Russian police detained more than 3,000 people and used force to break up rallies across Russia as tens of thousands of protesters ignored the extreme cold and police warnings to demand the release of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Russian police officers beat protesters at opposition rally

Police detained over 1,000 people and used force to break up rallies around Russia on Saturday as tens of thousands of protesters demanded the release of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, whose wife was among those detained.

Hundreds arrested during protests in support of opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Police arrest over 1,000 people at Russia protests backing jailed Kremlin foe Navalny

Detained Kremlin Critic Alexey Navalny supporters are staging protests across Russia to force his release.

Navalny supporters stage protest against his arrest & Prez Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a trilateral meeting bringing together the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh agreement.

Putin to host meeting with Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is now ready to take shots of country’s indigenous vaccine Sputnik V against the coronavirus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"He said he will be vaccinated, he made this decision and was waiting until all formalities are completed," the spokesman was quoted as saying to Rossiya 1 TV Channel on its website.

Russia launched a voluntary vaccination programme with the Russia-made Sputnik V vaccine earlier in December, starting with the most vulnerable groups in Moscow.

Sputnik V, created by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, made headlines in August when it became the first vaccine against Covid-19 to be registered anywhere in the world.

People over the age of 60 may begin to apply for shots on Monday, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on his website on Sunday, the day after the Russian health ministry said the vaccine was approved for use by elderly people after a separate trial.

68-year-old Putin said earlier that the Russian vaccine was effective and safe and he saw no reason not to be vaccinated adding that he was waiting until it became available.

Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in Russia, Putin has mainly worked remotely, held meetings via videolink and limited travel.

He said in August that one of his daughters had taken part in the clinical trial of the vaccine and felt well afterwards. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is now ready to take shots of country’s indigenous vaccine Sputnik V against the coronavirus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is now ready to take shots of country’s indigenous vaccine Sputnik V against the coronavirus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "He said he will be vaccinated, he made this decision and was waiting until all formalities are completed," the spokesman was quoted as saying to Rossiya 1 TV Channel on its website. Russia launched a voluntary vaccination programme with the Russia-made Sputnik V vaccine earlier in December, starting with the most vulnerable groups in Moscow. Sputnik V, created by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute, made headlines in August when it became the first vaccine against Covid-19 to be registered anywhere in the world. People over the age of 60 may begin to apply for shots on Monday, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on his website on Sunday, the day after the Russian health ministry said the vaccine was approved for use by elderly people after a separate trial. 68-year-old Putin said earlier that the Russian vaccine was effective and safe and he saw no reason not to be vaccinated adding that he was waiting until it became available. Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in Russia, Putin has mainly worked remotely, held meetings via videolink and limited travel. He said in August that one of his daughters had taken part in the clinical trial of the vaccine and felt well afterwards. (With inputs from agencies)

Vladimir Putin to receive Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V soon

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed legislation that will grant former presidents lifetime immunity once they leave office. The former presidents will also be exempt from questioning from police or investigators as well as searches or arrests. The legislation was part of constitutional amendments that were approved this summer in a nationwide vote that allow Putin, 68, to remain president until 2036.

Before this bill, former presidents were immune from prosecution only for crimes committed while in office.

Now a former president can still be stripped of immunity if accused of treason or other grave crimes and the charges are confirmed by the Supreme and Constitutional courts.

But the legislation Putin signed on Tuesday will additionally grant former presidents a lifetime seat in the Federation Council or senate, a position that assures immunity from prosecution upon leaving the presidency.&nbsp;

Last month the pending bills sparked rumours that the longtime Russian leader is planning to step down because of poor health -- a claim the Kremlin denied.

On Tuesday the lower house State Duma passed legislation making information about employees of Russia's judicial system, law enforcement and regulatory and military bodies confidential.

The bill now requires Putin's signature to become law, a step that is considered a formality.

It comes a day after opposition figure Alexei Navalny said he telephoned an alleged security agent and tricked him into admitting the Federal Security Service (FSB) tried to kill him in August by poisoning.

Navalny said he had gained access to the security agent's phone number from leaked logs and travel records. 
&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed legislation that will grant former presidents lifetime immunity once they leave office. The former presidents will also be exempt from questioning from police or investigators as well as searches or arrests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed legislation that will grant former presidents lifetime immunity once they leave office. The former presidents will also be exempt from questioning from police or investigators as well as searches or arrests. The legislation was part of constitutional amendments that were approved this summer in a nationwide vote that allow Putin, 68, to remain president until 2036. Before this bill, former presidents were immune from prosecution only for crimes committed while in office. Now a former president can still be stripped of immunity if accused of treason or other grave crimes and the charges are confirmed by the Supreme and Constitutional courts. But the legislation Putin signed on Tuesday will additionally grant former presidents a lifetime seat in the Federation Council or senate, a position that assures immunity from prosecution upon leaving the presidency. Last month the pending bills sparked rumours that the longtime Russian leader is planning to step down because of poor health -- a claim the Kremlin denied. On Tuesday the lower house State Duma passed legislation making information about employees of Russia's judicial system, law enforcement and regulatory and military bodies confidential. The bill now requires Putin's signature to become law, a step that is considered a formality. It comes a day after opposition figure Alexei Navalny said he telephoned an alleged security agent and tricked him into admitting the Federal Security Service (FSB) tried to kill him in August by poisoning. Navalny said he had gained access to the security agent's phone number from leaked logs and travel records.

Putin signs bill awarding former presidents lifetime immunity

A few days after the US alleged Russia of hacking into its systems of government departments, Russia's President Vladimir Putin has patted the back of the country's intelligence service.

Russia's&nbsp;SVR foreign intelligence service has completed 100 years of its establishment, and speaking on the occasion, Putin recognised the intelligence agency as an essential part of the country's security system and claimed it was a crucial assurance of Russia's&nbsp;"sovereign, democratic, independent development".

"I know what I'm talking about here," Putin said, in comments shared on the Kremlin website. "And I rate very highly the difficult professional operations that have been conducted."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pompeo-says-russians-engaged-in-the-massive-cyberattack-351025">WATCH|</a>

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"The most serious attention must be paid to information security, to the fight against extremism and against corruption," he added.

This statement has come a few days after several government departments of the US observed a breach in their systems. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had alleged Russia's involvement in this major hack of the government's and Mircosoft's systems.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-link-as-trump-remains-mum-on-cyber-attack-us-authorities-scamper-to-investigate-350996">Russia link? As Trump remains mum on cyber attack, US authorities scamper to investigate</a>

Kremlin, however, has as usual denied these accusations and has maintained its stance on the allegations made against Russia on any hacking attack or breach of privacy in the West.

However, bypassing the accusation, Putin addressed the attendees of the&nbsp;Day of the Security Services Worker talked about the importance of developing the&nbsp;work of counterintelligence agencies. Putin, who was once a member of KGB, asked his fellow Russian spies to pay more attention to the risks being posed by&nbsp;conflicts "simmering" near the country's borders — referring to the ongoing clash&nbsp;Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, and anti-government protests in Belarus.

"I expect that the Foreign Intelligence Service will continue to respond flexibly to the highly changeable international context, actively participating in identifying and neutralising potential threats to Russia, and improving the quality of its analytical materials," Putin said

A few days after the US alleged Russia of hacking into its systems of government departments, Russia's President Vladimir Putin has patted the back of the country's intelligence service.

