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Belgium not to block EU plan to use Russian assets — Politico

EU ambassadors have informally agreed draft European Council conclusions that call on the Commission to put forward a proposal that is "underpinned by appropriate European solidarity and risk-sharing," the newspaper wrote

BRUSSELS, October 21. /TASS/. Belgium does not intend to block the EU plan to use frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine, Politico reported, citing a Belgian diplomat.

Brussels fears legal consequences from the use of assets. The source clarified that Belgium will give the nod for the European Commission (EC) to put forward a legal proposal for the use of frozen assets.

EU ambassadors have informally agreed draft European Council conclusions that call on the Commission to put forward a proposal that is "underpinned by appropriate European solidarity and risk-sharing," Politico wrote. This text is "the political go-ahead" for the Commission to issue a proposal after the EU summit on Thursday, a Belgian diplomat said.

On September 10, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EC did not intend to confiscate frozen Russian assets in the West, but would use them to issue loans to Ukraine. The majority of Russia's sovereign assets frozen in Europe, just over 200 bln euros, are blocked on the Euroclear platform in Belgium. The depository has repeatedly opposed their seizure, warning that it could lead to Russia seizing European or Belgian assets elsewhere in the world through legal action.

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Massive strikes launched on Ukraine in response to drone attack on Grozny — Chechen leader

According to him, more than 60 targets across Ukraine were hit overnight

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

This is evidenced by radio intercepts obtained by TASS

Nigeria sends troops to Benin following government’s appeal — defense official

Benin’s government requested Nigeria to deploy fighter jets to secure the country’s airspace and help remove coup leaders from the national television building and the military camp where they had barricaded themselves

Lavrov says Savchenko will be headache for Ukraine

The foreign minister considers handing the ex-servicewoman over to Kiev the right decision as Moscow had to bring back its citizens sentenced on terrorism charges in Ukraine

Servicemen seize power in Benin — news outlet

The servicemen also have announced the dissolution of all state authorities

Von der Leyen, Merz fail to convince Belgian PM to authorize seizure of Russian assets

"We agreed to continue our discussions with the aim of reaching a consensus at the European Council meeting on December 18," European Commission President said

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

John Mearsheimer stressed that there’s nothing US President Donald Trump "can do to assuage Russian fears that any agreement Moscow reaches with Ukraine and the West will stick over time"

Attempted coup in Benin suppressed, all its foci mopped up — President

Patrice Talon stressed that the authorities have complete control of the situation throughout the country

EU eyes seizing Russian money due to depletion of national resources — economist

"The goal is not simply to ‘take money away,’ but rather to establish a sustainable financial flow for Ukraine", said Nikolay Gapenko

ECOWAS to send its Standby Force to Benin

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No information about injured people and damage was reported thus far

Hungary to challenge ban on Russian oil, gas with EU court next week — top diplomat

"This dictation will make it impossible to ensure reliable energy supplies to our country and Slovakia and will provoke a dramatic price hike," Peter Szijjarto said

Nornickel launches upgraded unique metallic cobalt production facility in Russia

The upgraded production will increase the company's precious metal output, as well as enhance revenues and budget contributions, the company noted

Thai military retaliate fire in self-defense on border with Cambodia — foreign ministry

According to earlier reports, two Thai soldiers were wounded in a 30-minute shootout on the border with Cambodia

Press review: President Putin begins India state-visit while EU mulls Military Schengen

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Disappearance of 'Russian threat' from US national security strategy positive — Kremlin

The messages for Russia-US relations sent by the administration of US President Donald Trump differs from approaches of previous administrations, the Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted

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Governor Yury Slyusar said that restoration work in the farms will begin in daylight hours

US armed forces learning lessons from conflict in Ukraine — Pentagon chief

The United States are studying the experience of using autonomous weapon, Pete Hegseth said

Cambodian military again opened fire on the border with Thailand — army

Civilians are being evacuated from the border area

EU, G7 to completely ban transportation of Russian oil on Western ships — Reuters

Representatives of the US and UK are actively promoting this idea at G7 technical meetings, sources told the agency

Bombs with power of 13 kilos of trotyle found in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria

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Qatar Energy head expresses bewilderment at EU's decision to phase out Russian gas by 2027

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Head of Spiritual Board of Russia’s Muslims put on Ukraine’s undesirable persons database

