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‘Russia’s gesture’ on grain deal may become last if its demands not fulfilled — source

A package of documents on shipments of food and fertilizer to international market was signed in Istanbul on July 22, 2022

ANKARA, May 18. /TASS/. The 60-day extension of the grain deal may become the last if Russia’s demands for implementation of its part of the Istanbul agreements are not fulfilled, a diplomatic source in Ankara told TASS Thursday.

"The extension of the grain deal can be considered ‘Russia’s gesture,’ [made] in hope that its demands, cemented in the July 22 Istanbul memorandum, will be fulfilled at last. If Russia is not heard again and Moscow does not receive guarantees that its demands will be fulfilled, then there will be no second July 22," the source said.

The extension of the grain deal for another 60 days was announced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 17.

On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the two months that the Istanbul memorandum was prolonged for "will be decisive."

A package of documents on shipments of food and fertilizer to international market was signed in Istanbul on July 22, 2022. Initially, the agreements were signed for 120 days, and were prolonged for the same term in November. On March 18, 2023, Russia announced that the grain deal will be prolonged for 60 days and warned that this time will be enough to assess the implementation of the memorandum, signed with the UN.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Xi, Macron condemn Israeli assault on Rafah — Chinese Foreign Ministry

"The two heads of state stressed that an immediate and sustainable ceasefire is urgently needed to enable the delivery of large-scale humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip," the statement reads

Senior Hamas officials says that it’s Israel’s turn to decide about ceasefire

Hamas said earlier that it had notified the Egyptian and Qatari mediators that it accepted their draft agreement on a ceasefire for the Gaza Strip

Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacks Israeli airbase in Eilat

The news outlet said that on Saturday, the movement launched a missile at Israel’s port of Haifa on the Mediterranean

Sri Lanka decides to keep free visas for tourists from Russia, six other countries

"It was confirmed that the free visa service currently offered to citizens of seven countries, India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia will continue," the government of Sri Lanka said

Kremlin refrains from speculating on preferred successor to Zelensky

Earlier, the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) reported the US was in contact with several Ukrainan political leaders as possible successors to Vladimir Zelensky

West’s latest escalation in Ukraine requires Russian response — Kremlin

"Deploying NATO soldiers to confront the Russian military in the latest escalation of tensions is an unprecedented move, and, of course, it requires special attention and special measures," Dmitry Peskov said

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"

UK Ministry of Defense subjected to major cyberattack — Sky News

The report says that hackers breached into payroll systems and got access to personal data of ministry officials, current service personal and veterans, including their names and bank details

Lavrov, senior Serbian officials discuss Kosovo, top-level dialogue

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Hamas agrees to Gaza truce proposal

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China to look for ways of settling Ukrainian crisis jointly with France — Xi

Xi arrived on a state visit in France on Sunday

Russia's opponents tried to destroy it from within, but failed — Putin

The President stressed that the result of anti-Russian sanctions turned out to be "exactly the opposite of what was expected"

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

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"

West recognizes deteriorating situation in Ukraine — Lavrov

Western countries need to think how not to lose to Russia in the conflict, the minister said

Trump develops plan on peaceful resolution in Ukraine — Telegraph

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

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

Chinese President Xi supports Olympic truce initiative for 2024 Summer Games in Paris

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Slovakia’s charge d'affaires to attend inauguration of Russian President — TASR

Meanwhile, according to the media, there will be no representative of Slovakia at the Victory Day celebrations on Red Square in Moscow

Thousands of trucks crowding on EU and Russia borders — newspaper

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Russian embassy rejects accusations of Moscow’s involvement in cyberattacks on Czechia

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

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Russian forces carry out 25 group strikes at energy, military industrial facilities

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State Duma bans foreign agents from acting as candidates, observers during elections

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French President Macron says dialogue with Russia must be continued

Emmanuel Macron also said that technical capabilities and the striking range of Russian ballistic missiles endangered European countries

US not to send troops to Ukraine — Department of State spokesman

Matthew Miller commented on the statement by US House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who said that Washington would probably have to deploy its troops to the Ukrainian conflict zone in case of Kiev's defeat

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

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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

Detention of US soldier in Russia’s Vladivostok has no relation to espionage — diplomats

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

Xi Jinping’s visit to Belgrade has huge importance for Serbia — president

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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

UK government’s delegate to skip Putin’s inauguration

The inauguration of Vladimir Putin is set to take place at noon Moscow time on May 7

Israel’s operation in Rafah comes as response to attack on border crossing — diplomat

Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov said that Israel, together with its international partners, has created a humanitarian zone, providing safety and vital infrastructure for displaced Gaza residents

Polish judge asks for political asylum in Belarus

Tomasz Szmydt noted that he currently considers returning to Poland impossible, including due to safety reasons

Russian forces knock out Ukrainian troops from two strongholds in LPR — expert

The situation near Belogorovka remains "stably tense," Andrey Marochko said

US may send troops to Ukraine if Kiev defeated, Democratic leader says

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Draft Israel-Hamas deal envisages release of all hostages

During phase one of the agreement, Hamas undertakes releasing 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of a a large number of Palestinians kept in Israeli prisons and detention centers

Israel to continue Rafah operation, also sending negotiators to Cairo — premier’s office

"Although Hamas’s proposal is far from Israel’s obligatory demands, Israel will simultaneously send a delegation to the talks, in order to seize an opportunity for achieving an agreement on terms that would be favorable for Israel," Netanyahu said

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

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

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Russians’ demand for tours to Sri Lanka may decline after introduction of paid visas

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China calls on US to stop supporting Taiwan

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US election results to not affect desire to inflict strategic defeat on Russia — Lavrov

