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Russian, Belarusian presidents to meet on Valaam Island — media outlet

Earlier on Friday, Alexander Lukashenko arrived in St. Petersburg

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko Sergey Karpukhin/TASS

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko

© Sergey Karpukhin/TASS

MINSK, August 1. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko will hold a meeting on Valaam Island on Friday, the Pul Pervogo Telegram channel close to the Belarusian presidential press service said.

"Yes, Lukashenko and Putin are to meet on Valaam. Yes, just like a year ago. Beautiful and powerful," its statement reads.

Earlier on Friday, the Belarusian leader arrived in St. Petersburg where he took a helicopter. The Telegram channel also provided a photograph of the helicopter.

Lukashenko hopes to discuss with Putin the issues related to the development of Russia-Belarus ties, State Union projects, the international agenda and regional security in an informal setting.

Most recently, the two leaders met in Minsk at the end of June at the Eurasian Economic Forum and a session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

US pressuring Zelensky into accepting peace plan terms — media

Donald Trump's administration is pushing Vladimir Zelensky to act quickly, while Europeans are advising him to be careful and patient, the news agency said

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No Putin-Trump meeting planned until New Year — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that at this point, Moscow has no information about the outcome of talks between Washington and Kiev in Florida

Trump could quickly broker Russia-Ukraine deal — Swiss Foreign Minister

Ignazio Cassis emphasized that Switzerland’s goal as OSCE Chair for 2026 is "to ensure the OSCE is ready" for such developments

Ukraine can no longer depend on Western aid — opposition politician

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that the promised economic integration between Ukraine and the EU had never materialized

Zelensky says new proposals for peace plan to be submitted to US on December 9

"The plan has been reduced from 28 points to 20," and a compromise on the issue of territories "has not yet been found," he said

US not yet informed Russia about its contacts with Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman

"Contacts are taking place," Dmitry Peskov said

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Tourist flow from Saudi Arabia to Russia may exceed 200,000 people in 2026

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Putin gives principled assessment of Bucha provocation in phone call with Orban — Kremlin

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Ukrainian troops suffer heavy losses in Zaporozhye — official

The region's governor Yevgeny Balitsky said that the Zaporozhye Region authorities were ready to provide all necessary administrative and humanitarian assistance to residents of the liberated territories.

Kiev is luring foreigners into trenches, Ukrainians are hard to come by — Russian envoy

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DR Congo faces its worst cholera outbreak in 25 years — UNICEF

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Hungary, Turkey condemn Ukrainian attacks against pipelines, tankers — Szijjarto

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Russian troops destroy Ukraine vehicles, stronghold in Zaporozhye

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Putin renews ban on deals with stakes of foreigners from unfriendly countries

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Europe remembers Turkey as NATO ally only when it suits them — newspaper

Tunja Bengin pointed to the cases, when hypocritical statements are being made by Europe

Ukraine conflict likely to be resolved with Russian victory, US expert says

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Bank of Russia sets dollar rate at 77.27 rubles for December 9

The official euro rate was increased by one ruble to 89.7054 rubles

Only renewed cooperation with Russia can save Europe from collapse — Dodik

According to the Bosnian Serb leader, Europe’s economic success was largely based on access to Russian resources

New US strategy indicates threat of interference in Europe’s affairs — EU official

European Council President Antonio Costa also responded to Washington's criticism of the European Commission’s move to fine the X social media platform, and accusations of Brussels violating freedom of speech

Rosatom ready to starting operations at Rooppur plant — CEO

"Construction of the first unit is almost completed," Alexey Likhachev said

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Shoigu calls Russia's recently deceased North Korea envoy true patriot

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UN court accepts Russia’s lawsuit against Ukraine, gives Kiev one year to answer

Russia can submit its objections by December 7, 2027

Europe feels humiliated as US, Russia determine Ukraine's future — media

According to the newspaper, "the Europeans are becoming irrelevant on their own turf"

Europe to come out of Ukraine conflict biggest loser — Republic Srpska leader

Milorad Dodik noted that Europe lacked an effective leader

EU prepares to admit Ukraine by 2030 and start war with Russia — Orban

As the Hungarian prime minister recalled, the treaty establishing the EU states that "in the event of an armed attack on the territory of one of its member states, the other member states are obliged to provide this state with all the assistance at their disposal"

Ukrainian militants ordered to shoot retreating troops near Kupyansk — radio interception

This is evidenced by radio intercepts obtained by TASS

Moscow working to encourage inbound medical tourism — senior diplomat

According to Alexander Grushko, Russia continues developing its health resorts

Reducing shadow-economy share to generate up to $13.02 bln annually — Novak

It is expected that fulfilling all planned measures will lead to a 1.5% reduction in the shadow economy’s share in gross domestic product over three years, the Russian deputy prime minister said

