Russian authorities announced a new criminal charge against Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Wednesday, the latest move in a crackdown ahead of September`s parliamentary election that could add as much as three years to his prison term. 
 
Navalny, President Vladimir Putin`s fiercest domestic critic, is serving a 2-1/2-year sentence for parole violations he calls trumped up. He was arrested after flying back from Germany where he had recovered from a nerve agent poisoning. 
 
Navalny and his allies have faced pressure for years, but his political network was outlawed in June after a court formally labelled his anti-corruption foundation and regional campaign groups as extremist. 
 
The Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said in a statement that Navalny had been charged with creating an organisation that "infringes on the personality and rights of citizens", a crime punishable by up to three years in jail. 
 
It said that his Anti-Corruption Foundation had incited Russians to break the law and take part in unauthorised protests demanding his release in January that authorities said were illegal. 
 
The opposition politician`s allies who post on social media under the name Team Navalny described the accusation as "the latest meaningless charge". 
 
"No one infringes on the personality and rights of citizens like Putin himself and all his henchmen, including the Investigative Committee," they said on Telegram messenger. 
 
The charge comes a day after the Investigative Committee on Tuesday announced a new criminal investigation into two close Navalny allies, who are based abroad, for raising funds for his political network. 
 
On Sunday, Russian media outlets reported that Lyubov Sobol, a close Navalny ally, had left Russia and flown to Turkey. She has not commented on her whereabouts and her allies have declined to comment.

Russian authorities announced a new criminal charge against Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Wednesday, the latest move in a crackdown ahead of September`s parliamentary election that could add as much as three years to his prison term.

Russian authorities announced a new criminal charge against Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Wednesday, the latest move in a crackdown ahead of September`s parliamentary election that could add as much as three years to his prison term. Navalny, President Vladimir Putin`s fiercest domestic critic, is serving a 2-1/2-year sentence for parole violations he calls trumped up. He was arrested after flying back from Germany where he had recovered from a nerve agent poisoning. Navalny and his allies have faced pressure for years, but his political network was outlawed in June after a court formally labelled his anti-corruption foundation and regional campaign groups as extremist. The Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said in a statement that Navalny had been charged with creating an organisation that "infringes on the personality and rights of citizens", a crime punishable by up to three years in jail. It said that his Anti-Corruption Foundation had incited Russians to break the law and take part in unauthorised protests demanding his release in January that authorities said were illegal. The opposition politician`s allies who post on social media under the name Team Navalny described the accusation as "the latest meaningless charge". "No one infringes on the personality and rights of citizens like Putin himself and all his henchmen, including the Investigative Committee," they said on Telegram messenger. The charge comes a day after the Investigative Committee on Tuesday announced a new criminal investigation into two close Navalny allies, who are based abroad, for raising funds for his political network. On Sunday, Russian media outlets reported that Lyubov Sobol, a close Navalny ally, had left Russia and flown to Turkey. She has not commented on her whereabouts and her allies have declined to comment.

Russia hits Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny with new charge that could add to jail term

England's High Court will begin hearing arguments on Wednesday from lawyers for four Russian billionaires including Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich and state-owned oil firm Rosneft about a book on President Vladimir Putin which they say defames them. 
 
In the 2020 book, British journalist Catherine Belton chronicles Putin's rise to power and how many of his associates from the former Soviet spy services rose to positions of wealth and influence after he won the top Kremlin job in 1999. 
 
Lawyers for the businessmen will tell the court that passages in the book "Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and then Took on the West", published by HarperCollins, are defamatory. Abramovich is suing both HarperCollins and Belton, according to case details filed with the courts and tribunals service. 
 
HarperCollins said it would "robustly defend this acclaimed and ground-breaking book and the right to report on matters of considerable public interest". 
 
Belton, a former Financial Times Moscow correspondent and now a Reuters special correspondent, declined to comment. Law firm Wiggin, which is representing HarperCollins and Belton, did not respond to a request for comment. 
 
"The book falsely alleges that our client has acted corruptly, and makes false claims about our client`s purchase, and the activities, of Chelsea Football Club. Such claims are totally unacceptable and are without foundation," Abramovich`s lawyers, Harbottle &amp; Lewis, said on March 22. 
 
Abramovich said in the same statement that "the false allegations in this book are having a damaging effect, not only on my personal reputation, but also in respect of the activities of Chelsea Football Club." 
 
A spokeswoman for Abramovich declined to comment further. Harbottle &amp; Lewis did not respond to a request for comment. 
 
Rosneft, Russia's largest oil producer, is also suing both HarperCollins and Belton for defamation. The firm, and its lawyers Carter-Ruck, did not did not respond to a request for comment. 
 
Businessman Mikhail Fridman is suing HarperCollins for defamation and on data protection grounds. His long-term business partner, Pyotr Aven, is suing on data protection grounds. 
 
A spokesman said both men regretted it had not been possible to resolve the matter before Wednesday`s hearing. 
 
"Ms Belton's book, which has been promoted as a 'definitive historical record', contains inaccurate and offensive statements about Mr Aven and Mr Fridman," the spokesman said.&nbsp;"It is important to them that the record is set straight." 
 
Businessman Shalva Chigirinsky is suing both HarperCollins and Belton for defamation. His lawyers, Taylor Wessing LLP, passed on to him a Reuters request for comment on the proceedings. He did not immediately respond.

England's High Court will begin hearing arguments on Wednesday from lawyers for four Russian billionaires including Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich and state-owned oil firm Rosneft about a book on President Vladimir Putin which they say defames them.

England's High Court will begin hearing arguments on Wednesday from lawyers for four Russian billionaires including Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich and state-owned oil firm Rosneft about a book on President Vladimir Putin which they say defames them. In the 2020 book, British journalist Catherine Belton chronicles Putin's rise to power and how many of his associates from the former Soviet spy services rose to positions of wealth and influence after he won the top Kremlin job in 1999. Lawyers for the businessmen will tell the court that passages in the book "Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and then Took on the West", published by HarperCollins, are defamatory. Abramovich is suing both HarperCollins and Belton, according to case details filed with the courts and tribunals service. HarperCollins said it would "robustly defend this acclaimed and ground-breaking book and the right to report on matters of considerable public interest". Belton, a former Financial Times Moscow correspondent and now a Reuters special correspondent, declined to comment. Law firm Wiggin, which is representing HarperCollins and Belton, did not respond to a request for comment. "The book falsely alleges that our client has acted corruptly, and makes false claims about our client`s purchase, and the activities, of Chelsea Football Club. Such claims are totally unacceptable and are without foundation," Abramovich`s lawyers, Harbottle & Lewis, said on March 22. Abramovich said in the same statement that "the false allegations in this book are having a damaging effect, not only on my personal reputation, but also in respect of the activities of Chelsea Football Club." A spokeswoman for Abramovich declined to comment further. Harbottle & Lewis did not respond to a request for comment. Rosneft, Russia's largest oil producer, is also suing both HarperCollins and Belton for defamation. The firm, and its lawyers Carter-Ruck, did not did not respond to a request for comment. Businessman Mikhail Fridman is suing HarperCollins for defamation and on data protection grounds. His long-term business partner, Pyotr Aven, is suing on data protection grounds. A spokesman said both men regretted it had not been possible to resolve the matter before Wednesday`s hearing. "Ms Belton's book, which has been promoted as a 'definitive historical record', contains inaccurate and offensive statements about Mr Aven and Mr Fridman," the spokesman said. "It is important to them that the record is set straight." Businessman Shalva Chigirinsky is suing both HarperCollins and Belton for defamation. His lawyers, Taylor Wessing LLP, passed on to him a Reuters request for comment on the proceedings. He did not immediately respond.

Russian billionaires vs British writer: Court battle begins over Putin book

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of Russian navy's capability of a 'lethal strike' as he spoke during a parade of warships in port city of St Petersburg. His words have come just a day after military officials announced test of new advanced weapons. Some of these weapons come from the arsenal Putin said was 'invincible'

"The Russian navy today has everything it needs to guarantee the protection of our country and our national interests," he said.

"We can detect underwater, surface or aerial enemies and target them if a lethal strike is necessary," Putin said according to a broadcast on state television.

The Russian leader was speaking on the sidelines of an annual parade of military vessels, flanked by naval officers in white, and also Russia's defence minister Sergei Shoigu.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cuba-russia-sends-help-to-communist-nation-after-protests-400404">Cuba: Russia sends help to Communist nation after protests</a>

Putin said Russia had secured its place among the world's leading naval powers, including by developing "the latest hypersonic precision weapons still unrivalled in the world".

The United States, China, France and other major powers have announced plans to develop their own hypersonic weapons and are expected to soon catch up.

With the second-largest arsenal of nuclear weapons in the world and a huge cache of ballistic missiles, Russia already has more than enough military capacity to deter its enemies.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of Russian navy's capability of a 'lethal strike' as he spoke during a parade of warships in port city of St Petersburg. His words have come just a day after military officials announced test of new advanced weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of Russian navy's capability of a 'lethal strike' as he spoke during a parade of warships in port city of St Petersburg. His words have come just a day after military officials announced test of new advanced weapons. Some of these weapons come from the arsenal Putin said was 'invincible' "The Russian navy today has everything it needs to guarantee the protection of our country and our national interests," he said. "We can detect underwater, surface or aerial enemies and target them if a lethal strike is necessary," Putin said according to a broadcast on state television. The Russian leader was speaking on the sidelines of an annual parade of military vessels, flanked by naval officers in white, and also Russia's defence minister Sergei Shoigu. Also Read | Cuba: Russia sends help to Communist nation after protests Putin said Russia had secured its place among the world's leading naval powers, including by developing "the latest hypersonic precision weapons still unrivalled in the world". The United States, China, France and other major powers have announced plans to develop their own hypersonic weapons and are expected to soon catch up. With the second-largest arsenal of nuclear weapons in the world and a huge cache of ballistic missiles, Russia already has more than enough military capacity to deter its enemies. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin talks of 'lethal strike' during Russian warship parade

As<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/history-combatants-facts-and-timeline-us-led-military-intervention-in-afghanistan-396203"> Afghan</a> troops prepared their counterattack in the north after the Taliban's rapid advance in the area, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon assuring help to the former Soviet republic.

Reports said on Monday that at least 1,000 Afghan government soldiers had crossed over to&nbsp;Tajikistan while losing ground to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/history-combatants-facts-and-timeline-us-led-military-intervention-in-afghanistan-396203">Taliban</a>.

Russia already operates a military base in Tajikistan. On Tuesday, Russian forces fired air-to-surface missiles during a training exercise amid reports of Taliban gaining territories along the area.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-army-plan-counteroffensive-against-taliban-in-northern-provinces-396106/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Russian defence ministry had said two MI-24 attack helicopters and two military transport helicopters had also taken part in the military exercise with unguided missiles launched at ground targets.

