He may be the Kremlin’s closest ally, but his loyalty remains in doubt.

When Alexander Lukashenko, the eccentric and brutal leader of Belarus, forced down a European passenger jet Sunday to arrest a dissident, he ushered in a new and even more brittle phase in one of the post-Soviet region’s most convoluted and consequential relationships: the one between Lukashenko and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

The two are increasingly leaning on each other in the face of conflict with the West, but they have sharply diverging interests. Lukashenko, who has ruled for 26 years, relies on his iron grip on his country to assure his survival. Putin wants to expand Russian influence in Belarus, undermining Lukashenko’s authority in the process.

Now, with a summit meeting with President Joe Biden looming in June, Putin faces a choice over how much political capital to expend to continue supporting Lukashenko, whose commandeering of the Ryanair plane has complicated the Kremlin’s efforts to smooth relations with the West.

Russian officials and pro-Kremlin news outlets have taken Lukashenko’s side in the furor, but Lukashenko’s leading Belarusian opponents believe that the Kremlin’s support is only skin-deep.

“In the Russian Foreign Ministry, in the Kremlin, I think that people can’t stand Lukashenko,” Franak Viacorka, a senior adviser to exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, said in a telephone interview. “But at the same time, since there’s not anyone more pro-Russian, they prefer to keep Lukashenko for now.”

Some Western politicians, such as Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., have called for sanctions on Russia over the Ryanair incident. Lukashenko, the senator said Monday, “doesn’t use the bathroom without asking for Moscow’s permission.”

But the reality is more complicated, Lukashenko’s Belarusian opponents and critics say. In a flurry of diplomacy this week, Belarus’ opposition has been urging Western governments to stay focused on Minsk — not Moscow — in their response, insisting that Lukashenko should not be seen as Putin’s puppet.

“Lukashenko doesn’t listen to anyone,” Viacorka said, rejecting the idea that the ruler must have sought the Kremlin’s permission before forcing down the Ryanair plane. “He’s an absolutely unpredictable, rather impulsive person.”

Belarus is a country of just 9.5 million people the size of Michigan, but for Putin, it is both a critical ally and an enormous headache. In Putin’s worldview of a Russia threatened by an expanding and aggressive NATO, Belarus is the last remaining friendly buffer state between his country and the West.&nbsp;

Lukashenko, recognizing his special role, for years took advantage of it by playing Russia and the West off against each other — demanding cheap oil and gas from Russia even as he started building closer ties with the European Union and the United States.

Then came the uprising against Lukashenko last summer, when demonstrations that began over the ruler’s blatantly fraudulent claim of reelection swelled into the hundreds of thousands in anger over police violence against protesters. The Kremlin initially vacillated, then threw its support behind Lukashenko, even offering to send security forces.

Russian officials appeared to be similarly caught off guard by events Sunday, when Lukashenko scrambled a fighter jet and directed a Ryanair passenger plane flying between two EU capitals to land in Minsk because of a purported bomb threat.

Belarusian security forces then arrested a dissident journalist on board, Roman Protasevich — who had been on a Belarusian list of “terrorists” because he co-founded a social media outlet that galvanized and organized last year’s protests.

On Monday, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitri Peskov, told journalists in his regular daily briefing that he could not comment on the Ryanair incident. “It is up to the international authorities to assess the case,” he said.

It took another 24 hours for the Kremlin to formulate its final message; Belarus’ actions were “in line with international regulations,” Peskov said Tuesday.

By Wednesday, Lukashenko was appealing for Russia’s sympathy. Repeating his frequent descriptions of the domestic uprising against him as a Western plot, Lukashenko claimed that the real aim was to lay the groundwork for a revolution inside Russia. The result, he warned in a speech to Parliament, could be “a new world war.”

“We are a training ground for them, a venue for experiments before their push to the east,” Lukashenko said. “Having tested their methods over here, they will head over there.”

European airlines cancelled flights to Minsk this week, as directed by EU leaders who voiced outrage over what they called Lukashenko’s “hijacking.” But speaking in a marble-panelled hall of the Minsk House of Government, Lukashenko was defiant, claiming that a bomb threat against the plane had arrived from Switzerland.

“Don’t you cast blame on me!” Lukashenko thundered, jabbing his finger into the air. “I acted legally defending my people, and it will also be thus in the future.”

In Moscow, Lukashenko is widely seen as a frustrating and fickle partner. Despite his reliance on the Kremlin, for instance, he still has not recognized as valid the annexation of Crimea in 2014, which many Russians see as Putin’s crowning foreign policy achievement.

“It’s a pretty serious mistake to think that Moscow can snap its fingers to solve its problems in Minsk,” said Pavel Slunkin, a former Belarusian diplomat who resigned last year in protest against Lukashenko’s policies. “Lukashenko will try to avoid further dependence on Moscow in every possible way.”

Andrei Kortunov, director-general of the Russian International Affairs Council, a Moscow research institute co-founded by the Russian Foreign Ministry, likened Lukashenko to Syrian ruler Bashar Assad, another difficult Kremlin ally.

After Russia propped up Lukashenko in his hour of need last summer, long-sought benefits were expected to accrue to the Kremlin. Lukashenko could have signed an agreement for a Russian military base in Belarus or allowed Russian investment into major Belarusian enterprises on favourable terms. But despite three face-to-face meetings between Lukashenko and Putin since last September — a fourth is expected in the coming days — none of that materialized.

“You’d think: The regime was saved, and he should have paid,” Kortunov said of Lukashenko. “But we’re not seeing that.”

Continuing to prop up Lukashenko could be costly for Putin, Kortunov warned.

As Putin prepares for a summit meeting with Biden scheduled to take place in Geneva on June 16, Russian officials have telegraphed that they want to lower tensions with the United States. One factor is domestic politics: Amid protests and discontent over economic stagnation, the Kremlin faces a public disapproving of foreign adventurism.

“The social contract of, ‘We won’t give you sausage, but we’ll make Russia a great power’ — this no longer works,” Kortunov said, describing Putin’s approach. “He understands that he needs to change the agenda. He won’t win any more with foreign policy.”

Lukashenko’s opponents are now pushing for the United States and Europe to enact more sanctions against Belarus that would further isolate him and perhaps provoke a split in the elite.

Tikhanovskaya, the opposition leader, spent nearly 40 minutes on the phone earlier this week with Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, her aide, Viacorka, said.

“When the Belarusian issue is discussed in the context of the Russian one, it becomes impossible to solve,” Viacorka said.

He may be the Kremlin’s closest ally, but his loyalty remains in doubt. When Alexander Lukashenko, the eccentric and brutal leader of Belarus, forced down a European passenger jet Sunday to arrest a dissident, he ushered in a new and even more brittle phase in one of the post-Soviet region’s most convoluted and consequential relationships: the one between Lukashenko and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

He may be the Kremlin’s closest ally, but his loyalty remains in doubt. When Alexander Lukashenko, the eccentric and brutal leader of Belarus, forced down a European passenger jet Sunday to arrest a dissident, he ushered in a new and even more brittle phase in one of the post-Soviet region’s most convoluted and consequential relationships: the one between Lukashenko and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. The two are increasingly leaning on each other in the face of conflict with the West, but they have sharply diverging interests. Lukashenko, who has ruled for 26 years, relies on his iron grip on his country to assure his survival. Putin wants to expand Russian influence in Belarus, undermining Lukashenko’s authority in the process. Now, with a summit meeting with President Joe Biden looming in June, Putin faces a choice over how much political capital to expend to continue supporting Lukashenko, whose commandeering of the Ryanair plane has complicated the Kremlin’s efforts to smooth relations with the West. Russian officials and pro-Kremlin news outlets have taken Lukashenko’s side in the furor, but Lukashenko’s leading Belarusian opponents believe that the Kremlin’s support is only skin-deep. “In the Russian Foreign Ministry, in the Kremlin, I think that people can’t stand Lukashenko,” Franak Viacorka, a senior adviser to exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, said in a telephone interview. “But at the same time, since there’s not anyone more pro-Russian, they prefer to keep Lukashenko for now.” Some Western politicians, such as Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., have called for sanctions on Russia over the Ryanair incident. Lukashenko, the senator said Monday, “doesn’t use the bathroom without asking for Moscow’s permission.” But the reality is more complicated, Lukashenko’s Belarusian opponents and critics say. In a flurry of diplomacy this week, Belarus’ opposition has been urging Western governments to stay focused on Minsk — not Moscow — in their response, insisting that Lukashenko should not be seen as Putin’s puppet. “Lukashenko doesn’t listen to anyone,” Viacorka said, rejecting the idea that the ruler must have sought the Kremlin’s permission before forcing down the Ryanair plane. “He’s an absolutely unpredictable, rather impulsive person.” Belarus is a country of just 9.5 million people the size of Michigan, but for Putin, it is both a critical ally and an enormous headache. In Putin’s worldview of a Russia threatened by an expanding and aggressive NATO, Belarus is the last remaining friendly buffer state between his country and the West. Lukashenko, recognizing his special role, for years took advantage of it by playing Russia and the West off against each other — demanding cheap oil and gas from Russia even as he started building closer ties with the European Union and the United States. Then came the uprising against Lukashenko last summer, when demonstrations that began over the ruler’s blatantly fraudulent claim of reelection swelled into the hundreds of thousands in anger over police violence against protesters. The Kremlin initially vacillated, then threw its support behind Lukashenko, even offering to send security forces. Russian officials appeared to be similarly caught off guard by events Sunday, when Lukashenko scrambled a fighter jet and directed a Ryanair passenger plane flying between two EU capitals to land in Minsk because of a purported bomb threat. Belarusian security forces then arrested a dissident journalist on board, Roman Protasevich — who had been on a Belarusian list of “terrorists” because he co-founded a social media outlet that galvanized and organized last year’s protests. On Monday, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitri Peskov, told journalists in his regular daily briefing that he could not comment on the Ryanair incident. “It is up to the international authorities to assess the case,” he said. It took another 24 hours for the Kremlin to formulate its final message; Belarus’ actions were “in line with international regulations,” Peskov said Tuesday. By Wednesday, Lukashenko was appealing for Russia’s sympathy. Repeating his frequent descriptions of the domestic uprising against him as a Western plot, Lukashenko claimed that the real aim was to lay the groundwork for a revolution inside Russia. The result, he warned in a speech to Parliament, could be “a new world war.” “We are a training ground for them, a venue for experiments before their push to the east,” Lukashenko said. “Having tested their methods over here, they will head over there.” European airlines cancelled flights to Minsk this week, as directed by EU leaders who voiced outrage over what they called Lukashenko’s “hijacking.” But speaking in a marble-panelled hall of the Minsk House of Government, Lukashenko was defiant, claiming that a bomb threat against the plane had arrived from Switzerland. “Don’t you cast blame on me!” Lukashenko thundered, jabbing his finger into the air. “I acted legally defending my people, and it will also be thus in the future.” In Moscow, Lukashenko is widely seen as a frustrating and fickle partner. Despite his reliance on the Kremlin, for instance, he still has not recognized as valid the annexation of Crimea in 2014, which many Russians see as Putin’s crowning foreign policy achievement. “It’s a pretty serious mistake to think that Moscow can snap its fingers to solve its problems in Minsk,” said Pavel Slunkin, a former Belarusian diplomat who resigned last year in protest against Lukashenko’s policies. “Lukashenko will try to avoid further dependence on Moscow in every possible way.” Andrei Kortunov, director-general of the Russian International Affairs Council, a Moscow research institute co-founded by the Russian Foreign Ministry, likened Lukashenko to Syrian ruler Bashar Assad, another difficult Kremlin ally. After Russia propped up Lukashenko in his hour of need last summer, long-sought benefits were expected to accrue to the Kremlin. Lukashenko could have signed an agreement for a Russian military base in Belarus or allowed Russian investment into major Belarusian enterprises on favourable terms. But despite three face-to-face meetings between Lukashenko and Putin since last September — a fourth is expected in the coming days — none of that materialized. “You’d think: The regime was saved, and he should have paid,” Kortunov said of Lukashenko. “But we’re not seeing that.” Continuing to prop up Lukashenko could be costly for Putin, Kortunov warned. As Putin prepares for a summit meeting with Biden scheduled to take place in Geneva on June 16, Russian officials have telegraphed that they want to lower tensions with the United States. One factor is domestic politics: Amid protests and discontent over economic stagnation, the Kremlin faces a public disapproving of foreign adventurism. “The social contract of, ‘We won’t give you sausage, but we’ll make Russia a great power’ — this no longer works,” Kortunov said, describing Putin’s approach. “He understands that he needs to change the agenda. He won’t win any more with foreign policy.” Lukashenko’s opponents are now pushing for the United States and Europe to enact more sanctions against Belarus that would further isolate him and perhaps provoke a split in the elite. Tikhanovskaya, the opposition leader, spent nearly 40 minutes on the phone earlier this week with Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, her aide, Viacorka, said. “When the Belarusian issue is discussed in the context of the Russian one, it becomes impossible to solve,” Viacorka said.

Belarus plane crisis tightens Lukashenko’s awkward embrace of Putin

Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin&nbsp;critic currently in prison, has claimed that three new criminal investigations have been initiated against him by Russian authorities.

In an Instagram post published on Tuesday, he said he learned about the cases from an investigator who had visited him on Monday.

