tass--2020-12-30--Moscow reports 72 coronavirus deaths in past day, overall death toll at 11,136

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 72 novel coronavirus fatalities were registered in Moscow in the @ @ @ @ @ the overall death toll in the Russian capital to 11,136 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center @ @ @ @ @ A total of 72 patients , who had been diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive @ @ @ @ @ , died in Moscow , '' the center said .
The Russian capital ’ s @ @ @ @ @ stands at 11,136 .
Moscow is the hardest-hit region in Russia , and daily numbers @ @ @ @ @ on the rise .
Overall , 798,098 cases of the infection have been registered in @ @ @ @ @ including 5,641 in the past day .
A total of 615,396 people have already recovered @

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. A total of 72 novel coronavirus fatalities were registered in Moscow in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll in the Russian capital to 11,136, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday.
"A total of 72 patients, who had been diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection, died in Moscow," the center said.
The Russian capital’s overall coronavirus death toll currently stands at 11,136.
Moscow is the hardest-hit region in Russia, and daily numbers of new coronavirus cases are on the rise. Overall, 798,098 cases of the infection have been registered in the city so far, including 5,641 in the past day. A total of 615,396 people have already recovered.


tass--2020-12-30--Maduro thanks Putin for contribution to COVID-19 vaccination in Venezuela

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for his contribution into the launch of the novel coronavirus vaccination campaign in Venezuela .
`` After three months of serious and important work with our Russian brothers , we signed an agreement today to purchase the first 10 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine .
I thank President Putin for this important step towards the launch of the vaccination campaign in Venezuela , '' Maduro said in a Twitter post .
In a Telesur TV broadcast earlier in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced that the country had signed an agreement to purchase the Russian vaccine .
Besides , it was reported that Caracas received 2,000 doses of the Russian vaccine to take part in Phase 3 clinical trials .
Rodriguez also spoke in favor of producing it on the territory of Venezuela .
On December 12 , Nicolas Maduro Guerra , the son of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro , was among the first in the country to receive the Russian coronavirus vaccine .
The Venezuelan government reported the first two coronavirus cases in the republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of emergency was declared on the same day .
On March 17 , Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro imposed the quarantine across the country .
Since the start of the pandemic , Venezuela has registered 112,636 coronavirus cases and 1,018 deaths .
Russia registered the world ’ s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus on August 11 .
The vaccine , dubbed Sputnik V , was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry , and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that production of the vaccine had been launched .
The third , post-registration , stage of clinical tests began in Moscow on September 7 .
Volunteers received the first dose of the vaccine on September .
As many as 40,000 people are involved in the trials , with 10,000 of them being given a placebo .
According to the interim test results , the vaccine ’ s efficiency exceeds 95 % on the 42nd day after inoculation with the first dose in case the patient received the second dose as well .

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for his contribution to the launch of the novel coronavirus vaccination campaign in Venezuela.
"After three months of serious and important work with our Russian brothers, we signed an agreement today to purchase the first 10 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine. I thank President Putin for this important step towards the launch of the vaccination campaign in Venezuela," Maduro said in a Twitter post.
In a Telesur TV broadcast earlier in the day, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced that the country had signed an agreement to purchase the Russian vaccine.
Besides, it was reported that Caracas received 2,000 doses of the Russian vaccine to take part in Phase 3 clinical trials. Rodriguez also spoke in favor of producing it on the territory of Venezuela.
On December 12, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, the son of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, was among the first in the country to receive the Russian coronavirus vaccine.
The Venezuelan government reported the first two coronavirus cases in the republic on March 13, and a state of emergency was declared on the same day. On March 17, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro imposed the quarantine across the country. Since the start of the pandemic, Venezuela has registered 112,636 coronavirus cases and 1,018 deaths.
Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus on August 11. The vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. The Russian Health Ministry said on August 15 that production of the vaccine had been launched. The third, post-registration, stage of clinical tests began in Moscow on September 7. Volunteers received the first dose of the vaccine on September. As many as 40,000 people are involved in the trials, with 10,000 of them being given a placebo. According to the interim test results, the vaccine’s efficiency exceeds 95% on the 42nd day after inoculation with the first dose in case the patient received the second dose as well.


tass--2020-12-30--Three Russian servicemen slightly injured in anti-tank missile blast in Syria

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Three Russian military police officers received slight injuries in Syria ’ s Idlib de-escalation zone on Tuesday when the armored vehicle they were travelling in was hit by an anti-tank missile , said Vyacheslav Sytnik , a deputy head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria .
He said the incident occurred at 15:45 , when the servicemen `` were safeguarding the withdrawal of a Turkish observation post near the town of Trumba in the southeastern part of the Idlib de-escalation zone . ''
`` An anti-tank guided missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrier from the territory controlled by pro-Turkish militant groups .
Three Russian servicemen were slightly injured , '' Sytnik said .
`` The condition of the servicemen is not life-threatening . ''
The official went on to say that `` the command of the Russian forces in Syria , in cooperation with Turkish servicemen and Syrian security agencies , is investigating whether militants active in the Idlib de-escalation zone were involved in the attack on the Russian personnel . ''
The injured servicemen were promptly evacuated to a military hospital , where they @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Three Russian military police officers received slight injuries in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone on Tuesday when the armored vehicle they were travelling in was hit by an anti-tank missile, said Vyacheslav Sytnik, a deputy head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria.
He said the incident occurred at 15:45, when the servicemen "were safeguarding the withdrawal of a Turkish observation post near the town of Trumba in the southeastern part of the Idlib de-escalation zone."
"An anti-tank guided missile was fired at a BTR-82A armored personnel carrier from the territory controlled by pro-Turkish militant groups. Three Russian servicemen were slightly injured," Sytnik said. "The condition of the servicemen is not life-threatening."
The official went on to say that "the command of the Russian forces in Syria, in cooperation with Turkish servicemen and Syrian security agencies, is investigating whether militants active in the Idlib de-escalation zone were involved in the attack on the Russian personnel."
The injured servicemen were promptly evacuated to a military hospital, where they received the required medical assistance.


tass--2020-12-30--Kiev uses incendiary weapons for first time since additional measures were enforced — DPR

DONETSK , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have used incendiary weapons on the territory of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People ’ s Republic ( DPR ) for the first time since the additional ceasefire control measures were enforced , the DPR people ’ s militia informed on Tuesday .
`` The Ukrainian Armed Forces opened fire from 120-mm mortars from the positions located in the living area of the Vodyanoye settlement on the area of the Leninskoye settlement , launching 12 incendiary mines .
We note that the enemy has used this type of weapon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when additional measures were enforced , '' the Donetsk News Agency quotes the message as saying .
The militia stated that the incendiary mines used by Ukraine can be considered weapons of mass destruction and they are forbidden by the corresponding UN convention .
In this regard , the DPR called on international observers to get involved .
On Tuesday evening , the Ukrainian military shelled the south of the DPR from mortars , releasing a total of 49 mines of a 120-mm caliber on the settlements of Leninskoye and Kominternovo .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation in eastern Ukraine , which held a videoconference meeting on July 22 , agreed additional measures to control the ceasefire along the contact line in Donbass that came in force from July 27 .
The agreement came a year after the so-called indefinite ceasefire was declared by the parties on July 21 , 2019 following more than 20 futile attempts to stop hostilities .
Under the agreement , the parties to the conflict are banned from staging offensive and reconnaissance operations , using any types of drones , opening fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy weapons in populated localities and addition engineering equipment on their positions .
One of the key provisions is the use of disciplinary measures for ceasefire violations .

DONETSK, December 29. /TASS/. Units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have used incendiary weapons on the territory of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) for the first time since the additional ceasefire control measures were enforced, the DPR people’s militia informed on Tuesday.
"The Ukrainian Armed Forces opened fire from 120-mm mortars from the positions located in the living area of the Vodyanoye settlement on the area of the Leninskoye settlement, launching 12 incendiary mines. We note that the enemy has used this type of weapon for the first time since July 27, when additional measures were enforced," the Donetsk News Agency quotes the message as saying.
The militia stated that the incendiary mines used by Ukraine can be considered weapons of mass destruction and they are forbidden by the corresponding UN convention. In this regard, the DPR called on international observers to get involved.
On Tuesday evening, the Ukrainian military shelled the south of the DPR from mortars, releasing a total of 49 mines of a 120-mm caliber on the settlements of Leninskoye and Kominternovo.
The Contact Group on the settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine, which held a videoconference meeting on July 22, agreed additional measures to control the ceasefire along the contact line in Donbass that came in force from July 27. The agreement came a year after the so-called indefinite ceasefire was declared by the parties on July 21, 2019 following more than 20 futile attempts to stop hostilities. Under the agreement, the parties to the conflict are banned from staging offensive and reconnaissance operations, using any types of drones, opening fire, including from sniper weapons, and deploying heavy weapons in populated localities and addition engineering equipment on their positions. One of the key provisions is the use of disciplinary measures for ceasefire violations.


tass--2020-12-30--RDIF in talks on Sputnik V vaccine production start in China — Russian ambassador

BEIJING , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) is holding talks with China ’ s Tibet Rhodiola Pharmaceutical on production start of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in China , Russian ambassador to China Andrei Denisov said on Tuesday at a special press conference .
`` RDIF acting as the representative of the Russian side in this case is holding talks with a Chinese pharmacological company - it is named Tibet Rhodiola Pharmaceutical - to organize production of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V already registered in Russia , to organize its production in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I must say these are very difficult talks covering not merely commercial matters but also the whole broad range of technical and organizational matters in the competence of plenty of government agencies in China and in Russia , '' Denisov noted .
`` The negotiations are highly challenging but they continue ; progress is present .
We hope they will end with one more bilateral cooperation project and make a transition to the practical stage , '' Denisov said .
`` These projects have the support at the governmental level from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diplomat added .

