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European Commission President von der Leyen: Gorbachev ‘opened the way to a free Europe’

Mikhail Gorbachev was a trusted and respected leader, Ursula von der Leyen said

BRUSSELS, August 31. /TASS/. Mikhail Gorbachev played a key role in ending the Cold War and destroying the Iron Curtain, he opened the way to a free Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on her Twitter page on Tuesday evening, commenting on the death of the first and last Soviet president.

"Mikhail Gorbachev was a trusted and respected leader. He played a crucial role to end the Cold War and bring down the Iron Curtain. It opened the way for a free Europe," von der Leyen said, "This legacy is one we will not forget".

Gorbachev died at the Central Clinical Hospital on August 30. He was 91.

The term ‘Iron Curtain’ was coined by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as a symbol of information, political and economic blockade of the USSR, which was initiated by the British Empire after World War II. The term was first uttered on March 5, 1946, in Churchill's Fulton speech, which marked the beginning of the Cold War.

Military operation in Ukraine

Kiev reports difficult situation in Kharkov region

This direction has been strengthened, Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky said

Ukraine shells Krasnodon in LPR due to Russia’s successes in Kharkov area — ruling party

"They think that they can intimidate us but we know that our victory is near," Ivan Sanayev noted

Payments in national currencies prior for BRICS member states — VEB.RF senior banker

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Head of Main Personnel Directorate of Russia’s Defense Ministry Yuri Kuznetsov detained

A search was conducted at both Kuznetsov's job and his home, other specifics about the criminal case have not been revealed, law enforcement agencies told TASS

Swiss singer wins Eurovision 2024 contest

Nemo Mettler won with The Code song

Russian protective service uses unique domestic innovations, says official

According to Deputy Director of the FSO Lieutenant General Viktor Shlemin, the service's resources are sufficient to complete its assigned tasks in full

Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet crashes in Far East

The pilot ejected and was not injured in the accident

Death toll in partially collapsed apartment building in Belgorod climbs to 15

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Multiple deaths, at least 20 wounded in Ukraine’s shelling of Belgorod

At least eight people were reported to have been killed and 20 - wounded, including two children

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The officials said Egypt is also blocking any humanitarian aid trucks from entering Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing

Kiev describes situation in Volchansk as extremely challenging

According to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, "fierce fighting" is taking place in the Kharkov Region

US is plotting another pandemic — Russian Defense Ministry

"We do not rule out the United States may use so-called defensive technologies for offensive purposes, as well as for global governance by creating crisis situations of biological nature," lieutenant general Igor Kirillov stressed

Russian troops wipe out 10 pieces of Western armor in DPR

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Protesters in Georgia reconvene to rally against foreign-agents bill

The Georgian parliament's Legal Affairs Committee endorsed the third reading of the bill on foreign agents on Monday

Officials in Kharkov Region move to evacuate 113 orphaned children

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Russian aluminum inventories at LME warehouses fall by over 60% in April

According to LME, aluminum reserves at the end of April amounted to 116,300 tons

Macron denies death of French troops in Ukraine out of fear of protests — SVR head

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National project on labor efficiency to cover at least 40% of enterprises by 2030 — Novak

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Putin’s decision to appoint Belousov as Russia’s defense chief explained by Kremlin

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Russia to join ranks of top four global economies — presidential decree

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State Duma approves Mikhail Mishustin as Chairman of Russian Government

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin thanked State Duma lawmakers for approving his candidacy for the prime minister’s office

Europeans go for broke seeing risk of collapse for Kiev in special op situation — Kremlin

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Russian troops destroy Ukrainian army positions in area bordering Belgorod Region

"The personnel of the Battlegroup North actively employ FPV drones in the special military operation to eliminate the Ukrainian army’s dugouts, manpower and various military equipment," Russia’s Defense Ministry reported

Scientists plan large-scale studies of musk ox population on Taymyr

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Ukrainian military redeploys reserves towards Kharkov

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Shoigu to oversee Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, not head it — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that the service is headed by Dmitry Shugayev

Protesters in Cyprus call for end to funding Kiev following terrorist attack on Belgorod

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If West wants to solve Ukraine conflict on battlefield, 'so be it' — Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov reiterated that Russia was ready to negotiate peace not only in words, but also in deeds

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One of the injured is in serious condition, according to the report

Serbia’s ambassador to return to Kiev soon — President Vucic

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Russian troops destroy over 16,000 armored vehicles in Ukraine operation — top brass

