TASS6/2/2026World14 min readRussia

Russia claims UN, IAEA playing both sides on Zaporozhye NPP issue

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Russia's UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya accused the UN and IAEA of "playing both sides" on the Zaporozhye NPP issue, citing "vague wording" and "unsubstantiated calls for peace." He also stated that the EU is "deliberately turning a blind eye" to alleged crimes by the Zelensky regime, particularly strikes on the nuclear power plant and Energodar.

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Why It Matters

The article compiles various news snippets from Russia's perspective, covering international relations, ongoing conflicts, and diplomatic disputes. Key themes include accusations against Western institutions and Ukraine, and assertions of Russian sovereignty and interests.

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UN, IAEA trying to play both sides on Zaporozhye NPP issue — Russian Envoy

Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya emphasized that vague wording and unsubstantiated calls for peace are incapable of defusing the current intensity of escalation

Kremlin says receives no reaction from Romania to Putin's comment about downed drone

Earlier, the Russian leader stated that Moscow would conduct an objective investigation if it got access to the wreckage in the incident

Kremlin comments on whitelists, tanker detention by France, visa issue with Serbia

Russia considers the detention of its tanker vessel by France as an illegal move akin to piracy, Dmitry Peskov stated

IN BRIEF: Ukrainian attacks aftermath, fire at Ilsky oil refinery, 148 downed UAVs

Drone debris also fell on the grounds of a facility in Alekseyevka in the Belgorod Region, causing a building and the equipment inside it to catch fire

Europe talking about war against Russia because it has forgotten WWII horrors — Vulin

"The strategic problem of the present-day world is the lack of fear and sense of shame," the chairman of the Supervisory Board of state gas company Srbijagas said

Objective probe into Romania incident requires drone debris handover to Russia — envoy

"All the circumstances of the incident should have been established through a thorough, objective, and depoliticized investigation, primarily involving the Russian side," Vasily Nebenzya said

Conflict may conclude by day's end if Ukrainian forces leave Russian regions — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov said Vladimir Zelensky must order his armed forces to withdraw from Russia to achieve this

Iran not to tolerate further naval blockade, escalation in Lebanon — adviser to Khamenei

Mohsen Rezaee warned that the patience of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran was not unlimited

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

Merz considers support for Kiev, sanctions to be 'right way' to end conflict

Germany will not weaken its efforts to support Ukraine, the German chancellor said

US military confirms identity of wreck site of WWII submarine found by Russia off Kurils

The vessel is resting at a depth of 91 meters off the coast of Matsuwa Island in the central Kurils

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"

Finland confiscates around 4 mln euro in Russian funds

According to the broadcaster, the funds in question amount to 3.7 mln euro that Russia transferred to Finland before 2022 under the EU cross-border cooperation program

Ukraine claims its attacks on ships in Black Sea caused by Russia — diplomat

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the Kiev regime’s increased terrorist activity in the Black Sea creates risks to civilian navigation

Putin to deliver grand speech at SPIEF 2026 — Kremlin aide

As for the SPIEF’s central event, it will be a plenary session as always and it is scheduled for Friday, Yury Ushakov said

Kiev loses over 31,000 troops, mercenaries on all fronts in May — military expert

Andrey Marochko said the Ukrainian army lost over 107,000 soldiers and mercenaries in battles on all the fronts in spring

Fire breaks out at Ilsky oil refinery in Kuban after drone attack

According to preliminary reports, there are no casualties

Trump says agrees with Israel, Hezbollah on ceasefire terms in Lebanon

The US leader had a very productive call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and highly placed representatives of Hezbollah

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

Putin’s instructions to the military following Staroblesk attack already there — Kremlin

The Russian president earlier said that "the Kiev leadership has decided to turn a new page in the series of its crimes"

Serbian president says he has no plans to run for another term in office

Aleksandar Vucic said that he might return as the country's prime minister

US strikes Iranian radar, command posts — CENTCOM

According to CENTCOM, the strikes came in response to Iran’s downing of a US MQ-1 drone

Iran, US exchange no messages for several days — agency

According to Fars, the last message from Tehran signaled the need for a ceasefire in Lebanon

PM describes EAEU leaders’ resolution on referendum in Armenia as balanced one

Nikol Pashinyan noted that until Armenia officially applied for full EU membership, there was no real ground for a referendum

Journalist assures she found evidence that Brigitte Macron is male

Candace Owens revealed that Macron's wife was suing her not for saying Brigitte was a man but for saying she had stolen her sister's or her brother's ID

Putin says those responsible for attack on Starobelsk won't escape punishment

The Russian leader asked the prosecutor general and the Investigative Committee chairman to report about the work to identify the criminals

European companies acknowledge difficulties in developing hypersonic weapons

Looking further into the future, it becomes clear that the virtual flight simulations of prototype hypersonic vehicles must be followed by real-world testing, while the infrastructure for conducting these tests does not exist in Europe

