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High-ranking Russian Orthodox church delegation expected to attend Pope’s funeral — church

The Vatican said the pope died earlier on Monday

MOSCOW, April 21. /TASS/. A high-ranking delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church will likely attend the funeral of Pope Francis, Secretary for Inter-Christian Relations of the External Church Relations Department Stefan (Igumnov) of the Moscow Patriarchate told TASS.

"According to church protocol, such participation is common practice. It’s likely that a high church delegation will be sent to the funeral of Pope Francis," he said.

The Vatican said the pope died earlier on Monday. He was 88 years old. Francis was hospitalized from February 14 to March 23 with pneumonia. Doctors said he was on the brink of death twice, but he improved enough to be released after 40 days.

The pontiff was prescribed two months of complete rest, but he began to leave his residence in the former Vatican hotel of St. Martha for short visits to St. Peter's Basilica. On Easter Sunday, he also made an appearance in public, being driven around St. Peter's Square in an open-air popemobile to the sound of cheering crowds.

Iran's nuclear program

Iran's supreme leader says talks with US unlikely to succeed

"What the future holds remains uncertain," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said

Vatican's engagement in Ukraine settlement does not imply US withdrawal — Trump

According to the US president, "it would be great" to hold peace talks specifically at the Vatican, as he believes it "would have some extra significance" and could be "helpful"

Russian forces hit Ukrainian military’s soft underbelly near Konstantinovka — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Russian troops are corrently advancing from three directions toward this community

Trump says progress made in phone talks with Putin

The Russian president praised the conversation with his American counterpart and called it constructive

NATO countries are holding Brave Boar exercise in Poland near Russian border

The primary objective of this exercise is to enhance NATO units' operational interoperability under combat conditions

Family in Donetsk hid injured Russian soldier from Ukrainian troops for several months

The fighter came from the neighboring settlement of Razdolnoye

UN welcomes talks between Putin, Trump

"The UN's stand continues to be that we will support any effort that will lead to an end to the war in Ukraine," Stephane Dujarric stressed

Xi says China ready to share poverty reduction experience with SCO states

The Chinese president emphasized the importance of joint efforts to "build a beautiful world free of poverty with prosperity for all"

Russia’s GDP growth rate has outpaced EU countries in recent years — expert

Vladimir Klimanov added that comparing countries based on economic indicators often yields varying results

Venezuelan president praises Putin-Trump phone talk

"Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to peace and dialogue between countries, as well as the right of peoples to live free from threats and interference," the republic’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto added

No US military in Ukraine, Trump says

"We don't have [military] boots on the ground", US president pointed out

Ukrainian POWs may not want to leave good treatment in Russia to come back home — lawmaker

During the first talks between the delegations of Russia and Ukraine in three years in Istanbul, the sides reached an agreement on exchanging 1,000 prisoners of war from each side

Renowned Russian choreographer Yuri Grigorovich dies at age of 98

He was a choreographer at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater from 2008

Russia, Ukraine will soon start talks on ceasefire, ending conflict, says Trump

"The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of," US leader noted

African countries understand root causes of Ukrainian crisis, West’s role in it — diplomat

"Non-alignment with sanctions against Russia is a clear demonstration of the firm and confident position of our African partners," director of the ministry’s department of partnership with Africa Tatiana Dovgalenko said

White House dismisses concerns about UAE’s possible resale of US microchips to BRICS

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed that the agreement on cooperation on artificial intelligence signed between the US and the UAE last week contains appropriate "security guarantees"

No deadline for preparing memorandum with Kiev, 'devil in details' — Kremlin

According to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, "both Russia and Ukraine will draft their projects."