"I'm becoming a more hardened criminal every day," he said in the post.&nbsp;"So don't think I'm only sitting in a cell, drinking tea and doing nothing”, he added.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/alexei-navalnys-regional-political-network-banned-381824/embed" width="560"></iframe>

Navalny said that investigators are currently looking into alleged theft of donations from his anti-corruption foundation called FKB, violation of human rights, and insulting a judge. Earlier, the Russian Investigative Committee had said that it initiated investigations into FKB and human rights violations allegedly committed by Navalny and his allies.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/russia-seeks-to-outlaw-navalny-movement-385599" hreflang="en">Russia seeks to outlaw Navalny movement&nbsp;</a>

In February, a prosecutor had requested the Investigative Committee to look into Navalny’s statements during one of his trials and to see whether any of his words could qualify as being insulting towards the judge.

Navalny has remained in custody since he returned from Germany after his treatment. He was poisoned using a Soviet era nerve agency called Novichok. This has been confirmed by German medical authorities.

Russia has denied any involvement in his poisoning, but Navalny pins the full blame on Russian officials. He has been seen as Putin’s largest critic in the country. His treatment spurred a series of pro-Navalny protests across Russia which were quelled by Russian authorities. The use of force against protesters invited global ire.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/russia-jails-former-mayor-roizman-over-tweets-in-support-of-navalny-384753" hreflang="en">Russia jails former mayor Roizman over tweets in support of Navalny</a>

&nbsp;

Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin critic currently in prison, has claimed that three new criminal investigations have been initiated against him by Russian authorities.

Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin critic currently in prison, has claimed that three new criminal investigations have been initiated against him by Russian authorities. In an Instagram post published on Tuesday, he said he learned about the cases from an investigator who had visited him on Monday. "I'm becoming a more hardened criminal every day," he said in the post. "So don't think I'm only sitting in a cell, drinking tea and doing nothing”, he added. Navalny said that investigators are currently looking into alleged theft of donations from his anti-corruption foundation called FKB, violation of human rights, and insulting a judge. Earlier, the Russian Investigative Committee had said that it initiated investigations into FKB and human rights violations allegedly committed by Navalny and his allies. Also read: Russia seeks to outlaw Navalny movement In February, a prosecutor had requested the Investigative Committee to look into Navalny’s statements during one of his trials and to see whether any of his words could qualify as being insulting towards the judge. Navalny has remained in custody since he returned from Germany after his treatment. He was poisoned using a Soviet era nerve agency called Novichok. This has been confirmed by German medical authorities. Russia has denied any involvement in his poisoning, but Navalny pins the full blame on Russian officials. He has been seen as Putin’s largest critic in the country. His treatment spurred a series of pro-Navalny protests across Russia which were quelled by Russian authorities. The use of force against protesters invited global ire. Also read: Russia jails former mayor Roizman over tweets in support of Navalny

'Becoming a hardened criminal': Navalny says Russia has launched three new criminal probes against him

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that any suggestion Russia was somehow involved in the forced landing of a commercial flight in Belarus to detain a dissident journalist was not worth responding to and fuelled by anti-Russian sentiment. 
 
Belarus on Sunday scrambled a warplane to escort a Ryanair passenger jet carrying Protasevich, a journalist critical of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, in an act denounced by Western powers as "state piracy". 
 
British foreign minister Dominic Raab said on Monday that while the situation was unclear, it was difficult to believe that Russia was not involved, at least by acquiescence, in the jet incident. 
 
Speaking to reporters on a conference call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the idea of Russian involvement out of hand. 
 
He said anti-Russian sentiment meant that Moscow was accused of anything and everything these days and that its critics had let their hatred of Russia blind their own analysis. 
 
Peskov added that Moscow hoped that Sofia Sapega, a Russian citizen detained along with Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich after their flight was diverted to Minsk, would soon be released provided she had not broken any laws. 
 
Aside from Protasevich and Sapega, three other passengers left the plane at Minsk on Sunday. Initial assertions, without evidence, from a Belarusian activist that the three passengers had been Russian passport holders turned out to be false. 
 
One Lithuanian official told Reuters that the three passengers who disembarked at Minsk included two Belarusian citizens and one Greek citizen. 
 
Belarusian state TV on Monday broadcast interviews with the trio.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that any suggestion Russia was somehow involved in the forced landing of a commercial flight in Belarus to detain a dissident journalist was not worth responding to and fuelled by anti-Russian sentiment.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that any suggestion Russia was somehow involved in the forced landing of a commercial flight in Belarus to detain a dissident journalist was not worth responding to and fuelled by anti-Russian sentiment. Belarus on Sunday scrambled a warplane to escort a Ryanair passenger jet carrying Protasevich, a journalist critical of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, in an act denounced by Western powers as "state piracy". British foreign minister Dominic Raab said on Monday that while the situation was unclear, it was difficult to believe that Russia was not involved, at least by acquiescence, in the jet incident. Speaking to reporters on a conference call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the idea of Russian involvement out of hand. He said anti-Russian sentiment meant that Moscow was accused of anything and everything these days and that its critics had let their hatred of Russia blind their own analysis. Peskov added that Moscow hoped that Sofia Sapega, a Russian citizen detained along with Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich after their flight was diverted to Minsk, would soon be released provided she had not broken any laws. Aside from Protasevich and Sapega, three other passengers left the plane at Minsk on Sunday. Initial assertions, without evidence, from a Belarusian activist that the three passengers had been Russian passport holders turned out to be false. One Lithuanian official told Reuters that the three passengers who disembarked at Minsk included two Belarusian citizens and one Greek citizen. Belarusian state TV on Monday broadcast interviews with the trio.

Kremlin dismisses notion of alleged Russian involvement in Belarus plane incident

The Kremlin said on Tuesday it would soon make an announcement about a possible summit between President Vladimir Putin and US&nbsp;President Joe Biden. 
 
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that Moscow and Washington needed to cooperate on cybersecurity in order to stop hackers who ill-wishers say work for the Russian state. 
 
He also said that the two men needed to discuss strategic nuclear stability, something which affected the world. 
 
Biden, who in March said he thought Putin was a "killer", prompting Moscow to recall its ambassador to Washington for consultations, has said he would like to hold talks with Putin during a planned trip to Europe next month. 
 
Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, citing sources, reported on Monday that the summit will be held in Switzerland.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday it would soon make an announcement about a possible summit between President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that Moscow and Washington needed to cooperate on cybersecurity in order to stop hackers who ill-wishers say work for the Russian state.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday it would soon make an announcement about a possible summit between President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call that Moscow and Washington needed to cooperate on cybersecurity in order to stop hackers who ill-wishers say work for the Russian state. He also said that the two men needed to discuss strategic nuclear stability, something which affected the world. Biden, who in March said he thought Putin was a "killer", prompting Moscow to recall its ambassador to Washington for consultations, has said he would like to hold talks with Putin during a planned trip to Europe next month. Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, citing sources, reported on Monday that the summit will be held in Switzerland.

Kremlin says it will soon make announcement on possible Putin-Biden summit

A Russian court is set to hear an 'extremism' case against the political network of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Monday as Moscow seeks to outlaw the opposition to President Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;

The closed court hearing is part of a sweeping crackdown on Putin's most prominent critic and his supporters after Navalny barely survived a poisoning with the Novichok nerve agent last summer.&nbsp;

As part of the effort, which comes a few months before parliamentary elections, the lower house is set on Tuesday to begin debating a bill banning members of 'extremist' organisations from being elected lawmakers.&nbsp;

Prosecutors in April requested that Navalny's regional network and his Anti-Corruption Foundation be designated 'extremist' organisations, accusing them of plotting to stage a Western-backed uprising in Russia. &nbsp;

Such a court ruling would put Navalny and his supporters and financial backers on a par with members of the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda and threaten them with long prison sentences.&nbsp;

"The opposition will be crushed," Abbas Gallyamov, an independent political analyst and former Kremlin speechwriter, said, warning that the official ban on dissent would eventually backfire.&nbsp;

"By destroying the opposition, they are destroying their own legitimacy," Gallyamov said, referring to Russian authorities.&nbsp;

Navalny emerged as a top leader of Russia's opposition movement a decade ago, leading huge anti-Kremlin rallies sparked by claims of electoral fraud in 2011.&nbsp;

Established in 2011, the Anti-Corruption Foundation has published numerous investigations into the lavish lifestyles of Russia's elite. &nbsp;

Navalny's probe into a Black Sea palace Russian tycoons allegedly built for Putin has racked up more than 116 million views on YouTube since its release in January. Putin denies the palace is his.&nbsp;

Even though Navalny was not allowed to run against Putin in a presidential election in 2018, authorities had for years tolerated his political movement, which relies on donations from supporters.&nbsp;

But analysts say the Kremlin is willing to take no chances ahead of parliamentary elections in September as public fatigue is growing with Putin's two-decade rule and the coronavirus pandemic exacerbates economic woes.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A Russian court is set to hear an 'extremism' case against the political network of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Monday as Moscow seeks to outlaw the opposition to President Vladimir Putin.

A Russian court is set to hear an 'extremism' case against the political network of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Monday as Moscow seeks to outlaw the opposition to President Vladimir Putin. The closed court hearing is part of a sweeping crackdown on Putin's most prominent critic and his supporters after Navalny barely survived a poisoning with the Novichok nerve agent last summer. As part of the effort, which comes a few months before parliamentary elections, the lower house is set on Tuesday to begin debating a bill banning members of 'extremist' organisations from being elected lawmakers. Prosecutors in April requested that Navalny's regional network and his Anti-Corruption Foundation be designated 'extremist' organisations, accusing them of plotting to stage a Western-backed uprising in Russia. Such a court ruling would put Navalny and his supporters and financial backers on a par with members of the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda and threaten them with long prison sentences. "The opposition will be crushed," Abbas Gallyamov, an independent political analyst and former Kremlin speechwriter, said, warning that the official ban on dissent would eventually backfire. "By destroying the opposition, they are destroying their own legitimacy," Gallyamov said, referring to Russian authorities. Navalny emerged as a top leader of Russia's opposition movement a decade ago, leading huge anti-Kremlin rallies sparked by claims of electoral fraud in 2011. Established in 2011, the Anti-Corruption Foundation has published numerous investigations into the lavish lifestyles of Russia's elite. Navalny's probe into a Black Sea palace Russian tycoons allegedly built for Putin has racked up more than 116 million views on YouTube since its release in January. Putin denies the palace is his. Even though Navalny was not allowed to run against Putin in a presidential election in 2018, authorities had for years tolerated his political movement, which relies on donations from supporters. But analysts say the Kremlin is willing to take no chances ahead of parliamentary elections in September as public fatigue is growing with Putin's two-decade rule and the coronavirus pandemic exacerbates economic woes. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia seeks to outlaw Navalny movement 

Weeks after the US President Joe Biden labelled his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as a “killer”, a top Putin aide has said there is a possibility of a summit between the two leaders in June.

This news came from Putin’s top foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov who said “June is being named, there are even concrete dates”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-unfriendly-embassies-may-face-russian-hiring-bans-379912" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-unfriendly-embassies-may-face-russian-hiring-bans-379912&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi3wL3Av5nwAhUKzDgGHdifCukQFjABegQICRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Xicua1p5R45fYs0FJCv7X" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-unfriendly-embassies-may-face-russian-hiring-bans-379912" target="_blank">Putin: 'Unfriendly' embassies may face Russian hiring bans</a>

This has come almost a month after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on the same show, had claimed that the summit idea was “received positively and is currently under consideration".

Meanwhile, Joe Biden is scheduled to attend the G7 summit in Britain and the NATO and EU summits in Brussel in the month of June, as per the White House announcement made on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kremlin-says-russia-will-study-us-proposal-for-putin-biden-summit-377788">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kremlin-says-russia-will-study-us-proposal-for-putin-biden-summit-377788/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, it has not yet been made clear if the US President will be meeting his Russian counterpart or not in a potential summit.

Austria and Finland, in the meantime, have expressed interest in hosting a meeting between the two leaders to act as a mediator.

Weeks after the US President Joe Biden labelled his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as a “killer”, a top Putin aide has said there is a possibility of a summit between the two leaders in June.

Weeks after the US President Joe Biden labelled his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as a “killer”, a top Putin aide has said there is a possibility of a summit between the two leaders in June. This news came from Putin’s top foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov who said “June is being named, there are even concrete dates”. Also read | Putin: 'Unfriendly' embassies may face Russian hiring bans This has come almost a month after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on the same show, had claimed that the summit idea was “received positively and is currently under consideration". Meanwhile, Joe Biden is scheduled to attend the G7 summit in Britain and the NATO and EU summits in Brussel in the month of June, as per the White House announcement made on Friday. Watch | However, it has not yet been made clear if the US President will be meeting his Russian counterpart or not in a potential summit. Austria and Finland, in the meantime, have expressed interest in hosting a meeting between the two leaders to act as a mediator.

Putin-Biden may meet in June for a summit: Top Kremlin aide

The Russian Police has arrested eight people in Russia's far-eastern city of Magadan on Wednesday, according to the Open Russia opposition group, as protests began across the country over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's deteriorating health in prison.

Several Navalny allies were detained on Wednesday morning, hours before President Vladimir Putin was due to deliver a state-of-the-nation speech.

Yesterday, The Moscow government had refused to authorize rallies scheduled for April 21 and May 1 because of the coronavirus, the Russian capital's security department had said on Tuesday.

The department said that the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, and the Moscow Trade Union Federation were among those who submitted appeals to have public rallies across Moscow authorized for April 21 and May 1.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Russian Police has arrested eight people in Russia's far-eastern city of Magadan on Wednesday, according to the Open Russia opposition group, as protests began across the country over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's deteriorating health in prison.