BEIJING, December 29. /TASS/. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is holding talks with China’s Tibet Rhodiola Pharmaceutical on production start of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in China, Russian ambassador to China Andrei Denisov said on Tuesday at a special press conference.
"RDIF acting as the representative of the Russian side in this case is holding talks with a Chinese pharmacological company - it is named Tibet Rhodiola Pharmaceutical - to organize production of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V already registered in Russia, to organize its production in China," the Ambassador says.
"I must say these are very difficult talks covering not merely commercial matters but also the whole broad range of technical and organizational matters in the competence of plenty of government agencies in China and in Russia," Denisov noted.
"The negotiations are highly challenging but they continue; progress is present. We hope they will end with one more bilateral cooperation project and make a transition to the practical stage," Denisov said. "These projects have the support at the governmental level from the Chinese and the Russian sides," the diplomat added.


tass--2020-12-30--Probe launched into how Navalny used his donations

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
The investigators have initiated a criminal case against blogger Alexey Navalny over charges @ @ @ @ @ rubles worth of donations to a number of his organizations .
`` The Main Investigative @ @ @ @ @ Investigative Committee collected enough information to initiate a criminal case against Alexey Navalny and other @ @ @ @ @ fraud on especially large scale ] , '' the Investigative Committee said .
According to @ @ @ @ @ million rubles were collected as donations for a number of non-profit organizations .
These funds @ @ @ @ @ operation of Navalny ’ s foundations .
`` According to the investigation , Navalny , @ @ @ @ @ organizations , acting together with other people , spent over 356 million rubles out of @ @ @ @ @ purposes : purchase of personal property , material values and payment for expenses , including @ @ @ @ @ the money collected from the citizens , were embezzled , '' the Committee said .
@ @ @ @ @ the investigators seek to identify everyone involved in the scheme .

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. The investigators have initiated a criminal case against blogger Alexey Navalny over charges of embezzlement of 356 million rubles worth of donations to a number of his organizations.
"The Main Investigative Directorate of Russia’s Investigative Committee collected enough information to initiate a criminal case against Alexey Navalny and other people over signs of [fraud on especially large scale]," the Investigative Committee said.
According to the investigation, over 588 million rubles were collected as donations for a number of non-profit organizations. These funds were purposed exclusively for the operation of Navalny’s foundations.
"According to the investigation, Navalny, the de-facto leader of mentioned organizations, acting together with other people, spent over 356 million rubles out of this sum for his personal purposes: purchase of personal property, material values and payment for expenses, including vacations abroad. Therefore, the money collected from the citizens, were embezzled," the Committee said.
An investigation is underway, the investigators seek to identify everyone involved in the scheme.


tass--2020-12-29--Kremlin lists economic issues and rise in poverty among main challenges of 2020

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has listed economic issues and a rise in poverty among the main challenges of 2020 , he said in an interview with the RTVI channel .
When asked about the main challenges of the year besides the coronavirus , the Kremlin spokesman said : `` The economy and everything related to it , poverty that is on the rise across the world . ''
`` We are not even talking about the effect this will have on the poorest countries , there is hunger there , '' Peskov said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we all think : `` Is this the last pandemic ?
Is this the last coronavirus ? ''
These are the challenges we face . ''
According to the prognosis of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD ) , the global GDP will drop by 4.2 % in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic .
According to the Russian Ministry of Economic Development , Russia ’ s GDP is likely to drop by 3.8 % in 2020 , and in 2021 , a 3.3 % growth is expected .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated that Russia might reach the pre-crisis level by the third quarter of next year .

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has listed economic issues and a rise in poverty among the main challenges of 2020, he said in an interview with the RTVI channel.
When asked about the main challenges of the year besides the coronavirus, the Kremlin spokesman said: "The economy and everything related to it, poverty that is on the rise across the world."
"We are not even talking about the effect this will have on the poorest countries, there is hunger there," Peskov said. "Then, of course, we all think: "Is this the last pandemic? Is this the last coronavirus?" These are the challenges we face."
According to the prognosis of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the global GDP will drop by 4.2% in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, Russia’s GDP is likely to drop by 3.8% in 2020, and in 2021, a 3.3% growth is expected. Earlier, head of the ministry Maxim Reshetnikov stated that Russia might reach the pre-crisis level by the third quarter of next year.


tass--2020-12-29--Putin can point out mistakes of his subordinates calmly but firmly, deputy PM says

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin does not berate his subordinates , but he can @ @ @ @ @ a calm but tough manner , Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said live on @ @ @ @ @ Putin ] does not berate anyone , he speaks very calmly , but in a @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t even need to berate anyone after that .
He can say something @ @ @ @ @ be very tough .
You can ’ t even sleep afterwards .
But thankfully , @ @ @ @ @ that often , '' he said .
The deputy PM noted that he regularly communicates @ @ @ @ @ reports at sessions with the participation of the president and calls him directly on important @ @ @ @ @ He always responds , by the way , I am grateful to him for that @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin does not berate his subordinates, but he can point out their mistakes in a calm but tough manner, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said live on Instagram.
"He [Putin] does not berate anyone, he speaks very calmly, but in a very tough manner, you don’t even need to berate anyone after that. He can say something quietly and calmly, but be very tough. You can’t even sleep afterwards. But thankfully, this doesn’t happen that often," he said.
The deputy PM noted that he regularly communicates with the president, presents reports at sessions with the participation of the president and calls him directly on important and urgent issues. "He always responds, by the way, I am grateful to him for that," he added.


tass--2020-12-29--Putin’s Q&A session in demand, although many issues can be resolved locally — Kremlin

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
The Q & A session with Russian President Vladimir Putin is in demand , although many issues discussed there could be resolved at the local government level , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with RTVI channel .
When asked about the reasons for combining the annual press conference with the Q & A session , Peskov reminded that the Q & A session scheduled for early summer `` had to be skipped . ''
The spokesman stressed that this format `` is in high demand '' and that it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because he receives information directly from citizens and not from government agencies .
This format is also in demand among Russian citizens .
`` They write to the president about everything .
Unfortunately , very often , they write to the president about matters that shouldn ’ t relate to the president , they should be within the jurisdiction of head of the district government , '' Peskov noted .
`` However , this is the way things work here . ''
On December 17 , Russian President Vladimir Putin held an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours , the president answered over 50 questions from reporters as well as questions by regular citizens via a hotline , like it is usually done during his annual Q & A session , which did not take place in its usual format in 2020 .

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. The Q&A session with Russian President Vladimir Putin is in demand, although many issues discussed there could be resolved at the local government level, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with RTVI channel.
When asked about the reasons for combining the annual press conference with the Q&A session, Peskov reminded that the Q&A session scheduled for early summer "had to be skipped."
The spokesman stressed that this format "is in high demand" and that it is necessary, namely for the president himself, because he receives information directly from citizens and not from government agencies. This format is also in demand among Russian citizens.
"They write to the president about everything. Unfortunately, very often, they write to the president about matters that shouldn’t relate to the president, they should be within the jurisdiction of head of the district government," Peskov noted. "However, this is the way things work here."
On December 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin held an annual press conference. In nearly four-and-a-half hours, the president answered over 50 questions from reporters as well as questions by regular citizens via a hotline, like it is usually done during his annual Q&A session, which did not take place in its usual format in 2020.


tass--2020-12-29--Russian Soyuz-ST missile with French satellite takes off Guiana Space Center

PARIS , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Soyuz-ST missile with French CSO-2 reconnaissance satellite successfully took off the Kourou Cosmodrome in French Guiana .
The start was livestreamed at the website of Arianespace , space launch operator .
Shortly after the launch , Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin congratulated the Russian state-run space corporation on a successful year without any accidents .
`` Our Soyuz-ST rocket with a French satellite , launched an hour ago from the Kourou space center , has just taken it to the designated orbit .
Roscosmos has completed its launch campaign .
Congratulations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second consecutive successful and accident-free year , '' he wrote in a Twitter post .
`` My congratulations to our Russian partners and the legendary Soyuz rocket , '' he said .
`` This is their third success in this month alone . ''
`` This new successful launch confirms the Soyuz rocket ’ s high qualities , '' the company said in its press release .
`` The Russian carrier missile successfully brought the surveillance satellite , intended for the National Space Studies Center and Ministry of Defense , to the orbit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , launched from the Guiana Space Center since 2011 .
The 3.5-tonne satellite , built by Airbus Defense and Space , will be deployed at the heliosynchronous orbit at an altitude of 480 km .
The satellite is designed for a 10-year lifespan .
The satellite was commission by the National Centre for Space Studies ( CNES ) and the Main weapon directorate of the French Ministry of Defense .
The Airbus website disclosed that the satellite is intended for observation of Earth for security purposes .

