17 Mar, 14:40

Moldovans see Putin as strongest leader in Europe — poll

19% of the respondents would prefer a politician, similar in style and leadership to the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko

CHISINAU, March 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been named the most dominant political leader in Europe in a poll conducted in Moldova by the public civic platform For Fair Elections, it said in a statement on its Telegram channel.

Its organizers interviewed 4,200 residents of Chisinau, the second-largest city of Balti, the cities of Comrat, and New Aneni, asking them to name a European politician who, in their opinion, "is capable of guiding the republic out of the crisis."

"Russian President Vladimir Putin emerged as the leader of the vote, with 32% of Moldovans supporting his candidacy (1,354 votes). 19% of the respondents would prefer a politician, similar in style and leadership to the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the head of Moldova. French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Vladimir Zelensky shared third place in the rating of political preferences, each gaining 10%," the statement said.

Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni were also mentioned in the poll, conducted on March 15-16.

Anti-Russian sanctions

WRAPUP: Brussels refuses to make concessions on peaceful settlement in Ukraine

Brussels would continue to supply Ukraine with weapons, impose sanctions against Russia, continue to integrate Ukraine into the EU, and demand an immediate ceasefire from Russia, said European Council head Antonio Costa and chief of the European diplomacy Kaja Kallas

Yesterday, 20:59

Trump says Russia-US summit strengthens his belief in possibility of Ukrainian settlement

According to the US leader, during the meeting in Anchorage, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed that Russia would accept security guarantees for Ukraine

Yesterday, 21:49

Trump calls Putin with Zelensky, EU leaders gathered at White House — media

Donald Trump said he planned to brief the Russian President on the meeting’s outcome

Zelensky expects security guarantees for Ukraine to be set out in 7-10 days

Vladimir Zelensky pointed out that the guarantees concern weapons for the Ukrainian army, allied commitments and the development of Ukraine’s defense industry

If Zelensky cares about Constitution, articles on Russians’ rights to be observed — Lavrov

According to the Russian top diplomat, this obligation is enshrined in the first articles of the Ukrainian Constitution

Yesterday, 21:12

Trump’s meeting with Zelensky, European leaders is over — media

Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky held a face-to-face meeting, which lasted about an hour

US no longer gives arms to Ukraine, supplies weapons at Europe’s expense — Rubio

The US Secretary of State specified that European countries are using NATO to buy the weapons and transfer them to Ukraine

Yesterday, 22:49

Putin, Trump agree to maintain close contact on pressing issues — Kremlin aide

The Russian leader warmly thanked Donald Trump for hospitality during his recent visit to Alaska and the progress achieved at the summit

Ukraine getting Crimea back, joining NATO 'impossible' — Trump

The US President stressed that both scenarios were unrealistic

Neither Europe nor Zelensky seek compromise on Ukraine settlement — German politician

At the same time, Sahra Wagenknecht welcomed the prospect of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky, calling it "a positive signal"

US may cut intelligence sharing to make Ukraine accept peace deal with Russia — newspaper

According to WSJ, relations between representatives of both the US and Ukrainian intelligence services, which had previously cooperated closely, have cooled noticeably

Zelensky must show flexibility in talks on Ukraine — Trump

The US leader also expressed hope that the Russian side would take a favorable position

Yesterday, 20:52

Western arms supplies to be part of Ukraine's security guarantees — Zelensky

It will strengthen and rearm the Ukrainian army, Vladimir Zelensky said

Foreign customers eye Russian Supercam recon UAVs — manufacturer

The Unmanned Systems Group of Companies always offers its most advanced products to Belarus, which is its basic international partner

Security guarantees for Ukraine cannot include NATO, US ready to help Europe — Trump

As the US president pointed out, "it was always thought that that Ukraine was a sort of a buffer between Russia and the rest of Europe"

Yesterday, 11:21

Kiev regime’s attack on oil pipeline shows it stops at nothing — Russian diplomat

All these years Russia has been cautioning the ideologists of fostering the Kiev regime, Maria Zakharova pointed out

Russia is powerful military nation whether West likes it or not — US President Trump

The US leader said this said in an interview with Fox News

Ukraine erodes its independence by giving up its non-aligned, non-nuclear status — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister said that Russia appreciates the US administration’s willingness to listen to Moscow's concerns, as well as "its sincere attempts to get to the crux of the problems and resolve the very causes of the crisis"

Yesterday, 18:49

Trump says confident Russia-US-Ukraine meeting will take place

The US President said "if everything works out today," the leaders would have a trilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin

Russian troops strike oil refinery supplying fuel to Ukrainian army in Donbass

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 235 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Yesterday, 12:15

Prime minister of Republika Srpska resigns, new cabinet to be formed shortly

According to Radovan Viskovic, the decision to resign was agreed upon with Milorad Dodik

