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US to retain strong military presence in Europe — envoy to NATO

US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker did not comment on the troop pullout but emphasized that Romania has been "demonstrating increased capability and responsibility" over recent years

BRUSSELS, October 29. /TASS/. The United States will retain "strong presence" in Europe, including on NATO’s eastern flank, US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker said on the X social network following announcements about the withdrawal of 700 out of 1,700 US troops from Romania.

"Our strong presence in and enduring commitment to Europe remains steadfast, including support for Eastern Sentry," the envoy wrote.

He did not comment on the troop pullout itself but emphasized that Romania has been "demonstrating increased capability and responsibility" over recent years, while the US "remains committed to Romania — as a trusted NATO Ally, a vital strategic partner, and a driving force for security in Europe."

Earlier, Washington has informed Romania’s Ministry of National Defense of plans to reduce the US contingent deployed to the country by about 700 troops, the ministry said in a statement.

Romania's Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu said the decision reflects Washington's shift "toward the Indo-Pacific" region.

MP from Japan’s ruling party, Muneo Suzuki, departs to Russia on visit

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World Aquatics names Russia’s Maltsev as Male Artistic Swimmer of the year

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Hamas informs Turkey about Israel's violations of Gaza agreement

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The drones were destroyed between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. GMT

Putin meets with businessmen in Kremlin — spokesman

The Russian government’s officials in charge of economy and social affairs, presidential administration officials, and Russian Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina attended the meeting

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EU had chance to prevent Russia conflict in 2022 — Hungarian PM

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Ukraine lost 1-2 GW of power grid capacity as a result of December 23 explosions

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Europe has 'epiphany' on Ukraine negotiations — opposition figure

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French president, NATO chief discuss Ukraine-related efforts by Coalition of Willing

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Hungarian PM gives hot take on biggest threat of war facing Europe

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US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker emphasized that there are still matters that need to be resolved in a way that both sides can agree

Ukraine’s major oil producer Ukrnafta sustains critical damage

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Gloomy mood in European Commission’s headquarters — Politico

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Moscow becomes major center producing UAVs for Russian army — Sobyanin

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Tourism to Moscow booms in 2025, to set new all-time record for visits — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin emphasized that the tourist economy is growing year after year

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Kalashnikov Concern dispatches AK-15K assault rifles in Multicam colors to customer

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FSB thwarts hostage-taking, prisoner escape from penal colony in Kurgan Region

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Dmitriev jokes European Commission chief would be banned from entering US

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Polish officials not allowed to enter Russian consulate’s former building

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Death toll in Mexican Navy plane crash in Texas rises to five

One crew member has not yet been found

Putin-Trump call can be arranged quickly if needed — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that everything slows down during Christmas time

Belgium shocked by US sanctions against five EU citizens — foreign minister

Maxime Prevot said that EU digital legislation is not directed against the United States, but serves to ensure that EU citizens have the same security and dignity in the digital space that they enjoy in their public lives in Europe

Passenger car output in Russia down 12.6% in first 11 months to 591,000 — Rosstat

In November, passenger car output fell by 34.1% year-on-year but increased by 8.2% compared with this October

EU loan will not lead to improvement in Ukrainian military’s situation — Guardian

The Guardian draws attention to the low level of recruitment into the Ukrainian armed forces

US sanctions against former European officials cast doubt on EU sovereignty — Kallas

The chief of the European diplomacy said that Europe will continue to defend its values of freedom of expression

Ukraine unable to keep 800,000-strong army — German general

Harald Kujat noted that the 800,000-strong Ukrainian army, as required by the Europeans, would constitute a significant increase from the pre-conflict number

EU is militarizing Moldova despite its neutrality — Transnistrian Foreign Minister

Vitaly Ignatiev said that the European Peace Fund is providing weapons and military equipment

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In particular, 110 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the Bryansk Region

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Volume of household funds in Russian banks edges down by 0.04% in November — regulator

There was a small shift from ruble current accounts to term deposits

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Dutch B4Ukraine, tracking Russian oil exports registered undesirable — Prosecutor’s office

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Press review: Ukraine mulls elections and Trump plans laser fleet as gold prices soar

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 24th

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Zelensky's new peace plan not to work for Russia, says expert

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Moldovan border guards cut off channel for transfer of draft dodgers from Ukraine

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Kiev loses about 20 battalions in fighting near Vilcha — expert

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Conflict in Ukraine can be resolved within 90 days — US envoy to NATO

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Ruble becomes strongest-performing currency in 2025 — Bloomberg

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UN experts call on US Congress to intervene to stop aggression against Venezuela

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European Union disintegrating before our eyes — Orban

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Emergence of BRICS payment system quite possible — ambassador to Moscow

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FACTBOX: How Catholics celebrate Christmas

The first records of Christmas being celebrated as an independent holiday date back to the 4th century

Russian stock market closes with major indices down

The yuan exchange rate rose by 3 kopecks to 11.14 rubles

Taking Gulyaipole to expand bridgehead along Gaichur River — Russian defense source

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Japanese lawmaker, stalwart Moscow supporter Suzuki plans to visit Russia soon — agency

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Spacecraft with artificial gravity patented in Russia

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