19 October 2023 12:00
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during the meeting with Chairman of State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un, Pyongyang, October 19, 2023
https://www.mid.ru/tv/?id=1910390&lang=en
19 October 2023 11:27
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions at a news conference following his visit to North Korea, Pyongyang, October 19, 2023
Good afternoon,
We are visiting the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in accordance with the agreement reached by President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, Kim Jong-un, at the Vostochny Cosmodrome on September 13, 2023. Our visit is timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, marked on October 12 this year. During the visit, we have had constructive discussions on the progress made in implementing the agreements reached at the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
North Korea is Russia’s close neighbour and long-standing partner. We are unanimous in our belief that progressive enhancement of bilateral relations meets the interests of both states and contributes to the strengthening of peace and security in Northeast Asia. The advancement of our relations with China serves the same purpose.
https://www.mid.ru/en/press_service/video/posledniye_dobavlnenniye/1910193/
The State Duma adopted the bill de-ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
Issue of de-ratification of the Treaty was raised by President of the Russian Federation.
Almost all members of the State Duma are the co-authors of the bill
October 18, 2023, 12:27
Members of the State Duma unanimously voted to adopt the bill on the withdrawal of ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in the second and third readings. The Chairman of the State Duma, leaders of the State Duma factions and almost all members of the State Duma are the co-authors of the bill.
The issue of de-ratification was raised by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin at the Valdai Discussion Club meeting.
http://duma.gov.ru/en/news/58109/
Bill toughening punishment of foreigners for illegal investigative actions in Russia has been submitted to the State Duma
The bill provides for the introduction of criminal liability for conducting illegal investigative procedures on the territory of our country into criminal cases initiated in foreign states
October 18, 2023, 11:18
A bill toughening punishment of foreigners for illegal investigative actions in Russia has been submitted to the State Duma.
According to the document, officials of foreign states and international organizations, in which Russia is not a member state, may face up to five years in jail for conducting illegal investigative procedures and operational-search activities on the territory of the Russian Federation.
“Collecting evidence, conducting operational-search activities bypassing the existing procedures, interrogating our citizens (conducted in person or remotely), obtaining samples for expert research, for example, fingerprints, genetic material, etc., attempts to lure Russian people for subsequent arrest in foreign states — all this poses a threat to the security of our citizens and the state, and therefore, it should become a criminal offence,” said Vasily Piskarev, co-author of the amendments, the Chairman of the Committee on Security and Corruption Control.
http://duma.gov.ru/en/news/58114/
Appeal of the State Duma to the United Nations and the world parliaments on the escalation of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Members of the State Duma unanimously supported the adoption of the document. The text of the document was prepared at the request of Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin
October 19, 2023, 12:46
The deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation hereby appeal to the United Nations and the world parliaments to take all possible measures to immediately stop the bloodshed and escalation of violence against civilians in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and to avert an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East. The Gaza hospital strike of October 17, 2023, which killed hundreds of innocent civilians, including women and children, was a testament to the scale of the unfolding tragedy. The unjustified cruelty and disproportionate use of force have already resulted in deaths of several thousand people. Inhuman methods of solving political problems by armed force have fueled numerous anti-Semitic and Islamophobic protests around the world.
http://duma.gov.ru/en/news/58121/
Meet Martina Ptáčková, who is training NATO troops in hand-to-hand combat
18 Oct. 2023
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_219103.htm
NATO steps up Baltic Sea patrols after subsea infrastructure damage
19 Oct. 2023
NATO and Allies are stepping up patrols in the Baltic Sea following recent damage to undersea infrastructure in the region. The increased measures include additional surveillance and reconnaissance flights, including with maritime patrol aircraft, NATO AWACS planes, and drones. A fleet of four NATO minehunters is also being dispatched to the area.
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_219500.htm
Secretary General welcomes newly appointed experts to address NATO’s southern neighbourhood
19 Oct. 2023
On Thursday (19 October 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with a group of independent Allied experts to discuss NATO’s approach to its southern neighbourhood – particularly the Middle East, North Africa and Sahel regions.
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_219491.htm
Secretary General at the Conference of National Armaments Directors: Ukraine needs our sustained support
19 Oct. 2023
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the importance of continued support to Ukraine in a Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) meeting at NATO Headquarters on Thursday (19 October 2023). Calling for Allies to “go further and go faster” with “a renewed sense of urgency,” he said: “Ukraine is making progress on the ground. But they need our sustained support.”
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_219490.htm
live
OCTOBER 20, 2023
U.S. House of Representatives
House Session
The House will continue voting in the House Speaker election to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was removed from the position on October 3rd.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?531284-1/house-session
Next session starts at 10:00 AM
https://live.house.gov/