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Cuban PM to visit Russia in June, top diplomat says at meeting with Lavrov

A broad program is expected to be implemented within the framework of economic relations and the EAEU

HAVANA, April 21. /TASS/. Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero will visit Russia in June, the country’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla told his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov during a meeting on Thursday.

"In June, the Cuban prime minister will visit the Russian Federation to implement an expansive program within the framework of economic relations and the EAEU," the top Cuban diplomat said, "Such exchanges will allow us to continue deepening the traditional ties between our countries in all aspects."

The minister expressed gratitude to the Russian government for its help in combating the consequences of the pandemic, as well as for supporting Cuba's demand in international forums to lift the trade and economic embargo imposed by Washington against the country in 1962. The Cuban top diplomat also condemned the introduction of sanctions against Russia by a number of Western countries.

Middle East conflict

Israeli anthem booed before start of football match in Paris

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Russian citizenship approvals down 44% since January — ministry

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France wraps up training of new Ukrainian brigade — minister

The brigade is equipped with French weapons

Russia ready for contacts with Trump administration, ball is in US court — Lavrov

At the same time, he emphasized that Russia has no expectations from the new US administration, but will assess its concrete steps

Kremlin comments on possible return of Japanese, European cars to Russia

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Climate policy should be based on common sense, not ideology — Orban

The Hungarian prime minister noted that the problem of climate preservation held a prominent place in the Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness

Musk doubles down on his opinion about 'endless war' in Ukraine

Earlier, the entrepreneur opined that the bloodshed in Ukraine would end soon

Scholz promises to transfer sixth IRIS-T system to Kiev by yearend

Ukraine and Germany also discussed further defense cooperation

Most Russians say special op doesn't bleed into their daily life

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Kalashnikov concern trains first group of operators for Bars-Sarmat UAV unit

The soldiers studied the hardware, including the drones’ electronics, internal systems and rules of operation

Kamala Harris’s campaign team continues fundraising efforts after election defeat — TV

Republican candidate Donald Trump defeated current US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s contender, in the November 5 presidential election

Most Ukrainian soldiers drafted against their will, from rural areas

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Presidential election in Abkhazia to be held within legal period — president

The country’s opposition said the election may take place in January 2024

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 450 troops, two tanks, three IFVs, two M113 armored personnel carriers, 33 armored combat vehicles, five artillery pieces, including a Krab self-propelled howitzer, a Crotale multiple rocket launcher, and 49 motor vehicles

Israel achieves its goals in conflict with Hamas, time to 'end the war' — Blinken

"Israel, by the standards it set itself, has accomplished the goals that it set for itself," the US Secretary of State noted

Russian State Duma ratifies agreement on military cooperation with Sao Tome and Principe

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Hamas ready for immediate ceasefire in Gaza, official says

According to Basem Naim, the last "well-defined, brokered deal was the deal of July 2"

MOEX index falls below 2,700 points, first time since November 6

By 18:08 Moscow time, the MOEX index slowed down its decline and reached 2,700.51 points (-2.3%)

Russia to collaborate with Arab nations for Middle East de-escalation — diplomat

"A call was made to the international community to contribute to the achievement of this goal," Maria Zakharova added

Zelensky announces work on new action plan

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Tens of thousands to march 'on Washington' ahead of Trump's inauguration — newspaper

In January 2017, before the beginning of Trump's first presidential term, hundreds of marches of various sizes took place in many US cities, including Chicago (Illinois), Boston (Massachusetts), New Orleans (Louisiana), Miami (Florida), and Denver (Colorado)

Russia supports new UNSC draft resolution on Gaza — envoy

Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya noted that Resolution 2735 was only a tool to gain time for Israel

Russia keeps building defense capacity despite conflict in Ukraine — Polish general

According to Wieslaw Kukula, if the conflict in Ukraine ends soon, Russia will be able to build up its defense capacity to the point that it could take on all of NATO

Negotiations on new European Commission stalled, December 1 deadline at risk — media

The main issue is rooted in the European People's Party’s disagreements with socialists and democrats

Mi-171A3 helicopter draws interest from partners in China — Russian Helicopters

The helicopter can fly in harsh conditions, particularly those inside the Arctic Circle, where satellite communication coverage is poor

Russian troops storm into Kupyansk outskirts in Kharkov Region — military expert

Troops from various Russian army units are engaged in battles in the outskirts of Kupyansk, Andrey Marochko said

Su-57 fighter jet shows exceptional performance in Russia’s special op, senior official

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Lukashenko congratulates Trump on winning US presidential election

The US held its general election on November 5, with the voting having concluded when it was Wednesday morning in Moscow

Iran will never try to build nuclear weapons, president tells IAEA chief

Masoud Pezeshkian accused the US of derailing the agreements around Iran's nuclear program

Grossi oversteps authority by talking about freeze of Ukraine conflict — Russian MFA

The Russian diplomats also said that IAEA experts will stay at the ZNPP as long as Russia deems their presence there necessary

