Middle East conflict

30 Mar, 03:17

Hezbollah warns it will not tolerate Israel’s unjustified aggression

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

BEIRUT, March 30. /TASS/. The secretary-general of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, urged Israel to stop attacks on Lebanon and to honor the ceasefire agreement that envisages the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Lebanese territory.

"What Israel is doing now cannot be described as just a [ceasefire] violation. They continue their unjustified aggression," the politician said in a televised address, aired by Al Manar. "And we declare that we are not going to endlessly tolerate this."

In his words, the government of Lebanon should resist Israel politically and diplomatically.

"If their efforts are futile, if the Israeli troops refuse to withdraw from Israel, we will have no other choice but to return to earlier options," Qassem said.

Israeli Air Force warplanes have targeted facilities belonging to the Shia organization Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital’s southern suburb of Hadath on March 28. This was Israel’s first air attack on Beirut after the signing of a ceasefire agreement on November 27, 2024. Earlier, Israeli drones conducted preemptive strikes on three buildings in the Hadath suburb, causing panic among local residents.

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Visits by Russia, China’s leaders to foster ties between countries — top Chinese diplomat

Wang, who heads China’s Foreign Ministry (2013-2022, since 2023 until present) and the Foreign Affairs Commission Office of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee (since 2023) is on an official visit to Moscow from March 31 through April 2

Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia in May to be eventful — Putin

"The president of the People’s Republic of China will be our main guest, and we will have an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and our interactions within the framework of various international institutions," the Russian leader underlined

Kiev loses almost 22,000 troops, mercenaries in March in battles near LPR — expert

Military expert Andrey Marochko pointed out that during March Russian fighters advanced deep into the enemy's defenses

Russia dismisses US threats to Iran as improper — senior diplomat

The latest threat, Sergey Ryabkov argued, risks aggravating the situation and causing effects that would require much more efforts to prevent the danger of "another hotbed of tensions, or, God forbid, conflict erupting in the Middle East"

Yesterday, 18:25

Paint it Australian: WTA officially puts Russian-born Kasatkina under new flag

Following the IOC's recommendations in late February 2022, the majority of global sports federations decided to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from all international sports tournaments

Yesterday, 20:25

Le Pen not to ask Macron for pardon

According to the Head of the National Rally's parliamentary faction, the pardon concerns the final decision, but the case is not at that stage yet

Yesterday, 11:13

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"

Yesterday, 22:40

Houthis down US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen — spokesman

The drone was destroyed with a "locally made missile, the group's spokesman Yahya Saria said

Yesterday, 18:30

India's oil imports hit record highs in March, supplies from Russia up by 27%

Indian refineries' crude imports are expected to rise sharply in April as refiners ramp up refining capacity

Trump compares Le Pen's sentence to proceedings against him in US

"That sounds very much like this country," the US president emphasized

Russia never advocated for deterioration of relations with Finland — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that Russia has been always standing "for the maintenance and development of good mutually beneficial relations based on the mutual respect"

Border junction treaty between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan to boost trust — SCO

"The March 31, 2025, signing of the treaty is an important step towards strengthening mutual trust and good-neighborly relations between the three nations," the statement reads

Yesterday, 20:20

Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik arrives in Moscow

"I will be here again on May 9 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory over fascism," Dodik said

Yesterday, 17:07

Belarusian customs detains US national for illegally crossing border by train

The border trespasser was promptly detained by the customs alert group in cooperation with the Molodechno police and paramilitary railway guards

Washington's Ukraine proposals fail to address root causes — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Moscow took Washington’s proposals on Ukraine seriously but can not take them "as they are"

Yesterday, 18:50

German authorities do not plan to launch Russian gas via surviving Nord Stream 2 string

As the newspaper indicated, secret talks about possibly resuming Russian gas flows to Germany have been underway in Switzerland for several weeks

Yesterday, 14:20

Moldovan Foreign Ministry declares three Russian Embassy employees personae non gratae

Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov branded the accusations by the Moldovan side as "untenable and unsubstantiated"

Oslo ready to continue arming Kiev with weapons, unwilling to send troops — Russian envoy

Nikolay Kurchunov also observed that Norway fully supported the European Union’s plans to further militarize Europe, even though the country was not an EU member

Press review: EU, UK weigh new sanctions on Russia as Trump’s threat to Iran may spark war

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 1st

Yesterday, 17:05

Six European countries declare readiness to impose new sanctions against Russia

The meeting participants spoke in favor of Russian assets remaining blocked until the conflict ends and the damage allegedly caused to Ukraine is compensated

Yesterday, 08:28

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

Two days ago, 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

Russian assets blocked in Switzerland reach $8.4 bln

Real properties, cars, works of art, furniture and musical instruments are meant, Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs informed

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

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

Ukraine joining NATO in exchange for minerals deal not discussed — Trump

According to the US leader, Vladimir Zelensky is trying to renegotiate the agreement with the US on the development of Ukraine's mineral resources

Journalists among Ukraine’s terrorist targets, French expert says

According to Laurent Brayard, Ukraine is well aware that since journalists work on the frontline, they can provide their audience with an opportunity to learn the truth

