Russia

Putin has no plans for now to meet with head of Vatican's diplomatic service — Kremlin

TASS English · 2026-08-20

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Russian President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, during Gallagher's visit to Moscow from August 25 to 28. • Why it matters: The lack of a scheduled meeting highlights the current state of diplomatic relations between Russia and the Vatican, which may impact discussions on various international issues. • What to watch next: Observers should monitor any communications between Gallagher and Russian officials during the visit, particularly during his public events, including a Mass on August 27.

Putin has no plans for now to meet with head of Vatican's diplomatic service — Kremlin Paul Richard Gallagher's visit to Moscow will take place from August 25 to 28MOSCOW, August 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has no plans for now to meet with the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations Paul Richard Gallagher, who will visit Russia at the end of August, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. "I won't anticipate events. The president doesn't have such a meeting scheduled for next week, but there will certainly be some communication," the Kremlin spokesman said. As Bishop Nikolay Dubinin, Administrator of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow, told TASS, Gallagher's visit to Moscow will take place from August 25 to 28. On August 27, he will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. TagsForeign policyMilitary drillsCollective Security Treaty Organization, CIS border troops drill interaction in crisesAccording to the CSTO, the main objective of the joint command-staff exercise was to improve coordination between border guard and other agencies of the CIS member statesRead moreDeath toll from earthquake in Colombia climbs to 319According to the latest official update, the earthquake destroyed almost 31,000 houses and damaged 151,995 buildingsRead moreWestern countries on UNSC refuse to compromise on peace, security issues — Russian envoyVasily Nebenzya stated that decisions that are not adopted unanimously do not carry the same weight on the ground as consensus resolutionsRead moreTehran virtually halts oil exports to foreign markets — central bank governorAbdolnaser Hemmati says that the country has foreign exchange reservesRead moreJapan seeks to integrate into NATO, Chinese ambassador to Russia saysAccording to Zhang Hanhui, the official Tokyo's steps are steadily eroding the peaceful nature of the Japanese ConstitutionRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup West downs 124 Ukrainian dronesSpokesman Ivan Bigma said that the battlegroup had also destroyed 98 Ukrainian hexacopters and five HIMARS projectilesRead moreUS establishes corridor in Strait of Hormuz for covertly transporting oil — news outletAccording to sources cited by Axios, between 15 and 20 tankers pass through the strait’s southern channel along the coast of Oman every day, exporting roughly half of the pre-war level of oil from the Middle EastRead moreUkraine’s Zelensky should resign before he is forced into it — German dailyThe author of the German-based Berliner Zeitung article believes that instability and weakening of negotiating positions are not the main threat to the countryRead moreZelensky’s office unhappy with US appointment of its people to key positions in UkraineDeputy head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office Irina Mudraya expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of control over head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office Alexander KlimenkoRead moreTrump says North Korea has 57 'very powerful' nuclear weaponsDonald Trump added that he would not have allowed it, had he been president earlierRead moreDialogue with US to be fruitless, unless Iran combat ready — Majlis speakerMohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said "it is Washington and the war it unleashed that are causing instability in the region and disrupting normal trade routes"Read moreWith Khmara as defense minister Ukraine to continue sabotage against Russia — MPAlexander Boroday noted that Khmara essentially remains an "SBU special forces operative", which is why he will use the same methods in his new position that he used previouslyRead moreKhmara appointed defense minister by decision of Zelensky’s Western patrons — expertSergey Yurchenko added that the situation at the front and on the international stage will not change after this appointment, since it is too late for Ukraine to make any changesRead moreEx-deputy head of Zelensky’s office Mudraya detained — lawmakerIrina Mudraya is currently under an investigative procedure at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of UkraineRead moreRussia’s key task is transition to sustainable economic development model — NovakAccording to the Russian deputy prime minister, this is precisely what the structural transformation plan is aimed atRead moreKiev building up forces to fight for Dobropolye in Donetsk region — Russian combatantAccording to the serviceman, the Russian troops are operating in a coordinated manner, eliminating enemy forces attempting to redeploy to better positionsRead moreWeakening US 'nuclear umbrella' increases risk of nuclear proliferation — TVResearchers note that many US allies perceive Washington as increasingly distant and unreliable in providing nuclear deterrenceRead moreInvestigators probe into crimes of French mercenaries who killed Russian prisoners of