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Russian ex-presidents to be able to apply for lifetime senator office at any time

The previous edition of the draft law set the deadline of three months to file the application

A plenary meeting of the Russian Federation Council Valery Sharifulin/TASS

A plenary meeting of the Russian Federation Council

© Valery Sharifulin/TASS

MOSCOW, December 4. /TASS/. A Russian ex-president, resigned by the moment the new law on forming the Federation Council (upper house) has taken effect, will be entitled to file an application to become a lifetime senator at any moment with no term limits, according to the amendment, adopted by the Federation Council Committee Constitutional Legislation and State Building Friday.

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Russian parliament approves primacy of Constitution in over 100 laws

According to the previous edition of the draft law, a head of state that left office either after their term expired or prematurely could become a Federation Council senator as soon as they filed an application, which could be filed once within three months after standing down. A president who resigned long before the law comes into effect, could also file an application to the Federation Council, but no later than within three months after the law is published. The new amendment removes these time constraints for presidents who stepped down before the law takes effect.

"The logic here is that those presidents, who will be elected or who serve today, know these laws, they are universal and they will be in effect [when those presidents resign]," Council Chairman Pavel Krasheninnikov explained, adding that these norms were not in effect during former presidents’ terms. "So there are special conditions here."

"We believe that this norm is redundant, because we appoint them for life, so we believe that to limit a constitutional right - and it is indeed written in the Constitution - by three months is inappropriate. This is why we propose to remove this time constraint," Krasheninnikov said.

Russian court arrests in absentia four foreign agents charged with terrorism

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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"

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According to Major General Yury Popov, nine violations of the deconfliction protocols of December 9, 2019

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

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Russia’s new Supreme Court chief justice doesn’t plan drastic changes

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Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

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

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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"

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Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

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

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Russia’s Viner vows to set up International League of Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs

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

Joe Biden directed to send ATACMS to Ukraine in February, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State Vedant Patel said

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

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Top Russian security official meets with counterparts at international security meeting

Nikolay Patrushev met with the heads of delegations from BRICS states

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

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US stops hiding true purpose of sanctions on Moscow, Russian envoy says

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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

Gagauzia against Chisinau’s policy of severing ties with Russia

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Network of international conspirators plotted Crocus terrorist attack — watchdog

Yury Chikhanchin pointed out that the perpetrators of the attack were provided with money, weapons, transportation and ammunition

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

Ukraine exhausted, needs constant money flow from outside — defense official

Apty Alaudinov added that if the Ukrainian army received long-range weapons, it might try to attack Russia's civilian infrastructure due to its powerlessness on the front

Dust from Sahara turns rain in Ukraine yellow

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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

Ukraine’s draft dodger makes attempt to cross Dniester into Moldova on air mattress

Men of conscription age try to leave the country in every possible way, often putting their lives at risk

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

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"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

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

Russian pipeline gas supplies to Europe add a quarter in winter — IEA

The share of Russian pipeline gas in the total European gas demand in winter nevertheless remained less than 10%, the International Energy Agency noted

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"

Russian defense minister dismisses his deputy Ivanov

Timur Ivanov was removed from the office of deputy defense minister of the Russian Federation of the federal government’s civil service

Russia maintains position on 'buffer zone' in Ukraine to counter missile threats

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US effectively dooms Ukraine by its new decisions, Russian envoy says

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

The resolution gained 13 votes

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Nearly 70 Israeli hostages killed in Gaza, Hamas says

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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"

Drone crashes in industrial zone in Russian city of Lipetsk

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

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Russia presents world’s first hydrogen-fueled luxury car at Innoprom exhibition

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

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Iranian president urges international courts to punish Israel for Gaza Strip operation

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Ukraine could send special forces to capture Zaporozhye NPP — politician

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Ukraine’s EU accession to require 20% increase in union’s budget — European Commissioner

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Russian diplomat thanks Tajik authorities for help in probe into Crocus terrorist attack

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North Korean film shown in Moscow to mark anniversary of Putin-Kim meeting

Minister Plenipotentiary of the North Korean Embassy in Russia Lee Yeong Jin emphasized that "today's screening will contribute to further intensifying cultural exchanges, deepening mutual understanding and friendly relations between the peoples of North Korea and Russia"

Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

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

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Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

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Radicals, intel services behind terror attacks in various countries, says Putin

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

IN BRIEF: Russian deputy defense minister, entrepreneur arrested for taking bribes

According to the investigation, Timur Ivanov and Sergey Borodin "criminally conspired with third parties" in order to receive a bribe "as providing monetized services when conducting contracted and subcontracted work" for the Defense Ministry

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

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

US spends millions of dollars on studying UFOs, 'covers up' information — congressman

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West balancing on edge of direct military confrontation between nuclear powers — Lavrov

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Russian Navy’s Bastion missile systems practice massive strike in Baltic drills

The Bastion coastal defense missile system is designated to defend the coastline over 600 km long

Russian deputy defense minister detained on suspicion of bribe-taking

"Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Vladimirovich Ivanov was detained on suspicion of committing a crime under part 6, article 290 of the Russian Criminal Code," the Russian Investigative Committee said

Top Russian, Iranian security officials discuss Middle East

"The parties exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, confirming their interest in preventing further escalation of tensions," the Russian Security Council reported

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

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

Over 14,700 residential houses remain flooded in Russia

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Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

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EU may sanction 10 firms for allegedly shipping weapons tech to Russia — Bloomberg

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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

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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

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

Switzerland unblocks Russia-related assets worth 290 mln Swiss francs

The total amount of blocked assets of the Russian Federation decreased by 150 million Swiss francs (about $165 million) due to the fact that a number of individuals "were removed from the EU sanctions lists"

Russian court arrests in absentia four foreign agents charged with terrorism

"The court has selected a measure of restraint for Garry Kasparov, Gennady Gudkov, Yevgenia Chirikova and Ivan Tyutrin, charged with establishing and heading a terrorist society, funding terrorist activity and justifying it publicly," the court said

US has no idea what to do about Zelensky — Seymour Hersh

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