▪️ French politician Florian Philippot called Vladimir Putin's interview with Tucker Carlson a "global phenomenon" and a "huge slap" for the media of Western countries
▪️ US military facilities in eastern Syria came under fire
▪️ Senator Mike Lee spoke non-stop for nearly 4 hours straight, protesting against the Ukraine aid bill and urging a vote against it
▪️ US lawmakers voting for more aid to Ukraine might be obliged to “serve on the front lines”
More stories to cover:
▪️ Did Russia shoot down the US Army’s next-gen scout helicopter program?
▪️ Poland, South Korea rethink $22 bln arms deal amid danger of sparking regional wars
▪️ Did Zaluzhny make an “explicit threat against Zelensky”? Sputnik expert explains
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▪️ US military facilities in eastern Syria came under fire
▪️ Senator Mike Lee spoke non-stop for nearly 4 hours straight, protesting against the Ukraine aid bill and urging a vote against it
▪️ US lawmakers voting for more aid to Ukraine might be obliged to “serve on the front lines”
More stories to cover:
▪️ Did Russia shoot down the US Army’s next-gen scout helicopter program?
▪️ Poland, South Korea rethink $22 bln arms deal amid danger of sparking regional wars
▪️ Did Zaluzhny make an “explicit threat against Zelensky”? Sputnik expert explains
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🇷🇺 Kremlin reveals how ball got rolling with Tucker Carlson's Putin interview proposal
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Tucker Carlson himself proposed an interview with Putin and the president quickly agreed.
The Kremlin had fears that even before the interview began there would be "persecution" of Tucker Carlson, the West is becoming increasingly unpredictable, Peskov said. According to him, the American journalist could have foreseen the heat of passion around the interview, but it added to his popularity.
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Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Tucker Carlson himself proposed an interview with Putin and the president quickly agreed.
The Kremlin had fears that even before the interview began there would be "persecution" of Tucker Carlson, the West is becoming increasingly unpredictable, Peskov said. According to him, the American journalist could have foreseen the heat of passion around the interview, but it added to his popularity.
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🇮🇷 Iran celebrates the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution
On the night to the 45th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, 70 sites were illuminated simultaneously, and many pieces of military equipment were displayed on the street.
The official ceremony begins with the recitation of the Quran, followed by the mass singing of the national anthem, which may be the largest in the world. Around Azadi Square, where the main celebration takes place, there is an exhibition of military equipment and achievements in rocket science. Residents of Tehran can look at various examples of anti-aircraft weapons, missiles, UAVs, etc.
Iran says celebrations on the theme will take place in more than 70 countries.
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On the night to the 45th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, 70 sites were illuminated simultaneously, and many pieces of military equipment were displayed on the street.
The official ceremony begins with the recitation of the Quran, followed by the mass singing of the national anthem, which may be the largest in the world. Around Azadi Square, where the main celebration takes place, there is an exhibition of military equipment and achievements in rocket science. Residents of Tehran can look at various examples of anti-aircraft weapons, missiles, UAVs, etc.
Iran says celebrations on the theme will take place in more than 70 countries.
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Former Ukrainian First Deputy Defense Minister Oleksandr Pavlyuk has been appointed commander of the ground forces to replace Oleksandr Syrsky, who became the commander-in-chief. Kiev also replaced the commanders of the airborne assault troops and the joint forces of the Ukrainian Army.
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Trump issues stark warning to NATO: Pay up or US will encourage Russia “to do whatever the hell they want”
Donald Trump has said he wouldn’t defend any NATO country that refuses to allocate at least 2% of GDP for military spending and fails to fulfill NATO's own charter. The ex-POTUS’ remarks came on Saturday during a campaign rally in Conway, South Carolina, ahead of the state's Republican presidential primary on February 24.
Later, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates accused Donald Trump of "appalling and unhinged" comments, and touted Joe Biden’s foreign policy “efforts.”
NATO countries agreed in 2014 to halt post-Cold War spending cuts and move toward spending at least 2% of their GDP on defense by 2024. Trump has consistently stated that he does not believe NATO desires to defend the US. During his term in office, he expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the alliance and threatened with a US withdrawal from it if Washington’s European partners would not take on greater financial responsibility for their own security.
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Donald Trump has said he wouldn’t defend any NATO country that refuses to allocate at least 2% of GDP for military spending and fails to fulfill NATO's own charter. The ex-POTUS’ remarks came on Saturday during a campaign rally in Conway, South Carolina, ahead of the state's Republican presidential primary on February 24.
“One of the presidents of a big country” at one point asked Trump whether the US would still defend the country if they were invaded by Russia even if they “don’t pay.”
“No, I would not protect you,” Trump recalled telling that president. “In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills.”