Last month the Taliban had seized a vital border crossing along the Tajikistan border as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-forces-plan-counteroffensive-in-northern-provinces-adviser-395959">US troops </a>continued their pullout from Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The Kremlin said Russia is prepared to help Tajikistan stabilise the border area "both directly and through a regional security bloc", if needed.

"The situation there is rather tense because according to some sources, up to 70% of the Tajik-Afghan border is now controlled by the Taliban," Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Russia's deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko as saying.

Last week the US forces had handed over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pentagon-seeks-to-soften-blow-of-us-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-396071">Bagram</a> airbase after nearly 20 years to the Afghan forces as they continued their pullout from the region even as the Taliban continued its rapid advance through the north which was not its traditional stronghold.

As Afghan troops flooded into Tajikistan, President Emomali Rakhmon ordered mobilisation of 20,000 reserve troops on Monday&nbsp;to strengthen the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

Russia had said on Monday that it was closing its consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif located near the border with Uzbekistan due to security reasons.

TASS news agency quoted Russia's envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, saying that "The situation is changing rapidly. The Afghan forces, as they say, have abandoned too many districts. This logically creates nervousness."

(With inputs from Agencies)

As Afghan troops prepared their counterattack in the north after the Taliban's rapid advance in the area, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon assuring help to the former Soviet republic.

As Afghan troops prepared their counterattack in the north after the Taliban's rapid advance in the area, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon assuring help to the former Soviet republic. Reports said on Monday that at least 1,000 Afghan government soldiers had crossed over to Tajikistan while losing ground to the Taliban. Russia already operates a military base in Tajikistan. On Tuesday, Russian forces fired air-to-surface missiles during a training exercise amid reports of Taliban gaining territories along the area. Watch: The Russian defence ministry had said two MI-24 attack helicopters and two military transport helicopters had also taken part in the military exercise with unguided missiles launched at ground targets. Last month the Taliban had seized a vital border crossing along the Tajikistan border as US troops continued their pullout from Afghanistan. The Kremlin said Russia is prepared to help Tajikistan stabilise the border area "both directly and through a regional security bloc", if needed. "The situation there is rather tense because according to some sources, up to 70% of the Tajik-Afghan border is now controlled by the Taliban," Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Russia's deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko as saying. Last week the US forces had handed over the Bagram airbase after nearly 20 years to the Afghan forces as they continued their pullout from the region even as the Taliban continued its rapid advance through the north which was not its traditional stronghold. As Afghan troops flooded into Tajikistan, President Emomali Rakhmon ordered mobilisation of 20,000 reserve troops on Monday to strengthen the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Russia had said on Monday that it was closing its consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif located near the border with Uzbekistan due to security reasons. TASS news agency quoted Russia's envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, saying that "The situation is changing rapidly. The Afghan forces, as they say, have abandoned too many districts. This logically creates nervousness." (With inputs from Agencies)

Putin dials Tajikistan president amid Taliban's rapid advance in Afghanistan

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday proposed spendings of billions of rubles ahead of parliamentary polls due in September. Putin made the announcement at his United Russia party congress. The parliamentary polls are likely to see the deeply unpopular party struggle.

The party congress took place in a Moscow convention centre. The Russian capital is seeing high number of new Covid cases.

The spending for public support Putin proposed included 50 billion rubles ($687 million) on public transport, 30 billion rubles for repairing roads and 20 billion rubles to clean up rivers, among other spending projects on infrastructure and healthcare.

"The program of the party of the leader has to be the program of the people," the 68-year-old Kremlin chief said in a speech broadcast on state television.

He also said the state would be allocating payments and new forms of support for families starting next month.&nbsp;

"Our task is to significantly increase the prosperity of Russian families and the incomes of our citizens," Putin said.

The gathering, which determines the ruling party's candidates and electoral platform for September's lower house of parliament vote, comes after the party has seen support tumble in recent years amid economic stagnation, entrenched corruption and widespread voter fatigue.

On Friday, state-run pollster VTsIOM published a survey showing that 30 percent of voters support United Russia -- a 10-point drop from the last lower house State Duma elections in 2016.

Navalny neutralised

But the party, which controls a majority of the State Duma, is projecting calm.

"It is a good base of support that can be further increased during the election campaign," party chairman and former president and prime minister Dmitry Medvedev said at the start of the month.

Putin, who came to power in 2000, himself boasts much higher support than his party with an approval rating of 61.5 percent, according to VTsIOM.

The pollster also predicts that three opposition parties that are seen as doing the Kremlin's bidding -- the nationalist LDPR, the Communists and A Just Russia -- will garner around 30 percent of the vote.

Further buoying the Kremlin's prospects in September is the recent dismantling of the movement of Russia's main opposition politician Alexei Navalny.

Barring his organisations from working in the country, a Moscow court earlier this month branded them as "extremist", while Putin signed legislation outlawing staff, members and sponsors of "extremist" groups from running in parliamentary elections.

Critics say the moves were aimed at ensuring that Navalny, who was jailed earlier this year for two-and-a-half years on old fraud charges he says are politically motivated, does not spoil September's vote for the Kremlin.

Despite the clampdown, Navalny's allies are promoting his Smart Voting strategy that backs candidates best placed to defeat Kremlin-linked politicians -- a tactic that has seen United Russia lose a number of seats in recent local elections.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday proposed spendings of billions of rubles ahead of parliamentary polls due in September. Putin made the announcement at his United Russia party congress.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday proposed spendings of billions of rubles ahead of parliamentary polls due in September. Putin made the announcement at his United Russia party congress. The parliamentary polls are likely to see the deeply unpopular party struggle. The party congress took place in a Moscow convention centre. The Russian capital is seeing high number of new Covid cases. The spending for public support Putin proposed included 50 billion rubles ($687 million) on public transport, 30 billion rubles for repairing roads and 20 billion rubles to clean up rivers, among other spending projects on infrastructure and healthcare. "The program of the party of the leader has to be the program of the people," the 68-year-old Kremlin chief said in a speech broadcast on state television. He also said the state would be allocating payments and new forms of support for families starting next month. "Our task is to significantly increase the prosperity of Russian families and the incomes of our citizens," Putin said. The gathering, which determines the ruling party's candidates and electoral platform for September's lower house of parliament vote, comes after the party has seen support tumble in recent years amid economic stagnation, entrenched corruption and widespread voter fatigue. On Friday, state-run pollster VTsIOM published a survey showing that 30 percent of voters support United Russia -- a 10-point drop from the last lower house State Duma elections in 2016. Navalny neutralised But the party, which controls a majority of the State Duma, is projecting calm. "It is a good base of support that can be further increased during the election campaign," party chairman and former president and prime minister Dmitry Medvedev said at the start of the month. Putin, who came to power in 2000, himself boasts much higher support than his party with an approval rating of 61.5 percent, according to VTsIOM. The pollster also predicts that three opposition parties that are seen as doing the Kremlin's bidding -- the nationalist LDPR, the Communists and A Just Russia -- will garner around 30 percent of the vote. Further buoying the Kremlin's prospects in September is the recent dismantling of the movement of Russia's main opposition politician Alexei Navalny. Barring his organisations from working in the country, a Moscow court earlier this month branded them as "extremist", while Putin signed legislation outlawing staff, members and sponsors of "extremist" groups from running in parliamentary elections. Critics say the moves were aimed at ensuring that Navalny, who was jailed earlier this year for two-and-a-half years on old fraud charges he says are politically motivated, does not spoil September's vote for the Kremlin. Despite the clampdown, Navalny's allies are promoting his Smart Voting strategy that backs candidates best placed to defeat Kremlin-linked politicians -- a tactic that has seen United Russia lose a number of seats in recent local elections. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin promises billions in public spending ahead of polls

The State Department has said the US believes Navalny was poisoned by the Russian security services last year when he felt ill during a flight to Moscow and fell into a coma.

Biden warned Putin of consequences if Navalny dies in prison

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.

Geneva gears up for Putin-Biden summit

Ahead of the Wednesday’s Biden-Putin summit, US President Joe Biden says he will lay down 'red lines' to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in their meeting, calling him 'tough' and 'a worthy adversary'.&nbsp;

When a reporter asked if he still believes Putin is 'a killer', Biden didn't immediately answer. The question was asked at a news conference on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Brussels.&nbsp;

But he issued a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin that the death of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny would hurt Russia’s relationships with the rest of the world.&nbsp;

“Navalny’s death would be another indication that Russia has little or no intention of abiding by basic fundamental human rights,” said Biden.&nbsp;

Biden-Putin meet&nbsp;

Biden will meet Putin for the first time since becoming president in Geneva summit. He has also declined to say how he'll measure the success of the meeting.&nbsp;

As US president prepares to meet one on one with Putin, the White House insists that the Geneva summit does not amount to a reward for Russian president, placing him on a par with the United States.&nbsp;

The meeting will actually be a businesslike review of the bilateral relationship. US president will raise several pressing concerns but will also seek areas where Russia and the United States can work together.&nbsp;

US President also said the NATO alliance remains 'strong', adding that Russia and China 'are seeking to drive a wedge in transatlantic solidarity'. &nbsp;

From Ukraine&nbsp;

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky Monday said US President Joe Biden should have met him before his high-profile summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin as they could resolve nothing on Ukraine without Kiev at the table.&nbsp;

The 43-year-old leader spoke to journalists as the US and Russian presidents prepare to hold their first summit meeting in Geneva on Wednesday. "It would be better to have this meeting before the summit of the two presidents," Zelensky said in an interview.&nbsp;

Transatlantic ties&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden will intensify efforts to renew transatlantic relations on Tuesday, meeting with European Union leaders to cool trade tensions and join forces to beat COVID-19, uphold democracy and hold back climate change.&nbsp;

Biden's summit in Brussels with the presidents of the EU's executive and the Council that represents the bloc's 27 member states is also expected to affirm Western solidarity in the face of the assertiveness of both Russia and China.&nbsp;

Congratulates Bennett &nbsp;

US President Joe Biden on Sunday called incoming Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and congratulated him. An alliance of parties led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid on Sunday ousted Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and ended his 12-year rule. Benjamin Netanyahu is the longest-serving premier of Israel.&nbsp;

"I congratulate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and all the members of the new Israeli cabinet," Biden said in a statement issued shortly before the call.&nbsp;

Syria Libya tangle&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden on Monday (Indian time) appeared to mistake Syria for Libya at news conference after G7 summit in the UK. He appeared to make the mistake twice.&nbsp;

He was describing how the US and Russia can work together for the welfare of people of Libya (instead of Syria). In Syria, both US and Russia are involved in a decade-long civil conflict.&nbsp;

Talks with Erdoğan&nbsp;

Biden also met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Brussels. He told members of the press that the two 'had a very good meeting’, but refused to answer any other reporter questions during a quick photo opportunity following the discussion.&nbsp;

Ahead of the meeting, Erdogan said talks with Biden would be 'very broad' but he focused on the dispute over Ankara's acquisition of a Russian air defence system, which led to Turkey being removed from the F-35 fighter programme and sanctions on defence industry officials.&nbsp;

The US says the S-400 missiles, which Turkey purchased in 2019, pose a threat to NATO's integrated air defence and has demanded Ankara abandon the $2.5 billion system.&nbsp;

He also described Biden's recognition of the killings of Armenian Ottoman citizens during World War I as genocide in April as 'very negative' and an 'approach that has seriously upset us’. Turkey denies the deportations and massacres that began in 1915 and killed an estimated 1.5 million Armenians amounted to genocide.&nbsp;

Tackling China &nbsp;

The US president has urged his fellow NATO leaders to stand up to China's authoritarianism and growing military might, a change of focus for an alliance created to defend Europe from the Soviet Union during the Cold War.&nbsp;

The language in the summit's final communique, which will now set the path for alliance policy, comes a day after the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations issued a statement on human rights in China and Taiwan that Beijing said slandered its reputation.&nbsp;

Capitol Riots&nbsp;

President Joe Biden says US allies were 'shocked' and 'surprised' by the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, but they nevertheless are unconcerned about American leadership on the world stage. Biden also urged Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, as the country approaches a milestone of 600,000 deaths.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of the Wednesday’s Biden-Putin summit, US President Joe Biden says he will lay down 'red lines' to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in their meeting, calling him 'tough' and 'a worthy adversary'.

