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Vladimir Putin's annual press conference

Common currency of Russia, Belarus may appear in future — Putin

Laws of two countries should be aligned at first in the sphere of economy, antitrust regulation, taxes and customs, the Russian leader said

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. The common currency of Russia and Belarus is a probable issue in the future but economies should be synchronized initially, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the annual press conference aired live from Moscow's Manege Hall.

"We are building the Union State. The level of our integration is much lower up to now than the integration level in the European Union, simply incomparable," the Russian leader said. "Not to mention the common currency, let it pass; this is the issue of the future probably, if our relevant economic services reach some consent in this regard," Putin noted.

Laws of two countries should be aligned at first in the sphere of economy, antitrust regulation, taxes and customs, the Russian leader said.

"We came to terms on all that matters and will start working now. I am confident there will be results," Putin added.

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Foreign policy Vladimir Putin's annual press conference

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Victor Orban also said that hopes for the development of economic cooperation with the United States after President-elect Donald Trump takes office

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Israeli minister’s suggestion of nuclear strike on Gaza raises questions — Russian MFA

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Gazprom to replace European sales market with new export destinations, says Italian expert

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Russian cancer vaccine to be free of charge — top oncologist

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Assad allegedly hands list of military targets over to Israel before leaving Syria — media

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Eight people killed in Israeli strike on school in Gaza Strip

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An-2 plane missing in Kamchatka located, survivors found — regional emergencies ministry

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Ukraine loses over 300 troops, two Bradley vehicles in Kursk Region in past day

Eight motor vehicles and two electronic warfare stations were also destroyed? the ministy added

Russian forces control more than half of Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that Russian forces had "slightly advanced" in the northern and southern parts of Chasov Yar

Proposal to duel with West response to claims of Oreshnik missile vulnerability — Kremlin

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Russia continues to provide military assistance to Syria — Lavrov

"It is not our business to forecast," he said

Georgian president demands appointing snap elections within week

Salome Zourabichvili also promised to announce her further plans on Monday

Father of conscript who killed 8 in Siberia asks son to cooperate with investigators

The father said that his son would like the unit where he had served to be disbanded

Israeli delegation discussing in Doha ways of reaching deal om Gaza — TV

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Hungarian PM highlights need to lift sanctions on Russia once Ukraine conflict is resolved

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Russia’s Battlegroup South liberates settlement of Ostrovskogo in DPR — Defense Ministry

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Kiev takes out its anger for military defeats on Russian people — diplomat

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