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Russia upset over US, UK missile deployment

Moscow, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin (Sputnik via Xinhua/IANS)

Russia will continue to carefully monitor the actions of the US and its allies to create a ground-based INF arsenal in Europe and Asia-Pacific…reports Asian Lite News

Russia has expressed concerns about plans by the US and the UK to deploy ground-based intermediate and shorter-range missiles.

In a statement on Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Pentagon officials in the US have recently made statements about the practical steps required to deploy in various regions of the world ground-based intermediate and shorter-range missiles, previously banned by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, Xinhua news agency reported.

The British military has joined in on the “openly hostile, destabilizing” statements and actions in this regard, it noted.

The plans will narrow the space for a diplomatic solution to post-INF Treaty problems, it warned.

Also read:Russia asks NATO to deal own problems

Russia will continue to carefully monitor the actions of the US and its allies to create a ground-based INF arsenal in Europe and Asia-Pacific, said the statement.

“We are by no means shutting the door to dialogue, but in the current conditions we do not rule out that Russia will be forced” to respond to the growing missile threats, the statement read.

In August 2019, Russia and the US formally withdrew from the INF Treaty after accusing each other of violating the landmark arms control deal signed in Washington in December 1987.

Also read:Turkey-Russia deal for Syrian ceasefire

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Africa News

Libya gets 1st Covid vaccine batch

Sputnik V.

The Sputnik vaccine doses from Russia reached Libyan capital and will be secured in the Health Ministry’s custody…reports Asian Lite News

Libya has received its first shipment of vaccines against Covid-19, with 101,250 doses from Russia, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

The Sputnik doses arrived in the capital Tripoli and will be stored in the Health Ministry’s warehouses, according to official news agency LNA.

No date has been given for when vaccinations will begin, dpa news agency quoted the LNA as saying.

Interim Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Mohammed Dbeibeh said on Sunday that more vaccine shipments would follow and called on the public to register in order to receive a jab.

So far, Libyan health authorities have reported a total of 161,088 Covid-19 cases and 2,684 deaths.

Zulema Riquelme, a 46-year-old nursing technician, receives a shot of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Metropolitan Hospital in Santiago, Chile

Last month, a transitional unity government took office in Libya, a major step towards re-establishing stability in the country that has been roiled by conflict for a decade.

The interim government is tasked with preparing for national elections, scheduled for December 24.

This government has replaced the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which has been in charge of Tripoli and western areas, alongside the competing eastern administration linked with warlord Khalifa Haftar.

Libya plunged into chaos after the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi’s government in 2011, witnessing prolonged conflict between the eastern-based Haftar-led Libyan National Army (LNA) and the GNA in the country’s west.

Due to the protracted armed conflict, political and economic crises and the coronavirus pandemic, nearly 1.2 million people, including over 348,000 children, require humanitarian assistance in Libya, according to the Unicef.

Also read:France reopens Libya Embassy

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‘Moscow-Washington ties getting worse’

In the US’ policy towards Russia, there is increased pressure in all fields and tougher rhetoric is nothing new,said Lavrov…reports Asian Lite News

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow-Washington ties were at their lowest point due to increased confrontation, and he hopes that “common sense and prudence” will eventually prevail.

In the US’ policy towards Russia, there is increased pressure in all fields and tougher rhetoric is nothing new, Xinhua news agency quoted Lavrov as saying in an interview with a local TV program on Thursday.

He stressed that there is few chance for serious dialogue between Russia and the US, if Washington continues to blame Moscow for the consequences of its own reckless policy.

According to the Ministert, Western countries feel “a threat to their dominance” and are therefore inventing new rules on which they think the world order should be based, ones that contradict those outlined in the UN charter.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Lavrov’s remarks came a day after Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov told a joint meeting of the Federation Council, upper house of Parliament, that bilateral ties were in the midst of a deep crisis, which has grown partly due to the reluctance of the American President Joe Biden’s administration to solve problems with Moscow.

Also read:Bill allowing Putin to seek 2 more terms gets nod

Antonov returned to Moscow on March 22 after he was recalled following Biden’s comments that Russia will “pay a price” for its alleged interference in the 2020 American election.

Washington is destroying the foundations of Russia-US interactions as the incumbent administration has continued to “unwind the sanctions spiral under false pretexts”, he told lawmakers.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

The diplomat believes that Washington will not change its stance substantially and the “systemic containment” of Russia will remain a priority.