A few days after the US alleged Russia of hacking into its systems of government departments, Russia's President Vladimir Putin has patted the back of the country's intelligence service. Russia's SVR foreign intelligence service has completed 100 years of its establishment, and speaking on the occasion, Putin recognised the intelligence agency as an essential part of the country's security system and claimed it was a crucial assurance of Russia's "sovereign, democratic, independent development". "I know what I'm talking about here," Putin said, in comments shared on the Kremlin website. "And I rate very highly the difficult professional operations that have been conducted." WATCH| × "The most serious attention must be paid to information security, to the fight against extremism and against corruption," he added. This statement has come a few days after several government departments of the US observed a breach in their systems. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had alleged Russia's involvement in this major hack of the government's and Mircosoft's systems. Also read| Russia link? As Trump remains mum on cyber attack, US authorities scamper to investigate Kremlin, however, has as usual denied these accusations and has maintained its stance on the allegations made against Russia on any hacking attack or breach of privacy in the West. However, bypassing the accusation, Putin addressed the attendees of the Day of the Security Services Worker talked about the importance of developing the work of counterintelligence agencies. Putin, who was once a member of KGB, asked his fellow Russian spies to pay more attention to the risks being posed by conflicts "simmering" near the country's borders — referring to the ongoing clash Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, and anti-government protests in Belarus. "I expect that the Foreign Intelligence Service will continue to respond flexibly to the highly changeable international context, actively participating in identifying and neutralising potential threats to Russia, and improving the quality of its analytical materials," Putin said

Russian President Vladimir Putin appreciates spy agency after US hack controversy

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday blamed the United States for starting a new arms race, saying Moscow had been forced to develop hypersonic weapons in response.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin holds annual news conference

The European Union imposed sanctions on Bortnikov in October, banning travel and freezing his assets, for his suspected role in Navalny’s poisoning.

Putin critic Alexei Navalny was poisoned by Russian federal security team, report claims

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden for his victory in the US presidential election, the Kremlin announced on Tuesday. This comes in the aftermath of the state-by-state counting in the Electoral College vote which decides the winner in US presidential elections.

Earlier, the Kremlin had said that it would wait for the officials results to be announced before congratulating anybody, breaking from global tradition. A few days after the election (November 3), it became clear that Biden had won the presidency.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/putin-said-to-have-2-identical-offices-1-in-moscow-the-other-at-the-beach-349812" hreflang="en">Putin said to have 2 identical offices: 1 in Moscow, the other at the beach</a>

"For my part, I am ready for interaction and contact with you," Putin was cited as saying by the Kremlin in a statement.

"Putin wished the president-elect every success and expressed confidence that Russia and the United States, which have a special responsibility for global security and stability, could, despite their differences, really help to solve the many problems and challenges facing the world," the Kremlin said.

President-elect Joe Biden criticised Donald Trump on Monday after emerging victorious in the Electoral College. Biden said that the Republican and his allies attempted to constitution and the “will of the people” by not accepting the results.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/navalny-poisoning-putin-critic-survived-the-second-assassination-attempt-349605" hreflang="en">Navalny poisoning: Putin critic survived the second assassination attempt</a>

"It's a position so extreme we've never seen it before. A position that refused to respect the will of the people refused to respect the rule of law, and refused to honour our constitution," Biden said in a speech after emerging victorious in the Electoral College.

"The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago. And we now know nothing, not even a pandemic or an abuse of power can extinguish that," Biden said.

"It is my sincere hope we never again see anyone subjected to the kind of threats and abuse we saw in this election," Biden added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden for his victory in the US presidential election, the Kremlin announced on Tuesday. This comes in the aftermath of the state-by-state counting in the Electoral College vote which decides the winner in US presidential elections.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden for his victory in the US presidential election, the Kremlin announced on Tuesday. This comes in the aftermath of the state-by-state counting in the Electoral College vote which decides the winner in US presidential elections. Earlier, the Kremlin had said that it would wait for the officials results to be announced before congratulating anybody, breaking from global tradition. A few days after the election (November 3), it became clear that Biden had won the presidency. Also read: Putin said to have 2 identical offices: 1 in Moscow, the other at the beach "For my part, I am ready for interaction and contact with you," Putin was cited as saying by the Kremlin in a statement. "Putin wished the president-elect every success and expressed confidence that Russia and the United States, which have a special responsibility for global security and stability, could, despite their differences, really help to solve the many problems and challenges facing the world," the Kremlin said. President-elect Joe Biden criticised Donald Trump on Monday after emerging victorious in the Electoral College. Biden said that the Republican and his allies attempted to constitution and the “will of the people” by not accepting the results. Also read: Navalny poisoning: Putin critic survived the second assassination attempt "It's a position so extreme we've never seen it before. A position that refused to respect the will of the people refused to respect the rule of law, and refused to honour our constitution," Biden said in a speech after emerging victorious in the Electoral College. "The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago. And we now know nothing, not even a pandemic or an abuse of power can extinguish that," Biden said. "It is my sincere hope we never again see anyone subjected to the kind of threats and abuse we saw in this election," Biden added.

Putin finally congratulates Joe Biden on election win, says ready for 'collaboration'

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

Navalny poisoning: Putin critic survived the second assassination attempt

As Russia grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-lower-house-of-parliament-approves-bill-to-give-putin-lifetime-immunity-343890">Putin</a> was seen coughing during a televised meeting as the Kremlin denied any health rumours.

Watch:

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Putin,68, reportedly struggled to finish a sentence as he spoke to officials during the coronavirus conference. However, state news agency TASS said the Russian president was "absolutely normal".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/coronavirus-mutations-appearing-in-siberia-russian-scientists-343820">Also Read:&nbsp;Coronavirus mutations appearing in Siberia: Russian scientists</a>

Putin was speaking to finance minister Anton Siluanov during the video call when he began coughing.&nbsp;

The Russian president has been plagued by persistent health rumours, earlier this month a report claimed that Putin may quit his post in January amid fears he has Parkinson's disease.

Putin reportedly has been exhibiting symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. There was footage earlier which purportedly showed Putin's legs moving as he gripped onto the armrest of a chair leading to speculation that he was suffering from Parkinson’s.

Putin had said earlier that he was "alarmed" by Russia's spike in virus deaths while acknowledging that several regions in the country were experiencing medicine shortages and long waiting times for ambulances.

The Russian president had warned regional chiefs that "it is completely unacceptable to pretend that all is fine".

The country continues to battle the virus even as Russia registered the world's first coronavirus vaccine <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-and-china-may-start-producing-sputnik-v-vaccine-russian-president-putin-343716">Sputnik V </a>in August. Putin had announced last month that Russia had registered a second coronavirus vaccine, EpiVacCorona. The Russian president has promised to make the vaccine widely available.

Russia has registered over 2 million virus cases and 34,850 virus-related fatalities.

As Russia grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, President Putin was seen coughing during a televised meeting as the Kremlin denied any health rumours. Watch: Putin,68, reportedly struggled to finish a sentence as he spoke to officials during the coronavirus conference.

