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Russian Economy Ministry not planning self-ban experiments for marketplaces

The received initiative deserves certain attention, Vladimir Voloshin noted

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. There is no experiment or government regulation performed and planned for the time being for a self-ban on purchases at marketplaces, department director of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development Vladimir Voloshin told TASS.

"It is important to note that for the time being, no state regulation or preparation and holding of an experiment related to introducing of the self-ban of limiting the number of purchases in marketplaces," the official said.

The received initiative deserves certain attention, he noted.

"We are now working a draft law on the platform economy. We received several hundred proposals and we are considering in as much detail as possible each of them aimed at protecting consumer rights. At the same time, there should be no rush. We should consider how similar mechanism work, for example, analyze the experience and enforcement practice for the mechanism of the self-ban on consumer loans," Voloshin said.

Energy crisis in Europe

Gazprom highlights untypically low gas reserves in European UGS for December

In particular, gas reserves in UGS facilities in the Netherlands have fallen below 60%

Ukraine’s energy system on brink of collapse — Washington Post

According to the newspaper, experts agree that things have been particularly bad for Ukraine lately

Russia starts using Force reconnaissance drone, resistant to electronic warfare

The device is equipped with thermal imaging equipment and can work around the clock

Ukraine peace depends on success of Moscow-Washington talks — US radio host

According to Steve Gill, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with US leader Donald Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner was crucial to finding a path toward peace in Ukraine

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The meeting in Turkmenistan lasted for about one and a half hours

EU sanctions to have no impact on Valdai's activities — director of research

Fyodor Lukyanov added that he had not been to Europe in ages

Ukraine’s NATO membership 'out of question,' EU foreign policy chief admits

Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for tangible security guarantees

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Normalization in BiH requires immediate closure of high representative office — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister said that "It was obvious 20 years ago"

Chile’s new President Kast hints on difficult times for his country

The country's financial situation is bad, Antonio Kast said

Police detain likely suspect of shooting at Brown University

No information has been released about the detainee’s identity or the motive behind the incident

Russia stands by Venezuelan people, backs President Maduro — Foreign Ministry

Alexander Shchetinin, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Latin American Department, noted that Venezuela "is currently under overt political pressure and military blackmail"

EU 'traps' itself into Russia reparations loan plan for Ukraine, expert says

Boris Pervushin said this approach threatens to erode long-term trust in Europe as a stable and predictable economic space

UAE-backed forces launch military operation in southern Yemen

The latest move is a continuation of ongoing efforts to "eliminate terrorism and reinforce security and stability" in the governorate

US-Ukraine talks in Berlin last over five hours — media

According to Novosti Live, Vladimir Zelensky plans to comment on the progress of the negotiations on Monday

Russia needs guarantees to prevent Kiev from sabotaging agreements — Kremlin

Washington’s position is certainly very important here, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

FACTBOX: Russia hit by 130 Ukrainian drones overnight, one injured in Rostov Region

Residential buildings and two cars sustained damage

Ukrainian attack leaves almost 30,000 customers without power in Zaporozhye Region

Balitsky noted that energy personnel were "working non-stop" to restore supplies as soon as possible, but the weather was complicating repair efforts

Russia focuses on US instead of Europe in terms of Ukraine peace process — Kremlin

The Europeans are playing their own game, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Hungarian, Polish foreign ministers exchange heated remarks on Russian assets online

The spat started with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s post, which stated that the EU leaders’ decision to seize Russian assets without consulting Hungary violates numerous laws and is "a declaration of war"

Fico describes Ukraine as ‘black hole’ swallowing billions of euros

According to the Slovak prime minister, the European Union is currently in crisis

Germany agrees on ten-point plan to expand military cooperation with Kiev — media

The German government also plans to build a sort of alliance with its European partners to jointly purchase weapons for Ukraine

About 10,000 mercenaries fighting for Kiev regime killed in Ukraine — ex-intel officer

