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EU agrees on 90 billion euro loan to Kiev breaking Hungary's veto — Bulgarian radio

On Tuesday European Council President Antonio Costa demanded that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban adhere to the decision adopted at the December summit, in which Budapest also participated

SOFIA, March 17. /TASS/. The EU countries have agreed on a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine, overcoming Hungary's veto, the Bulgarian National Radio quoted a Brussels source.

"An agreement on the loan for Ukraine was reached, and there are no plans to revise it," said the diplomat who wished to remain anonymous.

The diplomat added that on Tuesday European Council President Antonio Costa demanded that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban adhere to the decision adopted at the December summit, in which Budapest also participated.

Earlier, Orban said that Ukraine cannot count on Hungary's support for any EU decision in its favor until it resumed transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.

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Ukraine Hungary

US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Iranian president vows to avenge death of Larijani

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Conflict in Ukraine would have ended in day without Washington's help to Kiev — Trump

Ukraine had the best equipment in the world given by sleepy Joe Biden, the US president said

Russia, Turkey confirm bilateral intentions of maintaining high-level contacts — ministry

On March 17, 2026, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held telephone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Hakan Fidan

Tankers start crossing Hormuz, White House says

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Rostec to unveil anti-drone projectile at Riyadh exhibition

The projectile is designed for firing from small-caliber artillery systems equipped with the 2A42 automatic cannon

UAE may join US efforts to protect Strait of Hormuz — Reuters

Diplomatic adviser to the UAE President Anwar Gargash also said that once the US-Israeli war with Iran ends, an arrangement would be needed to ensure that Iran cannot use its nuclear, missile or drone programs "to terrorize the region"

Press review: US tries to assemble Hormuz tanker coalition as Russia eyes new fuel markets

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EU has no money to mitigate energy shock caused by conflict in Iran — WSJ

According to the newspaper, the public debt of some European countries, particularly the UK and France, is reaching 60-year highs

Russian army destroys ammunition depot with HIMARS missiles near Odessa — Defense Ministry

The complex entered the service of the Russian Navy in 2012

US administration seeks resignation of Cuban president — NYT

According to the newspaper, the step would allow to implement structural changes in the country’s economy

Iranian authorities confirm death of Larijani, appoint successors

The politician died due to the US and Israeli strikes on Iran

Turkish military may leave Syria after securing border — sources

The Turkish Armed Forces are in Syria based on the right to self-defense under international law to ensure the security of the country and its borders, combat terrorism, and prevent the formation of a terrorist corridor, the source said

EU leaders joined talks with US president in White House 'armed with flattery' — paper

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Russia deeply concerned about growing tensions around Cuba — Foreign Ministry

Russia strongly condemns attempts at gross interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, intimidation, and the imposition of illegal unilateral restrictive measures

EU experts arriving in Ukraine to assess Druzhba pipeline damage

The EU delegation is said to be in Kiev already and the EU mission in Ukraine deals with its plans and logistics

US is preparing to end its military campaign in Iran — Bloomberg

The agency's sources indicated that they consider US President Donald Trump’s recent statements about the US having destroyed Iran’s military potential an exaggeration

Russian military train Republic of Congo security forces based on special military op

According to a Russian instructor, the Congolese military itself approached the Russian Federation for assistance in training its special forces

Delo Group expects cargo traffic growth via Far East

The task of Russia is to provide for logistical solutions in interests of Russian exporters and importers, Board Chairman Sergey Shishkarev said

Trump says could have decided to withdraw from NATO without Congress

The US leader added that he was not currently raising the issue of withdrawing from NATO

First ROS crew to be on ISS at time of modules’ undocking — Russian cosmonaut

Oleg Kononenko said the ISS will most likely remain in operation until 2030

Countering 56 countries waging terror: remarks by Russia's top security official

Sergey Shoigu said that amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the threat of terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure is becoming "even more imminent and widespread"

Press review: Tehran pursues attrition as Trump delays China visit amid Iran tensions

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Debris from intercepted missile falls in UAE's Abu Dhabi, killing one person — authorities

According to the report, the debris fell in the Bani Yas area

France to never participate in operations to reopen Strait of Hormuz — President Macron

