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European Commission to create zone for free movement of troops within EU by 2027

The Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen said the goal is to create a "military Schengen"

BRUSSELS, November 19. /TASS/. The European Commission plans to establish a "military Schengen" by 2027, which would allow for the free movement of troops and military equipment across the EU, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy and European Commissioner for Digital and Frontier Technologies Henna Virkkunen said.

"Our goal is to create a 'military Schengen,' where European troops and equipment will move fast and safe across borders," she said at a press conference in Brussels.

According to documents published by the European Commission, the zone should be in place by 2027.

US-Ukraine talks in Berlin last over five hours — media

According to Novosti Live, Vladimir Zelensky plans to comment on the progress of the negotiations on Monday

Russian air defenses down 290 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones in past day

Also air defenses downed four smart bombs

Lukashenko pardons more than 100 citizens of various countries

Among them are citizens of Australia, the United Kingdom, Latvia, Lithuania, the United States, Ukraine, and Japan

West erodes traditional values — Russian Foreign Ministry

"The deliberate erosion of these foundations and the relentless attempts by the neoliberal elite of the West to impose alien approaches on other nations are deeply disturbing," Kirill Logvinov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations, said

Belgium demands EU countries halt investment agreements with Russia — media

Belgium is demanding independent and autonomous guarantees from EU countries in return for its support for a floated loan to Ukraine using immobilized Russian assets

Top Iranian diplomat to meet with Lavrov, lawmakers during visit to Russia — official

In Belarus, Abbas Araghchi will meet with President Alexander Lukashenko, Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, and other top officials

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

The spat started with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s post, which stated that the EU leaders’ decision to seize Russian assets without consulting Hungary violates numerous laws and is "a declaration of war"

About 10,000 mercenaries fighting for Kiev regime killed in Ukraine — ex-intel officer

However it is difficult to give the exact number of mercenaries killed in Ukraine, noted Vasily Prozorov

Ukrainian attack leaves almost 30,000 customers without power in Zaporozhye Region

Balitsky noted that energy personnel were "working non-stop" to restore supplies as soon as possible, but the weather was complicating repair efforts

Trump vows retaliation over attack on US-Syrian patrol

The US President said that "in Syria, there will be a lot of damage done to the people that did it"

Regional export standard to go live across Russia from 2027 — PM

Mikhail Mishustin said the available set of tools "makes it possible to determine priority branches, whose products may be in need for foreign trade"

Explosion reported in Kiev-controlled city of Zaporozhye

An air raid warning is currently in effect for the city

NATO specialists in Ukraine triggered special military operation — Kremlin

This posed a direct threat to Russian citizens in Ukraine, as well as broader security risks for Russia, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Press review: NATO divided over Ukraine’s status and US-Venezuela conflict escalates

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, December 12th

'Paranoid' Hegseth removes Driscoll from Ukraine talks — media

According to the newspaper, Hegseth saw Driscoll as exceeding his authority during the Ukraine talks

Thailand says ceasefire on Cambodia border depends on assessment of security situation

Thailand reiterates that it does not seek conflict and has not initiated violence, but it will not allow Thai civilians or personnel to be placed at risk

NATO needs to prepare for global naval challenge from Russia, analysts say

The report adds that scenarios for a crisis "often focus on an escalation in what is a single strategic direction stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Kara Sea"

Russia’s response to EU freeze of Russian assets will follow shortly — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also noted that the European Union’s policy toward Russia has long been devoid of any sound logic and resembles a theater of the absurd

Turkey's position on Gaza settlement remains unchanged - Erdogan

The Turkish government has repeatedly emphasized the need to resolve the Palestinian crisis through a two-state solution

Nigeria denies reports that supertanker seized by US is Nigerian

NIMASA confirmed that SKIPPER did indeed sail to Nigeria in 2024

Trump admits looming difficulties for Republicans at midterm elections

US President also said that he had brought multibillion-dollar investments for the United States, though it is unclear when the money would start working

US forces conduct operation on ship traveling from China to Iran — WSJ

After the goods were confiscated, the ship continued on its way, the newspaper said

