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Moldovan President Dodon intends to begin resolving problems with Russia after the New Year
Moldovan leader Igor Dodon announced in an interview with Izvestia that there are two scenarios for the development of Moldova's relations with Russia.
"There are two scenarios for how to return to normal bilateral relations. The first scenario, and I very much hope that it will be possible to implement it, [would be] right after the New Year holidays ... We will try and do our best to resolve the problems right after the New Year. I spoke with the Prime Minister and Speaker of the Parliament …
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Shoygu: Russia began forming permanent contingent in Syria’s Tartus and Hmeimim military bases
Russia has begun establishing a permanent contingent in Syria’s Tartus and Hmeimim military bases, said Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu during a conference call on Tuesday.
“Last week, the supreme commander-in-chief [Putin] approved the structure and staff of the main bases in Tartus and Hmeimim. We have started establishing a permanent group there,” Shoygu stated.
According to Shoygu, 59.5% of Russian troops in Syria are equipped with modern weapons and the combat readiness of all the …
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Putin called for social media activities of ‘certain companies’ to be monitored during elections
On Monday, December 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for the activities of "some companies" in social networks to be monitored during the upcoming presidential elections. He also called for an assessment of the extent of their involvement in domestic politics.
He did not directly name any of the companies, nor did he differentiate any particular concerns between the activities of foreign or local firms. However, Putin’s call comes in the aftermath of accusations by the United States …
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Russian opposition leader Navalny denied registration as a presidential candidate
On Monday, December 25, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Russian Federation denied oppositionist Alexei Navalny’s registration as a presidential candidate in the 2018 elections. The meeting of a group of voters in support of Navalny’s self-nomination to the Russian presidential elections was within the law, said Central Electoral Commission head Ella Pamfilova; however, she said, Navalny cannot run due to undischarged previous convictions.
Commission member Boris Ebzeyev pointed …
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Kremlin: Moscow has not decided yet on the provision of lethal weapons to Donbas separatists
The Kremlin declared that Moscow has made no decision concerning the supply of defensive weapons to the separatist-controlled territory of the eastern Ukraine following the US decision to supply Kyiv with such weapons.
"No decisions have been made regarding this," Russian President’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on December 25. According to him, the Kremlin has a negative attitude toward the US decision to supply Ukraine with Javelin anti-tank complexes.
On December 23, US State Department …