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Eurasian Economic Union and India negotiating free trade zone agreement, Lavrov says

The EAEU earlier signed agreements on establishing a free trade zone with Vietnam, Singapore and Serbia

MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. An agreement on establishing a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and India is currently being negotiated, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview to The Times of India.

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"Currently, New Delhi and Moscow are vigorously working to prepare a new intergovernmental agreement on the mutual protection of investments, which will by far increase investor protection for both sides," Lavrov said. "The agreement on a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union and India which is currently being negotiated should also contribute to this," he added.

The EAEU earlier signed agreements on establishing a free trade zone with Vietnam, Singapore and Serbia. A temporary agreement on establishing a free trade zone was also signed with Iran. Talks on establishing a free trade zone are underway with Egypt, Israel and Argentina.

Russia keeps positive dynamics of agricultural production — ministry

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Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, energy sites over past day

It is reported that the Ukrainian army’s losses in that frontline area over the past 24 hours amounted to 765 personnel, an armored personnel carrier, a motor vehicle and two 122mm D-30 howitzers

Russia says its FPV drones disrupted Ukrainian troops rotation in Sumy Region

The ministry provided live-recording footage showing direct hits on Ukrainian military vehicles

Kalashnikov holding starts supplies of civilian drones

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Iraqi Shiites say they attacked ‘vital targets’ in Israel

According to the organization, attacks on "vital targets" in the city of Eilat in Israel’s south and in the country’s norther areas were staged with the use of drones

Ukrainian forces ready to withdraw from Kurakhovo, but no order yet — serviceman

According to the report, the Russian army is "attacking from three sides"

Kiev wants to mobilize 160,000 people to survive until Trump's inauguration — MP

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Turkey invited to join BRICS as a partner state, says minister

Omer Bolat recalled that at the last BRICS summit in Kazan, the sides "considered the applications of Turkey and several other countries"

White Helmets remain serious factor of instability in Syria — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed to a report by the Foundation for Research of Democracy Issues, titled "The White Helmets. Terrorist Accomplices and a Source of Disinformation"

Venues for intra-Syrian talks offered by Oman, Egypt, Iraq — Russian diplomat

The Russian diplomat stressed that the committee’s work should be resumed as soon as possible, but, in his words, it takes a lot of effort to find a venue that would be acceptable for both Damascus and the Syrian opposition

Bulgarian president calls for using all diplomatic opportunities to end Ukraine conflict

According to Rumen Radev, Europe wants the conflict in Ukraine "to finish as soon as possible"

Russian citizenship approvals down 44% since January — ministry

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US plans to remove 'arrogant' Zelensky and stage 2025 elections in Ukraine — SVR

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Press review: Trump forms foreign policy team and Europe sets course for militarization

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

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

Lavrov likens proposals to freeze Ukraine crisis to worse version of Minsk agreements

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Man who died in blast in Brasilia tried to carry bomb into court building

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Ukraine's Kurakhovo Reservoir dam blast to help, not hurt Russian troops — expert

At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

Russian diplomat hails Odessa woman as defender of truth after flag protest

Yelena Chesakova attempted to hang the Russian flag on the pedestal of the dismantled monument of Catherine the Great in Odessa, taken down in 2022, in October of this year

Japan remains ready to sign peace treaty with Russia — top diplomat

After Tokyo imposed anti-Russian sanctions over the situation in Ukraine, Russia halted consultations with Japan on a peace treaty

There is chance to stop war in Middle East under Trump — Russian diplomat

"It is too early to talk about this because we should wait at least for the president’s inauguration," Alexander Lavrentyev noted

Attempts being made to drag Syria into armed confrontation in Middle East — diplomat

According to Alexander Lavrentyev, the top priority today is to prevent such attempts

Chancellor Scholz opposes assistance to Ukraine at expense of Germany’s future

According to the German chancellor, Berlin’s assistance to Kiev should not affect the retirement benefits of German citizens

Russia to hold Astana-format summit in 2025 — Russian diplomat

Alexander Lavrentyev noted that despite the fact that the exact date of the summit has not yet been agreed upon, meetings in the Astana format are held regularly at other levels

Kremlin spokesman denies media reports of phone call between Putin, Trump

Dmitry Peskov described the Washington Post and Reuters reports about the alleged telephone conversation as "the most remarkable example of the quality of the information that is published nowadays, sometimes even by quite respected outlets"

