tass--2020-06-24--Victory Parade over in Moscow

Victory Parade over in Moscow

`` We know and in the face of the challenges our planet is confronted with we feel especially acutely what the greatest value is : an individual , his dreams , joys and hopes ; a peaceful , calm and creative life , '' Putin said .
`` It was our people that defeated the terrible , total evil , '' the Russian leader stressed , adding that Russia would never forget the contribution by the allies in the anti-Hitler coalition to achieving the Victory and the importance of the second front opened in June 1944 .
`` Our duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Soviet people bore the brunt of the struggle against Nazism , '' Putin said .
Many hundreds of thousands of Soviet soldiers fell in a foreign land , the Russian leader said .
`` Its soldiers [ the soldiers of the Red Army ] needed neither the war nor other countries , nor glory , nor honors .
They strove to crush the enemy , achieve the victory and return home .
And they paid an irretrievable price for the freedom of Europe , '' Putin stressed .
`` It is impossible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world , if the Red Army had not come to its defense , '' the head of state said .
During his address from the central tribune on Moscow ’ s Red Square , President Putin said the future of the world could not be imagined , had n't the Red Army defended it .
The parade was being reviewed by Russian President Vladimir Putin , war veterans and guests .
The banner-carrying group of the guard of honor battalion of the Preobrazhensky Regiment brought the Russian flag and the legendary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the Reichstag by the combatants of the 150th Idritsa division in 1945 , to Moscow ’ s Red Square .
`` Attention , this is Moscow speaking and showing .
Listen to and watch Red Square .
This is the Victory Parade in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War ! ''
the speaker announced opening the event .
These words traditionally begin military parades in Russia in honor of the victory over Nazi Germany .
MOSCOW , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
About 14,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military hardware and 75 aircraft took part in the military parade on Moscow ’ s Red Square devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War .
This year , the Victory Parade on Moscow ’ s Red Square was attended by Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko , Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik , Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev , Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov , Moldovan President Igor Dodon , Serbian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov .
As Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on June 23 , the Kremlin treats with understanding the situation that some foreign leaders were unable to come to the Victory Parade in Moscow due to the restrictions introduced over the coronavirus pandemic .
The parade 's historical part was opened by the units carrying the banners of 10 war fronts before the tribunes .
They were followed by the servicemen who marched in the war-time uniforms of the infantry , pilots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guards , and also by the units of the people ’ s volunteer corps and Cossacks .
They marched with war-time small arms in their hands : Simonov self-loading carbines and Mosin rifles , Shpagin and Sudayev submachine guns .
The units of 13 foreign armies representing Azerbaijan , Armenia , Belarus , India , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , China , Moldova , Mongolia , Serbia , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan marched across Moscow ’ s Red Square .
They were followed by servicemen , students and cadets of military educational institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ naval military schools , cadets and Young Army Movement members , and also by formations of the Federal Security Service , the Emergencies Ministry and the National Guard and Kremlin cadets .
The legendary Soviet T-34 tanks and SU-100 self-propelled artillery guns rolled through Moscow ’ s Red Square along with the latest weapon systems at the military parade devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War .
Twenty-four groups of military hardware that included 200 latest and 18 historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Moscow ’ s Red Square .
The mechanized column 's procession was opened by 11 legendary T-34-85 tanks , followed by seven SU-100 self-propelled artillery guns .
The modern armor at Moscow ’ s military parade was represented by Tigr-M and Taifun armored vehicles with various armament , BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles , BMPT ‘ Terminator ’ tank support combat vehicles , T-72B3 , T-14 ‘ Amata ’ tanks , BTR-82A armored personnel carriers , and also by BMD-4M airborne assault vehicles and BTR-MDM ‘ Rakushka ’ air-droppable armored personnel carriers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ upgraded Msta-SM self-propelled artillery guns , the latest Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled artillery systems , Iskander-M tactical missile systems and TOS-1A ‘ Solntsepyok ’ heavy flamethrowers .
The spectators could also see three Yars mobile intercontinental ballistic missile systems .
The mechanized column also included Pantsyr-S1 surface-to-air missile/gun systems and their Arctic Pantsyr-SA versions , S-400 anti-aircraft missile launchers and Tor-M2 air defense missile complexes .
Along with the well-known combat vehicles , about 20 latest weapon systems rolled through Moscow ’ s Red Square during the military parade .
Some of them were never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia demonstrated for the first time TOS-2 ‘ Tosochka ’ heavy flamethrowers , ISDM remote mine-clearing vehicles , Kurganets-25 infantry fighting vehicles with a combat module and a 57mm gun and upgraded Pantsyr-S1M surface-to-air missile/gun systems with small-size anti-drone missiles .
For the first time ever , heavily upgraded T-90M and T-80BVM tanks , BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles with the Berezhok combat module , Tornado-S multiple launch rocket systems , Bal coastal defense missile launchers , Taifun-K 4x4 and Taifun-VDV armored vehicles with remotely controlled combat modules , Armata infantry fighting vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-aircraft artillery systems , Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile systems and also S-350 ‘ Vityaz ’ battlefield air defense complexes and S-300V4 surface-to-air missile launchers took part in the military parade on Moscow ’ s Red Square .
The mechanized column also featured Tigr-M and Taifun-K military police armored vehicles that are currently being used by Russian patrols in Syria .
The National Guard ’ s hardware was represented by Patrul and Ural wheeled armored vehicles and also by Tigr special armored vehicles .
The latest Bumerang armored personnel carriers with the banners of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces concluded the mechanized column ’ s procession at the Victory Parade on Moscow ’ s Red Square .
The Victory Parade on Moscow ’ s Red Square was concluded with the flyover of 75 aircraft and helicopters .
Traditionally , the air parade started with the flyover of helicopters over Red Square .
The parade formation included the world ’ s largest Mi-26 military transport rotorcraft accompanied by four Mi-8 multirole gunships and three groups of five Mi-35 transport/attack helicopters , Ka-52 ‘ Alligator ’ reconnaissance/strike and Mi-28 helicopters .
The flyover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , special-purpose and long-range aircraft represented by A-50 long-range radar surveillance planes , Il-76 military transport aircraft , Tu-95MS , Tu-22M3 , Tu-160 bombers and Il-78 aerial refueling tankers .
MiG-29 multirole frontline fighters and Su-24 frontline bombers flew next in the parade formation .
They were followed by two groups of the latest MiG-31K interceptor-fighters and fifth-generation Su-57 multirole fighter jets .
After that , `` a tactical air wing '' of ten aircraft flew over Moscow ’ s Red Square , followed by the world ’ s renowned Russian Knights and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was concluded by six Su-25 attack aircraft .
They exhausted special fumes in the colors of the Russian national flag .
New date for the parade Russia postponed its military parade traditionally held on Moscow ’ s Red Square on May 9 for a later date due to the coronavirus pandemic .
At a video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 26 , Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the anticipated Victory Parade would be held on Moscow ’ s Red Square on June 24 .
The head of state explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 was the day when in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place , when soldiers , who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad , who stood their ground for Stalingrad , liberated Europe and stormed Berlin , marched on Red Square .
The Russian president instructed the defense chief to make sure that there weren ’ t any risks to the health of the military parade ’ s participants .

