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Middle East conflict

Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for talks with mediators

According to a post on the group’s Telegram channel, the delegation is led by head of Hamas Gaza office Khalil al-Hayya

CAIRO, October 19. /TASS/. A Hamas delegation has arrived in Cairo for talks with the Egyptian mediators.

According to a post on the group’s Telegram channel, the delegation is led by head of Hamas Gaza office Khalil al-Hayya.

Delegations from a number of other Palestinian factions are also expected to travel to the Egyptian capital city. Hamas leaders plan to discuss with them control over the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The Al Hadath television channel reported on October 16 that representatives from a number of Palestinian factions, including Hamas, would hold talks in Cairo on Gaza’s development, including issue of the enclave’s governance.

Israel and Hamas resumed Egypt-, Qatar, the United States, and Turkey-mediated indirect talks on settling the situation in the Gaza Strip on October 6. On October 9, the parties to the conflict signed n agreement on the implementation of phase one of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan. The ceasefire came into effect on October 10. Early on October 19, Israel accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire and delivered a series of strikes on the enclave in response.

US declares end of era of global trade convergence in document to WTO — FT

The six-page document lists US grievances against the organization, veiled attacks on China for accumulating huge trade surpluses and on India for blocking improvements in the WTO's decision-making process

Merriam-Webster names 'slop' as word of the year

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Press review: Kiev and Europe seek to derail peace plan as Ukraine awaits $5 bln EU aid

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US conducts strikes on three drug-carrying vessels in Pacific Ocean — Pentagon

A total of eight men were killed during these actions

Caracas, Moscow to continue boosting strategic relations in 2026 — Venezuelan president

Nicolas Maduro added that Caracas would host a meeting of the Venezuela-Russia High-level Intergovernmental Commission in the first quarter of 2026

Four drones jammed over Russia’s Smolensk Region — governor

Emergency personnel are working at the site where debris came down

US takes 'sober' stance in dialogue with Russia — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that "everyone on both sides is guided exclusively by national interests, national security interests, national economic interests"

Germany agrees on ten-point plan to expand military cooperation with Kiev — media

The German government also plans to build a sort of alliance with its European partners to jointly purchase weapons for Ukraine

Lavrov slams EU’s aggressive actions as biggest global threat

According to Sergey Lavrov, Brussel pushes EU countries toward "disregarding the interests of own people"

Seven EU countries against expropriation of Russian assets — news outlet

According to the report, Belgium, Hungary, and Slovakia initially opposed the plan, and they have now been joined by Italy, Bulgaria, Malta, and the Czech Republic

Ukraine’s NATO membership 'out of question,' EU foreign policy chief admits

Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for tangible security guarantees

Moscow’s video game studios clinch export contracts

According to Moscow Deputy Mayor Natalia Sergunina, the total amount of transactions made with the support of the city was over $12.6 mln

Russia wants to develop cooperation with Iran within CSTO — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov noted that Russia wants to cooperate with Iran and with its other neighbors, including within the Collective Security Treaty Organization

Berlin says no plans for direct dialogue with Russia

Some European leaders, the head of the European Commission and the NATO secretary general, are expected in the German capital in the evening

Iran would like to resume dialogue with US, IAEA, Russia ready to assist — Lavrov

He also reaffirmed Russia's stance, condemning the unjustified attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities

Russia still does not understand outcome of US-Ukraine talks in Berlin — senior diplomat

The first round of talks between the US and Ukrainian delegations took place in Berlin on December 14

EU leaders want to drag all of Europe into war with Russia — Hungarian top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto noted that Budapest intends to "stay away from this"

UNGA passes Russia-initiated resolution against glorification of Nazism

Among those who voted against the resolution were Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan

US thinks that 90% of issues solved between Russia and Ukraine — Reuters

The White House views the December 14-15 talks in Berlin as positive

US-Ukraine negotiations continue in Berlin, Zelensky says

The US delegation includes special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and the American leader's son-in-law, entrepreneur Jared Kushner

Kupyansk is under Russian army’s control — Battlegroup West

According tp the report, Battlegroup West forces are firmly rebuffing all the Ukrainian army’s attacks on communities near Kupyansk, keeping them under control

Belarusian leader dismisses allegations of Maduro’s involvement in drug trafficking

