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Russia extends grain deal not because of outside pressure, says Russian embassy in US

The diplomats also noted that Russia, as a responsible party to the Istanbul agreements, continues "expect their strict implementation by all participants - inclusive of the terms regarding the removal of trade barriers for Russian agricultural exports"

WASHINGTON, November 18. /TASS/. Russia does not agree with allegations that Moscow made the decision to extend the grain deal because of external pressure, the Russian embassy in the US said on Thursday.

"We took note of the biased assessments by the US Administration officials of the readiness of the Russian side to allow the technical extension of the Вlack Sea initiative," the embassy's press service said in a commentary distributed by the embassy, "We fundamentally reject the thesis that this decision is due to external pressure. Even under illegitimate sanctions, imposed against our country, Russia remains a reliable supplier of agricultural products to the global markets".

The diplomats also noted that Russia, as a responsible party to the Istanbul agreements, continues "expect their strict implementation by all participants - inclusive of the terms regarding the removal of trade barriers for Russian agricultural exports". "We proceed from the fact that assurances by our Western partners and the UN will normalize the activities by our agricultural companies not only ‘on paper’, but also ‘in practice’. This would benefit, first of all, the countries in need, in whose interests the ‘grain deal’ was struck in the first place," the embassy summarized.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that the grain deal was extended for 120 days. The Russian Foreign Ministry explained that it was automatically extended due to the absence of objections from the parties involved in the deal (Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN). Guterres welcomed the decision and said the UN was "fully committed to removing the remaining obstacles to food and fertilizer exports from Russia".

The agreements on the export of food from Ukraine were concluded on July 22 for a period of 120 days. One of the agreements regulating grain exports from the Kiev-controlled ports of Odessa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny is valid until November 19, while the Istanbul-based Joint Coordination Center (JCC) established by Russia, the UN, Ukraine and Turkey is designed to conduct vessel inspections to prevent weapons smuggling or any provocations. The latter was signed by Russia, Turkey and the UN and separately by Ukraine, Turkey and the UN.

Russia’s national jurisdiction must be competitive for business — Putin

The President noted that the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, together with other business associations, is doing a lot to relieve the business environment from red tape, helping to simplify or convert administrative procedures and approvals into electronic form, and helping the government improve legislation and control and supervisory activities

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Release of new tranche for war to Ukraine by US escalation factor — Lukashenko

"The fact that ATACMS long-range missiles were financed is very dangerous," the Belarusian president noted

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"The American aid won’t save Zelensky. New weapons will be destroyed, and the special military operation goals will be achieved," Anatoly Antonov stressed

Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

Ukraine "is carrying a heavy burden" for the benefit of the EU, and therefore EU member states must "provide Ukraine with means to defend themselves," European Commission president said

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"Today, under the two countries’ leaders’ special attention, political contacts, exchanges, cooperation in the economic, culture, science and other areas are developing with renewed momentum," Minister Plenipotentiary of the republic's embassy in Russia Lee Yong Zin said

Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted casualties on personnel and equipment of two Ukrainian army brigades and improved its tactical position over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

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

Armenian police arrests people protesting against demarcation with Azerbaijan

Earlier, demonstrators in several regions of Armenia tried to block highways, including international ones

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The Russian forces improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on five Ukrainian army brigades in the Donetsk area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

Maria Lvova-Belova thanked Qatar for setting up a venue for dialogue between Russia and Ukraine regarding children’s interests

Transfer of US ATACMS missiles to Ukraine cannot be justified — Russian ambassador

"Neither these missiles nor other weapons can help defeat the Russian Federation," Anatoly Antonov said

Russia says its battlegroup West seized better positions

The Russian forces also foiled a counterattack of an assault group of the Ukrainian 80th mechanized brigade in the vicinity of the Krasnoye settlement in the Donetsk People’s Republic

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

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The Belarusian leader specified that the US had organized the conflict in Europe, in this case in Ukraine, and "shifted it onto the shoulders of the European Union and NATO, promising to help with money"

Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads

IAEA chief to have working contacts with Rosatom, no meeting with Putin is planned

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Israel destroys no more than 20% of Hamas's fighting capacity — top political official

Khalil al-Hayya said that Hamas would like to see "a fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the return of Palestinian refugees in accordance with the international resolutions"

US draft on nukes in space seeks to go beyond legal framework Russia adheres to — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that Russia reaffirms its "strict commitment" to the international legal obligations under space law

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

"The largest nuclear powers, albeit indirectly, are actually fighting on Ukrainian territory. And not indirectly," the president of Belarus noted

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

Alexander Pankin noted that during his visit to New York he did not have any talks with UN officials on the Russian-UN memorandum

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

Bolivian leader decries fresh US military aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

According to Luis Arce, instead of pursuing "the policy of diplomacy and dialogue," the United States opts for "continued war and militarism"

