Saudi Arabia is seeking to persuade Russia on Wednesday to cut oil production substantially with OPEC next year in an attempt to arrest a decline in the price of crude and prevent another global glut.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak was due later in the day to meet his Saudi counterpart Khalid al-Falih, whose country leads the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

OPEC holds policy talks on Thursday in Vienna, followed by a gathering with allies including Russia on Friday.

Saudi Arabia has indicated it wants OPEC and its allies to cut output by at least 1.3 million barrels per day, or 1.3 per cent of global production.

Riyadh wants Moscow to contribute at least 250,000-300,000 bpd to the cut but Russia insists the amount should be only half of that, OPEC and non-OPEC sources said.

"It is not easy but we will always work together with our colleagues," United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui told reporters when asked about Russia's position.

A source close to the Russian Energy Ministry said: "No one is eager to cut unless there is an emergency. It is the United States where we are seeing the bulk of the increase in oil output. OPEC and Russia will be very careful about voluntary 'blood letting'."

Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States have been vying for the position of top crude producer in recent years. The United States is not part of any output-limiting initiative due to its strict anti-trust legislation and fragmented oil industry.

Crude prices have sunk since October due to global economic weakness and fears of a glut due largely to rising US production.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to persuade Russia on Wednesday to cut oil production substantially with OPEC next year in an attempt to arrest a decline in the price of crude and prevent another global glut.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to persuade Russia on Wednesday to cut oil production substantially with OPEC next year in an attempt to arrest a decline in the price of crude and prevent another global glut. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak was due later in the day to meet his Saudi counterpart Khalid al-Falih, whose country leads the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. OPEC holds policy talks on Thursday in Vienna, followed by a gathering with allies including Russia on Friday. Saudi Arabia has indicated it wants OPEC and its allies to cut output by at least 1.3 million barrels per day, or 1.3 per cent of global production. Riyadh wants Moscow to contribute at least 250,000-300,000 bpd to the cut but Russia insists the amount should be only half of that, OPEC and non-OPEC sources said. "It is not easy but we will always work together with our colleagues," United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui told reporters when asked about Russia's position. A source close to the Russian Energy Ministry said: "No one is eager to cut unless there is an emergency. It is the United States where we are seeing the bulk of the increase in oil output. OPEC and Russia will be very careful about voluntary 'blood letting'." Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States have been vying for the position of top crude producer in recent years. The United States is not part of any output-limiting initiative due to its strict anti-trust legislation and fragmented oil industry. Crude prices have sunk since October due to global economic weakness and fears of a glut due largely to rising US production.

Saudi Arabia works on convincing Russia to join oil cuts

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday the United States had yet to provide any evidence Moscow was in breach of a landmark arms control treaty, but said it was ready to keep discussing the matter with Washington.

The United States delivered Russia a 60-day ultimatum on Tuesday to come clean about what Washington says is a violation of a 1987 nuclear arms control treaty, saying it would be forced to start a six-month process of withdrawal if nothing changed.

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russia's foreign ministry, told a briefing that the US embassy in Moscow had handed over a note on Tuesday evening saying Washington would quit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty unless Russia began complying with it.

"These documents were received for further processing," said Zakharova.&nbsp;

"In them once again there were groundless allegations about our alleged violation of this agreement. We have repeatedly said that this is conjecture. No proof (of our alleged violation) has been presented to us."

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday the United States had yet to provide any evidence Moscow was in breach of a landmark arms control treaty, but said it was ready to keep discussing the matter with Washington.

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday the United States had yet to provide any evidence Moscow was in breach of a landmark arms control treaty, but said it was ready to keep discussing the matter with Washington. The United States delivered Russia a 60-day ultimatum on Tuesday to come clean about what Washington says is a violation of a 1987 nuclear arms control treaty, saying it would be forced to start a six-month process of withdrawal if nothing changed. Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russia's foreign ministry, told a briefing that the US embassy in Moscow had handed over a note on Tuesday evening saying Washington would quit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty unless Russia began complying with it. "These documents were received for further processing," said Zakharova. "In them once again there were groundless allegations about our alleged violation of this agreement. We have repeatedly said that this is conjecture. No proof (of our alleged violation) has been presented to us."

US has no evidence to prove breach of nuclear treaty: Russia

Ukraine's armed forces conducted military <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/war-will-continue-so-long-as-ukraine-government-stays-putin-180802">drills even as Kiev said Russia</a> has partially opened the Sea of Azov for Ukranian ships to enter the ports.

"The Berdyansk and Mariupol ports have been partially unblocked," Ukraine's infrastructure minister Volodymyr Omelyan said.

Ukraine and Russia have been at loggerheads after the Russian Navy last week seized three Ukranian ships and took at least 24 sailors into custody. Russia has refused to free the sailors and hasn't released the ships amid sustained Western pressure.

"We can see how instead of thirty soldiers, who were invited to arrive at a military commission in order to participate in exercises, 165 soldiers came - with backpacks and ready to defend Ukraine at any time," Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said.&nbsp;

Ukranian forces conducted drills in the north of the capital bordering Russia as tensions between the two countries continued unabated. Ukraine had imposed martial law on November 26th after the skirmish with Russian forces in the Sea of Azov.

Canadian armed forces joined Ukraine's land forces during the drill. Canadian commander Jean-Marc Lanthier said Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine.

However, in the past two days, tensions have eased as Russia began to open the sea route.

"Ships are coming and going through the Kerch Strait towards Ukrainian ports... movement has been partially restored," a Ukranian ministry statement said.

Meanwhile, EU nations including Poland called for tougher sanctions on Russia amid the standoff.

Polish foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz said: If they are ready to use more than ten military ships and the whole military mechanism against two Ukrainian motor boats and one tug, can you imagine what they are able to use in the Baltic Sea in order to protect Nord Stream 2?"

Last week, Ukrainian state border guards allowed only Ukrainian citizens to cross the border into Crimea. Ukraine had earlier barred entry of Russian men aged between 16-60 years from entering its territory.

President Petro Poroshenko had said banning Russian men was important for stopping a full-scale invasion.&nbsp;

Ukraine's armed forces conducted military drills even as Kiev said Russia has partially opened the Sea of Azov for Ukranian ships to enter the ports. "The Berdyansk and Mariupol ports have been partially unblocked," Ukraine's infrastructure minister Volodymyr Omelyan said.

Ukraine's armed forces conducted military drills even as Kiev said Russia has partially opened the Sea of Azov for Ukranian ships to enter the ports. "The Berdyansk and Mariupol ports have been partially unblocked," Ukraine's infrastructure minister Volodymyr Omelyan said. Ukraine and Russia have been at loggerheads after the Russian Navy last week seized three Ukranian ships and took at least 24 sailors into custody. Russia has refused to free the sailors and hasn't released the ships amid sustained Western pressure. "We can see how instead of thirty soldiers, who were invited to arrive at a military commission in order to participate in exercises, 165 soldiers came - with backpacks and ready to defend Ukraine at any time," Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said. Ukranian forces conducted drills in the north of the capital bordering Russia as tensions between the two countries continued unabated. Ukraine had imposed martial law on November 26th after the skirmish with Russian forces in the Sea of Azov. Canadian armed forces joined Ukraine's land forces during the drill. Canadian commander Jean-Marc Lanthier said Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. However, in the past two days, tensions have eased as Russia began to open the sea route. "Ships are coming and going through the Kerch Strait towards Ukrainian ports... movement has been partially restored," a Ukranian ministry statement said. Meanwhile, EU nations including Poland called for tougher sanctions on Russia amid the standoff. Polish foreign minister Jacek Czaputowicz said: If they are ready to use more than ten military ships and the whole military mechanism against two Ukrainian motor boats and one tug, can you imagine what they are able to use in the Baltic Sea in order to protect Nord Stream 2?" Last week, Ukrainian state border guards allowed only Ukrainian citizens to cross the border into Crimea. Ukraine had earlier barred entry of Russian men aged between 16-60 years from entering its territory. President Petro Poroshenko had said banning Russian men was important for stopping a full-scale invasion.

Watch: Ukraine conducts military drill as Russia partially reopens Azov Sea ports

The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/world-bank-doubles-funding-to-fight-climate-change-to-200-bn-181039"> World Bank</a>'s lead economist for Russia said on Tuesday that the assumption was that sanctions against<a href="http://www.wionews.com/central-asia/russia-has-deployed-s-400-missiles-in-crimea-after-martial-law-in-ukraine-report-180077"> Russia </a>would remain the same as they are currently.

Apurva Sanghi made the remark in response to a question about the World Bank's Russia forecast for 2018-2020.

He did not offer any further details, although his colleague at a news conference in Moscow said it was not an assessment.

"It's not a judgment, it's not an assessment, it's an assumption," said Andras Horvai, country director and resident representative for Russia, Europe and Central Asia.

The World Bank's lead economist for Russia said on Tuesday that the assumption was that sanctions against Russia would remain the same as they are currently. Apurva Sanghi made the remark in response to a question about the World Bank's Russia forecast for 2018-2020.

The World Bank's lead economist for Russia said on Tuesday that the assumption was that sanctions against Russia would remain the same as they are currently. Apurva Sanghi made the remark in response to a question about the World Bank's Russia forecast for 2018-2020. He did not offer any further details, although his colleague at a news conference in Moscow said it was not an assessment. "It's not a judgment, it's not an assessment, it's an assumption," said Andras Horvai, country director and resident representative for Russia, Europe and Central Asia.

Assumption is Russia sanctions will stay the same: World Bank

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/national-herald-case-income-tax-re-assessment-of-sonia-gandhi-rahul-gandhi-for-2011-12-can-continue-says-supreme-court-181427">National Herald case: SC allows </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/national-herald-case-income-tax-re-assessment-of-sonia-gandhi-rahul-gandhi-for-2011-12-can-continue-says-supreme-court-181427">I-T</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/national-herald-case-income-tax-re-assessment-of-sonia-gandhi-rahul-gandhi-for-2011-12-can-continue-says-supreme-court-181427"> department to reopen tax case against Rahul, Sonia Gandhi</a>

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Income Tax Department to reopen tax assessment of top Congress leaders Rahul and Sonia Gandhi for 2011-12 in connection with the National Herald case.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/central-asia/chinese-scientist-who-conducted-gene-editing-kept-under-house-arrest-report-181479">Chinese</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/central-asia/chinese-scientist-who-conducted-gene-editing-kept-under-house-arrest-report-181479"> scientist who conducted gene editing kept under house arrest: Report</a>

He Jiankui, the controversial Chinese scientist who claimed to have created the world's first genetically edited babies has been kept under house arrest, media reports said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/france-pm-philippe-confirms-fuel-tax-suspensions-calls-for-calm-181453">France PM Philippe confirms fuel tax suspensions, calls for calm</a>

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced Tuesday new concessions to "yellow vest" protesters, including the suspension for six months of planned tax increases raising the price of fuel.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-rajapaksa-files-appeal-in-supreme-court-against-interim-courts-order-181435">Sri Lanka crisis: Rajapaksa files appeal in Supreme Court against interim court's order</a>

An appeal was filed Tuesday in Sri Lanka's Supreme Court against a court order that barred Mahinda Rajapaksa from acting as Prime Minister.