No matter who wins the election, Russia is "by and large the enemy," the minister said

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

Russian government to receive 'acting' status until new cabinet approved

The prime minister, his deputies and cabinet ministers will continue their work as acting officials and will retain the status until the new cabinet is approved

Russia holds final rehearsal of Victory Day Parade on Moscow’s Red Square

Participants in the special military operation in Ukraine will also march across Red Square

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The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Avdeyevka area over the past 24 hours amounted to 380 personnel, a US-made Abrams tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, including a US-manufactured Bradley

Macron’s aggressive rhetoric baffles even his allies — diplomat

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US seeking to throw Balts, Poles, Germans, French ‘into fire of war’ — Medvedchuk

"They are clearing the way for this, since the Ukrainians are running out while the scheme of turning their deaths into America’s profits is waiting for new victims," leader of the Other Ukraine movement said

Russian military intel declassifies WWII documents, hands them over to Victory Museum

"This is the first time in history that reports of the heads of military intelligence and cipher telegrams from foreign hubs in Germany on preparations for an attack on the Soviet Union are shown here," Igor Kostyukov said

US citizen detained in northwest Moscow on charges of petty hooliganism

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Russia proposes its own draft of UNSC resolution on ending arms race in space

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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

US intensifying efforts to find replacement for Zelensky — SVR

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Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

According to the politician, the cause of the discussion on dispatching Western troops to Ukraine, launched by French President Emmanuel Macron, is a "shameless calculation for political bonus points"

US fails to shoot down Iranian missiles, drones in strike on Israel — IRGC general

Ali Belali described Iranian weapons as "an important factor of strength and the exercise of power in the world"

Russian Foreign Ministry tells French ambassador Paris’ policies destructive

Pierre Levy was told that the French authorities' attempts to create some kind of "strategic uncertainty" for Russia with their "irresponsible statements about the possible dispatch of Western military contingents to Ukraine are doomed to fail"

Iran ready to share atomic energy technologies with other countries — AEOI chief

"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

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

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

US doesn’t plan to adjust nuclear posture due to Russia’s announced drills — official

"We have not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture and in response to these announcements, nor any indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine," Matthew Miller said

Ukraine deploys reserves due to challenging situation near Ocheretino

Nazar Voloshin conceded that Russia had "certain tactical success" in the area

Macron’s Ukraine troop talk ego-driven, not strategic — Marine Le Pen

The head of the parliamentary faction said she is convinced that the conflict in Ukraine "is not a war for France," and stated that she opposes the admission of Ukraine to the European Union and NATO

China to support peace conference on Ukraine approved by Moscow, Kiev — Xi

Chinese President stressed that China is neither the cause nor a party to the conflict

IDF takes control of Rafah crossing on Gaza-Egypt border from enclave’s side

As of now, "IDF ground troops are continuing to operate against Hamas terrorist operatives and infrastructure in the area of the Rafah crossing in eastern Rafah," the military noted

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

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

Launch of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner manned spacecraft postponed

The decision was made due to problems in the oxygen relief valve of the Atlas V carrier rocket, manufactured by United Launch Alliance

Cuban president departs to Russia on working visit - administration

Miguel Diaz-Canel visit is "aimed at discussing priority issues on the bilateral agenda," the statement says

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

France not at war with Russia — Macron

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

Putin’s inauguration to be aired at noon on May 7 — TV channel

Defense chief says Finland may reopen crossing points on Russian border

"The law is currently being finalized. It is expected to be submitted to parliament in one to two weeks. The law should enter into force very soon," the minister noted

NBC reports US soldier allegedly detained in Russia on suspicion of theft

The soldier is accused of stealing from a woman

Israeli tanks enter Rafah in south Gaza — newspaper

IDF said it was delivering targeted strikes on Hamas facilities in the eastern part of Rafah

Latvian Air Force chief says Ukraine could have to give up some territory for sovereignty

If that happens, NATO could reach an agreement with Russia for Ukraine to join the alliance, Viesturs Masulis noted

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

Abbas hopes for full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza — WAFA

The president also "called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel" to make its government stop its aggression against the Palestinian people and "to continue efforts aimed at ending the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine"

French ambassador to represent Paris at Putin’s inauguration — source

According to the source, Paris "took note of the results of the presidential election in Russia" in March

Moscow’s exhibition of captured Ukrainian combat vehicles enjoys high popularity — Kremlin

Commenting on the idea of extending the exhibition and organizing similar expositions in other cities, Dmitry Peskov said, "This is a question to our colleagues in the defense ministry as organizers"

Infrastructural facility damaged after Ukrainian drone attack — official

Emergency teams will start recovering efforts after agreeing upon with the Russian Defense Ministry, Vyacheslav Gladkov noted

US-led coalition’s aircraft violate Syrian airspace 12 times in past day

In a separate development, the Russian official continued, one Syria serviceman was injured by a terrorist sniper near the Trumba settlement in the Idlib governorate

China to never forget NATO bombing of Chinese embassy in Belgrade — Xi Jinping

The Chinese leader noted that the China-Serbia friendship, sealed with blood, will remain in the common memory of the Chinese and Serbian peoples

Press review: Israel, Hamas inch closer to elusive truce and Xi tries to charm EU on visit

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 6th

DPR city significantly damaged in fighting, leader reports

According to Denis Pushilin, the enemy has installed major fortifications in Ocheretino

EU's handling of Ukrainian refugee issue could lead to new crisis, says Russian official

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, European Union countries would like "to get rid" of refugees because supporting them has taken a toll on the economy

Ceasefire proposal envisages Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza

Al-Hayya said the proposal also paves the way for unhindered return of displaced persons to their homes

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