tass--2020-03-08--MH17 investigative team considered breach of Russia’s sovereignty - document

THE HAGUE , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Joint Investigative Team ( JIT ) , which probes the downing of the MH17 flight in Ukraine , considered a possibility of the breach of Russia ’ s sovereignty through the approach to witnesses , according to the document published on Saturday by Bonanza Media , a platform for independent journalists .
The 13-page minutes of the JIT field office meeting in the Dutch city of Driebergen on January 25 , 2018 says that representatives of the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service `` put forward the question about the breach of Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnesses who most probably reside in the RF [ the Russian Federation - TASS ] , without informing the RF authorities . ''
In response , the Belgian representative stated that it `` is not a problem for Belgium . ''
The Ukrainian representative added that he `` doesn ’ t see an issue with that but he has to discuss this point first . ''
Next , the discussion focuses on `` luring the witness '' and then on `` interviewing suspects in RF , without the authorities being informed and involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you an insight in how they think and how the field office of the JIT with the countries communicate together and what keeps them busy .
I think it was a very interesting insight look .
And what they have and what they do not have , '' Max van der Werff , an independent journalist and a founder of Bonanza Media , said in an interview with TASS .
`` Maybe , it is even a little bit funny document .
It is funny and sad at the same time .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ document also , so they are going to spin it away like others , [ saying ] there is no solid information , '' he added .
`` It is all on the record what they say about breaking Russian law by luring witnesses , not informing the Russian Federation .
They openly say they do not care about the Russian law .
They are ready to break the law to find evidence , '' he said .
In the meantime , Yana Erlashova , an independent journalist and a co-founder of Bonanza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is interesting from another point of view .
For instance , `` the Dutch say that they are not happy with Ukrainians because they have not been helpful enough , that the SBU [ Ukraine ’ s Security Service - TASS ] is basically doing nothing . ''
`` And at the same time they say that they depend solely on the SBU providing information with witnesses , '' she added .
`` The SBU is the only one that can do investigations [ in Ukraine ] and there is nobody from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Max van der Werff added .
`` And they still do not have enough evidence .
How is this possible ?
I think that the Dutch parliament will ask questions . ''
`` There is another important moment in the document when they discuss radar data speaking about three radar plots , '' Erlashova went on to say .
`` Along with this , they say that they would not study them to avoid confusion .
Those [ radar plots ] could be parts of a missile or even debris of an aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those radar plots might be military aircraft .
They prefer ignoring the issue whatsoever and openly discuss it , saying they should not release that [ fact ] at all to ‘ avoid questions or complot theories in a later stage.
’ That is absolutely shocking .
It is not clear what the official investigation is busy with , '' she added .
In the paragraphs about analysis of the radar data received from Russia , the document says that `` there is no evidence of data manipulation . ''
Nevertheless , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be used in the JIT advantage `` by using the media . ''
They also want to push for murder , but not manslaughter , the journalists said .
Malaysian representatives were not present at the meeting and that issue was not even discussed .
Malaysia was mentioned once when `` luring witnesses '' from Russia was touched on .
According to the independent journalists , they have other documents , but they will publish later .
`` We have a lot of other materials .
We are proceeding with our investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports and everything once we have facts checked .
We ’ ll see what they bring up in court , to see what they have .
We are pretty much sure that we have a lot of materials to counter , '' Erlashova said .
Speaking about their goal , van der Werff pointed out that he does want to find out what really happened .
`` We want to have the whole story .
We want to check all the public evidence and we want to find evidence that is not public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very angry that the Western press and the whole propaganda system are so preoccupied against Russia .
It is unfair , '' he added .
`` It would be beautiful , '' the journalist said when asked if their activity could turn the tide .
`` It has been proven in history that a few people can make the difference . ''
The Boeing-777 passenger plane operated by Malaysian Airlines crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17 , 2014 , while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur .
A total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were killed in the crash .
The parties to the armed conflict in Donbass traded blame over the tragedy .
Despite active combat actions , Kiev did not close airspace over Donbass for international passenger flights .
The Joint Investigation Team ( JIT ) was set up to investigate the tragedy , consisting of representatives from Australia , Belgium , Malaysia , the Netherlands and Ukraine .
In June 2019 , the JIT said it had identified four individuals suspected of being involved in the MH17 crash .
They are three Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nickname of Strelkov , Sergei Dubinsky , Oleg Pulatov and a Ukrainian national , Leonid Kharchenko .
The trial is scheduled to begin in the Netherlands on March 9 .
Russia ’ s authorities have repeatedly voiced doubt over the JIT ’ s findings , pointing to the lack of evidence and its reluctance to take into account Moscow ’ s conclusions made during the investigation .

THE HAGUE, March 8. /TASS/. The Joint Investigative Team (JIT), which probes the downing of the MH17 flight in Ukraine, considered a possibility of the breach of Russia’s sovereignty through the approach to witnesses, according to the document published on Saturday by Bonanza Media, a platform for independent journalists.
The 13-page minutes of the JIT field office meeting in the Dutch city of Driebergen on January 25, 2018 says that representatives of the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service "put forward the question about the breach of Russia’s sovereignty through the approach of witnesses who most probably reside in the RF [the Russian Federation - TASS], without informing the RF authorities."
In response, the Belgian representative stated that it "is not a problem for Belgium." The Ukrainian representative added that he "doesn’t see an issue with that but he has to discuss this point first." Next, the discussion focuses on "luring the witness" and then on "interviewing suspects in RF, without the authorities being informed and involved."
"The newest document gives you an insight in how they think and how the field office of the JIT with the countries communicate together and what keeps them busy. I think it was a very interesting insight look. And what they have and what they do not have," Max van der Werff, an independent journalist and a founder of Bonanza Media, said in an interview with TASS.
"Maybe, it is even a little bit funny document. It is funny and sad at the same time. And I think it is an extremely embarrassing document also, so they are going to spin it away like others, [saying] there is no solid information," he added.
"It is all on the record what they say about breaking Russian law by luring witnesses, not informing the Russian Federation. They openly say they do not care about the Russian law. They are ready to break the law to find evidence," he said.
Unfiltered discussions
In the meantime, Yana Erlashova, an independent journalist and a co-founder of Bonanza Media, pointed out that the document is interesting from another point of view. For instance, "the Dutch say that they are not happy with Ukrainians because they have not been helpful enough, that the SBU [Ukraine’s Security Service - TASS] is basically doing nothing."
"And at the same time they say that they depend solely on the SBU providing information with witnesses," she added.
"The SBU is the only one that can do investigations [in Ukraine] and there is nobody from the SBU working on the investigation." Max van der Werff added. "And they still do not have enough evidence. How is this possible? I think that the Dutch parliament will ask questions."
"There is another important moment in the document when they discuss radar data speaking about three radar plots," Erlashova went on to say.
"Along with this, they say that they would not study them to avoid confusion. Those [radar plots] could be parts of a missile or even debris of an aircraft. They do not even mention that those radar plots might be military aircraft. They prefer ignoring the issue whatsoever and openly discuss it, saying they should not release that [fact] at all to ‘avoid questions or complot theories in a later stage.’ That is absolutely shocking. It is not clear what the official investigation is busy with," she added.
In the paragraphs about analysis of the radar data received from Russia, the document says that "there is no evidence of data manipulation." Nevertheless, the Dutch investigators suggested that the radar findings should be used in the JIT advantage "by using the media." They also want to push for murder, but not manslaughter, the journalists said.
Malaysian representatives were not present at the meeting and that issue was not even discussed. Malaysia was mentioned once when "luring witnesses" from Russia was touched on.
Other numerous documents
According to the independent journalists, they have other documents, but they will publish later.
"We have a lot of other materials. We are proceeding with our investigation. We are going to make other reports and everything once we have facts checked. We’ll see what they bring up in court, to see what they have. We are pretty much sure that we have a lot of materials to counter," Erlashova said.
Speaking about their goal, van der Werff pointed out that he does want to find out what really happened.
"We want to have the whole story. We want to check all the public evidence and we want to find evidence that is not public," he said. "We are very angry that the Western press and the whole propaganda system are so preoccupied against Russia. It is unfair," he added.
"It would be beautiful," the journalist said when asked if their activity could turn the tide. "It has been proven in history that a few people can make the difference."
MH17 crash and probe
The Boeing-777 passenger plane operated by Malaysian Airlines crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. A total of 298 people, citizens of 10 countries, were killed in the crash. The parties to the armed conflict in Donbass traded blame over the tragedy.
Despite active combat actions, Kiev did not close airspace over Donbass for international passenger flights. The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was set up to investigate the tragedy, consisting of representatives from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine.
In June 2019, the JIT said it had identified four individuals suspected of being involved in the MH17 crash. They are three Russian nationals Igor Girkin, also known under the nickname of Strelkov, Sergei Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and a Ukrainian national, Leonid Kharchenko. The trial is scheduled to begin in the Netherlands on March 9. Russia’s authorities have repeatedly voiced doubt over the JIT’s findings, pointing to the lack of evidence and its reluctance to take into account Moscow’s conclusions made during the investigation.


tass--2020-03-08--US did not veto UNSC resolution on Idlib, says Department of State

WASHINGTON , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
The United States did not veto a draft resolution on Syria at the United Nations Security Council , US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus wrote on her Twitter page on Sunday .
`` The US appreciates the consultations at the UNSC yesterday on Idlib .
Contrary to reports , there was no veto or blocking of anything .
The US will continue to monitor the security situation in northwest Syria and consult with Turkey on arrangements for an enduring ceasefire , '' she tweeted .
On Friday , a source at the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that hails the agreements reached by the Russian and Turkish presidents on Syria .
At the talks in Moscow on March 5 , the Russian and Turkish presidents , Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan , agreed a ceasefire along with other measures aimed at resolving the crisis in Syria ’ s Idlib region .
Under the agreements , fighting should be stopped along the entire contact line after ceasefire comes into effect on March 6 .
Starting on March 15 , Russia and Turkey are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the M4 highway , where a security corridor will be established .
Moscow and Ankara reiterated commitment to Syria ’ s sovereignty and agreed to continue fight against terrorism .