The Court of Appeal in an interim order Monday temporary halted Rajapaksa and his Cabinet from functioning in their positions in response to a case filed by 122 legislators against his disputed government. The court set the hearing of the case for December 12 and 13.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-conducts-military-drill-as-russia-partially-reopens-azov-sea-ports-181420">Ukraine conducts military drill as Russia partially reopens Azov </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-conducts-military-drill-as-russia-partially-reopens-azov-sea-ports-181420">Sea ports</a>

Ukraine's armed forces conducted military drills even as Kiev said Russia has partially opened the Sea of Azov for Ukranian ships to enter the ports.

"The Berdyansk and Mariupol ports have been partially unblocked," Ukraine's infrastructure minister Volodymyr Omelyan said.

National Herald case: SC allows I-T department to reopen tax case against Rahul, Sonia Gandhi The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Income Tax Department to reopen tax assessment of top Congress leaders Rahul and Sonia Gandhi for 2011-12 in connection with the National Herald case.

National Herald case: SC allows I-T department to reopen tax case against Rahul, Sonia Gandhi The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Income Tax Department to reopen tax assessment of top Congress leaders Rahul and Sonia Gandhi for 2011-12 in connection with the National Herald case. Chinese scientist who conducted gene editing kept under house arrest: Report He Jiankui, the controversial Chinese scientist who claimed to have created the world's first genetically edited babies has been kept under house arrest, media reports said. France PM Philippe confirms fuel tax suspensions, calls for calm French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced Tuesday new concessions to "yellow vest" protesters, including the suspension for six months of planned tax increases raising the price of fuel. Sri Lanka crisis: Rajapaksa files appeal in Supreme Court against interim court's order An appeal was filed Tuesday in Sri Lanka's Supreme Court against a court order that barred Mahinda Rajapaksa from acting as Prime Minister. The Court of Appeal in an interim order Monday temporary halted Rajapaksa and his Cabinet from functioning in their positions in response to a case filed by 122 legislators against his disputed government. The court set the hearing of the case for December 12 and 13. Ukraine conducts military drill as Russia partially reopens Azov Sea ports Ukraine's armed forces conducted military drills even as Kiev said Russia has partially opened the Sea of Azov for Ukranian ships to enter the ports. "The Berdyansk and Mariupol ports have been partially unblocked," Ukraine's infrastructure minister Volodymyr Omelyan said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/war-will-continue-so-long-as-ukraine-government-stays-putin-180802">Ukrainian</a> authorities on Monday raided three Orthodox churches aligned to Russia as political and religious tensions between the two countries grow.

Police and security services also searched the homes of priests who have declared their allegiance to the Russian branch of the Orthodox church, regional police spokeswoman Alla Vashchenko told AFP.&nbsp;

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church was recently granted independence from Moscow in a controversial ruling that prompted cheers from Kiev but anger in Moscow.&nbsp;

The neighbours have also clashed in recent days after Russia seized Ukrainian ships and sailors in the countries' first open military confrontation since Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The raids on churches in northern Ukraine were part of a probe into the possible violation of a law on equality of religious belief, the spokeswoman said without providing details of the investigation.

"Nobody has been arrested," Vashchenko added.

But Archbishop Kliment Vecherya, a spokesman for the Russian-aligned Ukrainian church, compared the raids to the crackdown on religious freedoms during the early Soviet period.&nbsp;

"Something similar happened almost one hundred years ago during the time of the tyrant Stalin when priests and bishops were hauled in for questioning," he told AFP.

Metropolitan Vissarion, an official from the Moscow-aligned Orthodox Church in the Zhytomyr region, told AFP that officers "were ordered to seize everything to do with our church" in Monday's raids.

The raids came three days after authorities searched the residence of another Moscow-aligned church official, Metropolitan Pavlo, who oversees a major Kiev monastery.&nbsp;

The Orthodox church in Ukraine is divided between two main branches, one of which pledges loyalty to Moscow and one overseen by the Kiev-based Patriarch Filaret that Moscow does not recognise.

In a historic decision in October, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, considered the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide, agreed to recognise the Ukrainian Church's independence from Moscow.

The decision was a huge blow to Moscow's spiritual authority in the Orthodox world.&nbsp;

The Russian Church announced it would break ties with the Constantinople Patriarchate in protest.

The Russian Orthodox Church has repeatedly voiced fears that Ukraine will use legal moves or even force to take control of the churches and monasteries under its control.&nbsp;

Some priests have told their parishioners to be ready to defend them.

Ukrainian authorities on Monday raided three Orthodox churches aligned to Russia as political and religious tensions between the two countries grow. Police and security services also searched the homes of priests who have declared their allegiance to the Russian branch of the Orthodox church, regional police spokeswoman Alla Vashchenko told AFP.

Ukrainian authorities on Monday raided three Orthodox churches aligned to Russia as political and religious tensions between the two countries grow. Police and security services also searched the homes of priests who have declared their allegiance to the Russian branch of the Orthodox church, regional police spokeswoman Alla Vashchenko told AFP. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church was recently granted independence from Moscow in a controversial ruling that prompted cheers from Kiev but anger in Moscow. The neighbours have also clashed in recent days after Russia seized Ukrainian ships and sailors in the countries' first open military confrontation since Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The raids on churches in northern Ukraine were part of a probe into the possible violation of a law on equality of religious belief, the spokeswoman said without providing details of the investigation. "Nobody has been arrested," Vashchenko added. But Archbishop Kliment Vecherya, a spokesman for the Russian-aligned Ukrainian church, compared the raids to the crackdown on religious freedoms during the early Soviet period. "Something similar happened almost one hundred years ago during the time of the tyrant Stalin when priests and bishops were hauled in for questioning," he told AFP. Metropolitan Vissarion, an official from the Moscow-aligned Orthodox Church in the Zhytomyr region, told AFP that officers "were ordered to seize everything to do with our church" in Monday's raids. The raids came three days after authorities searched the residence of another Moscow-aligned church official, Metropolitan Pavlo, who oversees a major Kiev monastery. The Orthodox church in Ukraine is divided between two main branches, one of which pledges loyalty to Moscow and one overseen by the Kiev-based Patriarch Filaret that Moscow does not recognise. In a historic decision in October, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, considered the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide, agreed to recognise the Ukrainian Church's independence from Moscow. The decision was a huge blow to Moscow's spiritual authority in the Orthodox world. The Russian Church announced it would break ties with the Constantinople Patriarchate in protest. The Russian Orthodox Church has repeatedly voiced fears that Ukraine will use legal moves or even force to take control of the churches and monasteries under its control. Some priests have told their parishioners to be ready to defend them.

Ukraine raids Orthodox churches with Russia ties

Russia's space agency <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/crew-of-soyuz-rocket-alive-after-emergency-landing-russian-space-agency-170888">Roscosmos said today it has</a> "successfully launched into orbit" the first manned Soyuz flight to the International Space Station(ISS).

The Soyuz team consists of Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, Anne McClain of NASA and David Saint-Jacques of Canadian Space Agency.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Soyuz&nbsp;MS-11 flight lifted off from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

It is the first manned voyage to the ISS since the mission in October was aborted mid-air because of a rocket malfunction.&nbsp; 
According to Russian investigators, the rocket failure was caused due to sensor damage.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SoyuzMS11?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SoyuzMS11</a>: T+08:48 min → third stage cut-off and separation of the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft! Oleg Kononenko, <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_DavidS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_DavidS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AstroAnnimal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AstroAnnimal</a> are on their way to the International <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a>. 
 
Docking to ISS on December 3 at 17:36 UTC <a href="https://t.co/cKyX3zpM3Y">pic.twitter.com/cKyX3zpM3Y</a>
— РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) <a href="https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1069557076798709760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Before the flight, US astronaut Anne Mcclain had said that she trusted the rocket.

"We trust our rocket. We're ready to fly. I think the space flight it's a hard task, it's a complicated task," she said, adding, "we know that systems will fail and so the importance is having redundant systems, and even twice redundant system."

"I think what we learned from the inside in October was how safe this rocket was," she said.

The ISS space laboratory has been orbiting the Earth since 1998.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Russia's space agency Roscosmos said today it has "successfully launched into orbit" the first manned Soyuz flight to the International Space Station(ISS). The Soyuz team consists of Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, Anne McClain of NASA and David Saint-Jacques of Canadian Space Agency.

Russia's space agency Roscosmos said today it has "successfully launched into orbit" the first manned Soyuz flight to the International Space Station(ISS). The Soyuz team consists of Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, Anne McClain of NASA and David Saint-Jacques of Canadian Space Agency. The Soyuz MS-11 flight lifted off from Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It is the first manned voyage to the ISS since the mission in October was aborted mid-air because of a rocket malfunction. According to Russian investigators, the rocket failure was caused due to sensor damage. #SoyuzMS11: T+08:48 min → third stage cut-off and separation of the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft! Oleg Kononenko, @Astro_DavidS and @AstroAnnimal are on their way to the International @Space_Station. Docking to ISS on December 3 at 17:36 UTC pic.twitter.com/cKyX3zpM3Y — РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) December 3, 2018 × Before the flight, US astronaut Anne Mcclain had said that she trusted the rocket. "We trust our rocket. We're ready to fly. I think the space flight it's a hard task, it's a complicated task," she said, adding, "we know that systems will fail and so the importance is having redundant systems, and even twice redundant system." "I think what we learned from the inside in October was how safe this rocket was," she said. The ISS space laboratory has been orbiting the Earth since 1998.

