31 Jan, 17:15

Strategic asset like Panama Canal can’t be under Chinese control — US official

Marco Rubio is set to make his first foreign trip as secretary of state from February 1-6, traveling to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic

WASHINGTON, January 31. /TASS/. The US views the Panama Canal as a strategic asset that can’t be under China's control, US State Department’s Special Envoy for Latin America Mauricio Claver-Carone said ahead of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Panama.

"This is a key issue, because at the end of the day, this is a key, important, strategic asset. And obviously, if the 21st century, akin to the 20th century is going to be an American Century, and the golden age of the Americas, a strategic asset cannot be under the control - de facto or de jure - of China," he told reporters in an online news conference.

The envoy confirmed that Rubio will discuss the situation around the canal with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.

According to Claver-Carone, China’s purported attempts to take control of the canal were not the fault of Mulino, but the previous president of Panama.

"It got completely out of hand," he said.

Mulino said on January 30 that he has no intention of discussing the ownership of the Panama Canal with Rubio. The issue is closed, as the canal belongs to Panama, the president said in response to US President Donald Trump's demand that the link be returned to Washington’s possession.

Rubio is set to make his first foreign trip as secretary of state from February 1-6, traveling to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. He is scheduled to meet with officials and business people.

According to the US State Department, the tour aims to advance cooperation in fighting illegal migration, crime and drug smuggling, as well as counter China.

Lack of Patriot missiles to result in significant casualties for Ukrainian army — magazine

Ukrainian servicemen expect the psychological blow to be equally damaging as the material one, as "it would feel like a betrayal"

Ukrainian army lost 19 Abrams tanks out of 31, rest taken off frontlines, NYT says

The newspaper noted that of "the 31 highly sophisticated Abrams tanks that the United States provided Ukraine in 2023, 19 have been destroyed, disabled or captured

Yesterday, 16:42

Hungary to decide on Russia sanctions depending on guarantees from Brussels — Szijjarto

The Hungarian top diplomat noted that the European Commission "has already violated two out of four commitments"

Yesterday, 16:26

Zelensky's humiliation at White House exposes deep rift in U.S.-European relations — CNN

The TV channel believes that if the US military aid to Ukraine is halted, Europe will not be able to replace it

Zelensky should better be wrong in his assessment that conflict will continue – Trump

Zelensky supposedly made a statement in AP

Yesterday, 08:16

Hungary blocks paper on security guarantees, military aid for Kiev — media

On February 24, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that Hungary would not support the European Union's plan to allocate tens of billions of euros in additional military aid to Ukraine

Ukrainian army selling US weapons to Mexican cartels, Tucker Carlson says

Earlier, Carlson said that "the Ukrainian military is selling about half of the arms they get from the United States into international black markets

Yesterday, 12:21

Russia hammers Ukrainian military airfields, UAV assembly workshops over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 605 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy tank and four armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility

Cairo to host emergency Arab League summit on Palestine

Its participants will discuss the Palestinian issue in general

Yesterday, 05:51

Trump urges US to address domestic issues to 'not end up like Europe'

"We should spend less time worrying about [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, and more time worrying about migrant rape gangs," the US president wrote

US move to suspend military aid to Kiev may facilitate peace process — Kremlin spokesman

"Undoubtedly, we have yet to figure out the details but if it’s true, then this is a decision that really can push the Kiev regime towards a peace process," Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 14:14

Russia’s air strike destroys dozens of Ukrainian troops in Gulyaipole in Zaporozhye area

The Russian Aerospace Forces delivered a strike by FAB-1500 and FAB-500 bombs on the Ukrainian army’s deployment and amassment areas in Gulyaipole

Russian Su-34 bomber wipes out Ukrainian army stronghold by glide bombs in Kursk area

After receiving confirmation from reconnaissance that the Ukrainian army’s personnel and stronghold had been destroyed, the crew safely returned to its airfield, it said

