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Conflict in Syria

Preparations for inter-Syrian consultations in Moscow underway — ambassador

On November 3 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said that the meeting between the Syrian government and the opposition may take place in the Russian capital the following week

Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riad Haddad Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riad Haddad

© Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

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Foreign Ministry: Preserving Syrian statehood is principally important for Russia

MOSCOW, November 9. /TASS/. The inter-Syrian consultations in Moscow are being discussed, Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riad Haddad told TASS on Monday.

"Preparations are underway to hold inter-Syrian consultations in Moscow," the diplomat said. "We hope that these meetings will take place," he added.

On November 3 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov said that the meeting between the Syrian government and the opposition may take place in the Russian capital the following week. "We will invite the broad specter of the opposition. Talking about the Syrian government, they are always ready, there are no problems here," Bpgdanov said.

Inter-Syrian conferences Moscow I and Moscow II were held in January and April 2015.

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Still no information about Damascus' participation in Vienna meeting November 14

As yet there is no information about Damascus' participation in the meeting in Vienna due on November 14, Syria's Ambassador to Russia Riad Haddad told TASS on Monday.

"There is no information about participation of the official Syrian delegation in a meeting in Vienna on November 14," he said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of information and media told TASS on Monday "the second ministerial meeting on Syria is being coordinated."

A diplomatic source told TASS earlier that the meeting will be held most likely on November 14. China also said that Beijing plans to join the talks in Vienna on November 14.

However, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said last week that the next ministerial meeting on Syria will take place in the Austrian capital on November 12.

On October 29, a four-party meeting took place in Vienna between Russia, US, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on the settlement of the Syrian crisis. On October 30, the discussion was joined by other countries and organizations — 19 in total. A final document of nine points was adopted after the meeting.

The communique said that "the participants invited the UN to convene representatives of the Government of Syria and the Syrian opposition for a political process leading to credible, inclusive, non-sectarian governance, followed by a new constitution and elections. These elections must be administered under UN supervision to the satisfaction of the governance and to the highest international standards of transparency and accountability, free and fair, with all Syrians, including the diaspora, eligible to participate."

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Syrian conflict

Putin ends talks with Pashinyan, starts meeting with Uzbekistan’s president — spokesman

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Since June 12, 2013, Putin has been the leader of the non-governmental movement All-Russia People’s Front, created at his initiative as a coalition of social and political forces

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Russia hands over last RD-180 rocket engines to US under existing deal

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Russian diplomat slams Western ambassador for being absent from Putin’s inauguration

Maria Zakharova also asked a rhetorical question about what these countries’ new ambassadors would do when they have to hand over their credentials to the president

Ukraine loses several hundred servicemen near DPR’s Novopokrovskoye due to lack of defense

It is noted that any Ukrainian activity on this section of the front is immediately suppressed by Russia’s precise and coordinated actions

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

Ukraine to be able to mobilize no more than 10,000-15,000 convicts — report

According to the source, there are currently about 28,000 inmates, and this number includes women, people unfit for military service due to health conditions, age and their criminal offenses

Ukrainian companies report damage to energy facilities

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US begins Astral Knight 2024 exercise in Europe involving 5,000 troops — Pentagon

The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen collective air and missile defense in Europe

Kremlin sees Ukrainian petition for deployment of NATO troops as dangerous provocation

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China supports Serbia in defending its sovereignty on Kosovo issue — Xi

Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Serbia on May 7-8

Russia may strike Britain's military facilities if London's threats materialize — MFA

Maria Zakharova described British Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s remark that London considered it legitimate for the Kiev regime to use British weapons for strikes on Russian territory as "something absolutely insane"

Germany’s recalling ambassador to Russia another unfriendly step, diplomat says

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Macron’s aggressive rhetoric baffles even his allies — diplomat

"Very often France’s allies from the UK and Germany, as we understand, try to get clarifications as to what the French leadership means, without getting a direct answer," Maria Zakharova pointed out

More than 90% of payments in EAEU are carried out in national currencies — Putin

The Russian leader noted that the combined GDP of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, according to available estimates, increased from $1.6 trillion to $2.5 trillion

Putin wants number of foreign students in Russia to rise to 500,000 by 2030

According to the Russian Education and Science Ministry, more than 355,000 foreigners are currently studying in Russian universities

US sees no signs indicating Russia’s plans to use nuclear weapons — Pentagon

Department of Defense spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the United States views the decision to hold a military exercise of this kind as "deeply irresponsible"

