Russia expects the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community to clearly condemn the attack on Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

She said that the European illusion of inflicting "a strategic defeat" on Russia has already itself "been strategically defeated."

TASS has compiled the key statements by the official Foreign Ministry representative.
The situation in the Middle East

Russia is in contact with all parties to the Iran war and strongly urges them to move toward de-escalation: "By maintaining dialogue with all parties involved, we continue to persistently advocate for this."

A solution to the navigation problems in the Strait of Hormuz "must be sought at the negotiating table."

Russia will continue to help the friendly Iranian people, "who have suffered terrible trials."

Moscow "strongly condemns" Israeli attacks on civilian targets in Lebanon, while a ground operation would lead to further escalation.

The conflict over Iran directly threatens global energy security and has already hurt the global economy: "The conflict in the Middle East has put oil and gas markets in a state of turbulence and has already caused significant damage to the global economy."

The prolongation of the conflict over Iran is fraught with skyrocketing oil prices: "According to experts, a 30-day supply reduction may stabilize the oil price at $76 by the end of the year. With a two-month supply reduction, it will reach $93 per barrel. With further prolongation of the conflict, it is possible that it will rise further, higher to $150, some people posit $200 per barrel."

The attacks on Iran have already caused environmental pollution, which has consequences for the entire Middle East: "In the case of Iran, strikes are carried out on the oil storage facilities in the immediate vicinity of the densely populated capital. This has caused major environmental pollution around Tehran and inside the capital itself."

Total losses from continued high energy prices and logistical difficulties associated with the escalation in the Middle East could range from 0.5% to 2% of global GDP:

The United States and Israel "put Arab countries at risk" by using the Gaza Peace Council to cover up their anti-Iranian plans.
Attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant

Russia strongly condemns the "irresponsible, absolutely unacceptable" missile attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran.

Russia expects "an unambiguous condemnation" by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the international community of the attack on the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
The Ukrainian conflict

The Ukrainian army is boosting attacks on civilian targets, and these attacks have the same curators as in the situation around Iran: "The Ukrainian Armed Forces are stepping up attacks, and they are being directed, literally supervised, held by the hand by all those who are committing similar crimes now in the Persian Gulf zone."

Ukraine is "rapidly becoming the largest international arms trading hub, which poses serious risks to global security."

Vladimir Zelensky is lying about the number of military losses during the conflict in Ukraine: "Of course, they don't want to go against Zelensky’s statistics, alleging that Ukraine has lost a little more than 50,000 people over the years-long conflict. Who’s gonna believe that? No one believes it, everyone knows that Zelensky is lying."

Russia is monitoring the situation with the possible accession of South Korea to the NATO supply initiative for Ukraine: "We are closely following the plans of this country regarding the NATO initiative on the so-called list of priority needs of Ukraine."

Moscow wants Seoul to know that supplying weapons to Kiev will have negative consequences for bilateral relations: "We would like to avoid negative consequences for Russian-South Korean relations, which is what will happen if they pivot on this issue."

Russia to demand US, Israel stop illegal actions against Iran at UN Security Council
The permanent mission to the UN added that Russia is ready to provide all necessary assistance to achieve political and diplomatic settlement.

#Russia will demand that the US and Israel immediately cease their illegal actions against Iran during an emergency UN Security Council meeting scheduled for 4:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, requested by Russia and China.

"During the Security Council meeting, we will demand that the US and Israel immediately cease their illegal and escalatory actions and embark on a path of political and diplomatic settlement. Russia is ready to provide all necessary assistance in this process," the Russian permanent mission to the UN said in a statement.

Germany Shows How Difficult It Is to Rewire Relations With #China
Chancellor Merz is trying to set new tone with Beijing to parry pressure from the U.S.

#BERLIN—Long dependent on the U.S. for its security and on China for its growth, Germany is trying to chart its own path. But a pair of high-stakes visits by its new leader to Beijing and Washington over the next week shows the process will be neither easy nor fast.

The trips highlight the dilemma facing many middle powers that are seeking to reduce their dependencies on rival great powers while not exposing their defenses or hurting their economies in the short term.

Germany’s reliance on U.S. protection has been thrown into question by President Trump’s criticism of allies. And China’s pursuit of mercantilist policies has emerged as a profound threat to Germany’s economy, which for years hitched itself to China’s explosive growth.

In Beijing on Wednesday for his inaugural visit, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, long a China skeptic, is trying to set a new tone with its biggest trading partner. In less than a week, he will travel to Washington to seek clarity about future trade relations between the U.S. and Europe in the wake of Trump’s bruising trade policies, according to German officials.

