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Trump blocks effort to lower Russian oil price cap — Politico

According to diplomatic sources, the opinion of the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on the issue of restrictions on prices for Russian raw materials is not very important

BRUSSELS, June 18. /TASS/. The EU will not be able to reduce the ceiling on Russian oil prices as US President Donald Trump opposes the initiative, the European edition of Politico reported, citing diplomatic sources.

According to it, the opinion of the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on the issue of restrictions on prices for Russian raw materials is not very important, since without Washington's approval Brussels is unlikely to be able to fully implement these plans.

Earlier, von der Leyen said that the new package of EU sanctions against Russia would include a ban on the use of damaged Nord Stream pipelines, blacklisting banks and tankers, banning EU countries from buying Russian oil, and an attempt to lower the price ceiling from $60 to $45 per barrel. Also, von der Leyen and Kallas promised to impose new export restrictions on 22 companies, not only from Russia, but also from Belarus, China, and other countries, to try to reduce the effectiveness of Russian measures to circumvent sanctions.

South African delegation headed by deputy president arrives in St. P for SPIEF

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is taking place on June 18-21

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted more than 220 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed an enemy armored combat vehicle in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia will achieve goals on Ukraine militarily if peace effort fails — Putin

The Russian President stated this at a meeting organized by TASS with the heads of leading world news agencies

World to face demographic crisis — Russian official

Maxim Oreshkin noted that China faces critical demographic problems

Putin sees no rational explanation for Germany’s decision to stop buying Russian gas

Volkswagen, Porsche and other German brands are literally "dying," Russian President said

BRICS Bank entry requests by Colombia, Uzbekistan approved — NDB president Rousseff

Dilma Rousseff said that requests by Ethiopia and Indonesia were under consideration

DPR, LPR had the right to secede from Ukraine regardless of Kiev’s opinion — Putin

There is a relevant decision by the UN International Court of Justice, which ruled that there has been a precedent set by Kosovo, Russian President noted

Iran may attack US ships if US intervenes in conflict — TV

"Any direct US intervention in the conflict will result in an unprecedented threat to enemy ships," the official said

Court of The Hague rejects Ukrainian company's claim to seize Gazprom assets

The Hague court also ordered Zhniva to reimburse legal costs

At least two US Navy destroyers protect Israel from Iranian strikes — ABC

Since the onset of the Israeli operation on June 13, USS The Sullivans and USS Arleigh Burke, both Arleigh Burke-class destroyers situated in the eastern Mediterranean, have been protecting the country’s territory against Iran’s ballistic missiles

Russia handed over 6,000 bodies of servicemen to Ukraine — Putin

These are sad and tragic figures, but, at the same time, it’s a humanitarian subject and a positive outcome of the negotiations in Istanbul, Russian President said

Telegram co-founder Durov says his brother working on ‘real AI’

He said thet his brother's future AI will differ from current large language models and will be able to "understand the world"

Israel's attack on Iran may scar Europe too — DPR head

Denis Pushilin emphasized that Donbass, which has been enduring military conflict since 2014, supports the peaceful resolution of all geopolitical disputes

Iran plans new retaliatory strikes against Israel — Khamenei

The head of the Islamic Republic said that the Zionist enemy must be punished and is already receiving punishment

Iran urges neighboring countries not to let Israel carry out strikes from their territory

This is particularly important given our relations of friendship and good neighborliness, Ahmad Ali Goudarzi, the commander of Iran's border guards, said

Decision to strike Iran may lead Trump to political tragedy — expert

"Trump's decision will hinge on a careful assessment of the maximum effectiveness of available weapons and the strategic capability to achieve the desired objectives," Roostum Vansu said

First atlas of wine in Russia presented at SPIEF

"The atlas includes cartography, large databases, several tens of thousands of studied and verified land plots, as well as design," Pavel Shinsky, the creator of the atlas, General Director of the French-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said

Trump says Iran was few weeks away from obtaining nuclear weapon

US leader said he believes Iran would use a nuclear weapon

Downed F-35, US fleet withdrawal, secret Chinese flights: news on Israel-Iran conflict

On Wednesday morning, 50 Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck Iranian facilities used in the production of uranium enrichment centrifuges