Russia readies lawsuits for UN court against Ukraine, some Western countries — MFA

According to official at the Russian Foreign Ministry’s legal department Konstantin Kosorukov, the West unleashed a full-on legal war against Russia in recent years

Hungary’s MOL to lose $500 mln a year if it stops using Russian oil — CEO

Accoridng to Zsolt Hernadi, MOL's plants in Szazhalombatta and Bratislava are technologically adjusted to process mainly Russian grades of oil

Trump says trusts in Russia's commitment to ending Ukraine conflict

"I believe he [Russian President Vladimir Putin] wants to stop," US leader said, answering questions from reporters

Netanyahu wishes Biden to overcome cancer

"The people of Israel and I wish you a full and speedy recovery," Israeli Prime Minister wrote on his X page

Nicusor Dan wins Romania's presidential election, losing diaspora vote

Bucharest Mayor received 53.93% of the votes after 99.4% of the ballots were counted

At least hundred Ukrainian troops wiped out in battles for DPR's Bogatyr — commander

He added that the Ukrainian grouping in the settlement was quite large, but a significant part of the troops, who lacked combat experience, fled when Russian servicemen approached the village

Moscow ready to work with Kiev on memorandum on potential peace treaty — Putin

"Russia is ready and will continue to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a potential future peace treaty outlining a number of positions, such as settlement principles, the timeframe for signing a potential peace agreement, and so on, including a potential ceasefire for a certain period in case relevant agreements are reached," the Russian leader said

Useful conversation, memorandum with Ukraine: statements after talk between Putin, Trump

The telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Donald Trump lasted more than two hours

Effectiveness of Iran's air defenses increases 3 times — chief of General Staff

Mohammad Bagheri noted that any violation of Iran's airspace would result in significant losses for the enemy

EU to propose G7 to lower price cap on Russian oil to $50 per barrel — Reuters

Valdis Dombrovskis explained that he intends to put forward this proposal at a meeting of G7 finance ministers in Canada this week

Ukrainian attacks kill 17 Russian civilians, leave over 90 injured in past week — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik specified that the majority of casualties were recorded in the Belgorod and Kherson regions, and in the Lugansk and Donetsk people’s republics

Trump committed to making Greenland part of US — the White House

The US leader has repeatedly said that Greenland, an autonomous region within Denmark, should be made a part of the United States

Russia displays latest aircraft engines in India

Turboshaft VK-650V has received type certificate, which means it is ready for batch production

Starmer discusses Ukraine with Trump, Macron, Merz, Meloni

According to the news agency, ahead of Trump's conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 19, Western leaders "discussed the need for an unconditional ceasefire"

EU begins preparing 18th package of sanctions against Russia — Kallas

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy referred to some kind of classified European intelligence report which claims that sanctions against Russia are supposedly working

Russian agencies prepare framework for return of foreign companies — Deputy PM

Alexander Novak emphasized that it was still too early to speak about specific decisions

IMOEX2 index accelerates growth after Trump's statements about his talks with Putin

By 08:48 p.m. Moscow time, IMOEX2 increased by 1.48%

Russia to feature battle-tested military hardware at Malaysia arms show

According to the report, most weapons systems had undergone severe tests in real combat conditions and their upgrade taking this experience into account

Zelensky confirms settlement memorandum may be signed

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Aviation agency says many countries ready to resume air traffic with Russia

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Serbia to continue strategic cooperation with Russia despite EU pressure — lawmaker

According to Milovan Drecun, his country highly values the CSTO countries’ position and support on the Kosovo issue

Ukraine won’t pull troops from DPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions — Zelensky

"No ultimatums. If Russia sets down the condition of withdrawing our troops <...> it means they don't want a ceasefire," he said

Transport accessibility development required for PEM extraction in Arctic — minister

Alexey Chekunkov pointed to the responsible attitude to environmental risks

Putin says his conversation with Trump lasted more than 2 hours

"It was very substantive and very frank, and on the whole, in my opinion, in this regard, very useful," the Russian leader noted

Expert describes liberation of Maryino in Sumy Region as Russian army’s strategic success

Maryino is more than 10 kilometers away from the Russian border, and this is a serious bid by the Russian army to create a buffer zone

Expansion of exchanges between Russian, Chinese regions helps find new projects — Lavrov