The Russian Police has arrested eight people in Russia's far-eastern city of Magadan on Wednesday, according to the Open Russia opposition group, as protests began across the country over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's deteriorating health in prison. Several Navalny allies were detained on Wednesday morning, hours before President Vladimir Putin was due to deliver a state-of-the-nation speech. Yesterday, The Moscow government had refused to authorize rallies scheduled for April 21 and May 1 because of the coronavirus, the Russian capital's security department had said on Tuesday. The department said that the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, and the Moscow Trade Union Federation were among those who submitted appeals to have public rallies across Moscow authorized for April 21 and May 1. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian police detain eight at Navalny protests in far east

President Vladimir Putin will deliver a state-of-the-nation speech to Russians on Wednesday as supporters of his fiercest critic, Alexei&nbsp;Navalny, plan nationwide protests over his deteriorating health in jail.

Putin, who makes a point of never uttering&nbsp;Navalny's name, has said his speech to both houses of parliament will focus on projects to boost economic growth, which has been hit by foreign sanctions, low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic.

But as he starts his address at noon (0900 GMT), demonstrators in the far east port of Vladivostok are due to take to the streets in the first of a wave of rolling protests across Russia in support of the 44-year-old&nbsp;Navalny, gravely weakened by a three-week hunger strike.

Both sides are braced for a showdown. Previous rallies in support of&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;have been broken up by force, with thousands of arrests, and authorities have said Wednesday's gatherings will be illegal.

The trial of strength will be closely watched abroad, at a time of deep crisis in Russia's relations with the West over its treatment of&nbsp;Navalny, a major build-up of troops on the Ukrainian border and a rash of other issues that led Washington to impose new sanctions on Moscow last week, and the Kremlin to respond in kind.

Navalny, who survived a nerve agent poisoning last year that Russia denies carrying out, was sentenced in February to 2-1/2 years for parole violations related to an embezzlement case that he says was politically motivated.

He went on hunger strike on March 31 over what he said was the refusal of prison authorities to provide him with adequate treatment for acute leg and back pain. Officials say he has received normal medical care, as would any other convict.

Navalny's supporters have called for what they hope will be the biggest protests in modern Russian history, saying his life is hanging by a thread and demanding he receives proper medical attention.

On the eve of the protests, monitoring group OVD-Info reported police raids at&nbsp;Navalny's regional offices in the cities of Krasnodar and Kurgan, and arrests of individual activists in about a dozen cities.&nbsp;Navalny's team has said protests will be held in more than 100 cities and towns.

The venue for Putin's address, the Manege exhibition hall adjacent to the Kremlin, stands on the square&nbsp;Navalny's allies have designated as the location of their rally in Moscow on Wednesday evening.

President Vladimir Putin will deliver a state-of-the-nation speech to Russians on Wednesday as supporters of his fiercest critic, Alexei Navalny, plan nationwide protests over his deteriorating health in jail.

President Vladimir Putin will deliver a state-of-the-nation speech to Russians on Wednesday as supporters of his fiercest critic, Alexei Navalny, plan nationwide protests over his deteriorating health in jail. Putin, who makes a point of never uttering Navalny's name, has said his speech to both houses of parliament will focus on projects to boost economic growth, which has been hit by foreign sanctions, low oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic. But as he starts his address at noon (0900 GMT), demonstrators in the far east port of Vladivostok are due to take to the streets in the first of a wave of rolling protests across Russia in support of the 44-year-old Navalny, gravely weakened by a three-week hunger strike. Both sides are braced for a showdown. Previous rallies in support of Navalny have been broken up by force, with thousands of arrests, and authorities have said Wednesday's gatherings will be illegal. The trial of strength will be closely watched abroad, at a time of deep crisis in Russia's relations with the West over its treatment of Navalny, a major build-up of troops on the Ukrainian border and a rash of other issues that led Washington to impose new sanctions on Moscow last week, and the Kremlin to respond in kind. Navalny, who survived a nerve agent poisoning last year that Russia denies carrying out, was sentenced in February to 2-1/2 years for parole violations related to an embezzlement case that he says was politically motivated. He went on hunger strike on March 31 over what he said was the refusal of prison authorities to provide him with adequate treatment for acute leg and back pain. Officials say he has received normal medical care, as would any other convict. Navalny's supporters have called for what they hope will be the biggest protests in modern Russian history, saying his life is hanging by a thread and demanding he receives proper medical attention. On the eve of the protests, monitoring group OVD-Info reported police raids at Navalny's regional offices in the cities of Krasnodar and Kurgan, and arrests of individual activists in about a dozen cities. Navalny's team has said protests will be held in more than 100 cities and towns. The venue for Putin's address, the Manege exhibition hall adjacent to the Kremlin, stands on the square Navalny's allies have designated as the location of their rally in Moscow on Wednesday evening.

Navalny supporters seek to drown out Putin speech with mass protests

The United States and European allies have already imposed sanctions on Russian targets over what they concluded was a state-backed poisoning attempt against Navalny

US urges Russia to "Immediately" allow doctors for Alexei Navalny

The Russian Kremlin said that it will consider US President Joe Biden's proposal to hold a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. In a phone call on Tuesday, Biden proposed that the two leaders should hold a summit "in the near future".

Kremlin says Russia will study US proposal for Putin-Biden summit

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;said on Monday he could be locked up in solitary confinement in a punishment cell after being accused of numerous minor infractions.

Navalny, one of President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critics, said he had been given six reprimands in the space of two weeks at Russia's IK-2 corrective penal colony, 100 km (60 miles) east of Moscow.

In an Instagram post, he said that two reprimands were technically enough to be sent to a punishment cell and that a prison tribunal considers such cases.

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The Kremlin said it was not following reports of&nbsp;Navalny's health and had not requested information from prison authorities.

"The condition of convicts and people who are serving time in correctional institutions is being monitored by their administrations. That's their job," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The prison service earlier on Thursday insisted that&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;has been checked by medics and that "his state of health was assessed as stable and satisfactory".

The United States and the European Union have slapped sanctions on Russia for jailing&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;and for allegedly orchestrating last year's poisoning, a charge Moscow has denied.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said on Monday he could be locked up in solitary confinement in a punishment cell after being accused of numerous minor infractions.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said on Monday he could be locked up in solitary confinement in a punishment cell after being accused of numerous minor infractions. Navalny, one of President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critics, said he had been given six reprimands in the space of two weeks at Russia's IK-2 corrective penal colony, 100 km (60 miles) east of Moscow. In an Instagram post, he said that two reprimands were technically enough to be sent to a punishment cell and that a prison tribunal considers such cases. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Алексей Навальный (@navalny) The Kremlin said it was not following reports of Navalny's health and had not requested information from prison authorities. "The condition of convicts and people who are serving time in correctional institutions is being monitored by their administrations. That's their job," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. The prison service earlier on Thursday insisted that Navalny has been checked by medics and that "his state of health was assessed as stable and satisfactory". The United States and the European Union have slapped sanctions on Russia for jailing Navalny and for allegedly orchestrating last year's poisoning, a charge Moscow has denied.

Kremlin critic Navalny says he risks solitary confinement over infractions

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is in great pain, his lawyer said Thursday after visiting him in prison, adding that allies were afraid for his life.

His supporters said a day earlier they were concerned by a deterioration in his health and his lawyers said they had not been allowed to visit him in prison. They returned on Thursday to try to see him.

Leonid Volkov, a close&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;ally, has said that&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;began to experience serious back pain last week, had felt a numbness in his leg and been unable to stand on it. He was given two Ibuprofen pills for the pain, Volkov said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-health-deteriorating-in-prison-claim-his-lawyers-372939">Alexei Navalny's health deteriorating in prison, claim his lawyers</a>

The Federal Penitentiary Service said earlier on Thursday that the 44-year-old opposition politician's health was stable and satisfactory.

It said prisons in the Vladimir region, where&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;is being held, had carried out medical examinations on inmates on Wednesday. The checks had been conducted at inmates' request, it said, and&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;had been examined, too.

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"His health is deemed stable and satisfactory, according to the results of the examination," the penitentiary service said, according to the Interfax news agency.

"He is suffering from strong back pain and pain in his right leg," lawyer Olga Mikhailova said in remarks on Dozhd television.

'Really worried'

"Now we are really worried,"&nbsp;Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation wrote on Twitter. "Even the Federal Penitentiary Service can’t call&nbsp;Navalny’s condition `good'."

Nearly 160 cultural figures, including writers, musicians and film directors, published an open letter to the authorities on Thursday demanding&nbsp;Navalny's lawyers be given access to him and that he be held in normal conditions.

They said they had "serious grounds to be concerned about his health and life".

In particular, they demanded that the practice of waking him up every hour during the night due to his classification as a flight risk be ended.

The Kremlin said it was not following developments with&nbsp;Navalny's health, which it said was a matter for prison authorities.

Navalny&nbsp;was jailed last month for two and a half years on charges he called politically motivated. He was arrested as he returned to Russia from Germany in January, where he had been recovering from what doctors said was a nerve agent poisoning.

The West, including the European Court of Human Rights, has demanded Russia release&nbsp;Navalny. Moscow dismissed the court's ruling as "unlawful" and has called similar appeals unacceptable interference in its internal affairs.

Navalny's allies on Tuesday announced plans to stage what they hope will be the biggest anti-Kremlin street protest in modern Russian history this spring, in a bid to have him released. The authorities have said such protests are illegal.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is in great pain, his lawyer said Thursday after visiting him in prison, adding that allies were afraid for his life. His supporters said a day earlier they were concerned by a deterioration in his health and his lawyers said they had not been allowed to visit him in prison.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is in great pain, his lawyer said Thursday after visiting him in prison, adding that allies were afraid for his life. His supporters said a day earlier they were concerned by a deterioration in his health and his lawyers said they had not been allowed to visit him in prison. They returned on Thursday to try to see him. Leonid Volkov, a close Navalny ally, has said that Navalny began to experience serious back pain last week, had felt a numbness in his leg and been unable to stand on it. He was given two Ibuprofen pills for the pain, Volkov said. Also read| Alexei Navalny's health deteriorating in prison, claim his lawyers The Federal Penitentiary Service said earlier on Thursday that the 44-year-old opposition politician's health was stable and satisfactory. It said prisons in the Vladimir region, where Navalny is being held, had carried out medical examinations on inmates on Wednesday. The checks had been conducted at inmates' request, it said, and Navalny had been examined, too. "His health is deemed stable and satisfactory, according to the results of the examination," the penitentiary service said, according to the Interfax news agency. "He is suffering from strong back pain and pain in his right leg," lawyer Olga Mikhailova said in remarks on Dozhd television. 'Really worried' "Now we are really worried," Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation wrote on Twitter. "Even the Federal Penitentiary Service can’t call Navalny’s condition `good'." Nearly 160 cultural figures, including writers, musicians and film directors, published an open letter to the authorities on Thursday demanding Navalny's lawyers be given access to him and that he be held in normal conditions. They said they had "serious grounds to be concerned about his health and life". In particular, they demanded that the practice of waking him up every hour during the night due to his classification as a flight risk be ended. The Kremlin said it was not following developments with Navalny's health, which it said was a matter for prison authorities. Navalny was jailed last month for two and a half years on charges he called politically motivated. He was arrested as he returned to Russia from Germany in January, where he had been recovering from what doctors said was a nerve agent poisoning. The West, including the European Court of Human Rights, has demanded Russia release Navalny. Moscow dismissed the court's ruling as "unlawful" and has called similar appeals unacceptable interference in its internal affairs. Navalny's allies on Tuesday announced plans to stage what they hope will be the biggest anti-Kremlin street protest in modern Russian history this spring, in a bid to have him released. The authorities have said such protests are illegal.

Kremlin critic Navalny in 'strong' pain, allies fear for his life

Kremlin-linked businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin has urged the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to remove his name from the list of wanted criminals, alleging it to be a human rights principles violation.

Usually called "Putin's chef", Prigozhin's company catered for the Kremlin. He is wanted by the FBI "for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the United States".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wion-global-summit-live-if-we-dont-change-our-ways-crises-wont-end-says-ian-goldin-372686" hreflang="en">Global Summit LIVE: If we don't change our ways, crises won't end — Ian Goldin</a>

Prigozhin was indicted by the US three years ago for allegedly meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections.

He has now written to the FBI calling it to be a violation of human rights under international law. "The FBI must immediately cease offering a monetary award to the public for my capture and delivery to the United States as this violates several principles of human rights under international law," he wrote.

His company, Concord, has taken to a social media platform, Vkontakte, on Wednesday, and reported that the company has written to the FBI chief Christopher Wray on March 23 regarding this matter.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-gets-covid-vaccine-kremlin-refuses-to-share-details-372644" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-gets-covid-vaccine-kremlin-refuses-to-share-details-372644&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwig06DM38jvAhXtwzgGHcyXDqsQFjACegQICBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3og41GqXqOQxyiOKnfXZcf" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-gets-covid-vaccine-kremlin-refuses-to-share-details-372644" target="_blank">Putin gets Covid vaccine; Kremlin refuses to share details</a>

Concord has also claimed that Prigozhinrgeted unf is being taairly. "Fraudsters are fraudulently trying to accuse me, a squeaky clean person, of fraud," the company said in a statement.

He has also been named for allegedly funding the &nbsp;Internet Research Agency, a so-called troll farm in Saint Petersburg reported to have waged an online campaign in support of then-candidate Donald Trump in the 2016 US election.

The Kremlin aide has been linked to Wagner private military group, which allegedly sent mercenaries to conflicts in Africa and the Middle East. 
&nbsp;

Kremlin-linked businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin has urged the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to remove his name from the list of wanted criminals, alleging it to be a human rights principles violation.

