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Ukraine, Germany sign arms supply deals worth €1.2 bln

On December 15, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that since February 2022 Germany has provided €40 billion in military assistance to Ukraine and another €36 billion in civilian aid

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Ukraine has signed a package of agreements with Germany on the supply and joint production of weapons worth a total of €1.2 billion, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denis Shmygal said.

"We signed a number of new important deals with our German partners worth more than €1.2 billion," Shmygal wrote on Telegram.

According to him, the agreements include long-term supplies of spare parts for Patriot air defense systems, the purchase of Ukrainian-made drones using allocated funds and joint production of UAVs, the manufacture of 200 Bogdan self-propelled artillery systems, and the supply of advanced radar and electronic warfare equipment.

On December 15, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that since February 2022 Germany has provided €40 billion in military assistance to Ukraine and another €36 billion in civilian aid. He added that Berlin plans to allocate more than €11 billion in military support to Kiev in 2026.

Tucker Carlson believes Trump may declare war on Venezuela

The journalist added that he does not know whether the announcement "will actually happen"

Russian national detained in Iran released from prison — embassy

The embassy expressed gratitude to the Iranian side for its assistance in resolving the situation

US extends permits for certain activities related to Sakhalin-2 project until June 18

In June 2024, the US Treasury exempted oil supplies from the Sakhalin-2 project to Japan from the price cap until June 28, 2025

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

West started war in Ukraine, Russia is trying to end it — Putin

The Russian president reiterated that it was the destructive forces in Ukraine, with the support of the West

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

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

Russia views US course as source of key risks to its security, world peace — document

It is noted that in order to adapt the world order to the realities of a multipolar world, Russia intends to make it a priority to "eliminate the vestiges of domination by the US and other unfriendly states in global affairs"

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

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

Russian coal exports down 4% in 9M 2025 — Deputy Minister

Russia plans to keep coal exports to China at the level of about 100 mln metric tons in 2025

Religious persecution in Ukraine 'cannot be ignored' — US congresswoman

On December 8, Luna said the US government should stop supporting Ukraine because of Kiev’s actions against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Ukraine, Germany sign arms supply deals worth €1.2 bln

On December 15, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that since February 2022 Germany has provided €40 billion in military assistance to Ukraine and another €36 billion in civilian aid

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"

Around 70% of fuel and energy companies to use AI by 2027 — Russian Energy Ministry

Deputy Energy Minister Dmitry Islamov noted that fuel and energy enterprises have become key consumers of domestically developed software

Reducing threat of invasion, military support, new weapons: Belousov’s statements

According to the Russian defense minister, the threat of an incursion into the Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk regions has been reduced with the creation of a buffer zone in the Ukrainian border regions

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

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EU stuck in the mud on Russian asset seizure — media

According to the media outlet, the ambassadors only moved further away from reaching an agreement

Investors will start withdrawing funds if Euroclear rating downgraded — Dmitriev

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Russian Direct Investment Fund, "collapse begins"

Incremental growth of Russian GDP close to 10% over last 36 months — Novak

According to the official, the main drivers of the economy are processing industry, machine-building, agriculture and construction

Russian stock indices falling on Wednesday — market data

The forecast for the MOEX Russia Index for tomorrow is 2,550 - 2,650 points, according to BCS Investment Worl

Roman Protasevich becomes host on Belarusian TV channel STV

He appeared in this role during the premiere of a program dedicated to the fire at the decommissioned Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania on November 25

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"

Book about expedition to Russia's northernmost destination presented in Yakutsk

The expedition, which lasted from 2020 to 2022, featured a team of eight people - mostly rescuers from the Yakutsk branch

No barbarian terrorist attack can intimidate Russian, Belarusian peoples — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that "common difficult trials unite us even more, strengthen our determination to put an end to the evil emanating from the hateful ideologies of neo-Nazism and religious extremism"

Russian stock indices down as main trading session closes on Wednesday

The yuan-to-ruble rose 13.65 kopecks to 11.39 rubles

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

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

The event will be held at noon on December 19

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"

Euroclear rating’s downgrade could trigger capital outflows from EU — expert

Fitch's decision may be related to the agency's desire to reduce its own risks, deputy head of the specialized department of financial markets infrastructure at the HSE Andrey Stolyarov said

West, Ukraine exhaust diplomatic options in resolving conflict — Merz

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

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"

