{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Mecca Pact open to all regional countries — top Turkish diplomat

Thanks to the signed agreement, the process of creating a new security and cooperation architecture in the region has begun, Hakan Fidan said

ISTANBUL, August 31. /TASS/. The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is open to all regional countries for accession, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced following the first meeting of the organization’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee in Istanbul.

"The Mecca Pact has officially been named the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. Thanks to the signed agreement, the process of creating a new security and cooperation architecture in our region has begun. The pact is open to all regional countries," Fidan said. The meeting was attended by the foreign ministers, defense ministers, and chiefs of staff of the countries that have joined the alliance.

On August 7, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif signed the Mecca Pact. It stipulates that an attack on one of the countries will be regarded as an act of aggression against all members of the alliance.

Tags

Ukrainians blame authorities for storing ammunition in residential areas — media

International human rights organizations earlier reported that Ukrainian authorities use kindergartens and residential buildings to deploy military equipment

Belgium blocks new attempt to expropriate Russian assets — minister

"This door is closed", stressed Belgian Defense and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken

Ozon sorting center comes under attack in Belgorod, several people injured

Employees were evacuated

Russia to respond to hostile actions of its opponents, including asymmetrically — Lavrov

The foreign minister said that Russia favors constructive dialogue but, if necessary, will defend "national interests by all available means"

Maduro posts photo of him in prison

Venezuelan President addressed it to his grandchildren and children

Uncrewed boat found off Turkish Samsun province coast — agency

The site has been cordoned off

US seriously considers use of nuclear weapons in Europe — Russian MFA

According to Andrey Belousov, Washington’s efforts to initiate discussions on Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons serve to divert international attention from what he described as the threat posed by US nuclear weapons stationed in Europe

EU preparations for State Duma election provocations, plans to null results — SVR

According to the intelligence service, the West has mobilized "all the ‘weapons’ from the arsenal of anti-Russian aggression" to destabilize the country ahead of the elections

Trump's 'Greenland plan' aims to bring Arctic under US control — presidential adviser

Anton Kobyakov opined that this project was an alternative to the NSR from the Pacific Ocean to the North Atlantic

At least two killed, 12 injured in Ukraine’s attack on Belgorod

A man and a 16-year old teenager were killed in the territory of an enterprise, acting governor of the Belgorod Region Alexander Shuvayev said

Two, killed, two wounded in US strike on Iran’s Larak island — agency

According to the report by Tasnim, no official comments are available at the moment

Kalashnikov to unveil model of its latest AK-12+ assault rifle at Eastern Economic Forum

The weapon will be on display in the Voin Center pavilion at the Far East Street exhibition

Kiev’s mobilization plans show Ukraine lies about battlefield losses — media

The head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office earlier said that Ukraine needed to recruit at least 30,000 people a month to maintain troop strength

Erez crossing not to be opened for deliveries to Gaza — Israeli PM’s office

Adviser Dmitri Gendelman emphasized that media reports on the matter are not true

Denmark suspends issuance of residence permits to Ukrainians of mobilization age

According to parliamentary documents, the proposal was approved by 98 votes to 11

NATO attempts to use Arctic to contain Russia — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that Russia favors constructive dialogue in all regions of the world but, when necessary, will defend its national interests "by all available means"

Woman dies in hospital after minibus runs over group of people in southern Siberia

Three children were seriously injured

Omsky-107 vessel runs ashore near Istanbul after being attacked by Ukraine — agency

According to the agency, the crew evacuated from the ship in lifeboats following the attack

Putin-Trump-Zelensky summit possible only at end of talks — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov said there have been calls for organizing a Putin-Trump-Zelensky summit for quite some time now

NATO military activities in Arctic may lead to catastrophic consequences — Lavrov

The foreign minister said NATO's Operation Arctic Sentry involves intensive military preparations in close proximity to Russia's northern borders

Press review: EU mulls Russia-linked tanker seizures as US deal opens Venezuela oil access

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 31st

EU needs Russia as ‘external enemy’ to collect more taxes — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that voters do not like this

Number of wounded in Belgorod missile attack rises to 16

Acting Governor Alexander Shuvayev reported that three more people wounded in the missile attack sought medical aid

