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Diplomat hails Lebanese, Iraqi participation in Astana talks to help resolve Syria crisis

Russia's diplomat expects that the joining of new participants will help improve the engagement of Syria’s neighbors in the settlement process

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Sergei Karpukhin/TASS

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova

© Sergei Karpukhin/TASS

MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. The participation of Lebanon and Iraq in the Astana process on Syria will make it possible to resolve a number of pressing issues, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.

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"Today, Lebanese and Iraqi observers have for the first time joined the Astana talks. We believe that it will improve the engagement of Syria’s neighboring countries, making it possible to discuss pressing issues such as the return of Syrian refugees, the restoration of trade and economic ties and relations between Damascus and its Arab partners in more detail," she said.

The 13th international high-level meeting on Syria takes place in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan on August 1-2. The event involves representatives of the guarantor countries (Russia, Iran and Turkey), the Syrian government and the armed opposition. High-ranking officials from the United Nations and Jordan are present at the meeting as observers.

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China urges restraint after Russia, Ukraine's exchange of attacks — foreign ministry

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US not seeking confrontation with Russia, but will continue assistance to Kiev — Pentagon

Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also claimed that Washington, while helping Ukraine, is not attempting to turn the conflict into a large-scale regional confrontation that spills beyond the country’s borders

Western countries should 'be afraid, tremble' after Putin's statement — lawmaker

Andrey Kartapolov added that the special military operation in Ukraine "will continue its course until all tasks are completed"

Kremlin clarifies notification process for Oreshnik missile launch

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Ukraine should consider territorial concessions to Russia in return for peace — magazine

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Col. (Ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson confirmed to TASS that the launch of ATACMS missiles would be impossible without "US/NATO satellite feeds and/or personnel"

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US administration chooses to escalate Ukraine conflict — Kremlin

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Japanese lawmaker praises Putin's restraint amid decision to strike deep into Russia

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed that the US administration had lifted restrictions for US-supplied missiles to be used for strikes up to 300 kilometers inside Russia

Russian forces successfully advancing in all areas in special military op zone — Putin

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Ukrainian frontline may 'collapse' under onslaught of Russian forces — BBC

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Trump’s inauguration will take place on January 20, 2025

Kremlin confident Putin's statement got through to US administration

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on November 21 that the United States and its NATO allies had earlier announced that they would authorize Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons to hit inside Russia, after which American and British missiles struck Russian military facilities in the Kursk and Bryansk regions

Putin’s recent statements reflect long-standing policy, expert says

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Viktor Orban recalled that Russia has "one of the most powerful armies in the world, which boasts the most advanced, most powerful weapons"

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Zelensky shook up by Russia’s response to permission to attack it — Lavrov

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US decision to allow missile strikes deep into Russia fuels global escalation — Slovak PM

Robert Fico also rejected the belief that this escalation would not impact "those living far away, in Spain, England, or America"

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Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

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