tass--2020-12-31--Roscosmos chief says NASA’s response to his message about sanctions was evasive

MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
The CEO of Russia ’ s space corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin has described as evasive the response he received from NASA ’ s chief Jim Bridenstine in connection with the sanctions against some affiliates of the Russian government-run corporation , which might indicate the United States ’ intention to curtail participation in international space programs .
`` The reply we received was evasive , as diplomats say : yes , we support export control that our government introduced , but on the other hand we stand by the ISS values , '' Rogozin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rossiya-24 in an interview .
`` Generally speaking , I should say this : I have an impression that our US counterparts have set the course towards curtailing international space programs .
Before , we hoped that space might remain outside politics , but it has turned out that it can not remain outside politics .
Space is the essence of politics .
Everything is reflected there , '' Rogozin said .
He stressed that the same applied to the demonstration of technologies , the lunar and orbital races .
`` It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fly , who is to accomplish more .
As a matter of fact , it is a show of technological muscle , '' Rogozin said .
He stressed that as long as the International Space Station remained operational , cooperation would go on .
`` In other spheres , there is a trend towards curtailing cooperation , to my regret , '' he said .
Earlier , Rogozin said he had asked the US Ministry of Commerce for an explanation of why Roscosmos affiliates - TsNIIMash and the space rocket center Progress - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , introduced against a number of Russian and Chinese enterprises .
Washington argues that the enterprises in question worked for the armed forces of their respective countries .
None of the organizations on the black list can acquire a number of US goods and technologies .
There are 58 Chinese and 45 organizations on the black list .

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. The CEO of Russia’s space corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin has described as evasive the response he received from NASA’s chief Jim Bridenstine in connection with the sanctions against some affiliates of the Russian government-run corporation, which might indicate the United States’ intention to curtail participation in international space programs.
"The reply we received was evasive, as diplomats say: yes, we support export control that our government introduced, but on the other hand we stand by the ISS values," Rogozin said on the round-the-clock television news channel Rossiya-24 in an interview.
"Generally speaking, I should say this: I have an impression that our US counterparts have set the course towards curtailing international space programs. Before, we hoped that space might remain outside politics, but it has turned out that it cannot remain outside politics. Space is the essence of politics. Everything is reflected there," Rogozin said.
He stressed that the same applied to the demonstration of technologies, the lunar and orbital races.
"It’s about who is the first to fly, who is to accomplish more. As a matter of fact, it is a show of technological muscle," Rogozin said.
He stressed that as long as the International Space Station remained operational, cooperation would go on.
"In other spheres, there is a trend towards curtailing cooperation, to my regret," he said.
Earlier, Rogozin said he had asked the US Ministry of Commerce for an explanation of why Roscosmos affiliates - TsNIIMash and the space rocket center Progress - had come under the latest US sanctions, introduced against a number of Russian and Chinese enterprises. Washington argues that the enterprises in question worked for the armed forces of their respective countries. None of the organizations on the black list can acquire a number of US goods and technologies. There are 58 Chinese and 45 organizations on the black list.


tass--2020-12-31--Russian Direct Investment Fund to supply required coronavirus vaccine to Hungary by March

MOSCOW , December 31 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) will deliver the required volume @ @ @ @ @ to Hungary in January - March 2021 , a RDIF spokesperson told TASS on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ received the first batch of vaccines on December 28 and we are ready to supply @ @ @ @ @ Hungary in January - March 2021 .
RDIF is working with regulators for receipt of @ @ @ @ @ , '' the spokesperson noted .
Today ’ s `` Reuters article that Hungary decided @ @ @ @ @ V vaccine is one more example of fake news in reputable mass media , '' @ @ @ @ @ earlier today , citing sources , that Hungary would purchase the new coronavirus vaccine under @ @ @ @ @ from China .

MOSCOW, December 31. /TASS/. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) will deliver the required volume of Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines to Hungary in January - March 2021, a RDIF spokesperson told TASS on Thursday.
"Hungary has already received the first batch of vaccines on December 28 and we are ready to supply all the vaccines needed by Hungary in January - March 2021. RDIF is working with regulators for receipt of authorizations from Hungarian regulatory authorities," the spokesperson noted.
Today’s "Reuters article that Hungary decided not to order the Sputnik V vaccine is one more example of fake news in reputable mass media," RDIF said.
Reuters reported earlier today, citing sources, that Hungary would purchase the new coronavirus vaccine under the EU procurement program or from China.


tass--2020-12-31--Russian government approves new rules for compensation of oil spill damages

MOSCOW , December 31 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian government has approved rules for compensation of damages inflicted by oil @ @ @ @ @ according to the document posted on the official web portal of legal information .
The @ @ @ @ @ environment , life , health and property should be compensated along with costs of spill @ @ @ @ @ of Natural Resources will set forth the procedure to calculate the amount of financial security @ @ @ @ @ An operator should compensate damages inflicted due to a fuel spill .
Damages will be @ @ @ @ @ reclamation costs for disturbed state of environment `` with consideration of sustained losses , including @ @ @ @ @ to reclamation projects .
The operator shall ensure payment of inflicted damages `` within one @ @ @ @ @ receiving a relevant claim from government supervision authorities , '' the document says .
The @ @ @ @ @ its amount can be disputed in court .
The resolution will be in effect from @ @ @ @ @ January 1 , 2027 .

MOSCOW, December 31. /TASS/. The Russian government has approved rules for compensation of damages inflicted by oil and petroleum product spills, according to the document posted on the official web portal of legal information.
The document stipulates that damages to environment, life, health and property should be compensated along with costs of spill response activities. The Ministry of Natural Resources will set forth the procedure to calculate the amount of financial security to prevent such incidents.
An operator should compensate damages inflicted due to a fuel spill. Damages will be appraised on the basis of reclamation costs for disturbed state of environment "with consideration of sustained losses, including lost profit" and subject to reclamation projects.
The operator shall ensure payment of inflicted damages "within one month from the day of receiving a relevant claim from government supervision authorities," the document says. The duty of damages compensation and its amount can be disputed in court.
The resolution will be in effect from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2027.


tass--2020-12-31--Moldova renews gas contract with Gazprom until 2021 year-end

CHISINAU , December 31 .
/TASS/ .
Moldova has extended the current contract for gas supply to the Republic with @ @ @ @ @ press service of Moldovagaz says on Thursday .
`` Effective contracts for transit and supply @ @ @ @ @ to the Republic of Moldova have been extended for a year , '' the company @ @ @ @ @ were approved at the meeting of the Supervisory Board of the company and signed in @ @ @ @ @ press service adds .
It was reported earlier that the provisional gas price for Moldova @ @ @ @ @ per 1,000 cubic meters .

CHISINAU, December 31. /TASS/. Moldova has extended the current contract for gas supply to the Republic with Gazprom until 2021 year-end, press service of Moldovagaz says on Thursday.
"Effective contracts for transit and supply of natural gas by Gazprom to the Republic of Moldova have been extended for a year," the company says. "Relevant documents were approved at the meeting of the Supervisory Board of the company and signed in due course," the press service adds.
It was reported earlier that the provisional gas price for Moldova will be about $120-122 per 1,000 cubic meters.


tass--2020-12-31--‘From Russia with Love’ mission helped 9,000 families in need in Syria

MOSCOW , December 31 .
/TASS/ .
The `` From Russia with Love '' mission aided 9,000 people in Syria , affected by the hostilities , 495 tonnes of food were delivered to them , Russia ’ s Trade and Industry Chamber head Sergey Katyrin told TASS Thursday .
By the Chamber ’ s order , the Russian-Syrian Business Council acted as the mission ’ s organizer and sponsor , with support of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs , Compatriots Living Abroad , and International Humanitarian Cooperation , and with involvement of the Association for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria , as well as diplomatic missions of both states , Syrian ministries , agencies and organizations .
`` During the campaign , aid was provided to 9,000 families , affected by the hostilities and the economic blockade of the country .
The volunteers gave away 459 tonnes of food products .
Every family in need received a food package , intended for three-month consumption , '' Katyrin said .
Besides , the Russian-Syrian Business Council , in cooperation with the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shipment of 100,000 coronavirus PCR tests , the official added .

MOSCOW, December 31. /TASS/. The "From Russia with Love" mission aided 9,000 people in Syria, affected by the hostilities, 495 tonnes of food were delivered to them, Russia’s Trade and Industry Chamber head Sergey Katyrin told TASS Thursday.
By the Chamber’s order, the Russian-Syrian Business Council acted as the mission’s organizer and sponsor, with support of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation, and with involvement of the Association for Development of Friendly and Business Ties with Syria, as well as diplomatic missions of both states, Syrian ministries, agencies and organizations.
"During the campaign, aid was provided to 9,000 families, affected by the hostilities and the economic blockade of the country. The volunteers gave away 459 tonnes of food products. Every family in need received a food package, intended for three-month consumption," Katyrin said.
Besides, the Russian-Syrian Business Council, in cooperation with the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, and the Syrian authorities, organized the shipment of 100,000 coronavirus PCR tests, the official added.


tass--2020-12-31--Roscosmos creates special directorate for lunar missions

MOSCOW , December 30 .
/TASS/ .
A special directorate in charge of future lunar missions has been created at the Russian space corporation Roscosmos , the corporation ’ s CEO , Dmitry Rogozin , said in a special message of New Year greetings to Russia ’ s cosmonauts .
`` Roscosmos has created a special directorate , of which I am in charge myself , to be well up on all the nuances and elements of preparations for lunar missions .
This sets new tasks to and opens up new prospects in front of crewed space flights , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Roscosmos website on Thursday .
Rogozin recalled that Russia ’ s automatic space probe Luna-25 would leave the Vostochny spaceport for the Moon in 2021 .
`` We are beginning to explore the Moon ’ s South Pole with automatic space probes .
In the longer term , we will make preparations for crewed space missions , '' he said .
In the last days of the outgoing year a decision was made to create a special unified program for lunar research , Rogozin stressed .
He said that preparations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign partners , too .
In June 2019 , Russia ’ s research institute TsNIImash presented its concept of the Russian lunar research program at the Le Bourget air show .
The presentation said a space crew might set foot on the Moon in 2030 to stage experiments on the surface and conduct applied research .
Automatic space probes will be operational on the Moon ’ s surface at that moment .
After that regular missions to the Moon and the deployment of a permanent lunar base might follow .
The main phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will deploy relay transmitters , power generation modules and robotized systems on the Moon ’ s surface .

