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Anti-government protests took place in Slovakia — TV

The protests, where people demanded the resignation of the government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, a Social Democrat, were organized by opposition liberal parties and movements of Slovakia

PRAGUE, December 16. /TASS/. Anti-government protests took place in the largest cities of Slovakia, Bratislava, Kosice, Banska Bystrica and others, in which 5,000 people participated, Markiza TV channel reported.

The protests, where people demanded the resignation of the government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, a Social Democrat, were organized by opposition liberal parties and movements of Slovakia.

Leader of the opposition, Chairman of the Progresvne Slovensko movement (Progressive Slovakia) Michal Simecka accused the cabinet and the parties of the current government coalition of neglecting democracy and seeking to monopolize power at the rally in Bratislava.

Former UN expert warns against deploying European force to Ukraine

Alfred de Zayas stressed that "NATO boots on the ground would only mean an escalation to the war"

EU may have emergency Council on Russia, though unlikely to add sanctions - source

"The meeting may be organised, though it is unlikely the ministers will decide to make tougher the sanctions against Russia. Most likely, they will just publish a statement,” the source said

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

Russia having economic boom, debts growing in the West — news portal

The news outlet also predicts "even greater" growth for defense spending than expected, following the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in October

Serbia to hold early parliamentary elections at end of 2026 — Vucic

The Serbian president said he would appeal to his supporters camping out near the parliament building to disperse

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"

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

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

Putin studies questions from Russians for upcoming Q&A session in detail — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that there were fewer pressing questions from the participants of the special military operation

Fighting near Zaporozhye nuke plant continues daily, threatens security — Grossi

The IAEA director general said the agency's inspectors at the nuclear power plant were forced to take shelter indoors the day before after hearing loud bursts of gunfire from near the main administrative building

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

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

Russian embassy calls UK’s claims about threat from Moscow unfounded

The diplomatic mission emphasized that Russia had no plans, intentions or reasons to engage in armed confrontation with the United Kingdom

Russia-Ukraine peace deal unlikely to emerge in two-three months — Kneissl

The former Austrian Foreign Minister stressed that the signature of Vladimir Zelensky at the moment "for a variety of reasons cannot have much weight"

Iranian president congratulates Putin on Russia Day

Masoud Pezeshkian pointed out that Iran-Russia cooperation continued to develop, "reaching a strategic level"

US resumes use of Guantanamo base for detention of illegal migrants

According to the newspaper, 22 illegal Cuban migrants are now housed there

Former UN expert warns against deploying European force to Ukraine

Alfred de Zayas stressed that "NATO boots on the ground would only mean an escalation to the war"

Trade between Russia, Iran to grow significantly in coming years — senior Russian MP

Russia and Iran actively cooperate through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, as well as through the Iranian delegation to the Eurasian Economic Union, Leonid Slutsky said

US national security strategy states diagnosis for Europe — Deputy Secretary of State

According to the Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg, the US President laid out "in clear and simple terms" that there is a turning point that Europe is facing

Arctic Council has good chance of maintaining its relevance — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minster noted that, overall, "there are certain advances" in the work of the Arctic Council

Lukashenko discloses detained blogger plotted ‘bloody coup’ in Belarus

According to Belarusian President, Roman Protasevich and his accomplices plotted a 'massacre and a bloody coup' in Belarus

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

Ombudsmen of Russia and Ukraine exchange letters for prisoners

The parties agreed to continue searching for missing persons

Gas reserves in European UGS facilities down to around 70%

The European Commission requests EU members to make sure that their UGS facilities are 90% full from October 1 to December 1 of each year for ensuring elevated reserves for the winter period

Trump to sum up results of outgoing year in his address — White House

Earlier in the day, the US leader announced his plans to address the nation on Wednesday evening

Price of Brent oil down below $59 per barrel on ICE first since May 5

The price of futures contracts of WTI crude oil for February 2026 delivery was down by 2.92%

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

Well-trained Russian specialists in CAR suffer minimal losses — military operative

According to Russian instructor with the call sign Gipalon, the group is always on full combat alert

Foreign journalists to be able to ask questions during Putin’s Q&A session — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov also noted that there will be journalists from unfriendly countries as well

European countries note progress in Ukrainian conflict settlement

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

US declares end of era of global trade convergence in document to WTO — FT

The six-page document lists US grievances against the organization, veiled attacks on China for accumulating huge trade surpluses and on India for blocking improvements in the WTO's decision-making process

