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Putin, Macron discuss implementation of joint initiative on humanitarian aid to Syria

The Russian Defense Ministry reported earlier in the day that RF’s military transport plane had delivered 44 tonnes of humanitarian cargo from the French Chatearoux airport to Syria’s Hmeymim airfield

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin Mikhail Metzel/TASS

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, July 21. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron have discussed a number of pressing global and regional issues over the phone, the Kremlin press service reported on Saturday.

"Particular attention was paid to the humanitarian aspects of the Syrian settlement, including the implementation of the joint Russian-French initiative to provide humanitarian assistance to the population in Eastern Ghouta," the Kremlin said.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported earlier in the day that Russia’s Antonov An-124 Ruslan military transport plane had delivered 44 tonnes of humanitarian cargo from the French Chatearoux airport to Syria’s Hmeymim airfield. The cargo was dispatched to Syria in accordance with the decision on a joint project to provide humanitarian aid to the Syrian population made by the Russian and French presidents in St. Petersburg on May 24.

The medicines and basic necessities delivered to Syria "will be handed over to meet the needs of the civilian population in Eastern Ghouta (Douma), which is still in dire need of assistance, particularly for emergency medical care in hospitals managed by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent," the ministry noted.

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Vladimir Putin Emmanuel Macron

Military operation in Ukraine

US, NATO decision on strikes continues policy of escalation — Putin

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ATACMS missiles unlikely to keep Kiev from losing conflict — American expert

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Russian State Duma passes law on federal budget for 2025-2027

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Ukrainian frontline may 'collapse' under onslaught of Russian forces — BBC

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Ukraine has around 50 ATACMS missiles — The Times

According to the report, the Ukrainian military has sufficient launchers that are capable of firing them

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Vladimir Zelensky also talked about the Crimean Peninsula, stating that Kiev is ready to "bring Crimea back diplomatically"

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Wu Qian stated that the United States must immediately correct its mistakes, "honestly respect China’s main interests, and seek to create favorable conditions for high-level contacts between the military of the two countries"

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Trump's new presidency will be fundamentally different from his first — expert in the US

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Putin sends message to those seeking to 'add fuel to fire' before Trump’s return — expert

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Moscow hopes West will thoroughly analyze Russia's nuclear doctrine — ambassador

Andrey Kelin also recalled that the policy of the Russian leadership enjoys the full support and confidence of the country's population

Press review: US lets Kiev use anti-personnel mines and Iran may halt uranium enrichment

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, November 21st

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US decision on strikes inside Russia stems from malice rather than strategy — journalist

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China slams US nuclear policy for undermining global stability

The United States continues to modernize its nuclear triad, Lin Jian noted

Kremlin condemns report on Storm Shadow missile use against Russian targets as escalation

Dmitry Peskov chose not to respond to a question about whether Russia has proof that UK-made Storm Shadow missiles had been used against it

Moscow-Washington hotline not in use now — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that there have been no contacts via this new channel lately

Trump may soon start talks with Russia following Biden’s decision on ATACMS — news agency

According to Andreas Kluth, the decision on ATACMS may have been another attempt by the current Washington administration to provide Ukraine with support until the president-elect comes to power

Ex-UK Labor party leader wants PM to clarify situation with Storm Shadow missiles

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Official declines to say if US gives Ukraine targeting data for Storm Shadow missiles

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Biden's decision to use ATACMS on Russia threatens to kill Americans — Tucker Carlson

The journalist also criticized US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (a Republican representing the state of Louisiana) for "not even mentioning it in public or in leadership meetings" with factions in the lower house of Congress

Japanese lawmaker praises Putin's restraint amid decision to strike deep into Russia

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US Senate refuses to block arms supplies to Israel

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Russia to use revenues from frozen assets of Western investors — Finance Minister

Tit-for-tat measures will be implemented after receiving information about unfriendly actions of Western countries, Anton Siluanov noted

Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

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Allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with US weapons irresponsible — Slovak PM

Robert Fico noted that authorizing the use of long-range weapons for strikes against Russia would not alter the balance of power in the conflict zone

Russian forces gain foothold in central Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

While Ukrainian commanders have been making every effort to stabilize the situation in Chasov Yar, Kiev does not have enough soldiers, weapons or military hardware for that, Andrey Marochko said

FACTBOX: What is known about UAV attacks on Russian regions

During the night, air defenses intercepted and destroyed two Ukrainian UAVs in the skies over the Rostov and Volgograd regions

Russian diplomat accuses West of using coercive measures to punish certain countries

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US is now at war with Russia, Ritter says

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Press review: Russian air defenses can down Western missiles as EU conducts live exercise

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Canada neglects its sovereignty by approving transfer of land mines to Kiev — diplomat

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US uses veto right to block new UN Security Council draft resolution on ceasefire in Gaza

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West launched missiles targeting Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk Regions — Putin

Russian air defenses repulsed all attacks, the Russian president said

French Foreign Ministry refuses to disclose number of SCALP missiles shipped to Ukraine

Ministry Spokesman Christophe Lemoine also avoided answering if Paris supports strikes with these missiles on Russian territory, only saying that the missiles were shipped to Ukraine, and Ukraine

Preliminary data shows anti-ship missile downed over Sevastopol waters — official

Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said that all emergencies services currently work in the high alert mode

Biden's decision on missile strikes on Russia is his 'last gasp' — Japanese lawmaker

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US admiral says Washington should be ready for talks with Russia, China

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Xi Jinping calls for unification of more voices for peace in Ukraine

"We need to bring together more voices of peace and pave the way for a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis," Chinese president said

Putin orders protection of critical infrastructure, including Crimean Bridge — Kremlin

Kiev has not accepted the legitimate results of the 2014 referendum, in which the people of Crimea and Sevastopol voted to become part of Russia, and is displeased by the operation of the Crimean Bridge, which connects the Kerch Strait with the Krasnodar Region

West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

According to Dmitry Suslov, retaliatory measures may include the handover of more advanced weapons to the forces "that are directly fighting against the US, particularly, in the Middle East"