Protection of Russians in Ukraine and Alaska summit results: Lavrov’s remarks

The minister emphasized that Moscow has never sought to seize territories, stating the protection of the Russian-speaking population as its main task

Yesterday, 21:16

Trump admits underestimated complexity of Ukrainian problem

Last year, the US President repeatedly claimed that he would be able to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine within 24 hours after taking office as head of state if he won the elections

Zelensky refrains from rejecting territorial concessions at meeting with Trump — media

According to the sources, Ukrainian President noted that it would not be easy to resettle the population and circumvent the constitutional ban on giving up territories

EU, US to work on 'strong security guarantees' for Kiev — European Commission chief

According to Ursula von der Leyen, this is an important moment as US and EU continue to work on lasting and durable peace in Ukraine

Yesterday, 14:51

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army units by glide bombs in Donetsk region

A direct hit by a FAB-3000 air bomb with the unified glide and adjustment module destroyed a temporary deployment site of the Ukrainian National Guard’s 15th operational brigade in Mirnograd, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Europe will be destroyed by Russians, if it gets involved in war — US analyst

Scott Ritter noted that NATO armies had declined over time

Yesterday, 08:08

Europe abandoning Zelensky only a matter of time, opposition Ukrainian politician says

Viktor Medvedchuk argued that Europe is beginning to realize it was "forced into a rotten deal"

Air defenses continue to repel massive drone attack on Russia’s Volgograd Region

Falling drone debris caused the roof of a hospital to catch fire, Governor Andrey Bocharov said

Trump says Russia to have no problem with German, French troops going into Ukraine

The US president explained his confidence in the success of such a step to the parties' fatigue from the conflict

EU online summit confirms strategy to isolate Russia has failed, says Hungarian PM

"It was confirmed that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine cannot be resolved on the battlefield," Viktor Orban added

Russian troops start battles for Sobolevka near Kupyansk — military expert

Andrey Marochko said that the Russian military is also pushing for Blagodatovka where there is the N-26 highway that is used to supply the Ukrainian battlegroup

Ukrainians attacked Russia’s largest frontline cities ahead of Alaska summit — diplomat

Downtown districts in Rostov, Belgorod, Kursk, and Donetsk came under attack

Nazi descendants promoted to leading posts in West purposefully — Russian Foreign Ministry

"The trend is obviously neo-Nazi," Maria Zakharova noted

Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers perform scheduled flight over Sea of Japan

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that the flight lasted more than six hours

Top Indian diplomat to discuss strategic partnership during visit to Russia

The visit aims to further strengthen the longstanding and time-tested India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, the Indian Foreign Ministry said

Trump understands that Zelensky is playing his role poorly in settlement — expert

"During the meeting in Anchorage, President Trump's understanding of what the Ukrainian crisis is became clear," Oleg Karpovich, deputy rector of the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said

Yesterday, 21:29

Trump interrupts talks with Zelensky, EU leaders to call Putin — newspaper

According to the newspaper, the White House consultations are expected to continue after the call

Yesterday, 23:01

Trump says he discusses security guarantees for Ukraine with European leaders, Zelensky

Donald Trump noted that everyone is very happy about the possibility of peace for Russia/Ukraine

Even as Finland pursued neutrality, it chose to join NATO — Lavrov

Earlier, the Finnish President Alexander Stubb drew parallels between the Ukraine conflict and the Soviet-Finnish war

US weapons supplies to continue, says NATO chief

According to Mark Rutte, NATO partners in Europe are paying for the delivery of American weapons

EU leaders joined talks with US president in White House 'armed with flattery' — paper

According to the publication, for Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky and EU leaders, one of the main tasks was to "to prise Trump from the diplomatic embrace" of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Ukraine peace agreement requires concessions, top US diplomat says

Marco Rubio emphasized that land is going to be part of the conversation

Diplomat reveals number of Russians killed or injured in Ukrainian attacks over past week

Overall, Ukrainian troops launched almost 2,700 munitions against Russian regions over the past week

Russian FM Lavrov briefs Egyptian counterpart on results of Russia-US summit in Alaska

The Ministers also discussed the Middle East developments, with a focus on the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone

Press review: Trump, Zelensky discuss Ukraine as Washington pushes New Delhi toward China

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, August 19th

Kiev risks losing even more territory if it does not make concessions — expert

According to Yan Gagin, the Ukrainian military's defense in the Donetsk People's Republic relies on fortifications in Krasnoarmeysk, but their liberation will cause the front to collapse

Serbian president sees protests as part of plan to stage color revolution

Aleksandar Vucic emphasized that the state will act decisively

Yesterday, 13:40

Russian troops destroy Ukrainian army brigade near Konstantinovka in Donetsk region

