Russian President Vladimir Putin, during the Valdai forum on Thursday (October 2), warned that supplying US Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would lead to a "whole new level of escalation", including in relations between Moscow and Washington. "This would mean a whole new level of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the United States," Putin said in response to a question on potential supplies of the long-range missiles to Ukraine via European allies.&nbsp;The Russian president also challenged his country's rivals. "If someone wants to pick a fight with Russia, bring it on. Don’t think that Russia will show weakness or indecision," the Russian president said. "We live in time when things change rapidly, we need to be prepared for anything. Polycentricity issues in world deserve special attention today. One has to be prepared for anything," he added.&nbsp;Putin further promised a "significant" response to "Europe's militarisation".&nbsp;"We are closely monitoring the rising militarisation of Europe," he told the audience, adding: "Retaliatory measures by Russia will not take long. The response to such threats will be very significant."&nbsp;"We hear - and you know this - in Germany, for example, they say that the German army should once again be the most powerful in Europe. Well, fine, we're listening carefully, watching. What exactly is meant by that? I think no one doubts that Russia's response will not be long in coming. The response to these threats will be, to put it mildly, very convincing. It's precisely a response; we ourselves have never initiated a military confrontation," Putin said.&nbsp;"But if anyone does desire to compete with us in the military sphere, then, as we say, free will, let them try. Russia has proven time and again that when a threat arises to our security, the peace and tranquility of our citizens, our sovereignty, and our very statehood, we respond swiftly. There is no need to provoke us. There has never been a case where this did not ultimately end badly for the provocateur. There is no need to expect exceptions here, and there will be none in the future. Our history has proven that weakness is unacceptable because it creates temptation, the illusion that some issue with us can be resolved by force. Russia will never show weakness or indecision," the Russian supremo added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during  the Valdai forum on Thursday (October 2), warned that supplying US Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would lead to a whole new level of escalation, including in relations between Moscow and Washington. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during the Valdai forum on Thursday (October 2), warned that supplying US Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would lead to a "whole new level of escalation", including in relations between Moscow and Washington. "This would mean a whole new level of escalation, including in relations between Russia and the United States," Putin said in response to a question on potential supplies of the long-range missiles to Ukraine via European allies. The Russian president also challenged his country's rivals. "If someone wants to pick a fight with Russia, bring it on. Don’t think that Russia will show weakness or indecision," the Russian president said. "We live in time when things change rapidly, we need to be prepared for anything. Polycentricity issues in world deserve special attention today. One has to be prepared for anything," he added. Putin further promised a "significant" response to "Europe's militarisation". "We are closely monitoring the rising militarisation of Europe," he told the audience, adding: "Retaliatory measures by Russia will not take long. The response to such threats will be very significant." "We hear - and you know this - in Germany, for example, they say that the German army should once again be the most powerful in Europe. Well, fine, we're listening carefully, watching. What exactly is meant by that? I think no one doubts that Russia's response will not be long in coming. The response to these threats will be, to put it mildly, very convincing. It's precisely a response; we ourselves have never initiated a military confrontation," Putin said. "But if anyone does desire to compete with us in the military sphere, then, as we say, free will, let them try. Russia has proven time and again that when a threat arises to our security, the peace and tranquility of our citizens, our sovereignty, and our very statehood, we respond swiftly. There is no need to provoke us. There has never been a case where this did not ultimately end badly for the provocateur. There is no need to expect exceptions here, and there will be none in the future. Our history has proven that weakness is unacceptable because it creates temptation, the illusion that some issue with us can be resolved by force. Russia will never show weakness or indecision," the Russian supremo added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during the Valdai forum on Thursday (October 2), warned that supplying US Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would lead to a "whole new level of escalation", including in relations between Moscow and Washington.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

‘This would mean a whole new level of escalation’: Putin warns US against Tomahawks supply to Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during the Valdai forum on Thursday (October 2), was asked if he feels like Alexander I. He replied, "Alexander I was an emperor, and I am a president, elected by the people for a fixed term. That's a big difference," Putin said.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Putin, to the question &quot;Don&#39;t you feel like Alexander I?&quot;: Alexander I was an emperor, and I am a president, elected by the people for a fixed term. That&#39;s a big difference. <a href="https://t.co/t4sZktML48">pic.twitter.com/t4sZktML48</a>&mdash; Victor vicktop55 commentary (@vick55top) <a href="https://twitter.com/vick55top/status/1973787551300489439?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In his speech at the forum, the Russian president challenged his country's rivals. "If someone wants to pick a fight with Russia, bring it on. Don’t think that Russia will show weakness or indecision," the Russian president said. "We live in time when things change rapidly, we need to be prepared for anything. Polycentricity issues in world deserve special attention today. One has to be prepared for anything," he added.Putin further promised a "significant" response to "Europe's militarisation".&nbsp;"We are closely monitoring the rising militarisation of Europe," he told the audience, adding: “Retaliatory measures by Russia will not take long. The response to such threats will be very significant.”&nbsp;"We hear - and you know this - in Germany, for example, they say that the German army should once again be the most powerful in Europe. Well, fine, we're listening carefully, watching. What exactly is meant by that? I think no one doubts that Russia's response will not be long in coming. The response to these threats will be, to put it mildly, very convincing. It's precisely a response; we ourselves have never initiated a military confrontation," Putin said.&nbsp;"But if anyone does desire to compete with us in the military sphere, then, as we say, free will, let them try. Russia has proven time and again that when a threat arises to our security, the peace and tranquility of our citizens, our sovereignty, and our very statehood, we respond swiftly. There is no need to provoke us. There has never been a case where this did not ultimately end badly for the provocateur. There is no need to expect exceptions here, and there will be none in the future. Our history has proven that weakness is unacceptable because it creates temptation, the illusion that some issue with us can be resolved by force. Russia will never show weakness or indecision," the Russian supremo added.

In his speech at the forum, the Russian president challenged his country rivals. If someone wants to pick a fight with Russia, bring it on. Do not think that Russia will show weakness or indecision, the Russian president said. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during the Valdai forum on Thursday (October 2), was asked if he feels like Alexander I. He replied, "Alexander I was an emperor, and I am a president, elected by the people for a fixed term. That's a big difference," Putin said.

In his speech at the forum, the Russian president challenged his country's rivals. "If someone wants to pick a fight with Russia, bring it on. Don’t think that Russia will show weakness or indecision," the Russian president said.&nbsp;

Does Putin feel like Alexander? Russian president says he was elected but ...

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused a Ukrainian sabotage group of entering Russia's southern Bryansk region bordering Ukraine and opening fire on civilians in a "terrorist act." Speaking on Russian state TV, Putin said "today they committed another terrorist act, another crime, penetrated the border area and opened fire on civilians".

"They saw that it was a civilian car, that civilians and children were sitting there, and opened fire. It is exactly such people who set themselves the task of depriving us of historical memory. They will achieve nothing, we will put the squeeze on them," he added, as per a report in BBC.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blinken-and-lavrov-hold-brief-meeting-first-in-person-since-ukraine-war-567675">Blinken, Lavrov hold brief meeting, first in-person since start of Ukraine war</a>

"Saboteurs from Ukraine"&nbsp;killed two men and wounded a 10-year-old boy in the attack, the governor of Bryansk said.

Kyiv has vehemently denied the accusation.&nbsp;

Mykhaylo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said in a tweet it was a "classic deliberate provocation."

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The story about 🇺🇦sabotage group in RF is a classic deliberate provocation. RF wants to scare its people to justify the attack on another country &amp; the growing poverty after the year of war. The partisan movement in RF is getting stronger &amp; more aggressive. Fear your partisans...
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) <a href="https://twitter.com/Podolyak_M/status/1631241403920527361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
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However, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said FSB forces clashed with the saboteurs who crossed into Russia and took hostages.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-seen-living-with-rumoured-girlfriend-children-spotted-in-luxury-mansion-report-567661">Putin seen living with rumoured girlfriend, children spotted in luxury mansion: Report</a>

It alleged that the "nationalists" were then&nbsp;hit by a Russian artillery strike and pushed back to Ukraine, but left a large cache of explosives in the village.&nbsp;

Putin branded the Zelensky-led government as "nationalists" and "neo-Nazis," after Moscow's special military operation began in Kyiv.

This is not the first time that Russia has accused Kyiv of such attacks. Previously it reported some Ukrainian missile and drone strikes on Russian borders. But there have been no confirmed reports on Ukrainian forces infiltrating Russia.