The New Finnish Doctrine: Stupidity, Lies, Ingratitude

Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev finds historical parallels in the behavior of the current leaders of Finland and their predecessors from almost a century ago and recalls the aftermath of their aggressive attacks on Russia

Russia alarmed by US rhetoric on China in new security outlook — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also noted "calls to all prominent regional partners to grant the Pentagon broader access to their ports and other facilities"

New anti-Russian sanctions ready, need to be approved by Congress, Trump — envoy

US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg emphasized that the restrictions are aimed primarily at Russian oil exports

Russian industrial products export up 18% in 9M 2025 — PM

Machine-building, chemicals and metallurgy were the main drivers, Mikhail Mishustin noted

Russian market ends session with declining major indices

The MOEX index fell 0.23% in the main trading session, closing at 2,705.17 points, while the dollar-denominated RTS index declined 1.75% to 1,102.82 points

Liberation of Volchansk year in making — expert

The Russian army began to move forward in the northern territory of the Kharkov Region back in 2024, Vitaly Ganchev noted

Ukraine needs $15 bln to buy weapons under PURL program in 2026 — Zelensky

Vladimir Zelensky said that as for this year, Ukraine was short of $1.5 billion but The Netherlands allocated $700 million

Russia urges US to refrain from escalating conflict with Venezuela — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov noted that Moscow views the situation around Venezuela with great alarm and concern

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French politician calls Zelensky ‘irresponsible’ for not reading Trump peace plan

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Maxim Ryzhenkov pointed out that the European Union is looking at allocating more than billion euro to help Lithuania fight Belarus and Russia’s alleged hybrid aggression

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Anatoly Aksakov also noted that such actions by the European Union would constitute a violation of international law

France does not want to expropriate Russian assets held in its private banks — FT

French banks hold around 18 bln euros in Russian assets, which is the second-highest figure in Europe, the paper said

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

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Netanyahu plans to discuss Gaza plan at meeting with Trump on December 29 — TV

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Thai PM Charnvirakul says he ‘doesn’t remember’ peace deal with Cambodia

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"Securing financial support will help ensure the survival of Ukraine," President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen added

Lavrov says Savchenko will be headache for Ukraine

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Defendants in Donbass genocide case facing life sentence

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Putin extends ban for residents to buy stakes in foreign companies without permit

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Putin signs annual decree to call up reservists for military training

The Russian government and regional authorities are instructed to ensure the implementation of measures related to the call-up of citizens for military training and the conduct of these training sessions

US continues working on Ukraine settlement for 'humane' reasons — Trump

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Adversaries of Russia, Iran, China try to undermine their cooperation — MP

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Ukraine's new budget lays foundation for country's complete economic defeat

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National projects must lead to creation of domestic technologies — Putin

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Russia’s CSTO presidency to focus on strengthening organization — Putin

According to the Russian leader, this work will piggyback on Kyrgyzstan’s work in key areas during its presidency this year

Trump says he is a bit disappointed that Zelensky has not read the draft peace deal yet

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Russia hopes that US refrains from full-scale conflict with Venezuela — diplomat

The US-Venezuela conflict threatens to cause unpredictable consequences for the entire Western hemisphere, Maria Zakharova said

GDP growth rate expectably declined this year — Putin

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Putin hopes VAT increase is temporary measure

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Netanyahu says his regular contacts with Putin are in Israel’s interests

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Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora dies at age of 70

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US to spend $800 million on support for Ukraine in 2026, 2027 — Pentagon budget draft

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Putin says Russia needs to do more to help its businesses

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Turkey, Hungary discussing joint defense projects — Erdogan

Touching on trade and economic relations between Turkey and Hungary, the Turkish president stated that the two countries "are close to reaching their trade target of $6 billion"

No one wants to share responsibility for seizing Russian assets with Belgium — Kremlin

Belgium opposes the European Commission’s plan for the expropriation of Russian sovereign assets blocked in Europe under the guise of a so-called "reparations loan" to Ukraine, being afraid of Russia’s potential response

Brazil urges Venezuela not to enter into war with US, even if attacked — newspaper

Lula da Silva’s administration will work to prevent the US attacks from happening

Magnitude 7.6 earthquake strikes Japan, casualties reported

Several people were reported to have been wounded in the Aomori Prefecture

Lenin bust unveiled in Venezuela’s capital

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Europe is 'moving in some bad directions' — Trump

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New US national strategy signals readiness to discuss security architecture — Medvedev

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Russia’s state demand for civilian UAV systems in 2026 worth 7 billion rubles — ministry

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Putin extends authorization for foreigners to pay for gas not only with Gazprombank

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Russia, Nigeria discussing cooperation in exploration, fuel supplies

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Chechen leader urges Ukrainians to make a stand against conflict with Russia

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Turkey reaches deep into diplomacy bag to resolve Ukraine conflict — Erdogan

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Russia takes note of America's foreign policy turn in new National Security Strategy

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Russian army controls key highways in Kupyansk district — expert

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