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Middle East conflict

UAE believes return to status quo won’t help end Middle East conflict

According to Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE president, the Middle East region is at a crossroads because the ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave could be a "moment of opportunity" or a "moment of danger," depending on further steps

DUBAI, October 22. /TASS/. A return to the status quo before Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip will not help to finally settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE president, said.

According to him, the Middle East region is at a crossroads because the ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave could be a "moment of opportunity" or a "moment of danger," depending on further steps. "Direct confrontation has not yielded results for Israelis or Palestinians," the diplomat said at the Reuters Next political forum in Abu Dhabi.

Gargash noted that "maximalist views" on settling the Palestinian issue, including those of the Israeli far right, are no longer relevant. "We have to address the issue that we have two contending nationalisms fighting on one piece of land and that land has to be divided," he added.

The diplomat reiterated that the UAE supports the two-state solution. He also warned Israel against further attempts to annex Palestinian territories.

On October 9, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas had reached an agreement on the first stage of a peace plan. This plan involves releasing all hostages held in the Gaza Strip and withdrawing Israeli troops to agreed-upon positions. In the early morning hours of October 10, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the government had approved a deal to release all hostages. The ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10.

Trump confesses his wife hates his dancing in public

The US President also recalled that his supporters enjoy it when he lightly dances to music at various public events

Trump says hardly possible that Kiev attacked Russian president's residence

According to the US President, "there is something that happened fairly nearby," but it had nothing to do with the attack on the Russian leader's official residence

Venezuela achieved victory at UN Security Council’s meeting — foreign minister

The international community officially recognized that the attack made on January 3 was the act contradicting the international law, Yvan Gil Pinto emphasized

Non-European countries may participate in ensuring Ukraine's security — Paris declaration

"Coordinated military planning has been conducted to prepare for reassurance measures in the air, at sea and on land and for the regeneration of the armed forces of Ukraine," the declaration states

Turkey ready to make any contribution toward settling conflict in Ukraine — top diplomat

Hakan Fidan called on the parties to waste no time to gather together and agree on a ceasefire, despite the current situation

Delcy Rodriguez swore in as acting president of Venezuela

She promised to abide by the constitution and laws of the country, defend its territory and work for prosperity of the nation

Erdogan discussed Venezuela, Gaza, bilateral relations with Trump

The Turkish side communicated "the position on sensitive issues" for Turkey in the situation with Venezuela

Russia bans entry to 28 Canadian supporters of neo-Nazism, MFA announces

This was done in response to unlawful anti-Russian entry restrictions earlier announced by Ottawa

Kara Sea may become Russia’s fishing center

According to the fishing authority, the Kara Sea’s advantage is that it is a shelf sea, it does not border any territorial waters of other states

Russian armed forces destroy Ukrainian forces’ equipment near Kupyansk — Defense Ministry

The ministry noted that specialists from the unmanned systems troops have reduced the reconnaissance-to-strike cycle to a minimum

Medvedev comments on US aggression on Venezuela, double standards in use by Europe to TASS

According to the senior Russian security official, Washington no longer has the formal right to criticize Moscow for any actions

Russia, Ukraine held talks, agreeing to swap captives and meet again. Here’s what we know

The head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, said he was satisfied with the outcome of the talks and Moscow is ready to continue communication

Ukrainian forces lose around 1,290 troops over past day — Russian Defense Ministry

At the same time, Russian forces struck storage sites of long-range UAVs over the past day

Professor Jeffrey Sachs is right: Ukraine risks losing Odessa, says Duma member

According to Alexey Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Ukraine is losing ground every day

Russia, Ukraine exchange 25 prisoners of war from each side in year’s first swap

All service members released from Ukrainian captivity will be brought to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation at the Defense Ministry’s medical institutions

Air defenses down three Ukrainian drones over two Russian regions overnight — top brass

Two of them were destroyed over the Moscow Region

Air defenses down 55 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions during three hours

31 of them were destroyed over the Bryansk Region

EU doesn’t recognize legitimacy of Venezuelan interim president — European Commission

The authorities in Venezuela derived their mandate from an electoral process that failed to respect the will of the people for democratic change

UN trying to get information on the ground about those killed in Venezuela — spokesperson

This was reported by the UN chief’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric at a news briefing

Russia’s economy avoided recession and achieved lower inflation in 2025 — expert

According to him, the exit from overheating has been accompanied by a slowdown in investment activity and an uneven situation in industry

Ukraine’s terrorist attacks against Russia could be seen as ‘suicide’ for Kiev — Ritter

Commenting on the Ukrainian armed forces' attempt to attack Russian President Vladimir Putin's state residence, Former US intelligence officer and ex-UN inspector suggested that the CIA may have been involved in the operation

Trump confirms he is not setting deadlines for settlement in Ukraine

The US leader has repeatedly said that he is not trying to set a deadline for this issue

Gas reserves in European storage facilities have fallen below 60% — Gazprom

In total, since the start of the withdrawal season, 23.6 bln cubic meters of gas have already been withdrawn from Europe’s UGS facilities

