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US Trump’s telephone conversation with Chinese leader Xi expected this week

Additional tariffs of 10% are imposed against Chinese goods

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump AP Photo/Andy Wong, File

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump

© AP Photo/Andy Wong, File

WASHINGTON, February 4. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump will hold a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping within a next two-day period, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday.

According to the White House spokeswoman, the American president is set to hold a telephone conversation with China’s Xi later this week.

Last Saturday, US President Trump signed an executive order, applying tariffs against goods from Canada, China and Mexico. The document states that duties of 25% are imposed against imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian energy products).

Additional tariffs of 10% are imposed against Chinese goods. According to Trump, this effort was made because of the "extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl" that kill US citizens.

In response, the Canadian authorities imposed retaliatory duties of 25% on American goods totaling 155 billion Canadian dollars ($106.5 billion). Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Ottawa is also considering non-tariff retaliatory measures against the United States concerning critical minerals and energy.

Mexico's president said her country will respond to the imposition of duties by the US with tariffs and non-tariff measures, but remains open to dialogue and suggested Trump create a working group to resolve the situation.

IAEA lacks courage to acknowledge Ukrainian security threats to ZNPP — envoy

"Ukraine remains the only source of security threats to the ZNPP as it routinely targets the nuclear facility and its critical infrastructure, as well as the satellite city of Energodar," Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky said

Trump not to dare to attack Iran, IRGC commander says

"Iran, as a powerful nation, does not bow to coercion," Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh stressed

Air defenses down two drones in Volgograd region, no casualties

According to the earlier reports, Russian air defenses destroyed and intercepted 40 Ukrainian UAVs in the skies over five Russian regions

US to seek Europe's views on Ukraine settlement plan — report

Kellogg said he would unveil elements of the peace plan at the Munich Security Conference in Germany this weekend, according to the newspaper

Russia suggests creating position of UN official for small business

The idea has not encountered any objections but requires further consideration, special envoy Boris Titov said

Ukrainian forces shoot drivers of Pokrovskoye mine administration near Krasnoarmeysk

It is reported that the Pokrovskoye mine administration employed people who lived not only in Krasnoarmeysk, but also in nearby towns and settlements

Russia suggests setting up international task force to monitor maritime security threats

"In order to build a system of international maritime security, we consider it necessary to create a comprehensive working group to monitor current and future threats and develop practical recommendations on how to neutralize them," Commander of the Pacific Fleet’s Primorye Flotilla of All-Arms Forces Rear Adm. Alexey Sysuyev said

US puts major pressure in UN hoping to scare off Russia’s potential partners — envoy

The Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations was established at the UN Headquarters in New York in 2019 at the initiative of then Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza

Romanian president announces resignation on February 12

Klaus Iohannis foresees a division in Romanian society, while no foreign nation will understand why this step is being taken if preparations for the presidential elections are already underway

Design, maneuverability of Su-57E impress visitors at Aero India 2025

The Su-57E multirole fighter jet performed its maiden flight at Aero India 2025 on Monday, soaring for approximately ten minutes

West continues flooding Kiev regime with arms despite potential talks — Russian diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin noted that Moscow observed this fact and took it into account in its policy

Danish activists offer to buy California from US in exchange for Greenland

The initiative proposes to raise funds for the purchase of California by crowdfunding

Ottawa says Trump's talk about making Canada 51st US state violates international law

Stephane Dion said that if the United States wants to comply with international law, it should not "threaten its neighbors with invasion"

Illegitimate UN envoy in BiH epitomizes Western neocolonialism — Russian ambassador

Igor Kalabukhov believes that the future development of BiH as a sovereign state is contingent upon "agreements and compromises that respect the equality and consensus of the three state-forming peoples and the two entities"

Baltics out of Russia's energy ring, Kaliningrad Region runs in autonomous mode

The agency noted that from 2016 to 2020, four new power generation facilities were constructed in the Kaliningrad Region

Scholz opposes German weapons supplies to Ukraine for strikes inside Russia

"I think it is exactly the step that cannot be made if you have the responsibility for Germany," German chancellor noted

USAID studied capabilities of CIS residents to resist pathogens — expert

Stepanov believes that USAID is just the tip of the iceberg of the extensive infrastructure that was first and foremost created to solve scientific and technical problems

Mineral resources extraction in Ukraine requires substantial investments — expert

Rare-earth metals are indeed found in Ukraine and have been mined since the 1970s, Alexander Dudchak said

Russia-US relations on 'verge of rupture' — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that the administration of former US President Joe Biden "bet on hybrid warfare, introduced into its documents and imposed on allies in various blocs and configurations the idea of the possibility of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia"

Russian regulator suspends type approval for Shacman SX3258 trucks

The watchdog issued a series of improvement notices to a representative of the Shacman automobile plant

