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Japan, Turkey, Canada, South Korea keen to join EU’s scheme to fund defense investment

EC Spokesperson Thomas Regnier said the commission will "now look into this request"

BRUSSELS, December 12. /TASS/. Japan, Turkey, Canada and South Korea have informed the European Commission (EC) of their interest to participate in Security Action for Europe (SAFE), EC Spokesperson Thomas Regnier announced at a midday press briefing in Brussels on Friday.

"I can indeed confirm <…> that Turkey and South Korea had expressed their interest to also start bilateral negotiations to be associated fully to SAFE. This is also the case for Japan, I can confirm this today, on top of Canada where we have already successfully concluded a bilateral agreement to be associated to SAFE," he said.

The European Commission will "now look into this request," Regnier added as he refused to "prejudge" any potential decision.

Earlier, the European Commission invited partners to join its 150 billion euro program of weapons purchases for the EU. Countries outside the EU are planning to participate as weapons suppliers or invest in defense industrial production.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on December 11 that the bloc’s initiative to fund defense investment is so oversubscribed by the member states that some are calling for a second SAFE instrument.

Zelensky is Europe’s 'shield' against US, not Russia — Ukrainian opposition politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, the European bureaucracy no longer views Europeans’ national identity as a value and simply doesn’t recognize their sovereignty

Russian troops liberate Liman community in Kharkov Region — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 145 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a foreign-made radar station in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

IN BRIEF: What we know about partial collapse of apartment building in Volgograd Region

According to the latest information, four people, including a child, were injured

Russian forces holding their positions near Kupyansk, despite Ukraine’s counterattacks

According to Andrey Marochko, high-intensity counterattacks have been going on for a long time

Liberation of Seversk opens road to Slavyansk — DPR official

"Slavyansk is another major hub of the Ukrainian armed forces in the north of the republic," Igor Kimakovsky said

Bank of Russia files a lawsuit against Euroclear in Moscow Arbitration Court

The amount of the claim against the depository was not specified in the statement

EU leaders to oppose US-Russia relations thaw at summit — news outlet

The media outlet noted that the EU was preparing a statement for the summit that will reiterate all of its original demands on Ukraine

Irresponsible politicians, not Russia, threaten Europe — embassy

Diplomats commented on NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's statement that the alliance would allegedly become Moscow's "next target"

Russian assets seizure could trigger crisis in EU comparable to Great Depression — expert

According to Jacques Sapir, "this will have extremely dire consequences for the largest European banks"

Maduro praises phone talk with Putin, relations with Russia

The Venezuelan leader called his Russian counterpart a friend and "big brother" of the republic

Six countries to participate in next week’s meeting on Afghanistan in Iran

The meeting in Tehran will bring together special representatives for Afghanistan from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China and Russia

Zelensky will not hold any elections in Ukraine, former prime minister tells TASS

Nikolay Azarov said that if elections are held under the current circumstances, they would not bring about any meaningful change

Drone attack on apartment building in Tver leaves 7 wounded

At present, 22 residents, including five children, are staying in a temporary shelter

Russian archaeologist working for Hermitage Museum detained in Poland at Kiev's request

According to the station, the Russian archaeologist was detained while traveling from the Netherlands to the Balkans

Four drones taken down en route to Moscow

First responders are working at the crash sites

NATO, EU preparing for large-scale conflict with Russia — Russian embassy in Belgium

The embassy emphasized that the war party in Brussels is seeking "to sell the uncontrolled increase in military spending and the militarization of economies to the population at the expense of socio-economic well-being"

USAID may be behind testing of pharmacological drugs on Ukrainians — Russia’s top brass

According to Chief of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops Major General Alexey Rtishchev, US officials have repeatedly confirmed that the US defense agency conducted work in Ukrainian biolabs

Explosion damages residential building in Tver — TASS correspondent

Information about casualties is being verified

At least 90 Ukrainian drones downed over Russian territory overnight

63 of them were destroyed over the Bryansk Region

Hooley surely not first UK soldier to die in Ukraine — Russian MFA

"What Downing Street will say is another matter, but he is not the first one," Maria Zakharova said

Zelensky set to disrupt elections in Ukraine as he cannot win — expert

According to Vladimir Karasev, if presidential elections are held in Ukraine, candidates endorsed by either the UK or the US will make it to the final round

