The Kremlin said on Tuesday that public opposition by a group of US&nbsp;senators to a Russian candidate to head the international police organisation Interpol amounted to election meddling.

Interpol's general assembly is due to elect a new head at a meeting on Wednesday. On Monday, four US&nbsp;senators issued a statement urging US&nbsp;President Donald Trump to oppose the candidacy of Russia's Alexander Prokopchuk.

The senators accuse Russia of abusing Interpol to settle scores and harass dissidents by issuing warrants, known as red notices, for their arrest. The senators said the election of Prokopchuk would allow Moscow to step up such abuse.

"This is probably a certain kind of interference in the electoral process of an international organisation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

Prokopchuk, a former major general in Russia's Interior Ministry and current vice president of Interpol, is generally considered the leading candidate for the presidency.

Bill Browder, a British fund manager critical of the Kremlin who has been detained repeatedly at Russia's behest before being released again, said it would be "outrageous" if Prokopchuk was named to head the global police agency.

"This particular individual has been responsible for trying to chase me down and have Interpol arrest me seven times," he said in comments to BBC radio.

"All of a sudden, this guy is now put in charge of the institution he's been trying to abuse for the last six years," he said.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that public opposition by a group of US senators to a Russian candidate to head the international police organisation Interpol amounted to election meddling.

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that public opposition by a group of US senators to a Russian candidate to head the international police organisation Interpol amounted to election meddling. Interpol's general assembly is due to elect a new head at a meeting on Wednesday. On Monday, four US senators issued a statement urging US President Donald Trump to oppose the candidacy of Russia's Alexander Prokopchuk. The senators accuse Russia of abusing Interpol to settle scores and harass dissidents by issuing warrants, known as red notices, for their arrest. The senators said the election of Prokopchuk would allow Moscow to step up such abuse. "This is probably a certain kind of interference in the electoral process of an international organisation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call. Prokopchuk, a former major general in Russia's Interior Ministry and current vice president of Interpol, is generally considered the leading candidate for the presidency. Bill Browder, a British fund manager critical of the Kremlin who has been detained repeatedly at Russia's behest before being released again, said it would be "outrageous" if Prokopchuk was named to head the global police agency. "This particular individual has been responsible for trying to chase me down and have Interpol arrest me seven times," he said in comments to BBC radio. "All of a sudden, this guy is now put in charge of the institution he's been trying to abuse for the last six years," he said.

Kremlin says US is meddling in selection of Interpol head

The meeting in Moscow last week, which saw the participation of a Taliban delegation and officials from nearly a dozen countries, was the first and positive step towards ensuring a long-lasting peace in Afghanistan, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said.

Karzai told Kazakhstan State TV on Friday that no representative from the Afghan government had participated in direct negotiations between the Taliban and US officials in Qatar. He also expressed hope that such meetings would break the ice in ending the decades-long war in the country, TOLOnews reported.

"In the peace talks in Moscow, which was the first time such a talk was taking place in a major regional capital of the world with the neighbours of Afghanistan all present there including from Kazakhstan and where delegations of the Taliban and delegations of the Afghan Peace Council sat together, the Afghan ambassador was there in that meeting, so, we see it as a positive step, a first step, that will definitely give us results and we hope it will continue to keep convening and keep looking for a solution eventually that suits all of us," Karzai elaborated in the interview.

Karzai's comments came as Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador, who is on a four-nation visit to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from November 8 to 20, held the second round of talks pertaining to the Afghan peace process.

Khalizad is slated to visit Afghanistan later on Saturday after concluding the deliberations with Afghan, Emirati and Saudi officials in Abu Dhabi. The US envoy also met with Taliban representatives in Doha earlier this week.

During the meeting that was held in Moscow on November 9, the Taliban said that the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan is the only way for maintaining peace and security in the region. Quoting sources, Tolo News reported that the statement was passed by the Taliban representatives who attended the meeting.

A delegation of Afghanistan's High Peace Council (HPC) members, which also attended the summit, in addition, said that the Afghan government would not need the help of any foreign power after peace is established.

The meeting was inaugurated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who looked forward to establishing direct talks between Kabul and the Taliban.

He said that the meeting was aimed at removing the Islamic State (IS) terrorists entirely from Afghanistan that has almost become a permanent base point from where terrorist attacks are being carried out in Central Asia and further.

The Afghan foreign ministry said that the Ashraf Ghani administration would welcome efforts by any country that could help in establishing peace and stability in the war-torn country.

The meeting in Moscow last week, which saw the participation of a Taliban delegation and officials from nearly a dozen countries, was the first and positive step towards ensuring a long-lasting peace in Afghanistan, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said.

The meeting in Moscow last week, which saw the participation of a Taliban delegation and officials from nearly a dozen countries, was the first and positive step towards ensuring a long-lasting peace in Afghanistan, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said. Karzai told Kazakhstan State TV on Friday that no representative from the Afghan government had participated in direct negotiations between the Taliban and US officials in Qatar. He also expressed hope that such meetings would break the ice in ending the decades-long war in the country, TOLOnews reported. "In the peace talks in Moscow, which was the first time such a talk was taking place in a major regional capital of the world with the neighbours of Afghanistan all present there including from Kazakhstan and where delegations of the Taliban and delegations of the Afghan Peace Council sat together, the Afghan ambassador was there in that meeting, so, we see it as a positive step, a first step, that will definitely give us results and we hope it will continue to keep convening and keep looking for a solution eventually that suits all of us," Karzai elaborated in the interview. Karzai's comments came as Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador, who is on a four-nation visit to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar from November 8 to 20, held the second round of talks pertaining to the Afghan peace process. Khalizad is slated to visit Afghanistan later on Saturday after concluding the deliberations with Afghan, Emirati and Saudi officials in Abu Dhabi. The US envoy also met with Taliban representatives in Doha earlier this week. During the meeting that was held in Moscow on November 9, the Taliban said that the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan is the only way for maintaining peace and security in the region. Quoting sources, Tolo News reported that the statement was passed by the Taliban representatives who attended the meeting. A delegation of Afghanistan's High Peace Council (HPC) members, which also attended the summit, in addition, said that the Afghan government would not need the help of any foreign power after peace is established. The meeting was inaugurated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who looked forward to establishing direct talks between Kabul and the Taliban. He said that the meeting was aimed at removing the Islamic State (IS) terrorists entirely from Afghanistan that has almost become a permanent base point from where terrorist attacks are being carried out in Central Asia and further. The Afghan foreign ministry said that the Ashraf Ghani administration would welcome efforts by any country that could help in establishing peace and stability in the war-torn country.

'Moscow summit first step towards peace in Afghanistan', says former president

WION Dispatch: Multilateral Afghan peace talks begin in Moscow

Afghan-Taliban talks: Multilateral Afghan peace talks begin in Moscow

Moscow on Friday hosted international talks on Afghanistan aimed at kickstarting direct negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban militant group, both of whom sent delegations.

Russia hopes "through joint efforts to open a new page in the history of Afghanistan," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said as the talks opened at a Moscow hotel on Friday morning.

He said that the participation of both Afghan leaders and the Taliban was an "important contribution" aimed at creating "favourable conditions for the start of direct talks."

"I am counting on you holding a serious and constructive conversation that will justify the hopes of the Afghan people," he said before the talks continued behind closed doors.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told AFP that the militant group was sending five representatives.

They will not hold "any sort of negotiations" with the delegation of Kabul administration, he said.

"This conference is not about holding negotiations with any party whatsoever -- rather it is about finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Afghanistan," he added.

This is the first time that a Taliban delegation is taking part in such high-level international meeting, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

The Taliban is banned from operating Russia as it is classified as a "terrorist organisation".

The Afghan delegation is made up of four representatives of the High Peace Council, a government body responsible for reconciliation efforts with the militants, spokesman Sayed Ihsan Taheri said.

The Afghan foreign ministry has emphasised that the council does not represent the Afghan government at the meeting, however.

Moscow said it had invited representatives from the United States as well as India, Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia.

Pakistan, which has long been accused of providing support to the Afghan Taliban, would "definitely" attend, foreign ministry spokesman Muhammad Faisal told AFP.

The US embassy in Moscow was sending a representative to observe the discussions.&nbsp;

The Moscow meeting was initially scheduled to take place in September but was postponed after Kabul insisted that the process should be Afghan-led.&nbsp;

The meeting comes at a sensitive time.

Newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been trying to convince the Taliban to agree to negotiate an end to the war and there are fears the Russian meeting could derail those efforts. &nbsp;

A US government watchdog last week said Kabul's control of Afghanistan had slipped in recent months as local security forces suffered record casualties while making minimal or no progress against the Taliban.

Moscow on Friday hosted international talks on Afghanistan aimed at kickstarting direct negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban militant group, both of whom sent delegations.

Moscow on Friday hosted international talks on Afghanistan aimed at kickstarting direct negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban militant group, both of whom sent delegations. Russia hopes "through joint efforts to open a new page in the history of Afghanistan," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said as the talks opened at a Moscow hotel on Friday morning. He said that the participation of both Afghan leaders and the Taliban was an "important contribution" aimed at creating "favourable conditions for the start of direct talks." "I am counting on you holding a serious and constructive conversation that will justify the hopes of the Afghan people," he said before the talks continued behind closed doors. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told AFP that the militant group was sending five representatives. They will not hold "any sort of negotiations" with the delegation of Kabul administration, he said. "This conference is not about holding negotiations with any party whatsoever -- rather it is about finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Afghanistan," he added. This is the first time that a Taliban delegation is taking part in such high-level international meeting, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday. The Taliban is banned from operating Russia as it is classified as a "terrorist organisation". The Afghan delegation is made up of four representatives of the High Peace Council, a government body responsible for reconciliation efforts with the militants, spokesman Sayed Ihsan Taheri said. The Afghan foreign ministry has emphasised that the council does not represent the Afghan government at the meeting, however. Moscow said it had invited representatives from the United States as well as India, Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia. Pakistan, which has long been accused of providing support to the Afghan Taliban, would "definitely" attend, foreign ministry spokesman Muhammad Faisal told AFP. The US embassy in Moscow was sending a representative to observe the discussions. The Moscow meeting was initially scheduled to take place in September but was postponed after Kabul insisted that the process should be Afghan-led. The meeting comes at a sensitive time. Newly appointed US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has been trying to convince the Taliban to agree to negotiate an end to the war and there are fears the Russian meeting could derail those efforts. A US government watchdog last week said Kabul's control of Afghanistan had slipped in recent months as local security forces suffered record casualties while making minimal or no progress against the Taliban.

Afghan leaders, Taliban attend peace talks in Moscow

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday stated that it is aware of the meeting that the Russian Federation will hold on November 9 to discuss Afghanistan, adding that "India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan."

The MEA further added that India's participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level.

"We are aware of the Russian Federation hosting a meeting in Moscow on 9 November on Afghanistan. India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Our participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)," news agency ANI quoted the MEA.&nbsp;

According to an AFP report, Russia on Saturday said it will <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/russia-to-host-international-talks-on-afghanistan-175271">host international talks on Afghanistan on November 9</a>, with representatives of both the Afghan government and the Taliban, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

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We are aware of the Russian Federation hosting a meeting in Moscow on 9 November on Afghanistan. India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Our participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
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Moscow said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the Taliban have agreed to send delegations to the conference.

"It will be the first time that a delegation of the Political Office of the Taliban Movement in Doha will take part in international talks (at) such a level," the foreign ministry's statement said.&nbsp;

"We are still negotiating and talking with Russian officials (about the conference). We have not reached an agreement yet," Sebghatullah Ahmadi, an Afghan foreign ministry spokesman, told AFP.&nbsp;

Moscow said it had also invited representatives from the US as well as Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia to take part.

