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Coronavirus pandemic

Germany to use Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine if it gets approval in EU - minister

Peter Altmaier stated that "it's a medical issue, not a political one"

BERLIN, February 7. /TASS/. Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine use is possible in Germany if the European Medicines Agency makes a decision on approving it in the EU, German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier stated on Sunday in an interview with the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

"If the Russian vaccine is effective and it is allowed by the EMA, it definitely can be used in Germany. It's a medical issue, not a political one," Altmaier said.

Furthermore, he stressed that the situation around Alexey Navalny "has nothing to do with the Sputnik V vaccine".

Earlier, a number of German politicians, including Bavaria’s Prime Minister Marcus Soder called for carrying out the reliability test of the Russian and Chinese vaccines as soon as possible and, if necessary, to start using them.

On August 11, 2020, Russia was the first in the world to register a coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. Sputnik V is a vector vaccine based on human adenovirus. The vaccine is registered in more than 20 countries.

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France wraps up training of new Ukrainian brigade — minister

The brigade is equipped with French weapons

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Daniil Medvedev loses chances of reaching semifinals at ATP Tour Finals

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Trump’s return to power unlikely to change US approach to Ukraine crisis — Lavrov

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Trump nominates his lawyers to key Justice Department jobs

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Russian forces liberate Voznesenka community in Donbass region over past day

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Colombia would like to join BRICS — foreign minister

The top Colombian diplomat went on to say that his country has been following the BRICS expansion and activities carefully

Court sentences ‘Russian Volunteer Corps’ members to life in prison in absentia

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Finnish government requests EU sanctions exemption for Russian owners of sports arena

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Russia to ensure parity in response to US missile defense system in Poland — Kremlin

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Crimean amateur astronomer discovers new comet in solar system

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Russian troops storm into Kupyansk outskirts in Kharkov Region — military expert

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US oil reserves rise by 2.1 mln barrels over week — Department of Energy

The US Department of Energy said the current level of reserves was 4% below the five-year average for this time of year

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Ukrainian army's actions in Russia cause 60 bln Rubles in damage — Investigative Committee

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Russian troops secure ground near Novodarovka, Rovnopol in Zaporozhye Region — official

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At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

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Russian air defenses down multiple aerial targets over Belgorod, with one injury reported

Vyacheslav Gladkov noted that the windows of 11 apartments in six apartment buildings were damaged in Belgorod

Trump picks ex-congressman Collins for veterans’ affairs secretary

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US missile defense site to defend Poland from Russia too — Polish minister

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Press review: US to maintain aid to Israel while Kiev regime faces challenge to retain it

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Grossi oversteps authority by talking about freeze of Ukraine conflict — Russian MFA

The Russian diplomats also said that IAEA experts will stay at the ZNPP as long as Russia deems their presence there necessary

Pilot lauds thrust, aerodynamics of smooth-flying Su-57 fighter jet

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Erdogan praises Russia, China for backing arms embargo on Israel

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US denies possession of extraterrestrial technologies

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Ukrainian forces shell Energodar in Zaporozhye Region, five hits registered — official

Vladimir Rogov noted that data about injuries is currently being updated, and called on residents to seek shelter

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Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 450 troops, two tanks, three IFVs, two M113 armored personnel carriers, 33 armored combat vehicles, five artillery pieces, including a Krab self-propelled howitzer, a Crotale multiple rocket launcher, and 49 motor vehicles

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Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Lavrov arrives in UAE to take part in Sir Bani Yas Forum

The forum kicks off on November 15

54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

116 countries, including Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Serbia, and Syria, supported the document

Russia's newest Su-57 fighter jet superior to China's new J-35 — test pilot

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Hezbollah reports attack on Israeli military intelligence base near Tel Aviv

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Security Service of Ukraine operated ‘concentration camp’ in Kiev in 2022, lawmaker says

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Scholz promises to transfer sixth IRIS-T system to Kiev by yearend

Ukraine and Germany also discussed further defense cooperation

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Over the day, the enemy lost more than 430 troops, ten tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, 19 armored combat vehicles, 33 motor vehicles, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station

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Attempts being made to drag Syria into armed confrontation in Middle East — diplomat

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Talks out of question: situation in Kursk Region

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Trump to end NATO’s obsession to get on Russian territory — White House ex-strategist

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Iran will never try to build nuclear weapons, president tells IAEA chief

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Israeli strike on southern Lebanese village leaves at least six dead

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India increases imports of goods from Russia by 8.8% in April — October

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Authorities of southeastern Ukrainian region report ‘infrastructure damage’

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Western efforts to vilify Russia climax, Moscow fights back — MFA

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Gazprom says EU artificially destroys gas demand to the detriment of its own economy

As for global gas demand, gas consumption in January-October increased by 80 bln cubic meters year-on-year, the company noted

