Russia's ambassador in the United States will depart Washington on Saturday (March 20) for urgent consultations in Moscow, the embassy has said.

Moscow's strained relationship with Washington hit a new low Wednesday when Russia called back its ambassador over comments made by US President Joe Biden who likened his Russian counterpart to a "killer".

Russia on Wednesday refuted US intelligence allegations that Putin had likely directed efforts to try to swing the 2020 presidential election in Donald Trump's favour, terming them baseless.

A 15-page American intelligence report, released on Tuesday, said several Trump's top lieutenants played into Moscow's hands by amplifying claims made against then-candidate Joe Biden by Russian-linked Ukrainian figures in the run-up to the November 3 presidential election.

"On March 20, Ambassador of Russia to the United States Anatoly Antonov is leaving for Moscow for consultations," the embassy said in a statement early Thursday.

Antonov planned to discuss "ways to rectify Russia-US ties, which are in crisis," it said. It added that "certain ill-considered statements of high-ranking US officials have put the already excessively confrontational relations under the threat of collapse."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-calls-us-allegations-over-putin-directed-election-meddling-baseless-371074">Also read |&nbsp;Russia calls US allegations over Putin-directed election meddling 'baseless'</a>

In an interview with ABC News, Biden was asked about a US intelligence report that Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to harm his candidacy in the November 2020 election and promote that of Donald Trump.

Biden, to this end, said, "He will pay a price."

And when asked if he thought Putin, who has been accused of ordering the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny and other rivals, is a "killer," Biden said: "I do."

The comments were aired as the US Commerce Department announced it was toughening export restrictions imposed on Russia as punishment for jailed Kremlin critic Navalny's poisoning.

On Thursday, Konstantin Kosachev, a deputy head at the Russian parliament's upper house, said that Washington should apologise. "Such statements are unacceptable in any circumstances and will inevitably sharply damage our bilateral ties," he wrote on Facebook.

Washington is expected to impose sanctions on Moscow as soon as next week because of the allegations. Those sanctions could also address the cyber hack blamed on Russia that used US company SolarWinds Corp to penetrate American government networks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-recalls-washington-envoy-for-consultations-371250">Also read |&nbsp;Russia recalls Washington envoy for consultations&nbsp;</a>

Russia has already denied any involvement in that hack.

(with inputs from agencies)

Russia's ambassador in the United States will depart Washington on Saturday (March 20) for urgent consultations in Moscow, the embassy has said. Moscow's strained relationship with Washington hit a new low Wednesday when Russia called back its ambassador over comments made by US President Joe Biden who likened his Russian counterpart to a "killer".

Russia's ambassador in the United States will depart Washington on Saturday (March 20) for urgent consultations in Moscow, the embassy has said. Moscow's strained relationship with Washington hit a new low Wednesday when Russia called back its ambassador over comments made by US President Joe Biden who likened his Russian counterpart to a "killer". Russia on Wednesday refuted US intelligence allegations that Putin had likely directed efforts to try to swing the 2020 presidential election in Donald Trump's favour, terming them baseless. A 15-page American intelligence report, released on Tuesday, said several Trump's top lieutenants played into Moscow's hands by amplifying claims made against then-candidate Joe Biden by Russian-linked Ukrainian figures in the run-up to the November 3 presidential election. "On March 20, Ambassador of Russia to the United States Anatoly Antonov is leaving for Moscow for consultations," the embassy said in a statement early Thursday. Antonov planned to discuss "ways to rectify Russia-US ties, which are in crisis," it said. It added that "certain ill-considered statements of high-ranking US officials have put the already excessively confrontational relations under the threat of collapse." Also read | Russia calls US allegations over Putin-directed election meddling 'baseless' In an interview with ABC News, Biden was asked about a US intelligence report that Russian President Vladimir Putin tried to harm his candidacy in the November 2020 election and promote that of Donald Trump. Biden, to this end, said, "He will pay a price." And when asked if he thought Putin, who has been accused of ordering the poisoning of opposition figure Alexei Navalny and other rivals, is a "killer," Biden said: "I do." The comments were aired as the US Commerce Department announced it was toughening export restrictions imposed on Russia as punishment for jailed Kremlin critic Navalny's poisoning. On Thursday, Konstantin Kosachev, a deputy head at the Russian parliament's upper house, said that Washington should apologise. "Such statements are unacceptable in any circumstances and will inevitably sharply damage our bilateral ties," he wrote on Facebook. Washington is expected to impose sanctions on Moscow as soon as next week because of the allegations. Those sanctions could also address the cyber hack blamed on Russia that used US company SolarWinds Corp to penetrate American government networks. Also read | Russia recalls Washington envoy for consultations Russia has already denied any involvement in that hack. (with inputs from agencies)

Russia's Washington envoy to return to Moscow on March 20

Russia on Wednesday refuted US intelligence allegations that President Vladimir Putin had likely directed efforts to try to swing the 2020 presidential election in&nbsp;Donald Trump's favour, terming them baseless.

A 15-page American intelligence report, released on Tuesday, said several Trump's top lieutenants played&nbsp;into Moscow's hands by amplifying claims made against then-candidate Joe Biden by Russian-linked Ukrainian figures in the run-up to the November 3 presidential&nbsp;election.

"The document prepared by the US intelligence community is another set of baseless accusations against our country for interfering in American domestic political processes," Russia's embassy in the United States said in a statement on Facebook.

"The conclusions of the report on Russia conducting influence operations in America are confirmed solely by the confidence of the intelligence services of their self-righteousness. No facts or specific evidence of such claims were provided."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-likely-directed-meddling-in-2020-us-election-report-claims-371004">Also read |&nbsp;Putin likely directed meddling in 2020 US election, report claims</a>

Washington is expected to impose sanctions on Moscow as soon as next week because of the allegations. Those sanctions could also address the cyber hack blamed on Russia that used US company SolarWinds Corp to penetrate American government networks.

Russia has already denied any involvement in that hack.

The United States imposed sanctions on four senior Russian officials earlier this month over Moscow's treatment of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, something Moscow cast as unacceptable meddling in its domestic affairs.

Russia's US embassy in Washington on Wednesday, to this end, accused the United States of seeking to besmirch Russia's image and of blaming others for its own problems.

"We state that Washington continues to practice 'megaphone diplomacy, with the main goal to maintain a negative image of Russia. To blame external players for destabilising the situation inside the country," the embassy said in the same statement.

"This attitude of the administration hardly corresponds to our proposed equal and mutually respectful expert dialogue in search of solutions to the most pressing issues. Washington's actions do not lead to the normalisation of bilateral relations."

(with inputs from agencies)

Russia on Wednesday refuted US intelligence allegations that President Vladimir Putin had likely directed efforts to try to swing the 2020 presidential election in Donald Trump's favour, terming them baseless.

Russia on Wednesday refuted US intelligence allegations that President Vladimir Putin had likely directed efforts to try to swing the 2020 presidential election in Donald Trump's favour, terming them baseless. A 15-page American intelligence report, released on Tuesday, said several Trump's top lieutenants played into Moscow's hands by amplifying claims made against then-candidate Joe Biden by Russian-linked Ukrainian figures in the run-up to the November 3 presidential election. "The document prepared by the US intelligence community is another set of baseless accusations against our country for interfering in American domestic political processes," Russia's embassy in the United States said in a statement on Facebook. "The conclusions of the report on Russia conducting influence operations in America are confirmed solely by the confidence of the intelligence services of their self-righteousness. No facts or specific evidence of such claims were provided." Also read | Putin likely directed meddling in 2020 US election, report claims Washington is expected to impose sanctions on Moscow as soon as next week because of the allegations. Those sanctions could also address the cyber hack blamed on Russia that used US company SolarWinds Corp to penetrate American government networks. Russia has already denied any involvement in that hack. The United States imposed sanctions on four senior Russian officials earlier this month over Moscow's treatment of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, something Moscow cast as unacceptable meddling in its domestic affairs. Russia's US embassy in Washington on Wednesday, to this end, accused the United States of seeking to besmirch Russia's image and of blaming others for its own problems. "We state that Washington continues to practice 'megaphone diplomacy, with the main goal to maintain a negative image of Russia. To blame external players for destabilising the situation inside the country," the embassy said in the same statement. "This attitude of the administration hardly corresponds to our proposed equal and mutually respectful expert dialogue in search of solutions to the most pressing issues. Washington's actions do not lead to the normalisation of bilateral relations." (with inputs from agencies)

Russia calls US allegations over Putin-directed election meddling 'baseless'

The US and the European Union have imposed new sanctions on 7 senior Russian officials for the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and urged his release from prison.

US intel blames Kremlin for poisoning of Navalny

The U.S. and the European Union announced coordinated sanctions on Russia Tuesday for the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny

U.S. sanctions Russia over Navalny poisoning

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US President Joe Biden has said the United States would "never" accept Russia's annexation of part of Ukraine -- which happened seven years ago.

Biden's statement came on Friday -- on the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Crimea.

"The United States does not and will never recognise Russia's purported annexation of the peninsula, and we will stand with Ukraine against Russia's aggressive acts," he said.

"The United States continues to stand with Ukraine and its allies and partners today, as it has from the beginning of this conflict. On this somber anniversary, we reaffirm a simple truth: Crimea is Ukraine," he added.

Russian troops seized the Crimean peninsula on the Black Sea coast of Ukraine in 2014 and President Vladimir Putin then incorporated the region under Moscow's rule.

At the same time, the Kremlin backed an armed uprising in eastern Ukraine where pro-Russian separatists declared independence, sparking a war that continues to simmer, with swaths of territory remaining out of the Ukrainian government's control.

The latest casualties -- in the latest fighting -- came as Kiev accused Moscow and the&nbsp;separatists of ramping up attacks in violation of a ceasefire agreed in July, 2020.

US President Joe Biden has said the United States would "never" accept Russia's annexation of part of Ukraine -- which happened seven years ago. Biden's statement came on Friday -- on the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Crimea.

US President Joe Biden has said the United States would "never" accept Russia's annexation of part of Ukraine -- which happened seven years ago. Biden's statement came on Friday -- on the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Crimea. "The United States does not and will never recognise Russia's purported annexation of the peninsula, and we will stand with Ukraine against Russia's aggressive acts," he said. "The United States continues to stand with Ukraine and its allies and partners today, as it has from the beginning of this conflict. On this somber anniversary, we reaffirm a simple truth: Crimea is Ukraine," he added. Russian troops seized the Crimean peninsula on the Black Sea coast of Ukraine in 2014 and President Vladimir Putin then incorporated the region under Moscow's rule. At the same time, the Kremlin backed an armed uprising in eastern Ukraine where pro-Russian separatists declared independence, sparking a war that continues to simmer, with swaths of territory remaining out of the Ukrainian government's control. The latest casualties -- in the latest fighting -- came as Kiev accused Moscow and the separatists of ramping up attacks in violation of a ceasefire agreed in July, 2020.