However it is difficult to give the exact number of mercenaries killed in Ukraine, noted Vasily Prozorov

Russian embassy in The Hague calls on the Netherlands to end 'anti-Russian hysteria'

The embassy also recalled that Acting Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans recently called for increased military support for Kiev and expressed the need to "be prepared for a conflict with Russia by 2030"

Ukrainian forces stretched thin in DPR, Russian commander says

Alexey Vereshchagin, commander of the Nevsky reconnaissance-assault brigade of Battlegroup South’s volunteer corps said that his "brigade’s zone of responsibility covers the city of Soledar, as well as the Kramatorsk and Druzhkovka area"

Trump says threatened Thailand and Cambodia with new duties

US President said he was sure that the duties is an important tool in the foreign policy for his administration

Zelensky, pressured by Trump, pretends to be ready for elections — news agency

According to the report, Vladimir Zelensky instructed Verkhovna Rada lawmakers to "develop a draft law on the possibility of holding elections during martial law"

Florida man sanctioned by EU for pro-Russia social media posts

The EU Council claims that John Mark Dougan holds American and Russian citizenship

Ukraine launches major drone attack on Rostov Region overnight — governor

According to Yury Slyusar, there were no casualties

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According to Alexander Voloshin, NATO’s advance on Russian borders in bypassing formal procedures violates the principle of indivisible security

Extremist Ukrainian database Mirotvorets doxes chiefs of two Russian sports federations

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Russia to strongly object to changes to Ukraine peace plan — Kremlin aide

Yury Ushakov pointed out that Moscow had not seen the proposals yet

Russia welcomes FIDE’s decision to reinstate Russian chess players’ rights — Peskov

"We deeply appreciate this decision made following the vote of the General Assembly," Russian presidential spokesman said

No recorded threats from Russia to use nuclear weapons — IAEA chief

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Jose Antonio Kast wins Chilean presidential election

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Kremlin aide confident Zelensky's talk of elections comes from US pressure

"What a double-dealing," Yury Ushakov said

Kremlin spokesman critical of NATO chief’s remark about preparations for war

This must be a statement by a person from the generation that has forgotten what World War II was like, noted Dmitry Peskov

NATO specialists in Ukraine triggered special military operation — Kremlin

This posed a direct threat to Russian citizens in Ukraine, as well as broader security risks for Russia, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

EU continues blacklisting companies, individuals

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FIDE to consult with IOC on lifting sanctions against Russians

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At the same time, Karol Nawrocki himself stated that he still dreams of being at the same negotiating table for peace in Ukraine with the leaders of Russia, the United States and representatives of Kiev

Russia opposes political interference in anti-corruption cooperation — MFA

Speaking about the agenda of the current forum, Dmitry Lyubinsky emphasized that Moscow intends to uphold "the principles of equality and consideration of the interests of all countries"

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

Kiev loses 1,355 troops along engagement line in past day

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The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,480 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Zelensky started to promote war after coming to power on promises of peace — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that the Minsk Agreements were in fact a staged plan that had been signed by all parties, including Poroshenko

Analyst expects EU to cease to exist as global political entity by 2023

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Oil transit from Russia to China via Kazakhstan does not require US approval — minister

Regarding large companies in the republic where Russian participants subject to sanctions are present, in Astana, "all of those projects received so-called exemptions from sanctions," Yerlan Akkenzhenov said

Trump vows retaliation over attack on US-Syrian patrol

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Lukashenko pardons more than 100 citizens of various countries

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Russia blocks Western attempts to politicize UN anti-corruption conference — MFA

Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky condemned "the illegal use of sanctions, labeling, and the imposition of unilateral standards and fabricated rules"

Saudi Arabia's crown prince may buy FC Barcelona for €10 bln

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Ukrainian forces facing huge losses in Kharkov Region — Russian security officer

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No true partnership in relations between Poland and Ukraine — Polish president

