Russia will not deploy new missiles as long as the United States shows similar restraint in Europe and Asia, Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said on Sunday, after Washington's withdrawal from a Soviet-era arms pact.

The United States formally left the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-blames-russia-for-inf-pact-demise-vows-measured-response-240181">Intermediate Nuclear Forces </a>(INF) treaty with Russia earlier this month after accusing Moscow of violating the treaty and deploying one banned type of missile, allegations the Kremlin denies.

Russia has also pulled out of the deal, but Shoigu said it had no plans to deploy new missiles.

"We still stick to that. Unless there are such systems in Europe (deployed by Washington), we won't do anything there," he told the Rossiya-24 TV channel, according to Interfax news agency.

The pact banned land-based missiles with a range of between 310 and 3,400 miles (500-5,500 km), reducing the ability of both countries to launch a nuclear strike at short notice.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow would start developing short and intermediate-range land-based nuclear missiles if the United States started doing the same after the demise of the arms control treaty.

Russia will not deploy new missiles as long as the United States shows similar restraint in Europe and Asia, Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said on Sunday, after Washington's withdrawal from a Soviet-era arms pact.

Russia will not deploy new missiles as long as the United States shows similar restraint in Europe and Asia, Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said on Sunday, after Washington's withdrawal from a Soviet-era arms pact. The United States formally left the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty with Russia earlier this month after accusing Moscow of violating the treaty and deploying one banned type of missile, allegations the Kremlin denies. Russia has also pulled out of the deal, but Shoigu said it had no plans to deploy new missiles. "We still stick to that. Unless there are such systems in Europe (deployed by Washington), we won't do anything there," he told the Rossiya-24 TV channel, according to Interfax news agency. The pact banned land-based missiles with a range of between 310 and 3,400 miles (500-5,500 km), reducing the ability of both countries to launch a nuclear strike at short notice. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow would start developing short and intermediate-range land-based nuclear missiles if the United States started doing the same after the demise of the arms control treaty.

Russia says no plans to install new missiles unless US deploys them

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks on September 4, on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Friday.

"On September 4, bilateral talks with Indian prime minister Modi will be held on the sidelines of the forum, they will take up most of the day," Ushakov told reporters.

Ushakov said that the two leaders were expected to have a discussion and sign agreements. Modi will be awarded the Order of St. Andrew, Ushakov added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks on September 4, on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Friday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks on September 4, on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Friday. "On September 4, bilateral talks with Indian prime minister Modi will be held on the sidelines of the forum, they will take up most of the day," Ushakov told reporters. Ushakov said that the two leaders were expected to have a discussion and sign agreements. Modi will be awarded the Order of St. Andrew, Ushakov added.

PM Modi, Vladimir Putin to hold talks on September 4: Kremlin aide

Russia's interior ministry opened an investigation Monday after a video showing a riot policeman punching a woman in the stomach during a protest for free elections went viral.&nbsp;

The video, which has more than 360,000 views, shows a young woman dragged by four masked policemen in riot gear, with one of them punching her in the stomach for no apparent reason. The images provoked outrage in the media and on social networks. &nbsp;

In an interview to the Mediazona website, the woman -- 26-year-old Daria Sosnovskaya -- said she was dragged away by police for protesting the detention of a man with a disability.

"Police officers started running towards me," she told the website.&nbsp;

"It was extremely unpleasant. I immediately had cramps everywhere, I couldn't breathe," she said.&nbsp;

She said she was then taken along with other detainees to a police station, where she did not have access to a lawyer for several hours before being released with a warning. &nbsp;

The interior ministry said it opened an internal enquiry into the case, promising that "those who are guilty will have to face responsibility."&nbsp;

A decision to block opposition candidates from running for election to Moscow's city parliament has prompted a wave of protests that are among the largest since Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012.

The rallies, some unsanctioned, have rocked Moscow for the past month, with the largest on Saturday drawing up to 60,000 people.

Police have cracked down on protesters and detained far more people than at previous demonstrations.

Police detained 136 at a protest in Moscow on Saturday that was authorised by city hall, with most taken into custody after they headed towards the presidential administration offices.

The previous protest, on July 27, resulted in nearly 1,400 arrests.&nbsp;

Russia's interior ministry opened an investigation Monday after a video showing a riot policeman punching a woman in the stomach during a protest for free elections went viral.

Russia's interior ministry opened an investigation Monday after a video showing a riot policeman punching a woman in the stomach during a protest for free elections went viral. The video, which has more than 360,000 views, shows a young woman dragged by four masked policemen in riot gear, with one of them punching her in the stomach for no apparent reason. The images provoked outrage in the media and on social networks. In an interview to the Mediazona website, the woman -- 26-year-old Daria Sosnovskaya -- said she was dragged away by police for protesting the detention of a man with a disability. "Police officers started running towards me," she told the website. "It was extremely unpleasant. I immediately had cramps everywhere, I couldn't breathe," she said. She said she was then taken along with other detainees to a police station, where she did not have access to a lawyer for several hours before being released with a warning. The interior ministry said it opened an internal enquiry into the case, promising that "those who are guilty will have to face responsibility." A decision to block opposition candidates from running for election to Moscow's city parliament has prompted a wave of protests that are among the largest since Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012. The rallies, some unsanctioned, have rocked Moscow for the past month, with the largest on Saturday drawing up to 60,000 people. Police have cracked down on protesters and detained far more people than at previous demonstrations. Police detained 136 at a protest in Moscow on Saturday that was authorised by city hall, with most taken into custody after they headed towards the presidential administration offices. The previous protest, on July 27, resulted in nearly 1,400 arrests.

Russian police probe video of officer beating woman

The Kremlin boasted on Tuesday it was winning the race to develop new cutting edge<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russians-killed-in-missile-test-blast-were-working-on-new-weapons-242543"> nuclear weapons</a> despite a mysterious rocket accident last week in northern Russia that caused a temporary spike in radiation levels.

Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear agency, has said that the August 8 accident occurred during a rocket test on a sea platform in the White Sea, killing at least five and injuring three more.

It has pledged to keep developing new weapons regardless, portraying the men who died in the test as heroes.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump had said on Twitter on Monday that the United States was<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-advanced-weapons-than-the-failed-russian-skyfall-missile-donald-trump-242558"> "learning much" from the explosion </a>which he suggested happened during the testing of a nuclear-powered cruise missile vaunted by President Vladimir Putin last year.

Russia, which has said the missile will have an "unlimited range" and be able to overcome any defences, calls the missile the 9M730 Burevestnik (Storm Petrel). The NATO alliance has designated it the SSC-X-9 Skyfall.

Trump said on Twitter that the United States had "similar, though more advanced, technology" and said Russians were worried about the air quality around the facility and far beyond, a situation he described as "Not good!"

But when asked about his comments on Tuesday, the Kremlin said it, not the United States, was out in front when it came to developing new nuclear weapons.

"Our president has repeatedly said that Russian engineering in this sector significantly outstrips the level that other countries have managed to reach for the moment, and it is fairly unique," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Putin used his state-of-the-nation speech in 2018 to unveil what he described as a raft of invincible new nuclear weapons, including a nuclear-powered cruise missile, an underwater nuclear-powered drone, and a laser weapon.

Tensions between Moscow and Washington over arms control have been exacerbated by the demise this month of a landmark nuclear treaty.

Russia says it is also concerned that another landmark arms control treaty will soon expire.

In a sign of how serious the situation in the accident area remains, Russian authorities have advised residents of the nearby village of Nyonoksa to leave while clear-up work is being carried out, the Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday, citing local officials.

Russia's state weather service also said on Tuesday that radiation levels in the nearby city of Severodvinsk had spiked by up to 16 times last Thursday, while medics who treated victims of the accident have been sent to Moscow for a medical examination, the TASS news agency reported.

It said the medics had signed non-disclosure agreements about the nature of the accident.

The Kremlin boasted on Tuesday it was winning the race to develop new cutting edge nuclear weapons despite a mysterious rocket accident last week in northern Russia that caused a temporary spike in radiation levels.

The Kremlin boasted on Tuesday it was winning the race to develop new cutting edge nuclear weapons despite a mysterious rocket accident last week in northern Russia that caused a temporary spike in radiation levels. Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear agency, has said that the August 8 accident occurred during a rocket test on a sea platform in the White Sea, killing at least five and injuring three more. It has pledged to keep developing new weapons regardless, portraying the men who died in the test as heroes. US President Donald Trump had said on Twitter on Monday that the United States was "learning much" from the explosion which he suggested happened during the testing of a nuclear-powered cruise missile vaunted by President Vladimir Putin last year. Russia, which has said the missile will have an "unlimited range" and be able to overcome any defences, calls the missile the 9M730 Burevestnik (Storm Petrel). The NATO alliance has designated it the SSC-X-9 Skyfall. Trump said on Twitter that the United States had "similar, though more advanced, technology" and said Russians were worried about the air quality around the facility and far beyond, a situation he described as "Not good!" But when asked about his comments on Tuesday, the Kremlin said it, not the United States, was out in front when it came to developing new nuclear weapons. "Our president has repeatedly said that Russian engineering in this sector significantly outstrips the level that other countries have managed to reach for the moment, and it is fairly unique," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Putin used his state-of-the-nation speech in 2018 to unveil what he described as a raft of invincible new nuclear weapons, including a nuclear-powered cruise missile, an underwater nuclear-powered drone, and a laser weapon. Tensions between Moscow and Washington over arms control have been exacerbated by the demise this month of a landmark nuclear treaty. Russia says it is also concerned that another landmark arms control treaty will soon expire. In a sign of how serious the situation in the accident area remains, Russian authorities have advised residents of the nearby village of Nyonoksa to leave while clear-up work is being carried out, the Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday, citing local officials. Russia's state weather service also said on Tuesday that radiation levels in the nearby city of Severodvinsk had spiked by up to 16 times last Thursday, while medics who treated victims of the accident have been sent to Moscow for a medical examination, the TASS news agency reported. It said the medics had signed non-disclosure agreements about the nature of the accident.

Winning arms race against US despite rocket accident: Russia

Russian investigators on Saturday launched a money-laundering probe against detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, which has worked to expose officials' questionable wealth.

Employees of the Foundation for Fighting Corruption (FBK) "received a large sum of money from third parties which they knew was procured illegally," investigators said, estimating the laundered amount at one billion rubles ($15.3 million).

"Accomplices" of FBK "gave a legal appearance" to the funds by transferring them to bank accounts and ultimately to the accounts of the FBK, investigators said.

FBK has published numerous investigators about top Russian officials, with the most popular video about Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev having been viewed over 31 million times on YouTube.

