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PUTIN'S Q&A SESSION

Putin says no to liberalizing drug laws

About 26% of those serving out prison sentences in the country were convicted under drug laws, the president noted

© Alexei Nikolsky/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. There is no need to liberalize laws related to the transport, storage and distribution of drugs, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his annual televised Q&A session on Thursday.

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"Indeed, we see many indictments in drug cases. Moreover, about 26% of those serving out prison sentences in the country were convicted under drug laws," he noted. "Do we need to ease rules in this area? In my view, we don’t, because we are dealing with a great threat to our country and nation. If someone illegally transports, stores and distributes even the smallest amounts of drugs, they should be held accountable and there needs to be no liberalization," the Russian president added.

The Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) earlier suggested amending Article 228 of the country’s Criminal Code, mitigating punishment for the purchase and possession of large amounts of drugs without intention to resell them so that drug addicts could escape getting the same sentence as drug dealers.

Putin has already voiced his position strikes inside Russia with US weapons — diplomat

Earlier The New York Times reported that US President Joe Biden has allowed to use US-supplied long-range missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, to strike inside Russia

Gazprom has the right to stop gas supplies to Moldova due to country’s debts — Moldovagaz

Chairman of the Board of the Russian-Moldovan gas distribution company Vadim Cheban noted that he was not aware of any plans by the Russian gas holding to take advantage of this opportunity

Trump may review Biden’s decision on strikes inside Russia with US missiles

"I suspect most everything will be under review," a member of Trump’s transition team said

US using Ukraine as instrument for fighting against Russia — Kremlin

Russia still urges the Kiev regime to stop sending its citizens to death and killing Russians in Ukraine, Peskov noted

US should not get involved in disputes in South China Sea — Xi

Separatist activities in Taiwan are incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Xi Jinping added

Canadian PM on Putin-Scholz talks: Ending Ukraine crisis requires `a level of engagement’

Ottawa is continuing to engage closely with Kiev, Justin Trudeau added

Trump team fears negative impact of allegations against Hegseth — media

According to sources, many in Trump's team are reportedly disappointed

IN BRIEF: What is known about situation in Abkhazia

In order to stabilize the situation, President Aslan Bzhania decided to withdraw from the parliament a bill on the ratification of the agreement with Russia on the implementation of investment projects by Russian legal entities on the territory of the republic

Pentagon chief believes Ukraine conflict will be resolved through talks

Pentagon chief said that following a meeting with his Australian and Japanese counterparts

Fifteen projectiles fired at Israel from Lebanon — IDF

Some of the projectiles were intercepted and the rest fell in open areas

Kremlin says Putin spoke with Scholz in Russian through interpreter

"In Russian, of course, through an interpreter," he said in an interview for the "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin"

Georgian opposition blocks road near Tbilisi State University

The protesters have also begun to pitch tents

Scholz, Biden have nothing to offer Putin — German expert

"He [Scholz], like another lame duck in the US - Joe Biden, has nothing to offer," Prof. Thomas Eger of the University of Cologne told the Bild newspaper

Finland seizes over 30 more real estate properties owned by Russian government

The value of these confiscated apartments is more than ten million euros, the agency said

FACTBOX: Abkhazian leader leaves capital amid opposition’s demands for polls

TASS compiled main facts about the situation in the country

Foreign mercenaries fighting on Ukraine’s side near Kupyansk, says military expert

Most of the intercepted talks deal with military issues, using a special talk chart, Andrey Marochko specified

Kursk Region’s newspaper editor-in-chief killed in Ukrainian drone attack on her car

Apart from that, in his words, a newspaper employee and a police officer received wounds

Relations with Russia to improve for mutual benefit, says Finnish President Stubb

The Ilta-Sanomat daily pointed out that Alexander Stubb had been in the presidential office for eight months already, but never managed to hold any talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Ukrainian intel officers in Syria to be eliminated as terrorists’ accomplices — diplomat

According to Alexander Lavrentyev, there are "in fact Russian troops stationed" in Syria

Clear Zelensky won't be the one to decide about talks with Russia, says Lavrov

"Russian President Putin has repeatedly said that we have never refused to negotiate," the Russian foreign minister reiterated

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

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Abkhazian lawmakers, public activists discuss mediatory efforts to settle political crisis

