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Georgian PM says certain environment needed for his meeting with Russian President

TBILISI, May 15. /TASS/. Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said a certain environment is needed for making his meeting with the Russian President possible.

"There has to be a ripe environment and certain decisions made for a direct dialogue with the Russian Federation," Kvirikashvili said in an interview with Imedi TV on Sunday, adding that he would be happy to see "some certain willingness for such a direct dialogue with Georgia from Russia’s side."

In November 2012, Georgia’s then the Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili established an office of prime minister’s special envoy for relations with Russia and appointed diplomat Zurab Abarshidze, Georgia’s former ambassador to Russia in 2000-2004, to that post. On December 14, 2012, Abashidze’s first meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin took place in a Geneva suburb. It resumed direct dialogue between the two countries' officials suspended after the 2008 developments. The regular meetings are focused on cooperation in trade, economy, transport and culture. Georgia’s and Russia’s top officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of a dialogue in the Abashidze-Karasin format.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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Russia appreciates Bolivia’s push to defend sovereignty, Lavrov says

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About 20% of weapons sent to Kiev end up on black market – Russia’s UN mission

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Venezuela interested in Russia's participation in gold mining — official

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Russia fights West’s sanctions at UN for the sake of developing countries — envoy to UN

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Russian defense chief points to West’s double standards on right to self-defense

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US’ Blinken to visit Israel amid rising tensions between two countries — NYT

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EAEU trade turnover reaches record high level of $8.7 bln in 2023 — Russian Prime Minister

The trade turnover between Russia and Belarus reached 4 trillion rubles ($43.8 bln)

Staff shortage cannot be covered by labor migration — Putin

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Scholz asks allies to find additional air defense capabilities for Ukraine

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Hamas fighters have destroyed more than 400 Israeli vehicles — group’s senior member

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Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

The Ukrainian military has suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware in that community, Igor Kimakovsky said

Ship receives damage in missile attack off Yemeni coast — UKMTO

The Master has reported two attacks

Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat

Maria Zakharova stressed that "the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers"

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Patrick Pouyanne expressed confidence that the European leaders understood that security of gas supplies depended on LNG and would not like to see a price crisis in Europe again until 2027

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Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

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Shoigu talks about ties with NATO, attacks on Zaporozhye NPP as he attends SCO meeting

TASS has put together the highlights of Shoigu's speech

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Miguel Salgado’s ‘Shame’ wins main prize at Moscow International Film Festival

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Russia to hold next international security meeting in 2025 — top security official

The date and location will be announced later

Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

Dmitry Peskov added that the EP "has turned into a machine brimming with internal contradictions that keeps generating boorish statements"

Insurers refuse to pay compensation for Nord Stream — Russian envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya stressed that insurers conclude on their own that the "explosion at the gas pipelines was made using an explosive devices, willfully and due to political motives," thereby confirming its terroristic nature

Blinken’s visit to China meant to shatter Russian-Chinese ties — senior Russian diplomat

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SCO expects Belarus to join the organization very soon — Shoigu

The Russian defense chief is certain that "this is an important moment in strengthening security in the SCO space"

Russia's response to seizure of frozen assets in US to have no timeframe — chief delegate

Konstantin Gavrilov emphasized that the US will have to be brought to account for this decision

TotalEnergies to announce force majeure for Yamal LNG in case of EU sanctions

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Russia, India plan to launch ‘green corridor’ project in trade shortly

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NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed that China was not providing weapons to the conflicting parties and strictly controlled dual-use goods, including the export of drones

Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

The resolution gained 13 votes

Space station’s orbit raised by 1 km — Roscosmos

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Alrosa may leave Catoca project in Angola — Finance Ministry

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UN bound to stay as unique world organization — Russian ambassador

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Over 60% of Russian companies continue using Microsoft services

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Polish leader cautions NATO allies against provoking Russia

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Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

Over 10,000 Polish nationals fought in Ukraine in 2022, politician says

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Potential nuclear facilities in Poland to be military target for Russia — senior diplomat

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China, US free to have their own friends, partners — President Xi

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