"We know and in the face of the challenges our planet is confronted with we feel especially acutely what the greatest value is: an individual, his dreams, joys and hopes; a peaceful, calm and creative life," Putin said.
"It was our people that defeated the terrible, total evil," the Russian leader stressed, adding that Russia would never forget the contribution by the allies in the anti-Hitler coalition to achieving the Victory and the importance of the second front opened in June 1944.
"Our duty is to remember this and remember that the Soviet people bore the brunt of the struggle against Nazism," Putin said.
Many hundreds of thousands of Soviet soldiers fell in a foreign land, the Russian leader said.
"Its soldiers [the soldiers of the Red Army] needed neither the war nor other countries, nor glory, nor honors. They strove to crush the enemy, achieve the victory and return home. And they paid an irretrievable price for the freedom of Europe," Putin stressed.
"It is impossible even to imagine what would have become of the world, if the Red Army had not come to its defense," the head of state said.
During his address from the central bleachers on Moscow’s Red Square, President Putin said the future of the world could not be imagined, hadn't the Red Army defended it.
The parade was being reviewed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, war veterans and guests.
The banner-carrying group of the guard of honor battalion of the Preobrazhensky Regiment brought the Russian flag and the legendary Victory Banner, which had been hoisted over the Reichstag by the combatants of the 150th Idritsa division in 1945, to Moscow’s Red Square.
"Attention, this is Moscow speaking and showing. Listen to and watch Red Square. This is the Victory Parade in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War!" the speaker announced opening the event. These words traditionally begin military parades in Russia in honor of the victory over Nazi Germany.
MOSCOW, June 24. /TASS/. About 14,000 troops, over 200 latest and WWII military hardware and 75 aircraft took part in the military parade on Moscow’s Red Square devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War.
This year, the Victory Parade on Moscow’s Red Square was attended by Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, Moldovan President Igor Dodon, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and South Ossetian President Anatoly Bibilov.
As Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on June 23, the Kremlin treats with understanding the situation that some foreign leaders were unable to come to the Victory Parade in Moscow due to the restrictions introduced over the coronavirus pandemic.
Foot columns
The parade's historical part was opened by the units carrying the banners of 10 war fronts before the bleachers. They were followed by the servicemen who marched in the war-time uniforms of the infantry, pilots, sailors, engineers, scouts, border guards, and also by the units of the people’s volunteer corps and Cossacks. They marched with war-time small arms in their hands: Simonov self-loading carbines and Mosin rifles, Shpagin and Sudayev submachine guns.
The units of 13 foreign armies representing Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Moldova, Mongolia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan marched across Moscow’s Red Square.
They were followed by servicemen, students and cadets of military educational institutions, cadets of Suvorov infantry and Nakhimov naval military schools, cadets and Young Army Movement members, and also by formations of the Federal Security Service, the Emergencies Ministry and the National Guard and Kremlin cadets.
Mechanized column
The legendary Soviet T-34 tanks and SU-100 self-propelled artillery guns rolled through Moscow’s Red Square along with the latest weapon systems at the military parade devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War.
Twenty-four groups of military hardware that included 200 latest and 18 historical combat vehicles passed in a parade procession through Moscow’s Red Square. The mechanized column's procession was opened by 11 legendary T-34-85 tanks, followed by seven SU-100 self-propelled artillery guns.
The modern armor at Moscow’s military parade was represented by Tigr-M and Taifun armored vehicles with various armament, BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, BMPT ‘Terminator’ tank support combat vehicles, T-72B3, T-14 ‘Amata’ tanks, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, and also by BMD-4M airborne assault vehicles and BTR-MDM ‘Rakushka’ air-droppable armored personnel carriers.
The armor was followed by the heavily upgraded Msta-SM self-propelled artillery guns, the latest Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled artillery systems, Iskander-M tactical missile systems and TOS-1A ‘Solntsepyok’ heavy flamethrowers. The spectators could also see three Yars mobile intercontinental ballistic missile systems.
The mechanized column also included Pantsyr-S1 surface-to-air missile/gun systems and their Arctic Pantsyr-SA versions, S-400 anti-aircraft missile launchers and Tor-M2 air defense missile complexes.
Latest weapon systems unveiled at Moscow’s Victory Parade
Along with the well-known combat vehicles, about 20 latest weapon systems rolled through Moscow’s Red Square during the military parade. Some of them were never demonstrated to the public before. Specifically, Russia demonstrated for the first time TOS-2 ‘Tosochka’ heavy flamethrowers, ISDM remote mine-clearing vehicles, Kurganets-25 infantry fighting vehicles with a combat module and a 57mm gun and upgraded Pantsyr-S1M surface-to-air missile/gun systems with small-size anti-drone missiles.
For the first time ever, heavily upgraded T-90M and T-80BVM tanks, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles with the Berezhok combat module, Tornado-S multiple launch rocket systems, Bal coastal defense missile launchers, Taifun-K 4x4 and Taifun-VDV armored vehicles with remotely controlled combat modules, Armata infantry fighting vehicles with the Kinzhal combat module, Derivatsiya-PVO anti-aircraft artillery systems, Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile systems and also S-350 ‘Vityaz’ battlefield air defense complexes and S-300V4 surface-to-air missile launchers took part in the military parade on Moscow’s Red Square.
The mechanized column also featured Tigr-M and Taifun-K military police armored vehicles that are currently being used by Russian patrols in Syria. The National Guard’s hardware was represented by Patrul and Ural wheeled armored vehicles and also by Tigr special armored vehicles.
The latest Bumerang armored personnel carriers with the banners of all the military branches of the Russian Armed Forces concluded the mechanized column’s procession at the Victory Parade on Moscow’s Red Square.
Air parade
The Victory Parade on Moscow’s Red Square was concluded with the flyover of 75 aircraft and helicopters.
Traditionally, the air parade started with the flyover of helicopters over Red Square. The parade formation included the world’s largest Mi-26 military transport rotorcraft accompanied by four Mi-8 multirole gunships and three groups of five Mi-35 transport/attack helicopters, Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ reconnaissance/strike and Mi-28 helicopters.
The flyover of helicopters was followed by military transport, special-purpose and long-range aircraft represented by A-50 long-range radar surveillance planes, Il-76 military transport aircraft, Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, Tu-160 bombers and Il-78 aerial refueling tankers.
MiG-29 multirole frontline fighters and Su-24 frontline bombers flew next in the parade formation. They were followed by two groups of the latest MiG-31K interceptor-fighters and fifth-generation Su-57 multirole fighter jets.
After that, "a tactical air wing" of ten aircraft flew over Moscow’s Red Square, followed by the world’s renowned Russian Knights and Swifts aerobatic teams.
The air parade was concluded by six Su-25 attack aircraft. They exhausted special fumes in the colors of the Russian national flag.
New date for the parade
Russia postponed its military parade traditionally held on Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 for a later date due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At a video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the anticipated Victory Parade would be held on Moscow’s Red Square on June 24.
The head of state explained he had chosen this date because June 24 was the day when in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place, when soldiers, who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad, who stood their ground for Stalingrad, liberated Europe and stormed Berlin, marched on Red Square.
The Russian president instructed the defense chief to make sure that there weren’t any risks to the health of the military parade’s participants.


tass--2020-06-24--Over 150,000 Russians in Donbass eager to vote on constitutional amendments

ROSTOV-ON-DON , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
Over 150,000 Russian nationals who live in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People ’ s Republics will be able to take part in the nationwide Russian vote on the constitutional amendments in the Rostov Region , First Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma ( lower house ) Committee on CIS Affairs , Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots , Viktor Volodatsky , told TASS .
`` Today more than 150,000 citizens are willing to vote on introducing amendments to the Constitution .
Since June 25 and until July 1 , this number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no difficulties with crossing the border for Russian citizens , they will be able to move freely , '' the lawmaker said .
The Russian citizens , who are currently in the CIS and non-CIS states , will be able to take part in the nationwide Russian vote on the constitutional amendments , Volodatsky said , noting that they will go to the consulates .
The citizens of the Donbass republics have a chance to cross the border and vote in the Rostov Region at the ballot stations opened near the border in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them go to work to the Rostov Region and for family reasons and will be able to vote , he noted .
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on holding national popular vote on amendments to the Constitution on July 1 .
In January 2020 , in his message to the Federal Assembly Putin suggested introducing a number of amendments to the fundamental law that would better meet the modern realities and consolidate the achieved results .
After a special group discussed the proposed amendments the State Duma on March 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reading .
Later in the day the bill was approved by the Federation Council and supported by the legislative assemblies of all of Russia ’ s territories .
The Federation Council considered the results on March 14 and sent its resolution to the president .
Originally Putin signed a decree to hold the national popular vote on the amendments on April 22 .
However , amid the novel coronavirus pandemic Putin addressed the nation on television on March 25 to say that the voting had to be postponed .
The amendments will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plebiscite .
On April 24 , 2019 , Putin signed a decree enabling people living in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People ’ s Republics to receive Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure .
According to the document , the decision was made `` in order to protect human rights and freedoms '' based on universally accepted international laws .
The first passports were issued in Russia ’ s Rostov Region on July 14 .
More than 180,000 citizens of the Donbass republics have received Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

ROSTOV-ON-DON, June 24. /TASS/. Over 150,000 Russian nationals who live in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics will be able to take part in the nationwide Russian vote on the constitutional amendments in the Rostov Region, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma (lower house) Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots, Viktor Volodatsky, told TASS.
"Today more than 150,000 citizens are willing to vote on introducing amendments to the Constitution. Since June 25 and until July 1, this number of citizens will vote. There are no difficulties with crossing the border for Russian citizens, they will be able to move freely," the lawmaker said.
The Russian citizens, who are currently in the CIS and non-CIS states, will be able to take part in the nationwide Russian vote on the constitutional amendments, Volodatsky said, noting that they will go to the consulates.
The citizens of the Donbass republics have a chance to cross the border and vote in the Rostov Region at the ballot stations opened near the border in Novoshakhstinsk, Donetsk and Gukovo. Many of them go to work to the Rostov Region and for family reasons and will be able to vote, he noted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on holding national popular vote on amendments to the Constitution on July 1.
In January 2020, in his message to the Federal Assembly Putin suggested introducing a number of amendments to the fundamental law that would better meet the modern realities and consolidate the achieved results. After a special group discussed the proposed amendments the State Duma on March 11 adopted the presidential bill in the final reading. Later in the day the bill was approved by the Federation Council and supported by the legislative assemblies of all of Russia’s territories. The Federation Council considered the results on March 14 and sent its resolution to the president.
Originally Putin signed a decree to hold the national popular vote on the amendments on April 22. However, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic Putin addressed the nation on television on March 25 to say that the voting had to be postponed. The amendments will take effect only if they are approved in a plebiscite.
On April 24, 2019, Putin signed a decree enabling people living in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics to receive Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure. According to the document, the decision was made "in order to protect human rights and freedoms" based on universally accepted international laws. The first passports were issued in Russia’s Rostov Region on July 14. More than 180,000 citizens of the Donbass republics have received Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure and another 100,000 applications are being processed.


