Middle East conflict

22 Mar, 19:10

Hamas, mediators discuss US envoy’s plan for resolving situation in Gaza

According to the Hamas official, the movement "is ready to accept any form of government in the Gaza Strip that will be agreed on"

DOHA, March 22. /TASS/. The Palestinian movement Hamas is in discussion with mediators on the plan to resolve the conflict in Gaza proposed by US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif Al-Qanou said.

"Witkoff’s proposal and some other ideas are being discussed with the mediators; communication aimed at achieving an agreement has not been disrupted," he wrote on Telegram.

According to the Hamas official, the movement "is ready to accept any form of government in the Gaza Strip that will be agreed on." Al-Qanou added that Hamas did not aspire to take part in ruling Gaza but was interested in a national consensus.

Witkoff said earlier that Washington, assisted by Qatar, was in talks with Hamas in order to end Israel’s strikes on the Gaza Strip and find a solution to the conflict through dialogue. He added that the US considered Hamas’s presence in Gaza as acceptable but "they need to demilitarize."

In mid-January, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement to release the hostages held in Gaza and declare a ceasefire in the enclave, which was brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the US. The three-phase deal took effect on January 19. During the initial 42-day phase, which ended on March 1, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages. In response, Israel freed over 1,500 Palestinian prisoners. On March 2, Israel suspended humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and closed all checkpoints, citing Hamas’s refusal to accept Witkoff’s plan to continue Gaza ceasefire talks. On March 18, the Israeli military started to carry out strikes on Hamas facilities in Gaza.

US, Ukraine to hold additional round of talks in Riyadh — advisor

According to Sergey Leshchenko, "the negotiations will continue for a certain period of time"

Two days ago, 21:45

Hungary not lifting veto on Ukraine’s admission to EU due to situation in Transcarpathia

"Therefore, until such sad situation remains, any progress in talks on Ukraine’s admission to the EU is out of the question," Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said

Five killed, eighteen injured in traffic accident in Crimea — Emergencies Ministry

The accident occurred in the Simferopol district on the Simferopol-Yevpatoria highway

Ukrainian delegation remains in Riyadh to continue talks — TV

The first round of talks between the technical teams of Ukraine and the United States, which focused mainly on halting strikes on energy infrastructure, took place on March 23 and lasted about six hours

Belgian PM warns confiscating Russian assets to be 'act of war'

The European Union, Canada, the United States and Japan froze $300 billion worth of Russia's assets after the start of the special military operation

Yesterday, 18:30

Russian delegation comes to Riyadh for consultations with US — senator

The Russian delegation will be led by Karasin and Sergey Beseda, an advisor to the FSB director

Russian, US delegations meet in Riyadh to discuss Ukrainian settlement

The Russian delegation is led by Grigory Karasin, the head of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, and Sergey Beseda, adviser to the director of Russia's Federal Security Service

US allies considering their own nukes amid Trump’s shift to Russia — FT

German officials are concerned as, privately, they have "reeled from the pace of events since Trump took office," the FT writes

Yesterday, 15:43

Russia, US to discuss territories, verification at talks in Riyadh — advisor Waltz

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz noted that the talks will constitute "some type of discussion of territory for permanent and lasting peace."

Yesterday, 13:24

Yemen's Houthis report attack on US Harry Truman aircraft carrier in Red Sea

The group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated that the strikes continued for several hours

Confines of Ukraine deal already there, following contacts with Putin, Zelensky — Trump

The US leader also reiterated that the Ukrainian conflict would have never happened if he had been president in 2022

Russian troops start battles for liberation of Lobkovoye in Zaporozhye Region

According to the report, the Russian military continues advancing

Kiev loses some of its elite forces in counterattacks near Shevchenko in Donetsk region

The source added that US-made MaxxPro and HMMWV armored vehicles and German-made Leopard tanks are among the Western equipment destroyed by Russian troops

Meeting of Russian, US delegations in Riyadh to kick off at 7:00 a.m. GMT — TASS source

The Russian delegation will be led by Grigory Karasin, the head of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, and Sergey Beseda, adviser to the director of Russia's Federal Security Service