Kremlin-linked businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin has urged the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to remove his name from the list of wanted criminals, alleging it to be a human rights principles violation. Usually called "Putin's chef", Prigozhin's company catered for the Kremlin. He is wanted by the FBI "for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the United States". Global Summit LIVE: If we don't change our ways, crises won't end — Ian Goldin Prigozhin was indicted by the US three years ago for allegedly meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections. He has now written to the FBI calling it to be a violation of human rights under international law. "The FBI must immediately cease offering a monetary award to the public for my capture and delivery to the United States as this violates several principles of human rights under international law," he wrote. His company, Concord, has taken to a social media platform, Vkontakte, on Wednesday, and reported that the company has written to the FBI chief Christopher Wray on March 23 regarding this matter. Also read | Putin gets Covid vaccine; Kremlin refuses to share details Concord has also claimed that Prigozhinrgeted unf is being taairly. "Fraudsters are fraudulently trying to accuse me, a squeaky clean person, of fraud," the company said in a statement. He has also been named for allegedly funding the Internet Research Agency, a so-called troll farm in Saint Petersburg reported to have waged an online campaign in support of then-candidate Donald Trump in the 2016 US election. The Kremlin aide has been linked to Wagner private military group, which allegedly sent mercenaries to conflicts in Africa and the Middle East.

'Putin's chef' urges FBI to remove his name from wanted list of criminals

Moscow said Monday it regretted that Washington did not respond to President Vladimir Putin's proposal to organise a live debate with US President Joe Biden.

"One more opportunity has been passed up to look for a way out of the dead-end in Russia-US ties," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. "Responsibility for that rests fully with the United States."

In an interview last week the new Democratic president agreed with an interviewer who asked if he thought the Russian leader was a "killer," prompting Putin to respond with a Russian playground chant that "he who said it, did it."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prepared-for-worst-kremlin-on-possible-new-cold-war-with-us-371691">'Prepared for worst': Kremlin on possible new Cold War with US</a>

On Friday, the Kremlin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Putin's offer of talks remained open and that Putin could do any time that was convenient for Biden, though the offer would not stay on the table indefinitely.

US President Biden's comments sparked the biggest crisis between Russia and the United States in years, with Moscow recalling its ambassador for consultations and warning that ties were on the brink of outright "collapse".

Moscow and Washington share a mutual distrust that flared after the Kremlin's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014.

Ties deteriorated over Russia's alleged meddling in the US elections in 2016 and more recently when the West concluded that Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was poisoned last summer with a Soviet-designed nerve agent.

But the two countries have continued cooperation on issues of shared interest, including the Iran nuclear deal and the Afghanistan peace process.

The US Commerce Department announced this week it was toughening export restrictions imposed on Russia as punishment for Navalny's poisoning in August.

Over the past few decades Russia has rarely recalled its ambassadors.

Moscow last summoned its envoy in the US in 1998 over a Western bombing campaign in Iraq.

In 2014, during the fallout after the annexation of Crimea,&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;refused to recall a Washington envoy even after then US President Barack Obama said that the Russian leader would pay for his Ukraine policies.&nbsp;

Putin&nbsp;at the time said recalling an envoy would be a "measure of last resort".

Moscow said Monday it regretted that Washington did not respond to President Vladimir Putin's proposal to organise a live debate with US President Joe Biden. "One more opportunity has been passed up to look for a way out of the dead-end in Russia-US ties," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Moscow said Monday it regretted that Washington did not respond to President Vladimir Putin's proposal to organise a live debate with US President Joe Biden. "One more opportunity has been passed up to look for a way out of the dead-end in Russia-US ties," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. "Responsibility for that rests fully with the United States." In an interview last week the new Democratic president agreed with an interviewer who asked if he thought the Russian leader was a "killer," prompting Putin to respond with a Russian playground chant that "he who said it, did it." Also read| 'Prepared for worst': Kremlin on possible new Cold War with US On Friday, the Kremlin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Putin's offer of talks remained open and that Putin could do any time that was convenient for Biden, though the offer would not stay on the table indefinitely. US President Biden's comments sparked the biggest crisis between Russia and the United States in years, with Moscow recalling its ambassador for consultations and warning that ties were on the brink of outright "collapse". Moscow and Washington share a mutual distrust that flared after the Kremlin's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014. Ties deteriorated over Russia's alleged meddling in the US elections in 2016 and more recently when the West concluded that Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was poisoned last summer with a Soviet-designed nerve agent. But the two countries have continued cooperation on issues of shared interest, including the Iran nuclear deal and the Afghanistan peace process. The US Commerce Department announced this week it was toughening export restrictions imposed on Russia as punishment for Navalny's poisoning in August. Over the past few decades Russia has rarely recalled its ambassadors. Moscow last summoned its envoy in the US in 1998 over a Western bombing campaign in Iraq. In 2014, during the fallout after the annexation of Crimea, Putin refused to recall a Washington envoy even after then US President Barack Obama said that the Russian leader would pay for his Ukraine policies. Putin at the time said recalling an envoy would be a "measure of last resort".

Russia says regrets US refusal to attend Putin-Biden live debate

Diplomacy is a subtle art. American journalist Isaac Goldberg called it the nicest way of doing the nastiest things. By and large, world leaders have followed this. Even while condemning their counterparts, there is a semblance of respect, but sometimes they drop the pretence, and when they do, there can be consequences.

The already strained ties between the US and Russia are on the verge of collapse because Joe Biden let loose in a recent interview and said "I do" when asked if he thinks Putin is a "killer". He also called Putin a "man with no soul".

Biden was addressing the US report that accused Russia of meddling in the 2020 elections while cheering for Donald Trump.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/takes-one-to-know-one-putin-strikes-back-on-bidens-killer-comment-371402">'Takes one to know one': Putin strikes back on Biden's 'killer' comment</a>

Putin, a&nbsp;former KGB officer, a survivor of the cold war and Russia's ruler for the past two decades, too, returned the compliment. "Takes one to know one," is what Putin told Biden.

Both sides are on the offensive but they are also leaving the door open for strategic cooperation. Putin says Russia will work on its own terms and Biden is talking about making Russia pay.

However, truth be told, the US president may have crossed a line and Russia is not going to let this go. The Kremlin wants an apology from the president of the United States. In addition to this, Russia has recalled its envoy to Washington. It says it wants to halt the irreversible deterioration of ties.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-dismisses-us-reports-on-poll-meddling-as-biden-doubles-down-on-allegations-371153">Russia dismisses US reports on poll meddling as Biden doubles down on allegations</a>

While both the presidents are well within their rights to criticise each other and sanction each other, language plays an important role in diplomacy.

In 2006's UNGA, the speaker, Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez, called the then-US President George Bush a "devil".&nbsp;

Understandably, America was outraged. Democrat Nancy Pelosi defended her Republican president, who had rock bottom approval ratings at that point.

While Biden has Russia to deal with now, he also got belligerent China and North Korea to tackle.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-joe-biden-calls-vladimir-putin-a-killer-371517">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-joe-biden-calls-vladimir-putin-a-killer-371517/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, America is shoring up its alliances in Asia. Top diplomat Antony Blinken and Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin are wrapping up the second leg of their tour in South Korea. They held 2+2 dialogues with their South Korean counterparts and also met president Moon Jae-in.

The top priority was denuclearising the Korean peninsula. Secretary Blinken said the US was considering its options but the problem is that North Korea doesn't seem interested. The US has been reaching out since mid-February but Pyongyang calls it a cheap trick.

US-Japan-South Korea alliance is the bulwark against the north but as they exert more pressure, North Korea is moving closer to its only ally — China.

On his return journey from Seoul, Antony Blinken will make a stop in Alaska where he will meet top Chinese officials including foreign minister Wang Yi. This will be the first meeting between the two sides under the Biden administration.

Chinese officials have already clarified two issues: no compromise on Xinjiang or Hong Kong, but the US will most likely raise them anyway. Beijing wants a rollback of Trump-era policies which Biden will not be willing to agree to because Biden and Trump disagreed on most issues but China wasn't one of them.

Blinken will arrive in Alaska with a lot of momentum. He's just been to Japan and South Korea — key Pacific allies of the US. It's almost certain that the White House choreographed the visit this way.

Many are raising the question if a meeting of the two presidents is on the cards, but both sides are tight-lipped. However, US media reports indicate China is interested. If the meeting goes well, China could seek a summit.

The date April 22, which is celebrated as Earth Day, keeps popping up. Climate change will be the focus. However, the rest remains to be seen.

Diplomacy is a subtle art. American journalist Isaac Goldberg called it the nicest way of doing the nastiest things. By and large, world leaders have followed this.

Diplomacy is a subtle art. American journalist Isaac Goldberg called it the nicest way of doing the nastiest things. By and large, world leaders have followed this. Even while condemning their counterparts, there is a semblance of respect, but sometimes they drop the pretence, and when they do, there can be consequences. The already strained ties between the US and Russia are on the verge of collapse because Joe Biden let loose in a recent interview and said "I do" when asked if he thinks Putin is a "killer". He also called Putin a "man with no soul". Biden was addressing the US report that accused Russia of meddling in the 2020 elections while cheering for Donald Trump. Also read | 'Takes one to know one': Putin strikes back on Biden's 'killer' comment Putin, a former KGB officer, a survivor of the cold war and Russia's ruler for the past two decades, too, returned the compliment. "Takes one to know one," is what Putin told Biden. Both sides are on the offensive but they are also leaving the door open for strategic cooperation. Putin says Russia will work on its own terms and Biden is talking about making Russia pay. However, truth be told, the US president may have crossed a line and Russia is not going to let this go. The Kremlin wants an apology from the president of the United States. In addition to this, Russia has recalled its envoy to Washington. It says it wants to halt the irreversible deterioration of ties. Also read | Russia dismisses US reports on poll meddling as Biden doubles down on allegations While both the presidents are well within their rights to criticise each other and sanction each other, language plays an important role in diplomacy. In 2006's UNGA, the speaker, Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez, called the then-US President George Bush a "devil". Understandably, America was outraged. Democrat Nancy Pelosi defended her Republican president, who had rock bottom approval ratings at that point. While Biden has Russia to deal with now, he also got belligerent China and North Korea to tackle. Watch | Meanwhile, America is shoring up its alliances in Asia. Top diplomat Antony Blinken and Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin are wrapping up the second leg of their tour in South Korea. They held 2+2 dialogues with their South Korean counterparts and also met president Moon Jae-in. The top priority was denuclearising the Korean peninsula. Secretary Blinken said the US was considering its options but the problem is that North Korea doesn't seem interested. The US has been reaching out since mid-February but Pyongyang calls it a cheap trick. US-Japan-South Korea alliance is the bulwark against the north but as they exert more pressure, North Korea is moving closer to its only ally — China. On his return journey from Seoul, Antony Blinken will make a stop in Alaska where he will meet top Chinese officials including foreign minister Wang Yi. This will be the first meeting between the two sides under the Biden administration. Chinese officials have already clarified two issues: no compromise on Xinjiang or Hong Kong, but the US will most likely raise them anyway. Beijing wants a rollback of Trump-era policies which Biden will not be willing to agree to because Biden and Trump disagreed on most issues but China wasn't one of them. Blinken will arrive in Alaska with a lot of momentum. He's just been to Japan and South Korea — key Pacific allies of the US. It's almost certain that the White House choreographed the visit this way. Many are raising the question if a meeting of the two presidents is on the cards, but both sides are tight-lipped. However, US media reports indicate China is interested. If the meeting goes well, China could seek a summit. The date April 22, which is celebrated as Earth Day, keeps popping up. Climate change will be the focus. However, the rest remains to be seen.

Subtle art of diplomacy: Biden and Putin engage in verbal spat

The Kremlin on Friday said that it is ''prepared for the worst''&nbsp;when it was asked about the possibility of a new Cold War between the United States and Russia.

It comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;mocked Joe Biden for calling him a "killer", saying "it takes one to know one", as ties between Moscow and Washington sank to new lows.

US President Biden's comments sparked the biggest crisis between Russia and the United States in years, with Moscow recalling its ambassador for consultations and warning that ties were on the brink of outright "collapse".

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-joe-biden-calls-vladimir-putin-a-killer-371517/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

On Friday, the Kremlin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Putin's offer of talks remained open and that Putin could do any time that was convenient for Biden, though the offer would not stay on the table indefinitely.

"Putin said that despite everything there's no point in playing at megaphone diplomacy and trading barbs. There is a point in continuing relations," Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

He was asked about a new Cold War between the two countries.

"We, of course, always hope for the best but are always ready for the worst. As far as Russia is concerned, President Putin has clearly stated his desire to continue ties...," he said.

"But of course, we cannot take into account Biden's comments," he said, in a reference to Biden's interview with ABC News broadcast on Wednesday.

In it, Biden said "I do" when asked if he believed Putin was a killer, prompting Putin to cite a Russian children's playground chant in response saying "he who said it, did it".

Moscow and Washington share a mutual distrust that flared after the Kremlin's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014.

Ties deteriorated over Russia's alleged meddling in the US elections in 2016 and more recently when the West concluded that Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was poisoned last summer with a Soviet-designed nerve agent.

But the two countries have continued cooperation on issues of shared interest, including the Iran nuclear deal and the Afghanistan peace process.

The US Commerce Department announced this week it was toughening export restrictions imposed on Russia as punishment for Navalny's poisoning in August.

Over the past few decades Russia has rarely recalled its ambassadors.

Moscow last summoned its envoy in the US in 1998 over a Western bombing campaign in Iraq.

In 2014, during the fallout after the annexation of Crimea,&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;refused to recall a Washington envoy even after then US President Barack Obama said that the Russian leader would pay for his Ukraine policies.&nbsp;

Putin&nbsp;at the time said recalling an envoy would be a "measure of last resort".

The Kremlin on Friday said that it is ''prepared for the worst'' when it was asked about the possibility of a new Cold War between the United States and Russia. It comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin mocked Joe Biden for calling him a "killer", saying "it takes one to know one", as ties between Moscow and Washington sank to new lows.