PARIS, December 29. /TASS/. The Russian Soyuz-ST missile with French CSO-2 reconnaissance satellite successfully took off the Kourou Cosmodrome in French Guiana. The start was livestreamed at the website of Arianespace, space launch operator.
Shortly after the launch, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin congratulated the Russian state-run space corporation on a successful year without any accidents.
"Our Soyuz-ST rocket with a French satellite, launched an hour ago from the Kourou space center, has just taken it to the designated orbit. Roscosmos has completed its launch campaign. Congratulations, my friends. This is our second consecutive successful and accident-free year," he wrote in a Twitter post.
Arianespce CEO Stephane Israel also congratulated the Russian partners.
"My congratulations to our Russian partners and the legendary Soyuz rocket," he said. "This is their third success in this month alone."
"This new successful launch confirms the Soyuz rocket’s high qualities," the company said in its press release. "The Russian carrier missile successfully brought the surveillance satellite, intended for the National Space Studies Center and Ministry of Defense, to the orbit.
This is the 25th Soyuz mission, launched from the Guiana Space Center since 2011.
The 3.5-tonne satellite, built by Airbus Defense and Space, will be deployed at the heliosynchronous orbit at an altitude of 480 km. The satellite is designed for a 10-year lifespan.
The satellite was commission by the National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and the Main weapon directorate of the French Ministry of Defense. The Airbus website disclosed that the satellite is intended for observation of Earth for security purposes.


tass--2020-12-29--About 50,000 people inoculated against coronavirus in Moscow

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
About 50,000 people have already received a shot against the coronavirus in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ inoculation , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in an interview with Channel One on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ [ of people ] have already been vaccinated and all are in good health .
@ @ @ @ @ inoculated about 50,000 people , 70,000 signed up , '' he said .
The mayor @ @ @ @ @ double supply of inoculation stations and if the demand for vaccination increases , new stations @ @ @ @ @ is in the first place in Russia by the number of the coronavirus infections .
@ @ @ @ @ of the infection have been detected in the city , 5,641 of them over the @ @ @ @ @ 615,396 patients have recovered , 11,064 died .

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. About 50,000 people have already received a shot against the coronavirus in Moscow and 70,000 people registered for inoculation, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in an interview with Channel One on Tuesday.
"A huge number [of people] have already been vaccinated and all are in good health. To date, we have inoculated about 50,000 people, 70,000 signed up," he said.
The mayor added that Moscow has a double supply of inoculation stations and if the demand for vaccination increases, new stations will be opened.
Moscow is in the first place in Russia by the number of the coronavirus infections. In all, 798,098 cases of the infection have been detected in the city, 5,641 of them over the past 24 hours. Some 615,396 patients have recovered, 11,064 died.


tass--2020-12-29--Venezuela to buy Sputnik V vaccine to vaccinate 10 mln people

BOGOTA , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Venezuela has signed an agreement with Russia on the supply of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine , the country 's Executive Vice President , Delcy Rodriguez announced on Tuesday .
`` Venezuela has just signed a contract for the Sputnik V vaccine , we are in the first phase , when 10 million people will receive the vaccine , and we are already planning this phase , '' Rodriguez said as quoted by the Telesur TV channel .
Rodriguez added that Sputnik V is safe .
`` We are ready to start vaccinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
On December 12 , Nicolas Maduro Guerra , the son of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro , was among the first in the country to receive the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V. Russia ’ s Ambassador to Venezuela Sergei Melik-Bagdasarov , who was present at the vaccination of the Venezuelan president ’ s son , told TASS that the young lawmaker `` was feeling splendid [ after the vaccination ] and is proud of the chance to test Sputnik V on himself , the world ’ s first registered coronavirus vaccine which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Earlier reports said Caracas had received 2,000 vaccine doses in order to take part in the third phase of clinical trials .
Venezuelan Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez suggested localizing the vaccine ’ s production in the Caribbean state .
The Venezuelan government reported first two coronavirus cases in the republic on March 13 , and a state of emergency was declared on the same day .
On March 17 , Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro imposed the quarantine across the country .
Since the start of the pandemic , Venezuela has registered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia registered the world ’ s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus on August 11 .
The vaccine , dubbed Sputnik V , was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry , and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July .
The Russian Health Ministry said on August 15 that production of the vaccine had been launched .
The third , post-registration , stage of clinical tests began in Moscow on September 7 .
Volunteers received the first dose of the vaccine on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are involved in the trials , with 10,000 of them being given a placebo .
According to the interim test results , the vaccine ’ s efficiency exceeds 95 % on the 42nd day after inoculation with the first dose in case the patient received the second dose as well .

BOGOTA, December 29. /TASS/. Venezuela has signed an agreement with Russia on the supply of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the country's Executive Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez announced on Tuesday.
"Venezuela has just signed a contract for the Sputnik V vaccine, we are in the first phase, when 10 million people will receive the vaccine, and we are already planning this phase," Rodriguez said as quoted by the Telesur TV channel. Rodriguez added that Sputnik V is safe.
"We are ready to start vaccinations as soon as possible," she added.
On December 12, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, the son of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, was among the first in the country to receive the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V.
Russia’s Ambassador to Venezuela Sergei Melik-Bagdasarov, who was present at the vaccination of the Venezuelan president’s son, told TASS that the young lawmaker "was feeling splendid [after the vaccination] and is proud of the chance to test Sputnik V on himself, the world’s first registered coronavirus vaccine which was developed and produced in Moscow."
Earlier reports said Caracas had received 2,000 vaccine doses in order to take part in the third phase of clinical trials. Venezuelan Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez suggested localizing the vaccine’s production in the Caribbean state.
The Venezuelan government reported first two coronavirus cases in the republic on March 13, and a state of emergency was declared on the same day. On March 17, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro imposed the quarantine across the country. Since the start of the pandemic, Venezuela has registered 112,636 coronavirus cases and 1,018 deaths.
Russia registered the world’s first vaccine against the novel coronavirus on August 11. The vaccine, dubbed Sputnik V, was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Health Ministry, and its clinical trials were successfully completed in June-July. The Russian Health Ministry said on August 15 that production of the vaccine had been launched. The third, post-registration, stage of clinical tests began in Moscow on September 7. Volunteers received the first dose of the vaccine on September. As many as 40,000 people are involved in the trials, with 10,000 of them being given a placebo. According to the interim test results, the vaccine’s efficiency exceeds 95% on the 42nd day after inoculation with the first dose in case the patient received the second dose as well.


tass--2020-12-29--Kremlin spokesman says intends to spend holidays with family, work if necessary

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov disclosed that he intends to spend time with his @ @ @ @ @ , although he did not rule out that he will have to do some work @ @ @ @ @ plans are [ … ] to celebrate the New Year ’ s Eve with my @ @ @ @ @ bit of work , if necessary .
To spend time with the children , '' @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
Peskov underscored the New Year `` is the most working time '' for @ @ @ @ @ dancing champion Tatiana Navka .
`` Traditionally , starting at about December 20 and until @ @ @ @ @ holidays , she gets the biggest load , the kind of 24/7 plowing , '' @ @ @ @ @ this regard , Peskov speculated that he won ’ t be able to `` take @ @ @ @ @ the holidays .

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov disclosed that he intends to spend time with his children during the upcoming holidays, although he did not rule out that he will have to do some work, too.
"My plans are […] to celebrate the New Year’s Eve with my family. To do a bit of work, if necessary. To spend time with the children," the spokesman said on TV Tuesday.
Peskov underscored the New Year "is the most working time" for his wife, Olympic ice dancing champion Tatiana Navka.
"Traditionally, starting at about December 20 and until the end of the January holidays, she gets the biggest load, the kind of 24/7 plowing," the spokesman disclosed. In this regard, Peskov speculated that he won’t be able to "take some days off" after the holidays.


tass--2020-12-29--Moscow reaches peak of COVID-19 incidence, mayor says

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow is currently at the peak of incidence of the novel coronavirus infection @ @ @ @ @ stated .
`` Currently we are at the very peak of incidence [ of the @ @ @ @ @ ’ t had figures like this over the entire period , '' he said in @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
According to the mayor , Moscow coped with the pandemic challenges like @ @ @ @ @ `` After the spring peak we were more prepared for the autumn values , '' @ @ @ @ @ in the first place in Russia by the number of the coronavirus infections .
In @ @ @ @ @ the infection have been detected in the city , 5,641 of them over the past @ @ @ @ @ patients have recovered , 11,064 died .