Alexander Lukashenko also said that "drug trafficking cannot be defeated with missiles"

Europe works against US in Ukraine peace process — Lavrov

"Europe is using the Ukrainian crisis to assert themselves, to put a spoke in the United States wheel in its quest to seek a just settlement," the Russian foreign minister said

Security forces arrest boy suspected of stabbing schoolmates outside Moscow

The reports say that a student stabbed a security guard, used pepper spray, and then stabbed a 10-year-old schoolboy who died of his injuries

Kiev ready to hold elections, renounce NATO aspirations — media

Bild reported that Kiev is allegedly also ready to "freeze" the current line of engagement but refuses to withdraw its troops from the entire Donbass territory

EU gets ready for war with Russia, wants military plants in Ukraine — Hungarian minister

Brussels claims that it will be "investment into Europe’s security," but, from Hungary believes "there's no logic in this"

Ukraine carries out four attacks on Donetsk People’s Republic in past day

Two civilians were reported injured

EU’s 19 packages of sanctions on Russia weaken European economy — Italian official

Italian deputy prime minister and minister of transport and infrastructure Matteo Salvini emphasized that sanctions brought European economies to their knees, leading to more expensive energy for Italians

Russian compatriots among victims of terrorist attack in Australia — foreign ministry

"Moscow strongly condemns the barbaric extremist attack, as a result of which 15 innocent civilians, including a ten-year-old girl, were killed and dozens were injured," Maria Zakharova stated

Romanian expert considers EC decision to confiscate Russian assets 'illegal'

"Freezing such assets is illegal under both European and international law," Adrian Severin noted

FACTBOX: What we know about attack on school in Moscow Region

One child was killed and a security guard was injured in the attack, the Russian Investigative Committee’s press service reported

Florida man sanctioned by EU for pro-Russia social media posts

The EU Council claims that John Mark Dougan holds American and Russian citizenship

Press review: US-Ukraine talks fail on Donbass as Kiev struggles with election competition

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 16th

EU blacklisted forty vessels said to carry Russian oil — Kallas

The European Union intends now to sanction tankers without waiting for approval of huge sanction packages, the EU top diplomat noted

Zelensky to fail in trying to take Crimea back, secure NATO membership — Kremlin

According to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, "there is a one million percent guarantee that it’s impossible"

Trump sues BBC for defamation over edit of his speech — agency

According to the news agency, the US leader requested at least $5 billion in damages

Kuzya the crocodile, who lived with Novosibirsk man for 30 years, set to go back to Cuba

The owner is willing to surrender Kuzya if professional care is ensured

European countries note progress in Ukrainian conflict settlement

The EU leaders "appreciated the strong convergence between the United States, Ukraine and Europe"

Assad did not coordinate his approaches with Russia before resignation — Lavrov

Our efforts were collaborative, involving other international partners, primarily Iran and Turkey, noted Lavrov

Europe has no plan B in case seizure of Russian assets is rejected — Finnish PM

Petteri Orpo said he does not want to think about that

Hungary won’t contribute a single penny to EU's Ukraine financing plan — Szijjarto

According to the Hungarian foreign minister, EU leaders want to raise over 200 billion euros for Ukraine

Kiev lying about battlefield situation to influence US peace plan — source

The Ukrainian mass media are disseminating reports alleging that the Ukrainian army has taken control of the settlements of Kondrashovka, Radkovka, and Moskovka northwest and southwest of Kupyansk

Russian troops liberate Peschanoye, gain foothold at Gaichur River — security sources

During the liberation of the settlement, servicemen of the 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 29th Army of Battlegroup East destroyed more than two platoons of Ukrainian army personnel from the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade

White House believes that Israel violated ceasefire regime in Gaza Strip — Axios

According to the report, US President Donald Trump, during a recent conversation, told Benjamin Netanyahu that he needs to be a "better partner" regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip

Strong wind gust knocks down Statue of Liberty replica in Brazil

The incident caused no casualties

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Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that Washington has started to understand what needs to be done to achieve a lasting and long-term settlement of the conflict

Russia appreciates US push to resolve Ukraine conflict — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the sides were inches away from what he called a complete conclusion of the efforts in 2022

Gazprom highlights untypically low gas reserves in European UGS for December

In particular, gas reserves in UGS facilities in the Netherlands have fallen below 60%

Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard digitalization boosted output by 70% — Patrushev

The official noted that the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard was one of the first Russian shipbuilding companies to implement a comprehensive digitalization project

Russian troops liberate Peschanoye community in Dnepropetrovsk Region over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,480 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Kiev, Europe anticipate ‘deep, wrong’ revision of US peace plan — Russian senior diplomat

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Only Russia, Ukraine, US can discuss territorial concessions — Polish president

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US insists on complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbass during talks — AFP

According to the source, the US delegation "is taking Russia’s position" on this issue

Iran’s top diplomat sets off for meeting with Lavrov in Moscow — ambassador

The agenda includes a wide range of political issues and economic projects, Kazem Jalali said

Hungarian, Polish foreign ministers exchange heated remarks on Russian assets online

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Hungary will not let EU to send military mission to Ukraine — top diplomat

"This will escalate the conflict to a degree that we cannot foresee, and will put Hungary and its people into a serious danger," Peter Szijjarto stressed

German authorities rapidly preparing for full-scale conflict with Russia — envoy

"Berlin has chosen the path of destroying the unique bilateral interaction formats built by generations of predecessors," Sergey Nechayev noted

EU believes corruption scandal may force Zelensky to accept deal — media

According to Politico, Kiev must agree to these terms immediately; otherwise, the next US proposal would be less favorable

Moscow to make no concessions on Donbass, Novorossiya and Crimea — Ryabkov

The diplomat noted that in 2022, following referendums, the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Lugansk People’s Republic, as well as Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions, were formally incorporated into Russia

Putin renews ban to supply oil, oil products under price ceiling until June 30, 2026

The ban was effective until the end of 2025

Russia never wavered in its support of Iran in JCPOA talks — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that Moscow has tried to work with the Europeans to persuade Washington to return to compliance

Solution to Ukrainian crisis is near, Russia’s deputy foreign minister says

Sergey Ryabkov noted that "Russia's special military operation was inevitable because things were developing in a very wrong direction"

FSB detains 10 Russians blackmailed by Ukraine security agencies to stage sabotage acts

The citizens were persuaded to cooperate with false security services, under the threat of being charged with treason, for which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment, for financing the Ukrainian armed forces

US can resolve all issues with Venezuela peacefully — Belarusian president

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that he had raised the Venezuela issue at a recent meeting in Minsk with US Special Envoy for Belarus John Cole

EU could lose global credibility if Mercosur deal fails — European Commissioner

The main critics of the deal are European farmers, particularly beef, poultry, and dairy producers

UK blackmailing US, exploiting 'loopholes' for asset seizure: statements by Russia’s SVR

The UK is urging the European Commission to justify the theft of Russian assets by exploiting legal gaps in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and by referring to "exceptional circumstances"

Finnish politician calls EU 'bankrupt' over plans to use Russian assets

Armando Mema emphasized that the EU is not doing "one thing right" and the bloc "should respect Belgium’s sovereignty" and its decision to refuse to transfer the assets to Ukraine

EU youth seek to turn bloc into ‘United States of Europe’ — Politico

Support for the EU among Europeans has reached a record high in polls, the newspaper noted

Turkish warplanes take down drone over Black Sea — defense ministry

The Turkish Ministry of Defense did not specify where exactly the drone came from

Russian exports to the US up 35% in 2025 — AmCham

The US business invested about $100 bln during 25 years in Russia, the AmCham President said

Trump says Ukraine 'already lost territory'

Donald Trump also added that the US is working with Europe on the security guarantee

US Treasury rejects Xtellus' offer to buy Lukoil foreign assets — Reuters

Earlier, Xtellus had offered to organize a swap of Lukoil securities held by U.S. investors in a cashless deal to return them to Lukoil in exchange for the Russian company's global assets

Russia will not agree to deployment of Western troops in Ukraine in any form — MFA

Russia is open-minded in terms of what decisions might be made, Sergey Ryabkov noted

Direct strike by Western sanctions cost $100 bln for US business — AmCham

The AmCham President also informed about the poll on the issue of the impact of Western sanctions on the US business

Russia hopes Iran will ratify convention of Caspian Sea status by August 2026 — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister recalled that all other Caspian littoral states have ratified the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea

