{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

US discussed security guarantees for Kiev with ‘European Three’ and Ukraine — Witkoff

According to the US leader's special representative, one of the topics of conversation was economic assistance to Ukraine and its recovery after the conflict

WASHINGTON, December 31. /TASS/. Representatives of the US, UK, Germany, France, and Ukraine held telephone consultations to discuss strengthening security guarantees for Kiev,

US special presidential envoy Steven Witkoff announced on the X social network.

As he wrote, he has just "had a productive call <...> to discuss advancing the next steps in the European peace process."

"We focused on how to move the discussions forward in a practical way on behalf of peace process, including strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not restart," he wrote.

According to the US leader's special representative, one of the topics of conversation was economic assistance to Ukraine and its recovery after the conflict.

"Many additional details were discussed, and we will continue this important work and coordination in the New Year," Witkoff added.

As he specified, the conversation took place between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the American leader's son-in-law, entrepreneur Jared Kushner, the UK Prime Minister's national security adviser Jonathan Powell, the French President's adviser on foreign affairs Emmanuel Bonn, the German Chancellor's adviser on foreign policy issues Gunther Sautter, and the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov.

FACTBOX: Major aviation disasters of 2025

At least 12 such incidents were recorded during the year, including two involving big passenger jets

EU refuses to believe Kiev's attack on Putin's residence

As EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas asserted, this is "a deliberate distraction" and its aim is to "derail real progress towards peace"

Port infrastructure in Odessa region damaged in overnight explosions

Facilities in the ports of Yuzhny and Chernomorsk were damaged

Russia-EU relations may change under new European Commission — diplomat

"I don’t think that the Russia-EU dialogue is lost forever," Vladislav Maslennikov said

INTERVIEW: Effect of Trump’s new approach to Ukraine felt at UN — diplomat

The US avoids anti-Russian attacks and calls for a peace agreement, noted Polyansky

Part of Zaporozhye Region left without power after Kiev’s attack on energy grid

According to the governor, air defense systems are operating, repair works have already begun

Belarusian leader calls attack on Putin’s residence savage state-level terrorism

Lukashenko also wonders who needs this

Putin signs decree to call up reservists to protect critical facilities in 2026

The government has been instructed to approve the list of critical facilities and other vital infrastructure to be protected

West using Ukraine to analyze Russia’s combat tactics — head of Kherson region

Vladimir Saldo added that the line of engagement along the Dnieper River in the Kherson Region has not been an exception

Over thousand soldiers desert from Ukrainian army daily — reporter

Accoridng to Ukrainian journalist Vladimir Boyko, this number means the army is gone, and it can no longer be rebuilt

Russia’s Battlegroup West repels three Ukrainian attacks on Kupyansk direction — top brass

Russian forces also struck energy facilities used for Ukraine's military-industrial complex

Netanyahu claims Iran starts restoring production of ballistic missiles

Netanyahu claimed that after the Fordow nuclear facility was "obliterated," Tehran may try to restore its nuclear program at "other sites"

Trump called Russia ‘invincible’ after May 9 Victory Day Parade in Moscow — NYT

The publication also notes that, when assessing leverage for making deals, Trump has always believed that the advantage lies with the strongest

US Treasury removes ex-Sberbank executive Alexandra Buriko from sanctions list

The department did not provide any explanation for this move

Russian human rights ombudswoman calls on Kiev to return to large-scale prisoner exchanges

Russia continues to provide the Ukrainian side with lists of ordinary soldiers and military personnel whom it considers necessary for inclusion in exchanges

Belarusian top brass confirms Oreshnik missile system goes on combat duty in republic

The Oreshnik missile system arrived in Belarus pursuant to a decision made by the Russian and Belarusian leaders

Chief of Russian General Staff inspects Battlegroup North

He has heard reports from the commander of the group, Col. Gen. Yevgeny Nikiforov, about the current situation in the zone of responsibility

Year 2025 marked by progress in Russian-Chinese relations — Xi Jinping

Xi Jinping pointed Russia and China’s successful implementation of visa-free travel, as well as the work to create an energy corridor, and dynamic cooperation in other areas

Russia may launch an experiment in targeted recruitment of foreign workers in 2027

The experiment will involve the introduction of registers containing data on employers and foreign workers

Russian stock indices show mixed performance in 2025

The MOEX Russia Index lost 116 points to 2,766.62 points this year, the RTS Index gained 220.91 points to 1,114.13 points

