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Putin-Biden talks lasting for over one hour

According to Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov, the conversation will last "as long as it takes"

SOCHI/WASHINGTON, December 7. /TASS/. Russian and US Presidents, Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden, have been holding talks in the videoconference format for more than an hour.

The talks began at about 18:08 Moscow time. According to Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov, the talks might be quite lengthy. The conversation will last "as long as it takes," he said, adding that such talks have no precise timing.

At the beginning of the talks, the presidents exchanged greetings and Biden was the first to speak. He expressed the hope for a meeting with the Russian leader in person in the future.

According to TV footage, both presidents are sitting at their tables. The talks are held behind closed doors with consecutive interpreting.

The agenda includes the situation in Ukraine and NATO’s eastwards expansion, strategic stability and bilateral topics. The two leaders are also expected to touch upon issues of regional security, including the situation in Afghanistan.

The talks are being held via a secure videoconference channel set up especially for their video contact. This channel has never been used before.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Any aggression against Crimea to be met with crushing retaliation — Russian MFA

In recent days, Maria Zakharova continued, Ukrainian forces "have been seen using several US-made ATACMS long-range missiles, which were secretly received a month ago, against Crimea"

Press review: Biden losing traction amid student protests and EU's right-wing prospects

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Azerbaijan’s president points to highest level of cooperation with Russia

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Solar storm reaches Earth earlier than planned — scientists

Powerful solar flares were registered on April 30 and May 1

Kiev loses 18 observation posts on right bank of Dnieper in past day — Russian official

The Russian army carried out active defensive operations on the left bank of the Dnieper, conducting precise strikes on enemy military facilities, equipment and artillery weapons on the right bank

Russia urges partners not to take part in conference on Ukraine in Switzerland — diplomat

Bern had invited more than 160 delegations to the conference on Ukraine

Russian troops liberate Berdychi community in DPR over past day — top brass

Russian troops inflicted casualties on four Ukrainian army brigades in the Kherson area over the past day, the ministry reported

Macron, despite statements, still hesitant to send troops to Ukraine — media

On May 2, in an interview the French leader named two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev's request and Russia's breakthrough on the front line

Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

Retaking Chasov Yar is just a matter of time for Russia — Ukrainian intelligence

Vadim Skibitsky admitted that the Russian forces now operate as a "single body, with a clear plan, and under a single command"

Russia puts former Ukrainian finance minister, national bank chief on wanted list

Charges against them were not specified in the ministry’s database

No decisions in EU to send troops ‘in a direct way into Ukraine’ — Latvia’s top diplomat

"Discussions take place all the time, but again, we only can talk when the decisions are made," Baiba Braze added

NATO accuses Russia of being behind 'hybrid, malign' activities on alliance’s territories

It is reported that NATO Allies express their deep concern over Russia's hybrid actions, which constitute a threat to Allied security

US fails to shoot down Iranian missiles, drones in strike on Israel — IRGC general

Ali Belali described Iranian weapons as "an important factor of strength and the exercise of power in the world"

Building housing offices, production lines catches fire in Moscow

The flames are covering an area of 2,500 square meters

Press review: US to ban Russian uranium and Georgia pushes ahead with controversial bill

Top stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 2nd

Kiev troops face 'two-week difficult situation' near Chasov Yar in DPR — journalist

Kirill Sazonov noted that the situation is difficult for Ukrainian troops and especially dangerous on the flanks with roads leading to the city under constant fire

Turkey does not intend to transfer S-400 to any country — defense minister

Britain and Spain are not against the sale of fighter jets to Ankara, while Germany, as a member of the consortium that produces the Eurofighter, has not yet approved the deal

French politician demands Macron drop plans to send troops to Ukraine

The French president said earlier in an interview with The Economist that sending troops to Ukraine could be considered based on Kiev’s request if Russian forces broke through the front lines

Zelensky bowing to Western pressure, ready to give Ukrainian lands away — official

"Contrary to the Ukrainians' interests, Zelensky, blindly obeying the external control of the collective West, wants to give its lands, cities and subsoil to other countries," Viktor Medvedchuk pointed out