Russia's Soyuz rocket blasts off into space to International Space Station

Russia-Ukraine crisis: War will continue as long as Ukraine govt stays; says Vladimir Putin

Russian dancer denied entry in Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday participated in a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 13th G20 Summit in Argentina.&nbsp;

Speaking during the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that the world today is going through extraordinary changes and uncertainty. "The increase in geopolitical tension is affecting global governance," he noted.&nbsp;

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PM Narendra Modi while speaking at trilateral meeting with Chinese President and Russian President: There is no doubt that the world today is going through extraordinary changes&amp;uncertainty.The increase in geopolitical tension is affecting global governance. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G20Summit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G20Summit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Argentina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Argentina</a> <a href="https://t.co/tTxe0C7kwc">pic.twitter.com/tTxe0C7kwc</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1068615976168476672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"WTO's Doha Development Agenda has been stalled, we haven't seen a financial commitment for developing countries from developed countries at an expected level since the Paris Accord. In this way, climate justice is being weakened," the Prime Minister stated.

Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale shared further information about PM Modi's interaction with the Russian and the Chinese leader at the trilateral meet, adding that the leaders felt that the three countries "should coordinate in various areas to contribute to global peace."

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Foreign Secy: They all felt that we should work together to steer global economic governance. They felt that 3 countries should work together in areas where we could promote peace and stability in regional crisis. We should work together on terrorism, disaster relief&amp;assistance <a href="https://t.co/vp09ZDwq1e">pic.twitter.com/vp09ZDwq1e</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1068631290667122688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"They all felt that we should work together to steer global economic governance. They felt that the three countries should work together in areas where we could promote peace and stability in the regional crisis. We should work together on terrorism, disaster relief and assistance," Gokhale added.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-g20-india-suggests-ftaf-should-define-fugitive-economic-offenders-180588">Prime Minister Modi at the Summit suggested</a> that the&nbsp;Financial Action Task Force or FATF should formulate a standard definition of fugitive economic offenders.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday participated in a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 13th G20 Summit in Argentina.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday participated in a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 13th G20 Summit in Argentina. Speaking during the meeting, the Prime Minister stated that the world today is going through extraordinary changes and uncertainty. "The increase in geopolitical tension is affecting global governance," he noted. PM Narendra Modi while speaking at trilateral meeting with Chinese President and Russian President: There is no doubt that the world today is going through extraordinary changes&uncertainty.The increase in geopolitical tension is affecting global governance. #G20Summit #Argentina pic.twitter.com/tTxe0C7kwc — ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2018 × "WTO's Doha Development Agenda has been stalled, we haven't seen a financial commitment for developing countries from developed countries at an expected level since the Paris Accord. In this way, climate justice is being weakened," the Prime Minister stated. Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale shared further information about PM Modi's interaction with the Russian and the Chinese leader at the trilateral meet, adding that the leaders felt that the three countries "should coordinate in various areas to contribute to global peace." Foreign Secy: They all felt that we should work together to steer global economic governance. They felt that 3 countries should work together in areas where we could promote peace and stability in regional crisis. We should work together on terrorism, disaster relief&assistance pic.twitter.com/vp09ZDwq1e — ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2018 × "They all felt that we should work together to steer global economic governance. They felt that the three countries should work together in areas where we could promote peace and stability in the regional crisis. We should work together on terrorism, disaster relief and assistance," Gokhale added. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi at the Summit suggested that the Financial Action Task Force or FATF should formulate a standard definition of fugitive economic offenders.

G20 Summit: Russia, India, China agree to work on terrorism, disaster relief, global peace

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning 1st December, 2018

G20 Summit: Second India-China- Russia trilateral meet after 12 years

By Akash&nbsp;Rai

"There is no doubt that the world today is going through extraordinary changes and uncertainty. The increase in geopolitical tension is affecting global governance," PM Modi at the trilateral meeting with Russia and China.

While addressing the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/g20-summit-russia-india-china-ric-agree-to-work-on-terrorism-disaster-relief-global-peace-180591">Russia-India-China meet</a> on the sidelines of G20, the PM said, ”There is an increased responsibility on world powers like India, China and Russia to maintain multilateralism and emphasise respecting and implementing international laws."

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PM Narendra Modi while speaking at trilateral meeting with Chinese President and Russian President: There is no doubt that the world today is going through extraordinary changes&amp;uncertainty.The increase in geopolitical tension is affecting global governance. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G20Summit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G20Summit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Argentina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Argentina</a> <a href="https://t.co/tTxe0C7kwc">pic.twitter.com/tTxe0C7kwc</a>
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Putting the&nbsp;focus on the issue of economic and climate change he added, ”WTO's Doha Development Agenda has been stalled, we haven't seen a financial commitment for developing countries from developed countries at an expected level since Paris Accords. In this way, climate justice is being weakened."

Later, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale informed media stating that the prime minister thanked Russian President Putin for initiating this effort which provides a clear and free opportunity in front of the world to discuss the upcoming uncertainties and issues. Gokhale further said that the cooperation would be based upon how the three countries, each having their own strength in the world, could contribute to global peace.

An informal meeting between these three countries took place after a gap of 12 years, Russia-India-China last held&nbsp;a summit in July 2006 on the sidelines of the G8 meeting in St. Petersburg. Since 2005, the countries organize separate meetings of their foreign ministers, hosted by the RIC member countries in turn.

From India’s perspective, Russia remains an important strategic partner for a number of reasons mostly because more than 70% of India's&nbsp;defence equipment comes from Russian origin. China is our biggest trade partner, bilateral trade reached $84.44 billion last year, a historic high notwithstanding bilateral tensions over a host of issues including the Doklam standoff.

&nbsp;

By Akash Rai "There is no doubt that the world today is going through extraordinary changes and uncertainty. The increase in geopolitical tension is affecting global governance," PM Modi at the trilateral meeting with Russia and China.

By Akash Rai "There is no doubt that the world today is going through extraordinary changes and uncertainty. The increase in geopolitical tension is affecting global governance," PM Modi at the trilateral meeting with Russia and China. While addressing the Russia-India-China meet on the sidelines of G20, the PM said, ”There is an increased responsibility on world powers like India, China and Russia to maintain multilateralism and emphasise respecting and implementing international laws." PM Narendra Modi while speaking at trilateral meeting with Chinese President and Russian President: There is no doubt that the world today is going through extraordinary changes&uncertainty.The increase in geopolitical tension is affecting global governance. #G20Summit #Argentina pic.twitter.com/tTxe0C7kwc — ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2018 × Putting the focus on the issue of economic and climate change he added, ”WTO's Doha Development Agenda has been stalled, we haven't seen a financial commitment for developing countries from developed countries at an expected level since Paris Accords. In this way, climate justice is being weakened." Later, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale informed media stating that the prime minister thanked Russian President Putin for initiating this effort which provides a clear and free opportunity in front of the world to discuss the upcoming uncertainties and issues. Gokhale further said that the cooperation would be based upon how the three countries, each having their own strength in the world, could contribute to global peace. An informal meeting between these three countries took place after a gap of 12 years, Russia-India-China last held a summit in July 2006 on the sidelines of the G8 meeting in St. Petersburg. Since 2005, the countries organize separate meetings of their foreign ministers, hosted by the RIC member countries in turn. From India’s perspective, Russia remains an important strategic partner for a number of reasons mostly because more than 70% of India's defence equipment comes from Russian origin. China is our biggest trade partner, bilateral trade reached $84.44 billion last year, a historic high notwithstanding bilateral tensions over a host of issues including the Doklam standoff.

World is going through extraordinary changes and uncertainty, affecting global governance: PM Modi

In a major step towards bolstering its defence power, India has approved defence purchase of 3,000 crore rupees with Russia, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

The Defence Acquisition Council has approved the defence procurement deal which includes BrahMos missiles and the construction of two Indian ships, to be built in Russia, as primary weapons.

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Defence Acquisition Council approves defence procurement of about Rs 3000 cr including Brahmos Missiles for two Indian ships to be built in Russia as primary weapon on board. DRDO designed &amp; developed Armoured Recovery Vehicles also approved for procurement for Army's MBT Arjun. <a href="https://t.co/WLgyQ5gfdB">pic.twitter.com/WLgyQ5gfdB</a>
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The approval has also been made for the procurement of DRDO-developed Armoured Recovery Vehicles for Army's MBT Arjun.

India and Russia concluded the $ 5 billion S-400 air defence system deal early in October this year.

More than 80 per cent of India's military equipment was of Soviet origin during the days of the Cold War, but since its breakup, New Delhi has diversified its weaponry.

In a major step towards bolstering its defence power, India has approved defence purchase of 3,000 crore rupees with Russia, news agency ANI reported. The Defence Acquisition Council has approved the defence procurement deal which includes BrahMos missiles and the construction of two Indian ships, to be built in Russia, as primary weapons.

In a major step towards bolstering its defence power, India has approved defence purchase of 3,000 crore rupees with Russia, news agency ANI reported. The Defence Acquisition Council has approved the defence procurement deal which includes BrahMos missiles and the construction of two Indian ships, to be built in Russia, as primary weapons. Defence Acquisition Council approves defence procurement of about Rs 3000 cr including Brahmos Missiles for two Indian ships to be built in Russia as primary weapon on board. DRDO designed & developed Armoured Recovery Vehicles also approved for procurement for Army's MBT Arjun. pic.twitter.com/WLgyQ5gfdB — ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018 × The approval has also been made for the procurement of DRDO-developed Armoured Recovery Vehicles for Army's MBT Arjun. India and Russia concluded the $ 5 billion S-400 air defence system deal early in October this year. More than 80 per cent of India's military equipment was of Soviet origin during the days of the Cold War, but since its breakup, New Delhi has diversified its weaponry.

India bolsters defence power, approves purchase of Rs 3,000 crore with Russia

Donald Trump's cancellation of weekend talks with his Russian counterpart is the latest in a series of collapsed efforts towards rapprochement.

After having promised during his 2016 electoral campaign to mend ties with Russia, the US president faced several global disputes that made a thaw difficult.

At the same time, the US special counsel's probe of possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia raised domestic suspicion over any efforts towards accommodation with his Kremlin counterpart.

Trump's own conciliatory attitude also stirred the hostility of an American Congress which has stood up to Moscow.

Sensitive matters

This time, it's the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine that intervened when the two leaders were supposed to meet Saturday at the G20 summit in Argentina.

