tass--2020-02-13--Kiev, Donbass say they still have conflicting views on reconciliation process

MINSK , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
A regular meeting of the Contact Group on settlement in eastern Ukraine , which coincided with the fifth anniversary of signing of the Minsk Agreements , confirmed that the sides still have directly opposite views on political settlement .
`` The withdrawal of armed groups and military equipment and return of full control over the border remain the basic precondition for the start of a political process , including elections , '' a spokesperson for the Kiev government ’ s delegation , Darya Olifer , said .
In that regard , the foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People ’ s Republic ( DPR ) delegation to the talks said that during Wednesday ’ s meeting , the self-proclaimed republics faced `` the Ukrainian side ’ s total failure to understand the sequence and contents of vital provisions '' of the Minsk deal .
`` Kiev representatives continue their attempts to make political settlement talks convenient for them , '' Nikononorova said .
`` First of all , this applies to preconditions for granting a special status to Donbass .
The Ukrainian side is deliberately trying to hush down the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on discussing matters that are either premature or outside the Contact Group ’ s zone of responsibility . ''
`` Once again , we had to call upon Kiev to re-read the text of the Complex of Measures , which lays down an unambiguous sequence for implementation of the measures , '' she added .
The DPR diplomat went on to say that five years after the signing of the Minsk agreements , Ukraine should eventually `` stop inventing alternatives to the Minsk accords and start consistently implementing all provisions of the document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved by the UN Security Council . ''
Back in October 2014 , Ukraine ’ s President Pyotr Poroshenko signed a law on self-governance in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics , establishing a special status there for three years .
However , while the law was never implemented in Ukraine , the Verkhovna Rada extended its effect every year .
In March 2015 , Poroshenko violated the Minsk agreements , introducing amendments to the law which effectively halted its implementation .
The law ’ s effect was repeatedly extended by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lose its force on December 31 , 2019 .
However , the Verkhovna Rada ( parliament ) once again extended the law for another year on December 12 .
In late 2015 , then German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier put forward a plan that later became known as the `` Steinmeier formula '' .
The plan stipulates that a special status be granted to Donbass in accordance with the Minsk Agreements .
In particular , the document envisages that Ukraine ’ s special law on local self-governance will take effect in certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a temporary basis on the day of local elections , becoming permanent after the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) issues a report on the vote ’ s results .
The idea was endorsed at the Normandy Four meeting in Paris on October 2 , 2015 , and has been known as the Steinmeier formula since .
Ahead of the Normandy Four summit in Paris held in December 2019 , Russia insisted that Ukraine assumed the obligation to enshrine the ‘ Steinmeier formula ’ into law as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Donbass .
In late 2019 , the formula was once again sealed in written form by members of the Contact Group , including Ukraine .
Despite that , Ukraine has been reluctant to encompass the Steinmeier Formula into its legislation , citing security issues and demanding that first it should regain control over a stretch of the Russian-Ukrainian border now controlled by self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk .
Kiev ignores the fact that , in line with the Minsk agreements , this can happen only after elections are held in those @ @

MINSK, February 13. /TASS/. A regular meeting of the Contact Group on settlement in eastern Ukraine, which coincided with the fifth anniversary of signing of the Minsk Agreements, confirmed that the sides still have directly opposite views on political settlement.
"The withdrawal of armed groups and military equipment and return of full control over the border remain the basic precondition for the start of a political process, including elections," a spokesperson for the Kiev government’s delegation, Darya Olifer, said.
In that regard, the foreign minister and the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) delegation to the talks said that during Wednesday’s meeting, the self-proclaimed republics faced "the Ukrainian side’s total failure to understand the sequence and contents of vital provisions" of the Minsk deal.
"Kiev representatives continue their attempts to make political settlement talks convenient for them," Nikononorova said. "First of all, this applies to preconditions for granting a special status to Donbass. The Ukrainian side is deliberately trying to hush down the issue of the special status law and insists on discussing matters that are either premature or outside the Contact Group’s zone of responsibility."
"Once again, we had to call upon Kiev to re-read the text of the Complex of Measures, which lays down an unambiguous sequence for implementation of the measures," she added.
The DPR diplomat went on to say that five years after the signing of the Minsk agreements, Ukraine should eventually "stop inventing alternatives to the Minsk accords and start consistently implementing all provisions of the document, endorsed by the guarantor nations and approved by the UN Security Council."
Back in October 2014, Ukraine’s President Pyotr Poroshenko signed a law on self-governance in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics, establishing a special status there for three years. However, while the law was never implemented in Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada extended its effect every year. In March 2015, Poroshenko violated the Minsk agreements, introducing amendments to the law which effectively halted its implementation. The law’s effect was repeatedly extended by Ukrainian authorities and this time was supposed to lose its force on December 31, 2019. However, the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) once again extended the law for another year on December 12.
In late 2015, then German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier put forward a plan that later became known as the "Steinmeier formula". The plan stipulates that a special status be granted to Donbass in accordance with the Minsk Agreements. In particular, the document envisages that Ukraine’s special law on local self-governance will take effect in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions on a temporary basis on the day of local elections, becoming permanent after the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) issues a report on the vote’s results. The idea was endorsed at the Normandy Four meeting in Paris on October 2, 2015, and has been known as the Steinmeier formula since. Ahead of the Normandy Four summit in Paris held in December 2019, Russia insisted that Ukraine assumed the obligation to enshrine the ‘Steinmeier formula’ into law as a compromise mechanism of granting the special status to Donbass.
In late 2019, the formula was once again sealed in written form by members of the Contact Group, including Ukraine.
Despite that, Ukraine has been reluctant to encompass the Steinmeier Formula into its legislation, citing security issues and demanding that first it should regain control over a stretch of the Russian-Ukrainian border now controlled by self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Kiev ignores the fact that, in line with the Minsk agreements, this can happen only after elections are held in those regions.


tass--2020-02-13--UN Security Council to analyze Minsk Agreements implementation on February 18

UNITED NATIONS , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
The UN Security Council will gather on February 18 on Russia ’ s initiative to discuss implementation of Minsk agreements , Russia ’ s first deputy envoy to the UN , Vladimir Polyansky , told TASS .
`` In connection with the fifth anniversary of the Minsk agreements , marked today , Russia requested holding an open UN Security Council session with participation of an OSCE envoy to analyze the implementation of the agreements , '' he said .
Peace settlement of the conflict in Donbass rests on the Package of Measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed by the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine comprising senior representatives from Russia , Ukraine and the European security watchdog OSCE on February 12 , 2015 , after marathon 16-hour talks between the leaders of the Normandy Four nations , namely Russia , Germany , France and Ukraine .
The 13-point document envisages a ceasefire between Ukrainian government forces and people ’ s militias in the self-proclaimed republics in Donetsk and Lugansk and subsequent withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of engagement .
The deal also lays out a roadmap for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections and a constitutional reform to give more autonomy to the war-torn eastern regions .
On February 17 , 2015 , those agreements were unanimously approved by a UN Security Council resolution .
These agreements that were initially planned to be implemented by the end of 2015 have not been fulfilled until now .
The Ukrainian side has been dodging implementation of the package ’ s political provisions citing security problems as a reason .
In a bid to overcome the impasse in late 2015 , then German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the `` Steinmeier formula '' .
The plan stipulates that a special status be granted to Donbass in accordance with the Minsk Agreements .
In particular , the document envisages that Ukraine ’ s special law on local self-governance will take effect in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions on a temporary basis on the day of local elections , becoming permanent after the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) issues a report on the vote ’ s results .
The idea was endorsed at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 , 2015 , and has been known as the Steinmeier formula since .
Ahead of the Normandy Four summit in Paris held in December 2019 , Russia insisted that Ukraine assumed the obligation to enshrine the ‘ Steinmeier formula ’ into law as a compromise mechanism of granting the special status to Donbass .

