Lavrov: West's aggression stems from declining influence, fear of competition

West knows no bounds to aggression, tries to resolve issues by force — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that Western policies result in number of unprecedented sanctions that undermine core principles of the Western order, such as free trade, market forces, and the inviolability of property

Innovative Russian medicines account for over 60% of market — minister

Anton Alikhanov also recalled that the ministry is preparing support measures for companies registering drugs that meet first-in-class requirements

IN BRIEF: Putin, Lukashenko observe joint Russia-Belarus drills via video link

According to the Russian president, the use of nuclear weapons is an exceptional measure to ensure the country's security

Kremlin comments on readiness for talks with Europe, Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline

The Kremlin sees no risk of fuel shortages caused by ongoing Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries

Putin, Xi Jinping offer world alternative to militarization — US expert

According to Peter Kuznick, Xi Jinping and Putin demonstrated not only "their open and explicit embrace of multipolarity," but also their rejection of unilateral force

Russian troops liberate five communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,260 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Palestine withdraws its diplomat’s candidacy for post of UNGA Vice President

The spokeswoman for the office of the 80th session’s president, La Neice Collins, noted that the UN General Assembly’s presidential office has received a nomination for this post from Lebanon

Moscow to protect Transnistrian Russians, respond to use of its assets to fund Kiev — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that Kiev’s nervous reaction to the issue of Russian citizenship for Transnistrian residents was inappropriate

Foreign air defenses fail to stop even 8% of Ukrainian drones attacking Russia — expert

According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, Russia has developed and produced new interception systems tailored to combat drones and organized a multi-layered, echeloned defense with an end-to-end targeting and control system

Trump’s initiatives on Ukraine hampered by globalists in Europe — expert

While Moscow should take the stance and actions of other countries into account, others’ position is not a priority to Russia, Yevgeny Poddubny stressed

Russia condemns US pressure on Cuba aimed at government change — MFA

"It seems that everything possible is being done to signal the possibility of an armed intervention in Cuba," the Russian Foreign Ministry said

EU will not return to Russian oil and gas purchases under any circumstances

European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said the largest gas supplies for the European Union now come from Norway

West's current aggression stems from decline in influence, fear of competition — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov also noted that "the financial and economic system led by the West after World War II can no longer function in a way that guarantees continued benefit for Western countries"

Rutte plans to keep US in NATO with promises to buy more American weapons — Politico

According to the sources, this will not only eliminate the real shortfall in the alliance's arsenals but also "send a demand signal" to US President Donald Trump

FACTBOX: What is known about development of Ladoga aircraft

Information about the suspension of the TVRS-44 Ladoga turboprop aircraft project is incorrect, as no such decisions have been made at the current stage of development, Ural Works of Civil Aviation reported

Budapest links relations reset with Kiev to resolution of Hungarian minority issue

Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar said that improving the situation with the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia was regarded as an essential condition for the launch of negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession

World to face crisis like in 2008 if Strait of Hormuz remains closed — Bloomberg

Acccording to the analysis by Rapidan Energy Group, if the Strait of reopens in July, an average oil demand reduction of 2.6 million barrels a day and the spot-market price for benchmark Brent crude peaking near $130 a barrel over the summer could be expected

European Commission recognizes Russia's economic resilience — expert

According to Vladimir Yeremkin, the EC forecast exaggerates the positive impetus from instability in the Middle East and does not fully account for the scale of monetary tightness imposed by the Bank of Russia itself

Ukraine has to make painful concessions to achieve peace — media

The news outlet noted that the imbalance in resources between Russia and Ukraine has always meant that Kiev would never be able to succeed

FACTBOX: What we know about Ukrainian drone attack on college in Starobelsk

Administrative buildings, stores, and private homes were also damaged in the city, according to the regional head

US brought diplomatic property talks with Russia into stalemate — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Americans have brought to a dead end negotiations not only on this subject, but on other related matters as well

Some 18 people may be trapped under rubble of attacked college in LPR — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik said there were 86 children aged between 14 and 18 in the facility at the time of the attack

Trump says not trying to intimidate Cuba by sending aircraft carrier to Caribbean Sea

