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Russian-Ukrainian prisoner swap likely to be first giant step to peace - Trump

"Congratulations to both countries", he wrote on Twitter

US President Donald Trump AP Photo/Alex Brandon

US President Donald Trump

© AP Photo/Alex Brandon

WASHINGTON, September 7. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump congratulated Russia and Ukraine on the prisoner swap on Saturday and voiced the hope that it would be a first giant step to peace.

"Russia and Ukraine just swapped large numbers of prisoners. Very good news, perhaps a first giant step to peace. Congratulations to both countries!" - Trump wrote on Twitter.

On September 7, Moscow and Kiev exchanged detainees in conformity with the ‘35 for 35’ principle. Preparations for a prisoner swap intensified after Vladimir Zelensky had been elected Ukraine’s president. Several weeks ago, the negotiation entered an active phase and legal procedures began for the two countries’ nationals who had been added to the list. On September 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the exchange would be massive and might be a step towards the normalization of bilateral relations.

FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

KazMunayGas, Sibur, Sinopec sign protocol on plant construction in Kazakhstan

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US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 13 times in past day

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North Korean leader arrives at public event in Aurus luxury car gifted by Putin

On April 10, the vehicle was also spotted when the North Korean leader visited Kim Jong Il Military and Political Academy

Russian economy proves resilience amid large-scale sanctions — IMF

The IMF states that the restrictions led to the need to rebuild the economy

Lavrov labels way West ramping up sanctions against Russia as mindless

According to the foreign minister, Russia has decided not to depend on the West in all spheres, including those in which it can limit the country's development

Indonesia cancels forty flights due to volcano eruption — Internet portal

The Mount Ruang volcano erupted five times on April 17, ejecting an ash column to the height of about three kilometers during its strongest eruption

West frightens voters by 'Russian threat' to win elections — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat pointed out that the anti-Russian rhetoric of Western politicians in power intensifies as the elections approach

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian army’s aircraft park near Nikolayev — defense ministry

"Big fuel depots in Konstantinovka, Nikolayev region, Slavut, Rovno region, and Ternopol were hit by high-precision air-based missiles," he said

Russia’s sanitary watchdog trains African colleagues on using mobile labs

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US House passes procedural vote on Ukraine aid bill

It cannot be ruled out that the House of Representatives may pass this package as early as Saturday

US 'not forgetting' to help itself with aid to Ukraine — Kremlin

"In any case, whatever the modality of providing this aid, de facto it is about provoking Ukraine into further hostilities down to the last Ukrainian, putting guarantted money in the pockets of the US," Dmitry Peskov said

Proposals on Russian assets confiscation undermine financial system — Finance Minister

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Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

Investigators have established that the funds that were received through commercial organizations, such as the oil and gas company Burisma Holdings operating in Ukraine, have been used to carry out terrorist acts in Russia and abroad

Swiss parliament votes against joining task force on frozen Russian assets

The group contains US finance and justice ministers, representatives of Australia, the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, France, Japan, as well as the European Commission

Nearly half of those present in UN Security Council hall walk out before Israel’s address

israeli Permanent Representative Gilad Erdan was to address the council after Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour

One crew member of jet crashed in Stavropol Region killed, search for another continues

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, an Aerospace Forces’ Tu-22M3 bomber crashed after completing a combat mission while returning to the airfield

Three Ukrainian soldiers swim across Dnieper to surrender to Russian troops — governor

Vladimir Saldo called on other Ukrainian servicemen to switch to the Russian side and request the corresponding assistance

Armenia’s relations with Russia not at their highest — top diplomat

Ararat Mirzoyan also said that Yerevan is currently making efforts to expand cooperation with the European Union and the United States

US gives nod to Israeli operation in Rafah in exchange for canceling major attack on Iran

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Izvestia correspondent Semyon Eremin killed in special operation zone

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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Egypt’s Ambassador talk BRICS cooperation, arms control

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No plans for pauses in fighting if talks on Ukraine begin, Lavrov says

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Putin signs law on holding World Friendship Games

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Hungarians in western Ukraine should get their rights back, Budapest says

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Iran may target Israeli nuclear center in Dimona in case of Israel’s attack — TV

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Security guarantees on Ukraine did not apply to Crimea, Donbass — Lavrov

The Russian Foreign Minister noted that "Ukrainian negotiators came and said that, for example, on the issue of maneuvers with the participation of third countries, let's replace the wording 'if all guarantor countries agree' with 'unless the majority agrees'"

No plans to ‘get involved in combat role’ in Ukraine, White House official says

Asked if it was because of Russia’s nuclear weapons, Kirby repeated that the circumstances were different

US, UK refuse to discuss document about Israel’s strike on Syria — Russian mission to UN

"The United States and the United Kingdom were reluctant to even discuss it, citing lack of unified approach to the incident during the session," Dmitry Polyansky said

Russian military closely monitors all Ukrainian 'novelties' — Kremlin on UAVs

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Russian economy positively influences neighboring countries — Deputy PM

In 2023 the Russian economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, Alexey Overchuk said

