19 Mar, 11:07

Witkoff, Trump's son, son-in-law, and Carlson engage with Ukrainian opposition — Politico

The sources said, some in the Trump world are "delusional in thinking they can anoint someone in Ukraine to be their partner and to electorally succeed in the short-to-medium term whenever elections take place"

BRUSSELS, March 19. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steven Witkoff, Trump’s son Donald Jr. and his son-in-law Jared Kushner as well as talk-show host Tucker Carlson have held secret talks with Vladimir Zelensky’s political opponents, Ukrainian and US sources told Politico Europe which reported about these talks earlier without specifying exactly who had held the discussions.

"They see Zelensky as an impediment. How do you undercut Zelensky and make him more compliant? Well, you engage his political adversaries, and you show him that the United States has other Ukrainian partners and other options," the newspaper quoted a Republican foreign policy expert as saying.

However, the sources said, some in the Trump world are "delusional in thinking they can anoint someone in Ukraine to be their partner and to electorally succeed in the short-to-medium term whenever elections take place."

On March 6, Politico quoted sources as saying that Trump’s top allies had held secret discussions with former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko, the leader of the Batkivshchina (Fatherland) party, and senior members of the party of Pyotr Poroshenko (put on Russia’s list of terrorists and extremists). While Timoshenko and Poroshenko confirmed holding the talks, they said they oppose the idea of holding an election before putting an end to the conflict. The primary focus of these talks has been on engaging with Zelensky’s other potential rivals, including Valery Zaluzhny, the former head of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, the sources told Politico.

Zelensky’s presidential powers expired on May 20, 2024. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stressed that Zelensky’s government is illegitimate, therefore, he insists, Moscow would need to search for a legitimate authority to sign legally binding agreements with. Trump has noted that, with Zelensky currently having approval ratings of 4%, Ukraine needs to hold an election.

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US and Ukraine to sign resource agreement in near future — Trump

US president did not indicate when or where exactly the agreement would be signed

Yesterday, 01:22

UK policy may lead to total destruction of Ukraine — Russian ambassador

In his words, the United Kingdom has chosen to go into confrontation

Ukraine’s military stored foreign munitions in civilian hospital in Kursk Region

According to the report, the hospital itself suffered severely in the battles and its first floor burnt out

Conference on Syria in Paris to be held at ministerial level — French foreign ministry

According to the French diplomat Christophe Lemoine, neither religious nor ethnic groups will be represented at the meeting

Russian MFA says no hidden meaning in differing statements on Putin-Trump talks

Maria Zakharova emphasized that while there are certain "nuances" in both statements, they do not contradict each other

Russia, Tajikistan almost completely abandon foreign currencies in settlements — Putin

"Russian and Tajik citizens have the opportunity to make cross-border money transfers through the fast payment system," the Russian president noted

Russian forces start demining border areas of Kursk Region

The ministry also said that the sappers have a lot of work to do

Kremlin says Europe becomes 'war party'

"The main signals from Brussels and the European capitals now relate to the plans for militarization of Europe, which is clearly at odds with the mood of the presidents of Russia and the United States to seek ways out for a peaceful settlement process," Dmitry Peskov said

Israel kills Hamas internal security chief in Gaza — IDF

The statement also says that "in an additional strike, the IDF and ISA eliminated Ismail Abd al-Aal"

Trump is confident that Ukrainian conflict will be resolved

Speaking at the White House, the American leader noted that he had previously held telephone conversations with Russian President state Vladimir Putin, as well as with Vladimir Zelensky

Russian Battlegroup East eliminates 5 Ukrainian drone control centers

During the day, the enemy lost a MaxxPro armored combat vehicle

Foreign mercenaries target retreating Ukrainian troops, POW says

According to Nazar Valechenko, he had initially paid five thousand dollars to stay in the rear and guard a factory in the Poltava Region, which was later destroyed by Russian troops

Hungary wants to resumes its exports to Russia — PM

The Hungarian Prime Minister spoke to journalists in Brussels after a meeting of the leaders of the parties that formed the Patriots of Europe faction

Top Polish general says Europe weighing scenarios for ground operation in Ukraine

