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Crisis in Belarus

EU Council President talks to Putin after EU summit on Belarus

The summit didn’t "recognize the results" of the presidential election in Belarus, demanded to end the police brutality, urged for a transparent investigation into police abuse, release of all detainees, supported the citizens’ desire "to determine their future" and promised to "impose sanctions against a substantial number of individuals responsible for violence"

European Council head Charles Michel Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP

European Council head Charles Michel

© Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP

BRUSSELS, August 20. /TASS/. European Council head Charles Michel in a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the EU emergency summit on Belarus, he posted on Twitter.

"Yesterday EU expressed solidarity with the people of Belarus in their desire to determine their own future. Today I reiterated this to President Putin. There is only one way forward: through political inclusive dialogue & a peaceful and democratic process," his statement said.

Read also

EU does not recognize results of Belarusian election, European Council president says

On Wednesday, the EU emergency summit on Belarus was held in a videoconference format. Leaders of 27 EU countries as well as chairpersons of the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Council during the videoconference that lasted for about three hours approved a final statement that reiterates the basic points voiced earlier by the European institutions: the summit didn’t "recognize the results" of the presidential election in Belarus, demanded to end the police brutality, urged for a transparent investigation into police abuse, release of all detainees, supported the citizens’ desire "to determine their future" and promised to "impose sanctions against a substantial number of individuals responsible for violence, repression and the falsification of election results.".

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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

Russian court arrests in absentia four foreign agents charged with terrorism

"The court has selected a measure of restraint for Garry Kasparov, Gennady Gudkov, Yevgenia Chirikova and Ivan Tyutrin, charged with establishing and heading a terrorist society, funding terrorist activity and justifying it publicly," the court said

Belarusian KGB reports thwarting attempted drone strikes on Minsk from Lithuania

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Radicals, intel services behind terror attacks in various countries, says Putin

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Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

Reinforced Ukrainian battlegroup fails to break through Russian defenses in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko added that the Ukrainians have also intensified artillery and drone attacks at Russian positions

US arms supplies unable to change situation in Kiev's favor — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that a year ago the opponents "were telling everyone that they were waiting for the moment Russia would be defeated on the battlefield"

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

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

According to the journalist, the decision to conduct the operation was made by US President Joe Biden personally, following nine months of discussions with White House national security advisers

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According to Major General Yury Popov, nine violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019

Release of new tranche for war to Ukraine by US escalation factor — Lukashenko

"The fact that ATACMS long-range missiles were financed is very dangerous," the Belarusian president noted

Putin stays in daily contact with Sergey Shoigu, Kremlin spokesman says

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

China vows decisive response to US move to deploy intermediate missiles in Asia-Pacific

The Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson stressed that "US steps are posing a major threat to security and stability of regional players"

Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

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

Radioactive cloud from Ukraine’s eliminated munitions drifts to Europe — Security Council

"An increase in radiation levels has already been registered in Poland," Nikolay Patrushev warned

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

Russian Foreign Ministry denies report of consular services ban abroad

"The ministry's detailed commentary on this outright piece of disinformation will follow in a short while," the Consular Department said

Proper humanitarian assistance to Gaza impossible amid hostilities — Russian diplomat

"We are tired to repeat over and over again - amid the US-backed Israeli military operation, which has been going on for more than six months already, adequate assistance to the enclave’s population is simply impossible," Vasily Nebenzya said

Russia discourages use of UN sanctions for interference in African affairs — envoy

Vasily Nebenzya underscored that Russia continues to "make an important contribution to strengthening of African countries’ potential, including UN Security Council and General Assembly"

Transfer of US ATACMS missiles to Ukraine cannot be justified — Russian ambassador

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

Israel destroys no more than 20% of Hamas's fighting capacity — top political official

Khalil al-Hayya said that Hamas would like to see "a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with the international resolutions"

Belarus responds to threats with preventive deterrence measures — defense minister

Viktor Khrenin emphasized that provocations by Western countries could become a catalyst for unleashing a military conflict

UNSC rejects amendment by Russia, China to resolution on nuclear weapons in outer space

The amendment gained seven votes from countries including Russia and China

All-Belarusian People's Assembly adopts new military doctrine, security concept

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Russian tourists flock to North Korea — embassy

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

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Modern weapons make up 82% in Russian air defense troops — Shoigu

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Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

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Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

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No response from West to killing of Izvestia war reporter Eremin — diplomat

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Russians not let to Turkish Airlines flights to Mexico due to US pressure on it — diplomat

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Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

Ukraine "is carrying a heavy burden" for the benefit of the EU, and therefore EU member states must "provide Ukraine with means to defend themselves," European Commission president said

Bolivian leader decries fresh US military aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

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

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Senior Russian MP dubs pervasive gender reassignment in West 'human tragedy'

Vyacheslav Volodin pointed to a law recently passed by Sweden’s parliament enabling minors to transition without surgery that a national survey showed was disapproved by 59% of citizens

White House alleges that Russia working on satellite carrying nuclear device

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Iran denies reports it pulled some military advisers from Syria — Al Mayadeen

The source denied news media reports on the subject, which appeared earlier

Dust from Sahara turns rain in Ukraine yellow

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Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

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Russia, Africa united by common vision on global issues — senior diplomat

Mikhail Bogdanov noted that "the African continent is a dynamically developing part of the world with an enormous growth potential, attractive domestic market and expanding export prospects"

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

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Agreements on security with Iran, Myanmar, Ethiopia to come into force in 2024 — MFA

"A whole number of similar agreements with Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin American countries are being worked out," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin added

Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

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Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

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IN BRIEF: Russian deputy defense minister, entrepreneur arrested for taking bribes

According to the investigation, Timur Ivanov and Sergey Borodin "criminally conspired with third parties" in order to receive a bribe "as providing monetized services when conducting contracted and subcontracted work" for the Defense Ministry

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

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Bolivarian Alliance countries stand for multipolar world — Maduro

"ALBA can be among the founders of a new world, a new international multipolar order," the Venezuelan president stressed

US waging hybrid war against Serbs to snuff them out for good — Republika Srpska head

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Top brass posts video of Leopard tanks, Bradley combat vehicles seized by Russian troops

The video shows Russian troops examining the enemy tanks and infantry fighting vehicles seized in battles

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

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted casualties on personnel and equipment of two Ukrainian army brigades and improved its tactical position over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian court blocks JPMorgan’s funds in VTB lawsuit

The court also blocked any securities held by JPMorgan’s entities in Russia

AUKUS expansion to turn Asia-Pacific region into 'nuclear minefield' — news agency

According to the report, "the danger of Japan's participation in AUKUS is making the whole international community tense, not to mention the regional countries"