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Coronavirus pandemic

Lukashenko slams EU, US for undermining Minsk's efforts to fight pandemic

The president of Belarus said that neither the Europeans nor the Americans provided assistance to Minsk

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko Sergei Sheleg/BelTA/TASS

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko

© Sergei Sheleg/BelTA/TASS

MINSK, May 4. /TASS/. The European Union and the United States are undermining Minsk's efforts to improve the coronavirus situation, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday.

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"We have spent a lot of money [on measures to prevent the coronavirus from spreading]," he pointed out, adding that neither the Europeans nor the Americans "provided assistance to us… though the World Health Organization and the United Nations keep emphasizing the need to support others." "Well, they haven’t offered any assistance, we are fine with that, we aren’t asking for help. However, they seek to tighten the screws and make the situation worse here," Lukashenko said.

According to him, the most important thing is that people in Belarus will continue to receive medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the EU mission to Belarus told the tut.by news outlet that under the European Union's Solidarity for Health initiative, $3.8 mln had been allocated to the country for the purchase of personal protective equipment, medical and diagnostic tools.

On October 1, 2020, the vaccination of volunteers with Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine began in Belarus, which became the second country to register the vaccine after Russia. The joint production of the Sputnik V vaccine was later launched in Belarus. The Belarusian authorities plan to vaccinate at least 60% of the country’s population against the coronavirus.

Russian aerospace forces hit two terrorists base in Syria’s Homs governorate

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French neo-Nazi ringleader liquidated near Avdeyevka — sources

There is confirmed evidence of his connections with French secret services

Ukraine could send special forces to capture Zaporozhye NPP — politician

According to Vladimir Rogov, the Ukrainian troops are holding drills to cross the Dnieper from the right bank to the left bank and capture a large industrial site

All-Belarusian People's Assembly adopts new military doctrine, security concept

The adoption of a new military doctrine instead of the one that has been in force since July 2016 stems from the need for adaptation to the changed military-strategic situation

FSB nabs Neo-Nazi group members in Volgograd Region plotting high-profile terror act

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Houthis say they attacked MSC Darwin vessel in Gulf of Aden

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Russian diplomat accuses US of coordinating Ukraine’s terrorist attacks

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Bank of Russia keeps key rate at 16% per annum again

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Russia needs to boost production of goods based on domestic technologies — Putin

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Russia ready to cooperate with all interested partners to ensure security — Putin

The Russian leader expressed confidence that the the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues "will bolster cooperation for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples"

Swiss conference on Ukraine undermines European security — Russian diplomat

In Maxim Buyakevich words, neither the talks nor their outcome can change the existing political and territorial realities

Russian defense chief points to West’s double standards on right to self-defense

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

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US-oriented structures try to reformat security system in Asia-Pacific region

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu underlined that this is being done by strengthening "military-political structures such as QUAD, AUKUS and the US-Japan-Philippines triad"

West prepares puppet structures in case of coup in Belarus — KGB

Ivan Tertel said various methods were being considered, up to "instigating a forceful seizure by illegal armed groups" being trained in the West and Ukraine

China, US free to have their own friends, partners — President Xi

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Crocus City Hall attack funded using cryptocurrency, Russian finance watchdog says

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Labor productivity requires a significant increase in all sectors of the economy, the President stressed

Kiev confirms pulling back US-made Abrams tanks due to vulnerability to Russian UAVs

Thirty-one American tanks have become "unfit for the classical deployment," Maxim Buzhansky said

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Press review: Belarus' new national security strategy and Russia, US butt heads at UN

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

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Israel Defense Forces delivers more strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon

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Shoigu talks about ties with NATO, attacks on Zaporozhye NPP as he attends SCO meeting

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Polish leader cautions NATO allies against provoking Russia

Andrzej Duda slammed the reported instances of Russian missiles entering Poland's airspace as "a Russian provocation"

Ukraine’s army leaves first defensive line in Berdychi near Avdeyevka, says DPR

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Chances of Baku-Yerevan conflict settlement higher than ever, Scholz says

The German chancellor emphasized that Berlin's "offer to lend support in finding a long-term and acceptable solution remains valid"

Insurers refuse to pay compensation for Nord Stream — Russian envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya stressed that insurers conclude on their own that the "explosion at the gas pipelines was made using an explosive devices, willfully and due to political motives," thereby confirming its terroristic nature

US nukes in Poland to become target for Russia should confrontation with NATO occur — MFA

"The impression is that Warsaw is maniacally seeking to attract even more attention from military planners in the Russian General Staff," Maria Zakharova added

