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SCO pursues expansion, has candidates for full membership — deputy secretary general

The member states have not yet rendered the final decision on who to grant membership to and in what format, Sohail Khan noted

MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. The issue of broadening the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is under vigorous discussion and there are candidates for full membership in the association, SCO Deputy Secretary General Sohail Khan told TASS.

"Naturally, the issue of expansion is actively discussed as a part of today's agenda. The member states have not yet rendered the final decision on who to grant membership to and in what format. There are several candidates for full membership and for dialogue partnership. We have two categories," he said.

"We have decided not to make any dialogue partner observer for now, because we have the thought of putting everyone in one category that will be called 'partners,'" the SCO deputy secretary general pointed out.

Trump to get nowhere with Greenland through pressure — Danish foreign minister

"We are living in 2026, you can trade with people, but you don't trade people," Lars Loekke Rasmussen said

About 60 countries invited to join Gaza Board of Peace — WSJ

According to the report, the majority of those invited responded in a "cautious" manner due to potential geopolitical risks

Russia’s Su-25SM3 jets being used in Ukraine invulnerable to foreign man-portable systems

According to the sources, they are equipped with the Vitebsk-25 electronic warfare system, providing reliable protection from the enemy’s MANPADS missile strikes

Macron to opt out of Trump’s Board of Peace over UN fears — Bloomberg

According to the report, the French leader believes that the new organization’s charter goes beyond the Gaza Strip issue

Many merchant ships refuse to call at Odessa seaports — Ukrainian grain association

According to the UGA, the situation has deteriorated notably in recent days

Hungarian Foreign Ministry will support MOL in buying NIS shares from Gazprom

The integrated, coordinated work of the Slovak, Hungarian, and Serbian oil markets could provide Central Europe with an unprecedented level of energy security, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto noted

EU may influence Trump on Greenland by threatening to remove US bases — The Economist

According to the magazine, it will be extremely difficult for Washington to project its military power into Africa and the Middle East without access to European military bases

Putin’s Direct Line demonstrated that 2025 was successful for Russia — Focus

According to Focus, Russia, despite a tough sanctions regime, successfully exports its products and secures its defense budget

Ukrainian army suffering heavy losses at Orekhov in Zaporozhye Region — governor

According to Yevgeny Balitsky, the Russian Armed Forces continue offensive in the area of four settlements in the Zaporozhye Region

Madagascar seeks to join BRICS as partner country — president

MOL signs binding agreement with Gazprom Neft to acquire 56.15% in Serbian NIS

The parties expect to close the deal by March 31

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 400 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Putin takes traditional icy plunge to mark Orthodox Epiphany — Kremlin

"Epiphany is a great holiday for the President, as for all Orthodox believers who work in the Kremlin," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Russian space agency drafting federal program for creating super-heavy carrier rocket

The creation of the super-heavy carrier rocket and the construction of the corresponding infrastructure will cost $24 billion

Russia, Belarus cannot be divided, in terms of defense they are one whole — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader said that Minsk and Moscow are ready to defend their interests

Israel to give ‘unprecedented’ response if attacked — military

"The lessons of Operation ‘Rising Lion’ have been implemented", Chief of the General Staff of the IDF Eyal Zamir said

London’s threats to stop Russian ships amount to return to piracy — ambassador

Andrey Kelin noted that Western countries have long relied on double standards in attempts to "spite Russia," but their disregard of international law has now reached "unprecedented levels"

Russian troops liberate Novaya Poltavka community in Donetsk region over past day

Russian forces struck a Ukrainian aircraft repair workshop, a military airfield and deployment sites of Ukraine’s armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 138 areas over the past day, the ministry reported

FACTBOX: What is known about undercover British intelligence officer exposed in Moscow

Russia’s Federal Security Service stated that the British intelligence officer working undercover at the embassy is being expelled from the country

US triumph in Venezuela could turn into disaster — Russian senator

Alexey Pushkov opined that by attacking Venezuela and capturing its president, the US violated all norms, "once again stirring up the whole world, returning it to the savage imperialism of the 19th century"

Press review: Trump pressures Denmark as US business signals Arctic ties with Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, January 16th

Russian forces are 30 km from Slavyansk — DPR head

According to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, fierce fighting continues near the settlements of Grishino and Beletskoye