Yesterday, 14:47

Europe trying to multiply root causes to Ukraine conflict — Kremlin

Peskov expressed bewilderment that Europeans are questioning where to find €800 billion - not for healthcare or infrastructure development, but for militarization

Two days ago, 13:42

Envoy delivers Trump’s portrait commissioned by Putin to US president

Witkoff said in an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson that the two leaders had sent signals to each other of their readiness for dialogue

Press review: Moscow forms delegation for US talks as EU fails to approve aid for Kiev

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, March 21st

Kremlin does not discuss personal gifts — Peskov on portrait llegedly presented to Trump

US special envoy Steven Witkoff mentioned earlier that after a March 13 meeting in the Kremlin, he delivered a gift from Putin to Trump

Russia's Federal Security Service detains employee of regulatory body for state treason

According to investigators, the man established secret cooperation with the Ukrainian side to aid in actions against Russia's security

Yesterday, 09:39

Putin and Trump could have other contacts alongside with official ones — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov also noted that the meeting between the two presidents must be carefully prepared and requires difficult technical negotiations first

Yesterday, 14:57

Kiev shows unready for peace initiatives by attacking energy facility in Zaporozhye

Ukrainian troops attacked a power substation in Pologi, leaving more than 11,000 subscribers without electricity

BRICS New Development Bank’s head Dilma Rousseff confirms her re-election

Dilma Rousseff added that the BRICS countries will continue pushing for the participation in mutually beneficial investment projects

Russia-US meeting in Riyadh ongoing, lasts around two hours already

"It is not clear when the meeting will end," the source said

Two days ago, 00:54

Envoy Witkoff 100% certain Russia has no plans to attack Europe

US Presidential Special Envoy noted he finds the claims that 'the Russians are going to march across Europe' odd

Denmark to block any US attempts to bribe Greenlanders — parliamentarian

Rasmus Jarlov reiterated that Denmark would not cede Greenland

Yesterday, 17:39

Ukrainian, US delegations begin meeting on ceasefire terms in Riyadh

On March 20, US special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg stated that the US was eager to hold proximity talks in Riyadh between the technical teams of Russia and the Kiev authorities

Yesterday, 12:46

Protests in Serbia may be ‘radicalized’ in coming days — Deputy Prime Minister Vulin

The Deputy Prime Minister also stressed that the security forces of Serbia are "strong enough to protect the country "

Two days ago, 00:28

Ukraine's leadership agrees to hold presidential election — envoy Witkoff

American journalist Tucker Carlson recalled that 'the Russian position is he is not elected,' so one 'can't sign any kind of treaty with him'

Two days ago, 21:16

Hamas ready to be flexible for reaching agreement on Gaza

Hamas is in discussion with mediators on the plan to resolve the conflict in Gaza proposed by US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif Al-Qanou said earlier

Yesterday, 11:11

Ukrainian armed forces lost over 190 soldiers in Kursk direction in 24 hours

The Russian Defense Ministry added that units of the Battlegroup North inflicted losses on formations of a mechanized, airborne assault brigade, a marine brigade and three territorial defense brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces in the areas of the settlements of Gogolevka, Gornal, Guevo and Oleshnya during offensive operations

Yesterday, 05:21

Year of 2025 can be among top warmest in history — expert

"This is because recent years are becoming increasing warmer under influence of growing concentration of greenhouse gases," Research Director of the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia Roman Vilfand said

Yesterday, 06:34

Air defense systems downed 59 drones at night

The Russian Defense Ministry said that air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 29 drones over the territory of the Rostov Region, 20 drones over the Astrakhan Region, three drones over the Voronezh Region, three drones over the territory of the Volgograd Region, two drones over the territory of the Republic of Crimea, and one drone in each of the Kursk and Saratov Regions

UK army slams 'political theater' Starmer's words on sending troops to Ukraine — media

According to a high-ranking army source, London will not have time to develop a plan for presence in Ukraine by April 20

