tass--2020-10-16--New US administration will have to face many problems in relations with Russia — diplomat

WASHINGTON , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The new administration of the United States will have to deal with `` a huge number of problems '' in the bilateral relations with Russia , Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said during a session of the US-Russia Business Council .
`` I often receive questions about the changes we expect in Russian-American relations after the US presidential elections .
I can only say that I have the same question in my mind .
A strong anti-Russian consensus persists in America .
Plus , whoever wins , the new administration will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems in bilateral relations .
They can not be addressed overnight .
Political will and time are needed from both sides to create a more or less stable basis for cooperation , '' he said .
`` I ’ m sure that normal predictable Russian-American relations meet the interests of the peoples of the United States of America and the Russian Federation .
We have to find a solution on how to untie the knot of problems in Russian-American ties , '' the ambassador added .
`` We should pursue an honest forward-looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility for international peace and stability , '' Antonov said .
`` It is not easy to speak about Russian-American ties , especially in the run-up to the US presidential elections , '' the ambassador pointed out .
`` The Russia topic has once again become a central subject of the struggle between parties .
Against the background of never-ending baseless allegations it looks as if American politicians compete to see who is tougher on Russia .
At the same time any constructive development in our dialogue is perceived as a sort of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not agree with this approach , the diplomat stated .
`` It is our view that Russia and the United States are equally interested in developing stable and predictable relations .
Due to objective reasons , their condition influences the global environment .
That is why we consider it important to do our best to eliminate the sources of disagreement , differentiate shared interests and areas of disagreement and establish protective barriers to prevent further deterioration - from crisis to crisis , '' Antonov stated .
Russia will offer to normalize bilateral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will win the upcoming presidential election , Antonov said .
`` Regardless of the person that will lead the US in the upcoming four years , our comprehensive proposals on normalizing bilateral relations are still on the table .
We are ready to launch joint substantial work at any moment , '' the ambassador said .
`` On behalf of the Russian side I ’ d like to assure you that our actions are aimed at stabilizing and then improving Russian-American relations , '' he noted .
`` In recent years we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggestions on how to overcome the current deadlock in the relations . ''
`` Some issues are long-term , some can be fixed pretty fast .
The full potential of trade and economic cooperation and ties between regions is yet to be reached , '' he continued .
`` Cultural and humanitarian exchanges , contacts between people are in high demand .
It ’ s important to promote interaction in the spheres with fewer contradictions , such as space , culture , the Arctic , fishery , scientific cooperation . ''
`` For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bilateral turnover of commodities reached 14.1 billion dollars in the period from January to August .
It is remarkable , that the proportion of non-energy trade - trade in food , manufactured goods , medicine - is increasing .
We see the start of new projects , the expansion of existing joint ventures .
There is a growth of direct investments .
Last year the volume hit 14.4 billion dollars , '' the diplomat informed .
`` We have repeatedly stressed that we are ready to work with Washington on any issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation should be built on the basis of equality , there should be no place for blackmail attempts and attempts to impose one ’ s will on each other , '' Antonov stressed .
The US presidential election will take place on November 3 .
Besides the president and the vice president , all 435 members of the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate will be elected , along with the governors of 13 states and territories .

WASHINGTON, October 15. /TASS/. The new administration of the United States will have to deal with "a huge number of problems" in the bilateral relations with Russia, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said during a session of the US-Russia Business Council.
"I often receive questions about the changes we expect in Russian-American relations after the US presidential elections. I can only say that I have the same question in my mind. A strong anti-Russian consensus persists in America. Plus, whoever wins, the new administration will have to deal with a huge number of problems in bilateral relations. They cannot be addressed overnight. Political will and time are needed from both sides to create a more or less stable basis for cooperation," he said.
"I’m sure that normal predictable Russian-American relations meet the interests of the peoples of the United States of America and the Russian Federation. We have to find a solution on how to untie the knot of problems in Russian-American ties," the ambassador added.
"We should pursue an honest forward-looking pragmatic policy in order to confirm our responsibility for international peace and stability," Antonov said.
The Russia topic
"It is not easy to speak about Russian-American ties, especially in the run-up to the US presidential elections," the ambassador pointed out. "The Russia topic has once again become a central subject of the struggle between parties. Against the background of never-ending baseless allegations it looks as if American politicians compete to see who is tougher on Russia. At the same time any constructive development in our dialogue is perceived as a sort of concession made by Washington."
Moscow cannot agree with this approach, the diplomat stated. "It is our view that Russia and the United States are equally interested in developing stable and predictable relations. Due to objective reasons, their condition influences the global environment. That is why we consider it important to do our best to eliminate the sources of disagreement, differentiate shared interests and areas of disagreement and establish protective barriers to prevent further deterioration - from crisis to crisis," Antonov stated.
US election
Russia will offer to normalize bilateral ties with the USA regardless of who will win the upcoming presidential election, Antonov said.
"Regardless of the person that will lead the US in the upcoming four years, our comprehensive proposals on normalizing bilateral relations are still on the table. We are ready to launch joint substantial work at any moment," the ambassador said.
"On behalf of the Russian side I’d like to assure you that our actions are aimed at stabilizing and then improving Russian-American relations," he noted. "In recent years we have repeatedly and at different levels made detailed suggestions on how to overcome the current deadlock in the relations."
"Some issues are long-term, some can be fixed pretty fast. The full potential of trade and economic cooperation and ties between regions is yet to be reached," he continued. "Cultural and humanitarian exchanges, contacts between people are in high demand. It’s important to promote interaction in the spheres with fewer contradictions, such as space, culture, the Arctic, fishery, scientific cooperation."
"For example, in spite of the pandemic, bilateral turnover of commodities reached 14.1 billion dollars in the period from January to August. It is remarkable, that the proportion of non-energy trade - trade in food, manufactured goods, medicine - is increasing. We see the start of new projects, the expansion of existing joint ventures. There is a growth of direct investments. Last year the volume hit 14.4 billion dollars," the diplomat informed.
"We have repeatedly stressed that we are ready to work with Washington on any issue. The main thing is that such cooperation should be built on the basis of equality, there should be no place for blackmail attempts and attempts to impose one’s will on each other," Antonov stressed.
The US presidential election will take place on November 3. Besides the president and the vice president, all 435 members of the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate will be elected, along with the governors of 13 states and territories.


tass--2020-10-16--Some 182,000 hospital beds organized in Russia for COVID patients — health minister

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 182,000 hospital beds have been organized in Russia for coronavirus patients , with 90 % of such beds in intensive care units being vacant , Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Thursday .
`` We organized 184,000 hospital beds at the peak of the epidemic .
Now , 182,000 beds have been organized , with 162,000 of them now being used .
The rest , 20,000 beds are in a standby mode and can be used any minute .
As for beds in intensive care units , less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said in an interview with the Vesti daily news roundup on the Rossiya-1 television channel .
About 2,800 novel coronavirus patients are currently staying in intensive care units all over Russia , Murashko said .
`` Overall , the number of coronavirus-positive people with mild symptoms , who are receiving out-patient treatment , hovers around 65 % .
A total of 2,800 people remain in intensive care units .
At present , this number is relatively stable and does not tend to grow , '' Murashko told the Rossiya-1 TV channel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about 38.5 million people have been infected and over 1.09 million have died worldwide .
To date , 1,354,163 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,048,097 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 23,491 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. As many as 182,000 hospital beds have been organized in Russia for coronavirus patients, with 90% of such beds in intensive care units being vacant, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Thursday.
"We organized 184,000 hospital beds at the peak of the epidemic. Now, 182,000 beds have been organized, with 162,000 of them now being used. The rest, 20,000 beds are in a standby mode and can be used any minute. As for beds in intensive care units, less than ten percent are occupied now," he said in an interview with the Vesti daily news roundup on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
About 2,800 novel coronavirus patients are currently staying in intensive care units all over Russia, Murashko said.
"Overall, the number of coronavirus-positive people with mild symptoms, who are receiving out-patient treatment, hovers around 65%. A total of 2,800 people remain in intensive care units. At present, this number is relatively stable and does not tend to grow," Murashko told the Rossiya-1 TV channel.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, about 38.5 million people have been infected and over 1.09 million have died worldwide. To date, 1,354,163 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,048,097 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 23,491 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-10-16--Transnistria ready to resume talks with Moldova without preconditions

