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Middle East conflict

Hamas says has released US-Israeli hostage

Hamas reiterated its readiness "to resume talks on a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip

CAIRO, May 12. /TASS/. Hamas has said it has released a US-Israeli hostage.

"Some time ago, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas’ armed wing - TASS) released Edan Alexander, a hostage with the Israeli and US citizenship," it said in a statement posted on its Telegram channel.

Hamas reiterated its readiness "to resume talks on a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip and warned that is Israel continues its hostilities, this may lead to the death of other hostages who are still held in the enclave.

Meanwhile, the Al Hadath television channel reported that Edan Alexander has been handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross and is currently being accompanied by its employees on his way to Israel where he will be met by US special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Hamas said on Sunday it would release Edan Alexander from the Gaza captivity. However, the movement stressed that the release should be "part of measures aimed at halting hostilities in the Gaza Strip," including "the unblocking of all checkpoints" on the border with the enclave and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The movement announced on April 15 that the place where Edan Alexander was being held had come under Israeli fire and contact with the militants guarding him had been lost. There have been no more official reports of his condition.

Zelensky-Erdogan talks last little under three hours

The talks included both a one-on-one meeting and expanded talks with delegations

Russia-Malaysia relations advancing, room for more growth — Putin

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US begins lifting sanctions on Syria, Treasury chief confirms

"The Treasury Department is moving to provide sanctions relief to stabilize and move Syria towards peace," the department’s chief Scott Bessent said

Ukrainian forces try to attack Melitopol 13 times overnight, one person was killed

According to Balitsky, the Ukrainian military attempted to attack with fixed-wing drones

Top US diplomat says Ukrainian conflict cannot be solved militarily

Marco Rubio noted that the situation around the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict remained complicated

Putin says Western brand apologies insufficient for return to Russian market

The president noted that Russia would focus on its own national interests in deciding on Western brands’ return to the country

Lavrov says release of МН17 verdict sought to overshadow Malaysian PM’s trip to Russia

There are "plenty of facts" that show the investigation was dubious, the Russian foreign minister stressed

Russian troops breaching Ukrainian defenses near Krasnoarmeysk in Donetsk region — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Russian troops are moving at quite a fast pace towards Dobropolye

Russia’s prerogative is to achieve lasting peace in Ukraine — Lavrov

According to the Russian top diplomat, this requires eliminating the root causes of the conflict

AK-12K based on feedback from special operation zone — Kalashnikov

Sergey Urzhumtsev, the chief designer of small arms at the concern, emphasized that operational experience from the special operation has shown that for certain units, including assault troops, rifle dimensions are a key factor

Decision on talks with Russia to follow after meeting with Erdogan — Zelensky

Zelensky said that "the level of the Russian delegation" was allegedly officially unknown to him

Lavrov calls Zelensky "nothing man" for demanding Putin come to Istanbul

The Russian foreign minister recalled that Zelensky made some statements demanding that Putin attend in person

Time for Russia-Ukraine talks not set, as Kiev hasn’t made its position known yet — source

"As of the current moment, there is no understanding about time, everybody is waiting," the source said

Russian researcher arrested in US for attempting to smuggle frog embryos

A charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years, the US Department of Justice said

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Moscow's rivals scheme to replace power in Russia — foreign intel chief

Sergey Naryshkin added that Russia’s geopolitical rivals are hatching plans, with financial support from the West, to split Russia into multiple parts

Trump says ready to come to Istanbul on May 16 for talks on Ukraine

According to the US leader, it is still unclear whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would travel to Turkey to take part in the talks

West allocated roughly $550 billion to support Ukraine — Russian envoy

Rodion Miroshnik also drew attention to the fact that the United States views the Ukrainian conflict today as a redundant burden

Premature to think about next contacts with Kiev on conflict settlement — Kremlin

"We do not know if Ukrainian negotiators will appear or how the negotiations will go," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Idea of 30-day ceasefire based on cheating, Crimea’s head says

"Practice shows that Kiev is completely unable to respect any agreements," Sergey Aksyonov noted

Istanbul talks postponed until afternoon at Turkey's initiative — Russian MFA

"Russian delegation is in Istanbul, its composition is known," Maria Zakharova noted

EU envoys approve 17th package of anti-Russia sanctions — source

A source in EU institutions said that the approval of restrictions by EU foreign ministers is expected on May 20

