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Middle East conflict

Israeli army establishes direct control over more than 30% of Gaza Strip — newspaper

Meanwhile, Israeli officials note that if Hamas rejects the deal, the IDF will continue to expand its control over the territories of the Gaza Strip

NEW YORK, April 15. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) established control over more than 30% of the Gaza Strip since the resumption of hostilities on March 18, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Israeli and Egyptian sources.

According to the newspaper, most of the occupied territory is located in southern Gaza in the Rafah governorate, which borders Egypt and is now cut off from the rest of the enclave. The newspaper's Egyptian sources said that Israel plans to expand the zone of its control in the north of the Gaza Strip.

The strengthening of the Israeli presence in the territory of the enclave is part of its policy of pressure on Hamas to force the movement to return to Israel 11 of the 24 hostages seized during the October 7 attack. The Egyptian sources confirmed that Hamas is currently weighing the possibility of releasing 11 hostages in exchange for a 70-day ceasefire. At the same time, according to their information, Israel is demanding that Hamas lay down its weapons, which the group has firmly rejected.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials note that if Hamas rejects the deal, the IDF will continue to expand its control over the territories of the Gaza Strip. According to the Wall Street Journal, it is unclear exactly what Israel will do with the temporarily occupied Gaza Strip if no agreement is reached with Hamas.

On March 18, the Israeli army resumed fighting in the Gaza Strip, launching massive attacks on the Palestinian enclave and violating a ceasefire reached in January. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that the radical Palestinian movement Hamas refused to agree to the proposals put forward at the talks by mediators and US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, saying that the goal of the operation in the enclave was the release of all hostages. The radicals blamed Israel and the US for the resumption of hostilities.

Hungary will not let EU to send military mission to Ukraine — top diplomat

"This will escalate the conflict to a degree that we cannot foresee, and will put Hungary and its people into a serious danger," Peter Szijjarto stressed

Kremlin spokesman critical of NATO chief’s remark about preparations for war

This must be a statement by a person from the generation that has forgotten what World War II was like, noted Dmitry Peskov

Analyst expects EU to cease to exist as global political entity by 2023

The idea of "a united Europe from Lisbon to Vladivostok" will ultimately give way to the reality of a divided, militarized, and economically weak continent

Ukraine may start war in Transnistria amid failures on front line — former president

Igor Dodon pointed out that Moldova’s official agencies have not recorded any preparations or threats from the unrecognized republic

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

Kiev loses 1,355 troops along engagement line in past day

Ukrainian MP points out Umerov has not been back to Ukraine since start of US talks

Rustem Umerov was appointed to lead Ukraine’s delegation to the talks with the US side on November 29 in place of Vladimir Zelensky’s office head Andrey Yermak

Seizure of Russian assets to backfire on EU — Hungarian PM

It is a direct step toward entering the war, Viktor Orban said

Ukrainian forces stretched thin in DPR, Russian commander says

Alexey Vereshchagin, commander of the Nevsky reconnaissance-assault brigade of Battlegroup South’s volunteer corps said that his "brigade’s zone of responsibility covers the city of Soledar, as well as the Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka area"

West benefits crime by scaling back anti-corruption cooperation — Russian MFA

According to Dmitry Lyubinsky, this approach by Western countries, especially in the field of extradition and legal assistance in criminal cases, "cannot withstand any criticism"

Russia provides necessary support to Venezuela, common sense must prevail — MFA

The United States has baselessly accused Caracas of failing to take adequate measures against drug trafficking

Press review: NATO divided over Ukraine’s status and US-Venezuela conflict escalates

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 12th

At Berlin talks, Zelensky refuses economic zone in Donbass, troop withdrawal — newspaper

European countries disagree with Washington's position, believing that the issue of territories is not subject to discussion until Ukraine receives security guarantees

Russia blocks Western attempts to politicize UN anti-corruption conference — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky condemned "the illegal use of sanctions, labeling, and the imposition of unilateral standards and fabricated rules"

Ukrainian forces facing huge losses in Kharkov Region — Russian security officer

Ukrainian commanders are chaotically deploying brigade forces to various parts of the frontline in the Kharkov Region in an attempt to stop Battlegroup North from advancing

Australian police arrest two more people over Sydney terrorist attack

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, police detained two men at a residence belonging to one of the attackers

US-Ukraine talks in Berlin last over five hours — media

According to Novosti Live, Vladimir Zelensky plans to comment on the progress of the negotiations on Monday

US, Ukraine achieve 'a lot of progress' at talks in Berlin, says US special envoy Witkoff

"Representatives held in-depth discussions regarding the 20-point plan for peace, economic agendas, and more," Steve Witkoff said

