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Putin says it was very useful to hear opinion of Elders group on key policy issues

The meeting was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

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Putin’s meeting with The Elders scheduled for April 29 — FM

NOVO-OGARYOVO, April 29. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was very nice and useful to hear the opinions of the representatives of the Elders group on the key issues of global politics.

"Your active involvement in international affairs is highly sought after, especially today, considering the complex situation that we are witnessing," Putin said at the meeting with representatives of the group in Novo-Ogaryovo.

"Anyway, for me it was very nice and useful to hear your views on a number of key issues," the Russian president said.

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Vladimir Putin: We are strong because we are right

Taking part in the meeting were Chairman of the Elders group, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and five political figures: 39th President of the United States Jimmy Carter, former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo, former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland and former UN special envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi.

Opening the meeting with the Elders, the Russian president noted that "the world hadn’t become simpler" following their retirement from mainstream politics. "I don’t want to say that it’s your legacy," the Russian leader said ironically making his interlocutors smile. "But the world is indeed complex, diverse, there are so many conflict situations," Putin added.

The meeting was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov.

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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

US war veteran says he would like go to Victory Day parade in Moscow

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US seeking to throw Balts, Poles, Germans, French ‘into fire of war’ — Medvedchuk

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Putin invites Guinea-Bissau president to come again to Russia on state visit

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Russia didn’t invite officials from unfriendly countries to victory parade, diplomat says

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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"

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

Opponents’ escalation policy forces Russia to enhance nuclear deterrence, says diplomat

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

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Parades, concerts across Russia to mark Victory Day on May 9

In Moscow, the celebration will open with a ceremonial parade on Red Square at 10 a.m.

Ukrainian nationalists financed by US, Britain after WWII — declassified archives

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Efforts to distort World War II events grow over the world — ambassador

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Combat aircraft fly over Moscow’s Red Square in Victory Day parade

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Russia maintains its nuclear weapons policy, but situation is changing — diplomat

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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

Belarus, Russia conduct tactical nuke drills amid current situation — Lukashenko

"An escalation is ongoing," the president said