"The Russian side reaffirms its position that there is no alternative to a political settlement in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," the statement said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday stated that it is aware of the meeting that the Russian Federation will hold on November 9 to discuss Afghanistan, adding that "India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday stated that it is aware of the meeting that the Russian Federation will hold on November 9 to discuss Afghanistan, adding that "India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan." The MEA further added that India's participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level. "We are aware of the Russian Federation hosting a meeting in Moscow on 9 November on Afghanistan. India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Our participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)," news agency ANI quoted the MEA. According to an AFP report, Russia on Saturday said it will host international talks on Afghanistan on November 9, with representatives of both the Afghan government and the Taliban, the foreign ministry said in a statement. We are aware of the Russian Federation hosting a meeting in Moscow on 9 November on Afghanistan. India supports all efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Our participation at the meeting will be at the non-official level: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) — ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2018 × Moscow said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the Taliban have agreed to send delegations to the conference. "It will be the first time that a delegation of the Political Office of the Taliban Movement in Doha will take part in international talks (at) such a level," the foreign ministry's statement said. "We are still negotiating and talking with Russian officials (about the conference). We have not reached an agreement yet," Sebghatullah Ahmadi, an Afghan foreign ministry spokesman, told AFP. Moscow said it had also invited representatives from the US as well as Iran, China, Pakistan and five former Soviet republics in Central Asia to take part. "The Russian side reaffirms its position that there is no alternative to a political settlement in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," the statement said. (With inputs from agencies)

Aware of Russia hosting meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow, India will participate at non-official level: MEA 

By Mustafa Demir 
 
Turkey, Russia and Iran have actively involved themselves in the Syrian conflict, each with their own divergent interests. Moscow and Tehran have put their support behind the regime of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, hoping it retains its influence over the strategic Syrian region. Meanwhile, since the very beginning of the crisis in 2011, Turkey has been obsessed with removing Assad.

So far, the three countries have managed to accommodate their various aims. And the meetings between the three powers in 2017 and 2018 – in Sochi, Astana, Tehran and then again in Sochi – have all played a part in this. In fact, it appears that Russian president Vladimir Putin’s main strategy since 2017 has been the continuation of this accommodation.

On September 17, for example, Putin and his Turkish counterpart, president Erdogan, met in Sochi to discuss Syria’s rebel-controlled Idlib province. Interestingly, at that meeting, Putin renounced his plan (announced in Tehran on September 7) to stage an all-out assault on Idlib. This was an apparent concession, as Turkey had opposed the plan at the Tehran summit and had called for a ceasefire instead. Back then, Putin had ignored Turkey’s objections and underlined his view that the elimination of terrorists in the region was the priority. Consequently, his latest concession looks like a significant volte-face.

At their 2017 Astana summit, Russia, Iran and Turkey had all declared four regions – Idlib province, eastern Ghouta, northern rural Homs, and southern Syria (to include Quneitra and parts of Daraa governorate) – as de-escalation zones. But the Syrian regime, with the cooperation of Russia and Iran, subsequently launched offensives into some of these regions on the pretext of eliminating terrorist groups. One by one, the regions set up as de-escalation zones have been devastated.

Amberin Zaman, a columnist for Al-Monitor’s Turkey Pulse, argues that a full-scale assault in Idlib would result in the Erdogan government losing its sway over the rebels in the area and make Turkey a potential target for more radical jihadists. According to some sources, for example, nearly 60 per cent of Idlib is controlled by the HTS, a radical jihadist group designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations.

Moreover, an invasion such as that tabled by Russia would likely cause another massive influx of refugees from Idlib into neighbouring countries – especially Turkey – and from there on into Europe. Russia’s bullish stance on Idlib has therefore also been condemned by the Western members of the UN Security Council.

Putin’s game plan

The question is whether these criticisms were behind Putin scrapping his decision to invade or whether he has another motive.

At their September summit, Putin and Erdogan agreed there should be a demilitarised buffer zone established in Idlib by October 15, separating the rebels from Assad’s government forces. Erdogan said, " The opposition will remain where they are, but the [radical] groups that we will determine jointly with Russia won’t be allowed to operate. The boundaries of the demilitarised zone will be supervised jointly."

Nevertheless, one thing is clear – while Turkey has managed temporarily to stall an invasion of Idlib, Russia will be keeping a close eye on the situation. The deal requires those designated “radical” rebels to withdraw from the demilitarised zone – and if they don’t, Russia and Assad will have a pretext to return to their original plan.

Doubtless, Russia will also incrementally apply pressure on Erdogan, at least tactically, by making Turkey responsible for removing the “radical” jihadist groups from Idlib. This would make Turkey more vulnerable to terrorist attacks, and a vulnerable Turkey would need further help from Russia, as the new hegemon of the region.

It is clear, therefore, that Putin’s strategy is not merely to support his main ally, the Assad regime, in Syria. It is also to use the conflict to break the influence of the Western alliance in the region and tie NATO member Turkey more closely to Moscow. It seems that Russia has never abandoned its Cold War strategy to invest in growing tensions between NATO allies.

Indeed, Cengiz Çandar, a veteran Turkish journalist and author, theorises that Putin is prioritising this dismembering of the Western alliance over supporting the Syrian regime, its traditional ally. In this context, the recent Sochi summit can be seen as Putin’s way of bringing Erdogan closer to Russia. This, it seems, is Putin’s “grand strategy”.

Breaking NATO 
 
Although Turkish interests in Syria appear to conform with those of the West and NATO, this growing asymmetric dependence on Russia is forcing Erdogan to make concessions to Russia at many levels, from security to the economy. Turkey’s recent move to purchase S400 air defence missiles from Russia is one example of many. In fact, the trajectory of this asymmetric dependency is raising the question of whether Turkey is becoming a Russian proxy. A Russian proxy which is also a NATO member would be the very thing Russia wants in order to gain further leverage in its global contest with the US and NATO.

From NATO’s perspective, the political rapprochement between Russia and Turkey has so far been seen as tactical. But the conversion of this rapprochement into a growing asymmetric interdependence that favours Russia is casting doubt on Turkey’s already fragile commitment to the Western alliance. And, as Turkey gets ever more sucked into the Syrian conflict, so it becomes harder for Erdogan to disengage from Putin. With the Syrian conflict right on its borders, and Russia and Iran increasingly shaping the region’s politics, Turkey is becoming beholden to NATO’s enemies.

The situation suggests that to achieve security within its borders Turkey may be asked to resign itself to the desires of these two powers – two powers that would do anything to weaken the West and NATO. 
&nbsp;

(Mustafa Demir&nbsp;Associate Lecturer in International Relations, Staffordshire University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/russias-grand-strategy-how-putin-is-using-syria-conflict-to-turn-turkey-into-moscows-proxy-104699">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Mustafa Demir Turkey, Russia and Iran have actively involved themselves in the Syrian conflict, each with their own divergent interests. Moscow and Tehran have put their support behind the regime of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, hoping it retains its influence over the strategic Syrian region.

By Mustafa Demir Turkey, Russia and Iran have actively involved themselves in the Syrian conflict, each with their own divergent interests. Moscow and Tehran have put their support behind the regime of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, hoping it retains its influence over the strategic Syrian region. Meanwhile, since the very beginning of the crisis in 2011, Turkey has been obsessed with removing Assad. So far, the three countries have managed to accommodate their various aims. And the meetings between the three powers in 2017 and 2018 – in Sochi, Astana, Tehran and then again in Sochi – have all played a part in this. In fact, it appears that Russian president Vladimir Putin’s main strategy since 2017 has been the continuation of this accommodation. On September 17, for example, Putin and his Turkish counterpart, president Erdogan, met in Sochi to discuss Syria’s rebel-controlled Idlib province. Interestingly, at that meeting, Putin renounced his plan (announced in Tehran on September 7) to stage an all-out assault on Idlib. This was an apparent concession, as Turkey had opposed the plan at the Tehran summit and had called for a ceasefire instead. Back then, Putin had ignored Turkey’s objections and underlined his view that the elimination of terrorists in the region was the priority. Consequently, his latest concession looks like a significant volte-face. At their 2017 Astana summit, Russia, Iran and Turkey had all declared four regions – Idlib province, eastern Ghouta, northern rural Homs, and southern Syria (to include Quneitra and parts of Daraa governorate) – as de-escalation zones. But the Syrian regime, with the cooperation of Russia and Iran, subsequently launched offensives into some of these regions on the pretext of eliminating terrorist groups. One by one, the regions set up as de-escalation zones have been devastated. Amberin Zaman, a columnist for Al-Monitor’s Turkey Pulse, argues that a full-scale assault in Idlib would result in the Erdogan government losing its sway over the rebels in the area and make Turkey a potential target for more radical jihadists. According to some sources, for example, nearly 60 per cent of Idlib is controlled by the HTS, a radical jihadist group designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations. Moreover, an invasion such as that tabled by Russia would likely cause another massive influx of refugees from Idlib into neighbouring countries – especially Turkey – and from there on into Europe. Russia’s bullish stance on Idlib has therefore also been condemned by the Western members of the UN Security Council. Putin’s game plan The question is whether these criticisms were behind Putin scrapping his decision to invade or whether he has another motive. At their September summit, Putin and Erdogan agreed there should be a demilitarised buffer zone established in Idlib by October 15, separating the rebels from Assad’s government forces. Erdogan said, " The opposition will remain where they are, but the [radical] groups that we will determine jointly with Russia won’t be allowed to operate. The boundaries of the demilitarised zone will be supervised jointly." Nevertheless, one thing is clear – while Turkey has managed temporarily to stall an invasion of Idlib, Russia will be keeping a close eye on the situation. The deal requires those designated “radical” rebels to withdraw from the demilitarised zone – and if they don’t, Russia and Assad will have a pretext to return to their original plan. Doubtless, Russia will also incrementally apply pressure on Erdogan, at least tactically, by making Turkey responsible for removing the “radical” jihadist groups from Idlib. This would make Turkey more vulnerable to terrorist attacks, and a vulnerable Turkey would need further help from Russia, as the new hegemon of the region. It is clear, therefore, that Putin’s strategy is not merely to support his main ally, the Assad regime, in Syria. It is also to use the conflict to break the influence of the Western alliance in the region and tie NATO member Turkey more closely to Moscow. It seems that Russia has never abandoned its Cold War strategy to invest in growing tensions between NATO allies. Indeed, Cengiz Çandar, a veteran Turkish journalist and author, theorises that Putin is prioritising this dismembering of the Western alliance over supporting the Syrian regime, its traditional ally. In this context, the recent Sochi summit can be seen as Putin’s way of bringing Erdogan closer to Russia. This, it seems, is Putin’s “grand strategy”. Breaking NATO Although Turkish interests in Syria appear to conform with those of the West and NATO, this growing asymmetric dependence on Russia is forcing Erdogan to make concessions to Russia at many levels, from security to the economy. Turkey’s recent move to purchase S400 air defence missiles from Russia is one example of many. In fact, the trajectory of this asymmetric dependency is raising the question of whether Turkey is becoming a Russian proxy. A Russian proxy which is also a NATO member would be the very thing Russia wants in order to gain further leverage in its global contest with the US and NATO. From NATO’s perspective, the political rapprochement between Russia and Turkey has so far been seen as tactical. But the conversion of this rapprochement into a growing asymmetric interdependence that favours Russia is casting doubt on Turkey’s already fragile commitment to the Western alliance. And, as Turkey gets ever more sucked into the Syrian conflict, so it becomes harder for Erdogan to disengage from Putin. With the Syrian conflict right on its borders, and Russia and Iran increasingly shaping the region’s politics, Turkey is becoming beholden to NATO’s enemies. The situation suggests that to achieve security within its borders Turkey may be asked to resign itself to the desires of these two powers – two powers that would do anything to weaken the West and NATO. (Mustafa Demir Associate Lecturer in International Relations, Staffordshire University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Putin is using Syria conflict to turn Turkey into Moscow’s proxy

A Syrian rebel alliance has not pulled any heavy arms from the country's north, its spokesman told AFP Sunday, denying reports it had begun implementing a demilitarisation deal there.