Moscow says West morally culpable for Ukraine’s murders of Russian journalists

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that, unlike tongue-tied Western human rights organizations, Moscow will demand that authorized international officials do their duty in a conscientious manner

About 10,000 mercenaries fighting for Kiev regime killed in Ukraine — ex-intel officer

However it is difficult to give the exact number of mercenaries killed in Ukraine, noted Vasily Prozorov

'Paranoid' Hegseth removes Driscoll from Ukraine talks — media

According to the newspaper, Hegseth saw Driscoll as exceeding his authority during the Ukraine talks

EU youth seek to turn bloc into ‘United States of Europe’ — Politico

Support for the EU among Europeans has reached a record high in polls, the newspaper noted

US, Ukraine hold difficult talks in Berlin — WSJ

The talks lasted five hours and will continue on Monday

'Shuttle diplomat' Stubb emerges as key mediator in US-Ukraine talks in Berlin — media

Bild noted that the Finnish president maintains close ties with US President Donald Trump and is therefore acting as a mediator between the United States on one side and Europe and Ukraine on the other

Zelensky started to promote war after coming to power on promises of peace — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that the Minsk Agreements were in fact a staged plan that had been signed by all parties, including Poroshenko

EU sanctions Vietnamese, UAE companies as part of anti-Russian measures — document

These restrictions include freezing the companies' assets and banning any contacts with European businesses

FIDE to consult with IOC on lifting sanctions against Russians

Sixty-one participants voted in favor of lifting all restrictions on Russian chess players, while 51 opposed the measure

EU prepares for war with Russia, forces Serbia to choose sides — ex-premier

Aleksandar Vulin said that freedom reigns supreme in Serbia, but that’s not the case in the EU

Hungarian, Polish foreign ministers exchange heated remarks on Russian assets online

The spat started with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s post, which stated that the EU leaders’ decision to seize Russian assets without consulting Hungary violates numerous laws and is "a declaration of war"

Russia focuses on US instead of Europe in terms of Ukraine peace process — Kremlin

The Europeans are playing their own game, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Ukrainian soldiers frozen to death at Liman positions in Kharkov Region — defense source

Battlegroup North fighters found the frozen bodies of Ukrainian soldiers who had died from hyperthermia at two out of six positions they seized

US-Ukraine talks on crisis settlement in Berlin were 'confidential' — German daily

According to the report, the negotiations were conducted very secretly with journalists having no access at all to information about the particular level of the talks between the officials

Police detain likely suspect of shooting at Brown University

No information has been released about the detainee’s identity or the motive behind the incident

Only Russia, Ukraine, US can discuss territorial concessions — Polish president

At the same time, Karol Nawrocki himself stated that he still dreams of being at the same negotiating table for peace in Ukraine with the leaders of Russia, the United States and representatives of Kiev

Oil transit from Russia to China via Kazakhstan does not require US approval — minister

Regarding large companies in the republic where Russian participants subject to sanctions are present, in Astana, "all of those projects received so-called exemptions from sanctions," Yerlan Akkenzhenov said

Germany agrees on ten-point plan to expand military cooperation with Kiev — media

The German government also plans to build a sort of alliance with its European partners to jointly purchase weapons for Ukraine

FACTBOX: Russia hit by 130 Ukrainian drones overnight, one injured in Rostov Region

Residential buildings and two cars sustained damage

No true partnership in relations between Poland and Ukraine — Polish president

According to Karol Nawrocki, Ukraine does not feel that Warsaw's support is vital for Kiev, while Vladimir Zelensky is used to the guaranteed support of Poles

Trump says threatened Thailand and Cambodia with new duties

US President said he was sure that the duties is an important tool in the foreign policy for his administration

Elvis Presley on list of sponsors of migrants arriving in US — newspaper

The US Government Accountability Office found that the program's implementation was flawed and that checks on applicants and their sponsors were not rigorous enough

Russia starts using Force reconnaissance drone, resistant to electronic warfare

The device is equipped with thermal imaging equipment and can work around the clock

Ukraine loses about 1,450 troops in special military operation zone in past day

The enemy lost over 240 troops in the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North

Death toll in Sydney terrorist attack rises to 15 — minister

Ryan Park added that four of those injured in the shooting had been transferred to the children’s hospital

Over 30 Russian journalists killed since special military op in Ukraine started

"It regards not only journalists, but cameramen, sound-operators, supporting drivers, sometimes bloggers and war correspondents as well," Vladimir Solovyov stated