"The Khabarovsk Region, with its rich experience of successful work with Chinese friends, holds leading positions in regional interaction," the Russian Foreign Minister noted

Aidar militants abandoning positions on border with Dnepropetrovsk Region

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Investigative Committee completes probes into 430 cases of Ukrainian soldiers, mercenaries

IC Chief Alexander Bastrykin disclosed that more than 3,300 mercenaries from over 70 countries have participated in the armed conflict on Ukraine’s side

Kiev lost 4,200 soldiers, mercenaries in one week near LPR — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the most significant damage to enemy manpower occurred within the zone of the West group’s responsibility

Trump says not tightening sanctions against Russia as hopes for peace in Ukraine

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Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day

The settlement of Maryino in the Sumy Region and the settlement of Novoolenovka in the DPR were liberated through decisive operations

Russia in Ukraine talks follows principles set forth by Putin in 2024 — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that Moscow has been acting based on these guidelines "in a systematic, principled and logical manner"

Trump says believes that Putin wants peace in Ukraine

US president's remarks were not heard during the live broadcast amid the loud orchestra music

US to pull out of peace process on Ukraine, if parties fail to agree — JD Vance

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Senior North Korean education official departs for Russia to attend rectors’ forum

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Russia discovers hundreds of civilians buried in mass graves in Lugansk People’s Republic

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Trump avoids direct answer on Ukraine’s commitment to peace

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Russia’s state arms seller to feature Project 22160 patrol ship at Malaysia maritime show

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Hungarian parliament passes in final voting bill on country’s withdrawal from ICC

Over two-thirds of lawmakers voted in favor of the bill

Russia’s Kornet anti-tank missile system can pierce any Ukrainian tank — Rostec

The Kornet "is not simply an anti-tank missile system but a multipurpose high-precision guided weapon," the tech corporation stressed

Europe forced to take on all support for Kiev following Putin-Trump call — newspaper

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Overnight Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip kill 43 Arabs

A total of 126 people were killed as a result of shelling in the Gaza Strip on Monday, the Al Jazeera TV channel noted

European leaders stunned by Trump’s reluctance to impose sanctions on Russia — media

According to The Financial Times, they added it was clear the US president was "not ready to put greater pressure"

Ukrainians commit tens of thousands of crimes in Kursk Region — tribunal chairman

Maxim Grigoryev said that "not only the Ukrainian military and special services took part in these crimes, which include looting, but also the civilian Ukrainian population"

'America first' policy guides Trump's approach to Gaza, Ukraine conflicts

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Iran receives proposal on holding next round of talks with US — senior diplomat

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that the proposal was being considered

Russia to prefer to achieve special operation’s goals by diplomatic methods — Kremlin

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Ukraine gets smaller every time Kiev disrupts talks — diplomat

Maria Zakharova recalled Sergey Lavrov's words that Ukraine would have kept a part of Donbass if the agreements reached at the April 2022 talks in Istanbul had been implemented

World in unusual situation when US against war and Europe all for it — top US diplomat

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Russian military expert dispels myth of German-made Leopard tank’s comfortable design

Sergey Suvorov pointed to some specifics of the crew’s location in Western-made tanks that can hamper their operation and complicate their exit from a damaged vehicle

Istanbul dialogue shows that Russia, Ukraine ‘on right track’ — Putin

Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky who led the Russian delegation at the Istanbul talks said earlier that the Russian side was satisfied with the negotiations’ outcome

First batch of 2,000 Gepard kamikaze drones arrives for Russian troops

The Gepard features a ‘blind’ takeoff capability to counter enemy electronic reconnaissance and make the crew safe at the launch site

PM Netanyahu brushes off threats from London, Ottawa, Paris

According to his statement, the Jewish state will not abandon its right to self-defense and aims to achieve "total victory" in the Palestinian enclave

A series of moderate earthquakes hit near New Zealand’s Kermadec Islands

No injuries or damage were reported, and authorities have not issued a tsunami warning

Japan hopes for breakthrough on Ukraine after Putin-Trump talk

Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reiterated that Tokyo "will continue to work closely with the international community"