Ukraine's 93rd brigade suffered heavy losses in the Konstantinovka direction

Yesterday, 22:30

Trump briefs Putin on his talks with Zelensky, European leaders — Kremlin aide

According to Yury Ushakov, the phone conversation was initiated by Donald Trump

Yesterday, 16:51

Russian troops encircle Kupyansk in Kharkov Region — official

It's impossible to take it in a frontal attack because of the serious fortifications there, head of the Kharkov Military-Civil Administration Vitaly Ganchev noted

White House talks highlight difference in approaches between Trump, Europe — Russian MFA

Rodion Miroshnik stressed the difference in the peacekeeping principles of the US and the EU

Yesterday, 13:15

Georgian officials says Trump-Putin meeting proves Ukraine used as ‘pawn’

Executive secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party Mamuka Mdinaradze stressed that Georgia had averted that fate

EU nations fail to adopt joint statement on Alaska summit

In substance, the final text does not introduce a new peace proposal, but instead reiterates Brussels’ familiar talking points, from pledges of military supplies to calls for a "just peace"

Yesterday, 09:29

Russian troops breach Ukrainian defenses near Kupyansk in Kharkov Region

As a result of the operation, the Ukrainian army suffered heavy casualties among manpower and equipment, a source in Russia’s defense circles said

US to discuss acceptable security guarantees for Ukraine with Russia — White House

The US President has directed his team to come up with a framework for these security guarantees, White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said

Russia hands over 1,000 more bodies of Ukrainian troops to Ukraine, source tells TASS

According to the source, Russia has received 19 bodies

US expects Putin-Zelensky meeting to be held by end of August — journalist

Donald Trump said that he began the arrangements for a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky

Trump managed to sell his position in talks with Zelensky, European leaders — former PM

The US President stayed true to the points agreed in Alaska, Nikolay Azarov said

Europe’s arrogance towards settlement in Ukraine precludes any agreement — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat stressed that without respect for Russia's security interests, without full respect for the rights of Russians and Russian-speaking people living in Ukraine, there can be no talk of any long-term agreements

Yesterday, 12:42

Swiss expert calls Alaska summit 'political earthquake' Europe has yet to grasp

According to Hicheme Lehmici, Europe came out a big loser from the summit

Zelensky seeks to discuss issue of territories at potential meeting with Putin

"As for the issue of territories, we will leave it for me and Vladimir Putin," the Ukrainian leader said

Kiev presents Flamingo as its own product, hides collapse of military industry — expert

Alexander Stepanov explained that Ukraine’s actual military-technical capacity has been severely diminished by systematic, high-precision strikes carried out by the Russian Armed Forces, utilizing advanced complexes and strike drones

Kiev not ready to take 1,000 POWs held by Russia — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova drew attention to the words of Ukrainian ambassador to Poland Vasil Bodnar, who said that Ukraine knows "how to kill Russians" and is therefore valuable to NATO

Yesterday, 14:14

Russia’s missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov takes to sea for trials after heavy upgrade

As the source specified, the first stage of testing will take place in the White Sea

Yesterday, 23:24

Putin, Trump discuss idea of increasing level of direct Russia-Ukraine talks — Kremlin

Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov pointed out that the two leaders spoke in favor of continuing direct talks between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine

Zelensky ready to disrupt talks through acts of terror for fear of losing power — expert

Advisor to the head of the Republic of Crimea Renat Karchaa noted that Vladimir Zelensky is ready to do everything at all, including terrorist attacks

Lavrov comments to Rubio’s remarks about cash payment for fuel

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview earlier that the need to pay cash had arisen because representatives of the Russian delegation could not use the US banking system

Yesterday, 22:55

Trump says he begins preparations for Putin-Zelensky meeting

The US President emphasized that after the meeting takes place, there will be a trilat

Yesterday, 09:39

Ukraine, Europe depend on US completely, unable to defeat Russia — expert

According to Roostum Vansu, Russia is in a position where it doesn't need to stop fighting because it has the resources to continue the war for a long time

Yesterday, 21:47

Trump, Zelensky, EU leaders resume talks — Ukrainian official

The meeting is taking place behind closed doors

Yesterday, 10:04

Ukrainian legislator urges to arrest Zelensky in US as terrorist

On August 18, Vladimir Zelensky arrived in Washington where he has a meeting with Donald Trump planned to discuss the details of settling the Ukraine conflict

Yesterday, 23:30

Ukraine does not seek ceasefire as condition for talks with Russia — Zelensky

According to Vladimir Zelensky, Ukraine is ready for an unconditional meeting

Anti-Russian EU leaders fail to sway Trump on his turf — senior Russian security official

In an ironic comment, Dmitry Medvedev wondered "what tune" Vladimir Zelensky would play "about guarantees and territories back home, once he’s put on his green military uniform again"

