tass--2020-12-17--Russian combat engineers defuse 6,000 explosive objects in Nagorno-Karabakh - peacekeepers

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian combat engineers have defused over 6,000 explosive objects and cleared about 200 hectares of territory in Nagorno-Karabakh , Dmitry Perepelkin , a deputy chief of the Russian peacekeeping contingent ’ s reconciliation center , told reporters on Thursday .
`` Russian combat engineers of the Center for Humanitarian Demining have cleared 195 hectares of territory and 60 kilometers of roads from unexploded mines and shells .
< ... > More than 6,000 explosive objects have been detected and destroyed , '' Perepelkin said .
According to him , 405 buildings were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of the center also said that military doctors provided assistance to 558 local residents , including 67 children .
`` Together with employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross , we continue the exchange of the bodies of those killed between the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides , as well as the search for missing persons .
To make this work more effective , the number of search groups has been increased from three to five , '' Perepelkin stressed .
He said that the hotline for collecting data about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
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 .
Under the document , the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides stopped at the positions that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the region .
The Russian peacekeepers have set up observation posts along the engagement line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachinsky corridor that connects Armenia with the enclave to exercise control of the ceasefire observance .
The peacekeeping mission ’ s command is stationed in Stepanakert in Nagorno-Karabakh .
The situation in the area is monitored round-the-clock .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian combat engineers have defused over 6,000 explosive objects and cleared about 200 hectares of territory in Nagorno-Karabakh, Dmitry Perepelkin, a deputy chief of the Russian peacekeeping contingent’s reconciliation center, told reporters on Thursday.
"Russian combat engineers of the Center for Humanitarian Demining have cleared 195 hectares of territory and 60 kilometers of roads from unexploded mines and shells. <...> More than 6,000 explosive objects have been detected and destroyed," Perepelkin said.
According to him, 405 buildings were also checked for unexploded ordnance. The deputy head of the center also said that military doctors provided assistance to 558 local residents, including 67 children.
"Together with employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross, we continue the exchange of the bodies of those killed between the Armenian and Azerbaijani sides, as well as the search for missing persons. To make this work more effective, the number of search groups has been increased from three to five," Perepelkin stressed. He said that the hotline for collecting data about the missing persons had received over 490 telephone calls.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July.
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. Under the document, the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides stopped at the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region. The Russian peacekeepers have set up observation posts along the engagement line in Nagorno-Karabakh and along the Lachinsky corridor that connects Armenia with the enclave to exercise control of the ceasefire observance. The peacekeeping mission’s command is stationed in Stepanakert in Nagorno-Karabakh. The situation in the area is monitored round-the-clock.


tass--2020-12-16--Kiev quashes all parties' negotiation efforts, envoy says

MOSCOW , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
Kiev has nullified efforts of all sides in the negotiation process on the situation in eastern Ukraine , Russian Envoy to the Contact Group on resolving the situation in eastern Ukraine Boris Gryzlov said on Wednesday after the Group ’ s last meeting this year .
`` A meeting of the Contact Group largely was dedicated to the results of 2020 .
For Ukraine this year began with President Vladimir Zelensky ’ s promises to fulfill the Normandy obligations , approved in order to implement the Minsk Agreements .
The year 2020 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the Paris Summit number 4 , whose decisions should have been implemented by the parties to the conflict during time limits specified in Paris , '' he said .
`` I have to state with regret that recommendations of leaders of Germany , France , the Russian Federation and Ukraine as of today have not been implemented , '' he pointed out .
The envoy added that `` the Contact Group notes that they were not implemented because of the official Kiev which instead of detailed work with certain districts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict replaces it with some procedural initiatives on ‘ more frequent meetings ’ , reformatting its delegation and rotating its members at the Minsk format talks .
At the same time , the Verkhovna Rada passes decrees that contradict the Minsk Agreements which reduces to zero the efforts of all sides in the negotiations to settle the conflict . ''
The envoy particularly noted a dialogue with the participation of Donbass representatives which was held at the UN site and was dedicated to the situation in Donbass and the implementation of the resolution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Minsk Agreements .
`` The Donbass position was declared at a high international level and the results of this meeting , are , without a doubt , important for the Contact Group .
Ukraine tried to undermine this dialogue but without success and utterly in vain , '' the envoy emphasized .
According to him , it is a fact that the Donbass representatives today are involved in the international dialogue .
`` And this is a direct result of Ukraine ’ s unwillingness to talk to the Donbass representatives within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Ukrainian authorities are pushing Donbass away , then the independent participation of the Donbass representatives in other formats , including international ones , becomes inevitable .
The conversation at the UN site took place , the Kiev government can not hush it up , '' he noted , expressing hope that as early as this year Kiev will think about changing its position and returning to the implementation of the Minsk Agreements .
`` It is important for the Ukrainian authorities , for the Ukrainian politicians to find a political will in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donbass .
The site of the Contact Group is designated and is always open for such a dialogue .
There is simply no other path to peace in Ukraine without the unconditional and complete fulfillment of the Minsk Agreements by the Ukrainian authorities .
And it will be for the best if already during next year 2021 this opportunity will be indeed implemented , '' he concluded .

MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. Kiev has nullified efforts of all sides in the negotiation process on the situation in eastern Ukraine, Russian Envoy to the Contact Group on resolving the situation in eastern Ukraine Boris Gryzlov said on Wednesday after the Group’s last meeting this year.
"A meeting of the Contact Group largely was dedicated to the results of 2020. For Ukraine this year began with President Vladimir Zelensky’s promises to fulfill the Normandy obligations, approved in order to implement the Minsk Agreements. The year 2020 is over and more than a year elapsed after the Paris Summit number 4, whose decisions should have been implemented by the parties to the conflict during time limits specified in Paris," he said.
"I have to state with regret that recommendations of leaders of Germany, France, the Russian Federation and Ukraine as of today have not been implemented," he pointed out. The envoy added that "the Contact Group notes that they were not implemented because of the official Kiev which instead of detailed work with certain districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions on settling the conflict replaces it with some procedural initiatives on ‘more frequent meetings’, reformatting its delegation and rotating its members at the Minsk format talks. At the same time, the Verkhovna Rada passes decrees that contradict the Minsk Agreements which reduces to zero the efforts of all sides in the negotiations to settle the conflict."
The envoy particularly noted a dialogue with the participation of Donbass representatives which was held at the UN site and was dedicated to the situation in Donbass and the implementation of the resolution of the UN Security Council in support of the Minsk Agreements. "The Donbass position was declared at a high international level and the results of this meeting, are, without a doubt, important for the Contact Group. Ukraine tried to undermine this dialogue but without success and utterly in vain," the envoy emphasized.
Participation of Donbass in talks
According to him, it is a fact that the Donbass representatives today are involved in the international dialogue. "And this is a direct result of Ukraine’s unwillingness to talk to the Donbass representatives within the framework of the Contact Group. If Ukrainian authorities are pushing Donbass away, then the independent participation of the Donbass representatives in other formats, including international ones, becomes inevitable. The conversation at the UN site took place, the Kiev government cannot hush it up," he noted, expressing hope that as early as this year Kiev will think about changing its position and returning to the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.
"It is important for the Ukrainian authorities, for the Ukrainian politicians to find a political will in order to begin a direct dialogue with Donbass. The site of the Contact Group is designated and is always open for such a dialogue. There is simply no other path to peace in Ukraine without the unconditional and complete fulfillment of the Minsk Agreements by the Ukrainian authorities. And it will be for the best if already during next year 2021 this opportunity will be indeed implemented," he concluded.


tass--2020-12-16--Hainan to host international tropical agricultural products fair

HAIKOU , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Winter International Tropical Agricultural Products Fair will be held from 18 to 22 December in Hainan 's Haikou , reported the Haikou Daily newspaper .
This is the only winter tropical agriculture fair in China , the publication specifies .
The upcoming event will feature fruits , vegetables , grains and oilseeds , livestock products , seafood , tea , coffee and wine .
IMoreover , one can learn more about agro-industrial materials and equipment at the fair .
More than 100 companies from 30 countries , as well as about 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participation .
Ten exhibition halls with a total area of more than 100,000 square meters will open for visitors .
Seven sites will be located indoors , three more — outdoors .
The fair was organized by the Hainan Provincial Agriculture and Village Administration and the Haikou administration .
The event will be led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs , the China Committee for the Promotion of International Trade , the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives and the Hainan administration .
During the exhibition , the organizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the coronavirus .
Items on display , including frozen products , will be carefully checked to ensure that they meet safety standards .
The Chinese authorities pay great attention to the development of agriculture on Hainan .
Passion fruit , pitaya , coconut , pomelo and many other tropical fruits are grown here .
In addition , the island offers opportunities for sea fishing , gardening and livestock raising .

