31 Mar, 15:19

Trump questions US military presence in Africa — report

The media reported earlier that the Trump administration is considering a slew of measures to cut spending and shift focus to the Indo-Pacific region and rivalry with China

HARARE, March 31. /TASS/. The US Africa Command has found itself on the spot as US President Donald Trump doubts the need for the Pentagon to maintain military presence in Africa, according to the Africa Report.

"US Africa Command is in the hot seat on Capitol Hill as MAGA questions the value of military intervention in Africa," the report said. "Head of AFRICOM General Michael Langley is expected to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, April 3, in the first of several hearings before Department of Defense overseers and military spending appropriators over the next several weeks."

NBC News reported on March 18 that the Trump administration is considering a slew of measures to cut spending and shift focus to the Indo-Pacific region and rivalry with China, including the possibility of folding AFRICOM and the US European Command into a single unit headquartered in Stuttgart.

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Middle East conflict

Israel launches ground operation in northern Gaza Strip

During and prior to the activity, IDF troops are allowing the evacuation of civilians from the combat zone via organized routes for their safety, the statement says

Yesterday, 18:05

Google subsidiary reports profits in Russia first time since 2020

No revenue data are available for 2023 or 2024

Yesterday, 20:26

Russian diplomat slams lack of reaction from OHCHR to killings of journalists

The Russian envoy pointed out that on April 2, he "sent Mr. Turk an official letter," in which he "once again described in detail the attacks by the Ukrainian armed forces on our correspondents"

26 May 2023, 09:50

Hypersonic weapons vital but tanks, artillery needed to retain territory, says Medvedev

"We had to catch up with the production of drones and build up their output," the politician said

Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq slump in biggest one-day decline since 2020 — report

The hardest hit were companies relying on international supply chains

Russia never advocated for deterioration of relations with Finland — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that Russia has been always standing "for the maintenance and development of good mutually beneficial relations based on the mutual respect"

Yesterday, 22:00

Dates of new round of Russia-US talks to be set soon — Dmitriev

This dialogue will continue, Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO and special presidential envoy emphasized

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: Russia, US prepare for further talks as EU boosts defense with 800 bln euro

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 3rd

US administration acts constructively, respectfully in dialogue with Russia — Dmitriev

Is positive momentum in relations. It will take some more meetings, Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO and special presidential envoy said

Yesterday, 17:14

EU trade ministers to approve measures against US duties on April 7

The EU understands that "the US seeks to strengthen its domestic industrial base", Sefcovic. said

Two days ago, 10:39

Large deposit of rare earth metals discovered in Kazakhstan — ministry

The ministry explained that it concerns the Zhana Kazakhstan area, which includes almost the entire Kuyrektykol site

Yesterday, 17:08

Europe requests deployment of long-range hypersonic weapons — NATO commander in Europe

Christopher Cavoli also described Washington's withdrawal from the INF Treaty in 2019 "a very important move" and called for capitalizing on it

Press review: Germany mulls Nord Stream restoration as Zaporozhye NPP sparks talks

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

Yesterday, 14:15

Russia favors Israel's accession to NPT as nuclear-free state — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov acknowledged the significant challenges associated with achieving this objective in the region

Yesterday, 12:43

Russia becomes first country to recognize Alliance of Sahel States — Mali's top diplomat

"We pointed out that we have common approaches, a common vision of certain problems in the field of security, peace, international and political issues," Abdoulaye Diop emphasized

Yesterday, 12:30

Ukrainian forces deploy weapons, equipment at energy facilities for protection

Andrey Marochko also noted that Ukrainian forces continue to target the Russian energy system

Yesterday, 17:03

Israeli strike on school building in Gaza City kills 29 people, leaves over 100 injured

Al Jazeera reported earlier that the attack had killed 15 people

Yesterday, 12:28

Europe must make contact with Putin — Stubb

The Finnish president opined that France or UK should be the one to speak to the Russian leader

Yesterday, 07:25

Kiev regime had no time to conceal its crimes in Kursk Region — Russian mission to UN

Dmitry Polyansky pointed out that, while fleeing en masse, Ukrainian troops were abandoning expensive Western-made hardware

