Russia says France's refusal to grant visa to TASS reporter for UNESCO events puzzling

Russia says France's refusal to grant visa to TASS reporter for UNESCO events puzzling According to Maria Zakharova, on July 17, during a global conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, a UNESCO-Russia International Prize for Achievements Fundamental Sciences will be awarded at UNESCO headquarters in ParisRussian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova© Donat Sorokin/TASSMOSCOW, July 15. /TASS/. France’s decision not to issue a visa to a TASS journalist to participate in UNESCO events is puzzling, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. According to the diplomat, on July 17, during a global conference of the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, a UNESCO-Russia International Prize for Achievements Fundamental Sciences will be awarded at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. "Although this is indeed a very important, solemn event, but, alas, it is overshadowed by how literally they do not allow it to be covered and, honestly, I cannot find another expression, just what kind of harassment Russian journalists are subjected to. The refusal of the French authorities to issue a visa to a TASS journalist, who was sent on a business trip to cover one of the key events in world scientific life, is puzzling," she said. TagsForeign policyMaria ZakharovaRussia calls on all parties to Gulf conflict to return to negotiations — MFAMaria Zakharova emphasized that Moscow is "extremely concerned" about the resumption of hostilities in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of HormuzRead moreNevsky Shipyard floats out Project 23130 medium sea tanker for Russian NavyThe ceremony was attended by representatives of the Navy Main Command, the Nevsky Shipyard of the United Shipbuilding Corporation and honorary guestsRead moreRussian permanent mission accuses EU of making unfounded public accusations against MoscowThe Russian position was brought to the attention of the EU side during a meeting at the European External Action Service on July 14, 2026Read moreTrump says Iran is fighting US like 'great boxer'The US leader stressed that Tehran continued to resist despite repeated US strikesRead moreRussia, United States continue cooperation in space — DmitrievThe RDIF head earlier participated in the crew’s readiness report for Soyuz MS-29Read moreRussia, US ready to discuss cooperation between their national space stationsDuring the meeting, the sides elaborated a joint program to complete the station’s flight in late 2030Read moreUpgraded AK-12 assault rifle successfully completes scheduled testsThe assault rifle will reliably protect the life of a service member, Kalashnikov CEO Alan Lushnikov notedRead moreSenator Lindsey Graham dies at 71Republican Senator passed away from a brief and sudden illnessRead moreGermany fueling world war by providing military aid to Ukraine — lawmakerRetired Major General Leonid Ivlev recalled that Germany was the largest donor to UkraineRead moreTrump, US administration officials discuss expanding Iran strikes — mediaThe meeting reportedly involved US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and other senior officialsRead moreISS operations extended through 2030 — Roscosmos chiefDmitry Bakanov says that this was agreed upon between Roscosmos and NASARead moreRussia rejects Western accusations of cyberattacks — embassy in The HagueVladimir Tarabrin warned Dutch authorities that any further expansion of EU sanctions would provoke retaliatory measures from MoscowRead moreTrump urges Netanyahu to withdraw Israeli forces from Syria, Lebanon — mediaA US official told Axios that the US president warned the Israeli prime minister that the presence of Israeli forces on Syrian territory "creates tensions and could lead to an escalation"Read moreRussia says deployment of contingents from ‘coalition of willing’ in Ukraine unacceptableMaria Zakharova reiterated that such units would be considered by Moscow as legitimate military targetsRead moreTrump promises to review updated bill on sanctions against RussiaThe US president also said that the lawmakers may also extend the document to Iran and the Shiite movement HezbollahRead moreBrazil doesn’t want war, but should be ready to defend itself — President Lula da SilvaThe Brazilian president stressed that the defense of national security is not reduced to the protection of bordersRead moreConsulate general investigates detention of Russians in Istanbul's Hagia Sophia mosqueSources inside the Istanbul police confirmed the incident but declined further commentRead moreSecurity guarantees for Kiev, sanctions against Max — Kremlin briefing highlightsDmitry Peskov expressed confidence that Max would keep evolving fast despite the European sanctionsRead moreSpain defeats France 2-0, moves into 2026 FIFA World Cup FinalSpain has become the first team to reach the finalRead moreKiev’s attack on Kursk NPP is nuclear terrorism — envoy"The Ukrainian militants have committed another nuclear terrorism attempt, launching at least 12 unmanned aerial vehicles towards the Kursk NPP-2," Rodion Miroshnik saidRead moreTrump avoids direct answer on possible seizure of Kharg IslandThe US president noted that sometimes a ground campaign is neededRead moreRussian forces strike Ukrainian military-industrial sites, port infrastructureRussian forces hit the Kiev-79 industrial enterprise - a key enterprise in Ukraine for the assembly of combat payloads for unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles of various typesRead moreRussian troops destroying over 80% of Ukrainian drones in LPR — expertAndrey Marochko emphasized that Russian soldiers at this point "are handling the challenges from the Ukrainian militants quite effectively"Read moreUkrainian army carries out 18 attacks on DPR in past day, kills civilianSix civilians were injuredRead moreFSB prevents large-scale drone attack on strategic facility in Moscow RegionFollowing the instructions from his handlers, the detainee assembled and activated drones, established a communication channel with foreign operators, and then left the sceneRead moreModernized Shturmovik ground robot deployed to Russia’s special op zone in UkraineThe Shturmovik can carry up to 70 kg on the road and up to 50 kg on rough terrainRead moreFACTBOX: Logistics, food supplies, fleet protection measures in Sea of AzovPort captains are seeking to improve traffic management and reduce vessel handling timesRead moreKiev suffering unjustified losses counterattacking near Konstantinovka in DPR — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, all previous attempts by the Ukrainian command in this area have been futile and unsuccessfulRead moreUS, Iran continue to maintain contact, Trump saysThe US president separately said that he would "save the energy targets for last" but would ultimately attack them. He stated the unwillingness to negotiate himself at the momentRead moreFACTBOX: Key details of revised US sanctions bill targeting RussiaThe bill targets the five largest buyers of Russian energy, including China and IndiaRead moreRussian Tango light aircraft completes maiden flight — S7 GroupVladimir Barsuk, a first-class test pilot and director of the Chaplygin Siberian Scientific Research Institute of Aviation, was at the controlsRead moreEuropean Commission strips Venice Biennale of grant over reopening Russian pavilionThe European Commission has withdrawn a 2-million-euro grant from the Venice BiennaleRead moreRostec develops critically needed materials despite sanctions — PM MishustinThe Russian Prime Minister stressed that achievements in high-tech industries have a direct impact not only on industry and digitalization, but also on the country's overall economy and on people's quality of lifeRead morePress review: EU struggles on Russia sanctions while Moscow trade surplus growsTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, July 14thRead moreKremlin briefing covers US sanctions plans against Russia, Baltic ‘fearmongering’Dmitry Peskov revealed that Moscow had received signals through existing channels that the US was ready to resume work on the Ukraine settlement after the Iran situation was resolvedRead moreTrump says Strait of Hormuz open to all ships except Iran’sThe United States will have a full Blockade, but only on Ships coming to and from Iranian ports, or carrying anything have to do with Iranian cargo, the US president saidRead moreThose plotting 'new campaign' against Russia should remember lessons of history — MFAMaria Zakharova advised them to stop deluding themselves into believing they can inflict a strategic defeat on RussiaRead moreFidan to emphasize strikes on ships in Black Sea unacceptable during Kiev visit — sourceAccording to the source, the Turkish top diplomat will also "draw attention to the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine" and "state Turkey’s readiness to bring the sides together at the negotiating table"Read moreFrance to transfer ready-made SCALP missiles to Ukraine — Russian military analystThis is a de facto outright legalization of deliveries, Alexander Stepanov saidRead moreMoldova's involvement in Ukraine conflict escalates it further — expertThe actions of the President of Moldova and the government, aimed at supporting Ukraine, can be perceived as part of a broader strategy developed by EU intelligence services and MI6, Dmitry Sorokin saidRead moreIRGC reports another strike on US base in JordanAccording to a report by Fars, the attack targeted the deployment site of F-18 fighter jets and hangars housing US military equipmentRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup South destroys over 90 Ukrainian robotic vehicles in half-monthBattlegroup's artillery units destroyed over 20 artillery guns of the Ukrainian armyRead moreRostec unveils Pautina system for protection of industry facilities from dronesThe state corporation said that the Pautina is capable of protecting facilities over 25 meters high and of any sizeRead moreTrump speaks contradictorily about chances of passing bill on sanctions against RussiaThe US president said that key provisions of the document had not been discussed with him and that he needs to review themRead moreVon der Leyen, Vucic, Sandu, other leaders arrive in KievThey are expected to meet with Zelensky and participate in the Southeast European summitRead moreQatar blocks Israel’s deal with Volkswagen to produce missiles for Iron Dome — mediaThe deal was blocked despite the memorandum of understanding signed by the parties in AprilRead moreMillions sign online petition demanding Argentina be booted from World CupThe petition claims that FIFA and the referees are biased toward Lionel Messi and the Argentininan national teamRead moreWhat we know about FSB-prevented large-scale drone attack on facility in Moscow RegionAccording to the FSB, the Ukrainian side recruited a former member of an ethnic organized crime group through a terrorist organization banned in Russia to carry out the attackRead moreIN BRIEF: What is known about Russian strikes