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Moscow concerned with build-up of Ukrainian Armed Forces in Donbass — diplomat

Moscow hopes that Germany and France will be able to use their influence on Kiev to prevent a military scenario that may seriously destabilize the situation in the region

© EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

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MOSCOW, July 6. /TASS/. The build-up of Ukrainian Armed Forces in Donbass means that Kiev is preparing a military operation in the region, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday after the meeting of Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin with accredited ambassadors of France and Germany.

"At the meeting, main attention was paid to different aspects of intra-Ukrainian settlement," the foreign ministry said. "Russia said that against the backdrop of stalling negotiations process, Moscow is especially concerned with the build-up of Ukrainian Armed Forces and volunteer battalions at the contact line. Observers from SMM OSCE (Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) also note escalation of the situation. It is clear that Ukrainian forces are preparing a military operation," the ministry added.

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted the inadmissibility of such provocations by Ukraine that "may ‘cancel out’ the efforts, including in the ‘Normandy format’, made on peaceful settlement."

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Poroshenko: Security in Donbass comes before constitutional reform

Moscow hopes that German and French partners will be able to use their influence on Kiev to prevent a military scenario that may seriously destabilize the situation in the region, the ministry concluded.

The Minsk accords were signed on 12 February 2015, after negotiations in the so-called "Normandy format" in the Belarusian capital Minsk, bringing together Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko. The package of measures envisages ceasefire, weaponry withdrawal, prisoner exchange, local election in Donbass, constitutional reform in Ukraine and establishing working sub-groups on security, political, economy and humanitarian components of the Minsk accords.

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Ukraine crisis Foreign policy

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Here are the key statements, made during the meeting

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Decision on strikes inside Russia seals US puppet Zelensky’s fate — commentator

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Russian forces cut off key Ukrainian supply route in Velikaya Novoselka, DPR

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Iran begins installation of three new generations of centrifuges to enrich uranium — TV

The decision was reportedly made in response to the anti-Iran resolution of the International Atomic Energy Agency

Zelensky’s actions make Ukraine vulnerable to coup, says politician

"Democratic institutions in the country have been destroyed, rendering dialogue between the government and the people impossible," Viktor Medvedchuk said

US not seeking confrontation with Russia, but will continue assistance to Kiev — Pentagon

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China urges restraint after Russia, Ukraine's exchange of attacks — foreign ministry

Lin Jian also reaffirmed Beijing's position on the Ukrainian issue

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Western countries should 'be afraid, tremble' after Putin's statement — lawmaker

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US admiral says Washington should be ready for talks with Russia, China

The Department of State and other US agencies "should continue to engage our competitors in real and substantive dialogue," Rear Admiral Thomas Buchanan said

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Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

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Russia not obliged to notify anyone about launch of intermediate-range missile — Kremlin

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Putin says Oreshnik missile system cutting-edge innovation by Russia, not Soviet byproduct

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Russia’s reaction to Austrian OMV’s failure to pay for gas justified — MFA

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Putin warns West that Russia can respond to any turn of events

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Ex-German chancellor never expected Russia to tolerate Ukraine’s NATO membership — memoir

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Ukraine conflict entering decisive phase, Polish PM says

According to Donald Tusk, "no one knows how the conflict will end"

Putin’s remarks on hypersonic missiles send serious warning to West — Turkish politician

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Eliminating best enemy units: Defense Minister visits special op area

Andrey Belousov stressed that Russian troops have accelerated their advance in the special military operation zone and have effectively disrupted Kiev's 2025 military campaign

Russian military to warn Ukrainian civilians of future Oreshnik attacks — Kremlin

Earlier, the Russian Armed Forces carried out a precision strike on Ukraine’s Yuzhmash defense industry facility in retaliation for the use of US-and UK-made weapons for strikes on Russia

Russia hammers Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, energy sites over week

Russian forces liberated seven communities in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past week, the Defense Ministry reported

Press review: Russia fires missile at Ukraine plant and Biden forgives Kiev $4.65 bln debt

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 22nd

US Congressman urges to impeach Biden for allowing strikes deep into Russia

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Diplomat mocks US Senator for talking about invading Netherlands

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

US decision to allow missile strikes deep into Russia fuels global escalation — Slovak PM

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Putin’s recent statements reflect long-standing policy, expert says

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Belarusian president believes humanity is on the brink of World War III

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Kremlin clarifies notification process for Oreshnik missile launch

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Japanese lawmaker praises Putin's restraint amid decision to strike deep into Russia

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Russia interested in security of Baltic undersea infrastructure — embassy in Denmark

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Ukraine should consider territorial concessions to Russia in return for peace — magazine

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German politician slams Ukraine’s ‘irresponsible’ strike on Russia with UK-made missiles

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German chancellor reiterates decision not to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine

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Russia fires ballistic, non-nuclear-tipped missile at Ukrainian aerospace plant — Putin

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Russian forces successfully advancing in all areas in special military op zone — Putin

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Zelensky fine with conflict continuing due to Western help — Slovak PM

Robert Fico pointed out that "more and more evidence show that the West seeks to prolong the war in Ukraine for various reasons"

Ukrainian frontline may 'collapse' under onslaught of Russian forces — BBC

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Oreshnik can reach targets across entire Europe — missile troops commander

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Trump seeks to restore peace in entire world — transition team on Putin’s address

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Nuclear escalation of Ukraine conflict unlikely, says ex-French envoy

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US administration chooses to escalate Ukraine conflict — Kremlin

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China holds US responsible for disrupted defense ministers' meeting in Laos

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North Korean leader warns of growing risk of nuclear war — KCNA

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Russia entitled to use weapons against military sites of states attacking it — Duma

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Russia hit Ukrainian military-industrial facility in response to use of Western missiles

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Russian embassy warns UK about dangers of calling for Moscow’s ‘defeat’

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Oreshnik missile to go into serial production, Putin says

The president stressed that given the weapon’s special power, it "will be provided precisely to the Strategic Missile Forces"

West launched missiles targeting Russia’s Bryansk, Kursk Regions — Putin

Russian air defenses repulsed all attacks, the Russian president said

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

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NATO enters conflict, Russia has every right to attack its targets now — expert

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Kremlin confident Putin's statement got through to US administration

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