Tag: moscow

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Moscow Rejects Zelensky’s Credibility on Negotiations

In her weekly press briefing, Zakharova said on Wednesday that Russia did not trust the Ukrainian President…reports Asian Lite News

Statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on potential negotiations with Russia lack credibility, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

The comment followed a recent statement made by Zelensky proposing that Russian representatives should be present at a second peace conference on Ukraine scheduled to be held in November, Xinhua news agency reported.

In her weekly press briefing, Zakharova said on Wednesday that Russia did not trust the Ukrainian President.

The Spokesperson recalled that Zelensky, his administration, or his “Western curators” have not taken any action to repeal the law that bans negotiations with Russia.

Zakharova also suggested that the Ukrainian President and Kiev’s Western allies might be trying to advance their failed “peace formula” once again.

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Moscow Awaits Specifics on Zelensky’s Peace Talks Plan

Spokesman said that Washington would likely keep supporting Ukraine, and the financial burden increasingly be placed on its “European subordinates”…reports Asian Lite News

Moscow will wait for concrete actions, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, while commenting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal of possible talks with Russia.

Russian representatives should be present at a second peace conference on Ukraine, which is scheduled to be held in November, said Zelensky on Monday.

“What exactly is behind these words? What specific plans are we discussing? What actions are being proposed in this regard?” Peskov asked, noting that it was too early to judge and necessary to wait for specific actions, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, the Spokesman said that Washington would likely keep supporting Ukraine, and the financial burden increasingly be placed on its “European subordinates”.

Western aid to Kiev would “not contribute to the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, but on the contrary, will prolong it,” said Peskov, adding that it would not affect the outcome of Russia’s special military operation in any way.

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Putin hosts PM in Moscow

Moscow, July 8 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the President's House, in Moscow on Monday. He will have a private meeting and dinner with the Russian President. (ANI Photo)

Talks between leaders to cover prospects for further development of traditionally friendly relations and current international and regional issues…reports Asian Lite News

President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day official visit to Russia, held an informal meeting on Monday at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence of the Russian president near Moscow.

The Russian Foreign Ministry shared a video on X showing a warm greeting between Modi and Vladimir Putin. The clip, posted on Monday, shows the two leaders embracing each other as Modi arrives at the president’s residence, marking the start of their informal meeting.

Further, Putin expressed gratitude for hosting Modi and said, “You are welcome here, friend. I’m really happy to see you.”

“At the Novo-Ogaryovo residence of the President of Russia near Moscow, Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi, who is on a two-day official visit to Russia, hold an informal meeting,” Russian Foreign Ministry said on X.

“The talks will cover prospects for further development of traditionally friendly Russian-Indian relations, as well as current international and regional issues,” it added.

In response to this, Modi also shared a post on X and expressed gratitude to the Russian President for hosting him, adding that he also stated that he looks forward to their talks, which will strengthen India-Russia friendship.

“Gratitude to President Putin for hosting me at Novo-Ogaryovo this evening. Looking forward to our talks tomorrow as well, which will surely go a long way in further cementing the bonds of friendship between India and Russia,” Modi said on X.

In a friendly gesture, Putin took Modi on a ride in his electric car around his residence, Novo-Ogaryovo. The Russian Embassy in India shared a video of the two leaders enjoying the drive, which followed a conversation between them.

“Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi @narendramodi

in NovoOgaryovo RussiaIndia DruzhbaDosti,” the Russian Embassy in India said on X while sharing the video.

Earlier in the day, Modi arrived in Moscow for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Russian President Putin to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.

Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov received Modi at the Vnukovo-II Airport. Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport.

Notably, Modi and Putin have met 16 times over the past 10 years. The last in-person meeting between the two leaders took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand in 2022. In 2019, PM Modi conferred the highest Russian state honor, ‘Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First.’

It is Narendra Modi’s first visit to Russia since the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv started in 2022. After concluding his visit to Russia, Modi will depart for Austria in what is the first visit to the nation by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years.

Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who received PM Modi at the airport, accompanied him to the hotel, where the members of the Indian diaspora had gathered to welcome him.

Modi greeted members of the Indian diaspora, who were outside The Carlton Hotel to welcome him. He shook hands and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora. He met with children who were happy to see PM Modi.