tass--2020-06-24--Chinese woman detained after five newborn babies found in Moscow apartment

MOSCOW , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
Police have detained a Chinese woman , who was in an apartment in northeastern Moscow , where five abandoned newborn babies had been found , a source in the law enforcement agencies told TASS .
`` A citizen of China was in an apartment where the children were found .
Now she has been taken to a police department where she will be questioned , '' the source said .
On Tuesday , five infants aged between six days and six months were found in an apartment in Moscow ’ s Ostankino district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department in Moscow , Yulia Ivanova , said .
Two women were with them .
A human trafficking case was opened .
Moscow Prosecutor Denis Popov will personally control the investigation .
The infants were born via surrogacy for Chinese nationals , a source told TASS .
Police found documents in Russian and Chinese on in vitro fertilization ( IVF ) procedures and contracts on surrogate motherhood .
Police confirmed that five babies were born by surrogate mothers .
Russian children ’ s rights commissioner Anna Kuznetsova told reporters that five infants were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been sent to several medical facilities where they will be examined .
Preliminarily , their health condition is considered as satisfactory . ''
She called for finding legal representatives of these children as soon as possible and for establishing the reasons why they had been left in the apartment .
`` It is most important that the babies are safe and nothing poses a threat to their health , '' she said .

MOSCOW, June 24. /TASS/. Police have detained a Chinese woman, who was in an apartment in northeastern Moscow, where five abandoned newborn babies had been found, a source in the law enforcement agencies told TASS.
"A citizen of China was in an apartment where the children were found. Now she has been taken to a police department where she will be questioned," the source said.
On Tuesday, five infants aged between six days and six months were found in an apartment in Moscow’s Ostankino district, a spokesperson for the Main Investigation Department in Moscow, Yulia Ivanova, said. Two women were with them. A human trafficking case was opened. Moscow Prosecutor Denis Popov will personally control the investigation.
The infants were born via surrogacy for Chinese nationals, a source told TASS. Police found documents in Russian and Chinese on in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures and contracts on surrogate motherhood. Police confirmed that five babies were born by surrogate mothers.
Russian children’s rights commissioner Anna Kuznetsova told reporters that five infants were in satisfactory condition. "The babies have been sent to several medical facilities where they will be examined. Preliminarily, their health condition is considered as satisfactory."
She called for finding legal representatives of these children as soon as possible and for establishing the reasons why they had been left in the apartment. "It is most important that the babies are safe and nothing poses a threat to their health," she said.


tass--2020-06-25--French leader plans to hold video conference with Putin on June 26

PARIS , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
French President Emmanuel Macron plans to hold a video linkup with his Russian @ @ @ @ @ , June 26 , the French president ’ s administration said on Wednesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ format are planned for Monday afternoon , '' a spokesperson for Macron ’ s administration @ @ @ @ @ , the two leaders need to `` ensure further progress in settling crises , including @ @ @ @ @ '' According to the French president ’ s administration , Macron also expects to discuss @ @ @ @ @ ensuring strategic stability , '' the situation in Libya and Iran and the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ two leaders are also expected to address `` the main crises that are on the @ @ @ @ @ agenda . ''
`` The French president believes it is important to consider jointly with @ @ @ @ @ difficult problems , '' the spokesperson said , naming bilateral cooperation , European stability and @ @ @ @

PARIS, June 25. /TASS/. French President Emmanuel Macron plans to hold a video linkup with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday, June 26, the French president’s administration said on Wednesday.
"The talks in the videoconference format are planned for Monday afternoon," a spokesperson for Macron’s administration said.
In his words, the two leaders need to "ensure further progress in settling crises, including the one in Ukraine."
According to the French president’s administration, Macron also expects to discuss with Putin "issues of ensuring strategic stability," the situation in Libya and Iran and the novel coronavirus pandemic. Besides, the two leaders are also expected to address "the main crises that are on the UN Security Council’s agenda."
"The French president believes it is important to consider jointly with Russia a whole range of difficult problems," the spokesperson said, naming bilateral cooperation, European stability and cybersecurity among them.


tass--2020-06-25--Constitutional amendments vote begins in all regions of Russia’s Far East

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
The vote on amendments to the Russian constitution began on Thursday in all the 14 administrative regions of Russia ’ s Far Eastern federal district , regional election commissions and administrative bodies said on Thursday .
In Yakutia , polling stations started their work at 10:00 local time ( 04:00 Mocow time ) .
The region has 816 polling stations in total , including 25 temporary ones , set up at remote mining facilities , military garrisons and meteorological stations .
The vote in Buryatia began at 03:00 Moscow time ( 8:00 local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Amur region launched the process an hour earlier , at 2:00 Moscow time .
At 01:00 Moscow time , the vote began in the Primorye and Khabarovsk regions and the Jewish autonomous region .
The Magadan region opened its polling stations at midnight Moscow time .
Russia ’ s easternmost regions of Kamchatka and Chukotka were the first to begin the vote , at 23:00 Moscow time on Wednesday .
On March 11 , the Russian State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) approved the final reading of the constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin .
On the same day , it was approved by the Russian Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) and Russia ’ s regional parliaments .
The text of the bill was published on the official legal information portal .
After the Constitutional Court ’ s ruling , which states that the bill does not violate the Constitution , a public vote will be held .
If over 50 % of the Russian public approve of the changes , the bill will enter into force .
The vote was initially set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , Putin chose to postpone it due to the situation with the spread of the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) in Russia .
During a working session earlier , Putin approved July 1 , 2020 as the new date for the vote .
The vote will be held over a seven-day period ending on July 1 due to epidemiological concerns .
The document proposes to expand the powers of the Russian parliament and the Russian Constitutional Court , a fixed number of presidential terms , as well as the prevalence of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ document also expands the government ’ s obligations in the social sphere .
The amendments to the Constitution stipulate that the Russian head of state can only serve two terms , however , one of the amendments proposes that the current president can be re-elected if the new version of the Constitution comes into force .

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. The vote on amendments to the Russian constitution began on Thursday in all the 14 administrative regions of Russia’s Far Eastern federal district, regional election commissions and administrative bodies said on Thursday.
In Yakutia, polling stations started their work at 10:00 local time (04:00 Mocow time). The region has 816 polling stations in total, including 25 temporary ones, set up at remote mining facilities, military garrisons and meteorological stations.
The vote in Buryatia began at 03:00 Moscow time (8:00 local time), while the Trans-Baikal Region and the Amur region launched the process an hour earlier, at 2:00 Moscow time.
At 01:00 Moscow time, the vote began in the Primorye and Khabarovsk regions and the Jewish autonomous region.
The Magadan region opened its polling stations at midnight Moscow time.
Russia’s easternmost regions of Kamchatka and Chukotka were the first to begin the vote, at 23:00 Moscow time on Wednesday.
About the constitutional amendments vote
On March 11, the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) approved the final reading of the constitutional amendments bill proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the same day, it was approved by the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) and Russia’s regional parliaments.
The text of the bill was published on the official legal information portal. After the Constitutional Court’s ruling, which states that the bill does not violate the Constitution, a public vote will be held. If over 50% of the Russian public approve of the changes, the bill will enter into force.
The vote was initially set to take place on April 22, however, Putin chose to postpone it due to the situation with the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Russia. During a working session earlier, Putin approved July 1, 2020 as the new date for the vote. The vote will be held over a seven-day period ending on July 1 due to epidemiological concerns.
The document proposes to expand the powers of the Russian parliament and the Russian Constitutional Court, a fixed number of presidential terms, as well as the prevalence of the Russian Constitution over international agreements. The document also expands the government’s obligations in the social sphere. The amendments to the Constitution stipulate that the Russian head of state can only serve two terms, however, one of the amendments proposes that the current president can be re-elected if the new version of the Constitution comes into force.


tass--2020-06-25--Tactical nuclear arms among issues discussed by Russia, US in Vienna — Pentagon official

WASHINGTON , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
US and Russian envoys raised the issue of tactical nuclear weapons during their arms control talks in Vienna earlier this week , a senior US Department of Defense official told reporters on Wednesday .
Deputy Commander of the US Strategic Command ( USSTRATCOM ) Lt. Gen. Thomas Bussiere told reporters that participants of the talks discussed Russia ’ s recently adopted state policy on nuclear deterrence .
In his words , the US side sought `` a greater , deeper understanding '' of the matter .
`` We have an opportunity to briefly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our questions and concerns and clarifying aspects of that document , '' the US defense official said .
`` In conjunction with that was a need and a desire to go forward and also to have a discussion not only on the greater meaning of that doctrine , to alleviate any misunderstandings or misperceptions , but to have a greater understanding and discussion on what we are terming as non-strategic nuclear weapons , also known as tactical nuclear weapons , '' he went on .
`` And so we agreed that < … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a greater , deeper understanding between the United States and the Russian Federation on what their doctrine means and how those non-strategic < … > nuclear weapons fit into that , '' Bussiere added .
On June 22 , Russia and the United States held talks on strategic stability and arms control behind closed doors in Vienna .
The countries ’ delegations were headed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea .
The renewal of New START was also on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin signed on June 2 a decree on approving the fundamentals of the nuclear deterrence policy .
The document signed by the Russian president replaces a similar one approved 10 years ago and valid until 2020 .
The new strategy confirms that Russia ’ s state policy in the sphere of nuclear deterrence is of a defensive nature .
One of the document ’ s main principles is compliance with international arms control obligations .