One of the opposition leaders and th chairman of the committee for defending Abkhazia’s sovereignty, Mikaa said

Russia introduced temporary restrictions on enriched uranium exports to the US

This is a tit-for-tat measure against the restriction of Russian uranium products imports introduced by the US for 2024-2027 and the ban to be imposed by it since 2028 onward

Over 3,300 people cross into Syria from Lebanon in past day — Russian military

People crossed Syria’s border from Lebanon via the checkpoints of Al-Arida, Al-Jawasiyeh, Al-Dabousiyah, Jisr Qamar, and Jdaidet Yabous

Biden authorizes use of US long-range weapons to strike inside Russia — media

The newspaper noted that the decision was made two months before Biden vacates the presidential office

Russian helicopters notable for high reliability — company

Russian helicopters in China are mainly used by the Ministry of Emergency Situations for aviation protection of forests, rescuing in earthquakes and elimination of consequences of natural disasters

Fico’s adviser says special military operation underway between US, Russia

Military and financial support provided to Ukraine is not a way of solving the crisis, Mazgut said

Lavrov outlines Moscow’s approach to Ukrainian crisis during visit to UAE — ministry

Lavrov arrived in Abu Dhabi to take part in the Sir Bani Yas international peace and security forum

Chechen leader reports eliminating Ukrainian troops in Sumy Region

According to Ramzan Kadyrov, fighters from the 34th Akhmat-Russia motorized rifle regiment conducted reconnaissance using unmanned aerial vehicles

Georgia’s ruling party scores 53.93% in elections, wins 89 mandates — CEC results

Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party has won the parliamentary elections with 53.93% of the vote

Five Ukrainian drones downed over Bryansk, Kursk Regions — defense ministry

Russian air defense systems destroyed three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles over the Kursk Region and two - over the Bryansk Region

US-led coalition aircraft violate Syrian airspace 12 times in past day

Apart from that, two violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019 linked with the flights by the US-led coalition unmanned aerial vehicles were reported

RFK Jr. calls for immediate US-Russia talks on Ukraine

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin put forward his latest peace proposal for the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, which envisages the recognition of the status of Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions as Russian constituencies

Pilot lauds thrust, aerodynamics of smooth-flying Su-57 fighter jet

According to Sergey Bogdan, this fighter jet flies smoother than anything out there today

Kremlin says tone of Putin-Scholz conversation was businesslike, quite frank

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 15

Abkhazia’s opposition agrees that vice president will act as head of state

Adgur Ardzinba, Leader of the Abkhazian Popular Movement, said that the entire cabinet is to resign

Ukraine is running low on Storm Shadow missiles — The Daily Telegraph

Reports on whether Kiev is authorized to use the UK-supplied missiles for deep strikes on Russia have been controversial over the past few months

Scholz's call to Putin speaks of intention to learn Russia's position firsthand — Kremlin

The conversation took place at the initiative of the German side

Ukrainian troops surrender as Russian forces advance — captive

Alexander Rapolyuk noted that they had originally been sent to the Kursk Region under the pretext of replacing their comrades, but upon arrival, they found that the servicemen they were meant to replace had already been killed

Paris, London authorize strikes inside Russia — newspaper

According to Le Figaro, Kiev "will be able to use SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles for these purposes"

Macron doesn’t rule out phone call with Putin — TV

The French leader said that a conversation with Putin is possible "when relevant conditions and circumstances appear," the BFMTV television channel reported

Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

Nikolay Patrushev agreed that Trump, when he was still a candidate, "made many statements critical of the destructive foreign and domestic policies pursued by the current administration"

54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

116 countries, including Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Cuba, Serbia, and Syria, supported the document

APEC Summit declaration takes Russia’s interests into account — Deputy Prime Minister

He said that the document was adopted by a consensus, and the Peruvian presidency "even twice made sure" that it has been achieved, and was told in response: "yes, the consensus has been achieved."