Trump says he feels no obligation to focus on peace efforts after Nobel Prize failure

The US president added that he had "done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States"

Gazprom, Hungary's MOL agree on terms of NIS deal — Serbian Energy Ministry

According to Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic-Handanovic, partners from the United Arab Emirates are expected to participate in the deal

FACTBOX: Moscow Zoo

The territory of the zoo is about 22 hectares, being the fifth largest zoo in Russia

US needs Greenland for effective use of Golden Dome missile defense system — Trump

The US leader noted that "highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it"

Denmark fails to eliminate 'Russian threat' to Greenland, Trump claims

According to the US president, now it is time, and it will be done

Russia stands ready to restore relations with all European countries — Putin

Russia has always been committed to such diplomatic approaches, the Russian leader said

Trump plans to sign Board of Peace charter in Davos — Bloomberg

In line with the charter, Donald Trump will become the institution’s first chairman, and will personally decide on inviting new members

No one will help Ukraine after conflict except Russia, Belarus — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader urged Ukrainians to recognize that the issue is not merely about territorial gains

Putin discusses Russia’s role in multipolar world with Russian Security Council members

A report was delivered by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Europe should fear US, while fear of Russia is unjustified — political scientist

Jeffrey Sachs recommended that Europe make its own security arrangements

Gazprom records second intensive gas withdrawal from Ukrainian USG this week

According to Gas Infrastructure Europe, as of January 17, Ukrainian UGS facilities were 22.32% full

Turkey to support Syria’s counter-terrorism effort, help protect its unity — Erdogan

The Turkish leader noted that the Syrian military’s operation against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) coalition "is deserving of respect"

Russia offers safe haven for people trying to escape Western liberal ideals

Under the document, such foreign nationals will have the right to apply for temporary residence in Russia "outside the quota approved by the Russian government and without providing documents confirming their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history and basic laws"

US push for peace in Ukraine aimed at 'resetting' relations with Russia — Politico

The expert believes that if Russia decides that negotiations on Ukraine are no longer possible, "the fighting will continue — no matter what"

World trade to gain 2.6% in 2026, IMF says

According to the World Economic Outlook, the dynamics reflect patterns of front-loading and trade flow adjustments to new policies

Turkey rejects reports about release of Islamic State militants in Syria

It also urged to "ignore similar unfounded claims" in the future

Russia may upgrade advanced Su-57 aircraft to 6th-generation fighter jet

Russia’s cutting-edge Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation aircraft has the upgrade potential to become a sixth-generation fighter jet

Death toll from train crash in Spain up to 41 — media

It is not yet known what caused the accident

Medvedev says opening round win at 2026 Australian Open 'was not easy'

In the next round, the Russian will play another unseeded player, Frenchman Quentin Halys

Most Russians are not aware of green economy issues, poll reveals

According to the poll results, only 8% of respondents are well versed in this topic

Kalashnikov fulfils 2025 state defense order — CEO

Alan Lushnikov said that this was the most important result of last year

Severe geomagnetic storms strikes Earth

The sun exploded with a powerful X1.9 flare on the evening of January 18, launching a huge blob of solar material, known as a coronal mass ejection, towards the Earth

Russia demonstrates night vision goggles that outshine US analogues

The helmet-mounted goggles of the GEO-ONV1 type are currently used by the crews of Mi and Ka helicopters

Russian troops liberate Novopavlovka, move closer to Druzhkovka

According to Igor Kimakovsky, an adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, it creates a number of tactical advantages

Israel decides not to open Rafah checkpoint on Gaza-Egypt border — media

Commenting on this decision, a high-ranking Israeli official told Ynet that the initial deal between Israel and the United States did not mention that Turkish and Qatari representatives would be included on the Board of Peace that is designed to administer the enclave

Train crash in Spain claims 40 lives — media

According the ABC newspaper, 31 people are still missing

Russia, Belarus to clean Druzhba pipeline without assistance from Poland

The spokesman for Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak said that Russian oil supplies will resume "no later than mid-June"

Construction of first reactor of Akkuyu plant almost completed

Akkuyu is the first nuclear power plant in Turkey

Share of new Chinese cars on Russian market to fall below 40% in Q1 2026 — experts