In Wieslaw Kukula's words, general staffs of European countries will be involved in the planning

Trump says his phone calls with Putin, Zelensky were 'very good'

The Russian and US leaders held a telephone conversation on Tuesday to discuss a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict, conditions for preventing escalation, and some international topics

Putin congratulates Coventry on her election as IOC president — Kremlin

The Russian leader is confident that Kirsty Coventry's personal athletic experience and interest in the real promotion of noble Olympic ideals will contribute to the success in such a responsible job

Oreshnik gives Russia upper hand in confrontation with NATO — US expert

Decker Eveleth said that the Oreshnik is the perfect weapon for attacking dense targets like air bases, where its conventional submunitions can deal significant damage

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

Russia-US technical groups may discuss Ukrainian settlement — Kremlin

"[Other aspects] related to the Ukrainian settlement that the parties deem necessary may also be discussed," Dmitry Peskov added

Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry becomes first female IOC president

The two-time Olympic champion will take office on June 24

US, Ukraine to sign minerals deal soon — Trump

US president also said he has just signed an executive order to "dramatically increase" production of rare earth minerals

Russia to invite US to meeting of high representatives on security issues — Shoigu

Sergey Shoigu noted that representatives from over 100 countries had already confirmed their participation in the upcoming meeting

Kick-sharing services resumes operations in Moscow

E-scooters rental is available for users in mobile apps

27 Mar 2024, 03:00

Keels for two Borey-AM nuclear subs to be laid at Sevmash shipyard this year — source

Both Northern and Pacific fleet are expected to have six Borey-class nuclear cruisers in service during this decade, including those that are under construction at this point, the source said

UK discusses options for its military presence in Ukraine — prime minister

Keir Starmer argued that Russia could allegedly violate any future agreements, so Western countries should work on security guarantees for Ukraine

Houthis report new attack on US aircraft carrier in Red Sea

According to Yahya Sarea, "the operation successfully reached its target"

Trump says United States should build relations with Russia — Breitbart News

On March 18, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Ukraine, conditions for preventing escalation, and some international topics by phone

Russian ambassador plans to depart to US ‘one of these days’ — ministry spokeswoman

Alexander Darchiyev, who headed the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North Atlantic Department, was appointed as Russia’s new ambassador to the United States by a presidential decree in early March

Medvedev urges to feel free to follow Trump’s example in protecting domestic brands

Russian companies quickly reacted to the withdrawal of Western brands, taking free niches, well done to them, the politician added

Since March 12, 544 people have been evacuated from Sudzha District of Kursk Region

"Over the course of the day, more than 200 people contacted the hotline of the main department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in the Kursk Region, with nearly all inquiries focused on locating relatives," the statement reads

Ukraine launches over 80 drones at eight districts in Belgorod Region in past day

Two civilians were injured

Houthis say they attacked Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport with hypersonic missile

The Israel Defense Forces said earlier that a missile launched from the Yemeni territory had been intercepted before it reached Israel’s airspace

Package attached to car bottom found near Legislative Assembly of Sevastopol

According to the Directorate for the Development of the City's Road Transport Infrastructure, some buses and trolleybuses are altering their routes due to the temporary closure of Lenin Street

Russia developing Caspian flotilla infrastructure — top brass

"At present, work to construct a complex of hydrotechnical facilities, including the northern and southern piers spanning more than 2 kilometers, as well as berths and coastal infrastructure is ongoing in Kaspiysk," the ministry stated

Released Russian POWs report widespread torture, secret jails in Ukraine, Kursk — MFA

According to the report, the existence of these facilities is well known at all levels of the Ukrainian government

Yesterday, 09:20

Ukrainian soldiers stunned by Russia’s Operation Pipeline — Russian commander

Operation Pipeline involved a joint assault unit comprising soldiers from the 11th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade, the 30th Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division, the Akhmat special forces unit, and volunteers from the Veterans and Vostok V assault brigades

Russian forces push Ukrainians out of Zherebyanki in Zaporozhye region — official

On March 12, the politician told TASS that Russian forces had liberated around 5 square kilometers of land near the rural settlements of Zherebyanka and Kamenskoye in the Zaporozhye Region

