Kommersant: Russia opposes ban of fully autonomous combat systems

Russia is ready to support the proposal of France and Germany to adopt a political declaration in the UN that would emphasize the importance of maintaining human control over autonomous weapons systems, sources told Kommersant. This initiative will be discussed in late August in Geneva by representatives of more than 80 countries and international organizations. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Kommersant that Moscow categorically opposes the introduction of legally binding restrictions in this sphere, since full-fledged artificial intelligence does not yet exist. Supporters of banning "robot killers", however, warn that technology is developing so rapidly there simply may not be enough time to prevent disaster.

Several states have initiated the ban of fully autonomous combat systems, including Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and the Vatican. Currently, the ban is supported by 26 countries. The initiators insist on adopting a legally binding international treaty that would require states to ensure the maintenance of proper human control over the machines.

However, many countries are skeptical about the idea, including Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry told Kommersant, this "cautious" attitude "is connected with a number of circumstances." "First, we must take into account that we are talking about a technology that does not yet exist. So far the idea of such systems is very superficial and speculative," the Ministry said. Secondly, the Foreign Ministry points to "difficulties with a clear delineation of civil and military developments in the field of autonomous systems." Thirdly, the Ministry "has significant doubts about the sufficiency of the current international legal framework for regulating autonomous combat systems, indicated by the radical states and non-governmental organizations."

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Moscow does not object to starting preparations for the political declaration on autonomous combat systems based on understanding that it will be agreed upon by the specialized United Nations Group of Governmental Experts. The Ministry told the newspaper that actions of the Russian delegation would depend on the "specific content" of this declaration and on whether the document takes into account Russia’s position. Russian negotiators, the Ministry told Kommersant, are ready to "get involved in the work" on drafting the text and generally believe that its adoption would be a "useful result" of the work of the Group of Governmental Experts.

 

Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Pyongyang bargains with Washington but counts on Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to the telegram sent to Kim Jong-un on the occasion of the National Liberation Day of Korea, Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote. According to the newspaper, as per the telegram’s text, Moscow supports the implementation of a tripartite program, which includes the Russian Federation, North Korea and South Korea. The backdrop for negotiations could be favorable, the newspaper wrote. However, growth of economic ties is hampered by sanctions against North Korea.

"Pyongyang has to resist pressure from the United States, which requires it to completely denuclearize, not wishing at the same time to ease sanctions. In this confrontation, Pyongyang would like to have support from Russia," the newspaper wrote.

Leading Researcher at the Center for Korean Studies of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Konstantin Asmolov told the newspaper that "the relations between Russia and North Korea can be considered good. After all, Russia, on one hand, supports North Korea, on the other - does not try to impose anything on it. Of course, compared to the CIS countries and the Middle East, East Asia including Korea is a ‘third priority’ for Moscow. We do not have much leverage."

The expert drew attention to the fact that the current situation in Korea corresponds to the Russian-Chinese double-freeze plan. That is, North Korea froze the tests of nuclear weapons, and the United States and South Korea froze large-scale military maneuvers.

Touching upon the economic ties between Russian and North Korea, Asmolov said there are many projects, but sanctions hinder their implementation. For example, according to the UN Security Council resolution, Russia must expel North Korean workers from its territory before the end of 2019. New work permits cannot be issued, however, workers in Russia would be able to extend permits.

 

Izvestia: Russia opens visa center in Tbilisi

A Russian visa center will open in Tbilisi on August 17, which should speed up processing documents for Georgian citizens, the Interests Section for the Russian Federation at the Swiss Embassy in Georgia told Izvestia. Two sources in Russian diplomatic circles told the newspaper, that on one hand, opening the center says that so far Moscow does not intend to cancel visas for Georgians, on the other - there is a desire to go along the path of further simplifying the procedure for issuing the document. The simplified visa regime for citizens of the country has been in effect since 2016, Special representative of the Georgian Prime Minister for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze told Izvestia.

"Indeed, on August 17, the official visa center opens. Its staff will help with the processing of Russian visas, but the decision on each applicant will still be made in the Interests Section of the Russian Federation," the Russian mission in Tbilisi told Izvestia. Thus, processing documents will be accelerated and the burden on the Section will be reduced.

Two sources in Russian diplomatic circles told Izvestia that Moscow is not yet going to abolish visa restrictions for Georgian citizens, taking into account not only the difficulties in relations between the two states, but also the general situation in the region. Nevertheless, Russia still does not rule out that in the future barriers can be eliminated, as various officials in Russia and even President Vladimir Putin repeatedly spoke about. So far, the Russian side intends to gradually simplify visa procedures, and the news visa center confirms it.

In addition, cooperation between Russia and Georgia is complicated by the absence of diplomatic relations that were torn apart by Tbilisi's initiative in 2008 after Moscow recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia's independence.

 

Vedomosti: Yandex looking to retail its ‘secret’ smartphone

Yandex is discussing sales of its new smartphone with mobile retail networks MTS, Megafon, VimpelCom, and M.Video-Eldorado group, a source close to one of the parties told Vedomosti. A representative of VimpelCom confirmed to Vedomosti that the company was considering Yandex’s offer. Valeriya Andreeva, head of PR for M.Video-Eldorado, confirmed the fact that the retailer is discussing sales of the new smartphone, without commenting on the details. A Megafon representative told the newspaper that the company is discussing the possibility of selling the smartphone with Yandex, but no agreements have been reached so far. MTS declined to comment.

The existence of a secret Yandex smartphone device of YNDX-000SB model first became public in July - it appeared in the register of cryptographic means, import of which is allowed to the EAEU countries. So far, Yandex did not disclose any technical specifications for the device. However, sources close to the negotiators told Vedomosti that they correspond to the parameters of $150-170 Chinese smartphones.

According to the sources, Yandex planned to import the first batch of smartphones to Russia in the fall, which could be around 20,000 units. According to one of Vedomosti's sources, the negotiated price of the device reached 14,990 rubles ($224) at the start of the talks, now it increased to 16,990 rubles ($254) due to the ruble's decline against the dollar; another source mentioned 20,000 rubles ($299). However, both sources, as well as an employee of one of the retail chains, told Vedomosti that the parties cannot agree on sales - Yandex requires minimal mark-ups on its smartphones and an extremely low margin of Yandex smartphone sales does not work for retailers.

Leading analyst of Mobile Research Group Eldar Murtazin told the paper the new device should demonstrate the capabilities of the eponymous search engine. For example, Yandex could remove all Google services from an Android-based device to show users that it is possible to operate comfortably in its ecosystem without them.

 

Izvestia: Maria Butina’s defense plans to set up support fund

The defense team of Maria Butina, arrested in Washington DC on charges of acting as an unregistered agent of the Russian government, plans to create a fund to protect their client, Butina's lawyer Robert N. Driscoll told Izvestia.

According to Driscoll, the fund will allow people from anywhere in the world to transfer money through the Internet to help her fight the case. He added the Maria is doing well, but suffers from chronic arthritis.

Driscoll also added that Butina’s defense team expects that the US government will provide evidence in the near future. The team has to wait for the court hearing for several months, he told Izvestia, adding that they plan to file several motions in the near future.

Answering a question about the documents that Butina provided to the Senate Defense Committee, the lawyer explained that they concerned the current case - work with Deputy Governor of the Russian Central Bank Alexander Troshin, as well as with the National Rifle Association of the United States.

The 29-year-old Russian gun activist was charged with conspiracy to act as an agent of the Russian Federation within the United States without prior notification to the Attorney General. Butina was arrested in Washington on July 15 and remains in custody until a court session on September 10.

 

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