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US halts Ukraine’s energy grid restoration support plan — NBC News

In addition to ending the Ukraine Energy Security Project, USAID is also dramatically downsizing its presence in Ukraine

NEW YORK, February 28. /TASS/. The State Department this week terminated a U.S. Agency for International Development initiative that has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to help restore Ukraine's energy grid, NBC News reported quoting two USAID officials working on the agency’s Ukraine mission.

In addition to ending the Ukraine Energy Security Project, USAID is also dramatically downsizing its presence in Ukraine - out of 64 American government employees and contractors serving on the ground in Ukraine for the agency just eight will remain.

After the inauguration of Donald Trump as president, USAID's work was effectively suspended. US entrepreneur Elon Musk, who oversees the department for improving government efficiency, previously said that while USAID funded the promotion of diversity, equality and inclusivity abroad, the US economy has seriously weakened.

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Hungary’s Orban to tell EU leaders at March 6 summit that Kiev’s EU accession unrealistic

In Hungary’s view, Orban argued, Ukraine joining the EU any time soon would ruin both the country’s agriculture and the entire European economy

Lavrov calls discussions in Europe about peacekeepers for Ukraine impertinent

"This plan to introduce ‘peacekeepers’ into Ukraine is continuing to incite Kiev for a war against us," Russian Foreign Minister said

US to recognize new Russian regions out of economic interests — Ukrainian politician

Viktor Medvedchuk warned that Ukrainian resources which Washington would own as a result of a resource deal will yield profits only if the new owners cooperate with Russia

Less than 28,000 Ukrainians mobilized in February with losses of 38,900 troops

Ukraine’s desperate attempts to improve the situation with replacing losses on the line of combat engagement have been unsuccessful, the Russian Defense Ministry said

US not planning to sign minerals deal with Ukraine — treasury secretary

"It is impossible to have an economic deal without a peace deal," Scott Bessent said

US DNI Gabbard sees reality in Ukraine as exact opposite of democracy

While US talks about wanting to end conflict in Ukraine, Europe demands war — Lavrov

Lavrov also recalled the opinion of many researchers that over the last 500 years, all world tragedies were born in Europe, the United States did not play the role of instigator

Goal of Donetsk region liberation unaffected by Kiev's efforts in US, UK — head of region

Denis Pushilin noted that Kiev's actions were being monitored in Donetsk

LNG supplies from terminals to Europe set record in February

At the end of February, they amounted to 10.7 bln cubic meters

Twenty Ukrainian troops convicted in Russia for crimes in Kursk Region

"As many as 332 criminal cases have been initiated on charges of crimes committed by Ukrainian armed units," chairman of the Russian Investigating Committee Alexander Bastrykin said

Press review: Russia, US enter a new phase as Iran weighs corridor decision

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, February 24th

Trump urges US to address domestic issues to 'not end up like Europe'

"We should spend less time worrying about [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, and more time worrying about migrant rape gangs," the US president wrote

Israel demands Hamas release five 5 hostages, hand over ten bodies — TV

According to Al Jazeera, Israel’s initiative envisages a week-long extension of the first phase of the ceasefire deal

Gas withdrawals from European UGS in February were the highest in seven years

Withdrawal from European UGS facilities in February amounted to 17.7 bln cubic meters

Russian military orbital vehicle successfully enters orbit

A stable communication link with the spacecraft was established and maintained, and its on-board systems are functioning properly, it added

Estonia Foreign Ministry summons Russian ambassador over Putin’s comments on Narva

On June 9, the Russian President said that Peter I did not seize any Swedish territories during the Great Northern War but "got them back"

Europe may face street protests, former top Austrian diplomat warns

Kneissl stressed that in Europe, "politics has turned into a business where people make profits and build ties in order to get high posts"

Rubio calls on Zelensky to realize importance of talks on settling conflict in Ukraine

"I hope he comes to the realization that we're actually trying to help his country here before it suffers thousands of more casualties," the US Secretary of State said

Tucker Carlson reports on death of American reporter in Ukrainian custody

Gonzalo Lira was in prison because of criticism of the governments of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and US President Joe Biden, the TV presenter said

Trump may end even indirect support for Kiev following meeting with Zelensky — newspaper

Moreover, "the final shipments of ammunition and equipment authorized and paid for during the Biden administration could be canceled imminently," New York Times writes

EU summit in London decides to continue helping Kiev — UK PM

Keir Starmer reiterated that the United Kingdom and France will begin working with the Kiev authorities on a plan for ending hostilities and later will present this plan to the United States

