tass--2020-06-19--France, Russia could jointly advance arms control system — French senator

MOSCOW , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow and Paris could together facilitate restoration of the global arms control system @ @ @ @ @ Senate ’ s Committee on Foreign Affairs , Defense and Armed Forces Christian Cambon said @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) Committee on Foreign Affairs and @ @ @ @ @ discuss the second joint report on the Russian-French relations .
`` France and Russia could @ @ @ @ @ a new dialogue on arms control .
Now , we are more watching destruction of @ @ @ @ @ rejection of treaties , '' Cambon said .
`` Together , we can facilitate the @ @ @ @ @ that international peace was truly unshakable , and the arms control was a priority .
@

MOSCOW, June 19. /TASS/. Moscow and Paris could together facilitate restoration of the global arms control system, Chairman of the French Senate’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces Christian Cambon said Friday during a meeting of the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Committee on Foreign Affairs and the French Senate committee to discuss the second joint report on the Russian-French relations.
"France and Russia could be the driving force for a new dialogue on arms control. Now, we are more watching destruction of the arms control system and rejection of treaties," Cambon said. "Together, we can facilitate the return to international agreements so that international peace was truly unshakable, and the arms control was a priority."


tass--2020-06-19--Belarusian authorities thwarted destabilization plot, Lukashenko says

MINSK , June 19 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian authorities thwarted a large-scale plan to destabilize the state , which involved outside powers , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Friday during a meeting on the banking system .
`` We finally were able to act in advance and thwart a wide-scale plan to destabilize Belarus and bring the country to some kind of Maidan [ orchestrated revolution ] .
That was their plan .
Masks were ripped off of not only certain puppets we had here , but also of puppeteers who are outside Belarus , '' Lukashenko said , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Belarusian leader , `` today the focus of all political interests is on Belarus , both in the West and the East . ''
`` Observing the situation throughout the last 24 hours , I see that certain powers have activated and begin to get intensive , rocking the situation in the country .
We have watched this for a long time , '' Lukashenko said .
He warned that he would not allow a shake-up of the country .
`` I would like you to understand that under no circumstances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as president , and simply as a man who devoted his life to the establishment of this independent sovereign state , I will never allow this country to break up , '' he said .
`` I want you and others to understand me .
There is no higher value than a sovereign and independent Belarus for me .
And I am committed to the preservation of this country , no matter what the cost . ''
On June 11 , the State Control Committee announced a search in Belgazprombank .
The Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceeding over charges of tax evasion on a particularly large scale and money laundering on a particularly large scale .
Belgazprombank ’ s ex-CEO , presidential candidate Viktor Babariko claimed that the bank incident was politically orchestrated .
On June 17 , Babariko ’ s account , connected to his campaign fund , was blocked .
On June 18 , the State Control Committee announced that Babariko was apprehended because he was the direct mastermind behind the illegal activities .
Babariko ’ s son Eduard , who chaired his father ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of over 20 people were arrested over the Belgazprombank case .
On Friday , the Prosecutor General of Belarus initiated a criminal case over charges of establishment or participation in a criminal organization .
Those involved in the case face up to 15 years in prison .

MINSK, June 19. /TASS/. Belarusian authorities thwarted a large-scale plan to destabilize the state, which involved outside powers, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Friday during a meeting on the banking system.
"We finally were able to act in advance and thwart a wide-scale plan to destabilize Belarus and bring the country to some kind of Maidan [orchestrated revolution]. That was their plan. Masks were ripped off of not only certain puppets we had here, but also of puppeteers who are outside Belarus," Lukashenko said, according to the BelTA news agency.
According to the Belarusian leader, "today the focus of all political interests is on Belarus, both in the West and the East."
"Observing the situation throughout the last 24 hours, I see that certain powers have activated and begin to get intensive, rocking the situation in the country. We have watched this for a long time," Lukashenko said.
He warned that he would not allow a shake-up of the country. "I would like you to understand that under no circumstances, both due to my constitutional duties as president, and simply as a man who devoted his life to the establishment of this independent sovereign state, I will never allow this country to break up," he said. "I want you and others to understand me. There is no higher value than a sovereign and independent Belarus for me. And I am committed to the preservation of this country, no matter what the cost."
On June 11, the State Control Committee announced a search in Belgazprombank. The Committee’s Financial Investigation Department initiated criminal proceeding over charges of tax evasion on a particularly large scale and money laundering on a particularly large scale. Belgazprombank’s ex-CEO, presidential candidate Viktor Babariko claimed that the bank incident was politically orchestrated.
On June 17, Babariko’s account, connected to his campaign fund, was blocked. On June 18, the State Control Committee announced that Babariko was apprehended because he was the direct mastermind behind the illegal activities. Babariko’s son Eduard, who chaired his father’s campaign, was apprehended as well. A total of over 20 people were arrested over the Belgazprombank case.
On Friday, the Prosecutor General of Belarus initiated a criminal case over charges of establishment or participation in a criminal organization. Those involved in the case face up to 15 years in prison.


tass--2020-06-20--About 310,000 people remain under supervision in Russia due to COVID-19

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
About 310,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia due to being suspected of having contracted the coronavirus , the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported on Saturday .
`` [ A total of ] 310,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia , '' its press service said .
According to the watchdog , about 16.6 million coronavirus tests have been conducted to date , with 339,000 tests made in the past 24 hours .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Russia has documented 7,889 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday .
For four days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases does not surpass 8,000 .
According to the crisis center , Russia has documented a total of 576,952 cases of the virus .
The daily increase rate reaches 1.4 % .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. About 310,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia due to being suspected of having contracted the coronavirus, the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported on Saturday.
"[A total of] 310,000 people remain under medical supervision in Russia," its press service said.
According to the watchdog, about 16.6 million coronavirus tests have been conducted to date, with 339,000 tests made in the past 24 hours.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
Russia has documented 7,889 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday. For four days running, the daily increase in new cases does not surpass 8,000.
According to the crisis center, Russia has documented a total of 576,952 cases of the virus. The daily increase rate reaches 1.4%.


tass--2020-06-20--Moscow Region documents 591 cases of COVID-19 in past 24 hours, record low since April 28

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
The Moscow Region has documented 591 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , which is a record low since April 28 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday .
On April 28 , 523 cases of COVID-19 were reported .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
Russia has documented 7,889 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday .
For four days running , the daily increase in new cases does not surpass 8,000 .
According to the crisis center , Russia has documented a total of 576,952 cases of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. The Moscow Region has documented 591 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, which is a record low since April 28, the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday.
On April 28, 523 cases of COVID-19 were reported.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
Russia has documented 7,889 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday. For four days running, the daily increase in new cases does not surpass 8,000.
According to the crisis center, Russia has documented a total of 576,952 cases of the virus. The daily increase rate reaches 1.4%.


tass--2020-06-20--Russia documents 7,889 cases of COVID-19 in past 24 hours

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has documented 7,889 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday .
For four days running , the daily increase in new cases has not surpassed 8,000 .
According to the crisis center , Russia has documented a total of 576,952 cases of the virus .
The daily increase rate reaches 1.4 % .
The lowest increase rate has been documented in Moscow ( 0.5 % ) , with 1,057 new cases documented .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase rate , Tatarstan - 0.9 % , Ingushetia - 1 % , and the Jewish Autonomous Region - 1 % .
Currently , there are 234,358 active cases of COVID-19 in Russia .
Russia has documented 10,186 recoveries from COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , with the total number of those recovered reaching 334,592 .
According to the crisis center , 58 % of those infected in Russia have recovered from the virus .
Moscow has reported 2,115 recoveries from COVID-19 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - 794 , the Sverdlovsk Region - 299 , the Nizhny Novgorod Region - 282 and the Chelyabinsk Region - 248 .
Russia has documented 161 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours , with the death toll since the start of the pandemic reaching 8,002 people .
According to the crisis center , the lethality rate from COVID-19 in Russia reaches 1.39 % .
In the past 24 hours , 34 people have died in Moscow , 21 in St. Petersburg , nine in the Irkutsk Region , seven in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rostov , Nizhny Novgorod and Sverdlovsk Regions .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. Russia has documented 7,889 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday. For four days running, the daily increase in new cases has not surpassed 8,000.
According to the crisis center, Russia has documented a total of 576,952 cases of the virus. The daily increase rate reaches 1.4%.
The lowest increase rate has been documented in Moscow (0.5%), with 1,057 new cases documented.
North Ossetia has reported a 0.8% increase rate, Tatarstan - 0.9%, Ingushetia - 1%, and the Jewish Autonomous Region - 1%.
Currently, there are 234,358 active cases of COVID-19 in Russia.
Russia has documented 10,186 recoveries from COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, with the total number of those recovered reaching 334,592.
According to the crisis center, 58% of those infected in Russia have recovered from the virus.
Moscow has reported 2,115 recoveries from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, St. Petersburg - 794, the Sverdlovsk Region - 299, the Nizhny Novgorod Region - 282 and the Chelyabinsk Region - 248.
Russia has documented 161 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, with the death toll since the start of the pandemic reaching 8,002 people.
According to the crisis center, the lethality rate from COVID-19 in Russia reaches 1.39%.
In the past 24 hours, 34 people have died in Moscow, 21 in St. Petersburg, nine in the Irkutsk Region, seven in the Krasnoyarsk Region, five each in the Rostov, Nizhny Novgorod and Sverdlovsk Regions.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-06-20--Russian top senator thanks medics fighting COVID-19 pandemic

