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Middle East conflict

International Stabilization Force to start working in Gaza soon — Board of Peace

Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's high representative for Gaza, said the ISF may start coming together in the coming days and weeks

DUBAI, February 24. /TASS/. The International Stabilization Force (ISF) could be deployed to the Gaza Strip within the next few days or weeks, Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's high representative for Gaza, said.

"I think you'll see the beginning of the ISF start coming together in the coming days and weeks, with deployments on the ground," he told The National in an interview.

Last week, ISF Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers explained that Albania, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Morocco and the unrecognized Kosovo will send servicemen to the contingent. Egypt and Jordan will take on training policemen. According to the US general, up to 20,000 servicemen and 12,000 policemen will ensure the security of the Palestinian enclave in the future.

Earlier, Mladenov said that 2,000 Gazans had signed up to join the new Palestinian force. However, he told the newspaper that there are now "significantly more applicants," but he declined to give an updated figure. The recruits will undergo training in Egypt.

In October 2025, Israel and Hamas, with mediation from Egypt, Qatar, the US, and Turkey, agreed to implement the first stage of the Gaza peace plan, after which a ceasefire took effect in the enclave. In accordance with the agreement, the Israeli forces withdrew to the so-called yellow line, retaining control over more than 50% of the enclave’s territory.

The second stage of the Gaza peace plan was announced on January 4 by US special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff. It presupposes the disarmament of Palestinian radicals, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave, the deployment of an international stabilization force there, and the start of work by agencies managing Gaza.

Egyptian, Russian foreign ministers discuss regional situation, including Iran

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that his country is making every possible effort to create a favorable environment for negotiations between the United States and Iran and to turn this crisis into a diplomatic one

United States announces exercise with Canada, Denmark in Alaska and Greenland

The drill is scheduled take place from February 23 until March 13

Ukrainian Armed Forces lose about 1,355 troops over past day

The Russian Armed Forces also struck transport, energy and fuel infrastructure facilities used in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

EU fails to agree on new package of anti-Russian sanctions by February 24

EU Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas actually confirmed that the package is being blocked by Slovakia and Hungary

Vucic, Rosatom CEO discuss Serbian companies’ participation in nuclear projects

According to the Serbian leader, special attention was paid to the development of Serbia’s personnel and industrial potential in the nuclear sector

US meets Russian delegation in Geneva for nuclear arms control talks — Reuters

A US State Department official tells the newswire that the US will meet with a Chinese delegation later on February 24

Ukraine could go bankrupt by April due to dispute with Hungary — magazine

Mandiner emphasized that in the context of general mobilization, more than a third of Ukraine's budget goes toward financing the army

Two apartment buildings, social facility damaged in Ukraine’s missile attack on Belgorod

No casualties have been reported so far

EU leaders preparing for war with Russia — Hungarian PM

Hungary can only lose in such a war, as our historical military experience clearly demonstrates, Viktor Orban said

US defense chief sees space as the most decisive battlefield for upcoming centuries

The US will demand space dominance, Pete Hegseth says

Plans to supply Kiev with nuclear bomb breach international law — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow urged London and Paris to initiate parliamentary investigations

Russian troops equipped with communication in special op zone — Defense Ministry

The ministry noted that during combat operations, the crews of the unmanned systems troops and artillery units do not use foreign-made communication equipment

British trace visible in case of assassination attempt on General Alexeyev — FSB chief

Alexander Bortnikov noted that the Ukrainian intelligence services were the masterminds

Russia to take part in 61st session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

According to the Foreign Ministry, the session’s agenda includes a high-level segment in which Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky will take part

EU to impose entry ban on all participants in Russia’s special op — Kallas

The European Union is "working to keep potential hundreds of thousands of former Russian soldiers out of the Schengen area", the EU foreign policy chief said

Trump reveals his favorite word

The US president said that he loves word "tariff" more than any other word in the dictionary

US to withdraw its troops from Syria within one month — TV

Their number does not exceed 1,000, Syria TV reported

Russian UAV control unaffected by shutdown of foreign comms terminals — Defense Ministry

A Battlegroup East serviceman, call sign "Maloy," said in a video provided by the Defense Ministry that communication among the troops is stable

Issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO off the table now — US expert

Andrew Napolitano expressed confidence that the current leaders of the UK, Germany, Italy, and France, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, would inevitably lose their positions in the foreseeable future

US president wants agreements on Ukraine signed simultaneously — Zelensky

Vladimir Zelensky believes that security guarantees must first be agreed upon and ratified by the US Congress

