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Middle East conflict

Israeli National Security Council chief says in direct talks with Syria — paper

Tzachi Hanegbi said that Syria, along with Lebanon, are "candidates for normalization of relations" with Israel under of the so-called Abraham Agreements

TEL AVIV, June 24. /TASS/. Head of the National Security Council (NSC) of Israel Tzachi Hanegbi admitted that he personally participates in direct negotiations with Syria, the Israel Hayom newspaper reported.

According to its information, Hanegbi made this statement on June 22 at a closed meeting of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense. He also said that Syria, along with Lebanon, are "candidates for normalization of relations" with Israel under of the so-called Abraham Agreements, the newspaper notes.

"There is direct daily dialogue at all levels between Israel and the regime in Syria. I am conducting it there with [Syrian] officials," the newspaper quoted Hanegbi as saying. According to the head of the National Security Service, "Israel and Syria have a lot in common."

According to Israel Hayom, one of the deputies asked Hanegbi whether Israel would be ready to withdraw troops from the buffer zone in the Golan if relations with Damascus began to improve. "If normalization occurs, we will consider this possibility," he replied.

Trump shifting blame for Ukraine's defeat to Europe — Russian scholar

Andrey Sushentsov noted that the US president has realized that the depth of the crisis is more significant than he expected

Russia must respond to West’s treachery and even act preemptively — Medvedev

According to the Russian security council deputy chairman, Russia has learned the lessons of Potsdam and no longer has any illusions about relations with the West

Press review: Trump’s military plans in focus as Russian experts dismiss tariff threat

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 16th

Prospects for resuming Russia-Europe dialogue exist — top Russian security official

Sergey Shoigu pointed to the growing number of Europeans who doubt Brussels’s strategy of uncompromising confrontation with Russia

Kremlin reviewing Trump’s remarks, Putin will respond if he chooses

On July 14, the US president said that he was "disappointed" with Russia and its president personally

NATO strike on Transnistria would derail talks, lawmaker warns

Andrey Safonov cited media reports about the deployment of military advisers from Romania and France to Moldova

Hague Group bans transfer of weapons to Israel

The countries agreed to "commence an urgent review of all public contracts, in order to prevent public institutions and public funds, where applicable, from supporting Israel’s illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territory"

Russia’s concerns over Europe’s aggressive stance fully justified — Kremlin

As Dmitry Peskov noted, the environment coming from the European direction is very hostile, confrontational and militaristic

Three minors injured in Voronezh after drone fragments hit residential house

According to governor Alexander Gusev, two teenage boys, born in 2009 and 2013, were taken to hospitals

Over 350 dead in clashes in Syria’s Suwayda province — TV

Among the dead are 55 civilians and 79 self-defense fighters

Russia gradually restoring relations with IOC — Putin

The Russian president noted that Moscow still has a lot of problems with the Olympic Committee

Kiev prepping provocation with ammonia detonation in Donetsk region — Russia’s top brass

"The intention is to subsequently accuse our country of deliberately creating a man-made disaster and inflict reputational damage on our country," Alexey Rtishchev specified

Russia, Ukraine hold direct talks, but through US mediation — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov made the remark in response to a question about the importance of Ukraine’s sovereignty for a comprehensive and final settlement

Russia repatriates bodies of 1,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers — presidential aide

In return, Russia received the remains of 19 of Russian fallen fighters

China unlikely to abandon Russian oil over Trump tariffs — experts

Director of Research at the Institute for Energy and Finance Alexey Belogoryev likewise does not expect any immediate impact on the market from the potential tariffs

Slovakia, Malta block anti-Russian sanctions package — Reuters

Slovakia is going to block sanctions until its concerns are eliminated concerning the carve-out for it from the plan of the European Commission to fully ban Russian gas purchases since 2027

Trump says Ukraine shouldn’t strike Moscow

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier that the US president did not encourage Vladimir Zelensky to carry out further strikes deeper inside Russia

Le Pen says will run in parliamentary elections, despite court ban

Early elections to the National Assembly, or the lower house of parliament, will be called if President Emmanuel Macron exercises his constitutional right to dissolve the lower house

Ukrainians post military recruitment center addresses on social media — source

The source added that "such publication demonstrate real attitudes in Ukraine toward mobilization and the ongoing conflict"

Syria’s interim government pulls fighters from southern town of Sweida — report

According to the source, Israeli attacks are slowing the pullout

Syrian Health Ministry says ‘dozens of bodies’ discovered at hospital in Suwayda

Syrian Health Minister Musaab al-Ali told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that a convoy of 15 ambulances was unable to enter the province of Suwayda, impeded by Israeli aircraft

