Russia expects leaders of Sahel countries to attend summit in Moscow — Lavrov

UN General AssemblyRussia expects leaders of Sahel countries to attend summit in Moscow — Lavrov According to the foreign minister, the dialogue between Russia and the AES alliance is actively developingUNITED NATIONS, September 25. /TASS/. The dialogue between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is actively developing, and Moscow expects national leaders to take part in the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow in October, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "The dialogue between Russia and the Confederation is developing rapidly. The consultations , which took place on July 8 in Niger’s capital, Niamey, were very useful. Once again, I would like to sincerely thank our Nigerien friends for their hospitality and excellent organisation of the consultations," Lavrov said at a meeting with AES foreign ministers on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly. "I am confident that today we will continue exploring the promising areas of cooperation we have already discussed. We have achieved tangible results in many of them, although further work remains to be done," the Russian minister added. Lavrov went on to say that certain aspects of preparations for the 3rd Russia-Africa summit due in Moscow on October 28-29 will be addressed at the meeting. "We look forward to welcoming your leaders there," he said. TagsSergey LavrovUN General AssemblyUN General AssemblyLavrov meets with UN secretary-general on General Assembly sidelinesThe meeting began without opening remarks for the press and continued behind closed doorsRead moreGlobal gas prices continue to rise in 2026, but set to fall 40% by 2029 — ministryIn 2026, natural gas prices continue to rise amid a global drought, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and damage to key LNG infrastructure in the Middle EastRead morePress review: Trump, Zelensky signal Russia deal interest as Moscow eyes fresh US dialogueTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, September 23rdRead moreUS journalist who visited Donbass avoids returning home due to pressure from authoritiesSarah Bils added that she had moved to Serbia, where she had been living for a month and continued covering geopolitical developmentsRead moreMedvedev says United Russia may secure 349 seats in State Duma electionUnited Russia received about 58% of citizens’ votesRead moreUAC delivers batch of Su-57 fighter jets in new technical configuration to militaryThe aircraft underwent a full cycle of factory testsRead moreRussia’s Defense Ministry rejects reports of pilotage error as cause for Su-33 crash"The commission continues thorough work and has not made any preliminary conclusions before its probe is over, " the Defense Ministry said in a statementRead moreRussia calls for tools to prevent conflicts in information space — MFAAccording to Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov, Russia plans to complete ratification procedures for the UN Convention against Cybercrime "as soon as possible"Read moreLavrov discusses Middle East situation with Jordanian deputy prime ministerThe parties also discussed "priority tasks for the steady development of traditionally friendly Russian-Jordanian relations," the statement saysRead morePress review: US, NATO hamper nuclear dialogue as US gains partial control of GreenlandTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, September 24thRead moreChina to send two pandas to US as symbol of friendship — XiAccording to the Chinese leader, pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang will be sent to Zoo AtlantaRead moreRussia not to pause special military operation for talks in any format — LavrovThe Russian top diplomat stressed that Europe wanted to gain a respite and replenish the depleted military arsenals of the Kiev regimeRead moreTop Russian, Iranian diplomats call for peaceful solution to conflict around IranThe sides discussed current regional and international issues, with an emphasis on developments surrounding IranRead moreRussian Armed Forces placed second in world's strongest armies listThe compilers of the list recognized the Russian Armed Forces' leadership in self-propelled artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, and minesRead moreRussia poses no threat to nuclear facilities in Ukraine — envoyMikhail Ulyanov highlighted that, unlike Ukraine, Russia had never carried out any attacks on nuclear facilitiesRead moreDeath toll among Kazakh servicemen in Caspian Sea rises to 12According to updated information, 17 servicemen were swept out to sea while carrying out a combat training missionRead moreHouthis claim strikes on target in Riyadh, Saudi Aramco facilities in YanbuMilitary spokesman Yahya Saree also said that Saudi Arabia had carried out 1,018 air and missile strikes on Yemen since the escalation beganRead moreAbout 60 ships passed through Strait of Hormuz on September 23 — ReutersAccording to sources cited by the news agency, the vessels transported 22 million barrels of oil, the largest daily volume since the beginning of JulyRead moreRussian Finance Ministry sets Hormuz opening scenario for $50/bbl oil price in budgetThe ministry is deliberately budgeting a rather low oil price to mitigate the risks of unexpected deficits, Igor Yushkov notedRead moreLowest unemployment rate since 1992 registered in RussiaIt totaled 3.2%Read moreOil reserves of OECD countries increased by 17.3 