Inside Russia-Outside Russia is a news insight by the Federation of Russian Embassy in Bangladesh on 2.03.25
INSIDE RUSSIA
Putin speaks of ‘hope’ from US contacts
Washington has begun to demonstrate pragmatism and a determination to resolve the accumulated problems, the Russian president has noted
The renewed contacts between Moscow and the administration of US President Donald Trump have sparked “hope” that relations between the two countries could move in a positive direction, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.
Communication between Russia and the US effectively broke down under former US President Joe Biden. Trump has sought to revise Washington’s approach towards foreign policy and held an extensive phone call with Putin on February 12. After that, Russian and US delegations held a high-level meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to discuss reestablishing dialogue.
Speaking at a meeting of the board of Russia’s Federal Security Service on Thursday, Putin said that “the first contacts with the new American administration inspire certain hopes.” The American side has demonstrated a “reciprocal determination to work on restoring interstate relations, on gradually resolving the colossal volume of accumulated systemic and strategic problems in the world architecture.” He noted that these issues, which had accumulated in recent years, ultimately provoked the Ukraine conflict and other regional crises.
On Thursday, Russian and US diplomats held a closed-door meeting in Istanbul to discuss normalizing embassy operations following years of strained relations and diplomatic expulsions.
According to Putin, not everyone in the West appears to be happy with the restoration of US-Russia ties. In his words, “part of the Western elites are still determined to maintain instability in the world” and will likely try to disrupt or compromise the dialogue that has begun between Moscow and Washington.
At the same time, the president noted that the current US leadership appears to be showing a certain “pragmatism” and a “realistic view on things” by rejecting many stereotypes and “messianic ideological cliches of their predecessors,” which had contributed to the collapse of relations.
Earlier this week, Putin said that Russia and the US are discussing “major” joint economic projects, noting that Moscow is ready to cooperate with American private companies and government entities to develop Russia’s rare-earth minerals.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Moscow and Washington could restore economic ties after the Ukraine conflict is resolved. Trump has also suggested that sanctions on Moscow could be lifted “at some point” as part of a negotiated settlement on Ukraine.
Ukrainian plot to assassinate top Crimean cleric foiled
Russia’s FSB claims it foiled a plot to assassinate Metropolitan Tikhon in Moscow
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to assassinate a senior figure in the Russian Orthodox Church in Crimea, an agency statement has claimed.
The Ukrainian military intelligence plot allegedly involved threatening an aide of Crimean Metropolitan Tikhon, the head of the Simferopol and Crimean diocese and reported to be a spiritual adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a statement on Friday, the FSB said it had arrested a Russian and Ukrainian citizen respectively, who confessed to being recruited in mid-2024 and receiving the explosive device in December 2024 through a dead drop.
They allegedly planned to carry out an attack at Metropolitan Tikhon’s residential quarters in Sretensky Monastery, one of Moscow’s most historically and religiously significant Orthodox sites, after which they would flee Russia using forged documents provided by Ukrainian intelligence.
The agency also reported that it seized a homemade explosive device and two fake Ukrainian passports from the detainees.
Several Russian outlets also released a video of the Ukrainian suspect, who identified himself as Denis Popovich, saying that had been working as an aide to Tikhon while secretly gathering intelligence on him.
Source: FSB of Russia
He claimed he was tasked by Kiev with recruiting a co-conspirator for an assassination, adding that he was told that his family would be killed if he refused to cooperate.
Tikhon has been described as a close spiritual adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has never confirmed this, insisting that it is up to the Russian leader to reveal who provides him with spiritual guidance. The cleric’s 2011 book ‘Everyday Saints and Other Stories’ is a bestseller in Russia, with over 2 million copies sold.
OUTSIDE RUSSIA
‘Unprecedented dressing down’: Russian diplomat on Trump-Zelensky meeting
It “is also indicative of the political weakness and extreme moral degradation of the European leaders who continue to support the maniac leader of the Nazi regime who has lost touch with reality,” Maria Zakharova said
MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump has given Vladimir Zelensky an “unprecedented” “dressing down” in the White House, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
“Unprecedented in the history of international politics and diplomacy, a dressing down given to Zelensky by the US president in the White House is also indicative of the political weakness and extreme moral degradation of the European leaders who continue to support the maniac leader of the Nazi regime who has lost touch with reality,” the diplomat noted as cited by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“Head of the neo-Nazi regime Vladimir Zelensky’s visit to Washington D.C. on February 28 is an epic political and diplomatic failure of the Kiev regime,” she asserted.