warIt is reported that Russia’s Investigative Committee will establish all the circumstances of what has happened to hold accountable all those responsible for committing this crimeRead moreSome EU countries whipping up Russophobic hysteria to delegitimize elections — diplomatMaria Zakharova said it was not ruled out that such media campaigns might complicate the situation around the votingRead moreRussia awaits interesting proposals from Vatican envoy — Federation CouncilFederation Council Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Grigory Karasin noted that Russia welcomes visits by foreign officials and politicians who come to reach agreementsRead moreChina may reduce reliance on Straits of Hormuz and Malacca via NSR — FortuneAccording to the publication, interest in the Arctic route has surged following the effective suspension of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz due to the war involving the US, Israel, and IranRead moreRussian Emergencies Ministry aircraft arrives in Serbia to help fight major wildfiresThe aircraft landed at Nis airport Read moreRussian Emergencies Ministry sends aircraft to Serbia at its request to fight wildfiresThe Russian Il-76 aircraft is equipped with specialized firefighting equipment, including water-dropping systems for combating large blazesRead moreUkrainian forces attack minibus on Novorossiya highway in DPRDriver killedRead moreDeflation in Russia stands at 0.02% from August 11 to 17, 2026 — RosstatConsumer prices in Russia have declined by 0.08% since the beginning of AugustRead moreRussia not going to terminate agreements with NATO, EU, WTO, IMF — envoyGarry Minkh says these documents can still be used as instruments for dialogue with the WestRead moreThe Economist reports panic in Ukraine over shortage of Patriot missilesAs winter approaches, Ukraine has requested at least 300 interceptor missiles for Patriot systemsRead moreRussian troops liberate Vodyanskoye community in Donetsk region over past day — top brassRussia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted roughly 380 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed six enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreDamage reported at Ufa oil refinery as Russia intercepts 453 Ukrainian drones overnightA medical university student from India was injured in the attackRead moreRussian forces strike logistics center in Kiev Region with Geran UAVs — top brassThe strike destroyed the targetRead moreISU grants neutral status to four more Russian figure skaters — statementThe four Russian athletes at the issue are Kira Domozhirova, Viktor Potapov, Milana Kuzmina and Dmitry Studenikin Read moreLiberation of Kudiyevka creates logistical difficulties for Ukrainian troops — officialThe Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Kudiyevka settlement was liberated on August 16Read moreIN BRIEF: What we know about Russia’s massive attack targeting defense-tech sites in KievRussian forces struck a Fire Point plant, a Kiev-based assembly site owned by the Antonov aircraft manufacturing factory and an arsenal with M-900 thermobaric bombs and munitions for Baba-Yaga dronesRead moreTrump leaves open possibility of further sanctions on IranThe US president said "very draconian sanctions" were being consideredRead moreTrump says pipelines can reduce Hormuz Strait's importanceRecord numbers of pipelines are being built, the US president addedRead moreRussian Baltic Fleet ships conduct naval drills with gun practiceAccording to the exercise scenario, the naval crews detected approaching enemy UAVs, put the ships’ air defense systems on combat alert, and analyzed the obtained air situation dataRead moreEU readies infrastructure for large-scale military conflict — diplomatAttention is being paid, among other things, to adapting the civilian transport and logistics infrastructure to the tasks of military planning and operational mobility, Yulia Zhdanova saidRead moreLarge-scale NATO air force activity recorded near Kaliningrad — Russian war correspondentYevgeny Poddubny reported that multiple reconnaissance aircraft operated simultaneously close to the Russian borderRead more20 Brazilian mercenaries eliminated in special military operation zoneAn official in Russian law enforcement structures said that after being recruited via social networks, they came to Colombia and signed contracts with the Ukrainian armyRead moreRussia’s Matvey Safonov ranked 10th among world’s best goalkeepers — ESPNThe ranking of the world’s best goalkeepers is topped by Spain’s David Raya from England’s Arsenal FCRead moreRussian troops clear 400 buildings of Ukrainian forces in liberating VodyanskoyeAccording to the Russian Defense Ministry, the settlement was liberated on August 19Read moreChina, Russia insist that results of WW II regarding Japan are indisputableZhang Hanhui says Beijing and Moscow think it essential "to resolutely oppose any erroneous actions or statements aimed at rewriting the history of Japanese colonial aggression"Read moreIran has enough currency to buy goods, medicine in coming months — Central BankAbdolnasser Hemmati says Iran is using "alternative solutions to ensure a sustainable supply of resources"Read moreTrump says blockade of Hormuz Strait was successful, now it is open"No boats have gotten into Iran" since the blockade started, the US president saidRead moreRussia’s ombudswoman sends 60 letters to UN over Kiev's war crimes against civiliansMost of them remain unansweredRead moreFACTBOX: Putin’s statements on positive economic growth, impact of Ukrainian attacksBoosting investment activity