Paris will not do this under any circumstances, Emmanuel Macron said

Russian Deputy PM states tense situation with gas reserves in Europe

The possible halt of Russian gas transit through Ukraine will lead to an even greater acceleration in the rate of gas withdrawal from European storage facilities, Alexander Novak noted

Kiev seeks to further upend oil markets, create utter chaos globally — senator

Alexander Voloshin noted that Ukraine was taking the initiative to escalate the Middle East conflict and intended to send an armed contingent to the region for that purpose

Deputy commander-in-chief of Russian Navy arrives at Massawa port in Eritrea

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Ruble’s real effective exchange rate up 7.1% in March — Central Bank

The ruble’s real effective exchange rate increased by 19.2% in January-March in annual terms

Call on Ukraine, NATO to stay away from Belarus and Oreshnik: Lukashenko’s statements

The Belarusian president stressed that Ukraine and NATO should refrain from interfering in Belarusian affairs, lest Minsk be compelled to use the Oreshnik missile system

Switzerland to follow EU in softening sanctions on Russian oil — official

Federal authorities may take enforcement measures to ensure compliance with sanctions introduced by the UN, USCE or main trade partners of Switzerland, official spokesperson of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs Fabian Maienfisch stated

BRICS making big contributions in public health sphere — senior Russian diplomat

"The health sector has established itself as one of the most productive and content-rich areas of BRICS cooperation in recent years," Sergey Ryabkov pointed out

Medvedev laces into West’s hate-filled sanctions targeting ordinary Russians

The Russophobia even spreads to Russian culture, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council pointed out

Trump postpones visit to China due to lack of strong negotiating position — expert

Alexander Shpakovsky noted that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz negatively impacted China's energy security, however, US military spending significantly exceeded China’s losses

Venezuela, Russia support multipolar world — Foreign Minister

Yvan Gil Pinto says that Venezuela and Russia are brotherly countries and strategic partners

Trump's victory boosts hopes for resolving Ukraine conflict, Turkish foreign minister says

From the first day of the conflict, Turkey has insisted that diplomacy should be a priority, Hakan Fidan recalled

Up to 90 people may be trapped underground in coalmine rock collapse in Russian Arctic

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German subsidiary of Russian pharma company announces bankruptcy due to sanctions

According to the report, the main cause of the bankruptcy were European sanctions against Russia and Russian tit-for-tar measures, which adversely affected the business

EU intends to have Hungary’s ban lifted at forthcoming summit

The EU summit is scheduled to be held on March 19-20, 2026

Slovak PM Fico predicts worsening global oil market situation amid Iran conflict

There is every indication that this conflict will continue for a long time, Robert Fico noted

Middle East share of Russian wheat exports grows to 37% in July-February

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Peruvian Prime Minister Miralles vacates office

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Zapad 2025 drills debunk fakes about Moscow, Minsk's aggressive plans — Belarusian SC

Alexander Volfovich recalled that Russian and Belarusian troop groups had returned to their permanent bases

US allies reluctant to get involved in operation against Iran — Trump

The United States does not need the help of anyone, the US president noted

Martial law in Strait of Hormuz prevents US from supplying its bases — Iranian ambassador

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Rubicon fighters are elite drone operators, feared by Ukrainian troops — governor

Vladimir Saldo said the enemy is well aware of their capabilities

Russian Railways to bid for construction of railroads in Saudi Arabia

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Russian national under arrest in US severely poisoned in pre-trial detention center

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EU agrees on 90 billion euro loan to Kiev breaking Hungary's veto — Bulgarian radio

On Tuesday European Council President Antonio Costa demanded that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban adhere to the decision adopted at the December summit, in which Budapest also participated

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LGBT agenda contradicts Serbian values — prime minister

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Spain to release up to 11.5 mln barrels from strategic oil reserves

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen recalled the IEA members' decision to release a total of 400 million barrels of oil from emergency stocks to stabilize the market amid the Middle East conflict

Ukrainian attacks kill nearly 40, injure over 200 Russian citizens over week — diplomat

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Trump says Europe unwilling to help US with Iran after American support regarding Ukraine

