US President Donald Trump might have broken his recent silence on Russia and the attack on Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, but there has been no reaction on alleged Russian efforts to interfere in US politics. This despite Thursday's news that an intelligence bulletin issued by the Department of Homeland Security warned that Moscow is attempting to sow doubt about the integrity of the 2020 elections by amplifying false claims that mail-in voting resulting in widespread fraud.

Instead, Trump appeared starkly out of step with the leaders of Britain and Germany, who have expressed outrage at the attack on Navalny.

He called it "tragic" but emphasising that he has a good relationship with the Russian leader.

"I don't know exactly what happened. I think it's tragic. It's terrible; it shouldn't happen. We haven't had any proof yet, but I will take a look," Trump said on Friday in a news conference at the White House.&nbsp;

In response to further questions on the matter he attempted to deflect to his favorite opponent, claiming that what China is doing is "far worse." And as he had done the night before at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, he stressed, "I do get along with President Putin."

Also, Trump did not make any mention of other provocations in recent weeks, including a collision between a Russian military convoy and a US armoured vehicle that injured seven American troops.

These were his first comments on Navalny since Germany said he had been poisoned with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group -- the same substance the Kremlin used to poison ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the United Kingdom in March 2018.

In recent days, a Russian submarine suddenly surfaced off Alaska, and a US B-52 bomber was intercepted by a Russian Su-27 fighter over the Baltic Sea. The Russians followed the B-52 well into Danish airspace, committing a significant violation of the airspace of a NATO nation and US ally.

But at his Friday news conference, Trump claimed that he's "been tougher on Russia than anybody else by far."

Russia, on its part, has denied any wrongdoing in recent military encounters.

The White House has so far offered no explanation for the President's silence in the face of the repeated military provocations. But experts are unconvinced. 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump might have broken his recent silence on Russia and the attack on Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, but there has been no reaction on alleged Russian efforts to interfere in US politics.

US President Donald Trump might have broken his recent silence on Russia and the attack on Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, but there has been no reaction on alleged Russian efforts to interfere in US politics. This despite Thursday's news that an intelligence bulletin issued by the Department of Homeland Security warned that Moscow is attempting to sow doubt about the integrity of the 2020 elections by amplifying false claims that mail-in voting resulting in widespread fraud. Instead, Trump appeared starkly out of step with the leaders of Britain and Germany, who have expressed outrage at the attack on Navalny. He called it "tragic" but emphasising that he has a good relationship with the Russian leader. "I don't know exactly what happened. I think it's tragic. It's terrible; it shouldn't happen. We haven't had any proof yet, but I will take a look," Trump said on Friday in a news conference at the White House. In response to further questions on the matter he attempted to deflect to his favorite opponent, claiming that what China is doing is "far worse." And as he had done the night before at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, he stressed, "I do get along with President Putin." Also, Trump did not make any mention of other provocations in recent weeks, including a collision between a Russian military convoy and a US armoured vehicle that injured seven American troops. These were his first comments on Navalny since Germany said he had been poisoned with a chemical nerve agent from the Novichok group -- the same substance the Kremlin used to poison ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the United Kingdom in March 2018. In recent days, a Russian submarine suddenly surfaced off Alaska, and a US B-52 bomber was intercepted by a Russian Su-27 fighter over the Baltic Sea. The Russians followed the B-52 well into Danish airspace, committing a significant violation of the airspace of a NATO nation and US ally. But at his Friday news conference, Trump claimed that he's "been tougher on Russia than anybody else by far." Russia, on its part, has denied any wrongdoing in recent military encounters. The White House has so far offered no explanation for the President's silence in the face of the repeated military provocations. But experts are unconvinced.

Trump says he 'gets along' with Putin amid international criticism of Russian aggression

The US Air Force has said that two Russian aircraft made an "unsafe, unprofessional" intercept of its B-52 bomber on Friday over the Black Sea and in international waters.

According to a statement from US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs, the Russia pilots crossed within 100 feet of the nose of the B-52 multiple times and also caused turbulence to the B-52 restricting its ability to manoeuver.

"While the Russian aircraft were operating in international airspace, they jeopardised the safety of flight of the aircraft involved. We expect them to operate within international standards set to ensure safety and prevent accidents," the statement added.

Meanwhile, US B-52's flew over 30 NATO countries on Friday. This was done "to demonstrate NATO solidarity, enhance readiness and provide training opportunities aimed at enhancing interoperability for all participating aircrews from the US and NATO allies," according to a statement from US European Command.

The US commitment to NATO has been called into question following US President Donald Trump's repeated criticism of member countries for not meeting the recommended alliance target of 2 per cent&nbsp;of GDP on defence.

The US Air Force has said that two Russian aircraft made an "unsafe, unprofessional" intercept of its B-52 bomber on Friday over the Black Sea and in international waters.

The US Air Force has said that two Russian aircraft made an "unsafe, unprofessional" intercept of its B-52 bomber on Friday over the Black Sea and in international waters. According to a statement from US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs, the Russia pilots crossed within 100 feet of the nose of the B-52 multiple times and also caused turbulence to the B-52 restricting its ability to manoeuver. "While the Russian aircraft were operating in international airspace, they jeopardised the safety of flight of the aircraft involved. We expect them to operate within international standards set to ensure safety and prevent accidents," the statement added. Meanwhile, US B-52's flew over 30 NATO countries on Friday. This was done "to demonstrate NATO solidarity, enhance readiness and provide training opportunities aimed at enhancing interoperability for all participating aircrews from the US and NATO allies," according to a statement from US European Command. The US commitment to NATO has been called into question following US President Donald Trump's repeated criticism of member countries for not meeting the recommended alliance target of 2 per cent of GDP on defence.

Two Russian aircraft make unsafe intercept of US Air Force bomber

A small number of US troops were injured during an interaction with Russian forces in Syria, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

While such interactions between American and Russian forces are not rare, the incident highlights the risks of troops from both countries operating in close proximity in northern Syria and the potential for an escalation in tensions.

One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the injuries were a result of a collision and not any exchange of fire.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-and-greece-mobilize-their-navies-come-close-to-military-confrontation-323263">Also read:&nbsp;Turkey and Greece mobilize their navies; come close to military confrontation</a>

The other official said the incident took place earlier this week in northeastern Syria and the injuries were mild.

The Pentagon and the US military's Central Command, which oversees US forces in the region, declined to comment.

The US military does not generally comment on injuries. However, last month a paratrooper was killed during a vehicle rollover accident in eastern Syria.

Videos on social media showed Russian military vehicles, backed by a pair of helicopters, driving dangerously close to US&nbsp;armored vehicles. The origin of the videos was unclear.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-opposition-leader-navalny-poisoned-with-cholinesterase-inhibitors-says-german-hospital-322864">Also read:&nbsp;Russian Opposition leader Navalny poisoned with cholinesterase inhibitors, says German hospital</a>

Earlier this year, another video showed a close interaction between troops on a Syrian road.

About 500 US forces remain in northern Syria after a sharp reduction in troops that were initially there to drive out Islamic State militants from all of their strongholds in the country.

Some of the areas also have oil resources, something President Donald Trump has cited as a justification for keeping US troops partnered with Kurdish allies in the region.

The injuries were first reported by Politico.

A small number of US troops were injured during an interaction with Russian forces in Syria, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday. While such interactions between American and Russian forces are not rare, the incident highlights the risks of troops from both countries operating in close proximity in northern Syria and the potential for an escalation in tensions.

A small number of US troops were injured during an interaction with Russian forces in Syria, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday. While such interactions between American and Russian forces are not rare, the incident highlights the risks of troops from both countries operating in close proximity in northern Syria and the potential for an escalation in tensions. One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the injuries were a result of a collision and not any exchange of fire. Also read: Turkey and Greece mobilize their navies; come close to military confrontation The other official said the incident took place earlier this week in northeastern Syria and the injuries were mild. The Pentagon and the US military's Central Command, which oversees US forces in the region, declined to comment. The US military does not generally comment on injuries. However, last month a paratrooper was killed during a vehicle rollover accident in eastern Syria. Videos on social media showed Russian military vehicles, backed by a pair of helicopters, driving dangerously close to US armored vehicles. The origin of the videos was unclear. Also read: Russian Opposition leader Navalny poisoned with cholinesterase inhibitors, says German hospital Earlier this year, another video showed a close interaction between troops on a Syrian road. About 500 US forces remain in northern Syria after a sharp reduction in troops that were initially there to drive out Islamic State militants from all of their strongholds in the country. Some of the areas also have oil resources, something President Donald Trump has cited as a justification for keeping US troops partnered with Kurdish allies in the region. The injuries were first reported by Politico.

US troops injured in interaction with Russian forces in Syria: US officials

The number two US diplomat will visit Russia and Lithuania soon for talks on Belarus, two sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, as Washington seeks a peaceful resolution to that country's election crisis that averts Russian intervention.

Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun's planned mission signals a greater US role in trying to settle the strife that erupted when Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brutally cracked down on peaceful protesters rejecting his claim of a landslide Aug. 9 election win.

Asked about Biegun's planned trip, a State Department spokesman said "there is no travel to announce at this time."

One source, a former senior US official who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Biegun was expected to leave in the coming days for Moscow and the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, where Belarusian opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took refuge after Lukashenko launched his crackdown.

The United States and European Union have condemned the election as marred by irregularities. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday urged Lukashenko to accept international help in opening talks with the opposition and implicitly warned Russia, Belarus' massive neighbor, not to intervene.

Lukashenko has appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for help salvaging his 26-year rule. Belarus is bound to Russia by a mutual defense treaty and deep economic, political and cultural ties.

Putin has offered assistance, if required. Moscow on Wednesday said it saw no need to help for now, but has warned against outside involvement in Belarus and said the crisis should be settled internally.

The second source said he did not know Biegun's planned message but thought he would aim to prevent further violence in Belarus or Russian intervention.

"I would guess the administration is trying to dissuade Moscow from either intervening on its own or using its influence with Lukashenko to encourage him to have a (more) violent crackdown," said this source, also on condition of anonymity.

EU member Lithuania, which has sought backing from Washington, has been an outspoken critic of Lukashenko's crackdown on the demonstrations by tens of thousands of Belarusians in which his security forces have beaten, teargassed and arrested thousands of people, many of whom say they were tortured.

Experts say Washington seeks a larger role in a search for a negotiated resolution to the crisis. The turmoil disrupted a US effort to exploit tensions between Putin and Lukashenko, with Pompeo visiting Minsk in February for talks on normalizing diplomatic relations.

Protesters are not demanding closer ties with the West, experts noted, but a redo of the vote and respect for human rights, which Washington has a strong interest in promoting.

Moreover, the crisis gives Washington an issue on which to unite with European allies amid serious tensions over the Iran nuclear deal and US President Donald Trump's expressions of disdain for the trans-Atlantic alliance, they said.

"From the US perspective, there's a whole host of issues both in terms of human rights and democracy, but there's also a security component," said Jonathan Katz, a former US official and expert on Eastern Europe with the German Marshall Fund, a thinktank. "Belarus borders the Baltic allies and Poland."

At the same time, he said, Washington wants to avoid giving Putin an excuse to intervene militarily in Belarus as he did in 2014 in Ukraine, when Russian forces seized Crimea and backed separatists in the country's east after the ouster of a pro-Moscow government.

"There are concerns about the potential for Moscow to act militarily," said Katz. "You can't dismiss it even if you think the likelihood is not there."

The number two US diplomat will visit Russia and Lithuania soon for talks on Belarus, two sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, as Washington seeks a peaceful resolution to that country's election crisis that averts Russian intervention.

