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Belarus expects CIS free trade zone deal to have serious effect

Lavrov noted that the liberalisation of trade regimes is a universal tendency, which is proper to all regions

MINSK, August 15 (Itar-Tass) — Belarus expects the CIS free trade zone agreement to have a serious effect, Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov said.

After the talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday, Martynov said, “The free trade zone gives wider scope for the development of trade and economic interaction. The agreement, which has been signed within the CIS framework, is not the exception. As the agreement embraces the CIS territory we expect the document to have a serious effect.”

Lavrov noted: “The liberalisation of trade regimes is a universal tendency, which is proper to all regions.” The minister reminded of the existing agreement on free trade in Latin America and Europe. “Now this tendency develops in the Asia-Pacific region,” he added.

“Within the CIS we are not the exception.” “We want to ease the trade regime in maximum that will have a positive impact on our economic relations and the state of economic operators – all participants in this zone, and, of course, on consumers, who have won,” Lavrov explained.

The minister stressed that the Customs Union – common economic space troika “also seeks to agree on free trade outside the CIS”. “And now such contacts are being established with New Zealand. The talks are being held in Vietnam,” the diplomat pointed out.

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Mikhail Bogdanov noted that "the African continent is a dynamically developing part of the world with an enormous growth potential, attractive domestic market and expanding export prospects"

Baku cannot turn blind eye to France, India, Greece arming Armenia — President Aliyev

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Conflict in Ukraine can be over by end of 2025, Hungary’s Orban believes

Prime Minister said that it is possible if proponents of peace, not war, win the June elections to the European Parliament and the US Presidential elections in November

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Beijing condemns US hypocrisy around Ukraine conflict

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated that China "is not an instigator or a party to the Ukrainian crisis and has never fanned the flames of the conflict, not to mention, used the situation for its own purposes"

Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

Armenia’s decision on CSTO membership its sovereign choice — secretary general

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US Senate approves aid bills for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

As many as 79 senators backed the initiative and 18 voted against

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

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US can ship weapons to Ukraine within few days if funding approved — Pentagon

Most agents at Security Service of Ukraine set on war with Russia — former officer

Vasily Prozorov said that "it is extremely difficult to count on any better judgement on their part"

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

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US expert says more ATACMS won't alter battlefield dynamics in Ukraine

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Throughput capacity of Baikal-Amur Mainline surging threefold in twelve years

Shipments over the Eastern Range uniting BAM and the Trans-Siberian railroad is to reach 270 mln metric tons per year over the ten-year period, the head of state said

Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

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Radicals, intel services behind terror attacks in various countries, says Putin

The tactics employed by these criminals are becoming increasingly complex and barbaric, the Russian leader pointed out

US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

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According to a statement released by the White House, the US plans to resume weapons supplies to Kiev this week

US arms supplies unable to change situation in Kiev's favor — Kremlin

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France preparing contingent of 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine — intelligence chief

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Oksana Markarova explained that $4 billion worth of weapons that was to be provided under the previous decisions still remained undersupplied

NATO has no plans to deploy nuclear forces in Poland — Stoltenberg

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Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

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Top Russian security official pledges continued push toward global justice

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Top Russian security official praises Republika Srpska’s principled position on Ukraine

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Hamas threatens that hostages remaining in Gaza may go missing

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Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

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Mexicans, Colombians recruited in US jails to be deployed in Ukraine — SVR

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service said that in case the inmates agree to this "mission," "they are promised full amnesty, reckoning they would never come back"

Continued threats to Pyongyang to put US, allies in danger, Kim Jong Un’s sister warns

"We will keep building up overwhelming and strong military capacity to protect our sovereignty and security, as well as peace in the region," Kim Yo Jong said

Biden administration raking it in from Ukrainian conflict — North Korean diplomat

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Russia's response to seizure of frozen assets in US to have no timeframe — chief delegate

Konstantin Gavrilov emphasized that the US will have to be brought to account for this decision