Later, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates accused Donald Trump of "appalling and unhinged" comments, and touted Joe Biden’s foreign policy “efforts.”
NATO countries agreed in 2014 to halt post-Cold War spending cuts and move toward spending at least 2% of their GDP on defense by 2024. Trump has consistently stated that he does not believe NATO desires to defend the US. During his term in office, he expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the alliance and threatened with a US withdrawal from it if Washington’s European partners would not take on greater financial responsibility for their own security.
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Japan suspends funding to UNRWA pending investigation Into its ties to Hamas - Ministry Tokyo has decided to suspend funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) after agency staff were accused of involvement…
UNRWA will face a negative budget balance starting in March, the agency's Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in an interview with Japanese broadcaster NHK.
The problems came after more than 10 countries cut off funding for the organization amid Israeli accusations that agency staff were allegedly involved in the October 7 attack on the country by Hamas.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said it was wrong to collectively punish the UNRWA before properly investigating the case. He pointed out that the UNRWA has been carrying out its functions in the region for many decades, and has implemented pivotal projects related to creating normal living conditions for Palestinians in the occupied territories.
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The problems came after more than 10 countries cut off funding for the organization amid Israeli accusations that agency staff were allegedly involved in the October 7 attack on the country by Hamas.
"We dismissed staff even before the investigation began. As an agency, we acted quickly and did everything we could at that stage," Lazzarini stressed.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said it was wrong to collectively punish the UNRWA before properly investigating the case. He pointed out that the UNRWA has been carrying out its functions in the region for many decades, and has implemented pivotal projects related to creating normal living conditions for Palestinians in the occupied territories.
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🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russia has become the leader in terms of the growth rate of trade turnover among China's partners, Ivan Zhelokhovtsev, a Russian Foreign Ministry official, told Sputnik.
He added that now more than 90% of bilateral settlements are made in national currencies, so it is more correct to say that trade between the two countries amounts to about 20 trillion rubles, or almost 1.6 trillion yuan.
On February 8, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping noted in a telephone conversation that bilateral trade had surpassed the $200 billion mark earlier than expected, reaching a record high of $227.7 billion.
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"Russia actually became the leader in terms of the growth rate of trade turnover among China's main partners in 2023. With many other countries, including the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, China's trade dynamics went negative and quite noticeably," he said.
He added that now more than 90% of bilateral settlements are made in national currencies, so it is more correct to say that trade between the two countries amounts to about 20 trillion rubles, or almost 1.6 trillion yuan.
On February 8, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping noted in a telephone conversation that bilateral trade had surpassed the $200 billion mark earlier than expected, reaching a record high of $227.7 billion.
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Emmanuel Macron has postponed his visit to Ukraine for security reasons, French magazine Challenges reported, noting that some Ukrainian diplomats were stunned when they heard about it.
It was expected that the French president might announce the signing of a bilateral agreement on security guarantees during his visit to Ukraine on February 13 and 14.
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It was expected that the French president might announce the signing of a bilateral agreement on security guarantees during his visit to Ukraine on February 13 and 14.
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❗️ The Russian Army in the Donetsk area repelled 11 attacks over the past 24 hours, with Ukrainian forces losing up to 325 men;
🇷🇺🪖Statements from the Russian MoD briefing on the daily progress of the special military op in Ukraine:
▪️ Russian troops hit a Ukrainian Army brigade near Novogrodovka in the DPR and a depot with air defense equipment;
▪️ Russian forces near Kupyansk repelled five attacks, with the Ukrainian Armed Forces losing up to 210 soldiers;
▪️ Russian troops repelled an attack by Ukrainian forces near Novopokrovka, with the enemy losing up to 50 soldiers;
▪️ The Ukrainians lost up to 150 servicemen in the southern DPR;
▪️ Ukrainian forces lost up to 120 servicemen near Krasny Liman;
▪️ Russian air defenses destroyed 30 Ukrainian drones;
▪️ Russian troops repelled two attacks by Ukrainian forces near Krasny Liman overnight.
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🇷🇺🪖Statements from the Russian MoD briefing on the daily progress of the special military op in Ukraine:
▪️ Russian troops hit a Ukrainian Army brigade near Novogrodovka in the DPR and a depot with air defense equipment;
▪️ Russian forces near Kupyansk repelled five attacks, with the Ukrainian Armed Forces losing up to 210 soldiers;
▪️ Russian troops repelled an attack by Ukrainian forces near Novopokrovka, with the enemy losing up to 50 soldiers;
▪️ The Ukrainians lost up to 150 servicemen in the southern DPR;
▪️ Ukrainian forces lost up to 120 servicemen near Krasny Liman;
▪️ Russian air defenses destroyed 30 Ukrainian drones;
▪️ Russian troops repelled two attacks by Ukrainian forces near Krasny Liman overnight.