The number two US diplomat will visit Russia and Lithuania soon for talks on Belarus, two sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, as Washington seeks a peaceful resolution to that country's election crisis that averts Russian intervention. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun's planned mission signals a greater US role in trying to settle the strife that erupted when Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brutally cracked down on peaceful protesters rejecting his claim of a landslide Aug. 9 election win. Asked about Biegun's planned trip, a State Department spokesman said "there is no travel to announce at this time." One source, a former senior US official who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Biegun was expected to leave in the coming days for Moscow and the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, where Belarusian opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took refuge after Lukashenko launched his crackdown. The United States and European Union have condemned the election as marred by irregularities. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday urged Lukashenko to accept international help in opening talks with the opposition and implicitly warned Russia, Belarus' massive neighbor, not to intervene. Lukashenko has appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for help salvaging his 26-year rule. Belarus is bound to Russia by a mutual defense treaty and deep economic, political and cultural ties. Putin has offered assistance, if required. Moscow on Wednesday said it saw no need to help for now, but has warned against outside involvement in Belarus and said the crisis should be settled internally. The second source said he did not know Biegun's planned message but thought he would aim to prevent further violence in Belarus or Russian intervention. "I would guess the administration is trying to dissuade Moscow from either intervening on its own or using its influence with Lukashenko to encourage him to have a (more) violent crackdown," said this source, also on condition of anonymity. EU member Lithuania, which has sought backing from Washington, has been an outspoken critic of Lukashenko's crackdown on the demonstrations by tens of thousands of Belarusians in which his security forces have beaten, teargassed and arrested thousands of people, many of whom say they were tortured. Experts say Washington seeks a larger role in a search for a negotiated resolution to the crisis. The turmoil disrupted a US effort to exploit tensions between Putin and Lukashenko, with Pompeo visiting Minsk in February for talks on normalizing diplomatic relations. Protesters are not demanding closer ties with the West, experts noted, but a redo of the vote and respect for human rights, which Washington has a strong interest in promoting. Moreover, the crisis gives Washington an issue on which to unite with European allies amid serious tensions over the Iran nuclear deal and US President Donald Trump's expressions of disdain for the trans-Atlantic alliance, they said. "From the US perspective, there's a whole host of issues both in terms of human rights and democracy, but there's also a security component," said Jonathan Katz, a former US official and expert on Eastern Europe with the German Marshall Fund, a thinktank. "Belarus borders the Baltic allies and Poland." At the same time, he said, Washington wants to avoid giving Putin an excuse to intervene militarily in Belarus as he did in 2014 in Ukraine, when Russian forces seized Crimea and backed separatists in the country's east after the ouster of a pro-Moscow government. "There are concerns about the potential for Moscow to act militarily," said Katz. "You can't dismiss it even if you think the likelihood is not there."

US deputy secy of state to visit Russia, Lithuania to discuss Belarus

The US intelligence has assessed that&nbsp;Russia, China and Iran will all try to interfere in the 2020 presidential election with Beijing&nbsp;"preferring" an outcome where President Donald Trump is not reelected in November and Moscow working to "denigrate" former Vice President Joe Biden's White House bid.

In an unusual public statement, William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Centre, said the three countries were using online disinformation and other means to try to influence voters, stir up disorder and undermine American voters' confidence in the democratic process.

Evanina said in a statement on Friday: "We assess that China prefers that President Trump -- whom Beijing sees as unpredictable -- does not win reelection."

Evanina's assessment comes two days after the release of a new report from the State Department that accused Russia of conducting a sophisticated disinformation and propaganda campaign, which uses a variety of approaches including Kremlin-aligned news sites to promote their agenda.

In a nutshell, Evanina's statement&nbsp;put two of the biggest American adversaries on opposite sides of the election: Russia for Trump and China for Biden.

"China has been expanding its influence efforts ahead of November 2020 to shape the policy environment in the United States, pressure political figures it views as opposed to China's interests, and deflect and counter criticism of China," Evanina added.

"We assess that Russia is using a range of measures to primarily denigrate former Vice President Biden and what it sees as an anti-Russia 'establishment.' This is consistent with Moscow's public criticism of him when he was Vice President for his role in the Obama Administration's policies on Ukraine and its support for the anti-Putin opposition inside Russia."&nbsp;

According to CNN, Evanina also stated that Iran is seeking to "undermine US democratic institutions, President Trump, and to divide the country."

The statement from the top counterintelligence official is also the clearest the intelligence community has been in suggesting Russia prefers one candidate over the other in the 2020 race.

In response, Trump appeared reluctant to accept the intelligence community findings. He, when asked, said, "It could be. I mean it could be, very much."

"I think that the last person Russia wants to see in office is Donald Trump because nobody's been tougher on Russia -- ever," Trump said, adding later, "the last thing that Russia wants, and China wants, and Iran wants is for Donald Trump to win."

Evanina used "denigrate" to denote what Russia wanted. It is the word the intelligence community used in its 2017 assessment citing Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an "influence campaign" aimed at harming Hillary Clinton.

US intelligence officials presented information to lawmakers and presidential campaigns.

An official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told CNN that there's "no particular rank or order by which the threat actors are listed" in Evanina's statement.

The Biden and Trump campaigns responded to the news of Evanina's warning by volleying attacks at one another.

The Biden campaign's foreign policy adviser, Tony Blinken, accused Trump of having "publically and repeatedly invited, emboldened, and even tried to coerce foreign interference in American elections."

Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh claimed the administration has held Moscow accountable and is "tougher on Russia than any administration in history," also attacking Obama's former national security adviser Susan Rice, who is a potential running mate for Biden.

Many officials who oversee US election technology and outside security experts now worry less about hacking in the elections than about misinformation and logistics such as a shortage of poll workers and slowdowns at the US postal service.

The US intelligence has assessed that Russia, China and Iran will all try to interfere in the 2020 presidential election with Beijing "preferring" an outcome where President Donald Trump is not reelected in November and Moscow working to "denigrate" former Vice President Joe Biden's White House bid.

The US intelligence has assessed that Russia, China and Iran will all try to interfere in the 2020 presidential election with Beijing "preferring" an outcome where President Donald Trump is not reelected in November and Moscow working to "denigrate" former Vice President Joe Biden's White House bid. In an unusual public statement, William Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Centre, said the three countries were using online disinformation and other means to try to influence voters, stir up disorder and undermine American voters' confidence in the democratic process. Evanina said in a statement on Friday: "We assess that China prefers that President Trump -- whom Beijing sees as unpredictable -- does not win reelection." Evanina's assessment comes two days after the release of a new report from the State Department that accused Russia of conducting a sophisticated disinformation and propaganda campaign, which uses a variety of approaches including Kremlin-aligned news sites to promote their agenda. In a nutshell, Evanina's statement put two of the biggest American adversaries on opposite sides of the election: Russia for Trump and China for Biden. "China has been expanding its influence efforts ahead of November 2020 to shape the policy environment in the United States, pressure political figures it views as opposed to China's interests, and deflect and counter criticism of China," Evanina added. "We assess that Russia is using a range of measures to primarily denigrate former Vice President Biden and what it sees as an anti-Russia 'establishment.' This is consistent with Moscow's public criticism of him when he was Vice President for his role in the Obama Administration's policies on Ukraine and its support for the anti-Putin opposition inside Russia." According to CNN, Evanina also stated that Iran is seeking to "undermine US democratic institutions, President Trump, and to divide the country." The statement from the top counterintelligence official is also the clearest the intelligence community has been in suggesting Russia prefers one candidate over the other in the 2020 race. In response, Trump appeared reluctant to accept the intelligence community findings. He, when asked, said, "It could be. I mean it could be, very much." "I think that the last person Russia wants to see in office is Donald Trump because nobody's been tougher on Russia -- ever," Trump said, adding later, "the last thing that Russia wants, and China wants, and Iran wants is for Donald Trump to win." Evanina used "denigrate" to denote what Russia wanted. It is the word the intelligence community used in its 2017 assessment citing Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an "influence campaign" aimed at harming Hillary Clinton. US intelligence officials presented information to lawmakers and presidential campaigns. An official with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence told CNN that there's "no particular rank or order by which the threat actors are listed" in Evanina's statement. The Biden and Trump campaigns responded to the news of Evanina's warning by volleying attacks at one another. The Biden campaign's foreign policy adviser, Tony Blinken, accused Trump of having "publically and repeatedly invited, emboldened, and even tried to coerce foreign interference in American elections." Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh claimed the administration has held Moscow accountable and is "tougher on Russia than any administration in history," also attacking Obama's former national security adviser Susan Rice, who is a potential running mate for Biden. Many officials who oversee US election technology and outside security experts now worry less about hacking in the elections than about misinformation and logistics such as a shortage of poll workers and slowdowns at the US postal service.

China wants Trump to lose election, Russia working to insult Biden, US intel says

United States President Donald Trump has, for the first time, confirmed the US conducted a covert cyberattack in 2018 against Russia's Internet Research Agency.

Trump gave the confirmation during an interview conducted by <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/07/10/trump-confirms-an-interview-us-cyberattack-russia/">the Washington Post's Marc A Thiessen</a>.

The said agency is a troll farm blamed by the US for helping to facilitate interference both in the 2016 presidential election and the 2018 midterms.

The Washington Post reports that during his interview Trump was asked if he had launched a cyberattack. He replied, "Correct."

Trump said then president Barack Obama in 2016 "knew before the election that Russia was playing around. Or, he was told. Whether or not it was so or not, who knows? And he said nothing. And the reason he said nothing was that he didn't want to touch it because he thought (Hillary Clinton) was winning because he read phony polls. So, he thought she was going to win. And we had the silent majority that said, 'No, we like Trump.' "

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-commutes-longtime-adviser-roger-stones-prison-sentence-312432">Also read |&nbsp;Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone's prison sentence</a>

Trump said that unlike his predecessor, he acted on intelligence the US had about Russia's election interference by launching the cyberattack. He said the cyberattack was part of a broader policy to confront Russia.

The Washington Post had previously also -- in October 2018 -- reported there was a cyberattack. This is, however, the first official confirmation from Trump.

Trump also appeared to confirm that the US had conducted such a cyberattack against a Russian entity during the 2018 midterm elections in a June 2019 Fox News interview.

CNN also reported in October 2018 that the US military's Cyber Command had begun targetting Russian operatives believed to be attempting to influence the 2018 midterm elections as part of a broad effort in coordination with several government agencies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-going-to-be-bullied-or-threatened-by-the-president-experts-react-to-trumps-threats-of-reopening-us-schools-312427">Also read |&nbsp;Not going to be bullied or threatened by the President: Experts react to Trump's threats of reopening US schools</a>

Obama in December 2016 announced sanctions against Russia and expelled some Russian diplomats in retaliation for its interference in the US presidential election.

United States President Donald Trump has, for the first time, confirmed the US conducted a covert cyberattack in 2018 against Russia's Internet Research Agency. Trump gave the confirmation during an interview conducted by the Washington Post's Marc A Thiessen.

United States President Donald Trump has, for the first time, confirmed the US conducted a covert cyberattack in 2018 against Russia's Internet Research Agency. Trump gave the confirmation during an interview conducted by the Washington Post's Marc A Thiessen. The said agency is a troll farm blamed by the US for helping to facilitate interference both in the 2016 presidential election and the 2018 midterms. The Washington Post reports that during his interview Trump was asked if he had launched a cyberattack. He replied, "Correct." Trump said then president Barack Obama in 2016 "knew before the election that Russia was playing around. Or, he was told. Whether or not it was so or not, who knows? And he said nothing. And the reason he said nothing was that he didn't want to touch it because he thought (Hillary Clinton) was winning because he read phony polls. So, he thought she was going to win. And we had the silent majority that said, 'No, we like Trump.' " Also read | Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone's prison sentence Trump said that unlike his predecessor, he acted on intelligence the US had about Russia's election interference by launching the cyberattack. He said the cyberattack was part of a broader policy to confront Russia. The Washington Post had previously also -- in October 2018 -- reported there was a cyberattack. This is, however, the first official confirmation from Trump. Trump also appeared to confirm that the US had conducted such a cyberattack against a Russian entity during the 2018 midterm elections in a June 2019 Fox News interview. CNN also reported in October 2018 that the US military's Cyber Command had begun targetting Russian operatives believed to be attempting to influence the 2018 midterm elections as part of a broad effort in coordination with several government agencies. Also read | Not going to be bullied or threatened by the President: Experts react to Trump's threats of reopening US schools Obama in December 2016 announced sanctions against Russia and expelled some Russian diplomats in retaliation for its interference in the US presidential election.

