Russia has seized three Ukrainian naval ships in a strait near <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-says-he-will-never-give-crimea-back-to-ukraine-35411">Moscow-annexed Crimea</a>, raising fears of military escalation and prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday.

In the unprecedented incident, Russia said it used weapons "in order to stop the Ukrainian military," which it claims illegally entered its waters, confirming "three Ukrainian navy ships were boarded and searched."&nbsp;

Ukraine's navy said the incident took place on Sunday as two small warships and a tugboat were heading through the Kerch Strait, a narrow waterway that gives access to the Sea of Azov that is used by Ukraine and Russia.

It said a Russian border guard vessel rammed the tugboat in "openly aggressive actions" and then fired on the ships, immobilising all three.

The confrontation at sea is a dangerous development in the long-running conflict pitting Ukraine against Russia and Russian-backed rebels in the east of the country.

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the escalation, US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said. The meeting was requested by both Russia and Ukraine, diplomatic sources told AFP.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has asked parliament to vote Monday on whether to impose martial law on the country for 60 days, after his Military Cabinet recommended the move in a late-night meeting.

Throwing his weight behind the measure, which is far from guaranteed to pass, he said it "in no way means that Ukraine will carry out any offensive actions".

"I want to emphasise separately that we have all irrefutable evidence that this aggression, this attack on the Ukrainian Navy's warships was not a mistake, not an accident, but a deliberate action," he said in a statement.

Ukraine said six of its soldiers were injured, two seriously, but Russia's FSB security service reported only three had suffered non-life threatening injuries and were given medical treatment.

The development has sparked alarm among Kiev's Western allies.

"We expect Russia to restore freedom of passage at the Kerch strait and urge all to act with utmost restraint to de-escalate the situation immediately," the European Union said in a statement.

NATO also urged "restraint and de-escalation", and called on Russia "to ensure unhindered access to Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea, in accordance with international law".

Ukraine's foreign ministry said it considered "these aggressive actions" a violation of international law that would be met with "an international and diplomatic legal response".

Russia, which claims the waters off Crimea after annexing the peninsula in 2014, accused Kiev of illegally entering its waters.

"Having breached this morning the Russian border, the three Ukrainian ships -- the Berdyansk, the Nikopol and the Yani Kapu -- tried again on November 25 at 19:00 (Moscow time) to conduct illegal actions in Russian territorial waters," the FSB said.

The FSB, which oversees the border guard service, also said the Ukrainian ships had failed to respond to the "legal demands" of the Russian authorities.

Russian politicians accused Ukraine of acting at the behest of its Western allies and deliberately attempting to escalate the conflict.

Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov wrote on Facebook that he "was sure the Western masters of the Kiev regime are behind this act of provocation".

Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy speaker of the Russian parliament, warned on Facebook that "the Ukrainian puppet authorities... Are risking unleashing a large military conflict".

"One thing is clear: Russia won't allow military provocations in its territorial waters," he said.

Ukraine said it gave Russia advance warning of its ships' route, which its vessels are obliged to take to reach the Sea of Azov.

It said the Kerch Strait was blocked by a tanker, and that Russian military aircraft were flying over the area.

The latest incident comes after the Ukrainian navy in September complained about "acts of provocation" by Russian border guards against its ships taking the same route. Ukraine has increased the number of its navy ships and border guard patrols in the Sea of Azov after Russia deployed five more warships there.

Kiev says its naval buildup is due to Russia stepping up controls in the area this year and carrying out lengthy checks on commercial shipping that were very costly for freight and port companies.

Kiev and the West have accused Moscow of deliberately blocking ships from accessing Mariupol, which has vital access to heavy industry in the region.

Mariupol is close to the region of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists in a conflict that has caused at least 10,000 deaths since 2014.

The United States, a key ally of Ukraine, is opposed to Russia's takeover of Crimea and is looking to reduce Ukraine's dependency on Russian gas pipelines.&nbsp;

Russia has seized three Ukrainian naval ships in a strait near Moscow-annexed Crimea, raising fears of military escalation and prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday.

Russia has seized three Ukrainian naval ships in a strait near Moscow-annexed Crimea, raising fears of military escalation and prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday. In the unprecedented incident, Russia said it used weapons "in order to stop the Ukrainian military," which it claims illegally entered its waters, confirming "three Ukrainian navy ships were boarded and searched." Ukraine's navy said the incident took place on Sunday as two small warships and a tugboat were heading through the Kerch Strait, a narrow waterway that gives access to the Sea of Azov that is used by Ukraine and Russia. It said a Russian border guard vessel rammed the tugboat in "openly aggressive actions" and then fired on the ships, immobilising all three. The confrontation at sea is a dangerous development in the long-running conflict pitting Ukraine against Russia and Russian-backed rebels in the east of the country. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the escalation, US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said. The meeting was requested by both Russia and Ukraine, diplomatic sources told AFP. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has asked parliament to vote Monday on whether to impose martial law on the country for 60 days, after his Military Cabinet recommended the move in a late-night meeting. Throwing his weight behind the measure, which is far from guaranteed to pass, he said it "in no way means that Ukraine will carry out any offensive actions". "I want to emphasise separately that we have all irrefutable evidence that this aggression, this attack on the Ukrainian Navy's warships was not a mistake, not an accident, but a deliberate action," he said in a statement. Ukraine said six of its soldiers were injured, two seriously, but Russia's FSB security service reported only three had suffered non-life threatening injuries and were given medical treatment. The development has sparked alarm among Kiev's Western allies. "We expect Russia to restore freedom of passage at the Kerch strait and urge all to act with utmost restraint to de-escalate the situation immediately," the European Union said in a statement. NATO also urged "restraint and de-escalation", and called on Russia "to ensure unhindered access to Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea, in accordance with international law". Ukraine's foreign ministry said it considered "these aggressive actions" a violation of international law that would be met with "an international and diplomatic legal response". Russia, which claims the waters off Crimea after annexing the peninsula in 2014, accused Kiev of illegally entering its waters. "Having breached this morning the Russian border, the three Ukrainian ships -- the Berdyansk, the Nikopol and the Yani Kapu -- tried again on November 25 at 19:00 (Moscow time) to conduct illegal actions in Russian territorial waters," the FSB said. The FSB, which oversees the border guard service, also said the Ukrainian ships had failed to respond to the "legal demands" of the Russian authorities. Russian politicians accused Ukraine of acting at the behest of its Western allies and deliberately attempting to escalate the conflict. Crimean leader Sergei Aksyonov wrote on Facebook that he "was sure the Western masters of the Kiev regime are behind this act of provocation". Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy speaker of the Russian parliament, warned on Facebook that "the Ukrainian puppet authorities... Are risking unleashing a large military conflict". "One thing is clear: Russia won't allow military provocations in its territorial waters," he said. Ukraine said it gave Russia advance warning of its ships' route, which its vessels are obliged to take to reach the Sea of Azov. It said the Kerch Strait was blocked by a tanker, and that Russian military aircraft were flying over the area. The latest incident comes after the Ukrainian navy in September complained about "acts of provocation" by Russian border guards against its ships taking the same route. Ukraine has increased the number of its navy ships and border guard patrols in the Sea of Azov after Russia deployed five more warships there. Kiev says its naval buildup is due to Russia stepping up controls in the area this year and carrying out lengthy checks on commercial shipping that were very costly for freight and port companies. Kiev and the West have accused Moscow of deliberately blocking ships from accessing Mariupol, which has vital access to heavy industry in the region. Mariupol is close to the region of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed separatists in a conflict that has caused at least 10,000 deaths since 2014. The United States, a key ally of Ukraine, is opposed to Russia's takeover of Crimea and is looking to reduce Ukraine's dependency on Russian gas pipelines.

