinder, ’ Zelensky needs money to continue — Musk

On February 28, Vladimir Zelensky had a meeting with the US President at the White House

Top Russian diplomat informs Hungarian colleague of terror attack on TurkStream

The conversation took place at the initiative of the Hungarian side

Battlegroup Dnepr inflicts damage on six Ukrainian brigades in 24 hours

The Ukrainian army lost up to 95 troops, six cars, two artillery weapons, two counterbattery stations, and an electronic warfare station, battlegroup spokesman said

Yesterday, 12:43

Consulate attack result of France fomenting hate against Russia — diplomatic mission

The consulate was outraged by the ruling of the French court, which sentenced the attackers to eight months in prison, to be served at home under electronic monitoring

Yesterday, 10:12

Kremlin not to comment on Trump’s statements about Zelensky before talks end

Earlier on February 28, Trump said that he respects Zelensky

5 Dec 2024, 23:10

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"

Yesterday, 17:31

Trump, as he meets Zelensky, says US-Russia talks have been 'very great'

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump spoke by phone on February 12, discussing such issues as the prospects for a settlement in Ukraine

Yesterday, 11:28

Macron urges Europe to reject subservient dependency on US

According to Emmanuel Macron, Europe has to evolve "in order to regain power"

Yesterday, 15:14

Return to Russian market will be difficult for European car brands — expert

According to Sergey Sadovenko, the return of Asian automakers, namely "Koreans" and "Japanese", will be the fastest

Two days ago, 15:13

Macron persuaded Trump to receive Zelensky in Washington — media

Vladimir Zelensky reportedly began calling the French president, asking him to convince Donald Trump to reconsider all meetings cancellation, as he hoped to sign an agreement on Ukrainian minerals in Washington

Trump says ceasefire in Ukraine could take place immediately

"If you want to end the war, you sign up an agreement that's going to take a period of time," he said

IN BRIEF: What is known about Kiev’s attack on TurkStream infrastructure

TASS has gathered the key information about the attack

Yesterday, 18:43

Trump says Zelensky not ready for peace

"He can come back when he is ready for peace," the US president said

9 Feb 2024, 02:04

Ukraine’s 2014 coup was CIA’s political mistake — Putin

The Russian president noted that the US agency had achieved its goal of changing the government but failed to see what it would evolve into

Yesterday, 18:17

Trump says stupid to ask whether US sides with Ukraine

Reporter asked if Zelensky thought the US was on his side

Yesterday, 07:21

IN BRIEF: What we know about foiled Ukrainian attack on Metropolitan Tikhon of Crimea

Cleric Nikita Ivankovich and Denis Popovich, an aide to the metropolitan, a Russian citizen and a Ukrainian citizen, respectively, have been arrested for planning the attack

Zelensky offers Europe to 'buy' war Washington refused — Medvedchuk

Leader of the Other Ukraine movement added that the new Washington administration had not just refused to "purchase the war," but saw it as a scam that European politicians had not yet "seen through"

Russia has won special military operation — Kneissl

"No one expected Russia to be so stable," former Austrian Foreign Minister said

No talks underway on second phase of Gaza ceasefire deal — Hamas official

Movement Spokesman Hazem Qassem stressed that Hamas remained committed to the three-phase Gaza ceasefire deal

11 Nov 2024, 14:27

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Gas prices in Europe rise by 5% in February

The average gas price in Europe rose o $542 per 1,000 cubic meters

Yesterday, 16:39

Merz says he sees no reason for FRG to make its own nuclear weapons

At the same time, the CDU leader pointed out that "articles 4 and 5 of the NATO Treaty concerning consultation and assistance remain unchanged, meaning that Germany’s nuclear cooperation with the Americans continues as before"

US may halt all military aid to Ukraine — The Washington Post

The decision, if made, would apply "to billions of dollars of radars, vehicles, ammunition and missiles awaiting shipment to Ukraine through the presidential drawdown authority," according to the publication

Rubio says Zelensky should apologize for fiasco in White House

"You start to perceive that maybe Zelensky doesn’t want a peace deal," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said

Yesterday, 15:53

Four African countries to create trade corridor

According to the media, the goal is to strengthen regional integration by creating a land corridor connecting participating countries

