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Moldovan president thanks Putin for support in obtaining EAEU observer status

Dodon also told Putin he would take part in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum

SOCHI, May 15. /TASS/. Moldovan President Igor Dodon thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for support in granting Chisinau observer status in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

"Upon the conclusion of the EAEU Supreme Economic Council’s session, I held a bilateral meeting with Vladimir Putin where I thanked him for support in granting Moldova EAEU observer status," he commented on Facebook.

During the course of the meeting, both leaders discussed a broad spectrum of issues pertaining to bilateral relations, Dodon wrote. He went into detail on Russian-Moldovan high-level ties, noting that unlike the ‘empty’ relations between both countries’ cabinet of ministers, bilateral dialogue on the presidential level was quite meaningful.

Dodon further pointed out Moldovan-Russian bilateral trade shrank nearly threefold during the period of 2013 through 2018. "However, in 2017 some growth was registered and it testifies to a further intensification of relations, helpful in terms of maintaining a positive momentum," he also noted.

Dodon also told Putin he would take part in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, scheduled for May 24-26.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Senior Russian diplomat, Chinese special envoy discuss Israeli-Palestinian conflict — MFA

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the BRICS deputy foreign ministers and special envoys for the Middle East and North Africa consultations

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Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

Minister Sergey Shoigu was also informed beforehand, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

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Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

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Russian deputy defense minister detained on suspicion of bribe-taking

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Drone crashes in industrial zone in Russian city of Lipetsk

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Hamas threatens that hostages remaining in Gaza may go missing

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

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Ukrainian army loses 444,000 troops during military operation — Shoigu

According to the Russian defense minister, the liberation of several residential settlements in Donbass, disclosed Kiev attempts to prevent the collapse of the front

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AmurExpo is the off-site venue of the Eastern Economic Forum

EU may sanction 10 firms for allegedly shipping weapons tech to Russia — Bloomberg

According to the agency, the companies being assessed for potential sanctions are based outside Russia but have links to Russian and Belarussian individuals and firms

Republika Srpska president praises Moscow-Banja Luka relations, favors strengthening them

Milorad Dodik also touched upon the topic of sanctions mentioned by Patrushev earlier

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

Weapons for new US package for Kiev yet to be found — Ukrainian ambassador

Oksana Markarova explained that $4 billion worth of weapons that was to be provided under the previous decisions still remained undersupplied

Moscow slams NATO drills near Russian borders as inflammatory

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NATO has no plans to deploy nuclear forces in Poland — Stoltenberg

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Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

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Ukraine lost best fighters near Artyomovsk, retired general says

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Biden administration raking it in from Ukrainian conflict — North Korean diplomat

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Azerbaijanian leader says reaching peace with Armenia by November 'quite realistic'

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Top Russian security official praises Republika Srpska’s principled position on Ukraine

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West battlegroup destroys two Ukrainian drones, hit over 170 Ukrainian army’s facilities

The battlegroup’s spokesman Ivan Bigma said that a Gvozdika self-propelled system, nine mortar squads, two Furiya fixed-wing type unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed

US Senate approves aid bills for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

As many as 79 senators backed the initiative and 18 voted against

NATO makes Russia its neighbor by expanding eastward, Russian envoy says

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg claimed that increased payments to the bloc’s budget were the cost of having Russia as a neighbor

Conflict in Ukraine can be over by end of 2025, Hungary’s Orban believes

Prime Minister said that it is possible if proponents of peace, not war, win the June elections to the European Parliament and the US Presidential elections in November

Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

One more Ukrainian drone shot down over Belgorod Region — defense ministry

The Kiev regime’s attempted terrorist attack on facilities in Russia’s territory with the use of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle was thwarted

UN chief describes current state of climate as ‘preview of disaster’

Antonio Guterres stressed that the world community must reduce global greenhouse emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to 2019

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

The total amount of blocked assets of the Russian Federation decreased by 150 million Swiss francs (about $165 million) due to the fact that a number of individuals "were removed from the EU sanctions lists"

Detained deputy defense minister suspected of taking grand bribe of over $10,000

This charges carries a punishment of up to 15 years behind bars

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

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

US authorities prepare military aid for Ukraine worth $1 bln — Reuters

The aid package includes vehicles, Stinger man-portable air defense system munitions, HIMARS rockets, 155-mm artillery shells, TOW and Javelin anti-tank missiles and other weapons that could be "used at the battlefield immediately"

