tass--2020-02-22--Trade in Russophobia stripping Ukraine of competitive edge from cooperation with Russia

MOSCOW , February 22 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine ’ s anti-Russian police strips it of the competitive edge it might have should it opt to cooperate with Russia , Leonid Slutsky , chairman of the international committee of the Russian State Duma lower parliament house , said on Saturday .
Commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s words about competitive advantages from potential cooperation between Kiev and Moscow , Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky ’ s office said earlier on Saturday that the relations between the two countries should not be determined by the leaders ’ geopolitical ambitions .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ geopolitical ambitions ’ in relations with Russia is quite simple : since 2014 Ukraine has been a pawn in the United States ’ geopolitical game .
And the longer Kiev is indulging in trading in Rossophobia , the more joint with Russia competitive advantages will be lost , '' Slutsky wrote on his Twitter account .
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with TASS on Friday that `` any integration of Russia and Ukraine , along with their capacities and competitive advantages would spell the emergence of a rival , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
`` .

MOSCOW, February 22. /TASS/. Ukraine’s anti-Russian police strips it of the competitive edge it might have should it opt to cooperate with Russia, Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the international committee of the Russian State Duma lower parliament house, said on Saturday.
Commenting on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s words about competitive advantages from potential cooperation between Kiev and Moscow, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s office said earlier on Saturday that the relations between the two countries should not be determined by the leaders’ geopolitical ambitions.
"The reason why Zelensky is against ‘geopolitical ambitions’ in relations with Russia is quite simple: since 2014 Ukraine has been a pawn in the United States’ geopolitical game. And the longer Kiev is indulging in trading in Rossophobia, the more joint with Russia competitive advantages will be lost," Slutsky wrote on his Twitter account.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with TASS on Friday that "any integration of Russia and Ukraine, along with their capacities and competitive advantages would spell the emergence of a rival, a global rival for both Europe and the world.".


tass--2020-02-22--Italian police find no evidence to use of doping by Russian biathletes - embassy

ROME , February 22 .
/TASS/ .
Italian police have found no evidence to the use of doping by Russian biathletes , the Russian embassy in Italy said on Saturday citing preliminary results of the search of their hotel rooms .
`` Preliminary results indicate that the search has yielded no evidence .
However , police have seized biathlete [ Alexander ] Loginov ’ s telephone and notebook , and a telephone of his personal coach [ Alexander ] Kasperovich for further check as part of preliminary probe , '' the embassy said .
The embassy reassured that Italian police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian athletes .
`` Our team continues to take part in the competition and plans to leave Italy as originally planned .
A diplomat from the Russian consulate general in Milan will stay by the team until the very departure to ensure protection of the legal rights and interests of the Russian nationals , '' the embassy said , adding that search protocol will soon be translated into Russia to be signed by the Russian athletes .
According to the embassy , Bolzano ’ s prosecution authority received a signal from a representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the use of doping by Russian biathletes could be found at their hotel rooms .
Earlier on Saturday , Italian police conducted searches at the hotel the Russian team was accommodated at upon a warrant from the International Biathlon Union .
The hotel room accommodating Loginov and his fellow team member Yevgeny Garanichev was searched for doping evidence at the order from Bolzano ’ s prosecution authority as doping use constitutes a criminal offense in Italy .
Later in the day , Loginov and Garanichev , along with two other members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nikita Porshnev - took part in a relay race at the 2020 IBU World Championships in Italy ’ s Antholz .
They finished fourth .
Loginov was suspended from competitions by the Russian Biathlon Union in 2013 because of a suspicion doping test .
The International Biathlon Union rechecked his doping test in 2014 to find erythroietin , a prohibited substance .
In July 2015 , it was decided to ban him from competitions for a term of two years since the recheck date .
The ban expired on November 2016 .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been subject of bashing from many leading biathletes .

ROME, February 22. /TASS/. Italian police have found no evidence to the use of doping by Russian biathletes, the Russian embassy in Italy said on Saturday citing preliminary results of the search of their hotel rooms.
"Preliminary results indicate that the search has yielded no evidence. However, police have seized biathlete [Alexander] Loginov’s telephone and notebook, and a telephone of his personal coach [Alexander] Kasperovich for further check as part of preliminary probe," the embassy said.
The embassy reassured that Italian police planned no freedom restriction measures against the Russian athletes. "Our team continues to take part in the competition and plans to leave Italy as originally planned. A diplomat from the Russian consulate general in Milan will stay by the team until the very departure to ensure protection of the legal rights and interests of the Russian nationals," the embassy said, adding that search protocol will soon be translated into Russia to be signed by the Russian athletes.
According to the embassy, Bolzano’s prosecution authority received a signal from a representative of the International Biathlon Union that evidence to the use of doping by Russian biathletes could be found at their hotel rooms.
Earlier on Saturday, Italian police conducted searches at the hotel the Russian team was accommodated at upon a warrant from the International Biathlon Union. The hotel room accommodating Loginov and his fellow team member Yevgeny Garanichev was searched for doping evidence at the order from Bolzano’s prosecution authority as doping use constitutes a criminal offense in Italy.
Later in the day, Loginov and Garanichev, along with two other members of the Russian team - Matvei Yeliseyev and Nikita Porshnev - took part in a relay race at the 2020 IBU World Championships in Italy’s Antholz. They finished fourth.
Loginov was suspended from competitions by the Russian Biathlon Union in 2013 because of a suspicion doping test. The International Biathlon Union rechecked his doping test in 2014 to find erythroietin, a prohibited substance. In July 2015, it was decided to ban him from competitions for a term of two years since the recheck date. The ban expired on November 2016. After he came back in sports, he has been subject of bashing from many leading biathletes.


tass--2020-02-22--Erdogan says hopes to discuss Idlib with Putin, Merkel and Macron on March 5

ANKARA , February 22 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday he hopes to meet with the Russian , German and French leaders on March 5 to discuss the situation in Syria ’ s Idlib governorate .
`` The topic of Idlib is as important as it was previously with Afrin and the territories of the Peace Spring operation [ of the Turkish army ] .
Yesterday , I conveyed our firm position on this topic to Mr. [ Russian President Vladimir ] Putin , as well as to [ German Chancellor Angela ] Merkel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will meet with Putin , Macron and Merkel on March 5 and we will discuss this topic again , '' he said during his appearance in Izmir that was televised by NTV .
The Turkish leader said on Friday a four-lateral meeting could be organized in Istanbul in March .
The situation in Syria ’ s Idlib de-escalation zone deteriorated dramatically in late January when Syrian government troops staged a counteroffensive to retaliate ceasefire violations by militants .
A larger part of the Aleppo and Idlib governorate ’ s has been liberated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these counter-terrorist efforts whereas Ankara claimed that government troops had violated the Sochi agreements on peace settlement .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned about a possible military operation in Idlib .
On this background , militants ’ attacks on Syrian government army ’ s positions have intensified and Russia ’ s aerospace forces ’ taskforce joined retaliation efforts on February 20 .

ANKARA, February 22. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday he hopes to meet with the Russian, German and French leaders on March 5 to discuss the situation in Syria’s Idlib governorate.
"The topic of Idlib is as important as it was previously with Afrin and the territories of the Peace Spring operation [of the Turkish army]. Yesterday, I conveyed our firm position on this topic to Mr. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, as well as to [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel and [French President Emmanuel] Macron. I will meet with Putin, Macron and Merkel on March 5 and we will discuss this topic again," he said during his appearance in Izmir that was televised by NTV.
The Turkish leader said on Friday a four-lateral meeting could be organized in Istanbul in March.
The situation in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone deteriorated dramatically in late January when Syrian government troops staged a counteroffensive to retaliate ceasefire violations by militants. A larger part of the Aleppo and Idlib governorate’s has been liberated.
Moscow has repeatedly voiced support to these counter-terrorist efforts whereas Ankara claimed that government troops had violated the Sochi agreements on peace settlement. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned about a possible military operation in Idlib.
On this background, militants’ attacks on Syrian government army’s positions have intensified and Russia’s aerospace forces’ taskforce joined retaliation efforts on February 20.


tass--2020-02-22--Russian Pantsyr-S1 systems arrive in Serbia - defense minister

BELGRADE , February 22 .
/TASS/ .
The first batch of the Russian Pantsyr-S1 surface-to-air missile/gun systems has arrived in Serbia , Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said on Saturday .
`` The first batch of the Pantsyr-S1 system has arrived at the Batajnica airfield , '' the ministry ’ s press service quoted him as saying .
`` Purchasing this defensive weapons , one-of-its-kind in the region , Serbia continues to strengthen its defense might and deterrence potential .
This way we enhance our capability to remain a military neutral state , which is the fundamental security position of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as of our government and parliament . ''
According to the Serbian mass media , two out of six Pantsyr-S1 systems Serbia had bought from Russia reached Serbia via Bulgaria ’ s airspace on Saturday .
The final agreements on the supplies of these systems were reached during Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ’ s visit to Belgrade on February 17 .
Serbian soldiers have already undergone corresponding training and are not prepared to wor with the new weapons .
The Pantsyr-S1 ( NATO reporting name : SA-22 Greyhound ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designated to shield military and civilian facilities , including long-range air defense systems , from all modern and future air attack weapons .
The Pantsyr mounted on the truck chassis for greater mobility is armed with two 30mm guns , each of which is capable of firing up to 40 rounds per second , as well as 12 anti-aircraft missiles .

