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Military operation in Ukraine

Ukraine can be admitted to EU for political reasons — Slovak PM

Robert Fico said he has "concerns that purely political criteria, rather than criteria of actual readiness of the country, will prevail in respect of Ukraine"

BRATISLAVA, March 10. /TASS/. Political reasons may outweigh actual compliance of Ukraine with requirements brought to candidate nations for joining the European Union, Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico said.

"I wish Ukraine become the European Union member-nation but when it will be ready [to conform to criteria for candidate nations]," the Slovak Prime Minister said in a video posted on his page in Facebook [prohibited in Russia due to its ownership by Meta, which has been designated as extremist - TASS]. "I have concerns that purely political criteria, rather than criteria of actual readiness of the country, will prevail in respect of Ukraine," Fico noted.

The Prime Minister of Slovakia reminded about the high level of corruption in Ukraine but EU executive authorities consider politically incorrect to talk on this topic, according to him. Implementation of the process of Ukraine’s accession to the EU will not move forward while the military conflict continues, Fico added.

"We [the Slovak government] are attempting to open the topic of immediate ceasefire, stoppage of fighting and the start of negotiations," the Prime Minister said. "Russia is living [successfully] in terms of the economy and the politics; President [Vladimir] Putin has strong support," Fico noted. "I state that the West’s strategy in Ukraine does not work," he added. The strategy requires revision, Fico said.

He also spoke against attempts to cancel the veto right in the EU when making decisions and for protection of the European market against deliveries of Ukrainian agricultural produce, which resulted in protests of farmers in Europe.

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European Commission confirms agreement on expropriation of income from Russian assets

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London blatantly lies to justify anti-Russian steps, including expulsion of attache — MFA

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Belgium explains absence of ambassador at Russian president’s inauguration ceremony

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Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day

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Polish judge asks for political asylum in Belarus

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"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

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279 parliament members had voted in favor of the document

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Indonesian Ambassador to Russia Jose Tavares said that around 30% of weapons in service with his country’s armed forces are Russian-made

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

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Armenian PM tells Putin he wants to discuss bilateral relations

The Armenian prime minister thanked the Russian leader for the warm reception and perfect organization of the summit of the Eurasian Economic Union

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Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the government procurement system in the markets of the EAEU countries

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"

Medvedev gives warning amid talk of deploying Western troops to Ukraine

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Putin congratulates former Soviet republics with 79th anniversary of Victory over Germany

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Press review: Vladimir Putin sworn in for fifth term and EU, Ukraine talk arms deal

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 8th

Russia vows not to deport Ukrainian citizens missing ‘green card’ deadline

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Chinese diplomat comments on Blinken’s warning on support to Russia

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EAEU leaders gather in Kremlin for anniversary summit

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Oil prices accelerated their decline

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About 15,000 children killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 — authorities

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Russian embassy expresses regret over London’s new restrictions

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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

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

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

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

Parades, concerts across Russia to mark Victory Day on May 9

In Moscow, the celebration will open with a ceremonial parade on Red Square at 10 a.m.

Russian government resigns

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

Putin to participate in EAEU summit — his first international event of new term

A traditional friendly dinner for the heads of CIS delegations took place on Tuesday night

Putin to nominate candidate for prime minister when he deems necessary — spokesman

According to the law, within two weeks after the inauguration, the president must submit to the State Duma a nominee for prime minister

CSTO aware of Armenia's decision to stop funding organization — source

Armenia remains a member state of the CSTO, the source stressed

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

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FSB declassifies documents about Nazi Germany’s crimes in Crimea

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More than 90% of payments in EAEU are carried out in national currencies — Putin

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Ukrainian army leaving positions near Avdeyevka over Russia’s incessant gunfire — POW

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Putin begins his first international meeting after inauguration - EAEU summit

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Annual inflation in Russia speeds up to 7.81% over week — Economy Ministry

In the food products sector in the reporting week, price growth slowed to 0.02%

Russian diplomat accuses EU spokesman of 'inciting terrorism' with Crimean Bridge remarks

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Ukraine to be able to mobilize no more than 10,000-15,000 convicts — report

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Aerospace Forces receive new Su-35S fighters

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IOC says 'not in position' to reallocate Olympic medals to Russian athletes

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