The Kremlin on Friday said that it is ''prepared for the worst'' when it was asked about the possibility of a new Cold War between the United States and Russia. It comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin mocked Joe Biden for calling him a "killer", saying "it takes one to know one", as ties between Moscow and Washington sank to new lows. US President Biden's comments sparked the biggest crisis between Russia and the United States in years, with Moscow recalling its ambassador for consultations and warning that ties were on the brink of outright "collapse". On Friday, the Kremlin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said Putin's offer of talks remained open and that Putin could do any time that was convenient for Biden, though the offer would not stay on the table indefinitely. "Putin said that despite everything there's no point in playing at megaphone diplomacy and trading barbs. There is a point in continuing relations," Peskov told reporters on a conference call. He was asked about a new Cold War between the two countries. "We, of course, always hope for the best but are always ready for the worst. As far as Russia is concerned, President Putin has clearly stated his desire to continue ties...," he said. "But of course, we cannot take into account Biden's comments," he said, in a reference to Biden's interview with ABC News broadcast on Wednesday. In it, Biden said "I do" when asked if he believed Putin was a killer, prompting Putin to cite a Russian children's playground chant in response saying "he who said it, did it". Moscow and Washington share a mutual distrust that flared after the Kremlin's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014. Ties deteriorated over Russia's alleged meddling in the US elections in 2016 and more recently when the West concluded that Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was poisoned last summer with a Soviet-designed nerve agent. But the two countries have continued cooperation on issues of shared interest, including the Iran nuclear deal and the Afghanistan peace process. The US Commerce Department announced this week it was toughening export restrictions imposed on Russia as punishment for Navalny's poisoning in August. Over the past few decades Russia has rarely recalled its ambassadors. Moscow last summoned its envoy in the US in 1998 over a Western bombing campaign in Iraq. In 2014, during the fallout after the annexation of Crimea, Putin refused to recall a Washington envoy even after then US President Barack Obama said that the Russian leader would pay for his Ukraine policies. Putin at the time said recalling an envoy would be a "measure of last resort".

'Prepared for worst': Kremlin on possible new Cold War with US

A few days after Moscow warned social media platform, Twitter, to remove banned content or face a ban, Russia's media watchdog has asked Twitter to delete the account of an opposition news outlet.

MBK media is a news website that is seen as a critic of the present Russian government. The media house has been accused of posting content that shows Russia in a negative light and labels the country as 'undesirable, MBK said.

The website is funded by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky but was blocked by Russia in 2018. MBK claims the Kremlin has asked Twitter to suspend its account citing a violation of Russian law.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-gives-twitter-one-month-to-remove-banned-content-370938">&nbsp;Russia gives Twitter one month to remove 'banned' content</a>

Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, claims MBK's Twitter account contains anti-Russia material.&nbsp;

"The editorial office has not received any warnings from Roskomnadzor," MBK media’s editor-in-chief Veronica Kutsyllo said. "MBK media ... is a media organisation that has no relationships with any organisations, desirable or undesirable from the point of view of Roskomnadzor."

Kutsyllo also assured that MBK media does not "publish anyone's material except our own".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-biden-talks-about-putins-interference-in-us-elections-371382">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-biden-talks-about-putins-interference-in-us-elections-371382/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He also added that the media house had not received any warning and the watchdog had not informed MBK about any problem regarding the website's material.

"[The state] has been pursuing this new tactic for some time, putting pressure on networks and providers without first warning their potential ‘victims’," Kutsyllo said.

This has come after Russia had slowed down the speed of Twitter citing the alleged uncooperative nature of the social media platform regarding several "banned content".

"Twitter is not reacting to our requests as they should. If the situation carries on then it will be blocked in a month without a court order," Vadim Subbotin, deputy head of the regulator, told the Interfax news agency.

A few days after Moscow warned social media platform, Twitter, to remove banned content or face a ban, Russia's media watchdog has asked Twitter to delete the account of an opposition news outlet.

A few days after Moscow warned social media platform, Twitter, to remove banned content or face a ban, Russia's media watchdog has asked Twitter to delete the account of an opposition news outlet. MBK media is a news website that is seen as a critic of the present Russian government. The media house has been accused of posting content that shows Russia in a negative light and labels the country as 'undesirable, MBK said. The website is funded by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky but was blocked by Russia in 2018. MBK claims the Kremlin has asked Twitter to suspend its account citing a violation of Russian law. Also read | Russia gives Twitter one month to remove 'banned' content Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, claims MBK's Twitter account contains anti-Russia material. "The editorial office has not received any warnings from Roskomnadzor," MBK media’s editor-in-chief Veronica Kutsyllo said. "MBK media ... is a media organisation that has no relationships with any organisations, desirable or undesirable from the point of view of Roskomnadzor." Kutsyllo also assured that MBK media does not "publish anyone's material except our own". Watch | He also added that the media house had not received any warning and the watchdog had not informed MBK about any problem regarding the website's material. "[The state] has been pursuing this new tactic for some time, putting pressure on networks and providers without first warning their potential ‘victims’," Kutsyllo said. This has come after Russia had slowed down the speed of Twitter citing the alleged uncooperative nature of the social media platform regarding several "banned content". "Twitter is not reacting to our requests as they should. If the situation carries on then it will be blocked in a month without a court order," Vadim Subbotin, deputy head of the regulator, told the Interfax news agency.

Russian watchdog asks Twitter to delete opposition's content: Reports

Almost a day after US President Joe Biden agreed that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, is a 'killer', the latter has broken his silence. Putin, on Thursday, talking about Biden's comment said&nbsp;it "takes one to know one".

The Russian President also acknowledged Biden's statement about the two leaders knowing each other well. "As for the statement by my American counterpart, we really are, as he said, personally acquainted. What would I answer him? I would tell him: stay healthy! I wish him good health," Putin said in televised remarks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-dismisses-us-reports-on-poll-meddling-as-biden-doubles-down-on-allegations-371153">Russia dismisses US reports on poll meddling as Biden doubles down on allegations</a>

He also pointed out that people usually project onto others what they think about themselves. "There have been many difficult, dramatic, and bloody events in the history of each nation. But when we assess other people, when we assess other states, other peoples, we are always looking in the mirror. We always see ourselves there."

Putin added that Moscow would not sever ties with Washington but would work with the US on terms "beneficial" to Russia.

His&nbsp;statement came a few minutes after Kremlin expressed disappointment in the weakening relationship between the two countries. On Thursday, the Kremlin said it is clear that Joe Biden has no interest in improving the strained relationship between the two countries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-recalls-washington-envoy-for-consultations-371250">Russia recalls Washington envoy for consultations&nbsp;</a>

"These statements from the president of the United States are very bad. It is clear that he does not want to get the relationship with our country back on track, and we will proceed from that," the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

This has come after Biden, during an interview, said "I do" when asked if he thinks Putin is a 'killer'.&nbsp;The US President had also claimed that Putin will "pay a price" for allegedly meddling in the US election 2020.

"I know him [Putin] relatively well," Biden said, recalling his conversation with the Russian ruler in January 2021. "The most important thing dealing with foreign leaders in my experience [...] is just know the other guy," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-biden-talks-about-putins-interference-in-us-elections-371382">Watch |</a>&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-biden-talks-about-putins-interference-in-us-elections-371382/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Biden had also described Putin to have no soul, which is the first time the newly-elected President has passed such a harsh statement on some foreign leader.

These claims, however, have been declined by the Kremlin and recalled the Russian envoy back to the country for consultations on ties with the US to prevent an 'irreversible deterioration' in relations.&nbsp;

"The Russian ambassador in Washington, Anatoly Antonov, has been invited to come to Moscow for consultations conducted with the aim of analysing what should be done and where to go in the context of ties with the United States," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chairman of parliament’s upper house, took to Facebook to condemn Biden's comments, which Kremlin claims are an attack on Russia as a whole.

“I suspect it will not be the last one if no explanation or apology follows from the American side,” Kosachyov said in a Facebook post. "This kind of assessment is not allowed from the mouth of a statesman of such a rank. This kind of statement is not acceptable under any circumstances."

Almost a day after US President Joe Biden agreed that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, is a 'killer', the latter has broken his silence. Putin, on Thursday, talking about Biden's comment said it "takes one to know one".

Almost a day after US President Joe Biden agreed that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, is a 'killer', the latter has broken his silence. Putin, on Thursday, talking about Biden's comment said it "takes one to know one". The Russian President also acknowledged Biden's statement about the two leaders knowing each other well. "As for the statement by my American counterpart, we really are, as he said, personally acquainted. What would I answer him? I would tell him: stay healthy! I wish him good health," Putin said in televised remarks. Also read | Russia dismisses US reports on poll meddling as Biden doubles down on allegations He also pointed out that people usually project onto others what they think about themselves. "There have been many difficult, dramatic, and bloody events in the history of each nation. But when we assess other people, when we assess other states, other peoples, we are always looking in the mirror. We always see ourselves there." Putin added that Moscow would not sever ties with Washington but would work with the US on terms "beneficial" to Russia. His statement came a few minutes after Kremlin expressed disappointment in the weakening relationship between the two countries. On Thursday, the Kremlin said it is clear that Joe Biden has no interest in improving the strained relationship between the two countries. Also read | Russia recalls Washington envoy for consultations "These statements from the president of the United States are very bad. It is clear that he does not want to get the relationship with our country back on track, and we will proceed from that," the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. This has come after Biden, during an interview, said "I do" when asked if he thinks Putin is a 'killer'. The US President had also claimed that Putin will "pay a price" for allegedly meddling in the US election 2020. "I know him [Putin] relatively well," Biden said, recalling his conversation with the Russian ruler in January 2021. "The most important thing dealing with foreign leaders in my experience [...] is just know the other guy," he added. Watch | Biden had also described Putin to have no soul, which is the first time the newly-elected President has passed such a harsh statement on some foreign leader. These claims, however, have been declined by the Kremlin and recalled the Russian envoy back to the country for consultations on ties with the US to prevent an 'irreversible deterioration' in relations. "The Russian ambassador in Washington, Anatoly Antonov, has been invited to come to Moscow for consultations conducted with the aim of analysing what should be done and where to go in the context of ties with the United States," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. Meanwhile, Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chairman of parliament’s upper house, took to Facebook to condemn Biden's comments, which Kremlin claims are an attack on Russia as a whole. “I suspect it will not be the last one if no explanation or apology follows from the American side,” Kosachyov said in a Facebook post. "This kind of assessment is not allowed from the mouth of a statesman of such a rank. This kind of statement is not acceptable under any circumstances."

'Takes one to know one': Putin strikes back on Biden's 'killer' comment

Russia's media regulator Roskomnadzor on Tuesday gave Twitter a one-month ultimatum to remove "banned" content, threatening to consider blocking the social media platform within the country if it does not comply.

Last week Roskomnadzor started disrupting Twitter's services in Russia, saying the US platform failed to comply with its requests to delete content related to child pornography, drug use and calls for minors to commit suicide.

"We have taken a month and are watching Twitter's response to the removal of banned content," Roskomnadzor deputy head Vadim Subbotin told the state-run TASS news agency.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-claims-he-is-locked-up-in-concentration-camp-outside-moscow-370910" hreflang="en">Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny claims he is locked up in 'concentration camp' outside Moscow</a>

He added that if Twitter does not comply in that time period, the media regulator "will consider the question of completely blocking the service" on Russian territory.

Subbotin also told the Interfax news agency that Twitter has not taken any "specific steps" to remove the prohibited content.

Russian authorities have in recent months increased pressure on Western social media platforms, especially those hosting content supporting jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.&nbsp;

Roskomnadzor last week said it had started slowing down the speed of photo and video content for all mobile users and 50 percent of desktop users in Russia.

A Twitter spokesperson last week told AFP that the company does not support "any unlawful behaviour" and is "deeply concerned by increased attempts to block and throttle online public conversation".

Russia's media regulator Roskomnadzor on Tuesday gave Twitter a one-month ultimatum to remove "banned" content, threatening to consider blocking the social media platform within the country if it does not comply.

Russia's media regulator Roskomnadzor on Tuesday gave Twitter a one-month ultimatum to remove "banned" content, threatening to consider blocking the social media platform within the country if it does not comply. Last week Roskomnadzor started disrupting Twitter's services in Russia, saying the US platform failed to comply with its requests to delete content related to child pornography, drug use and calls for minors to commit suicide. "We have taken a month and are watching Twitter's response to the removal of banned content," Roskomnadzor deputy head Vadim Subbotin told the state-run TASS news agency. Also read| Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny claims he is locked up in 'concentration camp' outside Moscow He added that if Twitter does not comply in that time period, the media regulator "will consider the question of completely blocking the service" on Russian territory. Subbotin also told the Interfax news agency that Twitter has not taken any "specific steps" to remove the prohibited content. Russian authorities have in recent months increased pressure on Western social media platforms, especially those hosting content supporting jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Roskomnadzor last week said it had started slowing down the speed of photo and video content for all mobile users and 50 percent of desktop users in Russia. A Twitter spokesperson last week told AFP that the company does not support "any unlawful behaviour" and is "deeply concerned by increased attempts to block and throttle online public conversation".

Russia gives Twitter one month to remove 'banned' content

Kremlin critic Alexei&nbsp;Navalny, who is serving a two-and-half-year jail term in a penal colony outside Moscow, has claimed that he was locked up in a "real concentration camp".

