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Crimea and Sevastopol

EU to return to Crimea’s reunification with Russia after Ukrainian crisis is settled

The “annexation of Crimea” was one of the reasons for keeping up the EU’s anti-Russian sanctions, Italy’s Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said

BRUSSELS, November 17. /TASS/. Italy’s Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Monday that the issue of Crimea’s reunification with Russia would emerge on the table of negotiations after the current crisis in Ukraine is settled.

Crimea, donated as a “gift” to Ukraine by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in 1954, reunited with Russia in March 2014 after a referendum, which saw a landslide vote in favor reunification.

Gentiloni said the EU could not recognize the operation of Crimea’s reunion with the Russian Federation and the problem would be taken up at negotiations with Moscow after solution for settlement of the conflict in Ukraine was found.

He indicated that the “annexation of Crimea” was one of the reasons for keeping up the EU’s anti-Russian sanctions.

Gentiloni confirmed the EU had decided to refrain from imposing new sanctions in connection with Russia’s position on Ukraine, adding that the blacklisting of more people connected with “separatists” - the term the West applies to the leaders and fighters of self-defence forces in much-troubled war-torn eastern Ukraine - did not mean either a loosening or tightening of restrictions imposed on Russia.

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Crimea and Sevastopol

G7 foreign ministers set to call on all sides to exercise restraint in Middle East

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Shoigu visits presentation of over 30 promising weapons, including robotic vehicles

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Russia to scrap moratorium on intermediate missiles if US deploys them anywhere — MFA

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German Foreign Ministry confirms summoning of Russian ambassador

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Yerevan's refusal to delimit borders with Baku to escalate regional tensions — PM

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German prosecutors confirm they have two suspected Russian agents in custody

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Russian-Turkish monitoring center in Karabakh ceases to operate — Ankara official

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Protesters give Georgian government one hour to revoke foreign agents bill

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Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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Ukraine struggles to garner support for Swiss conference — Russian Foreign Ministry

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Kazem Jalali noted that Iran had demonstrated its ability to ensure security and nudge the region toward a de-escalation

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Russian MFA says Russia won’t invade Ukraine, blames US for ‘aggressive plans’

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Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

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Crimea, Donbass to forever remain within Russia, Slovak PM tells national parliament

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

Sistema Holding posts 15% increase in IFRS revenues over 9M 2023

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Canada to return repaired Nord Stream turbine to Germany

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

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UK sanctions against Fesco will not affect its operations — company

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Kremlin condemns 'illegal' seizure of villa from Russian businessman

Dmitry Peskov underscored that Moscow has already made its position clear on this matter

Russia expects Armenia to clarify 'military, political accords' with US, EU — diplomat

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Russian diplomat challenges France to stop arming Kiev amid Olympic truce talk

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Maria Zakharova also pointed to the fact that Ukraine's special services do not give up attempts to "massacre their former compatriots"

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Arnulf Damerau said that he provided details of the meeting, along with evidence and a list of names of those involved, to US and European intelligence agencies

Sistema Q2 revenue rises by 19% to $2.56 bln

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G7 countries to prevent Iran from producing, purchasing weapons

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Colombian president displays interest in country’s entry into BRICS

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Iran done with retaliation, calls for efforts to stop Israel from reckless steps — MFA

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

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Investigation into Crocus terrorist attack underway, traces lead to Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted the need to "wait for official information from the investigation"

MiG-31I fighters receive air refueling system

Another source said MiG-31I differs from previous MiG-K option by "different engines, avionics and missiles"

Kiev claims over 160 children believed to 'have been taken to Russia' found in Germany

Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova said that Ukraine and Western countries were doing everything in order to demonize Russia’s image

Russian artillery thwarts Ukrainian army’s rotation near Kupyansk — underground resistance

The Ukrainian army used the outbuilding as an ammunition depot, which accommodated about 15 fighters at the time of the air strike, spokesman Sergey Lebedev specified

Hungary’s top diplomat says will oppose any NATO move toward confrontation with Russia

Peter Szijjarto lamented that NATO allies had been demonstrating conflicting intentions, plans and proposals that may prompt them to "cross some lines that have until recently been regarded as red"

Throughput capacity of railroads to Subarctic ports to be 110 mln tons — governor

The area for the terminal to transship Belarusian potash fertilizers, where the capacity of the port of Lavna under construction and railroad approaches to it, have already been selected, Andrey Chibis noted

Iran tells US about April 13 attack on Israel, it does not want escalation — top diplomat

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Russian government approves draft agreement on military cooperation with DRC

It provides for the organization of joint drills and exercises, participation in and monitoring drills at the invitation of relevant agencies, visits by warships and warplanes at an invitation or request, training of the military and other formats of cooperation

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 15th

Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

Vladimir Zelensky asked his country’s supporters to provide "everything that helps to hold the frontline," including shells, military vehicles and drones

Russia says its forces repel four Ukrainian counterattacks in Kupyansk area

The Ukrainian army losses were up to 70 servicemen, three motor vehicles, a D-30 howitzer, 2 Plastun-3000 electronic reconnaissance stations and a Nota electronic warfare station

CIA chief says Ukraine could lose by end of this year — Politico

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French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova described France’s decision to place its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, directly under NATO control as a symbolic move marking the end of "the era of an independent Paris in the international arena"

Press review: Ukraine, Israel vie for EU’s attention and Georgia passes controversial bill

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, April 18th

North Korean leader arrives at public event in Aurus luxury car gifted by Putin

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Water in Kurgan above dam, breaking records

More than 100 employees of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies are fencing the shores and filling the least reliable dam segments

Russia ready to replace Ukrainian grain supplies — Putin

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Crimea’s revenues rise to $1.12 bln over past ten years

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Ukraine convicts 12th world chess champion for recognizing Donetsk, Lugansk republics

The two other State Duma members mentioned in the verdict alongside Karpov are Viktor Kazakov and Georgy Karlov

Russia will not 'shake up' relations with Argentina due to its partnership with NATO — MFA

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia and Argentina maintain a good dialogue at various levels

Press review: US throws Russia New START curveball and Washington's aid balancing act

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 17th

Vologda Region to present its stand at SPIEF first time

The organizers will present multimedia and interactive materials on main sectors of the regional economy