Canadians warned as violence erupts in Mexico. Follow for live updates.

East Toronto resident Pat Silver says Puerto Vallarta has “never seen this kind of unrest.”

Silver and her partner, Tim Philipps, spend several months of the year at their home in the Nuevo Vallarta resort community.

She told CP24 that they received news on Sunday morning that the New Generation Cartel was in town “burning stores, cars and buses, and shooting randomly.”

She said the cartel’s members have placed spikes on the street to prevent people from driving.

“People have been told not to open their doors for anyone, even those claiming to be police,” Silver said. “All businesses are shut down today and probably tomorrow. We’ve been told to make sure to charge our devices and conserve water as the cartels could target infrastructure.”

‘Pretty scary,’ says Toronto resident in Puerto Vallarta

Lisa Morden from Toronto is currently at Condominio Sorrento in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She says there are other Canadians as well at her accommodation.

Morden says she saw cars, buses, restaurants and stores on fire and heard gunshots and explosions.

“I got up early, like most Canadians, to watch the hockey game and I noticed a big bellow of black smoke,” she told CTVNews.ca in an email.

“Then to the right of that fire, another one started, then another ... It then looked like they systematically went down the length of the popular Malecon waterfront area, where most tourists flock to, and set fires all the way down toward to hotel and airport area ...

We then heard a plethora of gun shots, like a sustained shootout, complete with explosions.”

Morden says she’s observing from her balcony of her accommodation, where she is currently sheltering.

“(It’s) pretty scary,” she wrote.

Robin Della Corte, CTVNews.ca journalist

WestJet diverts flights enroute to Puerto Vallarta

In a statement to CTV News, WestJet said it has diverted seven flights that were enroute to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) and cancelled 37 flights to and from Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara (GDL) and Manzanillo (ZLO).

A WestJet spokesperson said 11 flights in Calgary have been impacted as a result.

“WestJet’s flexible/change policy has been put into effect for guests travelling to PVR, GDL and ZLO over the next two days. For guests currently in destination, WestJet and Sunwing are arranging extended stays so guests can comply with local official guidelines," the statement said.

“As conditions evolve, additional cancellations may be required to ensure the safety of everyone in WestJet’s world. We are advising all guests with imminent travel plans to Mexico check the status of their flight before heading to the airport.”

Mexican president urges calm

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged citizens on Sunday to remain calm and stay informed following the operation that led to the death of narcotrafficking kingpin Nemesio Oseguera, one of the most-wanted criminals in the country.

“There is absolute coordination with governments in every state; we should keep ourselves informed and stay calm,” Sheinbaum wrote on X.

Following the military operation, armed men blocked off multiple highways and burned businesses in the states of Jalisco, Michoacan, Guanajuato, Puebla and Sinaloa.

AFP

‘Chaotic and fast-moving situation’

Ryan Voutilainen, who was scheduled to fly home to B.C. Sunday, is sheltering in place at his Airbnb amid violence in Puerto Vallarta.

Voutilainen told CTV News the first sign something was wrong came from a friend in a nearby hotel, who sent video of vehicles being set on fire around the “main drag” popular with tourists.

#Ukrainian emergency visa holders expected to return after war: immigration department.

That’s in spite of comments from Immigration Minister Lena Diab, who recently acknowledged that many Ukrainians who came to Canada on temporary visas are here to stay.

Nearly 300,000 people came to Canada through an emergency work and study visa program that was launched after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost four years ago.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is one of the groups pushing for a dedicated permanent residency stream for these visa-holders, as many don’t have enough points to qualify through Canada’s express entry system.

However, Canada is reducing the number of permanent residents it is admitting compared to recent years and there is an extensive list of applications.

The wait time for those seeking permanent residency in humanitarian and compassionate cases is more than 10 years.

Ukrainians can apply for permanent residency through conventional means, and IRCC data shows about 2,500 have received permanent residency.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 16, 2026.

David Baxter, The Canadian Press

Ships avoiding Houthi-controlled waters in the Red Sea are increasingly rerouting around South Africa’s coast, leading to higher maritime traffic in the region.

#NEWS - Nick Reiner, who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, made his first court appearance wearing a suicide-prevention vest. His hands and feet were also shackled. Reiner's arraignment is set for January 7. (Credit: Mona Edwards)

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had ruled out putting US troops on the ground in Ukraine, but said the US might provide air support as part of a deal to end Russia’s war in the country.