EU initiates written procedure for 'long-term freeze' of Russian assets

Bloomberg reported earlier that the European Commission hopes, if EU countries reject blocking of Russian assets once per six months and freeze them for several years, this will make it possible to convince Belgium to agree to the expropriation under the pretext of the "reparation loan"

At least 17 drones shot down over Russia in just three hours

15 of them were destroyed over the Bryansk Region

Ukrainian, EU agencies involved in generating fake news about Ukraine — envoy

Their main task is to blur and distort the pragmatic approaches that formed the basis of Trump's peace plan, Rodion Miroshnik noted

NATO chief calls on Germany to prepare for war lived by ‘grandparents, great-grandparents’

Mark Rutte also urged NATO countries to increase their defense spending

Russia has no invitations from US to join Core 5, Kremlin spokesman says

Regarding whether Russia is interested in such a platform at all, Dmitry Peskov stated that "it remains to be seen what it means"

Kremlin has no details on Trump's meeting with Ukrainian, EU officials — spokesman

Asked to specify Moscow’s expectations from the meeting, Dmitry Peskov repeated that Moscow was unaware if the event would take place at all

European Commission head tells Trump not to meddle in EU democracy

Ursula von der Leyen also said she has always had "a very good working relationship" with US presidents

Zelensky, his wife facilitate crimes against children in Ukraine — Russian MFA

"Representatives of the Kiev junta, including Zelensky’s wife Elena, use all international platforms to promote this, once again, fabricated story about kidnapped Ukrainian children," Maria Zakharova noted

Polls in Ukraine, scientist detained, Brit soldier: what Foreign Ministry said

Vladimir Zelensky "has no chance of being legally re-elected" for a new term, Maria Zakharova stated

Russia's questions to US about biolabs in Ukraine go unanswered for years — diplomat

Russia has been raising this issue openly and expressing concern for a long time now, Maria Zakharova said

Ukrainian ex-premier says it’s impossible to negotiate on Zelensky’s peace plan version

Nikolay Azarov added that there was no chances of resolving the conflict by Christmas "first of all because of the stance taken by Western countries and Vladimir Zelensky"

Ukraine circulating peace plan versions to undermine agreements — ex-Ukrainian PM

Nikolay Azarov emphasized that disinformation tactics from Ukraine will continue

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

Hungarian foreign minister accuses NATO chief of trying to undermine Ukraine talks

Peter Szijjarto underlined that Mark Rutte's provocative statements are irresponsible and dangerous

Three Ukrainian soldiers surrender in Dimitrov — Russia’s top brass

According to the report, the prisoners of war "recounted how their commanders had sent them to their deaths at the line of engagement"

Detained Russian archaeologist is 'world-renowned' scholar — Polish prosecutor

Spokesman for the Warsaw District Prosecutor's Office Piotr Skiba emphasized that international law was being observed in relation to the detained scholar

Europeans present proposal on Ukrainian territorial concessions to Trump — Merz

The German Chancellor said the conversation was "constructive"

No existential reason for Poland to fear conflict with Russia — lawmaker

"Russia has no territorial claims to Poland," Przemyslaw Wipler noted

Lavrov sees Kallas' statements on Kiev aid as pro-Nazi 'confession'

The minister drew attention to Kallas’s words that Ukraine does not need a very rapid conflict settlement

Tucker Carlson calls Russia 'most obvious' ally for US

The US journalist emphasized that if the US needs a partner that could really help during a conflict or provide a place to host air bases, Russia would be the best fit

Magnitude-6.7 earthquake strikes northern Japan, tsunami warning issued

The national meteorological service warned about the possibility of a tsunami wave up to one meter high

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

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

Opposition fears Orban may assume presidency of Hungary — Bloomberg

Parliamentary elections in Hungary are scheduled for April

Zelensky using referendum on territories as pretext to slow down talks — Medvedev

Vladimir Zelensky "straight up gave the White House the finger," Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Maduro, Putin confirm strategic nature of Venezuela-Russia relations

Vladimir Putin strongly supported Nicolas Maduro in his efforts to promote peace, political stability, economic development, and social protection for the Venezuelan people, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto said

Russia values Turkmenistan’s neutrality, which brings stability to region — Putin

The Russian President emphasized that this path provides an opportunity and basis for serious work with practically all countries without exception

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"

Russia hopes Poland sees absurdity of charges against archaeologist Butyagin — MFA

Representatives of the Russian embassy in Warsaw have already visited Alexander Butyagin

Putin to meet with Turkish, Iranian, Iraqi leaders in Turkmenistan — Kremlin

There will be a series of bilateral meetings

Armenia will have to choose between EAEU and EU — Russian Deputy PM

The membership in two integration associations at the same time is incompatible, Alexey Overchuk said

European Parliament seeks to block video event involving Russia, EU — MEP

Fernand Kartheiser stressed that he had announced neither the date of the upcoming video conference nor its participants in advance

Putin discusses situation in special military operation zone — Kremlin spokesman

Commander of the 123rd Motorized Rifle Brigade Denis Pirogov attended the meeting in the president's office in the Kremlin

European troops in Ukraine to become legitimate military targets for Russia — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister recalled that Europeans are still fantasizing about sending their troops to Ukraine as "peacekeepers"

Kiev, Europe buy time and seek ways to continue Ukraine conflict, senator says

According to Alexander Voloshin, for Vladimir Zelensky, as well as for his patrons, the continuation of the conflict is the only chance for "political survival and further enrichment at the expense of the lives of ordinary Ukrainians"

Creation of buffer zone proceeds according to plan — Putin

The elimination of encircled enemy groups on the eastern bank of the Oskol River and in Dimitrov continues

House of Representatives rejects attempt to impeach Trump over death penalty remarks

US Congressman Al Green accused Donald Trump of abusing his presidential power and of attempts to "undermine democracy"

US set to turn Africa into battle arena for resources — newspaper

According to the newspaper, from Africa the US wants minerals, energy access and influence, mainly to counter China

Trump says only Zelensky dislikes his peace plan

The US leader stressed that Washington was "very close" with Russia and Ukraine to having a deal

Decision to permanently freeze Russian assets would cause irreparable damage to EU — Orban

The Hungarian Prime Minister affirmed that Budapest will "do everything possible to restore the legal order"

Ukrainian losses in conflict have exceeded 1 million — Lavrov

"The Kiev regime, originally established as a fiercely ideological military entity, has now devolved into a criminal gang," the Russian foreign minister said

Russia’s Foreign Ministry calls reports about US withdrawal from NATO speculation

According to Maria Zakharova, the North Atlantic Alliance for the United States "is now just a mechanism for receiving colossal amounts of money, which are determined as a percentage of the GDP of the respective countries"

IOC greenlights young athletes from Russia to participate under national flag

"The definition of youth competitions and the application of these recommendations depends for this purpose on the regulations of each International Federation," according to the IOC

Zelensky may opt for government headed by security forces — magazine

According to the magazine, if this happens, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kirill Budanov will likely be the candidate for the post of head of his office

Russia to pursue goals in Ukraine regardless of predictions for conflict's end — Lavrov

"Russia's specific objectives were clearly and unambiguously outlined publicly by the President and discussed in detail in Anchorage, where understandings were reached on how best to move toward achieving these goals in the context of not a ceasefire, but a sustainable peace," the minister stated

NATO builds up forces on borders of Russia-Belarus Union State — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, NATO member states try convincing the world community that they are preparing not for war, but for some kind of just peace in Ukraine, seeking "some kind of role in the settlement"

Bulgarian government resigns — PM

Rosen Zhelyazkov said that the government must "give in" to the demands of citizens

Putin conveys best wishes to Iran’s supreme leader

The Russian president pointed out that meetings with Iranian officials take place on a regular basis

Kiev’s nuke blackmail, suppression of sabotage: statements by Russia’s NBC Defense chief

According to the report, Western countries’ aggressive policy in the field of biological security and the expansion of NATO’s military-biological programs create additional threats to the non-proliferation of biological weapons

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

All of Google's assets in France seized following complaint from its Russian subsidiary

The seizure has been imposed as a security measure to prevent Google from attempting to initiate bankruptcy proceedings against its French subsidiary

FACTBOX: What is known about Bank of Russia's lawsuit against Euroclear

The procedure for executing the court order using Euroclear's assets will be determined after the court's decision enters into force, the regulator's press service reported

US plan envisions Donbass buffer zone as Russian territory — Financial Times

According to their information, the plan specifies that "Russian forces will not enter this demilitarised zone"

Kremlin aide says all of Donbass is Russian territory

Yury Ushakov cited a provision in the Russian Constitution

Russia, Laos need to expand bilateral military-technical cooperation — Shoigu

"There’s a significant amount of work to be done," the Russian Security Council Secretary said

Israeli police mum on assassination attempt on Ukraine’s Mindich — spokesman

Earlier, Ukrainian businessman Igor Kolomoisky stated in court that an assassination attempt had been made on Mindich, who is in Israel, on November 28