Biden says US won't accept Russia's Crimea annexation

Biden also devoted part of his speech to unusually direct criticism of the authorities' treatment of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

Days of U.S' 'rolling over' gone: Biden warns China, Russia in first diplomatic speech

The Kremlin has slammed US President Joe Biden's "very aggressive rhetoric" after he said Washington's relationship with Moscow would change and demanded opposition politician Alexei Navalny's release.&nbsp;

"This is very aggressive and unconstructive rhetoric," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "We've already said that we will not heed patronising statements of this sort. We will not do it."

He said Russia would not tolerate any US ultimatums, adding the Kremlin hoped however that there could still be useful dialogue between the two countries when their interests coincided.

Biden on Thursday promised a new era of US foreign policy in his first diplomatic address as president and said he had told Russia President Vladimir Putin that the days of the United States rolling over in the face of what he called Moscow's aggressive actions were over.

In toughly worded remarks pivoting from his predecessor Donald Trump's muted approach to Moscow, Biden warned of "advancing authoritarianism" in China and Russia.

The speech at the State Department thrust Russia back onto the front burner of the US diplomatic agenda after four years during which Trump largely pushed the worsening relationship with Moscow to the side and consistently refused to criticise Putin.

Biden said that in his first phone call with the Russian leader since taking office on January 20 he "made it clear" to Putin that the relationship was changing.

"We will not hesitate to raise the cost on Russia and defend our vital interest and our people," the Democrat said, highlighting a massive cyber attack and election interference blamed on Moscow.

"The days of the United States rolling over... are over," he said.

Biden also devoted part of his speech to unusually direct criticism of the authorities' treatment of Navalny.

"Mr Navalny, like all Russian citizens, is entitled to his rights under the Russian constitution. He's been targeted for exposing corruption. He should be released immediately and without condition," he said.

(with inputs from agencies)

The Kremlin has slammed US President Joe Biden's "very aggressive rhetoric" after he said Washington's relationship with Moscow would change and demanded opposition politician Alexei Navalny's release.

The Kremlin has slammed US President Joe Biden's "very aggressive rhetoric" after he said Washington's relationship with Moscow would change and demanded opposition politician Alexei Navalny's release. "This is very aggressive and unconstructive rhetoric," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "We've already said that we will not heed patronising statements of this sort. We will not do it." He said Russia would not tolerate any US ultimatums, adding the Kremlin hoped however that there could still be useful dialogue between the two countries when their interests coincided. Biden on Thursday promised a new era of US foreign policy in his first diplomatic address as president and said he had told Russia President Vladimir Putin that the days of the United States rolling over in the face of what he called Moscow's aggressive actions were over. In toughly worded remarks pivoting from his predecessor Donald Trump's muted approach to Moscow, Biden warned of "advancing authoritarianism" in China and Russia. The speech at the State Department thrust Russia back onto the front burner of the US diplomatic agenda after four years during which Trump largely pushed the worsening relationship with Moscow to the side and consistently refused to criticise Putin. Biden said that in his first phone call with the Russian leader since taking office on January 20 he "made it clear" to Putin that the relationship was changing. "We will not hesitate to raise the cost on Russia and defend our vital interest and our people," the Democrat said, highlighting a massive cyber attack and election interference blamed on Moscow. "The days of the United States rolling over... are over," he said. Biden also devoted part of his speech to unusually direct criticism of the authorities' treatment of Navalny. "Mr Navalny, like all Russian citizens, is entitled to his rights under the Russian constitution. He's been targeted for exposing corruption. He should be released immediately and without condition," he said. (with inputs from agencies)

Kremlin slams Biden's 'very aggressive rhetoric'

The United States has extended the New START nuclear disarmament treaty with Russia for five years starting Wednesday.

The agreement&nbsp;was due to expire on February 5. It&nbsp;is often seen as a rare opportunity for compromise between Moscow and Washington, whose ties have dramatically deteriorated in recent years.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had, on last Friday, signed off legislation extending the accord.

"President Biden pledged to keep the American people safe from nuclear threats by restoring US leadership on arms control and nonproliferation," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

He added, "Today, the United States took the first step toward making good on that pledge when it extended the New START Treaty with the Russian Federation for five years."

The New START treaty is the last remaining arms reduction pact between the former Cold War rivals. Signed in 2010, New START caps to 1,550 the number of nuclear warheads that can be deployed by Moscow and Washington, which control the world's largest nuclear arsenals.

The United States has extended the New START nuclear disarmament treaty with Russia for five years starting Wednesday. The agreement was due to expire on February 5.

The United States has extended the New START nuclear disarmament treaty with Russia for five years starting Wednesday. The agreement was due to expire on February 5. It is often seen as a rare opportunity for compromise between Moscow and Washington, whose ties have dramatically deteriorated in recent years. Russian President Vladimir Putin had, on last Friday, signed off legislation extending the accord. "President Biden pledged to keep the American people safe from nuclear threats by restoring US leadership on arms control and nonproliferation," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. He added, "Today, the United States took the first step toward making good on that pledge when it extended the New START Treaty with the Russian Federation for five years." The New START treaty is the last remaining arms reduction pact between the former Cold War rivals. Signed in 2010, New START caps to 1,550 the number of nuclear warheads that can be deployed by Moscow and Washington, which control the world's largest nuclear arsenals.

US extends New START nuclear arms treaty with Russia

Russia is ready to set up a dialogue with the new US Biden administration in which differences are expected to be aired, a Kremlin spokesman said on Sunday.

He added&nbsp;that President Vladimir Putin would respond in kind to US willingness to talk.

Relations between Moscow and Washington have been at their lowest since the end of the Cold War, with the two sides at odds over Russia's role in Ukraine and allegations of its meddling in US elections, which it denies, among other issues.

"Of course, we count on success in setting up a dialogue," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on TV by Interfax news agency.

"This will be the dialogue where, of course, differences will have to be stated to a greater extent, points of differences. But at the same time, a dialogue is a possibility to find some rational kernels, the little parts where our relations are getting closer," he said.

"And if the current US administration is ready for such an approach, I have no doubts that our president will respond in kind."

In the same interaction, Peskov&nbsp;accused the US embassy of interfering in Russia's domestic affairs after the mission distributed a "demonstration alert" to American citizens in the country recommending they avoid protests. These protests were held in support of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

OVD Info, which monitors opposition rallies, said on Sunday that police seized at least 3,324 demonstrators across dozens of cities, with 1,320 people detained in Moscow and 490 in the second city Saint Petersburg.

"Of course, these publications are inappropriate," Peskov said, adding, "and of course indirectly, they are absolutely an interference in our domestic affairs."

Peskov accused the US embassy of "indirectly" supporting the violation of Russian legislation and backing "unauthorised protests". He said that if the Russian embassy in the United Sates issued similar information "this would cause a certain feeling of discomfort in Washington".

A US mission spokeswoman earlier Sunday said US embassies and consulates around the world routinely issue safety messages to US citizens.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, earlier on Saturday, accused the US embassy in Moscow of publishing routes of planned demonstrations, and demanded an explanation from American diplomats.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-diplomats-of-publishing-navalny-rally-routes-358864">Also read | Russia accuses US diplomats of publishing Navalny rally routes</a>

Russia police on Saturday detained over 3,300 protesters, including Navalny's wife, according to protest monitor OVD Info, as tens of thousands took to the streets to denounce President Vladimir Putin's rule. His wife was later released.

On Saturday, the US embassy in Moscow also said it was following the rallies, adding that Washington supported "the right of all people to peaceful protest, freedom of expression".

"Steps being taken by Russian authorities are suppressing those rights," embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Ross said on Twitter.

Police also detained Lyubov Sobol, a close ally of Navalny's, at the rally.

Meanwhile, prosecutors in St Petersburg said in a statement late Saturday that they were probing violations during demonstrations -- including "on the part of law enforcement" and the use of force against an unidentified woman.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violence-by-russian-police-under-scanner-after-arrest-of-3300-protesters-358988">Also read | Violence by Russian police under scanner after arrest of 3,300 protesters</a>

Putin was one of the last global leaders to congratulate Joe Biden on his victory in the US presidential election after the November 3 vote.

(with inputs from agencies)

Russia is ready to set up a dialogue with the new US Biden administration in which differences are expected to be aired, a Kremlin spokesman said on Sunday. He added that President Vladimir Putin would respond in kind to US willingness to talk.

Russia is ready to set up a dialogue with the new US Biden administration in which differences are expected to be aired, a Kremlin spokesman said on Sunday. He added that President Vladimir Putin would respond in kind to US willingness to talk. Relations between Moscow and Washington have been at their lowest since the end of the Cold War, with the two sides at odds over Russia's role in Ukraine and allegations of its meddling in US elections, which it denies, among other issues. "Of course, we count on success in setting up a dialogue," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on TV by Interfax news agency. "This will be the dialogue where, of course, differences will have to be stated to a greater extent, points of differences. But at the same time, a dialogue is a possibility to find some rational kernels, the little parts where our relations are getting closer," he said. "And if the current US administration is ready for such an approach, I have no doubts that our president will respond in kind." In the same interaction, Peskov accused the US embassy of interfering in Russia's domestic affairs after the mission distributed a "demonstration alert" to American citizens in the country recommending they avoid protests. These protests were held in support of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. OVD Info, which monitors opposition rallies, said on Sunday that police seized at least 3,324 demonstrators across dozens of cities, with 1,320 people detained in Moscow and 490 in the second city Saint Petersburg. "Of course, these publications are inappropriate," Peskov said, adding, "and of course indirectly, they are absolutely an interference in our domestic affairs." Peskov accused the US embassy of "indirectly" supporting the violation of Russian legislation and backing "unauthorised protests". He said that if the Russian embassy in the United Sates issued similar information "this would cause a certain feeling of discomfort in Washington". A US mission spokeswoman earlier Sunday said US embassies and consulates around the world routinely issue safety messages to US citizens. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, earlier on Saturday, accused the US embassy in Moscow of publishing routes of planned demonstrations, and demanded an explanation from American diplomats. Also read | Russia accuses US diplomats of publishing Navalny rally routes Russia police on Saturday detained over 3,300 protesters, including Navalny's wife, according to protest monitor OVD Info, as tens of thousands took to the streets to denounce President Vladimir Putin's rule. His wife was later released. On Saturday, the US embassy in Moscow also said it was following the rallies, adding that Washington supported "the right of all people to peaceful protest, freedom of expression". "Steps being taken by Russian authorities are suppressing those rights," embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Ross said on Twitter. Police also detained Lyubov Sobol, a close ally of Navalny's, at the rally. Meanwhile, prosecutors in St Petersburg said in a statement late Saturday that they were probing violations during demonstrations -- including "on the part of law enforcement" and the use of force against an unidentified woman. Also read | Violence by Russian police under scanner after arrest of 3,300 protesters Putin was one of the last global leaders to congratulate Joe Biden on his victory in the US presidential election after the November 3 vote. (with inputs from agencies)

Kremlin accuses US of meddling in affairs, but says ready to talk

Russia on Saturday accused the US embassy in Moscow of publishing routes of planned demonstrations in support of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and demanded an explanation from American diplomats.

