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Europe has no plan B in case seizure of Russian assets is rejected — Finnish PM

Petteri Orpo said he does not want to think about that

LONDON, December 16. /TASS/. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo claims that he sees no backup plan in case a decision to seize Russian assets is not taken at the December 18-19 summit.

"I don’t want to think about that. We don’t have any other options," he answered a question from a Financial Times journalist about Ukraine’s future in case of not transferring to it the so-called reparation loan.

On December 12, the EU Council made the decision on the indefinite freeze of Russian sovereign assets. The European Commission aims to secure approval from EU member states at the December 18-19 summit in Brussels to expropriate approximately 210 billion euros in Russian assets, with 185 billion euros already blocked on the Euroclear platform in Belgium.

Russian President Vladimir Putin previously described the proposed seizure as "an act of theft," while Russian Justice Minister Konstantin Chuichenko told TASS that the country’s leadership has already been presented with options for responding to a potential seizure of Russian assets by Western states.

Hungary won’t contribute a single penny to EU's Ukraine financing plan — Szijjarto

According to the Hungarian foreign minister, EU leaders want to raise over 200 billion euros for Ukraine

Oil transit from Russia to China via Kazakhstan does not require US approval — minister

Regarding large companies in the republic where Russian participants subject to sanctions are present, in Astana, "all of those projects received so-called exemptions from sanctions," Yerlan Akkenzhenov said

US Treasury rejects Xtellus' offer to buy Lukoil foreign assets — Reuters

Earlier, Xtellus had offered to organize a swap of Lukoil securities held by U.S. investors in a cashless deal to return them to Lukoil in exchange for the Russian company's global assets

Merriam-Webster names 'slop' as word of the year

Slop is defined as "digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence"

'Coalition of Willing' prepares plans to deploy troops to Ukraine — British PM

Keir Starmer stated that the prior question is whether a just and lasting peace can be achieved

At Berlin talks, Zelensky refuses economic zone in Donbass, troop withdrawal — newspaper

European countries disagree with Washington's position, believing that the issue of territories is not subject to discussion until Ukraine receives security guarantees

Moscow’s video game studios clinch export contracts

According to Moscow Deputy Mayor Natalia Sergunina, the total amount of transactions made with the support of the city was over $12.6 mln

Russia hopes Iran will ratify convention of Caspian Sea status by August 2026 — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister recalled that all other Caspian littoral states have ratified the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea

Russian troops liberate Peschanoye, gain foothold at Gaichur River — security sources

During the liberation of the settlement, servicemen of the 36th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 29th Army of Battlegroup East destroyed more than two platoons of Ukrainian army personnel from the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade

FACTBOX: What we know about attack on school in Moscow Region

One child was killed and a security guard was injured in the attack, the Russian Investigative Committee’s press service reported

Iran would like to resume dialogue with US, IAEA, Russia ready to assist — Lavrov

He also reaffirmed Russia's stance, condemning the unjustified attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities

Russia never wavered in its support of Iran in JCPOA talks — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that Moscow has tried to work with the Europeans to persuade Washington to return to compliance

No concessions from Russia, dialogue with US: statements by Russian senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov reiterated that Russia "stands firm" on the understandings reached during the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Anchorage

Ukraine cannot stay afloat without EU funding — newspaper

El Pais noted that the Ukrainian government does not know where to find at least €15.4 billion to balance the budget

Only Russia, Ukraine, US can discuss territorial concessions — Polish president

At the same time, Karol Nawrocki himself stated that he still dreams of being at the same negotiating table for peace in Ukraine with the leaders of Russia, the United States and representatives of Kiev

Moscow to assess EU leaders' statement on guarantees to Kiev once it sees text — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow has only seen media reports about the joint statement by EU leaders on security guarantees for Kiev

Russia, Iran have huge potential for trade growth, it needs to be stimulated — Lavrov

Lavrov said that one should not forget that besides trade between the two countries, there is also investment cooperation

US conducts strikes on three drug-carrying vessels in Pacific Ocean — Pentagon

A total of eight men were killed during these actions

UK blackmailing US, exploiting 'loopholes' for asset seizure: statements by Russia’s SVR

The UK is urging the European Commission to justify the theft of Russian assets by exploiting legal gaps in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and by referring to "exceptional circumstances"

The consequences of EU actions to span multiple generations — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban noted that the EU can agree to establish a joint borrowing fund to finance Ukraine, considered to be a "wonder weapon", and this decision would not even require a unanimous consensus of the member countries

