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Developments in eastern Ukraine

German, French leaders to meet with Ukrainian president in Berlin

According to German government spokeswoman Christiane Wirtz, this should be not be interpreted as a change of the Normandy format

BERLIN/MOSCOW, August 24. /TASS/. Against the backdrop of new tensions in Donbass, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will on Monday receive French President Francois Hollande and they will later be joined by Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko, the German government reported.

The meeting is to be followed by a news conference.

According to German government spokeswoman Christiane Wirtz, this should be not be interpreted as a change of the Normandy format (Russia, France, Germany, Ukraine).

"The meeting will be held in a trilateral format, but it does not mean establishment of a new form of dialogue," Wirtz said.

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Eastern Ukraine

Voting at Portugal’s presidential election over

As many as 11 candidates, ten men and one woman, are vying for the office

IN BRIEF: Threats to 'abduct' Putin,' Greenland: statements by Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova said all issues around Greenland should be resolved within the framework of international law

Merz calls Russia 'European country,' hopes to achieve balance in relations

The Chancellor said his comment was not because he was in the east of Germany

Russia and Saudi Arabia plan to expand air service

According to the minister, Oman Air also plans this year to increase the number of flights to Moscow and to expand the geography of its services to St. Petersburg, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, and Sochi

Syrian army enters Tabqa, where Euphrates hydroelectric power station located

The Euphrates hydroelectric power station is located there

EU elites use Ukraine conflict to siphon off support funds — Saldo

The governor added that European Union leaders understand this and therefore are doing everything they can to ensure that the conflict continues

Bundeswehr servicemen suddenly ordered to leave Greenland — Bild

According to the outlet, 15 soldiers and officers led by Admiral Stefan Pauli are already at the airport in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, and are due to depart on an Icelandair flight

Trump says to sue JPMorgan Chase bank

It closed US president's accounts after the Capitol was stormed on January 6, 2021

Press review: Russia to respond to EU army plans while Ukraine's ex-PM charged for bribery

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, January 15th

Italy arrests vessel carrying metal for alleged violation of anti-Russian sanctions

A vessel flying the flag of a small island state from Oceania with a cargo of more than 33,000 tons of ferrous metals allegedly stayed in the port of Novorossiysk

Liberation of Zakontoye will secure safety of citizens of LPR — military expert

Scattered detachments of the Ukrainian army are currently still attempting to withdraw from the south of this town, Andrey Marochko said

Ukraine’s entry ‘to blow up’ EU budget — newspaper

According to Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Ukraine's GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power "is only about half that of Bulgaria, which is currently the poorest EU nation"

Bundeswehr says task within mission to Greenland fulfilled

Lt. Col. Peter Milevchuk, a spokesman for the German mission, described cooperation with the Danish military as "very positive and constructive"

Kalashnikov uniforms to be 100% Russian-sourced by 2027

Localization is going very well, CEO Alan Lushnikov said

Russian troops destroy Ukrainian army’s HIMARS system that attacked civilian facilities

The Ukrainian army’s HIMARS MLRS was completely destroyed together with its crew as a result of prompt and well-coordinated operations by the teams of reconnaissance and strike UAV operators

Air defense systems shot down 63 Ukrainian UAVs overnight over Russian regions

23 of them were destroyed over the Belgorod region

Trump invites Hungary to join Board of Peace for Gaza — PM

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said earlier that Orban had accepted Trump’s invitation to join the Board of Peace

Trump's tariffs over Greenland to undermine US-European relations — von der Leyen

Head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that "Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty"

Iranian foreign ministry blames US, Israel for organizing riots

Unrest in Iran began on December 29 after street protests triggered by a sharp fall in the Iranian rial exchange rate, and spread to most major cities

Almost 50% of Germans support boycott of FIFA World Cup if US seizes Greenland — poll

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the US, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19

Damage to Germany from new US tariffs may reach up to 15 bln euro per year — Bild

The outlet recalled that the German economy has already suffered losses from a previously imposed 15% tariff by Washington

New Ukrainian defense minister shows no sign of thinking about peace — senator

Konstantin Basyuk, deputy head of the Federation Council’s Committee for Defense and Security, said, that Ukraine has the motivation and willingness to wage an armed conflict "to the end"

Russian ombudsman calls resumption of prisoners of war swap with Ukraine priority

Tatyana Moskalkova said it is currently difficult to talk about the possible timing of the exchanges, or the number of prisoners

Timoshenko to be imprisoned if doesn't post bail within five days

During the court hearings held earlier in the day, Yulia Timoshenko claimed that she doesn’t have the required sum of money