Trump says has no desire of drawing US into another prolonged war in Middle East

At the same time, the US president acknowledged that "some people" are unhappy with the assistance that America is providing to Israel in conducting an operation against Iran

Nuclear threat in Middle East not hypothetical, but practical — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stressed that Iran "had, has, and will have the right" to peaceful nuclear facilities that are now under attack

Kiev's 'Kursk adventure' PR-motivated — DPR head

Kiev did it for the sake of some PR advantages, for the sake of some elements, opportunities to curry favor somewhere and have an additional argument for self-preservation, Denis Pushilin said

News agencies from US, UK, France participate in meeting with Putin

Among the participants are James Jordan, news director for Europe and Africa at US’ The Associated Press; Simon Robinson, executive editor at UK’s Reuters; and Karim Talbi, editor-in-chief at Agence France-Presse

Pentagon ready for Trump’s any decision on Iran — Hegseth

The US defense secretary said that Iran should have made a deal

Russia did not start hostilities in Ukraine, it is trying to end them — Putin

It was the Ukrainian government which began a war against its own territory following a state coup in Kiev, Russian President said

Capitulation of Kiev regime should be discussed with other states — DPR head

"The decision will be made by other people, perhaps by other countries," Denis Pushilin said

Russia offered Iran air defense projects, Tehran showed little interest — Putin

The countries' strategic partnership agreement does not contain any articles related to defense, Russian President said

Iran takes full control of Israel’s airspace — agency

The IRGC called on the residents of Tel Aviv’s Neve Tzedek neighborhood to evacuate, the Mehr news agency reported

Israel fails to effectively attack Iran's nuclear facilities — envoy to Geneva

Ali Bahreini emphasized that Israel is "a source of instability in the Middle East"

DPR head urges Europe to focus on its own problems rather than weapons for Ukraine

According to Denis Pushilin, the actions of Western politicians could prompt a change in the state of affairs in Europe happen as quickly as the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict did

Putin calls targeted attacks on war correspondents a crime

It is also a huge tragedy if a person is wounded, injured or passes away, Russian President said

Israel running low on Arrow missile interceptors amid conflict with Iran — WSJ

According to the report, the United States has been augmenting the Jewish state’s anti-missile and air defenses for months

Putin says open to speaking with Merz if German chancellor wants to call him

Russia is always open to contacts with Europe, Russian President said

Trump says approved continuation of Israel's operation against Iran to Netanyahu

The US president said that the next week is going to be very big

Trump says he ran out of patience on Iran, wishes luck to Khamenei

The US president again essentially demanded that Iran capitulate

Israel needs US-exclusive mega-bomb to destroy nuclear facility in Fordow — NYP

Costing over $500 million per missile to develop, the 5-ton "bunker buster" bomb can only be carried by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, which the Israeli air force lacks

Putin says not even discussing possibility of Ayatollah Khamenei’s assassination

Russian President said at a meeting with the heads of the world's leading news agencies organized by TASS, when asked what Russia's reaction would be if Israel were to assassinate the ayatollah

Putin says Trump’s business background is his advantage

He can calculate what this or that measure with regard to Russia may entail, how much it will cost to taxpayers, how much it will cost to the US economy, Russian President said

Data storage on Russian servers to be condition for foreign companies return

"The competition should be, a certain import share should be present," Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov noted

North Korean construction workers may help with restoration of Russian borderline areas

According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, major organizational work would be required in order to attract foreigner experts to restore the Russian territories

Zelensky cancels press conference and leaves Canada after failed meeting with Trump

Donald Trump left the G7 talks on June 17, ahead of schedule

Many Donbass mineral reserves classified under Stalin — Donbass head

Denis Pushilin said that many deposits are still classified

Iran strikes Rafael weapons factory, sources say

No further details have been disclosed regarding the extent of the damage or the factory’s specific location

Kiev stops large-scale counterattacks amid Russian advance — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, the Russian Defense Ministry’s latest bulletins illustrate Russian military successes in the regions of Sumy, Kharkov, and south of Donetsk

Air defenses destroy 81 Ukrainian UAVs over 11 Russian regions overnight

Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz said there were no injuries or damage after 19 fixed-wing UAVs were destroyed over the bordering Russian region

State coup is primary source of the Kiev regime’s power — Putin

The Russian president noted that the country was trying to mediate between the Kyiv government and the territories that were once southeastern Ukraine, or Donbass

