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Putin, Pope Francis discuss situation in Syria, Venezuela, Ukraine

The sides have also touched upon environmental problems

© Alexei Druzhinin/Presidential press service/TASS

VATICAN CITY, July 4. /TASS/. The situation in Syria, Venezuela and Ukraine was among the topics of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 50-minute meeting with Pope Francis, the Holy See said in a press office communique on Thursday.

The sides "turned their attention to various questions of relevance to the life of the Catholic Church in Russia," the communiques said. Apart from that, they focused on current issues of international politics, such as the situation in Syria, Venezuela and Ukraine.

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"During the cordial discussions, both Parties expressed their satisfaction at the development of bilateral relations, further strengthened by the protocol of understanding signed today regarding the collaboration between the "Bambino Gesu" Paediatric Hospital and the paediatric hospitals of the Russian Federation. They then turned their attention to various questions of relevance to the life of the Catholic Church in Russia," the press office said.

Putin and Pope Francis also touched upon environmental problems.

The Russian president also had talks with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, and His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

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Energy facilities backing Ukrainian defense industry extensively attacked

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Enemy has no countermeasures for Russia’s Oreshnik missile — Putin

Speaking in a televised address, the head of state assured that Russia will issue notifications before using this type of missile

Ukraine conflict entering decisive phase, Polish PM says

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

Japanese government refrains from commenting on Russia’s latest hypersonic missile

At the same time, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi once again criticized Russia’s actions in Ukraine

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

Department of Defense Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also claimed that Washington, while helping Ukraine, is not attempting to turn the conflict into a large-scale regional confrontation that spills beyond the country’s borders

Russian air defense deflects attacks with Western missiles — Putin

"As a result, the goals that the enemy apparently set have not been achieved," the Russian leader said

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

"Russia has repeatedly stated that such actions will receive a response – and it will be a stronger one," Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin stressed

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

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

The company stated it would seek damages amounting to 230 million euro for failing to receive the contracted volume of gas from the Russian company for delivery to Germany

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"

Defense ministers of five European nations to meet in Berlin on November 25

The French interior ministry said earlier that an emergency meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council will be held on November 26 following Russia using its new missile against a Ukrainian defense sector facility

German chancellor reiterates decision not to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine

Olaf Scholz stated that only the Social Democratic Party of Germany could maintain a balance between caution and clear support for Ukraine

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

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

Andrey Kartapolov added that the special military operation in Ukraine "will continue its course until all tasks are completed"

Russia’s Oreshnik has no analogues worldwide — Putin

"We know what kind of developments are being carried out there, but this will happen tomorrow or in a year or two, but we have such a system already today," the president said

Russia's Oreshnik missile poses significant threat to West, Turkish expert warns

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

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed that the US administration had lifted restrictions for US-supplied missiles to be used for strikes up to 300 kilometers inside Russia

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

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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

US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

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"We have discussed this issue in detail with the energy ministers of Turkey, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said

Russia’s re-election to UNCITRAL confirms its global reputation — Foreign Ministry

Russia got the support of 129 countries in a November 20 vote in New York at the 40th plenary session of the UN General Assembly

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Illegal decisions on Russian property in Finland will not go unanswered — diplomat

Maria Zakharova noted that the Russian Embassy in Helsinki has sent requests to clarify the situation

Oreshnik can reach targets across entire Europe — missile troops commander

"Based on the tasks and the range of this weapon, it can hit targets across entire Europe, which sets it apart from other high-precision long-range weapons," Sergey Karakayev said

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

The New York Times reported earlier, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-made ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

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US, West have no capabilities to intercept new Russian hypersonic missile — expert

"There is more in the Russian arsenal than many believe," said Karin Kneissl, the former Foreign Minister of Austria

West irrational, fails to understand it cannot intercept Russia's new missiles — Kneissl

The former Austrian foreign minister stressed that she "counted on rational Western decision-makers, but irrationality is unfortunately on the rise among them"

Daily death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon nears 60 — health ministry

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

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"An automated warning was sent 30 minutes before the launch," Dmitry Peskov said

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US administration chooses to escalate Ukraine conflict — Kremlin

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

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Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it in an interview

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Over the day, the enemy lost 150 troops, four motor vehicles, an artillery piece and two mortars

US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

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Russian strategic missile forces to be equipped with advanced weapon by 95%

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Lukashenko grants asylum to Schmidt persecuted on political grounds by Poland

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

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Turkey’s desire to be gas hub important for energy security — Russian official

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