Bzhania says he remains Abkhazia’s elected president

"There is the law, and from the viewpoint of the law I am an elected president," he said

Eight killed, 17 injured in knife attack in China

No further details have been provided

Russia open to Ukraine talks based on June proposals, Putin tells Scholz

"Russia's proposals are well known and outlined, in particular, in a June speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry," the Russian president said

Russian troops liberate DPR's Leninskoye, Makarovka

Russian army hits Ukrainian energy facilities

Turkey does not consider pullout from NATO — Erdogan’s party

Earlier, on Wednesday, the deputy leader of the Turkish Motherland Party, Ethem Sancak, said that Turkey might leave NATO in five to six months due to provocative actions against Ankara

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

Israeli drone strikes Islamist party’s office in western Beirut

Al-Jamaa al-Islamiyya is affiliated with Hezbollah and takes part in the latter’s operations against Israel

Russia inflicts damage on gas production facilities used for Ukraine’s defense industry

Energy facilities backing Ukrainian defense industry extensively attacked

Putin-Scholz phone conversation was arranged promptly — Kremlin spokesman

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday

Russia awaits Trump’s proposals on Ukrainian settlement — Lavrov

"Russia's position was clearly worded by the Russian president on June 14, 2024," Sergey Lavrov stressed

Russian forces capture 10 km of LPR border — military expert

On October 16, Andrey Marochko informed TASS that Ukrainian forces were still operating near three key towns in the LPR’s west: Svatovo, Kremennaya, and Lisichansk

Blast occurs at Udmurtia facility, preliminarily due to drone

The blast did not cause serious damage, the staff have been evacuated

German envoy doubts time is ripe for talks on Ukraine ceasefire

"It’s quite clear that Europe will play its part in resolving" the conflict, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff said

Actions of those seeking to stage coup in Abkhazia harming relations with Russia

Abkhazia should rely on the union with Russia and build its own state, Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania said

Press review: UK and French leaders discuss Ukraine as the dollar continues to climb

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, November 12th

Scholz describes his phone call with Putin as important and detailed

"The conversation was detailed but revealed that little has changed in the Russia president’s views. This is not good news," Scholz said

German government confirms death of ten Germans in Ukraine since February 2022

The request was filed by Bundestag member Andrej Hunko of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance - Reason and Justice party

Hostages taken in restaurant in Paris suburb — TV

Meanwhile, Le Figaro reported that the perpetrator stated his intention to commit suicide

US denies possession of extraterrestrial technologies

According to Sue Gough, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, an office at the US Department of Defense that investigates unidentified anomalous phenomena, "is continuing its review of the historical record of US government UAP programs"

Russia, China eyeing new gas route via Kazakhstan — Novak

Consideration of the route is at the initial phase, the Russian official said

Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

Earlier, the entrepreneur opined that the bloodshed in Ukraine would end soon

European politicians repeat their position on Ukraine like mantra, says Kremlin

"Russian President Vladimir Putin told Olaf Scholz in detail about Russia's vision of what is happening, about possible prospects for the development of the situation," Dmitry Peskov said

Putin has already voiced his position strikes inside Russia with US weapons — diplomat

Earlier The New York Times reported that US President Joe Biden has allowed to use US-supplied long-range missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, to strike inside Russia

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine to Sudzha totals 42.4 mcm

On the previous day, the pumping also equaled 42.4 mln cubic meters

Trump to zero in on fragmenting BRICS, Ukraine to take back seat — expert

According to the political scientist Boris Mezhuyev, in all likelihood attempts to replace the presidents of Brazil and Venezuela, and pit India, Russia and China against each other are coming

Russian troops liberate five communities in Donbass region, Kharkov area over week

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted more than 4,715 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 10 Western-made artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Houthis say they attacked Tel Aviv, Ashkelon

According to Sarea, the Houthi drones "successfully hit their targets" in Israel

Ceiling collapses at Siberian mine, at least one trapped - investigators

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday

Lavrov arrives in Rio de Janeiro to take part in G20 summit

On November 18, the top Russian diplomat is expected to speak at plenary session on issues of fighting against poverty and famine, as well as of reforming global institutions

Developments in Kursk Region: Ukrainian fighters suffer losses, face charges in Russia

Ukraine lost more than 100 servicemen, a tank, an armored fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, two D-30 122-mm howitzers, a mortar and an electronic warfare station over the past day

Press review: Trump forms foreign policy team and Europe sets course for militarization

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 13th

Putin tells Scholz agreements on Ukraine should proceed from realities on ground — Kremlin

"Possible agreements should take into account Russia’s interests in the security sphere, proceed from the new territorial realities and, above all, eliminate the causes of the conflict," the Russian leader said

