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Middle East conflict

Israel rejects idea of 5-year Gaza ceasefire in exchange for hostage release — report

According to the latest data from Israel, Hamas continues to hold 59 hostages in Gaza

TEL AVIV, April 28. /TASS/. Israel rejected a proposal for a five-year Gaza ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages, the state broadcaster Kan reported, citing a source in the Israeli political system.

According to the report, Hamas sources said on 27 April that the group’s delegation in Doha and Cairo had presented general outlines of a plan to end hostilities in Gaza, including the idea of a five-year ceasefire. According to the Hamas proposal, Israel would pull all its troops from Gaza within the timeframe. Also work to rebuild the strip would begin, and the siege of the enclave would be lifted. Kan reported that the Hamas delegation refused to discuss disarming the group.

In mid-January, Israel and Hamas agreed to release the hostages from Gaza and establish a ceasefire in the enclave, in a deal brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the US. The three-phase deal took effect on January 19, and its first phase wrapped up on March 1. As the phase one was underway, the sides were supposed to agree on phase two, but that didn’t happen.

On March 18, Israel resumed fighting in Gaza, putting an end to a ceasefire, which had been in place since January, with massive strikes on the enclave. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the move came after Hamas rejected the proposals that were put forward by mediators and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The office stated that Israel sought to secure the release of all hostages. Hamas blamed the US and Israel for the renewed hostilities.

According to the latest data from Israel, Hamas continues to hold 59 hostages in Gaza, including Maxim Harkin, a native of Donbass, whose close relatives are Russian nationals.

Sending troops to Ukraine would not be appropriate, Romanian president-elect says

Nicusor Dan also criticized US President Donald Trump’s approach to resolving the Ukraine conflict and his willingness to make compromises with Russian leader Vladimir Putin

Istanbul agreements must be executed before next steps taken in Ukraine peace process

Maria Zakharova said that it is important now to implement what was agreed upon in Istanbul on May 16

New world order to sprout from current global standoff — Medvedev

Medvedev noted that, despite all violent wars of the past, "people, by their nature, certainly always aspired for peace, and countries, regardless of their differences, learned to reach agreements with each other

New national project on space to unite groundbreaking areas of work — Russian PM

The space sector is a major field, which "is of crucial importance for ensuring gradual growth of national economy, strengthening of technological sovereignty," Mikhail Mishustin said

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

The Ukrainian military lost more than 1,290 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Crocus attack damage totals nearly 6 bln rubles — Russia’s Investigative Committee

Alexander Bastrykin noted that the case materials for the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall have grown to 500 volumes, and will soon be handed over to the prosecution

Russia sends note to UN head over West’s treatment of Russian journalists

Attached to the letter is a list of documented cases of various forms of ill treatment of Russian journalists abroad since 2022

New US missile shield to intercept nuclear weapons — Pentagon chief

"We will protect the homeland from cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, drones, whether they're conventional or nuclear," Pete Hegseth said

Russia’s Medvedev sees ‘long way to go’ before memorandum with Ukraine can be signed

"The most difficult task now is to fill this memorandum with the necessary content," the official noted

Zelensky confirms settlement memorandum may be signed

According to Zelensky, the US president indicated that the document would include broader plans for a settlement beyond just a ceasefire

USAID told Zelensky to unleash war with Russia over Donbass, former Ukrainian PM says

According to Nikolay Azarov, using the rhetoric on Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU was also among these compulsory instructions for Zelensky, although it was indicated that no such thing would happen

Rubio says US may tighten sanctions against Russia, increase aid to Kiev at some point

Commenting on the US Congress' potential consideration of a bill to tighten sanctions against the Russian Federation, the Secretary of State noted that the American administration "cannot control the Congress"

EU extends exemption from oil price cap for Sakhalin-2 project

The extension is granted for one year until 28 June 2026

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

Project Rassvet by Bureau 1440 to be Russia’s response to Starlink — Roscosmos

The Russia’s space corporation will create low orbiting broadband communications

Sino-Russian energy cooperation to expand irrespective of US — company

Li Shaoshi noted the longstanding "prospects for expansion of the Sino-Russian energy cooperation"

