Latest news with #FBK
Reuters
07-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
FinecoBank posts 12% rise in first-quarter net profit
May 7(Reuters) - Italian bank FinecoBank ( opens new tab said on Wednesday its first-quarter net profit rose 11.7% from a year earlier to 164.2 million euros ($186.28 million).
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Putin says he 'hopes' not to use nukes in Ukraine during candid interview as he offers glimpse inside luxury Kremlin living quarters
Russian despot Vladimir Putin has said he hopes he won't have to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, in a propagandistic interview from his luxury Kremlin flat. The dictator said Moscow has the strength and the means to bring the brutal conflict to a 'logical conclusion,' adding that the need to use nuclear weapons has not arisen, and he hopes it will not. Putin's comments were aired on Sunday in a film by Russian state television about his quarter of a century as leader. Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, he said: 'There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons ... and I hope they will not be required.' 'We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires,' he added. In the film, Putin also said Russia did not launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine - what he called a 'special military operation' - in 2014, when it illegally annexed Crimea, because it was 'practically unrealistic'. 'The country was not ready for such a frontal confrontation with the entire collective West,' he said. He also claimed that Russia 'sincerely sought to solve the problem of Donbas by peaceful means'. Putin said reconciliation with Ukraine is 'inevitable'. He made the comments during an unprecedented interview in which the Russian leader can be seen chatting to a local journalist outside his home - near his office - before he reveals what's inside. Putin opens his gold-plated door and says, 'Yes, this is the apartment. As you can see it's not far away,' before he invites the reporter, Zarubin, in. The pair enter a grand hall adorned with gilded walls, large gold-framed mirrors, gold chandeliers, and exotic-looking plants. A large portrait of Russian Emperor Alexander III is prominently positioned on a table, and several light-colored sofas sit in the room's centre. There is also a white grand piano by the window, which Putin claims he rarely manages to play. In further videos - which are extracts from a longer interview due to come out in Russia on May 4 - Putin also showed Zarubin a dark-wood-lined library, two bedrooms, and a small 'home church. The Kremlin apartment video comes after last year leaked footage revealed Putin has revamped his £1 billion clifftop palace, getting rid of his pole-dancing boudoir and installing a church with a 'throne' for his personal use. The dictator, 71, was stung when investigative journalists working with Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption foundation (FBK) discovered the gaudy Gelendzhik castle overlooking the Black Sea three years ago. Amid a scandal over misuse of state funds, the Kremlin claimed it belonged instead to his childhood friend Arkady Rotenburg, 72, who told reporters he was creating a sumptuous 'apart-hotel'. Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed his thoughts on using nuclear weapons against Ukraine as he approaches his 25th year in power. Putin's comments aired on Sunday in a film by Russian state television about his quarter of a century as leader But Putin-watchers saw this as a smokescreen and a new leak appeared to show the changing tastes of the dictator amid an opulent makeover of the sprawling palace, which includes a 16-storey underground complex built into the cliff-face that has drawn comparisons with a James Bond villain's lair. The latest embarrassing disclosures about the palace came as Putin was inaugurated as Russian president for the fifth time following his 'victory' in a March 2024 election widely seen as rigged. The Russian president's notorious striptease stage and pole-dancing hookah hall, casino, gaming room and 'aqua disco' - for which he was mocked and shamed in the 2021 disclosure - were out. Commentators speculated the accoutrements were not in keeping with his recent push for Russians to embrace traditional values. Out, too, was the garish gold ornaments and decorations noted in the previous exposé of the palace. Instead, the property has been furnished with a traditional church complete with its own wooden throne for Putin, along with sacred religious icons and images. One depicts canonised Prince Vladimir the Great - the same name as Putin, and his historical hero - who more than one thousand years ago was credited with uniting Ukraine and Russia. 'This is probably the only room where the name of the real owner of this palace is directly indicated,' said the investigation by outlets FBK - formerly associated with 'murdered' opposition leader Alexei Navalny - and independent Russian outlet Proekt. Putin's personal church takes centre stage with a gilded altar, marble floor mural, and a wash of dark green patterns on the walls to provide a sensible, sober feel. It is a world away from previously leaked computer generated images revealing plans for a hookah room in the palace, complete with strip pole and sofas. Epic paintings of historical war scenes have appeared - showing a heroic Russia, for example at the 1812 Battle of Borodino when Napoleon suffered grievous losses.