Battlegroup South destroyed 6 deployment points, 36 bunkers of Kiev forces

Five enemy drones were shot down

Time in special military operation works in Russia’s favor — Medvedchuk

Ex-leader of the banned Opposition Platform - for Life party noted that "there are ongoing contacts with the US, and Europe is already looking for ways to resume engagement with Russia"

Trump explains his claims for Greenland by US subsidies to EU countries

American President added that "China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it"

Settlements of Privolye in DPR, Priluki in Zaporozhye Region liberated — top brass

TASS has compiled the main information about the situation in the special military operation zone over the past 24 hours

Trump demands $1 bln from countries for permanent seats on Gaza Peace Council — Bloomberg

The US President will decide who exactly to invite to join the "Peace Council," the news agency said

EU may influence Trump on Greenland by threatening to remove US bases — The Economist

According to the magazine, it will be extremely difficult for Washington to project its military power into Africa and the Middle East without access to European military bases

Senior Russian legislator slams US fund's suit for 'tsarist debts' as legal aggression

Previously, Noble Capital RSD initiated legal proceedings demanding $225.8 billion based on alleged obligations under sovereign bonds issued during the Russian Empire

Kallas calls on US not to be distracted by Greenland from Ukrainian crisis

According to European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, China and Russia are the ones who benefit from Donald Trump’s announcement on introduction of duties on imports of goods from eight European countries

Estonia plans to take part in drills in Greenland, despite Trump’s threats — minister

According to Hanno Pevkur, Estonia has not yet sent its soldiers to Greenland and is looking at "technical details" of this process

Only UN-led external administration can save Ukraine — Medvedchuk

According to the head of the Other Ukraine movement, in line with international practice, a temporary administration should assume responsibility for organizing and conducting fair and democratic elections for the president of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada, and local self-government bodies

Carney accepts Trump’s offer to join Peace Council on Gaza — newspaper

According to a statement released by the White House, the Peace Council chaired by US President Donald Trump will include his special representative Steve Witkoff, entrepreneur and son-in-law of the American leader Jared Kushner, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, owner of investment company Apollo Global Management Mark Rowan, head of the World Bank Ajay Banga and Trump's deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel

Portugal holds presidential elections on Sunday

10 men and 1 woman are vying for the highest state office

Washington supports Damascus stance on steps against Kurdish coalition — Syrian MFA

According to the Syrian Foreign Ministry, the goal of the military operation is to create conditions under which the Kurdish coalition will fulfill its obligations under the March 10 agreement

Kremlin welcomes signals from Rome, Paris, Berlin regarding dialogue with Moscow

Dmitry Peskov noted that it was necessary to talk to Russia

Finland opens probe into three German snow trekkers who trespassed border into Russia

According to the Finnish Border Guard, the adventurists crossed the border in Paljakka in northeastern Finland’s Kuusamo "out of curiosity"

EU, Mercosur sign free trade agreement, which provoked protests

According to European Commissioner for Trade and Interinstitutional Relations Maros Sefcovic, this agreement will create one of the largest free trade zones in the world, with over 700,000 people living in its territory

Trump claims time ripe ‘to look for new leadership’ in Iran

According to the US President, the authorities of the Islamic republic are responsible for "the complete destruction of the country and the use of violence at levels never seen before"

Putin to hold international contacts during upcoming week

A meeting with members of the government is also scheduled

EU unable to rebuff US on Greenland as long as it remains hostile towards Russia — expert

Director of the Eurasia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft Dr Anatol Lieven also compared Donald Trump's statements on Saturday to the diplomatic note militaristic Japan delivered to the United States in December 1941

Trump was prepared to strike Iran but changed decision due to multiple objections — WSJ

The sources told The Wall Street Journal that Arab countries explained to Washington the timing for any potential strikes was inappropriate, citing Iran’s instability, the protests largely having been suppressed and unclear opposition leadership in case of regime change

Trump's action regarding Greenland will destroy NATO — former CIA officer

Larry Johnson opined that Donald Trump is quite serious about the island

UK rejects French, Italian calls to restore diplomatic ties with Russia — newspaper

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said London needs "evidence" that Moscow "actually wants peace"

Trump feels ‘empowered’ after Venezuela operation — WSJ

According to the newspaper, the Trump administration’s aggressive policy has negatively impacted Trump’s approval ratings

Ukraine loses around 1,210 troops across all directions of special military operation

Russian forces also carried out strikes on facilities assembling unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as on energy and transport sites operating in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Blackout in Kiev to hurt Ukraine’s combat capability — Medvedchuk

