<p>'Saturday Night Live' paid a solemn tribute to the people of Ukraine after the Russian&nbsp;invasion in&nbsp;the European country.&nbsp;<br />
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The first show after a month-long hiatus returned with host John Mulaney on Feb. 26, and instead of starting with a satirical sketch, the show chose to pay a powerful tribute to the country of Ukraine.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-prince-william-and-kate-middleton-react-to-russian-invasion-we-stand-with-ukraine-457004" hreflang="en">Prince William and Kate Middleton react to Russian invasion: We stand with Ukraine</a><br />
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During the show, the cast members Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong introduced the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York.&nbsp;<br />
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A group of male and female singers, wearing embroidered traditional outfits, sang 'Prayer for Ukraine' in front of the live audience in studio 8H.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">“Prayer for Ukraine” performed by Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York <a href="https://t.co/5pi2l1Olpx">pic.twitter.com/5pi2l1Olpx</a></p>
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) <a href="https://twitter.com/nbcsnl/status/1497794056147161088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>The sombre setting on the 'SNL' stage on Saturday, featured a cluster of candles that spelt out "Kyiv," the Ukrainian capital&nbsp;and bouquets of yellow flowers, evoking Ukraine’s national colours of yellow and blue.&nbsp;<br />
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After the song ended, McKinnon and Strong returned to the stage and started the night with the signature phrase, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night,”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/i-stand-by-my-motherland-celebrities-from-ukraine-respond-to-russian-invasion-456843" hreflang="en">I stand by my motherland: Celebrities from Ukraine respond to Russian invasion</a><br />
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Further, Mulaney, who joined the SNL's elite five-timers club of hosts, addressed his past drug use and a stint in rehab.&nbsp;<br />
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That list includes Steve Martin, Drew Barrymore, Tina Fey, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Scarlett Johansson and Melissa McCarthy.<br />
"For many, many reasons, I'm grateful to be here tonight after a very complicated year. It is wonderful to be in a place that's always emphasized sobriety and mental health," the comedian quipped.<br />
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"Since I last hosted, different things have happened," Mulaney continued.</p>


'Saturday Night Live' paid a solemn tribute to the people of Ukraine after the Russian invasion in the European country. The first show after a month-long hiatus returned with host John Mulaney on Feb.

'Saturday Night Live' paid a solemn tribute to the people of Ukraine after the Russian invasion in the European country. The first show after a month-long hiatus returned with host John Mulaney on Feb. 26, and instead of starting with a satirical sketch, the show chose to pay a powerful tribute to the country of Ukraine. Prince William and Kate Middleton react to Russian invasion: We stand with Ukraine During the show, the cast members Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong introduced the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York. A group of male and female singers, wearing embroidered traditional outfits, sang 'Prayer for Ukraine' in front of the live audience in studio 8H. “Prayer for Ukraine” performed by Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York pic.twitter.com/5pi2l1Olpx — Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) February 27, 2022 × The sombre setting on the 'SNL' stage on Saturday, featured a cluster of candles that spelt out "Kyiv," the Ukrainian capital and bouquets of yellow flowers, evoking Ukraine’s national colours of yellow and blue. After the song ended, McKinnon and Strong returned to the stage and started the night with the signature phrase, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night,” I stand by my motherland: Celebrities from Ukraine respond to Russian invasion Further, Mulaney, who joined the SNL's elite five-timers club of hosts, addressed his past drug use and a stint in rehab. That list includes Steve Martin, Drew Barrymore, Tina Fey, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Scarlett Johansson and Melissa McCarthy. "For many, many reasons, I'm grateful to be here tonight after a very complicated year. It is wonderful to be in a place that's always emphasized sobriety and mental health," the comedian quipped. "Since I last hosted, different things have happened," Mulaney continued.