HAIKOU, December 16. /TASS/. The Winter International Tropical Agricultural Products Fair will be held from 18 to 22 December in Hainan's Haikou, reported the Haikou Daily newspaper.
This is the only winter tropical agriculture fair in China, the publication specifies. The upcoming event will feature fruits, vegetables, grains and oilseeds, livestock products, seafood, tea, coffee and wine. IMoreover, one can learn more about agro-industrial materials and equipment at the fair.
More than 100 companies from 30 countries, as well as about 2,000 enterprises from China, have confirmed their participation. Ten exhibition halls with a total area of more than 100,000 square meters will open for visitors. Seven sites will be located indoors, three more — outdoors.
The fair was organized by the Hainan Provincial Agriculture and Village Administration and the Haikou administration. The event will be led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the China Committee for the Promotion of International Trade, the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives and the Hainan administration.
During the exhibition, the organizers will take the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Items on display, including frozen products, will be carefully checked to ensure that they meet safety standards.
The Chinese authorities pay great attention to the development of agriculture on Hainan. Passion fruit, pitaya, coconut, pomelo and many other tropical fruits are grown here. In addition, the island offers opportunities for sea fishing, gardening and livestock raising.


tass--2020-12-16--Volume of Hainan's duty free trade could reach $ 4 billion in 2020

HAIKOU , December 16 .
/TASS/ .
The total duty free trade volume at Hainan 's duty free shops by the end of 2020 may exceed 26 billion yuan ( about $ 3.97 billion ) , the local newspaper `` Hainan Daily '' reported citing the provincial department of commerce .
According to the authorities , the total volume of trade in four duty free shops on the island , including goods that are taxed , should be about 31.5 billion yuan ( about $ 4.8 billion ) .
As of December 14 , this figure has already exceeded 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , of which 25 billion yuan are duty-free goods , and the rest about 50 billion yuan is the volume of trade in goods that were taxed .
A pilot program for the development of a chain of duty free shops on Hainan was launched by the Chinese government in 2011 .
Between 2011 and the end of 2019 , customers made more than 16 million purchases in duty free shops for a total of 53.8 billion yuan ( about $ 8.2 billion ) , according to official customs data .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop in sales in the first half of 2020 , but sales have skyrocketed in the second half amid an improvement in the country 's epidemiological situation and an influx of Chinese tourists to the province .
There are currently four duty free shops in the Hainan province : two of them are located in the provincial capital , Haikou , and the rest — in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao in Qionghai District in the northeast of the island .
A pilot program for the development of a chain of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Chinese government in 2011 .
By the end of 2020 , it is planned to open three more new duty free shops .
The authorities explained the need to increase the number of duty free shops in the province by the growing number of tourists and the high demand for duty free goods .
All three new stores will be located in Sanya .
One of them will open at the airport , and the other two — in the suburbs .
Since July 1 , the presonal quotas for purchases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been increased from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan ( from $ 4,200 to $ 14,200 ) , and the list of duty free goods has been expanded from 38 to 45 positions .

HAIKOU, December 16. /TASS/. The total duty free trade volume at Hainan's duty free shops by the end of 2020 may exceed 26 billion yuan (about $ 3.97 billion), the local newspaper "Hainan Daily" reported citing the provincial department of commerce.
According to the authorities, the total volume of trade in four duty free shops on the island, including goods that are taxed, should be about 31.5 billion yuan (about $ 4.8 billion). As of December 14, this figure has already exceeded 30 billion yuan (about $ 4.6 billion), of which 25 billion yuan are duty-free goods, and the rest about 50 billion yuan is the volume of trade in goods that were taxed.
A pilot program for the development of a chain of duty free shops on Hainan was launched by the Chinese government in 2011. Between 2011 and the end of 2019, customers made more than 16 million purchases in duty free shops for a total of 53.8 billion yuan (about $ 8.2 billion), according to official customs data. The coronavirus pandemic has led to a slight drop in sales in the first half of 2020, but sales have skyrocketed in the second half amid an improvement in the country's epidemiological situation and an influx of Chinese tourists to the province.
There are currently four duty free shops in the Hainan province: two of them are located in the provincial capital, Haikou, and the rest — in Sanya and the coastal town of Boao in Qionghai District in the northeast of the island. A pilot program for the development of a chain of duty free shops on Hainan was launched by the Chinese government in 2011.
By the end of 2020, it is planned to open three more new duty free shops. The authorities explained the need to increase the number of duty free shops in the province by the growing number of tourists and the high demand for duty free goods. All three new stores will be located in Sanya. One of them will open at the airport, and the other two — in the suburbs.
Since July 1, the presonal quotas for purchases in duty free shops in the province have been increased from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan (from $ 4,200 to $ 14,200), and the list of duty free goods has been expanded from 38 to 45 positions.


tass--2020-12-18--Russia deploys its super-fast MiG-31 interceptor aircraft in Chukotka

MOSCOW , December 18 .
/TASS/ .
Groups of Russia ’ s super-fast MiG-31 interceptor aircraft ( NATO reporting name Foxhound ) were deployed in Russia ’ s easternmost region of Chukotka to control the Arctic airspace , Russian Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Sergei Avakyants said .
`` From December 1 , groups of MiG-31 aircraft of the fleet ’ s naval aviation assumed combat duty in the Arctic , '' the commander said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper .
`` Relevant infrastructure has been created at the airport of [ Chukotka ’ s administrative center ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on round-the-clock air defense duty , '' he added .
The long-range MiG-31 was designed in the Soviet Union .
Several jets can control 900-km wide airspace .
MiG-31 has always been engaged to intercept sophisticated targets .
Its takeoff weight is over 45 tons .
The combination of a high speed , long range and altitude developed the jet into the carrier of the Russian hypersonic missile .
MiG increases the range and speed of the missile .
The aircraft accelerates to specific speed , ascends and launches the weapon .
MiG-31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the first stage of the Kinzhal hypersonic missile and begins an attack outside the dense layers of the atmosphere at altitudes of 12,000-15,000 meters .
The missile flies at the stratosphere boundary to decrease air resistance .

MOSCOW, December 18. /TASS/. Groups of Russia’s super-fast MiG-31 interceptor aircraft (NATO reporting name Foxhound) were deployed in Russia’s easternmost region of Chukotka to control the Arctic airspace, Russian Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Sergei Avakyants said.
"From December 1, groups of MiG-31 aircraft of the fleet’s naval aviation assumed combat duty in the Arctic," the commander said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.
"Relevant infrastructure has been created at the airport of [Chukotka’s administrative center] Anadyr, allowing our forces to be on round-the-clock air defense duty," he added.
The long-range MiG-31 was designed in the Soviet Union. Several jets can control 900-km wide airspace. MiG-31 has always been engaged to intercept sophisticated targets. Its takeoff weight is over 45 tons. The combination of a high speed, long range and altitude developed the jet into the carrier of the Russian hypersonic missile. MiG increases the range and speed of the missile. The aircraft accelerates to specific speed, ascends and launches the weapon. MiG-31 with K index (Kinzhal) operates as the first stage of the Kinzhal hypersonic missile and begins an attack outside the dense layers of the atmosphere at altitudes of 12,000-15,000 meters. The missile flies at the stratosphere boundary to decrease air resistance.


tass--2020-12-18--Combat training of Russian troops not affected by coronavirus pandemic — deputy minister

MOSCOW , December 18 .
/TASS/ .
The novel coronavirus pandemic had no effect on the combat training of Russian @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Foreign Minister Lt. Gen. Yunus-Bek Yevkurov said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Despite a complicated epidemiological situation in 2020 , the intensity and quality of @ @ @ @ @ the same level , it even demonstrated a five-percent increase in the number of cross-branch @ @ @ @ @ previous year , '' he said .
`` Of course , we had to postpone @ @ @ @ @ to summer , but we did not cancel any of them , '' the deputy @ @ @ @ @ words , a total of 18,500 combat training events were held in 2020 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ tasks set by the country ’ s leadership for the 2020 academic year , '' @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 18. /TASS/. The novel coronavirus pandemic had no effect on the combat training of Russian servicemen in 2020, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Lt. Gen. Yunus-Bek Yevkurov said in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, published on Friday.
"Despite a complicated epidemiological situation in 2020, the intensity and quality of training not just remained at the same level, it even demonstrated a five-percent increase in the number of cross-branch exercises as compared to the previous year," he said.
"Of course, we had to postpone some of them from winter to summer, but we did not cancel any of them," the deputy minister added.
In his words, a total of 18,500 combat training events were held in 2020.
"The armed forces fulfilled the tasks set by the country’s leadership for the 2020 academic year," Yevkurov said.


tass--2020-12-18--Russia’s ‘light’ coronavirus vaccine to form immunity lasting 3-4 months — researcher

MOSCOW , December 18 .
/TASS/ .
A `` light '' vaccine against the coronavirus , that is , inoculation with only one of the two vaccine components , will protect against the infection for three or four months , Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry Alexander Gintsburg told TASS .
`` The immunity is expected to be formed in three weeks , '' he said .
`` It won ’ t last long , I think it will regretfully last three or , at best , four months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ told journalists after his annual press conference that scientists can develop a `` light '' version of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus with a shorter duration of action , which , however , will allow to inoculate a significantly larger number of people .
According to Gintsburg , the efficacy of the vaccine will be about 85 % , maybe even less for elderly people .
`` However , it will fulfill its main function , which is to reduce the number of severe cases and hospitalizations , regardless of a patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It will be a one-component vaccine and it will be used primarily in countries with high mortality , where it is necessary to quickly reduce it with the help of a vaccine , but at the cost of a shorter effect .
So , it will be some kind of a compromise , '' the Russian scientist continued .
Gintsburg added that the vaccine can be delivered to other countries or produced on site under the Russian technology .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country to register the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center .
Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7 , the first vaccine was administered to volunteers on September 9 .
In all , 40,000 people participate in the trials , with 10,000 of them receiving a placebo instead of the vaccine .

