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Moscow regrets UK refuses to cooperate on Skripal case

Ex-Colonel Sergey Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with a nerve agent on March 4 and found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury, UK

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Moscow is sorry that the United Kingdom has opted to stoop so low as to vilify Russia instead of cooperating with it on the Skripal case, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday.

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Russia expects UK to provide explanations on Skripal case, says senior diplomat

"If they really want to settle this tragic situation, they should get in contacts and cooperate with us on the bilateral basis or within the OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons). Instead, they are only throwing mud at us. A great power that has stooped so low as to use such methods can only excite pity," he said.

"Russia could not violate the Chemical Weapons Convention as its entire chemical arsenals were destroyed last year under strict international control. All programs were stopped as far back as the 1990s and the British know it perfectly well," the Russian diplomat stressed. "It is unacceptable and unworthy to tell such bogus stories."

Russian military intelligence (GRU) Colonel Sergey Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned with a nerve agent on March 4 and found unconscious on a bench in Salisbury, UK. Both of them have been hospitalized and are in critical condition. British authorities blamed Russia for the poisoning, but failed to provide any evidence to support their accusations. Russia refuted all of London’s allegations. With that, UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats and the suspension of high-level bilateral contacts. On Saturday, in response to London’s moves, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Russia had declared 23 British diplomats personae-non-gratae and would expel them within a week, close the British consulate general in St. Petersburg, and terminate the British Council’s activity in Russia.

On the background of a frantic anti-Russian hysteria in the mainstream media, the British authorities rushed to issue charges to Russia but refused to provide a sample of the alleged nerve agent Novichok or any practical evidence in general. The Russian side has been categorically denying its involvement in the incident.

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London knows NATO presence in Ukraine unacceptable for Moscow — Russian ambassador

Britain, as Kelin pointed out, has made significant investments in its confrontation with Russia over the past few years and continues to actively support the "Ukrainian project," which is "beginning to capsize"

Kiev may use ceasefire to obtain weapons, mobilize troops — Putin

"Maybe, to get weapons. Or, maybe, to train the newly mobilized personnel," the president said

Russian troops enter Sumy Region in certain border areas — General Staff chief

Russian units continue to destroy enemy reserves and expand the security zone, Army General Valery Gerasimov said

Britain tries to wedge itself into Trump's efforts on Ukraine — Russian ambassador

According to Andrey Kelin, he is "unhappy with the significant deviation from the previous course pursued by the Trump administration, because it has followed and continues to follow a different line"

With liberation of Sudzha Kiev’s forces lose main hub in Kursk region — military

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, units from the battle group North have successfully liberated the villages of Melovoy, Podol, and Sudzha

Kiev always lied during previous ceasefires in Ukraine — top Russian diplomat

Lavrov emphasized that Russia "needs a sustainable, lasting peace based on the fact that the root causes of the current situation are eliminated"

US wants to hand over to UK the lead in pumping Ukraine with weapons — Lavrov

The Russian top diplomat drew attention to the fact that "the Europeans do not stop their efforts"

Russia liberating all settlements close to Sudzha one after another — Putin

"I am confident that all the plans that were mapped out in the area of the incursion in the Kursk Region will be carried through, like in other frontline areas," the head of state stressed

Operation to liberate Kursk Region from Ukrainian troops enters final stage — Kremlin

"During his visit to one of the command centers in the Kursk Region, the head of state heard the reports of the commander and the deputy commander of the battlegroup North, who reported to the supreme commander-in-chief on the progress of the operation," Dmitry Peskov said

Trump sees no threat of Russia attacking NATO

"I think what this [the special military operation in Ukraine] gets done, it’s done. They're going to all want to go home and rest," the US President added

Russia practically eliminates remnants of Ukraine’s Air Force — source

The source said that attempts to recruit more pilots in Poland and other Eastern European countries were not particularly successful

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Russia seeks long-term solution to Ukraine conflict rather than respite — Kremlin aide

"We don’t want a respite," Yury Ushakov noted

Kursk situation under Russia’s control, Ukrainian battlegroup blocked — Putin

"This is full isolation and full gunfire control," the Russian leader stressed

Kiev tried to pass off Ukrainian army’s panic escape from Sudzha as regrouping — expert

"And, naturally, after such slaughter, they would hardly want to continue their service under the direction of the Ukrainian military command and Zelensky," Andrey Marochko said

Trump believes US will annex Greenland

The US President added that his country needs Greenland "for international security"