US and Ukraine to sign resource agreement in near future — Trump

US president did not indicate when or where exactly the agreement would be signed

Putin orders mandatory health screenings for migrants in Donbass, Novorossiya

In addition to the HIV-free certificate, foreigners will also need a similar document for infectious diseases that pose a danger to others

Orban says other EU states quietly support Hungary's stance against Ukrainian accession

In recent days, the Hungarian prime minister has repeatedly warned that Hungary will not allow Ukraine's immediate accession to the EU, claiming this would cause irreparable damage to the European economy

Russian Volga cities of Saratov, Engels come under most massive drone attack — governor

According to Roman Busargin, more than 30 private homes and summer houses in Engels were damaged in the attack

Two days ago, 13:40

Ukrainian army withdraws in area in DPR — army general

Sergey Nayev earlier served as commander of the Ukrainian Joint Forces

Press review: Israel restarts Gaza operation while US mulls lifting sanctions on Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, March 20th

Medvedev says return will be challenging for companies that left Russia

"Life has proved that those were true words. We did not chase anyone off, they left themselves, someone under pressure from their governments, someone out of fear, someone in solidarity with the neo-Nazis," the politician said

US arms deliveries to Kiev contradict intentions to achieve peace in Ukraine — diplomat

"Anyone who wants peace will naturally support an end to the militarization of the terrorist gang," Maria Zakharova stated

Trump says Biden gave money to Ukraine like he was 'just a dope'

According to the US president, Europe allocated $100 billion in aid to Ukraine

Russia to boost arms exports after special military operation — Security Council

This refers to air defense systems, strike drones and upgraded armored vehicles, Sergey Shoigu said

Macron's talk of sending 'peacekeepers' to Ukraine shows disconnect from reality — MFA

"We have repeatedly said that introduction of so-called peacekeepers into Ukraine in practice would mean a foreign military intervention that further escalates the conflict," Maria Zakharova stated

FACTBOX: What we know about Ukraine's drone attack on Russia's Saratov Region

Air defenses downed 132 Ukrainian drones over Ukrainian regions overnight, the Russian Defense Ministry said

EU diplomacy chief's statements on helping Kiev show union war-minded — MFA

"It seems that Brussels is still incapable of clearly answering certain questions, including what specific role the EU could play amid the shifting dynamics of the Ukrainian crisis," Maria Zakharova noted

Trump’s course toward cooperation with Russia beginning to 'bear fruit' — US expert

In his words, the phone call between the US and Russian leaders "call marks a substantive first step on what will be a long and winding road to a negotiated peace"

Israel believes Iran won’t be able to defend itself in case of air attack — media

The magazine recalled that Israeli authorities said in April and October 2024 that the country's armed forces destroyed four air defense systems located near key sites in different parts of Iran

Citizens rally in support of mayor Imamoglu in Ankara, Istanbul

Large groups of young people and students are taking part in the rally

Slovakia's prime minister says he may veto EU sanctions against Russia

Robert Fico reportedly made this statement before departing for Brussels, where he will attend a European Council meeting

27 Chinese planes approach Taiwan — defense ministry

Taiwan’s defense agency has regularly recorded the approach of Chinese warplanes and warships of late

Nearly 300 mercenaries from Europe surrender as DRC’s Goma falls to rebels

It is reported that Congolese servicemen abandoned their positions in the city of Goma and the adjacent territories, shedding their military uniforms as they fled

Two days ago, 03:59

Almost whole Kursk Region has been liberated — Russian commander

Russia’s military advance gave strong results, with almost all settlements taken at once, and the enemy’s personnel destroyed, Akhmat Special Forces Commander Lieutenant General Apty Alaudinov added

By attacking Russian energy facility, Kiev wants to disrupt peace initiatives — diplomat

As Maria Zakharova stressed, it is absolutely clear that it was a deliberate, pre-planned provocative action

EU protracts conflict in Ukraine at any cost, ignoring calls for peace — European MP

Harald Vilimsky added that "the European Union is treating Hungary as if it does not exist"