Paris, London propose partial month-long ceasefire in Ukraine — Macron

President of France also said he hoped communication between US Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky will be restored

Trump says stupid to ask whether US sides with Ukraine

Reporter asked if Zelensky thought the US was on his side

Ukraine will lose in Kursk — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the Kursk attack was meant to stop the Russian advance in Donbass

Lavrov says Trump is practical person with ‘common sense’ as his motto

According to Lavrov, Trump’s team, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are absolutely reasonable people, that’s why in Riyadh "two serious countries" were able to discuss problems

Russia, US admit that they cannot think the same, but they must prevent war — Lavrov

According to Russian Foreign Minister, where interests do not coincide, "the duty of responsible powers is to prevent this disagreement from degenerating into confrontation"

Ukrainian attacks on Russian regions kill 652 — top investigator

There were 23 children among them, Alexander Bastrykin said

Israel resumes fighting in Khan Yunis in Southern Gaza

At least four people were killed on Sunday as fighting resumed in the Palestinian enclave, the Hamas-controlled Al Aqsa television channel reported

UK, Canada, Germany supply the deadliest weapons to Ukrainian Armed Forces

Ukrainian Armed Forces receive drones, which are widely used not only in combat operations, but also in attacks on civilian infrastructure, Alexander Bastrykin said

Hungary blocks paper on security guarantees, military aid for Kiev — media

On February 24, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that Hungary would not support the European Union's plan to allocate tens of billions of euros in additional military aid to Ukraine

US spend up to $5 billion to overthrow Viktor Yanukovych - Putin

According to Vladimir Putin, the outcome of any actions aimed at overthrowing the legitimate government "is very negative"

Russia says its artillery destroyed Ukrainian vehicles, troops in Kursk Region

According to the statement, following the confirmation that the Ukrainian forces were eliminated, the artillery crews promptly left their firing positions

Ukrainian troops commit crimes against Russian speakers out of hate — investigative agency

Alexander Bastrykin pointed out that Ukrainian militants' shelling of civilian infrastructure with explosive devices, firearms, and light weapons, mostly of foreign manufacture, results in numerous civilian casualties

Press review: Russia, US take another step to mend ties as Kiev tries to outwit Washington

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, February 28th

IN BRIEF: What is known about Kiev’s attack on TurkStream infrastructure

TASS has gathered the key information about the attack

European leaders to meet for Ukraine discussions much more often - Fidan

Turkish Foreign Minister expressed hope that there will be an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, followed by a permanent peace agreement

Anora featuring two Russian actors wins Oscar as best picture

Also nominated for the prize were The Brutalist, A Completely Unknown, Conclave

Trump says Zelensky not ready for peace

"He can come back when he is ready for peace," the US president said

IN BRIEF: What we know about fire at Ufa oil refinery

A fire was reported at the Ufa oil refinery in the early hours on Monday

Putin congratulates Gunba on his election as President of Abkhazia — Kremlin

Allied and friendly relations between Russia and Abkhazia will be strengthened under the newly elected President, Russian leader said

145 members of Ukraine’s Azov regiment banned in Russia convicted — top investigator

According to Alexander Bastrykin, the investigation has concluded 423 criminal cases against 566 Ukrainian servicemen and mercenaries involved in the use of prohibited means and methods of warfare, cruel treatment of prisoners of war and civilians, as well as committing murders and damaging property

Up to 150 Ukrainian militants eliminated in Russian strike on testing ground

Russian forces used an Iskander missile system, the Russian Defense Ministry said

New configurations of US foreign policy largely coincide with Russia’s — Kremlin

"We are voting for a UN General Assembly resolution that contains absolutely balanced wording on the Ukrainian crisis," Peskov noted

Three people hurt in shooting incident at shopping mall near Moscow

Local emergencies services told TASS that people had been evacuated from the shopping mall

Foundation run by Keith Kellogg’s daughter delivers aid to Ukraine — WP

According to the report, the R.T. Weatherman Foundation has been active in Ukraine since the very start of the conflict

Russia says Ukraine lost APC in battlegroup East’s area of responsibility

The enemy lost 2 armored fighting vehicles, one MT-LB, an Akatsiya self-propelled artillery unit, said Alexander Gordeyev, a spokesman for the battlegroup

US to sign metals deal with Kiev when Ukraine has new authorities — Kneissl

The former Austrian foreign minister recalled that in the past Western companies often had problems in Ukraine because of "corruption and the inability to find reliable partners"

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Russia has won special military operation — Kneissl

