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Russia, China could become world leaders if US does not step up — Biden

The former US president also called on Washington to continue to adhere to its current role, saying that the US "owes it to the world"

WASHINGTON, December 17. /TASS/. If the US no longer holds the position of global leader, Russia or China could take over, Former US President Joe Biden said.

"If we (the US - TASS) don’t lead, who leads the world? Russia? China?" The Hill newspaper quoted Biden as saying at the opening of his presidential library on December 15.

The former president also called on Washington to continue to adhere to its current role, saying that the US "owes it to the world" and is capable of doing so.

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Trump signs more orders this year than in all of first term — WP

According to the newspaper, as of December 12, one-third of Trump’s executive orders has been challenged

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

Fitch warns Euroclear of potential rating downgrade over Russian assets confiscation

The agency explained that the move "reflects Fitch's view of potentially increased liquidity and legal risks for Euroclear Bank"

Belarus suppresses attempt to arrange provocation during national assembly

According to an Interior Ministry official, several searches took place after the identification of a suspicious citizen in the border area

Number of Cambodians killed in border conflict with Thailand up to 17 — top brass

Cambodian National Defense Ministry Spokeswoman Lieutenant General Maly Socheata added that 77 people were injured

NABU detectives to carry out investigative actions at embassy in Israel — ambassador

Yevgeny Korniychuk did not name the reasons for the investigative actions or their date

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

Austria’s former top diplomat doesn’t rule out territorial changes in Ukraine

Karin Kneissl drew attention to reports saying that CEO of the US investment company BlackRock Larry Fink is already taking part in discussions of Ukraine’s future restoration

Ukrainian troops mine evacuation routes for civilians from Dimitrov

Igor Kimakovsky added that, because of this, the routes must be constantly changed

Hungary refuses loyal cooperation with EU on issue of Russian assets — Orban

Viktor Orban also said that EU leaders violated EU law by proposing to make decisions on Russian financial assets not by consensus, but by a qualified majority vote

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

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

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"

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

Russian shipbuilders deliver 19 ships, three subs to Navy in 2025

Head of the Russian Presidential Directorate for State Defense Industry Policy Viktor Yevtukhov emphasized that domestic innovative solutions were used in the construction of each ship

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

The event will be held at noon on December 19

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"

Immediate change of government in Ukraine would lead to Western squabbling — expert

Alexander Dudchak pointed out that Washington would probably want to replace Vladimir Zelensky with someone more manageable and willing to quickly respond to instructions from US President Donald Trump

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

Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized that Tbilisi should be pragmatic about the developments

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

ANO MPs announced their decision to journalists in Strasbourg

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

Lukashenko believes conflict in Ukraine will end in peace

Belarusian President emphasized that if the issue of a peaceful settlement depended solely on US President Donald Trump, then given his current policies the conflict would have ended long ago

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

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

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

Any sanctions harmful to fostering relations — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said that it is obvious

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

Japan-Russia trade turnover down 4.51% year-on-year in November to $617 mln

Imports of coal from Russia to Japan in November fell by 26%, iron and steel by 82.6%

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

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

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

Backing out of reparations loan for Kiev to damage EU’s image — Politico

The qualified majority vote on using the assets, which the paper called a "nuclear option," also splits the EU

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

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"

China opposes use of frozen Russian assets by European Union — MFA

Beijing advocates for the creation of a "positive atmosphere and favorable conditions for advancing dialogue and negotiations" through the efforts of all interested parties

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

Russia, African countries begin joint research into dangerous infections

More than 200 African specialists have been trained using Russian methodologies, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said

Trump says Ukraine 'already lost territory'

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

Russia will help strengthen Africa’s defense capabilities — Vershinin

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said that Moscow is already assisting in building capacity of African countries to counter internal and external threats

Karin Kneissl: Zelensky Has No Chance Left

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

Russia supports Africa's desire for fair representation in UN Security Council — diplomat

Sergey Vershinin recalled that Russia’s Foreign Policy Concept defines a whole range of areas in which Russia intends to develop cooperation with Africa on bilateral and multilateral levels

US calls security guarantees offered to Ukraine sweet deal

According to the sources, Russia and Ukraine have agreed on about 90% of the conditions in the draft with the exception of territorial concessions

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

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"

MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center director shot dead in US

According to the newspaper, the scientist was found with gunshot wounds at his Brooklyn home on Monday

Russia successfully carries out multiple projects in Africa — senior diplomat

Sergey Vershinin pointed out that one of the priorities was to assist Africa in achieving food self-sufficiency

Trump names countries that will truly play important role — Kneissl

"Europe no longer plays any role in the world at all," the former Austrian Foreign Minister noted

