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Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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Israel's operation in West Bank becomes no less serious than in Gaza — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that the situation in Gaza is caused by US attempts to monopolize mediation efforts

MOSCOW, February 29. /TASS/. Israel's military operation in the West Bank is becoming no less serious and violent than that in the Gaza Strip, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with representatives of Palestinian political forces.

"The military operation in the West Bank is becoming no less serious and fierce than in Gaza," the top diplomat noted. The text of his statement was uploaded to the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Lavrov stressed that the situation in Gaza is caused by US attempts to monopolize mediation efforts. "The Gaza Strip has been overwhelmed by a wave of violence unprecedented in its scale. In many respects, this was the result of a long stagnation in the Middle East settlement process, caused by the US attempts to monopolize mediation efforts, to stop the activity of the 'quartet' of international mediators (the US, Russia, the EU, the UN) and advance the policy that they deem necessary for themselves," Lavrov pointed out.

The foreign minister reiterated that over the years Russia, as well as a number of Arab countries, including Egypt and Algeria, "were making attempts to provide all Palestinians with an opportunity to meet, remove any misunderstandings and restore unity." "We consider this task important. We give you an opportunity, without limiting each other in terms of time, to try to arrive at common solutions to restore unity on the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization - TASS) platform," Lavrov added.

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Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Russian deputy minister sees possibility of downgrading diplomatic ties with US

This will happen "if the West chooses the path of escalation," Sergey Ryabkov said

Russia, China to work on creating equal, fair conditions for investment

According to the statement, the parties agreed "to actively use and unlock the potential of interstate coordination mechanisms in the area of investment"

Israel to send additional forces to Rafah operation — defense minister

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Russian deputy minister sees possibility of downgrading diplomatic ties with US

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Russia, China agree on developing railway cargo transportation, border crossings

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Countdown clock ticking for Kiev spy chief to meet Russia’s antiterror demands — diplomat

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Both countries also expressed gratitude for collaboration within the G20 and stated their commitment to "continue joint steps at this platform in order to promote inclusive and mutually beneficial processes of economic globalization"

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In addition, 23 drone control centers were destroyed and 34 drones shot down or disabled

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The first rehearsal of the mechanized parade takes place at the Lipki airstrip in the eastern part of Minsk on Thursday

Slovak PM Fico’s life out of danger — deputy PM

Robert Fico was wounded in a shooting incident that happened after a government meeting in the city of Handlova in the western part of Slovakia

Hezbollah drones attack Israeli military base some 50 km from border with Lebanon

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Ukrainian servicemen complain about heavy losses due to shortage of equipment, munitions

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Prime Minister of Slovakia shot by 71-year-old assailant — report

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The Chinese president said "the world is now facing changes unprecedented over the past century and has entered a new period of turbulence and change"

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Russia, Iran working to create single BRICS currency — Iranian ambassador

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Blinken’s visit to Kiev shows US concerned over Ukrainian failures on frontline — diplomat

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Fico shot multiple times, undergoes five-hour operation — doctors

Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak, confirmed that doctors had managed to stabilize Robert Fico’s condition overnight

Assassination attempt on Slovak PM Fico was planned in advance — defense minister

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Putin arrives in China on state visit

The Russian president is scheduled to visit Beijing and Harbin

China expects peace to recover on European continent shortly — Xi Jinping

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Foreign mercenaries in Ukraine to inevitably become Russia’s targets — MFA

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Russian troops liberate three communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

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US law banning imports of Russian uranium will not cause problems — Rosatom CEO

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US imposes sanctions against Russian police training center in Nicaragua

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Erdogan says government knows 'puppet master' behind reported conspiracy

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Kremlin dismisses reports that Russia considered nuclear strike on Ukraine as speculation

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Russia’s onslaught on Kharkov may compel Ukraine to truce — NYT

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Treaty on Russian-Iranian strategic partnership 85% ready — Lavrov

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Khrizantema anti-tank missile gets extended flight range in upgrade — Rostec

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Zelenodolsk shipyard to float missile, patrol ships on May 7

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US Congress has evidence of Biden family’s involvement in terrorism — Ukrainian politician

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Russia, China praise dialogue as best form of settling Ukrainian crisis — statement

"The parties proceed from the fact that in order to ensure a sustainable settlement of the Ukrainian crisis it is necessary to eliminate its root causes and to adhere to the principle of indivisibility of security," the document said

Slovakia’s PM in 'very serious' condition, president-elect says

Peter Pellegrini added that "the next few hours and days" will be decisive for Robert Fico, who is staying at a hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica

Russia mulls supply of powerplants for joint aircraft project with China — First Deputy PM

Denis Manturov recalled that the format of participation in this project has been revised, and Russia is ready to provide the necessary in-house competencies for the project on the basis of an agreement between the parties

Russia, China warn US, NATO against setting up military infrastructure in Afghanistan

The leaders of Russia and China also expressed their intention "to boost Afghanistan-related partner interaction both at the bilateral level and on multilateral platforms"

Russia, China oppose using human rights to interfere in internal affairs

Moscow and Beijing also intend to promote universal human values and "the healthy development of all aspects of the international human rights agenda"

Kremlin attributes surge in military enlistments to national unity

Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the number of people enlisting for military service under contract has gone up significantly in Moscow and other Russian cities

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s Operational Command South headquarters

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

Ukraine’s military has about 2,000-strong garrison in Kherson — resistance fighters

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Russia ups arms production several times in 2023

The defense industry considerably increased the output of arms and hardware, electronic warfare and protection means, medical equipment for field conditions, and military outfit

Putin says Russians, Chinese 'brothers forever'

The audience, listening first to the Russian speech and then to the Chinese translation, applauded the Russian president's words

Russia and China plan to sign contract on Power of Siberia-2 in near future — Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak mentioned the construction of a gas pipeline with a capacity of 50 billion cubic meters of gas through the territory of Mongolia

Blinken says Ukraine may engage in talks if Russia shows 'interest'

Antony Blinken noted that in terms of negotiations, these are "decisions for Ukraine to make"

Russian forces advancing daily in special op, everything going according to plan — Putin

The Russian leader opened his meeting with commanders of troops of military districts by extending his greetings on the occasion of Victory Day

Zelensky's presidential powers to expire May 21 — Ukrainian legislator

Alexander Dubinsky argues that the only situation where the president can continue to fulfill his duties after the expiration of his term is the period until the president-elected takes office

Russian Aerospace Forces destroy three militant bases in Syria — Defense Ministry

Strikes by Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed three bases of militants who came out of the (US-controlled) al-Tanf zone