Ahead of the Wednesday’s Biden-Putin summit, US President Joe Biden says he will lay down 'red lines' to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in their meeting, calling him 'tough' and 'a worthy adversary'. When a reporter asked if he still believes Putin is 'a killer', Biden didn't immediately answer. The question was asked at a news conference on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Brussels. But he issued a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin that the death of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny would hurt Russia’s relationships with the rest of the world. “Navalny’s death would be another indication that Russia has little or no intention of abiding by basic fundamental human rights,” said Biden. Biden-Putin meet Biden will meet Putin for the first time since becoming president in Geneva summit. He has also declined to say how he'll measure the success of the meeting. As US president prepares to meet one on one with Putin, the White House insists that the Geneva summit does not amount to a reward for Russian president, placing him on a par with the United States. The meeting will actually be a businesslike review of the bilateral relationship. US president will raise several pressing concerns but will also seek areas where Russia and the United States can work together. US President also said the NATO alliance remains 'strong', adding that Russia and China 'are seeking to drive a wedge in transatlantic solidarity'. From Ukraine Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky Monday said US President Joe Biden should have met him before his high-profile summit with Russia's Vladimir Putin as they could resolve nothing on Ukraine without Kiev at the table. The 43-year-old leader spoke to journalists as the US and Russian presidents prepare to hold their first summit meeting in Geneva on Wednesday. "It would be better to have this meeting before the summit of the two presidents," Zelensky said in an interview. Transatlantic ties US President Joe Biden will intensify efforts to renew transatlantic relations on Tuesday, meeting with European Union leaders to cool trade tensions and join forces to beat COVID-19, uphold democracy and hold back climate change. Biden's summit in Brussels with the presidents of the EU's executive and the Council that represents the bloc's 27 member states is also expected to affirm Western solidarity in the face of the assertiveness of both Russia and China. Congratulates Bennett US President Joe Biden on Sunday called incoming Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and congratulated him. An alliance of parties led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid on Sunday ousted Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and ended his 12-year rule. Benjamin Netanyahu is the longest-serving premier of Israel. "I congratulate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, and all the members of the new Israeli cabinet," Biden said in a statement issued shortly before the call. Syria Libya tangle US President Joe Biden on Monday (Indian time) appeared to mistake Syria for Libya at news conference after G7 summit in the UK. He appeared to make the mistake twice. He was describing how the US and Russia can work together for the welfare of people of Libya (instead of Syria). In Syria, both US and Russia are involved in a decade-long civil conflict. Talks with Erdoğan Biden also met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Brussels. He told members of the press that the two 'had a very good meeting’, but refused to answer any other reporter questions during a quick photo opportunity following the discussion. Ahead of the meeting, Erdogan said talks with Biden would be 'very broad' but he focused on the dispute over Ankara's acquisition of a Russian air defence system, which led to Turkey being removed from the F-35 fighter programme and sanctions on defence industry officials. The US says the S-400 missiles, which Turkey purchased in 2019, pose a threat to NATO's integrated air defence and has demanded Ankara abandon the $2.5 billion system. He also described Biden's recognition of the killings of Armenian Ottoman citizens during World War I as genocide in April as 'very negative' and an 'approach that has seriously upset us’. Turkey denies the deportations and massacres that began in 1915 and killed an estimated 1.5 million Armenians amounted to genocide. Tackling China The US president has urged his fellow NATO leaders to stand up to China's authoritarianism and growing military might, a change of focus for an alliance created to defend Europe from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The language in the summit's final communique, which will now set the path for alliance policy, comes a day after the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations issued a statement on human rights in China and Taiwan that Beijing said slandered its reputation. Capitol Riots President Joe Biden says US allies were 'shocked' and 'surprised' by the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol, but they nevertheless are unconcerned about American leadership on the world stage. Biden also urged Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, as the country approaches a milestone of 600,000 deaths. (With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden looks to strengthen relationships, tackle adversaries

Ahead of the summit talks with US President Joe Biden, Russian President&nbsp;Vladimir Putin told a US television channel that he was open to a prisoner swap with the US which is likely to come up for discussion when the two leaders meet at Geneva.

The Russian president clarified his government's stand on the alleged cyberattack,&nbsp;saying that it was "unfounded accusations" without "evidence or proof".

Putin described the cyberattack accusations as &nbsp;"farcical".

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/putin-says-russia-ready-to-handover-cybercriminals-to-us-391435/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Where is the proof? It's becoming farcical," Putin said, adding,"We have been accused of all kinds of things, election interference, cyberattacks and so on and so forth, and not once, not one time, did they bother to produce any kind of evidence or proof."

US-Russia relations have been going downhill in recent years, with Washington accusing the regime of cyberattacks.

The US has imposed sanctions on Russia, but Putin's regime has withstood the pressure from Western governments over the spying issue.

Russia had earlier said it was ready to hand over cybercriminals to the United States if the Biden administration agreed to do the same, a move hailed by Biden as a sign of "progress."

Biden had earlier described Putin as a killer as he declared recently, "Autocrats have enormous power," adding that Russia has been behaving "contrary to international norms".

Meanwhile, Ukraine&nbsp;leader Volodymyr Zelensky said Biden should have met him before Putin as he seeks US support to put down alleged separatists backed by Russia even as the Pentagon had announced a new $150 million package of military assistance for Kiev.

Ahead of the summit talks with US President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a US television channel that he was open to a prisoner swap with the US which is likely to come up for discussion when the two leaders meet at Geneva.

Ahead of the summit talks with US President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a US television channel that he was open to a prisoner swap with the US which is likely to come up for discussion when the two leaders meet at Geneva. The Russian president clarified his government's stand on the alleged cyberattack, saying that it was "unfounded accusations" without "evidence or proof". Putin described the cyberattack accusations as "farcical". Watch: "Where is the proof? It's becoming farcical," Putin said, adding,"We have been accused of all kinds of things, election interference, cyberattacks and so on and so forth, and not once, not one time, did they bother to produce any kind of evidence or proof." US-Russia relations have been going downhill in recent years, with Washington accusing the regime of cyberattacks. The US has imposed sanctions on Russia, but Putin's regime has withstood the pressure from Western governments over the spying issue. Russia had earlier said it was ready to hand over cybercriminals to the United States if the Biden administration agreed to do the same, a move hailed by Biden as a sign of "progress." Biden had earlier described Putin as a killer as he declared recently, "Autocrats have enormous power," adding that Russia has been behaving "contrary to international norms". Meanwhile, Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelensky said Biden should have met him before Putin as he seeks US support to put down alleged separatists backed by Russia even as the Pentagon had announced a new $150 million package of military assistance for Kiev.

'It's becoming farcical': Putin denies Russia's role in election interference, cyberattacks

US President Joe Biden on Sunday said that 'autocrat' Vladimir Putin was right to suggest that relations between USA and Russia were at their lowest. Biden suggested that Russia might be weaker than it seemed.

Joe Biden argued that the world's richest democracies faced existential contest from "autocrats". This, he said would define 21st century.

Biden is scheduled to attend NATO summit on Monday. He will then meet Putin in Geneva on June 16. The meeting of the two presidents is likely to be a combative encounter given the disputes between the two countries over spying, hacking, election meddling, Ukraine, Belarus and human rights

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-cautions-g7-small-groups-dont-rule-the-world-391151">China cautions G7: 'Small' groups don't rule the world</a>

Biden, who called the former KGB spy a killer in March, cast Russia as engaging in unacceptable behaviour on a range of fronts but also pointed to Russia's own "dilemmas" - its post-Soviet economic collapse, what he called overreach in Syria and problems with COVID-19.

Asked why Putin, who has served as Russia's paramount leader since Boris Yeltsin resigned in 1999, had not changed despite years of Western sanctions, Biden quipped: "He's Vladimir Putin".

"Autocrats have enormous power and they don't have to answer to a public and the fact is that it may very well be if I respond in kind, as I will, that it doesn't dissuade him - he wants to keep going," Biden said of Putin.

The two former Cold War foes have had a turbulent relationship for years though relations soured after Putin sought to rebuild some of the clout lost in the chaotic 1991 Soviet collapse and began meddling far beyond Russia's borders.

U.S. and other Western leaders now see Putin and Xi Jinping's China as their main strategic threats, though the Kremlin dismisses as fiction almost all allegations against Russia and says the West is gripped by anti-Russian hysteria.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden on Sunday said that 'autocrat' Vladimir Putin was right to suggest that relations between USA and Russia were at their lowest. Biden suggested that Russia might be weaker than it seemed.