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Moscow is currently at the peak of incidence of the novel coronavirus infection, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin stated.
"Currently we are at the very peak of incidence [of the coronavirus]. We haven’t had figures like this over the entire period," he said in an interview with Channel One on Tuesday.
According to the mayor, Moscow coped with the pandemic challenges like no other metropolis worldwide. "After the spring peak we were more prepared for the autumn figures," he added.
Moscow is in the first place in Russia by the number of the coronavirus infections. In all, 798,098 cases of the infection have been detected in the city, 5,641 of them over the past 24 hours. Some 615,396 patients have recovered, 11,064 died.


tass--2020-12-29--Last goodbyes: Remembering those we lost in 2020

Russian Defense Ministry does not rule out US might revise its stance on New START Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin @ @ @ @ @ had for a long time pushed ahead with a policy of building up its military @

Lukashenko says Putin promises he would regard attack on Belarus as attack on Russia
The Belarusian leader pointed out that NATO was quickly building up forces on the border with Belarus in Poland and in the Baltic countries
Read more


tass--2020-12-29--Turkey to send 36 officers to joint Russian-Turkish monitoring center for Karabakh

ANKARA , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
A general and another 35 officers of the Turkish armed forces will work in the joint center with Russia for monitoring the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh , Turkey ’ s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announced on Tuesday .
`` After the construction is over and the joint center is opened , our general and 35 officers will assume their service , '' the Anadolu news agency quoted the defense minister as saying .
He also confirmed that the Turkish servicemen who would be involved in the work of the Russian-Turkish monitoring center had already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television channel earlier reported about the dispatch of the republic ’ s servicemen to Azerbaijan .
According to the TV channel , the joint Russian-Turkish monitoring center for Karabakh may start operating in January 2021 .
On November 9 , Russian President Vladimir Putin , Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10 .
The Russian leader said that Azerbaijan and Armenia would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the joint Russian-Turkish center for monitoring the ceasefire in Karabakh was signed on November 11 following the results of the negotiations via a video link between Hulusi Akar and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu .

ANKARA, December 29. /TASS/. A general and another 35 officers of the Turkish armed forces will work in the joint center with Russia for monitoring the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announced on Tuesday.
"After the construction is over and the joint center is opened, our general and 35 officers will assume their service," the Anadolu news agency quoted the defense minister as saying.
He also confirmed that the Turkish servicemen who would be involved in the work of the Russian-Turkish monitoring center had already left for Azerbaijan.
The Turkish NTV television channel earlier reported about the dispatch of the republic’s servicemen to Azerbaijan. According to the TV channel, the joint Russian-Turkish monitoring center for Karabakh may start operating in January 2021.
On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said that Azerbaijan and Armenia would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region.
A memorandum on setting up the joint Russian-Turkish center for monitoring the ceasefire in Karabakh was signed on November 11 following the results of the negotiations via a video link between Hulusi Akar and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.


tass--2020-12-29--Artificial intelligence generates question to Putin regarding AI becoming president

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
The question to Russian President Vladimir Putin on whether artificial intelligence ( AI @ @ @ @ @ been generated by the gpt-3 artificial neural network ( ANN ) , Sberbank CEO Herman @ @ @ @ @ Artificial intelligence is not about hype , it will not 'fade away ' over time @ @ @ @ @ asked this question during the Artificial Intelligence Journey conference earlier in December .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ '' Gref said .
`` Today , this is the most complex and advanced neural @ @ @ @ @ For example , it can write journalist stories . ''
The CEO explained that the @ @ @ @ @ ' stories and describe them .
Thus , the gpt-3 was tasked to formulate a @ @ @ @ @ interesting to both the people and the AI .
The ANN proposed three different questions @ @ @ @ @ priority , which was chosen eventually .

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. The question to Russian President Vladimir Putin on whether artificial intelligence (AI) can become president has been generated by the gpt-3 artificial neural network (ANN), Sberbank CEO Herman Gref told TASS Tuesday.
Artificial intelligence is not about hype, it will not 'fade away' over time — Putin
The president was asked this question during the Artificial Intelligence Journey conference earlier in December.
"We used the gpt-3 ANN," Gref said. "Today, this is the most complex and advanced neural network in the world. For example, it can write journalist stories."
The CEO explained that the network can coherently analyze 'event' stories and describe them. Thus, the gpt-3 was tasked to formulate a question that would be equally interesting to both the people and the AI. The ANN proposed three different questions, marking one as a priority, which was chosen eventually.


tass--2020-12-29--Russia stockpiles 7 million Covid tests for January

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s consumer watchdog has created a stockpile of 7 million coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ January , Anna Popova , the agency ’ s head , reported Tuesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ of one-month lag in all laboratories financed from the budget .
Overall , there are @ @ @ @ @ conduct laboratory tests throughout five weeks , just over a month , across the country @ @ @ @ @ She added that the test kits are already in laboratories .
According to the latest @ @ @ @ @ million people have been infected worldwide and more than 1,700,000 deaths have been reported .
@ @ @ @ @ cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 2,496,183 patients having recovered from the disease @ @ @ @ @ data indicates 55,827 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet @ @ @ @ @ updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Russia’s consumer watchdog has created a stockpile of 7 million coronavirus tests to be used in January, Anna Popova, the agency’s head, reported Tuesday.
"We have formed a stock of one-month lag in all laboratories financed from the budget. Overall, there are seven million tests to continuously conduct laboratory tests throughout five weeks, just over a month, across the country," Popova noted,
She added that the test kits are already in laboratories.
According to the latest statistics, more than 81.3 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 1,700,000 deaths have been reported. To date, 3,105,037 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,496,183 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 55,827 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-12-29--Russia highlights Turkey’s readiness to ensure access to Hagia Sophia to all faiths

SOCHI , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow sees Turkey ’ s willingness to keep the famed Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Savior , which have been converted into mosques , in respectable condition and guarantee access to these sites to members of all religions , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday following talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu .
`` We highlighted our Turkish colleagues ’ willingness , which has been confirmed more than once , to keep Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the Church of the Holy Savior , which have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heritage sites , in proper condition and ensure access to these religious sites to members of all religions , '' he noted .
On July 10 , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree enabling the famed Hagia Sophia , a Byzantine-era architectural monument , to be used as a mosque .
Some Local Orthodox Churches , including the Russian Orthodox Church , voiced their regret over the decision , along with UNESCO .
On August 21 , Turkey officially converted the Chora Monastery in Istanbul into a mosque .
The Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is part of that monastery , has been opened for Muslim worship .

SOCHI, December 29. /TASS/. Moscow sees Turkey’s willingness to keep the famed Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Savior, which have been converted into mosques, in respectable condition and guarantee access to these sites to members of all religions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday following talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.
"We highlighted our Turkish colleagues’ willingness, which has been confirmed more than once, to keep Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the Church of the Holy Savior, which have been added to the list of world cultural heritage sites, in proper condition and ensure access to these religious sites to members of all religions," he noted.
On July 10, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a decree enabling the famed Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine-era architectural monument, to be used as a mosque. Some Local Orthodox Churches, including the Russian Orthodox Church, voiced their regret over the decision, along with UNESCO.
On August 21, Turkey officially converted the Chora Monastery in Istanbul into a mosque. The Church of the Holy Savior in Chora, which is part of that monastery, has been opened for Muslim worship.


tass--2020-12-29--Karina Tsurkan, sentenced for espionage, does not count on exchange — lawyer

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Former CEO of Inter RAO Karina Tsurkan , sentenced to 15 years in prison for spying for Moldova , does not count on exchange , because she has no foreign benefactors , her lawyer Ivan Pavlov told TASS Tuesday , adding that Tsurkan pleaded not guilty .
`` There have been no proposals to exchange Tsurkan , and there is nobody to put them forth .
Tsurkan worked for Russia , she ’ s innocent .
She has no foreign benefactors .
The matter of pardon is not on the table either because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the lawyer said .
On Tuesday , the Moscow City Court sentenced Tsurkan to 15 years , ruling her guilty of espionage for Moldova .
The prosecution sought 18 years in prison , while the lawyers asked for acquittal .
The defense intends to appeal the sentence .
According to the prosecution , Tsurkan handed over information regarding Russian supply of electric energy to Ukraine to Moldovan intelligence .
She has allegedly been recruited by Moldovan intelligence in 2004 , under alias `` Carla . ''
In late April 2015 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draft Ministry of Energy document on certain aspects of Russian energy companies ’ activity in the sphere of international cooperation . ''
She allegedly handed over this document to Moldova at some point before September 29 , 2015 .
The defendant claims that she has never been acquainted with any foreign intelligence agents and has never seen the mentioned document .
She attributes her persecution to an attempt to oust her out of office .