Zelensky, his wife linked to human trafficking through Epstein's schemes — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk stressed that Zelensky's name is mentioned many times in the Epstein case

Special op started timely, prompted by Kiev's Nazi rhetoric — MFA

"The timeliness and propriety of the decision taken by the Russian leadership in 2022 to launch the special military operation are confirmed by the ongoing drift of Kiev-controlled territories into genuine Nazi obscurantism," Maria Zakharova said

European Parliament postpones vote on trade deal with US

This is the second such suspension by the European Parliament

US wants to conclude deal on Ukrainian settlement before July 4 — news agency

Talks between Russia, the US, and Ukraine took place in Geneva on February 17-18

Generals Moskalik, Sarvarov killed in Kiev regime’s terrorist attacks — General Staff

Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy noted that with the deaths of the generals, the troops "lost true professionals, loyal comrades, and true patriots"

US now continues supporting Kiev militarily and trying to exhaust Russia — expert

Andrew Napolitano added that Vice President JD Vance and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard are among those in the US leader’s circle who urge him not to help Vladimir Zelensky or use force against Iran

Leader of Jalisco Cartel dies en route to hospital — Mexican Defense Ministry

The operation was coordinated with the National Intelligence Center and the prosecutor’s office, with informational support from US authorities, the ministry said

Vance, intel chief only urge Trump against aiding Zelensky — US analyst

Andrew Napolitano said the Washington establishment is overwhelmingly neoconservative

Orban’s veto of EU assistance to Ukraine may save thousands of lives — French politician

Florian Philippot says the veto will also save 17 billion euros of "French money"

Command center for 'coalition of the willing' begins its work — UK Defense Ministry

The ministry noted that on February 24, a video conference of the member states of the so-called "coalition of the willing" will be held, chaired by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron

Russia helps secure Venezuela's statehood — MFA

No one would have negotiated with them; they would have been treated, as the West has repeatedly suggested, as those who are on the menu, Maria Zakharova said

Germany ready for talks with Russia on Ukraine but will not make concessions — minister

Johann Wadephul says current channels of communication with Moscow are sufficient for the dialogue

Russia calls on US to immediately release Venezuelan President Maduro — diplomat

Moscow stands firm for respecting Venezuela’s sovereignty and peaceful settlement of all differences, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky said

FACTBOX: Key details of UK’s new sanctions against Russia

A total of 240 legal entities, seven individuals, and 50 vessels have been added to the UK sanctions list against Russia, according to the Foreign Office

Witkoff, Kushner to travel to Geneva to continue talks with Iran — agency

US and Iranian diplomats have been trying to reach an agreement on the nuclear deal

School in Bryansk Region comes under Ukrainian drone attack, no one hurt

The building was damaged, the region’s governor, Alexander Bogomaz, said

Investigators name suicide bombing as cause of Moscow patrol car blast

The identity of the man is being established

Ukrainian crisis should not impact China-Europe relations — Chinese MFA

Responding to questions from Western journalists about alleged benefits for Beijing from a prolonged conflict, Mao Ning said that China has never sought to exploit the situation for selfish gain

Seven Ukrainian aerial targets shot down over Black Sea in Sevastopol — governor

Mikhail Razvozhayev says the city has seen no damage to civilian facilities during the attack

Press review: Geneva talks on Ukraine begin and Epstein case could spark GOP fiasco

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, February 17th

Ex-UK Ambassador to US Mandelson arrested over Epstein files — TV

London’s Metropolitan Police has actually confirmed his arrest

Russia not disclosing results of Ukraine talks under existing agreement — Medvedev

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that Russia has presented its position on the Ukrainian settlement during negotiations, including on territorial issues and the parameters of Ukraine’s demilitarization

Kiev’s attacks on Russian territory leave 14 civilians dead over week — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik added that new cases of explosives detonation were registered in the Kherson Region

Special military operation prevents thousands of deaths among civilians — DPR head

Denis Pushilin said that in 2022 "the enemy was preparing for a very serious offensive, almost everything was ready"

Senators urge investigation into plans by London, Paris to arm Kiev with nuclear weapons

The body also proposed that the UN Security Council, the IAEA , and the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons carry out investigations in accordance with their respective mandates

Blinken insists Russia may use provocation to justify its aggression in Ukraine

Blinken noted that the top diplomats "discussed the threat that Russia’s aggression poses not only to Ukraine but to the entire international rules-based order which has provided a foundation for decades of shared security and prosperity"

Scientists present Russia's first 50-qubit cold atom quantum computer — MSU

The experiment that allowed testing the supercomputer prototype took place on December 19, the Moscow State University said