CHISINAU , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The unrecognized Transnistrian Republic is ready to resume talks in the 5+2 format without preliminary conditions , Transnistrian Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatyev said on Thursday after a meeting with Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Claus Neukirch .
`` I reiterate our plans to hold a meeting in the 5+2 format to resolve the problems linked with the Berlin Plus package .
But we will not play up to Chisinau when it tries to frustrate the negotiating process by turning the dialogue into scandals , mutual accusations and street brawls .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Moldovan colleagues and break down the architecture of negotiations , '' the ministry ’ s press service quoted him as saying .
The minister admitted that the situation in the negotiating process left much to be desired .
`` We see certain efforts from the OSCE to have the dialogue continue .
On our part , we are ready for cooperation with all participants in the talks , including the Moldovan side , '' he said .
Transnistria , a largely Russian-speaking region , broke away from Moldova following the collapse of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations with Moldova ’ s central government in Chisinau have been highly mixed and extremely tense at times ever since then .
In 1992 and 1993 , tensions erupted into a bloody armed conflict that claimed the lives of hundreds of people on both sides .
The fratricidal war was stopped after a peace agreement was signed in Moscow in 1992 and Russian peacekeepers were brought into the conflict area .
Negotiations on the conflict ’ s peace settlement known as the 5+2 format talks ( involving Moldova and Transnistria as parties to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European security watchdog OSCE as mediators and the United States and the European Union as observers ) started after that .
The latest 5+2 talks in Bratislava in October 2019 that focused on trust-building measures failed to yield a final protocol and the sides agreed to continue these efforts at a conference in Bavaria in November .
That meeting however brought about no progress either .
After consultations between Moldovan President Igor Dodon and Transnistrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky in July , it was announced that the sides were ready for a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Representative for the Transnistrian Settlement Process Thomas Mayr-Harting hailed the Dodon-Krasnoselsky meeting and expressed the hope that it would pave the way for further constructive dialogue and would yield concrete results in the coming months .

CHISINAU, October 15. /TASS/. The unrecognized Transnistrian Republic is ready to resume talks in the 5+2 format without preliminary conditions, Transnistrian Foreign Minister Vitaly Ignatyev said on Thursday after a meeting with Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Claus Neukirch.
"I reiterate our plans to hold a meeting in the 5+2 format to resolve the problems linked with the Berlin Plus package. But we will not play up to Chisinau when it tries to frustrate the negotiating process by turning the dialogue into scandals, mutual accusations and street brawls. We are not going to degrade along with the Moldovan colleagues and break down the architecture of negotiations," the ministry’s press service quoted him as saying.
The minister admitted that the situation in the negotiating process left much to be desired. "We see certain efforts from the OSCE to have the dialogue continue. On our part, we are ready for cooperation with all participants in the talks, including the Moldovan side," he said.
Transnistria, a largely Russian-speaking region, broke away from Moldova following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Its relations with Moldova’s central government in Chisinau have been highly mixed and extremely tense at times ever since then. In 1992 and 1993, tensions erupted into a bloody armed conflict that claimed the lives of hundreds of people on both sides.
The fratricidal war was stopped after a peace agreement was signed in Moscow in 1992 and Russian peacekeepers were brought into the conflict area. Negotiations on the conflict’s peace settlement known as the 5+2 format talks (involving Moldova and Transnistria as parties to the conflict, Russia, Ukraine and the European security watchdog OSCE as mediators and the United States and the European Union as observers) started after that.
The latest 5+2 talks in Bratislava in October 2019 that focused on trust-building measures failed to yield a final protocol and the sides agreed to continue these efforts at a conference in Bavaria in November. That meeting however brought about no progress either.
After consultations between Moldovan President Igor Dodon and Transnistrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky in July, it was announced that the sides were ready for a new round of settlement talks.
OSCE Special Representative for the Transnistrian Settlement Process Thomas Mayr-Harting hailed the Dodon-Krasnoselsky meeting and expressed the hope that it would pave the way for further constructive dialogue and would yield concrete results in the coming months.


tass--2020-10-16--Russia alarmed by Kiev’s decision to close checkpoint in Stanitsa Luganskaya — diplomat

VIENNA , October 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is alarmed by Ukraine ’ s decision to close the checkpoint in eastern Ukraine ’ s Stanitsa Luganskaya , the only route for civilians in the Lugansk region willing to cross the line of contact , Russia ’ s OSCE envoy Alexander Lukashevich said on Thursday .
`` We are alarmed by the decision of the Ukrainian ‘ United Forces Operation ’ to close the checkpoint in Stanitsa Luganskaya for regular civilian traffic from October 15 until no earlier than the end of the month .
This is the only permanent checkpoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lugansk Region , '' Lukashevich told the OSCE Permanent Council .
`` This , together with Kiev ’ s measures to enforce a social and economic blockade on the region , creates additional difficulties for Donbass residents , many of whom are forced to cross the line of contact in order to receive pensions and social benefits , '' he added .
The Russian envoy also said that OSCE Chairperson-in-Office ’ s special representative on Ukraine and in the Contact Group , Heidi Grau , had placed a special emphasis on the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions for targeted disbursements for residents of certain areas of Donbass .

VIENNA, October 16. /TASS/. Russia is alarmed by Ukraine’s decision to close the checkpoint in eastern Ukraine’s Stanitsa Luganskaya, the only route for civilians in the Lugansk region willing to cross the line of contact, Russia’s OSCE envoy Alexander Lukashevich said on Thursday.
"We are alarmed by the decision of the Ukrainian ‘United Forces Operation’ to close the checkpoint in Stanitsa Luganskaya for regular civilian traffic from October 15 until no earlier than the end of the month. This is the only permanent checkpoint on the line of contact in the Lugansk Region," Lukashevich told the OSCE Permanent Council.
"This, together with Kiev’s measures to enforce a social and economic blockade on the region, creates additional difficulties for Donbass residents, many of whom are forced to cross the line of contact in order to receive pensions and social benefits," he added.
The Russian envoy also said that OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s special representative on Ukraine and in the Contact Group, Heidi Grau, had placed a special emphasis on the matter and urged Kiev to work on non-bureaucratic solutions for targeted disbursements for residents of certain areas of Donbass.


tass--2020-10-15--Oil prices can remain $40/bbl for 3-5 years, says head of Accounts Chamber

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Oil prices can stay at the level of $ 40 per barrel or @ @ @ @ @ come , head of the Russian Accounts Chamber Alexei Kudrin says on Thursday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ can hold ground at $ 25 or $ 30 [ per barrel ] during three-four @ @ @ @ @ , this is probably a scenario for the extreme case .
Prices will most probably @ @ @ @ @ per barrel or higher , '' the official said .
The oil price of $ @ @ @ @ @ a natural one in 10 years because of the change in the energy consumption structure @ @ @ @ @ , Kudrin added .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Oil prices can stay at the level of $40 per barrel or higher during 3-5 years to come, head of the Russian Accounts Chamber Alexei Kudrin says on Thursday.
"We do not expect prices can hold ground at $25 or $30 [per barrel] during three-four years to come. Therefore, this is probably a scenario for the extreme case. Prices will most probably remain at about $40 per barrel or higher," the official said.
The oil price of $30-40 per barrel can become a natural one in 10 years because of the change in the energy consumption structure and appearing alternative energy sources, Kudrin added.


tass--2020-10-15--WHO notes Russia’s timely efforts to curb spread of COVID-19

Smallwood noted that since early October , there has been a rise in cases in Moscow and St. Petersburg , however , special measures have been taken to curb the spread of the virus .
STOCKHOLM , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Experts of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) have noted the swift and timely measures taken by the Russian government to curb the spread of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , Catherine Smallwood , a senior emergencies officer of the WHO Regional Office for Europe , said during a briefing transmitted on Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures being taken in those settings .
We 've seen designation of more hospital beds for COVID .
We 've seen preparations made at the health facility level .
And we 've also seen new measures being implemented in terms of asking people to work from home , taking advantage of school holidays to ask people to take individual measures and then more restrictions on the occurrence of gatherings in public places , '' she said .
`` So we have seen impact on the health system , we 've seen responses from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see an impact on the epidemic due to that , '' the WHO official said .
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic , about 38.5 mln people have been infected and over 1.09 mln have died .
Russia has documented 1,354,163 cases of infection , while 1,048,097 people have recovered and 23,491 have died .