As Russia grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, President Putin was seen coughing during a televised meeting as the Kremlin denied any health rumours. Watch: Putin,68, reportedly struggled to finish a sentence as he spoke to officials during the coronavirus conference. However, state news agency TASS said the Russian president was "absolutely normal". Also Read: Coronavirus mutations appearing in Siberia: Russian scientists Putin was speaking to finance minister Anton Siluanov during the video call when he began coughing. The Russian president has been plagued by persistent health rumours, earlier this month a report claimed that Putin may quit his post in January amid fears he has Parkinson's disease. Putin reportedly has been exhibiting symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. There was footage earlier which purportedly showed Putin's legs moving as he gripped onto the armrest of a chair leading to speculation that he was suffering from Parkinson’s. Putin had said earlier that he was "alarmed" by Russia's spike in virus deaths while acknowledging that several regions in the country were experiencing medicine shortages and long waiting times for ambulances. The Russian president had warned regional chiefs that "it is completely unacceptable to pretend that all is fine". The country continues to battle the virus even as Russia registered the world's first coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V in August. Putin had announced last month that Russia had registered a second coronavirus vaccine, EpiVacCorona. The Russian president has promised to make the vaccine widely available. Russia has registered over 2 million virus cases and 34,850 virus-related fatalities.

Now, Putin coughs repeatedly during televised COVID-19 conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday voiced concern over the country's rising coronavirus fatality rate but said the outbreak was under control.

Russia has recently registered a sharp rise in new infections but has stopped short of introducing strict measures like some European countries.

Health officials reported a total of 1.99 million infections on Wednesday, which is the fifth-highest caseload in the world.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-to-monitor-virus-cases-no-cash-handout-for-second-time-finance-minister-taro-aso-344016" hreflang="en">Japan to monitor virus cases, no cash handout for second time: Finance Minister Taro Aso</a>

"The number of new cases is rising... and what's most alarming -- the death rate is increasing," Putin said at a government meeting broadcast on state television.&nbsp;

Health authorities Wednesday also reported a new record of 456 coronavirus deaths over 24 hours.&nbsp;

Russia's total virus deaths of 34,387 is significantly lower than other badly-hit countries, raising concerns that the authorities are downplaying the severity of the crisis.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-biontech-coronavirus-vaccine-deliveries-could-begin-before-christmas-344012" hreflang="en">Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine deliveries could begin before Christmas</a>

Data published by Russia's federal statistics service earlier this month indicated excess deaths of more than 117,000 year-on-year between March and September, suggesting that virus fatalities could be much higher.

Moscow, the epicentre of Russia's outbreak, is better prepared for the second wave than the poorly-funded regions.&nbsp;

Putin acknowledged Wednesday that several regions were experiencing medicine shortages and long waiting times for ambulances but said authorities had a handle on the situation.

He added that regional heads should not sugar-coat the situation, noting that "it is completely unacceptable to pretend that all is fine".&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-coronavirus-death-toll-crosses-250000-as-several-cities-shut-down-schools-343988" hreflang="en">US coronavirus death toll crosses 250,000 as several cities shut down schools</a>

"We went through this in the spring. We know what and how it needs to be done," Putin said, adding that vaccines are on the way.

Russia in August registered the world's first coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V -- named after the Soviet-era satellite -- but before beginning large-scale clinical trials.&nbsp;

Its developers have since reported that interim test results showed the vaccine to be 92 percent effective, slightly lower than its international competitors.

Last month, Putin announced that Russia had registered a second coronavirus vaccine, EpiVacCorona.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday voiced concern over the country's rising coronavirus fatality rate but said the outbreak was under control. Russia has recently registered a sharp rise in new infections but has stopped short of introducing strict measures like some European countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday voiced concern over the country's rising coronavirus fatality rate but said the outbreak was under control. Russia has recently registered a sharp rise in new infections but has stopped short of introducing strict measures like some European countries. Health officials reported a total of 1.99 million infections on Wednesday, which is the fifth-highest caseload in the world. Also read| Japan to monitor virus cases, no cash handout for second time: Finance Minister Taro Aso "The number of new cases is rising... and what's most alarming -- the death rate is increasing," Putin said at a government meeting broadcast on state television. Health authorities Wednesday also reported a new record of 456 coronavirus deaths over 24 hours. Russia's total virus deaths of 34,387 is significantly lower than other badly-hit countries, raising concerns that the authorities are downplaying the severity of the crisis. Also read| Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine deliveries could begin before Christmas Data published by Russia's federal statistics service earlier this month indicated excess deaths of more than 117,000 year-on-year between March and September, suggesting that virus fatalities could be much higher. Moscow, the epicentre of Russia's outbreak, is better prepared for the second wave than the poorly-funded regions. Putin acknowledged Wednesday that several regions were experiencing medicine shortages and long waiting times for ambulances but said authorities had a handle on the situation. He added that regional heads should not sugar-coat the situation, noting that "it is completely unacceptable to pretend that all is fine". Also read| US coronavirus death toll crosses 250,000 as several cities shut down schools "We went through this in the spring. We know what and how it needs to be done," Putin said, adding that vaccines are on the way. Russia in August registered the world's first coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V -- named after the Soviet-era satellite -- but before beginning large-scale clinical trials. Its developers have since reported that interim test results showed the vaccine to be 92 percent effective, slightly lower than its international competitors. Last month, Putin announced that Russia had registered a second coronavirus vaccine, EpiVacCorona.

Putin 'alarmed' by Russia's spike in virus deaths

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that India and China could start producing the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, news agency RIA reported.

Additionally, Putin suggested the fast-tracking of the creation of a BRICS vaccine research centre, as reported by TASS. BRICS nation-states are Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/watch-russias-covid-19-vaccine-sputnik-v-arrives-in-india-342873" hreflang="en">Watch: Russia's COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V arrives in India</a>

According to Russia, the Sputnik V is 92 per cent effective at protecting people from coronavirus. Western drugmakers Moderna and Pfizer have claimed their vaccines are 95 and 90 per cent effective respectively.

Sputnik V was registered for public use in August, even before its large-scale trial began in September.

"We are showing, based on the data, that we have a very effective vaccine," RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev had said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/russia-says-its-sputnik-v-covid-19-vaccine-is-92-effective-342373" hreflang="en">Russia says its Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine is 92% effective</a>

Sputnik V, the Russian vaccine against coronavirus will be tested on 100 volunteers in India. Indian Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation`s Drug Controller General (DCGI) was quoted by Sputnik News in this regard. Dr Reddy's Laboratories has been granted permission to conduct the tests. Date and time of the tests however, will be determined by the company.

Sputnik quoted the organisation as saying that the vaccine will be tested in the second phase of its clinical trials before moving on to phase 3.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that India and China could start producing the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, news agency RIA reported. Additionally, Putin suggested the fast-tracking of the creation of a BRICS vaccine research centre, as reported by TASS.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said that India and China could start producing the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, news agency RIA reported. Additionally, Putin suggested the fast-tracking of the creation of a BRICS vaccine research centre, as reported by TASS. BRICS nation-states are Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Also read: Watch: Russia's COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V arrives in India According to Russia, the Sputnik V is 92 per cent effective at protecting people from coronavirus. Western drugmakers Moderna and Pfizer have claimed their vaccines are 95 and 90 per cent effective respectively. Sputnik V was registered for public use in August, even before its large-scale trial began in September. "We are showing, based on the data, that we have a very effective vaccine," RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev had said. Also read: Russia says its Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine is 92% effective Sputnik V, the Russian vaccine against coronavirus will be tested on 100 volunteers in India. Indian Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation`s Drug Controller General (DCGI) was quoted by Sputnik News in this regard. Dr Reddy's Laboratories has been granted permission to conduct the tests. Date and time of the tests however, will be determined by the company. Sputnik quoted the organisation as saying that the vaccine will be tested in the second phase of its clinical trials before moving on to phase 3.