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) Speaker Valentina Matviyenko has thanked the medical workers who are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic on the frontline in a message timed to the Day of Medical Worker .
`` Medicine is not just work , it is real service .
We have seen this clearly during the coronavirus pandemic .
I want to express my deepest gratitude to all medical workers of clinics , hospitals , ambulances : everyone who has been fighting on the frontline .
We fully understand how difficult this has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She noted that doctors are subject to enormous mental and physical pressure , risking `` their health and sometimes even their lives . ''
`` Despite all this , you do your duty .
We are proud of you and we admire you .
We are deeply grateful for your great deed , '' the top senator stressed .
She added that a lot is left to be done to improve Russia ’ s healthcare system : improving work conditions of doctors and nurses , preparing new specialists .
`` Wherever a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real opportunity to get timely , accessible and quality medical care .
The government will do everything to reach this goal , '' Matviyenko said .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Speaker Valentina Matviyenko has thanked the medical workers who are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic on the frontline in a message timed to the Day of Medical Worker.
"Medicine is not just work, it is real service. We have seen this clearly during the coronavirus pandemic. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all medical workers of clinics, hospitals, ambulances: everyone who has been fighting on the frontline. We fully understand how difficult this has been for you," she said.
She noted that doctors are subject to enormous mental and physical pressure, risking "their health and sometimes even their lives." "Despite all this, you do your duty. We are proud of you and we admire you. We are deeply grateful for your great deed," the top senator stressed.
She added that a lot is left to be done to improve Russia’s healthcare system: improving work conditions of doctors and nurses, preparing new specialists. "Wherever a person lives, they must have a real opportunity to get timely, accessible and quality medical care. The government will do everything to reach this goal," Matviyenko said.


tass--2020-06-20--Number of forged 5,000-ruble banknotes grows in Moscow — police

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of forged 5,000-ruble banknotes - the largest denomination currently in circulation @ @ @ @ @ Moscow since the start of the year , a spokesperson for the Main Interior Ministry @ @ @ @ @ According to the press service , the number increased by 13 % year-on-year in the @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The most frequently forged banknote on the territory of the Moscow Region is @ @ @ @ @ total of 6,400 such bills were detected in the first five months [ of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ in the same period last year , '' the spokesperson said .
According to police @ @ @ @ @ notes were seized in Moscow since the start of the year , both in domestic @ @ @ @ @ , forged 5,000-ruble bills make up nearly one third of them .
The most frequently @ @ @ @ @ are 500 euros and 100 dollars .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. The number of forged 5,000-ruble banknotes - the largest denomination currently in circulation in Russia - increased in Moscow since the start of the year, a spokesperson for the Main Interior Ministry Directorate in Moscow said.
According to the press service, the number increased by 13% year-on-year in the first five months of 2020.
"The most frequently forged banknote on the territory of the Moscow Region is the 5,000-ruble bill. A total of 6,400 such bills were detected in the first five months [of 2020], compared to 5,500 in the same period last year," the spokesperson said.
According to police, some 8,600 forged bank notes were seized in Moscow since the start of the year, both in domestic and foreign currencies. Therefore, forged 5,000-ruble bills make up nearly one third of them.
The most frequently forged foreign currency bank notes are 500 euros and 100 dollars.


tass--2020-06-20--Russia, West need mutually respectful dialogue on questions of history — US expert

WASHINGTON , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and the Western nations need to conduct serious scientific research and engage in a mutually respectful dialogue on problematic questions of history , the director of the Washington-based Kennan Institute , Matthew Rojansky , has told TASS .
`` I can say that many questions of history relating to how the Second World War began are seen very differently by most historians in the West from the way they were presented in the article , '' Rojansky said when asked to comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s article about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To the extent that history and historical memory are shaping current political and security relations , this is an important problem , and one that should continue to be the subject of serious , scholarly research , and also dialogue conducted in a manner that respects differences of perspective between Russia and the West , but also seeks to establish fundamental and widely agreed facts wherever possible , '' the expert continued .
`` We have a long way to go on this . ''
He also supported the Russian president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five permanent members of the UN Security Council , but , in his opinion , practical agreements are unlikely to be achieved during the meeting due to a broad range of issues on the agenda and differences among the sides .
`` As far as a summit meeting , of course dialogue among leaders is important for global security , '' Rojanski said .
`` The proposed agenda may be unrealistically broad , especially under the circumstances , and thus unlikely to lead to concrete agreements , given the wide differences among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue of the Coronavirus pandemic , it is likely that all states will continue to face severe public health and economic challenges , and could benefit from greater and more consistent cooperation , '' he added .
`` I hope that if a summit occurs , this would be at the top of the agenda . ''
Russian President Vladimir Putin published an article about WWII-related events in the National Interest magazine on Thursday .
A section of the article was devoted to lessons of the Second World War and international cooperation issues @

WASHINGTON, June 20. /TASS/. Russia and the Western nations need to conduct serious scientific research and engage in a mutually respectful dialogue on problematic questions of history, the director of the Washington-based Kennan Institute, Matthew Rojansky, has told TASS.
"I can say that many questions of history relating to how the Second World War began are seen very differently by most historians in the West from the way they were presented in the article," Rojansky said when asked to comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s article about the history of World War II.
"To the extent that history and historical memory are shaping current political and security relations, this is an important problem, and one that should continue to be the subject of serious, scholarly research, and also dialogue conducted in a manner that respects differences of perspective between Russia and the West, but also seeks to establish fundamental and widely agreed facts wherever possible," the expert continued. "We have a long way to go on this."
He also supported the Russian president’s initiative to hold a summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, but, in his opinion, practical agreements are unlikely to be achieved during the meeting due to a broad range of issues on the agenda and differences among the sides.
"As far as a summit meeting, of course dialogue among leaders is important for global security," Rojanski said. "The proposed agenda may be unrealistically broad, especially under the circumstances, and thus unlikely to lead to concrete agreements, given the wide differences among the parties. "
"However, on the issue of the Coronavirus pandemic, it is likely that all states will continue to face severe public health and economic challenges, and could benefit from greater and more consistent cooperation," he added. "I hope that if a summit occurs, this would be at the top of the agenda."
Russian President Vladimir Putin published an article about WWII-related events in the National Interest magazine on Thursday. A section of the article was devoted to lessons of the Second World War and international cooperation issues.


tass--2020-06-20--Russian, US diplomats to discuss arms control in Vienna on June 22-23

WASHINGTON , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea will meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in Austria ’ s Vienna on June 22-23 , China was also invited to attend the talks , the US Department of State ’ s press service said .
`` Billingslea will travel to Austria June 22-23 to meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on mutually agreed topics related to the future of arms control , '' the statement says .
`` The United States has extended an open invitation to the People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these discussions , and has made clear the need for all three countries to pursue arms control negotiations in good faith . ''
Ryabkov and Billingslea had a phone conversation on May 8 .
A new arms control agreement should completely cover the nuclear arsenals of Russia and China , Billingslea said .
`` Completely agree with Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs .
New arms control should definitely involve Russia AND China , and cover entire nuclear arsenals of both those countries , '' Billingslea said in a Twitter post , commenting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Linas Linkevicius .
According to Linkevicius , a new arms control agreement `` should involve both Russia and China , and the whole suite of Russian nuclear arsenal , including non-strategic nuclear weapons . ''
Earlier , Ryabkov said that the US mention of the Chinese side ’ s possible arrival to the Vienna talks raised eyebrows in Moscow .
Chinese foreign ministry Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday that the US government ’ s attempts to engage China in Russian-US talks on nuclear weapons were absurd , because Washington is constantly seeking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Bloomberg , the issue of extending the Russian-US treaty on reduction of strategic arms , also known as New START , will be raised at the Vienna talks .