'Saturday Night Live' pays soulful tribute to Ukrainian people

<p>Iranian protesters and newspapers&nbsp;piled&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-foreign-minister-to-visit-iran-saudi-arabia-to-discuss-developments-in-middle-east-273726">Tehran</a> on Sunday&nbsp;after&nbsp;Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Ukrainian airliner</a>.</p>

<p>Riot police fired teargas at thousands of&nbsp;Iranians who had taken to the streets late on Saturday in the capital and other cities, many chanting "Death to the dictator", directing their anger at&nbsp;Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Ali Khamenei</a>.</p>

<p>Reports of the&nbsp;protests&nbsp;were carried by state-affiliated news agencies, while video clips circulated on social media.</p>

<p>Tehran residents told reporters&nbsp;that police had stepped up their presence in the capital on Sunday morning.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Protesters condemn government over its initial denial of downing Ukrainian plane</strong></p>

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<p>"Apologise and resign,"&nbsp;Iran's moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the "people's demand" was for those responsible for mishandling the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crisis to quit.</p>

<p>All 176 people aboard the flight, many of them&nbsp;Iranians with dual citizenship, were killed.</p>

<p>Protests&nbsp;erupted&nbsp;after&nbsp;Saturday's&nbsp;admission&nbsp;that the military accidentally shot down the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-demands-punishment-compensation-for-airliner-downed-by-iran-273583">Ukraine International Airlines</a>&nbsp;plane&nbsp;minutes&nbsp;after&nbsp;takeoff on Wednesday when&nbsp;Iranian forces were alert for US&nbsp;reprisals&nbsp;after&nbsp;tit-for-tat&nbsp;strikes.</p>

<p>For days,&nbsp;Iranian officials had vigorously denied it was to blame, even as Canada, which had 57 citizens on the flight, and the United States said their intelligence indicated an&nbsp;Iranian missile was to blame, albeit probably fired in error.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake.<br />
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My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences. <a href="https://t.co/4dkePxupzm">https://t.co/4dkePxupzm</a></p>
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) <a href="https://twitter.com/HassanRouhani/status/1215856679423823872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Iran's president said it was a "disastrous mistake" and apologised. But a top Revolutionary Guards commander added to public anger about the delayed&nbsp;admission when he said he had told the authorities a missile hit the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;the day it crashed.</p>

<p>Another moderate daily Jomhuri-ye Eslami, or the Islamic Republic, wrote in an editorial: "Those who delayed publishing the reason behind the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crash and damaged people's trust in the establishment should be dismissed or should resign."</p>

<p>Criticism of the authorities in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;is not unusual, but it tends to stay in narrow boundaries.</p>

<p>The press attacks and&nbsp;protests&nbsp;add to challenges facing the establishment, which in November faced the country's bloodiest unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution.</p>

<p>As Saturday's&nbsp;protests&nbsp;spread across&nbsp;Iran, including major cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan, Hamedan and Orumiyeh, US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Donald Trump</a> said on Twitter: "We are following your&nbsp;protests&nbsp;closely, and are inspired by your courage."</p>

<p>"There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching," he said, posting his tweets in both Farsi and English.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching.</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1216120362230067202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Britain said its ambassador in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;had been briefly detained on Saturday by the authorities in Tehran. A news agency said he was detained outside a university for inciting&nbsp;protests.</p>

<p>Condemning the arrest, British Foreign Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-denounces-brief-arrest-of-envoy-in-tehran-as-violation-of-law-273690">Dominic Raab</a> said&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;"can continue its march towards pariah status&nbsp;or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Foreign Secretary <a href="https://twitter.com/DominicRaab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DominicRaab</a> calls brief detention of <a href="https://twitter.com/HMATehran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HMATehran</a> a “flagrant violation of international law.” Full statement: <a href="https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb">https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb</a></p>
— Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/foreignoffice/status/1216114167888912385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Protests&nbsp;inside&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;followed a build-up of tension between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and the United States, which withdrew from Tehran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and then re-imposed sanctions that have steadily crippled the&nbsp;Iranian economy.</p>

<p>On January&nbsp;3, a US&nbsp;drone&nbsp;strike&nbsp;in Iraq killed prominent&nbsp;Iranian commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-general-soleimanis-killing-was-self-defense-us-ambassador-kelly-craft-to-un-273117">Qasem Soleimani</a>, responsible for building up&nbsp;Iran's network of regional proxy armies in Iraq and beyond, and Tehran responded with missile&nbsp;strikes on US&nbsp;targets in Iraq.</p>