Internet outages in Russian regions warranted by security concerns — Kremlin

Earlier, mobile internet restrictions were introduced in several Russian regions, including Udmurtia, Nizhny Novgorod, and Saratov, due to risks posed by Ukrainian drone attacks

Russia’s UN envoy slams Israeli strikes on Syria as unacceptable

On Tuesday, the Israeli military said it struck the Syrian General Staff compound in Damascus

EU’s restriction on Russian fertilizers having zero sense, Putin says

"This will ultimately have implications for food prices," the Russian leader noted

Bahrain does not intend to send missiles for Patriot complexes to Ukraine — crown prince

Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said that Bahrain has an operational requirement inside the Kingdom to keep the missiles there for the present time

Ukraine turns into 'toxic' secondary issue for NATO, top Russian security official says

Sergey Shoigu specified that since 2022, NATO members had allocated over $234 bln in aid to the Zelensky regime, with the US providing more than half of that money

Russia to treat 'coalition of the willing' forces in Ukraine as military target — MFA

"The Russian side has repeatedly stated that a deployment of armed forces of other countries in Ukraine under any pretense would be absolutely unacceptable and it would regard this as preparations for foreign military intervention," Maria Zakharova stated

Russian lawmaker reminds US general of nuclear doctrine

"An attack on the Kaliningrad Region will mean an attack on Russia, with all due retaliatory measures, stipulated, among other things, by its nuclear doctrine," Leonid Slutsky said

Battlegroup East eliminates 18 Ukrainian drone control centers

Russian forces also destroyed a Ukrainian field artillery system

Russian artillery launches over 100 attacks on Ukrainians near Kremennaya in past day

The bulk of attacks were delivered on positions of Ukrainian armed formations in the Serebryanka forestry and an area north of Grigorovka

Medvedev calls Western actions against Russia a full-out war

"To Western elites, an independent and strong Russia has always seemed a historical anomaly and a very effective rebuff to the idea of their `civilizational superiority’", the politician maintained

Orban says 'what Ukraine is' must be defined before any EU membership talks

"Once peace and clarity are restored, we can establish lasting agreements with Russia and lay the groundwork for a strategic partnership with Ukraine that would safeguard our sovereignty and secure Europe’s future," the Hungarian PM said

NATO remains a key threat to Russia’s security — Shoigu

The Russian Security Council secretary drew attention to the fact that "according to official data alone, the size of the alliance’s military personnel equals over 4 million troops and the bloc has over 50,000 tanks and armored fighting vehicles"

Russia discovers Ukrainian weapons cache containing chemical-laced IEDs

A cache with drone equipment was found by the Federal Security Service near the village of Ilyinka in the Donetsk People’s Republic in May 2025

Ukrainian lawmakers vote to allow people over 60 years old to serve

The bill enables those who have turned 60 but "are still willing and physically fit to remain in the army" to sign up for military service

Russian ballistic missiles evade Ukrainian radars, hinder Patriots — paper

According to the report, Europe plans to supply Ukraine with its Samp/T air defense systems, which could rival the US-made Patriots

Russian forces capture foreign mercenaries in DPR, scout says

According to the scout with the callsign Husky, the foreigners were stationed in a building that Russian forces seized in about five minutes

Paris, allies discuss sending troops to Ukraine, French politician says

When speaking about how French citizens would react to such a decision, Bruno Fuchs noted that French President Emmanuel Macron didn't need to worry about what the voting public thinks

Third round of Russia-Ukraine talks expected to go ahead — TASS source

The date will be determined later, the source said

Air defenses down four Ukrainian drones over three Russian regions in a half hour

The Ukrainian UAVs were intercepted over the Tula, Kaluga and Bryansk regions

Trump says Epstein files all big 'hoax' thought up by Dems

Donald Trump and his team members repeatedly vowed to declassify the Epstein files during last year’s election campaign

Russia says drone operators from Rubicon Center struck enemy locomotives in Donetsk area

According to preliminary intelligence data, the locomotives were used on a regular basis by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to transport various military cargoes

EU fails to agree on anti-Russian sanctions again — Kallas

The discussion at the level of ambassadors will "continue tomorrow," Vice President of the European Commission noted

Houthis carry out missile strike on Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport — spokesman

According to Yahya Saria, the rebels also launched four drones at Israel, with two of them targeting a military facility in the Negev Desert

Israel’s goal in Syria limited to maintaining status quo in southern Syria — minister

Saar mentioned that violence in Syria previously targeted the Kurds, Christians, Alawites and Druze.