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Former CEO of Inter RAO Karina Tsurkan, sentenced to 15 years in prison for spying for Moldova, does not count on exchange, because she has no foreign benefactors, her lawyer Ivan Pavlov told TASS Tuesday, adding that Tsurkan pleaded not guilty.
"There have been no proposals to exchange Tsurkan, and there is nobody to put them forth. Tsurkan worked for Russia, she’s innocent. She has no foreign benefactors. The matter of pardon is not on the table either because the sentence has not entered force yet," the lawyer said.
On Tuesday, the Moscow City Court sentenced Tsurkan to 15 years, ruling her guilty of espionage for Moldova.
The prosecution sought 18 years in prison, while the lawyers asked for acquittal. The defense intends to appeal the sentence.
According to the prosecution, Tsurkan handed over information regarding Russian supply of electric energy to Ukraine to Moldovan intelligence. She has allegedly been recruited by Moldovan intelligence in 2004, under alias "Carla." In late April 2015, she obtained an electronic copy of "draft Ministry of Energy document on certain aspects of Russian energy companies’ activity in the sphere of international cooperation." She allegedly handed over this document to Moldova at some point before September 29, 2015.
The defendant claims that she has never been acquainted with any foreign intelligence agents and has never seen the mentioned document. She attributes her persecution to an attempt to oust her out of office.


tass--2020-12-29--Turkey’s top diplomat vows Ankara will not yield to Western pressure

SOCHI , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Ankara views the sanctions slapped on it as a manifestation of external aggression and has no intention of yielding to that pressure , Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov .
`` It does not matter to what extent the imposition of sanctions in the military-technical sphere will affect our defense industry , '' he said .
`` It is important that such decisions are wrong , they are aggression against our country ’ s sovereign rights .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sanctions .
We are opposed to any sanctions against any country . ''
The Turkish foreign minister recalled that his country did not support the European Union ’ s sanctions against Russia , as well as anti-Iranian sanctions , since it considers them illegitimate .
He confirmed that the Russian-Turkish S-400 missile deal remained in force .
At the same time , Ankara is ready for a dialogue with the United States and its Western partners on the issue and on other issues of mutual concern , he noted .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for disagreements with other countries , but they are not an alternative to relations with NATO or the European Union , '' he stressed .
`` Western countries should attach greater importance to cooperation . ''

SOCHI, December 29. /TASS/. Ankara views the sanctions slapped on it as a manifestation of external aggression and has no intention of yielding to that pressure, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
"It does not matter to what extent the imposition of sanctions in the military-technical sphere will affect our defense industry," he said. "It is important that such decisions are wrong, they are aggression against our country’s sovereign rights. We will not abandon our actions because of the sanctions. We are opposed to any sanctions against any country."
The Turkish foreign minister recalled that his country did not support the European Union’s sanctions against Russia, as well as anti-Iranian sanctions, since it considers them illegitimate.
He confirmed that the Russian-Turkish S-400 missile deal remained in force. At the same time, Ankara is ready for a dialogue with the United States and its Western partners on the issue and on other issues of mutual concern, he noted. "Our relations with Russia sometimes become a reason for disagreements with other countries, but they are not an alternative to relations with NATO or the European Union," he stressed. "Western countries should attach greater importance to cooperation."


tass--2020-12-29--Services provider Sber does not vie with Google, Apple, says CEO

MOSCOW , December 29 .
/TASS/ .
Sber has no global ambitions to compete with Google or Apple , Chief @ @ @ @ @ Gref told TASS in an interview .
`` We have no global ambitions .
We @ @ @ @ @ even attempt to pit ourselves against Google or Apple .
I do not believe any @ @ @ @ @ chance at present , '' Gref said .
`` Certainly , Sber is a local @ @ @ @ @ operate on markets of our presence .
All the ecosystems inside the country are our @ @ @ @ @ said .
The ecosystem of Sberbank comprises about fifty companies at present , including about @ @ @ @ @ digital companies earned more than 35 bln rubles ( $ 475.4 mln ) in 2019 @

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Sber has no global ambitions to compete with Google or Apple, Chief Executive Officer of Sberbank Herman Gref told TASS in an interview.
"We have no global ambitions. We cannot and do not even attempt to pit ourselves against Google or Apple. I do not believe any Russian company has such a chance at present," Gref said. "Certainly, Sber is a local, regional player. We operate on markets of our presence. All the ecosystems inside the country are our direct competitors," he said.
The ecosystem of Sberbank comprises about fifty companies at present, including about thirty key ones. Nonfinancial digital companies earned more than 35 bln rubles ($475.4 mln) in 2019.


tass--2020-12-30--Putin signs law on biosafety in Russian Federation

MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law on biological safety in the Russian Federation .
The document was published on Wednesday on the official web portal of legal information .
The law establishes the foundation for state control and basic principles in the sphere of ensuring the biological safety of the Russian Federation as well as defines a set of measures `` directed at protection of residents and environment from the influence of dangerous biological factors , at prevention of biological threats ( hazards ) , creation and development of a monitoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instance , the document establishes the right of citizens for protection of health and environment against dangerous biological factors , for obtaining from government agencies as well as from relevant organizations `` information on protection of population and environment from the influence of dangerous biological factors , on measures taken directed at such a protection , at prevention of biological threats . ''
At the same time the citizens will be obligated `` not to perform actions leading to violations of rights of other citizens for protection of health and environment from dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations to notify the relevant government agency on implemented research studies in the sphere of biological safety .
The notification procedure will be established by the government of the Russian Federation .
As Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture and Food Policy and Environmental Management Alexei Mayorov emphasized earlier , this law is particularly important in the conditions of the pandemic .
According to the senator , the initiative regulates the issues that can not be a part of an industry-specific legislation due to their comprehensive nature , including protection of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , protection of animals and plants , protection of the environment .
The document also establishes methods of fighting the spread of infectious and parasitic diseases .
In order to prevent such diseases it is proposed to study the properties of agents of the diseases that are new , rare , or previously not encountered in the territory of the Russian Federation .
Additionally , it is proposed to develop and implement means and methods of indication and identification of pathogens as well as implement measures directed at prevention of hotspots of such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` biological safety '' which is defined as a `` state of security of the population and the environment from the influence of dangerous biological factors when an acceptable level of biological risk is ensured . ''
It is also proposed to prescribe the terms `` dangerous biological factor , '' `` biological protection , '' `` strain , '' `` infection ( infectious disease ) related to provision of medical aid , '' `` immunodeficiency , '' `` biological threat '' and `` plan of reaction to biological threats '' established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the document includes the list of main biological threats .

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law on biological safety in the Russian Federation. The document was published on Wednesday on the official web portal of legal information.
The law establishes the foundation for state control and basic principles in the sphere of ensuring the biological safety of the Russian Federation as well as defines a set of measures "directed at protection of residents and environment from the influence of dangerous biological factors, at prevention of biological threats (hazards), creation and development of a monitoring system of biological risks."
For instance, the document establishes the right of citizens for protection of health and environment against dangerous biological factors, for obtaining from government agencies as well as from relevant organizations "information on protection of population and environment from the influence of dangerous biological factors, on measures taken directed at such a protection, at prevention of biological threats." At the same time the citizens will be obligated "not to perform actions leading to violations of rights of other citizens for protection of health and environment from dangerous biological factors." The law obligates organizations to notify the relevant government agency on implemented research studies in the sphere of biological safety. The notification procedure will be established by the government of the Russian Federation.
As Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture and Food Policy and Environmental Management Alexei Mayorov emphasized earlier, this law is particularly important in the conditions of the pandemic. According to the senator, the initiative regulates the issues that cannot be a part of an industry-specific legislation due to their comprehensive nature, including protection of health and sanitary-epidemiological wellbeing of the population, protection of animals and plants, protection of the environment.
The document also establishes methods of fighting the spread of infectious and parasitic diseases. In order to prevent such diseases it is proposed to study the properties of agents of the diseases that are new, rare, or previously not encountered in the territory of the Russian Federation. Additionally, it is proposed to develop and implement means and methods of indication and identification of pathogens as well as implement measures directed at prevention of hotspots of such diseases.
The document prescribes the notion of "biological safety" which is defined as a "state of security of the population and the environment from the influence of dangerous biological factors when an acceptable level of biological risk is ensured." It is also proposed to prescribe the terms "dangerous biological factor," "biological protection," "strain," "infection (infectious disease) related to provision of medical aid," "immunodeficiency," "biological threat" and "plan of reaction to biological threats" established by the Cabinet of Ministers. Additionally, the document includes the list of main biological threats.


tass--2020-12-30--Putin wishes Happy New Year to several former presidents, prime ministers

MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent wishes of Happy New Year and Merry @ @ @ @ @ of states and governments as well as statesmen , the Kremlin reported Wednesday .
The @ @ @ @ @ were communicated to ex-Prime Ministers of Japan and Italy Shinzo Abe and Silvio Berlusconi , @ @ @ @ @ , former Presidents of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan , ex-Prime Minister of Italy @ @ @ @ @ European Commission Romano Prodi , ex-President of France Nicolas Sarkozy , former Prime Minister of @ @ @ @ @ of Finland Tarja Halonen , former King of Spain Juan Carlos I and former German @ @ @ @ @ serving as president and prime minister , Putin had many conversations with these colleagues , @ @ @ @ @ them .