Israeli practices ‘consistent with characteristics of genocide’ — UN committee

The document points out that 'civilians have been indiscriminately and disproportionally killed en masse in Gaza'

Ukrainian intel officers in Syria to be eliminated as terrorists’ accomplices — diplomat

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No plans for major government reshuffle after parliamentary election — Georgian PM

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Kremlin comments on possible return of Japanese, European cars to Russia

No official statements have been received so far from European automakers regarding the return to the Russian market, Dmitry Peskov noted

Trump plans to appoint special envoy on Ukraine to hold peace talks with Russia — TV

According to the source, the job is not expected to be a salaried role

Demographic crisis threatens Ukraine’s viability as state — think tank

Ukraine’s "overall population had declined to 29 million people in 2023 - compared to 48.5 million in 2001," Responsible Statecraft writes

Russia to collaborate with Arab nations for Middle East de-escalation — diplomat

"A call was made to the international community to contribute to the achievement of this goal," Maria Zakharova added

Trump to zero in on fragmenting BRICS, Ukraine to take back seat — expert

According to the political scientist Boris Mezhuyev, in all likelihood attempts to replace the presidents of Brazil and Venezuela, and pit India, Russia and China against each other are coming

Top diplomats from UK, France, Germany to discuss Ukraine’s future

Reuters wrote with reference to anonymous sources that the sides would also discuss what Trump’s return to the Oval Office could mean for the world

Clear Zelensky won't be the one to decide about talks with Russia, says Lavrov

"Russian President Putin has repeatedly said that we have never refused to negotiate," the Russian foreign minister reiterated

Hamas ready for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, official says

According to Basem Naim, the last "well-defined, brokered deal was the deal of July 2"

Israeli military vows to keep Syrian-made weapons out of Hezbollah’s hands by any means

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said that Israeli troops have detected the movement's use of Syrian-produced weapons in its attacks on Israel

Explosion heard in Damascus suburb

The circumstances of the incident are being established at the moment

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

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Russia’s Vityaz, Viking air defense systems attract major attention at Airshow China

Russian surface-to-air missile systems have demonstrated their value in the special military operation in Ukraine, Vyacheslav Dzirkaln noted

Israeli anthem booed before start of football match in Paris

Prior to the event, leftist politicians and activists staged a protest at a square in Paris’ northern suburb of Saint-Denis

Most Ukrainian soldiers drafted against their will, from rural areas

According to Miroslav Borisenko, there are "almost no" residents of major cities among the forcibly mobilized, although in 2022 the "social composition was entirely different" in the Ukrainian armed forces

Israel achieves its goals in conflict with Hamas, time to 'end the war' — Blinken

"Israel, by the standards it set itself, has accomplished the goals that it set for itself," the US Secretary of State noted

Russia could return to international competition once new IOC chief elected — Tarpishchev

Seven candidates will vie for the IOC presidency at the organization’s 144th session in Greece between March 18 and 21

Biden to discuss support to Kiev with EU colleagues before Trump’s inauguration

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that European support to Ukraine should continue and that should intensify

US does not fulfill LNG contracts for Europe worth tens of billions of dollars — Gazprom

In addition, the United States is influencing the global gas market with its verbal interventions regarding the possible withholding of LNG supplies to China, as well as a temporary suspension of the issuance of export licenses, Deputy Head of the Department - Head of the Directorate at Gazprom Kirill Polous said

Press review: Trump forms foreign policy team and Europe sets course for militarization

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 13th

Swedish minister in charge of gender equality suffers from bananaphobia

The phobia is so strong that special precautions need to be taken before her meetings

US views Russia as present-day threat, Trump may prioritize containing China — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that reputation matters the most to the United States which does not care about the real fates of peoples, in particular the Ukrainian one

Football fans clash during France vs Israel football match in Paris

The match is taking place a week after a Europa League match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv football club wreaked havoc in Amsterdam

Russian Marines destroy Challenger 2 tank with FPV drone in Kursk Region

Previously, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the enemy lost 10 tanks in the Kursk region in the past 24 hours

Trump suggests Kennedy Jr. as US secretary of health and human services

He assured that Kennedy Jr. will "end the Chronic Disease epidemic"

Baltic Sea will never turn into 'NATO lake' — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the Baltic Sea "will always be a common space for all of the region’s countries without exception"

People evacuated from Brazil’s Supreme Court after blast nearby — agency

According to Reuters, Brasilia’s military police confirmed that a body was found near the court building

Ukraine aims to call up 1 mln people in eastern areas by end of 2024 — official

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Israel shells area near Syrian town of al-Qusayr close to Lebanese border — report

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South Korea to support Ukraine in response to Russia-North Korea alliance — president

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Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Su-57 fighter jet shows exceptional performance in Russia’s special op, senior official

A Su-57 multirole fifth-generation fighter jet (NATO codename Felon) was designed to eliminate all air, ground, and water surface targets