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Crimea reunited with Russia based on referendum’s results, says Le Pen

Marine Le Pen will face incumbent French President Emmanuel Macron in a presidential runoff scheduled for April 24

PARIS, April 18. /TASS/. Crimea reunited with Russia based on the outcome of a referendum held on the peninsula in March 2014, French National Rally presidential candidate Marine Le Pen told the France Bleu radio station.

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Rapprochement with Russia in line with Europe’s security interests — Le Pen

"Crimea became part of Russia based on the outcome of a referendum," she pointed out, when asked about Crimea’s status.

Le Pen will face incumbent French President Emmanuel Macron in a presidential runoff scheduled for April 24.

Crimean reunification

After Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted in a coup in February 2014, mass protests erupted in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. On March 11, 2014, Crimea’s Supreme Council and Sevastopol City Council adopted a declaration of independence. On March 15, 2014, the Crimean authorities held a referendum on reuniting with Russia. Most voters supported the idea (96.77% in Crimea and 95.6% in the city of Sevastopol), with turnout reaching 80%. On March 18, 2014, Vladimir Putin signed the treaty on Crimea’s reunification with Russia. Ukraine, the United States and the European Union refused to recognize Crimea’s independence and its decision to reunite with Russia.

Refusal to take path of peace is Ukraine’s tragedy — German general

Harald Kujat opined that the West’s massive support created an illusion for Kiev that "it can turn the strategic situation into its favor"

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In particular, 110 Ukrainian drones were shot down over the Bryansk Region

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Air defenses destroy 29 more Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions within three-hour period

10 of them were destroyed over the Belgorod Region

Anti-Venezuela actions to be template for US actions against other states — Russian envoy

Vasily Nebenzya pointed out that US policy represents "an unambiguous signal to all countries in the region seeking to pursue a sovereign course and independently determine their economic, political, and cultural systems"

Volume of household funds in Russian banks edges down by 0.04% in November — regulator

There was a small shift from ruble current accounts to term deposits

Medvedev curious about reasons for unexpectedly conciliatory statements from EU

The Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council noted that Boris Pistorius stated he doesn't believe a war between NATO and Russia is imminent, while Alexander Stubb acknowledged that Moscow has no interest in attacking member countries of the alliance

Passenger car output in Russia down 12.6% in first 11 months to 591,000 — Rosstat

In November, passenger car output fell by 34.1% year-on-year but increased by 8.2% compared with this October

BRICS has developed criteria for admitting new members — ambassador to Moscow

A candidate country must have good relations with its neighbors and be opposed to unilateral sanctions, Sergio Rodrigues dos Santos noted

Russian troops liberate Zarechnoye in Zaporozhye Region over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 245 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

French president, NATO chief discuss Ukraine-related efforts by Coalition of Willing

The previous meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing took place on December 11

Russia cuts total gas production by 3.3% in first 11 months to 600 bcm — Rosstat

Natural gas production in January-November amounted to 507 bln cubic meters, down 3% year-on-year

Thief conks jewel courier on head in Paris, steals sapphire priced at 150,000 euro

The injured courier was hospitalized

World Aquatics names Russia’s Maltsev as Male Artistic Swimmer of the year

Alexander Maltsev is a four-time world champion and six-time European champion in artistic swimming and a pioneer of men's artistic swimming in Russia

UN experts call on US Congress to intervene to stop aggression against Venezuela

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Belarusian KGB sniffs out foreign spy ring eavesdropping on pilots — report

The network was assisted by several individuals residing in Belarus

European Union disintegrating before our eyes — Orban

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Putin warned Bush that admitting Ukraine to NATO will lead to Russia-US confrontation

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Kiev deploying most combat-fit UAV units, assault groups to Gulyaipole — defense source

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Air defense systems destroy 132 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian Regions in 7 hours — top brass

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Electricity generation in Russia down 1.5% in first 11 months to 1.079 trillion kWh

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Ukraine’s major oil producer Ukrnafta sustains critical damage

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Russian student startup unveils recognition technology for UAS images

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EU is militarizing Moldova despite its neutrality — Transnistrian Foreign Minister

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US military reports Santa Claus flying over Russia

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Press review: Ukraine mulls elections and Trump plans laser fleet as gold prices soar

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, December 24th

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