Police on Saturday detained over 1,000 protesters, including Navalny's wife, according to protest monitor OVD Info, as tens of thousands took to the streets to denounce President Vladimir Putin's rule.

"Yesterday the US embassy in Moscow published 'protest routes' in Russian cities and tossed around information about a 'march on the Kremlin,'" foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Facebook.&nbsp;

"US colleagues will have to explain themselves," she added.

The embassy had distributed a "demonstration alert" to US citizens in Russia recommending they avoid protests in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other cities.&nbsp;

The US embassy in Moscow, however, said Saturday it was following the rallies, adding that Washington supported "the right of all people to peaceful protest, freedom of expression."

"Steps being taken by Russian authorities are suppressing those rights," embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Ross said on Twitter.

The OVD-Info monitoring group said 1,090 people were detained at protests in dozens of Russian cities.

Police also detained Lyubov Sobol, a close ally of Navalny's, at the rally.

Meanwhile, Britain urged Russia to respect international human rights commitments following the detention of more than 1,000 people in Moscow and other Russian cities on Saturday at rallies demanding the release of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

"We are deeply concerned by the detention of peaceful protesters and continue to monitor the situation closely," the British foreign ministry said in a statement.

"We urge the Russian government to respect and comply with its international commitments on human rights, and release citizens detained during peaceful demonstrations."

Russia on Saturday accused the US embassy in Moscow of publishing routes of planned demonstrations in support of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and demanded an explanation from American diplomats.

Russia on Saturday accused the US embassy in Moscow of publishing routes of planned demonstrations in support of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and demanded an explanation from American diplomats. Police on Saturday detained over 1,000 protesters, including Navalny's wife, according to protest monitor OVD Info, as tens of thousands took to the streets to denounce President Vladimir Putin's rule. "Yesterday the US embassy in Moscow published 'protest routes' in Russian cities and tossed around information about a 'march on the Kremlin,'" foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Facebook. "US colleagues will have to explain themselves," she added. The embassy had distributed a "demonstration alert" to US citizens in Russia recommending they avoid protests in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other cities. The US embassy in Moscow, however, said Saturday it was following the rallies, adding that Washington supported "the right of all people to peaceful protest, freedom of expression." "Steps being taken by Russian authorities are suppressing those rights," embassy spokeswoman Rebecca Ross said on Twitter. The OVD-Info monitoring group said 1,090 people were detained at protests in dozens of Russian cities. Police also detained Lyubov Sobol, a close ally of Navalny's, at the rally. Meanwhile, Britain urged Russia to respect international human rights commitments following the detention of more than 1,000 people in Moscow and other Russian cities on Saturday at rallies demanding the release of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. "We are deeply concerned by the detention of peaceful protesters and continue to monitor the situation closely," the British foreign ministry said in a statement. "We urge the Russian government to respect and comply with its international commitments on human rights, and release citizens detained during peaceful demonstrations."

Russia accuses US diplomats of publishing Navalny rally routes

U.S.: President Joe Biden is seeking a five-year extension with Russia on the only remaining treaty limiting the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals just days before it expires.

Biden administration to seek 5-year extension on nuclear arms treaty with Russia

The Kremlin said Wednesday that any improvement in Moscow's tense relationship with Washington would depend on Joe Biden when he enters the White House.

The United States recently blamed Kremlin-backed hackers for a massive cyberattack that breached government institutions, adding to a long list of grievances plaguing ties between the former Cold War rivals.

"Russia will live as it has lived for hundreds of years: seeking good relations with the United States," the Kremlin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Whether or not Washington works towards achieving the same goal "will depend on Mr Biden and his team," Peskov added.

Despite disagreements surrounding conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, as well as US election meddling and hacking allegations against Russia, the countries will be in a race to extend a landmark nuclear weapons accord shortly after Biden is sworn in.

The 2010 New START treaty -- the last remaining nuclear pact between the countries -- limits both sides to 1,500 nuclear warheads each and is set to expire February 5.&nbsp;

Peskov said Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin has "consistently" advocated for the preservation of the treaty and that it was now up to Washington to preserve the pact.&nbsp;

Negotiations under the administration of President Donald Trump stalled as Washington pushed for China to join the agreement even though Beijing said it had no intention of joining.

Biden's aides have indicated that the incoming US leader will work towards extending the treaty, but he also vowed to take a tougher stance on Russia during the campaign.

Peskov said Wednesday that the change in the US presidency will make no difference to Russia and that the Kremlin was not making any preparations for Biden's inauguration.

The Kremlin said Wednesday that any improvement in Moscow's tense relationship with Washington would depend on Joe Biden when he enters the White House. The United States recently blamed Kremlin-backed hackers for a massive cyberattack that breached government institutions, adding to a long list of grievances plaguing ties between the former Cold War rivals.

The Kremlin said Wednesday that any improvement in Moscow's tense relationship with Washington would depend on Joe Biden when he enters the White House. The United States recently blamed Kremlin-backed hackers for a massive cyberattack that breached government institutions, adding to a long list of grievances plaguing ties between the former Cold War rivals. "Russia will live as it has lived for hundreds of years: seeking good relations with the United States," the Kremlin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. Whether or not Washington works towards achieving the same goal "will depend on Mr Biden and his team," Peskov added. Despite disagreements surrounding conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, as well as US election meddling and hacking allegations against Russia, the countries will be in a race to extend a landmark nuclear weapons accord shortly after Biden is sworn in. The 2010 New START treaty -- the last remaining nuclear pact between the countries -- limits both sides to 1,500 nuclear warheads each and is set to expire February 5. Peskov said Wednesday that President Vladimir Putin has "consistently" advocated for the preservation of the treaty and that it was now up to Washington to preserve the pact. Negotiations under the administration of President Donald Trump stalled as Washington pushed for China to join the agreement even though Beijing said it had no intention of joining. Biden's aides have indicated that the incoming US leader will work towards extending the treaty, but he also vowed to take a tougher stance on Russia during the campaign. Peskov said Wednesday that the change in the US presidency will make no difference to Russia and that the Kremlin was not making any preparations for Biden's inauguration.

Russia says better ties with US up to Biden

The office of the US Director of National Intelligence has said Russia was "likely" behind a string of hacks identified last month that it said breached fewer than ten federal agencies.

It was the first formal statement of attribution by the Trump administration.

The office and the FBI, the National Security Agency, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency inside the Department of Homeland Security, in a joint statement, said the hackers' goal appeared to be collecting intelligence, rather than any destructive acts.

The agencies said that the actor, "likely Russian in origin, is responsible for most or all of the recently discovered, ongoing cyber compromises of both government and non-governmental networks."&nbsp;

The investigation is continuing, they said, and could turn up additional government victims.&nbsp;

Elected officials briefed on the inquiry had previously said Russia was behind the hacking spree, but President Donald Trump had muddied the waters by saying it could have been China.

The security company FireEye, which was itself breached, discovered the new round of attacks, many of which were traced to a tainted software update from SolarWinds, which makes widely used network-management programs.

Other attacks have used resellers of Microsoft cloud services, with email being a main goal of the hackers.

The penetration of departments including Defence, State, Homeland Security, Treasury, and Commerce is already considered the worst known cyber-compromise at least since electronic dossiers on most Americans with security clearances were taken from the Office of Personnel Management five years ago.

(with inputs)

The office of the US Director of National Intelligence has said Russia was "likely" behind a string of hacks identified last month that it said breached fewer than ten federal agencies.

The office of the US Director of National Intelligence has said Russia was "likely" behind a string of hacks identified last month that it said breached fewer than ten federal agencies. It was the first formal statement of attribution by the Trump administration. The office and the FBI, the National Security Agency, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency inside the Department of Homeland Security, in a joint statement, said the hackers' goal appeared to be collecting intelligence, rather than any destructive acts. The agencies said that the actor, "likely Russian in origin, is responsible for most or all of the recently discovered, ongoing cyber compromises of both government and non-governmental networks." The investigation is continuing, they said, and could turn up additional government victims. Elected officials briefed on the inquiry had previously said Russia was behind the hacking spree, but President Donald Trump had muddied the waters by saying it could have been China. The security company FireEye, which was itself breached, discovered the new round of attacks, many of which were traced to a tainted software update from SolarWinds, which makes widely used network-management programs. Other attacks have used resellers of Microsoft cloud services, with email being a main goal of the hackers. The penetration of departments including Defence, State, Homeland Security, Treasury, and Commerce is already considered the worst known cyber-compromise at least since electronic dossiers on most Americans with security clearances were taken from the Office of Personnel Management five years ago. (with inputs)

US intel agencies say Russia likely behind hacking of govt agencies

Violence surged ahead of elections in the Central African Republic. Both Russia and U.S. are volunteering to help stabilise the situation. What's bringing world powers to this civil war-ravaged nation? Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you a report.

Gravitas: U.S., Russia spar for dominance in Central Africa

The Russian foreign minister also said that the United States’ actions were based on "a strategy" aimed at weakening Washington’s rivals on the global markets

'Russia to respond to new US sanctions', says Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

The United States is urging European allies and private companies to halt work that could help build the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and is preparing wider sanctions on the Russian project in coming weeks, senior Trump administration officials said on Wednesday.

The outgoing Trump administration is readying a fresh round of congressionally mandated sanctions "in the very near future" that it believes could deal a fatal blow to the Russia-to-Germany project led by state gas company Gazprom, three officials said.

"We've been getting body blow on body blow to this, and now we're in the process of driving a stake through the project heart," said one of the officials, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity.

Russia this month resumed building the $11.6 billion (9.5 billion euro) pipeline, which is 90% complete, after a one-year pause prompted by existing U.S. sanctions.

New work has been centered on a 2.6 kilometer (1.6 mile) stretch in shallow waters of Germany’s Exclusive Economic Zone but not yet in the deep-water sections off Denmark that comprise most of the unfinished 100-km stretch.

Washington says the project, which will increase European reliance on Russian gas, will compromise European energy security. Russia says the sanctions amount to "unfair competition" aimed at helping U.S. liquefied natural gas producers, and insists it will finish the pipeline.

The feud may not die down once President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20, foreign diplomats say.

The U.S. pressure campaign on Nord Stream 2 is backed by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who fear it will bypass Ukraine, robbing it of lucrative transit fees. Biden described the pipeline as a "bad deal" for Europe in 2016, and has criticized Moscow for its alleged role in a massive cyber attack on U.S. government agencies that was discovered last week.

Nord Stream 2 did not immediately comment on the possibility of new sanctions. Last month it told Reuters that existing sanctions and new ones in the defense policy bill would, if imposed, directly or indirectly hit more than 120 companies from more than 12 European countries.