(with inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

&nbsp;

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On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused a Ukrainian sabotage group of entering Russia's southern Bryansk region bordering Ukraine and opening fire on civilians in a "terrorist act.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused a Ukrainian sabotage group of entering Russia's southern Bryansk region bordering Ukraine and opening fire on civilians in a "terrorist act." Speaking on Russian state TV, Putin said "today they committed another terrorist act, another crime, penetrated the border area and opened fire on civilians". "They saw that it was a civilian car, that civilians and children were sitting there, and opened fire. It is exactly such people who set themselves the task of depriving us of historical memory. They will achieve nothing, we will put the squeeze on them," he added, as per a report in BBC. Also read | Blinken, Lavrov hold brief meeting, first in-person since start of Ukraine war "Saboteurs from Ukraine" killed two men and wounded a 10-year-old boy in the attack, the governor of Bryansk said. Kyiv has vehemently denied the accusation. Mykhaylo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said in a tweet it was a "classic deliberate provocation." The story about 🇺🇦sabotage group in RF is a classic deliberate provocation. RF wants to scare its people to justify the attack on another country & the growing poverty after the year of war. The partisan movement in RF is getting stronger & more aggressive. Fear your partisans... — Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) March 2, 2023 × However, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said FSB forces clashed with the saboteurs who crossed into Russia and took hostages. Also read | Putin seen living with rumoured girlfriend, children spotted in luxury mansion: Report It alleged that the "nationalists" were then hit by a Russian artillery strike and pushed back to Ukraine, but left a large cache of explosives in the village. Putin branded the Zelensky-led government as "nationalists" and "neo-Nazis," after Moscow's special military operation began in Kyiv. This is not the first time that Russia has accused Kyiv of such attacks. Previously it reported some Ukrainian missile and drone strikes on Russian borders. But there have been no confirmed reports on Ukrainian forces infiltrating Russia. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'They will achieve nothing': President Putin accuses Ukraine of border 'terrorist act,' Kyiv denies claim

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Federal Security Service to step up surveillance of Russians and borders. Watch this video to know more.

Vladimir Putin orders FSB to step up surveillance of Russians and borders

CIA chief Bill Burns has confirmed that President Putin is "entirely too healthy" amid rumours over the Russian president's ill health.

The CIA chief while speaking at a security forum in Colorado declared that&nbsp;"there are lots of rumours about President Putin's health and as far as we can tell he's entirely too healthy."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-to-sign-elusive-grain-deal-to-resume-ukraine-black-sea-exports-499586">Also Read:&nbsp;Ukraine and Russia to sign grain deal to resume Ukraine Black Sea exports</a>

Last week UK's military chief Admiral Tony Radakin asserted that it was "wishful thinking" amid speculation that the Russian president was suffering from bad health or maybe assassinated.

There have been persistent rumours about Putin's health ever since he ordered the "special military operation" against Ukraine on February 24 as Russian forces invaded the neighbouring country.

Watch:&nbsp;Russia plans to extend and expand Ukraine war

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Radakin in fact said Putin's regime has been able to "quash" opposition while informing that "nobody at the top has got the motivation to challenge President Putin".

Radakin estimated that at least 50,000 Russian soldiers were either killed or wounded in the current operation against Ukraine while acknowledging that Putin's Russia is a nuclear power with cyber and space capabilities and that it can threaten underwater cables which can halt worldwide information.

Putin, 70, has been under media speculation over the past several months as some reports have claimed the Russian president was visited by thyroid cancer specialist Yevgeny Selivanov at the southern resort city of Sochi as other reports claimed the president had undergone advanced treatment for cancer.

The Kremlin has however dismissed all health-related claims related to Putin while asserting that he was in good health.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

CIA chief Bill Burns has confirmed that President Putin is "entirely too healthy" amid rumours over the Russian president's ill health. The CIA chief while speaking at a security forum in Colorado declared that "there are lots of rumours about President Putin's health and as far as we can tell he's entirely too healthy.

CIA chief Bill Burns has confirmed that President Putin is "entirely too healthy" amid rumours over the Russian president's ill health. The CIA chief while speaking at a security forum in Colorado declared that "there are lots of rumours about President Putin's health and as far as we can tell he's entirely too healthy." Also Read: Ukraine and Russia to sign grain deal to resume Ukraine Black Sea exports Last week UK's military chief Admiral Tony Radakin asserted that it was "wishful thinking" amid speculation that the Russian president was suffering from bad health or maybe assassinated. There have been persistent rumours about Putin's health ever since he ordered the "special military operation" against Ukraine on February 24 as Russian forces invaded the neighbouring country. Watch: Russia plans to extend and expand Ukraine war Radakin in fact said Putin's regime has been able to "quash" opposition while informing that "nobody at the top has got the motivation to challenge President Putin". Radakin estimated that at least 50,000 Russian soldiers were either killed or wounded in the current operation against Ukraine while acknowledging that Putin's Russia is a nuclear power with cyber and space capabilities and that it can threaten underwater cables which can halt worldwide information. Putin, 70, has been under media speculation over the past several months as some reports have claimed the Russian president was visited by thyroid cancer specialist Yevgeny Selivanov at the southern resort city of Sochi as other reports claimed the president had undergone advanced treatment for cancer. The Kremlin has however dismissed all health-related claims related to Putin while asserting that he was in good health. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

He's entirely too healthy, says CIA chief on Putin

Pakistan’s closeness to Russia seems to be increasing as new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin have recently exchanged letters quietly, as per a media report. &nbsp;

The letters were shared to strengthen bilateral relations after former PM Imran Khan alleged that his maiden visit to Moscow had led to his departure from the top post. He had accused the US of making conditions for his ouster. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-accuses-nawaz-sharif-of-conspiring-to-dislodge-his-government-473299" hreflang="en">Imran Khan accuses Nawaz Sharif of conspiring to dislodge his government</a>

The exchange was carried out after the election of Shehbaz as the PM. The news of the exchange of letters was kept under wraps by both sides to avoid any kind of public attention, The Express Tribune newspaper said in the report. &nbsp;

The development was confirmed to the newspaper by a senior Pakistan foreign office official on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Desire was also expressed by Putin to deepen cooperation between the two nations, the official said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch | Pakistan: 150 names including PM Shehbaz Sharif removed from ECL

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"Our countries share friendly and constructive relations. I hope that as Prime Minister you will seek to further promote closer multifaceted cooperation between Russia and Pakistan, as well as partnership in the Afghan settlement and countering international terrorism," the report had cited Putin as saying on April 12. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the reply, Shehbaz thanked Putin for his felicitation message and expressed similar feelings on bilateral ties between the two nations, the paper reported. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Pakistan’s closeness to Russia seems to be increasing as new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin have recently exchanged letters quietly, as per a media report.

Pakistan’s closeness to Russia seems to be increasing as new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian President Vladimir Putin have recently exchanged letters quietly, as per a media report. The letters were shared to strengthen bilateral relations after former PM Imran Khan alleged that his maiden visit to Moscow had led to his departure from the top post. He had accused the US of making conditions for his ouster. Also Read: Imran Khan accuses Nawaz Sharif of conspiring to dislodge his government The exchange was carried out after the election of Shehbaz as the PM. The news of the exchange of letters was kept under wraps by both sides to avoid any kind of public attention, The Express Tribune newspaper said in the report. The development was confirmed to the newspaper by a senior Pakistan foreign office official on condition of anonymity. Desire was also expressed by Putin to deepen cooperation between the two nations, the official said. Watch | Pakistan: 150 names including PM Shehbaz Sharif removed from ECL × "Our countries share friendly and constructive relations. I hope that as Prime Minister you will seek to further promote closer multifaceted cooperation between Russia and Pakistan, as well as partnership in the Afghan settlement and countering international terrorism," the report had cited Putin as saying on April 12. In the reply, Shehbaz thanked Putin for his felicitation message and expressed similar feelings on bilateral ties between the two nations, the paper reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Is Pak getting closer to Russia? PM Shehbaz, President Putin share letters quietly, says report  

US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin face off on Wednesday in their first meeting since Biden took office with wide disagreements likely and expectations low for any breakthroughs.

President Biden arrives in Geneva for highly-anticipated meeting

Russian President Vladimir <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cannot-ape-putin-explains-why-he-chose-to-get-vaccinated-in-private-373949">Putin</a>, 68, on Monday approved a legislation allowing him to hold office for two additional six-year terms.

Watch:

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Putin who has been in power for over two decades can stay until 2036, according to the new law. The Russian president had proposed the changes last year as part of his constitutional reforms agenda.

In the new legislation, Putin can contest the presidential elections again after his current and second consecutive term expires in 2024.

Putin was first elected president in 2000 and has served two consecutive four-year terms. In 2008, his place was taken by his close ally Dmitry Medvedev after Putin had served two consecutive terms as president.

During his tenure, Medvedev had signed on legislation that allowed extending terms to six years starting with the next president after which Putin returned to power in 2012 and then won the re-election in 2018.

Russian lawmakers last month had approved legislation allowing Putin to serve to hold office for two additional terms.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, 68, on Monday approved a legislation allowing him to hold office for two additional six-year terms. Watch: Putin who has been in power for over two decades can stay until 2036, according to the new law.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, 68, on Monday approved a legislation allowing him to hold office for two additional six-year terms. Watch: Putin who has been in power for over two decades can stay until 2036, according to the new law. The Russian president had proposed the changes last year as part of his constitutional reforms agenda. In the new legislation, Putin can contest the presidential elections again after his current and second consecutive term expires in 2024. Putin was first elected president in 2000 and has served two consecutive four-year terms. In 2008, his place was taken by his close ally Dmitry Medvedev after Putin had served two consecutive terms as president. During his tenure, Medvedev had signed on legislation that allowed extending terms to six years starting with the next president after which Putin returned to power in 2012 and then won the re-election in 2018. Russian lawmakers last month had approved legislation allowing Putin to serve to hold office for two additional terms.