In pics : <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/a-look-at-two-weeks-of-mass-protests-and-crackdown-in-moscow-240444">A look at two weeks of mass protests and crackdown in Moscow</a>

The foundation asks supporters to donate money on its website to support its work.

News about the new probe broke just as Russian opposition was attempting a new protest in Moscow to demand fair access to elections, and dozens were detained by the numerous police presence

Russia's top opposition leader Navalny is currently serving 30 days behind bars for violating rules on public gatherings. Last weekend he was hospitalised with symptoms his doctor said looked like poisoning.

Several of his associates, including FBK lawyer <a href="Alexei Navalny">Lyubov Sobol, are also in police custody</a> over protests pertaining to next month's elections in Moscow, which most of the opposition has been barred from participating.

The opposition accuses Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a Vladimir Putin loyalist, of blocking all opposition from attempting to break his monopoly over the Moscow parliament in September polls.

On Thursday, FBK issued a video investigation about Sobyanin's deputy, accusing her of selling prime Moscow property to her family members at rock-bottom prices.

Russian investigators on Saturday launched a money-laundering probe against detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, which has worked to expose officials' questionable wealth.

Russian investigators on Saturday launched a money-laundering probe against detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, which has worked to expose officials' questionable wealth. Employees of the Foundation for Fighting Corruption (FBK) "received a large sum of money from third parties which they knew was procured illegally," investigators said, estimating the laundered amount at one billion rubles ($15.3 million). "Accomplices" of FBK "gave a legal appearance" to the funds by transferring them to bank accounts and ultimately to the accounts of the FBK, investigators said. FBK has published numerous investigators about top Russian officials, with the most popular video about Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev having been viewed over 31 million times on YouTube. In pics : A look at two weeks of mass protests and crackdown in Moscow The foundation asks supporters to donate money on its website to support its work. News about the new probe broke just as Russian opposition was attempting a new protest in Moscow to demand fair access to elections, and dozens were detained by the numerous police presence Russia's top opposition leader Navalny is currently serving 30 days behind bars for violating rules on public gatherings. Last weekend he was hospitalised with symptoms his doctor said looked like poisoning. Several of his associates, including FBK lawyer Lyubov Sobol, are also in police custody over protests pertaining to next month's elections in Moscow, which most of the opposition has been barred from participating. The opposition accuses Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, a Vladimir Putin loyalist, of blocking all opposition from attempting to break his monopoly over the Moscow parliament in September polls. On Thursday, FBK issued a video investigation about Sobyanin's deputy, accusing her of selling prime Moscow property to her family members at rock-bottom prices.

Russia launches probe against Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's anti-graft group

With biggest crackdown on protesters in recent years, political tensions escalate in Russia

The Kremlin on Tuesday said it regretted that Russia's RT and Sputnik news organisations were barred from taking part in a global conference on media freedom in London, calling the decision absurd.

Britain on Monday said it refused to accredit the Russian state media outlets "because of their active role in spreading disinformation."&nbsp;

Some 60 ministers and 1,000 journalists and members of civil society are expected to attend the meeting on Wednesday and Thursday co-hosted with Canada.&nbsp;

"There can be no conference about the freedom of the press when journalists are barred from taking part in it," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

He mocked what he called "the absurdity of what is happening."

"We can only regret this," he added.&nbsp;

The Russian embassy in London previously condemned the decision relating to RT as "direct politically motivated discrimination" and said it had complained to the Foreign Office.

RT said in a statement that "it takes a particular brand of hypocrisy to advocate for freedom of the press while banning inconvenient voices and slandering alternative media."

In December, British media regulator Ofcom found RT had broken impartiality rules in several programmes broadcast after the nerve agent attack in the city of Salisbury.

Moscow has denied claims by London that it approved the attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in March last year.&nbsp;

Organisers of the London conference say it is intended to increase international discussion and cooperation on the issue of media freedom, including fake news.

A spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office said journalists from other Russian news organisations will attend the conference.&nbsp;

The Kremlin on Tuesday said it regretted that Russia's RT and Sputnik news organisations were barred from taking part in a global conference on media freedom in London, calling the decision absurd.

The Kremlin on Tuesday said it regretted that Russia's RT and Sputnik news organisations were barred from taking part in a global conference on media freedom in London, calling the decision absurd. Britain on Monday said it refused to accredit the Russian state media outlets "because of their active role in spreading disinformation." Some 60 ministers and 1,000 journalists and members of civil society are expected to attend the meeting on Wednesday and Thursday co-hosted with Canada. "There can be no conference about the freedom of the press when journalists are barred from taking part in it," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. He mocked what he called "the absurdity of what is happening." "We can only regret this," he added. The Russian embassy in London previously condemned the decision relating to RT as "direct politically motivated discrimination" and said it had complained to the Foreign Office. RT said in a statement that "it takes a particular brand of hypocrisy to advocate for freedom of the press while banning inconvenient voices and slandering alternative media." In December, British media regulator Ofcom found RT had broken impartiality rules in several programmes broadcast after the nerve agent attack in the city of Salisbury. Moscow has denied claims by London that it approved the attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in March last year. Organisers of the London conference say it is intended to increase international discussion and cooperation on the issue of media freedom, including fake news. A spokesman for Britain's Foreign Office said journalists from other Russian news organisations will attend the conference.

Kremlin condemns 'absurdity' as Britain bars Russian media from conference on press freedom

The Kremlin on Friday condemned as a "russophobic provocation" <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/georgians-angry-over-russian-lawmakers-visit-try-to-storm-parliament-229107">mass protests in Georgia</a>, which broke out after a Russian lawmaker addressed parliament in the ex-Soviet country.

"Everything that happened in Georgia yesterday is nothing but a russophobic provocation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that it called for "harsh condemnation".

Georgian opposition leaders vowed to hold mass protests until parliament is dissolved, after police used rubber bullets and tear gas against demonstrators who had rallied overnight.&nbsp;

Demonstrations broke out in capital Tbilisi on Thursday after a Russian lawmaker addressed parliament from the speaker's seat -- a deeply controversial move in a country at loggerheads with Moscow.&nbsp;

"The Georgian people and opposition parties demand snap parliamentary polls as well as the resignation of the speaker and the interior minister," Grigol Vashadze, the leader of the United Opposition alliance, told AFP.&nbsp;

"Peaceful mass protest will continue until these demands are met," he said, adding that a fresh rally would start at 7 pm (GMT 1500) on Friday.

The Kremlin on Friday condemned the protests as "aggressive demonstrations against citizens of Russia".

The presence of Russian MP Sergei Gavrilov in parliament sparked outrage in the ex-Soviet nation which in 2008 fought and lost a war with Moscow over the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.&nbsp;

But with parliamentary polls set for next year, opposition groups are also seeking to capitalise on discontent with the ruling Georgian Dream party over its failure to kick-start a stagnant economy.&nbsp;

About 10,000 protesters gathered outside parliament on Thursday afternoon after Gavrilov addressed a forum of lawmakers from predominantly Orthodox countries.

Police pushed back demonstrators when they attempted to enter the parliament courtyard but overall the rally continued peacefully until midnight when officers launched a violent crackdown.

Ambulances evacuated dozens of injured protesters, an AFP reporter at the scene said.&nbsp;

An adviser to Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said 39 police officers and 30 protesters were hospitalised.&nbsp;

Hundreds of baton-wielding riot police intervened again, beating up and arresting dozens of protesters.

Human Rights Watch criticised the use of tear gas and rubber bullets "against thousands of non-violent protesters".&nbsp;

Police failed to "abide by human rights for the use of force," the group said.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili described Gavrilov's Russian-language speech as "a crime...an offence against the country's dignity".&nbsp;

"But this can't justify anti-state actions, calls to storm parliament and overthrow the government," she said in a statement Thursday as she cut short a trip to fellow ex-Soviet republic Belarus.

Prime Minister Bakhtadze said "destructive opposition leaders" who "staged mass violence" would face justice, in a late-night televised address to the Caucasus mountain nation.Oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili -- widely believed to be calling the shots in the country as leader of the Georgian Dream party -- said he "fully shares the sincere outrage of Georgians" over the invitation to the Russian representative.&nbsp;

Ivanishvili said he had told the parliamentary speaker to suspend the forum of Orthodox nations' MPs.

Mass protests are relatively common in Georgia, where tens of thousands rallied last year over alleged irregularities in a presidential election. &nbsp;

A 2003 "Rose Revolution" pushed out the country's Soviet-era leadership and brought in reformer Mikheil Saakashvili, who served until 2013 and now lives in self-imposed exile as a Ukrainian citizen.

Relations between Georgia and its Soviet-era master Russia have long been fractured over Tbilisi's bid to join the European Union and NATO.&nbsp;

The confrontation culminated in a full-out war in August, 2008.

The Russian army swept into Georgia -- bombing targets and occupying large swathes of territory –- after Tbilisi launched a military operation against South Ossetian separatist forces who had been shelling Georgian villages.

After the war, which claimed the lives of hundreds of soldiers and civilians from both sides, Moscow recognised South Ossetia and another separatist enclave, Abkhazia, as independent states where it then stationed permanent military bases.

Tbilisi and its Western allies have denounced the move as an "illegal military occupation."

The Kremlin on Friday condemned as a "russophobic provocation" mass protests in Georgia, which broke out after a Russian lawmaker addressed parliament in the ex-Soviet country.