WASHINGTON, June 20. /TASS/. US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea will meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in Austria’s Vienna on June 22-23, China was also invited to attend the talks, the US Department of State’s press service said.
"Billingslea will travel to Austria June 22-23 to meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on mutually agreed topics related to the future of arms control," the statement says. "The United States has extended an open invitation to the People’s Republic of China to join these discussions, and has made clear the need for all three countries to pursue arms control negotiations in good faith."
Ryabkov and Billingslea had a phone conversation on May 8.
New arms deal
A new arms control agreement should completely cover the nuclear arsenals of Russia and China, Billingslea said.
"Completely agree with Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs. New arms control should definitely involve Russia AND China, and cover entire nuclear arsenals of both those countries," Billingslea said in a Twitter post, commenting on an entry made by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius.
According to Linkevicius, a new arms control agreement "should involve both Russia and China, and the whole suite of Russian nuclear arsenal, including non-strategic nuclear weapons."
Earlier, Ryabkov said that the US mention of the Chinese side’s possible arrival to the Vienna talks raised eyebrows in Moscow. Chinese foreign ministry Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday that the US government’s attempts to engage China in Russian-US talks on nuclear weapons were absurd, because Washington is constantly seeking to violate its commitments under the existing agreement.
According to Bloomberg, the issue of extending the Russian-US treaty on reduction of strategic arms, also known as New START, will be raised at the Vienna talks.


tass--2020-06-20--French historian describes Putin’s article on WWII as ‘profound’

PARIS , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s article on preserving the historical truth about WWII is ‘ profound ’ and ‘ extensive , ’ French historian Jean-Pierre Arrignon has told TASS .
`` This is a profound and extensive work , '' he said .
`` I totally agree with what Putin said in his article .
History must never be forgotten , as its lessons give us a better understanding of the present-day situation in the world . ''
The expert acknowledged that `` the Soviet Union made the biggest effort and suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe , while the Western allies ’ persistently refused to create the second front . ''
`` I would like to support Russia ’ s initiative to preserve stability and security on the planet , which inevitably rests on the United Nations .
In this context , I think that Russian-French partnership would be very useful .
It might make an efficient contribution into efforts to stabilize the world order , '' he added .
Russian President Vladimir Putin published an article about WWII-related events in the National Interest magazine on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lessons of the Second World War and international cooperation issues .
On May 8 , the White House published on Instagram a video of US President Donald Trump laying a wreath to a WWII memorial , with an inscription saying that the United States and the United Kingdom defeated Nazism on May 8 , 1945 .
On May 10 , the Russian Foreign Ministry said Russia was outraged by US attempts to belittle the Soviet Union ’ s contribution into the victory over Nazi Germany , and was set to have serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

PARIS, June 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s article on preserving the historical truth about WWII is ‘profound’ and ‘extensive,’ French historian Jean-Pierre Arrignon has told TASS.
"This is a profound and extensive work," he said. "I totally agree with what Putin said in his article. History must never be forgotten, as its lessons give us a better understanding of the present-day situation in the world."
The expert acknowledged that "the Soviet Union made the biggest effort and suffered the heaviest losses in battles for liberating Europe, while the Western allies’ persistently refused to create the second front."
"I would like to support Russia’s initiative to preserve stability and security on the planet, which inevitably rests on the United Nations. In this context, I think that Russian-French partnership would be very useful. It might make an efficient contribution into efforts to stabilize the world order," he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin published an article about WWII-related events in the National Interest magazine on Thursday. A section of the article was devoted to lessons of the Second World War and international cooperation issues.
On May 8, the White House published on Instagram a video of US President Donald Trump laying a wreath to a WWII memorial, with an inscription saying that the United States and the United Kingdom defeated Nazism on May 8, 1945. On May 10, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Russia was outraged by US attempts to belittle the Soviet Union’s contribution into the victory over Nazi Germany, and was set to have serious discussions on the issue with US officials.


tass--2020-06-20--Some 90,000 Russians participate in online vote test

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
About 90,000 residents of Moscow and the Nizhny Novgorod region in Central Russia @ @ @ @ @ of the online vote system to be used during the upcoming vote on constitutional amendments @ @ @ @ @ Moscow government ’ s IT technologies department , Artyom Kostyrko , has told reporters .
@ @ @ @ @ .
The turnout was 11 % , less than 90,000 citizens took part in the @ @ @ @ @ said .
According to deputy chairman of the Moscow Public Chamber , Alexei Venedictov , @ @ @ @ @ residents and over 75,000 residents of Moscow took part in the vote .
The online @ @ @ @ @ 08:00 on June 18 and 20:00 on June 19 .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. About 90,000 residents of Moscow and the Nizhny Novgorod region in Central Russia took part in the testing of the online vote system to be used during the upcoming vote on constitutional amendments, the head of the Moscow government’s IT technologies department, Artyom Kostyrko, has told reporters.
"The voting is over. The turnout was 11%, less than 90,000 citizens took part in the test voting," he said.
According to deputy chairman of the Moscow Public Chamber, Alexei Venedictov, about 10,000 Nizhny Novgorod region residents and over 75,000 residents of Moscow took part in the vote.
The online voting system was tested between 08:00 on June 18 and 20:00 on June 19.


tass--2020-06-20--About one million people contract coronavirus worldwide in past week