Euroclear ready to lawsuits in Russian courts due to assets blocking

The European Commission and the Belgian government made no comments on such news so far

US-Ukraine talks in Berlin last over five hours — media

According to Novosti Live, Vladimir Zelensky plans to comment on the progress of the negotiations on Monday

Zelensky: big business tycoons, diplomats make mistake by leaving Ukraine

The Ukrainian president stressed that his own family remained in Kiev

China highly praises Putin’s position on Taiwan, diplomat says

Lin Jian also pointed out that recognizing Taiwan as an inalienable part of China is a basic principle for building relations with China

Russia’s SME sector could drive non-commodity export growth — PM

According to Mikhail Mishustin, the government will allocate 1.5 bln rubles to further encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to expand into international markets

EU, Britain have no moral right to participate in Ukraine talks — opposition politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, "the EU, which claims to be a bastion of free speech, remained silent as opposition media outlets were shut down, churches were seized from believers, and the rights of the Russian-speaking population were systematically violated"

IDF confirms death of four soldiers in Gaza

Including these data, the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in the new round of the Middle East conflict reached 787

Number of injured in shooting at Brown University grows to nine

The shooter is yet to be detained

Lifting US sanctions on Belarusian potash to affect fertilizer market, Minsk believes

According to member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Alexander Shpakovsky, the results of the Belarusian-American talks meet the expectations of official Minsk

Analyst expects EU to cease to exist as global political entity by 2023

The idea of "a united Europe from Lisbon to Vladivostok" will ultimately give way to the reality of a divided, militarized, and economically weak continent

BRICS foreign ministers confirm plans to coordinate on international platforms

The foreign ministers of BRICS countries held a traditional meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York

Russian, US diplomats to meet in Istanbul on February 27, talk embassy issues — Lavrov

"We have announced that our diplomats and high-level experts will meet to address the systemic problems," the top Russian diplomat noted

Many Russian companies show interest in working with Iraq — Putin

Relations between Russia and Iraq are diversifying and becoming more versatile by their nature, the Russian leader said

Number of Russian billionaires climbs to record high 146 — Forbes

The total wealth of the richest Russians also climbed to a record high $625.5 bln over the year, the Russian edition of Forbes says

Russia starts using Force reconnaissance drone, resistant to electronic warfare

The device is equipped with thermal imaging equipment and can work around the clock

IDF raids leave one dead, two wounded in West Bank — TV

According to the Al Jazeera channel, Israeli soldiers opened fire on a 21-year-old Palestinian in the town of Salim east of Nablus

Syrian security forces carry out operation against Islamic State near Palmyra — media

According to Syria TV, the US-led coalition is also carrying out arrests in Palmyra and surrounding areas in response to the shooting

India may impose retaliatory duties on US over tariffs on car imports — WTO

The safeguard measures will affect $2,895 million worth of relevant goods from India to the United States annually

Venezuelan president’s visit to Russia not yet confirmed — envoy to Moscow

"It may take place either this fall, or next spring or summer. Unfortunately, there is no date," Jesus Rafael Salazar Velasquez noted

Floods in Bangladesh leave at least 67 killed

The overall number of families left homeless is 605,767, and 306,741 people are now housed in 3,615 shelters together with 32,830 cattle

Russia focuses on US instead of Europe in terms of Ukraine peace process — Kremlin

The Europeans are playing their own game, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Thailand ready for cooperation to settle conflict with Cambodia

The Thai Armed Forces Joint Press Center stressed that Thai actions in the conflict with Cambodia are "within the framework of self-defense under international law, guided by the principles of necessity, proportionality, and distinction, and in strict compliance with the Rules of Engagement, with operations directed solely at military targets"

Two people killed in shooting at Brown University — mayor of Providence

Another eight in critical status

Man opens fire on territory of Brown University — TV

According to the Associated Press, the suspect was detained

MFA calls EU authorities 'thimbleriggers' after indefinite freezing of Russian assets

According to the European Commission's plan, the indefinite asset freeze is the first stage in the expropriation of Russian assets