His comments were the first confirmation of widespread reports that the Russian opposition politician would be spending his sentence at one of the most notorious facilities in Russia's extensive network of over 600 work colonies.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-to-russia-end-persecution-of-independent-voices-370388/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Navalny's precise location had been unknown after his legal team said last week that he had been moved from the nearby Kolchugino jail and that they had not been told where he was being taken.

On Monday,&nbsp;Navalny said&nbsp;he was fine and being held at the IK-2 corrective penal colony in the town of Pokrov, about 100 km east of Moscow.

"Hi everyone from 'Heightened control sector A',"&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;said in a message posted online shortly after his lawyers visited him at the facility.

"I have to admit that the Russian prison system has managed to surprise me. I never imagined that it was possible to build a real concentration camp 100 kilometres from Moscow".

Woken up 'every hour'&nbsp;

Navalny&nbsp;said he had not yet seen any hints of violence at the colony, but because of the "tense posture of the convicts", he can "easily believe" previous reports of brutality.

The post was accompanied by a picture of&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;sitting on a sofa with his hair cropped close to his head.

Navalny, 44, one of President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critics, was jailed earlier this year for parole violations in a decision that the West has condemned as politically motivated.

He is due to serve out a two-and-a-half-year sentence and is only able to communicate with the outside world via his lawyers.

The Instagram post said that swearing was banned at the facility and that the ban was widely observed by fellow inmates who seemed scared to turn their heads twice.

He said he had not seen any prison violence or suggestion of it himself, but could believe stories he had heard about past cases of violence.

"There are video cameras everywhere, they keep watch on everyone and make reports for the slightest infractions. I think someone high up has read 1984 by Orwell," he said.

He said he was woken up every hour during the night because he had been deemed a flight risk.

"But if you regard everything with humour, you can live here. So on the whole, everything is fine with me," he said.

Navalny&nbsp;returned to Russia in January from Germany, where he had been recuperating after allegedly being poisoned with what many Western nations claimed was a nerve agent. The Kremlin has denied any involvement and questioned claims that he was poisoned.

Western countries have called for&nbsp;Navalny's release, and the United States and European Union have imposed sanctions against Russian officials over the case.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who is serving a two-and-half-year jail term in a penal colony outside Moscow, has claimed that he was locked up in a "real concentration camp".

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who is serving a two-and-half-year jail term in a penal colony outside Moscow, has claimed that he was locked up in a "real concentration camp". His comments were the first confirmation of widespread reports that the Russian opposition politician would be spending his sentence at one of the most notorious facilities in Russia's extensive network of over 600 work colonies. Navalny's precise location had been unknown after his legal team said last week that he had been moved from the nearby Kolchugino jail and that they had not been told where he was being taken. On Monday, Navalny said he was fine and being held at the IK-2 corrective penal colony in the town of Pokrov, about 100 km east of Moscow. "Hi everyone from 'Heightened control sector A'," Navalny said in a message posted online shortly after his lawyers visited him at the facility. "I have to admit that the Russian prison system has managed to surprise me. I never imagined that it was possible to build a real concentration camp 100 kilometres from Moscow". Woken up 'every hour' Navalny said he had not yet seen any hints of violence at the colony, but because of the "tense posture of the convicts", he can "easily believe" previous reports of brutality. The post was accompanied by a picture of Navalny sitting on a sofa with his hair cropped close to his head. Navalny, 44, one of President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critics, was jailed earlier this year for parole violations in a decision that the West has condemned as politically motivated. He is due to serve out a two-and-a-half-year sentence and is only able to communicate with the outside world via his lawyers. The Instagram post said that swearing was banned at the facility and that the ban was widely observed by fellow inmates who seemed scared to turn their heads twice. He said he had not seen any prison violence or suggestion of it himself, but could believe stories he had heard about past cases of violence. "There are video cameras everywhere, they keep watch on everyone and make reports for the slightest infractions. I think someone high up has read 1984 by Orwell," he said. He said he was woken up every hour during the night because he had been deemed a flight risk. "But if you regard everything with humour, you can live here. So on the whole, everything is fine with me," he said. Navalny returned to Russia in January from Germany, where he had been recuperating after allegedly being poisoned with what many Western nations claimed was a nerve agent. The Kremlin has denied any involvement and questioned claims that he was poisoned. Western countries have called for Navalny's release, and the United States and European Union have imposed sanctions against Russian officials over the case.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny claims he is locked up in 'concentration camp' outside Moscow

Senior members of the Taliban will attend talks with the Kabul government in Moscow this week to discuss the future of war-ravaged Afghanistan, the insurgent group said on Monday.

The two sides are due to meet at Russia's invitation ahead of a May deadline for US President Joe Biden to decide whether to end the two-decade military involvement in the ravaged country.

Washington has encouraged the Afghan leadership to work towards establishing an "inclusive" government and peace accord amid fears of rapid Taliban gains once US troops leave.

"A high-level delegation of 10 members of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, led by (Taliban co-founder) Mullah Baradar Akhund... will attend the meeting held in Moscow," tweeted Mohammad Naeem, spokesman for the Taliban office in Qatar.

The United States, despite tensions with Russia, has welcomed Moscow's role and also consulted its other rival China as diplomacy steps up.

Biden is wrapping up a review on whether to stick to an agreement with the Taliban negotiated by his predecessor Donald Trump who wanted to pull the last US troops from Afghanistan by May.

The Biden administration has signalled that it wants to take a hard look at Trump's deal and its repercussions for Afghanistan and regional stability.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote a letter to Afghan leaders encouraging them to consider a "new, inclusive government".

He also proposed that talks take place within weeks in Turkey to seal a comprehensive peace deal with the Taliban.

Turkey plans to host an Afghan peace conference in Istanbul in April, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu&nbsp;said last week.

The Russian and Turkish initiatives will run alongside the Qatar-hosted talks between the Afghan government in Doha which have been ongoing with long pauses since September 2020. &nbsp;

Cavusoglu has signalled that he did not necessarily expect the Istanbul meeting to produce an immediate breakthrough.

Senior members of the Taliban will attend talks with the Kabul government in Moscow this week to discuss the future of war-ravaged Afghanistan, the insurgent group said on Monday.

Senior members of the Taliban will attend talks with the Kabul government in Moscow this week to discuss the future of war-ravaged Afghanistan, the insurgent group said on Monday. The two sides are due to meet at Russia's invitation ahead of a May deadline for US President Joe Biden to decide whether to end the two-decade military involvement in the ravaged country. Washington has encouraged the Afghan leadership to work towards establishing an "inclusive" government and peace accord amid fears of rapid Taliban gains once US troops leave. "A high-level delegation of 10 members of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, led by (Taliban co-founder) Mullah Baradar Akhund... will attend the meeting held in Moscow," tweeted Mohammad Naeem, spokesman for the Taliban office in Qatar. The United States, despite tensions with Russia, has welcomed Moscow's role and also consulted its other rival China as diplomacy steps up. Biden is wrapping up a review on whether to stick to an agreement with the Taliban negotiated by his predecessor Donald Trump who wanted to pull the last US troops from Afghanistan by May. The Biden administration has signalled that it wants to take a hard look at Trump's deal and its repercussions for Afghanistan and regional stability. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote a letter to Afghan leaders encouraging them to consider a "new, inclusive government". He also proposed that talks take place within weeks in Turkey to seal a comprehensive peace deal with the Taliban. Turkey plans to host an Afghan peace conference in Istanbul in April, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said last week. The Russian and Turkish initiatives will run alongside the Qatar-hosted talks between the Afghan government in Doha which have been ongoing with long pauses since September 2020. Cavusoglu has signalled that he did not necessarily expect the Istanbul meeting to produce an immediate breakthrough.

Taliban to attend Afghan peace talks in Moscow

Russia is waging a war on social media as it has sued America's big three tech giants. It is threatening to ban Twitter.&nbsp;

The story of social media regulations began with the arrest and sentencing of Kremlin critic&nbsp;Alexei Navalny, who was allegedly poisoned last year. It triggered a wave of protests in major Russian cities.

ALso read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/while-slowing-down-twitter-russia-ends-up-shutting-down-its-own-state-websites-reports-369506" hreflang="en">While slowing down Twitter, Russia ends up shutting down its own state websites: Reports</a>

Early on, the security forces were overwhelmed but they soon struck back. There was a crackdown and a large part of this mobilisation was done on social media. Twitter hashtags and Facebook groups were used to organise protests, to decide where to gather, what posters to bring and such.

It was a powerful tool in the hands of protesters, but Russia says it is being misused.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-is-russia-fighting-twitter-369527/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Local media alleged in unverified reports that a few social media posts encouraged children to join the public protests.

While inflammatory posts may have been the immediate trigger, Russia was always mulling a social media crackdown. The first indication came from President Putin himself who said the internet must respect not only formal laws but also moral ones.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-disrupting-twitter-over-illegal-content-369358">Russia says disrupting Twitter over 'illegal' content</a>

"We had discussions about certain restrictions on the internet. The internet has already penetrated into all spheres of our lives... It must obey not just the laws of formal, legal rules, but also the moral laws of the society in which we live, otherwise, this society will collapse from the inside. And there (online) we, unfortunately, encounter not only calls to take to the streets for unauthorised street actions," he said.&nbsp;

Twitter, Google and Facebook, each have three cases against them. The violations carry a fine of up to $54,000, which is negligible for the companies. However, it is not about the money, but about sending a message.

Even before the companies had time to respond, Russia had slowed down Twitter. Its operating speed was curbed in 100 per cent of all mobile devices and 50 per cent of all non-mobile devices. This time, the internet regulator gave a different reason. It claimed Twitter was reportedly ignoring Russia's requests to delete objectionable content including child pornography, graphic details of drug abuse and abetment of suicide.

There were 3,000 such posts and apparently repeated requests to remove them were ignored by Twitter, as per Russia.

Russians are used to policing on the streets, but digital policing is new and people are rightly worried. What they fear is a China-style crackdown on the internet. The Kremlin has assured that this is not the case.

However, the battle between the state and social media isn't new.&nbsp;While blocking inflammatory content is justified, using it as a cover for suppressing dissent is not. Similar Russian efforts in the past have ended in failure. In 2018, Moscow tried to ban Telegram, but in vain as the ban was lifted a year later.&nbsp;

The recent push to curb social media has been more successful. In December, the Russian parliament backed a new set of laws and called for big fines on social media platforms. Officials are also demanding so-called digital sovereignty, which is mostly along the lines of what President Putin said.

Russia's war on social media is a sign of changing times. Until a few years ago, containing dissent was about boots on the ground. Russia has more than enough of that but dissent has now gone digital. Narratives and stories decide the outcome of struggles, and the Kremlin wants to decide which stories to hear.

Russia is waging a war on social media as it has sued America's big three tech giants. It is threatening to ban Twitter. The story of social media regulations began with the arrest and sentencing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who was allegedly poisoned last year.

Russia is waging a war on social media as it has sued America's big three tech giants. It is threatening to ban Twitter. The story of social media regulations began with the arrest and sentencing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, who was allegedly poisoned last year. It triggered a wave of protests in major Russian cities. ALso read | While slowing down Twitter, Russia ends up shutting down its own state websites: Reports Early on, the security forces were overwhelmed but they soon struck back. There was a crackdown and a large part of this mobilisation was done on social media. Twitter hashtags and Facebook groups were used to organise protests, to decide where to gather, what posters to bring and such. It was a powerful tool in the hands of protesters, but Russia says it is being misused. Watch | Local media alleged in unverified reports that a few social media posts encouraged children to join the public protests. While inflammatory posts may have been the immediate trigger, Russia was always mulling a social media crackdown. The first indication came from President Putin himself who said the internet must respect not only formal laws but also moral ones. Also read | Russia says disrupting Twitter over 'illegal' content "We had discussions about certain restrictions on the internet. The internet has already penetrated into all spheres of our lives... It must obey not just the laws of formal, legal rules, but also the moral laws of the society in which we live, otherwise, this society will collapse from the inside. And there (online) we, unfortunately, encounter not only calls to take to the streets for unauthorised street actions," he said. Twitter, Google and Facebook, each have three cases against them. The violations carry a fine of up to $54,000, which is negligible for the companies. However, it is not about the money, but about sending a message. Even before the companies had time to respond, Russia had slowed down Twitter. Its operating speed was curbed in 100 per cent of all mobile devices and 50 per cent of all non-mobile devices. This time, the internet regulator gave a different reason. It claimed Twitter was reportedly ignoring Russia's requests to delete objectionable content including child pornography, graphic details of drug abuse and abetment of suicide. There were 3,000 such posts and apparently repeated requests to remove them were ignored by Twitter, as per Russia. Russians are used to policing on the streets, but digital policing is new and people are rightly worried. What they fear is a China-style crackdown on the internet. The Kremlin has assured that this is not the case. However, the battle between the state and social media isn't new. While blocking inflammatory content is justified, using it as a cover for suppressing dissent is not. Similar Russian efforts in the past have ended in failure. In 2018, Moscow tried to ban Telegram, but in vain as the ban was lifted a year later. The recent push to curb social media has been more successful. In December, the Russian parliament backed a new set of laws and called for big fines on social media platforms. Officials are also demanding so-called digital sovereignty, which is mostly along the lines of what President Putin said. Russia's war on social media is a sign of changing times. Until a few years ago, containing dissent was about boots on the ground. Russia has more than enough of that but dissent has now gone digital. Narratives and stories decide the outcome of struggles, and the Kremlin wants to decide which stories to hear.

Social media coup: Russia slows down Twitter, files cases against Facebook and Google

While Russia was in the headlines for slowing down the speed of social media platform, Twitter, they did not realise that their actions were bringing negative effects on their own official websites.