Russia compelled to act in response to Kiev’s behavior — Kremlin on Internet outages

Dmitry Peskov stressed that these restrictions are justified, because they are related to security

EU pushback on US arms purchases could signal NATO rift — expert

Alexander Stepanov said that there is now fierce competition for pan-European defense budgets, in which Paris is trying to maintain its partially independent position, taking into account the real capabilities of its own military-industrial complex

Russia is developing advanced hypersonic weapons — ministry

Russia expects a serious breakthrough in the field of laser and electromagnetic weapons, the Russian Defense Ministry says

Russia, Ukraine to discuss draft memoranda at third round — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov mentioned this in response to a question about how important the sovereignty of Ukraine's actions is for a full and final settlement

Syrian Druze ask Kurds for humanitarian corridors, Kurdish commander says

The SDF commander is confident that "the Druze issue can only be resolved through diplomatic and political means"

Medvedev says dictatorship in Ukraine growing increasingly visible

"Electoral procedures have been canceled under the pretext of war, opposition activists have been persecuted or jailed, and freedom of speech has been annihilated," the Russian security council deputy chairman said

Armenian PM confirms Yerevan received US proposal on managing transport corridor with Baku

Nikol Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of the Russian side managing the transport corridor

Liberation of Novokhatskoye paves way for further Russian advance

According to the report, the Russian Defense Ministry Service members of 36th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of Battlegroup East carried out a successful offensive operation

Russia to consider construction of access roads to borders with China, North Korea — Putin

"This will significantly increase our transit capabilities," the Russian leader stressed

Woman dies in drone attack on residential house in Belgorod Region

According to the region’s governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the house caught on fire after the detonation of the device

Ukraine pulling best infantry, drone units to Krasnoarmeisk — expert

According to Igor KImakovsky, units of Russia’s Battlegroup Center are pushing Ukrainian troops west of the city near the village of Udachnoye

Russia’s Medvedev responds to Trump by saying 'one really bad thing' would be WWIII

Donald Trump said earlier on Tuesday that if it weren’t for him "really bad things would have already happened to Russia"

Putin opens M-12 East highway section

The highway crosses territories of Bashkortostan, the Perm Region, and the Sverdlovsk Region

Israel attacks military targets in northwestern Syria — TV

No further details were provided

Russian troops about to encircle Kupyansk, Kiev forces in dire situation — official

Vitaly Ganchev added that the mood of Ukrainian armed formations and mobilized soldiers is low

Russian diplomat calls on Israel to stop violence, lift blockade of Gaza Strip

Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya stressed that force methods of resolving the problem of hostages held in Gaza have proved to be ineffective

Russian troops liberate Novokhatskoye community in Donetsk region over past day

The Ukrainian army lost more than 1,255 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Remnants of sanity in Europe, nuclear doctrine provisions: new comments from Kremlin

All provisions of Russia's nuclear doctrine, including the responsibility of nuclear powers to "encourage" non-nuclear states, remain unchanged

Medvedev calls claims of potential ‘Russian attack on Europe’ utter nonsense

According to the security official, this kind of drivel is deliberately injected into the information space to destabilize an already difficult situation

Shoigu sees Council of Europe’s anti-Russian tribunal as legally void

The Russian Security Council secretary said the Council of Europe is not authorized to establish criminal tribunals and define acts of aggression

Press review: Trump lashes out at Moscow as Zelensky reshuffles cabinet and extends law

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 15th

Israeli attacks on Syria violate international law, warrant condemnation — Russian MFA

Moscow reaffirmed "its consistent position in favor of the need to respect the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria," the statement concluded

Russia seeks clarity on Trump’s 50-day Ukraine deadline — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat pointed to earlier deadlines of 24 hours and of 100 days

Zelensky says 'ready for action' if Kiev gets longer-range weapons

Vladimir Zelensky also downplayed the possibility of Kiev using this force, saying that Russia should know "about its existence"

Russia interested in developing ties with Armenia in all areas — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Moscow and Yerevan are still united by very close bilateral relations

Hungary opposes allocating €100 billion from EU budget to Ukraine — Orban

According to the Hungarian PM, the European Commission’s budget initiative "surprised everyone" in the EU

Russia must respond to West’s treachery and even act preemptively — Medvedev

According to the Russian official, "the Potsdam Conference taught us that relations with the West should not be based on illusions"

Hungary demands that EU sanction three Ukrainian military officials — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto did not disclose the names or positions of those people but stressed that "those guilty should be punished"