MOSCOW, December 30. /TASS/. A special directorate in charge of future lunar missions has been created at the Russian space corporation Roscosmos, the corporation’s CEO, Dmitry Rogozin, said in a special message of New Year greetings to Russia’s cosmonauts.
"Roscosmos has created a special directorate, of which I am in charge myself, to be well up on all the nuances and elements of preparations for lunar missions. This sets new tasks to and opens up new prospects in front of crewed space flights," Rogozin said in a video message uploaded to the Roscosmos website on Thursday.
Rogozin recalled that Russia’s automatic space probe Luna-25 would leave the Vostochny spaceport for the Moon in 2021.
"We are beginning to explore the Moon’s South Pole with automatic space probes. In the longer term, we will make preparations for crewed space missions," he said.
In the last days of the outgoing year a decision was made to create a special unified program for lunar research, Rogozin stressed. He said that preparations for deep space missions were being made by foreign partners, too.
In June 2019, Russia’s research institute TsNIImash presented its concept of the Russian lunar research program at the Le Bourget air show. The presentation said a space crew might set foot on the Moon in 2030 to stage experiments on the surface and conduct applied research. Automatic space probes will be operational on the Moon’s surface at that moment.
After that regular missions to the Moon and the deployment of a permanent lunar base might follow. The main phase is scheduled for 2032-2035. Regular missions will deploy relay transmitters, power generation modules and robotized systems on the Moon’s surface.


tass--2020-01-01--North Korean leader vows to unveil new strategic weapons soon — KCNA

MOSCOW , January 1 .
/TASS/ .
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country would unveil a new strategic weapon soon , the country ’ s KCNA news agency quoted him as saying during a plenary meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the ruling Workers ’ Party .
`` Saying that we should more actively push forward the project for developing strategic weapons , he [ Kim ] confirmed that the world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future , '' the agency reported .
According to Kim , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear weapons projects as long as the US takes a hostile stance toward Pyongyang .
`` We can not give up the security of our future just for the visible economic results and happiness and comfort in reality now that hostile acts and nuclear threat against us are increasing and nothing has changed between the days when we maintained the line of simultaneously pushing forward the economic construction and the building of nuclear force and now when we struggle to direct our efforts to the economic construction owing to the U.S. gangster-like acts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korean leader as saying .
Kim added that it would not let Washington to abuse its dialogue with Pyongyang for political gain .
`` We will never allow the impudent U.S. to abuse the DPRK-U.S. dialogue for meeting its sordid aim but will shift to a shocking actual action to make it pay for the pains sustained by our people so far and for the development so far restrained , '' he said .
According to Kim , the scope and depth of bolstering the country ’ s deterrent will be properly coordinated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the DPRK .
North Korea is no longer obliged to implement its moratorium on nuclear tests due to continuous US missile tests on the Korean Peninsula , the country ’ s KCNA news agency quoted the country ’ s leader Kim Jong-un as saying during a plenary meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the ruling Workers ’ Party .
`` In the past two years alone when the DPRK took preemptive and crucial measures of halting its nuclear test and ICBM test-fire and shutting down the nuclear-test ground for building confidence between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. , far from responding to the former with appropriate measures , conducted tens of big and small joint military drills which its president personally promised to stop and threatened the former militarily through the shipment of ultra-modern warfare equipment into south Korea , '' Kim was quoted as saying .
`` Under such condition , there is no ground for us to get unilaterally bound to the commitment any longer , the commitment to which there is no opposite party , and this is chilling our efforts for worldwide nuclear disarmament and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under such condition , there is no ground for us to get unilaterally bound to the commitment any longer , the commitment to which there is no opposite party , and this is chilling our efforts for worldwide nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation , '' the North Korean leader continued .
`` There is no need to hesitate with any expectation of the U.S. lift of sanctions even now that we had close look into the real intention of the U.S. , '' he said , adding if the U.S. persists in its hostile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never be the denuclearization on the Korean peninsula .
`` We will reliably put on constant alert the powerful nuclear deterrent capable of containing the nuclear threats from the U.S. and guaranteeing our long-term security , noting that the scope and depth of bolstering our deterrent will be properly coordinated depending on the U.S. future attitude to the DPRK . ''
Kim added .
The end of December is the deadline Pyongyang set for Washington for drafting a mutually acceptable compromise at the denuclearization talks .
On December 3 , North Korea ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the ball was in the US court .
`` It is entirely up to the US what Christmas gift it will select to get '' , Ri said .
During his visit to South Korea on June 30 , US President Donald Trump visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone ( DMZ ) on the border with North Korea where he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in the border village of Panmunjeom .
The two leaders agreed to resume working-level consultations on denuclearization , which were suspended after their futile summit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement , US and North Korean delegations met in Stockholm on October 5 to discuss ways to normalize bilateral relations .
However they failed to establish dialogue .
Whereas Kim Myong-Gil , who led the North Korean delegation , said the talks had been a failure , the US Department of States described these consultations as constructive .

MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country would unveil a new strategic weapon soon, the country’s KCNA news agency quoted him as saying during a plenary meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party.
"Saying that we should more actively push forward the project for developing strategic weapons, he [Kim] confirmed that the world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future," the agency reported.
According to Kim, North Korea would not stop its strategic nuclear weapons projects as long as the US takes a hostile stance toward Pyongyang.
"We can not give up the security of our future just for the visible economic results and happiness and comfort in reality now that hostile acts and nuclear threat against us are increasing and nothing has changed between the days when we maintained the line of simultaneously pushing forward the economic construction and the building of nuclear force and now when we struggle to direct our efforts to the economic construction owing to the U.S. gangster-like acts," the agency quoted the North Korean leader as saying.
Kim added that it would not let Washington to abuse its dialogue with Pyongyang for political gain.
"We will never allow the impudent U.S. to abuse the DPRK-U.S. dialogue for meeting its sordid aim but will shift to a shocking actual action to make it pay for the pains sustained by our people so far and for the development so far restrained," he said.
According to Kim, the scope and depth of bolstering the country’s deterrent will be properly coordinated depending on the US future attitude to the DPRK.
Nuclear test moratorium
North Korea is no longer obliged to implement its moratorium on nuclear tests due to continuous US missile tests on the Korean Peninsula, the country’s KCNA news agency quoted the country’s leader Kim Jong-un as saying during a plenary meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party.
"In the past two years alone when the DPRK took preemptive and crucial measures of halting its nuclear test and ICBM test-fire and shutting down the nuclear-test ground for building confidence between the DPRK and the U.S., the U.S., far from responding to the former with appropriate measures, conducted tens of big and small joint military drills which its president personally promised to stop and threatened the former militarily through the shipment of ultra-modern warfare equipment into south Korea," Kim was quoted as saying.
"Under such condition, there is no ground for us to get unilaterally bound to the commitment any longer, the commitment to which there is no opposite party, and this is chilling our efforts for worldwide nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation," he said.
"Under such condition, there is no ground for us to get unilaterally bound to the commitment any longer, the commitment to which there is no opposite party, and this is chilling our efforts for worldwide nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation," the North Korean leader continued.
"There is no need to hesitate with any expectation of the U.S. lift of sanctions even now that we had close look into the real intention of the U.S.," he said, adding if the U.S. persists in its hostile policy towards the DPRK, there will never be the denuclearization on the Korean peninsula.
"We will reliably put on constant alert the powerful nuclear deterrent capable of containing the nuclear threats from the U.S. and guaranteeing our long-term security, noting that the scope and depth of bolstering our deterrent will be properly coordinated depending on the U.S. future attitude to the DPRK." Kim added.
The end of December is the deadline Pyongyang set for Washington for drafting a mutually acceptable compromise at the denuclearization talks. On December 3, North Korea’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ri Thae Song said the ball was in the US court. "It is entirely up to the US what Christmas gift it will select to get", Ri said.
During his visit to South Korea on June 30, US President Donald Trump visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the border with North Korea where he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in the border village of Panmunjeom. The two leaders agreed to resume working-level consultations on denuclearization, which were suspended after their futile summit in Hanoi in February 2019. Under this agreement, US and North Korean delegations met in Stockholm on October 5 to discuss ways to normalize bilateral relations. However they failed to establish dialogue. Whereas Kim Myong-Gil, who led the North Korean delegation, said the talks had been a failure, the US Department of States described these consultations as constructive.


tass--2020-01-01--Russia kicks off New Year with hike in minimum wage

MOSCOW , January 1 .
/TASS/ .
On January 1 , 2020 , Russia ’ s minimum wage will increase by 7.5 % to 12,130 rubles ( $ 195.80 ) , press service of the Ministry of Labor of Russia told TASS .
In 2019 , it was 11,280 rubles ( $ 182.10 ) .
At the same time , taking into account the use of regional coefficients and percentage premiums on wages in excess of the minimum wage , the 2020 hike will range from 850 rubles ( $ 13.70 ) in the central and southern regions of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) in the Far East regions .
According to the Ministry of Labor , the minimum wage increase will affect about 3.2 mln people , half of which are employed in state and municipal institutions .
The volume of budget expenditures at all levels to raise the minimum wage will be 20.9 bln rubles ( $ 337.4 mln ) in 2020 , 5.8 bln rubles ( $ 93.63 mln ) of which will be allocated from the federal budget .
The minimum wage for Russians is calculated before tax on personal income .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure ; otherwise , they face fines and prosecution .
In addition , the duration of sick leave , maternity benefits for those who had no income or were lower than the minimum wage depend on the minimum wage .

MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. On January 1, 2020, Russia’s minimum wage will increase by 7.5% to 12,130 rubles ($195.80), the press service of the Ministry of Labor of Russia told TASS.
In 2019, it was 11,280 rubles ($182.10). At the same time, taking into account the use of regional coefficients and percentage premiums on wages in excess of the minimum wage, the 2020 hike will range from 850 rubles ($13.70) in the central and southern regions of the country to 2,550 rubles ($41.17) in the Far East regions.
According to the Ministry of Labor, the minimum wage increase will affect about 3.2 mln people, half of which are employed in state and municipal institutions. The volume of budget expenditures at all levels to raise the minimum wage will be 20.9 bln rubles ($337.4 mln) in 2020, 5.8 bln rubles ($93.63 mln) of which will be allocated from the federal budget.
The minimum wage for Russians is calculated before tax on personal income. Employers cannot pay less than the figure; otherwise, they face fines and prosecution. In addition, the duration of sick leave, maternity benefits for those who had no income or were lower than the minimum wage depend on the minimum wage.


tass--2020-01-01--Russian vintners wake up to new excise tax on grapes, winemaking materials

MOSCOW , January 1 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian government has introduced excise duties on base wine and grapes used in the winemaking industry starting on January 1 , 2020 .
Earlier these products were not subject to any excise duties .
As of New Years ’ Day 2020 , the new excise duty on grapes used in wine making will total 30 rubles ( $ 0.50 ) per tonne , and the excise duty on base wine will amount to 31 rubles ( $ 0.50 ) per liter of production .
Under the new law , vintners who use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tax deduction .
Also , from January 1 , 2020 , a single rate on wine and sparkling wine comes into effect .
The rate applies to both domestic and export production .
The excise duty on still wine has increased from 18 rubles ( $ 0.29 ) to 31 rubles ( $ 0.50 ) per liter , excise duty on sparkling wine has risen from 36 rubles ( $ 0.58 ) to 40 rubles ( $ 0.64 ) per liter .
Starting January 1 , the excise duty on alcohol beverages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 9 % ( except for beer , wine , fruit wine , sparkling wine , wine drinks produced without use of rectified ethyl alcohol made from food raw materials ) has climbed from 523 rubles ( $ 8.46 ) to 544 rubles ( $ 8.80 ) per liter .
The excise duty on alcoholic drinks the share of alcohol less than 9 % has gone from 418 rubles ( $ 6.76 ) to 435 rubles ( $ 7 ) per liter .
In addition , the excise duty on cider , mead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 0.5 % -8.6 % in strength , has inched up from 21 rubles ( $ 0.34 ) to 22 rubles ( $ 0.36 ) per liter .
The excise duty on beer stronger than 8.6 % rose from 39 rubles ( $ 0.63 ) to 41 rubles ( $ 0.66 ) per liter .

MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. The Russian government has introduced excise duties on base wine and grapes used in the winemaking industry starting on January 1, 2020. Earlier these products were not subject to any excise duties.
As of New Years’ Day 2020, the new excise duty on grapes used in wine making will total 30 rubles ($0.50) per tonne, and the excise duty on base wine will amount to 31 rubles ($0.50) per liter of production.
Under the new law, vintners who use Russian grapes will be able to receive a tax deduction.
Also, from January 1, 2020, a single rate on wine and sparkling wine comes into effect. The rate applies to both domestic and export production.
The excise duty on still wine has increased from 18 rubles ($0.29) to 31 rubles ($0.50) per liter, and the excise duty on sparkling wine has risen from 36 rubles ($0.58) to 40 rubles ($0.64) per liter.
Starting January 1, the excise duty on alcohol beverages with a share of ethyl alcohol of over 9% (except for beer, wine, fruit wine, sparkling wine, wine drinks produced without use of rectified ethyl alcohol made from food raw materials) has climbed from 523 rubles ($8.46) to 544 rubles ($8.80) per liter.
The excise duty on alcoholic drinks the share of alcohol less than 9% has gone from 418 rubles ($6.76) to 435 rubles ($7) per liter. In addition, the excise duty on cider, mead, as well as beer, which is 0.5%-8.6% in strength, has inched up from 21 rubles ($0.34) to 22 rubles ($0.36) per liter.
The excise duty on beer stronger than 8.6% rose from 39 rubles ($0.63) to 41 rubles ($0.66) per liter.


tass--2020-01-01--St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport opens its gates to European low-costers

MOSCOW , January 1 .
/TASS/ .
St. Petersburg ’ s Pulkovo Airport has launched the Seventh Freedom of The Air for low-cost international airlines in a pilot mode from January 1 , 2020 .
The Seventh Freedom of The Air implies that a foreign airline has the right to fly between two foreign countries without an intermediate stopover in the home state .
According to Russia ’ s Transport Ministry , the introduction of this sort of an ‘ open skies ’ mode at Pulkovo along with a simplified visa system will improve St. Petersburg ’ s transport accessibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pulkovo will run this program in test mode for five years .
So far , none of the foreign carriers have announced the start of the flights .
Earlier , the Transport Ministry reported that so far only European low-cost airlines Wizz Air , Ryanair , EasyJet , Volotea , Air Baltic , FlyOne and some other airlines confirmed their interest in the open skies offer .
`` By 95 % , they [ low-cost airlines - TASS ] coincide with the list of states whose residents can visit St. Petersburg with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only exception of the 22 countries , '' the ministry said .
The 30 countries selected for this program have been divided into two groups .
The first will be able to fly to Pulkovo under the Seventh Freedom of The Air without restrictions .
This group includes 21 countries : Belgium , Denmark , Ireland , Iceland , Latvia , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Macedonia , Malta , the Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Romania , Serbia , Slovakia , Slovenia , Finland , Switzerland , Sweden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to fly to Pulkovo with some restrictions on points of departure and arrival .
This group includes Austria ( except Vienna ) , Bulgaria ( flights can be made to Sofia only ) , the UK ( except London ) , Germany ( except Berlin , Dusseldorf , Hamburg , and Munich ) , Spain ( except Barcelona and Malaga ) , Italy ( except Rome and Milan ) , Cyprus ( excluding Larnaca and Paphos ) , France ( except Nice and Paris ) and the Czech Republic ( except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first Russian airport to introduce the Seventh Freedom of The Air .
Currently , Vladivostok ’ s airport in Russia ’ s Far East is also running an ‘ open skies ’ program .
The airport can easily accept transit flights of foreign carriers .
In Russian civil aviation , commercial rights to operate flights are divided into nine freedoms of the air .
Each freedom implies a certain degree of transportation opportunities for airlines .
The first freedom allows a carrier to simply cross the airspace of a foreign state without landing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to carry passengers inside a foreign state without landing there .
The seventh freedom of the air allows a carrier to operate flights between two foreign countries without an intermediate landing in the home state .

MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport has launched the Seventh Freedom of The Air for low-cost international airlines in a pilot mode from January 1, 2020.
The Seventh Freedom of The Air implies that a foreign airline has the right to fly between two foreign countries without an intermediate stopover in the home state.
According to Russia’s Transport Ministry, the introduction of this sort of an ‘open skies’ mode at Pulkovo along with a simplified visa system will improve St. Petersburg’s transport accessibility and bolster the city’s economy. Pulkovo will run this program in test mode for five years. So far, none of the foreign carriers have announced the start of the flights.
Earlier, the Transport Ministry reported that so far only European low-cost airlines Wizz Air, Ryanair, EasyJet, Volotea, Air Baltic, FlyOne and some other airlines confirmed their interest in the open skies offer.
"By 95%, they [low-cost airlines - TASS] coincide with the list of states whose residents can visit St. Petersburg with electronic visas. The United Kingdom is the only exception of the 22 countries," the ministry said.
What countries can enjoy Pulkovo’s ‘open skies’
The 30 countries selected for this program have been divided into two groups. The first will be able to fly to Pulkovo under the Seventh Freedom of The Air without restrictions. This group includes 21 countries: Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden, and Estonia.
The second group will be able to fly to Pulkovo with some restrictions on points of departure and arrival. This group includes Austria (except Vienna), Bulgaria (flights can be made to Sofia only), the UK (except London), Germany (except Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, and Munich), Spain (except Barcelona and Malaga), Italy (except Rome and Milan), Cyprus (excluding Larnaca and Paphos), France (except Nice and Paris) and the Czech Republic (except Prague).
Pulkovo has become the first Russian airport to introduce the Seventh Freedom of The Air. Currently, Vladivostok’s airport in Russia’s Far East is also running an ‘open skies’ program. The airport can easily accept transit flights of foreign carriers.
Seventh Freedom of the Air
In Russian civil aviation, commercial rights to operate flights are divided into nine freedoms of the air. Each freedom implies a certain degree of transportation opportunities for airlines. The first freedom allows a carrier to simply cross the airspace of a foreign state without landing, and the ninth freedom grants the right to carry passengers inside a foreign state without landing there.
The seventh freedom of the air allows a carrier to operate flights between two foreign countries without an intermediate landing in the home state.


tass--2020-01-01--Pricier puffs: Russia smokers, tobacco users awaken to New Year’s hikes

MOSCOW , January 1 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian government has raised excise duties on cigarettes and other tobacco products from January 1 , 2020 .
In particular , excise taxes on cigarettes and unfiltered cigarettes have climbed to $ 1,966 rubles ( $ 31.80 ) per 1,000 items +14.5 % of estimated cost calculated on the base of the maximum retail price , but not less than 2,671 rubles ( $ 43.20 ) per 1,000 items .
Earlier , this excise duty was 1,890 rubles ( $ 30.56 ) per 1,000 +14.5 % of the estimated cost , calculated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ price , but not less than 2,568 rubles ( $ 41.50 ) for 1,000 items .
That said , the excise duties on cigarillos , beedis ( small Indian cigarettes ) , kretek ( Indonesian cigarettes ) have risen to 3,055 rubles ( $ 49.45 ) per 1,000 items from 2,938 rubles ( $ 47.51 ) per 1,000 items earlier .
Cigars have not escaped , since they have seen an increase from 207 rubles ( $ 3.35 ) to 215 rubles ( $ 3.48 ) per item .
In addition , pipe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , snuff tobacco and shisha tobacco ( except for tobacco used as raw materials in production ) are all seeing a hike in the excise tax from 3,050 rubles ( $ 49.32 ) to 3,172 rubles ( $ 51.30 ) per 1 kg .
The excise on heated tobacco and heated tobacco products comes to 6,040 rubles ( $ 97.67 ) per 1 kg up from 5,808 rubles ( $ 94.03 ) per 1 kg .

MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. The Russian government has raised excise duties on cigarettes and other tobacco products from January 1, 2020.
In particular, excise taxes on cigarettes and unfiltered cigarettes have climbed to $1,966 rubles ($31.80) per 1,000 items +14.5% of estimated cost calculated on the base of the maximum retail price, but not less than 2,671 rubles ($43.20) per 1,000 items.
Earlier, this excise duty was 1,890 rubles ($30.56) per 1,000 +14.5% of the estimated cost, calculated on the base of the maximum retail price, but not less than 2,568 rubles ($41.50) for 1,000 items.
That said, the excise duties on cigarillos, beedis (small Indian cigarettes), kretek (Indonesian cigarettes) have risen to 3,055 rubles ($49.45) per 1,000 items from 2,938 rubles ($47.51) per 1,000 items earlier.
Cigars have not escaped, since they have seen an increase from 207 rubles ($3.35) to 215 rubles ($3.48) per item.
In addition, pipe tobacco, smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff tobacco and shisha tobacco (except for tobacco used as raw materials in production) are all seeing a hike in the excise tax from 3,050 rubles ($49.32) to 3,172 rubles ($51.30) per 1 kg.
The excise on heated tobacco and heated tobacco products comes to 6,040 rubles ($97.67) per 1 kg up from 5,808 rubles ($94.03) per 1 kg.


tass--2020-01-01--FACTBOX: How Russia embarked on celebrating the New Year

2020 has begun .
TASS-FACTBOX offers a look at the history of New Year celebrations in Russia .
From the adoption of Christianity until 1700 , Russia used the Byzantine calendar , which dated back to the world ’ s creation , which was then , the year 5508 .
Russians initially celebrated the New Year in March , but the holiday moved to September 1 in the 15th century .
On that occasion , a festive ceremony usually took place on the Kremlin ’ s Cathedral Square , as well as a church service , attended by the tsar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the nobility .
In December 1699 , Peter the Great issued two decrees , which introduced a new chronology system , which counted years from the birth of Jesus Christ , and ordered that the new year be celebrated on January 1 .
However , the Russian ruler refrained from introducing the Gregorian Calendar that many European countries had switched to , so Russia continued to use the Julian Calendar , celebrating New Year ’ s 11 days later than other Europeans .
With time , the gap between the two calendars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20th century .
Peter the Great also ordered to decorate Moscow ’ s thoroughfares and nobility ’ s homes with fir trees and pine branches .
The czar had borrowed the tradition from Europeans living in Moscow ’ s German Quarter ( presently known as the Lefortovo District ) .
The townsfolk were told to congratulate each other , burn fires on the streets , shoot rifles and launch firecrackers .
A firework display took place on Red Square .
New Year celebrations lasted seven days back then .
Sweets , fruit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adorn Christmas trees , but later special decorations came along , which were usually Christmas-related .
People started to adorn their trees with small bells , figurines of angels and shepherds .
As time passed , glass Christmas decorations started coming from Germany , and at the end of the 19th century , the production of glass balls began at a factory near the Russian town of Klin .
In January 1918 , the Council of People 's Commissars of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic passed a decree introducing the Western European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected the change and continued to stick to the Julian Calendar .
This is why Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 , which corresponds to December 25 according to the Julian Calendar .
At the same time , a new unofficial holiday emerged - the Old New Year - which is celebrated on January 14 .
In the first years of the Soviet Union , the tradition of Christmas and New Year celebrations continued .
Special New Year parties for the children of state and party officials were held at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mid-1920s , a campaign against religious prejudice was launched across the country .
As a result , Christmas was banned in 1929 .
On December 28 , 1935 , the Pravda newspaper published an article by Pavel Postyshev , a senior Soviet politician , entitled `` Let ’ s organize a great New Year ’ s tree for the kids on New Year ’ s Eve ! ''
where the author urged to end the `` wrongful condemnation '' of the holiday tree , and called on authorities to hold collective festivities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 1936 , the Pravda ’ s front page featured a photo of Joseph Stalin and his New Year greetings .
At the same time , a New Year party for children and youngsters took place at the House of the Unions ’ Column Hall .
The party involved the key New Year character , Ded Moroz ( or Father Frost ) , who was joined by Snegurochka ( or Snow Maiden ) a year later .
Since 1954 , New Year ’ s celebrations for kids and teens had been held in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grand Kremlin Palace .
In the 1970s , Soviet leaders started the tradition of addressing the nation on New Year ’ s Eve .
General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Leonid Brezhnev was the first to make such an address , which was aired on national TV on December 31 , 1970 .
In the Soviet era , the holiday ’ s features changed .
The Star of Bethlehem was replaced by a five-pointed red star .
Figurines depicting the Kremlin towers , cosmonauts , satellites , wheat sheaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nuts , fruit and figurines of Christmas characters .
For the first time , a real fir tree was installed on Cathedral Square within the Kremlin ’ s walls in December 1996 at then Russian President Boris Yeltsin ’ s initiative .
The main celebration - the All-Russia New Year party , also known as the `` presidential '' party - takes place at the Grand Kremlin Palace .
More than 5,000 children from all Russian regions attend the event every year .
On New Year ’ s Eve , the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday speech .
After that , at the stroke of midnight , TV channels and radio stations broadcast the chime of the Kremlin ’ s Spasskaya Tower ’ s clock , which is followed by the national anthem .
The official dates of the New Year holidays in Russia has changed many times .
January 1 was declared a non-working day in 1948 , while the January 7 Christmas holiday became a non-working day in 1990 .
In 1992 , January 2 was also declared a day off .
Starting in 2013 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 1-8 .

