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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

BRUSSELS, January 9. /TASS/. EU countries have voted in favor of signing a free trade agreement with the South American Common Market (Mercosur), a move opposed by farmers across Europe, a representative of the Cypriot presidency of the EU Council told reporters.

"EU countries have approved the signing of the agreement," he said.

The vote was conducted in written form between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time (7 a.m. to 3 p.m. GMT).

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

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

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

UN Security Council schedules Ukraine-themed meeting for January 12

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trump confirms plans to visit China in April

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

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

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 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

Syrian army prepares to strike Kurdish positions in Aleppo — TV

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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"

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 plans to meet with Venezuelan delegates soon

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

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

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

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

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"

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 sees possibility of Machado assuming power in Venezuela

The US leader stressed that he has to speak to her

Russia bans entry to 28 Canadian supporters of neo-Nazism, MFA announces

This was done in response to unlawful anti-Russian entry restrictions earlier announced by Ottawa

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

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

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

Kremlin warns against attempts to interfere in Russia’s special operation in Ukraine

Commenting on the issue of a potential Russia-NATO direct clash, the Kremlin spokesman said that "all want to avoid" this scenario

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

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

Japan, Turkey, Canada, South Korea keen to join EU’s scheme to fund defense investment

EC Spokesperson Thomas Regnier said the commission will "now look into this request"

Trump says Venezuelan authorities aided in detaining new tanker

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

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

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

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"

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 says he does not need international law

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

NATO is 'now done' — Tucker Carlson on Greenland

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

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

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 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

US Southern Command confirms seizure of Olina tanker in Caribbean

The vessel was seized near the island of Trinidad

'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

Press review: Ukraine mulls elections and Trump plans laser fleet as gold prices soar

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 24th

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

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 Interior Ministry opens army recruitment centers for foreigners

It is noted that the right to obtain Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure has been granted to foreigners who have signed a service contract with the Russian Armed Forces

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

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

The US administration will guarantee their safety, Donald Trump said

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

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

Russia, Venezuela maintain strategic partnership — ambassador

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Six people killed in riots in Hamadan, western Iran

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

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

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

The loan will be provided within a decade

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

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

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

About 417,000 Russians have signed military service contracts — Medvedev

Additionally, more than 36,000 have voluntarily joined units dispatched to the zone of the special military operation, the politician stated

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

Iran accuses Israel, US of organizing protests in country

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

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

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"

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

Russian says warning systems failed during US strikes on Caracas

According to Ivan Pavlov, there is still silence on television

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

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

Rosatom chief says Israel should be interested in safety of Iran’s Bushehr NPP

Alexey Likhachev noted that any nuclear explosion there could send radiation across borders

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

Russian Armed Forces liberate five settlements over week — top brass

The battlegroup East continued to advance deep into enemy defenses

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

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

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

St. Petersburg terror blast was financed by terrorist group from Turkey — judge

According to the judge, Akram Azimov, a tenth suspect in St. Petersburg metro bombing, received cash in Turkey for the terrorist attack

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

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

Russia opposes the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine

Russian cancer vaccine ready for use — FMBA head

The initial target for this vaccine will be colorectal cancer

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

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

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

Brussels intends to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine

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"

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

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

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