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First NPP in Belarus significantly strengthened country’s energy security — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader stressed that energy was the guarantor of economic development and a matter of national self-sufficiency

MINSK, December 18. /TASS/. The first Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) has significantly strengthened the country's energy security, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated in his address to the Belarusian people and parliament at the 7th All-Belarusian People's Assembly.

He stressed that energy is the guarantor of economic development and a matter of national self-sufficiency.

"Belarus's advantage in this regard is obvious. The NPP has significantly strengthened our energy independence, but its level must be raised even higher by 2030. The plant's capacity has made it possible to upgrade the relevant infrastructure and boost the development of electric transport," he said.

The first Belarusian NPP is located near the city of Ostrovets in the Grodno region. It was built using the standard Russian design AES-2006. The general contractor was the Atomstroyexport company (part of the state corporation Rosatom). The plant's first power unit was commissioned in June 2021, and the second power unit was completed in November 2021.

Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev expressed readiness of the Russian side to build a second NPP in Belarus if necessary.

Fico highlights need for compromise at European Council

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico repeatedly said that he would refuse to vote for any support for Ukraine's military needs at the summit

EU summit won’t be able to decide on expropriation of Russian assets — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban said that if this issue is put to a vote, it will not be able to gain the support of a sufficient majority

Hungarian PM asks Putin about Russia’s response if EU uses frozen assets

According to Viktor Orban, Moscow responded that "a decisive response will follow, based on all mechanisms of international law"

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

Venezuela’s army rejects US’ accusations and threats

The escalation of threats of the use of force against Venezuela is aimed at "changing the regime, seize oil and other strategic resources of the republic," the defense ministry stressed

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

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

The ceremony took place at the Defense Ministry

Karin Kneissl: Zelensky Has No Chance Left

Four civilians injured after Ukraine’s attack on Bataisk — region’s governor

According to Yury Slyusar, the attack caused fire to two single-family houses

Tucker Carlson believes Trump may declare war on Venezuela

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

Austrian parliament rejects proposal to support EU seizure of Russian central bank funds

The statement noted that the relevant proposal was submitted by the party but did not receive the support of a majority of deputies

Russian defense technologies unmatched by Western military-industrial complex — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that established industrial production would make it possible to make tens and even hundreds of items per year to provide strategic coverage for all critical areas and facilities in the Russian border regions

US won’t give Kiev 'security guarantees' to avoid WWIII — opposition politician

Viktor Medvedchuk said that "Washington is unwilling to risk, especially for Vladimir Zelensky, whom many US officials have certainly come to despise"

Russia advances in Donbass while West plays shell games — Ukrainian opposition politician

Viktor Medvedchuk also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it abundantly clear that the desire for war in this situation does not come from Russia

Russian intel chief reveals recent extended call with MI6 director

Sergey Naryshkin said the phone conversation was held "just a few days ago"

EU diplomats do not rule out retaliation against Ukrainian elites by angry mob — SVR

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service said that the Mindich-Zelensky case is undermining Ukraine

Belgian PM announces plans to push forward work to finance Ukraine

Bart De Wever reiterated his opposition to the seizure of Russia's assets, adding, however, that he supported a permanent asset freeze in Belgium’s jurisdiction, allowing reinvestment profits to be used to fund Kiev

US aware that continued conflict will end in Ukraine's defeat — intelligence chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the US administration has begun seeking compromise solutions and they were identified and articulated in what is known as the Trump peace plan

EU fixated on idea of stealing Russia's money to continue war in Ukraine — Kremlin

"It feels as if they can think about only one thing: how to find money to continue the war," Dmitry Peskov noted

Europe is trying to sell 'armed truce' as peace, Italian expert says

Domenico Gallo advocates for an immediate halt to weapons supplies to Ukraine and a rejection of plans to send foreign troops

US House rejects resolution against hostilities against Venezuela

The Republican-majority House voted 213 to 211 against this resolution

Venezuela is Russia’s ally, Moscow, Caracas are in constant contact — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro spoke on the phone on December 11

Issue of seizing Russian assets not on EU summit agenda — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban stated that Hungary "won the battle ahead of the EU summit"

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

Austrian chancellor doesn’t rule out country’s participation in int’l mission in Ukraine

At the same time, Christian Stocker stated that Austria is set to remain committed to the principle of neutrality

Ukrainian soldiers’ morale collapses after corruption scandal — SVR

According to the report, an increasing number of newly mobilized troops are deserting their positions, unwilling to risk

UK, EU still live in 'Biden world' - Russian envoy

According to Kirill Dmitriev, it remains unclear why the UK and EU nations cannot tackle issues such as mass migration and the rise in migrant crime