Russia seizes three Ukrainian navy ships, raises fears of military escalation

The head of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency that the West has blamed for a string of brazen attacks died on Wednesday after "a serious and long illness," the Russian defence ministry said.

State news agency TASS cited the ministry as saying Igor Korobov, 62, who ran the spy agency since 2016, had been made a Hero of Russia for his service in the post, the highest state award.

Britain has accused the GRU of attempting to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a nerve agent in the city of Salisbury, the Netherlands has accused it of trying to hack the global chemical weapons watchdog, and US&nbsp;intelligence agencies say it tried to hack the 2016 presidential election.

Russia denies all those allegations.

Speculation about Korobov's fate had been growing since an unconfirmed Russian media report that he had been summoned by President Vladimir Putin after the Skripal affair and severely criticised for the operation which left the Skripals alive and the GRU a target of mockery in the Western media.

Korobov was absent from a ceremony in Moscow this month where Putin and other senior officials celebrated the centenary of the GRU, with the Russian leader praising its skill and "unique abilities."

Operatives of the agency, widely known by its old acronym of GRU, set an example for a future generation of military spies, said Putin, himself a former intelligence officer, citing their readiness to sacrifice everything "for the motherland".

Soviet veteran

Korobov's death paves the way for Putin to appoint a successor to head an agency that intelligence experts say has stepped up its covert missions as tension mounts between Russia and the West, which has imposed sanctions on Moscow over its annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.

Asked last month if there would be a shake-up at the defence ministry in the aftermath of the Skripal affair, the Kremlin said the low quality of the allegations levelled at GRU did not justify such changes.

The United States included Korobov's name on a March sanctions blacklist of people believed to have helped "undermine cybersecurity on behalf of the Russian government".

Korobov was a Soviet military veteran who served in the air force and, according to his official biography, began working for the GRU in 1985.

The GRU, founded as the registration directorate in 1918 after the Bolshevik revolution, is one of Russia's three main intelligence agencies, alongside the domestic Federal Security Service and the SVR Foreign Intelligence Service.

The head of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency that the West has blamed for a string of brazen attacks died on Wednesday after "a serious and long illness," the Russian defence ministry said.

The head of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency that the West has blamed for a string of brazen attacks died on Wednesday after "a serious and long illness," the Russian defence ministry said. State news agency TASS cited the ministry as saying Igor Korobov, 62, who ran the spy agency since 2016, had been made a Hero of Russia for his service in the post, the highest state award. Britain has accused the GRU of attempting to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter with a nerve agent in the city of Salisbury, the Netherlands has accused it of trying to hack the global chemical weapons watchdog, and US intelligence agencies say it tried to hack the 2016 presidential election. Russia denies all those allegations. Speculation about Korobov's fate had been growing since an unconfirmed Russian media report that he had been summoned by President Vladimir Putin after the Skripal affair and severely criticised for the operation which left the Skripals alive and the GRU a target of mockery in the Western media. Korobov was absent from a ceremony in Moscow this month where Putin and other senior officials celebrated the centenary of the GRU, with the Russian leader praising its skill and "unique abilities." Operatives of the agency, widely known by its old acronym of GRU, set an example for a future generation of military spies, said Putin, himself a former intelligence officer, citing their readiness to sacrifice everything "for the motherland". Soviet veteran Korobov's death paves the way for Putin to appoint a successor to head an agency that intelligence experts say has stepped up its covert missions as tension mounts between Russia and the West, which has imposed sanctions on Moscow over its annexation of Ukraine's Crimea. Asked last month if there would be a shake-up at the defence ministry in the aftermath of the Skripal affair, the Kremlin said the low quality of the allegations levelled at GRU did not justify such changes. The United States included Korobov's name on a March sanctions blacklist of people believed to have helped "undermine cybersecurity on behalf of the Russian government". Korobov was a Soviet military veteran who served in the air force and, according to his official biography, began working for the GRU in 1985. The GRU, founded as the registration directorate in 1918 after the Bolshevik revolution, is one of Russia's three main intelligence agencies, alongside the domestic Federal Security Service and the SVR Foreign Intelligence Service.

Head of Russian spy agency accused of British poison attack dies

Russian President Vladimir Putin held his first official meeting with ASEAN leaders in Singapore on Wednesday.

This is Putin's first visit to Singapore since former president Dmitry Medvedev made a trip in 2009. The visit also comes as both countries celebrate the 50th year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Asia-Pacific leaders are meeting heads of Southeast Asian states in Singapore to renew calls for multilateralism and fresh pledges to resolve regional conflicts ranging from the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar to tensions in the South China Sea.

US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are among those set to join leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for talks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held his first official meeting with ASEAN leaders in Singapore on Wednesday. This is Putin's first visit to Singapore since former president Dmitry Medvedev made a trip in 2009.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held his first official meeting with ASEAN leaders in Singapore on Wednesday. This is Putin's first visit to Singapore since former president Dmitry Medvedev made a trip in 2009. The visit also comes as both countries celebrate the 50th year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Asia-Pacific leaders are meeting heads of Southeast Asian states in Singapore to renew calls for multilateralism and fresh pledges to resolve regional conflicts ranging from the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar to tensions in the South China Sea. US Vice President Mike Pence, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are among those set to join leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for talks.

Putin stresses cooperation against terrorism in first official meeting with ASEAN leaders

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/naxals-denote-bomb-in-dantewada-as-polls-get-underway-in-chhattisgarh-176729">Naxals denote bomb in Dantewada as polls get underway in Chhattisgarh</a>

Naxals denoted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near Tumakpal camp in Katekalyan block in Dantewada as poll booths opened today in Chhattisgarh for the first phase of voting.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/union-minister-ananth-kumar-passes-away-at-59-in-bengaluru-176720">Union Minister Ananth Kumar passes away at 59 in Bengaluru</a>

Union Minister Ananth Kumar passed away in the wee hours of Monday in Bengaluru.

