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Georgia has no plans to participate in 3+3 platform meeting in Istanbul — MFA

"Georgia has been stating for a long time that it does not work in this format," the press service said

TBILISI, October 16. /TASS/. The Georgian side will not be represented at a ministerial meeting within the 3+3 regional platform on South Caucasus in Istanbul on October 18, the Georgian Foreign Ministry’s press service told TASS.

"No, we will not participate [in the ministerial meeting within the 3+3 regional platform in Istanbul]. Georgia has been stating for a long time that it does not work in this format," the press service said.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan put forward the idea of a six-party format for cooperation in the South Caucasus in late 2020 (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, Turkey, Iran). It was later called the ‘3+3’ format. Russia and Iran welcomed the idea, Armenia also joined the initiative, while Georgia refused to engage in it. On December 10, 2021, Moscow hosted the first meeting of the consultative regional platform, involving deputy foreign ministers of these five countries. The last meeting at the level of foreign ministers was held in Tehran on October 2023.

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Ukrainian troops sent to areas seized by Russia to become 'cannon fodder,' POW says

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Ukraine’s Zelensky rules out territorial concessions in his so-called settlement plan

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Russia informs Israel of concerns about its military operations in Syria, envoy says

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Russian Lancet munition destroys Polish-made Krab howitzer in Kharkov Region — top brass

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Russian, Chinese sailors practice maritime rescue in East China Sea

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Kiev upset about West’s refusal to open ‘second front’ against Russia

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Ex-Ukrainian security officer says Zelensky okayed terror attacks on Russia

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Russia, unlike West, does not interfere in Georgia’s internal affairs — Kremlin

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Erdogan says Palestinians view Israel's founding in 1948 as 'catastrophe'

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Russian diplomat dubs Zelensky’s plan as 'collection of incoherent slogans'

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NATO disintegration is just a matter of time, says Politico

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Zelensky passes off fighting to last Ukrainian as new 'peace plan' — Kremlin

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US pushes Ukraine to allow mobilization from age of 18 — Ukrainian official

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Sanctions won’t achieve their goal — Russian Prime Minister

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Russian Airborne Force snipers daily destroy Ukrainian manpower in borderline Kursk area

Sniper pairs pay special attention to camouflaging their positions

French-formed Ukrainian brigade no match for Russia’s military might — expert

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China voices concern about situation on Korean peninsula — MFA

Mao Ning also emphasized that "China’s position on maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and promoting a political solution to the peninsula issue remains unchanged"

Eyewitnesses say not only Ukrainians fighting for Kiev in Kursk Region

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North Korea says South Korean military behind drone flights over Pyongyang

"The instigators will pay a tough price," Kim Yo Jong noted

Russian forces liberate two communities in Donbass region over past day

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IN BRIEF: Enemy losses and surrendering troops: situation in Russia’s Kursk Region

Ukrainian General Staff says situation difficult along entire frontline

According to the General Staff, the majority of clashes have been registered on the Kurakhovo direction

Russian forces pummel Ukrainian army, equipment in 129 areas over past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 590 casualties on Ukrainian troops in its area of responsibility over the past day

Trilateral Russia-Mongolia-China meeting at prime ministers’ level begins in Islamabad

This is the first meeting at the level of heads of governments in this trilateral format

Russian military seizes logistics center south of Chasov Yar

The situation in the outskirts of Chasov Yar has been deteriorating for the Ukrainian unit, according to the source