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Astana lifts 'banned' label from Taliban in effort to aid Kabul — Russian Foreign Ministry

The Kazakh authorities decided on Thursday to remove the Taliban from Astana’s list of banned organizations

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Kazakhstan's decision to exclude the Taliban movement (banned in Russia) from its list of terrorist organizations will contribute to bringing Afghanistan out of isolation and help in establishing stability in the region, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a commentary.

"We hope that such a decision will affect the development of dialogue with the Afghan authorities in a positive way and strengthen mutual trust, including in the common efforts to maintain regional security and fight terrorism and drug-related crime. This step will contribute to bringing Afghanistan out of international isolation and [will facilitate] its further integration into global political and economic processes, as well as open up new opportunities for humanitarian support for the Afghan population. We also believe that this decision will make a positive impact on the promotion of inter-Afghan reconciliation and contribute to the stabilization of the situation inside the country," the diplomat said.

The Kazakh authorities decided on Thursday to remove the Taliban from Astana’s list of banned organizations. Kazakh Foreign Ministry Spokesman Aibek Smadiarov noted that the decision was made "in accordance with UN practice," as, according to UN Security Council resolutions, the Taliban movement is not included in the lists of organizations recognized by the UN Security Council as terrorist. Kazakhstan will continue to strictly adhere to decisions and resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council and General Assembly, Smadiarov emphasized.

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Afghanistan Kazakhstan

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Russia to address NATO’s engagement in strikes deep inside country — SVR

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Press review: Uranium costs soar as Moscow updates nuclear doctrine and US OKs attacks

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All restrictions that Western countries impose affect themselves in the first place, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov added

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Angela Merkel added that another fallacy was the belief that the status "would act as a deterrent," and that Moscow "would accept these developments without taking action"

Ukrainian special services assemble unit for sabotage attacks in Kupyansk — official

According to Yevgeny Lisnyak, the special services threaten people with criminal charges of collaborationism if they refuse to join the unit

Xi Jinping calls for unification of more voices for peace in Ukraine

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Putin sends message to those seeking to 'add fuel to fire' before Trump’s return — expert

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EU considers ICC warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant as binding — foreign policy chief

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Russian envoy to international organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov pointed out that from September 23 to November 12, the Russian servicemen suppressed 556 drones near the plant and Energodar

West launched missiles targeting Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk Regions — Putin

Russian air defenses repulsed all attacks, the Russian president said

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Media from unfriendly states will be admitted to Putin's annual press conference — Kremlin

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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

US, NATO decision on strikes continues policy of escalation — Putin

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

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Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

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Russia always fulfilled its trade obligations, ready to cooperate with Germany — Putin

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Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

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Newly arrived Ukrainian soldiers rob, loot in Kharkov Region’s Kupyansk

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Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

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US decision on missile strikes aimed at provoking Russia, expert says

According to Andrey Sushentsov, Biden is under pressure from Washington’s allies and "the hawks" in his government who believe that the US is not providing enough support to Kiev

Ex-UK Labor party leader wants PM to clarify situation with Storm Shadow missiles

Jeremy Corbyn called for de-escalation of the situationin Ukraine and the search for a diplomatic solution to achieve peace

China slams US nuclear policy for undermining global stability

The United States continues to modernize its nuclear triad, Lin Jian noted

US journalist calls US President Joe Biden’s government 'the fascist state'

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Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

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Lavrov arrives in Brest for two-day working visit — correspondent

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US warships fire more missiles at Houthi sites in Yemen — source

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Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Russian State Duma passes law on federal budget for 2025-2027

According to the document, federal budget revenues are forecast to be 40.296 trillion rubles ($404.8 bln) in 2025, 41.84 trillion rubles ($420.3 bln) in 2026, and 43.154 trillion rubles ($433.5 bln) in 2027

US-led coalition aircraft violate Syrian airspace 14 times in past day

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Moscow used its new Oreshnik medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile in response to the West’s decision to authorize strategic-depth strikes on Russia

Ukraine has around 50 ATACMS missiles — The Times

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Russian forces push Ukrainian troops 10 km away from Lisichansk in LPR — expert

Russian troops have taken new lines and positions northwest of Zolotaryoka as a result of successful operations

Trump to continue using Ukraine to contain Russia — Valdai program director

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Soyuz rocket carrying Progress MS-29 cargo spaceship blasts off from Baikonur spaceport

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US Congressman urges to impeach Biden for allowing strikes deep into Russia

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China holds US responsible for disrupted defense ministers' meeting in Laos

Wu Qian stated that the United States must immediately correct its mistakes, "honestly respect China’s main interests, and seek to create favorable conditions for high-level contacts between the military of the two countries"

West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

According to Dmitry Suslov, retaliatory measures may include the handover of more advanced weapons to the forces "that are directly fighting against the US, particularly, in the Middle East"

Russian troops raise flag in central Kurakhovo in Donetsk region — politician

Russian army units have advanced much farther into the city’s northern part, in particular, along the southern bank of the Kurakhovo reservoir, Vladimir Rogov specified

US sanctions against Gazprombank will not affect gas supplies to Hungary — Ministry

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Russian troops advance in areas north, south of Velikaya Novoselka in DPR — official

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NATO enters conflict, Russia has every right to attack its targets now — expert

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