The 59-year-old political leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not been keeping well for the past few months.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killers-to-be-held-accountable-us-to-saudi-prince-salman-176722">Khashoggi killers to be held accountable: </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killers-to-be-held-accountable-us-to-saudi-prince-salman-176722">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-killers-to-be-held-accountable-us-to-saudi-prince-salman-176722"> to Saudi Prince Salman</a>

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday the US will hold accountable all those involved in the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist, in a telephone call that also took in the conflict in Yemen.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/clashes-erupts-during-gaza-operation-1-israeli-soldier-and-6-palestinians-killed-176719">Clashes erupt during Gaza operation; 1 Israeli soldier and 6 Palestinians killed</a>

An exchange of fire erupted during an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing six Palestinians and an Israeli soldier, officials said, while potentially dashing hopes that a recent agreement would restore calm.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-had-good-conversation-with-trump-in-paris-report-176726">Had </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-had-good-conversation-with-trump-in-paris-report-176726">good</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-had-good-conversation-with-trump-in-paris-report-176726"> conversation with Trump in Paris: Vladimir Putin</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday he had a brief but good conversation with US leader Donald Trump at World War I centenary events in Paris, Russian media reported.

&nbsp;

Naxals denote bomb in Dantewada as polls get underway in Chhattisgarh Naxals denoted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near Tumakpal camp in Katekalyan block in Dantewada as poll booths opened today in Chhattisgarh for the first phase of voting.

Naxals denote bomb in Dantewada as polls get underway in Chhattisgarh Naxals denoted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near Tumakpal camp in Katekalyan block in Dantewada as poll booths opened today in Chhattisgarh for the first phase of voting. Union Minister Ananth Kumar passes away at 59 in Bengaluru Union Minister Ananth Kumar passed away in the wee hours of Monday in Bengaluru. The 59-year-old political leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not been keeping well for the past few months. Khashoggi killers to be held accountable: US to Saudi Prince Salman Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday the US will hold accountable all those involved in the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist, in a telephone call that also took in the conflict in Yemen. Clashes erupt during Gaza operation; 1 Israeli soldier and 6 Palestinians killed An exchange of fire erupted during an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing six Palestinians and an Israeli soldier, officials said, while potentially dashing hopes that a recent agreement would restore calm. Had good conversation with Trump in Paris: Vladimir Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday he had a brief but good conversation with US leader Donald Trump at World War I centenary events in Paris, Russian media reported.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday he had a brief but good conversation with US leader Donald Trump at World War I centenary events in Paris, Russian media reported.

When journalists asked Putin whether he managed to speak to Trump, he said: "Yes," Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported. Asked how it went, Putin said: "Well."&nbsp;

He did not provide further details but the French presidency said the pair had a wide-ranging discussion during lunch after the Paris commemoration.

Host and French President Emmanuel Macron was there and German Chancellor Angela Merkel took part in some of the exchanges, the presidency said.

Subjects discussed included the situation in the Middle East, notably Syria, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and North Korea.

Around 70 leaders including the Russian and US leaders travelled to the French capital to mark the centenary of the 1918 Armistice.

Arriving last for the event, Putin made for his US counterpart to shake his hand before giving him a thumbs up sign, while smiling.

Speaking in an interview with the Kremlin-backed channel RT France earlier in the day, Putin confirmed they did not want to steal French President Emmanuel Macron's thunder.

"... we agreed not to violate the host's work schedule, we will not organise any meetings here at their request," he said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the pair agreed to hold a more detailed discussion on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina at the end of the month.

The Kremlin said earlier that the prospect of a full meeting between the US and Russian presidents had prompted huge international media interest, leading to concern from the French organisers this could overshadow the commemorations.

Expectations have been growing for a new Trump-Putin meeting as tensions pile up over the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and US sanctions against Moscow.&nbsp;

Last month Trump sparked concerns globally when he said he would ditch the INF pact.

Putin warned that abandoning the treaty would unleash a new arms race and put Europe in danger. 
&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday he had a brief but good conversation with US leader Donald Trump at World War I centenary events in Paris, Russian media reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday he had a brief but good conversation with US leader Donald Trump at World War I centenary events in Paris, Russian media reported. When journalists asked Putin whether he managed to speak to Trump, he said: "Yes," Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported. Asked how it went, Putin said: "Well." He did not provide further details but the French presidency said the pair had a wide-ranging discussion during lunch after the Paris commemoration. Host and French President Emmanuel Macron was there and German Chancellor Angela Merkel took part in some of the exchanges, the presidency said. Subjects discussed included the situation in the Middle East, notably Syria, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and North Korea. Around 70 leaders including the Russian and US leaders travelled to the French capital to mark the centenary of the 1918 Armistice. Arriving last for the event, Putin made for his US counterpart to shake his hand before giving him a thumbs up sign, while smiling. Speaking in an interview with the Kremlin-backed channel RT France earlier in the day, Putin confirmed they did not want to steal French President Emmanuel Macron's thunder. "... we agreed not to violate the host's work schedule, we will not organise any meetings here at their request," he said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the pair agreed to hold a more detailed discussion on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina at the end of the month. The Kremlin said earlier that the prospect of a full meeting between the US and Russian presidents had prompted huge international media interest, leading to concern from the French organisers this could overshadow the commemorations. Expectations have been growing for a new Trump-Putin meeting as tensions pile up over the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and US sanctions against Moscow. Last month Trump sparked concerns globally when he said he would ditch the INF pact. Putin warned that abandoning the treaty would unleash a new arms race and put Europe in danger.

Had good conversation with Trump in Paris: Vladimir Putin

Representative Dana Rohrabacher, whose quixotic foreign policy campaigns made him persona non grata in Pakistan and Afghanistan and who became a rare US defender of Vladimir Putin, has lost his seat after 30 years.

The 71-year-old Republican, whose exploits have included grabbing a gun to join Afghanistan's anti-Soviet mujahedin, was projected Saturday to have lost, four days after midterm elections in which Democrats seized the House of Representatives.

Harley Rouda, a Democratic real estate developer, led Rohrabacher by four percentage points in a district in southern California's Orange County, a longtime conservative bastion that gave rise to Republicans Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan but where greater ethnic diversity has contributed to a shift toward Democrats.

After working as a speechwriter to Reagan, Rohrabacher was elected to Congress in 1988 on an aggressively anti-communist platform.