BELGRADE, February 22. /TASS/. The first batch of the Russian Pantsyr-S1 surface-to-air missile/gun systems has arrived in Serbia, Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said on Saturday.
"The first batch of the Pantsyr-S1 system has arrived at the Batajnica airfield," the ministry’s press service quoted him as saying. "Purchasing this defensive weapons, one-of-its-kind in the region, Serbia continues to strengthen its defense might and deterrence potential. This way we enhance our capability to remain a military neutral state, which is the fundamental security position of the Serbian Army Supreme Commander-in-Chief Aleksandar Vucic, as well as of our government and parliament."
According to the Serbian mass media, two out of six Pantsyr-S1 systems Serbia had bought from Russia reached Serbia via Bulgaria’s airspace on Saturday. The final agreements on the supplies of these systems were reached during Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s visit to Belgrade on February 17.
Serbian soldiers have already undergone corresponding training and are not prepared to wor with the new weapons.
The Pantsyr-S1 (NATO reporting name: SA-22 Greyhound) is a ground-based self-propelled surface-to-air missile/gun system designated to shield military and civilian facilities, including long-range air defense systems, from all modern and future air attack weapons.
The Pantsyr mounted on the truck chassis for greater mobility is armed with two 30mm guns, each of which is capable of firing up to 40 rounds per second, as well as 12 anti-aircraft missiles.


tass--2020-02-22--Russia to bring up US visa non-issuance to delegates to UN events - diplomat

MOSCOW , February 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will put the problem of non-issuance of US visas for delegates to UN events in New York City point-blank , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said in an interview with TASS .
He described the situation when the country hosting the United Nations headquarters denied visas to delegates from UN member nations as `` absolutely outrageous . ''
`` The United Nations has a special committee on relations with the host country .
It has already held a meeting and will meet again , and we will put this problem point-blank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States is obliged to issue visas and ensure normal operation of all UN structures .
It is its liability .
We call on them to discharge its duty properly , '' he stressed .
`` It is not the only serious claim the UN member nations have to the United States as a country hosting the United Nations headquarters , '' the Russian senior diplomat added .
Problems with obtaining US entry visas have been impeding United Nations events at its headquarters for quite a time .
The Disarmament Commission failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this very reason .
Since the start of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly , as many as 18 Russian delegates have had to skip UN events because the US had failed to issue entry visas in due time .
In December 2019 , the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling on the US side to stop the practice of visa issuance delays to diplomats from a number of nations , including Russia , Venezuela , and Iran .
Later , Georgy Mikhno , a deputy director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges and threats department , was unable to attend a UN meeting on issues of counter-terrorism efforts because of the visa denial .
The United Nations General Assembly ’ s Committee on Relations with the Host Country will gather for an extraordinary meeting over this matter early next week .

MOSCOW, February 22. /TASS/. Russia will put the problem of non-issuance of US visas for delegates to UN events in New York City point-blank, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said in an interview with TASS.
He described the situation when the country hosting the United Nations headquarters denied visas to delegates from UN member nations as "absolutely outrageous."
"The United Nations has a special committee on relations with the host country. It has already held a meeting and will meet again, and we will put this problem point-blank," Vershinin stressed.
"The United States is obliged to issue visas and ensure normal operation of all UN structures. It is its liability. We call on them to discharge its duty properly," he stressed.
"It is not the only serious claim the UN member nations have to the United States as a country hosting the United Nations headquarters," the Russian senior diplomat added.
Problems with obtaining US entry visas have been impeding United Nations events at its headquarters for quite a time. The Disarmament Commission failed to hold its organizational session in 2019 die to this very reason.
Since the start of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, as many as 18 Russian delegates have had to skip UN events because the US had failed to issue entry visas in due time.
In December 2019, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling on the US side to stop the practice of visa issuance delays to diplomats from a number of nations, including Russia, Venezuela, and Iran.
Later, Georgy Mikhno, a deputy director of the Russian foreign ministry’s new challenges and threats department, was unable to attend a UN meeting on issues of counter-terrorism efforts because of the visa denial.
The United Nations General Assembly’s Committee on Relations with the Host Country will gather for an extraordinary meeting over this matter early next week.


tass--2020-02-22--Russia hopes coronavirus epidemics will be taken under control by Tokyo Olympics

MOSCOW , February 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia hopes the situation around the novel coronavirus spread will be taken under control by the beginning of the Olympic Games in Tokyo , or by late July .
There are all the preconditions for that , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said in an interview with TASS .
`` Naturally , very serious monitoring of the situation around the coronavirus-induced epidemic is exercised both at the international and national levels , in particular in Russia , '' he said .
`` We are keeping a close eye on the statements from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TASS ) , which is authorized to report about developments on that matter .
So far , we proceed from the fact that there are preconditions for this epidemic to subside and he hope that its consequences will be neutralized by the beginning of the Olympic Games . ''
He said that the Russian foreign ministry was guided by the decisions of the International Olympic Committee and was taking efforts to reduce health risks not only for fans but for all Russian nationals .
However , in his words , it is up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) to decide about the Olympic Games , which are scheduled to open on July 24 .
Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said on Thursday the Japanese side will take into account the coronavirus situation in the light of the upcoming Olympic Games .
Yoshiro Mori , the chief of the Tokyo games organizing committee , said the issue of possible cancellation or postponement of the Games had not been looked at .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple foci .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from 27 other countries , including Russia .
According to the latest update , the number of confirmed cases of the disease has exceeded 76,200 , with 2,345 people killed by this coronavirus .
More than 20,000 have recovered .

MOSCOW, February 22. /TASS/. Russia hopes the situation around the novel coronavirus spread will be taken under control by the beginning of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, or by late July. There are all the preconditions for that, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said in an interview with TASS.
"Naturally, very serious monitoring of the situation around the coronavirus-induced epidemic is exercised both at the international and national levels, in particular in Russia," he said. "We are keeping a close eye on the statements from the WHO (World Health Organization - TASS), which is authorized to report about developments on that matter. So far, we proceed from the fact that there are preconditions for this epidemic to subside and he hope that its consequences will be neutralized by the beginning of the Olympic Games."
He said that the Russian foreign ministry was guided by the decisions of the International Olympic Committee and was taking efforts to reduce health risks not only for fans but for all Russian nationals. However, in his words, it is up to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to decide about the Olympic Games, which are scheduled to open on July 24.
Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said on Thursday the Japanese side will take into account the coronavirus situation in the light of the upcoming Olympic Games. Yoshiro Mori, the chief of the Tokyo games organizing committee, said the issue of possible cancellation or postponement of the Games had not been looked at.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple foci.
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from 27 other countries, including Russia. According to the latest update, the number of confirmed cases of the disease has exceeded 76,200, with 2,345 people killed by this coronavirus. More than 20,000 have recovered.


tass--2020-02-22--Turkish soldier killed in Syria’s Idlib - authorities

ANKARA , February 22 .
/TASS/ .
A Turkish soldier was killed in shelling in Syria ’ s Idlib governorate , the administration of Turkey ’ s Gaziantep Province tweeted on Saturday .
It claimed that the shell had been fired by Syrian government forces .
Idlib is the only large Syrian region that is still controlled by illegal armed groups .
A norther de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria ’ s southern regions .
Twelve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Idlib governorate .
The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically after the Russian and Turkish taskforces had made another attempt to enforce a ceasefire .
Terrorists only intensified their attacks instead , killing Russian and Turkish military specialists .
The Syrian government army took retaliatory actions against extremists and gained control of the city of Saraqib near Idlib on February 5 .
In the morning of February 11 , the Turkey-backed Syrian opposition launched mass-scale attacks on the Syrian government army on two fronts - the town of Saraqib and the community of Nayrab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Idlib .
The opposition ’ s offensive was carried out with the fire support from the Turkish artillery .
Jabhat al-Nusra ( a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia ) militants took an active part in the fighting .
Syrian forces repelled these attacks , while militants suffered heavy losses , with lots of those killed and wounded .