Russia stands by Venezuelan people, backs President Maduro — Foreign Ministry

Alexander Shchetinin, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Latin American Department, noted that Venezuela "is currently under overt political pressure and military blackmail"

Putin, Erdogan discuss highly sensitive issues in Ashgabat — Kremlin

The meeting in Turkmenistan lasted for about one and a half hours

G20 emphasized reliance on UN Charter, as Russia proposed — MFA

Russia's ambassador-at-large Marat Berdyev said this includes adherence to core principles such as maintaining friendly relations among nations and safeguarding human rights for all, regardless of race, gender, language, or religion

Russian troops liberate Peschanoye, gain foothold at Gaichur River — security sources

During the liberation of the settlement, servicemen of the 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 29th Army of Battlegroup East destroyed more than two platoons of Ukrainian army personnel from the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade

Saudi Arabia's crown prince may buy FC Barcelona for €10 bln

According to El Chiringuito journalist Francois Gallardo, club members participating in the club’s presidential election could block the sale

Zelensky, pressured by Trump, pretends to be ready for elections — news agency

According to the report, Vladimir Zelensky instructed Verkhovna Rada lawmakers to "develop a draft law on the possibility of holding elections during martial law"

Lukashenko pardons more than 100 citizens of various countries

Among them are citizens of Australia, the United Kingdom, Latvia, Lithuania, the United States, Ukraine, and Japan

EU demonizes Russia to justify its arms race — newspaper

Vladimir Zelensky "realizes that Ukraine may lose up to one fifth of its territory and is trying to prevent a peace agreement on such terms" in an attempt to cling to power, the article says

Ukrainian attack leaves almost 30,000 customers without power in Zaporozhye Region

Balitsky noted that energy personnel were "working non-stop" to restore supplies as soon as possible, but the weather was complicating repair efforts

Ukraine launches major drone attack on Rostov Region overnight — governor

According to Yury Slyusar, there were no casualties

NATO needs to prepare for global naval challenge from Russia, analysts say

The report adds that scenarios for a crisis "often focus on an escalation in what is a single strategic direction stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Kara Sea"

Ukraine’s NATO membership 'out of question,' EU foreign policy chief admits

Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for tangible security guarantees

Florida man sanctioned by EU for pro-Russia social media posts

The EU Council claims that John Mark Dougan holds American and Russian citizenship

Explosions damage energy infrastructure in Ukrainian city of Odessa — authorities

Transport and industrial facilities were also damaged

US forces conduct operation on ship traveling from China to Iran — WSJ

After the goods were confiscated, the ship continued on its way, the newspaper said

Russian troops liberate Peschanoye community in Dnepropetrovsk Region over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,480 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Russian senator calls Merz's words recognition of major geopolitical shift

"This is a serious recognition of a major geopolitical shift, which not everyone believes in yet, but which has been looming for a long time," Alexey Pushkov noted

Russia opposes political interference in anti-corruption cooperation — MFA

Speaking about the agenda of the current forum, Dmitry Lyubinsky emphasized that Moscow intends to uphold "the principles of equality and consideration of the interests of all countries"

Russia welcomes FIDE’s decision to reinstate Russian chess players’ rights — Peskov

"We deeply appreciate this decision made following the vote of the General Assembly," Russian presidential spokesman said

US, Ukraine complete talks in Berlin — Zelensky’s office

The Ukrainian media reported that the talks lasted around two hours

West erodes traditional values — Russian Foreign Ministry

"The deliberate erosion of these foundations and the relentless attempts by the neoliberal elite of the West to impose alien approaches on other nations are deeply disturbing," Kirill Logvinov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations, said

Kremlin aide confident Zelensky's talk of elections comes from US pressure

"What a double-dealing," Yury Ushakov said

EU attempts to use Russian system encroaches international reserve system — Dmitriev

The Russian presidential envoy earlier expressed confidence that the Bank of Russia will prevail in legal proceedings

Chile’s new President Kast hints on difficult times for his country

The country's financial situation is bad, Antonio Kast said

EU continues blacklisting companies, individuals

Seventeen individuals and four legal entities were added to the list in total

Russian embassy in The Hague calls on the Netherlands to end 'anti-Russian hysteria'

The embassy also recalled that Acting Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans recently called for increased military support for Kiev and expressed the need to "be prepared for a conflict with Russia by 2030"

EU 'traps' itself into Russia reparations loan plan for Ukraine, expert says

Boris Pervushin said this approach threatens to erode long-term trust in Europe as a stable and predictable economic space

Jose Antonio Kast wins Chilean presidential election

According to the Election Commission, Kast secured 58.61% of the vote

NATO specialists in Ukraine triggered special military operation — Kremlin

This posed a direct threat to Russian citizens in Ukraine, as well as broader security risks for Russia, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