US President Joe Biden on Sunday said that 'autocrat' Vladimir Putin was right to suggest that relations between USA and Russia were at their lowest. Biden suggested that Russia might be weaker than it seemed. Joe Biden argued that the world's richest democracies faced existential contest from "autocrats". This, he said would define 21st century. Biden is scheduled to attend NATO summit on Monday. He will then meet Putin in Geneva on June 16. The meeting of the two presidents is likely to be a combative encounter given the disputes between the two countries over spying, hacking, election meddling, Ukraine, Belarus and human rights Also Read: China cautions G7: 'Small' groups don't rule the world Biden, who called the former KGB spy a killer in March, cast Russia as engaging in unacceptable behaviour on a range of fronts but also pointed to Russia's own "dilemmas" - its post-Soviet economic collapse, what he called overreach in Syria and problems with COVID-19. Asked why Putin, who has served as Russia's paramount leader since Boris Yeltsin resigned in 1999, had not changed despite years of Western sanctions, Biden quipped: "He's Vladimir Putin". "Autocrats have enormous power and they don't have to answer to a public and the fact is that it may very well be if I respond in kind, as I will, that it doesn't dissuade him - he wants to keep going," Biden said of Putin. The two former Cold War foes have had a turbulent relationship for years though relations soured after Putin sought to rebuild some of the clout lost in the chaotic 1991 Soviet collapse and began meddling far beyond Russia's borders. U.S. and other Western leaders now see Putin and Xi Jinping's China as their main strategic threats, though the Kremlin dismisses as fiction almost all allegations against Russia and says the West is gripped by anti-Russian hysteria. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden says 'autocrat' Putin's Russia might be weaker than it seems

Russian President Vladimir&nbsp;Putin, in an interview with NBC News ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden next week, said U.S.-Russia relations are at their lowest point in years.

Putin&nbsp;and Biden will meet in Geneva on Wednesday. The White House has said Biden will bring up ransomware attacks emanating from Russia, Moscow's aggression against Ukraine, the jailing of dissidents, and other issues that have irritated the relationship.

"We have a bilateral relationship that has deteriorated to its lowest point in recent years,"&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;said, according to an NBC translation of excerpts of an interview broadcast on Friday.

Putin&nbsp;praised former President Donald Trump as "an extraordinary individual, talented individual," and said Biden, as a career politician, was "radically different" from Trump.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g7-leaders-agree-on-a-joint-declaration-to-stop-future-pandemics-390934">Also Read |&nbsp;G7 leaders agree on a joint declaration to stop future pandemics</a>

Asked about Biden calling him a killer in an interview in March,&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;said he had heard dozens of such accusations. "This is not something I worry about in the least,"&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;said.

Biden, at the start of an eight-day visit to Europe this week, said: "We're not seeking conflict with Russia."

"We want a stable and predictable relationship ... but I've been clear: The United States will respond in a robust and meaningful way if the Russian government engages in harmful activities."

Putin&nbsp;was asked about several Russian dissidents whose deaths have been blamed on Moscow, including ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko who was poisoned in 2006.&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;dismissed the question as “verbal indigestion.“ He said some of those responsible for the deaths are in prison.

On the issue of recent ransomware attacks that the United States has traced to Russia,&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;denied any knowledge of the hackings and called on Biden to reach an agreement with him on cyberspace, NBC News said.

Putin&nbsp;also dismissed a report in the Washington Post this week that Russia was preparing to supply Iran with an advanced satellite that would enable it to track potential military targets across the Middle East.

"It's just fake news. At the very least, I don't know anything about this kind of thing,"&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;said, according to NBC News. "It's just nonsense garbage."

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview with NBC News ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden next week, said U.S.-Russia relations are at their lowest point in years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview with NBC News ahead of his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden next week, said U.S.-Russia relations are at their lowest point in years. Putin and Biden will meet in Geneva on Wednesday. The White House has said Biden will bring up ransomware attacks emanating from Russia, Moscow's aggression against Ukraine, the jailing of dissidents, and other issues that have irritated the relationship. "We have a bilateral relationship that has deteriorated to its lowest point in recent years," Putin said, according to an NBC translation of excerpts of an interview broadcast on Friday. Putin praised former President Donald Trump as "an extraordinary individual, talented individual," and said Biden, as a career politician, was "radically different" from Trump. Also Read | G7 leaders agree on a joint declaration to stop future pandemics Asked about Biden calling him a killer in an interview in March, Putin said he had heard dozens of such accusations. "This is not something I worry about in the least," Putin said. Biden, at the start of an eight-day visit to Europe this week, said: "We're not seeking conflict with Russia." "We want a stable and predictable relationship ... but I've been clear: The United States will respond in a robust and meaningful way if the Russian government engages in harmful activities." Putin was asked about several Russian dissidents whose deaths have been blamed on Moscow, including ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko who was poisoned in 2006. Putin dismissed the question as “verbal indigestion.“ He said some of those responsible for the deaths are in prison. On the issue of recent ransomware attacks that the United States has traced to Russia, Putin denied any knowledge of the hackings and called on Biden to reach an agreement with him on cyberspace, NBC News said. Putin also dismissed a report in the Washington Post this week that Russia was preparing to supply Iran with an advanced satellite that would enable it to track potential military targets across the Middle East. "It's just fake news. At the very least, I don't know anything about this kind of thing," Putin said, according to NBC News. "It's just nonsense garbage."

Putin says relations with US at lowest point in years, praises Trump

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold their June 16 summit in an 18th-century Swiss villa overlooking Lake Geneva, a soothing setting for what promises to be heated talks.

Bitter disputes over election interference, cyber-attacks, human rights, and Ukraine hang over their first face-to-face meeting since Biden took office on Jan 20. 
 
Strategic nuclear stability and regional conflicts will be on the table. Biden, who is due to arrive in Britain on Wednesday at the start of his first trip abroad as president, has said he would press Putin to respect human rights. 
 
<img alt="The Villa La Grange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d410448-b91d-43fe-ba18-24f94c7a86b6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/villa_0.jpg" /> 
 
The Villa La Grange with Lake Geneva in the background. (Reuters Photo)

Putin said last Friday he expected the talks to be held in a positive atmosphere, though he anticipated no breakthrough. 
 
He said allegations that Russian hackers were behind a cyber attack that disrupted meat production in North America and Australia were an attempt to provoke a political row ahead of the summit, Interfax news agency reported.

Despite "destructive noise" by both sides, a mutual objective has emerged to put their relationship "on a more predictable and stable basis", said Robert Legvold, professor emeritus at Colombia University and a Russia expert. 
 
"Over time Geneva summits have been critical to the relationship," he told reporters in the Swiss city on Wednesday. 
 
"And when it comes to actually work out important areas of cooperation, strategic nuclear arms control, the majority of those talks have been in Geneva too."

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Diplomatic sources expect confirmation of the venue later on Wednesday or Thursday. The Swiss police and army have closed the two parks surrounding the Villa La Grange and installed barricades and barbed wire. 
 
Neutral Switzerland, which did not join Western sanctions against Russia for its 2014 annexation of the Crimea region from Ukraine, lobbied hard to land the first big power summit in the Alpine country in decades.

'RESET' 
 
In the Cold War era, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev held their first summit in Geneva in Nov. 1985 and agreed to pursue cuts in their nuclear arsenals. 
 
In Geneva in 2009, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov a yellow box bearing a red "reset" button to symbolize improved ties under President Barack Obama. But the word "reset" was mistranslated into the Russian word for "overcharge", creating an awkward moment.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Lavrov will accompany Biden and Putin. 
 
The classic villa is located in a park along the left bank. Dotted with redwood trees, rose bushes and ancient fountains, the park offers a stunning view of Lake Geneva and sailboats.

Biden is also scheduled to hold talks with Swiss President Guy Parmelin. 
 
Switzerland has represented U.S. interests in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution, often facilitating the transfer of prisoners between the two foes. Tax issues are likely to be raised after Biden referred to Switzerland as a "fiscal paradise" in April.

US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold their June 16 summit in an 18th-century Swiss villa overlooking Lake Geneva, a soothing setting for what promises to be heated talks.

US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to hold their June 16 summit in an 18th-century Swiss villa overlooking Lake Geneva, a soothing setting for what promises to be heated talks. Bitter disputes over election interference, cyber-attacks, human rights, and Ukraine hang over their first face-to-face meeting since Biden took office on Jan 20. Strategic nuclear stability and regional conflicts will be on the table. Biden, who is due to arrive in Britain on Wednesday at the start of his first trip abroad as president, has said he would press Putin to respect human rights. The Villa La Grange with Lake Geneva in the background. (Reuters Photo) Putin said last Friday he expected the talks to be held in a positive atmosphere, though he anticipated no breakthrough. He said allegations that Russian hackers were behind a cyber attack that disrupted meat production in North America and Australia were an attempt to provoke a political row ahead of the summit, Interfax news agency reported. Despite "destructive noise" by both sides, a mutual objective has emerged to put their relationship "on a more predictable and stable basis", said Robert Legvold, professor emeritus at Colombia University and a Russia expert. "Over time Geneva summits have been critical to the relationship," he told reporters in the Swiss city on Wednesday. "And when it comes to actually work out important areas of cooperation, strategic nuclear arms control, the majority of those talks have been in Geneva too." Also Read | US Prez Joe Biden to meet 55 world leaders during his visit Diplomatic sources expect confirmation of the venue later on Wednesday or Thursday. The Swiss police and army have closed the two parks surrounding the Villa La Grange and installed barricades and barbed wire. Neutral Switzerland, which did not join Western sanctions against Russia for its 2014 annexation of the Crimea region from Ukraine, lobbied hard to land the first big power summit in the Alpine country in decades. 'RESET' In the Cold War era, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev held their first summit in Geneva in Nov. 1985 and agreed to pursue cuts in their nuclear arsenals. In Geneva in 2009, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov a yellow box bearing a red "reset" button to symbolize improved ties under President Barack Obama. But the word "reset" was mistranslated into the Russian word for "overcharge", creating an awkward moment. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Lavrov will accompany Biden and Putin. The classic villa is located in a park along the left bank. Dotted with redwood trees, rose bushes and ancient fountains, the park offers a stunning view of Lake Geneva and sailboats. Biden is also scheduled to hold talks with Swiss President Guy Parmelin. Switzerland has represented U.S. interests in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution, often facilitating the transfer of prisoners between the two foes. Tax issues are likely to be raised after Biden referred to Switzerland as a "fiscal paradise" in April.

Biden set to meet Putin in 18th-century Swiss villa for first summit

Russia on Monday imposed sanctions against nine senior Canadian officials after the Canadian government had imposed sanctions on nine Russian officials over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's arrest.

Watch:

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The Putin government has banned the nine Canadian officials from entering the country which includes the justice minister.

In March, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had slapped sanctions on Russian officials over what it said was the Russian government's repeated "unwillingness to respect the basic rights of its own people."

Trudeau had said that Putin was "responsible for all sorts of terrible things" during an interview with a local radio station.

Foreign minister Marc Garneau had said that "Russia's gross human rights violations will not go unanswered," as it targeted the senior staff in President Putin's office and defence officials with sanctions including (FSB) director Alexander Bortnikov and Igor Krasnov, the lawyer who prosecuted Navalny.

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was arrested in Russia in January as soon as he landed in the country and is currently serving a two-and-a-half-year prison term for violating parole while abroad.

Navalny was allegedly poisoned in Russia with a nerve agent&nbsp;Novichok and had to be flown to a Berlin hospital for treatment. The Russian opposition leader had blamed Putin for the poisoning incident which Kremlin has openly denied.