ANKARA, February 22. /TASS/. A Turkish soldier was killed in shelling in Syria’s Idlib governorate, the administration of Turkey’s Gaziantep Province tweeted on Saturday.
It claimed that the shell had been fired by Syrian government forces.
Situation in Idlib
Idlib is the only large Syrian region that is still controlled by illegal armed groups. A norther de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria’s southern regions. Twelve Turkish observation outposts are operating in the Idlib governorate.
The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically after the Russian and Turkish taskforces had made another attempt to enforce a ceasefire. Terrorists only intensified their attacks instead, killing Russian and Turkish military specialists. The Syrian government army took retaliatory actions against extremists and gained control of the city of Saraqib near Idlib on February 5.
In the morning of February 11, the Turkey-backed Syrian opposition launched mass-scale attacks on the Syrian government army on two fronts - the town of Saraqib and the community of Nayrab situated to the north of Saraqib in Idlib. The opposition’s offensive was carried out with the fire support from the Turkish artillery. Jabhat al-Nusra (a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia) militants took an active part in the fighting. Syrian forces repelled these attacks, while militants suffered heavy losses, with lots of those killed and wounded.


tass--2020-02-22--Russia not ready to put up with terrorists presence in Syria’s Idlib - senior diplomat

MOSCOW , February 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will never put up with the presence of terrorists in Syria ’ s Idlib governorate as there can be no truce with them , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said in an interview with TASS .
`` We have always been saying that we can not put up with the presence of a nest of terrorism on Syria ’ s national territory , '' he said when asked whether the Syrian government army would continue efforts to exterminate terrorists in Idlib , like it was done in Aleppo .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it should be the position of any state .
Because to fight against terrorist is not only the right by the duty of any state .
There can be no ceasefire with the as far as they are terrorists .
And they are .
They are Jabhat al-Nusra ( an extremist organization outlawed I Russia - TASS ) and its modifications controlling a larger part of the Idlib governorate , '' he said .
The Russian senior diplomat that Russia , Iran and Turkey , or the Astana format guarantor nations , had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had always been saying that this was a temporary zone .
`` All the documents on Idlib we have ever signed either with Turkey or with Turkey and Iran stress that we are committed to Syria ’ s sovereignty , territorial integrity and political independence .
It is Syria ’ s territory , '' he stressed .
He emphasized that Russia `` spared no effort to ensure that the ceasefire the Syrian government imposed in Idlib with our support in early January stays in place , '' but terrorists had continued their attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , terrorists , and there are tens of thousands of them in Idlib , have been shelling Aleppo , '' he noted .
`` Back then , they stayed some ten-fifteen kilometers of Aleppo .
They shelled the city from multiple missile launcher systems at random , i.e .
targeted dwelling quarters .
According to our data , eight drone attacks have been staged at Hmeymin , where our base with our personnel is located , since January 9 .
Security of these people is of top priority for us . ''
Syrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put an end to terrorist attacks on Aleppo and the neighboring settlements , he said .
`` We definitely support them because the Syrian government is taking action against terrorists on its own territory .
Naturally , all possible measure are being taken ( while fighting against terrorist in Idlib - TASS ) to save civilians , '' he said .
`` A number of corridors to the government-controlled territory have been established but they are poorly used because terrorist don ’ t let people use them .
They are a human shield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomat stressed that the situation in Idlib was serious .
`` Tensions there are serious , '' he said .
`` We are sparing no effort not to let these tension grow into a more critical situation .
We are doing this in contact with the Turkish side . ''
He recalled that Russia was in contact with the Turkish side .
`` A Russian delegation held such contacts in Ankara .
They were then continued in Moscow .
Such talks , we believe , should be continued .
The most important thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the uncompromising fight against terrorists , '' the senior Russian diplomat emphasized .
According to Vershinin , Syrian government troops have liberated part of the demilitarized zone set up in the Idlib governorate under the Russian-Turkish memorandum of September 17 , 2018 .
`` But our understanding is that the task for Syrian government troops was not advancing to the border to stop there .
They retaliated terrorists ’ attacks , '' he said .
`` When terrorists shell the country ’ s second largest city , isn ’ t it a motivation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior diplomat noted that the problem of terrorists presence in Idlib had gone beyond Syria ’ s borders because terrorists have been reportedly moving to other countries , in Libya in particular .
`` It is a dangerous phenomenon , '' he added .
The situation in Syria ’ s Idlib de-escalation zone deteriorated dramatically in late January when Syrian government troops staged a counteroffensive to retaliate ceasefire violations by militants .
A larger part of the Aleppo and Idlib governorate ’ s has been liberated .
Moscow has repeatedly voiced support to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government troops had violated the Sochi agreements on peace settlement .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned about a possible military operation in Idlib .
On this background , militants ’ attacks on Syrian government army ’ s positions have intensified and Russia ’ s aerospace forces ’ taskforce joined retaliation efforts on February 20 .

MOSCOW, February 22. /TASS/. Russia will never put up with the presence of terrorists in Syria’s Idlib governorate as there can be no truce with them, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said in an interview with TASS.
"We have always been saying that we cannot put up with the presence of a nest of terrorism on Syria’s national territory," he said when asked whether the Syrian government army would continue efforts to exterminate terrorists in Idlib, like it was done in Aleppo.
"It should not be our position only, it should be the position of any state. Because to fight against terrorist is not only the right by the duty of any state. There can be no ceasefire with the as far as they are terrorists. And they are. They are Jabhat al-Nusra (an extremist organization outlawed I Russia - TASS) and its modifications controlling a larger part of the Idlib governorate," he said.
The Russian senior diplomat that Russia, Iran and Turkey, or the Astana format guarantor nations, had established a de-escalation zone in Idlib and had always been saying that this was a temporary zone. "All the documents on Idlib we have ever signed either with Turkey or with Turkey and Iran stress that we are committed to Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence. It is Syria’s territory," he stressed.
He emphasized that Russia "spared no effort to ensure that the ceasefire the Syrian government imposed in Idlib with our support in early January stays in place," but terrorists had continued their attack.
"After the ceasefire was declared, terrorists, and there are tens of thousands of them in Idlib, have been shelling Aleppo," he noted. "Back then, they stayed some ten-fifteen kilometers of Aleppo. They shelled the city from multiple missile launcher systems at random, i.e. targeted dwelling quarters. According to our data, eight drone attacks have been staged at Hmeymin, where our base with our personnel is located, since January 9. Security of these people is of top priority for us."
Syrian government troops had to take action to put an end to terrorist attacks on Aleppo and the neighboring settlements, he said. "We definitely support them because the Syrian government is taking action against terrorists on its own territory. Naturally, all possible measure are being taken (while fighting against terrorist in Idlib - TASS) to save civilians," he said. "A number of corridors to the government-controlled territory have been established but they are poorly used because terrorist don’t let people use them. They are a human shield for terrorists.".
Contact with Turkey
The Russian senior diplomat stressed that the situation in Idlib was serious. "Tensions there are serious," he said. "We are sparing no effort not to let these tension grow into a more critical situation. We are doing this in contact with the Turkish side."
He recalled that Russia was in contact with the Turkish side. "A Russian delegation held such contacts in Ankara. They were then continued in Moscow. Such talks, we believe, should be continued. The most important thing is to prevent civilian casualties and continue the uncompromising fight against terrorists," the senior Russian diplomat emphasized.
According to Vershinin, Syrian government troops have liberated part of the demilitarized zone set up in the Idlib governorate under the Russian-Turkish memorandum of September 17, 2018.
"But our understanding is that the task for Syrian government troops was not advancing to the border to stop there. They retaliated terrorists’ attacks," he said. "When terrorists shell the country’s second largest city, isn’t it a motivation for government troops?"
The Russian senior diplomat noted that the problem of terrorists presence in Idlib had gone beyond Syria’s borders because terrorists have been reportedly moving to other countries, in Libya in particular. "It is a dangerous phenomenon," he added.
Situation in Idlib
The situation in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone deteriorated dramatically in late January when Syrian government troops staged a counteroffensive to retaliate ceasefire violations by militants. A larger part of the Aleppo and Idlib governorate’s has been liberated.
Moscow has repeatedly voiced support to these counter-terrorist efforts whereas Ankara claimed that government troops had violated the Sochi agreements on peace settlement. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned about a possible military operation in Idlib.
On this background, militants’ attacks on Syrian government army’s positions have intensified and Russia’s aerospace forces’ taskforce joined retaliation efforts on February 20.


tass--2020-02-22--Erdogan says Turkey will act more resolutely in Syria

ANKARA , February 22 .
/TASS/ .
Ankara will act more resolutely in Syria , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday .
In his speech that was televised by the NTV television channel , Erdogan noted that the operation is Syria was requiring serious efforts and claiming the lives of Turkish servicemen .
`` Yesterday , I had talks with [ Russian President Vladimir ] Putin .
Before that , I spoke with [ French President Emmanuel ] Macron and [ German Chancellor Angela ] Merkel .
After that , we decided on our roadmap [ on Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will take more resolute steps . ''
He did not say however which steps it would be , stressing only that Ankara `` will not bend before global powers ’ scenarios . ''
`` Turkey ’ s policy in Syria and Libya is not adventurism it stems from the national interest , '' the Turkish leader stressed .
The situation in Syria ’ s Idlib de-escalation zone deteriorated dramatically in late January when Syrian government troops staged a counteroffensive to retaliate ceasefire violations by militants .
A larger part of the Aleppo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberated .
Moscow has repeatedly voiced support to these counter-terrorist efforts whereas Ankara claimed that government troops had violated the Sochi agreements on peace settlement .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned about a possible military operation in Idlib .
On this background , militants ’ attacks on Syrian government army ’ s positions have intensified and Russia ’ s aerospace forces ’ taskforce joined retaliation efforts on February 20 .