Reinforced Ukrainian battlegroup fails to break through Russian defenses in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko added that the Ukrainians have also intensified artillery and drone attacks at Russian positions

Court in Cyprus rules to extradite Russian national Petrov to US

Artur Petrov who is also a German citizen, was arrested in Cyprus on August 26, 2023 at the request of the US Department of Justice on charges of illegally exporting US-made microelectronics to Russia

China vows decisive response to US move to deploy intermediate missiles in Asia-Pacific

The Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson stressed that "US steps are posing a major threat to security and stability of regional players"

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

The resolution gained 13 votes

Bolivarian Alliance countries stand for multipolar world — Maduro

"ALBA can be among the founders of a new world, a new international multipolar order," the Venezuelan president stressed

UNSC rejects amendment by Russia, China to resolution on nuclear weapons in outer space

The amendment gained seven votes from countries including Russia and China

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Counsellor Delgertsetseg Unubilegt noted that Mongolia and Russia have "a rich history of solidarity and cooperation," though the countries "are under great influence of political and social factors"

13 violations by US-led international coalition’s aircraft recorded in Syria

According to Major General Yury Popov, nine violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019

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"It’s not about any mythical aspirations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, but about banal opportunistic and predatory ambitions," Anatoly Antonov said

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According to the report, firefighters and police quickly arrived at the scene, and there are currently no risks of further collapse

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According to Nikolay Patrushev, these countries "understand perfectly well who is financing" the Kiev regime

Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

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"The ministry's detailed commentary on this outright piece of disinformation will follow in a short while," the Consular Department said

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US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

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"Today, 20-30 reconnaissance planes fly in the airspace of the Baltic states and Poland weekly," Pavel Muraveiko added

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The tactics employed by these criminals are becoming increasingly complex and barbaric, the Russian leader pointed out

Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

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Central African Republic expects Russia to supply weapons, munitions — defense minister

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Press review: US tries to strong-arm China and Zelensky's bid to bring men home

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Speaking at a plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, the Russian leader also highlighted "the role and responsibility" of its members

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

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

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Europe should be prepared to build relations with Russia post-Ukraine conflict — Macron

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No response from West to killing of Izvestia war reporter Eremin — diplomat

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US State Department confirms secret shipments of long-range ATACMS missiles to Kiev

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Belarus responds to threats with preventive deterrence measures — defense minister

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Kiev violates diplomatic relations convention by recruiting mercenaries abroad — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed to media reports, according to which Ukrainian embassies in a number of countries are openly campaigning local citizens to join the so-called International Legion of Ukrainian Territorial Defense

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

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Russia to submit its own resolution on nuclear weapons in outer space to UNSC

Proposal for a UNSC resolution will take into account the results of the discussion of the US-Japanese document, as well as the progress on this subject, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said

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

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Senior Russian MP dubs pervasive gender reassignment in West 'human tragedy'

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Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

Modern weapons make up 82% in Russian air defense troops — Shoigu

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German defense minister says Russia making more arms than it needs for its op in Ukraine

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Russia discourages use of UN sanctions for interference in African affairs — envoy

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Russians not let to Turkish Airlines flights to Mexico due to US pressure on it — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov noted that such problems exist for Russians using Turkish Airlines flights to other Latin American countries

Russia, Africa united by common vision on global issues — senior diplomat

Mikhail Bogdanov noted that "the African continent is a dynamically developing part of the world with an enormous growth potential, attractive domestic market and expanding export prospects"

Belarusian KGB reports thwarting attempted drone strikes on Minsk from Lithuania

According to Belarusian State Security Committee Chairman Ivan Tertel, law enforcement officials continue to work on that track

Ukrainian army strikes own surrendering soldiers — POW

Andrey Babenko said that after a crash course in Britain he had been sent to the frontline near Liman

All-Belarusian People's Assembly adopts new military doctrine, security concept

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Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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Crocus City Hall attack funded using cryptocurrency, Russian finance watchdog says

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Ukraine’s draft dodger makes attempt to cross Dniester into Moldova on air mattress

Men of conscription age try to leave the country in every possible way, often putting their lives at risk

Lukashenko sees Ukraine conflict posing risks to Belarus

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Houthis attack two commercial ships, US destroyer — statement

Simultaneously, the Air Force conducted two more military operation using a huge number of drones to target a US destroyer in the Gulf of Aden

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"

Agreements on security with Iran, Myanmar, Ethiopia to come into force in 2024 — MFA

"A whole number of similar agreements with Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin American countries are being worked out," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin added

Moscow slams NATO drills near Russian borders as inflammatory

"It is obvious that the upcoming combat training on the territory of Finland is part of a hybrid war against our country," Maria Zakharova said

Kremlin vows to resolve situation with Turkish Airlines refusing service to Russians

Russia has "very constructive and friendly relations" with Turkey, Dmitry Peskov stressed

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

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that a year ago the opponents "were telling everyone that they were waiting for the moment Russia would be defeated on the battlefield"