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent wishes of Happy New Year and Merry Christmas to several former heads of states and governments as well as statesmen, the Kremlin reported Wednesday.
The Kremlin clarified that the wishes were communicated to ex-Prime Ministers of Japan and Italy Shinzo Abe and Silvio Berlusconi, former US President George Bush, former Presidents of Armenia Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan, ex-Prime Minister of Italy and former President of the European Commission Romano Prodi, ex-President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, former Prime Minister of France Francois Fillon, ex-President of Finland Tarja Halonen, former King of Spain Juan Carlos I and former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder.
When serving as president and prime minister, Putin had many conversations with these colleagues, sharing friendship with many of them.


tass--2020-12-30--Second experimental Tupolev-160M undergoes ground testing

MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
The second experimental sample of the fundamentally upgraded strategic missile-carrying plane Tupolev-160M is undergoing ground tests at the flight test station of the Gorbunov aircraft plant in Kazan , a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS .
`` The second plane is on the way .
Testing is in progress at the flight test station , '' the source said , adding that the plane was converted from a standard Tupolev-160 built earlier .
At the beginning of November 2020 , the first fundamentally upgraded strategic bomber Tupolev-160M , equipped with new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Gorbunov aircraft plant in Kazan .
The United Aircraft Corporation said that during the flight the upgraded general systems and onboard radio-electronic equipment were tested and the performance of the new engine NK-32 of the 02 series assessed .
The Tupolev-16 is a multimode supersonic strategic missile-carrying plane with a variable sweep wing .
The decision to resume the production of the upgraded version of Tupolev-160 - Tupolev-160M - was made in 2015 .
On February 2 , 2020 the first fundamentally upgraded Tupolev-160M Igor Sikorsky , converted from a standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was equipped with new flying and navigation equipment , onboard communication system and control system , radar and radio-electronic resistance complex .

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. The second experimental sample of the fundamentally upgraded strategic missile-carrying plane Tupolev-160M is undergoing ground tests at the flight test station of the Gorbunov aircraft plant in Kazan, a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS.
"The second plane is on the way. Testing is in progress at the flight test station," the source said, adding that the plane was converted from a standard Tupolev-160 built earlier.
At the beginning of November 2020, the first fundamentally upgraded strategic bomber Tupolev-160M, equipped with new engines NK-32-02 took off from the airfield of the Gorbunov aircraft plant in Kazan. The United Aircraft Corporation said that during the flight the upgraded general systems and onboard radio-electronic equipment were tested and the performance of the new engine NK-32 of the 02 series assessed.
The Tupolev-16 is a multimode supersonic strategic missile-carrying plane with a variable sweep wing. The decision to resume the production of the upgraded version of Tupolev-160 - Tupolev-160M - was made in 2015. On February 2, 2020 the first fundamentally upgraded Tupolev-160M Igor Sikorsky, converted from a standard Tupolev-160 version, performed its first flight. It was equipped with new flying and navigation equipment, onboard communication system and control system, radar and radio-electronic resistance complex.


tass--2020-12-30--Lukashenko vows to stay in office until last riot policeman tells him to ‘go away’

Lukashenko says he will not be Belarusian president under new constitution MINSK , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President @ @ @ @ @ will not resign until the last riot policeman asks him to .
`` Until the @ @ @ @ @ ‘ go away , ’ I will stand tight in this country shoulder to shoulder @ @ @ @ @ you and me have nothing besides this country , '' Lukashenko said during his visit @ @ @ @ @ s special forces unit .
Previously on Wednesday , the Belarusian riot police awarded Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ `` special service '' black beret .
In turn , the head of state presented @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement and the military .

Lukashenko says he will not be Belarusian president under new constitution
MINSK, December 30. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that he will not resign until the last riot policeman asks him to.
"Until the last riot policemen tells me ‘go away,’ I will stand tight in this country shoulder to shoulder with you, because both you and me have nothing besides this country," Lukashenko said during his visit to the Minsk police’s special forces unit.
Previously on Wednesday, the Belarusian riot police awarded Lukashenko the highest decoration - the "special service" black beret. In turn, the head of state presented awards to representatives of the law enforcement and the military.


tass--2020-12-30--Israeli-Palestinian peace process facing potential collapse, cautions Lavrov

MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
The process of looking for political settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is facing @ @ @ @ @ collapse , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a joint press conference following talks with @ @ @ @ @ Government of National Accord Mohamed Siala Wednesday .
According to Lavrov , `` the risks @ @ @ @ @ '' in this sphere `` are as real as never before . ''
`` The @ @ @ @ @ '' he noted .
`` Responsible and leading role of the UN is needed here @ @ @ @ @ to resume direct talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis with the support of the @ @ @ @ @ Arab states . ''
The Russian minister emphasized that Moscow is expecting `` active and @ @ @ @ @ from the new UN envoy for Middle Eastern settlement and , of course , the @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. The process of looking for political settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is facing significant problems and can potentially collapse, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a joint press conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord Mohamed Siala Wednesday.
According to Lavrov, "the risks of collapse of political decisions" in this sphere "are as real as never before." "The situation is very serious," he noted. "Responsible and leading role of the UN is needed here just like in other cases to resume direct talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis with the support of the Quartet of international mediators and Arab states."
The Russian minister emphasized that Moscow is expecting "active and responsible steps, initiative steps from the new UN envoy for Middle Eastern settlement and, of course, the Secretary General himself.".


tass--2020-12-30--First newly-built Tu-160M to make maiden flight in 4th quarter of 2021

`` Next year will see the first newly-assembled plane , '' the source said , when asked about progress in the work on Tupolev Tu-160M .
MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
The first experimental sample of the profoundly upgraded strategic missile carrier Tupolev Tu-160M will perform its maiden flight in the 4th quarter of 2021 , a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS .
He speculated that in all likelihood the first upgraded newly-built Tupolev Tu-160 would fly in the fourth quarter of 2021 .
At the beginning of November 2020 , the first fundamentally upgraded strategic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engines NK-32-02 took off from the airfield of the Gorbunov aircraft plant in Kazan .
The United Aircraft Corporation said that during the flight the upgraded general systems and onboard radio-electronic equipment were tested and the performance of the new engine NK-32 of the 02 series assessed .
The Tupolev Tu-160 is a multimode supersonic strategic missile-carrier with a variable sweep wing .
The decision to resume the production of the upgraded version of the Tu-160 - the Tu-160M - was made in 2015 .
On February 2 , 2020 the first fundamentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a standard Tu-160 version , performed its first flight .
It was equipped with new flying and navigation equipment , onboard communication and control system and radar and radio-electronic resistance complex .

"Next year will see the first newly-assembled plane," the source said, when asked about progress in the work on Tupolev Tu-160M.
MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. The first experimental sample of the profoundly upgraded strategic missile carrier Tupolev Tu-160M will perform its maiden flight in the 4th quarter of 2021, a source in the defense-industrial complex told TASS.
He speculated that in all likelihood the first upgraded newly-built Tupolev Tu-160 would fly in the fourth quarter of 2021.
At the beginning of November 2020, the first fundamentally upgraded strategic bomber Tupolev Tu-160M, equipped with new engines NK-32-02 took off from the airfield of the Gorbunov aircraft plant in Kazan. The United Aircraft Corporation said that during the flight the upgraded general systems and onboard radio-electronic equipment were tested and the performance of the new engine NK-32 of the 02 series assessed.
The Tupolev Tu-160 is a multimode supersonic strategic missile-carrier with a variable sweep wing. The decision to resume the production of the upgraded version of the Tu-160 - the Tu-160M - was made in 2015. On February 2, 2020 the first fundamentally upgraded Tu-160M Igor Sikorsky, converted from a standard Tu-160 version, performed its first flight. It was equipped with new flying and navigation equipment, onboard communication and control system and radar and radio-electronic resistance complex.


tass--2020-12-30--Lavrov emphasizes need to prevent resumption of hostilities in Libya

MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
There is a need to encourage the parties to the Libyan conflict to build dialogue , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a joint press conference with top diplomat of Libya ’ s Government of National Accord Mohamed Siala on Wednesday .
`` I agree that there is a need to encourage the parties to build dialogue and oppose attempts to return to the bellicose rhetoric , let alone resume military activities , '' Lavrov pointed out .
According to the Russian foreign minister , the parties to the conflict and external @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum becomes a sustainable platform and paves the way for specific agreements .
There currently are two governments in Libya : the internationally recognized Government of National Accord ( GNA ) headed by Fayez al-Sarraj , and a cabinet based in the country ’ s east , which has the support of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .
In the spring of 2019 , Haftar launched an offensive on Tripoli , claiming that its liberation from terrorist was the goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support based on a defense cooperation memorandum and managed to regain control of some territories seized by Haftar .
Participants in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum held in Tunisia in November decided that the country would hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on December 24 , 2021 .