Russian troops liberate Rovnopol community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup North destroyed an UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) production workshop of the Ukrainian army and inflicted roughly 110 casualties on enemy troops in its area of responsibility in the Kharkov Region over the past day

US shells for handful of Kiev’s Pion howitzers no game-changer — expert

Ukraine ran out of the Soviet-made ammunition for this type of artillery pieces back in 2022

Nearly 4,000 people cross into Syria from Lebanon in past day — Russian military

"Over the past day, as many as 3,992 people crossed Syria’s border from Lebanon via the checkpoints of Al-Arida, Al-Jawasiyeh, Al-Dabousiyah, Jisr Qamar, and Jdaidet Yabous," Oleg Ignasyuk said

Scholz calls for doing everything to prevent escalation of Ukraine conflict

According to Scholz, Ukraine should have "good prospects" and not be left alone

FACTBOX: What we know about night-time drone attacks on Russian regions

Overnight, 29 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones were destroyed in the skies over the Kursk, Belgorod, Tver, Bryansk, Penza, and Voronezh regions, the Defense Ministry said

Baltic Sea will never turn into 'NATO lake' — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the Baltic Sea "will always be a common space for all of the region’s countries without exception"

Russian forces gain foothold near Kupyansk as Kiev begins to retreat

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted two significant blockages of Ukrainian troops near Kupyansk, involving more than 15,000 military personnel

ISS orbit raised by almost 5 km before launch of Progress MS-29 spacecraft — Roscosmos

According to preliminary information, the ISS’s average orbit was increased by 4.9 km to 417.2 km above Earth

Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

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People evacuated from Brazil’s Supreme Court after blast nearby — agency

According to Reuters, Brasilia’s military police confirmed that a body was found near the court building

Countries will line up for Russian gas when US stops exporting LNG — Serbian president

According to Aleksandar Vucic, Washington will use LNG "for the growing consumption of artificial intelligence, electric charging stations and everything else"

Russia keeps positive dynamics of agricultural production — ministry

The production index of foodstuffs was 104.2% in January - September against the like period in 2023 and the index for beverages was 109.8%

DPR head Pushilin visits Ugledar, says town badly destroyed

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Trump to end NATO’s obsession to get on Russian territory — White House ex-strategist

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Israel delivering strikes on refugee camps in Gaza — TV

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Ukraine moves medics, non-combat personnel to infantry to counter Russian advance

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Not all Republicans support Trump in refusing further military aid to Kiev — newspaper

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Ukrainian artillery attack on Energodar, home to Zaporozhye nuke plant, kills one

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Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya noted that Resolution 2735 was only a tool to gain time for Israel

Russia keeps building defense capacity despite conflict in Ukraine — Polish general

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US State Department insists DPRK troops engaged in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

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Trump 'demonstrates affinity' for Russian President Vladimir Putin — newspaper

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Russian politician condemns destruction of dam on Kurakhovo reservoir as Kiev’s terror act

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First S-550 air defense systems enter service in Russia — source

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Israel achieves its goals in conflict with Hamas, time to 'end the war' — Blinken

"Israel, by the standards it set itself, has accomplished the goals that it set for itself," the US Secretary of State noted

Russia has written off $20 bln worth of African debts — MFA

Mikhail Bogdanov added that it allows using those debts "to implement socio-economic projects directly in the country"

Russian diplomat doubts EU economy could rebound unless policy toward Moscow changes

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Bank of Russia sets dollar rate at 98.37 rubles for November 14

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Russia set to deepen cooperation with China in law enforcement — top security official

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African countries realized that "this pressure contradicts their own national interests", Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said

Russia open for contacts with Trumps’ team on Syria — Russian diplomat

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Czech intelligence warns of crime surge after Ukraine conflict ends

More than 380,000 people, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine to the Czech Republic since February 24, 2022

Next-gen Su-57 shows strength of Russia’s defense sector — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that military experts had praised the "unmatched capabilities" the plane displayed at the Airshow China in Zhuhai

Too early to talk about meeting between Assad, Erdogan — Russian diplomat

"Certain communication is maintained between the defense ministers, in the four-lateral format," Alexander Lavrentyev said

Medvedev warns that EU behavior in struggle with Russia fraught with 'bad scenario'

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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

Trump’s return to power unlikely to change US approach to Ukraine crisis — Lavrov

Washington will always seek to control everything that is happening within NATO’s orbit, especially on NATO territory, the Russian foreign minister said