Munich conference organizers seen intolerant of alternative viewpoints

The conference, which opens on February 14, will try to "consolidate the unipolar world order and save the transatlantic community," Alexander Rahr went on to say

Hamas sees possibility of releasing refugees in time

The delay "sends a warning" to Israel, to make sure that it "follows all provisions of the deal," the Palestinian movement said

Press review: US boosts pressure on neighbors as BRICS forms agricultural coalition

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 7th

PM Orban claims US money went toward undermining governments worldwide, Hungary too

As the Hungarian prime minister said, the money was used to sponsor opposition media outlets and non-governmental organizations

US to go bust if it keeps spending like ‘drunken sailor’ — Musk

"That does mean a lot of grifters will lose their grift and complain loudly about it," Musk continued

US taxpayers’ money goes to Ukrainian bureaucrats, Mexican drug cartels — Carlson’ team

According to the letter, Colonel Daniel Davis will explain in his interview with Tucker Carlson "how Donald Trump can finally end this conflict, why it never should have started"

USAID supplies found among Hezbollah’s weapons in Lebanon – NYP

According to Israel Defense Forces serviceman Asher Fredman, when patrolling a village in Lebanon he found "sniper rifles, anti-tank missiles and explosives alongside the care packages marked ‘USAID’"

Significant progress in Ukrainian peace talks achieved, Trump says

The US leader was asked whether he could bring both sides of the conflict to the negotiating table

Gas reserves in UGS facilities down below 50% in Germany, at 30% in France

Those remaining on the list of top five countries in terms of the volume of gas storage capacity also actively consume the accumulated fuel as Austrian UGS facilities are 59.17% full

Trump says Ukraine may one day become part of Russia

US President added that he had warned Kiev that the US "can’t continue to pay this money" like it had previously done

US policy undermines nuclear non-proliferation — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, "the Western group is trying to turn the non-proliferation treaty into a tool to exert pressure on undesirable states"

No shift in US policy on Ukraine — senior Russian diplomat

The situation on the ground is changing and this cannot be ignored, Sergey Ryabkov said

The Netherlands panic-stricken over Trump's plans for Ukraine — Russian ambassador

Earlier, Trump expressed his hope that agreements on solving the Ukraine crisis will be reached "in the not too distant future"

EU involvement in Ukraine talks may extend conflict — Russian senator

Alexey Pushkov emphasized that "hypocritical calls by European politicians and ideologists to the principles and norms they have been undermining for over a quarter of a century will hardly aid the resolution, but rather hinder it"

US insincere while discussing Ukrainian settlement — senior Russian diplomat

Meanwhile, according to Sergey Ryabkov, Moscow’s position has never changed

New Russian drones used in special op to debut at international exhibition

"The Kalashnikov Concern will for the first time present commercial models of its Goliath-R and Karakurt-R vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as the Quazimachta equipment lifting system abroad," the concern said

Russian diplomats face immense pressure, MFA spokeswoman says

"Many have faced such brutalities in real life," Maria Zakharova said

Trump says his meeting with Putin can take place 'at the right time'

US leader also said that he has had a telephone conversation with Russian president after his inauguration

Most of Ukrainian troops that entered Kursk Region in August eliminated — commander

Lieutenant General Apty Alaudinov noted that most of the Ukrainian formations on the territory of the Kursk Region at the moment were units formed from mobilized people

Finnish Foreign Ministry summons Russian ambassador over alleged airspace intrusion

According to the Yle news website, the Finnish Defense Ministry previously said a Russian plane is suspected of violating the country's airspace

Su-57 output sufficient to satisfy domestic, foreign demand

According to United Aircraft Corporation CEO Vadim Badekha, the aircraft plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur that is engaged in batch production of Su-57 has reached a good production pace

US propaganda media not going anywhere, despite Musk's criticism — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, the United States will not get rid of its "propaganda resources," instead "only adjusting them to new realities"

Israel's defense minister accuses Hamas of violating Gaza deal, raises military readiness

Israel Katz "instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare at the highest level of readiness for any possible scenario"

US allocates too much money to UN, its agencies — Elon Musk

On February 4, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the UN Human Rights Council and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

Russia tests drones for interaction with Su-57 jet

According to UAC CEO Vadim Badekha, the open architecture of the Su-57 onboard equipment and high-speed communication lines provide for an effective interaction with drones of various classes

Russia, Tajikistan understand they face shared threats from Afghanistan — ambassador

Interaction with Tajikistan amid complex situation in Afghanistan and the increasing activities of international terrorist organizations in its northern provinces is a significant factor in maintaining stability in Central Asia, according to the ambassador