In 2025, sales of Chinese brands decreased by 26% to 672,400 units, with their share having fallen from 58% to 51%

Trump intends to build his own system of international relations — Belarusian MP

"Belarus has always been faithful to the principles of such diplomacy", Vadim Gigin said

Denmark chooses to skip World Economic Forum in Davos

The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting will be held on January 19-23

Putin receives US invitation to join Board of Peace on Gaza — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is currently studying all the details of this proposal

Russia’s newest Supercam S180 drone to be unveiled at Abu Dhabi UMEX 2026 expo

The Unmanned Systems Group also noted that the developer will put on display its flagship UAV, the Supercam S350, which has proven itself in both civilian and military applications

Billionaire Carlos Slim agrees to acquire Lukoil's Mexico assets

The deal is valued at $270 million, and Grupo Carso will also repay $330 million in debt

Colombian mercenary advises against joining Ukrainian army

According to Russia’s security agencies, at least 750 Colombian mercenaries fighting for Ukraine have been killed since the start of the special military operation

Kallas calls on US not to be distracted by Greenland from Ukrainian crisis

According to European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, China and Russia are the ones who benefit from Donald Trump’s announcement on introduction of duties on imports of goods from eight European countries

Italian organization members face prosecution for recruiting Europeans into Kiev’s army

According to the official statement, the investigation targets representatives of Associazione Stur, which operates both in Italy and Ukraine

Iconic fashion designer Valentino dies at age of 93 — media

Valentino Garavani was known for dressing celebs for more than 50 years

Netanyahu rules out Turkish, Qatari military presence in Gaza

In this regard, Netanyahu tasked his Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to discuss the matter with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Merz calls Russia 'European country,' hopes to achieve balance in relations

The Chancellor said his comment was not because he was in the east of Germany

Belarus invited to join Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza

According to Belarusian foreign ministry spokesman Ruslan Varankov, the president responded positively to the invitation

Two Russian Tu-22M3 bombers conduct air patrol over Belarus in joint military drills

At some sections of the route, the long-range bombers were escorted by Su-35 fighters of Russia’s Aerospace Force

EU, UK hold ‘no cards’ on Greenland — Russian presidential envoy

Donald Trump announced earlier that Washington would begin to impose import tariffs of 10% on the UK, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, France, and Sweden, which will remain in place until the parties reach agreement on the full transfer of Greenland to the US

US dollar share in global reserves drop to its lowest in twenty years

The analysts noted that gold now accounts for more global FX reserves than Euro, Yen and Pound combined

No immediate plans for Putin’s call with Venezuela’s authorized president — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that Russia maintains constant contact with Delcy Rodriguez via diplomatic channels

Trump's Greenland grab offers EU path to ally with Russia — entrepreneur

According to Kim Dotcom, in this case US President Donald Trump would become a pariah and the US plan "to profit from the fall of the EU" would fail

Venezuela to strengthen oil and gas industry, authorized president says

"This stage requires unity and greatness from us as a nation," Delcy Rodriguez said

Western Europe prepares for war with Russia — Orban

In confirmation of this, the Hungarian prime minister said that recent meetings of the EU leaders "have turned into military councils" where the issue of "how to defeat Russia" is discussed

Trump’s plans on Greenland may deal irreparable damage to US-Europe ties — WP

According to the article, US president's "bid to buy or seize Greenland" and "to unleash a trade war" with Europe has "sparked the greatest transatlantic crisis in generations"

Moldova to quit CIS after denouncing its key agreements — top diplomat

According to Mihai Popsoi, the government will complete the denunciation process by mid-February

Russian forces push Ukrainian army away from Dnieper river shore near Kherson — commander

The Ukrainian army is trying to hold its positions at the edge of the right bank of the Dnieper River and is secretly shelling the left bank of the Kherson Region while avoiding any active armed clashes

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

According to him, "the whole illusion has shattered in the past four days"

Denmark sending large contingent of troops to western Greenland — TV

Chief of the Danish Army Command Peter H. Boysen is also expected to arrive in Greenland

Sberbank announces stopping all foreign currency transfers abroad

Transfers made from April 6 will be returned to the client's account in full

Belarusian GDP up 1.3% as of 2025 year-end

According to the National Statistics Committee, the GDP deflator index in 2025 stood at 111% against the last year