Kiev increasingly losing on battlefield — US journalist

Russian forces continue to liberate territories, Christopher Helali said

Zaporozhye NPP unable to replenish emergency generator fuel due to Ukrainian attacks

"The plant has sufficient fuel for its diesel generators," Yevgenia Yashina added

Iranian lawmaker warns US of retaliation over Middle East escalation

Ebrahim Azizi noted that the United States will pay "a heavier price"

Georgia’s Kulevi oil refinery stops processing Russian oil

The refinery has switched to processing oil from Kazakhstan and Libya, the media outlet bm.ge reported

Gunmen tried to enter hotel housing AES parliament members — Russian ambassador

Viktor Voropayev attended a gala dinner at the hotel on the evening of August 28 for lawmakers taking part in the parliamentary session

Kiev loses 9,600 soldiers, mercenaries in special op zone last week — expert

Andrey Marochko added that over the past week, the Russian military also destroyed nearly 6,000 unmanned aerial vehicles, three uncrewed boats, three tanks, 47 field artillery guns

Pentagon chief Hegseth considers running for president — NBC

But Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s assistant for public affairs, denied this, the TV channel said

US to use Venezuelan oil to replenish its strategic reserves — Trump

The ‘topping out’ process will begin very shortly, and is a gift from Venezuela to the people of the United States, US President wrote on his Truth Social platform

All options on table to sanction China for ties with Iran — US Treasury secretary

Scott Bessent also said he would hold talks with his Chinese counterparts during the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank chiefs

EU sees no real threat of alleged Russian attack on bloc — Politico

Back in 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to "formalize an agreement on mutual non-aggression with Western countries in order to alleviate the concerns that exist in this regard"

Energy cooperation always on agenda of Russian-Chinese contacts — Kremlin

This is mutually beneficial cooperation, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said

Musk not letting Kiev use Starlink against Russia without White House’s consent — FT

According to the newspaper, the businessman explicitly stated his position in a conversation with former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fyodorov

Hundreds of Ukrainian military warehouses located in residential buildings — diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik stated that Kiev uses Ukrainians as human shields

No links between Putin’s meetings with Lukashenko to CIS chief’s visit — Kremlin

Russian-Belarusian relations constitute an absolutely different dimension, which in no way depends on contacts with the Americans, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said

FACTBOX: Russian strikes on Ukrainian logistics centers, seaports: What is known

TASS has compiled the key facts about the strikes on facilities in Ukraine.

Putin may have brief conversation with UN chief on SCO summit’s sidelines

No separate meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is planned on the sidelines of the AShanghai Cooperation Organization summit, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said

Iceland deals blow to EU’s dreams of expanding northward — news outlet

Before the referendum, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos engaged in a flurry of media activity

Moscow, Bishkek cooperate fruitfully in various areas — Russian president

"Relations between our countries are developing dynamically in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance," Vladimir Putin said

Kiev troops shell DPR 25 times in past day, civilian wounded

Six residential buildings, four civil infrastructure sites, as well as cars and trucks were damaged

Jordan intercepts eight Iranian missiles — Petra news agency

The type of the missiles is unknown

Fate of 99 people on board the vessel remains unknown — Kyrenia mayor

Mayor Murat Shenkul stated that Turkish Cypriot authorities have so far managed to contact 159 of the 258 people who were on board

Russia ready to resume Arctic Council’s work, but if partners work in good faith — Lavrov

The foreign minister said Russia is also "prepared for the scenario currently being pursued by NATO countries within the organization," implying attempts to discuss issues without its participation

Zelensky boosts peronal security — expert

"The paranoid mood of the illegitimate Ukrainian president has intensified ahead of the so-called Ukrainian Independence Day and continues to this day," Andrey Marochko

Finnish citizens outraged by their president’s policy toward Russia — politician

Armando Mema emphasized that the direction in which Stubb is leading Finland "remains uncertain and very dangerous"

MOEX Index up as morning trading session opens

As of 7:10 a.m. Moscow time the MOEX Index was up by 0.04% at 2,115.81 points

CIA chief proposes Putin-Trump-Zelensky meeting during visit to Moscow — Axios

According to the news outlet, John Ratcliffe also sought to determine whether talks with Ukraine could be resumed with US mediation

