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Trump hopes upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping to be historic

The US president said he hoped much to be accomplished during the meeting

WASHINGTON, April 18. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump said he hopes his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping will be historic.

"President Xi is very happy that the Strait of Hormuz is open and/or rapidly opening. Our meeting in China will be a special one and, potentially, Historic. I look forward to being with President Xi — Much will be accomplished!" he wrote on Truth Social.

The American leader’s visit to Beijing is scheduled for May 14-15.

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China United States Xi Jinping Donald Trump

European Commission president oversteps her authority — Pierre de Gaulle

The head of the Foundation for Peace and Friendship Among Peoples says that Ursula von der Leyen is pretending to act on behalf of European countries and trying to "handle issues of their energy independence"

At least 50 ice class vessels required by 2030 — Deputy PM

The current portfolio of orders of Zvezda shipyard provides for construction of 26 transport ships for cargo carriage along the Northern Sea Route, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev noted

UAC delivers batch of Su-35S fighter jets to Russian Aerospace Forces

The state tech corporation Rostec said that the Su-35S fighter is designed to achieve air superiority and engage ground infrastructure targets at significant distances from the base airfield

Moldova declares Russian command in Transnistria persona non grata

If the Russian officers try to leave Transnistria for Moldova, he added, they will be deported back to Russia without the right of return

Iran opens Strait of Hormuz to merchant ships as truce in Lebanon announced

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the passage of ships through the strait will be carried out according to the route agreed with Iran

Lukashenko calls US actions in Iran ‘mindless adventure’

The Belarusian leader stressed that the United States should pause and recognize that, beyond their own interests, there were nations that had their own priorities

Russia cuts pipeline gas supplies to Turkey by 27% in January–February

According to the regulator, in February Turkey imported a total of 1.09 bln cubic meters of gas from Russia via the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines

US president assumes that Iranian conflict may not be settled

Donald Trump separately said oil prices stood at $89 or $90, while previously forecasts were $250-$300 per barrel

Gazprom points to difficulties with replenishing European gas storages

The company said that Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland had net withdrawals on April 14, while gas was lifted from the single UGS in Baltic countries on April 15

Belarus will not engage in talks directed against its allies — lawmaker

Oleg Gaidukevich says there is interest in dialogue with Belarus from all sides, including the US

Tehran says US seeking to strip Iran of its defense capabilities ahead of new war

Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei said Washington aims at advancing the project of destruction and fragmentation of the Islamic republic

Russian trade turnover with Central Asian countries increases to $50 bln — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister drew attention to the demand for the six-side dialogue mechanism that is "developing successfully, dynamically, with the benefit for all the participants"

US to extract Iranian enriched uranium using excavators — Trump

The president also said that the nuclear materials would be brought to the US

New rules of navigation in Hormuz inevitable — Iranian ambassador to Turkmenistan

Ali Mojtaba Rouzbahani noted that the Strait of Hormuz was no longer just a geographical route for ships to pass through

Standard demining methods in Donbass are obsolete — Emercom-Demining CEO

The humanitarian demining team’s field engineers use the comprehensive approach, Bogdan Pilipchuk said

Alcaraz withdraws from 2026 ATP Madrid Open tournament

The 2026 Madrid Open is an ATP-1,000 Masters tournament played on clay courts at the Park Manzanares in the Spanish capital between April 22 and May 3

US, Israeli commercial ships still banned from passing through Strait of Hormuz — agency

Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that following the enforcement of a ceasefire in Lebanon, Iran has opened the Strait of Hormuz for the passage of commercial vessels

EU does its best to destroy Visegrad Group — Fico

The Slovak PM noted that the main topic dividing the member countries of the regional association is Ukraine

US allows sales of Russian oil loaded before April 17 to continue until May 16

The general license replaces the previous one, which expired on April 11

Russia open to talks but insists on equal footing, no lectures — ambassador to Germany

Sergey Nechayev added: "We are fully ready for dialogue, but we will not impose ourselves"

Russia, India publish agreement on procedures for deployment of military personnel

The agreement regulates not only the deployment of military personnel and equipment but also logistics

Trump hopes upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping to be historic

The US president said he hoped much to be accomplished during the meeting

Orban joins opposition, but remains at helm of party

Viktor Orban stressed that Fidesz would have to learn from the April 12 vote and move forward