Analysts expect Brent crude oil to average below $65 per barrel in 2026

At the same time, senior analyst at Euler Andrey Polischuk expects the average Brent price in 2026 to reach $61.7 per barrel

US is not at war with Venezuela, Trump says

Donald Trump also added that the White House believes new elections will not be held in Venezuela during the next thirty days

Czech parliament Speaker may face resignation due to his critical statements on Ukraine

The parliamentary liberal opposition parties intend to submit to the Chamber of Deputies the question of stripping Okamura of his post as head of the lower house of the republic's highest legislative body

ICC ruling on Putin to cause disastrous consequences for international law — Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev said ICC judges shouldn’t have raised their hand against a major nuclear power

US triumph in Venezuela could turn into disaster — Russian senator

Alexey Pushkov opined that by attacking Venezuela and capturing its president, the US violated all norms, "once again stirring up the whole world, returning it to the savage imperialism of the 19th century"

Kallas wants EU to enter into a war with Russia and China — Dmitriev

When you hear EU, just think Ursula & Kaja — that tells you everything you need to know," Russia’s Special Presidential Envoy wrote on the X social network

Maduro signs decree on state of emergency in Venezuela in wake of US attack

The Venezuelan government has also said that the country’s armed forces "have been deployed to ensure sovereignty and peace"

Trump praises Maduro's decision to surrender

US special forces acted "very violently", Donald Trump said

Over 4,000 people cross from Gaza to Egypt since October 7 — Health Ministry

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

Cases have been reported in 17 out of DRC’s 26 provinces, with the capital Kinshasa being one of the hotspots

Zaporozhye NPP could supply Donbass, Novorossiya, Crimea, Caucasus

All six units, in theory, should be sufficient to cover the consumption needs of the new regions and Crimea

Macron voices his plans to hold conversation with Putin as soon as possible

Marcon was answering a question from the channel's journalist, who recalled the French president’s recent statement that it would be useful to talk with Putin and inquired about any progress in this regard

Press review: Florida talks ease Ukraine conflict and Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire at risk

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 29th

Switzerland freezes assets of Venezuela’s Maduro and his inner circle

The measure is said to ensure that "any illicitly acquired assets cannot be transferred out of Switzerland in the current situation", the Swiss government said

Spartak Moscow FC announces appointment of Spain’s Carcedo as head coach

Juan Carcedo will assume the position of head coach on January 8 under a contract valid until the summer of 2028

Trump confesses his wife hates his dancing in public

The US President also recalled that his supporters enjoy it when he lightly dances to music at various public events

Europe to face collapse if it stops rearming — Polish PM

Donald Tusk’s remarks followed the recent US strike on Venezuela, as well as statements by US President Donald Trump about Washington’s territorial claims on Greenland, which is part of Denmark

Medvedev bashes US general’s idiotic remarks about Kaliningrad’s air defenses

The Russian PM commented on media reports citing the commander of the US Air Forces in Europe on Pentagon's plans to ‘crack’ the air defenses in the Kaliningrad Region in case of Russia's aggression

Attempts to revise history used to undermine Serbia and Russia — Vulin

According to Vulin, one of the key missions of the Russian Historical Society is to counter efforts to distort the past

Ukrainian Security Service head submits his resignation letter — lawmaker

A number of Ukrainian military leaders expressed their dissatisfaction with such plans

UNGA elects new non-permanent members of Security Council for 2026-2027

The new Security Council members will replace Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, and Sierra Leone, whose terms expire on December 31, 2025

Venezuela asks to reopen US embassy in Caracas — Trump

Washington is thinking about it, the US leader said

Trump says US needs Greenland 'for defense'

The US President emphasized that the island is "surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships"

Trump’s confident about taking Greenland due to Europe's weakness — Sky News reporter

Deborah Haynes stressed that European countries, including the UK, are heavily dependent on the US for defense

Over 2,000 schools close in Ukraine due to exodus of young people

Before the start of this academic year, approximately 300,000 schoolchildren left the country, according to the report

US operation may intensify instability in Venezuela, impact broader region — UN chief

According to Antonio Guterres, he is concerned that "it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted"

Foreign Ministry knows better how Truss’ geography blunder may affect talks — Kremlin

Earlier, Liz Truss said that the UK would never recognize Moscow’s sovereignty over the Voronezh and Rostov regions

Nearly 60 Russians killed, over 300 injured by Ukraine’s actions in December

Miroshnik specified that compared with November, both the number of wounded and those killed increased

Russia strongly calls on US to release Maduro, his wife — MFA

It also emphasized the need "to create conditions for resolving any existing problems between the United States and Venezuela through dialogue"

UN Security Council should prevent collapse of international law — expert

American economist and public policy analyst Jeffrey Sachs noted that the UN Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state

US operation in Venezuela is 'very bad news' for Zelensky — news outlet

Even in the West, some argue that the US violated international law, the news outlet pointed out

Germany ready to deploy forces on NATO territory adjacent to Ukraine after ceasefire