UNITED NATIONS, February 13. /TASS/. The UN Security Council will gather on February 18 on Russia’s initiative to discuss implementation of Minsk agreements, Russia’s first deputy envoy to the UN, Vladimir Polyansky, told TASS.
"In connection with the fifth anniversary of the Minsk agreements, marked today, Russia requested holding an open UN Security Council session with participation of an OSCE envoy to analyze the implementation of the agreements," he said.
Peace settlement of the conflict in Donbass rests on the Package of Measures, known as Minsk-2, that was signed by the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine comprising senior representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the European security watchdog OSCE on February 12, 2015, after marathon 16-hour talks between the leaders of the Normandy Four nations, namely Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine. The 13-point document envisages a ceasefire between Ukrainian government forces and people’s militias in the self-proclaimed republics in Donetsk and Lugansk and subsequent withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of engagement. The deal also lays out a roadmap for a lasting settlement in Ukraine, including local elections and a constitutional reform to give more autonomy to the war-torn eastern regions.
On February 17, 2015, those agreements were unanimously approved by a UN Security Council resolution.
These agreements that were initially planned to be implemented by the end of 2015 have not been fulfilled until now. The Ukrainian side has been dodging implementation of the package’s political provisions citing security problems as a reason.
In a bid to overcome the impasse in late 2015, then German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier put forward a plan that later became known as the "Steinmeier formula". The plan stipulates that a special status be granted to Donbass in accordance with the Minsk Agreements. In particular, the document envisages that Ukraine’s special law on local self-governance will take effect in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions on a temporary basis on the day of local elections, becoming permanent after the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) issues a report on the vote’s results. The idea was endorsed at the Normandy Four meeting in Paris on October 2, 2015, and has been known as the Steinmeier formula since. Ahead of the Normandy Four summit in Paris held in December 2019, Russia insisted that Ukraine assumed the obligation to enshrine the ‘Steinmeier formula’ into law as a compromise mechanism of granting the special status to Donbass.


tass--2020-02-13--UN would welcome summit of UN Security Council permanent members - spokesman

UN , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
The UN Secretariat would welcome a summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council ( Russia , France , the United Kingdom , the United States and China ) , UN Secretary General ’ s official spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday .
`` We would welcome any meeting of Security Council permanent members which we hope would lead to increased cooperation between those five countries in the Security Council , '' he said , answering to a question from TASS .
At the same time , Dujarric did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian side requested the UN Secretary General to organize such a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly ’ s high-level week in September .
Speaking at the World Holocaust Forum on January 23 , Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested organizing a summit of the leaders of Russia , China , the United States , France and Britain in 2020 to discuss world affairs .
He said such a meeting could be held `` in any country and at any point on the globe the counterparts find convenient . ''
Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` for such a serious discussion '' and plans to send corresponding messages of these countries ’ leaders without delay .
Earlier , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that China and France had already supported the initiative .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on February 6 Russia had not yet received responses from the United States and the United Kingdom .
Pyotr Ilyichev , director of the Russian foreign ministry ’ s international organizations department , told journalists on Tuesday organizing a meeting of this kind on the sidelines of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September is `` what comes to mind , '' but added that no concrete agreements have so far been reached and none of the options has been looked at so far .

UN, February 13. /TASS/. The UN Secretariat would welcome a summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (Russia, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and China), UN Secretary General’s official spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday.
"We would welcome any meeting of Security Council permanent members which we hope would lead to increased cooperation between those five countries in the Security Council," he said, answering to a question from TASS.
At the same time, Dujarric did not reply to a question of whether the Russian side requested the UN Secretary General to organize such a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week in September.
Speaking at the World Holocaust Forum on January 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested organizing a summit of the leaders of Russia, China, the United States, France and Britain in 2020 to discuss world affairs. He said such a meeting could be held "in any country and at any point on the globe the counterparts find convenient." Moscow, in his words, is ready "for such a serious discussion" and plans to send corresponding messages of these countries’ leaders without delay.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that China and France had already supported the initiative. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on February 6 Russia had not yet received responses from the United States and the United Kingdom.
Pyotr Ilyichev, director of the Russian foreign ministry’s international organizations department, told journalists on Tuesday organizing a meeting of this kind on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September is "what comes to mind," but added that no concrete agreements have so far been reached and none of the options has been looked at so far.


tass--2020-02-13--Minsk deal needs to be implemented, not reviewed — Ukrainian opposition

KIEV , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Minsk accords on reconciliation in eastern Ukraine need to be implemented rather than reviewed as the Kiev government wants to , Chairman of the political council of Ukraine ’ s Opposition Platform - For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk said .
In an interview with 112 Ukraine , NEWSONE , ZIK and Inter TV Channels , the opposition lawmaker said that `` lately , especially after the arrival of [ Ukrainian ] President Vladimir Zelensky ’ s team , there have been numerous discussions , analysis and statements… by government members .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviewed to make their implementation possible , '' he said .
`` There have been many similar statements - contrived statements , I ’ m sure - but , at the same time , the new team of Mr. Zelensky do not realize that there is no alternative to the Minsk agreements . ''
He said that `` there can only be one [ alternative to the Minsk agreements ] - to lose Donbass as part of Ukraine , to lose its residents , who are citizens of Ukraine . ''
`` Sadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we have , '' the lawmaker added .
Medvedchuk said that his initiative to create the inter-parliamentary dimension of the Normandy Quartet , which envisages dialogue of lawmakers from Ukraine , Russia , France and Germany , is now being put into practice and might provide useful assistance to the Quartet leaders .
`` This is an auxiliary factor that would promote the implementation of the Minsk deal , '' he said , adding that the intiative 's goal is to `` provide [ the four leaders ] with more resources for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On January 23 , Medvedchuk met with lawmakers of the French parliament ’ s both chambers .
On January 28 , he presented his concept of the Normandy Format ’ s parliamentary dimension to members of all major factions in the German parliament .
Under the current political situation , residents of self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk people ’ s republics in eastern Ukraine ( DPR and LPR ) would hardly want to become Ukrainian citizens again , Medvedchuk said .
`` The main strategic mistake is President [ Vladimir ] Zelensky ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s the people who must be returned first , it ’ s their minds .
[ We ] need to give them security guarantees , to make them want to return .
This is what we mean when we speak of Donbass ’ return to Ukraine and Ukraine ’ s return to Donbass , '' the opposition lawmaker said in an interview with 112 Ukraine , NEWSONE , ZIK and Inter TV Channels .
Medvedchuk referred to a survey conducted among residents of the self-proclaimed republics .
`` The results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures , they [ DPR and LPR residents ] absolutely can not imagine them being a part of our country .
They just can not accept this .
We need to create conditions to make them want to return , '' he said .
The lawmaker believes that the incumbent government is not even trying to create conditions for return of Donbass citizens to Ukraine .
`` What about our NATO aspirations , which they totally reject ?
What is done about the discrimination of the Russian language , spoken by 80-90 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure of Russian-language schools , and other present-day trends in our country : dissemination of radical nationalism , encouragement of actions - sometimes , even criminal deeds - committed by radical nationalists ?
How can we explain them that it is really better to be a part of our country ? ''
Medvedchuk asked rhetorically .
Lately , Kiev has frequently expressed its desire to review the Minsk agreements by changing the sequence of measures stipulated by the deal .
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky raised the issue during the latest Normandy Quartet summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Trilateral Contact Group ’ s political subgroup Alexei Reznikov said that by the Quartet ’ s next meeting , tentatively scheduled for April , his country would prepare its proposals to amend the internationally accepted deal .
He suggested the following sequence of events : disarmament of illegal armed groups in Donbass , total ceasefire , withdrawal of all illegal armed groups from the territory of Ukraine , return of the entire eastern border under the Kiev government ’ s control , regional elections .
The Minsk Agreements , which remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conflict in eastern Ukraine , envisage not only ceasefire , disengagement , amnesty and resumption of economic ties , but also a profound constitutional reform in Ukraine that should lead to decentralization of power and special status for certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions .
As part of the Minsk peace process , Ukraine is supposed to carry out a constitutional reform which would grant the war-torn Donbass Region a permanent special governance status .
However , constitutional amendments submitted for the parliament ’ s consideration still have not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( parliament ) earlier passed the law on the special status but it is effectively frozen until elections are held in the region .
Moreover , the permanent nature of the special status is not guaranteed by either the constitutional amendments or the special status law .
Back in October 2014 , Ukraine ’ s President Pyotr Poroshenko signed a law on self-governance in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics , establishing a special status there for three years .
However , while the law was never implemented in Ukraine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
In March 2015 , Poroshenko violated the Minsk agreements , introducing amendments to the law which effectively halted its implementation .
The law ’ s effect was repeatedly extended by Ukrainian authorities and this time was supposed to lose its force on December 31 , 2019 .
However , the Verkhovna Rada ( parliament ) once again extended the law for another year on December 12 .
In late 2015 , then German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier put forward a plan that later became known as the `` Steinmeier formula '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status be granted to Donbass in accordance with the Minsk Agreements .
In particular , the document envisages that Ukraine ’ s special law on local self-governance will take effect in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions on a temporary basis on the day of local elections , becoming permanent after the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) issues a report on the vote ’ s results .
The idea was endorsed at the Normandy Four meeting in Paris on October 2 , 2015 , and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ahead of the Normandy Four summit in Paris held in December 2019 , Russia insisted that Ukraine assumed the obligation to enshrine the ‘ Steinmeier formula ’ into law as a compromise mechanism of granting the special status to Donbass .
In late 2019 , the formula was once again sealed in written form by members of the Contact Group , including Ukraine .
Despite that , Ukraine has been reluctant to encompass the Steinmeier Formula into its legislation , citing security issues and demanding that first it should regain control over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled by self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk .
Kiev ignores the fact that , in line with the Minsk agreements , this can happen only after elections are held in those regions .