No concessions from Russia, dialogue with US: statements by Russian senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov reiterated that Russia "stands firm" on the understandings reached during the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Anchorage

Russia to support Iran’s efforts toward settling crisis with IAEA, West — Lavrov

"The Iranian nuclear program was dismantled, despite the fact that it was endorsed by the UN Security Council resolution," Sergey Lavrov pointed out

No IAEA inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites without condemning Israel — official

The agency, which failed to condemn the attacks and has no instructions regarding the inspection of damaged sites has no grounds to declare its intentions to inspect," head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami said

Trump says he held conversation with Putin recently

The US leader did not give any details

Implementation of Trump’s Gaza plan under question — Lavrov

Both parties - Israel and Hamas - say that its provisions are being violated, Russian Foreign Minister said

IAEA should remain impartial regarding Iran — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said that Moscow will encourage the resumption of Iran-IAEA cooperation

Sixth Russia-China media forum kicks off in Beijing

The two countries’ two leading news agencies, TASS and Xinhua, co-organized the event

US demands Ukraine give up territories in exchange for security guarantees — media

According to US officials, Washington expects that "Russia would accept such an arrangement in a final deal, as well as permit Ukraine to join the European Union"

Ukrainian MP points out Umerov has not been back to Ukraine since start of US talks

Rustem Umerov was appointed to lead Ukraine’s delegation to the talks with the US side on November 29 in place of Vladimir Zelensky’s office head Andrey Yermak

Berlin talks offer no clarity on Ukraine security guarantees — Bild

The paper’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief and correspondent Paul Ronzheimer noted that the official statements differ significantly from behind-the-scenes conversations

Russia, Iran have huge potential for trade growth, it needs to be stimulated — Lavrov

Lavrov said that one should not forget that besides trade between the two countries, there is also investment cooperation

EU prepares for war with Russia, forces Serbia to choose sides — ex-premier

Aleksandar Vulin said that freedom reigns supreme in Serbia, but that’s not the case in the EU

Moscow to assess EU leaders' statement on guarantees to Kiev once it sees text — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow has only seen media reports about the joint statement by EU leaders on security guarantees for Kiev

Russia did not betray Syria, developments there are its domestic affair — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov also noted that Russia has smooth, stable relations with the new authorities

EU membership to provide no security guarantees to Ukraine — top Hungarian diplomat

The Hungarian government has repeatedly stated that it will not allow Ukraine's fast-tracked accession to the EU, as it would ruin the European economy and spark a direct armed conflict with Russia

Zelensky believes US-Ukraine talks take place on December 20-21

The first round of negotiations between the US and Ukrainian delegations took place in Berlin on December 14 and lasted about five hours

EU 'light years' away from seizing Russian assets, Polish PM says

Donald Tusk said that it won’t come to any fundamental decisions at the European Council meeting

'Coalition of Willing' prepares plans to deploy troops to Ukraine — British PM

Keir Starmer stated that the prior question is whether a just and lasting peace can be achieved

Revival of Nazism in EU and Europe’s 'bent towards stealing:' What Lavrov said

Russian Foreign Minister also noted that the situation around Russia’s frozen assets made it clear that "stealing is in the Europeans’ blood"

EU continues blacklisting companies, individuals

Seventeen individuals and four legal entities were added to the list in total

Italy softens language in Ukraine bill to get it passed ahead of EU summit — paper

According to the newspaper, the government also "encrypted" certain obstacles to approving a form of "reparation loan" to Kiev at the expense of frozen Russian assets

Russia tests prototype of Ariadna non-satellite navigation system — NTI Fund

The NTI Fund specified that, unlike other domestic solutions and foreign analogues, the technology offers precise positioning of up to 15-20 cm

Europe missed all chance to take part in Ukrainian settlement — Lavrov

"The West is turning a deaf ear to everything related to real facts Russia has repeatedly pointed to within the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and at meeting with ambassadors to Moscow," Sergey Lavrov said

At Berlin talks, Zelensky refuses economic zone in Donbass, troop withdrawal — newspaper

European countries disagree with Washington's position, believing that the issue of territories is not subject to discussion until Ukraine receives security guarantees

US, Europe to provide security guarantees to Kiev in case of truce — German chancellor

Friedrich Merz stressed, however, that the parties would need to discuss the details