Expressing gratitude to the Indian community in Russia, Modi in a post on X stated, “An unforgettable reception in Moscow! I thank the Indian community for the warm welcome.”

It is also the view of the global south and naturally needs to have both parties for the resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, the Indian government sources further said.

In his departure statement, Modi said, “Over the next three days, I will be in Russia and Austria. These visits will be a wonderful opportunity to deepen ties with these nations, with whom India has time-tested friendship. I also look forward to interacting with the Indian community living in these countries.”

Modi said that he wishes to discuss aspects of bilateral cooperation with his friend President Putin.

“I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues. We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region. The visit will also provide me with an opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community in Russia,” the PM said.

Modi added that the special and privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia has advanced over the past ten years, including in the areas of energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Notably, India and Russia have a longstanding and time-tested relationship with more than 77 years of mutually beneficial diplomatic ties. The relations between the two nations were elevated to the level of “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” in 2010. (ANI)

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Russia expels UK defence attache from Moscow

The government said the measures followed criminal cases in London alleging espionage and sabotage by people acting on behalf of Russia…reports Asian Lite News

In a tit-for-tat move, Russia on Thursday expelled UK defence attache Adrian Coghill from Moscow in response to ‘unfriendly moves by the UK,’ the Russian news agency TASS reported, citing the Russian Foreign Minister’s statement.

This came in response to the UK decision on May 8 to expel Russia’s defence attache, whom the UK accused of being an “undeclared military intelligence officer,” and to remove diplomatic status from the Russian-owned Seacox Heath property in Sussex and the Russian embassy’s trade and defence section in Highgate. The UK also imposed new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas, including the length of time Russian diplomats can spend in the country.

According to the ministry, it summoned a representative of the UK Embassy on May 16 and issued him a protest in connection with the unfriendly decision that was taken by the government of that country on May 8 with respect to the defence attache at the Russian Embassy in London.

“The British diplomat was informed that, in response to the said decision, the defence attache at the UK Embassy in Moscow, Adrian Coghill, is declared persona non grata. He must leave the territory of the Russian Federation within a week,” the ministry said.

“Our reaction to the UK’s anti-Russian actions, which were announced on May 8, is not limited to this measure. The instigators of the escalation will be informed about further response steps,” the ministry said.

TASS reported that the ministry also said Moscow regards London’s unfriendly move “as a politically motivated action of a clear-cut Russophobic nature, which causes irreparable damage to bilateral relations.”

Secretary of Defence Grant Shapps called Russia’s expulsion of Coghill “a desperate move,” Al Jazeera reported. “Whilst Russia’s DA in the UK was acting as a spy, Putin’s only issue with ours was that they personified the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine,” Shapps said. On May 8, the UK announced several measures to target Moscow’s intelligence-gathering operations in the United Kingdom.

Those included expelling Maxim Elovik, a Russian colonel who the British government termed an “undeclared military intelligence officer,” rescinding the diplomatic status of several Russian-owned properties because they are believed to have been used for intelligence purposes, and imposing new restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas and visits, Al Jazeera reported.

The government said the measures followed criminal cases in London alleging espionage and sabotage by people acting on behalf of Russia.

It also cited allegations that the Russian government planned to sabotage military aid for Ukraine in Germany and Poland and carried out spying in Bulgaria and Italy, along with cyber- and disinformation activities, air space violations and jamming GPS signals to hamper civilian air traffic.

The UK has had an uneasy relationship with Russia for years, accusing its agents of targeted killings and espionage, including cyberattacks aimed at British parliamentarians and leaking and amplifying sensitive information to serve Russian interests, Al Jazeera reported.

After Russia sent troops into Ukraine, the UK has also sanctioned hundreds of wealthy Russians and moved to clamp down on money laundering through London’s property and financial markets. (ANI)

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Lavrov Affirms Moscow’s Claim Over Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov delivers a statement on a grain exports deal in Moscow on July 22, 2022. (Russian Foreign Ministry press release/IANS/Xinhua)

Lavrov stated that Russia has no intention to attack NATO states, dismissing Western claims aimed at alarming voters…reports Asian Lite News

 After more than two years of intense fighting in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday reasserted Moscow’s claimed right to rule over its neighbour.

