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Moscow blasts ‘heavy-handed’ Western meddling to drag Macedonia into NATO, EU

In late September, Macedonia's name change referendum was declared void

© Alexander Shcherbak/TASS

MOSCOW, October 4. /TASS/. Western countries are aiming to drag Macedonia into NATO even after a referendum on changing the country’s name was held there, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday.

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Macedonia’s name change referendum declared void

The diplomat recalled that on September 30, Macedonia held a referendum on changing its name, which has been declared invalid. "Despite the fact that leading politicians in the EU and NATO member-states openly urged Macedonian citizens to vote in favor [of changing its name], which, we believe is a totally unacceptable practice, all this ended in failure," Zakharova pointed out. "However, they welcomed its results without batting an eyelid. In particular, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg promised to grant Skopje membership in the alliance as early as the beginning of 2019, leaving no doubt that the parliaments of Macedonia and Greece would pass the required decisions.”

"The continuation of heavy-handed outside interference in Macedonia’s internal affairs is evident," the diplomat stressed. "The goal is obvious - to drag Skopje into the alliance at any cost."

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Freshly mobilized Ukrainian soldiers holding first-line defense in Chasov Yar, says DPR

Igor Kimakovsky said that the Ukrainian combat group in Chasov Yar is suffering heavy casualties

Israeli strikes on Iran to do disservice to US ahead of election — former Russian diplomat

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Russian forces pummel Ukrainian army, equipment in 133 areas over past day

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Over 80 Ukrainian drones suppressed, downed in Kherson Region over day

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Israel considering retaliatory steps following Iranian attack — top brass

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Israel may strike Iranian territory to demonstrate its capabilities — TV

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Rafael Grossi calls for attacks on ZNPP to stop as they raise safety risks

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Russia supports priorities of Kazakhstan's chairmanship in SCO — Foreign Ministry

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Israel postpones Rafah operation after Iranian attack — CNN

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Saudi Arabia, UAE did not open airspace to Israel, US to repel Iranian attack — newspaper

According to the report, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi tried to remain neutral in the escalating conflict in the Middle East

Turkish-mediated Black Sea security pact crumbles as Ukraine backs out — Reuters

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Iran says it won’t prevent return of Russian sailor from seized ship — MFA

The Russian Embassy in Tehran keeps the issue under special control, Maria Zakharova said

Moscow follows meeting between Scholz, Xi — senior Russian diplomat

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Kremlin mum on reports about discussions of Black Sea maritime security pact

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Olympic flame lit in Ancient Olympia, kicking off 2024 Paris Summer Games journey

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Yerevan has no territorial claims to Baku — Armenian representative to UN court

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Deflecting Iran attack cost billions, Israel, US can't repeat it — former UN inspector

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Putin expresses hope for restraint in Middle East in conversation with Raisi

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Iran ready for defensive measures if Israel continues escalation — embassy in Russia

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France to invite Russia to events marking 80th anniversary of Normandy invasion

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in turn, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet received an official invitation

FSB prevents terror attack on Trans-Siberian Railway

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Georgian protesters end rally in Tbilisi over foreign agents bill

Rustaveli Avenue has been opened for traffic

Ukrainian Baba Yaga drone found in Moscow office

According to the source, the owner of the drone is being questioned by law enforcement

Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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China's approach to Ukraine balanced, constructive, Russia welcomes it — Kremlin

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Russian Su-34 jets destroy Ukrainian command post with high-explosive aerial bombs

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Israeli defense minister holds meeting on preparations for operation in Rafah

Yoav Gallant held discussed with the participants in the meeting a number of measures that need to be taken as part of the preparations for the operation in Rafah with a focus on the evacuation of civilians and expanding activities linked with the delivery of food and medical equipment to the Gaza Strip

Press review: Iran fires back at Israel and Russia, West spar over AI rulebook

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Russian paratroopers seize Ukrainian stronghold on tanks, combat vehicles

Russian troops suffered no casualties, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Ukrainian troops hunker down in abandoned apartments in Kherson — governor

Vladimir Saldo added that troops use at their discretion the possessions of the people who used to live in these apartments

Russian, Israeli security chiefs discuss current escalation in Middle East

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel

Japan concerned over Russia-China military cooperation — Foreign Ministry

The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly emphasized previously that similar drills and patrols are held in strict compliance with international law

Israel plans to send 'painful message' to Iran in response to attack — newspaper

According to the report, Israel’s war cabinet will meet on April 16 for a third straight day

Official labels Ukrainian claims about Russia hitting nuclear facility 'total lie'

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Iranian military’s strike on Israel 'terminates taboo' — army chief

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Ukraine suffered substantial power generation losses over recent weeks — minister

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