19 Feb, 17:47

Donald Trump calls Zelensky 'dictator' for refusing to hold elections

"A dictator without elections, Zelensky better move fast or he is not going to have a country left," the US President wrote

US President Donald Trump Pool via AP

US President Donald Trump

WASHINGTON, February 19. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump criticized Vladimir Zelensky for refusing to hold presidential elections in Ukraine.

"A dictator without elections, Zelensky better move fast or he is not going to have a country left," Trump wrote on his Truth Social network page.

He also added that the US was "successfully negotiating" with Russia, unlike Europe, which "has failed to bring peace."

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation on February 12. The two leaders discussed the issue of the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, bilateral relations, and a number of other issues. They also agreed to continue contacts and organize a face-to-face meeting. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that the conversation between the two leaders was "constructive, working, friendly."

On February 18, the Russian and US delegations held talks in Riyadh that lasted about 4.5 hours. According to Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, the delegations had a serious conversation on all the issues they wanted to address, including discussion of the rapprochement of the positions of Russia and the United States and contacts on Ukraine.

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Ukraine crisis Donald Trump

Bangkok’s earthquake death toll rises to 17

Engineering services checked 723 buildings in the capital

20 Dec 2024, 16:25

Putin agrees 'Russian world' now faces war

The Russian leader also agreed with Sergey Mironov, head of the "A Just Russia - For Truth" faction in the Duma, who said that "the birth rate is insufficient, because the matter concerns extinction"

Yesterday, 19:48

Hamas accepts mediators’ proposal on Gaza ceasefire

Al-Hayya said that the group has accepted an Egyptian plan for forming an independent body of experts to oversee civil administration in Gaza

Two days ago, 10:35

Ukraine reports tense frontline situation in Zaporozhye area

Ukrainian military commanders of various ranks have been characterizing the operational and strategic situation as complex lately

Two days ago, 23:18

Tennis player Kasatkina says she will represent Australia

To date, her best result in Grand Slams was in 2022 when she reached the semifinals of the French Open

Yesterday, 04:51

Canada’s Russophobic policy limits space for Arctic cooperation — Russian envoy

Mark Carney said earlier that Canada’s authorities did not intend to cooperate with Russia on the Arctic-related issues as it is not a like-minded nation

Two days ago, 20:56

IN BRIEF: JD Vance visits Greenland: US military presence plans, hopes for accession

TASS has gathered key remarks by the US vice president

17 Aug 2022, 22:35

Ukrainian army delivers massive strike on Energodar using heavy artillery — authorities

Information on casualties and damage to infrastructure is being specified, the city’s military-civilian administration reported

Yesterday, 16:51

Over 9,000 consumers in Russia’s Belgorod Region lose power in Ukrainian drone attacks

According to the military agency, the Kiev regime has just increased the number of attacks on energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions, despite claims by Vladimir Zelensky about the purported cessation of attacks on Russian energy facilities

Hungary opposes Ukraine's EU admission as borders still unclear — cabinet

Gergely Gulyas also warned that Ukraine's fast-track admission would inflict irreparable damage on Europe's economies

Yesterday, 10:03

Lula da Silva confirms plans to attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow

Lula da Silva also said that he plans to discuss the potential peaceful settlement in Ukraine with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during his visit to Russia in May

Yesterday, 04:37

Russian army in Kursk Region forging ahead to border with Ukraine

The Russian Defence Ministry said earlier that assault units of the Don Cossack air assault regiment based in Feodosia had taken an important fortified strongpoint of the Ukrainian army in the borderline

Two days ago, 09:30

EU leaders prepare for conflict with Russia, Hungary will not go to war — Orban

While Europe continues to speculate that the Ukrainian conflict could spread across the continent, the Hungarian prime minister dismissed this notion, stating, "This is not true"

29 Mar 2024, 09:31

No improvement in sight for Russia-Japan relations, envoy says

According to Nikolay Nozdrev, Russia has reported "a substantial increase in military activity," involving Japan, the United States and other NATO member countries, near Russia’s Far Eastern border