Smallwood noted that since early October, there has been a rise in cases in Moscow and St. Petersburg, however, special measures have been taken to curb the spread of the virus.
STOCKHOLM, October 15. /TASS/. Experts of the World Health Organization (WHO) have noted the swift and timely measures taken by the Russian government to curb the spread of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, Catherine Smallwood, a senior emergencies officer of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, said during a briefing transmitted on Facebook on Thursday.
"We've seen measures being taken in those settings. We've seen designation of more hospital beds for COVID. We've seen preparations made at the health facility level. And we've also seen new measures being implemented in terms of asking people to work from home, taking advantage of school holidays to ask people to take individual measures and then more restrictions on the occurrence of gatherings in public places," she said.
"So we have seen impact on the health system, we've seen responses from the local authorities and we expect to see an impact on the epidemic due to that," the WHO official said.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, about 38.5 mln people have been infected and over 1.09 mln have died. Russia has documented 1,354,163 cases of infection, while 1,048,097 people have recovered and 23,491 have died.


tass--2020-10-15--Yerevan reports shelling of settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijani army

`` The Azerbaijani armed forces have once again violated the agreement on the humanitarian ceasefire and delivered a strike at the settlement of Krasny Bazar from the Smerch systems .
Cluster munitions were used .
According to preliminary information , one civilian was killed , '' it said .
YEREVAN , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The settlement of Krasny Bazar in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has come under shelling by the Azerbaijani army , the information center under the Armenian government said on Thursday .
Following Russia-initiated consultations in Moscow , Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October 10 to exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed .
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

"The Azerbaijani armed forces have once again violated the agreement on the humanitarian ceasefire and delivered a strike at the settlement of Krasny Bazar from the Smerch systems. Cluster munitions were used. According to preliminary information, one civilian was killed," it said.
YEREVAN, October 15. /TASS/. The settlement of Krasny Bazar in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has come under shelling by the Azerbaijani army, the information center under the Armenian government said on Thursday.
Following Russia-initiated consultations in Moscow, Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed on a humanitarian ceasefire from 11:00 Moscow time on October 10 to exchange prisoners and the bodies of those killed.
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-10-15--Ten armored personnel carriers arrive in Central African Republic from Russia

PRETORIA , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The first batch of ten Russian armored personnel carriers BRDM-2 was airlifted to @ @ @ @ @ African Republic Bangui on Thursday , a staffer of the Russian embassy in the CAR @ @ @ @ @ first batch of the vehicles has been delivered .
Another ten are due to arrive @ @ @ @ @ the embassy official said , adding that it was Russia ’ s gift .
The @ @ @ @ @ from Russia by an Antonov-124 Ruslan cargo plane .
There was a parade at the @ @ @ @ @ Faustine-Archange Touadera .
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic @ @ @ @ @ arrival of Russian military equipment .
It said in a statement that the supply of @ @ @ @ @ security ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections due on December 27 .

PRETORIA, October 15. /TASS/. The first batch of ten Russian armored personnel carriers BRDM-2 was airlifted to the capital of the Central African Republic Bangui on Thursday, a staffer of the Russian embassy in the CAR told TASS.
"The first batch of the vehicles has been delivered. Another ten are due to arrive on October 20," the embassy official said, adding that it was Russia’s gift.
The armored personnel carriers were delivered from Russia by an Antonov-124 Ruslan cargo plane. There was a parade at the airport reviewed by CAR President Faustine-Archange Touadera.
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) welcomed the arrival of Russian military equipment. It said in a statement that the supply of military vehicles would help enhance security ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections due on December 27.


tass--2020-10-15--Lavrov discusses anti-COVID efforts with top diplomats from Central Asian nations

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Cooperation in combating the coronavirus pandemic was in focus of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ’ s online meeting with his counterparts from Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , and Uzbekistan , the Russian foreign ministry said on Thursday .
`` The ministers discussed issues of cooperation amid the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic .
They discussed current and possible joint measures to consolidate our countries ’ resistance to such challenges .
The Russian side informed in detail about its ongoing and future assistance to the partners to help them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lavrov thanked his counterparts for reciprocal support , '' the ministry said .
Apart from that , the ministers discussed issues of regional stability and security .
`` They reiterated common approaches to the threats coming from international terrorist organizations , illegal drug trafficking , foreign militants and terrorists returning from zines of combat operations .
They noted the importance of the exchange of experience in these spheres between Russia and the Central Asian countries , '' the ministry noted .
The top diplomats exchanged views on issues of cooperation in the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and cultural-and-humanitarian spheres .
`` The ministers discussed integration processes in the region and focused on the efficient realization of the advantages stemming from cooperation between our countries within common integration associations , '' the ministry noted .
`` The foreign ministers confirmed their interest in continuing regular trust-based exchange of opinions on matters of mutual interest .
`` .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Cooperation in combating the coronavirus pandemic was in focus of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s online meeting with his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the Russian foreign ministry said on Thursday.
"The ministers discussed issues of cooperation amid the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. They discussed current and possible joint measures to consolidate our countries’ resistance to such challenges. The Russian side informed in detail about its ongoing and future assistance to the partners to help them combat the novel coronavirus infection. Sergey Lavrov thanked his counterparts for reciprocal support," the ministry said.
Apart from that, the ministers discussed issues of regional stability and security. "They reiterated common approaches to the threats coming from international terrorist organizations, illegal drug trafficking, foreign militants and terrorists returning from zines of combat operations. They noted the importance of the exchange of experience in these spheres between Russia and the Central Asian countries," the ministry noted.
The top diplomats exchanged views on issues of cooperation in the economic, transit transport, energy, logistics, and cultural-and-humanitarian spheres. "The ministers discussed integration processes in the region and focused on the efficient realization of the advantages stemming from cooperation between our countries within common integration associations," the ministry noted. "The foreign ministers confirmed their interest in continuing regular trust-based exchange of opinions on matters of mutual interest.".


tass--2020-10-15--Azerbaijani forces seize control of six more settlements in Karabakh, Aliyev says

BAKU , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev claimed control seized over six more settlements in @ @ @ @ @ ’ s glorious Army has liberated Arish village of Fuzuli district , Doshulu village of @ @ @ @ @ , Dudukchi , Edilli and Chiraguz of Khojavend district , '' Aliyev tweeted .
Previously @ @ @ @ @ interview for Turkey ’ s NTC channel that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces seized control of @ @ @ @ @ beginning of the military action .

BAKU, October 15. /TASS/. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev claimed control seized over six more settlements in Karabakh Thursday.
"Azerbaijan’s glorious Army has liberated Arish village of Fuzuli district, Doshulu village of Jabrayil district, and Edishe, Dudukchi, Edilli and Chiraguz of Khojavend district," Aliyev tweeted.
Previously, Aliyev said in an interview for Turkey’s NTC channel that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces seized control of over 40 settlements since the beginning of the military action.


tass--2020-10-15--Central Asian states, Russia to go ahead with joint struggle against COVID-19

NUR-SULTAN , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The Central Asian countries and Russia are going to continue the implementation of joint projects for the sake of strengthening the sanitary and epidemiological protection of their peoples amid the coronavirus pandemic , as follows from a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Russia , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan following an online conference entitled Central Asia Plus Russia on Thursday .
`` We are determined to continue the implementation of joint projects and exchanges of results of research into the prevention of and struggle against infectious disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ train specialists .
The collective system of monitoring and prompt response to emergencies will continue to be developed , '' says the statement made public by Kazakhstan ’ s Foreign Ministry .
The foreign ministers stressed the coordinating role of the World Health Organization in preventing sanitary and epidemiological threats and stressed the need for improving international medical and sanitary rules with the aim of increasing the WHO ’ s potential .
`` The possibility is being considered of increasing government-financed vacancies at Russian universities for students from partner states in the field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population .
Russia will continue to provide direct research , methodological and consultative assistance on such issues as the monitoring of COVID-19 rates and anti-epidemiological and therapeutic and preventive measures , '' the statement says .
The participating countries seek to build up research and industrial potential in the field of pharmaceutics and joint production of crucial medicines , vaccines and protective items .
`` We will promote joint work to study the origins of COVID-19 , forms of diseases caused by that infection and also develop therapeutic methods and preventive measures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue .
We welcome mutual support by our countries for extending humanitarian assistance and promoting the repatriation of citizens from near and far abroad countries , '' the statement says .