Ukraine gets smaller every time Kiev disrupts talks — diplomat

Maria Zakharova recalled Sergey Lavrov's words that Ukraine would have kept a part of Donbass if the agreements reached at the April 2022 talks in Istanbul had been implemented

Kiev's delegation in Turkey lacks experience negotiating political deals — Russian envoy

Rodion Miroshnik that some of the Ukrainian delegates in Istanbul have a rather "questionable background"

Russian delegation arrives in Istanbul, ready for serious talks — diplomat

"As the Russian president emphasized, the purpose of these talks is to, direct quote, eliminate the root causes of the conflict, to reach the establishment of a long-term lasting peace for a historical perspective," Maria Zakharova noted

Rubio, Witkoff to travel to Istanbul on May 16 for Ukraine talks

A White House spokesperson confirmed earlier that the Secretary of State, US Presidential Special Representative and US Special Envoy for Ukraine are scheduled to travel to Istanbul for talks

Forces of Libya's Government of National Unity open fire at protesters in Tripoli

According to the Al Marsad newspaper, protests are growing in Tripoli

First batch of 2,000 Gepard kamikaze drones arrives for Russian troops

The Gepard features a ‘blind’ takeoff capability to counter enemy electronic reconnaissance and make the crew safe at the launch site

US realizes futility of forceful approach in Yemen — Russia’s ambassador to UN

"It seems that Washington has finally come to realize the futility of a forceful approach, as we have consistently emphasized," Vasily Nebenzya said

Danish-US drills on Bornholm undermine Russia’s security in Baltic region — diplomat

According to Maria Zakharova, Kopenhagen's actions run counter to its own assurances that there will be no foreign military activity on Bornholm

No sense in pause to hostilities at all for Russia, Medvedchuk argues

The politician recalled that Russia had alreadey withdrawn troops from Kiev in the spring of 2022, but no peace ensued

Trump suggests Iran choose between friendly or unfriendly course of nuclear development

The unfriendly is a violent course, "I don’t want that," US leader noted

Russian delegation waiting for Ukrainian negotiators in Istanbul since morning — Kremlin

The team of negotiators for direct talks with Kiev without any preliminary conditions was decided yesterday

Poland to ban Dodik from entering its territory — foreign ministry

Earlier, Dodik was banned from entering Australia and Germany

Ukraine is being used as springboard for cyberattacks on Russia — Foreign Ministry

Highlighting the resilience of Russian cybersecurity measures, Artur Lyukmanov emphasized the effectiveness of strategies developed during the special military operation

Putin has no plans to visit Istanbul any time soon — Kremlin

"At this time, there are no such plans," Dmitry Peskov said

EU to start drafting 18th package of anti-Russia sanctions — Finnish foreign minister

Elina Valtonen noted that a seventeenth package of sanctions was a right decision

Russian troops liberate two communities in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

Battlegroup West units liberated the settlement of Torskoye and Battlegroup Center units liberated the settlement of Novoaleksandrovka through active operations

Erdogan to meet with Zelensky, attend events in Ankara until Thursday evening

Simultaneously, Istanbul is expected to host talks between negotiators from Russia and Ukraine

EU fueling conflict between Russia, Ukraine instead of pushing for peace — EP deputy

"It’s time to put an end to the spiral of sanctions, threats and military rhetoric," Harald Wilimsky noted

Trump will not travel to Turkey for Russia-Ukraine talks — agency

Earlier, US leader did not rule out that he would go to Turkey on May 15 to participate in talks on resolving the Ukraine issue

Torskoye community liberated by Russian troops in DPR was Kiev’s fortified area — expert

According to Vitaly Kiselev, the Ukrainian army have been preparing defenses in Torskoye since 2015

Russia to receive many foreign guests soon — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov announced that in the nearest future Russia would host many guests, including at the St. Petersburg forum

Two foreign tourists attempting to take pictures detained at Baikonur cosmodrome

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It is crucial to move towards creation of continental Eurasian structure — Lavrov

The Russia's top diplomat pointed out that, unlike Africa, which benefits from the African Union, or Latin America and the Caribbean, which are united under the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Eurasia currently lacks a comparable organization