WASHINGTON, March 8. /TASS/. The United States did not veto a draft resolution on Syria at the United Nations Security Council, US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus wrote on her Twitter page on Sunday.
"The US appreciates the consultations at the UNSC yesterday on Idlib. Contrary to reports, there was no veto or blocking of anything. The US will continue to monitor the security situation in northwest Syria and consult with Turkey on arrangements for an enduring ceasefire," she tweeted.
On Friday, a source at the world organization told TASS that the US delegation had vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that hails the agreements reached by the Russian and Turkish presidents on Syria.
At the talks in Moscow on March 5, the Russian and Turkish presidents, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, agreed a ceasefire along with other measures aimed at resolving the crisis in Syria’s Idlib region. Under the agreements, fighting should be stopped along the entire contact line after ceasefire comes into effect on March 6. Starting on March 15, Russia and Turkey are to start jointly patrolling the area along the M4 highway, where a security corridor will be established. Moscow and Ankara reiterated commitment to Syria’s sovereignty and agreed to continue fight against terrorism.


tass--2020-03-08--Militants open fire eight times in Idlib de-escalation zone over past day

MOSCOW , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
Illegal armed groups have broken the ceasefire eight times in the Idlib de-escalation zone in the past 24 hours , Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev , the chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria , said at a briefing on Sunday .
`` Eight ceasefire violations by illegal armed groups have been documented Over the past 24 hours , '' he said adding that the militants had opened fire on inhabited localities in the regions of Aleppo , Latakia and Idlib .
Apart from that , Zhuravlev said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along five routes in the regions of Aleppo and al-Hasakah .
Besides , the Russian aircraft patrolled the area taking off from Metras airfield .
In the past 24 hours , the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria carried out three humanitarian missions in the regions of Aleppo , Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor .
A total of 825 food sets , with a cumulative weight of over 3.9 tonnes , were handed out to Syrians in need .
Russian military doctors provided medical services to 274 Syrian citizens in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of al-Qamishli in al-Hasakah provinces .
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups since 2012 .
A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria ’ s southern regions .
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria .
The center ’ s officers regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones .

MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. Illegal armed groups have broken the ceasefire eight times in the Idlib de-escalation zone in the past 24 hours, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev, the chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria, said at a briefing on Sunday.
"Eight ceasefire violations by illegal armed groups have been documented Over the past 24 hours," he said adding that the militants had opened fire on inhabited localities in the regions of Aleppo, Latakia and Idlib.
Apart from that, Zhuravlev said that the Russian military police had conducted patrols along five routes in the regions of Aleppo and al-Hasakah. Besides, the Russian aircraft patrolled the area taking off from Metras airfield.
In the past 24 hours, the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria carried out three humanitarian missions in the regions of Aleppo, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. A total of 825 food sets, with a cumulative weight of over 3.9 tonnes, were handed out to Syrians in need. Russian military doctors provided medical services to 274 Syrian citizens in the cities of Kobani in Aleppo province and of al-Qamishli in al-Hasakah provinces.
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups since 2012. A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria’s southern regions.
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-03-08--Moldovan president halts visit to Russia after coronavirus case confirmed in Moldova

CHISINAU , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
Moldova ’ s President Igor Dodon interrupted his working visit to Russia after a novel coronavirus case was confirmed in his country , the Moldovan leader wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday .
`` I made a decision to interrupt my working visit to Moscow where meetings were planned in the coming days with the leadership of the Russian Federation .
I am returning home today to get fully involved in the authorities ’ work for overcoming difficulties that have arisen , '' Dodon wrote .
`` The government ’ s measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressed by representatives of the World Health Organization in Chisinau , '' the Moldovan president said , urging all citizens to display responsibility in the wake of the threat that had emerged .
`` The virus has no political color and that is why I am urging all the citizens , including politicians , to take joint efforts and be more responsible for jointly overcoming the crisis caused by the coronavirus , '' Dodon emphasized .
The Moldovan president called on diaspora compatriots staying in the virus-effected areas to get convinced that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first novel coronavirus case was registered in Moldova on Saturday .
A 48-year-old woman who had arrived on a Milan-Chisinau flight on that day tested positive for the infection .
The authorities quarantined 45 passengers who had stayed close to her .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan , an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV .
As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19 .
According to the latest reports , over 106,200 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries .
The virus ’ death toll has reached 3,600 , yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease .
The largest number of coronavirus infections outside China has been registered in South Korea , Iran and Italy .

CHISINAU, March 8. /TASS/. Moldova’s President Igor Dodon interrupted his working visit to Russia after a novel coronavirus case was confirmed in his country, the Moldovan leader wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday.
"I made a decision to interrupt my working visit to Moscow where meetings were planned in the coming days with the leadership of the Russian Federation. I am returning home today to get fully involved in the authorities’ work for overcoming difficulties that have arisen," Dodon wrote.
"The government’s measures are correct and prompt, which is stressed by representatives of the World Health Organization in Chisinau," the Moldovan president said, urging all citizens to display responsibility in the wake of the threat that had emerged.
"The virus has no political color and that is why I am urging all the citizens, including politicians, to take joint efforts and be more responsible for jointly overcoming the crisis caused by the coronavirus," Dodon emphasized.
The Moldovan president called on diaspora compatriots staying in the virus-effected areas to get convinced that they were not infected before returning home.
The first novel coronavirus case was registered in Moldova on Saturday. A 48-year-old woman who had arrived on a Milan-Chisinau flight on that day tested positive for the infection. The authorities quarantined 45 passengers who had stayed close to her.
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan, an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million.
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV. As of today, 103 countries and territories, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19.
According to the latest reports, over 106,200 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries. The virus’ death toll has reached 3,600, yet more than 60,190 patients have recovered from the disease.
The largest number of coronavirus infections outside China has been registered in South Korea, Iran and Italy.


tass--2020-03-08--Woman from Belgorod being treated in Moscow hospital for coronavirus

MOSCOW , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
A woman who lives in the city of Belgorod , some 665 kilometers south of Moscow , has been admitted to a Moscow hospital in satisfactory condition , since she tested positive for the new coronavirus after traveling to Italy , the head of the Belgorod regional consumer safety watchdog told reporters on Sunday .
Earlier , the emergency center for prevention of the spread of the coronavirus infection in Russia released reports that three new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia in the past 24 hours .
The infected people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions .
They all have visited Italy in recent two weeks .
`` Today we have received information from our colleagues in Moscow about the hospitalization of a resident of Belgorod in a Moscow hospital .
It is said that the patient alongside her parents and boyfriend traveled to Italy and then arrived in Belgorod .
Later , she left for Moscow where symptoms of an acute viral infection developed .
The sick woman sought medical assistance .
She was rushed to hospital immediately for examination .
Laboratory tests showed that she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the official , the woman feels good , but has a slight fever .
`` She is showing mild symptoms , '' she added .
In late December 2019 , a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
Outside China , the worst affected countries are Iran , Italy and South Korea .
According to the latest reports , China , which handles the bulk of cases , has confirmed around 80,700 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The virus ’ death toll has reached more than 3,000 , yet more than 57,000 patients have recovered from the disease .

MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. A woman who lives in the city of Belgorod, some 665 kilometers south of Moscow, has been admitted to a Moscow hospital in satisfactory condition, since she tested positive for the new coronavirus after traveling to Italy, the head of the Belgorod regional consumer safety watchdog told reporters on Sunday.
Earlier, the emergency center for prevention of the spread of the coronavirus infection in Russia released reports that three new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia in the past 24 hours. The infected people are in the Kaliningrad, Moscow and Belgorod regions. They all have visited Italy in recent two weeks.
"Today we have received information from our colleagues in Moscow about the hospitalization of a resident of Belgorod in a Moscow hospital. It is said that the patient alongside her parents and boyfriend traveled to Italy and then arrived in Belgorod. Later, she left for Moscow where symptoms of an acute viral infection developed. The sick woman sought medical assistance. She was rushed to hospital immediately for examination. Laboratory tests showed that she had the coronavirus," Yelena Oglezneva said.
According to the official, the woman feels good, but has a slight fever.
"She is showing mild symptoms," she added.
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million. The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Overall, nearly 100 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Iran, Italy and South Korea. According to the latest reports, China, which handles the bulk of cases, has confirmed around 80,700 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has reached more than 3,000, yet more than 57,000 patients have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-03-08--International investigators extend cooperation agreement on MH17

THE HAGUE , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
The countries of the Joint Investigation Team ( JIT ) investigating the downing of the MH17 flight in Ukraine have prolonged the cooperation agreement , the Dutch Public Prosecution Service said on Sunday .
`` The prolongation ensures the investigation into the downing of MH17 continues unabated and in parallel with the trial of the four suspects , '' the service said in a press release .
`` Uncovering the truth is a very time consuming and methodical process .
Tomorrow the Netherlands will begin the trial of the four suspects , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into those responsible has been finalized , '' Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor of the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service Digna van Boetzelaer said .
She added that the Public Prosecution Service was ready and pointed out that `` the trial is an important step towards finding truth and accountability . ''
The Boeing-777 passenger plane operated by Malaysian Airlines crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17 , 2014 , while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur .
A total of 298 people , citizens of 10 countries , were killed in the crash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Donbass traded blame over the tragedy .
Despite active combat actions , Kiev did not close airspace over Donbass for international passenger flights .
The Joint Investigation Team ( JIT ) was set up to investigate the tragedy , consisting of representatives from Australia , Belgium , Malaysia , the Netherlands and Ukraine .
In June 2019 , the JIT said it had identified four individuals suspected of being involved in the MH17 crash .
They are three Russian nationals Igor Girkin , also known under the nickname of Strelkov , Sergei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national , Leonid Kharchenko .
The trial is scheduled to begin in the Netherlands on March 9 .
Russia ’ s authorities have repeatedly voiced doubt over the JIT ’ s findings , pointing to the lack of evidence and its reluctance to take into account Moscow ’ s conclusions made during the investigation .

THE HAGUE, March 8. /TASS/. The countries of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) investigating the downing of the MH17 flight in Ukraine have prolonged the cooperation agreement, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service said on Sunday.
"The prolongation ensures the investigation into the downing of MH17 continues unabated and in parallel with the trial of the four suspects," the service said in a press release.
"Uncovering the truth is a very time consuming and methodical process. Tomorrow the Netherlands will begin the trial of the four suspects, however this does not mean the investigation into those responsible has been finalized," Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor of the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service Digna van Boetzelaer said.
She added that the Public Prosecution Service was ready and pointed out that "the trial is an important step towards finding truth and accountability."
The Boeing-777 passenger plane operated by Malaysian Airlines crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. A total of 298 people, citizens of 10 countries, were killed in the crash. The parties to the armed conflict in Donbass traded blame over the tragedy.
Despite active combat actions, Kiev did not close airspace over Donbass for international passenger flights. The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was set up to investigate the tragedy, consisting of representatives from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine.
In June 2019, the JIT said it had identified four individuals suspected of being involved in the MH17 crash. They are three Russian nationals Igor Girkin, also known under the nickname of Strelkov, Sergei Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and a Ukrainian national, Leonid Kharchenko. The trial is scheduled to begin in the Netherlands on March 9. Russia’s authorities have repeatedly voiced doubt over the JIT’s findings, pointing to the lack of evidence and its reluctance to take into account Moscow’s conclusions made during the investigation.


tass--2020-03-08--Woman treated for coronavirus in Kaliningrad shows mild symptoms

KALINIGRAD , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
The woman who tested positive for the new coronavirus after travelling to Italy is being treated in an isolated ward in Kaliningrad , capital of the Russian westernmost region , but her symptoms are mild , Regional Governor Anton Alikhanov told TASS on Sunday .
`` The woman tested positive for the virus [ COVID-19 coronavirus ] .
The symptoms are very mild .
Her condition is good , but she is isolated in a hospital ward , '' the governor said .
The patient returned to Kaliningrad after a trip to Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends along with other people who she had been in contact with were screened for the coronavirus , but all tested negative , Alikhanov added .
In late December 2019 , a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
Outside China , the worst affected countries are Iran , Italy and South Korea .
According to the latest reports , China , which handles the bulk of cases , has confirmed around 80,700 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The virus ’ death toll has reached more than 3,000 , yet more than 57,000 patients have recovered from the disease .

KALINIGRAD, March 8. /TASS/. The woman who tested positive for the new coronavirus after travelling to Italy is being treated in an isolated ward in Kaliningrad, capital of the Russian westernmost region, but her symptoms are mild, Regional Governor Anton Alikhanov told TASS on Sunday.
"The woman tested positive for the virus [COVID-19 coronavirus]. The symptoms are very mild. Her condition is good, but she is isolated in a hospital ward," the governor said.
The patient returned to Kaliningrad after a trip to Italy. Her family members, relatives and friends along with other people who she had been in contact with were screened for the coronavirus, but all tested negative, Alikhanov added.
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million. The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Overall, nearly 100 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Iran, Italy and South Korea. According to the latest reports, China, which handles the bulk of cases, has confirmed around 80,700 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has reached more than 3,000, yet more than 57,000 patients have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-03-08--Turkey to take action in Idlib unless agreement with Russia implemented, warns Erdogan

ANKARA , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
Ankara could take unilateral action in the Syrian region of Idlib unless the agreements with Russia are implemented , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in Istanbul on Sunday .
`` We retain the right to clear that site in our own way in case the promise given to us about the location of Operation Spring Shield [ in Idlib ] is not kept .
We reached an agreement [ with Russia ] to resolve the Idlib crisis without any further bloodshed .
If not , we will be going on along the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Erdogan said aired by NTV channel .
Apart from that , he said that at least 59 Turkish troops had been killed in that Syrian region over the past month .
Erdogan claimed that the Turkish military `` have neutralized 3,400 troops of the [ Syrian ] regime '' in Idlib .
At the talks in Moscow on March 5 , the Russian and Turkish presidents , Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan , agreed a ceasefire along with other measures aimed at resolving the crisis in Syria ’ s Idlib region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be stopped along the entire contact line after ceasefire comes into effect on March 6 .
Starting on March 15 , Russia and Turkey are to start jointly patrolling the area along the M4 highway , where a security corridor will be established .
Moscow and Ankara reiterated commitment to Syria ’ s sovereignty and agreed to continue fight against terrorism .

ANKARA, March 8. /TASS/. Ankara could take unilateral action in the Syrian region of Idlib unless the agreements with Russia are implemented, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in Istanbul on Sunday.
"We retain the right to clear that site in our own way in case the promise given to us about the location of Operation Spring Shield [in Idlib] is not kept. We reached an agreement [with Russia] to resolve the Idlib crisis without any further bloodshed. If not, we will be going on along the path we have set for ourselves," Erdogan said aired by NTV channel.
Apart from that, he said that at least 59 Turkish troops had been killed in that Syrian region over the past month.
Erdogan claimed that the Turkish military "have neutralized 3,400 troops of the [Syrian] regime" in Idlib.
At the talks in Moscow on March 5, the Russian and Turkish presidents, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, agreed a ceasefire along with other measures aimed at resolving the crisis in Syria’s Idlib region. Under the agreements, fighting should be stopped along the entire contact line after ceasefire comes into effect on March 6. Starting on March 15, Russia and Turkey are to start jointly patrolling the area along the M4 highway, where a security corridor will be established. Moscow and Ankara reiterated commitment to Syria’s sovereignty and agreed to continue fight against terrorism.


tass--2020-03-08--Russian carrier Pobeda cancels flights to Italy until end of March

MOSCOW , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s low-cost carrier Pobeda has canceled flights to Italy ( Bergamo , Rome , Rimini , Pisa and Treviso ) scheduled for March 11 through 31 after the Italian government imposed a virtual lockdown across some provinces , the airline said in a statement on Sunday .
`` Low-cost airline Pobeda , the arm of the Aeroflot group , has suspended flights from Moscow to Bergamo , Rome , Rimini , Pisa and Treviso between March 11 and March 31 , 2020 because of the lockdown imposed by the Italian government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other provinces , '' Pobeda said .
The carrier is offering passengers the option of claiming a full refund or rebooking with Aeroflot and rerouting flights to Milan , Rome , Venice and Bologna ( and from those cities ) .
According to the latest reports , Italy has confirmed more than 5,800 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus and 233 deaths .
Before the lockdown , Pobeda had cut flights to Italy by 40 % in March and April to match reduced demand .
Also , Aeroflot and another Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights to Italy .
In the early hours of Sunday Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree imposing a lockdown across the entire northern region of Lombardy , and in some provinces in the northern regions of Emilia-Romagna , Le Marche , Veneto and Piedmont .
Movement in and out of those areas is prohibited .

MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. Russia’s low-cost carrier Pobeda has canceled flights to Italy (Bergamo, Rome, Rimini, Pisa and Treviso) scheduled for March 11 through 31 after the Italian government imposed a virtual lockdown across some provinces, the airline said in a statement on Sunday.
"Low-cost airline Pobeda, the arm of the Aeroflot group, has suspended flights from Moscow to Bergamo, Rome, Rimini, Pisa and Treviso between March 11 and March 31, 2020 because of the lockdown imposed by the Italian government on Lombardy, Rimini, Treviso and other provinces," Pobeda said.
The carrier is offering passengers the option of claiming a full refund or rebooking with Aeroflot and rerouting flights to Milan, Rome, Venice and Bologna (and from those cities).
According to the latest reports, Italy has confirmed more than 5,800 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus and 233 deaths.
Before the lockdown, Pobeda had cut flights to Italy by 40% in March and April to match reduced demand. Also, Aeroflot and another Russian low-cost carrier Utair announced they had limited flights to Italy.
In the early hours of Sunday Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree imposing a lockdown across the entire northern region of Lombardy, and in some provinces in the northern regions of Emilia-Romagna, Le Marche, Veneto and Piedmont. Movement in and out of those areas is prohibited.


tass--2020-03-08--Three new coronavirus cases registered in Russia

MOSCOW , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
Three new coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia over the past twenty-four hours and the infected persons are currently staying in the Kaliningrad , Moscow and Belgorod Regions , Russia ’ s emergency response center reported on Sunday .
`` Over the past twenty-four hours , three coronavirus infection cases have been registered in the Russian Federation : one case in the Kaliningrad Region , one in the Belgorod Region and one in the Moscow Region , '' the emergency response center said , adding that all these people had visited Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of people with whom the infected persons had contacts on the territory of Russia has been identified .
All of them will stay under medical observation , it said .
According to the data of the emergency response center , 17 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia .
This figure includes 14 Russian citizens who have returned from Italy , two citizens of China and one Italian .
One Russian and two Chinese nationals have recovered from the disease .
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova earlier called the situation around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if there had been a threat of a flu epidemic , Russia would have taken measures similar to what the authorities were doing to prevent the coronavirus spread .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan , an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV .
As of today , 103 countries and territories , including Russia , have reported confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19 .
According to the latest reports , over 106,200 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries .
The virus ’ death toll has reached 3,600 , yet more than 60,190 patients have recovered from the disease .
The largest number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered in South Korea , Iran and Italy .

MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. Three new coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia over the past twenty-four hours and the infected persons are currently staying in the Kaliningrad, Moscow and Belgorod Regions, Russia’s emergency response center reported on Sunday.
"Over the past twenty-four hours, three coronavirus infection cases have been registered in the Russian Federation: one case in the Kaliningrad Region, one in the Belgorod Region and one in the Moscow Region," the emergency response center said, adding that all these people had visited Italy over the past two weeks.
The group of people with whom the infected persons had contacts on the territory of Russia has been identified. All of them will stay under medical observation, it said.
According to the data of the emergency response center, 17 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia. This figure includes 14 Russian citizens who have returned from Italy, two citizens of China and one Italian. One Russian and two Chinese nationals have recovered from the disease.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova earlier called the situation around the coronavirus exaggerated. According to her, if there had been a threat of a flu epidemic, Russia would have taken measures similar to what the authorities were doing to prevent the coronavirus spread.
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan, an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million.
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV. As of today, 103 countries and territories, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19.
According to the latest reports, over 106,200 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries. The virus’ death toll has reached 3,600, yet more than 60,190 patients have recovered from the disease.
The largest number of coronavirus infections outside China has been registered in South Korea, Iran and Italy.


tass--2020-03-08--Ex-premier Medvedev to take part in elaborating Russia’s foreign policy

MOSCOW , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree that defines the basic tasks of former Prime Minister and now Deputy Chairman of Russia ’ s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev and the goals of the Security Council ’ s secretaries , according to the document posted on the government ’ s legal information web portal on Sunday .
Pursuant to the decree , Medvedev , in particular , will take part in working out and implementing Russia ’ s foreign policy , annually submit a report on national security , exercise control of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussing draft legislative and other regulatory acts , and also federal target programs and other documents on national security .
In his decree , the state of state also defined the tasks of Security Council secretaries .
Pursuant to the decree , from now on , they will submit to the president a draft statute on the Security Council of Russia to be agreed with the deputy chairman , and also a draft statute on the Security Council ’ s administrative office .
Russia ’ s Security Council is the Russian president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and coordinating state policy in the sphere of national security and drafting corresponding decisions for the president of Russia .
The work of the Security Council of Russia is regulated by the Russian Constitution , the federal law `` On Security '' and the Statute on the Security Council of Russia approved by a presidential decree on May 6 , 2011 .

MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree that defines the basic tasks of former Prime Minister and now Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev and the goals of the Security Council’s secretaries, according to the document posted on the government’s legal information web portal on Sunday.
Pursuant to the decree, Medvedev, in particular, will take part in working out and implementing Russia’s foreign policy, annually submit a report on national security, exercise control of the fulfillment of presidential instructions and participate in discussing draft legislative and other regulatory acts, and also federal target programs and other documents on national security.
In his decree, the state of state also defined the tasks of Security Council secretaries. Pursuant to the decree, from now on, they will submit to the president a draft statute on the Security Council of Russia to be agreed with the deputy chairman, and also a draft statute on the Security Council’s administrative office.
Russia’s Security Council is the Russian president’s constitutional advisory institution responsible for formulating and coordinating state policy in the sphere of national security and drafting corresponding decisions for the president of Russia. The work of the Security Council of Russia is regulated by the Russian Constitution, the federal law "On Security" and the Statute on the Security Council of Russia approved by a presidential decree on May 6, 2011.


tass--2020-03-09--OFZ auctions decisions will be made considering market situation, says ministry

MOSCOW , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
The decisions to conduct federal loan bonds ( OFZ ) auctions will be made considering the market environment to facilitate the process of market stabilization , Russia ’ s Finance Ministry said in a statement on Monday .
`` Taking into account high volatility on financial markets , the decisions to conduct OFZ auctions will be made considering the market environment for facilitating the process of market stabilization and preventing excessive pressure on the debt market , '' the statement said .
`` Reduction of borrowings below planned parameters may be offset by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly the federal budget account balance , '' the ministry added .
The Federal Treasury ’ s funds on accounts with the Central Bank of Russia ( excluding additional oil and gas revenues ) , as well as on bank accounts and those supplied through repo transactions , amounted to 4.2 trillion rubles ( $ 56.9 bln ) as of March 1 , 2020 , according to the statement .
The ministry noted that to offset the reduction in the size of OFZ offering , extra oil and gas budget revenues will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruble exchange rate weakens below the projected level ( 65.7 rubles per dollar this year ) .

MOSCOW, March 9. /TASS/. The decisions to conduct federal loan bonds (OFZ) auctions will be made considering the market environment to facilitate the process of market stabilization, Russia’s Finance Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
"Taking into account high volatility on financial markets, the decisions to conduct OFZ auctions will be made considering the market environment for facilitating the process of market stabilization and preventing excessive pressure on the debt market," the statement said.
"Reduction of borrowings below planned parameters may be offset by other sources of financing budget deficit, particularly the federal budget account balance," the ministry added.
The Federal Treasury’s funds on accounts with the Central Bank of Russia (excluding additional oil and gas revenues), as well as on bank accounts and those supplied through repo transactions, amounted to 4.2 trillion rubles ($56.9 bln) as of March 1, 2020, according to the statement.
The ministry noted that to offset the reduction in the size of OFZ offering, extra oil and gas budget revenues will be used, which might be received if the ruble exchange rate weakens below the projected level (65.7 rubles per dollar this year).


tass--2020-03-09--NWF’s funds sufficient to cover revenue shortfall due to oil price drop in up to 10 years