After Russian forces last weekend seized three Ukrainian ships off the coast of Crimea, Trump on Thursday said "it would be best for all parties" to cancel his meeting with Putin.

Trump added that he looks forward to a "meaningful summit again as soon as this situation is resolved."

The Ukraine case reflects Washington's ambivalent attitude since the billionaire Republican property tycoon entered the White House early last year.

"The United States would welcome a normal relationship with Russia. But outlaw actions like this one continue to make that impossible," US Ambassador Nikki Haley told a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine Monday.

Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 has led to numerous rounds of US sanctions.

But when he met Putin for a summit in July this year in Helsinki, Trump was restrained on issues related to Ukraine.

On other matters, the two presidents would like to cooperate, starting with war-ravaged Syria.&nbsp;

The US and Russia have backed competing factions in Syria, but on the sidelines of an APEC summit one year ago in Vietnam -- where the two presidents chatted together -- they issued a joint presidential statement that there was "no military solution" to the war.

This embryonic entente was quickly contradicted on the battlefield.

In April Trump ordered the US military to launch joint missile strikes against Syrian targets, with France and Britain, after an alleged chemical weapons attack that left scores of Syrians dead.&nbsp;

The use of a nerve agent against former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England early this year also poisoned the warming of ties which Trump and Putin wanted.

In August the US said it was imposing new sanctions on Russia over the case. Washington also expelled 60 Russian diplomats for alleged spying, and Moscow retaliated in kind.

The Mueller probe

For Trump's detractors, the root concern is Russian interference in the 2016 election which brought him to power, and possible collusion between Moscow and Trump's campaign team -- an issue being investigated by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

From the start, all the overtures Trump made in the direction of Putin were interpreted by his critics in light of suspected collusion.

Most of the more than 30 people charged by Mueller are Russians, but the investigator has also secured guilty pleas on various charges against former Trump aides.

Trump routinely denounces Mueller's investigation as a witch hunt and the White House has said it has polluted American-Russian relations.

As a result, questions are being raised as the Mueller probe seems to intensify -- and so do Trump's attacks on it.

"Did Trump cancel his meeting with Putin because of Russian attack on Ukraine or Cohen revelations?" the former US ambassador to Moscow, Michael McFaul, asked on Twitter.

Trump pulled out of the G20 Putin meeting after his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in court to lying to Congress about trying to negotiate a deal for a Trump Tower project in Moscow well into the middle of 2016.

At that time Trump had already secured the Republican nomination for president.

- Trump controversies - 
But it is often the attitude of Donald Trump himself that finally undermines efforts at rapprochement.

Both in Vietnam in November 2017, then in Helsinki last July, the US president seemed to give more weight to Russian denials of alleged interference than to accusations by his own intelligence agencies.

Trump then backpedalled.

While numerous officials acknowledge that it would be good to stand firm against Russia, most say Trump isn't capable of it.

His summit with Putin in Helsinki became controversial domestically after he and the Russian president held two hours of closed-door talks with no one else present but the interpreters.

"I would have suggested a different way," Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said at the time.

The task is all the more complicated for the president because he has to work with a Congress that, even among his own Republican party, favors firmness towards Moscow.

Thursday's summit cancellation, therefore drew more praise than criticism.

"It's still a good decision for the US&nbsp;Very unlikely Trump would have delivered a stiff message to Putin personally," former diplomat Nicholas Burns said on Twitter.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Donald Trump's cancellation of weekend talks with his Russian counterpart is the latest in a series of collapsed efforts towards rapprochement. After having promised during his 2016 electoral campaign to mend ties with Russia, the US president faced several global disputes that made a thaw difficult.

Donald Trump's cancellation of weekend talks with his Russian counterpart is the latest in a series of collapsed efforts towards rapprochement. After having promised during his 2016 electoral campaign to mend ties with Russia, the US president faced several global disputes that made a thaw difficult. At the same time, the US special counsel's probe of possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia raised domestic suspicion over any efforts towards accommodation with his Kremlin counterpart. Trump's own conciliatory attitude also stirred the hostility of an American Congress which has stood up to Moscow. Sensitive matters This time, it's the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine that intervened when the two leaders were supposed to meet Saturday at the G20 summit in Argentina. After Russian forces last weekend seized three Ukrainian ships off the coast of Crimea, Trump on Thursday said "it would be best for all parties" to cancel his meeting with Putin. Trump added that he looks forward to a "meaningful summit again as soon as this situation is resolved." The Ukraine case reflects Washington's ambivalent attitude since the billionaire Republican property tycoon entered the White House early last year. "The United States would welcome a normal relationship with Russia. But outlaw actions like this one continue to make that impossible," US Ambassador Nikki Haley told a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine Monday. Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 has led to numerous rounds of US sanctions. But when he met Putin for a summit in July this year in Helsinki, Trump was restrained on issues related to Ukraine. On other matters, the two presidents would like to cooperate, starting with war-ravaged Syria. The US and Russia have backed competing factions in Syria, but on the sidelines of an APEC summit one year ago in Vietnam -- where the two presidents chatted together -- they issued a joint presidential statement that there was "no military solution" to the war. This embryonic entente was quickly contradicted on the battlefield. In April Trump ordered the US military to launch joint missile strikes against Syrian targets, with France and Britain, after an alleged chemical weapons attack that left scores of Syrians dead. The use of a nerve agent against former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in England early this year also poisoned the warming of ties which Trump and Putin wanted. In August the US said it was imposing new sanctions on Russia over the case. Washington also expelled 60 Russian diplomats for alleged spying, and Moscow retaliated in kind. The Mueller probe For Trump's detractors, the root concern is Russian interference in the 2016 election which brought him to power, and possible collusion between Moscow and Trump's campaign team -- an issue being investigated by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. From the start, all the overtures Trump made in the direction of Putin were interpreted by his critics in light of suspected collusion. Most of the more than 30 people charged by Mueller are Russians, but the investigator has also secured guilty pleas on various charges against former Trump aides. Trump routinely denounces Mueller's investigation as a witch hunt and the White House has said it has polluted American-Russian relations. As a result, questions are being raised as the Mueller probe seems to intensify -- and so do Trump's attacks on it. "Did Trump cancel his meeting with Putin because of Russian attack on Ukraine or Cohen revelations?" the former US ambassador to Moscow, Michael McFaul, asked on Twitter. Trump pulled out of the G20 Putin meeting after his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in court to lying to Congress about trying to negotiate a deal for a Trump Tower project in Moscow well into the middle of 2016. At that time Trump had already secured the Republican nomination for president. - Trump controversies - But it is often the attitude of Donald Trump himself that finally undermines efforts at rapprochement. Both in Vietnam in November 2017, then in Helsinki last July, the US president seemed to give more weight to Russian denials of alleged interference than to accusations by his own intelligence agencies. Trump then backpedalled. While numerous officials acknowledge that it would be good to stand firm against Russia, most say Trump isn't capable of it. His summit with Putin in Helsinki became controversial domestically after he and the Russian president held two hours of closed-door talks with no one else present but the interpreters. "I would have suggested a different way," Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats said at the time. The task is all the more complicated for the president because he has to work with a Congress that, even among his own Republican party, favors firmness towards Moscow. Thursday's summit cancellation, therefore drew more praise than criticism. "It's still a good decision for the US Very unlikely Trump would have delivered a stiff message to Putin personally," former diplomat Nicholas Burns said on Twitter.

Trump-Putin: A rapprochement unrealised

Russia must release the Ukrainian boats and sailors it captured on Sunday, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday, adding that Britain would continue to push for "appropriate sanctions."

Russia opened fire on the three Ukrainian vessels and then seized them and their crew on Sunday near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Moscow and Kiev have tried to pin the blame on each other for the incident.

"This is part of a pattern of Russian behaviour. They should release those ships and sailors, they should de-escalate the situation,” May told reporters on the flight to the G20 summit in Argentina, which Russian President Vladimir Putin is also due to attend.

"We have always been at the forefront in the EU of calling for sanctions on Russia in relation to its behaviour,” she added. “We will continue to push for what we consider to be appropriate sanctions on Russia.”

Earlier this week several senior European politicians raised the possibility of new sanctions against Russia to punish it for capturing the boats.

Russia must release the Ukrainian boats and sailors it captured on Sunday, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday, adding that Britain would continue to push for "appropriate sanctions.

Russia must release the Ukrainian boats and sailors it captured on Sunday, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday, adding that Britain would continue to push for "appropriate sanctions." Russia opened fire on the three Ukrainian vessels and then seized them and their crew on Sunday near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Moscow and Kiev have tried to pin the blame on each other for the incident. "This is part of a pattern of Russian behaviour. They should release those ships and sailors, they should de-escalate the situation,” May told reporters on the flight to the G20 summit in Argentina, which Russian President Vladimir Putin is also due to attend. "We have always been at the forefront in the EU of calling for sanctions on Russia in relation to its behaviour,” she added. “We will continue to push for what we consider to be appropriate sanctions on Russia.” Earlier this week several senior European politicians raised the possibility of new sanctions against Russia to punish it for capturing the boats.

UK PM May says Russia must release Ukrainian vessels and crew

India will be taking part in two major trilaterals on Friday. One with Japan and US, another with China and Russia. The very first trilateral with Japan, America will take place on Friday. It was United States National Security Advisor Ambassador John Bolton who announced it and said," (Trump will be meeting)...Prime Minister Abe of Japan. That will transform at some point during that meeting into a trilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi."

This is an important trilateral coming on the background of Indo-Pacific concept gaining currency and quad meeting--India, Japan, Australia and the US-- taking place earlier this year in Singapore.

The second meeting with Russia and China (RIC) will take place after an interval of twelve years.

The timing of the&nbsp;meetings is directly related to the&nbsp;period of major global developments from trade wars to climate change issue. Sources told WION that, "It is indicative of India's growing diplomatic and economic profile in the world."

Sources added that it is "recognition of India assuming the leadership role on global issues of people's concerns such as climate change, renewable energy, corruption and disaster resilient infrastructure. Reflection of our willingness to contribute in a positive and a constructive way in strengthening multilateral institutions like WTO and trying to build a consensus on new ideas like Indo-Pacific."

BRICS informal summit will also take place which has been a permanent fixture on the sidelines of G20 summits.