Trump says deal with Iran may be reached in day or two

The US leader emphasized that the Irainian side wanted to make a deal

Russia says welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon

Maria Zakharova recalled that from the very beginning of the large-scale escalation in the Middle East, Moscow had called for an end to the armed confrontation and a transfer of the conflict to a political and diplomatic settlement

Over 60 countries confirm participation in KazanForum

20 heads of Russian regions have confirmed their participation

Transnistria calls Moldova’s attempts to squeeze out Russian troops destructive

Transnistrian Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatiyev says these actions have a negative impact on the course of the peacekeeping operation

Iran proposes to restrict vessels posing military threat in Strait of Hormuz

The ambassador also noted that along with the security aspects, the economic side of the issue also occupies an important place in navigation through the strait

Trump says Iran agrees to indefinite moratorium on nuclear program — media

Iran has not yet commented on the statement by the US leader

Trump’s support hurt rather than helped Orban in elections — Politico

According to the newspaper, head of the parliamentary faction of the National Rally Marine Le Pen called on the deputies to keep their distance from the United States in the wake of the Hungarian elections

Three more cruise ships begin exit from Persian Gulf

Two of the six vessels that have been stranded since early March have remained in the Persian Gulf

West seeks to conceal its interference in Moldovan elections — Russian Embassy in Canada

The embassy said that Western countries were making accusations against Moscow to cover up their own interference

US, Belarusian representatives to discuss Ukrainian settlement — Belarusian lawmaker

Oleg Gaidukevich says representatives of both the Republican and Democratic parties have been invited from the US side

Fire at warehouse in Leningrad Region, 62 drones: aftermath of Ukrainian attack on Russia

TASS has compiled the main information about the consequences

Top brass discloses addresses of firms in Europe producing UAVs for strikes on Russia

The branches of Ukrainian companies producing drones for strikes on Russia are located in cities of eight European countries, including London, Munich, Prague and Riga

US irreparably tarnished image with defeat in Iran — Russian MP

Iran can defeat the United States in the sense that it will not allow the US to achieve the goals it has set for itself in the war, Alexey Pushkov noted

IN BRIEF: What we know about Iran’s decision to open Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s ban on the passaged through the Strait of Hormuz is still in force for warships from any country, the Iranian state television said, citing a military source

Tornado-S MLRS crews of Moscow Military District carry out combat training launches

Particular attention was paid to preparation for the strike using a remote control panel

Gazprom Board to discuss liquidation of representative office in Algeria

Gazprom and Algeria’s Sonatrach are jointly developing the El Assel block in Algeria

Iran will receive no frozen assets for suspending nuclear program, Trump says

According to the US leader, an agreement to end the war that was unleashed by the United States and Israel in late February, is largely complete

Top Russian diplomat to address key global issues at Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to address a special session of the forum and hold bilateral meetings with his foreign counterparts, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says

Trump does not rule out renewed strikes on Iran if negotiations fail

The US president added that the "blockade is going to remain," commenting on the possibility of extending the ceasefire if no deal is reached

Talks with Israel do not mean Lebanon admitting defeat — president

According to Joseph Aoun, the talks do not mean a waiver of rights

US bans Israel from bombing Lebanon further — Trump

The US President said on April 16 that Israel and Lebanon had introduced a 10-day ceasefire

Russian gas crucial for preserving Europe’s industry — envoy

Kirill Dmitriev made the comment in response to a post by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who said that Slovakia is filing a lawsuit with the Court of Justice of the European Union over the ban on imports of Russian gas

Satellites for Russian defense ministry launched from Plesetsk

The launch proceeded normally

US State Department officials visit Cuba on April 10, meet Castro’s grandson — Axios

Sources in the US administration told the news portal that US representatives had come to Havana "to urge democratic and economic freedoms" on the island

Russia’s Su-35S fighter jet boasts world’s largest experience of air combats — expert

Ruslan Pukhov said the target detection and engagement range is crucial for the success of combat operations in the air and the Su-35S is unrivaled in its class in this regard

US extends suspension of sanctions, affects over 100 mln barrels of Russian oil — Dmitriev

The official added that "more and more countries," including the US, are recognizing the systemic importance of Russian oil and gas for the global economy

Lavrov says no specific initiatives so far toward resolving Ukraine conflict

The foreign minister stressed that Russian armed forces had been accomplishing objectives set by the supreme commander-in-chief as part of the special military operation

Terrorists take 18 students hostage in Nigeria — TV

The criminals attacked a minibus and drove the school graduates in an unknown direction