MOSCOW , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
Liquid funds of Russia ’ s National Wealth Fund ( NWF ) totaled 10.1 trillion rubles ( $ 138.8 bln ) as of March 1 , which is sufficient for covering the country ’ s shortfall in revenue related to the oil price plunge to $ 25-30 per barrel within 6-10 years , the Finance Ministry said in a statement on Monday .
The sufficient amount of liquid funds of the National Wealth Fund guarantees fulfillment of all state obligations and preserved macroeconomic stability with sustainably low oil prices , the ministry noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market will offset the decrease of foreign currency flow from exports of oil and petroleum products related to the crude futures drop , stabilizing the exchange rate of the national currency , '' the ministry said .
`` If ( oil - TASS ) prices remain sustainably low the sufficient amount of liquid assets in the National Wealth Fund guarantees fulfillment of all state obligations and preserved macroeconomic and financial stability .
As of March 1 , 2020 the NWF ’ s liquid funds and funds on the extra oil and gas revenues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150.1 bln ) , or 9.2 % of GDP .
Those funds are sufficient for covering the revenue shortfall due to the oil price plunge to $ 25-30 per barrel within 6-10 years ( considering damping mechanism revenues ) , '' the statement said .
If the National Wealth Fund ’ s liquid funds dive below 5 % of GDP , the annual amount of its funds used to cover the deficit of the federal budget and the budget of the Pension Fund can not exceed the amount equivalent to 1 % of @ @

MOSCOW, March 9. /TASS/. Liquid funds of Russia’s National Wealth Fund (NWF) totaled 10.1 trillion rubles ($138.8 bln) as of March 1, which is sufficient for covering the country’s shortfall in revenue related to the oil price plunge to $25-30 per barrel within 6-10 years, the Finance Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The sufficient amount of liquid funds of the National Wealth Fund guarantees fulfillment of all state obligations and preserved macroeconomic stability with sustainably low oil prices, the ministry noted.
"Operations conducted on the open market will offset the decrease of foreign currency flow from exports of oil and petroleum products related to the crude futures drop, stabilizing the exchange rate of the national currency," the ministry said.
"If (oil - TASS) prices remain sustainably low the sufficient amount of liquid assets in the National Wealth Fund guarantees fulfillment of all state obligations and preserved macroeconomic and financial stability. As of March 1, 2020 the NWF’s liquid funds and funds on the extra oil and gas revenues account exceeded 10.1 trillion rubles ($150.1 bln), or 9.2% of GDP. Those funds are sufficient for covering the revenue shortfall due to the oil price plunge to $25-30 per barrel within 6-10 years (considering damping mechanism revenues)," the statement said.
If the National Wealth Fund’s liquid funds dive below 5% of GDP, the annual amount of its funds used to cover the deficit of the federal budget and the budget of the Pension Fund cannot exceed the amount equivalent to 1% of GDP.


tass--2020-03-09--Russian military to start talks on Idlib issue in Ankara on March 10, says ministry

ANKARA , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
The talks involving Russia ’ s military delegation on the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone will start in Ankara on March 10 , the Turkish Ministry of National Defense said in a statement on Monday .
`` In accordance with the Moscow memorandum ( on Idlib ) , the talks involving Russia ’ s military delegation will start on March 10 in Ankara , '' the statement said .
The sides are expected to discuss the details on joint patrolling along the M-4 road in Syria , which is scheduled to start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on a ceasefire and a number of other measures for settling the situation in Syria ’ s Idlib province during the Moscow talks on March 5 .
Under the achieved agreements , all hostilities were to be brought to an end along the whole disengagement line starting from March 6 .
On March 15 , Russia and Turkey will start joint patrolling of the road M4 .
A security corridor is to be created along the road .
Moscow and Ankara confirmed their commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to push ahead with resolute struggle against terrorism .

ANKARA, March 9. /TASS/. The talks involving Russia’s military delegation on the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone will start in Ankara on March 10, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense said in a statement on Monday.
"In accordance with the Moscow memorandum (on Idlib), the talks involving Russia’s military delegation will start on March 10 in Ankara," the statement said.
The sides are expected to discuss the details on joint patrolling along the M-4 road in Syria, which is scheduled to start on March 15.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on a ceasefire and a number of other measures for settling the situation in Syria’s Idlib province during the Moscow talks on March 5. Under the achieved agreements, all hostilities were to be brought to an end along the whole disengagement line starting from March 6. On March 15, Russia and Turkey will start joint patrolling of the road M4. A security corridor is to be created along the road. Moscow and Ankara confirmed their commitment to preserving Syria’s sovereignty and agreed to push ahead with resolute struggle against terrorism.


tass--2020-03-09--Russian Central Bank to suspend foreign exchange purchases within fiscal rule for 30 days

MOSCOW , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Central Bank has decided to suspend purchases of foreign currency on the domestic market within the fiscal rule mechanism for 30 days , the regulator said in a press release on Monday .
`` The Bank of Russia has decided not to purchase foreign currency on the domestic market within implementation of the fiscal rule mechanism for 30 days .
The decision is aimed at making the actions of monetary authorities more predictable and reducing volatility on the financial markets amid major changes on the global oil market .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchases postponed in 2018 , '' the press release said .
The decision on resumption of transactions with foreign currency will be made considering the situation on the financial market in March this year , the regulator added .
The Central Bank is monitoring the situation on the financial market , it noted , adding that it is ready to use additional instruments to support stability on financial markets .
As part of the fiscal rule , the Finance Ministry made monthly purchases of currency , using extra revenues received from higher oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the budget , which was allocated to reserves .
The Central Bank acts as the Finance Ministry ’ s agent for currency purchases on the open market .

MOSCOW, March 9. /TASS/. Russia’s Central Bank has decided to suspend purchases of foreign currency on the domestic market within the fiscal rule mechanism for 30 days, the regulator said in a press release on Monday.
"The Bank of Russia has decided not to purchase foreign currency on the domestic market within implementation of the fiscal rule mechanism for 30 days. The decision is aimed at making the actions of monetary authorities more predictable and reducing volatility on the financial markets amid major changes on the global oil market. It covers both regular foreign exchange purchases and purchases postponed in 2018," the press release said.
The decision on resumption of transactions with foreign currency will be made considering the situation on the financial market in March this year, the regulator added.
The Central Bank is monitoring the situation on the financial market, it noted, adding that it is ready to use additional instruments to support stability on financial markets.
As part of the fiscal rule, the Finance Ministry made monthly purchases of currency, using extra revenues received from higher oil price compared with the one priced into the budget, which was allocated to reserves. The Central Bank acts as the Finance Ministry’s agent for currency purchases on the open market.


tass--2020-03-09--Dollar exchange rate exceeds 75 rubles on Forex, euro rises above 85 rubles

MOSCOW , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
The dollar exchange rate gained 9.5 % on the international Forex market breaching @ @ @ @ @ while the euro exchange rate added 10 % since the previous closure to over 85 @ @ @ @ @ trading data .
The dollar exchange rate last exceeded 75 rubles in March 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ last rose above 85 rubles in February 2016 .
As of 10:57 am Moscow time @ @ @ @ @ equaled 75.22 rubles ( up 9.8 % ) , while the euro exchange rate was @ @ @ @ @ % ) after breaching the 86 mark at 10:53 am .
A sharp jump in @ @ @ @ @ against the ruble follows the oil price drop .
The price of futures contracts of @ @ @ @ @ 2020 delivery plunged by 23.4 % to $ 34.66 per barrel on London 's ICE @ @ @ @ @ by the oil price was $ 31.02 , a 31.5 % decrease since the previous @ @

MOSCOW, March 9. /TASS/. The dollar exchange rate gained 9.5% on the international Forex market breaching the 75 rubles mark, while the euro exchange rate added 10% since the previous closure to over 85 rubles, according to the trading data.
The dollar exchange rate last exceeded 75 rubles in March 2016, while the euro exchange rate last rose above 85 rubles in February 2016.
As of 10:57 am Moscow time, the dollar exchange rate equaled 75.22 rubles (up 9.8%), while the euro exchange rate was 86 rubles (up 11.2%) after breaching the 86 mark at 10:53 am.
A sharp jump in the dollar and the euro against the ruble follows the oil price drop. The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for May 2020 delivery plunged by 23.4% to $34.66 per barrel on London's ICE. The lowest level reached by the oil price was $31.02, a 31.5% decrease since the previous closure.


tass--2020-03-09--US, Russia remain largest exporters of weapons in the world

STOCKHOLM , March 9 .
TASS/ .
The United States and Russia remained the main exporters in 2014-2019 , although the volume of arms sales of Russia decreased compared to 2010-2014 by 18 % .
That is according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute ( SIPRI ) , released on Monday .
The new report on the state of world arms trade notes that in 2015-2019 the trade volume increased by 5.5 % compared with the previous five-year period ( 2010-2014 ) .
`` Between 2010-14 and 2015-19 , exports of major arms from the USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its share of total global arms exports to 36 per cent .
In 2015-19 total US arms exports were 76 per cent higher than those of the second-largest arms exporter in the world , Russia .
Major arms transferred from the USA went to a total of 96 countries , '' report notes .
‘ Half of US arms exports in the past five years went to the Middle East , and half of those went to Saudi Arabia , ’ says Pieter D. Wezeman , Senior Researcher at SIPRI .
‘ At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USA ’ s advanced military aircraft increased , particularly in Europe , Australia , Japan and Taiwan.
’ The share of Russia 's military exports over the past 5 years amounted to 21 % of the global volume , which is 6 % less than the indicator for the period 2010-2014 .
The supply of Russian weapons to India , Russia 's main partner in the field of arms trade , decreased significantly - by 47 % as compared with the previous period 2010-2014 .
Major arms exports by Russia decreased by 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Russia has lost traction in India