Russia going to develop international military cooperation — Putin

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

FACTBOX: Oreshnik ballistic missile

According to the Russian president, the combat testing of the Oreshnik missile system was conducted in response to an attack by US-made and British-made long-range missiles on Russian territory

European guarantees for Ukraine aimed at arming it and provoking Moscow — expert

Alexander Dudchak explained that such plans effectively transform the entire territory of former Ukraine into a strategic military base under external control

FACTBOX: S-500 Anti-Aircraft Missile System

The system is being developed with the capability to be operational for the next 25 years

Fatalities from Ukrainian drone attacks reported in Russia’s Rostov-on-Don, Bataisk

Two crew were killed and three others on board a vessel sustained injuries in a drone attack in Rostov-on-Don

Hungarian PM slams plans for joint EU loan for Ukraine as 'dead idea'

Viktor Orban noted that the European Commission’s proposal ran counter not only to EU laws but also to Hungary’s Constitution

US escalates conflict with Venezuela to verge of military strike — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that strikes on Venezuela are most likely to be carried out remotely, with a ground operation being highly unlikely

Russian national detained in Iran released from prison — embassy

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

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

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

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

Trump slow-rolling decision on new sanctions against Russia — Bloomberg

The new measures could be unveiled as early as this week

Press review: Trump seeks to pressure Moscow as EU desperate to find funds for Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, December 18th

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

First American sanctioned by EU exposes major embezzlement by Ukrainian official

Ukrainian media outlets reported earlier that the exposure of a large-scale corruption scheme in Ukraine’s energy sector might be followed by similar probes into the involvement of top officials in corruption schemes in the defense sector

FSB reports thwarting terror plot near administration building in Russia’s Volgodonsk

A female college student with 10 kilograms of an improvised explosive device was arrested

Investors will start withdrawing funds if Euroclear rating downgraded — Dmitriev

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

EU leaders upset about late start to Brussels summit — media

According to Politico, the delay was caused after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa held an impromptu meeting with a farmers’ association

Kremlin gets set to be briefed by US on talks with Ukraine, EU

According to Dmitry Peskov, the Russian side is working on arranging contacts with American counterparts

Euro democracy in US crosshairs, meddling threat in Russian elections: Lavrov statements

The Russian foreign minister said that the US had sent a strong signal to Europe criticizing the democracy "that is practiced in Europe"

Zelensky admits Biden told him Ukraine would not be brought in to NATO before conflict

Vladimir Zelensky noted that he repeatedly raised the issue with the White House, becoming a kind of running joke among US officials

Russia hopes for US pragmatic approach to situation around Venezuela — diplomat

"We hope that common sense will prevail and will proceed from this in our actions," a high-ranking Russian foreign ministry official said

Lukashenko says he is ‘outgoing’ president

According to the Belarusian leader, he wants to establish good relations between Minsk and Washington

Parliament member admits 500,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed, just as many wounded

The official number of killed Ukrainian soldiers has not been disclosed, but deputies and military personnel regularly complain about a shortage of personnel

UK introduced sanctions against Russian oil producers

In total, restrictions affected 24 legal entities and individuals, including companies from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and the UAE

US national attributes personal EU sanctions to efforts to expose corruption in Ukraine

According to John Mark Dougan, "this is not just some minor corruption; this is billions of US dollars in stolen taxpayer money from citizens of the United States and Europe"

Russia to conclude military-technical cooperation agreements with six countries

Russia started the transition to a long-term and comprehensive nature of planning interaction with partners, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said

Moscow values Budapest’s readiness to provide venue for Russia-US summit — diplomat

"I think the Russian and US leaders’ statements leave no room for doubt," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky said

About five US military jets spotted over sea near Venezuelan border — air traffic control

According to the source, the aircraft are carrier-based

West supplies arms to terrorists in North Caucasus — Putin

The President noted that the West liked to speak the language of force with Russia

Maduro thanks Russia for condemning US aggression — top Venezuelan diplomat

According to Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto, the rejection of the US imperial ambitions in the Caribbean is growing in the world

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

Ukraine faces economic collapse if EU refuses to grant 'reparation loan' — newspaper

According to The Financial Times, Ukraine's economy will be more impacted by the refusal to transfer expropriated Russian assets than Europe will be by the geopolitical and reputational damage

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"

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

US Congress approves defense budget proposal amounting to $901 billion

Ultimately, the lawmakers arrived at a compromise

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

EU fears truth about conflict in Ukraine, blacklisted American says

According to John Mark Dougan, European leaders "cannot have anybody telling the truth about stolen funds that came from taxpayers"