2020 has begun. TASS-FACTBOX offers a look at the history of New Year celebrations in Russia.
Holiday’s origins
From the adoption of Christianity until 1700, Russia used the Byzantine calendar, which dated back to the world’s creation, which was then, the year 5508. Russians initially celebrated the New Year in March, but the holiday moved to September 1 in the 15th century. On that occasion, a festive ceremony usually took place on the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square, as well as a church service, attended by the tsar, the patriarch, bishops and members of the nobility.
In December 1699, Peter the Great issued two decrees, which introduced a new chronology system, which counted years from the birth of Jesus Christ, and ordered that the new year be celebrated on January 1. However, the Russian ruler refrained from introducing the Gregorian Calendar that many European countries had switched to, so Russia continued to use the Julian Calendar, celebrating New Year’s 11 days later than other Europeans. With time, the gap between the two calendars grew, reaching 13 days in the 20th century.
Fir tree as a symbol
Peter the Great also ordered to decorate Moscow’s thoroughfares and nobility’s homes with fir trees and pine branches. The czar had borrowed the tradition from Europeans living in Moscow’s German Quarter (presently known as the Lefortovo District).
The townsfolk were told to congratulate each other, burn fires on the streets, shoot rifles and launch firecrackers. A firework display took place on Red Square. New Year celebrations lasted seven days back then.
Sweets, fruit, ribbons and candles were initially used to adorn Christmas trees, but later special decorations came along, which were usually Christmas-related. People started to adorn their trees with small bells, figurines of angels and shepherds. As time passed, glass Christmas decorations started coming from Germany, and at the end of the 19th century, the production of glass balls began at a factory near the Russian town of Klin.
October revolution’s consequences
In January 1918, the Council of People's Commissars of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic passed a decree introducing the Western European Gregorian Calendar. The Russian Orthodox Church rejected the change and continued to stick to the Julian Calendar. This is why Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7, which corresponds to December 25 according to the Julian Calendar. At the same time, a new unofficial holiday emerged - the Old New Year - which is celebrated on January 14.
In the first years of the Soviet Union, the tradition of Christmas and New Year celebrations continued. Special New Year parties for the children of state and party officials were held at the Grand Kremlin Palace. However, in the mid-1920s, a campaign against religious prejudice was launched across the country. As a result, Christmas was banned in 1929.
Revived holiday
On December 28, 1935, the Pravda newspaper published an article by Pavel Postyshev, a senior Soviet politician, entitled "Let’s organize a great New Year’s tree for the kids on New Year’s Eve!" where the author urged to end the "wrongful condemnation" of the holiday tree, and called on authorities to hold collective festivities for the children.
On January 1, 1936, Pravda’s front page featured a photo of Joseph Stalin and his New Year greetings. At the same time, a New Year party for children and youngsters took place at the House of the Unions’ Column Hall. The party involved the key New Year character, Ded Moroz (or Father Frost), who was joined by Snegurochka (or Snow Maiden) a year later.
Since 1954, New Year’s celebrations for kids and teens had been held in St. George’s Hall in the Grand Kremlin Palace.
In the 1970s, Soviet leaders started the tradition of addressing the nation on New Year ’s Eve. General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Leonid Brezhnev was the first to make such an address, which was aired on national TV on December 31, 1970.
In the Soviet era, the holiday’s features changed. The Star of Bethlehem was replaced by a five-pointed red star. Figurines depicting the Kremlin towers, cosmonauts, satellites, wheat sheaves and the like were now used instead of nuts, fruit and figurines of Christmas characters.
New Year’s celebrations in Russia
For the first time, a real fir tree was installed on Cathedral Square within the Kremlin’s walls in December 1996 at then Russian President Boris Yeltsin’s initiative. The main celebration - the All-Russia New Year party, also known as the "presidential" party - takes place at the Grand Kremlin Palace. More than 5,000 children from all Russian regions attend the event every year.
On New Year’s Eve, the Russian president addresses the country with his annual holiday speech. After that, at the stroke of midnight, TV channels and radio stations broadcast the chime of the Kremlin’s Spasskaya Tower’s clock, which is followed by the national anthem.
Holiday vacation
The official dates of the New Year holidays in Russia has changed many times. January 1 was declared a non-working day in 1948, while the January 7 Christmas holiday became a non-working day in 1990. In 1992, January 2 was also declared a day off.
Starting in 2013, the official New Year holidays run from January 1-8.


tass--2020-01-01--Russia takes over the reins to chair BRICS in 2020

MOSCOW , January 1 .
/TASS/ .
On January 1 , Moscow is taking over the one-year chairmanship of the BRICS group ( Brazil , Russia , India , China and South Africa ) .
Russia plans to carry out about 150 activities at various levels during its chairmanship , which will culminate in July , when St. Petersburg will host the next BRICS summit .
The five countries ’ leaders will hold another meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in the Saudi capital of Riyadh in November .
According to procedure , each BRICS member takes over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Russia last chaired BRICS in 2015 , when a summit took place in Ufa .
Russia also presided over the group back in 2009 , before BRIC turned into BRICS following South Africa ’ s accession .
Over 20 ministerial meetings are also expected to take place , including those involving the Russian Security Council secretary , the Supreme Court chief justice and the chairpersons of both house of Russia ’ s parliament .
Apart from St. Petersburg , BRICS events - such as meetings between Sherpas , ministers , business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part in dozens of other Russian cities , including Yekaterinburg , Kazan , Novosibirsk , Samara , Saransk , Sochi , Ulyanovsk , Ufa , Khanty-Mansiysk and Yaroslavl .
The theme of Russia ’ s chairmanship is `` BRICS Strategic Partnership for Global Stability , Shared Security and Innovative Growth . ''
President Vladimir Putin clarified Russia ’ s priorities as BRICS chair in Brasilia in November 2019 .
Moscow will focus on enhancing foreign policy coordination between member countries on key international platforms , primarily , within the United Nations .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make more proactive efforts to play a leading role in the UN .
Specific goals in this regard include fighting terrorism and the dissemination of terrorist dogma , particularly on the Internet , as well as combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism , while working to take back criminally obtained assets .
As for the economy , Russia plans to suggest that the five nations renew the BRICS Strategy for Partnership in Trade and Investment that they adopted at the Ufa summit .
According to the Russian Economic Development Ministry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as the development and integration of remote areas , the exchange of experience in regulatory impact assessment , digital trade , the use of digital solutions in the field of intellectual property and the promotion of artificial intelligence technologies .
Moscow also calls for defining new strategy tasks aimed at boosting cooperation between specific industries up until 2025 .
President Putin pointed out that Russia would seek to strengthen the existing BRICS structures and financial mechanisms , namely the New Development Bank , the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and its microeconomic data exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a BRICS local currency bond fund , and energy cooperation will carry on as well .
At the same time , Moscow plans to put forward some new ideas to expand dialogue between the five countries ’ tax , customs and competition agencies .
Lastly , the agenda of Russia ’ s chairmanship will include a number of festivals , theater tours , artistic competitions for children and adults , and sports tournaments .
Putin earlier handed down instructions to draw up measures for the creation of a new competition concept for BRICS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important task .
According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov , who is the country ’ s BRICS Sherpa , Moscow will `` fill the emerging five-party space cooperation with specific activities . ''
Steps will be taken to continue the implementation of the Clean Rivers program , aimed at improving the environmental situation in river basins .
One of Russia ’ s key initiatives concerns the upcoming 75th anniversary celebration of the Soviet Union ’ s Victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War and the creation of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brasilia , Putin suggested discussing a possible joint statement on those events .
The Russian leader pointed out that it was important to discuss attempts to glorify the Nazis and Nazi collaborators , and to stand together to support a world order based on international law and the UN Charter .
As Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said at a meeting of the Victory organizing committee , BRICS countries plan to host events dedicated to the 75th anniversary celebration of the Victory .
Russia is devoting special attention to preserving the historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a series of statements in late December , Putin emphasized the need to step up efforts in this direction amid Western attempts to review the causes and course of the war .
Russia will continue work to boost the outreach program and BRICS+ mechanisms .
Since 2013 , expanded `` outreach '' meetings have been taking place on the sidelines of BRICS summits , which involve the presiding country ’ s neighbors .
In 2017 , China came up with an initiative to form `` a BRICS circle of friends '' that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a regular basis , creating the BRICS+ concept .
To promote this endeavor , Russia intends to invite members of the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ) and the Commonwealth of Independent States ( CIS ) to the St. Petersburg summit .
Ryabkov noted that it was crucial to engage important countries in order to facilitate efforts to resolve global issues .
He noted that steps in that direction would be taken at the summit .
According to Putin , BRICS has become a factor of stability in both global politics and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open market principles amid some countries ’ attempts to increase protectionism .
The five member states account for about 30 % of the Earth 's land mass and 42 % of the world ’ s population .
In recent years , their total GDP has been amounting to about 23 % of the global one , though they make up about 18 % of global trade .
BRICS has neither a secretariat nor a charter .
The country that chairs BRICS organizes the group ’ s summit and coordinates its current activities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ member states have been chairing the organization based on the order of the first letters of their names that make up the BRICS acronym : Brazil took over BRICS chairmanship in 2014 , followed by Russia in 2015 , India in 2016 , China in 2017 and South Africa in 2018 .
A new cycle began in 2018 with Brazil chairing the group .
Russia is now taking over BRICS chairmanship in 2020 .