Russia’s Pacific Fleet regularly gets new warships, submarines — Navy commander

Admiral Alexander Moiseyev said that this year, the fleet’s military units have demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and combat readiness during various training events

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

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"

EU introduces restrictions against 189 tankers transporting Russian oil

The restrictions ban entry into EU ports for those vessels, as well as any transactions by European companies with them

EU hell-bent on derailing Ukraine peace process — Russian diplomat

"EU has a pathological aversion to acknowledging the progress being made toward a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," Maria Zakharova said

Durov says ready to testify about foreign meddling in Romanian presidential election

He also accused France of interfering in the voting

Israeli army ready to change its tactic in Gaza if hostage release agreement is reached

On May 18, Israel said that it was expanding operations in the southern and northern Gaza Strip as part of Operation Gideon’s Chariots involving five army divisions

Ukrainian neo-Nazi militants 'would come second even in contest of idiots' — Putin

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the enemy lost over 76,500 troops in fighting in the Kursk area

Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk Region was sheer waste of elite units — expert

Andrey Marochko emphasized that the fallen soldiers and foreign mercenaries, most of whom were provided with "the best" training and equipment, had been trained in Western countries under NATO instruction

Putin travels to Kursk Region on his first visit since bordering region was liberated

The region was liberated on April 26

Ukrainian lawmaker admits Russian strike on military training site

Alexey Goncharenko added that Ukraine’s top brass no longer spares the lives of servicemen, by holding military training next to the frontline and issuing late orders to retreat

Putin visits construction site of Kursk-2 Nuclear Power Plant in Kursk Region

The head of state also held a meeting with Alexander Khinshtein, acting Kursk Region governor, the Kremlin said

West hijacks UN to advance own interests — Medvedev

"Today, the UN secretary general is expected to show initiative in fulfilling mediating obligations and personal courage in the spirit of his predecessors," the Russian official noted

Trump says to take wait-and-see approach on sanctions following talks with Putin

Top diplomats of the European Union approved the 17th package of anti-Russian sanctions, blacklisting 17 individuals and 58 legal entities, on May 20

Kremlin discloses what else Putin-Trump talks covered, such as threats from Kiev, WWII

As Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov pointed out, the US leader acknowledged that the Russians made the most sacrifices during World War II

West’s actions pose direct threat to maritime security — Russian diplomat

Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya recalled Estonia and NATO aircraft’s recent attempt to detain the Gabon-flagged Jaguar ship in the neutral waters

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov arrives in Yerevan

The top Russian diplomat’s most recent visit to Yerevan was in June 2022

France bars Telegram co-founder Durov from traveling to US — Politico

The Paris prosecutor's office rendered its decision on May 12 "on the grounds that such a trip abroad did not appear imperative or justified," the newspaper wrote

Trump administration plans to strip 200,000 Ukrainians of refugee status — WP

Besides Ukrainians, the decision may affect 500,000 Haitians

NATO considers Putin-Trump conversation 'good sign' — chief

Mark Rutte added that "it is good and positive that the American president immediately followed up this phone call with the Ukrainian president and European leaders"

Trump says not concerned about reports of Russian military buildup near Finland, Norway

"Those two countries are going to be very safe", US president said

Russia considers Donbass, Novorossiya issue settled — Medvedev

The politician reiterated that globally, there are normally two models of recognizing the new subject entities of international law. In the first case, a declaration of independence of a certain territory is sufficient, while in the second case, the recognition of an independent state by other countries is also needed

Russia, US need to create legal frameworks for cooperation — Medvedev

According to the official, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump touched on this issue in their phone talks

Ukraine seeks to include 'political' prisoners in POW swap with Russia — news outlet

The report pointed out that Kiev's desire to expand the swap list may be due to the fact that, if the agreed "1,000 for 1,000" swap goes ahead, Ukraine could be left with few Russian prisoners in custody

IN BRIEF: Key statements by Bank of Russia’s Chief at Alfa-Summit

Elvira Nabiullina touched upon the demand for the digital ruble in cross-border payments and the capabilities of artificial intelligence in macroeconomic analysis

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

The fighter came from the neighboring settlement of Razdolnoye

Medvedev jokes about Macron's 'suspicious napkin' on train ride video

The Elysee Palace later clarified that the item was merely a handkerchief, not any illicit substance