A US intelligence report released on March 21 day directly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of ordering a wide-ranging influence operation to interfere in the election, intending to hurt Biden’s campaign.

In the ABC News interview, Biden also agreed with the interviewer’s claim that Putin was “a killer”.

Also read:US to encounter 2mn migrants at southern border

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Bill allowing Putin to seek 2 more terms gets nod

Russian President Vladmir Putin

The bill received nod form lower house of parliament, the State Duma, a week ago. Putin is expected to sign it into law soon…reports Asian Lite News

Russia’s upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, has passed a bill enabling incumbent President Vladimir Putin to run for two more terms starting 2024.

The bill was approved by the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, a week ago. Putin is expected to sign it into law soon, Xinhua news agency reported.

The draft law on elections was made in pursuance of constitutional amendments adopted in a nationwide referendum in July 2020.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

One of the 206 constitutional amendments stipulates that the limit of two presidential terms applies to the incumbent head of state, but without taking into account his previous terms.

In light of the amendment, the bill, cleared by the upper house on Wednesday, grants Putin the possibility of starting his presidency from scratch in 2024 and holding the office for two more terms until 2036.

Also read:Turkey-Russia deal for Syrian ceasefire

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Turkey-Russia deal for Syrian ceasefire

Turkey expressed concern to the Russian envoy in Ankara over recent attacks in Idlib….reports Asian Lite News

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said he spoke with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu during which they discussed measures to prevent ceasefire violations in Syria’s Idlib province.

“We have agreed to take measures to maintain the ceasefire,” Akar told reporters on Thursday about the phone conversation.

Noting that the discussion was “constructive”, the Minister said “we aim permanently to hold the ceasefire in the region”, reports Xinhua news agency.

On Monday, Turkey expressed concern to the Russian envoy in Ankara over recent attacks in Idlib.

SYRIA

Akar also informed that more than 200 terrorists had been eliminated in anti-terror operations mostly in northern Syria since March 1.

Ankara and Moscow agreed in 2018 to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.

The two sides agreed on a protocol on March 5, 2020, to initiate a ceasefire and to observe it through a joint patrol mission on the M4 highway, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

Idlib is home to around 4 million Syrians and some armed terror groups.

Turkey is concerned about a fresh massive humanitarian influx as a result of the Russian-Syrian military offensive in the region.

Also read:EU to reset ties with Turkey

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Russia asks NATO to deal own problems

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said “we have seen a pattern of more assertive behaviour by Russia over the last years, including aggressive actions against nations.”…reports Asian Lite News.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should deal with urgent problems that its member countries are facing, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, after the bloc accused Moscow of “aggressive actions”.

The North Atlantic Council convening in 2010 with a defence/foreign minister configuration. (Wikipedia)

“They (these problems) require urgent attention: vaccination, the crisis, human rights issues in NATO countries. Once you manage to solve these issues, we will consider your experience,” the ministry’s spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, told reporters on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

NATO foreign ministers issued a statement on Tuesday following their meeting in Brussels, saying that “Russia’s aggressive actions constitute a threat to Euro-Atlantic security.”

Ahead of the meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said “we have seen a pattern of more assertive behaviour by Russia over the last years, including aggressive actions against nations.”

Also Read-Indian-American Niraj Antani sworn in as Ohio state Senator

Read More-Ghani, NATO chief discuss Afghan peace talks

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Putin to run for two more terms

Russian President Vladmir Putin
The bill grants Putin the possibility of starting his presidency from scratch in 2024 and holding the office for two more terms until 2036…reports Asian Lite News.

Russia’s lower house of parliament the State Duma approved a bill, enabling incumbent President Vladimir Putin to run for two more terms starting 2024.

The draft law on elections, which was approved in the State Duma’s third or final reading on Wednesday, was made in pursuance of constitutional amendments adopted in a nationwide referendum in July 2020, Xinhua news agency reported.

One of the 206 constitutional amendments stipulates that the limit of two presidential terms applies to the incumbent head of state, but without taking into account his previous terms.

In light of the amendment, the bill grants Putin the possibility of starting his presidency from scratch in 2024 and holding the office for two more terms until 2036.

In accordance with the bill, a Russian citizen, who is at least 35 years old, has been a permanent resident of the country for at least 25 years, and has never held citizenship or a residence permit of a foreign state, can be elected Russian president.

