🗣Russia has carefully studied US President-elect Trump's statement on Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

⚪️It is Ukraine that still refuses to negotiate.

⚪️Ukrainian losses are many times greater than those on the Russian side.

⚪️The terms of peace talks were announced earlier by Vladimir Putin, but Ukraine continues to refuse negotiations and does not change its position.

⚪️Putin welcomes peace initiatives on the Ukraine conflict, especially from countries representing the Global South.

⚪️In order to take part in the talks, Zelensky must first repeal the decree banning them.

Earlier, US President-elect Donald Trump, calling for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations, stated that "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would like to 'make a deal' to end the conflict in Ukraine".

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The Israeli Air Force bombed arms depots in southern Syria and the capital Damascus, ostensibly to stop weapons falling into the hands of militants, the Israeli state television and radio company Kan reported quoting a source.

Earlier, the Al-Watan newspaper reported an explosion in the Mezze area in western Damascus.

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🇸🇾 It's too early to say the Syria crisis is close to an end – pundit

"Chaos and a struggle for power will begin in Syria now. Therefore, it is at least premature to say that the crisis is close to an end," Nikolay Surkov, senior researcher at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), told Sputnik.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, following negotiations with participants of the conflict, resigned from the presidency and left Syria, instructing a peaceful transfer of power, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Meanwhile, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali announced on December 8 that he had established contact with the jihadi forces that entered Damascus after beginning their advance on November 27.

"After the [2023] earthquake, the Syrian economy went into a tailspin," Surkov said, commenting on the reasons for the defeat of Syrian government forces. "The government didn't even have the money to properly maintain the armed forces."

The war-torn nation has been under enormous pressure for years:

▪️The 2019 Caesar Act blocked imports of essential goods like food, energy, and basic medical supplies to Syria;

▪️The US and allied forces occupied Syria's oil fields;

▪️The US smuggled grain from illegally occupied Syrian regions.

In addition, Israel seemed to be interested in the armed opposition’s advance, seeking to close the corridor to Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and undermining Iran's Axis of Resistance, according to the pundit.

Moscow made it clear it would work with any government chosen by the Syrian people.

"Russia cannot be more Syrian than the Syrians themselves," Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in 2015.

"Syria has long been divided. Now the government in central Syria has changed. Earlier it was the Syrian government that relied on Iran and Russia, now it will be the Islamists," Surkov said.

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🗣Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Syrian border and stated that the change in government in Damascus was "a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah."

He added that the shift in power in Syria creates new opportunities for Israel.

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💸Fully committed or on the fence? What do Trump, Putin, and others say about cryptocurrency?

Bitcoin has been on a streak of all-time highs since the US presidential election, with its price reaching $100,000 for first time ever on December 4. Cryptocurrencies in general have rallied on expectations the incoming Donald Trump administration will be more “crypto-friendly.”

Trump on crypto:

🪙 Trump increasingly embraced Bitcoin and crypto currency throughout his 2024 presidential campaign. “I’m laying out my plan to ensure that the United States will be the crypto capital of the planet and the Bitcoin superpower of the World... if Bitcoin is going to the Moon – as we say – I want America to be the nation that leads the way,” Trump said at a July rally.

🪙 When asked about the future of crypto, Trump floated the idea of using it to pay off the staggering US national debt. “I think crypto has a great future, it really does… Maybe we will pay off the $35 trillion with it.”

🪙After Bitcoin notched up to reach a six-figure milestone Trump went on his Truth Social platform to claim credit, writing: “CONGRATULATIONS BITCOINERS!!! $100,000!!! YOU’RE WELCOME!!! Together, we will Make America Great Again!”

Putin on crypto:

🪙 “Who can prohibit Bitcoin? No one!” the Russian president said at the recent Russia Calling! investment forum.

🪙 Russia is “one of the world leaders in terms of the mining of cryptocurrencies and Bitcoins,” Putin said at the Eastern Economic Forum’s plenary session in September. “As for digital currencies and digital rubles specifically, the decision is already taken by the Central Bank of Russia and right now we are simply ramping up those volumes,” he added.

What have others said about it?

🪙Robert F. Kennedy put most of his wealth into Bitcoin when he returned from the Bitcoin Conference 2023, he claimed in July. “I’m a huge supporter of Bitcoin … I’m fully committed.”

🪙Bitcoin President Michael Saylor took to X saying “Dump your gold and buy bitcoin,” adding that Bitcoin is “emerging as the world’s reserve capital network.”

🪙Elon Musk noted that cryptocurrency is an “interesting and probably valuable bulwark against centralized control.” The billionaire, whose own loyalty lies with the meme-inspired cryptocurrency, Dogecoin (DOGE), added that “crypto by its very nature helps with individual freedom.”

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❗️❗️❗️Sources from the Syrian armed opposition told Sputnik that they:

🔸 Are committed to refraining from attacks on embassies and diplomatic missions in Damascus;

🔸 Aim to form a national government that represents all sections of the Syrian populace, which will work on establishing diplomatic relations with other countries;

🔸 Have established communication channels with the Russian government.

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🛩 🇷🇺Fast and furious: Unveiling Russia’s fleet of MiG fighter jets

December 8 marks the 85th anniversary of the legendary Mikoyan Design Bureau, now part of the consolidated Russian United Aircraft Corporation (RSK MiG). Its first design, the MiG-1 single-engine interceptor, flew in 1940, with “MiG” being an acronym derived from the names "Mikoyan" and "Gurevich."