US redirected 83 ships since resuming maritime blockade of Iran

The US military also disabled three and boarded two vessels

Russia still open to talks on Ukraine, but there are no conditions for them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov commented on whether President Vladimir Putin could discuss the possibility to continue the work of negotiating groups on Ukraine in Istanbul at a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Press review: CIA chief's Moscow visit raises questions as Russia warns UK of retaliation

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, August 28th

Kiev finds it increasingly difficult to protect its energy, military facilities — governor

Kherson Region Governor Vladimir Saldo sees Mikhail Fyodorov’s proposal to the Americans as a piece of creative bargaining to get new weapons deliveries and investments

Bank of Russia projects key rate at 14.5-14.6% in 2026 under baseline scenario

The key rate is projected at 10.5-12.5% in 2027

Kiev reluctant to engage in true settlement — Kremlin spokesman

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov commented a proposal to organize a trilateral meeting between Putin, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Zelensky

Man hijacks plane in Hungary, directs it toward Paks NPP — media

After being intercepted, the plane crashed onto a sunflower field

Putin to hold meeting on Far East’s development on sidelines of Eastern Economic Forum

Before attending the Eastern Economic Forum, Russian president will pay a visit to Kyrgyzstan, which will host a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit

US sole factor destabilizing Strait of Hormuz — Iranian Foreign Ministry

The Iranian Foreign Ministry added it will respond to all US actions with "a crushing blow"

Iran’s supreme leader calls on all Muslim countries to stand up to US

Mojtaba Khamenei pointed out that the US and Israel are at war not only with Iran and its regional allies, but also with all Muslims, "including the peoples of West Asia and North Africa"

Russian forces liberate Rubezhnoye, Novoandreyevka, take control of Khrapovshchina

Russian forces also struck Ukrainian fuel and energy facilities and logistics centers used by Ukrainian forces over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said

Putin to lay out Russia’s position on referendum on EU to Armenian PM — Kremlin

Each top-level contact is important, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said

Kiev doing everything possible to deteriorate situation at Zaporozhye NPP — Rosatom

Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said that ongoing shelling of the access roads makes delivering fuel for the backup diesel generators extremely dangerous

Russia readies to strike Ukraine’s energy sites to retaliate attacks on its infrastructure

At the same time, Russian servicemen continued to launch coordinated strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities that support the Ukrainian military overnight, the ministry emphasized

Death toll from northern Nepal flooding exceeds 900

Nearly 4,200 people, including 592 foreign nationals, remain missing

IRGC says supertanker hits mines in Strait of Hormuz — agency

The vessel attempted to use an "illegal route" in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz

Tokayev appoints Karin as Kazakhstan’s vice president, Bektenov as prime minister

Erlan Karin previously served as the first deputy head of the presidential administration, and before the new constitution took effect, he was state counsellor

Iceland’s current government not to initiate EU accession talks — PM

Kristrun Frostadottir said a referendum on resuming the negotiations cannot be held "every one or two years"

Ukraine’s defeat drawing nearer every day; Kiev understands this — Kremlin

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that the Kiev regime is receiving and will continue to receive"an even more than adequate response" to its attacks on civilian sectors of the Russian economy

Northern Fleet task force departs on long Arctic mission

The fleet will practice measures to ensure safety of Russian navigation via the Northern Sea Route, Captain 2nd Rank Alexander Zinovyev said

Putin begins long, busy trip — Kremlin spokesman

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit will be held in Bishkek on August 31 and September 1

Putin proposes making Russia-China visa-free regime permanent

The Russian president noted that visa-free travel had helped increase tourist flows between the countries

Putin to travel to Bishkek to attend SCO summit

The Russian leader’s schedule includes attending the SCO Council of Heads of States, a meeting in the SCO+ format, and bilateral talks with his counterparts

Angelina Jolie arrives in Ukraine — news agency

According to UNIAN news agency, the actress visited Lvov and Ternopol

US strikes two missile launchers on Iran’s Larak island — media

According to a US official cited by Axios correspondent Barak Ravid, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were seen preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s IRGC reports destroying US fighter jet deployment sites in Jordan — Tasnim

