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Russian, Chinese top diplomats to discuss preparation for Putin’s visit

According to Vladimir Putin, the relations between Russia and China are at an unprecedentedly high level

MOSCOW, April 5. /TASS/. Russian and Chinese Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi will hold negotiations in Moscow on Thursday to discuss preparation for a visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to China and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Wang Yi’s visit to Russia had been initially scheduled for March 27-28. However, the visit was delayed due to changes in the Russian administration’s schedule in the wake of the deadly fire in the Siberian city of Kemerovo.

Strategic partnership

According to Vladimir Putin, the relations between Russia and China are at an unprecedentedly high level and are characterized by strategic partnership.

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The Russian president’s visit to China is expected to give impetus to the further development of close relations.

Putin plans to pay a state visit to China in conjunction with the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Council in Qingdao on June 9-10.

"The key focus [at talks] will be made on the major political event in bilateral relations this year - the state visit of the Russian president to China," the Russian Foreign Ministry said on occasion of the upcoming visit.

Proposals on Korean Peninsula

The situation on the Korean Peninsula will be among other important issues at the talks between the two ministers. The contacts at the highest and ministerial levels confirm that this issue is vital.

On March 25-28, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un paid a visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. On April 9-11, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho visited Russia for talks with Lavrov. On April 27, a meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is scheduled, and later Kim Jong-un may meet with US President Donald Trump.

At the talks in Moscow, Lavrov and Wang Yi will be able to synchronize watches ahead of this active effort. The plan on detente on the Korean Peninsula may be based on a joint initiative of Moscow and Beijing for a "double freeze" - simultaneously halting North Korea’s nuclear tests and military drills conducted by South Korea jointly with the United States. Lavrov noted that this proposal was in high demand during the contacts on the international arena.

Anti-terror fight in Syria and Afghanistan

The ministers also plan to hash over a range of other international issues, including the Syrian settlement and the situation in Afghanistan. "Russia and China have close or coinciding positions on most international issues and plan to further closely coordinate their foreign policy steps," the Foreign Ministry said.

Both Russia and China say that the key goals in Syria are the fight against terrorism, preventing the return of foreign militants from the Middle East and post-war restoration of Syria. Chinese Special Envoy for Syria Xie Xiaoyan outlined these tasks during the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi in late January.

The goals of fighting against terrorism and launching nationwide dialogue for achieving political settlement are also vital for Afghanistan. For Russia and China solving these tasks is crucial given Afghanistan’s geographical proximity to both countries.

Armenia’s relations with Russia not at their highest — top diplomat

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Military base near Iran’s Isfahan hit following attack — newspaper

The sources said that Iranian forces managed to destroy several small drones near the city of Tabriz, about 800 kilometers from Isfahan

Russian military closely monitors all Ukrainian 'novelties' — Kremlin on UAVs

Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine had developed a UAV with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers

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"

Ukraine’s military loses positions near Avdeyevka, says DPR

Igor Kimakovsky said that Ukrainian forces suffered heavy casualties among personnel and military hardware, including Western equipment

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

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

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Security guarantees on Ukraine did not apply to Crimea, Donbass — Lavrov

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Senior Chinese official to take part in conference on security in Russia — diplomat

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

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Nuclear sites in Iran’s Isfahan province are safe — Tasnim agency

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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

Kremlin condemns 'illegal' seizure of villa from Russian businessman

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

Sounds in Isfahan due to air defense work to repel attacks by suspicious objects — general

According to Iranian media reports, three drones were downed by air defenses in the skies over the city of Isfahan

Iran intends to bolster military cooperation with Russia — envoy to Moscow

Kazem Jalali noted that Iran had demonstrated its ability to ensure security and nudge the region toward a de-escalation

Russian instructors help train over 10,000 Central African troops — CAR president

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Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Romania tries to cancel Russian culture by banning films — diplomat

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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

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

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

William Burns said "there is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could at least put Putin in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement"

No foreign state attacks Iran — TV

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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"

Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

The Foreign Minister pointed to the fact that Switzerland is on board with all Western sanctions

Chinese car plant to start production at former Mercedes site in Moscow region in May

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Lavrov says Borrell let it slip that Europe ‘fighting against Russia’

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French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

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Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

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Moscow-based embassies of NATO countries helped anti-government groups, Lavrov says

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According to the minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in the event that Israel uses force against Tehran's interests, "the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to use its right to give an immediate and decisive response that will make them regret"

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Hungary to not intervene in Ukrainian conflict on any side, PM says

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

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US House passes procedural vote on Ukraine aid bill

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Crimea, Donbass to forever remain within Russia, Slovak PM tells national parliament

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

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

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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Israel to not take responsibility for attack on Iran — newspaper

Israeli sources also said that they did not understand why the Pentagon had leaked information about Israel's involvement in the attack to the media

Israeli Air Force attacks airfield in southern Syria during strike on Iran

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Lavrov views situation in Middle East as 'very bad'

According to the top Russian diplomat, the unresolved Palestinian problem fuels the issues that the Middle East is facing

Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

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West can’t comprehend Russia’s resilience — Lavrov

"They would have been scared had anyone come down on them with similar ferocity," the Russian foreign minister added

US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

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US blackmails other countries at United Nations — Russian mission

Dmitry Polyansky said "this shameful neocolonial tactics are fully exposed now in the context of Gaza War"

Russia ready for Ukraine talks, but not with Zelensky — Lavrov

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Kremlin declines to comment on alleged assassination attempt on Zelensky in Poland

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Russia won’t allow NATO to move closer in Ukraine — Lavrov

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

The final rehearsal of the military parade will take place on May 5

Israel assesses effectiveness, consequences of strike on Iran — media

A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the reports of the strike

Founder of neo-Nazi cell in Crimea flees to Georgia — source

According to the official, the investigation established that Mikhail Maurov planned to travel to Ukraine to join the ranks of a right-wing Ukrainian organization called the Freedom of Russia Legion

West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, the leaders who rule countries where they claim to be from while holding foreign passports "will not enjoy support and authority for long"

At least 16 Syrian troops killed in terrorists’ ambush in east Syria — TV

According to the Al Hadath television, a military bus was ambushed by members of the Islamic State terrorist group

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

Nikol Pashinyan pointed out that the demarcation process also involves risks, but they are manageable, after which "Armenia will become ten times stronger"

Ukrainian trace obvious in Crocus City Hall attack — Russian prosecutor general

The law enforcement employees exert efforts to identify the instigators of this crime, Igor Krasnov said

Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

Funding will be provided from the federal, regional and local budgets, as well as taxes from gambling transferred to the organizer

Ukraine turns from sovereign country into Western protectorate, Hungarian PM says

Viktor Orban noted that there should be a buffer zone between NATO and Russia and Ukraine could serve as one

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

Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

The minister also inspected the training process in Omsk Armor Engineering Institute

NATO discussing transfer of ‘deep precision strike capabilities’ to Ukraine — Stoltenberg

Stoltenberg said NATO believes Ukraine has the right to strike "legitimate military targets" inside Russia

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

US did not 'endorse' Israel’s retaliatory attack, but was warned about it — TV

According to Bloomberg, Israel informed the United States about its plans to strike Iran within the next 24-48 hours

Three Ukrainian soldiers swim across Dnieper to surrender to Russian troops — governor

Vladimir Saldo called on other Ukrainian servicemen to switch to the Russian side and request the corresponding assistance

Nord Stream AG's refusal to pay compensation destroys Western insurance system — diplomat

"The West is not only taking state assets and private property, but also threatening to destroy the major civilian infrastructure facilities, which were built with investments and then miraculously blown up, and they have now threatened insurance," Maria Zakharova said

Agents in Ukrainian, Poland foil attempt to kill Zelensky, security officials in Kiev say

The agency said it and the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine informed their Polish counterparts about the alleged assassination attempt