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SCO and BRICS summits in Ufa

India, Pakistan accession to SCO may change balance of power on world arena — Uzbek leader

The SCO leaders are expected to agree on the accession of India and Pakistan that'll give the organization a non-official and alternative status of an association of the "big eight" countries

© Summit's photo-host agency

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Uzbekistan takes over presidency at Shanghai Cooperation Organization

UFA, July 10. /TASS/. The accession of nuclear powers of India and Pakistan to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will not only change the political map, but may also influence the balance of power on the world arena, Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov said on Friday.

"How will the accession process of these two states [India and Pakistan] happen taking into consideration that these are not ordinary states but they possess nuclear weapons? If we look through this lens, then tomorrow their accession to the SCO will not simply change the political map, but I think may change the balance of power," Karimov said at the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Russia’s Ufa.

The Uzbek leader proposed to the Russian leader to discuss the issues linked to the accession of new members to the SCO during the upcoming presidency of Uzbekistan in the organization.

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The Russian president joked saying that "it will be like: Uzbekistan President Karimov has brought India and Pakistan to the SCO and created a new political world reality," adding: "Let’s talk about that."

At the SCO summit on Friday, the leaders are expected to agree on the accession procedure for India and Pakistan what will give the organization a non-official and alternative status of an association of the "big eight" countries. The membership will be finalized in 2016.

Besides, the six-nation bloc has received applications for observer or dialogue partner status from several countries, such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, Syria, Ukraine, Maldives, Cambodia and Egypt.

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SCO India Pakistan Uzbekistan SCO and BRICS summits in Ufa

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German MFA summons Russian ambassador after detention of espionage suspects — newspaper

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Iran to review nuclear doctrine in case of Israeli aggression — IRGC

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Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

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

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EU summit calls to continue work on duties on Russian, Belarusian agricultural produce

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Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

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

Majority of France opposes confrontation with Russia — expert

Laurent Briard believes that French President Emmanuel Macron crossed a line when he announced he was considering sending French troops to Ukraine

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

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Water in Kurgan above dam, breaking records

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Kiev continues to openly announce terrorist attacks on Russia — diplomat

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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Russian government approves draft agreement on military cooperation with DRC

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Georgian protests against foreign agent bill reek of US influence — Medvedev

"The experienced and all-too-familiar Hollywood touch can be seen behind these rallies," the politician pointed out

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

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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

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

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

Germany moves to exclude Russia from concentration camp liberation celebrations

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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

Ukrainian front may collapse this summer — newspaper

According to the newspaper’s assessments, Russia "has never been closer to its goals" in the special military operation zone

France-Russia relations hit rock bottom — ex-envoy to Paris

Alexander Orlov noted that recently French President Emmanuel Macron "has made a number of questionable moves that have increased the divide" between both countries

Kremlin condemns 'illegal' seizure of villa from Russian businessman

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

Russian Railways to triple tourist passenger flow to 3 mln people by 2030

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New US bill calls for $26 bln in assistance to Israel

The bill also includes a proposal to earmark $2.4 billion to fund US Armed Forces operating in the Middle East in response to threats against Israel

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

Ceasefire necessary for implementation of UN humanitarian resolution on Gaza — UN envoy

"The Israeli forces carry out strikes at humanitarian forces, block their access, slow down the cargo clearance," Vasily Nebenzya said

EU border checkpoint closest to Russia’s St. Petersburg to cut its working hours

The changes were attributed to reconstruction works on the Russian side of the checkpoint Ivangorod

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

Cuba expects to welcome over 200,000 Russian tourists in 2024 — minister

Juan Carlos Garcia Granda expressed hope that in a short term the number could climb to half a million