“Under the increasingly deteriorating political conditions, this figure is unable to show a sense of responsibility and is therefore obsessed with continuing the war and rejects peace, which means death to him,” Zakharova noted.
“With his outrageously rude behavior during his stay in Washington, Zelensky reaffirmed his status of the most dangerous threat to the international community as an irresponsible figure that can stir up a big war. It must be clear to everyone that this kind of attacks coming from a terrorist leader are quite unambiguous. This cynical individual will stoop to anything in pursuit of his goals and is obsessed with preserving the power he has usurped. This is why he has destroyed the opposition, built a totalitarian state and is ruthlessly sending millions of his fellow citizens to their deaths,” the Russian diplomat concluded.
On February 28, Zelensky arrived at the White House for a meeting with Trump. Their televised exchange, with reporters present, unraveled into a shouting match, with Trump scolding Zelensky for being disrespectful to the US, and Vice President JD Vance noting that Zelensky had not ever said a “thank you” for all the support provided to Kiev. A news conference scheduled to follow the meeting was canceled, and Trump posted a statement on the Truth Social media platform saying that Zelensky was disrespectful and not ready for peace.
Top Russian diplomat informs Hungarian colleague of terror attack on TurkStream
The conversation took place at the initiative of the Hungarian side
MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a phone conversation with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto has explained the situation around a terrorist attack on the TurkStream gas pipeline, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“The Hungarian minister was interested in assessments related to the Kiev regime’s attempts to carry out a terrorist attack against TurkStream’s infrastructure. Lavrov has provided the necessary explanations,” the Russian foreign policy agency said. The conversation took place at the initiative of the Hungarian side.
IN BRIEF: What is known about Kiev’s attack on TurkStream infrastructure
TASS has gathered the key information about the attack
MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. Kiev made another attempt to attack a station providing gas to the TurkStream pipeline in the early hours of February 28, while Vladimir Zelensky was on a trip to Washington.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Kiev used three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which were downed at a safe distance from the facility.
TASS has gathered the key information about the attack.
Drone attack
– In the early hours of February 28, while Zelensky was on a trip to Washington, the Kiev regime, seeking to stop gas supplies to European countries, made another attempt to attack infrastructure facilities at the Russkaya compressor station in the settlement of Gay Kodzor in Russia’s southern Krasnodar Region, which provides gas to the TurkStream pipeline.
– The attack involved three drones.
– Air defenses downed all three Ukrainian UAVs at a safe distance from the compressor station.
Station’s operation
– The compressor station is currently providing gas to the TurkStream pipeline normally.
Statistics
– The Kiev regime made an attempt to attack the Russkaya compressor station on January 11, using nine drones
– All drones were shot down by air defenses.
– The debris of one of the drones caused minor damage to the station’s building and equipment.
– Gazprom personnel promptly addressed the aftermath of the attack and repaired the equipment.
– On February 17, the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station, a facility of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, was attacked by seven fixed-wing Ukrainian drones.
– The strike put the station out of operation.
US approves Moscow’s new envoy
Aleksandr Darchiev will take over as Russia’s ambassador to the US following key negotiations
The United States has approved Aleksandr Darchiev as Moscow’s new ambassador to Washington, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has announced, after bilateral talks in Türkiye this week.
Darchiev, a senior diplomat with more than 30 years of experience, currently heads the Foreign Ministry’s North Atlantic Department. He previously served as Russia’s ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2021 and has held several high-ranking positions within the ministry, including deputy director of the North America Department and counselor at the Russian embassy in Washington.
His appointment follows diplomatic discussions in Istanbul on Thursday, where Russian and US officials addressed issues affecting their embassies. The two nations are working to mend strained relations that deteriorated under the previous administration of US President Joe Biden.