WASHINGTON, June 25. /TASS/. US and Russian envoys raised the issue of tactical nuclear weapons during their arms control talks in Vienna earlier this week, a senior US Department of Defense official told reporters on Wednesday.
Deputy Commander of the US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Lt. Gen. Thomas Bussiere told reporters that participants of the talks discussed Russia’s recently adopted state policy on nuclear deterrence. In his words, the US side sought "a greater, deeper understanding" of the matter.
"We have an opportunity to briefly go through with the Russian General Staff our questions and concerns and clarifying aspects of that document," the US defense official said.
"In conjunction with that was a need and a desire to go forward and also to have a discussion not only on the greater meaning of that doctrine, to alleviate any misunderstandings or misperceptions, but to have a greater understanding and discussion on what we are terming as non-strategic nuclear weapons, also known as tactical nuclear weapons," he went on.
"And so we agreed that <…> that would be a wonderful opportunity to get a greater, deeper understanding between the United States and the Russian Federation on what their doctrine means and how those non-strategic <…> nuclear weapons fit into that," Bussiere added.
On June 22, Russia and the United States held talks on strategic stability and arms control behind closed doors in Vienna. The countries’ delegations were headed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea. The renewal of New START was also on the table of the talks.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed on June 2 a decree on approving the fundamentals of the nuclear deterrence policy. The document signed by the Russian president replaces a similar one approved 10 years ago and valid until 2020. The new strategy confirms that Russia’s state policy in the sphere of nuclear deterrence is of a defensive nature. One of the document’s main principles is compliance with international arms control obligations.


tass--2020-06-25--US files new indictment against WikiLeaks founder Assange

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
The US Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that a new indictment has been filed against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange .
`` A federal grand jury returned a second superseding indictment today charging Julian P. Assange , the founder of WikiLeaks , with offenses that relate to Assange ’ s alleged role in one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States , '' the Department of Justice said in a statement , published on its website .
`` The new indictment does not add additional counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Assange in May 2019 .
It does , however , broaden the scope of the conspiracy surrounding alleged computer intrusions with which Assange was previously charged , '' the Department of Justice said .
Among other things , the document mentions Assange ’ s ties with the hacker group known as Anonymous .
Julian Assange founded the WikiLeaks portal in 2006 to publish classified information about the activities of a number of governments , including that of the United States .
After harassment charges had been brought against him in Sweden in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Ecuadorian Embassy to escape extradition .
In April 2019 , Ecuador ’ s President Lenin Moreno withdrew his asylum and Assange was arrested by the United Kingdom ’ s Metropolitan Police over his failure to appear in court in London in 2012 , as well as on a 2018 extradition request from Washington .
If extradited to the United States and found guilty on all charges , Assange could face up to 175 years in prison .

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. The US Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that a new indictment has been filed against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
"A federal grand jury returned a second superseding indictment today charging Julian P. Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, with offenses that relate to Assange’s alleged role in one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States," the Department of Justice said in a statement, published on its website.
"The new indictment does not add additional counts to the prior 18-count superseding indictment returned against Assange in May 2019. It does, however, broaden the scope of the conspiracy surrounding alleged computer intrusions with which Assange was previously charged," the Department of Justice said.
Among other things, the document mentions Assange’s ties with the hacker group known as Anonymous.
Julian Assange founded the WikiLeaks portal in 2006 to publish classified information about the activities of a number of governments, including that of the United States. After harassment charges had been brought against him in Sweden in 2012, Assange sought refuge in London's Ecuadorian Embassy to escape extradition. In April 2019, Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno withdrew his asylum and Assange was arrested by the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police over his failure to appear in court in London in 2012, as well as on a 2018 extradition request from Washington.
If extradited to the United States and found guilty on all charges, Assange could face up to 175 years in prison.


tass--2020-06-25--Japanese authorities annul plan to deploy Aegis Ashore systems — agency

TOKYO , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono announced on Thursday that the country ’ s authorities had made the decision to annul the plan of deploying US-made Aegis Ashore missile defense systems in its Akita and Yamaguchi prefectures , the Kyodo news agency reported .
According to the agency , the decision was made during a session of the National Security Council on Wednesday .
Japan ’ s Defense Minister Taro Kono said earlier this month the Japanese government had decided to suspend its plans to deploy the US Aegis Ashore land-based ballistic missile defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that it was impossible to guarantee the fall of boosters strictly on the territory of military bases or at sea .
Therefore , the deployment created safety risks for the civilian population , he said , adding that fixing that drawback would require a significant amount of time and funding .
Meanwhile , experts say that the Aegis Ashore modification planned for the deployment in Japan will be useless against advanced ballistic and cruise missiles .
The US administration has already approved the sale of two Aegis Ashore systems to Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Yamaguchi prefecture in the southwest of Japan main island of Honshu and in the Akita prefecture in its north .
Japan planned to deploy the Aegis Ashore systems to shield actually its entire territory from a ballistic missile strike .
Japan ’ s planned purchases of two US Aegis Ashore systems are estimated at about 268 billion yen ( over $ 2.5 billion ) .
Russia and China have numerously expressed their concern over the systems ’ deployment , pointing out that this move will affect the balance of forces in @ @ @

TOKYO, June 25. /TASS/. Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono announced on Thursday that the country’s authorities had made the decision to annul the plan of deploying US-made Aegis Ashore missile defense systems in its Akita and Yamaguchi prefectures, the Kyodo news agency reported.
According to the agency, the decision was made during a session of the National Security Council on Wednesday.
Japan’s Defense Minister Taro Kono said earlier this month the Japanese government had decided to suspend its plans to deploy the US Aegis Ashore land-based ballistic missile defense system. He explained the move by the fact that it was impossible to guarantee the fall of boosters strictly on the territory of military bases or at sea. Therefore, the deployment created safety risks for the civilian population, he said, adding that fixing that drawback would require a significant amount of time and funding. Meanwhile, experts say that the Aegis Ashore modification planned for the deployment in Japan will be useless against advanced ballistic and cruise missiles.
The US administration has already approved the sale of two Aegis Ashore systems to Japan. They were planned for their deployment in the Yamaguchi prefecture in the southwest of Japan main island of Honshu and in the Akita prefecture in its north.
Japan planned to deploy the Aegis Ashore systems to shield actually its entire territory from a ballistic missile strike. Japan’s planned purchases of two US Aegis Ashore systems are estimated at about 268 billion yen (over $2.5 billion). Russia and China have numerously expressed their concern over the systems’ deployment, pointing out that this move will affect the balance of forces in the region.


tass--2020-06-25--First polling stations open  in Russia’s easternmost regions

MOSCOW , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Vote on amendments to the Russian constitution began on Thursday in Russia ’ s easternmost regions of Kamchatka and Chukotka , spokespersons for regional election commissions told TASS on Thursday .
`` A total of 183 polling stations will open in Kamchatka today , [ including ] 66 in the region ’ s capital .
Some of them are already operating , starting from 08:00 local time ( 23:00 Wednesday Moscow time ) .
On June 10-25 , about 4,300 people , including sailors , servicemen , fishing and mining industry workers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions , cast their ballots in an early vote , '' an official with the Kamchatka election commission said .
A total of 55 polling stations are to open in Chukotka on Thursday , some of them are already operating .
Some 1,300 people cast their ballots within the two weeks since the start of the early vote .
On March 11 , the Russian State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) approved the final reading of the constitutional amendments bill proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin .
On the same day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) and Russia ’ s regional parliaments .
The text of the bill was published on the official legal information portal .
After the Constitutional Court ’ s ruling , which states that the bill does not violate the Constitution , a public vote will be held .
If over 50 % of the Russian public approve of the changes , the bill will enter into force .
The vote was initially set to take place on April 22 , however , Putin chose to postpone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) in Russia .
During a working session earlier , Putin approved July 1 , 2020 as the new date for the vote .
The vote will be held over a seven-day period ending on July 1 due to epidemiological concerns .
The document proposes to expand the powers of the Russian parliament and the Russian Constitutional Court , a fixed number of presidential terms , as well as the prevalence of the Russian Constitution over international agreements .
The document also expands the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The amendments to the Constitution stipulate that the Russian head of state can only serve two terms , however , one of the amendments proposes that the current president can be re-elected if the new version of the Constitution comes into force .

