31 Mar, 17:43

Le Pen verdict blow for French democracy — leader of National Rally

Eric Ciotti, former president of Republicans wondered on X whether France remains a democracy

PARIS, March 31. /TASS/. The verdict that was handed down to the leader of the National Rally Party faction in the French parliament Marine Le Pen is a blow for French democracy as a whole, said National Rally President Jordan Bardella, commenting on Le Pen losing her voting rights for five years.

"Today it is not only Marine Le Pen who was unjustly convicted: It was French democracy that was killed," he wrote on X.

Eric Ciotti, former president of Republicans wondered on X whether France remains a democracy.

"The democratic destiny of our nation has been confiscated by an outrageous judicial cabal," he wrote.

The Paris court found Le Pen guilty of embezzling EU funds and sentenced her to four years in prison, two of which she will have to wear an electronic bracelet (the remaining two years are suspended). The politician was immediately stripped of her voting rights, which, according to experts, deprives her of the chance to run in the French presidential election in 2027.

Le Figaro said Le Pen may retain her parliamentary mandate and the post of chairman of the faction, but she will not be able to participate in possible early elections to the National Assembly (lower house) of the French parliament.

Trump’s approach to security dialogue, contact with Russia inspire optimism — CIS chief

Sergey Lebedev is confident that willingness for such moves is the primary condition for seeking compromise solutions and restoring mutual trust

Yesterday, 16:37

EU has merely 50% of funding to deliver 2 mln shells to Ukrainian army

According to Kaja Kallas, there is still certain progress in discussions between EU countries on providing two million shells

Security tightened near Russian consulate in Istanbul ahead of Russia-US meeting

Dozens of media workers are waiting for the consultations to begin in front of the consulate

Russian army hits two Ukrainian repair sites with Geran UAVs — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, one of the strikes hit a large industrial facility used by the Ukrainian army to repair military equipment

Venezuelan president slams US trade war as end of Western globalization

Nicolas Maduro said that 'this is a lethal wound to international trade and economic law, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements'

Yesterday, 12:19

Russia issues protest to Estonian diplomat over vandalism at military cemetery

"The Russian side firmly rejects the hypocritical explanations of the Estonian side," the statement said

Russian-US consultations conclude in Istanbul after almost six hours

The meeting ended without any press statements

Ukrainian troops trapped between Dzerzhinsk and Dimitrov in Donetsk region, says DPR

Russian forces have made considerable gains in the area of Sukhaya Balka, including the settlements of Aleksandropol, Panteleymonovka and Valentinovka where Ukrainian troops are under intense pressure

Yesterday, 14:45

Russia expels two Romanian diplomats in retaliatory move — Foreign Ministry

"This measure is a response to Romania's unfounded decision to declare the military attache at the Russian embassy in Bucharest and his assistant as personae non gratae," the statement reads

Yesterday, 22:33

Trump doesn’t rule out reduction of US troops in Europe

When asked by reporters whether he has plans to reduce the number of US troops stationed in Europe, he said, "Well, good. I mean, it depends."

Yesterday, 13:55

Ukraine harvests own soldiers for organs, sends them to unknowing Westerners — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova recalled that the Ukrainian authorities had long legalized expedited procedures for transplant surgeries

Two days ago, 23:43

US, Russia working on detailed plan of de-orbiting ISS — NASA deputy chief

"We work that together as a team with our Russian colleagues and all of our other international partners," Ken Bowersox said

Yesterday, 15:30

Vulin tells European Parliament Serbia 'will never go to war with Russia'

"For 20 years, we've been fulfilling every wish and demand of the EU, and then we're told that the next full members of the EU, without meeting a single condition, are Ukraine and Moldova," the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister said

Russian gas supplies to Slovakia considerably increased — PM

According to Robert Fico, he feels satisfaction when he hears from "German and other companies" that they cannot do without Russian gas any longer

Yesterday, 09:11

Russian diplomat sees NATO seeking to move frontline eastwards, with no plans for peace

