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Anti-Russian sanctions

Germany blames economic decline on Russia sanctions

The ministry’s monthly report obtained by Reuters shows that Europe's largest economy shrank by 0.2% between April and June after growing 0.7% in the first quarter

© EPA/Arno Burgi

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BERLIN, August 22. /ITAR-TASS/. Germany’s sudden second-quarter economic contraction was probably due to Russian sanctions and confidence eroded by the crisis in Ukraine, Reuters news agency quoted the finance ministry as saying on Friday.

The ministry’s monthly report obtained by Reuters shows that Europe's largest economy shrank by 0.2% between April and June after growing 0.7% in the first quarter thanks largely to an unusually mild winter that gave a boost to construction activity at the start of the year.

“The decline in gross domestic product (GDP) goes beyond the expected counter-effect to the very strong weather-related performance in the previous quarter,” the finance ministry said in its report, attributing this “to the effect of sanctions and negative effects on confidence due to the Ukraine crisis”.

Uncertainty over Ukraine was likely to have resulted in the dampening of industrial activity in the second quarter, it said, adding that “other geopolitical tensions” and “weaker economic development in the euro zone” had also contributed to the contraction.

“If the Ukraine crisis does not escalate further and no further serious stages of sanctions are imposed, it is to be expected that the current economic slowdown is only temporary,” the finance ministry said, noting that if this was the case, investment was likely to pick up as the year progressed.

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

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Lavrov labels way West ramping up sanctions against Russia as mindless

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West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, the leaders who rule countries where they claim to be from while holding foreign passports "will not enjoy support and authority for long"

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Chinese analyst sees US veto on Palestine as reflection of arrogance, double standards

Wang Wen stated that it’s still very hard to achieve a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

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Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

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Russia to begin next week clinical trials of anti-COVID-19 vaccine for children

This is for the age group of 6 to 11 years old

Russian military base may appear in CAR’s eastern region — President Touadera

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Proposals on Russian assets confiscation undermine financial system — Finance Minister

Russia urges the International Monetary Fund to resume the effort of improving the global monetary and financial system, Anton Siluanov noted

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 13 times in past day

Two shelling attacks on the positions of Syrian government army by the Jabhat al-Nusra groups were reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone

One crew member of jet crashed in Stavropol Region killed, search for another continues

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Two pilots of jet that crashed in southern Russia hospitalized

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Russian government increases customs duties on beer from unfriendly countries

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

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Founder of neo-Nazi cell in Crimea flees to Georgia — source

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Russia bans 235 Australian local government officials from entering country — MFA

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French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

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Ukraine’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

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Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

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Russian stock indices rising on Friday

The MOEX Russia Index edged up by 0.44%, the RTS Index surged by 1.13%

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Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

The minister also inspected the training process in Omsk Armor Engineering Institute

West close to sending military to Ukraine, this would 'drag Europe to bottom' — Orban

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Military base near Iran’s Isfahan hit following attack — newspaper

The sources said that Iranian forces managed to destroy several small drones near the city of Tabriz, about 800 kilometers from Isfahan

NATO discussing transfer of ‘deep precision strike capabilities’ to Ukraine — Stoltenberg

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

There is still no full clarity regarding the future of Ukraine's western regions, the Russian foreign minister went on to say

Russia not to go for settlement on Ukraine based on 'Zelensky formula' — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat referred to a swindling trick used by a thimblerigger who puts a small round object, such as a ball or pea, under one of three thimbles or cups and asks the player to guess under which the object is, while unfairly manipulating this object

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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BRICS looking at creating common digital payment platform

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that BRICS nations have already established a special channel for information exchange between their central banks

Russian economy proves resilience amid large-scale sanctions — IMF

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Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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US volunteer Russel Bentley missing in Donetsk killed — RT editor-in-chief

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Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

Military commanders of Ukrainian army brigades "lack both personnel and the required amount of equipment" while Russian troops enjoy a considerable superiority, especially in artillery, Sergey Krivonos noted

Court arrests another man accused of blowing up car of former SBU officer in Moscow

Ivan Paskar is charged with illegally transporting explosive substances, but he does not recognize his guilt

Russia open to help resolve situation in Sudan — ambassador

Andrey Chernovol recalled that the Russian embassy is currently located in the temporary capital of Sudan, Port Sudan, and diplomats are in contact with the country's official authorities

Unidentified man attempts suicide outside courthouse where Trump trial is underway

The man set himself on fire

Final statement by G7 top diplomats to call for supplying more air defenses to Kiev

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US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

A total of 12 countries, including Russia and China, voted in favor of the document