MOSCOW, January 1. /TASS/. On January 1, Moscow is taking over the one-year chairmanship of the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Russia plans to carry out about 150 activities at various levels during its chairmanship, which will culminate in July, when St. Petersburg will host the next BRICS summit. The five countries’ leaders will hold another meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in the Saudi capital of Riyadh in November.
According to procedure, each BRICS member takes over the group’s chairmanship for a year. Russia last chaired BRICS in 2015, when a summit took place in Ufa. Russia also presided over the group back in 2009, before BRIC turned into BRICS following South Africa’s accession.
Over 20 ministerial meetings are also expected to take place, including those involving the Russian Security Council secretary, the Supreme Court chief justice and the chairpersons of both house of Russia’s parliament. Apart from St. Petersburg, BRICS events - such as meetings between Sherpas, ministers, business community members and experts - will take part in dozens of other Russian cities, including Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Samara, Saransk, Sochi, Ulyanovsk, Ufa, Khanty-Mansiysk and Yaroslavl. The theme of Russia’s chairmanship is "BRICS Strategic Partnership for Global Stability, Shared Security and Innovative Growth."
Russia’s priorities
President Vladimir Putin clarified Russia’s priorities as BRICS chair in Brasilia in November 2019. Moscow will focus on enhancing foreign policy coordination between member countries on key international platforms, primarily, within the United Nations. According to Putin, BRICS nations need to make more proactive efforts to play a leading role in the UN. Specific goals in this regard include fighting terrorism and the dissemination of terrorist dogma, particularly on the Internet, as well as combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism, while working to take back criminally obtained assets.
As for the economy, Russia plans to suggest that the five nations renew the BRICS Strategy for Partnership in Trade and Investment that they adopted at the Ufa summit. According to the Russian Economic Development Ministry, the updated document will cover cooperation fields such as the development and integration of remote areas, the exchange of experience in regulatory impact assessment, digital trade, the use of digital solutions in the field of intellectual property and the promotion of artificial intelligence technologies. Moscow also calls for defining new strategy tasks aimed at boosting cooperation between specific industries up until 2025.
President Putin pointed out that Russia would seek to strengthen the existing BRICS structures and financial mechanisms, namely the New Development Bank, the Contingent Reserve Arrangement and its microeconomic data exchange system. Work will continue to create a BRICS local currency bond fund, and energy cooperation will carry on as well. At the same time, Moscow plans to put forward some new ideas to expand dialogue between the five countries’ tax, customs and competition agencies.
Lastly, the agenda of Russia’s chairmanship will include a number of festivals, theater tours, artistic competitions for children and adults, and sports tournaments. Putin earlier handed down instructions to draw up measures for the creation of a new competition concept for BRICS countries.
Boosting space cooperation is another important task. According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, who is the country’s BRICS Sherpa, Moscow will "fill the emerging five-party space cooperation with specific activities." Steps will be taken to continue the implementation of the Clean Rivers program, aimed at improving the environmental situation in river basins.
Fighting the glorification of Nazism
One of Russia’s key initiatives concerns the upcoming 75th anniversary celebration of the Soviet Union’s Victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War and the creation of the United Nations. At the BRICS summit in Brasilia, Putin suggested discussing a possible joint statement on those events. The Russian leader pointed out that it was important to discuss attempts to glorify the Nazis and Nazi collaborators, and to stand together to support a world order based on international law and the UN Charter. As Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin said at a meeting of the Victory organizing committee, BRICS countries plan to host events dedicated to the 75th anniversary celebration of the Victory.
Russia is devoting special attention to preserving the historical truth about the victory over Nazism. In a series of statements in late December, Putin emphasized the need to step up efforts in this direction amid Western attempts to review the causes and course of the war.
Joining forces
Russia will continue work to boost the outreach program and BRICS+ mechanisms. Since 2013, expanded "outreach" meetings have been taking place on the sidelines of BRICS summits, which involve the presiding country’s neighbors. In 2017, China came up with an initiative to form "a BRICS circle of friends" that would cooperate with the five nations on a regular basis, creating the BRICS+ concept.
To promote this endeavor, Russia intends to invite members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to the St. Petersburg summit. Ryabkov noted that it was crucial to engage important countries in order to facilitate efforts to resolve global issues. He noted that steps in that direction would be taken at the summit.
Role of BRICS
According to Putin, BRICS has become a factor of stability in both global politics and the global economy as it seeks to protect open market principles amid some countries’ attempts to increase protectionism. The five member states account for about 30% of the Earth's land mass and 42% of the world’s population. In recent years, their total GDP has been amounting to about 23% of the global one, though they make up about 18% of global trade.
BRICS has neither a secretariat nor a charter. The country that chairs BRICS organizes the group’s summit and coordinates its current activities. In the past several years, the member states have been chairing the organization based on the order of the first letters of their names that make up the BRICS acronym: Brazil took over BRICS chairmanship in 2014, followed by Russia in 2015, India in 2016, China in 2017 and South Africa in 2018. A new cycle began in 2018 with Brazil chairing the group. Russia is now taking over BRICS chairmanship in 2020.


tass--2020-01-31--Putin discusses coronavirus issue with Security Council

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed the coronavirus issue with the permanent members @ @ @ @ @ Council , presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Friday .
`` The participants @ @ @ @ @ exchange opinion on the situation concerning the coronavirus threat , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ the socio-economic agenda were touched upon .
Putin briefed the participants in the meeting on @ @ @ @ @ s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday , in particular , Israel ’ s vision @ @ @ @ @ for a settlement in the Middle East , '' Peskov said .
Taking part in @ @ @ @ @ Speaker Valentina Matviyenko , State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin , Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry @ @ @ @ @ Presidential Staff Anton Vaino , Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev , FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov @ @ @ @ @ .
SVR Director Sergei Naryshkin and Special Presidential Representative for Nature Conservation , Ecology and @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed the coronavirus issue with the permanent members of Russia’s Security Council, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Friday.
"The participants in the meeting continued to exchange opinion on the situation concerning the coronavirus threat," he said.
"A number of questions on the socio-economic agenda were touched upon. Putin briefed the participants in the meeting on his contacts with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, in particular, Israel’s vision of the latest US initiatives for a settlement in the Middle East," Peskov said.
Taking part in the meeting with Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of the Presidential Staff Anton Vaino, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. SVR Director Sergei Naryshkin and Special Presidential Representative for Nature Conservation, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov.


tass--2020-01-31--Kremlin affirms Moscow’s stance unchanged on US stoking Ukraine’s anti-Russian standoff

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s position on Washington ’ s plans to continue supporting Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ has not changed , Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov affirmed .
`` We have the Ministry @ @ @ @ @ is Mr. Pompeo ’ s counterpart .
You know our position towards such statements , @ @ @ @ @ repeat ourselves once more , '' Peskov said , commenting on a statement made by @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo Thursday .
On Thursday , Pompeo announced that on his visit to Kiev he @ @ @ @ @ US `` can provide continuing support to the Ukrainian people from the aggressions that Russia @ @ @ @ @ handful of years , '' according to AFP report .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov @ @ @ @ @ use its influence over the authorities in Kiev to launch a constructive dialogue , primarily @ @ @ @ @ , and Donetsk and Lugansk and not encourage moves driven by extremist forces .

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Moscow’s position on Washington’s plans to continue supporting Ukraine in its standoff with Russia has not changed, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov affirmed.
"We have the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is Mr. Pompeo’s counterpart. You know our position towards such statements, there is no need to repeat ourselves once more," Peskov said, commenting on a statement made by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday.
On Thursday, Pompeo announced that on his visit to Kiev he would talk about how the US "can provide continuing support to the Ukrainian people from the aggressions that Russia has undertaken over the past handful of years," according to AFP's report.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov repeatedly stated that Washington should use its influence over the authorities in Kiev to launch a constructive dialogue, primarily, direct negotiations between Kiev, and Donetsk and Lugansk and not encourage moves driven by extremist forces.


tass--2020-01-31--Numerous airlines cancel flights to China amid coronavirus fears

The US-based carrier American Airlines suspended flights between Los Angeles ( California ) and various Chinese cities from February 9 to March 27 .
Currently , the Allied Pilots Association ( APA ) is demanding that American Airlines also cancel flights between Dallas ( Texas ) and China .
MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Numerous airlines have cancelled flights to China due to the outbreak of a new type of coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) , while airlines that still fly to China are applying special security measures to protect the health of their passengers .
China to step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO Another US airline , United Airlines , cancelled all flights to Beijing , Hong Kong and Shanghai from February 1 to February 8 , while Canada ’ s Air Canada suspended all trips to Beijing and Shanghai from January 30 to February 29 .
Among European companies that have suspended flights to China are : Iberia , British Airways , Air France , KLM , Lufthansa , Austrian Airlines , SWISS , and Finnair .
Asian carriers followed the example of their European colleagues .
Air China suspended flights to the DPRK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company Air Koryo plans to suspend flights from Pyongyang to China for a month after carrying out two flights to Beijing on February 1 and 4 .
VietJet Air ( Vietnam ) , Lion Air ( Indonesia ) are also among the companies that have announced suspension of flights with China .
Singapore Airlines announced partial cancellation of flights to Beijing , Shanghai , Chengdu and Chongqing .
Kazakhstan ’ s Air Astana will suspend flights to Beijing and Urumqi starting February 3 , while flights from Almaty to Hong Kong will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan ’ s All Nippon Airways may suspend all flights to China ; however , no decision has been taken yet .
Russian carriers , including Aeroflot , S7 , IrAero , Aurora , Yakutia Airlines , continue to fly to China so far .
Russia will make a decision on flight service with China by Friday , Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova stated during Wednesday ’ s briefing .
`` As for the flight service , we have agreed that in the next two days , the Ministry of Transport and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of our citizens returning to Russia , and then a decision on flights from China and to China will be made , '' she said .
Russia ’ s Ural Airlines have suspended direct flights to Hainan from Yekaterinburg and Tyumen , and starting February 8 , it will cancel flights from Yekaterinburg to Xian and Ordos .
Besides , Ural Airlines have suspended flights to several European cities ( Munich , Paris and Rome ) due to a large number of Chinese tourists booking these flights .
On December 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According to recent data , 9,720 people have been infected with the virus in China , with 213 dead .
On Thursday , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of a new type of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus informed that 98 cases of coronavirus had been detected in 18 states outside of China : Australia , Vietnam , India , Cambodia , Canada , Malaysia , Nepal , the United Arab Emirates , the Republic of Korea , Singapore , the USA , Thailand , the Philippines , Finland , France , Germany , Sri Lanka and Japan .
Shortly after this announcement , Italian officials reported two cases of coronavirus detected on the Italian territory .
Cases of human-to-human transmission of the virus have been @ @ @ @ @