Yet his stern views belied a quintessentially Californian quirkiness as he relished surfing, playing guitar and, well before the issue was mainstream, supported legal marijuana, saying he himself had done "everything but drink the bong water."

Rohrabacher's joy in the limelight caused many colleagues to see him as a rabble-rouser -- but his statements had diplomatic repercussions.

Putin's favourite?

Pakistan lodged protests and street demonstrations broke out after Rohrabacher in 2012 proposed a resolution -- non-binding and with little chance of congressional approval -- calling for the independence of Baluchistan, scene of a long-running separatist insurgency.

Rohrabacher was also refused entry to Afghanistan after infuriating then president Hamid Karzai by calling him corrupt.

Rohrabacher, whose office was decorated with memorabilia from briefly fighting alongside Afghan guerrillas, met in 2001 with the then Taliban foreign minister and later joined the left in opposing US troop increases, seeing Karzai's government as compromised.&nbsp;

More recently, Rohrabacher has been dubbed Putin's favourite congressman. The onetime Cold Warrior has argued that radical Islam, not Russia, has become the biggest global threat and that Putin was an ally.

After Donald Trump's surprise election in 2016, speculation mounted that the new president -- who has also voiced respect for Putin -- would name Rohrabacher as US ambassador. However more traditional policymakers remain in charge.

Rohrabacher said he met Putin, then the deputy mayor of Saint Petersburg on a visit to Washington, in the 1990s and got into a drunken argument over who won the Cold War.

"So we decided to settle it like men do when they've had too much to drink in the pub," Rohrabacher recalled in a radio interview.

They arm-wrestled. And who won? "He put me down in a millisecond," Rohrabacher acknowledged.&nbsp;

Representative Dana Rohrabacher, whose quixotic foreign policy campaigns made him persona non grata in Pakistan and Afghanistan and who became a rare US defender of Vladimir Putin, has lost his seat after 30 years.

Representative Dana Rohrabacher, whose quixotic foreign policy campaigns made him persona non grata in Pakistan and Afghanistan and who became a rare US defender of Vladimir Putin, has lost his seat after 30 years. The 71-year-old Republican, whose exploits have included grabbing a gun to join Afghanistan's anti-Soviet mujahedin, was projected Saturday to have lost, four days after midterm elections in which Democrats seized the House of Representatives. Harley Rouda, a Democratic real estate developer, led Rohrabacher by four percentage points in a district in southern California's Orange County, a longtime conservative bastion that gave rise to Republicans Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan but where greater ethnic diversity has contributed to a shift toward Democrats. After working as a speechwriter to Reagan, Rohrabacher was elected to Congress in 1988 on an aggressively anti-communist platform. Yet his stern views belied a quintessentially Californian quirkiness as he relished surfing, playing guitar and, well before the issue was mainstream, supported legal marijuana, saying he himself had done "everything but drink the bong water." Rohrabacher's joy in the limelight caused many colleagues to see him as a rabble-rouser -- but his statements had diplomatic repercussions. Putin's favourite? Pakistan lodged protests and street demonstrations broke out after Rohrabacher in 2012 proposed a resolution -- non-binding and with little chance of congressional approval -- calling for the independence of Baluchistan, scene of a long-running separatist insurgency. Rohrabacher was also refused entry to Afghanistan after infuriating then president Hamid Karzai by calling him corrupt. Rohrabacher, whose office was decorated with memorabilia from briefly fighting alongside Afghan guerrillas, met in 2001 with the then Taliban foreign minister and later joined the left in opposing US troop increases, seeing Karzai's government as compromised. More recently, Rohrabacher has been dubbed Putin's favourite congressman. The onetime Cold Warrior has argued that radical Islam, not Russia, has become the biggest global threat and that Putin was an ally. After Donald Trump's surprise election in 2016, speculation mounted that the new president -- who has also voiced respect for Putin -- would name Rohrabacher as US ambassador. However more traditional policymakers remain in charge. Rohrabacher said he met Putin, then the deputy mayor of Saint Petersburg on a visit to Washington, in the 1990s and got into a drunken argument over who won the Cold War. "So we decided to settle it like men do when they've had too much to drink in the pub," Rohrabacher recalled in a radio interview. They arm-wrestled. And who won? "He put me down in a millisecond," Rohrabacher acknowledged.

US midterm: Dana Rohrabacher, quirky congressman fond of Putin, loses seat

World leaders gathered in Paris will lead global commemorations on Sunday to mark 100 years since the end of World War I at a time of growing nationalism and diplomatic tensions.

Around 70 leaders including US and Russian Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will mark the centenary of the 1918 Armistice in the French capital.

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth will attend a separate event in London, while New Zealand and Australia are holding their own ceremonies.

The Paris commemorations, centred on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe, are set to feature warnings about the modern-day danger of nationalism.

"This day is not just about remembering, but should be about a call to action," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday after visiting the forest clearing in eastern France where the Armistice was signed.

Merkel will give the opening address alongside UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at a conference called the Paris Peace Forum which will take place after a memorial service on the Champs-Elysees on Sunday morning.

Conceived by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Forum is intended to highlight the importance of international institutions in helping resolve conflicts, avert wars and spread prosperity.

Tensions lurk

But despite the show of unity at the Arc de Triomphe, where school children will read out messages written by soldiers in eight languages, tensions are expected to lurk beneath the surface.

US President Donald Trump, whose hardline nationalism has badly shaken the Western alliance, arrived in Paris on Friday criticising host Macron for being "insulting."

Trump took umbrage at a recent interview in which Macron talked about the need for a European army and listed the US along with Russia and China as a threat to national security.

The "America First" leader, who faced criticism on Saturday for cancelling a trip to an American cemetery because of the rainy weather, will snub the Paris Peace Forum.&nbsp;

Other attendees of the memorial service and Forum include Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian premier Justin Trudeau and Israel's Benyamin Netanyahu, as well as Putin.

With far-right nationalist politicians coming to power from Brazil to Italy to Austria, 40-year-old centrist Macron is set to invoke the war to make the case for international cooperation.

"We want to make these commemorations a time to reflect on the present, not just the past, so that they have a meaning for us today," an aide to Macron said earlier this week.

He will deliver a short speech during Sunday's ceremony, which organisers have made deliberately international and cross-cultural.

The French-born Chinese-American cellist Yo-yo Ma will perform, as will West African singer Angelique Kidjo, and a European youth orchestra with a Russian conductor.&nbsp;

Some 10,000 police have been drafted in to ensure maximum security in a city repeatedly targeted by jihadists since 2015.

Macron is also set to speak later at UN cultural body UNESCO and at the Peace Forum.

The Forum is part of the "fightback" against nationalism worldwide, chief organiser Justin Vaisse told AFP as he played down the significance of Trump's decision not to attend.