is the primary condition for economic growth in Russia, the head of state saidRead moreIsrael won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — NetanyahuThe Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"Read moreRada may change location for safety reasons — agencyThe Rada building is located in the center of KievRead morePress review: Ukraine conflict fuels EU ultra-right as Trump seeks Iran pressure via OmanTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, August 19thRead moreFrench politician calls Fyodorov's speech disaster for ZelenskyFlorian Philippot advised that the former Ukrainian defense minister watch his safetyRead moreNovak, Siluanov comment on Russia’s GDP growth, additional support for regionsTASS has compiled the key statements on the economic situation in RussiaRead moreCyprus taking precautions against potential threats — news agencyThe source said that four Greek Air Force F-16 fighter jets, as well as the Nikiforos Fokas frigate, are currently stationed in CyprusRead moreNew batch of Pantsir-S, Pantsir-SMD systems delivered to troops — RostecThe system has shown itself as one of the most effective means of countering air targetsRead moreOver 30 shelling attacks by Ukrainian troops reported in DPR in past dayFive houses, six civilian infrastructure facilities, several trucks, passenger cars and other vehicles were damagedRead moreUkrainian attack kills one, wounds two civilians in Belgorod RegionThe regional emergency headquarters reported that a woman sustained shrapnel wounds to her shoulder, thigh, and knee joint, and was hospitalizedRead moreRussian aircraft to begin firefighting in Serbia on August 20 — group headAircraft Commander Andrey Vilkov says the city of Nis "is welcoming us with open arms and wonderful people"Read moreReadiness to ask no questions led Khmara to defense minister’s seat — DPR politicianAlexey Muratov added that a similar principle was used in the case of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga, whose main task is "to sell Kiev to Western sponsors, begging for money and weapons in exchange for guarantees Kiev cannot fulfill"Read moreRussia seeks sustainable peace in Ukraine conflict — Kremlin spokesmanAccording to Dmitry Peskov, The Ukraine process is currently on hold Read moreRussian forces deliver strike on Antonov plant assembling Lyuty UAVs in Kiev — top brassThe enterprise also developed and manufactured various types of manned aircraftRead moreUS remains main threat to North Korea’s security — Kim Jong Un’s sisterKim Yo Jong also noted that Pyongyang attaches no significance to the reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea announced by US President Donald TrumpRead moreNetanyahu weighs confrontation with Trump — mediaAccording to the sources, Donald Trump has shifted to issuing ultimatums in his talks with Benjamin Netanyahu that give little consideration to Israel’s interestsRead moreCuba wants to become BRICS’ full-fledged member — embassyAccording to the embassy, this step is a top priority for the country amid the unprecedented escalation of the US economic war against itRead moreUkraine's cabinet initiates suspensions of Sense Bank leaders amid scandalThe bank is mentioned in newly released recordings by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of UkraineRead moreRussia reminds Japanese ambassador that it paid huge price for Kurils — MFARussia summoned the Japanese ambassador following Tokyo’s protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Kuril Island of IturupRead moreRussia entitled to view UK as party to Ukrainian conflict — LavrovThe Russian foreign minister said he feels sorry for the UK if it stays with Ukraine until the very endRead moreRussia is China’s most reliable supplier of energy sources — Russian senatorAndrey Denisov says oil supplies from Russia to China grew by 92% in the first seven months amid the crisis around the Strait of HormuzRead moreRussia to respond proportionately to Kiev’s terror attacks — diplomatMaria Zakharova pointed out that the Kiev regime demonstrated a complete inability to negotiateRead moreTrump says he is only US president to establish contact with KimThe US president added that Japan, South Korea, and other nations are "a lot safer if I'm president than somebody else is president"Read moreRussia’s grain harvest to reach 100 mln metric tons in coming daysRussian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut noted that the volume harvested this year is higher than last yearRead moreRussia’s trade infrastructure resilient despite terrorist attacks — PutinThe Russian president admitted that operations are running under intense pressureRead moreDate for new Russia-US contacts on removing ‘irritants’ being agreed upon — diplomatMaria Zakharova added that Russia is ready to cooperate with the US partners "to move toward substantive discussions on the issues that are of priority for us"Read moreRussia has begun importing fuel to boost domestic supplies — NovakThe Russian government earlier decided to extend the import damper mechanism to diesel fuel, a move intended to provide additional economic incentives for supplying imported diesel to the domestic market if necessaryRead moreJapan has enough plutonium to make 5.500 nuclear warheads — Chinese ambassadorZhang Hanhui concluded that Japan's "transformation into a nuclear power no longer looks like a fantasy"Read moreZelensky’s position threatened most since 2022 by Fyodorov’s comment — WSJAccording to the publication, Mikhail Fyodorov’s words are interpreted in Kiev "as the opening gambit in a potential