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EU’s chief diplomat rejects European security council proposal from bloc’s defense chief

Kaja Kallas emphasized that the EU "already has a defense council," that brings together national defense ministers, and doesn’t need "more institutions"

BRUSSELS, February 2. /TASS/. Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has rejected the idea floated by European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius to establish a European Security Council involving leading European capitals.

"I don’t think we need more institutions," Kallas said at the Oslo Security Conference. "We just need to implement the [military-industrial] plans that we already have," she argued.

Kallas emphasized that the EU "already has a defense council," that brings together national defense ministers, and doesn’t need "more institutions."

Earlier, the EU’s defense chief Kubilius proposed establishing a European Security Council that would include the continent’s major countries to lead Europe’s militarization push.

Witkoff discussing sitdown with Iranians during his Middle East visit

"At the current point, no meeting with the Iranians has been appointed," reporter Barak Ravid said

Putin, Xi to continue regular contacts this year — Russian Security Council secretary

The talks focused on the current developments in various parts of the world that are of concern for both Moscow and Beijing

Russian army liberates 24 settlements in January

Most of these were liberated in the Zaporozhye Region

OPEC+ agrees to keep production quotas for March at December 2025 level

The Next OPEC+ meeting will be held on March 1, 2026

Russia and Afghanistan to increase number of direct flights — ambassador to Moscow

Afghanistan's Ambassador to Russia Gul Hassan added that work is underway to launch direct flights between Kabul and Moscow with Kam Air in the near future

Trump wants to maintain restrictions on nuclear weapons — newspaper

According to the White House official, the US leader would also like to involve China in arms control talks

Bitcoin price falls below $75,000 for first time since April 7, 2025

By 6:35 a.m. Moscow time, Bitcoin had slowed its decline and reached $74,865

Top French diplomat says Europe is only source of financial assistance to Ukraine

Jean-Noel Barrot noted that Europe also supplies Kiev with a larger part of intelligence and military support

Sides agree to continue talks on Ukraine in Abu Dhabi in mid-week — source

The talks are expected to be held in the trilateral format

Military victory in special military operation visible on several fronts — Medvedev

The goal of Russia’s victory in the special military operation includes preventing new conflicts, Medvedev said

Air defense forces shot down 31 Ukrainian UAVs overnight over Russian regions

22 of them were destroyed over the Belgorod Region

Russian forces acting with utmost caution in Donbass, Novorossia — Medvedev

Western analysts often say that if Russia had behaved differently in this territory, the consequences would have been entirely different, Dmitry Medvedev said

Turkey, Egypt, Qatar working to organize Witkoff’s meeting with Iranian officials — media

The meeting is expected to be organized later this week

Russia-US-Ukraine talks postponed for several days — NYT

The reason for the postponement is unknown

Russia to use nuclear weapons if faced with existential threat — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed that Moscow acts in strict accordance with its nuclear doctrine

Risks of a global war remain very high — Medvedev

The politician noted that he perceived "the decreasing pain threshold" as the main danger

Russia's recognition of Ukrainian elections to depend on situation — Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev recalled that Russia had recognized the legitimacy of the election outcomes that brought Pyotr Poroshenko and Vladimir Zelensky to power

INTERVIEW: Europe undermines foundations of its existence — Medvedev

According to Medvedev, the European Union is free not to like Russia’s leaders or Russia’s political system, "this is their right"

Trump announces start of talks on Greenland, hopes for 'good deal'

According to the United States' President, Europe wants the US to conclude an agreement

Russian gas exports to Europe via TurkStream rise by 11% in January

The figure amounted to 1.73 bln cubic meters

Russian attack aircraft liberated village of Zelenoye in dense fog

Warmer temperatures, high humidity, and rising fog prevented enemy drones from operating effectively, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Trump argues India will buy oil from Venezuela, not Iran

US President claims that the concept for the deal is prepared

EU authorities unable to respond to global challenges or even recognize them — Peskov

People in power in most European countries are "poorly educated, irresponsible", the Kremlin Spokesman said