MOSCOW, June 25. /TASS/. Vote on amendments to the Russian constitution began on Thursday in Russia’s easternmost regions of Kamchatka and Chukotka, spokespersons for regional election commissions told TASS on Thursday.
"A total of 183 polling stations will open in Kamchatka today, [including] 66 in the region’s capital. Some of them are already operating, starting from 08:00 local time (23:00 Wednesday Moscow time). On June 10-25, about 4,300 people, including sailors, servicemen, fishing and mining industry workers and residents of the peninsula’s remote regions, cast their ballots in an early vote," an official with the Kamchatka election commission said.
A total of 55 polling stations are to open in Chukotka on Thursday, some of them are already operating. Some 1,300 people cast their ballots within the two weeks since the start of the early vote.
About the constitutional amendments vote
On March 11, the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) approved the final reading of the constitutional amendments bill proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the same day, it was approved by the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) and Russia’s regional parliaments.
The text of the bill was published on the official legal information portal. After the Constitutional Court’s ruling, which states that the bill does not violate the Constitution, a public vote will be held. If over 50% of the Russian public approve of the changes, the bill will enter into force.
The vote was initially set to take place on April 22, however, Putin chose to postpone it due to the situation with the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Russia. During a working session earlier, Putin approved July 1, 2020 as the new date for the vote. The vote will be held over a seven-day period ending on July 1 due to epidemiological concerns.
The document proposes to expand the powers of the Russian parliament and the Russian Constitutional Court, a fixed number of presidential terms, as well as the prevalence of the Russian Constitution over international agreements. The document also expands the government’s obligations in the social sphere. The amendments to the Constitution stipulate that the Russian head of state can only serve two terms, however, one of the amendments proposes that the current president can be re-elected if the new version of the Constitution comes into force.


tass--2020-06-25--Germany hails Russia-US nuclear arms control talks — foreign ministry

BERLIN , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
Germany hails the nuclear arms control talks between Russia and the United States and calls for renewal of the Russian-US nuclear arms reduction treaty ( known as the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty or New START ) , German Foreign Office Spokesperson Christofer Burger said at a briefing in Berlin on Wednesday .
`` The federal government welcomes the fact that Russia and the United States held a constructive round of strategic talks .
A good signal is that both sides have agreed to continue the dialogue , '' he said .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that New Start is a bilateral treaty , it is `` crucial for Europe '' , as it forms a proper basis for disarmament .
On June 22 , Russia and the United States held talks on strategic stability and arms control behind closed doors in Vienna .
The countries ’ delegations were headed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea .
The renewal of New START was also on the table of the talks .
The Treaty between the United States of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( the New START Treaty ) entered into force on February 5 , 2011 .
The document stipulates that seven years after its entry into effect each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles ( ICBM ) , submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBM ) and strategic bombers , as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs , deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers , and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The New START Treaty will remain in force for 10 years , until February 5 , 2021 , unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms .
It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years ( that is , until 2026 ) by the parties ’ mutual consent .
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as a golden standard in the area of disarmament .

BERLIN, June 24. /TASS/. Germany hails the nuclear arms control talks between Russia and the United States and calls for renewal of the Russian-US nuclear arms reduction treaty (known as the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty or New START), German Foreign Office Spokesperson Christofer Burger said at a briefing in Berlin on Wednesday.
"The federal government welcomes the fact that Russia and the United States held a constructive round of strategic talks. A good signal is that both sides have agreed to continue the dialogue," he said.
According to the spokesman, despite the fact, that New Start is a bilateral treaty, it is "crucial for Europe", as it forms a proper basis for disarmament.
On June 22, Russia and the United States held talks on strategic stability and arms control behind closed doors in Vienna. The countries’ delegations were headed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea. The renewal of New START was also on the table of the talks.
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) entered into force on February 5, 2011. The document stipulates that seven years after its entry into effect each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and strategic bombers, as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers, and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers, SLBM launchers and strategic bombers.
The New START Treaty will remain in force for 10 years, until February 5, 2021, unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years (that is, until 2026) by the parties’ mutual consent.
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as a golden standard in the area of disarmament.


tass--2020-06-25--Indian defense minister proud of Indian soldiers’ participation in parade in Moscow

MOSCOW , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh was very proud when Indian soldiers were marching @ @ @ @ @ Square in the Victory Day Parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ @ @ @ @ @ Two , he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday .
`` Impressive turnout of the Tri-Service @ @ @ @ @ Forces at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow is indeed an extremely proud and happy @ @ @ @ @ Singh wrote .
Rajnath Singh , who is on a three-day visit to Russia at @ @ @ @ @ Defense Ministry , congratulated the Russians and WWII veterans on the 75th anniversary of the @ @ @ @ @ to the security of India and other nations .

MOSCOW, June 24. /TASS/. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh was very proud when Indian soldiers were marching through Moscow’s Red Square in the Victory Day Parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War Two, he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.
"Impressive turnout of the Tri-Service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces at the Victory Day Parade in Moscow is indeed an extremely proud and happy moment for me," Singh wrote.
Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Russia at the invitation from the Russian Defense Ministry, congratulated the Russians and WWII veterans on the 75th anniversary of the Victory, underscoring its contribution to the security of India and other nations.


tass--2020-06-25--Russia, US moved forward in their understanding of nuclear disarmament in Vienna - DoS

WASHINGTON , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
The recent discussions in Vienna helped Russia and the United States move forward in their understanding of nuclear disarmament issues , US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea told reporters on Wednesday .
`` Our discussions in Vienna < … > with the Russians were productive , and , I think , have moved us forward in an understanding of the issues where we can work together and those issues that may still separate us , '' he said .
According to Billingslea , Washington sees the possibility of the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late June or early August .
The United States is ready to extend the Russian-US New START treaty on the reduction of strategic offensive weapons , but only under ‘ select circumstances , ’ Billingslea said .
`` On the matter of New START , we are leaving all options available .
We are willing to contemplate an extension of that agreement , but only under select circumstances , '' the US diplomat said .
He said the US `` agree completely '' with Russia that a new agreement in this sphere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Moscow and Washington have different views on who should also join the deal .
In his words , Russia wants Germany and France to join the new treaty , while Washington insists on China ’ s participation .
Among other ‘ select circumstances , ’ the US official named an effecive compliance verification regime .
On June 22 , Russia and the United States held talks on strategic stability and arms control behind closed doors in Vienna .
The countries ’ delegations were headed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marshall Billingslea .
The renewal of New START was also on the table of the talks .
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( the New START Treaty ) entered into force on February 5 , 2011 .
It will remain in force for 10 years , until February 5 , 2021 , unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 5 years ( that is , until 2026 ) by the parties ’ mutual consent .
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as a golden standard in the area of disarmament .

WASHINGTON, June 24. /TASS/. The recent discussions in Vienna helped Russia and the United States move forward in their understanding of nuclear disarmament issues, US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea told reporters on Wednesday.
"Our discussions in Vienna <…> with the Russians were productive, and, I think, have moved us forward in an understanding of the issues where we can work together and those issues that may still separate us," he said.
According to Billingslea, Washington sees the possibility of the second round of nuclear disarmament talks with Russia in late June or early August.
New START
The United States is ready to extend the Russian-US New START treaty on the reduction of strategic offensive weapons, but only under ‘select circumstances,’ Billingslea said.
"On the matter of New START, we are leaving all options available. We are willing to contemplate an extension of that agreement, but only under select circumstances," the US diplomat said.
He said the US "agree completely" with Russia that a new agreement in this sphere needs to be multilateral, but added that Moscow and Washington have different views on who should also join the deal.
In his words, Russia wants Germany and France to join the new treaty, while Washington insists on China’s participation.
Among other ‘select circumstances,’ the US official named an effecive compliance verification regime.
On June 22, Russia and the United States held talks on strategic stability and arms control behind closed doors in Vienna. The countries’ delegations were headed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea. The renewal of New START was also on the table of the talks.
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) entered into force on February 5, 2011. It will remain in force for 10 years, until February 5, 2021, unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years (that is, until 2026) by the parties’ mutual consent.
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as a golden standard in the area of disarmament.


