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Trump invited to deliver State of the Union address on February 24

In their annual addresses, US presidents outline their vision of the situation in the country and determine domestic and foreign policy priorities

WASHINGTON, January 8. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump was invited to deliver his annual State of the Union address to the Senate and the House of Representatives of the US Congress on February 24, the lower house Speaker Mike Johnson said.

"It is my distinct honor and great privilege to invite President Trump to deliver the State of the Union on February 24, 2026," the lawmaker wrote on the X social network.

In their annual addresses, US presidents outline their vision of the situation in the country and determine domestic and foreign policy priorities.

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United States Donald Trump

US strikes on Venezuela

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

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

Europe’s anti-Russian politicians doomed, they don’t trust their strategies — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister emphasized that the key task of domestic diplomacy today is to support the efforts of fighters in the special military operation

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

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

Heavy losses, declining recruitment, and lower draft age: Ukraine's mobilization crisis

According to official information, about 100,000 Ukrainian servicemen have deserted their military units and fled, the Russian Defense Ministry said

World going through ‘tectonic changes’, says Russian senator

Konstantin Kosachev emphasized that the Primakov Readings are taking place in Moscow at a crucial time, noting "a direct opposition" to the readings, attempts to see them fail to take place

Western units, military facilities in Ukraine to become legitimate targets — Russian MFA

Warnings to this effect have been repeatedly made at the highest level and remain relevant," Maria Zakharova noted

EU should disclose size of its shares in defense companies — RDIF chief

"European warmongers suddenly want to deploy troops left and right", Kirill Dmitriev wrote on the X social network as he commented on a report by the European Politico edition

Utair aircraft flying from Dubai to Moscow lands at Al Maktoum Airport — Flightradar24

The passengers and crew on board the flight are safe

US to continue seizing sanctioned, stateless tankers — Pentagon chief

"Stateless or sanctioned because the oil blockade, the quarantine of oil out of sanctioned or stateless vessels continues," Pete Hegseth said

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

Russian diplomat slams US statement on ‘cracking’ Kaliningrad defense as irresponsible

Every step in the Persian Gulf should be legally justified, says Russian diplomat

Ukraine loses nearly 1,280 servicemen along engagement line over past day

In the area of responsibility of Russia’s Battlegroup North, Ukraine’s losses amounted to up to 160 servicemen and 17 vehicles

Venezuela never turned to Russia for military aid — Lavrov

Russia is ready to fully act within the framework of the obligations that were mutually stipulated in the agreement with Venezuela, the Russian foreign minister noted

Chinese embassy denies FT reports about China’s role in cyberattack on US Congress

"China opposes and fights all forms of hacking in accordance with the law," Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US, stressed

Russia-Iran relations experiencing best period in history — Iranian ambassador

Kazem Jalali noted that cooperation between the two countries covers all important areas

China slams US demand for exclusive access to Venezuelan oil as bullying

Mao Ning emphasized that such actions seriously violate international law and the rights of the Venezuelan people

Turkish party leader calls for forming alliance with Russia, Iran, China against US

Last October, Perincek already proposed the idea of creating an international alliance against the United States, describing this move as a historic need

Trump says hardly possible that Kiev attacked Russian president's residence

According to the US President, "there is something that happened fairly nearby," but it had nothing to do with the attack on the Russian leader's official residence

US counts on amnestying of Venezuelan opposition forces — Rubio

Washington does not want Venezuela "descending into chaos," Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted

First day of 2026 was coldest in Russia’s Siberia

The temperature reached minus 53.1 degrees Celsius at the Iema weather station in the Sakha Region

FACTBOX: Russia’s diplomatic relations with other countries

Now Russia has diplomatic relations with 191 states

Professor Jeffrey Sachs is right: Ukraine risks losing Odessa, says Duma member

According to Alexey Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Ukraine is losing ground every day

Four Russian lawmakers invited to Washington this month — US MP

"I have received authorization from the State Department for four members from the Russian Duma to come meet with members of Congress regarding peace talks," said Anna Paulina Luna

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"

US demands Venezuela expel advisors from Russia, China and Iran — NYT

Earlier, Rubio stated that Venezuela can no longer serve as a strategic base for opponents of the US

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

Trump says he does not need international law

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

Russia wipes out group of foreign mercenaries in Kharkov Region

According to the source, IDs found at the scene confirmed the identities of the three men

Iran expects significant increase in tourist flow from Russia in 2026 — ambassador

Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali emphasized that Tehran will make efforts aimed at developing tourism ties between the two countries

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

Greenland important for missile defense — US vice president

"The entire missile defense infrastructure is partially dependent on Greenland," JD Vance said