Ukrainian army short about 150,000-200,000 troops, says Polish general

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Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

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US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

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Ukrainian connection to Crocus terrorist attack undeniable — ex-SBU officer

Vasily Prozorov noted that the perpetrators could have been eliminated once they crossed the border

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Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

Maria Lvova-Belova thanked Qatar for setting up a venue for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine regarding children’s interests

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"It is obvious that the upcoming combat training on the territory of Finland is part of a hybrid war against our country," Maria Zakharova said

Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

EU may sanction 10 firms for allegedly shipping weapons tech to Russia — Bloomberg

According to the agency, the companies being assessed for potential sanctions are based outside Russia but have links to Russian and Belarussian individuals and firms

Russia seeks to break down barriers for its food exports — MFA

Sergey Vershinin recalled that Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea initiative for the export of grain and food due to the fact that it could not be implemented in the original volume

US military aid for Kiev cannot stop Russian army’s advance — North Korean diplomat

The US Congress House of Representatives earlier passed bills on military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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US shifted conflict in Europe onto EU, NATO shoulders to weaken Russia, says Lukashenko

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Ukrainian presidential office confirms London’s agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador

Verkhovna Rada legislator Alexey Goncharenko said on Monday that the UK had granted its agrement to the Ukrainian former Commander-in-Chief

Israel retaliates missile launches from Gaza Strip — IDF

A warning had been issued before the attack calling on people to temporarily evacuate from the area

Canada allows Airbus to use Russian titanium despite sanctions — Reuters

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Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

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Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

US using human rights topics to shake political situation in Russia — embassy

"Attacks against Russia mainly focused on challenging the legality of the special military operation in Ukraine", the Russian embassy said

Russian tourists flock to North Korea — embassy

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No damage, casualties after drone attack over Russia’s Kursk Region

Roman Starovoit thanked air defense troops and the regional crisis center and cautioned residents against approaching the drone wreckage if found

Russia discourages use of UN sanctions for interference in African affairs — envoy

Vasily Nebenzya underscored that Russia continues to "make an important contribution to strengthening of African countries’ potential, including UN Security Council and General Assembly"

Putin’s inauguration to take place on May 7, senator says

According to the law, the president-elect takes office for six years

Destroyed TV tower in Kharkov carried Ukrainian air defense coordination device — official

Digital TV signal interruptions are now observed in the city

Russian envoy, authorities of Afghanistan call for unfreezing of Afghan assets

The Foreign Ministry noted that the sides discussed "further development of the diverse bilateral cooperation in political and economic areas, and the establishment of the regional cooperation with Afghanistan within the Moscow format"

Ukraine lost best fighters near Artyomovsk, retired general says

Sergey Krivonos added that relocation of troops from one direction to another will not solve Ukrainian forces’ problems, and that each fighter should be used according to their specialization

Raisi doubts 'Israeli regime' to exist in case of its attack on Iran

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US authorities prepare military aid for Ukraine worth $1 bln — Reuters

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North Korea’s economic delegation leaves for Iran — agency

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Over 14,700 residential houses remain flooded in Russia

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Russia and friendly countries produce almost 90% of components for Aurus cars — NAMI

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Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

Minister Sergey Shoigu was also informed beforehand, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Energy facilities catch fire in Russia’s Smolensk Region following drone attacks

Governor Vasily Anokhin added that rescuers from the Russian Emergencies Ministry were dealing with the aftermath of the Ukrainian drone attacks

Republika Srpska president praises Moscow-Banja Luka relations, favors strengthening them

Milorad Dodik also touched upon the topic of sanctions mentioned by Patrushev earlier

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

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Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

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Russia maintains position on 'buffer zone' in Ukraine to counter missile threats

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Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

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Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

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Western countries plant spy infrastructure in their embassies, says CSTO secretary general

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Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

Ukraine "is carrying a heavy burden" for the benefit of the EU, and therefore EU member states must "provide Ukraine with means to defend themselves," European Commission president said