The Kremlin on Friday condemned as a "russophobic provocation" mass protests in Georgia, which broke out after a Russian lawmaker addressed parliament in the ex-Soviet country. "Everything that happened in Georgia yesterday is nothing but a russophobic provocation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that it called for "harsh condemnation". Georgian opposition leaders vowed to hold mass protests until parliament is dissolved, after police used rubber bullets and tear gas against demonstrators who had rallied overnight. Demonstrations broke out in capital Tbilisi on Thursday after a Russian lawmaker addressed parliament from the speaker's seat -- a deeply controversial move in a country at loggerheads with Moscow. "The Georgian people and opposition parties demand snap parliamentary polls as well as the resignation of the speaker and the interior minister," Grigol Vashadze, the leader of the United Opposition alliance, told AFP. "Peaceful mass protest will continue until these demands are met," he said, adding that a fresh rally would start at 7 pm (GMT 1500) on Friday. The Kremlin on Friday condemned the protests as "aggressive demonstrations against citizens of Russia". The presence of Russian MP Sergei Gavrilov in parliament sparked outrage in the ex-Soviet nation which in 2008 fought and lost a war with Moscow over the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. But with parliamentary polls set for next year, opposition groups are also seeking to capitalise on discontent with the ruling Georgian Dream party over its failure to kick-start a stagnant economy. About 10,000 protesters gathered outside parliament on Thursday afternoon after Gavrilov addressed a forum of lawmakers from predominantly Orthodox countries. Police pushed back demonstrators when they attempted to enter the parliament courtyard but overall the rally continued peacefully until midnight when officers launched a violent crackdown. Ambulances evacuated dozens of injured protesters, an AFP reporter at the scene said. An adviser to Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze said 39 police officers and 30 protesters were hospitalised. Hundreds of baton-wielding riot police intervened again, beating up and arresting dozens of protesters. Human Rights Watch criticised the use of tear gas and rubber bullets "against thousands of non-violent protesters". Police failed to "abide by human rights for the use of force," the group said. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili described Gavrilov's Russian-language speech as "a crime...an offence against the country's dignity". "But this can't justify anti-state actions, calls to storm parliament and overthrow the government," she said in a statement Thursday as she cut short a trip to fellow ex-Soviet republic Belarus. Prime Minister Bakhtadze said "destructive opposition leaders" who "staged mass violence" would face justice, in a late-night televised address to the Caucasus mountain nation.Oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili -- widely believed to be calling the shots in the country as leader of the Georgian Dream party -- said he "fully shares the sincere outrage of Georgians" over the invitation to the Russian representative. Ivanishvili said he had told the parliamentary speaker to suspend the forum of Orthodox nations' MPs. Mass protests are relatively common in Georgia, where tens of thousands rallied last year over alleged irregularities in a presidential election. A 2003 "Rose Revolution" pushed out the country's Soviet-era leadership and brought in reformer Mikheil Saakashvili, who served until 2013 and now lives in self-imposed exile as a Ukrainian citizen. Relations between Georgia and its Soviet-era master Russia have long been fractured over Tbilisi's bid to join the European Union and NATO. The confrontation culminated in a full-out war in August, 2008. The Russian army swept into Georgia -- bombing targets and occupying large swathes of territory –- after Tbilisi launched a military operation against South Ossetian separatist forces who had been shelling Georgian villages. After the war, which claimed the lives of hundreds of soldiers and civilians from both sides, Moscow recognised South Ossetia and another separatist enclave, Abkhazia, as independent states where it then stationed permanent military bases. Tbilisi and its Western allies have denounced the move as an "illegal military occupation."

Everything happening in Georgia is 'russophobic provocation': Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has temporarily banned passenger flights from Russia to Georgia, the Kremlin said on Friday following an outbreak of unrest in Tbilisi triggered by the visit of a Russian lawmaker.

The Kremlin said it was also recommending travel agencies suspend tours to Georgia from Russia.

Violence flared in the Georgian capital late on Thursday, where police used tear gas and rubber bullets to stop angry crowds storming parliament.

The crowds were angry about the visit of a Russian delegation led by Sergei Gavrilov, a member of Russia's lower house of parliament, who was taking part in an event designed to foster relations between Orthodox Christian lawmakers.

Hundreds of people, both protesters and police officers, were injured, some seriously, as demonstrators pushed against lines of riot police, threw bottles and stones, and grabbed shields, drawing a tough response.

Though ostensibly about how Georgia handles relations with Russia, with whom it fought and lost a brief war in 2008, opposition parties are seeking to seize the moment to press much wider and unrelated demands and called on people to take to the streets again on Friday evening.

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili called Russia "an enemy and occupier" and suggested Moscow had helped trigger the protests, while the Kremlin on Friday blamed radical Georgian politicians for what it called "an anti-Russian provocation".

Russian President Vladimir Putin has temporarily banned passenger flights from Russia to Georgia, the Kremlin said on Friday following an outbreak of unrest in Tbilisi triggered by the visit of a Russian lawmaker.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has temporarily banned passenger flights from Russia to Georgia, the Kremlin said on Friday following an outbreak of unrest in Tbilisi triggered by the visit of a Russian lawmaker. The Kremlin said it was also recommending travel agencies suspend tours to Georgia from Russia. Violence flared in the Georgian capital late on Thursday, where police used tear gas and rubber bullets to stop angry crowds storming parliament. The crowds were angry about the visit of a Russian delegation led by Sergei Gavrilov, a member of Russia's lower house of parliament, who was taking part in an event designed to foster relations between Orthodox Christian lawmakers. Hundreds of people, both protesters and police officers, were injured, some seriously, as demonstrators pushed against lines of riot police, threw bottles and stones, and grabbed shields, drawing a tough response. Though ostensibly about how Georgia handles relations with Russia, with whom it fought and lost a brief war in 2008, opposition parties are seeking to seize the moment to press much wider and unrelated demands and called on people to take to the streets again on Friday evening. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili called Russia "an enemy and occupier" and suggested Moscow had helped trigger the protests, while the Kremlin on Friday blamed radical Georgian politicians for what it called "an anti-Russian provocation".

Vladimir Putin orders suspension of passenger flights from Russia to Georgia

The Kremlin on Tuesday said Moscow had been the victim of US cyberattacks "for years" following a New York Times report that Washington is stepping up digital incursions into Russia's power grid.

"We -- I'm talking about several of our financial and media organisations, state institutions and critical infrastructure -- have been under attack for several years," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The cyberattacks "come from various Western countries, including the US," he added.&nbsp;

Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had "several times suggested to Washington and his American counterpart to work together in the field of cybersecurity. These suggestions have been rejected by our American colleagues."

The Times at the weekend reported current and former government officials describing the classified deployment of American computer code inside Russia's power grid and other targets.

The action is intended partly as a warning but also to leave the US poised to conduct cyberstrikes in the event of a major conflict with Russia, the newspaper said.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump reacted with fury to the report, calling it on Twitter a "virtual act of Treason" and rejecting the paper's claims.&nbsp;

The Times report came after an investigation by US special counsel Robert Mueller of alleged hacking by Russia's GRU intelligence agency and social media manipulation by Russia's Internet Research Agency to benefit Trump's election campaign.

The Kremlin on Tuesday said Moscow had been the victim of US cyberattacks "for years" following a New York Times report that Washington is stepping up digital incursions into Russia's power grid.

The Kremlin on Tuesday said Moscow had been the victim of US cyberattacks "for years" following a New York Times report that Washington is stepping up digital incursions into Russia's power grid. "We -- I'm talking about several of our financial and media organisations, state institutions and critical infrastructure -- have been under attack for several years," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The cyberattacks "come from various Western countries, including the US," he added. Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had "several times suggested to Washington and his American counterpart to work together in the field of cybersecurity. These suggestions have been rejected by our American colleagues." The Times at the weekend reported current and former government officials describing the classified deployment of American computer code inside Russia's power grid and other targets. The action is intended partly as a warning but also to leave the US poised to conduct cyberstrikes in the event of a major conflict with Russia, the newspaper said. US President Donald Trump reacted with fury to the report, calling it on Twitter a "virtual act of Treason" and rejecting the paper's claims. The Times report came after an investigation by US special counsel Robert Mueller of alleged hacking by Russia's GRU intelligence agency and social media manipulation by Russia's Internet Research Agency to benefit Trump's election campaign.

Russia says victim of US cyberattacks 'for years'

The Kremlin said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump could meet briefly at the G20 in Japan next week.

The leaders will not hold a full-scale meeting at the Group of 20 summit in Osaka starting June 28, however, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, saying Washington has not reached out to organise one.

"There's no news on a possible full-scale meeting between Putin and Trump in Osaka," Peskov said. "That means the American side has still not formulated any initiatives or proposals on this."

Peskov added that "one can't rule out a brief meeting between them while they are standing up, but this won't be a full-scale meeting."

Trump said last week that he would meet Putin on the sidelines of the summit but told a reporter he wanted other people to be present at their meeting because "you people (journalists) don't trust anything."

The US leader said last month he would meet with Putin at the G20, but the Kremlin indicated at the time there was no agreement on a bilateral meeting.

On Tuesday, Trump is set to formally announce his bid for re-election in 2020.

The Kremlin said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump could meet briefly at the G20 in Japan next week. The leaders will not hold a full-scale meeting at the Group of 20 summit in Osaka starting June 28, however, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, saying Washington has not reached out to organise one.

The Kremlin said Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump could meet briefly at the G20 in Japan next week. The leaders will not hold a full-scale meeting at the Group of 20 summit in Osaka starting June 28, however, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, saying Washington has not reached out to organise one. "There's no news on a possible full-scale meeting between Putin and Trump in Osaka," Peskov said. "That means the American side has still not formulated any initiatives or proposals on this." Peskov added that "one can't rule out a brief meeting between them while they are standing up, but this won't be a full-scale meeting." Trump said last week that he would meet Putin on the sidelines of the summit but told a reporter he wanted other people to be present at their meeting because "you people (journalists) don't trust anything." The US leader said last month he would meet with Putin at the G20, but the Kremlin indicated at the time there was no agreement on a bilateral meeting. On Tuesday, Trump is set to formally announce his bid for re-election in 2020.

President Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump could meet briefly at G20: Russia

The Kremlin on Tuesday denied informing the United States it was withdrawing personnel from Venezuela, as stated by US President Donald Trump.

"This is apparently an indirect reference to some sources of information in newspapers because there have been no official messages from the Russian side about this and there couldn't have been any," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.&nbsp;

He confirmed that Russian military specialists are still in Venezuela "working on servicing equipment supplied earlier."

"This process is going according to plan. And what is meant by 'removed their people' we don't know," he said.

Trump tweeted Monday during a state visit to Britain that "Russia has informed us that they have removed most of their people from Venezuela."

US-Russian tensions have spiked over the months-long standoff in Venezuela, where Washington has thrown its weight behind a campaign to oust the Moscow-backed socialist president, Nicolas Maduro.

Trump in March called on Russia to "get out" of Venezuela after Moscow -- in a significant show of solidarity for Maduro's badly isolated government -- deployed around 100 soldiers to the country.

Russia's state defence contractor Rostec has played down any changes in deployment, dismissing a report in The Wall Street Journal saying that the overall Russian presence in Venezuela had been reduced from as many as 1,000 personnel to a few dozen.

The Kremlin on Tuesday denied informing the United States it was withdrawing personnel from Venezuela, as stated by US President Donald Trump. "This is apparently an indirect reference to some sources of information in newspapers because there have been no official messages from the Russian side about this and there couldn't have been any," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

The Kremlin on Tuesday denied informing the United States it was withdrawing personnel from Venezuela, as stated by US President Donald Trump. "This is apparently an indirect reference to some sources of information in newspapers because there have been no official messages from the Russian side about this and there couldn't have been any," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. He confirmed that Russian military specialists are still in Venezuela "working on servicing equipment supplied earlier." "This process is going according to plan. And what is meant by 'removed their people' we don't know," he said. Trump tweeted Monday during a state visit to Britain that "Russia has informed us that they have removed most of their people from Venezuela." US-Russian tensions have spiked over the months-long standoff in Venezuela, where Washington has thrown its weight behind a campaign to oust the Moscow-backed socialist president, Nicolas Maduro. Trump in March called on Russia to "get out" of Venezuela after Moscow -- in a significant show of solidarity for Maduro's badly isolated government -- deployed around 100 soldiers to the country. Russia's state defence contractor Rostec has played down any changes in deployment, dismissing a report in The Wall Street Journal saying that the overall Russian presence in Venezuela had been reduced from as many as 1,000 personnel to a few dozen.