Russian businessman says it would be cheaper for EU to pay Russia for Greenland's security

Oleg Deripaska urged European nations to reconsider their options for allocating funds, proposing that a resolution to the Ukraine conflict could be achieved at a fraction of the cost - around 150 billion euros

Germany might raise rent for US military bases over tariffs — newspaper

According to the newspaper’s sources in Berlin, Germany is not considering the closure of US military bases on its territory

Europe withdraws over 36 bcm of gas from storage facilities since start of heating season

The total rate of withdrawal from storage facilities since the beginning of the month has lost record pace and is currently the third-highest for January

'Black holes' of the Russian Navy

For the first time TASS publishes photos of Project 636.3 Varshavyanka submarines taken from a quadrocopter during sea trials in the Baltic Sea

Ukraine, US agree to continue talks in Davos — Umerov

However, Ukrainian Security and Defense Council Secretary said nothing about a potential meeting between Vladimir Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in Davos on January 19-23

Russia may resume electricity exports to China at Beijing’s request — Energy Ministry

According to the statement, a key priority for Russia remains the accelerated provision of electricity to the dynamically developing economy of the Far East

Ukraine loses around 1,210 troops across all directions of special military operation

Russian forces also carried out strikes on facilities assembling unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as on energy and transport sites operating in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

American says ‘Chosen Company’ mercenaries executed Russian POWs

Benjamin Reed said that the war crimes of Chosen Company were recorded by military medic Caspar Grosse, among others

Ukraine loses 20 troops in Russian Grad strike near Konstantinovka

Russia’s Battlegroup South also destroyed three vehicles

Europe turns to Russia talks after realizing it’s being sidelined — Medvedchuk

Medvedchuk stressed that the principle behind the Ukrainian conflict is not a secret to anyone

Kremlin agrees that Trump will go down in history if he annexes Greenland

According to Dmitry Peskov, by resolving the issue of Greenland's accession, the US leader will go down not only in US history, but in world history as well

Time in special military operation works in Russia’s favor — Medvedchuk

Ex-leader of the banned Opposition Platform - for Life party noted that "there are ongoing contacts with the US, and Europe is already looking for ways to resume engagement with Russia"

Press review: Europe, US on brink of trade war as Russia ready to respond to UK plans

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

Dmitriev calls on EU 'not to provoke Daddy,' recall soldiers from Greenland

Russia’s president special Representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries said that the EU should return the soldiers sent to Greenland

Trump seeks to maintain warm relations with Putin — FT

According to the report, the US leader's invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the Gaza Board of Peace illustrates that

Tariffs on cooperation with Iran to cause turmoil in US itself — Chinese expert

Zhu Yongbiao said that Washington’s tariff measures could further exacerbate Iran's economic crisis

Russia's northwestern ports to add 15.5 mln tons of capacity in 2026 — minister

This growth is expected to be driven by the opening of EuroChem's fertilizer transshipment terminal in Ust-Luga, Novotrans’ Ust-Luga terminal, and the Vysotsky grain terminal

Kiev, Odessa, Kharkov hardest-hit by power supply outages in Ukraine

Reports of emergency power outages have been coming from Kiev and several Ukrainian regions since morning

Russian aerospace forces hit three terrorists’ underground facilities in Syria’s Idlib

According to Vadim Kulit, during the day, three shelling attacks on the positions of government forces from the positions of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group and Turkistan Islamic Party (both outlawed in Russia) were reported in the Idlib and Aleppo governorates in the Idlib de-escalation zone

Newest AK-12 assault rifle developed based on combat experience analysis — Kalashnikov CEO

Alan Lushnikov added that the modernization had been preceded by extensive work

FACTBOX: What we know about Gaza Board of Peace

As of now, invitations have reportedly been received by heads of state and government of nearly 60 countries

Russia to do everything to safeguard Kaliningrad amid EU statements — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stessed that Kaliningrad is an integral part of Russia

US must immediately release Maduro, return him to Venezuela — Vice President

Delcy Rodriguez said that in a speech broadcast on the Telesur television channel

Putin to hold international contacts during upcoming week

A meeting with members of the government is also scheduled