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Belgian PM says only Europe finances Ukrainian conflict

Bart De Wever believes that the EU should increase pressure on Russia

BRUSSELS, March 19. /TASS/. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever says that Europe is the sole financier of the conflict in Ukraine.

De Wever believes that the EU should increase pressure on Russia, arguing that Hungary should for this purpose lift its veto on the 90 billion euros in financing to Kiev and approve the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, told reporters.

When asked about his previous statements about the need to normalize relations with Russia, he said that this is a long-term process that can begin after peace is concluded, but for now Belgium fully supports the 20th package.

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US wishes Belarus, Lithuania to mend ties, says American diplomat

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According to the statement, cooling and site-securing operations are still ongoing

Shell plant in Qatar damaged after Iran’s strikes — Reuters

The fire outbreak at the plant was quickly extinguished, the news agency said

Pentagon announces destruction of 11 Iranian submarines

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that the US armed forces have struck hundreds of targets related to Iran’s military-industrial complex

Russia to continue to supply energy to its partners despite sanctions — energy ministry

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Iran says it attacked Saudi refinery in Yanbu — TV

By attacking the facility, Iran dealt a blow to an alternative route of the United States bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, the TV channel said

Iran miscalculated thinking that Gulf countries will not respond — top Saudi diplomat

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized that "the remaining trust in Iran has been totally undermined"

FACTBOX: New Kiev attacks on TurkStream and Blue Stream infrastructure

The attacks were repelled through joint efforts of the Russian Defense Ministry and mobile response teams, with no damage to the facilities

Kiev’s attempts to strike offshore gas pipelines reckless — Kremlin

The Russian Armed Forces are doing everything to neutralize the threat of Ukrainian drones to the energy infrastructure in the Black Sea, Dmitry Peskov stressed

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All crew members are reported safe

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Oil loading restarts in Yanbu port — Reuters

The Samref Refinery and the Yanbu port earlier experienced an air attack

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US sells Asia three-year record volume of oil amid Iran conflict — Bloomberg

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Saudi Arabia’s port of Yanbu comes under aerial attack — Reuters

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Russia is already using autonomous, unmanned, and remotely operated underwater vehicles, and scientific institutes and design bureaus are developing a new generation of such technology, Nikolay Patrushev noted

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Europe lacks strong leaders, Orban says

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Putin aide announces security measures due to terrorist risk against vessels

According to him, in particular, inspections are being conducted on vessels arriving from abroad, procedures for operational coordination between shipowners and seaport administrations have been established, and monitoring of ships carrying cargo on behalf of Russia has been intensified

Brent oil price reaches $110 per barrel for first time since March 9, 2025 — trade data

By 11:15 p.m. Moscow time, Brent futures accelerated their growth by 6.97%, trading at $110.71 per barrel

Pentagon becomes increasingly reliant on land-based missiles — WSJ

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Attack on Bushehr nuke, European illusion of Russian defeat: Foreign Ministry statements

A solution to the navigation problems in the Strait of Hormuz "must be sought at the negotiating table," Maria Zakharova noted

Iran carries out strikes on four Israeli cities, US bases in Middle East

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EU openly interfering in Hungary’s domestic affairs — Orban

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US wants to require ships in Strait of Hormuz to purchase its insurance — FT

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

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Ukrainian army sends Colombians to front lines without actual contracts signed — POW

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No casualties were reported

Putin’s order on possible withdrawal from EU energy markets being worked out — Kremlin

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Qatari firefighters still unable to extinguish blaze at Ras Laffan facility

The emirate’s interior ministry said that there were no casualties

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Participants of the Riyadh meeting also confirmed that Arab countries of the Persian Gulf "have the right to defend themselves"

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

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 185 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed seven enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

US, Israel strike Iran’s main Caspian port Bandar Anzali

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US ready for military dialogue with Russia to ensure strategic stability — Pentagon

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Ukraine to lose conflict due to shortage of soldiers — prisoner

He also added that the Ukrainian military command "feeds its soldiers with promises," assuring them of an imminent rotation in the Sumy region

Russian Tornado-S MLRS maintains 'surgical precision' under electronic warfare — Rostec

The state corporation representatives noted that the system is capable of setting both the flight range and trajectory of each rocket

US moves Marines to Middle East, weighs seizing Iranian islands to open Hormuz — media

According to the newspaper, the Pentagon last week began transferring the USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship carrying about 2,200 Marines, from Japan to the Middle East

European Commission awaits replacement of Hungary’s Orban, Belgian PM admits

Bart de Wever admitted that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is very much interested in having Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban replaced in the April 12 election

Gas prices situation in Europe makes UGS injection unprofitable — Gazprom

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Saudi Arabia, other Gulf countries to respond to escalation with escalation — top diplomat

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud accused Iran of resorting to "blackmail aimed at achieving its political goals"

Kremlin calls Warsaw court’s decision to extradite Butyagin 'pro-Ukrainian'

Dmitry Peskov said that he did not want to make any predictions

Foreign minister says Israel wants peace with Lebanon, but without Hezbollah

Gideon Saar opined that the movement "has taken over Lebanon" and is acting according to Iran’s interests

South Korean authorities discuss Russian oil imports with companies — newspaper

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Israel attacks Iranian Navy ships in Caspian Sea — TV

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Putin proposes Medvedev for position of United Russia leader

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