India and China may start producing Sputnik V vaccine: Russian President Putin

Amid peace moves in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the Kremlin said today that there is no agreement on the deployment of Turkish peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Watch:&nbsp;

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Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia sign deal to end Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-claims-capture-of-major-city-armenia-refutes-claim-341688">Also Read:&nbsp;Azerbaijan claims capture of major city, Armenia refutes claim</a>

Russia is set to dispatch nearly 2,000 peacekeepers as Russia brokered an agreement between the two warring countries set to come into effect at 1:00 am local time (2100 GMT).

However, there were protests in Armenia as people demonstrated against the reported loss of terrority to Azerbaijan.

Earlier, Azerbaijani President Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Putin had announced a ceasefire as reports indicated that Azerbaijan had gained territories.

Azerbaijan is set to retain control over areas gained during the fighting, including the key town of Shusha.

Russia informed that peacekeepers were on their way including military personnel and armoured personnel carriers.

After the ceasefire was announced, Armenia had said that combat operation was suspended.

Nagorno-Karabakh defence ministry said that the military death toll had climbed to 1,302 as Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a new agreement after over a month of fighting since agreeing to a ceasefire in Moscow earlier.

Amid peace moves in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the Kremlin said today that there is no agreement on the deployment of Turkish peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Amid peace moves in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, the Kremlin said today that there is no agreement on the deployment of Turkish peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh. Watch: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia sign deal to end Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Also Read: Azerbaijan claims capture of major city, Armenia refutes claim Russia is set to dispatch nearly 2,000 peacekeepers as Russia brokered an agreement between the two warring countries set to come into effect at 1:00 am local time (2100 GMT). However, there were protests in Armenia as people demonstrated against the reported loss of terrority to Azerbaijan. Earlier, Azerbaijani President Aliyev, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Putin had announced a ceasefire as reports indicated that Azerbaijan had gained territories. Azerbaijan is set to retain control over areas gained during the fighting, including the key town of Shusha. Russia informed that peacekeepers were on their way including military personnel and armoured personnel carriers. After the ceasefire was announced, Armenia had said that combat operation was suspended. Nagorno-Karabakh defence ministry said that the military death toll had climbed to 1,302 as Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a new agreement after over a month of fighting since agreeing to a ceasefire in Moscow earlier.

No agreement on deployment of Turkish peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh: Russia

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stressed the need of a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict -- while in conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Saturday. He said that Armenia must be convinced to negotiate with Azerbaijan and called for a peaceful resolution.

At least 1,000 people have died in nearly six weeks of fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous enclave internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but populated and controlled by ethnic Armenians.&nbsp;

Three ceasefires have failed to halt the bloodiest fighting in the South Caucasus for more than 25 years. Both sides accused each other of launching attacks within hours of the agreements.

Erdogan has previously said Turkey and Russia could work together to solve the conflict.

In a statement, the presidency said Erdogan told Putin in a phone call that Armenia must withdraw from Azeri lands it is occupying and "stated the Armenian leadership must be convinced to sit down at the negotiating table".

In a separate statement, the Kremlim said Putin had informed Erdogan about his phone calls with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, adding "these exchanges were focused on finding options for a swift cessation of hostilities and a political and diplomatic settlement".

"A mutual readiness to cooperate in order to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict was confirmed," it said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also held a phone call with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss the issue, the Turkish foreign ministry said.

The conflict has underlined the influence of Turkey, an ally of Azerbaijan, in a former Soviet region long dominated by Moscow, which has a defence pact with Armenia. It also threatens the security of Azeri oil and gas pipelines.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stressed the need of a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict -- while in conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stressed the need of a ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict -- while in conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Saturday. He said that Armenia must be convinced to negotiate with Azerbaijan and called for a peaceful resolution. At least 1,000 people have died in nearly six weeks of fighting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous enclave internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but populated and controlled by ethnic Armenians. Three ceasefires have failed to halt the bloodiest fighting in the South Caucasus for more than 25 years. Both sides accused each other of launching attacks within hours of the agreements. Erdogan has previously said Turkey and Russia could work together to solve the conflict. In a statement, the presidency said Erdogan told Putin in a phone call that Armenia must withdraw from Azeri lands it is occupying and "stated the Armenian leadership must be convinced to sit down at the negotiating table". In a separate statement, the Kremlim said Putin had informed Erdogan about his phone calls with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, adding "these exchanges were focused on finding options for a swift cessation of hostilities and a political and diplomatic settlement". "A mutual readiness to cooperate in order to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict was confirmed," it said. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also held a phone call with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss the issue, the Turkish foreign ministry said. The conflict has underlined the influence of Turkey, an ally of Azerbaijan, in a former Soviet region long dominated by Moscow, which has a defence pact with Armenia. It also threatens the security of Azeri oil and gas pipelines.

Armenia must negotiate over Nagorno-Karabakh, Erdogan tells Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin may quit from his post in January amid fears he has Parkinson's disease, sources have claimed.

Putin’s 37-year-old girlfriend, Alina Kabaeva, and his two daughters are pushing him to leave office, a report in The Daily Mail quoted Moscow political scientist Valery Solovei as saying.

Solovei claimed that Putin may be suffering from Parkinson’s as the president has been seen recently exhibiting symptoms of the disease.

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Recent footage of Putin's legs moving around as he gripped onto the armrest of a chair; a twitching pen in the former KGB operative's fingers; and a cup filled with painkillers had raised eyebrows.

This is not the first time that people have speculated that Putin may be suffering from Parkinson's disease.

The speculation comes amid Russian lawmakers considering legislation proposed that would grant ex-presidents lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution.

According to New York Post, Solovei said Putin would soon appoint a new prime minister who would be groomed to become his eventual successor.

The president’s staff, however, has played down rumours on Putin’s plan to step down.

Russian President Vladimir Putin may quit from his post in January amid fears he has Parkinson's disease, sources have claimed. Putin’s 37-year-old girlfriend, Alina Kabaeva, and his two daughters are pushing him to leave office, a report in The Daily Mail quoted Moscow political scientist Valery Solovei as saying.

Russian President Vladimir Putin may quit from his post in January amid fears he has Parkinson's disease, sources have claimed. Putin’s 37-year-old girlfriend, Alina Kabaeva, and his two daughters are pushing him to leave office, a report in The Daily Mail quoted Moscow political scientist Valery Solovei as saying. Solovei claimed that Putin may be suffering from Parkinson’s as the president has been seen recently exhibiting symptoms of the disease. × Recent footage of Putin's legs moving around as he gripped onto the armrest of a chair; a twitching pen in the former KGB operative's fingers; and a cup filled with painkillers had raised eyebrows. This is not the first time that people have speculated that Putin may be suffering from Parkinson's disease. The speculation comes amid Russian lawmakers considering legislation proposed that would grant ex-presidents lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution. According to New York Post, Solovei said Putin would soon appoint a new prime minister who would be groomed to become his eventual successor. The president’s staff, however, has played down rumours on Putin’s plan to step down.