Yesterday, 14:06

Rare-earth metals deal with Kiev not feasible for the US — expert

According to Kyle Shostak, it would be more reasonable with Washington to consider entering into an agreement with countries boasting huge reserves of already confirmed resources

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, ammo depots in past day

The Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 595 personnel, two armored combat vehicles and five pickup trucks, it specified

Europe eggs Zelensky on for continued combat, Vance says

US Vice President said in an interview with Fox News

US pushes Ukraine to surrender by cutting off aid — MP

On February 28, Vladimir Zelensky visited the White House

Yesterday, 19:45

Ireland seeks ways to take part in peacekeeping missions not supported by UN — diplomat

"The entire opposition is strongly objecting it, believing that this is yet another step to erode traditional military neutrality," Yury Filatov said

Ukraine lacks troops to continue combat, US cannot provide enough arms, money, says Vance

"The bloodshed, the killing, the economic devastation, it’s making everyone worse off," JD Vance said

Yesterday, 23:49

Trump administration suspends arms supplies to Ukraine after Zelensky’s visit — WSJ

The decision to halt financing was made amid the general suspension of foreign aid by the Trump administration

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

Yesterday, 17:18

Europe organizes Ukraine-led crusades against Russia to spite Trump — expert

According to Andrey Bystritsky, the European ruling elite is attempting to ascribe qualities to Ukraine that do not exist

Yesterday, 09:23

Ukraine’s intelligence says situation near Krasnoarmeysk critical

Earlier, Denis Pushilin, the head of the Donetsk People's Republic, said that Kiev’s forces were trying to counterattack in the areas of Krasnoarmeysk and Dzerzhinsk

Yesterday, 09:58

Zelensky unwilling to grasp reality in terms of territorial concessions — Kremlin

"Russian [President Vladimir] Putin has repeatedly stated that any discussions based on the Istanbul agreements must take into account the new realities on the ground," Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 10:08

Putin knows everything about Trump-Zelensky dispute — Kremlin

"He has taken into account what has happened," Dmitry Peskov said

Ukrainian lawmaker calls on Zelensky to apologize to Trump following aid suspension

According to Alexey Goncharenko, the Ukrainian authorities should now "turn off emotions and turn on reason"

Zelensky showed ‘clear unwillingness’ to participate in peace process, Vance says

US Vice President JD Vance said, that he don’t care what Zelensky says

Suspension of US assistance covers all weapons not located in Ukraine — Bloomberg

The aid was paused earlier on March 4

Zelensky must report to Rada on risks stemming from US aid halting — MP

Earlier, the fact that the parliament was virtually excluded from the work on the agreement on minerals with the United States, which was originally intended to be signed during Zelensky’s visit to the US, caused widespread dissatisfaction in the Verkhovna Rada

White House confirms suspending military aid to Kiev

According to Reuters, "the official said the US is pausing and reviewing aid to ensure it is contributing to a solution"

Yesterday, 09:52

Collective West is falling apart, but warmongers still strong — Kremlin

"They remain silent on the necessity of negotiating peace terms as soon as possible," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Yesterday, 20:56

Deal on Ukrainian minerals still possible — Trump

US leader added that he would raise the issue in his address to the Congress on March 4

Yesterday, 13:04

NATO is dead, British expert says

Timothy Ash noted that Europe could no longer rely on the US security guarantee

Two days ago, 11:08

UK, Canada, Germany supply the deadliest weapons to Ukrainian Armed Forces

Ukrainian Armed Forces receive drones, which are widely used not only in combat operations, but also in attacks on civilian infrastructure, Alexander Bastrykin said

Washington’s NATO backing of Ukraine to dwindle — Chinese expert

On March 4, the US suspended military aid to Ukraine

Yesterday, 14:29

IN BRIEF: What we know about a car striking a crowd in Mannheim

The driver is in custody

Yesterday, 17:38

Use of frozen Russian assets is very difficult issue — UK Prime Minister

Keir Starmer spoke against the immediate lifting of anti-Russian sanctions in case of ceasefire