Russian President Putin approves legislation allowing him to serve two more terms

The agents of the Kremlin tried to poison outspoken Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny a second time after the first attempt failed

Navalny poisoning: Putin critic survived the second assassination attempt

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has opened the door to constitutional changes that would allow him to remain in power until 2036.

'President for Life'; Putin to stay in power until 2036?

President Erdogan after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin said that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/austria-slams-turkey-for-blackmailing-eu-over-migration-283989">Turkey</a> and Russia have agreed to Syria ceasefire from midnight.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-blocks-35000-migrants-plans-to-deport-arrivals-after-march-1-284533">Also Read: Greece blocks 35,000 migrants, plans to deport arrivals after March 1</a>

"At 00.01 tonight, as in, from midnight, the ceasefire will be put in place," Erdogan said after talks with Putin in Moscow.

President Putin declared that he reached an agreement with Erdogan on the Syria crisis.

"We agreed on a joint document," Putin said, adding that it would "serve as a good basis for ending fighting in the Idlib de-escalation zone and ending the suffering of the civilian population".

Watch Video:

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Putin had said earlier that the situation in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/33-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-airstrike-by-syrian-regime-forces-in-idlib-283217">Idlib</a> province had become so tense it required one-on-one talks with President Erdogan.

The Kremlin said the two leaders had spoken for three hours on their own before being joined by their officials pointing to the gravity of the situation.

Fierce fighting has been raging in last rebel-held territory of Idlib with Russian air strikes backed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces. On Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said a Turkish fighter jet had downed a Syrian regime warplane over the northwestern Idlib province.

Regime forces have since December been battling to retake the last major opposition bastion of Idlib from rebels and jihadists linked to Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate.

Turkey hosts some 3.6 million Syrian refugees and says it cannot handle more. As the bitter fight continued, several thousand people poured into the border with Greece with authorities firing tear gas shells. Greece has repulsed nearly 35,000 migrants trying to cross onto its territory illegally since Turkey opened its border nearly a week ago,

Turkey on Sunday had confirmed it had launched a military operation against Russia-backed regime forces in the border region.

President Erdogan after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Turkey and Russia have agreed to Syria ceasefire from midnight. Also Read: Greece blocks 35,000 migrants, plans to deport arrivals after March 1 "At 00.

President Erdogan after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Turkey and Russia have agreed to Syria ceasefire from midnight. Also Read: Greece blocks 35,000 migrants, plans to deport arrivals after March 1 "At 00.01 tonight, as in, from midnight, the ceasefire will be put in place," Erdogan said after talks with Putin in Moscow. President Putin declared that he reached an agreement with Erdogan on the Syria crisis. "We agreed on a joint document," Putin said, adding that it would "serve as a good basis for ending fighting in the Idlib de-escalation zone and ending the suffering of the civilian population". Watch Video: Putin had said earlier that the situation in Idlib province had become so tense it required one-on-one talks with President Erdogan. The Kremlin said the two leaders had spoken for three hours on their own before being joined by their officials pointing to the gravity of the situation. Fierce fighting has been raging in last rebel-held territory of Idlib with Russian air strikes backed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces. On Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said a Turkish fighter jet had downed a Syrian regime warplane over the northwestern Idlib province. Regime forces have since December been battling to retake the last major opposition bastion of Idlib from rebels and jihadists linked to Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. Turkey hosts some 3.6 million Syrian refugees and says it cannot handle more. As the bitter fight continued, several thousand people poured into the border with Greece with authorities firing tear gas shells. Greece has repulsed nearly 35,000 migrants trying to cross onto its territory illegally since Turkey opened its border nearly a week ago, Turkey on Sunday had confirmed it had launched a military operation against Russia-backed regime forces in the border region.

Turkey, Russia have agreed on Syria ceasefire from midnight: President Erdogan

President Vladimir Putin announced measures on Wednesday to boost Russia’s birth rate, describing them as vital to the country’s future though they are projected to cost at least $6.5 billion this year alone.

Russia: President Putin aims to tackle fall in birth rate

Russia on Monday tested <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-sovereign-internet-tested-amid-fears-of-online-isolation-269779">its internet services</a> to check if it could withstand a cyberattack and also whether it can remain unaffected in case the country is&nbsp;cut off from the international internet network.

The move comes after Russia last month introduced the sovereign internet bill amid fears of censorship and domestic online isolation.

"The results of the tests have shown that on the whole both authorities and service providers are ready to effectively react to emerging risks and threats and ensure reliable work of both the internet and the single telecommunication network," Russia's communications minister Alexei Sokolov said.

"Our goal was to provide an uninterrupted internet service on Russian territory under any circumstances," the Russian minister added.

The results of the tests will be presented to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-hints-at-presidential-term-limit-in-marathon-press-conference-269232">President Putin</a>. The Russian president during a press conference last week had defended the country's new internet guidelines claiming that a "free internet" and "sovereign internet" were not "mutually exclusive".

Putin said the new internet law was aimed at "preventing negative consequences of being disconnected from the global network" which was primarily managed abroad. The new law routes Russian web traffic and data through state authorities.

Russia had asked all domestic networks and email providers to take part in the test on Monday to test the viability of its internal system.

"The purpose of the task is to ensure the reliable operation of the internet in Russia in any conditions and under any circumstances," Sokolov said, adding, "our task is to make sure everything works. That's what today's drills are aimed at."&nbsp;

"The outcomes of the review showed that government agencies and communications operators are ready to respond effectively to threats and to ensure the internet and communications operate effectively," Sokolov said. 
&nbsp;

Russia on Monday tested its internet services to check if it could withstand a cyberattack and also whether it can remain unaffected in case the country is cut off from the international internet network.

Russia on Monday tested its internet services to check if it could withstand a cyberattack and also whether it can remain unaffected in case the country is cut off from the international internet network. The move comes after Russia last month introduced the sovereign internet bill amid fears of censorship and domestic online isolation. "The results of the tests have shown that on the whole both authorities and service providers are ready to effectively react to emerging risks and threats and ensure reliable work of both the internet and the single telecommunication network," Russia's communications minister Alexei Sokolov said. "Our goal was to provide an uninterrupted internet service on Russian territory under any circumstances," the Russian minister added. The results of the tests will be presented to President Putin. The Russian president during a press conference last week had defended the country's new internet guidelines claiming that a "free internet" and "sovereign internet" were not "mutually exclusive". Putin said the new internet law was aimed at "preventing negative consequences of being disconnected from the global network" which was primarily managed abroad. The new law routes Russian web traffic and data through state authorities. Russia had asked all domestic networks and email providers to take part in the test on Monday to test the viability of its internal system. "The purpose of the task is to ensure the reliable operation of the internet in Russia in any conditions and under any circumstances," Sokolov said, adding, "our task is to make sure everything works. That's what today's drills are aimed at." "The outcomes of the review showed that government agencies and communications operators are ready to respond effectively to threats and to ensure the internet and communications operate effectively," Sokolov said.

Internet test review shows government ready to respond to threats: Russia

Russia has developed the Poseidon, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-withdraw-from-inf-missile-treaty-unless-russia-complies-trump-194448">an unmanned underwater vehicle </a>(UUV) which can penetrate any submarine warfare countermeasures and other enemy defence systems due to a fully autonomous control system, news agency TASS reported.

The report said the Poseidon has "intellectual and propulsion capabilities that will make the vehicle invincible and make sure that it hits the target.” The UAV will be carried by a nuclear submarine. The drone can dive 1km into the water, it added.

The drone possesses thermonuclear warheads.

The drone is still undergoing " sea trials". In a report last year named US Nuclear Posture Review, the US military had said Russia was developing a "new intercontinental, nuclear-armed, nuclear-powered, undersea autonomous torpedo".

In March last year, President Putin during an address in Parliament had said that Russia was developing a "nuclear-propelled, nuclear-capable underwater drone." The latest Russian weapons is reportedly meant as a "last resort" strike and will function as a nuclear deterrent.

A report had said earlier that Russia is set to produce at least 30 Poseidon UAVs. It is likely to be commissioned in the Russian navy late next year. The Poseidon, designated &nbsp;Kanyon or Status 6 by the US military was accidentally leaked" by Russian state television in 2015.

According to the leaked information, the Poseidon's range was 6,200 miles with a top speed of 64 miles an hour.

A Tass source had said last year that the UUV has been fitted with a nuclear reactor in its hull.

Russia has developed the Poseidon, an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) which can penetrate any submarine warfare countermeasures and other enemy defence systems due to a fully autonomous control system, news agency TASS reported.