Chinese forces encircle Taiwan on three sides during drills

On April 1, the Eastern Theater Command announced the start of comprehensive drills around Taiwan, which involve ground troops, missile forces, the Navy and the Air Force

White House takes measures to ensure Signal situation doesn't happen again

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, that measures have been taken to ensure that such a situation does not happen again

Yesterday, 13:18

US-Ukraine minerals deal resembles colonial exploitation of Africa — media

The earlier proposal collapsed following a scandal during a meeting between Vladimir Zelensky and the US leadership at the White House

Two days ago, 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

World majority countries see Russia-China relations as stabilizing factor — Lavrov

"We recognize the responsibility of Moscow and Beijing to maintain close coordination in the international arena," the Russian foreign minister stressed

15 Apr 2021, 12:44

Russia develops world’s first light drone with hybrid engine

The hybrid powerplant boosts the drone’s flight duration

Yesterday, 22:58

US would like Russia to make deal on Ukrainian settlement — Trump

The US President said this in response to a question about the possibility of introducing secondary sanctions against Russian oil

Yesterday, 13:14

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfield, UAV assembly workshops over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 200 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Yesterday, 07:19

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

Yesterday, 17:07

Pentagon announces investigation into death of US servicemen in Lithuania

On March 27, the US Army authorities confirmed that an M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle was discovered

Yesterday, 11:11

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

Yesterday, 20:58

US State Department calls for Ukraine settlement via talks, opposes external governance

There was an idea from Russia about a temporary administration that was not appreciated by the US president, US State Department Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said

Yesterday, 08:49

European brands expect Moscow to quickly pardon everything — Russian diplomat

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

Twelve Gorlovka residents injured in Ukrainian drone attack on bus

According to the clarified data of the authorities, the number includes seven injured bus passengers and passers-by, as well as those injured as a result of shelling in other areas of the city

Russia ready to help Iran, US build dialogue as 'ship hasn't sailed yet' — senior diplomat

US President Donald Trump said on March 30 that he intended to impose secondary sanctions on Iran in two weeks unless progress was achieved in talks on Tehran’s nuclear program

Russian troops semi-encircle Ukrainian combat group near Figolevka in Kharkov Region

Over the past few days, Russian forces have improved their tactical position in active combat operations and advanced in several sections of the Kupyansk frontline area, Andrey Marochko reported

Yesterday, 19:49

Le Pen intends to fight to reverse court decision

Head of the National Rally’s parliamentary faction noted that she believed that "the court of appeals will overturn the verdict"

Former PM sees external governance as only way to establish lasting peace in Ukraine

According to Nikolay Azarov, it’s not just about setting up a temporary administration that would hold free elections in Ukraine and address the causes that led to the conflict in 2022

Zelensky's office confirms plans to modify legislation to postpone election

Mikhail Podolyak said that after the lifting of martial law, it may take up to six months to prepare for the elections

Yesterday, 09:58

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, 12:42

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

Yesterday, 17:58

Trump's son says Le Pen's verdict proves Vance right about EU

The US State Department declined to comment

Putin asks Belousov for update on energy strike moratorium

The meeting continued behind closed doors

Yesterday, 23:56

Trump says US consults with North Korea, may meet with Kim Jong Un

The US President called relations with the leader of North Korea excellent

Yesterday, 10:12

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)

Yesterday, 19:00

Slovakia expects increase in gas supplies from Gazprom via TurkStream — Reuters

Earlier Ferencz said that Gazprom began gas supplies to SPP via the TurkStream pipeline on February 1

Yesterday, 18:55

Russian diplomat sees US defense spending as staggering

Sergey Ryabkov suggested that the alliance could be making these moves ahead of a new meeting with US President Donald Trump

Expert estimates number of French mercenaries fighting for Ukraine at 164

Laurent Brayard currently estimates the total number of mercenaries at 15,000 to 18,000 people

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

Trump’s duties on Russian oil to worsen US ties with China, India — China Daily

"Many observers believe that Trump's threat of 'secondary tariffs' on Russian oil is only a bluff to try and put pressure on Moscow," the newspaper said

Yesterday, 11:33

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

China Coast Guard ships patrol off Taiwan as part of drill

The patrols being conducted are "a practical action to control the island of Taiwan", spokesman for the East China Sea Bureau, said

Yesterday, 22:42

Iran reserves right to respond harshly to any US or Israeli aggression — envoy to UN

The United States will be fully responsible for the grave consequences of any hostile action, the country’s permanent representative to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani said

Two days ago, 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

Yesterday, 10:23

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

Yesterday, 12:29

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

Yesterday, 22:38

White House mum on possibility of third Trump term

Earlier, the US leader told NBC News that he was "not kidding" when he talked about the possibility of being re-elected for a third presidential term

Germany’s acting foreign minister arrives in Kiev for unannounced visit

This is Annalena Baerbock’s 11th visit to Ukraine since taking office as top German diplomat and the ninth one since the start of Russia’s special military operation

Two days ago, 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

Yesterday, 18:12

Russia, China should see tech cooperation as priority under Western pressure — expert