Yesterday, 12:14

Gaza Health Ministry reveals number of Palestinians killed since March 18

The ministry pointed out that since October 2023, 50,277 people have been killed and 114,095 injured in the Palestinian enclave

Two days ago, 00:52

Iran sends its official response to Trump’s letter via Oman

According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the message comprises two documents

Yesterday, 15:37

Russian medics, rescuers arrive in Myanmar to deal with quake’s aftermath

According to the ministry, the rescuers have brought along all the equipment necessary for search-and-rescue operations

Two days ago, 18:06

IN BRIEF: What we know about detention of Gagauzia’s head Evghenia Gutsul

On March 25, Evghenia Gutsul was detained at the Chisinau Airport

Yesterday, 00:57

Kiev trying to reassemble front, force Russian army to retreat from Volchansk — expert

Andrey Marochko said that development of combat power is registered in this area, including by assault teams

Yesterday, 07:28

Nearly 900 Palestinians killed since Israel resumed hostilities in Gaza — TV

About were 2,000 injured

Two days ago, 15:44

Putin enjoys strong support among Russians — poll

A total of 51.9% expressed approval of how the Russian government is managing the country

Two days ago, 09:31

Europe can provide no guarantees for peace in Ukraine without US — Hungary’s PM

Viktor Orban reminded that the two largest European countries - France and Germany - had once participated in the preparation of the Minsk agreements on the settlement in Ukraine, but they failed to be implemented

Yesterday, 17:42

World Press Photo defends TASS photo correspondent’s win in regional contest

According to the organizers, the complaints will be reviewed in accordance with the contest’s rules and procedures

Yesterday, 21:15

Interim Syrian president announces formation of new government

The foreign and defense ministers, Asaad al-Shaibani and Murhaf Abu Qasra, have retained their posts

Yesterday, 12:48

Mediators discuss a 50-day ceasefire in Gaza with Hamas, Israel — TV

Asharq also reported that Qatari and Egyptian representatives held a series of meetings with the Hamas leadership in Doha, as well as talks with the US and Israel to agree on the details of the agreement

Two days ago, 17:10

Trump serious about normalization with Russia, EU has no option — ex-US intel official

Graham Fuller did not rule out that Europe would also move towards normalizing relations with Russia in the foreseeable future

Yesterday, 18:10

China not ready to join potential Russia-US dialogue on strategic stability — Russian MFA

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Channel One that the US wants to engage China in the strategic stability negotiations with Russia but the decision to do so is up to Beijing and Russia will respect its choice

Yesterday, 16:48

IN BRIEF: What is known about Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities

TASS has compiled main facts from the statements by the Russian Defense Ministry

Putin describes floating out of Perm nuclear sub as milestone for Russian Navy

"It is supposed to enter service with the Russian Navy and to start performing its combat tasks next year," the president added

Two days ago, 16:50

What is known about the return of 25 Kursk Region residents from Ukraine to Russia

Among the returnees there are several elderly individuals, with the oldest being 92 years old

Yesterday, 12:59

Konyukhov's voyage in rowing boat across two oceans ends due to technical failures

The traveler was going to get from South America to Australia, covering a distance of 18,000 kilometers in 200 days

Putin submits treaty on Russia's strategic partnership with Iran to Duma for ratification

The comprehensive strategic partnership treaty was signed during the visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Moscow in January 2025

Two days ago, 14:25

American bases to be targeted if US invades Iran, says Iranian parliament speaker

US Presidential National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated on February 23 that Washington was considering all options regarding Iran’s nuclear program

At least 24 Palestinians killed in Gaza Strip in past day — TV

The aggregate Palestinian death toll since Israel violated ceasefire on March 18 currently stands at around 900, with over 2,000 wounded

Two days ago, 18:37

EU plans to cut agricultural imports from Ukraine starting in June — AFP

No details were given about specific commodities to be affected by the reduction or how much imports will plunge

Two days ago, 08:02

Russian forces breach Ukrainian defenses, advance near DPR’s Katerinovka — expert

Andrey Marochko added that some of the Ukrainian army units, which had become fragmented following the breakthrough by Russian Armed Forces, retreated and reinforced their positions south of Katerinovka

