Putin hails election victory, says would not be ‘intimidated’
If he completes another full Kremlin term, Putin will have stayed in power longer than any Russian leader since Catherine the Great in the 18th century. Allies of the late Alexei Navalny - Putin's most prominent rival, who died in an Arctic prison last month - had tried to spoil...
New US sanctions hit Russian banks, elites; spare energy
Washington said the penalties will be severe, and will have lasting impact on Russia's economy.
Russia invasion kills dozens on first day in Ukraine
US President Joe Biden announced export controls against Russia to cut off more than half of the country's high-tech imports, alongside sanctions on Russian elites and banks. The EU moved to impose "massive" sanctions on Russia's energy and finance sectors, while French President Emmanuel Macron called Putin to "demand immediate...
Russia launches full-scale invasion of Ukraine as US vows ‘support’
Russian air strikes hit military facilities across the country and ground forces moved in from the north, south and east, triggering condemnation from Western leaders and warnings of massive sanctions. At least 40 Ukrainian soldiers and 10 civilians were killed.US sanctions cut Russia off from Western financing
US sanctions against Russia announced Tuesday include steps to starve the country of financing, although they did not go as far as some observers had expected. Washington's announcement came after the European Union unveiled its own sanctions in a coordinated Western effort to pressure Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
World leaders condemn Russian decision on Ukraine
Western powers reacted swiftly to Monday's decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognise the independence of the two self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine, condemning Moscow and calling for sanctions. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield heaped scorn on Putin's assertion that the Russian troops would take on a "peacekeeping" role.
US, allies lambast Russia over Ukraine at UN Security Council
The United States and its allies rounded on Russia during an emergency Security Council session Monday, denouncing Vladimir Putin's recognition of rebel-held areas in Ukraine and his ordered deployment of troops as a gross violation of international law and "pretext for war." Addressing the session, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield heaped...
Putin recognises independence of pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognised the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine in an emotional address on state-run television, despite warnings from the West this could trigger sweeping sanctions. "I believe it is necessary to take a long overdue decision, to immediately recognise the independence and...Moscow, Kyiv call for talks amid intense shellfire
Ukraine and Russia called for intensified diplomatic efforts Sunday to avert all-out war, each blaming the other for a sharp escalation in shelling on the front line separating Kyiv's forces from Moscow-backed separatists. After separate calls with France's President Emmanuel Macron, both Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky...Amid troop buildup, Biden says Putin has decided to invade Ukraine
There were growing fears that only a spark — which Washington warns could be a deliberate "false flag" incident created by the Russians — might set off the largest military confrontation in Europe since World War II. More than 40 percent of the troops surrounding Ukraine were now said to...US bares intel on Russia in risky strategy to prevent Ukraine invasion
The US government normally keeps battlefield intelligence close to its chest, but by revealing the secret details of Russian military plans, it hopes to prevent an invasion of Ukraine. Since Russia moved tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine's border in recent months, Washington's unconventional strategy has been to let...
US warns Ukraine attack would bring ‘severe costs’ to Russia
Efforts to defuse the crisis in Ukraine via a frenzy of telephone diplomacy failed to ease tensions on Saturday, with US President Joe Biden warning that Russia faces "swift and severe costs" if its troops carry out an invasion.
Russia preparing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, says US
Russia has now put in place 70 percent of the forces it would need for such an attack, US officials have said.
Erdogan eyes Ukraine summit with Putin on Kyiv visit
The veteran Turkish leader's talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky come with Kyiv hesitant to accept US warnings that President Putin is preparing to invade.Russia, Iran eye trade and economic collaboration
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi in Moscow for discussion over expanding strategic cooperation.
Russia-Islamic world cooperation meeting in Jeddah
Joint cooperation in dealing with regional and international issues was discussed at the meeting in Jeddah.
Lebanon restricts Belarus-bound air passengers
Lebanon has said only foreigners with Belarusian residency permits would be allowed to fly from Beirut to the ex-Soviet country. This comes after several Middle-Eastern countries have already stopped their residents from traveling to Belarus to cross the border into the EU.
Turkey battles forest fires for fourth day
The wildfires broke out on Wednesday across southern provinces, injuring more than 300
