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PREVIEW: Lavrov, his Malian counterpart to hold talks in Moscow on February 28

The ministers are expected to discuss such issues as cooperation in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres, the situation in the region and cooperation in the military-technical sphere

MOSCOW, February 28. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold talks with his Malian counterpart Abdoulaye Diop in Moscow. The top diplomats are expected to discuss a wide range of issues of cooperation between the two countries and the regional agenda.

Moscow and Bamako maintain regular contacts. For example, the last meeting of ministers took place on September 21 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. In addition, in February 2023, the Russian foreign minister paid a first visit to Mali, held meetings with his Malian counterpart Diop and interim president Colonel Assimi Goita. The parties also maintain telephone contacts. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Russia and Mali "have a well-developed legal framework that reflects the multifaceted nature of bilateral relations." The Malian leadership calls Russia a reliable partner.

During the talks in Moscow, the ministers are expected to discuss such issues as cooperation in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres, the situation in the region and cooperation in the military-technical sphere.

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Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov

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Andrey Kelin noted that "the British have utterly ignored all our warnings and opted for escalatory actions to further worsen the Ukrainian crisis"

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"NATO has been unfolding training centers in Ukraine in an effort to train at least 1 million mobilized Ukrainians," the SVR highlighted

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"Participants in the roundtable exchanged views on the conflict and other pressing international topics," the ministry stated

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Kremlin considers militants' attack on Aleppo encroachment on Syria's sovereignty

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Ukrainian troops are leaving their duties, as "bone-tired by the constancy of war, they are psychologically and emotionally scarred," the article reads

Closure of Russian consulates general in Poland possible, ambassador says

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US funds 'Nazis, maniacs' in Ukraine, Israel — American journalist

Jackson Hinkle also pointed out that the US authorities are no friend of "freedom-loving American patriots"

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Takeaways from Putin’s Q&A session in Kazakhstan: Oreshnik missile, inflation, ruble

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Several Oreshnik missiles equivalent to nuclear strike, do not harm environment — Putin

The Russian president still reiterated that such a strike is not nuclear, because it is highly accurate and not equipped with a nuclear explosive device

Russia against sending OPCW reps to probe into chemical incidents in Ukraine — diplomat

According to Vladimir Tarabrin, Russia doesn’t want to "expose to danger the lives and health of international experts amid the extensive use of various weapons" along the engagement line

Three dead, 21 poisoned in social center in Russia’s Altay Region

It is reported that the organization’s premises were decontaminated and sanitized

Belarusian President Lukashenko points to 'NATOfication' of Europe, entire world

"The arms race is rapidly gaining momentum," Alexander Lukashenko underlined

No turning back on BRICS independent payment system

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

According to the Russian foreign minister, this represents the "confrontational logic" of the West

Root causes need to be addressed to settle Ukrainian conflict — Kremlin spokesman

"Everything here is much deeper than a decision to send a peacekeeper mission," Dmitry Peskov said

Japan's PM reiterates desire to sign peace treaty with Russia

Moscow and Tokyo have been negotiating a peace treaty to mark the end of World War II since the mid-20th century

West deploying troops to Ukraine to up ante in fight with Russia — senior diplomat

Mikhail Galuzin described such plans as provocative and noted that they "confirm the West’s intention to continue its profound engagement in a direct standoff with Russia"

Decision-making centers in Kiev could be targeted in Oreshnik strikes — Putin

The Russian leader also mentioned military facilities and defense industry enterprises as possible targets

Strike on NATO bases possible in case of escalation, Medvedev says

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Ukrainian army says desertion main reason for loss of Ugledar

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Ukrainian forces follow Russian troops’ example to use fiber optics drones, Putin says

The head of state is confident that there will be a quick response from the Russian side

Qatar holds negotiations to expand areas of mediation between Russia, Ukraine

"We hold negotiations on other kinds of mediation. Recently, we have started working on the issue of the POWs," Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari added

Hungarian PM’s office rules out his trip to Moscow for 80th anniversary of Victory

Gergely Gulyas was commenting on the decision of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to go to the Russian capital to celebrate the anniversary of Victory at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Kiev opposes Washington's demand for lowering draft age — media

A representative of US President Joe Biden's administration had earlier stated that the Ukrainian military is facing a critical manpower shortage

Unidentified UAVs continue to appear over US Air Force bases in UK — newspaper

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Oreshnik becomes serious problem for Ukraine — Polish general

According to Waldemar Skrzypczak, satellite reconnaissance failed to detect the launch and flight of this missile

Clashes between protesters, police break out in Georgian capital

Police officers are using tear gas, trying to push protesters back

Russia launches 100 missiles at Ukraine in past two days — Putin

According to the president, overnight, the Russian Armed Forces launched a comprehensive strike with 90 missiles and 100 drones, hitting 17 Ukrainian military targets

FACTBOX: Ukraine faces explosions, blackouts

Explosions occurred in Kiev, Nikolayev, Vinnitsa, Kropivnitskoye, Odessa, Kharkov, Lutsk, Ivanovo-Frankovsk, and Rovno