Yesterday, 20:55

Israeli strike on southern Gaza kills Hamas senior official — media

The channel said that Barhoum, who was in charge of Hamas's financial assets in Gaza, was killed in an attack on the Nasser medical complex in the town of Khan Yunis

Yesterday, 20:53

Opposition nominates Imamoglu as Turkey's presidential candidate

Chairman of Turkey's opposition Republican People's Party Ozgur Ozel also called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to hold early presidential elections

Kiev and allies fear Trump will force them to make peace on Russia's terms — Bloomberg

US president’s critics are concerned that Trump "may offer consessions to Russia without Ukraine’s consent, putting President Vladimir Zelensky in a perilous position"

Yesterday, 09:27

Russia’s new Ambassador to US Darchiyev to travel to Washington next week — source

In early March, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree appointing Alexander Darchiyev as the Russian ambassador to Washington

Two days ago, 04:24

Envoy Witkoff cites status of five Russian regions as key issue in Ukraine conflict

According to him, 'that's the key issue in the conflict'

Superjet, MC-21 aircraft could be exported to friendly countries — expert

A prototype of the Superjet aircraft equipped with Russia-produced PD-8 engines completed its maiden flight on March 17

21 Feb 2022, 20:17

Russia ready to show what true de-communization means for Ukraine - Putin

Present-day Ukraine was wholly created by Communist Russia, Putin said

Yesterday, 11:28

Russian troops liberated settlement of Sribnoye in DPR — Defense Ministry

Russian troops hit military airfield infrastructure, unmanned aerial vehicle operator training centers, their production workshops and storage sites, as well as concentrations of manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries in 138 districts over the past 24 hours, the ministry added

Israel gears up for major ground offensive in Gaza Strip — WSJ

Benjamin Netanyahu believes that capturing and holding swathes of territory will allow them to finally defeat the Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas, the newspaper writes

5 Dec 2022, 18:36

US commercial satellites surveyed Russia’s Engels airstrip ahead of Kiev’s strike attempt

Earlier, it was reported that, on Monday morning, Kiev attempted to strike the two airstrips with Soviet-made jet drones in order to disable Russian long-range aviation planes

14 Jun 2024, 14:13

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

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

Putin requests allocation of extra funds for development of satellites for drone control

The execution deadline is June 1, 2025

Western companies' return to Russia may be difficult if they armed Ukraine — RSPP head

This is a normal approach amid difficult geopolitics, Alexander Shokhin said

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

21 Aug 2024, 13:41

IN BRIEF: In Kursk Region, Ukraine forces regroup, suffer losses

A total of more than 4,400 Ukrainian servicemen have been destroyed during the hostilities

Hamas confirms death of senior official Barhoum in Israeli airstrike on hospital in Gaza

The TV channel reported earlier that Barhoum, who was in charge of Hamas's financial assets in Gaza, was killed

Two days ago, 21:01

US carries out strikes on airport in Yemeni city of Hodeidah — TV

Al Hadath added that Houthi Naval Forces Chief of Staff Mansur al-Sa'adi had suffered injuries in the attack

US would need to push to replace Zelensky for successful talks on Ukraine, former PM says

According to Nikolay Azarov, the current Kiev regime "will not implement anything," as it is only looking "to stay in power for as long as possible"

Putin has not canceled pause in strikes on energy targets amid Kiev’s violations — Kremlin

Earlier, Anton Titsky, the deputy governor of the Zaporozhye Region, reported that the Ukrainian military launched a significant strike on an energy facility in the area

Ukraine’s army attacks Russia’s Belgorod Region with over 130 munitions in past day

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that three apartments of a residential building and five cars were damaged in the settlement of Novostroyevka-Pervaya

Russia receives slew of people’s requests for resettlement from West — Zakharova

The Russian diplomat stressed that for most countries, Russia is becoming a "pioneer" that strives to defend vital things regardless of sanctions and restrictions, because they are universal

Kremlin sees much work ahead for Russia, US toward resolving Ukraine crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held at least two phone calls with Trump as reported by the Kremlin, in February and March

Two days ago, 11:39

Russian forces hit Ukrainian military airfields, ammunition depots in 135 districts