Man who stopped Sydney attacker turns out to be local fruit shop owner

Ahmed Al Ahmed’s cousin told 7News that he was injured during the struggle and taken to hospital, where he is awaiting surgery

Russian senator calls Merz's words recognition of major geopolitical shift

"This is a serious recognition of a major geopolitical shift, which not everyone believes in yet, but which has been looming for a long time," Alexey Pushkov noted

Kremlin aide confident Zelensky's talk of elections comes from US pressure

"What a double-dealing," Yury Ushakov said

Normalization in BiH requires immediate closure of high representative office — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister said that "It was obvious 20 years ago"

Seizure of Russian assets to backfire on EU — Hungarian PM

It is a direct step toward entering the war, Viktor Orban said

Ukrainian forces stretched thin in DPR, Russian commander says

Alexey Vereshchagin, commander of the Nevsky reconnaissance-assault brigade of Battlegroup South’s volunteer corps said that his "brigade’s zone of responsibility covers the city of Soledar, as well as the Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka area"

Japan to suspend support of new solar parks — newspaper

According to sources in the government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the decision was made over concerns about environmental damage and the negative attitude of the local population

Russia to strongly object to changes to Ukraine peace plan — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov pointed out that Moscow had not seen the proposals yet

Proton-M launch delayed to fix problems — Roscosmos

The postponement will not affect the planned scientific program

Western actions on BiH have most negative impact on situation in Balkans — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreign Minister, the West "launched a layered campaign against the Serbs," wishing "to reformat the country through its unitarization by depriving Serbs and Croats of Dayton rights"

Russia needs guarantees to prevent Kiev from sabotaging agreements — Kremlin

Washington’s position is certainly very important here, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

World-renowned Russian Choir to bring Victory Songs to Europe and US in 2018

The Turetsky Choir plans to visit more places after the Victory Songs had received a warm welcome in Berlin

Medvedev rejects accusations of Russia’s ‘disproportionate use of force’

There were several explosions in Kiev this night

Ukraine conflict could lead to World War III, Trump warns

The US president said the conflict in Ukraine "doesn’t really affect the United States, unless it got out of control"

Support of foreign business in Russia will continue, Putin says

The Russian leadernoted that foreign businessmen have good understanding of capabilities of the Russian market and advantages of working on it

Saudi Arabia's crown prince may buy FC Barcelona for €10 bln

According to El Chiringuito journalist Francois Gallardo, club members participating in the club’s presidential election could block the sale

Russian delegation arrives in Washington for G20 sherpa meeting — envoy

The first meetings will take place on December 15-16, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Marat Berdyev said

Russia hands over another 1,200 bodies of Ukrainian servicemen to Ukraine — source

Kiev has not handed over a single body to the Russian side

Israeli drone strikes on southern Lebanon leave three dead — health ministry

Drones attacked cars near the village of Jwaya in the border district of Tyre and on the highway between the towns of Safed and Baraashit, the statement said

Russian rescuers helped more than 120 residents of quake-hit Myanmar

Russian doctors are conducting consultations and additional examinations

Evacuation underway after blast struck village in Vladimir Region

According to the report, all emergency response forces are engaged

Explosions reported in Ukraine’s Odessa Region

Air raid warnings are currently in effect for the Odessa, Nikolayev, and Sumy regions

Explosions damage energy infrastructure in Ukrainian city of Odessa — authorities

Transport and industrial facilities were also damaged

Fico describes Ukraine as ‘black hole’ swallowing billions of euros

According to the Slovak prime minister, the European Union is currently in crisis

Ukraine loses about 1,450 troops in special military operation zone in past day

The enemy lost over 240 troops in the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North

Putin, Erdogan discuss highly sensitive issues in Ashgabat — Kremlin

The meeting in Turkmenistan lasted for about one and a half hours

Zelensky started to promote war after coming to power on promises of peace — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that the Minsk Agreements were in fact a staged plan that had been signed by all parties, including Poroshenko

Trump is confident that Ukrainian conflict will be resolved

Speaking at the White House, the American leader noted that he had previously held telephone conversations with Russian President state Vladimir Putin, as well as with Vladimir Zelensky