At most, the future of western Ukraine is unclear, Lavrov told several Russian broadcasters in an interview in Moscow.

Otherwise, there will only be a Ukraine “that is truly Russian, that wants to be part of the Russian world, that wants to speak Russian and educate its children,” he said.

There was no question of any alternative, according to Lavrov, 74, who has served as foreign minister since 2004 and is a staunch supporter and confidant of President Vladimir Putin.

Russia does not want to attack NATO states, as is claimed in the West to scare voters, Lavrov said.

“But if they want to push NATO’s borders to our borders, then we will of course know how to prevent that in Ukraine.”

Like other senior members of the leadership, Lavrov said Russia was ready for talks with Ukraine, but only under specific conditions.

There would be no ceasefire during possible negotiations, talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are pointless, and Kiev would have to move away from his peace formula, he said.

In the autumn of 2022, Zelensky drew up 10 points that included the withdrawal of Russian troops, reconstruction and reparations, and the prosecution of war criminals.

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US urges Moscow to withdraw military from Zaporizhzhia

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant,(twitter)

The dome above a shutdown reactor at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear station was struck by Ukraine on Sunday, the plant’s Russian-installed administration said, according to Al Jazeera…reports Asian Lite News

The United States has called on Russia to withdraw its military and civilian personnel from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and return its full control to Ukraine.

In a regular US State Department briefing on Monday (local time), spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the US is aware of the reports of a ‘drone attack’ on the power plant, and is monitoring the conditions there.

“We are aware of the reports of a drone attack on the Zaporizhzhia power plant. We are monitoring the conditions at the plant, including through official reporting from the IAEA, which fortunately knows that the damage resulting from the drone strike has not compromised nuclear safety,” Miller said.

The State Department spokesperson further said, “Russia is playing a very dangerous game with its military seizure of Ukraine’s nuclear power plant, which is the largest in Europe.”

“It’s dangerous that they have done that,” Miller asserted.

“We continue to call on Russia to withdraw its military and civilian personnel from the plant, return full control of the plant to the competent Ukrainian authorities and refrain from taking any actions that could result in a nuclear incident at the plant,” he added.

The dome above a shutdown reactor at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear station was struck by Ukraine on Sunday, the plant’s Russian-installed administration said, according to Al Jazeera.

It was not immediately clear what weapon was used in the strike then.

The Russian state-owned nuclear agency Rosatom, however, said that it was a drone attack at the nuclear plant, which was taken over by Russian forces shortly after their full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

However, Rosatom later reported that three individuals had been hurt, particularly as a result of a drone hit close to the canteen on the site.

According to plant officials, radiation levels were normal and there was no significant damage following the attack.

The largest nuclear power station in Europe, Zaporizhzhia nuclear station comprises six uranium-235 water-cooled and water-moderated VVER-1000 V-320 reactors designed by the Soviet Union. The facility also houses spent nuclear fuel.

According to the plant’s administration, reactors number one, two, five, and six are in cold shutdown, reactor number three is shut down for maintenance, and reactor number four is in what is known as “hot shutdown,” reported Al Jazeera.

The facility is still near the front lines, and Russia and Ukraine have both frequently charged one another with assaulting it and so raising the possibility of a nuclear accident. (ANI)

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UAE’s Iconic landmarks Light Up in Solidarity With Moscow

The death toll in the terror attack in Moscow’s Crocus City Hall has risen to 133. According to the ministry, 152 people were injured in the incident…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE has bathed its iconic landmarks in the colours of the Russian flag on the evening of March 23rd, 2024, in solidarity with the victims of the horrific terrorist attack that struck a concert hall in Moscow yesterday.

These landmarks include Burj Khalifa; ADNOC Headquarters; Burj Al Arab; Dubai Frame; Abu Dhabi Global Market HQ; Abu Dhabi City Municipality; Al Dhafra City Municipality; ADNEC Group HQ; Khalifa University; Mubadala HQ; and Sheikh Zayed Bridge.

The UAE has already expressed its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of international law.

The death toll in the terror attack in Moscow’s Crocus City Hall has risen to 133. According to the ministry, 152 people were injured in the incident, CNN reported.