9 Dec 2024, 17:02

'Street rat' Zelensky fumbles Paris talks — Ukrainian lawmaker

"After Trump’s team slammed Zelensky’s inappropriate attire, he’ll either need to start wearing a suit or continue to be looked at as a street rat," Alexander Dubinsky said

Hezbollah warns it will not tolerate Israel’s unjustified aggression

According to the secretary-general of the movement Naim Qassem, Lebanon should resist Israel politically and diplomatically

Two days ago, 17:30

France, UK assisted Ukraine in strike on Sudzha gas metering station — Foreign Ministry

According to Maria Zakharova, the guidance and targeting of the strikes were conducted using French satellite systems, while UK specialists provided the coordinate input and carried out the launch

Yesterday, 21:41

Israel Defense Forces reports expanding ground operation in Gaza’s south

At the same time, the Israeli military informed that they 'continue to carry out aerial strikes on Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip'

Yesterday, 12:17

Ukraine loses more than 190 troops in Kursk Region over day — top brass

The Defense Ministry also said that Russian servicemen had liberated the Veselovka settlement in the Sumy Region

Yesterday, 05:53

Assets of Ukrainian businessman Shifrin arrested in Russia on fraud case

The businessman was granted Russian citizenship in October 2016. In 2022, after the onset of the special military operation, he applied to the Russian embassy on renunciation of Russian citizenship

Two days ago, 05:26

About 99% of LPR, more than 70% of DPR, Novorossiya liberated, says Putin

According to the Russian president, "along the entire line of engagement, the strategic initiative is fully with the Russian Armed Forces"

Two days ago, 01:01

Russia ready to work with Europe without ‘being fooled’ by it — Putin

They are acting inconsistently, constantly trying to fool, Russian President said

Yesterday, 06:46

Trump administration demands control over Ukraine's economy — newspaper

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Ukrainian authorities fear that the terms of the agreement will limit their ability to attract other investors and rebuild infrastructure

Press review: Russia and US advance Black Sea deal as nuclear divide deepens in Europe

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, March 26th

Zelensky doing damage control after losing big in Jeddah talks — expert

Mikhail Pavliv explained that in Jeddah, the Americans got everything they wanted in the military aspect from Ukraine very quickly

Two days ago, 19:00

Thailand records over 50 aftershocks following Myanmar earthquake

The latest aftershock with a magnitude of 4.9 was recorded at 11:46 p.m. local time (4:46 p.m. GMT)

US duties on cars will have only limited impact on Germany’s economy — experts

Veronika Grimm also noticed that the EU members should coordinate the actions for the adoption of countermeasures

Two days ago, 01:03

Russian forces to overwhelm Ukrainian troops, Putin believes

"There are grounds to think that we will finish them off," the Russian leader said

Yesterday, 10:04

Senior Russian defense official discusses cooperation with Myanmar’s prime minister

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin also congratulated Min Aung Hlaing on the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Myanmar Armed Forces and handed over a congratulatory letter from Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov

Two days ago, 20:33

Ukraine will not recognize US military aid as debt, Zelensky says

The previous version of the deal was not signed because of a verbal spat between Vladimir Zelensky and US leaders at the White House

It is now obvious to everyone what Western jurisdictions are worth — Putin

"But now the covers have completely fallen off, as they say, and it has become evident to everyone what the various high courts in the European capitals, Western jurisdictions, where many sought to hide in, are worth," the Russian president said

Two days ago, 11:23

Russian forces liberate Gogolevka: situation in Kursk Region

Russian troops are engaged in fighting in the center of Guyevo in the Kursk Region, facing the most skilled units of the Ukrainian army's special operations forces

Yesterday, 08:58

US launches 14 strikes on Yemen's Saada governorate, one person killed — TV

Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, was also shelled and attacked at least eight times

Two days ago, 03:21

Putin proposes introducing UN external governance in Ukraine to hold election

The Russian president reiterated that such precedents under the auspices of the UN existed in East Timor, New Guinea and parts of former Yugoslavia