<p>No US&nbsp;soldiers were killed, but in the tense hours&nbsp;after&nbsp;that, the Ukrainian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Boeing 737</a> was cleared to take off from Tehran airport and then brought down by a missile fired in error by an operator who mistook the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;for an attacker.</p>

<p><img alt="Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="93f67be6-2401-4cdf-a0e8-7eef59ffee84" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_8.jpg" /><br />
[ <em>Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine&nbsp;(Courtesy: Reuters)</em> ]</p>

<p>"Shooting down a civilian aircraft is horrific.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;must take full responsibility," Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ottawa-lowers-canadian-death-toll-in-iran-air-crash-to-57-273604">Justin Trudeau</a> said.</p>

<p>Trudeau said&nbsp;Iranian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">Hassan Rouhani</a> had committed to collaborating with Canadian investigators, working to de-escalate tensions in the region and continuing dialogue.</p>

<p>Rallying to the establishment,&nbsp;Iranian lawmakers praised the elite force's commanders for courage in admitting the error, according to Fars, a news agency seen as close to the Guards, a parallel military set up to protect the theocratic system.</p>

<p>Iranian officials sought to portray the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;disaster as a second blow to a mourning nation&nbsp;after&nbsp;Soleimani's death in a US&nbsp;drone&nbsp;strike.</p>

<p>Soleimani's funeral had prompted huge public gatherings, which the authorities described a show of national unity. But the displays of emotion have been swiftly overshadowed and protesters on Saturday tore up pictures of the slain general.</p>

<p>Public fury at&nbsp;Iran's authorities had grown as questions about the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crash mounted.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-warns-iran-nuclear-deal-may-collapse-273585">Iranians</a> on social media asked why officials were busy fending off criticism from abroad rather than sympathising with grieving families. Others asked why the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;was allowed to take off at a time of high tension.</p>


Iranian protesters and newspapers piled pressure on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in Tehran on Sunday after Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner.

Iranian protesters and newspapers piled pressure on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in Tehran on Sunday after Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner. Riot police fired teargas at thousands of Iranians who had taken to the streets late on Saturday in the capital and other cities, many chanting "Death to the dictator", directing their anger at Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Reports of the protests were carried by state-affiliated news agencies, while video clips circulated on social media. Tehran residents told reporters that police had stepped up their presence in the capital on Sunday morning. Watch: Protesters condemn government over its initial denial of downing Ukrainian plane × "Apologise and resign," Iran's moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the "people's demand" was for those responsible for mishandling the plane crisis to quit. All 176 people aboard the flight, many of them Iranians with dual citizenship, were killed. Protests erupted after Saturday's admission that the military accidentally shot down the Ukraine International Airlines plane minutes after takeoff on Wednesday when Iranian forces were alert for US reprisals after tit-for-tat strikes. For days, Iranian officials had vigorously denied it was to blame, even as Canada, which had 57 citizens on the flight, and the United States said their intelligence indicated an Iranian missile was to blame, albeit probably fired in error. The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake. My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences. https://t.co/4dkePxupzm — Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 11, 2020 × Iran's president said it was a "disastrous mistake" and apologised. But a top Revolutionary Guards commander added to public anger about the delayed admission when he said he had told the authorities a missile hit the plane the day it crashed. Another moderate daily Jomhuri-ye Eslami, or the Islamic Republic, wrote in an editorial: "Those who delayed publishing the reason behind the plane crash and damaged people's trust in the establishment should be dismissed or should resign." Criticism of the authorities in Iran is not unusual, but it tends to stay in narrow boundaries. The press attacks and protests add to challenges facing the establishment, which in November faced the country's bloodiest unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution. As Saturday's protests spread across Iran, including major cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan, Hamedan and Orumiyeh, US President Donald Trump said on Twitter: "We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage." "There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching," he said, posting his tweets in both Farsi and English. The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020 × Britain said its ambassador in Iran had been briefly detained on Saturday by the authorities in Tehran. A news agency said he was detained outside a university for inciting protests. Condemning the arrest, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Iran "can continue its march towards pariah status or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards." Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab calls brief detention of @HMATehran a “flagrant violation of international law.” Full statement: https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb — Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) January 11, 2020 × Protests inside Iran followed a build-up of tension between Iran and the United States, which withdrew from Tehran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and then re-imposed sanctions that have steadily crippled the Iranian economy. On January 3, a US drone strike in Iraq killed prominent Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, responsible for building up Iran's network of regional proxy armies in Iraq and beyond, and Tehran responded with missile strikes on US targets in Iraq. No US soldiers were killed, but in the tense hours after that, the Ukrainian Boeing 737 was cleared to take off from Tehran airport and then brought down by a missile fired in error by an operator who mistook the plane for an attacker. [ Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "Shooting down a civilian aircraft is horrific. Iran must take full responsibility," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. Trudeau said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had committed to collaborating with Canadian investigators, working to de-escalate tensions in the region and continuing dialogue. Rallying to the establishment, Iranian lawmakers praised the elite force's commanders for courage in admitting the error, according to Fars, a news agency seen as close to the Guards, a parallel military set up to protect the theocratic system. Iranian officials sought to portray the plane disaster as a second blow to a mourning nation after Soleimani's death in a US drone strike. Soleimani's funeral had prompted huge public gatherings, which the authorities described a show of national unity. But the displays of emotion have been swiftly overshadowed and protesters on Saturday tore up pictures of the slain general. Public fury at Iran's authorities had grown as questions about the plane crash mounted. Iranians on social media asked why officials were busy fending off criticism from abroad rather than sympathising with grieving families. Others asked why the plane was allowed to take off at a time of high tension.

