Russia

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/: The Russian oil pipeline operator Transneft should revise the system of oil quality control for main oil pipelines, President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday at the meeting with Transneft CEO Nikolai Tokarev.

"Self-control is not sufficient," the head of state said. "It means that this system should be changed," Putin said. "Do this definitely and report to the prime minister," he added.

MOSCOW, May 1. /TASS/: More than 100,000 people gathered in Moscow for a demonstration of trade unions dedicated to Spring and Labor Day, the Interior Ministry’s press service told TASS on Wednesday.

"A demonstration is being held in Moscow organized by the Moscow Federation of Trade Unions, which is dedicated to celebrating Spring and Labor Day," a spokesman said.

Police, troops of the National Guard and members of people’s guards are ensuring security and public order.

MOSCOW, April 28. /TASS/. Jesus Christ’s love for all humanity should become an example for all Orthodox believers, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said in his traditional Easter address.

"I would like to address everyone who rejoices at Easter. If your heart is enlightened with Easter light, become lamps for those who surround you. Let your lips profess the reality of resurrection. Embrace with your love those who are beside you and offer them your care and attention," the patriarch said.

MOSCOW, April 28. /TASS/. Orthodox Christians in more than 60 countries are celebrating Easter on April 28. The Russian, Serbian, Georgian, Constantinople, Greek, Bulgarian, Jerusalem and other local Orthodox Churches celebrate it according to the Julian calendar.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia carried out Easter service in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior this night.

PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, April 28. /TASS/. Russia is ready to back dialogue on nuclear disarmament, but neither the United States nor China have launched these talks, Russian Presidential Aide for International Affairs Yuri Ushakov said in an interview with the program "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin."

In comment on US President Donald Trump’s statement that Russia, China and the US should start nuclear disarmament, Ushakov said: "We are also ready for new [agreements] but serious talks are needed for this, but unfortunately, no one has so far started them".

PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, April 28. /TASS/. Russia believes it is beneficial to create a single Greater Eurasia space, involving the European Union, the Eurasian Economic Union and various Chinese integration initiatives, Russian Presidential Aide for International Affairs Yuri Ushakov said on Sunday.

MOSCOW, April 26. /TASS/. The verdict by a US court sentencing Russian national Maria Butina to 18 months behind bars is an "ugly stain" on the US justice system, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"We consider the decision by a Washington court to sentence Maria Butina to 18 months behind bars as politically motivated," the ministry stressed. "This sentence is an ugly stain on the American justice system, which has followed a blatant political order to the letter," the Russian diplomats added.

27 Apr 2019; AFP: The United States on Friday found backing from rivals Russia and China on the key formula of a peace deal it is negotiating in Afghanistan -- withdrawing troops in return for Taliban pledges not to welcome foreign extremists.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US envoy who is set shortly to hold his latest round of talks with the Taliban, called the consensus a "milestone" in efforts to end the war after he met Russian and Chinese representatives in Moscow.

MOSCOW, April 25 (Xinhua) -- China and Russia will cooperate on an array of major strategic projects and increase capabilities to jointly cope with security threats and challenges, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe said Thursday.

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un on Thursday said that they had substantial discussions on bilateral ties and the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue during their first-ever meeting.

The four-hour talks started with a one-on-one conversation between the two leaders and they were later joined by members of national delegations.