tass--2020-06-25--Moscow reports 12 new coronavirus deaths in past day

MOSCOW , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
Twelve patients diagnosed with COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , died in Moscow over the past 24 hours , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Wednesday .
`` Twelve patients have passed away in Moscow .
Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection , '' the center informed .
To date , a total of 3,669 deaths from confirmed COVID-19 have been registered in the Russian capital .
According to statistics , Wednesday ’ s single-day death toll is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven people died .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 9.2 million people have been infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported .
To date , 606,881 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 368,822 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 8,513 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 24. /TASS/. Twelve patients diagnosed with COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, died in Moscow over the past 24 hours, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Wednesday.
"Twelve patients have passed away in Moscow. Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection," the center informed.
To date, a total of 3,669 deaths from confirmed COVID-19 have been registered in the Russian capital. According to statistics, Wednesday’s single-day death toll is the lowest since April 15, when seven people died.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 9.2 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 475,000 deaths have been reported. To date, 606,881 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 368,822 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 8,513 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-25--WHO reports single-day increase in coronavirus cases by over 135,000

GENEVA , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
More than 135,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , surpassing 9.12 million , while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 4,000 to near 474,000 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Wednesday .
As of 11.00 Moscow time on June 24 , as many as 9,129,146 novel coronavirus cases and 473,797 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 135,212 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are based on officially confirmed data from the countries .
The day before , the organization reported 133,326 new cases and 3,847 deaths throughout the world .
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 4,507,006 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 68,785 and the number of deaths - by 2,274 to top 226,504 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,581,602 and the number of fatalities is 194,530 .
In the past 24 hours , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of deaths went up by 736 .
The East Mediterranean region has 950,730 cases and 21,439 fatalities .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 17,678 and the number of deaths - by 442 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was registered in the United States ( 2,295,272 ) , followed by Brazil ( 1,106,470 ) , Russia ( 606,881 ) , India ( 456,183 ) , the United Kingdom ( 306,214 ) , Peru ( 257,447 ) , Chile ( 250,767 ) , Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and Iran ( 209,970 ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, June 24. /TASS/. More than 135,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, surpassing 9.12 million, while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 4,000 to near 474,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Wednesday.
As of 11.00 Moscow time on June 24, as many as 9,129,146 novel coronavirus cases and 473,797 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 135,212 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,187. The WHO statistics are based on officially confirmed data from the countries. The day before, the organization reported 133,326 new cases and 3,847 deaths throughout the world.
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 4,507,006. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 68,785 and the number of deaths - by 2,274 to top 226,504. The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,581,602 and the number of fatalities is 194,530. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew, by 18,960 and the number of deaths went up by 736.
The East Mediterranean region has 950,730 cases and 21,439 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 17,678 and the number of deaths - by 442.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was registered in the United States (2,295,272), followed by Brazil (1,106,470), Russia (606,881), India (456,183), the United Kingdom (306,214), Peru (257,447), Chile (250,767), Spain (246,752), Italy (238,833), and Iran (209,970).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-06-24--Putin says his circle cannot include those who do not believe in Russia

MOSCOW , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that his entourage can not have people @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
`` Who has said , ‘ I hope your entourage does not include @ @ @ @ @ in Russia ’ ?
There can not be anyone in my circle who do not @ @ @ @ @ is absolutely ruled out , '' Putin said while talking to State Awards winners on @ @ @ @ @ ’ 24 television channel .
On Wednesday , Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the 2019 @ @ @ @ @ technology , literature and arts , as well as for humanitarian , charity and human @ @ @ @ @ Russian president said earlier in an interview for the Russia .
The Kremlin .
Putin @ @ @ @ @ comfortable among ordinary people as he was born into a working-class family .

MOSCOW, June 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that his entourage cannot have people who do not believe in Russia.
"Who has said, ‘I hope your entourage does not include people who do not believe in Russia’? There cannot be anyone in my circle who do not believe in Russia! It is absolutely ruled out," Putin said while talking to State Awards winners on Wednesday, aired by Rossiya’24 television channel.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the 2019 State Awards in science, technology, literature and arts, as well as for humanitarian, charity and human rights protection activities.
The Russian president said earlier in an interview for the Russia. The Kremlin. Putin documentary that he feels very comfortable among ordinary people as he was born into a working-class family.


tass--2020-06-24--Putin hopeful life will soon return to normal after pandemic

MOSCOW , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes that life will soon return to normal after @ @ @ @ @ called for vigilance in the wake of the infection spread .
`` I hope that @ @ @ @ @ will take its normal course .
It will be a bit easier and calmer to @ @ @ @ @ while talking with State Award winners on Wednesday , aired by Rossiya ’ 24 television @ @ @ @ @ I have said in public that we should be careful .
Doctors know what I @ @ @ @ @ he added .
On Wednesday , Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the 2019 State Awards @ @ @ @ @ literature and arts , as well as for humanitarian , charity and human rights protection @ @

MOSCOW, June 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes that life will soon return to normal after the coronavirus pandemic, but called for vigilance in the wake of the infection spread.
"I hope that life will get restored, will take its normal course. It will be a bit easier and calmer to work," he said while talking with State Award winners on Wednesday, aired by Rossiya’24 television channel.
"Nevertheless, I have said in public that we should be careful. Doctors know what I am talking about," he added.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the 2019 State Awards in science, technology, literature and arts, as well as for humanitarian, charity and human rights protection activities.


tass--2020-06-24--Russia ready to contribute to launch of direct Israeli-Palestinian talks - envoy to UN

UNITED NATIONS , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
As a member of the Middle East Quartet ( Russia , the United States , the European Union and the United Nations ) , Russia stands ready to take steps for the launch of direct negotiation between Israel and Palestine , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said at a session of the UN Security Council on Wednesday .
The ambassador pointed out that annexation of a part of Palestinian land would have a negative impact on both the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and on the situation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more important than ever to advance in the peace process .
As a member of the Quartet , Russia is ready to make every step possible to launch direct talks between Israel and Palestine , '' he said .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 17 it was time to annex some of the Palestinian territories on the West Bank for the construction of Jewish settlements .
The statement was made when he presented his cabinet of ministers , formed as a result of the March 2 elections , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On May 25 , Netanyahu confirmed that he intended to take steps to annex parts of the West Bank in July .

UNITED NATIONS, June 24. /TASS/. As a member of the Middle East Quartet (Russia, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations), Russia stands ready to take steps for the launch of direct negotiation between Israel and Palestine, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said at a session of the UN Security Council on Wednesday.
The ambassador pointed out that annexation of a part of Palestinian land would have a negative impact on both the Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and on the situation in the region.
"Today, international cooperation is more important than ever to advance in the peace process. As a member of the Quartet, Russia is ready to make every step possible to launch direct talks between Israel and Palestine," he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 17 it was time to annex some of the Palestinian territories on the West Bank for the construction of Jewish settlements. The statement was made when he presented his cabinet of ministers, formed as a result of the March 2 elections, to the country’s unicameral parliament. On May 25, Netanyahu confirmed that he intended to take steps to annex parts of the West Bank in July.


tass--2020-06-24--WHO expects global coronavirus cases will surpass 10mln within next week

GENEVA , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) expects that global coronavirus cases will @ @ @ @ @ million next week , WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in @ @ @ @ @ We expect to reach a total of ten million cases within the next week , @ @ @ @ @ WHO Director-General added that more than 9.1 million COVID-19 cases and more than 470,000 deaths @ @ @ @ @ the WHO .

GENEVA, June 24. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) expects that global coronavirus cases will reach a total of ten million next week, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva on Wednesday.
"We expect to reach a total of ten million cases within the next week," he said.
The WHO Director-General added that more than 9.1 million COVID-19 cases and more than 470,000 deaths had been already reported to the WHO.


tass--2020-06-24--Kazakh president says heroic deeds of WWII soldiers will always be remembered

NUR-SULTAN , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
The heroic deeds of soldiers killed in the Second World War will always be remembered by the people , Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrote on Twitter on Wednesday .
Tokayev attended the Victory Day parade in Moscow earlier today .
`` On the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin , I attended the military parade in Moscow timed to the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory , '' he wrote , adding that units of the Kazakh military took part in the parade .
The Kazakh leader also wrote that he had laid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unknown Soldier in the Kremlin in memory of the soldiers killed in the Second World War .
`` Their heroic deed will always be in our hearts , '' Tokayev said .
After the Victory Day parade held in Moscow on June 24 , Russian President Vladimir Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin Wall honoring the memory of those killed in the Second World War .
Foreign leaders invited to the Victory Day parade also participated in the wreath-laying ceremony .
Leaders of Abkhazia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik ) , Kazakhstan , Moldova , Serbia , Tajikistan , Uzbekistan and South Ossetia were among the honored guests of the parade .