At the same time, Russia’s air defense systems have shot down a MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Yesterday, 16:35

Macron's remarks on nuclear umbrella highly dangerous — Kremlin

In early March, Macron announced in an address to the French people that he would initiate discussions with allies about placing European countries under the protection of France's nuclear deterrent

Diplomat rejects allegations that China may contribute to EU peacekeeping force in Ukraine

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun also mentioned that Beijing is seeking "to continue working with the international community toward peace talks and creating conditions for a ceasefire and ending the conflict"

Kiev warns of damaging consequences unless EU extends duty-free trade deal

"Ukraine needs to clearly understand the further conditions of access to the EU market," Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Vitaly Koval noted

Air defenses repel massive Ukrainian attack on Donetsk — operational services

According to the report, about 15 targets were shot down over the city

Russian army regains control over significant section of state border near Sumy

It is noted that in the vicinity of Guyev, Russian troops are actively clearing forested areas. Ukrainian soldiers in the region are facing shortages of food and ammunition

Issue of dividing Ukrainian territories being discussed right now — Trump

On March 3, Donald Trump described Vladimir Zelensky’s remark about the conflict being far from over as "the worst statement that could have been made"

Yesterday, 05:15

EU does not understand meaning of independence — Russian diplomat

The European Union’s office in Ukraine informed that it would allocate further 10 billion euro to Kiev to finance "independent media

Yesterday, 05:44

Russian army hit Ukraine’s Azov brigade location

Seven Starlink terminals, 21 drone control points and a field ammunition depot of the Ukrainian army were destroyed, the Russian Battlegroup West spokesman Ivan Bigma added

Yesterday, 15:35

US, Russia to talk cessation of hostilities in Black Sea, trade in Riyadh — advisor Waltz

Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov announced earlier that Russian and US experts would hold consultations in Riyadh on March 24

Yesterday, 18:23

Imamoglu supporters reconvene for mass rally near Istanbul City Hall

Protests in support of him take place in front of the city hall every day

Russian, US delegations to hold negotiations in Riyadh behind closed doors

The talks are to start at 7:00 a.m. GMT, a TASS source said earlier

US Secretary of State Rubio, Israeli PM Netanyahu discuss Israel’s offensive in Gaza Strip

The Secretary discussed Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, and efforts to help release the hostages and bring them home

Israeli army eliminates two Hamas commanders

According to the report, over the past few days, the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency have struck militants throughout the Gaza Strip in order to weaken Hamas' military capabilities

Yesterday, 19:24

US, Ukrainian delegations take break at talks in Riyadh

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that the delegation includes "energy experts as well as military representatives from the naval and air components."

Seven Ukrainian troops surrender to Russia’s Battlegroup West over past day

According to the report, in counterbattery warfare, six field artillery guns, including two US-made 155mm M198 howitzers and six mortar teams were destroyed

Two days ago, 16:10

Trump may break NATO up without formal withdrawal — media

According to the magazine, "the White House does, in fact, have many options, if it wishes to undermine the alliance"

Yesterday, 10:20

Serbian Deputy PM says plotters against Trump behind protests in Serbia

According to Aleksandar Vulin, "same actors are behind attack on president Dodik and Republika Srpska"

Ukraine fails to meet any of criteria essential for EU membership — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk went on by saying that Ukraine's economy is now in severe crisis

23 Feb 2020, 16:46

Russia’s Navy tracks movements of US guided-missile destroyer in Black Sea

US naval ships regularly sail into the Black Sea

If US appoints new president of Ukraine, it will ruin the country — Russian legislator

"This would represent a continuation of the same colonial scenario and further accelerate Ukraine's collapse," Viktor Vodolatsky said

Yesterday, 12:24

Istanbul Mayor Imamoglu calls on population to go to rallies after his arrest

Speaking about voting, Imamoglu was referring to the primaries organized on Sunday by the opposition Republican People's Party to approve his candidacy for participation in the upcoming presidential elections

Merz loses leverage over coalition partners by yielding on debt — Politico

The SPD has long sought to change the country's Basic Law to weaken the "debt brake" - a strict rule prohibiting budget financing with new debt above a certain level

