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Israel weighs strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in coming months — news agency

According to Reuters, Israel has offered the US several options for attacks, including air strikes and special operations

LONDON, April 19. /TASS/. Israel may carry out limited strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure in the next few months, Reuters reported, citing sources.

According to the news agency, Israel has offered the US several options for attacks, including air strikes and special operations. The strikes could take place in late spring or summer of this year. Israel expects to deprive Tehran of the ability to turn to the military use of the atom for a period of several months to a year, Reuters' sources added.

On April 17, The New York Times quoted sources as saying that Israel was preparing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities in May. Israel was convinced that the US would play an active role in preparing the attack and provide Israel with protection against a potential retaliatory strike by Iran. US President Donald Trump has set a course for a diplomatic settlement of differences with Iran and informed Israel in early April that he would not support such a military operation.

According to Reuters, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said during talks between Iranian and US officials on April 12 in Oman’s Muscat that Tehran was ready to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to guarantee that its nuclear activities were peaceful. However, Araghchi made it clear that this would only be possible if sanctions on Iran's oil and financial sectors were lifted.

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United States Iran Israel

Military operation in Ukraine

Zelensky claims that Kiev is ready to observe ceasefire

He added, "If complete calm prevails, Ukraine offers to extend the ceasefire beyond Easter Sunday hours on April 20 onward"

Russian forces take control over section of important road in Sumy Region — expert

Distance-wise, about five kilometers of the Yunakovka-Oleshnya highway is under fire control of the Russian Armed Forces

Russia’s Battlegroup Center eliminated over 315 Ukrainian troops in 24 hours

The battlegroup’s spokesman Alexander Savchuk added that the enemy lost two tanks, three armored combat vehicles, five motor vehicles and a field artillery gun

Trump is pressuring Europe to launch ceasefire in Ukraine by April 30 — expert

Mikhail Pavliv noted that under such tight timelines, Washington is compelled to apply pressure on European allies while simultaneously offering incentives to encourage cooperation

West set to gain from seizure of lithium deposit in Ukraine — expert

A push to crack down on Ukraine's oligarchy may also have something to do with the decision, Alexander Dudchak said

Pentagon confirms reduction of military contingent in Syria

Zelensky may find US-proposed version of peace deal 'hard to swallow' — newspaper

The current US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff package "doesn’t seem to include US-backed security guarantees," The Washington Post columnist David Ignatius wrote

Russia’s Medvedev says European troops to return in coffins if deployed to Ukraine

Earlier, Andrey Yermak, the head of the office of Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, said he along with the Ukrainian defense and foreign ministers, Rustem Umerov and Andrey Sibiga, respectively, had arrived in Paris for talks with senior US officials

Ukraine's Defense Ministry acknowledges issue of forced mobilization, shortage of recruits

Ukraine introduced martial law and general military mobilization on February 24, 2022, extending them several times since then

Vucic says hopes to discuss Serbia’s energy security with Putin on May 9

The Kremlin press service said on March 7 that Vucic had confirmed his visit to Moscow to attend the Victory Parade on May 9.

Dogs gifted by Kim Jong Un reside with Putin, appear well — spokesman

The dogs were presented to the Russian president during his visit to North Korea on June 18-19, 2024

Starmer, Trump discuss situation in Ukraine, operations against Houthis

British Prime Minister and US President discussed the progress of negotiations on a new trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States

Trump, Lula admire Putin, disdain Zelensky — media

The Brazilian news outlet notes that relations between the American and Brazilian administrations remain strained, as the two leaders have virtually nothing in common

US offers easing of anti-Russia sanctions as part of Ukrainian settlement — Bloomberg

The proposals presented by the US to its allies in Paris also imply that all territories liberated by Russia remain under Moscow’s control, while "Kyiv’s aspirations of joining NATO would be off the table"

Trump believes Ukrainian conflict to be settled soon

The US leader expressed confidence that all sides were showing enthusiasm to reach the agreement

Putin instructs to consider buyback mechanism for departed brands by May 15

Companies that left the Russian market after February 22, 2022 will be subject to this measure

US envoy says territorial issue could be partially resolved in Russia’s favor

According to Steve Witkoff, the territorial issue was the focus of his talks with the Russian leader

Western intel agencies aid anti-government forces in Afghanistan — SVR

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the West is trying to maintain instability in Afghanistan in order to advance its own geopolitical interests

Russian forces hit test site of Ukrainian Sapsan missile defense system — top brass

Russian servicemen have liberated the Shevchenko settlement in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Defense Ministry said

Transport Agency denies reports SSJ-100 made emergency landing at Russia's Vnukovo Airport

