Three acclaimed films from Hollywood have got nominated in the best foreign feature category in Russia's Golden Eagle Awards.&nbsp;

The Golden Eagle Award, which is the Russian equivalent of the Oscars, is an award given by the National Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences of Russia to recognise the excellence of professionals of directors, actors, and writers in the film industry. 
 
Cited by The Hollywood Reporter, the Russian distribution company for Disney, Sony, and Fox fare, the American musical film <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-lion-king-review-the-film-is-good-but-not-as-great-as-the-original-237079">`The Lion King`</a> grossed $46.7 million at the local box office and could be Russia`s top-grossing movie by the year-end.&nbsp; 
 
`<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-review-leonardo-di-caprio-brad-pitt-are-a-treat-to-watch-243172">Once Upon a Time in Hollywood`</a> that got released on August 2019 in India is currently the year`s 12th highest-grossing movie with $19 million, and 2018 released `Green Book` is in 23rd place with $9.2 million.&nbsp; 
 
The three nominated movies have been making the right noise among the moviegoers right from the beginning of its release in India and have also enjoyed high user rating on KinoPoisk, the Russian equivalent of IMDB. 
 
The average ratings of comedy-drama `Green Book` is 8.3, `The Lion King` saw a 7.1 ratings while Quentin Tarantino`s latest film `Once Upon a Time in Hollywood` saw an average rating of 7.6 out of 10, cited The Hollywood Reporter. 
 
The Golden Eagles will be handed out at a ceremony scheduled to run at Moscow`s Mosfilm studio on Jan 24, 2020.

Three acclaimed films from Hollywood have got nominated in the best foreign feature category in Russia's Golden Eagle Awards. The Golden Eagle Award, which is the Russian equivalent of the Oscars, is an award given by the National Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences of Russia to recognise the excellence of professionals of directors, actors, and writers in the film industry.

Three acclaimed films from Hollywood have got nominated in the best foreign feature category in Russia's Golden Eagle Awards. The Golden Eagle Award, which is the Russian equivalent of the Oscars, is an award given by the National Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences of Russia to recognise the excellence of professionals of directors, actors, and writers in the film industry. Cited by The Hollywood Reporter, the Russian distribution company for Disney, Sony, and Fox fare, the American musical film `The Lion King` grossed $46.7 million at the local box office and could be Russia`s top-grossing movie by the year-end. `Once Upon a Time in Hollywood` that got released on August 2019 in India is currently the year`s 12th highest-grossing movie with $19 million, and 2018 released `Green Book` is in 23rd place with $9.2 million. The three nominated movies have been making the right noise among the moviegoers right from the beginning of its release in India and have also enjoyed high user rating on KinoPoisk, the Russian equivalent of IMDB. The average ratings of comedy-drama `Green Book` is 8.3, `The Lion King` saw a 7.1 ratings while Quentin Tarantino`s latest film `Once Upon a Time in Hollywood` saw an average rating of 7.6 out of 10, cited The Hollywood Reporter. The Golden Eagles will be handed out at a ceremony scheduled to run at Moscow`s Mosfilm studio on Jan 24, 2020.

Russia's Golden Eagle Awards: Hollywood films 'The Lion King', 'Green Book' nominated in best foreign feature

By: Mallika Singh

Russia on Friday formally contested the four-year doping ban imposed on the country’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/new-wada-report-shows-jump-in-global-doping-cases-269293">World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)</a> ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9.&nbsp;

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency in a letter to WADA sent a notice of disagreement for the sanctions, RUSADA director general Yury Ganus told reporters in Moscow.&nbsp;

"In accordance with established procedure, today we have sent a package of documents to WADA," said Ganus.&nbsp;

"The package contains a notice about disagreement with WADA sanctions."

Russia on December 19 had announced its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-to-appeal-against-wadas-four-year-doping-ban-269167">decision to appeal</a> against the imposed ban that bars Russian athletes from competing under the Russian flag.

"RUSADA will appeal against the WADA decision within 10 to 15 days," RUSADA supervisory board chairman Alexander Ivlev had declared.&nbsp;

Ganus also sent the anti-doping agency a letter citing his personal stance on the matter.&nbsp;

"I regret to inform you that all my attempts including attempts to introduce changes to the RUSADA notice have failed," said the letter.

Russia’s leadership including President Vladimir Putin as being “politically motivated” and contradictory to the Olympic Charter.&nbsp;

"If WADA does not have any issues with our national Olympic committee our team must compete under its flag," Putin said during an annual end-of-year news conference, insisting that most of Russia's athletes were clean.

"If a majority of our athletes are clean how is it possible to slap sanctions against them for someone else's actions?" Putin added.&nbsp;

WADA’s executive committee unanimously issued a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-imposes-four-year-ban-on-russia-over-doping-data-manipulation-267195">ban against Russia</a> after its Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report declaring RUSADA to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic".

Russia is currently facing a four-year ban on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support are only to be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation.

Russia is also not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights are to be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/euro-2020-qualifiers-with-20-out-of-24-berths-filled-england-france-italy-top-their-groups-263461">Euro 2020</a>. 
&nbsp; 
The appeal is the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter Olympics that were held in Russia.

By: Mallika Singh Russia on Friday formally contested the four-year doping ban imposed on the country’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9.

By: Mallika Singh Russia on Friday formally contested the four-year doping ban imposed on the country’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency in a letter to WADA sent a notice of disagreement for the sanctions, RUSADA director general Yury Ganus told reporters in Moscow. "In accordance with established procedure, today we have sent a package of documents to WADA," said Ganus. "The package contains a notice about disagreement with WADA sanctions." Russia on December 19 had announced its decision to appeal against the imposed ban that bars Russian athletes from competing under the Russian flag. "RUSADA will appeal against the WADA decision within 10 to 15 days," RUSADA supervisory board chairman Alexander Ivlev had declared. Ganus also sent the anti-doping agency a letter citing his personal stance on the matter. "I regret to inform you that all my attempts including attempts to introduce changes to the RUSADA notice have failed," said the letter. Russia’s leadership including President Vladimir Putin as being “politically motivated” and contradictory to the Olympic Charter. "If WADA does not have any issues with our national Olympic committee our team must compete under its flag," Putin said during an annual end-of-year news conference, insisting that most of Russia's athletes were clean. "If a majority of our athletes are clean how is it possible to slap sanctions against them for someone else's actions?" Putin added. WADA’s executive committee unanimously issued a ban against Russia after its Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report declaring RUSADA to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic". Russia is currently facing a four-year ban on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support are only to be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation. Russia is also not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights are to be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for Euro 2020. The appeal is the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter Olympics that were held in Russia.

Russia officially challenges four year doping ban

Russia on Friday formally contested the four-year doping ban imposed on the country’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/new-wada-report-shows-jump-in-global-doping-cases-269293">World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)</a> ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9.&nbsp;

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency in a letter to WADA sent a notice of disagreement for the sanctions, RUSADA director general Yury Ganus told reporters in Moscow.&nbsp;

"In accordance with established procedure, today we have sent a package of documents to WADA," said Ganus.&nbsp;

"The package contains a notice about disagreement with WADA sanctions."

Russia on December 19 had announced its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-to-appeal-against-wadas-four-year-doping-ban-269167">decision to appeal</a> against the imposed ban that bars Russian athletes from competing under the Russian flag.

"RUSADA will appeal against the WADA decision within 10 to 15 days," RUSADA supervisory board chairman Alexander Ivlev had declared.&nbsp;

Ganus also sent the anti-doping agency a letter citing his personal stance on the matter.&nbsp;

"I regret to inform you that all my attempts including attempts to introduce changes to the RUSADA notice have failed," said the letter.

Russia’s leadership including President Vladimir Putin as being “politically motivated” and contradictory to the Olympic Charter.&nbsp;

"If WADA does not have any issues with our national Olympic committee our team must compete under its flag," Putin said during an annual end-of-year news conference, insisting that most of Russia's athletes were clean.

"If a majority of our athletes are clean how is it possible to slap sanctions against them for someone else's actions?" Putin added.&nbsp;

WADA’s executive committee unanimously issued a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-imposes-four-year-ban-on-russia-over-doping-data-manipulation-267195">ban against Russia</a> after its Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report declaring RUSADA to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic".

Russia is currently facing a four-year ban on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support are only to be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation.

Russia is also not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights are to be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/euro-2020-qualifiers-with-20-out-of-24-berths-filled-england-france-italy-top-their-groups-263461">Euro 2020</a>. 
&nbsp; 
The appeal is the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter Olympics that were held in Russia. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Russia on Friday formally contested the four-year doping ban imposed on the country’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9.

Russia on Friday formally contested the four-year doping ban imposed on the country’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency in a letter to WADA sent a notice of disagreement for the sanctions, RUSADA director general Yury Ganus told reporters in Moscow. "In accordance with established procedure, today we have sent a package of documents to WADA," said Ganus. "The package contains a notice about disagreement with WADA sanctions." Russia on December 19 had announced its decision to appeal against the imposed ban that bars Russian athletes from competing under the Russian flag. "RUSADA will appeal against the WADA decision within 10 to 15 days," RUSADA supervisory board chairman Alexander Ivlev had declared. Ganus also sent the anti-doping agency a letter citing his personal stance on the matter. "I regret to inform you that all my attempts including attempts to introduce changes to the RUSADA notice have failed," said the letter. Russia’s leadership including President Vladimir Putin as being “politically motivated” and contradictory to the Olympic Charter. "If WADA does not have any issues with our national Olympic committee our team must compete under its flag," Putin said during an annual end-of-year news conference, insisting that most of Russia's athletes were clean. "If a majority of our athletes are clean how is it possible to slap sanctions against them for someone else's actions?" Putin added. WADA’s executive committee unanimously issued a ban against Russia after its Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report declaring RUSADA to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic". Russia is currently facing a four-year ban on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support are only to be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation. Russia is also not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights are to be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for Euro 2020. The appeal is the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter Olympics that were held in Russia.

Iran, China and Russia started four days of joint naval drills in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/wion-edit-india-vs-china-battle-for-influence-in-indian-ocean-266210">Indian Ocean</a> and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tanker-attacks-in-gulf-of-oman-stoke-security-and-oil-fears-226939">Gulf of Oman</a>&nbsp;on Friday, the commander of Iran's flotilla announced.

The exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions since the United States withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran in May last year.

"The message of this exercise is peace, friendship and lasting security through cooperation and unity and its effect will be to show that Iran cannot be isolated," Rear Admiral Gholamreza Tahani said on state television.

Tahani added that the drills included rescuing ships on fire or vessels under attack by pirates and shooting exercises, with both Iran's navy and its Revolutionary Guards participating.

State television showed what it said was a Russian warship arriving at Chabahar port in southern Iran and said the Chinese will join shortly, calling the three countries "the new triangle of power in the sea".

"The aim of this drill is to bolster security of international maritime commerce, combatting piracy and terrorism and sharing information and experience," the flotilla commander said.

"Us hosting these powers shows that our relations have reached a meaningful point and may have an international impact," he added.

The United States reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran after quitting the nuclear deal last year, prompting Tehran to hit back with countermeasures by dropping nuclear commitments.

Remaining parties to the badly weakened agreement include Britain, France and Germany as well as China and Russia.

In June, US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a> authorised a military strike after Iran shot down a US drone, only to call off the retaliation at the last moment.

The crisis deepened with the September 14 attacks on Saudi energy giant Aramco's Abqaiq processing plant and Khurais oilfield, which halved the kingdom's crude output.

Yemen's Huthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack but Washington accused Tehran, a charge it has strongly denied.

Washington has responded with a military build-up in the Gulf and has launched an operation with its allies to protect navigation in Gulf waters.

Iran, China and Russia started four days of joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman on Friday, the commander of Iran's flotilla announced. The exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions since the United States withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran in May last year.

Iran, China and Russia started four days of joint naval drills in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman on Friday, the commander of Iran's flotilla announced. The exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions since the United States withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran in May last year. "The message of this exercise is peace, friendship and lasting security through cooperation and unity and its effect will be to show that Iran cannot be isolated," Rear Admiral Gholamreza Tahani said on state television. Tahani added that the drills included rescuing ships on fire or vessels under attack by pirates and shooting exercises, with both Iran's navy and its Revolutionary Guards participating. State television showed what it said was a Russian warship arriving at Chabahar port in southern Iran and said the Chinese will join shortly, calling the three countries "the new triangle of power in the sea". "The aim of this drill is to bolster security of international maritime commerce, combatting piracy and terrorism and sharing information and experience," the flotilla commander said. "Us hosting these powers shows that our relations have reached a meaningful point and may have an international impact," he added. The United States reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran after quitting the nuclear deal last year, prompting Tehran to hit back with countermeasures by dropping nuclear commitments. Remaining parties to the badly weakened agreement include Britain, France and Germany as well as China and Russia. In June, US President Donald Trump authorised a military strike after Iran shot down a US drone, only to call off the retaliation at the last moment. The crisis deepened with the September 14 attacks on Saudi energy giant Aramco's Abqaiq processing plant and Khurais oilfield, which halved the kingdom's crude output. Yemen's Huthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attack but Washington accused Tehran, a charge it has strongly denied. Washington has responded with a military build-up in the Gulf and has launched an operation with its allies to protect navigation in Gulf waters.

Iran, China, Russia start joint naval drills

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-and-xi-jinping-will-sign-china-trade-deal-270340">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a> on Thursday warned Russia, Syria and Iran against killing civilians in Syria's Idlib province and said Turkey was working hard to stop the "carnage."

"Russia, Syria, and Iran are killing, or on their way to killing, thousands if inocent (sic) civilians in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-backed-syrian-forces-gain-ground-in-idlib-269853">Idlib Province</a>. Don’t do it! Turkey is working hard to stop this carnage," Trump said in a tweet.

Syrian and Russian forces have intensified their bombardment of targets in Idlib, the last significant rebel pocket of Syria. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to recapture it.

The leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran agreed in Ankara in September to "de-escalate" conflict in Idlib after a months-long campaign that forced at least 500,000 civilians to flee. With diplomacy on a Syria peace settlement stalled, the de-escalation deal has been unravelling of late.

Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Tuesday that Russia will work to stop attacks in Idlib after talks with a Turkish delegation in Moscow.