Here are some of MiG’s most impressive offspring:

🔸 MiG-21: Lightweight, supersonic interceptor from 1958, widely used in 49 countries for its maneuverability.

🔸 MiG-23: Third-generation fighter from 1972, featuring a variable-sweep wing and look-down/shoot-down radar. It became the most produced variable-geometry fighter.

🔸 MiG-25: Twin-engine interceptor introduced in 1970, with a top speed of 3,000 km/h (Mach 2.83) and an operational ceiling of over 24,400 m (approximately 80,000 feet), ideal for reconnaissance.

🔸 MiG-27: A MiG-23 variant with an armored cockpit, increased weapons capacity, and optimized for air-to-ground attacks. It supports missiles, precision-guided munitions, and specialized navigation systems.

🔸 MiG-29: Fourth-generation fighter, entering service in 1983, designed to counter the US F-15. Powered by two RD-33 engines, it has a top speed of Mach 2.25 (2,390 km/h) and excels in close combat. Upgraded models can carry laser-guided bombs, electro-optical bombs, and air-to-surface missiles.

🔸 MiG-31: Supersonic, all-weather, two-seat interceptor known for its top speed of 3,000 km/h (Mach 2.83) at 21,500 m (approx. 70,500 feet). Powered by D-30F6 engines, it features advanced radar and missile systems for day/night operations in any weather. It supports the hypersonic Kinzhal missile, reaching speeds of 8-10 times the speed of sound. The MiG-31 can operate in the stratosphere, reaching altitudes over 11,000 m (approx. 36,000 feet).

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📹Trump did not rule out the possibility of the US leaving NATO, stating he would stay only if other member states start paying their fair share and agree to revise trade deals he believes are unfair to the US.

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📹Government buildings in the Syrian capital Damascus, including customs and intelligence offices, were set on fire by Israeli airstrikes, media reports said.

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💰Mali takes control of its national wealth: Western gold miners must pay the bill

Mali has issued an arrest warrant for Canadian mining firm Barrick Gold Chief Executive Officer Mark Bristow over money laundering.

The case is related to control of the country's vast gold reserves, estimated at 800 tonnes – the largest in West Africa after Ghana.

What's behind Mali's spat with the mining company?

⚪️The demands followed Mali's audit of mining contracts with major Western companies in 2023, along with a push to renegotiate those agreements under the 2023 Mining Code to yield greater revenues for the nation.

⚪️The 2023 audit revealed that Barrick Gold owes $512 million in taxes, fines and unpaid dividends to Mali, coinciding with the introduction of a new mining code that increases the state's interest from 20% to 35%.

⚪️Major Western miners involved in the dispute include Barrick, Bing2Gold and Allied Gold, as well as Australia's Resolute Mining.

⚪️According to Bloomberg, Mali is discussing the transfer of $840 million to the state by those firms following the audit and changes to mining laws.

⚪️Reportedly, Barrick is the only company that has yet to strike a new deal with the Malian government. Others have begun to settle the dispute.

⚪️In November, Resolute CEO Terry Holohan and his colleagues were arrested in Mali and only released after the firm paid $160 million it owed the government.

⚪️Mali has been reviewing its deals with the West over the past few years to gain more control over national resources and strengthen its sovereignty.

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🗣Russia has called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting over the situation in Syria – United Nations source

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⚔️Syrian crisis: Russia’s litany of calls for Syrian-led, UN-facilitated dialogue and peace

Russia has consistently called for a Syrian-led, UN-facilitated political solution, emphasizing Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On November 29 opposition militants launched an offensive from northern Idlib. Moscow called for restraint and assisted Syria in repelling the attack. After negotiations, president Bashar al-Assad chose to step down and ordered a peaceful transfer of power. Russia was not involved in the talks but continues to support a political resolution.

Moscow maintains contact with all Syrian opposition factions, urging an end to violence and a process based on UN Resolution 2254, while condemning outside actors for fueling the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the need to restore stability through the Astana process, involving Russia, Turkiye and Iran.

Since 2011, Russia has supported Syria’s government in its fight against opposition militants, advocating for dialogue and a political settlement:

⚪️At a 2015 Valdai Discussion Club session, Putin stated that Syria’s future should be decided by its people, with respectful international assistance.

⚪️“It is the Syrians who must decide their own fate,” he said. “With the respectful assistance of the international community, and not under external pressure through ultimatums, blackmail and threats.”

⚪️He also stressed Russia’s continued military support until the Syrian leadership believed negotiations were necessary, underlining Russia’s commitment to respecting Syria's autonomy.

⚪️In September 2019, Putin, alongside leaders if Iran and Turkiye, reaffirmed that only a political solution could end the conflict, insisting that the Astana Process must prioritize Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

⚪️“It is our common opinion that only the Syrians themselves should determine the future of their country,” Putin noted.

⚪️A joint 2022 statement by Russia, Iran and Turkiye echoed those words, stressing the need for a Syrian-led, UN-facilitated peace process, and highlighting the need to maintain calm in the Idlib de-escalation zone. “There could be no military solution to the Syrian conflict,” the statement said.

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⚡️Bashar Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow, where Russia has granted them asylum, a source in the Kremlin reported.

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🇷🇺🇧🇾A quarter-century of unity

On December 8, 1999, the treaty establishing the Union State between Russia and Belarus was signed.

Since then, the two neighboring countries have built a shared future, working together on strategic development, confronting external challenges and defending their sovereignty.

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