Press review: Germany relies on US missile plan for next year as protests erupt in Turkey

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 24th

Yesterday, 08:57

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian special units in Guyevo — security forces

"The enemy expects to hold off the advance of the Russian armed forces as long as possible, hoping to escape through the forest to the Sumy Region," the source said

Two days ago, 22:29

Major fire starts in industrial area in northeast of Lugansk

Warehousing facilities are ablaze, no one was hurt

Yesterday, 23:15

Turkish police rejects reports that 2.2 million people rallied for detained mayor

According to it, the Republican People’s Party rally gathered 150,000 people

5 Apr 2022, 11:07

Medvedev weighs in on goals of Ukraine special operation

According to the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, the most important goal is "to convert the bloodthirsty and the total, fabricated-myth-laden consciousness of some Ukrainians"

Yesterday, 16:04

Number of victims in Myanmar quake surpasses 1,600 — news agency

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 8.2 struck Myanmar on March 28

Houthis attack another US aircraft carrier in Red Sea — spokesman

According to Yahya Saria, by striking the aircraft carrier, the Houthis prevented "the enemy's attempts to redeploy its warships to the southern Red Sea and expand its aggression against Yemen

Yesterday, 04:31

Many Asian countries’ leaders invited to Victory Day parade in Moscow — Russian MFA

It became known earlier that the Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party To Lam would be present at the parade

Russia’s battlegroup West destroys 58 enemy drones in past day

Also in the reported period the battlegroup destroyed eight mortar crews and 24 drone control posts

Two days ago, 18:09

Ukraine talks see progress — Trump

"I think we're making progress, but there's a lot of ill will between the parties," the US leader said, commenting on the situation in Ukraine

Kiev troops start using FPV drones of longer range

The new drones were detected in the Zaporozhye, Orekhov, Dzerzhinsk, Kremennaya and Kharkov directions of the special military operation, as well as in Russia’s borderline areas of Belgorod and Kursk

Putin congratulates Russian Muslims on Eid al-Fitr holiday

Russian president noted the important contribution of Muslim organizations into Russia’s public and spiritual life, and their role in charitable, educational and patriotic projects and initiatives

Missing plane found crashed in Alaska, all 10 people aboard killed — report

It is unclear yet what caused the accident

8 Apr 2013, 17:00

Monument to nationalist leader Bandera destroyed in Lvov region

Police said they have started an investigation

3 May 2018, 11:02

Key facts about Russia’s Su-30 multirole fighter jet

Su-30 is a Russian two-seat multipurpose heavy fighter jet developed in the late 1980s

Yesterday, 03:40

Myanmar quake toll up to 694 dead — AFP

1,670 people were wounded

Yesterday, 06:54

US not interested in military solution to Taiwan issue — senior Russian diplomat

"It seems to us that no one in the region - neither the United States nor China, of which Taiwan is a part - is interested in a military solution," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told

Two days ago, 10:06

Sudzha gas metering station 'virtually destroyed': new Ukrainian attacks on energy sites

The drones were targeting the infrastructure of the Saratov oil refinery

Two days ago, 22:06

IMF board of directors approves $400 mln tranche to Ukraine

This will bring the total disbursements under the IMF-supported program to $10.1 billion

Two days ago, 15:39

Russian embassy slams British PM’s ceasefire deadline idea as 'absurd'

"The arbitrary deadlines Starmer hastily devised in his remarks to journalists are completely unfounded — especially given London’s clear intent to derail any peace initiatives," the statement reads

Yesterday, 02:40

Ukraine loses up to 260 troops, one tank in responsibility area of Battlegroup South

Units of Battlegroup South took more advantageous military lines and positions in 24 hours, inflicted damage on troops and equipment of three mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army

Russia displays counter-UAV laser rifle

According to the designer company, the laser beam destroys the drone body, propeller, engines, battery

Two days ago, 20:59

Several missing medical workers found dead in southern Gaza, Hamas says

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said earlier that the fate of nine doctors detained by Israeli troops remained unknown

Two days ago, 12:32

Too early to discuss details of Putin’s external governance plan for Ukraine — Kremlin