STOCKHOLM, March 9. TASS/. The United States and Russia remained the main exporters in 2014-2019, although the volume of arms sales of Russia decreased compared to 2010-2014 by 18%. That is according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), released on Monday.
The new report on the state of world arms trade notes that in 2015-2019 the trade volume increased by 5.5% compared with the previous five-year period (2010-2014).
"Between 2010-14 and 2015-19, exports of major arms from the USA grew by 23 per cent, raising its share of total global arms exports to 36 per cent. In 2015-19 total US arms exports were 76 per cent higher than those of the second-largest arms exporter in the world, Russia. Major arms transferred from the USA went to a total of 96 countries," report notes.
‘Half of US arms exports in the past five years went to the Middle East, and half of those went to Saudi Arabia,’ says Pieter D. Wezeman, Senior Researcher at SIPRI.
‘At the same time, demand for the USA’s advanced military aircraft increased, particularly in Europe, Australia, Japan and Taiwan.’
Russian export
The share of Russia's military exports over the past 5 years amounted to 21% of the global volume, which is 6% less than the indicator for the period 2010-2014. The supply of Russian weapons to India, Russia's main partner in the field of arms trade, decreased significantly - by 47% as compared with the previous period 2010-2014.
Major arms exports by Russia decreased by 18 per cent between 2010-14 and 2015-19. ‘Russia has lost traction in India


tass--2020-03-09--Brent crude oil down below $34 per barrel, first time since February 2016

MOSCOW , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
The cost of futures for Brent crude oil with settlement in May 2020 @ @ @ @ @ London fell by 33.4 % to $ 33.94 per barrel , according to trading data @ @ @ @ @ .
By 01:25 Moscow time , Brent partially won back its fall , the price @ @ @ @ @ 35.23 per barrel .
The last time the oil price was below $ 34 per @ @ @ @ @ The cost of the April futures contract for WTI crude oil fell by 27.1 % @ @ @ @ @ .
Oil price is falling amid news that OPEC+ countries failed to agree on an @ @ @ @ @ amid falling demand due to coronavirus .
At the meeting in Vienna , OPEC proposed @ @ @ @ @ 1.5 million barrels per day until the end of this year .
However , Russia @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia , in particular , insisted on the extension of the current agreements only @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 9. /TASS/. The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for May 2020 delivery has partially bounced back to $37.03 per barrel (down 18.2%) on London's ICE on Monday, according to the trading data as of 1:00 pm Moscow time. The lowest level reached by the oil price was $31.02, a 31.5% decrease since the previous closure.
Meanwhile, the price of futures contracts of WTI crude oil is $33.5 per barrel (down 22.5%) after bouncing back 22.7% of the lowest price of Monday’s trade.
The dollar exchange rate gained 8% on the international Forex market to 73.98 rubles, while the euro exchange rate added 9% to over 84.22 rubles.
The oil price is falling amid the news that OPEC+ countries failed to agree on an additional reduction in oil production amid sliding demand due to the coronavirus. OPEC proposed to deepen production cuts by another 1.5 mln barrels per day until the end of this year. However, Russia and Kazakhstan opposed the proposal.


tass--2020-03-09--Dollar-to-ruble rate rose to 72.5 rubles on Forex

MOSCOW , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
The dollar-to-ruble rate on the international Forex market grew on Monday since the previous closure by 3.93 rubles and amounted to 72.5 rubles , according to the trading data .
The euro-to-ruble at Forex increased compared to the closing level of previous session by 4.89 rubles and amounted to 82.4 rubles .
A sharp jump in the dollar and the euro against the ruble occurred amid the reports that the cost of May futures for Brent crude oil on the ICE Exchange in London fell to $ 31.02 per barrel .
By 01:25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its fall , the price of futures rose to $ 35.23 per barrel .
The cost of the April futures contract for WTI crude oil fell by 27.1 % to $ 32.48 per barrel .
Oil price is falling amid news that OPEC+ countries failed to agree on an additional reduction in oil production amid falling demand due to coronavirus .
At the meeting in Vienna , OPEC proposed to further reduce production by 1.5 million barrels per day until the end of this year .
However , Russia and Kazakhstan opposed this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted on the extension of the current agreements only for the second quarter .

MOSCOW, March 9. /TASS/. The dollar-to-ruble rate on the international Forex market grew on Monday since the previous closure by 3.93 rubles and amounted to 72.5 rubles, according to the trading data.
The euro-to-ruble at Forex increased compared to the closing level of previous session by 4.89 rubles and amounted to 82.4 rubles.
A sharp jump in the dollar and the euro against the ruble occurred amid the reports that the cost of May futures for Brent crude oil on the ICE Exchange in London fell to $31.02 per barrel.
By 01:25 Moscow time, Brent partially won back its fall, the price of futures rose to $35.23 per barrel.
The cost of the April futures contract for WTI crude oil fell by 27.1% to $32.48 per barrel.
Oil price is falling amid news that OPEC+ countries failed to agree on an additional reduction in oil production amid falling demand due to coronavirus.
At the meeting in Vienna, OPEC proposed to further reduce production by 1.5 million barrels per day until the end of this year. However, Russia and Kazakhstan opposed this proposal. Russia, in particular, insisted on the extension of the current agreements only for the second quarter.


tass--2020-03-09--100-year-old man recovers from coronavirus in China’s Wuhan - Xinhua

TASS , March 9 .
A 100-year-old Chinese man was discharged from a hospital in Wuhan , the capital of China ’ s Hubei province , on Saturday after recovering from the novel coronavirus , Xinhua said .
According to the news agency , the man has become the oldest known patient to beat the deadly disease caused by coronavirus COVID-19 .
The man was admitted to the hospital in Wuhan , the epicenter of the outbreak , on February 24 with the coronavirus infection .
Antiviral medication , traditional Chinese medicine and convalescent plasma therapy were used in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Overall , nearly 100 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
Outside China , the worst affected countries are Iran , Italy and South Korea .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which handles the bulk of cases , has confirmed around 80,700 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The virus ’ death toll has reached more than 3,000 , yet more than 57,000 patients have recovered from the disease .
WHO says that new coronavirus cases outside China have passed 24,700 , and there are nearly 500 deaths .

TASS, March 9. A 100-year-old Chinese man was discharged from a hospital in Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province, on Saturday after recovering from the novel coronavirus, Xinhua said.
According to the news agency, the man has become the oldest known patient to beat the deadly disease caused by coronavirus COVID-19. The man was admitted to the hospital in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, on February 24 with the coronavirus infection. Antiviral medication, traditional Chinese medicine and convalescent plasma therapy were used in his treatment.
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million. The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Overall, nearly 100 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Iran, Italy and South Korea. According to the latest reports, China, which handles the bulk of cases, has confirmed around 80,700 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has reached more than 3,000, yet more than 57,000 patients have recovered from the disease. WHO says that new coronavirus cases outside China have passed 24,700, and there are nearly 500 deaths.


tass--2020-03-09--Russian upper house speaker urges not to politicize Russia-Belarus ties in energy

MOSCOW , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Belarus will find compromises in the energy sector , so those issues should not be politicized , Speaker of Russia ’ s Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko said in a televised interview with Belarus ’ 1 channel aired on Sunday .
`` We should not exaggerate the scale of these differences , scale them up , and most importantly , politicize , '' said the speaker .
According to Matviyenko , the Russian-Belarusian relations are strategic .
`` We are building the Union State .
Our cooperation is so multifaceted that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic turnover , it stands at over $ 35 billion , '' she said .
Moreover , according to Matviyenko , the Russian-Belarusian cooperation `` has already grown roots in human relations , education , health care , and in a variety of other diverse fields . ''
`` Of course , certain problems and routine issues periodically emerge against the background of this multifaceted cooperation .
However , the main thing is that our leaders have the willpower to solve them and to do so in a calm , constructive and working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that it can be related to the current problems in the energy sector .
I am convinced that they will be resolved , '' the speaker of the upper house of Russia ’ s parliament stated .
The supplies of Russian oil to Belarusian refineries were stopped on January 1 , 2020 because Moscow and Minsk had failed to come to an agreement on this year ’ s supplies .
Later , deliveries were partially resumed by Safmar Group .
On February 26 , Belneftekhim said that starting March , five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver oil to Belarus previously , would start supplying crude to Belarusian refineries at the market price without premium in addition to companies of Safmar Group .