Russia's retaliatory measures to create operational problems for Euroclear — FT

According to the report, Euroclear has hired 200 additional employees to handle frozen Russian assets on a permanent basis

Switzerland declines to comment on Kiev's attempt to hit Putin's residence

The Swiss Foreign Ministry called on the parties to the conflict to "respect international humanitarian law" and again expressed its readiness to "act as a mediator" to resolve the crisis in Ukraine

Top Iranian diplomat urges colleagues to condemn Trump’s threats against Tehran

Mentioning the Israeli-US attack on Iran in June 2025, Abbas Araghchi said US president’s recent threats show the US administration’s plans to continue this illegal and aggressive process

Bosnian Serb leader condemns attack on Putin’s residence as act of terrorism

This reveals Zelensky’s inability and reluctance to end the suffering of his own people, Milorad Dodik said

Top defense official calls Russian army ‘world’s most combat-ready’

According to Andrey Belousov, the Russian army has proven in practice that it can ensure the country's sovereignty

Medvedev slams Zelensky ‘pathological liar, freeloader’

Security Council Deputy Chairman also noticed that Zelensky made US President Donald Trump sick of himself

London considered overthrowing Zimbabwe's leader Mugabe in 2004 — FT

Zimbabwe was suffering hyperinflation, the sometimes violent occupation of white-owned farms and election rigging and harassment of the opposition by Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF party

New government in Gaza possible if Hamas disarms — Netanyahu

In Netanyahu’s opinion, the Palestinian movement must "vanish"

One of longest New Year holiday periods begins in Russia

In all, January 2026 will have 15 workdays and 16 days off

Security advisers from Ukraine, coalition of the willing nations to meet in Kiev on Jan 3

Vladimir Zelensky thanked US President Donald Trump for his readiness to take part in all effective formats

Romania joins program to buy US weapons for Ukraine

Romania will allocate 50 million euro to purchase weapons for Ukraine

Kiev saboteur killed in southwest Russia while attempting to blow up gas supply system

According to the FSB, the man had undergone special training at a Ukrainian special operations forces camp before returning to Russia via other countries

Putin delivers his traditional New Year's address from Kremlin

It was broadcast in the country's easternmost time zone, where midnight had already set in - Kamchatka and Chukotka

Xi Jinping ready to work with Putin to achieve new heights in 2026 — TV

He recalled that Russia and China were planning to hold a series of measures in 2026-2027 as part of the Russia-China Cross Years of Education

Canada's support for Ukraine example of strategic helplessness — Russian ambassador

"Ottawa is a hostage to its own political decisions," Oleg Stepanov said

German chancellor says year 2026 may be decisive for Europe

In his opinion, the year 2026 may be "the moment of a breakthrough"

Trump and Netanyahu discussed possible strikes on Iran in 2026 — Axios

According to the official, Trump would likely support such strikes if the US finds that Iran is taking concrete steps to restore its nuclear program

Putin's New Year's address lasted 3 minutes 20 seconds

It became one of the shortest New Year's addresses of the president

BRICS Plus to hold naval exercise in South African waters in early January

The exercise will be held on January 9-16 and will involve BRICS Plus navies "for an intensive programme of joint maritime safety operations, interoperability drills and maritime protection serials," the South African Ministry of Defense and Military Veterans said

Attack on Putin’s residence marks major step towards Kiev’s collapse — expert

"The Kiev regime is betting on another round of escalation", Vadim Gigin, a member of the Belarusian lower house of parliament, said

Iranian citizen detained in Georgia for smuggling over 150 kg of heroin via Azerbaijan

The ministry clarified the drugs, concealed in marble slabs, entered Georgia via the "Red Bridge" customs checkpoint on the Georgian-Azerbaijani border

Trump furious over Ukraine's attempted attack on Putin's residence — politician

Florian Philippot also stated the need to "assess as soon as possible the extent of Europe and NATO's involvement in this insane act of sabotage"

Putin orders to expand security belt on border with Ukraine in 2026

"This is a very important task," the Russian president said

Outgoing year created possibilities for restoring ties with US — ambassador

Darchiev also expressed his gratitude to "concerned compatriots and friendly American citizens" for preserving the memory of US-Russia cooperation during World War II

Mi-34M1 first 10-minute test flight successful — Russian Industry and Trade Ministry

The new helicopter is equipped with a crash-resistant fuel system and Russian-made avionics

New housing sales by Russian developers above $63 bln in 2025

Analysts indicate market adaptation to high mortgage loan interest rates, growth of installment plan sales and sales for own funds among drivers of positive dynamics, including also a change in the sales structure