Russia has developed the Poseidon, an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) which can penetrate any submarine warfare countermeasures and other enemy defence systems due to a fully autonomous control system, news agency TASS reported. The report said the Poseidon has "intellectual and propulsion capabilities that will make the vehicle invincible and make sure that it hits the target.” The UAV will be carried by a nuclear submarine. The drone can dive 1km into the water, it added. The drone possesses thermonuclear warheads. The drone is still undergoing " sea trials". In a report last year named US Nuclear Posture Review, the US military had said Russia was developing a "new intercontinental, nuclear-armed, nuclear-powered, undersea autonomous torpedo". In March last year, President Putin during an address in Parliament had said that Russia was developing a "nuclear-propelled, nuclear-capable underwater drone." The latest Russian weapons is reportedly meant as a "last resort" strike and will function as a nuclear deterrent. A report had said earlier that Russia is set to produce at least 30 Poseidon UAVs. It is likely to be commissioned in the Russian navy late next year. The Poseidon, designated Kanyon or Status 6 by the US military was accidentally leaked" by Russian state television in 2015. According to the leaked information, the Poseidon's range was 6,200 miles with a top speed of 64 miles an hour. A Tass source had said last year that the UUV has been fitted with a nuclear reactor in its hull.

Russia has developed nuclear-tipped unmanned drone Poseidon: Report

Russia reaffirmed its "unwavering support" <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/eight-pacts-signed-after-modi-putin-summit-169627">to India for a permanent seat in an</a> expanded UN Security Council as both nations called for reform of the powerful UN organ to better reflect the current world order and make it more effective in dealing with emerging global challenges.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-responds-to-indias-s-400-deal-with-russia-says-cant-prejudge-sanctions-decisions-169645">Also Read:&nbsp;US responds to India's S-400 deal with Russia, says can't prejudge sanctions decisions</a>

The strong backing by Russia was expressed in the joint statement issued after the 19th India-Russia summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia and India also underlined the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear programme in order to support international peace and security, to strengthen non-proliferation regime and to develop normal economic cooperation with Iran.

The statement assumes significance amid US' warning to all purchasers of Iranian oil to bring it down to zero by November 4 or face imminent sanctions from it.&nbsp;

The two sides called for all issues related to the Iranian nuclear programme to be resolved peacefully and through dialogue.

Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump had pulled the US out of a nuclear agreement that the administration of former President Barack Obama had signed with Iran.

During the talks, Russia and India also reaffirmed their commitment to their special and privileged strategic partnership and asserted that this relationship was an important factor for global peace and stability.

The two sides reaffirmed the need to reform the UN Security Council to better reflect the current world order and make it more effective in dealing with emerging global challenges, said the statement titled, 'India-Russia: an Enduring Partnership in a Changing World'.

"Russia reiterated its unwavering support to India for Permanent Membership in an expanded UNSC. Both sides resolved to work closely to ensure peace, security and equitable development both regionally and globally and to coordinate their efforts to address challenges to the stability of the world order," it said.

Currently, the five veto-wielding permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US.&nbsp;

Following wide-ranging talks between Modi and Putin on a host of global issues, the two sides declared their support to Afghan government's efforts towards the realisation of an Afghan-led, and Afghan-owned national peace reconciliation process.

"Concerned with the unabated violence and severely undermined security situation in Afghanistan and its adverse effect on the region, the sides resolved to work through the Moscow Format, SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan, and all other recognised formats for an early resolution to the long-term conflict in Afghanistan, end terrorist violence, external safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorists and the worsening drug problem in the country," the statement said.

Both sides called upon the international community to join efforts to thwart any external interference in Afghanistan, to restore its economy, contribute to sustaining peace and security, economic and political development of a stable, secure, united, prosperous and independent Afghanistan, it said.

The two countries will direct their activity to launch joint development and capacity building projects in Afghanistan, the statement said. 
During the talks, the two sides also discussed the situation in Syria and the Korean Peninsula.

The two leaders reaffirmed their determination to support efforts and initiatives aimed at preserving the role of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, and preventing the politicisation of the activities of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. 
&nbsp; 
Both sides also supported the idea of the establishment of regional security architecture, that provides equal and indivisible security to all countries in Asia and in the regions of Pacific and Indian Oceans.&nbsp;

They vowed to enhance interaction and coordination of efforts in the regional multilateral fora such as BRICS, G-20, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Russia-India-China (RIC) and East Asia Summits. During the talks, India expressed its aspiration to broaden cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Russia reaffirmed its "unwavering support" to India for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council as both nations called for reform of the powerful UN organ to better reflect the current world order and make it more effective in dealing with emerging global challenges.

Russia reaffirmed its "unwavering support" to India for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council as both nations called for reform of the powerful UN organ to better reflect the current world order and make it more effective in dealing with emerging global challenges. Also Read: US responds to India's S-400 deal with Russia, says can't prejudge sanctions decisions The strong backing by Russia was expressed in the joint statement issued after the 19th India-Russia summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia and India also underlined the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear programme in order to support international peace and security, to strengthen non-proliferation regime and to develop normal economic cooperation with Iran. The statement assumes significance amid US' warning to all purchasers of Iranian oil to bring it down to zero by November 4 or face imminent sanctions from it. The two sides called for all issues related to the Iranian nuclear programme to be resolved peacefully and through dialogue. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump had pulled the US out of a nuclear agreement that the administration of former President Barack Obama had signed with Iran. During the talks, Russia and India also reaffirmed their commitment to their special and privileged strategic partnership and asserted that this relationship was an important factor for global peace and stability. The two sides reaffirmed the need to reform the UN Security Council to better reflect the current world order and make it more effective in dealing with emerging global challenges, said the statement titled, 'India-Russia: an Enduring Partnership in a Changing World'. "Russia reiterated its unwavering support to India for Permanent Membership in an expanded UNSC. Both sides resolved to work closely to ensure peace, security and equitable development both regionally and globally and to coordinate their efforts to address challenges to the stability of the world order," it said. Currently, the five veto-wielding permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US. Following wide-ranging talks between Modi and Putin on a host of global issues, the two sides declared their support to Afghan government's efforts towards the realisation of an Afghan-led, and Afghan-owned national peace reconciliation process. "Concerned with the unabated violence and severely undermined security situation in Afghanistan and its adverse effect on the region, the sides resolved to work through the Moscow Format, SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan, and all other recognised formats for an early resolution to the long-term conflict in Afghanistan, end terrorist violence, external safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorists and the worsening drug problem in the country," the statement said. Both sides called upon the international community to join efforts to thwart any external interference in Afghanistan, to restore its economy, contribute to sustaining peace and security, economic and political development of a stable, secure, united, prosperous and independent Afghanistan, it said. The two countries will direct their activity to launch joint development and capacity building projects in Afghanistan, the statement said. During the talks, the two sides also discussed the situation in Syria and the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders reaffirmed their determination to support efforts and initiatives aimed at preserving the role of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, and preventing the politicisation of the activities of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Both sides also supported the idea of the establishment of regional security architecture, that provides equal and indivisible security to all countries in Asia and in the regions of Pacific and Indian Oceans. They vowed to enhance interaction and coordination of efforts in the regional multilateral fora such as BRICS, G-20, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Russia-India-China (RIC) and East Asia Summits. During the talks, India expressed its aspiration to broaden cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union.

In joint statement, Russia reaffirms 'unwavering support' to India for UNSC seat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia's Sochi as part of his informal summit with the Russian President. The two leaders also held a meeting.&nbsp;

PM Modi also congratulated Russian President on his fourth term and thanked him for the invite.

"India and Russia have been friends for a long time. Thankful to President Putin for inviting me for an informal meeting at Sochi," said PM Narendra Modi in Russia's Sochi.

After meeting President Putin, PM Modi said,&nbsp;"Russia played a major role in helping India get a permanent membership in SCO. We are working together on International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and BRICS."

Yesterday, PM Modi had said that he had hoped that the talks between the two leaders would&nbsp;strengthen "special and privileged" partnership between India and Russia.

The summit is being held on the lines of the Wuhan informal summit between PM Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping. The meeting between the two leaders is the first since the re-election of Putin as the President of Russia.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia's Sochi as part of his informal summit with the Russian President. The two leaders also held a meeting. PM Modi also congratulated Russian President on his fourth term and thanked him for the invite. "India and Russia have been friends for a long time. Thankful to President Putin for inviting me for an informal meeting at Sochi," said PM Narendra Modi in Russia's Sochi. After meeting President Putin, PM Modi said, "Russia played a major role in helping India get a permanent membership in SCO. We are working together on International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and BRICS." Yesterday, PM Modi had said that he had hoped that the talks between the two leaders would strengthen "special and privileged" partnership between India and Russia. The summit is being held on the lines of the Wuhan informal summit between PM Modi and Chinese Premier Xi Jinping. The meeting between the two leaders is the first since the re-election of Putin as the President of Russia. #WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Russian President #VladimirPutin in Russia's Sochi pic.twitter.com/LKy98uiPc7 — ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2018 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi. The two leaders also held a meeting. #Russia pic.twitter.com/5X5ckcRIL2 — ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2018 ×

PM Narendra Modi meets Russian President Vladimir Putin, hails 'friendship'

By&nbspJennifer Mathers*

Vladimir Putin has won re-election by an even greater margin than expected. But he begins his fourth term as president facing antagonism from numerous world leaders over a nerve agent attack in the UK that has hospitalised a former Russian spy and his daughter.