Kremlin unconcerned by European Parliament’s resolution on Russian election

The resolution that European Parliament members passed at a plenary session in Strasbourg "urges the member states of the European Union and the international community not to recognize the outcome of the Russian presidential election"

NATO bears direct responsibility for Ukraine crisis — Chinese Foreign Ministry

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Dmitry Peskov noted that, "according to some parameters, companies in Europe and other regions can hardly maintain their competitiveness if they completely abandon our products"

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SCO should unite against foreign attempts to trigger revolutions — Shoigu

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US government prepares to sign $6-bln contract for arms deliveries to Ukraine — Politico

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Abrams tanks easy targets for drones — Russian expert

According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, "as long as there is a lack of direct communication between those who make the tanks and who use them, the Abrams will not evolve to meet modern warfare requirements"

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The head of state accused Washington of preparing a "Belarusian liberation army" and reiterated Minsk's readiness to "defend its country"

Armenian police arrests people protesting against demarcation with Azerbaijan

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Cosmonauts complete spacewalk two hours ahead of schedule

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Hungary sees Ukraine conflict entering new phase, NATO involvement rising

According to the minister Gergely Gulyas, the North Atlantic Alliance "wants to provide financial assistance, as well as supply weapons and train Ukrainian soldiers"

Russian troops destroy 89 Ukrainian UAVs, 5 boats in Kherson area over past day

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"The catastrophe in Gaza proves once again that the inability of the Palestinian people to implement their legitimate national rights is the root of the Palestinian-Israeli contradictions and the essence of the Middle East issue," Wang Yi stressed

North Korea tests multiple rocket launchers produced at new defense enterprise

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Reinforced Ukrainian battlegroup fails to break through Russian defenses in DPR — expert

Andrey Marochko added that the Ukrainians have also intensified artillery and drone attacks at Russian positions

Kiev's attacks on ZNPP may trigger another Chernobyl — Zaporozhye governor

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Russian troops wipe out Ukrainian UAV production workshop over past day

The Russian forces improved their frontline positions and inflicted casualties on five Ukrainian army brigades in the Donetsk area over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russian Embassy to Austria denied participation in ceremony at Nazi concentration camp

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Foreign delegations show great interest in Russian defense products — security official

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Kremlin spokesman describes European Parliament as 'Russophobic machine'

Dmitry Peskov added that the EP "has turned into a machine brimming with internal contradictions that keeps generating boorish statements"

Moscow, Minsk pushing for peace even as 'war in the air' — Belarusian official

Pavel Muraveiko stressed that "the leaders of Belarus and Russia are doing everything possible and impossible to ensure peace and security on western borders"

Senior security official points to rising tensions on Belarus’ western border

Tensions "have reached a peak where the slightest imbalance can lead either to a serious, high-profile and large-scale provocation or a conflict," Pavel Muraveiko stressed

US first caused, now purposefully drags out Ukraine conflict — Shoigu

The Russian top defense official added that in order to achieve its goals, Washington is exerting unprecedented pressure, including on its partners

Russian foreign minister to meet with Bolivian counterpart in Moscow

The top diplomats are to discuss bilateral ties, political dialogue, ways of broadening cooperation in various sectors and improving the legislative and contractual framework

Putin calls impending formation of new cabinet ‘crucial step’

The Russian leader pointed out that it is important to ensure stability and transparency in the Russian socio-political system

Poland practices transfer of mechanized brigade to Lithuania's Suwalki Corridor area

The exercise under the classified Orsha plan involves 1,500 military personnel from Lithuania's Zemaitija Motorized Infantry Brigade, Poland's 15th Mechanized Brigade, allied US and Portuguese units, as well as about 200 pieces of military equipment

Potential nuclear facilities in Poland to be military target for Russia — senior diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, discussions around the deployment of NATO nuclear facilities in Poland are an "unfolding story"

Musk concurs that civil war looming in West

The US businessman commented on remarks by Gad Saad, a Canadian professor of Lebanese origin, who insisted that "the path that the West is taking will result in civil war"

Kiev may use ATACMS missiles to hit Crimean Bridge — Russian defense ministry official

Russian military will do its utmost to repel such attacks, Apty Alaudinov said

Fatah accuses Hamas of actions that led to Israeli control of Gaza — report

Fatah also said Hamas is currently seeking to become part of the Palestine Liberation Organization, but is doing this "only to preserve itself and survive"

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

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Transfer of US ATACMS missiles to Ukraine cannot be justified — Russian ambassador

"Neither these missiles nor other weapons can help defeat the Russian Federation," Anatoly Antonov said

Ukraine had to negotiate agreements with Russia with ‘three masters’ — Russian envoy

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Russia to hold next international security meeting in 2025 — top security official

The date and location will be announced later