Yesterday, 14:54

Turkish Interior Ministry suspends Imamoglu from office

The heads of Istanbul’s Beylikduzu municipality, Mehmet Murat Calik, and the head of the Sisli district, Emrah Sahan, have also been suspended

Britain may be behind explosion of Sudzha gas metering station — Russian politician

The destruction of the gas metering station in Sudzha by Ukrainian forces is a provocation designed to undermine the peace initiatives of US President Donald Trump, Sergey Mironov stated

19 Dec 2023, 15:12

Many in Western Ukraine want to become part of Poland, Romania, Hungary — Putin

"The people living there - many of them, at least, I know it for certain, 100% - they want to return to their historic homeland," the Russian president noted

Yesterday, 14:12

Politicians interested in peace to emerge in Europe at some point — Kremlin

VGTRK journalist Pavel Zarubin recalled the words of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who remarked in early February that US leader Donald Trump would quickly restore order among European elites, saying they would soon "stand at the master's feet and wag their tails."

5.5-magnitude earthquake rocks Chile

The epicenter was reportedly located 39 kilometers north of the city of Coquimbo, home to about 160,000 people

Kiev targets Russia to 'create negative backdrop' around settlement in Ukraine — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik drew attention to Ukraine's new attempt to attack civilian targets in the Rostov Region

Russian, US delegations take a break in Riyadh talks — source

The US delegation includes State Department’s Policy Planning Director Michael Anton, as well as aides to Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz

Russian, US delegations set for negotiations in Riyadh on March 24

The Russian delegation will be represented by Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Grigory Karasin and Advisor to the Director of the Federal Security Service Sergey Beseda

More than 50 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza over past day — TV

According to Al Jazeera, the Israeli military delivered air and artillery strikes

Two days ago, 12:45

Serbia withdrew its vote on anti-Russian UN resolution, not wanting to ‘offend friends’

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin also noted that Serbia has not joined Western sanctions against Russia and will continue to adhere to this stance

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"

Macron looks for excuses for involvement in Ukraine conflict — Russian diplomat

Earlier, Macron stated in an interview with Le Parisien that European countries willing to send a military contingent to Ukraine

'Train has left the station' for Western companies whose niches already filled — Putin

"There will be no privileges or preferences for those returning," the Russian leader went on to say

12 Sep 2024, 09:38

Ukrainian troops execute comrades attempting to surrender in Kursk — army

Major General Apty Alaudinov added that getting captured Ukrainian soldiers out of the combat zone is no easy task

Yesterday, 08:20

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu arrested by court order — A haber TV channel

He is charged in two cases related to corruption in the mayor's office and aiding terrorism respectively

Around world in 75 years: Sergey Lavrov celebrates milestone anniversary

Back in 2021, the minister said that he had visited about 150 states, but Russia was always the most attractive country for him

Two days ago, 19:10

German official calls for working to restore relations with Russia

However, according to prime minister of the German state of Saxony Michael Kretschmer, Russia poses a threat at the moment

Brazilian president to visit Russia in May, his aide confirms

Lula da Silva will hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Yesterday, 17:16

The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh to host Russia-US talks

A representative of The Ritz-Carlton told a TASS correspondent that the meeting will be held "behind closed doors."

Yesterday, 16:27

Over 50,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 2023 — Health Ministry

On March 18, the Israeli army resumed military operations in the Gaza Strip, launching massive strikes on the enclave breaking the ceasefire established in January

Turkey plans to settle matter of Mir cards introduction soon — envoy

Tanju Bilgic believes that for Russian tourists, payments-related problems have already been solved

Two days ago, 19:07

Russia’s Operation Pipeline triggers panic among Ukrainian troops — newspaper

The situation had already been critical when he and his fellow soldiers heard that Russian forces had broken through Ukrainian lines, Ukrainian Senior Sergeant Zenon Dashak said

17 Dec 2017, 16:50

Putin thanks Trump for CIA tip that foiled terror plot in St. Petersburg

According to the Russian president, the CIA alert was enough to expose and arrest the criminals