Interpol puts two Ukrainians suspected of railway bombing on wanted list

"Interpol red notices have been issued for the men suspected of committing acts of sabotage in Garwolin County" Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said

Ukrainian drone attack on tanker in Rostov-on-Don port cause casualties — authorities

No oil has been split

UK 'co-running war' in Ukraine — former French military officer

When asked about the presence of Western servicemen in the area of the Russian special military operation, Xavier Moreau emphasized that there are "many British" in Ukraine

US House rejects resolution to end operations against drug cartels

The Republican-majority House voted 216 to 210 against this resolution

Intelligence services remain ‘almost sole’ link between Russia, Europe — SVR

Responding to a question about whether the Russian side observes more common sense in the approaches of European countries’ intelligence services than in the activities of their politicians, Sergey Naryshkin noted that "the approaches of intelligence services generally align with the policies of their states"

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

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

Western military presence in Ukraine in any format unacceptable for Russia — MFA

Maria Zakharova stated that such pseudo-peacekeepers would become legitimate targets for the Russian army

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

IN BRIEF: What is known about situation around frozen Russian assets

Four EU officials said that a key point in the discussion was the idea of excluding Hungary and Slovakia from the general debt repayment scheme, as both countries oppose further aid to Ukraine

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

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

Russia urges US to de-escalate with Venezuela, avoid making 'fatal mistake' — MFA

Russia is convinced that steps to de-escalate the situation and find solutions to existing problems and differences, with respect for international legal norms, are needed

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

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

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"

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

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

West can simply steal countries’ gold and foreign exchange reserves — Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader that the country held a record level of gold and foreign exchange reserves at present and suggested rethinking the strategy for managing international reserve assets

US Treasury removes six entities, two individuals from anti-Russian sanctions

The sanctions will no longer apply to Russian citizen Dmitry Bugayenko and Finnish citizen Evgenia Dremova

Inevitable Ukrainian surrender to make peace talk much easier — SVR

According to Sergey Naryshkin, no one will be able to prevent the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian conflict after that

Desertion in Ukrainian armed forces grows — Russian intelligence chief

"In contrast to the Ukrainian side, the Russian army is continuously advancing, liberating several villages and cities each week." Sergey Naryshkin stated

Corruption scandal fallout, threat to Ukrainian elites — Russia’s SVR statements

According to the intelligence service, the corruption scandal in Ukraine has resulted in "a sharp decline in the morale of Ukrainian troops on the frontlines"

German party leader slams Merz’s position on expropriating Russian assets

"It is much easier to spend other’s money than one’s own," Tino Chrupalla, co-chair of Alternative for Germany (AfD) party noted

EU divided into two camps over seizure of Russia’s frozen assets — Politico

Four anonymous EU officials told the newspaper that the key issue raised during the discussions was a plan to remove Hungary and Slovakia from the joint debt scheme

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"

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army’s energy infrastructure over past day

According to the latest figures, Kiev loses 1,405 troops along engagement line in past day

Europe should consider Putin's words on placing Oreshnik missile on combat duty — expert

Military-Political Analysis Bureau head Alexander Mikhailov emphasized that the tactical and technical characteristics of the Oreshnik missile allow the Russian army to launch a strike targeting any spot in Europe

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

According to the source, they were mostly Colombian nationals

Netanyahu says approved $34.6 bln deal for gas supplies to Egypt

According to the Israeli prime minister, the deal envisages large-scale investments in the gas infrastructure

Beijing vows decisive response to $11 bln US arms sale to Taiwan

"The US side has announced a large-scale plan to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, which seriously violates the One China principle and provisions of three joint communiques," Guo Jiakun said

Trump says US wants back oil rights allegedly taken by Venezuela

"They took all of our oil from not that long ago", US President said

Zelensky cannot withdraw troops from Donbass due to nationalist resistance — opposition

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that Western media outlets consistently report significant pressure from Washington on Kiev and Europe regarding this issue

Further funding for Ukraine risks prolonging conflict with Russia, Hungarian PM warns

Viktor Orban also pointed out that the idea of a Russian asset seizure was dead because talks on the issue "have stalled"

Former French officer slams EU sanctions on its own citizens as 'Brussels dictatorship'

According to Xavier Moreau, imposing sanctions on a French citizen without a trial is unacceptable

Maduro vows full effort to protect Venezuela’s sovereignty under any circumstances

The Venezuelan president stated that the United States is seeking a regime change in the Bolivarian Republic "to impose a puppet government that will turn the country with its natural resources into a colony"

Russia says shoots down three bogeys over sea in Sevastopol

Earlier, an air alert was announced in the city