Russia denies telling US of personnel withdrawal from Venezuela

The&nbsp;Kremlin&nbsp;said on Friday that it was&nbsp;Turkey's responsibility to stop<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-erdogan-to-putin-we-need-a-ceasefire-in-syrias-idlib-223237">&nbsp;militants&nbsp;in&nbsp;Syria's&nbsp;Idlib&nbsp;province </a>from firing on civilian and Russian targets.

Kremlin&nbsp;spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the comments when asked about a suggestion from Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to implement a ceasefire in&nbsp;Idlib.

A Russian-backed Syrian government offensive in the rebel-held northwest, the most serious escalation of the war between President Bashar al-Assad and his enemies since last summer, has uprooted around 250,000 people in the territory, the last significant rebel stronghold.

The Kremlin said on Friday that it was Turkey's responsibility to stop militants in Syria's Idlib province from firing on civilian and Russian targets. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the comments when asked about a suggestion from Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to implement a ceasefire in Idlib.

The Kremlin said on Friday that it was Turkey's responsibility to stop militants in Syria's Idlib province from firing on civilian and Russian targets. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the comments when asked about a suggestion from Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to implement a ceasefire in Idlib. A Russian-backed Syrian government offensive in the rebel-held northwest, the most serious escalation of the war between President Bashar al-Assad and his enemies since last summer, has uprooted around 250,000 people in the territory, the last significant rebel stronghold.

Kremlin says onus is on Turkey to rein in militants in Syria's Idlib

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-accuses-syria-regime-of-undermining-turkey-russia-deal-218670">Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan</a> told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin late on Thursday that a ceasefire in Syria`s Idlib must be implemented to prevent more civilian deaths and a refugee influx to Turkey, Erdogan`s office said in a statement.

Erdogan told Putin over the phone that Syria needed a political solution, the statement said.

The Kremlin, in its own statement on the Putin-Erdogan phone call, which was published on its official website, struck a different tone, however, making it clear it believed some fighting had to continue, underlining tensions between Moscow and Ankara over the issue.&nbsp;

"The importance of intensifying our joint work to stabilise Idlib province was noted, including the taking of effective measures to neutralise terrorist groups," the Kremlin said in the statement.

A Russian-backed Syrian government offensive in the rebel-held northwest, the most serious escalation of the war between President Bashar al-Assad and his enemies since last summer, has uprooted around 250,000 people in the territory, the last significant rebel stronghold.

That has strained relations between Russia and Turkey, which borders Idlib and is keen to retain a degree of influence there.&nbsp;

Moscow, one of the Syrian government’s staunchest allies, and Turkey brokered a deal in September to create a demilitarised zone in Idlib that would be free of all heavy weapons and jihadist fighters.

But Moscow, which is keen to help Assad retake Idlib province, has since complained about escalating violence in the area and said that militants who used to belong to the Nusra Front group are in control of large swaths of territory.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin late on Thursday that a ceasefire in Syria`s Idlib must be implemented to prevent more civilian deaths and a refugee influx to Turkey, Erdogan`s office said in a statement.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin late on Thursday that a ceasefire in Syria`s Idlib must be implemented to prevent more civilian deaths and a refugee influx to Turkey, Erdogan`s office said in a statement. Erdogan told Putin over the phone that Syria needed a political solution, the statement said. The Kremlin, in its own statement on the Putin-Erdogan phone call, which was published on its official website, struck a different tone, however, making it clear it believed some fighting had to continue, underlining tensions between Moscow and Ankara over the issue. "The importance of intensifying our joint work to stabilise Idlib province was noted, including the taking of effective measures to neutralise terrorist groups," the Kremlin said in the statement. A Russian-backed Syrian government offensive in the rebel-held northwest, the most serious escalation of the war between President Bashar al-Assad and his enemies since last summer, has uprooted around 250,000 people in the territory, the last significant rebel stronghold. That has strained relations between Russia and Turkey, which borders Idlib and is keen to retain a degree of influence there. Moscow, one of the Syrian government’s staunchest allies, and Turkey brokered a deal in September to create a demilitarised zone in Idlib that would be free of all heavy weapons and jihadist fighters. But Moscow, which is keen to help Assad retake Idlib province, has since complained about escalating violence in the area and said that militants who used to belong to the Nusra Front group are in control of large swaths of territory.

We need a ceasefire in Syria's Idlib: Turkey's Erdogan to Putin

The Kremlin said on Sunday it hopes a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump takes place, but that it has not received a definitive decision from Washington on the matter, Interfax news agency reported.

"We know that Trump has spoken of his desire for a meeting, but unfortunately we also know that (US Secretary of State Mike) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-meets-pompeo-as-us-seeks-a-way-forward-in-ties-218663">Pompeo did not bring any concrete proposals</a> about organising such a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Osaka," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was cited as saying.

Meanwhile, a Kremlin aide said on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to a new meeting with US President Donald Trump if Moscow receives a formal proposal for such an encounter. The remark came after Putin held talks with US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo.

Trump on Monday said he planned to meet Putin on the sidelines of a meeting of G20 nations in Japan next month, but the Kremlin said it had not yet received any formal request from Washington for such a meeting.

Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin aide, said Putin's meeting with Pompeo at the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi had not yielded any breakthrough but had been held in a business-like atmosphere.

The Kremlin said on Sunday it hopes a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump takes place, but that it has not received a definitive decision from Washington on the matter, Interfax news agency reported.

The Kremlin said on Sunday it hopes a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump takes place, but that it has not received a definitive decision from Washington on the matter, Interfax news agency reported. "We know that Trump has spoken of his desire for a meeting, but unfortunately we also know that (US Secretary of State Mike) Pompeo did not bring any concrete proposals about organising such a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Osaka," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was cited as saying. Meanwhile, a Kremlin aide said on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to a new meeting with US President Donald Trump if Moscow receives a formal proposal for such an encounter. The remark came after Putin held talks with US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo. Trump on Monday said he planned to meet Putin on the sidelines of a meeting of G20 nations in Japan next month, but the Kremlin said it had not yet received any formal request from Washington for such a meeting. Yuri Ushakov, the Kremlin aide, said Putin's meeting with Pompeo at the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi had not yielded any breakthrough but had been held in a business-like atmosphere.

Kremlin waiting for US decision on Putin-Trump meeting: Report

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday Moscow was "thinking" of making it easier for all Ukrainians to obtain Russian citizenship after the Kremlin moved to grant passports in the country's separatist east, causing uproar in Kiev. &nbsp;

"We are actually thinking about providing citizenship in a simplified order to all citizens of Ukraine, not only residents of the Lugansk and Donetsk republics," Putin told the press during his visit to Beijing, referring to the unrecognised separatist republics governed by Moscow-backed rebels.&nbsp;

This week Putin signed a decree allowing people living in the breakaway regions to receive a Russian passport within three months of applying for one.&nbsp;

The move came just days after Ukraine elected comedian Volodymyr Zelensky as president. The actor, due to be inaugurated by early June, called for more international sanctions against Russia in response.

The European Union also condemned the move, calling it a fresh assault on Ukraine's sovereignty.&nbsp;

Putin on Saturday said he wanted to "understand" Zelensky's position on the conflict.&nbsp;

He did not exclude talks with the comedian -- a political novice -- with whom he is ready to "have a discussion." &nbsp;

The conflict between the Ukrainian government and breakaway rebels began after Moscow annexed Kiev's Crimea peninsula in 2014. The war has claimed some 13,000 lives.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday Moscow was "thinking" of making it easier for all Ukrainians to obtain Russian citizenship after the Kremlin moved to grant passports in the country's separatist east, causing uproar in Kiev.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday Moscow was "thinking" of making it easier for all Ukrainians to obtain Russian citizenship after the Kremlin moved to grant passports in the country's separatist east, causing uproar in Kiev. "We are actually thinking about providing citizenship in a simplified order to all citizens of Ukraine, not only residents of the Lugansk and Donetsk republics," Putin told the press during his visit to Beijing, referring to the unrecognised separatist republics governed by Moscow-backed rebels. This week Putin signed a decree allowing people living in the breakaway regions to receive a Russian passport within three months of applying for one. The move came just days after Ukraine elected comedian Volodymyr Zelensky as president. The actor, due to be inaugurated by early June, called for more international sanctions against Russia in response. The European Union also condemned the move, calling it a fresh assault on Ukraine's sovereignty. Putin on Saturday said he wanted to "understand" Zelensky's position on the conflict. He did not exclude talks with the comedian -- a political novice -- with whom he is ready to "have a discussion." The conflict between the Ukrainian government and breakaway rebels began after Moscow annexed Kiev's Crimea peninsula in 2014. The war has claimed some 13,000 lives.

Moscow 'thinking' of simplifying nationality process for all Ukraine: Vladimir Putin

Kim Jong Un and President Vladimir Putin <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-confirms-kim-jong-uns-visit-to-russia-to-meet-putin-212783">will meet in Russia's Far East</a> on Thursday, the Kremlin said, as the North Korean leader looks to rebuild ties with an old ally amid a standoff with the United States.

Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the meeting -- the first between the two men -- would take place in the Pacific coast city of Vladivostok, before Putin heads to Beijing for another summit.

"The focus will be on a political and diplomatic solution to the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula," Ushakov told a briefing on Tuesday.

"Russia intends to help consolidate positive trends in every way," he said.&nbsp;

Anticipation for the summit had been building since the Kremlin announced last week the two men would meet by the end of April.&nbsp;

Russian and North Korean flags were already flying on lamp posts Tuesday on Vladivostok's Russky island, where the summit is expected to take place.&nbsp;

The talks follow repeated invitations from Putin since Kim last year embarked on a series of diplomatic overtures.&nbsp;

Since March 2018 the formerly reclusive North Korean leader has held four meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, three with the South's Moon Jae-in, two with US President Donald Trump and one with Vietnam's president.&nbsp;

Analysts say he is now looking for wider international support in his standoff with Washington.