The US president met with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin at the White House

US and Israel to lose Iranian war — Dotcom

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Russia holds ceremony for Paralympic athletes on Red Square

State Duma deputy and Olympic champion in speed skating Svetlana Zhurova, Olympic silver medalist ski mountaineer Nikita Filippov and others came to congratulate the athletes

Russia, Myanmar developing cooperation in renewable energy — Putin

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Russia creates multi-layered defense against Ukrainian long-range drones — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin noted that after the system identifies targets, the UAV-destroying capabilities are activated

Aeroflot to add 43 extra flights to Thailand, Maldives, Sri Lanka

Ticket sales are already open

Rubio orders US diplomats to influence other nations to take action against Iran — TV

The American diplomatic institutions are also instructed to "swiftly" urge the local governments to declare the IRGC and Hezbollah terrorist organizations

OPCW experts confirm toxic substances in Navalny’s blood

Hungary will refuse to support Ukraine’s joining EU, €90 bln loan for Kiev — top diplomat

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Putin backs placing shares of companies bought out from non-residents on stock exchange

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Europe needs time to start asking for Russian gas again — Dmitriev

The Russian presidential envoy noted that the price hike would be devastating for industry and households

US asks Turkey to guarantee S-400 systems will not come into operation — Erdogan

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Lavrov, Fidan discuss Iran war, energy projects — Russian Foreign Ministry

Special attention was drawn to the absolute importance of ensuring comprehensive pipeline safety

Putin: Russia over-fulfilled Kyoto Protocol, delaying global warming almost by a year

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Over half of Russians long for days of USSR — pollster

Experts believe that should a referendum on the Soviet Union’s future be organized today, two thirds of those polled would vote for its preservation

UN is working to implement Russian part of Istanbul accords — spokesman

According to the representative of the secretary general of the organization Stefan Dujarric, the UN continues to interact with all parties of the Black Sea initiative

Hormuz and US-Israel compensation: statement by new supreme leader of Iran

Mojtaba Khamenei confirmed the deaths of his sister and wife

Russia’s Provod fiber-optic drones effectively deployed in special military op zone

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Putin pardons 23 women — Human Rights Council head

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American sailors set fire to USS Gerald R. Ford to avoid fighting — Iranian army

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Approval of 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions 'overdue' — Kallas

The foreign ministers of member-states of the European Union discussed how to push this forward

Crimean resident detained for shooting rifle at police officers

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Iranian embassy in Vienna has no information about strikes on 'Taleghan' center

According to the Israeli army's press service, the "Taleghan" compound was "utilized by the regime to advance critical capabilities for developing nuclear weapons"

No EU money for Ukraine until Druzhba oil flows resume, Orban says

The Hungarian foreign minister noted that Brussels’ recent proposals to repair the transit route would not change Budapest's stance

Rocket with Progress MS-33 cargo spacecraft rolled to Baikonur launch pad

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US president may send naval ships to Persian Gulf 'if he dares' — IRGC

Iran has full sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, General Ali Mohammad Naini said

SAS to cancel over 100 flights in Norway this week due to fuel prices

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Russian equities open lower after Total chief’s death in Moscow air crash

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Iranian president vows to avenge death of Larijani

Earlier, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any country allowing its territory to be used by the US or Israel for aggression against Iran "is a legitimate target for Iran"

Fuel, power supply issues: situation in Cuba

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Most UEFA members support allowing Russian U17 teams to play on neutral fields

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Czech, Slovak officials to discuss expert examination of Druzhba oil pipeline

Negotiations are scheduled for Wednesday in Prague

US base in Iraq attacked with fiber-optic FPV drones — expert

Abbas Juma noted Iran's significant success in building its unmanned aerial vehicle industry

Power restored to one-third of Havana after nationwide outage

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Iberia cancels flights, also to Moscow

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Iran destroys hangars with US fighter jets at bases in UAE, Bahrain — IRGC

The strikes on US military bases in the Middle East will continue until US forces completely withdraw from them

US spending on war with Iran could exceed trillion dollars — The Intercept

The Pentagon said the US spent about $11.3 billion in just one week of its war on Iran