Russian forces liberate Zelenoye in Kharkov Region, Sukhetskoye in DPR

At the same time, total losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the special military operation zone over the past day amounted to about 1,085 servicemen

Rafah crossing on Egypt-Gaza border begins operation in test mode

Last time wounded Palestinians were evacuated to Egypt via the Rafah checkpoint in February 2025

Russian sailors from seized Marinera tanker return home

Оne of the crew members, Maksim Karpenko expressed gratitude to the Russian Foreign Ministry and to the head of the Republic of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, for their assistance in securing their release

Laura Fernandez wins presidential election in Costa Rica after 94% of ballots counted

Laura Fernandez won 48.33% of the vote

Support for special op in Russian society remains high — pollster

Popular assessments of how the operation is proceeding show similar dynamics, with 65% of the polled saying that Russian forces are acting rather successfully

Putin's stated conditions for talks on Ukraine remain unchanged — Medvedev

According to Dmitry Medvedev, these conditions "were relayed to American colleagues during the meeting in Anchorage"

Russia fully self-sufficient in weapons, boosts output — Medvedev

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council did not disclose specific weapons production figures, but he noted the heroic labor of defense industry workers and organizers

OPEC+ notes high volatility on oil market amid geopolitical risks — Russian deputy PM

Another factor, in his words, is the risk of blocking the Strait of Hormuz

UAVs totally change combat pattern, no return to past possible — Medvedev

"Now, everyone is trying to catch up as quickly as possible," the Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman added

Trumps says against relocating UN headquarters from New York

The US leader also emphasized that he was sure he could "solve the problem" on non-payment of UN contributions by some countries "very easily"

Kiev troops bombard Donetsk People’s Republic three times over past day

Two civilians were killed and two more were injured

Mpox case confirmed in hospital in Moscow Region’s Domodedovo

Russia’s consumer rights watchdog is conducting an epidemiological probe

Situation around Greenland a challenge to Atlantic unity — Medvedev

As the senior Russian official noted, President Vladimir Putin said recently that the issue does not concern Russia at all

INTERVIEW: Trump managed to cope with internal processes, despite ‘deep state’ — Medvedev

There are supporters of the Republican policy, but there are factions within the Republicans

Ludwig Goransson wins Grammy for Best Original Score

Other nominees in this category included scores from the film "How to Train Your Dragon," the musical "Wicked," the TV series "Severance," and the animated film "The Wild Robot"

Any armed aggression against Iran fraught with regional conflict — Iran’s Supreme Leader

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on the Iranian people not to be afraid

Finnish politician Mema says only Orban can lead EU dialogue with Russia

Armando Mema noted that even Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is not suited for the role of a peacemaker, despite having shifted her position on the Ukrainian issue after Donald Trump’s election as US president

Russia destroys Ukraine’s HIMARS MLRS, S-300 launchers — top brass

Russian troops have liberated the settlement of Pridorozhnoye in the Zaporozhye Region

Ukrainian army banned from capturing Russian servicemen — counterintelligence officer

Sergey Mykhaylov said the order was to interrogate and kill Russian soldiers

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

Kiev loses 1,205 troops along engagement line in past day

Starmer speaks in favor of UK joining the EU defense fund

The UK Prime Minister stressed that Britain would like to see whether there is a way in which it can work more closely with the EU

Trump rejects allegations of visiting Epstein’s island

The US president threatened to go to court over the claims

Europe drives wedges between Russia and the US — Lavrov

They view US President Donald Trump's policies as biased in favor of Russia at the expense of European interests

Russian scientist copes with mathematical problem unsolved for 190 years

This breakthrough radically changes the understanding of one of the oldest areas of mathematics, crucial to fundamental physics and economics

Russia consistently supports China on Taiwan issue — Shoigu

According to him, Russia is also "closely monitoring Japan’s policy of accelerated militarization"

US-led coalition re-deploying combat vehicles from Syria to northern Iraq — media

According to the newspaper, warplanes are patrolling airspace over the base

Gold price falls below $4,700 for first time since January 19

By 4:15 a.m. Moscow time, the price of gold accelerated its decline and stood at 4,644.8