Russian strikes on logistics, not US, behind halt in Ukrainian ATACMS attacks — politician

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Nikolay Patrushev pointed out that Moscow had not taken any aggressive actions towards Helsinki in the late 1930s until the very end, even offering a territorial swap

It is becoming impossible for Kiev troops to break out of encirclement near Kursk — Putin

"They are leaving their military equipment behind, because there is no way to evacuate it," the president added

Ukrainian service members in Kursk are legally considered terrorists — Putin

This is how the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office classifies their actions, Russian president noted

IN BRIEF: Russia for truce, but 'nuances' remain — highlights of Putin's remarks to media

Russia will determine the next steps to resolve the conflict in Ukraine "based on how the situation on the ground evolves," the Russian president said

Russia seeks to involve other countries in Northern Sea Route — Kremlin aide

The NSR is a convenient route for coastal shipping, which has no alternative routes, Nikolay Patrushev said

Russia should wipe out nationalist regime in Kiev — Medvedev

The politician emphasized that "the defeat of the West on the Ukrainian track is inevitable"

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When asked to comment on the possibility of toughening anti-Russian sanctions, the US president said: "Well, I do have leverage, but I don’t want to talk about leverage"

Situation on ground rapidly changing in Russia’s favor — Putin

The Russian president especially thanked Russian forces for liberating the town of Sudzha in the Kursk Region

Putin certain it was Ukraine that should have been the one to ask for ceasefire

On March 11, delegations from the US and Ukraine convened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

AI technologies, digital ruble will help consolidate Russia's technological leadership

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The meeting also considered the prospects for strengthening partnership, increasing the efficiency of transportation and developing transport and logistics infrastructure between the two countries

Hundreds of Ukrainian troops occupy Sudzha, Russian security official reveals

While some Ukrainian troops have attempted to flee toward the bordering Ukrainian region of Sumy, all roads remain under Russia’s fire control, he said

NATO doors ‘slammed shut’ for Ukraine — lawmaker

Kiev has repeatedly stated its desire to become a full-fledged NATO member state

ECHR finds Ukraine guilty of failing to take steps to prevent 2014 tragedy in Odessa

Also, it is said that the Kiev authorities did not conduct a proper investigation of the events

Britain does not want peace in Ukraine because of its interest in Odessa seaports — expert

Vladimir Karasev further elaborated that the British authorities were also interested in Ukraine's resources, which have been handed over to them by Vladimir Zelensky under a 100-year agreement

Trudeau announces stepping down as Canada’s prime minister

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Lavrov calls European Commission Chief von der Leyen ‘Fuhrer Ursula’

The Russian foreign minister noted that the EC head is mobilizing everybody to re-militarize Europe

Sudzha liberation shows that Russia is achieving its goals — MFA

Maria Zakharova also noted President Vladimir Putin's remarks during his visit to the Kursk Region

Russia works with well-thought-out options for conflict settlement in Ukraine — Kremlin

According to the newspaper, the document allegedly says that Moscow needs to weaken Washington's negotiating position on a settlement in Ukraine by aggravating US relations with other countries

Finnish authorities working to undermine country's sovereignty — Patrushev

Nikolay Patrushev emphasized that the lessons of history should not be forgotten. He highlighted that after the Second World War and up until recently, relations between Moscow and Helsinki were often viewed as an example of constructive diplomacy

UN to welcome ceasefire in Ukraine, hopes for lasting peace — spokesman

Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier said that Russia would agree to a proposal to end hostilities as long as it leads to a long-term peace and addresses the root causes of the crisis

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The US President called upon Russia to accept the ceasefire proposal several times

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Putin to formulate Russia’s position on temporary ceasefire in Ukraine — Kremlin aide

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Ukrainian troops failed to retreat from Sudzha — commando group’s chief

"These groups are currently being exposed, pursued, and eliminated," he said

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Russia to give advantage to domestic goods but within WTO framework — Putin

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Putin could speak on Ukraine at news conference after Belarus talks on Thursday — Kremlin

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Russian army creates several kill zones for Ukrainian forces near Sudzha — Marochko

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Russian troops liberate Sudzha settlement in borderline Kursk area — top brass

"Battlegroup North units liberated the settlements of Melovoi, Podol and Sudzha through offensive operations," the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement

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"The work has been funded and directly supervised by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) at the Department of Defense, including on behalf of the National Center for Medical Intelligence at the Department of Defense," Vasily Nebenzia said

Russia offers US to consider restoring direct flights — Foreign Ministry

"The American side has been asked to consider the possibility of restoring direct air links," the ministry said