Trump has sought a close relationship with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, even after Ankara's recent incursion against American Kurdish allies in Syria and Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defence system.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned Russia, Syria and Iran against killing civilians in Syria's Idlib province and said Turkey was working hard to stop the "carnage.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned Russia, Syria and Iran against killing civilians in Syria's Idlib province and said Turkey was working hard to stop the "carnage." "Russia, Syria, and Iran are killing, or on their way to killing, thousands if inocent (sic) civilians in Idlib Province. Don’t do it! Turkey is working hard to stop this carnage," Trump said in a tweet. Syrian and Russian forces have intensified their bombardment of targets in Idlib, the last significant rebel pocket of Syria. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to recapture it. The leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran agreed in Ankara in September to "de-escalate" conflict in Idlib after a months-long campaign that forced at least 500,000 civilians to flee. With diplomacy on a Syria peace settlement stalled, the de-escalation deal has been unravelling of late. Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Tuesday that Russia will work to stop attacks in Idlib after talks with a Turkish delegation in Moscow. Trump has sought a close relationship with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, even after Ankara's recent incursion against American Kurdish allies in Syria and Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defence system.

Don’t do it! Trump warns Russia, Syria, Iran against killing civilians in Idlib

China, Iran, and Russia will hold joint naval drills starting on Friday in the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-hope-for-pakistan-to-get-membership-of-indian-ocean-rim-association-208989"> Indian Ocean</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tanker-attacks-in-gulf-of-oman-stoke-security-and-oil-fears-226939">Gulf of Oman</a>, China's defence ministry said on Thursday，amid heightened tension in the region between Iran and the United States.

China will send the Xining, a guided-missile destroyer, to the drills, which will last until Monday, and are meant to deepen cooperation between the three countries' navies, ministry spokesman Wu Qian told a monthly news briefing.

The drill was a "normal military exchange" between the three armed forces and was in line with international law and practices, Wu said.

"It is not necessarily connected with the regional situation," he said, without elaborating.

The Gulf of Oman is a particularly sensitive waterway as it connects to the Strait of Hormuz through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes which in turn connects to the Gulf.

The drills are also coming at a time of fraught tensions between the United States and Iran.

Friction has increased since last year when US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a> pulled the United States out of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with six nations and re-imposed sanctions on it, crippling its economy.

Washington has proposed a US-led naval mission after several attacks in May and June on international merchant vessels, including Saudi tankers, in Gulf waters which the United States blamed on Iran. It denies the accusations.

Tension has risen in the region not only over Iran's disputed nuclear programme but also over a September attack on Saudi oil facilities blamed on Iran by the United States and Saudi Arabia. Iran also denies involvement.

China has close diplomatic, trade and energy ties with Iran.

But China also has good relations with Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia, meaning it has long had to tread a fine line in a part of the world where it has traditionally exerted far less sway than the United States, Russia, France or Britain.

Chinese President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pm-modi-president-xi-jinping-a-study-in-contrast-255342"> Xi Jinping </a>is likely to visit Saudi Arabia next year as it is the host of the 2020 G20 summit.

China, Iran, and Russia will hold joint naval drills starting on Friday in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman, China's defence ministry said on Thursday，amid heightened tension in the region between Iran and the United States.

China, Iran, and Russia will hold joint naval drills starting on Friday in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman, China's defence ministry said on Thursday，amid heightened tension in the region between Iran and the United States. China will send the Xining, a guided-missile destroyer, to the drills, which will last until Monday, and are meant to deepen cooperation between the three countries' navies, ministry spokesman Wu Qian told a monthly news briefing. The drill was a "normal military exchange" between the three armed forces and was in line with international law and practices, Wu said. "It is not necessarily connected with the regional situation," he said, without elaborating. The Gulf of Oman is a particularly sensitive waterway as it connects to the Strait of Hormuz through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes which in turn connects to the Gulf. The drills are also coming at a time of fraught tensions between the United States and Iran. Friction has increased since last year when US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with six nations and re-imposed sanctions on it, crippling its economy. Washington has proposed a US-led naval mission after several attacks in May and June on international merchant vessels, including Saudi tankers, in Gulf waters which the United States blamed on Iran. It denies the accusations. Tension has risen in the region not only over Iran's disputed nuclear programme but also over a September attack on Saudi oil facilities blamed on Iran by the United States and Saudi Arabia. Iran also denies involvement. China has close diplomatic, trade and energy ties with Iran. But China also has good relations with Iran's regional rival Saudi Arabia, meaning it has long had to tread a fine line in a part of the world where it has traditionally exerted far less sway than the United States, Russia, France or Britain. Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit Saudi Arabia next year as it is the host of the 2020 G20 summit.

China, Russia, Iran to hold joint naval drills starting Friday

Russia released 24 Japanese fishermen and their vessels on Tuesday, after detaining them for allegedly exceeding the octopus catch quota off a chain of disputed Pacific islands, Japan's foreign ministry said.

The five boats departed a port in Kunashiri island, one of the four southern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/are-japan-and-russia-ready-to-resolve-the-kuril-islands-dispute-190414">Kuril islands disputed</a> by Tokyo and Moscow, a foreign ministry official in charge of Russian affairs confirmed.

The fishermen are in good health, top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga later told reporters.

The Soviet Union seized the strategically located volcanic archipelago north of Japan's Hokkaido in the final days of World War II and Russia has continued to maintain&nbsp;a military presence there ever since.

The five ships were detained last week after a Russian inspection deemed they had exceeded their quota for octopus allowed under a 1998 agreement.

Foreign ministers discussed the incident at talks last Thursday, which also tried to find a breakthrough in the long-lagging dispute between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-abe-talks-fail-to-break-island-impasse-192098">Moscow and Tokyo</a> over the islands.

Details about the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-pms-visit-to-disputed-island-irks-japan-240205">Russian</a> allegation "will be probed by relevant organisations", the Japanese ministry official added.

A Russian court ordered the fishermen to pay an 11 million yen ($100,000) fine, which was paid before leaving for Japan, sources said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have met more than two dozen times since 2013 over the territorial dispute, which prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty to formally end World War II.

Tokyo maintains its claim over the four southernmost islands of the Kuril chain, known as the Northern Territories in Japan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-says-talks-with-japan-over-territorial-dispute-could-take-years-202872">Nationalist sentiment</a> on both sides makes both governments wary of considering concessions.

Russia released 24 Japanese fishermen and their vessels on Tuesday, after detaining them for allegedly exceeding the octopus catch quota off a chain of disputed Pacific islands, Japan's foreign ministry said.

Russia released 24 Japanese fishermen and their vessels on Tuesday, after detaining them for allegedly exceeding the octopus catch quota off a chain of disputed Pacific islands, Japan's foreign ministry said. The five boats departed a port in Kunashiri island, one of the four southern Kuril islands disputed by Tokyo and Moscow, a foreign ministry official in charge of Russian affairs confirmed. The fishermen are in good health, top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga later told reporters. The Soviet Union seized the strategically located volcanic archipelago north of Japan's Hokkaido in the final days of World War II and Russia has continued to maintain a military presence there ever since. The five ships were detained last week after a Russian inspection deemed they had exceeded their quota for octopus allowed under a 1998 agreement. Foreign ministers discussed the incident at talks last Thursday, which also tried to find a breakthrough in the long-lagging dispute between Moscow and Tokyo over the islands. Details about the Russian allegation "will be probed by relevant organisations", the Japanese ministry official added. A Russian court ordered the fishermen to pay an 11 million yen ($100,000) fine, which was paid before leaving for Japan, sources said. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have met more than two dozen times since 2013 over the territorial dispute, which prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty to formally end World War II. Tokyo maintains its claim over the four southernmost islands of the Kuril chain, known as the Northern Territories in Japan. Nationalist sentiment on both sides makes both governments wary of considering concessions.

Russia releases Japanese fishermen, boats held near disputed Pacific islands

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-eases-but-supported-by-trade-deal-hopes-269679">Oil&nbsp;prices</a>&nbsp;edged&nbsp;higher&nbsp;on Tuesday in thin pre-Christmas trading after Russia's energy minister said cooperation with OPEC to&nbsp;support&nbsp;the market would continue and as analysts&nbsp;forecast&nbsp;a second weekly decline in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-falls-as-us-inventories-rise-but-demand-hopes-stem-bigger-drop-268973">US&nbsp;crude inventories</a>.

Brent crude was up 5 cents at $66.44 a barrel by 0321 GMT. US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate was 1 cent&nbsp;higher&nbsp;at $60.53 a barrel.

OPEC, Russia and other producers that have linked up to curtail production and&nbsp;support&nbsp;prices&nbsp;will continue their cooperation as long as it is "effective and brings results," Russian energy minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/opec-and-allies-prepare-to-deepen-oil-output-cuts-266447">Alexander Novak</a> said in an interview on Monday.

Cooperation with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-slips-as-opec-gears-up-to-confirm-supply-cut-266600">OPEC</a>) would continue "until the market requires it," Novak added.

OPEC and other producers agreed in November to extend and deepen output curbs in place since 2017. The reduction of output could see as much as 2.1 million barrels per day (bpd) taken off the market, or about 2 per cent&nbsp;of global demand.

Still, OPEC needs to do more to balance out the market on a sustainable basis, Bjornar Tonhaugen, head of&nbsp;oil&nbsp;market research at Rystad Energy said in a note.

"The OPEC&nbsp;cuts&nbsp;didn't fully solve the problem&nbsp;instead they offer a light bandage to get through the first quarter of 2020," said Tonhaugen, adding "after that, we believe the market will begin to realize the looming oversupply."

US&nbsp;producers have been happy to fill any gaps in the market, pumping ever greater amounts of crude to reach a record high of around 13 million bpd in November.

That has helped swell inventories, which have been stubbornly resistant to drawdowns. US&nbsp;stocks are up around 1 per cent&nbsp;this year.

Crude stocks are, however, expected to have fallen by about 1.8 million barrels last week, a second week of declines, according to a preliminary&nbsp;poll.

Still, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-gains-on-us-crude-stocks-fall-opec-comments-on-slower-us-shale-growth-262061">gasoline stocks</a> are expected to have risen for a seventh week in a row and distillate inventories are&nbsp;forecast&nbsp;to have gained for a fifth consecutive week.

Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday in thin pre-Christmas trading after Russia's energy minister said cooperation with OPEC to support the market would continue and as analysts forecast a second weekly decline in US crude inventories.

Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday in thin pre-Christmas trading after Russia's energy minister said cooperation with OPEC to support the market would continue and as analysts forecast a second weekly decline in US crude inventories. Brent crude was up 5 cents at $66.44 a barrel by 0321 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate was 1 cent higher at $60.53 a barrel. OPEC, Russia and other producers that have linked up to curtail production and support prices will continue their cooperation as long as it is "effective and brings results," Russian energy minister Alexander Novak said in an interview on Monday. Cooperation with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would continue "until the market requires it," Novak added. OPEC and other producers agreed in November to extend and deepen output curbs in place since 2017. The reduction of output could see as much as 2.1 million barrels per day (bpd) taken off the market, or about 2 per cent of global demand. Still, OPEC needs to do more to balance out the market on a sustainable basis, Bjornar Tonhaugen, head of oil market research at Rystad Energy said in a note. "The OPEC cuts didn't fully solve the problem instead they offer a light bandage to get through the first quarter of 2020," said Tonhaugen, adding "after that, we believe the market will begin to realize the looming oversupply." US producers have been happy to fill any gaps in the market, pumping ever greater amounts of crude to reach a record high of around 13 million bpd in November. That has helped swell inventories, which have been stubbornly resistant to drawdowns. US stocks are up around 1 per cent this year. Crude stocks are, however, expected to have fallen by about 1.8 million barrels last week, a second week of declines, according to a preliminary poll. Still, gasoline stocks are expected to have risen for a seventh week in a row and distillate inventories are forecast to have gained for a fifth consecutive week.

Oil prices inch higher in pre-Christmas trading

A Turkish delegation was in Russia on Monday for talks on Syria, following reports that Russian-backed attacks there were forcing tens of thousands more Syrians to flee towards Turkey.

Turkey already hosts about 3.7 million Syrians - the world's biggest refugee population. President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday it could not handle a new influx and was urging Russia to stop the strikes in Syria's northwestern Idlib province.

The Turkey-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) said on Monday 120,000 Syrians were fleeing towards the Turkish border - higher than Erdogan's estimate of 80,000.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-objects-to-malaysias-un-submission-on-south-china-sea-scmp-268661">UN</a>&nbsp;Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate end to the hostilities, which he said had displaced 30,000 people in the last week alone, his spokesman said.

"The Secretary-General reminds all parties of their obligations to protect civilians and ensure freedom of movement," UN&nbsp;spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to recapture the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-backed-syrian-forces-gain-ground-in-idlib-269853">Idlib region</a>, the last significant area of Syria still under rebel control after 8-1/2 years of civil war.

Russia and Iran have supported Assad's forces during the Syrian conflict while Turkey has backed Syrian rebels fighting Assad.

Russian and Syrian army jets have been targeting civilian convoys trying to flee the Idlib city of Maarat al-Numan, leaving hundreds of families still trapped there, activists and aid groups have said.

"It's a tragic situation for civilians remaining in the city since Russian jets are hitting any convoy that leaves the city, while those who were able to reach areas closer to the border have nowhere to shelter," said Mohamad Rasheed, an activist in the area.

&nbsp;

LIBYA ALSO IN FOCUS

The Syrian army said on Monday it had fought fierce battles in southeastern Idlib and seized several villages after killing large numbers of what it called terrorists.

"People are lying on the ground sleeping in the open with no blankets and under rain and cold," said Feras Saad, who fled the city with his family and found shelter in the border village of Harabosh.

Moscow and Damascus both deny allegations of indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas and say they are fighting al Qaeda-inspired Islamist militants.

A Turkish diplomatic source said the delegation in Russia will also discuss Turkey's potential troop deployment and military support to Libya, after Ankara and Tripoli signed a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-says-turkey-will-increase-military-support-to-libya-if-necessary-269588">military cooperation</a> accord last month.

Russia has said it is concerned about any such deployment.

Erdogan said on Sunday Turkey could increase military support to Fayez al-Serraj's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which has been fighting off an offensive by east Libya forces led by <a href="wionews.com/world/eastern-libyan-force-warns-against-transporting-military-equipment-in-civilian-planes-269619">Khalifa Haftar</a>.

Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have backed Haftar's forces.

Later on Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss developments in Syria and Libya. It did not give further details.

A Turkish delegation was in Russia on Monday for talks on Syria, following reports that Russian-backed attacks there were forcing tens of thousands more Syrians to flee towards Turkey.

