Current Digest of the Russian Press, Vol. 77, No. 42-43 – Table of Contents

AFTER WHITE HOUSE-KREMLIN PHONE CALL RESULTS IN PLANS FOR BUDAPEST SUMMIT, EUROPE’S LEADERS ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR U.S. POSITION – ALONG WITH FREEZING FRONT LINE AND LOANING FROZEN RUSSIAN FUNDS TO UKRAINE; PUTIN’S SAFE PASSAGE IN DOUBT

(By Gennady Petrov. Nezavisimaya gazeta, Oct. 22, 2025, p. 1. Condensed text:) The main upcoming foreign policy event related to Russia and the West promises to be a meeting between [Russian President] Vladimir Putin and [US President] Donald Trump in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. When it will take place, and whether it will take place at all, is not entirely clear. . . …

EXPERT ROMANOV: BUDAPEST MEETING POSTPONED BECAUSE GROUNDWORK NOT YET LAID FOR ACTUAL AGREEMENTS, WOULD HAVE BEEN ‘SECOND ALASKA’

(By Roman Romanov, international experience department observer. Vedomosti, Oct. 23, 2025, https://www.vedomosti.ru/opinion/columns/2025/10/24/1149396-sammit-radi-sammita-eto-ne-sammit. Complete text:) Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a meeting with Vladimir Putin, but at the same time allowed for its possibility in the future. Against the backdrop of the US Treasury Department’s introduction of new sanctions against Russian companies, this decision may appear to be Washington’s refusal to engage in dialogue at this stage. But in Trump’s understanding, these actions could actually contribute to the progress of negotiations. Raising the stakes to strengthen his negotiating position is a common tactic for him. And in general, neither Russia nor the US is interested in breaking the contacts established over several months. Therefore, it is useless to guess when the next Trump-Putin summit will take place. It is much more interesting to understand why it was postponed…

PORTYAKOVA: U.S. SCRATCHED MEETING AFTER RUBIO PROPOSED FRONTLINE FREEZE, LAVROV REJECTED IT; TRUMP NOW PRESSURING RUSSIAN ENERGY SECTOR AS SLOVAKIA LETS EU PASS 19TH SANCTIONS PACKAGE

Since Donald Trump took office for a second term, the US has not imposed any restrictions against Russia, arguing that sanctions impede diplomacy and ignoring persistent calls from Kiev and the EU insisting that economic pressure on Moscow would force it to be more cooperative and sit down at the negotiating table…

EXPERTS: EU CONVINCED TRUMP TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS BY ACCEPTING ALL HIS CONDITIONS, COUCHING PUTIN VICTORY AS U.S. DEFEAT; BUT EFFECT WILL BE LIMITED, PACKAGE DID NOT GRANT UKRAINE FROZEN ASSETS

(By Ilya Arzumanov, Boris Solovyov and Sofya Lozgachova. Ekspert, Oct. 23, 2025, https://expert.ru/ekonomika/igrushki-konchilis/. Condensed text:) Editors’ Note. – The US and European sanctions that were imposed Oct. 22-23 are designed to force Russia to make concessions on a Ukraine settlement. Neither will prove fateful or even critical. Whereas Washington’s measures against Rosneft and Lukoil may make a short-term negative impact on Russian oil exports (during the period of adaptation to new conditions), the hodgepodge of disparate ideas from Brussels combined into the 19th package will clearly not have any discernible effect, experts on international trade told Ekspert. For their part, political analysts believe that the US is seriously expecting its restrictions to bring quick results, while the EU has long been preoccupied with the imposition of new sanctions, not with their impact. . . …

ISRAEL SAYS HAMAS IS DELAYING THE HANDOVER OF HOSTAGE REMAINS; HAMAS ASSERTS DELAY CAUSED BY DIFFICULTY LOCATING REMAINS UNDER RUBBLE; EXPERT: BIG ISSUE FOR ISRAEL IS DISARMING HAMAS

(By Albert Kalashyan, Izvestia, Oct. 15, 2025, p. 1. Condensed text:) Editors’ Note. – Israel and Hamas on are on the brink of a new round of confrontation following the signing of a ceasefire agreement [see Vol. 77, No. 41, pp. 3 7]. Disputes surrounding the transfer of deceased hostages and questions about the Palestinian movement’s disarmament are threatening to undermine the fragile compromise reached through international mediation. . . …

IDF ACCUSES HAMAS OF VIOLATING THE CEASEFIRE; HAMAS DENIES THE CHARGE, PROMISES TO RETURN ONE MORE BODY; ISRAELI OPPOSITION CALLS FOR A RETURN TO WAR; KNESSET MULLS EARLY ELECTIONS

