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Putin-Biden meeting in Geneva

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Work on program of Russia-US summit in Geneva is in progress, Kremlin aide says

When asked whether the issue of the return of Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov and US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan will be raised, Yuri Ushakov said, "Too early to say now"

Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov Alexei Nikolsky/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS

Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov

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

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. Work on the program of the Russia-US summit in Geneva is underway, Kremlin Aide Yuri Ushakov said on Tuesday.

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"I cannot talk about the details as long as the work on the program is in progress," he said, responding to a question from TASS about whether it is planned to sign any documents following the Putin-Biden meeting.

When asked whether the issue of the return of Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov to the US and US Ambassador John Sullivan to Russia will be raised, Ushakov said, "It is too early to say now."

Earlier, both the Kremlin and the White House said that the Putin-Biden summit would take place in Geneva on June 16. According to the Kremlin press service, the two presidents will discuss the current state of Russian-US relations and their prospects for development, strategic stability, as well as current issues of the international agenda, including cooperation in combating the coronavirus pandemic and the settlement of regional conflicts. It will be the first personal meeting between the two leaders since Biden took office.

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, Antonov’s and Sullivan’s participation in the Geneva summit has not been ruled out, but no final decision has been made so far. "I cannot rule out anything, but I repeat that there is no decision given that the format has not been agreed on," Ryabkov said on Tuesday answering a question from TASS.

Antonov was invited to the Russian capital for consultations after Biden’s notorious interview, in which he said that the Russian leadership would have to "pay a price" for Moscow’s alleged attempts to meddle in US elections. In addition, when asked whether he considered Putin to be "a killer", Biden answered in the affirmative. The Russian ambassador has been in Moscow since March 21, while Sullivan returned to Washington, DC, on April 22.

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Russia dissatisfied with UN’s activity under grain deal — senior diplomat

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West bends sanctions rules when it suits them — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

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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

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Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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Top brass posts video of Leopard tanks, Bradley combat vehicles seized by Russian troops

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Ukrainian army short about 150,000-200,000 troops, says Polish general

Waldemar Skrzypczak also said it was "a matter of hours" until Kiev received the weapons allocated by the US as part of its latest military aid package

Radioactive cloud from Ukraine’s eliminated munitions drifts to Europe — Security Council

"An increase in radiation levels has already been registered in Poland," Nikolay Patrushev warned

Lukashenko sees Ukraine conflict posing risks to Belarus

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IN BRIEF: Russian deputy defense minister, entrepreneur arrested for taking bribes

According to the investigation, Timur Ivanov and Sergey Borodin "criminally conspired with third parties" in order to receive a bribe "as providing monetized services when conducting contracted and subcontracted work" for the Defense Ministry

Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

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Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

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US arms supplies unable to change situation in Kiev's favor — Kremlin

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Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

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

The resolution gained 13 votes

Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

Radicals, intel services behind terror attacks in various countries, says Putin

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Russian Foreign Ministry denies report of consular services ban abroad

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Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

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Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

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Russian tourists flock to North Korea — embassy

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