The Russian embassy in Ottawa had denounced the sanctions calling it a "hostile step" while asserting that "Ottawa should think about its own human rights violations including systemic violence against indigenous people".

(With inputs from Agencies)

Russia on Monday imposed sanctions against nine senior Canadian officials after the Canadian government had imposed sanctions on nine Russian officials over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's arrest.

Russia on Monday imposed sanctions against nine senior Canadian officials after the Canadian government had imposed sanctions on nine Russian officials over Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's arrest. Watch: The Putin government has banned the nine Canadian officials from entering the country which includes the justice minister. In March, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had slapped sanctions on Russian officials over what it said was the Russian government's repeated "unwillingness to respect the basic rights of its own people." Trudeau had said that Putin was "responsible for all sorts of terrible things" during an interview with a local radio station. Foreign minister Marc Garneau had said that "Russia's gross human rights violations will not go unanswered," as it targeted the senior staff in President Putin's office and defence officials with sanctions including (FSB) director Alexander Bortnikov and Igor Krasnov, the lawyer who prosecuted Navalny. Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was arrested in Russia in January as soon as he landed in the country and is currently serving a two-and-a-half-year prison term for violating parole while abroad. Navalny was allegedly poisoned in Russia with a nerve agent Novichok and had to be flown to a Berlin hospital for treatment. The Russian opposition leader had blamed Putin for the poisoning incident which Kremlin has openly denied. The Russian embassy in Ottawa had denounced the sanctions calling it a "hostile step" while asserting that "Ottawa should think about its own human rights violations including systemic violence against indigenous people". (With inputs from Agencies)

Navalny row: Now, Russia imposes sanctions on Canadian officials

The summit meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin next week in Geneva is about communicating America's views to the Russians and not about deliverables, the White House has said.

Biden and Putin are scheduled to meet in Geneva on June 16, after the US president attends the G-7 Summit in the United Kingdom, a NATO meeting and the US-European Union Summit in Brussels.

"We don't think in terms of US-Russia Summits as being about deliverables because if you are going to wait for really significant deliverables you could be waiting a long time conceivably," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House on Monday.

"So what we need to think about the summit is doing and is fundamentally, is giving us an opportunity to communicate from our president to their president what American intentions and capabilities are and to hear the same from their side. That has value in and of itself," he said.

Responding to a question, Sullivan said in terms of the timing, it is hard from US perspective to find a better context for a meeting with the Russian president than after time spent with the world's leading market economies, the G7, plus India, South Korea, Australia and South Africa.

"After his meeting with the presidents of the European Union. And then, and only then going into this session to be able to talk through the complex set of issues in the US-Russia relationship. That from our perspective is the right context within which to engage Russia," he said.

On the US-Russia Summit, he said as far as whether it comes too early in his presidency, "if you think about what we've dealt with from the outset on Russia it has been a busy time". "We've extended the New START Agreement. We've imposed costs for election interference and for SolarWinds. We've dealt with a Russian build up on the Ukraine border and of course, we are contending with a range of issues on the cyber and ransomware domain. So we feel that it is an effective and appropriate context and time period for us to have this summit," Sullivan said.

He said the relationship between the US and Russia is not about relationship and trust. "It's about a relationship of verification, it's about a relationship of clarifying what our expectations are and laying out that if certain types of harmful activities continue to occur there will be responses from the United States," Sullivan said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The summit meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin next week in Geneva is about communicating America's views to the Russians and not about deliverables, the White House has said.

The summit meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin next week in Geneva is about communicating America's views to the Russians and not about deliverables, the White House has said. Biden and Putin are scheduled to meet in Geneva on June 16, after the US president attends the G-7 Summit in the United Kingdom, a NATO meeting and the US-European Union Summit in Brussels. "We don't think in terms of US-Russia Summits as being about deliverables because if you are going to wait for really significant deliverables you could be waiting a long time conceivably," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House on Monday. "So what we need to think about the summit is doing and is fundamentally, is giving us an opportunity to communicate from our president to their president what American intentions and capabilities are and to hear the same from their side. That has value in and of itself," he said. Responding to a question, Sullivan said in terms of the timing, it is hard from US perspective to find a better context for a meeting with the Russian president than after time spent with the world's leading market economies, the G7, plus India, South Korea, Australia and South Africa. "After his meeting with the presidents of the European Union. And then, and only then going into this session to be able to talk through the complex set of issues in the US-Russia relationship. That from our perspective is the right context within which to engage Russia," he said. On the US-Russia Summit, he said as far as whether it comes too early in his presidency, "if you think about what we've dealt with from the outset on Russia it has been a busy time". "We've extended the New START Agreement. We've imposed costs for election interference and for SolarWinds. We've dealt with a Russian build up on the Ukraine border and of course, we are contending with a range of issues on the cyber and ransomware domain. So we feel that it is an effective and appropriate context and time period for us to have this summit," Sullivan said. He said the relationship between the US and Russia is not about relationship and trust. "It's about a relationship of verification, it's about a relationship of clarifying what our expectations are and laying out that if certain types of harmful activities continue to occur there will be responses from the United States," Sullivan said. (With inputs from agencies)

Summit meeting with Russia is to communicate and not about deliverables: White House

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the United States was wrong to think that it is "powerful enough" to get away with threatening other countries, a mistake, he said, that led to the downfall of the former Soviet Union.

Putin made the comments during a press briefing late on Friday as he spoke about U.S. sanctions against Moscow, according to Russia's news agency TASS.

He was speaking just days before a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden whose cabinet in April imposed a broad array of sanctions on Russia, including curbs to its sovereign debt market.

"We hear threats from the Congress, from other sources. It is all done within the context of the United States' domestic political process," Putin was quoted as saying.

"The people who do this, they probably assume that the United States has such economic, military and political might that it can get away with that. It is no big deal, that is what they think."

Putin said such behaviour reminded him of the Soviet Union.

"The problem with empires is that they think they are powerful enough to make some mistakes. We will buy these (people), bully them, make a deal with them, give necklaces to them, threaten them with battleships. And this will solve all the problems. But problems accumulate. A moment comes when they cannot be solved anymore."

Biden and Putin will meet in Geneva on June 16, the White House and the Kremlin have said, to discuss "the full range of pressing issues", according to Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the United States was wrong to think that it is "powerful enough" to get away with threatening other countries, a mistake, he said, that led to the downfall of the former Soviet Union.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the United States was wrong to think that it is "powerful enough" to get away with threatening other countries, a mistake, he said, that led to the downfall of the former Soviet Union. Putin made the comments during a press briefing late on Friday as he spoke about U.S. sanctions against Moscow, according to Russia's news agency TASS. He was speaking just days before a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden whose cabinet in April imposed a broad array of sanctions on Russia, including curbs to its sovereign debt market. "We hear threats from the Congress, from other sources. It is all done within the context of the United States' domestic political process," Putin was quoted as saying. "The people who do this, they probably assume that the United States has such economic, military and political might that it can get away with that. It is no big deal, that is what they think." Putin said such behaviour reminded him of the Soviet Union. "The problem with empires is that they think they are powerful enough to make some mistakes. We will buy these (people), bully them, make a deal with them, give necklaces to them, threaten them with battleships. And this will solve all the problems. But problems accumulate. A moment comes when they cannot be solved anymore." Biden and Putin will meet in Geneva on June 16, the White House and the Kremlin have said, to discuss "the full range of pressing issues", according to Washington.

Putin says US threats smack of Soviet Union's fatal mistakes

Asserting that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are 'responsible' leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said they both are capable of solving issues between the two countries, and that it was important that no 'extra-regional power' should interfere in the process.

With Russia publicly critical of the Quad, the four-nation grouping of India, the US, Japan and Australia, Putin also said that though it was not up to Moscow to assess how any nation should participate in an initiative and to what extent they should build their relations with other countries but no partnership should be aimed at making friends against anyone.

The Russian president's remarks, in response to a question on Moscow's view on Quad as well as India's participation in the grouping, were a veiled reference to the Chinese claim that the grouping is to contain Beijing's influence in the strategic Indo-Pacific region.

He also asserted that there were no 'contradictions' in Russia's partnership with India and the ties between Moscow and Beijing. "Yes, I do know that there are some issues related to India-China relations but there are always a lot of issues between neighbouring countries but I know the attitude of both the Prime Minister of India and also the President of China. These are very responsible people and they earnestly treat one another with utmost respect and I believe that they will always arrive at a solution to any issue that they might face. But it is important that no other extra-regional power is interfering with that," the Russian President said through a translator during a virtual interaction.

It has been more than a year since the military standoff between China and India erupted in eastern Ladakh on May 5, 2020 during which there were fatalities on both sides for the first time in 45 years. They have made limited progress in achieving disengagement at the Pangong Lake area while negotiations for similar steps at other friction points remained deadlocked.

Asked about the growing proximity between Russia and China and if that will impact the Indo-Russia security and defence cooperation, Putin said the relations between India and Russia were developing quite rapidly, quite successfully based on 'trust'. "We highly appreciate such a high level of cooperation with our Indian friends. These relations are of a strategic nature. They cover a whole range of avenues of our cooperation in economy, energy and hi-tech. In defence, and I am not just talking about purchase of Russian arms...We have very deep profound relations with India based on trust," he said.

Putin also asserted that India is Russia's only partner that they are working together with on 'elaborating and manufacturing, especially in India, advanced weapon systems and technologies but that is not where our cooperation ends because our cooperation is multifaceted.'

During the interaction with select top editors of major international news agencies, including from the US, India, the UK, Germany and France, Putin replied to wide ranging issues, including Russia-US ties, the pandemic situation, the US sanctions against Russia and the Gaza issue.

Asked about Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov's criticism of Quad as 'Asian NATO' and his view on India's participation in the grouping, Putin said, "we are not participating in the quad, it is not my place to give my assessment to any other country participating in any initiative because every sovereign nation has the right to decide with whom and to what extent they are building their relations. I only believe that any partnership between countries should be aimed at making friends against anyone, No."

Ahead of his maiden summit with US President Joe Biden in Geneva on June 16, the Russian president also said that he was not expecting any 'breakthrough'. "We are not taking steps first? I'm talking about the steps that deteriorated our relations. It was not us who introduced sanctions against us, it was the United States who did that on every occasion and even without grounds, just because our country exists," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Asserting that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are 'responsible' leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said they both are capable of solving issues between the two countries, and that it was important that no 'extra-regional power' should interfere in the process.