Yesterday, 03:59

Previous US administration deceived and destroyed Ukraine — Russian diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, Ukraine was an "emerging democracy" plagued with "corruption, graft and nationalism"

US President Trump says plans to speak with Russia’s Putin on March 18

"A lot of work's been done over the weekend," the US president said

European Council fails to approve 5-billion-euro plan to supply weapons to Kiev

The final statement of the meeting makes no mention of the 40-billion-euro military aid package, proposed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, or its reduced variant

Sales of new premium cars in Russia dip twofold in February — statistics

"Avtostat agency experts note that premium cars made up 8.8% of total car sales in Russia last month," the report said

24 Feb 2024, 09:00

Collapse of Operation Citadel 2.0

Yesterday, 19:49

Trump gives Iran two months to strike new nuclear deal — media

According to Axios, it is still unclear whether the deadline starts counting from the moment the Iranian authorities received the letter in early March or from the moment when negotiations on the nuclear deal may begin

Trump fully supports Israel’s current military operation in Gaza — White House

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that previously Donald Trump threatened Palestine’s radical movement Hamas with tough measures if Israeli hostages are not released

Failure of Kiev’s offensive in 2023 was conflict’s turning point — National Interest

"When the Ukrainian armed forces launched their offensive, they fell on Russia's defensive works - the largest and most comprehensive defensive line seen in Europe since the end of World War II," the magazine stated

Ukraine's own air defenses shoot down half of Kiev's aircraft declared lost — Rada MP

Maryana Bezuglaya noted that the findings of the investigation into the loss of one of the first F-16 fighter jets delivered to Ukraine last August have yet to be made public

Senior diplomat briefs BRICS ambassadors in Moscow on advancing Russia-US dialogue

The diplomats pointed out that the meeting participants urged increased efforts to resolve the conflict over Ukraine and expressed readiness to provide appropriate assistance

FSB makes public archived evidence exposing Nazi atrocities in Dnepropetrovsk Region

According to the FSB’s public relations center, among the documents there is a special message from the chief of the counterintelligence directorate Smersh of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, addressed to the Military Council of the 3rd Ukrainian Front and dated February 1944

UN chief ready to mediate Ukraine talks — deputy spokesperson

According to Farhan Haq, Antonio Guterres "made clear to his various interlocutors the willingness of the UN to make available its good offices, if the parties accept"

No Foreign Ministry delegates to March 24 talks in Riyadh — spokeswoman

The Russian delegation will be led by senator Grigory Karasin and the adviser to the FSB chief, Sergey Beseda

Slovakia insists on free will principle for EU military aid to Kiev — PM

Robert Fico noted that the republic will not send a single cent to arm Ukraine

30 Dec 2020, 12:26

First newly-built Tu-160M to make maiden flight in 4th quarter of 2021

The decision to resume the production of the upgraded version of the Tu-160, the Tu-160M, was made in 2015

Two days ago, 07:45

Kiev fears Trump may agree to cede Odessa to Russia — media

The US president did not specify which specific regions he was referring to, but the White House has already made it clear that Russia is expected to maintain control over territories "that its troops already command," the newspaper said

Russia takes Macron's nuclear remarks very seriously — security official

According to Sergey Shoigu, "the very fact that a leader of a nuclear power is rattling weapons is a direct threat to the entire world community"

Yesterday, 17:24

Fire area at oil depot in Krasnodar Region increased to 4,250 sq m

According to the report, professionals continue fire extinguishing at three facilities in the oil depot

Russia stresses risk of rogue Ukrainian military groups disrupting any agreement with Kiev

They don't listen to Vladimir Zelensky, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large for the Kiev regime's crimes Rodion Miroshnik said

Death toll in Gaza since March 18 rises to 591, another 1,000 injured — authorities

The officials' statement emphasized that many bodies remain under the rubble of destroyed buildings and rescuers have not yet been able to remove them

Putin says armed conflict in Ukraine forced on Russia

"The entire law enforcement sector and its key link, the Interior Ministry, should certainly build all their activities based on these threats, which undoubtedly arise in today's situation," the Russian president said