During the day, the Kremlin website and a few other state websites were shut down, in what was being assumed as a retaliation by the US. However, it has now been reported that the shut down was a side effect of Russia's action towards Twitter.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-and-other-russian-official-websites-down-experts-doubt-us-involvement-369398">Kremlin and other Russian official websites down; experts doubt US involvement</a>

On Tuesday, Russia initiated protocols to slow down the speed of Twitter as retaliation to Twitter's alleged failure to curb and remove banned content.

Russian state communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, also threatened a total block of the social media platform if the US firm failed to comply with the demands.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-disrupting-twitter-over-illegal-content-369358">Russia says disrupting Twitter over 'illegal' content</a>

While Twitter faced tough enforcement from Russia, its own state websites also faced shutdowns. At first, reports speculated that the shut down of Russian websites of Kremlin, Prime Minister, Roskomnadzor and other state departments was a move by the US as a few days before it had warned of a cyber attack against Russia.

This move was being assumed to be from the US as the officials had recently concluded that Russia was likely involved in the controversial SolarWinds Orion attacks that had led to the disruption of several government agencies and private firms' security.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-sues-google-facebook-twitter-for-not-deleting-protest-content-report-369132">Also read |&nbsp;Russia sues Google, Facebook, Twitter for not deleting protest content: Report</a>

The disruptions of the websites also came a little after the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed to local media house, CNBC, that the US government will be taking 'a mix of actions seen and unseen' as a rebuttal to the alleged attacks from Russia, but declined to give any further details saying, 'we will not publicly discuss certain aspects of our response.'

Moscow had been busy restricting the use of Twitter in the country after, it said, the platform failed to remove the "illegal" content.&nbsp;"The slowing down will be applied on a 100% of mobile devices and on 50% of non-mobile devices," the regulator said in a statement on its website.

"If (Twitter) continues to ignore the requirements of the law, the enforcement measures will be continued in line with the response regulations (all the way to blocking)," it said.

While Russia was in the headlines for slowing down the speed of social media platform, Twitter, they did not realise that their actions were bringing negative effects on their own official websites.

While Russia was in the headlines for slowing down the speed of social media platform, Twitter, they did not realise that their actions were bringing negative effects on their own official websites. During the day, the Kremlin website and a few other state websites were shut down, in what was being assumed as a retaliation by the US. However, it has now been reported that the shut down was a side effect of Russia's action towards Twitter. Also read | Kremlin and other Russian official websites down; experts doubt US involvement On Tuesday, Russia initiated protocols to slow down the speed of Twitter as retaliation to Twitter's alleged failure to curb and remove banned content. Russian state communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, also threatened a total block of the social media platform if the US firm failed to comply with the demands. Also read | Russia says disrupting Twitter over 'illegal' content While Twitter faced tough enforcement from Russia, its own state websites also faced shutdowns. At first, reports speculated that the shut down of Russian websites of Kremlin, Prime Minister, Roskomnadzor and other state departments was a move by the US as a few days before it had warned of a cyber attack against Russia. This move was being assumed to be from the US as the officials had recently concluded that Russia was likely involved in the controversial SolarWinds Orion attacks that had led to the disruption of several government agencies and private firms' security. Also read | Russia sues Google, Facebook, Twitter for not deleting protest content: Report The disruptions of the websites also came a little after the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed to local media house, CNBC, that the US government will be taking 'a mix of actions seen and unseen' as a rebuttal to the alleged attacks from Russia, but declined to give any further details saying, 'we will not publicly discuss certain aspects of our response.' Moscow had been busy restricting the use of Twitter in the country after, it said, the platform failed to remove the "illegal" content. "The slowing down will be applied on a 100% of mobile devices and on 50% of non-mobile devices," the regulator said in a statement on its website. "If (Twitter) continues to ignore the requirements of the law, the enforcement measures will be continued in line with the response regulations (all the way to blocking)," it said.

While slowing down Twitter, Russia ends up shutting down its own state websites: Reports

Days after the US warned of a cyber attack against Russia,&nbsp;the Kremlin website and a few other official websites have stopped working.

In a surprising move, on Wednesday morning, nobody was able to open the websites of Prime Minister, Roskomnadzor and other state departments.

This has come after there were several reports claiming that the US was preparing a retaliation cyber attack against Russia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-disrupting-twitter-over-illegal-content-369358">Russia says disrupting Twitter over 'illegal' content</a>

A few sources of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/the-white-house">White House</a> told the American publication The New York Times that the first move against Vladimir Putin-ruled country is expected in the next three weeks, which will be followed with a 'series of clandestine actions across Russian networks'.

While these actions will not have a massive impact on others and will not be hugely evident to outsiders, sources believe it will send a clear message to Vladimir Putin — who has been receiving criticism over the alleged poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

This alleged move from the US has come after the officials concluded that Russia was likely involved in the controversial SolarWinds Orion attacks that had led to the disruption of several government agencies and private firms' security.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-sues-google-facebook-twitter-for-not-deleting-protest-content-report-369132">Also read |&nbsp;Russia sues Google, Facebook, Twitter for not deleting protest content: Report</a>

These disruptions of the websites have come a little after the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed to local media house, CNBC, that the US government will be taking&nbsp;'a mix of actions seen and unseen' as a rebuttal to the alleged attacks from Russia, but declined to give any further details saying, 'we will not publicly discuss certain aspects of our response.'

The description of websites also happened while&nbsp;Moscow was busy restricting the use of Twitter by slowing down its speed for users in the country over what it said was the social media platform's failure to remove "illegal" content.

"The slowing down will be applied on a 100% of mobile devices and on 50% of non-mobile devices," the regulator said in a statement on its website.

"If (Twitter) continues to ignore the requirements of the law, the enforcement measures will be continued in line with the response regulations (all the way to blocking)," it said.

Days after the US warned of a cyber attack against Russia, the Kremlin website and a few other official websites have stopped working. In a surprising move, on Wednesday morning, nobody was able to open the websites of Prime Minister, Roskomnadzor and other state departments.

Days after the US warned of a cyber attack against Russia, the Kremlin website and a few other official websites have stopped working. In a surprising move, on Wednesday morning, nobody was able to open the websites of Prime Minister, Roskomnadzor and other state departments. This has come after there were several reports claiming that the US was preparing a retaliation cyber attack against Russia. Also read | Russia says disrupting Twitter over 'illegal' content A few sources of the White House told the American publication The New York Times that the first move against Vladimir Putin-ruled country is expected in the next three weeks, which will be followed with a 'series of clandestine actions across Russian networks'. While these actions will not have a massive impact on others and will not be hugely evident to outsiders, sources believe it will send a clear message to Vladimir Putin — who has been receiving criticism over the alleged poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. This alleged move from the US has come after the officials concluded that Russia was likely involved in the controversial SolarWinds Orion attacks that had led to the disruption of several government agencies and private firms' security. Also read | Russia sues Google, Facebook, Twitter for not deleting protest content: Report These disruptions of the websites have come a little after the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed to local media house, CNBC, that the US government will be taking 'a mix of actions seen and unseen' as a rebuttal to the alleged attacks from Russia, but declined to give any further details saying, 'we will not publicly discuss certain aspects of our response.' The description of websites also happened while Moscow was busy restricting the use of Twitter by slowing down its speed for users in the country over what it said was the social media platform's failure to remove "illegal" content. "The slowing down will be applied on a 100% of mobile devices and on 50% of non-mobile devices," the regulator said in a statement on its website. "If (Twitter) continues to ignore the requirements of the law, the enforcement measures will be continued in line with the response regulations (all the way to blocking)," it said.

Kremlin and other Russian official websites down; experts doubt US involvement

Moscow has restricted the use of Twitter by slowing down its speed for users in the country over what it said was the social media platform's failure to remove "illegal" content.

Russia's media watchdog Wednesday said in a statement its decision to restrict Twitter's services was intended to "protect Russian citizens" and force the company to comply with Russian law.&nbsp;

Russian authorities in recent years have been tightening control over the internet in the name of fighting extremism, terrorism and protecting minors.

The Roskomandzor watchdog said the disruption would begin on Wednesday and comprise a "slowdown in service speed" on all mobile users and 50 per cent of desktop users. It added that since 2017 it had sent Twitter "over 28,000 initial and repeated requests" to delete links to child pornography, information on drug use and calls for minors to commit suicide.

The watchdog warned that if Twitter ignores Russian law it could face further restrictions, including a complete ban in the country.

Twitter, like other US social media, is used widely inside Russia by allies of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny whose jailing last month prompted nationwide protests.

"The slowing down will be applied on a 100% of mobile devices and on 50% of non-mobile devices," the regulator said in a statement on its website.

"If (Twitter) continues to ignore the requirements of the law, the enforcement measures will be continued in line with the response regulations (all the way to blocking)," it said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-sues-google-facebook-twitter-for-not-deleting-protest-content-report-369132">Also read |&nbsp;Russia sues Google, Facebook, Twitter for not deleting protest content: Report</a>

Wednesday's move comes amid mounting efforts by Moscow to exert greater influence over US social media platforms and frustrations over what authorities say is their failure to follow Russian laws.

Moscow in recent months has put Western tech giants like Facebook and Twitter under increasing pressure for failing to take down calls to participate in anti-government demonstrations. It has already banned a number of websites that refused to cooperate with authorities, such as the video platform Dailymotion and professional networking website LinkedIn.

Last December, parliament's lower house backed big new fines on platforms that fail to delete banned content and another bill that would allow them to be restricted if they "discriminate" against Russian media.

In 2019, a law was passed for the development of a "sovereign internet" aimed at isolating Russia from the worldwide web, a move activists fear will tighten government control of cyberspace and stifle free speech.

(with inputs from agencies)

Moscow has restricted the use of Twitter by slowing down its speed for users in the country over what it said was the social media platform's failure to remove "illegal" content.

Moscow has restricted the use of Twitter by slowing down its speed for users in the country over what it said was the social media platform's failure to remove "illegal" content. Russia's media watchdog Wednesday said in a statement its decision to restrict Twitter's services was intended to "protect Russian citizens" and force the company to comply with Russian law. Russian authorities in recent years have been tightening control over the internet in the name of fighting extremism, terrorism and protecting minors. The Roskomandzor watchdog said the disruption would begin on Wednesday and comprise a "slowdown in service speed" on all mobile users and 50 per cent of desktop users. It added that since 2017 it had sent Twitter "over 28,000 initial and repeated requests" to delete links to child pornography, information on drug use and calls for minors to commit suicide. The watchdog warned that if Twitter ignores Russian law it could face further restrictions, including a complete ban in the country. Twitter, like other US social media, is used widely inside Russia by allies of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny whose jailing last month prompted nationwide protests. "The slowing down will be applied on a 100% of mobile devices and on 50% of non-mobile devices," the regulator said in a statement on its website. "If (Twitter) continues to ignore the requirements of the law, the enforcement measures will be continued in line with the response regulations (all the way to blocking)," it said. Also read | Russia sues Google, Facebook, Twitter for not deleting protest content: Report Wednesday's move comes amid mounting efforts by Moscow to exert greater influence over US social media platforms and frustrations over what authorities say is their failure to follow Russian laws. Moscow in recent months has put Western tech giants like Facebook and Twitter under increasing pressure for failing to take down calls to participate in anti-government demonstrations. It has already banned a number of websites that refused to cooperate with authorities, such as the video platform Dailymotion and professional networking website LinkedIn. Last December, parliament's lower house backed big new fines on platforms that fail to delete banned content and another bill that would allow them to be restricted if they "discriminate" against Russian media. In 2019, a law was passed for the development of a "sovereign internet" aimed at isolating Russia from the worldwide web, a move activists fear will tighten government control of cyberspace and stifle free speech. (with inputs from agencies)

Russia says disrupting Twitter over 'illegal' content

Kremlin on Tuesday slammed&nbsp;claims it was spearheading a disinformation campaign against US-made coronavirus vaccines to boost its own homegrown jab were "absurd and groundless".&nbsp;

The comments come a day after Washington said Russian intelligence was behind four websites involved in a campaign to undermine US-made vaccines, accusing Russia of putting lives at risk.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-risking-lives-by-running-disinformation-campaign-against-vaccines-us-369006">Russia risking lives by running disinformation campaign against vaccines: US</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the allegations "absurd and groundless".

"Russia has never taken part and is not going to take part in such information campaigns against other vaccines," Peskov told reporters.

On the contrary, he said, Russia was cooperating with foreign vaccine producers "to make a more effective product".

"We've always been against politicising any issues related to the vaccine in any way," he said.

Peskov added that once jabs are tested and approved "they should be produced as much as possible to save the entire world from the coronavirus and save as many human lives as possible".

Putin has boasted that Russia has developed the world's best vaccines against the coronavirus, insisting last week they were better than the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs.

The Global Engagement Center -- an arm of the State Department whose activities include monitoring foreign propaganda -- made the claims of Russian disinformation on Monday.&nbsp;

The four online platforms spread "disinformation about two of the vaccines that have now been approved by the FDA in this country," US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, referring to the US Food and Drug Administration.

US intelligence has long suspected Russia in disinformation campaigns on health, including spreading the myth in the 1980s that US scientists created the HIV virus that causes AIDS.

Kremlin on Tuesday slammed claims it was spearheading a disinformation campaign against US-made coronavirus vaccines to boost its own homegrown jab were "absurd and groundless".