Trump confirms US conducted cyberattack against Russia in 2018

Moscow has angrily told the US embassy to "mind your own business" after Washington's diplomatic mission raised concern about curbs on media freedom in Russia.

Rebecca Ross, the spokeswoman for the US embassy, on Tuesday expressed concern about a clampdown on journalists in Russia.

"Watching arrest after arrest of Russian journalists – it's starting to look like a concerted campaign against #MediaFreedom," she tweeted.

"Mind your own business," the Russian foreign ministry tweeted late Tuesday.

Earlier that day the FSB security agency, the successor to the Soviet-era KGB, arrested a respected former journalist, Ivan Safronov, 30, on suspicion of state treason.&nbsp;

His detention sparked an uproar among supporters and journalists who say his arrest is punishment for his coverage of Russia's defence sector.

A member of Safronov's defence team, Yevgeny Smirnov, has said the former journalist, who used to work for Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers, is suspected of cooperating with Czech intelligence since 2012.&nbsp;

The FSB investigators believe that the Czech intelligence acts under the guidance of the United States, Smirnov told AFP.

The FSB says that Safronov has collected&nbsp;confidential data about the Russian military, defence, and security and handed it over to the intelligence of a NATO member country.

On Monday, a reporter from the northwestern city of Pskov was fined nearly $7,000 for "justifying terrorism", in a case that sparked an outcry.

Prosecutors had requested that Svetlana Prokopyeva be sentenced to six years in prison for a commentary about a bomb attack.

All major TV stations are under state control in Russia.&nbsp;

Journalists working for print and online outlets have recently complained about increasing curbs on press freedoms and pressure from the Kremlin.

Moscow has angrily told the US embassy to "mind your own business" after Washington's diplomatic mission raised concern about curbs on media freedom in Russia. Rebecca Ross, the spokeswoman for the US embassy, on Tuesday expressed concern about a clampdown on journalists in Russia.

Moscow has angrily told the US embassy to "mind your own business" after Washington's diplomatic mission raised concern about curbs on media freedom in Russia. Rebecca Ross, the spokeswoman for the US embassy, on Tuesday expressed concern about a clampdown on journalists in Russia. "Watching arrest after arrest of Russian journalists – it's starting to look like a concerted campaign against #MediaFreedom," she tweeted. "Mind your own business," the Russian foreign ministry tweeted late Tuesday. Earlier that day the FSB security agency, the successor to the Soviet-era KGB, arrested a respected former journalist, Ivan Safronov, 30, on suspicion of state treason. His detention sparked an uproar among supporters and journalists who say his arrest is punishment for his coverage of Russia's defence sector. A member of Safronov's defence team, Yevgeny Smirnov, has said the former journalist, who used to work for Kommersant and Vedomosti newspapers, is suspected of cooperating with Czech intelligence since 2012. The FSB investigators believe that the Czech intelligence acts under the guidance of the United States, Smirnov told AFP. The FSB says that Safronov has collected confidential data about the Russian military, defence, and security and handed it over to the intelligence of a NATO member country. On Monday, a reporter from the northwestern city of Pskov was fined nearly $7,000 for "justifying terrorism", in a case that sparked an outcry. Prosecutors had requested that Svetlana Prokopyeva be sentenced to six years in prison for a commentary about a bomb attack. All major TV stations are under state control in Russia. Journalists working for print and online outlets have recently complained about increasing curbs on press freedoms and pressure from the Kremlin.

Russia tells US to 'mind own business' over media freedom

U.S. congressional leaders will seek more information from top intelligence officials Thursday on reported Russian payments to Taliban militants to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan.

The directors of U.S. intelligence agencies were scheduled to brief the "Gang of Eight" made up of congressional leaders and chairs of the intelligence committees in the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

President Donald Trump, a Republican who has worked to cultivate warmer relations with Moscow, denied being briefed on the matter before it was reported by news outlets last week. On Wednesday, he called the reports hoaxes.

Democrats in Congress have accused Trump of not taking intelligence information concerning soldiers` deaths seriously enough.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top elected Democrat, said the United States must immediately impose sanctions on Russia.

"To see this&nbsp;possible threat, this bounty on&nbsp;our soldiers be treated so&nbsp;lightly, without investigation&nbsp;and the rest, is so&nbsp;inappropriate. It is dereliction of duty," she said in an interview with MSNBC on Wednesday evening.

The White House has struggled to explain the Trump administration`s response to the bounty reports, but has not commented on their substance or denied the information was included in written presidential intelligence briefings.

National security adviser Robert O`Brien said Trump was not verbally briefed on the intelligence because his CIA briefer concluded the allegations were uncorroborated.

Trump said on Wednesday he was not told about the reported Russian effort because many U.S. intelligence officials doubted its veracity, a stance contradicted by four U.S. and European sources and by its inclusion in a widely read CIA report in May.

"We never heard about it because intelligence never found it to be of that level," he told Fox Business Network. 
The New York Times, which broke the story last week, has reported Trump received a written briefing in February.

U.S. congressional leaders will seek more information from top intelligence officials Thursday on reported Russian payments to Taliban militants to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan.

U.S. congressional leaders will seek more information from top intelligence officials Thursday on reported Russian payments to Taliban militants to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan. The directors of U.S. intelligence agencies were scheduled to brief the "Gang of Eight" made up of congressional leaders and chairs of the intelligence committees in the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. President Donald Trump, a Republican who has worked to cultivate warmer relations with Moscow, denied being briefed on the matter before it was reported by news outlets last week. On Wednesday, he called the reports hoaxes. Democrats in Congress have accused Trump of not taking intelligence information concerning soldiers` deaths seriously enough. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the top elected Democrat, said the United States must immediately impose sanctions on Russia. "To see this possible threat, this bounty on our soldiers be treated so lightly, without investigation and the rest, is so inappropriate. It is dereliction of duty," she said in an interview with MSNBC on Wednesday evening. The White House has struggled to explain the Trump administration`s response to the bounty reports, but has not commented on their substance or denied the information was included in written presidential intelligence briefings. National security adviser Robert O`Brien said Trump was not verbally briefed on the intelligence because his CIA briefer concluded the allegations were uncorroborated. Trump said on Wednesday he was not told about the reported Russian effort because many U.S. intelligence officials doubted its veracity, a stance contradicted by four U.S. and European sources and by its inclusion in a widely read CIA report in May. "We never heard about it because intelligence never found it to be of that level," he told Fox Business Network. The New York Times, which broke the story last week, has reported Trump received a written briefing in February.

US intelligence to brief congressional leaders on Russia bounty report

United States President Donald Trump's resistance to intelligence warnings about Moscow led his national security team to brief him verbally less often on Russia-related threats to the US.

The White House has denied Trump was briefed about Russia placing bounties on US soldiers in Afghanistan, bringing his aversion to hearing negative analysis about Russia into renewed focus.

According to a report in CNN, the President's briefers had one simple rule with Trump -- never lead with Russia.

Early in his term, Trump's briefers discovered that when his oral briefing included intelligence related to Russia's malign activities against the United States, including evidence of its interference in US politics, he would often blow up at them. The CNN report further says Trump would demand to know why they kept focussing on Russia and often questioning the intelligence itself.

In response, his briefers reduced the amount of Russian-related intelligence they included in his oral briefings. They instead often placed it only in his written briefing book.

But they discovered over time that he often did not read the briefing book, leaving him unaware of crucial intelligence, including threats related to Russia and other parts of the world.

When asked about this, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe told CNN, "this is totally false" in a statement on Tuesday. Ratcliffe took the job in May.

National security advisor Robert O'Brien said Wednesday that the President was not briefed on the Russia bounty intelligence because it had not been corroborated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-not-briefed-because-russia-bounty-reports-uncorroborated-white-house-309949">Also read | Trump not briefed because Russia bounty reports uncorroborated: White House</a>

Among his national security staff, this approach led to fears that the President was becoming less and less aware of the threat from Russia, even as the intelligence confirming the country's misbehaviour mounted.

The President's reluctance to hear intelligence about Russia may explain why the White House is currently denying that he was aware of intelligence. Former intelligence officials say that it's "inconceivable" that Trump would not have been briefed on the bounties, which the New York Times first reported on Friday evening.

Trump initially reacted to media reports of the bounty by tweeting on Sunday that "there have not been many attacks" on US troops as evidence that the reports may be "phony."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-wasnt-briefed-on-russia-taliban-bounty-intelligence-309193">Also read | Trump says he wasn't briefed on Russia-Taliban bounty intelligence</a>

United States President Donald Trump's resistance to intelligence warnings about Moscow led his national security team to brief him verbally less often on Russia-related threats to the US.

United States President Donald Trump's resistance to intelligence warnings about Moscow led his national security team to brief him verbally less often on Russia-related threats to the US. The White House has denied Trump was briefed about Russia placing bounties on US soldiers in Afghanistan, bringing his aversion to hearing negative analysis about Russia into renewed focus. According to a report in CNN, the President's briefers had one simple rule with Trump -- never lead with Russia. Early in his term, Trump's briefers discovered that when his oral briefing included intelligence related to Russia's malign activities against the United States, including evidence of its interference in US politics, he would often blow up at them. The CNN report further says Trump would demand to know why they kept focussing on Russia and often questioning the intelligence itself. In response, his briefers reduced the amount of Russian-related intelligence they included in his oral briefings. They instead often placed it only in his written briefing book. But they discovered over time that he often did not read the briefing book, leaving him unaware of crucial intelligence, including threats related to Russia and other parts of the world. When asked about this, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe told CNN, "this is totally false" in a statement on Tuesday. Ratcliffe took the job in May. National security advisor Robert O'Brien said Wednesday that the President was not briefed on the Russia bounty intelligence because it had not been corroborated. Also read | Trump not briefed because Russia bounty reports uncorroborated: White House Among his national security staff, this approach led to fears that the President was becoming less and less aware of the threat from Russia, even as the intelligence confirming the country's misbehaviour mounted. The President's reluctance to hear intelligence about Russia may explain why the White House is currently denying that he was aware of intelligence. Former intelligence officials say that it's "inconceivable" that Trump would not have been briefed on the bounties, which the New York Times first reported on Friday evening. Trump initially reacted to media reports of the bounty by tweeting on Sunday that "there have not been many attacks" on US troops as evidence that the reports may be "phony." Also read | Trump says he wasn't briefed on Russia-Taliban bounty intelligence

How Trump's resistance to intel warnings about Russia led his team to brief him less

United States President Donald Trump has said he was not briefed on intelligence that reportedly showed Russia had offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan.

In a pair of early morning tweets, Trump angrily slammed the report by The New York Times as "Probably just another phony Times hit job, just like their failed Russia Hoax."

"Nobody briefed or told me, @VP Pence, or Chief of Staff @MarkMeadows about the so-called attacks on our troops in Afghanistan by Russians, as reported through an 'anonymous source' by the Fake News @nytimes," he wrote.&nbsp;

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The Fake News @ nytimes must reveal its “anonymous” source. Bet they can’t do it, this “person” probably does not even exist! <a href="https://t.co/pdg4AjybOG">https://t.co/pdg4AjybOG</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1277215720418484224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Everybody is denying it &amp; there have not been many attacks on us...."

"Nobody's been tougher on Russia than the Trump Administration."

NYT on Friday reported that US intelligence had concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants to kill troops of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-offered-taliban-linked-militants-bounties-to-kill-us-troops-in-afghanistan-report-308914">Also read |&nbsp;Russia offered Taliban-linked militants bounties to kill US troops in Afghanistan: Report</a>

The rewards were purportedly incentives to target US forces as Trump tries to withdraw troops from the conflict-torn country -- one of the militants' key demands -- and end America's longest war.