Doomsday plane arrives at air base near Washington DC

With aerial refueling, Nightwatch can remain airborne for a week

Israeli army reports detecting rocket fire from Gaza Strip

There were no reports of casualties

Iran strikes Israel’s cyber command headquarters — IRNA

According to the news agency, thousands of servicemen responsible for intelligence data processing and cyber operations were stationed there

President Putin points to consolidation of Iranian society around country’s leadership

Well is almost always and everywhere this way, Russian President said

Russia enjoys strategic advantage in its special military op in Ukraine — Putin

Troops are advancing along the entire line of contact, Russian President said

Russia’s Angara-A5 carrier rocket with satellites blasts off from Plesetsk spaceport

Angara is a family of Russian launch vehicles ranging from light-to heavy-lift classes

FACTBOX: Russian pizza magnate Samvel Karapetyan detained in Armenia

The raid was triggered by Samvel Karapetyan’s response to remarks made by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan with regard to representatives of the Armenian Church

Putin starts meeting with heads of world's leading news agencies at SPIEF sidelines

TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman is moderating the conversation

Putin confirms Russia ready to mediate Middle East conflict — Kremlin

According to the statement, Russia is inclined to promote dialogue between the parties to the conflict

Russia constantly upgrades its Armed Forces and defensive capabilities — Putin

Certain threats are definitely on the agenda, Russian President said

Iran launches Sejil medium-range missile in combat conditions for first time — news agency

According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Tehran launched three such missiles into Israeli territory

Europeans stopped contacts with Russia, they should resume them — Putin

A year and a half or two years ago, conversations with former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other European leaders were regular, Russian President said

Israel starts using Iron Beam laser weapon system to intercept missiles — embassy

The system was first used in combat conditions in the conflict with Iran

Roscosmos chief says ISS not shutting down for at least another three years

According to Dmitry Bakanov, after that, a joint decision will be made

'Tornado sweeping' through Tehran, civilians flee capital — defense minister

Israel Katz said that "regime landmarks are being targeted and collapsing"

US to suffer colossal damage if enters military conflict with Iran — Khamenei

The press service noted that this was the country’s supreme leader’s reaction to "ridiculous remarks" by US President Donald Trump who earlier demanded Tehran’s "unconditional surrender"

Ukrainian conflict must have long-term solution — Putin

The Russian leader recalled that he took part in the Minsk talks, where "they sought principles for a peaceful settlement and talked for 17 hours straight"

Putin calls Russia undisputed leader in heavy lift helicopters, says even UN uses them

According to him, military-technical cooperation between Russia and China is also developing rapidly, ensuring stability in global affairs, Russian president said

UAV warehouse in Kiev hit by Russia’s strike — media

Kiev officially did not confirm the Russian strike on the hanger with drones

Kazakhstan, Russia could jointly develop rare earth metals — envoy

Russia and Kazakhstan could also cooperate in the agriculture sector, Dauren Abayev said

Russia asked Kiev government to implement Minsk Accords, they refused — Putin

And then the special military operation began, the Russian leader said

Israeli, US air defenses have no answer for some of Iran's missiles — US expert

Daniel Davis said that the US should not join Israel’s military operation against Iran

Top Chinese diplomat says world cannot stand by as Middle East 'plunges into the abyss'

"The most important thing at this point is to stop the firing, stop the hostilities," Wang Yi stated

Israeli planes make 600 midair refuelings during operation in Iran — IDF

"Aerial refueling is a crucial component of the Israeli Air Force's operations in Iran, enabling the continued maintenance of aerial superiority in the region," the IDF added

West seeks to offset defeat in Ukraine by fueling other conflicts, says analyst

The fate of Ukraine after the conflict is already a foregone conclusion, Pierre-Emmanuel Thomann believes

Russia ready to broaden energy cooperation with Vietnam — Putin

"We have lots of good projects", the Russian President said

French president’s trip to Greenland irritates Trump

According to the Financial Times, Macron’s decision to make a stopover in Greenland on his way to the summit contributed to Trump’s decision to leave the event early

Iranian missile strikes on Israel completely cripple Tel Aviv — news agency

It is noted that the missile strikes resulted in power outages and disrupted fuel supplies