Iranians step up protests after Tehran's admission that it shot down Ukrainian airliner

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-under-pressure-at-home-over-plane-crash-warns-iran-world-is-watching-273502">Canada</a> on Friday lowered the number of its citizens killed in the crash of a jetliner in Iran from 63 to 57.</p>

<p>"This is based on additional information we had about birth dates and comparing the travel documents that people were travelling on when they boarded the flight," Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaishankar-meets-canadian-counterpart-provides-accurate-understanding-of-developments-in-kashmir-269326">Francois-Philippe Champagne</a> told a press conference.</p>

<p>All 176 people on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Ukraine International Airlines</a> (UIA) flight died in the crash this week just after takeoff from Tehran on a flight to Kiev.</p>

<p>The minister said Iran had given visas to only two of a dozen Canadian investigators due to take part in the probe of the crash.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-demands-punishment-compensation-for-airliner-downed-by-iran-273583">Iran</a> is denying suggestions from Canada and other western countries that the plane may have been shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile.</p>

<p>Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-prefer-to-download-black-boxes-iran-after-plane-crash-blamed-on-missile-273396">Justin Trudeau</a> said multiple intelligence sources indicate that Iran shot down the Ukrainian airliner built by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-regulator-to-fine-boeing-54-million-for-defective-parts-of-737-max-planes-273532">Boeing</a>, although he conceded it may have been unintentional.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: PM&nbsp;Justin Trudeau:&nbsp;'Closure, accountability needed'&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>Canada is home to a large Iranian diaspora and UIA offers relatively inexpensive flights between Toronto and Tehran, with a layover in Kiev.</p>

<p>Iran and Canada have not had formal diplomatic relations since 2012.</p>


Canada on Friday lowered the number of its citizens killed in the crash of a jetliner in Iran from 63 to 57. "This is based on additional information we had about birth dates and comparing the travel documents that people were travelling on when they boarded the flight," Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told a press conference.

Canada on Friday lowered the number of its citizens killed in the crash of a jetliner in Iran from 63 to 57. "This is based on additional information we had about birth dates and comparing the travel documents that people were travelling on when they boarded the flight," Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told a press conference. All 176 people on the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight died in the crash this week just after takeoff from Tehran on a flight to Kiev. The minister said Iran had given visas to only two of a dozen Canadian investigators due to take part in the probe of the crash. Iran is denying suggestions from Canada and other western countries that the plane may have been shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said multiple intelligence sources indicate that Iran shot down the Ukrainian airliner built by Boeing, although he conceded it may have been unintentional. Watch: PM Justin Trudeau: 'Closure, accountability needed' × Canada is home to a large Iranian diaspora and UIA offers relatively inexpensive flights between Toronto and Tehran, with a layover in Kiev. Iran and Canada have not had formal diplomatic relations since 2012.

