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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Poroshenko orders signing agreement on 30-km buffer zone in Donbas

The 30-km buffer zone will include Severodonetsk, Lisichansk and Popasnaya

© EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY

KIEV, July 22. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has instructed his representatives in the Contact Group on the Ukrainian crisis resolution to sign an agreement on a 30-km buffer zone in Donbas, he said on Wednesday during a visit to the Luhansk region in the country’s southeast.

"I have instructed our representatives to sign with the OSCE and Russia, which is member [of the Contact Group] an agreement that will guarantee a 30-km buffer zone in the contact zone - to withdraw tanks, artillery and rid Severodonetsk, Lisichansk, Popasnaya of cannonades," he said.

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According to Poroshenko, the sides "reached these agreements" in the Belarusian capital Minsk on Tuesday. The Ukrainian president said he hoped that "the weapons withdrawal under the OSCE control will begin in several days."

"I very much hope that it’s a real ceasefire beginning, release of hostages and ensuring control over the peace observance," Poroshenko added.

On July 18, the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics (DPR and LPR) announced their plans to unilaterally withdraw heavy weaponry from the contact line. LPR also completed the withdrawal of weaponry from the contact line, leaving tanks and armoured vehicles on positions only near the Shchastye settlement.

On Tuesday, the Contact Group on Ukrainian settlement reached an agreement on gradual withdrawal of weaponry of less than 100mm calibre by both sides.

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Self-proclaimed republics' lighter weapons pullback from contact line in East Ukraine

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Eastern Ukraine Pyotr Poroshenko

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Russian Navy’s Bastion missile systems practice massive strike in Baltic drills

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US military aid for Kiev cannot stop Russian army’s advance — North Korean diplomat

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Maria Zakharova pointed out that Russia reaffirms its "strict commitment" to the international legal obligations under space law

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Russian athletes have right to decide on Olympic participation — aide

Russian and Belarusian athletes will be able to compete only under a neutral status, provided that they are not associated with security agencies and do not represent team sports

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

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

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Russian court blocks JPMorgan’s funds in VTB lawsuit

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Some people in 2021 Kabul terror attack were killed by gunfire, not explosion, CNN reports

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Niger would like Russia to train its troops — interior minister says

Mohamed Toumba noted that the training of troops could help in the fight against terrorism

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

The Russian forces improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on five Ukrainian army brigades in the Donetsk area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Senior Russian, Tajikistani diplomats talk about fighting terrorists, radicals

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko emphasized the importance of creating a new architecture of Eurasian security as one of the elements of a multipolar world

Annual inflation in Russia gearing down to 7.82% over week — Economy Ministry

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

Timur Ivanov was arrested by Moscow’s Basmanny Court

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

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

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

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Ukraine could send special forces to capture Zaporozhye NPP — politician

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Ukrainian army short about 150,000-200,000 troops, says Polish general

Waldemar Skrzypczak also said it was "a matter of hours" until Kiev received the weapons allocated by the US as part of its latest military aid package

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"

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

ATACMS shipment proves ‘Zelensky’s formula’ needed in US as ‘smoke and mirrors’ — diplomat

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

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

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