Last year in 2017 the BRICS Informal summit took place on the sidelines of the 12th G20 summit during which the Indian PM met Chinese President Xi Jinping which helped in brokering peace at a time when the Doklam crisis was looming large on Sino-India ties. 
&nbsp;

India will be taking part in two major trilaterals on Friday. One with Japan and US, another with China and Russia. The very first trilateral with Japan, America will take place on Friday.

India will be taking part in two major trilaterals on Friday. One with Japan and US, another with China and Russia. The very first trilateral with Japan, America will take place on Friday. It was United States National Security Advisor Ambassador John Bolton who announced it and said," (Trump will be meeting)...Prime Minister Abe of Japan. That will transform at some point during that meeting into a trilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi." This is an important trilateral coming on the background of Indo-Pacific concept gaining currency and quad meeting--India, Japan, Australia and the US-- taking place earlier this year in Singapore. The second meeting with Russia and China (RIC) will take place after an interval of twelve years. The timing of the meetings is directly related to the period of major global developments from trade wars to climate change issue. Sources told WION that, "It is indicative of India's growing diplomatic and economic profile in the world." Sources added that it is "recognition of India assuming the leadership role on global issues of people's concerns such as climate change, renewable energy, corruption and disaster resilient infrastructure. Reflection of our willingness to contribute in a positive and a constructive way in strengthening multilateral institutions like WTO and trying to build a consensus on new ideas like Indo-Pacific." BRICS informal summit will also take place which has been a permanent fixture on the sidelines of G20 summits. Last year in 2017 the BRICS Informal summit took place on the sidelines of the 12th G20 summit during which the Indian PM met Chinese President Xi Jinping which helped in brokering peace at a time when the Doklam crisis was looming large on Sino-India ties.

G20 Summit: A day of trilaterals for India 

Ukraine has banned Russian adult men aged 16-60 years from entering Ukraine, the head of the border service Petro Tsygykal said in a televised meeting on Friday.

"Today, the entry of foreigners is limited - primarily citizens of the Russian Federation - non-admission of citizens of the Russian Federation aged from 16 to 60, male," Tsygykal said.

On the other hand,&nbsp;Russia does not plan to ban Ukrainian men from entering the country in a tit-for-tat response to a broad entry ban imposed by Ukraine, RIA news agency cited Russian lawmaker Frants Klintsevich as saying on Friday.

Ukraine imposed martial law this week, citing fears that Russia was planning a full scale invasion after Russian vessels fired on and captured Ukrainian ships last weekend.

Russia opened fire on the three Ukrainian vessels and then seized them and their crew on Sunday near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Moscow and Kiev have tried to pin the blame on each other for the incident.

Earlier this week several senior European politicians raised the possibility of new sanctions against Russia to punish it for capturing the boats.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday said that Russia must release the Ukrainian boats and sailors it captured on Sunday, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday, adding that Britain would continue to push for "appropriate sanctions."

"This is part of a pattern of Russian behaviour. They should release those ships and sailors, they should de-escalate the situation,” May told reporters on the flight to the G20 summit in Argentina, which Russian President Vladimir Putin is also due to attend.

"We have always been at the forefront in the EU of calling for sanctions on Russia in relation to its behaviour,” she added. “We will continue to push for what we consider to be appropriate sanctions on Russia.”

Ukraine has banned Russian adult men aged 16-60 years from entering Ukraine, the head of the border service Petro Tsygykal said in a televised meeting on Friday.

Ukraine has banned Russian adult men aged 16-60 years from entering Ukraine, the head of the border service Petro Tsygykal said in a televised meeting on Friday. "Today, the entry of foreigners is limited - primarily citizens of the Russian Federation - non-admission of citizens of the Russian Federation aged from 16 to 60, male," Tsygykal said. On the other hand, Russia does not plan to ban Ukrainian men from entering the country in a tit-for-tat response to a broad entry ban imposed by Ukraine, RIA news agency cited Russian lawmaker Frants Klintsevich as saying on Friday. Ukraine imposed martial law this week, citing fears that Russia was planning a full scale invasion after Russian vessels fired on and captured Ukrainian ships last weekend. Russia opened fire on the three Ukrainian vessels and then seized them and their crew on Sunday near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Moscow and Kiev have tried to pin the blame on each other for the incident. Earlier this week several senior European politicians raised the possibility of new sanctions against Russia to punish it for capturing the boats. UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday said that Russia must release the Ukrainian boats and sailors it captured on Sunday, British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday, adding that Britain would continue to push for "appropriate sanctions." "This is part of a pattern of Russian behaviour. They should release those ships and sailors, they should de-escalate the situation,” May told reporters on the flight to the G20 summit in Argentina, which Russian President Vladimir Putin is also due to attend. "We have always been at the forefront in the EU of calling for sanctions on Russia in relation to its behaviour,” she added. “We will continue to push for what we consider to be appropriate sanctions on Russia.”

Russian men, aged 16-60 years, won't be allowed to enter the country: Ukraine

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked NATO members including Germany Thursday to send naval vessels to the Sea of Azov to back his country in the standoff with Russia.

"Germany is one of our closest allies, and we hope that states within NATO are now ready to relocate naval ships to the Sea of Azov in order to assist Ukraine and provide security," he told Germany's Bild daily.

President Vladimir Putin insisted Wednesday that Russian forces were right to seize three Ukrainian ships last weekend.

But Poroshenko charged that Putin "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-warns-of-threat-of-full-scale-war-with-russia-179864">wants nothing less than to occupy the sea</a>. The only language he understands is the unity of the Western world.

"We cannot accept this aggressive policy of Russia. First it was Crimea, then eastern Ukraine, now he wants the Sea of Azov.&nbsp;

"Germany, too, has to ask itself: What will Putin do next if we do not stop him?" he added on the day Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman was to visit Berlin.

Russia fired on and then seized three Ukrainian ships on Sunday, accusing them of illegally entering its waters in the Sea of Azov, in a dramatic spike in tensions that raises fears of a wider escalation.

Kiev accused Russia, which annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, of launching "a new phase of aggression".

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Monday demanded Russia free the Ukrainian ships and sailors, warning Moscow that "its actions have consequences".

Poroshenko also told the German newspaper that German "Chancellor (Angela) Merkel is a great friend of Ukraine.&nbsp;

"In 2015, she already saved our country through her negotiations in Minsk, and we hope she will once again support us so strongly, together with our other allies.

"Putin wants to bring back the old Russian Empire. Crimea, Donbas, he wants the whole country," he added.&nbsp;

"As a Russian emperor, as he sees himself, his empire cannot function without Ukraine, he sees us as a colony."

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked NATO members including Germany Thursday to send naval vessels to the Sea of Azov to back his country in the standoff with Russia.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked NATO members including Germany Thursday to send naval vessels to the Sea of Azov to back his country in the standoff with Russia. "Germany is one of our closest allies, and we hope that states within NATO are now ready to relocate naval ships to the Sea of Azov in order to assist Ukraine and provide security," he told Germany's Bild daily. President Vladimir Putin insisted Wednesday that Russian forces were right to seize three Ukrainian ships last weekend. But Poroshenko charged that Putin "wants nothing less than to occupy the sea. The only language he understands is the unity of the Western world. "We cannot accept this aggressive policy of Russia. First it was Crimea, then eastern Ukraine, now he wants the Sea of Azov. "Germany, too, has to ask itself: What will Putin do next if we do not stop him?" he added on the day Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman was to visit Berlin. Russia fired on and then seized three Ukrainian ships on Sunday, accusing them of illegally entering its waters in the Sea of Azov, in a dramatic spike in tensions that raises fears of a wider escalation. Kiev accused Russia, which annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, of launching "a new phase of aggression". NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Monday demanded Russia free the Ukrainian ships and sailors, warning Moscow that "its actions have consequences". Poroshenko also told the German newspaper that German "Chancellor (Angela) Merkel is a great friend of Ukraine. "In 2015, she already saved our country through her negotiations in Minsk, and we hope she will once again support us so strongly, together with our other allies. "Putin wants to bring back the old Russian Empire. Crimea, Donbas, he wants the whole country," he added. "As a Russian emperor, as he sees himself, his empire cannot function without Ukraine, he sees us as a colony."

Ukraine asks NATO to send ships to back it in conflict with Russia

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-asks-nato-to-send-ships-to-back-it-in-conflict-with-russia-180117">Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko</a> on Thursday accused Russia's Vladimir Putin of wanting to annex his entire country and called for NATO to deploy warships to a sea shared by the two nations.

Poroshenko's comments to German media were part of a concerted push by Kiev aimed at gaining Western support for more sanctions against Moscow, securing tangible Western military help, and rallying opposition to a Russian gas pipeline that threatens to deprive Ukraine of important transit revenue.

His Western allies have so far not offered to give him any of these things soon, despite his warnings of a possible invasion by Russia after Moscow seized three Ukrainian naval ships and their crews on Sunday.

Moscow and Kiev blame each other for the Black Sea incident, which took place off Russian-annexed Crimea.

"Don't believe Putin's lies," Poroshenko told Bild, Germany's biggest-selling paper, comparing Russia's protestations of innocence in the affair to Moscow's 2014 denial that it had soldiers in Crimea even as they moved to annex it.

"Putin wants the old Russian empire back," he said. "Crimea, Donbass, the whole country. As Russian Tsar, as he sees himself, his empire cannot function without Ukraine. He sees us as his colony."

Volodymyr Omelyan, Ukraine's infrastructure minister, on Thursday accused Russia of imposing a de facto blockade on two Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov by barring ships from leaving and entering the sea via the Russian-controlled Kerch Strait.

The Kremlin denied it was restricting shipping, saying it had not heard of any problems. If there were any delays they were due to bad weather rather than politics, it said.

Poroshenko told Bild he also wanted NATO to deploy warships to the Sea of Azov. There was no immediate reaction from the alliance, which has condemned Russia's seizure of the Ukrainian ships. The Kremlin said Poroshenko's request looked designed to cause more tensions in the area.

'FORTRESS CRIMEA'

There were further signs that Russia was pressing ahead with its plans to fortify Crimea and turn it into what Kremlin-backed media have called a fortress.

Russia on Thursday deployed a new battalion of advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile systems in Crimea, its fourth such, TASS news agency cited a spokesman for Russia's Black Sea Fleet as saying.

Citing a Crimean security source, Interfax news agency also reported Russian plans to build a new missile early-warning radar station in Crimea next year that would be able to track ballistic and cruise missiles from a long distance.