The British prime minister, Theresa May, has made it clear that she thinks Russia is responsible for poisoning former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. She has received formal backing from France, Germany and the US.

She described the attack as just one in a long line of audacious foreign policy moves authorised by Moscow since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency in 2012. These actions include the annexation of Crimea, military intervention in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, cyber attacks and the interference in elections in the United States and Europe.

But while Russian foreign policy may give the impression of recklessness and unpredictability, Moscow’s words and actions are not the results of random aggression. They fall into distinct patterns. Understanding those patterns can help us interpret and perhaps anticipate Russia’s next moves on the world stage as Putin embarks on his fourth term as president.

Much of what we see in Russian foreign policy has a lot in common with a collection of theoretical approaches in the discipline of international relations known as “realism”. Russia’s political leaders tend to treat foreign policy as a zero-sum game, where one state can only make gains if others lose. Their assessment of Russia’s place in the world is shaped by very traditional ideas about what makes a state strong, powerful and respected. Possessing a large and well-armed military is high on the list.

While Russia also deploys more conventional tools of foreign policy, such as diplomacy and trade, it relies – heavily at times – on a wide range of covert instruments, especially those wielded by its intelligence and security services. Notions of ethics are not absent from the calculations of Russia’s political leaders – but they regard their ethical responsibility as protecting the interests of their own country, rather than following some abstract, philosophical rules for state behaviour.

Russia regards these general principles of foreign policy as universally applicable. In other words, Putin and other senior Russian policymakers expect all states to behave as Russia does. Any claims by other states’ governments that they have very different motives for their foreign policy actions – such as protecting human rights and supporting the development of democracy – are regarded by Moscow as no more than a public relations exercise. This attitude helps to explain why Russian officials feel free to exercise very implausible deniability when it comes to Russia’s actions. We saw an example of this in the spring of 2014, when Putin first denied and then admitted that the “little green men” deployed to Crimea were, in fact, Russian military personnel.

Use of force 
Each situation is different, and Russia’s policymakers calculate the relative strengths and limitations when choosing the instruments to use to advance Moscow’s foreign policy goals. This means that the use of outright military force is only employed where Moscow judges the odds to be strongly in Russia’s favour. Other, less confrontational but perhaps equally effective tools are used where the odds are not thought to be so good.

We can see how this works in practice if we compare the different ways that Russia has behaved in Ukraine. Deploying soldiers to Crimea in 2014 was relatively low risk. Ukraine’s government and armed forces were in disarray and there was a high level of support among the local civilian population for Russia. That said, Moscow still took the precaution of initially disguising its troops in case things went badly wrong.&nbsp

The risks were higher in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, but they were managed in several ways. Military intervention was preceded by a propaganda campaign that exploited existing local concerns about the intentions of the new Ukranian government, especially towards Russian speakers. The actual fighting has been done partly by proxies (local separatists, supplied and directed by Moscow). The participation of Russian soldiers has been presented as the actions of individual volunteers.

In both Crimea and the Donbas, Moscow could be confident that it would not face a direct military confrontation with superior forces. Russia’s calculations are very different when it comes to dealing with NATO members. Russia may base military exercises on fighting NATO forces, but in real life, this is out of the question except as a last resort. Propaganda, social media trolling and cyber attacks are much less risky methods of weakening a potential opponent.

The danger is that Moscow will underestimate the cumulative effects of its actions short of using military force. With each new provocative act, international tensions rise and so do the chances of a confrontation that cannot easily be denied or refused.

Russia may regard the attack on the Skripals as an isolated incident – as retribution to a traitor and a warning to others who might be tempted to betray the motherland. But there are increasing calls for Britain and other Western countries to take more decisive action against Moscow than expelling some diplomats and keeping the royal family away from the World Cup. If the West really is coming to the end of its patience with Russia, it could make Putin’s next six years as president a lot less comfortable.&nbsp

&nbsp

*Jennifer Mathers has a background in the study of Russian politics, history international politics at Aberystwyth University

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Russia may regard the attack on Skripals as an isolated incident, as retribution to a traitor and a warning to others who might be tempted to betray motherland. But if West is coming to the end of its patience with Russia, it could make President Putin’s next six years less comfortable

By&nbspJennifer Mathers* Vladimir Putin has won re-election by an even greater margin than expected. But he begins his fourth term as president facing antagonism from numerous world leaders over a nerve agent attack in the UK that has hospitalised a former Russian spy and his daughter. The British prime minister, Theresa May, has made it clear that she thinks Russia is responsible for poisoning former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. She has received formal backing from France, Germany and the US. She described the attack as just one in a long line of audacious foreign policy moves authorised by Moscow since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency in 2012. These actions include the annexation of Crimea, military intervention in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, cyber attacks and the interference in elections in the United States and Europe. But while Russian foreign policy may give the impression of recklessness and unpredictability, Moscow’s words and actions are not the results of random aggression. They fall into distinct patterns. Understanding those patterns can help us interpret and perhaps anticipate Russia’s next moves on the world stage as Putin embarks on his fourth term as president. Much of what we see in Russian foreign policy has a lot in common with a collection of theoretical approaches in the discipline of international relations known as “realism”. Russia’s political leaders tend to treat foreign policy as a zero-sum game, where one state can only make gains if others lose. Their assessment of Russia’s place in the world is shaped by very traditional ideas about what makes a state strong, powerful and respected. Possessing a large and well-armed military is high on the list. While Russia also deploys more conventional tools of foreign policy, such as diplomacy and trade, it relies – heavily at times – on a wide range of covert instruments, especially those wielded by its intelligence and security services. Notions of ethics are not absent from the calculations of Russia’s political leaders – but they regard their ethical responsibility as protecting the interests of their own country, rather than following some abstract, philosophical rules for state behaviour. Russia regards these general principles of foreign policy as universally applicable. In other words, Putin and other senior Russian policymakers expect all states to behave as Russia does. Any claims by other states’ governments that they have very different motives for their foreign policy actions – such as protecting human rights and supporting the development of democracy – are regarded by Moscow as no more than a public relations exercise. This attitude helps to explain why Russian officials feel free to exercise very implausible deniability when it comes to Russia’s actions. We saw an example of this in the spring of 2014, when Putin first denied and then admitted that the “little green men” deployed to Crimea were, in fact, Russian military personnel. Use of force Each situation is different, and Russia’s policymakers calculate the relative strengths and limitations when choosing the instruments to use to advance Moscow’s foreign policy goals. This means that the use of outright military force is only employed where Moscow judges the odds to be strongly in Russia’s favour. Other, less confrontational but perhaps equally effective tools are used where the odds are not thought to be so good. We can see how this works in practice if we compare the different ways that Russia has behaved in Ukraine. Deploying soldiers to Crimea in 2014 was relatively low risk. Ukraine’s government and armed forces were in disarray and there was a high level of support among the local civilian population for Russia. That said, Moscow still took the precaution of initially disguising its troops in case things went badly wrong. The risks were higher in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, but they were managed in several ways. Military intervention was preceded by a propaganda campaign that exploited existing local concerns about the intentions of the new Ukranian government, especially towards Russian speakers. The actual fighting has been done partly by proxies (local separatists, supplied and directed by Moscow). The participation of Russian soldiers has been presented as the actions of individual volunteers. In both Crimea and the Donbas, Moscow could be confident that it would not face a direct military confrontation with superior forces. Russia’s calculations are very different when it comes to dealing with NATO members. Russia may base military exercises on fighting NATO forces, but in real life, this is out of the question except as a last resort. Propaganda, social media trolling and cyber attacks are much less risky methods of weakening a potential opponent. The danger is that Moscow will underestimate the cumulative effects of its actions short of using military force. With each new provocative act, international tensions rise and so do the chances of a confrontation that cannot easily be denied or refused. Russia may regard the attack on the Skripals as an isolated incident – as retribution to a traitor and a warning to others who might be tempted to betray the motherland. But there are increasing calls for Britain and other Western countries to take more decisive action against Moscow than expelling some diplomats and keeping the royal family away from the World Cup. If the West really is coming to the end of its patience with Russia, it could make Putin’s next six years as president a lot less comfortable. *Jennifer Mathers has a background in the study of Russian politics, history international politics at Aberystwyth University (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: How to understand Putin's view of the world

By&nbsp;Jennifer Mathers*

Vladimir Putin has won re-election by an even greater margin than expected. But he begins his fourth term as president facing antagonism from numerous world leaders over a nerve agent attack in the UK that has hospitalised a former Russian spy and his daughter.

The British prime minister, Theresa May, has made it clear that she thinks Russia is responsible for poisoning former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. She has received formal backing from France, Germany and the US.