mln barrels in October — IEAAccording to the statement, preliminary data for the US, Europe and Japan show industry stocks increased by 3.1 mln barrels in NovemberRead moreRussian budget deficit to be 2.2% of GDP next year — Finance MinisterAnton Siluanov emphasized that the budget is resilient to various scenariosRead moreXi Jinping hopes US will oppose Taiwan's independence — XinhuaThe Chinese leader noted that the United States should exercise caution on the Taiwan issueRead moreRussia cuts 2026 gas output forecast by 0.8%, raises pipeline export outlook by 1.7%Gas production is expected to rise to 683.1 bln cubic meters in 2026Read moreRussia’s Karmanov wins gold at 2026 European Boxing Championship in SofiaThe Russian athlete defeated Junior Tadah of France in the final boutRead moreRussia distances itself from two items on UN General Assembly agendaThey concern the 'temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine' and the 'international residual mechanism for criminal tribunals'"Read moreRussia’s Uragan system destroys Ukrainian Bogdana howitzer near Krasny LimanRussian reconnaissance UAV captured the strike, including the Bogdana itself, a large number of enemy personnel and vehiclesRead moreLavrov meets with Malian counterpart at UN HeadquartersThe sides reaffirmed their commitment "to deepening political dialogue based on mutual trust and coordinating their efforts at the UN," the Russian Foreign Ministry saidRead moreRussia’s Prozorova advances to Round 3 of 2026 WTA Singapore OpenThe unseeded Russian athlete is to play Xinyu Wang of China in the next round Read moreUpper house official calls Kiev’s requests for talks facade for respite amid defeatNatalya Nikonorova called Russia’s decision not to allow Kiev such a pause fully justifiedRead moreRussian Defense Ministry reports on Ukrainian army encirclement, losses near DobropolyeThe Dobropolye direction "is one of the key to achieving results in the complete liberation of Donbass and is of fundamental importance for conducting successful offensive operations of the United Group of Forces"Read moreUkrainian forces choose targets to sow fear, panic, but Russia shall win — expertYevgeny Poddubny emphasized that the most important thing for Russia right now is to prevailRead moreRussian tourist association address Maldivian authorities on tax matterThe ATOR send a formal letter to Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Republic of Maldives Mohamed AmeenRead moreIran may give up its highly enriched uranium if deal with US reached — presidentMasoud Pezeshkian told Fox News that Tehran would comply with the deal with Washington within the framework of international lawRead moreRussian grain harvest expected at around 141.8 mln tons in 2026 — ministry forecastThe vegetable harvest is expected at 14 mln metric tonsRead moreEx-Ukrainian soldiers fighting alongside Russians capture group of Ukrainian servicemenThe Maxim Krivonos Battalion was formed three years ago from former Ukrainian servicemenRead moreRussian foreign minister, Senegalese leader confirm proximity of positions on most issuesThe meeting focused on current issues related to further strengthening traditionally friendly Russian-Senegalese relations, with an emphasis on expanding cooperation in trade, economic, investment and humanitarian areasRead moreUS ‘security guarantees’ may leave Yerevan disappointed — Russian Security CouncilDeputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Army General Oleg Salyukov noted that the events related to the transfer of Nagorno-Karabakh under Azerbaijan’s jurisdiction were largely the result of the policy pursued by the Armenian leadership that came to power as a result of the so-called Velvet Revolution of 2018Read moreIN BRIEF: Russia's massive strike on defense facilities, logistics centers in Kiev, OdessaThe Defense Ministry specified that the Russian Armed Forces struck an industrial facility in Kiev that manufactured components for long-and medium-range UAVs and prepared ground robotic systems for deploymentRead moreRed Wings expects to start flying to Egypt’s Borg El Arab next yearThe airline noted that plans for flights to Egypt’s El Alamein also remain in placeRead moreBelogorsk - Khabarovsk interconnector 90% completed, Gazprom saysThe Power of Siberia is the largest gas transportation system in eastern RussiaRead moreLavrov, Grossi discuss Israel’s, US’ strikes on Iran’s peaceful nukes — Foreign MinistryThe sides also addressed other issues on the UN agenda that are of mutual interestRead moreRussian oil product exports expected to fall by 21.7% to 98.5 mln tons in 2026In 2025, Russia’s oil product exports actually totaled 125.8 mln metric tons, according to the Economic Development Ministry’s materialsRead moreErdogan tells Zelensky attacks on merchant ships in Black Sea 'unacceptable'The Turkish president emphasized that steps must be taken to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black SeaRead morePutin sends condolences to Tokayev over death of military personnel during drillsRussian President conveyed his sincere sympathy and support to the families of the dead military personnelRead moreIf Europeans hadn’t cheated, Ukraine could have remained within 1991 borders — LavrovThe Russian top diplomat noted that the Europeans had failed to suppress their age-old instinct to lie and try to achieve their goals by criminal meansRead moreRussian envoy comments on Zelensky’s fury over Duma polls, West’s involvement in conflictDmitry