The ex-leader of the banned Opposition Platform - for Life party said that today Vladimir Zelensky is more busy confronting Kiev mayor Vitaly Klitschko than assessing the situation in the country and caring for the citizens

Air defense forces down 220 Ukrainian UAVs in past 24 hours

At the same time, seven unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down over North Ossetia, and relevant agencies are working at the scene, regional head Sergey Menyailo said on his Telegram channel

US commercial satellites surveyed Russia’s Engels airstrip ahead of Kiev’s strike attempt

Earlier, it was reported that, on Monday morning, Kiev attempted to strike the two airstrips with Soviet-made jet drones in order to disable Russian long-range aviation planes

German authorities must talk to Russia — AfD co-chair

On January 14, speaking at a New Year’s reception for business representatives in Halle, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called Russia a "European country" and expressed hope for achieving a balance in relations with its "the largest European neighbor"

Russian forces is 30 km from Slavyansk — DPR head

According to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, fierce fighting continues near the settlements of Grishino and Beletskoye

Hungary says ‘no’ to Ukraine’s accession to EU — top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto recalled that under the Treaty on European Union, new members can be admitted to the community only on a consensus basis, hence, this cannot be done without Hungary’s consent

Europe to respond to US duties related to Greenland — Macron

According to the French president, Paris will join the military exercises in Greenland based on its commitment to the sovereignty of states in Europe and the United Nations

Battlegroup West repelled a counterattack by Kiev forces brigade in Kupyansk direction

Russian servicemen also destroyed 53 UAV control centers

Dmitriev calls on EU 'not to provoke Daddy,' recall soldiers from Greenland

Russia’s president special Representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries said that the EU should return the soldiers sent to Greenland

Western Europe prepares for war with Russia — Orban

In confirmation of this, the Hungarian prime minister said that recent meetings of the EU leaders "have turned into military councils" where the issue of "how to defeat Russia" is discussed

World heading toward chaos due to West's actions — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed to "the West’s destructive activities, both in its own countries and abroad, aimed at dismantling the basic principles of morality"

Swedish PM says blackmail in situation with Greenland inadmissible

Sweden is currently in intensive negotiations with other EU countries, Norway and the UK on a joint response, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said

All districts in Kupyansk controlled by Russian troops — Battlegroup West

Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov listened to the report of the battlegroup commander and inquired about the situation around Kupyansk

Denmark surprised by Trump’s threat to impose duties — Foreign Minister

Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Denmark and its NATO allies had sent military personnel to Greenland "to increase security in the Arctic"

Russia and US have not halted Ukraine talks — Medvedchuk

On January 15, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that dialogue with US negotiators is ongoing

Russian troops successfully advanced on the outskirts of Kupyansk over past week — expert

Military expert Andrey Marochko noted that while the Ukrainian armed forces are unsuccessfully trying to recapture Kupyansk, Russian forces are advancing in other areas of the Kharkov region

British PM calls Trump's planned duties completely erroneous

Keir Starmer stressed that Europeans will be pursuing this directly with the US administration

French politician calls for resuming dialogue with Russia, lifting sanctions

According to Florian Philippot, each European country must "restore its own independence and defend its own national interests" as the European Union actions only lead from one crisis to another

Zelensky not to allow Ukrainians living in Russia to vote — Medvedchuk

In Kiev, they are again feeding everyone empty promises, the ex-leader of the banned Opposition Platform — for Life party said

France has real opportunity to leave NATO — newspaper

According to the newspaper, the discussion about France's withdrawal from NATO acquired new relevance thanks to the conscious decision of the US to officially return to an overt imperial policy

US to remain in NATO — treasury secretary

When asked what is more essential for the US national security, NATO or Greenland, Scott Bessent said, "Both"

Leading faction in European Parliament wants to put on hold zero tariffs on US products

"The EPP is in favor of the EU-U.S. trade deal, but given Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage," head of the European People's Party Manfred Weber said

Kiev insists on unacceptable terms for exchange of Kursk Region residents — ombudsman

Tatyana Moskalkova explained that the residents of the Kursk Region remain hostages of Ukraine, which prohibits them from leaving their temporary accommodations

Attempt to 'kidnap' Putin fraught with disastrous outcome for initiator — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova referred to a comment by Defense Secretary John Healy during his January 9 visit to Kiev, where he said that he would like to kidnap Putin to "bring the Russian president to justice"

Europe turns to Russia talks after realizing it’s being sidelined — Medvedchuk

Medvedchuk stressed that the principle behind the Ukrainian conflict is not a secret to anyone

