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Poroshenko’s campaign headquarters says he is set to win runoff

According to the latest data, Vladimir Zelensky is extending his lead over other candidates, winning 30.23% of the vote. Poroshenko comes second with 16.61%

Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko EPA-EFE/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko

© EPA-EFE/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

KIEV, April 1. /TASS/. The campaign headquarters of incumbent Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko has called on all candidates to be calm when hearing the news about his victory in the runoff election.

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"We call on all candidates to be calm when hearing the news about Pyotr Poroshenko’s victory," a spokesman for the campaign headquarters Maxim Savrasov said. "We are urging the candidates from democratic forces, who have not reached the run-off, to support democratic and pro-European candidates."

After the ballot stations were closed, Poroshenko said on Monday he would start struggling for victory in the runoff and called on patriotic candidates "on the pro-Ukrainian platform" to come together. Poroshenko also urged young Ukrainians, who mostly favored the frontrunner in the race, showman and head of the Servant of the People political party Vladimir Zelensky, to support the incumbent president.

Ukraine’s Central Election Commission has counted 53.25% of ballots. According to the latest data, Zelensky is extending his lead over other candidates, winning 30.23% of the vote. Poroshenko comes second with 16.61%, followed by the leader the Batkivshchyna party, Yulia Tymoshenko, with 13.08%.

The ballot stations closed at 8 p.m. on Sunday. The runoff election is scheduled for April 21.

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

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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

Unemployment rate in Russia remains less than 3% — Putin

The unemployment rate went down in regions and settlements where it was historically high, the head of state stressed

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Potential nuclear facilities in Poland to be military target for Russia — senior diplomat

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Russia says its battlegroup West seized better positions

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Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

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US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

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Russia appreciates Bolivia’s push to defend sovereignty, Lavrov says

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Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

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Right to secession from USSR was ‘time bomb’ under its statehood — Putin

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Russian diplomat accuses US of coordinating Ukraine’s terrorist attacks

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West again tried to obstruct international security meeting in Russia — security official

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Top Chinese diplomat calls for creating conditions for talks on Ukraine

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US military advisers, if sent to Ukraine, won’t come close to frontlines — Pentagon

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Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

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NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

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Polish leader cautions NATO allies against provoking Russia

Andrzej Duda slammed the reported instances of Russian missiles entering Poland's airspace as "a Russian provocation"

Negative trends still on rise in US-China relations — top Chinese diplomat

The United States should not cross the red lines with regard to China’s sovereignty and security, Wang Yi added

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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

Houthis say they attacked MSC Darwin vessel in Gulf of Aden

The Houthis also confirmed that the movement will "continue its military operations, impeding the navigation of Israeli vessels in the Red Sea, the Arab Sea and the Indian Ocean"

Ukraine could send special forces to capture Zaporozhye NPP — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, the Ukrainian troops are holding drills to cross the Dnieper from the right bank to the left bank and capture a large industrial site

Electricity supplies to China cannot yet be restored to previous levels — Energy Ministry

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West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

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According to the French leader, when building relations with Russia, Europe needs to rely upon its own strong security system

Promotion of Russian brands gives good return — Putin

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Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun noted that he wanted to discuss "the most fundamental issues" with his Russian counterpart, given the constraints of time and place

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Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

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Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

Crocus City Hall attack funded using cryptocurrency, Russian finance watchdog says

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

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Positive trends in Russian economy become stronger — Putin

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Russian court arrests in absentia four foreign agents charged with terrorism

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Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

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Venezuelan foreign ministry, Russian embassy hold joint conference in Caracas

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European Parliament urges EU states to regard Russian presidential vote as illegitimate

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Tensions "have reached a peak where the slightest imbalance can lead either to a serious, high-profile and large-scale provocation or a conflict," Pavel Muraveiko stressed

FSB nabs Neo-Nazi group members in Volgograd Region plotting high-profile terror act

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Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

Russia has "very constructive and friendly relations" with Turkey, Dmitry Peskov stressed

Better situation for peace in Ukraine, threats to Belarus: new statements by Lukashenko

The head of state accused Washington of preparing a "Belarusian liberation army" and reiterated Minsk's readiness to "defend its country"

SCO should unite against foreign attempts to trigger revolutions — Shoigu

"The main emphasis should be placed on the development of military contacts between the SCO and the CSTO,"the Russian defense minister said

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

According to the article, the United States "is putting the finishing touches" on one of its largest Ukraine military aid packages to date, which may be announced on Friday

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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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-Europe relations require fresh approach — Kremlin

Russia and Europe are geographically close anyway, Dmitry Peskov noted

Pelosi's remarks about US protesters undemocratic, Russian diplomat says

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US first caused, now purposefully drags out Ukraine conflict — Shoigu

The Russian top defense official added that in order to achieve its goals, Washington is exerting unprecedented pressure, including on its partners

Press review: US tries to strong-arm China and Zelensky's bid to bring men home

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Kiev troops may strike targets in Crimea with ATACMS missiles — newspaper

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