At Kim's last summit with Trump in Hanoi in February, Pyongyang demanded immediate relief from sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.&nbsp;

But the talks broke down over what North Korea was prepared to give up in return.&nbsp;

Last week Pyongyang launched a blistering attack on US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, demanding he be removed from the negotiations just hours after announcing it had carried out a new weapons test.

Moscow has called for the sanctions to be eased, while the US has accused it of trying to help Pyongyang evade some of the measures -- accusations Russia denies.

The summit will be the first between the two neighbours since Kim's father Kim Jong Il met Dmitry Medvedev in Russia eight years ago.

Ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, once its most important ally, go back decades.&nbsp;

The Soviet Union installed Kim's grandfather Kim Il Sung as North Korea's leader and was a crucial backer and main aid provider to Pyongyang during the Cold War.&nbsp;

The USSR started to reduce funding to the North as it began to seek reconciliation with Seoul in the 1980s, and Pyongyang was hit hard by the demise of the Soviet Union.

China has since stepped in to become the isolated North's most important ally, its largest trading partner and crucial fuel supplier.

Analysts say that by reaching out to Russia Kim could be looking to balance Beijing's influence, while Putin is keen to project Russian influence in another global flashpoint.

Kim Jong Un and President Vladimir Putin will meet in Russia's Far East on Thursday, the Kremlin said, as the North Korean leader looks to rebuild ties with an old ally amid a standoff with the United States.

Kim Jong Un and President Vladimir Putin will meet in Russia's Far East on Thursday, the Kremlin said, as the North Korean leader looks to rebuild ties with an old ally amid a standoff with the United States. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the meeting -- the first between the two men -- would take place in the Pacific coast city of Vladivostok, before Putin heads to Beijing for another summit. "The focus will be on a political and diplomatic solution to the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula," Ushakov told a briefing on Tuesday. "Russia intends to help consolidate positive trends in every way," he said. Anticipation for the summit had been building since the Kremlin announced last week the two men would meet by the end of April. Russian and North Korean flags were already flying on lamp posts Tuesday on Vladivostok's Russky island, where the summit is expected to take place. The talks follow repeated invitations from Putin since Kim last year embarked on a series of diplomatic overtures. Since March 2018 the formerly reclusive North Korean leader has held four meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, three with the South's Moon Jae-in, two with US President Donald Trump and one with Vietnam's president. Analysts say he is now looking for wider international support in his standoff with Washington. At Kim's last summit with Trump in Hanoi in February, Pyongyang demanded immediate relief from sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. But the talks broke down over what North Korea was prepared to give up in return. Last week Pyongyang launched a blistering attack on US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, demanding he be removed from the negotiations just hours after announcing it had carried out a new weapons test. Moscow has called for the sanctions to be eased, while the US has accused it of trying to help Pyongyang evade some of the measures -- accusations Russia denies. The summit will be the first between the two neighbours since Kim's father Kim Jong Il met Dmitry Medvedev in Russia eight years ago. Ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, once its most important ally, go back decades. The Soviet Union installed Kim's grandfather Kim Il Sung as North Korea's leader and was a crucial backer and main aid provider to Pyongyang during the Cold War. The USSR started to reduce funding to the North as it began to seek reconciliation with Seoul in the 1980s, and Pyongyang was hit hard by the demise of the Soviet Union. China has since stepped in to become the isolated North's most important ally, its largest trading partner and crucial fuel supplier. Analysts say that by reaching out to Russia Kim could be looking to balance Beijing's influence, while Putin is keen to project Russian influence in another global flashpoint.

North Korea's Kim will meet Vladimir Putin on Thursday in Russia's Far East, confirms Russia

The Kremlin on Monday said it was "too early" to say whether it could work with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/angela-merkel-pledges-support-to-ukraine-after-volodymyr-zelensky-win-212597">Volodymyr Zelensky</a>, the comedian who was elected to the Ukraine presidency in a weekend vote.

"It's too early to talk about President (Vladimir) Putin congratulating Mr Zelensky, or about the possibility of working together. It will only be possible to judge based on real actions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Peskov said Moscow "respects the choice of the Ukrainian people".&nbsp;

But he added that the fact that Ukrainian citizens living in Russia had been barred from participating in the vote "called into question the legitimacy of the election as a whole".&nbsp;

Ukraine and Russia have been at loggerheads since a 2014 Kiev uprising ousted a pro-Kremlin leader. Russia that year annexed Crimea and has backed separatists in a conflict in eastern Ukraine that has killed some 13,000 people.

Shortly after Zelensky's landslide victory on Sunday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the new leadership could be "a chance for improving cooperation with our country".

However, he said he was under "no illusions" about the president-elect.

Zelensky, whose sole political experience so far has been limited to playing the role of president in a TV show, has vowed to stick to the pro-European course set by his predecessor.

He has said he will also try to improve ties with Moscow.

The Kremlin on Monday said it was "too early" to say whether it could work with Volodymyr Zelensky, the comedian who was elected to the Ukraine presidency in a weekend vote.

The Kremlin on Monday said it was "too early" to say whether it could work with Volodymyr Zelensky, the comedian who was elected to the Ukraine presidency in a weekend vote. "It's too early to talk about President (Vladimir) Putin congratulating Mr Zelensky, or about the possibility of working together. It will only be possible to judge based on real actions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Peskov said Moscow "respects the choice of the Ukrainian people". But he added that the fact that Ukrainian citizens living in Russia had been barred from participating in the vote "called into question the legitimacy of the election as a whole". Ukraine and Russia have been at loggerheads since a 2014 Kiev uprising ousted a pro-Kremlin leader. Russia that year annexed Crimea and has backed separatists in a conflict in eastern Ukraine that has killed some 13,000 people. Shortly after Zelensky's landslide victory on Sunday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the new leadership could be "a chance for improving cooperation with our country". However, he said he was under "no illusions" about the president-elect. Zelensky, whose sole political experience so far has been limited to playing the role of president in a TV show, has vowed to stick to the pro-European course set by his predecessor. He has said he will also try to improve ties with Moscow.

Russia says 'too early' to say if can work with Ukraine's Zelensky

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - April 20th, 2019

The Kremlin argued on Friday that Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report has not offered any credible evidence of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Watch full video to know more.

Kremlin: Mueller report has 'no reasonable proof'

President Trump today<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-unflattering-detail-mueller-report-reveals-trump-actions-to-impede-inquiry-211647"> slammed the Mueller</a> report calling it "fabricated" and asserting that it was written by "18 angry democrat Trump haters".

"I never agreed to testify, it was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the “report” about me," the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mueller-report-inconclusive-on-trumps-obstruction-of-justice-charge-211626">US president tweeted</a>, adding,"this was an illegally started hoax that never should have happened."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Statements are made about me by certain people in the Crazy Mueller Report, in itself written by 18 Angry Democrat Trump Haters, which are fabricated &amp; totally untrue. Watch out for people that take so-called “notes,” when the notes never existed until needed. Because I never....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1119207303700471809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The Mueller report which was released on Thursday revealed that Trump's lawyers and advisers repeatedly rebuffed attempts by the president to halt Robert Mueller's investigation.

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...agreed to testify, it was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the “Report” about me, some of which are total bullshit &amp; only given to make the other person look good (or me to look bad). This was an Illegally Started Hoax that never should have happened, a...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1119211274712375297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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President Trump had tweeted "game over" just after the full 400-page report was made public by US Attorney General Bill Barr. After a 22-month probe on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded Trump's team did not conspire with Moscow.&nbsp;

Democrats though&nbsp;have called on Mueller to testify before the House of Representatives by May 23. The Trump administration has announced it would not oppose it.

Meanwhile, Russia said the report failed to present clear evidence of any meddling by Moscow in the 2016 US election and called its impact on relations regrettable.

"As a whole, the report as before does not present any reasonable proof at all that Russia allegedly meddled in the electoral process in the US," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.&nbsp;

However, in the report Special Counsel Robert Mueller described numerous attempts by President Donald Trump to interfere with the Russian meddling investigation, citing them as the reason why he could not clear the president of allegations of obstruction of justice.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.232.42.114/videos/mueller-report-trump-campaign-did-not-collude-with-russia-211662/embed" width="560"></iframe></div>

Mueller's final report detailed multiple instances in 2017 and 2018 in which Trump desperately sought to derail the probe, including firing FBI director James Comey, demanding that Mueller himself be removed, and publicly dangling pardon offers to witnesses.

It cited a furious Trump, just months into his term, swearing over Mueller's appointment and saying his presidency was doomed.

"Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I'm fucked," Trump told then attorney general Jeff Sessions, the report recounted.

(Inputs: AFP)

President Trump today slammed the Mueller report calling it "fabricated" and asserting that it was written by "18 angry democrat Trump haters". "I never agreed to testify, it was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the “report” about me," the US president tweeted, adding,"this was an illegally started hoax that never should have happened.

President Trump today slammed the Mueller report calling it "fabricated" and asserting that it was written by "18 angry democrat Trump haters". "I never agreed to testify, it was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the “report” about me," the US president tweeted, adding,"this was an illegally started hoax that never should have happened." Statements are made about me by certain people in the Crazy Mueller Report, in itself written by 18 Angry Democrat Trump Haters, which are fabricated & totally untrue. Watch out for people that take so-called “notes,” when the notes never existed until needed. Because I never.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 19, 2019 × The Mueller report which was released on Thursday revealed that Trump's lawyers and advisers repeatedly rebuffed attempts by the president to halt Robert Mueller's investigation. ...agreed to testify, it was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the “Report” about me, some of which are total bullshit & only given to make the other person look good (or me to look bad). This was an Illegally Started Hoax that never should have happened, a... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 19, 2019 × President Trump had tweeted "game over" just after the full 400-page report was made public by US Attorney General Bill Barr. After a 22-month probe on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded Trump's team did not conspire with Moscow. Democrats though have called on Mueller to testify before the House of Representatives by May 23. The Trump administration has announced it would not oppose it. Meanwhile, Russia said the report failed to present clear evidence of any meddling by Moscow in the 2016 US election and called its impact on relations regrettable. "As a whole, the report as before does not present any reasonable proof at all that Russia allegedly meddled in the electoral process in the US," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. However, in the report Special Counsel Robert Mueller described numerous attempts by President Donald Trump to interfere with the Russian meddling investigation, citing them as the reason why he could not clear the president of allegations of obstruction of justice. Mueller's final report detailed multiple instances in 2017 and 2018 in which Trump desperately sought to derail the probe, including firing FBI director James Comey, demanding that Mueller himself be removed, and publicly dangling pardon offers to witnesses. It cited a furious Trump, just months into his term, swearing over Mueller's appointment and saying his presidency was doomed. "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I'm fucked," Trump told then attorney general Jeff Sessions, the report recounted. (Inputs: AFP)

I never agreed to testify on Mueller report, says Trump

The Kremlin on Wednesday said it hoped for a transition of power in Algeria without foreign "interference" after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/algeria-president-abdelaziz-bouteflika-submits-resignation-with-immediate-effect-207621">President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned</a> in the face of massive street protests.&nbsp;

"We expect that the internal processes that are happening in this country and are exclusively the internal affair of Algeria will take place without the interference of any third countries," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He added that Russia has "mutually beneficial, friendly relations" with Algeria and that the two countries share "many joint projects in the economic sphere."&nbsp;

Russia is an ally of the north African state to which it supplies weapons.&nbsp;

Bouteflika, 82, had ruled the former French colony for two decades and had long been accused of clinging to power.&nbsp;

The veteran leader faced mounting pressure to step down following his decision to seek a fifth term, despite rarely being seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013.