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Igor Dodon pointed out that Moldova’s official agencies have not recorded any preparations or threats from the unrecognized republic

Kiev ready to hold elections, renounce NATO aspirations — media

Bild reported that Kiev is allegedly also ready to "freeze" the current line of engagement but refuses to withdraw its troops from the entire Donbass territory

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Authorities of Sri Lanka ask Russia for additional aid amid Ditva cyclone — ambassador

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Russian delegation arrives in Washington for G20 sherpa meeting — envoy

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EU prepares for war with Russia, forces Serbia to choose sides — ex-premier

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Sri Lanka views uninterrupted Russian oil supplies, says ambassador

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EU to blacklist 40 new tankers on Russia — Kallas

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Seven EU countries against expropriation of Russian assets — news outlet

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Zelensky blackmails Western handlers to get them secure his re-election — Russian diplomat

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Explosions damage energy infrastructure in Ukrainian city of Odessa — authorities

Transport and industrial facilities were also damaged

US not updating Russia in real time on Berlin talks — Kremlin

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Zelensky to fail in trying to take Crimea back, secure NATO membership — Kremlin

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US insists on complete withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbass during talks — AFP

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West erodes traditional values — Russian Foreign Ministry

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Rob Reiner, his wife found dead in their Los Angeles home — TV

The People magazine stated that the American actor and his wife were killed by their son, Nick

US, Ukraine hold difficult talks in Berlin — WSJ

The talks lasted five hours and will continue on Monday

'Paranoid' Hegseth removes Driscoll from Ukraine talks — media

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Press review: Kiev and Europe seek to derail peace plan as Ukraine awaits $5 bln EU aid

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 15th

EU leaders want to drag all of Europe into war with Russia — Hungarian top diplomat

Peter Szijjarto noted that Budapest intends to "stay away from this"

Ukraine conflict could lead to World War III, Trump warns

The US president said the conflict in Ukraine "doesn’t really affect the United States, unless it got out of control"

US forces conduct operation on ship traveling from China to Iran — WSJ

After the goods were confiscated, the ship continued on its way, the newspaper said

'Shuttle diplomat' Stubb emerges as key mediator in US-Ukraine talks in Berlin — media

Bild noted that the Finnish president maintains close ties with US President Donald Trump and is therefore acting as a mediator between the United States on one side and Europe and Ukraine on the other

Ukrainian MP points out Umerov has not been back to Ukraine since start of US talks

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West benefits crime by scaling back anti-corruption cooperation — Russian MFA

According to Dmitry Lyubinsky, this approach by Western countries, especially in the field of extradition and legal assistance in criminal cases, "cannot withstand any criticism"

Seizure of Russian assets to backfire on EU — Hungarian PM

It is a direct step toward entering the war, Viktor Orban said

EU demonizes Russia to justify its arms race — newspaper

Vladimir Zelensky "realizes that Ukraine may lose up to one fifth of its territory and is trying to prevent a peace agreement on such terms" in an attempt to cling to power, the article says

EU sanctions Vietnamese, UAE companies as part of anti-Russian measures — document

These restrictions include freezing the companies' assets and banning any contacts with European businesses

Australian police arrest two more people over Sydney terrorist attack

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, police detained two men at a residence belonging to one of the attackers

Russia provides necessary support to Venezuela, common sense must prevail — MFA

The United States has baselessly accused Caracas of failing to take adequate measures against drug trafficking

At Berlin talks, Zelensky refuses economic zone in Donbass, troop withdrawal — newspaper

European countries disagree with Washington's position, believing that the issue of territories is not subject to discussion until Ukraine receives security guarantees

US, Ukraine complete talks in Berlin — Zelensky’s office

The Ukrainian media reported that the talks lasted around two hours

Berlin says no plans for direct dialogue with Russia

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Russian senator calls Merz's words recognition of major geopolitical shift

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