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

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Iran says may consider nuclear consortium, but not to abandon uranium enrichment

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Senator sees Russia, US advancing toward peace in Ukraine, while Kiev, Europe push for war

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SJ-100 prototype equipped with Russia-produced engines starts certification flights

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Russia repaid lend-lease debts to US only under Putin — Kremlin spokesman

"A total of $11 billion was spent on lend-lease aid," Dmitry Peskov specified

Kiev carried out up to 300 daily attacks on Russia amid Istanbul talks — Moscow’s diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik pointed out that Kiev kept increasing the number of attacks on Russian civilians, using drones

Press review: Russia, Ukraine may hold new talks in Istanbul as EU eyes Baltic oil flows

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 19th

Poland to hold runoff presidential election

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Russia ready to build up oil supplies to China via Kazakhstan by 2.5 million tons — Novak

"This is a proposal from the Chinese side, and, accordingly, we are ready to ensure such supplies," the official stressed

Russian Northern Fleet ships hunt down enemy submarines in Barents Sea drills

The ships practiced missions in interaction with shipborne Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopters from the Northern Fleet’s combined aviation corps

European UGS facilities almost 45% filled with gas

The rates of LNG imports by Europe hit an all-time high level in April

China’s purchases of Russian pipeline gas up by 31.6% in January-April to $3.32 bln

The General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China reported that Russia continues to hold first place in this indicator

Russian paratroopers repel Ukrainian army’s attempts to land on left bank of Dnieper River

Expert Vitaly Kiselyov said that the Ukrainian military is aware that its forces are running out

US to pay nearly $5 mln to family of Ashley Babbitt shot dead during Capitol attack

The outlet reports that Babbitt's family filed a lawsuit in early 2024, demanding $30 million

Russian forces encircle Ukraine troops in Donetsk area’s Konstantinovka

Russian Forces are making serious advances to the southwest of Konstantinovka

Russia to demonstrate latest Su-57E fighter at Malaysia aerospace show

Rosoboronexport will also feature an Il-76MD-90A(E) plane capable of transporting 60 metric tons of cargo to a distance of 4,000 km

Over 8,000 people from 96 countries took part in KazanForum — Roscongress

Advisor to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov noted that the forum had cemented its reputation as an important international business event for economic cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world

Ex-Moldovan leader says foreign actors meddled in Romania’s presidential rerun

Igor Dodon said that Nicusor Dan secured victory because globalists banned his main rival Calin Georgescu from running

Useful conversation, memorandum with Ukraine: statements after talk between Putin, Trump

TASS has compiled the key statements made by the Russian president

Trump still considering secondary sanctions against Russia — White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that "everything is on the table"

Russia’s SME sector could drive non-commodity export growth — PM

According to Mikhail Mishustin, the government will allocate 1.5 bln rubles to further encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to expand into international markets

Putin-Trump talk indicates progress in Russia-Ukraine negotiations — expert

Mark Episkopos, the Eurasia Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said that "both Russia and Ukraine want the White House to remain engaged in the peace process."

Putin confirms to Trump Russia's focus on fair settlement in Ukraine — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister emphasized Moscow's firm position on this issue

Trump, Putin start phone talks — White House official

According to the official, Trump will speak by phone with Vladimir Zelensky afterward

Ethiopia to expand coffee exports to Russia — ambassador in Moscow

"Ethiopia is a place of coffee, and now the government is focused on commercial coffee cultivation, its large-scale production," Genet Teshome Jirru emphasized

German-made Leopard tanks inferior to Russian armor — Rostec

The state tech corporation said that Russian-made T-72B3M, T-80BVM and T-90M vehicles are the serial-produced tanks best adapted to modern warfare

Trump says certain red line exists on US efforts in Ukraine settlement

US president refused to say what that line is because "it makes the negotiation even more difficult than it is"

Moscow, Beijing discuss Chinese companies’ entry into oil and gas projects in Russia

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak explained that the negotiations take time