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Conflict in Syria

De Mistura will not continue talks on Syria until both sides are ready — spokesperson

UN Special Envoy for Syria ealier said that it is unrealistic to resume negotiations between the delegations of Syrian government and opposition in Geneva on February 25

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura EPA/YOUSSEF BADAWI

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura

© EPA/YOUSSEF BADAWI

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Syrian government will test its level of trust to UN Special Envoy — foreign ministry

GENEVA, February 19. /TASS/. UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura will not start the second round of inter-Syrian talks in Geneva planned for February 25 until both sides of the conflict are ready for it, the head of the Special Envoy's Office in Damascus Khawla Mattar told TASS on Friday.

"The special envoy doesn't want to start the talks again unless both parties to the talks are ready and well prepared," Mattar said.

De Mistura ealier said in an interview with Svenska Dagbladet newspaper that it is unrealistic to resume negotiations between the delegations of Syrian government and opposition in Geneva on February 25. He said he will need 10 days for preparations adding that talks will be successful if humanitarian aid is delivered and ceasefire is observed.

The first round of indirect talks between the delegations of Syrian government and opposition took place in Geneva at the end of January. The talks were not successful and were paused on February 3. The envoy said the negotiations will resume on February 25 in Switzerland.

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

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

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Vehicles, equipment participating in Victory Day parade depart for Moscow — ministry

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

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

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Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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

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Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

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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

West, Kiev indulge in nuclear blackmail by demanding control of ZNPP — Russian MFA

"Without noticing it themselves, they spoke the language of an ultimatum," Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova underlined

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

Israel to not take responsibility for attack on Iran — newspaper

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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

Iran threatens to attack Israel's "nuclear centers" in case of aggression on its part

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

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

Argentina’s NATO partnership bid to let US tighten its grip — expert

According to Andrey Pyatakov, the Argentinian authorities' decision is both a declarative step and evidence of the wish to close economic gaps by expanding military-technical cooperation

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

Polish premier refuses to hand over his country’s Patriot systems to Ukraine

Donald Tusk said that German Chancellor’s call to send more air defense systems to Kiev had no relation to Poland, provided the country's geographical position near the frontline

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

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

Tehran’s two major airports cancel international flights — Mehr

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

Germany fails to present evidence in case of espionage suspects — Russian embassy

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Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

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Hezbollah warns Israel it will fight back if attacks on Lebanon continue

The Lebanese Shiite organization "would not accept that the Israelis transgress the rules of engagement that are currently set in the south" of Lebanon

Press review: Biden backs aid to Israel, Ukraine and Russia assets giving West legal fits

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 19th

Situation in Iran’s Isfahan stabilizes after drone attack — media

According to the news agency, all reports about fires or explosions have nothing to do with reality

Final statement by G7 top diplomats to call for supplying more air defenses to Kiev

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

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

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UN Security Council vote exposes practically full isolation of US — Russia’s UN mission

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

Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

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Lavrov describes Georgia’s bill on foreign agents as 'mildest of all'

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