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Ukraine conflict cannot be resolved militarily — German chancellor

Friedrich Merz recalled that the European Union intends to adopt an 18th sanctions package on Thursday

THE HAGUE, June 25. /TASS/. The conflict in Ukraine cannot be resolved through military means, German chancellor Friedrich Merz stated, arguing for increasing pressure on Russia with sanctions.

"There will be no military solution to this conflict," he said at a press conference in The Hague. "We must increase economic pressure on Moscow," Merz emphasized.

He recalled that the European Union intends to adopt an 18th sanctions package on Thursday. "But this alone will not be enough, we need more active US participation in such sanctions," the chancellor stated. Merz noted that on the sidelines of the NATO summit, he personally spoke again to US President Donald Trump and conveyed that the EU would like to see new restrictions against Russia from the US as well.

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EU leaders looking for ways to finance Ukraine, but Hungary will not support them — Orban

"There is a huge possibility that no matter what kind of aid they would want to provide to Ukraine, Hungary will stay away from it," he said

Putin receives random but curated questions from Russians for Q&A session — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, to date, more than 2,100,000 questions have come in via different channels

UK 'co-running war' in Ukraine — former French military officer

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Deputy Director of the Swedish Belt and Road Institute noted that the launch of such a regime shows a firm commitment to expanding openness

Russia hopes Serbia stands by national interests, not West's lies — SVR chief

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Apparel production in Russia to grow by 24% in 2025 — Ministry of Industry

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FACTBOX: Oreshnik ballistic missile

According to the Russian president, the combat testing of the Oreshnik missile system was conducted in response to an attack by US-made and British-made long-range missiles on Russian territory

EU fixated on idea of stealing Russia's money to continue war in Ukraine — Kremlin

"It feels as if they can think about only one thing: how to find money to continue the war," Dmitry Peskov noted

Russia alarmed by worsening humanitarian situation in Syria — UN mission

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Bank of Russia lowers dollar rate to 80.03 rubles for December 19

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Bank of Russia refrains from naming foreign banks it plans to sue

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Western military presence in Ukraine in any format unacceptable for Russia — MFA

Maria Zakharova stated that such pseudo-peacekeepers would become legitimate targets for the Russian army

US relations thaw proving difficult — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that Russia's principled position, firmly based on the protection of national interests, respect for traditions, and a sustained readiness for pragmatic dialogue, constitutes the only correct approach

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Intelligence services remain ‘almost sole’ link between Russia, Europe — SVR

Responding to a question about whether the Russian side observes more common sense in the approaches of European countries’ intelligence services than in the activities of their politicians, Sergey Naryshkin noted that "the approaches of intelligence services generally align with the policies of their states"

Washington's main concert complex to be renamed in honor of Trump and Kennedy

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EU replaced its ‘strategic defeat’ mantra with ‘maximum damage’ — Naryshkin

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Lukashenko says he is ‘outgoing’ president

According to the Belarusian leader, he wants to establish good relations between Minsk and Washington

Russia advances in Donbass while West plays shell games — Ukrainian opposition politician

Viktor Medvedchuk also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it abundantly clear that the desire for war in this situation does not come from Russia

TikTok signs deal to sell its US business — Axios

Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will collectively own 45% of the US entity, nearly one-third of the company will be held by affiliates of existing ByteDance investors, and nearly 20% will be retained by ByteDance

Russia’s international reserves down $0.5 bln over week to $741 bln

As of December 5, the volume of reserves amounted to $741.5 bln

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army’s energy infrastructure over past day

According to the latest figures, Kiev loses 1,405 troops along engagement line in past day

Russia welcomes election of Chile's new president — diplomat

Maria Zakharova added that Russia and Chile have been linked by decades of friendship, solidarity, and cooperation

Billionaire Isaacman to serve as new head of NASA

A total of 67 senators voted in favor of Isaacman’s nomination, while 30 voted against it

