Europe

MOSCOW, April 7. /TASS/: Kiev presented its draft agreement on April 6, which marks a departure from the provisions that were recorded at a meeting held in Istanbul on March 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"Ukraine presented its draft agreement to the negotiating group yesterday, which marks a clear departure from the most important provisions that were recorded at the Istanbul meeting on March 29 in a document signed by the Ukrainian delegation’s head Arakhamia," he pointed out.

MOSCOW, April 7. /TASS/: Russia’s COVID-19 case tally rose by 14,355 over the past day to 17,955,120, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Thursday.

In relative terms, the growth rate reached 0.08%.

As many as 2,612 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Russia over the past day, down 29.7% from a day earlier. The number of hospitalized patients decreased in 66 regions, while in 12 regions the figure increased. The situation remained unchanged in seven regions. A day earlier, 3,713 people were rushed to hospitals.

MOSCOW, April 7. /TASS/: Russia’s COVID-19 case tally rose by 14,355 over the past day to 17,955,120, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Thursday.

In relative terms, the growth rate reached 0.08%.

As many as 2,612 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Russia over the past day, down 29.7% from a day earlier. The number of hospitalized patients decreased in 66 regions, while in 12 regions the figure increased. The situation remained unchanged in seven regions. A day earlier, 3,713 people were rushed to hospitals.

MINSK, April 7. /TASS/: A whole historical era came to an end with the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine. A new "watershed" is emerging between the East and the West, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting of the Security Council on Thursday.

"There are no doubts that with the launch of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine a whole historical era came to an end. Amid the growing confrontation between the leading actors a new watershed between the East and the West is emerging," Lukashenko said.

YEREVAN, April 7. /TASS/: The trilateral meeting between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev took place in Brussels, the press service of the Armenian government announced on Thursday.

The Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan instructed the Foreign Ministers to start preparations for peace talks between the two countries, the press service added.

LUXEMBOURG, April 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Court of Justice ruled in favour of the family of late Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak and confirmed the unfreezing of assets blocked over a decade ago.

The European Union had decided in March last year to end sanctions it had imposed on Mubarak, his wife, two sons and their wives following Egypt’s popular uprising in January 2011 which toppled his 30-year rule.

GENEVA, April 7 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization's European head said on Thursday that the body was preparing for possible "chemical assaults" in Ukraine.

"Given the uncertainties of the current situation, there are no assurances that the war will not get worse," Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said in a statement sent to journalists from Lviv, Ukraine.

April 7 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday it was bewildered by the U.S. decision to impose sanctions against President Vladimir Putin's adult daughters, describing the move as part of a broader Western frenzy against Russia.

Fresh U.S. sanctions against Moscow over its military intervention in Ukraine on Wednesday targeted Russian banks and elites, including Putin's daughters Katerina and Maria, who U.S. officials believe are hiding their father's wealth. 

April 7 (Reuters) - Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that his country must be involved in negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and that he expected to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the next few days.

"There can be no separate agreements behind Belarus's back," Lukashenko was quoted as saying by the Belarusian state news agency Belta.

"Since you dragged us into this - principally Western countries - the position of Belarus naturally needs to be heard at these negotiations."

April 7 (Reuters) - Russia's long-term objective is to seize all of Ukraine even though the short-term focus of its invasion is now on the east of the country, Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said on Thursday.

She said Russian forces were biding their time in Ukraine as Moscow stepped up intelligence operations there and learnt how best to fight Ukrainian troops. 

"The key objective of the Russian Federation was and is the capture of the entire territory of Ukraine, " Malyar told a video briefing.