The North Atlantic Alliance is doing everything to add fuel to fire in the Ukraine conflict, Maria Zakharova said

Referendum on Ukraine’s EU membership kicks off in Hungary

The ballot is printed on special, fraud-resistant paper

US stops backing Russophobic decisions within UN system, Russian diplomat says

According to Gennady Gatilov, changes taking place in the international arena in general and in relations between Russia and the United States in particular "will not be lost" and "cannot but impact the atmosphere" at international venues

Yesterday, 09:33

France, UK preparing military intervention in Odessa — Foreign Ministry

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the proposed "coalition of the willing" as nothing more than "a meme"

Two days ago, 11:41

Possible US-Iran conflict to entail dire consequences — Russia’s deputy foreign minister

Andrey Rudenko clarified that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between Russia and Iran is not a military alliance

Yesterday, 23:48

Russia, US to hold second round of consultations in Istanbul on embassies’ operation

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, it will involve officials from the two countries’ foreign ministries

Yesterday, 22:29

Trump rules out further increase of tariffs on Chinese imports

"I don't think I'll have to do it," he added

Death toll from Israel’s strike of Gaza city up to 35, with dozens missing

Gaza’s health ministry said that number of casualties will grow after rescuers clear the debris

Yesterday, 22:36

Serbia to always value Russia’s contribution to fight against Nazism — deputy PM

"We are not a nation that will forget that Serbia as it is today would have never existed if Russia had not sacrificed at least one life for our each victim for freedom - in the wars against the Ottoman Empire, during World Wars I and II," he said.

Russia dismisses innuendos about nonexistent threat by Bosnia’s top diplomat — diplomat

Maria Zakharova criticized Elmedin Konakovic’s statement as "clumsy to say the least"

Kremlin dismisses Zelensky’s accusations of Russia dragging China into Ukraine conflict

"China has always maintained a very balanced position," Dmitry Peskov said

Yesterday, 20:38

IOC discusses with winter sports federations admission of Russians to Olympics

The 2026 Olympics will be take place in Italy on February 6-22

Russian diplomats stay in Istanbul after talks with US to prepare final document — source

The US negotiators left the Consulate General building at the end of the consultations

Yesterday, 09:44

EU does not understand it pushes world to largest conflict since World War II — Zakharova

Maria Zakharova stated that the primary "instigators" of this "group of fixated fanatics" are the United Kingdom and France, led by President Emmanuel Macron

Yesterday, 17:23

US may soften port dues for Chinese ships — WSJ

Authorities now want to peg dues to the ship capacity, thus reducing payments for vessels of smaller size

Yesterday, 13:01

Half of frozen assets of Russian citizens, companies unblocked by early 2025

According to Elvira Nabiullina, the Central Bank has not received any requests on return of foreign companies in the financial sector to Russia yet

Yesterday, 20:58

China wants to ‘make a deal’ with US without drawing attention, Trump says

"They are proud people. And President Xi is a proud man," the US leader emphasized

EU cracks down on dissent, defies democracy it once lectured Russia on — Kremlin

"They are departing from the very standards of democracy they have long proclaimed and sought to impart to other nations, including us," Dmitry Peskov said

Zhuravka liberation brings Russian troops closer to Ukrainian army’s hub in Sumy Region

Yunakovka is a logistics hub for the Ukrainian army to supply its combat group in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Yesterday, 16:01

US not going to boost trade with Russia — Trade Representative

"Congress did the right thing a couple of years ago and revoked permanent normal trade relations with Russia," Jamieson Greer added

Press review: US and China launch trade war while Russia and the US hold new talks

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 10th

US, Russia carry out prisoner exchange in UAE, CIA director says

John Ratcliffe thanked the UAE government "for enabling the exchange"

Yesterday, 21:30

US to use military force against Iran, if necessary — Trump

He noted that the upcoming consultations with Iran will be only the beginning of a long process