Yesterday, 16:02

Trump's tariffs could plunge world into third global recession in last 20 years — Axios

The portal quoted consulting company Evercore as saying that in 2024, the US imported $3.3 trillion worth of goods, or more than $25,000 per household

Two days ago, 10:00

Press review: Ukraine gets ready to host foreign troops as US prepares for trade war

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 2nd

Yesterday, 19:51

Moscow, Tehran seek to implement Strategic Partnership Treaty pronto — Russian MFA

The ministry added that the parties had expressed satisfaction with positive trends in multifaceted cooperation between the two countries

Yesterday, 10:35

Houthis claim they downed US spy drone over Yemen

According to the report, this is the second MQ-9 Reaper drone shot down by the Houthis in the Yemeni air space over the past 72 hours

Russia ready to help Burkina Faso maintain national security — Lavrov

The statement followed a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Burkina Faso counterpart Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore

Musk joins Trump in call for the release of Le Pen

Earlier, the US leader called the verdict against Le Pen witch hunt and demanded her release

Yesterday, 21:51

Russian envoy says he discussed cooperation on Arctic, rare earth minerals during US visit

Potential interactions in other sectors were also discussed, noted Kirill Dmitriev

Yesterday, 12:37

Russian units wipe out up to 100 Ukrainian troops while mopping up Veseloye in DPR

The ministry stressed that MLRS and assault drone crews in coordination with unmanned aerial vehicle operators eliminated firing positions and stationing areas of Ukrainian troops

Yesterday, 20:32

Next meeting between Russia, Alliance of Sahel States to be held in Africa — MFA

The Russian diplomats added that the ministers agreed to further strengthen the coordination of actions at the UN and other multilateral platforms

Yesterday, 12:50

Russian troops liberate two communities In Donetsk area, Zaporozhye Region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 235 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Yesterday, 18:59

Over 1,000 children die in violent crimes in 2024 in Russia — Investigative Committee

Among the victims, there are 266 children under the age of one year, 831 from one to five years old, 2,600 from 6 to 10 years old, over 6,000 from 11 to 14 years old, and 7,000 teenagers

Yesterday, 12:54

Majority of Americans oppose idea of Trump serving third term as president, poll shows

The respondents largely don’t approve of the activities of the parties they support (37% among Republicans and 33% among Democrats)

Yesterday, 08:04

US doesn’t impose duties on Russia, Cuba, Belarus, North Korea as they already sanctioned

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added that Canada and Mexico were not affected by the new restrictions, because the US had previously imposed separate duties of 25% on them

Yesterday, 17:21

Finland has until July 7 to explain closing border with Russia — ECHR

It added that the Finnish cabinet "was notified in March 2025"

Yesterday, 19:04

Man in intensive care after bear attack in Moscow Region

Maxim Zabelin added that it was possible to find the man thanks to the coordinated actions of the Emergencies Ministry and foresters

Two days ago, 19:30

US looks to weaken Russia’s ties with Iran, China, North Korea — Kellogg

Cooperation between China and Russia is viewed by the US as "global issue" that also involves Iran and North Korea, according to the envoy

Yesterday, 15:17

Pentagon believes Russia steps up military technology exchanges with China, Iran, DPRK

The hearings of the abovementioned committee focus on the strategy of the US military's European and African Commands

Yesterday, 16:47

EU's nuclear umbrella talk comes amid concerns in Paris, London — senior Russian diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia has also taken note of what is happening in the field of missile defense, where the concept of "the ‘Iron Dome’ has turned into the ‘Golden Dome,’ with its key aspects being exactly what we [in Russia] warned about back when the program was in the making"

Two days ago, 18:38

Pilots under medical supervision after crash of Tu-22M3 plane in eastern Russia — governor

The crew of four pilots ejected, but one of them died

Yesterday, 13:58

Zelensky believes ceasefire in Ukraine could be achieved in coming weeks, months

"There are various options; sometimes, everything comes together in an instant, especially when it comes to this aspect of ending the war - the hot phase, the complete cessation of fire," he noted