A Turkish delegation was in Russia on Monday for talks on Syria, following reports that Russian-backed attacks there were forcing tens of thousands more Syrians to flee towards Turkey. Turkey already hosts about 3.7 million Syrians - the world's biggest refugee population. President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday it could not handle a new influx and was urging Russia to stop the strikes in Syria's northwestern Idlib province. The Turkey-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) said on Monday 120,000 Syrians were fleeing towards the Turkish border - higher than Erdogan's estimate of 80,000. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate end to the hostilities, which he said had displaced 30,000 people in the last week alone, his spokesman said. "The Secretary-General reminds all parties of their obligations to protect civilians and ensure freedom of movement," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to recapture the Idlib region, the last significant area of Syria still under rebel control after 8-1/2 years of civil war. Russia and Iran have supported Assad's forces during the Syrian conflict while Turkey has backed Syrian rebels fighting Assad. Russian and Syrian army jets have been targeting civilian convoys trying to flee the Idlib city of Maarat al-Numan, leaving hundreds of families still trapped there, activists and aid groups have said. "It's a tragic situation for civilians remaining in the city since Russian jets are hitting any convoy that leaves the city, while those who were able to reach areas closer to the border have nowhere to shelter," said Mohamad Rasheed, an activist in the area. LIBYA ALSO IN FOCUS The Syrian army said on Monday it had fought fierce battles in southeastern Idlib and seized several villages after killing large numbers of what it called terrorists. "People are lying on the ground sleeping in the open with no blankets and under rain and cold," said Feras Saad, who fled the city with his family and found shelter in the border village of Harabosh. Moscow and Damascus both deny allegations of indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas and say they are fighting al Qaeda-inspired Islamist militants. A Turkish diplomatic source said the delegation in Russia will also discuss Turkey's potential troop deployment and military support to Libya, after Ankara and Tripoli signed a military cooperation accord last month. Russia has said it is concerned about any such deployment. Erdogan said on Sunday Turkey could increase military support to Fayez al-Serraj's UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which has been fighting off an offensive by east Libya forces led by Khalifa Haftar. Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have backed Haftar's forces. Later on Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to discuss developments in Syria and Libya. It did not give further details.

Turkey, Russia talk Syria as thousands flee bombing

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-new-su-57-jet-crashing-during-test-269983">Russian</a> court on Tuesday extended until late March the pre-trial detention of a US man already held in jail for a year despite Western requests for his release.

Paul Whelan, who also has Irish, Canadian and British citizenship, was arrested on December 28 last year for allegedly receiving <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-china-spy-concerns-australia-launches-anti-espionage-task-force-265625">state secrets</a>.

On Christmas eve the Moscow City Court extended his detention by another three months, to March 29, a court spokesman told AFP.

He risks up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Whelan, 49, has denounced the case against him and said he is being held "hostage" for a possible prisoner exchange.

On Monday, US charge d'affaires Bart Gorman and diplomats from Canada, Ireland, and Britain visited Whelan in Moscow's high-security Lefortovo prison, bringing him food and Christmas greetings from family and supporters.&nbsp;

"It's two days before Christmas. A holiday Paul Whelan will spend alone in Lefortovo," the US embassy quoted Gorman as saying.

"In the past 12 months, Paul has not heard his parents' voices. Bring Paul some Christmas cheer and let him call home."

Whelan, a former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-space-force-donald-trump-creates-new-warfare-service-branch-of-pentagon-269433">US</a> marine, maintains he has been framed and that he took a USB drive from an acquaintance thinking it contained holiday photos.

His lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov has said the acquaintance that handed over the drive is the only witness against Whelan while the rest of his longtime acquaintances in Russia gave witness statements in his defence.

During a previous court hearing in October, Whelan insisted that he was not a spy.

"Russia thought they caught James Bond on a spy mission, in reality, they abducted Mr Bean on holiday," he has said.

Whelan and his supporters claim that the American has been mistreated in jail.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-releases-japan-fishing-boats-held-near-disputed-islands-269911">Moscow</a> has rubbished the claims, saying foreign diplomats have regular access to Whelan and calling the complaints a "provocative line of defence".&nbsp;

"Whelan's complaints concerning the conditions of detention and actions of investigators have never once been confirmed," the Russian foreign ministry has said.

A Russian court on Tuesday extended until late March the pre-trial detention of a US man already held in jail for a year despite Western requests for his release.

A Russian court on Tuesday extended until late March the pre-trial detention of a US man already held in jail for a year despite Western requests for his release. Paul Whelan, who also has Irish, Canadian and British citizenship, was arrested on December 28 last year for allegedly receiving state secrets. On Christmas eve the Moscow City Court extended his detention by another three months, to March 29, a court spokesman told AFP. He risks up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Whelan, 49, has denounced the case against him and said he is being held "hostage" for a possible prisoner exchange. On Monday, US charge d'affaires Bart Gorman and diplomats from Canada, Ireland, and Britain visited Whelan in Moscow's high-security Lefortovo prison, bringing him food and Christmas greetings from family and supporters. "It's two days before Christmas. A holiday Paul Whelan will spend alone in Lefortovo," the US embassy quoted Gorman as saying. "In the past 12 months, Paul has not heard his parents' voices. Bring Paul some Christmas cheer and let him call home." Whelan, a former US marine, maintains he has been framed and that he took a USB drive from an acquaintance thinking it contained holiday photos. His lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov has said the acquaintance that handed over the drive is the only witness against Whelan while the rest of his longtime acquaintances in Russia gave witness statements in his defence. During a previous court hearing in October, Whelan insisted that he was not a spy. "Russia thought they caught James Bond on a spy mission, in reality, they abducted Mr Bean on holiday," he has said. Whelan and his supporters claim that the American has been mistreated in jail. Moscow has rubbished the claims, saying foreign diplomats have regular access to Whelan and calling the complaints a "provocative line of defence". "Whelan's complaints concerning the conditions of detention and actions of investigators have never once been confirmed," the Russian foreign ministry has said.

Detention of US man in Russian spy case extended up to March

Russia hit out Saturday at the US decision to impose sanctions on companies working on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe.&nbsp;

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed the United States, accusing it of seeking to prevent other countries from developing their economies.

"A state with $22 trillion in public debt is banning solvent countries from developing their economies," Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page.&nbsp;

"The American ideology does not like global competition. Soon they'll be asking us to stop breathing."&nbsp;

Germany also accused the US of interfering in its internal affairs on Saturday for imposing sanctions on companies working on a major project to supply Western Europe with Russian gas.

An EU spokesman criticised "the imposition of sanctions against EU companies conducting legitimate business", the German government said Berlin rejected "these sorts of extra-territorial sanctions".&nbsp;

"They will hit German and European companies and constitute an interference in our internal affairs," said Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed off on US sanctions against companies building the pipeline that Congress fears will give the Kremlin dangerous leverage over European allies.

The sanctions, which are opposed by the European Union, were included in a sprawling defense spending bill Trump signed at a ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, an air force installation outside Washington, DC.

They target companies building the nearly $11 billion pipeline under the Baltic Sea with the aim of doubling deliveries of Russian natural gas to Europe's leading economy, Germany.

US lawmakers have warned the pipeline would enrich a hostile Russian government and vastly increase President Vladimir Putin's influence in Europe at a time of heightened tension across the continent.

Although US Congress overwhelmingly backed the sanctions, there was some criticism among lawmakers of a move that in effect punishes NATO allies such as Germany.&nbsp;

Russia hit out Saturday at the US decision to impose sanctions on companies working on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed the United States, accusing it of seeking to prevent other countries from developing their economies.

Russia hit out Saturday at the US decision to impose sanctions on companies working on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova slammed the United States, accusing it of seeking to prevent other countries from developing their economies. "A state with $22 trillion in public debt is banning solvent countries from developing their economies," Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page. "The American ideology does not like global competition. Soon they'll be asking us to stop breathing." Germany also accused the US of interfering in its internal affairs on Saturday for imposing sanctions on companies working on a major project to supply Western Europe with Russian gas. An EU spokesman criticised "the imposition of sanctions against EU companies conducting legitimate business", the German government said Berlin rejected "these sorts of extra-territorial sanctions". "They will hit German and European companies and constitute an interference in our internal affairs," said Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer. On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed off on US sanctions against companies building the pipeline that Congress fears will give the Kremlin dangerous leverage over European allies. The sanctions, which are opposed by the European Union, were included in a sprawling defense spending bill Trump signed at a ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, an air force installation outside Washington, DC. They target companies building the nearly $11 billion pipeline under the Baltic Sea with the aim of doubling deliveries of Russian natural gas to Europe's leading economy, Germany. US lawmakers have warned the pipeline would enrich a hostile Russian government and vastly increase President Vladimir Putin's influence in Europe at a time of heightened tension across the continent. Although US Congress overwhelmingly backed the sanctions, there was some criticism among lawmakers of a move that in effect punishes NATO allies such as Germany.

Soon they'll be asking us to stop breathing: Russia slams US sanctions on European gas project

Russia and Ukraine announced terms of a new gas transit deal on Saturday, under which Moscow will supply Europe for at least another five years via its former Soviet neighbour and pay a $2.9 billion settlement to Kiev to end a legal dispute.

The deal is a major breakthrough for both countries, which have been seeking to resolve disputes over Ukraine's eastern Donbass region and the Crimea peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014.

Under the new agreement, Russia's Gazprom, which supplies over a third of Europe's gas needs, would use an agent to book the transit of 225 billion cubic metres (bcm) of the fuel via Ukraine over five years.

Of the total, 65 bcm would be shipped in 2020, falling to 40 bcm in 2021 and in each of the subsequent years, Gazprom said.

The Russian gas company would also pay Ukraine the $2.9 billion before Dec. 29, in line with the amount proposed in arbitration rulings between Gazprom and Ukrainian energy firm Naftogaz in 2018.

In exchange, Ukraine is expected to sign a legal settlement and withdraw all outstanding claims, also before Dec. 29, aiming to resolve the issue before the existing supply deal expires.

Russia's Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz had gone to an arbitration court in Stockholm in a number of disputes over gas prices and transit fees dating back to 2014.

The presidents of Russia and Ukraine met in Paris on Dec. 9 to discuss options for a settlement over Donbass and terms for the new gas transit deal. The talks, known as the Normandy summit, were brokered by France and Germany.

Ukrainian Energy Minister Oleksiy Orzhel said on Saturday that under the new deal both parties had an option to extend the five-year term by another 10 years. He added that the transmission tariff for the Russian gas would rise.

The deal comes as U.S. President Donald Trump signed legislation on Friday that included provisions to impose sanctions on companies laying pipe for Nord Stream 2, a project that aims to double gas capacity from Russia along the northern Nord Stream 1 pipeline route to Germany.

Nord Stream 2, which will run along the Baltic sea floor, will enable Russia to bypass Ukraine and Poland to deliver gas.

The group behind Nord Stream 2 said on Saturday it aimed to complete the pipeline as soon as possible, after a major contractor suspended pipe-laying activities due to the U.S. sanctions.

Russia and Ukraine announced terms of a new gas transit deal on Saturday, under which Moscow will supply Europe for at least another five years via its former Soviet neighbour and pay a $2.

Russia and Ukraine announced terms of a new gas transit deal on Saturday, under which Moscow will supply Europe for at least another five years via its former Soviet neighbour and pay a $2.9 billion settlement to Kiev to end a legal dispute. The deal is a major breakthrough for both countries, which have been seeking to resolve disputes over Ukraine's eastern Donbass region and the Crimea peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014. Under the new agreement, Russia's Gazprom, which supplies over a third of Europe's gas needs, would use an agent to book the transit of 225 billion cubic metres (bcm) of the fuel via Ukraine over five years. Of the total, 65 bcm would be shipped in 2020, falling to 40 bcm in 2021 and in each of the subsequent years, Gazprom said. The Russian gas company would also pay Ukraine the $2.9 billion before Dec. 29, in line with the amount proposed in arbitration rulings between Gazprom and Ukrainian energy firm Naftogaz in 2018. In exchange, Ukraine is expected to sign a legal settlement and withdraw all outstanding claims, also before Dec. 29, aiming to resolve the issue before the existing supply deal expires. Russia's Gazprom and Ukraine's Naftogaz had gone to an arbitration court in Stockholm in a number of disputes over gas prices and transit fees dating back to 2014. The presidents of Russia and Ukraine met in Paris on Dec. 9 to discuss options for a settlement over Donbass and terms for the new gas transit deal. The talks, known as the Normandy summit, were brokered by France and Germany. Ukrainian Energy Minister Oleksiy Orzhel said on Saturday that under the new deal both parties had an option to extend the five-year term by another 10 years. He added that the transmission tariff for the Russian gas would rise. The deal comes as U.S. President Donald Trump signed legislation on Friday that included provisions to impose sanctions on companies laying pipe for Nord Stream 2, a project that aims to double gas capacity from Russia along the northern Nord Stream 1 pipeline route to Germany. Nord Stream 2, which will run along the Baltic sea floor, will enable Russia to bypass Ukraine and Poland to deliver gas. The group behind Nord Stream 2 said on Saturday it aimed to complete the pipeline as soon as possible, after a major contractor suspended pipe-laying activities due to the U.S. sanctions.

Russia, Ukraine outline terms for five-year gas transit deal to end row

Russia Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) is to decide on Thursday whether to appeal against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-imposes-four-year-ban-on-russia-over-doping-data-manipulation-267195">four-year ban imposed</a> on Russia’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9.&nbsp;

The Supervisory board of RUSADA is to hold a meeting and is expected to formally reject the prohibition as it was earlier denounced by Russia’s leadership including President Vladimir Putin as being “politically motivated” and contradictory to the Olympic Charter.&nbsp;

The formal rejection could lead to an appeal against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/britains-aggar-quits-wada-role-over-russia-scandal-268028">WADA’s decision</a> at the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.&nbsp;

RUSADA supervisory board chairman Alexander Ivlev is expected to announce the decision at 1000 GMT.

WADA’s executive committee unanimously issued a ban against Russia after its Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report declaring RUSADA to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic".

The historical data which was handed over to WADA in January was found to have “several aggravating features” as hundreds of analytical findings had been removed and raw data and PDF files were found to be deleted.&nbsp;

Russia is currently facing a four-year ban on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support are only to be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation.

Russia is also not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights are to be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/euro-2020-qualifiers-with-20-out-of-24-berths-filled-england-france-italy-top-their-groups-263461">Euro 2020</a>.

The expected announcement os RUSADA is to coincide with Putin’s annual marathon press conference where he is also set to restate his stance on the issue.&nbsp;

Russia Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) is to decide on Thursday whether to appeal against the four-year ban imposed on Russia’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9.

Russia Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) is to decide on Thursday whether to appeal against the four-year ban imposed on Russia’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9. The Supervisory board of RUSADA is to hold a meeting and is expected to formally reject the prohibition as it was earlier denounced by Russia’s leadership including President Vladimir Putin as being “politically motivated” and contradictory to the Olympic Charter. The formal rejection could lead to an appeal against WADA’s decision at the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport. RUSADA supervisory board chairman Alexander Ivlev is expected to announce the decision at 1000 GMT. WADA’s executive committee unanimously issued a ban against Russia after its Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report declaring RUSADA to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic". The historical data which was handed over to WADA in January was found to have “several aggravating features” as hundreds of analytical findings had been removed and raw data and PDF files were found to be deleted. Russia is currently facing a four-year ban on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support are only to be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation. Russia is also not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights are to be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for Euro 2020. The expected announcement os RUSADA is to coincide with Putin’s annual marathon press conference where he is also set to restate his stance on the issue.

