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Russia refuses to supply new missiles to Iran after Tehran secretly armed Hezbollah with Russian arms
The Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jareeda recently published an article that claims that Russia has delayed shipment of S-300 anti-aircraft missile system supplies to Iran for reasons other than financial difficulties. According to Al-Jareeda, Moscow is displeased with Iran’s breach of obligations not to provide missile weapons to Lebanese Hezbollah. The story was quickly circulated by the Israeli media, in particular, by The Jerusalem Post, Maariv and Israel Hayom.
The Hezbollah allegedly received …
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Fitch forecasts decline in Russian GDP in 2016
The Fitch international ratings agency revised the forecast on Russia’s gross domestic product or GDP. As reported on the Fitch website, experts believe that the Russian GDP will fall by 1.5% this year.
As early as last December, they forecasted 0.5% GDP growth but in February 2016 this changed to a 1% decline. Low oil prices in Russia reduced oil company profits that led to budget tightening policies.
Meanwhile, high interest rates and declining salaries are reducing consumption, the Fitch …
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EU expected to extend sanctions against Russia and former Ukrainian officials
The EU sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian citizens will be formally extended, without debate, on Thursday. Brussels holds these citizens accountable for undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
It is predicted that the list will contain 146 people and 37 entities. This was reported by RIA Novosti, citing EU sources. Three people have been excluded from this list as they are now deceased. These sanctions will be extended until the 15th of September.
According to diplomatic …
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US Vice President Joe Biden calls on Russia to release Nadiya Savchenko
US Vice President Joe Biden called on Russia to release Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko, who is on trial in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.
“Today, as we mark International Women’s Day and honor all the brave women who struggle against injustice in this world, we also stand with Nadiya and with the Ukrainian people. And we call on Russia to make the right choice—to drop all charges and release her at once. Nadiya deserves to go home to her family and friends and join her fellow Rada …
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Lithuanian Foreign Minister: Only a unified position in the West will stop Russian aggression
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius believes that only a principled and unified position of the West will stop Russian aggression as expressed in his article, "Enough: NATO Should Stop Feeding Russian Trolls", published in Politico.
"If Moscow wants to participate in a real partnership with NATO, it must cease its unreasonable and provocative military operations on the borders of NATO countries; including the flights of Russian aircraft with disabled transponders over the Baltic Sea, …