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Snowden and NSA leaks

President Obama cancels visit to Moscow

National Security Council is set to issue an official statement on the matter later on Wednesday

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, August 7. /ITAR-TASS/. U.S. President Barak Obama refused to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin next month, according to AP news agency reports. The White House will soon release an official statement concerning Obama's visit to Moscow, as the press service of the National Security Council told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

The press service said that currently they have no information, still promised to issue a statement later today. However, the spokesperson didn't comment whether the visit cancellation was somehow connected with the situation around ex-CIA employee Edward Snowden.

U.S. Deputy National Security Affairs Ben Rhodes said the decision to give temporary asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden had further complicated the already complex relations between the two countries.

At the same time, he noted that the United States continued to work with Russia on issues on which the two countries have common views. However Obama and his team think that the summit is not possible in this situation.

The United States is "extremely disappointed" in Russia's decision to grant temporary asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden, the White House said on August 1.

“We are extremely disappointed that the Russian government would take this step despite our very clear and lawful requests in public and private that Mr. Snowden be expelled and returned to the United States," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

Later, on August 6, Barack Obama said in an interview with NBC that he was disappointed with Russia’s granting temporary asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden.

However, Obama has confirmed his participation in the Group of Twenty summit in Russia’s St. Petersburg during the interview with NBC.

Currently, no further comments are available on the matter.

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Labor productivity requires a significant increase in all sectors of the economy, the President stressed

Russia needs to boost production of goods based on domestic technologies — Putin

The President undescored that Russia did not plan to produce absolutely everything domestically

US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

"The impression is that Warsaw is maniacally seeking to attract even more attention from military planners in the Russian General Staff," Maria Zakharova added

Russian Embassy to Austria denied participation in ceremony at Nazi concentration camp

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The head of state stressed that companies implementing projects can already use special support measures, and the state will expand these business opportunities

Serial production of missiles for S-500 air defense systems begins in Russia — source

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"Neither these missiles nor other weapons can help defeat the Russian Federation," Anatoly Antonov said

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The Russian forces also foiled a counterattack of an assault group of the Ukrainian 80th mechanized brigade in the vicinity of the Krasnoye settlement in the Donetsk People’s Republic

Global community condemns use of terrorists in geopolitical struggle — Russian official

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Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 25th

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Cosmonauts complete spacewalk two hours ahead of schedule

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The President and business representatives are satisfied with outcomes of the meeting, Dmitry Peskov noted

Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

White House alleges that Russia working on satellite carrying nuclear device

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Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

Iran calls on BRICS states to facilitate ceasefire in Gaza Strip

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani called for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza

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Kremlin announces creation of blockchain-based payment system in BRICS

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West views Europe as potential theater of military operations — Lukashenko

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Foreign delegations show great interest in Russian defense products — security official

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Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

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According to preliminary information, the average altitude of the orbital outpost was increased to 414.8 km above the Earth’s surface

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US government prepares to sign $6-bln contract for arms deliveries to Ukraine — Politico

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