"The aim of the forum is to show that there are lots of forces in the international system -- states, NGOs, foundations, intellectuals, companies -- who believe we need a world of rules, an open world and a multilateral world," he said.

Other ceremonies

About 70 current-day nations were involved in the conflict that had six empires and colonial powers at its heart: Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the Ottoman Empire.

Around 10 million soldiers are generally estimated to have been killed during the fighting and more than double that number wounded overall.

Between five and 10 million civilians are estimated to have been killed.

In Britain, church bells are set to ring out across the country at 11 am, at the same time as a national remembrance service at the Cenotaph in London.

In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will address crowds at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Sunday morning.

World leaders gathered in Paris will lead global commemorations on Sunday to mark 100 years since the end of World War I at a time of growing nationalism and diplomatic tensions.

World leaders gathered in Paris will lead global commemorations on Sunday to mark 100 years since the end of World War I at a time of growing nationalism and diplomatic tensions. Around 70 leaders including US and Russian Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will mark the centenary of the 1918 Armistice in the French capital. British Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth will attend a separate event in London, while New Zealand and Australia are holding their own ceremonies. The Paris commemorations, centred on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe, are set to feature warnings about the modern-day danger of nationalism. "This day is not just about remembering, but should be about a call to action," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday after visiting the forest clearing in eastern France where the Armistice was signed. Merkel will give the opening address alongside UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at a conference called the Paris Peace Forum which will take place after a memorial service on the Champs-Elysees on Sunday morning. Conceived by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Forum is intended to highlight the importance of international institutions in helping resolve conflicts, avert wars and spread prosperity. Tensions lurk But despite the show of unity at the Arc de Triomphe, where school children will read out messages written by soldiers in eight languages, tensions are expected to lurk beneath the surface. US President Donald Trump, whose hardline nationalism has badly shaken the Western alliance, arrived in Paris on Friday criticising host Macron for being "insulting." Trump took umbrage at a recent interview in which Macron talked about the need for a European army and listed the US along with Russia and China as a threat to national security. The "America First" leader, who faced criticism on Saturday for cancelling a trip to an American cemetery because of the rainy weather, will snub the Paris Peace Forum. Other attendees of the memorial service and Forum include Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian premier Justin Trudeau and Israel's Benyamin Netanyahu, as well as Putin. With far-right nationalist politicians coming to power from Brazil to Italy to Austria, 40-year-old centrist Macron is set to invoke the war to make the case for international cooperation. "We want to make these commemorations a time to reflect on the present, not just the past, so that they have a meaning for us today," an aide to Macron said earlier this week. He will deliver a short speech during Sunday's ceremony, which organisers have made deliberately international and cross-cultural. The French-born Chinese-American cellist Yo-yo Ma will perform, as will West African singer Angelique Kidjo, and a European youth orchestra with a Russian conductor. Some 10,000 police have been drafted in to ensure maximum security in a city repeatedly targeted by jihadists since 2015. Macron is also set to speak later at UN cultural body UNESCO and at the Peace Forum. The Forum is part of the "fightback" against nationalism worldwide, chief organiser Justin Vaisse told AFP as he played down the significance of Trump's decision not to attend. "The aim of the forum is to show that there are lots of forces in the international system -- states, NGOs, foundations, intellectuals, companies -- who believe we need a world of rules, an open world and a multilateral world," he said. Other ceremonies About 70 current-day nations were involved in the conflict that had six empires and colonial powers at its heart: Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Around 10 million soldiers are generally estimated to have been killed during the fighting and more than double that number wounded overall. Between five and 10 million civilians are estimated to have been killed. In Britain, church bells are set to ring out across the country at 11 am, at the same time as a national remembrance service at the Cenotaph in London. In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will address crowds at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Sunday morning.

World leaders mark 100 years since WWI Armistice in Paris

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday Moscow wanted to restore a full-scale dialogue with the United States about the landmark Cold War-era missile treaty, Russian news agencies reported.

President Donald Trump said last month Washington would withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty because Russia was violating the pact, bringing a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow.

Putin, speaking to Kremlin-backed RT France television, said he could meet Trump on the sidelines of a G-20 summit in Argentina, according to the agencies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday Moscow wanted to restore a full-scale dialogue with the United States about the landmark Cold War-era missile treaty, Russian news agencies reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday Moscow wanted to restore a full-scale dialogue with the United States about the landmark Cold War-era missile treaty, Russian news agencies reported. President Donald Trump said last month Washington would withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty because Russia was violating the pact, bringing a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow. Putin, speaking to Kremlin-backed RT France television, said he could meet Trump on the sidelines of a G-20 summit in Argentina, according to the agencies.

Russia wants dialogue with US on missile treaty: Putin

Russia said on Saturday that Austria's "unfounded accusations" in a spy scandal were unacceptable while Vienna expressed hope the affair would not hurt bilateral ties.

On Friday, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said his country had launched a probe into a colonel suspected of spying for Russia for several decades.

The spy row risks hurting Russia's ties with one of its rare European allies.&nbsp;

It is the latest in a string of cases where Moscow has been accused of espionage in EU states and elsewhere.

Moscow said that Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl called her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to explain her country's motives.

She "expressed hope that the steps will not affect the further development of bilateral cooperation," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

Lavrov for his part reiterated Moscow's displeasure that Vienna chose to air its grievances in public.

He said the practice of voicing "unfounded accusations" publicly was unacceptable, the foreign ministry said.

"Any possible mutual concerns should be discussed through established channels of dialogue and be based on facts," the statement said.

In August, Kneissl sparked a row in Austria and beyond after she waltzed with Russian President Vladimir Putin and bowed to him at her wedding, with critics saying her behaviour hurt the country's image.

Austria suspects a 70-year-old army official of working with Russian intelligence for several decades and is investigating him for allegedly revealing state secrets.

Austria is not a member of NATO and sets great store by its status as a neutral country.&nbsp;

It was one of the few European countries not to expel Russian diplomats following the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain in March. 
&nbsp;

Russia said on Saturday that Austria's "unfounded accusations" in a spy scandal were unacceptable while Vienna expressed hope the affair would not hurt bilateral ties.

