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Orban describes EU loan for Ukraine as 'lost money' — Reuters

Viktor Orban assured that his country "is staying out" from European financing of the Kiev government

BRUSSELS, December 19. /TASS/. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the 90-billion-euro interest-free EU loan for Ukraine was nothing but 'lost money,' the Reuters news agency reported.

"It’s lost money," the agency quoted him as saying.

Orban assured that his country "is staying out" from European financing of the Kiev government.

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Ukraine Hungary

Nuclear powers UK, France risk provoking war with Russia — Szijjarto

"War fanaticism is rampant among Europe’s political leaders," the minister said

Deployment of multinational forces for Ukraine impossible without Russia’s consent — Merz

Germany is ready to contribute to efforts to maintain a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, German Chancellor noted

Tehran condemns US attempts to intervene in Iran’s domestic affairs — envoy to UN

Amir Saeid Iravani emphasized that the United States is interfering in Iran’s internal affairs through the encouragement of instability and violence

Ukrainian attacks Belgorod Region with nearly 50 UAVs, 18 munitions over past day

In addition, the Ukrainian military targeted the Valuysky, Volokonovsky, and Grayvoronsky districts with 12 drones, leaving five people injured

Vatican urges US to avoid military ops against Venezuela — media

According to the publication, Parolin told Burch that Maduro could receive asylum in Russia

Sheremetyevo Airport stabilizes operation after restrictions

Passengers on arriving flights are receiving their baggage in full

US has already begun unloading oil from the seized tanker Marinera — Trump

Donald Trump declined to answer a question on whether he had held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the seizure of the tanker

No one knows what will happen to Cuba after US operation in Venezuela — Trump

The US leader also added that unlike Venezuela, Cuba does not have its own oil and other energy sources

Trump convinced that peace deal on Ukraine will eventually be reached

The US leader reiterated that he "always had a great relationship with" Russian President Vladimir Putin

South Korea’s defense minister denies launching drone to North

According to the news agency, South Korean forces had not conducted flight operations on the dates claimed by North Korea

Ukraine, US to sign $800-bln post-conflict reconstruction deal in Davos

The loan will be provided within a decade

US demands from Venezuela to severe economic ties with Iran, Cuba, China, Russia — TV

According to the US-based television broadcaster, Washington put forward several demands to the acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez

Iran accuses Israel, US of organizing protests in country

The work of law enforcement agencies in the country is aimed at preventing such threats

Medvedev considers use of Russian flag by Marinera to be inappropriate

He emphasized that the seizure of the tanker by the Americans was "a clear violation of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea"

Trump's portrait now on display at National Portrait Gallery in Washington

The black-and-white image depicts the US president standing in the Oval Office, leaning on a desk with both hands

Paris declaration on Ukraine brings world closer to third world war — Ukrainian politician

This declaration, in his words, "means that there will be no peace and the conflict will never end"

Russian Armed Forces liberate five settlements over week — top brass

The battlegroup East continued to advance deep into enemy defenses

Tehran rioters burn down 25 mosques, harm 26 banks, three medical centers — mayor

According to him, rioters harmed ten government buildings, 48 fire trucks, 42 buses and ambulances, as well as 24 apartments

Protesters rally near US Embassy in Bangkok calling for Venezuelan president's release

Alongside local residents, US citizens living in Thailand also took part in the protest

Iran considers riots to be another stage of US-Israeli war against republic

"I am confident that last night’s events are the second phase of the war between Israel and [US President Donald] Trump against Iran," Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, a member of the Islamic Republic's government council on information technology said

"Coalition of the Willing" won’t send troops to Ukraine, French politician says

Russia opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine

Lukashenko says there was collusion, betrayal in situation with Maduro's capture

The Belarusian leader also called for caution amid the events in the Bolivarian Republic

NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Trump believes US allies in Europe are not feared, including by Russia

Donald Trump pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not afraid of Europe

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

Su-57 fighter jet successfully evades enemy radars and electronic warfare — Chemezov

Rostec CEO noted that the corporation received feedback on all equipment deployed in the zone of the special military operation

Syrian army announces operation against Kurdish fighters in Aleppo — SANA

Once the mop-up operation is over, the area will come under the control of the transitional government’s security forces

Trump plans to meet with Venezuelan delegates soon

US President Donald Trump did not elaborate on who exactly he was planning to talk to

US creates new legal reality by rejecting international law — Russian senator

Andrei Klishas stated this while commenting on US President Donald Trump's statement that he does not need international law

Russia opposes any Western military contingent in Ukraine — Medvedev

It’s been said a thousand times: Russia won’t accept any European or NATO troops in Ukraine, Medvedev wrote on X in English.