Talks focused on resuming regular operations at the US embassy in Moscow and the Russian embassy in Washington, with both sides identifying “concrete initial steps,” according to the US State Department.
In a statement on Friday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that normalization should be a reciprocal process. Both countries have imposed various restrictions on each other in recent years, including reducing diplomatic staff, limiting banking access, and seizing diplomatic properties. Moscow maintains its measures are in direct response to actions taken by Washington.
Darchiev represented Russia at the talks, while the US delegation was led by Sonata Coulter, deputy assistant secretary of state for Eurasian affairs. The negotiations followed an earlier round of discussions on February 18 in Riyadh, where both sides agreed to restore staffing levels at their respective diplomatic missions.
Darchiev’s predecessor, Anatoly Antonov, served as Russia’s ambassador to the US for seven years before returning to Moscow in October 2024.
Moscow and Washington tight-lipped on results of six-hour talks
Russian and US officials held a lengthy expert-level meeting in Türkiye on Thursday to discuss resolving ongoing diplomatic disputes
Russian and US officials held a lengthy expert-level meeting in Türkiye on Thursday to discuss resolving ongoing diplomatic disputes, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
The meeting, which follows a series of high-level bilateral contacts, was reportedly aimed at addressing obstacles hindering the operations of the Russian Embassy in Washington and the US Embassy in Moscow, including banking access and staffing levels.
Zakharova emphasized the significance of the meeting, stating that it sought to “explore pathways for resolving numerous irritants that persist in bilateral dialogue due to the groundwork laid by the destructive actions of previous US administrations.”
The delegations wrapped up their talks without making any public statements, although Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said details about the outcome would be provided “one way or another.” The sides did unveil the composition of their delegations, but according to the State Department, the US group was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Russia and Central Europe Sonata Coulter, while Russian side was represented by Ambassador Aleksandr Darchiev, the chief of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s North Atlantic Department.
“The United States raised concerns regarding access to banking and contracted services as well as the need to ensure stable and sustainable staffing levels at the US Embassy in Moscow,” the State Department said in a brief statement. “Through constructive discussions, both sides identified concrete initial steps to stabilize bilateral mission operations in these areas.”
Zakharova said the deterioration of relations was not Russia’s choice and that Moscow’s actions have been proportionate responses to Washington’s moves. Both delegations acknowledged the need to stabilize diplomatic operations and improve communication.
The discussions, which lasted over six hours, are expected to be the first in a series of expert consultations designed to resolve differences and build confidence between the two countries. Both delegations agreed to hold a follow-up meeting in the near future, with the date, location, and representation yet to be determined.
Under the administration of President Donald Trump, the US and Russia have begun gradually restoring contacts that were virtually non-existent for approximately three years under his predecessor, Joe Biden. A phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 12 was followed by a high-level Russia-US meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
Putin characterized the discussions as “a first step” toward normalization of ties, a sentiment later echoed by Trump. While neither head of state attended the talks – the first in three years – they were conducted by high-level officials, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Neither Ukrainian nor EU diplomats were invited to the meeting.
The latest talks in Istanbul, according to Zakharova, were the first in a planned series of expert consultations aimed at fostering confidence-building measures. She noted that both sides recognize the necessity of preventing further deterioration in diplomatic relations and working toward a more constructive dialogue.
SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE
Up to 150 Ukrainian militants eliminated in Russian strike on testing ground
Russian forces used an Iskander missile system, the Russian Defense Ministry said
MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. Russian forces, using an Iskander missile system, have carried out a strike on a testing ground of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Dnepropetrovsk Region, eliminating up to 150 militants, including up to 30 foreign instructors, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
“The crew of an Iskander-M missile system has delivered a strike on the Novomoskovsky military testing ground in the Dnepropetrovsk Region where servicemen from the Ukrainian 157th mechanized brigade were being trained. As a result of the strike, up to 150 Ukrainian nationalists, including up to 30 foreign instructors, were eliminated,” the ministry said.