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Welcome to Putin's crib! Russian president gives tour of his gilded Kremlin apartment for the first time - and it's complete with gold-framed mirrors, glittering chandeliers and even a grand piano
For years, many have wondered what life is like in Vladimir Putin 's private Kremlin residence, to which only members of his guarded inner circle are granted access. But, now the mystery of what lies behind the dictator's front door has finally been solved as he offered the public a first-ever glimpse inside his plush apartment. In an unprecedented video the Russian leader can be seen chatting to a local journalist outside his home - near his office - before he reveals what's inside. Putin opens his gold-plated door and says, 'Yes, this is the apartment. As you can see it's not far away,' before he invites the reporter, Zarubin, in. The pair enter a grand hall adorned with gilded walls, large gold-framed mirrors, gold chandeliers, and exotic-looking plants. A large portrait of Russian Emperor Alexander III is prominently positioned on a table, and several light-colored sofas sit in the room's centre. There is also a white grand piano by the window, which Putin claims he rarely manages to play. In further videos - which are extracts from a longer interview due to come out in Russia on May 4 - Putin also showed Zarubin a dark-wood-lined library, two bedrooms, and a small 'home church.' Back in March 2023, in an interview for the propaganda program 'Moscow. Kremlin. Putin,' the dictator said that the informal part of negotiations with the Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping took place in this apartment. 'We had a working lunch, and then I invited the chairman, as a friend, to move to another room. 'I have an apartment here [in the Kremlin], where I have been spending a lot of time lately, I work here and spend the night very often, so we moved there and, sitting by the fireplace and drinking tea, talked about everything slowly,' Putin said at the time. The dictator's life of luxury stands in sharp contrast to the suffering endured by his soldiers on the brutal frontlines of Ukraine. In March British intelligence claimed Russia has suffered the largest troop losses since World War Two during its invasion. The Ministry of Defence said in its latest intelligence update that up to 250,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since Vladimir Putin began his war in February 2022. The MoD added that despite the fact that Russia has, in total, 900,000 casualties since invading, 'Putin and the Russian military leadership [is] highly likely to prioritise their military objectives over the lives of Russian soldiers.' The Kremlin apartment video comes after last year leaked footage revealed Putin has revamped his £1 billion clifftop palace, getting rid of his pole-dancing boudoir and installing a church with a 'throne' for his personal use. The dictator, 71, was stung when investigative journalists working with Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption foundation (FBK) discovered the gaudy Gelendzhik castle overlooking the Black Sea three years ago. Amid a scandal over misuse of state funds, the Kremlin claimed it belonged instead to his childhood friend Arkady Rotenburg, 72, who told reporters he was creating a sumptuous 'apart-hotel'. But Putin-watchers saw this as a smokescreen and a new leak appeared to show the changing tastes of the dictator amid an opulent makeover of the sprawling palace, which includes a 16-storey underground complex built into the cliff-face that has drawn comparisons with a James Bond villain's lair. The dictator, 71, was stung when investigative journalists working with Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption foundation (FBK) discovered the gaudy Gelendzhik castle overlooking the Black Sea three years ago. Last year a new leak appeared to show the changing tastes of the dictator amid an opulent makeover of the sprawling palace The latest embarrassing disclosures about the palace came as Putin was inaugurated as Russian president for the fifth time following his 'victory' in a March 2024 election widely seen as rigged. The Russian president's notorious striptease stage and pole-dancing hookah hall, casino, gaming room and 'aqua disco' - for which he was mocked and shamed in the 2021 disclosure - were out. Commentators speculated the accoutrements were not in keeping with his recent push for Russians to embrace traditional values. Out, too, was the garish gold ornaments and decorations noted in the previous exposé of the palace. Instead, the property has been furnished with a traditional church complete with its own wooden throne for Putin, along with sacred religious icons and images. One depicts canonised Prince Vladimir the Great - the same name as Putin, and his historical hero - who more than one thousand years ago was credited with uniting Ukraine and Russia. 