Russia was also working on a new technical system to allow it to better track shipping around the peninsula in order to protect its maritime borders, Interfax said.

The United States and the EU have both imposed sanctions on Russia over its conduct towards Ukraine since 2014, when Moscow seized and annexed Crimea after a pro-Russian leader was toppled in Kiev.

Moscow later backed pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in a conflict in which more than 10,000 people have been killed. Major fighting ended with a 2015 ceasefire but deadly exchanges of fire are still frequent.

Poroshenko, whom Putin has accused of manufacturing the Black Sea crisis to boost his flagging ratings before an election next year, called on Germany to halt an undersea pipeline project that would allow Russia to supply more gas to Germany directly.

The Nord Stream 2 project is a potentially serious problem for Ukraine which currently earns large transit fees from piping Russian gas to Europe and stands to lose out.

"We need a strong, resolute and clear reaction to Russia's aggressive behaviour," Poroshenko told Funke. "That also means stopping the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project."

But Germany's economy minister dismissed the idea that his country's commitment to the pipeline undermined efforts to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis.

"These are two separate questions," Peter Altmaier told the ARD public broadcaster.

Poroshenko's attempts to get the EU to impose new sanctions on Russia appeared to be falling flat.

Heeding his suggestion, the EU's hawks have called for more sanctions but the divided bloc is not going to act swiftly, if at all, diplomatic sources have said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would raise the Black Sea issue with Putin at a G20 summit which starts in Argentina on Friday where the Russian leader is also due to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump.

NATO has urged Russia to release the three Ukrainian navy ships and their crews, saying there was no justification for Moscow's actions. But the military alliance, which Ukraine one day hopes to join, has stopped short of offering to deploy new forces in the area to deter Russia.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday accused Russia's Vladimir Putin of wanting to annex his entire country and called for NATO to deploy warships to a sea shared by the two nations.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday accused Russia's Vladimir Putin of wanting to annex his entire country and called for NATO to deploy warships to a sea shared by the two nations. Poroshenko's comments to German media were part of a concerted push by Kiev aimed at gaining Western support for more sanctions against Moscow, securing tangible Western military help, and rallying opposition to a Russian gas pipeline that threatens to deprive Ukraine of important transit revenue. His Western allies have so far not offered to give him any of these things soon, despite his warnings of a possible invasion by Russia after Moscow seized three Ukrainian naval ships and their crews on Sunday. Moscow and Kiev blame each other for the Black Sea incident, which took place off Russian-annexed Crimea. "Don't believe Putin's lies," Poroshenko told Bild, Germany's biggest-selling paper, comparing Russia's protestations of innocence in the affair to Moscow's 2014 denial that it had soldiers in Crimea even as they moved to annex it. "Putin wants the old Russian empire back," he said. "Crimea, Donbass, the whole country. As Russian Tsar, as he sees himself, his empire cannot function without Ukraine. He sees us as his colony." Volodymyr Omelyan, Ukraine's infrastructure minister, on Thursday accused Russia of imposing a de facto blockade on two Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov by barring ships from leaving and entering the sea via the Russian-controlled Kerch Strait. The Kremlin denied it was restricting shipping, saying it had not heard of any problems. If there were any delays they were due to bad weather rather than politics, it said. Poroshenko told Bild he also wanted NATO to deploy warships to the Sea of Azov. There was no immediate reaction from the alliance, which has condemned Russia's seizure of the Ukrainian ships. The Kremlin said Poroshenko's request looked designed to cause more tensions in the area. 'FORTRESS CRIMEA' There were further signs that Russia was pressing ahead with its plans to fortify Crimea and turn it into what Kremlin-backed media have called a fortress. Russia on Thursday deployed a new battalion of advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile systems in Crimea, its fourth such, TASS news agency cited a spokesman for Russia's Black Sea Fleet as saying. Citing a Crimean security source, Interfax news agency also reported Russian plans to build a new missile early-warning radar station in Crimea next year that would be able to track ballistic and cruise missiles from a long distance. Russia was also working on a new technical system to allow it to better track shipping around the peninsula in order to protect its maritime borders, Interfax said. The United States and the EU have both imposed sanctions on Russia over its conduct towards Ukraine since 2014, when Moscow seized and annexed Crimea after a pro-Russian leader was toppled in Kiev. Moscow later backed pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in a conflict in which more than 10,000 people have been killed. Major fighting ended with a 2015 ceasefire but deadly exchanges of fire are still frequent. Poroshenko, whom Putin has accused of manufacturing the Black Sea crisis to boost his flagging ratings before an election next year, called on Germany to halt an undersea pipeline project that would allow Russia to supply more gas to Germany directly. The Nord Stream 2 project is a potentially serious problem for Ukraine which currently earns large transit fees from piping Russian gas to Europe and stands to lose out. "We need a strong, resolute and clear reaction to Russia's aggressive behaviour," Poroshenko told Funke. "That also means stopping the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project." But Germany's economy minister dismissed the idea that his country's commitment to the pipeline undermined efforts to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis. "These are two separate questions," Peter Altmaier told the ARD public broadcaster. Poroshenko's attempts to get the EU to impose new sanctions on Russia appeared to be falling flat. Heeding his suggestion, the EU's hawks have called for more sanctions but the divided bloc is not going to act swiftly, if at all, diplomatic sources have said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would raise the Black Sea issue with Putin at a G20 summit which starts in Argentina on Friday where the Russian leader is also due to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. NATO has urged Russia to release the three Ukrainian navy ships and their crews, saying there was no justification for Moscow's actions. But the military alliance, which Ukraine one day hopes to join, has stopped short of offering to deploy new forces in the area to deter Russia.

Putin wants my whole country, says Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-warns-of-threat-of-full-scale-war-with-russia-179864">Ukraine warns of threat of 'full-scale war' with Russia</a>

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday warned of the threat of "full-scale war" and said Russia had sharply increased its military presence on their shared border as tensions escalate between the ex-Soviet neighbours.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/assembly-elections-2018-polling-begins-in-mizoram-179865">Assembly elections 2018: Polling begins in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram</a>

Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram go to the polls today. While the northeastern state is one of three in the country currently under Congress rule, the BJP has now been in power in Madhya Pradesh for three terms.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/paks-imran-khan-to-lay-foundation-stone-for-kartarpur-corridor-today-179871">Pak's Imran Khan to lay </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/paks-imran-khan-to-lay-foundation-stone-for-kartarpur-corridor-today-179871">foundation</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/paks-imran-khan-to-lay-foundation-stone-for-kartarpur-corridor-today-179871"> stone for Kartarpur Corridor today</a>

Prime Minister Imran Khan will on Wednesday lay the foundation stone for the much-awaited corridor linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur — the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev — to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district to facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-cut-gm-subsidies-in-retaliation-for-us-job-cuts-179852">After US job cuts, Trump threatens to stop all GM subsidies</a>

US President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to eliminate subsidies for General Motors Co in retaliation for the automaker cutting US jobs and plants, and the automaker also took fire from Canadian political and labour leaders for cutbacks there.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-suggests-creating-worldwide-network-to-counter-cnns-unfair-reporting-179855">To counter CNN's 'unfair' reporting, Trump suggests creating a 'Worldwide Network'</a>

President Donald Trump slammed American broadcast network CNN for portraying the US in an "unfair and false way" to the rest of the world and suggested launching a "Worldwide Network" to counter CNN`s reporting by showing another view of the situation in the country.

Ukraine warns of threat of 'full-scale war' with Russia Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday warned of the threat of "full-scale war" and said Russia had sharply increased its military presence on their shared border as tensions escalate between the ex-Soviet neighbours.

Ukraine warns of threat of 'full-scale war' with Russia Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday warned of the threat of "full-scale war" and said Russia had sharply increased its military presence on their shared border as tensions escalate between the ex-Soviet neighbours. Assembly elections 2018: Polling begins in Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram go to the polls today. While the northeastern state is one of three in the country currently under Congress rule, the BJP has now been in power in Madhya Pradesh for three terms. Pak's Imran Khan to lay foundation stone for Kartarpur Corridor today Prime Minister Imran Khan will on Wednesday lay the foundation stone for the much-awaited corridor linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur — the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev — to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district to facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims. After US job cuts, Trump threatens to stop all GM subsidies US President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to eliminate subsidies for General Motors Co in retaliation for the automaker cutting US jobs and plants, and the automaker also took fire from Canadian political and labour leaders for cutbacks there. To counter CNN's 'unfair' reporting, Trump suggests creating a 'Worldwide Network' President Donald Trump slammed American broadcast network CNN for portraying the US in an "unfair and false way" to the rest of the world and suggested launching a "Worldwide Network" to counter CNN`s reporting by showing another view of the situation in the country.

Russia-Ukraine stand-off: Petro Poroshenko orchestrated naval provocation

President Donald Trump will hold a make-or-break trade meeting with his Chinese counterpart at the G20 summit this week and also <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-may-cancel-putin-meeting-at-g20-over-ukraine-conflict-179853">navigate a diplomatic minefield with Russia's president</a> after unrest in Ukraine, the White House said Tuesday.

Trump is due to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires for a working dinner at the Group of 20 summit that runs Friday and Saturday.

Economic advisor Larry Kudlow told a White House press conference that "the president said there is a good possibility that we can make a deal and he is open to it."

But Kudlow warned that if China holds out against US demands, Washington could ramp up the trade war.

"If need be, if things don't work out in this US-China summit meeting, he will invoke another $267 some odd billion dollars in tariffs."

The issue is the biggest looming over Trump's visit to Argentina, with the two economic giants locked in exchanges of punitive tariffs and Washington effectively threatening to target all remaining Chinese imports, including Apple products made in China.

Despite Kudlow's repeated insistence that Trump sees cause for optimism, he also underlined the tough conditions that the administration wants to impose on Beijing.

"China should change its practices and come into the community of responsible trading nations," Kudlow said, stressing that he considers the US economy in far better shape than China's to weather a prolonged trade war.

"We are in a position to deal with it and handle it very well," he said.

China will have to give way on "fairness and reciprocity," he said, warning that US concerns over intellectual property theft and China's forced technology transfers "must be solved."

Cancel Putin summit?

Trump is also to meet separately with Russia's Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Argentina, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey, White House officials said.

