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BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting kicks off in South Africa

The meeting is chaired by South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor

CAPE TOWN, June 1. /TASS/. The meeting of the top diplomats of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, Indian, China and South Africa) kicked off in western Cape Town on Thursday.

"The current meeting aims to lay the basis for the new phase of BRICS’ development, to strengthen the alliance’s position as one of the most powerful forces in the system of international relations," a South African diplomat told TASS, "The sides are expected to make a number of important decisions concerning the further development of BRICS." The diplomat also did not rule out that the sides will consider the concept of BRICS expansion and criteria for admission of new members.

The BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting is chaired by South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor. Top Russian diplomat Sergey Lavrov arrived in South Africa to take part in the meeting.

The ‘Friends of BRICS’ or ‘BRICS Plus’ meeting will take place on June 2. Top diplomats of BRICS countries and other 15 countries of the Global South, including those countries seeking to join the organization, will take part in it. Brazil, Russia, India and China founded BRICS in 2006. South Africa joined the organization in 2011, thus turning it into BRICS.

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Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov BRICS

Middle East conflict

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Lavrov clarifies Russia's position on Ukraine crisis to foreign diplomats — MFA

"Participants in the roundtable exchanged views on the conflict and other pressing international topics," the ministry stated

Kremlin considers militants' attack on Aleppo encroachment on Syria's sovereignty

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Chad severs defense cooperation agreement with France — AFP

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Russians wipe out three Ukrainian strongholds, over 20 Azov fighters in advance on Kharkov

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Putin slams election mudslinging against Trump’s family as 'vile'

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Ukraine not South Korea's ally to demand weapons — newspaper

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US mercenary in-absentia arrest, Ukrainian losses: situation in Kursk Region

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Putin declares Kazakhstan visit a success

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Ukraine demolishes buildings with soldiers inside as Russian forces advance — DPR leader

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Decision-making centers in Kiev could be targeted in Oreshnik strikes — Putin

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Over 400 terrorists from Jabhat al-Nusra group wiped out in Aleppo, Idlib in past day

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Takeaways from Putin’s Q&A session in Kazakhstan: Oreshnik missile, inflation, ruble

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Russia launches 100 missiles at Ukraine in past two days — Putin

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Biden's decision on ATACMS 'not panacea', it will harm Kiev — Defense News columnists

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Ukrainian group of 22 servicemen surrenders in Kursk Region — law enforcement officials

Photos and videos of the surrender were also posted by military reporter and expert Boris Rozhin on his Telegram channel

One in three relocated individuals return to Russia from Ukraine — diplomat

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the Kiev regime itself brands these figures as "terrible"

Russia strikes Ukrainian military airfields, manpower in 146 areas over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 330 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Up to 200,000 deserters in Ukrainian army, Verkhovna Rada MP says

Ukrainian troops are leaving their duties, as "bone-tired by the constancy of war, they are psychologically and emotionally scarred," the article reads

Biden unlikely to dare to seriously increase military aid to Kiev — expert

"The potential future use of Oreshnik will render ATACMS and Storm Shadow as battle-losing capabilities," a retired British diplomat and former economic counsellor at the British Embassy in Moscow Ian Proud said

Japan's PM reiterates desire to sign peace treaty with Russia

Moscow and Tokyo have been negotiating a peace treaty to mark the end of World War II since the mid-20th century

Clashes between protesters, police break out in Georgian capital

Police officers are using tear gas, trying to push protesters back

Israel reports some violations of Lebanon ceasefire by Hezbollah

"The Israeli Air Force attacked the terrorists," IDF said

Ukrainian army says desertion main reason for loss of Ugledar

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Three dead, 21 poisoned in social center in Russia’s Altay Region

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