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Deal to buy TikTok almost done, US to start talks with China in next few days — Trump

On June 29, Trump told Fox News that a "group of very wealthy people" was ready to buy TikTok from ByteDance

WASHINGTON, July 5. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump announced that the deal to acquire the social media platform TikTok from the Chinese company ByteDance is nearly finalized, and discussions on this matter with Beijing are scheduled for July 7 or 8.

"We pretty much have a deal now. I think we are going to start talking to China on Monday or Tuesday, perhaps with President Xi Jinping or one of his representatives. We think we probably have to get it approved by China. Not definitely, but probably," the US leader told reporters aboard his plane.

On June 29, Trump told Fox News that a "group of very wealthy people" was ready to buy TikTok from ByteDance. He then noted that he would be ready to name these buyers in about two weeks.

In turn, Chinese Embassy to the US Spokesman Liu Pengyu told TASS that Beijing would follow its laws and regulations in matters concerning TikTok.

TikTok's operations in US

On June 19, Trump announced that he was extending the delay of the ban on the short video creation and viewing service in the US by 90 days, until September 17. A law requiring TikTok to be banned in the US if its parent company, ByteDance, does not sell it came into force about five months ago. Following his inauguration on January 20, Trump issued an executive order postponing the ban on TikTok in the US for at least 75 days. He also told reporters that the US should have a stake in TikTok but did not explain what that meant.

Trump has repeatedly said that he is "fond" of the platform because the votes of its young American users contributed to his 2024 presidential election victory. Liu Pengyu previously compared the situation surrounding the possible TikTok ban in the US to robbery in his comment to TASS.

In 2024, President Joe Biden signed a law requiring ByteDance to sell or cease TikTok's operations in the United States by January 19. According to media reports, the Washington administration tried to find candidates to purchase 50% of TikTok's shares.

Top Iranian diplomat tells UN, EU leadership that sanctions cannot be re-imposed on Iran

According to Abbas Araghchi, the E3 nations "have relinquished their role as ‘Participants’ in the JCPOA, making any attempt to reinstate terminated UNSC Resolutions null and void" when they supported the United States and Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear sites

Zelensky wants to sack Zaluzhny because of his secret talks with West — Hersh

Commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, says journalist, talks about the possibility of a ceasefire and peace process

Meeting between Putin, Trump necessary, needs preparations — Kremlin

"It is possible and with time it will definitely take place," Dmitry Peskov said

Western arms makers likely to support Kiev’s idea to test weapons versus Russia — expert

According to the expert, it is rather difficult to mock up actual battlefield conditions and weapons that were tested and entered into service in peacetime may turn out to be not that effective on the battlefield as expected

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

Google owes almost 27.3 billion rubles in accordance with Russian court verdicts

The court enforcement actions against Google were launched in 2021-2025

Trump says any new nuclear facilities Iran may build will be obliterated

"All three nuclear sites in Iran were completely destroyed and/or obliterated," the US president wrote

INTERVIEW: Russia minimized its military presence in Transnistria, Russian ambassador says

According to the diplomat, Russia has not taken a single step that would call into question the decisions that were taken at the talks on the settlement of the Transnistrian issue

Germany ready to help restore Gaza Strip — minister

At the same time, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali Radovan stressed that this will be possible as soon as the situation on the ground allows this

Russia’s Battlegroup West wipes out 31 Ukrainian drones, 53 drone command centers

Leonid Sharov said that units from Battlegroup West continue to implement the special military operation’s combat tasks

Rosneft slams EU sanctions against Indian Nayara Energy as ungrounded

It also said that it considers these sanctions as part of the European Union’s destructive policy geared to destabilize global energy markets

Sollers forecasts Russian car market to plunge by 30% in 2025

The current situation in the market is extremely challenging, Deputy CEO of the Russian automaker Zoya Kaika stressed

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.

Russia’s Army-2025 event rescheduled for a later time — organizers

The event was initially slated for August 11-14, 2025

India cautions EU against double standards in energy trade — Foreign Ministry

Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressed that Government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens

Russia, US discuss plans for deorbiting International Space Station — Roscosmos

The commission’s experts discussed among other issues, measures to reduce risks stemming from air leaks from the transfer module

Hungary will not accept EU budget aimed at financing Ukraine, PM says

"I will never accept an EU budget that will make Hungary vulnerable to blackmail," Viktor Orban wrote

Trump calls Biden cruel, incompetent

US leader said that the previous American administration "tried to crush the industry" of cryptocurrencies

Israeli military intercept missile launched from Yemen

Earlier in the day, sirens sounded in many parts of Israel, including in Tel Aviv

Putin receives visiting senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader — Kremlin spokesman

"On behalf of the Iranian leadership, the senior Iranian official shared the assessments of the current escalation in the Middle East and the situation around the Iranian nuclear program," Dmitry Peskov noted