She described the attack as just one in a long line of audacious foreign policy moves authorised by Moscow since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency in 2012. These actions include the annexation of Crimea, military intervention in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, cyber attacks and the interference in elections in the United States and Europe.

But while Russian foreign policy may give the impression of recklessness and unpredictability, Moscow&rsquo;s words and actions are not the results of random aggression. They fall into distinct patterns. Understanding those patterns can help us interpret and perhaps anticipate Russia&rsquo;s next moves on the world stage as Putin embarks on his fourth term as president.

Much of what we see in Russian foreign policy has a lot in common with a collection of theoretical approaches in the discipline of international relations known as &ldquo;realism&rdquo;. Russia&rsquo;s political leaders tend to treat foreign policy as a zero-sum game, where one state can only make gains if others lose. Their assessment of Russia&rsquo;s place in the world is shaped by very traditional ideas about what makes a state strong, powerful and respected. Possessing a large and well-armed military is high on the list.

While Russia also deploys more conventional tools of foreign policy, such as diplomacy and trade, it relies &ndash; heavily at times &ndash; on a wide range of covert instruments, especially those wielded by its intelligence and security services. Notions of ethics are not absent from the calculations of Russia&rsquo;s political leaders &ndash; but they regard their ethical responsibility as protecting the interests of their own country, rather than following some abstract, philosophical rules for state behaviour.

Russia regards these general principles of foreign policy as universally applicable. In other words, Putin and other senior Russian policymakers expect all states to behave as Russia does. Any claims by other states&rsquo; governments that they have very different motives for their foreign policy actions &ndash; such as protecting human rights and supporting the development of democracy &ndash; are regarded by Moscow as no more than a public relations exercise. This attitude helps to explain why Russian officials feel free to exercise very implausible deniability when it comes to Russia&rsquo;s actions. We saw an example of this in the spring of 2014, when Putin first denied and then admitted that the &ldquo;little green men&rdquo; deployed to Crimea were, in fact, Russian military personnel.

Use of force 
Each situation is different, and Russia&rsquo;s policymakers calculate the relative strengths and limitations when choosing the instruments to use to advance Moscow&rsquo;s foreign policy goals. This means that the use of outright military force is only employed where Moscow judges the odds to be strongly in Russia&rsquo;s favour. Other, less confrontational but perhaps equally effective tools are used where the odds are not thought to be so good.

We can see how this works in practice if we compare the different ways that Russia has behaved in Ukraine. Deploying soldiers to Crimea in 2014 was relatively low risk. Ukraine&rsquo;s government and armed forces were in disarray and there was a high level of support among the local civilian population for Russia. That said, Moscow still took the precaution of initially disguising its troops in case things went badly wrong.&nbsp;

The risks were higher in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, but they were managed in several ways. Military intervention was preceded by a propaganda campaign that exploited existing local concerns about the intentions of the new Ukranian government, especially towards Russian speakers. The actual fighting has been done partly by proxies (local separatists, supplied and directed by Moscow). The participation of Russian soldiers has been presented as the actions of individual volunteers.

In both Crimea and the Donbas, Moscow could be confident that it would not face a direct military confrontation with superior forces. Russia&rsquo;s calculations are very different when it comes to dealing with NATO members. Russia may base military exercises on fighting NATO forces, but in real life this is out of the question except as a last resort. Propaganda, social media trolling and cyber attacks are much less risky methods of weakening a potential opponent.

The danger is that Moscow will underestimate the cumulative effects of its actions short of using military force. With each new provocative act, international tensions rise and so do the chances of a confrontation that cannot easily be denied or defused.

Russia may regard the attack on the Skripals as an isolated incident &ndash; as retribution to a traitor and a warning to others who might be tempted to betray the motherland. But there are increasing calls for Britain and other Western countries to take more decisive action against Moscow than expelling some diplomats and keeping the royal family away from the World Cup. If the West really is coming to the end of its patience with Russia, it could make Putin&rsquo;s next six years as president a lot less comfortable.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

*Jennifer Mathers has a background in the study of Russian politics, history international politics at Aberystwyth University

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Russia may regard the attack on Skripals as an isolated incident, as retribution to a traitor and a warning to others who might be tempted to betray motherland. But if West is coming to the end of its patience with Russia, it could make President Putin’s next six years less comfortable.

By Jennifer Mathers* Vladimir Putin has won re-election by an even greater margin than expected. But he begins his fourth term as president facing antagonism from numerous world leaders over a nerve agent attack in the UK that has hospitalised a former Russian spy and his daughter. The British prime minister, Theresa May, has made it clear that she thinks Russia is responsible for poisoning former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury. She has received formal backing from France, Germany and the US. She described the attack as just one in a long line of audacious foreign policy moves authorised by Moscow since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency in 2012. These actions include the annexation of Crimea, military intervention in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, cyber attacks and the interference in elections in the United States and Europe. But while Russian foreign policy may give the impression of recklessness and unpredictability, Moscow’s words and actions are not the results of random aggression. They fall into distinct patterns. Understanding those patterns can help us interpret and perhaps anticipate Russia’s next moves on the world stage as Putin embarks on his fourth term as president. Much of what we see in Russian foreign policy has a lot in common with a collection of theoretical approaches in the discipline of international relations known as “realism”. Russia’s political leaders tend to treat foreign policy as a zero-sum game, where one state can only make gains if others lose. Their assessment of Russia’s place in the world is shaped by very traditional ideas about what makes a state strong, powerful and respected. Possessing a large and well-armed military is high on the list. While Russia also deploys more conventional tools of foreign policy, such as diplomacy and trade, it relies – heavily at times – on a wide range of covert instruments, especially those wielded by its intelligence and security services. Notions of ethics are not absent from the calculations of Russia’s political leaders – but they regard their ethical responsibility as protecting the interests of their own country, rather than following some abstract, philosophical rules for state behaviour. Russia regards these general principles of foreign policy as universally applicable. In other words, Putin and other senior Russian policymakers expect all states to behave as Russia does. Any claims by other states’ governments that they have very different motives for their foreign policy actions – such as protecting human rights and supporting the development of democracy – are regarded by Moscow as no more than a public relations exercise. This attitude helps to explain why Russian officials feel free to exercise very implausible deniability when it comes to Russia’s actions. We saw an example of this in the spring of 2014, when Putin first denied and then admitted that the “little green men” deployed to Crimea were, in fact, Russian military personnel. Use of force Each situation is different, and Russia’s policymakers calculate the relative strengths and limitations when choosing the instruments to use to advance Moscow’s foreign policy goals. This means that the use of outright military force is only employed where Moscow judges the odds to be strongly in Russia’s favour. Other, less confrontational but perhaps equally effective tools are used where the odds are not thought to be so good. We can see how this works in practice if we compare the different ways that Russia has behaved in Ukraine. Deploying soldiers to Crimea in 2014 was relatively low risk. Ukraine’s government and armed forces were in disarray and there was a high level of support among the local civilian population for Russia. That said, Moscow still took the precaution of initially disguising its troops in case things went badly wrong. The risks were higher in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, but they were managed in several ways. Military intervention was preceded by a propaganda campaign that exploited existing local concerns about the intentions of the new Ukranian government, especially towards Russian speakers. The actual fighting has been done partly by proxies (local separatists, supplied and directed by Moscow). The participation of Russian soldiers has been presented as the actions of individual volunteers. In both Crimea and the Donbas, Moscow could be confident that it would not face a direct military confrontation with superior forces. Russia’s calculations are very different when it comes to dealing with NATO members. Russia may base military exercises on fighting NATO forces, but in real life this is out of the question except as a last resort. Propaganda, social media trolling and cyber attacks are much less risky methods of weakening a potential opponent. The danger is that Moscow will underestimate the cumulative effects of its actions short of using military force. With each new provocative act, international tensions rise and so do the chances of a confrontation that cannot easily be denied or defused. Russia may regard the attack on the Skripals as an isolated incident – as retribution to a traitor and a warning to others who might be tempted to betray the motherland. But there are increasing calls for Britain and other Western countries to take more decisive action against Moscow than expelling some diplomats and keeping the royal family away from the World Cup. If the West really is coming to the end of its patience with Russia, it could make Putin’s next six years as president a lot less comfortable. *Jennifer Mathers has a background in the study of Russian politics, history international politics at Aberystwyth University (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said the United States would have to cut 755 diplomatic staff in Russia and warned of a prolonged gridlock in its ties after the US Congress backed new sanctions against the Kremlin.

Putin added bluntly that Russia was able to raise the stakes with America even further, although he hoped this would be unnecessary.

A US State Department official denounced the move as a &quot;regrettable and uncalled for act,&quot; adding that Washington was now weighing a potential response.

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On Friday, the Russian foreign ministry demanded Washington cut its diplomatic presence in Russia by September 1 to 455 people -- the same number Moscow has in the US.

&quot;More than a thousand people -- diplomats and technical personnel -- were working and are still working&quot; at the US embassy and consulates, Putin said in an interview with Rossia-24 television.&nbsp;

&quot;755 people must stop their activities in Russia.&quot;

The US State Department would not confirm the number of US officials serving at the mission.