'This is probably the only room where the name of the real owner of this palace is directly indicated,' said the investigation by outlets FBK - formerly associated with 'murdered' opposition leader Alexei Navalny - and independent Russian outlet Proekt. Putin's personal church takes centre stage with a gilded altar, marble floor mural, and a wash of dark green patterns on the walls to provide a sensible, sober feel. It is a world away from previously leaked computer generated images revealing plans for a hookah room in the palace, complete with strip pole and sofas. Epic paintings of historical war scenes have appeared - showing a heroic Russia, for example at the 1812 Battle of Borodino when Napoleon suffered grievous losses.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Inside Putin's gilded Kremlin apartment: Dictator gives tour of his luxurious living quarters for the first time… as Russians continue to perish on hellish Ukrainian frontline
For years, many have wondered what life is like in Vladimir Putin 's private Kremlin residence, to which only members of his guarded inner circle are granted access. But, now the mystery of what lies behind the dictator's front door has finally been solved as he offered the public a first-ever glimpse inside his plush apartment. It comes as Russian soldiers continue to be killed on the hellish Ukrainian frontline as the brutal warfare rages on. In an unprecedented video the Russian leader can be seen chatting to a local journalist outside his home - near his office - before he reveals what's inside. Putin opens his gold-plated door and says, 'Yes, this is the apartment. As you can see it's not far away,' before he invites the reporter, Zarubin, in. The pair enter a grand hall adorned with gilded walls, large gold-framed mirrors, gold chandeliers, and exotic-looking plants. A large portrait of Russian Emperor Alexander III is prominently positioned on a table, and several light-colored sofas sit in the room's centre. There is also a white grand piano by the window, which Putin claims he rarely manages to play. In further videos - which are extracts from a longer interview due to come out in Russia on May 4 - Putin also showed Zarubin a dark-wood-lined library, two bedrooms, and a small 'home church.' Back in March 2023, in an interview for the propaganda program 'Moscow. Kremlin. Putin,' the dictator said that the informal part of negotiations with the Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping took place in this apartment. 'We had a working lunch, and then I invited the chairman, as a friend, to move to another room. 'I have an apartment here [in the Kremlin], where I have been spending a lot of time lately, I work here and spend the night very often, so we moved there and, sitting by the fireplace and drinking tea, talked about everything slowly,' Putin said at the time. The dictator's life of luxury stands in sharp contrast to the suffering endured by his soldiers on the brutal frontlines of Ukraine. In March British intelligence claimed Russia has suffered the largest troop losses since World War Two during its invasion. The Ministry of Defence said in its latest intelligence update that up to 250,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since Vladimir Putin began his war in February 2022. The MoD added that despite the fact that Russia has, in total, 900,000 casualties since invading, 'Putin and the Russian military leadership [is] highly likely to prioritise their military objectives over the lives of Russian soldiers.' The Kremlin apartment video comes after last year leaked footage revealed Putin has revamped his £1 billion clifftop palace, getting rid of his pole-dancing boudoir and installing a church with a 'throne' for his personal use. The dictator, 71, was stung when investigative journalists working with Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption foundation (FBK) discovered the gaudy Gelendzhik castle overlooking the Black Sea three years ago. Amid a scandal over misuse of state funds, the Kremlin claimed it belonged instead to his childhood friend Arkady Rotenburg, 72, who told reporters he was creating a sumptuous 'apart-hotel'. But Putin-watchers saw this as a smokescreen and a new leak appeared to show the changing tastes of the dictator amid an opulent makeover of the sprawling palace, which includes a 16-storey underground complex built into the cliff-face that has drawn comparisons with a James Bond villain's lair. Commentators speculated the accoutrements were not in keeping with his recent push for Russians to embrace traditional values. Past