Preparations underway for visits by Xi to Moscow, by Putin to Beijing — Kremlin

The leaders' visits are being arranged to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in World War II

Shacman suspends sales of Cat N3G Type SX3258 trucks in Russia

Eighteen different modifications of the Cat N3G vehicle have been taken off the market, the company noted

New Russian engine competes with western analogues

The UEC plans to cooperate in the development of the engine with Indian colleagues, Deputy CEO for sales and services Alexey Nesterenko added

Press review: Trump open to settling Ukraine conflict while BRICS, EAEU doors remain open

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, February 10th

Trump says he has no plans to deport Prince Harry

The issue of Prince Harry’s US visa arose after the publication of his memoir, in which he admitted to past illegal drug use

Russia sees US readiness for dialogue, but no real proposals — lawmaker

In Leonid Slutsky words, unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, US President Donald Trump "is keeping the window of opportunity for talks with Russia open"

Kiev loses over 380 troops in Russia’s borderline Kursk area in past day — top brass

In addition, operational-tactical and army aircraft strikes and artillery fire hit enemy personnel and equipment near Viktorovka, Goncharovka, Kazachya Loknya, 1st Knyazhy, Kurilovka, Loknya, Martynovka, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, as well as Basovka, Belovody, Vodolagi, Veselovka, Zhuravka, Pisarevka, Sumy and Yunakovka in the Sumy Region

Russia's Foreign Ministry ensures country's engagement with world, says Putin

The Russian leader’s congratulatory message is published on the Kremlin website

Foundation run by Keith Kellogg’s daughter delivers aid to Ukraine — WP

According to the report, the R.T. Weatherman Foundation has been active in Ukraine since the very start of the conflict

Iran sees foreign interference as source of conflicts in region — diplomat

According to the Iranian diplomat, the country’s foreign policy is geared to defend national interests, ensure national security and expand economic diplomacy

Israel in contact with Russia over release of hostages held by Hamas — ambassador

"When and if Russia’s efforts yield results, I will be the first to publicly acknowledge Moscow’s role and say thanks to Russian diplomacy," she told TASS

Russia’s ambassador to Dushanbe states huge prospects for Russian business in Tajikistan

Over 320 enterprises with Russian capital operate in Tajikistan now

Israel hits Khakhalah airbase in southern Syria — TV

According to the Syria TV’s sources, explosions were heard near the airbase and warplane were seen flying in the area

Ukrainian legislator explains Kiev regime’s 'sell-steal-resell' swindling scheme

According to the statement, "the official reason will be that a deal was made with the United States, but the underlying motive is the redistribution of assets, cloaked as 'strategic necessity'"

US refrained from F-35, F16 flights at Indian show because of Su-57 — diplomat

Russia’s fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jets will for the first time be showcased at the Aero India international show

Weapons sent to Kiev found in possession of Mexican cartels, Hamas — law enforcement

According to the unnamed official, the West’s level of mistrust in Kiev rose significantly after reports on such wayward weapons began appearing

IAEA lacks courage to acknowledge Ukrainian security threats to ZNPP — envoy

"Ukraine remains the only source of security threats to the ZNPP as it routinely targets the nuclear facility and its critical infrastructure, as well as the satellite city of Energodar," Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky said

EU regulation allowing insect powder to be added to food products takes effect

Manufacturers will be required to indicate the insect powder on the ingredient list of any products they sell

Russian forces pound Ukrainian military airfields over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 525 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day

Russia’s envoy to Dushanbe states stable upward trend in republic's trade with EAEU

"Trade turnover between Tajikistan and EAEU states has a stable upward trend," he noted

Ukraine must accept loss of territories, reject NATO membership — UK parliamentarian

According to Lord Richard Balfe, there should be an agreement that Ukraine would not join NATO or host any foreign troops for a period of at least 25 years

Su-57E fighter jet makes first flight at Aero India show

Merited test pilot Hero of Russia Sergey Bogdan made the ten-minute qualification training flight

Aeroflot flight from Phuket to Moscow lands in Bangkok

Airport Director Kittipong Kittikachorn said fire trucks were on standby, but no emergency was declared after all

Iran orbited ten satellites in past years — diplomat

In his words, Iran has around 10,000 high-tech companies

China’s Xi accepts invitation to attend Victory Day festivities in Moscow — Russian envoy

According to Igor Morgulov, the Chinese leader also invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in festivities scheduled for early September

Trump plotting against Iran despite promises of talks — president

According to Masoud Pezeshkian, the Islamic Republic will be able to thwart all the plots of unfriendly countries with the help of the people

Transnistria restores gas supplies to households

Energy specialists informed about restored power supply and centralized heating last week

Russia becomes third largest supplier of LNG to Spain in January

Enagas earlier reported that Spain acquired 72,360 GWh of Russian LNG in 2024, compared to 72,690 GWh in 2023