Kiev sees Trump’s idea of US control of Ukrainian nuke plants as unworkable — newspaper

According to the newspaper, Kiev and Washington "did not seem in sync about what plants were at issue"

Yesterday, 06:26

Special-purpose vehicles service facility in Norilsk to be heated from mining farm

The Russian Federation's Arctic Zone is the largest economic zone with preferential tax and administrative conditions for investors

Kiev already broke US-proposed ceasefire — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova noted that attacking an energy facility in this context is understandable, 'because everything began with the energy sector in 2022'

EU-Ukraine military integration aims to throw wrench in Russia-US dialogue — diplomat

"This is undoubtedly also a provocation to create an aggressive 'noise' that is meant to confuse," Maria Zakharova added

Two days ago, 16:00

Slovakia, Hungary receive Russian oil over Druzhba pipeline — Transneft

The Druzhba oil pipeline provides for oil deliveries to Belarusian refineries and for its transit to Europe

Russia’s tennis chief Tarpishchev re-elected as member of International Olympic Committee

The election procedure of IOC officials took place during the organization’s 144th session in Greece running on March 18-21

Ukraine loses over 320 troops in Kursk Region in past day

operational-tactical and army aircraft strikes and artillery fire hit enemy personnel and equipment near settlements in the Sumy Region

US intends to hold Russia-Ukraine ‘proximity’ talks in Riyadh — envoy Kellogg

According to US Special Envoy for Ukraine, 'it, basically, shuttle diplomacy'

Yesterday, 17:17

Freezing conflict in Ukraine unacceptable — Russian delegation in Vienna

Acting head of the Russian delegation Yulia Zhdanova highlighted that, on March 18, during high-level contacts between Russia and the United States, the Russian side outlined key points regarding the US initiative to introduce a 30-day ceasefire

Zelensky admits Ukraine no longer being invited to NATO

At the same time, the Ukrainian president denied saying that he was ready "to discuss the question of Ukraine’s neutral status"

Poland’s exit from Ottawa Convention shows disregard for int'l obligations — Zakharova

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stressed that "Western countries are ready to abandon their international legal obligations at literally any moment - whenever they feel like it, whenever it suits them"

Russia-US relations at recovery stage, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova pointed to the fact that these contacts received a new impetus thanks to the initiatives of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump

Yesterday, 17:53

'Peacekeeping' in Ukraine to spell involvement in conflict — Russian delegation in Vienna

Acting head of the Russian delegation Yulia Zhdanova emphasized that the concept of achieving "peace through strength," which encourages the Kiev regime to escalate attacks against civilians, is utterly unacceptable

US ready to take over Ukrainian nuclear plants to end conflict — energy secretary

Earlier, Washington said after US President Donald Trump’s phone call with Vladimir Zelensky that the United States could help Ukraine in the issue of operating its nuclear power plants

China tops box office sales for Russian movies in 2024

In Europe and the US, "the door is open a crack" for the Russian film industry, noted Dmitry Kabanov, industry relations and international b2b events director of the Russian state-owned audiovisual product company Roskino

Russia has no plans to attack Germany — MFA on Merz's remarks

"If Berlin makes such claims, it means that Germany may have such plans itself; but in that case, Berlin needs to call things by their proper name," Maria Zakharova stated

Two days ago, 17:19

Austrian media outlet calls Putin-Trump phone call 'most important in the world'

Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Vladimir Putin’s call with Donald Trump has ended

Two days ago, 10:00

Press review: Russia, US discuss ceasefire as the West forms new NATO alliances

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, March 18th

Yesterday, 13:39

Putin speaks on imminent Ukrainian defeat in Kursk at Prosecutor Office board meeting

The Russian president noted that the number of complaints received by the Prosecutor's Office increased by 10% in 2024

Several EU diplomats criticize top diplomat's plan on Ukraine aid — media

It is noted that the plan will not be approved at the European Council summit set to take place in Brussels on March 20

Yesterday, 18:14

Trump briefed on Kiev military’s terrorist crimes against Russians — delegation in Vienna

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump confirmed during a telephone conversation on Tuesday their intention to continue efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict and to further consider the American leader's proposals