Up to 150 Ukrainian militants eliminated in Russian strike on testing ground

Russian forces used an Iskander missile system, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Yesterday, 17:40

Russian Railways to decide on regular runs of Beijing-Moscow train after pilot trip

According to Russian Railways, the train consists of twelve railcars produced in China that were not in service on Russian railways earlier

PREVIEW: Putin, prime minister of Myanmar to hold talks in Moscow

The leaders plan to discuss the prospects of the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Myanmar

FACTBOX: Overnight UAV attacks on Russian regions

Air defense forces on duty intercepted and destroyed 18 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions last night, the Defense Ministry said

Yesterday, 13:39

Zelensky's resignation condition for peace to come — French politician

Florian Philippot pointed out that "high-level calls for Zelensky's resignation were multiplying"

Yesterday, 10:43

If Europe succeeds in getting Zelensky to talks - kudos to it, Kremlin says

The British capital hosted a meeting to discuss peace in Ukraine on Sunday

Yesterday, 05:31

European leaders decide to continue war in Ukraine — Orban

The meeting in London was attended by the leaders of Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Finland, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden, as well as European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

EU halts progress on another military aid package for Kiev because of Hungary — media

Politico notes that support from the EU is unlikely "to fill the void" left by the US decision to halt weapons supplies to Kiev

Yesterday, 21:24

Trump announces tariffs on agriculture supplies to US

On February 1, Trump signed a decree raising tariffs on goods from Canada, China, and Mexico

Rupture between Trump, Zelensky 'probably irreparable,' says ex-US ambassador

According to Chas Freeman, "Mr. Trump very clearly has called for elections in Ukraine"

Kremlin assumes Europe may ramp up military aid to Kiev

"We see that some European countries are stating their commitment to continuing comprehensive assistance," Dmitry Peskov said

Kremlin agrees with Trump that he "gave Russia nothing except grief"

Trump introduced sanctions against Moscow and supplied Javelin missile systems for Kiev

United States, Ukraine to finalize mineral agreement soon — Congressman

"Europe will be required to step up and do its part, and there will be mandates for them to do just that," Brian Fitzpatrick said

US introduces tariffs on goods from Canada, China, Mexico worth $1.5 trillion

Ten-percent tariffs will be in effect for Canadian energy products

Musk offers Zelensky to give up power, leave Ukraine

On February 28, Vladimir Zelensky visited the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump

Yesterday, 23:50

US wants hostilities in Ukraine to be over, not continue for years — Trump

When asked whether he was considering the possibility of cancelling military aid to Ukraine, Trump replied: "This is a deal that should have never happened"

PREVIEW: Trump to deliver joint congressional address

Traditionally, presidents deliver the State of the Union address to Congress

Europe has spent more funds on Russian hydrocarbons than on aid to Ukraine – Trump

US President wrote on his Truth Social page

Yesterday, 13:14

Nord Stream pipeline not meeting EU interests — EC spokesperson

If the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is restored and put into service, it should operate within the framework of European legislation, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said

Russia against stationing European peacekeepers in Ukraine — envoy

The European Union is biased while the peacekeepers must be unbiased, Russia’s Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna, said

Suspension of military aid to Kiev concerns weapons already in Europe — New York Post

It is specified that the pause involves both the weapons on the way to Europe and shipments already delivered to transit zones in Poland

Ukraine to feel US aid suspension in days or weeks — CNN

It would take some time — perhaps several days or weeks — for the impact of the US pause in military aid to be felt among Ukraine’s battlefield fighters, but once the country’s current stocks begin running short, the effect would be severe, even if other nations rush to fill the gap, the official familiar with the matter said

Ukraine to continue fighting at current pace without US aid only until summer — TV