Allegedly, the aircraft had serious problems with its front landing gear

Iran, U.S. reach greater understanding at talks in Rome — Araghchi

Iran’s Foreign Minister also emphasized in comments to Tasnim News Agency that Washington has so far refrained from crossing Tehran’s red lines and has not attempted to broaden discussions beyond Iran’s nuclear program

Second round of US-Iran talks to be held at residence of Oman's ambassador to Rome

On April 12, the first round of Omani-mediated talks to resolve the situation over Iran's nuclear program was held in Muscat between representatives of the United States and Iran

Russia’s Battlegroup West eliminates over 260 Ukrainian troops, Starlink stations

The battlegroup’s spokesman Ivan Bigma added that the enemy’s losses included three armored combat vehicles, 10 motor vehicles

Cache with grenades, Belgian machine gun found in abandoned building in DPR

The operation was carried out in collaboration with military counterintelligence units

Zelensky aide's remarks on ceasefire ring cynical as Ukraine attacks ZNPP — diplomat

On April 17, a Ukrainian delegation led by Yermak met with US and European representatives in Paris to discuss a possible settlement to the conflict in Ukraine

Russian diplomat warns about adverse consequences if NATO states send troops to Ukraine

As a matter of fact, European hawks are heading toward their potential involvement into an armed conflict with Russia on the side of the Banderite regime, Vladislav Maslennikov, the ministry’s European problems department director said

US declassifies over 10,000 pages of documents about assassination of JFK's brother

The files are published with minimal editing for privacy reasons, including the deletion of social security numbers and taxpayer identification numbers

Russia’s Battlegroup North strikes Ukrainian brigades in Sumy Region

According to the battlegroup’s spokesman Yaroslav Yakimkin, Ukrainian losses amounted up to 85 troops

Pakistan completed preparations for first freight train from Russia — Ambassador

The two countries have never had the rail service before

Port dues in Transarctic corridor may grow tenfold — Russian minister

The solution is to establish the Russian dredging fleet, Alexey Chekunkov noted

Humanoid robot runs twice as slow as humans at half-marathon in China

The robots ran the distance together with humans, but on a separately designated track

One settlement left until full liberation of Kursk Region from Ukrainian troops — sources

The Defense Ministry said that the Russian Armed Forces had liberated Oleshnya

US to pull out of Ukrainian settlement unless path to peace emerges — top diplomat

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on "the peace proposal presented yesterday to the Ukrainian delegation in Paris and to Russian officials by telephone"

IN BRIEF: Putin declares Easter truce, holds meeting with chief of General Staff

TASS has reviewed the key points of the meeting

Europe must understand that US may leave Ukrainian settlement process — State Department

That said, Spokeswoman for the US Department of State Tammy Bruce noted that there is "a lot of enthusiasm" following the Paris meeting on the matter

Crimea's 18th-century incorporation gave Russia lasting strategic edge — Russian lawmaker

In 2018, Russia marked the day Crimea, Taman and Kuban became a part of the Russian Empire as a commemorative date on the Russian calendar

Russian troops stay put in Syria — Russia’s UN envoy

Vasily Nebenzya said that there are talks with the current Syrian government

Azerbaijan says its army positions shelled from Armenian territory

The last time Azerbaijan reported shelling from the Gorus region was on April 12

Press review: UN ready to join Black Sea deal while Russia lifts Taliban ban

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 18th

Palestinian president, head of Syrian administration discuss situation in Gaza Strip

Both sides also committed to continuing coordination and consultation on regional and international issues"

France, UK, Germany can help achieve peace in Ukraine, top US diplomat says

Marco Rubio pointed out that the White House was in constant contact with London and Paris on settling the Ukraine issue

Top Iranian diplomat to visit China next week

Abbas Araghchi also praised his visit to Moscow

Israel weighs strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in coming months — news agency

According to Reuters, Israel has offered the US several options for attacks, including air strikes and special operations

Moscow to respond in kind if Tallinn attacks Russian ships — MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Russia strongly condemns such "pirate-like behavior," arguing that the powers now granted to the Estonian Navy exceed the bounds of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

Russian troops liberate about 80% of DPR territory, says military expert

Russian troops will still have to take such large communities in the Donetsk People’s Republic as Konstantinovka, Kramatorsk, Slavyansk and Druzhkovka, he specified

No instructions from Putin as energy ceasefire ends, Kremlin says

On March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump had a telephone conversation in which they discussed the situation in Ukraine

Russia ready to help facilitate Iran-US nuclear deal agreements — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that Moscow welcomes the willingness to achieve objective and mutually acceptable agreements