FACTBOX: Project 677 Lada-class submarines

Project 677 diesel-electric submarines are designed to destroy enemy surface ships and vessels, conduct patrols, conduct reconnaissance, protect sea lanes, lay minefields, and perform other missions

Russian ambassador calls efficiency of increasing British military spending questionable

Andrey Kelin noted that the British military department's 2025 overruns may amount to more than 2 billion pounds

Germany withdrawing Patriot air defense systems, military personnel from Poland

The command in Rzeszow has been taken over by the Dutch military

Austria’s former top diplomat slams EU’s indefinite freeze of Russian assets as theft

Karin Kneissl noted that the European Union had ditched a number of its own rules and norms

Georgian PM says Tbilisi’s prospects for NATO membership are vague

Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized that Tbilisi should be pragmatic about the developments

'Coalition of willing' has not called Putin's hotline, Kremlin official jokes

The event will be held at noon on December 19

Over 5,400 trucks with aid entered Gaza since October 7

According to the statement, 2,642 trucks delivered food (53,120 tons), 787 - medicines (9,100 tons), 762 - water (15,300 tons), 712 - equipment for temporary shelters (10,540 tons). The remaining 502 trucks carried mixed cargo (7,650 tons)

Karin Kneissl: Zelensky Has No Chance Left

Russia unaware of outcome of talks on Ukraine between US, Kiev and Europe — Kremlin

Moscow has not yet received this information, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

West uses 'Russian threat' narrative to justify confiscation of frozen assets — Dmitriev

This is also to cover up mass immigration, child abuse gangs, rising crime rates and economic decline, Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev 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

Putin already working with Russians' questions for year-end Q&A session — Kremlin

"All information from the questions of Russians to the direct line is constantly reported to the president," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Roscosmos defines advantageous location for lunar base — official

Roscosmos is currently laying an "experimental foundation" for formulating further goals for human exploration of space, Denis Kutovoy emphasized

Germany doesn't rule out sending its troops to Ukraine as part of 'multinational force'

"The deployment of troops largely depends on the situation, context, and specific tasks," Germany's Social Democratic Party leader Matthias Miersch said

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

Putin to meet with heads of defense enterprises outside Moscow

Among the participants of the meeting are Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu, Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov

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

Russian stock indices up as trading on Moscow Exchange closes

The yuan-to-ruble rate fell 1.9 kopecks to 11.26 rubles

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

Ukraine's non-NATO pledge moot as alliance decides everything — top Hungarian diplomat

Peter Szijjarto emphasized that Ukraine’s membership in NATO was "purely a Ukrainian agenda item"

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

Germany’s Left party critical of ‘multinational force’ idea for Ukraine

According to Soren Pellmann, the deployment of NATO forces to ensure the security of Ukraine’s airspace would lead to the "further escalation of the situation"

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

US spy strategy in the Himalayas could have also been aimed at Soviet Union — expert

Recent reports by The New York Times revealed that during a covert operation in 1965, the CIA installed a SNAP-19C nuclear generator on Mount Nanda Devi’s summit to monitor Chinese missile activity

Russia adds Deutsche Welle to list of undesirable organizations

Bulgaria’s For Free Russia, Estonia’s House of Ingria, Norway’s Nature and Youth, and Germany’s Alliance for a Free Democratic Russia were also added to the list

Anti-government protests took place in Slovakia — TV

The protests, where people demanded the resignation of the government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, a Social Democrat, were organized by opposition liberal parties and movements of Slovakia

Maximum rate on ruble deposits up to 15.63% in first ten-day period of December

The rate in the third ten days of November was 15.62% per annum, and 15.5% per annum in the second ten-day period of October, according to the regulator

Hungary to use US nuclear fuel at Paks NPP after 2028

Fuel for the Paks nuclear power plant will be produced at a joint venture in Europe established by Rosatom and the French company Framatome, Lantos noted

Russian assets expropriation to undermine EU's authority in financial markets — EP deputy

Thierry Mariani said the lack of a clear mechanism for lifting the freeze is a conscious decision of the authors of the initiative

Russian troops liberate Novoplatonovka in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,520 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Fire occurs at submarine under repair at Russian shipyards — source

According to the source, there's no ammunition on board

Russia had to start special op to change world — Serbian journalist

Mario Bojic said it needed to happen for the world to change

Russia plans better transport connection with Spitsbergen for tourists

Russia continues renovation of Russian settlements in Spitsbergen, Alexey Chekunkov said

Russia’s National Wealth Fund reaches $175.21 bln as of December 1

As of November 1, the fund amounted to $173.89 bln

US-Ukraine talks on crisis settlement in Berlin were 'confidential' — German daily

