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Lavrov to meet with OSCE chairperson-in-office

Russia’s top diplomat will hold talks with his Slovak counterpart on February 19

MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with current OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak in Moscow on February 19, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday.

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"Russia’s top diplomat will hold talks with his Slovak counterpart on February 19. It is planned to discuss pressing European issues, the current OSCE’s activities and the organization’s work this year," she said.

She noted that the two ministers were expected to discuss some aspects of bilateral relations, "including the development of trade, economic, inter-parliamentary ties, cooperation in the energy sector, transport, military-technical, cultural and humanitarian spheres, and raise some pressing international issues."

Slovakia, which assumed OSCE chairmanship in 2019, identified the resolution of the existing and the prevention of emerging conflicts as its priorities.

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International cooperation needed to investigate Nord Stream incidents — Russian diplomat

According to Nebenzya, the real goal of the West, which is seeking to persuade the world of the futility of international efforts, is "to keep on telling the tale of lost time" as long as possible in a hope that "international community will forget about this terrorist attack"

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Russia grateful to DPRK for unconditional support of special operation in Ukraine — MFA

Ivan Zhelokhovtsev said that the agreements that were reached during the DPRK leader's visit to Russia represent "evidence of the mutual desire of the sides to consistently implement and expand the rich heritage" that was passed down from previous generations

Pelosi's remarks about US protesters undemocratic, Russian diplomat says

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Kiev's attacks on ZNPP may trigger another Chernobyl — Zaporozhye governor

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Terrorist attacks occur in Iran, Russia due to US support for terrorism — Iran’s top brass

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Hamas fighters have destroyed more than 400 Israeli vehicles — group’s senior member

Abu Ubaida, a spokesman for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said the brigades had completely or partially destroyed 135 units of Israeli military equipment over the past three days

China, US free to have their own friends, partners — President Xi

Beijing sticks to the principle of non-alignment with any blocs, the Chinese leader said and called on Washington "to refrain from teaming up in small groups"

Russia appreciates Bolivia’s push to defend sovereignty, Lavrov says

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Russian subsidiary of JP Morgan scaling up Russian assets

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DPRK supports Russia in defending sovereignty, security — ambassador

The North Korean ambassador Sin Hong Chol praised the "sincere and excellent friendly relations" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un

Russian aerospace forces hit two terrorists base in Syria’s Homs governorate

Yury Popov, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, also said that one shelling attack on the positions of government forces was reported in the Idlid de-escalation zone from positions of the Jabhat al-Nusra

Abrams tanks easy targets for drones — Russian expert

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Singapore Airlines resumes flights to Moscow starting from January 20

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Russia invites all countries to develop North - South transport corridor — Putin

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Poland practices transfer of mechanized brigade to Lithuania's Suwalki Corridor area

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Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

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Erdogan moves back from May 9 his trip to US — report

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International cooperation needed to investigate Nord Stream incidents — Russian diplomat

According to Nebenzya, the real goal of the West, which is seeking to persuade the world of the futility of international efforts, is "to keep on telling the tale of lost time" as long as possible in a hope that "international community will forget about this terrorist attack"

Diplomatic relations with Canada may be downgraded if Russian assets seized — ambassador

"All options are on the table, we will be guided by common sense and Russia’s interests," Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov said

Istanbul accords could have stopped hostilities in Ukraine — German newspaper

The deal still looks advantageous even after two years of war, Welt am Sonntag said

Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

In Maxim Buyakevich words, neither the talks nor their outcome can change the existing political and territorial realities

Russian diplomat accuses US of facilitating chemical warfare in Ukraine

According to Russian Permanent Representative to the OPCW Vladimir Tarabrin, Russian troops have repeatedly recorded incidents where the Ukrainian army’s used chemical weapons, including riot control agents as means of warfare

Charles III to return to public duties soon — Buckingham Palace

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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

