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West set against Serbia on Kosovo issue — President Vucic

The Serbian leader said earlier that the May 2 talks in Brussels would once again demonstrate Pristina’s hypocrisy and would yield no results

BELGRADE, May 2. /TASS/. The West is set against Serbia on the issue of the Kosovo settlement, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday ahead of another round of talks with Prime Minister of the unrecognized republic of Kosovo Albin Kurti.

"It will be difficult. All major [players] in the West are against us. But law and the truth are on our side. Moreover, they don’t understand how strong our love for freedom is and how firmly it can be defended, despite all the pressure. Long live Serbia!" he stressed on his Instagram (prohibited in Russia due to its ownership by Meta, which has been designated as extremist) account.

The Serbian leader said earlier that the May 2 talks in Brussels would once again demonstrate Pristina’s hypocrisy and would yield no results.

During the talks in North Macedonia’s Ohrid, which were mediated by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak, Serbia and Kosovo reached accord on a number of positions of the agreement on ways to normalize relations between the two countries, in particular, on the implementation of the agreed draft agreement on the Community of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo and Metohija. Otherwise, Belgrade refuses to move forward with normalization with Pristina.

The Brussels agreements on the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina dated April 19, 2013 envisage the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities - a self-governing body of Serbs living in the unrecognized republic of Kosovo. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has repeatedly stressed that his country has fulfilled its part of the Brussels agreements whereas the Kosovars only began drafting the Community’s charter but then gave up on the process.

Belarusian president sees aggravating military situation at western, southern borders

"Remarks of war and nuclear strikes can already be heard from certain figures," the Alexander Lukashenko said

Politician reveals Zelensky, CIA boss eyed assassination plot against Wagner PMC chief

US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby on January 20 said the US would designate the Wagner company as a "transnational criminal organization" and would soon impose more sanctions on the entity

French Foreign Ministry denies France sent troops to Ukraine

Earlier, media reports said that France had sent 1,500 troops to Ukraine, citing a statement by former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Stephen Bryen

Press review: China to weather US storm and ATACMS not 'wonder weapons'

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After being sworn in, the head of state delivered a speech

Belarusian forces to rehearse tactical nuclear strikes as part of snap readiness test

An Iskander missile system battalion and a squadron of Su-25 airplanes are being brought to readiness to perform planned missions

Claims about Russia’s plans to attack NATO a lie, US intelligence ex-officer says

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

The government is tasked to present eleven new National Projects by September 1 of this year

Putin instructs government to adjust existing national projects, develop 11 new ones

The State Council and the Presidential Council for Strategic Development will also participate in the work on national projects

Emergency Ministry employee detained in Kherson Region over collaboration with Ukraine

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Stay in custody extended for Russian held over suspected spy activities in Estonia

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Press review: Russia flexes nuclear muscle and Israel signals imminent offensive in Gaza

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US intensifying efforts to find replacement for Zelensky — SVR

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Russia may strike Britain's military facilities if London's threats materialize — MFA

Maria Zakharova described British Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s remark that London considered it legitimate for the Kiev regime to use British weapons for strikes on Russian territory as "something absolutely insane"

West shows no will for peace, keeps pumping weapons, money into Kiev — French politician

The way leader of the French Patriots party Florian Philippot sees it, NATO’s sole aim is further escalation

Putin directs to scale up revenues of small technology companies

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Serbian government adopts several documents on cooperation with China

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Israel strikes back on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

Light damage was caused and no injuries were reported

FSB declassifies Hitler aide’s testimony how Red Army rescued Allies in Ardennes in 1945

Hitler's former adjutant Otto Guensche was captured during the battle of Berlin in April-May 1945 and, while being kept in custody in an investigative prison in Moscow, presented a firsthand account of what was happening at Hitler's headquarters in the last months of the war

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Russian Foreign Ministry’s mission in Vladivostok that "not following the case of the US citizen closely"