Asserting that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are 'responsible' leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday said they both are capable of solving issues between the two countries, and that it was important that no 'extra-regional power' should interfere in the process. With Russia publicly critical of the Quad, the four-nation grouping of India, the US, Japan and Australia, Putin also said that though it was not up to Moscow to assess how any nation should participate in an initiative and to what extent they should build their relations with other countries but no partnership should be aimed at making friends against anyone. The Russian president's remarks, in response to a question on Moscow's view on Quad as well as India's participation in the grouping, were a veiled reference to the Chinese claim that the grouping is to contain Beijing's influence in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. He also asserted that there were no 'contradictions' in Russia's partnership with India and the ties between Moscow and Beijing. "Yes, I do know that there are some issues related to India-China relations but there are always a lot of issues between neighbouring countries but I know the attitude of both the Prime Minister of India and also the President of China. These are very responsible people and they earnestly treat one another with utmost respect and I believe that they will always arrive at a solution to any issue that they might face. But it is important that no other extra-regional power is interfering with that," the Russian President said through a translator during a virtual interaction. It has been more than a year since the military standoff between China and India erupted in eastern Ladakh on May 5, 2020 during which there were fatalities on both sides for the first time in 45 years. They have made limited progress in achieving disengagement at the Pangong Lake area while negotiations for similar steps at other friction points remained deadlocked. Asked about the growing proximity between Russia and China and if that will impact the Indo-Russia security and defence cooperation, Putin said the relations between India and Russia were developing quite rapidly, quite successfully based on 'trust'. "We highly appreciate such a high level of cooperation with our Indian friends. These relations are of a strategic nature. They cover a whole range of avenues of our cooperation in economy, energy and hi-tech. In defence, and I am not just talking about purchase of Russian arms...We have very deep profound relations with India based on trust," he said. Putin also asserted that India is Russia's only partner that they are working together with on 'elaborating and manufacturing, especially in India, advanced weapon systems and technologies but that is not where our cooperation ends because our cooperation is multifaceted.' During the interaction with select top editors of major international news agencies, including from the US, India, the UK, Germany and France, Putin replied to wide ranging issues, including Russia-US ties, the pandemic situation, the US sanctions against Russia and the Gaza issue. Asked about Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov's criticism of Quad as 'Asian NATO' and his view on India's participation in the grouping, Putin said, "we are not participating in the quad, it is not my place to give my assessment to any other country participating in any initiative because every sovereign nation has the right to decide with whom and to what extent they are building their relations. I only believe that any partnership between countries should be aimed at making friends against anyone, No." Ahead of his maiden summit with US President Joe Biden in Geneva on June 16, the Russian president also said that he was not expecting any 'breakthrough'. "We are not taking steps first? I'm talking about the steps that deteriorated our relations. It was not us who introduced sanctions against us, it was the United States who did that on every occasion and even without grounds, just because our country exists," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Modi and Xi are 'responsible' leaders, can solve Sino-India issues: Putin

Russian President Putin signs 'extremist' bill, effectively banning certain groups from contesting elections. Critics believe that the bill would bar Navalny's allies from elections.

Russia: Is the 'Navalny network' an 'extremist' group?

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that European nations should pay for Russian gas in euros. This comes as Kremlin moves to dump the dollar after US sanctions.

"The euro is completely acceptable for us in terms of gas payments. This can be done, of course, and probably should be done," Putin said at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Putin's comments came a day after Russian economy ministry announced that it was dropping the dollar from its National Wealth Fund (NWF) and shifting to other currencies.

Russia has been trying for years to wean the economy off the dollar. Even Russia's state-owned energy companies have been turning to non-dollar settlement.

The economy ministry said that from May 20 the share of dollar assets in the fund had been reduced to zero percent from 35 percent.

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the euro will make up 40 percent of the fund, with 30 percent in yuan and 20 percent in gold.

The British pound and the Japanese yen will make up five percent each.

Some economists said the move was designed to send a signal to Washington ahead of a summit between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden on June 16.

The face-to-face meeting in Geneva comes amid the biggest crisis in ties between the two countries in years, with tensions high over a litany of issues including human rights, election meddling, Ukraine, and Belarus.

Moscow has been reducing the share of its dollar holdings since the West imposed sanctions on Russia following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that European nations should pay for Russian gas in euros. This comes as Kremlin moves to dump the dollar after US sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that European nations should pay for Russian gas in euros. This comes as Kremlin moves to dump the dollar after US sanctions. "The euro is completely acceptable for us in terms of gas payments. This can be done, of course, and probably should be done," Putin said at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. Putin's comments came a day after Russian economy ministry announced that it was dropping the dollar from its National Wealth Fund (NWF) and shifting to other currencies. Russia has been trying for years to wean the economy off the dollar. Even Russia's state-owned energy companies have been turning to non-dollar settlement. The economy ministry said that from May 20 the share of dollar assets in the fund had been reduced to zero percent from 35 percent. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the euro will make up 40 percent of the fund, with 30 percent in yuan and 20 percent in gold. The British pound and the Japanese yen will make up five percent each. Some economists said the move was designed to send a signal to Washington ahead of a summit between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden on June 16. The face-to-face meeting in Geneva comes amid the biggest crisis in ties between the two countries in years, with tensions high over a litany of issues including human rights, election meddling, Ukraine, and Belarus. Moscow has been reducing the share of its dollar holdings since the West imposed sanctions on Russia following the annexation of Crimea in 2014. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin urges Europe to pay in euro not dollars

The White House said that President Joe Biden will address the recent ransomware attack on JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, and the increased threat of cyber-attacks while meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin later this month.

Joe Biden to address ransomware threat with Putin

Amid crackdown on internet giants Google, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-is-working-on-a-three-tier-labelling-mechanism-to-fight-misinformation-heres-how-itll-work-388770">Twitter </a>and Facebook, the Russian lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill that would ensure foreign internet companies to set up local offices in the country or face penalties and even a possible ban.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-twitter-is-blocking-free-speech-controlling-conversations-388667/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

President Vladimir Putin had earlier said that internet companies should "obey not just the laws of formal, legal rules, but also the moral laws of the society".

The Russian leader had said that, "These are not just economic giants. In some areas they are already de facto competing with the state."

The latest regulation passed by Russia's lower house involves&nbsp;those companies which have&nbsp;over 500,000 users with stringent punishment including a ban on payments and blocking of services.

Russia’s internet regulator recently had recently demanded the foreign internet companies to remove content it found illegal or face fines.&nbsp;

The government had earlier asked Facebook and Twitter to store all data on its citizens within the country by July 1.&nbsp;

Google was earlier fined $82,000 after the US-based company did not meet the government's demand to delete content it considered illegal which included posts on opposition leader Alexei Navalny's arrest.

The Russian regulator had also clamped down on Twitter over tweets allegedly connected with child pornography and drug use. The internet company was fined $259,000.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Amid crackdown on internet giants Google, Twitter and Facebook, the Russian lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill that would ensure foreign internet companies to set up local offices in the country or face penalties and even a possible ban.

Amid crackdown on internet giants Google, Twitter and Facebook, the Russian lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill that would ensure foreign internet companies to set up local offices in the country or face penalties and even a possible ban. Watch: President Vladimir Putin had earlier said that internet companies should "obey not just the laws of formal, legal rules, but also the moral laws of the society". The Russian leader had said that, "These are not just economic giants. In some areas they are already de facto competing with the state." The latest regulation passed by Russia's lower house involves those companies which have over 500,000 users with stringent punishment including a ban on payments and blocking of services. Russia’s internet regulator recently had recently demanded the foreign internet companies to remove content it found illegal or face fines. The government had earlier asked Facebook and Twitter to store all data on its citizens within the country by July 1. Google was earlier fined $82,000 after the US-based company did not meet the government's demand to delete content it considered illegal which included posts on opposition leader Alexei Navalny's arrest. The Russian regulator had also clamped down on Twitter over tweets allegedly connected with child pornography and drug use. The internet company was fined $259,000. (With inputs from Agencies)

Russian lawmakers pass bill to make foreign web giants open local offices or face ban

Russia will move ahead with a second $500 million loan to Belarus next month, following talks between the two countries' leaders amid uproar in the West over the grounding of a passenger jet in Minsk and the arrest of a dissident blogger.&nbsp;

President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko held a second day of talks, as well as a yacht tour, in the southern Russian city of Sochi on Saturday, as the Russian leader showed his longstanding ally support in this latest standoff with the West.&nbsp;

Russia promised Belarus a $1.5 billion loan last year as part of Moscow's efforts to stabilise its neighbour. Minsk received a first instalment of $500 million in October.&nbsp;

Belarus is to receive the second tranche before the end of June, the RIA news agency reported.&nbsp;

Several Western countries accused Belarus of piracy this week after Belarusian air traffic control informed the pilot of a Ryanair passenger jet of a hoax bomb threat.&nbsp;

Minsk scrambled a MiG-29 fighter plane to escort the jetliner down, and then arrested Roman Protasevich, a blogger and critic of Lukashenko, who was on board.&nbsp;

Arrested with Protasevich was his girlfriend, a Russian citizen.&nbsp;

Putin on Saturday raised the topic of Sofia Sapega, the TASS news agency reported, citing Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov.&nbsp;

"President Lukashenko informed his Russian colleague in detail about what happened with the Ryanair flight," TASS cited Peskov as saying.&nbsp;

"On the initiative of the Russian president the topic of the Russian citizen, who was detained, was raised .... Naturally, we are not indifferent to her fate," Peskov was cited as saying.&nbsp;

He added the Kremlin would take note of the fact that Sapega also has a Belarusian residency permit.&nbsp;

Putin and Lukashenko completed the day of talks with a yacht tour in Sochi. A video appeared to show the two leaders laughing and spotting dolphins off the Russian coast.&nbsp;

Most of Belarus's neighbours and many other European nations have banned flights by Belarusian national airline Belavia following Sunday's forced landing of the Ryanair jet, which was en route to Lithuania from Greece.&nbsp;

The issue of air travel for Belarusian citizens was raised during Saturday's meeting, Peskov was cited by Interfax as saying, adding the transport ministries of Moscow and Minsk had been tasked with helping Belarusian citizens currently in Europe to return home.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Russia will move ahead with a second $500 million loan to Belarus next month, following talks between the two countries' leaders amid uproar in the West over the grounding of a passenger jet in Minsk and the arrest of a dissident blogger.