Putin may quit as Russia's president amid fears he has Parkinson's disease, sources claim

A report claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin could step down next year 'because he has possible symptoms of Parkinson's disease'. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more.

Gravitas: Does Vladimir Putin have Parkinson's?

The Kremlin on Friday rejected a report that Russian President Vladimir Putin may quit from his post in January amid fears he has Parkinson's disease.

Russian President Putin's critic makes stunning claim

Russia will send army medics to a region in the Urals hit by a surge in COVID-19 cases. President Vladimir Putin described the situation in some regions as alarming, speaking at a meeting with senior officials on Wednesday.

COVID-19: Russia to send army medics to Ural region

Russian parliament on Wednesday approved a bill which would allow the country to trespass international rulings. In essence, country’s laws would take precedence over international treaties, and would protect the country from international bodies, especially if those come in conflict with the country’s constitution.

Russia has had a very delicate relationship with rights groups, and this bill is expected to receive flak from activists and activist groups alike. In fact, every year, hundreds of Russians flock to the European Court of Human Rights in a bid to seek justice, which according to them, is unattainable at home.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/russia-foreign-minister-self-isolates-after-exposure-to-coronavirus-case-338405" hreflang="en">Russia foreign minister self-isolates after exposure to coronavirus case</a>

Russia’s lower House of Parliament - The State Duma in a statement claimed that the bill was proposed by President Vladimir Putin, and that lawmakers had voted in favour in approving the bill.

According to the law, the country’s legislation would come with a provision “stating that the decisions of interstate bodies ... contradicting the constitution of the Russian Federation are not subject to execution in Russia”, as reported by Reuters.

The bill still needs approval from the upper house of Russian parliament, and will need to be signed by Putin. Analysts don’t expect resistance to the bill, and believe it would be passed.

Also read: R<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/russia-seeks-accelerated-who-registration-for-virus-vaccine-338380" hreflang="en">ussia seeks accelerated WHO registration for virus vaccine</a>

Even then, Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that Russia remains committed to international law, and that all of its commitments under international treaties will continue to be honoured.

Putin first toyed with the idea in January, during his state-of-the-nation address.

Earlier this year, Russia had adopted many changes in the constitution. Now, Putin can run for president twice after his term expires in 2024.

Russian parliament on Wednesday approved a bill which would allow the country to trespass international rulings. In essence, country’s laws would take precedence over international treaties, and would protect the country from international bodies, especially if those come in conflict with the country’s constitution.

Russian parliament on Wednesday approved a bill which would allow the country to trespass international rulings. In essence, country’s laws would take precedence over international treaties, and would protect the country from international bodies, especially if those come in conflict with the country’s constitution. Russia has had a very delicate relationship with rights groups, and this bill is expected to receive flak from activists and activist groups alike. In fact, every year, hundreds of Russians flock to the European Court of Human Rights in a bid to seek justice, which according to them, is unattainable at home. Also read: Russia foreign minister self-isolates after exposure to coronavirus case Russia’s lower House of Parliament - The State Duma in a statement claimed that the bill was proposed by President Vladimir Putin, and that lawmakers had voted in favour in approving the bill. According to the law, the country’s legislation would come with a provision “stating that the decisions of interstate bodies ... contradicting the constitution of the Russian Federation are not subject to execution in Russia”, as reported by Reuters. The bill still needs approval from the upper house of Russian parliament, and will need to be signed by Putin. Analysts don’t expect resistance to the bill, and believe it would be passed. Also read: Russia seeks accelerated WHO registration for virus vaccine Even then, Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that Russia remains committed to international law, and that all of its commitments under international treaties will continue to be honoured. Putin first toyed with the idea in January, during his state-of-the-nation address. Earlier this year, Russia had adopted many changes in the constitution. Now, Putin can run for president twice after his term expires in 2024.

Russia's approves new bill allowing the country to trump international treaties, angering rights groups

Russia has given regulatory approval to a second Covid-19 vaccine, named ‘EpiVacCorona’, after early-stage studies. The new coronavirus vaccine comes two months after a similar move for Russia’s first vaccine Sputnik V prompted widespread criticism from scientists both at home and abroad.

Coronavirus pandemic: New COVID-19 vaccine developed by Russia's vector institute

Coronavirus Pandemic: Russia registers new COVID-19 vaccine as cases hit record high

Police in Russia’s Far East broke up a long-running anti-Kremlin protest with force on Saturday, detaining 25 people according to local authorities, in response to what they called an illegal attempt to erect protest tents in a central square.

Police crack down on marathon anti-Kremlin protest in Russia's Far East

YEREVAN, Armenia — In Russia’s self-proclaimed sphere of influence, Russia is losing its influence.

Concurrent crises in Belarus, Central Asia and the Caucasus region have blindsided the Kremlin, leaving it scrambling to shore up Russian interests in former Soviet republics and undermining President Vladimir Putin’s image as a master tactician on the world stage.

“There is nothing good about these conflicts for Moscow,” Konstantin Zatulin, a senior Russian lawmaker and Putin ally who specializes in relations with what Russians call their “near abroad.”

Putin has spent years building up Russia as a global power, with a hand in hot spots from Latin America to the Middle East, and even meddling in presidential elections in the United States. But after working for years to destabilize the West, he suddenly finds himself surrounded by instability; once seen as sure-handed in foreign affairs, he seems to have lost his touch.

In Belarus, Putin responded to a street uprising in August by propping up the country’s unpopular autocrat, President Alexander Lukashenko, turning public opinion against Russia in what had previously been Europe’s most Russia-friendly country.

In Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, protesters this week appeared on the verge of toppling President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, less than two weeks after Putin pledged to him in a rare in-person meeting that “we will do everything to support you as the head of state.”

And in the Caucasus, the long-simmering conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh erupted last week into the worst fighting since the 1990s, threatening to undo the balancing act that had allowed Russia to cultivate diverse links to the region.

“Russia was doing all it could to maintain ties both with Azerbaijan and Armenia,” Zatulin said. “Every day of conflict in Karabakh is, effectively, helping zero out Russia’s authority.”

The spate of new challenges to Russian influence strikes at the heart of Putin’s yearslong effort to cast himself as the leader who restored the great-power status that the nation lost with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Even as the Kremlin denied Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Russian state television gleefully reported on the American allegations of that interference as a sign that Moscow was being reckoned with again on the world stage.

Now, rather than react decisively to emergencies close to home, Putin sounds ambivalent about Russia’s role.

“We hope the conflict will end very soon,” he said of Nagorno-Karabakh, in a television interview broadcast Wednesday. Minutes later, referring to Kyrgyzstan, he said, “We hope that everything will be peaceful.”

The confluence of crises in Russia’s own neighborhood is such that some pro-Kremlin commentators are already accusing the West of an organized campaign to sow discord in the post-Soviet regions.