Moscow region governor Andrey Vorobyov said the kin of the deceased would get $32,500.

Russian Security Service (FSB) director Alexander Bortnikov told Russian President Vladimir Putin that 11 people have been detained in connection with the attack on the Crocus complex near Moscow on Friday, according to Russian state media.

The US had warned Russia about the possible terror attack, which was rejected by President Putin, terming it as “provocative”.

All four terrorists directly involved in the attack are among those detained,” TASS reported.

State-owned Russian news agency TASS also reported that the assailants had “contacts on the Ukrainian side.

Following a preliminary inspection, the committee said the terrorists used automatic weapons, along with ammunition that they had left behind in the concert hall.

The committee added that ballistic, genetic and fingerprint examinations are being carried out.

It has also been established that the terrorists used flammable liquid to start a fire on the premises, it said.

The mall was attacked around 8 p.m. (local time) on Friday just as a concert of famous rock band Piknik was about to begin at its music venue, causing chaos, RT reported.

The assailants targeted fleeing concertgoers and videos of the scene showed bodies strewn like litter.

The assailants also reportedly lobbed hand grenades and used incendiaries to set the building on fire.

The terrorist attack has drawn world-wide condemnation.

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60 Killed, Over 100 Injured in Moscow Terror Attack

The mall, which falls in the Moscow region just outside the city’s boundary, was attacked around 8 p.m. (local time) just as a concert of famous rock band Piknik was about to begin at its music venue, causing chaos

More than 60 people were killed in Friday’s terrorist attack in Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, according to the Investigative Committee of Russia (ICR) as quoted by media reports.

“It has been initially confirmed that more than 60 people died as a result of the terrorist attack. Unfortunately, the number of victims may increase,” said the ICR on Saturday, RT reported.

Earlier, according to initial reports, it was reported that atleast 40 people were shot dead and over 100 injured as three to five unidentified gunmen, clad in body armour and armed with assault rifles, began shooting indiscriminately in a Moscow mall on Friday and set a concert hall there afire.

The toll in the Krokus City Mall massacre was a preliminary assessment by the domestic security agency, the FSB.

The mall, which falls in the Moscow region just outside the city’s boundary, was attacked around 8 p.m. (local time) just as a concert of famous rock band Piknik was about to begin at its music venue, causing chaos, RT reported.

The assailants targeted fleeing concertgoers and videos of the scene showed bodies lying strewn about. They also reportedly lobbed hand grenades and used incendiaries to set the building on fire.

The tally is expected to grow given the scale of the attack and the massive fire, which has caused the roof of the building to reportedly collapse, as per local media.

Authorities launched a massive emergency response, with numerous ambulances as well as heavily armed police special operation units deployed at the location. A helicopter was also deployed to help in dousing the raging fire.

As per the latest information, the attackers, who had not attempted to take hostages or make any statements but shot people indiscriminately, have barricaded themselves inside the burning building.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: “The Russian Foreign Ministry is receiving phone calls with condolences from ordinary citizens from all around the globe following the horrible tragedy at the Krokus City Hall venue in Moscow. They are expressing the strongest condemnation of this bloody terrorist attack, transpiring right before the eyes of the entire world.”

“As the Russian authorities have already stated, all efforts at the current moment are devoted to saving the people (at the site).”

“The international community is obliged to condemn this horrendous crime!” the spokeswoman said.

The US has condemned the attack, describing it as a “terrible incident”.

“The images are just horrible and just hard to watch,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

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Moscow’s Novy Arbat building lightens up with Indian and Russian flags

India’s Ambassador to Russia Pavan Kapoor unfurled the National Flag and read President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation….reports Asian Lite News

As the whole world celebrated the occasion of 75th Republic Day, the iconic buildings of Moscow’s Novy Arbat street lighted up in the Indian and Russian tricolours on Friday.

Sharing it on social media X, the Indian embassy in Russia shared a video showing the Indian and Russian tricolours on the buildings, with the message, “The iconic buildings on #Moscow’s Novy Arbat street light up in the Indian and Russian tricolours to celebrate the 75th Republic Day of India.”

Moreover, the Indian Embassy in Russia on Friday celebrated India’s Republic Day in Moscow. India’s Ambassador to Russia Pavan Kapoor unfurled the National Flag and read President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation.

