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Russia to promote normalization of Arab countries’ relations with Iran — FM

According to Sergey Lavrov, it may help move towards the settlement of various crises in the region, including those in Syria, Yemen and a number of others

Secretary-General of the Arab League Nabil Elaraby and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

Secretary-General of the Arab League Nabil Elaraby and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

© Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

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MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/. Moscow is prepared to promote further normalization of Arab countries’ relations with Iran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after the third ministerial-level meeting of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum.

"We believe this is a very important goal as such. Its achievement would help move towards the settlement of various crises in the region, including those in Syria, Yemen and a number of others," he stated.

"This is the aim of our well-known concept of ensuring security in the area of the Persian Gulf. We will keep advancing the corresponding initiative in order to eventually create the necessary ‘critical mass’ for launching a specific dialogue on all these issues," Lavrov said.

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Saudi Arabia hopes to elbow Iran out of Syrian settlement talks

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Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov

Military operation in Ukraine

Over 3,100 foreign mercenaries fight for Ukraine, most of them from US

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

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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"

Anti-Russian measures prove world cannot exist in unipolar diktat, envoy says

According to Anatoly Antonov, "the further it goes, the more America corners itself into a zugzwang"

Ukraine could send special forces to capture Zaporozhye NPP — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, the Ukrainian troops are holding drills to cross the Dnieper from the right bank to the left bank and capture a large industrial site

Russian forces take Ukrainian strongholds near Klescheyevka under control

Apty Alaudinov posted a drone video footage of elimination Ukrainian personnel and Russian forces capturing enemy trenches

Annual inflation in Russia gearing down to 7.82% over week — Economy Ministry

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ATACMS shipment proves ‘Zelensky’s formula’ needed in US as ‘smoke and mirrors’ — diplomat

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Lukashenko says US rues giving rise to Russia-China alliance

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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"

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

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

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Russian and Belarusian athletes will be able to compete only under a neutral status, provided that they are not associated with security agencies and do not represent team sports

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

Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

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Ukraine says Western systems ineffective against Russia's electronic warfare

Maria Berlinskaya emphasized that the real effectiveness was determined in real combat conditions, and not at "some training ground in Texas"

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

Attempts are made to turn Moldova into ‘second Ukraine’, Lavrov warns

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

Vasily Nebenzya underscored that Russia continues to "make an important contribution to strengthening of African countries’ potential, including UN Security Council and General Assembly"

West steps up aerial reconnaissance near Russia-Belarus borders — security official

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Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

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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

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

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

The video shows Russian troops examining the enemy tanks and infantry fighting vehicles seized in battles

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

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

Press review: NATO flexes muscles near Russian border and South China Sea runs hot

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, April 24th

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"

AUKUS expansion to turn Asia-Pacific region into 'nuclear minefield' — news agency

According to the report, "the danger of Japan's participation in AUKUS is making the whole international community tense, not to mention the regional countries"

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

Dust from Sahara turns rain in Ukraine yellow

According to the agency, dust from the Sahara will be observed in Ukraine for two more days on April 25 and 26

Proper humanitarian assistance to Gaza impossible amid hostilities — Russian diplomat

"We are tired to repeat over and over again - amid the US-backed Israeli military operation, which has been going on for more than six months already, adequate assistance to the enclave’s population is simply impossible," Vasily Nebenzya said

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

"A larger part of what is being manufactured is not sent to the frontline but goes to warehouses," Boris Pistorius said

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"

Russian court blocks JPMorgan’s funds in VTB lawsuit

The court also blocked any securities held by JPMorgan’s entities in Russia

Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

Minister Sergey Shoigu was also informed beforehand, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Moscow slams NATO drills near Russian borders as inflammatory

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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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US waging hybrid war against Serbs to snuff them out for good — Republika Srpska head

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

Waldemar Skrzypczak also said it was "a matter of hours" until Kiev received the weapons allocated by the US as part of its latest military aid package

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

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

US will have to take Russia into account and find common ground with it — Putin

Russian President said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel journalist Pavel Zarubin

US shifted conflict in Europe onto EU, NATO shoulders to weaken Russia, says Lukashenko

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Top US diplomat Blinken arrives in Shanghai

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Senior Russian, Tajikistani diplomats talk about fighting terrorists, radicals

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko emphasized the importance of creating a new architecture of Eurasian security as one of the elements of a multipolar world

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

Rafael Grossi may visit Russia in late May

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

Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

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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

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

The resolution gained 13 votes

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

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

The Russian war correspondent died of wounds suffered from a strike by a Ukrainian FPV drone on April 19

Russia tasked with 'building new world' — Putin

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

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

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

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Russian tourists flock to North Korea — embassy

"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

Niger would like Russia to train its troops — interior minister says

Mohamed Toumba noted that the training of troops could help in the fight against terrorism

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

Vyacheslav Volodin pointed to a law recently passed by Sweden’s parliament enabling minors to transition without surgery that a national survey showed was disapproved by 59% of citizens

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

Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

According to Yevgenia Gutsul, Gagauzia has never experienced such pressure from Chisinau

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

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

West’s unwillingness to give up hegemony escalates tensions in world — security official

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US military aid for Kiev cannot stop Russian army’s advance — North Korean diplomat

The US Congress House of Representatives earlier passed bills on military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan

Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

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Bolivarian Alliance countries stand for multipolar world — Maduro

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

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

Continued threats to Pyongyang to put US, allies in danger, Kim Jong Un’s sister warns

"We will keep building up overwhelming and strong military capacity to protect our sovereignty and security, as well as peace in the region," Kim Yo Jong said

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"

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

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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Stockmann company to buy Russian business of Hugo Boss — Industry Ministry

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Russian deputy defense minister detained on suspicion of bribe-taking

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

"An increase in radiation levels has already been registered in Poland," Nikolay Patrushev warned

Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 22nd