Ukrainian MP points out Umerov has not been back to Ukraine since start of US talks

Rustem Umerov was appointed to lead Ukraine’s delegation to the talks with the US side on November 29 in place of Vladimir Zelensky’s office head Andrey Yermak

Contacts with US on Ukraine drive Russia's stance home to Americans — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that Washington has started to understand what needs to be done to achieve a lasting and long-term settlement of the conflict

Europe missed all chance to take part in Ukrainian settlement — Lavrov

"The West is turning a deaf ear to everything related to real facts Russia has repeatedly pointed to within the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and at meeting with ambassadors to Moscow," Sergey Lavrov said

Russian exports to the US up 35% in 2025 — AmCham

The US business invested about $100 bln during 25 years in Russia, the AmCham President said

EU youth seek to turn bloc into ‘United States of Europe’ — Politico

Support for the EU among Europeans has reached a record high in polls, the newspaper noted

Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard digitalization boosted output by 70% — Patrushev

The official noted that the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard was one of the first Russian shipbuilding companies to implement a comprehensive digitalization project

Italy softens language in Ukraine bill to get it passed ahead of EU summit — paper

According to the newspaper, the government also "encrypted" certain obstacles to approving a form of "reparation loan" to Kiev at the expense of frozen Russian assets

Caracas, Moscow to continue boosting strategic relations in 2026 — Venezuelan president

Nicolas Maduro added that Caracas would host a meeting of the Venezuela-Russia High-level Intergovernmental Commission in the first quarter of 2026

EU prepares for war with Russia, forces Serbia to choose sides — ex-premier

Aleksandar Vulin said that freedom reigns supreme in Serbia, but that’s not the case in the EU

EU continues blacklisting companies, individuals

Seventeen individuals and four legal entities were added to the list in total

US thinks that 90% of issues solved between Russia and Ukraine — Reuters

The White House views the December 14-15 talks in Berlin as positive

Europe has no plan B in case seizure of Russian assets is rejected — Finnish PM

Petteri Orpo said he does not want to think about that

Belarusian leader dismisses allegations of Maduro’s involvement in drug trafficking

Alexander Lukashenko also said that "drug trafficking cannot be defeated with missiles"

Iran’s top diplomat sets off for meeting with Lavrov in Moscow — ambassador

The agenda includes a wide range of political issues and economic projects, Kazem Jalali said

Ukraine’s NATO membership 'out of question,' EU foreign policy chief admits

Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for tangible security guarantees

EU could lose global credibility if Mercosur deal fails — European Commissioner

The main critics of the deal are European farmers, particularly beef, poultry, and dairy producers

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"

Europe works against US in Ukraine peace process — Lavrov

"Europe is using the Ukrainian crisis to assert themselves, to put a spoke in the United States wheel in its quest to seek a just settlement," the Russian foreign minister said

White House believes that Israel violated ceasefire regime in Gaza Strip — Axios

According to the report, US President Donald Trump, during a recent conversation, told Benjamin Netanyahu that he needs to be a "better partner" regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip

Lavrov slams EU’s aggressive actions as biggest global threat

According to Sergey Lavrov, Brussel pushes EU countries toward "disregarding the interests of own people"

Germany agrees on ten-point plan to expand military cooperation with Kiev — media

The German government also plans to build a sort of alliance with its European partners to jointly purchase weapons for Ukraine

IAEA should remain impartial regarding Iran — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said that Moscow will encourage the resumption of Iran-IAEA cooperation

Russia wants to develop cooperation with Iran within CSTO — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov noted that Russia wants to cooperate with Iran and with its other neighbors, including within the Collective Security Treaty Organization

Hungary will not let EU to send military mission to Ukraine — top diplomat

"This will escalate the conflict to a degree that we cannot foresee, and will put Hungary and its people into a serious danger," Peter Szijjarto stressed

Four drones jammed over Russia’s Smolensk Region — governor

Emergency personnel are working at the site where debris came down

Kiev, Europe anticipate ‘deep, wrong’ revision of US peace plan — Russian senior diplomat

In recent days, Vladimir Zelensky and leaders of several European countries, namely France, Germany and the UK, held talks on a Ukrainian settlement in London and Berlin

Turkish warplanes take down drone over Black Sea — defense ministry

The Turkish Ministry of Defense did not specify where exactly the drone came from