KIEV, February 13. /TASS/. The Minsk accords on reconciliation in eastern Ukraine need to be implemented rather than reviewed as the Kiev government wants to, Chairman of the political council of Ukraine’s Opposition Platform - For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk said.
In an interview with 112 Ukraine, NEWSONE, ZIK and Inter TV Channels, the opposition lawmaker said that "lately, especially after the arrival of [Ukrainian] President Vladimir Zelensky’s team, there have been numerous discussions, analysis and statements… by government members. They say that the Minsk agreements must be reviewed to make their implementation possible," he said. "There have been many similar statements - contrived statements, I’m sure - but, at the same time, the new team of Mr. Zelensky do not realize that there is no alternative to the Minsk agreements."
He said that "there can only be one [alternative to the Minsk agreements] - to lose Donbass as part of Ukraine, to lose its residents, who are citizens of Ukraine." "Sadly, that’s the only option that we have," the lawmaker added.
Medvedchuk said that his initiative to create the inter-parliamentary dimension of the Normandy Quartet, which envisages dialogue of lawmakers from Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany, is now being put into practice and might provide useful assistance to the Quartet leaders.
"This is an auxiliary factor that would promote the implementation of the Minsk deal," he said, adding that the intiative's goal is to "provide [the four leaders] with more resources for implementation of the Minsk agreements."
On January 23, Medvedchuk met with lawmakers of the French parliament’s both chambers. On January 28, he presented his concept of the Normandy Format’s parliamentary dimension to members of all major factions in the German parliament.
Bringing people back
Under the current political situation, residents of self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics in eastern Ukraine (DPR and LPR) would hardly want to become Ukrainian citizens again, Medvedchuk said.
"The main strategic mistake is President [Vladimir] Zelensky’s declared intention to return territories and people. It’s the people who must be returned first, it’s their minds. [We] need to give them security guarantees, to make them want to return. This is what we mean when we speak of Donbass’ return to Ukraine and Ukraine’s return to Donbass," the opposition lawmaker said in an interview with 112 Ukraine, NEWSONE, ZIK and Inter TV Channels.
Medvedchuk referred to a survey conducted among residents of the self-proclaimed republics.
"The results are terrible. If we believe those figures, they [DPR and LPR residents] absolutely cannot imagine them being a part of our country. They just cannot accept this. We need to create conditions to make them want to return," he said.
The lawmaker believes that the incumbent government is not even trying to create conditions for return of Donbass citizens to Ukraine.
"What about our NATO aspirations, which they totally reject? What is done about the discrimination of the Russian language, spoken by 80-90% of people there? What about the closure of Russian-language schools, and other present-day trends in our country: dissemination of radical nationalism, encouragement of actions - sometimes, even criminal deeds - committed by radical nationalists? How can we explain them that it is really better to be a part of our country?" Medvedchuk asked rhetorically.
Changing the agreement
Lately, Kiev has frequently expressed its desire to review the Minsk agreements by changing the sequence of measures stipulated by the deal. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky raised the issue during the latest Normandy Quartet summit in Paris.
Kiev’s envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group’s political subgroup Alexei Reznikov said that by the Quartet’s next meeting, tentatively scheduled for April, his country would prepare its proposals to amend the internationally accepted deal. He suggested the following sequence of events: disarmament of illegal armed groups in Donbass, total ceasefire, withdrawal of all illegal armed groups from the territory of Ukraine, return of the entire eastern border under the Kiev government’s control, regional elections.
Foundation for Donbass reconciliation
The Minsk Agreements, which remain the only basis for peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, envisage not only ceasefire, disengagement, amnesty and resumption of economic ties, but also a profound constitutional reform in Ukraine that should lead to decentralization of power and special status for certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
As part of the Minsk peace process, Ukraine is supposed to carry out a constitutional reform which would grant the war-torn Donbass Region a permanent special governance status. However, constitutional amendments submitted for the parliament’s consideration still have not been adopted. Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (parliament) earlier passed the law on the special status but it is effectively frozen until elections are held in the region. Moreover, the permanent nature of the special status is not guaranteed by either the constitutional amendments or the special status law.
Back in October 2014, Ukraine’s President Pyotr Poroshenko signed a law on self-governance in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk republics, establishing a special status there for three years. However, while the law was never implemented in Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada extended its effect every year. In March 2015, Poroshenko violated the Minsk agreements, introducing amendments to the law which effectively halted its implementation. The law’s effect was repeatedly extended by Ukrainian authorities and this time was supposed to lose its force on December 31, 2019. However, the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) once again extended the law for another year on December 12.
In late 2015, then German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier put forward a plan that later became known as the "Steinmeier formula". The plan stipulates that a special status be granted to Donbass in accordance with the Minsk Agreements. In particular, the document envisages that Ukraine’s special law on local self-governance will take effect in certain areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions on a temporary basis on the day of local elections, becoming permanent after the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) issues a report on the vote’s results. The idea was endorsed at the Normandy Four meeting in Paris on October 2, 2015, and has been known as the Steinmeier formula since. Ahead of the Normandy Four summit in Paris held in December 2019, Russia insisted that Ukraine assumed the obligation to enshrine the ‘Steinmeier formula’ into law as a compromise mechanism of granting the special status to Donbass.
In late 2019, the formula was once again sealed in written form by members of the Contact Group, including Ukraine.
Despite that, Ukraine has been reluctant to encompass the Steinmeier Formula into its legislation, citing security issues and demanding that first it should regain control over a stretch of the Russian-Ukrainian border now controlled by self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Kiev ignores the fact that, in line with the Minsk agreements, this can happen only after elections are held in those regions.


tass--2020-02-13--Novel coronavirus death toll in China’s Hubei rises to 1,310 — authorities

BEIJING , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people who contracted the novel coronavirus in the central Chinese province of Hubei , where the disease broke out in late December , has topped 48,200 people , 1,310 of them died , the region ’ s health commission said on Thursday .
According to updated figures , the official mortality rate declined to 2.7 % versus 3.2 % on Wednesday .
The number of infected persons in Hubei ’ s administrative capital of Wuhan , believed to be the epicenter of the outbreak , topped 32,900 people .
Moreover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspicion of contracting the virus .
Over 77,300 people , who had close contact with infected persons , are under medical supervision .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus .
The disease spread to 24 more countries outside China , including Russia .
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @

BEIJING, February 13. /TASS/. The number of people who contracted the novel coronavirus in the central Chinese province of Hubei, where the disease broke out in late December, has topped 48,200 people, 1,310 of them died, the region’s health commission said on Thursday.
A total of 3,441 patients recovered by Thursday.
According to updated figures, the official mortality rate declined to 2.7% versus 3.2% on Wednesday.
The number of infected persons in Hubei’s administrative capital of Wuhan, believed to be the epicenter of the outbreak, topped 32,900 people.
Moreover, 9,000 people have been quarantined on suspicion of contracting the virus.
Over 77,300 people, who had close contact with infected persons, are under medical supervision.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus. The disease spread to 24 more countries outside China, including Russia. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.


tass--2020-02-13--Syrian troops regain full control over Aleppo-Damascus highway

MOSCOW , Febraury 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Syrian armed forces have established full control over the strategically important highway linking the country ’ s northern capital Aleppo with major cities in the south , the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday .
`` At present , a vital transport corridor in Syria - the M5 highway linking the besieged northern capital Aleppo with Syria ’ s southern cities ( Hama , Homs and Damascus ) has been liberated from terrorists , '' the statement reads .
Syria ’ s SANA news agency reported a few hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Western outskirts of Aleppo , liberated the inhabited localities of Sheikh-Ali , Arada and Arnaz from terrorists .
According to the agency , the operation allowed the governmental troops to expand their zone of control adjacent to the Aleppo-Damascus highway .
Earlier in the day , the troops liberated the area of Khan el-Asal and the Rashideen-4 district , from where militants regularly shelled western outskirts of Aleppo .
Major General Yuri Borenkov , the chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria , said during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone , envisaged by the September 17 , 2018 Russian-Turkish memorandum , has been created . ''
The Reconciliation center believes that this would speed up Syria ’ s return to peaceful life .
At the same time , the ministry dismissed reports of large-scale flow of civilians leaving the Idlib de-escalation zone as `` having no factual basis . ''
`` Many residents of the Idlib governorate leave dangerous zones and enter districts controlled by the Syrian government , '' the Russian ministry said .