Access to Ukraine’s Mirotvorets extremist website is blocked in Russia by court order

Malaysia ready to help de-escalate situation on Thai-Cambodian border — PM

Anwar Ibrahim noted that "the renewed fighting risks unravelling the careful work that has gone into stabilizing relations between the two neighbors"

US fears reparations loan will undermine dollar’s status — economist

"The US is acting with restraint not because of sympathy for Russia, but because of concerns that asset confiscation would significantly undermine the status of the dollar and the euro as reserve currencies," Nikolay Gaponenko said

Russian security official to visit Vietnam, Laos, meet with leaders — press service

Sergey Shoigu will also visit some defense industry facilities, the press service reported

International Court of Justice ready to assess Kiev's crimes — Russian Foreign Ministry

The West's hopes of using "legal weapons" against Russia have once again failed, the ministry said

Ukrainian drone strike leaves civilian injured in Russia’s Belgorod Region

According to the regional crisis center, the man suffered multiple shrapnel injuries and was taken to the hospital

Lithuania 'playing' with drones for European money — top Belarusian diplomat

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

Top Iranian diplomat to soon visit Russia for high-level talks — MFA

The Iranian Foreign Minister also plans to visit Belarus

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

Yan to receive $50,000 bonus from UFC for tournament's best fight

At UFC 323, Petr Yan defeated Georgia's Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous judges' decision and regained the UFC bantamweight championship belt

Communist Party leader supports Putin’s web camera initiative

The leader of Russia’s Communist Party, Gennady Zyuganov

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

The document also obligates the Pentagon chief to report to the House of Representatives and Senate on the temporary suspension or cessation of intelligence provision to Ukraine

Israel to retain control of security in West Bank — Netanyahu

The issue of the political annexation of the West Bank is still subject to discussion, the Israeli prime minister said

Russia to reduce list of restricted trades for women in 2027

Changes will apply to the spheres of transport and processing industry

Russian diplomat slams Kiev regime as international corruption brigade

"Ukrainian patriots," Maria Zakharova said ironically, commenting on reports that senior Ukrainian government officials were involved in the corruption scheme along with businessmen

Legitimate authorities regain control of situation in Benin — news agency

It was a small group of rebels who had access to television, a source told the agency

Nigerian air force strikes putschists in Benin — agency

The attack was greenlighted by Benin’s legitimate government

Thai Air Force carries out strike on casino in Cambodia

The Royal Thai Army reported earlier that a Thai service member had been killed, and another four wounded, in clashes on the Cambodian border

Russian, Ukrainian foreign ministers meet for talks in Moscow

The Ministers agreed to intensify negotiations to resolve the Azov-Kerch water area issue with a view to reaching a mutually acceptable solution

RDIF CEO gives tips on how to make Europe great again

"To resolve EU-made problems: uncontrolled migration, rising crime, de-industrialization, punishing energy prices, accelerating economic decline and ubiqutious censorship," Kirill Dmitriev said

Slovak President Pellegrini put on Ukraine’s undesirable persons database

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Poland asks Interpol to put two Ukrainians suspected of railway bombing on wanted list

They are talking about Alexander Kononov and Evgeny Ivanov

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According to Chechen leader, the attack on high-rise buildings makes absolutely no sense from the tactical point of view

Attempted coup in Benin suppressed — news outlet

The rebels have been arrested and constitutional order has been restored

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Russia's main New Year's tree to be cut down outside Moscow on Monday

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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

Seizure of frozen Russian assets could impact euro’s role as reserve currency — FT

Euro-denominated assets account for around 20% of foreign exchange reserves held by central banks worldwide, according to the publication

Putin’s potential meeting with Trump was not discussed at meeting with Witkoff — aide

Russia and the US "have managed to make progress in the context of a better understanding of each other’s positions," Yury Ushakov said

Tucker Carlson hopes to visit Russia again

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According to the official, in the forest west of Liman, the enemy’s 225th separate assault regiment launched a failed counterattack against Russia’s Battlegroup North forces

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Bank of Russia lifts limits on foreign currency transfers abroad for Russian citizens

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The issues of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant and the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic remain on the agenda, special envoy of the US president said

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Modernization potential of the S-400 Triumph air defense system allows it to quickly mitigate emerging threats during the special military operation

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Yury Ushakov pointed to US President Donald Trump's words to Vladimir Zelensky that he could have obtained more favorable terms in February, but Ukraine's position is now deteriorating