The newspaper even cited anonymous officials, and said Trump was briefed on the findings in March, but has not decided how to respond.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Saturday issued a denial similar to Trump's but left open the possibility that such intelligence existed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-criticizes-trump-for-not-acting-against-reported-russian-bounties-309093">Also read |&nbsp;Joe Biden criticises Trump for not acting against reported Russian bounties</a>

The Taliban have also denied the report, reiterating that they were committed to an accord signed with Washington in February that paves the way for withdrawing all foreign forces from Afghanistan by next year.

The militants also said homemade explosives account for most fatalities among US forces.

The group, widely believed to have received years of support from Pakistani intelligence, also denied previous US accusations it was given arms by Russia.

Russia has also denounced the report, with its embassy in Washington tweeting that the "baseless and anonymous accusations" in the Times story had "already led to direct threats to the life of employees" at its embassies in Washington and London.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baseless-russia-denies-accusation-of-giving-bounties-to-taliban-to-attack-us-forces-308996">Also read |&nbsp;Russia denies accusation of giving bounties to Taliban to attack US forces</a>

"Stop producing #fakenews that provoke life threats, @nytimes," the embassy added in a later tweet.&nbsp;

According to the newspaper, the Taliban operation was led by&nbsp;Unit 29155, an arm of Russia's military intelligence agency GRU, which has been blamed in numerous international incidents including a 2018 chemical weapons attack in Britain that nearly killed Russian-born double agent Sergei Skripal.

(with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump has said he was not briefed on intelligence that reportedly showed Russia had offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan.

United States President Donald Trump has said he was not briefed on intelligence that reportedly showed Russia had offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan. In a pair of early morning tweets, Trump angrily slammed the report by The New York Times as "Probably just another phony Times hit job, just like their failed Russia Hoax." "Nobody briefed or told me, @VP Pence, or Chief of Staff @MarkMeadows about the so-called attacks on our troops in Afghanistan by Russians, as reported through an 'anonymous source' by the Fake News @nytimes," he wrote. The Fake News @ nytimes must reveal its “anonymous” source. Bet they can’t do it, this “person” probably does not even exist! https://t.co/pdg4AjybOG — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2020 × "Everybody is denying it & there have not been many attacks on us...." "Nobody's been tougher on Russia than the Trump Administration." NYT on Friday reported that US intelligence had concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants to kill troops of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan. Also read | Russia offered Taliban-linked militants bounties to kill US troops in Afghanistan: Report The rewards were purportedly incentives to target US forces as Trump tries to withdraw troops from the conflict-torn country -- one of the militants' key demands -- and end America's longest war. The newspaper even cited anonymous officials, and said Trump was briefed on the findings in March, but has not decided how to respond. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Saturday issued a denial similar to Trump's but left open the possibility that such intelligence existed. Also read | Joe Biden criticises Trump for not acting against reported Russian bounties The Taliban have also denied the report, reiterating that they were committed to an accord signed with Washington in February that paves the way for withdrawing all foreign forces from Afghanistan by next year. The militants also said homemade explosives account for most fatalities among US forces. The group, widely believed to have received years of support from Pakistani intelligence, also denied previous US accusations it was given arms by Russia. Russia has also denounced the report, with its embassy in Washington tweeting that the "baseless and anonymous accusations" in the Times story had "already led to direct threats to the life of employees" at its embassies in Washington and London. Also read | Russia denies accusation of giving bounties to Taliban to attack US forces "Stop producing #fakenews that provoke life threats, @nytimes," the embassy added in a later tweet. According to the newspaper, the Taliban operation was led by Unit 29155, an arm of Russia's military intelligence agency GRU, which has been blamed in numerous international incidents including a 2018 chemical weapons attack in Britain that nearly killed Russian-born double agent Sergei Skripal. (with inputs from AFP)

Trump says he wasn't briefed on Russia-Taliban bounty intelligence

US President Donald Trump has sought to include China in talks to replace New START, the flagship nuclear arms treaty between the United States and Russia, which expires in February.

US and Russian negotiators concluded a round of nuclear arms control talks in Vienna on Monday. The said pact is the last remaining, wide-ranging treaty restricting all nuclear weapons, not just strategic ones.

China should also be involved in the process, US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea said on Tuesday.

China, a nuclear power with an arsenal a fraction the size of those of the Cold War-era superpowers, has repeatedly declined.

Washington wants a trilateral deal including China because it says Beijing is secretly racing to increase its arsenal's size and reach, but Moscow favours a multilateral agreement possibly including France and Britain.

"What I would say is we have not made a decision one way or another," Billingslea told a news conference when asked if New START would be extended.

He was speaking a day after a first round of talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

The two sides agreed to set up multiple technical working groups and a second round of talks will be held possibly in late July or early August, depending on the working groups' progress, Billingslea said. He did not specify what the working groups would deal with.

Russia, however, said China joining was unrealistic.

New START imposes limits on the number of US and Russian long-range nuclear warheads and launchers. The deal was made in 2010, but the limits didn't take effect until 2018.

It became the last nuclear arms pact between the two nations after the US Last year scrapped the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty with Russia.

The INF treaty was also criticised because it did not cover China or missile technology that did not exist a generation ago.

(with inputs from agencies)

US President Donald Trump has sought to include China in talks to replace New START, the flagship nuclear arms treaty between the United States and Russia, which expires in February.

US President Donald Trump has sought to include China in talks to replace New START, the flagship nuclear arms treaty between the United States and Russia, which expires in February. US and Russian negotiators concluded a round of nuclear arms control talks in Vienna on Monday. The said pact is the last remaining, wide-ranging treaty restricting all nuclear weapons, not just strategic ones. China should also be involved in the process, US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea said on Tuesday. China, a nuclear power with an arsenal a fraction the size of those of the Cold War-era superpowers, has repeatedly declined. Washington wants a trilateral deal including China because it says Beijing is secretly racing to increase its arsenal's size and reach, but Moscow favours a multilateral agreement possibly including France and Britain. "What I would say is we have not made a decision one way or another," Billingslea told a news conference when asked if New START would be extended. He was speaking a day after a first round of talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. The two sides agreed to set up multiple technical working groups and a second round of talks will be held possibly in late July or early August, depending on the working groups' progress, Billingslea said. He did not specify what the working groups would deal with. Russia, however, said China joining was unrealistic. New START imposes limits on the number of US and Russian long-range nuclear warheads and launchers. The deal was made in 2010, but the limits didn't take effect until 2018. It became the last nuclear arms pact between the two nations after the US Last year scrapped the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty with Russia. The INF treaty was also criticised because it did not cover China or missile technology that did not exist a generation ago. (with inputs from agencies)

US negotiates nuclear arms treaty with Russia, wants China's inclusion in talks

Donald Trump has offered to invite Vladimir Putin to an expanded G7 meeting in September, but the invitation has already been adamantly opposed by the UK and Canada.

Donald Trump offers to invite Vladimir Putin to G7 summit

The US military has accused Russia of deploying&nbsp;fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mercenaries fighting for eastern forces, adding to concerns of a new escalation in the conflict.

The US military's Africa Command on Tuesday said, in a statement: "US Africa Command assesses that Moscow recently deployed military fighter aircraft to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors operating on the ground there. The aircraft were painted to camouflage their Russian origin."

To this end, Interfax on Wednesday cited Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy head of the upper house's international affairs committee, as saying that Moscow has not sent military personnel to Libya and the Russian upper house of parliament has not received a request to approve such a dispatch.

The US has long accused Moscow of using Russian mercenaries to bolster its preferred side in Libya's civil war.

A UN report had earlier confirmed the Wagner Group's presence in Libya. But the Kremlin consistently denies it uses private military contractors in conflicts abroad, and says mercenary groups do not represent the Russian state.

Reports, on the contrary, say several Russian military aircraft had been deployed, and at least 14 Russian aircraft had been flown to Libya.

According to CNN, Russian contractors have been flying out of the town of Bani Walid over the last 3 days and there have been 6 to 7 flights out per day. Russia sent two MiG-29 fighter-bombers from Syria to Libya to protect and secure the retreat of the forces.

The Russian Air Force jets flew from Russia to Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, escorted by Russian fighter aircraft, and flew to Libya, landing in Eastern Libya near Tobruk for fuel, according to the official. The warplanes were then delivered to Al Jufra Air Base in Libya, closer to the front lines of the country's civil war, CNN reported.

The LNA has denied any foreigners are fighting with it, but the United Nations said this month that Russian private military contractor Wagner Group had up to 1,200 people in Libya.

“Russia has employed state-sponsored Wagner in Libya to conceal its direct role and to afford Moscow plausible deniability of its malign actions,” the US statement said.

The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with the leader of the Tripoli-based government, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj " to reiterate US opposition to the continued level of weapons and munitions being brought into the country."

(with inputs from Reuters)

&nbsp;

The US military has accused Russia of deploying fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mercenaries fighting for eastern forces, adding to concerns of a new escalation in the conflict.

The US military has accused Russia of deploying fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mercenaries fighting for eastern forces, adding to concerns of a new escalation in the conflict. The US military's Africa Command on Tuesday said, in a statement: "US Africa Command assesses that Moscow recently deployed military fighter aircraft to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors operating on the ground there. The aircraft were painted to camouflage their Russian origin." To this end, Interfax on Wednesday cited Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy head of the upper house's international affairs committee, as saying that Moscow has not sent military personnel to Libya and the Russian upper house of parliament has not received a request to approve such a dispatch. The US has long accused Moscow of using Russian mercenaries to bolster its preferred side in Libya's civil war. A UN report had earlier confirmed the Wagner Group's presence in Libya. But the Kremlin consistently denies it uses private military contractors in conflicts abroad, and says mercenary groups do not represent the Russian state. Reports, on the contrary, say several Russian military aircraft had been deployed, and at least 14 Russian aircraft had been flown to Libya. According to CNN, Russian contractors have been flying out of the town of Bani Walid over the last 3 days and there have been 6 to 7 flights out per day. Russia sent two MiG-29 fighter-bombers from Syria to Libya to protect and secure the retreat of the forces. The Russian Air Force jets flew from Russia to Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, escorted by Russian fighter aircraft, and flew to Libya, landing in Eastern Libya near Tobruk for fuel, according to the official. The warplanes were then delivered to Al Jufra Air Base in Libya, closer to the front lines of the country's civil war, CNN reported. The LNA has denied any foreigners are fighting with it, but the United Nations said this month that Russian private military contractor Wagner Group had up to 1,200 people in Libya. “Russia has employed state-sponsored Wagner in Libya to conceal its direct role and to afford Moscow plausible deniability of its malign actions,” the US statement said. The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with the leader of the Tripoli-based government, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj " to reiterate US opposition to the continued level of weapons and munitions being brought into the country." (with inputs from Reuters)

US military accuses Russia of deploying fighter aircraft to Libya; Moscow denies

United States President Donald Trump has announced that he has plans to pull the United States out from the 'Open Skies Treaty' with Russia. Watch report.

US pulls out from 'Open Skies Treaty' from Russia

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) envoys are set to discuss the future of the Open Skies treaty on Friday after the United States announced it would quit the 35-nation pact.

The United States on Thursday announced its intention to withdraw from the treaty allowing unarmed surveillance flights over member countries.

The administration said Russia has repeatedly violated the pact's terms. Senior officials said the pullout will formally take place in six months, based on the treaty's withdrawal terms.

Russia, to this end, said this would affect the interests of all of its participants, who are also members of NATO.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-pulls-out-of-open-skies-treaty-russia-says-it-will-affect-all-members-300258">Also read |&nbsp;US pulls out of Open Skies treaty; Russia says it will affect all members</a>

The Open Skies treaty, proposed by US President Dwight Eisenhower in 1955, was signed in 1992 and took effect in 2002. The idea is to let member nations make surveillance flights over each other's countries to build trust.