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The atmosphere in society has changed, now "reliability, mutual responsibility, sincerity, decency, nobility and courage" are highly valued, the Russian leader stressed

Russian sniper reports elimination of Ukrainian serviceman wearing helmet with SS emblem

He specified that his group took the helmet as proof of the elimination

Hamas confirms participation of its delegation in Cairo talks

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Russian Interior Ministry declares ex-Ukrainian army chief wanted

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Medvedev warns Russia will pull no punches with France in response to Macron

The politician also wrote, "In hostem omina licita," a Latin phrase that can roughly be translated as "everything is legal if it is done to an enemy"

Belarus won’t succumb to provocations or go to war with anyone — president

The Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko doubts that any serious political force in Western Europe wants a military conflict

West plotted aggression against Russia on eve of special military operation — top brass

"History repeats itself," Chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Intelligence Department, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Hero of Russia Admiral Kostyukov said

Russian lawmaker sees 'scare effect' in West as Russia prepares for nuclear drills

Vladimir Chizhov insisted that the drills do not mean "the Russian side is ready or intends to use these weapons immediately"

Russia signals unfriendly countries by inviting ambassadors to inauguration — diplomat

"We assumed that some of them (ambassadors from unfriendly countries - TASS) would not come, which is what happened in the end," Sergey Ryabkov pointed out

Russia hands over last RD-180 rocket engines to US under existing deal

The United States has received 122 RD-180 rocket engines over more than 20 years of cooperation

Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Kremlin

The main event will be held at the Grand Kremlin Palace but parts of it will take place outside at Cathedral Square where the Kremlin Presidential Regiment will march following the ceremony

Latvia digging anti-tank ditches on border with Russia, Belarus — media

Kaspars Lazdins noted that once the ditches were ready, the so-called dragon’s teeth barriers would be set up on the border

Ukrainian army last weekend tried to regain positions near LPR's Svatovo — expert

Andrey Marochko noted that on Easter Ukrainian troops opened fire on the territory of the LPR and positions of Russian troops

Putin will now use restyled Aurus car — Kremlin

Putin made the first trip on the Aurus exactly six years ago, on May 7, 2018, when he also departed to the inauguration

New round of talks in Cairo to be Israel’s last chance to return hostages — Hamas

The Israeli officials said on condition of anonymity that "indirect talks" on the draft ceasefire agreement are expected to begin in the Egyptian capital city on Tuesday evening

Russia looking into reports about sending of French troops to Ukraine — Kremlin

Earlier, media reports said that France had sent 1,500 troops in support of Ukrainian forces in Slavyansk, citing a statement by Stephen Bryen, a former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace eight times in past day

Apart from that, two shelling attacks on positions of Syrian government troops by militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra and Islamic Party of Turkestan groups (both outlawed in Russia) were reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone

US accuses Russian Khoroshev of creating LockBit cyber-crime gang — Department of State

The Department of State has announced a $10 mln reward for information "leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Russian national Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev"

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

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Rostec is "building up the production of air bombs of all calibers and types," Sergey Chemezov said

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

Former US President will not reveal it until the election, the Daily Telegraph reported

Hamburg branch of AfG seeks to expel party member over trip to Russia as election observer

Olga Petersen had earlier been kicked out AfG’s parliamentary group

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Bolivian president wishes Putin success on path toward new world order

Luis Arce congratulated Vladimir Putin, who today took office as President of Russia for the fifth time

Cuban president hails Putin’s taking presidential office for another term

"March election demonstrated a record-breaking voter turnout," Miguel Diaz-Canel said

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

The group’s EBITDA amounted to $19 bln in 2023 against $44.9 bln in the previous year

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Denis Pushilin stressed that Ukraine would not be able to launch a new counteroffensive before 2025

US envoy leaves Russia for certain amount of time — senior Russian diplomat

"The Foreign Ministry was told about this some time before the issue with inviting ambassadors to the inauguration ceremony of the Russian president was resolved," Sergey Ryabkov said

