28 Mar, 18:00

All USAID employees to be laid off by September 30 — media

According to the sources, all USAID overseas missions will be shut down in fiscal year 2025, which ends on September 30

WASHINGTON, March 28. /TASS/. All employees of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will be fired by September 30, Reuters reported, citing sources in Congress.

According to them, all USAID overseas missions will be shut down in fiscal year 2025, which ends on September 30. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a reorganization of the agency by July 1, transferring certain USAID responsibilities to the State Department while "discontinuing the remaining USAID functions that do not align with Administration priorities."

In early February, US President Donald Trump suspended the activities of USAID, which had allocated significant funds to finance international organizations. Later, the US administration revealed plans to cancel 92% of the agency’s and the State Department’s foreign aid contracts, aiming to save the US government about $60 billion.

On March 10, Rubio, appointed interim USAID chief, stated that the US government had officially terminated 83% of the agency's programs after a six-week review. He added that within the 5,200 canceled contracts, tens of billions of dollars were spent in ways that went against US interests and, in some cases, were detrimental.

FACTBOX: What is known about Marine Le Pen’s sentence

In accordance with the court decision, Marine Le Pen will have to wear an electronic bracelet for two of the four years

EU not to resume discussions with Russia on counterterrorism efforts — Russian diplomat

Kirill Logvinov answered the question about whether the EU intended to resume dialogue with Russia, considering the ongoing situation surrounding Syria

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"

Two days ago, 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

US’ draft minerals deal unconstitutional, Zelensky's office says

Sergey Leshchenko added that Kiev should take into account that US President Donald Trump, whose administration has put forward the agreement, "is there for a long time"

European brands expect Moscow to quickly pardon everything — Russian diplomat

According to Kirill Logvinov, the respective decisions will be made individually

Yesterday, 16:39

Three drones destroyed in Crimea - Russian Defense Ministry

The Russian Defense Ministry said that on March 30, within the period from 04:50 p.m. to 05:20 p.m. Moscow time, air defense means on duty destroyed three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the territory of the Republic of Crimea

Yesterday, 17:45

No mentioning of Red Army’s heroic deeds by UN gives rise to concerns — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Guterres, when speaking at the ceremony dedicated to the 80th anniversary of liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau, did not mention the Red Army a single time, although the Memory Day for these victims was established according to results of the heroic deed of the Red Army fighters

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, 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

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, 05:22

Ukraine’s army loses dozens of combat vehicles northwest of Sudzha in Kursk Region

The largest amount of the destroyed Ukrainian military equipment remains in the settlements of Malaya Loknya, Nikolskoye, Pogrebki, Lebedevka and along the Korenevo-Sudzha road

Two days ago, 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

EU to end up on periphery with its simplistic approach to politics — Russian diplomat

Kirill Logvinov noted that the EU approach to Syria showed that EU members would continue making attempts to isolate Russia in the international arena despite everything

India, Russia kick off second stage of Indra Navy exercise in Bay of Bengal

The second stage of Indra Navy 2025 will last for three days and will focus on joint maneuvering, sailing in formation, and exercises to counter air and surface threats

Trump suggests there is `psychological’ deadline for Russia to agree to Ukraine ceasefire

The US leader also expressed confidence that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, would like to make a deal to resolve the Ukraine conflict

Two days ago, 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, 13:23

Iran rejects direct talks with US on its nuclear program — Iranian president

Iran stressed in its reply letter that the Islamic Republic never avoided direct talks and only unfulfilled pledges triggered problems on that issue that must be resolved to restore trust between the two countries while the fate of the negotiations "will be determined by the behavior of the Americans"

Yesterday, 12:06

Russian troops liberate Zaporozhye community in Donetsk region over past day

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

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

Militaries in France, Europe bracing for war with Russia — newspaper

A French officer told the newspaper that his country’s military is "getting ready for the worst"

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

Kremlin points to lack of Trump's quotes about his alleged anger at Putin

According to Dmitry Peskov, some of the mentioned Donald Trump's statements were paraphrased

Two days ago, 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

Zakharova calls Le Pen's sentence 'agony of liberal democracy'

Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling funds intended for hiring assistants in the European Parliament

Russia actively working on inviting state, government leaders to May 9 events — MFA

Kirill Logvinov also outlined key events planned around major historical milestones, including the signing of the UN Charter on June 26, the Potsdam Conference from July 17 to August 2, and UN Day on October 24

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

Yesterday, 21:38

Trump says he is serious on re-election opportunity — TV

The US President noted that "it is still too early to think about this"

Yesterday, 17:40

Camera crew attacked by drone in Donetsk People’s Republic

TV channel said that The drone exploded nearby, fragmentations partly hit the car

Russia downs 66 Ukrainian drones over three regions overnight

In particular, Russian air defenses destroyed 41 UAVs over the Bryansk Region, 24 over the Kaluga Region and one over the Kursk Region