Shoigu reminds Baltic states of Russia’s right to self-defense over Ukrainian UAV attacks

The Russian Security Council secretary emphasized that significant damage is caused to civilian infrastructure

UN chief hails Hormuz Strait’s opening to commercial vessels

The UN chief reiterated his full support for the diplomatic efforts "to find a peaceful path forward out of the current conflict in the Middle East"

Bank of Russia lowers dollar rate to 76.05 rubles for April 18-20

The official yuan rate was reduced by 2.43 kopecks to 11.15 rubles

Abolishing veto power to spell beginning of end for EU — Slovak PM

Robert Fico condemned the European Commission’s attempts to secure an EU-wide decision to abolish member states’ veto rights on foreign policy issues

Somalia threatens to restrict access to Bab el-Mandeb Strait

"Any country interfering in Somalia's internal affairs and compromising its territorial integrity and sovereignty will face repercussions, including potential restrictions on access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait," Somalian permanent representative to the African Union Abdullahi Warfa stressed

Russian fish imports from Turkey gain 21% in 2M 2026

Russian fish imports from Turkey in January - February amounted to $63 mln

Kazakhstan to build several nuclear power plants — agency

According to the Kazakh nuclear energy agency, Kazakhstan may additionally require about 2,660 MW in 2026–2032

EU should be ashamed of organizing unrest in other countries — Georgian authorities

According to Shalva Papuashvili, he will carefully examine the information about the impending unrest in Georgia with the involvement of a Czech organization

Trump says he trusts Iran to comply with terms of potential deal

The US president also said that Tehran wants to make a deal

Mexican ambassador summoned to Russian MFA over detention of Russian woman — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that the Russian Foreign Ministry is keeping a close eye on this matter in close coordination with State Duma Deputy Chairwoman Anna Kuznetsova and presidential children’s rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova

Russian stock market closes with slight decline in key indices

The ruble-denominated MOEX index fell by 0.63% to 2,723.94 points, while the dollar-denominated RTS index decreased by 0.58% to 1,128.29 points

First cruise liner sailed through Hormuz

The liner is now going to Muscat in Oman

EU intends to prolong Ukraine conflict until 2030 — Belgian defense chief

Russia will not attack Europe, Frederik Vansina noted

Europe’s role in Ukraine conflict, Iran's enriched uranium — Kremlin briefing

Dmitry Peskov said the direct involvement of European countries in the conflict in Ukraine is growing, and all the details were mentioned in a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry

Opening of Strait of Hormuz linked with Iran's desire to keep nuclear program — expert

Adnan at-Tamimi says that another reason is related to Washington's actions towards Israel and a possibility of suspending the war in Lebanon

Russia’s Andreeva advances to 2026 WTA Stuttgart semis defeating Poland’s Swiatek

The Russian is now set to play in the semifinals against the winner between the quarterfinals duel between tournament’s top-seed Yelena Rybakina from Kazakhstan and Canada’s Leylah Fernandez

Trump says may travel to Pakistan for signing agreement with Iran — agency

The US delegation to the last weekend’s round of negotiations with Iran was led by Vice President JD Vance

Trump’s post banning Israel from bombing Lebanon catches Netanyahu off guard — Axios

According to sources cited by the news outlet, Israel asked the White House for clarifications

European companies manufacturing drones for Ukrainian army: Defense Ministry report

The Russian Defense Ministry views the decisions by several European countries to supply drones to Ukraine as a deliberate move leading to an escalation of the military-political situation and a "creeping transformation" of those countries into Ukraine’s strategic support base

Nord Stream sabotage hearings begin in London

The operator Nord Stream company argues that it is entitled to an indemnity of 580 million euros from the insurer Lloyd’s of London

Ukraine imposes sanctions against 130 Russian military personnel, priests

Vladimir Zelensky regularly signs decrees on sanctions against Russian individuals and legal entities, as well as citizens of Ukraine and other countries whom Kiev accuses of cooperating with Russia

Washington, Tehran discuss exporting some of Iran's uranium to third country — media

Citing two US officials and two other sources, the report says the United States is demanding that Iran hand over "all its nuclear material"

Russia’s defense spacecraft placed in target orbit

According to the Defense Ministry, stable telemetry communication with the spacecraft has been established and maintained

Six vessels cross Strait of Hormuz on April 16

Three vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz towards the Persian Gulf and the same amount towards the Gulf of Oman

