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Military operation in Ukraine

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No talks with Ukraine under way in any format now — Russian negotiator

Leonid Slutsky noted that Washington "does not need peace in Ukraine, or a peace treaty, or successful negotiations"

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. The Russian-Ukrainian talks, initiated by Kiev, are now in a deadlock and not being conducted in any format, Russian negotiator and prominent lawmaker Leonid Slutsky said in his Telegram channel on Tuesday.

"I’m sure that [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky’s curators from Washington seriously contributed to a stalemate in the talks, which were launched on Ukraine’s request back on February 28 and are not being conducted in any format now," said Slutsky, who chairs the State Duma (lower house) foreign affairs committe.

The Russian lawmaker went on to say that Washington "does not need peace in Ukraine, or a peace treaty, or successful negotiations."

"They have declared a hybrid war on Russia, and are waging it with hands of others," he said, adding that all goals of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine will eventually be achieved.

Russian-Ukrainian negotiations have been underway since February 28. The Moscow delegation is headed by Vladimir Medinsky, aide to the Russian president. Several meetings took place in Belarus, then the sides continued to communicate via video link. On March 29, a face-to-face round of negotiations took place in Istanbul. On April 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters that Kiev had departed from the agreements reached at the talks in Turkey, thus bringing the talks to a deadlock.

On April 20, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow had handed over to Kiev a clearly-phrased draft agreement and was awaiting a response. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the handover happened on April 15.

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Military operation in Ukraine

Military operation in Ukraine

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West beginning to realize only part of Ukraine will remain — Lavrov

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German activists demand compensation from Ukraine for Nord Stream explosion

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Putin appoints envoy for international criminal and legal cooperation

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Ukraine abandons Selidovo, laying mines in wells — security services

The Ukrainian armed forces used various modified Western-made mines and improvised explosive devices during the process

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Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

"The enemy positioned in the fortified area in Velikaya Novoselka in the south of the DPR is already trapped in a kill zone," the source said

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Russia’s Medvedev warns Europe could face 'catastrophic damage' from Oreshnik missile

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Russian official describes OPCW note on use of chemicals in Ukraine as absurd

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Russian national Nikita Zhuravel sentenced to 14 years in prison for high treason

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According to Rodion Miroshnik, Ukrainian security forces came to places where there were generators, where people came to get water, and could shoot a person

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Netanyahu convenes security cabinet amid talks on Lebanon

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In total, the enemy has lost more than 35,510 troops since the fighting began in the region

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Maria Zakharova quoted the US Senator, who called the ICC a "Kangaroo court" and ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan a "deranged fanatic"

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Erik Prince noted that it was necessary to end the Ukrainian conflict as soon as possible

Warehouse catches fire in southern Moscow, over 2,500 square meters on fire

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Europe unable to wage war attrition on Russia — Ukraine’s ex-commander-in-chief

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Russia’s launch of new missile illustrated assured retaliation capability, lawmaker says

Andrey Kartapolov also noted that the enemy currently has no defenses against the Oreshnik.

Russia may soon push Kiev troops out of Kursk Region — Ukrainian battalion commander

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US needs Ukraine's rare earth metals, including lithium — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister noted that American companies had already bought up most of the fertile land

Europe's 'hotheads' for sending troops to Ukraine, but there is no unity — Kremlin

"Earlier, of course, such ideas were heard from different European capitals, but various counterarguments were also voiced not in favor of this idea," Dmitry Peskov noted

France, UK may deploy troops to Ukraine following ceasefire — expert

According to Elie Tenenbaum, European countries may send troops to east Ukraine to ensure the observation of a ceasefire regime and guarantee Kiev’s security

Ukraine’s military loses nearly 10,000 troops at LPR borders over week — military expert

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Scholz vows to continue supporting Ukraine following his chancellor nomination

The German chancellor listed supporting Ukraine at the top of his priorities should the SPD win and form a government