Russia to announce decision on appeal against WADA's doping ban today

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-to-announce-decision-on-appeal-against-wadas-doping-ban-269074">Russia's anti-doping agency</a> (RUSADA) on Thursday announced that is to appeal the four-year doping ban imposed on Russia’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9.&nbsp;

RUSADA supervisory board chairman Alexander Ivlev announced the decision that it disagreed with WADA’s sanctions which bars the country from competing under its flag, the anthem or colours and is to now refer the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Russia’s news agency TASS reported.&nbsp;

"RUSADA will appeal against the WADA decision within 10 to 15 days," Ivlev said.&nbsp;

After a meeting of the supervisory board, RUSADA formally rejected the prohibition as it was earlier denounced by Russia’s leadership including <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-against-trump-absolutely-on-made-up-grounds-putin-269164">President Vladimir Putin</a> as being “politically motivated” and contradictory to the Olympic Charter.&nbsp;

RUSADA announcement is to coincide with Putin’s annual marathon press conference where he restated his stance on the issue, saying that Russian athletes should be allowed to compete under the Russian flag.

"If <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/britains-aggar-quits-wada-role-over-russia-scandal-268028">WADA</a> does not have any issues with our national Olympic committee our team must compete under its flag," Putin said during an annual end-of-year news conference, insisting that most of Russia's athletes were clean.

"Any punishment should be individual," he added.

"If a majority of our athletes are clean how is it possible to slap sanctions against them for someone else's actions?"

WADA’s executive committee unanimously issued a ban against Russia after its Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report declaring RUSADA to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic".

The historical data which was handed over to WADA in January was found to have “several aggravating features” as hundreds of analytical findings had been removed and raw data and PDF files were found to be deleted.&nbsp;

Russia is currently facing a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-imposes-four-year-ban-on-russia-over-doping-data-manipulation-267195">four-year ban</a> on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support are only to be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation.

Russia is also not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights are to be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for Euro 2020.

The appeal&nbsp;is the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter Olympics that were held in Russia.

Russia's anti-doping agency (RUSADA) on Thursday announced that is to appeal the four-year doping ban imposed on Russia’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9.

Russia's anti-doping agency (RUSADA) on Thursday announced that is to appeal the four-year doping ban imposed on Russia’s participation in all major sporting events including Tokyo 2020 after World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data on December 9. RUSADA supervisory board chairman Alexander Ivlev announced the decision that it disagreed with WADA’s sanctions which bars the country from competing under its flag, the anthem or colours and is to now refer the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Russia’s news agency TASS reported. "RUSADA will appeal against the WADA decision within 10 to 15 days," Ivlev said. After a meeting of the supervisory board, RUSADA formally rejected the prohibition as it was earlier denounced by Russia’s leadership including President Vladimir Putin as being “politically motivated” and contradictory to the Olympic Charter. RUSADA announcement is to coincide with Putin’s annual marathon press conference where he restated his stance on the issue, saying that Russian athletes should be allowed to compete under the Russian flag. "If WADA does not have any issues with our national Olympic committee our team must compete under its flag," Putin said during an annual end-of-year news conference, insisting that most of Russia's athletes were clean. "Any punishment should be individual," he added. "If a majority of our athletes are clean how is it possible to slap sanctions against them for someone else's actions?" WADA’s executive committee unanimously issued a ban against Russia after its Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report declaring RUSADA to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic". The historical data which was handed over to WADA in January was found to have “several aggravating features” as hundreds of analytical findings had been removed and raw data and PDF files were found to be deleted. Russia is currently facing a four-year ban on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support are only to be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation. Russia is also not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights are to be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for Euro 2020. The appeal is the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter Olympics that were held in Russia.

Russia to appeal against WADA's four year doping ban

Russia and China on Monday proposed easing sanctions against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-interested-in-meaningless-talks-just-so-trump-can-boast-north-korea-262928">nuclear-armed North Korea</a>, in response to steps the North takes towards denuclearization.

The proposal, in a draft resolution which surprised several diplomatic missions, came the same day Washington's top representative in talks with North Korea criticized Pyongyang's "hostile" statements.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics%3A-china-provides-top-security-to-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-145914">In Pictures: China provides top security to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un</a>

The North is under heavy US and United Nations sanctions over its nuclear program, but it has been frustrated at the lack of relief after it declared a moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests.

Watch:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-us-is-keeping-a-close-watch-on-north-korea-wion-dispatch-268769/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The draft text said the Council "shall adjust the sanction measures towards the DPRK as may be needed in light of the DPRK's compliance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions."

It also underlined the necessity of having "the most favourable approach towards requests for exemptions from existing UN sanctions against the DPRK for humanitarian and livelihood purposes."

The Russian and Chinese proposal did not detail exactly what North Korea will have to do in exchange for an easing of sanctions.

But in order to improve the lives of people in the impoverished North, the text called for an end to several significant measures which date from 2016 and 2017.

Russia and China want the UN to end the ban on its members importing fish products and textiles from North Korea.

They also call for an end to sanctions, imposed in 2017, that require UN members to send back by December 22 North Korean workers employed abroad.

Those workers are an important source of revenue for the regime.

The Russia-China text also calls for inter-Korean rail and road cooperation projects to be exempt from existing UN sanctions.

Three pages of annexes to the draft resolution list products to be removed from sanctions lists.

Among them are bulldozers, small tractors, small metal items including scissors, bicycles, as well as washing machines for clothes and dishes.

China and Russia, which had cautiously backed pressure against North Korea after its past nuclear tests, had indicated last week they would reject further sanctions.

The text, obtained by AFP, "welcomes the continuation of the dialogue between the United States and the DPRK at all levels."

That call comes with negotiations between North Korea and the US largely stalled since the collapse of a February summit in Hanoi between President Donald Trump and the North's leader Kim Jong Un.

The North has issued increasingly strident declarations, even promising an ominous "Christmas gift" if Washington does not come up with some concessions by year's end.

The draft text calls for "prompt resumption of the six-party talks" which involved China, the two Koreas, the US, Russia and Japan. Those talks lasted from 2003-2009.

Diplomats said no deadline was put forward for putting to a vote the text, which faces an uncertain future.

Texts related to North Korea are traditionally the purview of the United States, which wants Pyongyang to give up its atomic arsenal right away.

Russia and China on Monday proposed easing sanctions against nuclear-armed North Korea, in response to steps the North takes towards denuclearization. The proposal, in a draft resolution which surprised several diplomatic missions, came the same day Washington's top representative in talks with North Korea criticized Pyongyang's "hostile" statements.

Russia and China on Monday proposed easing sanctions against nuclear-armed North Korea, in response to steps the North takes towards denuclearization. The proposal, in a draft resolution which surprised several diplomatic missions, came the same day Washington's top representative in talks with North Korea criticized Pyongyang's "hostile" statements. In Pictures: China provides top security to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un The North is under heavy US and United Nations sanctions over its nuclear program, but it has been frustrated at the lack of relief after it declared a moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests. Watch: The draft text said the Council "shall adjust the sanction measures towards the DPRK as may be needed in light of the DPRK's compliance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions." It also underlined the necessity of having "the most favourable approach towards requests for exemptions from existing UN sanctions against the DPRK for humanitarian and livelihood purposes." The Russian and Chinese proposal did not detail exactly what North Korea will have to do in exchange for an easing of sanctions. But in order to improve the lives of people in the impoverished North, the text called for an end to several significant measures which date from 2016 and 2017. Russia and China want the UN to end the ban on its members importing fish products and textiles from North Korea. They also call for an end to sanctions, imposed in 2017, that require UN members to send back by December 22 North Korean workers employed abroad. Those workers are an important source of revenue for the regime. The Russia-China text also calls for inter-Korean rail and road cooperation projects to be exempt from existing UN sanctions. Three pages of annexes to the draft resolution list products to be removed from sanctions lists. Among them are bulldozers, small tractors, small metal items including scissors, bicycles, as well as washing machines for clothes and dishes. China and Russia, which had cautiously backed pressure against North Korea after its past nuclear tests, had indicated last week they would reject further sanctions. The text, obtained by AFP, "welcomes the continuation of the dialogue between the United States and the DPRK at all levels." That call comes with negotiations between North Korea and the US largely stalled since the collapse of a February summit in Hanoi between President Donald Trump and the North's leader Kim Jong Un. The North has issued increasingly strident declarations, even promising an ominous "Christmas gift" if Washington does not come up with some concessions by year's end. The draft text calls for "prompt resumption of the six-party talks" which involved China, the two Koreas, the US, Russia and Japan. Those talks lasted from 2003-2009. Diplomats said no deadline was put forward for putting to a vote the text, which faces an uncertain future. Texts related to North Korea are traditionally the purview of the United States, which wants Pyongyang to give up its atomic arsenal right away.

Russia, China make UN proposal to ease sanctions against nuclear-armed North Korea

India successfully test-fires supersonic BrahMos missile

A proposal by China and Russia to ease UN&nbsp;sanctions on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-envoy-biegun-to-north-korea-were-here-you-know-how-to-reach-us-268526">North Korea</a> increases pressure on the United States and signals what is the likely end of unified efforts to persuade Pyongyang to give up its growing nuclear and missile arsenal.

On Monday China and Russia proposed the United Nations Security Council lift a ban on North Korea exporting statues, seafood, and textiles, and ease restrictions on infrastructure projects and North Koreans working overseas, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters.

The plan comes at a crucial moment just weeks before the deadline set by North Korea for Washington to offer more concessions and highlights deepening divides over how to engage with North Korea.

Russia and China, which both wield veto power on the Security Council, were key votes in imposing the sanctions in recent years under the "maximum pressure" campaign championed by US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-democrats-seek-testimony-from-bolton-and-other-trump-aides-268609">Donald Trump</a>'s administration.

The United States says it would be premature for the UN&nbsp;to consider lifting sanctions right now and has called for North Korea to return to the negotiating table.

Since North Korea and the United States established a detente in 2018, however, both Moscow and Beijing have increasingly voiced support for easing sanctions. Now, the official proposal represents a new level of public pressure on the United States, analysts said.

Last week, China's ambassador to the UN&nbsp;said a major cause of the deadlock and rising tensions was a failure to respond to "positive steps" taken by North Korea toward denuclearisation.

"The Russia-China initiative at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-security-council-to-meet-over-north-korea-on-wednesday-at-us-request-267389">UNSC</a> is likely coordinated with Pyongyang as the proposal reflects North Korea's demands to be rewarded for the concessions it has already taken," said Artyom Lukin, a professor at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. "Pyongyang's recent threats of escalatory action are now backed by the Sino-Russian diplomatic offensive."

China and Russia are effectively undercutting the United States’ current strategy on North Korea, he said. "Pyongyang has again demonstrated its unrivaled capacity to exploit the rivalry between great powers."

China hopes the UN&nbsp;Security Council forms a consensus on the draft resolution, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Tuesday, urging North Korean and the United States to keep talking.

Other analysts noted Beijing and Moscow have shown increasing unity on the issue of security on the Korean peninsula.

Sanctions relief is crucial for both China's Northeast Area Revitalisation Plan as well as Russia's economic interests in the Russian Far East, said Anthony Rinna, a specialist in Korea-Russia relations at Sino-NK, a website that analyses the region.

"Recently the Chinese government has stated that sanctions relief for North Korea is imperative, and Beijing has a much higher chance than Moscow of being taken seriously in Washington," he said. "Furthermore, sanctions are a part of the joint Sino-Russian action plan for peace on the Korean Peninsula."&nbsp;

The call to lift sanctions affecting rail infrastructure and foreign workers, for example, are two areas that are key economic interests for Moscow, Rinna added.

North Korea has set a year-end deadline for Washington to make concessions like easing sanctions. Otherwise, leader Kim Jong Un has said he may be forced to choose an unspecified "new path."

China and Russia appear concerned about what North Korea's next steps may be, and the call for sanctions relief is a way to try to avoid a return to the nuclear weapons tests and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches that led the two countries to join the United States and its allies in imposing the strict sanctions, analysts said.

"Moscow generally feels that pressure is the wrong tack to take with North Korea, yet if Pyongyang engages in more provocations in the coming year this could be a serious test for both China and Russia's tolerance of North Korea," Rinna said.

China, meanwhile, appears to be wielding ever-greater economic clout over North Korea.

A recent report by a South Korean trade association found China's proportion of the North's overall external trade rose to 91.8 percent last year, compared with 17.3 percent in 2001. Thousands of Chinese tourists provide a further, much-needed economic lifeline.

Behind the scenes, there are reports that unofficial trade between China and North Korea has also increased.

"This could give Pyongyang pause if they're pondering a hardline approach for next year," said Andray Abrahamian, a visiting scholar at George Mason University Korea. "That said, they traditionally have pushed back hard against supposed Chinese leverage, aware that China is willing to punish North Korea."

Daniel DePetris, a fellow at Defense Priorities, a Washington-based think tank, said he hopes Russia and China teaming up could keep Kim restrained for the time being.

"We don’t know what China and Russia’s red-lines are, but it’s reasonably safe to assume another ICBM or nuclear test would force both countries to recalculate its current position," he said.

A proposal by China and Russia to ease UN sanctions on North Korea increases pressure on the United States and signals what is the likely end of unified efforts to persuade Pyongyang to give up its growing nuclear and missile arsenal.