Putin may propose candidate for prime minister as early as today — spokesman

Dmitry Peskov recalled that after the inauguration, the Russian government resigned and the members of the Cabinet continued to work in the status of acting ministers

Detention of US soldier in Russia’s Vladivostok has no relation to espionage — diplomats

Russian Foreign Ministry’s mission in Vladivostok that "not following the case of the US citizen closely"

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Press review: Vladimir Putin sworn in for fifth term and EU, Ukraine talk arms deal

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 8th

Inquiry against German Air Force chief over leaked conversation closed

"In particular, there was no evidence of deliberate actions on behalf of the above-mentioned individual," Business Insider wrote

Five workers wounded during Ukrainian strike on oil storage facility in Lugansk

Leonid Pasechnik also said the strike "damaged power lines, disrupting electricity supplies to nearby houses"

Russian government resigns

The cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until a new government is appointed

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Australian Navy’s destroyer, helicopter impede Chinese drills in Yellow Sea — top brass

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Russia to develop cooperation with North Korea in all possible areas — Kremlin

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said earlier that the US together with its partners would continue imposing sanctions for allegedly assisting weapons and petroleum products supplies between Russia and North Korea

Xi Jinping arrives in Serbia on his first visit in eight years

Chinese President began his visit on the day marking the anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO aircraft

Russia hammers Ukrainian energy, military sites in retaliatory strike — top brass

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Kupyansk direction over the past 24 hours amounted to 55 personnel and two 122mm D-30 howitzers, it specified

Dutch MEP congratulates Putin on his inauguration

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As part of the No Limitations Period project, the FSB department for Crimea and Sevastopol declassified archival documents about the Great Patriotic War, including reports, reconnaissance data, protocols of interrogations of German captives

Press review: Russia flexes nuclear muscle and Israel signals imminent offensive in Gaza

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The Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko doubts that any serious political force in Western Europe wants a military conflict

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Ukrainian army leaving positions near Avdeyevka over Russia’s incessant gunfire — POW

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IMF warns against violations related to use of Russian assets for helping Ukraine

Deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund Gita Gopinath said that rebuilding mutual trust among countries requires a lot of time and effort and called for preserving "some of the enormous gains from economic integration"

Aleksandar Vucic greets Chinese leader at Belgrade Airport

The ceremony on the occasion of the visit of the 400-strong Chinese delegation will take place at Palata Srbije

Aerospace Forces receive new Su-35S fighters

Su-35S have passed ground and flight trials and flew from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to the deployment airfield

West should engage in dialogue with Russia — US expert

In Peter Kuznick opinion, the world is on the verge of a most serious conflict while "NATO is conducting massive war games"

Russian diplomat accuses EU spokesman of 'inciting terrorism' with Crimean Bridge remarks

According to Maria Zakharova, it is shocking that the statement was made by a European official who "in general speaks on behalf of the entire European Union"

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

FSB declassifies Hitler aide’s testimony how Red Army rescued Allies in Ardennes in 1945

Hitler's former adjutant Otto Guensche was captured during the battle of Berlin in April-May 1945 and, while being kept in custody in an investigative prison in Moscow, presented a firsthand account of what was happening at Hitler's headquarters in the last months of the war

Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Kremlin

The main event will be held at the Grand Kremlin Palace but parts of it will take place outside at Cathedral Square where the Kremlin Presidential Regiment will march following the ceremony

Presence of French-speaking mercenaries identified in 20 cases in Zaporozhye — politician

Ethnic Poles and Georgians account for the largest groups of mercenaries in the Ukrainian army

Putin says Russia had to use force to defend people in Donbass as peaceful means failed

"A little later it became clear that we were simply being led around by the nose, and we had to take extraordinary measures to protect these people with military force," the Russian leader said

Russia wants no country to interfere in its election process — Kremlin spokesman

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Ten powerful solar flares erupt from Sun over past day

Some of those flares disrupted radio communications on the short wave

Belgium explains absence of ambassador at Russian president’s inauguration ceremony

The European Parliament adopted a resolution at a plenary session in Strasbourg on April 25 alleging that the recent presidential election in Russia was undemocratic

French troops to become target for Moscow forces if deployed to Ukraine — Russian MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, French President Emmanuel Macron’s bellicose rhetoric "is being rejected not only by many European Union and NATO allies," but also - most importantly - "by the vast majority of French citizens"

Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

The government is tasked to present eleven new National Projects by September 1 of this year