The US-based carrier American Airlines suspended flights between Los Angeles (California) and various Chinese cities from February 9 to March 27. Currently, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) is demanding that American Airlines also cancel flights between Dallas (Texas) and China.
MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Numerous airlines have cancelled flights to China due to the outbreak of a new type of coronavirus (2019-nCoV), while airlines that still fly to China are applying special security measures to protect the health of their passengers.
China to step up fight against new coronavirus together with WHO
Another US airline, United Airlines, cancelled all flights to Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai from February 1 to February 8, while Canada’s Air Canada suspended all trips to Beijing and Shanghai from January 30 to February 29.
Among European companies that have suspended flights to China are: Iberia, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, SWISS, and Finnair.
Asian carriers followed the example of their European colleagues. Air China suspended flights to the DPRK until March 1, while North Korea-based company Air Koryo plans to suspend flights from Pyongyang to China for a month after carrying out two flights to Beijing on February 1 and 4.
VietJet Air (Vietnam), Lion Air (Indonesia) are also among the companies that have announced suspension of flights with China. Singapore Airlines announced partial cancellation of flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Chongqing. Kazakhstan’s Air Astana will suspend flights to Beijing and Urumqi starting February 3, while flights from Almaty to Hong Kong will continue as usual three times a week. Japan’s All Nippon Airways may suspend all flights to China; however, no decision has been taken yet.
Russian carriers, including Aeroflot, S7, IrAero, Aurora, Yakutia Airlines, continue to fly to China so far. Russia will make a decision on flight service with China by Friday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova stated during Wednesday’s briefing. "As for the flight service, we have agreed that in the next two days, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of the Interior will analyze the number of our citizens returning to Russia, and then a decision on flights from China and to China will be made," she said.
Russia’s Ural Airlines have suspended direct flights to Hainan from Yekaterinburg and Tyumen, and starting February 8, it will cancel flights from Yekaterinburg to Xian and Ordos. Besides, Ural Airlines have suspended flights to several European cities (Munich, Paris and Rome) due to a large number of Chinese tourists booking these flights.
About the virus
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV. According to recent data, 9,720 people have been infected with the virus in China, with 213 dead.
On Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of a new type of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus informed that 98 cases of coronavirus had been detected in 18 states outside of China: Australia, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, Canada, Malaysia, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the USA, Thailand, the Philippines, Finland, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Japan. Shortly after this announcement, Italian officials reported two cases of coronavirus detected on the Italian territory. Cases of human-to-human transmission of the virus have been documented in four states.


tass--2020-01-31--Putin, Merkel discuss US ‘deal of the century’, execution of Libya conference decisions

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the US Israeli-Palestinian conflict settlement plan , which Washington dubbed `` the deal of the century , '' during a phone call , initiated by Berlin , the Kremlin press service said .
`` Among other topics , they hashed over the developments in Ukraine and Syria , as well as the Middle East peace process issue .
In this context , the leaders exchanged opinions regarding the US plan for the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , '' the press service commented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agreements reached at the conference on Libya held in Berlin on January 19 , the Kremlin press service reported .
`` [ The parties ] discussed the implementation of the agreements reached at the international conference on Libya in Berlin on January 19 , '' the press service said .
`` The Russian president pointed to the need to coordinate the decisions made [ at the conference ] with the Libyan parties , which is important for their subsequent consideration and approval by the UN Security Council . ''
`` The two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the international community ’ s efforts for the benefit of ensuring a stable ceasefire and launching a political dialogue . ''
The two leaders also raised some bilateral issues and agreed on further contacts .

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the US Israeli-Palestinian conflict settlement plan, which Washington dubbed "the deal of the century," during a phone call, initiated by Berlin, the Kremlin press service said.
"Among other topics, they hashed over the developments in Ukraine and Syria, as well as the Middle East peace process issue. In this context, the leaders exchanged opinions regarding the US plan for the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," the press service commented.
Other subjects included the implementation of the agreements reached at the conference on Libya held in Berlin on January 19, the Kremlin press service reported.
"[The parties] discussed the implementation of the agreements reached at the international conference on Libya in Berlin on January 19," the press service said. "The Russian president pointed to the need to coordinate the decisions made [at the conference] with the Libyan parties, which is important for their subsequent consideration and approval by the UN Security Council." "The two sides highlighted the expediency of stepping up the international community’s efforts for the benefit of ensuring a stable ceasefire and launching a political dialogue."
The two leaders also raised some bilateral issues and agreed on further contacts.


tass--2020-01-31--WHO’s global virus emergency comes from fears about low-income countries, says expert

`` The World Health Organization has declared an emergency now not because China is doing poorly .
On the contrary , it has been emphasized that China had promptly taken all measures to localize the disease on its soil .
Clearly this has been a success , since just several dozen cases have been reported in other countries .
The WHO is concerned about other countries , especially those that do not have enough financial resources to fight the disease , '' he said .
MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency over the coronavirus outbreak , is primarily concerned about other countries , particularly , economically disadvantaged ones , Nikolai Malyshev , a Leading Research Fellow at the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology , told reporters on Friday .
Malyshev explained that an emergency is `` when all the forces and capabilities of the entire global health community under the WHO auspices '' are used to combat the outbreak .
This is a combination of streams of investment , the development of a vaccine as well as the mandatory notification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease , the expert noted .
He added that the World Health Organization ’ s decision not to restrict the flow of people between China and other countries , as well as the exchange of goods , facilitates international trade , because countries are exposed to substantial financial losses because of the coronavirus outbreak .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial metropolis in central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 18 other countries , including Australia , Vietnam , India , Canada , the United States and Thailand .
On January 30 , the World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .

"The World Health Organization has declared an emergency now not because China is doing poorly. On the contrary, it has been emphasized that China had promptly taken all measures to localize the disease on its soil. Clearly this has been a success, since just several dozen cases have been reported in other countries. The WHO is concerned about other countries, especially those that do not have enough financial resources to fight the disease," he said.
MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO), which has declared an international public health emergency over the coronavirus outbreak, is primarily concerned about other countries, particularly, economically disadvantaged ones, Nikolai Malyshev, a Leading Research Fellow at the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, told reporters on Friday.
Malyshev explained that an emergency is "when all the forces and capabilities of the entire global health community under the WHO auspices" are used to combat the outbreak. This is a combination of streams of investment, the development of a vaccine as well as the mandatory notification of all countries about all cases of the disease, the expert noted.
He added that the World Health Organization’s decision not to restrict the flow of people between China and other countries, as well as the exchange of goods, facilitates international trade, because countries are exposed to substantial financial losses because of the coronavirus outbreak.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial metropolis in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 18 other countries, including Australia, Vietnam, India, Canada, the United States and Thailand. On January 30, the World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.


tass--2020-01-31--Troops to employ T-72B3 tanks, army aviation helicopters in southern Russia drills

The maneuvers will involve the personnel of the 42nd motor rifle division of the Southern Military District ’ s 58th @ @ @ @ @ office specified .
MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Motorized infantry , armored and @ @ @ @ @ force-on-force exercise at the Sernovodsky training range in the Stavropol Region , employing T-72B3 tanks @ @ @ @ @ press office of the Southern Military District reported on Friday .
`` Two company-size tactical @ @ @ @ @ operations against each other at the all-arms practice range with the landing of a tactical @ @ @ @ @ of a force-on-force tactical exercise , '' the press office said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ aviation helicopters will be employed to land the airborne forces and provide support for the @ @ @ @ @ .
The drills involve about 500 troops and more than 50 items of military hardware @ @ @ @ @ infantry fighting vehicles , Mi-8AMTSh army aviation helicopters , self-propelled artillery guns and BTR-82A armored @ @ @

The maneuvers will involve the personnel of the 42nd motor rifle division of the Southern Military District’s 58th all-arms army, the press office specified.
MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Motorized infantry, armored and artillery units will hold a force-on-force exercise at the Sernovodsky training range in the Stavropol Region, employing T-72B3 tanks and army aviation, the press office of the Southern Military District reported on Friday.
"Two company-size tactical groups will carry out combat operations against each other at the all-arms practice range with the landing of a tactical airborne assault force as part of a force-on-force tactical exercise," the press office said in a statement.
Mi-8AMTSh ‘Terminator’ army aviation helicopters will be employed to land the airborne forces and provide support for the troops, the statement says.
The drills involve about 500 troops and more than 50 items of military hardware: T-72B3 tanks, BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles, Mi-8AMTSh army aviation helicopters, self-propelled artillery guns and BTR-82A armored personnel carriers.


tass--2020-01-31--Artillery troops fire multiple launch rocket systems in Volga area drills

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
A separate artillery brigade of the Guards tank army suppressed a notional enemy @ @ @ @ @ fire of multiple launch rocket systems during drills at the Mulino training range in the @ @ @ @ @ press office of Russia ’ s Western Military District reported on Friday .
Under the @ @ @ @ @ combat teams of Tornado-G and Uragan multiple launch rocket systems performed a march to the @ @ @ @ @ notional enemy ’ s attack .
Orlan-10 drones detected a column of the notional enemy @ @ @ @ @ air reconnaissance and transmitted the target ’ s coordinates .
`` Volley fire was opened @ @ @ @ @ the enemy ’ s manpower and armored vehicles , '' the press office said .
@ @ @ @ @ 500 personnel and over 250 items of armament and military hardware , the press office @ @