Ukraine’s budget deficit effectively amounts to around $50 bln

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov argued that even a €90 bln loan from the European Union would not help address this deficit, as the funds would primarily be directed toward military purposes rather than ensuring macrofinancial stability

Russia does not threaten Estonia but will do what necessary to ensure security — Kremlin

If Estonia has nuclear weapons aimed at Russia, Moscow will aim its own nuclear weapons at Estonia, Dmitry Peskov said

Special military operations forces on front lines firmly stand for Russia — Putin

He also added that competent and courageous actions by the heroes of the special military operation made it possible to plan and carry out offensive operations in the most intense sectors

US military potential enough for only four or five days of strikes on Iran — newspaper

The newspaper noted that the start of the conflict could result in casualties among US military personnel, which would greatly affect the MAGA electorate

EU fails to get US, G7 support for blocking Russian oil supplies — source

A diplomatic source did not exclude "the possibility of Washington imposing its own measures in due time and on its own terms"

Hungary informed by Russia that all damage to Druzhba pipeline has been repaired

The fact that the Ukrainians are not resuming transportation via the pipeline constitutes political blackmail against Hungary, as this is a political, not a technical or physical, decision, Szijjarto stressed

Slovakia halts electricity transmission to Ukraine — TV

Slovakia halted electricity supplies to Ukraine in response to it blocking the transit Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline across its territory

Slovakia asks European Commission to inspect Druzhba pipeline — MFA

The Slovak refinery Slovnaft ensures 15% of Ukraine’s oil consumption, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar said, adding that Slovakia supplies electricity to the neighboring country if necessary

EU to reduce its mission to Russia to 40 people — Kallas

The European foreign policy chief also announced that the top EU diplomats have failed to agree on the 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions by February 24

Russia becomes leading country in unmanned systems — Medvedev

The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council added that the UAV industry was created almost "from scratch" by enthusiasts at the beginning of the special military operation, as there had been virtually no prior discussion of drones at that time

NATO expansion must be resolved for Ukraine settlement — Russian MFA

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that unchecked expansion of NATO right up to Russia's borders, including Ukraine, became one of the fundamental causes of the current conflict

Liberating Karpovka, Russian troops establish bridgehead on Nitrius River — expert

Andrey Marochko said that it will facilitate the further liberation of this area

Press review: India to continue buying Russian oil as US amasses major force near Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 20th

Ukraine suffers more than 1.5 million casualties since Russia launched special military op

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine has lost about 65,000 servicemen since the beginning of 2026

Russia, Burkina Faso agree to hold intergovernmental commission meeting this summer

The parties have begun forming the national sections of the commission, the Russian Embassy in Burkina Faso said

Russia could launch nuclear strikes on France, UK if they arm Kiev with nukes — Medvedev

"This is the proportional response that Russia has the right to," the Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman stressed

EU unable to agree on 20th sanctions package at foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels

According to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the European Commission is doing everything possible to push through the sanctions, working with the countries that are blocking them, but is hearing very firm statements from those countries

Russian drones neutralize Ukrainian sabotage group in Zaporozhye Region — Defense Ministry

The ministry added that the enemy personnel’s movements in a woodland belt were spotted by airborne intelligence assets during the hours of darkness

UK begins training Ukrainian combat helicopter pilots — Defense Ministry

According to the statement, London will allocate additional 27 million dollars for energy support and the restoration of Ukraine's power grids

Russia failed to find alternative to western capital markets in the east — Sberbank CEO

There is no alternative to western capital markets in the nearest years

Putin meets with widows of Russian special forces soldiers in Kremlin

Earlier in the day, the president awarded state awards to Heroes of Russia

UK, France readying to arm Ukraine with nuclear bomb — Foreign Intelligence Service

According to the SVR, the British and the French realize that their plot is "a gross violation of the international law, first of all the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and carries the risk of destroying the global non-proliferation system"

Ukraine may return to its 1654 borders after special military op ends — expert

Pepe Escobar pointed out that at the end of the conflict, Ukraine may be completely fragmented, as its neighboring countries dream of regaining the territories that Ukraine acquired thanks to the Soviet Union's political will

Two suspects in assassination attempt on President Vucic arrested in Serbia

The suspects have been placed into custody

Kiev expects further talks on Ukrainian settlement late this week

Head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office Kirill Budanov added that Russian negotiators are conducting talks "restrainedly, politely, and professionally, in accordance with diplomatic protocol," although positions of the parties remain fundamentally different

Russia calls on US to refuse from striking civilian nuclear facilities in Iran — diplomat

