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Developments in Afghanistan

Ashraf Ghani should go on trial before Afghan people for fleeing country — Russian envoy

Afghanistan’s President earlier announced that he was stepping down to prevent bloodshed and left the country

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani The Presidential Palace via AP

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani

© The Presidential Palace via AP

MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani deserves to go on trial before the Afghan people for fleeing the country in the most disgraceful manner, Russian Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said on Monday in an interview with the Zvezda (or Star) TV channel, published on the news outlet’s website.

According to him, Ghani "did not just leave Afghanistan, he fled, and in the most disgraceful manner, too. He is the man who addressed the Afghan people the day before yesterday, claiming that he was ready to take the last stand and sacrifice his life. And here is what really happened. His election raised questions, he misgoverned the country and eventually fled. This is all I can say about the man. He deserves to go on trial before the Afghan people," Kabulov pointed out.

Ghani earlier announced that he was stepping down to prevent bloodshed and left the country as members of the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) entered Kabul on Sunday, meeting no resistance, and started to take control of government buildings and police stations abandoned by government forces. The Taliban announced later that they had taken control of all districts of the capital.

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Afghanistan Power transfer in Afghanistan

Developments in Afghanistan

Russian presidential envoy visits Afghanistan to discuss political cooperation

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Pobeda bloc expects global community to respond to struggle against opposition in Moldova

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London grants agrement to Zaluzhny as ambassador to UK — Ukrainian parliamentarian

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Senior lawmaker threatens US with retaliation for 'stealing' Russian assets

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Top Hungarian diplomat warns US-NATO-EU competition in Ukraine could spark WWIII

"Preparations for a world war are intensifying in Brussels," Peter Szijjarto warned

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Top Security Council official meets with Cuban interior minister, foreign counterparts

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

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Russia invites all countries to develop North - South transport corridor — Putin

"The North-South transport corridor should become an example of the broadest international cooperation," the Russian leader said

Ukrainian connection to Crocus terrorist attack undeniable — ex-SBU officer

Vasily Prozorov noted that the perpetrators could have been eliminated once they crossed the border

Russian troops liberate Novomikhailovka community in DPR — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West repulsed four Ukrainian army counterattacks over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia scraps plans to hold Immortal Regiment march in 2024 amid security threats

This year, the May 9 festivities will take the form of other events, Yelena Tsunayeva noted

Russian missile cruiser Varyag enters Mediterranean Sea

The ship's crew continues to fulfill the mission it was given for the long-range voyage

WADA explains difference between Valieva’s case and Chinese swimmers’ violations

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Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

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Destroyed TV tower in Kharkov carried Ukrainian air defense coordination device — official

Digital TV signal interruptions are now observed in the city

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Chinese diplomat cautions US against 'demonizing' China-Russia relationship

The diplomat also called on Washington to "immediately stop imposing unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals"

Over 280 recovered from mass grave at hospital in Khan Yunis — TV

The operation to recover bodies of people killed in Israeli bombardments continues in the city

Russian economy to see serious structural changes — presidential aide

"The first one is the technology agenda, the very large one, with huge demands for our own small, medium and large solutions," Maxim Oreshkin said

Russia has significant amount of West’s funds in case of confiscation of its assets

Russia views the West’s encroachment on its assets as "a blatant and shameless theft for the purpose of lining its pockets," Maria Zakharova noted

Azerbaijanian leader says reaching peace with Armenia by November 'quite realistic'

According to Ilham Aliyev, the option of coordinating a basic agreement is also being considered

Russia to incorporate US nuke scenario in Poland in its military planning — diplomat

"Poland’s authorities make no secret of their striving to lean closer on the US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe and are actively using these ambitions in their hostile Russian policy," Maria Zakharova stressed

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

The unique vehicle was built on the basis of the Aurus Senat luxury car

South Korea threatens to end North Korean 'regime' in case it uses nuclear weapons

Extended deterrence refers to Washington's willingness to use all means, including nuclear, to defend an ally

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

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, April 22nd

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

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Gagauzian leader on unity of Moldova’s opposition, ability to watch Russian TV channels

Yevgenia Gutsul underlined that Gagauzia plans to start exporting products to Russia in the near future

Russia’s top brass reports destroying US-made Hawk air defense system in Ukraine operation

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Most agents at Security Service of Ukraine set on war with Russia — former officer

Vasily Prozorov said that "it is extremely difficult to count on any better judgement on their part"

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

Kremlin vows legal action against US bill on seizing Russian assets

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Flow of cargo traffic via North-South transport corridor to reach 60-100 mln tons

The presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, met with veterans, builders and employees of the Baikal-Amur Mainline on Monday

Nicaragua, Russia sign declaration to counter illegal sanctions — vice president

The document "contains provisions on methods to counter, mitigate and compensate for the negative consequences of this aggression," Rosario Murillo said

Armenia purchasing only defensive weapons — PM

Yerevan's defense spending is 15-20% of what Azerbaijan spends on it, Nikol Pashinyan said

Russia’s UN envoy, Serbian leader discuss coordination on Kosovo at UN

They "exchanged opinions on a wide range of pressing bilateral and international issues while focusing on the situation in the Balkans," the Russian diplomatic mission to the UN said

US authorities prepare military aid for Ukraine worth $1 bln — Reuters

The aid package includes vehicles, Stinger man-portable air defense system munitions, HIMARS rockets, 155-mm artillery shells, TOW and Javelin anti-tank missiles and other weapons that could be "used at the battlefield immediately"

Russia looking to open diplomatic missions in South Sudan, Niger, Sierra Leone — diplomat

According to Alexey Klimov, in 2023, almost 30,000 temporary entrance (return) permits were issued abroad and over 460,000 foreign passports were issued

Ukraine 'not in a position to win' against Russia — Spanish reserve colonel

"The Western world cannot accept Ukraine's defeat, because from the point of view of our security, a Russian victory in the war would be a failure," Francisco Rubio pointed out

Mobilization law condition for new supplies of arms to Kiev by NATO — source

Arms supplies are only reasonable if a large number of military personnel able to use those weapons in defense and assault operations is available