MOSCOW, December 18. /TASS/. A "light" vaccine against the coronavirus, that is, inoculation with only one of the two vaccine components, will protect against the infection for three or four months, Director of the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry Alexander Gintsburg told TASS.
"The immunity is expected to be formed in three weeks," he said. "It won’t last long, I think it will regretfully last three or, at best, four months."
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin told journalists after his annual press conference that scientists can develop a "light" version of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus with a shorter duration of action, which, however, will allow to inoculate a significantly larger number of people.
According to Gintsburg, the efficacy of the vaccine will be about 85%, maybe even less for elderly people.
"However, it will fulfill its main function, which is to reduce the number of severe cases and hospitalizations, regardless of a patient’s age," he said.
"It will be a one-component vaccine and it will be used primarily in countries with high mortality, where it is necessary to quickly reduce it with the help of a vaccine,but at the cost of a shorter effect. So, it will be some kind of a compromise," the Russian scientist continued.
Gintsburg added that the vaccine can be delivered to other countries or produced on site under the Russian technology.
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register the vaccine against the coronavirus, named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center. Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7, the first vaccine was administered to volunteers on September 9. In all, 40,000 people participate in the trials, with 10,000 of them receiving a placebo instead of the vaccine.


tass--2020-12-18--Macron probably contracted coronavirus during Brussels summit — health minister

PARIS , December 18 .
/TASS/ .
French President Emmanuel Macron could have contracted the novel coronavirus infection during the EU summit in Brussels , Health Minister Olivier Veran told the France 5 TV channel on Thursday .
`` From the look of things , it is unlikely that the head of the state became infected during a working breakfast or dinner in the Elysee Palace , '' Veran said .
`` But it is quite possible that this happened in Brussels , during the December 10-11 meeting of the 27 EU member states . ''
According to the French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a working dinner in a large hall .
`` Regretfully , it [ large space ] won ’ t protect you against coronaivrus , '' he said .
Earlier in the day , the Elysee Palace informed that French President Emmanuel Macron had tested positive for COVID-19 .
The president decided to self-isolate for seven days and will work remotely .
The governmental spokesman , Gabriel Attal , said at a briefing that Macron developed first symptoms in early hours of Thursday , so he was tested in the morning .
So far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other EU summit participants falling ill .

PARIS, December 18. /TASS/. French President Emmanuel Macron could have contracted the novel coronavirus infection during the EU summit in Brussels, Health Minister Olivier Veran told the France 5 TV channel on Thursday.
"From the look of things, it is unlikely that the head of the state became infected during a working breakfast or dinner in the Elysee Palace," Veran said. "But it is quite possible that this happened in Brussels, during the December 10-11 meeting of the 27 EU member states."
According to the French minister, the summit's schedule included a working dinner in a large hall.
"Regretfully, it [large space] won’t protect you against coronaivrus," he said.
Earlier in the day, the Elysee Palace informed that French President Emmanuel Macron had tested positive for COVID-19. The president decided to self-isolate for seven days and will work remotely. The governmental spokesman, Gabriel Attal, said at a briefing that Macron developed first symptoms in early hours of Thursday, so he was tested in the morning. So far, there have been no reports of other EU summit participants falling ill.


tass--2020-12-18--Experts name S-500 air defense system as possible ‘antidote’ to hypersonic weapons

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian military experts named the S-500 surface-to-air missile/anti-ballistic missile system and a modernized interceptor missile as a possible ‘ antidote ’ against an enemy ’ s hypersonic weapons mentioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his annual press conference .
Russia is currently working on systems of countering hypersonic weapons , which other countries still do not have , Putin told reporters on Thursday .
`` We are working , among other things , on the ‘ antidote ’ against future hypersonic weapons in other countries , in the world ’ s other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will do that and we are on the right way , '' he said .
According to Victor Murakhovsky , the editor-in-chief of the Russian magazine Arsenal of the Fatherland , `` the S-500 system can become that ‘ antidote.
’ '' '' Possibly , the modernization of Moscow ’ s missile shield was also meant .
It has been made known that its interceptor missiles have been seriously modernized , '' the expert added .
In turn , the director for the development of the Foundation for Assistance to 21st Century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was way ahead of the United States in hypersonic technologies .
However , the US will do its best to catch up with Russia as soon as possible , so a proper defense against hypersonic weapons would be necessary for maintaining balance .
`` The classical military way of thinking is that an attack weapon should always be supported by a defensive weapon , because the potential adversary will also develop this sphere .
Therefore , in the classical paradigm , an attack technology must always be complemented with a defensive technology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TASS .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian military experts named the S-500 surface-to-air missile/anti-ballistic missile system and a modernized interceptor missile as a possible ‘antidote’ against an enemy’s hypersonic weapons mentioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his annual press conference.
Russia is currently working on systems of countering hypersonic weapons, which other countries still do not have, Putin told reporters on Thursday. "We are working, among other things, on the ‘antidote’ against future hypersonic weapons in other countries, in the world’s other leading armies. I am confident that we will do that and we are on the right way," he said.
According to Victor Murakhovsky, the editor-in-chief of the Russian magazine Arsenal of the Fatherland, "the S-500 system can become that ‘antidote.’"
"Possibly, the modernization of Moscow’s missile shield was also meant. It has been made known that its interceptor missiles have been seriously modernized," the expert added.
In turn, the director for the development of the Foundation for Assistance to 21st Century Technologies, Ivan Konovalov, said Russia was way ahead of the United States in hypersonic technologies. However, the US will do its best to catch up with Russia as soon as possible, so a proper defense against hypersonic weapons would be necessary for maintaining balance.
"The classical military way of thinking is that an attack weapon should always be supported by a defensive weapon, because the potential adversary will also develop this sphere. Therefore, in the classical paradigm, an attack technology must always be complemented with a defensive technology, and vice versa," he told TASS.


tass--2020-12-17--Russia to suspend deportation of foreigners until June 15, 2021 — ministry

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
As stipulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s decree , Russia will suspend the process of deporting foreigners and stateless persons until June 15 , 2021 , due to the novel coronavirus pandemic , the Russian Interior Ministry ’ s press service told TASS .
According to earlier reports , Putin extended until June 15 , 2021 the temporary measures to regulate the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons in Russia in connection with the novel coronavirus infection .
The decree was published by Russia ’ s official database of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the decree , foreigners will not have to renew documents for their temporary stay in Russia .
This includes extending visas , registering at a place of temporary stay until a certain deadline , renewing temporary and permanent residence documents such as residence permits .
Besides , during this period no decisions will be made regarding deportation , repatriation or handover to another country of foreigners and stateless persons .
Also , relevant governmental agencies will make no decisions on reducing the period of temporary stay in Russia and on stripping a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asylum , as well as on revoking previously issued visas , work permissions , patents and residence permits .
The only exception will be made for foreigners and stateless persons who are released from a prison , violate border regulations , pose a threat to Russia ’ s national security , promote a violent upheaval , support terrorists and take part in unsanctioned rallies .
Starting from March 15 , 2021 , the treaty will not be applicable to residents of countries that restored regular transportation links with Russia by December 15 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume after December 15 , 2020 , those regulations will still be applicable to its citizens for a period of 90 days after the resumption .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. As stipulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decree, Russia will suspend the process of deporting foreigners and stateless persons until June 15, 2021, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Russian Interior Ministry’s press service told TASS.
According to earlier reports, Putin extended until June 15, 2021 the temporary measures to regulate the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons in Russia in connection with the novel coronavirus infection. The decree was published by Russia’s official database of legislative information on Thursday.
In line with the decree, foreigners will not have to renew documents for their temporary stay in Russia. This includes extending visas, registering at a place of temporary stay until a certain deadline, renewing temporary and permanent residence documents such as residence permits.
Besides, during this period no decisions will be made regarding deportation, repatriation or handover to another country of foreigners and stateless persons.
Also, relevant governmental agencies will make no decisions on reducing the period of temporary stay in Russia and on stripping a person of the refugee status or temporary asylum, as well as on revoking previously issued visas, work permissions, patents and residence permits.
The only exception will be made for foreigners and stateless persons who are released from a prison, violate border regulations, pose a threat to Russia’s national security, promote a violent upheaval, support terrorists and take part in unsanctioned rallies.
Starting from March 15, 2021, the treaty will not be applicable to residents of countries that restored regular transportation links with Russia by December 15. If transportation services with a foreign country resume after December 15, 2020, those regulations will still be applicable to its citizens for a period of 90 days after the resumption.