MOSCOW, Febraury 13. /TASS/. The Syrian armed forces have established full control over the strategically important highway linking the country’s northern capital Aleppo with major cities in the south, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
"At present, a vital transport corridor in Syria - the M5 highway linking the besieged northern capital Aleppo with Syria’s southern cities (Hama, Homs and Damascus) has been liberated from terrorists," the statement reads.
Syria’s SANA news agency reported a few hours later that Syrian government forces, advancing from the Western outskirts of Aleppo, liberated the inhabited localities of Sheikh-Ali, Arada and Arnaz from terrorists.
According to the agency, the operation allowed the governmental troops to expand their zone of control adjacent to the Aleppo-Damascus highway.
Earlier in the day, the troops liberated the area of Khan el-Asal and the Rashideen-4 district, from where militants regularly shelled western outskirts of Aleppo.
Major General Yuri Borenkov, the chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria, said during the briefing on Wednesday that "a security zone, envisaged by the September 17, 2018 Russian-Turkish memorandum, has been created."
The Reconciliation center believes that this would speed up Syria’s return to peaceful life.
At the same time, the ministry dismissed reports of large-scale flow of civilians leaving the Idlib de-escalation zone as "having no factual basis."
"Many residents of the Idlib governorate leave dangerous zones and enter districts controlled by the Syrian government," the Russian ministry said.


tass--2020-02-13--Kremlin: Putin did not offer Lukashenko to create 'super state' of Russia and Belarus

MOSCOW , February 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin did not offer his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko to @ @ @ @ @ '' between the two countries , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ not true , '' he said when asked about reliability of Bloomberg ’ s Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ made such a proposal to Lukashenko .
Lukashenko had already dubbed as `` small talk @ @ @ @ @ the two countries to form one state .
He reiterated that `` there has never @ @ @ @ @ a thought to do it . ''
In the meantime , Vladimir Putin pointed out @ @ @ @ @ afoot , nor goals , nor grounds to unite Russia and Belarus .
Last March @ @ @ @ @ potential merger of Russia and Belarus , which could allow Putin to stay in power @ @ @ @ @ at the time that `` those free exercises have nothing to do with issues discussed @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, February 12. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not offer his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko to create a "super state" between the two countries, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Wednesday.
"No, it is not true," he said when asked about reliability of Bloomberg’s Wednesday article alleging that Putin had made such a proposal to Lukashenko.
Lukashenko had already dubbed as "small talk" the rumors about uniting the two countries to form one state. He reiterated that "there has never been even an idea or a thought to do it." In the meantime, Vladimir Putin pointed out that there are no plans afoot, nor goals, nor grounds to unite Russia and Belarus.
Last March, Bloomberg reported about a potential merger of Russia and Belarus, which could allow Putin to stay in power after 2014. Peskov said at the time that "those free exercises have nothing to do with issues discussed at the Kremlin."


tass--2020-02-13--US troops kill teen during clash with locals in Syria, Russia’s Defense Ministry reports

MOSCOW , February 12 .
/TASS/ .
A 14-year-old boy was killed in the Syrian region of Al-Hasakah in a clash of US troops with local civilians , while another civilian was wounded , Major General Yuri Borenkov , the chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria , said on Wednesday .
According to the general , `` a conflict broke out [ between the US service members and locals ] triggering the US troops to open fire on the civilians with the intent to kill . ''
Borenkov pointed out that `` one local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14-year-old boy Feisal Khalid Muhammad - was killed . ''
The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria explained that the conflict broke out after the US military convoy deviated from its route and was stopped by Syrian government units outside Harbat Hamo in Al-Hasakah Province at 10.30 a.m. local time on Wednesday .
`` Only thanks to efforts of the Russian soldiers who had arrived at the scene was it possible to avoid any further escalation of the conflict with local residents , '' Borenkov said .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped to `` ensure the exit of the US Forces ’ convoy towards their base at the inhabited locality of Himo in Al-Hasakah Province . ''
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria .
The center ’ s officers regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation .
The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones .

MOSCOW, February 12. /TASS/. A 14-year-old boy was killed in the Syrian region of Al-Hasakah in a clash of US troops with local civilians, while another civilian was wounded, Major General Yuri Borenkov, the chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Wednesday.
According to the general, "a conflict broke out [between the US service members and locals] triggering the US troops to open fire on the civilians with the intent to kill."
Borenkov pointed out that "one local civilian was wounded. Another - the 14-year-old boy Feisal Khalid Muhammad - was killed."
The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria explained that the conflict broke out after the US military convoy deviated from its route and was stopped by Syrian government units outside Harbat Hamo in Al-Hasakah Province at 10.30 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
"Only thanks to efforts of the Russian soldiers who had arrived at the scene was it possible to avoid any further escalation of the conflict with local residents," Borenkov said.
According to the general, the Russian service members also helped to "ensure the exit of the US Forces’ convoy towards their base at the inhabited locality of Himo in Al-Hasakah Province."
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-02-14--Russian church welcomes Putin’s statement on enshrining marriage in Constitution

MOSCOW , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Orthodox Church supports the stance of Russian President Vladimir Putin that marriage is the union between a man and a woman , Head of the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and Mass Media Vladimir Legoida told TASS on Thursday .
Earlier on Thursday , Putin said at a meeting with members of the working group for drafting proposals for amendments to the Russian Constitution that the idea of protecting traditional family values , including the traditional family , was correct , but pointed to the need to work on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` marriage is the union between a man and a woman . ''
He assured that while he remained president , the terms `` mother '' and `` father '' would not be replaced with `` parent 1 '' and `` parent 2 . ''
He also supported the initiative to `` enshrine the concept of marriage as the union between a man and a woman '' in the Constitution .
`` Of course , the Church welcomes the president ’ s statement .
That indicates the most important position for all traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man and a woman .
Much to our regret , the legislation in a number of countries , moreover , countries with Christian traditions , contain different wordings .
In accordance with these wordings , new realities of life , which destroy the very foundations of society and relations in the family , become legitimate , '' Legoida stressed .
On January 15 , Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on setting up a working group for drafting proposals for amendments to Russia ’ s Constitution and approved its composition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lawmakers , scientists and public personalities .
Its co-chairs are head of the Russian Federation Council ( upper house ) Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrey Klishas , head of the State Duma ( lower house ) Committee on State Building and Legislation Pavel Krasheninnikov and Director of the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law at the Russian government Talia Khabrieva .

MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. The Russian Orthodox Church supports the stance of Russian President Vladimir Putin that marriage is the union between a man and a woman, Head of the Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and Mass Media Vladimir Legoida told TASS on Thursday.
Earlier on Thursday, Putin said at a meeting with members of the working group for drafting proposals for amendments to the Russian Constitution that the idea of protecting traditional family values, including the traditional family, was correct, but pointed to the need to work on the wording.
The president noted that "marriage is the union between a man and a woman." He assured that while he remained president, the terms "mother" and "father" would not be replaced with "parent 1" and "parent 2." He also supported the initiative to " enshrine the concept of marriage as the union between a man and a woman" in the Constitution.
"Of course, the Church welcomes the president’s statement. That indicates the most important position for all traditional religions: marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Much to our regret, the legislation in a number of countries, moreover, countries with Christian traditions, contain different wordings. In accordance with these wordings, new realities of life, which destroy the very foundations of society and relations in the family, become legitimate," Legoida stressed.
Amendments to the Constitution
On January 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on setting up a working group for drafting proposals for amendments to Russia’s Constitution and approved its composition. The group is comprised of 75 politicians, lawmakers, scientists and public personalities. Its co-chairs are head of the Russian Federation Council (upper house) Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrey Klishas, head of the State Duma (lower house) Committee on State Building and Legislation Pavel Krasheninnikov and Director of the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law at the Russian government Talia Khabrieva.


tass--2020-02-14--Diplomat slams attempts to use issue of Russian delegation at CoE Committee of Ministers

MOSCOW , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
The discussion about who will lead Russia ’ s delegation at the upcoming meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe ( CoE ) in Tbilisi is used by provocateurs in their own interests , Russian Foreign Ministry 's official spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station on Thursday .
She was commenting on questions from Georgian media outlets about whether Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the meeting .
`` Nothing should change in a sovereign state due to the arrival or non-arrival of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means that something is wrong there .
That means that there are some provocateurs , who make the most of the opportunity in their own vested interests , '' she said .
The diplomat recalled that Russia viewed Georgia as a sovereign state with its own interests .
`` As long as the domestic political situation in Georgia depends on who will come on behalf of Russia and who will not come , there are going to be problems .
It is essential to realize that , '' Zakharova added .
Member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parliament ) and Russia ’ s envoy at the negotiations with Georgia Grigory Karasin earlier said that the Russian delegation would take part in the meeting of the Council of Europe ’ s Committee of Ministers in Tbilisi on May 14-15 , but there is no decision on its composition yet .
There is a heated debate in Georgia over the Russian delegation ’ s participation amid tense relations between the two countries .

MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. The discussion about who will lead Russia’s delegation at the upcoming meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE) in Tbilisi is used by provocateurs in their own interests, Russian Foreign Ministry's official spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station on Thursday.
She was commenting on questions from Georgian media outlets about whether Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the meeting.
"Nothing should change in a sovereign state due to the arrival or non-arrival of a representative of another state. That means that something is wrong there. That means that there are some provocateurs, who make the most of the opportunity in their own vested interests," she said.
The diplomat recalled that Russia viewed Georgia as a sovereign state with its own interests. "As long as the domestic political situation in Georgia depends on who will come on behalf of Russia and who will not come, there are going to be problems. It is essential to realize that," Zakharova added.
Member of the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) and Russia’s envoy at the negotiations with Georgia Grigory Karasin earlier said that the Russian delegation would take part in the meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers in Tbilisi on May 14-15, but there is no decision on its composition yet. There is a heated debate in Georgia over the Russian delegation’s participation amid tense relations between the two countries.


tass--2020-02-14--Russian space agency chief expects US ambassador to attend next manned space launch

NASA to keep using Russia ’ s Soyuz spacecraft in 2021 fiscal year — budget proposal MOSCOW , February 13 @ @ @ @ @ the Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin expects new US Ambassador to Russia John @ @ @ @ @ of the Soyuz MS-16 manned spacecraft to the International Space Station ( ISS ) scheduled @ @ @ @ @ The [ next ] manned space launch will take place in early April .
We @ @ @ @ @ NASA delegation and the US ambassador [ to Russia ] , '' Rogozin told reporters @ @ @

NASA to keep using Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft in 2021 fiscal year — budget proposal
MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. Head of the Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin expects new US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan to attend the launch of the Soyuz MS-16 manned spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) scheduled for April 9.
"The [next] manned space launch will take place in early April. We expect the presence of a NASA delegation and the US ambassador [to Russia]," Rogozin told reporters on Thursday.


tass--2020-02-14--Around 230 Russian nationals waiting to return from China — agency

MOSCOW , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
Nearly 230 Russian citizens are waiting to return from China until February 29 , Russia 's Federal Air Transport Agency ( Rosaviatsiya ) said .
`` A total of 162 passengers of S7 air line and 66 passengers of Ural Airlines are waiting to be placed on alternative flights or to receive reimbursements .
Employees of these companies are currently working with passengers , '' the statement said .
Rosaviatsiya added that 1,404 passengers have already been placed on alternative flights or reimbursed .
The statement added that Chinese air lines made 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1-13 , while Russian air lines made 105 flights .
No cases of coronavirus were confirmed during checks at the Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow .
China Eastern Airlines and Air China continue flights to and from Moscow .
Rosaviatsiya reminded that a temporary ban will be imposed on February 14 on charter flights to and from China by Russian air lines .
However , the ban does not include Chinese air lines .
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan .
Cases of new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territories , including in Russia .
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern .
According to latest reports , over 59,800 cases of new coronavirus were confirmed , over 1,300 people died , and nearly 6,000 recovered .

MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. Nearly 230 Russian citizens are waiting to return from China until February 29, Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) said.
"A total of 162 passengers of S7 air line and 66 passengers of Ural Airlines are waiting to be placed on alternative flights or to receive reimbursements. Employees of these companies are currently working with passengers," the statement said.
Rosaviatsiya added that 1,404 passengers have already been placed on alternative flights or reimbursed.
The statement added that Chinese air lines made 27 flights from China to Russia on February 1-13, while Russian air lines made 105 flights. No cases of coronavirus were confirmed during checks at the Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow. China Eastern Airlines and Air China continue flights to and from Moscow.
Rosaviatsiya reminded that a temporary ban will be imposed on February 14 on charter flights to and from China by Russian air lines. However, the ban does not include Chinese air lines.
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan. Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. According to latest reports, over 59,800 cases of new coronavirus were confirmed, over 1,300 people died, and nearly 6,000 recovered.


tass--2020-02-14--Around 10 NGOs promoting ideas of legalizing drugs in Russia — Duma member

MOSCOW , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
Around 10 non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ) recognized as undesirable in Russia are promoting the idea of legalizing drugs from abroad , head of the Russian State Duma 's commission on investigating instances of foreign interference into Russia 's internal affairs Vasily Piskarev told reporters on Thursday .
`` There are around 10 NGOs recognized as undesirable in Russia .
They have moved abroad now and are now conducting their destructive activities from there on inciting a desire among the youth to demand legalization of drugs thinking that drugs represent freedom , independence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commission 's session .
He demonstrated four packages of documents that confirm the commission 's findings .
`` The findings are based not only on the documents that I have collected here , but also on the materials at the disposal of the Interior Ministry and those who are involved in rehabilitation of people addicted to drugs , '' Piskarev said .
`` We will not allow legalization of drugs , and we will also not allow the attempts to introduce here , in Russia , the rehabilitation of those addicted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he added .
`` Thos NGOs with the support of foreign media agents are trying to promote among the youth the idea that it is necessary to legalize drugs .
This is unacceptable , '' he stressed .
`` Today , we have discussed the issue of increasing the penalty in accordance with the Russian Penal Code 's Article 150 ( `` Inciting a minor to commit a crime '' ) .
Those who involve children in distributing drugs , in criminal activity connected with drug distribution , should be sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same term as for drug distribution itself , '' Piskarev explained .
He said that commission members unanimously supported the initiative .
`` This initiative was also supported by law enforcement agencies , '' he noted .
`` We have also prepared several legislative initiatives on countering such destructive influence on the youth , '' Piskarev continued .
The commission also suggests to `` speed up the consideration of the draft law submitted to the State Duma on increasing administrative responsibility for providing platforms for drug propaganda , '' he said adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a priority . ''
Piskarev also suggested to speed up the consideration of the draft law on increasing responsibility for inciting to use drugs via internet .
`` It is obvious that in the current political circumstances , non-friendly states will only step up their interference into the internal affairs of our countries , including by imposing and promoting narco-liberal ideas , deliberately destroying the young generation of our citizens , '' he conlcuded .

MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. Around 10 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) recognized as undesirable in Russia are promoting the idea of legalizing drugs from abroad, head of the Russian State Duma's commission on investigating instances of foreign interference into Russia's internal affairs Vasily Piskarev told reporters on Thursday.
"There are around 10 NGOs recognized as undesirable in Russia. They have moved abroad now and are now conducting their destructive activities from there on inciting a desire among the youth to demand legalization of drugs thinking that drugs represent freedom, independence, happinness," Piskarev said after the commission's session.
He demonstrated four packages of documents that confirm the commission's findings. "The findings are based not only on the documents that I have collected here, but also on the materials at the disposal of the Interior Ministry and those who are involved in rehabilitation of people addicted to drugs," Piskarev said. "We will not allow legalization of drugs, and we will also not allow the attempts to introduce here, in Russia, the rehabilitation of those addicted to drugs by the so-called methadone replacement therapy," he added.
"Thos NGOs with the support of foreign media agents are trying to promote among the youth the idea that it is necessary to legalize drugs. This is unacceptable," he stressed.
"Today, we have discussed the issue of increasing the penalty in accordance with the Russian Penal Code's Article 150 ("Inciting a minor to commit a crime"). Those who involve children in distributing drugs, in criminal activity connected with drug distribution, should be sentenced to up 20 years in prison, the same term as for drug distribution itself," Piskarev explained.
He said that commission members unanimously supported the initiative. "This initiative was also supported by law enforcement agencies," he noted.
"We have also prepared several legislative initiatives on countering such destructive influence on the youth," Piskarev continued. The commission also suggests to "speed up the consideration of the draft law submitted to the State Duma on increasing administrative responsibility for providing platforms for drug propaganda," he said adding that "we will consider it as a priority."
Piskarev also suggested to speed up the consideration of the draft law on increasing responsibility for inciting to use drugs via internet.
"It is obvious that in the current political circumstances, non-friendly states will only step up their interference into the internal affairs of our countries, including by imposing and promoting narco-liberal ideas, deliberately destroying the young generation of our citizens," he conlcuded.


tass--2020-02-13--Over 20 shellings reported in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone in past day

MOSCOW , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 24 shellings by illegal armed groups were reported in Syria 's Idlib de-escalation zone on the territory of four provinces , chief of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides Yury Borenkov said on Thursday .
`` Twenty-four shellings were registered in the past day , '' Borenkov said .
He added that militants shelled three settlements in Aleppo province , seven settlements in Latakia province , three settlements in Idlib province and three settlements in Hama province .
He noted that Russian military police continue patrolling on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hasakah provinces .
`` All events in the framework of patrolling < ... > were held in accordance with the approved plans , without any incidents , '' Borenkov said .
He added that `` aerial patrolling was carried out by army aviation '' noting that the jets flew from Qamishli and Metras aerodromes and returned there as well .
The chief of the Russian reconciliation center also noted that Russian officers carried out one humanitarian operation in the settlement of Al-Khneifis in Raqqa province in the past day , distributing 250 food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kg .
Russian Defense Ministry 's medical specialists provided medical assistance to 258 Syrian residents in the settlements of Kobani in Aleppo province , Ayn-Isa in Raqqa province , and Qamishli in Hasakah province .

MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. A total of 24 shellings by illegal armed groups were reported in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone on the territory of four provinces, chief of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides Yury Borenkov said on Thursday.
"Twenty-four shellings were registered in the past day," Borenkov said. He added that militants shelled three settlements in Aleppo province, seven settlements in Latakia province, three settlements in Idlib province and three settlements in Hama province.
He noted that Russian military police continue patrolling on several routes in Aleppo, Raqqa and Hasakah provinces. "All events in the framework of patrolling <...> were held in accordance with the approved plans, without any incidents," Borenkov said.
He added that "aerial patrolling was carried out by army aviation" noting that the jets flew from Qamishli and Metras aerodromes and returned there as well.
The chief of the Russian reconciliation center also noted that Russian officers carried out one humanitarian operation in the settlement of Al-Khneifis in Raqqa province in the past day, distributing 250 food sets with a total weight of 910 kg. Russian Defense Ministry's medical specialists provided medical assistance to 258 Syrian residents in the settlements of Kobani in Aleppo province, Ayn-Isa in Raqqa province, and Qamishli in Hasakah province.


tass--2020-02-13--UN resolution on Libya contains ill-balanced provisions — Russian Foreign Ministry

The ministry stressed that Russia cautioned its counterparts in the UN Security Council against rushing to pass the resolution and urged them to secure the Libyan parties ’ agreement with the results of the Berlin conference .
`` Other members of the Council who were not invited to Berlin pointed to the fundamental importance of that step .
The Libyans have just started the dialogue , including within the ' 5+5 ' Joint Military Commission .
Its work is expected to result in outlining effective parameters of a ceasefire referred to in the Berlin communique , which could be enshrined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the foreign ministry said .
MOSCOW , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
The UN Security Council resolution in support of the outcome of the Berlin conference on Libya drafted by Britain and approved on February 12 contains some ill-balanced provisions , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday .
`` However , the British authors decided to pass the Security Council resolution as soon as possible , apparently without thinking about its viability .
Our constructive proposals were rejected .
As a result , the resolution , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also provides for the possibility of imposing sanctions for failure to comply with something which does not exist yet , and demands that the [ UN ] secretary general submit his recommendations on that score .
This , in particular , concerns the ceasefire , which has not been agreed on yet , '' the ministry said .
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry , Russia ’ s representatives had stressed that the fundamental principle of the Libyan settlement process enshrined in the previous Security Council resolutions on Libya , according to which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their country , should apply to all recommendations to the Libyan parties , including from the UN Security Council .
`` We doubt that such ultimatums and unilateral approaches will contribute to making progress in the Libyan settlement .
The persistent promotion of plans developed without taking into account the opinions of Libyans , gives rise to doubts , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry added .
There are two parallel bodies of executive power in Libya - the internationally recognized Government of National Accord under Fayez al-Sarraj and the Provisional Cabinet led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s east .
The latter is supported by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar ’ s Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .
On December 12 , Haftar said that his forces were beginning a decisive battle for the capital .
For its part , the Government of National Accord mobilized all armed groups under its control to defend it , asking for Turkey ’ s assistance on the basis of a memorandum on military cooperation signed in late November .
Berlin hosted a high-level international conference on Libyan settlement on January 19 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , including Russian President Vladimir Putin , taking part .
In their final document , participants in the Berlin meeting called for a ceasefire in Libya , reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from interfering into Libya ’ s affairs , suggested a unified government be formed and reforms be launched to restore Libya ’ s state system destroyed by NATO ’ s intervention of nine years ago .

The ministry stressed that Russia cautioned its counterparts in the UN Security Council against rushing to pass the resolution and urged them to secure the Libyan parties’ agreement with the results of the Berlin conference. "Other members of the Council who were not invited to Berlin pointed to the fundamental importance of that step. The Libyans have just started the dialogue, including within the '5+5' Joint Military Commission. Its work is expected to result in outlining effective parameters of a ceasefire referred to in the Berlin communique, which could be enshrined in the UN Security Council resolution," the foreign ministry said.
MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. The UN Security Council resolution in support of the outcome of the Berlin conference on Libya drafted by Britain and approved on February 12 contains some ill-balanced provisions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
"However, the British authors decided to pass the Security Council resolution as soon as possible, apparently without thinking about its viability. Our constructive proposals were rejected. As a result, the resolution, which was approved, contains many ill-balanced provisions and also provides for the possibility of imposing sanctions for failure to comply with something which does not exist yet, and demands that the [UN] secretary general submit his recommendations on that score. This, in particular, concerns the ceasefire, which has not been agreed on yet," the ministry said.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Russia’s representatives had stressed that the fundamental principle of the Libyan settlement process enshrined in the previous Security Council resolutions on Libya, according to which only Libyans themselves can determine the future of their country, should apply to all recommendations to the Libyan parties, including from the UN Security Council.
"We doubt that such ultimatums and unilateral approaches will contribute to making progress in the Libyan settlement. The persistent promotion of plans developed without taking into account the opinions of Libyans, gives rise to doubts," the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
Libyan crisis
There are two parallel bodies of executive power in Libya - the internationally recognized Government of National Accord under Fayez al-Sarraj and the Provisional Cabinet led by Abdullah Al-Thani in the country’s east. The latter is supported by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA). On December 12, Haftar said that his forces were beginning a decisive battle for the capital. For its part, the Government of National Accord mobilized all armed groups under its control to defend it, asking for Turkey’s assistance on the basis of a memorandum on military cooperation signed in late November.
Berlin hosted a high-level international conference on Libyan settlement on January 19, with at least ten heads of state and government, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, taking part. In their final document, participants in the Berlin meeting called for a ceasefire in Libya, reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from interfering into Libya’s affairs, suggested a unified government be formed and reforms be launched to restore Libya’s state system destroyed by NATO’s intervention of nine years ago.


tass--2020-02-13--Russia suggests meeting of Middle East Quartet envoys, says diplomat

MOSCOW , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow suggests holding shortly a meeting of the Middle East Quartet at the level of its special envoys , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a commentary uploaded to the ministry ’ s website on Thursday .
According to the diplomat , teamwork of the global community is necessary to achieve a just and final Middle East settlement .
`` Within this context , we emphasize that establishing direct Palestinian-Israeli negotiations under the global aegis has no alternative .
With this in view , we believe that the international quartet of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia and the US , recognized by the UN Security Council as the only mechanism for facilitating the Middle East peace process , must take the role of an efficient mediator , '' the diplomat stressed .
`` We suggest holding a meeting of the Quartet at the level of special envoys in the near future , '' Zakharova pointed out .
She also noted that the `` deal of the century '' unveiled by the US can not become the basis for the Palestinian-Israeli settlement , since it ignores the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ framework of the Middle East settlement , formalized in resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations and the Arab Peace Initiative .
The unresolved Palestinian problem remains among the key factors of instability in the Middle East , the diplomat stressed .
On January 28 , US President Donald Trump unveiled key provisions of what he calls `` the deal of the century , '' or a peace plan for Israel and Palestine based on mutual recognition of the two-state solution .
The plan provides for recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlements already built on the Palestinian territory .
Under the plan , Jerusalem will be `` undivided '' capital of Israel and East Jerusalem will be Palestine ’ s capital .
As a precondition for the peace process , according to Trump , Palestine ’ s authorities should stop supporting the Hamas radical movement operating in Gaza and cease hostilities .
The plan suggests more than 50 billion US dollars be facilitated in new investments over ten years as support to the settlement efforts .
More than a half of the sum is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest is planned to be invested in Egypt , Jordan and Lebanon .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support to Trump ’ s plan and expressed readiness for immediate launch of peace talks with the Palestinians .
Meanwhile , Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas turned down Trump ’ s deal .

MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. Moscow suggests holding shortly a meeting of the Middle East Quartet at the level of its special envoys, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a commentary uploaded to the ministry’s website on Thursday.
According to the diplomat, teamwork of the global community is necessary to achieve a just and final Middle East settlement. "Within this context, we emphasize that establishing direct Palestinian-Israeli negotiations under the global aegis has no alternative. With this in view, we believe that the international quartet of the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the US, recognized by the UN Security Council as the only mechanism for facilitating the Middle East peace process, must take the role of an efficient mediator," the diplomat stressed.
"We suggest holding a meeting of the Quartet at the level of special envoys in the near future," Zakharova pointed out.
She also noted that the "deal of the century" unveiled by the US cannot become the basis for the Palestinian-Israeli settlement, since it ignores the main elements of the generally recognized international legal framework of the Middle East settlement, formalized in resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The unresolved Palestinian problem remains among the key factors of instability in the Middle East, the diplomat stressed.
On January 28, US President Donald Trump unveiled key provisions of what he calls "the deal of the century," or a peace plan for Israel and Palestine based on mutual recognition of the two-state solution. The plan provides for recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over Jewish settlements already built on the Palestinian territory. Under the plan, Jerusalem will be "undivided" capital of Israel and East Jerusalem will be Palestine’s capital. As a precondition for the peace process, according to Trump, Palestine’s authorities should stop supporting the Hamas radical movement operating in Gaza and cease hostilities. The plan suggests more than 50 billion US dollars be facilitated in new investments over ten years as support to the settlement efforts. More than a half of the sum is supposed to go to Palestine and the rest is planned to be invested in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support to Trump’s plan and expressed readiness for immediate launch of peace talks with the Palestinians. Meanwhile, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas turned down Trump’s deal.


tass--2020-02-13--Russia, Japan must maintain positive dynamic of bilateral relations, says diplomat

MOSCOW , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Japan must make an effort to maintain the positive dynamic of bilateral relations in order to resolve sensitive issues , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said on Thursday during a reception in honor of Japanese Emperor Naruhito ’ s birthday .
`` It is crucial that we do not lose the dynamic of relations in 2020 , reinforcing it at all levels of bilateral cooperation with the aim to achieve the key goal set by the leaders and reach a whole new level of relations , which would encompass all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help our states resolve all issues , even the most difficult and sensitive ones , '' he said .
The diplomat expressed hope that the new Reiwa era in Japan `` will facilitate the development of Russian-Japanese cooperation . ''
`` In many ways , 2019 has become the defining year for bilateral ties .
Regular meetings between the leaders of our states , and there were three last year , give a powerful boost to expanding ties in various spheres .
Various ministries and agencies are closely cooperating against the backdrop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding interparliamentary and inter-party exchanges .
Notably , we have activated inter-regional contacts .
In May of last year , the Council of Governors resumed its work , '' Morgulov reminded .
He reminded that the years 2020-2021 had been named the years of interregional exchange .
One of the key events set to be held within this initiative is the 15th Festival of Russian Culture in Japan .

MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. Russia and Japan must make an effort to maintain the positive dynamic of bilateral relations in order to resolve sensitive issues, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said on Thursday during a reception in honor of Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s birthday.
"It is crucial that we do not lose the dynamic of relations in 2020, reinforcing it at all levels of bilateral cooperation with the aim to achieve the key goal set by the leaders and reach a whole new level of relations, which would encompass all areas and build real trust. This will help our states resolve all issues, even the most difficult and sensitive ones," he said.
The diplomat expressed hope that the new Reiwa era in Japan "will facilitate the development of Russian-Japanese cooperation." "In many ways, 2019 has become the defining year for bilateral ties. Regular meetings between the leaders of our states, and there were three last year, give a powerful boost to expanding ties in various spheres. Various ministries and agencies are closely cooperating against the backdrop of intensive political dialogue. We are holding interparliamentary and inter-party exchanges. Notably, we have activated inter-regional contacts. In May of last year, the Council of Governors resumed its work," Morgulov reminded.
He reminded that the years 2020-2021 had been named the years of interregional exchange. One of the key events set to be held within this initiative is the 15th Festival of Russian Culture in Japan.


tass--2020-02-13--Putin: Russian people must be confident that president acts in their best interest

`` The Russian people and all nations populating the Russian Federation must be confident that the person in charge of the Russian state only acts in their best interest , '' the president said .
NOVO-OGARYOVO , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian people must be confident that their president acts in their best interest , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday during the meeting with the working group on constitutional amendments .
While delivering his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on January 15 , Putin proposed a number of constitutional amendments , particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right to approve the appointment of Russia ’ s prime minister , deputy prime ministers and federal ministers , as well as for holding consultations with the Federation Council ( upper house ) on the appointment of senior law enforcement officials .
In addition , the head of state emphasized the need to enshrine the priority of national legislation over international law within Russia ’ s legal space .
Some of the other amendments are aimed at strengthening the role of the State Council and regional governors .
The Russian leader also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force to hammer out constitutional amendments .
The task force includes politicians , lawmakers , researchers and public figures .
On January 23 , the Russian State Duma approved the first reading of the constitutional amendment bill proposed by the Russian president .
The bill stipulates a public vote on constitutional amendments .

"The Russian people and all nations populating the Russian Federation must be confident that the person in charge of the Russian state only acts in their best interest," the president said.
NOVO-OGARYOVO, February 13. /TASS/. The Russian people must be confident that their president acts in their best interest, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday during the meeting with the working group on constitutional amendments.
While delivering his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on January 15, Putin proposed a number of constitutional amendments, particularly calling for providing the State Duma with the right to approve the appointment of Russia’s prime minister, deputy prime ministers and federal ministers, as well as for holding consultations with the Federation Council (upper house) on the appointment of senior law enforcement officials. In addition, the head of state emphasized the need to enshrine the priority of national legislation over international law within Russia’s legal space. Some of the other amendments are aimed at strengthening the role of the State Council and regional governors.
The Russian leader also signed an order to create a task force to hammer out constitutional amendments. The task force includes politicians, lawmakers, researchers and public figures.
On January 23, the Russian State Duma approved the first reading of the constitutional amendment bill proposed by the Russian president. The bill stipulates a public vote on constitutional amendments.


tass--2020-02-13--West has glossed over Christian genocide in Middle East for a long time — metropolitan

VATICAN , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
In Thursday ’ s interview with Vatican News , Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate 's Department for External Church Relations Metropolitan Hilarion has called on all Catholic and Orthodox people of the world to establish a strategic alliance against the persecution of Christians .
`` Genocide of Christians is underway in the Middle East .
For a long time , Western politicians and Western media have chosen to gloss over this genocide .
Notably , it was the Pope and the Patriarch who raised the alarm - first separately , then together - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Christians in the Middle East .
To my mind , this situation calls for cooperation between Orthodox and Catholic people .
I would call this union a strategic alliance , '' he said .
The metropolitan added that according to experts , Christianity is not only the most numerous , but also the most persecuted religion in the world .
`` In many regions of the world , Christianity finds itself in a hostile environment .
In order to save the Christian faith , we must work together , '' Hilarion said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church shares the concern of Pope Francis , which was one of the reasons for the meeting between the Pope and the Russian Patriarch four years ago .
The church official noted that the fight against the persecution of Christians is one of the key areas of Russian foreign policy .
`` Our patriarch discusses this at every meeting with every foreign politician .
He has repeatedly raised this issue with President Putin .
Currently , the support of Christians in the Middle East is one of the key areas of Russian foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our power to maintain the presence of Christians in the Middle East , '' he concluded .

VATICAN, February 13. /TASS/. In Thursday’s interview with Vatican News, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations Metropolitan Hilarion has called on all Catholic and Orthodox people of the world to establish a strategic alliance against the persecution of Christians.
"Genocide of Christians is underway in the Middle East. For a long time, Western politicians and Western media have chosen to gloss over this genocide. Notably, it was the Pope and the Patriarch who raised the alarm - first separately, then together - telling the world about what is happening to Christians in the Middle East. To my mind, this situation calls for cooperation between Orthodox and Catholic people. I would call this union a strategic alliance," he said.
The metropolitan added that according to experts, Christianity is not only the most numerous, but also the most persecuted religion in the world. "In many regions of the world, Christianity finds itself in a hostile environment. In order to save the Christian faith, we must work together," Hilarion said. He noted that the Russian Orthodox Church shares the concern of Pope Francis, which was one of the reasons for the meeting between the Pope and the Russian Patriarch four years ago.
The church official noted that the fight against the persecution of Christians is one of the key areas of Russian foreign policy. "Our patriarch discusses this at every meeting with every foreign politician. He has repeatedly raised this issue with President Putin. Currently, the support of Christians in the Middle East is one of the key areas of Russian foreign policy. We must do everything in our power to maintain the presence of Christians in the Middle East," he concluded.


tass--2020-02-13--Putin proposes legally enshrining marriage as union between man and woman

NOVO-OGARYOVO , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has put forward a proposal to enshrine marriage as a union between a man and a woman in the Russian Constitution , what ’ s more he called for prudence when it comes to the concept of family .
Putin stressed that while he remains president , the terms `` mother '' and `` father '' will not be replaced with `` parent 1 '' and `` parent 2 . ''
`` As for `` parent 1 '' and `` parent 2 '' , I have said this before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while I am president , this won ’ t happen .
There will only be `` mother '' and `` father , '' '' he vowed .
Nevertheless , Putin suggested delving further into the concept of family .
`` If the family is not complete , then what ?
We need to make some things clear : marriage is a union between a man and a woman , but the family is somewhat of a different matter . ''
The Russian leader noted that the protection of traditional family values is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think of how to define it and where to do it , '' the president said .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, February 13. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has put forward a proposal to enshrine marriage as a union between a man and a woman in the Russian Constitution, what’s more he called for prudence when it comes to the concept of family.
Putin stressed that while he remains president, the terms "mother" and "father" will not be replaced with "parent 1" and "parent 2." "As for "parent 1" and "parent 2", I have said this before and I will say it again: while I am president, this won’t happen. There will only be "mother" and "father,"" he vowed.
Nevertheless, Putin suggested delving further into the concept of family. "If the family is not complete, then what? We need to make some things clear: marriage is a union between a man and a woman, but the family is somewhat of a different matter."
The Russian leader noted that the protection of traditional family values is an important concept. "We just need to think of how to define it and where to do it," the president said.


tass--2020-02-13--State Duma’s commission may meet with Bloomberg officials next week

MOSCOW , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
The State Duma ’ s commission investigating foreign interference in Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ meeting with the chiefs of Moscow ’ s bureau of the news agency Bloomberg next @ @ @ @ @ s chief Vasily Piskaryov told the media on Thursday .
`` We will invite them @ @ @ @ @ week is an option .
Next week looks the best , '' Piskaryov said after @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .
On January 17 the US news agency Bloomberg published a story quoting @ @ @ @ @ United Russia party concerning the possibility of early parliamentary and presidential election in Russia .
@ @ @ @ @ dismissed such speculations as intervention in Russia ’ s internal affairs .

MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. The State Duma’s commission investigating foreign interference in Russia’s internal affairs may hold a meeting with the chiefs of Moscow’s bureau of the news agency Bloomberg next week, the commission’s chief Vasily Piskaryov told the media on Thursday.
"We will invite them. I believe that next week is an option. Next week looks the best," Piskaryov said after the commission’s meeting on Thursday.
On January 17 the US news agency Bloomberg published a story quoting a source close to the United Russia party concerning the possibility of early parliamentary and presidential election in Russia. State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin dismissed such speculations as intervention in Russia’s internal affairs.


tass--2020-02-13--Russian diplomats emphasize importance of coordinated efforts towards Korean settlement

MOSCOW , February 13./TASS/ .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and Ambassador at Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Oleg Burmistrov met on Thursday with Alex Wong , US Deputy Assistant Secretary for North Korea , for consultations on North Korean issues , emphasizing the necessity of further coordinating efforts of all involved parties for the settlement on the Korean peninsula , the Russian Foreign Ministry said .
The diplomats `` substantially exchanged opinions on the situation on the Korean peninsula , '' the ministry said .
The talks `` emphasized the importance of continuing coordinating efforts of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlement of sub-region ’ s problems , '' it said .
The US Embassy in Moscow said earlier that the US side had confirmed at the consultations Washington ’ s readiness to continue contacts with Pyongyang at the diplomatic level with an aim to achieve progress on all commitments assumed by US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at their summit in Singapore in June 2018 .
The first-ever summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was held on June 12 , 2018 in Singapore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in which Pyongyang committed to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula in return for US security guarantees .
During his visit to South Korea on June 30 , President Trump visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone ( DMZ ) on the border with North Korea where he met with Kim Jong-un in the border village of Panmunjom .
The two leaders agreed to resume working-level consultations on denuclearization , which were suspended after their futile summit in Hanoi in February 2019 .
Under this agreement , US and North Korean delegations met in Stockholm on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bilateral relations .
However they failed to establish dialogue .
Whereas Kim Myong-Gil , who led the North Korean delegation , said the talks had been a failure , the US Department of States described these consultations as constructive .

MOSCOW, February 13./TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and Ambassador at Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Oleg Burmistrov met on Thursday with Alex Wong, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for North Korea, for consultations on North Korean issues, emphasizing the necessity of further coordinating efforts of all involved parties for the settlement on the Korean peninsula, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The diplomats "substantially exchanged opinions on the situation on the Korean peninsula," the ministry said. The talks "emphasized the importance of continuing coordinating efforts of all involved parties in the interests of the settlement of sub-region’s problems," it said.
The US Embassy in Moscow said earlier that the US side had confirmed at the consultations Washington’s readiness to continue contacts with Pyongyang at the diplomatic level with an aim to achieve progress on all commitments assumed by US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at their summit in Singapore in June 2018.
The first-ever summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was held on June 12, 2018 in Singapore. The parties signed a joint document, in which Pyongyang committed to denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula in return for US security guarantees.
During his visit to South Korea on June 30, President Trump visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the border with North Korea where he met with Kim Jong-un in the border village of Panmunjom. The two leaders agreed to resume working-level consultations on denuclearization, which were suspended after their futile summit in Hanoi in February 2019. Under this agreement, US and North Korean delegations met in Stockholm on October 5 to discuss ways to normalize bilateral relations. However they failed to establish dialogue. Whereas Kim Myong-Gil, who led the North Korean delegation, said the talks had been a failure, the US Department of States described these consultations as constructive.


tass--2020-02-13--Syrian parliament approves resolution condemning Armenian Genocide

MOSCOW , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Syrian parliament has voted in favor of the resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide on the territory of the Ottoman Empire in early 20th century , SANA news agency informed .
The Syrian People ’ s Assembly ( parliament ) unanimously approved the bill , describing the genocide as `` one of the most atrocious crimes against humanity . ''
The Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is marked annually in Armenia on April 24 .
On that day in 1915 , deportations of Armenian intelligentsia began from Constantinople ( Ottoman Empire ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to describe the mass deportation and killings of Armenians in the Ottoman empire during the First World War ( 1914-1918 ) .
Turkey does not accept the use of the term `` genocide '' regarding it as what it calls the `` events of 1915 , '' saying that there was a fratricidal war in the Ottoman Empire back then and all sides had suffered heavy casualties .
Ankara opened its Ottoman archives and invited historians to study them in order to develop an objective approach to the events that took place over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fervent zeal to any attempts to recognize the fact of the Armenian Genocide .

MOSCOW, February 13. /TASS/. The Syrian parliament has voted in favor of the resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide on the territory of the Ottoman Empire in early 20th century, SANA news agency informed.
The Syrian People’s Assembly (parliament) unanimously approved the bill, describing the genocide as "one of the most atrocious crimes against humanity."
The Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is marked annually in Armenia on April 24. On that day in 1915, deportations of Armenian intelligentsia began from Constantinople (Ottoman Empire). The term "Armenian Genocide" is used to describe the mass deportation and killings of Armenians in the Ottoman empire during the First World War (1914-1918).
Turkey does not accept the use of the term "genocide" regarding it as what it calls the "events of 1915," saying that there was a fratricidal war in the Ottoman Empire back then and all sides had suffered heavy casualties. Ankara opened its Ottoman archives and invited historians to study them in order to develop an objective approach to the events that took place over a century ago. Turkey responds with fervent zeal to any attempts to recognize the fact of the Armenian Genocide.


tass--2020-02-13--New economic realities makes constitutional amendments necessary, says Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
The changing situation in the Russian economy makes it possible and even necessary @ @ @ @ @ President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with the working group on amendments to the @ @ @ @ @ It was impossible back in 1993 to enshrine certain things in the law , not @ @ @ @ @ but in any law whatsoever , because they didn ’ t exist , '' Putin @ @ @ @ @ access to the Internet and other phenomena common for the present-day world .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ experiencing now didn ’ t exist back then , '' he highlighted .
Back then @ @ @ @ @ formulate certain things connected with Russia ’ s role in the world and its sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ be ensured , `` since the economy was in such a state that any law @ @ @ @ @ parliament , but were it not propped up by financing , it would have been @ @ @ @ @ , '' Putin said .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, February 13. /TASS/. The changing situation in the Russian economy makes it possible and even necessary to amend the constitution, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with the working group on amendments to the Russian constitution Thursday.
"It was impossible back in 1993 to enshrine certain things in the law, not only in the constitution, but in any law whatsoever, because they didn’t exist," Putin said, pointing to insufficient access to the Internet and other phenomena common for the present-day world. "The condition that our country is experiencing now didn’t exist back then," he highlighted.
Back then, it was difficult to formulate certain things connected with Russia’s role in the world and its sovereignty. Social guarantees could not be ensured, "since the economy was in such a state that any law could be passed in the parliament, but were it not propped up by financing, it would have been senseless, and moreover harmful," Putin said.


tass--2020-02-13--Russian language is key element of forming nation-state, says Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he considers the Russian language a core @ @ @ @ @ of forming the nation-state .
`` The Russian language is a core value of our @ @ @ @ @ of forming the nation-state and , of course , the language of interethnic communication , @ @ @ @ @ meeting with the working group for drafting proposals for amendments to the Constitution .
He @ @ @ @ @ it was worth considering whether something should be changed in the Constitution in that respect @

NOVO-OGARYOVO, February 13. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he considers the Russian language a core value and a key element of forming the nation-state.
"The Russian language is a core value of our country, a key element of forming the nation-state and, of course, the language of interethnic communication," he said at a meeting with the working group for drafting proposals for amendments to the Constitution.
He stressed, however, that it was worth considering whether something should be changed in the Constitution in that respect.