At least 37 drones taken down over Central Russia’s Oryol Region

According to preliminary information, there were no casualties or damage

Space national project approved overall at strategic session in Russian government

The document includes two groundbreaking technological projects: ‘Space Atom’ and ‘Space Science’

Trump delays additional sanctions to maintain leverage on Russia, Ukraine — Rubio

In his words, Russia’s proposals on peaceful settlement of the conflict will show Moscow’s determination for ending the conflict

Russian air defenses take down 127 Ukrainian drones over various regions overnight

Air defenses intercepted and destroyed 41 fixed-wing Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the Bryansk Region

Israel prepares to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities — CNN

It was unclear to the sources whether the Israeli authorities have already made the final decision to attack

Pivotal moment for Kiev to make decisions — Russian MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed hope that Kiev’s "instinct to preserve what remains of its statehood" would prevail

Operations of airports in Central Russia’s Yaroslavl and Kostroma temporarily restricted

Also, temporary restrictions on arrivals and departures, imposed in Kaluga’s Grabtsevo Airport earlier tonight, remain in force

US plans to allocate around $175 billion for its Golden Dome missile shield — Trump

According to the US president, Canada was interested in joining the project

Putin-Trump phone call touches on MacArthur's wise words about renewed militarism

The two presidents highlighted the foresight of the general's warnings

IN BRIEF: What is known about 17th package of EU sanctions on Russia

The European Union blacklisted six companies from China, two firms from the UAE, as well as the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant

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

According to the report, the European leaders were taken aback by Washington’s unwillingness to impose new sanctions against Moscow

Azerbaijani-Russian trade turnover up almost 40% in January-April year-on-year

Russia ranked third among Azerbaijan's trade partners in the first four months of this year after Italy and Turkey, according to the report

Leader of Romanian nationalists urges to hear Durov before election results validated

According to the final election results, published by Romania’s election authority on Tuesday, Dan got 6,168,642 votes in the runoff, while Simion got 5,339,053

Russia will view ‘coalition of the willing’ in Ukraine as reoccurring threat — Medvedev

The politician mentioned that mandates to maintain peace and security are traditionally associated with the UN Security Council

Inflation expectations in Russia up to 13.4% in May from 13.1% in April

In April, expected inflation also went up slightly compared with its March level of 12.9%. In March, it fell sharply from 13.7% in February

Press review: Russia eyes Ukraine peace talks as right-wing forces rise in EU elections

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 20th

Israel recalls delegation to Doha talks on Gaza — Netanyahu’s office

The senior negotiation team will return to Israel for consultations

New US administration focuses on diplomatic means to resolve conflicts — Medvedev

Medvedev mused on the idea of whether international law was necessary for regulating relations between various peoples

Existence of Pacific fleet is vital for Russia’s defense in Far East — Navy commander

"At present, the Pacific Fleet is a powerful and balanced group of forces", - admiral Alexander Moiseyev said

Borrell calls for preventing consolidation of whole world against West

The EU diplomatic chief once again tried to portray Russia as an "imperialist" power that allegedly poses "an existential threat" to the EU, if the EU wishes to achieve victory in Ukraine

EU member states decide to lift economic sanctions on Syria — Kallas

"We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria," the EU top diplomat stated

INTERVIEW: Russian state arms exporter discusses joint projects with 20 countries

Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev said the discussions centered around "over 100 projects of technological cooperation on products for all types of troops with the potential worth over $30 billion"

Pope Leo XIV confirms readiness to host negotiations on Ukraine

The Pontiff held a phone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Lavrov to discuss bilateral, regional and integration topics in Yerevan

The Russian foreign minister is scheduled to meet with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Vahagn Khachaturyan

Trump says wants to discuss weapons in space with Putin later

In February, the US government, including President Joe Biden, leveled unsubstantiated accusations against Russia

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

For signing agreements with Ukraine its authorized officials are to be found — Medvedev

The Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council explained that the arrangements "will only be challenged if they are made by authorized persons"

Russian forces encircle Ukraine troops in Donetsk area’s Konstantinovka

Russian Forces are making serious advances to the southwest of Konstantinovka

US designs new missile shield with space-based interceptors — Trump

In his words, the United States will employ "technology that's even far advanced" than Israel’s Iron Dome