tass--2020-12-17--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 642,000 in past day — WHO

GENEVA , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
More than 642,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 72.85 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Thursday .
As of 19:05 Moscow time on December 17 , as many as 72,851,747 novel coronavirus cases and 1,643,339 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 642,738 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 12,407 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 667,164 ) was reported on November 14 and the highest daily death toll ( 12,432 ) was reported on April 17 .
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries .
North and South America account for more than 45 % of the COVID-19 daily tally ( 291,600 cases ) .
Next are Europe ( 269,527 cases ) , and Southeast Asia ( 34,284 cases ) .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 16,446,844 ) , India ( 9,956,557 ) , Brazil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , France ( 2,367,648 ) , the United Kingdom ( 1,913,281 ) , Italy ( 1,888,144 ) , Spain ( 1,773,290 ) , Argentina ( 1,510,203 ) , Colombia ( 1,444,646 ) , Germany ( 1,406,161 ) , and Mexico ( 1,267,202 ) .

GENEVA, December 17. /TASS/. More than 642,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 72.85 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Thursday.
As of 19:05 Moscow time on December 17, as many as 72,851,747 novel coronavirus cases and 1,643,339 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 642,738 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 12,407.
The highest daily tally of coronavirus cases (667,164) was reported on November 14 and the highest daily death toll (12,432) was reported on April 17.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
North and South America account for more than 45% of the COVID-19 daily tally (291,600 cases). Next are Europe (269,527 cases), and Southeast Asia (34,284 cases).
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (16,446,844), India (9,956,557), Brazil (6,970,034), Russia (2,762,668), France (2,367,648), the United Kingdom (1,913,281), Italy (1,888,144), Spain (1,773,290), Argentina (1,510,203), Colombia (1,444,646), Germany (1,406,161), and Mexico (1,267,202).


tass--2020-12-17--72 more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day — crisis center

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Seventy-two more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ exceeding 10,200 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Thursday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ reached 10,243 .
The center once again warned that in case of any symptoms of @ @ @ @ @ necessary to stay at home , call a doctor and not indulge in self-treatment .
@ @ @ @ @ Russian regions in terms of confirmed coronavirus cases .
As of today , Moscow has @ @ @ @ @ , including 6,711 during the past day , and 551,207 recoveries .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Seventy-two more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities exceeding 10,200, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Thursday.
"Seventy-two coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 10,243.
The center once again warned that in case of any symptoms of a respiratory disease it is necessary to stay at home, call a doctor and not indulge in self-treatment.
Moscow tops the list of Russian regions in terms of confirmed coronavirus cases. As of today, Moscow has reported 715,241 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 6,711 during the past day, and 551,207 recoveries.


tass--2020-12-17--Islamic State building up its potential in Afghanistan, says Russian diplomat

UNITED NATIONS , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
The terrorist group Islamic State ( outlawed in Russia ) is building up its potential in Afghanistan to propagate extremist activities in neighboring Central Asian countries , Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Anna Yevstigneyeva said on Thursday .
`` The country is regularly rocked by bloody terror attacks , which , regrettably , have become an everyday practice in the recent years , '' she said at a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan .
`` It is yet another evidence to the presence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country . ''
According to the Russian diplomat , Islamic State was behind many large-scale attacks .
`` We see that its Afghan wing has not taken to the woods , on the contrary , it keeps on building up its potential to propagate terrorist activities to neighboring Central Asia , '' she warned .
`` Let alone the fact , that cells of foreign militants , most of whom have combat experience after Syria and Iraq , continue to operate in that country . ''
`` Among other sad incidents are an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack on the capital city , '' she added .

UNITED NATIONS, December 17. /TASS/. The terrorist group Islamic State (outlawed in Russia) is building up its potential in Afghanistan to propagate extremist activities in neighboring Central Asian countries, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Anna Yevstigneyeva said on Thursday.
"The country is regularly rocked by bloody terror attacks, which, regrettably, have become an everyday practice in the recent years," she said at a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan. "It is yet another evidence to the presence of terrorist elements of various types in that country."
According to the Russian diplomat, Islamic State was behind many large-scale attacks. "We see that its Afghan wing has not taken to the woods, on the contrary, it keeps on building up its potential to propagate terrorist activities to neighboring Central Asia," she warned. "Let alone the fact, that cells of foreign militants, most of whom have combat experience after Syria and Iraq, continue to operate in that country."
"Among other sad incidents are an attack of the Kabul University and missile attack on the capital city," she added.


tass--2020-12-17--Gazprom and Armenia discuss terms of gas supplies in 2021

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/ TASS / .
Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller and Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan discussed the terms of gas supplies in 2021 , the gas holding said in a statement on Thursday .
`` The parties discussed the results of work on gas supplies to Armenia in 2020 and the terms of supplies in 2021 , '' the statement said .
Gazprom is the only gas supplier to consumers in Armenia .
The gas supplier to the domestic market of the country is Gazprom Armenia .
Since January 1 , 2019 , the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from $ 150 to $ 165 per 1,000 cubic meters .
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the republic Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said earlier that the issue of reducing the price of Russian gas is of great importance for Armenia , negotiations with Moscow in this direction are continuing .
At the end of March , Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan sent a letter to the head of Gazprom with a proposal to start new negotiations on reducing gas prices due to the worsening economic situation associated with the spread of the @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 17. / TASS /. Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller and Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan discussed the terms of gas supplies in 2021, the gas holding said in a statement on Thursday.
"The parties discussed the results of work on gas supplies to Armenia in 2020 and the terms of supplies in 2021," the statement said. Gazprom is the only gas supplier to consumers in Armenia. The gas supplier to the domestic market of the country is Gazprom Armenia.
Since January 1, 2019, the price of Russian gas for Armenia has increased from $150 to $165 per 1,000 cubic meters. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the republic Zohrab Mnatsakanyan said earlier that the issue of reducing the price of Russian gas is of great importance for Armenia, negotiations with Moscow in this direction are continuing. At the end of March, Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan sent a letter to the head of Gazprom with a proposal to start new negotiations on reducing gas prices due to the worsening economic situation associated with the spread of the new coronavirus.


tass--2020-12-17--Group of ten tourists goes missing in caves in Moscow suburbs, says source

MOSCOW , December 17./TASS/ .
A group of ten tourists , including eight children , has gone missing in the @ @ @ @ @ an emergency source told TASS on Thursday .
`` There is no contact with a @ @ @ @ @ Syany caves in the Domodedovo urban district at about 11am , '' the source added @

MOSCOW, December 17./TASS/. A group of ten tourists, including eight children, has gone missing in the Syany caves outside Moscow, an emergency source told TASS on Thursday.
"There is no contact with a tourist group that entered the Syany caves in the Domodedovo urban district at about 11am," the source added.


tass--2020-12-17--Russia in contact with Armenia, Azerbaijan to ensure peacekeepers’ security in Karabakh

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian military maintain contacts with both Armenia and Azerbaijani General Staffs to @ @ @ @ @ in Nagorno-Karabakh , the Russian defense ministry said in a daily bulletin on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ the Russian peacekeepers and to prevent possible incidents , permanent contacts are maintained with the @ @ @ @ @ and Armenian armies , '' it said .
According to the Russian defense ministry , @ @ @ @ @ during the day .
`` Russian peacekeepers ensured safe passage of a motor convoy of @ @ @ @ @ the route Kanjar-Krasny Bazar-Shusha , '' the ministry said .
Russian field engineers spotted and @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours .
In all , more than 7,300 shells and mines have @ @ @ @ @ Nagorno-Karabakh .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. The Russian military maintain contacts with both Armenia and Azerbaijani General Staffs to ensure security of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian defense ministry said in a daily bulletin on Thursday.
"To ensure security of the Russian peacekeepers and to prevent possible incidents, permanent contacts are maintained with the General Staffs of the Azerbaijani and Armenian armies," it said.
According to the Russian defense ministry, no ceasefire violations were reported during the day.
"Russian peacekeepers ensured safe passage of a motor convoy of the Azerbaijani armed forces along the route Kanjar-Krasny Bazar-Shusha," the ministry said.
Russian field engineers spotted and destroyed 1,334 explosive objects in the past 24 hours. In all, more than 7,300 shells and mines have been found and destroyed in Nagorno-Karabakh.


tass--2020-12-17--Year 2020 is yet another year of missed opportunities for Ukraine,says Russia’s OSCE envoy