"No one expected Russia to be so stable," former Austrian Foreign Minister said

Musk says time to find out what happened to aid to Ukraine

"Time to find out what really happened to the hundreds of billions of dollars sent to Ukraine," he said

Soyuz-2.1b rocket blasts off from Plesetsk with Russian Defense Ministry satellite

The rocket launch was successful, the Defense Ministry said

Russian troops defeat Ukrainian forces near Kramatorsk in DPR

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 320 servicemen, four vehicles and five field artillery pieces, including a 155 mm FH-70 howitzer

Press review: UK undermines Russia-US talks as top Russian diplomat talks Syria, Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, February 27th

European politicians must answer for Russian deaths at the hands of Ukrainian forces

"We know that they make decisions about the supply of weapons to Ukraine and therefore these people must also be held accountable for the victims among the civilian population of our country," Alexander Bastrykin said

Ukraine run by CIA, MI-6 specialists, not Zelensky — former PM

Ukraine’s former Prime Minister (2010-2014) Nikolai Azarov said the Ukrainian authorities are fulfilling ready-made plans "under supervision from Western specialists"

Press review: White House limits Kiev’s allies as Europe faces challenges without US nukes

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, February 26th

Ukrainian army selling US weapons to Mexican cartels, Tucker Carlson says

Earlier, Carlson said that "the Ukrainian military is selling about half of the arms they get from the United States into international black markets

US may halt all military aid to Ukraine — The Washington Post

The decision, if made, would apply "to billions of dollars of radars, vehicles, ammunition and missiles awaiting shipment to Ukraine through the presidential drawdown authority," according to the publication

UK to issue $2 bln loan to Ukraine for military purchases — PM

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also recalled that on Saturday London and Kiev had signed a 2.26 billion pound loan ($2.8 billion) from the frozen Russian assets

Over 27,000 people recognized as victims of Ukraine’s invasion in Russia’s Kursk Region

Chairman of Russia’s Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin also said that data on the destruction of over 20 cultural heritage sites have been recorded

Trump to discuss cutting off aid to Ukraine with team on Monday — newspaper

It is reported that the package of measures may include the suspension or cancellation of military aid to Kiev agreed during the previous US administration

Hungary calls on EU to begin talks with Russia immediately — government

The Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban also called on the European Union to support that neutral resolution on Ukraine that was passed by the United Nations Security Council on February 24

Trump says Zelensky overplayed his hand, has to say he wants to make peace

"We're not looking to go into a ten-year war and play games," US leader said

FSB neutralizes terrorist preparing attacks on synagogue, subway in Moscow

"The criminal resisted arrest with a weapon and was neutralized by return fire," the agency stated

Ukraine won’t make territorial concessions in exchange for peace — Zelensky

Such an agreement would risk causing tensions in the future, he said the Guardian reported

Ukraine’s losses in Russia’s West battlegroup area reach 240 people

It was noted that the group's units improved their tactical position

Netanyahu records video thanking Trump for support, arms shipments

The prime minister reiterated that Israel has accepted the plan of Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff to extend the temporary ceasefire by 50 days

Russia, US can quickly restore relations if their leaders want it — Kremlin

"There is still a long way to go, because enormous damage has been done to the entire spectrum of bilateral relations," Peskov said

Ukrainian opposition leader sends letter to Trump saying Kiev had motive to kill him

"Physical elimination of political opponents and political corruption are links in a chain for those who are seeking to stay in power and are profiting from the war in Ukraine by means of selling weapons to Ukrainian neo-Nazis," Viktor Medvedchuk stressed

Serbia believes that peacekeepers to Ukraine impossible without Russia's consent

"Such a step would mean that they are trying to impose their military presence on Ukrainian or Russian soil," Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin said

Zelensky says ready to sign minerals deal with US

The agreement that’s on the table will be signed if the parties are ready, he went on to say

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

European leaders decide to continue war in Ukraine — Orban

The meeting in London was attended by the leaders of Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Finland, France, the Czech Republic, Sweden, as well as European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte

European Commission chief calls for urgent rearming Europe

Ursula von der Leyen also promised to revise budgetary norms and financial rule in the EU that are controlled by the European Commission

Canadian PM announced sanctions against 10 Russian individuals, 21 entities

The new list has not yet been posted on the Canadian foreign ministry’s website

Hamas refuses to extend first phase of Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel — official

The movement’s senior official Mahmoud Mardawi stressed that the terms of the deal with Israel "cannot be revised" and called on the mediators to "compel the occupational authorities to implement the agreement