Death toll from Ukraine’s drone attack on village of Khorly in Kherson Region rises to 29

Genetic examinations are ongoing to identify victims, with the investigation having ordered 70 forensic examinations

Houthis report attacking Santa Ursula vessel in Arabian Sea

The container ship Santa Ursula, sailing under the flag of Denmark, is bound from Spain’s Algerciras to the Omani port of Salalah, Marine Traffic data showed

'Security guarantees' document by West, Kiev aims at militarization — MFA

The key provision of the document is "the deployment of certain ‘multinational forces’ on Ukrainian territory", noted Maria Zakharova

Basketballer Kasatkin detained in France exchanged for French national Vinatier — FSB

Vinatier has been pardoned by Russian President’s decree, according to the Federal Security Service

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

Iran to continue development of peaceful nuclear program — ambassador to Russia

Kazem Jalali stressed that Iran’s nuclear strategic doctrine is "based on religious principles, moral considerations, and national security calculations"

Traders Vitol, Trafigura in talks with US to sell Venezuelan oil — Reuters

Representatives of those European companies will participate in a meeting at the White House scheduled for January 9, according to sources

Netblocks records drop in Internet connection in Iran amid protests

Iranian officials have not announced any planned restrictions

Israeli army launches eight attacks on southern Lebanon — website

No casualties or injuries have been reported

Pro-government forces in Yemen take control of key districts in Aden — TV

At the same time, key facilities and checkpoints in Aden remain under the control of the Al-Amalika Brigades, the channel's sources 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

Sixteen children added to Ukraine’s database of unwanted persons Mirotvorets

They were included in the database over an alleged attempt to undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and "a deliberate violation of the state border"

EU doesn’t recognize legitimacy of Venezuelan interim president — European Commission

The authorities in Venezuela derived their mandate from an electoral process that failed to respect the will of the people for democratic change

Production of e-vehicles in Russia to soar in 2023 — First Deputy PM

This year it is planned to increase the production of electric vehicles by 9 times, which is up to about 18,000 units per year, Andrey Belousov said

Trump pledges to press for construction of modern defense plants in US

The president added that he would not permit dividends or stock buybacks for defense companies until such time as these problems slow production and servicing of US weapons and military equipment are rectified

INTERVIEW: ZNPP calls on Kiev to avoid provoking third nuclear accident in 100 years

According to Chernichuk, the Ukranian attacks pose a serious threat to nuclear safety

Minneapolis protestor shot dead by US immigration control officer — AP

Describing the incident as "an act of domestic terrorism," the US Department of Homeland Security said the woman was trying to run over ICE officers with her vehicle, and the officers acted in self-defense

Russia ready to evacuate people from Israel, Palestine at any moment — Putin

The President called on all Russian nationals who wish to leave Israel and Palestine promptly to contact the Russian embassy

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"

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

EC leaves action against Russian tankers to discretion of EU countries

The EC shares the common goal of imposing sanctions against the shadow fleet and combating evasion

Hungary considers Ukraine's 20-point 'peace plan' unrealistic — Orban’s office

Gulyas warned that Budapest would not take part in implementing plans agreed upon by Kiev and Brussels under these conditions

White House yet undecided on whether it will seek elections in Venezuela this year

"It's too premature and too early to dictate a timetable for elections in Venezuela," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

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

Total blackout reported in Dnepropetrovsk — TV

Electricity and water supplies, central heating, mobile communications and internet services are currently not available to its residents

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

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

Putin orders to impose import-export ban on certain products for 2022

The government will have to define the list of states to be covered by these decisions within two weeks

EU considering possible response to Trump's threats against Greenland — Kallas

Denmark has always been a good ally of the United States, while US President Donald Trump's statements do not contribute to stability in the world

MFA calls on Macron to apologize to French people for lying about Ukraine settlement

Maria Zakharova recalled that the ex-French president and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel "confessed, not under torture or pressure, that they were not going to fulfill the Minsk accords for all seven years, because they had a different plan"

Graivoronsky district head in moderately severe condition — governor

Dmitry Pankov went to the village of Golovchino to assess the damage from a drone strike on a commercial property

US is not at war with Venezuela, Trump says

Donald Trump also added that the White House believes new elections will not be held in Venezuela during the next thirty days

Ukraine loses 1,180 servicemen in all special op areas over past day

Also Russian air defense forces shot down 142 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over the past day

President Putin congratulates Russians with Orthodox Christmas holiday

This year, Russian President Putin attended an overnight Orthodox Christmas service at the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in the Moscow Region