(By Igor Subbotin. Nezavisimaya gazeta, Oct. 20, 2025, p. 1. Complete text:) The ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was broken on Oct. 19, after Hamas opened fire on Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) positions in the south of the enclave. According to the IDF, fighters launched antitank missiles at soldiers clearing out military infrastructure. In response, the Jewish state struck Hamas positions from the air and the sea…

FATAH DENOUNCES CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS BY HAMAS, CALLS FOR PNA POLICE FORCE IN GAZA, A GOVERNMENT WITH NO REPS FROM FACTIONS

(By Albert Kalashyan. Izvestia, Oct. 22, 2025, p. 2. Condensed text:) Editors’ Note. – Hamas’s plans to maintain influence in the Gaza Strip during the transition period are causing increasing tension between Palestinian factions and raising doubts about the implementation of the American peace plan. . . …

U.S.-ISRAEL TENSIONS RISE AFTER PARLIAMENT GIVES NOD TO BILLS ON WEST BANK SOVEREIGNTY; TRUMP: INITIATIVE TO ANNEX AREA IS AN ‘INSULT’ – ISRAEL WILL LOSE U.S. SUPPORT IF IT DECIDES TO PURSUE IT

(By Nil Kerbelov. Kommersant, Oct. 25, 2025, p. 3. Condensed text:) Israeli leaders are trying to ease tensions with the US that arose during visits by US officials to the Holy Land, which picked up this week. . . …

(By Yulia Kozak. Krasnaya zvezda, Oct. 22, 2025, p. 1. Complete text:) The threat to critical infrastructure and residential areas has grown due to Ukraine’s increasing use of long-range drones to strike targets on Russian territory. To enhance the security of essential infrastructure and other key facilities, a decision has been made to involve the most prepared and patriotically minded citizens in related activities.

At a briefing, Vice-Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky, deputy chief of the Russian General Staff’s main organization and mobilization department, talked about citizens who have voluntarily signed contracts to serve in the mobilization reserves (reservists), as well as a draft federal law titled “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation.”…

(By [Russian Security Council Secretary] Sergei Shoigu. Izvestia, Oct. 24, 2025, p. 1. Complete text:) The history of Russia is a sequence of great ideas brought to fruition by the unique creative energy of its people. The Baikal-Amur Main Line (BAM), the Yenisei and Angara hydropower cascade, the Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Combine, the Trans-Siberian Railroad, [and] the Kansk-Achinsk Fuel and Energy Complex – these are just some examples of how the dream of a bright future and happiness for Russia has transformed into major industrial centers, grand infrastructure facilities and unique scientific centers developing advanced technologies used by the entire world.

In the 21st century, the symbiosis of a great and beautiful dream, strong will, high competence and energy remains a powerful driving force behind Russia’s progress…

(By Mikhail Shevchuk. Republic.ru, Oct. 14, 2025, https://republic.ru/posts/116532. Complete text:) Editors’ Note. – Mount Elbrus versus Grozny City. It’s more than just a choice between locations. The teeny-weeny space of a banknote has become the site of an unfolding battle. And that’s exactly what it is: a clash between the imperial narrative and the regionalism that stands against it. This time, the winner was the Central Bank’s circuit breaker: Voting for the [new look of] the 500-ruble note was closed “due to technical reasons.” Mikhail Shevchuk takes a deep dive into why money has become the battlefield for ideologies.

The entertaining competition between those who would like to see Mount Elbrus on Russia’s new 500-ruble note and those who would choose the high-rise Grozny City complex instead was suspended under the arbitrator’s decision – the Central Bank cancelled voting because of vote manipulation. If we’re talking about national symbols (one of which voters were, in fact, trying to choose), then the Central Bank’s gesture should be recognized as one…

(By Valeria Mishina. Izvestia, Oct. 22, 2025, p. 6. Condensed text:) Editors’ Note. – Russians of retirement age are now looking for work over 50% more often than they used to, specialized services told Izvestia. And they are applying for both skilled and unskilled vacancies. Experts believe that this is not a temporary trend, but a long-term one. Aside from the obvious desire to increase their income, older people want to remain part of a professional community and stay socially active. They survived the turbulent times of the 1990s and were able to adapt to new life conditions, so they are unlikely to want to lead the calm and unhurried life of a pensioner. This is why employers must adapt their working conditions to older workers by providing a flexible schedule, voluntary medical insurance and volunteer opportunities.

Russians of retirement and preretirement age have started seeking work much more frequently than last year, recruiting agencies told Izvestia. According to Avito Raboty [Avito Jobs], in the third quarter of this year, the number of resumes from job seekers 65 and over increased by 68% over the same period in 2024. . . …

(By Viktoria Panfilova. Nezavisimaya gazeta, Oct. 22, 2025, p. 1. Condensed text:) The 30th Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – OGT 2025 International Conference and EXPO will open in Ashgabat on Oct. 22, bringing together about 1,500 participants from 70 countries, including [cabinet] ministers and CEOs of the world’s major energy corporations. Special attention will be given to the ambitious Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project. . . .

