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Putin expresses openness to peace talks while declaring confidence in Russian victory over Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that Saudi Arabia could serve as a "comfortable venue" for negotiations amidst the ongoing conflict. Speaking on October 18 with BRICS journalists ahead of the bloc's summit in Kazan, the Russian President emphasized that any peace talks with Ukraine should be based on the Istanbul agreements.
Putin reiterated that the Russian Federation remains open to negotiations aimed at peaceful conflict resolution but stressed Moscow's preparedness for an …
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Putin concedes defeat in attempt to dethrone U.S. dollar with BRICS single currency
Russian President Vladimir Putin has conceded the failure of Russia's ambitious project aimed at challenging the dominance of the dollar as the primary global currency. The grand promises to establish the so-called "BRICS single currency" have fizzled out, and the idea is no longer on the table. Back in 2022, Russia announced plans to create a unified BRICS currency, with pledges to back it with land and rare earth metals to make it more attractive than the dollar.
However, it appears that …
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Ukraine-Russia POW swap: Azov soldiers exchanged for Russian conscripts and Kadyrov fighters
In a notable exchange of prisoners of war (POW) on October 18, Ukraine and Russia executed a swap involving 95 captives each. Thirty-four soldiers from Ukraine’s esteemed Azov Brigade were returned home in exchange for conscripted soldiers and “Kadyrovites” (Kadyrov fighters).
This exchange marks a significant shift in the Kremlin's stance, as they had previously refused to exchange the Azov fighters captured in Mariupol. It appears the dynamics have changed due to the recent operations in the …
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Key Russian defense plant in Bryansk comes under drone attack
A daring drone attack targeted the "Kremny EL" factory in Bryansk, Russia, late on October 18, marking a significant hit on one of the leading microelectronics suppliers in the nation. The factory, pivotal in the production of military-grade micro components for the Russian armed forces, was reportedly attacked by drones, according to the news outlet Astra.
Local authorities and Russian officials have yet to verify the strike on the facility, which plays a crucial role in supplying parts for …
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Power of Siberia 2: a risky gamble for Russia's gas future amid looming global oversupply
In a bid to recover from the loss of the European gas market, which had been a major source of revenue for the Russian budget for many years, the Kremlin is desperately trying to boost gas supplies to Asia. Moscow is especially keen on ramping up its gas exports to China and has been in lengthy discussions with the Chinese about building the "Power of Siberia – 2" pipeline. However, experts warn that this move might have an adverse effect on Russia.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has …