VIENNA , December 17./TASS/ .
This year has come for Ukraine as yet another year of missed opportunities for the settlement in Donbass and the settlement of the problems inherited from ‘ Maidan ’ , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich told an online session of the Permanent Council of the European security agency on Thursday .
The Russian diplomat emphasized that the end of December will mark two years since Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky voiced his political ambitions .
`` He pledged that he was seeking to shortly achieve the end to the conflict in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help making the lives of the majority of the country ’ s nationals qualitatively better , '' he said .
`` This prompted many people to associate their hopes for the improvement of the situation with the promised changes .
However , we have to state with regret that the outgoing year 2020 has become for Ukraine yet another year of missed opportunities in the settlement of long-standing problems inherited from the post-Maidan authorities , '' Lukashevich said .
Focusing on the situation in the east of Ukraine , the Russian envoy pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not changed apart from certain half-measures that eased tensions a little bit .
`` Speculations about a bid to ‘ reach out to the minds and hearts of the Donbass population ’ have failed to be translated into concrete legislative and practical moves aimed at an early implementation of the commitments within the Minsk Package of Measures of February 12 , 2015 .
An infamous social and economic blockade of the region continues , hitting mostly the least socially protected layers of the population .
Ukrainian authorities have taken no action to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Lukashevich noted .
According to the Russian envoy , throughout the year , Kiev has been engaged in an active campaign to discredit a number of provisions in the key instrument for the settlement - the Package of Measures approved in Resolution 2202 of the UN Security Council and recognized by the global community as the basis for achieving peace in Donbass that has no alternative .
`` Ukrainian representatives have gradually passed on to direct appeals to rewrite the document from speeches about an alleged necessity to ‘ update ’ it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done absolutely nothing in the outgoing year for the settlement of political aspects , except for an imitation of progress , '' he went on to say .
The only thing that the Ukrainian parliament was capable of doing , was to formally extend the law on a special status for Donbass for another year .
`` Only one amendment was made to its text on December 15 , replacing 2020 with 2021 , '' he stressed .
Meanwhile , Ukraine continues glorification of Nazi allies from Ukrainian nationalist groups of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ connected with them are marked officially , he added .
Thus , on December 16 , Verkhovna Rada passed a resolution approving the respective schedule for 2021 .
`` It is noteworthy that at a plenary meeting of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly on the same day , Ukraine together with the US , voted like in the previous years against the resolution on combatting the glorification of Nazism , neo-Nazism and other practices that contribute to the escalation of the modern forms of racism , racial discrimination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian envoy summed up .

VIENNA, December 17./TASS/. This year has come for Ukraine as yet another year of missed opportunities for the settlement in Donbass and the settlement of the problems inherited from ‘Maidan’, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich told an online session of the Permanent Council of the European security agency on Thursday.
The Russian diplomat emphasized that the end of December will mark two years since Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky voiced his political ambitions. "He pledged that he was seeking to shortly achieve the end to the conflict in the east of Ukraine, and to help making the lives of the majority of the country’s nationals qualitatively better," he said.
"This prompted many people to associate their hopes for the improvement of the situation with the promised changes. However, we have to state with regret that the outgoing year 2020 has become for Ukraine yet another year of missed opportunities in the settlement of long-standing problems inherited from the post-Maidan authorities," Lukashevich said.
Focusing on the situation in the east of Ukraine, the Russian envoy pointed out that the policy of Ukrainian authorities has not changed apart from certain half-measures that eased tensions a little bit. "Speculations about a bid to ‘reach out to the minds and hearts of the Donbass population’ have failed to be translated into concrete legislative and practical moves aimed at an early implementation of the commitments within the Minsk Package of Measures of February 12, 2015. An infamous social and economic blockade of the region continues, hitting mostly the least socially protected layers of the population. Ukrainian authorities have taken no action to lift it even amid the pandemic," Lukashevich noted.
According to the Russian envoy, throughout the year, Kiev has been engaged in an active campaign to discredit a number of provisions in the key instrument for the settlement - the Package of Measures approved in Resolution 2202 of the UN Security Council and recognized by the global community as the basis for achieving peace in Donbass that has no alternative. "Ukrainian representatives have gradually passed on to direct appeals to rewrite the document from speeches about an alleged necessity to ‘update’ it," Lukashevich stressed.
"Kiev has done absolutely nothing in the outgoing year for the settlement of political aspects, except for an imitation of progress," he went on to say. The only thing that the Ukrainian parliament was capable of doing, was to formally extend the law on a special status for Donbass for another year. "Only one amendment was made to its text on December 15, replacing 2020 with 2021," he stressed.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues glorification of Nazi allies from Ukrainian nationalist groups of the WWII times, and ‘memorable dates’ connected with them are marked officially, he added. Thus, on December 16, Verkhovna Rada passed a resolution approving the respective schedule for 2021.
"It is noteworthy that at a plenary meeting of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly on the same day, Ukraine together with the US, voted like in the previous years against the resolution on combatting the glorification of Nazism, neo-Nazism and other practices that contribute to the escalation of the modern forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance," the Russian envoy summed up.


tass--2020-12-17--US incapable of directly discussing issues based on facts, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
The United States can not discuss its concerns on various issues directly and guided by facts , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday at a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad .
`` In the last four years of working with the current US administration , we reached a conclusion that Americans can not , don ’ t want and are incapable of discussing the concerns they have based on facts , fairly and directly at the negotiating table , '' he noted .
According to Lavrov , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have come up with a way of publicly accusing someone of something and then later , without producing facts , trying to turn it into a part of the international agenda , making it a proven claim . ''
`` This is what they did with the US elections , later there were complaints about hackers , the same about Skripals and now Navalny , '' he explained .
Lavrov emphasized that it was the US who obstructed appointment of a new UN Secretary General envoy for Libya .
`` This office was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only filled the day before yesterday or yesterday .
Everyone knows that the Americans were resisting the move of the UN Secretary General to appoint first Algeria envoy to this post , and later the African Union was asking to appoint the Ghanaian representative , and she was also blocked by the Americans .
These facts are well known around the world , '' he stressed .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. The United States cannot discuss its concerns on various issues directly and guided by facts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday at a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad.
"In the last four years of working with the current US administration, we reached a conclusion that Americans cannot, don’t want and are incapable of discussing the concerns they have based on facts, fairly and directly at the negotiating table," he noted.
According to Lavrov, the Americans and other Western US allies "have come up with a way of publicly accusing someone of something and then later, without producing facts, trying to turn it into a part of the international agenda, making it a proven claim." "This is what they did with the US elections, later there were complaints about hackers, the same about Skripals and now Navalny," he explained.
Lavrov emphasized that it was the US who obstructed appointment of a new UN Secretary General envoy for Libya. "This office was vacant since this January, it was only filled the day before yesterday or yesterday. Everyone knows that the Americans were resisting the move of the UN Secretary General to appoint first Algeria envoy to this post, and later the African Union was asking to appoint the Ghanaian representative, and she was also blocked by the Americans. These facts are well known around the world," he stressed.


tass--2020-12-17--Pensions of non-working retirees to be indexed above inflation, says Putin

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/ TASS / .
Insurance pensions for non-working pensioners , who retired due to age @ @ @ @ @ 2021 above inflation by 6.3 % , said Russian President Vladimir Putin at the annual @ @ @ @ @ `` Next year , we expect indexation above inflation to be around 4 % , @ @ @ @ @ 6.3 % .
And we have done everything to ensure this , '' President Putin @ @ @ @ @ calculations of the Russian Labor Ministry , the average annual pension will amount to 17,443 @ @ @ @ @ trillion rubles will be required to finance the payment of pensions in 2021 .
This @ @ @ @ @ pensions to 43 mln people .