Yesterday, 13:21

First German launch vehicle fell soon after launch

The launch was made from the Norwegian Andoya launch site

Kiev's military tries to distract resources of Russian army in border regions — top brass

The Akhmat commando forces of the Russian Defense Ministry are currently deployed in the Kursk border area and the Belgorod Region, with additional units stationed in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People's Republic (LPR)

Two days ago, 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

Trump warns of additional tariffs on Iran

According to Reuters, US President made this statement to reporters on board Air Force One

Trump planning Saudi trip in May — Axios

This was reported by two US officials and a source familiar with the president's travel plans

Kremlin not surprised by NYT investigation into US involvement in Ukrainian conflict

According to the report, the United States has been supplying the Ukrainian authorities with daily coordinates of Russian Armed Forces’ positions from its base in Wiesbaden

Any NATO actions likely to make Russia, China cautious — expert

Wan Qingsong asserted that since the start of the Ukrainian crisis, NATO not only worsened the situation but also extended its influence

Trump rules out NATO membership for Ukraine

US President Donald Trump announced this to reporters on board Air Force One

Trump’s tariffs on Russian oil supplies will not affect China’s imports — Foreign Ministry

Guo Jiakun clarified that Beijing maintains a "consistent and clear position on the Ukrainian crisis" and that dialogue and negotiations are the only effective means of resolving the conflict

Paris court finds Le Pen guilty of embezzling EU funds

In addition, the court convicted 12 assistants, estimating the total funds involved at €4 million

Yesterday, 02:14

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

US to receive tough response if attempts to stir up rebellion in Iran — supreme leader

Ali Khamenei said that it was unlikely, that the US would attack on the country from outside

Kiev trying to counterattack in Donetsk area amid Russian army’s full dominance, says DPR

According to the report, Russian forces continue advancing through forest belts in the Velikaya Novosyolka frontline area

Shanghai to host Russian-Chinese conference on global, Eurasian challenges

The event titled "Space of Joint Development: Global and Eurasian Dimensions" kicks off in Shanghai on March 31

Ukraine targets journalists in Donbass on Kiev regime's orders — DPR head

Denis Pushilin noted that while large "Press" markings once offered some degree of protection, they have now become a sort of danger, as Ukrainian commanders increasingly disregard them

Ukraine’s army attacks Russia’s Belgorod Region with over 60 munitions in past day

In the village of Ivanovskaya Lisitsa, a security council secretary was wounded after the detonation of a munition

Press review: Rare earth talks boost Russia-US ties as EU seeks influence in Central Asia

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, March 31st

Bolivian leader looking forward to visiting Russia this spring, ambassador says

However, with Bolivia facing political infighting ahead of the presidential election, the president’s agenda is quite busy

Yesterday, 00:18

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

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, 21:40

Gaza’s Health Ministry urges the UN to investigate murder of medical workers in Rafah

Bodies of fourteen dead people, with communication with them lost several years ago, were found in a collective grave on Sunday

Russia displays counter-UAV laser rifle

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

Trump says would not want to put secondary tariffs on Russia

"It would not be very good for them", said the American President

Yesterday, 15:07

US to impose restrictions on Russian oil if no deal on Ukraine is reached — Trump

Trump said that would be that if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States

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

NATO finds no proof of Russia’s involvement in destruction of cables in Baltic Sea — media

Meanwhile, Belgian Navy Commander Erik Kockx, who heads a group taking part in a NATO mission in the Baltic Sea, pointed out that it’s hard to evaluate the practical effect of the bloc’s increased presence in the region

Yesterday, 21:36

Unknown person opened fire from roof in Murmansk — governor

Law enforcement staff is in action

Trump says Zelensky wants to back out of rare earth deal

US President says Zelensky will "get into trouble" if he backs out of deal

Russian forces to overwhelm Ukrainian troops, Putin believes

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

Yesterday, 17:48

Europe standing to lengthen life of Kiev’s regime — Lavrov

Instincts of the ruling class in Europe are clearly demonstrated in developments in Ukraine, the top Russian diplomat said

Yesterday, 15:35

Trump says he is going to have phone talk with Putin shortly — TV

The previous telephone conversation between the two leaders was held on March 18

Two days ago, 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

Yesterday, 09:06

Russian forces engaged in fierce fighting to retake last few communities in Kursk Region

In particular, in the area of the settlement of Basovka, Russian forces have dislodged Ukrainian troops from a stronghold and are consolidating their gains, a source said

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

Yesterday, 07:52

Chances exist to rescue people from under rubble in quake-hit Myanmar — Russian rescuers

A powerful 8.2-magnitude quake hit Myanmar on March 28, claiming the lives of more than 1,600 people