Earlier, the US Armed Forces have suspended military aid supplies to Ukraine, a Pentagon spokesman told TASS

Ukraine loses around 60 soldiers after Russia’s capture of DPR’s Burlatskoye

On March 1, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the liberation of the settlement of Burlatskoye in southern DPR

Ukrainian army unable to hold beyond few months without US weapons supplies — expert

Alexander Mikhailov noted that even the supplies that continued until recently did not live up to the scale of those recorded in 2023

Yesterday, 20:58

White House seeks plan for possible Russia sanctions relief — agency

According to Reuters, the sanctions offices are now drawing up a proposal for lifting sanctions on select entities and individuals, including some Russian oligarchs

Russia against stationing European peacekeepers in Ukraine — envoy

Ulyanov also emphasized that "European officials are putting the cart before the horse," when they discuss sending peacekeepers to Ukraine

Yesterday, 20:59

Trump sees possibility of halting military aid to Ukraine

"A lot of things are happening right now as we speak, literally as we speak, I could give you an answer and go back to my office <…> and find out that the answer is obsolete," the president added

US wants Zelensky to tone down his hostile rhetoric towards Russia — newspaper

On February 28, Zelensky arrived at the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump

Yesterday, 23:46

Trump doubles tariffs on Chinese goods over fentanyl supplies

"I have determined that the PRC has not taken adequate steps to alleviate the illicit drug crisis," the document reads

Yesterday, 15:11

Europe risks becoming pawn in new world order, says German expert

According to Carlo Masala, the only alternative for Europe is to become self-reliant

Yesterday, 19:40

EU ignoring Ukraine’s attempts to attack Kurskaya, Smolenskaya NPPs in Russia — diplomat

Mikhail Ulyanov recalled that European Union countries issued a statement expressing concern about the flights of Russian drones around the Kiev-controlled nuclear power plants

Yesterday, 08:57

IN BRIEF: What we know about fire at Ufa oil refinery

A fire was reported at the Ufa oil refinery in the early hours on Monday

'Europe Plus' coalition needed to 'dissect' Ukraine after peace treaty — senator

Igor Kastukevich said that, in return, the EU will offer "highly conditional military and humanitarian aid, which in reality will remain in the pockets of the corrupt leaders of the Kiev regime and will not reach either the military or the civilian population

14 Jun 2024, 14:13

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia's plan would mean ending the conflict once and for all, not freezing it

Yesterday, 16:32

Moscow bans nine Japanese citizens, including top diplomat — foreign ministry

The list also includes Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome and former Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda

Russian troops destroy 20 out of 31 US Abrams tanks of Ukraine

Earlier, The New York Times quoted senior Ukrainian officials as saying that the remaining Abrams tanks had been withdrawn from the battlefront

Tucker Carson urges to ‘start blaming’ Zelensky for serious war crimes

"Over the past three years, with the tacit support of its western patrons, the Ukrainian government has committed a remarkable number of serious crimes," the journalist said

Yesterday, 09:43

Kiev does not want peace, Moscow-Washington efforts alone not enough — Kremlin

"The Kiev regime refuses to settle the conflict through negotiations," Dmitry Peskov noted

Yesterday, 07:48

Putin-Trump summit being expedited now — CNN

On February 12, Putin and Trump talked over the phone

Yesterday, 19:03

Trump to hold meeting on freezing military aid to Ukraine later today — Axios

The White House refrained from commenting on the subject, the portal wrote

Russia breaches Ukrainian defenses near Zagryzovo, gains nearly one kilometer — expert

Andrey Marochko said that when advancing in this area, Russian forces have also taken control of two forest belts to the west of Lozovaya, and have progressed up to 600 meters (0.37 miles) toward Novaya Kruglyakovka

Ex-Austrian foreign minister says she is astonished how rapidly Russia, US renew ties

Karin Kneissl noted that she gives her opinion "as a person who worked in government both in lower positions and at the top of the hierarchy"

