Ukraine moves to curtail non-defense spending — PM

Ukraine crisisUkraine moves to curtail non-defense spending — PM Sergey Koretsky said the government is introducing a strict austerity regimeMOSCOW, September 1. /TASS/. The Ukrainian government has introduced strict austerity measures for non-military spending, Prime Minister Sergey Koretsky stated. "The government is introducing a strict austerity regime for budget funds not allocated to defense needs," he said on the Ukrainian TV channel Rada. Earlier, Olga Vasilevskaya-Smaglyuk, an MP from the ruling Servant of the People party, reported that Ukraine faces a financial shortfall of €49.5 billion. Of this amount, approximately €26 billion was expected in external funding, but it's now become clear this money won't come. For several years, Ukraine has run huge deficits. Kiev acknowledges that the country has completely exhausted its own resources and that money is becoming hard to come by. On August 20, Zelensky admitted that the lack of funds had become a major challenge, noting that the defense budget alone is $27 billion over. As former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba noted, no one in Kiev knows how to stop the budget-bleeding. TagsUkraine crisisShanghai Cooperation OrganizationSCO leaders highlight UN potential, reject 'law of jungle'TASS has compiled key statements from SCO leadersRead moreTrump claims about 30 ships pass through Strait of Hormuz every night with US assistanceThe US president noted that "a lot of oil is coming out," and the price has not increased as some forecasts had predictedRead moreRussian, US finance chiefs discuss bilateral cooperation — Russian Finance MinistryThe G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting is taking place on August 31 and September 1 in Asheville, USARead moreRussia moving toward Ukrainian conflict settlement — PutinThe Russian leader also thanked Narendra Modi for sharing his expectations for Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to the BRICS summit in New Delhi in SeptemberRead moreKalashnikov to unveil model of its latest AK-12+ assault rifle at Eastern Economic ForumThe weapon will be on display in the Voin Center pavilion at the Far East Street exhibitionRead more'Kiev-regime caliphate,' Zelensky’s green-screen filming: MFA statementsKiev’s Western sponsors became direct accomplices in its terrorist attacks against children, Maria Zakharova said Read moreSCO countries support reform of international financial architecture — declarationAccording to the Bishkek Declaration, the countries will continue to develop a practical dialogue on strengthening financial cooperation within the framework of the SCO Interbank ConsortiumRead moreRussia’s air defenses destroy 13 Ukrainian smart bombs, 1,050 UAVs over past dayRussian servicemen liberated the settlements of Novopavlovka and Chervonaya Krinitsa in the Zaporozhye Region over the past 24 hoursRead moreUS uses fewer weapons against Iran than provided to Ukraine under Biden — TrumpAccording to the US president, Washington gave Ukraine over $300 billion worth of ammunition during this periodRead moreTanker struck by three projectiles in Hormuz Strait — British maritime security authorityAccording to the statement, no casualties or environmental impact has been reportedRead moreRecommendation to evacuate foreign diplomats from Kiev stands — Russian Foreign MinistrySpokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that it is not losing its significanceRead moreStrengthening commercial ties among SCO nations yields clear dividends — PutinThe head of state emphasized that Russia welcomes efforts to upgrade the organization's mechanisms and enhance its operational efficiencyRead moreUS considers limited strikes against Iran in Strait of Hormuz region — AxiosAccording to sources cited by the portal, the US goal is to prevent Iran from reconstituting its radar and missile capabilities to attack shipsRead moreChina ready to deepen energy cooperation with Russia, including Power of Siberia 2 — MFAGuo Jiakun noted that Beijing is "ready to work with Russia to continuously deepen practical bilateral cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit"Read morePutin’s talk with Pashinyan to be pragmatic, respectful — KremlinThe Armenian prime minister now has different views on the possible future configurations for his country, but cooperation with Moscow brings great benefits to the Armenians, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov saidRead moreMass rollout of digital ruble begins in RussiaAt the first stage, the country's largest banks will offer their clients the ability to conduct transactions using the digital national currency, while all credit institutions will join the system by September 2028Read moreKremlin urges people to ignore ‘fake news’ in Western media, to focus on front realitiesThe fact is that nowadays, both less reputable publications and more reputable publications, as well as publications that were once reputable, do not shy away from any kind of fake news, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Read moreRussians top overall medals standings at IFBB World Fitness Sport Games in TurkeyThe Russian national bodybuilding team was represented at the competitions by 16 athletesRead morePutin describes relations with Kazakhstan as ‘two-way street’The Russian president noted that trade between the two countries had