Pavan Kapoor also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora, including students. The Indian Embassy in Russia shared glimpses of the Republic Day celebrations on social media platform X.

In a post shared on X, the Indian Embassy in Russia stated, “Flag unfurling ceremony on India’s 75th #RepublicDay in Moscow and a vibrant cultural performance by @iccr_moscow and the Indian community. @AmbKapoor read the speech of the Hon’ble President and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora, including students.”

On the occasion of Republic Day, Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov congratulated India wishing for a bright ‘Amrit Kaal’ and a strong ‘Russia-Bharatiya Dosti.

‘”Warmest congratulations on the #RepublicDay, India! Wishing our Indian friends prosperity, well-being and very bright #AmritKaal! Long live #Bharat! Long live Rusi-Bharatiya Dosti!” he posted on X.

Russian Embassy in India danced to the song of a Bollywood movie, Gadar, ‘Mae Nikla Gaddi Leke’. In the video shared by the Russian Embassy in India, people were seen waving Indian flags and dancing on the hookstep of a Bollywood song.

A Russian dance crew also joined them and performed dance steps with them. The celebrations were joined by children and young people.

Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu commenced the celebrations of the 75th Republic Day on Friday by unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path. President Murmu, on her arrival at Kartavya Path, was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Simultaneously, the National Anthem was played and the 21-gun salute was presented to the President. As per tradition, the National Flag was unfurled, followed by the National Anthem and a booming 21-gun salute given with indigenous gun systems and 105-mm Indian field guns. (ANI)

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Backlash over celebrity party in Moscow amid Ukraine war

The Kremlin’s expansion of anti-LGBTQ laws in recent years, coupled with a conservative shift following the Ukraine invasion, has heightened societal tensions…reports Asian Lite News

Authorities took action against Russian celebrities who attended an “almost naked” themed party in Moscow, organised by blogger Anastasia Ivleeva, CNN reported.

The event, held at the Mutabor club on December 20-21, faced strong opposition from Orthodox Church officials, pro-war activists, and pro-Kremlin lawmakers, especially considering the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Rapper Vacio, who attended the party wearing only a sock to cover his genitals, has been sentenced to 15 days in jail and fined 200,000 rubles (approximately USD 2,200) after a Moscow court ruled the event was aimed at “propagating non-traditional sexual relationships.” Vasilyev was found guilty of offences including “petty hooliganism.”

“Nikolay Vasilyev (better known as rapper Vacio) participated in a party at the ‘Mutabor’ nightclub, disrupted public order, used vulgar language, and disseminated publications in Telegram channels aimed at promoting non-traditional sexual relationships in mass media on the internet,” the court ruling said, according to CNN.

The Kremlin’s expansion of anti-LGBTQ laws in recent years, coupled with a conservative shift following the Ukraine invasion, has heightened societal tensions. Last month, Russia’s Supreme Court labelled the “international LGBTQ movement” as an extremist organisation.

Facing public outcry, rapper Vacio issued a public apology.

Initially, the organiser, Ivleeva, stated that the attire choices of the partygoers were individual decisions, asserting that the event served as an opportunity to exhibit photos taken during her role as the chief editor of the Russian edition of Playboy. However, in a 21-minute video released later, she tearfully apologized, seeking forgiveness or condemnation.

A lawsuit seeking 1 billion rubles (USD 11 million) for moral damages was filed against Ivleeva for organising the party. Pop star Anna Asti, another attendee, had her New Year’s event in Moscow cancelled.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refrained from commenting on the controversy, urging discretion. “Regarding this party, I ask for your mercy: let’s stay the only ones in the country not discussing this topic,” he said.

Pro-war activist Ekaterina Mizulina thanked Russian police for their response, sharing messages from citizens expressing outrage at hosting such events during a military conflict.

Critics, including Vitaly Borodin of the Federal Project for Security and Anti-Corruption, condemned the party as “sodomy, obscurantism, and LGBT propaganda.” Borodin called on the Minister of Internal Affairs to send police to the Mutabor nightclub, emphasising the perceived insensitivity during a time when Russian youth are involved in military operations in Ukraine, CNN reported. (ANI)

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