Less than 28,000 Ukrainians mobilized in February with losses of 38,900 troops
Ukraine’s desperate attempts to improve the situation with replacing losses on the line of combat engagement have been unsuccessful, the Russian Defense Ministry said
MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. Ukraine has managed to mobilize less than 28,000 troops with its total military losses being 38,920 personnel in one month, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
“This February, Ukrainian recruitment centers mobilized less than 28,000 Ukrainians with total losses being 38,920 troops over a month,” the ministry said.
It added that in January, about 28,000 people were mobilized with the losses of 51,960 troops, in December 2024 – about 33,000 mobilized versus 48,470 troops lost, and in November – about 34,000 people mobilized versus 60,805 in military losses.
Ukraine’s desperate attempts to improve the situation with replacing losses on the line of combat engagement have been unsuccessful, the ministry said.
“Desperate attempts by the Kiev regime to improve the situation with replacing losses on the line of combat engagement have failed. Statistics for this February confirmed the previous months’ tendency of a stable increase of the number of wounded and killed Ukrainian troops over those mobilized,” the ministry said.
Ukraine loses over 220 troops in Kursk Region in past day — Russian Defense Ministry
“An infantry fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier, 11 armored combat vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, and seven artillery pieces were destroyed,” the Ministry said
MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. The Ukrainian army lost over 220 troops in the Kursk Region in the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
“The Ukrainian armed forces lost more than 220 troops in the past 24 hours. An infantry fighting vehicle, an armored personnel carrier, 11 armored combat vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, and seven artillery pieces were destroyed. Seven drone control points and an ammunition depot were wiped out,” the statement reads.
Units of Battlegroup North carried out offensive operations, hitting the forces of a Ukrainian heavy mechanized brigade, five mechanized brigades, two territorial defense brigades and two assault regiments near Gogolevka, Guyevo, Zaoleshnevka, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Malaya Loknya, Makhnovka, Oleshnya, Rubanshchina, Sudzha and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye in the Kursk Region.
In addition, Russian tactical and army aircraft, as well as artillery forces, hit enemy troops and equipment near Agronom, Bondarevka, Gornal, Guyevo, Dmitryukov, Kazachya Loknya, Perviy Knyazhy, Kositsa, Kolmakov, Kurilovka, Lebedeveka, Loknya, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Makhnovka, Melovoy, Mirny, Nikolayevka, Staraya Sorochina, Sudzha, Cherkasskaya Konopelka, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Yuzhny in the Kursk Region, as well as near Basovka, Belovody, Zhuravka, Novenkoye, Obody, Sumy and Yunakovka in the Sumy Region.
INSIGHTS
Putin should lead ‘free world’
Unlike the EU, Vladimir Putin has all the makings of a true leader of the free world, Dmitry Medvedev has said
Russian President Vladimir Putin should be the ‘leader of the free world’, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said. His remarks came in response to the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, who suggested that the bloc must assume the mantle from the US following Washington’s policy shift on Ukraine.
On Friday, Kallas, along with several other EU leaders, reiterated their support for Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, who engaged in a heated exchange with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Friday. Trump accused Zelensky of not being grateful for American assistance and not being willing to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict, while the Ukrainian leader urged Washington to continue its military support for Kiev while warning that failure to do so would backfire on the US.
Kallas took a swipe at Trump, writing: “Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine. We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the aggressor [sic]. Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”
In an interview with RIA Novosti on Saturday, Medvedev, who now serves as deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, agreed that the title of ‘leader of the free world’ should be transferred from the US to another party, but not the EU. The world “needs one, and he exists. His name is Vladimir Putin,” he said.
Medvedev also argued that while EU leaders might try to show some defiance in the face of US pressure, they will ultimately cave in. “They will make some noise, post identical messages on social media, and return to their pen. Europe is a feeble, quarrelsome old woman who is utterly dependent on US protection.”
The former president also reiterated that Moscow remains open to negotiations to settle the Ukraine conflict, but stressed that they must proceed on Russia’s terms. “We have always been ready for negotiations, and any negotiations require reciprocal steps. But only those steps that correspond to the reality on the ground and our basic law.”
Russia has praised the Trump administration for attempting to resolve the Ukraine conflict and listen to Moscow’s geopolitical concerns related to it, while blasting the EU for attempting to fuel the hostilities by continuing to support Kiev.