MOSCOW, December 17. / TASS /. Insurance pensions for non-working pensioners, who retired due to age requirements will be indexed in 2021 above inflation by 6.3%, said Russian President Vladimir Putin at the annual press conference on Thursday.
"Next year, we expect indexation above inflation to be around 4%, pension indexation is provided for 6.3%. And we have done everything to ensure this," President Putin said. According to the calculations of the Russian Labor Ministry, the average annual pension will amount to 17,443 rubles after indexation, 7.8 trillion rubles will be required to finance the payment of pensions in 2021. This will ensure the payment of pensions to 43 mln people.


tass--2020-12-17--India to produce about 300 mln doses of Sputnik V vaccine in 2021

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
India will produce about 300 mln doses of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in 2021 , Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) Kirill Dmitriev said in an interview with Rossiya 24 TV channel .
`` In India , we have agreements with four large manufacturers .
... India will produce about 300 mln doses or more of the vaccine for us next year , '' he said .
Dmitriev noted that out of 110 production sites that negotiated production of Sputnik V , RDIF chose 10 that meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ V will be actively produced in the world and we see that this is built on a safe platform based on the human adenovirus , '' Dmitriev said .
Earlier Dmitriev said that production of Sputnik V began in other countries , in particular in India , Korea , Brazil , and China .
On August 11 , Russia was the first in the world to register Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine .
The drug passed clinical trials in June - July , post-registration studies began in Moscow on September 7 , the volunteers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. India will produce about 300 mln doses of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in 2021, Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev said in an interview with Rossiya 24 TV channel.
"In India, we have agreements with four large manufacturers. ... India will produce about 300 mln doses or more of the vaccine for us next year," he said.
Dmitriev noted that out of 110 production sites that negotiated production of Sputnik V, RDIF chose 10 that meet its requirements. "The Russian Sputnik V will be actively produced in the world and we see that this is built on a safe platform based on the human adenovirus," Dmitriev said.
Earlier Dmitriev said that production of Sputnik V began in other countries, in particular in India, Korea, Brazil, and China.
On August 11, Russia was the first in the world to register Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine. The drug passed clinical trials in June - July, post-registration studies began in Moscow on September 7, the volunteers received the first vaccine on September 9.


tass--2020-12-17--Lavrov, South Korean president’s special envoy discuss situation in Korean Peninsula

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Special Envoy of the President @ @ @ @ @ Woo Yoon-keun on Thursday , focusing on bilateral cooperation and the situation in the Korean @ @ @ @ @ were satisfied with the high level of political dialogue and called for the further enhancement @ @ @ @ @ investment and humanitarian cooperation , including collaboration against the spread of coronavirus , '' the @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
`` While discussing regional and international issues , they focused attention on @ @ @ @ @ Peninsula . ''
The two diplomats confirmed that the implementation of the events within the @ @ @ @ @ Russia and South Korea , which marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral @ @ @ @ @ continued .
The ministry added that Year of reciprocal exchanges was extended to 2021 in @ @ @ @ @ ’ agreements .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Korea Woo Yoon-keun on Thursday, focusing on bilateral cooperation and the situation in the Korean Peninsula.
"The sides were satisfied with the high level of political dialogue and called for the further enhancement of trade, economic, investment and humanitarian cooperation, including collaboration against the spread of coronavirus," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "While discussing regional and international issues, they focused attention on the situation in the Korean Peninsula."
The two diplomats confirmed that the implementation of the events within the Year of reciprocal exchanges between Russia and South Korea, which marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, would be continued. The ministry added that Year of reciprocal exchanges was extended to 2021 in accordance with the two presidents’ agreements.


tass--2020-12-17--Sputnik V vaccine produced in large bioreactors for mass output, RDIF says

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Production of Sputnik V has switched to large bioreactors which allows to set up a mass output of the vaccine , Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday in an interview with the Russia-24 TV channel .
He noted that the production of Sputnik V started in other countries , for instance , in India , South Korea , Brazil and China .
`` We actually use their industrial capacities in order to satisfy demand on external markets , '' he added .
On August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to register the vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June-July .
Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7 , the first vaccine was administered to volunteers on September 9 .
In all , 40,000 people participate in the program , with 10,000 of them receiving a placebo instead of the vaccine .
The effectiveness of the Sputnik V vaccine , according to the interim study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 42 after introducing the first dose of the preparation on the condition that a patient is administered the second dose .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Production of Sputnik V has switched to large bioreactors which allows to set up a mass output of the vaccine, Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev said on Thursday in an interview with the Russia-24 TV channel.
He noted that the production of Sputnik V started in other countries, for instance, in India, South Korea, Brazil and China. "We actually use their industrial capacities in order to satisfy demand on external markets," he added.
On August 11, Russia became the first worldwide to register the vaccine against the coronavirus which was named Sputnik V. The preparation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June-July. Post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7, the first vaccine was administered to volunteers on September 9. In all, 40,000 people participate in the program, with 10,000 of them receiving a placebo instead of the vaccine. The effectiveness of the Sputnik V vaccine, according to the interim study results, surpasses 95% on Day 42 after introducing the first dose of the preparation on the condition that a patient is administered the second dose.


tass--2020-12-17--Joint trials of Sputnik V and AstraZeneca will begin shortly, says Russian expert

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology will begin joint trials of COVID-19 vaccines with the Oxford University and the UK-Swedish company AstraZeneca shortly , head of the Gamaleya Research Center Alexander Ginzburg said on Thursday .
`` Our English colleagues and AstraZeneca only have one component , they do not have an efficient boosting component .
As our colleagues have shown , if the first component is used a second time , there is an improvement [ in immunity ] , but an insignificant one , so the Russian Direct Investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials can be held which would use the component developed at Oxford as the first shot and the component forming part of the Sputnik V vaccine as the second one , '' Ginzburg said in an interview with Rossiya-24 channel .
`` As far as I understand , these clinical trials will begin shortly , and then our foreign colleagues will have a very effective vaccine that can be considered a result of joint efforts , '' he added .
Ginzburg explained that the second component of the vaccine is important because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and impacts creation of memory cells .
`` We created two components of the vaccine [ Sputnik V ] at once , the second component boosts the effect of the first one , and not only does it boost it , it gives an additional possibility to hope for the creation of memory cells that will protect us for a long time as a result of repeat vaccination , '' he noted .
Earlier , AstraZeneca informed that it would launch trials in cooperation with the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-Pharm on combining its own COVID-19 vaccine and the Russian-made `` Sputnik V '' vaccine .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. The Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology will begin joint trials of COVID-19 vaccines with the Oxford University and the UK-Swedish company AstraZeneca shortly, head of the Gamaleya Research Center Alexander Ginzburg said on Thursday.
"Our English colleagues and AstraZeneca only have one component, they do not have an efficient boosting component. As our colleagues have shown, if the first component is used a second time, there is an improvement [in immunity], but an insignificant one, so the Russian Direct Investment Fund and AstraZeneca have agreed that clinical trials can be held which would use the component developed at Oxford as the first shot and the component forming part of the Sputnik V vaccine as the second one," Ginzburg said in an interview with Rossiya-24 channel.
"As far as I understand, these clinical trials will begin shortly, and then our foreign colleagues will have a very effective vaccine that can be considered a result of joint efforts," he added.
Ginzburg explained that the second component of the vaccine is important because it boosts the effect of the first component and impacts creation of memory cells. "We created two components of the vaccine [Sputnik V] at once, the second component boosts the effect of the first one, and not only does it boost it, it gives an additional possibility to hope for the creation of memory cells that will protect us for a long time as a result of repeat vaccination," he noted.
Earlier, AstraZeneca informed that it would launch trials in cooperation with the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, the Russian Direct Investment Fund and R-Pharm on combining its own COVID-19 vaccine and the Russian-made "Sputnik V" vaccine.


tass--2020-12-17--Number of coronavirus cases in Finland rises to 32,228

HELSINKI , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Finland increased by 358 over the day , reaching 32,228 , the Finnish National Institute for Health and Social Development said on Thursday .
At the same time , 484 patients died from the complications from coronavirus .
More than 2 mln people have been tested .
The largest daily increase in the number of infections during the pandemic was recorded on December 10 - 840 .
Finland closed its borders from March 19 to May 13 to prevent the spread of the virus .
Since September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without the need to be in quarantine from countries where the number of coronavirus cases is 25 per 100,000 people in the last two weeks .
From October 1 , for countries with this threshold exceeded , entry can be allowed without a 14-day quarantine with two negative tests for coronavirus - the first must be done before the trip , the second - after arriving in the country .
This measure will affect only the EU countries , the Schengen zone , and states from the list of third countries drawn up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apply , in particular , to Russia and the United States .
The border of the country for tourists from Russia will remain closed until at least January 12 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

HELSINKI, December 17. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Finland increased by 358 over the day, reaching 32,228, the Finnish National Institute for Health and Social Development said on Thursday.
At the same time, 484 patients died from the complications from coronavirus. More than 2 mln people have been tested. The largest daily increase in the number of infections during the pandemic was recorded on December 10 - 840.
Finland closed its borders from March 19 to May 13 to prevent the spread of the virus. Since September 19, the country has allowed entry without the need to be in quarantine from countries where the number of coronavirus cases is 25 per 100,000 people in the last two weeks. From October 1, for countries with this threshold exceeded, entry can be allowed without a 14-day quarantine with two negative tests for coronavirus - the first must be done before the trip, the second - after arriving in the country. This measure will affect only the EU countries, the Schengen zone, and states from the list of third countries drawn up by the EU, and will not apply, in particular, to Russia and the United States.
The border of the country for tourists from Russia will remain closed until at least January 12.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-12-17--Vladimir Putin names betrayal as worst sin ever

