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The Russian-Belarusian military grouping was created to ward off a potential invasion, a senior diplomat explains The joint Russian-Belarusian military force performs a solely defensive role, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said on Saturday. The diplomat also dismissed any speculation that it could be deployed in the Ukraine conflict.

German home improvement retailer OBI has signed an agreement with a group of Russian investors to dispose of its business in the country, Vedomosti reported on Saturday, citing sources close to the deal.