Russia said on Saturday that Austria's "unfounded accusations" in a spy scandal were unacceptable while Vienna expressed hope the affair would not hurt bilateral ties. On Friday, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said his country had launched a probe into a colonel suspected of spying for Russia for several decades. The spy row risks hurting Russia's ties with one of its rare European allies. It is the latest in a string of cases where Moscow has been accused of espionage in EU states and elsewhere. Moscow said that Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl called her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to explain her country's motives. She "expressed hope that the steps will not affect the further development of bilateral cooperation," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. Lavrov for his part reiterated Moscow's displeasure that Vienna chose to air its grievances in public. He said the practice of voicing "unfounded accusations" publicly was unacceptable, the foreign ministry said. "Any possible mutual concerns should be discussed through established channels of dialogue and be based on facts," the statement said. In August, Kneissl sparked a row in Austria and beyond after she waltzed with Russian President Vladimir Putin and bowed to him at her wedding, with critics saying her behaviour hurt the country's image. Austria suspects a 70-year-old army official of working with Russian intelligence for several decades and is investigating him for allegedly revealing state secrets. Austria is not a member of NATO and sets great store by its status as a neutral country. It was one of the few European countries not to expel Russian diplomats following the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain in March.

Russia slams Austria for 'unfounded accusations' in spy row

Vladimir Putin will speak "briefly" with Donald Trump when the two presidents meet in Paris this weekend for World War I centenary events, an advisor for the Russian leader said Wednesday.

"It has been agreed that the leaders of the US and Russia will talk only briefly in Paris, it will be a standing meeting," foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov said, Russian news agencies reported.

The prospect of a full meeting between Putin and Trump had prompted huge international media interest, the advisor said, adding that the French organisers had expressed concern this could overshadow the commemorations.&nbsp;

The pair were set for a more detailed discussion during the G20 summit in Argentina at the end of the month, to be confirmed after Paris, Ushakov said.

Trump said Monday he did not expect to hold talks with Putin during the November 11 events, which 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend.

Expectations have been growing for a new Trump-Putin meeting as tensions pile up over the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and US sanctions against Moscow.&nbsp;

Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton indicated during a trip to Moscow in October that the White House wanted a Paris meeting and Putin said he was interested.

A first bilateral summit between the two leaders took place in Helsinki in July, after which Trump came under strong domestic criticism for adopting a distinctly conciliatory tone despite his own security services' warning that Russia meddled in US elections.

Vladimir Putin will speak "briefly" with Donald Trump when the two presidents meet in Paris this weekend for World War I centenary events, an advisor for the Russian leader said Wednesday.

Vladimir Putin will speak "briefly" with Donald Trump when the two presidents meet in Paris this weekend for World War I centenary events, an advisor for the Russian leader said Wednesday. "It has been agreed that the leaders of the US and Russia will talk only briefly in Paris, it will be a standing meeting," foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov said, Russian news agencies reported. The prospect of a full meeting between Putin and Trump had prompted huge international media interest, the advisor said, adding that the French organisers had expressed concern this could overshadow the commemorations. The pair were set for a more detailed discussion during the G20 summit in Argentina at the end of the month, to be confirmed after Paris, Ushakov said. Trump said Monday he did not expect to hold talks with Putin during the November 11 events, which 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend. Expectations have been growing for a new Trump-Putin meeting as tensions pile up over the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) and US sanctions against Moscow. Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton indicated during a trip to Moscow in October that the White House wanted a Paris meeting and Putin said he was interested. A first bilateral summit between the two leaders took place in Helsinki in July, after which Trump came under strong domestic criticism for adopting a distinctly conciliatory tone despite his own security services' warning that Russia meddled in US elections.

Putin, Trump to speak 'briefly' in Paris this weekend: Kremlin

Moscow hopes that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit the country next year, Russian President Vladimir Putin's advisor said on Wednesday.

"I hope this visit will be possible next year," Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov said, Russian news agencies reported.

He did not confirm recent reports by South Korean media that Kim could visit Russia this month.

Last month, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said he believed the youthful North leader could visit Russia "soon."

Moscow has repeatedly invited Kim to visit Russia but he has yet to respond to the offer to meet Putin.

The rapid diplomatic thaw on the Korean Peninsula since the Winter Olympics has seen Kim meet with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in twice, as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.

In June, Trump and Kim signed a vaguely-worded agreement on denuclearisation but little progress has been made since then.

Moscow hopes that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit the country next year, Russian President Vladimir Putin's advisor said on Wednesday. "I hope this visit will be possible next year," Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov said, Russian news agencies reported.

Moscow hopes that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit the country next year, Russian President Vladimir Putin's advisor said on Wednesday. "I hope this visit will be possible next year," Kremlin foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov said, Russian news agencies reported. He did not confirm recent reports by South Korean media that Kim could visit Russia this month. Last month, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said he believed the youthful North leader could visit Russia "soon." Moscow has repeatedly invited Kim to visit Russia but he has yet to respond to the offer to meet Putin. The rapid diplomatic thaw on the Korean Peninsula since the Winter Olympics has seen Kim meet with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in twice, as well as Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. In June, Trump and Kim signed a vaguely-worded agreement on denuclearisation but little progress has been made since then.

Hope Kim Jong-un will visit Russia next year: Putin's advisor

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday met Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel who was making his first official visit to long-term ally Moscow.

His trip came a day after the United States, which has slapped several rounds of sanctions on Russia, imposed new economic restrictions on Cuba.&nbsp;

Diaz-Canel took office in April in a historic transition of power on the Caribbean island, succeeding Raul Castro, who took over from his elder brother Fidel, father of the 1959 revolution.

Cold War ally Moscow has affirmed "unshakeable solidarity" with Communist Cuba and last year criticised US President Donald Trump for reversing his predecessor Barack Obama's deal to restore ties with Havana.

In a brief joint statement after their meeting in the Kremlin, Putin praised "friendship, mutual support and help" which mark the two countries' relations through the decades, and said the two leaders had "substantive and effective talks".&nbsp;

Diaz-Canel invited Putin to visit Cuba in 2019 and said he would assure the continuity of the "legacy" of the relations between Moscow and Havana built since the Soviet period.

The Cuban leader last met Putin in Russia in 2016 as first vice president, discussing economic cooperation.

US-Cuba relations 'regressing'

Diaz-Canel flew into Moscow on Thursday for a three-day visit accompanied by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and other officials.

In his meeting with parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Diaz-Canel blasted the new US sanctions and said relations with Washington have taken a nosedive under President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

"Relations between Cuba and the US are regressing," he was quoted by Interfax news agency is saying.

"They are returning to Cold War rhetoric," he said, calling reports of sonic attacks on US diplomats in Havana "lies".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed the warmth of "friendship and cooperation with Cuba", telling journalists on Thursday: "Russia intends to continue these relations and do everything possible to develop them."

Russia's oil company Rosneft has begun offshore drilling on Cuba's shelf, the Kremlin said Friday.

Military cooperation would also be on the agenda, Peskov said, adding that the topic was "quite sensitive" and he could not give details.

He declined to comment on a report in the Kommersant daily that Moscow would lend Havana more than $50 million to buy Russian arms.