on Ukrainian portsRussian forces hit Odessa and Chernomorsk port infrastructure facilities used to unload fuel and lubricants and fuel storage tanks for the Ukrainian militaryRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup North destroys Ukrainian UAV control antenna in Sumy RegionThe antenna was located in a forest beltRead moreVenezuela's acting president thanks Russia for humanitarian assistanceLast week, two Russian Emergencies Ministry aircraft delivered over 35 metric tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela, including food, tents, basic necessities, motor pumps, and medicinesRead moreModernizing Russia’s armed forces, fuel situation — Putin’s remarksThe Russophobic factions within the so-called collective West are fighting Russia, but the country is forging ahead with remarkable progress, the Russian leader saidRead moreBulgaria's refusal to join 'coalition of the willing' nightmare for Macron — PhilippotAccording to the leader of the French Patriots party, Bulgaria has slammed the door in Macron's faceRead moreIranian military says attacks on US bases to continue until ‘ultimate victory’The IRGC has launched six drone attacks on US bases in the Middle EastRead moreKiev’s attempts to scare Energodar people have reverse effect — Russian senatorIgor Kastyukevich expressed gratitude to the security forces, military personnel, and all involved in enhancing security measures for Zaporozhye NPP employees, residents, and the city as a wholeRead moreNATO intelligence community behind foiled terrorist attack in Moscow Region — expertAlexander Stepanov highlighted the critical role of specialized software, primarily developed in Canada, which was to be used alongside drone components of the same originRead moreUkrainian sabotage operation zone to be extended to Mediterranean — expertAccording to Alexander Stepanov, any future actions against Russia’s merchant fleet in the Mediterranean Sea will depend on NATO states’ shore infrastructureRead moreIran seeks lawful sovereignty over Strait of Hormuz — vice presidentMohammad Reza Aref said that it is natural for Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz, just as it is natural for other countries to have the right to use itRead moreEU openly preparing for conflict with Moscow — Russian embassyThe embassy stressed that Russia calls on the Netherlands to recognize that pressure on Moscow and the use of unlawful unilateral "coercive measures" will not change Russia's position but will only further increase the already extremely high level of instability in EuropeRead moreMan injured in Voronezh suburb, blackout in Kerch: aftermath of attacks on regionsThe drones were reportedly shot down over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Rostov, Moscow and Krasnodar regions, as well as Crimea, the Sea of Azov, and the Black SeaRead moreOver 50,000 US troops currently deployed across Middle East — Central CommandThe US CENTCOM published the corresponding report on XRead moreThree civilians injured in Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s Belgorod RegionThe wounded were taken to hospitalsRead moreInterference in Ukrainian settlement, Kiev's terrorism: Lavrov's statementsThe Russian top diplomat noted that Europe was still trying to get in the way of a Ukraine peace deal, seeking to undermine agreements reached between Moscow and WashingtonRead moreTurkish court issues int’l arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 'Sumud' flotilla case — TVBenjamin Netanyahu is accused of crimes against humanity, genocide, deprivation of liberty, cruel treatment, intentional bodily harm, robbery, and seizure of vehiclesRead moreHungarian defense minister promises to 'slam the door on Russia'Romulus Ruszin-Szendi stated that Hungary must restore the trust of its alliesRead moreNew Russia-Ukraine prisoner swaps on deck, Kiev’s terror: ombudswoman’s key statementsHuman rights commissioners are a "major shield protecting human rights" in Russia, Yana Lantratova saidRead moreEU allows Kiev to use loan funds to buy Chinese-made drone components — FTAccording to the newspaper, the measure concerns the first tranche of 5.9 bln euro under the EU's 60 bln euro defense loanRead moreUkrainian military strikes passenger bus with drone in Gorlovka, DPRThe Ukrainian military also shelled a residential area of the Kalininsky district of the city, damaging private housesRead moreFACTBOX: Ukrainian parliament dismisses prime minister, governmentUkraine's Verkhovna Rada voted by a majority to dismiss Prime Minister Yulia SviridenkoRead moreRussia extremely concerned about new round of hostilities involving Iran — MFADmitry Lyubinsky reaffirmed its call for the resumption of dialogue to foster a lasting peace and stability in the regionRead more‘Coalition of the Willing’ turns out unable to ensure ceasefire — mediaAccording to a report in Der Spiegel, the coalition remains powerless to achieve its goalsRead moreWhat we know about detention of man who planned sabotage at oil company in Russia’s YugraThe detainee has confessed to plotting a terrorist attack on an oil company in NyaganRead moreRoscosmos, NASA to coordinate satellite operations to prevent collisionsRoscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov says Russia's satellite constellation includes hundreds of spacecraft, while partner constellations include thousandsRead moreIran conflict could devalue Donald Trump’s second presidential term — FTDefense strategy expert at the Center for a New American Security think-tank in Washington Becca Wasser noted