Kremlin on Tuesday slammed claims it was spearheading a disinformation campaign against US-made coronavirus vaccines to boost its own homegrown jab were "absurd and groundless". The comments come a day after Washington said Russian intelligence was behind four websites involved in a campaign to undermine US-made vaccines, accusing Russia of putting lives at risk. Also read: Russia risking lives by running disinformation campaign against vaccines: US Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the allegations "absurd and groundless". "Russia has never taken part and is not going to take part in such information campaigns against other vaccines," Peskov told reporters. On the contrary, he said, Russia was cooperating with foreign vaccine producers "to make a more effective product". "We've always been against politicising any issues related to the vaccine in any way," he said. Peskov added that once jabs are tested and approved "they should be produced as much as possible to save the entire world from the coronavirus and save as many human lives as possible". Putin has boasted that Russia has developed the world's best vaccines against the coronavirus, insisting last week they were better than the Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs. The Global Engagement Center -- an arm of the State Department whose activities include monitoring foreign propaganda -- made the claims of Russian disinformation on Monday. The four online platforms spread "disinformation about two of the vaccines that have now been approved by the FDA in this country," US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters, referring to the US Food and Drug Administration. US intelligence has long suspected Russia in disinformation campaigns on health, including spreading the myth in the 1980s that US scientists created the HIV virus that causes AIDS.

Kremlin slams US vaccine disinformation claims 'absurd' and 'groundless'

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny quipped that "everything is fine" and made jokes about prison life Wednesday as he sent his first message from a detention centre outside Moscow.

In the message posted on Instagram, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic said he was being held in the Kolchugino detention centre in the Vladimir region northeast of Moscow.

"But everything is fine with me, there's even a chin-up bar in the exercise yard here," he said.

Navalny was sentenced last month to two and a half years in a penal colony for breaching parole terms while in Germany recovering from a poisoning attack.

His message was posted after his defence team visited him in the Kolchugino jail, where he is under quarantine.

One of his lawyers, Olga Mikhailova, said he was expected to be held there until his sentence came into force and that he was in a good mood.

"He's feeling well," Mikhailova told AFP, adding that Navalny was sharing a cell with two people.

"The cell has nothing except a TV," she said, adding that he could not receive letters or buy anything in jail.

Mikhailova said it was not yet clear where Navalny would eventually be serving out his full sentence.

A Moscow official had earlier said it would be at a prison in the town of Pokrov in the Vladimir region called Penal Colony No. 2.

In the light-hearted message, Navalny said he was&nbsp;not aware of what was happening in the world and has not yet managed to get any books from the jail library.

"That's why the only entertainment is haute cuisine experiments," he said, adding he and his cellmates were drying bread to make croutons.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny quipped that "everything is fine" and made jokes about prison life Wednesday as he sent his first message from a detention centre outside Moscow.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny quipped that "everything is fine" and made jokes about prison life Wednesday as he sent his first message from a detention centre outside Moscow. In the message posted on Instagram, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic said he was being held in the Kolchugino detention centre in the Vladimir region northeast of Moscow. "But everything is fine with me, there's even a chin-up bar in the exercise yard here," he said. Navalny was sentenced last month to two and a half years in a penal colony for breaching parole terms while in Germany recovering from a poisoning attack. His message was posted after his defence team visited him in the Kolchugino jail, where he is under quarantine. One of his lawyers, Olga Mikhailova, said he was expected to be held there until his sentence came into force and that he was in a good mood. "He's feeling well," Mikhailova told AFP, adding that Navalny was sharing a cell with two people. "The cell has nothing except a TV," she said, adding that he could not receive letters or buy anything in jail. Mikhailova said it was not yet clear where Navalny would eventually be serving out his full sentence. A Moscow official had earlier said it would be at a prison in the town of Pokrov in the Vladimir region called Penal Colony No. 2. In the light-hearted message, Navalny said he was not aware of what was happening in the world and has not yet managed to get any books from the jail library. "That's why the only entertainment is haute cuisine experiments," he said, adding he and his cellmates were drying bread to make croutons.

Kremlin critic Navalny says 'everything fine' in message from jail

The US and the European Union have imposed new sanctions on 7 senior Russian officials for the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and urged his release from prison.

US intel blames Kremlin for poisoning of Navalny

The Kremlin sees the new US and EU sanctions on Russia as an interference in the country's internal affairs, as all the accusations related to opposition figure Alexey Navalny's case are absurd, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

"This is nothing but interference in Russia's domestic affairs ... In general, we can only express our regret, as our opponents use methods that damage our bilateral relations," Peskov told reporters.&nbsp;

When asked why the West introduced targeted sanctions instead of restrictions against major businesses or state debt, the Kremlin spokesman said it was not up to him to 'explain the motives'.&nbsp;

"We believe that all these decisions, both targeted and others, are absurd and absolutely groundless. The most important thing is, they have no effect and no sense," Peskov continued.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Russia also warned the United States it would 'rebuff aggression' on Wednesday after Washington imposed sanctions on Kremlin's officials over the poisoning of prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny. &nbsp;

"We will continue to systematically and resolutely defend our national interests and rebuff aggression," said Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. &nbsp;

She further threatened the United States that Kremlin's reaction would be based on 'reciprocity and not necessarily symmetrically'.&nbsp;

The comments came after the US along with the European Union on Tuesday imposed penalties after US intelligence concluded that Russia was behind the poisoning of Navalny.&nbsp;

Accusing Washington of 'trying to cultivate the image of an external enemy', the spokesperson asked the US and its European allies to 'not play with fire'. &nbsp;

Biden's administration has frozen any US assets of seven Russian officials, including the director of FSB, Russia's intelligence organisation. &nbsp;

It has also criminalised any transactions with these seven officials. &nbsp;

The action has been taken after US intelligence assessed 'with high confidence' that FSB officials poisoned Navalny with the nerve agent Novichok on August 20, 2020, a US official told reporters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Kremlin sees the new US and EU sanctions on Russia as an interference in the country's internal affairs, as all the accusations related to opposition figure Alexey Navalny's case are absurd, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

The Kremlin sees the new US and EU sanctions on Russia as an interference in the country's internal affairs, as all the accusations related to opposition figure Alexey Navalny's case are absurd, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. "This is nothing but interference in Russia's domestic affairs ... In general, we can only express our regret, as our opponents use methods that damage our bilateral relations," Peskov told reporters. When asked why the West introduced targeted sanctions instead of restrictions against major businesses or state debt, the Kremlin spokesman said it was not up to him to 'explain the motives'. "We believe that all these decisions, both targeted and others, are absurd and absolutely groundless. The most important thing is, they have no effect and no sense," Peskov continued. Meanwhile, Russia also warned the United States it would 'rebuff aggression' on Wednesday after Washington imposed sanctions on Kremlin's officials over the poisoning of prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny. "We will continue to systematically and resolutely defend our national interests and rebuff aggression," said Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. She further threatened the United States that Kremlin's reaction would be based on 'reciprocity and not necessarily symmetrically'. The comments came after the US along with the European Union on Tuesday imposed penalties after US intelligence concluded that Russia was behind the poisoning of Navalny. Accusing Washington of 'trying to cultivate the image of an external enemy', the spokesperson asked the US and its European allies to 'not play with fire'. Biden's administration has frozen any US assets of seven Russian officials, including the director of FSB, Russia's intelligence organisation. It has also criminalised any transactions with these seven officials. The action has been taken after US intelligence assessed 'with high confidence' that FSB officials poisoned Navalny with the nerve agent Novichok on August 20, 2020, a US official told reporters. (With inputs from agencies)

Kremlin sees new US, EU sanctions as interference in internal affairs 

The Kremlin on Friday said Armenia should comply with agreements reached with Azerbaijan after last year's Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, despite the political upheaval in Armenia, with the army on Thursday demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation.&nbsp;

Thousands rallied behind Pashinyan after the army's written demand plunged the impoverished former Soviet republic of less than three million into a new political crisis in what he said was an attempted coup.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Pashinyan also asked his supporters to gather at the centre of the capital Yerevan.&nbsp;

"I consider the statement of the General Staff of the Armed Forces an attempted military coup. I invite all of our supporters to Republic Square right now," Pashinyan wrote in a Facebook post. &nbsp;

Pashinyan also sacked the general staff of armed forces Onik Gasparyan after the latter's office released a statement asking the prime minister and his cabinet to resign on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Gasparyan on Wednesday in a statement said that Pashinyan's government is 'not capable of taking adequate decisions' and denounced 'attacks by the authorities aimed at discrediting the Armed Forces.'&nbsp;

On Wednesday, the Armenian PM also fired deputy chief of staff Tigran Khachatryan, who had ridiculed Pashinyan's claims that Russian-supplied missiles had failed to reach targets during last year's intense battle over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.&nbsp;

Pashinyan and his government have faced massive anger and protests over the handling of the war with Azerbaijan over the conflicted region, building pressure on him to step down. &nbsp;

The massive anger is against the Russian-brokered peace deal that ended six weeks of war and ceded large territories of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan.&nbsp;

The Kremlin on Friday said Armenia should comply with agreements reached with Azerbaijan after last year's Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, despite the political upheaval in Armenia, with the army on Thursday demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation.

The Kremlin on Friday said Armenia should comply with agreements reached with Azerbaijan after last year's Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, despite the political upheaval in Armenia, with the army on Thursday demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. Thousands rallied behind Pashinyan after the army's written demand plunged the impoverished former Soviet republic of less than three million into a new political crisis in what he said was an attempted coup. Meanwhile, Pashinyan also asked his supporters to gather at the centre of the capital Yerevan. "I consider the statement of the General Staff of the Armed Forces an attempted military coup. I invite all of our supporters to Republic Square right now," Pashinyan wrote in a Facebook post. Pashinyan also sacked the general staff of armed forces Onik Gasparyan after the latter's office released a statement asking the prime minister and his cabinet to resign on Wednesday. Gasparyan on Wednesday in a statement said that Pashinyan's government is 'not capable of taking adequate decisions' and denounced 'attacks by the authorities aimed at discrediting the Armed Forces.' On Wednesday, the Armenian PM also fired deputy chief of staff Tigran Khachatryan, who had ridiculed Pashinyan's claims that Russian-supplied missiles had failed to reach targets during last year's intense battle over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Pashinyan and his government have faced massive anger and protests over the handling of the war with Azerbaijan over the conflicted region, building pressure on him to step down. The massive anger is against the Russian-brokered peace deal that ended six weeks of war and ceded large territories of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan.

Kremlin says Armenia should comply with Karabakh ceasefire agreements

German prosecutors have charged a citizen with espionage, saying he passed on data from parliament to Russian secret services.

The man, identified as Jens F, worked for a company that was contracted by the Bundestag to carry out regular checks on electric equipment in parliament. He obtained PDF files with the floor plans of the Bundestag parliament building during the course of his work, the prosecutor's office said in a statement on Thursday.

No later than late July 2017 to early September 2017, he decided to pass on the floor plans to Russian intelligence. He sent a data storage device to an employee at the Russian embassy who mainly worked for Russian intelligence agency GRU, it said. 
 
"Against this background, the defendant had access to PDF files with the floor plans of" parliamentary properties, said federal prosecutors.

"For that, he prepared a data carrier with the correspondending PDF files and sent it to an employee in the Russian embassy in Berlin, who mainly works for the Russian military secret service GRU," said prosecutors.

German intelligence services have repeatedly warned about spying attempts or cyberattacks launched by Russian hackers.

Chancellor Angela Merkel herself told parliament last May that she had concrete proof that Russia was targeting her in the attacks.

The German parliament fell victim in 2015 to a cyber assault, and local media have named the suspect in that attack as Dmitry Badin, who is also wanted by the FBI for other similar attempts.

The latest spy charges raised by prosecutors are likely to further inflame tensions between Berlin and Moscow.

Ties are already badly frayed over the poisoning and subsequent jailing of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Moscow has firmly denied any accusations of cyberattacks, or involvement in the poisoning of Navalny using the deadly Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok.&nbsp;

But Germany has pointed to 'unequivocal' proof of the Novichok murder attempt.

Navalny had received treatment in Berlin but last month returned to Moscow where he was immediately imprisoned.

(with inputs from agencies)

German prosecutors have charged a citizen with espionage, saying he passed on data from parliament to Russian secret services. The man, identified as Jens F, worked for a company that was contracted by the Bundestag to carry out regular checks on electric equipment in parliament.

German prosecutors have charged a citizen with espionage, saying he passed on data from parliament to Russian secret services. The man, identified as Jens F, worked for a company that was contracted by the Bundestag to carry out regular checks on electric equipment in parliament. He obtained PDF files with the floor plans of the Bundestag parliament building during the course of his work, the prosecutor's office said in a statement on Thursday. No later than late July 2017 to early September 2017, he decided to pass on the floor plans to Russian intelligence. He sent a data storage device to an employee at the Russian embassy who mainly worked for Russian intelligence agency GRU, it said. "Against this background, the defendant had access to PDF files with the floor plans of" parliamentary properties, said federal prosecutors. "For that, he prepared a data carrier with the correspondending PDF files and sent it to an employee in the Russian embassy in Berlin, who mainly works for the Russian military secret service GRU," said prosecutors. German intelligence services have repeatedly warned about spying attempts or cyberattacks launched by Russian hackers. Chancellor Angela Merkel herself told parliament last May that she had concrete proof that Russia was targeting her in the attacks. The German parliament fell victim in 2015 to a cyber assault, and local media have named the suspect in that attack as Dmitry Badin, who is also wanted by the FBI for other similar attempts. The latest spy charges raised by prosecutors are likely to further inflame tensions between Berlin and Moscow. Ties are already badly frayed over the poisoning and subsequent jailing of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Moscow has firmly denied any accusations of cyberattacks, or involvement in the poisoning of Navalny using the deadly Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok. But Germany has pointed to 'unequivocal' proof of the Novichok murder attempt. Navalny had received treatment in Berlin but last month returned to Moscow where he was immediately imprisoned. (with inputs from agencies)

German man charged for spying at parliament for Russian intelligence

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