Ukrainian officer says Zelensky's demobilization comments spell doom for scores of troops

When Vladimir Zelensky says 'only after victory' it’s effectively a death sentence for hundreds of thousands of people, Denis Yaroslavsky said

EU imposes sanctions on prominent Russian film director Shakhnazarov — gazette

The European Union imposed sanctions on nine other Russian individuals, the Official Journal of the European Union reported

Russia to give decisive response if attacked by Taurus — MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also noted that Germany’s assistance in the production of long-range systems in Ukraine could mask plans to localize the assembly of Taurus missiles at Ukrainian defense industry facilities

Russian MFA spokeswoman talks about weapons smuggling from Ukraine, raps German officials

TASS has put together the highlights from the news conference

None of BRICS members seeks to replace dollar — Russian diplomat

According to Ryabkov, Russia already makes more than 90% of all payments with its BRICS partners in national currencies

Russia’s Battlegroup East eliminates 28 Ukrainian drone command centers in 24 hours

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

Huge restrictions have already been introduced for EU countries

Russia says Ukraine lost up to 175 troops from battlegroup East operations over past day

According to the spokesman, a Bogdana self-propelled artillery unit and two towed howitzers were destroyed in a counter-battery battle

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

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Russia says Ukraine lost more than 1,195 soldiers in special operation area over past day

Units of the battlegroup Deipro struck formations of Ukrainian mechanized and mountain assault brigades and two territorial defense brigades in the areas of the towns of Malaya Tokmachka and Novoandreyevka in the Zaporozhye Region and Antonovka and Ponyatovka in the Kherson Region

Merz played role in Trump’s decision to continue aid to Kiev — top German diplomat

"We can only be glad that the chancellor has established a pragmatic relationship with the US president, and that the voice of Germany is heard in Washington again," Wadephul said

Moldova’s election authority bans opposition bloc from parliamentary election

CEC Deputy Chairman Pavel Postica read out a report claiming that the bloc had links to Russia

At least 136 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza — Al Jazeera

The Israeli army opened fire at two GHF sites in the southern Gaza cities of Khan Younis and Rafah

Source confirms Ukraine’s invitation for Russia to hold talks next week

А source told TASS that no date had been agreed yet

Iran, Eurotroika agree to resume talks on nuclear program — Tasnim

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany struck a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015 to address the crisis over its nuclear program

Russia’s Kolesnikov wins silver in men's 200m freestyle at World University Games

Jacob Mitchell of the United States came first, and another US swimmer, Baylor Nelson, was third

Trump, Xi may meet ahead or during APEC summit in South Korea — media

According to the sources, APEC summit in South Korea "is probably the best opportunity for Xi Jinping and Donald Trump to meet in person this year"

At least 1 person injured in Ukrainian strike on Donetsk

According to a TASS correspondent, the projectile fell near a five-story apartment building, damaging its facade, windows and balconies

Ukraine receives Abrams tanks from Australia, defense chief says

The rest of the tanks will be delivered "in the coming months," Denis Shmygal added

Chisinau spoiled relations with Moscow under West’s pressure — ambassador

Relations between the two states began to deteriorate in 2021, when pro-European forces assumed power in Moldova

Press review: US and EU delay weapons to Ukraine as Syria fighting alarms Turkey

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Defense chief inspects military, social facilities in northern Russia

Andrey Belousov went to see a multidisciplinary medical center that was reconstructed in 2024 to provide medical services to military personnel and their families

Conversation between Putin, Trump pragmatic yet ready for understanding — Kremlin

Both politicians have their own stance but they are ready to listen to each other, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

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Ahmed al-Sharaa called on all sides to respect the truce, halt all hostilities in all areas, make sure civilians are safe and humanitarian aid deliveries are unimpeded

Russia’s automotive sector avoids collapse, expands production — Putin

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Death toll in violence in Syria’s Swaida reaches 940 — TV

Earlier reports put the death toll at 718

Russia’s plans take into account European militarization euphoria — Kremlin

"And we observe this and take this into account while shaping our further plans," Dmitry Peskov said

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Russian FM says migrants' behavior in Europe provokes Islamophobia

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Serbian president says Russia warns of preparations for Western-backed coup

"Those who dream of achieving something by force will fail," Aleksandar Vucic said

Israeli army announces expansion of military operation in Gaza City

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"A peace agreement may be signed once two issues are resolved: Armenia’s constitution is amended and the OSCE Minsk Group is dissolved," Ilham Aliyev added

Kremlin says is unaware of plan for Putin, Trump, Xi to meet in China in September

The British newspaper reported that Xi wants the US and Russian leaders to meet for war commemorations in September

