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Military operation in Ukraine

Turkey’s key task is to organized Putin-Zelensky meeting - presidential spokesman

We keep our channels of communication with both sides open, Ibrahim Kalin said

ANKARA, March 19. /TASS/. Turkey sees it as its key task to organize a meeting between Russian and Ukrainian Presidents, Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Saturday.

"We keep our channels of communication with both sides open. It is very important and our efforts are geared to organize a direct meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents," the Anadolu agency quoted him as saying in the interview with the Al Jazeera television channel. "The sides are holding meetings on a technical level in Belarus. The first <…> ministerial meeting took place on the sidelines of a diplomatic forum in Antalya. The key task today is to organize a top-level meeting.".

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Military operation in Ukraine

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Crimea asks to initiate proceedings against Zelensky for terrorism against Russia

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West plans to give Kiev not only F-16s, but also weapons for them — Pentagon

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Ukraine’s military command throws soldiers into battle without training, says POW

The POW said that the Ukrainian army was experiencing a shortage of personnel

Colombia to sever diplomatic relations with Israel on May 2 — president

The Colombian government is radicalized against Israel, but at the same time it has not condemned the Palestinian Hamas movement for its attacks

Zelenodolsk shipyard to float missile, patrol ships on May 7

Project 22800 ships with Kalibr missiles are brown-water multirole missile-artillery boats designed to destroy surface warships and boats and repel air attacks

Russia urges partners not to take part in conference on Ukraine in Switzerland — diplomat

Bern had invited more than 160 delegations to the conference on Ukraine

Iran used Ghadr, Emad and Kheibar missiles to strike Israel, IRGC general says

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Chinese diplomat comments on Blinken’s warning on support to Russia

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Ukraine joining EU impossible while fighting continues — European Commission ex-head

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Russian flag hoisted over northern outskirts of Rabotino in Zaporozhye — politician

Rogov remarked that there were no houses left in the village now, for which reason it made no sense to fortify positions there

West attempts to bury Odessa tragedy — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy for the crimes of the Kiev regime Rodion Miroshnik noted that the regime of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will not conduct this investigation

Riot police detaining protesters near parliament building in Tbilisi

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US’ anti-Russia sanctions cast doubts on its constructive role in world — diplomat

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French politician demands Macron drop plans to send troops to Ukraine

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Ukraine is "genetically linked with Russia," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Example of Great Patriotic War veterans inspires amid current trials — Putin

President expressed hope that the festival would arouse great interest among the participants and become a bright event among the events dedicated to Victory Day

Protest rally against Poland’s military support for Kiev held in Warsaw

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Zelensky bowing to Western pressure, ready to give Ukrainian lands away — official

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Vucevic expressed the certainty that the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Belgrade "will mark a new stage in the development of the firm friendship between Serbia and China"

Musk says Ukraine should have reached agreement with Russia in Istanbul

Musk responded that he saw eye to eye with billionaire David Sacks, who said on the social network X that Kiev probably should have agreed to a deal in Istanbul

Russian forces use Kornet anti-tank system to hit heavy Ukrainian drone

According to the Russian defense ministry, man-portable anti-tank missile systems are widely used in coordination with drone operators to hit the enemy positions

Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

Konashenkov also said that several Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner

Kalashnikov ups firearms output 9% in first quarter

The company also upped civilian output 50% in the first quarter

Georgian authorities decline invitation to visit US to discuss partnership — ambassador

Robin Dunnigan also pointed out that the United States urges the Georgian government to "recommit the country to its Euro-Atlantic future, as written in Georgia’s constitution"

Accusations of Russia using chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces unfounded — Kremlin

"Russia was and remains committed to its obligations under international law in the aforementioned area," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries

There are two countries on the list

Russia to continue cooperating with other countries mitigating sanctions-related risks

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OSCE leadership ignores Odessa tragedy — Russian mission to OSCE

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US seeking to throw Balts, Poles, Germans, French ‘into fire of war’ — Medvedchuk

"They are clearing the way for this, since the Ukrainians are running out while the scheme of turning their deaths into America’s profits is waiting for new victims," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

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Russian Defense Minister attends meeting on special military operation

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Russian troops liberate Berdychi community in DPR over past day — top brass

Russian troops inflicted casualties on four Ukrainian army brigades in the Kherson area over the past day, the ministry reported

NATO accuses Russia of being behind 'hybrid, malign' activities on alliance’s territories

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Exhibition of captured NATO military hardware kicks off in Moscow

In all, there are 32 items

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Death toll in China highway collapse climbs