Yesterday, 18:32

EU ready to react as single whole to US duties

Trade wars do harm to all the parties, Scholz noted

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

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

Russia to get world’s most combat-fit army after Ukraine conflict, says expert

The confrontation in Ukraine was accompanied by "the use of a large amount of technologies that had never been employed before and that began to play a completely critical role in modern warfare," Vasily Kashin noted

Two days ago, 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

Medvedev calls Russia's latest missiles best cure for Russophobia

The politician said that Russophobia stems from "bipolar affective exaggeration of Russia’s influence on the life of Europe and Europeans" and alternates between manic and depressive phases

Yesterday, 03:45

US forces strike Islamic State positions in Somalia

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

Yesterday, 21:41

Special police staff neutralizes shooter in Murmansk, no one injured

The attacker acted alone, and he has been wounded

Yesterday, 19:29

Russian traveler Fyodor Konyukhov boarded on cargo ship sailing to China

The voyager was taken on board of a cargo ship sailing to China’s Qingdao, the center informed

Le Pen sentenced to four years in prison, five-year election disqualification

Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling funds intended for hiring assistants in the European Parliament

Risks of another quake occurring in Mandalay, Myanmar persist — Russian rescuers

Meanwhile, the Russian Emergencies Ministry has started to regroup its 120 rescuers in Myanmar to quake-hit Mandalay

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

EU politicians regret rejecting Putin’s security proposals — Russian diplomat

Kirill Logvinov opined that members of Europe’s current political elite were unable to truly appreciate the fact that Europe lived in peace for 80 years

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

INTERVIEW: Russia’s money meant for UN gets stuck amid latest US sanctions — diplomat

According to Kirill Logvinov, this constitutes a major problem for the UN

US media conduct propaganda, neglect to cover Russia's position — ex-CIA analyst

In early March, Larry Johnson visited the Victory Museum in Moscow as part of the US delegation

Yesterday, 02:21

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

UK ready to negotiate defense deal with EU — foreign minister

Europe's security is indivisible, British Foreign Minister David Lammy stressed

Yesterday, 14:22

Finnish president dreams of engaging US in Ukrainian conflict Russian diplomat

The Finnish president said earlier in an interview with the Politico news outlet that the "armed to the teeth" Ukraine should be in the basis of the deterrence policy

Russia against peacekeepers from countries supporting Kiev in Ukraine — envoy

Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations Kirill Logvinov also recalled that it was the "arrogant unwillingness of Westerners to hear" Moscow's position that led to the conflict

EU missed opportunity to reconsider stance on Russia — Foreign Ministry

"As for Brussels' determination to follow through, it is rather a path towards self-destruction of the EU," Kirill Logvinov noted

Iran vows consequences for US after Trumps’ threats of 'never-seen-before' bombing

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, such statements run counter to the United Nations Charter and the safeguards under the International Atomic Energy Agency

Yesterday, 15:28

Presidential election in Ukraine may be held in July — The Economist

Vladimir Zelensky will attempt to catch his competitors by surprise, hoping that they will fail to arrange an efficient campaign within a short term, the source said

Two days ago, 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

Putin perfectly open to contacts with Trump — Kremlin

Earlier, Trump announced his intention to call Putin again this week

Police identify man behind shooting in Russia’s Arctic city of Murmansk — official

The man, born in 1981, opened gunfire at a unit of the Patrol and Guard Service from atop a building on Kolsky Avenue in downtown Murmansk late on March 30

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"

EU may fail to ease sanctions on Russia even if US lifts — Foreign Ministry

"Any abandonment of sanctions would only be possible if the EU ceases to view illegitimate sanctions as a tool of foreign policy," Kirill Logvinov stated

Leaders of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan sign pact on junction of countries' borders

Additionally, the leaders signed the Khujand Declaration of Eternal Friendship

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"

Two days ago, 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

8 Apr 2013, 17:00

Monument to nationalist leader Bandera destroyed in Lvov region

Police said they have started an investigation

No communication with Moldova’s government after Gutsul’s arrest — deputy head of Gagauzia

"Engagement between Comrat and Chisinau is nonexistent, as the politicians in Chisinau have chosen a different approach toward Gagauzia – one of pressure, blackmail, and threats," Ilya Uzun said

Russia’s Battlegroup West downs 17 Ukrainian drones, wipes out 23 drone control centers

According to the spokesman for the battlegroup Ivan Bigma, the battlegroup hit two mechanized, one assault and one territorial defense brigades in the Kharkov Region, the LPR, the DPR and in the Serebryanka forestry

Two days ago, 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

Yesterday, 07:50

Yemen’s Houthis claim attacking US aircraft carrier three times in last 24 hours

"The counteraction operation involved missile troops, unmanned aerial vehicles and naval forces that used several cruise missiles and drones," the Houthi spokesman said