renderings shared by Navalny's team show what was described as a private bar The latest embarrassing disclosures about the palace came as Putin was inaugurated as Russian president for the fifth time following his 'victory' in a March 2024 election widely seen as rigged. The Russian president's notorious striptease stage and pole-dancing hookah hall, casino, gaming room and 'aqua disco' - for which he was mocked and shamed in the 2021 disclosure - were out. Commentators speculated the accoutrements were not in keeping with his recent push for Russians to embrace traditional values. Out, too, was the garish gold ornaments and decorations noted in the previous exposé of the palace. Instead, the property has been furnished with a traditional church complete with its own wooden throne for Putin, along with sacred religious icons and images. One depicts canonised Prince Vladimir the Great - the same name as Putin, and his historical hero - who more than one thousand years ago was credited with uniting Ukraine and Russia. 'This is probably the only room where the name of the real owner of this palace is directly indicated,' said the investigation by outlets FBK - formerly associated with 'murdered' opposition leader Alexei Navalny - and independent Russian outlet Proekt. Putin's personal church takes centre stage with a gilded altar, marble floor mural, and a wash of dark green patterns on the walls to provide a sensible, sober feel. It is a world away from previously leaked computer generated images revealing plans for a hookah room in the palace, complete with strip pole and sofas. Epic paintings of historical war scenes have appeared - showing a heroic Russia, for example at the 1812 Battle of Borodino when Napoleon suffered grievous losses.
Russia Today
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
European ‘warmongers' working to undermine Trump's peace efforts
Europe is seeking to undermine US President Donald Trump's efforts to broker a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict, according to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Agency (SVR). Trump has pushed for a swift end to the hostilities since taking office in January, with his administration holding several rounds of high-level talks with Russia. In a statement shared on Thursday, the SVR said the British and French intelligence agencies have been working to discredit Trump and derail negotiations between Washington and Moscow. The two countries' spy services have 'instructed' employees of the now Russia-banned Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), founded by the late opposition figure Alexey Navalny, to dig up 'informational dirt' and spread false claims about 'unofficial links' between Trump's associates and Russia. They also approached staff from opposition investigative outlet Proekt and Latvian-based Russian-language website Meduza with the same task. Moscow has labeled FBK an 'extremist' group while the two media outlets are listed as 'undesirable' organizations. Their staff have fled Russia and are now 'on the edge of survival,' the SVR wrote. 'The newly minted European warmongers are launching a campaign to undermine President Donald Trump's peacekeeping efforts,' the SVR stated. According to the agency, London and Paris are particularly interested in information on US business ventures with Russian energy giants Gazprom and Rosneft, as well as state corporations Rostec and Rosatom. The aim, it said, is to damage US policy and disrupt peace talks. The 'dirty campaign,' SVR added, shows European leaders have drawn no conclusions from past 'miscalculations and mistakes,' referencing the discredited 'Steele dossier' and the FBI's 2016 'Crossfire Hurricane' investigation into Trump's first campaign. The probe, launched to examine alleged Trump-Russia collusion, found no evidence of wrongdoing. The FBI had used the now-debunked dossier, compiled by a former UK intel agent and reportedly funded by Hillary Clinton's campaign, to obtain surveillance warrants on Trump's team. Last month, Trump ordered the declassification of FBI records related to the case. 'Stepping on the same rake,' the SVR said, European agencies remain committed to 'unscrupulous' tactics in a bid to make the Ukraine conflict between European NATO-members and Russia 'last forever.' The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused the UK and the EU of embarking 'on a path of militarism' through continued arms supplies to Kiev and plans to deploy troops, accusing them of trying to expand military presence and prolong the conflict. Sergey Shoigu, secretary of Russia's National Security Council, has warned the deployment of foreign troops to Ukraine could lead to a clash between Russia and NATO, and ultimately to World War III.