Earlier, it was reported that a series of explosions was heard on Jordan’s territory

Iran’s Fars news agency reports about explosions in Jordan

No other details are known at this point

Russia advancing along entire frontline in special op’s zone — Kremlin spokesman

The dynamic is absolutely positive for Russia, Dmitry Peskov said

Kazakhstan’s parliament votes to appoint Karin as vice president

Erlan Karin’s candidacy, proposed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, was supported by 141 of the 145 deputies present

US is unlikely to achieve quick military victory in Iran — newspaper

According to The New York Times, airstrikes have not helped Washington accomplish its goals

Warehouse fires, damage to energy facility: situation in Ukraine

An energy facility was damaged in the Chernigov Region in northern Ukraine, regional administration head Vyacheslav Chaus said

Putin briefed on CIA director visit’s results — Kremlin spokesman

John Ratcliffe arrived in Russia on August 25

Special op, security in Europe more important for Russia than ties with overseas countries

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told this Vesti host Pavel Zarubin

Anthropologists to carry out genetic test of Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy’s relics

Deputy Director General for Research at the Moscow Kremlin Museums Andrey Batalov said that the age of the person and the grand prince matched

Blocking extradition of Ukrainian to prove Kiev’s fault in Nord Stream sabotage — lawmaker

According to Steffen Kotre, the Ukrainian military "does not have carte blanche to sabotage German or European energy infrastructure"

Without additional $6.75 billion, Ukraine unable to pay its military

Maintaining combat operations at the current level will require around $20 billion

Russia begins mass production of Volna Kupol Garant EW system — defense source

According to the source, the Volna has become a factor affecting not only the special military operation zone, but also having global influence

US maintains plan for expansion in Indian Ocean despite setback in Iran — Kobyakov

According to Anton Kobyakov, Russia's opponents are developing a concept to create a unified region around the Indian Ocean, linked by some sort of free trade zone, in order to advance bloc-based military and political interests

No restrictions on air traffic in Gulf countries imposed — air traffic controllers

Earlier in the day, Iran’s missile attack on US ships in the Strait of Hormuz was reported

Six drones taken down while approaching Moscow — mayor

Sergey Sobyanin says first responders are working on the crash site

US convinced that Iceland referendum results to have no effect on NATO membership

Department of State spokesman Tommy Pigott said that the US is looking forward "to strengthening our partnership with Iceland on all fronts"

Russia’s Alexandrova, Medvedev advance to second round of US Open

The players defeated McCartney Kessler and Hugo Gaston respectively

241 people saved from sunken vessel off northern Cyprus — authorities

The search for 18 more continues

Impact of Russia’s strikes on Ukrainian army’s infrastructure visible — Kremlin spokesman

Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stressed that Russia is targeting only military facilities

Putin says Russia holds world's second-largest coal reserves

The Russian leader noted that coke, iron ore, and other minerals remain one of the foundations of the national economy today

Russia has good prospects for cooperating with BRICS partners in Far North — Lavrov

The foreign minister added that Russia is also ready to develop cooperation in the Arctic with Belarus and other partners and allies in the CIS

Russia’s Ivan Papanin patrol ship can break through solid ice up to 1.7 m thick — captain

Kirill Tkachenko emphasized that the ship is capable of handling even thicker ice

Ukrainian interceptor drones powerless against new Russian jet-powered UAVs — newspaper

Welt TV correspondent Christoph Wanner stated that Ukraine "has not yet kept pace with the development of these technologies for its own interceptor drones," and "the problems are now evident"

FACTBOX: 239 drones downed, Ukrainian strikes on homes, logistics center in Yekaterinburg

Air defenses destroyed 12 Ukrainian drones over the Voronezh Region during the night, Governor Alexander Gusev said

US to impose sanctions on Iran every week — Treasury secretary

Scott Bessent added that banks cooperating with Iran will be the first target

Number of AI agents going out of control peaks in July — British newspaper

The study notes that the number of such incidents nearly doubled compared to the previous month

Tanker struck by projectile off Oman — UKMTO

No casualties or environmental impact are reported at this time