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Former French PM Jean-Marc Ayrault appointed foreign minister

Newly appointed French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault may represent his country at the Munich Security Conference instead of Laurent Fabius

Jean-Marc Ayrault EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT

Jean-Marc Ayrault

© EPA/ETIENNE LAURENT

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French Foreign Minister Fabius confirms plans to leave office

PARIS, February 11. /TASS/. Former French prime minister Jean-March Ayrault has been appointed the country’s foreign minister to replace Laurent Fabius, the Elysees Palace said on Thursday.

Newly appointed French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault may represent his country at the Munich Security Conference instead of Laurent Fabius, a French diplomatic source told TASS on Thursday.

"Mr. Ayrault will take office tomorrow. He may come to the Munich conference," the source said, adding that other diplomat could represent France if Ayrault is unable to come.

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"

Ukraine needs to make 'painful concessions' to achieve peace — Czech president

Petr Pavel did not say which concessions he was referring to

South Africa's largest game reserve closed due to flooding

Heavy rainfall has been battering the north and east of South Africa for the second week

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

Venezuela will defend its economic rights, develop production — Rodriguez

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

India’s IIT Madras researchers develop innovative ramjet-propelled artillery shells

According to the institute’s press release, the new 155mm ammunition will significantly enhance the Indian Army’s firepower

Degradation of international situation, security architecture: Putin's statements

The Russian president pointed out that Russia was "sincerely committed to the ideals of a multipolar world"

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

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,345 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

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

Syrian army has launched retaliatory operation against Kurdish fighters in Aleppo province

The strikes will target facilities used by the Kurdish coalition and its allies as military bases

London is again trying to boost its authority at Kiev’s expense — senior legislator

"London seems to have entered the race for dominance within the 'warmongers’ camp,' effectively closing the 'window of opportunity' for Europe to reclaim its sovereignty," Leonid Slutsky 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

Driverless truck fleet in Russia to reach 920 units by end of 2028

To date, 95 vehicles were manufactured, which are engaged in commercial transportation on M-11 Neva highway and the Central Ring Road

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

Russian paratroopers advancing in four localities in Zaporozhye Region — governor

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

Russian troops gain foothold on western bank of Gaichur River — top brass

As a result of the offensive, Battlegroup East units crushed the enemy defense, liberating an area of over 6 square kilometers

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

Dmitry Peskov noted that it was necessary to talk to Russia

Russia needs sovereign AI technologies — Putin

The plan of their creation and rollout will be discussed shortly with participation of domestic high-technology business, Putin added

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"

Gazprom notes active gas withdrawal from Ukrainian underground storage facilities

Gas reserves in the sole underground gas storage of the Baltic States dropped below 40% on January 15, the Russian gas major added

Peace in Ukraine unlikely in 2026 — Ukrainian politician

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

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 questions expediency of Kiev support amid evidence of Nord Stream involvement

Der Spiegel reported on Thursday that the German Federal Supreme Court considers it "highly likely" that the explosions were carried out "on the orders of a foreign state"

German court believes Nord Stream explosions were ordered by Ukraine — media

Germany's Federal Court of Justice ruled that Sergey K. should remain in custody

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

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

Danish, French aircraft conduct training flights in Southeast Greenland

The Danish armed forces reported expanding their presence and continuing exercises in Greenland in close cooperation with NATO allies

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

Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland should join the US

Trump threatens countries opposing US plans on Greenland with tariffs

The United States needs Greenland for national security, the US president noted

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

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

US military operation in Venezuela kills 83 people, defense chief says

32 Cuban comrades were among those 83 killed, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said

Ukraine shelled Kursk Region 38 times over past day

As a result of explosive devices being dropped from drones, the facade and glazing of two private houses and two cars were damaged in the khutor of Aleksandrovka, Rylsky district

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

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

Russian troops liberating Zhovtnevoye straighten frontline at Orekhovo — DPR official

Igor Kimakovsky called Orekhovo one of the largest enemy hubs in this section of the front

Putin said he was impressed by specimens of driverless systems

Issues of accelerated development of the national industry of driverless and autonomous technologies are on the meeting agenda, the president said

Armenian court rules to return Karapetyan to house arrest — lawyer

After a 14-hour session, the judge ruled that "detention as a preventive measure cannot be maintained

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"

Russia to present over 200 military products at exhibition in UAE

Rosoboronexport is the organizer of the Russian exhibit

Witkoff announces US demands for Iran on diplomatic settlement

The US Special Presidential Envoy mentioned nuclear enrichment as one of four issues

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

Brazil's defense ministry calling for stronger air defenses after US strikes on Venezuela

The military commander also noted the need to modernize the helicopter fleet and purchase reconnaissance and attack drones

Flights from Russia to Malaysia planned to launch in 2026 — minister

Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin didn't specify which routes there will be the launch of flights

Rodriguez’s envoy visits US for high-level meetings — WP

According to the newspaper, Felix Plasencia, who previously served as the Bolivarian republic’s foreign minister, has visited Washington for consultations with senior US officials

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

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

WhatsApp to be completely blocked in Russia this year — lawmaker

Andrey Svintsov said this is because WhatsApp is owned by Meta, recognized as the extremist company in Russia