ANKARA, February 22. /TASS/. Ankara will act more resolutely in Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday.
In his speech that was televised by the NTV television channel, Erdogan noted that the operation is Syria was requiring serious efforts and claiming the lives of Turkish servicemen.
"Yesterday, I had talks with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. Before that, I spoke with [French President Emmanuel] Macron and [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel. After that, we decided on our roadmap [on Syria]," he said. "We will take more resolute steps."
He did not say however which steps it would be, stressing only that Ankara "will not bend before global powers’ scenarios."
"Turkey’s policy in Syria and Libya is not adventurism it stems from the national interest," the Turkish leader stressed.
The situation in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone deteriorated dramatically in late January when Syrian government troops staged a counteroffensive to retaliate ceasefire violations by militants. A larger part of the Aleppo and Idlib governorate’s has been liberated.
Moscow has repeatedly voiced support to these counter-terrorist efforts whereas Ankara claimed that government troops had violated the Sochi agreements on peace settlement. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned about a possible military operation in Idlib.
On this background, militants’ attacks on Syrian government army’s positions have intensified and Russia’s aerospace forces’ taskforce joined retaliation efforts on February 20.


tass--2020-02-22--Russian, Turkish defense ministers discuss situation in Syria’s Idlib - defense ministry

MOSCOW , February 22 .
/TASS/ .
Efforts to stabilize the situation in Syria ’ s Idlib de-escalation zone were in focus of a telephone conversation between Russian and Turkish defense ministers , Sergei Shoigu and Hulusi Akar , the Russian defense ministry said on Saturday .
According to the ministry , the two ministers exchanged views on the situation in Syria .
`` The sides discussed issues of the stabilization of the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone , '' the ministry said .
The situation in Syria ’ s Idlib was in focus of Friday ’ telephone talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdigan .
The sides reiterated their commitment to their agreements on Idlib .
The situation in Syria ’ s Idlib de-escalation zone deteriorated dramatically in late January when Syrian government troops staged a counteroffensive to retaliate ceasefire violations by militants .
A larger part of the Aleppo and Idlib governorate ’ s has been liberated .
Moscow has repeatedly voiced support to these counter-terrorist efforts whereas Ankara claimed that government troops had violated the Sochi agreements on peace settlement .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned about a possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ background , militants ’ attacks on Syrian government army ’ s positions have intensified and Russia ’ s aerospace forces ’ taskforce joined retaliation efforts on February 20 .

MOSCOW, February 22. /TASS/. Efforts to stabilize the situation in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone were in focus of a telephone conversation between Russian and Turkish defense ministers, Sergei Shoigu and Hulusi Akar, the Russian defense ministry said on Saturday.
According to the ministry, the two ministers exchanged views on the situation in Syria. "The sides discussed issues of the stabilization of the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone," the ministry said.
The situation in Syria’s Idlib was in focus of Friday’ telephone talks between Russian and Turkish Presidents, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdigan. The sides reiterated their commitment to their agreements on Idlib.
The situation in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone deteriorated dramatically in late January when Syrian government troops staged a counteroffensive to retaliate ceasefire violations by militants. A larger part of the Aleppo and Idlib governorate’s has been liberated.
Moscow has repeatedly voiced support to these counter-terrorist efforts whereas Ankara claimed that government troops had violated the Sochi agreements on peace settlement. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned about a possible military operation in Idlib.
On this background, militants’ attacks on Syrian government army’s positions have intensified and Russia’s aerospace forces’ taskforce joined retaliation efforts on February 20.


tass--2020-02-22--Russian Foreign Ministry determined to protect biathletes from pressure

MOSCOW , February 22 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry is working to protect Russian biathletes from psychological pressure following searches at a hotel in the Italian city of Antholz where the Russian biathlon team is staying , the ministry ’ s Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Saturday .
Italian police conducted the searches earlier on Saturday based on a warrant for biathlete Alexander Loginov and his personal coach Alexander Kasperovich .
Loginov is suspected of violating anti-doping rules and Kasperovich of using someone else ’ s credentials to access the 2020 Biathlon World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point out that our priority is to protect athletes from psychological pressure .
Efforts are underway to resolve legal issues but the most important thing is to make sure that athletes continue competing , '' Zakharova pointed out .
She added that the Russian Foreign Ministry was cooperating with the Ministry of Sports .
`` Hopefully , we will resolve the situation soon , '' the diplomat said .
Loginov won the men ’ s sprint race at the current championships and took bronze in the pursuit event .
He is also included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team for a relay race set to take place later on Saturday .
In November 2013 , the Russian Biathlon Union suspended Loginov from competition .
In November 2014 , the International Biathlon Union banned him from sports for two years due to his use of erythropoietin .
The ban expired on November 25 , 2016 .

MOSCOW, February 22. /TASS/. Russia’s Foreign Ministry is working to protect Russian biathletes from psychological pressure following searches at a hotel in the Italian city of Antholz where the Russian biathlon team is staying, the ministry’s Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Saturday.
Italian police conducted the searches earlier on Saturday based on a warrant for biathlete Alexander Loginov and his personal coach Alexander Kasperovich. Loginov is suspected of violating anti-doping rules and Kasperovich of using someone else’s credentials to access the 2020 Biathlon World Championships.
"I would like to point out that our priority is to protect athletes from psychological pressure. Efforts are underway to resolve legal issues but the most important thing is to make sure that athletes continue competing," Zakharova pointed out.
She added that the Russian Foreign Ministry was cooperating with the Ministry of Sports. "Hopefully, we will resolve the situation soon," the diplomat said.
Loginov won the men’s sprint race at the current championships and took bronze in the pursuit event. He is also included in Russia’s men’s team for a relay race set to take place later on Saturday.
In November 2013, the Russian Biathlon Union suspended Loginov from competition. In November 2014, the International Biathlon Union banned him from sports for two years due to his use of erythropoietin. The ban expired on November 25, 2016.


tass--2020-02-23--Turkey yet to fulfill Sochi agreements on Syria - Kremlin

MOSCOW , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
Ankara has not yet fulfilled the terms of the Syria accords that were reached more than a year ago in Sochi , Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` In this case , we can clearly say that the conditions of the Sochi accords that stated that Turkey would have to ensure demarcation , withdrawal of heavy weapons and so on , which were signed by the two presidents more than a year ago , have not yet been fulfilled , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall into their hands [ terrorists in Idlib ] .
And all this , unfortunately , does not contribute to the normalization of the situation , '' Peskov said .
The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically after the Russian and Turkish taskforces had made another attempt to enforce a ceasefire .
Terrorists only intensified their attacks instead , killing Russian and Turkish military specialists .
The Syrian government army took retaliatory actions against extremists and gained control of the city of Saraqib near Idlib on February 5 .
In the morning of February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass-scale attacks on the Syrian government army on two fronts - the town of Saraqib and the community of Nayrab situated to the north of Saraqib in Idlib .
The opposition ’ s offensive was carried out with the fire support from the Turkish artillery .
Jabhat al-Nusra ( a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia ) militants took an active part in the fighting .
Syrian forces repelled these attacks , while militants suffered heavy losses , with lots of those killed and wounded .
On September 17 , 2018 , Russian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Erdogan at their meeting in Sochi agreed to create a 15-20 kilometer-wide demilitarized zone along the line of contact in the Idlib province by October 15 , 2018 .
However , at the time Ankara asked to have extra time and to postpone the start of joint patrolling in Idlib due to the inability to guarantee security on their part .