US Southern Command confirms seizure of Olina tanker in Caribbean

The vessel was seized near the island of Trinidad

Low oil prices fuel Trump's geopolitical ambitions — media

The authors of the article said that growth in domestic energy production gives the US administration significant leeway, as Washington does not have to worry about sudden spikes in global oil prices or rising gasoline costs at home

Nazi collaborator’s birthday declared official holiday in Ukraine

The figure of Stepan Bandera, who was killed in Munich on October 15, 1959, is still tearing Ukrainian society apart

Kim Jong Un pledges to continue Russia-North Korea cooperation in his letter to Putin

The North Korean leader emphasized that he is ready to always stand for Russia

US no longer constitutional, Americans have no say in politics — expert

According to Sachs, Washington’s actions represent "a particularly egregious case"

Putin signs law on reliable Russian Internet

The document presupposes the centralized operation of the Runet if it is disconnected from the global network infrastructure

Trump says he does not need international law

Donald Trump stated that the only thing that can stop him is his own morality

European leaders lack expertise to make proper assessment of Ukraine crisis — Swiss MP

According to Mettan, today’s European leaders did not experience World War II and came of age only at the end of the Cold War

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

Polish court to consider extending detention of archaeologist Butyagin on January 12

According to the post, Butyagin has been unable to properly prepare his defense because some of the case materials have not yet been translated from Ukrainian

US government mulls holding nuclear test, but has no clear plan yet — energy secretary

Chris Wright also stressed that the US nuclear arsenal has to be meaningfully better than all of its foes in the world

Putin's envoy reminds Kallas no defense system can stop Oreshnik

This is how Kirill Dmitriev commented on Kaja Kallas's statement about the Russian strike with the Oreshnik missile

INTERVIEW: Russia, Iran expanding relations in military sphere — ambassador to Moscow

However, Kazem Jalali stated that it was inappropriate to discuss the details of such cooperation

Seventeen oil companies to discuss Venezuela with Trump — media

The meeting will take place at the White House at 2:30 p.m. local time

What Solzhenitsyn said about Putin, and vice versa

The prominent writer and historian, who was exiled to GULAG camp, was born on December 11, 1918

Over 100 armed rioters detained in western Tehran — authorities

On December 29, 2025, merchants began staging protests in central Tehran over a sharp decline in the value of the Iranian rial

High time for Europe to talk to Russia — Italian PM

However, she believes that the conditions for Russia's return to the G7 have not yet been met

Russia maintains global leadership in Pacific salmon production

Russia is fully supplied with red fish and caviar, the agency added

Trump sees possibility of Machado assuming power in Venezuela

The US leader stressed that he has to speak to her

US wants to have Greenland, will get it anyway — Trump

The US President believes that if Washington does not own the island, Russia or China will take it over

Russia, Venezuela maintain strategic partnership — ambassador

Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov emphasized that these relations of strategic partnership will continue in all areas

North Korea accuses South of violating its airspace

The incident occurred on January 4, when North Korean air defenses detected and tracked an aerial target that crossed the border from the South

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

According to him, "the whole illusion has shattered in the past four days"

Ukrainian armed forces carry out missile strike on Belgorod; no casualties reported

Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov added that emergency services are working on the ground

Poll reveals 85% of Greenlanders do not want to become US citizens

The reason is that the island's residents believe that the standard of living in Denmark is much higher

US wants Russia, China to stay away from Greenland — Trump

Donald Trump also expects Caracas to become its ally in the future

Russian forces launch Oreshnik strike in response to Kiev's attack on Putin's residence

According to the ministry, "the strike goals were achieved"

Trump expects US oil companies to invest at least $100 bln in Venezuela

The US administration will guarantee their safety, Donald Trump said

UN Security Council schedules Ukraine-themed meeting for January 12

The meeting will take place at 3:00 p.m. local time

Use of phones is cause of tragedy in Makeyevka — Russian Defense Ministry

A commission investigating circumstances of the incident is working and required measures are being taken to exclude such tragedies in the future

At least 25 law enforcement officers killed by rioters in Iran

Between January 3 and 9, Iranian authorities reported the deaths of more than 10 security personnel, including the Esfarayen city prosecutor

Early return of Crew-11 from ISS planned no earlier than January 14 — NASA

In this case, astronauts Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Kimiya Yui and cosmonaut Oleg Platonov will splash down off the coast of California on January 15

EU preparing for possible direct confrontation with Trump — newspaper

European governments now understand the seriousness of Trump's threats and are "desperately looking for a plan to stop him"

Finland withdraws from convention banning anti-personnel landmines — media

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have also announced their withdrawal from the convention earlier

Iranian authorities accuse external forces of turning peaceful protests into unrest

"Hands stained with blood of more than a thousand Iranians killed in the 12-day war" with Israel are visible in those riots, Hadi Tahan Nazif, spokesperson of Iran's Guardian Council, said

Medvedev bashes US general’s idiotic remarks about Kaliningrad’s air defenses

The Russian PM commented on media reports citing the commander of the US Air Forces in Europe on Pentagon's plans to ‘crack’ the air defenses in the Kaliningrad Region in case of Russia's aggression

European Commission considers Oreshnik's strike on Ukraine warning to EU, US — spokeswoman

Brussels intends to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine

Ukraine loses around 1,090 troops across special op zone over past day — top brass

In the responsibility zone of the Battlegroup North, the Ukrainian military lost more than 130 soldiers and three cars