Ukraine to be held accountable for Black Sea attack on Turkish ship — Russian MFA

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow believes that such provocations can be called none other than acts of terrorism

Iran-US agreement could be finalized next week — Trump

The American leader pointed out that he had not agreed to the previous version of the document because he still has to get a few more points" to be included in the memorandum

Ukraine jeopardizes international navigation in Black Sea — experts

The threat to merchant vessels in exclusive economic zones of Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Georgia "is assessed as elevated and likely to persist through the summer operating season," the company said

Full ban on Russian oil will not be included in new EU sanctions package — Politico

Sources indicate that proposals for a full ban on Russian oil and maritime services restrictions do not yet have sufficient support among EU member states

Zelensky torpedoes Trump’s peace efforts while asking for more money — ex-spokesperson

According to Yulia Mendel, it’s typical of Zelensky to insult his "biggest donor," while asking for more financial assistance

Over 160 Kursk residents back home, meeting Ukrainian ombudsman: statements by Lantratova

The Office of the Human Rights Commissioner in Russia is clarifying the number of residents of the Kursk region who are being held on the territory of Ukraine

Israel-Lebanon ceasefire became cover for further aggression — Russian envoy to UN

According to Vasily Nebenzya, while the international community awaited the next round of talks scheduled, "the Israelis continued to methodically expand their occupation zone"

IN BRIEF: What is known about France’s seizure of Tagor tanker in Atlantic Ocean

According to preliminary information, the captain of the Tagor tanker seized by the French Navy is a Russian citizen, the embassy in Paris said

IN BRIEF: What to know of FSB exposed wiretapping scheme against Russian officials

According to the report, the spyware enabled hackers to wiretap calls and provided audio-and video-control near affected devices

Power of fireball explosion over the US reaches 300 tons of TNT — NASA

An official at the authority says that the fireball broke up at a speed above 120,000 km per hour

Russia to introduce restrictions on fruit imports from Armenia since June 2

Rosselkhoznadzor records more frequent instances of violations during supplies of Armenian fruits to Russia

France's statements on Tagor tanker are example of Europe's legal nihilism — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova noted that international treaties do not provide for the possibility of forcibly rerouting a vessel and escorting it from the high seas to a port of the warship's country

Putin’s call with Pashinyan, Lithuania’s statements on UAVs, SPIEF guest: Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow had never revealed the guest of honor and who will host the plenary session at SPIEF beforehand

IN BRIEF: What to know of attacks on Novorossiya highway, Donbass Dome, protection

Head of the Zaporozhye Region Yevgeny Balitsky said that the authorities had set up detours to bypass the Novorossiya highway

Vucic says Serbia will not abolish visa-free travel with Russia

According to the Serbian President, even if someone makes such a decision, it will be immediately overturned

Putin’s remarks on new nature of conflict, Russian strikes: new briefing from Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that the conflict in Ukraine could be resolved by the end of the day if Vladimir Zelensky ordered his troops to withdraw from Russian regions

US discussing additional deployments of nukes in Europe — FT

According to sources, the talks may not lead to any changes in nuclear-sharing agreements, as the administration of US President Donald Trump intends to show commitment to providing a nuclear umbrella to its NATO allies

NATO seeks to change government in Serbia — former deputy PM

According to Aleksandar Vulin, NATO countries "would be very pleased and glad to see Serbia in ruins as a result of instability and shocks"

Kremlin explains Putin’s words on Ukraine conflict acquiring new dimension

The Russian leader earlier stated that with their gravest crimes against children, "the Kiev leadership has opened a new page in their crimes, giving the Ukrainian conflict a new dimension"

EU deliberately turning blind eye to crimes of Zelensky regime — Russian envoy to UN

Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya emphasized that the Ukrainian armed forces have been launching strikes on the nuclear power plant and its satellite town of Energodar for a long time

Trump faces mounting political crisis — CNN

According to the TV channel, one of the most serious problems remains finding a way out of the conflict with Iran

Iran issues permits for passage through Strait of Hormuz round-the-clock — TV

The press service of the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said earlier that twenty-four ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz with the permission of the Iranian authorities during the past day

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Russia will continue to criticize international bodies and Western nations for their handling of various geopolitical issues.
Very likely · Within weeks
Tensions between the US and Iran will remain high, with potential for further military or diplomatic escalation.
Likely · Within months
The conflict in Ukraine will continue, with Russia reiterating its conditions for resolution.
Very likely · Within months

Open Questions

What specific evidence does Russia have to support claims of UN/IAEA 'playing both sides'?
What is the current status of the investigation into the downed drone incident involving Romania?
Will the EU implement further sanctions on Russia, and what will be their scope?
What are the specific 'points' Trump seeks to add to a potential Iran deal?