JD Vance reports progress in Ukrainian settlement over past 24 hours

Less than 24 hours after the talks at the White House, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni receives JD Vance, who has traveled with his family to Rome, where he will celebrate Easter

Liberation of Kalinovo in DPR to accelerate Russian army’s advance to Konstantinovka

The Russian Defense Ministry reported about the liberation of the settlement of Kalinovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic on April 16

Japan to lend Ukraine $3 bln using proceeds from frozen Russian assets, Kiev says

The Finance Ministry added that the loan has a 30-year term

Talks on Ukrainian conflict resolution complicated — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov answered to a question about US President Donald Trump’s recent remark that he expected Russia’s response on a proposed Ukrainian ceasefire this week

Hungarian officials not to come to Victory Day parade in Moscow — Orban’s office

According to Gergely Gulyas, "even if the countries of Western Europe were on good terms with Russia, it would still not make sense for Hungary to take part in the celebrations, as the end of World War II marked a bitter defeat for the country"

US leadership understands root causes of Ukrainian conflict — Kremlin aide

However, a longstanding anti-Russian sentiment - built over many years and decades - hinders their ability to pursue reasonable solutions, Yury Ushakov said

Ukraine accession to EU to open door for Ukrainian mafia to Europe — Hungarian government

The "Financial Risks" section says that if Ukraine joins the EU, "union’s funds owed to Hungary will go to Ukraine

Ukrainian conflict resolution process is heading in right direction — Kellogg

The special envoy also addressed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent remarks suggesting that Washington might limit its efforts to resolve the crisis if progress stalls

Russia's Kucherov wins Art Ross Trophy, 10th in NHL history with at least three

Nikita Kucherov is one of three Russians in history to win the Art Ross Trophy, along with Yevgeny Malkin and recently crowned goals king Alexander Ovechkin

China to take required measures to protect its interests if US introduces harbor fee

China urges the US to follow principles of the market economy and fair competition, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce stressed

Trump concedes NATO at war against Russia in Ukraine

US president made the statement at a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin

Russian troops liberate four communities in Donetsk region over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,900 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy tanks and 39 armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

China successfully launches six satellites

According to the CASC, the launch was carried out at 6:51 a.m. Beijing time on April 18 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center using the CZ-6A (Chang Zheng 6A) carrier rocket

FSB detains Australian mercenary in Lugansk region fighting on Ukraine’s side

"The FSB regional branch for the Lugansk People’s Republic jointly with the FSB branch for the Moscow Military District has foiled the unlawful activity of a mercenary," the FSB press office said in a statement

US’ threats to abandon talks on Ukraine directed against Kiev rather than Moscow — Axios

The European diplomats pointed out that during talks in Paris, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has not mentioned "increasing the pressure on Russia"

Minerals deal unrelated to peace process in Ukraine — US Department of State

Spokeswoman for the US Department of State Tammy Bruce added that US President Donald Trump "would expect that to be signed toward the end of next week"

Some 155,000 Ukrainian refugees find employment in Czech Republic — media

As of early April, 95% of the employed Ukrainians have open-ended employment contracts, it said

Iran to reduce uranium enrichment if Trump doesn't scrap nuclear pact — news agency

According to the news agency, Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei has set "red lines" within which the country, regardless of the outcome of negotiations with the United States, will not dismantle its centrifuges for uranium enrichment and will not stop it completely

Russia to resolve Ukraine conflict quickly if EU, US 'wash hands of it' — Medvedev

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that the United States could withdraw from the negotiation on Ukraine if the parties sabotaged it

Iran won’t engage in contacts with new Syrian authorities until they restore order — MFA

According to Abbas Araghchi, the Syrian issue was raised during his meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov

Houthis attack US aircraft carriers Harry Truman, Carl Vinson — spokesman

Yahya Saria also said that "the US military buildup and continued aggression against Yemen will only lead to more attacks"

Russia denounces agreement on cooperation in Barents sea region

The Barents Sea Council/The Euro-Arctic Region was established in 1993

Vulin not included in Serbia’s new cabinet because of Western pressure on Vucic — source

"Aleksandar Vulin has been removed from the government because of pressure from Brussels," the source pointed out

Russian forces approach village of Loknya in Sumy Region — military expert

Active combat is underway there right now, military expert Andrey Marochko said

Russian forces advance near Volchansk despite serious Ukrainian counterattacks — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that at the moment the Russian forces are currently engaged in active fighting in the area of Volchanskiye Khutora

Holy Fire descends in Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

The Holy Fire symbolizes the light of Christ's resurrection

'Coalition of willing’ gone mad, strike on Sumy: Russian MFA spokewoman holds briefing