Iranian police report stabilization following armed unrest

An official spokesperson for the Islamic Republic’s police Saeed Montazer al-Mahdi emphasized that "the situation in various cities across the country is calm"

Figure skaters Efimova, Mitrofanov win US pairs championship

Efimova is currently awaiting approval of an American passport, which will prevent the pair from competing at the upcoming Olympic Games in Italy

Russia calls on US to cease illegal activities against Marinera — MFA

The United States is required to ensure humane and dignified treatment of Russian citizens and not create obstacles to their speedy return to their homeland

Danish PM shocked by Trump's, his administration's statements about Greenland — NYT

Trump has repeatedly stated the need for Greenland to join the United States

Trump hopes sanctions bill against Russia will not be needed, but ready to support it

The US President stressed that Washington is already using "big sanctions on Russia"

Western oil companies to invest billions in Venezuela — Trump

US President Donald Trump spoke highly of his meeting with oil executives

Europe has no strategy to prevent possible takeover of Greenland by US — FT

European leadership circles are considering retaliatory measures, including closing US military bases or banning the purchase of US Treasury bonds

Medvedev calls Oreshnik strike best way to deal with Ukrainian ‘lunatics’

He noted that "international relations have been in complete chaos since the beginning of the year"

Air defenses down 33 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in seven hours

On-duty air defenses intercepted and destroyed 33 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles between 9 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Moscow time (6 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. GMT)

Trump confirms plans to visit China in April

The US President believes that he "gets along very well" with President Xi Jinping

Finnish politician backs Italian PM's stance on dialogue with Russia

Meloni earlier stated that the time had come for Europe to begin talks with Russia and voiced support for appointing a special representative for Ukraine

Russian air defenses take down drone heading to Moscow — mayor

First responders are working at the area where fragments have fallen, the Russian capital’s Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said

Zelensky in talks with US on possible free trade zone — Bloomberg

According to the news agency, the deal will have zero tariffs on trade with the United States and will be in place in some of Ukraine’s industrial regions

Finnish politician reveals Helsinki's secret plans to deploy nuclear weapons

According to him, some people in Finland feel like the country is at war with Russia

Russia grateful to US for decision to release two Russians from Marinera crew — diplomat

According to Zakharova, the Russian side is urgently addressing issues related to the return of its freed citizens to their homeland

Trump does not intend to pardon Maduro — NYT

The US President also made it clear that he has "no intention of pardoning" the other individuals

Russia-EU economic relations unlikely to recover even within decade — economist

According to the economist, the Russian economy and budget system have already adapted to the severing of old ties

Over 2,000 Belarusian servicemen take part in dealing with consequences of snowfall

The ministry noted that military personnel will continue assisting with recovery efforts for as long as necessary

Russian cancer vaccine ready for use — FMBA head

The initial target for this vaccine will be colorectal cancer

Trump says Venezuelan authorities aided in detaining new tanker

Earlier on Friday, the US Southern Command confirmed the seizure of the oil tanker Olina

EU countries vote on agreement for free trade with Mercosur

The vote was conducted in written form between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time

Nuclear powers UK, France risk provoking war with Russia — Szijjarto

"War fanaticism is rampant among Europe’s political leaders," the minister said

Oreshnik’s launch is sudden, undetectable by satellites — analyst

The range of the Oreshnik system is up to 5,500 kilometers

No compensations for termination of Russian gas purchases — EC

Dan Jorgen noted that EU countries having effective contracts for Russian gas-purchases would be offered to sever them on the basis of "force majeure" so that not pay compensations for early termination

Damage to Qatari embassy in Kiev result of Ukrainian air defense failure — Russian MFA

There were no designated military objectives near the Qatari diplomatic mission, the ministry noted

US demands for China’s participation in nuclear disarmament talks unreasonable — embassy

China’s nuclear strength is by no means on the same level with that of the US, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US Liu Pengyu said

US State Dep delegation arriving in Venezuela to restore diplomatic missions — MFA

"Similarly, a delegation of Venezuelan diplomats will be sent to the United States," the government statement said

NATO may bolster presence in the Arctic to avert US-Denmark conflict

According to the newspaper, NATO ambassadors proposed increasing defense spending in the Arctic, deploying additional military equipment, and stepping up military exercises to show Donald Trump that the region is sufficiently secure

Greenland party leaders call on US to stop disrespecting island

The authors note that Greenland is a democracy and wishes to continue cooperation with both the United States and Western countries

Naval drills involving Russia kick off in South Africa

The theme of the exercises is "joint actions to ensure the safety of navigation and maritime economic activities"

NATO stockpiles nukes near Russia's borders, preparing for offensive actions — expert

According to Alexander Stepanov, at the initial stage, it is possible that B61 thermonuclear bombs, which are currently deployed in Belgium and the Netherlands, will be shifted to Russia's borders

Press review: Russia may revise Ukraine talks post attack and China launches Taiwan drills

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 30th

At least 59 Ukrainian drones downed over Russian regions overnight

11 of them were destroyed over the Black Sea waters