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Russia denies banks’ participation in financing Iranian oil exports

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak’s words were wrongly attributed to a different issue, the press service said

MOSCOW, February 13 (Itar-Tass) – Russia’s Energy Ministry has denied reports on participation of Russian banks in schemes to finance Iranian oil exports, the ministry’s press service said on Wednesday.

“Following the wrong information spread by Reuters about participation of Russian banks in the financing of Iranian oil exports, Russia’s Energy Ministry says it does not hold such information, while Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak’s words concerning the current state of the system for mutual settlements within the framework of the intergovernmental agreements concluded earlier were wrongly attributed to a different issue,” the press service said.

In particular, the ministry noted that at a news conference Novak said “the trade turnover between Russia and Iran decreased in 2012 because of international sanctions.”

“This sets new tasks for us to strengthen and deepen partnership,” the minister said. “The two countries created a working group to optimize mutual settlements in both currencies.”

Russian stock indices rising on Friday

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About 30 events in 26 countries to be held as part of Russian Film Festival — minister

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Three Ukrainian soldiers swim across Dnieper to surrender to Russian troops — governor

Vladimir Saldo called on other Ukrainian servicemen to switch to the Russian side and request the corresponding assistance

Russian economy proves resilience amid large-scale sanctions — IMF

The IMF states that the restrictions led to the need to rebuild the economy

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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Russia’s defense chief inspects production of tanks, flamethrowers at Siberian enterprise

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Ukraine’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

Igor Kimakovsky said that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware, including Western equipment

Russia's revenues from oil exports remain high despite price ceiling — IMF

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

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Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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World’s anti-doping agency WADA still waits for Russia’s 2023 financial contribution

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin said in February that the Russian side had agreed with WADA to pay the membership fee for the year of 2023

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Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

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CIA chief says Ukraine could lose by end of this year — Politico

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Polish premier refuses to hand over his country’s Patriot systems to Ukraine

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US assured Israel that Iranian drones will be intercepted — US journalist Hersh

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Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

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Death toll in Gaza Strip since tensions escalated exceeds 34,000 — Health Ministry

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

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US House passes procedural vote on Ukraine aid bill

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Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

Russia delivers 34 strikes on Ukrainian military infrastructure over week — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost more than 3,550 troops, four tanks and five armored combat vehicles in battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk area over the past week, the ministry reported

West can’t comprehend Russia’s resilience — Lavrov

"They would have been scared had anyone come down on them with similar ferocity," the Russian foreign minister added

Armenia’s relations with Russia not at their highest — top diplomat

Ararat Mirzoyan also said that Yerevan is currently making efforts to expand cooperation with the European Union and the United States

Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

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The process is largely driven by increasing contribution of developing countries, Alexey Overchuk said

Armenia has to define CSTO’s zone of responsibility on its territory, says Lavrov

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Iran suspends flights above several cities amid reports of air attack — IRNA

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Iran may target Israeli nuclear center in Dimona in case of Israel’s attack — TV

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West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

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Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Izvestia correspondent Semyon Eremin killed in special operation zone

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Russian stock indices rising on Friday

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Hungarians in western Ukraine should get their rights back, Budapest says

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Ukrainian drone damages energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kaluga Region

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Lavrov says Borrell let it slip that Europe ‘fighting against Russia’

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Russia won’t allow NATO to move closer in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Lavrov labels way West ramping up sanctions against Russia as mindless

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US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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Grossi ignores ‘elephant in the room’ in Zaporozhye nuke plant situation — Russian envoy

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Senior Chinese official to take part in conference on security in Russia — diplomat

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