A proposal by China and Russia to ease UN sanctions on North Korea increases pressure on the United States and signals what is the likely end of unified efforts to persuade Pyongyang to give up its growing nuclear and missile arsenal. On Monday China and Russia proposed the United Nations Security Council lift a ban on North Korea exporting statues, seafood, and textiles, and ease restrictions on infrastructure projects and North Koreans working overseas, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters. The plan comes at a crucial moment just weeks before the deadline set by North Korea for Washington to offer more concessions and highlights deepening divides over how to engage with North Korea. Russia and China, which both wield veto power on the Security Council, were key votes in imposing the sanctions in recent years under the "maximum pressure" campaign championed by US President Donald Trump's administration. The United States says it would be premature for the UN to consider lifting sanctions right now and has called for North Korea to return to the negotiating table. Since North Korea and the United States established a detente in 2018, however, both Moscow and Beijing have increasingly voiced support for easing sanctions. Now, the official proposal represents a new level of public pressure on the United States, analysts said. Last week, China's ambassador to the UN said a major cause of the deadlock and rising tensions was a failure to respond to "positive steps" taken by North Korea toward denuclearisation. "The Russia-China initiative at UNSC is likely coordinated with Pyongyang as the proposal reflects North Korea's demands to be rewarded for the concessions it has already taken," said Artyom Lukin, a professor at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. "Pyongyang's recent threats of escalatory action are now backed by the Sino-Russian diplomatic offensive." China and Russia are effectively undercutting the United States’ current strategy on North Korea, he said. "Pyongyang has again demonstrated its unrivaled capacity to exploit the rivalry between great powers." China hopes the UN Security Council forms a consensus on the draft resolution, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Tuesday, urging North Korean and the United States to keep talking. Other analysts noted Beijing and Moscow have shown increasing unity on the issue of security on the Korean peninsula. Sanctions relief is crucial for both China's Northeast Area Revitalisation Plan as well as Russia's economic interests in the Russian Far East, said Anthony Rinna, a specialist in Korea-Russia relations at Sino-NK, a website that analyses the region. "Recently the Chinese government has stated that sanctions relief for North Korea is imperative, and Beijing has a much higher chance than Moscow of being taken seriously in Washington," he said. "Furthermore, sanctions are a part of the joint Sino-Russian action plan for peace on the Korean Peninsula." The call to lift sanctions affecting rail infrastructure and foreign workers, for example, are two areas that are key economic interests for Moscow, Rinna added. North Korea has set a year-end deadline for Washington to make concessions like easing sanctions. Otherwise, leader Kim Jong Un has said he may be forced to choose an unspecified "new path." China and Russia appear concerned about what North Korea's next steps may be, and the call for sanctions relief is a way to try to avoid a return to the nuclear weapons tests and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches that led the two countries to join the United States and its allies in imposing the strict sanctions, analysts said. "Moscow generally feels that pressure is the wrong tack to take with North Korea, yet if Pyongyang engages in more provocations in the coming year this could be a serious test for both China and Russia's tolerance of North Korea," Rinna said. China, meanwhile, appears to be wielding ever-greater economic clout over North Korea. A recent report by a South Korean trade association found China's proportion of the North's overall external trade rose to 91.8 percent last year, compared with 17.3 percent in 2001. Thousands of Chinese tourists provide a further, much-needed economic lifeline. Behind the scenes, there are reports that unofficial trade between China and North Korea has also increased. "This could give Pyongyang pause if they're pondering a hardline approach for next year," said Andray Abrahamian, a visiting scholar at George Mason University Korea. "That said, they traditionally have pushed back hard against supposed Chinese leverage, aware that China is willing to punish North Korea." Daniel DePetris, a fellow at Defense Priorities, a Washington-based think tank, said he hopes Russia and China teaming up could keep Kim restrained for the time being. "We don’t know what China and Russia’s red-lines are, but it’s reasonably safe to assume another ICBM or nuclear test would force both countries to recalculate its current position," he said.

US led pressure fractures as China, Russia push for North Korea sanctions relief

Former British Paralympian Victoria Aggar has resigned from the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Athlete Committee over the organisation's handling of the Russian doping scandal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-imposes-four-year-ban-on-russia-over-doping-data-manipulation-267195">WADA has banned Russia</a> from all major sporting events for four years for tampering with doping tests, but left the door open for its athletes to compete at next year's Tokyo Games as neutrals under the Olympic flag.

Russia's Olympic Committee has described the sanctions as "illogical and excessive" while President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-moscow-could-appeal-russia-sports-ban-267320">could appeal WADA's decision</a>.

However, Aggar, who won a rowing bronze at the Beijing Games in 2008, said WADA had not gone far enough and had broken promises by not imposing a blanket ban on Russian athletes.

"I do not feel that WADA exists any more," she said on Twitter

"Too many political games (or machinations), too many conflicts and too much self-interest has led to too many bad decisions, compromises and broken promises.

"Most recently the biggest blow to athletes is the decision by WADA to ignore calls from its very own Athlete Committee for Russia to be banned from competing at the next Olympic and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/paralympics-chief-disgusted-with-russia-for-letting-down-nations-clean-athletes-267410">Paralympic Games</a>."

Aggar, one of 17 committee members, said WADA had refused to publish several Athlete Committee statements on its website.

"The concept of silencing athletes is one of the reasons why we are seeing so much abuse in sport," she said.

"I believe every athlete has the right to clean sport and in such an environment I don't believe Russian athletes will have this choice.

"Yes, they will suffer in the short term with a blanket ban but in the long term we may be able to contribute to a change of culture for the future young generations."

WADA director-general Olivier Niggli told the BBC in response to Aggar's resignation that the decision not to publish the statements was due to the lack of a "clear majority" among committee members.

"Nine members were in favour of issuing a statement objecting to the (independent compliance review committee's) recommendation (on Russia), while eight were against and had prepared an alternative statement," he said.&nbsp;

"Therefore, there was no consensus, and it would have been very strange - to say the least - for WADA to publish two different statements from its own Athlete Committee. In my view, it is simply not correct to mislead in this fashion."

Former British Paralympian Victoria Aggar has resigned from the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Athlete Committee over the organisation's handling of the Russian doping scandal.

Former British Paralympian Victoria Aggar has resigned from the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Athlete Committee over the organisation's handling of the Russian doping scandal. WADA has banned Russia from all major sporting events for four years for tampering with doping tests, but left the door open for its athletes to compete at next year's Tokyo Games as neutrals under the Olympic flag. Russia's Olympic Committee has described the sanctions as "illogical and excessive" while President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow could appeal WADA's decision. However, Aggar, who won a rowing bronze at the Beijing Games in 2008, said WADA had not gone far enough and had broken promises by not imposing a blanket ban on Russian athletes. "I do not feel that WADA exists any more," she said on Twitter "Too many political games (or machinations), too many conflicts and too much self-interest has led to too many bad decisions, compromises and broken promises. "Most recently the biggest blow to athletes is the decision by WADA to ignore calls from its very own Athlete Committee for Russia to be banned from competing at the next Olympic and Paralympic Games." Aggar, one of 17 committee members, said WADA had refused to publish several Athlete Committee statements on its website. "The concept of silencing athletes is one of the reasons why we are seeing so much abuse in sport," she said. "I believe every athlete has the right to clean sport and in such an environment I don't believe Russian athletes will have this choice. "Yes, they will suffer in the short term with a blanket ban but in the long term we may be able to contribute to a change of culture for the future young generations." WADA director-general Olivier Niggli told the BBC in response to Aggar's resignation that the decision not to publish the statements was due to the lack of a "clear majority" among committee members. "Nine members were in favour of issuing a statement objecting to the (independent compliance review committee's) recommendation (on Russia), while eight were against and had prepared an alternative statement," he said. "Therefore, there was no consensus, and it would have been very strange - to say the least - for WADA to publish two different statements from its own Athlete Committee. In my view, it is simply not correct to mislead in this fashion."

Britain's Aggar quits WADA role over Russia scandal

Germany on Thursday called Russia's decision to expel its diplomates "unjustified", warning that Berlin could take "further action" in this escalating issue.

"The German government notes with regret the Russian government's decision to declare two employees of the German embassy in Moscow personae non-gratae," Germany's foreign ministry said in a statement.

It further said that Russia's action "sends the wrong signal and is unjustified."

Last week, Germany expelled two Russian envoys of what it claims non-cooperation in the investigation of the murder of a Georgian in Germany where prosecutors suspect Russian or Chechen involvement.&nbsp;

In a retaliatory move, Moscow expelled two German envoys.&nbsp;

On August 23, Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian national, was shot dead allegedly by a Russian man in Kleiner Tiergarten park in Berlin. The accused who shot at the head of the Georgian was arrested shortly after the incident.&nbsp;

(with inputs from AFP and Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Germany on Thursday called Russia's decision to expel its diplomates "unjustified", warning that Berlin could take "further action" in this escalating issue. "The German government notes with regret the Russian government's decision to declare two employees of the German embassy in Moscow personae non-gratae," Germany's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Germany on Thursday called Russia's decision to expel its diplomates "unjustified", warning that Berlin could take "further action" in this escalating issue. "The German government notes with regret the Russian government's decision to declare two employees of the German embassy in Moscow personae non-gratae," Germany's foreign ministry said in a statement. It further said that Russia's action "sends the wrong signal and is unjustified." Last week, Germany expelled two Russian envoys of what it claims non-cooperation in the investigation of the murder of a Georgian in Germany where prosecutors suspect Russian or Chechen involvement. In a retaliatory move, Moscow expelled two German envoys. On August 23, Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian national, was shot dead allegedly by a Russian man in Kleiner Tiergarten park in Berlin. The accused who shot at the head of the Georgian was arrested shortly after the incident. (with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Russia's action to expel our diplomats 'unjustified': Germany

The US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-democrats-introduce-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-president-trump-267510">Donald Trump </a>warned Russia against any attempts to meddle next year's presidential election, the White House said on Tuesday, but Russia's foreign minister denied any such issue arriving at the meet in Washington.&nbsp;

"President Trump warned against any Russian attempts to interfere in United States elections," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement after the US president's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.&nbsp;

Immediately after the meeting, Lavrov told reporters that he is not aware of the communication by the White House, and said: "We haven't even actually discussed elections."

US intelligence discovered that Russia, among other means, manipulated social media to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favour.&nbsp;

Trump has denounced such claims in the past and is stressing on an alternative theory of Ukraine meddling in the 2016 election, an accusation outrightly rejected by US Intelligence.&nbsp;

Lavrov also said that Russia wanted to publish US-Russian communications that he said cleared Russia of allegations it meddles 2016 election, but the US had blocked the release.&nbsp;

In the bilateral meeting, the Russian foreign minister also stressed on Moscow's offer of extending US-Russia START treaty, however, Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, emphasized on a strategic dialogue involving China.

The meeting came on the day when the Democrats declared two impeachment charges against the US president, accusing him of abuse of power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his democratic rival and obstructing the subsequent Congress investigation. &nbsp;

Pompeo said that the Trump administration will always work for maintaining the integrity of the US elections.&nbsp;

"Should Russia or any foreign actor take steps to undermine our democratic processes, we will take action in response," Pompeo added.&nbsp;

(with inputs from Reuters and AFP)

The US President Donald Trump warned Russia against any attempts to meddle next year's presidential election, the White House said on Tuesday, but Russia's foreign minister denied any such issue arriving at the meet in Washington.

The US President Donald Trump warned Russia against any attempts to meddle next year's presidential election, the White House said on Tuesday, but Russia's foreign minister denied any such issue arriving at the meet in Washington. "President Trump warned against any Russian attempts to interfere in United States elections," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement after the US president's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Immediately after the meeting, Lavrov told reporters that he is not aware of the communication by the White House, and said: "We haven't even actually discussed elections." US intelligence discovered that Russia, among other means, manipulated social media to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favour. Trump has denounced such claims in the past and is stressing on an alternative theory of Ukraine meddling in the 2016 election, an accusation outrightly rejected by US Intelligence. Lavrov also said that Russia wanted to publish US-Russian communications that he said cleared Russia of allegations it meddles 2016 election, but the US had blocked the release. In the bilateral meeting, the Russian foreign minister also stressed on Moscow's offer of extending US-Russia START treaty, however, Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, emphasized on a strategic dialogue involving China. The meeting came on the day when the Democrats declared two impeachment charges against the US president, accusing him of abuse of power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his democratic rival and obstructing the subsequent Congress investigation. Pompeo said that the Trump administration will always work for maintaining the integrity of the US elections. "Should Russia or any foreign actor take steps to undermine our democratic processes, we will take action in response," Pompeo added. (with inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Donald Trump warns Russia not to meddle in US election 2020

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/turkey-and-china-tie-themselves-in-knots-over-syria-and-xinjiang-257735">Turkey</a>&nbsp;said on Wednesday it would&nbsp;retaliate&nbsp;against&nbsp;any&nbsp;US&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;over its purchase of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/russia-turkey-may-sign-new-contract-on-s-400-systems-in-2020-ria-264578">Russian defence systems</a>, adding that with Britain it had agreed to speed up a joint fighter jet programme to meet Turkish defence needs.

US&nbsp;lawmakers will&nbsp;vote and likely pass a defence bill later on Wednesday that calls for&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;against&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;over Ankara's decision to procure the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-part-of-russian-s-400-missile-defence-system-delivered-turkey-235249">S-400</a> defences.

Turkey&nbsp;and the United States,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/nato-meeting-solidarity-reinforced-despite-uncomfortable-time-for-alliance-to-be-in-the-spotlight-266584"> NATO</a> allies, have been at odds over the purchase.

Washington&nbsp;says&nbsp;the S-400s pose a threat to its F-35 fighter jets and cannot be integrated into NATO defences. In response, it has suspended&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-still-committed-to-purchasing-us-f-35-fighters-foreign-minister-246735">F-35</a> jet programme, where it was a manufacturer and buyer, and threatened&nbsp;sanctions.

In an interview with Turkish broadcaster A Haber, Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-threatens-new-syria-operations-directs-us-russia-to-fulfill-agreement-263046">Mevlut Cavusoglu</a> said&nbsp;any&nbsp;US&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;would harm&nbsp;US-Turkish ties and repeated a threat of retaliation.

"US&nbsp;lawmakers must understand they will get nowhere with impositions. If the United States approaches us positively, we will also react positively. But, if they take negative towards us, then we will&nbsp;retaliate&nbsp;these," Cavusoglu said.

Ties between Ankara and Washington have been strained over a host of issues&nbsp;in recent years.&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;has been engaged with the&nbsp;US&nbsp;support for the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which Cavusoglu called the "financing of terrorism" on Wednesday.

He added that&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;was open to alternatives to buying the F-35 jets, including from Russia. He said President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-biggest-jailer-of-journalists-turkey-second-worst-report-267594">Tayyip Erdogan</a> and British Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-elections-2019-boris-johnson-going-all-out-to-impress-voters-267573"> Boris Johnson </a>had discussed speeding up work on the TF-X joint fighter jet project to meet&nbsp;Turkey's defence needs.

"We bought the S-400s because the most suitable offer for air defence systems came from Russia. Until we produce it ourselves, the alternative to the F-35 could be the Russian market, but we are open to other alternatives too," Cavusoglu said.

Turkey&nbsp;and Britain agreed a 100 million pound ($133 million) deal in 2017 to develop Turkish fighter jets, and&nbsp;Turkey's Kale Group said it was setting up a joint venture with Rolls-Royce to work on the project. In March Rolls-Royce said it had scaled back efforts to join the programme.

A Turkish source said the disagreement with Rolls-Royce stemmed from licensing issues, which are "critical and indispensable" for&nbsp;Turkey. But the source said talks had been revived and added&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;expected the project to advance after a solution was reached.

Turkey said on Wednesday it would retaliate against any US sanctions over its purchase of Russian defence systems, adding that with Britain it had agreed to speed up a joint fighter jet programme to meet Turkish defence needs.