SHIP IN CANARY ISLANDS

Gazprom has had to retool its ships to do the delicate deepwater pipelaying and may need the help of companies from other countries to finish the project quickly.

Washington has what it considers "reliable information" about modifications being carried out to the Oceanic 5000, a crane ship, in Spain's Canary Islands, upgrades that U.S. officials say will equip the ship to lay pipe in deep water.

The officials declined to identify which entities could face sanctions for the previously unreported work, but said they were not targeting specific governments or government officials.

Several European entities were involved, but some were "unwitting" of the implications for the pipeline, said one official, adding they could still escape sanctions if they made "a good faith effort to unwind their involvement."

A Danish regulator on Tuesday said a Gazprom vessel called Fortuna would start work off Denmark from Jan. 15 with the assistance of other supply vessels.

The project is grappling with financial pressures and the departure of key participants, including Norway’s risk management and quality assurance firm DNV GL https://www.reuters.com/article/nordstream-norway/norways-dnv-gl-suspends-nord-stream-2-work-over-u-s-sanctions-fear-idUSL1N2IC14F last month. The State Department is due to issue an overdue report to Congress in the next weeks on companies that could be at risk for helping the project, another official said.

DNV said new U.S. guidelines meant it could face sanctions. The scope of the sanctions were expanded further in a veto-proof bipartisan defense policy bill passed this month.

That measure would also target individuals or companies assisting Gazprom with “pipelaying activities,” insurance, and verification of construction equipment.

U.S. sanctions have already added $1 billion in extra cost to the project, said one of the U.S. officials.

Initially slated to become operational in late 2020 or early 2021, Nord Stream 2 would double the capacity of Russia to carry gas directly to Germany.

The United States is urging European allies and private companies to halt work that could help build the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and is preparing wider sanctions on the Russian project in coming weeks, senior Trump administration officials said on Wednesday.

The United States is urging European allies and private companies to halt work that could help build the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and is preparing wider sanctions on the Russian project in coming weeks, senior Trump administration officials said on Wednesday. The outgoing Trump administration is readying a fresh round of congressionally mandated sanctions "in the very near future" that it believes could deal a fatal blow to the Russia-to-Germany project led by state gas company Gazprom, three officials said. "We've been getting body blow on body blow to this, and now we're in the process of driving a stake through the project heart," said one of the officials, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity. Russia this month resumed building the $11.6 billion (9.5 billion euro) pipeline, which is 90% complete, after a one-year pause prompted by existing U.S. sanctions. New work has been centered on a 2.6 kilometer (1.6 mile) stretch in shallow waters of Germany’s Exclusive Economic Zone but not yet in the deep-water sections off Denmark that comprise most of the unfinished 100-km stretch. Washington says the project, which will increase European reliance on Russian gas, will compromise European energy security. Russia says the sanctions amount to "unfair competition" aimed at helping U.S. liquefied natural gas producers, and insists it will finish the pipeline. The feud may not die down once President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20, foreign diplomats say. The U.S. pressure campaign on Nord Stream 2 is backed by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers who fear it will bypass Ukraine, robbing it of lucrative transit fees. Biden described the pipeline as a "bad deal" for Europe in 2016, and has criticized Moscow for its alleged role in a massive cyber attack on U.S. government agencies that was discovered last week. Nord Stream 2 did not immediately comment on the possibility of new sanctions. Last month it told Reuters that existing sanctions and new ones in the defense policy bill would, if imposed, directly or indirectly hit more than 120 companies from more than 12 European countries. SHIP IN CANARY ISLANDS Gazprom has had to retool its ships to do the delicate deepwater pipelaying and may need the help of companies from other countries to finish the project quickly. Washington has what it considers "reliable information" about modifications being carried out to the Oceanic 5000, a crane ship, in Spain's Canary Islands, upgrades that U.S. officials say will equip the ship to lay pipe in deep water. The officials declined to identify which entities could face sanctions for the previously unreported work, but said they were not targeting specific governments or government officials. Several European entities were involved, but some were "unwitting" of the implications for the pipeline, said one official, adding they could still escape sanctions if they made "a good faith effort to unwind their involvement." A Danish regulator on Tuesday said a Gazprom vessel called Fortuna would start work off Denmark from Jan. 15 with the assistance of other supply vessels. The project is grappling with financial pressures and the departure of key participants, including Norway’s risk management and quality assurance firm DNV GL https://www.reuters.com/article/nordstream-norway/norways-dnv-gl-suspends-nord-stream-2-work-over-u-s-sanctions-fear-idUSL1N2IC14F last month. The State Department is due to issue an overdue report to Congress in the next weeks on companies that could be at risk for helping the project, another official said. DNV said new U.S. guidelines meant it could face sanctions. The scope of the sanctions were expanded further in a veto-proof bipartisan defense policy bill passed this month. That measure would also target individuals or companies assisting Gazprom with “pipelaying activities,” insurance, and verification of construction equipment. U.S. sanctions have already added $1 billion in extra cost to the project, said one of the U.S. officials. Initially slated to become operational in late 2020 or early 2021, Nord Stream 2 would double the capacity of Russia to carry gas directly to Germany.

US preparing new sanctions to impede Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline

US President Donald Trump has vetoed a broad defence funding bill sent to him by Congress.

The outgoing president took the decision on Wednesday, complaining that it helps Russia and China and objecting to provisions to rename military bases.

The veto of the $740 billion measure to fund the military for fiscal 2021 came a day after the US leader, with less than one month left in office, threw a separate $900 billion Covid-19 relief bill and overall funding for the government into question.

The bipartisan bill was passed by high enough margins in both chambers of Congress for lawmakers to -- in theory -- override the president’s rejection.

Trump criticised the annual National defence Authorisation Act for not responding to his demand to end liability protections for social media companies, known as Section 230 -- an issue with no relationship to the US defence Department. He also objected to a provision in the NDAA to rename military bases bearing the names of generals from the secessionist, slavery-supporting South in the 19th century US civil war.

Another point that led to his objection was a provision which could impede his decision to sharply cut US troop levels in Germany, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

The NDAA “fails to include critical national security measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military’s history, and contradicts efforts by my Administration to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions,” Trump said in a statement.

Without the changes to Section 230, Trump said, the NDAA “is a ‘gift’ to China and Russia.”

Both the House and the Senate set aside time next week to vote to override the veto -- which would be the first such rebuff from Congress in his nearly four years in office.

Trump has repeatedly demanded that the NDAA include changes to Section 230, a part of US communications legislation that protects social media giants like Facebook and Twitter from responsibility for content posted by their users.

Since early this year Trump has become angered by social media for censoring or raising questions about the factuality of his own posts, especially about the coronavirus pandemic.

The veto does not immediately choke off funds to the Pentagon but if the NDAA isn’t passed soon, funding could be tightened.

(with inputs from agencies)

US President Donald Trump has vetoed a broad defence funding bill sent to him by Congress. The outgoing president took the decision on Wednesday, complaining that it helps Russia and China and objecting to provisions to rename military bases.

US President Donald Trump has vetoed a broad defence funding bill sent to him by Congress. The outgoing president took the decision on Wednesday, complaining that it helps Russia and China and objecting to provisions to rename military bases. The veto of the $740 billion measure to fund the military for fiscal 2021 came a day after the US leader, with less than one month left in office, threw a separate $900 billion Covid-19 relief bill and overall funding for the government into question. The bipartisan bill was passed by high enough margins in both chambers of Congress for lawmakers to -- in theory -- override the president’s rejection. Trump criticised the annual National defence Authorisation Act for not responding to his demand to end liability protections for social media companies, known as Section 230 -- an issue with no relationship to the US defence Department. He also objected to a provision in the NDAA to rename military bases bearing the names of generals from the secessionist, slavery-supporting South in the 19th century US civil war. Another point that led to his objection was a provision which could impede his decision to sharply cut US troop levels in Germany, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The NDAA “fails to include critical national security measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military’s history, and contradicts efforts by my Administration to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions,” Trump said in a statement. Without the changes to Section 230, Trump said, the NDAA “is a ‘gift’ to China and Russia.” Both the House and the Senate set aside time next week to vote to override the veto -- which would be the first such rebuff from Congress in his nearly four years in office. Trump has repeatedly demanded that the NDAA include changes to Section 230, a part of US communications legislation that protects social media giants like Facebook and Twitter from responsibility for content posted by their users. Since early this year Trump has become angered by social media for censoring or raising questions about the factuality of his own posts, especially about the coronavirus pandemic. The veto does not immediately choke off funds to the Pentagon but if the NDAA isn’t passed soon, funding could be tightened. (with inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump vetoes sweeping US defence bill

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday Moscow was not expecting "anything good" from US President-elect Joe Biden, accusing members of his future administration of "Russophobia". &nbsp;

"We are definitely not expecting anything good. And it would be strange to expect good things from people, many of whom made their careers on Russophobia and throwing mud at my country," Ryabkov said in an interview with news agency Interfax.

The interview was released days after the US accused Russia of a major cyber attack on government agencies.

Biden on Tuesday said the attack cannot go "unanswered", promising to retaliate once he takes office on January 20.&nbsp;

Ryabkov said Moscow should move to a "total containment" approach in relations with the United States, retaining "selective dialogue" on subjects that are of interest to Russia.&nbsp;

The deputy foreign minister said that Russia would not initiate any contacts with Biden's transition staff, and would also not make any "unilateral concessions".&nbsp;

He added that if the US continued approaching Russia as a "strategic rival" then Moscow would "treat them in a similar way".&nbsp;

Referring to fresh US sanctions imposed earlier this week on 45 Russian organisations over their military connections, Ryabkov said the outgoing administration was trying to "loudly slam the door".&nbsp;

"We are going from bad to worse. This was very typical for the past four years and so far there is no feeling that this trend has outlived its usefulness," Ryabkov said.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday Moscow was not expecting "anything good" from US President-elect Joe Biden, accusing members of his future administration of "Russophobia".

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday Moscow was not expecting "anything good" from US President-elect Joe Biden, accusing members of his future administration of "Russophobia". "We are definitely not expecting anything good. And it would be strange to expect good things from people, many of whom made their careers on Russophobia and throwing mud at my country," Ryabkov said in an interview with news agency Interfax. The interview was released days after the US accused Russia of a major cyber attack on government agencies. Biden on Tuesday said the attack cannot go "unanswered", promising to retaliate once he takes office on January 20. Ryabkov said Moscow should move to a "total containment" approach in relations with the United States, retaining "selective dialogue" on subjects that are of interest to Russia. The deputy foreign minister said that Russia would not initiate any contacts with Biden's transition staff, and would also not make any "unilateral concessions". He added that if the US continued approaching Russia as a "strategic rival" then Moscow would "treat them in a similar way". Referring to fresh US sanctions imposed earlier this week on 45 Russian organisations over their military connections, Ryabkov said the outgoing administration was trying to "loudly slam the door". "We are going from bad to worse. This was very typical for the past four years and so far there is no feeling that this trend has outlived its usefulness," Ryabkov said.