G7 countries privately recognize Russian assets seizure not on the table — FT

Western countries are "exploring alternative ways of extracting funding" for Ukraine from the frozen assets, the newspaper said

Italy to send latest package of military aid to Ukraine before G7 summit in June

According to the report, the aid package for Kiev, Italy's 9th, will include the delivery of a SAMP-T air defense system produced jointly with France

Russia to fully provide itself with critical raw materials by 2030 — official

Surplus minerals will be exported, Head of the Federal Agency for Mineral Resources Yevgeny Petrov said

Half of Avdeyevka’s territory cleared of explosives — newspaper

"We begin by talking to civilians and asking whether they came across anything unexploded," said the commander, identified by only his call sign Panda

Donetsk official says Ukrainian troops left positions near Arkhangelskoye

Igor Kimakovsky also said Ukrainian troops suffered heavy losses at this section of the front

Trinidad and Tobago recognizes State of Palestine

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China may review its US investment after Washington’s new sanctions on Russia — investor

According to Kyle Shostak, the new restrictions imposed by the United States may affect bilateral trade in consumer goods between Russia and China as "Chinese banks will be increasingly selective toward the servicing of Russian and related Chinese counterparties"

Russian users having full access to TikTok

TikTok halted streaming and posting of new videos in Russia on March 6, 2022

Latvia digging anti-tank ditches on border with Russia, Belarus — media

Kaspars Lazdins noted that once the ditches were ready, the so-called dragon’s teeth barriers would be set up on the border

Russian diplomat sees Kiev preparing for new attack on Crimean Bridge with Western support

According to Maria Zakharova, ahead of Victory Day celebrations in Russia, "the Kiev regime and its Western patrons are plotting new terror attacks on Russian soil," while aiming for the news to "reverberate in the media and have a propaganda effect"

Ukrainian drone attacks bus in Belgorod region, one person injured

Two passengers and the driver were inside the vehicle at the time of the attack

Latvia must name countries that allow Ukraine to hit Russia — MFA

In this way Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on a statement by the Latvian Foreign Ministry that Kiev had already received from some partners Western weapons with permission to use them for strikes on Russian territory

Military aid to Ukraine promises lucrative contracts for US industry — Orban

Eight Syrian servicemen wounded in Israeli strike on Damascus — SANA

Al Hadath channel said the attack targeted a base of Lebanon’s Shia militia, Hezbollah, located southwest of Damascus International Airport

French president doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine if Russia breaks front lines

Emmanuel Macron pointed out that "many countries understood" Paris’s approach and agreed "that this position was a good thing"

NORAD tracks four Russian military planes off Alaska — statement

"This Russian activity in the Alaska ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat," the statement says

US confirms Russian troops enter US base in Niger

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Zelensky cannot be legitimate president after May 21 — Medvedchuk

"Ukraine has already lost its statehood," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Russia launches investigation into Falun Dafa spiritual center

Law enforcement agencies told TASS that four members of the outlawed Chinese Falun Gong sect were detained after raids in Moscow

Orban sees Europe 'playing with fire' as it gets dragged in Ukraine conflict

"I am not saying that European leaders are marching toward a war but, every day, they are taking more steps in that direction," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned

Turkish parliament passes bill on LNG sales as part of gas hub project — TV

The bill was submitted to parliament in January

Freedom of the press dying in West, any dissent snuffed out — MFA

The Russian Foreign Ministry also pointed to the "incessant arbitrariness committed by the Western authorities against the Russian media and journalists, who have fully felt the repressive machine of the neoliberal West"

Georgian PM accuses ex-US ambassador of supporting revolutionaries

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, Degnan's actions were intended to promote violence by foreign-funded interest groups and to support revolutionary processes

TikTok again restricts app operation in Russia

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Sweden approves Quran-burning rally ahead of Eurovision Song Contest

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Two traffic police crews have also been asked to be dispatched to the scene

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The geography of car imports by individuals remains the same - these are Japan and South Korea

Hamas to release Israeli soldiers, hostages under deal with Jerusalem — TV

The document provides for three phases, each of which will last about 40 days

Ban on Russian uranium supplies to have negative effect on US economy — investor

"It will be very hard to replace such volumes within a very short period of time," Navigator Principal Investors CEO Kyle Shostak said

