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Crisis in Belarus

Lukashenko, Putin discuss situation in Belarus

By now, Putin and Lukashenko have had four telephone conversations dedicated to the situation in Belarus

MINSK, August 24. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in Belarus, BelTA agency reported on Monday.

"The presidents discussed the situation in our country and around it, especially in the Western context," it said.

Apart from that, the leaders agreed that Belarus will be the first country to supply the Russian anti-coronavirus vaccine. "The heads of state discussed issues of combating the coronavirus infection. In this context, the presidents agreed that Belarusian citizens will voluntarily take part in the third stage of tests of the Russian-manufactured anti-coronavirus vaccine. Belarus will be the first country to be supplied with this vaccine," BelTA said.

By today, Putin and Lukashenko have had four telephone conversations dedicated to the situation in Belarus. This topic was also raised during Putin’s telephone talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and European Council President Charles Michel.

On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the final results of Sunday’s voting, the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.12% of votes.

Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities after exit poll results were made public. As a result, some 7,000 people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured during the first days of protests. The opposition set up a coordination council for peaceful transfer of power, which is calling on workers to stage strikes.

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Vladimir Putin Alexander Lukashenko

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A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the reports of the strike

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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

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

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Russia always prefers talks to fighting, wars, says Lavrov

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The conference will take place from April 23 to 25 in St. Petersburg

UN Security Council vote exposes practically full isolation of US — Russia’s UN mission

Vasily Nebenzya described the US veto as a "fruitless attempt to stop the inexorable course of history"

Two pilots of jet that crashed in southern Russia hospitalized

The plane crashed in a field in the Krasnogvardeysky district of southern Russia’s Stavropol Region

Situation in Iran’s Isfahan stabilizes after drone attack — media

According to the news agency, all reports about fires or explosions have nothing to do with reality

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

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

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West wants to make Transnistria hotbed of tension — Lavrov

According to the top Russian diplomat, the leaders who rule countries where they claim to be from while holding foreign passports "will not enjoy support and authority for long"

Iran intends to bolster military cooperation with Russia — envoy to Moscow

Kazem Jalali noted that Iran had demonstrated its ability to ensure security and nudge the region toward a de-escalation

Lavrov says Borrell let it slip that Europe ‘fighting against Russia’

Russia’s top diplomat noted that Josep Borrell may made the statement in a moment of weakness

Iran has no plans to immediately retaliate to attack on its soil — agency

"We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," a senior Iranian official reported

Switzerland does not suit Russia for negotiations on Ukraine — Lavrov

The Foreign Minister pointed to the fact that Switzerland is on board with all Western sanctions

Russia ready for Ukraine talks, but not with Zelensky — Lavrov

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

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

Russian forces improved their frontline positions and repelled a Ukrainian army counterattack in the Donetsk area where the enemy lost roughly 590 troops over the past day, the ministry reported

CIA chief says Ukraine could lose by end of this year — Politico

William Burns said "there is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could at least put Putin in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement"

Israeli Air Force attacks airfield in southern Syria during strike on Iran

According to local sources, a radar station located at a military site along a highway connecting the towns of Qarfa and Izraa was disabled in the attack

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

According to the president, this step will help strengthen his country’s defense potential and contribute to bolstering the national armed forces’ capabilities

Russia knows French military instructors working in Ukraine — Lavrov

At the same time, the top Russian diplomat pointed out that "there is information that not only French mercenaries, but also instructors, maybe even together, but along with some other representatives of military and special services of European countries are working there [in Ukraine]"

Lavrov speaks of West’s agony, Russia’s approach to any future talks with Kiev

The Russian foreign minister also described Armenia and Russia as more than formal allies

Iran suspends flights above several cities amid reports of air attack — IRNA

Fox News said the Jewish state delivered a limited strike on Iran