Belarus Reserves Right to Act Against Ukraine to Protect Citizens

Belarus reserves right to act against Ukraine to protect its citizens

"In the Republic of Belarus, we will take all necessary measures to protect the lives and ensure the safety of our citizens," Igor Nazaruk said

IN BRIEF: CIS official condemns Kiev attack on bus with Belarusian kids as terrorist act

First Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Independent States Igor Petrishenko called on the entire world community to take necessary actions to ensure that an appropriate investigation is conducted

Russian Urals plant working to expand strike capabilities for Forpost UAV system

The UAV system can operate without additional equipment within a range of 200 km from a ground control station and climb to an altitude of over 4,000 meters

Kiev seeks Brazilian president to act as mediator in talks with Russia — media

Brazilian officials believe Kiev is guided by the fact that, unlike European politicians, Lula da Silva maintains a trust-based relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Almost half of Poles do not plan to defend their country with weapons in hand — poll

Young people aged 18 to 29 are the least inclined to fight, with only 18% indicating their willingness to participate in military operations

Press review: EU pushes Trump on Russia policy as Moscow warns on Greenland militarization

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

IN BRIEF: What is known about cancelation of planned US-Iran talks in Swiss resort

US Vice President JD Vance may have postponed his trip to Switzerland for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran because of Tehran’s demands regarding Lebanon

Russian MP warns of nuclear proliferation risk if Israel uses nukes against Iran

Alexey Pushkov noted that the question of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will use nuclear weapons in Iran has been actively discussed on American television in recent days

What is known about coordinated strike on energy facilities in Ukraine by Russian forces

Blasts were reported in Kiev, Sumy, and Chernigov

EU bureaucrats understand that Ukraine can never join bloc — Russia’s SVR

According to the statement, EU officials and European politicians have made it clear that Ukraine’s accession to the European Union at the current stage, or even in the medium term, is completely ruled out

US vice president lashes out at Israeli leadership

The problem for Israel is not Donald J. Trump, and anybody in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the president of the United States needs to wake up and smell the reality of the situation that country is in, JD Vance said

Activities of biolabs in Ukraine, US role: statements by Russian chemical troops

According to chief of the Russian army's Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops Lieutenant General Alexey Rtishchev, American intelligence materials confirmed that biolabs in Ukraine were funded from the US state budget

What is known about largest Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow Region in two years

According to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, air defenses downed more than 190 drones since the start of the day

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

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 2,040 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 18 enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Europe’s real objective not to negotiate with Russia but to save Zelensky regime — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister emphasized that the real objective is to shore up the regime of Vladimir Zelensky and preserve it as a launchpad for continued confrontation against Russia

Europe seeks Russia’s defeat in conflict, cannot be treated as impartial observer — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister recalled that Vladimir Putin reiterated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that Russia is not opposed to contacts with any party

US troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White House

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

IN BRIEF: What we know about consequences of Ukrainian attack on bus carrying children

According to the latest information, a woman chaperone for the team died

Turkey confirms readiness to provide platform for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat noted that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan communicated with a number of representatives in the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service and in the presidential administration of the Russian Federation

US maintains sanctions against Iran, except for restrictions on oil exports — Vance

According to the US vice president, Washington does not intend to lift other restrictions until Tehran fulfills its obligations under the agreement

NATO needs to be a 'two-way street', US troops in Europe: statements by Pentagon chief

Pete Hegseth said that NATO has been a "paper tiger" for far too long, but this must change

EU urgently needs diplomatic channel of communication with Russia — Fico

According to the Slovak PM, a permanent communication channel between the EU and Russia would help avoid an escalation of tensions in the event of unintentional violation of the community's air borders by UAVs

Another strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran

One of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI said

IN BRIEF: Putin’s statements on Russia-ASEAN interaction, US-Iran agreements

According to the head of state, Russia and ASEAN countries held productive talks at the summit, which took place in a friendly and business-like atmosphere

US biolabs, 'destructive response' to possible NATO aggression: MFA statements

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that the US studied the diseases in its biolabs in Ukraine that are not typical of the region

Europe wants to freeze conflict in Ukraine to deploy its military contingents — Lavrov

The real objective of European leaders is not to negotiate with Russia, but to save the regime of Vladimir Zelensky, Russian Foreign Minister said

Macron doubts effectiveness of US actions in war with Iran

French President Emmanuel Macron also added that US President Donald Trump's entourage and actors in the Middle East pushed him "to go much further and act much harder"

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

Time is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President said

Principle of indivisible security can be embodied in new Eurasian architecture — Lavrov

Russiam Foreign Minister pointed out that European leaders should recognize that the model of regional security built in Europe over decades has been destroyed by their own hands

Philippine leader says Putin authorizes release of 24 Filipinos detained in Siberia

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. noted that Russia had given the Filipinos an option to legally work in the country but they chose to come back to their homeland

Washington in talks with Havana on possible reforms in Cuba — Vance

The US wants the people of Cuba to be happy and successful, the American vice president said

Iran will not bow to US demands in discussions of its nuclear program — Supreme Leader

According to Mojtaba Khamenei, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed that if the US tries to make excessive demands, the Iranian delegation will not accept them

Two employees killed, six injured at Zaporozhye nuke plant since beginning of year

Yevgenia Yashina stressed that the Ukrainian armed forces continued to target the ZNPP transport department, buses carrying personnel, and other sites

Trump says has to keep Netanyahu 'a little bit sane'

The US president previously used strong language with respect to the Israeli prime minister, both in private conversations with him and in interviews

Trump says will be able to persuade Israel not to attack Lebanon

The US leader noted that Israel had "a lot of respect" for him

Bank of Russia cuts key rate by 25 basis points to 14.25% per annum

According to the regulator, economic growth continues at a moderate pace after a temporary decline at the beginning of the year

EU tries to dictate to Russia, mistakenly thinking it is weak — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that attempts by the European Union to talk to Russia from a position of strength "are a dead-end"

G7 support for Ukraine takes conflict to new level, Russian official believes

State Secretary of the Union State Sergey Glazyev highlighted that the recent meeting of the G7 countries in Evian-les-Bains, France, had confirmed the full support of the leading Western countries for the actions of the Kiev regime

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

Trump fed up with Netanyahu’s demands for new airstrikes — newspaper

The media outlet recalled that in a recent conversation, the US leader called Netanyahu "crazy" and hinted that without US support, he could end up in prison