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"Despite pressure from hegemonic powers to prevent the implementation of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, the first ICNST received a warm welcome," Mohammad Eslami noted

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Nikolay Patrushev believes that Russia "resolutely and consistently defends its cultural sovereignty, history and Russian moral ideals that unite the multinational country"

Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

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Container shipments by Russian Railways add 9.4% in 4M 2024 — company

The increase was the highest in container traffic of lumber and chemical and mineral fertilizers

Tornado-S MLRS achieves 100% accuracy with advanced munitions — Defense Ministry

The Tornado-S has inherited all the very best features of its predecessor, such as reliability and cross-country capacity, the ministry said

Appeal for Western troops posted on Ukrainian president’s website

A petition needs to be signed by at least 25,000 people to be referred to the president for consideration

German envoy recalled from Moscow returns to Berlin — media

On Monday, the German Foreign Ministry said that Minister Annalena Baerbock had decided to recall Alexander Lambsdorff for consultations due to an alleged cyberattack by Russia against the Social Democratic Party of Germany and a number of German enterprises

Tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus intended for defense, says Lukashenko

The Belarusian leader stressed that the combat readiness inspection is solely of a defensive nature

Apple unveils new iPad, stylus

In particular, the new iPad Air was presented with 11" and 13" diagonal

What we know about Israel’s military operation in Gaza’s Rafah

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France not at war with Russia — Macron

"We are also not seeking a change of power in Russia," the French leader underscored

Russia working to bring senior Ukrainian officials before tribunal, diplomat says

According to Rodion Miroshnik, "the official process is underway with the Russian Interior Ministry beginning to determine those to be placed in the defendant pool"

Macron’s aggressive rhetoric baffles even his allies — diplomat

"Very often France’s allies from the UK and Germany, as we understand, try to get clarifications as to what the French leadership means, without getting a direct answer," Maria Zakharova pointed out

Russia values Qatar, Egypt’s mediatory efforts on Gaza — senior diplomat

According to Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries Mikhail Bogdanov, the Israeli government has not yet given its consent to these proposals

Xi Jinping arrives in Serbia on his first visit in eight years

Chinese President began his visit on the day marking the anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO aircraft

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

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the French Army is "visibly concerned" over the growing number of French citizens killed in Ukraine

Putin signs decree setting Russia’s development goals for 2030

The decree is titled On the National Development Goals of the Russian Federation until 2030 and for a Longer Term until 2036

Turkish expert says Putin's inauguration speech echoes what he said in Munich years ago

Aydin Sezer recalled that during the Munich Security Conference back in 2007 "Putin said that the unipolar world had no future and a multipolar world order was needed"

Putin’s schedule of foreign travels almost finalized — Presidential Aide Ushakov

It is noted that this schedule primarily concerns "major summits"

Russian forces destroy Ukrainian missile solid propellant workshop over past day

Russian troops gained better positions in the south Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported

Dutch MEP congratulates Putin on his inauguration

"Congratulations president Putin and congratulations people of Russia with your president," Marcel de Graaff from the Dutch party Forum for Democracy said

After drone attack on Kremlin Russia has no choice but to eliminate Zelensky — Medvedev

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, according to Dmitry Medvedev, "is not even needed for signing an instrument of unconditional surrender"

Putin says Russia had to use force to defend people in Donbass as peaceful means failed

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FACTBOX: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s biography

Since June 12, 2013, Putin has been the leader of the non-governmental movement All-Russia People’s Front, created at his initiative as a coalition of social and political forces

NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

According to the journalist, everything that Washington does shows that it wants this war

Insolent western policy makes Russia hold tactical nukes drills — ambassador

"We do not threaten anyone. However, the strategists in Washington and their satellites have gone nuts but must understand that Russia will use all the means to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to the rising stakes," Anatoly Antonov said