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

Russian industrial producers cut prices by 0.9% in November — statistics

In the mineral resources mining segment, prices went down for natural graphite, sea salt and dewatered, desalinated and stabilized oil

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

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, North Korea to hold intergovernmental commission’s meeting soon

The previous 10th meeting of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation was held in November 2023 in Pyongyang

Tucker Carlson believes Trump may declare war on Venezuela

The journalist added that he does not know whether the announcement "will actually happen"

Russia says rising tensions around Venezuela carry unpredictable fallout

Russia reaffirms its solidarity with the Venezuelan people in the face of the challenging times they are going through

Russia reveals 30.2% decline in tourist inflow for 2022

It is noted that compared with 2019, the inbound flow of tourists to Russia dropped 25.5-fold last year

Russia going to develop international military cooperation — Putin

The collective security system of the Union States requires improvement, the Russian president stressed

Annual inflation in Russia down to 6.34% from December 9 to 15 — Economy Ministry

Price growth rates changed by 0.05% for foods

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

Russia manages to reverse trend of declining military exports — defense chief

According to Andrey Belousov, Russia transitioned to a new system for promoting weapons to allies and partners

Kiev's proposals will reveal how much Zelensky seeks peace — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, Moscow needs to review the documents that emerged from discussions between the Americans, Europeans, and Ukrainians

Ukraine attacks 13 residential areas in Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

According to regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the attacks damaged 15 private houses, four apartment buildings, five cars, three garages and a powerline

Online retail market in Russia to reach $187.0 bln by year-end

As of September 2025, Wildberries, Ozon, and Yandex Market hold 68.9% of all online sales in the country

Russia says shoots down three bogeys over sea in Sevastopol

Earlier, an air alert was announced in the city

Defense Ministry take steps to limit increase of military budget — minister

The ministry has switched to a budget planning system which implies strict setting of priorities

Putin blames West for Yugoslavia’s breakup

The president noted that nothing that was created in the post-war period worked in relations with the West

Russian army’s capabilities keep developing — Putin

According to the head of state, the defense industry "has quickly restructured many production and technological processes"

RDIF to sign over 10 agreements with foreign partners at SPIEF-2025

CEO Kirill Dmitriev noted that more than 10 meetings will be held with the fund's partners from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, China, Qatar, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Bahrain and other countries

Germany withdrawing Patriot air defense systems, military personnel from Poland

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

Trial of ex-head of DM medical department to begin in Moscow

The investigation was completed in early January. The criminal case comprises 53 volumes

Russia bans entry to 227 US citizens involved in Washington's Russophobic agenda — MFA

The ministry specified that the entry ban applies to specific individuals in the executive branch, the business community, the media and academic circles, "who are regularly involved in hostile attacks or the spread of fabrications and outright slander about Russia’s foreign and domestic policies"

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

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

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

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

Russia does not deny anyone right to security, but insists on NATO not expanding — Putin

It was publicly stated that there would be no NATO expansion to the east and the West "couldn't care less" about these promises, the Russian leader noted

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

Russian tourist trips abroad increase by 14% yoy in 2025 — RUTI

Turkey ranks first in terms of demand among Russian tourists in 2025, followed by Egypt and Thailand

Russian army gains steam as Ukraine's falls apart — Putin

The Russian president thanked the Defense Ministry for keeping Russia strong on the battlefield

West tries to twist international law where Ukraine is concerned — Lavrov

According to the Russian top diplomat, the West, especially the Europeans, want to continue their neocolonial policy, "aimed at living at the expense of others, as it has been for the last 500 years"

Special op, nuclear forces, Oreshnik and Burevestnik: what Putin told defense officials

The Russian president noted that Russia’s strategic nuclear forces will continue to play a key role in deterring aggression and maintaining the global balance of power

Billionaire Isaacman to serve as new head of NASA

A total of 67 senators voted in favor of Isaacman’s nomination, while 30 voted against it

Putin’s Direct Line Q&A to take place on December 19

"Questions will be accepted from 3:00 p.m. Moscow time on December 4 until the end of the program on December 19," the Kremlin specified

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"

Zelensky tries to drown sensible settlement proposals in stream of nonsense — envoy

The change in the format of Vladimir Zelensky's interaction with press is also due to his nervousness because of the tough position of the United States, noted Rodion Miroshnik

Russian fighters improve position on approaches to Krasny Liman in one week — DPR head

Russian units have been very active in moving towards Yampol this week, Pushilin added

