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Turkey turns CICA chairmanship over to China

The idea of founding CICA had been suggested in 1992 with a view to establishing an all-Asia dialogue forum to discuss key regional problems

SHANGHAI, May 21 /ITAR-TASS/. Turkey has officially turned over chairmanship at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) to China.

At Wednesday's sitting of the CICA Summit, Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced the transfer of CICA chairmanship to China and moved the the plate reading "Chairman" to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

CICA comprises 24 states. Another nine countries and four international organizations have observer status. The idea of founding CICA had been suggested in 1992 with a view to establishing an all-Asia dialogue forum to discuss key regional problems and matters concerning the development of cooperation among participating countries.

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Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

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Ukraine could send special forces to capture Zaporozhye NPP — politician

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

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

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North Korea’s economic delegation leaves for Iran — agency

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

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

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

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Western countries plant spy infrastructure in their embassies, says CSTO secretary general

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

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

"In any case, whatever the modality of providing this aid, de facto it is about provoking Ukraine into further hostilities down to the last Ukrainian, putting guarantted money in the pockets of the US," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia maintains position on 'buffer zone' in Ukraine to counter missile threats

Dmitry Peskov added that the issue of fighting against long-range weapons being supplied to Ukraine and potential strikes on the areas where they are concentrated "is rather under the purview of <…> the armed forces"

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

Throughput capacity of Baikal-Amur Mainline surging threefold in twelve years

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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

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French military "fears that such a large military unit cannot be transferred and stationed in Ukraine unnoticed"

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

"We developed this car in close cooperation with European, Korean and other foreign partners, but due to certain events we had to abandon this cooperation," Alexander Lebedev pointed out

Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

Dmitry Peskov noted that the trial will be "very complex," but will cause severe damage to US economic interests if the US authorities finally approve the bill regarding Russian assets

Drone crashes in industrial zone in Russian city of Lipetsk

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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"

Russia recovers black boxes from crashed Tu-22M3 bomber

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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

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

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

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

According to the law, the president-elect takes office for six years

Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

According to Yevgenia Gutsul, Gagauzia has never experienced such pressure from Chisinau

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

However, Ignazio Cassis declined to comment on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent statement that Switzerland had turned from a neutral country "into an openly hostile one"

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

The tactics employed by these criminals are becoming increasingly complex and barbaric, the Russian leader pointed out

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

Russia’s Dnepr Battlegroup inflicted casualties on the 141st, 65th and 128th brigades of Ukrainian armed formations, delivered strikes on temporary deployment sites, military hardware and artillery positions of the Ukrainian army on the right bank of the Dnieper River, Vladimir Saldo said

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

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

"The Kiev regime has failed to achieve the goals of its counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors," the defense minister said

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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"

Russian deputy defense minister detained on suspicion of bribe-taking

"Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Vladimirovich Ivanov was detained on suspicion of committing a crime under part 6, article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code," the Russian Investigative Committee said

No damage, casualties after drone attack over Russia’s Kursk Region

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

Speakers of EU parliaments back idea of creating rapid response forces

The speakers praised the EU initiative to have its own military capability to "defend the security of its people, their interests and democratic values"

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

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

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

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

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

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Verkhovna Rada legislator Alexey Goncharenko said on Monday that the UK had granted its agrement to the Ukrainian former Commander-in-Chief

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

According to Im Chon Il, Washington's goal is to use the Ukrainian conflict to serve the interests of the US military monopolies and at the same time to subjugate the "puppet regime" of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky

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

Ukraine lost best fighters near Artyomovsk, retired general says

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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

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

Energy facilities catch fire in Russia’s Smolensk Region following drone attacks

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

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Moscow court arrests Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov over bribery case

The court said that Timur Ivanov is accused of receiving a bribe as part of an organized group while performing contracted and subcontracted work for the Defense Ministry

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

Most agents at Security Service of Ukraine set on war with Russia — former officer

Vasily Prozorov said that "it is extremely difficult to count on any better judgement on their part"

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

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Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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

"Attacks against Russia mainly focused on challenging the legality of the special military operation in Ukraine", the Russian embassy said

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

MGIMO to host third international forum ‘Russia - Africa: What Next?’

The forum’s key topics for discussion include ways to combat fake news, the development of academic tourism, and government support for youth projects and businesses

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 22nd

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

Military expert Andrey Marochko speculated that the Ukrainian army had to resort to this tactic because the TV tower in Kharkov was damaged

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

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

Beijing condemns US hypocrisy around Ukraine conflict

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated that China "is not an instigator or a party to the Ukrainian crisis and has never fanned the flames of the conflict, not to mention, used the situation for its own purposes"

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

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

"Russia’s intelligence services and law enforcement agencies are investigating and scrutinizing every detail of this despicable act [the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack], identifying all parties involved, including instigators, sponsors, and orchestrators," the Russian president stressed

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

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

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

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"

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

Earlier it was reported that the German automobile concern Mercedes-Benz plans to sell its enterprise located in the Solnechnogorsk district of the Moscow region

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

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

World needs unified norms in cyberspace — Putin

The Russian president said that this subject was of importance for all nations, as it significantly contributes to ensuring national security, social stability, and economic development

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

Moscow slams NATO drills near Russian borders as inflammatory

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US Senate approves aid bills for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

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

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

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

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

Four women killed in Zaporozhye Region in Ukrainian drone attack

The local emergencies services stressed that the car was targeted deliberately

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

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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

Mexicans, Colombians recruited in US jails to be deployed in Ukraine — SVR

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service said that in case the inmates agree to this "mission," "they are promised full amnesty, reckoning they would never come back"

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Spokesman for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades Abu Ubaida emphasized that at the moment "the ball is in the court of Israel's allies," but "time and opportunities are limited"

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

The Foreign Ministry noted that the sides discussed "further development of the diverse bilateral cooperation in political and economic areas, and the establishment of the regional cooperation with Afghanistan within the Moscow format"