Trump says not too late to negotiate with Iran

According to the US president, the Iranians are in contact with the Americans

Russia to continue with Bushehr NPP project in Iran, says Putin

The construction of a nuclear power plant near the city of Bushehr in southern Iran was launched in 1975

CPC estimates damage from Kiev's UAV attack on Kropotkinskaya station at $34.38 mln

The consortium’s CEO Nikolay Gorban noted that all CPC shareholders, including foreign partners, provided advisory support during the station’s restoration following the attack and assisted in delivering the necessary equipment

Europe loses some $1.14 trillion by cutting Russian natural gas supplies — RDIF chief

Special Representative of Russian President for investment and economic cooperation Kirill Dmitriev added that at the same time the US losses from imposed sanctions against Russia exceeded $300 billion

Trump’s remarks on China joining G7 reflect ignorance, desperation — expert

According to Wang Wen, the majority of the Chinese view the Group of Seven as a closed circle of Western imperialist countries and the main source of an unequal political, economic and financial global system

Russia is in contact with Israel, US on situation in Iran — Putin

Putin said at a meeting with heads of leading international news agencies, organized by TASS

Russia, China to hold joint military drills in 2025 — Vladimir Putin

The Russian president stressed that this is extremely important for ensuring stability in global affairs

US keeps the door open for diplomacy with Iran — Trump

US leader said the Iranians "want to come to the White House"

Moscow will not allow Ukraine to have troops that threaten Russia — Putin

Russian President reiterated that demilitarization was among the objectives of the Russian special military operation

Russian intel chief says situation between Iran, Israel critical

According to Sergey Naryshkin, Russia is in contact with members of certain intelligence services of Iran and Israel

World War III would destroy civilization, must be prevented — senior Russian diplomat

Alexander Pankin also expressed skepticism about UN reform efforts

Russia tolerated Donbass situation for eight years trying to negotiate — Putin

Instead of launching negotiations the army was enforced, Russian President said

Trump says he is still undecided on whether to strike Iran

"I like to make a final decision one second before it’s due," the president said

Iran has no other choice but to protect its territorial integrity — foreign ministry

"International law prohibits forcing a country to make decisions through pressure and threats," Esmail Baqaei stressed

Russian banks help Latin America get around payment restrictions — chamber of commerce

"International payments are ultimately controlled by the SWIFT system, and although Latin America has not imposed sanctions against Russia, this is a challenge and a difficult," Domingo Garcia said

Russian army 'actively advancing' near DPR border with Dnipropetrovsk Region — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that, in general, the Russian army is actively fighting and is making progress on the front line from the south-west of Krasnoarmeisk in the Donetsk People’s Republic and up to the Zaporozhye region

Iran says it used undetectable missiles to strike Mossad headquarters

According to the Iranian official, the attack came as a surprise for the Israel

Iran shoots down fifth Israeli F-35 — municipal authorities

According to the report, the fighter plane was taken down in the Javadabad area of the Varamin municipal district

Trump says he, Putin discussed Iran, Ukraine on June 17

The US president said that Vladimir Putin actually offered to help mediate talks with Iran

No serious operations yet staged by Iran against Israel — Iranian top brass

The real, decisive and punitive retribution against Israel will be inflicted very soon, Abdulrahim Mousavi said

If Ukrainian president illegitimate, entire government structure illegitimate — Putin

All top brass is appointed by presidents, Russian President said

Area of Iran’s Arak heavy water plant comes under Israeli attack — Mehr

According to the news agency, there are no risks of radioactive contamination

Taurus missiles won’t stop Russia’s advance in special op zone — Putin

Russian President noted that taking into account the fact that the Ukrainian armed forces are only 47% staffed, the presence of Taurus missiles "makes absolutely no sense"

Putin, Rousseff discuss efforts to create BRICS digital payment platform

The Russian president congratulated Dilma Rousseff on the reelection to the office of the head of the New Development Bank

Press review: SPIEF 2025 may yield $95.5 bln in contracts as Trump leaves G7 summit early

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 18th

Iran denies former president Ahmadinejad was killed

Some news media earlier reported that the former president was killed in Tehran

Fertilizer producers may postpone future projects due to high interest rates

The interest rate at the moment is actually too high for implementation of these complexes of expensive projects, head of the Russian Fertilizers Producers Association Andrey Guryev said