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. A separate artillery brigade of the Guards tank army suppressed a notional enemy’s attack by the fire of multiple launch rocket systems during drills at the Mulino training range in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the press office of Russia’s Western Military District reported on Friday.
Under the drills’ scenario, the combat teams of Tornado-G and Uragan multiple launch rocket systems performed a march to the designated area to prevent a notional enemy’s attack. Orlan-10 drones detected a column of the notional enemy’s combat vehicles during air reconnaissance and transmitted the target’s coordinates.
"Volley fire was opened from the deployment area against the enemy’s manpower and armored vehicles," the press office said.
The drills involved more than 500 personnel and over 250 items of armament and military hardware, the press office said.


tass--2020-01-31--Ukrainian president hails US as key ally in protecting sovereignty

`` The US was , is and will remain our key ally in protecting Ukraine ’ s sovereignty , '' he pointed out .
According to Zelensky , Ukraine `` very much appreciates President Trump ’ s efforts . ''
`` Today , I expressed hope that the US will take a more active part in the peace settlement process in eastern Ukraine and the de-occupation of Crimea , '' Zelensky went on to say .
`` We also grateful to the US for boosting cooperation between Ukraine and NATO .
On the whole , relations between Kiev and Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full trust , mutual understanding and long-term common interests , '' he added .
The Ukrainian president also thanked Pompeo for US military aid and welcomed Washington ’ s assistance in reforming the Ukrainian armed forces .
`` We are ready to promote new forms of defense partnership with the United States , '' Zelensky noted , mentioning a contract to purchase US-made Javelin missiles .
The Ukrainian head of state also pointed `` to active cooperation with our US partners in reforming our defense industry . ''
`` I am confident that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties with top US defense companies .
I also thanked the US for its effective policies that help us combat challenges , particularly in the area of energy security and issues concerning Nord Stream 2 , '' Zelensky said .

"The US was, is and will remain our key ally in protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty," he pointed out. According to Zelensky, Ukraine "very much appreciates President Trump’s efforts."
"Today, I expressed hope that the US will take a more active part in the peace settlement process in eastern Ukraine and the de-occupation of Crimea," Zelensky went on to say. "We also grateful to the US for boosting cooperation between Ukraine and NATO. On the whole, relations between Kiev and Washington remain strong as they are based on full trust, mutual understanding and long-term common interests," he added.
The Ukrainian president also thanked Pompeo for US military aid and welcomed Washington’s assistance in reforming the Ukrainian armed forces. "We are ready to promote new forms of defense partnership with the United States," Zelensky noted, mentioning a contract to purchase US-made Javelin missiles.
The Ukrainian head of state also pointed "to active cooperation with our US partners in reforming our defense industry." "I am confident that it will give impetus to mutually beneficial ties with top US defense companies. I also thanked the US for its effective policies that help us combat challenges, particularly in the area of energy security and issues concerning Nord Stream 2," Zelensky said.


tass--2020-01-31--Erdogan reiterates readiness to stop attacks in Syria’s Idlib

ANKARA , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated Friday Turkey ’ s readiness to prevent @ @ @ @ @ zone .
The official Ankara claims that Syrian Army offense in Idlib province causes civilian @ @ @ @ @ situation in Idlib province does not normalize , we will take action .
We sincerely @ @ @ @ @ The political process must be swift and just .
We won ’ t hesitate to @ @ @ @ @ including use of military force , '' Erdogan said .
`` Turkey can not stay @ @ @ @ @ Syria , including the Idlib province , '' Erdogan added .

ANKARA, January 31. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated Friday Turkey’s readiness to prevent attacks in the Idlib de-escalation zone. The official Ankara claims that Syrian Army offense in Idlib province causes civilian casualties.
"If the situation in Idlib province does not normalize, we will take action. We sincerely seek stability in Syria. The political process must be swift and just. We won’t hesitate to do everything it takes, including use of military force," Erdogan said.
"Turkey cannot stay indifferent to the situation in Syria, including the Idlib province," Erdogan added.


tass--2020-01-31--Russia in full compliance with obligations concerning Idlib de-escalation zone — Kremlin

`` We don ’ t agree with this view , '' Peskov said , commenting on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’ s statement that Moscow had allegedly failed to abide by Syria agreements .
`` Russia is in full compliance with the Sochi agreements on the Idlib zone .
At the same time , we regret to say that the situation is far from perfect , '' he added .
MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow is in full compliance with its obligations concerning the Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria but the situation is far from perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters .
The Kremlin spokesman pointed out that `` a large number of terrorists remain in the area and continue aggressive attacks on the Syrian army and Russia ’ s Hmeymim air base . ''
`` It causes us huge concern , '' he added .
On January 10 , the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that Ankara and Moscow had reached an agreement to declare a ceasefire in Idlib starting on January 12 .
Idlib is the only region in Syria that is still controlled by illegal armed groups .
A de-escalation zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and militants reluctant to lay down their arms moved there from the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta and the country ’ s south .
The Turkish army has 12 observation points in the Idlib province .

"We don’t agree with this view," Peskov said, commenting on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement that Moscow had allegedly failed to abide by Syria agreements. "Russia is in full compliance with the Sochi agreements on the Idlib zone. At the same time, we regret to say that the situation is far from perfect," he added.
MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Moscow is in full compliance with its obligations concerning the Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria but the situation is far from perfect, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
The Kremlin spokesman pointed out that "a large number of terrorists remain in the area and continue aggressive attacks on the Syrian army and Russia’s Hmeymim air base." "It causes us huge concern," he added.
On January 10, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that Ankara and Moscow had reached an agreement to declare a ceasefire in Idlib starting on January 12.
Idlib is the only region in Syria that is still controlled by illegal armed groups. A de-escalation zone was set up there in 2017, and militants reluctant to lay down their arms moved there from the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta and the country’s south. The Turkish army has 12 observation points in the Idlib province.


tass--2020-01-31--No decision made yet to pause air links with China — Kremlin

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
The question whether to suspend air links with China is a competence of the special task group created by the Russian government , which has not made any decisions on this score yet , Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media , when asked if such a measure was possible .
`` There is a special working group under the Russian government , which is to make decisions and provide support for measures crucial for resisting the emergence and spread of the coronavirus , '' he said .
`` As we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the time being .
It remains to be seen what the commission will find appropriate . ''
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Thursday signed an instruction to close Russia ’ s border with China in the Far East to prevent the coronavirus 2019-nCoV from spreading .
Sixteen border checkpoints have been temporarily closed since January 31 midnight .
The Chinese authorities on December 31 , 2019 informed the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in the city of Wuhan — a major trading and industrial center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
The cause of the disease — virus 2019-nCoV — was established on January 7 .
Apart from China the disease has been identified in 19 other countries — Australia , Vietnam , India , Italy , Cambodia , Canada , Malaysia , Nepal , the United Arab Emirates , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , Thailand , the Philippines , Finland , France , Germany , Sri Lanka and Japan .
The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of the disease in China as an international emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9,720 in China .
There have been 213 fatalities .

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. The question whether to suspend air links with China is a competence of the special task group created by the Russian government, which has not made any decisions on this score yet, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media, when asked if such a measure was possible.
"There is a special working group under the Russian government, which is to make decisions and provide support for measures crucial for resisting the emergence and spread of the coronavirus," he said. "As we know, no such decisions have been made for the time being. It remains to be seen what the commission will find appropriate."
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Thursday signed an instruction to close Russia’s border with China in the Far East to prevent the coronavirus 2019-nCoV from spreading. Sixteen border checkpoints have been temporarily closed since January 31 midnight.
The Chinese authorities on December 31, 2019 informed the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in the city of Wuhan — a major trading and industrial center with a population of more than 11 million. The cause of the disease — virus 2019-nCoV — was established on January 7. Apart from China the disease has been identified in 19 other countries — Australia, Vietnam, India, Italy, Cambodia, Canada, Malaysia, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, the Philippines, Finland, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Japan. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of the disease in China as an international emergency. By now the coronavirus has infected 9,720 in China. There have been 213 fatalities.


tass--2020-01-31--Kremlin: Israel’s Issachar pardon story ‘ended well, issue is closed’

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
The story of pardon granted to Israeli citizen Naama Issachar who was found @ @ @ @ @ ended well .
`` This story has ended well , that is why , we @ @ @ @ @ '' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters , responding to a request to comment on @ @ @ @ @ in words of Russian President Vladimir Putin , Supreme Court ruling and position of the @ @ @ @ @ regarding the Israeli citizen ’ s case .
At the same time , journalists drew @ @ @ @ @ ’ s statement that Issachar did not cross the Russian border which was `` good @ @ @ @ @ He [ Putin ] did not make a judgement regarding positions of the Prosecutor General @ @ @ @ @ court , he just noted that the border was not crossed , '' Peskov responded @

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. The story of pardon granted to Israeli citizen Naama Issachar who was found guilty of drug trafficking has ended well.
"This story has ended well, that is why, we consider this issue closed," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, responding to a request to comment on inconsistencies that were allegedly observed in words of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Supreme Court ruling and position of the Prosecutor General’s office regarding the Israeli citizen’s case. At the same time, journalists drew attention to the Russian president’s statement that Issachar did not cross the Russian border which was "good for her".
"He [Putin] did not make a judgement regarding positions of the Prosecutor General’s office and the court, he just noted that the border was not crossed," Peskov responded.