News Digest: Geopolitical and Economic Updates

Russia, US need to launch dialogue on trade, investment prospects — MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that in relations with the United States, "with the arrival of the current administration, some things have moved in the right direction"

War between US, Iran to enter 'different phase' in coming months — Vance

According to the vice president, the US has already completed the first phase, which was to destroy the nuclear program and conventional military of Iran

Europe unlikely to go back to being Russia's top gas buyer — expert

The European market will remain large and attractive for Russia, Ilya Grashchenkov noted

UN secretary-general candidate wants peace in Gaza based on Oslo, Abraham Accords

He described the resolution of major conflicts as one of the issues he intends to prioritize, noting that international peace, security, and international cooperation constitute "the core mandate of the United Nations"

Ukraine's interceptor drones fall short in July tests — Reuters

Many of the interceptor drones proved difficult to control at speeds sometimes exceeding 400 kilometers per hour, with some crashing into nearby fields and forests, the news agency noted

Russia readies to strike Ukraine’s energy sites to retaliate attacks on its infrastructure

At the same time, Russian servicemen continued to launch coordinated strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities that support the Ukrainian military overnight, the ministry emphasized

Trips to Moscow, Kiev were very successful, US understands next steps — Kushner

The negotiator added that he has "a very clear sense" as to "what can lead to something that's lasting and enduring"

Iran lifts ban on use of foreign messengers by government agencies

Islamic Republic Government Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said that the main goal of the move is "to ensure the ability to promptly respond to emerging doubts and planted information, as well as effectively counter psychological operations and the information war" against Iran

Russia to respond accordingly if Lithuania moves to field nuclear weapons — MFA

As for the autumn session of the Lithuanian Seimas on amending legislation to allow the deployment of foreign nuclear weapons, this is a completely irresponsible act, Maria Zakharova said

Not enough air defense assets in whole world to meet Kiev’s needs — former Estonian leader

The situation for Ukrainians has clearly worsened, Kersti Kaljulaid said

Press TV: Israeli military abducted Iranian TV journalist near Bethlehem

According to one of Hamed’s colleagues, the Israelis detained the entire crew and searched them, after which the cameramen were released, while the journalist herself was taken to an unknown location

Any use of Russian assets would cause greater damage to Europe than to Russia — portal

Europe is forced to balance between aiding Ukraine and financial suicide, media outlet InsideOver said

Italy’s deputy PM believes that weak politicians need Ukrainian conflict

In his view, rapprochement between the parties to the conflict should be in everyone’s interests

Oil exports to Europe reach around 25 mln tons in 2025 — Novak

The Russian deputy prime minister noted that the share of hard-to-recover reserves in Russian oil production surged from 20% in 2010 to 63% in 2025

Lukoil refinery crisis shows Europe cost of severing ties with Russia — expert

"The longer the Petrotel refinery remains idle, the more the sanctions issue will transform from a foreign policy matter into a domestic political challenge for the country's authorities," Ilya Grashchenkov said

Russia’s total gas production in nine months of 2025 down 4% to 479.6 bcm — Rosstat

In particular, natural gas production from January to September amounted to 404 billion cubic meters, a decrease of 3.6% year-on-year

Large group of countries ready to host Ukraine talks, source tells TASS

Earlier, Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov told Russian state-controlled television Channel One in a comment that Abu Dhabi has been discussed as a platform for hosting trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States, and that Turkey and other countries too have offered their services

Number of injured in chairlift collapse in Russia’s Nalchik climbs to eight

It was clarified that two of those injured had been discharged following a medical checkup

Russia ready to beat back any aggressor like Soviet Union did in WWII — Putin

When commenting on a popular Russian car slogan reading "We can repeat it," Putin recalled another famous phrase

New cargo spacecraft to be launched to ISS this week — Roscosmos CEO

Progress MS is used to deliver various cargo to the ISS, as well as to adjust its orbit

Russia to work on permanent visa-free regime with China — foreign ministry

Maria Zakharova recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a visa-free regime through mid-September 2026 a year ago, an initiative supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin, after which a reciprocal visa-free regime was introduced for Chinese citizens

IN BRIEF: Russian Foreign Minister on asset dispute, threats to freedom of navigation

The Russian foreign minister stressed that Western interference with freedom of navigation is a concern, as European states have detained 12 vessels since January of this year

Ruble’s real effective exchange rate down 7.1% in August — Central Bank

Since the beginning of this year the exchange rate has decreased by 5.1%

Russia backs sovereign right of nations to choose their energy mix — Energy Minister

"Russia’s position is to respect the sovereign right of every country to determine its own development path and energy mix," Sergey Tsivilyov said

UN secretary-general candidate calls for comprehensive agreement on Iran

Olara Otunnu identified the resolution of the Iran conflict as one of the areas to which he intends to immediately give priority in the sphere of international peace and security

Unlike Ukraine, Russian army not targeting civilians in its attacks, diplomat says

Maria Zakharova's comment came in response to a question from media regarding allegations in the Western press about a recent "deliberate" Russian strike on a passenger train carrying former and current Western officials

Moscow vows response to Hungarian move to expel Russian diplomats — MFA

On September 8, Hungary’s top diplomat Anita Orban said Budapest was expelling 10 Russian diplomats, citing the need to protect national security

Overwhelming majority of Germans dissatisfied with Merz's performance — poll

Only 10% of respondents, three percentage points fewer than last week, gave a positive assessment of the government head’s performance

British national eliminated in Russia’s special mil-op zone in Ukraine — top brass

The sources said that three more Ukrainian officers have been killed as well, including a senior lieutenant of the National Guard of Ukraine

G7 losing ground in global economy, BRICS drives over half of growth — Kremlin official

"If you look at the global GDP structure, China is the leading economy by a wide margin, India has risen to third place, and Russia and Japan share fourth and fifth places," Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, said

Only 20-25 million people live in Ukraine now, former Zelensky press secretary says

Yulia Mendel added that Ukrainians continue to flee the country

UN secretary-general candidate proposes creating special body on AI

According to Olara Otunnu's assessment, the world is simultaneously on the threshold of a potential "golden age" and a period of serious upheaval, during which "drones and artificial intelligence might evolve to dominate the human race"