Turkey said on Wednesday it would retaliate against any US sanctions over its purchase of Russian defence systems, adding that with Britain it had agreed to speed up a joint fighter jet programme to meet Turkish defence needs. US lawmakers will vote and likely pass a defence bill later on Wednesday that calls for sanctions against Turkey over Ankara's decision to procure the S-400 defences. Turkey and the United States, NATO allies, have been at odds over the purchase. Washington says the S-400s pose a threat to its F-35 fighter jets and cannot be integrated into NATO defences. In response, it has suspended Turkey from the F-35 jet programme, where it was a manufacturer and buyer, and threatened sanctions. In an interview with Turkish broadcaster A Haber, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said any US sanctions would harm US-Turkish ties and repeated a threat of retaliation. "US lawmakers must understand they will get nowhere with impositions. If the United States approaches us positively, we will also react positively. But, if they take negative towards us, then we will retaliate these," Cavusoglu said. Ties between Ankara and Washington have been strained over a host of issues in recent years. Turkey has been engaged with the US support for the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which Cavusoglu called the "financing of terrorism" on Wednesday. He added that Turkey was open to alternatives to buying the F-35 jets, including from Russia. He said President Tayyip Erdogan and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had discussed speeding up work on the TF-X joint fighter jet project to meet Turkey's defence needs. "We bought the S-400s because the most suitable offer for air defence systems came from Russia. Until we produce it ourselves, the alternative to the F-35 could be the Russian market, but we are open to other alternatives too," Cavusoglu said. Turkey and Britain agreed a 100 million pound ($133 million) deal in 2017 to develop Turkish fighter jets, and Turkey's Kale Group said it was setting up a joint venture with Rolls-Royce to work on the project. In March Rolls-Royce said it had scaled back efforts to join the programme. A Turkish source said the disagreement with Rolls-Royce stemmed from licensing issues, which are "critical and indispensable" for Turkey. But the source said talks had been revived and added Turkey expected the project to advance after a solution was reached.

Turkey says will retaliate against any sanctions ahead of US vote

By Mallika Singh

Russia was banned&nbsp;from all sporting competitions including the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/more-tokyo-olympic-events-rescheduled-due-to-heat-concern-266444">Tokyo 2020</a> on Monday after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data, the Russian TASS news agency reported.&nbsp;

The decision was taken by WADA's executive committee after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-seeks-russia-ban-over-doping-data-manipulation-264626">Compliance Review Committee</a> (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report.&nbsp;

"The full list of recommendations have&nbsp;been unanimously accepted," said WADA spokesperson&nbsp;James Fitzgerald.&nbsp;

"WADA's executive committee approved unanimously to assert a non-compliance on the Russian anti-doping agency for a period of four years," he added.

CRC had earlier declared the Russian Anti Doping Agency (RUSADA) to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic".

The full disclosure of data was a key condition of Russia’s reinstatement in 2018 after a nearly three-year-long ban which was followed by the revelation of vast state-supported doping programs in the country.&nbsp;

The historical data which was handed over to WADA in January was found to have “several aggravating features” as hundreds of analytical findings had been removed and raw data and PDF files were found to be deleted.&nbsp;

The four-year ban was one of the several "strong proposed consequences" by CRC over Russia which was to start "on the date on which the decision that RUSADA&nbsp;is non-compliant becomes final".

The sanctions effectively strip the agency of its accreditation.

Russia is now to face a four-year ban on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support will only be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation.&nbsp;

"They are going to have prove they had nothing to do with the non-compliance, (that) they were not involved in the doping schemes as described by the McLaren report, or they did not have their samples affected by the manipulation," Fitzgerald said.

Russia will not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights will now be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/euro-2020-qualifiers-with-20-out-of-24-berths-filled-england-france-italy-top-their-groups-263461">Euro 2020</a>.

The country will also not be allowed to bid for the right to host 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, irrespective of whether the bidding takes place during or after the four year period.

Russian government officials and representatives will now be banned from attending and participating in events of any signatory to World Anti Doping Code. They are also to be barred from the boards, committees or any other bodies of the same.&nbsp;

Russia’s flag also may not be flown at any major event staged in the four-year period.

RUSADA’s chief Yury Ganus had earlier said that he expected <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-could-face-olympic-ban-in-wada-decision-due-monday-266958">WADA to uphold the recommendations</a> as “that’s the reality”. &nbsp;

Ganus added that Russia was in urgent need of new sports management, urging &nbsp;President Vladimir Putin to intervene.

"Honestly, I am waiting for the president to take an active part in this," Ganus told reporters.

“There are a lot of problems in sports here but the most difficult and tragic thing is that our athletes have become hostages of the actions of our sports officials...We need to push through real changes...We need new sports leaders,” he added.&nbsp;

Several Russian officials have stated the call for sanctions as unfair and a western attempt to sabotage the country's attempt to become a global sports power.&nbsp;

Russian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-should-get-tougher-on-doping-prime-minister-dmitry-medvedev-266468">Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday</a> had admitted that the country has committed a sin and urged the authorities to&nbsp;get tougher on&nbsp;doping problems.&nbsp;

"We do have a problem with doping and this is unacceptable," he said.&nbsp;

"We should adopt a tougher line on this matter, towards those taking the decisions on the use of these substances."

"Here we have committed a sin," he acknowledged while adding "Are other countries without sin?"&nbsp;

If RUSADA appeals the imposed sanctions, the case will then be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).&nbsp;

The ban is the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter Olympics that were held in Russia.

By Mallika Singh Russia was banned from all sporting competitions including the Tokyo 2020 on Monday after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data, the Russian TASS news agency reported.

By Mallika Singh Russia was banned from all sporting competitions including the Tokyo 2020 on Monday after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ruled to punish the country for manipulating laboratory data, the Russian TASS news agency reported. The decision was taken by WADA's executive committee after the Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions in a 26-page report. "The full list of recommendations have been unanimously accepted," said WADA spokesperson James Fitzgerald. "WADA's executive committee approved unanimously to assert a non-compliance on the Russian anti-doping agency for a period of four years," he added. CRC had earlier declared the Russian Anti Doping Agency (RUSADA) to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic". The full disclosure of data was a key condition of Russia’s reinstatement in 2018 after a nearly three-year-long ban which was followed by the revelation of vast state-supported doping programs in the country. The historical data which was handed over to WADA in January was found to have “several aggravating features” as hundreds of analytical findings had been removed and raw data and PDF files were found to be deleted. The four-year ban was one of the several "strong proposed consequences" by CRC over Russia which was to start "on the date on which the decision that RUSADA is non-compliant becomes final". The sanctions effectively strip the agency of its accreditation. Russia is now to face a four-year ban on participation in international sporting events. Russian athletes and their personnel support will only be allowed to participate if they can prove that they are not associated with the Russian doping scandal, even then they will not be allowed to represent the Russian Federation. "They are going to have prove they had nothing to do with the non-compliance, (that) they were not involved in the doping schemes as described by the McLaren report, or they did not have their samples affected by the manipulation," Fitzgerald said. Russia will not be allowed to host or bid to host any major sporting events. If Russia had already won a bid, the hosting rights will now be transferred to another country unless "it is legally or practically impossible to do so." The ban has threatened Saint Petersburg's staging of three games and a quarter-final for Euro 2020. The country will also not be allowed to bid for the right to host 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, irrespective of whether the bidding takes place during or after the four year period. Russian government officials and representatives will now be banned from attending and participating in events of any signatory to World Anti Doping Code. They are also to be barred from the boards, committees or any other bodies of the same. Russia’s flag also may not be flown at any major event staged in the four-year period. RUSADA’s chief Yury Ganus had earlier said that he expected WADA to uphold the recommendations as “that’s the reality”. Ganus added that Russia was in urgent need of new sports management, urging President Vladimir Putin to intervene. "Honestly, I am waiting for the president to take an active part in this," Ganus told reporters. “There are a lot of problems in sports here but the most difficult and tragic thing is that our athletes have become hostages of the actions of our sports officials...We need to push through real changes...We need new sports leaders,” he added. Several Russian officials have stated the call for sanctions as unfair and a western attempt to sabotage the country's attempt to become a global sports power. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday had admitted that the country has committed a sin and urged the authorities to get tougher on doping problems. "We do have a problem with doping and this is unacceptable," he said. "We should adopt a tougher line on this matter, towards those taking the decisions on the use of these substances." "Here we have committed a sin," he acknowledged while adding "Are other countries without sin?" If RUSADA appeals the imposed sanctions, the case will then be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The ban is the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter Olympics that were held in Russia.

WADA imposes four year ban on Russia over doping data manipulation

US&nbsp;lawmakers&nbsp;announced an agreement on Monday on a $738-billion&nbsp;bill&nbsp;setting policy for the Department of&nbsp;Defence, including new measures for competing with Russia and&nbsp;China, family leave for federal workers and the creation of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a>'s long-desired Space Force.

It also calls for sanctions on&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;over its purchase of a Russian missile&nbsp;defence&nbsp;system, and tough response to North Korea's efforts to develop nuclear weapons.

The&nbsp;US&nbsp;House of Representatives and Senate Armed Services Committees agreed on a compromise version of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-congress-paves-way-for-waivers-from-caatsa-sanctions-for-india-156385">National&nbsp;Defense&nbsp;Authorization Act</a>, or NDAA, after months of negotiations. It is expected to pass before Congress leaves Washington later this month for the year-end holiday break.

The legislation includes $658.4&nbsp;billion for the Department of&nbsp;Defense&nbsp;and Department of Energy national security programs, $71.5&nbsp;billion to pay for ongoing foreign wars, known as "Overseas Contingency Operations" funding, and $5.3&nbsp;billion in emergency funding for repairs of damage from extreme weather and natural disasters.

There were concerns earlier this year that the NDAA might fail for the first time in 58 years over steep divides between the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and Republican-controlled Senate over Trump's policies.

Because it is one of the few pieces of major legislation Congress passes every year, the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/caatsa-sanctions-waiver-intended-to-wean-countries-off-of-russian-equipment-white-house-169717"> NDAA</a> becomes a vehicle for a range of policy measures as well as setting everything from military pay levels to which ships or aircraft will be modernized, purchased or discontinued.

It includes a 3.1 per cent&nbsp;pay hike for the troops, the largest in a decade and, for the first time, 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers, something Democrats strongly sought.

Among other things, the proposed fiscal 2020 NDAA imposes sanctions related to Russia's Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines and bars military-to-military cooperation with Russia.

Russia is building the pipelines to bolster supply to Europe while bypassing Ukraine, and members of Congress have been pushing the Trump administration to do more to stop the projects as they near completion.

The NDAA also prohibits the transfer of F-35 stealth fighter jets, which Lockheed Martin Corp is developing, to&nbsp;Turkey. It expresses a sense of Congress that&nbsp;Turkey's acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile&nbsp;defence&nbsp;system, which Washington says it not compatible with NATO&nbsp;defences and threatens the F-35, constitutes a significant transaction under&nbsp;US&nbsp;sanctions law.

The&nbsp;bill&nbsp;says Trump should implement sanctions on&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;over the S-400 purchase, something&nbsp;lawmakers&nbsp;have been demanding.

The NDAA also reauthorizes $300 million of funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, to include lethal defensive items as well as new authorities for coastal&nbsp;defence&nbsp;cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles.

Military aid to Ukraine has been at the centre of the impeachment enquiry into Trump after his administration held up security assistance for Kiev last summer even as the country&nbsp;dealt with challenges from Russia.

Fulfilling one of Trump's most high-profile requests, the&nbsp;bill&nbsp;establishes the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/time-has-come-for-us-space-force-6th-military-branch-pence-158147">US&nbsp;Space Force</a> as the sixth Armed Service of the United States, under the Air Force.

The legislation also contains a series of provisions intended to address potential threats from&nbsp;China, including requiring reports on&nbsp;China's overseas investments and its military relations with Russia.

It bars the use of federal funds to buy rail cars and buses from&nbsp;China, and it says Congress "unequivocally supports" residents of Hong Kong as they defend their rights and seek to preserve their autonomy with&nbsp;China. It also supports improving Taiwan's&nbsp;defence&nbsp;capabilities.

The NDAA calls for a sweeping approach to North Korea's nuclear weapons development, as well as the threat it poses to&nbsp;US&nbsp;forces on the Korean peninsula and allies in the region.

It puts&nbsp;mandatory sanctions on North Korean imports and exports of coal and other minerals and textiles, as well as some petroleum products and crude oil, and it puts&nbsp;additional sanctions on banks that&nbsp;deal&nbsp;with North Korea.

The&nbsp;bill&nbsp;also bars the Pentagon from reducing the number of troops deployed to South Korea below 28,500 unless the Secretary of&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;certifies that it is in the&nbsp;US&nbsp;national security interest to do so.

US lawmakers announced an agreement on Monday on a $738-billion bill setting policy for the Department of Defence, including new measures for competing with Russia and China, family leave for federal workers and the creation of President Donald Trump's long-desired Space Force.

US lawmakers announced an agreement on Monday on a $738-billion bill setting policy for the Department of Defence, including new measures for competing with Russia and China, family leave for federal workers and the creation of President Donald Trump's long-desired Space Force. It also calls for sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of a Russian missile defence system, and tough response to North Korea's efforts to develop nuclear weapons. The US House of Representatives and Senate Armed Services Committees agreed on a compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, after months of negotiations. It is expected to pass before Congress leaves Washington later this month for the year-end holiday break. The legislation includes $658.4 billion for the Department of Defense and Department of Energy national security programs, $71.5 billion to pay for ongoing foreign wars, known as "Overseas Contingency Operations" funding, and $5.3 billion in emergency funding for repairs of damage from extreme weather and natural disasters. There were concerns earlier this year that the NDAA might fail for the first time in 58 years over steep divides between the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and Republican-controlled Senate over Trump's policies. Because it is one of the few pieces of major legislation Congress passes every year, the NDAA becomes a vehicle for a range of policy measures as well as setting everything from military pay levels to which ships or aircraft will be modernized, purchased or discontinued. It includes a 3.1 per cent pay hike for the troops, the largest in a decade and, for the first time, 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers, something Democrats strongly sought. Among other things, the proposed fiscal 2020 NDAA imposes sanctions related to Russia's Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines and bars military-to-military cooperation with Russia. Russia is building the pipelines to bolster supply to Europe while bypassing Ukraine, and members of Congress have been pushing the Trump administration to do more to stop the projects as they near completion. The NDAA also prohibits the transfer of F-35 stealth fighter jets, which Lockheed Martin Corp is developing, to Turkey. It expresses a sense of Congress that Turkey's acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile defence system, which Washington says it not compatible with NATO defences and threatens the F-35, constitutes a significant transaction under US sanctions law. The bill says Trump should implement sanctions on Turkey over the S-400 purchase, something lawmakers have been demanding. The NDAA also reauthorizes $300 million of funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, to include lethal defensive items as well as new authorities for coastal defence cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles. Military aid to Ukraine has been at the centre of the impeachment enquiry into Trump after his administration held up security assistance for Kiev last summer even as the country dealt with challenges from Russia. Fulfilling one of Trump's most high-profile requests, the bill establishes the US Space Force as the sixth Armed Service of the United States, under the Air Force. The legislation also contains a series of provisions intended to address potential threats from China, including requiring reports on China's overseas investments and its military relations with Russia. It bars the use of federal funds to buy rail cars and buses from China, and it says Congress "unequivocally supports" residents of Hong Kong as they defend their rights and seek to preserve their autonomy with China. It also supports improving Taiwan's defence capabilities. The NDAA calls for a sweeping approach to North Korea's nuclear weapons development, as well as the threat it poses to US forces on the Korean peninsula and allies in the region. It puts mandatory sanctions on North Korean imports and exports of coal and other minerals and textiles, as well as some petroleum products and crude oil, and it puts additional sanctions on banks that deal with North Korea. The bill also bars the Pentagon from reducing the number of troops deployed to South Korea below 28,500 unless the Secretary of Defence certifies that it is in the US national security interest to do so.

