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German regulator cannot continue Nord Stream 2 certification — spokesperson

Certification of the Nord Stream 2 operator needs a positive assessment of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the German Federal Network Agency explained

BERLIN, February 22. /TASS/. The German Federal Network Agency can continue certification of the Nord Stream 2 only on condition that the Ministry of Economic Affairs comes to a conclusion that there is no threat to country’s energy security in issuing the permit for the gas pipeline, a regulator’s spokesperson told TASS.

"Certification of the Nord Stream 2 operator needs a positive assessment of the Ministry of Economic Affairs," the spokesperson said. The Ministry should conclude that "there is no threat for security of supplies," he noted.

"It has not been available yet. The Federal Network Agency cannot certify the company now. Pipeline operation without certification would be unlawful," the spokesperson added.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced suspension of Nord Stream 2 pipeline certification process after Moscow’s decision to recognize independence of Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.

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Russian stock indices rising on Friday

The MOEX Russia Index edged up by 0.44%, the RTS Index surged by 1.13%

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

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister said Kiev required US-made Patriot systems and Italian-French Samp-T theatre antimissile systems

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

Military commanders of Ukrainian army brigades "lack both personnel and the required amount of equipment" while Russian troops enjoy a considerable superiority, especially in artillery, Sergey Krivonos noted

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

Russian government increases customs duties on beer from unfriendly countries

This measure is not a prohibitive one and will make it possible to make competitive conditions equal for Russian producers, the ministry said

Unidentified man attempts suicide outside courthouse where Trump trial is underway

The man set himself on fire

Russian economy proves resilience amid large-scale sanctions — IMF

The IMF states that the restrictions led to the need to rebuild the economy

US gives nod to Israeli operation in Rafah in exchange for canceling major attack on Iran

According to the media outlet, "the US administration will support the plan for a military operation in Rafah put forward earlier," which provides for dividing the city into numbered sectors that will be mopped up one by one

World’s anti-doping agency WADA still waits for Russia’s 2023 financial contribution

Russian Sports Minister Oleg Matytsin said in February that the Russian side had agreed with WADA to pay the membership fee for the year of 2023

Ukraine’s new ethnic minorities law insufficient to protect Magyars — Hungarian president

According to Katalin Novak, Hungary’s call for the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia to be respected should be viewed as a common European demand

French, US, British nukes all interwoven — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova described France’s decision to place its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, directly under NATO control as a symbolic move marking the end of "the era of an independent Paris in the international arena"

Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

The group contains US finance and justice ministers, representatives of Australia, the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, France, Japan, as well as the European Commission

No plans for pauses in fighting if talks on Ukraine begin, Lavrov says

The Russian foreign minister emphasized that the situation on the ground had changed significantly

FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

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Russia not to go for settlement on Ukraine based on 'Zelensky formula' — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat referred to a swindling trick used by a thimblerigger who puts a small round object, such as a ball or pea, under one of three thimbles or cups and asks the player to guess under which the object is, while unfairly manipulating this object

BRICS looking at creating common digital payment platform

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that BRICS nations have already established a special channel for information exchange between their central banks

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 13 times in past day

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Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

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US assured Israel that Iranian drones will be intercepted — US journalist Hersh

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

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Hungarians in western Ukraine should get their rights back, Budapest says

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

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Press review: Biden backs aid to Israel, Ukraine and Russia assets giving West legal fits

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Major Western investor accuses Zelensky's office of extorting millions of euros

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US House passes procedural vote on Ukraine aid bill

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West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

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Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

The Russian foreign minister also described Armenia and Russia as more than formal allies

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

Donald Tusk said that German Chancellor’s call to send more air defense systems to Kiev had no relation to Poland, provided the country's geographical position near the frontline

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

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Press review: Ukraine, Israel vie for EU’s attention and Georgia passes controversial bill

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Armenia has to define CSTO’s zone of responsibility on its territory, says Lavrov

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Musk says he will not vote for Biden in presidential election

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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 Cabinet expands list of perfumery, cosmetic products subjected to import duty

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Court arrests another man accused of blowing up car of former SBU officer in Moscow

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Russian military base may appear in CAR’s eastern region — President Touadera

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

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Russian economy positively influences neighboring countries — Deputy PM

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US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

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Russia handed over draft agreement to Ukraine on April 15, still no response — diplomat

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

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Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Russia to scrap moratorium on intermediate missiles if US deploys them anywhere — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov said the US seeks to maintain military superiority in a great variety of areas

West frightens voters by 'Russian threat' to win elections — Lavrov

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Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

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Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

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Russian stock indices rising on Friday

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Lavrov labels way West ramping up sanctions against Russia as mindless

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

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S-500 system to be supplied to Armed Forces after 2015

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BRICS’ expansion makes it much stronger — senior Russian diplomat

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West can’t comprehend Russia’s resilience — Lavrov

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Chinese analyst sees US veto on Palestine as reflection of arrogance, double standards

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Russia to begin next week clinical trials of anti-COVID-19 vaccine for children

This is for the age group of 6 to 11 years old

Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian army’s aircraft park near Nikolayev — defense ministry

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

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US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

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American Abrams tanks vulnerable even to Soviet-era weapons, says expert

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North Korean leader arrives at public event in Aurus luxury car gifted by Putin

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Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

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French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

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Iran may target Israeli nuclear center in Dimona in case of Israel’s attack — TV

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Izvestia correspondent Semyon Eremin killed in special operation zone

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Shoigu orders additional tank protection sets for Ukraine operation

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

Iran says drones downed over Isfahan launched from country's territory

"A failed attack with a few quadcopters that were shot down cannot be considered a real attack anywhere in the world," a spokesman for Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace said

Russia can join top three countries by lithium reserves — governor

Infrastructure is required to implement the investment project, both power transmission lines and the railroad, Andrey Chibis noted

No foreign state attacks Iran — TV

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Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

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EU ministers to discuss use of Russian assets for Ukraine on April 22 — EU official

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Drones downed over Isfahan cause no damage, says Iranian foreign minister

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

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Russia delivers 34 strikes on Ukrainian military infrastructure over week — top brass

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Russia open to help resolve situation in Sudan — ambassador

Andrey Chernovol recalled that the Russian embassy is currently located in the temporary capital of Sudan, Port Sudan, and diplomats are in contact with the country's official authorities

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

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MFA says Kiev legalizes capture of country by making agreements with Warsaw

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

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Bank of Russia supports accelerating bill on international cryptocurrency payments

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