Kremlin says 'nothing to add' to statement on drones for Kiev from Russia’s top brass

In its statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said that European countries are increasing the production of drones "amid rising losses and worsening manpower shortages in the Ukrainian armed forces"

US will not pay for transfer of Iranian uranium — Trump

This deal is in no way subject to Lebanon, either, Trump added

Russian Security Council warns negotiations could mask planning for Iran strike

The Pentagon continues to increase US troop numbers in the region, the Russian Security Council said

Foreign ministers of Russia, Uzbekistan discuss measures to stimulate mutual investments

Particular attention was paid to practical implementation of agreements reached at the top level

Hormuz opening enables Iraq to export over 20 mln barrels of oil

Tehran’s decision to fully open the strait "guarantees that about twenty tankers will be able to sail from Iraq already in the near future, which are capable to transport about 23 mln barrels of oil produced in Basrah to the global market," the news portal said

Kalashnikov to unveil Skat-350M drone at exhibition in Central Asia

Director of the Kalashnikov Group Division for the Export of Drones and Loitering Munitions Leonid Rokeakh said that Central Asian countries had been displaying a steadily growing interest in the Skat-350M UAV

Trump thanks Iran for opening Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels

The US president called it the "Strait of Iran"

US-Iran talks to continue over weekend — Trump

The US president says Iran and the United States are maintaining contacts

Poland may eventually need to restore conscription — president

Karol Nawrocki noted that the security situation is changing almost every week

Britain and France to lead multinational mission in Strait of Hormuz — Starmer

According to the British PM, the mission will be strictly peaceful and defensive

Belgian defense chief says Europe cares not about Kiev's future — Russian security forces

General Frederik Vansina said earlier that the EU intended to continue the conflict in Ukraine until 2030

Russia plans to have 20 remote sensing satellites by 2022 — Roscosmos

Besides,Russia plans to start creating a national remote satellite sensing center next year

Iran, Oman may overhaul navigation rules in Hormuz — Iran’s ambassador to Turkmenistan

According to the ambassador, the regime will be based on three key provisions: ensuring sustainable maritime security, preventing military abuse of this strategic waterway, and establishing a balance between the freedom of navigation and the right for sovereignty of the coastal states

Russian MP calls on EU to heed Russia’s warnings about arms supplies to Kiev

Leonid Slutsky pointed out that Europe was not only arming the Kiev regime but also actively building up its own military potential in preparation for a conflict with Russia

Lavrov, Central Asian foreign ministers discuss cooperation, situation in Middle East

The officials also discussed the implementation of the agreements reached at the second Central Asia-Russia summit in Dushanbe in 2025, including the large-scale initiatives put forward at the summit

US extends permission for Russian oil sales despite political opposition — Russian envoy

Kirill Dmitriev also said that Russia maintained contacts with the US on economic and energy issues

EC sees 'no evidence' of strikes against Russia from EU airspace — spokeswoman

EC Spokeswoman Anitta Hipper stated that Sergey Shoigu’s remarks amounted to "misinformation" aimed at creating conditions for escalation and regional instability

Russian Security Council lists instances of Ukrainian drones using EU airspace

More than 240 drones have already been shot down over the Leningrad Region since the beginning of the year

Russia, Mongolia ink protocol on Russian aviation fuel supplies

The document stipulates provision of seamless supplies of Russian aviation fuel to Mongolia on a mutually beneficial basis

UN secretary-general announces beginning of era of multipolar world

Antonio Guterres said that it is the international law that gives countries a common language and the predictability of a common framework to resolve differences peacefully

Lebanon intends to settle border disputes with Israel — president

Joseph Aoun said the government position is to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories and the release of prisoners

US plans to engage in talks with Iran in Pakistan on Monday — media

According to a senior US administration official cited by The Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump’s team engaged in the talks are in a standby regime ahead of the negotiations

Iran does not accept temporary ceasefires with US — deputy foreign minister

Saeed Khatibzadeh added that ongoing contacts through intermediaries "are being implemented precisely for this purpose"

Russia ranks 4th in EU gas import value share in February

The United States ranked first with its LNG supplies, accounting for 30.5% and 1.8 bln euro

Russia, Libya discuss process of selecting UN’s new chief, prospects for its reforming

The sides also discussed international steps toward restoring Libya’s unity with the United Nation’s pivotal role

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

The Russian troops gained control of the settlement of Volchanskiye Khutora in the Kharkov Region and Zybino in the Kharkov Region