US lawmakers reach deal on massive defence bill, eye Russia, Turkey, China

Russia will learn later on Monday whether it will be hit with a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-seeks-russia-ban-over-doping-data-manipulation-264626">four-year Olympic ban</a> for tampering with doping-related laboratory data, a decision local officials have said they fear may not be taken fairly.

Russia, which has tried to showcase itself as a global sports power, has been embroiled in doping scandals since a 2015 report commissioned by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russia-could-face-olympic-ban-in-wada-decision-due-monday-266958">World Anti-Doping Agency</a> (WADA) found evidence of mass doping in Russian athletics.

Its doping woes have grown since, with many of its athletes sidelined from the past two Olympics and the country stripped of its flag altogether at last year's Pyeongchang Winter Games as punishment for state-sponsored doping cover-ups at the 2014 Sochi Games.

In focus this time are findings from WADA which concluded that Moscow had tampered with laboratory data by planting fake evidence and deleting files linked to positive doping tests that could have helped identify drug cheats.

Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov last month attributed the discrepancies in the laboratory data to technical issues.

WADA's executive committee will convene in Lausanne later on Monday to decide how to respond to the issue.

It will rule on whether to ban the country from hosting major sporting events for four years and whether to force its clean athletes to compete without their flag or anthem for the same period.

The recommendations for punishment it will examine do not include a blanket ban on Russian participation in international sport, however, and leave the door open for clean Russian athletes to compete at major international sporting events as neutrals, as was the case during the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.

RUSADA, Russia's anti-doping agency RUSADA could be stripped of its accreditation for the second time in four years as part of the same doping sanctions.

Russia will learn later on Monday whether it will be hit with a four-year Olympic ban for tampering with doping-related laboratory data, a decision local officials have said they fear may not be taken fairly.

Russia will learn later on Monday whether it will be hit with a four-year Olympic ban for tampering with doping-related laboratory data, a decision local officials have said they fear may not be taken fairly. Russia, which has tried to showcase itself as a global sports power, has been embroiled in doping scandals since a 2015 report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of mass doping in Russian athletics. Its doping woes have grown since, with many of its athletes sidelined from the past two Olympics and the country stripped of its flag altogether at last year's Pyeongchang Winter Games as punishment for state-sponsored doping cover-ups at the 2014 Sochi Games. In focus this time are findings from WADA which concluded that Moscow had tampered with laboratory data by planting fake evidence and deleting files linked to positive doping tests that could have helped identify drug cheats. Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov last month attributed the discrepancies in the laboratory data to technical issues. WADA's executive committee will convene in Lausanne later on Monday to decide how to respond to the issue. It will rule on whether to ban the country from hosting major sporting events for four years and whether to force its clean athletes to compete without their flag or anthem for the same period. The recommendations for punishment it will examine do not include a blanket ban on Russian participation in international sport, however, and leave the door open for clean Russian athletes to compete at major international sporting events as neutrals, as was the case during the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. RUSADA, Russia's anti-doping agency RUSADA could be stripped of its accreditation for the second time in four years as part of the same doping sanctions.

Russia to learn Olympic fate over doping violations later on Monday

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-zelensky-renews-denial-of-quid-pro-quo-with-us-president-trump-265736">Ukraine</a> will ask the British Supreme Court on Monday not to force it to pay billions of dollars in debt to&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;without a trial that would determine whether Kiev was forced to borrow the money under duress.

The case, being decided in London because the debt was structured as a Eurobond under English law, could see British courts rule on some of the most contentious issues in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-calls-emergency-meeting-over-russia-ukraine-standoff-at-sea-of-azov-179555">Russia-Ukraine</a> feud that has divided Moscow from the West.

The debt was borrowed six years ago by a pro-Russian president months before he was toppled in a popular uprising. Moscow is seeking a summary judgment in its favor that could see Ukraine ordered to pay the debt in full, without a trial.

Ukraine argues that it should not be forced to pay without having a chance to challenge the debt, a position backed by an appeals court in a ruling that&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;now wants the Supreme Court to overturn.

Alex Gerbi, a partner at the firm representing Kiev in the case, said Ukraine would argue that the debt was incurred under duress.

"Russia&nbsp;should have to prove its claim, and justify its conduct, in the full public scrutiny of an English trial,” Gerbi said.

Ukraine has accused&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;of applying “massive, unlawful and illegitimate economic and political pressure to Ukraine in 2013”, forcing the country to accept Moscow’s financial support instead of striking up closer ties with the EU, according to earlier court documents.

Moscow has not commented on the case. A source familiar with the&nbsp;Russian position said&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;would argue that Ukraine's case has no merit and no trial is needed.

The $3 billion bond was borrowed by Ukraine in the final months of the administration of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-investigates-grenade-attack-on-kiev-tv-station-235589">Viktor Yanukovich</a>, a supporter of close relations with Moscow who was toppled in a public uprising after abandoning a deal on ties with the EU.

Russia&nbsp;responded to Yanukovich's fall by seizing Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and backing separatists in eastern Ukraine in a war which has killed more than 13,000 people. The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/china-united-states-relations-and-the-thucydides-trap-192673">United States</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-presses-uk-to-resubmit-brexit-plan-as-end-game-looms-254002">European Union</a> responded to those&nbsp;Russian moves with sanctions against Moscow which have yet to be lifted.

Ukraine's new president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is scheduled to meet&nbsp;Russia's Vladimir Putin on Monday to push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Both countries are also due to renew a gas transit deal a regular source of disagreement between them -- by the end of December.

The Eurobond matured in December 2015 and has not been repaid. Moscow wants payment in full, including interest which could push the debt beyond $4 billion. Kiev says&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;should have participated in a 2015 restructuring of its Eurobonds.

The case is one of two major court cases this month being watched by international investors in Ukraine. Hearings are due to begin in Kiev on December&nbsp;19 in the case of the nationalisation of Ukraine's largest commercial bank.

Ukraine will ask the British Supreme Court on Monday not to force it to pay billions of dollars in debt to Russia without a trial that would determine whether Kiev was forced to borrow the money under duress.

Ukraine will ask the British Supreme Court on Monday not to force it to pay billions of dollars in debt to Russia without a trial that would determine whether Kiev was forced to borrow the money under duress. The case, being decided in London because the debt was structured as a Eurobond under English law, could see British courts rule on some of the most contentious issues in the Russia-Ukraine feud that has divided Moscow from the West. The debt was borrowed six years ago by a pro-Russian president months before he was toppled in a popular uprising. Moscow is seeking a summary judgment in its favor that could see Ukraine ordered to pay the debt in full, without a trial. Ukraine argues that it should not be forced to pay without having a chance to challenge the debt, a position backed by an appeals court in a ruling that Russia now wants the Supreme Court to overturn. Alex Gerbi, a partner at the firm representing Kiev in the case, said Ukraine would argue that the debt was incurred under duress. "Russia should have to prove its claim, and justify its conduct, in the full public scrutiny of an English trial,” Gerbi said. Ukraine has accused Russia of applying “massive, unlawful and illegitimate economic and political pressure to Ukraine in 2013”, forcing the country to accept Moscow’s financial support instead of striking up closer ties with the EU, according to earlier court documents. Moscow has not commented on the case. A source familiar with the Russian position said Russia would argue that Ukraine's case has no merit and no trial is needed. The $3 billion bond was borrowed by Ukraine in the final months of the administration of President Viktor Yanukovich, a supporter of close relations with Moscow who was toppled in a public uprising after abandoning a deal on ties with the EU. Russia responded to Yanukovich's fall by seizing Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and backing separatists in eastern Ukraine in a war which has killed more than 13,000 people. The United States and European Union responded to those Russian moves with sanctions against Moscow which have yet to be lifted. Ukraine's new president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is scheduled to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin on Monday to push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Both countries are also due to renew a gas transit deal a regular source of disagreement between them -- by the end of December. The Eurobond matured in December 2015 and has not been repaid. Moscow wants payment in full, including interest which could push the debt beyond $4 billion. Kiev says Russia should have participated in a 2015 restructuring of its Eurobonds. The case is one of two major court cases this month being watched by international investors in Ukraine. Hearings are due to begin in Kiev on December 19 in the case of the nationalisation of Ukraine's largest commercial bank.

Ukraine seeks to require UK court hearings if Russia tries to enforce debt

Russian athletes could be barred from the Tokyo Olympic Games when the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-seeks-russia-ban-over-doping-data-manipulation-264626">World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) </a>executive committee meets on Monday (December 9).

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) was suspended after a 2015 WADA report found evidence of state-sponsored doping in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kremlin-says-russia-remains-open-to-cooperation-on-doping-264918">Russian sport </a>and the country was barred from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics athletics competition the following year.

Russians competed as independents at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, walking behind the Olympic rings flag at the opening ceremony.

RUSADA's suspension was lifted in September 2018 amid strong criticism as WADA gradually got access to key Russian athletes' data from a Russian dope testing laboratory.

But in September WADA said it had again opened compliance proceedings against RUSADA after finding "inconsistencies" in the vast bank of historical testing data finally handed over in January.

A WADA compliance committee recommended last week that Russia receive a four-year Olympic ban as part of a sanctions package to punish Moscow for having provided the agency with doctored and incomplete laboratory data.

WADA's executive committee will meet in Lausanne, Switzerland to consider the recommendations, which the head of Russia's Olympic Committee described last week as "excessive, inappropriate and wrong."

The WADA decision is likely to determine whether Russian athletes, who can prove they are clean, will compete as neutrals or whether some will be invited by the IOC to compete in Tokyo.

Russian athletes could be barred from the Tokyo Olympic Games when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) executive committee meets on Monday (December 9). The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) was suspended after a 2015 WADA report found evidence of state-sponsored doping in Russian sport and the country was barred from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics athletics competition the following year.

Russian athletes could be barred from the Tokyo Olympic Games when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) executive committee meets on Monday (December 9). The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) was suspended after a 2015 WADA report found evidence of state-sponsored doping in Russian sport and the country was barred from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics athletics competition the following year. Russians competed as independents at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, walking behind the Olympic rings flag at the opening ceremony. RUSADA's suspension was lifted in September 2018 amid strong criticism as WADA gradually got access to key Russian athletes' data from a Russian dope testing laboratory. But in September WADA said it had again opened compliance proceedings against RUSADA after finding "inconsistencies" in the vast bank of historical testing data finally handed over in January. A WADA compliance committee recommended last week that Russia receive a four-year Olympic ban as part of a sanctions package to punish Moscow for having provided the agency with doctored and incomplete laboratory data. WADA's executive committee will meet in Lausanne, Switzerland to consider the recommendations, which the head of Russia's Olympic Committee described last week as "excessive, inappropriate and wrong." The WADA decision is likely to determine whether Russian athletes, who can prove they are clean, will compete as neutrals or whether some will be invited by the IOC to compete in Tokyo.

Russia could face Olympic ban in WADA decision due Monday

Amid doping row, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday admitted that the country has committed a sin and urged the authorities to&nbsp;get tougher on&nbsp;doping problems.&nbsp;

Russia faces the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-seeks-russia-ban-over-doping-data-manipulation-264626">possibility of being banned </a>from all sporting competitions including the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/more-tokyo-olympic-events-rescheduled-due-to-heat-concern-266444">Tokyo 2020</a> after a key World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) committee recommended a four-year ban on the country for manipulating laboratory data.

In an annual televised question-and-answer session with TV journalists,&nbsp;Medvedev said that Russia should get serious about rooting out cheats.&nbsp;

"We do have a problem with doping and this is unacceptable," he said.&nbsp;

"We should adopt a tougher line on this matter, towards those taking the decisions on the use of these substances."

"Here we have committed a sin," he acknowledged, while adding "Are other countries without sin?"&nbsp;

Medvedev argued that athletes should not be punished for the mistakes of others&nbsp;while calling the Russian doping scandal an "endless anti-Russian TV series."&nbsp;

WADA is set to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-moves-crucial-exco-meeting-to-lausanne-from-paris-265865">meet on Monday</a> in Lausanne for the crucial executive committee meeting to discuss the recommended four-year ban.&nbsp;

WADA’s Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions after the Russian Anti Doping Agency (RUSADA) was found to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic".

The full disclosure of data was a key condition of Russia’s reinstatement in 2018 after a nearly three-year-long ban which was followed by the revelation of vast state-supported doping programs in the country.&nbsp;

The four-year ban was one of the several "strong proposed consequences" by CRC over Russia which is to start "on the date on which the decision that Rusada is non-compliant becomes final".

RUSADA’s chief Yury Ganus said last week that he expected WADA to uphold the recommendations as “that’s the reality”. &nbsp;

The recommendations are the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympic-chief-says-will-do-everything-to-ensure-russia-at-2020-games-265073">Olympics</a> that were held in Russia.

Amid doping row, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday admitted that the country has committed a sin and urged the authorities to get tougher on doping problems.

Amid doping row, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday admitted that the country has committed a sin and urged the authorities to get tougher on doping problems. Russia faces the possibility of being banned from all sporting competitions including the Tokyo 2020 after a key World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) committee recommended a four-year ban on the country for manipulating laboratory data. In an annual televised question-and-answer session with TV journalists, Medvedev said that Russia should get serious about rooting out cheats. "We do have a problem with doping and this is unacceptable," he said. "We should adopt a tougher line on this matter, towards those taking the decisions on the use of these substances." "Here we have committed a sin," he acknowledged, while adding "Are other countries without sin?" Medvedev argued that athletes should not be punished for the mistakes of others while calling the Russian doping scandal an "endless anti-Russian TV series." WADA is set to meet on Monday in Lausanne for the crucial executive committee meeting to discuss the recommended four-year ban. WADA’s Compliance Review Committee (CRC) called for the proposed sanctions after the Russian Anti Doping Agency (RUSADA) was found to be non-compliant after the data handed over by the tainted Moscow laboratory was found to be "neither complete nor fully authentic". The full disclosure of data was a key condition of Russia’s reinstatement in 2018 after a nearly three-year-long ban which was followed by the revelation of vast state-supported doping programs in the country. The four-year ban was one of the several "strong proposed consequences" by CRC over Russia which is to start "on the date on which the decision that Rusada is non-compliant becomes final". RUSADA’s chief Yury Ganus said last week that he expected WADA to uphold the recommendations as “that’s the reality”. The recommendations are the latest in Russia’s doping saga which is being dragged since 2015 which found more than 1000 Russian athletes being benefited from the state-supported doping program in the period of 2011-2015, a period that included 2014 winter Olympics that were held in Russia.

