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EU envoys aim to unlock 90 bln euro for Kiev on April 22 — AFP

A meeting of EU foreign ministers will take place in Luxembourg, where the issue will also be discussed

BRUSSELS, April 20. /TASS/. Ambassadors of the European Union aim to unlock 90 bln euro in budgetary and military financing for Kiev for 2026–2027 on Wednesday, Agence France-Presse reported, citing a source.

On Tuesday, a meeting of EU foreign ministers will take place in Luxembourg, where the issue will also be discussed. On Wednesday, a regular meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives will be held in Brussels, bringing together ambassadors of all member states, who have the authority to approve the disbursement of these funds to Ukraine if Hungary and Slovakia lift their veto.

Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that despite his election defeat, Budapest’s position has not changed – the 90 bln euro will not be unlocked until Hungary resumes receiving Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline.

European Commission spokesman Olof Gill earlier said at a briefing in Brussels that he could not confirm whether the European Commission expects the pipeline, halted by Kiev on January 27, to resume operations on Monday or Tuesday.

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Strait of Hormuz developments

Russia ready to facilitate agreements between Iran, Gulf countries — MFA

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Dmitry Peskov noted that Moscow positively perceives the statements of Bulgaria’s future Prime Minister, Rumen Radev, about the need for pragmatic dialogue with Russia

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

US upgrading bases in Cyprus to create Middle East evacuation hub — AP

The Andreas Papandreou Air Force Base, located in the southwest of the island, will also be expanded

Seven of eight slain children in US Shreveport tragedy were shooter’s own — NYP

The gunman was identified as 31-year-old US military veteran Shamar Elkins

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The area of contamination of the Black Sea with oil products amounts to 10,000 square meters

German automakers shifting to weapons production — newspaper

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US Energy Secretary says sanctions against Russian oil will be resumed

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Magyar calls on Zelensky to stop blackmail, resume Druzhba oil flows to Hungary

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Progressive Bulgaria collation winning parliamentary elections — exit polls

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Serbian politician calls for strengthening ties with BRICS

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US offers Iran new negotiation plan through mediators — ambassador to Russia

Kazem Jalali added that Iran had developed a 10-point plan

US not serious about conflict settlement by posing threats to Iranian vessels — Araghchi

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Anglo-Saxons only understand force, forcing Iran to develop nukes — Pierre de Gaulle

The President of the Foundation for Peace and Friendship Among Peoples noted that the world is witnessing the collapse of core international laws

At least one killed, another wounded in Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Tuapse

A fire broke out at the seaport following the drone attack

US has no right to deprive Iran of chance to implement its nuclear program — president

US President Donald Trump previously said that the US and Iranian delegations had agreed on most of the problematic issues in Islamabad, but the nuclear issue remained unresolved

Russian Battlegroup West destroy 121 Ukrainian drones

The Russian military also destroyed four mortars, 19 ground robotic systems, 47 drone control stations, a Starlink terminal and two field ammunition depots

Rada lawmaker calls Zelensky 'cannibal' over plan to send Ukrainians abroad to frontlines

Vladimir Zelensky and his entourage liked "this unlimited power," Alexey Goncharenko noted

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Iran’s military deliver drone strikes on US warships in response to its vessel’s seizure

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Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik pointed out that the Kiev regime led by Vladimir Zelensky "does not comply with its social obligations pledged to the population"

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Sayyid Majid Mousavi said that "the enemy is unable to create such conditions for themselves, and they have to deliver ammunition from the other side of the world"

Relations with Putin, Europe’s reluctance to go to war: Lukashenko speaks to RT

The Belarusian leader opined that US President Donald Trump could come to Russia as a peacemaker via Belarus

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The analysts said it is clear that Western air defense doctrine which relies on fighter-interceptors and long-range systems is considerably less in line with modern realities than Russia’s multi-layered air defense system doctrine

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They were suspended from duty during the investigation

Spanish party asks government to leave NATO, break relations with Israel

Pablo Fernandez supported Madrid’s idea of suspending the EU association agreement with Israel

Russian air defense forces shoot down 274 Ukrainian UAVs over past day

Six guided aerial bombs were shot down by air defense systems

About 60 Ukrainian UAVs attack Belgorod Region over past 24 hours

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IN BRIEF: What is known about thwarted terrorist attack in Pyatigorsk

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Houthis threaten to block Bab el-Mandeb Strait if US hinders peace

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Iran must abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons, the US President noted

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The matter is under review, Esmail Baghaei said

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Kestutis Budrys hopes that one day Lithuania and Belarus will have perfect relations, after all the issues will be settled

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervises test launch of upgraded ballistic missiles

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Guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted M/V Touska as it transited the north Arabian Sea, the US Central Command said

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US, Israel suffer 'strategic defeat' in conflict — speaker of Iranian parliament

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Two civilians hurt in Ukraine’s drone attack on their car in Bryansk Region

They were taken to a hospital

Slovak PM says supports Ukraine’s accession to EU, but Kiev is not ready for that

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Air defenses down 46 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions in eight hours

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Tehran refrains from retaliation over US seizure of Iranian ship amid crew safety concerns

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China urges US to honor nuclear disarmament commitments — Chinese MFA

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