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
The past week saw a record-high number of novel coronavirus cases detected worldwide , with about one million people testing positive for the disease in the past seven days .
The weekly number of newly confirmed cases across the globe stood at 500,000-600,000 in May , and grew to 700,000-800,000 in the first weeks of June .
The global infection growth rate has been at 13 % for the third consecutive week , following a clear downward trend in previous months .
The number of convalescents also increased rapidly in the reported period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to decline and now stands at 5.3 % - the lowest figure in the past two months .
By now , the disease claimed the lives of 450,000 people all over the world .
Reshuffle continues in the top ten of the world ’ s hardest-hit countries , as European countries , which became the hotspot of the disease shortly after the initial outbreak in China , are now being overtaken by countries of Asia and South America .
The United States remains the hardest-hit country with more than 2.1 million cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the growth rate stood at 8.3 % , compared to 7.6 % the week before .
Brazil is second , with almost 1 million cases and weekly increase of 22 % .
Nevertheless , the pace of the infection slowed down compared to May , when reached 50 % during some weeks .
Russia is third , with some 568,000 confirmed cases , but a relatively slow growth in new infections .
India , with over 380,000 confirmed cases , is fourth , followed by the United Kingdom , where the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the epidemic process in those countries differs noticeably , with weekly growth being 28 % and 3.1 % , respectively .
According to WHO figures for Friday , the biggest number of coronavirus cases was also reported in Spain ( 245,268 ) , Peru ( 240,908 ) , Italy ( 238,159 ) , Chile ( 225,103 ) , and Iran ( 197,647 ) .
The infection rate in Peru dropped to 14 % , while in Chile it increased to 25 % .
Germany and France , once among the hardest-hit countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12th .
The biggest growth in new cases in now reported mostly in countries out of the top ten .
The leader is South Africa with a weekly incease of 43 % and 84,000 novel coronavirus cases in total .
Besides , the disease has been spreading rapidly in Pakistan ( 34 % ) and Bangladesh ( 31 % ) .
However , the growth rate in those countries slowed down slightly compared to last week , when the figures stood at 40 % and 36 % , respectively .
Saudi Arabia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall number of cases , has the infection rate of 26 % , up one percentage point since last week .
Figures also remain high in Mexico ( more than 165,000 cases and a weekly increase of 24 % ) and Argentina ( 37,000 cases and 37-percent growth in the past seven days , respectively ) .
The number of convalescents worldwide might soon reach 50 % .
In the past seven days , approximately 500,000 people across the globe have recovered from the illness , but this is noticeably less than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The biggest share of convalescents is reported in Germany ( 91.5 % ) , Turkey ( 85 % ) , Iran ( 80 % ) , Italy ( 76 % ) .
In Russia , some 57 % of all coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The infection ’ s mortality rate is also on decline .
The figure , which topped 7 % in early May , has already dropped to 5.3 % ( down 0.3 percentage points in the past seven days ) .
In terms of fatalities , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 114,000 deaths , followed by Brazil ( some 48,000 ) and the United Kingdom ( 42,000 ) .
Russia has about 7,800 fatalities , according to latest reports , but the authorities warn that the figure might later be revised after detailed calculations .
So far , Russia has one of the world ’ s lowest coronavirus mortality rates of less than 1.4 % .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. The past week saw a record-high number of novel coronavirus cases detected worldwide, with about one million people testing positive for the disease in the past seven days.
The weekly number of newly confirmed cases across the globe stood at 500,000-600,000 in May, and grew to 700,000-800,000 in the first weeks of June. The global infection growth rate has been at 13% for the third consecutive week, following a clear downward trend in previous months.
The number of convalescents also increased rapidly in the reported period, reaching 49%, while mortality continues to decline and now stands at 5.3% - the lowest figure in the past two months. By now, the disease claimed the lives of 450,000 people all over the world.
Changes in top ten
Reshuffle continues in the top ten of the world’s hardest-hit countries, as European countries, which became the hotspot of the disease shortly after the initial outbreak in China, are now being overtaken by countries of Asia and South America.
The United States remains the hardest-hit country with more than 2.1 million cases. In the past seven days, the growth rate stood at 8.3%, compared to 7.6% the week before.
Brazil is second, with almost 1 million cases and weekly increase of 22%. Nevertheless, the pace of the infection slowed down compared to May, when reached 50% during some weeks. Russia is third, with some 568,000 confirmed cases, but a relatively slow growth in new infections.
India, with over 380,000 confirmed cases, is fourth, followed by the United Kingdom, where the number of those infected is about 300,000. However, the epidemic process in those countries differs noticeably, with weekly growth being 28% and 3.1%, respectively.
According to WHO figures for Friday, the biggest number of coronavirus cases was also reported in Spain (245,268), Peru (240,908), Italy (238,159), Chile (225,103), and Iran (197,647). The infection rate in Peru dropped to 14%, while in Chile it increased to 25%.
Germany and France, once among the hardest-hit countries worldwide, are now ranked 11th and 12th.
South Africa posts biggest growth
The biggest growth in new cases in now reported mostly in countries out of the top ten. The leader is South Africa with a weekly incease of 43% and 84,000 novel coronavirus cases in total.
Besides, the disease has been spreading rapidly in Pakistan (34%) and Bangladesh (31%). However, the growth rate in those countries slowed down slightly compared to last week, when the figures stood at 40% and 36%, respectively.
Saudi Arabia, which is ranked 16th in terms of overall number of cases, has the infection rate of 26%, up one percentage point since last week.
Figures also remain high in Mexico (more than 165,000 cases and a weekly increase of 24%) and Argentina (37,000 cases and 37-percent growth in the past seven days, respectively).
Convalescence rate
The number of convalescents worldwide might soon reach 50%. In the past seven days, approximately 500,000 people across the globe have recovered from the illness, but this is noticeably less than the 700,000 recoveries recorded during the previous week.
The biggest share of convalescents is reported in Germany (91.5%), Turkey (85%), Iran (80%), Italy (76%). In Russia, some 57% of all coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The infection’s mortality rate is also on decline. The figure, which topped 7% in early May, has already dropped to 5.3% (down 0.3 percentage points in the past seven days).
In terms of fatalities, the United States remains the leader with over 114,000 deaths, followed by Brazil (some 48,000) and the United Kingdom (42,000). Russia has about 7,800 fatalities, according to latest reports, but the authorities warn that the figure might later be revised after detailed calculations. So far, Russia has one of the world’s lowest coronavirus mortality rates of less than 1.4%.


tass--2020-06-20--West mistakenly believes that world can be ruled from Washington — Russian official

LONDON , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Many Western politicians mistakenly believe that the entire world can be ruled from Washington , Director of Russia ’ s Foreign Intelligence Service and Chairman of the Russian Historical Society Sergei Naryshkin said in an interview with BBC on Friday .
`` I think some politicians in the West had false expectations .
They felt like that the world could be ruled from one centre - Washington , '' he said .
`` The most important lesson from the past is that if any country tries to rule the world all by itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He recalled World War II lessons and drew attention to ongoing attempts to distort the public opinion about wartime events .
According to Naryshkin , many young people from Western countries believe that the United States on its own defeated Nazi Germany and liberated Europe .
On May 8 , the White House published on Instagram a video of US President Donald Trump laying a wreath to a WWII memorial , with an inscription saying that the United States and the United Kingdom defeated Nazism on May 8 , 1945 .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Russia was outraged by US attempts to belittle the Soviet Union ’ s contribution into the victory over Nazi Germany , and was set to have serious discussions on the issue with US officials .

LONDON, June 20. /TASS/. Many Western politicians mistakenly believe that the entire world can be ruled from Washington, Director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service and Chairman of the Russian Historical Society Sergei Naryshkin said in an interview with BBC on Friday.
"I think some politicians in the West had false expectations. They felt like that the world could be ruled from one centre - Washington," he said. "The most important lesson from the past is that if any country tries to rule the world all by itself this will undoubtedly end in disaster."
He recalled World War II lessons and drew attention to ongoing attempts to distort the public opinion about wartime events.
According to Naryshkin, many young people from Western countries believe that the United States on its own defeated Nazi Germany and liberated Europe.
On May 8, the White House published on Instagram a video of US President Donald Trump laying a wreath to a WWII memorial, with an inscription saying that the United States and the United Kingdom defeated Nazism on May 8, 1945.
On May 10, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Russia was outraged by US attempts to belittle the Soviet Union’s contribution into the victory over Nazi Germany, and was set to have serious discussions on the issue with US officials.


tass--2020-06-20--Number of coronavirus cases in Brazil tops 1 million — health ministry

RIO DE JANEIRO , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection in Brazil has surpassed the one-million benchmark , according to the health ministry ’ s official bulletin released on Friday .
In line with the updated figures , record 54,771 new cases of the infection were detected in the country in the past 24 hours , bringing the overall number to 1,032,913 .
A total of 1,206 people died of the disease in the reported period , with the total death toll being 48 954 as of Friday .
Approximately 507,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The state of Sao Paulo remains the epicenter of the outbreak in the country , including its eponymous capital , home to more than 21 million people .
The region has 211,658 infection cases and 12,232 fatalities .
Massive outbreaks were also reported in the neighboring Rio de Janeiro ( 93,378 cases and 8,595 deaths ) and the northeastern region of Seara ( 89,863 cases and 5,460 deaths , as well as 57,980 suspected cases ) .
Shortly after the authorities announced the gradual removal of coronavirus-related restrictions there , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the regional administration had to once again toughen anti-coronavirus measures for local residents and businesses .
Statistics on cases and fatalities also remains high in the north of the country , although the general pace of the infection in the region slowed down since June 10 .
The northern states of Para ( 80,072 cases and 4,469 ) and Amazonas ( 61,683 cases and 2,624 deaths ) are the hardest-hit areas of the region .
The situation has slightly improved in the country ’ s northeast , while the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brazil , where the first coronavirus case was confirmed on February 26 , is ranked second after the United States for the number of COVID-19 cases .
The South American country is in the fourth place after the United States , the United Kingdom and Italy for the number of fatalities from the coronavirus .
The Health Ministry predicts that the situation would stabilize by July and in August the infection spread would begin to slow , and the cases would decline in September .
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Marcelo Crivella announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was preparing for the second wave of the infection .
`` Is it [ the second wave ] is possible ?
Yes , it is , especially if citizens gather in groups , if they don ’ t put masks on and don ’ t wash their hands .
But we are ready , '' he said .
The mayor , who is a former cleric , compared the administration ’ s efforts to prepare for the second wave of the disease with Noah ’ s Ark .
`` The ark won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only to survive it .
This is exactly what we are doing , '' he said .

