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Putin sends New Year, Christmas wishes to Trump, Biden

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Putin hopes some problems in relations with US will be solved under Biden

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent Christmas and New Year wishes to incumbent US President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden, the Kremlin reported Wednesday.

"The Russian leader has sent congratulations to US President Donald Trump on the occasion of Christmas and New Year holidays and wished good health, high spirits and well-being to him and his family, wishing all US citizens happiness and prosperity as well," the statement reads.

"In the congratulatory New Year and Christmas message to US President-elect Joe Biden, Putin noted that the coronavirus pandemic and other challenges faced by the world this past year reaffirmed that large-scale international cooperation is in demand. The president expressed confidence that Russia and the US could do a lot to boost both regional and global stability and security by advancing their relations in the spirit of equality and taking each other’s interests into account," the Kremlin stressed.

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Top US diplomat Blinken arrives in Shanghai

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Iran denies reports it pulled some military advisers from Syria — Al Mayadeen

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US incapable of replicating Cold War-era arms race — Valdai club expert

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Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

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Mikhail Bogdanov noted that "the African continent is a dynamically developing part of the world with an enormous growth potential, attractive domestic market and expanding export prospects"

Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

Russian deputy defense minister detained on suspicion of bribe-taking

"Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Vladimirovich Ivanov was detained on suspicion of committing a crime under part 6, article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code," the Russian Investigative Committee said

Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

Ukraine "is carrying a heavy burden" for the benefit of the EU, and therefore EU member states must "provide Ukraine with means to defend themselves," European Commission president said

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Proposal for a UNSC resolution will take into account the results of the discussion of the US-Japanese document, as well as the progress on this subject, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

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"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

Global community changing tune about how Ukraine conflict started — security official

According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

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Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

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US military aid for Kiev cannot stop Russian army’s advance — North Korean diplomat

The US Congress House of Representatives earlier passed bills on military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

Ukraine could send special forces to capture Zaporozhye NPP — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, the Ukrainian troops are holding drills to cross the Dnieper from the right bank to the left bank and capture a large industrial site

Russia discourages use of UN sanctions for interference in African affairs — envoy

Vasily Nebenzya underscored that Russia continues to "make an important contribution to strengthening of African countries’ potential, including UN Security Council and General Assembly"

West steps up aerial reconnaissance near Russia-Belarus borders — security official

"Today, 20-30 reconnaissance planes fly in the airspace of the Baltic states and Poland weekly," Pavel Muraveiko added

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Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

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"ALBA can be among the founders of a new world, a new international multipolar order," the Venezuelan president stressed

German defense minister says Russia making more arms than it needs for its op in Ukraine

"A larger part of what is being manufactured is not sent to the frontline but goes to warehouses," Boris Pistorius said

No response from West to killing of Izvestia war reporter Eremin — diplomat

The Russian war correspondent died of wounds suffered from a strike by a Ukrainian FPV drone on April 19

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Tim Burchett added that "it’s not about little green man or flying saucers, it’s about tens of millions of dollars that our federal government is spending"

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Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

US draft on nukes in space seeks to go beyond legal framework Russia adheres to — MFA

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US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

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Irina Podnosova said courts have been receiving an increasing number of complaints, attributing it to the rising trust that people have to the judicial system

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Alexander Pankin noted that during his visit to New York he did not have any talks with UN officials on the Russian-UN memorandum

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Military expert Andrey Marochko speculated that the Ukrainian army had to resort to this tactic because the TV tower in Kharkov was damaged

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Ukraine says Western systems ineffective against Russia's electronic warfare

Maria Berlinskaya emphasized that the real effectiveness was determined in real combat conditions, and not at "some training ground in Texas"

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"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

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Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

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