Russia says not expecting 'anything good' from Biden administration

The analysis comes as the list of US agencies, private companies and other entities affected by the hacking campaign continues to increase.

What led to the worst cyber attack in the U.S.

The Trump administration is planning to close the two remaining US consulates in Russia even as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office amid high tensions with Moscow.

The closures would leave the embassy in Moscow as the United States' last diplomatic mission in Russia.

According to CNN, the US will close its consulate in the far eastern city of Vladivostok and suspend operations at its post in Yekaterinburg -- citing a December 10 letter sent to Congress from the State Department.

The move comes in "response to ongoing staffing challenges for the US Mission in Russia in the wake of the 2017 Russian-imposed personnel cap on the US Mission and the resultant impasse with Russia over diplomatic visas," the report said, citing the letter.

Ten diplomats assigned to the consulates will reportedly be relocated to the US embassy in Moscow, while 33 local staff will lose their jobs.

"No action related to the Russian consulates in the United States is planned," CNN added.

It, however, remains unclear if the closures would happen before January 20, when President-elect Biden takes office.

On Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Russia was "pretty clearly" behind a devastating cyberattack on several US government agencies that security experts say could allow attackers unfettered access to critical IT systems and electric power grids.

Russia has denied any involvement in the cyberattacks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-pretty-clearly-behind-cyber-attack-says-us-secretary-of-state-pompeo-350948">Also read | Russia 'pretty clearly' behind cyber attack, says US Secretary of State Pompeo</a>

The Trump administration is planning to close the two remaining US consulates in Russia even as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office amid high tensions with Moscow.

The Trump administration is planning to close the two remaining US consulates in Russia even as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office amid high tensions with Moscow. The closures would leave the embassy in Moscow as the United States' last diplomatic mission in Russia. According to CNN, the US will close its consulate in the far eastern city of Vladivostok and suspend operations at its post in Yekaterinburg -- citing a December 10 letter sent to Congress from the State Department. The move comes in "response to ongoing staffing challenges for the US Mission in Russia in the wake of the 2017 Russian-imposed personnel cap on the US Mission and the resultant impasse with Russia over diplomatic visas," the report said, citing the letter. Ten diplomats assigned to the consulates will reportedly be relocated to the US embassy in Moscow, while 33 local staff will lose their jobs. "No action related to the Russian consulates in the United States is planned," CNN added. It, however, remains unclear if the closures would happen before January 20, when President-elect Biden takes office. On Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Russia was "pretty clearly" behind a devastating cyberattack on several US government agencies that security experts say could allow attackers unfettered access to critical IT systems and electric power grids. Russia has denied any involvement in the cyberattacks. Also read | Russia 'pretty clearly' behind cyber attack, says US Secretary of State Pompeo

US planning to close last consulates in Russia

The United States is poised to impose sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition last year of Russian S-400 air defence systems, a report said.

According to Reuters, this move is likely to worsen already problematic ties between the two NATO allies.

The long-anticipated step, which is likely to infuriate Ankara and severely complicate relations with the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden, could be announced any day.

The sanctions would target Turkey's Presidency of Defence Industries and its head, Ismail Demir, sources have said. They would be damaging but narrower than the severe scenarios some analysts have outlined.

US sanctions could harm a Turkish economy struggling with a coronavirus-induced slowdown, double-digit inflation and badly depleted foreign reserves.

The decision will have repercussions far beyond Turkey, sending a message to US partners around the world who might consider buying Russian military equipment and have been warned repeatedly about US sanctions.

Trump long opposed US sanctions against Turkey despite the advice of advisors. Officials in his administration internally recommended sanctions against Ankara in July 2019, when the Turkish government started taking delivery of the S-400s, Reuters said.

But sanctions appeared likely even if Trump did not act.

The US State Department could still change plans and widen or narrow the scope of planned sanctions against Turkey. However, sources said the announcement of the sanctions in their current form was imminent.

The final version of the $740 billion annual US defence authorisation legislation, which the Senate is expected to vote on as early as this week, would force Washington to impose sanctions within 30 days.

Russia delivered the ground-to-air S-400s last year and Turkey tested them as recently as October. Ankara said they would not be integrated into NATO systems and pose no threat, and has called for a joint working group on the issue.

But the United States maintained that the S-400 does pose a threat, and announced last year it was removing Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program over Ankara's decision.

(with inputs from Reuters)

The United States is poised to impose sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition last year of Russian S-400 air defence systems, a report said. According to Reuters, this move is likely to worsen already problematic ties between the two NATO allies.

The United States is poised to impose sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition last year of Russian S-400 air defence systems, a report said. According to Reuters, this move is likely to worsen already problematic ties between the two NATO allies. The long-anticipated step, which is likely to infuriate Ankara and severely complicate relations with the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden, could be announced any day. The sanctions would target Turkey's Presidency of Defence Industries and its head, Ismail Demir, sources have said. They would be damaging but narrower than the severe scenarios some analysts have outlined. US sanctions could harm a Turkish economy struggling with a coronavirus-induced slowdown, double-digit inflation and badly depleted foreign reserves. The decision will have repercussions far beyond Turkey, sending a message to US partners around the world who might consider buying Russian military equipment and have been warned repeatedly about US sanctions. Trump long opposed US sanctions against Turkey despite the advice of advisors. Officials in his administration internally recommended sanctions against Ankara in July 2019, when the Turkish government started taking delivery of the S-400s, Reuters said. But sanctions appeared likely even if Trump did not act. The US State Department could still change plans and widen or narrow the scope of planned sanctions against Turkey. However, sources said the announcement of the sanctions in their current form was imminent. The final version of the $740 billion annual US defence authorisation legislation, which the Senate is expected to vote on as early as this week, would force Washington to impose sanctions within 30 days. Russia delivered the ground-to-air S-400s last year and Turkey tested them as recently as October. Ankara said they would not be integrated into NATO systems and pose no threat, and has called for a joint working group on the issue. But the United States maintained that the S-400 does pose a threat, and announced last year it was removing Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program over Ankara's decision. (with inputs from Reuters)

US set to sanction Turkey over Russian defence system

The US has announced economic sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies that it said had supported the development of Iran's missile programme.

The four firms, accused of "transferring sensitive technology and items to Iran's missile programme," will be subject to restrictions on US government aid and on their exports for two years, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Friday.

The sanctions, imposed Wednesday, were against two Chinese-based companies, Chengdu Best New Materials and Zibo Elim Trade, as well as Russia-based Nilco Group and Joint Stock Company Elecon.

"We will continue to work to impede Iran's missile development efforts and use our sanctions authorities to spotlight the foreign suppliers, such as these entities in the PRC (China) and Russia, that provide missile-related materials and technology to Iran," Pompeo added.

President Donald Trump withdrew the US in 2018 from the Iran nuclear deal established three years prior under then-president Barack Obama. Trump has since reimposed crippling sanctions on the Islamic republic in what he calls a campaign of "maximum pressure."

The Trump administration has also since shown its determination to sanction any foreign country or company that does not comply with its Iran policies. 
&nbsp;

The US has announced economic sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies that it said had supported the development of Iran's missile programme. The four firms, accused of "transferring sensitive technology and items to Iran's missile programme," will be subject to restrictions on US government aid and on their exports for two years, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Friday.

The US has announced economic sanctions on Chinese and Russian companies that it said had supported the development of Iran's missile programme. The four firms, accused of "transferring sensitive technology and items to Iran's missile programme," will be subject to restrictions on US government aid and on their exports for two years, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Friday. The sanctions, imposed Wednesday, were against two Chinese-based companies, Chengdu Best New Materials and Zibo Elim Trade, as well as Russia-based Nilco Group and Joint Stock Company Elecon. "We will continue to work to impede Iran's missile development efforts and use our sanctions authorities to spotlight the foreign suppliers, such as these entities in the PRC (China) and Russia, that provide missile-related materials and technology to Iran," Pompeo added. President Donald Trump withdrew the US in 2018 from the Iran nuclear deal established three years prior under then-president Barack Obama. Trump has since reimposed crippling sanctions on the Islamic republic in what he calls a campaign of "maximum pressure." The Trump administration has also since shown its determination to sanction any foreign country or company that does not comply with its Iran policies.

US sanctions Chinese, Russian firms that supported Iran missile programme

A Russian warship chased a US Navy destroyer from waters in the Sea of Japan on Tuesday, Russia's military has said.

But the US Navy denied wrongdoing by its vessel and accused Moscow of making excessive maritime claims.

The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement that the USS John S McCain had violated its waters and that anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Vinogradov issued a warning to the American ship, threatening to ram it to drive it out of the area.

The Russian statement said that the US ship changed its course following the warning.

The US Navy denied the Russian claim that the threat caused the US ship to leave the area.

It added the destroyer, the USS John S McCain, had only been conducting a "freedom of navigation" operation in Peter the Great Bay.

Russia's claims to the area date back to the Soviet Union. The US Navy last challenged Moscow's claims to the area in 2018.

The boundary claimed by Russia is "inconsistent with the rules of international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention to enclose the waters of a bay," according to the US statement.

Russia said its Pacific Fleet warship had been tracking the American destroyer in the Peter the Great Gulf, and that the US vessel had violated Russia’s territorial waters at 0317 GMT by going two kilometres beyond the sea border.

Such incidents at sea are rare, but they underscore the poor diplomatic and military relations between Russia and the United States whose ties are languishing at a post-Cold War low.

The last remaining major arms control pact between the former Cold War foes is due to expire in February despite months of talks to find a replacement.

Also, President Vladimir Putin has yet to congratulate US Democratic President-elect Joe Biden with his November 3 election victory over President Donald Trump.

A Russian warship chased a US Navy destroyer from waters in the Sea of Japan on Tuesday, Russia's military has said. But the US Navy denied wrongdoing by its vessel and accused Moscow of making excessive maritime claims.

A Russian warship chased a US Navy destroyer from waters in the Sea of Japan on Tuesday, Russia's military has said. But the US Navy denied wrongdoing by its vessel and accused Moscow of making excessive maritime claims. The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement that the USS John S McCain had violated its waters and that anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Vinogradov issued a warning to the American ship, threatening to ram it to drive it out of the area. The Russian statement said that the US ship changed its course following the warning. The US Navy denied the Russian claim that the threat caused the US ship to leave the area. It added the destroyer, the USS John S McCain, had only been conducting a "freedom of navigation" operation in Peter the Great Bay. Russia's claims to the area date back to the Soviet Union. The US Navy last challenged Moscow's claims to the area in 2018. The boundary claimed by Russia is "inconsistent with the rules of international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention to enclose the waters of a bay," according to the US statement. Russia said its Pacific Fleet warship had been tracking the American destroyer in the Peter the Great Gulf, and that the US vessel had violated Russia’s territorial waters at 0317 GMT by going two kilometres beyond the sea border. Such incidents at sea are rare, but they underscore the poor diplomatic and military relations between Russia and the United States whose ties are languishing at a post-Cold War low. The last remaining major arms control pact between the former Cold War foes is due to expire in February despite months of talks to find a replacement. Also, President Vladimir Putin has yet to congratulate US Democratic President-elect Joe Biden with his November 3 election victory over President Donald Trump.