'Return to Cuba'

Moscow had funnelled massive funds into Cuba since the 1960s, when it proclaimed that the island has become a socialist republic after the Cuban Revolution.&nbsp;

Cuba's proximity to Moscow's Cold War rival the United States had historically made it an important ally that bore geopolitical significance, culminating in the 1962 Cuban missile crisis which put Moscow and Washington on the brink of nuclear war.

It also served as an unusual -- and symbolic -- meeting place between Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis in 2016.

Stepping up military cooperation with Cuba would be viewed by Washington with great unease as Russian-American relations have plunged to the lowest level since the Cold War.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov during a recent visit to Cuba oversaw signing of contracts worth over $260 million, though it was not clear how many of them dealt with the military sphere.

State newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta proclaimed this a "Return to Cuba".&nbsp;

Borisov told Russian journalists that the issue of Moscow's military aid to the Cuban army would be discussed later this month when the Cuban defence minister visits Russia.

Diaz-Canel will later meet Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, who held a landmark meeting with Pope Francis in Cuba in 2016.

Previous Cuban president Raul Castro visited Russia in 2015 while Putin visited the island on a tour of Latin America in 2014, meeting both Raul and Fidel Castro.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday met Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel who was making his first official visit to long-term ally Moscow. His trip came a day after the United States, which has slapped several rounds of sanctions on Russia, imposed new economic restrictions on Cuba.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday met Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel who was making his first official visit to long-term ally Moscow. His trip came a day after the United States, which has slapped several rounds of sanctions on Russia, imposed new economic restrictions on Cuba. Diaz-Canel took office in April in a historic transition of power on the Caribbean island, succeeding Raul Castro, who took over from his elder brother Fidel, father of the 1959 revolution. Cold War ally Moscow has affirmed "unshakeable solidarity" with Communist Cuba and last year criticised US President Donald Trump for reversing his predecessor Barack Obama's deal to restore ties with Havana. In a brief joint statement after their meeting in the Kremlin, Putin praised "friendship, mutual support and help" which mark the two countries' relations through the decades, and said the two leaders had "substantive and effective talks". Diaz-Canel invited Putin to visit Cuba in 2019 and said he would assure the continuity of the "legacy" of the relations between Moscow and Havana built since the Soviet period. The Cuban leader last met Putin in Russia in 2016 as first vice president, discussing economic cooperation. US-Cuba relations 'regressing' Diaz-Canel flew into Moscow on Thursday for a three-day visit accompanied by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and other officials. In his meeting with parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Diaz-Canel blasted the new US sanctions and said relations with Washington have taken a nosedive under President Donald Trump. "Relations between Cuba and the US are regressing," he was quoted by Interfax news agency is saying. "They are returning to Cold War rhetoric," he said, calling reports of sonic attacks on US diplomats in Havana "lies". Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed the warmth of "friendship and cooperation with Cuba", telling journalists on Thursday: "Russia intends to continue these relations and do everything possible to develop them." Russia's oil company Rosneft has begun offshore drilling on Cuba's shelf, the Kremlin said Friday. Military cooperation would also be on the agenda, Peskov said, adding that the topic was "quite sensitive" and he could not give details. He declined to comment on a report in the Kommersant daily that Moscow would lend Havana more than $50 million to buy Russian arms. 'Return to Cuba' Moscow had funnelled massive funds into Cuba since the 1960s, when it proclaimed that the island has become a socialist republic after the Cuban Revolution. Cuba's proximity to Moscow's Cold War rival the United States had historically made it an important ally that bore geopolitical significance, culminating in the 1962 Cuban missile crisis which put Moscow and Washington on the brink of nuclear war. It also served as an unusual -- and symbolic -- meeting place between Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis in 2016. Stepping up military cooperation with Cuba would be viewed by Washington with great unease as Russian-American relations have plunged to the lowest level since the Cold War. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov during a recent visit to Cuba oversaw signing of contracts worth over $260 million, though it was not clear how many of them dealt with the military sphere. State newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta proclaimed this a "Return to Cuba". Borisov told Russian journalists that the issue of Moscow's military aid to the Cuban army would be discussed later this month when the Cuban defence minister visits Russia. Diaz-Canel will later meet Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, who held a landmark meeting with Pope Francis in Cuba in 2016. Previous Cuban president Raul Castro visited Russia in 2015 while Putin visited the island on a tour of Latin America in 2014, meeting both Raul and Fidel Castro.

Putin meets new Cuban leader on first Moscow visit

From hugs to holiday home visits: PM Modi's personal touch to diplomacy

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to discuss US plans to exit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) arms treaty with Donald Trump when the two meet in Paris on November 11, the Kremlin said on Monday.

Trump and Putin plan to hold a bilateral meeting in Paris on the sidelines of events to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One.

"There are still a lot of questions concerning strategic stability, even more so in the context of the stated US intention to leave the INF. All of this will of course be on the agenda," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to discuss US plans to exit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) arms treaty with Donald Trump when the two meet in Paris on November 11, the Kremlin said on Monday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to discuss US plans to exit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) arms treaty with Donald Trump when the two meet in Paris on November 11, the Kremlin said on Monday. Trump and Putin plan to hold a bilateral meeting in Paris on the sidelines of events to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One. "There are still a lot of questions concerning strategic stability, even more so in the context of the stated US intention to leave the INF. All of this will of course be on the agenda," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

Putin wants to discuss US exit from nuclear pact with Trump: Russia

US&nbsp;Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday that the United States was in consultation with its European allies on an arms control treaty, as NATO members urge Washington to try to bring Russia back into compliance with the pact rather than quit it.

President Donald Trump said on October 20 that Washington planned to quit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty which Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, and Ronald Reagan had signed in 1987.

Washington has cited Russia's alleged violation of the treaty as its reason for leaving it, a charge Moscow denies. Russia in turn accuses Washington of breaking the pact.

"We are in consultations with our European counterparts, I was speaking about it the day before with the German defense minister, and so as I said the consultations continue," Mattis told reporters travelling with him to Prague.

He will be meeting with his Czech counterpart and Prime Minister Andrej Babis during a short trip to Prague.

Mattis said ministers from NATO would be meeting in Brussels in December and at that point he would have some kind of "culminating point."

European members of NATO urged the United States on Thursday to try to bring Russia back into compliance with a nuclear arms control treaty rather than quit it, diplomats said, seeking to avoid a split in the alliance that Moscow could exploit.

Mattis said he had asked his NATO counterparts after the last summit if they had any ideas on how to bring Russia back into compliance of INF treaty, but so far none had come back to him.

European allies see the INF treaty as a pillar of arms control and, while accepting that Moscow is violating it by developing new weapons, are concerned its collapse could lead to a new arms race with possibly a new generation of US&nbsp;nuclear missiles stationed on the continent.

