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Moscow stands for early ratification of nuclear test ban treaty by all states — Lavrov

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is an important element of the international system of security and stability, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said

Range facility in Sahara, where nuclear test was held TASS

Range facility in Sahara, where nuclear test was held

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. Moscow stands for achieving the universal status of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CNBT), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with the secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the CNBT, Lassina Zerbo, in Moscow on Thursday.

“We believe the CNBT is an important element of the international system of security and stability, in particular, its aspects regarding nuclear safety and non-proliferation,” Lavrov said. “We keep pressing for the early ratification of the treaty and lending it a comprehensive status.”

Zerbo thanked Lavrov for the efforts Russia was exerting to preserve peace and stability. He recalled that during his previous visit to Russia, the situation in Syria and the removal of chemical weapons were discussed. He urged close and joint work on the ratification of the CNBT.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a multilateral treaty by which states agree to ban all nuclear explosions in all environments, for military or civilian purposes. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on September 10, 1996, but it has not entered into force due to the non-ratification by eight countries.

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Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

Afghan Foreign Ministry condemns terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall outside Moscow

The ministry’s Spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said, that considers it a blatant violation of all human standards

Polish premier refuses to hand over his country’s Patriot systems to Ukraine

Donald Tusk said that German Chancellor’s call to send more air defense systems to Kiev had no relation to Poland, provided the country's geographical position near the frontline

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

According to the media outlet, "the US administration will support the plan for a military operation in Rafah put forward earlier," which provides for dividing the city into numbered sectors that will be mopped up one by one

Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed the mobilization law passed by the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) in the second and final reading on April 11

Ukraine’s new ethnic minorities law insufficient to protect Magyars — Hungarian president

According to Katalin Novak, Hungary’s call for the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia to be respected should be viewed as a common European demand

Iran has no plans to immediately retaliate to attack on its soil — agency

"We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," a senior Iranian official reported

World’s anti-doping agency WADA still waits for Russia’s 2023 financial contribution

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin said in February that the Russian side had agreed with WADA to pay the membership fee for the year of 2023

Russia’s defense chief inspects production of tanks, flamethrowers at Siberian enterprise

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Moscow demands international organizations condemn killing of Russian war correspondent

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Two pilots of jet that crashed in southern Russia hospitalized

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Founder of neo-Nazi cell in Crimea flees to Georgia — source

According to the official, the investigation established that Mikhail Maurov planned to travel to Ukraine to join the ranks of a right-wing Ukrainian organization called the Freedom of Russia Legion

UN secretary general urges Azerbaijan, Armenia to normalize relations

Stephane Dujarric noted that the secretary general "encourages the parties to continue the delimitation and demarcation of the remaining sections of the border and tackle all outstanding bilateral issues toward achieving full normalization of relations."

Ukrainian trace obvious in Crocus City Hall attack — Russian prosecutor general

The law enforcement employees exert efforts to identify the instigators of this crime, Igor Krasnov said

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Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia, became full-fledged members of BRICS from January 1, 2024

Participation in ‘Columbine’ movement may result in life sentence — Prosecutor General

Earlier, the "Columbine" movement was recognized a terror group

China’s Russian oil imports rise by 13% in first quarter of 2024 — customs

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American Abrams tanks vulnerable even to Soviet-era weapons, says expert

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Israeli troops continue raids in West Bank — TV

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Lavrov labels way West ramping up sanctions against Russia as mindless

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Russia delivers 34 strikes on Ukrainian military infrastructure over week — top brass

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Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Dmitry Polyansky noted that the IAEA chief is being very cautious about the issue of attacks on the nuclear facility

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Russian stock indices rising on Friday

The MOEX Russia Index edged up by 0.44%, the RTS Index surged by 1.13%

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The top Russian diplomat referred to a swindling trick used by a thimblerigger who puts a small round object, such as a ball or pea, under one of three thimbles or cups and asks the player to guess under which the object is, while unfairly manipulating this object

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Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

Military commanders of Ukrainian army brigades "lack both personnel and the required amount of equipment" while Russian troops enjoy a considerable superiority, especially in artillery, Sergey Krivonos noted

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 13 times in past day

Two shelling attacks on the positions of Syrian government army by the Jabhat al-Nusra groups were reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone

Senior Chinese official to take part in conference on security in Russia — diplomat

The conference will take place from April 23 to 25 in St. Petersburg

G7 leaders to decide on Russian assets use — Italian Deputy PM

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Drones downed over Isfahan cause no damage, says Iranian foreign minister

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Russian Cabinet expands list of perfumery, cosmetic products subjected to import duty

"The effect of the customs duty totaling 35%, renewed in December 203 in respected of imported perfumery, cosmetics and home care products will cover certain new positions of these products from unfriendly countries," the ministry said

Number of flooded residential buildings in Russia drops to 16,200

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

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Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

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Air defenses repel Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s Smolensk Region — governor

Vasily Anokhin urged local residents to remain calm and refrain from filming air defenses in operation.

Israeli aviation strikes towns in Gaza Strip

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Water level of Ishim River in Russia’s Tyumen Region surpasses dangerous mark

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Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

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Explosions reported in several Ukrainian regions

Blasts were also reported in the city of Dnepr and the Kiev-controlled city of Zaporozhye

Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

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

Lavrov says Borrell let it slip that Europe ‘fighting against Russia’

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French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

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Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

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BRICS looking at creating common digital payment platform

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that BRICS nations have already established a special channel for information exchange between their central banks

Court arrests another man accused of blowing up car of former SBU officer in Moscow

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Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

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

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Russian military base may appear in CAR’s eastern region — President Touadera

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Russian government increases customs duties on beer from unfriendly countries

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Security guarantees on Ukraine did not apply to Crimea, Donbass — Lavrov

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Major Western investor accuses Zelensky's office of extorting millions of euros

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US House passes procedural vote on Ukraine aid bill

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US agrees to withdraw troops from Niger — Washington Post

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US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019

Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

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Unidentified man attempts suicide outside courthouse where Trump trial is underway

The man set himself on fire

Nearly half of those present in UN Security Council hall walk out before Israel’s address

israeli Permanent Representative Gilad Erdan was to address the council after Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour

Russian LNG exports to China rise by 2% in first quarter of 2024 — Chinese customs

Russia was the fourth largest LNG supplier to China after Australia (6.3 mln tons)

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

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Ukrainian drone damages energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kaluga Region

There are no casualties, Governor Vladislav Shapsha said

West close to sending military to Ukraine, this would 'drag Europe to bottom' — Orban

"This military whirlpool can drag Europe to the bottom. Brussels is playing with fire and angering God," the Hungarian prime minister said

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

North Korea conducts new anti-aircraft missile test — KCNA

A power test of a super-large warhead designed for "Hwasal-1 Ra-3" strategic cruise missile was held as well

Global economy’s condition improving — Russian Deputy PM

The process is largely driven by increasing contribution of developing countries, Alexey Overchuk said

Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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Russian defense chief checks implementation of orders to develop drones

All the presented drones and payload were created from domestic composite materials and elements

Kremlin declines to comment on alleged assassination attempt on Zelensky in Poland

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NATO discussing transfer of ‘deep precision strike capabilities’ to Ukraine — Stoltenberg

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Russian military closely monitors all Ukrainian 'novelties' — Kremlin on UAVs

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