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US decision on Jerusalem aggravates deadlock in Palestine-Israel settlement — Lavrov

Moscow is very much concerned about the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement, the Russian top diplomat said

MOSCOW, May 11. /TASS/. Washington’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate the US Embassy there only intensifies the deadlock in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement, top Russian diplomat Sergey Lavrov said on Friday at a meeting with Nickolay Mladenov, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.

"We are very much concerned about the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement. That’s the deadlock, and this deadlock is becoming deeper and deeper, especially in light of the well-known US decisions on Jerusalem," Lavrov said. "All countries express profound concern over the explosive potential that has accumulated, which can detonate at any moment and which has already resulted in loss of life."

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Palestine ready to seek legal action over US decision on Jerusalem, vows envoy

"Concurrently, disturbing attempts are being made to change the configuration of the entire geopolitical map of the Middle East and North Africa in such a way so as to put the Palestinian problem on the back burner. We are certain that this is a very dangerous path and that, given the importance and the severity of the crises in Syria, the situation in Yemen, around Iraq, Libya, in spite of the need for additional efforts to resolve these conflicts, we have no right to put off the Palestinian problem, which is very important from the standpoint of changing the overall atmosphere in the region for the better," Russia’s top diplomat stressed.

According to Lavrov, Moscow is in favor of making the role played by the [Middle East] Quartet (Russia, the US, the UN and the EU) as active as possible. "Unfortunately, this has not been observed so far. I hope to discuss with you what we can do to make sure that the Quartet as a universally recognized mediator in the Middle East processes and the UN decisions dedicated to the Palestinian-Israeli settlement do not sink into oblivion," Lavrov noted.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Russian servicemen seize British FV104 Samaritan armored ambulance — top brass

"The vehicle has already been repaired and is being prepared to be added to the collection of foreign trophy weapons," the Russian Defense Ministry said

Hungary suggests EU countries adopt Georgian-style foreign agent law, adviser says

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

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Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky said that he "inspected all the units"

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Bilateral relations between Russia and China should be expanded with "detailed plans, roadmaps with specific events and projects," Dmitry Volvach noted

Assassination attempt on Slovak PM Fico was planned in advance — defense minister

It is reported that doctors are doing everything possible to stabilize the patient

Zelensky admits possibility of Ukraine losing Kharkov

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Afghanistan to expand range of goods exported to Russia — deputy PM Overchuk

"We are interested in Afghan exports of agriculture products to our market," Alexey Overchuk said

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According to Axios, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at a meeting with ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions of 17 countries that Hamas has withdrawn from negotiations with Israel as it hopes to increase international pressure on the Jewish state by demanding an end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip

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Vitaly Ganchev added that as of today, more than 200 square kilometers of the region had been liberated from the Ukrainian armed forces

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Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 17th

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Konstantin Kosachev pointed out that it was a mutually beneficial and promising partnership

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Foreign aid to Ukraine a money laundering scheme, head of Chechnya says

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Russian servicemen seize British FV104 Samaritan armored ambulance — top brass

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Americans undermine trust in dollar, its role as reserve currency themselves — Putin

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Russian troops destroy 600 combat aircraft in Ukraine operation — top brass

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Legitimate Ukrainian president needed to sign any agreements, says Putin

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Law on new rules of mobilization comes into force in Ukraine

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Russia working on logistics with Gulf countries — deputy PM Khusnullin

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Slovakia’s PM in 'very serious' condition, president-elect says

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Another five Chinese brands to enter Russian market in 2024

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Russia, China warn US, NATO against setting up military infrastructure in Afghanistan

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Russia, China may pool efforts to create materials for future spacecraft — scientist

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Putin apologizes to Harbin residents for tight security measures over his visit

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Strategic role of North Korean nuclear forces to increase by 2025 — Kim Jong Un

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Putin explains Russian army’s operation near Kharkov by need to create buffer zone

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Blast at Budenny Academy in St. Petersburg not linked with terrorism — governor

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Ukraine’s military has about 2,000-strong garrison in Kherson — resistance fighters

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French army train unit of ‘super covert’ scouts in Estonia — radio

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Russian troops use latest Upyr FPV drones in Kharkov push

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Starlink’s failure helps Russian army take Kiev forces by surprise in Kharkov Region — WP

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Ukrainian troops leave most positions in Netailovo near Avdeyevka, says DPR

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Russian stocks close in the green on Friday

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Russia to find platforms for speaking out if US refuses to issue visas — senior diplomat

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Diplomat warns about response to EU ban on broadcasting of Russian media outlets

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Putin says up to Ukraine’s judicial system to decide on Zelensky’s legitimacy

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Qatar to focus efforts on partnership with Russia on North-South project — envoy

The North-South project is also important for many countries of the region, Ahmed bin Nasser bin Jassim Al-Thani added

North Korea tested tactical ballistic missile with new guidance system on May 17

The test launch confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the system, the Korean Central News Agency reported