Polyansky noted that Kiev attempted to disrupt the elections through terror against the civilian populationRead moreHouthis claim hit on several Saudi military facilitiesAccording to the Houthi military spokesman, the strikes killed and wounded "hundreds of servicemen of the Saudi-led Arab coalition forces"Read moreEU interfered in State Duma elections, Russian foreign intelligence chief saysAccording to Sergey Naryshkin, the European Commission prepared a document in advance alleging that the elections were flawedRead moreFrench actress Marina Vlady died at age of 88From 1970 to 1980, Marina Vlady was married to the iconic Russian poet and bard Vladimir VysotskyRead moreChinese leader describes trade deal with US as good news for global economyXi Jinping added that the new trade agreement is beneficial for the two nations’ industriesRead moreRussia calls for revision of UNSC sanctions against North Korea — deputy foreign ministerAndrey Rudenko emphasized that the UN Resolution 1718 had proven entirely ineffective and was used by Western countries exclusively to economically strangle the DPRKRead moreUkrainian army lacks forces to cover front line in Donbass — former Ukrainian soldierBorzy specified that, despite attempts to maintain the defensive line using drones, the Ukrainian armed forces continue to lose groundRead moreRussia makes revolution in jet-powered UAVs — newspaperThe Guardian also noted that the new models of Russian Geran drones are faster than the Ukrainian interceptorsRead moreColombia severs diplomatic relations with Iran — Foreign MinistryThe government of Colombia accused Tehran of "presumed ties to international terrorist groups"Read moreRussian oil production expected to fall 3.36% to 494.2 mln tons in 2026 — ministryUnder the baseline scenario, the ministry expects production to rise to 500 mln metric tons in 2027Read moreAir defenses intercept 34 Ukrainian drones over Russian regionsOn-duty air defense forces have intercepted Ukrainian UAVs over three Russian regionsRead moreUkrainian forces lose about 1,290 troops in special op zone in past day — Defense MinistryRussian units took control over Buzovo and Khizhnyakovo settlements in the Kharkov Region and Svetlaya Dolina in the Zaporozhye RegionRead moreLavrov, Panamanian foreign minister outline prospects of boosting bilateral tiesThe sides also discussed cooperation between Russia and Panama at multilateral platformsRead moreFACTBOX: Economic Development Ministry’s forecast, oil prices, inflation, GDPThe ministry expects real household income to grow by 0.8% in 2026 and 1.5% in 2027Read moreRussian steel production to fall by 6% in 2026 — ministry forecastBy 2029, production of finished rolled ferrous metal products is expected to decline by 3.2% to 54.9 mln metric tonsRead moreCopper boom to boost Russia's export revenue, to attract investments — expertPavel Gamov noted that Russia supplied about 4% of the world's refined copperRead moreFACTBOX: Ukrainian national carries out attack at abbey in PolandOne person died of his woundsRead moreRussia tests new air defense fire support information system in special op zone — RostecThe Pantsir and airspace control systems, developed by the High Precision Systems holding company, are currently on display at the World Defense Show in Saudi ArabiaRead moreProspects for CTBT’s entry into force unclear, primarily due to US — diplomat"Despite the fact that 179 of the 188 signatory states have ratified the treaty, the prospects for the CTBT’s entry into force remain just as unclear," Maria Zakharova saidRead moreRussia boosts pipeline gas supplies to China by 25%, to Uzbekistan by 30% in 2025 — IEAGazprom earlier reported that in 2025 it supplied more gas to China than to Europe for the first timeRead moreLavrov emphasizes Russia's commitment to UN resolutions on Middle East conflictThe Russian top diplomat had a meeting with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Hussein Abdullah SafadiRead moreDraft Russian budget for next three years address current challenges — PMMikhail Mishustin added that the financial stability of the state as a whole remains important in the current situationRead moreCopper becoming strategic resource for global technological development — expertIlya Grashchenkov noted that options for rapidly increasing copper production are limitedRead moreUkraine loses nearly 1,400 troops in special op zone over past 24 hours — Defense MinistryRussian Battlegroup North units took control over the Krasny Yar and Potikhonovo settlements in the Kharkov Region in the course of the special military operation over the past dayRead morePolish foreign minister calls naming new US base after Trump humiliatingRadoslaw Sikorski said that he would have rather named the new military base "after Ronald Reagan," the 40th president of the United StatesRead moreMany German, US, French mercenaries fighting for Ukrainian side — DPR headAccording to Denis Pushilin, personnel shortages, as well as the foreigners’ own need to earn money are the reason for foreigners’ fighting alongside the Ukrainian armed forcesRead moreRussia’s economy minister outlines key drivers of growthAccording to Maxim Reshetnikov, growth would be driven by industries focused on domestic demandRead moreRussia concerned by use of satellites for interference in nations' affairs — MFAMoscow is advocating "transparent regulation of the use of such systems" and compliance by satellite operators with the national laws of the countries in which