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov greets Putin at Ashgabat airport

After that, the two leaders posed for a photo and headed to a conference room for a bilateral meeting

One in five Russians believes "Labubu" word of year — poll

More than a third of respondents (36%) were unfamiliar with any of the word-of-the-year candidates

Ukrainian army attacks Belgorod Region with around 30 drones in one day

In the village of Sankovo, a drone struck a passenger car, breaking the windows and damaging the body

Russia seeks answers from US on seizure of tanker off Venezuelan coast

The Russian foreign minister also said that Moscow wants discussions on the fight against drug trafficking and ensuring maritime security to be collective, so that no nation would be staring down unilateral actions

'Eastern NATO' contradicts stability in Asia-Pacific — Russian security chief

Sergey Shoigu pointed out that "issues of the region’s active militarization - Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines" - were discussed during his talks with the leadership of Laos

US considering idea of creating G7 alternative with Russia — Politico

This proposal was reportedly included in the unpublished version of the National Security Strategy

Casualties in Tver, 90 drones: aftermath of overnight attack on Russian Regions

As a result of a drone attack on a house in Tver, seven people were injured, including a child

UN resolution on kidnapped children just more anti-Russia lies — MFA

"Those who voted for it are effectively covering up the Kiev regime's crimes against children," Maria Zakharova said

West must grasp consequences of Russian assets seizure — Foreign Ministry

"Such steps will inevitably affect the stability of the eurozone and the attractiveness of the EU jurisdiction for foreign investors, primarily from Asian and Middle Eastern countries," Maria Zakharova said

Putin arrives in Ashgabat to hold series of meetings

Vladimir Putin will take part in an international forum, headlined 'Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future,' and also hold a series of bilateral meetings

Lavrov talks security guarantees and negotiations with US at a roundtable with ambassadors

The ongoing Russia-US talks are aimed at finding a long-term solution to end the Ukraine conflict, the Russian foreign minister noted

Press review: Kiev sets unacceptable peace terms while Thailand-Cambodia tensions flare

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 11th

Putin to take part in forum, hold bilateral meetings during visit to Turkmenistan

The forum will be attended by multiple national leaders and heads of international organizations

King of Thailand dissolves lower house of parliament

"This will allow the people to regain control over the political decision-making process as quickly as possible," Maha Vajiralongkorn said

Russia prepares response to potential deployment of European troops to Ukraine — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister added that the UK, the European Commission’s leadership, and the majority of NATO and EU member states took "a completely destructive position" on the Ukraine issue

Russian Defense Ministry presents report on seized Ukrainian chemical munition

The examined device comprises two sealed glass bottles containing a brown liquid and a glass vial filled with a white powder

IN BRIEF: Putin held a meeting on the situation in special military operation zone

The Russian leader noted that the promise to liberate the town by December 15 was fulfilled

Moscow may not like new version of US peace plan — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov said that Russia has to see what the Americans agree on with the Europeans and Ukrainians

Russian-hosted Wikileaks to release new classified files on biological weapons production

Alexander Ionov, leader of the International Anti-Globalist Movement, head of the Wikileaks 2.0 project, specified that the documented events had taken place in 2018-2022, particularly at the height of the coronavirus pandemic

No Trump-Putin talk on Russian leader's conversation with Maduro — White House

Earlier, the Kremlin press service reported that Vladimir Putin had held a phone call with Nicolas Maduro and expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people

German expert calls Rutte's call to prepare for war 'dangerous madness'

BSW foreign affairs expert Sevim Dagdelen emphasized that either Mark Rutte is distorting history, or he is advocating for the next aggressive war

Kiev tried to attack chemical facilities — Russian Defense Ministry

Chief of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops Major General Alexey Rtishchev pointed to the Ukrainian army’s attempts to destroy hazardous chemical sites in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, creating the threat of chemical exposure to civilians in the region

Kiev agrees to create demilitarized zone in Donbass along front line — Le Monde

This point is reportedly included in a new 20-point version of a peace plan developed by Kiev with the support of Great Britain, France, and Germany, which Ukraine recently handed to the United States

Versatility of Russian-Turkish relations helps to cope with difficulties — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that it also allows to resist the pressure from third countries

Lula da Silva tells Maduro Brazil ready to offer help amid US threats

During the phone call the Brazilian leader "expressed concern about the US military presence in the Caribbean"