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Russia: negotiations on gas transit through Ukraine to take place next week
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that talks between Russia, Ukraine and the European Union on gas transit could take place next week, reports TASS.
The meeting was initially scheduled for December 5. However, Ukrainian Energy Ministry confirmed that this round of negotiations will not take place. The Ukrainian Ministry noted that "the date has not yet been confirmed."
According to Novak, the parties can meet "at any time." The primary condition is that Gazprom and Naftogaz prepare …
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Putin: Russia is ready to extend Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty 'without any conditions'
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is ready to extend the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-3), reports Interfax.
"Russia is ready to immediately, as soon as possible, by the end of this year, without any preconditions, extend the START Treaty so that there would be no further double or triple interpretation of our position. I say it officially," said Putin.
The Russian President noted that the partners have not yet responded to Russia's proposals to extend the START-3 …
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Russia expels Bulgarian diplomat amid spy scandal
Russia is expelling a Bulgarian diplomat in response to the expulsion of a Russian diplomat, who was accused of spying, from Bulgaria. On December 5, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Bulgarian Ambassador Atanas Krastin received a note stating that Russia declared Bulgarian diplomat persona non grata on a reciprocal basis, and he must leave the Russian Federation within 24 hours.
The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that the employee of the Bulgarian Embassy in Moscow is expelled in …
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Russia to hold joint naval exercises with Iran
The commander of the Iranian Navy Hossein Khanzadi called the date of joint military exercises with Russia and China, reports the Iranian Fars News Agency. "The upcoming exercises are called "Maritime Security Belt," and they will be held on December 27, 2019," said Khanzadi.
As expected, naval military drills of the fleets of the three countries will be held in the Indian Ocean. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the military exercises "will not be directed …
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Putin calls Ukraine’s gas transit terms unacceptable
Ukraine has proposed economically unacceptable terms for gas transit, said Russian President Vladimir Putin at a press conference on Wednesday after meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Moscow, the Kremlin’s press service reports.
“We are prepared to keep Ukrainian transit, we are currently conducting negotiations about it in Vienna. While’s it’s true that the terms offered to us by the Ukrainian transiters are possible, they’re still economically unacceptable. But I hope that it’ …