Ukraine doesn’t acknowledge any debt to US — Zelensky

According to Vladimir Zelensky, the US-proposed minerals deal is a "new agreement," which has no relation to the assistance to Kiev, which has already been provided

Hungarian PM urges for direct talks with Russia on ceasefire in Ukraine — FT

According to the newspaper, Viktor Orban opposed Brussels’ attempts to find a consensus on Ukraine among the bloc’s 27 member states

Yesterday, 11:37

Musk believes JD Vance on track to become US president

NBC previously reported that some supporters of US President Donald Trump were studying the possibility of amending the Constitution to allow him to run for another term

Operators of Battlegroup East’s drones destroy 14 Ukrainian tanks in one month — top brass

The operstors also destroyed more than 40 armored combat vehicles, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Yesterday, 15:38

Russian, US diplomatic missions starting to resume normal work — lawmaker

According to Leonid Slutsky, the "diplomatic war" unleashed by Barack Obama in 2014 is coming to an end

Yesterday, 11:00

Russia offers US to consider restoring direct flights — Foreign Ministry

"The American side has been asked to consider the possibility of restoring direct air links," the ministry said

Yesterday, 08:12

US to recognize new Russian regions out of economic interests — Ukrainian politician

Viktor Medvedchuk warned that Ukrainian resources which Washington would own as a result of a resource deal will yield profits only if the new owners cooperate with Russia

Yesterday, 20:04

White House confirms US, Ukraine didn’t sign minerals deal

The American leader said Zelensky could come back when he was ready for peace

Russian forces foil Kiev’s attempt to attack TurkStream gas pipeline’s infrastructure

According to the ministry, Russian air defenses downed all three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles at a safe distance from the station

24 Jan 2024, 15:08

Zelensky leads Ukraine to terrible finale, killing his own people — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova compared the Ukrainian president with a drug baron from classic US movies

Musk says time to find out what happened to aid to Ukraine

"Time to find out what really happened to the hundreds of billions of dollars sent to Ukraine," he said

Yesterday, 10:22

Russia seeks to build dialogue with everyone, including the US, with respect — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov did not agree that it makes sense to build cooperation only from the perspective of truth, which is different for everyone

Yesterday, 13:09

FACTBOX: What is known about rare earth metals

The term "rare" refers to the supposed scarcity of these minerals and "earth" comes from an old name for oxides, the chemical form for these elements in the mineral

Trump leaves question on possible suspension of military aid to Ukraine unanswered

"It doesn't matter what I'm considering," he told reporters

Yesterday, 22:15

Argument between Trump, Zelensky to exacerbate conflict in Ukraine — expert

An "absolutely new political situation emerged that can trigger unpredictable consequences," Andrey Bystritsky, board chairman of the Valdai International Discussion Club’s Development and Support Foundation, said

Top Russian diplomat informs Turkish colleague of attack on TurkStream

Hakan Fidan has assured that the necessary measures will be taken," the Foreign Ministry added

Yesterday, 16:43

Russian troops repel massive UAV attack in Bryansk Region

It is reported that air defense units of the Russian Defense Ministry are actively working to detect and destroy air targets

Yesterday, 20:48

Shoigu, Xi stress intention to prevent terror attacks

Chinese presiden stressed that Russia and China must continuously improve strategic coordination and practical cooperation

Yesterday, 12:11

Russia, China should constantly deepen strategic coordination — Xi

The Chinese president also emphasized the need for the full implementation of the consensus reached by the two leaders, advocating for the principles of unwavering good-neighborliness

Yesterday, 20:38

Trump claims good mutual understanding with Putin

US leader called his Russian counterpart a "tough", bet very "smart guy"

Yesterday, 07:32

US-Ukraine minerals deal to trigger Ukraine’s split — Medvedchuk

Zelensky has been actively trying to sell Ukraine in bulk and retail since 2024, the Ukrainian opposition politician noted

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: Russia, US take another step to mend ties as Kiev tries to outwit Washington

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 28th

Zelensky's digs at Trump part of broader impeachment plot, says Ukrainian lawmaker

Alexander Dubinsky emphasized that Trump’s opponents wanted to take revenge against the US president for his public criticism of "the Democratic leadership, consistently portraying them as incompetent"