His decision to stand aside was announced on state television late Tuesday. 
&nbsp;

The Kremlin on Wednesday said it hoped for a transition of power in Algeria without foreign "interference" after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned in the face of massive street protests.

The Kremlin on Wednesday said it hoped for a transition of power in Algeria without foreign "interference" after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned in the face of massive street protests. "We expect that the internal processes that are happening in this country and are exclusively the internal affair of Algeria will take place without the interference of any third countries," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He added that Russia has "mutually beneficial, friendly relations" with Algeria and that the two countries share "many joint projects in the economic sphere." Russia is an ally of the north African state to which it supplies weapons. Bouteflika, 82, had ruled the former French colony for two decades and had long been accused of clinging to power. The veteran leader faced mounting pressure to step down following his decision to seek a fifth term, despite rarely being seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. His decision to stand aside was announced on state television late Tuesday.

Kremlin urges no foreign 'interference' in Algeria

The United States has yet to request a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in Venezuela, the Kremlin was quoted as saying by TASS news agency on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he will probably talk to Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping about the crisis in Venezuela.

The United States has yet to request a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in Venezuela, the Kremlin was quoted as saying by TASS news agency on Saturday.

The United States has yet to request a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in Venezuela, the Kremlin was quoted as saying by TASS news agency on Saturday. US President Donald Trump said on Friday he will probably talk to Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping about the crisis in Venezuela.

US has not requested phone call on Venezuela with Putin: Kremlin

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that talks with Japan aimed at clinching a World War Two peace treaty between the two countries and ending a territorial dispute over a chain of islands in the Pacific could go on for years and were complex.

Japan has been mounting a push to resolve the dispute over four islands - known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kuriles in Russia - which has prevented Moscow and Tokyo from formally ending their World War Two hostilities.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been holding regular talks with President Vladimir Putin to end the decades-old dispute, but so far without a breakthrough.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that talks with Japan aimed at clinching a World War Two peace treaty between the two countries and ending a territorial dispute over a chain of islands in the Pacific could go on for years and were complex.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that talks with Japan aimed at clinching a World War Two peace treaty between the two countries and ending a territorial dispute over a chain of islands in the Pacific could go on for years and were complex. Japan has been mounting a push to resolve the dispute over four islands - known as the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kuriles in Russia - which has prevented Moscow and Tokyo from formally ending their World War Two hostilities. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been holding regular talks with President Vladimir Putin to end the decades-old dispute, but so far without a breakthrough.

Kremlin says talks with Japan over territorial dispute could take years

Moscow on Monday insisted it was not moving to cut off Russia's internet from the rest of the world,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-protest-russias-internet-isolation-202394"> following protests across the country </a>over plans to curb online freedoms.

Rallies took place in Moscow and other cities on Sunday after Russian lawmakers backed a bill to stop the country's internet traffic being routed on foreign servers, in a bid to boost cybersecurity.

"Everyone is in favour of internet freedom -- the authors of the bill, the presidential administration and the government," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

"No one is suggesting cutting the internet or limiting the opportunity to work on the World Wide Web," he said, adding that protesters were suffering from "delusions".

Activists say the bill is another censorship bid following previous efforts in Russia to control global social networking platforms and block the Telegram messenger service.

Russian authorities have also used "anti-extremism" laws to prosecute people who share posts that are critical of the regime, or in some cases simply humorous.

Organisers said more than 15,000 people turned up to the Moscow protest, with smaller events taking place in other cities.

OVD-Info, a rights group and news website that tracks arrests, said 29 people were detained at the rally in the capital, including a journalist.

Moscow on Monday insisted it was not moving to cut off Russia's internet from the rest of the world, following protests across the country over plans to curb online freedoms.

Moscow on Monday insisted it was not moving to cut off Russia's internet from the rest of the world, following protests across the country over plans to curb online freedoms. Rallies took place in Moscow and other cities on Sunday after Russian lawmakers backed a bill to stop the country's internet traffic being routed on foreign servers, in a bid to boost cybersecurity. "Everyone is in favour of internet freedom -- the authors of the bill, the presidential administration and the government," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. "No one is suggesting cutting the internet or limiting the opportunity to work on the World Wide Web," he said, adding that protesters were suffering from "delusions". Activists say the bill is another censorship bid following previous efforts in Russia to control global social networking platforms and block the Telegram messenger service. Russian authorities have also used "anti-extremism" laws to prosecute people who share posts that are critical of the regime, or in some cases simply humorous. Organisers said more than 15,000 people turned up to the Moscow protest, with smaller events taking place in other cities. OVD-Info, a rights group and news website that tracks arrests, said 29 people were detained at the rally in the capital, including a journalist.

After protests, Kremlin insists not moving to restrict internet

President Vladimir Putin will not reply to a letter from the son of a woman killed by a suspected Russian nerve agent near the English city of Salisbury last year because Russia's ambassador to Britain has already done so, the Kremlin said on Monday.

Ewan Hope called on Putin in a letter publicised by the Daily Mirror earlier this month to allow Britain to question two Russian nationals London suspects of trying to murder former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter last year.

Moscow has denied involvement in the attack.

Hope's mother, Dawn&nbsp;&nbsp;Sturgess, died after coming into contact with the same nerve agent used in the attack, which her partner found in a discarded perfume bottle, police said.

The suspects are now thought to be in Russia.

When asked on Monday whether Putin would respond to Hope, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he would not, saying it was a job for Russia's ambassador to Britain.

"No, he (Putin) is not obliged to reply at all," said Peskov.

The Russian embassy in London said on Wednesday it had received Hope's letter and that the Russian ambassador had offered his condolences to him. It said in a statement that the ambassador had offered to meet Hope and answer any questions he had.

President Vladimir Putin will not reply to a letter from the son of a woman killed by a suspected Russian nerve agent near the English city of Salisbury last year because Russia's ambassador to Britain has already done so, the Kremlin said on Monday.

President Vladimir Putin will not reply to a letter from the son of a woman killed by a suspected Russian nerve agent near the English city of Salisbury last year because Russia's ambassador to Britain has already done so, the Kremlin said on Monday. Ewan Hope called on Putin in a letter publicised by the Daily Mirror earlier this month to allow Britain to question two Russian nationals London suspects of trying to murder former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter last year. Moscow has denied involvement in the attack. Hope's mother, Dawn Sturgess, died after coming into contact with the same nerve agent used in the attack, which her partner found in a discarded perfume bottle, police said. The suspects are now thought to be in Russia. When asked on Monday whether Putin would respond to Hope, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he would not, saying it was a job for Russia's ambassador to Britain. "No, he (Putin) is not obliged to reply at all," said Peskov. The Russian embassy in London said on Wednesday it had received Hope's letter and that the Russian ambassador had offered his condolences to him. It said in a statement that the ambassador had offered to meet Hope and answer any questions he had.

Kremlin says it's not Putin's place to answer Briton whose mother died in poisoning

President Donald Trump's ex-attorney will return to Congress next week for more testimony, US lawmakers said Thursday, after three days of marathon appearances during which Michael Cohen accused his longtime boss of being a conman engaged in illegal activity.

House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff also revealed that Felix Sater, a Russian-born real estate developer who claims strong connections to the Kremlin, and who reportedly pitched the Moscow Trump Tower project to Trump's team, will testify before the committee on March 14.

The public hearing is believed to be the first scheduled appearance before Congress for Sater, who once had an office in Trump Tower and is seen as a mysterious figure who could shed light on dealings between the Trump organization, his campaign and Russia.

Cohen meanwhile will return on March 6 for additional closed-door testimony to the Intelligence Committee, Schiff said.

"It was a very productive interview today, where he was able to shed light on a lot of issues that are very core to our investigation, and we were able to drill down in great detail," Schiff said, adding that he intended to publicly release transcripts of Cohen's testimony "at the appropriate point."

News of the upcoming hearings came after Cohen's gruelling three days on Capitol Hill, including his explosive nationally televised testimony on Wednesday, during which he called Trump an inveterate liar, "racist," and "cheat."

Cohen -- who is to report to prison on May 6 to begin serving a three-year sentence for fraud, tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions and lying to Congress -- expressed regret for his years of devoted service to Trump.

The onetime lawyer, who has been disbarred, said Trump directed him to lie about hush payments made to a porn actress to silence her claims of a 2006 affair with the real estate tycoon.

He also said Trump knew in advance in mid-2016 that WikiLeaks would publish emails stolen by the Russians from rival Hillary Clinton's campaign.

And Cohen asserted that lawyers for Trump and his family reviewed and edited his written testimony to Congress in 2017 in which he lied about the Moscow real estate deal.

Nevertheless, Cohen produced no fresh evidence that Trump or his campaign colluded with Russia during the election, the subject of an investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

'Lied a lot'

Speaking in Vietnam after a summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Trump sought to discredit Cohen, saying his former lawyer and fixer had "lied a lot" -- although not about "one thing."

"He said, no collusion with the Russian hoax," Trump said. "And I said, I wonder why he didn't lie about that, too, like everything else."

The president did not address any of Cohen's specific, explosive allegations about his decade of working with Trump.

On Thursday, two Republicans on the House Oversight Committee said they had petitioned the Justice Department to investigate Cohen for perjury.

They alleged that he lied in Wednesday's testimony about his alleged desire to get a job in the Trump White House, and about whether he had committed bank fraud in the past.

Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis rejected their claims.

"Mr. Cohen testified truthfully before the House Oversight Committee.... He also backed up much of his testimony with documents," Davis said, calling the complaint "baseless."

'Our boy can become president'

As for Sater, lawmakers will seek to quiz him on his dealings with the Trump Organization and the campaign.

Sater has boasted of his ties to Vladimir Putin, saying he could get the Russian president to say "great things" about Trump, and suggested that the Trump Tower deal would help him get elected.

