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Agenda of United Russia congress defined

The election of the party’s leader will be a first question on the agenda of the 13th congress of the United Russia party

MOSCOW, May 26 (Itar-Tass) —— The election of the party’s leader will be a first question on the agenda of the 13th congress of the United Russia party. Such a decision was adopted at a joint meeting of the Bureau of the High Council, the General Council and its presidium before the beginning of the congress.

The introduction of amendments and supplements to the party’s charter will be a second question on the agenda. Then the congress delegates will elect a new chairman of the High Council and its new composition.

New compositions of the General Council and the Central Audit Commission will also be elected.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was the United Russia party’s chairman since 2008, said that he would leave his party post and suggested electing Dmitry Medvedev, who headed the United Russia list at the elections to the State Duma in December 2011, to the highest post in the party.

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White House effectively rules out option for US forces to intercept Russian missiles

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Russia’s UN envoy says IAEA too cautious as it doesn’t name culprit behind attacks on ZNPP

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Russian finance ministry considering abolition of export duty on gold

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Rafael Grossi reminded the Security Council that last year he outlined the principles of ensuring safety at the ZNPP to avert the danger of a nuclear incident and called on Russian and Ukraine to observe them

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Japan concerned over Russia-China military cooperation — Foreign Ministry

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Ukraine offers to use neighbors' air defense systems to protect its gas storage facilities

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Izzat al-Rishq noted that Israel’s attempts to release its hostages held by radicals in the Gaza Strip have failed and "there is no alternative to a real deal on this matter with Palestinian groups"

Xi Jinping proposes four principles for resolving Ukrainian crisis

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Deflecting Iran attack cost billions, Israel, US can't repeat it — former UN inspector

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Ukraine announces blocking of 83 TikTok channels, including 'tass_agency'

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China's approach to Ukraine balanced, constructive, Russia welcomes it — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov stated that China "maintains quite high diplomatic activity" on the Ukrainian track

Freshly mobilized Ukrainian soldiers holding first-line defense in Chasov Yar, says DPR

Igor Kimakovsky said that the Ukrainian combat group in Chasov Yar is suffering heavy casualties

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FSB makes arrest in Ukrainian Security Service officer’s car bombing

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Ukrainian paratroopers surrender in Avdeyevka area — Russian Defense Ministry

Nine Ukrainian paratroopers of the airborne platoon of the elite brigade of the Ukrainian armed forces seized the opportunity to surrender near Vodyanoye, turned to Russian soldiers and laid down their arms, the ministry said

Russian, Israeli security chiefs discuss current escalation in Middle East

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel

Putin shocked by brutality, cynicism of terrorist attack in Iran - Kremlin

The killing of civilians visiting a cemetery is shocking in its cruelty and cynicism Putin said

Russia’s top brass reports destroying first Khmara jammer in Ukraine operation

According to the Defense Ministry, Russian troops took better positions in the Donetsk area over the past day

Israel postpones Rafah operation after Iranian attack — CNN

According to the sources, Israel is now focused on how to respond to the Iranian attack

Russia, Belarus boosting interaction despite sanctions

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin added that the record-high indicator of mutual trade turnover is $45.2 bln

Italy’s minister estimates Israeli capability to defend from Iranian attack at one billion

Guido Crosetto didn’t specify whether the currency he meant was dollars or euros

Police detain 14 people at rally in Georgia

The Georgian Interior Ministry said that one police member was injured

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Russian foreign ministry blames Paris for death of French mercenaries in Kharkov

The ministry hopes "that the people of France will ultimately learn the truth about the actual scope of France’s involvement in the conflict"

Turkish-mediated Black Sea security pact crumbles as Ukraine backs out — Reuters

According to the draft agreement, seen by the agency, the parties would have extended security guarantees to merchant vessels in the Black Sea, as they committed not to strike or search them as long as they had declared a non-military cargo

Demarche delivered to UK consul general in Yekaterinburg over propaganda work

Alexander Kharlov also specified that the provision of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the bilateral Consular Convention on the need for foreign diplomats to comply with the laws and rules of the host country had been reiterated to Kotecha

Zelensky irked by US’ request to stop attacking Russian energy infrastructure — media

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Russian forces suppress nearly 80% of Ukrainian drones in island zone of Dnieper River

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Yury Borisov noted that SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was used no more than ten times

Israeli response will likely targets outside Iran — NBC

The report said the Israeli retaliation will be "limited in scope"