At least 24 people were killed

Georgia’s riot police fire rubber bullets at protesters near parliament building

At least one person was injured

NATO proposes $100 bln aid fund for Ukraine — top Hungarian diplomat

"In the coming weeks, during the negotiations, we will fight for Hungary’s right to stay away from this madness, from collecting these 100 billion dollars and pumping them out of Europe," Peter Szijjarto said

US court sentences Binance founder to four months in prison — Bloomberg

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Colombia withdraws diplomats from Israel — Foreign Ministry

Earlier, Colombian President Gustavo Petro promised to sever diplomatic relations with Israel on May 2

Russian users having full access to TikTok

TikTok halted streaming and posting of new videos in Russia on March 6, 2022

Iran sanctions 5 US companies, 7 individuals for supporting Israel

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Syria introduces electronic visas — embassy

Syrian diplomats explained to TASS that a relevant platform will issue visas online, obliterating the need to visit an embassy or a consulate

Wounded Ukrainian soldiers have to pay ambulances to take them to hospital — US expert

The ex-Pentagon adviser Douglas Macgregor also noted the continued Russian advance on the front line

China holds objective, fair position on Ukraine — embassy to US

Liu Pengyu said that China had "never provided lethal weapons or equipment to any party"

Gazprom posts net loss under IFRS for 2023 amounting to $6.8 bln

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Georgian parliament cancels plenary session after protesters storm building

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Azerbaijan’s president points to highest level of cooperation with Russia

Speaking of his recent visit to Russia, Ilham Aliyev stressed that it had been "very productive" and "once again demonstrated the strategic nature of allied relations" between the two countries

Foreign agents law to accelerate Georgia's European integration, prime minister says

Irakli Kobakhidze said that Georgia will avoid even mental revolutionary processes

Russian air defense forces block Ukrainian attempt to use ATACMS on Crimea — politician

The Ukrainians used several ATACMS ballistic missiles in an attempt to attack civilians on the peninsula

Paris, London should reflect on need for tactical nuclear weapons — Macron

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US military aid unlikely to help Ukraine unless Kiev mobilizes more troops, expert says

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West bears responsibility for Afghanistan’s plight — Russian delegation

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Protesters in Tbilisi tear Russian flag

At first, protesters flocking around the staff entrance to the parliament building put the flag on the building’s gate and attempted to set it on fire, a TASS correspondent reported

EU eyeing response to Russian decision on assets of Italian, German companies

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree earlier, whereby 100% of participation interests in the Russian entity of Ariston and the Russian entity of BSH Hausgerate are transferred to be managed by Gazprom Butovye Systemy company

Putin to talk global security issues on visit to China — Kremlin

"Both international and regional security issues will be mentioned and touched upon one way or another," Dmitry Peskov said

Russian forces strike Ukraine’s Operational Command South headquarters

The enemy’s troops and military hardware had been hit in 112 districts

Russia holds rehearsal of Victory Day air parade over Moscow

Two groups of aircraft, namely, a flight of Su-27 fighter jets, and Su-25 close support aircraft flew over Moscow’s Red Square, releasing fumes in the colors of the Russian national flag

Russia, Vietnam expanding cooperation in traditional, new spheres — Russian Ambassador

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Sweden approves Quran-burning rally ahead of Eurovision Song Contest

In Malmo, two pro-Palestinian demonstrations are planned for May 9 and 11

French president doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine if Russia breaks front lines

Emmanuel Macron pointed out that "many countries understood" Paris’s approach and agreed "that this position was a good thing"

Kyrgyzstan advises citizens not to travel to Russia

According to the Kyrgyz side, so far there have been no signals about cases of mass refusal of entry to Russia "to Kyrgyz citizens from the [country’s] diplomatic mission and consular offices"

Global Russia Manufacturing PMI down to 54.3 points in April — S&P Global

According to the study, higher raw material and transportation costs led to a faster rise in input prices

Peace talks on Ukraine make no sense without Moscow — Russian Embassy

"We do not accept the language of ultimatums," the embassy stressed

Soros family makes deal with Kiev to use Ukrainian land as toxic waste dump — journalist

"This agreement authorizes the disposal of chemical waste from companies linked with financier George Soros in the black soil of Ukraine," he said

Odessa to break free from extremist grip — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova expressed confidence that rightful punishment would sooner or later come to those who committed what she said was a "barbaric crime that has no statute of limitations"

US fails to shoot down Iranian missiles, drones in strike on Israel — IRGC general

Ali Belali described Iranian weapons as "an important factor of strength and the exercise of power in the world"

Unaware of decline of its military industry US gets trapped in Ukraine — French historian

Emmanuel Todd believes that "one of Washington's goals is to prevent a rapprochement between Russia and Germany"

Mexico buys 30 Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft from Russia — ambassador

According to the Ministry of Economy of Mexico, in 2014 the volume of trade between Mexico and Russia amounted to $1.78 billion