MOSCOW, February 23. /TASS/. Ankara has not yet fulfilled the terms of the Syria accords that were reached more than a year ago in Sochi, Russian Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"In this case, we can clearly say that the conditions of the Sochi accords that stated that Turkey would have to ensure demarcation, withdrawal of heavy weapons and so on, which were signed by the two presidents more than a year ago, have not yet been fulfilled," he said.
"Very dangerous samples of military equipment fall into their hands [terrorists in Idlib]. And all this, unfortunately, does not contribute to the normalization of the situation," Peskov said.
The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically after the Russian and Turkish taskforces had made another attempt to enforce a ceasefire. Terrorists only intensified their attacks instead, killing Russian and Turkish military specialists. The Syrian government army took retaliatory actions against extremists and gained control of the city of Saraqib near Idlib on February 5.
In the morning of February 11, the Turkey-backed Syrian opposition launched mass-scale attacks on the Syrian government army on two fronts - the town of Saraqib and the community of Nayrab situated to the north of Saraqib in Idlib. The opposition’s offensive was carried out with the fire support from the Turkish artillery. Jabhat al-Nusra (a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia) militants took an active part in the fighting. Syrian forces repelled these attacks, while militants suffered heavy losses, with lots of those killed and wounded.
On September 17, 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at their meeting in Sochi agreed to create a 15-20 kilometer-wide demilitarized zone along the line of contact in the Idlib province by October 15, 2018. However, at the time Ankara asked to have extra time and to postpone the start of joint patrolling in Idlib due to the inability to guarantee security on their part.


tass--2020-02-23--Armani Fashion Week show to be held behind closed doors due to coronavirus

ROME , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani decided to hold a closed show at Milan Fashion Week on Sunday .
According to the company ’ s statement , the decision was made due to the coronavirus concerns doe to its recent spread in northern Italy .
The decision was made to hold the show without the public , so as not to expose any of the audience to risks - the company added that the show will be filmed and will be broadcast live on the Armani website .
According to the National Chamber of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Armani was the first and so far the only one of the fashion designers who participated in Fashion Week to make this decision .
At the moment , 76 cases of coronavirus infection have been recorded in Italy , 74 of them over the past two days in the northern regions .
The northern region of Lombardy , with the administrative center of Milan , has the largest number of infections ( 54 ) .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 12 million people .
The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus .
Cases of COVID-19 have been detected in at least 27 countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus exceeds 78,700 with over 2,400 reported deaths , mostly in China .
Meanwhile , over 23,000 patients have recovered to date .

ROME, February 23. /TASS/. Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani decided to hold a closed show at Milan Fashion Week on Sunday. According to the company’s statement, the decision was made due to the coronavirus concerns doe to its recent spread in northern Italy.
The decision was made to hold the show without the public, so as not to expose any of the audience to risks - the company added that the show will be filmed and will be broadcast live on the Armani website.
According to the National Chamber of Italian Fashion, which organizes the shows, Armani was the first and so far the only one of the fashion designers who participated in Fashion Week to make this decision.
At the moment, 76 cases of coronavirus infection have been recorded in Italy, 74 of them over the past two days in the northern regions. The northern region of Lombardy, with the administrative center of Milan, has the largest number of infections (54).
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 12 million people. The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus. Cases of COVID-19 have been detected in at least 27 countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency. Currently, the total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus exceeds 78,700 with over 2,400 reported deaths, mostly in China. Meanwhile, over 23,000 patients have recovered to date.


tass--2020-02-23--Russia's Tehran Embassy has no plans to close consular department due to coronavirus

TEHRAN , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian embassy in Iran does not plan to terminate the work of the consular department in Tehran due to the spread of coronavirus in the country , press officer of the Russian diplomatic mission Andrey Ganenko told TASS .
`` At the moment , we are not planning to close the consular department , '' he said .
Ganenko added that `` no special instructions have yet been received regaring changes in the work of the embassy in connection with the spread of the coronavirus in Iran . ''
Information on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country provoked by the novel coronavirus appeared on February 19 .
According to official figures , the number of infected in Iran has so far reached 43 , eight of them have been fatal .
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 12 million people .
The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus .
Cases of COVID-19 have been detected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus exceeds 78,700 with over 2,400 reported deaths , mostly in China .
Meanwhile , over 23,000 patients have recovered to date .

TEHRAN, February 23. /TASS/. The Russian embassy in Iran does not plan to terminate the work of the consular department in Tehran due to the spread of coronavirus in the country, press officer of the Russian diplomatic mission Andrey Ganenko told TASS.
"At the moment, we are not planning to close the consular department," he said. Ganenko added that "no special instructions have yet been received regaring changes in the work of the embassy in connection with the spread of the coronavirus in Iran."
Information on the first cases of the disease in the country provoked by the novel coronavirus appeared on February 19. According to official figures, the number of infected in Iran has so far reached 43, eight of them have been fatal.
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 12 million people. The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus. Cases of COVID-19 have been detected in at least 27 countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency. Currently, the total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus exceeds 78,700 with over 2,400 reported deaths, mostly in China. Meanwhile, over 23,000 patients have recovered to date.


tass--2020-02-23--Almost 11,000 people monitored in Russia in connection with coronavirus

MOSCOW , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
Around 11,000 people who arrived in Russia from China are being monitored in connection with the coronavirus , the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing ( Rospotrebnadzor ) reported .
`` From February 1 , 2020 , a separate terminal has been allocated and prepared under the supervision of Rospotrebnadzor at the Sheremetyevo Airport , the only airport in the country currently accepting flights from China .
Laboratory examination has been set up for all people arriving from China , as well as surveying and transfer under medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As of February 23 , 2020 , 10,825 people are still being monitored , '' the report said .
It was noted that all hygiene and epidemiology centers of the service in Russian regions have diagnostic test systems to detect the virus .
`` As of February 23 , 2020 , 25,060 laboratory studies were carried out by the centers of hygiene and epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation for coronavirus using samples of people arriving from China , '' the report said .
On December 31 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 12 million people .
The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus .
Cases of COVID-19 have been detected in at least 27 countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus exceeds 78,700 with over 2,400 reported deaths , mostly in China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to date .

MOSCOW, February 23. /TASS/. Around 11,000 people who arrived in Russia from China are being monitored in connection with the coronavirus, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) reported.
"From February 1, 2020, a separate terminal has been allocated and prepared under the supervision of Rospotrebnadzor at the Sheremetyevo Airport, the only airport in the country currently accepting flights from China. Laboratory examination has been set up for all people arriving from China, as well as surveying and transfer under medical supervision at the place of residence. As of February 23, 2020, 10,825 people are still being monitored," the report said.
It was noted that all hygiene and epidemiology centers of the service in Russian regions have diagnostic test systems to detect the virus. "As of February 23, 2020, 25,060 laboratory studies were carried out by the centers of hygiene and epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation for coronavirus using samples of people arriving from China," the report said.
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 12 million people. The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus. Cases of COVID-19 have been detected in at least 27 countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency. Currently, the total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus exceeds 78,700 with over 2,400 reported deaths, mostly in China. Meanwhile, over 23,000 patients have recovered to date.


tass--2020-02-23--Emergency Situations Ministry reports on evacuation of Russians from Diamond Princess

MOSCOW , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
All safety precautions were followed on board the aircraft , which delivered eight Russian citizens from the Diamond Princess cruise ship to Kazan , press service of the Ministry of Emergencies told TASS .
`` By order of the operational headquarters for the prevention and spread of coronavirus in the Russian Federation on February 23 , the An-148 aircraft of the Russian Emergencies Ministry delivered 8 citizens of the Russian Federation , who were on a cruise ship in the Japanese port of Yokohama , from Tokyo to Kazan , '' the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force members wore special protective suits .
Now they are resting after a long flight and will soon return home , where they will undergo the necessary medical examinations , '' the ministry added .
In total , eight crew members and six task force employees completed the flight .
The head of Russia ’ s Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being , Anna Popova noted earlier that colleagues in Tatarstan were highly prepared to deal with this situation .
She thanked Minnikhanov and doctors who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ health .
A total of 24 Russian nationals were onboard the cruise ship in Japan .
The others refused to take this flight .
The Diamond Princess cruise ship left Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3 .
A coronavirus-infected Chinese citizen who left the ship on January 25 in Hong Kong was among the passengers .
In accordance with the decision made by the Japanese authorities , the ship was anchored near Yokohama and quarantined for two weeks since February 5 .
Some 3,700 passengers and crew members from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The evacuation effort for the passengers who did not contract the novel coronavirus took place on February 19-21 .
During this period , some 1,000 people left the vessel , the site of the biggest coronavirus outbreak outside China .
A total of 634 people were infected with the novel coronavirus and two old Japanese nationals died in hospital .
Some 1,200 people - the crew and those who had contacted with those infected - currently remain onboard the vessel .
The Japanese authorities plan to allow them to leave the ship soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia , Israel , Canada , Hong Kong and Russia evacuated their citizens on special charter flights .
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 12 million people .
The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus .
Cases of COVID-19 have been detected in at least 27 countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus exceeds 78,700 with over 2,460 reported deaths , mostly in China .
Meanwhile , over 23,000 patients have recovered to date .