T-90M tank shows itself as best in the world in real fight — Medvedev

Many experts believe this is the best tank of our time, compared to Western counterparts in particular, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council said

Turkey to investigate causes of Russian Superjet emergency at Antalya airport

The Turkish side will also provide information on the progress of the investigation

Kremlin spokesman says missiles like Oreshnik are developed in secrecy

Dmitry Peskov said that he himself did not know about this work before Russian President Vladimir Putin announced it

Explosion occurs at oil refinery in western Turkey, cause being investigated — TV

According to preliminary information, the incident occurred at about 8 p.m. (local time)

Moscow to announce new Russian ambassador to US after relevant decree is signed — Kremlin

Previously, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Anatoly Antonov from the office of Ambassador of Russia to the United States

Ukrainian officer says 90% of fellow servicemen have no desire to fight

According to Vyacheslav Khomenko, soldiers in his platoon don’t have required combat experience

Defense contractor delivers new batch of Su-34 bombers to Russia’s Aerospace Forces

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Senior envoy sees Putin’s statement as signal of Russia’s readiness for military responses

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that Russia has its underlying security interests "that will be ensured by every means that we have at our disposal"

Kremlin refrains from predicting outcome of Romanian elections

Dmitry Peskov noted that Russia is well aware of Romania’s current government’s policy

Any escalation scenario possible in Ukraine conflict — Medvedev

According to the politician, Western nations need to understand that they are fighting on Ukraine’s side

Press review: Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik missiles and EU gas prices reach record high

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, November 25th

Rome plans to arrange Ukraine conference with Russia's participation

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga is set to attend the G7 foreign ministers' meeting on November 26, marking the end of Italy’s presidency of the informal group

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

UK mercenary taken prisoner in Russia’s Kursk area — source

"A mercenary from Britain has been taken prisoner in the Kursk area," the person said

US gives Ukrainian servicemen guidance on selecting targets for ATACMS — White House

The Ukrainian servicemen "are able to use ATACMS to defend themselves on an immediate need basis," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said

Potential deployment of intermediate-range missiles depends on US moves — Russian diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov stressed that "any escalation scenarios, if they start to materialize, will be a direct consequence of the reckless" and "inhumane policy that is pursued by Washington and leading European countries"

Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

According to Daniel Davis authorizing US long-range weapons to be used against Russia is "foolhardy to the highest order," "especially because there is no military upside for doing so"

Three Ukrainians almost freeze to death trying to flee into Hungary across Tizsa

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Top Israeli defense official announces construction of fence on border with Jordan

"We are going to do it very quickly," Israel Katz said

Fire at Tupras oil refinery extinguished

No one was injured in the fire, the company said in a press release

Romanian presidential candidate vows to end military aid to Ukraine

It is pointed out that Simion’s popularity has propelled him to number two in the polls after Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu

Citizens of Poland, Germany, Italy apply for residence permit in Lugansk Republic

The decisions will be made in response to these applications in the near future

Cargo plane crashes near Vilnius Airport in Lithuania

One of the pilots reportedly survived the crash, while no information is currently available about the other people on board

US 'stains' reputation by vetoing UNSC resolution on Middle East — Russian diplomat

Russia "will continue insisting on the most resolute measures to stop the bloodshed in Gaza," Dmitry Polyansky added

No existing missile defense system can counter Oreshnik — US expert

Theodore Postol also vehemently rejected suggestions that the Oreshnik system represents previous outdated developments of Moscow

Russia to develop bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan — Shoigu

He pointed out that to this end, Russia will continue to support Kabul's integration into regional structures and associations

Large number of Ukrainians to lose mobilization exemption after February 28 — deputy

In recent months, the number of Ukrainian employees with exemptions from military service has increased from 900,000 to 1.6 million

Independent candidate Georgescu leading first round of presidential election in Romania

Georgescu is reserved about Romania’s NATO membership and he has been cautiously pushing for normalization with Russia

Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw