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G7 member states pledge to tighten control over sanctions against Russia

The member states to take further steps to expedite plans to reduce the reliance on Russian energy

© IMAGO/photothek via Reuters Connect

WASHINGTON, April 7. /TASS/. Member states of the Group of Seven (G7) will step up efforts to control the implementation of sanctions imposed against Russia, paying particular attention to the country’s possible evasion of restrictive measures, according to a statement by G7 top diplomats, published on Thursday after a meeting on the sidelines of a NATO ministerial summit in Brussels.

"Together with international partners, the G7 will sustain and increase pressure on Russia by imposing coordinated additional restrictive measures…," the statement reads.

"We will work together to stop any attempts to circumvent sanctions or to aid Russia by other means," according to the statement. "We are taking further steps to expedite plans to reduce our reliance on Russian energy, and will work together to this end."

Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had made a decision to carry out a special military operation in Ukraine in order to protect people "who have been suffering from abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years."

The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories and the operation was aimed at demilitarizing and denazifying Ukraine.

When clarifying the developments unfolding, the Russian Defense Ministry reassured that Russian troops are not targeting Ukrainian cities, but are limited to surgically striking and incapacitating Ukrainian military infrastructure. There are no threats whatsoever to the civilian population.

Western countries responded to the actions of the Russian authorities by slapping numerous sanctions against physical and legal entities.

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NATO enters conflict, Russia has every right to attack its targets now — expert

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NATO supports Ukraine not out of charity but for its own strategic interests — deputy head

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All restrictions that Western countries impose affect themselves in the first place, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov added

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Muneo Suzuki described Joe Biden’s decision as "dangerous and provocative"

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The New York Times reported earlier, citing sources, that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-made ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Russia monitors situation in Kursk Region after reports of ATACMS missiles — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov pointed out that "it is hardly possible to be guided by the reports of a TV channel"

US takes responsibility for Palestinian deaths by vetoing UNSC resolution — Russian envoy

Vasily Nebenzya noted that Russia has no doubt that "the Israelis themselves are also interested in ending the spiral of violence"

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Zelensky admits Ukraine can't fight its way back to 1991 borders

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Six European countries accuse Russia of allegedly attacking security architecture

"Moscow's escalating hybrid activities against NATO and EU countries are unprecedented in their variety and scale," the statement reads

Zelensky to have no input if Russia, US negotiate, ex-Prime Minister says

Previously, Elon Musk said on the X social platform, commenting on Zelensky’s supposition that the United States cannot force Ukraine to "sit and listen" at the negotiating table because Ukraine is an independent country, that Zelensky has an "amazing sense of humor"

Ex-German chancellor never expected Russia to tolerate Ukraine’s NATO membership — memoir

Angela Merkel added that another fallacy was the belief that the status "would act as a deterrent," and that Moscow "would accept these developments without taking action"

Russia encircles largest Ukrainian fortification in southern DPR — security services

"The enemy positioned in the fortified area in Velikaya Novoselka in the south of the DPR is already trapped in a kill zone," the source said

Ukraine has around 50 ATACMS missiles — The Times

According to the report, the Ukrainian military has sufficient launchers that are capable of firing them

Russian embassy warns UK about dangers of calling for Moscow’s ‘defeat’

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Moscow’s response to strikes with Western arms on Russian soil to be felt — diplomat

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Putin confirms Russia’s readiness to assist CAR with security challenges

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West’s decision on missile strikes gives Russia free hand to attack NATO bases — expert

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Zelensky begs ‘for his country to be flattened’ — US journalist

"Ukraine should be forever grateful that President Putin is calm, rational and kind - because Zelensky is practically begging for his country to be flattened," American political commentator Jackson Hinkle said

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US decision on strikes inside Russia stems from malice rather than strategy — journalist

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Freezing Ukrainian conflict unacceptable for Russia, says Kremlin

"It is important for us to achieve our goals, which are well known to everyone," Dmitry Peskov emphasized

Russian forces gain foothold in central Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

While Ukrainian commanders have been making every effort to stabilize the situation in Chasov Yar, Kiev does not have enough soldiers, weapons or military hardware for that, Andrey Marochko said

At least 66 people killed in Gaza Strip by an Israeli strike — Al Jazeera

It was also reported that over 100 people were wounded

Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine makes defeat over its army impossible — SVR chief

According to the latest version of the document, the core principle is that nuclear weapons are a last resort to ensure the protection of the country’s sovereignty

Russia to use revenues from frozen assets of Western investors — Finance Minister

Tit-for-tat measures will be implemented after receiving information about unfriendly actions of Western countries, Anton Siluanov noted

Trump's new presidency will be fundamentally different from his first — expert in the US

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Ukrainian losses, captives, aid to civilians: situation in Kursk Region

Russian tactical and operational/tactical aircraft, missile forces hit enemy manpower and equipment in the Kursk and Sumy regions, the Defense Ministry reported

Defeating Ukrainian forces near Olgovskaya wood, enemy losses: situation in Kursk Region

The Russian Armed Forces have completed the destruction of a Ukrainian battlegroup blocked in the area of the Olgovskaya wood

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The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Ex-UK Labor party leader wants PM to clarify situation with Storm Shadow missiles

Jeremy Corbyn called for de-escalation of the situationin Ukraine and the search for a diplomatic solution to achieve peace

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The likelihood of a direct armed conflict with NATO is increasing because some individuals in the alliance are ready to raise the stakes ahead of Trump’s inauguration, Andrey Bystritsky emphasized

FACTBOX: What is known about UAV attacks on Russian regions

During the night, air defenses intercepted and destroyed two Ukrainian UAVs in the skies over the Rostov and Volgograd regions

US strategic forces ready for Biden-Trump transition — Pentagon

"The nuclear forces is ready on January 19, just like it will be ready on January, 20," Rear Admiral Thomas Buchanan said

US decision on missile strikes aimed at provoking Russia, expert says

According to Andrey Sushentsov, Biden is under pressure from Washington’s allies and "the hawks" in his government who believe that the US is not providing enough support to Kiev

Kremlin condemns report on Storm Shadow missile use against Russian targets as escalation

Dmitry Peskov chose not to respond to a question about whether Russia has proof that UK-made Storm Shadow missiles had been used against it

Kiev suffering fiasco on entire front line — aide to DPR head

Igor Kimakovsky said that "if the West is not physically involved in this war, that is, if NATO is not involved, then Ukraine is actually losing"

Russian troops liberate Ilyinka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 500 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day

Media from unfriendly states will be admitted to Putin's annual press conference — Kremlin

The last Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference was held on December 14, 2023

Press review: Uranium costs soar as Moscow updates nuclear doctrine and US OKs attacks

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Russia to address NATO’s engagement in strikes deep inside country — SVR

Sergey Naryshkin observed that the military and political elites in the West are increasingly recognizing the gravity of Russia's intentions and the need for greater caution in their actions

World Aquatics withdraws ban on participation of Russian athletes in relay races

Previously, Russian and Belarusian athletes were authorized to compete only in individual disciplines

Israel could annex West Bank in two weeks, journalist Hersh says

US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters last week that statements by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich about preparations for a possible annexation of parts of the West Bank in 2025 run counter to the two-state solution and are not conducive to peace

US Senate refuses to block arms supplies to Israel

More than 60 out of 100 senators voted against the three corresponding resolutions, while 17 legislators supported them

Russia must be able to defend itself — Erdogan on revised nuclear doctrine

The Turkish leader reiterated that "both Russia and Ukraine are Turkey’s neighbors"

Russia counts on West's responsibility in nuclear deterrence issues — Kremlin

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin decreed to update the country’s nuclear doctrine, the Basic Principles of the State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence

French Foreign Ministry refuses to disclose number of SCALP missiles shipped to Ukraine

Ministry Spokesman Christophe Lemoine also avoided answering if Paris supports strikes with these missiles on Russian territory, only saying that the missiles were shipped to Ukraine, and Ukraine

Moscow-Washington hotline not in use now — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitry Peskov added that there have been no contacts via this new channel lately

Belarusian TV to air documentary film about foreign mlitary invasion plan

Tonight, the film, titled "Demons: How They Want to Take Over Belarus," will be debuted, based on the findings of investigative journalists

Canada neglects its sovereignty by approving transfer of land mines to Kiev — diplomat

According to Oleg Stepanov, since the authorities of the country have long acted, "especially in security matters, according to the rule 'what Uncle Sam says, so Ottawa will do' and don’t blush about this."

Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

According to Daniel Davis authorizing US long-range weapons to be used against Russia is "foolhardy to the highest order," "especially because there is no military upside for doing so"

Railroad development to strengthen ties with foreign partners — Russian PM

Mikhail Mishustin added that "it is necessary to modernize border crossings in coming years, including introduction of practice of electronic paperwork"

Iran claims to have disabled Israel’s Iron Dome air defense in past strikes

Major-General Gholamreza Soleimani stressed it was essential to inform the world that Israel had failed and now survives solely relying on support from the United States

Allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with US weapons irresponsible — Slovak PM

Robert Fico noted that authorizing the use of long-range weapons for strikes against Russia would not alter the balance of power in the conflict zone

Putin orders protection of critical infrastructure, including Crimean Bridge — Kremlin

Kiev has not accepted the legitimate results of the 2014 referendum, in which the people of Crimea and Sevastopol voted to become part of Russia, and is displeased by the operation of the Crimean Bridge, which connects the Kerch Strait with the Krasnodar Region

Moscow, Minsk in constant contact on potential threats to Belarus — Kremlin

"We have obligations to ensure the security of our ally Belarus within the framework of the Union State, and these obligations are enshrined in the recently published Basic Principles of the State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence," Dmitry Peskov pointed out

Putin previously warned about Kiev's attempts to blow up TurkStream pipeline — Kremlin

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