MOSCOW, February 23. /TASS/. All safety precautions were followed on board the aircraft, which delivered eight Russian citizens from the Diamond Princess cruise ship to Kazan, press service of the Ministry of Emergencies told TASS.
"By order of the operational headquarters for the prevention and spread of coronavirus in the Russian Federation on February 23, the An-148 aircraft of the Russian Emergencies Ministry delivered 8 citizens of the Russian Federation, who were on a cruise ship in the Japanese port of Yokohama, from Tokyo to Kazan," the press service said.
"The crew and task force members wore special protective suits. Now they are resting after a long flight and will soon return home, where they will undergo the necessary medical examinations," the ministry added. In total, eight crew members and six task force employees completed the flight.
The head of Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Anna Popova noted earlier that colleagues in Tatarstan were highly prepared to deal with this situation. She thanked Minnikhanov and doctors who were doing their utmost to preserve the Russians’ health.
A total of 24 Russian nationals were onboard the cruise ship in Japan. The others refused to take this flight.
The Diamond Princess cruise ship left Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3. A coronavirus-infected Chinese citizen who left the ship on January 25 in Hong Kong was among the passengers. In accordance with the decision made by the Japanese authorities, the ship was anchored near Yokohama and quarantined for two weeks since February 5. Some 3,700 passengers and crew members from 50 countries were onboard the vessel.
The evacuation effort for the passengers who did not contract the novel coronavirus took place on February 19-21. During this period, some 1,000 people left the vessel, the site of the biggest coronavirus outbreak outside China.
A total of 634 people were infected with the novel coronavirus and two old Japanese nationals died in hospital. Some 1,200 people - the crew and those who had contacted with those infected - currently remain onboard the vessel. The Japanese authorities plan to allow them to leave the ship soon. The US, South Korea, Australia, Israel, Canada, Hong Kong and Russia evacuated their citizens on special charter flights.
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 12 million people. The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus. Cases of COVID-19 have been detected in at least 27 countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency. Currently, the total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus exceeds 78,700 with over 2,460 reported deaths, mostly in China. Meanwhile, over 23,000 patients have recovered to date.


tass--2020-02-23--Russians evacuated from Diamond Princess arrive in Kazan

KAZAN , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
Eight Russians , who were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship , have arrived for quarantine in Kazan , a spokesperson for Tatarstan ’ s president told TASS on Sunday .
`` The flight has arrived .
They are now heading to an infectious diseases hospital .
There are eight people , including a child , and four are from Tatarstan , '' Liliya Galimova said .
The spokesperson assured that this hospital in Kazan was one of the best facilities that could ensure medical examination and supervision of the patients , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ward .
She also told that 12 medical personnel will provide assistance to Russians during their quarantine .
`` Together with them will be medical personnel - three doctors , six nurses and three nurses ’ aides .
This medical personnel will stay with them for all 14 days , this means that they will also live with them , '' Liliya Galimova said .
The spokesperson highlighted the self-sacrifice of these doctors , who will devote 14 days to help these patients and monitor their health .
The eight Russians were evacuated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Emergencies Ministry ’ s aircraft .
All of them are feeling good , including those three nationals , who have contracted coronavirus in a mild form , Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova told reporters earlier .
The head of Russia ’ s Tatarstan republic , Rustam Minnikhanov , has vowed that the evacuated cruise ship passengers would receive all necessary assistance .
`` First , it turned out that four of them are citizens of our republic and there is one child , and all these eight people were aboard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , today we have got an infectious diseases hospital , which meets all the requirements , and we had consulted and made a decision that Kazan was able to host these citizens and I ’ m sure that we will provide them with all they need during their entire treatment period , '' he said .
The head of Russia ’ s Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being , Anna Popova noted that colleagues in Tatarstan were highly prepared to deal with this situation .
She thanked Minnikhanov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to preserve the Russians ’ health .
A total of 24 Russian nationals were onboard the cruise ship in Japan .
The others refused to take this flight .

KAZAN, February 23. /TASS/. Eight Russians, who were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, have arrived for quarantine in Kazan, a spokesperson for Tatarstan’s president told TASS on Sunday.
"The flight has arrived. They are now heading to an infectious diseases hospital. There are eight people, including a child, and four are from Tatarstan," Liliya Galimova said.
The spokesperson assured that this hospital in Kazan was one of the best facilities that could ensure medical examination and supervision of the patients, who would be placed into an isolation ward.
She also told that 12 medical personnel will provide assistance to Russians during their quarantine.
"Together with them will be medical personnel - three doctors, six nurses and three nurses’ aides. This medical personnel will stay with them for all 14 days, this means that they will also live with them," Liliya Galimova said.
The spokesperson highlighted the self-sacrifice of these doctors, who will devote 14 days to help these patients and monitor their health.
The evacuation
The eight Russians were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship by the Russian Emergencies Ministry’s aircraft. All of them are feeling good, including those three nationals, who have contracted coronavirus in a mild form, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova told reporters earlier.
The head of Russia’s Tatarstan republic, Rustam Minnikhanov, has vowed that the evacuated cruise ship passengers would receive all necessary assistance. "First, it turned out that four of them are citizens of our republic and there is one child, and all these eight people were aboard one ship and they communicated. Second, today we have got an infectious diseases hospital, which meets all the requirements, and we had consulted and made a decision that Kazan was able to host these citizens and I’m sure that we will provide them with all they need during their entire treatment period," he said.
The head of Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Anna Popova noted that colleagues in Tatarstan were highly prepared to deal with this situation. She thanked Minnikhanov and doctors who were doing their utmost to preserve the Russians’ health.
A total of 24 Russian nationals were onboard the cruise ship in Japan. The others refused to take this flight.


tass--2020-02-23--Diplomat calls Russian, US deconfliction mechanism in Syria ‘effective’

MOSCOW , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
The deconfliction mechanism between Russia and the United States in Syria has proven @ @ @ @ @ sides have the understanding on coordinating their steps , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko @ @ @ @ @ Game ) program on Channel One .
`` Deconfliction mechanisms are working , they are @ @ @ @ @ clear understanding regarding who is doing what and in which area and actually sometimes we @ @ @ @ @ But due to political reasons the US does not want to call this coordination , @ @ @ @ @ '' Grushko said .
Earlier , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that Russia and @ @ @ @ @ common stance that there was no military solution to the Syrian conflict .
According to @ @ @ @ @ had a dialogue channel on Syria , which developed between the militaries in the framework @ @ @ @ @ and there were also contacts between the diplomats .

MOSCOW, February 23. /TASS/. The deconfliction mechanism between Russia and the United States in Syria has proven to be effective and the sides have the understanding on coordinating their steps, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Bolshaya Igra (Big Game) program on Channel One.
"Deconfliction mechanisms are working, they are very effective. There is clear understanding regarding who is doing what and in which area and actually sometimes we are talking about coordination. But due to political reasons the US does not want to call this coordination, they call it deconfliction," Grushko said.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that Russia and the US had confirmed their common stance that there was no military solution to the Syrian conflict. According to Lavrov, the two countries had a dialogue channel on Syria, which developed between the militaries in the framework of the so-called deconfliction, and there were also contacts between the diplomats.


tass--2020-02-23--China coronavirus deaths hit 2,442

China coronavirus deaths hit 2,442

TASS , February 23 .
The death toll from the novel coronavirus in China has soared to 2,442 , and 22,888 people have recovered to date , the National Health and Family Planning Commission reported .
Over the past day , 97 deaths from the novel coronavirus have been recorded and 2,230 people have been discharged from hospital .
The total number of those infected with the disease has reached 76,936 .
Most deaths ( 96 ) over the past 24 hours have been reported in the Hubei Province , central China .
More than 64,000 coronavirus cases were recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred in December 2019 .
On Saturday , 1,742 patients recovered and were discharged .
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 12 million people .
The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus .
Cases of COVID-19 have been detected in at least 27 countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health @ @

TASS, February 23. The death toll from the novel coronavirus in China has soared to 2,442, and 22,888 people have recovered to date, the National Health and Family Planning Commission reported.
Over the past day, 97 deaths from the novel coronavirus have been recorded and 2,230 people have been discharged from hospital. The total number of those infected with the disease has reached 76,936.
Most deaths (96) over the past 24 hours have been reported in the Hubei Province, central China. More than 64,000 coronavirus cases were recorded in the province, where the outbreak occurred in December 2019. On Saturday, 1,742 patients recovered and were discharged.
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 12 million people. The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus. Cases of COVID-19 have been detected in at least 27 countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.


