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Russia will fulfill all of its goals, Putin pledges

The President thanked the participants of his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly and stepped away from the podium when the Russian national anthem began to be played

© AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko

MOSCOW, April 21. /TASS/. Russia’s development goals will definitely be attained, Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed on Wednesday. He concluded delivering his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly by addressing all Russian citizens.

"We will do everything. We will do everything in order to attain all the stated objectives. I am confident that we will do it together and [we] will fulfill all the tasks that we set out to resolve," the head of state pledged.

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Russia will always defend itself from arrogant countries, says Putin

Putin thanked the participants and stepped away from the podium when the Russian national anthem began to be played.

The delivery of this year’s address lasted about 1 hour and 18 minutes. This is close to the average duration of such events (about an hour and a quarter). The shortest speeches, 48 minutes each, were delivered by Putin in 2004 and 2005, while the longest one - the 2018 address - lasted almost two hours.

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Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

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Maria Zakharova described France’s decision to place its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, directly under NATO control as a symbolic move marking the end of "the era of an independent Paris in the international arena"

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The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

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Russian government increases customs duties on beer from unfriendly countries

This measure is not a prohibitive one and will make it possible to make competitive conditions equal for Russian producers, the ministry said

Press review: Biden backs aid to Israel, Ukraine and Russia assets giving West legal fits

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 19th

No plans for pauses in fighting if talks on Ukraine begin, Lavrov says

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Moscow International Film Festival kicks off

MIFF President Nikita Mikhalkov, a celebrated Russian film director, declared the festival open, praising the bravery of foreign cultural figures who are visiting Russia at this time

Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

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Hungarians in western Ukraine should get their rights back, Budapest says

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Water level of Ishim River in Russia’s Tyumen Region surpasses dangerous mark

It has reached 911 centimeters

Ukrainian drone damages energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kaluga Region

There are no casualties, Governor Vladislav Shapsha said

Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

Military commanders of Ukrainian army brigades "lack both personnel and the required amount of equipment" while Russian troops enjoy a considerable superiority, especially in artillery, Sergey Krivonos noted

China’s Russian oil imports rise by 13% in first quarter of 2024 — customs

In monetary terms, Russian oil exports to China increased by 17.9% to $13.858 bln in the first quarter of the year

Russian economy positively influences neighboring countries — Deputy PM

In 2023 the Russian economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, Alexey Overchuk said

French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

Emmanuel Macron added that Europe’s resources are limited, and the European Union will continue helping Kiev keeping in mind its own reserves

Russian military closely monitors all Ukrainian 'novelties' — Kremlin on UAVs

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West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

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Russia won’t allow NATO to move closer in Ukraine — Lavrov

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Moscow demands international organizations condemn killing of Russian war correspondent

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also expressed condolences to Eremin’s family and friends

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"This military whirlpool can drag Europe to the bottom. Brussels is playing with fire and angering God," the Hungarian prime minister said

Lavrov labels way West ramping up sanctions against Russia as mindless

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Founder of neo-Nazi cell in Crimea flees to Georgia — source

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North Korea conducts new anti-aircraft missile test — KCNA

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US House passes procedural vote on Ukraine aid bill

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