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Stoltenberg: Russia is the reason for stationing NATO troops in the Baltics and Poland
The presence of NATO battalions in the Baltic States and Poland is associated with the military ambitions of Russia, the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Jens Stoltenberg, said.
“The reason for placing the four battalions of NATO in the Baltic States and Poland is that we saw the military ambitions of Russia and its desire to use force against its neighbors,” Stoltenberg said on Wednesday, August 7, 2016, speaking during the International Conference “Europe’s …
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Russian budget estimated to sink to 20-year low by 2019
The revenues of the Federal Budget of the Russian Federation will drop to a 20-year low in 2019. On Monday, September 5, 2016 the Russian daily Vedomosti made the announcement, quoting the forecast of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, which projected that revenues will be reduced to 13.3% of the Gross Domestic Product for three years. The last time the actual figure was below forecast was in 1999.
The Ministry predicted these results on the basis of oil priced at 4 …
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PACE President isn't satisfied with relationship with Russian Duma
The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Pedro Agramunt, who arrived in Moscow on an official visit, noted the poor state of relations between PACE and the Russian State Duma.
“The fact that the Russian Parliament decided not to appoint a delegation for the session of the Assembly and the fact that the voice of the MPs from one of our member states is no longer present in PACE is an exceptional situation,” RIA Novosti quoted the president of PACE on …
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US lifts sanctions on Russian defense company to service Mi-17 helicopters in Afghanistan
On September 6th, RIA Novosti reported that the U.S. had lifted sanctions against Rosoboronexport contracts regarding the maintenance of Mi-17 helicopters in Afghanistan. Deputy Director General of Rosoboronexport Sergey Goreslavsky said in an interview with RIA Novosti that "the decision was made for two years, but if necessary, may be extended by the Americans." Those restrictions were imposed on September 2nd last year but had been partially lifted on November 25th.
The Director of …
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Estonia accuses Russia of violating its airspace
Tallinn accused Moscow once again of violating its airspace. On Tuesday, September 6th. This was reported by the press service of the General Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces.
According to the Estonian military, an AN-72 aircraft of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation flew into the air space of Estonia without the permission on the evening of September 5th. The plane’s transponder was turned on but the flight plan was not submitted in advance. The plane did not communicate with …