US administration always seeks to weaken Russia — Lavrov

The foreign minister pointed out that the Americans had long declared the idea that "there should be no country in the world more influential than the United States"

Ukraine aims to call up 1 mln people in eastern areas by end of 2024 — official

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US views Russia as present-day threat, Trump may prioritize containing China — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that reputation matters the most to the United States which does not care about the real fates of peoples, in particular the Ukrainian one

Russia inks first deals to deliver Su-57 fifth-generation fighter to foreign customers

Alexander Mikheyev also explained the expectations and effect of the demonstration of Russian military hardware at Airshow China in Zhuhai

Erdogan praises Russia, China for backing arms embargo on Israel

According to the Turkish leader, Israel "will become more and more aggressive if arms and ammunition supplies continue"

Damascus may count on joining BRICS after Syrian crisis is settled — Russian diplomat

"We hope that by the time when Syria becomes a BRICS member, a decisive line will be drawn under the Syrian settlement and we will be glad to admit Damascus as a member of this outstanding organization," Alexander Lavrentyev said

Trump plans to appoint special envoy on Ukraine to hold peace talks with Russia — TV

According to the source, the job is not expected to be a salaried role

Russian frigate carrying hypersonic weapons embarks on first deployment in distant waters

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Russia to ensure parity in response to US missile defense system in Poland — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that by placing the missile defense system in Poland, the United States is bringing its military infrastructure closer to Russia in an attempt to curb its potential

Ukrainian losses, Sudzhansky district head retirement: situation in Kursk Region

Units of the battlegroup continued offensive operations, defeating Ukrainian formations in the areas of the settlements of Daryino, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevo-Daryino and Novoivanovka

US missile defense base in Poland to defend US, Europe alike — Polish foreign minister

Radoslaw Sikorski also expressed hope that the base will never go into action

Explosion of Kurakhovo reservoir dam disrupts water supply

Roman Pukalov noted that the blast killed many fish in the reservoir, washed away fertile soil, and inundated potentially hazardous sites, including cemeteries, cattle burial grounds, and fertilizer depots

Russian Battlegroup North artillery units hit Ukrainian weapons, manpower in Kursk Region

"Crews of D-30 122mm howitzers of the Battlegroup North’s artillery unit struck Ukrainian artillery and mortar systems and manpower in a Kursk Region’s border area," the Russian defense ministry said

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 450 troops, two tanks, three IFVs, two M113 armored personnel carriers, 33 armored combat vehicles, five artillery pieces, including a Krab self-propelled howitzer, a Crotale multiple rocket launcher, and 49 motor vehicles

Medvedev characterizes Great Britain as eternal adversary of Russia

"At least until such time as their arrogant, despicably dank island sinks into the abyss of the sea from a wave triggered by a cutting-edge Russian weapons system," the politician said

Biden assures Trump of smooth transition

Republican President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in on January 20, 2025

Trump announces appointment of senior White House officials

Dan Scavino, one of Trump’s longest serving and most trusted aides, will be assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff

Finnish government requests EU sanctions exemption for Russian owners of sports arena

Finland's Foreign Ministry will need to obtain unanimous approval from EU countries

Press review: UK and French leaders discuss Ukraine as the dollar continues to climb

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Borrell calls on EU to play ‘military role’

"Trump's re-election should make it clear to us that Europe should bolster its security and take its destiny into its own hands," EU’s outgoing top diplomat said

Scholz promises to transfer sixth IRIS-T system to Kiev by yearend

Ukraine and Germany also discussed further defense cooperation

Trump's planned key appointments

Trump appointed Congressman Michael Waltz (Republican, Florida) as national security adviser

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Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev did not rule out the possibility that the incident was the result of sabotage

Kiev's Western allies begin to acknowledge need for territorial concessions — report

The diplomats see this approach as "land in exchange for Ukraine’s security"

Detentions, blocking of roads: what is known about situation in Abkhazia

The prosecutor general stated that following the incident, four Abkhazian residents were detained: Garry Kokaya, Almaskhan Ardzinba, Omar Smur, and Ramaz Dzhopya

Two injured in bridge collapse in Crimea

"A car and a truck were on the bridge at the moment of collapse. Russian Emergencies Ministry rescuers retrieved two injured people," the ministry said

Almost 80 killed, over 120 injured by Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon in past 24 hours

The Baalbeck-Hermel Province in northeast Lebanon reported two people killed and 11 injured