that escalation to de-escalate had not proven to be very successful in the pastRead moreUkrainian labor shortage deepens in June — surveyThis problem is the worst in the Kirovograd, Chernovtsy, Lvov, Cherkassy, Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Zhitomir and Zaporozhye regionsRead moreRussia creating wheeled heavy-duty robot named after esteemed WWII generalThe platform is designed for logistics missions such as the delivery of provisions, water, combat ammunition loads and medicinesRead moreRussian forces strike Ukrainian UAV assembly, storage sites in past day — top brassThe Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,380 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hoursRead moreRussian troops advance northeast of Svyatogorsk in DPR — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, the combat conditions are the most intense in the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk areaRead moreSoyuz MS-29 carrying new international crew docks with ISSA Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle lifted off from the Baikonur spaceport at 2:48 p.m. GMT carrying the primary crew of the ISS' 75th long-duration expeditionRead moreChina opposes US bill imposing sanctions on buyers of Russian fossil fuelsChinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian emphasized that Beijing would take all necessary measures to protect legal rights and interests of Chinese companiesRead moreIRGC reports destruction of US military logistics center in Kuwait — agencyAccording to the report, the target was located in Mina AbdullahRead moreArgentina suspends cooperation with Russia on peaceful nuclear energy — Russian envoyAt the same time, mutual interest is being registered between Russian and Argentinian companies in cooperation in the electric power industry, renewable energy sources and the oil and gas industry, Dmitry Feoktistov saidRead moreZelensky confirms two civilians brutally murdered by Ukrainian soldiersTen servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces’ 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade have been detained, including the now former brigade commander Stanislav LuchanovRead moreTrump says US to continue attacks unless Iran returns to talksThe US president promised to carry out strikes "tonight," "tomorrow night," "the night after," and next weekRead moreVon der Leyen promises Kiev ‘safe and secure production sites’ for drones to attack RussiaThe European Commission President also promised "huge technological and industrial capacity" in EuropeRead moreTurkish experts call Ukraine's Black Sea commercial ship attacks energy security threatTurkish maritime expert Kozan Erkan said that Ukrainian attacks between July 9 and 11 damaged or disabled around 50 vessels near Zmeiny IslandRead moreEleven parties submit documents to participate in Russian parliamentary electionsAccording to Central Election Commission Chairperson Ella Pamfilova, the parties have submitted 8,796 documents totaling 135,922 pagesRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup West eliminates 107 Ukrainian heavy quadcopters over past dayThe air defense crews and mobile armed units also shot down 188 fixed-wing UAVsRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup South downs over 170 Ukrainian drones over past dayThe Battlegroup's air defense shot down the enemy’s 86 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles and 92 octocoptersRead moreTrump points to ‘greater alternatives’ to Strait of Hormuz for oil deliveriesThe US president also said that the strait is closed only for IranRead moreExplosion takes place on Iran’s Hengam Island in Strait of Hormuz — agencyNo further details were providedRead moreFSB soldiers eliminate Ukrainian saboteurs, UAV control center in DPRIn total, FSB Gorynych unit operators eliminated four enemy sabotage-terrorist groupsRead moreTrump says US has achieved main objectives of its military operation against IranThe US leader revealed that if US forces ended military operations now, Iran would need 20 years to recover from the damage inflictedRead morePress review: US, Iran vie for Hormuz leverage as Russia, US conclude ISS program by 2030Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, July 15thRead moreThree projectiles damage mineral water factory in Iran’s DehloranNo casualties have been reported so farRead moreRussian forces strike Ukrainian long-range UAV storage sites in past day — top brassThe Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,505 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hoursRead moreUS violates memorandum of understanding over 40 times — Iranian envoy to UNAmir-Saeid Iravani said that the US failed to fulfil its commitments almost immediately after the signing of the memorandumRead moreRussian holdings of US Treasuries rise to $29 mln in MayJapan remained the largest holder of US government securities in May, with holdings totaling approximately $1.14 trillionRead moreEU to revoke asylum eligibility for Ukrainian military-age men from March 2027The EU does not plan to deport Ukrainian military-age men already residing in EuropeRead moreGerman drone factory for Ukraine legitimate target for Russian military — expertChairman of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov added that with a new wave of military aid to Kiev, Germany is trying to escalate the conflictRead moreAir defenses down 340 drones heading for Moscow Region in 24 hours — authoritiesMayor Sergey Sobyanin says most of them were shot down at distant approachesRead more