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. There is a need to encourage the parties to the Libyan conflict to build dialogue, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a joint press conference with top diplomat of Libya’s Government of National Accord Mohamed Siala on Wednesday.
"I agree that there is a need to encourage the parties to build dialogue and oppose attempts to return to the bellicose rhetoric, let alone resume military activities," Lavrov pointed out.
According to the Russian foreign minister, the parties to the conflict and external players are taking steps to make sure that the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum becomes a sustainable platform and paves the way for specific agreements.
There currently are two governments in Libya: the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, and a cabinet based in the country’s east, which has the support of the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. In the spring of 2019, Haftar launched an offensive on Tripoli, claiming that its liberation from terrorist was the goal. The GNA requested Turkey’s support based on a defense cooperation memorandum and managed to regain control of some territories seized by Haftar.
Participants in the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum held in Tunisia in November decided that the country would hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on December 24, 2021.


tass--2020-12-30--West obstructs fighting COVID pandemic in ‘undesirable’ countries, Lavrov says

MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
The Western countries seek to use the pandemic to `` punish the undesirable governments '' by not responding to calls to at least temporarily withdraw a portion of sanctions that complicate the epidemiologic situation in those states , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told TASS .
In 2020 , Russia helped many countries affected by the pandemic - both in bilateral format and through multilateral structures - and it is ready for further cooperation in order to overcome this common distress , Lavrov noted .
`` This is our difference from a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to politicize a strictly humanitarian issue of fighting the coronavirus infection , but also to use the pandemic to punish the undesirable governments , by ignoring the UN ’ s calls to at least temporarily withdraw a portion of unilateral restrictions that complicate the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the corresponding countries , '' Lavrov noted .
`` In this regard , it seems logical that , despite the difficult situation , we were able to develop and increase our friendly cooperation with the majority of the countries of the world in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Among those countries are our allies , associates and partners from CSTO , EAEU , CIS , BRICS , SCO , '' the Minister added .
Meanwhile , Lavrov underscored that Russia ’ s power is in its peaceful , predictable foreign policy course and its readiness to mutually respectful work with all partners .
`` We do not play ‘ zero sum ’ geopolitical games , we do not think in archaic concepts of spheres of influence .
on the contrary , we implement the idea that large-scale trans-border problems could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via the principle of solidarity , '' he added .
At the same time , Russia remains open to a dialogue with the Western colleagues , should they refrain from `` mentorship , the policy of blackmailing and ultimatums , '' the Foreign Minister said .
`` Both our relations , the international security and the stability in general stand to win from this , '' Lavrov concluded .

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. The Western countries seek to use the pandemic to "punish the undesirable governments" by not responding to calls to at least temporarily withdraw a portion of sanctions that complicate the epidemiologic situation in those states, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told TASS.
In 2020, Russia helped many countries affected by the pandemic - both in bilateral format and through multilateral structures - and it is ready for further cooperation in order to overcome this common distress, Lavrov noted.
"This is our difference from a number of Western countries who not only seek to politicize a strictly humanitarian issue of fighting the coronavirus infection, but also to use the pandemic to punish the undesirable governments, by ignoring the UN’s calls to at least temporarily withdraw a portion of unilateral restrictions that complicate the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the corresponding countries," Lavrov noted.
"In this regard, it seems logical that, despite the difficult situation, we were able to develop and increase our friendly cooperation with the majority of the countries of the world in the most wide spectrum of issues this year. Among those countries are our allies, associates and partners from CSTO, EAEU, CIS, BRICS, SCO," the Minister added.
Meanwhile, Lavrov underscored that Russia’s power is in its peaceful, predictable foreign policy course and its readiness to mutually respectful work with all partners.
"We do not play ‘zero sum’ geopolitical games, we do not think in archaic concepts of spheres of influence. on the contrary, we implement the idea that large-scale trans-border problems could only be efficiently resolved by unification, via the principle of solidarity," he added.
At the same time, Russia remains open to a dialogue with the Western colleagues, should they refrain from "mentorship, the policy of blackmailing and ultimatums," the Foreign Minister said. "Both our relations, the international security and the stability in general stand to win from this," Lavrov concluded.


tass--2020-12-30--Long-range UAVs of enhanced endurance to be provided for Russian army by end of 2021

MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian army will begin to be equipped with long-range enhanced endurance unmanned @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko told the Russian army daily Krasnaya Zvezda in an interview @ @ @ @ @ of 2021 the Russian armed forces will obtain systems with multifunctional drones of long range @ @ @ @ @ '' Krivoruchko said , adding that the drones would carry both air-launched weapons that are @ @ @ @ @ and special ammunition .
`` The drones will make it possible to deliver precision strikes @ @ @ @ @ stationary and mobile targets , '' Krivoruchko said .
On December 21 , Russian Defense @ @ @ @ @ Defense Ministry ’ s year-end board meeting that the first reconnaissance and attack drones of @ @ @ @ @ had begun to be provided for the Russian army .

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. The Russian army will begin to be equipped with long-range enhanced endurance unmanned aerial vehicles in 2021, Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko told the Russian army daily Krasnaya Zvezda in an interview.
"By the end of 2021 the Russian armed forces will obtain systems with multifunctional drones of long range and enhanced flight duration," Krivoruchko said, adding that the drones would carry both air-launched weapons that are used on operational tactical aircraft and special ammunition.
"The drones will make it possible to deliver precision strikes against the enemy’s stationary and mobile targets," Krivoruchko said.
On December 21, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the Defense Ministry’s year-end board meeting that the first reconnaissance and attack drones of medium range Inokhodets and Forpost had begun to be provided for the Russian army.


tass--2020-12-30--Yemen’s Aden airport shelled as government’s plane lands

CAIRO , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
Three mortar shells exploded Wednesday in Yemen ’ s Aden International Airport simultaneously with the arrival of the new government , Al Arabiya TV channel reported .
There has been a large number of killed and injured , the report says , adding that no specific information on victims is available at this point .
Meanwhile , according to preliminary reports , no member of the government was injured .
They were still in the just landed airplane some distance away from the shelling area .
Later , the ministers were transported to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Al Arabiya ’ s sources , the shells landed in the arrivals hall , black smoke is coming out of the damaged building .
According to Sky News - Arabiya , one shell landed on the runway .
The new Yemeni government was formed in mid-December under Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed in accordance with the Riyadh agreement , signed in November 2019 between the Southern Transitional Council and the internationally recognized authorities .
On December 26 , the new government gave its oath to Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi in @ @ @ @ @ @

CAIRO, December 30. /TASS/. Three mortar shells exploded Wednesday in Yemen’s Aden International Airport simultaneously with the arrival of the new government, Al Arabiya TV channel reported.
There has been a large number of killed and injured, the report says, adding that no specific information on victims is available at this point. Meanwhile, according to preliminary reports, no member of the government was injured. They were still in the just landed airplane some distance away from the shelling area. Later, the ministers were transported to the presidential palace under reinforced guard.
According to Al Arabiya’s sources, the shells landed in the arrivals hall, black smoke is coming out of the damaged building. According to Sky News - Arabiya, one shell landed on the runway.
The new Yemeni government was formed in mid-December under Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed in accordance with the Riyadh agreement, signed in November 2019 between the Southern Transitional Council and the internationally recognized authorities. On December 26, the new government gave its oath to Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi in his temporary headquarters in Riyadh.


tass--2020-12-30--Nearly 71,000 Russians die from coronavirus, deputy PM says

MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
Nearly 71,000 Russians have died from the coronavirus since the pandemic began and over 45,000 people diagnosed with COVID-19 died of other causes , Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Wednesday .
`` A total of 70,921 people have died solely from COVID-19 , their diagnosis was confirmed and can not be called into question .
Another 45,109 deaths were caused by other illnesses but the deceased were also COVID-positive , '' she pointed out .
According to Golikova , the figures may change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data comes in every day .
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 , about 82 mln people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mln deaths have been reported .
According to the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center , 3,131,550 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia so far , with 2,525,418 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 56,426 fatalities nationwide .
The Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. Nearly 71,000 Russians have died from the coronavirus since the pandemic began and over 45,000 people diagnosed with COVID-19 died of other causes, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Wednesday.
"A total of 70,921 people have died solely from COVID-19, their diagnosis was confirmed and cannot be called into question. Another 45,109 deaths were caused by other illnesses but the deceased were also COVID-positive," she pointed out.
According to Golikova, the figures may change in the coming months as new autopsy data comes in every day.
Coronavirus pandemic
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, about 82 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 1.8 mln deaths have been reported.
According to the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center, 3,131,550 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia so far, with 2,525,418 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 56,426 fatalities nationwide. The Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-12-30--Russia set to work out new ‘security equation’ with US — Lavrov

MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow is ready to work out a new ‘ security equation ’ in talks with Washington , which will take into account all strategic stability factors , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with TASS .
`` When the global situation continues to deteriorate , we want Russia and the US , [ as countries ] bearing special responsibility for maintaining international security , to sit down at the negotiating table to come up with a new ‘ security equation ’ that will take into account all strategic stability factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underscored .
Lavrov underlined that Russia is waiting for the next US administration to determine its approach to the future of the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( New START ) and the arms control negotiations in general .
`` New START remains the last international law instrument to mutually limit the nuclear missile potential of the two largest nuclear powers and make activities in this sphere predictable and verifiable , '' the minister highlighted .
`` I remind you that it expires in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ readiness to extend this treaty without any preconditions , leaving it as is , by up to five years .
It would make it possible to maintain the current level of transparency in the strategic ties with the United States . ''

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. Moscow is ready to work out a new ‘security equation’ in talks with Washington, which will take into account all strategic stability factors, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with TASS.
"When the global situation continues to deteriorate, we want Russia and the US, [as countries] bearing special responsibility for maintaining international security, to sit down at the negotiating table to come up with a new ‘security equation’ that will take into account all strategic stability factors and modern military technologies," he underscored.
Lavrov underlined that Russia is waiting for the next US administration to determine its approach to the future of the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START) and the arms control negotiations in general.
"New START remains the last international law instrument to mutually limit the nuclear missile potential of the two largest nuclear powers and make activities in this sphere predictable and verifiable," the minister highlighted. "I remind you that it expires in February next year. We have repeatedly expressed readiness to extend this treaty without any preconditions, leaving it as is, by up to five years. It would make it possible to maintain the current level of transparency in the strategic ties with the United States."


tass--2020-12-30--What hysteria? Putin couldn’t care less about Navalny’s new criminal case, Kremlin assures

According to the Kremlin official , the head of state has other things to focus on , particularly the goals that he and the cabinet are going to tackle .
Investigative officials earlier launched a criminal case against Navalny , accusing him of embezzling 356 mln rubles ( $ 4.78 mln ) of public donations to the organizations he heads .
The blogger commented on the move , claiming that the president was `` having a fit . ''
Peskov said in response that `` Putin isn ’ t having any fits , Putin is getting ready for a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone conversations , wishing his colleagues a Happy New Year . ''
`` All other details should probably be requested from the Investigative Committee , since we don ’ t have the information , '' the Kremlin spokesman specified .
When asked what the head of state felt about the Navalny situation , Peskov pointed out that `` Vladimir Putin couldn ’ t care less about the situation . ''
`` What Vladimir Putin cares about are the goals that stand before him and the government , '' the official noted , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the policies that have been implemented this year . ''
`` Meanwhile , the most critical issues that remain on the agenda motivate him to rise to the occasion , '' the presidential spokesman emphasized .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed speculation that criminal cases against blogger Alexey Navalny were political .
`` Why is it difficult ? ''
Peskov said in a comment on a reporter ’ s remark that it was hard to call criminal cases against Navalny `` not political . ''
`` This is in no way a priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment , so we would not want to continue commenting on this , '' he noted .
When asked to comment on a suggestion that a new criminal case was needed to make sure that Navalny would not come back to Russia , Peskov said : `` I can not say anything here , you should better call the Investigative Committee , they will tell you everything .
They are doing their job , '' he noted .
According to Peskov , Putin was informed `` about the activity of various agencies in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the agencies report about their work in accordance with the established procedure . ''
Russian investigators initiated a criminal case against Navalny over charges of embezzling 356 mln rubles ( $ 4.7 mln ) out of over 588 mln rubles ( $ 7.9 mln ) donated to a number of his organizations , including the Anti-Corruption Foundation .
According to investigators , Navalny and some other individuals spent this sum on personal needs : purchase of private property , material valuables and payment of expenses , including vacations abroad .
Therefore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embezzled .
In July 2013 , Navalny was found guilty of embezzling the funds of Kirovles company in western Russia ’ s Kirov Region and was handed a five-year sentence in a general-security colony as part of the embezzlement case .
However , the prosecutors challenged the decision on Navalny ’ s custody , motivating this by the fact that he had been registered as a candidate for the Moscow mayor and this would be an obstacle for his campaigning .
The next day Navalny walked free before the sentence took effect .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court handed a five-year suspended sentence to Navalny .
On December 30 , 2014 , Moscow ’ s Zamoskvoretsky Court found the Navalny brothers guilty of embezzling Yves Rocher 's funds and sentenced Alexey Navalny to a suspended sentence of 3 years and 6 months and Oleg Navalny - to 3 years 6 months in a general-security colony .

According to the Kremlin official, the head of state has other things to focus on, particularly the goals that he and the cabinet are going to tackle.
Investigative officials earlier launched a criminal case against Navalny, accusing him of embezzling 356 mln rubles ($4.78 mln) of public donations to the organizations he heads. The blogger commented on the move, claiming that the president was "having a fit."
Peskov said in response that "Putin isn’t having any fits, Putin is getting ready for a meeting with the prime minister and holding international phone conversations, wishing his colleagues a Happy New Year." "All other details should probably be requested from the Investigative Committee, since we don’t have the information," the Kremlin spokesman specified.
When asked what the head of state felt about the Navalny situation, Peskov pointed out that "Vladimir Putin couldn’t care less about the situation." "What Vladimir Putin cares about are the goals that stand before him and the government," the official noted, adding that "the president is delighted over the policies that have been implemented this year." "Meanwhile, the most critical issues that remain on the agenda motivate him to rise to the occasion," the presidential spokesman emphasized.
Speculations about political nature of Navalny's prosecution
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed speculation that criminal cases against blogger Alexey Navalny were political.
"Why is it difficult?" Peskov said in a comment on a reporter’s remark that it was hard to call criminal cases against Navalny "not political."
"This is in no way a priority issue and here we have nothing to comment, so we would not want to continue commenting on this," he noted.
When asked to comment on a suggestion that a new criminal case was needed to make sure that Navalny would not come back to Russia, Peskov said: "I cannot say anything here, you should better call the Investigative Committee, they will tell you everything. They are doing their job," he noted.
According to Peskov, Putin was informed "about the activity of various agencies in regard to Navalny." "Certainly, the agencies report about their work in accordance with the established procedure."
Criminal cases against Navalny
Russian investigators initiated a criminal case against Navalny over charges of embezzling 356 mln rubles ($4.7 mln) out of over 588 mln rubles ($7.9 mln) donated to a number of his organizations, including the Anti-Corruption Foundation. According to investigators, Navalny and some other individuals spent this sum on personal needs: purchase of private property, material valuables and payment of expenses, including vacations abroad. Therefore, the money collected from citizens, was embezzled.
In July 2013, Navalny was found guilty of embezzling the funds of Kirovles company in western Russia’s Kirov Region and was handed a five-year sentence in a general-security colony as part of the embezzlement case. However, the prosecutors challenged the decision on Navalny’s custody, motivating this by the fact that he had been registered as a candidate for the Moscow mayor and this would be an obstacle for his campaigning. The next day Navalny walked free before the sentence took effect. In October 2013, the Kirov Region Court handed a five-year suspended sentence to Navalny.
On December 30, 2014, Moscow’s Zamoskvoretsky Court found the Navalny brothers guilty of embezzling Yves Rocher's funds and sentenced Alexey Navalny to a suspended sentence of 3 years and 6 months and Oleg Navalny - to 3 years 6 months in a general-security colony.


tass--2020-12-30--Putin sends New Year, Christmas wishes to Trump, Biden

Putin hopes some problems in relations with US will be solved under Biden MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
@ @ @ @ @ sent Christmas and New Year wishes to incumbent US President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` The Russian leader has sent congratulations to US President Donald Trump on @ @ @ @ @ New Year holidays and wished good health , high spirits and well-being to him and @ @ @ @ @ US citizens happiness and prosperity as well , '' the statement reads .
`` In @ @ @ @ @ Christmas message to US President-elect Joe Biden , Putin noted that the coronavirus pandemic and @ @ @ @ @ world this past year reaffirmed that large-scale international cooperation is in demand .
The president @ @ @ @ @ the US could do a lot to boost both regional and global stability and security @ @ @ @ @ the spirit of equality and taking each other ’ s interests into account , '' @ @ @ @

Putin hopes some problems in relations with US will be solved under Biden
MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent Christmas and New Year wishes to incumbent US President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden, the Kremlin reported Wednesday.
"The Russian leader has sent congratulations to US President Donald Trump on the occasion of Christmas and New Year holidays and wished good health, high spirits and well-being to him and his family, wishing all US citizens happiness and prosperity as well," the statement reads.
"In the congratulatory New Year and Christmas message to US President-elect Joe Biden, Putin noted that the coronavirus pandemic and other challenges faced by the world this past year reaffirmed that large-scale international cooperation is in demand. The president expressed confidence that Russia and the US could do a lot to boost both regional and global stability and security by advancing their relations in the spirit of equality and taking each other’s interests into account," the Kremlin stressed.