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Developments in Afghanistan

Russia not considering official recognition of Taliban — Lavrov

At the same time, the Russian foreign minister stated that Russia maintained contacts with the Taliban

© EPA-EFE/STRINGER

SOCHI, October 19. /TASS/. Russia is not considering any possibility of the official recognition of the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

"The official recognition [of the Taliban] is not being discussed and it has been stated publicly," he told journalists after a meeting with the participants in the 18th annual session of the Valdai international discussion club.

He noted that "like other countries that have influence in the region," Russia maintains contacts with the Taliban and hopes the Taliban will keep its promises and take measures to ensure the inclusiveness of the Afghan government not only from the ethnic but also from the political point of view.

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Sergey Lavrov Power transfer in Afghanistan

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Ukrainian troops surrender as Russian forces advance — captive

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

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Russian foreign ministet Sergey Lavrov visited the United Arab Emirates and talked with his colleague Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan

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

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Baltic Fleet’s patrol ship Neustrashimy returns to Baltiysk after long-distance campaign

Neustrashimy spent more than four months at sea and sailed approximately 30,000 nautical miles

Israel hits nuclear research facility in Iran, Axios claims

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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

Putin, Roscosmos chief outline vision for Russia’s space program

Yury Borisov provided a brief report about what the National Project consisted of, its main objectives, tasks and expected outcomes

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Damage will be assessed, and local authorities will provide assistance with restoring the damaged buildings

Opposition in Abkhazia demands early presidential election

A Central Election Commission official has told TASS that if the president agrees to resign today, an early election should be held within three months

Ukrainian army attacks Kharkov Military-Civil Administration car with drones

The car's chassis, body, and cabin were badly damaged in the attack

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

Russia's liberation of Stepanovka in DPR spells trouble for Ukrainian troops in Kurakhovo

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Russian Armed Forces had liberated the settlement of Stepanovka in the DPR

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

FACTBOX: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

APEC economies account for 62% of the world’s GDP and 47% of global trade, with approximately 3 billion people living in countries that participate in the forum

Kremlin comments on possible return of Japanese, European cars to Russia

No official statements have been received so far from European automakers regarding the return to the Russian market, Dmitry Peskov noted

Putin congratulates Gazprom on completion of work on Nord Stream 2

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

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

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

TASS compiled main facts about the situation in the country

China-Japan relations far more than bilateral — Xi

Xi Jinping also emphasized China's willingness to "work with Japan in accordance with the principles and directions established in the four political documents signed by the two countries"

Kennedy Jr. added to Mirotvorets list after Trump’s appointment

Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump previously nominated to head the U.S. National Intelligence Agency, is also still on the list

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

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday

Fire in women’s shelter near Moscow put out

The fire in a safe house for women in the city of Odintsovo near Moscow has been put out

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

France wraps up training of new Ukrainian brigade — minister

The brigade is equipped with French weapons

Ukrainian battlegroup deprived of regular supplies in Kurakhovo in Donetsk area — expert

The Ukrainian battlegroup’s supplies have been impaired in the Kurakhovo area after Russian forces placed a road section west of that community under their gunfire control, Andrey Marochko clarified

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

Hypothetical Russia-US arms treaty needs to take other threats into account — Pentagon

According to Washington, future bilateral agreements or arrangements with Russia will need to account for U.S. deterrence requirements and other strategic threats globally

Polish foreign minister confirms meeting with European counterparts to discuss Ukraine, US

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski added that apart from the top diplomats from France and Germany, Warsaw also invited Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga

Opposition halts talks with officials in Abkhazia, plans to build up forces

Protesters seized control of key government buildings in the country’s capital earlier

Abkhazian president leaves capital after opposition’s ultimatum

At present, Aslan Bzhania is staying in his home village of Tamysh

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

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

North Dakota governor to head Interior Department, newly-formed Energy Council — Trump

The president-elect said the National Energy Council would bring together all departments and agencies involved in the permitting

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand become BRICS partner countries — Russian MFA

"The BRICS Summit in Kazan demonstrated the desire of the global majority to establish a fair world order, reform global institutions and build equitable economic ties," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said

Release of 23 Russians taken to Ukraine from Kursk Region being discussed — ombudswoman

The documents are currently being considered by the Verkhovna Rada’s commissioner for human rights, Dmitry Lubinets and his office

FACTBOX: Putin, Scholz hold phone talks first time in two years

The talks were initiated by Berlin

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

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

Armenia’s statements indicate its reluctance to take part in CSTO events — diplomat

When asked about Yerevan’s possible participation in the upcoming CSTO events, including a summit on late November, Alexander Pankin said that this question should be addressed to the Armenian side