On March 5, the US president announced Washington's intention to develop a further course of action regarding Cuba after the conclusion of military operations against Iran

NATO’s ideas about 'decolonizing' Russia still present in its public discourse — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister expressed concern over the West's continued use of "the same methods of self-superiority that have been repeatedly employed in Europe"

Kalashnikov unveils Kub-10ME guided munition with range of over 100 km

According to the arms manufacturer, the key features of the new system include an optoelectronic guidance system that enables the engagement of moving targets, and improved protection against electronic warfare and air defense systems

IN BRIEF: What we know about US move to send 5,000 troops to Poland

The US leader did not elaborate on exactly what US Army units will be deployed to Poland

Senior Russian diplomat explains what Russia means by 'spirit of Anchorage'

It's about the atmosphere of trust that emerged between the presidents of Russia and the US, which, in the context of last year’s Alaska summit, allowed to shape the basic contours of the Ukrainian peace process, Sergey Ryabkov said

No fuel shortages on Russian market, country prepared for demand growth — Energy Ministry

According to the ministry, particular attention is being paid to meeting the needs of the agricultural sector during the sowing campaign period

Washington does not want Iran to charge shipping fees in Strait of Hormuz — Trump

"It’s an international waterway," the US president said

Russian flamethrower crews destroy five Ukrainian strongpoints in Sumy Region in one day

The platoon commander said the work of the nuclear biological, and chemical protection crews is making a significant contribution to the advancement of Russian units along the entire line of contact

US approves possible sale of equipment for HAWK SAMs to Ukraine worth $108.1 mln

According to the US Department of State, the Kiev government requested to buy spare parts, maintenance and service support, as well as repair and return support

Afghanistan lowers legal age of marriage for girls to nine years old — newspaper

The article noted that the government has effectively abolished the minimum marriage age for girls by linking the possibility of marriage to the onset of puberty

Reaction to Putin’s China visit, clear message to world, failure to isolate Russia

According to former CIA analyst Larry Johnson, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are signaling to the West that they are establishing a new world order free from its dominance

EU leaders urge Zelensky to investigate Yermak’s case for EU membership — Zeit

According to the newspaper, immediately after the corruption scandal came into the spotlight in November, heads of several European countries urged Vladimir Zelensky to fully investigate the matter and take appropriate measures if necessary

US companies looking forward to return to Russian market — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov that the United States continues to conduct the policy of sanctions on Russian partners by prohibiting them from buying Russian fuel and preventing cooperation in other areas

Russia sees no reason to theorize about less intense dialogue with US — senior diplomat

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov also adeed that "nothing is impossible, but success here will require both parties to demonstrate political will and a realistic approach"

Russia has right to respond forcefully to EU for its siding with Ukraine — politician

Viktor Medvedchuk noted that Vladimir Zelensky was counting on a direct military conflict between Europe and Russia and was doing everything to achieve that

Ukrainian attacks wound 35 people in LPR, 217 UAVs target Russia: aftermath of new strikes

The UAVs were shot down over the districts of Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Vladimir, Kaluga, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Novgorod, Oryol, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tver, Tula, and Yaroslavl, as well as the Moscow Region and St. Petersburg

IN BRIEF: Kremlin spokesman speaks on Putin-Xi talks over tea, US pressure on Cuba

Dmitry Peskov said that the US blockade of Cuba was having catastrophic consequences for the island’s people

Eurozone public debt to exceed 90% of GDP in 2026, reach euro crisis level in 2027

The European Commission attributed these figures to rising energy prices caused by the war around Iran, but made no mention of any connection between these numbers and military financing for Ukraine

Ukrainian strike on college in LPR, punishment for Kiev: new briefing by Kremlin spokesman

The Ukrainian strike on the college in Starobelsk in the Lugansk People's Republic is a horrible crime, Dmitry Peskov said

Enemy drone attacks on college building in Starobelsk in LPR leave 35 wounded — official

According to LPR head Leonid Pasechnik, there were 86 children aged between 14 and 18 in the building at the time of the attack

Kiev troops fire 11 munitions towards DPR in past day, one killed

Cars and a civilian infrastructure site were damaged as a result