Europe directly prepares for war with Russia using Kiev authorities — Lavrov

At the same time, according to the minister, Moscow never interferes in relations between the United States and European countries

Russia ‘has not found’ any submarines Trump said he would deploy — Medvedev

The US leader is introducing new methods of governance and is effectively the first US president to govern through social media

Seasoned legal team takes on Maduro’s defense — Venezuelan Embassy in Russia

The defense of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro represents a battle for truth for the country’s authorities

Letting Russia-US relations degrade into hot confrontation would be a crime — Lavrov

But far from always will such major countries as Russia and the United States see these national interests coincide

Press review: Epstein files weigh on Trump and Bitcoin plunges with little hope ahead

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, February 2nd

Russia-Serbia relations do not need ‘reset’ and will continue to develop — ambassador

Our current cooperation is an example of productive, balanced, and truly friendly relations

Trump is ‘genuinely trying’ to go down in history as peacemaker — Medvedev

The chaos often used to describe the actions of US President Donald Trump in fact conceals a carefully thought-out policy

Bitriver mining company founder accused of tax evasion

Igor Runets has been placed under house arrest

Action legend Seagal lists mansion outside Moscow for sale

According to the statement, the residence includes a two-story mansion, a two-car garage, a guest house, a bathhouse, and a barbeque gazebo, all situated on a forested plot of 1,500 square meters

Venezuela exports liquefied petroleum gas for the first time — Rodriguez

Venezuela’s authorized president did not specify the volume of the shipment

Russia follows its nuclear doctrine — Medvedev on possibility of strike on Ukraine

Dmitry Medvedev elaborated that the latest edition of the Fundamentals of Nuclear Deterrence accounts for the evolving nature of warfare and the emergence of new types of weapons

Top French diplomat says Europe should have channel of communication with Russia

Jean-Noel Barrot noted that Paris has never ruled out the possibility of dialogue with Moscow

Liberation of Toretskoye opens way for offensive toward Dobropolye — DPR head

Denis Pushilin added that fighting is underway in the Dobropolye-Krasnoarmeysk sector in the area of Sukhetskoye, Novy Donbass, and Volnoye

West will never be able to sow discord between Russia, China — Shoigu

The level of foreign policy coordination between the two countries is "traditionally high"

UK revokes accreditation of Russian diplomat — Foreign Office

According to a Foreign Office spokesperson, the decision comes in response to Moscow’s move to expel a British diplomat

China, Russia should build a fair global governance system — Wang Yi

Beijing and Moscow should promote the development of "genuine multilateralism, preserve the international system with the UN at its core, and uphold fair and orderly multipolarity

Russia sought common approaches to history with Poland, but Russophobia prevailed — Peskov

Retribution for war crimes must be inevitable — Medvedev

"It can come on the battlefield, or it can come afterward," Dmitry Medvedev said

Trump says wants deal with Cuba, not crisis on island

Cuban authorities will make a deal with the US, says United States' President

Expiration of New START will not be catastrophic, but it should alert everyone — Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev highlighted the significance of the treaty as a symbol of mutual trust

EU policy on Ukraine does not contribute to establishing peace — adviser

Balazs Orban also emphasized that Ukraine is not ready for EU membership even in the medium term

Second round of Abu Dhabi talks set for Wednesday and Thursday, Kremlin announces

According to Dmitry Peskov, the talks were originally slated for February 1, but the three sides’ timetables needed an extra adjustment

Kremlin says nothing to add to previous statements on energy ceasefire

Earlier, US President Donald Trump had asked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to refrain from striking Kiev until February 1 "to create favorable conditions for negotiations"

NATO troops in Ukraine to become legitimate target for destruction — Medvedev

According to the Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman, it has been said a hundred times

Syrian security forces to begin deployment to al-Hasakah governorate on Friday 2 — media

Oil fields in Rumeilan and al-Sweida, as well as Qamishli airport and all border crossings will come over under the government’s control

Neither Russia nor China intends to 'take' Greenland as Trump says — Medvedev

The Russian senior official said hopefully "a calmer scenario" will unfold around Greenland and the situation there will not escalate to a military intervention or fighting inside NATO