Thirty-two Cubans killed during US operation to capture Maduro — president

A two-day mourning period was announced on the island

Military neutrality remains Serbia's constant choice — ex-defense chief

Therefore, military neutrality remains Serbia's constant political choice. For this to change, a lot must change, he noted

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

Russia opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine

Two people killed, six injured in Salt Lake City shooting — TV

Police have not yet arrested the suspect

Tokyo pushes for dialogue with Moscow to resolve existing issues — cabinet

According to Japanese Prime Minister Minoru Kihara, Japanese-Russian relations are currently in a difficult situation

Kremlin hits out at Biden’s insults against Putin

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was surprised that Biden, who was an enthusiastic proponent of bombing Yugoslavia in 1999, voiced such assertions against Putin

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

Trump emissary asks Musk to give Iran temporary free access to Starlink

"I’ll chip in a donation and I think others would, too," said Grenell

West deliberately wages war against Russia, using Ukraine as a cover — ex-defense chief

According to Vulin, the West fully controls what is happening, and the opinion of the Ukrainians themselves does not interest anyone

Russia demands US ensure humane treatment of Russians onboard Marinera vessel

The Pentagon said earlier that the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera had been detained in the North Atlantic

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

Former US marine calls seizure of Russian ship in Atlantic ‘theft’ and ‘piracy’

"When the US Navy seizes oil tankers on the high seas, including one tied to Russia, and reroutes their cargo under the banner of ‘law enforcement,’ that isn’t diplomacy or peacekeeping," John Mark Dougan said

Netanyahu tells ministers he has US support for another operation in Lebanon — radio

According to Kan, Israeli prime minister told the country’s government members that US President Donald Trump had greenlighted such an operation that would be geared to disarm Hezbollah units

Tucker Carlson says Russia "essential" country for US

"There is no argument for continuing a proxy war, which is what it is, United States versus Russia," the journalist stressed

Operation in Venezuela shows that US is turning from republic into empire — Carlson

This means that "the power will vest in the executive and not the legislative branch, Congress will inevitably wither, the journalist predicted

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

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

Nearly 60 Russians killed, over 300 injured by Ukraine’s actions in December

Miroshnik specified that compared with November, both the number of wounded and those killed increased

Trump feared operation in Venezuela could turn into 'Carter's disaster' — media

The American leader noted that this operation “destroyed the entire Carter administration"

Senate approves further work to ban Trump from using US military forces against Venezuela

Fifty-two senators voted in support of the document, and 47 voted against

Switzerland freezes assets of Venezuela’s Maduro and his inner circle

The measure is said to ensure that "any illicitly acquired assets cannot be transferred out of Switzerland in the current situation", the Swiss government said

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

Trump invited to deliver State of the Union address on February 24

In their annual addresses, US presidents outline their vision of the situation in the country and determine domestic and foreign policy priorities

US actions in Venezuela nullified West’s criticism of Russia’s special op — Carlson

The journalist recalled that the collective West has described Russia’s decision as an unprovoked and unjustified

US senator says Trump supports new anti-Russian sanctions

Lindsey Graham believes that the bill, if adopted, will give the US president "tremendous leverage" against Russian trade partners like China, India and Brazil to incentivize them to stop buying Russian oil

US to file criminal charges against Marinera ship crew — attorney general

The ship’s crew members undertook "frantic efforts to avoid apprehension" of the tanker, which reportedly was "responsible for transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran," Pam Bondi said

Ukraine lost about twenty fighter jets in 2025

Kiev also lost at least eight Su-27 and ten MiG-29 airplanes over the last year

Gold prices plunging on Comex — market data

Prices continued their dip later on to $2,847.1 per ounce (-1.69%)

US energy secretary denies plans to steal Venezuelan oil

"We are just controlling the marketing and the flow of funds in Venezuela so those funds can be used to better the conditions of the Venezuelan people and reduce the risks to the American people," Chris Wright said

About 200 US servicemen were in Caracas to capture Maduro — Hegseth

War Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed that not a single American soldier was killed

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

White House thinks Trump will preserve good relations with Putin, Xi, despite Venezuela

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the US leader is going to "enforce our policy that’s best for the United States of America"

Kremlin stresses Chechen leader’s harsh statements taken out of context

Kadyrov’s words are taken out of context, the Kremlin spokesman stressed

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

UAV operators destroy up to 70 units of Ukrainian military equipment near Kupyansk

In addition, Russian FPV strike drone crews hit two Kvertus and Bukovel electronic warfare stations

Trump expected to announce Gaza Board of Peace next week — portal

The board will be chaired by US pesident and "include around 15 world leaders," according to Axios