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US House Speaker Johnson avoids being photographed with Zelensky — NYT

Johnson is seen with Zelensky only on the photo that was released from their private meeting, but he avoided being photographed or seen with the Ukrainian president outside of the meeting, the report said

NEW YORK, December 13. /TASS/. US House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, avoided being seen or photographed with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky who paid a visit to the US Congress, the New York Times reported.

A NYT reporter assigned to Capitol Hill said Zelensky met with all congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat; and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican. Johnson is seen with Zelensky only on the photo that was released from their private meeting, but he avoided being photographed or seen with the Ukrainian president outside of the meeting, the report said.

The previous speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, in September also tried not to appear in public next to Zelensky, who was visiting the US Congress as part of a trip to Washington. At that time, McCarthy refused to allow the Ukrainian leader to speak before the entire Congress, saying lawmakers were too busy.

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Ukraine United States Vladimir Zelensky

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Israel Defense Forces continues operation in Rafah — spokesman

The Israeli army "eliminated dozens of terrorists, exposed underground terror tunnels and vast amounts of weapons," Daniel Hagari informed

Those complicit in terrorist attacks on Russian territory to be inevitably punished — MFA

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Air defenses down 21 Vampire rockets, nine drones over Russia’s Belgorod Region

Also, seven UAVs were intercepted and destroyed over the Kursk and Volgograd regions, tthe Russian Defense Ministry added

Mercenaries’ flow to Ukraine declining — Business Insider

A half of coming mercenaries now is from Latin America, Carl Larson, a US veteran that participated in hostilities in Ukraine in summer 2022

Residential building partially collapses in Russia’s Komi Region

The press service told TASS that 14 people had been evacuated which is everyone who was present in the building at the time of the collapse

Putin confident in Russia’s victory in special military operation

The Russian people show their best qualities in difficult moments, their courage and heroism, which is confirmed by the special military operation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with military on May 7, following the inauguration ceremony

London refuses to engage with Moscow on Skripals — senior Russian diplomat

According to Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Second European Department Sergey Belyaev, the Russian Embassy in London has sent over 60 written inquiries to the UK Foreign Office since the provocation in March 2018

IIHF implements 24-month ban on international transfers by CSKA Hockey Club

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Reassignment of federal service needed to boost arms export efficiency — expert

Main buyers of Russian arms during the next 10-15 years will be Global South countries in the first instance, the ones pursuing an independent foreign and defense policy, defense analyst and general director of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade Igor Korotchenko said

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An antigovernment action followed the manifestation demanding early elections in Israel and the soonest possible rescue of hostages

Mauritius working on Mir system introduction — Russian Ambassador

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Russia to bring peace to Donbass — Putin

The Russian president highlighted the fact that entire Russia supports the residents of Donbass while over the years of blockade, the people of Donbass have confirmed their will to be together with Russia

CIS countries retain relations after 'divorce,' appreciate each other even more — Lavrov

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Russia, US to straighten out relations despite difficulties — US WWII veteran

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Press review: US to ban Russian uranium and Georgia pushes ahead with controversial bill

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Belarus, Russia conduct tactical nuke drills amid current situation — Lukashenko

"An escalation is ongoing," the president said

Russia’s Dnepr group repels counterattack by 118th brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

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Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 42.4 mcm via Sudzha

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Russian canoeist Pavlov bared from 2024 Olympics for clicking Like under Putin’s video

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British national dies of wounds in Gaza, says Hamas

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Russian PM Mishustin proposes Denis Manturov as his first deputy

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US veteran says Soviet Union turned the tide of World War II

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Russia to restore peace in Donbass regardless of Zelensky’s attempts — MFA

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Russian paratroopers thwart attempt by Ukrainian troops to cross Dnieper — ministry

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" We’ve been coordinating closely with Ukraine to help them prepare", John Kirby said

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US State Department approves possible sale of three HIMARS systems to Ukraine

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New Russian combat equipment in 2024

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Russia’s Battlegroup East strikes Ukrainians near Staromayorskoye in DPR

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Ukrainians actively using British weapons to strike Russian regions, diplomat says

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At least 90,000 soldiers attend Victory Day celebrations across Russia

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Russian defense ministry reports losses among Russian troops during special operation

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Israel Defense Forces continues operation in Rafah — spokesman

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Russia observes moment of silence for those killed fighting against Nazism

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

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Protest against foreign agent bill underway in Tbilisi

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Twelve Vampire missiles destroyed over Russia’s Belgorod Region

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Eight civilians injured as several aerial targets downed over Belgorod

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Lithuania to hold presidential election, citizenship referendum

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Actions by Finland, Sweden pose increasing threats to Russia’s security — diplomat

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West may benefit from Zelensky’s elimination to put blame on Russia — DPR head

Russian forces hit Ukrainian points of deployment and equipment at railway stations

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Russian military fights Nazi followers in special military operation — Shoigu

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Modern weapons make up 82% in Russian air defense troops — Shoigu

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Fire extinguished following Ukrainian attack on oil depot in LPR

The staff of the Russian Emergencies Ministry eliminated 18 blazes

Russia knows how to deal with Ukrainian drones — Putin

The Russian leader noted that those tasks that until recently were solved exclusively with the help of aviation systems are now being solved with small means, but with great effect

Death toll from Israeli military operation in Gaza exceeds 34,900 — health ministry

In the past 24 hours 28 people were killed and 69 more Arabs were wounded

Poland at risk of direct confrontation with Russia, Belarus — Medvedev

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Woman killed, 29 more wounded in Ukrainian shelling of Belgorod

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Russian envoy vows both mirror, asymmetrical response to provocations by Baltic states

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Russia has no intention of delegating responsibility for Arctic to other countries — envoy

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