grown in 2026Read moreUS seriously considers use of nuclear weapons in Europe — Russian MFAAccording to Andrey Belousov, Washington’s efforts to initiate discussions on Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons serve to divert international attention from what he described as the threat posed by US nuclear weapons stationed in EuropeRead moreKalashnikov unveils model of new AK-12+ assault rifle at EEFThe rifle uses 5.45 mm ammunitionRead morePress review: EU mulls Russia-linked tanker seizures as US deal opens Venezuela oil accessTop stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 31stRead moreEU preparations for State Duma election provocations, plans to null results — SVRAccording to the intelligence service, the West has mobilized "all the ‘weapons’ from the arsenal of anti-Russian aggression" to destabilize the country ahead of the electionsRead moreIran relocates missile production facilities to safer places — IRGCAccording to adviser to the IRGC commander-in-chief Mohammad Reza Naqdi, the production sites are now operating with the use of the most advanced technologies and increased production capacityRead moreAmbassador to Belgrade doubts The Hague court to release details of Mladic’s deathAleksandar Vranes noted that there were no justice for Serbs in The HagueRead moreMaduro posts photo of him in prisonVenezuelan President addressed it to his grandchildren and childrenRead moreZelensky speaks with US envoys over phoneAccording to the head of the Kiev regime, the parties discussed "setting a date for a visit to Ukraine"Read moreAt least five US military aircraft flying over Persian GulfBoeing KC-135R Stratotankers and Boeing KC-46A Pegasuses "are flying at an altitude of about eight kilometers, including along corridors designated for civil aircraft," a source in the Middle Eastern air traffic control services saysRead moreTwo supertankers attacked in Strait of Hormuz — BloombergBoth supertankers had deactivated the AIS transponders that reveal their locationRead moreTrump rules out use of nuclear weapons against IranThe US president explained that "there's no reason for it"Read moreUS requests public comments on Russia's WTO complianceInterested parties are requested to submit written comments or applications to participate in a public hearing scheduled for October 14, with a deadline of October 1Read moreRussia, Uzbek presidents discuss bilateral relations, joint projectsThe leaders also hailed the 12% growth in bilateral trade this year Read moreIN BRIEF: Senior diplomat on NATO infrastructure northward movement, Russia’s responseAlexander Grushko noted that Russia’s traditional partners in the Arctic do not seem ready to act rationallyRead moreUS Treasury chief rules out agreements with Russia until Ukraine conflict ends — agencyAccording to a source cited by Reuters, Scott Bessent told Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov that no economic relief for Russia or agreements on other issues were possible until the conflict was overRead moreFyodorov’s statement on Patriot testifies to Kiev’s serious defense problems — expertAccording to Andrey Marochko, the statement in the Financial Times interview is quite controversial, as it is self-contradictoryRead moreUkraine unable to intercept new models of Russia’s Geran drones — newspaperAccording to an article in The Guardian, the new-model drones have a cruising speed of about 400 kilometers per hour, roughly twice that of the piston-engine versionRead moreSCO continues to expand as countries share same ideas — Kremlin spokesmanDmitry Peskov specified that the participants adhere to an approach "based on mutual respect rather than rules imposed by a boss on vassals"Read moreThe Hague deprived Mladic medication after his family refused euthanasia — ambassadorGeneral Ratko Mladic died in a UN prison in The Hague on August 27Read moreTrump says may continue strikes against IranThe US president added that his awareness of serious troubles in Iran "doesn't mean we won't smack them" Read moreRosatom building 16 out of 28 reactors abroad in SCO countries, CEO saysAccording to Alexey Likhachev, units in China, India and other countries are currently in the commissioning phaseRead moreUS Army Secretary Driscoll submits resignation — newspaperAccording to the report by The Wall Street Journal, the official is expected to leave the Pentagon in the coming daysRead moreDefense industry facilities in Kiev, port infrastructure: Russian forces' massive strikeA gas station was damaged in the Obukhov district in the Kiev regionRead moreGlobal sports won't 'bend' to 'whims' of individual nations — Russian Olympic chiefMikhail Degtyarev underscored that the major competitions on the IOC calendar would be organized where there were no obstacles for individual participantsRead morePresident Putin holds talks with his Iranian counterpart PezeshkianThe meeting with the Iranian president opened a series of bilateral talks scheduled for todayRead moreRussian billionaires’ wealth falls by $19.77 bln since start of 2026 — BloombergAccording to the news agency's estimate, Mikhail Prokhorov recorded the largest decline in wealth among Russian index participants, losing $6.45 bln to $10.1 blnRead moreSCO has become independent center of emerging multipolar world — PutinThe Russian president emphasized that today, the SCO is effectively the largest regional association not only on the Eurasian