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Erdogan’s May 9 visit to US postponed to more convenient date — Foreign Ministry

"The high-level dialogue between Turkey and the US will continue," the spokesman Oncu Keceli said

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

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French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

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Zelensky's presidential powers to expire May 21 — Ukrainian legislator

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Russian defense chief points to West’s double standards on right to self-defense

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Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that China was not providing weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controlled dual-use goods, including the export of drones

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West reluctant to punish those responsible for Nord Stream blasts — Russian diplomat

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"Battlegroup Dnepr units conducted active counterbattery warfare and destroyed enemy drones, manpower and equipment on the right bank of the Dnieper River," Governor Vladimir Saldo said

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The Russian defense chief is certain that "this is an important moment in strengthening security in the SCO space"

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Russian gas production to gain 4.6% in 2024 — Economy Ministry

Pipeline gas exports are forecast to edge up by 7% to 108 bln cubic meters

Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

The Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware in that community, Igor Kimakovsky said

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Vasily Nebenzya stressed that insurers conclude on their own that the "explosion at the gas pipelines was made using an explosive devices, willfully and due to political motives," thereby confirming its terroristic nature

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About 20% of weapons sent to Kiev end up on black market – Russia’s UN mission

Dmitry Polyansky said that some of the weapons supplied to Kiev are "in the darknet, which means that it is available to anyone"

Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

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Russian Economy Ministry expects trade balance surplus to decline

Exports of goods are expected to drop to $419.7 bln this year. Imports are forecast to grow to $315.7 bln in 2024

One more suspect in Crocus City Hall terror attack arrested — police

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Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

"I think that Beijing understands this perfectly well and will not even pretend being ready to reach any agreements with the Americans to the detriment of Russia’s interests," Sergey Ryabkov said

Lithuania’s prime minister warns US may curtail aid to Ukraine

Ingrida Simonyte called for getting ready for such a turn of events right away, and not just watch and wait

Most countries in Global South wary of growing NATO influence — Lavrov

"Those may be right who, instead of playing this geopolitical game which NATO views as a zero-sum game, prefer to handle their domestic affairs," the Russian foreign minister noted

UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

"If the UN did not exist, it should have been created," Vasily Nebenzya said

Israel ready to accept release of fewer than 40 hostages in deal’s first phase — newspaper

According to the report, Israel is willing to acceprt the release of women, men over 50 years old and those seriously ill

Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

TotalEnergies expects gas price hike if Russian LNG falls under sanctions

Patrick Pouyanne expressed confidence that the European leaders understood that security of gas supplies depended on LNG and would not like to see a price crisis in Europe again until 2027

Putin’s trip to China will rivet world’s attention, Kremlin spokesman predicts

The countries will jointly announce the time of this trip, Dmitry Peskov said

Wreckage of US MQ-9 Reaper drone is of interest to Russian defense industry — Rostec

According to the US version of events, a pair of Russian Su-27 aircraft intercepted the MQ-9 while it was on a recon mission and dumped their fuel several times toward the drone

Russia says its battlegroup West seized better positions

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Russian draft UNSC statement on Nord Streams sabotaged by West — Russian diplomat

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Financial watchdog blacklists I/We Sergey Furgal movement as extremist

In February, the Khabarovsk regional court recognized the movement as an extremist organization

Chances of Baku-Yerevan conflict settlement higher than ever, Scholz says

The German chancellor emphasized that Berlin's "offer to lend support in finding a long-term and acceptable solution remains valid"

Forbes reporter detained in Russia on charges of spreading falsehoods about military

Investigators conducted a search and are questioning witnesses, among other things, the Investigative Committee said

Over 60% of Russian companies continue using Microsoft services

57% of companies replaced at least one foreign service with a Russian one over the past few years, the analysts noted

Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

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US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

"The impression is that Warsaw is maniacally seeking to attract even more attention from military planners in the Russian General Staff," Maria Zakharova added