Moscow and Ankara reached a deal earlier this month to create a buffer zone around the opposition stronghold of Idlib that would be free of both jihadists and heavy arms.

The National Liberation Front, a pro-Turkey rebel alliance, welcomed the deal, but said Sunday it had not yet moved any heavy arms from the planned zone.

"There have been no withdrawals of heavy weapons from any area or any front. This report is denied, completely denied," NLF spokesman Naji Mustafa told AFP.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor had earlier said one faction of the NLF began withdrawing its heavy weapons under a Turkish-Russian agreement to create a buffer zone in the area.

It said Faylaq al-Rahman, whose fighters number between 8,500 and 10,000, were leaving areas in the planned zone on Sunday "with heavy weapons, including tanks and cannons".

A spokesman for Faylaq al-Rahman also told AFP on Sunday it had not moved any forces or arms.

"There have been no changes in the location of weapons or redistribution of fighters, even as we remain committed to the agreement reached in (the Russian resort of) Sochi," said Sayf al-Raad.

On September 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to set up a demilitarised zone about 15 to 20 kilometres wide ringing around Idlib.

All factions in the planned buffer zone must hand over their heavy weapons by October 10, and radical groups must withdraw by October 15, according to the agreement. 
&nbsp;

A Syrian rebel alliance has not pulled any heavy arms from the country's north, its spokesman told AFP Sunday, denying reports it had begun implementing a demilitarisation deal there.

A Syrian rebel alliance has not pulled any heavy arms from the country's north, its spokesman told AFP Sunday, denying reports it had begun implementing a demilitarisation deal there. Moscow and Ankara reached a deal earlier this month to create a buffer zone around the opposition stronghold of Idlib that would be free of both jihadists and heavy arms. The National Liberation Front, a pro-Turkey rebel alliance, welcomed the deal, but said Sunday it had not yet moved any heavy arms from the planned zone. "There have been no withdrawals of heavy weapons from any area or any front. This report is denied, completely denied," NLF spokesman Naji Mustafa told AFP. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor had earlier said one faction of the NLF began withdrawing its heavy weapons under a Turkish-Russian agreement to create a buffer zone in the area. It said Faylaq al-Rahman, whose fighters number between 8,500 and 10,000, were leaving areas in the planned zone on Sunday "with heavy weapons, including tanks and cannons". A spokesman for Faylaq al-Rahman also told AFP on Sunday it had not moved any forces or arms. "There have been no changes in the location of weapons or redistribution of fighters, even as we remain committed to the agreement reached in (the Russian resort of) Sochi," said Sayf al-Raad. On September 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to set up a demilitarised zone about 15 to 20 kilometres wide ringing around Idlib. All factions in the planned buffer zone must hand over their heavy weapons by October 10, and radical groups must withdraw by October 15, according to the agreement.

Syria rebels deny pulling arms under Turkey-Russia deal

The FIFA World Cup trophy has reached to Moscow, Russia after visiting 50 countries and completing a nine-month journey of more than 140,000 km. The journey of the much-coveted trophy was started on September 9 in the Russian capital of Moscow. The trophy traveled across Russian cities and then continued its journey abroad visiting over 50 countries across six continents.

This year's tour is the was the longest ever and it allowed more than 300,000 people to view the coveted 18-carat gold, 36cm-high trophy.

The trophy is usually kept at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich.

When it reached to Moscow, the residents got a chance to take a close look at the World Cup trophy on Monday (June 4) in the capital's famous Gorky Park.

The trophy was displayed in a riverside pavilion shaped like a soccer ball. Those who came to the show could also see a spectacular promotional video inside the pavilion and buy World Cup souvenirs. The trophy will be on display until June 7.

Russia will host the 2018 World Cup finals in 12 venues spread across 11 cities, which begins on June 14 when the hosts play Saudi Arabia in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

After visiting 50 countries and completing a nine-month journey of more than 140,000 km, the FIFA World Cup trophy has returned to Moscow

The FIFA World Cup trophy has reached to Moscow, Russia after visiting 50 countries and completing a nine-month journey of more than 140,000 km. The journey of the much-coveted trophy was started on September 9 in the Russian capital of Moscow. The trophy traveled across Russian cities and then continued its journey abroad visiting over 50 countries across six continents. This year's tour is the was the longest ever and it allowed more than 300,000 people to view the coveted 18-carat gold, 36cm-high trophy. The trophy is usually kept at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich. When it reached to Moscow, the residents got a chance to take a close look at the World Cup trophy on Monday (June 4) in the capital's famous Gorky Park. The trophy was displayed in a riverside pavilion shaped like a soccer ball. Those who came to the show could also see a spectacular promotional video inside the pavilion and buy World Cup souvenirs. The trophy will be on display until June 7. Russia will host the 2018 World Cup finals in 12 venues spread across 11 cities, which begins on June 14 when the hosts play Saudi Arabia in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

FIFA World Cup trophy returns to Moscow after trip around globe

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met North Korea leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Thursday and has invited him to visit Russia.

"Come to Russia, we'll be very happy to see you," Lavrov told Kim in remarks released by the Russian foreign ministry.

Lavrov also passed on best wishes to Kim from President Vladimir Putin, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, saying he wished him success in the "major undertakings that have been initiated on the Korean peninsula", the ministry said in a statement.

Lavrov who travelled to Pyongyang on Thursday told Kim that Moscow supported peace and progress on the Korean peninsula and highly valued a declaration signed by Pyongyang and Seoul.

It remains unclear whether Kim has accepted the invitation. Should he decide to go, it will represent the first visit by a North Korean leader to Russia since his father Kim Jong Il visited Russia in August 2011.

As per reports, Russia is particularly interested in projects involving the construction of gas pipelines and railways connecting the two Koreas to Russia.&nbsp

Lavrov's visit to Pyongyang, which was announced on Wednesday, comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity to organise a landmark summit between Donald Trump and Kim, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also meeting Kim's right-hand man Kim Yong Chol in New York late Wednesday.

Last month North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho held rare talks with Lavrov in Moscow as Pyongyang moves to improve strained ties with global powers.

Lavrov who travelled to Pyongyang on Thursday told Kim that Moscow supported peace and progress on the Korean peninsula and highly valued a declaration signed by Pyongyang and Seoul

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met North Korea leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Thursday and has invited him to visit Russia. "Come to Russia, we'll be very happy to see you," Lavrov told Kim in remarks released by the Russian foreign ministry. Lavrov also passed on best wishes to Kim from President Vladimir Putin, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, saying he wished him success in the "major undertakings that have been initiated on the Korean peninsula", the ministry said in a statement. Lavrov who travelled to Pyongyang on Thursday told Kim that Moscow supported peace and progress on the Korean peninsula and highly valued a declaration signed by Pyongyang and Seoul. It remains unclear whether Kim has accepted the invitation. Should he decide to go, it will represent the first visit by a North Korean leader to Russia since his father Kim Jong Il visited Russia in August 2011. As per reports, Russia is particularly interested in projects involving the construction of gas pipelines and railways connecting the two Koreas to Russia. Lavrov's visit to Pyongyang, which was announced on Wednesday, comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity to organise a landmark summit between Donald Trump and Kim, with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also meeting Kim's right-hand man Kim Yong Chol in New York late Wednesday. Last month North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho held rare talks with Lavrov in Moscow as Pyongyang moves to improve strained ties with global powers.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov invites Kim Jong-Un to Russia

An Indian Navy plane made an emergency landing just out of Moscow Saturday night, news reports said Sunday.&nbsp;

A chassis failure is suspected to have been the cause of the trouble.

According to Sputnik News, the plane landed "with unlowered front-landing gear".&nbsp;

The planed landed at Zhukovsky International Airport, which was shut down temporarily.&nbsp;

The plane, the reports said, was an IL-38. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The IL-38 is a long-distance, anti-submarine plane.&nbsp;

The navy said it was ascertaining the damage.&nbsp;

It said the "aircraft is in Russia for overhaul and mid-life upgradation."

"No crew was onboard during sortie though they are present in Russia. Aircraft was on initial test flight with Russian crew," the navy added.&nbsp;

According to Sputnik News, the plane landed 'with unlowered front-landing gear'

An Indian Navy plane made an emergency landing just out of Moscow Saturday night, news reports said Sunday. A chassis failure is suspected to have been the cause of the trouble. According to Sputnik News, the plane landed "with unlowered front-landing gear". The planed landed at Zhukovsky International Airport, which was shut down temporarily. The plane, the reports said, was an IL-38. The IL-38 is a long-distance, anti-submarine plane. The navy said it was ascertaining the damage. It said the "aircraft is in Russia for overhaul and mid-life upgradation." "No crew was onboard during sortie though they are present in Russia. Aircraft was on initial test flight with Russian crew," the navy added.

Indian Navy plane makes emergency landing in Moscow

Refuting earlier reports of Rusia could host meeting between US president Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said it will not offer to host any such meeting.

Trump has said he is trying to set up a meeting with Kim to defuse tensions on the Korean peninsula. Lavrov was quoted as saying by RIA that the meeting would be a step away from a military resolution of the situation.

In December there were media reports that said that&nbspRussia could host talks between the United States and North Korea if Moscow is asked to do so.

“We are open to contacts and ready to provide a venue (for talks) if necessary,” news agency RIA quoted Russian ambassador-at-large Oleg Burmistrov as saying. “We are ready to take part in such meetings if we are invited.”

On Wednesday the White House has said that Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have not spoken directly but the US president confirmed that Washington and Pyongyang had been in contact at "very high levels" to prepare for a historic meeting between them.

The Washington Post reported that CIA director Mike Pompeo had met Kim on a secret trip to the North over the first weekend of April, shortly after he was nominated to be secretary of state.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Russian will not offer to host a meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday, according to the RIA news agency

Refuting earlier reports of Rusia could host meeting between US president Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said it will not offer to host any such meeting. Trump has said he is trying to set up a meeting with Kim to defuse tensions on the Korean peninsula. Lavrov was quoted as saying by RIA that the meeting would be a step away from a military resolution of the situation. In December there were media reports that said that&nbspRussia could host talks between the United States and North Korea if Moscow is asked to do so. “We are open to contacts and ready to provide a venue (for talks) if necessary,” news agency RIA quoted Russian ambassador-at-large Oleg Burmistrov as saying. “We are ready to take part in such meetings if we are invited.” On Wednesday the White House has said that Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have not spoken directly but the US president confirmed that Washington and Pyongyang had been in contact at "very high levels" to prepare for a historic meeting between them. The Washington Post reported that CIA director Mike Pompeo had met Kim on a secret trip to the North over the first weekend of April, shortly after he was nominated to be secretary of state. (With inputs from Reuters)

Russia says will not offer to host Trump meeting with North Korea's Kim: RIA

The Russian envoy to India, Nikolay Kudashev, said on Monday that Pakistan has taken "serious measures" to curb terror financing and shown the desire to be a part of global and regional efforts to fight the menace.