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 20. /TASS/. The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection in Brazil has surpassed the one-million benchmark, according to the health ministry’s official bulletin released on Friday.
In line with the updated figures, record 54,771 new cases of the infection were detected in the country in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall number to 1,032,913. A total of 1,206 people died of the disease in the reported period, with the total death toll being 48 954 as of Friday.
Approximately 507,200 people have already recovered from the illness.
Regional figures
The state of Sao Paulo remains the epicenter of the outbreak in the country, including its eponymous capital, home to more than 21 million people. The region has 211,658 infection cases and 12,232 fatalities. Massive outbreaks were also reported in the neighboring Rio de Janeiro (93,378 cases and 8,595 deaths) and the northeastern region of Seara (89,863 cases and 5,460 deaths, as well as 57,980 suspected cases). Shortly after the authorities announced the gradual removal of coronavirus-related restrictions there, the number of new cases started to grow, and the regional administration had to once again toughen anti-coronavirus measures for local residents and businesses.
Statistics on cases and fatalities also remains high in the north of the country, although the general pace of the infection in the region slowed down since June 10. The northern states of Para (80,072 cases and 4,469) and Amazonas (61,683 cases and 2,624 deaths) are the hardest-hit areas of the region.
The situation has slightly improved in the country’s northeast, while the spread of the infection is gaining momentum in central regions.
Brazil, where the first coronavirus case was confirmed on February 26, is ranked second after the United States for the number of COVID-19 cases. The South American country is in the fourth place after the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy for the number of fatalities from the coronavirus. The Health Ministry predicts that the situation would stabilize by July and in August the infection spread would begin to slow, and the cases would decline in September.
Rio braces for second wave
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Marcelo Crivella announced that the metropolis with some 6,000 inhabitants was preparing for the second wave of the infection.
"Is it [the second wave] is possible? Yes, it is, especially if citizens gather in groups, if they don’t put masks on and don’t wash their hands. But we are ready," he said.
The mayor, who is a former cleric, compared the administration’s efforts to prepare for the second wave of the disease with Noah’s Ark.
"The ark won’t help us prevent the flood, only to survive it. This is exactly what we are doing," he said.


tass--2020-06-20--Russia has no trust in UK account of Salisbury events — foreign intelligence chief

LONDON , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia does not trust UK authorities ’ statements about the events in Salisbury , Director of Russia ’ s Foreign Intelligence Service ( SVR ) and Chairman of the Russian Historical Society Sergei Naryshkin said in an interview with BBC on Friday .
`` We do n't trust what the British government has been saying about Salisbury .
When they say it is ‘ highly likely ’ that Russia is to blame we are not convinced by that , '' Naryshkin said .
Naryshkin met with a BBC reporter in the SVR headquarters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was the first time a foreign correspondent was allowed to enter the premises of the Foreign Intelligence Service ’ s main office .
On March 4 , 2018 , former GRU ( Russia ’ s Main Intelligence Directorate ) officer Sergei Skripal , who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers , and his daughter Yulia suffered the effects of the so-called Novichok nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury .
Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , London rushed to accuse Moscow of being involved in the incident .
The Russian side dismissed all of the United Kingdom ’ s accusations , saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had existed neither in the Soviet Union nor in Russia .
Britain ’ s military chemical laboratory at Porton Down failed to pinpoint the origin of the substance that allegedly poisoned the Skripals .
On June 7 , The Sunday Times newspaper reported citing a high-ranking source in the UK government that Sergei and Yulia Skripal moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under new names and with new documents .

LONDON, June 20. /TASS/. Russia does not trust UK authorities’ statements about the events in Salisbury, Director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) and Chairman of the Russian Historical Society Sergei Naryshkin said in an interview with BBC on Friday.
"We don't trust what the British government has been saying about Salisbury. When they say it is ‘highly likely’ that Russia is to blame we are not convinced by that," Naryshkin said.
Naryshkin met with a BBC reporter in the SVR headquarters in Moscow. According to BBC, it was the first time a foreign correspondent was allowed to enter the premises of the Foreign Intelligence Service’s main office.
On March 4, 2018, former GRU (Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate) officer Sergei Skripal, who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers, and his daughter Yulia suffered the effects of the so-called Novichok nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury. Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been a nerve agent allegedly developed in Russia, London rushed to accuse Moscow of being involved in the incident. The Russian side dismissed all of the United Kingdom’s accusations, saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had existed neither in the Soviet Union nor in Russia. Britain’s military chemical laboratory at Porton Down failed to pinpoint the origin of the substance that allegedly poisoned the Skripals.
On June 7, The Sunday Times newspaper reported citing a high-ranking source in the UK government that Sergei and Yulia Skripal moved to New Zealand, where they live under new names and with new documents.


tass--2020-06-21--Head of Russia’s Chechnya Kadyrov tests negative for coronavirus

TASS , June 21 .
Leader of the Russian region of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov said Sunday that the coronavirus antibody @ @ @ @ @ days ago came back negative , he said via VK , Russian social network .
@ @ @ @ @ detect antibodies .
This means I have never been ill with the coronavirus infection , @ @ @ @ @ , media outlets reported that Kadyrov had allegedly been hospitalized with suspected coronavirus , however @ @ @ @ @ officially confirmed .
Chechnya Parliament Speaker Magomed Daudov branded these reports as rumors .

TASS, June 21. Leader of the Russian region of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov said Sunday that the coronavirus antibody test he had a few days ago came back negative, he said via VK, Russian social network.
"My test did not detect antibodies. This means I have never been ill with the coronavirus infection," he wrote.
Earlier, media outlets reported that Kadyrov had allegedly been hospitalized with suspected coronavirus, however, this information was never officially confirmed. Chechnya Parliament Speaker Magomed Daudov branded these reports as rumors.


tass--2020-06-21--Russia won’t force China to join nuclear arms talks - Russian envoy

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will not pressure China into acceding to the Russian-US nuclear arms reduction treaty ( New START ) , Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said Saturday in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman , commenting on Washington ’ s calls to get Beijing to the negotiating table .
`` Regarding < … > China , our position is simple and clear - China should itself decide whether these talks are beneficial for the country .
We will not force our Chinese friends .
We will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed for Americans , '' he said .
At the same time , the diplomat noted that Russia generally does not stand against multilateral consultations on strategic stability .
`` Earlier , we spoke about the fact that possible potential of further nuclear arsenal cuts by Russia and the US exhausted itself , '' Antonov stressed .
`` It is important that NATO nuclear powers are at the negotiating table - France and the United Kingdom .
It is a point of principle for us .
NATO is at the Russian borders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear status of its bloc . ''
The ambassador also recalled that China at the high level has repeatedly reaffirmed lack of intention to join the talks between Moscow and Washington .
`` We respect this position , '' Antonov added .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. Russia will not pressure China into acceding to the Russian-US nuclear arms reduction treaty (New START), Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said Saturday in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman, commenting on Washington’s calls to get Beijing to the negotiating table.
"Regarding <…> China, our position is simple and clear - China should itself decide whether these talks are beneficial for the country. We will not force our Chinese friends. We will not push [them] towards the decision needed for Americans," he said.
At the same time, the diplomat noted that Russia generally does not stand against multilateral consultations on strategic stability. "Earlier, we spoke about the fact that possible potential of further nuclear arsenal cuts by Russia and the US exhausted itself," Antonov stressed. "It is important that NATO nuclear powers are at the negotiating table - France and the United Kingdom. It is a point of principle for us. NATO is at the Russian borders. North Atlantic Alliance members are boasting the nuclear status of its bloc."
The ambassador also recalled that China at the high level has repeatedly reaffirmed lack of intention to join the talks between Moscow and Washington. "We respect this position," Antonov added.


tass--2020-06-21--There are positives in Russia-US relations, but few - Russian envoy

MOSCOW , June 21 .
/TASS/ .
Positive points in the relations between Moscow and Washington are there and are withstanding a constant barrage of attacks on Russian by US politicians , Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said Saturday in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman .
`` There are , of course , positives in the Russian-American relations , but very few , '' the diplomat noted .
`` Our ties are affected by the domestic political fighting in the US .
You can barely find a politician looking to take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nevertheless , we manage to keep some bridges .
Despite all differences between Russia and the US , our presidents set the direction of the two countries ’ relations and demonstrate commitment to joint work and looking points of contact . ''
Antonov added that Russia and the United States cooperate in healthcare during the coronavirus pandemic , maintain relations in space exploration and counterterrorism and discuss issues of strategic stability .
`` Let ’ s not forget about terror attacks prevented in Russia thanks to American intelligence services , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlement in Syria , Afghanistan and resolve issues on the Korean Peninsula and in Venezuela .
According to the diplomat , cultural ties were actively fostered as well as military and memorial cooperation , while opportunities to jointly stabilize energy markets are also still there .
`` Overall , there are many things to do , we have long-term plans aimed at stabilization and then improving the bilateral ties .
The Russian side is ready for that .
We are waiting when political forces looking for equal , constructive and respectful work [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Antonov concluded .