Putin and Lukashenko discuss drone attack on Russian President’s residence

During the conversation, they also touched on other pressing issues

IN BRIEF: Key takeaways from Vladimir Putin's New Year's address to Russian people

TASS has compiled the head of state's key statements from his New Year’s address

IN BRIEF: What’s known about Kiev's attempt to attack Putin’s residence in Novgorod Region

According to Sergey Lavrov, Moscow will not leave Kiev's attack unanswered

Afghani injures five people with crowbar in English hospital — police

The victims are being treated in the hospital, there is no threat to their lives

China to shift to more proactive macroeconomic policy in 15th five-year plan — Xi Jinping

The Chinese president added that the country will pursue a more proactive and effective macroeconomic policy

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

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

Incident with tankers get caught in Marmara Sea resolved

Involvement of rescuers was not needed

Tatneft becomes participant in methionine project

Russian oil producer Tatneft got 50% in Biomethionine company specializing in chemicals production, according to data from the united state register of legal entities, the other 50% in the project belong to NTL Chemical Technologies company

Ukraine saw no advancement on EU accession in 2025 — newspaper

The newspaper noted that "the already ambitious target of closing negotiations by 2028 is slipping out of reach"

IN BRIEF: What we know about thwarted terrorist attack against schoolchildren in Adygea

A citizen of a Central Asian country, a supporter of an international terrorist organization banned in Russia, has been detained

US to analyze intel about attack on Putin’s residence — UN envoy

AccoSuch Kiev’s actions would be "reckless or not helpful," Matthew Whittaker said

Andrey Guryev appointed as head of Russian part of BRICS Business Council

The directive came into force

Terror plot targeting schoolchildren thwarted in Adygeya — FSB

A citizen of a Central Asian country, who supports an international terrorist organization outlawed in Russia, has been detained

Attack on Putin's residence was guided by NATO systems, expert says

Andrey Marochko believes that disrupting negotiations on a peace settlement of the conflict was Kiev's primary aim in the attack

Trump’s reaction to attack on Putin’s residence and contacts with Kiev: Putin-Trump call

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin discussed the US-Ukrainian talks in Florida and agreed to continue their dialogue in the future "in quite a friendly fashion"

US discussed security guarantees for Kiev with ‘European Three’ and Ukraine — Witkoff

According to the US leader's special representative, one of the topics of conversation was economic assistance to Ukraine and its recovery after the conflict

Russia to demonstrate SJ-100, Il-114-300 jets at air show in India

SJ-100 and Il-114 aircraft are also planned to be placed on a static display for showing to potential customers, the Russian trade mission in India added

Escalation between UAE and Saudi Arabia diplomatic challenge for US — WSJ

The confrontation between the two Gulf states could lead to an expansion of hostilities in a region already gripped by conflict

Zelensky will have to hide for rest of life, Medvedev predicts

"The stinking Kiev bastard is trying to derail the settlement of the conflict", Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman said

Zelensky wouldn't dare to attack Putin's residence without direct order — ex-PM

Nikolay Azarov also stressed that the target had been chosen deliberately

INTERVIEW: Russia waiting for US response to proposal on New START limits — diplomat

Polyansky has also expressed serious concern by the Golden Dome project of the United States, which includes space-based sensors, and the US refusal to negotiate on space security

Two wounded in drone attack on south Russian port city of Tuapse

Also damaged five houses, a berth and oil processing equipment

Kiev to face retaliation for terrorist actions, Russian diplomat says

Maria Zakharova pointed out that Vladimir Zelensky "is trying to accuse Russia of lying, and claim that nothing like that happened"

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 190 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed a US-made armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Obligatory evacuation announced in 45 settlements in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region

Local authorities in Ukraine call evacuation when the frontline approaches populated localities

Kiev discusses with Washington deployment of US troops in Ukraine — Zelensky

Moscow opposes the presence of NATO military personnel in Ukraine

Unipro completes upgrade of power unit at Surgutskaya plant

The plant underwent replacement of the turbine generator and electrical equipment, and the power generating unit was overhauled

UAE ships with weapons received no permission to enter Yemeni port — coalition

These two vessels "also switched off their tracking and identification devices before entering the territorial waters of Yemen," the spokesperson for the Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen Brig. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said

FACTBOX: What is known about meeting on special op with Putin

Russian President instructed to continue fulfilling special operation’s objectives in accordance with the General Staff’s plans

Putin's whereabouts cannot be discussed publicly under current circumstances — Kremlin