His remarks come as ties between Russia and Pakistan appear to grow.

In September last year, the two countries held a two-week long military exercise - DRUZBA 2017 - focusing on counter-terrorism operations to boost bilateral defence ties.

Kudashev, however, said it would not be correct to say that Russia was getting closer to Pakistan as Moscow's relations with New Delhi "are unique and second to no one".

The Russian envoy to India, Nikolay Kudashev, said today that Pakistan has taken "serious measures" to curb terror financing and shown the desire to be a part of global and regional efforts to fight the menace

The Russian envoy to India, Nikolay Kudashev, said on Monday that Pakistan has taken "serious measures" to curb terror financing and shown the desire to be a part of global and regional efforts to fight the menace. His remarks come as ties between Russia and Pakistan appear to grow. In September last year, the two countries held a two-week long military exercise - DRUZBA 2017 - focusing on counter-terrorism operations to boost bilateral defence ties. Kudashev, however, said it would not be correct to say that Russia was getting closer to Pakistan as Moscow's relations with New Delhi "are unique and second to no one".

Pakistan has taken 'serious measures' to curb terror funding: Russian envoy to India

Russia and Egypt are to resume direct flights on Wednesday following a more than two-year hiatus after a bomb downed a Russian charter over the Sinai peninsula in 2015.&nbsp

Moscow officials stopped direct flights citing security concerns after the attack, in a major blow for the Egyptian economy, which relies heavily on tourism and had been a popular destination for Russians.

On Wednesday evening an Aeroflot plane is due to take off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport to Cairo, in a first step towards restoring flights to holiday destinations on the Red Sea.

On Thursday, Egyptair will restart its service between the two capitals, and the two companies will together carry out five return flights between Moscow and Cairo a week.&nbsp

But the move in itself will not immediately help Egypt's troubled tourism sector, Russian officials have said.&nbsp

"Tourists do not need direct flights to Cairo. The transfer from Cairo to sea resorts is long and uncomfortable, and no one will be going there in that way," Russian Tourism Industry spokeswoman Irina Tyurina told AFP.&nbsp

"In practice, the situation is the same as it was before, when people would get there independently via Minsk or Istanbul -- either big fans of Egypt or Russians who live there," she said.&nbsp

"Egypt is not yet back as a tourist destination for the Russian market."&nbsp

A great worry

Flights were suspended at the end of 2015 after a bomb downed a flight carrying holidaymakers from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, killing all 224 people on board, mostly Russian tourists.&nbsp

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group.&nbsp

The number of foreign tourists in Egypt went from 14.7 million in 2010 to 5.4 million in 2016, on the back of the suspension of flights and the turmoil following the uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak.&nbsp

In 2017 that number recovered to 8.3 million visitors, according to official figures.&nbsp

Revenues from tourism at the same time dropped by two thirds, from $11.6 billion in 2010 to $3.8 billion in 2016, according to the Egyptian Central Bank.

Moscow and Cairo are to decide on a date to discuss the resumption of flights to Egyptian tourist destinations once flights between the two capitals have resumed, the Egyptian ambassador to Russia Ihab Nasr has said.

Russian officials have meanwhile not hidden their concerns about direct flights being restarted.

"The resumption of direct flights to Egypt, in particular to resort areas, is a great worry for us," Aleksandr Neradko, head of the Russian Federal Air Navigation Authority, said last week in comments reported by Russian agencies.&nbsp

Eight Russian experts will be sent to Cairo airport to check security measures are being enforced on flights towards Moscow, according to the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram.

Moscow officials stopped direct flights citing security concerns after the attack, in a major blow for the Egyptian economy, which relies heavily on tourism and had been a popular destination for Russians

Russia and Egypt are to resume direct flights on Wednesday following a more than two-year hiatus after a bomb downed a Russian charter over the Sinai peninsula in 2015. Moscow officials stopped direct flights citing security concerns after the attack, in a major blow for the Egyptian economy, which relies heavily on tourism and had been a popular destination for Russians. On Wednesday evening an Aeroflot plane is due to take off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport to Cairo, in a first step towards restoring flights to holiday destinations on the Red Sea. On Thursday, Egyptair will restart its service between the two capitals, and the two companies will together carry out five return flights between Moscow and Cairo a week. But the move in itself will not immediately help Egypt's troubled tourism sector, Russian officials have said. "Tourists do not need direct flights to Cairo. The transfer from Cairo to sea resorts is long and uncomfortable, and no one will be going there in that way," Russian Tourism Industry spokeswoman Irina Tyurina told AFP. "In practice, the situation is the same as it was before, when people would get there independently via Minsk or Istanbul -- either big fans of Egypt or Russians who live there," she said. "Egypt is not yet back as a tourist destination for the Russian market." A great worry Flights were suspended at the end of 2015 after a bomb downed a flight carrying holidaymakers from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, killing all 224 people on board, mostly Russian tourists. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group. The number of foreign tourists in Egypt went from 14.7 million in 2010 to 5.4 million in 2016, on the back of the suspension of flights and the turmoil following the uprising that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak. In 2017 that number recovered to 8.3 million visitors, according to official figures. Revenues from tourism at the same time dropped by two thirds, from $11.6 billion in 2010 to $3.8 billion in 2016, according to the Egyptian Central Bank. Moscow and Cairo are to decide on a date to discuss the resumption of flights to Egyptian tourist destinations once flights between the two capitals have resumed, the Egyptian ambassador to Russia Ihab Nasr has said. Russian officials have meanwhile not hidden their concerns about direct flights being restarted. "The resumption of direct flights to Egypt, in particular to resort areas, is a great worry for us," Aleksandr Neradko, head of the Russian Federal Air Navigation Authority, said last week in comments reported by Russian agencies. Eight Russian experts will be sent to Cairo airport to check security measures are being enforced on flights towards Moscow, according to the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram.

Russia, Egypt resume direct flights two years after attack

Former Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi inaugurated a photo exhibition of the former prime minister late Indira Gandhi in Moscow earlier today.&nbsp;

At the exhibition, Sonia Gandhi expressed her happiness over visiting the Russian capital after thirteen years. "I have fond memories of my many visits here and to St. Petersburg and the gracious hospitality of President Putin in 2005," she added.

The exhibition was organised and inaugurated to commemorate the centenary anniversary of late Indira Gandhi. The event exhibited the expanse of her life and times as a remarkable political personality.

"This exhibition tells the story of a courageous, compelling and charismatic leader who left an indelible imprint not only on her own country, not only on the India-USSR relationship but on the world stage as well," said Sonia Gandhi. &nbsp;

"It is only appropriate that Moscow is the first place where this photo exhibition is on display outside India," she added

Indira Gandhi was India’s only woman prime minister, incidentally, many mothers in the Soviet Union named their daughters after her.&nbsp;

In her speech at the exhibition, Sonia Gandhi fondly traced her family's ties with Russia.&nbsp;

"The ties of my family with your country date back to 1927 when Indira Gandhi’s grandfather Motilal Nehru, father Jawaharlal Nehru and mother Kamala first visited Moscow. It was this journey that inspired Jawaharlal Nehru to write his very first book, ‘Soviet Russia: Some Random Sketches and Impressions’. Indira Gandhi herself made her first trip to Russia in 1953," Gandhi expressed.

She shared that her mother-in-law's (Indira Gandhi) letters to her father Jawahar Lal Nehru expressed how excited and deeply moved she was by Moscow and its people.

"From St. Petersburg, then Leningrad - she wrote, and I quote: Leningrad is truly a beautiful city… It is still the city of Peter the Great… The Hermitage Museum has a wonderful collection of European paintings—the collection of arts from China, Ancient Egypt and a small one consisting of mainly armour from India," Gandhi read out from one of Indira Gandhi's letters.

"The USSR—and especially Russia—held a special place, both in her head and her heart. After all, she had grown-up in the shadow of not only her father but of two other remarkable men: the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who derived inspiration from Leo Tolstoy, and India’s first Nobel Laureate, the poet Rabindranath Tagore, who often expressed his admiration for Alexander Pushkin," Gandhi further added.&nbsp;

At the exhibition, Sonia Gandhi went on to talk about the exuberance and the strength with which late Indira Gandhi lived her life and led the nation. Sonia Gandhi recalled Indira Gandhi's passion for Russian literature, her diplomacy skills and her ability to emerge as one of the most powerful leaders in the history of Indian polity.

"During the 16 years of her Prime Ministership, India and the Soviet Union shared a special partnership. There were a genuine warmth and a rare chemistry between Indira Gandhi and the Russian leaders. She was an influential and tireless global voice for peace and disarmament. Within India, she shared a rare rapport with the poor and disadvantaged sections of society. They saw in her the protector of their rights and the champion of their hopes and aspirations," Sonia Gandhi added.&nbsp;

Sonia Gandhi reflected on the "excellent relationship" enjoyed by India and Russia and credited the same to Indira Gandhi's legacy -- "a legacy that has been consolidated by President Putin and successive Indian prime ministers," Gandhi concluded.&nbsp;

In her speech at the exhibition, Sonia Gandhi fondly traced her family's ties with Russia

Former Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi inaugurated a photo exhibition of the former prime minister late Indira Gandhi in Moscow earlier today. At the exhibition, Sonia Gandhi expressed her happiness over visiting the Russian capital after thirteen years. "I have fond memories of my many visits here and to St. Petersburg and the gracious hospitality of President Putin in 2005," she added. The exhibition was organised and inaugurated to commemorate the centenary anniversary of late Indira Gandhi. The event exhibited the expanse of her life and times as a remarkable political personality. "This exhibition tells the story of a courageous, compelling and charismatic leader who left an indelible imprint not only on her own country, not only on the India-USSR relationship but on the world stage as well," said Sonia Gandhi. "It is only appropriate that Moscow is the first place where this photo exhibition is on display outside India," she added Indira Gandhi was India’s only woman prime minister, incidentally, many mothers in the Soviet Union named their daughters after her. In her speech at the exhibition, Sonia Gandhi fondly traced her family's ties with Russia. "The ties of my family with your country date back to 1927 when Indira Gandhi’s grandfather Motilal Nehru, father Jawaharlal Nehru and mother Kamala first visited Moscow. It was this journey that inspired Jawaharlal Nehru to write his very first book, ‘Soviet Russia: Some Random Sketches and Impressions’. Indira Gandhi herself made her first trip to Russia in 1953," Gandhi expressed. She shared that her mother-in-law's (Indira Gandhi) letters to her father Jawahar Lal Nehru expressed how excited and deeply moved she was by Moscow and its people. "From St. Petersburg, then Leningrad - she wrote, and I quote: Leningrad is truly a beautiful city… It is still the city of Peter the Great… The Hermitage Museum has a wonderful collection of European paintings—the collection of arts from China, Ancient Egypt and a small one consisting of mainly armour from India," Gandhi read out from one of Indira Gandhi's letters. "The USSR—and especially Russia—held a special place, both in her head and her heart. After all, she had grown-up in the shadow of not only her father but of two other remarkable men: the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi who derived inspiration from Leo Tolstoy, and India’s first Nobel Laureate, the poet Rabindranath Tagore, who often expressed his admiration for Alexander Pushkin," Gandhi further added. At the exhibition, Sonia Gandhi went on to talk about the exuberance and the strength with which late Indira Gandhi lived her life and led the nation. Sonia Gandhi recalled Indira Gandhi's passion for Russian literature, her diplomacy skills and her ability to emerge as one of the most powerful leaders in the history of Indian polity. "During the 16 years of her Prime Ministership, India and the Soviet Union shared a special partnership. There were a genuine warmth and a rare chemistry between Indira Gandhi and the Russian leaders. She was an influential and tireless global voice for peace and disarmament. Within India, she shared a rare rapport with the poor and disadvantaged sections of society. They saw in her the protector of their rights and the champion of their hopes and aspirations," Sonia Gandhi added. Sonia Gandhi reflected on the "excellent relationship" enjoyed by India and Russia and credited the same to Indira Gandhi's legacy -- "a legacy that has been consolidated by President Putin and successive Indian prime ministers," Gandhi concluded.