"Our boy can become president of the USA and we can engineer it," Sater wrote in a November 2015 email quoted by The New York Times.

"I will get all of Putin's team to buy in on this, I will manage this process."

Cohen has testified that Trump was negotiating on the Moscow building deal in 2016, contradicting Trump's repeated declarations during the presidential campaign that he had no business ties to the country.

President Donald Trump's ex-attorney will return to Congress next week for more testimony, US lawmakers said Thursday, after three days of marathon appearances during which Michael Cohen accused his longtime boss of being a conman engaged in illegal activity.

President Donald Trump's ex-attorney will return to Congress next week for more testimony, US lawmakers said Thursday, after three days of marathon appearances during which Michael Cohen accused his longtime boss of being a conman engaged in illegal activity. House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff also revealed that Felix Sater, a Russian-born real estate developer who claims strong connections to the Kremlin, and who reportedly pitched the Moscow Trump Tower project to Trump's team, will testify before the committee on March 14. The public hearing is believed to be the first scheduled appearance before Congress for Sater, who once had an office in Trump Tower and is seen as a mysterious figure who could shed light on dealings between the Trump organization, his campaign and Russia. Cohen meanwhile will return on March 6 for additional closed-door testimony to the Intelligence Committee, Schiff said. "It was a very productive interview today, where he was able to shed light on a lot of issues that are very core to our investigation, and we were able to drill down in great detail," Schiff said, adding that he intended to publicly release transcripts of Cohen's testimony "at the appropriate point." News of the upcoming hearings came after Cohen's gruelling three days on Capitol Hill, including his explosive nationally televised testimony on Wednesday, during which he called Trump an inveterate liar, "racist," and "cheat." Cohen -- who is to report to prison on May 6 to begin serving a three-year sentence for fraud, tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions and lying to Congress -- expressed regret for his years of devoted service to Trump. The onetime lawyer, who has been disbarred, said Trump directed him to lie about hush payments made to a porn actress to silence her claims of a 2006 affair with the real estate tycoon. He also said Trump knew in advance in mid-2016 that WikiLeaks would publish emails stolen by the Russians from rival Hillary Clinton's campaign. And Cohen asserted that lawyers for Trump and his family reviewed and edited his written testimony to Congress in 2017 in which he lied about the Moscow real estate deal. Nevertheless, Cohen produced no fresh evidence that Trump or his campaign colluded with Russia during the election, the subject of an investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. 'Lied a lot' Speaking in Vietnam after a summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Trump sought to discredit Cohen, saying his former lawyer and fixer had "lied a lot" -- although not about "one thing." "He said, no collusion with the Russian hoax," Trump said. "And I said, I wonder why he didn't lie about that, too, like everything else." The president did not address any of Cohen's specific, explosive allegations about his decade of working with Trump. On Thursday, two Republicans on the House Oversight Committee said they had petitioned the Justice Department to investigate Cohen for perjury. They alleged that he lied in Wednesday's testimony about his alleged desire to get a job in the Trump White House, and about whether he had committed bank fraud in the past. Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis rejected their claims. "Mr. Cohen testified truthfully before the House Oversight Committee.... He also backed up much of his testimony with documents," Davis said, calling the complaint "baseless." 'Our boy can become president' As for Sater, lawmakers will seek to quiz him on his dealings with the Trump Organization and the campaign. Sater has boasted of his ties to Vladimir Putin, saying he could get the Russian president to say "great things" about Trump, and suggested that the Trump Tower deal would help him get elected. "Our boy can become president of the USA and we can engineer it," Sater wrote in a November 2015 email quoted by The New York Times. "I will get all of Putin's team to buy in on this, I will manage this process." Cohen has testified that Trump was negotiating on the Moscow building deal in 2016, contradicting Trump's repeated declarations during the presidential campaign that he had no business ties to the country.

Donald Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen again in Congress next week: US lawmaker

President Vladimir Putin offered a raft of financial sweeteners on Wednesday to hard-pressed Russians after opinion polls showed trust in him has fallen to a 13-year low and almost half the population believe the country is on the wrong track.

In his annual speech to the Russian political elite, Putin set out how he planned to raise people's living standards and boost healthcare and education, promising he would find extra money to back the pledges.

Among his promises: More money for pensioners, mortgage and tax relief for families, and financial incentives for women to have more children.

Putin also laid out deadlines to close huge and sometimes apparently spontaneous landfill sites that have become a political score for the Kremlin and angered many Russians who have seen them spring up near their homes, polluting the air.

"You can't deceive people. They keenly feel hypocrisy, disrespect and any injustice. Bureaucratic red tape is of little interest to them," Putin told lawmakers and regional leaders.

"For people what's important is what has actually been done and how it improves their lives and their families' lives. We need to change the situation for the better now."

Putin also spoke of a new arms race with the United States, something that could potentially reduce funds available for social spending if it continues to escalate.

But for now, Putin said Russia was well able to afford to spend heavily on lifting people's quality of life. He said the country's foreign currency reserves covered the entirety of its external debt obligations for the first time and forecast the economy would be growing by over 3 per cent by 2021.

"...We can now invest and focus colossal, at least for our country, colossal financial resources on (Russia's) development. Nobody handed them to us, we did not borrow them - these funds were created by millions of our citizens. They (the funds) should be used to increase Russia's wealth and the wellbeing of Russian families."

Oil revenues mean Russia is not short of money. Its budget surplus this year is projected to be 1.932 trillion roubles ($29.3 billion) or 1.8 per cent of gross domestic product. Russia's foreign exchange reserves stand at $478 billion, the fifth largest in the world.

But if Putin had to scale back social spending plans to fund a wider arms race, that could further dent his ratings.

In power as either president or prime minister since 1999, Putin was re-elected last year by a landslide to another six-year presidential term. He is not under immediate political pressure and enjoys an approval rating of around 60 per cent.

But his rating used to be nearly 90 per cent and an opinion poll in January showed public trust in him had fallen to its lowest level in 13 years, while another survey showed this month that the number of Russians viewing the country as moving in the wrong direction was at its highest since 2006.

Pollsters attribute the souring mood to people fed up with six consecutive years of falling real incomes and unpopular government moves to raise the retirement age and hike value-added tax.

President Vladimir Putin offered a raft of financial sweeteners on Wednesday to hard-pressed Russians after opinion polls showed trust in him has fallen to a 13-year low and almost half the population believe the country is on the wrong track.

President Vladimir Putin offered a raft of financial sweeteners on Wednesday to hard-pressed Russians after opinion polls showed trust in him has fallen to a 13-year low and almost half the population believe the country is on the wrong track. In his annual speech to the Russian political elite, Putin set out how he planned to raise people's living standards and boost healthcare and education, promising he would find extra money to back the pledges. Among his promises: More money for pensioners, mortgage and tax relief for families, and financial incentives for women to have more children. Putin also laid out deadlines to close huge and sometimes apparently spontaneous landfill sites that have become a political score for the Kremlin and angered many Russians who have seen them spring up near their homes, polluting the air. "You can't deceive people. They keenly feel hypocrisy, disrespect and any injustice. Bureaucratic red tape is of little interest to them," Putin told lawmakers and regional leaders. "For people what's important is what has actually been done and how it improves their lives and their families' lives. We need to change the situation for the better now." Putin also spoke of a new arms race with the United States, something that could potentially reduce funds available for social spending if it continues to escalate. But for now, Putin said Russia was well able to afford to spend heavily on lifting people's quality of life. He said the country's foreign currency reserves covered the entirety of its external debt obligations for the first time and forecast the economy would be growing by over 3 per cent by 2021. "...We can now invest and focus colossal, at least for our country, colossal financial resources on (Russia's) development. Nobody handed them to us, we did not borrow them - these funds were created by millions of our citizens. They (the funds) should be used to increase Russia's wealth and the wellbeing of Russian families." Oil revenues mean Russia is not short of money. Its budget surplus this year is projected to be 1.932 trillion roubles ($29.3 billion) or 1.8 per cent of gross domestic product. Russia's foreign exchange reserves stand at $478 billion, the fifth largest in the world. But if Putin had to scale back social spending plans to fund a wider arms race, that could further dent his ratings. In power as either president or prime minister since 1999, Putin was re-elected last year by a landslide to another six-year presidential term. He is not under immediate political pressure and enjoys an approval rating of around 60 per cent. But his rating used to be nearly 90 per cent and an opinion poll in January showed public trust in him had fallen to its lowest level in 13 years, while another survey showed this month that the number of Russians viewing the country as moving in the wrong direction was at its highest since 2006. Pollsters attribute the souring mood to people fed up with six consecutive years of falling real incomes and unpopular government moves to raise the retirement age and hike value-added tax.

Putin, faced with ratings slump, offers Russians financial sweeteners

Russia's economic growth climbed to a six-year high in 2018, but the growth was fuelled by one-off factors that mean the goals set by President Vladimir Putin won't be achieved without an increase in household incomes, economists said.

Putin, after winning his fourth term last year, ordered the government to bring the Russian economy into the world's top five by 2024, saying economic growth should surpass the global average of about 3 per cent.

New data published this month by Russia's Federal Statistics Service, or Rosstat, seemed to show that Russia, the world's 12th largest economy, had moved closer to the Kremlin's goal.

Gross domestic product grew 2.3 per cent last year, Rosstat said, exceeding the 1.5 to 2.0 per cent foreseen by the central bank and the 1.8 per cent predicted by the economy ministry.

Growth exceeded expectations partly because Rosstat revised construction growth in the first 11 months of 2018 to 5.7 per cent from 0.5 per cent. The economy ministry said construction in Russia's Yamalo-Nenets region accounted for the revision.

A week after the data were published, the ministry said GDP growth had been boosted by one-time factors and predicted it would slow to 1.3 per cent in 2019.

"We can speak of sustainable growth when there are sustainable growth drivers such as higher investment, low capacity utilisation, rising households' incomes, which with some delay filters into consumer demand, which drives the economy," said Andrey Movchan, an economist at the Carnegie Moscow Centre.

"We have none of that," Movchan said. "We are moving slowly towards a demographic pitfall, we have almost zero non-state investment ... All developments favour GDP contraction rather than growth."

Analysts polled by Reuters in late December had expected last year's GDP growth would remain at 1.7 per cent, then slow to 1.4 per cent in 2019.

GDP Grows, incomes fall

Economists have been sceptical about the GDP figure, saying it did not represent broader economic trends and was not indicative of sustainable growth in a country facing the risk of more US&nbsp;sanctions and restrictions on its oil output because of a deal with OPEC.