What is known about Sevastopol car blast

Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev did not rule out the possibility that the incident was the result of sabotage

Ukraine’s Security Service carrying out sabotage activities against ZNPP employees

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov recalled that shelling attacks on the nuclear plant by Ukrainian troops had been of little concern for the global community

Erdogan praises Russia, China for backing arms embargo on Israel

According to the Turkish leader, Israel "will become more and more aggressive if arms and ammunition supplies continue"

Putin discussed Ukraine with Saudi crown prince — Kremlin

"The sides indeed touched upon the topic of the conflict. We have nothing more to say," Dmitry Peskov said

Russian Marines destroy Challenger 2 tank with FPV drone in Kursk Region

Previously, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that the enemy lost 10 tanks in the Kursk region in the past 24 hours

Businessmen in Germany, Russia again eager to interact more, says executive

Ulf Schneider expressed his gratitude to representatives of the Russian business community for their continued efforts to involve Western businessmen in work in Russia despite the challenging political climate

Europe on the verge of sweeping changes — Hungary’s Foreign Minister

"It is obvious that the European strategy [in respect of Ukraine], which has clearly failed, cannot be continued," Peter Szijjarto said

US denies possession of extraterrestrial technologies

According to Sue Gough, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, an office at the US Department of Defense that investigates unidentified anomalous phenomena, "is continuing its review of the historical record of US government UAP programs"

Press review: Trump forms foreign policy team and Europe sets course for militarization

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, November 13th

Gazprom says EU artificially destroys gas demand to the detriment of its own economy

As for global gas demand, gas consumption in January-October increased by 80 bln cubic meters year-on-year, the company noted

Lukashenko tells Putin situation is "starting to get tense with Wagner"

The Belarusian leader noted that they want to go to Warsaw

Baltic Sea will never turn into 'NATO lake' — Russian MFA

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the Baltic Sea "will always be a common space for all of the region’s countries without exception"

Ukraine's Kurakhovo Reservoir dam blast to help, not hurt Russian troops — expert

At least ten Ukrainian troops were killed

Foreign ministers of Russia, Colombia discuss conflict in Ukraine — ministry

"The sides outlined practical steps on strengthening of bilateral partnership in politics, trade, economy, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas," the Russian foreign ministry said

South Korea to support Ukraine in response to Russia-North Korea alliance — president

As Yoon Suk Yeol said, the reported dispatch of North Korean servicemen to participate in Russia’s special military operation "poses a serious security threat not only to the Korean Peninsula and Europe but also to the entire world"

Court sentences ‘Russian Volunteer Corps’ members to life in prison in absentia

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Crimean amateur astronomer discovers new comet in solar system

In April, the astronomer said that he had discovered a large asteroid with a diameter of about 200 meters, potentially dangerous for the Earth

54 countries vote against resolution on combating ne-Nazism

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Demographic crisis threatens Ukraine’s viability as state — think tank

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First S-550 air defense systems enter service in Russia — source

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Explosion of Kurakhovo reservoir dam disrupts water supply

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Russian troops secure ground near Novodarovka, Rovnopol in Zaporozhye Region — official

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Russia's newest Su-57 fighter jet superior to China's new J-35 — test pilot

Sergey Bogdan emphasized that the newest Russian fighter was a "magnificent platform for a future generation of configurations, just as the Su-27 aircraft in its heyday"

Authorities of southeastern Ukrainian region report ‘infrastructure damage’

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Israeli military vows to keep Syrian-made weapons out of Hezbollah’s hands by any means

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said that Israeli troops have detected the movement's use of Syrian-produced weapons in its attacks on Israel

Explosion heard in Damascus suburb

The circumstances of the incident are being established at the moment

Russia elected to UN Committee for Program and Coordination

Apart from that, director of the Russian foreign ministry’s personnel department Andrey Ivanov, was approved as a member of the International Civil Service Commission in 2025-2027

Hidden painting found under Malevich’s Black Square

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Clear Zelensky won't be the one to decide about talks with Russia, says Lavrov

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US missile defense site to defend Poland from Russia too — Polish minister

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Attempts being made to drag Syria into armed confrontation in Middle East — diplomat

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Russia to ensure parity in response to US missile defense system in Poland — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov emphasized that by placing the missile defense system in Poland, the United States is bringing its military infrastructure closer to Russia in an attempt to curb its potential

Most Russians believe survey results — pollster

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Two injured in bridge collapse in Crimea

"A car and a truck were on the bridge at the moment of collapse. Russian Emergencies Ministry rescuers retrieved two injured people," the ministry said

Ukrainian intel officers in Syria to be eliminated as terrorists’ accomplices — diplomat

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Trump to zero in on fragmenting BRICS, Ukraine to take back seat — expert

According to the political scientist Boris Mezhuyev, in all likelihood attempts to replace the presidents of Brazil and Venezuela, and pit India, Russia and China against each other are coming

Ukrainian Defense Ministry acknowledges HIV, Tuberculosis patients could be mobilized