Russian court issues arrest warrant in absentia for neo-Nazi Panovsky

The crime stipulated by the article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation incriminated to Panovsky carries a punishment of 12-20 years in jail

IAEA inspectors notified of high voltage power supply line shutdown at ZNPP

The reason for the shutdown remains unknown

Georgia’s opposition holding march protesting against parliamentary election outcome

The march started from three locations in Tbilisi, with the protesters planning to meet for a rally in front of the parliamentary building

Zelensky’s new plan for Ukraine is ‘an attempt to imitate’ busy activities — politician

Vitaly Ganchev noted that Zelensky's plans "pose no particular interest anymore to anyone and they the proposals are certainly not taken seriously"

Swedish minister in charge of gender equality suffers from bananaphobia

The phobia is so strong that special precautions need to be taken before her meetings

Trump vows to settle conflict in Ukraine before his inauguration

He also pledged to prevent World War Three

West to face 'devastating' response if it allows Kiev to strike deep into Russia — MFA

According to Maria Zakharova, Ukrainian social media accounts are meanwhile speculating that the Zelensky regime plans to present the received Western missiles as Ukrainian, changing the labels to use the weapons to attack Russia

Press review: Switzerland open to hosting Putin-Trump talks as NATO and EU back Ukraine

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 15th

US State Department insists DPRK troops engaged in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region

Patel also insisted that "Russian forces have trained the DPRK soldiers in artillery, in UAV, and basic infantry operations, including trench clearing, which are critical skills for frontline operations"

Trump not to meet with foreign leaders before inauguration - Kyodo

According to the report, the Japanese government was notified about it by Trump’s team

Ukrainian people don't need support promised by Scholz after talks with Putin — Lavrov

Commenting on the Russian side's assessment of the conversation, the top diplomat emphasized that there is already a corresponding comment from the Kremlin

China receives first batch of Russian S-400 missile systems — source

Russia’s S-400 Triumf is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and surface targets

Europe’s financial, military resources depleted due to Ukraine situation — Fico’s adviser

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga said earlier that the total military help from the US and European states to Kiev had exceeded 100 bln euro

German defense minister calls for trying to build dialogue with Russia on Ukraine

Boris Pistorius, however, noted that he sees no changes in Moscow’s course

Russian missile frigate enters Mediterranean Sea in long-distance deployment

In the Mediterranean Sea, the missile frigate’s crew will accomplish missions as part of the Russian Navy’s standing taskforce

Opposition to form temporary government unless Abkhazia’s president resigns

Abkhazia’s opposition has named Vice Premier, Finance Minister Vladimir Delba to the post of prime minister and acting president until new elections are held, Gulia said

Phone conversation between Putin, Scholz lasted one hour — Kremlin

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, marking their first phone conversation since December 2022

Situation at OSCE security forum worsens under Danish chairmanship — Foreign Ministry

"The language of hostility and hatred was heard with renewed vigor at the Forum along with calls for the 'punishment' of the Russian leadership, which the Danish ambassador openly called 'a source of inspiration'," the department added

Talks on Iran Nuclear Deal to resume soon, Iranian foreign minister says

According to Abbas Araghchi, since the presidency of late Ebrahim Raisi, Iran-US talks were held through the mediation of Oman, but the process has been suspended since May

Putin congratulates Gazprom on completion of work on Nord Stream 2

The gas pipeline is ready for operation, the Russian President said

One third of Mariupol residents, who fled to Ukraine, already returned

Lack of due support, and accommodation issues, are the reason

Russia inks first deals to deliver Su-57 fifth-generation fighter to foreign customers

Alexander Mikheyev also explained the expectations and effect of the demonstration of Russian military hardware at Airshow China in Zhuhai

Turkey plans to commission first unit of Akkuyu NPP in 2025

According to the development program, in 2025, the country plans to generate an extra of 1,200 MW of electricity, including up to 64 GW by the nuclear plant

Russia's newest Su-57 fighter jet superior to China's new J-35 — test pilot

Sergey Bogdan emphasized that the newest Russian fighter was a "magnificent platform for a future generation of configurations, just as the Su-27 aircraft in its heyday"

Outgoing US administration should end military support for Ukraine — Hungary’s Orban

Viktor Orban believes it would be only fair and just for the outgoing Biden administration to reduce military support for Ukraine as power changes hands