Putin congratulates Nicaraguan co-presidents on Sandinista Revolution anniversary

Nicaragua is Russia’s reliable ally in Latin America, the Russian leader noted

Colombian president calls for refusing from global partnership with NATO

According to Gustavo Petro, his country should join "another military alliance" because it cannot side "with the armies that are dropping bombs on children"

EU's economic suicide continues — RDIF CEO Dmitriev

The European Commission has included a 100 billion euro expenditure item to support Ukraine in the conflict with Russia in the draft

Armenian PM says country more likely to exit CSTO than restore membership

Earlier, Nikol Pashinyan said that Yerevan had frozen participation in the work of the CSTO, as it allegedly created threats to the sovereignty of the republic

West seeking to shatter CIS to create problems on Russian borders — Russian MP

According to Viktor Volodatsky, the West continues spending billions to destabilize the CIS countries, as they did in Ukraine

14 Ukrainian drones shot down, jammed in Smolensk Region

According to the region's governor Vasily Anokhin, one civilian was hurt

Russia and Nigeria discuss energy sector cooperation

Special attention was given to cooperation within the frameworks of OPEC+ and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum

Former Austrian minister doesn’t expect quick de-escalation between Israel, Syria

According to Karin Kneissl, "The Damascus based army bombed by Israel today is only one among 60 armed groups scattered across Syria"

FACTBOX: What is known about Ukraine’s overnight drone strike on Russian regions

According to the latest reports, in Voronezh, a drone attack left four people injured

Russia does not care about Trump’s 'theatrical ultimatum,' says Medvedev

This is Moscow’s first official reaction to the statements Trump made yesterday

EC tells Georgia to reverse controversial laws or risk losing visa-free regime with EU

"The Commission will assess the implementation of the recommendations in the context of the next report on the visa suspension mechanism," Beate Gminder, head of the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, said in a letter

Syria demands UN force Israel to withdraw troops from its soil

The letter points out that "Syria reaffirms its legitimate right to maintain its unity and territorial integrity and does not accept attempts to interfere in its internal affairs."

Zelensky's staff decisions provide way out for corrupt officials — Rada lawmaker

Artyom Dmitruk cited the example of Rustem Umerov, who, after resigning as defense minister, is reportedly being considered for the post of ambassador to the United States

Critical infrastructure sites damaged in two regions in Ukraine’s north

Objects were damaged in the settlements of Khotiyevka and Glukhov

US appeals to Israel to stop attacks on Syria — Axios

Earlier, Israel launched several airstrikes on Damascus

India’s Prime Minister asked to increase Russian fertilizer supplies — Putin

Head of the Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers Andrey Guryev said the request of the Indian leadership was fully performed

Russian troops liberate three communities in Ukraine operation over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 160 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

EU plans to militarize itself at Russia's expense — top security official

"The intention to militarize the European space is obvious," Sergey Shoigu said

Kiev cannot manufacture intermediate, shorter-range missiles — Ukraine’s ex-PM

"They may be able to assemble them, but I doubt this too because these are quite sophisticated products," Nikolay Azarov said

Russia’s Medvedev proposes fourth 'D' for Ukraine as deparasitization

Exactly 80 years ago, on July 17, 1945, the Potsdam Conference began, bringing together the heads of government from the Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain. The meeting laid the foundation for the post-war world order.

No survivors in helicopter crash in Russia’s Khabarovsk region — Emergencies Ministry

"Russian Emergencies Ministry rescuers jointly with investigators are analyzing fragments of the aircraft and looking for flight recorders at the site of the crash to establish the cause behind it," the ministry said.

Medvedev accuses West of blatant violation of Potsdam agreements

"Revising or breaching the decisions from the Potsdam Conference was just a continuation of Western policies regarding Russia from before the war or even earlier," Dmitry Medvedev said

'No illusions' any more regarding relations with West, Russia’s Medvedev says

The Russian security council deputy chairman was commenting on the idea that decisions from the Potsdam Conference were almost immediately breached by the Soviet Union’s former allies in the anti-Hitlerite coalition

Press review: Trump’s Ukraine stance raises doubts as EU states opt out of US arms funding

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, July 17th

Zelensky submits Sviridenko’s nomination as prime minister to Ukraine’s parliament

The State Power Committee will consider July 17

IN BRIEF: What we know about Israeli strikes on Syria

According to the media reports, the drone strike targeted the Syrian army’s military equipment; no accurate date is available on damage and casualties among troops

EU’s rejection of Russian gas leading to adverse consequences — Putin

Huge restrictions have already been introduced for EU countries