Russian tech firm ramps up production of glide bombs — CEO

Rostec is "building up the production of air bombs of all calibers and types," Sergey Chemezov said

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The State Duma Commission on Investigation into Foreign Interference in Russia's Internal Affairs "paid attention to the updated strategic plan of the US Agency for Global Media" for 2022-2026, which names Russia as an adversary and outlines measures to counter the country in the information space

Zelenodolsk shipyard to float missile, patrol ships on May 7

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Ukraine deploys reserves due to challenging situation near Ocheretino

Nazar Voloshin conceded that Russia had "certain tactical success" in the area

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On May 2, the French President named in an interview two conditions for sending troops to Ukraine: Kiev's request and Russia's breakthrough on the front line

Russian artillery wipes out Ukrainian field ammo depot near Avdeyevka

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EU eyeing response to Russian decision on assets of Italian, German companies

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree earlier, whereby 100% of participation interests in the Russian entity of Ariston and the Russian entity of BSH Hausgerate are transferred to be managed by Gazprom Butovye Systemy company

Certain countries hope US aid to Ukraine to lower pressure on Russian assets issue — FT

According to the newspaper, certain countries expect this problem to fall by the wayside because Ukraine is in a more stable financial position now

West attempts to bury Odessa tragedy — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik noted that the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will not conduct this investigation

Russia not to take part in any events on 'Zelensky's formula' — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova emphasized that Switzerland cannot serve as a platform for a settlement dialogue

Reuters again publishes its previously withdrawn Cameron’s interview

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Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

Ukraine’s military command re-focuses on training mobilized soldiers for defense, says POW

As the POW elaborated, the intensity of Russian strikes on Ukrainian army positions was very high and it was hardly probable to hold the positions in these conditions

Ukraine talks without Russia's participation not aimed at result — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russia's position on the peace talks is well known

Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce suspends ruble payment mechanism

The mechanism of paying in rubles for Italian goods not covered by sanctions was launched by the Chamber for its members in the test mode in February

ICRC says two staffers killed in Sudan

"They must never be directly attacked," the organization said

Russian troops using FPV drone destroy enemy recon group in LPR — military expert

The entire group of Ukrainian militants was killed in the strike

US destroyed Germany’s domestic energy supply as it blew up Nord Stream — Carlson

The journalist emphasized that the alliance "is terrible for the United States and should be disbanded immediately"

Cameron’s claims about Ukrainian strikes on Russia 'a direct escalation' — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov characterized Cameron’s remarks as "yet another very dangerous claim"

Europe facing 'triple existential risk,' Macron warns

According to the French leader, "a new geopolitical, economic and societal paradigm for Europe" is needed to address these challenges

Ukrainians to reunify with Russia in ten years — Medvedchuk

Ukraine is "genetically linked with Russia," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Georgian protestors block traffic via Kura River embankment

No vehicles are allowed to pass, except for ambulances

FSB eliminates Ukrainian saboteur who arrived in Russia from Lithuania

The saboteur was caught emptying yet another cache full of weapons outside Gatchina in the Leningrad Region which he was planning to use in an attack at a fuel depot in the Tosno District in the same region

Ukrainian politician names those behind Odessa tragedy in interview with TASS

Viktor Medvedchuk pointed out that in a premeditated act of intimidation, the Kiev regime led by then acting Ukrainian President Alexander Turchinov burned people alive inside Odessa’s Trade Union House

Turkish ministry confirms halting trade with Israel

Turkey's trade sanctions will remain in force until Israel declares a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

Russia making incremental progress in special operation — US intelligence official

Avril Haines said the supplies accelerated a "reconstitution of Russia's military strength" after a "costly" start of the country’s special military operation

HAMAS leader in Gaza to reject deal with Israel without due guarantees — WSJ

According to the newspaper’s sources, Yahya Sinwar’s primary objective is to release hundreds or even thousands of Palestinians from Israeli prisons in exchange for hostages held by HAMAS