Dmitry Lyubinsky says that Moscow is ready to help "to find diplomatic solutions" on Iran's peaceful nuclear program

Iraq transfers management of West Qurna-2 oil field to US Chevron

On February 17, the Iraqi government approved an agreement reached with Russia’s Lukoil to transfer oil production operations at the West Qurna-2 field to the local Basra Oil Company

Resolving Ukraine crisis should involve taking Russia’s interests into account — diplomat

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says "All goals of the special military operation will be achieved"

Latest talks create path for peaceful settlement in Ukraine — Chinese MFA

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning added that Beijing maintains a principled and clear position on this issue and the country supports all efforts toward achieving peace

EU imposes sanctions on 8 Russian law enforcement, judicial officials outside 20th package

The blacklist includes two judges, a prosecutor, an investigator, and four heads of correctional colonies and pretrial detention centers

Russia’s Investigative Committee confirms traffic policeman killed in Moscow blast

Two policemen are at a hospital. The attacker died at the scene

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

Trump warns of using remaining tariffs ‘in a much more powerful and obnoxious way’

Any country that wants to "play games with the ridiculous supreme court decision, especially those that have ‘Ripped Off’ the U.S.A. for years, and even decades, will be met with a much higher tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to," the US president said

Russian figure skater Gumennik says foreign athletes waiting for Russia’s return

13 Russian athletes participated in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 in neutral status

Russia’s frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov conducts gun practice at Milan 2026 exercise

Russian sailors also practiced anti-submarine warfare missions and joint operations with carrier-based aircraft

Ukrainian troops desert their positions due to lack of food, ammunition — military expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the thaw and night frosts are causing an increasing number of frostbite cases

Tucker Carlson trying to talk Trump out of war with Iran — US expert

Andrew Napolitano believes that Trump's use of force against Tehran is practically predetermined

Attack by Ukrainian Armed Forces leaves 260 settlements in Zaporozhye Region without power

According to Governor Evgeny Balitsky, all healthcare facilities, as well as critical infrastructure sites, have been switched to backup power sources

China backs balanced control over nuclear weapons — authorities

According to China’s ambassador for disarmament affairs Shen Jian, Beijing aims to strengthen international cooperation in security matters and enhance global governance in this field

Hungary vetoes EU decision of anti-Russian sanctions, loan to Ukraine

Hungary warned that it would veto these EU decisions because of Ukraine blocking oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline

Iran says Israel’s nuclear arsenal is key obstacle for peace in region

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi once again confirmed that Tehran’s nuclear program has purely peaceful nature

15 killed in helicopter crash in Peru

The helicopter was on the way to help the locals affected by floods and other emergencies

Japan to explain importance of Sakhalin-2 for energy security to EU, G7 — cabinet

Sakhalin-2 accounts for around 9% of total LNG imports by Japan

Russia needs victory, but its cost matters — Medvedev

The deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council added that he Kiev regime is gradually beginning to realize the position and circumstances it currently faces

Zelensky calls on EU to stop prevaricating and fix entry date for Ukraine — FT

Kiev wants EU accession as early as in 2027, Zelensky says

Ukraine turning into deserted zone amid military losses — MP

Mikhail Sheremet added that the policy of the Vladimir Zelensky regime has led what was once a prosperous Ukrainian state to an irreversible tragedy

Russia condemns US punitive measures against Cuba — diplomat

Dmitry Lyubinsky says US steps drive Cuba "to the edge of an energy crisis"

Russian forces destroying Ukrainian troops near Verkhnyaya Tersa — expert

Andrey Marochko said earlier that the Russian Armed Forces had straightened the front line in the Ternovatoye-Zaliznychnoye sector in the Zaporozhye Region

Iran considering possibility of IAEA chief’s participation in new round of talks with US

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei says a potential visit by IAEA to Iran "requires an agreed concrete procedure"

Air defenses down 27 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions

13 UAVs were destroyed over the Belgorod Region, five over the Sea of Azov, four over the Krasnodar Region, two over the Kursk Region, two over the Republic of Crimea, and one over the Black Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Epstein files exposed those who invented myths about Russia — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry’s official spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recalled numerous accusations against Russia, adding that the country came up with "arguments and facts" to refute them

Kiev building up forces in southern Konstantinovka fearing Russians’ advance — expert

Andrey Marochko says that a "major battle" is about to take place

Russian Army clears Berestok in Donbass region of Ukrainian troops — expert

Andrey Marochko says Russian fighters are advancing in three sectors

EU fails to reach compromise on 90-bln-euro loan to Kiev — Kallas

The EU foreign policy chief suggested using Russian frozen assets