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🇪🇬🇮🇱 Egypt has threatened to suspend the Camp David Accords with Israel if Israeli troops are sent to the town of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, the Associated Press reports.
Egypt and Israel signed a US-brokered peace treaty in 1979. The process was called the Camp David Accords. Thanks to the treaty, Egypt got back the Sinai Peninsula, which was occupied by Israel in 1967. After the peace treaty, the parties established diplomatic relations. According to the Camp David Accords, Egypt can keep a limited military contingent on its border with Israel.
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Egypt and Israel signed a US-brokered peace treaty in 1979. The process was called the Camp David Accords. Thanks to the treaty, Egypt got back the Sinai Peninsula, which was occupied by Israel in 1967. After the peace treaty, the parties established diplomatic relations. According to the Camp David Accords, Egypt can keep a limited military contingent on its border with Israel.
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🇷🇺 Inside Putin's archives: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed exclusive insights on data shared with Tucker Carlson
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"In fact, the president brought it [folder], and it was prepared at the request of the president. He was the initiator, he was the author of this idea. It was obvious that Ukraine would be a high priority on the agenda of this interview. The President has a very deep knowledge of history, and he forms his judgement about history on the basis of primary sources. He works with archive documents very often and extensively. Therefore, his historical outlook is not emotional, but is based on specific knowledge of primary sources. He selected these primary sources to back up the arguments he was going to present on Ukraine," he said.
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🇷🇺 "If there were very brazen formulations, there would have been very sharp rebuff", Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on Tucker Carlson being accused of not asking a single incisive question.
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Sputnik International
🇷🇺 "If there were very brazen formulations, there would have been very sharp rebuff", Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on Tucker Carlson being accused of not asking a single incisive question. Subscribe to @SputnikInt
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💬 "They don't want Putin's true worldview to be made available to ordinary Americans, but this time it's happening anyway. They can't suppress it. The world has changed," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said about the US officials bashing the interview.
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The agency could not confirm reports that Hamas infrastructure had allegedly been discovered underneath UNRWA's main headquarters in the Gaza Strip, Philippe Lazzarini, head of the agency, said on Saturday.
He added that during periods of "no active conflict," the UNRWA conducted quarterly inspections of its compounds, with the last inspection completed in September 2023.
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"UNRWA has been made aware of reports in the media of a tunnel under UNRWA headquarters in Gaza. UNRWA staff left its headquarters in Gaza City on October 12, following Israeli evacuation orders and as bombardment in the area intensified. We have not used this compound since we left, nor are we aware of any activity that may have taken place there... We are therefore unable to confirm or otherwise comment on these reports," Lazzarini said on X.
He added that during periods of "no active conflict," the UNRWA conducted quarterly inspections of its compounds, with the last inspection completed in September 2023.
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⚓️ The departure of the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, which was supposed to become the flagship of NATO exercises, has been postponed at the last moment, reports The Telegraph.
Earlier, the Royal Navy reported that the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, commissioned in 2017, would not participate in the NATO Steadfast Defender exercises due to technical issues. Instead of HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Prince of Wales was supposed to participate in the exercises.
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Earlier, the Royal Navy reported that the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, commissioned in 2017, would not participate in the NATO Steadfast Defender exercises due to technical issues. Instead of HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Prince of Wales was supposed to participate in the exercises.
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"The views of Putin's interview with American journalist Carlson amount to approximately 1 billion across all sources, in all languages worldwide," stated Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of RT and Rossiya Segodnya, Sputnik's parent media group.
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"I asked my colleagues to count. It's difficult and challenging because we need to consider all languages, all sources where it was published, all views on all these sources. I assure you that this figure is around a billion. There has never been such an interview in the history of journalism."
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Israel's protracted war with Hamas will become a significant long-term economic and political burden for the country, according to international credit rating agency Moody's.
On Friday, Moody's decided to lower Israel's credit rating by one notch, from A1 to A2. The reason was the expected economic consequences of the war with Hamas.
Moody's warned in mid-October that Israel's credit rating was in danger of being downgraded. That was less than two weeks after Hamas attacked the country on October 7.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the international rating agency’s decision a "political manifesto" that does not include “serious economic arguments,” but is based on a “pessimistic and unfounded geopolitical worldview.” He added that the Israeli economy is strong by all measures.
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On Friday, Moody's decided to lower Israel's credit rating by one notch, from A1 to A2. The reason was the expected economic consequences of the war with Hamas.
Moody's warned in mid-October that Israel's credit rating was in danger of being downgraded. That was less than two weeks after Hamas attacked the country on October 7.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the international rating agency’s decision a "political manifesto" that does not include “serious economic arguments,” but is based on a “pessimistic and unfounded geopolitical worldview.” He added that the Israeli economy is strong by all measures.
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