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Too early to speak about resuming G8 format — Japanese PM

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said the Group of Seven countries are interested in Russia’s coming back to the international arena to solve crisis situation

© EPA/KARL-JOSEF HILDENBRAND

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN /Germany/, June 8. /TASS/. It is too premature to speak about resuming the Group of Eight format, Japan’s Prime Minister Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told journalists on Monday after the Group of Seven summit at Elmau Castle in Germany’s Bavaria.

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G7 ready to toughen sanctions on Russia if needed — Merkel

He said that judging by the current situation in Ukraine it was hardly imaginable that the next summit in 2016 in his country could be held in the Group of Eight format, i.e. involving Russia. However, he noted, at this year’s summit some leaders had spoken in favour of continuing constructive dialogue with Russia to solve international problems, such as the crisis in Syria and the Iranian nuclear programme. He said he shared this position.

The Group of Seven (G7) is an association of economically developed countries consisting of Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, the United States, France and Japan. Its key goals are to seek solutions to global political and social problems. In 1976-1997 the group existed in the format of G7. After Russia joined G7, the association got the name of the Group of Eight (G8). In March 2014, as a result of the events in Ukraine and the following crisis in Russia-West relations, the organization decided to return to the G7 format.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier Russia was "not clinging to the G8 format." "The G8 is an informal club, no one issues membership cards, no one may expel anyone from there by definition. If our Western partners believe the format is outdated, let it be like that. We are not clinging to it," he said.

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Italian PM says G7 interested in Russia’s being back on international arena

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said the Group of Seven countries are interested in Russia’s coming back to the international arena to solve crisis situation.

He said that all participants in the summit were interested in Russia’s being back on the international arena, since they all recognized Russia’s important role and contribution it may make in solving such crises and the ones in Syria and in other countries.

The Italian prime minister stressed that the key barometer of the moment was the degree of implementation of the Minsk agreement [on the Ukrainian settlement]. In his words, if these agreements were implemented it would be a breakthrough for both Ukraine and its Russian-speaking eastern regions.

He refrained from comments on possible toughening of anti-Russian sanctions until the next meeting of the Council of Europe due on June 25-26.

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Russia’s defense chief inspects production of tanks, flamethrowers at Siberian enterprise

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Ukraine’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

Igor Kimakovsky said that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware, including Western equipment

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Zelensky's formula should be put aside for Ukraine talks, Lavrov says

"One should clearly support the need to seek solutions that take into account the balance of security interests and ensure the indivisibility of security," the top Russian diplomat underlined

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Russian Aerospace Forces strike five militant hideouts in Syria’s Homs

Yury Popov said that aircraft of the so-called international anti-terrorism coalition, led by the United States, continue to set dangerous precedents in skies above Syria

Ukrainian front may collapse this summer — newspaper

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Lavrov says Borrell let it slip that Europe ‘fighting against Russia’

Russia’s top diplomat noted that Josep Borrell may made the statement in a moment of weakness

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

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

MiG-31I fighters receive air refueling system

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

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

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The first negotiations between Russia and Ukraine after the start of the special military operation took place in early March 2022 in Belarus, but they did not bring tangible results

US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

A total of 12 countries, including Russia and China, voted in favor of the document

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Military commanders of Ukrainian army brigades "lack both personnel and the required amount of equipment" while Russian troops enjoy a considerable superiority, especially in artillery, Sergey Krivonos noted

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Brazilian leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomed Gustavo Petro’s initiative, "being committed to promotion of Colombia’s candidacy"

Russia won’t allow NATO to move closer in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Ahmad Haqtalab argued that Israel had been conducting "subversive and terrorist activities" against the Islamic republic's nuclear infrastructure for year

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Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad International Airport suspended their operations until 10:30 a.m. local time

Romania tries to cancel Russian culture by banning films — diplomat

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Kiev continues to openly announce terrorist attacks on Russia — diplomat

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Three Ukrainian soldiers swim across Dnieper to surrender to Russian troops — governor

Vladimir Saldo called on other Ukrainian servicemen to switch to the Russian side and request the corresponding assistance

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Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

The minister also inspected the training process in Omsk Armor Engineering Institute

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Earlier, the media reported that one of the strikes hit Tha'lah Military Airbase, with several explosions going off there

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

Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

The Foreign Minister pointed to the fact that Switzerland is on board with all Western sanctions

Israel assesses effectiveness, consequences of strike on Iran — media

A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the reports of the strike

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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

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Vasily Nebenzya described the US veto as a "fruitless attempt to stop the inexorable course of history"

Military base near Iran’s Isfahan hit following attack — newspaper

The sources said that Iranian forces managed to destroy several small drones near the city of Tabriz, about 800 kilometers from Isfahan

Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

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At least 16 Syrian troops killed in terrorists’ ambush in east Syria — TV

According to the Al Hadath television, a military bus was ambushed by members of the Islamic State terrorist group

Moscow-based embassies of NATO countries helped anti-government groups, Lavrov says

The top Russian diplomat also spoke about the detention in Germany of two people suspected of spying for Russia

Russia not to go for settlement on Ukraine based on 'Zelensky formula' — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat referred to a swindling trick used by a thimblerigger who puts a small round object, such as a ball or pea, under one of three thimbles or cups and asks the player to guess under which the object is, while unfairly manipulating this object

Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

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West frightens voters by 'Russian threat' to win elections — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat pointed out that the anti-Russian rhetoric of Western politicians in power intensifies as the elections approach

Russia, Iran maintain contacts on nuclear security - deputy foreign minister

Sergey Ryabkov said that "very soon, Russia and Iran will have new additional opportunities to discuss the situation in the Middle East in general, as well as details of what is going on there at this point"

Hungary to not intervene in Ukrainian conflict on any side, PM says

Viktor Orban believes the first phase of the conflict, which included proposals on sending troops to Ukraine, is over

Nuclear sites in Iran’s Isfahan province are safe — Tasnim agency

Tasnim refuted foreign media reports about an incident at a nuclear site in Isfahan

West can’t comprehend Russia’s resilience — Lavrov

"They would have been scared had anyone come down on them with similar ferocity," the Russian foreign minister added

US blackmails other countries at United Nations — Russian mission

Dmitry Polyansky said "this shameful neocolonial tactics are fully exposed now in the context of Gaza War"

Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

Iran has no plans to immediately retaliate to attack on its soil — agency

"We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," a senior Iranian official reported

Two pilots of jet that crashed in southern Russia hospitalized

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Nearly half of those present in UN Security Council hall walk out before Israel’s address

israeli Permanent Representative Gilad Erdan was to address the council after Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour

No plans for pauses in fighting if talks on Ukraine begin, Lavrov says

The Russian foreign minister emphasized that the situation on the ground had changed significantly

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

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

On April 10, the vehicle was also spotted when the North Korean leader visited Kim Jong Il Military and Political Academy

Israel to not take responsibility for attack on Iran — newspaper

Israeli sources also said that they did not understand why the Pentagon had leaked information about Israel's involvement in the attack to the media

West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

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Iran suspends flights above several cities amid reports of air attack — IRNA

Fox News said the Jewish state delivered a limited strike on Iran

Agents in Ukrainian, Poland foil attempt to kill Zelensky, security officials in Kiev say

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No foreign state attacks Iran — TV

Earlier, the media reported, citing a US official, that Israel had launched a missile strike on a site in Iranian territory