NUR-SULTAN, October 15. /TASS/. The Central Asian countries and Russia are going to continue the implementation of joint projects for the sake of strengthening the sanitary and epidemiological protection of their peoples amid the coronavirus pandemic, as follows from a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan following an online conference entitled Central Asia Plus Russia on Thursday.
"We are determined to continue the implementation of joint projects and exchanges of results of research into the prevention of and struggle against infectious disease, build up the laboratory potential and train specialists. The collective system of monitoring and prompt response to emergencies will continue to be developed," says the statement made public by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry.
The foreign ministers stressed the coordinating role of the World Health Organization in preventing sanitary and epidemiological threats and stressed the need for improving international medical and sanitary rules with the aim of increasing the WHO’s potential.
"The possibility is being considered of increasing government-financed vacancies at Russian universities for students from partner states in the field of sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population. Russia will continue to provide direct research, methodological and consultative assistance on such issues as the monitoring of COVID-19 rates and anti-epidemiological and therapeutic and preventive measures," the statement says.
The participating countries seek to build up research and industrial potential in the field of pharmaceutics and joint production of crucial medicines, vaccines and protective items.
"We will promote joint work to study the origins of COVID-19, forms of diseases caused by that infection and also develop therapeutic methods and preventive measures. Cooperation along these lines with the WHO will continue. We welcome mutual support by our countries for extending humanitarian assistance and promoting the repatriation of citizens from near and far abroad countries," the statement says.


tass--2020-10-15--Russian, Turkish top diplomats strongly support Nagorno-Karabakh peaceful regulation

`` As a development of regular Russian-Turkish contacts at the top and high levels , they have discussed the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh .
The ministers have stressed that there is no alternative to the peaceful regulation of the problem , '' the ministry noted .
MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Turkish colleague Mevlut Cavusoglu have stressed that there is no alternative to peaceful regulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during a phone call on Thursday , the Russian Foreign Ministry informed .
`` They have stressed the need for strict adherence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ministers of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation , the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia from October 10 of this year , '' the ministry said .
Lavrov and Cavusoglu have noted that an immediate ceasefire is needed in the region , along with the approval of control mechanisms over its implementation .
Besides , the ministers have pointed out the importance `` of an operative approval of steps on renewing the negotiations within the OSCE Minsk Group mechanisms with the aim to achieve real results . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the bilateral and international agenda , including the state of affairs regarding the implementation of the UN Security Council ’ s resolutions on Syria and Libya , as well as the regulation of the domestic Ukrainian conflict based on the Minsk Agreements .
They have exchanged opinions on cooperation within the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the UNESCO World Heritage Committee , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry informed .
Besides , the ministers have discussed the schedule of upcoming Russian-Turkish contacts .

"As a development of regular Russian-Turkish contacts at the top and high levels, they have discussed the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh. The ministers have stressed that there is no alternative to the peaceful regulation of the problem," the ministry noted.
MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Turkish colleague Mevlut Cavusoglu have stressed that there is no alternative to peaceful regulation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict during a phone call on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry informed.
"They have stressed the need for strict adherence to the provisions of the Moscow statement by the ministers of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia from October 10 of this year," the ministry said.
Lavrov and Cavusoglu have noted that an immediate ceasefire is needed in the region, along with the approval of control mechanisms over its implementation. Besides, the ministers have pointed out the importance "of an operative approval of steps on renewing the negotiations within the OSCE Minsk Group mechanisms with the aim to achieve real results."
"They have touched upon other current issues on the bilateral and international agenda, including the state of affairs regarding the implementation of the UN Security Council’s resolutions on Syria and Libya, as well as the regulation of the domestic Ukrainian conflict based on the Minsk Agreements. They have exchanged opinions on cooperation within the Black Sea Economic Cooperation and the UNESCO World Heritage Committee," the Russian Foreign Ministry informed.
Besides, the ministers have discussed the schedule of upcoming Russian-Turkish contacts.


tass--2020-10-15--Russia prioritizes unconditional extension of New START, says ambassador

WASHINGTON , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russia prioritizes the unconditional extension of the New START ( Strategic Arms Reduction @ @ @ @ @ to Washington Anatoly Antonov said during a session of the US-Russia Business Council .
His @ @ @ @ @ embassy ’ s Facebook .
`` We need to remember that strategic issues have always @ @ @ @ @ relations under any circumstances .
We hope that the United States will carry out a @ @ @ @ @ military advantage over Russia .
Our primary aim is to extend START Treaty immediately without @ @ @ @ @ was made by Russian president Vladimir Putin in December , 2019 , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ video address to the 75th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly on September 22 @ @ @ @ @ that extension of the Russia-US Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty is the issue of primary importance @ @ @ @ @ promptly dealt with , '' the ambassador added .

WASHINGTON, October 15. /TASS/. Russia prioritizes the unconditional extension of the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said during a session of the US-Russia Business Council. His address was published on the embassy’s Facebook.
"We need to remember that strategic issues have always been the cornerstone of our relations under any circumstances. We hope that the United States will carry out a policy that does not seek military advantage over Russia. Our primary aim is to extend START Treaty immediately without any preconditions. Such proposal was made by Russian president Vladimir Putin in December, 2019," he said.
"In his pre-recorded video address to the 75th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2020 president Putin reiterated that extension of the Russia-US Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty is the issue of primary importance that should and must be promptly dealt with," the ambassador added.


tass--2020-10-15--Azerbaijan seizes control of over 40 settlements in Karabakh, Aliyev claims

BAKU , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev announced control taken over 40 settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh since the beginning of the military action .
`` Our successful operation continues .
Up until today , we have liberated about 40 or more settlements - cities and villages - and more good news to come up shortly , '' the head of state said in his interview to Turkey ’ s NTV channel .
Aliyev noted that the main goal is to capture strategic heights , which , in his opinion , makes it possible to control vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic heights on both southern and eastern directions are under our control , '' he added .
The President noted that main operations take place on the northern and southern directions .
`` A very successful operation led to the liberation of the city of Jebrayil , and we already have the majority of settlements of the Jebrayil district .
We have also liberated many villages in the Fuzuli district , '' he noted .
According to Aliyev , the Armenian side `` must take this reality into account , stop the aggression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abandon the remaining territories , in order for the issue to be solved peacefully . ''
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27 , with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh .
The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014 , in April 2016 and this past July .
Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts .
Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties , among them civilians .

BAKU, October 15. /TASS/. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev announced control taken over 40 settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh since the beginning of the military action.
"Our successful operation continues. Up until today, we have liberated about 40 or more settlements - cities and villages - and more good news to come up shortly," the head of state said in his interview to Turkey’s NTV channel.
Aliyev noted that the main goal is to capture strategic heights, which, in his opinion, makes it possible to control vast territories.
"I can say that strategic heights on both southern and eastern directions are under our control," he added.
The President noted that main operations take place on the northern and southern directions.
"A very successful operation led to the liberation of the city of Jebrayil, and we already have the majority of settlements of the Jebrayil district. We have also liberated many villages in the Fuzuli district," he noted.
According to Aliyev, the Armenian side "must take this reality into account, stop the aggression, comply with the ceasefire and voluntarily abandon the remaining territories, in order for the issue to be solved peacefully."
Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The area experienced flare-ups of violence in the summer of 2014, in April 2016 and this past July. Azerbaijan and Armenia have imposed martial law and launched mobilization efforts. Both parties to the conflict have reported casualties, among them civilians.


tass--2020-10-15--EU’s illegitimate sanctions will have serious consequences, warns Russian senior diplomat

MOSCOW , October 15 , /TASS/ .
The European Union ’ s illegitimate sanctions will have serious consequences , Russian @ @ @ @ @ said on Thursday at a meeting with Secretary General of the European External Action Service @ @ @ @ @ Schmid in Brussels .
`` The sides discussed in detail the current situation in relations @ @ @ @ @ Union .
It was stressed that the European Union ’ confrontational policy , including yet @ @ @ @ @ , will have serious consequences , '' the Russian foreign ministry said , adding that @ @ @ @ @ on a number of current issues of the international agenda .

MOSCOW, October 15, /TASS/. The European Union’s illegitimate sanctions will have serious consequences, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Thursday at a meeting with Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Helga Maria Schmid in Brussels.
"The sides discussed in detail the current situation in relations between Russia and the European Union. It was stressed that the European Union’ confrontational policy, including yet another batch of illegitimate sanctions, will have serious consequences," the Russian foreign ministry said, adding that the sides also exchanged views on a number of current issues of the international agenda.


tass--2020-10-15--Baku, Ankara didn't discuss creation of Turkish military base in Azerbaijan — Azeri leader

BAKU , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that Baku and Ankara had not discussed the construction of a Turkish military base in Azerbaijan .
`` Turkey and we have got a wide legal framework .
We have agreements signed in many spheres , which include points on cooperation and mutual aid in the military sphere .
This is our right .
Turkey is our ally , and if there is a serious danger to Azerbaijan , we can use these opportunities .
But there has been no discussion of the construction of a Turkish military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday in an interview with Turkey ’ s NTV channel .
The president stressed that the military cooperation between both states is improving every year .
`` Only last year , we held ten joint military exercises , and this year , there were fewer of them due to the coronavirus , just two .
But they have caused a great deal of concern in the region .
I think there are no grounds for concern .
These drills were not aimed against any state .
They are aimed to strengthen cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get it up to the standards of the Turkish army and to study Turkey ’ s advanced experience in the area of military construction , '' Aliyev noted .