Ottawa lowers Canadian death toll in Iran air crash to 57

<p>A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">killing</a> of a&nbsp;top&nbsp;general and turmoil in&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany.</p>

<p>Russia's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-fully-respect-iraqs-sovereignty-says-irans-un-ambassador-after-ballistic-missile-strike-273064">Vladimir Putin</a> will hold talks with German Chancellor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/angela-merkel-visits-auschwitz-for-first-time-266657">Angela Merkel</a> in Moscow on Saturday afternoon, her first visit since May 2018 when the two leaders met at Sochi on the Black Sea.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crimea?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crimea</a>: The President watched the joint exercises of the Northern and Black Sea fleets <a href="https://t.co/ZusR628AYx">https://t.co/ZusR628AYx</a> <a href="https://t.co/DJn09l0VWe">pic.twitter.com/DJn09l0VWe</a></p>
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) <a href="https://twitter.com/KremlinRussia_E/status/1215291712173694976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Putin visited Syria and Turkey this week and is keen to stress his role as a regional powerbroker.</p>

<p>German Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-plotting-imminent-action-threatening-hundreds-of-american-lives-pompeo-271975">Heiko Maas</a>, who will attend the talks, said a "key reason" for the&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;was the escalating crisis in&nbsp;Libya, where Germany is acting as a mediator in a conflict he has warned could become a "second Syria".</p>

<p>"We are involving Europe and those players who are influential there, for that we need Russia," Maas told Germany's NTV television. "For us, it's not too far to fly to Moscow to discuss that with Putin."</p>

<p>Merkel is to invite Putin to a Berlin conference on&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;later this month, diplomatic sources told reporters.</p>

<p>Putin and Turkish President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/sports-has-emerged-as-battlefield-for-freedom-of-expression-270322">Recep Tayyip Erdogan</a> called for a ceasefire in&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;on Wednesday, although they are seen as supporting opposing sides in the conflict.</p>

<p>While Turkey has sent troops to support the UN-backed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-haftar-forces-seize-large-parts-of-sirte-city-272759">Tripoli</a> government, Moscow is accused of backing mercenaries supporting strongman Khalifa Haftar in his fight against the government.</p>

<p>Haftar said he would fight on despite the call for a ceasefire.</p>

<p>The Kremlin said last week that Saturday's talks would cover the "escalation of tensions" in the Middle East after the US killed&nbsp;top&nbsp;Iranian commander General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">Qasem Soleimani</a> in a drone strike close to Baghdad.</p>

<p>Putin warned the killing could "seriously aggravate the situation in the region".</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Iran gives black box to Ukraine</strong></p>

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<p>Iran, an ally of Moscow, responded with missile attacks on Iraq bases housing American troops.</p>

<p>While Germany condemned the tit-for-tat violence and urged Tehran to end a "spiral" of conflict, Putin said using force would "not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East".</p>

<p>Tehran has announced a further rollback on its commitment to a 2015 nuclear accord following the United States' unilateral withdrawal in 2018. Russia and Germany are among world powers still backing the deal.</p>

<p>The talks also come after a Ukrainian airliner crashed in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;on Wednesday killing all 176 onboard. Canada and the US have suggested&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;downed it with a missile, which Tehran denies.</p>

<p>The Kremlin said the talks would also cover the conflict in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The war with Moscow-backed separatists broke out after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and has killed more than 13,000 people.</p>