Trump says US wants back oil rights allegedly taken by Venezuela

"They took all of our oil from not that long ago", US President said

First NPP in Belarus significantly strengthened country’s energy security — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader stressed that energy was the guarantor of economic development and a matter of national self-sufficiency

Kremlin warns about consequences for masterminds, perpetrators of Russian asset seizure

"Those who made decisions collectively, those who made decisions individually and those who put them into practice will all bear responsibility," Dmitry Peskov said

EU leaders looking for ways to finance Ukraine, but Hungary will not support them — Orban

"There is a huge possibility that no matter what kind of aid they would want to provide to Ukraine, Hungary will stay away from it," he said

Corruption scandal fallout, threat to Ukrainian elites — Russia’s SVR statements

According to the intelligence service, the corruption scandal in Ukraine has resulted in "a sharp decline in the morale of Ukrainian troops on the frontlines"

Russia does not deny anyone right to security, but insists on NATO not expanding — Putin

It was publicly stated that there would be no NATO expansion to the east and the West "couldn't care less" about these promises, the Russian leader noted

New US security strategy rightly America first — Russian intel chief

Sergey Naryshkin noted that "there are clear tendencies toward isolationism, which US President Donald Trump and US Vice President JD Vance do not hide"

Russia, Africa working to increase number of intergovernmental commissions

19 such commissions are already operational

Russian-speaking association carries general elections in Latvia

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FSB reports thwarting terror plot near administration building in Russia’s Volgodonsk

A female college student with 10 kilograms of an improvised explosive device was arrested

Russia’s Safonov makes football goalkeeping history in French PSG FIFA championship win

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Belgian PM announces plans to push forward work to finance Ukraine

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Kremlin gets set to be briefed by US on talks with Ukraine, EU

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Russian forces holding their positions near Kupyansk, despite Ukraine’s counterattacks

According to Andrey Marochko, high-intensity counterattacks have been going on for a long time

Russia gradually returning to world sports — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that "this is a welcome process that can only be supported"

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Sergey Naryshkin said "the Ukrainian people must find the strength and will to eliminate the neo-Nazi plague"

Ukrainian soldiers’ morale collapses after corruption scandal — SVR

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Further funding for Ukraine risks prolonging conflict with Russia, Hungarian PM warns

Viktor Orban also pointed out that the idea of a Russian asset seizure was dead because talks on the issue "have stalled"

EU diplomats do not rule out retaliation against Ukrainian elites by angry mob — SVR

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said that the Mindich-Zelensky case is undermining Ukraine

Press review: Trump seeks to pressure Moscow as EU desperate to find funds for Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 18th

Russia ready to restore intergovernmental trade commission with Slovakia

Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov heads the commission from the Russian side, Maria Zakharova noted

UK introduced sanctions against Russian oil producers

In total, restrictions affected 24 legal entities and individuals, including companies from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and the UAE

Desertion in Ukrainian armed forces grows — Russian intelligence chief

"In contrast to the Ukrainian side, the Russian army is continuously advancing, liberating several villages and cities each week." Sergey Naryshkin stated

US aware that continued conflict will end in Ukraine's defeat — intelligence chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the US administration has begun seeking compromise solutions and they were identified and articulated in what is known as the Trump peace plan

Russian troops destroy 67 foreign mercenaries in battles for Yunakovka — defense source

According to the source, they were mostly Colombian nationals

IN BRIEF: What is known about situation around frozen Russian assets

Four EU officials said that a key point in the discussion was the idea of excluding Hungary and Slovakia from the general debt repayment scheme, as both countries oppose further aid to Ukraine

Russian military doing everything to celebrate Victory in peace — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that "the Kiev regime continues to demonstrate its true nature"

Zelensky admits Biden told him Ukraine would not be brought in to NATO before conflict

Vladimir Zelensky noted that he repeatedly raised the issue with the White House, becoming a kind of running joke among US officials

EU elites put stake on anti-Russian policy — Russian intelligence chief

Sergey Naryshkin noted that leaders of certain European countries are "in a dangerous situation"

Zelensky cannot withdraw troops from Donbass due to nationalist resistance — opposition