Iran used Ghadr, Emad and Kheibar missiles to strike Israel, IRGC general says

It is reported that the US believes Iran has the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. Iran insists that its missile program is solely for defensive purposes

Swiss conference to be showcase for Zelensky's failed peace plan — Medvedev

"It will allow our armed forces to continue cleaning the territory of Novorossiya from neo-Nazis without interference and without looking back at someone's moronic 'peace initiatives,' and all of us - to carry out meticulous work on the speedy return of our ancestral territories to Russia," Dmitry Medvedev pointed out

US mercenaries let their fighting skills 'atrophy,' one of them says after trip to Ukraine

It is reported that a lot of Western soldiers struggle in Ukraine as things were not as they had expected

Kyrgyzstan advises citizens not to travel to Russia

According to the Kyrgyz side, so far there have been no signals about cases of mass refusal of entry to Russia "to Kyrgyz citizens from the [country’s] diplomatic mission and consular offices"

Russia holds rehearsal of Victory Day air parade over Moscow

Two groups of aircraft, namely, a flight of Su-27 fighter jets, and Su-25 close support aircraft flew over Moscow’s Red Square, releasing fumes in the colors of the Russian national flag

Putin stresses importance of realistic approaches to national budgetary policy

"I would like to remind that it is fundamentally important for us to maintain responsible, balanced and completely realistic approaches in the budgetary policy sphere, including planning of the main financial document of the country based on budgeting rules," the President noted

Russian forces use Kornet anti-tank system to hit heavy Ukrainian drone

According to the Russian defense ministry, man-portable anti-tank missile systems are widely used in coordination with drone operators to hit the enemy positions

Russia puts top Ukrainian security official on wanted list

Secretary of the Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Alexander Litvinenko it put on wanted list on unspecified criminal charges

Around 40% of US voters see possibility of civil war in their country — survey

The survey also found that 37% of voters believe another civil war is more likely to happen if incumbent President Joe Biden is re-elected

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s Operational Command South headquarters

The enemy’s troops and military hardware had been hit in 112 districts

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

Top stories from the Russian press on Saturday, April 27th

Ukraine's intelligence recognizes impossibility of victory on battlefield

According to Vadim Skibitsky, "meaningful negotiations can begin only in the second half of 2025 at the earliest"

Turkey to continue efforts for Black Sea to remain calm — defense minister

Turkey strictly complies with the Montreux Convention by not allowing warships into the Black Sea

Paris, London should reflect on need for tactical nuclear weapons — Macron

The French leader also emphasized that the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons was in the interests of the whole of Europe and the world

Gazprom posts net loss under IFRS for 2023 amounting to $6.8 bln

The group’s EBITDA amounted to $19 bln in 2023 against $44.9 bln in the previous year

Range of Russian EMP weapons increased to 10 km — sources

Фn electromagnetic pulse lasts a fraction of a second and reaches the target almost immediately, travelling with the speed of light

Wounded Ukrainian soldiers have to pay ambulances to take them to hospital — US expert

The ex-Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor also noted the continued Russian advance on the front line

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

Washington wants Europe to spearhead anti-Russian struggle — Hungarian official

Balazs Orban stressed that his country was not satisfied with this attitude

Russia not depending on foreign gas turbines anymore — Rostec

"Two plants were constructed in Crimea and one in the Taman Peninsula - the Udarnaya, which we will launch in full as early as in this year," Sergey Chemezov noted

Russian ministry puts Ukrainian lawmaker Nalivaichenko on wanted persons list

Investigators determined that the lawmaker made threats to Russian servicemen participating in the special military operation during one of his appearances on Ukrainian television

US seeking to throw Balts, Poles, Germans, French ‘into fire of war’ — Medvedchuk

"They are clearing the way for this, since the Ukrainians are running out while the scheme of turning their deaths into America’s profits is waiting for new victims," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Unaware of decline of its military industry US gets trapped in Ukraine — French historian

Emmanuel Todd believes that "one of Washington's goals is to prevent a rapprochement between Russia and Germany"

Hungarian politician sees US primed for continued Ukraine conflict

According to Balazs Orban, in this way the United States is trying "to weaken Russia," "stop German-Russian energy cooperation" and find new export markets for LNG