MOSCOW, March 9. /TASS/. Russia and Belarus will find compromises in the energy sector, so those issues should not be politicized, Speaker of Russia’s Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko said in a televised interview with Belarus’1 channel aired on Sunday.
"We should not exaggerate the scale of these differences, scale them up, and most importantly, politicize," said the speaker.
According to Matviyenko, the Russian-Belarusian relations are strategic.
"We are building the Union State. Our cooperation is so multifaceted that if we just talk about our trade and economic turnover, it stands at over $35 billion," she said.
Moreover, according to Matviyenko, the Russian-Belarusian cooperation "has already grown roots in human relations, education, health care, and in a variety of other diverse fields."
"Of course, certain problems and routine issues periodically emerge against the background of this multifaceted cooperation. However, the main thing is that our leaders have the willpower to solve them and to do so in a calm, constructive and working manner," Matviyenko noted.
"I think that it can be related to the current problems in the energy sector. I am convinced that they will be resolved," the speaker of the upper house of Russia’s parliament stated.
The supplies of Russian oil to Belarusian refineries were stopped on January 1, 2020 because Moscow and Minsk had failed to come to an agreement on this year’s supplies. Later, deliveries were partially resumed by Safmar Group. On February 26, Belneftekhim said that starting March, five new Russian suppliers, which did not deliver oil to Belarus previously, would start supplying crude to Belarusian refineries at the market price without premium in addition to companies of Safmar Group.


tass--2020-03-10--Italian PM extends quarantine measures nationwide

ROME , March 10 .
/TASS/ .
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has extended quarantine measures introduced to combat the spread of novel coronavirus in all of Italy , restricting the citizens ’ movements .
`` Taking into account the recent data and the increased amount of those infected and dead , we have decided to extend the measures applied to Lombardy and several other areas on the entire territory of the country , '' Conte said during Monday ’ s press conference transmitted on Facebook .
He added that people are only allowed to travel for work , due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new measures will come into force starting March 10 .
Conte added that all educational facilities in the country would be closed until April 3 .
`` We are introducing measures that can be described as `` I ’ m staying home . ''
The recent data on those infected and dead , as well as the amount of people in intensive care shows that it is time to change our habits .
Every Italian must give up something for the sake of Italy , '' the PM said .
Conte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restricted , however , Italy will continue to supervise those arriving in the country .
According to him , so far , the restrictions do not concern public transport , `` so that people could still be able to reach their place of work . ''
The number of deaths caused by novel coronavirus in Italy has risen by 97 in the past 24 hours , with the total death toll reaching 463 .
The number of people infected with the virus in the country has exceeded 9,000 , while over 700 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
According to Chinese authorities , about 80,700 people have been infected with the virus in the country .
The death toll has exceeded 3,100 , while about 58,600 patients have recovered .
WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19 .
Cases of coronavirus have been reported in over 100 countries , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside of China have been detected in South Korea , Iran and Italy .

ROME, March 10. /TASS/. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has extended quarantine measures introduced to combat the spread of novel coronavirus in all of Italy, restricting the citizens’ movements.
"Taking into account the recent data and the increased amount of those infected and dead, we have decided to extend the measures applied to Lombardy and several other areas on the entire territory of the country," Conte said during Monday’s press conference transmitted on Facebook. He added that people are only allowed to travel for work, due to family emergencies or for health reasons. The new measures will come into force starting March 10.
Conte added that all educational facilities in the country would be closed until April 3.
"We are introducing measures that can be described as "I’m staying home." The recent data on those infected and dead, as well as the amount of people in intensive care shows that it is time to change our habits. Every Italian must give up something for the sake of Italy," the PM said. Conte added that international travel would not be restricted, however, Italy will continue to supervise those arriving in the country. According to him, so far, the restrictions do not concern public transport, "so that people could still be able to reach their place of work."
The number of deaths caused by novel coronavirus in Italy has risen by 97 in the past 24 hours, with the total death toll reaching 463. The number of people infected with the virus in the country has exceeded 9,000, while over 700 people have recovered from the disease.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. According to Chinese authorities, about 80,700 people have been infected with the virus in the country. The death toll has exceeded 3,100, while about 58,600 patients have recovered. WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19. Cases of coronavirus have been reported in over 100 countries, including Russia. The largest outbreaks of COVID-19 outside of China have been detected in South Korea, Iran and Italy.


tass--2020-03-09--Russian military police escorts 13 Turkish convoys to posts in Syria’s Idlib zone

MOSCOW , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
Units of the Russian military police escorted 13 Turkish convoys to Turkey ’ s observation posts in the Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria during the past day , Oleg Zhuravlev , chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria , said on Monday .
`` A special round-the-clock communications channel has been established to ensure real-time coordination between the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties and the Turkish side .
During the day , units of the Russian military police escorted 13 Turkish convoys to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s observation posts in the Idlib de-escalation zone , '' he said .
Zhuravlev recalled that under the Russian-Turkish agreements a ceasefire had been declared in the Idlib de-escalation zone from 00:01 on March 6 .
`` No shelling attacks by Ankara-controlled illegal armed groups were reported in the past day .
Nevertheless , two ceasefire violations by units of the Islamic Party of Turkestan and Jahbat al-Nusra ( outlawed in Russia ) , which are not controlled by Turkey , were reported in the settlements of Ain al-Nwar and Tanjara in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A regular joint Russia-Turkish patrol mission was conducted in the al-Hasakah governorate .
The Russian military police continued patrol missions along five routes in the Aleppo , Raqqa and al-Hasakah governorates .
Russia ’ s air force conducted an aerial patrolling from the Metras airfield .
Apart from that , according to Zhuravlev , officers of the Russian reconciliation center conducted two humanitarian operations and delivered a total of 1.98 tonnes of food products to settlements in the al-Hasakah and al-Quneitra governorates .
As many as 305 Syrians in the settlements of Kobani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the al-Hasakah governorate received medical assistance from Russian military doctors .
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria .
The center ’ s officers regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation .
The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones .

MOSCOW, March 9. /TASS/. Units of the Russian military police escorted 13 Turkish convoys to Turkey’s observation posts in the Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria during the past day, Oleg Zhuravlev, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Monday.
"A special round-the-clock communications channel has been established to ensure real-time coordination between the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties and the Turkish side. During the day, units of the Russian military police escorted 13 Turkish convoys to the deployments sites of the Turkish army’s observation posts in the Idlib de-escalation zone," he said.
Zhuravlev recalled that under the Russian-Turkish agreements a ceasefire had been declared in the Idlib de-escalation zone from 00:01 on March 6. "No shelling attacks by Ankara-controlled illegal armed groups were reported in the past day. Nevertheless, two ceasefire violations by units of the Islamic Party of Turkestan and Jahbat al-Nusra (outlawed in Russia), which are not controlled by Turkey, were reported in the settlements of Ain al-Nwar and Tanjara in the Latakia governorate," he said.
A regular joint Russia-Turkish patrol mission was conducted in the al-Hasakah governorate. The Russian military police continued patrol missions along five routes in the Aleppo, Raqqa and al-Hasakah governorates. Russia’s air force conducted an aerial patrolling from the Metras airfield.
Apart from that, according to Zhuravlev, officers of the Russian reconciliation center conducted two humanitarian operations and delivered a total of 1.98 tonnes of food products to settlements in the al-Hasakah and al-Quneitra governorates. As many as 305 Syrians in the settlements of Kobani in the Aleppo governorate and al-Qamishli in the al-Hasakah governorate received medical assistance from Russian military doctors.
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-03-09--Turkey asks NATO for extra assistance on Syria

BRUSSELS , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey has requested additional assistance from NATO to protect its border with Syria and address migration challenges , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg .
`` At today ’ s talks we discussed mainly the situation in Syria .
I stressed the importance of immediate additional assistance from NATO and the alliance ’ s member states .
Turkey ’ s border with Syria is NATO ’ s southeastern border .
The crisis in Syria is a threat to our region and entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and in the humanitarian sphere .
Not a single European country can afford staying indifferent to the tragedy in Syria , '' he said .
This statement was made ahead of Erdogan ’ s talks with the European Commission president that are expected to focus on Turkey ’ s role in an attempts to exert migration pressure on Europe .
Erdogan said Turkey has been Europe ’ s and NATO ’ s stronghold against the threat in Syria for nine years and the only NATO country to fight against Islamic State ( a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moreover , in his words , Turkey has received 3.7 million Syrian refugees .