Putin announces members of Russian delegation for talks with Ukraine

Kremlin Aide Vladimir Medinsky will lead the delegation

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"The battlegroup commanders attended the meeting in order to report on the situation on various axes on the line of combat engagement," Dmitry Peskov said

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The entire system of strategic stability and security is in a deplorable state for understandable reasons, Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Berlin's silence over video showing Merz, Macron is telling — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that the Elysee Palace had immediately labeled the news as fake, but had not asked the Kiev regime to stop spreading false information

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Production of Baikal aircraft suspended due to increased takeoff run length — Trutnev

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has emphasized that the effectiveness of improvements to the Baikal light aircraft has been confirmed

Trump family earned $2 bln in one month of his presidency

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Russian delegation to discuss political, technical issues at Istanbul talks — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov did not answer whether he himself is part of the Russian delegation

White House bans U.S. agencies from all work on G20 in South Africa — WP

The G20 Summit will be held in November in Johannesburg

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West verbally supports Ukraine while seeking escalation, intervention — Foreign Ministry

Kiev's Western curators "are looking at how best to implement plans to escalate the crisis, including intervention in Ukraine," Zakharova stressed

Europe dreams of dividing Russia into parts using Ukraine — Republika Srpska leader

Europe also wants to seize the country’s energy and mineral resources, Milorad Dodik emphasized

Zelensky arrives in Turkey

Zelensky is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara

Putin speaks by phone with Brazil’s president as his plane stops over in Moscow — Kremlin

Lula da Silva announced his intention to return to Russia at a news conference in Beijing during his visit to China

Russia fulfilled all obligations ahead of Istanbul talks — envoy

"We do not know how the dialogue will unfold, it is still too early to draw any conclusions," Rodion Miroshnik said

Putin outlined Russian delegation’s negotiating position at yesterday’s meeting — Kremlin

The Russian delegation has been waiting in Istanbul since this morning for Ukrainian representatives, who have not yet arrived, Dmitry Peskov pointed out

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Islamic Republic of Iran has no restrictions in research and development in the nuclear field and has the right to enrich uranium to the level of 93% in accordance with its scientific," IRNA news agency quotes the document

Russian forces destroy 50 Ukrainian troops, 20 military vehicles in Kharkov region

Live-recording equipment at the western borders of the LPR enabled Russian forces to uncover amassments of Ukrainian military hardware and troops in the settlement of Druzhelyubovka

Ukraine talks in Istanbul to kick off around 7:00 a.m. GMT — source

According to him, the talks will be closed to the press

Ukrainian troops prepare for battles for Sumy, try to hold Yunakovka — security forces

They are building up several defense lines

Russia’s project to develop Baikal aircraft will move forward

According to Denis Manturov, significant changes have been made to the aircraft

Erdogan-Zelensky meeting to precede Russian-Ukrainian talks — source

Zelensky and Erdogan are expected to meet in Ankara around 1 p.m. local time

Russian troops liberate Mikhailovka community in Donetsk region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 525 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day

Russia’s stance at Ukraine negotiations shifted due to changes on ground — Zakharova

The diplomat noted that the Ukrainian territory diminishes every time the Kiev regime disrupts the negotiating process

All cynical actions of NATO countries will boomerang on them — Dodik

It’s hard to envision how NATO can sustain itself in the long run, the President of Republika Srpska stated

Kiev did not want to send delegation to Istanbul, West convinced it — WP

"Zelensky didn’t see the point in going at all," Washington Post quoted a diplomat

Putin offered precisely direct talks between Russia, Ukraine — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov dismissed the possibility of European countries' participation in the talks

Russian delegation to Istanbul to make statement for media soon

Vladimir Medinsky will make a statement at 5:30 p.m. Moscow time

West intends to pit India against China — Lavrov

"This is a policy that Russian President Vladimir Putin recently highlighted again - ‘divide and conquer,’" the foreign minister emphasized

Press review: Russia-Ukraine territorial talks set for Istanbul as EU targets oil tankers

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

Ukraine weighs sending delegation for talks in Turkey — report

According to the source, if the opposite side shows an intention to engage in a "serious dialogue," then an engagement could happen

Istanbul 2022 draft may serve as basis for settlement — Russian envoy

"Let's go back, make adjustments to it that have emerged over the past three years and after that we will move to signing this document," Rodion Miroshnik said