Indira Gandhi exhibition in Moscow: She was deeply moved by city, its people, says Sonia

US diplomats expelled by Russia over the poisoning of a former spy in Britain were seen leaving the US embassy in Moscow on Thursday morning to make their way to the airport, the TASS news agency reported.

Russia expelled 60 US diplomats one week ago and ordered the closure of the US consulate in St Petersburg in retaliation for Washington's expulsion of the same number of Russian diplomats and closure of Russia's consulate in Seattle.

The US move was part of a much wider Western response to the nerve agent poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in an English city, a crime Britain blamed on Russia, which denies wrongdoing.

TASS reported that three coaches believed to be carrying departing diplomats were seen leaving the US embassy in central Moscow on Thursday morning to head for the airport.

Russia expelled 58 diplomats from the US embassy in Moscow and two from the US consulate in the city of Yekaterinburg.

US diplomats were seen leaving the US embassy in Moscow on Thursday morning

US diplomats expelled by Russia over the poisoning of a former spy in Britain were seen leaving the US embassy in Moscow on Thursday morning to make their way to the airport, the TASS news agency reported. Russia expelled 60 US diplomats one week ago and ordered the closure of the US consulate in St Petersburg in retaliation for Washington's expulsion of the same number of Russian diplomats and closure of Russia's consulate in Seattle. The US move was part of a much wider Western response to the nerve agent poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in an English city, a crime Britain blamed on Russia, which denies wrongdoing. TASS reported that three coaches believed to be carrying departing diplomats were seen leaving the US embassy in central Moscow on Thursday morning to head for the airport. Russia expelled 58 diplomats from the US embassy in Moscow and two from the US consulate in the city of Yekaterinburg.

Expelled US diplomats leave Russia: Reports

The world's chemical watchdog is to meet behind closed doors today after a British laboratory said it had not proved that Russia manufactured a deadly nerve agent used to poison a former Russian spy.

The talks at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have been requested by Moscow which said it wanted to "address the situation around the allegations... In regards to the incident in Salisbury."

"We hope to discuss the whole matter and call on Britain to provide every possible element of evidence they might have in their hands," Russia's ambassador to Ireland, Yury Filatov, told reporters.

Yesterday, the British military facility analysing the nerve agent used on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, said it was not in a position to say where the substance had originated.

Skripal, who has lived in Britain since a spy swap in 2010, and his daughter have been in the hospital since the March 4 poisoning that London and its major Western allies have blamed on Russia.

The 41 member states of the OPCW's executive council are to convene at 10:00 am (local time) at the organisation's headquarters in The Hague.

The meeting comes after Moscow also received and analysed samples of the Novichok agent used in the attack.

"Russia is interested in establishing the whole truth of the matter," Filatov said.

But Britain's foreign ministry accused Russia of requesting the meeting to undermine the OPCW's investigation.

"This Russian initiative is yet again another diversionary tactic, intended to undermine the work of the OPCW in reaching a conclusion," the ministry said in a statement.

"Of course, there is no requirement in the Chemical Weapons Convention for the victim of a chemical weapons attack to engage in a joint investigation with the likely perpetrator," it said.

Gary Aitkenhead, chief executive of the Porton Down defence laboratory, told Britain's Sky News that analysts had identified the substance as military-grade Novichok, the word used for a category of nerve agents developed in Soviet times.

But he added: "We have not identified the precise source. It is our job to provide the scientific evidence of what this particular nerve agent is, we identified that it is from this particular family and that it is a military grade, but it is not our job to say where it was manufactured," Aitkenhead said.

"Extremely sophisticated methods" were needed to create the nerve agent, he said, adding that was "something only in the capabilities of a state actor".

Following his remarks, a British government spokesperson said Porton Down's identification of Novichok was "only one part of the intelligence picture".

"This includes our knowledge that within the last decade, Russia has investigated ways of delivering nerve agents probably for assassination - and as part of this programme has produced and stockpiled small quantities of Novichok Russia's record of conducting state-sponsored assassinations and our assessment that Russia views former intelligence officers as targets," it added.

The first use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II has chilled Moscow's relations with the West, as both sides have expelled scores of diplomats.

Britain has also suspended high-level diplomatic contact with Moscow.

Moscow has denied any involvement in the incident, with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying late Tuesday he hoped the OPCW meeting would put a "full stop" to the issue.

Putin added he had been informed that the British military could not prove the substance was made in Russia.

An "anti-Russian campaign" had been started with surprising speed, Putin said, reiterating Moscow's claim that it should be allowed to take part in the investigation.&nbsp

The talks at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have been requested by Moscow

The world's chemical watchdog is to meet behind closed doors today after a British laboratory said it had not proved that Russia manufactured a deadly nerve agent used to poison a former Russian spy. The talks at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have been requested by Moscow which said it wanted to "address the situation around the allegations... In regards to the incident in Salisbury." "We hope to discuss the whole matter and call on Britain to provide every possible element of evidence they might have in their hands," Russia's ambassador to Ireland, Yury Filatov, told reporters. Yesterday, the British military facility analysing the nerve agent used on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, said it was not in a position to say where the substance had originated. Skripal, who has lived in Britain since a spy swap in 2010, and his daughter have been in the hospital since the March 4 poisoning that London and its major Western allies have blamed on Russia. The 41 member states of the OPCW's executive council are to convene at 10:00 am (local time) at the organisation's headquarters in The Hague. The meeting comes after Moscow also received and analysed samples of the Novichok agent used in the attack. "Russia is interested in establishing the whole truth of the matter," Filatov said. But Britain's foreign ministry accused Russia of requesting the meeting to undermine the OPCW's investigation. "This Russian initiative is yet again another diversionary tactic, intended to undermine the work of the OPCW in reaching a conclusion," the ministry said in a statement. "Of course, there is no requirement in the Chemical Weapons Convention for the victim of a chemical weapons attack to engage in a joint investigation with the likely perpetrator," it said. Gary Aitkenhead, chief executive of the Porton Down defence laboratory, told Britain's Sky News that analysts had identified the substance as military-grade Novichok, the word used for a category of nerve agents developed in Soviet times. But he added: "We have not identified the precise source. It is our job to provide the scientific evidence of what this particular nerve agent is, we identified that it is from this particular family and that it is a military grade, but it is not our job to say where it was manufactured," Aitkenhead said. "Extremely sophisticated methods" were needed to create the nerve agent, he said, adding that was "something only in the capabilities of a state actor". Following his remarks, a British government spokesperson said Porton Down's identification of Novichok was "only one part of the intelligence picture". "This includes our knowledge that within the last decade, Russia has investigated ways of delivering nerve agents probably for assassination - and as part of this programme has produced and stockpiled small quantities of Novichok Russia's record of conducting state-sponsored assassinations and our assessment that Russia views former intelligence officers as targets," it added. The first use of chemical weapons in Europe since World War II has chilled Moscow's relations with the West, as both sides have expelled scores of diplomats. Britain has also suspended high-level diplomatic contact with Moscow. Moscow has denied any involvement in the incident, with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying late Tuesday he hoped the OPCW meeting would put a "full stop" to the issue. Putin added he had been informed that the British military could not prove the substance was made in Russia. An "anti-Russian campaign" had been started with surprising speed, Putin said, reiterating Moscow's claim that it should be allowed to take part in the investigation.

Chemical watchdog to meet over spy nerve agent claims

Russian diplomats expelled from the United States arrived in Moscow today, with post-Cold War tensions soaring in the wake of a nerve agent attack on a former spy in Britain.

A deepening crisis in ties between Russia and the West over the past weeks has seen the biggest wave of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions in recent memory.

Another salvo in the spat was fired on Saturday, when Russia warned its nationals to think twice before travelling to Britain, where it said they could be singled out for harassment.

By expelling 60 Russian diplomats, the US joined a score of Britain's allies in responding to the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4.

Britain has said it is "highly likely" that Russia was responsible for the attack using the Soviet-designed Novichok nerve agent, while Moscow calls the allegations unsubstantiated anti-Russian propoganda.

Two planes arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Sunday, bringing home a total of 171 people -- the 60 diplomats and their families -- from Washington and New York.

Russian television showed passengers disembarking from a government plane while several buses waited to pick them up.

The US alleged the 60 diplomats were "spies" and sent them home from posts around the country and at the Russian mission to the United Nations, as well as closing Russia's consulate in Seattle.

Moscow responded by sending home 60 US diplomats and closing Washington's consulate in Saint Petersburg on Saturday.

Washington has since said Russia is free to apply to accredit more diplomats to replace those expelled.

More than 150 Russian diplomats have now been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations.

Four of those diplomats were sent home from Germany, whose foreign minister said Sunday that his country remained open to dialogue and hoped eventually to "rebuild trust" with Moscow.

While admitting Russia's behaviour had "caused a lot of trust to be lost", Heiko Maas said "we need Russia as a partner".

The US embassy in Moscow also took a more conciliatory tone, saying on Twitter that "the consulate is closed but our work to improve Russian-US ties is continuing".

US President Donald Trump has often appeared reluctant to criticise Russian leader Vladimir Putin and has said the two could meet for a summit in the near future.

However the furious diplomatic war between Russia and Britain showed no sign of abating as Moscow's embassy in London urged Russians to think carefully before travelling to the UK or sending children to summer school there.

The embassy warned that British authorities including police could single out Russians for additional checks, citing "the anti-Russian policies and an escalation of the British side's threatening rhetoric".

The Russian embassy even urged fans of football team CSKA Moscow flying to London for Thursday's Europa match with Arsenal to exercise "extra vigilance" because of Britain's "anti-Russian campaign".

Britain has acknowledged that border officials searched an incoming Aeroflot flight from Moscow on Friday in what Russia blasted as an act of "blatant provocation".

But Britain said it conducts routine checks on aircraft to protect the UK from organised crime and people attempting to bring harmful substances into the country.

Moscow summoned British ambassador Laurie Bristow on Friday, giving London a month to cut the number of diplomatic staff in Russia to the same number Russia has in Britain.

"Russia suggested parity. The British side has more than 50 more people," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told AFP.

The measure came after Russia expelled 23 British diplomats, closed a British consulate in Saint Petersburg and halted the activities of the British Council educational and cultural organisation last month.

Bristow was summoned by Moscow along with the heads of missions from 23 other countries -- most of them EU member states -- who were told that some of their diplomats had to leave.

One of those countries was Australia, which on Sunday warned its citizens in Russia of the risk of "anti-Western sentiment or harassment".

However the travel advisory said the government was not aware of "any increased difficulties for Australians travelling in Russia at this time".

Russia also expelled diplomats from countries including France, Canada, Poland, Australia, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania and Norway.