Putin added that an upturn in Russia&#39;s relations with Washington could not be expected &quot;any time soon.&quot;

&quot;We have waited long enough, hoping that the situation would perhaps change for the better,&quot; he said.

&quot;But it seems that even if the situation is changing, it&#39;s not for any time soon.&quot;

Raise the stakes? 
Putin warned that Russia could further ratchet up the pressure, but he hoped this would not be needed.

Russia still &quot;has things to say and is able to further restrict areas of common activities, which may be sensitive for the American side,&quot; he said.

If the damage inflicted by &quot;attempts to pressure Russia&quot; rises further, &quot;we are able to look at other forms of retaliation. But I hope we won&#39;t have to do it,&quot; he said.

&quot;For the time being, I am against&quot; any additional riposte, Putin said.

On Thursday, the US Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill to toughen sanctions on Russia for allegedly meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and for its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Iran and North Korea are also targeted in the sanctions bill.

The law now goes to President Donald Trump who had made an improvement in ties with Russia a plank of his election campaign -- a position that his critics said was inexplicable.

Russia also froze two US embassy compounds -- a Moscow summer house and a storage facility in the city -- from August 1.

&quot;I thought that we should show that we too are not going to stand by without a response&quot; after &quot;the baseless measures taken by the American side,&quot; Putin said.

In December, then US president Barack Obama ordered out 35 Russian diplomats and closed down two embassy summer houses that Washington said were being used by Moscow for espionage.

At the time, the Kremlin said it would put any retaliation on hold until after Trump took office.

Hacking &#39;cooperation&#39; 
High on the list of US grievances is the allegation that Russian operatives hacked Democratic Party computers at the peak of the troubled 2016 election campaign.

Putin on Sunday said Russia had proposed &quot;several times establishing cooperation with the American side&quot; on cyber-security.

&quot;But instead of starting to work constructively, all we hear are baseless accusations about interference in the internal affairs of the United States,&quot; he complained.

Putin and Trump, meeting on the sidelines of the July 7-8 G20 summit in Hamburg, talked about setting up what Trump called an &quot;impenetrable cyber security unit&quot; to prevent hacking in future elections.

Senior members of Trump&#39;s Republican Party poured scorn on the concept.

Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the notion was &quot;not the dumbest idea I&#39;ve ever heard, but it&#39;s pretty close.&quot;

Former presidential candidate John McCain said sarcastically he was &quot;sure that Vladimir Putin could be of enormous assistance in that effort, since he&#39;s doing the hacking.&quot;

'755 people must stop their activities in Russia,' Putin said in an interview with Rossia-24 television

President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said the United States would have to cut 755 diplomatic staff in Russia and warned of a prolonged gridlock in its ties after the US Congress backed new sanctions against the Kremlin. Putin added bluntly that Russia was able to raise the stakes with America even further, although he hoped this would be unnecessary. A US State Department official denounced the move as a "regrettable and uncalled for act," adding that Washington was now weighing a potential response. On Thursday, the US Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill to toughen sanctions on Russia for allegedly meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and for its annexation of Crimea in 2014. The evictions of US diplomatic staff are in response to that × On Friday, the Russian foreign ministry demanded Washington cut its diplomatic presence in Russia by September 1 to 455 people -- the same number Moscow has in the US. "More than a thousand people -- diplomats and technical personnel -- were working and are still working" at the US embassy and consulates, Putin said in an interview with Rossia-24 television. "755 people must stop their activities in Russia." The US State Department would not confirm the number of US officials serving at the mission. Putin added that an upturn in Russia's relations with Washington could not be expected "any time soon." "We have waited long enough, hoping that the situation would perhaps change for the better," he said. "But it seems that even if the situation is changing, it's not for any time soon." Raise the stakes? Putin warned that Russia could further ratchet up the pressure, but he hoped this would not be needed. Russia still "has things to say and is able to further restrict areas of common activities, which may be sensitive for the American side," he said. If the damage inflicted by "attempts to pressure Russia" rises further, "we are able to look at other forms of retaliation. But I hope we won't have to do it," he said. "For the time being, I am against" any additional riposte, Putin said. On Thursday, the US Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill to toughen sanctions on Russia for allegedly meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and for its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Iran and North Korea are also targeted in the sanctions bill. The law now goes to President Donald Trump who had made an improvement in ties with Russia a plank of his election campaign -- a position that his critics said was inexplicable. Russia also froze two US embassy compounds -- a Moscow summer house and a storage facility in the city -- from August 1. "I thought that we should show that we too are not going to stand by without a response" after "the baseless measures taken by the American side," Putin said. In December, then US president Barack Obama ordered out 35 Russian diplomats and closed down two embassy summer houses that Washington said were being used by Moscow for espionage. At the time, the Kremlin said it would put any retaliation on hold until after Trump took office. Hacking 'cooperation' High on the list of US grievances is the allegation that Russian operatives hacked Democratic Party computers at the peak of the troubled 2016 election campaign. Putin on Sunday said Russia had proposed "several times establishing cooperation with the American side" on cyber-security. "But instead of starting to work constructively, all we hear are baseless accusations about interference in the internal affairs of the United States," he complained. Putin and Trump, meeting on the sidelines of the July 7-8 G20 summit in Hamburg, talked about setting up what Trump called an "impenetrable cyber security unit" to prevent hacking in future elections. Senior members of Trump's Republican Party poured scorn on the concept. Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the notion was "not the dumbest idea I've ever heard, but it's pretty close." Former presidential candidate John McCain said sarcastically he was "sure that Vladimir Putin could be of enormous assistance in that effort, since he's doing the hacking."

Putin orders US to cut diplomatic staff by 755

President Vladimir Putin asserted on Thursday that Russia&#39;s &quot;trust-based&quot; relations with India -- which he described as one of its &quot;closest friends&quot; -- will not be diluted by Moscow&#39;s growing ties with Pakistan and other countries.

During an interaction, Putin told PTI that there is no other country in the world that Russia has &quot;deep cooperation&quot; in delicate areas such as missiles, and it benefits from cooperation with India

But at the same time, Putin sidestepped a question on Kashmir, and said &quot;it is up to you&quot; to assess whether Pakistan is fuelling terrorism in the Indian state. &quot;But no matter where the threat comes, it is unacceptable and we will always support India in its fight against terrorism,&quot; he added

Putin further said that just because Russia has a &quot;special relationship&quot; with India, did not mean that India should be restricted in having contacts with other &quot;partnering countries.

&quot;This is ridiculous.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;We do not have any tight (military) relations with Pakistan. The US, do you have (close relations)?,&quot; he said, speaking through an interpreter.

&quot;And for sure our relations with Pakistan have no impact on trade between India and Russia.&quot;&nbsp;

Sitting around a rectangular table with a select group of global news agency editors, the 64-year-old Russian leader took questions one by one on subjects related not only of interest to the editors&#39; countries but also of wider global concerns such as Syria, US President Donald Trump and the future of an emerging multi-polar world

&quot;India is a huge country of more than 1 billion population. Russia is also a huge country. Both Russia and India have a lot of context and mutual interests. We are respectful toward all Indian interests,&quot; he said, citing the deep defence relations between the two countries

&quot;I don&#39;t think we should push figures here in our military cooperation because it has an unprecedented level in its volume and quality. (But) there is no other country in the world that we have such deep cooperation in delicate areas such as missiles, and we benefit with cooperation with India. And this results from our trust-based relations with India,&quot; he said.

He did not elaborate, but this was a clear reference to the Russia&#39;s long willingness to share high-end defence technology including missile technology with India, which most other countries restrict

On a question if Russia will use its influence to get Pakistan to stop terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, &quot;We will always support India in its fight against terrorism. I believe Pakistan is taking immense steps to stabilise the situation in the country.&quot;&nbsp;

He noted that India and Russia, as part of their summit,&nbsp;are &quot;having a frank dialogue on all these threats. India for us is one of our closest friends. We not only understand each other but also support each other.&quot;&nbsp;

The interaction was held at the Konstantin Palace, a sprawling complex of grand buildings filled with 18th century paintings, porcelain, lawns, waterways and pavilions overlooking the Gulf of Finland. 
 