Evidence galore Europe wants no peace in Ukraine — Lavrov

According to Sergey Lavrov, after the United States scaled back support for Ukraine and started prioritizing non-European areas of American foreign policy, Europe decided to look out for itself

Part of US officials now in Istanbul where Russia-Ukraine talks due to begin — Fidan

There are vast discussions on the Ukrainian settlement at the moment, the Turkish Foreign Minister stressed

Islamic world shows keen interest in Russian cybersecurity solutions — MFA

"We’ve noticed growing attention both from the countries of the Islamic world and from the states of the global South," Director of the Foreign Ministry’s International Information Security Department and Special Presidential Representative for International Cooperation in the Field of Information Security said

Brazilian President thanks Putin for warm reception during Victory Day festivities

"The heads of state confirmed the determination to continue comprehensive development of the Russian-Brazilian strategic partnership," the Kremlin said in a statement

Serial deliveries of RPL-20 machine gun may start this year — Kalashnikov

Sergey Urzhumtsev also mentioned that each RPL-20 will feature a specialized device for rapid belt loading

Kremlin denies possibility of Putin's presence at talks in Turkey

The Russian delegation is headed by Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky

Russia, Ukraine to meet in Istanbul for first time since 2022

Once again, Russia’s delegation will be led by Kremlin Aide Vladimir Medinsky

Hamas, US hold talks in Doha in positive atmosphere

US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Adam Boehler, Hamas leader Muhammad Ismail Darwish, head of the negotiating delegation Khalil al-Hayya and leader of the Hamas cell in the West Bank Zaher Jabarin took part in the negotiations

Russia says ready to expand flights to BRICS countries

The BRICS countries have also prepared a joint statement on sustainable aviation fuel, to be presented to the Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization in October - November this year

Europe's steps do not allow it to participate in Ukraine talks — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the rhetoric from Berlin, Paris, and London starkly contrasts with their actual actions

Senior Russian senator sees a chance for Istanbul talks unless Ukraine 'makes noise'

"Russia is ready for a specific, meaningful, and productive conversation," Konstantin Kosachev said

Russian delegation for talks with Ukraine arrives in Istanbul — source

The delegation is headed by Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky

Reports that Russia, Ukraine’s meeting in Istanbul kicked off not true — TASS source

Earlier, a TASS source said that there was no understanding yet as to when Russia and Ukraine will start their talks as Kiev has not yet articulated its stance

Moscow says Ukraine needs to step away from microphone, come to negotiating table

"No matter how loud these NATO benchwarmers shout from the sidelines, in order to take a shot on goal, the Ukrainian national team needs to take the field," Maria Zakharova said

Putin chaired meeting ahead of Istanbul talks with Ukraine last evening — Kremlin

According to Peskov, apart from the team of negotiators, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Viktor Zolotov, the chief of Russia’s National Guard Service, Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu

Duration of talks in Istanbul to depend on their progress — Kremlin

The day before, the composition of the delegation for direct and unconditional talks between Moscow and Kiev was appointed

Indian premier notes Russian-made S-400 air defense system’s role during escalation

Narendra Modi also praised domestically made Akash missile systems

Pentagon does not rule out direct US-Russia conflict if Ukraine crisis escalates

Even though China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran "seek to avoid armed conflict with the United States," their conviction in "Western decline fosters a growing willingness to challenge the United States, General Gregory Guillot, commander of the United States Northern Command, said

United States and Qatar sign agreement worth $1.2 trillion — White House

In particular, Qatar Airways will purchase 210 modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft for $96 billion

Europe set to continue, escalate hostilities in Ukraine — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova pointed to the European Union’s plans to send further batches of weapons to Ukraine and to allocate new aid packages to Kiev

Russian diplomat accuses Ukraine of trying to prevent peace talks from happening

"Ukraine has derailed all the agreements that have been reached over the past 11 years," Rodion Miroshnik said

Istanbul 2.0 signals a losing game for Zelensky, even if he skips talks — politician

According to Viktor Medvedchuk, Zelensky erred by overestimating his geopolitical role, as he has been a pawn, not a queen as he was told, since the very beginning

Representatives of all of Kiev's intelligence agencies arrive in Turkey — Zelensky

"Ukraine has a delegation at the highest level," Vladimir Zelensky said

US doesn't want Zelensky at NATO's June summit — ANSA

According to the agency, only Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand have received invitations among non-alliance members

	
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