The US move deepens doubts about whether Washington will seek to extend the 2010 New START accord, which imposes the last remaining limits on U.S. and Russian deployments of strategic nuclear arms to no more than 1,550 each. It expires in February.

US allies in the NATO have pressed Washington to not leave the Open Skies pact, whose unarmed overflights are aimed at bolstering confidence and providing members forewarning of surprise military attacks.

 
&nbsp;

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) envoys are set to discuss the future of the Open Skies treaty on Friday after the United States announced it would quit the 35-nation pact.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) envoys are set to discuss the future of the Open Skies treaty on Friday after the United States announced it would quit the 35-nation pact. The United States on Thursday announced its intention to withdraw from the treaty allowing unarmed surveillance flights over member countries. The administration said Russia has repeatedly violated the pact's terms. Senior officials said the pullout will formally take place in six months, based on the treaty's withdrawal terms. Russia, to this end, said this would affect the interests of all of its participants, who are also members of NATO. Also read | US pulls out of Open Skies treaty; Russia says it will affect all members The Open Skies treaty, proposed by US President Dwight Eisenhower in 1955, was signed in 1992 and took effect in 2002. The idea is to let member nations make surveillance flights over each other's countries to build trust. The US move deepens doubts about whether Washington will seek to extend the 2010 New START accord, which imposes the last remaining limits on U.S. and Russian deployments of strategic nuclear arms to no more than 1,550 each. It expires in February. US allies in the NATO have pressed Washington to not leave the Open Skies pact, whose unarmed overflights are aimed at bolstering confidence and providing members forewarning of surprise military attacks.

NATO to discuss Open Skies treaty after US announces withdrawal

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

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

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

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

Russia on Monday said it was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-russians-over-2018-elections-interference-252904">"bewildered" by fresh US sanctions</a> and vowed to retaliate following what it called an "anti-Russian attack".&nbsp;

The foreign ministry said the new sanctions on several Russians &nbsp;-- including a businessman tied to President Vladimir Putin and a disinformation operation accused of conspiring to manipulate the US 2018 midterm election -- "will not go unanswered."&nbsp;

"We urge American politicians to stop this useless sanctions game, the result of which is zero, and to return to the position of common sense," the ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

The financial sanctions, which target Russian financier Evgeny Prigozhin, some of his assets and the so-called Internet Research Agency, are the first to be taken under an executive order signed last year President Donald Trump seeking to punish foreign actors accused of interfering in US elections.&nbsp;

The US Treasury announced the sanctions on Monday.

The foreign ministry said the sanctions were part of an "internal political crisis" in the United States in which "Russian issues are deliberately used by part of the Washington establishment as a tool to achieve their own opportunistic goals."&nbsp;

The sanctions marked the third time the US had added Prigozhin's name to its list of foreign nationals formally barred from the US financial system, a move which freezes him out of much of the global financial system as well.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-want-access-to-trumps-phone-calls-with-russian-president-putin-others-252704">US prosecutors last year indicted the Internet Research Agency as well as alleged employees</a>, charging them with a broad conspiracy to influence the 2016 elections by spreading disinformation in the United States via social media.

The US Treasury said Monday the agency had announced its intention to do likewise in the 2018 midterms by seeking to discredit candidates it viewed as hostile to Moscow.

There was no evidence they were successful in preventing voting, altering vote counts or disrupting vote tallying, the Treasury said.

Russia on Monday said it was "bewildered" by fresh US sanctions and vowed to retaliate following what it called an "anti-Russian attack". The foreign ministry said the new sanctions on several Russians -- including a businessman tied to President Vladimir Putin and a disinformation operation accused of conspiring to manipulate the US 2018 midterm election -- "will not go unanswered.

Russia on Monday said it was "bewildered" by fresh US sanctions and vowed to retaliate following what it called an "anti-Russian attack". The foreign ministry said the new sanctions on several Russians -- including a businessman tied to President Vladimir Putin and a disinformation operation accused of conspiring to manipulate the US 2018 midterm election -- "will not go unanswered." "We urge American politicians to stop this useless sanctions game, the result of which is zero, and to return to the position of common sense," the ministry said in a statement. The financial sanctions, which target Russian financier Evgeny Prigozhin, some of his assets and the so-called Internet Research Agency, are the first to be taken under an executive order signed last year President Donald Trump seeking to punish foreign actors accused of interfering in US elections. The US Treasury announced the sanctions on Monday. The foreign ministry said the sanctions were part of an "internal political crisis" in the United States in which "Russian issues are deliberately used by part of the Washington establishment as a tool to achieve their own opportunistic goals." The sanctions marked the third time the US had added Prigozhin's name to its list of foreign nationals formally barred from the US financial system, a move which freezes him out of much of the global financial system as well. US prosecutors last year indicted the Internet Research Agency as well as alleged employees, charging them with a broad conspiracy to influence the 2016 elections by spreading disinformation in the United States via social media. The US Treasury said Monday the agency had announced its intention to do likewise in the 2018 midterms by seeking to discredit candidates it viewed as hostile to Moscow. There was no evidence they were successful in preventing voting, altering vote counts or disrupting vote tallying, the Treasury said.

Moscow vows to retaliate over new 'anti-Russian' United States sanctions

The United States, which just unveiled a new aggressive nuclear strategy, has met the limits set on its arsenal under the New START Treaty, which enters a new phase Monday, and reminded Russia to uphold its commitments.

The strategic arms reduction treaty was signed by Washington and Moscow in 2010, and took effect in February 2011.

It calls for the gradual reduction over 10 years of the number of nuclear warheads held by both sides, limits on the number of delivery systems, a strict verification regime and data exchanges.

&quot;The United States of America and the Russian Federation have implemented the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START Treaty) for seven years,&quot; the State Department said in a statement.

&quot;February 5, 2018 marks the date that the treaty&#39;s central limits on each country&#39;s strategic nuclear arsenal take effect.&quot;

Washington said it had already fulfilled its commitments by August 2017, said the statement issued by department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.

Russia has &quot;repeatedly stated its commitment&quot; to the treaty, including meeting the central limits, and we expect our upcoming data exchange under the treaty to reaffirm that commitment.&quot;&nbsp;

On Thursday, Nauert had said that Washington had &quot;no reason to believe&quot; that Russia would not meet its goals.

&quot;Within the next month or so, both countries will exchange their data under the strategic nuclear arsenals, as we have done bilaterally under the treaty&#39;s terms for the last seven years,&quot; she said.

&quot;We hope each country will confirm the compliance of the other as soon as possible after this data exchange.&quot;

The beginning on Monday of the new &quot;central limits&quot; phase under the New START Treaty comes just days after the Pentagon announced its new nuclear policy.

The Defense Department said Friday it wanted to revamp the US nuclear arsenal and develop new low-yield atomic weapons, largely in response to Russian actions in recent years.

According to Washington, Moscow is in the process of modernising its arsenal of 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons. Those efforts are not monitored by the New START Treaty, which only accounts for strategic weapons that serve as deterrents.

The treaty was reached under the administration of Barack Obama, President Donald Trump&#39;s predecessor.

The State Department said Monday that implementation of the accord &quot;enhances the safety and security of the United States and our allies and makes strategic relations between the United States and the Russian Federation more stable, transparent, and predictable.&quot;

US-Russia ties are strained at best, as the controversy over what US intelligence says was Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election drags on.

The State Department said adherence to the treaty was &quot;critically important at a time when trust in the relationship has deteriorated, and the threat of miscalculation and misperception has risen.&quot;

The United States, which just unveiled a new aggressive nuclear strategy, has met the limits set on its arsenal under the New START Treaty, which enters a new phase Monday, and reminded Russia to uphold its commitments

The United States, which just unveiled a new aggressive nuclear strategy, has met the limits set on its arsenal under the New START Treaty, which enters a new phase Monday, and reminded Russia to uphold its commitments. The strategic arms reduction treaty was signed by Washington and Moscow in 2010, and took effect in February 2011. It calls for the gradual reduction over 10 years of the number of nuclear warheads held by both sides, limits on the number of delivery systems, a strict verification regime and data exchanges. "The United States of America and the Russian Federation have implemented the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START Treaty) for seven years," the State Department said in a statement. "February 5, 2018 marks the date that the treaty's central limits on each country's strategic nuclear arsenal take effect." Washington said it had already fulfilled its commitments by August 2017, said the statement issued by department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. Russia has "repeatedly stated its commitment" to the treaty, including meeting the central limits, and we expect our upcoming data exchange under the treaty to reaffirm that commitment." On Thursday, Nauert had said that Washington had "no reason to believe" that Russia would not meet its goals. "Within the next month or so, both countries will exchange their data under the strategic nuclear arsenals, as we have done bilaterally under the treaty's terms for the last seven years," she said. "We hope each country will confirm the compliance of the other as soon as possible after this data exchange." The beginning on Monday of the new "central limits" phase under the New START Treaty comes just days after the Pentagon announced its new nuclear policy. The Defense Department said Friday it wanted to revamp the US nuclear arsenal and develop new low-yield atomic weapons, largely in response to Russian actions in recent years. According to Washington, Moscow is in the process of modernising its arsenal of 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons. Those efforts are not monitored by the New START Treaty, which only accounts for strategic weapons that serve as deterrents. The treaty was reached under the administration of Barack Obama, President Donald Trump's predecessor. The State Department said Monday that implementation of the accord "enhances the safety and security of the United States and our allies and makes strategic relations between the United States and the Russian Federation more stable, transparent, and predictable." US-Russia ties are strained at best, as the controversy over what US intelligence says was Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election drags on. The State Department said adherence to the treaty was "critically important at a time when trust in the relationship has deteriorated, and the threat of miscalculation and misperception has risen."

US to Russia: Respect nuclear limits under New START Treaty

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Moscow could provide a recording of a controversial exchange between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US President Donald Trump that has plunged the White House into turmoil.

His comments were the first since Trump was hit with accusations that he shared secrets while meeting Lavrov in Washington, the latest crisis to hit the White house amid existing investigations into whether Trump&#39;s aides colluded with Moscow during the campaign.

Putin said he was pleased with Lavrov&#39;s visit to Washington last week but mocked the idea that Trump had shared secrets during the meeting, calling the allegations &quot;political schizophrenia&quot; and saying people spreading them are either &quot;dumb&quot; or &quot;corrupt.&quot;

&quot;We can see that political schizophrenia is developing in the United States,&quot; Putin told reporters after talks with Italian Prime Minister&nbsp;Paolo Gentiloni in the southern Russian city of Sochi.

&quot;I cannot otherwise explain the accusations of the president that he handed Lavrov some sort of secrets,&quot; Putin added.

&quot;If the US administration finds it possible, we are ready to provide a recording of the conversation between Lavrov and Trump to the US Congress and Senate,&quot; Putin said.

Although Putin used the Russian word for audio recording at the press conference, his foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said that &quot;audio is not made&quot; at such meetings.

&quot;There is a recording kept by a special person present at conversations,&quot; Ushakov clarified to Russian news agencies.&nbsp;

Citing unnamed sources, the Washington Post reported that Trump had shared intelligence with Lavrov regarding an Islamic State group terror threat related to the use of laptop computers on airplanes.

According to sources cited in the report, that intelligence came from a US ally who had not authorised Washington to pass it on to Moscow.

&#39;Simply dumb&#39;&nbsp;

The fresh US crisis sank the dollar early Wednesday as well as Hong Kong stocks amid worries that Trump&#39;s economy-boosting and tax-cutting agenda could be derailed, with some experts mentioning possible impeachment.

As news emerged that Israel was the initial source of the intel, it attempted to contain the fallout from the scandal, with Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman saying security ties would continue to be &quot;unprecedented&quot; in scope.

A US administration official confirmed to AFP on condition of anonymity that the original intelligence came from Israel, which was initially reported by the New York Times.

British PM Theresa May meanwhile said Trump is free to decide what to discuss with White House visitors, while stressing that London&#39;s relationship with Washington was &quot;the most important defence and security relationship&quot; around the world.