Yesterday, 10:49

Trump-Zelensky clash shows how right Putin is regarding Ukraine — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Putin is aware of the details about what happened and took them into account

Yesterday, 08:41

US to sign metals deal with Kiev when Ukraine has new authorities — Kneissl

The former Austrian foreign minister recalled that in the past Western companies often had problems in Ukraine because of "corruption and the inability to find reliable partners"

Two days ago, 23:01

Ukraine won’t make territorial concessions in exchange for peace — Zelensky

Such an agreement would risk causing tensions in the future, he said the Guardian reported

Yesterday, 23:48

Zelensky wants ‘forever war,’ not settlement of Ukraine crisis — Musk

"Zelensky wants a forever war, because he loses his spotlight on the international stage as soon as peace is achieved," Musk wrote

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: US-Ukraine clash may affect peace and Europe could support Kiev post-Trump

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 3rd

Yesterday, 17:45

Saying that conflict far from over is ‘worst statement’ Zelensky could make — Trump

The US President emphasized that the Kiev government "doesn’t want there to be peace" as long as it has the US backing

China to take reciprocal measures against US on tariffs issue — Ministry of Commerce

Earlier, US President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration is introducing new tariffs on Canadian and Mexican products

Yesterday, 01:04

Zelensky says ready to sign minerals deal with US

The agreement that’s on the table will be signed if the parties are ready, he went on to say

Pentagon confirms suspension of military aid to Ukraine

Earlier, Reuters reported, citing a White House spokesman, that US President Donald Trump had ordered the suspension of all deliveries of military aid to Kiev

Two days ago, 07:33

Karin Kneissl: Europe’s borders may be changed

Karin Kneissl, former Austrian foreign minister and head of the “G.O.R.K.I.” center at St. Petersburg State University, told TASS in an exclusive interview why Russia should not rush to let European companies enter its market, explained what could be hidden behind the US deal on rare earth minerals, and also assumed what European countries could vie for Ukrainian lands

Yesterday, 15:45

Court sentences two Ukrainian air pilots to terms of up to 26 years for terrorism

The prosecution had asked for a 30-year imprisonment for both defendants each

Yesterday, 12:18

Kremlin not commenting on Bild’s report on Nord Stream 2 talks

Dmitry Peskov noted that the information had already been refuted

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"

Trump wants to settle Ukrainian conflict to switch to China — source

However, "the center of attention [of the Trump administration] will be China," and Washington now considers the conflict in Ukraine only "as part of the distractions," the source emphasized

Two days ago, 11:21

While US talks about wanting to end conflict in Ukraine, Europe demands war — Lavrov

Lavrov also recalled the opinion of many researchers that over the last 500 years, all world tragedies were born in Europe, the United States did not play the role of instigator

Yesterday, 15:37

Over 30 Kursk Region residents evacuated to Russia from Ukraine — rights commissioner

The Russian citizens were brought back with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the mediation of the Republic of Belarus

24 Aug 2020, 17:30

Iran successfully used Russian-made radar to track US F-35 jets — designer

The Rezonans-NE radar has been on round-the-clock combat duty in Iran for several years, according to the deputy CEO of the research center Rezonans

29 Sep 2015, 03:18

US spend up to $5 billion to overthrow Viktor Yanukovych - Putin

According to Vladimir Putin, the outcome of any actions aimed at overthrowing the legitimate government "is very negative"

Yesterday, 11:34

Zelensky made last visit to US, from now on Kiev to be represented by military — Kneissl

According to Karin Kneissl, "from a purely legal point of view, Zelensky is no longer president since last May"

Halting aid to Ukraine would be best contribution to peace by US — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that the United States were the main supplier so far

Yesterday, 20:53

Participation of both Moscow, Kiev crucial for conflict settlement — Turkish president

Recep Tayyip Erdogan added that over the past three years, his country has been "trying to find a solution without adding more fuel to the fire"