Vladimir Zelensky is "certainly" responsible for the unintended consequences of the Russian Armed Forces' attack on the venue where a Ukrainian command staff meeting was being held in Sumy, the Russian diplomat stated

Kiev’s allies want to coordinate Ukraine ceasefire plan in London — newspaper

According to the New York Post, in order to attract Russia to negotiations on the said proposal, Washington may offer Moscow an easing of anti-Russian sanctions and possibly the unblocking of Russian assets frozen in the West

Japan protests what it thinks is Russia’s growing presence in Kurils

"A protest has been submitted via diplomatic channels," Takeshi Iwai stressed

Putin's 30-hour Easter truce ceasefire comes into force

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Gerasimov "issued instructions to all group commanders in the special military operation zone to cease fire and pause combat operations"

New port of Archangelsk to provide Russia with year-round access to World Ocean

The design capacity of the port is 31.4 mln metric tons of cargo per year

US has other things to focus on following three years of support to Ukraine — Rubio

According to the US Secretary of State, the administration of US President Donald Trump has done more in 80 days than former US President Joe Biden ever did

Ukraine prepares Easter provocation in Kharkov Region to discredit Russia — authorities

According to Vitaly Ganchev, similar provocations are also being prepared in the Dnepropetrovsk and Poltava Regions

Press review: US could rally 70 countries against China and EU targets Russia before May 9

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 17th

Kiev will not become part of NATO, it’s out of the question — Trump’s special envoy

US President Donald Trump suggested earlier that the Ukrainian conflict may have been triggered by Kiev’s ambitions to join the alliance

European Council’s head says American LNG could replace Russian energy resources

The share of Russian gas in the EU reserves has decreased from 40% in 2022 to 19% in 2024

Rubio, Waltz advocate strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities — Washington Post

It quoted two US officials and other people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity about internal decision-making in the Trump administration

Russia says some Ukrainian soldiers surrendered in Kursk Region

According to the Defense Ministry, guided by humanitarian considerations, servicemen of the battlegroup North guarantee that Ukrainian soldiers, if they lay down their arms and surrendered, will live and receive decent treatment

US, Italy support India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor

The United States criticized Rome for participating in the Chinese initiative under the previous Trump administration. Under the Joe Biden administration, the pressure on Rome continued

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

US develops plan on monitoring ceasefire in Ukraine — WSJ

According to the newspaper, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that "the US has presented a framework on how the war might be ended, including a cease-fire"

Russia’s Battlegroup South defeats nine Ukrainian brigades

According to the battlegroup’s spokesman Yevgeny Tretyakov, Ukrainian military losses amounted to over 335 troops

RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev calls Easter truce ‘one step toward peace’

Putin announced Easter truce from 18:00 Moscow time on April 19 to 00:00 Moscow time on April 21

Russian delegation arrives at Church of Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

After the ceremony a part of the holy relic will be brought to Moscow for the Easter service in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

Next US military aid package to Ukraine not being discussed — NYT

According to it, "European officials say they have not even received assurances that the United States will continue its extensive intelligence sharing for Ukraine"

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr wipes out up to 85 Ukrainian troops in 24 hours

The battlegroup’s spokesman Roman Kodryan added that the enemy’s losses included nine motor vehicles

St. Andrew the First-Called Foundation brings Holy Fire to Russia

The descent of the Holy Fire takes place on the eve of Easter according to the Julian calendar

US may recognize Crimea as Russian territory — Bloomberg

The sources indicated that "a final decision on the matter hadn’t yet been taken"

US should stop supporting Kiev to achieve peace — Russian politician

Sergey Mironov also remarked that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent statement reflects Washington’s "helplessness and unpreparedness for a genuine resolution of the Ukraine conflict"

Russian forces liberate Oleshnya in Kursk Region — top brass

The total losses of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk Region have exceeded 75,000 servicemen, the Russian Defense Ministry added

Putin shows respect for feelings of believers by announcing Easter truce — legislator

Slutsky expressed confidence that the Russian armed forces will strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreements

Europe invests in arms production in Ukraine amid uncertainty with US — newspaper

The Washington Post also pointed out that the stocks of American weapons transferred by the previous Washington administration are running out, and "doubts have festered about whether Europe can fully compensate for a possible halt to American aid"

Brazil to focus even more on BRICS after introduction of US tariffs — Brazilian minister

Favaro stressed that the trade measures adopted by the White House will not affect the strengthening of BRICS ties in agriculture

Rubio's statements indicate weakening support for Kiev, Ukrainian expert admits

Oleg Sahakyan emphasized that under these conditions, prospects for increased US assistance to Ukraine appear bleak