BAKU, October 15. /TASS/. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that Baku and Ankara had not discussed the construction of a Turkish military base in Azerbaijan.
"Turkey and we have got a wide legal framework. We have agreements signed in many spheres, which include points on cooperation and mutual aid in the military sphere. This is our right. Turkey is our ally, and if there is a serious danger to Azerbaijan, we can use these opportunities. But there has been no discussion of the construction of a Turkish military base in Azerbaijan," Aliyev said on Thursday in an interview with Turkey’s NTV channel.
The president stressed that the military cooperation between both states is improving every year. "Only last year, we held ten joint military exercises, and this year, there were fewer of them due to the coronavirus, just two. But they have caused a great deal of concern in the region. I think there are no grounds for concern. These drills were not aimed against any state. They are aimed to strengthen cooperation, to improve the Azerbaijani army, to get it up to the standards of the Turkish army and to study Turkey’s advanced experience in the area of military construction," Aliyev noted.


tass--2020-10-15--Defunct Soviet satellite may collide with foreign rocket debris, says Roscosmos

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The defunct Soviet Cosmos-2004 satellite may collide with an object of space debris @ @ @ @ @ Space Corporation Roscosmos told TASS on Thursday .
`` The calculations by the automated system @ @ @ @ @ in near-Earth space ( TsNIImash , part of Roscosmos ) have confirmed the probability that @ @ @ @ @ stage of a foreign carrier rocket may simultaneously cross the same flight trajectory , '' @ @ @ @ @ .
Both objects are considered as space debris , Roscosmos stressed .
`` According to @ @ @ @ @ do not pose a threat to satellites of the Russian orbital grouping , '' the @ @ @ @ @ that in case of their collision , specialists would analyze the fragmentations ’ scattering and @ @ @ @ @ threat for operational satellites in the Russian orbital constellation .
The Cosmos-2004 satellite was orbited @ @ @

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. The defunct Soviet Cosmos-2004 satellite may collide with an object of space debris, Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos told TASS on Thursday.
"The calculations by the automated system of warning about dangerous situations in near-Earth space (TsNIImash, part of Roscosmos) have confirmed the probability that the Cosmos-2004 satellite and a stage of a foreign carrier rocket may simultaneously cross the same flight trajectory," the Roscosmos press office said.
Both objects are considered as space debris, Roscosmos stressed.
"According to preliminary data, currently they do not pose a threat to satellites of the Russian orbital grouping," the press office explained, noting that in case of their collision, specialists would analyze the fragmentations’ scattering and determine the probability of a threat for operational satellites in the Russian orbital constellation.
The Cosmos-2004 satellite was orbited in 1989.


tass--2020-10-15--Oslo has no proof of Russia’s role in cyber-attack on Norwegian parliament, says diplomat

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Norway has not provided any proof of Russia ’ s involvement in the cyber-attack on the country ’ s parliament , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing on Thursday .
`` It is baffling that despite the existing and well-known to the Norwegian side order of investigation of such situations , Oslo chooses the path of unfounded accusations , not bothering at all to provide any proof , '' she said .
`` We can conclude that there is simply no evidence .
If there was any , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Zakharova reminded that Norway groundlessly accuses Russia of any cyber incidents on a regular basis .
`` I suppose the goal is not to make sense of what happened , but to find another opportunity to accuse Russia and to create the corresponding atmosphere , '' she said .
According to the diplomat , Oslo has set the course for further destruction of bilateral relations that are currently in a disappointing state due to the actions of Norway .
On October 13 , Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cyber-attack on the Norwegian parliament in August 2020 .
The Russian Embassy in Norway dismissed the allegations as a planned provocation .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Norway has not provided any proof of Russia’s involvement in the cyber-attack on the country’s parliament, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing on Thursday.
"It is baffling that despite the existing and well-known to the Norwegian side order of investigation of such situations, Oslo chooses the path of unfounded accusations, not bothering at all to provide any proof," she said. "We can conclude that there is simply no evidence. If there was any, it would be provided or at least mentioned."
Zakharova reminded that Norway groundlessly accuses Russia of any cyber incidents on a regular basis. "I suppose the goal is not to make sense of what happened, but to find another opportunity to accuse Russia and to create the corresponding atmosphere," she said.
According to the diplomat, Oslo has set the course for further destruction of bilateral relations that are currently in a disappointing state due to the actions of Norway.
On October 13, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide claimed that Russia had been involved in a cyber-attack on the Norwegian parliament in August 2020. The Russian Embassy in Norway dismissed the allegations as a planned provocation.


tass--2020-10-15--Kiev is not ready for similar response to Russia's partial lifting of sanctions: expert

KIEV , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Kiev will not be able to give a similar response to Moscow ’ s decision to lift restrictions on supplies from three Ukrainian enterprises due to possible pressure from right-wing radical groups , as well as from the West , head of the Ukrainian Institute of Politics , political scientist Ruslan Bortnik told TASS .
`` We should not expect a public reaction from the Ukrainian authorities in this regard , some kind of reciprocal measures .
So far , the Ukrainian side is not ready to improve even economic relations with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were previously imposed due to several factors .
First of all , due to pressure right-wing radical groups that will use any , even the smallest concession towards Russia as a betrayal , as an instrument of struggle against the ruling party in elections and on the streets , '' Bortnik said .
The Western infleunce is the second cause of Kiev ’ s incapability to take reciprocal measures in response to the partial lifting of restrictions , the analyst added .
`` Now it is impossible due to the influence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of economic cooperation and , accordingly , Russia 's influence on the Ukrainian economy is the way to losing control over the Ukrainian economy , '' the expert said .
Bortnik noted that the merit of the removal of restrictions belongs to the Opposition Platform - For Life party , which shows its effectiveness in communicating with Russia and is trying to score points in preparation for the local elections on October 25 .
However , the political scientist admitted that negotiations on lifting restrictions are not only an election step .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Life party is meeting the social demand for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia , which are supported by 50-70 % of Ukrainians , depending on a social survey , '' Bortnik recalled .
In his opinion , in this way `` Russia can establish a direct dialogue with certain regional financial and industrial groups '' of Ukraine .
Ukrainian companies that get the access to the Russian market will receive serious competitive advantages .
However , he admitted , they may also find themselves under pressure from Ukrainian radical groups .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised to consider the request of head of the Political Council of the Opposition Platform - For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk on the possible partial lifting of the counter-sanctions Russian had imposed on a number of industrial enterprises in Ukraine .
On Wednesday , President Vladimir Putin supported Mishustin 's proposal to allow the supply of products to the country from three Ukrainian enterprises , which were subject to retaliatory restrictive measures .
The Russian government allowed the supply of equipment and products to the Russian market from the Rubezhansk Cardboard and Container @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bratslav company and the Barsky Machine-Building Plant of the Vinnitsa Region .

KIEV, October 15. /TASS/. Kiev will not be able to give a similar response to Moscow’s decision to lift restrictions on supplies from three Ukrainian enterprises due to possible pressure from right-wing radical groups, as well as from the West, head of the Ukrainian Institute of Politics, political scientist Ruslan Bortnik told TASS.
"We should not expect a public reaction from the Ukrainian authorities in this regard, some kind of reciprocal measures. So far, the Ukrainian side is not ready to improve even economic relations with the Russian Federation, to revise the restrictions that were previously imposed due to several factors. First of all, due to pressure right-wing radical groups that will use any, even the smallest concession towards Russia as a betrayal, as an instrument of struggle against the ruling party in elections and on the streets," Bortnik said.
The Western infleunce is the second cause of Kiev’s incapability to take reciprocal measures in response to the partial lifting of restrictions, the analyst added.
"Now it is impossible due to the influence of Western partners - for them the restoration of economic cooperation and, accordingly, Russia's influence on the Ukrainian economy is the way to losing control over the Ukrainian economy," the expert said.
Bortnik noted that the merit of the removal of restrictions belongs to the Opposition Platform - For Life party, which shows its effectiveness in communicating with Russia and is trying to score points in preparation for the local elections on October 25.
However, the political scientist admitted that negotiations on lifting restrictions are not only an election step. "To some extent Opposition Platform - For Life party is meeting the social demand for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, which are supported by 50-70% of Ukrainians, depending on a social survey," Bortnik recalled. In his opinion, in this way "Russia can establish a direct dialogue with certain regional financial and industrial groups" of Ukraine. Ukrainian companies that get the access to the Russian market will receive serious competitive advantages. However, he admitted, they may also find themselves under pressure from Ukrainian radical groups.
On October 6, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin promised to consider the request of head of the Political Council of the Opposition Platform - For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk on the possible partial lifting of the counter-sanctions Russian had imposed on a number of industrial enterprises in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin supported Mishustin's proposal to allow the supply of products to the country from three Ukrainian enterprises, which were subject to retaliatory restrictive measures. The Russian government allowed the supply of equipment and products to the Russian market from the Rubezhansk Cardboard and Container Plant of the Lugansk Region, the Bratslav company and the Barsky Machine-Building Plant of the Vinnitsa Region.


tass--2020-10-15--Nornickel invests more than $512 million in Norilsk complex cleaning