The bill needs to be passed by the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, and then to be signed by Putin into law

Also Read-Putin, Aliyev hold talks on Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire control

Read More-Putin invites Biden to virtual talks

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Russia’s US envoy returns to Moscow

Anatoly Antonov during an interview with Xinhua in Moscow, Russia

Russia recalled its top US envoy after President Joe Biden said in an interview that Russia will “pay a price” for its alleged interference in the 2020 American election….reports Asian Lite News

The Russian Embassy in Washington confirmed that the country’s Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov has returned to Moscow for consultations after he was recalled late last week.

“Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov is on his way to Moscow to participate in consultations on rectifying Russia-US relations,” Xinhua news agency quoted the Embassy as saying in a Facebook post on Saturday.

The Embassy also posted two pictures along with the post, one showing Antonov, in a black jacket, at an airport and the other, an airplane, which appeared to be the one the Ambassador would fly in, with a Russian flag on the outside surface of the cockpit.

Antonov flew from New York, as there is no direct flight between Washington and Moscow amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Russia’s TASS news agency.

He will arrive in Moscow on Sunday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russia recalled its top envoy in the US after President Joe Biden said in an ABC News interview on March 17 that Russia will “pay a price” for its alleged interference in the 2020 American election.

A US intelligence report released the previous day directly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of ordering a wide-ranging influence operation to interfere in the election, intending to hurt Biden’s campaign.

In the ABC News interview, Biden also agreed with the interviewer’s claim that Putin was “a killer”.

Responding directly to Biden’s remarks, Putin said on March 18: “I would say to him: I wish you good health. I say that without irony or joking.

Also read:KIM TO BIDEN: WE WILL MATCH YOUR ACTIONS, FRIENDLY OR HOSTILE

“I would like to offer President Biden (the opportunity) to continue our discussion, but on condition that we’ll do so what is called live, online. Without anything pre-recorded, in an open and direct discussion.

“It seems to me, it would be interesting both for the Russian people and for the US people, as well as for many other countries.”

Joe Biden

Asked by reporters whether Biden regretted the “killer” statement, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a press briefing on March 18: “Nope. The President gave a direct answer to a direct question.”

She added Washington still wishes to develop its relationship with Moscow.

But, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry said: “The current US administration never ceases to surprise us with its absurd public statements.

“It’s not just about the unseemly attacks against Russia’s top officials, but also the absurd accusations of Russia’s interference in last year’s presidential election in the US.”

Also read:Putin invites Biden to virtual talks

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-Top News USA

Russia ‘prepared for worst’ over US ties

JERUSALEM, Jan. 23, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during the 5th World Holocaust Forum at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, on Jan. 23, 2020. Dozens of world leaders gathered on Thursday in Jerusalem to commemorate 75 years for the liberation of the Auschwitz camp and called on to combat the resurgence of modern-day anti-Semitism. (Yonatan Sindel/JINI via Xinhua/IANS)

After a break, it seems like the Washington-Moscow relations are deteriorating to its worst as both the leaders are trading jabs after the release of US intelligence report, reports Asian Lite News

The Kremlin said that it hoped for the best regarding relations between Russia and the US, yet it was also “prepared for the worst”.

President Vladimir Putin has already made it clear that Russia wished to maintain its relations with the US as this would be of advantage for the rest of the world, Xinhua news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Friday.

Nevertheless, “we cannot fail to take into account” US President Joe Biden’s words, Peskov added.

Also Read – Putin invites Biden to virtual talks

The Kremlin’s remarks came amid escalating Moscow-Washington tensions after a US intelligence report on Tuesday, accusing Russia of “denigrating” Biden’s candidacy during the elections to increase support for former President Donald Trump.

US President Joe Biden (Photo – @POTUS)

Peskov has stressed once again that those claims of Russia’s alleged meddling in the 2020 US elections were baseless and regretful, calling them just another pretext for additional sanctions.

On Thursday, Putin told local media that he would like to invite Biden to an online meeting to continue their discussions of bilateral ties.

Also Read – Russia warns West of retaliation

“I want to invite President Biden to continue our discussions, but on the condition that we do this actually live, as they say, online,” he said.

The discussions could be held soon, and the Kremlin is ready at any time convenient for the White House, Putin said, adding that he would give relevant instructions to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and then US President Donald Trump at the 2017 G20 Hamburg Summit

Earlier that day, Putin said that the US has to take into account Russia’s interests and Moscow is capable of protecting them.

He emphasised that Russia is prepared to work with the US in fields of mutual interest, but only on terms that are favourable for Moscow.

Also Read – EU sanctions Russian officials