Israeli aviation hits residential neighborhood in Damascus — news agency

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US special envoy Steve Witkoff's plane lands in Moscow — Flightradar

The plane entered Russian airspace from the direction of Latvia

US discussing with Ukraine what territories it will concede — Trump

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Trump’s special envoy Witkoff’s plane crosses Russian border — Flightradar data

The Gulfstream G650 aircraft took off earlier from Hamad International Airport in Doha

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The minister also noted that Macron is now trying to present the situation as if Russian President Vladimir Putin did not want to implement the 2015 Minsk agreements

Russia-US energy cooperation will provide Europe with cheap gas — Putin

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Trump says his special envoy Witkoff engages in serious discussions on Ukraine

"We have people talking in Russia," the US president said

Duda urges US to deploy nuclear weapons in Poland — newspaper

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Acts of bestial cruelty committed by Ukrainian military were systemic, Kursk governor says

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Up to 20,000 militants join Syria's police, security forces — Kyrgyz Security Council

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Italy’s top diplomat says he summoned Russian envoy after statements by MFA spokeswoman

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Nearly 200 people evacuated from Kursk Region’s Sudzha district

Rescuers accompany citizens to temporary shelters

Belarus President Lukashenko says talks with Putin were substantial; to continue next day

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Andrey Marochko explained that with the liberation of the Kursk Region some Russian troops may be redeployed to various areas within the special military operation zone

Russia to discuss end to Ukraine conflict based on actual situation — Putin

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Investors anticipating return of Russian company shares to global stock market — Bloomberg

American banks Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are among those brokering deals on acquiring assets related to Russia, the agency said

Russian commander says Sudzha operation becomes one of most effective during special op

Alaudinov spoke in detail about the actions of the Russian servicemen during the operation

London knows NATO presence in Ukraine unacceptable for Moscow — Russian ambassador

Britain, as Kelin pointed out, has made significant investments in its confrontation with Russia over the past few years and continues to actively support the "Ukrainian project," which is "beginning to capsize"

Interior Ministry to cancel search for 154 people missing in Sudzha, they are alive

The staff at migration departments accept applications from individuals seeking to restore their Russian passports, which are issued within 24 hours without any duties or fees

Ukrainians unlikely to agree to ceasefire — Belarusian president

Talks between US and Ukrainian delegations took place in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah on Tuesday

Trump says he threatened BRICS with 150% tariffs for seeking alternative to dollar

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Gold price could jump to $3,500 per ounce in Q3 — analysts

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Security zone and Ukrainian army’s terrorists: Putin visits Kursk Region

The Russian president initially planned to take part in an economic meeting in his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, but Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS later that the meeting had been postponed due to changes in the president’s work schedule

Russia says battlegroup West destroyed 22 drone operating posts

With the support of artillery, heavy flame-throwing systems and aviation, units have improved their tactical position

Putin considers possible Ukraine ceasefire control as very complex

"Who will determine where and who has violated a potential ceasefire agreement along 2,000 km?" the Russian leader remarked

Chechen leader says Operation Pipeline near Sudzha was daring, incredibly effective

Kadyrov also shared a video featuring the Akhmat units’ commandos moving through the gas pipeline as they advanced into enemy territory

News about absence of ATACMS missiles in Ukraine may be disinformation — analyst

Igor Korotchenko also suggested that such reports in foreign media might be part of a strategic disinformation campaign

Militarization of Europe may not suit US, alternative needed — Lukashenko

The Belarusian president urged to "coexist amicably and pursue a more stable policy"

Lavrov views NATO troops in any capacity in Ukraine as a threat to Russia

According to the foreign minister, under no conditions will Russia tolerate the presence of NATO troops as peacekeepers on Ukrainian soil

Ukraine to eventually come back to Russia, Belarus — Lukashenko

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Annual inflation was 10.11% in early March — Economy Ministry

The Economy Ministry expects that inflation in Russia will stabilize at 4.5% in 2025

Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

This was reported by a representative of law enforcement agencies

Syrsky says he ordered withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Sudzha

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Top Russian diplomat says not interested in EU stance on Ukrainian settlement

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Russian foreign trade surplus down 4.82% to $7.9 bln in January 2025 — customs

Russian exports to African countries increased by 42.07% to $1.4 bln

Putin’s statement on Ukraine very promising, Trump says

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Kremlin aide reminds Finland it must adhere to international maritime law

According to Nikolay Patrushev, this is also true from a historical perspective