More balanced analysts, however, have singled out one constant factor in the growing unrest. Both Russia and its neighbors, they say, have been destabilized by the coronavirus pandemic, which has exposed distrust in institutions and in out-of-touch leaders across the region.

It helped undo the fragile truce between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and in Belarus and in Kyrgyzstan, the disease set the stage for public uprisings by exposing the ruling elite as disconnected from people’s suffering.

Lukashenko angered Belarusians by playing down the danger of the virus, joking that vodka would cure it; in Kyrgyzstan, critics blamed officials for using coronavirus aid money to enrich themselves.

Within Russia, the economic hardship caused by the pandemic has helped deepen public anger against Putin. In the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, for example, thousands of protesters angry over the arrest of a popular governor spilled into the streets last Saturday for the 13th week in a row.

Some analysts say that public discontent within Russia means that Putin needs to turn more of his focus to domestic issues such as economy hardship, pollution and poor health care, rather than delving into global geopolitics. But developments in recent weeks have given Putin more reason to focus on the latter.

“For Putin, practically his entire mission and his vision of Russian greatness and success revolve around his foreign-policy agenda,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Moscow Center, a research organization focused on politics and policy. The new series of crises, she went on, “will very much distract Putin from domestic problems.”

The centrality of the former Soviet lands to Putin’s foreign policy was evident in the Kremlin’s list of world leaders who called Putin to wish him a happy birthday on Wednesday, when he turned 68. Of the 12 who called, only three leaders — those of Israel, India and Cuba — head countries outside the former Soviet Union.

In Armenia, which hosts a Russian military base, some hope for a more forceful stance by Russia in the conflict, which has already killed at least 250 people, according to official reports. But Russia’s ability to influence events in the Caucasus now appears limited, despite its past role as a mediator in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Turkey, Azerbaijan’s most important ally, has taken on a more assertive regional stance.

“Turkey, indeed, in this current situation probably should be considered as a balance to unilateral Russian interference,” said Farid Shafiyev, chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku. In the Caucasus, he added, “the Russian role is probably diminishing.”

Across the former Soviet Union, Russian remains the lingua franca, and the proliferation of mostly uncensored internet access across the region means that protests in one country can easily inspire a disenchanted populace in another.

Some protesters in Belarus carried signs supporting the demonstrations in Khabarovsk, over 4,000 miles away. And ahead of Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary elections last Sunday, government critics were keeping an eye on Belarus, where it was a blatantly falsified election in August that sparked the uprising against Lukashenko.

 
“In Kyrgyzstan it was often said that we will copy the Belarusians,” said Aybek Sultangaziyev, director of a news agency in Kyrgyzstan, K-News. “In fact, we surpassed the Belarusians in effectiveness and precision.”

Sultangaziyev said that if his country’s uprising succeeds, the new leadership will seek to maintain close ties with Moscow. In Armenia, too, the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan retained its alliance with Russia after the prime minister came to power in a popular uprising in 2018.

“We have never been pro-Western or pro-Eastern,” said Ruben Rubinyan, head of the foreign affairs committee in the Armenian Parliament. “Russia has been and is an ally of Armenia, a very important ally.”

 
But, for Moscow, recent events in Belarus offer a cautionary tale that illustrates the fragility of Russia’s standing among its neighbors — carrying echoes of Ukraine’s more violent departure from Russia’s orbit in 2014. Some Belarusians who had been well disposed toward Putin turned against him after he propped up Lukashenko in the face of the protests.

Zatulin, the Russian lawmaker, said officials “at the highest levels of the Russian Federation” believed that Lukashenko would need to step down “sooner or later.” But Lukashenko had argued to Russian officials, Zatulin said, that his stepping down in the face of street protests could set a dangerous precedent for what might happen to Putin himself.

“By unconditionally supporting Lukashenko, we are creating an enormous problem for ourselves in the future with the majority or a significant part of the Belarusian population,” Zatulin said. “We are creating a problem for ourselves with the other Belarusian politicians and public figures, who are increasingly forced to seek sympathy in the West. Russia wants that least of all.”

YEREVAN, Armenia — In Russia’s self-proclaimed sphere of influence, Russia is losing its influence. Concurrent crises in Belarus, Central Asia and the Caucasus region have blindsided the Kremlin, leaving it scrambling to shore up Russian interests in former Soviet republics and undermining President Vladimir Putin’s image as a master tactician on the world stage.