MOSCOW, June 21. /TASS/. Positive points in the relations between Moscow and Washington are there and are withstanding a constant barrage of attacks on Russian by US politicians, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said Saturday in an open interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
"There are, of course, positives in the Russian-American relations, but very few," the diplomat noted. "Our ties are affected by the domestic political fighting in the US. You can barely find a politician looking to take a jab at Russia for certain invented wrongdoings. Nevertheless, we manage to keep some bridges. Despite all differences between Russia and the US, our presidents set the direction of the two countries’ relations and demonstrate commitment to joint work and looking points of contact."
Antonov added that Russia and the United States cooperate in healthcare during the coronavirus pandemic, maintain relations in space exploration and counterterrorism and discuss issues of strategic stability. "Let’s not forget about terror attacks prevented in Russia thanks to American intelligence services," he added, highlighting the cooperation to achieve settlement in Syria, Afghanistan and resolve issues on the Korean Peninsula and in Venezuela.
According to the diplomat, cultural ties were actively fostered as well as military and memorial cooperation, while opportunities to jointly stabilize energy markets are also still there. "Overall, there are many things to do, we have long-term plans aimed at stabilization and then improving the bilateral ties. The Russian side is ready for that. We are waiting when political forces looking for equal, constructive and respectful work [with Russia] will dominate in Washington," Antonov concluded.


tass--2020-06-21--Moscow's death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases rises by 32 to 3,597

MOSCOW , June 21 .
/TASS/ .
Thirty-two patients diagnosed with COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , have died in Moscow over the past 24 hours , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday .
`` Thirty-two patients have passed away in Moscow .
Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection , '' the center informed .
The death toll from coronavirus has climbed to 3,597 in the Russian capital .
According to the statistics , Saturday ’ s single-day death toll is the lowest since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 8.6 million people have been infected worldwide and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To date , 576,952 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 334,592 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 8,002 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 21. /TASS/. Thirty-two patients diagnosed with COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, have died in Moscow over the past 24 hours, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday.
"Thirty-two patients have passed away in Moscow. Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection," the center informed.
The death toll from coronavirus has climbed to 3,597 in the Russian capital. According to the statistics, Saturday’s single-day death toll is the lowest since April 26, when 31 people died.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 8.6 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 460,000 deaths have been reported. To date, 576,952 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 334,592 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 8,002 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-21--Pandemic stokes antagonism between some states - Kremlin

MOSCOW , June 21 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus pandemic has not united the world , but stirred up antagonism between some countries , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Channel One on Saturday .
`` Regrettably , the pandemic has in no way inexplicably contributed to the world ’ s unity .
On the contrary , it did lead to some countries got antagonized , '' he said .
Peskov pointed out that Russia ’ s position on international cooperation in the face of pandemic , which President Vladimir Putin has been calling for since the virus erupted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since the beginning , Putin has been insisting on international interaction and he believes that it is an absolutely inalienable part of the restoration process [ after the pandemic ] , '' he explained .
The Kremlin spokesman recalled that since the virus broke out , Russia had repeatedly offered assistance to China and other foreign partners to help curb its spread , and then aid began coming to Russia from China .
`` In the past two months , Putin has been working in the mode of high intensity on telephone diplomacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with him about cooperation against the coronavirus and everyone talked about the need to join efforts in terms of anti-crisis measures , '' Peskov added .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 8.6 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 460,000 deaths have been reported .
To date , 576,952 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 334,592 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 8,002 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 21. /TASS/. The coronavirus pandemic has not united the world, but stirred up antagonism between some countries, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Channel One on Saturday.
"Regrettably, the pandemic has in no way inexplicably contributed to the world’s unity. On the contrary, it did lead to some countries got antagonized," he said.
Peskov pointed out that Russia’s position on international cooperation in the face of pandemic, which President Vladimir Putin has been calling for since the virus erupted in China, has not changed.
"Since the beginning, Putin has been insisting on international interaction and he believes that it is an absolutely inalienable part of the restoration process [after the pandemic]," he explained.
The Kremlin spokesman recalled that since the virus broke out, Russia had repeatedly offered assistance to China and other foreign partners to help curb its spread, and then aid began coming to Russia from China.
"In the past two months, Putin has been working in the mode of high intensity on telephone diplomacy, and all his foreign counterparts talked with him about cooperation against the coronavirus and everyone talked about the need to join efforts in terms of anti-crisis measures," Peskov added.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 8.6 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 460,000 deaths have been reported. To date, 576,952 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 334,592 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 8,002 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-20--Mutual assistance in fight against pandemic may help improve Russia-US relations - Antonov

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Cooperation between Russia and the United States aimed at beating the coronavirus pandemic is likely to help bilateral relations get out of the crisis , Russia ’ s Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman on Saturday .
`` I am firmly convinced that since our aid was provided at no charge , the cooperation between our doctors and scientists and the strengthening of the two countries ’ healthcare capacities have been promising and of enormous significance , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will probably happen to be that golden link that can pull the chain of Russian-US relations out of the crisis . ''
The ambassador recalled that first , Russia sent aid to the US , and afterwards , the US delivered a batch of 200 ventilators to Russia .
`` We highly appreciate this constructive step of the American people and president and expect that the US had the same perception of our aid , '' Antonov added .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 8.6 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 460,000 deaths have been reported .
To date , 576,952 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 334,592 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s latest data indicates 8,002 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. Cooperation between Russia and the United States aimed at beating the coronavirus pandemic is likely to help bilateral relations get out of the crisis, Russia’s Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman on Saturday.
"I am firmly convinced that since our aid was provided at no charge, the cooperation between our doctors and scientists and the strengthening of the two countries’ healthcare capacities have been promising and of enormous significance," he said. "We will hope that it will probably happen to be that golden link that can pull the chain of Russian-US relations out of the crisis."
The ambassador recalled that first, Russia sent aid to the US, and afterwards, the US delivered a batch of 200 ventilators to Russia.
"We highly appreciate this constructive step of the American people and president and expect that the US had the same perception of our aid," Antonov added.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 8.6 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 460,000 deaths have been reported. To date, 576,952 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 334,592 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 8,002 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-20--Russian-US contacts not interrupted by pandemic - Russia’s ambassador to US

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus pandemic has not affected the contacts between Moscow and Washington , Russia ’ s Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman on Saturday .
`` Contacts between the presidents have not been interrupted in spite of the pandemic .
The leaders are continuing to discuss pressing issues of international security and bilateral relations over the phone .
I will say that the conversations are business-like , friendly , pragmatic and constructive .
They are focused on key issues , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be said about contacts between the foreign ministers .
`` Military issues are discussed in phone calls by Chief of the General Staff of Russia ’ s Armed Forces Army General Valery Gerasimov and General Mark Milley , the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff .
It is crucial that the defense ministers coordinate efforts in the military sector , '' Antonov said .
`` We are hopeful that the time will come when we will see Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of Defense ] Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu and Mark Esper at the negotiating table , '' Antonov concluded .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , over 8.6 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 460,000 deaths have been reported .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. The coronavirus pandemic has not affected the contacts between Moscow and Washington, Russia’s Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman on Saturday.
"Contacts between the presidents have not been interrupted in spite of the pandemic. The leaders are continuing to discuss pressing issues of international security and bilateral relations over the phone. I will say that the conversations are business-like, friendly, pragmatic and constructive. They are focused on key issues," he said.
According to the ambassador, this can also be said about contacts between the foreign ministers.
"Military issues are discussed in phone calls by Chief of the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces Army General Valery Gerasimov and General Mark Milley, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. It is crucial that the defense ministers coordinate efforts in the military sector," Antonov said.
"We are hopeful that the time will come when we will see Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, [Russian Defense Minister and US Secretary of Defense] Sergei Kuzhugetovich Shoigu and Mark Esper at the negotiating table," Antonov concluded.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 8.6 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 460,000 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-06-20--WHO reports single-day increase in coronavirus cases by nearly 139,000