tass--2020-02-24--Brent crude price drops below $ 57/ barrel

MOSCOW , February 24 .
/ TASS / .
The cost of futures for Brent crude oil for delivery in @ @ @ @ @ exchange in London fell by 2.9 % to $ 56.87 per barrel , according to @ @ @ @ @ time .
The last time the oil price was below $ 57 per barrel on @ @ @ @ @ The cost of WTI crude oil fell by 2.4 % to $ 52.12 per barrel @

MOSCOW, February 24. / TASS /. The cost of futures for Brent crude oil for delivery in April 2020 on the ICE exchange in London fell by 2.9% to $ 56.87 per barrel, according to trading data at 02:17 Moscow time.
The last time the oil price was below $ 57 per barrel on February 14, 2020. The cost of WTI crude oil fell by 2.4% to $ 52.12 per barrel.


tass--2020-02-24--Turkey closes border with Iran over coronavirus outbreak

ANKARA , February 24 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey has announced the border with Iran will be closed in the face of a spike in confirmed coronavirus cases in Iran , the Turkish Interior Ministry said on Sunday .
`` The Turkish-Iranian border has been closed over the coronavirus , '' A Haber television said citing the Interior Ministry ’ s statement .
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said Ankara was suspending transport services with a neighboring country , in particular , flights , trains and vehicle crossings .
The first cases were confirmed in Iran on February 19 .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reached 43 , the death toll has risen to eight .
In late December 2019 , a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Apart from China , 27 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports , China has confirmed over 77,000 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The virus ’ death toll has hit 2,442 , yet more than 22,900 patients have recovered from the disease .

ANKARA, February 24. /TASS/. Turkey has announced the border with Iran will be closed in the face of a spike in confirmed coronavirus cases in Iran, the Turkish Interior Ministry said on Sunday.
"The Turkish-Iranian border has been closed over the coronavirus," A Haber television said citing the Interior Ministry’s statement.
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said Ankara was suspending transport services with a neighboring country, in particular, flights, trains and vehicle crossings.
The first cases were confirmed in Iran on February 19. According to official data, now their number has reached 43, the death toll has risen to eight.
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million. The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Apart from China, 27 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. According to the latest reports, China has confirmed over 77,000 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has hit 2,442, yet more than 22,900 patients have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-02-23--At least 22 shelling incidents recorded in Idlib de-escalation zone in past day - ministry

MOSCOW , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria has recorded 22 shelling incidents by illegal armed groups in three regions in Syria ’ s Idlib de-escalation zone in the past 24 hours , Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev , the center ’ s chief , said on Sunday .
`` In the past 24 hours , 22 episodes of shelling have been registered , '' Zhuravlev said .
On Saturday , 25 shelling incidents were reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone .
According to Zhuravlev , three inhabited localities in Aleppo province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Idlib province came under shelling by militants .
Russian military police continued patrolling some areas in Aleppo and al-Hasakah provinces , he said .
`` All the patrolling activities were held in conformity with the approved plans .
No incidents were reported , '' he said adding that `` the air force ’ s aircraft conducted patrols . ''
The planes took off from Kwayres airfield ( located on the outskirts of Aleppo ) and later flew back to land there .
In the past 24 hours , the Russian Center for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out four humanitarian events in the city of Aleppo and in inhabited localities of Latakia , Raqqa and al-Hasakah provinces .
A total of 1,150 food sets with a cumulative weight of 4.2 tonnes were handed out to Syrians in need .
Russian military doctors provided medical services to 275 Syrian citizens in three settlements of the Aleppo and al-Hasakah provinces .
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups since 2012 .
A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Eastern Ghouta and Syria ’ s southern regions .
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 23. /TASS/. The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria has recorded 22 shelling incidents by illegal armed groups in three regions in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone in the past 24 hours, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev, the center’s chief, said on Sunday.
"In the past 24 hours, 22 episodes of shelling have been registered," Zhuravlev said.
On Saturday, 25 shelling incidents were reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone.
According to Zhuravlev, three inhabited localities in Aleppo province, seven in Latakia province and six in Idlib province came under shelling by militants.
Russian military police continued patrolling some areas in Aleppo and al-Hasakah provinces, he said.
"All the patrolling activities were held in conformity with the approved plans. No incidents were reported," he said adding that "the air force’s aircraft conducted patrols."
The planes took off from Kwayres airfield (located on the outskirts of Aleppo) and later flew back to land there.
In the past 24 hours, the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria carried out four humanitarian events in the city of Aleppo and in inhabited localities of Latakia, Raqqa and al-Hasakah provinces. A total of 1,150 food sets with a cumulative weight of 4.2 tonnes were handed out to Syrians in need. Russian military doctors provided medical services to 275 Syrian citizens in three settlements of the Aleppo and al-Hasakah provinces.
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups since 2012. A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria’s southern regions.
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--2020-02-23--Italy reports third coronavirus death - ANSA

ROME , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
A woman died of the novel coronavirus in Cremona , in the Lombardy region in northern Italy , ANSA news agency said on Sunday citing the regional authorities .
The woman , who suffered from cancer , was said to be in serious condition at Cremona hospital .
She tested positive for the coronavirus .
According to latest reports , the number of confirmed cases is 137 in Italy .
Two people have died .
It is highly likely the fatalities were caused by complications and late diagnosis of the disease caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases have been confirmed in Lombardy and Veneto in northern Italy , which introduced an emergency lockdown in many municipalities .
Schools and a wide range of public events will be closed in Lombardy starting on Monday .
The closures will affect museums and theaters , such as Milan ’ s La Scala opera house .
Local authorities say that bars and discos are also banned , but restaurants and stores still remain open .
Strict quarantine restrictions have been imposed on ten municipalities around Lodi in Lombardy , where the local epicenter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nearby Veneto region , quarantine measures were also declared to contain the spread of the coronavirus .
Venice Carnival is being suspended as one of them .
The recent hike in coronavirus cases in Italy could not been prevented even with the help of measures taken by the government , which in particular , suspended flights to and from China on January 31 and passengers are screened with thermal scanners at airports .
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte admitted that the number of cases could surge .
In late December 2019 , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Apart from China , 27 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .

ROME, February 23. /TASS/. A woman died of the novel coronavirus in Cremona, in the Lombardy region in northern Italy, ANSA news agency said on Sunday citing the regional authorities.
The woman, who suffered from cancer, was said to be in serious condition at Cremona hospital. She tested positive for the coronavirus.
According to latest reports, the number of confirmed cases is 137 in Italy. Two people have died. It is highly likely the fatalities were caused by complications and late diagnosis of the disease caused by the newly identified coronavirus COVID-19.
Most cases have been confirmed in Lombardy and Veneto in northern Italy, which introduced an emergency lockdown in many municipalities. Schools and a wide range of public events will be closed in Lombardy starting on Monday. The closures will affect museums and theaters, such as Milan’s La Scala opera house. Local authorities say that bars and discos are also banned, but restaurants and stores still remain open. Strict quarantine restrictions have been imposed on ten municipalities around Lodi in Lombardy, where the local epicenter of the outbreak was identified.
In the nearby Veneto region, quarantine measures were also declared to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Venice Carnival is being suspended as one of them.
The recent hike in coronavirus cases in Italy could not been prevented even with the help of measures taken by the government, which in particular, suspended flights to and from China on January 31 and passengers are screened with thermal scanners at airports. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte admitted that the number of cases could surge.
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million. The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Apart from China, 27 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.


tass--2020-02-23--Russia’s Navy tracks movements of US guided-missile destroyer in Black Sea

MOSCOW , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Black Sea Fleet monitors movements of the US guided-missile destroyer @ @ @ @ @ the Black Sea , the Russian Defense Ministry ’ s National Defense Control Center said @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Forces of the Black Sea Fleet have begun tracking the movements of the @ @ @ @ @ Ross after she made a transit into the Black Sea at 18.30 Moscow Time on @ @ @ @ @ '' the center said .
US naval ships regularly sail into the Black Sea .
@ @ @ @ @ entered the southern area of the Black Sea , so the Black Sea Fleet also @ @ @ @ @ November , Russia ’ s Admiral Essen frigate alongside the Vyshny Volochek and Orekhovo-Zuyevo small @ @ @ @ @ the US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Porter ( DDG-78 ) that sailed into the southern @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, February 23. /TASS/. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet monitors movements of the US guided-missile destroyer USS Ross, which entered the Black Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry’s National Defense Control Center said in a statement on Sunday.
"Forces of the Black Sea Fleet have begun tracking the movements of the [guided-missile] destroyer USS Ross after she made a transit into the Black Sea at 18.30 Moscow Time on February 23, 2020," the center said.
US naval ships regularly sail into the Black Sea.
Last December, USS Ross entered the southern area of the Black Sea, so the Black Sea Fleet also began escorting her. Last November, Russia’s Admiral Essen frigate alongside the Vyshny Volochek and Orekhovo-Zuyevo small missile ships tracked movements of the US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG-78) that sailed into the southern area of the Black Sea.


tass--2020-02-23--Trump wants to see Russia and Ukraine "get along" - White House

WASHINGTON , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Ukraine should come together , US President Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House on Sunday .
When asked to comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s words that cooperation between Russia and Ukraine irks some countries as it produces a global competitor for them .
`` I 'd like to see them come together .
If they came together in the sense that they got along with each other , that would be a great thing for the world , '' Trump said before leaving for India on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia could work out some agreement , when they get along , that would be very good . ''
Russian President Vladimir Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' that Russian-Ukrainian cooperation irks numerous countries because it creates a global competitor to challenge them .
`` Any integration of Russia and Ukraine , along with their capacities and competitive advantages would spell the emergence of a rival , a global rival for both Europe and the world .
No one wants this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tear us apart , '' Putin said .
He refrained from mentioning the countries he had in mind .
In late September 2019 , Trump said that `` a lot of progress has been made '' in Russian-Ukrainian relations .
In early September , Trump congratulated Russia and Ukraine on the exchange of detainees , expressing hope that it would become a first big step on the way to peace .