Earlier, the Russian leader said that external governance has been introduced globally before and that the practice could pave the way for legitimate talks on resolving the Ukraine conflict

Yesterday, 16:08

Kiev continues attacks on Russian energy infrastructure facilities — Russian top brass

According to the ministry, the Kiev regime has just increased the number of attacks on energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions, despite Zelensky’s claims

Two days ago, 10:00

Press review: Germany mulls Nord Stream restoration as Zaporozhye NPP sparks talks

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

Yesterday, 05:35

Russian army advances cautiously in Chasovy Yar — military expert

Andrey Marochko noted that due to the ongoing active fighting in Chasovy Yar, it is currently difficult to count the area liberated and mopped up of Ukrainian troops

Two days ago, 12:31

Ukraine to owe US more than $120 bln under revised minerals deal — newspaper

Additionally, Ukraine is required to make its own contributions to this fund

Two days ago, 11:11

Putin emphasizes importance of Syria’s integrity in phone call with Erdogan

The leaders also pointed to "the need to render all possible assistance to its government and people with a view to enhancing political stability and observing the legitimate rights and interests of all ethnic and confessional groups there"

US needs to modernize its nuclear arsenal — US secretary of energy

In Chris Wright's words, 'the best thing about nuclear weapons is to not use them'

Yesterday, 05:58

Ukrainian troops control only three settlements in Kursk Region — commander

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday that the battlegroup North had liberated the village of Gogolevka in the Kursk Region

Two days ago, 14:08

Russian troops liberate five communities in Ukraine operation over week

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr inflicted more than 545 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy tanks and two US-made armored personnel carriers in its area of responsibility over the week, the ministry reported

14 Jul 2024, 09:37

Assassination attempt on Putin mentioned by Budanov prepared with US money — Russian MFA

"Yesterday one of chiefs of the Kiev regime Buganov openly admitted that the Ukrainian intelligence service prepared assassination attempts on the Russian president. This assassination attempt was again prepared with US money," Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel

Foundation pit of Paks-2 NPP in Hungary ready, but first concreting delayed

The construction is being carried out in accordance with the project by Russia’s state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom

Yesterday, 11:18

Russian forces liberate Panteleymonovka, Shcherbaki — top brass

TASS has compiled the main information about the special operation progress over the past 24 hours

Two days ago, 04:58

Putin appoints deputy commander of Russia’s Navy

The Russian leader added that Gudkov’s purview will also involve the command of marines and all artillery and missile coastal troops

US forces strike Islamic State positions in Somalia

The report says the militants presented a threat to the US military

Diplomat explains external governance mechanism in context of Putin’s remarks on Ukraine

Commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent remarks on Ukraine, Kirill Logvinov told TASS that following negotiations, Russia or mediators have an opportunity to file a relevant request to the organization

Yesterday, 05:35

Russia open to cooperation with US to ensure security in Arctic — embassy

"Russia assumes that security in the Arctic should be built by joint efforts of countries of the region through dialogue and cooperation," Russia’s embassy in Denmark told

Two days ago, 19:33

Russian Emergencies Ministry sends rescuers to earthquake-stricken Myanmar

The ministry’s task force includes 120 rescuers from the Tsentrospas airmobile squad and the Leader Center for High-Risk Rescue Operations

Two days ago, 17:52

LG Electronics partly restarts its plant in Moscow Region — newspaper

The plant was producing washing machines and refrigerators

Yesterday, 22:42

Israel gets latest proposals on Gaza, puts forward own counter-proposal — premier’s office

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a series of consultations

Yesterday, 20:38

Syria’s new interim government to be comprised of 22 ministers — TV channel

According to the Al Hadath, the heads of the Interior, Foreign and Defense ministries from the previous cabinet will retain their posts

Russian forces strike military train with Ukrainian ammo, armament over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 240 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

28 May 2019, 04:32

By 2025, developed countries to lose quarter of their nuclear capacity — reports

The sharp decline in the nuclear power generation sector will damage the energy security of those nations and will hamper the achievement of environmental goals