Trump blasts Le Pen’s conviction as ‘witch hunt’

"The witch hunt against Marine Le Pen is another example of European leftists using lawfare to silence free speech, and censor their political opponent, this time going so far as to put that opponent in prison," the US leader stated

Yesterday, 14:12

Trump declares state of emergency in the US due to economic situation — White House

As the document notes, "large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits have led to the hollowing out of our manufacturing base; resulted in a lack of incentive to increase advanced domestic manufacturing capacity; undermined critical supply chains; and rendered our defense-industrial base dependent on foreign adversaries"

Russian envoy says Trump determined to find pathway to real, lasting settlement in Ukraine

Prior to that some people were advocating solutions they knew were not possible, Kirill Dmitriev said

Yesterday, 15:27

Russian Deputy Security Council Chairman warns of global consequences from Trump’s tariffs

"Old supply chains will be ruptured but new ones will emerge," Dmitry Medvedev noted

Yesterday, 10:00

Europe seeks to undermine peace settlement in Ukraine — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov asserted that this approach mirrors the current actions of the EU, with only limited exceptions

Yesterday, 18:53

Russia capable of rapid military personnel expansion — Pentagon

Cavoli is also head of the European Command of the US army

Yesterday, 17:00

Russia, US can achieve great things working together in space — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov noted, however, that these expectations need to be tempered due to "the current and largely strengthened sanctions regime on the US side"

Yesterday, 23:21

Trump expresses confidence that Putin, Zelensky ready for deal on Ukraine

US President said a lot of progress had been made in discussing a settlement in Ukraine

Yesterday, 12:55

Canada, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands join Czech ammo initiative for Kiev — top diplomat

The Czech Republic is among Ukraine’s strongest supporters, the news agency said

Russian envoy says US firms that fled country lost $300 bln in potential income

Russia is not making any preconditions, not asking for specific sanction relief, Kirill Dmitriev said

Yesterday, 12:03

Kiev is trying to destabilize Africa by openly supporting terrorists in Sahel — Lavrov

According to the Russian foreign minister, "the Sahara-Sahel region is currently facing manifestations of terrorism, with the root causes of these issues largely stemming from its colonial past"

24 Feb 2023, 16:19

Putin grants Russian citizenship to French journalist Adrien Bocquet

According to the corresponding presidential decree, Russian citizenship granted to 34 people, four individuals striped of citizenship

Yesterday, 09:46

Russia won't be appeased by ongoing Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure — diplomat

President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Donald Trump of the United States held a phone conversation on March 18 to discuss the situation in Ukraine, measures for avoiding escalation, and various international matters

Yesterday, 13:28

Hungary to exit ICC as it becomes 'political instrument' — Orban

"The Hungarian minister of justice will hand over to the national parliament the paperwork on our termination of cooperation with the court," the Hungarian prime minister said

Yesterday, 20:59

Dmitriev discusses US-Russia dialogue with key members of Trump administration

And one of the main topics is the restoration of US-Russia relations, the restoration of dialogue, Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO and special presidential envoy said

Russian envoy says Trump administration averted World War III

US President Donald Trump’s administration also made significant progress in resolving the conflict in Ukraine, Kirill Dmitriev said

US makes exception for Hungary from sanctions against Gazprombank — Szijjarto

The exception from sanctions against Gazprombank for Hungary will be effective until May, the Hungarian Foreign Minister said

Yesterday, 10:22

RDIF CEO hopes Russia, US can find new opportunities, including in economy

Kirill Dmitriev emphasized that restoring dialogue with the United States is a challenging and gradual process

Yesterday, 18:28

IAEA chief Grossi's Western bias makes him bad candidate for UN secretary general — expert

Andrey Koshkin also expressed doubt that Grossi would change his position if he became UN Secretary General

Yesterday, 18:05

US Senate idea to tax countries working with Russia could cripple global economy — expert

In his opinion, US President Donald Trump "continues to be under severe pressure"

Yesterday, 15:44

Finland has lot of work to do to improve relations with Russia — diplomat

"Just throwing out a call [to restore relations] is clearly not enough," Maria Zakharova said