Russian oil tankers in crosshairs of West, legal blocking of Baltic Sea impossible — envoy

Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin emphasized that international law guarantees unimpeded passage of ships through the Baltic straits

West to recognize sooner or later that Russia defended Donbass in 2022 — politician

Fabrice Sorlin stressed that the truth will always prevail

Venezuela will defend its economic rights, develop production — Rodriguez

A national committee will be created for this purpose, Venezuela’s authorized President said

Dmitriev calls Canada 52nd state of US

The Russian special presidential envoy noted that Greenland would be the 51st state

US needs Greenland for effective use of Golden Dome missile defense system — Trump

The US leader noted that "highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it"

European diplomacy is impotent, there is no one to talk to Russia — Medvedchuk

According to the head of the Other Ukraine movement, the arrogance with which Europe spoke to the rest of the world has already cost it dearly

Russian paratroopers advancing in four localities in Zaporozhye Region — governor

The fighting is heavy, but Russian soldiers are confidently advancing, Yevgeny Balitsky said

Hezbollah demands Lebanese government fire foreign minister

He is pushing the country towards civil war, Secretary General of the Shiite Hezbollah movement, Sheikh Naim Qassem said

Canada’s prime minister recalls NATO Article Five amid US plans regarding Greenland

Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland should join the US

Trump invites Erdogan to join ‘Peace Council’ on Gaza as co-founder

The US President sent a letter to his Turkish counterpart оn January 16, 2026

Japan’s prime minister conveyed to Putin that ties with Moscow matter to Tokyo

Expert Masaru Sato believes the message was conveyed to Putin after the Japanese lawmaker passed it on to Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council, whom he met on December 26

Over 50 mosques burned in Iran during protests — embassy in Russia

According to the embassy, there were also killings of the wounded

Press review: Trump pressures Denmark as US business signals Arctic ties with Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, January 16th

Russian analog of Starlink to begin serial production in 2026 — Roscosmos CEO

He added that by 2027, an orbital constellation of more than 300 satellites will be deployed

AfD leader calls for recognizing reality in Ukraine, pointing to Russian successes

Tino Chrupalla noted the need for a compromise to resolve the conflict in Ukraine

Terms of deal on NIS to be referred to US Treasury Department by January 23 — Vucic

The main provisions of the future contract are a clear definition of ownership rights, the structure of the future company, the percentage of shares, each company's share, the Serbian President said

EU leaders tell Europeans fairy tales about Ukrainian victory — Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban stressed that the calculations of European politicians advocating the continuation of military action against Russia "do not correspond to reality"

FACTBOX: Who is running in the Russian presidential election

Four candidates will vie for the top office

Ex-top Austrian diplomat reveals what BRICS needs to do to counter US policies

"BRICS has no mechanisms," Karin Kneissl noted

At least two killed, ten wounded after shelling attack by Kurds — agency

According to SANA, at least ten civilians were wounded

Pink Floyd founder Waters confesses now he has more respect for Putin — Daily Telegraph

France deploys troops to Ukraine as instructors back in 2022 — politician

International Russophile Movement Vice President Fabrice Sorlin noted that Paris has retreated from its historical role as peacemaker

Zelensky to prevaricate not to hold elections, not lose power — Medvedchuk

The ex-leader of the banned Opposition Platform — for Life party said that to hold elections and recognize their results as legitimate, it is not enough to allow all Ukrainian citizens to vote, including those who are currently in Russia, it is also necessary to bring Ukrainian legislation into line with the constitution, repeal anti-Russian laws and decrees, and return their legitimate rights to Ukrainian citizens

Russia capable of persuading NATO countries to abandon provocations in Baltic region

Russian Ambassador to Denmark Vladimir Barbin emphasized that "Russia will not allow navigation in the Baltic Sea to be regulated according to NATO and the European Union's model"

Stoltenberg calls on Western countries to engage in dialogue with Russia

Former NATO Secretary General stressed that this is necessary, among other things, for the discussion of arms control

‘Hawks’ in Kiev, Europe want continuation of Russia-Ukraine conflict — Kherson Governor

He noted that Western ideologues contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the conflict in Ukraine is needed, among other things, to prevent Russia from becoming stronger and restoring its historical territories

Peace in Ukraine unlikely in 2026 — Ukrainian politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, peace in Ukraine cannot be viewed solely within Ukrainian realities

Trump invites Lula da Silva to become one of the founders of Gaza Peace Council

The invitation letter was sent by the White House to the Brazilian President through Brazil’s embassy in Washington