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Russia, UAE finalizing free trade zone agreement

Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Vladimir Ilyichev added that "there are discussions with colleagues in respect of how dangerous the UAE jewelry industry is for our producers"

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Russia and the United Arab Emirates are at the final stage of preparing the free trade zone agreement, Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Vladimir Ilyichev said at the RBC Foreign Trade Forum.

"We completed 80% of the path with Indonesia. We have some points in tariff agreements that require finalizing and all the chances are in place to complete that by the end of the year. We are also at the closing stage with the UAE, although there are discussions with colleagues in respect of how dangerous the UAE jewelry industry is for our producers. We would like to agree upon more reliable instruments in the agreement," Ilyichev said.

The ministry is "fairy optimistic" in respect of reaching an agreement in Mongolia, the official said. "We assume that we will complete by the end of the year. One or two steps remain. It has never been a simple story, this is also the issue of mutual interests, specific industries. The case with India and Egypt has been rather challenging thus far. Concerning India, this is due to a large imbalance in trade," the deputy minister added.

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Zelensky says ready to hold elections in Ukraine

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Russia’s new Svarog digital drone put into operation in special military operation zone

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Russians' domestic travel spending up by 30% yoy in autumn, study says

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Zelensky admits that Ukraine cannot take Crimea back from Russia

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Belarusian General Staff believes West preparing for war

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German chancellor, other European leaders urge Zelensky to reject US peace plan — WSJ

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US plans to cut aid to Kiev after last installments of G7 loan

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Russia’s New START proposals can stop destructive process in field of security — official

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Russia’s Battlegroup East wipes out seven Starlink terminals

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EU prepares to admit Ukraine by 2030 and start war with Russia — Orban

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Ombudswoman slams potential seizure of Russian assets as violation of everyone’s rights

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Russian troops liberate Ostapovskoye community in Dnepropetrovsk Region over past day

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Putin signs annual decree to call up reservists for military training

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Lavrov to update senators on key matters of Russia’s global agenda

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Russian ambassador visits US congresswoman’s Christmas reception

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Russia says only Ukrainian air defense damages civilian objects in Ukraine

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US Department of Energy raises 2025 Brent oil price forecast to $68.91 per barrel

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Former US President Obama forced Ukrainian authorities to give up Crimea — Trump

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Ukrainian elections, Russia’s negotiating position, Europe decaying: Trump's statements

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Italy considers use of frozen Russian assets risky for Europe — minister

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Russia pays fee to UN budget fully — representative of Secretary General

Stephane Dujarric added that Russia had contributed $71,781,915

Russian troops expand buffer zone liberating Ostapovskoye — expert

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GAC continues operations as usual and performs all the current obligations, the press service informed

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Hungary, Russia to hinder actions of opponents of peace in Ukraine — Szijjarto

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US reporter Christopher Helali added to on Ukraine’s undesirable persons database

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Spain suspends investigation into death of defector from Russia over lack of suspects

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Musk calls for elected body instead of European Commission

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North Korean leader offers condolences on death of Russian envoy to Pyongyang

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Hungarian foreign minister rips EC president von der Leyen's leadership

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Press review: EU seeks to push US peace plan to stalemate as Thai-Cambodia clashes flare

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 9

UK imposes sanctions against philosopher Alexander Dugin, the Rybar think tank

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An-22 aircraft crashes in Ivanovo Region — emergency services

According to the source, seven people were on board

FACTBOX: Russia hit by 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, nine wounded in Cheboksary

The injured people are getting all necessary medical assistance

Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport diverts, cancels dozens of flights

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Russia in contact with US, awaiting outcomes of discussions with Kiev — Kremlin

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One dead, 260 wounded at Damascus rally marking one year since fall of Assad regime

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Zelensky tries to drown sensible settlement proposals in stream of nonsense — envoy

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Russian Finance Minister noted importance of reducing dependence on oil, gas revenues

Anton Siluanov said earlier that the share of revenues from hydrocarbons will continue declining in budget receipts

Pope Leo says doesn’t know when he could visit Ukraine

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Zelensky says new version of peace plan will be handed over to US on Wednesday

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