US warship warned by Russian ship in spat over territorial waters

Donald Trump can still win the 2020 presidential election; something that has a 10% or 15% chance of happening can certainly transpire. But even more than in 2016, if the president wins this time, we will have to attribute his victory to the workings of divine providence (don’t worry, I have that column pre-written), because what we’re watching is an incumbent doing everything in his power to run up his own margin of defeat.

Start with his reelection messaging, to the extent that you can discern such a thing. In 2016, Trump’s campaign was shambolic and punctuated by self-inflicted disasters, but his message against Hillary Clinton, like his message against the Republican establishment in the primaries, had a simplicity and consistency: She supported bad trade deals; she supported stupid wars; she sold the country out to special interests and foreign governments; vote for her and you get more closed factories, more soldiers dead or crippled, more illegal immigration, more power to Wall Street and Washington, D.C.

In 2020, on the other hand, the Trump campaign has been stuck toggling back and forth between two very different narratives. One seeks to replay the last campaign, portraying Joe Biden as the embodiment of a failed establishment (hence all the references to his 47 years in Washington) who will sell out American interests to China as soon as he’s back in power (hence the attempts to elevate Hunter Biden’s influence-peddling).

But the other narrative goes after Biden as though the Democrats had actually nominated Bernie Sanders, insisting that his advancing age makes him a decrepit vessel for the radical left, a stalking horse not just for Kamala Harris but also for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and antifa.

A truly brilliant campaigner might be able to weave these two narratives together, but on the lips of Donald Trump their contradictions are evident. The resulting incoherence just feeds his tendency to return to old grudges and very online grievances, as though he’s running for the presidency of talk radio or his own Twitter feed. Without Steve Bannon to keep him grounded or Clinton to keep him focused, he’s making a closing “argument” that’s indistinguishable from a sales pitch for a TV show or a newsletter — suggesting that even more than four years ago, the president assumes he’ll be in the media business as soon as the election returns come in.

But the messaging failure is just the surface; it’s on policy where Trump has really acted like a Black Sox ballplayer trying to throw the World Series. There are two major issues for voters in this election: the pandemic and the economy. Trump’s numbers on handling the virus are lousy, but his numbers on handling the economy are still pretty good, presumably thanks to both the memory of where the unemployment rate stood before the coronavirus hit and the fact that the flood of COVID-19 relief spending kept people’s disposable income up.

This context suggested an obvious fall campaign strategy: Push more relief money into the economy, try to ostentatiously take the pandemic seriously and promise the country that mask-wearing and relief dollars are a bridge to a vaccine and normalcy in 2021.

Instead Trump has ended up with the opposite approach. He mostly ignored the negotiations over relief money for months, engaging only at a point where he had become so politically weak that both Republican deficit hawks (or the born-again variety, at least) and Democratic free-spenders assume he’ll soon be gone. And meanwhile he’s let himself be drawn ever deeper — especially since his own encounter with the disease — into the libertarian style of COVID-19 contrarianism, which argues that we’re overtesting, overreacting and probably close to herd immunity anyway.

There is a mild contrarianism that makes important points: The lockdown approach wasn’t sustainable and can’t be reimposed, most elementary schools should be open because the risks of spread seem pretty low, the virus is less deadly than the initial worst-case projections suggested, and deaths as a share of cases are going down with better treatment.

But the strong version keeps being wrong. First, the past two months have made it clear that herd immunity is a moving target: You can achieve it provisionally under social-distancing conditions, but once people relax and start socializing again, the threshold changes, and suddenly you get a renewed spike. This is what happened across Europe, which crushed its case rates in the late spring, returned to more normal life in the summer — and then reaped an early-fall wave that’s now fully out of control, including in countries like Belgium that were hit intensely in the first go-round.

Meanwhile, just because tests reveal more mild cases doesn’t mean the virus has stopped killing people. Over and over again, case numbers spike and deaths lag and contrarians talk about how the virus is just a “casedemic” — and then a few weeks go by, and deaths follow cases up. It happened in the United States over the summer, it’s happened in Europe in the past month, and now it’s probably about to happen here again: Our cases have been rising since early September, our hospitalizations have been rising for several weeks, and while deaths are flat for now (at “only” 711 Americans a day), it’s likely they’ll be rising again by the time we hit November.

Which means that Trump has chosen to go to war with the idea of testing, with Dr. Anthony Fauci and with “experts” in general at precisely the moment when the fall wave they’ve been warning about seems to be showing up — which is also the moment when the two-thirds of Americans who describe themselves as “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the virus will be going to the polls.

Strictly as a policymaking matter, this is Trump’s worst behavior since his springtime push for the fastest-possible reopening. Europe’s renewed crisis shows that the Western failure to contain the virus is much more than just a Trump problem — but on the margins, in the thousands if not the hundreds of thousands, Trumpian denial can still get Americans unnecessarily killed.

As politics, meanwhile, even more than the mixed messaging on Biden and the missed opportunities on relief spending, the retreat to corona-minimizing is a case study in how the Trump of 2020 has ceded his biggest general-election advantage from 2016 — his relative distance from the ideological rigidities of the anti-government right — and locked himself into a small box with flatterers and cranks.

From these follies the God of surprises might yet deliver him. But every decision of his own lately has been a choice for political defeat.

Donald Trump can still win the 2020 presidential election; something that has a 10% or 15% chance of happening can certainly transpire. But even more than in 2016, if the president wins this time, we will have to attribute his victory to the workings of divine providence (don’t worry, I have that column pre-written), because what we’re watching is an incumbent doing everything in his power to run up his own margin of defeat.

Donald Trump can still win the 2020 presidential election; something that has a 10% or 15% chance of happening can certainly transpire. But even more than in 2016, if the president wins this time, we will have to attribute his victory to the workings of divine providence (don’t worry, I have that column pre-written), because what we’re watching is an incumbent doing everything in his power to run up his own margin of defeat. Start with his reelection messaging, to the extent that you can discern such a thing. In 2016, Trump’s campaign was shambolic and punctuated by self-inflicted disasters, but his message against Hillary Clinton, like his message against the Republican establishment in the primaries, had a simplicity and consistency: She supported bad trade deals; she supported stupid wars; she sold the country out to special interests and foreign governments; vote for her and you get more closed factories, more soldiers dead or crippled, more illegal immigration, more power to Wall Street and Washington, D.C. In 2020, on the other hand, the Trump campaign has been stuck toggling back and forth between two very different narratives. One seeks to replay the last campaign, portraying Joe Biden as the embodiment of a failed establishment (hence all the references to his 47 years in Washington) who will sell out American interests to China as soon as he’s back in power (hence the attempts to elevate Hunter Biden’s influence-peddling). But the other narrative goes after Biden as though the Democrats had actually nominated Bernie Sanders, insisting that his advancing age makes him a decrepit vessel for the radical left, a stalking horse not just for Kamala Harris but also for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and antifa. A truly brilliant campaigner might be able to weave these two narratives together, but on the lips of Donald Trump their contradictions are evident. The resulting incoherence just feeds his tendency to return to old grudges and very online grievances, as though he’s running for the presidency of talk radio or his own Twitter feed. Without Steve Bannon to keep him grounded or Clinton to keep him focused, he’s making a closing “argument” that’s indistinguishable from a sales pitch for a TV show or a newsletter — suggesting that even more than four years ago, the president assumes he’ll be in the media business as soon as the election returns come in. But the messaging failure is just the surface; it’s on policy where Trump has really acted like a Black Sox ballplayer trying to throw the World Series. There are two major issues for voters in this election: the pandemic and the economy. Trump’s numbers on handling the virus are lousy, but his numbers on handling the economy are still pretty good, presumably thanks to both the memory of where the unemployment rate stood before the coronavirus hit and the fact that the flood of COVID-19 relief spending kept people’s disposable income up. This context suggested an obvious fall campaign strategy: Push more relief money into the economy, try to ostentatiously take the pandemic seriously and promise the country that mask-wearing and relief dollars are a bridge to a vaccine and normalcy in 2021. Instead Trump has ended up with the opposite approach. He mostly ignored the negotiations over relief money for months, engaging only at a point where he had become so politically weak that both Republican deficit hawks (or the born-again variety, at least) and Democratic free-spenders assume he’ll soon be gone. And meanwhile he’s let himself be drawn ever deeper — especially since his own encounter with the disease — into the libertarian style of COVID-19 contrarianism, which argues that we’re overtesting, overreacting and probably close to herd immunity anyway. There is a mild contrarianism that makes important points: The lockdown approach wasn’t sustainable and can’t be reimposed, most elementary schools should be open because the risks of spread seem pretty low, the virus is less deadly than the initial worst-case projections suggested, and deaths as a share of cases are going down with better treatment. But the strong version keeps being wrong. First, the past two months have made it clear that herd immunity is a moving target: You can achieve it provisionally under social-distancing conditions, but once people relax and start socializing again, the threshold changes, and suddenly you get a renewed spike. This is what happened across Europe, which crushed its case rates in the late spring, returned to more normal life in the summer — and then reaped an early-fall wave that’s now fully out of control, including in countries like Belgium that were hit intensely in the first go-round. Meanwhile, just because tests reveal more mild cases doesn’t mean the virus has stopped killing people. Over and over again, case numbers spike and deaths lag and contrarians talk about how the virus is just a “casedemic” — and then a few weeks go by, and deaths follow cases up. It happened in the United States over the summer, it’s happened in Europe in the past month, and now it’s probably about to happen here again: Our cases have been rising since early September, our hospitalizations have been rising for several weeks, and while deaths are flat for now (at “only” 711 Americans a day), it’s likely they’ll be rising again by the time we hit November. Which means that Trump has chosen to go to war with the idea of testing, with Dr. Anthony Fauci and with “experts” in general at precisely the moment when the fall wave they’ve been warning about seems to be showing up — which is also the moment when the two-thirds of Americans who describe themselves as “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the virus will be going to the polls. Strictly as a policymaking matter, this is Trump’s worst behavior since his springtime push for the fastest-possible reopening. Europe’s renewed crisis shows that the Western failure to contain the virus is much more than just a Trump problem — but on the margins, in the thousands if not the hundreds of thousands, Trumpian denial can still get Americans unnecessarily killed. As politics, meanwhile, even more than the mixed messaging on Biden and the missed opportunities on relief spending, the retreat to corona-minimizing is a case study in how the Trump of 2020 has ceded his biggest general-election advantage from 2016 — his relative distance from the ideological rigidities of the anti-government right — and locked himself into a small box with flatterers and cranks. From these follies the God of surprises might yet deliver him. But every decision of his own lately has been a choice for political defeat.