KRASNOYARSK , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The Norilsk Nickel Company ( Nornickel ) will invest more than 40 billion rubles ( $ 512 million ) in the complex cleaning in Norilsk , which will include revegetation of the soil that was contaminated with fuel in late May , Nornickel ’ s Vice President , Director of the Polar Division Nikolai Utkin told reporters on Wednesday .
`` The cleaning of the area requires a project to revegetate the soil , and we have embarked on it , '' he said .
`` The program will be updated accordingly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sum may only grow , and we will invest more . ''
The program includes pulling down old abandoned buildings and structures , pipelines and networks and removing scrap metal from around industrial facilities .
The program will include all areas of Norilsk , the company ’ s representative said , adding that the work on outdated buildings and structures would take five years .
On May 29 , diesel fuel spilled at combined heat and power plant CHPP No .
3 of the Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company ( incorporated in Norilsk Nickel ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A vehicle ran into the spill starting a fire .
A total of 20,000 cubic meters of fuel leaked into the environment , polluting soil and water in the area .
Most of the fuel got into the Ambarnaya and Daldykan Rivers .
On June 4 , it was said that the spilled oil products should be collected in special tanks and then removed from the scene .
The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources ( Rosprirodnadzor ) estimated the damage to the environment at about 148 billion rubles ( $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the calculation methodology and intends to dispute it but vows to eliminate the accident ’ s consequences at the company ’ s expense .
On September 10 , the environmental watchdog was reported to have filed a lawsuit against Norilsk Nickel to recover the fine .
Earlier , Norilsk Nickel estimated its expenses in cleaning up the accident at 21.4 billion rubles ( $ 274 million ) .

KRASNOYARSK, October 15. /TASS/. The Norilsk Nickel Company (Nornickel) will invest more than 40 billion rubles ($512 million) in the complex cleaning in Norilsk, which will include revegetation of the soil that was contaminated with fuel in late May, Nornickel’s Vice President, Director of the Polar Division Nikolai Utkin told reporters on Wednesday.
"The cleaning of the area requires a project to revegetate the soil, and we have embarked on it," he said. "The program will be updated accordingly, but as for 40 billion - the sum may only grow, and we will invest more."
The program includes pulling down old abandoned buildings and structures, pipelines and networks and removing scrap metal from around industrial facilities. The program will include all areas of Norilsk, the company’s representative said, adding that the work on outdated buildings and structures would take five years.
On May 29, diesel fuel spilled at combined heat and power plant CHPP No. 3 of the Norilsk-Taimyr Energy Company (incorporated in Norilsk Nickel) near Norilsk due to tank deformation. A vehicle ran into the spill starting a fire. A total of 20,000 cubic meters of fuel leaked into the environment, polluting soil and water in the area. Most of the fuel got into the Ambarnaya and Daldykan Rivers. On June 4, it was said that the spilled oil products should be collected in special tanks and then removed from the scene.
The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources (Rosprirodnadzor) estimated the damage to the environment at about 148 billion rubles ($1.89 billion). Norilsk Nickel disagrees with the calculation methodology and intends to dispute it but vows to eliminate the accident’s consequences at the company’s expense. On September 10, the environmental watchdog was reported to have filed a lawsuit against Norilsk Nickel to recover the fine. Earlier, Norilsk Nickel estimated its expenses in cleaning up the accident at 21.4 billion rubles ($274 million).


tass--2020-10-15--Central Asian states, Russia to jointly fight arms smuggling

NUR-SULTAN , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Central Asian states and Russia are ready to jointly fight the threat of drug trafficking and arms smuggling , the foreign ministers of Russia , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan said in a joint statement after the online session ‘ Central Asia plus Russia.
’ '' While stressing the concern over the threat of drug trafficking in the region , arms and ammunition smuggling , we express our readiness for jointly fighting these negative manifestations , including with the participation of the Afghan side , '' says the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Foreign Ministry .
The document stresses that comprehensive and lasting peace in Afghanistan can be achieved only through inclusive negotiations between Afghanis themselves on the political settlement .
`` While expressing concern over the high level of a terrorist threat in Afghanistan , the presence of international terrorist organizations in that country , we will continue strengthening interaction for the purpose of promoting the process of the Afghan national reconciliation and the country ’ s recovery , '' the document says .
The Central Asian states and Russia intend to continue fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for criminal goals , including the spread of fake news , recruitment and instructing , fund-raising and cyberattacks .
They are planning to develop bilateral and multilateral contractual and legal framework of international information security , the statement says .

NUR-SULTAN, October 15. /TASS/. Central Asian states and Russia are ready to jointly fight the threat of drug trafficking and arms smuggling, the foreign ministers of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan said in a joint statement after the online session ‘Central Asia plus Russia.’
"While stressing the concern over the threat of drug trafficking in the region, arms and ammunition smuggling, we express our readiness for jointly fighting these negative manifestations, including with the participation of the Afghan side," says the statement posted on the website of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry.
The document stresses that comprehensive and lasting peace in Afghanistan can be achieved only through inclusive negotiations between Afghanis themselves on the political settlement.
"While expressing concern over the high level of a terrorist threat in Afghanistan, the presence of international terrorist organizations in that country, we will continue strengthening interaction for the purpose of promoting the process of the Afghan national reconciliation and the country’s recovery," the document says.
The Central Asian states and Russia intend to continue fighting the use of information and communication technologies for criminal goals, including the spread of fake news, recruitment and instructing, fund-raising and cyberattacks. They are planning to develop bilateral and multilateral contractual and legal framework of international information security, the statement says.


tass--2020-10-15--Weapons embargo against Iran not linked with nuclear deal — diplomat

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Restrictions on weapons supplies to Iran were not linked with the settlement of the situation around Iran ’ s nuclear program , of which all the parties to the talks were aware from the very beginning , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday .
`` As you know , the United Nations Security Council did not impose a weapons embargo on Iran in 2015 .
Tehran voluntarily undertook a number of restrictions .
It was done in the interests of the soonest successful outcome of the talks on the Joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation around the Iranian nuclear program .
And all the parties knew from the very beginning that these restrictions had nothing to do with the settlement of the situation around the Iranian nuclear program .
Moreover , the term of the corresponding provisions has expired , '' she said .
The Russian diplomat stressed that Iran was Russia ’ s reliable partner in many areas of cooperation .
`` We are convinced that all possibilities stemming from the expiration of the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 that are linked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duly taken into account and used on the basis of mutual benefit and in the interests of the peoples of our two states , '' Zakharova stressed .
The ban on arms exports to Iran under the nuclear deal expires on October 18 , 2020 .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Restrictions on weapons supplies to Iran were not linked with the settlement of the situation around Iran’s nuclear program, of which all the parties to the talks were aware from the very beginning, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
"As you know, the United Nations Security Council did not impose a weapons embargo on Iran in 2015. Tehran voluntarily undertook a number of restrictions. It was done in the interests of the soonest successful outcome of the talks on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to settle the situation around the Iranian nuclear program. And all the parties knew from the very beginning that these restrictions had nothing to do with the settlement of the situation around the Iranian nuclear program. Moreover, the term of the corresponding provisions has expired," she said.
The Russian diplomat stressed that Iran was Russia’s reliable partner in many areas of cooperation. "We are convinced that all possibilities stemming from the expiration of the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 that are linked with military technical cooperation with Iran will be duly taken into account and used on the basis of mutual benefit and in the interests of the peoples of our two states," Zakharova stressed.
The ban on arms exports to Iran under the nuclear deal expires on October 18, 2020.


tass--2020-10-15--Putin signs a law on tax support for publishing houses

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law providing for tax support for publishing @ @ @ @ @ published on the official portal of legal information on Thursday .
Under the Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ publishers suffer in the form of the cost of defective , unmarketable and unsold book @ @ @ @ @ by taxpayers , are regarded as so-called `` other expenses '' and reduce the tax @ @ @ @ @ The new law envisages an increase in the maximum allowable volume of such losses up @ @ @ @ @ circulation value , while previously no more than 10 % was allowed .
The document @ @ @ @ @ government , was drawn up in accordance with the instructions of the President dated September @ @ @ @ @ law comes into force after one month from the date of its official publication , @ @ @ @ @ first day of the next tax period for corporate income tax .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law providing for tax support for publishing houses. The document was published on the official portal of legal information on Thursday.
Under the Russia’s Tax Code, losses publishers suffer in the form of the cost of defective, unmarketable and unsold book and media products written off by taxpayers, are regarded as so-called "other expenses" and reduce the tax base for income tax.
The new law envisages an increase in the maximum allowable volume of such losses up to 30% of the circulation value, while previously no more than 10% was allowed.
The document, initiated by the Russian government, was drawn up in accordance with the instructions of the President dated September 25, 2019. The law comes into force after one month from the date of its official publication, but not earlier than the first day of the next tax period for corporate income tax.