(PTI)

 
&nbsp;

Putin sidestepped a question on Kashmir, and said 'it is up to you' to assess whether Pakistan is fuelling terrorism in the Indian state

President Vladimir Putin asserted on Thursday that Russia's "trust-based" relations with India -- which he described as one of its "closest friends" -- will not be diluted by Moscow's growing ties with Pakistan and other countries. During an interaction, Putin told PTI that there is no other country in the world that Russia has "deep cooperation" in delicate areas such as missiles, and it benefits from cooperation with India But at the same time, Putin sidestepped a question on Kashmir, and said "it is up to you" to assess whether Pakistan is fuelling terrorism in the Indian state. "But no matter where the threat comes, it is unacceptable and we will always support India in its fight against terrorism," he added Putin further said that just because Russia has a "special relationship" with India, did not mean that India should be restricted in having contacts with other "partnering countries. "This is ridiculous." "We do not have any tight (military) relations with Pakistan. The US, do you have (close relations)?," he said, speaking through an interpreter. "And for sure our relations with Pakistan have no impact on trade between India and Russia." Sitting around a rectangular table with a select group of global news agency editors, the 64-year-old Russian leader took questions one by one on subjects related not only of interest to the editors' countries but also of wider global concerns such as Syria, US President Donald Trump and the future of an emerging multi-polar world "India is a huge country of more than 1 billion population. Russia is also a huge country. Both Russia and India have a lot of context and mutual interests. We are respectful toward all Indian interests," he said, citing the deep defence relations between the two countries "I don't think we should push figures here in our military cooperation because it has an unprecedented level in its volume and quality. (But) there is no other country in the world that we have such deep cooperation in delicate areas such as missiles, and we benefit with cooperation with India. And this results from our trust-based relations with India," he said. He did not elaborate, but this was a clear reference to the Russia's long willingness to share high-end defence technology including missile technology with India, which most other countries restrict On a question if Russia will use its influence to get Pakistan to stop terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "We will always support India in its fight against terrorism. I believe Pakistan is taking immense steps to stabilise the situation in the country." He noted that India and Russia, as part of their summit, are "having a frank dialogue on all these threats. India for us is one of our closest friends. We not only understand each other but also support each other." The interaction was held at the Konstantin Palace, a sprawling complex of grand buildings filled with 18th century paintings, porcelain, lawns, waterways and pavilions overlooking the Gulf of Finland. (PTI)

Will always support India in its fight against terrorism: Russian President Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday met US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after complaining of worsening ties with Donald Trump&#39;s administration as the two sides spar over Syria.

Putin received Tillerson at the Kremlin along with Russia&#39;s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after the top diplomats held several hours of talks dominated by the fallout of an alleged chemical attack in Syria.

Despite initial hopes in Moscow of better ties with the US under Trump, the two powers have descended into a furious war of words over the incident and a retaliatory US missile strike against the forces of the Kremlin&#39;s ally Bashar al-Assad last week.&nbsp;

Russia has slammed Washington&#39;s attack on a Syrian airbase and, as Tillerson met Lavrov, Putin admitted that relations have worsened in the three months that Trump has been in office.

&quot;You can say that the level of trust on a working level, especially on the military side, has not improved but most likely worsened,&quot; Putin said in the transcript of an interview with Mir television released by the Kremlin.

&quot;Where is the proof that Syrian troops used chemical weapons? There isn&#39;t any. But there was a violation of international law. That is an obvious fact.&quot;

&#39;Clarify differences&#39; 
 
Tillerson, a former oil executive, might once have looked like the perfect envoy to mend strained ties, having worked closely with the Kremlin while negotiating deals for energy giant ExxonMobil.

But the underlying tensions between the former Cold War foes never went away and last week&#39;s chemical attack has left ties once again in crisis.&nbsp;

At the start of his meeting with Lavrov, Tillerson said he wanted to &quot;clarify areas of common objectives, areas of common interest -- even where our tactical approaches may be different -- and further clarify areas of sharp difference.&quot;

During his visit -- the first to Moscow by a senior Trump administration official -- Tillerson was expected to challenge Russia to distance itself from Assad and his Iranian backers, an idea that the Kremlin dismissed as &quot;absurd&quot;.

Lavrov told Tillerson Moscow was hoping to understand Washington&#39;s &quot;real intentions&quot; and warned that the Kremlin considered it &quot;fundamentally important&quot; to prevent more &quot;unlawful&quot; US strikes against its ally Syria.&nbsp;

In a further indication of the stark differences, Russia also slammed as &quot;unacceptable&quot; a proposed UN resolution put forward by the US, Britain and France on the alleged chemical attack, and said it would veto it in its current form at a vote expected later Wednesday.&nbsp;

The Western-backed resolution -- which was slightly revised from a proposal presented last week -- demands that the Syrian government cooperate with an investigation into the alleged attack. &nbsp;

&quot;We are ready to throw our weight and resources behind diplomacy. We are ready to help bring this conflict to an end,&quot; US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the Security Council as it met.&nbsp;

Ahead of Tillerson&#39;s visit tempers rose sharply as US officials suggested Russian forces may have colluded in the latest atrocity blamed on Assad&#39;s regime that left 87 civilians dead including children in the town of Khan Sheikhun.

The White House compared Assad&#39;s tactics to those of World War II Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, sparking widespread criticism for apparently ignoring the Holocaust.&nbsp;

Putin meanwhile accused Assad&#39;s opponents of planning to stage chemical attacks to be blamed on Damascus in order to lure the United States deeper into the conflict.

Evacuations in Syria 
 
In a sign that the Kremlin is not set to drop its firm support for Assad, Syria&#39;s foreign minister is set to jet in to Moscow for talks with Lavrov on Thursday before a three-way meeting involving Iran&#39;s top diplomat on Friday. &nbsp;

As the powerbrokers wrangled over the six-year war in Syria that has cost some 320,000 lives, a deal on the ground to evacuate four besieged towns began Wednesday with an exchange of prisoners between rebels and government forces, local sources and state media said.

Thousands of people, both civilians and fighters, are expected to begin leaving government-held Fuaa and Kafraya and opposition-controlled Madaya and Zabadani later Wednesday.

The evacuations of the four besieged towns come under an agreement brokered by rebel backer Qatar and government ally Iran last month. 
 
(AFP)

 
&nbsp;

Even as Tillerson met Lavrov, Putin admitted that relations have worsened in the three months that Trump has been in office.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday met US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson after complaining of worsening ties with Donald Trump's administration as the two sides spar over Syria. Putin received Tillerson at the Kremlin along with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after the top diplomats held several hours of talks dominated by the fallout of an alleged chemical attack in Syria. Despite initial hopes in Moscow of better ties with the US under Trump, the two powers have descended into a furious war of words over the incident and a retaliatory US missile strike against the forces of the Kremlin's ally Bashar al-Assad last week. Russia has slammed Washington's attack on a Syrian airbase and, as Tillerson met Lavrov, Putin admitted that relations have worsened in the three months that Trump has been in office. "You can say that the level of trust on a working level, especially on the military side, has not improved but most likely worsened," Putin said in the transcript of an interview with Mir television released by the Kremlin. "Where is the proof that Syrian troops used chemical weapons? There isn't any. But there was a violation of international law. That is an obvious fact." 'Clarify differences' Tillerson, a former oil executive, might once have looked like the perfect envoy to mend strained ties, having worked closely with the Kremlin while negotiating deals for energy giant ExxonMobil. But the underlying tensions between the former Cold War foes never went away and last week's chemical attack has left ties once again in crisis. At the start of his meeting with Lavrov, Tillerson said he wanted to "clarify areas of common objectives, areas of common interest -- even where our tactical approaches may be different -- and further clarify areas of sharp difference." During his visit -- the first to Moscow by a senior Trump administration official -- Tillerson was expected to challenge Russia to distance itself from Assad and his Iranian backers, an idea that the Kremlin dismissed as "absurd". Lavrov told Tillerson Moscow was hoping to understand Washington's "real intentions" and warned that the Kremlin considered it "fundamentally important" to prevent more "unlawful" US strikes against its ally Syria. In a further indication of the stark differences, Russia also slammed as "unacceptable" a proposed UN resolution put forward by the US, Britain and France on the alleged chemical attack, and said it would veto it in its current form at a vote expected later Wednesday. The Western-backed resolution -- which was slightly revised from a proposal presented last week -- demands that the Syrian government cooperate with an investigation into the alleged attack. "We are ready to throw our weight and resources behind diplomacy. We are ready to help bring this conflict to an end," US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the Security Council as it met. Ahead of Tillerson's visit tempers rose sharply as US officials suggested Russian forces may have colluded in the latest atrocity blamed on Assad's regime that left 87 civilians dead including children in the town of Khan Sheikhun. The White House compared Assad's tactics to those of World War II Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, sparking widespread criticism for apparently ignoring the Holocaust. Putin meanwhile accused Assad's opponents of planning to stage chemical attacks to be blamed on Damascus in order to lure the United States deeper into the conflict. Evacuations in Syria In a sign that the Kremlin is not set to drop its firm support for Assad, Syria's foreign minister is set to jet in to Moscow for talks with Lavrov on Thursday before a three-way meeting involving Iran's top diplomat on Friday. As the powerbrokers wrangled over the six-year war in Syria that has cost some 320,000 lives, a deal on the ground to evacuate four besieged towns began Wednesday with an exchange of prisoners between rebels and government forces, local sources and state media said. Thousands of people, both civilians and fighters, are expected to begin leaving government-held Fuaa and Kafraya and opposition-controlled Madaya and Zabadani later Wednesday. The evacuations of the four besieged towns come under an agreement brokered by rebel backer Qatar and government ally Iran last month. (AFP)

Putin meets Tillerson as US, Russia wrangle over Syria

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