A deepening crisis in ties between Russia and the West over the past weeks has seen the biggest wave of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions in recent memory

Russian diplomats expelled from the United States arrived in Moscow today, with post-Cold War tensions soaring in the wake of a nerve agent attack on a former spy in Britain. A deepening crisis in ties between Russia and the West over the past weeks has seen the biggest wave of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions in recent memory. Another salvo in the spat was fired on Saturday, when Russia warned its nationals to think twice before travelling to Britain, where it said they could be singled out for harassment. By expelling 60 Russian diplomats, the US joined a score of Britain's allies in responding to the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. Britain has said it is "highly likely" that Russia was responsible for the attack using the Soviet-designed Novichok nerve agent, while Moscow calls the allegations unsubstantiated anti-Russian propoganda. Two planes arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Sunday, bringing home a total of 171 people -- the 60 diplomats and their families -- from Washington and New York. Russian television showed passengers disembarking from a government plane while several buses waited to pick them up. The US alleged the 60 diplomats were "spies" and sent them home from posts around the country and at the Russian mission to the United Nations, as well as closing Russia's consulate in Seattle. Moscow responded by sending home 60 US diplomats and closing Washington's consulate in Saint Petersburg on Saturday. Washington has since said Russia is free to apply to accredit more diplomats to replace those expelled. More than 150 Russian diplomats have now been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations. Four of those diplomats were sent home from Germany, whose foreign minister said Sunday that his country remained open to dialogue and hoped eventually to "rebuild trust" with Moscow. While admitting Russia's behaviour had "caused a lot of trust to be lost", Heiko Maas said "we need Russia as a partner". The US embassy in Moscow also took a more conciliatory tone, saying on Twitter that "the consulate is closed but our work to improve Russian-US ties is continuing". US President Donald Trump has often appeared reluctant to criticise Russian leader Vladimir Putin and has said the two could meet for a summit in the near future. However the furious diplomatic war between Russia and Britain showed no sign of abating as Moscow's embassy in London urged Russians to think carefully before travelling to the UK or sending children to summer school there. The embassy warned that British authorities including police could single out Russians for additional checks, citing "the anti-Russian policies and an escalation of the British side's threatening rhetoric". The Russian embassy even urged fans of football team CSKA Moscow flying to London for Thursday's Europa match with Arsenal to exercise "extra vigilance" because of Britain's "anti-Russian campaign". Britain has acknowledged that border officials searched an incoming Aeroflot flight from Moscow on Friday in what Russia blasted as an act of "blatant provocation". But Britain said it conducts routine checks on aircraft to protect the UK from organised crime and people attempting to bring harmful substances into the country. Moscow summoned British ambassador Laurie Bristow on Friday, giving London a month to cut the number of diplomatic staff in Russia to the same number Russia has in Britain. "Russia suggested parity. The British side has more than 50 more people," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told AFP. The measure came after Russia expelled 23 British diplomats, closed a British consulate in Saint Petersburg and halted the activities of the British Council educational and cultural organisation last month. Bristow was summoned by Moscow along with the heads of missions from 23 other countries -- most of them EU member states -- who were told that some of their diplomats had to leave. One of those countries was Australia, which on Sunday warned its citizens in Russia of the risk of "anti-Western sentiment or harassment". However the travel advisory said the government was not aware of "any increased difficulties for Australians travelling in Russia at this time". Russia also expelled diplomats from countries including France, Canada, Poland, Australia, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania and Norway.

Expelled Russians arrive home as Moscow warns against travel to UK

Moscow has told Britain it must cut just over 50 more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia as a standoff deepened over the poisoning of a Russian former spy and his daughter in England, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

Moscow also demanded an official explanation for the search of a Russian passenger plane in London, saying it reserved the right to act similarly against British airlines in Russia. Britain said the search was routine.&nbsp

Russia advised its citizens to think carefully before travelling to Britain, warning they could fall victim to official harassment.&nbsp

More than 100 Russian diplomats have been expelled by Western countries, including 23 from Britain, to punish the Kremlin over the March 4 attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the historic English city of Salisbury.&nbsp

London says Moscow was responsible for the first known use of a military-grade nerve agent on European soil since World War Two, and Britain's defence minister on Saturday said it was "heartening" to see the backing of international allies.&nbsp

"The world's patience with Putin's repeated pattern of malign behaviour has worn thin," Gavin Williamson wrote in a newspaper column, urging that Britain's defence capabilities needed to keep better step with Russia's broadening tactics.&nbsp

Russia denies responsibility for the attack. It has cast the allegations as a Western plot to sabotage East-West relations and isolate Moscow.

Russia had already retaliated in kind by ejecting 23 British diplomats. On Friday, the Foreign Ministry summoned British Ambassador Laurie Bristow and told him London had one month to further cut its diplomatic contingent in Russia to the same size as the Russian mission in Britain. It also expelled 59 diplomats from 23 other countries for backing Britain.&nbsp

A spokeswoman for Britain's Foreign Office called the Russian move regrettable, and said it was considering the implications of the measures. She did not say how many diplomatic staff in Russia would be affected, while the British Embassy in Moscow says it does not make staff numbers public.&nbsp

But Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the demand meant Britain would have to cut "a little over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia on top of the 23 diplomats who have already gone home.&nbsp

"We asked for parity. The Brits have 50 diplomats more than the Russians," Zakharova said on Saturday.

Asked if that meant London would now have to cut exactly 50 diplomatic and technical staff, she said: "A little over 50."

Russian travel warning

The Russian Foreign Ministry later published a list of 14 questions its London embassy had sent Britain's Foreign Office. It included queries about why Russia had been denied consular access to the Skripals and about France's role in the case.

In a move underlining the serious nature of the diplomatic crisis, the Russian Embassy also advised Russians to think twice before travelling to Britain, warning of rising anti-Russian sentiment and possible harassment from the authorities, including the risk of objects being planted in their luggage.

"We can't rule out increased attention by British law enforcement agencies and intelligence services to Russian passport holders," the embassy said in a statement.&nbsp

Russia's Ministry of Transport meanwhile demanded Britain explain an Aeroflot airliner was searched at Heathrow Airport on Friday, in what the Russian Embassy in London called a "blatant provocation".

Britain disagreed with that assessment.&nbsp

"It is routine for (Britain's border agency) to search aircraft to protect the UK from organised crime and from those who attempt to bring harmful substances like drugs or firearms into the country," Security Minister Ben Wallace said.

The Russian Embassy said Wallace's logic was "difficult to comprehend" and only amplified its doubts about the incident.&nbsp

Britain's Foreign Office also said on Saturday it was considering allowing visits under consular access terms to Yulia Skripal, who is recovering in hospital against all expectations and is no longer in critical condition.

Russia's embassy said that it had contacted Viktoria Skripal, Yulia's cousin. "Upon receiving confirmation that Yulia Skripal's condition is getting better and she is able to communicate, she said she would like to go to London and to visit her cousin," the embassy said.

The BBC reported on Friday that Yulia was "conscious and talking," which may help the investigation of how she and her father were poisoned.

The poisoning on British territory has united much of the West in taking action against what it regards as the hostile policies of President Vladimir Putin. This includes the United States under President Donald Trump, whom Putin had hoped would improve ties.

Russia advised its citizens to think carefully before travelling to Britain, warning they could fall victim to official harassment

Moscow has told Britain it must cut just over 50 more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia as a standoff deepened over the poisoning of a Russian former spy and his daughter in England, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. Moscow also demanded an official explanation for the search of a Russian passenger plane in London, saying it reserved the right to act similarly against British airlines in Russia. Britain said the search was routine. Russia advised its citizens to think carefully before travelling to Britain, warning they could fall victim to official harassment. More than 100 Russian diplomats have been expelled by Western countries, including 23 from Britain, to punish the Kremlin over the March 4 attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the historic English city of Salisbury. London says Moscow was responsible for the first known use of a military-grade nerve agent on European soil since World War Two, and Britain's defence minister on Saturday said it was "heartening" to see the backing of international allies. "The world's patience with Putin's repeated pattern of malign behaviour has worn thin," Gavin Williamson wrote in a newspaper column, urging that Britain's defence capabilities needed to keep better step with Russia's broadening tactics. Russia denies responsibility for the attack. It has cast the allegations as a Western plot to sabotage East-West relations and isolate Moscow. Russia had already retaliated in kind by ejecting 23 British diplomats. On Friday, the Foreign Ministry summoned British Ambassador Laurie Bristow and told him London had one month to further cut its diplomatic contingent in Russia to the same size as the Russian mission in Britain. It also expelled 59 diplomats from 23 other countries for backing Britain. A spokeswoman for Britain's Foreign Office called the Russian move regrettable, and said it was considering the implications of the measures. She did not say how many diplomatic staff in Russia would be affected, while the British Embassy in Moscow says it does not make staff numbers public. But Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the demand meant Britain would have to cut "a little over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia on top of the 23 diplomats who have already gone home. "We asked for parity. The Brits have 50 diplomats more than the Russians," Zakharova said on Saturday. Asked if that meant London would now have to cut exactly 50 diplomatic and technical staff, she said: "A little over 50." Russian travel warning The Russian Foreign Ministry later published a list of 14 questions its London embassy had sent Britain's Foreign Office. It included queries about why Russia had been denied consular access to the Skripals and about France's role in the case. In a move underlining the serious nature of the diplomatic crisis, the Russian Embassy also advised Russians to think twice before travelling to Britain, warning of rising anti-Russian sentiment and possible harassment from the authorities, including the risk of objects being planted in their luggage. "We can't rule out increased attention by British law enforcement agencies and intelligence services to Russian passport holders," the embassy said in a statement. Russia's Ministry of Transport meanwhile demanded Britain explain an Aeroflot airliner was searched at Heathrow Airport on Friday, in what the Russian Embassy in London called a "blatant provocation". Britain disagreed with that assessment. "It is routine for (Britain's border agency) to search aircraft to protect the UK from organised crime and from those who attempt to bring harmful substances like drugs or firearms into the country," Security Minister Ben Wallace said. The Russian Embassy said Wallace's logic was "difficult to comprehend" and only amplified its doubts about the incident. Britain's Foreign Office also said on Saturday it was considering allowing visits under consular access terms to Yulia Skripal, who is recovering in hospital against all expectations and is no longer in critical condition. Russia's embassy said that it had contacted Viktoria Skripal, Yulia's cousin. "Upon receiving confirmation that Yulia Skripal's condition is getting better and she is able to communicate, she said she would like to go to London and to visit her cousin," the embassy said. The BBC reported on Friday that Yulia was "conscious and talking," which may help the investigation of how she and her father were poisoned. The poisoning on British territory has united much of the West in taking action against what it regards as the hostile policies of President Vladimir Putin. This includes the United States under President Donald Trump, whom Putin had hoped would improve ties.

Britain and Russia lock horns as Moscow cuts UK diplomats

Russian diplomats expelled from the United States arrived in Moscow on Sunday, with post-Cold War tensions peaking in the wake of a nerve agent attack on a former spy in Britain.

A deepening crisis in ties between Russia and the West has over the past weeks seen the biggest wave of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions in recent memory.

In further signs of tension, Russia warned its nationals on Saturday to think twice before travelling to Britain, where it said they could be singled out for harassment by local authorities.

By expelling 60 Russian diplomats, the US joined a score of Britain's allies in responding to the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4.

Two planes arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Sunday, bringing home a total of 171 people -- the 60 diplomats and their families -- from Washington and New York.

Russian television showed passengers disembarking from a government plane while several buses waited to pick them up.

More than 150 Russian diplomats have now been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations.

Britain has said it is "highly likely" that Russia was responsible for the Skripal attack using the Soviet-designed Novichok nerve agent. Russia has angrily denied any involvement.

The US alleged the 60 diplomats were "spies" and sent them home from posts around the country and at the Russian mission to the United Nations, as well as closing Russia's consulate in Seattle.

However Washington has since said that Russia is free to apply to accredit more diplomats to replace those expelled.