US hindering Venezuela to sell its oil, supply it to Cuba — Cuban foreign ministry

This step is part of escalation staged by the United States to bar Venezuela from realizing its legitimate right to the free use of and trade in its natural resources, the Cuban foreign ministry emphasized

Russian Defense Ministry to receive new serial Ilyushin Il-112V aircraft from 2023

Sydney beach shooting death toll rises to 12 — authorities

Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon designated the attack as a "terrorist incident"

Ukraine has money to run only until April 2026 — El Pais

Ukraine's budget has been running a record deficit for several years

US uses lighting bombs after attack by ISIS militants on patrol in Palmyra — TV

"American planes dropped lighting bombs in the sky over the city," Syria TV reported

Zelensky blackmails Western handlers to get them secure his re-election — Russian diplomat

Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential powers expired on May 20, 2024

Zelensky maneuvering when he announces referendum on territories — Ukraine’s former PM

Nikolay Azarov also stressed that Vladimir Zelensky has never consulted the people of Ukraine

Companies plan to transport cargo worth $1.1 trillion along Northern Sea Route — minister

The Arctic plays a huge role in the global economy: mineral resources - fertilizers, nickel, cobalt, platinum, copper; hydrocarbons - oil, gas, pulp and paper production and products of the timber industry, diamonds and shipbuilding, Alexey Chekunkov noted

Prince Albert praises ties between Monaco and Russia

An economic forum and bilateral tourism meetings will be on the agenda of Monaco Days in Russia

Russian senators to hold a vote on ratification of logistics pact with India

The document also formulates rules of providing materiel support for joint exercises and training, humanitarian deliveries, and disaster relief efforts, among other things

Police detain likely suspect of shooting at Brown University

No information has been released about the detainee’s identity or the motive behind the incident

Sales of Russian IT solutions almost double in three years — PM Mishustin

Mikhail Mishustin said that the share of IT in Russia’s aggregate GDP gained more than one third in three years, having reached 2.4%

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"

Kremlin discusses duration of Putin-Macron conversation

Dmitry Peskov said that there was a detailed exchange of opinions

Death toll in Sydney terrorist attack rises to 15 — minister

Ryan Park added that four of those injured in the shooting had been transferred to the children’s hospital

Lukoil International owning foreign assets of Russian oil producer to be sold to Gunvor

The sale of Lukoil International GmbH is due to restrictive measures imposed by some countries against the company and its subsidiaries, the oil major explained

Sixty-eight ionizing radiation sources lost in Ukraine — Russia’s top brass

According to the report, the loss of control over ionizing radiation sources was qualified as a radiation accident

Australian police arrest two more people over Sydney terrorist attack

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, police detained two men at a residence belonging to one of the attackers

Ukrainian forces facing huge losses in Kharkov Region — Russian security officer

Ukrainian commanders are chaotically deploying brigade forces to various parts of the frontline in the Kharkov Region in an attempt to stop Battlegroup North from advancing

North Korean combat engineers clear mines on over 40,000 hectares in Russia’s Kursk Region

This is invaluable help in the work, without which our borderline territory cannot be rebuilt, Governor Alexander Khinshtein said

Severstal delists from London Stock Exchange since August 22 — company

Earlier, it was reported that termination of listing and the GDR program of Severstal were caused by a number of sanction restrictions against the company

Rosatom sees strong interest from Chinese businesses in cooperation in Arctic

CEO Alexey Likhachev added that the Northern Sea Route allows reducing the time to get from Asia to Europe via the southern seas to 25-28 days

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

Kiev loses 1,355 troops along engagement line in past day

Ukrainian soldiers frozen to death at Liman positions in Kharkov Region — defense source

Battlegroup North fighters found the frozen bodies of Ukrainian soldiers who had died from hyperthermia at two out of six positions they seized

FIDE votes to lift restrictions on Russian players

The Assembly has not yet made a final decision

Iran stays committed to its legal liabilities before IAEA, Moscow says

Russia expects the IAEA to officially verify that the Iranian side has exceeded the uranium enrichment levels at the Natanz facility set by the JCPOA