continent but globallyRead moreRussian air defenses down over 90 Flamingo cruise missiles in summer — TASS estimatesThe largest number of the missiles was shot down in a single day on August 15Read moreRussia ready for talks with Ukraine based on reliable peace plan — top senatorValentina Matviyenko added that the objectives of the special military operation had been stated in advanceRead moreWorld thirsts for peace, growth — XiThe Chinese leader noted that the world was undergoing unprecedented rapid changes, not seen in a centuryRead moreRussian forces hit over 150 vessels carrying military supplies to Ukraine in summerMore than 80 targets were hit in JulyRead moreCall to prevent conflicts, not using finance as weapon: Putin’s statementsThe Russian leader said that Russia is ready to host the 7th World Nomad Games in Kazan in 2028Read moreEU fails to create jungle vs garden opposition in world — senior Russian senatorKonstantin Kosachev commented on Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez's remarks that Russia is allegedly involved in the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of CeutaRead moreMusk not letting Kiev use Starlink against Russia without White House’s consent — FTAccording to the newspaper, the businessman explicitly stated his position in a conversation with former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail FyodorovRead moreChina successfully conducts first launch of Pallas-1 carrier rocketThe rocket’s flight proceeded normallyRead moreHungary backs creation of ‘security corridor’ on NATO’s eastern flank — agencyHungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban emphasized that Hungary would not become a "weak link" in NATO, as it is "firmly committed to the principles of unity and solidarity within the alliance"Read moreSCO summit ends with adoption of two dozen key documentsIn particular, the SCO Council of Heads of State approved an action plan for developing ports and logistics centers in SCO member states from 2026 to 2030Read moreElections in Russia and readiness to receive Zelensky in Moscow: Kremlin's statementsDmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow is still ready to receive Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky for negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict while Russia’s position on this issue has not changedRead moreFormation of multipolar world order is irreversible — PutinThe Russian president emphasized that numerous states were seeking to shape their own destiny and defend their legitimate interests by actively participating in international affairsRead moreFACTBOX: Aftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, 516 UAVs neutralizedThe UAV attack damaged facilities in the port area of Ust-Luga in the Leningrad Region, where a fire broke outRead moreAir defense systems are main focus of Russia-Iran military-technical cooperationFederal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Director Dmitry Shugayev added that other types of weapons, such as aircraft and small arms, are also being discussedRead moreRussia's first AI law comes into forceThe law regulates relations involving the development, deployment and use of AIRead moreUkraine hiding truth about its casualties from public, arms suppliers — Crimea sourcesGeneral mobilization has been in effect in Ukraine since February 2022 and has been extended repeatedlyRead morePress review: US-Iran war resumes as EU readies to fund Ukrainian conflict beyond 2028Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, September 1stRead moreRussia to respond to Japan’s deployment of US missile systems — Foreign MinistryMaria Zakharova pointed out that the statement had been made to the Japanese embassy in Moscow in connection with the military exercises conducted by Tokyo, Washington and CanberraRead moreTrump says wants to get on with everyone when talking about inviting Russia to G20 eventsThe US president added that "getting along with everybody" is "one of the reasons that I'm so successful"Read morePutin to take part in SCO summit, hold bilateral meetingsThe SCO summit will officially begin on the morning of September 1Read moreRosatom plans to expand construction of small-scale, large NPPs in Iran, CEO saysAccording to Alexey Likhachev, a second group of specialists is preparing to return to the Bushehr NPPRead moreIraq rejects proposal to keep coalition forces beyond September 30 deadlineGovernment spokesman Haider al-Aboudi said did not specify which country put forward the proposalRead moreMilitary from local special forces units took part in mutiny in Niger — Russian diplomatThe uprising was suppressed by the authorities with the assistance from the Russian defense ministry’s Africa CorpsRead moreRussia’s stance unchanged on Moscow’s readiness to receive Zelensky — KremlinPresident Vladimir Putin said that if Vladimir Zelensky wants negotiations, he can come to Moscow, Dmitry Peskov recalledRead moreRussian Aerospace Forces destroy up to platoon of Ukrainian troops in Kherson RegionThe Russian Aerospace Forces struck the enemy with FAB-1500 and FAB-500 bombsRead moreKiev military steps up attacks on Russian civilian targets — Russian diplomatRodion Miroshnik said the number of enemy strikes on civilian targets increased to nearly 1,200 per day last weekRead moreSCO declaration omits Ukraine conflict, addresses nuclear disarmamentSCO countries voiced "deep concern over developments in the Middle East" and backed a diplomatic settlementRead moreEastern Economic Forum begins in Russia’s VladivostokThe forum will be held from September 1 to 4Read moreIN BRIEF: What is known about detention of two Russians working for Ukraine in CrimeaAccording to the FSB, two Crimean residents were recruited by officers of the Ukrainian army’s special operations force via a popular messengerRead moreTalking about mediation in Iran war still difficult — KremlinDmitry Peskov said the situation unfolding in the Persian Gulf around Iran will be discussed on Tuesday by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud PezeshkianRead morePutin informs Indian PM Modi about Russia’s special military op progress — KremlinThe Russian leader had a meeting with the Indian Prime Minister in BishkekRead moreIN BRIEF: Change in effective date of new key rate and economic development scenariosThe regulator will change the effective date of the new key rate from Monday to WednesdayRead moreLionel Messi says he's retiring from Argentina's national teamLionel Messi said it was a decision that hurt deep insideRead moreZelensky boosts peronal security — expert"The paranoid mood of the illegitimate Ukrainian president has intensified ahead of the so-called Ukrainian Independence Day and continues to this day," Andrey MarochkoRead moreGoing visa-free with China, Ukraine peace: Putin meets with China, India leadersThe Russian leader stressed that Moscow was making efforts to end the Ukrainian conflictRead moreRussia considers NATO risks 'on the water, on the ground, in the air' in military planningRussian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said that Moscow was observing the continued expansion of NATO infrastructure northward and was factoring these developments into its defense planningRead moreRussian forces liberate 91 communities in special operation zone over summerThe data shows that Battlegroup North liberated the largest number of communitiesRead moreShanghai Cooperation Organization summit kicks off in Kyrgyzstan's capitalKyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has already greeted Russian President Vladimir PutinRead moreHundreds of Ukrainian military warehouses located in residential buildings — diplomatRussian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik stated that Kiev uses Ukrainians as human shieldsRead moreSCO leaders sign Bishkek Declaration — organizing committeeIn addition to the declaration, 27 other documents were signed, including the regulations on the Universal Center for Countering Challenges and Threats to the Security of SCO Member StatesRead moreUkrainian army carries out 24 attacks on DPR in past day, injures civilianThe attacks damaged five residential buildings, along with several trucks and special-purpose vehicles, as well as seven civilian infrastructure facilitiesRead morePutin arrives at Bishkek's Yrys Ordo Congress Hall for SCO summitThe Russian president was welcomed by Kyrgyzstan’s leader Sadyr JaparovRead morePutin urges students to believe in themselves in Knowledge Day messageThe Russian president noted that today’s school and university students "are the ones who will continue our great Motherland’s track record of victories and achievements"Read moreTrump says China ‘relatively inactive’ on Strait of HormuzThe US president added that he has "a very good relationship" with Chinese President Xi JinpingRead moreSerbia thankful to Russia for helping fight wildfiresAccording to the Emergencies Ministry, its Il-76 aircraft was operating in Serbia’s Kolubara District on MondayRead moreRussia struck energy, transport infrastructure used in Ukrainian army’s interestsRussian air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 766 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and seven smart bombs over the past 24 hours, the Defense Ministry reportedRead moreRussia, Kazakhstan never had major problems in relations — TokayevAccording to Kazakh President, if any minor conflicts arose, they were due to "purely economic disputes"Read moreUS ‘big enough’ to handle threats globally, vice president saysJD Vance commented on reports of weapons shortages affecting the US ability to respond to threatsRead moreOPEC+ seven's quota rises by 188,000 bpd in SeptemberThe production quota reached 31.01 mln bpdRead moreNew Russia sanctions bill faces opposition in US — PoliticoAccording to the newspaper, its future prospects are unclearRead moreNATO turns Arctic into zone of military confrontation — Russian diplomatRussia sees provocative actions posed by the flights of strategic bombers, Alexander Grushko saidRead moreOver 200 prominent Israelis urge PM to end West Bank violence — newspaperThe New York Times reported that the letter was signed by two former prime ministers, more than three dozen retired Army and Air Force generals, the former heads of the nation’s foreign and domestic intelligence services, as well as rabbis, a Nobel laureate and one of Israel’s most revered novelistsRead moreRussia adds over 100 mln carats to diamond reserves since start of yearHead of Rosnedra Oleg Kazanov noted that reserve additions are driven not only by new deposits but by additional geological exploration and the reassessment of existing depositsRead moreIRGC say they downed MQ-9 drone over Strait of HormuzThe drone was taken down in the eastern part of the Strait of HormuzRead more