NUR-SULTAN, June 24. /TASS/. The heroic deeds of soldiers killed in the Second World War will always be remembered by the people, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. Tokayev attended the Victory Day parade in Moscow earlier today.
"On the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, I attended the military parade in Moscow timed to the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory," he wrote, adding that units of the Kazakh military took part in the parade.
The Kazakh leader also wrote that he had laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Kremlin in memory of the soldiers killed in the Second World War. "Their heroic deed will always be in our hearts," Tokayev said.
After the Victory Day parade held in Moscow on June 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin Wall honoring the memory of those killed in the Second World War.
Foreign leaders invited to the Victory Day parade also participated in the wreath-laying ceremony. Leaders of Abkhazia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik), Kazakhstan, Moldova, Serbia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and South Ossetia were among the honored guests of the parade.


tass--2020-06-24--Serbian president says experienced amazing feelings during Victory Day Parade in Moscow

BELGRADE , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has experienced unbelievable moments when he was watching Serbian soldiers march through Red Square during the Victory Day Parade in Moscow marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War Two , Vucic wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday .
`` The guardsmen were great .
Those are amazing feelings when you are standing on Red Square and Serbian soldiers are marching .
I wanted to show by pointing to my heart how much I love the Serbian flag and army as well as Serbia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Serbian leader wrote .
The Serbian president is visiting Moscow for the Victory Day Parade .
This year , 75 members of the Serbian National Guards participated in the parade .
After the parade , Russian President Vladimir Putin laid flowers at the Eternal Flame of the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier , paying tribute to the Soviet soldiers fallen in World War Two .
The visiting foreign leaders of Abkhazia , Belarus , Bosnia and Herzegovina ( the Serb member of the Bosnian presidency Milorad Dodik - TASS ) , Kazakhstan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uzbekistan and South Ossetia joined the Russian president in the flower laying ceremony .

BELGRADE, June 24. /TASS/. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has experienced unbelievable moments when he was watching Serbian soldiers march through Red Square during the Victory Day Parade in Moscow marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War Two, Vucic wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
"The guardsmen were great. Those are amazing feelings when you are standing on Red Square and Serbian soldiers are marching. I wanted to show by pointing to my heart how much I love the Serbian flag and army as well as Serbia. It is a special feeling," the Serbian leader wrote.
The Serbian president is visiting Moscow for the Victory Day Parade. This year, 75 members of the Serbian National Guards participated in the parade.
After the parade, Russian President Vladimir Putin laid flowers at the Eternal Flame of the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier, paying tribute to the Soviet soldiers fallen in World War Two. The visiting foreign leaders of Abkhazia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Serb member of the Bosnian presidency Milorad Dodik - TASS), Kazakhstan, Moldova, Serbia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and South Ossetia joined the Russian president in the flower laying ceremony.


tass--2020-06-24--Bosnian Serb leader talks to Putin, Russian defense minister after parade in Moscow

BELGRADE , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
Milorad Dodik , the Serb Member of Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina , held brief talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu after the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on Wednesday , Srpska Republika News Agency ( SRNA ) has reported .
In the footage released by the agency , Dodik and Putin were shaking hands and the Bosnian Serb leader was briefly discussing something with the Russian president .
Then , Dodik talked to Shoigu , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko , South Ossetia ’ s President Anatoly Bibilov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Serb leader Milorad Dodik is visiting Moscow to watch the Victory Day Parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s victory in World War Two .
After the parade , Russian President Vladimir Putin laid flowers at the Eternal Flame of the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier , paying tribute to the Soviet soldiers fallen in World War Two .
The visiting foreign leaders of Abkhazia , Belarus , Bosnia and Herzegovina ( the Serb member of the Bosnian presidency Milorad Dodik - TASS ) , Kazakhstan , Moldova , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ossetia joined the Russian president in the flower laying ceremony .

BELGRADE, June 24. /TASS/. Milorad Dodik, the Serb Member of Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held brief talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu after the Victory Day Parade in Moscow on Wednesday, Srpska Republika News Agency (SRNA) has reported.
In the footage released by the agency, Dodik and Putin were shaking hands and the Bosnian Serb leader was briefly discussing something with the Russian president. Then, Dodik talked to Shoigu, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, South Ossetia’s President Anatoly Bibilov and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik is visiting Moscow to watch the Victory Day Parade marking the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War Two.
After the parade, Russian President Vladimir Putin laid flowers at the Eternal Flame of the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier, paying tribute to the Soviet soldiers fallen in World War Two. The visiting foreign leaders of Abkhazia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Serb member of the Bosnian presidency Milorad Dodik - TASS), Kazakhstan, Moldova, Serbia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and South Ossetia joined the Russian president in the flower laying ceremony.


tass--2020-06-24--Dodon: foreign troops marching in Russia’s Victory Day parade symbol of shared victory

CHISINAU , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
The participation of foreign troops in the Victory Day parade held in Moscow demonstrates the shared victory over Nazism , Moldovan President Igor Dodon said on Wednesday on Facebook .
`` I have had the honor of attending the military parade that took place in Moscow on the Red Square on the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War .
I have welcomed parade units from different countries marching across the Red Square symbolizing the shared victory of former Soviet Union states and Europe over fascism along with the presidents of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan , '' the president wrote .
`` I have been especially honored to see the 75 servicemen of the Honorary Guard of the National Army of the Republic of Moldova .
I would like to note that 23 of them have grandfathers that fought in the Second World War , so today ’ s participation of our troops shows the direct link between generations , reminding us of the importance of honoring the memory and the great deeds of our ancestors , '' he noted .
After the Victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 , Russian President Vladimir Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin Wall honoring the memory of those killed in the Second World War .
Foreign leaders invited to the Victory Day parade also participated in the wreath-laying ceremony .
Leaders of Abkhazia , Belarus , Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik ) , Kazakhstan , Moldova , Serbia , Tajikistan , Uzbekistan and South Ossetia were among the honored guests of the parade .

CHISINAU, June 24. /TASS/. The participation of foreign troops in the Victory Day parade held in Moscow demonstrates the shared victory over Nazism, Moldovan President Igor Dodon said on Wednesday on Facebook.
"I have had the honor of attending the military parade that took place in Moscow on the Red Square on the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. I have welcomed parade units from different countries marching across the Red Square symbolizing the shared victory of former Soviet Union states and Europe over fascism along with the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan," the president wrote.
"I have been especially honored to see the 75 servicemen of the Honorary Guard of the National Army of the Republic of Moldova. I would like to note that 23 of them have grandfathers that fought in the Second World War, so today’s participation of our troops shows the direct link between generations, reminding us of the importance of honoring the memory and the great deeds of our ancestors," he noted.
After the Victory Day parade held in Moscow on June 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin Wall honoring the memory of those killed in the Second World War.
Foreign leaders invited to the Victory Day parade also participated in the wreath-laying ceremony. Leaders of Abkhazia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik), Kazakhstan, Moldova, Serbia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and South Ossetia were among the honored guests of the parade.


tass--2020-06-24--Admiral Makarov frigate passing through Black Sea straits into Mediterranean

SEVASTOPOL , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Admiral Makarov frigate of the Black Sea Fleet is heading into the @ @ @ @ @ s standing naval force , the Fleet ’ s press office said on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s Admiral Makarov frigate has begun transiting the Black Sea straits of the Bosphorus @ @ @ @ @ Sea , '' the fleet said in a statement .
The frigate crew is on @ @ @ @ @ Black Sea into an off-shore maritime zone .
The Admiral Makarov is due to join @ @ @ @ @ The Admiral Makarov is the third Project 11356 blue-water frigate named after Imperial Russian Navy @ @ @ @ @ Stepan Makarov .
The Project 11356 frigates have a displacement of 4,000 tonnes , a @ @ @ @ @ a speed of 30 knots and their sea endurance is 30 days .
They are @ @ @ @ @ , Shtil-1 surface-to-air missile complexes , A-190 100mm artillery guns , air defense artillery , @ @ @ @ @ can also carry a deck-based Kamov Ka-27 ( or Ka-31 ) helicopter .

SEVASTOPOL, June 24. /TASS/. The Admiral Makarov frigate of the Black Sea Fleet is heading into the Mediterranean to join Russia’s standing naval force, the Fleet’s press office said on Wednesday.
"The Black Sea Fleet’s Admiral Makarov frigate has begun transiting the Black Sea straits of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles towards the Mediterranean Sea," the fleet said in a statement.
The frigate crew is on a scheduled trip from the Black Sea into an off-shore maritime zone. The Admiral Makarov is due to join the standing naval force.
The Admiral Makarov is the third Project 11356 blue-water frigate named after Imperial Russian Navy Commander, Oceanographer and Vice-Admiral Stepan Makarov. The Project 11356 frigates have a displacement of 4,000 tonnes, a length of 124.8 meters, a speed of 30 knots and their sea endurance is 30 days. They are armed with Kalibr-NK cruise missiles, Shtil-1 surface-to-air missile complexes, A-190 100mm artillery guns, air defense artillery, rocket launchers and torpedoes and can also carry a deck-based Kamov Ka-27 (or Ka-31) helicopter.


tass--2020-06-24--Putin says Russia will never forget allies’ contribution to victory over Nazi Germany

MOSCOW , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will never forget the contribution to achieving the Victory by the Soviet Union ’ s allies in the anti-Hitler coalition as well as that by all the fighters against Nazism , Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the military parade on Moscow ’ s Red Square .
`` We will never forget the contribution by our allies to achieving the Victory and the importance of the second front opened in June 1944 , '' the Russian leader said .
`` We honor the memory of courageous combatants of the armed forces of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the feat of the fighters against Nazism who fearlessly acted in countries of Europe , '' Putin said .
As the Russian leader said at the beginning of the military parade , along with Russian servicemen , representatives of Azerbaijan , Armenia , Belarus , India , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , China , Moldova , Mongolia , Serbia , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan would march on Red Square .
`` We are glad to welcome our friends , guests from various countries who have arrived in Moscow to give tribute to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planet , '' Putin said .