The construction of a 153-kilometer-long section of the TAPI gas pipeline in Afghanistan, known as Arkadag’s Bright Path, has begun under the patronage of [Turkmen President] Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov…

(By Igor Seleznyov. Nezavisimaya gazeta, Oct. 22, 2025, p. 5. Condensed text:) In Armenia, Gyumri Mayor Vardan Gukasyan has been detained on corruption charges and put under arrest for two months. . . .

Seven more people were detained along with Gukasyan, including the head of Gyumri’s city planning department. According to investigators, these people learned about a building of 1,500 square meters that was constructed without a permit and therefore had to be demolished. Gukasyan and his accomplices extorted a bribe of 4 million drams (approximately 846,000 rubles) from the owners, promising in return to provide them with paperwork showing that the building had been demolished and replaced with a new, fully compliant one. In order to avoid publicity, they put their political opponents (i.e., local supporters of [Armenian President] Nikol Pashinyan and his government) under surveillance and used blackmail to discourage them from getting involved…

(By Yelizaveta Borisenko. Izvestia, Oct. 16, 2025, p. 4. Condensed text:) . . . Gagauz bashkan (head) Evghenia Gutul’s defense is preparing several complaints to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). One of them concerns the illegal detention that preceded her criminal trial [see Vol. 77, No. 13, pp. 8 10]. [This complaint] will be sent to the ECHR in the coming days, the lawyers told Izvestia.

“Evghenia Gutul was placed under preventive detention, which is contrary to Art. 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Based on this, we appealed it to the Chisinau Court of Appeals. On Oct. 8, it declared the complaint inadmissible. Therefore, we are preparing a corresponding complaint regarding the unlawful detention to the ECHR. We plan to send it in the coming days,” lawyer Natalia Bayram told Izvestia…

(By Pavel Dulman. Rossiiskaya gazeta, Oct. 16, 2025, p. 6. Complete text:) Ukraine’s illegitimate ruler,¹ [President] Vladimir Zelensky, has stripped elected Odessa mayor Gennady Trukhanov of his citizenship and dismissed him from his post – allegedly because he has a Russian passport. Trukhanov promises to defend himself in all available courts and has asked the US for assistance, but these nervous reactions will no longer have any effect: The Nazi dictatorship operates according to its own logic. Trukhanov silently contributed to its development and now can only blame himself.

There are several answers to the question of why Trukhanov and why now. Simply put, his time has come. Firstly, since his election in 2019 [see Vol. 71, No. 16 17, pp. 3 9], Zelensky has made no secret of his dislike for the autocratic mayors of cities with over a million inhabitants, who, thanks to [former president Pyotr] Poroshenko’s decentralization program, received significant powers that allowed them to ignore the center…

(By Ivan Lutiyev. Republic.ru, Oct. 16, 2025, https://republic.ru/posts/116542. Complete text:) After Pakistan launched a new series of air strikes on Wednesday [Oct. 15], hitting Kabul, and violent clashes erupted again along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, it became clear that the truce announced a couple of days earlier did not hold – and it is unlikely to succeed any time soon, as none of the grievances that led to the conflict has been removed. The situation on the ground does not look promising, no matter how much [US President] Donald Trump claims that this is another armed conflict he has successfully resolved. In this op-ed piece, Eastern Studies expert Ivan Lutiyev explains why the prospects look so bleak for the region.

The current outbreak of violence on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border is more than just a new round of tensions. It stems from a profound, systemic crisis that has its roots in the tragic paradox of contemporary regional politics. For decades, Islamabad supported the Taliban as its tool of influence in Afghanistan, but now that the Taliban – aided by Pakistan – has risen to power, they refuse to take action against Pakistani rebels [taking refuge in Afghanistan]…

(By Tom Waugh, exclusively for Novaya gazeta Europe. Oct. 15, 2025, https://novayagazeta.eu/articles/2025/10/15/russian-bases-and-return-of-assad-on-agenda-as-syrias-al-sharaa-meets-putin-in-moscow-en-news. Complete text:) Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday [Oct. 15] in his first official visit to Russia as he seeks to rebuild ties with Moscow following the ouster of Syria’s former president and longtime Kremlin ally Bashar Assad in December [see Vol. 76, No. 50, pp. 3 7].

A source familiar with preparations for the meeting said the talks would focus on “two main topics”: the future of Russian military bases in Syria and the fate of Assad, who was granted asylum in Russia after his 24-year rule was brought to a sudden end by rebel groups led by Sharaa last year…