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Conflict in Syria

Workgroup for data on POWs to be focus of Astana meeting

Setting-up of a workgroup for exchange of prisoners of war in Syria will be the central issue at the meeting

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Kazakh foreign minister says Astana process helps strengthen Syrian ceasefire

ASTANA, March 14. /TASS/. Setting-up of a workgroup for exchange of prisoners of war in Syria will be the central issue at the international meeting on peace settlement in Syria, a new round of which is held in the Kazakhstani capital Astana on Tuesday and Wednesday, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said commenting on meeting.

"The guarantor countries say provision on the reconciled areas and on a workgroup for exchange of information on prisoners of war will be among the issues under discussion," he said. "Mine-clearing at humanitarian facilities, including the ones that have UNESCO protection, and purely military problems will also be discussed."

On Tuesday, participants in the Astana meeting hold preliminary consultations and on Wednesday, a plenary session.

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Syrian conflict

Ukraine hopes to see US peace plan in January

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US decision to allow missile strikes deep into Russia fuels global escalation — Slovak PM

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Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

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Western countries should 'be afraid, tremble' after Putin's statement — lawmaker

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Here are the key statements, made during the meeting

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Ukrainian frontline may 'collapse' under onslaught of Russian forces — BBC

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Taiwan reports 25 Chinese aircraft, 7 ships approaching island

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Europe unable to wage war attrition on Russia — Ukraine’s ex-commander-in-chief

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West irrational, fails to understand it cannot intercept Russia's new missiles — Kneissl

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Russian forces gain foothold in Chasov Yar’s industrial zone — expert

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Putin says Oreshnik missile system cutting-edge innovation by Russia, not Soviet byproduct

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Trump to name investor Bessent as Treasury Secretary

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Signal to West and 'red card': experts weigh in on Putin’s missile launch statements

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Ukraine loses up to 160 troops in battlegroup East’s responsibility area — top brass

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Israel carries out four strikes on building in Beirut

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Diplomat mocks US Senator for talking about invading Netherlands

Maria Zakharova quoted the US Senator, who called the ICC a "Kangaroo court" and ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan a "deranged fanatic"

Russian servicemen control 30% of Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

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Gazprombank’s UnionPay cards no longer serviced in several countries

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

State Department says Russia, China maintain forward momentum in bilateral relationship

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Lukashenko grants asylum to Schmidt persecuted on political grounds by Poland

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Oreshnik missile to change course of Ukrainian conflict, Medvedev believes

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it in an interview

Oreshnik can reach targets across entire Europe — missile troops commander

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Western nations should take Putin's statement seriously, warns Hungarian PM

Viktor Orban recalled that Russia has "one of the most powerful armies in the world, which boasts the most advanced, most powerful weapons"

NATO countries engaged in full-fledged war against Russia — Medvedev

According to him, the alliance is "fully engaged" in the Ukrainian conflict

Russia’s reaction to Austrian OMV’s failure to pay for gas justified — MFA

The company stated it would seek damages amounting to 230 million euro for failing to receive the contracted volume of gas from the Russian company for delivery to Germany

Ukraine conflict entering decisive phase, Polish PM says

According to Donald Tusk, "no one knows how the conflict will end"

Japanese lawmaker praises Putin's restraint amid decision to strike deep into Russia

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed that the US administration had lifted restrictions for US-supplied missiles to be used for strikes up to 300 kilometers inside Russia

Kremlin clarifies notification process for Oreshnik missile launch

"An automated warning was sent 30 minutes before the launch," Dmitry Peskov said