Putin mocked the idea that Trump went off-script to share secrets with the Russians, saying he could issue a &quot;reprimand&quot; to Lavrov since the minister hadn&#39;t passed on the information.

&quot;(Lavrov) didn&#39;t share these secrets with us -- neither with me nor with the representatives of the Russian security services. That is very bad of him,&quot; Putin said to sniggers from the audience including Lavrov himself.

&#39;Absolute right&#39;&nbsp;

The visit had already generated its share of scandal after Moscow released pictures of the closed-door Oval Office meeting showing Trump and Lavrov grinning after White House officials presumed they would not be made public.

Trump&#39;s National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster denied the president caused any security lapses while Trump himself insisted he had the &quot;absolute right&quot; to share &quot;facts pertaining... to terrorism and airline flight safety&quot; with Russia.&nbsp;

Adding to the confusion, Russian senator Alexei Pushkov on Wednesday tweeted that &quot;US media were hysterical with Trump because he told us about IS plans to detonate our passenger plane.&quot;

Putin on Wednesday also slammed critics who spread allegations about Trump&#39;s ties with Russia.

&quot;What else will the people generating such drivel and nonsense think of next?&quot; he said. &quot;They are shaking up their internal politics while using anti-Russian slogans.&quot;

&quot;They either don&#39;t understand that they are hurting their own country, and then they are simply dumb, or they understand everything and then they are dangerous and corrupt people,&quot; Putin added.

(AFP)

Putin mocked the idea that Trump had shared secrets during the meeting, calling the allegations 'political schizophrenia'

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Moscow could provide a recording of a controversial exchange between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US President Donald Trump that has plunged the White House into turmoil. His comments were the first since Trump was hit with accusations that he shared secrets while meeting Lavrov in Washington, the latest crisis to hit the White house amid existing investigations into whether Trump's aides colluded with Moscow during the campaign. Putin said he was pleased with Lavrov's visit to Washington last week but mocked the idea that Trump had shared secrets during the meeting, calling the allegations "political schizophrenia" and saying people spreading them are either "dumb" or "corrupt." "We can see that political schizophrenia is developing in the United States," Putin told reporters after talks with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni in the southern Russian city of Sochi. "I cannot otherwise explain the accusations of the president that he handed Lavrov some sort of secrets," Putin added. "If the US administration finds it possible, we are ready to provide a recording of the conversation between Lavrov and Trump to the US Congress and Senate," Putin said. Although Putin used the Russian word for audio recording at the press conference, his foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said that "audio is not made" at such meetings. "There is a recording kept by a special person present at conversations," Ushakov clarified to Russian news agencies. Citing unnamed sources, the Washington Post reported that Trump had shared intelligence with Lavrov regarding an Islamic State group terror threat related to the use of laptop computers on airplanes. According to sources cited in the report, that intelligence came from a US ally who had not authorised Washington to pass it on to Moscow. 'Simply dumb' The fresh US crisis sank the dollar early Wednesday as well as Hong Kong stocks amid worries that Trump's economy-boosting and tax-cutting agenda could be derailed, with some experts mentioning possible impeachment. As news emerged that Israel was the initial source of the intel, it attempted to contain the fallout from the scandal, with Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman saying security ties would continue to be "unprecedented" in scope. A US administration official confirmed to AFP on condition of anonymity that the original intelligence came from Israel, which was initially reported by the New York Times. British PM Theresa May meanwhile said Trump is free to decide what to discuss with White House visitors, while stressing that London's relationship with Washington was "the most important defence and security relationship" around the world. Putin mocked the idea that Trump went off-script to share secrets with the Russians, saying he could issue a "reprimand" to Lavrov since the minister hadn't passed on the information. "(Lavrov) didn't share these secrets with us -- neither with me nor with the representatives of the Russian security services. That is very bad of him," Putin said to sniggers from the audience including Lavrov himself. 'Absolute right' The visit had already generated its share of scandal after Moscow released pictures of the closed-door Oval Office meeting showing Trump and Lavrov grinning after White House officials presumed they would not be made public. Trump's National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster denied the president caused any security lapses while Trump himself insisted he had the "absolute right" to share "facts pertaining... to terrorism and airline flight safety" with Russia. Adding to the confusion, Russian senator Alexei Pushkov on Wednesday tweeted that "US media were hysterical with Trump because he told us about IS plans to detonate our passenger plane." Putin on Wednesday also slammed critics who spread allegations about Trump's ties with Russia. "What else will the people generating such drivel and nonsense think of next?" he said. "They are shaking up their internal politics while using anti-Russian slogans." "They either don't understand that they are hurting their own country, and then they are simply dumb, or they understand everything and then they are dangerous and corrupt people," Putin added. (AFP)

Putin open to revealing Trump-Lavrov 'intel exchange'

US President Donald Trump expressed confidence Thursday that US-Russian relations will &quot;work out fine&quot; after icy bilateral talks in Moscow, as he looked to China to &quot;deal properly&quot; with North Korea.

Trump faces crucial tests in the Middle East and the Korean peninsula, with tensions building on both fronts over a suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria and a mounting challenge from North Korea&#39;s Kim Jong-Un.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Wednesday that relations between Washington and Moscow, a key ally of the Damascus regime, were at a &quot;low point.&quot;

&quot;Things will work out fine between the U.S.A. and Russia,&quot; Trump said in his tweet.

&quot;At the right time everyone will come to their senses &amp; there will be lasting peace!&quot;

The Russians are backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against US charges that his air force dropped a bomb loaded with the nerve agent sarin on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhun on April 4, killing 87 people, many of them children.

Russia on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding that the Syrian government cooperate with an investigation into the attack.

In an exclusive interview with AFP, Assad insisted his army had given up its chemical weapons and called reports of the attack &quot;fabrication.&quot;

On North Korea, with Pyongyang reportedly poised to conduct a nuclear test, Trump said he had &quot;great confidence that China will properly deal with North Korea&quot;.

He, however, added: &quot;If they are unable to do so, the U.S., with its allies, will! U.S.A.&quot;

A US monitoring group said North Korea&#39;s Punggye-ri nuclear test site is &quot;primed and ready&quot; to conduct its sixth nuclear test, possibly to coincide with celebrations Saturday marking the birthdate of regime founder Kim Il-Sung.

The Voice of America, quoting US government and other sources, said North Korea &quot;has apparently placed a nuclear device in a tunnel and it could be detonated Saturday AM Korea time&quot;.

Trump has asked his advisers to give him all options for dealing with the nuclear-armed North, and a US carrier strike group has been ordered to the region as a precaution.

(AFP)

The tweet was made after bilateral relations hit a low point following the alleged chemical attack in Syria

US President Donald Trump expressed confidence Thursday that US-Russian relations will "work out fine" after icy bilateral talks in Moscow, as he looked to China to "deal properly" with North Korea. Trump faces crucial tests in the Middle East and the Korean peninsula, with tensions building on both fronts over a suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria and a mounting challenge from North Korea's Kim Jong-Un. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Wednesday that relations between Washington and Moscow, a key ally of the Damascus regime, were at a "low point." "Things will work out fine between the U.S.A. and Russia," Trump said in his tweet. "At the right time everyone will come to their senses & there will be lasting peace!" The Russians are backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against US charges that his air force dropped a bomb loaded with the nerve agent sarin on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhun on April 4, killing 87 people, many of them children. Russia on Wednesday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution demanding that the Syrian government cooperate with an investigation into the attack. In an exclusive interview with AFP, Assad insisted his army had given up its chemical weapons and called reports of the attack "fabrication." On North Korea, with Pyongyang reportedly poised to conduct a nuclear test, Trump said he had "great confidence that China will properly deal with North Korea". He, however, added: "If they are unable to do so, the U.S., with its allies, will! U.S.A." A US monitoring group said North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear test site is "primed and ready" to conduct its sixth nuclear test, possibly to coincide with celebrations Saturday marking the birthdate of regime founder Kim Il-Sung. The Voice of America, quoting US government and other sources, said North Korea "has apparently placed a nuclear device in a tunnel and it could be detonated Saturday AM Korea time". Trump has asked his advisers to give him all options for dealing with the nuclear-armed North, and a US carrier strike group has been ordered to the region as a precaution. (AFP)

Things will work out fine between US and Russia: Trump

The United States&#39;ambassador to the United Nations said there was no doubt Russia had meddled into last year&#39;s US presidential election.

Nikki Haley, during an interview with American broadcaster ABC, said action should be taken against Moscow once the investigations are over to deter future mischief.

&quot;Certainly, I think Russia was involved in the election. There&#39;s no question about that,&quot; Haley told ABC&#39;s programme named This Week on Sunday.

&quot;And I think when they finish with all of this process, yes, they need to address Russia. They need to act,&quot; she told Martha Raddatz.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his country meddled in the contest between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3l0g0GYcrNM" width="560"></iframe>

While the Trump White House rejects any suggestion that Trump or his staff had connections to Russia, Trump himself has said he believes Russian operatives hacked Democratic Party emails but that any Russian involvement in the election didn&#39;t affect the outcome.

US intelligence agencies report that Russia tried to help Trump&#39;s campaign effort.

The FBI has started its investigations into claims of Russia&#39;s direct involvement during the US election. Some of Trump&#39;s aides are being probed whether they were in cahoots with the Kremlin.

Trump as president persuaded Haley to leave the governorship of South Carolina to represent the US at the United Nations.

In the interview with&nbsp;ABC, she said Trump hasn&#39;t told her not to criticise Russia and that she was &quot;beating up on Russia&quot; over issues such as its actions in Crimea and its dispute with Ukraine.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The US ambassador to the UN said action needed to be taken against Moscow once investigations are over

The United States'ambassador to the United Nations said there was no doubt Russia had meddled into last year's US presidential election. Nikki Haley, during an interview with American broadcaster ABC, said action should be taken against Moscow once the investigations are over to deter future mischief. "Certainly, I think Russia was involved in the election. There's no question about that," Haley told ABC's programme named This Week on Sunday. "And I think when they finish with all of this process, yes, they need to address Russia. They need to act," she told Martha Raddatz. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied his country meddled in the contest between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton. While the Trump White House rejects any suggestion that Trump or his staff had connections to Russia, Trump himself has said he believes Russian operatives hacked Democratic Party emails but that any Russian involvement in the election didn't affect the outcome. US intelligence agencies report that Russia tried to help Trump's campaign effort. The FBI has started its investigations into claims of Russia's direct involvement during the US election. Some of Trump's aides are being probed whether they were in cahoots with the Kremlin. Trump as president persuaded Haley to leave the governorship of South Carolina to represent the US at the United Nations. In the interview with ABC, she said Trump hasn't told her not to criticise Russia and that she was "beating up on Russia" over issues such as its actions in Crimea and its dispute with Ukraine. (WION with inputs from PTI)

No doubt Russia meddled in US election: Nikki Haley

Atomic scientists reset their symbolic &quot;Doomsday Clock&quot; to its closest time to midnight in 64 years on Thursday, saying the world was closer to catastrophe due to threats such as nuclear weapons, climate change and Donald Trump&#39;s election as US president.

The timepiece, devised by the Chicago-based Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and displayed on its website, is widely viewed as an indicator of the world&#39;s vulnerability to disaster.

Its hands were moved to two minutes and 30 seconds to midnight, from three minutes.

&quot;The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than it&#39;s ever been in the lifetime of almost everyone in this room,&quot; Lawrence Krauss, the bulletin&#39;s chair, told a news conference in Washington.

The clock was last set this close to midnight in 1953, marking the start of the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Thursday&#39;s reset was the first since 2015.

Krauss, a theoretical physicist, said Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin carried a large share of the blame for the heightened threat.

The bulletin cited nuclear volatility, especially as the United States and Russia seek to modernise their atomic arsenals and remain at odds in war-torn countries such as Syria and Ukraine.