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President named betrayal as the worst possible sin during his annual press conference Thursday .
Speaking about the case of journalist Ivan Safronov , charged with treason , Putin noted that `` the worst sin ever [ … ] is betrayal . ''
`` Handing over classified information to a foreign intelligence service is betrayal .
And I understand that this may sound bad for people who trusted him , keeps trusting and generally treat him well .
I feel sorry for you , '' Putin said .
The former reporter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide Ivan Safronov was apprehended and arrested on July 7 .
He was charged with treason , but he denies all charges .
According to the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) , Safronov was recruited by the Czech intelligence in 2012 , and completed his mission in 2017 .
His allegedly gathered and relayed information about military-technical cooperation with African countries and Russian military activities in the Middle East .
In July , Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin told TASS that Safronov had no access to classified information during his work in the @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President named betrayal as the worst possible sin during his annual press conference Thursday.
Speaking about the case of journalist Ivan Safronov, charged with treason, Putin noted that "the worst sin ever […] is betrayal."
"Handing over classified information to a foreign intelligence service is betrayal. And I understand that this may sound bad for people who trusted him, keeps trusting and generally treat him well. I feel sorry for you," Putin said.
The former reporter of Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers, Roscosmos CEO aide Ivan Safronov was apprehended and arrested on July 7. He was charged with treason, but he denies all charges. According to the Federal Security Service (FSB), Safronov was recruited by the Czech intelligence in 2012, and completed his mission in 2017. His allegedly gathered and relayed information about military-technical cooperation with African countries and Russian military activities in the Middle East.
In July, Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin told TASS that Safronov had no access to classified information during his work in the state corporation.


tass--2020-12-17--Biden is experienced politician but ‘retinue makes the king,’ Putin says

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Relations between Russia and the United States in the coming years will largely @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s administration picks , Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters following his annual @ @ @ @ @ `` It largely depends on the new US administration , '' he said in response @ @ @ @ @ future of Russia-US relations .
`` I would like to reiterate that he [ Biden @ @ @ @ @ , he has been in politics all his life .
There is a famous saying @ @ @ @ @ the king.
’ We can see by now who are supposed to take key positions @ @ @ @ @ He also said that Russia already worked with those who are expected to join the @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t expect any surprises here , '' Putin noted .
`` Everyone has @ @ @ @ @ s statement that it would be reasonable to extend the New START .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ out , '' the Russian leader noted .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Relations between Russia and the United States in the coming years will largely depend on US President-elect Joe Biden’s administration picks, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters following his annual news conference on Thursday.
"It largely depends on the new US administration," he said in response to a question about the future of Russia-US relations. "I would like to reiterate that he [Biden] is an experienced person, he has been in politics all his life. There is a famous saying that ‘the retinue makes the king.’ We can see by now who are supposed to take key positions," Putin added.
He also said that Russia already worked with those who are expected to join the Biden administration. "We don’t expect any surprises here," Putin noted. "Everyone has heard the president elect’s statement that it would be reasonable to extend the New START. We’ll see how it plays out," the Russian leader noted.


tass--2020-12-17--Putin says he plans to usher in the New Year at home

MOSCOW , December 17./TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that he would usher in the New Year at home .
`` At home , '' he replied to a question from journalists after his annual news conference .
In the earlier remarks at the news conference , Putin said that he had always seen the toast `` to Russia '' as the main one for himself , for his family and friends on New Year ’ s Eve .
`` As for the toasts , like any other Russian national I have a lot of New Year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Only it is important to make sure that the amount of consumed champagne or other drinks is moderate , '' Putin joked .
`` As for the number of toasts - this is not important , '' he added .
`` Of course , we will all be raising glasses to our next-of-kin , our family , our friends and colleagues .
But as for me and my friends , the main toast in my family is always the same - ‘ to Russia ! '
'' the president stressed @

MOSCOW, December 17./TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that he would usher in the New Year at home.
"At home," he replied to a question from journalists after his annual news conference.
In the earlier remarks at the news conference, Putin said that he had always seen the toast "to Russia" as the main one for himself, for his family and friends on New Year’s Eve.
"As for the toasts, like any other Russian national I have a lot of New Year’s toasts," the president said. "Only it is important to make sure that the amount of consumed champagne or other drinks is moderate," Putin joked. "As for the number of toasts - this is not important," he added.
"Of course, we will all be raising glasses to our next-of-kin, our family, our friends and colleagues. But as for me and my friends, the main toast in my family is always the same - ‘to Russia!'" the president stressed.


tass--2020-12-17--Safronov accused of handing over secret data to Western special services, says Putin

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Ivan Safronov , advisor to the head of Roscosmos and a former reporter , is accused of handing over secret data to Western special services , Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on the outcomes of his annual news conference on Thursday .
`` Parts of his activity considered unlawful by the investigation are not tied with his work as a journalist at Kommersant .
They are related to a rather long period of his life , namely during the period he worked as an aide of [ Roscosmos head Dmitry ] Rogozin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handing over secret information to representatives of special services of Western states , '' Putin said .
The Russian leader said that the investigation needs time to make sense of the situation and to hand the case over to the court .
The president assured that no one wishes to persecute Safronov .
`` Do you think that he has some enemies at the FSB or the Investigative Committee ?
He doesn ’ t have any personal enemies there , '' Putin said .
Earlier , the president told an annual news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his professional activity as a reporter .
`` It is related to a rather long period of his work as an aide to Rogozin ’ s advisor , while he was working in the government , and while he was working at Roscosmos , '' the Russian leader stated .
On July 7 , Ivan Safronov , a former reporter at the Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers , was detained and charged with high treason .
He pled not guilty .
The federal security service FSB says he was recruited in 2012 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his handlers information about Russia ’ s military-technical cooperation with African countries and the activity of the Russian Armed Forces in the Middle East .
According to the investigation , Safronov worked for the Czech Republic ’ s External Relations and Information Directorate .
The United States was the end recipient of the classified information .
An FSB investigator earlier underlined that his arrest is not tied to his professional duties .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Ivan Safronov, advisor to the head of Roscosmos and a former reporter, is accused of handing over secret data to Western special services, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters on the outcomes of his annual news conference on Thursday.
"Parts of his activity considered unlawful by the investigation are not tied with his work as a journalist at Kommersant. They are related to a rather long period of his life, namely during the period he worked as an aide of [Roscosmos head Dmitry] Rogozin. [He is accused of] handing over secret information to representatives of special services of Western states," Putin said.
The Russian leader said that the investigation needs time to make sense of the situation and to hand the case over to the court. The president assured that no one wishes to persecute Safronov. "Do you think that he has some enemies at the FSB or the Investigative Committee? He doesn’t have any personal enemies there," Putin said.
Earlier, the president told an annual news conference that Safronov’s case is unrelated to his professional activity as a reporter. "It is related to a rather long period of his work as an aide to Rogozin’s advisor, while he was working in the government, and while he was working at Roscosmos," the Russian leader stated.
On July 7, Ivan Safronov, a former reporter at the Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers, was detained and charged with high treason. He pled not guilty. The federal security service FSB says he was recruited in 2012. In 2017, he collected and passed to his handlers information about Russia’s military-technical cooperation with African countries and the activity of the Russian Armed Forces in the Middle East. According to the investigation, Safronov worked for the Czech Republic’s External Relations and Information Directorate. The United States was the end recipient of the classified information. An FSB investigator earlier underlined that his arrest is not tied to his professional duties.


tass--2020-12-17--Work on Sarmat ballistic missile nears completion — Putin

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Work on the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile goes on actively and is now @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin said on Thursday .
`` Work on the Sarmat proceeds actively , and @ @ @ @ @ stage .
As for Poseidon [ an unmanned underwater vehicle - TASS ] , work @ @ @ @ @ on a missile with a nuclear global-distance system also proceeds as scheduled , '' he @ @ @ @ @ conference .
According to the president , work on other weapon systems that was announced @ @ @ @ @ proceeds as scheduled .
`` Some of them - the Kinzhal and the Peresvet laser @ @ @ @ @ into service , '' he said .
The RS-28 Sarmat is a Russian advanced silo-based @ @ @ @ @ intercontinental ballistic missile .
It has been in the process of development since the 2000s @ @ @ @ @ ICBM .
It weighs about 200 tonnes and has a throw weight of around 10 @ @ @ @ @ capable of breaching any existing and future missile defenses .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Work on the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile goes on actively and is now nearing completion, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
"Work on the Sarmat proceeds actively, and is now at the final stage. As for Poseidon [an unmanned underwater vehicle - TASS], work goes on well. Work on a missile with a nuclear global-distance system also proceeds as scheduled," he said at his annual news conference.
According to the president, work on other weapon systems that was announced in his state-of-the-nation address also proceeds as scheduled. "Some of them - the Kinzhal and the Peresvet laser weapon - have been put into service," he said.
The RS-28 Sarmat is a Russian advanced silo-based system with a heavy liquid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile. It has been in the process of development since the 2000s to replace the R-36M2 Voyevoda ICBM. It weighs about 200 tonnes and has a throw weight of around 10 tonnes. The Sarmat is capable of breaching any existing and future missile defenses.