Yesterday, 07:26

Russian diplomats deliver Alaskan motorcycle enthusiast a new Ural bike gifted by Putin

Mark Warren remarked that the difference between his old and new bike was like "night and day"

'Coalition of willing' discusses preparations for sending troops to Ukraine — PM’s office

"Turning to next steps, Keir Starmer outlined that coalition of the willing planning teams would meet with their US counterparts in the coming days to further strengthen plans to deliver robust security guarantees," the statement said

Yesterday, 20:30

Trump does not believe in threat of 'further Russian aggression' against Ukraine

"I think that's even overrated, largely overrated," Donald Trump added, speaking about the likelihood of renewed hostilities in the future

Yesterday, 08:48

Ukraine would not have lost territories had it renounced NATO ambitions — expert

Roostum Vansu the problem for Ukraine and Europe is that they don't trust Russia and refuse to accept defeat

Yesterday, 23:56

IN BRIEF: Kremlin aide addresses briefing after Putin-Trump phone call

The US leader briefed his Russia counterpart on his talks with Vladimir Zelensky and a number of European leaders

Yesterday, 09:01

Former Italian prime minister calls Putin 'excellent negotiator'

According to Matteo Renzi, the Russian leader is considering what the world order will be like for the next twenty years

Trump expects US, Russia to be partners with corresponding interests — expert

According to Richard Black, the US President intends to reset American foreign policy

IN BRIEF: What is known about overnight drone attack on Russia’s Volgograd

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 13 drones were downed over the Volgograd Region, while five were intercepted over the Rostov Region and Crimea each

EU, US expect Putin-Zelensky meeting to take place soon

French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that an effort would be made to establish bilateral contact between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine

Yesterday, 20:47

Moscow calls on London not to interfere with efforts to settle Ukrainian conflict — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, statements continue to pour out of London that not only clash with the efforts of Moscow and Washington, but are also clearly aimed at undermining them

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: Ukraine, NATO plan asymmetric response to Russia as Serbia protests escalate

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 18th

Russia never set goal of seizing territories — Foreign Minister Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov said that the main task was to protect the Russian people

No discussions of NATO membership for Ukraine at this point — bloc’s chief

Mark Rutte noted that the US and some other countries said that they are against NATO membership for Ukraine

Macron proposes Switzerland as possible site for Putin-Zelensky talks

The French leader rejected the idea of Paris hosting such a meeting, "as in 2019"

Rome as venue for trilateral Ukraine meeting unlikely — sources

The source said that Moscow sees Italy as an unfriendly country, and has criticized its actions repeatedly

West trusts Zelensky, though he stripped Russian speakers of their rights, says Lavrov

According to the Russian Foreign Minister, when the West speaks about a possible "territorial exchange," it should be remembered that "this is a decision that Zelensky must take himself"

Yesterday, 15:11

IN BRIEF: What Putin told Russia's partners about his summit with Trump

TASS has compiled the key facts about the Russian leader's international phone talks

Russia does not reject any formats on Ukraine talks — top diplomat

Sergey Lavrov emphasized that any interaction involving top figures should be extremely thoroughly planned

Lavrov dismisses as childish EU claims Russia’s 'attack' on Ukraine was unprovoked

There is a clear understanding by both US President Donald Trump and his team that this conflict has a reason, the Russian Foreign Minister said

Russia hands over 1,000 Ukrainian bodies, and Kiev returns just 19 — Kremlin aide

Vladimir Medinsky noted that the same number was a month ago

EU leaders stubbornly seek to block peace in Ukraine after talks with Trump — politician

Florian Philippot cited statements by several participants of the meeting, in particular, Finnish President Alexander Stubb who said that the Russian leader was "untrustworthy," and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz who said Ukraine could not make territorial concessions

Terrorists attempted to blow up Crimean Bridge with 130 kg of explosives — Crimea’s head

Earlier, Russia’s Federal Security Service reported that it had prevented a terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge planned by Ukrainian special services

EU leaders, Trump discuss potential tightening of sanctions on Russia — Macron

According to the French President, the discussion addressed a scenario where no results would be achieved and Russia would be unwilling to take part in the process

Security guarantees for Kiev may include Coalition of the Willing’s troops — media

According to the agency, the precise format has not yet been finalized

Yesterday, 00:24

Ukraine to become large supplier of military equipment to Europe — US envoy

Ukraine will have to restore its agricultural economy, ports and infrastructure, which will require a lot of money pouring into the country primarily from Europe, US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker said

Climate at Russia-US summit was good, Trump sincerely wants peace — Lavrov

"It was clear that the leader of the United States and his team sincerely want to achieve a result that will be long-term, sustainable, reliable," the Russian Foreign Minister said

White House talks: Plans for US-Russia-Ukraine meeting and security guarantees

US President Donald Trump stressed that work on a peace agreement did not require a ceasefire