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

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

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

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

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

Four regions stand out in push to bring 'traditional' foreigners to Russia — Lavrov

The minister recalled that practical steps had previously been outlined to implement Russian President Vladimir Putin's decree on the voluntary resettlement of foreign citizens who share the country's traditional spiritual and moral values

Africa should be free to manage its national resources independently — diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin stressed that Africans should stop financing the prosperity of the United States, the European Union, NATO, and their allies at their own expense

Total of 94 Ukrainian UAVs intercepted and destroyed overnight over Russian regions

31 of them were destroyed over the Krasnodar Region

US resumes use of Guantanamo base for detention of illegal migrants

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

West tries to destabilize situation in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger — Deputy Foreign Minister

Sergey Vershinin also pointed out that Moscow is paying increasing attention to building multifaceted cooperation with Africa’s subregional communities

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

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

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

Lavrov, Iranian foreign minister to discuss regional security, Iran’s nuclear program

US President Donald Trump and his peace initiatives related to Ukraine and the Gaza Strip will also be on the agenda of the talks

Russia may ultimately replace UK in technology deal with US — Dmitriev

Russian Presidential Special Representative Kirill Dmitriev emphasized that "the UK needs to learn to solve real problems - not imaginary ones"

Two Project 677 Lada submarines to be laid down in 2026 — Navy chief

Lada-class submarines are quiet and capable of diving to depths of around 300 meters

Ukrainian troops launch seven attacks on Zaporozhye region in past day, killing one

Governor Yevgeny Balitsky added that one man was injured in an attack on the village of Velikaya Znamenka

'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

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"

Ukrainian troops attacked refugees during evacuation from Krasnoarmeysk, killing woman

Another woman was injured

Ministerial meeting in Cairo to formalize new level of Russia-Africa relations

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin described the event in Cairo as "a milestone event in Russia-Africa relations" in 2025

Turkey’s Marmara Sea recedes 20 meters from shore — TV

According to the TV channel, the phenomenon occurred in the Marmaraereglisi district of the Tekirdag province in western Turkey

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

Russian forces thwart Ukrainian troops attempt to approach liberated Kupyansk

Airborne observation posts and mobile air defense teams ensured combat safety of the self-propelled guns

FACTBOX: Russia hit by 94 drones overnight, 2 injured in Krasnodar Region

Two civilians were wounded by falling drone debris in the Slavyansky district of the Krasnodar Region

Germany withdrawing Patriot air defense systems, military personnel from Poland

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

Ukrainian strike on Zaporozhye NPP is another act of nuclear terrorism — Balitsky

"There are no words to describe the sick attempts by the enemy to shell a nuclear facility," Zaporozhye Region Governor Evgeny Balitsky said

Russia opens language centers in 27 African countries — Foreign Ministry

According to Sergey Vershinin, cooperation in the field of education has traditionally been one of Russia’s key areas of engagement in Africa

Russia to help Africa gain economic sovereignty, senior diplomat tells TASS

Sergey Vershinin noted that the African "continent undoubtedly has enough capacity" to achieve economic sovereignty

VEB.RF, Alfa-Bank allocate $63 mln to Trans-Eurasian fiber-optic communication line

The new communication line will be approximately 11,700 kilometers long

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

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

EU might bypass Belgium in vote on Russia’s frozen assets — Politico

Diplomats warn against this decision, arguing that it could further divide an already fractured bloc, plunging it into a real crisis

Lukashenko says Putin seeks to achieve peace in Ukraine conflict

Belarusian President believes that Vladimir Zelensky also wants the end of the conflict

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

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

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

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

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

West, Kiev use African groups to carry out sabotage against Russia’s interests — Vershinin

According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, the "criminal actions of the Kiev regime and its patrons, who cooperate with local terrorist groups and provide them with support," pose a grave threat not only to Africa, but to the entire world

Lukashenko says Ukraine simply handed Crimea over to Russia, no one fought for it

"There was no war in Crimea," Alexander Lukashenko said

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

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

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"

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"

Kalashnikov presents new model of silent motorcycle

The motorcycle develops a speed of up to 100 km/h, has easy controls and is equipped with a universal trailer with a load capacity of up to 200 kg

Elon Musk throws money behind GOP ahead of 2026 midterms — Axios

Midterm elections to the US Congress will be held on November 3, 2026

Lavrov to hold separate talks with African countries at Cairo meeting

On the sidelines of the second ministerial conference in Cairo, Russian Foreign Minister will also sign a set of documents

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

Steel consumption in Russia to fall to lowest level since 2011 in 2025 — forecast

The decline from the historical peak amounts to nearly 20%

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

Africa becoming key player of world politics — senior Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Vershinin, building a mutually beneficial partnership with Africa is a foreign policy priority for Russia

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

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

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