Yesterday, 18:38

Israeli jets attack military facility in southern Damascus — TV channel

On April 2, the Israeli Air Force launched a missile attack on a military research center in the Masakin-Berzi neighborhood of northern Damascus

Yesterday, 15:06

Trump introduces sweeping tariffs: globe reacts

The US president also declared a state of emergency in the country due to the economic situation and trade deficit

Two days ago, 07:37

Russian forces sink three Ukrainian boats trying to cross Dnieper in Kherson Region

According to the report, the enemy keeps trying to disrupt spring fieldwork in the Kherson Region

Yesterday, 22:01

Dmitriev says ‘three steps forward’ made following meetings in Washington

According to Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO and special presidential envoy, the issues have been piling up: for three years, there was virtually no communication between Russia and the United States

Yesterday, 18:32

WTO chief sees risk of tariff war escalation

"The WTO was established to serve precisely in moments like this — as a platform for dialogue, to prevent trade conflicts from escalating, and to support an open and predictable trading environment," Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stressed

Medvedev calls Russia's latest missiles best cure for Russophobia

The politician said that Russophobia stems from "bipolar affective exaggeration of Russia’s influence on the life of Europe and Europeans" and alternates between manic and depressive phases

Two days ago, 13:47

Zakharova calls London’s demands to declare Russian-related activities absurd

The diplomat referred to Britain’s intention to introduce an "enhanced" control regime against Russia as part of the future Foreign Influence Registration Scheme

Russia downs 107 Ukrainian drones over 10 regions, Sea of Azov

In particular, 34 UAVs were intercepted over the Kursk Region, 30 over the Oryol Region and 18 over the Lipetsk Region

Yesterday, 19:12

Kiev actively recruiting teenagers for sabotage — top Russian investigator

"The teenagers that commit crimes against public security, the foundations of the constitutional order and state security are often motivated by ethnic hatred," Alexander Bastrykin said

Yesterday, 21:57

Russian envoy invites US colleagues to visit Russia

This direct dialogue makes it possible not to distort information but to clearly and directly discuss all key issues, Kirill Dmitriev said

Yesterday, 18:15

UN official comments on detention of leader of Moldova's autonomous region

Gutsul earlier called on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to pay attention to the situation around the autonomous region

Yesterday, 17:50

NATO defense official says Russia has advantages in geography, combat readiness

Cavoli suggested that in the event of a hypothetical conflict, Russia could quickly build up its troops on its borders to counter NATO troops

11 Nov 2024, 14:27

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Russian envoy dismisses concerns that Russia could invade Europe as ‘crazy idea’

There are lots of false and fake narratives circulating, Kirill Dmitriev said

Yesterday, 21:54

US administration acts constructively, respectfully in dialogue with Russia — Dmitriev

The administration of US President Donald Trump, unlike the administration of 46th President Joe Biden, is focused on solving problems, Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO and special presidential envoy said

Yesterday, 11:25

Trump’s administration to continue trying to contain and weaken Russia — senior diplomat

"We do not intend to overstate this report, but we must not ignore its influence on the policies under Trump’s presidency," Sergey Ryabkov remarked

Yesterday, 18:58

At least 80 people killed in Gaza City on April 3 — TV

On March 18, the Israeli army resumed fighting in the Gaza Strip, launching massive attacks on the Palestinian enclave and violating a ceasefire reached in January

Russian economy doing well amid sanctions, so Moscow doesn’t seek their removal — envoy

If you look at our GDP growth, it’s still 4% last year versus 1% for Europe, Kirill Dmitriev said

Yesterday, 15:47

Russia-US talk on embassies moving forward, but 'in dribs and drabs' — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov cautioned, however, that the situation remains fragile. "Of course, everything could still be reversed

South Korea’s Constitutional Court upholds president’s impeachment

Putin, Trump leadership helps make headway in Ukraine settlement — Russian envoy

For example, under the leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, an agreement has been reached between Russia and Ukraine to essentially refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure, Kirill Dmitriev said