EU seeking to turn Ukraine into ‘perpetual’ source of tension — Russian senator

According to Alexander Voloshin, NATO’s advance on Russian borders in bypassing formal procedures violates the principle of indivisible security

Fico describes Ukraine as ‘black hole’ swallowing billions of euros

According to the Slovak prime minister, the European Union is currently in crisis

Berlin says no plans for direct dialogue with Russia

Some European leaders, the head of the European Commission and the NATO secretary general, are expected in the German capital in the evening

Trump vows retaliation over attack on US-Syrian patrol

The US President said that "in Syria, there will be a lot of damage done to the people that did it"

Russia to strongly object to changes to Ukraine peace plan — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov pointed out that Moscow had not seen the proposals yet

EU sanctions to have no impact on Valdai's activities — director of research

Fyodor Lukyanov added that he had not been to Europe in ages

Man who stopped Sydney attacker turns out to be local fruit shop owner

Ahmed Al Ahmed’s cousin told 7News that he was injured during the struggle and taken to hospital, where he is awaiting surgery

US not updating Russia in real time on Berlin talks — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, work is currently underway between negotiators from the US, Europe, and Ukraine

Press review: Kiev and Europe seek to derail peace plan as Ukraine awaits $5 bln EU aid

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 15th

Zelensky to fail in trying to take Crimea back, secure NATO membership — Kremlin

According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, "there is a one million percent guarantee that it’s impossible"

EU leaders want to drag all of Europe into war with Russia — Hungarian top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto noted that Budapest intends to "stay away from this"

Seven EU countries against expropriation of Russian assets — news outlet

According to the report, Belgium, Hungary, and Slovakia initially opposed the plan, and they have now been joined by Italy, Bulgaria, Malta, and the Czech Republic

US insists on complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbass during talks — AFP

According to the source, the US delegation "is taking Russia’s position" on this issue

Russia needs guarantees to prevent Kiev from sabotaging agreements — Kremlin

Washington’s position is certainly very important here, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Rob Reiner, his wife found dead in their Los Angeles home — TV

The People magazine stated that the American actor and his wife were killed by their son, Nick

No recorded threats from Russia to use nuclear weapons — IAEA chief

According to Rafael Grossi, he only saw a statement that nuclear weapons exist in case an existential threat arises

Authorities of Sri Lanka ask Russia for additional aid amid Ditva cyclone — ambassador

According to Shobini Gunasekera, the scale of destruction in the country is unprecedented and there is enormous work ahead to be done in order to provide assistance, reconstruction, and resettlement

Normalization in BiH requires immediate closure of high representative office — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister said that "It was obvious 20 years ago"

Zelensky blackmails Western handlers to get them secure his re-election — Russian diplomat

Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential powers expired on May 20, 2024

EU to blacklist 40 new tankers on Russia — Kallas

This is the first time since the start of the special military operation that the EU has expanded its blacklist on Russia without waiting for the adoption of a new major sanctions package

Kiev ready to hold elections, renounce NATO aspirations — media

Bild reported that Kiev is allegedly also ready to "freeze" the current line of engagement but refuses to withdraw its troops from the entire Donbass territory

Russian delegation arrives in Washington for G20 sherpa meeting — envoy

The first meetings will take place on December 15-16, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Marat Berdyev said

Ukraine peace depends on success of Moscow-Washington talks — US radio host

According to Steve Gill, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with US leader Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner was crucial to finding a path toward peace in Ukraine

Ukraine conflict could lead to World War III, Trump warns

The US president said the conflict in Ukraine "doesn’t really affect the United States, unless it got out of control"

Extremist Ukrainian database Mirotvorets doxes chiefs of two Russian sports federations

The sports officials at the issue are President of the Russian Judo Federation Sergey Soloveichik and President of the Russian Skateboarding Federation Ilya Vdovin

Sri Lanka views uninterrupted Russian oil supplies, says ambassador

The Sri Lanka State Oil Corporation is currently holding negotiations both on LNG and on the modernization of the oil refinery, Shobini Gunasekera said

Russia tests prototype of Ariadna non-satellite navigation system — NTI Fund

The NTI Fund specified that, unlike other domestic solutions and foreign analogues, the technology offers precise positioning of up to 15-20 cm

UAE-backed forces launch military operation in southern Yemen

The latest move is a continuation of ongoing efforts to "eliminate terrorism and reinforce security and stability" in the governorate

Ukraine’s energy system on brink of collapse — Washington Post

According to the newspaper, experts agree that things have been particularly bad for Ukraine lately