Ex-Ukrainian army officers train NATO troops in using drones in Latvia-hosted drills

The newspaper’s correspondent noted that "despite the talk of modernizing, the exercise felt little like the fighting in eastern Ukraine, where drones dominate the skies in such numbers that tanks and artillery can hardly move"

Expectations from Putin’s visit to China and Zelensky’s remarks: Kremlin's briefing

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that any contacts between President Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping help create new momentum for the further development and expansion of relations between Moscow and Beijing

Discussions on denuclearization with Russia and China, Iran operation: Trump’s statements

The US president noted that the US will resume and finish the operation in Iran, which is currently 70-75% complete

Three plants for Volkswagen, Foton, and JAC brands to open in Uzbekistan by year-end

The announcement followed a meeting where President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals to develop the automotive industry, expand production capacity, and enhance the sector's competitiveness

US military intelligence believes Ukraine is delivering chaotic strikes on Russia

Ukrainian strikes lack the coordination, tempo, and concentration on critical Russian military infrastructure, according to a report compiled by inspectors general of the US Department of War, the Department of State and the Agency for International Development

Donbass will do without Ukraine, hardly vice versa - experts

After the independence referendums in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions quite a few Ukrainian analysts said Ukraine should let them go

Nine fast-neutron reactors to be built in Russia by 2042 — Rosatom

According to the statement, fast reactors with a closed fuel cycle are not just a means of increasing the efficiency of nuclear energy, but a prerequisite for its long-term existence

EU’s freeze of relations with Russia utterly counter-productive — Lavrov

"We are certain that in the interests of the peoples of our common continent we should agree to move forward and form a common space of security and cooperation," Russian Foreign Minister said

Angara to be used for economic, defense purposes — Putin

Putin believes that the new rocket would be good for “the system of early warning of missile attacks, reconnaissance, navigation, communication and re-transmission of signals for defense purposes”

IN BRIEF: Putin’s statements on unprecedented level of ties with China and mutual support

The Russian president says that the two countries are ready to support each other on key issues, including the protection of sovereignty

Trade between Russia and Latin America grows by 25% over 5 years — Putin

As the Russian leader noted, the further development of reciprocal trade exchanges will be facilitated thanks to a more vigorous transition to national currencies in financial settlements

Iranian leader offers BRICS to set up joint framework to counter Western sanctions

Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that the world must move away from using tools such as economic sanctions in order to restore confidence in a just, multipolar system

Nearly 70% of Ukrainians use Russian language on daily basis — former PM

Nikolay Azarov pointed out that Ukraine tried to eliminate the Russian language and ban a significant part of its culture

EU pays highest amount for Russian LNG in over one year in March

The European Union purchased around 933 mln euros worth of LNG from Russia

US continues to train Ukrainian pilots to use F-16 fighter jets — report

According to the report issued by inspectors general of the US Department of War, the Department of State, and the Agency for International Development, the training commitments are coordinated by the Air Force Capability Coalition that the US co-leads with Denmark and the Netherlands

UK authorizes import of diesel and jet fuel produced from Russian oil from third countries

The exceptions to the sanctions rules come into force on May 20 and are of an indefinite duration

Rules for electing OPCW head need to be changed, says Russian delegation chief

The rules should should contain provisions concerning fair geographical rotation and the establishment of the mandate commission, Georgy Kalamanov recalled

Anti-Russian sanctions worthless, only complicate relations — Marine Le Pen

Le Pen added that her stand on the issue was well known to Russian officials, including State Duma speaker, with whom she intends to discuss the situation in Ukraine and illegal migration

Bilateral relations, energy and Russian delegation members: aide on Putin’s visit to China

There is no link between the visits to China by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Yury Ushakov noted

Russia’s military planning to take into account NATO’s growing nuclear capabilities

This "cannot go unaddressed," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said

Euroclear refuses to unfreeze Russian Central Bank’s assets: what is known

The decision is based on the fact that the Russian regulator’s claim against Euroclear Bank is not recognized under EU legislation, and "Euroclear does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction"

Share of imports in Russia’s chemical industry amounts to 33.5% in 2025 — ministry

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Mikhail Yurin said that work to reduce the share of imports in the industry is ahead of schedule

Russia to take part in OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session in February — lawmaker

Vladimir Dzhabarov recalled that in November, several anti-Russian countries tried to change the voting procedure ultimately seeking to expel Russia from the organization but these attempts failed

Air defenses destroy 56 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within another six-hour period

The ministry reported earlier in the day that it destroyed 70 Ukrainian UAVs over various Russian regions between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Moscow time

Qatar calls for respecting freedom of navigation in Strait of Hormuz

According to Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, contacts are currently being held at various levels to restore stability and ensure safe navigation in the Persian Gulf

Putin to arrive in China on evening of May 19 to be met by Wang Yi — Kremlin aide

As Yury Ushakov specified, the Chinese side will organize a formal welcome ceremony at the airport

Iran announces introduction of new mechanism for vessel passage via Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the report, vessels intending to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, "after notifying the Iranian authorities, must receive an electronic message from them, containing information about the rules of movement through the strait"

Russian troops liberate Volokhovka community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,175 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

US investigates 56 cases of corruption and theft of American weapons in Ukraine

According to a report prepared by the inspectors general of the Pentagon, the State Department, and the now effectively dismantled US Agency for International Development, 13 other investigations have been closed

US may need to deliver another 'big hit' on Iran — Trump

The US president said that he is not sure

Russia is eternal, Putin says as he urges more legislative flexibility

The country is facing unprecedented challenges and risks, and it should overcome them with dignity, the Russian head of state said

Suez was just a cover: three major misconceptions about World War II in Africa and Iran

It was precisely in the sands of Egypt and the mountains of Iran where the fate of crucial fuel resources was decided, and where the expansion of the Holocaust into the Middle East was planned

Some Gulf countries had no idea US planned to attack Iran on May 19 — media

As Donald Trump said earlier, he was asked to hold off by the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, who convinced him to give diplomacy another chance

Lavrov sends another letter to UN chief in search of answers about Bucha — diplomat

According to Vasily Nebenzya, Moscow views the incident as a "deliberate fake" used to derail the peace talks in 2022

Moscow doing its utmost to prevent international conflict in Syria, Russia’s UN envoy says

Russia is working with the Syrian government and the opposition, Vassily Nebenzya said

US appears to sincerely want Ukrainian conflict to end — Russian diplomat

"But Washington has a lot of other priorities as well," Vasily Nebenzya said

Kiev forces expand attack area on Zaporozhye NPP over two weeks — official

Facility's Director Yury Chernichuk called the recent events "a massive psychological attack on the city, on the plant"

Press review: Putin China visit puts energy sector in focus as Trump signals bluff on Iran

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 19th

Trump says threatened Thailand and Cambodia with new duties

US President said he was sure that the duties is an important tool in the foreign policy for his administration

CSTO takes action to curb terrorist threat from Afghanistan — joint staff chief

"As of today, there is no overarching problem regarding military security or military danger coming from the territory of Afghanistan," Colonel-General Anatoly Sidorov noted

A number of US investors eye participation in Russian-Chinese projects — Dmitriev

As Kirill Dmitriev noted, Russia and China maintain a partnership approach based on mutual cooperation and the understanding that sanctions are illegitimate