GENEVA , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
More than 139,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , bringing the tally to 8.52 million , with the coronavirus-related fatalities increasing by over 6,000 to surpass 457,000 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Saturday .
As of 11.00 Moscow time on June 20 , as many as 8,525,042 novel coronavirus cases and 456,973 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 138,980 in the past 24 hours and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries .
The day before , the organization reported 142,451 new cases and 5,151 deaths throughout the world .
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 4,163,813 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 71,287 and the number of deaths - by 3,386 to top 215,903 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,509,750 and the number of fatalities is 192,645 .
In the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 18,313 and the number of deaths went up by 1,726 .
The East Mediterranean region has 878,428 cases and 19,560 fatalities .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 21,778 and the number of deaths - by 519 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was registered in the United States ( 2,172,212 ) , followed by Brazil ( 978,142 ) , Russia ( 576,952 ) , India ( 395,048 ) , the United Kingdom ( 301,819 ) , Spain ( 245,575 ) , Peru ( 244,388 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chile ( 231,393 ) , and Iran ( 200,262 ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, June 20. /TASS/. More than 139,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, bringing the tally to 8.52 million, with the coronavirus-related fatalities increasing by over 6,000 to surpass 457,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Saturday.
As of 11.00 Moscow time on June 20, as many as 8,525,042 novel coronavirus cases and 456,973 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 138,980 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 6,271. The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries. The day before, the organization reported 142,451 new cases and 5,151 deaths throughout the world.
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 4,163,813. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 71,287 and the number of deaths - by 3,386 to top 215,903. The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,509,750 and the number of fatalities is 192,645. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew, by 18,313 and the number of deaths went up by 1,726.
The East Mediterranean region has 878,428 cases and 19,560 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 21,778 and the number of deaths - by 519.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was registered in the United States (2,172,212), followed by Brazil (978,142), Russia (576,952), India (395,048), the United Kingdom (301,819), Spain (245,575), Peru (244,388), Italy (238,011), Chile (231,393), and Iran (200,262).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-06-20--Approval of changes to constitution to help cement Russia’s strong position - Kremlin

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Approval of amendments to Russia ’ s constitution will enhance the country ’ s position as a strong and sovereign state , so the other nations will have to agree to this state of affairs , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a televised interview on Channel One on Saturday .
Peskov pointed out that certain Western countries had never approved of Russia 's growing independence .
`` As long as Russia feels more self-confident , more self-reliant , more independent , as long as Russia protects itself better from interference in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ cementing ’ that position .
To my mind , this variety of amendments is the process of 'cementing ' the current state of a strong and sovereign Russia , '' he said .
Peskov added that those foreign countries that do not like the current state of affairs will have to accept the fact , `` with patience and tolerance , if not with understanding . ''
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on holding national popular vote on amendments to the Constitution on July 1 .
In January 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin suggested introducing a number of amendments to the fundamental law that would better meet the modern realities and consolidate the achieved results .
After a special group discussed the proposed amendments the State Duma on March 11 adopted the presidential bill in the final reading .
Later in the day the bill was approved by the Federation Council and supported by the legislative assemblies of all of Russia ’ s territories .
The Federation Council considered the results on March 14 and sent its resolution to the president .
Originally Putin signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote on the amendments on April 22 .
However , amid the novel coronavirus pandemic Putin addressed the nation on television on March 25 to say that the voting had to be postponed .
The amendments will take effect only if they are approved in a plebiscite .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. Approval of amendments to Russia’s constitution will enhance the country’s position as a strong and sovereign state, so the other nations will have to agree to this state of affairs, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a televised interview on Channel One on Saturday.
Peskov pointed out that certain Western countries had never approved of Russia's growing independence.
"As long as Russia feels more self-confident, more self-reliant, more independent, as long as Russia protects itself better from interference in its domestic affairs, Russia can concentrate on ‘cementing’ that position. To my mind, this variety of amendments is the process of 'cementing' the current state of a strong and sovereign Russia," he said.
Peskov added that those foreign countries that do not like the current state of affairs will have to accept the fact, "with patience and tolerance, if not with understanding."
Amendments to the Constitution
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on holding national popular vote on amendments to the Constitution on July 1.
In January 2020, in his message to the Federal Assembly Putin suggested introducing a number of amendments to the fundamental law that would better meet the modern realities and consolidate the achieved results. After a special group discussed the proposed amendments the State Duma on March 11 adopted the presidential bill in the final reading. Later in the day the bill was approved by the Federation Council and supported by the legislative assemblies of all of Russia’s territories. The Federation Council considered the results on March 14 and sent its resolution to the president.
Originally Putin signed a decree to hold the national popular vote on the amendments on April 22. However, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic Putin addressed the nation on television on March 25 to say that the voting had to be postponed. The amendments will take effect only if they are approved in a plebiscite.


tass--2020-06-20--Next flight from US to Russia scheduled for June 28 - Russia’s ambassador to US

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
A next flight repatriating Russian nationals from New York is scheduled for June 28 , Russia ’ s Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman on Saturday .
`` We have just been informed that another repatriation flight from New York to Russia is scheduled for June 28 , '' the diplomat said .
`` We will concentrate on the maximum number [ of passenger ] aboard the plane '' .
According to the ambassador , about 1,000 Russians are seeking to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Ten flights have been organized so far , which could return more than 2,000 people to their homeland , '' Antonov said .
`` It is noteworthy that the number of Russians wanting to leave for their homeland is increasing daily . ''
The diplomat added that Russia ’ s embassy in Washington could add the Russian nationals in financial distress , the sick and elderly to the lists of passengers .
`` We make the most of our resources to solve the humanitarian problems of Russians , '' the ambassador concluded @

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. A next flight repatriating Russian nationals from New York is scheduled for June 28, Russia’s Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman on Saturday.
"We have just been informed that another repatriation flight from New York to Russia is scheduled for June 28," the diplomat said. "We will concentrate on the maximum number [of passenger] aboard the plane".
According to the ambassador, about 1,000 Russians are seeking to return to homeland from the United States.
"Ten flights have been organized so far, which could return more than 2,000 people to their homeland," Antonov said. "It is noteworthy that the number of Russians wanting to leave for their homeland is increasing daily."
The diplomat added that Russia’s embassy in Washington could add the Russian nationals in financial distress, the sick and elderly to the lists of passengers.
"We make the most of our resources to solve the humanitarian problems of Russians," the ambassador concluded.


tass--2020-06-20--Russia hopes China, India show wisdom to avoid any escalation - Kremlin

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia hopes that India and China will be able to find a solution to avoid any escalation on the border , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a televised interview on Channel One on Saturday .
`` Of course , we are alarmed by the incident , but we are hopeful and are convinced that both New Delhi and Beijing will show diplomatic and political wisdom with the aim to find - on their own , without any interference from foreign states - such solutions that would help avoid escalations , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia `` always stands ready to offer services and help in settling thorny conflicts between the countries that are its partners and allies . ''
Peskov pointed out that both India and China are Russia ’ s close allies and the countries which Russia has mutual respect and economic cooperation with .
On June 16 , Chinese and Indian border control forces engaged in yet another conflict at the line of actual control in Ladakh .
According to Indian military sources , cited by local media outlets , the sides attacked each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight , at least 20 Indian servicemen were killed and 76 injured , while up to 45 Chinese servicemen were reportedly killed or injured , according to the Indian military sources .
The situation at the border of the union territory of Ladakh escalated after several clashes involving some 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers .
Over 100 servicemen from both sides were injured at the time .
Later , India and China announced they were seeking to maintain stability .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. Russia hopes that India and China will be able to find a solution to avoid any escalation on the border, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a televised interview on Channel One on Saturday.
"Of course, we are alarmed by the incident, but we are hopeful and are convinced that both New Delhi and Beijing will show diplomatic and political wisdom with the aim to find - on their own, without any interference from foreign states - such solutions that would help avoid escalations," the Kremlin spokesman said.
He confirmed that Russia "always stands ready to offer services and help in settling thorny conflicts between the countries that are its partners and allies."
Peskov pointed out that both India and China are Russia’s close allies and the countries which Russia has mutual respect and economic cooperation with.
On June 16, Chinese and Indian border control forces engaged in yet another conflict at the line of actual control in Ladakh. According to Indian military sources, cited by local media outlets, the sides attacked each other with stones and sticks. In the fight, at least 20 Indian servicemen were killed and 76 injured, while up to 45 Chinese servicemen were reportedly killed or injured, according to the Indian military sources.
The situation at the border of the union territory of Ladakh escalated after several clashes involving some 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers. Over 100 servicemen from both sides were injured at the time. Later, India and China announced they were seeking to maintain stability.