MOSCOW, June 24. /TASS/. Russia will never forget the contribution to achieving the Victory by the Soviet Union’s allies in the anti-Hitler coalition as well as that by all the fighters against Nazism, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the military parade on Moscow’s Red Square.
"We will never forget the contribution by our allies to achieving the Victory and the importance of the second front opened in June 1944," the Russian leader said.
"We honor the memory of courageous combatants of the armed forces of all the states in the anti-Hitler coalition, the feat of the fighters against Nazism who fearlessly acted in countries of Europe," Putin said.
As the Russian leader said at the beginning of the military parade, along with Russian servicemen, representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Moldova, Mongolia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan would march on Red Square.
"We are glad to welcome our friends, guests from various countries who have arrived in Moscow to give tribute to all those who defended peace on the planet," Putin said.


tass--2020-06-24--Venezuela grateful to Russia for establishing dialogue with opposition — foreign minister

MOSCOW , June 24 .
/TASS/ .
Venezuela is grateful to the Russian government for its aid in establishing dialogue with the republic ’ s opposition , Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Wednesday during a meeting with his Russian colleague Sergey Lavrov .
`` We are very grateful to the Russian government and to you personally for establishing dialogue with various groups within the Venezuelan political situation , '' he said .
The minister stressed that the dialogue had brought specific results .
`` We have managed to establish legitimate electoral bodies , and this year , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties . ''
He added that `` in the past years full of suffering and hardship for Venezuela , '' Russia lent a helping hand to Caracas to help Venezuela overcome sanctions and the unlawful blockade of the republic .
The political crisis in Venezuela exacerbated on January 23 , 2019 , when Juan Guaido , Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker , whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by the country ’ s Supreme Court , declared himself interim president at a rally in the country ’ s capital of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , most of the EU states , Lima Group members ( excluding Mexico ) , Australia , Albania , Georgia and Israel , as well as the Organization of American States , recognized him as president .
Incumbent President of the country Nicolas Maduro , in turn , blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington and said he was severing diplomatic ties with the US .
In contrast , Russia , Belarus , Bolivia , Iran , Cuba , Nicaragua , El Salvador , Syria and Turkey voiced support @ @ @

MOSCOW, June 24. /TASS/. Venezuela is grateful to the Russian government for its aid in establishing dialogue with the republic’s opposition, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Wednesday during a meeting with his Russian colleague Sergey Lavrov.
"We are very grateful to the Russian government and to you personally for establishing dialogue with various groups within the Venezuelan political situation," he said.
The minister stressed that the dialogue had brought specific results. "We have managed to establish legitimate electoral bodies, and this year, we will run in an election with all parties." He added that "in the past years full of suffering and hardship for Venezuela," Russia lent a helping hand to Caracas to help Venezuela overcome sanctions and the unlawful blockade of the republic.
The political crisis in Venezuela exacerbated on January 23, 2019, when Juan Guaido, Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker, whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by the country’s Supreme Court, declared himself interim president at a rally in the country’s capital of Caracas. Several countries, including the United States, most of the EU states, Lima Group members (excluding Mexico), Australia, Albania, Georgia and Israel, as well as the Organization of American States, recognized him as president. Incumbent President of the country Nicolas Maduro, in turn, blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington and said he was severing diplomatic ties with the US. In contrast, Russia, Belarus, Bolivia, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Syria and Turkey voiced support for Maduro.


tass--2020-06-24--Victory Parades across Russia are over

Victory Parades across Russia are over

Parades to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory were held on June 24 in 28 cities across Russia , including @ @ @ @ @ cities observe the date with other kinds of festivities , including ceremonial processions .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ held on Moscow ’ s Red Square on May 9 for a later date due @ @ @ @ @ At a video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 26 , Russian President @ @ @ @ @ anticipated Victory Parade would be held on Moscow ’ s Red Square on June 24 @ @ @ @ @ explained he had chosen this date because June 24 was the day when in 1945 @ @ @ @ @ victors took place , when soldiers , who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad , @ @ @ @ @ Stalingrad , liberated Europe and stormed Berlin , marched on Red Square .
The Russian @ @ @ @ @ to make sure that there weren ’ t any risks to the health of the @ @ @ @ @ .

Parades to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory were held on June 24 in 28 cities across Russia, including hero cities. Many other cities observe the date with other kinds of festivities, including ceremonial processions.
Russia postponed its military parade traditionally held on Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 for a later date due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At a video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 26, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the anticipated Victory Parade would be held on Moscow’s Red Square on June 24.
The head of state explained he had chosen this date because June 24 was the day when in 1945 the legendary historic parade of victors took place, when soldiers, who fought for Moscow and defended Leningrad, who stood their ground for Stalingrad, liberated Europe and stormed Berlin, marched on Red Square.
The Russian president instructed the defense chief to make sure that there weren’t any risks to the health of the military parade’s participants.


tass--2020-06-25--Ukraine to arrest 18 foreign ships for entering Crimean ports

KIEV , June 25 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian courts have ordered the arrest of 18 vessels for `` violating the procedure of entry to Crimean ports . ''
Kiev intends to declare them wanted and to turn to other countries for assistance in carrying out these sanctions .
`` The Prosecutor ’ s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea ( department of Prosecutor ’ s General Office of Ukraine , located outside of Crimea -TASS ) appeals to court to arrest the vessels that violated the procedure of entry/exit to and from the occupied peninsula .
Currently the arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Prosecutor ’ s General Office ’ s press service reported on Thursday .
`` The autonomy ’ s Prosecutor ’ s Office is planning to turn to the Interpol Ukrainian bureau in order to place such ships on a wanted list and to direct the claims to foreign states regarding the international legal assistance in order to complete the arrests , '' the statement said .
The Prosecutor ’ s Office reiterated that since 2014 , Ukraine considers the entry of foreign ships to Crimean ports as a violation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at closed peninsula seaports is classified as action undermining the sovereignty of Ukraine and violating the norms of the national legislation , which entails criminal sanctions on the ship ’ s owners , operators , and captains , '' the press service stated , elaborating Kiev ’ s position , and asserting that `` this legislation is violated predominantly by vessels under a Russian flag , and sometimes by those under the flags of Syria , Egypt , Lebanon , that is , the countries with which there is no international cooperation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d ’ etat in Ukraine in February 2014 , Crimea and Sevastopol held a referendum in March 2014 , in which 96.7 % of Crimean and 95.6 % of Sevastopol voters chose to secede from Ukraine and join Russia .
Eighty percent of the voting population participated in the referendum .
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the reunification deal on March 18 , 2014 , which the Federation Council ( upper house of the Russian parliament ) ratified on March 21 , 2014 .
Despite the conclusive results of the referendum , Kiev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of Russia .

KIEV, June 25. /TASS/. Ukrainian courts have ordered the arrest of 18 vessels for "violating the procedure of entry to Crimean ports." Kiev intends to declare them wanted and to turn to other countries for assistance in carrying out these sanctions.
"The Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (department of Prosecutor’s General Office of Ukraine, located outside of Crimea -TASS) appeals to court to arrest the vessels that violated the procedure of entry/exit to and from the occupied peninsula. Currently the arrest is imposed on 18 ships in violation," the Prosecutor’s General Office’s press service reported on Thursday.
"The autonomy’s Prosecutor’s Office is planning to turn to the Interpol Ukrainian bureau in order to place such ships on a wanted list and to direct the claims to foreign states regarding the international legal assistance in order to complete the arrests," the statement said.
The Prosecutor’s Office reiterated that since 2014, Ukraine considers the entry of foreign ships to Crimean ports as a violation of its legislation. "Foreign-flag ships calling at closed peninsula seaports is classified as action undermining the sovereignty of Ukraine and violating the norms of the national legislation, which entails criminal sanctions on the ship’s owners, operators, and captains," the press service stated, elaborating Kiev’s position, and asserting that "this legislation is violated predominantly by vessels under a Russian flag, and sometimes by those under the flags of Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, that is, the countries with which there is no international cooperation in this direction."
After the coup d’etat in Ukraine in February 2014, Crimea and Sevastopol held a referendum in March 2014, in which 96.7% of Crimean and 95.6% of Sevastopol voters chose to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. Eighty percent of the voting population participated in the referendum. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the reunification deal on March 18, 2014, which the Federation Council (upper house of the Russian parliament) ratified on March 21, 2014. Despite the conclusive results of the referendum, Kiev has refused to recognize Crimea as a part of Russia.