<p>Putin in December held talks with Ukrainian counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-given-important-data-on-iran-plane-crash-ukraine-foreign-minister-273408">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> in Paris in the "Normandy format" hosted by German and French leaders.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thanked <a href="https://twitter.com/HeikoMaas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HeikoMaas</a> for German support and sympathy after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ps752?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ps752</a> tragedy. During the phone call we agreed to cooperate for independent and transparent investigation. We discussed also "Minsk settlement". Waiting for news ater the meeting between Merkel and Putin on 11 January.</p>
— Vadym Prystaiko (@VPrystaiko) <a href="https://twitter.com/VPrystaiko/status/1215373166224330752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Ukrainian Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-gets-access-to-crashed-planes-black-boxes-foreign-minister-273477">Vadym Prystaiko</a> tweeted on Friday that he had spoken to Maas about the Ukraine conflict and was "waiting for news" to emerge from the talks.</p>

<p>Political analysts in Kiev said they expected the topic to be overshadowed by&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;tensions, while Merkel could ask Putin to push Tehran for a transparent investigation of the plane crash.</p>


A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US killing of a top general and turmoil in Libya are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany.

A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US killing of a top general and turmoil in Libya are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany. Russia's Vladimir Putin will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Moscow on Saturday afternoon, her first visit since May 2018 when the two leaders met at Sochi on the Black Sea. #Crimea: The President watched the joint exercises of the Northern and Black Sea fleets https://t.co/ZusR628AYx pic.twitter.com/DJn09l0VWe — President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) January 9, 2020 × Putin visited Syria and Turkey this week and is keen to stress his role as a regional powerbroker. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who will attend the talks, said a "key reason" for the meeting was the escalating crisis in Libya, where Germany is acting as a mediator in a conflict he has warned could become a "second Syria". "We are involving Europe and those players who are influential there, for that we need Russia," Maas told Germany's NTV television. "For us, it's not too far to fly to Moscow to discuss that with Putin." Merkel is to invite Putin to a Berlin conference on Libya later this month, diplomatic sources told reporters. Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a ceasefire in Libya on Wednesday, although they are seen as supporting opposing sides in the conflict. While Turkey has sent troops to support the UN-backed Tripoli government, Moscow is accused of backing mercenaries supporting strongman Khalifa Haftar in his fight against the government. Haftar said he would fight on despite the call for a ceasefire. The Kremlin said last week that Saturday's talks would cover the "escalation of tensions" in the Middle East after the US killed top Iranian commander General Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike close to Baghdad. Putin warned the killing could "seriously aggravate the situation in the region". Watch: Iran gives black box to Ukraine × Iran, an ally of Moscow, responded with missile attacks on Iraq bases housing American troops. While Germany condemned the tit-for-tat violence and urged Tehran to end a "spiral" of conflict, Putin said using force would "not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East". Tehran has announced a further rollback on its commitment to a 2015 nuclear accord following the United States' unilateral withdrawal in 2018. Russia and Germany are among world powers still backing the deal. The talks also come after a Ukrainian airliner crashed in Iran on Wednesday killing all 176 onboard. Canada and the US have suggested Iran downed it with a missile, which Tehran denies. The Kremlin said the talks would also cover the conflict in Ukraine. The war with Moscow-backed separatists broke out after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and has killed more than 13,000 people. Putin in December held talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris in the "Normandy format" hosted by German and French leaders. Thanked @HeikoMaas for German support and sympathy after #ps752 tragedy. During the phone call we agreed to cooperate for independent and transparent investigation. We discussed also "Minsk settlement". Waiting for news ater the meeting between Merkel and Putin on 11 January. — Vadym Prystaiko (@VPrystaiko) January 9, 2020 × Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko tweeted on Friday that he had spoken to Maas about the Ukraine conflict and was "waiting for news" to emerge from the talks. Political analysts in Kiev said they expected the topic to be overshadowed by Iran tensions, while Merkel could ask Putin to push Tehran for a transparent investigation of the plane crash.

Libya and Iran top agenda in Merkel-Putin meeting

Was the Ukrainian Airliner shot down accidentally by Iranian missile? Meanwhile, a video surfaced on social media where airliner seen being hit by a projectile. #AmericaIranCrisis #WIONNews #IranPlaneCrash

Was Ukrainian Airliner shot down? Video Surfaced with Moment of Impact.