According to the report, the negotiations were conducted very secretly with journalists having no access at all to information about the particular level of the talks between the officials

India's BRICS presidency in 2026 promises to be eventful — Russian envoy

Last year several countries began working within the BRICS framework, and many states are planning to join this association, the diplomat noted

Merz assesses chances of EU agreement on Russian assets at 50-50

German Chancellor admitted that Europe has certain fears concerning the potential use of Russian frozen assets

Erdogan warns against attacks on commercial ships in Black Sea

Turkey issue a clear warning to both sides concerning this matter, the Turkish president said

IN BRIEF: Lavrov on attempts to steal from Russia, West pushing Kiev to continue fighting

The Russian foreign minister noted that European countries are trying to seize Russia’s foreign currency reserves because they don’t have enough money to continue military operations in Ukraine

Saudi Arabia's Midad Energy seen as potential buyer of Lukoil's foreign assets — Reuters

According to sources, Midad Energy plans to fully acquire Lukoil's assets, and American companies may also participate in the deal

German authorities rapidly preparing for full-scale conflict with Russia — envoy

"Berlin has chosen the path of destroying the unique bilateral interaction formats built by generations of predecessors," Sergey Nechayev noted

Disappearance of 'Russian threat' from US national security strategy positive — Kremlin

The messages for Russia-US relations sent by the administration of US President Donald Trump differs from approaches of previous administrations, the Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted

Alrosa's diamond production to decline by 10-15% in 2025 — chief executive

Production will depend on market conditions, Marinychev said, adding that the company intends to remain a global leader

Black marketeers posing as geologists try to hock uncut emerald

The suspects were detained in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg

West keeps trying to harm BRICS as it becomes real force on world stage — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that the desire for cooperation in this format remained strong

Investigative Committee outraged by publication of footage of school attack near Moscow

According to Armen Gasparyan, if the media does not adhere to the request of the Human Rights Council, the state should punish them

Continuation of conflict to do more harm to Ukraine — Slovak defense minister

Kiev could have made a peace deal with Russia on more advantageous terms right after the conflict began, Robert Kalinak recalled

Putin signs annual decree to call up reservists for military training

The Russian government and regional authorities are instructed to ensure the implementation of measures related to the call-up of citizens for military training and the conduct of these training sessions

Upgraded Force drone intercepting Ukraine’s UAVs in Belgorod Region

The Drone Force company previously announced the development of a reconnaissance version of the 15-inch Force drone with proprietary software and shifted control frequencies

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

Suspect in knife attack on school outside Moscow admits guilt during interrogation

Moscow Department of Russia’s Investigative Committee spokeswoman Olga Vrady added that investigators have begun a sweep of the school

Bank of Russia lowers dollar exchange rate to 79.43 rubles for December 17

The official euro exchange rate has been raised by 58 kopecks to 93.8054 rubles

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

Czech Republic's ruling party to abstain from European Parliament vote on Russian gas

ANO MPs announced their decision to journalists in Strasbourg

Russia indisputably leads in nuclear icebreakers sphere

First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said the self-driving solutions trend is also current for railway transport

Kadyrov announces promotion to Colonel General

Vladimir Putin also relayed congratulations with the Day of the city of Grozny, Teacher’s Day and the Day of the Chechen Youth

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

Putin appoints Yevgeny Ivanov Russian Deputy Foreign Minister

Yevgeny Ivanov served as the Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department since 2013

Ukraine’s ex-commander-in-chief warns about risks of civil war after conflict is ended

In Valery Zaluzhny's words, "the end of the war and the return of around one million of soldiers" will be "another challenge to the state and civil society"

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"

'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

Silver outpaces Microsoft by market capitalization

Silver capitalization is computed by multiplying the current silver price by the silver volume estimated to be mined to date, about 1,751,000 metric tons of silver

Russian PM describes Moscow-Berlin relations as "ailing but curable"

Medvedev noted a high level of trust and cooperation between the two countries’ businesses, so "it is up to the European politicians to make up their mind"

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

IIHF Council may decide on 2021 World Championship’s host country Monday - Fasel

On Saturday, the Czech car maker Skoda and the Nivea Men brand announced they would withdraw from sponsoring the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in case Belarus co-hosted the tournament

Air travel temporarily restricted at Zhukovsky airport

Restrictions are still in force in the airports of Tambov and Kaluga now

Gagauzia head’s supporters clash with police in Chisinau — correspondent

Police cordoned off the court building and did not allow people to enter

Trump says Ukraine 'already lost territory'

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