Trump has suggested South Korea and Japan could acquire nuclear weapons to compete with North Korea, which has conducted nuclear tests. Trump has also raised doubts about the future of a multilateral nuclear pact with Iran.

Chinese aid to Pakistan in the nuclear weapons field, as well as the expansion of India and Pakistan&#39;s nuclear arsenals, were also worrisome, the bulletin said in a statement.

The climate change outlook was somewhat less dismal, &quot;but only somewhat.&quot;

While nations had taken actions to combat climate change, the bulletin noted, there appeared to be little appetite for additional cuts to carbon dioxide emissions.

It said the Trump administration nominees raise the possibility the government will be &quot;openly hostile to progress toward even the most modest efforts to avert catastrophic climate disruption.&quot;

The world also faces cyber threats, the bulletin said. US intelligence agencies&#39; conclusion that Russia intervened in the presidential election to help Trump raised the possibility of similar attacks on other democracies, it said.

The bulletin was founded by scientists who helped develop the United States&#39; first atomic weapons. Its Science and Security Board decides on the clock&#39;s hands in consultation with its Board of Sponsors, which includes Nobel laureates. 
 
(Reuters)

The timepiece is widely viewed as an indicator of the world's vulnerability to disaster

Atomic scientists reset their symbolic "Doomsday Clock" to its closest time to midnight in 64 years on Thursday, saying the world was closer to catastrophe due to threats such as nuclear weapons, climate change and Donald Trump's election as US president. The timepiece, devised by the Chicago-based Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and displayed on its website, is widely viewed as an indicator of the world's vulnerability to disaster. Its hands were moved to two minutes and 30 seconds to midnight, from three minutes. "The Doomsday Clock is closer to midnight than it's ever been in the lifetime of almost everyone in this room," Lawrence Krauss, the bulletin's chair, told a news conference in Washington. The clock was last set this close to midnight in 1953, marking the start of the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Thursday's reset was the first since 2015. Krauss, a theoretical physicist, said Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin carried a large share of the blame for the heightened threat. The bulletin cited nuclear volatility, especially as the United States and Russia seek to modernise their atomic arsenals and remain at odds in war-torn countries such as Syria and Ukraine. Trump has suggested South Korea and Japan could acquire nuclear weapons to compete with North Korea, which has conducted nuclear tests. Trump has also raised doubts about the future of a multilateral nuclear pact with Iran. Chinese aid to Pakistan in the nuclear weapons field, as well as the expansion of India and Pakistan's nuclear arsenals, were also worrisome, the bulletin said in a statement. The climate change outlook was somewhat less dismal, "but only somewhat." While nations had taken actions to combat climate change, the bulletin noted, there appeared to be little appetite for additional cuts to carbon dioxide emissions. It said the Trump administration nominees raise the possibility the government will be "openly hostile to progress toward even the most modest efforts to avert catastrophic climate disruption." The world also faces cyber threats, the bulletin said. US intelligence agencies' conclusion that Russia intervened in the presidential election to help Trump raised the possibility of similar attacks on other democracies, it said. The bulletin was founded by scientists who helped develop the United States' first atomic weapons. Its Science and Security Board decides on the clock's hands in consultation with its Board of Sponsors, which includes Nobel laureates. (Reuters)

'Doomsday Clock' ticks closest to midnight in 64 years,Trump, Putin blamed for increased nuclear threat

Vladimir Putin praised US&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump on Friday, saying he had his finger on the pulse of US&nbsp;society, and launched a scathing attack on the Democrats, saying they had forgotten the meaning of their own name and were sore losers.

Speaking at his annual news conference in Moscow, Russia&#39;s president said that only Russia had believed that Trump would become the next president of the United States, but that did not mean the Democrats had the right to blame him for their defeat.

&quot;The current administration and the leadership of the Democratic Party are trying to blame all their failures on external factors,&quot; Putin told reporters.

&quot;(We are talking about) a party which has clearly forgotten the original meaning of its own name,&quot; Putin said, accusing the Democrats of &quot;shamelessly&quot; abusing their status as the ruling party to try to influence public opinion.

&quot;Outstanding figures in American history from the ranks of the Democratic Party would likely be turning in their graves. Roosevelt certainly would be,&quot; he said.

The White House and US&nbsp;intelligence officials have accused Russia of trying to interfere with the US&nbsp;election by hacking Democratic Party accounts. Information from those hacks was leaked online, causing political problems for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

Putin dismissed suggestions Moscow had helped Trump to victory in any way however.

&quot;It&#39;s not like that,&quot; he said. &quot;All of this (the accusations) speaks of the current administration&#39;s systemic problems.&quot;

Sore losers

The question of who hacked the US&nbsp;Democratic party was not important anyway, said Putin, but what the hacks revealed - that public opinion in the United States was being manipulated - was.

&quot;They (the Democrats) are losing on all fronts and looking elsewhere for things to blame. In my view this, how shall I say it, degrades their own dignity. You have to know how to lose with dignity.&quot;

Putin, who spoke positively of Trump before his election win, said that Moscow had believed in his victory.

&quot;Trump understood the mood of the people and kept going until the end, when nobody believed in him,&quot; Putin said, adding with a smile. &quot;Except for you and me.&quot;

Putin addressed Trump&#39;s comments about the need to boost the US&nbsp;nuclear arsenal, saying they were perfectly normal.

Trump&#39;s comments, made in a tweet on Thursday, alarmed non-proliferation experts who said that a boost to the US&nbsp;arsenal could fuel global tensions.

But Putin said he was surprised by the fuss Trump&#39;s tweet had caused and how it had been linked to his own statements about Russia&#39;s plans to modernise its own nuclear arsenal.

Putin said on Thursday Russia&#39;s military was &quot;stronger than any potential aggressor&quot;. He made clear on Friday he did not regard the United States as a potential aggressor.

&quot;I was a bit surprised by the statements from some representatives of the current US&nbsp;administration who for some reason started to prove that the US&nbsp;military was the most powerful in the world,&quot; said Putin.

&quot;Nobody is arguing with that.&quot;

(Reuters)

Only Russia believed Trump would win the election, says President Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin praised US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday, saying he had his finger on the pulse of US society, and launched a scathing attack on the Democrats, saying they had forgotten the meaning of their own name and were sore losers. Speaking at his annual news conference in Moscow, Russia's president said that only Russia had believed that Trump would become the next president of the United States, but that did not mean the Democrats had the right to blame him for their defeat. "The current administration and the leadership of the Democratic Party are trying to blame all their failures on external factors," Putin told reporters. "(We are talking about) a party which has clearly forgotten the original meaning of its own name," Putin said, accusing the Democrats of "shamelessly" abusing their status as the ruling party to try to influence public opinion. "Outstanding figures in American history from the ranks of the Democratic Party would likely be turning in their graves. Roosevelt certainly would be," he said. The White House and US intelligence officials have accused Russia of trying to interfere with the US election by hacking Democratic Party accounts. Information from those hacks was leaked online, causing political problems for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Putin dismissed suggestions Moscow had helped Trump to victory in any way however. "It's not like that," he said. "All of this (the accusations) speaks of the current administration's systemic problems." Sore losers The question of who hacked the US Democratic party was not important anyway, said Putin, but what the hacks revealed - that public opinion in the United States was being manipulated - was. "They (the Democrats) are losing on all fronts and looking elsewhere for things to blame. In my view this, how shall I say it, degrades their own dignity. You have to know how to lose with dignity." Putin, who spoke positively of Trump before his election win, said that Moscow had believed in his victory. "Trump understood the mood of the people and kept going until the end, when nobody believed in him," Putin said, adding with a smile. "Except for you and me." Putin addressed Trump's comments about the need to boost the US nuclear arsenal, saying they were perfectly normal. Trump's comments, made in a tweet on Thursday, alarmed non-proliferation experts who said that a boost to the US arsenal could fuel global tensions. But Putin said he was surprised by the fuss Trump's tweet had caused and how it had been linked to his own statements about Russia's plans to modernise its own nuclear arsenal. Putin said on Thursday Russia's military was "stronger than any potential aggressor". He made clear on Friday he did not regard the United States as a potential aggressor. "I was a bit surprised by the statements from some representatives of the current US administration who for some reason started to prove that the US military was the most powerful in the world," said Putin. "Nobody is arguing with that." (Reuters)

Putin praises Trump, calls out 'shameless' Democrats

Talks on Syria convened by US Secretary of State John Kerry in the Swiss city of Lausanne ended on Saturday without a solution to ending the violence in the war-ravaged country.

Even though Kerry said that the discussion &quot;was exactly what we wanted,&quot; the meeting failed to come up with a joint statement or a concrete solution.

&quot;I would characterize this as an example of what we wanted, which was a brainstorming and a very candid first-time discussion,&quot; Kerry told the press at the at the lakeside hotel where he met envoys from Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Qatar.

&quot;A number of ideas came from the number of different ministers as we hoped that might be able to shape some different approaches,&quot; he said while also adding that the envoys would contact each other on Monday for follow-up talks.

&quot;The way it wrapped up was to have several ideas that need to be quickly followed up,&quot; the US Secretary of State said. &quot;The next contact on trying to follow up on this is going to be immediately, because this is urgent, and we&#39;re not letting any grass grow under our feet.&quot;

The talks come after the collapse of a ceasefire between US and Russia in September that many saw as the last hope for peace this year. 
 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who had said he had &quot;no special expectations&quot; for Saturday&#39;s meeting, said ministers had discussed several &quot;interesting ideas&quot; but he did not elaborate what those ideas were.

On Friday, he had warned that had warned that Russia was not planning to give any new solutions for resolving the conflict. He instead called for implementing previous UN resolutions and specifically for opposition fighters to separate from &quot;terrorist&quot; jihadist groups.

A former Western envoy in Syria had earlier told Reuters, &quot;I don&#39;t understand (why) the Americans are asking the Russians to talk again. They have made zero concessions. Do the Americans believe Moscow was shaken by the break-off last week and will change behavior now?&quot;

In Aleppo, Assad&#39;s Russian-backed government forces intensified their bombardment of the rebel-held east of the city, further damaging any prospect of a renewed ceasefire, AFP reported.

Turkey-backed Syrian rebel forces advanced towards the northern Syrian town of Dabiq, which has become a rallying cry for the Islamic State group as the scene for an end-of-days battle.

Aleppo has been engulfed by some of the worst violence of the conflict since the collapse of last month&#39;s truce deal. More than 370 people, including nearly 70 children, have been killed in regime and Russian bombardment of eastern Aleppo since September 22, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

US Secretary of State John Kerry said a number of ideas had emerged that needed to be promptly followed-up

Talks on Syria convened by US Secretary of State John Kerry in the Swiss city of Lausanne ended on Saturday without a solution to ending the violence in the war-ravaged country. Even though Kerry said that the discussion "was exactly what we wanted," the meeting failed to come up with a joint statement or a concrete solution. "I would characterize this as an example of what we wanted, which was a brainstorming and a very candid first-time discussion," Kerry told the press at the at the lakeside hotel where he met envoys from Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Qatar. "A number of ideas came from the number of different ministers as we hoped that might be able to shape some different approaches," he said while also adding that the envoys would contact each other on Monday for follow-up talks. "The way it wrapped up was to have several ideas that need to be quickly followed up," the US Secretary of State said. "The next contact on trying to follow up on this is going to be immediately, because this is urgent, and we're not letting any grass grow under our feet." The talks come after the collapse of a ceasefire between US and Russia in September that many saw as the last hope for peace this year. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who had said he had "no special expectations" for Saturday's meeting, said ministers had discussed several "interesting ideas" but he did not elaborate what those ideas were. On Friday, he had warned that had warned that Russia was not planning to give any new solutions for resolving the conflict. He instead called for implementing previous UN resolutions and specifically for opposition fighters to separate from "terrorist" jihadist groups. A former Western envoy in Syria had earlier told Reuters, "I don't understand (why) the Americans are asking the Russians to talk again. They have made zero concessions. Do the Americans believe Moscow was shaken by the break-off last week and will change behavior now?" In Aleppo, Assad's Russian-backed government forces intensified their bombardment of the rebel-held east of the city, further damaging any prospect of a renewed ceasefire, AFP reported. Turkey-backed Syrian rebel forces advanced towards the northern Syrian town of Dabiq, which has become a rallying cry for the Islamic State group as the scene for an end-of-days battle. Aleppo has been engulfed by some of the worst violence of the conflict since the collapse of last month's truce deal. More than 370 people, including nearly 70 children, have been killed in regime and Russian bombardment of eastern Aleppo since September 22, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (WION with inputs from agencies)

No breakthrough in US, Russia meet on Syria, envoys to hold follow-up talks

Russia-backed Syrian forces&#39; aerial strikes have killed 9,300 people, including 3,800 civilians, in the last one year, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Britain-based monitoring group had initially pegged the death toll at 10,000 but later revised it to 9,300.