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

Driverless systems to substitute low-skilled labor — Putin

Growth of labor productivity, increase of quality of life of people are meant, Putin noted

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"

Cuban officer downs US helicopter during US operation in Caracas — Cuban president

Cuban servicemen offered fierce resistance to the prevailing enemy, Miguel Diaz-Canel said

BRICS naval maneuvers finish in South Africa

Operational command of the drill was carried out by the Chinese Navy

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"

Russia must move quicker from testing to rollout of autonomous systems — Putin

The Russian leader drew attention of meeting participants and all the colleagues in the government to this

Trump feels ‘empowered’ after Venezuela operation — WSJ

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

Trump declares readiness to end ninth war, conflict in Yemen

Donald Trump previously claimed that the US had stopped eight wars since his return to the White House

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

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

Stoltenberg does not rule out possibility of US leaving NATO

The former secretary general believes that NATO must take measures to preserve the transatlantic alliance "regardless of whether the United States remains an active ally in NATO or not"

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

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

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

IAEA announces localized ceasefire for repairs on power line to Zaporozhye nuke plant

This will enable repairs to begin on the last remaining backup power line to the ZNPP

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"

More than half of Americans assess Trump’s first year in office negatively

55% of those polled think that Donald Trump’s policy has worsened the economic situation in the country

Russian foreign ministry advises Russian citizens not to travel to Moldova

"Moscow continues to record numerous episodes of discrimination, ungrounded harassment and undue treatment of Russian citizens in Moldova by the Moldovan authorities," the ministry said

Ninety-nine Ukrainian drones downed over Russian regions overnight

29 of them were destroyed over the Belgorod Region

US, Ukraine 'not on same page' on some issues in peace talks — Zelensky

Vladimir Zelensky continues to insist that Ukraine field 800,000 soldiers while admitting that Kiev cannot afford such an army

FACTBOX: What is known about undercover British intelligence officer exposed in Moscow

Russia’s Federal Security Service stated that the British intelligence officer working undercover at the embassy is being expelled from the country

Moldovan PM says would vote for unifying with Romania

Numerous political parties in Moldova have for decades been advancing the idea of unification with Romania

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 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"

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

"BRICS has no mechanisms," Karin Kneissl noted

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

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

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

‘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

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 lags behind some countries in terms of autonomous transport — Putin

"Certain countries have reached full sovereignty in producing all the components for autonomous equipment," the head of state noted

Trump says no one convinced him not to strike Iran

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. Authorities reported the deaths of 40 law enforcement officers

UK marines in Norway conduct exercises to prepare for NATO-Russia conflict — newspaper

According to the report, the number of personnel at the base is expected to reach 1,500 by spring 2026 and increase to 2,000 by 2027

New ranking shows where Russian students want to work

The IT industry remains the top choice among young people

French politician labels Ukrainian actions in Donbass as genocide

Fabrice Sorlin said he had been regularly visiting Donbass for humanitarian purposes since 2017

Trump claims Iran has canceled 800 scheduled hangings

Unrest in Iran began on December 29 after street protests triggered by a sharp fall in the Iranian rial exchange rate

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"

FSB prevents preparation of terrorist attacks in Khabarovsk Region, Kabardino-Balkaria

According to the FSB, a citizen of a Central Asian country, born in 1995, planning to set fire to a government building in Khabarovsk, and a local teenager, born in 2009, planning an attack on police in Nalchik, were detained

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

Russian troops liberating Zakotnoye expand zone of control southeast of Krasny Liman

This will speed up the formation of the southern flank, Igor Kimakovsky noted

Dmitriev calls Canada 52nd state of US

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

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"

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"

Introduction of driverless solutions is necessity, not fashion — Putin

Bringing autonomous driverless solutions into life is certainly not the fashion, Putin stressed

Relocation of major transport companies to regions discussed — Transport Ministry

No specific decisions have been made so far, Andrey Nikitin 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"

Azerbaijan has begun gas supplies to Austria and Germany — SOCAR

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic did not disclose the timing or volume of deliveries

Artist's Day to be celebrated in Russia for first time

The initiative to hold this professional holiday has been put forward by Chairman of Russia’s Union of Theatre Workers and People's Artist of Russia Vladimir Mashkov

Venezuela not humiliated by US military aggression, defense chief says

Vladimir Padrino Lopez emphasized that the honor of Venezuela’s national armed forces "remains unwavering"

Situation in Middle East: Putin holds telephone talks with Netanyahu, Pezeshkian

The Russian president confirmed the readiness of the Russian side to "continue appropriate mediation efforts and foster constructive dialogue with the participation of all interested states"

Argentine microsatellite to be launched into space along with NASA's lunar mission

The microsatellite will be deployed 70,000 kilometers from Earth

Putin, Netanyahu discuss situation surrounding Iran — Kremlin

The Russian president outlined fundamental approaches favoring the intensification of political and diplomatic efforts to ensure stability and security in the region

Syrian president issues decree protecting Kurds’ rights

The Kurdish language is recognized as official and can be taught at schools in Kurdish-populated areas