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that Kiev launched an attack on President Vladimir Putin's state residence in the Novgorod Region on December 29 using 91 drones

US may agree on normalizing relations with Russia in 2026 without EU participation — Orban

Orban believes that while the West previously managed to demonstrate unity, "that is now over"

Ukrainian forces near Druzhkovka lost 15 armored vehicles to UAV strikes Rubicon center

The targeted equipment included T-64BV and T-80U tanks, an M113 armored personnel carrier, and an American-made M109A6 Paladin self-propelled gun

Yemen declares state of emergency for 90 days amid UAE-backed offensive

The chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council also announced a 72-hour air, sea, and land blockade on all ports, airports, and border crossings

Norway’s Magnus Carlsen wins 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championship

The Norwegian chess player claimed his sixth World Rapid Championship title with a score of 10.5/13, finishing a full point ahead of the field

Bulgarian authorities allow the Sofia Metro to receive Russian spare parts

The exception will be valid until March 31, 2027

Merz confirms negotiations on Ukraine taking place in Berlin

The German Chancellor said that the European and Canadian leaders participate in the talks

Kiev loses nearly 17,000 soldiers, mercenaries near LPR in December — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the number of the Ukrainian armed forces’ sanitary losses and irreparable personnel losses has been increasing

Russian GDP reach $685.5 bln in Q3 2025 — statistics

The physical volume of GDP gained 0.6% against the like quarter of 2024

Zelensky, Western media's denial of attack on Putin's residence is insane — Kremlin

In response to a question from a Western agency journalist regarding the possible public presentation of the attack’s evidence, Dmitry Peskov replied: "I don't think there should be any evidence here when such a massive drone raid was carried out"

Ukraine takes part in NATO Article 5 response drills for first time ever

Around 1,500 civil and military specialists took part in maneuvers all over Europe

Russia to retaliate Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia’s actions against Russian embassies — MFA

On December 30, the charges d'affaires of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia were summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, where they were presented with a strong protest

Russia promises to invigorate OSCE work

Russia's new permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Dmitry Polyansky said that it will soon become clear to what extent the OSCE members and European countries as a whole are ready for diplomatic work

European politicians helping Zelensky against their countries’ interests — Russian MP

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, European countries transferred money to Kiev in hope of being compensated in the form of Russia's immobilized assets

IN BRIEF: Global reactions to Kiev’s attack on Putin’s residence

The Russian leader told Donald Trump that Moscow's position in negotiations to resolve the conflict would be reassessed

Duma insists on tough response to Ukraine's drone attack on Putin's residence — Volodin

"For Vladimir Zelensky, military action is the only chance to remain in power and receive financial support from the European Union," Vyacheslav Volodin said

Kiev’s provocations have no power over Putin-Trump dialogue — Kremlin

"The leaders maintain a trusting dialogue and continue to engage in talks," Dmitry Peskov stressed

By continuing support to Kiev, NATO is losing — Dutch expert

The expert also believes that there is still a threat of the conflict becoming a protracted one because of Ukraine’s right-wing extremists’ reluctance to admit their defeat

Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian servicemen attempting to break through to Kupyansk

According to the Russian Defense Ministry the FPV drones destroyed three pickup trucks used by Ukrainian militants to transport assault troops and Ukrainian infantry

Cosmonauts wish Russians to believe in miracles in New Year congratulations from space

Kud-Sverchkov wished all Russians health, well-being and the New Year spirit

Prep for war with Moscow now top narrative in EU policy — Russian senator

At present, European leaders are not considering the option of a direct military conflict with Russia, Alexey Pushkov added

Diplomat points to OHCHR biasedness due to silence after attack on Putin’s residence

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Geneva Office and other Geneva-based international organizations Gennady Gatilov noted that an increasing number of states condemned the Kiev regime's terrorist attack

G20 foreign ministers meeting set for October 30-31, 2026 — Russian foreign ministry

The envoy also emphasized that Russia is preparing to take an active part in the G20 leaders' summit in Miami on December 14-15, 2026

US blogger blames EU elites for Ukrainian attack on Russian president’s residence

"European elites are mired in corruption and are profiting from the war," Jozef Schutzman said

Financial Times calls its 2025 predictions most unsuccessful

Among the incorrect forecasts were a peaceful deal on Ukraine and bitcoin exceeding $200,000

Poland views Ukraine as client country — Russian senator

According to Alexey Pushkov, Warsaw has always dreamed of a Poland 'from sea to sea'