Alexander Lomanov pointed out the value of the capital of mutual trust between Russia and China, political trust between the leaders of the two countries, which is increasingly turning "into trust between the elites, into growing trust between peoples"

Yesterday, 14:52

A third of Russian spring draft conscripts to be sent to training centers — General Staff

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to call up 160,000 conscripts for military service in the spring campaign, according to the document published on Monday

Trump to abandon Taiwan just like Ukraine, island needs peace with PRC — Taiwan’s expert

"Relying entirely on the United States while rejecting and antagonizing China is no longer a viable path forward," Lung Yingtai said

Sanctions not preventing Russia from leadership in global energy markets — PM

Mikhail Mishustin said that Russia is expanding logistical routes, "primarily in the direction of friendly countries, and financing appropriate infrastructure"

Yesterday, 13:40

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

Yesterday, 19:49

Trump annoyed with comments from both sides of Ukraine conflict — White House

According to the television channel, the US president also said he was "very angry" about the comments that Russian President Vladimir Putin made about Vladimir Zelensky and officials in Kiev

Yesterday, 10:01

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, 15:35

Three US soldiers missing at exercise in Lithuania are dead

The deaths of the three US servicemen were confirmed by the US Joint Command Europe and Africa

Chinese People's Liberation Army begins drills near Taiwan

The drill involves land and missile forces, the navy and the air force

Georgian parliament passes US version of foreign agents law

86 deputies voted for the law

Yesterday, 18:34

US not to leave NATO, Washington’s rhetoric aims to 'spur on' partners — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov added that European and US elites have for decades been building their relations via extremely close interaction in the spheres of security, economy, culture and ideology

US Institute of Peace deletes financial data to cover crimes, Musk says

The entrepreneur noted that the data had been recovered

Chinese drills around Taiwan target separatists, not residents — authorities

According to the spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, Beijing is taking necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity

Yesterday, 12:26

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

PREVIEW: Top Russian, Chinese diplomats to discuss Ukrainian settlement

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, one of the priority topics on the agenda of the meeting will be the Ukrainian issue

French, German, US citizens increasingly relocate to Russia — Russian lawmaker

Maria Butina noted that the choice of regions is explained by climatic conditions and a developed economy

PREVIEW: Russia takes part in LAAD defense exhibition for first time since 2019

According to Rosoboronexport, the main purpose of Russia's participation in the 2025 LAAD expo is to discuss technological cooperation projects with Latin American countries

Yesterday, 10:00

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

Ukrainian strike on Gorlovka leaves 15 civilians injured

The DPR office recording Ukraine’s war crimes has reported four attacks on Gorlovka since the beginning of the day

Yesterday, 17:29

Hungary’s top diplomat slams Brussels’ push to fast-track Ukraine’s accession to EU

However, "Brussels also knows that there is only one possible obstacle," Peter Szijjarto continued

Discussion of resolution in Ukraine between Russia, US challenging — Kremlin

"We are continuing our contacts with the American side," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia takes note of moves by Finland, Sweden to host NATO infrastructure — Kremlin

Alexander Stubb earlier told reporters in London that his country should "mentally prepare" for restoring relations with Russia

Russian troops liberate Razliv community in Donetsk region over past day

"In the Belgorod direction, Battlegroup North units struck massed manpower and equipment of a mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Ugroyedy, Turya and Miropolye in the Sumy Region," the ministry said

Russia enhances performance of in-demand weapons during special military op — intel chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, it’s clear that "advancements in the development of domestic unmanned aerial vehicles, robotic systems and new materials will be used in Russia’s civilian industries"

Finland should ‘mentally prepare’ to restore ties with Russia — Stubb

"Nothing can change the fact that Russia is and always will be Finland's neighbor," Finland's President stated

France adopts radical extremism toward Russia, expert argues

According to Laurent Brayard, Emmanuel Macron’s statements about the Russian threat as a key danger facing his country are "totally irresponsible"

Yesterday, 23:58

Trump to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE

"I have a very good relationship with the Middle East", US President said

Putin asks Belousov for update on energy strike moratorium

Earlier, the Russian president agreed with the American leader's proposal that both sides to the Ukraine conflict halt strikes on energy infrastructure

Two days ago, 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

Yesterday, 09:15

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

Vucic says Serbia, Hungary are moving towards military alliance

The document on strategic defense cooperation, along with a plan for bilateral military partnership for 2025, was signed by Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic and his Hungarian counterpart, Krisztof Szalay-Bobrovniczky

Yesterday, 01:17

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

Yesterday, 23:00

Trump believes Russia to make deal on Ukraine, doesn't rule out oil sanctions

Responding to a corresponding question, Trump said that he "has an ability" to get a deal on the Ukrainian settlement

30 Mar 2021, 11:56

The Putin Diet: Kremlin unveils the head of state’s culinary preferences

The Russian president enjoys simple dishes but avoids baked goods, according to his press secretary

2 Mar 2022, 07:56

Russian forces take control of Kherson

According to Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov, civilian infrastructure, critical public services and facilities, along with urban transportation are operating as usual

Russian forces to overwhelm Ukrainian troops, Putin believes

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