YEREVAN, Armenia — In Russia’s self-proclaimed sphere of influence, Russia is losing its influence. Concurrent crises in Belarus, Central Asia and the Caucasus region have blindsided the Kremlin, leaving it scrambling to shore up Russian interests in former Soviet republics and undermining President Vladimir Putin’s image as a master tactician on the world stage. “There is nothing good about these conflicts for Moscow,” Konstantin Zatulin, a senior Russian lawmaker and Putin ally who specializes in relations with what Russians call their “near abroad.” Putin has spent years building up Russia as a global power, with a hand in hot spots from Latin America to the Middle East, and even meddling in presidential elections in the United States. But after working for years to destabilize the West, he suddenly finds himself surrounded by instability; once seen as sure-handed in foreign affairs, he seems to have lost his touch. In Belarus, Putin responded to a street uprising in August by propping up the country’s unpopular autocrat, President Alexander Lukashenko, turning public opinion against Russia in what had previously been Europe’s most Russia-friendly country. In Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, protesters this week appeared on the verge of toppling President Sooronbai Jeenbekov, less than two weeks after Putin pledged to him in a rare in-person meeting that “we will do everything to support you as the head of state.” And in the Caucasus, the long-simmering conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh erupted last week into the worst fighting since the 1990s, threatening to undo the balancing act that had allowed Russia to cultivate diverse links to the region. “Russia was doing all it could to maintain ties both with Azerbaijan and Armenia,” Zatulin said. “Every day of conflict in Karabakh is, effectively, helping zero out Russia’s authority.” The spate of new challenges to Russian influence strikes at the heart of Putin’s yearslong effort to cast himself as the leader who restored the great-power status that the nation lost with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Even as the Kremlin denied Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Russian state television gleefully reported on the American allegations of that interference as a sign that Moscow was being reckoned with again on the world stage. Now, rather than react decisively to emergencies close to home, Putin sounds ambivalent about Russia’s role. “We hope the conflict will end very soon,” he said of Nagorno-Karabakh, in a television interview broadcast Wednesday. Minutes later, referring to Kyrgyzstan, he said, “We hope that everything will be peaceful.” The confluence of crises in Russia’s own neighborhood is such that some pro-Kremlin commentators are already accusing the West of an organized campaign to sow discord in the post-Soviet regions. More balanced analysts, however, have singled out one constant factor in the growing unrest. Both Russia and its neighbors, they say, have been destabilized by the coronavirus pandemic, which has exposed distrust in institutions and in out-of-touch leaders across the region. It helped undo the fragile truce between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and in Belarus and in Kyrgyzstan, the disease set the stage for public uprisings by exposing the ruling elite as disconnected from people’s suffering. Lukashenko angered Belarusians by playing down the danger of the virus, joking that vodka would cure it; in Kyrgyzstan, critics blamed officials for using coronavirus aid money to enrich themselves. Within Russia, the economic hardship caused by the pandemic has helped deepen public anger against Putin. In the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk, for example, thousands of protesters angry over the arrest of a popular governor spilled into the streets last Saturday for the 13th week in a row. Some analysts say that public discontent within Russia means that Putin needs to turn more of his focus to domestic issues such as economy hardship, pollution and poor health care, rather than delving into global geopolitics. But developments in recent weeks have given Putin more reason to focus on the latter. “For Putin, practically his entire mission and his vision of Russian greatness and success revolve around his foreign-policy agenda,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Moscow Center, a research organization focused on politics and policy. The new series of crises, she went on, “will very much distract Putin from domestic problems.” The centrality of the former Soviet lands to Putin’s foreign policy was evident in the Kremlin’s list of world leaders who called Putin to wish him a happy birthday on Wednesday, when he turned 68. Of the 12 who called, only three leaders — those of Israel, India and Cuba — head countries outside the former Soviet Union. In Armenia, which hosts a Russian military base, some hope for a more forceful stance by Russia in the conflict, which has already killed at least 250 people, according to official reports. But Russia’s ability to influence events in the Caucasus now appears limited, despite its past role as a mediator in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Turkey, Azerbaijan’s most important ally, has taken on a more assertive regional stance. “Turkey, indeed, in this current situation probably should be considered as a balance to unilateral Russian interference,” said Farid Shafiyev, chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku. In the Caucasus, he added, “the Russian role is probably diminishing.” Across the former Soviet Union, Russian remains the lingua franca, and the proliferation of mostly uncensored internet access across the region means that protests in one country can easily inspire a disenchanted populace in another. Some protesters in Belarus carried signs supporting the demonstrations in Khabarovsk, over 4,000 miles away. And ahead of Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary elections last Sunday, government critics were keeping an eye on Belarus, where it was a blatantly falsified election in August that sparked the uprising against Lukashenko. “In Kyrgyzstan it was often said that we will copy the Belarusians,” said Aybek Sultangaziyev, director of a news agency in Kyrgyzstan, K-News. “In fact, we surpassed the Belarusians in effectiveness and precision.” Sultangaziyev said that if his country’s uprising succeeds, the new leadership will seek to maintain close ties with Moscow. In Armenia, too, the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan retained its alliance with Russia after the prime minister came to power in a popular uprising in 2018. “We have never been pro-Western or pro-Eastern,” said Ruben Rubinyan, head of the foreign affairs committee in the Armenian Parliament. “Russia has been and is an ally of Armenia, a very important ally.” But, for Moscow, recent events in Belarus offer a cautionary tale that illustrates the fragility of Russia’s standing among its neighbors — carrying echoes of Ukraine’s more violent departure from Russia’s orbit in 2014. Some Belarusians who had been well disposed toward Putin turned against him after he propped up Lukashenko in the face of the protests. Zatulin, the Russian lawmaker, said officials “at the highest levels of the Russian Federation” believed that Lukashenko would need to step down “sooner or later.” But Lukashenko had argued to Russian officials, Zatulin said, that his stepping down in the face of street protests could set a dangerous precedent for what might happen to Putin himself. “By unconditionally supporting Lukashenko, we are creating an enormous problem for ourselves in the future with the majority or a significant part of the Belarusian population,” Zatulin said. “We are creating a problem for ourselves with the other Belarusian politicians and public figures, who are increasingly forced to seek sympathy in the West. Russia wants that least of all.”

Putin, long the sower of instability, is now surrounded by it

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to wish him a&nbsp;happy birthday&nbsp;and to discuss&nbsp;his upcoming India visit. President Putin is expected to visit India before year-end for the annual India Russia summit that takes place alternatively between the two countries.&nbsp;

A release from Indian Prime Minister's office said, "Prime Minister recalled his long association and friendship with His Excellency Putin, and appreciated the personal role that the latter has played in nurturing the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two nations."

Adding, "Prime Minister expressed his keenness to welcome President Putin in India, as soon as possible after the normalisation of the public health situation."

PM Modi was amongst the first world leaders to call President Putin on his birthday. Last month, the Russian President had called PM Modi to wish him on his birthday.&nbsp; 
 
During the talks, COVID pandemic was also discussed. Russia will be supplying its COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V to India, subject to regulatory approval. India had also reached out to Moscow, supplying the country with anti covid drug HCQ.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to wish him a happy birthday and to discuss his upcoming India visit. President Putin is expected to visit India before year-end for the annual India Russia summit that takes place alternatively between the two countries.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to wish him a happy birthday and to discuss his upcoming India visit. President Putin is expected to visit India before year-end for the annual India Russia summit that takes place alternatively between the two countries. A release from Indian Prime Minister's office said, "Prime Minister recalled his long association and friendship with His Excellency Putin, and appreciated the personal role that the latter has played in nurturing the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two nations." Adding, "Prime Minister expressed his keenness to welcome President Putin in India, as soon as possible after the normalisation of the public health situation." PM Modi was amongst the first world leaders to call President Putin on his birthday. Last month, the Russian President had called PM Modi to wish him on his birthday. During the talks, COVID pandemic was also discussed. Russia will be supplying its COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V to India, subject to regulatory approval. India had also reached out to Moscow, supplying the country with anti covid drug HCQ.

Russian president's India visit discussed during PM Modi's call with Putin on his birthday

&nbsp;

Every country pays respect and show their love for their leaders in different ways. Russia, too, decided to do something special for the 68th birthday of their leader Vladimir Outin.

The Russian Chief of the army's general staff,&nbsp;Valery Gerasimov, shared the news of successfully testing&nbsp;Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile in the leader's birthday.

The strike was carried out from the Admiral Gorshkov vessel which was located in the White Sea in northern Russia. The target was a spot&nbsp;in the Barents Sea, which the officials were successful to aim at. The target has been hit&nbsp;at a distance of 450 kilometres (280 miles) in four and a half minutes after reaching hypersonic speeds of more than Mach 8.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russian-leader-vladimir-putin-turns-68-254334">Have a look:&nbsp;Russian leader Vladimir Putin turns 68</a>

“This is a big event not only for the life of the armed forces, but also for all of Russia, for the whole country,” Putin told Gerasimov.

Putin was seemingly happy with the latest success of the test launch. The launch was carried out as a move to push towards Putin's promise of increasing Russia's military presence in the Arctic during his 2018 speech.

This launch has come at time when the relations b between Russia and the US are at rocks.&nbsp;The Tsirkon test comes amid tensions over arms control between Russia and the United States. New START, the last major nuclear arms pact in place between the two countries, is due to expire in February.

The Chief has reported that the tests will continue till the officials are satisfied, and thereafter the submarines and vessels will be armed with this missile.

Every country pays respect and show their love for their leaders in different ways. Russia, too, decided to do something special for the 68th birthday of their leader Vladimir Outin.