Friedrich Merz added that the decision on Germany's contribution to providing security guarantees for Ukraine would be made by the German government and the Bundestag

Situation in Caracas is calm, controlled by authorities — Russian ambassador

"There are no Russian nationals among those killed or injured," Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov said

European Commission struggles to assess US actions in Venezuela

The European Commission also declined to comment on whether it condemns civilian deaths following US actions

European leaders stress Greenland belongs to its people

On January 4, US President Donald Trump told The Atlantic in an interview that The United States needs to control Danish-owned Greenland "for defense"

Press review: Ukraine aid dips in 2025 and US, Europe tussle over tech dispute

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 26th

Russian stock indices decline as trading on Moscow Exchange closes

By the end of the day, the MOEX index fell 0.43% to 2,745.26 points

Battlegroup East destroyed 8 UAV control centers of Kiev forces in one day

The group's units defeated the manpower and equipment of a mechanized assault brigade and two assault regiments in the areas of the settlements of Vozdvizhenka, Petrovka, Staroukrainskoye, Bratskoye, and Ternovatoye

About 200 US servicemen were in Caracas to capture Maduro — Hegseth

War Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed that not a single American soldier was killed

Armenia to drop ‘cognac’ use for its products by 2043 — Acting Deputy PM

Armenian producers are proactively discussing new names to substitute for the word

Greenland’s PM urges Washington to halt pressure on island

Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Greenland remain open to dialogue

US, EU aim to finalize agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine in Paris — Bloomberg

According to one of the sources, Ukraine’s allies will push for Russian participation after an agreement on security is reached with the US

UAV operators destroy up to 70 units of Ukrainian military equipment near Kupyansk

In addition, Russian FPV strike drone crews hit two Kvertus and Bukovel electronic warfare stations

Kremlin stresses Chechen leader’s harsh statements taken out of context

Kadyrov’s words are taken out of context, the Kremlin spokesman stressed

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

Press review: Russia may revise Ukraine talks post attack and China launches Taiwan drills

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 30th

France going to war with Russia would be insane, French politicians say

Jean-Luc Melenchon also demanded France's withdrawal from NATO and a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict

Probe reveals 12mm hole in Russia’s damaged Progress MS-21 space freighter — Roscosmos

On February 11, the Progress MS-21 cargo spacecraft experienced a coolant leak while the space freighter was preparing for its undocking from the ISS

IN BRIEF: What is known about mass fatal traffic accident in Rostov Region

TASS has compiled the key information about the incident

Use of phones is cause of tragedy in Makeyevka — Russian Defense Ministry

A commission investigating circumstances of the incident is working and required measures are being taken to exclude such tragedies in the future

Poland’s ex-President Walesa calls on West not to be limited by liberating Ukraine

According to Lech Walesa, it is necessary to push for changes in Russia’s political system

Ensuring Ukraine's future security may include military capabilities — Paris declaration

"These commitments may include the use of military capabilities, intelligence and logistical support, diplomatic initiatives, adoption of additional sanctions," the document reads

US mum on upcoming terrorist attack in Russia to avoid exposing sources — newspaper

Senior US officials said that Washington has been closely monitoring the activities of the Islamic State extremist group in recent months

UK, France hit Islamic State facility in Syria

"There is no indication of any risk having been posed to civilians by the strike, and all our aircraft returned safely," the UK Ministry of Defense said

Ovechkin updates NHL record of goals at home arena

Ovechkin netted two goals in the match with Anaheim and brought the figure to 350 goals

Since conflict escalation Ukrainian army shelled DPR 2,738 times, killed 113 civilians

Tensions on the engagement line in Donbass escalated on February 17

Kaliningrad Region is well protected from US air attacks — top brass

The Russian Defense Ministry also said that the Pentagon had reasons to be concerned that the delivery of the Russian-made S-400 systems to Turkey might tarnish the image of the F-35 stealth aircraft

Dmitriev calls Europeans 'poor' after von der Leyen’s promise

"President of the European Commission promises to work even harder on Western civilization’s suicide in 2026," Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev said

Russia welcomes Venezuelan authorities' efforts to protect sovereignty

The ministry added that Russia is ready to continue providing the necessary support to Venezuela

Russian nonprofit organization to sue FBI for spreading false claims about it

The Dialog ANO said it was ready to work with any countries and organizations

Air defenses down yet another drone flying toward Moscow — mayor

Earlier, Sergey Sobyanin reported downing 23 drones targeting the megalopolis

Kremlin says Russian special services have proofs of plot against Lukashenko

They also have confessions by some conspirators, according to the Kremlin spokesman

Russia’s Aerospace Forces down Ukraine’s Su-27 fighter jet

In addition, Russian air defenses downed a smart bomb and 250 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles

Tu-160 bombers outfitted with novel cruise missiles — top brass

Russia’s Long-Range Aviation Commander Sergey Kobylash said during a visit by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the Knevichi airfield in Russia’s Far East

Russian business ready to expand ties with Vietnam

Areas of cooperation include cybersecurity, pharmaceuticals and healthcare