run for the presidency"Read moreKusturica slams blocking of his YouTube channel as 'war on truth'Official reason for the channel's removal was not specifiedRead moreStrike on Abu-Duhur could provoke military clash between Israel, Turkey, Syria — US envoyAccording to Tom Barrack, the lack of clear channels of communication between the states could have made the situation "much more serious"Read moreSome 250 drones were flying toward Moscow Region during nightMayor Sergey Sobyanin says most of them were destroyed at distant locationsRead morePutin stresses need to strengthen Russia’s sovereigntyThe president highlighted that Russia was already implementing a plan for structural changes in the economyRead moreSlavyansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkovka turned into ‘ghost cities’ by Ukrainian army — expertAndrey Marochko said that Ukrainian militants are using abandoned civilian facilities for military purposesRead moreNATO vows to defend US bases in Europe — ReutersEarlier, the anonymous sources claimed that Iran is allegedly prepared to launch strikes against US bases not only in the Middle EastRead moreUN deputy chief declines to assess Ukraine coordinator’s remarksTom Fletcher's statement followed a question about whether he considered Matthias Schmale’s actions to be a violation of Article 100 of the UN Charter, which requires UN staff to be impartial and independentRead moreRussian forces hit Fire Point facility manufacturing attack drone components in KievThe enterprise also assembled and stored boosters used in Flamingo cruise missilesRead moreNorth Korea’s Kim Yo Jong warns Japan of strike in response to possible threatKim Yo Jong stated that the DPRK is closely monitoring Japan’s attempts to build up its military capabilitiesRead moreRussia, China to oppose Japan’s attempts to obtain nuclear weapons — Chinese ambassadorZhang Hanhui also said that Moscow and Beijing think it necessary to "resolutely oppose Japan's accelerated remilitarization"Read moreAuthorities expect fuel situation to improve as refineries return from maintenanceDeputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the Russian government is monitoring the fuel market on a daily basis and working with companies to redirect fuel supplies to regions facing shortagesRead moreRussian forces hit Ukraine’s military warehouses in Chernomorsk, Yuzhny ports — top brassTargets were hit on the evening of August 19Read moreUS fighter jet flies over Baltic Sea near Russia’s Kaliningrad Region — sourceThe aircraft flew in from Reykjavík, passing through the airspace of Norway and Sweden along the way, and also flying over Poland Read moreRussia exploring railway routes to Indian Ocean — Deputy Prime MinisterSpecifically, the so-called eastern bypass of the Caspian Sea is being ramped upRead moreUkraine’s losses from port shutdowns exceed $2 blnVessel traffic data show that large foreign commercial ships are not entering Odessa, Chernomorsk and YuzhnyRead moreRussian Su-25 plane safely returns to airfield in Ukraine sortie after Stinger strikeThe aircraft is "quite survivable in combat conditions", a navigator of a Russian air squadron notedRead moreChina calls on Japan not to play with fire on nuclear weapons matters — ambassadorZhang Hanhui said that a nuclear arms race in the region could erupt at any moment if Tokyo decides to develop nuclear weaponsRead moreWest intends to monitor war financing in Ukraine with help of Khmara, expert saysAccording to Vitaly Kiselyov, at present the West is monitoring every personnel appointment in Ukraine, including those in the cabinetRead moreFuel imports to Russia: statements by Novak and overview of market situationRussian authorities expect a number of oil refineries to complete maintenance work soon, leading to a significant improvement in the fuel market situationRead moreNABU charges former deputy head of Zelensky’s office — lawyerThe National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine also searched two locationsRead moreNo proposals on new contacts with US negotiators so far — Russian diplomatMaria Zakharova said that Moscow is "ready to hear Washington’s constructive initiatives" on the settlementRead moreEuropean gas storage facilities could be depleted by April 2027 — HandelsblattIf the pace of purchases remains unchanged, storage facilities will be only 69% full by November 1, in which case they could be depleted by April, when Europe’s heating season ends, the newspaper said Read moreUkrainian army facing serious shortages of Patriot missiles — Russian defense sourceThe source noted that the global shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles had intensified following their large-scale use in the Middle EastRead moreUkraine plans to legalize disposal of missing soldiers' bodies as surgical waste — sourceAccording to the Russian security source, the measure is being considered in part because Ukrainian morgues are overcrowded with unidentified remainsRead moreRussian athletes’ problems with entry visas to last for no more than one year — ministerMikhail Degtyarev believes the sports federations will start withdrawing from the countries that assume the most anti-Russian positionRead moreTrump announced unprecedented economic war against IranThe US president said that Tehran 'failed' to seize the opportunity to make a dealRead moreJapan indulging in dangerous experiments in sphere of nuclear policy — Chinese diplomatZhang Hanhui noted that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoids clearly stating that her country will not import nuclear weaponsRead more