Russia to open embassy in Sierra Leone this year — Lavrov

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in January 1962

Russia engages TOS-2 flamethrowers in Ukraine

220mm TOS-2 is a successor to TOS-1A with improved characteristics

Aleksandar Vucic greets Chinese leader at Belgrade Airport

The ceremony on the occasion of the visit of the 400-strong Chinese delegation will take place at Palata Srbije

UK ambassador leaves Russian MFA after being summoned

The diplomat, who spent more than 30 minutes at the ministry, provided no comment as he was leaving

Sweden approves Quran-burning rally ahead of Eurovision Song Contest

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

Top UK diplomat knows nothing of repentance, Lavrov says

David Cameron "reiterated his position that British weapons can be used by the Ukrainians to attack any target on Russian territory," the minister emphasized

SBU claims it prevented plot to kill Ukrainian president

The SBU reported that two colonels from Ukraine’s state security administration had been arrested for purportedly handing over classified information necessary to carry out assassinations

Belarus to respond instantly to any military aggression, says Lukashenko

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus would not draw any lines

Russia to become technologically independent in key areas — decree

The head of state set the task to increase the level of the gross added value in real terms and the production index in the processing segment of the industry by at least 40% by 2030, compared to the level in 2022

Gangs already control up to 90% of Haiti's capital — Russian embassy

The diplomatic mission said that police had so far been unable to deal with the rampant crime, "but law enforcement workers have been able to unblock the operation of the fuel terminal"

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

Dollar share in international reserves falls below 60% — diplomat

Maria Zakharova recalled that this figure was 72% in 2002

Russian government resigns

The cabinet will continue to carry out its duties until a new government is appointed

Euroclear fighting over 100 lawsuits in Russian courts against investors demanding refund

According to Euroclear's new chief executive Valerie Urbain, the likelihood that the depository will win these cases is quite low

Tehran's talks with IAEA chief constructive, Iranian energy head says

Rafael Grossi said the AEOI and the IAEA decided to draw on the March 4, 2023 joint statement as a basis for further talks

Advertising campaign launched in Ukraine to enroll volunteers into army

Ukrainians are expected to more actively sign up for "more prestigious and possibly better equipped units"

Putin may propose candidate for prime minister as early as today — spokesman

Dmitry Peskov recalled that after the inauguration, the Russian government resigned and the members of the Cabinet continued to work in the status of acting ministers

US begins Astral Knight 2024 exercise in Europe involving 5,000 troops — Pentagon

The purpose of the exercise is to strengthen collective air and missile defense in Europe

US sees no signs indicating Russia’s plans to use nuclear weapons — Pentagon

Department of Defense spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that the United States views the decision to hold a military exercise of this kind as "deeply irresponsible"

Putin wants number of foreign students in Russia to rise to 500,000 by 2030

According to the Russian Education and Science Ministry, more than 355,000 foreigners are currently studying in Russian universities

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russian air defense forces shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet and 23 unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day

Australian Navy’s destroyer, helicopter impede Chinese drills in Yellow Sea — top brass

The Australian side "calls black white and lays the blame on someone else" in its comment on the incident, Zhang Xiaogang noted

Rafah operation to continue until Hamas destroyed or hostages freed — Israel’s top brass

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Russian embassy slams ‘unacceptable’ Berlin’s decision to ban Russian flag on May 8-9

"We consider the bans discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of post-war historical reconciliation of the peoples of Russia and Germany," the Russian diplomats pointed out

British envoy reiterates London’s course on aiding Kiev will continue — Foreign Office

British Ambassador to Russia Nigel Casey was warned that any British military facilities and vehicles on Ukrainian territory and beyond may become targets in response to Ukrainian strikes, carried out via British-made weapons

Russia wants no country to interfere in its election process — Kremlin spokesman

"We elect out parliament. We elect our president. We vote for the president or don’t want to vote for the president. And we insist that we have the right to do it the way we want to do it," Dmitry Peskov emphasized