Moscow responded by expelling 60 US diplomats and closing Washington's consulate in Saint Petersburg on Saturday.

Work to improve ties

US President Donald Trump has often appeared reluctant to criticise Russian leader Vladimir Putin and has said the two could meet for a summit in the near future.

"Now the consulate is closed but our work to improve Russian-US ties is continuing," the US embassy in Moscow said on Twitter.

Moscow also issued further retaliatory measures against Britain on Saturday, demanding that London further slash its diplomatic presence.

"Russia suggested parity. The British side has more than 50 more people," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told AFP.&nbsp

The call came after 23 British diplomats were expelled from Russia last month.

Moscow also closed a British consulate in Saint Petersburg and suspended all projects of the British Council for the first time in nearly 60 years.

Threatening rhetoric

The Russian embassy in London urged Russians to think carefully before travelling to the UK or sending children to summer school there.

The embassy warned that British authorities including police could single out Russians for additional checks, citing "the anti-Russian policies and an escalation of the British side's threatening rhetoric".

Britain acknowledged Saturday that border officials had searched an incoming Aeroflot flight from Moscow in what Russia blasted as an act of "blatant provocation".

Britain said it conducts routine checks on aircraft to protect the UK from organised crime and people attempting to bring harmful substances into the country.

Earlier this week Moscow summoned British ambassador Laurie Bristow, giving London a month to cut the number of diplomatic staff in Russia to the same number Russia has in Britain.&nbsp

He was handed a protest note over the "provocative and unfounded actions of the British side which instigated the unwarranted expulsion of Russian diplomats from a variety of states," the Russian foreign ministry said.&nbsp

Bristow was summoned along with the heads of missions from 23 other countries -- most of them EU member states -- who were told that some of their diplomats had to leave.

France, Germany, Canada and Poland each said that Russia was expelling four of their diplomats.&nbsp

Other countries including Australia, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania and Norway were also told to pull their envoys.&nbsp

Russian diplomats expelled from the United States arrived in Moscow on Sunday, with post-Cold War tensions peaking in the wake of a nerve agent attack on a former spy in Britain

Russian diplomats expelled from the United States arrived in Moscow on Sunday, with post-Cold War tensions peaking in the wake of a nerve agent attack on a former spy in Britain. A deepening crisis in ties between Russia and the West has over the past weeks seen the biggest wave of tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions in recent memory. In further signs of tension, Russia warned its nationals on Saturday to think twice before travelling to Britain, where it said they could be singled out for harassment by local authorities. By expelling 60 Russian diplomats, the US joined a score of Britain's allies in responding to the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. Two planes arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on Sunday, bringing home a total of 171 people -- the 60 diplomats and their families -- from Washington and New York. Russian television showed passengers disembarking from a government plane while several buses waited to pick them up. More than 150 Russian diplomats have now been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations. Britain has said it is "highly likely" that Russia was responsible for the Skripal attack using the Soviet-designed Novichok nerve agent. Russia has angrily denied any involvement. The US alleged the 60 diplomats were "spies" and sent them home from posts around the country and at the Russian mission to the United Nations, as well as closing Russia's consulate in Seattle. However Washington has since said that Russia is free to apply to accredit more diplomats to replace those expelled. Moscow responded by expelling 60 US diplomats and closing Washington's consulate in Saint Petersburg on Saturday. Work to improve ties US President Donald Trump has often appeared reluctant to criticise Russian leader Vladimir Putin and has said the two could meet for a summit in the near future. "Now the consulate is closed but our work to improve Russian-US ties is continuing," the US embassy in Moscow said on Twitter. Moscow also issued further retaliatory measures against Britain on Saturday, demanding that London further slash its diplomatic presence. "Russia suggested parity. The British side has more than 50 more people," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told AFP. The call came after 23 British diplomats were expelled from Russia last month. Moscow also closed a British consulate in Saint Petersburg and suspended all projects of the British Council for the first time in nearly 60 years. Threatening rhetoric The Russian embassy in London urged Russians to think carefully before travelling to the UK or sending children to summer school there. The embassy warned that British authorities including police could single out Russians for additional checks, citing "the anti-Russian policies and an escalation of the British side's threatening rhetoric". Britain acknowledged Saturday that border officials had searched an incoming Aeroflot flight from Moscow in what Russia blasted as an act of "blatant provocation". Britain said it conducts routine checks on aircraft to protect the UK from organised crime and people attempting to bring harmful substances into the country. Earlier this week Moscow summoned British ambassador Laurie Bristow, giving London a month to cut the number of diplomatic staff in Russia to the same number Russia has in Britain. He was handed a protest note over the "provocative and unfounded actions of the British side which instigated the unwarranted expulsion of Russian diplomats from a variety of states," the Russian foreign ministry said. Bristow was summoned along with the heads of missions from 23 other countries -- most of them EU member states -- who were told that some of their diplomats had to leave. France, Germany, Canada and Poland each said that Russia was expelling four of their diplomats. Other countries including Australia, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania and Norway were also told to pull their envoys.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ive-never-been-so-happy-nobel-laureate-malala-yousafzai-on-visiting-hometown-in-pakistan--127459">'I've never been so happy': Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on visiting hometown in Pakistan</a>

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai says she has pined for her home in Pakistan's picturesque Swat Valley, even as she recalled two years living in fear under the Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/violence-subsides-on-israel-gaza-border-a-day-after-deadly-protest-127502">Violence subsides on Israel-Gaza border a day after deadly protest</a>

Dozens of Palestinian youths gathered by the Gaza-Israel border on Saturday, though the area remained mostly quiet, a day after deadly violence broke out in one of the biggest Palestinian demonstrations there in years.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-russia-standoff-deepens-as-moscow-cuts-uk-diplomats-127504">UK-Russia standoff deepens as Moscow cuts UK diplomats</a>

Moscow has told Britain it must cut "just over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia in a worsening standoff over the poisoning of a Russian former spy and his daughter in England, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dhinakaran-supporter-offers-poison-to-aiadmk-mp-after-his-suicide-threat-127486">Dhinakaran supporter offers poison to AIADMK MP after his suicide threat</a>

AIADMK MP Navaneethakrishnan who threatened to commit suicide over delay in formation Cauvery Management Board (CMB) became a subject of jeer for a supporter of sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, who offered him poison and a noose, on Saturday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/skripal-row-niece-of-ex-russian-spys-daughter-to-visit-uk-127462">Skripal row: Niece of Ex-Russian spy's daughter to visit </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/skripal-row-niece-of-ex-russian-spys-daughter-to-visit-uk-127462">UK</a>

The niece of Yulia Skripal, who is the daughter of a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is planning to visit the United Kingdom soon, the Russian embassy in London said in a statement on Friday.

'I've never been so happy': Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on visiting hometown in Pakistan Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai says she has pined for her home in Pakistan's picturesque Swat Valley, even as she recalled two years living in fear under the Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law. Violence subsides on Israel-Gaza border a day after deadly protest Dozens of Palestinian youths gathered by the Gaza-Israel border on Saturday, though the area remained mostly quiet, a day after deadly violence broke out in one of the biggest Palestinian demonstrations there in years. UK-Russia standoff deepens as Moscow cuts UK diplomats Moscow has told Britain it must cut "just over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia in a worsening standoff over the poisoning of a Russian former spy and his daughter in England, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. Dhinakaran supporter offers poison to AIADMK MP after his suicide threat AIADMK MP Navaneethakrishnan who threatened to commit suicide over delay in formation Cauvery Management Board (CMB) became a subject of jeer for a supporter of sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, who offered him poison and a noose, on Saturday. Skripal row: Niece of Ex-Russian spy's daughter to visit UK The niece of Yulia Skripal, who is the daughter of a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is planning to visit the United Kingdom soon, the Russian embassy in London said in a statement on Friday.

WION evening news brief, March 31, 2018

Moscow has told Britain it must cut "just over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia in a worsening standoff over the poisoning of a Russian former spy and his daughter in England, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

As relations continued to deteriorate, Moscow also demanded an official explanation for the search of a Russian passenger plane in London on Thursday and said it could reserve the right to take similar action against British airlines in Russia.

More than 100 Russian diplomats have been expelled by various countries, including 23 from Britain itself, to punish the Kremlin over the March 4 attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the historic English city of Salisbury.

London says Moscow was responsible for poisoning the Skripals in the first known use of a military-grade nerve agent on European soil since World War Two. Russia flatly denies that and has cast the allegations as part of an elaborate Western plot to sabotage East-West relations and isolate Moscow.

Russia had already retaliated in kind by ejecting 23 British diplomats. On Friday, the Foreign Ministry summoned British Ambassador Laurie Bristow and told him London had one month to further cut its diplomatic contingent in Russia to the same size as the Russian mission in Britain. It also expelled 59 diplomats from 23 other countries for backing Britain.

A spokeswoman for Britain's foreign ministry called the Russian move regrettable, and said it was considering the implications of the measures. It did not say how many diplomatic staff in Russia would be affected, while the British Embassy in Moscow says it does not make staff numbers public.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Reuters the demand meant Britain would have to cut "a little over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia on top of the 23 diplomats who have already gone home.

"We asked for parity. The Brits have 50 diplomats more than the Russians," Zakharova said on Saturday.

When asked if that meant London would now have to cut exactly 50 diplomatic and technical staff, she said: "A little over 50."

Separately, Russia's Ministry of Transport demanded Britain explain why an Aeroflot passenger plane was searched at Heathrow airport on Friday, in what the Russian Embassy in London called a "blatant provocation".

Britain's interior ministry was not immediately available to comment on the plane search.

VISITS?

Britain's foreign office also said on Saturday it was considering allowing visits under consular access terms to Yulia Skripal, who is recovering in hospital against all expectations and no longer in critical condition.

Russia's embassy said that it had contacted Viktoria Skripal, Yulia's cousin, who would like to see her.

The BBC, citing sources, reported on Friday that Yulia was "conscious and talking," a factor which may influence the investigation of how she and her father were poisoned.

Britain must now decide how it wants to make the cuts to its Russian diplomatic team and may be forced to lay off some Russian support staff as well as sending home fully-fledged diplomats to satisfy Moscow's demand.

Russia ordered the closure of another British consulate, in St Petersburg, earlier this month in its first retaliatory step.

The poisoning on UK territory has united much of the West in taking action against what it regards as the hostile policies of President Vladimir Putin. This includes the United States under President Donald Trump, who Putin had hoped would improve ties.

As relations continued to deteriorate, Moscow also demanded an official explanation for the search of a Russian passenger plane in London on Thursday and said it could reserve the right to take similar action against British airlines in Russia.