Yesterday, 16:09

Italian reporter, Russian citizen Lucidi to turn to ECHR over detention in Estonia

Andrea Lucidi was denied permission to cross the border under the pretext that he is illegally taking cash and a camera drone to Russia even though he was in possession of these when entering Estonia

Yesterday, 04:05

US senator claims Iran close to creating six nuclear bombs

"They will kill Israel" and "they'll come after us," Lindsey Graham said

Yesterday, 17:11

US Treasury Secretary urges China to negotiate instead of setting new duties

The tariffs committee under China’s State Council said earlier that Beijing will increase additional duties on imports from the US to 84%

Residents evacuated from frontline village in DPR

It took several hours for soldiers of Russia’s Battlegroup East to rescue these people

Anti-Russian sanctions would have cost Serbia 15 bln euro — deputy PM

Aleksandar Vulin stressed that Serbia 'is not ready to finance the war in Ukraine'

Political persecution in EU deplorable — Kremlin on threat of sanctions against Vulin

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin stated in the European Parliament that Serbia would never engage in war with Russia, even for the sake of EU membership, and would not impose sanctions on Moscow for the conflict instigated by the West

Yesterday, 13:24

Russian forces strike Ukrainian tactical missile enterprise over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 435 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed four US-made armored vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day

Russia-US consultations kick off in Istanbul

Russia’s delegation is led by Moscow’s Ambassador to Washington Alexander Darchiev

Bodies of 9 civilians found in Russia’s Kursk Region after Ukrainian shelling — agency

It has been established that no later than March, Ukrainian servicemen deliberately shelled residential houses in the village of Makhnovka

Yesterday, 10:00

Press review: Trump’s trade war may spark recession as Europe backs 'Russia conflict' idea

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 9th

Yesterday, 19:21

Russian MFA mocks Macron's shifting rhetoric, blames it on 'atmospheric pressure'

Maria Zakharova went on to say that before French President "started opening his nuclear umbrella over everyone, he was saying that he absolutely needed a place at the negotiating table"

Yesterday, 18:05

US tariff policy could create new opportunities for Russia, India — Russian official

Vladimir Ilyichev deemed insignificant the US tariffs' impact on Russia

Yesterday, 10:26

Russian General Popov asks court to send him back to special military operation — lawyer

"Together with the Defense Ministry, we have filed a petition to suspend proceedings in the case and change pre-verdict restrictions in connection with a decision to send Ivan popov to the special military operation," the lawyer said

Yesterday, 15:15

International Public Tribunal confirms Kiev regime’s killings of civilians in Kursk Region

According to Chairman of the International Public Tribunal Maxim Grigoryev, residents of the Kursk region described numerous Ukrainian war crimes, and only a small part of them are mentioned in the report

Yesterday, 01:33

Europe now aggressive towards Russia, but all global tragedies began with that — Lavrov

"Only after World War Two, when Europe was weakened, the Americans became the leaders of the so-called free world, and then it was them who initiated the majority of conflicts on the planet," the minister said

Yesterday, 18:35

Annual inflation in Russia accelerates to 10.28% — Economy Ministry

Prices growth rates remained at the last-year level in the non-food segment

Russia-US consultations in Istanbul may last for up to five hours — source

Two hours have already passed since the beginning of the negotiations

Trump's unpredictability may trigger surge of tensions in Eurasia — CIS Secretary-General

"In this uncertain environment, it is crucial to remain on guard and, in coordination with like-minded allies, to be prepared for all possible scenarios," Sergey Lebedev noted

Serbia not going to ban Russian mass media — deputy PM

The European Union, according to Aleksandar Vulin, bans all media outlets 'that are not echoing what Brussels is saying'

EU ready to increase US gas imports to ease tensions — European energy commissioner

Dan Jorgensen is confident that the EU would be able to benefit from the market turmoil caused by the new US tariffs

Yesterday, 21:26

TikTok deal postponed until US-China trade dispute settled — Trump

According to him, it is China that is not very enthusiastic about signing the deal at the moment