French politician says Zelensky, his allies reject peace as they fear to lose power

Florian Philippot said that efforts to negotiate a peace settlement are being stalled by the deep state, which is "adding tons of fuel to the fire"

EU sets unrealistic rules to punish companies that reject censorship — Durov

In Telegram co-founder's words, the EU exclusively targets platforms that host inconvenient or dissenting speech

EC hopes Germany, Italy, France will become guarantors for loan to Kiev — Politico

The publication reported that EU countries will be required to individually commit to providing billions of euros to guarantee Ukraine's 210 bln euros emergency loan

Cambodian Defense Ministry accuses Thailand of violating joint peace declaration

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Putin’s visit to India clearly shows Russia not isolated — TV

"Signing of numerous contracts between Russia and India in different spheres during the visit is a kind of a demonstrative response to the Western pressure in late months," according to France 5

Odessa Appeals Court adjourns hearing of extradition of Putin’s suspected assailant

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Diplomat sees Zelensky fighting against Ukrainian people, not Russia

Maria Zakharova pointed to Kiev’s silence regarding Ukraine refusing a thousand POWs

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

The US leader also noted that Vladimir Zelensky's people loved the US government's proposal

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

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman noted that for the first time in many years, the US document refers to Russia not as a "threat" but as a participant in the dialogue on stability

Conflict in Ukraine entering its decisive phase — Bloomberg

European leaders are deeply concerned about US attempts to broker a deal they see as a capitulation of the West, according to the report

Air defense forces shot down 67 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions overnight

24 of them were destroyed over the Bryansk region

Russian national wins UFC bantamweight title

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Putin concludes two-day state visit to India

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Russia can receive unlimited number of Indian specialists — first deputy PM

Denis Manturov confirmed that the labor mobility agreement was signed during the Russian-Indian summit in New Delhi

US needs to cut off all military support to Ukraine, former White House advisor says

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Russian cosmonaut Ryzhikov hands over command of ISS and its Russian segment

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Strains between US, EU beneficial for Russia — Medvedev

"The Americans continue taming the crazed European Union," The Russian Security Council Chairman wrote

Kiev forces stepped up efforts in Krasny Liman direction last week — expert

Military expert Andrey Marochko emphasized that active combat operations continued along the western borders of the Lugansk People’s Republic

German parliament turns down two anti-Russian resolutions

A total of 455 lawmakers voted against the first resolution, and 77 supported it

X deleted European Commission’s ad account after being fined by it

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Polish Foreign Minister suggests Musk going to Mars after call to disband EU

"There's no censorship of Nazi salutes there," Radoslaw Sikorski said

China demands Japan stop slandering actions of PLA Navy — spokesman

These incidents occurred amid a sharp deterioration in relations after Japanese Prime Minister said a potential military crisis in Taiwan could pose an "existential threat"

Strikes paralyze operations of 26 wine houses in France

According to LCI data, 80% of employees of Ruinart and Moet & Chandon were on strike on Friday in the Champagne-Ardenne region

US to prevent deployment of adversaries’ weapons in Western Hemisphere — Hegseth

The US uses such dominance " to protect our homeland and access to key terrain throughout the region," Pete Hegseth said

Royal Thai Air Force carried out airstrikes on Cambodian armed forces positions

According to the statement released by the Royal Thai Air Force, the operation was carried out in response to Cambodia's military actions that posed a direct threat to Thailand's national security

UN Security Council will hold a meeting on Ukraine on December 9

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. local time

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

Putin ratifies agreement on naval base in Syria’s Tartus

Russia will be able to deploy up to 11 warships to the facility

Firefighting efforts at Temryuk port continue for third day after Ukrainian drone attack

According to the Russian emergencies ministry’s Krasnodar Region department, firefighting efforts involve 35 men and 11 fire engines

Unjust fine on X confirms prospects for Europe’s ‘civilizational erasure’ — RDIF CEO

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US not going to change status quo in Taiwan issue — Hegseth

"Our interests in the Indo-Pacific are significant, but also scoped and reasonable," war secretary said

FSB publishes declassified data on Nazi collaborators who took refuge in Canada

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Cambodia fires BM-21 rockets at Thai territory — army

The Royal Thai Army previously reported that one Thai soldier was killed and four others were wounded in clashes on the Thai-Cambodia border