An unexpected pick-up in construction, higher borrowing activity, growing inventories and stronger exports all boosted 2018 growth, the data showed. But a continuing decline in real disposable incomes among households raised doubts the reported growth could be last.

The average salary in Russia in 2018 rose 10 per cent to 43,400 roubles ($660.24), but real disposable incomes, or money adjusted for inflation that households have after paying taxes, declined 0.2 per cent in 2018 after falling 1.2 per cent in 2017, according to Rosstat.

Inventories in the economy rose in late 2018 ahead of a planned increase in value-added tax to 20 per cent from 18 per cent, the data showed.

That may have been driven by companies stocking up before prices rose, said Valery Mironov of the Higher School of Economics.

"GDP would be growing faster than demand but that's just because of growing inventories," he said. "This is only a temporary gain."

Households also contributed to growth in 2018 by taking out more loans. Retail lending rose 22.4 per cent last year after a 12.7 per cent increase in 2017, central bank data showed.

Factors that contributed to economic growth are "temporary moments that do not indicate any kind of steady trend of an increase in demand in the economy," said Vladimir Tikhomirov, chief economist at BCS brokerage.

"The current trends that are in the economy remain," he said.

&nbsp;

Russia's economic growth climbed to a six-year high in 2018, but the growth was fuelled by one-off factors that mean the goals set by President Vladimir Putin won't be achieved without an increase in household incomes, economists said.

Russia's economic growth climbed to a six-year high in 2018, but the growth was fuelled by one-off factors that mean the goals set by President Vladimir Putin won't be achieved without an increase in household incomes, economists said. Putin, after winning his fourth term last year, ordered the government to bring the Russian economy into the world's top five by 2024, saying economic growth should surpass the global average of about 3 per cent. New data published this month by Russia's Federal Statistics Service, or Rosstat, seemed to show that Russia, the world's 12th largest economy, had moved closer to the Kremlin's goal. Gross domestic product grew 2.3 per cent last year, Rosstat said, exceeding the 1.5 to 2.0 per cent foreseen by the central bank and the 1.8 per cent predicted by the economy ministry. Growth exceeded expectations partly because Rosstat revised construction growth in the first 11 months of 2018 to 5.7 per cent from 0.5 per cent. The economy ministry said construction in Russia's Yamalo-Nenets region accounted for the revision. A week after the data were published, the ministry said GDP growth had been boosted by one-time factors and predicted it would slow to 1.3 per cent in 2019. "We can speak of sustainable growth when there are sustainable growth drivers such as higher investment, low capacity utilisation, rising households' incomes, which with some delay filters into consumer demand, which drives the economy," said Andrey Movchan, an economist at the Carnegie Moscow Centre. "We have none of that," Movchan said. "We are moving slowly towards a demographic pitfall, we have almost zero non-state investment ... All developments favour GDP contraction rather than growth." Analysts polled by Reuters in late December had expected last year's GDP growth would remain at 1.7 per cent, then slow to 1.4 per cent in 2019. GDP Grows, incomes fall Economists have been sceptical about the GDP figure, saying it did not represent broader economic trends and was not indicative of sustainable growth in a country facing the risk of more US sanctions and restrictions on its oil output because of a deal with OPEC. An unexpected pick-up in construction, higher borrowing activity, growing inventories and stronger exports all boosted 2018 growth, the data showed. But a continuing decline in real disposable incomes among households raised doubts the reported growth could be last. The average salary in Russia in 2018 rose 10 per cent to 43,400 roubles ($660.24), but real disposable incomes, or money adjusted for inflation that households have after paying taxes, declined 0.2 per cent in 2018 after falling 1.2 per cent in 2017, according to Rosstat. Inventories in the economy rose in late 2018 ahead of a planned increase in value-added tax to 20 per cent from 18 per cent, the data showed. That may have been driven by companies stocking up before prices rose, said Valery Mironov of the Higher School of Economics. "GDP would be growing faster than demand but that's just because of growing inventories," he said. "This is only a temporary gain." Households also contributed to growth in 2018 by taking out more loans. Retail lending rose 22.4 per cent last year after a 12.7 per cent increase in 2017, central bank data showed. Factors that contributed to economic growth are "temporary moments that do not indicate any kind of steady trend of an increase in demand in the economy," said Vladimir Tikhomirov, chief economist at BCS brokerage. "The current trends that are in the economy remain," he said.

Russia's GDP growth, at six-year high, raises question of durability

A Russian court on Monday jailed two members of the Islamic State group for 15 years for planning attacks on a mall and public transport in Moscow, news agencies reported.

Bakhtiyor Makhmudov and Zafarkhon Rakhmatov from &nbsp;Muslim-majority Tajikistan will serve their sentences in a "strict regime camp", a court statement said.&nbsp;

Russia's FSB security service arrested the duo in December 2017, accusing them of planning suicide bombings over the New Year and during a forthcoming presidential election campaign.

The pair pleaded guilty, the RIA Novosti news agency said.

Almost 2,900 Russian jihadists, mainly from Muslim-majority republics in the south of the federation, have fought in Iraq and Syria, according to the FSB.&nbsp;

Several thousand others from ex-Soviet Central Asian countries are also believed to have fought in conflicts there.

In 2017, Russia was hit by several terrorist attacks, the most serious of which left 15 dead and many injured in the metro of second city Saint Petersburg.

A Russian court on Monday jailed two members of the Islamic State group for 15 years for planning attacks on a mall and public transport in Moscow, news agencies reported.

A Russian court on Monday jailed two members of the Islamic State group for 15 years for planning attacks on a mall and public transport in Moscow, news agencies reported. Bakhtiyor Makhmudov and Zafarkhon Rakhmatov from Muslim-majority Tajikistan will serve their sentences in a "strict regime camp", a court statement said. Russia's FSB security service arrested the duo in December 2017, accusing them of planning suicide bombings over the New Year and during a forthcoming presidential election campaign. The pair pleaded guilty, the RIA Novosti news agency said. Almost 2,900 Russian jihadists, mainly from Muslim-majority republics in the south of the federation, have fought in Iraq and Syria, according to the FSB. Several thousand others from ex-Soviet Central Asian countries are also believed to have fought in conflicts there. In 2017, Russia was hit by several terrorist attacks, the most serious of which left 15 dead and many injured in the metro of second city Saint Petersburg.

Russia jails IS pair for 15 years over planned attacks

A day after the Trump administration announced <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-goes-after-venezuelas-oil-to-hit-maduro-193555">sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned </a>oil firm PDVSA, Kremlin said the sanctions were "illegal".

"The legitimate authorities of Venezuela have already labelled these sanctions illegal. We can wholly support this point of view," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Peskov added that sanctions were an "overt intervention in Venezuela's domestic affairs" and a case of "illegal competition".&nbsp;

He said that Russia will strive to protect its interests "within the framework of international law".&nbsp;Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that the new sanctions "violate all possible international norms" and show a course toward regime change in embattled Venezuela.&nbsp;

"The US has... publicly taken a course toward illegal regime change," he said Tuesday.&nbsp;

Venezuelan<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/maduro-vs-guaido-who-is-backing-whom-193331"> President Nicolas Maduro</a> while addressing the nation on television had said PDVSA would take "legal, political, operative, technical and commercial measures to defend interests of Venezuela in the United States."

The US had announced sanctions against Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA aimed at curbing its crude import to the country while pressuring Maduro to step down.

China meanwhile said the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uss-bolton-warns-venezuela-of-significant-response-if-juan-guaido-is-threatened-193282"> United States should bear responsibility</a> for the consequences of its sanctions on Venezuela. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said historical experience showed foreign interference "only makes situations more complicated".

The United States is pushing to allow opposition leader Juan Guaido as the next president even as Maduro has refused to step down. Guaido accuses Maduro of stealing the election and wants new polls in the country.

"The relevant country's sanctions on Venezuela will lead to the deterioration of conditions of people's lives," China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, adding, "they should bear responsibility for the serious consequences from this."

Maduro hit back at US sanctions asserting that he will provide "reciprocal and convincing response needed to defend Venezuela's interests". Maduro's problems have been exacerbated by the fact that the United States is the biggest buyer of Venezuelan crude oil.

Juan Guaido ordered congress on Monday to appoint new boards of directors to state oil company PDVSA and US subsidiary Citgo in order to intensify pressure on his political opponent.

"If the people in Venezuela want to continue to sell us oil, as long as the money goes into blocked accounts we will continue to take it. Otherwise, will we not be buying it," US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said, with US national security adviser John Bolton adding that sanctions would block $7 billion in PDVSA's assets "plus over $11 billion in lost export proceeds over the next year."

A day after the Trump administration announced sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned oil firm PDVSA, Kremlin said the sanctions were "illegal". "The legitimate authorities of Venezuela have already labelled these sanctions illegal.

A day after the Trump administration announced sanctions against Venezuela's state-owned oil firm PDVSA, Kremlin said the sanctions were "illegal". "The legitimate authorities of Venezuela have already labelled these sanctions illegal. We can wholly support this point of view," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Peskov added that sanctions were an "overt intervention in Venezuela's domestic affairs" and a case of "illegal competition". He said that Russia will strive to protect its interests "within the framework of international law". Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that the new sanctions "violate all possible international norms" and show a course toward regime change in embattled Venezuela. "The US has... publicly taken a course toward illegal regime change," he said Tuesday. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro while addressing the nation on television had said PDVSA would take "legal, political, operative, technical and commercial measures to defend interests of Venezuela in the United States." The US had announced sanctions against Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA aimed at curbing its crude import to the country while pressuring Maduro to step down. China meanwhile said the United States should bear responsibility for the consequences of its sanctions on Venezuela. Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said historical experience showed foreign interference "only makes situations more complicated". The United States is pushing to allow opposition leader Juan Guaido as the next president even as Maduro has refused to step down. Guaido accuses Maduro of stealing the election and wants new polls in the country. "The relevant country's sanctions on Venezuela will lead to the deterioration of conditions of people's lives," China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, adding, "they should bear responsibility for the serious consequences from this." Maduro hit back at US sanctions asserting that he will provide "reciprocal and convincing response needed to defend Venezuela's interests". Maduro's problems have been exacerbated by the fact that the United States is the biggest buyer of Venezuelan crude oil. Juan Guaido ordered congress on Monday to appoint new boards of directors to state oil company PDVSA and US subsidiary Citgo in order to intensify pressure on his political opponent. "If the people in Venezuela want to continue to sell us oil, as long as the money goes into blocked accounts we will continue to take it. Otherwise, will we not be buying it," US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said, with US national security adviser John Bolton adding that sanctions would block $7 billion in PDVSA's assets "plus over $11 billion in lost export proceeds over the next year."

Sanctions against Venezuela illegal, violates all possible international norms: Russia

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