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Putin says Russia strives to conclude gas transit agreement with Ukraine

The terms of agreement should be mutually acceptable, the Russian president noted

© Mikhail Klimentiev/Russia's presidential press service/TASS

ST. PETERSBURG, December 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that Moscow will strive to conclude an agreement on gas transit with Ukraine.

"We will strive to do it, but they [the terms of agreement] should be mutually acceptable, and not create risks for both sides," Putin said.

On Friday, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov meets with the leader of the Ukrainian party Opposition Platform - For Life Viktor Medvedchuk in St. Petersburg. Putin joined the talks.

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Russia ready to look for solution of Ukrainian gas issue acceptable for all — Putin

During the meeting, the parties talked about gas problems between Russia and Ukraine. Putin noted that an agreement on gas transit has not yet been concluded.

"Today there are serious problems - the [Ukrainian] budget revenue received up to $3 bln from transit [of Russian gas], this year around 87 bln cubic meters were transported. Next year, taking into account contract and limited transit opportunities, there will be a challenge - to make a decision so that it meets the interests of Ukraine," Medvedchuk said. At the same time, he emphasized that agreements between Russia and Ukraine are needed.

Gazprom will continue negotiations with Ukraine on gas issues on Friday in Minsk after consultations in Berlin, the company told reporters. The company noted that talks will be "not technical." "The level [of representation] will be high. From Gazprom - head [Alexey] Miller," the company added.

Trilateral talks on gas were held between Russia, the European Union and Ukraine in Berlin on Thursday. The sides agreed on a draft deal on gas at the consultations. At the press conference, they said that the parties plan to coordinate the package deal with the leadership of their respective countries on Friday.

The details of the draft agreement were not made public. However, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that the sides discussed specific volumes and terms of the contract on Russian gas transit via Ukraine.

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Oreshnik test aims to persuade West to avoid escalation in Ukraine — media

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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

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"There will always be an answer," the president said

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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

Enemy has no countermeasures for Russia’s Oreshnik missile — Putin

Speaking in a televised address, the head of state assured that Russia will issue notifications before using this type of missile

Russia fires ballistic, non-nuclear-tipped missile at Ukrainian aerospace plant — Putin

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Biden's decision on missile strikes on Russia is his 'last gasp' — Japanese lawmaker

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US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

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Iran begins installation of three new generations of centrifuges to enrich uranium — TV

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White House not yet ready to speak on causes of Baltic undersea cable ruptures

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China urges restraint after Russia, Ukraine's exchange of attacks — foreign ministry

Lin Jian also reaffirmed Beijing's position on the Ukrainian issue

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West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

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

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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

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

Andrey Kartapolov added that the special military operation in Ukraine "will continue its course until all tasks are completed"

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

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Washington has no plans of updating nuclear posture after Russia’s test of new missile

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US, West have no capabilities to intercept new Russian hypersonic missile — expert

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Russian air defense deflects attacks with Western missiles — Putin

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Russian ambassador says UK prime minister doesn’t understand situation in Ukraine

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The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

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Time of Maduro’s visit to Russia being coordinated via diplomatic channels — embassy

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Russia not obliged to notify anyone about launch of intermediate-range missile — Kremlin

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US not seeking confrontation with Russia, but will continue assistance to Kiev — Pentagon

Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also claimed that Washington, while helping Ukraine, is not attempting to turn the conflict into a large-scale regional confrontation that spills beyond the country’s borders

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

Ukraine should consider territorial concessions to Russia in return for peace — magazine

Foreign Policy pointed out that Western officials should stop insisting in public speeches on the need to achieve a strategic defeat for Russia

Moscow hopes West will thoroughly analyze Russia's nuclear doctrine — ambassador

Andrey Kelin also recalled that the policy of the Russian leadership enjoys the full support and confidence of the country's population

Putin's speech shows West that Russia won’t waver, is ready for any scenario — expert

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US makes mistake by destroying INF Treaty — Putin

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German politician slams Ukraine’s ‘irresponsible’ strike on Russia with UK-made missiles

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Kremlin confident Putin's statement got through to US administration

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

"The US continues to benefit from the Ukrainian crisis, regardless of which administration is in power," Andrey Sushentsov said

US administration chooses to escalate Ukraine conflict — Kremlin

Earlier, Putin stressed that the Ukrainian army is unable to fire the latest Western-made long-range missiles on its own without support from NATO satellite feeds and the involvement of the bloc’s military

Russian military to warn Ukrainian civilians of future Oreshnik attacks — Kremlin

Earlier, the Russian Armed Forces carried out a precision strike on Ukraine’s Yuzhmash defense industry facility in retaliation for the use of US-and UK-made weapons for strikes on Russia

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"

Kremlin clarifies notification process for Oreshnik missile launch

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

Nuclear escalation of Ukraine conflict unlikely, says ex-French envoy

"In my opinion, as long as Russia has an advantage on the battlefield, and at this point it does, the risk of nuclear escalation is low," Jean de Gliniasty poited out