'We have committed a sin', says Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev amid doping row

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/russia-turkey-may-sign-new-contract-on-s-400-systems-in-2020-ria-264578">Russia and Turkey</a> are working on a contract for the delivery of a new batch of Russian S-400 missile systems, the Interfax news agency cited a senior official at a Russian military cooperation agency as saying on Friday.

Such a deal would be likely to further strain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-says-he-told-trump-turkey-will-not-give-up-russian-s-400s-263168">Ankara's relations</a> with Washington which has suspended Turkey from the US&nbsp;F-35 stealth fighter jet programme, in which it was a producer and buyer, to penalise it for buying S-400 batteries this year.

"We're gradually working on this question. Most importantly, both sides are intent on continuing cooperation in this sphere," the head of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation was quoted as saying.

The official, Dmitry Shugaev, said he thought there was a "fairly high likelihood" Turkey and Russia would sign a contract for the delivery of an additional batch of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-bought-s-400s-from-russia-to-use-them-not-to-put-them-aside-262580">S-400s</a> next year.

The head of Russia's state arms exporter told RIA news agency on November&nbsp;26 that Moscow and Ankara were actively discussing Ankara taking up an option in its original missile contract for it to receive more S-400 systems.

Russia and Turkey are working on a contract for the delivery of a new batch of Russian S-400 missile systems, the Interfax news agency cited a senior official at a Russian military cooperation agency as saying on Friday.

Russia and Turkey are working on a contract for the delivery of a new batch of Russian S-400 missile systems, the Interfax news agency cited a senior official at a Russian military cooperation agency as saying on Friday. Such a deal would be likely to further strain Ankara's relations with Washington which has suspended Turkey from the US F-35 stealth fighter jet programme, in which it was a producer and buyer, to penalise it for buying S-400 batteries this year. "We're gradually working on this question. Most importantly, both sides are intent on continuing cooperation in this sphere," the head of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation was quoted as saying. The official, Dmitry Shugaev, said he thought there was a "fairly high likelihood" Turkey and Russia would sign a contract for the delivery of an additional batch of S-400s next year. The head of Russia's state arms exporter told RIA news agency on November 26 that Moscow and Ankara were actively discussing Ankara taking up an option in its original missile contract for it to receive more S-400 systems.

Russia, Turkey working on new S-400 missile contract: Sources

Ukrainian and Russian leaders will try to seal a ceasefire in eastern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-lawyer-giuliani-back-in-ukraine-as-impeachment-probe-escalates-266286">Ukraine</a> and agree on prisoner swaps when they meet next week, but with Kiev politically constrained and Moscow unlikely to bend, the prospects for peace remain bleak, diplomats said.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-encyclopaedia-to-replace-wikipedia-in-putins-expensive-attempt-to-curb-fake-news-266106">Vladimir Putin</a> hold their first face-to-face talks on December&nbsp;9 in Paris with the French and German leaders more than three years since the countries' heads of state last met. It comes after a slight easing of tensions.

Over 13,000 people have been killed in the more than five-year-old conflict in east Ukraine between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government forces. There has been little sign of a peaceful solution despite a ceasefire agreement signed in February 2015 in Minsk.

Zelenskiy won a landslide election victory in April promising to end the simmering conflict, but facing pressure from his opposition, he is wary of conceding too much to Moscow.

"If we start discussing the real political, military and security issues, namely, withdrawal of some troops on the line of contact, the question of local elections and the status of Donbass region, you see that the two leaders don't have a lot of room for manoeuvre," said a senior French diplomat.

Relations between Ukraine and Russia collapsed following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014, which prompted Western sanctions.

Key to the accords are elections in Donbass, but both sides accuse each other of failing to stick to the deal, which also includes restoring Kiev’s control over the whole border with Russia and the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the conflict zone.

"Our main expectation for #NormandySummit and any other formats is what I call #RUxit - we want Russiа and Russian forces to leave Ukraine," Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said on Twitter on Tuesday.

Vladimir Frolov, a former senior Russian diplomat, said he saw little chance of a major breakthrough in Paris describing the positions as irreconcilable.

"Zelenskiy is going to hit two walls, one in Paris and one afterwards - the wall of Russian intransigence and the wall of Ukrainian public unwillingness to endorse humiliating compromises with Russia," Frolov said.

"Moscow does not care about sanctions relief, it cares about meeting its strategic objectives in Ukraine ... and a confederate Ukrainian state that Kiev does not fully control," he said.

Calling it a test barometer to see where both sides stood, another French diplomat said progress on a ceasefire and prisoner swaps would be a good basis to move forward.

The summit also comes within the wider context of Europe's relations with Russia. French President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/unions-protest-in-paris-against-macrons-pension-reform-266405">Emmanuel Macron</a> has sought a reset with Moscow, something that has unnerved eastern European Union partners.

"It can't just be about Ukraine. It has to be about the Russia-West-US&nbsp;conflict otherwise the Russians don't have the incentives to resolve things because Ukraine is too valuable a chip," said a former senior US&nbsp;official.

Ukrainian and Russian leaders will try to seal a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and agree on prisoner swaps when they meet next week, but with Kiev politically constrained and Moscow unlikely to bend, the prospects for peace remain bleak, diplomats said.

Ukrainian and Russian leaders will try to seal a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and agree on prisoner swaps when they meet next week, but with Kiev politically constrained and Moscow unlikely to bend, the prospects for peace remain bleak, diplomats said. Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Vladimir Putin hold their first face-to-face talks on December 9 in Paris with the French and German leaders more than three years since the countries' heads of state last met. It comes after a slight easing of tensions. Over 13,000 people have been killed in the more than five-year-old conflict in east Ukraine between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government forces. There has been little sign of a peaceful solution despite a ceasefire agreement signed in February 2015 in Minsk. Zelenskiy won a landslide election victory in April promising to end the simmering conflict, but facing pressure from his opposition, he is wary of conceding too much to Moscow. "If we start discussing the real political, military and security issues, namely, withdrawal of some troops on the line of contact, the question of local elections and the status of Donbass region, you see that the two leaders don't have a lot of room for manoeuvre," said a senior French diplomat. Relations between Ukraine and Russia collapsed following Moscow's annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014, which prompted Western sanctions. Key to the accords are elections in Donbass, but both sides accuse each other of failing to stick to the deal, which also includes restoring Kiev’s control over the whole border with Russia and the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the conflict zone. "Our main expectation for #NormandySummit and any other formats is what I call #RUxit - we want Russiа and Russian forces to leave Ukraine," Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said on Twitter on Tuesday. Vladimir Frolov, a former senior Russian diplomat, said he saw little chance of a major breakthrough in Paris describing the positions as irreconcilable. "Zelenskiy is going to hit two walls, one in Paris and one afterwards - the wall of Russian intransigence and the wall of Ukrainian public unwillingness to endorse humiliating compromises with Russia," Frolov said. "Moscow does not care about sanctions relief, it cares about meeting its strategic objectives in Ukraine ... and a confederate Ukrainian state that Kiev does not fully control," he said. Calling it a test barometer to see where both sides stood, another French diplomat said progress on a ceasefire and prisoner swaps would be a good basis to move forward. The summit also comes within the wider context of Europe's relations with Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron has sought a reset with Moscow, something that has unnerved eastern European Union partners. "It can't just be about Ukraine. It has to be about the Russia-West-US conflict otherwise the Russians don't have the incentives to resolve things because Ukraine is too valuable a chip," said a former senior US official.

Ukraine, Russia leaders set to meet for Paris talks with bleak prospects of peace

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/international-olympic-committee-approves-exclusion-of-boxing-body-from-tokyo-2020-games-230612">International Olympic Committee</a> is&nbsp;extremely&nbsp;upset&nbsp;by the latest&nbsp;doping&nbsp;scandal involving Russia and swift progress is being made to bring the issue to a conclusion, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

A World Anti-Doping&nbsp;Agency (WADA) compliance committee recommended last week that Russia receive a four-year Olympic ban, which would keep it out of next year’s Tokyo Games, as part of a sanctions package to punish Moscow for having provided the agency with doctored and incomplete laboratory&nbsp;data.

WADA's executive committee will meet in Lausanne on December&nbsp;9 to consider the recommendations, which the head of Russia's Olympic Committee described last week as "excessive, inappropriate and wrong."

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/russian-anti-doping-agency-pleads-case-ahead-of-wada-meeting-191475">Russian&nbsp;Anti-Doping&nbsp;Agency</a> (RUSADA) was initially suspended after a 2015 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-moves-crucial-exco-meeting-to-lausanne-from-paris-265865">WADA report</a> found evidence of widespread state-sponsored&nbsp;doping&nbsp;in&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;sport involving athletes across many sports.

"Things are moving pretty quickly,"&nbsp;IOC&nbsp;spokesman Mark Adams said. "We condemn (the&nbsp;manipulation&nbsp;of&nbsp;data) in the strongest terms. We asked for the raw&nbsp;data&nbsp;to be given up if it can be.

"There is a WADA meeting in the next few days so it could be happening more quickly.

"People (within the&nbsp;IOC&nbsp;Executive Board) are&nbsp;extremely&nbsp;upset&nbsp;and condemn it."

The&nbsp;IOC&nbsp;is still unclear about the next steps in a&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;doping&nbsp;saga that has dragged on since 2015 and tarnished several Olympics, including the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 and the Pyeongchang Winter Games last year.

The WADA decision is likely to determine whether&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;athletes, who can prove they are clean, will compete as neutrals or whether some will be invited by the&nbsp;IOC&nbsp;to compete in Tokyo.

"I am not totally clear on that. I would imagine the (IOC) Executive Board would be able to make a decision," Adams said when asked about the process after WADA's decision next Monday.

"To be honest WADA is responsible. It is a process that needs to go from WADA eventually to the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

The&nbsp;IOC&nbsp;is eager to have clarity on the matter as soon as possible to avoid a protracted legal fight similar to the one prior to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/olympics-2016/rio-olympics-2016-games-end-in-blaze-of-colour-japan-takes-the-baton-5309">Rio Olympics</a> when dozens of&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;athletes appealed to CAS to be allowed to compete in Brazil only weeks or even days before their competitions.

The International Olympic Committee is extremely upset by the latest doping scandal involving Russia and swift progress is being made to bring the issue to a conclusion, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

The International Olympic Committee is extremely upset by the latest doping scandal involving Russia and swift progress is being made to bring the issue to a conclusion, a spokesman said on Tuesday. A World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) compliance committee recommended last week that Russia receive a four-year Olympic ban, which would keep it out of next year’s Tokyo Games, as part of a sanctions package to punish Moscow for having provided the agency with doctored and incomplete laboratory data. WADA's executive committee will meet in Lausanne on December 9 to consider the recommendations, which the head of Russia's Olympic Committee described last week as "excessive, inappropriate and wrong." The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) was initially suspended after a 2015 WADA report found evidence of widespread state-sponsored doping in Russian sport involving athletes across many sports. "Things are moving pretty quickly," IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. "We condemn (the manipulation of data) in the strongest terms. We asked for the raw data to be given up if it can be. "There is a WADA meeting in the next few days so it could be happening more quickly. "People (within the IOC Executive Board) are extremely upset and condemn it." The IOC is still unclear about the next steps in a Russian doping saga that has dragged on since 2015 and tarnished several Olympics, including the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016 and the Pyeongchang Winter Games last year. The WADA decision is likely to determine whether Russian athletes, who can prove they are clean, will compete as neutrals or whether some will be invited by the IOC to compete in Tokyo. "I am not totally clear on that. I would imagine the (IOC) Executive Board would be able to make a decision," Adams said when asked about the process after WADA's decision next Monday. "To be honest WADA is responsible. It is a process that needs to go from WADA eventually to the Court of Arbitration for Sport." The IOC is eager to have clarity on the matter as soon as possible to avoid a protracted legal fight similar to the one prior to the Rio Olympics when dozens of Russian athletes appealed to CAS to be allowed to compete in Brazil only weeks or even days before their competitions.

International Olympic Committee extremely upset by Russian doping data manipulation

The World Anti-Doping Agency said Monday it had moved next week's crucial Executive Committee meeting from Paris to Lausanne because of fears of disruption caused by strike action in the French capital.

WADA confirmed the venue switch to Switzerland in a brief statement.

"WADA has taken the decision to relocate (the meeting) to Lausanne due to likely disruptions and uncertainty caused by imminent general strike action in Paris," WADA said.

The December 9 meeting is expected to see WADA chiefs approve a recommendation by the body's Compliance Review Committee concerning Russia.

The WADA compliance panel has called for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wada-seeks-russia-ban-over-doping-data-manipulation-264626">Russia to be banned</a> from sporting competitions for four years after accusing Moscow of falsifying laboratory data handed over to investigators earlier this year.

Under the proposed sanctions, Russian athletes would still be allowed to compete at the Olympics next year but only if they can demonstrate that they were not part of the Russian system.

Full disclosure of data from the Moscow laboratory was a key condition of Russia's controversial reinstatement by WADA in September 2018.

The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) had been suspended for nearly three years previously over revelations of a vast state-supported doping program.

The World Anti-Doping Agency said Monday it had moved next week's crucial Executive Committee meeting from Paris to Lausanne because of fears of disruption caused by strike action in the French capital.

The World Anti-Doping Agency said Monday it had moved next week's crucial Executive Committee meeting from Paris to Lausanne because of fears of disruption caused by strike action in the French capital. WADA confirmed the venue switch to Switzerland in a brief statement. "WADA has taken the decision to relocate (the meeting) to Lausanne due to likely disruptions and uncertainty caused by imminent general strike action in Paris," WADA said. The December 9 meeting is expected to see WADA chiefs approve a recommendation by the body's Compliance Review Committee concerning Russia. The WADA compliance panel has called for Russia to be banned from sporting competitions for four years after accusing Moscow of falsifying laboratory data handed over to investigators earlier this year. Under the proposed sanctions, Russian athletes would still be allowed to compete at the Olympics next year but only if they can demonstrate that they were not part of the Russian system. Full disclosure of data from the Moscow laboratory was a key condition of Russia's controversial reinstatement by WADA in September 2018. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) had been suspended for nearly three years previously over revelations of a vast state-supported doping program.

WADA moves crucial ExCo meeting to Lausanne from Paris

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