tass--2020-10-15--Netflix launches accounts for Russian market on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/ TASS / .
Streaming entertainment service Netflix has launched a fully localized interface in @ @ @ @ @ for the Russian market , the company press service told TASS on Thursday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ only offer our service in Russian , but also announce that content from the Netflix @ @ @ @ @ the platform , dubbed into Russian .
For example , the series '' The Haunting @ @ @ @ @ and the movies `` Halloween Hubie and '' David Attenborough : A life on our @ @ @ @ @ service said .
It added that official accounts for the Russian market will be launched @ @ @ @ @ Twitter , Instagram and YouTube .
Earlier it was reported that the Netflix streaming service @ @ @ @ @ Russian .
Its operator on the territory of the Russian Federation will be the National @ @ @ @ @ .
Netflix is a streaming entertainment service with 193 million paying subscribers in over 190 @ @

MOSCOW, October 15. / TASS /. Streaming entertainment service Netflix has launched a fully localized interface in Russian and social media accounts for the Russian market, the company press service told TASS on Thursday.
"Starting today, we not only offer our service in Russian, but also announce that content from the Netflix Originals line will appear on the platform, dubbed into Russian. For example, the series" The Haunting of Bly Manor," and the movies "Halloween Hubie and" David Attenborough : A life on our planet," the press service said. It added that official accounts for the Russian market will be launched on social networks Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Earlier it was reported that the Netflix streaming service will be localized entirely in Russian. Its operator on the territory of the Russian Federation will be the National Media Group (NMG).
Netflix is a streaming entertainment service with 193 million paying subscribers in over 190 countries.


tass--2020-10-15--Russia hopes work on visa-free tourist trips agreement with Iran to be over soon

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow hopes to finish work on an agreement on visa-free tourist trips with @ @ @ @ @ , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday .
According to Zakharova , @ @ @ @ @ Agency is working with the Iranian partners on mechanisms of the implementation of the arrangements @ @ @ @ @ has no fear of potential US sanctions over arms deals with Iran — senior diplomat @ @ @ @ @ will be finished soon and the agreement will come into force , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ on the beginning of the agreement ’ s implementation would depend on the epidemic situation @ @ @ @ @ on coronavirus lockdown measures in the two countries .
The agreement on visa-free group tourist @ @ @ @ @ 28 , 2017 during Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ’ s visit to Moscow .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Moscow hopes to finish work on an agreement on visa-free tourist trips with Iran in the near future, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
According to Zakharova, Russia’s Federal Tourism Agency is working with the Iranian partners on mechanisms of the implementation of the arrangements under the agreement.
Russia has no fear of potential US sanctions over arms deals with Iran — senior diplomat
"We hope this work will be finished soon and the agreement will come into force," she said, adding that the decision on the beginning of the agreement’s implementation would depend on the epidemic situation in Russia and Iran and on coronavirus lockdown measures in the two countries.
The agreement on visa-free group tourist trips was signed on March 28, 2017 during Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to Moscow.


tass--2020-10-15--Russia must make tough response to EU sanctions over Navalny incident, says senator

`` But the response must be strong enough for them to feel it , '' he said .
Asked about what Russia ’ s sanctions might look like , he replied that this issue was being considered by the bodies of power concerned .
`` It ’ s nonsense , frankly speaking , and a gesture of absolute disrespect towards our country .
They say we are partners .
No , partners never do such things .
I believe that we should make a response , and a tough one , '' Jabarov told TASS .
MOSCOW , October 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Federation Council ’ s international affairs committee , Vladimir Jabarov , believes that Russia should by all means respond to the European Union ’ s new sanctions imposed in connection with the incident involving blogger Alexey Navalny .
Jabarov said that the Europeans had borrowed the Americans ’ habit of imposing sanctions on Russia on any convenient occasion , for some far-fetched reason or without any reason at all .
`` The most important detail is this .
Take a look at the list of persons they have blacklisted : there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service FSB Bortnikov .
This is a sure sign the FSB does a very good job .
It is very successful in the struggle against terrorism , against the terrorist underground , it protects well our state secrets and exposes many agents of Western secret services .
They obviously do not like this , '' Jabarov said .
The decision to include in this list two deputy defense ministers indicates that the Russian armed forces `` cope with their duties in an excellent way . ''
`` Also , on that list there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential staff and chief of the internal policy directorate - the people who are responsible for the domestic political situation .
They are there because the Western countries do not like them , too .
There has been successful voting on amendments to the Constitution in all regions .
The heads of regions were elected in a calm way , '' Jabarov said .
In his opinion it is unclear why the presidential representative in the Siberian Federal District Sergey Menyailo was included in the blacklist , too .
`` Possibly it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board was flying over the territory of the Siberian Federal District .
This must have influenced the decision , '' he remarked .
On Thursday , the EU Council issued a resolution saying that FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov and first deputy chief of the presidential staff Sergey Kiriyenko were included in the European Union ’ s blacklist in connection with the incident involving blogger Alexey Navalny .
Personal restrictions were also introduced against the chief of the presidential directorate for domestic policies Andrey Yarin , deputy defense ministers Alexey Krivoruchko and Pavel Popov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District Sergey Menyailo .
The restrictions envisage a ban on entering the territory of the European Union and a freeze on all financial assets in the European banks .
On September 2 , Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny ’ s test samples , German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family .
It argued that French and Swedish laboratories confirmed this .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin .

"But the response must be strong enough for them to feel it," he said.
Asked about what Russia’s sanctions might look like, he replied that this issue was being considered by the bodies of power concerned.
"It’s nonsense, frankly speaking, and a gesture of absolute disrespect towards our country. They say we are partners. No, partners never do such things. I believe that we should make a response, and a tough one," Jabarov told TASS.
MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. First deputy chairman of the Federation Council’s international affairs committee, Vladimir Jabarov, believes that Russia should by all means respond to the European Union’s new sanctions imposed in connection with the incident involving blogger Alexey Navalny.
Jabarov said that the Europeans had borrowed the Americans’ habit of imposing sanctions on Russia on any convenient occasion, for some far-fetched reason or without any reason at all.
"The most important detail is this. Take a look at the list of persons they have blacklisted: there’s the director of the federal security service FSB Bortnikov. This is a sure sign the FSB does a very good job. It is very successful in the struggle against terrorism, against the terrorist underground, it protects well our state secrets and exposes many agents of Western secret services. They obviously do not like this," Jabarov said.
The decision to include in this list two deputy defense ministers indicates that the Russian armed forces "cope with their duties in an excellent way."
"Also, on that list there are the first deputy chief of the presidential staff and chief of the internal policy directorate - the people who are responsible for the domestic political situation. They are there because the Western countries do not like them, too. There has been successful voting on amendments to the Constitution in all regions. The heads of regions were elected in a calm way," Jabarov said.
In his opinion it is unclear why the presidential representative in the Siberian Federal District Sergey Menyailo was included in the blacklist, too.
"Possibly it’s because the plane with Navalny on board was flying over the territory of the Siberian Federal District. This must have influenced the decision," he remarked.
EU sanctions
On Thursday, the EU Council issued a resolution saying that FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov and first deputy chief of the presidential staff Sergey Kiriyenko were included in the European Union’s blacklist in connection with the incident involving blogger Alexey Navalny. Personal restrictions were also introduced against the chief of the presidential directorate for domestic policies Andrey Yarin, deputy defense ministers Alexey Krivoruchko and Pavel Popov and presidential representative in the Siberian Federal District Sergey Menyailo. The restrictions envisage a ban on entering the territory of the European Union and a freeze on all financial assets in the European banks.
On September 2, Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny’s test samples, German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family. It argued that French and Swedish laboratories confirmed this.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany. He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny’s system prior to his transfer to Berlin.


tass--2020-10-15--Office workers prevail among COVID-19 patients, says top sanitary doctor

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The majority of those infected with the coronavirus in Russia are office workers , Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said on Thursday at an online convention of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs .
`` The main share of the infected consists of people over 30 , even 39 to 60 years of age , the working population .
Among them the highest proportion is made up of staff of offices and public administration structures , '' she noted , commenting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the top sanitary doctor , the incidence in this group is influenced by the fact that the compliance with the requirements preventing the spread of the virus in office buildings `` leaves much to be desired . ''
According to the latest statistics , about 38.5 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 1.09 mln deaths have been reported .
To date , 1,354,163 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,048,097 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 23,491 fatalities nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. The majority of those infected with the coronavirus in Russia are office workers, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said on Thursday at an online convention of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.
"The main share of the infected consists of people over 30, even 39 to 60 years of age, the working population. Among them the highest proportion is made up of staff of offices and public administration structures," she noted, commenting on the rise in incidence.
According to the top sanitary doctor, the incidence in this group is influenced by the fact that the compliance with the requirements preventing the spread of the virus in office buildings "leaves much to be desired."
According to the latest statistics, about 38.5 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 1.09 mln deaths have been reported. To date, 1,354,163 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,048,097 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 23,491 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-10-15--Germany tries to disguise its course for destruction of relations with Russia — diplomat