Source: TASS English
RELATED NEWS

More Stories

All News
Russia

FACTBOX: What to know of Omsk oil refinery intel sharing, foiled terrorist attack in LPR

• What happened: Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) detained several individuals for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Ukrainian intelligence, in...

Russia

Russian troops liberate two communities in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

• What happened: Russian troops liberated the settlements of Nikolaipolye and Matyashevo in the Donetsk region during military operations, according to Russia&#...

Russia

Russian ambassador says German MFA’s statements on FAZ journalist case unfriendly

• What happened: Russian Ambassador to Germany, Sergey Nechayev, criticized the German Foreign Ministry's spokesman for comments regarding the case of FAZ ...

Russia

Kremlin reacts to 'fishing in troubled waters' in Ukraine, potential Wikoff, Kushner visit

• What happened: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the visits of US emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, as well as the Vatican’s foreign mini...

Russia

Upgraded Kuryer robotic system evacuates wounded while providing drone cover

• What happened: Russian troops have upgraded the Kuryer robotic system to evacuate wounded personnel from the front line while simultaneously engaging enemy dr...

Russia

Russia’s Battlegroup South confidently advancing after liberating Nikolaipolye in DPR

• What happened: Russia's Battlegroup South has successfully liberated the settlement of Nikolaipolye in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and is co...