WASHINGTON, February 23. /TASS/. Russia and Ukraine should come together, US President Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House on Sunday.
When asked to comment on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s words that cooperation between Russia and Ukraine irks some countries as it produces a global competitor for them.
"I'd like to see them come together. If they came together in the sense that they got along with each other, that would be a great thing for the world," Trump said before leaving for India on a visit. "If Ukraine and Russia could work out some agreement, when they get along, that would be very good."
Russian President Vladimir Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin" that Russian-Ukrainian cooperation irks numerous countries because it creates a global competitor to challenge them.
"Any integration of Russia and Ukraine, along with their capacities and competitive advantages would spell the emergence of a rival, a global rival for both Europe and the world. No one wants this. That's why they'll do anything to tear us apart," Putin said. He refrained from mentioning the countries he had in mind.
In late September 2019, Trump said that "a lot of progress has been made" in Russian-Ukrainian relations. In early September, Trump congratulated Russia and Ukraine on the exchange of detainees, expressing hope that it would become a first big step on the way to peace.


tass--2020-02-23--Kremlin urges not to make negative predictions about Russian-Turkish ties

MOSCOW , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
No negative predictions should be made about the development of Russian-Turkish relations amid a recent escalation in the Syrian region of Idlib , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a televised interview with Moscow .
The Kremlin .
Putin program on Rossiya ’ 1 channel on Sunday .
When asked whether the Russian-Turkish relationship could worsen due to the situation in Syria , Peskov said , `` Certainly , we would not like to plunge into this gloomy mood and in fact to make extremely negative scenarios , but the week has really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peskov pointed out that the situation in Idlib is still tense .
`` You know that this week the president [ Russian President Vladimir Putin - TASS ] has been focusing his attention on the situation in Syria and , in particular , on the Idlib crisis , '' the Kremlin spokesman added .
The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically in early February after Russian and Turkish militaries ’ another attempt to enforce a ceasefire was met by terrorists stepping up their attacks .
As a result , military specialists from Russia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Ankara ’ s readiness to use combat power in case of a military operation in Idlib .
Erdogan stated that the beginning of a new military operation in Idlib was `` just a matter of time , '' as all the preparations for the operation had been completed .

MOSCOW, February 23. /TASS/. No negative predictions should be made about the development of Russian-Turkish relations amid a recent escalation in the Syrian region of Idlib, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a televised interview with Moscow. The Kremlin. Putin program on Rossiya’1 channel on Sunday.
When asked whether the Russian-Turkish relationship could worsen due to the situation in Syria, Peskov said, "Certainly, we would not like to plunge into this gloomy mood and in fact to make extremely negative scenarios, but the week has really happened to be absolutely restless."
Peskov pointed out that the situation in Idlib is still tense.
"You know that this week the president [Russian President Vladimir Putin - TASS] has been focusing his attention on the situation in Syria and, in particular, on the Idlib crisis," the Kremlin spokesman added.
The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically in early February after Russian and Turkish militaries’ another attempt to enforce a ceasefire was met by terrorists stepping up their attacks. As a result, military specialists from Russia and Turkey were killed.
On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Ankara’s readiness to use combat power in case of a military operation in Idlib. Erdogan stated that the beginning of a new military operation in Idlib was "just a matter of time," as all the preparations for the operation had been completed.


tass--2020-02-23--Russian army wiped out well-equipped terrorist groups in Syria, says Putin

MOSCOW , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian military group has rooted out well-equipped terrorist groups in Syria and prevented major threats to Russia on its outer boundaries , President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday .
`` Nowadays , Russia ’ s security is in reliable hands , since our officers and soldiers persistently and consistently study their military techniques at a new level , building up their combat skills with the help of strategic exercises , drills and forced marches , '' Putin said speaking at a gala concert on Defender of the Fatherland Day .
They unhesitatingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their moral fiber and best features during the operation in the Syrian Arab Republic , Putin stressed .
`` They have wiped out large , well-equipped terrorist groups , prevented major threats to our Motherland on distant frontiers and helped the people of Syria preserve the country ’ s sovereignty , '' the Russian president said thanking all troops who fought in Syria for their service .
Defender of the Fatherland Day marked in Russia on February 23 was introduced in 1922 as an anniversary of the Red Army ’ s establishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Soviet Army and Navy .

MOSCOW, February 23. /TASS/. The Russian military group has rooted out well-equipped terrorist groups in Syria and prevented major threats to Russia on its outer boundaries, President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday.
"Nowadays, Russia’s security is in reliable hands, since our officers and soldiers persistently and consistently study their military techniques at a new level, building up their combat skills with the help of strategic exercises, drills and forced marches," Putin said speaking at a gala concert on Defender of the Fatherland Day.
They unhesitatingly showed their high professionalism and combat capabilities, their moral fiber and best features during the operation in the Syrian Arab Republic, Putin stressed.
"They have wiped out large, well-equipped terrorist groups, prevented major threats to our Motherland on distant frontiers and helped the people of Syria preserve the country’s sovereignty," the Russian president said thanking all troops who fought in Syria for their service.
Defender of the Fatherland Day marked in Russia on February 23 was introduced in 1922 as an anniversary of the Red Army’s establishment and until 1993 was called Day of the Soviet Army and Navy.


tass--2020-02-23--Military source: Reports Russian aircraft stopped Turkish forces’ attack in Idlib fake

MOSCOW , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian military source has rejected the reports appearing on some Telegram channels @ @ @ @ @ ’ s aircraft barred a Turkish military convoy from entering Al-Bara in the Syrian region @ @ @ @ @ is fake news , '' the source said .

MOSCOW, February 23. /TASS/. A Russian military source has rejected the reports appearing on some Telegram channels that the Russian Aerospace Force’s aircraft barred a Turkish military convoy from entering Al-Bara in the Syrian region of Idlib.
"It is fake news," the source said.


tass--2020-02-23--Russia to denounce attempts to rewrite history of World War Two - Putin

MOSCOW , February 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will not allow the history of World War Two to be distorted and will expose any such attempts , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday speaking at a gala concert marking Defender of the Fatherland Day at Moscow ’ s State Kremlin Palace .
`` Our duty is to remember forever the cost we paid for that victory [ in the Great Patriotic War , the Soviet Union ’ s 1941-1945 war against Nazi Germany - TASS ] .
We will not allow this heroic page in history to be crossed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to distort history and to let the spirit of alliance and of combat brotherhood be consigned to oblivion , '' the Russian president pledged .
Putin recalled that not only did soldiers cast aggressors out from their homeland , they also fulfilled with honor the noble mission of liberation , helping other nations to get rid of invaders , of Nazis and their henchmen , '' he said .
`` On this holy and sacred for our nation day , we will pay tribute to the fallen heroes and will honor our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generation of victors , '' the president said about the coming celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Victory Day .

MOSCOW, February 23. /TASS/. Russia will not allow the history of World War Two to be distorted and will expose any such attempts, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday speaking at a gala concert marking Defender of the Fatherland Day at Moscow’s State Kremlin Palace.
"Our duty is to remember forever the cost we paid for that victory [in the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Union’s 1941-1945 war against Nazi Germany - TASS]. We will not allow this heroic page in history to be crossed out. We will be exposing any attempts to distort history and to let the spirit of alliance and of combat brotherhood be consigned to oblivion," the Russian president pledged.
Putin recalled that not only did soldiers cast aggressors out from their homeland, they also fulfilled with honor the noble mission of liberation, helping other nations to get rid of invaders, of Nazis and their henchmen," he said.
"On this holy and sacred for our nation day, we will pay tribute to the fallen heroes and will honor our respected veterans who we rightfully call a generation of victors," the president said about the coming celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Victory Day.