Pipeline explodes in Kharkov Region

The exact location of the damaged pipeline or the causes of the incident is not reported

Musk says he will not vote for Biden in presidential election

The billionaire commented on his interview with CNBC, published in May last year, when Musk said that he voted for Biden in the 2020 elections

Russia handed over draft agreement to Ukraine on April 15, still no response — diplomat

"Many things, stated both in public space and at the negotiations table, have been immediately debunked by Kiev, sometimes within an hour or even 15 minutes," Maria Zakharova noted

US blocks Security Council resolution granting full UN membership to Palestine

A total of 12 countries, including Russia and China, voted in favor of the document

Crimea, Donbass to forever remain within Russia, Slovak PM tells national parliament

Robert Fico believes Moscow will win in its confrontation with Kiev

Kiev ordered mandatory evacuation from Kharkov Region to accommodate mercenaries

Evacuation campaigns are regularly organized by the Kiev government, under the pretext of security issues

Russian government increases customs duties on beer from unfriendly countries

This measure is not a prohibitive one and will make it possible to make competitive conditions equal for Russian producers, the ministry said

Caucasus Investment Forum to take place in Grozny this year — organizer

The Caucasus Investment Forum "will serve as a platform for negotiations and a place to conclude business contracts for investment projects and public-private partnerships in Russia’s regions," the Foundation said

FSB declassifies archival evidence on Nazi executions of Poles, Katyn case

There are many accounts of interrogations of Poles who served with the Germans in the Smolensk Region, forensic expert of the Budapest City Royal Court, Imre Szecsody, and other key figures involved

Russia to scrap moratorium on intermediate missiles if US deploys them anywhere — MFA

Sergey Ryabkov said the US seeks to maintain military superiority in a great variety of areas

Ukrainian president admits Russian troops’ advancement

Vladimir Zelensky asked his country’s supporters to provide "everything that helps to hold the frontline," including shells, military vehicles and drones

Armenia has to define CSTO’s zone of responsibility on its territory, says Lavrov

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Russia’s export duty on wheat to be $37.42 per metric ton from April 24

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West can’t comprehend Russia’s resilience — Lavrov

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Lavrov views situation in Middle East as 'very bad'

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Russia delivers 34 strikes on Ukrainian military infrastructure over week — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost more than 3,550 troops, four tanks and five armored combat vehicles in battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk area over the past week, the ministry reported

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US volunteer Russel Bentley missing in Donetsk killed — RT editor-in-chief

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Bank of Russia supports accelerating bill on international cryptocurrency payments

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Ukrainian trace obvious in Crocus City Hall attack — Russian prosecutor general

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Kiev lacks both troops and equipment near Chasov Yar in DPR, says retired general

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West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

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G7 leaders to decide on Russian assets use — Italian Deputy PM

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Operational tactical group North HQ destroyed, DPR’s People’s Militia

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Revenues from NWF investments in financial assets reach $3.9 bln in 2023

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Polish premier refuses to hand over his country’s Patriot systems to Ukraine

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Russia to begin next week clinical trials of anti-COVID-19 vaccine for children

This is for the age group of 6 to 11 years old

UK imposes sanctions against leading Iranian military figures — Foreign Office

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West close to sending military to Ukraine, this would 'drag Europe to bottom' — Orban

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Russia open to help resolve situation in Sudan — ambassador

Andrey Chernovol recalled that the Russian embassy is currently located in the temporary capital of Sudan, Port Sudan, and diplomats are in contact with the country's official authorities

Ukrainians abroad storming embassies to avoid mobilization, Russian diplomat says

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Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

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Ukrainian drones continue to fly over Zaporozhye NPP — press service

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NATO discussing transfer of ‘deep precision strike capabilities’ to Ukraine — Stoltenberg

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Mauritania needs Russian experience in growing grain-crops — Agriculture Minister

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Russian instructors help train over 10,000 Central African troops — CAR president

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Russia’s defense chief inspects production of tanks, flamethrowers at Siberian enterprise

Sergey Shoigu handed down an instruction for the defense enterprise to ramp up the production of T-80BVM tanks, the Defense Ministry said

Russian stock indices rising on Friday

The MOEX Russia Index edged up by 0.44%, the RTS Index surged by 1.13%

Russia not to go for settlement on Ukraine based on 'Zelensky formula' — Lavrov

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Russian military base may appear in CAR’s eastern region — President Touadera

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Major Western investor accuses Zelensky's office of extorting millions of euros

Arnulf Damerau said that he provided details of the meeting, along with evidence and a list of names of those involved, to US and European intelligence agencies

French president says creating Israeli-type air defense network for Ukraine impossible

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Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, April 19th

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US assured Israel that Iranian drones will be intercepted — US journalist Hersh

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Russia forms Moscow, Leningrad military districts amid NATO expansion

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Russian forces destroy Ukrainian command post, two S-300 missile launchers over day

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Russia bans 235 Australian local government officials from entering country — MFA

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S-500 system to be supplied to Armed Forces after 2015

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Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

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BRICS looking at creating common digital payment platform

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Two pilots of jet that crashed in southern Russia hospitalized

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