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Georgian PM condemns police violence against protesters

Irakli Kobakhidze urged everyone "to meet all provocations with maximum tolerance"

Polish soldier Emil Czeczko who fled to Belarus found hanged in Minsk

A forensic examination will be held to establish the cause of the man’s death

Number of those wounded in LPR’s Krasnodon up to six — LPR head

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Conference in Switzerland pointless without Russia — Turkish diplomatic source

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Russian robotic drone jammers shield evacuation groups in Ukraine operation

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Kharkov regions aspiring to join Russia — interim administration

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Germany to give Ukraine IRIS-T air defense system in May — ambassador

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All blazes caused by Ukrainian attack on industrial zone in Krasnodon localized — LPR head

"As many as 28 people have been evacuated from buildings," Leonid Pasechnik said

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Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister highlights EU’s double standards to Ukraine, Gaza Strip

Alexander Grushko discussed with Deputy Foreign Minister of Egypt Khalid Emara in Cairo "the processes of formation of a multipolar world, key trends in the evolution of international relations, and the changing role of international organizations and associations"

Kharkov authorities acknowledge advance of Russian troops

The head of the military administration cited the delay in Western arms deliveries as the reason for the Ukrainian forces' failures

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Russian, Bolivian presidents discuss bilateral relations — Kremlin

Vladimir Putin and Luis Arce focused on "the implementation of mutually beneficial joint projects in trade, economy and energy"

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Armenian opposition leader Bagrat Galstanyan calls for more protests across country

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Motor rifle troops in Urals receive upgraded T-72B3M tanks

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Ukraine replaces Kharkov group commander for second time in two months

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Western strikes on Yemen have no excuse — Russia’s ambassador to UN

Vasily Nebenzya also noted the failure of attempts "to justify this aggression by Security Council Resolution 2722 or by references to the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter"

Georgian legislature to pass foreign-agents bill in final reading on May 14 — PM

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Yemen interested in supplies of Russian equipment for its thermal power plants

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Clean Arctic expedition to bring to Tofalar people books in native language

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Formidable Sarmat: Satan’s successor that can pierce any defense

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Polish authorities persecute supporters of relations with Moscow, Minsk — ex-judge

Tomasz Schmidt sees some "positive" trends in Polish society, which, unlike the authorities, is determined to restore relations with Moscow and Minsk

US veteran calls Washington’s decision to drop Elbe Day celebrations with Russia ‘dumb’

That was the last good link that we had, Frank Cohn said

Ukraine’s shelling of civilians backfires, unites Russians against common enemy — envoy

Rodion Miroshnik cited as an example this March, when during the presidential election in Russia's regions bordering Ukraine the number of shellings increased significantly, especially in the Kursk Region

Protesters end rally against foreign-agents bill in Georgia without scuffles with police

Even though there was an announcement to end the rally, people are staying near the legislature at Rustaveli Avenue

Putin proposes Belousov as Shoigu's replacement: what is known about cabinet reshuffle

Other heads of security ministries and services, as well as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, will retain their posts in the government

Experts of Ukraine’s Energoatom inspecting Belene NPP equipment for purchase — news portal

The Ukrainian side expressed hope of signing an agreement on the purchase of the equipment in June

Russian troops destroy over 30 Ukrainian observation posts in Kherson area over past day

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Battlegroup North liberates four settlements in Kharkov Region in past day

Russian air defenses also downed a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet

Russia’s upgraded Tu-160 strategic bomber prototype to perform debut flight in 2018

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Russia’s Federation Council holds consultations on security, intelligence appointments

The candidates were nominated by President Vladimir Putin and their names were submitted to the council on May 12

Ukrainian commanders trading blame with each other over defeats near Kharkov — NYT

Many in Ukraine reportedly believe that their country’s situation in the conflict with Russia has significantly worsened

Russian official lauds defense industry as world’s most powerful in basic arms output

Denis Manturov noted that the geopolitical situation was prompting the need constantly to improve operational characteristics of armaments and military hardware

Kiev reports difficult situation in Kharkov region

This direction has been strengthened, Ukraine's President Vladimir Zelensky said

One in two Germans believe Russia unlikely to attack NATO, poll shows

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Russia’s onslaught on Kharkov may compel Ukraine to truce — NYT

On May 11, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported liberating several populated localities in the Kharkov Region