Every country pays respect and show their love for their leaders in different ways. Russia, too, decided to do something special for the 68th birthday of their leader Vladimir Outin. The Russian Chief of the army's general staff, Valery Gerasimov, shared the news of successfully testing Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile in the leader's birthday. The strike was carried out from the Admiral Gorshkov vessel which was located in the White Sea in northern Russia. The target was a spot in the Barents Sea, which the officials were successful to aim at. The target has been hit at a distance of 450 kilometres (280 miles) in four and a half minutes after reaching hypersonic speeds of more than Mach 8. Have a look: Russian leader Vladimir Putin turns 68 “This is a big event not only for the life of the armed forces, but also for all of Russia, for the whole country,” Putin told Gerasimov. Putin was seemingly happy with the latest success of the test launch. The launch was carried out as a move to push towards Putin's promise of increasing Russia's military presence in the Arctic during his 2018 speech. This launch has come at time when the relations b between Russia and the US are at rocks. The Tsirkon test comes amid tensions over arms control between Russia and the United States. New START, the last major nuclear arms pact in place between the two countries, is due to expire in February. The Chief has reported that the tests will continue till the officials are satisfied, and thereafter the submarines and vessels will be armed with this missile.

Russia tests hypersonic cruise missile on Putin's birthday

The United States and Russia will hold a round of nuclear arms control talks in the Finland's capital, Helsinki, on Monday.

The&nbsp;talks on strategic stability&nbsp;will follow up on negotiations in Austria this summer, the Finnish president's office said.

The office of the Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said&nbsp;"The round of discussions on strategic stability and nuclear weapons between the United States and Russia, which began in Vienna in the summer, will continue in Helsinki on Monday."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hope-to-avoid-expensive-arms-race-between-us-russia-and-china-trump-tells-putin-315584">Hope to avoid 'expensive' arms race between US, Russia and China, Trump tells Putin</a>

A&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;arms control pact between Russia and the United States is in focus as it expires in February.&nbsp;

Russia sees minimal chances of extending the New START treaty,&nbsp;the countries' last major&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;arms pact, as it does not accept conditions set out by Washington.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-calls-for-agreement-with-us-not-to-meddle-in-each-others-elections-330225">Putin calls for agreement with US not to meddle in each other's elections</a>

The office said nuclear arms negotiators from Washington and Moscow met a previous time in Finland in 2017.

"Finland welcomes the negotiators, this time (US) Ambassador (Marshall) Billingslea and (Russian) Deputy Foreign Minister (Sergei) Ryabkov," the statement said, adding that Niinisto would meet both representatives after the talks.

According to Russian news agency TASS, the previous round of consultations between Billingslea and Ryabkov were held in Vienna on August 17-18.

The United States and Russia will hold a round of nuclear arms control talks in the Finland's capital, Helsinki, on Monday. The talks on strategic stability will follow up on negotiations in Austria this summer, the Finnish president's office said.

The United States and Russia will hold a round of nuclear arms control talks in the Finland's capital, Helsinki, on Monday. The talks on strategic stability will follow up on negotiations in Austria this summer, the Finnish president's office said. The office of the Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said "The round of discussions on strategic stability and nuclear weapons between the United States and Russia, which began in Vienna in the summer, will continue in Helsinki on Monday." Also read: Hope to avoid 'expensive' arms race between US, Russia and China, Trump tells Putin A nuclear arms control pact between Russia and the United States is in focus as it expires in February. Russia sees minimal chances of extending the New START treaty, the countries' last major nuclear arms pact, as it does not accept conditions set out by Washington. Also read: Putin calls for agreement with US not to meddle in each other's elections The office said nuclear arms negotiators from Washington and Moscow met a previous time in Finland in 2017. "Finland welcomes the negotiators, this time (US) Ambassador (Marshall) Billingslea and (Russian) Deputy Foreign Minister (Sergei) Ryabkov," the statement said, adding that Niinisto would meet both representatives after the talks. According to Russian news agency TASS, the previous round of consultations between Billingslea and Ryabkov were held in Vienna on August 17-18.

US and Russia to hold latest nuclear arms talks in Finland

One-fifth of Russians now approve of poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, according to an opinion poll published on Friday, a figure more than twice as high as a year ago but one accompanied by a doubling of disapproval of his activities.

A vocal opponent of President Vladimir Putin, Navalny, 44, fell ill on a domestic flight in August and was airlifted to a Berlin hospital. Germany says he was poisoned with a rare nerve agent. Russia says it has seen no evidence he was poisoned.

His case has attracted attention worldwide and at home, with Western leaders demanding an explanation from the Kremlin over what happened.

According to the poll by the Levada Centre, conducted in late September, 20 per cent&nbsp;of respondents approve of Navalny's activities, while 50&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;do not. In 2019, his approval rating was 9 per cent, but the percentage of those who disapproved of him was also lower, at 25 per cent.

Of those who had heard about Navalny's poisoning, 55&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;said they did not believe it was a deliberate act

Russia's diplomatic mission to the EU last month quoted a previous survey putting Navalny's popularity at only 2&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;and commented that it would make no sense for Moscow to have poisoned a political opponent with so little support.

Navalny's chief of staff, Leonid Volkov, responded at the time: "It's as if they're saying 'If his rating was 20 per cent, then we would have poisoned him.'"

The Kremlin this week accused Navalny, who has vowed to return to Russia, of working with the CIA after Navalny said he believed Putin was behind the suspected poisoning.

"The problem for those in power is that discrediting Navalny doesn't automatically translate into some kind of affinity towards the Russian authorities," said political analysis firm R.Politik on Telegram.

"It's a false dichotomy: Putin or Navalny. Many don't like either."

Putin's approval rating dipped to 59&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in April, a two-decade low, but had recovered to 69 per cent&nbsp;as of Friday, Levada polling data showed.

One-fifth of Russians now approve of poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, according to an opinion poll published on Friday, a figure more than twice as high as a year ago but one accompanied by a doubling of disapproval of his activities.

One-fifth of Russians now approve of poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, according to an opinion poll published on Friday, a figure more than twice as high as a year ago but one accompanied by a doubling of disapproval of his activities. A vocal opponent of President Vladimir Putin, Navalny, 44, fell ill on a domestic flight in August and was airlifted to a Berlin hospital. Germany says he was poisoned with a rare nerve agent. Russia says it has seen no evidence he was poisoned. His case has attracted attention worldwide and at home, with Western leaders demanding an explanation from the Kremlin over what happened. According to the poll by the Levada Centre, conducted in late September, 20 per cent of respondents approve of Navalny's activities, while 50 per cent do not. In 2019, his approval rating was 9 per cent, but the percentage of those who disapproved of him was also lower, at 25 per cent. Of those who had heard about Navalny's poisoning, 55 per cent said they did not believe it was a deliberate act Russia's diplomatic mission to the EU last month quoted a previous survey putting Navalny's popularity at only 2 per cent and commented that it would make no sense for Moscow to have poisoned a political opponent with so little support. Navalny's chief of staff, Leonid Volkov, responded at the time: "It's as if they're saying 'If his rating was 20 per cent, then we would have poisoned him.'" The Kremlin this week accused Navalny, who has vowed to return to Russia, of working with the CIA after Navalny said he believed Putin was behind the suspected poisoning. "The problem for those in power is that discrediting Navalny doesn't automatically translate into some kind of affinity towards the Russian authorities," said political analysis firm R.Politik on Telegram. "It's a false dichotomy: Putin or Navalny. Many don't like either." Putin's approval rating dipped to 59 per cent in April, a two-decade low, but had recovered to 69 per cent as of Friday, Levada polling data showed.

Putin critic Navalny's approval rating surges in wake of poisoning

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