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that Western media outlets consistently report significant pressure from Washington on Kiev and Europe regarding this issue

Cessna 550 business jet crashes in US with victims — TV

The crash killed people, but their number and identities have not yet been disclosed

NATO plans confrontation with Russia by 2030 — top defense official

"We are not the ones making threats; we are the ones being threatened," Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov stressed

Fico highlights need for compromise at European Council

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico repeatedly said that he would refuse to vote for any support for Ukraine's military needs at the summit

US actions in Venezuela display Washington's neocolonial approach — Russia’s UN envoy

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EU countries spend increasingly more for militarization — Russian intelligence chief

This is manifested not merely in statements but also in specific decisions, in budgets approved and in financial resources spent, Sergey Naryshkin noted

EU leaders upset about late start to Brussels summit — media

According to Politico, the delay was caused after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa held an impromptu meeting with a farmers’ association

Russia-UK relations head south after Putin's Munich speech in 2007 — foreign intel chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, it has been a gradual process

Tucker Carlson believes Trump may declare war on Venezuela

The journalist added that he does not know whether the announcement "will actually happen"

Japanese companies confirm interest in Sakhalin-2 project

Russia says shoots down three bogeys over sea in Sevastopol

Earlier, an air alert was announced in the city

Anti-drone systems of Rosel holding protect Russia’s infrastructure — Rostec

The state corporation noted that the integrated defense of facilities is based on the principles of long-range detection, identification, tracking, and suppression of enemy drones

Karin Kneissl: Zelensky Has No Chance Left

Hostile forces seeking to push Russia from global arena – Putin

"They are still afraid of our nuclear potential because Russia is a strong irritant," he said

Whole world, save for Europe, condemns US actions in Caribbean — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister underscored that "all other countries have clearly expressed their positions"

FACTBOX: S-500 Anti-Aircraft Missile System

The system is being developed with the capability to be operational for the next 25 years

Belarus will not completely relocate its factories — Lukashenko

According to the President, agreements on localizing the production of Belarusian tractors and trucks in Vietnam are being implemented

IN BRIEF: Resuming nuclear tests, NATO threat: what Russia's military chief of staff said

The North Atlantic Alliance, under the pretext of a so-called Russian military threat, has "significantly increased" its military presence near Russia’s borders

Russian stock market indices mixed on Thursday — market data

The MOEX Russia Index lost 0.24% to 2,753.07 points

Ex-MMA fighter Monson says it took him some time to become Putin’s supporter

"I think there is nobody neither in the United States nor anywhere in the world who can say he does not love Russia or puts Russia first," Jeff Monson added

Ukraine’s unused gas in 2013 may cause fines of almost ten billion dollars

Ukraine’s incomplete receipt of gas in 2013 may cause fines of almost ten billion dollars

Russia’s Safonov makes history for PSG in FIFA championship win

The Russian national team’s goalkeeper is the first one in history to save four penalties in a row in a match at a FIFA tournament

EU summit communique makes no mention of Russian assets, meeting continues

The European Council press service has not yet provided journalists with even an approximate ending time for the first day’s discussions

Lukashenko says he cannot be president forever

Alexander Lukashenko named himself "a departing president"

Russian intel chief reveals recent extended call with MI6 director

Sergey Naryshkin said the phone conversation was held "just a few days ago"

Russia to boost fertilizer output by 3% to 65 mln tons in 2025

Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers President Andrey Guryev noted that by this figure Russia has surpassed the United States, India, and Canada and has firmly held second place globally behind China for several years

US Treasury removes six entities, two individuals from anti-Russian sanctions

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Euro democracy in US crosshairs, meddling threat in Russian elections: Lavrov statements

The Russian foreign minister said that the US had sent a strong signal to Europe criticizing the democracy "that is practiced in Europe"

Durov compares UK’s future to dystopian thriller

V for Vendetta’s totalitarian UK felt far-fetched 20 years ago, now "it feels less like fiction and more like a government action plan," Telegram co-founder said