Russian ambassador to London says hopefully the Skripals are alive

"The United Kingdom is doing everything to conceal the fate of our citizens," Andrey Kelin said

Russia to review int'l obligations should discriminatory practices continue — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, the West is using international organizations as an instrument of hybrid war in its striving for imperial dominance whereas any efforts to reform global governance institutions, which were established after Western models, are being blocked

Russia-US relations on brink, nuclear control declines — Russian senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Washington's attempts to give Moscow demands or to demonstrate the alleged doing "a great favor" in exchange for unacceptable US demands are bound to failure in the dialogue with Russia

Overall military exports to Ukraine worth 14.8 bln euro approved by Scholz cabinet

Germany is the second largest weapons supplier to Ukraine after the United States

Trump’s plan for Ukraine not yet ready — source

Munich Security Conference Chairman Christoph Heusgen said earlier that his wish was that the forum would outline a plan for settling the conflict in Ukraine

Moldovan authorities allow gas transit to Transnistria under several conditions — PM

Transnistria’s authorities rejected the second grant worth 60 mln euro proposed by the EU for coping with the energy crisis, Dorin Recean said

Somalia rejects idea of resettling Gazans on its territory — media

According to the source, the Somali government will issue a statement on this topic as soon as the United States officially announces its plans

Russia, US have no agreements on high-level contacts right now — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov still noted that "communication channels exist, they are not closed, they are in working condition"

Russia sees defense ties with India growing further — ambassador

Denis Alipov noted that taking into account India’s desire to have an independent defense sector, the two countries are gradually shifting from direct purchases of defense products to localizing production based on advanced technologies and establishing joint ventures

Musk claims US Treasury annually pays $100 bln to unidentified individuals

He noted that the DOGE team and the US Department of the Treasury had agreed to require "that all outgoing government payments have a payment categorization code, which is necessary in order to pass financial audits"

IN BRIEF: What is known about explosions, blackouts in Ukraine

Blasts were reported in the Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk, Nikolayev, Cherkassy, Poltava, Kiev and Sumy regions, as well as in Sumy and Poltava

Russia, Qatar to hold commission meeting in Doha in March — Russian MFA

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, "the high quality of Russian-Qatari ties is reflected in the trust-based political dialogue at top level"

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

Ukrainian settlement to be Munich conference’s key topic – US diplomat

The Munich Conference was founded in 1962 by German publisher Ewald von Kleist as a meeting of representatives of defense agencies of NATO member countries

Trump believes Palestinians have no will to return to Gaza after restoration

The US president also voiced confidence that he will manage to reach agreements with Jordan and Egypt to implement his plan because Washington gives them "billions of dollars a year"

NATO plotting major smear campaign against Zelensky — Russian intelligence

Thus, according to the SVR, it is planned to "make public information that the 'president' personally and his team have misappropriated more than $1.5 billion only from funds meant to buy munitions"

Former Russian captives tell of gruesome torture in Ukraine — activist

According to Maxim Grigoriev, Ukrainians are particularly cruel to people from the Lugansk People’s Republic, the Donetsk People’s Republic and Crimea

India’s HAL hopes for cooperation with Russia on Su-57 jet — source

The Su-57E multirole fighter jet performed a training flight at Aero India 2025 on Monday

Russia can defend peace based on legal results of WWII — Lavrov

Russia will "boost multifaceted cooperation with all sensible partners," the minister noted

Innovative new drone system undergoes trials in Donetsk People’s Republic

The drone can cover a distance of up to 15 km and strike light armored vehicles, manpower and fortifications. It is compatible with RPG-7 and SPG-9 rounds

Emergency regime declared in Nevelsky District of Sakhalin where vessel runs aground

The ministry notes that there is currently no fuel spill

Russia’s S-550 missile defense system to intercept warheads free of nuclear blast — expert

The latest S-550 system may serve as a follow-up of the A-135 ‘Amur’ - A-235 ‘Nudol’ strategic missile system in its mobile configuration, Dmitry Litovkin also notes

Ukraine peace deal should rule out US military presence near Russian borders — Wagenknecht

Wagenknecht said an agreement on Ukraine should not be to Germany's detriment

Russia ready to continue providing necessary assistance to Syrians — MFA

The Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov recalled that relations between the countries have always been friendly

Russia to continue creating invulnerable mechanisms of international payments

Russia in cooperation with friendly countries will continue efforts "to create mechanisms, which are invulnerable to external pressure"

Russia ready for talks on Ukraine that would secure its legitimate interests — Lavrov

"As President Vladimir Putin has said many times, Russia is ready for negotiations, in the course of which our legitimate national interests should be ensured," he said