Yesterday, 20:01

Trump expects $6-7 trillion in investment to come to US after new tariffs take effect

US stocks started the day in the red, with the key indexes falling by 2.9-4.6%

Yesterday, 15:59

EU is 'sinking ship' — Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova cited US President Donald Trump's recently announced tariffs as further evidence that the EU's previously projected GDP growth targets would miss their mark

Acting Israeli ambassador says no talks with Moscow about future of Russian bases in Syria

Alexander Ben Zvi stressed that it was up to Russia and Syria to resolve that issue

Two days ago, 17:02

No one refused to participate in Operation Pipeline — Russia's deputy defense minister

Assessing the operation, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov stressed that it demonstrated "the highest level" - a small force performed a daring maneuver to determine the outcome of the battle

Palestinian cabinet condemns Israel’s move to capture ‘Morag axis,’ split up Gaza

The cabinet strongly condemned the "brutal escalation of Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip"

Yesterday, 18:07

Trump's tariffs lay ground for self-sufficient US economy — Russian envoy

The Russian presidential envoy and special envoy of the US leader Steve Witkoff have a meeting in Washington on April 3

Yesterday, 16:10

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reiterates threat to destroy Israel

On April 1, 2024, an Israeli airstrike on Tehran’s consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus killed 13 people, including seven high-ranking Iranian military advisors

Yesterday, 10:31

Rubio says United States to remain in NATO

It is stated that Trump is not against NATO

Yesterday, 10:43

Europeans set sights on Odessa, Lvov, plotting intervention, says Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova reiterated that the French-UK initiative on deploying some "reassurance forces" to Ukraine was discussed in Paris on March 27 at yet another European summit of a so-called "coalition of the willing" formed a month ago in order to assemble some "peacekeeping" contingent to be deployed in Ukraine

Yesterday, 21:35

US business ready to fill niches left by European companies in Russia — Dmitriev

Priority is the creation of joint ventures with Russian companies, Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO and special presidential envoy said

Yesterday, 14:51

Porsche denies mass media reports on plans to resume arms manufacturing

The Europaische Sicherheit und Technik web portal informed earlier that Porsche is considering the return to the arms market

Yesterday, 12:15

Russia prefers to continue working with US to resolve Ukraine conflict — Kremlin

"Everyone would prefer not to fight, but to talk, and not only to talk but to be heard, this is what we have with the current American administration," Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 10:20

Russian diplomat alerts US to hostility of EU, Kiev unless chances to negotiate fade

Sergey Ryabkov pointed out that European officials are attempting to impose their foreign policy agenda on Washington

Trump administration hears Russia’s position, Russian envoy says

Unlike President Joe Biden, Donald Trump's administration is listening to Russia's position, Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO and special envoy said

Yesterday, 12:05

Mali regards Ukraine terrorist state — Foreign Minister

According to Abdoulaye Diop, the Sahel states and Russia have common approaches and views on security issues, and "equally recognize and see how it is necessary to fight terrorism to ensure security in the region"

Yesterday, 13:47

West plans 'another spectacle' on Bucha anniversary — Zakharova

In July 2024, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he would send a new request to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to provide Russia with the names of people whose bodies were shown in the media, implying that reports about civilian deaths in Bucha were fabricated

Yesterday, 07:43

Ukraine fires over 110 munitions at Belgorod Region in past day

Seven seven people were wounded

Moscow wants to hear US concerns, but will act based on its own interests - Russian envoy

During his meetings with officials in US President Donald Trump’s administration he discussed not only economic and investment issues, but also the restoration of communication between the two countries

Yesterday, 15:38

Russia replaces equipment at unprecedented pace, builds up forces — NATO defense official

According to Cavoli’s estimantes, the Russian Armed Forces are "today larger than it was at the beginning" of the special military operation

Yesterday, 16:04

CSTO headquarters discusses preparations for Combat Brotherhood-2025 exercise

"Particular attention will be given to the systematic development and alignment of commands, the practical training for deploying control points for troop groups by the forces and resources of the host countries, and the examination of command-and-control procedures with the involvement of specialists from key training and research organizations," Vladislav Shchegrikovich added