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Russian, Syrian diplomats discuss preparations for Geneva-2 conference

MOSCOW, January 09, 21:16 /ITAR-TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and presidential Middle East envoy Mikhail Bogdanov met with Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riyad Haddad to discuss preparations for a Geneva-2 international peace conference on Syria, the Russian foreign ministry reported on Thursday.

“The two diplomats focused attention on multi-party efforts aimed at the preparation for the Geneva-2 international conference on Syria due to begin on January 22, 2014,” the ministry said. “They also addressed some topical issues of the Russian-Syrian relations, including maintaining active political dialogue.

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

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Two people killed in borderline Belgorod Region in Ukrainian drone attack — governor

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Iran may target Israeli nuclear center in Dimona in case of Israel’s attack — TV

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Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

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

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Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

At the same time, the top Russian diplomat pointed out that "there is information that not only French mercenaries, but also instructors, maybe even together, but along with some other representatives of military and special services of European countries are working there [in Ukraine]"

Two pilots of jet that crashed in southern Russia hospitalized

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EU ministers to discuss use of Russian assets for Ukraine on April 22 — EU official

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

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Russian forces improved their frontline positions and repelled a Ukrainian army counterattack in the Donetsk area where the enemy lost roughly 590 troops over the past day, the ministry reported

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S-500 system to be supplied to Armed Forces after 2015

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

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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

Armenia’s relations with Russia not at their highest — top diplomat

Ararat Mirzoyan also said that Yerevan is currently making efforts to expand cooperation with the European Union and the United States

US gives nod to Israeli operation in Rafah in exchange for canceling major attack on Iran

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

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Grossi ignores ‘elephant in the room’ in Zaporozhye nuke plant situation — Russian envoy

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The Russian foreign minister emphasized that the situation on the ground had changed significantly

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Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

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Russian economy positively influences neighboring countries — Deputy PM

In 2023 the Russian economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, Alexey Overchuk said