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Czech Republic cannot abandon Russian oil yet — trade minister

"Following completion of the TAL+ [oil pipeline] construction and a significant boost in the Transalpine oil pipeline’s (TAL) capacity, it will be possible to sever supplies over the Druzhba oil pipeline from Russia," Josef Sikela noted

PRAGUE, August 28. /TASS/. The Czech Republic cannot currently completely drop supplies of Russian oil, industry and trade minister Josef Sikela said at a meeting with Czech diplomats.

"The immediate transition to exclusively non-Russian [oil] sources is not possible" until construction is finished on the IKL oil pipeline linking the Czech Republic with the TAL oil pipeline in the German city of Ingolstadt, the Czech minister said.

"Following completion of the TAL+ [oil pipeline] construction and a significant boost in the Transalpine oil pipeline’s (TAL) capacity, it will be possible to sever supplies over the Druzhba oil pipeline from Russia," Sikela added.

Construction of the IKL oil pipeline is scheduled to end in 2025. The Czech Republic will start receiving four million metric tons of oil per year more after it goes live.

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Russian national Nikita Zhuravel sentenced to 14 years in prison for high treason

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New EU sanctions on Russia may target 80 individuals, entities — agency

In addition, the EU proposes imposing restrictions on some 30 organizations allegedly assisting Moscow in acquiring military technologies

Ukraine is a failed state, Russian foreign intelligence chief says

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Talk of halting Ukraine conflict related to Russia’s initiative on battlefield — SVR

Sergey Naryshkin added that the Western capitals "stopped thinking about strategically defeating Russia and shifted to thinking about how to avoid such a defeat themselves"

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Europe resumes talks of troop deployment to Ukraine — newspaper

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

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Press review: Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik missiles and EU gas prices reach record high

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Ukrainian commander-in-chief reports threats to troops in Zaporozhye Region

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"Our forces continue their coordinated efforts to liberate the Kharkov Region from the enemy," Vitaly Ganchev said

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Russian forces entrap Ukrainian troops near Svatovo in LPR — military expert

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Retreating Ukrainian troops leave dozens of bodies behind in Chasov Yar

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Russia’s launch of new missile illustrated assured retaliation capability, lawmaker says

Andrey Kartapolov also noted that the enemy currently has no defenses against the Oreshnik.

Lebanon wary of reports of potential ceasefire with Israel

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Russia rejects Korean scenario for freezing Ukraine conflict — foreign intel chief

Sergey Naryshkin recalled that the only way to ensure peace is to eliminate the root causes that triggered the Ukrainian conflict

West attempting to stage color revolution in Georgia, Lavrov warns

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West seeks to destabilize global order, Russia’s intelligence chief says

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FACTBOX: What is known about Russian flight incident at Antalya Airport

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Moscow strips UK diplomat of accreditation over false data in documents — Russian agency

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UK delivered dozens of Storm Shadow missiles to Kiev weeks ago — news agency

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France, UK may deploy troops to Ukraine following ceasefire — expert

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Current rules to prevent Europe from winning 'future arms battle,' French admiral warns

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NATO spies study damage from Oreshnik at Yuzhmash — expert

Alexander Stepanov emphasized that both Kiev and its Western allies are closely scrutinizing the consequences of the strike on the plant

Ukrainian officer says 90% of fellow servicemen have no desire to fight

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Pentagon not yet assessed damage caused by use of Russia’s newest Oreshnik missile

"When we have more to provide, we will," Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said

Georgescu wins first round of Romania’s presidential vote as ballot tally ends

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who leads the Social Democratic Party, ended up third with 19.15% of the vote

Fire breaks out in Japan during test of Epsilon S rocket engine

There were no casualties as a result of the incident, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said

EU Commissioner for Justice calls on members states to step up assistance to Ukraine

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