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Trump’s return to power unlikely to change US approach to Ukraine crisis — Lavrov

Washington will always seek to control everything that is happening within NATO’s orbit, especially on NATO territory, the Russian foreign minister said

Daniil Medvedev loses chances of reaching semifinals at ATP Tour Finals

He lost the first set to Italy’s Jannik Sinner with the 3:6 score

Russia inks first deals to deliver Su-57 fifth-generation fighter to foreign customers

Alexander Mikheyev also explained the expectations and effect of the demonstration of Russian military hardware at Airshow China in Zhuhai

Western efforts to vilify Russia climax, Moscow fights back — MFA

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IEA upgrades outlook on oil demand growth for 2024 to 920,000 bpd

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Violence against Kupyansk residents refusing to evacuate reported in Kharkov Region

The press service of the Military-Civil Administration of the Kharkov Region clarified that the Ukrainian militants view such people as traitors, "waiting for the Russians," so they are not entitled to either humanitarian aid or human dignity

US views Russia as present-day threat, Trump may prioritize containing China — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister stressed that reputation matters the most to the United States which does not care about the real fates of peoples, in particular the Ukrainian one

Russian air defenses down multiple aerial targets over Belgorod, with one injury reported

Vyacheslav Gladkov noted that the windows of 11 apartments in six apartment buildings were damaged in Belgorod

European Commission gives ‘positive assessment’ for payment of 4.1 bln euros to Kiev

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Trump to rely on forces that brought him to power — Russian presidential aide

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Buran space shuttle celebrates 30th anniversary of milestone flight

The first and only launch of Buran space shuttle took place 30 years ago, on November 15th, 1988

Trump to end NATO’s obsession to get on Russian territory — White House ex-strategist

Steve Bannon noted that Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement seeks to completely cut funding to Ukraine. According to Bannon, Europe, including Italy, will follow Trump’s lead, and, if "they [Europe and Italy] truly believe what they have been saying in recent years, they should be ready to pay"

Assassination attempt on Putin mentioned by Budanov prepared with US money — Russian MFA

"Yesterday one of chiefs of the Kiev regime Buganov openly admitted that the Ukrainian intelligence service prepared assassination attempts on the Russian president. This assassination attempt was again prepared with US money," Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel

Russian forces liberate Voznesenka community in Donbass region over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 655 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy tanks in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Trump does not rule out he may run in next US presidential election

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Top diplomats from UK, France, Germany to discuss Ukraine’s future

Reuters wrote with reference to anonymous sources that the sides would also discuss what Trump’s return to the Oval Office could mean for the world

Swedish minister in charge of gender equality suffers from bananaphobia

The phobia is so strong that special precautions need to be taken before her meetings

Russia, US have many annoyances, it is hard to pick worst one — Kremlin spokesman

Earlier, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Baku

Trump plans to appoint special envoy on Ukraine to hold peace talks with Russia — TV

According to the source, the job is not expected to be a salaried role

US plans to remove 'arrogant' Zelensky and stage 2025 elections in Ukraine — SVR

"At the initial stage, it is planned to encourage entities within the Ukrainian civil society under their control, through US 'democratization' foundations and think tanks, to come up with a corresponding initiative," the statement reads

No plans for major government reshuffle after parliamentary election — Georgian PM

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, increasing national GDP by some $14.6 bln will be the Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia ruling party’s goal for the next four years

Israeli practices ‘consistent with characteristics of genocide’ — UN committee

The document points out that 'civilians have been indiscriminately and disproportionally killed en masse in Gaza'

Bloodshed in Ukraine to end soon, Musk says

The Axios portal reported earlier that Musk took part in a phone call between Trump and Vladimir Zelensky

Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

At the same time, the president noted that once upon a time "Vladimir Lenin gave away the whole of Ukraine when he created the Soviet Union"

Talks out of question: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, Ukraine lost more than 400 servicemen and 29 armored vehicles

Security Service of Ukraine operated ‘concentration camp’ in Kiev in 2022, lawmaker says

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US does not fulfill LNG contracts for Europe worth tens of billions of dollars — Gazprom

In addition, the United States is influencing the global gas market with its verbal interventions regarding the possible withholding of LNG supplies to China, as well as a temporary suspension of the issuance of export licenses, Deputy Head of the Department - Head of the Directorate at Gazprom Kirill Polous said

Ukraine aims to call up 1 mln people in eastern areas by end of 2024 — official

According to the plan, 360,000 people are to be mobilized in October; 325,000 and 300,000 in November and December, respectively

Israeli anthem booed before start of football match in Paris

Prior to the event, leftist politicians and activists staged a protest at a square in Paris’ northern suburb of Saint-Denis

Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost more than 430 troops, ten tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, 19 armored combat vehicles, 33 motor vehicles, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station

Bank of Russia sells currency worth $42.6 mln in domestic market

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US-led coalition's aircraft violate Syrian airspace nine times in past day

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Poll reveals what Russians think about office love, polyamory

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Third generation Ratnik combat gear to be displayed at Army-2019 in June

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