Russia will move ahead with a second $500 million loan to Belarus next month, following talks between the two countries' leaders amid uproar in the West over the grounding of a passenger jet in Minsk and the arrest of a dissident blogger. President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko held a second day of talks, as well as a yacht tour, in the southern Russian city of Sochi on Saturday, as the Russian leader showed his longstanding ally support in this latest standoff with the West. Russia promised Belarus a $1.5 billion loan last year as part of Moscow's efforts to stabilise its neighbour. Minsk received a first instalment of $500 million in October. Belarus is to receive the second tranche before the end of June, the RIA news agency reported. Several Western countries accused Belarus of piracy this week after Belarusian air traffic control informed the pilot of a Ryanair passenger jet of a hoax bomb threat. Minsk scrambled a MiG-29 fighter plane to escort the jetliner down, and then arrested Roman Protasevich, a blogger and critic of Lukashenko, who was on board. Arrested with Protasevich was his girlfriend, a Russian citizen. Putin on Saturday raised the topic of Sofia Sapega, the TASS news agency reported, citing Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov. "President Lukashenko informed his Russian colleague in detail about what happened with the Ryanair flight," TASS cited Peskov as saying. "On the initiative of the Russian president the topic of the Russian citizen, who was detained, was raised .... Naturally, we are not indifferent to her fate," Peskov was cited as saying. He added the Kremlin would take note of the fact that Sapega also has a Belarusian residency permit. Putin and Lukashenko completed the day of talks with a yacht tour in Sochi. A video appeared to show the two leaders laughing and spotting dolphins off the Russian coast. Most of Belarus's neighbours and many other European nations have banned flights by Belarusian national airline Belavia following Sunday's forced landing of the Ryanair jet, which was en route to Lithuania from Greece. The issue of air travel for Belarusian citizens was raised during Saturday's meeting, Peskov was cited by Interfax as saying, adding the transport ministries of Moscow and Minsk had been tasked with helping Belarusian citizens currently in Europe to return home. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia confirms second loan for Belarus, raises issue of detained citizen 

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a> has vowed to demand fair human rights from his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin in their June summit.

The two leaders have not been on best terms in the past few weeks, especially since the US leader called Putin a 'killer'.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/battleship-diplomacy-nato-conducts-massive-war-games-as-russia-tensions-simmer-388001" hreflang="en">Battleship diplomacy: NATO conducts massive war games as Russia tensions simmer</a>

This June 16 summit will be the first face-to-face meeting of the two leaders and Biden has vowed to make it clear that the US will not allow abuse of human rights.

"I'll be meeting with President Putin in a couple of weeks in Geneva, making it clear that we will not -- we will not stand by and let him abuse those rights," Biden said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-russian-foreign-ministers-to-meet-in-iceland-in-bid-to-ease-friction-386073" hreflang="en">US and Russian foreign ministers to meet in Iceland in bid to ease friction</a>

US has been openly critical of Russia since Biden took control of the White House in January 2021 and has also imposed sanctions on allegations of Russian authorities organising SolarWinds cyberattack and for allegedly meddling in the US election 2020.

Biden has also been biased towards Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and has openly criticised Putin for allegedly poisoning the Russian opposition leader.

US President Joe Biden has vowed to demand fair human rights from his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin in their June summit. The two leaders have not been on best terms in the past few weeks, especially since the US leader called Putin a 'killer'.

US President Joe Biden has vowed to demand fair human rights from his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin in their June summit. The two leaders have not been on best terms in the past few weeks, especially since the US leader called Putin a 'killer'. Also read | Battleship diplomacy: NATO conducts massive war games as Russia tensions simmer This June 16 summit will be the first face-to-face meeting of the two leaders and Biden has vowed to make it clear that the US will not allow abuse of human rights. "I'll be meeting with President Putin in a couple of weeks in Geneva, making it clear that we will not -- we will not stand by and let him abuse those rights," Biden said. Also read | US and Russian foreign ministers to meet in Iceland in bid to ease friction US has been openly critical of Russia since Biden took control of the White House in January 2021 and has also imposed sanctions on allegations of Russian authorities organising SolarWinds cyberattack and for allegedly meddling in the US election 2020. Biden has also been biased towards Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and has openly criticised Putin for allegedly poisoning the Russian opposition leader.

Biden says will demand end to 'abuse of human rights' from Putin

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has urged locals to get vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus as soon as possible. However, he has also cleared the air around reports of jabs being made compulsory.

While scientists and health experts have been pushing the vaccines, locals have remained skeptical about the efficacy of the jabs and are worried about the side effects that these vaccines could cause.

Out of 12 million residents, only 1.3 million Russians have been vaccinated yet, which is one of the lowest in Europe.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/vaccines-can-be-redesigned-to-avoid-blood-clots-german-scientists-claim-387671">Vaccines can be redesigned to avoid blood clots, German scientists claim</a>

Putin, however, has now urged locals to put trust in the Russian vaccines and has assured that the local vaccines are "the most reliable and safest".

"The most important thing is health. Please think about it," Putin said at a government meeting. "Citizens should themselves understand this need, realise that if they do not get vaccinated they can face a very serious and even deadly danger."

However, he has also clarified that the Russian government will not be making covid jabs compulsory for locals, as opposed to few media reports.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/seeking-a-pill-to-cure-covid-drugmakers-eye-alternative-to-vaccines-387717" hreflang="en">Seeking a pill to cure Covid: Drugmakers eye alternative to vaccines</a>

Meanwhile, the government has also lifted majority coronavirus restrictions, as locals have been refusing to wear masks on public transports and restaurants.

Russia was one of the first countries to register a coronavirus vaccine, called Sputnik V. In addition to that, Russia has also developed two other vaccines, namely EpiVacCorona and CoviVac.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has urged locals to get vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus as soon as possible. However, he has also cleared the air around reports of jabs being made compulsory.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has urged locals to get vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus as soon as possible. However, he has also cleared the air around reports of jabs being made compulsory. While scientists and health experts have been pushing the vaccines, locals have remained skeptical about the efficacy of the jabs and are worried about the side effects that these vaccines could cause. Out of 12 million residents, only 1.3 million Russians have been vaccinated yet, which is one of the lowest in Europe. Also read | Vaccines can be redesigned to avoid blood clots, German scientists claim Putin, however, has now urged locals to put trust in the Russian vaccines and has assured that the local vaccines are "the most reliable and safest". "The most important thing is health. Please think about it," Putin said at a government meeting. "Citizens should themselves understand this need, realise that if they do not get vaccinated they can face a very serious and even deadly danger." However, he has also clarified that the Russian government will not be making covid jabs compulsory for locals, as opposed to few media reports. Also read | Seeking a pill to cure Covid: Drugmakers eye alternative to vaccines Meanwhile, the government has also lifted majority coronavirus restrictions, as locals have been refusing to wear masks on public transports and restaurants. Russia was one of the first countries to register a coronavirus vaccine, called Sputnik V. In addition to that, Russia has also developed two other vaccines, namely EpiVacCorona and CoviVac.

'Reliable and safest': Putin urges locals to take Russian Covid jabs but rules out forced vaccination

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

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

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

Belarus plane crisis tightens Lukashenko’s awkward embrace of Putin

The airline group Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary has said that Belarus’ forced landing of a Ryanair passenger jet in Minsk was “a state-sponsored hijacking” apparently directed by KGB agents.

"It appears the authorities intended to remove a journalist and his travelling companion," Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary told Ireland's Newstalk radio.

"We believe there were some (Belarusian security agency) KGB agents offloaded at the airport as well."

Dublin-headquartered Ryanair is renowned for ultra-low-cost, short-haul flights across the continental bloc.

Favoured by budget holidaymakers, the carrier is an unlikely participant in a high-stakes diplomatic crisis.

"I think it's the first time it's happened to a European airline," O'Leary said.

"It was a state-sponsored hijacking, it was state-sponsored piracy."

The Irish government also blamed Belarus for the diversion and called for a tough response from Brussels.

"We cannot allow this incident to pass based on warnings or strong press releases," Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told state broadcaster RTE.

"I think there has to be a real edge to the sanctions that are applied on the back of this."

Belarus on Sunday ordered its military to scramble a fighter jet to force the Ryanair plane to change course and land in its capital city, citing a potential security threat on board. State media in Belarus said President Alexander Lukashenko had personally given the order.

(With inputs from agencies)

The airline group Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary has said that Belarus’ forced landing of a Ryanair passenger jet in Minsk was “a state-sponsored hijacking” apparently directed by KGB agents.

The airline group Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary has said that Belarus’ forced landing of a Ryanair passenger jet in Minsk was “a state-sponsored hijacking” apparently directed by KGB agents. "It appears the authorities intended to remove a journalist and his travelling companion," Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary told Ireland's Newstalk radio. "We believe there were some (Belarusian security agency) KGB agents offloaded at the airport as well." Dublin-headquartered Ryanair is renowned for ultra-low-cost, short-haul flights across the continental bloc. Favoured by budget holidaymakers, the carrier is an unlikely participant in a high-stakes diplomatic crisis. "I think it's the first time it's happened to a European airline," O'Leary said. "It was a state-sponsored hijacking, it was state-sponsored piracy." The Irish government also blamed Belarus for the diversion and called for a tough response from Brussels. "We cannot allow this incident to pass based on warnings or strong press releases," Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told state broadcaster RTE. "I think there has to be a real edge to the sanctions that are applied on the back of this." Belarus on Sunday ordered its military to scramble a fighter jet to force the Ryanair plane to change course and land in its capital city, citing a potential security threat on board. State media in Belarus said President Alexander Lukashenko had personally given the order. (With inputs from agencies)

State-sponsored hijacking: KGB agents were on board plane forced to land by Belarus, says Ryanair CEO

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

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

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

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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin would help to put an end to the seven-year conflict in the country`s eastern Donbas region. 
 
At a press conference to mark his two years in office, Zelensky on Thursday expressed his expectation of a meeting with Putin, reports Xinhua news agency. 
 
"I believe that in addition to the Normandy format (Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany), there will be a direct conversation with the President of the Russian Federation. 
 
"I also see a format for involving the US in this discussion," said Zelensky, noting that Ukraine has no other chance but to stop the war now. 
 
The President stressed that ending hostilities and a de-occupation of Ukrainian territories remain priorities for him and that the situation in Donbas, which comprises the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, may become the subject of an all-Ukrainian referendum. 
 
Parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions along the Russian border have been controlled by rebels supported by Moscow for nearly seven years. 
 
According to UN estimates, more than 13,000 people have been killed in fighting since 2014, while as many as 40,000 others have been wounded. 
 
Despite the imposition of the latest ceasefire in 2015, around 50 people have been killed since the beginning of this year alone. 
 
Kiev has repeatedly blamed Moscow for inciting the conflict. 
 
Russia, however, has denied the charges, saying the accusations are groundless.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin would help to put an end to the seven-year conflict in the country`s eastern Donbas region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes that a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin would help to put an end to the seven-year conflict in the country`s eastern Donbas region. At a press conference to mark his two years in office, Zelensky on Thursday expressed his expectation of a meeting with Putin, reports Xinhua news agency. "I believe that in addition to the Normandy format (Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany), there will be a direct conversation with the President of the Russian Federation. "I also see a format for involving the US in this discussion," said Zelensky, noting that Ukraine has no other chance but to stop the war now. The President stressed that ending hostilities and a de-occupation of Ukrainian territories remain priorities for him and that the situation in Donbas, which comprises the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, may become the subject of an all-Ukrainian referendum. Parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions along the Russian border have been controlled by rebels supported by Moscow for nearly seven years. According to UN estimates, more than 13,000 people have been killed in fighting since 2014, while as many as 40,000 others have been wounded. Despite the imposition of the latest ceasefire in 2015, around 50 people have been killed since the beginning of this year alone. Kiev has repeatedly blamed Moscow for inciting the conflict. Russia, however, has denied the charges, saying the accusations are groundless.