BRUSSELS, March 9. /TASS/. Turkey has requested additional assistance from NATO to protect its border with Syria and address migration challenges, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
"At today’s talks we discussed mainly the situation in Syria. I stressed the importance of immediate additional assistance from NATO and the alliance’s member states. Turkey’s border with Syria is NATO’s southeastern border. The crisis in Syria is a threat to our region and entire Europe both in the sphere of security and in the humanitarian sphere. Not a single European country can afford staying indifferent to the tragedy in Syria," he said.
This statement was made ahead of Erdogan’s talks with the European Commission president that are expected to focus on Turkey’s role in an attempts to exert migration pressure on Europe.
Erdogan said Turkey has been Europe’s and NATO’s stronghold against the threat in Syria for nine years and the only NATO country to fight against Islamic State (a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia). Moreover, in his words, Turkey has received 3.7 million Syrian refugees.


tass--2020-03-09--Suspects in MH 17 crash case facing life imprisonment - Public Prosecution Service

SCHIPHOL /The Netherlands/ , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
The suspects in the case of the MH17 crash in Ukraine in 2014 may face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment , Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor of the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service Digna van Boetzelaer said on Monday .
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has brought charges against four suspects in the case .
They have been charged with bringing a missile into the area , downing the MH17 flight and killing 298 passengers and crew .
The Boeing-777 passenger plane operated by Malaysian Airlines crashed in eastern Ukraine on July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur .
A total of 298 people , citizens of 10 countries , were killed in the crash .
The parties to the armed conflict in Donbass traded blame over the tragedy .
Despite active combat actions , Kiev did not close airspace over Donbass for international passenger flights .
The Joint Investigation Team ( JIT ) was set up to investigate the tragedy , consisting of representatives from Australia , Belgium , Malaysia , the Netherlands and Ukraine .
In June 2019 , the JIT said it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the MH17 crash .
They are three Russian nationals Igor Girkin , also known under the nickname of Strelkov , Sergei Dubinsky , Oleg Pulatov and a Ukrainian national , Leonid Kharchenko .
The trial began in the Netherlands on March 9 .
A team of two Dutch and one Russian attorneys represents Oleg Pulatov ’ s interests .
The other three suspects are tried in absentia .
Russia ’ s authorities have repeatedly voiced doubt over the JIT ’ s findings , pointing to the lack of evidence and its reluctance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclusions made during the investigation .

SCHIPHOL /The Netherlands/, March 9. /TASS/. The suspects in the case of the MH17 crash in Ukraine in 2014 may face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment, Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor of the Netherlands Public Prosecution Service Digna van Boetzelaer said on Monday.
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service has brought charges against four suspects in the case. They have been charged with bringing a missile into the area, downing the MH17 flight and killing 298 passengers and crew.
The Boeing-777 passenger plane operated by Malaysian Airlines crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, while en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. A total of 298 people, citizens of 10 countries, were killed in the crash. The parties to the armed conflict in Donbass traded blame over the tragedy.
Despite active combat actions, Kiev did not close airspace over Donbass for international passenger flights. The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was set up to investigate the tragedy, consisting of representatives from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine.
In June 2019, the JIT said it had identified four individuals suspected of being involved in the MH17 crash. They are three Russian nationals Igor Girkin, also known under the nickname of Strelkov, Sergei Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and a Ukrainian national, Leonid Kharchenko. The trial began in the Netherlands on March 9. A team of two Dutch and one Russian attorneys represents Oleg Pulatov’s interests. The other three suspects are tried in absentia.
Russia’s authorities have repeatedly voiced doubt over the JIT’s findings, pointing to the lack of evidence and its reluctance to take into account Moscow’s conclusions made during the investigation.


tass--2020-03-09--Current oil market situation within anticipated frames - Russian energy minister

MOSCOW , March 9 .
/TASS/ .
The current situation on the oil market is within the forecasted frames however a scenario of withdrawing from the OPEC+ product cut deal is being looked at , Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday at a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin .
`` A scenario of withdrawal from the production cuts deal was looked at and the current situation on the oil market is within the forecast limits , '' the government press service quoted him as saying .
The minister stressed that Russia ’ s oil sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stability and would stay competitive even in conditions of low oil prices .
`` Russia ’ s oil sector has a quality resource base and an adequate margin of financial strength to have a competitive edge in conditions of any anticipated price level and to preserve its share of the market .
However the government will focus special attention to stable supplies of oil products to the domestic market and to maintaining the investment potential in the sector , '' he said .
Novak noted that it was OPEC ’ s decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition for a market share .
The organization however turned down Russia ’ s initiative to extend the OPEC+ deal on the current terms at least till the end of the second quarter to have a better understanding of the novel coronavirus impacts on the global economy .
`` The Russian side suggested the deal be extended on the current terms at least till the end of the second quarter to have a better understanding of the situation with the coronavirus impacts on the global economy and oil demand .
Nevertheless , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and begin competition for a market share , '' he said .
An OPEC source familiar with Saudi Arabia ’ s plans told TASS earlier in the day that Saudi Arabia considers Russia as a major partner on the oil market and has no plans to plunge into a price war with Russia .
The OPEC+ mechanism , according to source is alive and viable .
The source confirmed however that nothing restricts Saudi Aramco ’ s plans in April , with no decision from OPEC+ .
The source blamed all the signatories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones , for the current situation on the oil market .
Meanwhile , Bloomberg cited a source close to Russia ’ s oil major Rosneft as saying that Russia could increase production from April when the OPEC+ deal expires .
Rosneft , Bloomberg claims , is capable of increasing output by 300,000 barrels a day .

MOSCOW, March 9. /TASS/. The current situation on the oil market is within the forecasted frames however a scenario of withdrawing from the OPEC+ product cut deal is being looked at, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday at a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
"A scenario of withdrawal from the production cuts deal was looked at and the current situation on the oil market is within the forecast limits," the government press service quoted him as saying.
The minister stressed that Russia’s oil sector could boast a big margin of financial stability and would stay competitive even in conditions of low oil prices.
"Russia’s oil sector has a quality resource base and an adequate margin of financial strength to have a competitive edge in conditions of any anticipated price level and to preserve its share of the market. However the government will focus special attention to stable supplies of oil products to the domestic market and to maintaining the investment potential in the sector," he said.
OPEC’s decision
Novak noted that it was OPEC’s decision to increase oil production and to plunge into competition for a market share. The organization however turned down Russia’s initiative to extend the OPEC+ deal on the current terms at least till the end of the second quarter to have a better understanding of the novel coronavirus impacts on the global economy.
"The Russian side suggested the deal be extended on the current terms at least till the end of the second quarter to have a better understanding of the situation with the coronavirus impacts on the global economy and oil demand. Nevertheless, the OPEC partners decided to increase oil production and begin competition for a market share," he said.
An OPEC source familiar with Saudi Arabia’s plans told TASS earlier in the day that Saudi Arabia considers Russia as a major partner on the oil market and has no plans to plunge into a price war with Russia. The OPEC+ mechanism, according to source is alive and viable.
The source confirmed however that nothing restricts Saudi Aramco’s plans in April, with no decision from OPEC+. The source blamed all the signatories to the deal, especially the biggest ones, for the current situation on the oil market.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg cited a source close to Russia’s oil major Rosneft as saying that Russia could increase production from April when the OPEC+ deal expires. Rosneft, Bloomberg claims, is capable of increasing output by 300,000 barrels a day.


tass--2020-03-09--Russian ambassador, US treasury secretary discuss prospects for bilateral relations

WASHINGTON , The current state and prospects for further development of bilateral ties were in focus of a meeting between Russian Ambassador to the United States and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , the press service of the Russian embassy said on Monday .
`` On March 9 , Russian Ambassador Antonov met with US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin .
The discussion focused on the current state and prospects for further development of the Russian-US ties , the implementation of the agreements reached by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump at their summit in Helsinki in 2018 and a meeting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The Russian side reiterated its commitment to joint efforts towards stabilization of bilateral relations and expressed interest in maintaining regular direct dialogue between the embassy and the US administration , '' the embassy noted .
According to the US Department of the Treasury , Mnuchin and Antonov also discussed the topics of energy , trade and investments .
`` They discussed compliance with sanctions programs , Venezuelan economic conditions , and the potential for trade and investment .
Secretary Mnuchin emphasized the importance of orderly energy markets , '' it said @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON, The current state and prospects for further development of bilateral ties were in focus of a meeting between Russian Ambassador to the United States and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, the press service of the Russian embassy said on Monday.
"On March 9, Russian Ambassador Antonov met with US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin. The discussion focused on the current state and prospects for further development of the Russian-US ties, the implementation of the agreements reached by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump at their summit in Helsinki in 2018 and a meeting in Osaka in 2019," it said.
"The Russian side reiterated its commitment to joint efforts towards stabilization of bilateral relations and expressed interest in maintaining regular direct dialogue between the embassy and the US administration," the embassy noted.
According to the US Department of the Treasury, Mnuchin and Antonov also discussed the topics of energy, trade and investments. "They discussed compliance with sanctions programs, Venezuelan economic conditions, and the potential for trade and investment. Secretary Mnuchin emphasized the importance of orderly energy markets," it said in a press statement.