Year 2026 opens new horizons for China-Russia ties — Foreign Minister

Wang Yi noted that the international situation in 2026 has become "even more complex and unstable"

American band Turnstile wins Best Rock Album prize at this year’s Grammy Awards

Other nominees in this category included Deftones, Haim, Linkin Park and Yungblud

Ukrainian armed forces lost 15,000 servicemen as killed and wounded in January — expert

Andrey Marochko pointed out that the largest number of enemy personnel was eliminated in the area of responsibility of the Battlegroup West

Moscow remains open to negotiations on Ukrainian conflict solution — Kremlin

"It is obvious that work is underway via working groups," Dmitry Peskov said

Trump says hopes deal with Iran will be made

He also noted that the United States has "the largest and most powerful ships in the world"

New Russian kamikaze drone uses AI to identify targets — Kalashnikov Group

The guided munition is a carrier with an X-shaped aerodynamic attachment, equipped with a warhead, control equipment, and a homing head, the company said

Kremlin spokesman refrains from commenting on Dmitriev’s visit to Miami

Kirill Dmitriev met with the American delegation in Miami on January 31

Venezuelan-level betrayal should not be expected in Cuba — Russia's UN envoy

Russia’s Permanent Representative at the UN Vasily Nebenzya noted that recent US statements on Cuba largely remained "just rhetoric for now"

War crimes against Russia have no statute of limitations — Medvedev

According to the politician, this applies not only to those "misled by the Bandera regime," but also to foreign mercenaries and a number of other individuals

Russian forces strike transport infrastructure used by Ukrainian troops

Total losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the special military operation zone over the past day amounted to about 1,085 servicemen

Poles in multipolar world already exist, Medvedev argues

According to the Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman, the new multipolar world "includes various countries, large poles, and major players"

France preparing neo-colonial coups in Africa — Russian Foreign Intelligence Service

"Emmanuel Macron's administration is feverishly seeking opportunities for 'political revenge' in Africa," the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service’s press bureau noted

INTERVIEW: Russia respects US people’s choice of Trump as president — Medvedev

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council recalled that the President of the United States had no experience at all when he began his career in government, which is an "unprecedented story"

INTERVIEW: Medvedev sees continuity between special military operation and World War II

The main thing remains the same: protecting your loved ones and your country, said the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council

Territorial issue is most complex in Ukrainian conflict settlement — Medvedev

As the senior Russian official added, there can be no arithmetic calculations in this regard

FACTBOX: Two killed in Stary Oskol, 31 drones shot down in attack on Russian regions

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that the detonation of another UAV shattered windows in more than ten apartments across three multi-story residential buildings

Peace deal to be just first step in resolving Ukraine crisis — US envoy to NATO

Agreement on the Ukrainian conflict is a complex issue, says Matthew Whitaker

Russia not seeking global conflict — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman reiterated that Moscow had repeatedly warned the West and NATO countries, calling on them to take Russia’s interests into account

In Kirov Region 21 cargo train cars derail

Repair works are underway

Russian companies in talks to build small hydroelectric power plants in Afghanistan

"Practical steps will be taken in this direction in the near future," Afghan Ambassador to Russia Gul Hassan said

Zelensky says Ukrainian negotiating team will travel to UAE on Monday evening

Vladimir Zelensky pointed out that there is an agreement on a meeting "at a due level"

China, Russia should maintain close contacts on security issues — Wang Yi

Wang Yi recalled that Beijing and Moscow are advancing a comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era

Afghanistan to resume active participation in SCO — ambassador to Russia

According to Gul Hassan, thanks to the efforts of Moscow and Beijing, most of the organization's member states "have come to the conclusion that it would be viable to restore Afghanistan's active participation in the SCO's work"

Russia considers Taiwan to be part of China — Medvedev

The Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman refused to comment on "all sorts of hypothetical scenarios"

Russia to showcase RPG-29M grenade launcher at Riyadh expo — Rosoboronexport

The designers reduced the weight of the launcher by a third, installed a 24/7 thermal imaging sight with a fire control system and expanded the range of rounds used