His talks with Putin present an especially tricky task -- and may be cancelled at the last minute over Russia's seizure of Ukrainian vessels in the latest episode of a long-simmering military confrontation.

US-Russia relations are under huge strain, while Trump is under investigation at home for alleged collusion with Moscow during his 2016 presidential election win.

Complicating the already complex diplomatic landscape, Russia shot at Ukrainian ships and captured three vessels on Sunday, prompting the government in Ukraine to accuse Moscow of preparing for "full-scale war."

Trump told The Washington Post on Tuesday that "maybe I won't have the meeting." He said he would wait for the results of a report from his national security team before deciding.

Trump's last summit with Putin, in Helsinki in July 2018, prompted an outpouring of criticism that the US president had failed to hold his Russian counterpart to account over what US intelligence services have concluded was deliberate Kremlin meddling in the 2016 elections.

There are no plans, the White House says, for Trump to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of the oil-rich Gulf kingdom.

The CIA reportedly has told Trump that Prince Mohammed, who has close ties to the administration, was behind the brutal murder of dissident journalist and US resident Jamal Khashoggi. But Trump has dismissed this, prompting an outcry from opponents and even some allies in Congress.

Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders indicated that an informal meeting may yet happen.

"I wouldn't say we've ruled out any interaction," she said, although she stressed that "the president's schedule is pretty packed."

President Donald Trump will hold a make-or-break trade meeting with his Chinese counterpart at the G20 summit this week and also navigate a diplomatic minefield with Russia's president after unrest in Ukraine, the White House said Tuesday.

President Donald Trump will hold a make-or-break trade meeting with his Chinese counterpart at the G20 summit this week and also navigate a diplomatic minefield with Russia's president after unrest in Ukraine, the White House said Tuesday. Trump is due to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires for a working dinner at the Group of 20 summit that runs Friday and Saturday. Economic advisor Larry Kudlow told a White House press conference that "the president said there is a good possibility that we can make a deal and he is open to it." But Kudlow warned that if China holds out against US demands, Washington could ramp up the trade war. "If need be, if things don't work out in this US-China summit meeting, he will invoke another $267 some odd billion dollars in tariffs." The issue is the biggest looming over Trump's visit to Argentina, with the two economic giants locked in exchanges of punitive tariffs and Washington effectively threatening to target all remaining Chinese imports, including Apple products made in China. Despite Kudlow's repeated insistence that Trump sees cause for optimism, he also underlined the tough conditions that the administration wants to impose on Beijing. "China should change its practices and come into the community of responsible trading nations," Kudlow said, stressing that he considers the US economy in far better shape than China's to weather a prolonged trade war. "We are in a position to deal with it and handle it very well," he said. China will have to give way on "fairness and reciprocity," he said, warning that US concerns over intellectual property theft and China's forced technology transfers "must be solved." Cancel Putin summit? Trump is also to meet separately with Russia's Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Argentina, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey, White House officials said. His talks with Putin present an especially tricky task -- and may be cancelled at the last minute over Russia's seizure of Ukrainian vessels in the latest episode of a long-simmering military confrontation. US-Russia relations are under huge strain, while Trump is under investigation at home for alleged collusion with Moscow during his 2016 presidential election win. Complicating the already complex diplomatic landscape, Russia shot at Ukrainian ships and captured three vessels on Sunday, prompting the government in Ukraine to accuse Moscow of preparing for "full-scale war." Trump told The Washington Post on Tuesday that "maybe I won't have the meeting." He said he would wait for the results of a report from his national security team before deciding. Trump's last summit with Putin, in Helsinki in July 2018, prompted an outpouring of criticism that the US president had failed to hold his Russian counterpart to account over what US intelligence services have concluded was deliberate Kremlin meddling in the 2016 elections. There are no plans, the White House says, for Trump to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto leader of the oil-rich Gulf kingdom. The CIA reportedly has told Trump that Prince Mohammed, who has close ties to the administration, was behind the brutal murder of dissident journalist and US resident Jamal Khashoggi. But Trump has dismissed this, prompting an outcry from opponents and even some allies in Congress. Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders indicated that an informal meeting may yet happen. "I wouldn't say we've ruled out any interaction," she said, although she stressed that "the president's schedule is pretty packed."

At G20, Trump faces showdown with Russia over Ukraine, with China over tariffs

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he may cancel his scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Argentina because of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-warns-of-threat-of-full-scale-war-with-russia-179864">Russia`s maritime clash with Ukraine</a>.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Trump said he was awaiting a "full report" from his national security team Tuesday evening about Russia’s capture of three Ukrainian naval ships and their crews on Sunday.

"That will be very determinative," Trump told the Post. "Maybe I won`t have the meeting. Maybe I won`t even have the meeting ... I don`t like that aggression. I don`t want that aggression at all," he said.

Trump is due to meet Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, which convenes on Friday and Saturday. The Trump-Putin meeting will cover security issues, arms control, and issues in the Middle East and Ukraine, White House national security John Bolton told reporters.&nbsp;

Russia opened fire on the Ukrainian boats and then seized them and their crews on Sunday near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Moscow and Kiev have tried to pin the blame on each other for the incident.&nbsp;

The US State Department urged European nations on Tuesday to do more to assist Ukraine in its standoff with Russia.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he may cancel his scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Argentina because of Russia`s maritime clash with Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he may cancel his scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit in Argentina because of Russia`s maritime clash with Ukraine. In an interview with the Washington Post, Trump said he was awaiting a "full report" from his national security team Tuesday evening about Russia’s capture of three Ukrainian naval ships and their crews on Sunday. "That will be very determinative," Trump told the Post. "Maybe I won`t have the meeting. Maybe I won`t even have the meeting ... I don`t like that aggression. I don`t want that aggression at all," he said. Trump is due to meet Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, which convenes on Friday and Saturday. The Trump-Putin meeting will cover security issues, arms control, and issues in the Middle East and Ukraine, White House national security John Bolton told reporters. Russia opened fire on the Ukrainian boats and then seized them and their crews on Sunday near Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Moscow and Kiev have tried to pin the blame on each other for the incident. The US State Department urged European nations on Tuesday to do more to assist Ukraine in its standoff with Russia.

Trump says he may cancel meeting with Putin at G20 over Ukraine conflict

WION Gravitas: Russia-Ukraine tensions spike

Watch: WION Gravitas, 26th November, 2018

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nato-calls-emergency-meeting-over-russia-ukraine-standoff-at-sea-of-azov-179555"> today signed a decree to introduce </a>martial law for 60 days, a statement on his website said.

The move comes after tensions escalated over <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-says-russia-rams-navy-tugboat-off-crimea-179358">Russia's capture of Ukranian ships</a> accusing its neighbour of illegally entering Russian waters off the coast of Crimea in the Sea of Azov. Ukraine's military is on high alert over the incident.

The Ukranian president's martial law decree, however, needs parliamentary approval.

Meanwhile, Britain condemned Russia's "act of aggression" against Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait off the coast of Crimea.

Russia on its part ignored Western calls to release three Ukrainian naval ships and their crews it captured near Crimea on Sunday. The Russian foreign ministry blamed Ukraine for the current crisis.

"It's obvious that this painstakingly thought-through and planned provocation was aimed at igniting another source of tension in the region in order to create a pretext to ramp up sanctions against Russia," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We'd like to warn the Ukrainian side that the policy of provoking a conflict with Russia in the area of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, which has been pursued by Kiev in coordination with the United States and the European Union, is fraught with serious consequences," it added.

The United States said Russia was involved in "outlaw actions" in the Sea of Azov.

"The United States would welcome a normal relationship with Russia. But outlaw actions like this one continue to make that impossible," US ambassador Nikki Haley told the UN Security Council.

Ukraine and Russia have been in a state of uneasy peace after the Russian military annexed Crimea in 2014.

Russia's Interfax news agency reported that 24 Ukrainian sailors were detained and at least three were wounded in the clash with the Russians over the weekend.

The Sea of Azov has become the latest bone of contention between the two countries after Russia built a bridge connecting Russia's Krasnodar to Crimea. Ukrainian vessels have to tiptoe across Russian ships from the Black Sea through the bottleneck of the Kerch Strait and into the Azov Sea to reach Ukrainian ports.&nbsp;

A bilateral treaty signed in 2003 had given both Russia and Ukraine the right to access the Sea of Azov.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today signed a decree to introduce martial law for 60 days, a statement on his website said. The move comes after tensions escalated over Russia's capture of Ukranian ships accusing its neighbour of illegally entering Russian waters off the coast of Crimea in the Sea of Azov.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today signed a decree to introduce martial law for 60 days, a statement on his website said. The move comes after tensions escalated over Russia's capture of Ukranian ships accusing its neighbour of illegally entering Russian waters off the coast of Crimea in the Sea of Azov. Ukraine's military is on high alert over the incident. The Ukranian president's martial law decree, however, needs parliamentary approval. Meanwhile, Britain condemned Russia's "act of aggression" against Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait off the coast of Crimea. Russia on its part ignored Western calls to release three Ukrainian naval ships and their crews it captured near Crimea on Sunday. The Russian foreign ministry blamed Ukraine for the current crisis. "It's obvious that this painstakingly thought-through and planned provocation was aimed at igniting another source of tension in the region in order to create a pretext to ramp up sanctions against Russia," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. "We'd like to warn the Ukrainian side that the policy of provoking a conflict with Russia in the area of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea, which has been pursued by Kiev in coordination with the United States and the European Union, is fraught with serious consequences," it added. The United States said Russia was involved in "outlaw actions" in the Sea of Azov. "The United States would welcome a normal relationship with Russia. But outlaw actions like this one continue to make that impossible," US ambassador Nikki Haley told the UN Security Council. Ukraine and Russia have been in a state of uneasy peace after the Russian military annexed Crimea in 2014. Russia's Interfax news agency reported that 24 Ukrainian sailors were detained and at least three were wounded in the clash with the Russians over the weekend. The Sea of Azov has become the latest bone of contention between the two countries after Russia built a bridge connecting Russia's Krasnodar to Crimea. Ukrainian vessels have to tiptoe across Russian ships from the Black Sea through the bottleneck of the Kerch Strait and into the Azov Sea to reach Ukrainian ports. A bilateral treaty signed in 2003 had given both Russia and Ukraine the right to access the Sea of Azov.