UK announces expulsion of Russian defense attache, new diplomatic visa restrictions

According to Home Secretary James Cleverly, this is a message to Moscow in response to its actions allegedly aimed at undermining British assistance to Ukraine

Russian space agency still in talks on launching two Luna-27 mission spacecraft

"The plans are the same - we are planning to launch," Roscosmos Director General Yury Borisov told

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

French military already present in Donbass — French journalist

Christelle Neant said that the Ukrainian armed forces is drafting people with no military experience as part of its mobilization campaign and sends them to the frontline after "just two or three weeks of training"

FACTBOX: Key facts and figures about Russia’s Victory Day

Festive processions, gatherings, assemblies and reception ceremonies are held across Russia on May 9 to honor veterans of the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War

MAKS air show may be canceled in 2024 — source

There are no dates for the event on its official website

US losing favor around world, while Russia's image improving — poll

The US’ image saw the biggest dip in the Middle East and North Africa (12 percentage points on average), as well as in Europe (seven percentage points)

Forecasts show Russia may overtake Japan in terms of GDP growth by 2030

Andrey Belousov opined that the Russian Central Bank’s key rate would remain at a high level so far, declining to 6-7% by 2027

Appeal for Western troops posted on Ukrainian president’s website

A petition needs to be signed by at least 25,000 people to be referred to the president for consideration

Putin will now use restyled Aurus car — Kremlin

Putin made the first trip on the Aurus exactly six years ago, on May 7, 2018, when he also departed to the inauguration

Arms supplies to Kiev unlikely to drastically change situation on battlefield — US expert

In Peter Kuznick opinion, despite Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's assertions, "Ukraine is not going to drive every Russian soldier from the country"

France not at war with Russia — Macron

"We are also not seeking a change of power in Russia," the French leader underscored

Attack on Soviet Union was OUN’s aim from outset — declassified archives

One of the memos, classified as "Top secret," dated February 1948, contains information concerning the creation of the OUN even before the Great Patriotic War - during the period from 1929 to 1941

Armenia to refrain from financing CSTO activity in 2024

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said earlier that his country cannot rely on the CSTO and he cannot answer Armenian society’s question why the country should be its member

Pashinyan arrives in Moscow for summit, meeting with Putin

Nikol Pashinyan will chair the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council summit and then meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian embassy slams ‘unacceptable’ Berlin’s decision to ban Russian flag on May 8-9

"We consider the bans discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of post-war historical reconciliation of the peoples of Russia and Germany," the Russian diplomats pointed out

Kiev meddling in Russia’s domestic affairs by calling Putin’s presidency illegitimate

"It was another blatant attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of our country and it was definitely orchestrated by the West with the use of the Kiev regime as its tool," Maria Zakharova noted

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day

Battlegroup Center units fully liberated the settlement of Novokalinovo in the Donetsk People’s Republic and battlegroup West units fully liberated the settlement of Kislovka in the Kharkov Region

Euroclear fighting over 100 lawsuits in Russian courts against investors demanding refund

According to Euroclear's new chief executive Valerie Urbain, the likelihood that the depository will win these cases is quite low

Russian embassy expresses regret over London’s new restrictions

Earlier in the day, UK Home Secretary James Cleverly announced in parliament that the British authorities will expel Russia’s defense attache, impose new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas and remove diplomatic status from some Russian properties

Ukraine approves bill on drafting convicts for military service

279 parliament members had voted in favor of the document

US envoy leaves Russia for certain amount of time — senior Russian diplomat

"The Foreign Ministry was told about this some time before the issue with inviting ambassadors to the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president was resolved," Sergey Ryabkov said

FACTBOX: What is known about string of blasts at Ukraine’s power facilities

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the strikes were carried out with drones as well as sea-and air-launched precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles

French tired of supporting Ukraine — war correspondent

Christelle Nahan noted that people were tired of the fact that there was not enough money for the development of infrastructure, hospitals and schools, for pensions and benefits for children

Freak snowstorm hits Moscow

The snow falling on the ground does not melt immediately

Putin may hold bilateral meeting with Lukashenko in Kremlin later on Wednesday

Before the EAEU summit, the two leaders held a brief conversation

Russia vows not to deport Ukrainian citizens missing ‘green card’ deadline

The Interior Ministry said that this procedure does not cover the citizens who were released from imprisonment, who pose a threat to national or public security, who presented forged IDs or reported false information