Yesterday, 14:58

European elites want to benefit from Ukraine crisis, MEP says

Bart De Wever argued that the European Union needs a security system based entirely on diplomac

ASEAN states not to impose any retaliatory measures in response to US tariffs — statement

"We express our common intention to engage in a frank and constructive dialogue with the US to address trade-related concerns," the statement reads

Yesterday, 16:57

Vulin says EU values don’t suit Serbia anymore

"The EU has lost all moral authority to lead us and to judge us," the Serbian deputy prime minister stressed

Russian troops liberate over 4 sq km near Zaporozhye Region's Kamenskoye — politician

Vladimir Rogov said that the Russian forces are holding the initiative, and the advance continues

Yesterday, 21:40

Trump says hopes to meet with Putin ‘at some point’

His visit to Saudi Arabia is scheduled for May

Yesterday, 18:14

US to decide on military presence in Europe after contacts with Russia — Pentagon chief

Pete Hegseth said that US President Donald Trump will make a determination about the force structure of US troops in Europe

Yesterday, 20:15

Trump says ready for fair trade deals with China, other countries

"We have $36 trillion of debt for a reason. We don't have a debt for fun. And people took advantage of our country, and they ripped us off for decades," the US leader emphasized

Russian Pacific Fleet warships wrap up visit to India

The Russian Navy was represented in the drills by the Pacific Fleet’s corvettes Rezky and Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov and medium sea tanker Pechenga

Yesterday, 18:57

Russian MFA mocks Macron's shifting rhetoric, blames it on 'atmospheric pressure'

Maria Zakharova said that before the French president "started opening his nuclear umbrella over everyone, he was saying that he absolutely needed a place at the negotiating table"

Russian troops completing mop-up operation in outskirts of Guyevo in Kursk area

"Our fighters are completing mopping up forest belts in the outskirts of Guyevo where hundreds of bodies of destroyed Ukrainian soldiers and military hardware can be seen," the source said

25 Oct 2021, 15:32

Putin grants Russian citizenship to actress and singer Natalia Oreiro and her son

Natalia Oreiro said in an interview that she had applied for Russian citizenship in June 2020

Yesterday, 20:40

IOC cuts down number of men’s football teams in 2028 Olympics

The 2028 Summer Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles on July 14-30

Yesterday, 16:17

Su-35S jet provides protection for Russian aviation in Kursk Region — Defense Ministry

"According to reconnaissance reports, the targets were successfully engaged," the ministry stated

Dodik says Europe as it is has no future

The president also said Europe has no leader, and the heads of individual countries struggle to run their countries

Two days ago, 14:42

Russian soldiers in Guyevo were confronted by Ukrainian elite units

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that units from the battle group North had liberated Guyevo

IN BRIEF: What we know about prisoner swap between Russia, United States

TASS has compiled the key details about the exchange

Russia to harshly respond to Japan's participation in supplying Kiev with weapons — MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that any steps by Japan to directly or indirectly participate in supplying Ukraine with arms and military equipment would be regarded as unequivocally hostile

Yesterday, 13:27

Russian MFA warns West won’t succeed in hiding Ukraine’s crimes committed in Kursk Region

According to the diplomat, the West "covers up" the crimes of the Kiev regime by turning a blind eye to the atrocities of Ukrainian forces

Yesterday, 15:45

US inconspicuously strengthens military presence in Poland — expert

According to Alexander Hoffmann, it is a direct consequence of NATO assuming the responsibilities for coordinating military assistance to Ukraine, a transition formalized during the summit in Washington last July

Yesterday, 14:15

Russia determined to discuss return of diplomatic property with US — ambassador

Alexander Darchiev underlined that it is "of critical importance for the restoration of normalcy in the entire bilateral relationship"

Yesterday, 15:37

US Treasury Secretary says China only country challenging America on tariffs

According to Scott Bessent, the US administration is already negotiating with Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam

Russia to fight for right to assets frozen in Europe — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted at a briefing that while the Kremlin is aware of some EU countries’ position, this does not represent a broader shift in Europe’s overall stance on the issue

Some EU countries strongly oppose use of Russian assets for Ukraine’s needs — top diplomat

Kaja Kallas declined to name those countries

Yesterday, 14:41

MFA shocked by Ukraine offering ‘safaris’ to foreign nationals

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the Kiev regime has long turned war into a business"

Yesterday, 12:02

Russia-led fact-checking association launches platform to fight fake news

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova highlighted that more than 30 foreign journalists and investigators from different countries are either members of the association or collaborate with it

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfield, weapons depots over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 430 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day

Two days ago, 16:33

Ukrainian air defenses’ incompetent actions behind civilian deaths in Krivoy Rog — envoy

"The Russian Defense Ministry reported that as a result of a high-precision strike by a missile with a high-explosive warhead on the site of a meeting with commanders of formations and Western instructors, the enemy’s losses amounted up to 85 servicemen and foreign officers, as well as up to 20 motor vehicles," Vasily Nebenzya said

Kursk legislators unanimously accept city mayor’s resignation

The legislators appointed Deputy Mayor Sergey Kotlyarov to serve as the city’s acting head

Yesterday, 16:03

EU moves to sanction Serbian Deputy PM Vulin over Wednesday remarks — TASS source

According to the source, the procedure should be completed within a few days

Ukrainian attacks on Kharkov Region leave five children injured since year’s start

All of them were injured in deliberate strikes involving Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles

US ready to staff its embassy in Russia to ensure visa issuance — source

The second round of Russian-US consultations on normalizing the operations of their embassies will be held in Istanbul on April 10

Yesterday, 18:16

WTO forecasts decline in US-China bilateral trade by 80%

"The negative macroeconomic effects will not be confined to the United States and China but will extend to other economies, especially the least developed nations," WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala added

Yesterday, 17:24

Brussels demands Serbian president remove deputy PM from next cabinet — TASS source

Earlier on Wednesday, the Serbian deputy prime minister told the European Parliament that Serbia will never go to war with Russia in exchange for EU membership

Russia wins industrial war, leaving Europe in the dust, British report shows

Meanwhile, Europe lacked a coherent strategy or understanding regarding its supply chains

Yesterday, 12:44

Kremlin declines to comment on Kiev's claims of capturing Chinese citizens

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian said that the claims regarding Chinese nationals' involvement in the special military operation were completely unfounded

CIS must strengthen security as military, political situation worsens — secretary general

Those systems of international security and economic relations that have operated in recent decades are currently undergoing serious changes, Sergey Lebedev noted

Yesterday, 06:39

Russian forces fighting to liberate last two communities in Kursk Region — defense source

Fierce battles continue in the village of Gornal and the farmstead Oleshnya

Yesterday, 14:19

Beijing won’t make concessions in trade war with Trump, US needs China — expert

Zhang Weiwei also claimed that in the first round of the trade war, 90% of the US tariffs against China were paid by American companies and consumers

Yesterday, 11:51

FACTBOX: What to know about Ukrainian attack on TurkStream pipeline’s power supply station

According to the report, all the drones were shot down, which prevented the station from suffering any damage

US generals Cavoli, Donahue, Aguto linked to terrorist attacks in Russia — analyst

"They are actively involved in coordinating and planning military operations that target Russian citizens and civilian infrastructure," Alexander Hoffmann said

Yesterday, 09:55

Russian diplomat criticizes Zelensky for deceptive reaction to strike on military meeting

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the attack led to the enemy losing up to 85 personnel, including service members and foreign military officers

Yesterday, 14:00

EU Council approves tariffs on US goods

Details of new tariffs are not given but mass media reported earlier that they will total up to 25% and cover US exports to the EU amounting to 21 bln euro

Yesterday, 11:59

China to increase extra duties on US imports to 84% from April 10

The measure was taken in response to the increase of tariffs on Chinese products by US President Donald Trump