Ukrainian Armed Forces lost over 240 servicemen in Kursk direction in 24 hours

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the enemy lost more than 64,535 servicemen during the fighting in the direction of Kursk

China expects sustainable peace in Ukraine — diplomat

On February 28, Zelensky arrived at the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia's plan would mean ending the conflict once and for all, not freezing it

Ukrainian parliament fails to pass resolution extending Zelensky's powers

There were 218 votes for, eight short of the 226 votes required to pass the resolution

Trump’s entire team supports halting talks with Zelensky — US national security advisor

Mike Waltz added that productive negotiations and a minerals deal would have been a "positive moment for Ukraine

European peacekeepers in Ukraine would mean causes of crisis will not disappear — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister also said that Vladimir Zelensky has become a "pure Nazi" and a traitor to the Jewish people

Iranian vice president for strategic issues tenders resignation — agency

According to the sources, Javad Zarif asked resignation after Iran’s parliament voted to remove Hemmati from office

Zelensky uses foul language, blames West for not providing help

In his opinions, Western partners were to attempt to "intimidate" Moscow by sanctions and arms supplies to Kiev even before February 24, 2022

Tucker Carson urges to ‘start blaming’ Zelensky for serious war crimes

"Over the past three years, with the tacit support of its western patrons, the Ukrainian government has committed a remarkable number of serious crimes," the journalist said

Von der Leyen calls for supplying enough weapons to make Ukraine ‘steel porcupine’

She made the statement following a summit of Western leaders in London

Trump wants to stop ‘meat grinder, ’ Zelensky needs money to continue — Musk

On February 28, Vladimir Zelensky had a meeting with the US President at the White House

West cannot explain future of Ukraine’s territory, Russian language under peacekeepers

"No other language has been subjected to such aggression," Russian Foreign Minister said

Putin-Trump summit being expedited now — CNN

On February 12, Putin and Trump talked over the phone

Argument between Trump, Zelensky to exacerbate conflict in Ukraine — expert

An "absolutely new political situation emerged that can trigger unpredictable consequences," Andrey Bystritsky, board chairman of the Valdai International Discussion Club’s Development and Support Foundation, said

Zelensky leads Ukraine to terrible finale, killing his own people — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova compared the Ukrainian president with a drug baron from classic US movies

Trump's common sense says to ‘step aside" from Kiev, Biden's pride prevailed — Lavrov

"It is not for nothing that Donald Trump now constantly says in connection with any conflict, considering US’ position, that there must be common sense," Russian Foreign Minister said

Russian troops liberate around 5 sq km near DPR border, Zaporozhye region

On March 1, the Russian Defense Ministry released footage of the combat work of attack aircraft of the 127th brigade of Russia’s East battlegroup, which liberated the village of Burlatskoye from Ukrainian forces

Quick results in Russia-US cooperation should not be expected — Kremlin

Answering a question about possible cooperation on rare earth metals, the Kremlin representative pointed to the position of the US side, which notes that "first a settlement around Ukraine, then the economy"

US understands that Putin will not be easy to negotiate with — Rubio

But it wants to try to clarify Russia’s position on settling the Ukrainian conflict, the US Secretary of State said

Karin Kneissl: Europe’s borders may be changed

Karin Kneissl, former Austrian foreign minister and head of the “G.O.R.K.I.” center at St. Petersburg State University, told TASS in an exclusive interview why Russia should not rush to let European companies enter its market, explained what could be hidden behind the US deal on rare earth minerals, and also assumed what European counties could vie for Ukrainian lands

Fire at oil refinery in Russia's Bashkortostan injures one person

According to the Emergencies Ministry, the fire started at night near a combustion furnace, likely due to industrial processes

Trump-Zelensky meeting most disastrous in US history — senator

"President Zelensky showed up in the Oval Office and decided he was there to battle Donald Trump, decided he was there to insult Donald Trump, decided he was there to attack and belittle Donald Trump," Ted Cruz said

‘Unprecedented dressing down’: Russian diplomat on Trump-Zelensky meeting

It "is also indicative of the political weakness and extreme moral degradation of the European leaders who continue to support the maniac leader of the Nazi regime who has lost touch with reality," Maria Zakharova said

Russia says its Buk air defense system destroyed Ukrainian air-launched missiles over DPR

The ministry added that anti-aircraft crews are on 24-hour combat duty

Canada doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine — Trudeau

Prime Minister told it reporters in London following a meeting of Western leaders devoted to the Ukrainian conflict