tass--2020-12-17--Putin wishes Macron a speedy recovery

Putin wishes Macron a speedy recovery

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has wished French President Emmanuel Macron , who tested @ @ @ @ @ speedy recovery and good health , the Kremlin said on Thursday .
`` President of @ @ @ @ @ has sent a telegram to President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron , in which @ @ @ @ @ worried to learn about the French head ’ s positive test for coronavirus infection .
@ @ @ @ @ a speedy recovery and good health for years to come , '' the statement says @ @ @ @ @ , the Elysee Palace informed that French President Emmanuel Macron had tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ self-isolate for seven days and will work remotely .
The governmental spokesman , Gabriel Attal @ @ @ @ @ that Macron developed first symptoms in early hours of Thursday , so he was tested @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has wished French President Emmanuel Macron, who tested positive for COVID-19, a speedy recovery and good health, the Kremlin said on Thursday.
"President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram to President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron, in which he stressed that he was worried to learn about the French head’s positive test for coronavirus infection. The Russian president wished Macron a speedy recovery and good health for years to come," the statement says.
Earlier in the day, the Elysee Palace informed that French President Emmanuel Macron had tested positive for COVID-19. The president decided to self-isolate for seven days and will work remotely. The governmental spokesman, Gabriel Attal, said at a briefing that Macron developed first symptoms in early hours of Thursday, so he was tested in the morning.


tass--2020-12-17--Putin explains why German defense chief wants to deal with Russia from position of force

NOVO-OGARYOVO , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks that the statement of German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on dealing with Russia from a position of force is a way to `` show how tough she is . ''
Putin noted that this makes no sense .
`` Of course not , '' Putin said when asked if the German defense chief ’ s statement is appropriate .
`` The lady has become a minister of defense , she wants to show how tough she is , and in this case , she repeated the tired cliche @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Russian leader explained .
Putin stated that this is `` counterproductive for intergovernmental relations , and on top of that it makes no sense from the viewpoint of defense policy . ''
`` Because we need to take a look at what the Russian army is like today , '' the president stressed .
He added that such statements should not be given particular importance .
`` I am not sure that she is happy with this statement herself , like other responsible politicians in the Federal Republic [ of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional cliche , '' Putin stated .
Earlier , German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said during an address to the Bundestag that Germany should continue establishing dialogue on disarmament with Russia `` from the position of force , '' noting that `` this has always been a good stance of German foreign policy and it should remain as such in the future . ''

NOVO-OGARYOVO, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin thinks that the statement of German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on dealing with Russia from a position of force is a way to "show how tough she is." Putin noted that this makes no sense.
"Of course not," Putin said when asked if the German defense chief’s statement is appropriate. "The lady has become a minister of defense, she wants to show how tough she is, and in this case, she repeated the tired cliche that is reiterated by many NATO states," the Russian leader explained.
Putin stated that this is "counterproductive for intergovernmental relations, and on top of that it makes no sense from the viewpoint of defense policy." "Because we need to take a look at what the Russian army is like today," the president stressed. He added that such statements should not be given particular importance. "I am not sure that she is happy with this statement herself, like other responsible politicians in the Federal Republic [of Germany]. This is just a traditional cliche," Putin stated.
Earlier, German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said during an address to the Bundestag that Germany should continue establishing dialogue on disarmament with Russia "from the position of force," noting that "this has always been a good stance of German foreign policy and it should remain as such in the future."


tass--2020-12-17--‘Light version’ of coronavirus vaccine may be developed to involve more people, says Putin

`` We have an option to create a ‘ light vaccine ’ of the Gamaleya [ Research Institute ] .
Giving just one inoculation .
It will be effective for a shorter period of time , the level of protection will be lower , but still [ the efficiency ] will be up to 85 % , '' Putin said .
MOSCOW , December 17./TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the scientists may develop a ‘ light version ’ of the coronavirus vaccine , whose effective duration will be shorter , but it will give a possibility to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will be possible to inoculate tens of millions [ of people ] at once .
This is also an option , '' Putin told journalists after his annual news conference .
According to the president , this vaccine can be developed by Russian scientists independently , or in teamwork with partners .
`` There are many options here .
Nobody can give a direct answer as to when this all will end .
Some producers of the vaccine have said openly that their work is not much of a success , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t see anything awful about it .
I don ’ t believe that we must start pointing the finger of scorn at them , or deride .
No , this is not the way we work , '' the president summed up .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine , which was named Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology .
The preparation ’ s post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7 and volunteers received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Overall , the trials involve 40,000 people and 10,000 of them received a placebo .

"We have an option to create a ‘light vaccine’ of the Gamaleya [Research Institute]. Giving just one inoculation. It will be effective for a shorter period of time, the level of protection will be lower, but still [the efficiency] will be up to 85%," Putin said.
MOSCOW, December 17./TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the scientists may develop a ‘light version’ of the coronavirus vaccine, whose effective duration will be shorter, but it will give a possibility to inoculate many more people.
"However, it will be possible to inoculate tens of millions [of people] at once. This is also an option," Putin told journalists after his annual news conference.
According to the president, this vaccine can be developed by Russian scientists independently, or in teamwork with partners. "There are many options here. Nobody can give a direct answer as to when this all will end. Some producers of the vaccine have said openly that their work is not much of a success, they face failures. I don’t see anything awful about it. I don’t believe that we must start pointing the finger of scorn at them, or deride. No, this is not the way we work," the president summed up.
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. The preparation’s post-registration trials began in Moscow on September 7 and volunteers received the first vaccine on September 9. Overall, the trials involve 40,000 people and 10,000 of them received a placebo.


tass--2020-12-17--About $4.8 bln from NWF to be spent for economic support in 2020, says Putin

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
The amount of the National Wealth Fund ( NWF ) allocated for economic support and social payments is equal to 350 bln rubles ( $ 4.8 bln ) in 2020 , Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the annual press conference on Thursday .
`` We also allocate a portion of money from NWF for current budget expenses in this year , for social ones in the first instance .
These are payments to citizens , families with children , payments to doctors , to students of higher medical educational institutions and colleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sectors of the economy , support major companies .
The total amount of money we are to allocate from NWF in this year will be 350 bln rubles , with 250 bln [ rubles ( $ 3.4 bln ) of them already ] utilized , '' the head of state said .
The remaining 100 bln rubles ( $ 1.4 bln ) can be utilized by the end of 2020 , Putin noted .
`` The end of year is somewhat quick , intensive from the standpoint of money spending .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be utilized by the year-end , '' the head of state said .
NWF resources are also spent for development of the transport infrastructure , the Trans-Siberian and the Baikal-Amur railways in particular , the President added .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. The amount of the National Wealth Fund (NWF) allocated for economic support and social payments is equal to 350 bln rubles ($4.8 bln) in 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the annual press conference on Thursday.
"We also allocate a portion of money from NWF for current budget expenses in this year, for social ones in the first instance. These are payments to citizens, families with children, payments to doctors, to students of higher medical educational institutions and colleges. This is to support the exposed sectors of the economy, support major companies. The total amount of money we are to allocate from NWF in this year will be 350 bln rubles, with 250 bln [rubles ($3.4 bln) of them already] utilized," the head of state said.
The remaining 100 bln rubles ($1.4 bln) can be utilized by the end of 2020, Putin noted. "The end of year is somewhat quick, intensive from the standpoint of money spending. I think about 100 bln [rubles] can be utilized by the year-end," the head of state said.
NWF resources are also spent for development of the transport infrastructure, the Trans-Siberian and the Baikal-Amur railways in particular, the President added.


tass--2020-12-17--Putin says maintains good relations with Merkel

MOSCOW , December 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President has told reporters on Thursday that he maintains good relations with @ @ @ @ @ When asked if he would miss her , Putin pointed out that `` she is @ @ @ @ @ '' `` This is why it would be inappropriate for me to make statements at @ @ @ @ @ clearly what ’ s going on in [ Germany ’ s ] domestic political life @ @ @ @ @ the near future , '' Putin pointed out .
`` The federal chancellor and I @ @ @ @ @ and relations between our countries remain at a rather high level , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ Germany is one of Russia ’ s major trade and economic partners .
`` Without @ @ @ @ @ are among the biggest investors in the Russian economy .
Unlike other investors , they @ @ @ @ @ economy and we appreciate it .
I would like to emphasize that we do have @ @ @ @ @ us and we appreciate their trust , '' Putin stressed .

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. Russian President has told reporters on Thursday that he maintains good relations with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. When asked if he would miss her, Putin pointed out that "she is not going anywhere yet."
"This is why it would be inappropriate for me to make statements at this point. I see clearly what’s going on in [Germany’s] domestic political life and what may happen in the near future," Putin pointed out. "The federal chancellor and I maintain quite good personal relations and relations between our countries remain at a rather high level," he added.
According to Putin, Germany is one of Russia’s major trade and economic partners. "Without a doubt, German businessmen are among the biggest investors in the Russian economy. Unlike other investors, they put money in the real economy and we appreciate it. I would like to emphasize that we do have many friends there who trust us and we appreciate their trust," Putin stressed.