Russia will not agree to deployment of Western troops in Ukraine in any form — MFA

Russia is open-minded in terms of what decisions might be made, Sergey Ryabkov noted

Russian compatriots among victims of terrorist attack in Australia — foreign ministry

"Moscow strongly condemns the barbaric extremist attack, as a result of which 15 innocent civilians, including a ten-year-old girl, were killed and dozens were injured," Maria Zakharova stated

Press review: US-Ukraine talks fail on Donbass as Kiev struggles with election competition

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 16th

Seven EU countries against expropriation of Russian assets — news outlet

According to the report, Belgium, Hungary, and Slovakia initially opposed the plan, and they have now been joined by Italy, Bulgaria, Malta, and the Czech Republic

Putin renews ban to supply oil, oil products under price ceiling until June 30, 2026

The ban was effective until the end of 2025

Finnish politician calls EU 'bankrupt' over plans to use Russian assets

Armando Mema emphasized that the EU is not doing "one thing right" and the bloc "should respect Belgium’s sovereignty" and its decision to refuse to transfer the assets to Ukraine

EU’s 19 packages of sanctions on Russia weaken European economy — Italian official

Italian deputy prime minister and minister of transport and infrastructure Matteo Salvini emphasized that sanctions brought European economies to their knees, leading to more expensive energy for Italians

Press review: Kiev and Europe seek to derail peace plan as Ukraine awaits $5 bln EU aid

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 15th

Russia to support Iran’s efforts toward settling crisis with IAEA, West — Lavrov

"The Iranian nuclear program was dismantled, despite the fact that it was endorsed by the UN Security Council resolution," Sergey Lavrov pointed out

Security forces arrest boy suspected of stabbing schoolmates outside Moscow

The reports say that a student stabbed a security guard, used pepper spray, and then stabbed a 10-year-old schoolboy who died of his injuries

Gazprom highlights untypically low gas reserves in European UGS for December

In particular, gas reserves in UGS facilities in the Netherlands have fallen below 60%

EU 'light years' away from seizing Russian assets, Polish PM says

Donald Tusk said that it won’t come to any fundamental decisions at the European Council meeting

EU gets ready for war with Russia, wants military plants in Ukraine — Hungarian minister

Brussels claims that it will be "investment into Europe’s security," but, from Hungary believes "there's no logic in this"

Russia still does not understand outcome of US-Ukraine talks in Berlin — senior diplomat

The first round of talks between the US and Ukrainian delegations took place in Berlin on December 14

Trump says Ukraine 'already lost territory'

Donald Trump also added that the US is working with Europe on the security guarantee

Zelensky believes US-Ukraine talks take place on December 20-21

The first round of negotiations between the US and Ukrainian delegations took place in Berlin on December 14 and lasted about five hours

EU leaders want to drag all of Europe into war with Russia — Hungarian top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto noted that Budapest intends to "stay away from this"

Kiev ready to hold elections, renounce NATO aspirations — media

Bild reported that Kiev is allegedly also ready to "freeze" the current line of engagement but refuses to withdraw its troops from the entire Donbass territory

US takes 'sober' stance in dialogue with Russia — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that "everyone on both sides is guided exclusively by national interests, national security interests, national economic interests"

European countries note progress in Ukrainian conflict settlement

The EU leaders "appreciated the strong convergence between the United States, Ukraine and Europe"

Kuzya the crocodile, who lived with Novosibirsk man for 30 years, set to go back to Cuba

The owner is willing to surrender Kuzya if professional care is ensured

Florida man sanctioned by EU for pro-Russia social media posts

The EU Council claims that John Mark Dougan holds American and Russian citizenship

Trump sues BBC for defamation over edit of his speech — agency

According to the news agency, the US leader requested at least $5 billion in damages

Solution to Ukrainian crisis is near, Russia’s deputy foreign minister says

Sergey Ryabkov noted that "Russia's special military operation was inevitable because things were developing in a very wrong direction"

Moscow to make no concessions on Donbass, Novorossiya and Crimea — Ryabkov

The diplomat noted that in 2022, following referendums, the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Lugansk People’s Republic, as well as Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions, were formally incorporated into Russia

UNGA passes Russia-initiated resolution against glorification of Nazism

Among those who voted against the resolution were Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan

Lavrov discusses Russia-US ties with American Chamber of Commerce officials

The Russian top diplomat shared his opinion about what's going on internationally and prospects for the development of Russian-US relations in the context of the Trump administration’s commitment to promoting a lasting settlement of the conflict around Ukraine