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The statement made by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas , in which he said that the situation around Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny does not form part of Russian-Germany bilateral agenda is a ploy to hide Berlin ’ s course to destroy relations with Moscow , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during Thursday ’ s briefing .
`` We consider such statements as some tactical ploy that serves to hide Germany ’ s course for destruction of bilateral ties .
I would like to remind you that it was Berlin that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations , ultimatums and threats against our country , openly disregarding its own international legal obligations on providing practical aid to Russia in the investigation of the incident with the Russian citizen .
Once again , it is acting as the locomotive of new anti-Russian sanctions within the EU and other multilateral structures , '' Zakharova pointed out .
She added that Russia categorically rejects Maas ’ public statements claiming that Russian officials allegedly said Navalny had poisoned himself .
`` This is an outright lie , no one has made such claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German foreign minister as nothing short of an unethical provocative trick , and we have taken note of it , '' Zakharova said .
The spokeswoman noted that Russia can not believe Maas ’ statements on Berlin ’ s interest in maintaining good or at least reasonable relations with Russia .
`` The German government is undermining the framework of trustworthy relations that has been building for dozens of years , the basis of which was laid by the friendship between the USSR and the GDR , as well as the eastern policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Willy Brandt , '' the diplomat concluded .
On Monday , EU foreign ministers made a political decision on the need to introduce sanctions against Russia following the Navalny incident .
Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk .
He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit .
On August 22 , he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that having examined Navalny ’ s test samples , German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family .
On September 22 , he was discharged from hospital .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany .
He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny ’ s system prior to his transfer to Berlin .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the German Foreign Office had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proof of its version of the incident .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. The statement made by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, in which he said that the situation around Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny does not form part of Russian-Germany bilateral agenda is a ploy to hide Berlin’s course to destroy relations with Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during Thursday’s briefing.
"We consider such statements as some tactical ploy that serves to hide Germany’s course for destruction of bilateral ties. I would like to remind you that it was Berlin that used this situation to put forward unfounded accusations, ultimatums and threats against our country, openly disregarding its own international legal obligations on providing practical aid to Russia in the investigation of the incident with the Russian citizen. Once again, it is acting as the locomotive of new anti-Russian sanctions within the EU and other multilateral structures," Zakharova pointed out.
She added that Russia categorically rejects Maas’ public statements claiming that Russian officials allegedly said Navalny had poisoned himself. "This is an outright lie, no one has made such claims. We see this statement by the German foreign minister as nothing short of an unethical provocative trick, and we have taken note of it," Zakharova said.
The spokeswoman noted that Russia cannot believe Maas’ statements on Berlin’s interest in maintaining good or at least reasonable relations with Russia. "The German government is undermining the framework of trustworthy relations that has been building for dozens of years, the basis of which was laid by the friendship between the USSR and the GDR, as well as the eastern policy [of former Chancellor of the FRG] Willy Brandt," the diplomat concluded.
On Monday, EU foreign ministers made a political decision on the need to introduce sanctions against Russia following the Navalny incident.
Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny was rushed to a local hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk on August 20 after collapsing on a Moscow-bound flight from Tomsk. He fell into a coma and was put on a ventilator in an intensive care unit. On August 22, he was airlifted to Berlin and admitted to the Charite hospital.
On September 2, Berlin claimed that having examined Navalny’s test samples, German government toxicologists had come to the conclusion that the blogger had been affected by a toxic agent belonging to the Novichok family. On September 22, he was discharged from hospital.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was ready for comprehensive cooperation with Germany. He pointed out that no poisonous substances had been detected in Navalny’s system prior to his transfer to Berlin. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the German Foreign Office had not provided the Russian ambassador with any proof of its version of the incident.


tass--2020-10-15--Lavrov to meet with Council of Europe Secretary General on October 19 in Moscow

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric on October 19 in Moscow during her visit to Russia , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova informed during Thursday ’ s briefing .
`` On October 19 , he [ Lavrov ] will hold talks with the Council of Europe Secretary General within her first working visit to our country after assuming her duties in September of last year , '' she said .
Zakharova informed that the sides plan to discuss Russia ’ s participation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe , as well as the current issues on the European agenda .
`` They also plan to exchange opinions on the areas of the organization ’ s reform , the priorities of its work and the international efforts made on the Strasbourg platform to combat the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences , '' she noted .
The spokeswoman pointed out that Lavrov plans to bring to the Council of Europe ’ s secretary general ’ s attention `` the systemic discrimination of the Russian and the Russian-speaking population of Ukraine and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian media and the attempts of historic revisionism and glorification of Nazi supporters in Europe .
In Russia , Pejcinovic Buric plans to hold a meeting with the Federation Council speaker , the leadership of the Federal Assembly ’ s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe , the justice minister and the human rights ombudsperson .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric on October 19 in Moscow during her visit to Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova informed during Thursday’s briefing.
"On October 19, he [Lavrov] will hold talks with the Council of Europe Secretary General within her first working visit to our country after assuming her duties in September of last year," she said.
Zakharova informed that the sides plan to discuss Russia’s participation in the activity of the Council of Europe, as well as the current issues on the European agenda. "They also plan to exchange opinions on the areas of the organization’s reform, the priorities of its work and the international efforts made on the Strasbourg platform to combat the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences," she noted.
The spokeswoman pointed out that Lavrov plans to bring to the Council of Europe’s secretary general’s attention "the systemic discrimination of the Russian and the Russian-speaking population of Ukraine and the Baltic States," the discrimination of Russian media and the attempts of historic revisionism and glorification of Nazi supporters in Europe.
In Russia, Pejcinovic Buric plans to hold a meeting with the Federation Council speaker, the leadership of the Federal Assembly’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the justice minister and the human rights ombudsperson.


tass--2020-10-15--Moscow calls on German top diplomat to refrain from meddling in Belarus’ affairs

`` We call on the German foreign minister to refrain from interfering in domestic affairs of our union nation , either in word or in deed .
We are convinced that the Belarusians need no instructions either from Berlin or any other capital city to reach accord on socially important matters they are concerned about , '' she said .
`` Aggressive interventions of the collective West in the internal political processes in third countries only entail the emergence of more crisis foci on the global map . ''
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s official results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide , garnering 80.10 % of the vote .
His closest rival in the race , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , came in second , with 10.12 % of the ballot .
However , she refused to recognize the election ’ s outcome , and left Belarus for Lithuania .
After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9 , mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
During the early post-election period , the rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and police .
The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition ’ s Coordination Council , which has been beating the drum for more protests .
In response , the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped .

"We call on the German foreign minister to refrain from interfering in domestic affairs of our union nation, either in word or in deed. We are convinced that the Belarusians need no instructions either from Berlin or any other capital city to reach accord on socially important matters they are concerned about," she said. "Aggressive interventions of the collective West in the internal political processes in third countries only entail the emergence of more crisis foci on the global map."
Nationwide demonstrations have engulfed Belarus following the August 9 presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission’s official results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won by a landslide, garnering 80.10% of the vote. His closest rival in the race, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, came in second, with 10.12% of the ballot. However, she refused to recognize the election’s outcome, and left Belarus for Lithuania. After the results of the exit polls were announced late on August 9, mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other Belarusian cities. During the early post-election period, the rallies snowballed into fierce clashes between the protesters and police. The current unrest is being cheered on by the opposition’s Coordination Council, which has been beating the drum for more protests. In response, the Belarusian authorities have castigated the ongoing turmoil and demanded that these unauthorized demonstrations be stopped.


tass--2020-10-15--Diplomat says EU sanctions against Russia over Navalny, Libya will not remain unanswered

MOSCOW , October 15 .
/TASS/ .
The European Union ’ s sanctions against Russians over the Navalny incident and @ @ @ @ @ receive a proper response from Moscow , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
`` These steps will not remain without our proper response , '' she @ @ @ @ @ , the explanations provided by the European Union to justify these decisions `` do not @ @ @ @ @ the verge of absurdity . ''
`` Of course , there is no question of @ @ @ @ @ she added .

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. The European Union’s sanctions against Russians over the Navalny incident and the situation in Libya will receive a proper response from Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday.
"These steps will not remain without our proper response," she said.
According to Zakharova, the explanations provided by the European Union to justify these decisions "do not hold water and are on the verge of absurdity." "Of course, there is no question of any real evidence," she added.