Trump is giving up

The Treasury Department last month imposed sanctions on four people linked to Russia for attempting to influence the presidential election, including a Ukrainian parliamentarian named Andriy Derkach, who has worked with Donald Trump’s consigliere Rudy Giuliani to smear Joe Biden. According to the Treasury, Derkach has been “an active Russian agent for over a decade, maintaining close connections with the Russian intelligence services.”

The Treasury said Derkach had worked covertly to cultivate “false and unsubstantiated narratives concerning U.S. officials in the upcoming 2020 presidential election” — an obvious reference to Biden. Derkach had released “edited audiotapes and other unsupported information” and managed to push his “unsubstantiated narratives” into Western media.

According to The Washington Post, U.S. intelligence agencies warned the White House last year that Giuliani, then searching in Ukraine for dirt about Biden and his son Hunter, was the target of a Russian influence operation. “The Russians have been cultivating Rudy Giuliani as an asset for over a year,” Chris Murphy, a Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told me. “Any information proffered by Rudy Giuliani is likely compromised.”

That, of course, did not stop The New York Post from publishing a series of breathless articles about Hunter Biden purportedly based on a hard drive that fell into Giuliani’s hands. Some of the stories — like one about Hunter’s anguished texts to his father from rehab — seem intended to wound Joe Biden by humiliating his child. Others were meant to resurrect the discredited accusation that Joe Biden pressed for the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor to help Burisma, an energy company that had Hunter Biden on its board.

So far, the Hunter Biden laptop affair is a farcical retread of the Russian hack-and-leak operation that helped torpedo Hillary Clinton’s presidential aspirations in 2016. Now, as then, the Trump campaign appears to be hoping that the media will dribble out stolen private messages over the final weeks of the campaign, creating an illusion of scandal where none exists. And now, as then, someone in Trump’s inner circle is working directly with someone who is, at least according to the U.S. government, a Russian agent.

Since The New York Post began publishing its Hunter Biden articles, there’s been an escalating chorus of conservative whining about the mainstream media’s refusal to pick up its reporting. “Media avoiding The Post’s Hunter Biden stories as much as Joe,” says the headline on a self-pitying Post column.

Most reputable reporters aren’t taking the bait; Giuliani’s trove is just too sketchy. As The New York Times reported, the journalist who wrote one of The Post’s big Hunter Biden stories refused to put his byline on it out of concerns about the credibility of the underlying information. Mediaite reported that Giuliani initially offered the data to Fox News, but “the news division chose not to run the story unless or until the sourcing and veracity of the emails could be properly vetted.”

The provenance of the alleged hard drive is murky, and the FBI is reportedly investigating whether it’s linked to a foreign disinformation campaign. Giuliani claims his lawyer got it from a Delaware computer repair shop owner, John Paul Mac Isaac, who says someone he thinks was Hunter Biden dropped off three laptops and never picked them up. Mac Isaac gave a halting interview to several journalists last week; The Daily Beast published the audio, so you can hear for yourself as his story shifts over the course of an hour.

If there’s an important story here, it’s almost certainly about Giuliani’s dirty tricks, not any wrongdoing by Joe Biden. Reporting on disinformation is complicated, because it’s hard to write about it without amplifying it. Still, this episode distills just how far Trump has dragged the country down in four years.

In 2016, the public didn’t know that Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, was passing polling data to someone tied to the Russian intelligence directorate — such a revelation would have been devastating. Giuliani’s relationship with Derkach, by contrast, is out in the open.

Last week, Giuliani told The Daily Beast he thinks there’s only a 50% chance that his Ukrainian collaborator is really a Russian spy, and that it wouldn’t matter to him if his Hunter Biden material was linked to Russian hacking. This barely made a ripple. “It’s collusion in broad daylight,” said Murphy.

Giuliani probably can’t sabotage Biden the way WikiLeaks sabotaged Clinton. The Clinton leak was damaging because many voters already believed there was something sinister about her hidden emails. Burisma never stuck to Biden in the same way, so there’s less payoff in forcing it back into the news.

But Giuliani’s tactics aren’t any less foul for being ineffective. It’s hardly surprising that the president’s bottom-feeding lawyer has shown himself open to working with Russian intelligence. It’s striking, though, that no one expects better.

The Treasury Department last month imposed sanctions on four people linked to Russia for attempting to influence the presidential election, including a Ukrainian parliamentarian named Andriy Derkach, who has worked with Donald Trump’s consigliere Rudy Giuliani to smear Joe Biden.

The Treasury Department last month imposed sanctions on four people linked to Russia for attempting to influence the presidential election, including a Ukrainian parliamentarian named Andriy Derkach, who has worked with Donald Trump’s consigliere Rudy Giuliani to smear Joe Biden. According to the Treasury, Derkach has been “an active Russian agent for over a decade, maintaining close connections with the Russian intelligence services.” The Treasury said Derkach had worked covertly to cultivate “false and unsubstantiated narratives concerning U.S. officials in the upcoming 2020 presidential election” — an obvious reference to Biden. Derkach had released “edited audiotapes and other unsupported information” and managed to push his “unsubstantiated narratives” into Western media. According to The Washington Post, U.S. intelligence agencies warned the White House last year that Giuliani, then searching in Ukraine for dirt about Biden and his son Hunter, was the target of a Russian influence operation. “The Russians have been cultivating Rudy Giuliani as an asset for over a year,” Chris Murphy, a Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told me. “Any information proffered by Rudy Giuliani is likely compromised.” That, of course, did not stop The New York Post from publishing a series of breathless articles about Hunter Biden purportedly based on a hard drive that fell into Giuliani’s hands. Some of the stories — like one about Hunter’s anguished texts to his father from rehab — seem intended to wound Joe Biden by humiliating his child. Others were meant to resurrect the discredited accusation that Joe Biden pressed for the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor to help Burisma, an energy company that had Hunter Biden on its board. So far, the Hunter Biden laptop affair is a farcical retread of the Russian hack-and-leak operation that helped torpedo Hillary Clinton’s presidential aspirations in 2016. Now, as then, the Trump campaign appears to be hoping that the media will dribble out stolen private messages over the final weeks of the campaign, creating an illusion of scandal where none exists. And now, as then, someone in Trump’s inner circle is working directly with someone who is, at least according to the U.S. government, a Russian agent. Since The New York Post began publishing its Hunter Biden articles, there’s been an escalating chorus of conservative whining about the mainstream media’s refusal to pick up its reporting. “Media avoiding The Post’s Hunter Biden stories as much as Joe,” says the headline on a self-pitying Post column. Most reputable reporters aren’t taking the bait; Giuliani’s trove is just too sketchy. As The New York Times reported, the journalist who wrote one of The Post’s big Hunter Biden stories refused to put his byline on it out of concerns about the credibility of the underlying information. Mediaite reported that Giuliani initially offered the data to Fox News, but “the news division chose not to run the story unless or until the sourcing and veracity of the emails could be properly vetted.” The provenance of the alleged hard drive is murky, and the FBI is reportedly investigating whether it’s linked to a foreign disinformation campaign. Giuliani claims his lawyer got it from a Delaware computer repair shop owner, John Paul Mac Isaac, who says someone he thinks was Hunter Biden dropped off three laptops and never picked them up. Mac Isaac gave a halting interview to several journalists last week; The Daily Beast published the audio, so you can hear for yourself as his story shifts over the course of an hour. If there’s an important story here, it’s almost certainly about Giuliani’s dirty tricks, not any wrongdoing by Joe Biden. Reporting on disinformation is complicated, because it’s hard to write about it without amplifying it. Still, this episode distills just how far Trump has dragged the country down in four years. In 2016, the public didn’t know that Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign chairman, was passing polling data to someone tied to the Russian intelligence directorate — such a revelation would have been devastating. Giuliani’s relationship with Derkach, by contrast, is out in the open. Last week, Giuliani told The Daily Beast he thinks there’s only a 50% chance that his Ukrainian collaborator is really a Russian spy, and that it wouldn’t matter to him if his Hunter Biden material was linked to Russian hacking. This barely made a ripple. “It’s collusion in broad daylight,” said Murphy. Giuliani probably can’t sabotage Biden the way WikiLeaks sabotaged Clinton. The Clinton leak was damaging because many voters already believed there was something sinister about her hidden emails. Burisma never stuck to Biden in the same way, so there’s less payoff in forcing it back into the news. But Giuliani’s tactics aren’t any less foul for being ineffective. It’s hardly surprising that the president’s bottom-feeding lawyer has shown himself open to working with Russian intelligence. It’s striking, though, that no one expects better.

Is the Trump campaign colluding with Russia again?

The United States wants an immediate meeting with Russia to finalise an extension of a nuclear treaty after Moscow backed a US proposal to freeze warheads.

"We appreciate the Russian Federation's willingness to make progress on the issue of nuclear arms control," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

"The United States is prepared to meet immediately to finalise a verifiable agreement. We expect Russia to empower its diplomats to do the same."

Moscow on Tuesday said it was ready for the deal -- in order to extend the landmark arms reduction deal due to expire next year.

"Russia offers extending the New START by one year and is ready to take on a political commitment with the United States to freeze the number of nuclear warheads both sides have for this period," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ready-to-freeze-warheads-total-to-extend-nuclear-pact-with-us-by-a-year-336656">Also read |&nbsp;Russia ready to freeze warheads total to extend nuclear pact with US by a year</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week proposed extending by one year the New START treaty, which is due to expire in February 2021. The White House, however, described Putin's proposal as a "non-starter" unless accompanied by a freeze on the number of nuclear warheads.

Tensions have raged for months over the fate of New START, which caps the number of nuclear warheads held by Washington and Moscow and expires on February 5, 2021. The 10-year agreement was signed in 2010 at the peak of hopes for a "reset" in relations between Russia and the United States, spearheaded by former US president Barack Obama and then Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

(with inputs)

The United States wants an immediate meeting with Russia to finalise an extension of a nuclear treaty after Moscow backed a US proposal to freeze warheads. "We appreciate the Russian Federation's willingness to make progress on the issue of nuclear arms control," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

The United States wants an immediate meeting with Russia to finalise an extension of a nuclear treaty after Moscow backed a US proposal to freeze warheads. "We appreciate the Russian Federation's willingness to make progress on the issue of nuclear arms control," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. "The United States is prepared to meet immediately to finalise a verifiable agreement. We expect Russia to empower its diplomats to do the same." Moscow on Tuesday said it was ready for the deal -- in order to extend the landmark arms reduction deal due to expire next year. "Russia offers extending the New START by one year and is ready to take on a political commitment with the United States to freeze the number of nuclear warheads both sides have for this period," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Also read | Russia ready to freeze warheads total to extend nuclear pact with US by a year Russian President Vladimir Putin last week proposed extending by one year the New START treaty, which is due to expire in February 2021. The White House, however, described Putin's proposal as a "non-starter" unless accompanied by a freeze on the number of nuclear warheads. Tensions have raged for months over the fate of New START, which caps the number of nuclear warheads held by Washington and Moscow and expires on February 5, 2021. The 10-year agreement was signed in 2010 at the peak of hopes for a "reset" in relations between Russia and the United States, spearheaded by former US president Barack Obama and then Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev. (with inputs)

US wants to meet 'immediately' with Russia to finalise nuclear treaty

The Kremlin on Tuesday dismissed&nbsp;claims by the US and the UK that Russian military intelligence was behind cyber attacks targetting the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo as 'Russophobia'.