Russia’s UN envoy, Serbian leader discuss coordination on Kosovo at UN

They "exchanged opinions on a wide range of pressing bilateral and international issues while focusing on the situation in the Balkans," the Russian diplomatic mission to the UN said

Russia tasked with 'building new world' — Putin

Speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, the Russian leader also highlighted "the role and responsibility" of its members

Continued threats to Pyongyang to put US, allies in danger, Kim Jong Un’s sister warns

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Ukrainian presidential office confirms London’s agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador

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Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

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37 Russian, Ukrainian children receive treatment in Qatar — diplomat

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Ukrainian connection to Crocus terrorist attack undeniable — ex-SBU officer

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Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

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Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

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Mobilization law condition for new supplies of arms to Kiev by NATO — source

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Roman Starovoit thanked air defense troops and the regional crisis center and cautioned residents against approaching the drone wreckage if found

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Israel retaliates missile launches from Gaza Strip — IDF

A warning had been issued before the attack calling on people to temporarily evacuate from the area

Armenia’s decision on CSTO membership its sovereign choice — secretary general

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Beijing condemns US hypocrisy around Ukraine conflict

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Russian-Kazakh commission discusses border demarcation issues

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Russian troops destroy four boats with Ukrainian assault force on Dnieper River

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US using human rights topics to shake political situation in Russia — embassy

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Putin’s inauguration to take place on May 7, senator says

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Top Russian security official pledges continued push toward global justice

Nikolay Patrushev added that Moscow is happy that its position is received well by most countries, whose delegates are attending a meeting in St. Petersburg

Calls for joint use of nuclear weapons with US dangerous — ICAN

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Russian envoy, authorities of Afghanistan call for unfreezing of Afghan assets

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Ukrainian military’s shelling leaves two civilians wounded in DPR in past day

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Russia and friendly countries produce almost 90% of components for Aurus cars — NAMI

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Biden to sign Ukraine aid bill on April 24

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Russia seeks to break down barriers for its food exports — MFA

Sergey Vershinin recalled that Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea initiative for the export of grain and food due to the fact that it could not be implemented in the original volume

Press review: GOP tussles over Ukraine bill and Putin, Aliyev talk partnership

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, April 23rd

Top Swiss diplomat reiterates need for Russia’s involvement in resolving Ukraine issue

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US can ship weapons to Ukraine within few days if funding approved — Pentagon

All those linked to Crocus terrorist attack must be punished — Putin

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Russia scraps plans to hold Immortal Regiment march in 2024 amid security threats

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

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Canada allows Airbus to use Russian titanium despite sanctions — Reuters

"Airbus is aware of the Canadian government imposing sanctions on VSMPO and has obtained the necessary authorization to secure Airbus operations in compliance with the applicable sanctions," the company said

Over 14,700 residential houses remain flooded in Russia

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France preparing contingent of 2,000 troops to be sent to Ukraine — intelligence chief

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Russian presidential envoy visits Afghanistan to discuss political cooperation

Russian presidential envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov met with Deputy Prime Minister for political issues Abdul Kabir, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani

US military aid for Kiev cannot stop Russian army’s advance — North Korean diplomat

The US Congress House of Representatives earlier passed bills on military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

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Major exercise involving over 3,000 German troops kicks off in Lithuania

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Chinese car plant to start production at former Mercedes site in Moscow region in May

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Russia invites all countries to develop North - South transport corridor — Putin

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North Korea’s economic delegation leaves for Iran — agency

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Moscow court arrests Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov over bribery case

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Azerbaijani president accuses West of seeking to draw vision lines in South Caucasus

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Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

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Baku cannot turn blind eye to France, India, Greece arming Armenia — President Aliyev

"If we see a serious threat to us, we will have to take serious measures," the Azerbaijani President warned

Four women killed in Zaporozhye Region in Ukrainian drone attack

The local emergencies services stressed that the car was targeted deliberately

Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

According to the law enforcement, the search for the fourth crew member is ongoing

Gagauzian leader on unity of Moldova’s opposition, ability to watch Russian TV channels

Yevgenia Gutsul underlined that Gagauzia plans to start exporting products to Russia in the near future

Destroyed TV tower in Kharkov carried Ukrainian air defense coordination device — official

Digital TV signal interruptions are now observed in the city