Ukraine president signs decree to introduce martial law amid tensions with Russia

Russia-Ukraine stand-off: Demonstrators protest ahead of vote on Marital law at Ukraine parliament

Ukraine's navy said that Russia's border guards rammed one of its&nbsp;tugboats in the Black Sea off Moscow-annexed Crimea on Sunday in "openly aggressive actions."

Ukraine said the incident took place as three of its ships including two small warships were heading for the port of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov, an area of heightened tensions between the countries.

Russia accused Kiev of illegally entering its waters and deliberately provoking a conflict.&nbsp;

Russia claims the waters off Crimea after annexing the peninsula in 2014.

A Russian border guard ship, the Don, "rammed into our tugboat," the Ukrainian navy said, adding that this caused damage to its engine, outer shell and guardrail.

Russia's ships "carried out openly aggressive actions against Ukrainian naval ships," it said.

It said the ships were continuing on their way "despite Russia's counteraction."

Russia's FSB security service, which oversees the border guard service, said in a statement quoted by Russian news agencies that the Ukrainian ships "illegally entered a temporarily closed area of Russian territorial waters."

It said Ukraine's ships were carrying out "provocative actions" and "their aim is clear: to create a conflict situation in this region."

Ukraine said it gave Russia advance warning of its ships' route, however. Its ships are obliged to take this route to reach the Sea of Azov.&nbsp; 
The latest incident comes after the Ukrainian navy in September complained of "acts of provocation" by Russian border guards against its ships taking the same route.

Ukraine has increased the number of navy ships and border guard patrols in the Sea of Azov, which is reached via the Kerch Strait between Crimea and Russia.

Kiev says its naval buildup is due to Russia stepping up controls in the area this year and carrying out lengthy checks on commercial shipping.

Kiev and the West have accused Moscow of deliberately blocking ships from accessing Mariupol, which has vital access to heavy industry in the region.

Mariupol is close to the region of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists in a conflict that has caused at least 10,000 deaths since 2014.&nbsp;

Ukraine's navy said that Russia's border guards rammed one of its tugboats in the Black Sea off Moscow-annexed Crimea on Sunday in "openly aggressive actions." Ukraine said the incident took place as three of its ships including two small warships were heading for the port of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov, an area of heightened tensions between the countries.

Ukraine's navy said that Russia's border guards rammed one of its tugboats in the Black Sea off Moscow-annexed Crimea on Sunday in "openly aggressive actions." Ukraine said the incident took place as three of its ships including two small warships were heading for the port of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov, an area of heightened tensions between the countries. Russia accused Kiev of illegally entering its waters and deliberately provoking a conflict. Russia claims the waters off Crimea after annexing the peninsula in 2014. A Russian border guard ship, the Don, "rammed into our tugboat," the Ukrainian navy said, adding that this caused damage to its engine, outer shell and guardrail. Russia's ships "carried out openly aggressive actions against Ukrainian naval ships," it said. It said the ships were continuing on their way "despite Russia's counteraction." Russia's FSB security service, which oversees the border guard service, said in a statement quoted by Russian news agencies that the Ukrainian ships "illegally entered a temporarily closed area of Russian territorial waters." It said Ukraine's ships were carrying out "provocative actions" and "their aim is clear: to create a conflict situation in this region." Ukraine said it gave Russia advance warning of its ships' route, however. Its ships are obliged to take this route to reach the Sea of Azov. The latest incident comes after the Ukrainian navy in September complained of "acts of provocation" by Russian border guards against its ships taking the same route. Ukraine has increased the number of navy ships and border guard patrols in the Sea of Azov, which is reached via the Kerch Strait between Crimea and Russia. Kiev says its naval buildup is due to Russia stepping up controls in the area this year and carrying out lengthy checks on commercial shipping. Kiev and the West have accused Moscow of deliberately blocking ships from accessing Mariupol, which has vital access to heavy industry in the region. Mariupol is close to the region of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists in a conflict that has caused at least 10,000 deaths since 2014.

Ukraine says Russia rams navy tugboat off Crimea

Russia does not want any "artificial deadlines" for the Syrian peace process, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday, saying those who do want to sabotage Russian-backed peace efforts.

"I don't believe in artificial deadlines," Lavrov told the MED Dialogues conference in Rome.

"Those who insist on (UN envoy) Staffan (de Mistura) setting a deadline, they want only one thing, to ruin the Astana process and come back to some regime change logic."

The next round of talks on Syria's conflict will be held in the Kazakh capital Astana on November 28-29 as part of a peace process set up in early 2017 by Russia and Iran, who support President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, and opposition backer Turkey.&nbsp;

The Astana process was launched after Russia's military intervention in Syria tipped the balance in the regime's favour. It has gradually eclipsed an earlier UN-sponsored negotiations framework known as the Geneva process.&nbsp;

More than 360,000 people have been killed in the war, which began in March 2011 as an uprising against Assad but has morphed into a complex conflict with myriad armed groups, many of whom are foreign-backed.

Asked about Moscow's support for Assad's authoritarian regime which "massacres" its own people, Lavrov insisted Russia does not back any individual and that it is up to the Syrian people to change regime or not, via elections.

Lavrov said it was necessary to protect human rights and that the right to life is also fundamental, pointing to civilian deaths from Western military interventions in Libya or Iraq.

"If you don't give a damn about stability or life, then I am afraid you are one-sided," he said.&nbsp;

"Ask the Libyans how they used to live" before the NATO-backed toppling of strongman Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, Lavrov said.

Russia does not want any "artificial deadlines" for the Syrian peace process, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday, saying those who do want to sabotage Russian-backed peace efforts.

Russia does not want any "artificial deadlines" for the Syrian peace process, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday, saying those who do want to sabotage Russian-backed peace efforts. "I don't believe in artificial deadlines," Lavrov told the MED Dialogues conference in Rome. "Those who insist on (UN envoy) Staffan (de Mistura) setting a deadline, they want only one thing, to ruin the Astana process and come back to some regime change logic." The next round of talks on Syria's conflict will be held in the Kazakh capital Astana on November 28-29 as part of a peace process set up in early 2017 by Russia and Iran, who support President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, and opposition backer Turkey. The Astana process was launched after Russia's military intervention in Syria tipped the balance in the regime's favour. It has gradually eclipsed an earlier UN-sponsored negotiations framework known as the Geneva process. More than 360,000 people have been killed in the war, which began in March 2011 as an uprising against Assad but has morphed into a complex conflict with myriad armed groups, many of whom are foreign-backed. Asked about Moscow's support for Assad's authoritarian regime which "massacres" its own people, Lavrov insisted Russia does not back any individual and that it is up to the Syrian people to change regime or not, via elections. Lavrov said it was necessary to protect human rights and that the right to life is also fundamental, pointing to civilian deaths from Western military interventions in Libya or Iraq. "If you don't give a damn about stability or life, then I am afraid you are one-sided," he said. "Ask the Libyans how they used to live" before the NATO-backed toppling of strongman Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, Lavrov said.

We don't want any 'artificial deadlines' for Syria peace process: Russia

Russia has drawn up draft legislation aimed at stopping leaks of personal information from state agencies, a step that follows publication of details of Russians allegedly involved in clandestine intelligence operations abroad.

The bill, produced by Russia's communications ministry, bars unauthorised people from creating and publishing databases of personal data drawn from official sources, and fines anyone violating that rule.

It also requires that state agencies setting up systems for handling personal data consult with the Federal Security Service, Russia's main domestic intelligence agency.

The communications ministry did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

The bill, published late on Thursday, says it is in response to a 2017 instruction from President Vladimir Putin and makes no mention of the spate of leaks.

However, Russian authorities have been embarrassed by leaks about two men Britain alleges were Russian intelligence agents who used a nerve agent to poison former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Russia denies involvement.

The two men told Russian television they were innocent tourists who went to the English city of Salisbury, where Skripal was living, to view its cathedral.

But the Bellingcat investigative journalism website, drawing on leaked passport information, identified the two as officers with Russia's GRU military intelligence agency.

In a separate case, a Russian accused in a US&nbsp;indictment of conducting cyber attacks around the world was traced, via leaked official databases, to an address in Moscow that Washington says is a base for Russian military intelligence.

The legislation, comprising two draft laws and a draft government resolution, has been published for a 30-day period of public consultation, after which it will be submitted to parliament and the government for approval.

Russia has an active black market in illegal databases compiled using confidential information stolen from state-run registries. The data includes passport details, addresses, car registrations, flight manifests and even tax returns.

Releasing personal data in this way is already illegal under existing legislation, but Russian authorities have struggled to stamp out the practice. Many of the databases are openly available on the Internet.

Russia has drawn up draft legislation aimed at stopping leaks of personal information from state agencies, a step that follows publication of details of Russians allegedly involved in clandestine intelligence operations abroad.

Russia has drawn up draft legislation aimed at stopping leaks of personal information from state agencies, a step that follows publication of details of Russians allegedly involved in clandestine intelligence operations abroad. The bill, produced by Russia's communications ministry, bars unauthorised people from creating and publishing databases of personal data drawn from official sources, and fines anyone violating that rule. It also requires that state agencies setting up systems for handling personal data consult with the Federal Security Service, Russia's main domestic intelligence agency. The communications ministry did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters. The bill, published late on Thursday, says it is in response to a 2017 instruction from President Vladimir Putin and makes no mention of the spate of leaks. However, Russian authorities have been embarrassed by leaks about two men Britain alleges were Russian intelligence agents who used a nerve agent to poison former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. Russia denies involvement. The two men told Russian television they were innocent tourists who went to the English city of Salisbury, where Skripal was living, to view its cathedral. But the Bellingcat investigative journalism website, drawing on leaked passport information, identified the two as officers with Russia's GRU military intelligence agency. In a separate case, a Russian accused in a US indictment of conducting cyber attacks around the world was traced, via leaked official databases, to an address in Moscow that Washington says is a base for Russian military intelligence. The legislation, comprising two draft laws and a draft government resolution, has been published for a 30-day period of public consultation, after which it will be submitted to parliament and the government for approval. Russia has an active black market in illegal databases compiled using confidential information stolen from state-run registries. The data includes passport details, addresses, car registrations, flight manifests and even tax returns. Releasing personal data in this way is already illegal under existing legislation, but Russian authorities have struggled to stamp out the practice. Many of the databases are openly available on the Internet.

Russia, stung by intelligence leaks, plans to tighten data protection

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