The Games were scheduled to take place in July, but were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Russian intelligence was also accused of hacking Ukraine's power grid, the 2017 French election and the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

The US Justice Department, which announced the charges against the GRU agents Monday, also said Russian intelligence was behind the "NotPetya" malware attack that infected computers of businesses worldwide, causing nearly $1 billion in losses to three US companies alone.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-charges-six-russian-military-intelligence-officers-with-cyberattacks-336532">Also read |&nbsp;US charges six Russian military intelligence officers with cyberattacks</a>

At the same time, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab accused Russian military intelligence services of carrying out internet reconnaissance missions against targets linked to the Tokyo Olympics.

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov described US charges against six Russian intelligence officers as "rampant Russophobia which, of course, have nothing to do with reality."

"The Russian Federation, Russian security services have never undertaken any hacker attacks, especially in connection with the Olympics," Peskov told reporters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-accuses-russia-of-cyberattacks-on-tokyo-2020-olympics-336637">Also read |&nbsp;UK accuses Russia of cyberattacks on Tokyo 2020 Olympics</a>

The Kremlin on Tuesday dismissed claims by the US and the UK that Russian military intelligence was behind cyber attacks targetting the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo as 'Russophobia'.

The Kremlin on Tuesday dismissed claims by the US and the UK that Russian military intelligence was behind cyber attacks targetting the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo as 'Russophobia'. The Games were scheduled to take place in July, but were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Russian intelligence was also accused of hacking Ukraine's power grid, the 2017 French election and the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The US Justice Department, which announced the charges against the GRU agents Monday, also said Russian intelligence was behind the "NotPetya" malware attack that infected computers of businesses worldwide, causing nearly $1 billion in losses to three US companies alone. Also read | US charges six Russian military intelligence officers with cyberattacks At the same time, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab accused Russian military intelligence services of carrying out internet reconnaissance missions against targets linked to the Tokyo Olympics. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov described US charges against six Russian intelligence officers as "rampant Russophobia which, of course, have nothing to do with reality." "The Russian Federation, Russian security services have never undertaken any hacker attacks, especially in connection with the Olympics," Peskov told reporters. Also read | UK accuses Russia of cyberattacks on Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Russia dismisses hacking allegations as 'Russophobia'

Russia has offered the United States a mutual one-year freeze on the number of nuclear warheads held by both countries.

Moscow on Tuesday said it was ready for the deal -- in order to extend a landmark arms reduction deal due to expire next year.

"Russia offers extending the New START by one year and is ready to take on a political commitment with the United States to freeze the number of nuclear warheads both sides have for this period," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week proposed extending by one year the New START treaty, which is due to expire in February 2021.&nbsp;The White House, however,&nbsp;described Putin's&nbsp;proposal as a "non-starter" unless accompanied by a freeze on the number of nuclear warheads.

To this end, Russia's foreign ministry Tuesday said the suspension could only take place on the understanding that there were no "additional" demands from the United States. But it added the extra time gained could be used for talks on the future control of nuclear weapons.

Tensions have raged for months over the fate of New START, which caps the number of nuclear warheads held by Washington and Moscow and expires on February 5, 2021. The 10-year agreement was signed in 2010 at the peak of hopes for a "reset" in relations between Russia and the United States, spearheaded by former US president Barack Obama and then Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

But as Putin returned to the presidency in 2012, tensions rapidly built up again.

National security advisor Robert O'Brien had rejected Putin's offer, countering that both nations must cap warheads during the period.

(with inputs from AFP)

Russia has offered the United States a mutual one-year freeze on the number of nuclear warheads held by both countries. Moscow on Tuesday said it was ready for the deal -- in order to extend a landmark arms reduction deal due to expire next year.

Russia has offered the United States a mutual one-year freeze on the number of nuclear warheads held by both countries. Moscow on Tuesday said it was ready for the deal -- in order to extend a landmark arms reduction deal due to expire next year. "Russia offers extending the New START by one year and is ready to take on a political commitment with the United States to freeze the number of nuclear warheads both sides have for this period," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Russian President Vladimir Putin last week proposed extending by one year the New START treaty, which is due to expire in February 2021. The White House, however, described Putin's proposal as a "non-starter" unless accompanied by a freeze on the number of nuclear warheads. To this end, Russia's foreign ministry Tuesday said the suspension could only take place on the understanding that there were no "additional" demands from the United States. But it added the extra time gained could be used for talks on the future control of nuclear weapons. Tensions have raged for months over the fate of New START, which caps the number of nuclear warheads held by Washington and Moscow and expires on February 5, 2021. The 10-year agreement was signed in 2010 at the peak of hopes for a "reset" in relations between Russia and the United States, spearheaded by former US president Barack Obama and then Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev. But as Putin returned to the presidency in 2012, tensions rapidly built up again. National security advisor Robert O'Brien had rejected Putin's offer, countering that both nations must cap warheads during the period. (with inputs from AFP)

Russia ready to freeze warheads total to extend nuclear pact with US by a year

The UK has accused Russia of carrying out a series of cyberattacks on the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo -- scheduled to take place in Tokyo in July, 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Britain also warned that the postponed Games due to take place next year may also be targetted by Russia.

UK and allied intelligence services discovered that the Russian military intelligence service, GRU, attempted to disguise itself as Chinese and North Korean hackers in “false-flag” operations to disrupt the Games.

The statement by UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also accused the Russian body of targeting the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in South Korea with cyberattacks -- using the malware “Olympic Destroyer”.

The attacks started, according to security officials, in September last year, days before the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) threatened to ban Russian athletes from the Olympics and other major international sporting events.

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre has assessed the attacks and believes they were intended to sabotage the games, as the malware used "was designed to wipe data from and disable computers and networks."

The UK statement comes after major charges were announced in the US on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-charges-six-russian-military-intelligence-officers-with-cyberattacks-336532">Also read |&nbsp;US charges six Russian military intelligence officers with cyberattacks</a>

Six Russian military intelligence officers have been charged with carrying out cyberattacks on Ukraine's power grid, the 2017 French elections and the 2018 Winter Olympics, the US Justice Department announced on Monday.

To this end, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said that Tokyo was in close cooperation with the US and UK on this issue and would not "overlook malicious cyber attacks that could shake the foundations of democracy."

The UK has accused Russia of carrying out a series of cyberattacks on the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo -- scheduled to take place in Tokyo in July, 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK has accused Russia of carrying out a series of cyberattacks on the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo -- scheduled to take place in Tokyo in July, 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Britain also warned that the postponed Games due to take place next year may also be targetted by Russia. UK and allied intelligence services discovered that the Russian military intelligence service, GRU, attempted to disguise itself as Chinese and North Korean hackers in “false-flag” operations to disrupt the Games. The statement by UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also accused the Russian body of targeting the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in South Korea with cyberattacks -- using the malware “Olympic Destroyer”. The attacks started, according to security officials, in September last year, days before the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) threatened to ban Russian athletes from the Olympics and other major international sporting events. The UK's National Cyber Security Centre has assessed the attacks and believes they were intended to sabotage the games, as the malware used "was designed to wipe data from and disable computers and networks." The UK statement comes after major charges were announced in the US on Monday. Also read | US charges six Russian military intelligence officers with cyberattacks Six Russian military intelligence officers have been charged with carrying out cyberattacks on Ukraine's power grid, the 2017 French elections and the 2018 Winter Olympics, the US Justice Department announced on Monday. To this end, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said that Tokyo was in close cooperation with the US and UK on this issue and would not "overlook malicious cyber attacks that could shake the foundations of democracy."

UK accuses Russia of cyberattacks on Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Russia is not seeking to interfere in the electoral processes of other countries around the world, nor has it in the past, the Kremlin said on Friday.

This clarification came close on the heels of Microsoft claiming hackers linked to Russia were among those trying to spy on US political figures.

Hackers linked to Russia, China, and Iran are trying to spy on people tied to both US President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden, Microsoft Corp said on Thursday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has no intention of meddling in other countries' internal affairs and that Russia does not like it when others interfere in its affairs.

Microsoft Corp said on Thursday that hackers linked to Russia, China, and Iran are trying to spy on people tied to both US President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden.

The announcement by Microsoft's vice president for customer security, Tom Burt, said the group accused of breaching Hillary Clinton's campaign emails in 2016 - a Russian military intelligence-linked unit widely known as Fancy Bear - had spent the past year trying to break into accounts belonging to political consultants serving both Republicans and Democrats as well as advocacy organizations and think tanks.

Burt also said Chinese hackers had gone after people "closely associated with US presidential campaigns and candidates" - including an unnamed Biden ally who was targeted through a personal email address and "at least one prominent individual formerly associated with the Trump Administration."

Burt said the Chinese effort to compromise the Biden ally and the Iranian spying against the Trump campaign were unsuccessful, but his blog post provided no detail on the hacking campaign attributed to Russia or the effort to compromise the well-known former Trump associate. 
&nbsp;

Russia is not seeking to interfere in the electoral processes of other countries around the world, nor has it in the past, the Kremlin said on Friday. This clarification came close on the heels of Microsoft claiming hackers linked to Russia were among those trying to spy on US political figures.

Russia is not seeking to interfere in the electoral processes of other countries around the world, nor has it in the past, the Kremlin said on Friday. This clarification came close on the heels of Microsoft claiming hackers linked to Russia were among those trying to spy on US political figures. Hackers linked to Russia, China, and Iran are trying to spy on people tied to both US President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden, Microsoft Corp said on Thursday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has no intention of meddling in other countries' internal affairs and that Russia does not like it when others interfere in its affairs. Microsoft Corp said on Thursday that hackers linked to Russia, China, and Iran are trying to spy on people tied to both US President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden. The announcement by Microsoft's vice president for customer security, Tom Burt, said the group accused of breaching Hillary Clinton's campaign emails in 2016 - a Russian military intelligence-linked unit widely known as Fancy Bear - had spent the past year trying to break into accounts belonging to political consultants serving both Republicans and Democrats as well as advocacy organizations and think tanks. Burt also said Chinese hackers had gone after people "closely associated with US presidential campaigns and candidates" - including an unnamed Biden ally who was targeted through a personal email address and "at least one prominent individual formerly associated with the Trump Administration." Burt said the Chinese effort to compromise the Biden ally and the Iranian spying against the Trump campaign were unsuccessful, but his blog post provided no detail on the hacking campaign attributed to Russia or the effort to compromise the well-known former Trump associate.

Russia says it's not seeking to interfere in other countries' electoral processes

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