Putin reaffirms commitment to peace deal on Ukraine in call with Erdogan

On June 2, the second round of Russia-Ukraine talks took place in Istanbul

Trump demands Germany transfer Patriot from its stocks to Kiev — Bild

According to the newspaper, the president does not intend to share the systems that the American army has

INTERVIEW: Russian ambassador says NATO arms Moldova despite its neutral status

According to the diplomat, it is in Moldova's national interests to preserve its neutral status and sovereignty

Medvedev calls Western actions against Russia a full-out war

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Israel attacks positions of Arab militias in southern Syria — TV

According to the Sham TV channel, the Israeli planes hit ground targets near a checkpoint a humanitarian corridor on Bosra al-Kharir

Fifth earthquake in a row rocks Kamchatka

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Polling stations open as Japan prepares to elect members of parliament’s upper chamber

According to surveys, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito may lose its majority in the upper chamber, as it did in the lower chamber last fall

UN General Assembly adopts Russia-initiated draft resolution to modernize organization

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UK to lower price cap for Russian oil, following EU — Chancellor

Rachel Reeves said that the UK and its EU allies are turning the screw on

Trump believes Ukraine should go on offensive — media

The US president also asked "if Ukraine could bomb Moscow or St. Petersburg"

'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

West’s push for rare-earth metals access borders on robbery — Russian MFA

"Rare-earth metals are the prize in the trade wars underway between the key suppliers of AI solutions to the market," Maria Zakharova pointed out

Ukraine doesn’t have resources to carry out offensive — Strana

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Boat capsizes in northern Vietnam, killing 34 people

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Umerov appointed to Security Council post to continue talks with Russia — lawmaker

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Nomination, registration of candidates in parliamentary election begins in Moldova

The period will last until August 20

Yemen’s Houthis report delivering missile strike on international airport in Israel

According to the rebels’ spokesperson Yahya Saree, the operation "successfully achieved its objective"

Istanbul to remain Russia-Ukraine talks venue — TASS source

"Yes, Istanbul is an acceptable venue," the source said, replying to a question on the matter

IDF reports eliminating Hamas commander

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West seeking to demonize Russia — Kremlin spokesman

Under the pretext of an alleged threat from Russia and Belarus, the European Union adopted a plan for Europe’s militarization in March

Trade with EU could drop to zero — Russian Foreign Ministry

Alexander Grushko also noted that the EU has adopted its 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions and intends to fully abandon Russian energy resources, including oil and gas

Iran, Russia to begin naval drill in Caspian Sea on July 21 — agency

According to Tasnim, the three-day exercises will involve the two countries’ naval forces, as well as the IRGC, Iran’s elite military unit

No date yet for next round of Russia-Ukraine talks — source

Vladimir Zelensky said that Ukraine had invited Russia to hold the third round of talks next week

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"Emergency services are working where the debris fell," Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said

Ukrainian troops facing threat of being surrounded in Konstantinovka — newspaper

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NATO expects Kiev to lose control of coastal areas, plans to arm Moldova instead — expert

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Russia nixes defense cooperation agreement with Germany

The agreement was signed in 1996

PM says Ukraine agrees in principle to sell UAVs to US

Yulia Sviridenko said Defense Minister Denis Shmygal will develop this proposal with the American side

Mercenaries from Colombia, Brazil take part in fighting in Sumy Region

"Earlier, the same information came from Ukrainian captives," a Russian security official said

EU’s fresh sanctions target 22 Russian banks, including T-Bank, Bank Saint Petersburg

Any transactions between European financial institutions and the affected banks are prohibited

US may have approved Kiev’s talks proposal with Russia — Der Spiegel

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Western experts convinced that Trump irreversibly changed world order — Politico

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Trump says BRICS `fading out fast’ in wake of his 10% tariff threat for group

"BRICS wanted to try and take over the dollar, the dominance of the dollar, and the standard of the dollar," US President said

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

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US has couple more major trade deals in pipeline — Trump

"We have a couple of big ones to announce pretty soon," the president said

Russia not ruling out countermeasures against new EU sanctions — Foreign Ministry

"We will take measures supporting our interests in case of necessity," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stressed

Times says Trump may meet with Putin, Xi in China

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Four more bodies found after Vietnamese boat capsized, death toll at 38

By midnight GMT, the crisis response center said five people are still listed as missing

Former European commissioner says anti-Russian sanctions backfired

Verheugen said that despite European Union’s reluctance to admit it, figures show that "the policy of sanctions harmed its authors in the first place, first of all Germany"

Armed clashes in Syria’s Sweida over — interior ministry

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Ukraine invites Russia to hold next round of talks next week — Zelensky

According to Vladimir Zelensky, the proposal was made by Rustem Umerov, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council and head of Kiev’s delegation to the Istanbul talks

Saudi prince passes away after 20 years in coma

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US begins to comprehend complexity of Ukraine settlement — Kremlin

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Russia starts series production of acoustic intelligence system

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