IN BRIEF: What is known about new British sanctions against Russia

The restrictions affect 82 individuals and legal entities

Golden Dome missile shield project to take about three years — Trump

Russia and China believe that the Golden Dome project spells complete refusal to recognize the link between strategic offensive and defensive weapons

In response to Zelensky’s call for sanctions, Trump says it’s for him to decide

US president also spoke highly of his latest phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and European leaders

Poland has no intention to send troops to Ukraine — PM

According to the Donald Tusk, Warsaw is not being pressured on this issue by its Western partners

Russian side proposed POW swap at Istanbul talks, diplomat clarifies

Maria Zakharova pointed to the fact that several other significant agreements were reached at the Istanbul talks

Zelensky opposes peace as talks could mean verdict to him — Russian lawmaker

"War until the last Ukrainian standing is a harsh phrase but this is what reflects Zelensky’s current approach," Leonid Slutsky pointed out

Zakharova dismisses Western claims talks on Ukraine cannot be held without ceasefire

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman reiterated the government’s position that Europe only wants a ceasefire in order to provide the Ukrainian army with a breather

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

Global community must provide clear assessment of NATO provocations in Baltic Sea

According Maria Zakharova, certain NATO countries are attempting to reconfigure the existing navigation order in the waters of the Black Sea based on international law "and not on their distorted ideas about geography"

Some 20,000 naturalized Russian citizens who dodged draft sent to special op — official

According to Alexander Bastrykin, the Russian Investigative Committee tracked down 80,000 Russian citizens who wouldn’t show up at military enlistment offices

EU Council approves 17th sanctions package, nearly 200 tankers added to the list — Kallas

The restrictions on these tankers mean a ban on entry into EU ports and on any transactions by European companies with these vessels

Kiev deploys maneuverable groups of mercenaries to Seversk area in Donetsk region — expert

Russian forces have noticed small groups of foreign soldiers at the engagement line north and east of Seversk moving in pickup trucks with mounted Western-made anti-aircraft machine guns and mortars

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

EU imposes restrictions against ten companies from China, UAE, Belarus, Israel

In total, the 17th package of anti-Russia sanctions included 17 individuals and 58 legal entities

Russia ready for talks with Ukraine without preliminary conditions — Medvedev

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council said that such talks would make it possible to reach peace

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

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

Conversation between Putin, Trump important with regard to Ukraine — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman pointed out that currently Ukraine is de facto externally controlled by the US and European countries

Medvedev says West sees that Global South rejects rule-based order

According to the politician, the West is pushing for strict adherence to the rule-based order, regardless of what other countries think

EU blacklists Stan machine-tool manufacturer, Unmanned Systems drone producer

Stan is a Russian machine-tool manufacturer that produces modern numerical control machines for high-tech industries, including aerospace and defense

Russian defense minister hears report on latest UAV models, tactics

Additionally, Andrey Belousov visited the command centers of the Battlegroup Center, where he received reports from brigade commanders regarding enemy activities and operational assessments

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

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

According to Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump is focused on stopping hostilities in different parts of the world and supports settling major armed conflicts as soon as possible

Almost 100 people killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza in past day — TV

The report says that around 300 people were wounded in the past 24 hours

Belgium ready to send troops to Ukraine as soon as there is truce — top defense official

Theo Francken said that Russian forces must withdraw from Ukrainian territory immediately following a ceasefire

Ukraine wants to keep US in negotiating process with Russia — media

According to the report, Ukraine hopes to elaborate "joint positions" with its European allies

Putin challenges West to try to intercept Oreshnik missile in Kiev

"Let them choose a target, say, in Kiev, and amass their air and missile defense systems there, while we will launch an Oreshnik missile at the target," the Russian leader said

Share of non-residents in Russia’s sovereign Eurobonds down to 28% in Q1 — Central Bank

The total volume of Russia’s Eurobonds owned by non-residents at nominal value went up to $9.102 bln

Push to isolate nations could lead to new world war — Medvedev

The politician said that the international legal order was most stable at the stages "when it was built with active participation of all states," including Russia

US against including 'further support' for Kiev in G7 Finance Ministers’ statement — media

According to sources, the United States is also opposed to describing Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine as "illegal"