Moscow has told Britain it must cut "just over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia in a worsening standoff over the poisoning of a Russian former spy and his daughter in England, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. As relations continued to deteriorate, Moscow also demanded an official explanation for the search of a Russian passenger plane in London on Thursday and said it could reserve the right to take similar action against British airlines in Russia. More than 100 Russian diplomats have been expelled by various countries, including 23 from Britain itself, to punish the Kremlin over the March 4 attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the historic English city of Salisbury. London says Moscow was responsible for poisoning the Skripals in the first known use of a military-grade nerve agent on European soil since World War Two. Russia flatly denies that and has cast the allegations as part of an elaborate Western plot to sabotage East-West relations and isolate Moscow. Russia had already retaliated in kind by ejecting 23 British diplomats. On Friday, the Foreign Ministry summoned British Ambassador Laurie Bristow and told him London had one month to further cut its diplomatic contingent in Russia to the same size as the Russian mission in Britain. It also expelled 59 diplomats from 23 other countries for backing Britain. A spokeswoman for Britain's foreign ministry called the Russian move regrettable, and said it was considering the implications of the measures. It did not say how many diplomatic staff in Russia would be affected, while the British Embassy in Moscow says it does not make staff numbers public. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Reuters the demand meant Britain would have to cut "a little over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia on top of the 23 diplomats who have already gone home. "We asked for parity. The Brits have 50 diplomats more than the Russians," Zakharova said on Saturday. When asked if that meant London would now have to cut exactly 50 diplomatic and technical staff, she said: "A little over 50." Separately, Russia's Ministry of Transport demanded Britain explain why an Aeroflot passenger plane was searched at Heathrow airport on Friday, in what the Russian Embassy in London called a "blatant provocation". Britain's interior ministry was not immediately available to comment on the plane search. VISITS? Britain's foreign office also said on Saturday it was considering allowing visits under consular access terms to Yulia Skripal, who is recovering in hospital against all expectations and no longer in critical condition. Russia's embassy said that it had contacted Viktoria Skripal, Yulia's cousin, who would like to see her. The BBC, citing sources, reported on Friday that Yulia was "conscious and talking," a factor which may influence the investigation of how she and her father were poisoned. Britain must now decide how it wants to make the cuts to its Russian diplomatic team and may be forced to lay off some Russian support staff as well as sending home fully-fledged diplomats to satisfy Moscow's demand. Russia ordered the closure of another British consulate, in St Petersburg, earlier this month in its first retaliatory step. The poisoning on UK territory has united much of the West in taking action against what it regards as the hostile policies of President Vladimir Putin. This includes the United States under President Donald Trump, who Putin had hoped would improve ties.

UK-Russia standoff deepens as Moscow cuts UK diplomats

The US decision to expel 60 alleged spies is unlikely to cripple Russian spying in the United States because others have wormed and hacked their way into American companies, schools, and even the government, current and former US officials said.

Moscow's spy services still use the cover of embassies and consulates, as Washington does. But they also recruit Russian emigres, establish front companies, dispatch short-term travellers to the United States, recruit Americans, and penetrate computer networks, the officials said.

"Russia used to have one way of doing things. Now, Putin is - let a thousand flowers bloom," a former senior US official said in a recent interview, describing Moscow's move to a more multifaceted approach under President Vladimir Putin, a former Soviet spy himself.

The FBI follows the movements and monitors the communications of suspected foreign spies, but the increased Russian presence and the advent of commercially available encrypted communications are an added challenge to the FBI's counter-espionage force, said the officials, some of whom spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive topic.

As one US official put it when asked if Russian spying is a harder target: "It’s more complex now. The complexity comes in the techniques that can be used."

While the CIA tracks foreign spies overseas and the National Security Agency monitors international communications, the FBI is responsible for spy-catching inside the United States.

The White House on Monday said it would expel 60 Russian diplomats, 12 of them at the UN mission, and close the Russian consulate in Seattle as part of a multi-nation response to the Kremlin's alleged nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain.

Briefing reporters, a senior US official said there were "well over" 100 Russian spies posing as diplomats in the United States before the expulsion order.

A veteran US official charged with keeping tabs on Russian espionage said the administration downplayed the number of suspected Russian spies working under diplomatic cover to avoid giving the Russians a clearer picture of how many people are under surveillance.

The actual number varies over time, but "it averages more like 150 or so," the official said.

"We've got a very, very, very good counter-intelligence apparatus," said Robert Litt, a former general counsel for the US Director of National Intelligence. "There are a lot of people in the FBI whose job it is to track these people - and they're very good at it."&nbsp;

Still, it can take 10 or more US-trained FBI and local law enforcement officers to keep tabs on one trained spy for a 24-hour period - covering back entrances to buildings and multiple elevators, and being alert for changes in clothes, cars and even hairpieces, the same official said.

One Russian tactic is sending a large number of people, including just one or two intelligence officers, streaming out of a diplomatic mission at once, making it harder for the FBI to decide whom to follow, said a former US intelligence officer, also speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Microsoft Corp. was one target of the Russian espionage operation in Seattle, US officials familiar with the expulsions said. One goal was identifying targets for recruitment in the company's coding operations because the company's products are used in so many applications, they said. Microsoft declined TO&nbsp;comment.

In 2010, Alexey Karetnikov, a 23-year-old Russian spy who had worked at testing computer code in Microsoft's Richmond, Wash., headquarters, was deported by an immigration judge.

Several of the officials traced the Kremlin's more aggressive spying approach to Putin's 2012 return to the presidency and Moscow's 2014 seizure of Crimea and intervention in eastern Ukraine.

 
"We observed a commensurate uptick in Russian intelligence and espionage activity in the US and across Europe, although few analysts connected the dots," said Heather Conley, a former State Department official now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.

Michael Rochford, a former FBI chief for espionage, said the mass expulsion of suspected spies posing as diplomats will affect Russia's security services and dent morale at their Moscow headquarters.

After past expulsions, he said, Russian spies have handed their operations over to officers who remain behind, or to "illegals" - long-term agents with no demonstrable connections to the Russian government.

The risk, he said, is that when Moscow replaces the expelled personnel, it will not be clear who the new spies are.&nbsp;

"Sometimes it`s better to know who they are and follow them," he said.

Moscow's spy services still use the cover of embassies and consulates, as Washington does, the officials said

The US decision to expel 60 alleged spies is unlikely to cripple Russian spying in the United States because others have wormed and hacked their way into American companies, schools, and even the government, current and former US officials said. Moscow's spy services still use the cover of embassies and consulates, as Washington does. But they also recruit Russian emigres, establish front companies, dispatch short-term travellers to the United States, recruit Americans, and penetrate computer networks, the officials said. "Russia used to have one way of doing things. Now, Putin is - let a thousand flowers bloom," a former senior US official said in a recent interview, describing Moscow's move to a more multifaceted approach under President Vladimir Putin, a former Soviet spy himself. The FBI follows the movements and monitors the communications of suspected foreign spies, but the increased Russian presence and the advent of commercially available encrypted communications are an added challenge to the FBI's counter-espionage force, said the officials, some of whom spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive topic. As one US official put it when asked if Russian spying is a harder target: "It’s more complex now. The complexity comes in the techniques that can be used." While the CIA tracks foreign spies overseas and the National Security Agency monitors international communications, the FBI is responsible for spy-catching inside the United States. The White House on Monday said it would expel 60 Russian diplomats, 12 of them at the UN mission, and close the Russian consulate in Seattle as part of a multi-nation response to the Kremlin's alleged nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain. Briefing reporters, a senior US official said there were "well over" 100 Russian spies posing as diplomats in the United States before the expulsion order. A veteran US official charged with keeping tabs on Russian espionage said the administration downplayed the number of suspected Russian spies working under diplomatic cover to avoid giving the Russians a clearer picture of how many people are under surveillance. The actual number varies over time, but "it averages more like 150 or so," the official said. "We've got a very, very, very good counter-intelligence apparatus," said Robert Litt, a former general counsel for the US Director of National Intelligence. "There are a lot of people in the FBI whose job it is to track these people - and they're very good at it." Still, it can take 10 or more US-trained FBI and local law enforcement officers to keep tabs on one trained spy for a 24-hour period - covering back entrances to buildings and multiple elevators, and being alert for changes in clothes, cars and even hairpieces, the same official said. One Russian tactic is sending a large number of people, including just one or two intelligence officers, streaming out of a diplomatic mission at once, making it harder for the FBI to decide whom to follow, said a former US intelligence officer, also speaking on the condition of anonymity. Microsoft Corp. was one target of the Russian espionage operation in Seattle, US officials familiar with the expulsions said. One goal was identifying targets for recruitment in the company's coding operations because the company's products are used in so many applications, they said. Microsoft declined TO comment. In 2010, Alexey Karetnikov, a 23-year-old Russian spy who had worked at testing computer code in Microsoft's Richmond, Wash., headquarters, was deported by an immigration judge. Several of the officials traced the Kremlin's more aggressive spying approach to Putin's 2012 return to the presidency and Moscow's 2014 seizure of Crimea and intervention in eastern Ukraine. "We observed a commensurate uptick in Russian intelligence and espionage activity in the US and across Europe, although few analysts connected the dots," said Heather Conley, a former State Department official now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. Michael Rochford, a former FBI chief for espionage, said the mass expulsion of suspected spies posing as diplomats will affect Russia's security services and dent morale at their Moscow headquarters. After past expulsions, he said, Russian spies have handed their operations over to officers who remain behind, or to "illegals" - long-term agents with no demonstrable connections to the Russian government. The risk, he said, is that when Moscow replaces the expelled personnel, it will not be clear who the new spies are. "Sometimes it`s better to know who they are and follow them," he said.

Fewer Russian spies in US but getting harder to track

NATO became the latest entity to dismiss Russian diplomats over Moscow's alleged role in a nerve agent attack against a former double agent in Salisbury, as the trans-Atlantic organisation announced on Tuesday that seven officials would have their accreditation withdrawn.

The US-led military alliance expelled seven Russian staff and denied accreditation to three more, bringing the total number of suspected Russian spies expelled to almost 150, including the 23 initially dispatched by Britain.

"This will send a clear message to Russia that there are costs and consequences for their unacceptable pattern of behaviour," NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels.

In an unprecedented act of coordination, at least 25 countries have echoed Britain's action in response to the March 4 attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury.

London and its allies have blamed Moscow, citing the use of a Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok, Russia`s record of targeting dissidents and its history of aggression in recent years, from Crimea to cyber-attacks.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the mass expulsions were "a blow from which Russian intelligence will need many years to recover".

It "could become a turning point", he wrote in The Times newspaper, adding: "The Western alliance took decisive action and Britain`s partners came together against the Kremlin`s reckless ambitions."

Skripal, a Russian military intelligence officer imprisoned by Moscow for passing on information about Russian agents in various European countries, came to Britain in a 2010 spy swap.

Moscow has fiercely denied any involvement in his attempted murder, instead pointing the finger at London.

Chemical weapons experts were currently carrying out an analysis of the agent.

(With inputs from AFP)

NATO expelled seven Russian staff and denied accreditation to three more, bringing the total number of suspected Russian spies expelled to almost 150, including the 23 initially dispatched by Britain.

NATO became the latest entity to dismiss Russian diplomats over Moscow's alleged role in a nerve agent attack against a former double agent in Salisbury, as the trans-Atlantic organisation announced on Tuesday that seven officials would have their accreditation withdrawn. The US-led military alliance expelled seven Russian staff and denied accreditation to three more, bringing the total number of suspected Russian spies expelled to almost 150, including the 23 initially dispatched by Britain. "This will send a clear message to Russia that there are costs and consequences for their unacceptable pattern of behaviour," NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said in Brussels. In an unprecedented act of coordination, at least 25 countries have echoed Britain's action in response to the March 4 attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the English city of Salisbury. London and its allies have blamed Moscow, citing the use of a Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok, Russia`s record of targeting dissidents and its history of aggression in recent years, from Crimea to cyber-attacks. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the mass expulsions were "a blow from which Russian intelligence will need many years to recover". It "could become a turning point", he wrote in The Times newspaper, adding: "The Western alliance took decisive action and Britain`s partners came together against the Kremlin`s reckless ambitions." Skripal, a Russian military intelligence officer imprisoned by Moscow for passing on information about Russian agents in various European countries, came to Britain in a 2010 spy swap. Moscow has fiercely denied any involvement in his attempted murder, instead pointing the finger at London. Chemical weapons experts were currently carrying out an analysis of the agent. (With inputs from AFP)

Spy poisoning: NATO expels seven Russian diplomats

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