The rest of the dead were fighters affiliated to Islamic State and various rebel factions. More than 2,700 jihadists belonged to IS and about 2,800 fighters were from US-backed rebel groups.

The monitoring group said at least 20,000 civilians were wounded in the Russia-backed onslaught.&nbsp;

The death toll could be higher as people might have died in air strikes by unidentified warplanes, Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman.

Medical crisis 
&nbsp;

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have asked the Syrian forces to stop the heavy bombardment on eastern Aleppo, a territory held by the US-supported rebel groups.

&quot;Bombs are raining from Syria-led coalition planes and the whole of east Aleppo has become a giant kill box,&quot; MSF director of operations Xisco Villalonga said.

The crisis has worsened in Aleppo after two hospitals were bombed by the Syrian forces, leaving just six hospitals functional in the city.

The UN has said only 35 doctors remain in the area despite an estimated 250,000 civilians holed up there since early September.

The MNF said the functional hospitals in eastern Aleppo received 278 dead bodies, including 86 bodies of children, between September 21 and 26.&nbsp;

An estimated 822 people were wounded in the six-day period, which saw a wave of air strikes conducted by the Syrian forces.

World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday that 338 people, including 106 children, have been killed in east Aleppo since September 23.

&quot;All intensive care units are full. Patients have to wait for others to die so they can be moved to an available bed in intensive care,&quot; Abu Waseem, manager of an MSF-supported trauma hospital in east Aleppo, warned.

&quot;We only have three operating theatres and yesterday alone we had to do more than 20 major abdominal surgeries,&quot; he said, adding the hospital staff is working up to 20 hours a day.

&quot;Anything short of this is confirmation of what many are dreading, that the world has abandoned the people of Aleppo to a violent, agonising death,&quot; he said.

Moscow ignores US threat 
&nbsp;

Russia has said it will continue its bombing campaign in Syria despite US&#39; threat of walking away from holding peace talks.&nbsp;

The attacks will continue till Aleppo is reclaimed by the Syrian forces, Moscow said.

Syrian forces&#39; offensive in Aleppo escalated after a ceasefire brokered by Moscow and Washington collapsed earlier this month.&nbsp;

The countries had accused each other of being responsible for the crumbling of the peace deal.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Russia however has said it will continue its bombing campaign in Syria despite US' threat of walking away from holding further peace talks

Russia-backed Syrian forces' aerial strikes have killed 9,300 people, including 3,800 civilians, in the last one year, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Britain-based monitoring group had initially pegged the death toll at 10,000 but later revised it to 9,300. The rest of the dead were fighters affiliated to Islamic State and various rebel factions. More than 2,700 jihadists belonged to IS and about 2,800 fighters were from US-backed rebel groups. The monitoring group said at least 20,000 civilians were wounded in the Russia-backed onslaught. The death toll could be higher as people might have died in air strikes by unidentified warplanes, Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman. Medical crisis Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have asked the Syrian forces to stop the heavy bombardment on eastern Aleppo, a territory held by the US-supported rebel groups. "Bombs are raining from Syria-led coalition planes and the whole of east Aleppo has become a giant kill box," MSF director of operations Xisco Villalonga said. The crisis has worsened in Aleppo after two hospitals were bombed by the Syrian forces, leaving just six hospitals functional in the city. The UN has said only 35 doctors remain in the area despite an estimated 250,000 civilians holed up there since early September. The MNF said the functional hospitals in eastern Aleppo received 278 dead bodies, including 86 bodies of children, between September 21 and 26. An estimated 822 people were wounded in the six-day period, which saw a wave of air strikes conducted by the Syrian forces. World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday that 338 people, including 106 children, have been killed in east Aleppo since September 23. "All intensive care units are full. Patients have to wait for others to die so they can be moved to an available bed in intensive care," Abu Waseem, manager of an MSF-supported trauma hospital in east Aleppo, warned. "We only have three operating theatres and yesterday alone we had to do more than 20 major abdominal surgeries," he said, adding the hospital staff is working up to 20 hours a day. "Anything short of this is confirmation of what many are dreading, that the world has abandoned the people of Aleppo to a violent, agonising death," he said. Moscow ignores US threat Russia has said it will continue its bombing campaign in Syria despite US' threat of walking away from holding peace talks. The attacks will continue till Aleppo is reclaimed by the Syrian forces, Moscow said. Syrian forces' offensive in Aleppo escalated after a ceasefire brokered by Moscow and Washington collapsed earlier this month. The countries had accused each other of being responsible for the crumbling of the peace deal. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Syria: Russian offensive claims 3,800 civilians' lives as country hurtles towards medical doomsday

The United States and Russia have agreed to a &#39;&#39;cessation of hostilities&#39;&#39; in Syria from September 12, the first day of Eid. 
 
Both countries have also agreed to carry out joint air strikes in Syria if the ceasefire holds up for a week, AFP quoted&nbsp;Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying. 
 
US Secretary of State John&nbsp;Kerry said if the ceasefire remained imposed for a week, the two countries would set up a common military hub to fight Islamic State and Al Nusra in Syria.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The United States is going the extra mile here because we believe Russia and my colleague have the capability to press the Assad regime to stop this conflict and come to the table and make peace,&quot; said US Secretary of State John Kerry.&nbsp; 
 
The peace deal comes after marathon talks held between the two countries in Geneva. 
 
The meeting was not without its fair share of drama as the talks were on the brink of collapse. Delays and&nbsp;uncertainties from both sides were the main reasons for the delay in agreeing to the deal. 
 
Turkey, which launched its first major military incursion into Syria two and half weeks ago, on Saturday welcomed the deal for a ceasefire in its neighbouring country. 
 
&quot;We welcome the agreement,&quot; the foreign ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;Provision of aid around Aleppo was key, the statement said. 
 
The war in Syria has been raging for the last five years. It has claimed around&nbsp;300,000 lives. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

The two countries came to an agreement after a day of marathon talks in Geneva

The United States and Russia have agreed to a ''cessation of hostilities'' in Syria from September 12, the first day of Eid. Both countries have also agreed to carry out joint air strikes in Syria if the ceasefire holds up for a week, AFP quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying. US Secretary of State John Kerry said if the ceasefire remained imposed for a week, the two countries would set up a common military hub to fight Islamic State and Al Nusra in Syria. "The United States is going the extra mile here because we believe Russia and my colleague have the capability to press the Assad regime to stop this conflict and come to the table and make peace," said US Secretary of State John Kerry. The peace deal comes after marathon talks held between the two countries in Geneva. The meeting was not without its fair share of drama as the talks were on the brink of collapse. Delays and uncertainties from both sides were the main reasons for the delay in agreeing to the deal. Turkey, which launched its first major military incursion into Syria two and half weeks ago, on Saturday welcomed the deal for a ceasefire in its neighbouring country. "We welcome the agreement," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Provision of aid around Aleppo was key, the statement said. The war in Syria has been raging for the last five years. It has claimed around 300,000 lives. (WION with inputs from agencies)

US, Russia agree on ceasefire plan in Syria

US Vice President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in a phone call urged a speedy resolution to the conflict with pro-Russian separatists amid a spike in tensions with Moscow, the White House said late on Friday. 
 
Biden and Poroshenko &quot;expressed concern over the recent surge in fighting in eastern Ukraine, where ceasefire violations by combined Russian-separatist forces are at their highest levels since 2015, often using heavy weapons&quot;, the White House statement read. 
 
Kiev and the West accuse Russia of supporting the separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine and deploying troops across the border,&nbsp;claims hatMoscow denies. 
 
Biden and Poroshenko &quot;reiterated the need for a political and diplomatic resolution of the conflict through full implementation of the Minsk agreements by all parties,&quot; the statement added. 
 
The Minsk accord, signed in February 2015 with French and German mediation and in the presence of President Vladimir Putin, calls for a ceasefire along with a range of political, economic and social measures to end the conflict. 
 
Biden told Poroshenko that US officials &quot;had sent a message to Russia that the world is watching and underscored the need to deescalate the situation.&quot; 
 
He also urged Ukraine to show restraint. 
 
Poroshenko on Thursday said he could not rule out a &quot;full-scale&quot; Russian invasion as violence raged in the east, amid accusations that Russia was building up its military force in the region. 
 
The Pentagon on Friday said that the extra Russian troops along the border were associated with a regular military exercise. 
 
Poroshenko&#39;s claim came after Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out last week at Kiev over an incident on the frontier between Crimea, which Moscow annexed in March 2014, and Ukraine, accusing it of &quot;practicing terror&quot;. 
 
Two Russian officers were killed in the incident, in which Ukraine denied any involvement. 
 
Putin on Friday visited Crimea to boost security measures there. It was his fifth visit to the Black Sea peninsula since annexing it from Ukraine. 
 
Separately, Biden and Poroshenko discussed conditions set by the International Monetary Fund for disbursing the next tranche of much-needed financial assistance, the White House said. 
 
They also &quot;agreed on the importance of recent Ukrainian efforts to continue critical anti-corruption reforms&quot;, the statement said.

(AFP) 
 
 
&nbsp;

Kiev, the West accuse Russia of supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine and deploying troops across the border, claims that Russia denies

US Vice President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in a phone call urged a speedy resolution to the conflict with pro-Russian separatists amid a spike in tensions with Moscow, the White House said late on Friday. Biden and Poroshenko "expressed concern over the recent surge in fighting in eastern Ukraine, where ceasefire violations by combined Russian-separatist forces are at their highest levels since 2015, often using heavy weapons", the White House statement read. Kiev and the West accuse Russia of supporting the separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine and deploying troops across the border, claims hatMoscow denies. Biden and Poroshenko "reiterated the need for a political and diplomatic resolution of the conflict through full implementation of the Minsk agreements by all parties," the statement added. The Minsk accord, signed in February 2015 with French and German mediation and in the presence of President Vladimir Putin, calls for a ceasefire along with a range of political, economic and social measures to end the conflict. Biden told Poroshenko that US officials "had sent a message to Russia that the world is watching and underscored the need to deescalate the situation." He also urged Ukraine to show restraint. Poroshenko on Thursday said he could not rule out a "full-scale" Russian invasion as violence raged in the east, amid accusations that Russia was building up its military force in the region. The Pentagon on Friday said that the extra Russian troops along the border were associated with a regular military exercise. Poroshenko's claim came after Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out last week at Kiev over an incident on the frontier between Crimea, which Moscow annexed in March 2014, and Ukraine, accusing it of "practicing terror". Two Russian officers were killed in the incident, in which Ukraine denied any involvement. Putin on Friday visited Crimea to boost security measures there. It was his fifth visit to the Black Sea peninsula since annexing it from Ukraine. Separately, Biden and Poroshenko discussed conditions set by the International Monetary Fund for disbursing the next tranche of much-needed financial assistance, the White House said. They also "agreed on the importance of recent Ukrainian efforts to continue critical anti-corruption reforms", the statement said. (AFP)

US, Ukraine discuss resolution of conflict with pro-Russian separatists

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