US, Europe to provide security guarantees to Kiev in case of truce — German chancellor

Friedrich Merz stressed, however, that the parties would need to discuss the details

EU blacklisted forty vessels said to carry Russian oil — Kallas

The European Union intends now to sanction tankers without waiting for approval of huge sanction packages, the EU top diplomat noted

Direct strike by Western sanctions cost $100 bln for US business — AmCham

The AmCham President also informed about the poll on the issue of the impact of Western sanctions on the US business

US demands Ukraine give up territories in exchange for security guarantees — media

According to US officials, Washington expects that "Russia would accept such an arrangement in a final deal, as well as permit Ukraine to join the European Union"

Trump says he held conversation with Putin recently

The US leader did not give any details

FSB detains 10 Russians blackmailed by Ukraine security agencies to stage sabotage acts

The citizens were persuaded to cooperate with false security services, under the threat of being charged with treason, for which the maximum sentence is life imprisonment, for financing the Ukrainian armed forces

Assad did not coordinate his approaches with Russia before resignation — Lavrov

Our efforts were collaborative, involving other international partners, primarily Iran and Turkey, noted Lavrov

Sixth Russia-China media forum kicks off in Beijing

The two countries’ two leading news agencies, TASS and Xinhua, co-organized the event

US can resolve all issues with Venezuela peacefully — Belarusian president

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that he had raised the Venezuela issue at a recent meeting in Minsk with US Special Envoy for Belarus John Cole

Russian troops liberate Peschanoye community in Dnepropetrovsk Region over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,480 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Berlin says no plans for direct dialogue with Russia

Some European leaders, the head of the European Commission and the NATO secretary general, are expected in the German capital in the evening

Strong wind gust knocks down Statue of Liberty replica in Brazil

The incident caused no casualties

Kupyansk is under Russian army’s control — Battlegroup West

According tp the report, Battlegroup West forces are firmly rebuffing all the Ukrainian army’s attacks on communities near Kupyansk, keeping them under control

EU believes corruption scandal may force Zelensky to accept deal — media

According to Politico, Kiev must agree to these terms immediately; otherwise, the next US proposal would be less favorable

Russia did not betray Syria, developments there are its domestic affair — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov also noted that Russia has smooth, stable relations with the new authorities

Romanian expert considers EC decision to confiscate Russian assets 'illegal'

"Freezing such assets is illegal under both European and international law," Adrian Severin noted

EU membership to provide no security guarantees to Ukraine — top Hungarian diplomat

The Hungarian government has repeatedly stated that it will not allow Ukraine's fast-tracked accession to the EU, as it would ruin the European economy and spark a direct armed conflict with Russia

Russia tests prototype of Ariadna non-satellite navigation system — NTI Fund

The NTI Fund specified that, unlike other domestic solutions and foreign analogues, the technology offers precise positioning of up to 15-20 cm

Ukraine carries out four attacks on Donetsk People’s Republic in past day

Two civilians were reported injured

US-Ukraine negotiations continue in Berlin, Zelensky says

The US delegation includes special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and the American leader's son-in-law, entrepreneur Jared Kushner

US insists on complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbass during talks — AFP

According to the source, the US delegation "is taking Russia’s position" on this issue

Implementation of Trump’s Gaza plan under question — Lavrov

Both parties - Israel and Hamas - say that its provisions are being violated, Russian Foreign Minister said

No IAEA inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites without condemning Israel — official

The agency, which failed to condemn the attacks and has no instructions regarding the inspection of damaged sites has no grounds to declare its intentions to inspect," head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami said

Kiev lying about battlefield situation to influence US peace plan — source

The Ukrainian mass media are disseminating reports alleging that the Ukrainian army has taken control of the settlements of Kondrashovka, Radkovka, and Moskovka northwest and southwest of Kupyansk

Revival of Nazism in EU and Europe’s 'bent towards stealing:' What Lavrov said

Russian Foreign Minister also noted that the situation around Russia’s frozen assets made it clear that "stealing is in the Europeans’ blood"

Russian embassy in The Hague calls on the Netherlands to end 'anti-Russian hysteria'

The embassy also recalled that Acting Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans recently called for increased military support for Kiev and expressed the need to "be prepared for a conflict with Russia by 2030"

Russia appreciates US push to resolve Ukraine conflict — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, the sides were inches away from what he called a complete conclusion of the efforts in 2022