Meeting with Putin would help end Ukraine conflict: Zelensky

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned that Russians will 'knock out teeth' of the country's adversaries. Speaking at a government meeting, Putin said that enemies of Russia were trying to clip its wings. every time the nation grew strong.

"Everyone wants to bite us somewhere or to bite off something from us," Putin said.

"But they -- those who are going to do it -- should know that we will knock out their teeth so that they cannot bite."

Even after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia, the world's largest country by landmass, is "too big for some", Putin said.

Putin didn't take names of adversaries he spoke about but stressed the need for modernisation of Russian forces.

Putin is known not to mince words during public meetings. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
In 1999, he famously promised to strike at separatists even in the "outhouse" which heralded the adoption of tougher tactics by the authorities against Chechen militants.

Tensions between Moscow and the West are high over a litany of issues, including Russia's troop buildup on Ukraine's border, interference in US elections and other perceived hostile activities.

But signs of a possible détente have recently been growing, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging dialogue during a face-to-face meeting in Reykjavik on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned that Russians will 'knock out teeth' of the country's adversaries. Speaking at a government meeting, Putin said that enemies of Russia were trying to clip its wings.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned that Russians will 'knock out teeth' of the country's adversaries. Speaking at a government meeting, Putin said that enemies of Russia were trying to clip its wings. every time the nation grew strong. "Everyone wants to bite us somewhere or to bite off something from us," Putin said. "But they -- those who are going to do it -- should know that we will knock out their teeth so that they cannot bite." Even after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia, the world's largest country by landmass, is "too big for some", Putin said. Putin didn't take names of adversaries he spoke about but stressed the need for modernisation of Russian forces. Putin is known not to mince words during public meetings. In 1999, he famously promised to strike at separatists even in the "outhouse" which heralded the adoption of tougher tactics by the authorities against Chechen militants. Tensions between Moscow and the West are high over a litany of issues, including Russia's troop buildup on Ukraine's border, interference in US elections and other perceived hostile activities. But signs of a possible détente have recently been growing, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging dialogue during a face-to-face meeting in Reykjavik on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin says Russians will 'knock out teeth' of country's adversaries

Russia President Vladmir Putin on Tuesday (May 18) called for an end to Israel-Gaza violence. He mentioned that there were large amounts of civilian victims.

Israel bombarded Gaza with air strikes and Palestinian militants resumed cross-border rocket fire on Tuesday after a brief overnight lull during which the U.N. sent a small fuel convoy into the enclave, where it says 52,000 people are now displaced.

Israel has given no indication of de-escalation as the country's leaders said they would press on, for now with an offensive in order to destroy capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. United Nations and other world powers for an end to the violence.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia President Vladmir Putin on Tuesday (May 18) called for an end to Israel-Gaza violence. He mentioned that there were large amounts of civilian victims. Israel bombarded Gaza with air strikes and Palestinian militants resumed cross-border rocket fire on Tuesday after a brief overnight lull during which the U.

Russia President Vladmir Putin on Tuesday (May 18) called for an end to Israel-Gaza violence. He mentioned that there were large amounts of civilian victims. Israel bombarded Gaza with air strikes and Palestinian militants resumed cross-border rocket fire on Tuesday after a brief overnight lull during which the U.N. sent a small fuel convoy into the enclave, where it says 52,000 people are now displaced. Israel has given no indication of de-escalation as the country's leaders said they would press on, for now with an offensive in order to destroy capabilities of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. United Nations and other world powers for an end to the violence. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Palestine conflict: Putin calls for an end to violence

Queen Elizabeth's&nbsp;cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, has been caught offering investors access to the Kremlin in exchange for personal gain, according to a Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigation.

The embarassing claims come at a time of disastrous relations between London and Moscow, notably after the 2018 poisoning of a former Russian spy in England.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="UK nuclear arms plan is illegal: Russian envoy ">UK nuclear arms plan is illegal: Russian envoy &nbsp;</a>

Prince Michael told undercover reporters posing as investors from South Korea in a virtual meeting that for £10,000 (11,500 euros) a day he could make "confidential" representations to Russian President Vladimir Putin's entourage.

Channel 4's Dispatches programme and the weekly newspaper set up a fake South Korean gold company -- House of Haedong.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="UK to increase nuclear weapons stockpile with eye on Russia, China: Reports">UK to increase nuclear weapons stockpile with eye on Russia, China: Reports</a>

The prince said he could also give the company a royal endorsement in a recorded speech for $200,000 dollars (164,000 euros), with his Kensington Palace home as a backdrop.

In a recorded meeting with the undercover reporters, his business partner Lord Reading called the prince "Her Majesty's unofficial ambassador to Russia".

"I think ... this is kind of slightly discreet, we're talking relatively discreetly here," he reportedly said.

"Because we wouldn't want the world to know that he is seeing Putin purely for business reasons, if you follow me."

Reading had used an event at Kensington Palace in 2013, in which the prince was a guest, to sell access to Putin, the investigators said.

The event also offered a chance to personally meet the Russian leader at a future date.

Prince Michael's office told the British Press Association he had no special relations with Putin and "receives no public funding and earns his own living through a consultancy company that he has run for over 40 years.

"They last met in June 2003 and Prince Michael has had no contact with him or his office since then.

"Lord Reading is a good friend, who in trying to help, made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfil."

Reading admitted an error. "I made a mistake and over-promised and for that, I am truly regretful," he said.

The 78-year-old prince was decorated with Russia's Order of Friendship in 2009 when Putin was prime minister.

"Royals for Hire" shows Monday on Channel 4.

Queen Elizabeth's cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, has been caught offering investors access to the Kremlin in exchange for personal gain, according to a Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigation.

Queen Elizabeth's cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, has been caught offering investors access to the Kremlin in exchange for personal gain, according to a Sunday Times and Channel 4 investigation. The embarassing claims come at a time of disastrous relations between London and Moscow, notably after the 2018 poisoning of a former Russian spy in England. Also read | UK nuclear arms plan is illegal: Russian envoy Prince Michael told undercover reporters posing as investors from South Korea in a virtual meeting that for £10,000 (11,500 euros) a day he could make "confidential" representations to Russian President Vladimir Putin's entourage. Channel 4's Dispatches programme and the weekly newspaper set up a fake South Korean gold company -- House of Haedong. Also read | UK to increase nuclear weapons stockpile with eye on Russia, China: Reports The prince said he could also give the company a royal endorsement in a recorded speech for $200,000 dollars (164,000 euros), with his Kensington Palace home as a backdrop. In a recorded meeting with the undercover reporters, his business partner Lord Reading called the prince "Her Majesty's unofficial ambassador to Russia". "I think ... this is kind of slightly discreet, we're talking relatively discreetly here," he reportedly said. "Because we wouldn't want the world to know that he is seeing Putin purely for business reasons, if you follow me." Reading had used an event at Kensington Palace in 2013, in which the prince was a guest, to sell access to Putin, the investigators said. The event also offered a chance to personally meet the Russian leader at a future date. Prince Michael's office told the British Press Association he had no special relations with Putin and "receives no public funding and earns his own living through a consultancy company that he has run for over 40 years. "They last met in June 2003 and Prince Michael has had no contact with him or his office since then. "Lord Reading is a good friend, who in trying to help, made suggestions which Prince Michael would not have wanted, or been able, to fulfil." Reading admitted an error. "I made a mistake and over-promised and for that, I am truly regretful," he said. The 78-year-old prince was decorated with Russia's Order of Friendship in 2009 when Putin was prime minister. "Royals for Hire" shows Monday on Channel 4.

Queen Elizabeth's cousin offerered to sell access to Putin: Report

President Vladimir Putin is expected to review Russia's traditional World War Two victory parade on Sunday, a patriotic display of raw military power that this year coincides with soaring tensions with the West. &nbsp;

The parade on Moscow's Red Square commemorating the 76th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two is expected to feature over 12,000 troops, more than 190 pieces of military hardware, including intercontinental ballistic missile launchers, and - weather permitting - a fly-past by nearly 80 military aircraft. &nbsp;

Putin, who has been in power as either president or prime minister since 1999, traditionally watches the display, which is due to start at 0700 GMT, with Soviet war veterans from a review platform.&nbsp;

This year's parade precedes parliamentary elections in September and comes at a time when Moscow's relations with the West are acutely strained over everything from Ukraine to the fate of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.&nbsp;

The United States and Russia have expelled each other's diplomats in recent months in a series of retaliatory moves and Moscow and EU member states have been involved in a similar tit-for-tat diplomatic dispute. &nbsp;

Sunday's parade follows a massive show of Russian military force near the borders of Ukraine and in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Kyiv in 2014, and an uptick in fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces. &nbsp;

Moscow said the build-up, which alarmed the West, was a training exercise in response to activity by the NATO military alliance and Ukraine. It has since ordered a withdrawal of some troops.&nbsp;

Smaller military parades are planned on Sunday in cities across Russia, in annexed Crimea, and at Russia's Hmeymim air base in Syria.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

President Vladimir Putin is expected to review Russia's traditional World War Two victory parade on Sunday, a patriotic display of raw military power that this year coincides with soaring tensions with the West.

President Vladimir Putin is expected to review Russia's traditional World War Two victory parade on Sunday, a patriotic display of raw military power that this year coincides with soaring tensions with the West. The parade on Moscow's Red Square commemorating the 76th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two is expected to feature over 12,000 troops, more than 190 pieces of military hardware, including intercontinental ballistic missile launchers, and - weather permitting - a fly-past by nearly 80 military aircraft. Putin, who has been in power as either president or prime minister since 1999, traditionally watches the display, which is due to start at 0700 GMT, with Soviet war veterans from a review platform. This year's parade precedes parliamentary elections in September and comes at a time when Moscow's relations with the West are acutely strained over everything from Ukraine to the fate of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. The United States and Russia have expelled each other's diplomats in recent months in a series of retaliatory moves and Moscow and EU member states have been involved in a similar tit-for-tat diplomatic dispute. Sunday's parade follows a massive show of Russian military force near the borders of Ukraine and in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Kyiv in 2014, and an uptick in fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces. Moscow said the build-up, which alarmed the West, was a training exercise in response to activity by the NATO military alliance and Ukraine. It has since ordered a withdrawal of some troops. Smaller military parades are planned on Sunday in cities across Russia, in annexed Crimea, and at Russia's Hmeymim air base in Syria. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin to review Russian military might as tensions with West soar 

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