Italian PM says Rome has no intent of sending troops to Ukraine

The leaders of European countries said that security guarantees for Kiev should involve the creation of "a European-led ‘multinational force’ made up from contributions from willing nations

Liberating Gerasimovka, Russian troops expand bridgehead along Gaichur River — source

As a result of active combat operations, assault groups of the 36th Brigade advanced along the western bank, taking under control a 2-kilometer sector along the front and up to a kilometer in depth

Trump welcomes Russia's initiative on talks with Ukraine, unlike Macron — senator

Alexey Pushkov noted that Trump's reaction to Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer of talks is quite different from that of Macron, who is trying to dictate his own terms

Russian oil imports to India to top 1 mln barrels per day in December — Reuters

"Ties between the two countries have remained strong despite pressure from Western sanctions," the agency said

US informed Europe of its desire to use Russian assets as part of Ukraine settlement — WP

According to the publication, after Washington proposed its 28-point plan for settling the Ukrainian crisis in November, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and other European leaders "have faced pressure from US officials"

Putin briefs Armenian PM on conversation with US envoy, preparations for Trump meeting

Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the steps that are being taken to resolve the Ukraine crisis peacefully

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

Settlements in national digital currencies to become norm within 5 years — MP

First international payments in digital currencies may be carried out with China or Belarus, Anatoly Aksakov noted

Russian troops liberate Gerasimovka in Dnepropetrovsk Region over past day

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that the Ukrainian army lost roughly 235 troops, two tanks and three armored combat vehicles in the responsibility area of the Battlegroup East

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

Whole world, save for Europe, condemns US actions in Caribbean — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister underscored that "all other countries have clearly expressed their positions"

Russia can receive unlimited number of Indian specialists — first deputy PM

Denis Manturov confirmed that the labor mobility agreement was signed during the Russian-Indian summit in New Delhi

Russian troops destroy 67 foreign mercenaries in battles for Yunakovka — defense source

According to the source, they were mostly Colombian nationals

S-500's capabilities unachievable for Russia's military-industrial rivals — expert

Head of the Bureau of Military-Political Analysis Alexander Mikhailov emphasized that the S-500 functions as a sophisticated space defense system

US Congress approves defense budget proposal amounting to $901 billion

Ultimately, the lawmakers arrived at a compromise

Putin awards Gold Stars to Russian heroes who excelled in liberating Seversk

The ceremony took place at the Defense Ministry

Engine production at Haval plant in Russia to start in early 2024 — Haval Motor Rus

According to executive director of Haval Motor Rus Andrey Akifyev, the construction of a plant is almost complete

BRICS nations seek alternatives to US dollar — Brazilian official

According to Celso Amorim, BRICS nations continue discussions of potential payment mechanisms that the group’s members could adopt

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"

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

Resolving Ukrainian issue impossible without Russia — Duma speaker

Saudi Arabia will not participate and earlier, China declined to attend, Vyacheslav Volodin noted

Over 20 Ukrainian troops, combat vehicles eliminated in southern DPR — defense ministry

According to the ministry, soldiers of the Russian 40th marine brigade are advancing north of the settlement of Velikaya Novoselka, eliminating the enemy’s firing positions and control centers

NATO plans confrontation with Russia by 2030 — top defense official

"We are not the ones making threats; we are the ones being threatened," Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov stressed

One home destroyed, 42 damaged by debris from downed Ukrainian missiles near Bryansk

Governor Alexander Bogomaz promised that all necessary material assistance will be provided

Karin Kneissl: Zelensky Has No Chance Left

Every fifth EU resident at risk of poverty — Spanish PM

Pedro Sanchez called for the implementation of "urgent measures" because the housing crisis is already "resonating across Europe" and becoming "a new factor of Euroscepticism"

Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier planned for sea trials in fall 2022

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Presidents of Russia, Iran keep eye on North-South Corridor construction — Lavrov

Commissioning of the mentioned railway section "is a critical condition for the full-scale launch of the Western branch of the North-South International Transport Corridor" that is among the flagship international projects, the Russian foreign minister stressed

Iran reaffirms its legitimate right to peaceful nuclear program — foreign minister

According to Abbas Araghchi, the US and Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June, even though they damaged buildings and equipment, were unable to destroy the technology

Delegates from 21 countries attend Arctic Forum activities — presidential advisor

Russia is continuously expanding port infrastructure capacities in the Arctic, Anton Kobyakov noted

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

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