tass--2020-06-20--Putin calls for artificial intelligence to be used in healthcare

NOVO-OGAREVO , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered to roll out digitalization and phase in @ @ @ @ @ technology in the healthcare sector .
`` Unconditionally , we should provide broad digitalization and @ @ @ @ @ technology at the all-level medical institutions , '' he said at a video conference with @ @ @ @ @ `` Now , we must move on relying on the experience gained during the fight @ @ @ @ @ both achievements and unsolved issues , '' the president added , emphasizing that not only @ @ @ @ @ fight against epidemics , but also about an increase in the reliability of the entire @ @ @ @ @ 576,952 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 334,592 patients having recovered from @ @ @ @ @ s latest data indicates 8,002 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up @ @ @ @ @ the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

NOVO-OGAREVO, June 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered to roll out digitalization and phase in artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the healthcare sector.
"Unconditionally, we should provide broad digitalization and the application of artificial intelligence technology at the all-level medical institutions," he said at a video conference with health workers on Saturday.
"Now, we must move on relying on the experience gained during the fight against coronavirus, honestly analyzing both achievements and unsolved issues," the president added, emphasizing that not only was he talking about the fight against epidemics, but also about an increase in the reliability of the entire system.
To date, 576,952 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 334,592 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 8,002 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-06-20--Russia’s national security not to be damaged if US pulls out of New START - ambassador

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s national security will not be damaged if the United States opts for withdrawing from the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ( known as New START ) , Russia ’ s Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman on Saturday .
`` Should the United States decide against extending New START , our response will be calm , calculated and balanced .
I am firmly convinced that Russian military officials have long calculated all the consequences of this step .
Our country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected , '' he said .
The ambassador stressed that the question of the future of New START Treaty will be in focus of the Russia-US talks in Vienna on June 22 .
`` We want to understand what plans the US has regarding this treaty , '' he added .
Antonov explained that not only does Russia ’ s security depend on a balance of strategic nuclear weapons with the United States , but also on many other factors , namely on US plans to build up a global anti-missile defense system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems , on nuclear arsenals of US allies in NATO , on the proportion of general-purpose forces , on Washington ’ s multiple military bases close to Russian borders and on the US ideas of deploying weapons in outer space .
According to the diplomat , the non-renewal of New START will have negative consequences for international stability , in particular , for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons ( NPT ) .
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New START Treaty ) entered into force on February 5 , 2011 .
The document stipulates that seven years after its entry into effect each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles ( ICBM ) , submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBM ) and strategic bombers , as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs , deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers , and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers , SLBM launchers and strategic bombers .
The New START Treaty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , until 2021 , unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms .
It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years ( that is , until 2026 ) by the parties ’ mutual consent .
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as the gold standards in the area of disarmament .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. Russia’s national security will not be damaged if the United States opts for withdrawing from the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (known as New START), Russia’s Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman on Saturday.
"Should the United States decide against extending New START, our response will be calm, calculated and balanced. I am firmly convinced that Russian military officials have long calculated all the consequences of this step. Our country’s national security will not be affected," he said.
The ambassador stressed that the question of the future of New START Treaty will be in focus of the Russia-US talks in Vienna on June 22.
"We want to understand what plans the US has regarding this treaty," he added.
Antonov explained that not only does Russia’s security depend on a balance of strategic nuclear weapons with the United States, but also on many other factors, namely on US plans to build up a global anti-missile defense system, on the situation with long-range high-precision systems, on nuclear arsenals of US allies in NATO, on the proportion of general-purpose forces, on Washington’s multiple military bases close to Russian borders and on the US ideas of deploying weapons in outer space.
According to the diplomat, the non-renewal of New START will have negative consequences for international stability, in particular, for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
New START
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) entered into force on February 5, 2011. The document stipulates that seven years after its entry into effect each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and strategic bombers, as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers, and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers, SLBM launchers and strategic bombers.
The New START Treaty will remain in force for 10 years, until 2021, unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years (that is, until 2026) by the parties’ mutual consent.
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as the gold standards in the area of disarmament.


tass--2020-06-20--US military plans overtly aimed at deterring Russia, China - ambassador

MOSCOW , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
US military plans are openly aimed at deterring Russia and China , Russia ’ s Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman on Saturday .
`` American military plans are overtly aimed at deterring Russia and China .
We are offered the concept of rivalry between great powers , in fact , it means arms race , '' he said .
The diplomat pointed out that Russia would prefer to avoid this scenario .
Antonov informed that the Russian-US talks on arms control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be interdepartmental .
He pointed out that , as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council , Russia and the United States bear particular responsibility for peace and security and should not facilitate the collapse of strategic stability .
`` Therefore , Russian negotiators in Vienna will definitely place these issues in the focus of talks , '' the ambassador stressed .
Earlier , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS that he would hold talks with US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea in Vienna on June 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not rule out that the issue of extending the Russian-US treaty on reduction of strategic arms , also known as New START , will be raised at the talks .

MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. US military plans are openly aimed at deterring Russia and China, Russia’s Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman on Saturday.
"American military plans are overtly aimed at deterring Russia and China. We are offered the concept of rivalry between great powers, in fact, it means arms race," he said.
The diplomat pointed out that Russia would prefer to avoid this scenario.
Antonov informed that the Russian-US talks on arms control scheduled for June 22 in Vienna would be interdepartmental. He pointed out that, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Russia and the United States bear particular responsibility for peace and security and should not facilitate the collapse of strategic stability.
"Therefore, Russian negotiators in Vienna will definitely place these issues in the focus of talks," the ambassador stressed.
Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS that he would hold talks with US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea in Vienna on June 22. According to Bloomberg, Washington does not rule out that the issue of extending the Russian-US treaty on reduction of strategic arms, also known as New START, will be raised at the talks.


tass--2020-06-20--Moscow to keep extra hospital beds for coronavirus patients as reserve for fall - Putin

NOVO-OGAREVO , June 20 .
/TASS/ .
Extra beds , put up for coronavirus patients in Moscow ’ s hospitals @ @ @ @ @ but will remain in place as a reserve for the fall , Russian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ with health workers on Saturday .
`` We have agreed with [ Moscow ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Sobyanin that extra beds will not be closed in Moscow yet , but the repurposed @ @ @ @ @ normal functioning , '' the president said .
`` As for the extra beds , @ @ @ @ @ stock , even if we do not need them in the near future , but @ @ @ @ @ this autumn or distant future . ''
`` Moreover , they have been made with @ @ @ @ @ , '' he added .
The president stated that `` Moscow has lived through very @ @ @ @ @ exaggeration .
`` .

NOVO-OGAREVO, June 20. /TASS/. Extra beds, put up for coronavirus patients in Moscow’s hospitals, will not be reduced but will remain in place as a reserve for the fall, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with health workers on Saturday.
"We have agreed with [Moscow’s] Mayor [Sergei] Sobyanin that extra beds will not be closed in Moscow yet, but the repurposed health institutions could return to normal functioning," the president said. "As for the extra beds, we should have them in stock, even if we do not need them in the near future, but just in case, for this autumn or distant future."
"Moreover, they have been made with a high quality in Moscow," he added.
The president stated that "Moscow has lived through very alarming months, without any exaggeration.".