they operateRead moreNorth Korea test-fires guided MLRS rocket — news agencyGo Byeong-hyun, chairman of North Korea’s Second Economic Committee, oversaw the military maneuvers, conducted as part of a plan to modernize the country’s artillery and missile forcesRead moreEuropean economy lost 113 bln euro this year due to summer heat — researchThe study was based on weather data and damage statistics on one hand, and modeling of expected economic implications on the otherRead moreRussian, Nicaraguan top diplomats confirm readiness to boost bilateral tiesSergey Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s support for the Nicaraguan government’s efforts to defend national sovereigntyRead moreNumber of injured in chairlift collapse in Russia’s Nalchik climbs to eightIt was clarified that two of those injured had been discharged following a medical checkupRead moreRussian stock market mixed on Thursday — market dataThe yuan exchange rate decreased by ten kopecks to 12.6 rublesRead moreRussia stands for early entry into force of CTBT — LavrovThe Russian foreign minister said that the treaty became a visible expression of the collective responsibility of states to preserve global stability and security for future generationsRead moreRussia grateful for Putin invitation to attend G20 summit in US — KremlinSpokesman Dmitry Peskov added that Moscow will discuss "the possibility of accepting the invitation" with the American sideRead moreBeing journalist in US poses danger — US journalist Sarah BilsAccording to the journalist, US intelligence services monitor reporters and the contents of their smartphonesRead moreUS already realizes what seizure of Russian assets could mean for West — diplomatic source"The more widely this understanding takes root in US government circles, the greater the chances of achieving real improvement in the international situation as a whole, and in Russian-American relations in particular," the source emphasizedRead moreIN BRIEF: Key statements by Finance Minister Siluanov on federal budget policyAccording to Anton Siluanov, Russia's federal budget deficit in 2027 would amount to 2.2% of GDPRead moreRussia's Rusal restores product deliveries to USShipments are now made at "significant levels"Read morePutin's G20 invitation, draft budget top Kremlin briefing agendaRussia appreciates the US invitation for Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in Miami, Dmitry Peskov stressedRead moreTrump says talks with Xi went very wellThe two leaders walked onto the White House South Lawn after their meetingRead moreFrance ready to send troops to Ukraine immediately following ceasefire — radio reportThe plan is to deploy French troops away from the front line at strategically important sitesRead moreRussian air defenses show unmatched efficiency repelling Sept 20 attack on Moscow — expertIgor Potapov emphasized that this level of effectiveness was achieved through the coordinated performance of the Russian air defense forces, the interaction between the regional and Defense Ministry’s capabilitiesRead moreRussian air passenger traffic to fall 0.3% to 108.5 mln in 2026 — ministry forecastThe forecast specifies that passenger traffic by Russian airlines will increase over the long termRead moreLondon may become de jure party to Ukraine conflict — MFASergey Ryabkov pointed out that Moscow's position on the matter had been set out in detail in a note recently handed to the British charge d'affaires in RussiaRead moreDifficulties with digital ruble, inflation, price stability: statements by NabiullinaAccording to the Central Bank governor, the regulator sees a rise in demand for cash, but its share has risen only slightly and the situation is stabilizingRead moreUS activists file lawsuit to declare war against Iran illegalAccording to President of the National Iranian American Council Jamal Abdi, the plaintiffs will seek to have the court of the Metropolitan District of Columbia recognize the operation against Iran as a warRead moreIndonesia interested in Russian peaceful nuclear technologies — RosatomRosatom showcased technological solutions for the nuclear energy sector during Electricity Connect 2026, one of Southeast Asia's largest energy exhibitionsRead moreHalf of Russia’s foreign exchange reserves frozen due to sanctions — Finance MinisterAnton Siluanov reiterated that the debts of countries that were unfriendly to Russia would be paid in rublesRead moreRussian government approve new three-year budget draftOne of the key priorities of the draft budget is fulfillment of social obligationsRead moreRebuilding Gaza to require $71.5 bln — UN Conference on Trade and DevelopmentAccording to the report, 92% of Gaza’s economic assets have been damaged or destroyed since October 2023Read moreMacron admits Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries worsen fuel situation in EuropeThe French president said he would not call on Ukraine to stop the attacks simply because they were causing prices in Europe to riseRead moreRussian Armed Forces hit logistical, storage terminals used to support Ukrainian armyThe Russian Armed Forces also struck a dry cargo ship sailing to deliver military supplies for the Ukrainian army, the Defense Ministry notedRead moreRussian stock indices up at start of main trading sessionThe MOEX Index was at 2,624.6 points, while the RTS Index stood at 1,056.62 pointsRead moreDamaged oil depot in Rostov Region, fire at Krasnodar Region facility: drone attacksThere were no casualtiesRead more