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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

US President Donald Trump AP Photo/Alex Brandon

US President Donald Trump

© AP Photo/Alex Brandon

NEW YORK, January 9. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump does not intend to sign a pardon for Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, The New York Times (NYT) reported.

According to the newspaper, during an interview with the US president, its journalists asked about the possibility of pardoning several individuals charged in the United States, including Maduro. Trump, the NYT noted, made it clear that he has "no intention of pardoning" those mentioned.

On January 3, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto said the United States had attacked civilian and military facilities in Caracas, calling Washington’s actions an act of military aggression. A state of emergency was declared in Venezuela. Trump later confirmed the strikes and announced that Maduro and his wife had been seized and taken out of the country. They were transported to a detention facility in Brooklyn, southern New York. On January 5, Maduro and his wife appeared before the federal court for the Southern District of New York. US authorities accuse them of involvement in drug trafficking. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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United States Venezuela Donald Trump

Syrian army prepares to strike Kurdish positions in Aleppo — TV

According to the report, areas of the Kurdish neighborhood of Sheikh Maqsoud

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

Greenland important for missile defense — US vice president

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

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

Police have not yet arrested the suspect

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 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

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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 accuses Israel, US of organizing protests in country

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

Trump says US to play secondary role in future military assistance to Kiev

US President Donald Trump is confident that "Russia will not try to re-invade the country"

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

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

All Rasht-Astara railway section issues to be resolved by end of March — ambassador

Kazem Jalali pointed out that significant progress has been made in acquiring land plots for the project, and more than 100 km have already been allocated for construction

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

Russia opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine

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

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"

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

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

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 Southern Command confirms seizure of Olina tanker in Caribbean

The vessel was seized near the island of Trinidad

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

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

Lithuania needs new training ground as NATO uses existing ones — commander

However, the authorities' intention to build the training ground has been met with resistance from local residents who do not want a military facility in their neighborhood

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

Russian Armed Forces liberate five settlements over week — top brass

The battlegroup East continued to advance deep into enemy defenses

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

NASA chief says Crew-11 mission crew to return from ISS to Earth ahead of schedule

The cause is unspecified health problems of one of the astronauts

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

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

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

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

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"

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

The passengers and crew on board the flight are safe

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

NASA chief says Crew-11 mission crew to return from ISS to Earth ahead of schedule

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman didn't specify an exact date

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

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

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

ICE officer shot woman dead in self-defense — Trump

In his opinion, such incidents are happening is because radical left activists are resisting and targeting US law enforcement officers on a daily basis

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

Trump says he does not need international law

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

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"

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

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"

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

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

Trump says he may meet with Venezuelan opposition politician Machado soon

The US leader said that he looks forward to saying hello to former lawmaker

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

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

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

Netblocks records drop in Internet connection in Iran amid protests

Iranian officials have not announced any planned restrictions

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

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"

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

Brussels intends to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

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

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

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

Trump announces meeting with oil company executives on January 9

Executives from 14 companies are planning to invest at least $100 bln in Venezuela’s oil sector

'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

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"

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

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

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

INTERVIEW: West should not interfere in Caspian states’ politics — Iranian ambassador

According to Jalali, the five Caspian states are pursuing cooperation in several areas to address this issue

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

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

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

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

Six people killed in riots in Hamadan, western Iran

According to the report, "terrorist militants caused significant damage to private and public property"

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"

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

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

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

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

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

Total blackout reported in Dnepropetrovsk — TV

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

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

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

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

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

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

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"

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"

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

INTERVIEW: Iran won’t shy away from serious negotiations with US — ambassador

Kazem Jalali stated this while answering a question about Iran’s nuclear program

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

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

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

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

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

Five Ukrainian UAVs shot down over Russian regions overnight — Defense Ministry

Two of them were destroyed over the Bryansk Region

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