Heather Conley, a former US&nbsp;State Department official now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said Mattis would receive a range of questions from European allies like when a formal notification would be made and whether it signals a new arms race.

"It just deepens the uncertainty. Our allies do not know where US&nbsp;leadership is going, what it's going to do from the day to day basis," Conley said.

When asked whether he could rule out placing intermediate-range missiles on the ground if Washington left the INF treaty, Mattis said: "I never rule things out like that, I also don't rule it in."

"There are a number of ways for us to respond, it does not have to be symmetric and it'll be in close consultation with allies," he added.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday that the United States was in consultation with its European allies on an arms control treaty, as NATO members urge Washington to try to bring Russia back into compliance with the pact rather than quit it.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday that the United States was in consultation with its European allies on an arms control treaty, as NATO members urge Washington to try to bring Russia back into compliance with the pact rather than quit it. President Donald Trump said on October 20 that Washington planned to quit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty which Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, and Ronald Reagan had signed in 1987. Washington has cited Russia's alleged violation of the treaty as its reason for leaving it, a charge Moscow denies. Russia in turn accuses Washington of breaking the pact. "We are in consultations with our European counterparts, I was speaking about it the day before with the German defense minister, and so as I said the consultations continue," Mattis told reporters travelling with him to Prague. He will be meeting with his Czech counterpart and Prime Minister Andrej Babis during a short trip to Prague. Mattis said ministers from NATO would be meeting in Brussels in December and at that point he would have some kind of "culminating point." European members of NATO urged the United States on Thursday to try to bring Russia back into compliance with a nuclear arms control treaty rather than quit it, diplomats said, seeking to avoid a split in the alliance that Moscow could exploit. Mattis said he had asked his NATO counterparts after the last summit if they had any ideas on how to bring Russia back into compliance of INF treaty, but so far none had come back to him. European allies see the INF treaty as a pillar of arms control and, while accepting that Moscow is violating it by developing new weapons, are concerned its collapse could lead to a new arms race with possibly a new generation of US nuclear missiles stationed on the continent. Heather Conley, a former US State Department official now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said Mattis would receive a range of questions from European allies like when a formal notification would be made and whether it signals a new arms race. "It just deepens the uncertainty. Our allies do not know where US leadership is going, what it's going to do from the day to day basis," Conley said. When asked whether he could rule out placing intermediate-range missiles on the ground if Washington left the INF treaty, Mattis said: "I never rule things out like that, I also don't rule it in." "There are a number of ways for us to respond, it does not have to be symmetric and it'll be in close consultation with allies," he added.

Jim Mattis looks to calm European allies nervous about INF treaty

The White House has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Washington, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Friday.

Putin and Trump have met several times on the sidelines of multilateral gatherings, but had only one bilateral summit, in the Finnish capital in July.

"We have invited president Putin to Washington," Bolton said. It was not immediately clear if Putin had accepted the invitation.

After the Helsinki encounter, Trump was accused by opponents, and even some members of his own Republican Party, of failing to stand up to the Russian leader.

The topic of Putin visiting the United States is a highly-charged one, because US intelligence agencies allege that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help Trump win. Russian denies any election meddling.

Trump has said it is in US interests to establish a solid working relationship with Putin.

Trump and Putin plan to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of events in Paris on Nov. 11 to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One.

Bolton, who was speaking at a news conference on a visit to ex-Soviet Georgia, said their Paris meeting would be brief.

The White House has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Washington, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Friday. Putin and Trump have met several times on the sidelines of multilateral gatherings, but had only one bilateral summit, in the Finnish capital in July.

The White House has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Washington, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Friday. Putin and Trump have met several times on the sidelines of multilateral gatherings, but had only one bilateral summit, in the Finnish capital in July. "We have invited president Putin to Washington," Bolton said. It was not immediately clear if Putin had accepted the invitation. After the Helsinki encounter, Trump was accused by opponents, and even some members of his own Republican Party, of failing to stand up to the Russian leader. The topic of Putin visiting the United States is a highly-charged one, because US intelligence agencies allege that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help Trump win. Russian denies any election meddling. Trump has said it is in US interests to establish a solid working relationship with Putin. Trump and Putin plan to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of events in Paris on Nov. 11 to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One. Bolton, who was speaking at a news conference on a visit to ex-Soviet Georgia, said their Paris meeting would be brief.

White House has invited Putin to Washington: NSA John Bolton

President Vladimir Putin warned Wednesday of a new arms race if America pulls out of weapons treaties, and said Russia would respond "in kind" to any new US missiles placed on European soil.

At the weekend, US President Donald Trump sparked concerns globally when he said he would ditch a key Cold War-era nuclear weapons pact, the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).

Speaking after hosting Trump's national security advisor John Bolton on Tuesday, Putin warned that abandoning the treaty, and failure to extend another key arms control agreement known as the New START, would unleash a new arms race and put Europe in danger.

Putin said dismantling a global arms control system was "very dangerous," adding Russia was concerned about the fact that the United States had already abandoned the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, planned to ditch the INF, and that the future of the New START was unclear.

"There would be nothing left except an arms race," he said at a news conference after talks with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.&nbsp;

The Russian president said that if Washington moved to abandon the INF and placed more missiles in Europe, Russia would respond "in kind."

"Will we be able to respond?" he said. "Yes, we will and this will be very quick and effective."

Putin said any European countries agreeing to host US missiles would be at risk of a Russian attack.&nbsp;

"These are obvious things," the Russian leader said.&nbsp;

Pershings in Europe

"We will return to the situation with the Pershing missiles in Europe," he said, referring to US missiles stationed in Western Europe in the 1980s.

Putin accused the United States of violating the INF treaty which Trump has said Russia is in breach of.

The Russian president said he wanted to discuss the issue with his American counterpart when they attend a November 11 event in Paris commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I.

"We are ready to work with our American partners without any hysterics," he added.

Italy's Conte said his country was also concerned about a possible collapse of the INF agreement, adding he would speak to Trump on the subject.

"I've already let President Putin know that I was really young in the era of the Pershing missiles and I would not want to return to the time that we have been able to overcome," the 54-year-old said in remarks translated into Russian.

"We should focus on other prospects of cooperation and avoid an escalation that could be alarming for us all."

Trump had said the United States was ready to build up its nuclear arsenal because Russia violated the INF agreement.

"Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," he said Monday, referring to America's nuclear stockpile.&nbsp;

Trump's announcement sparked concern globally, with the European Commission urging the United States and Russia to pursue talks to preserve the treaty, and China calling on Washington to "think twice."

Bolton has said that Britain, Japan, and other countries supported the US position.

Earlier Wednesday, the Kremlin said it was ready to discuss the possibility of a summit between Putin and Trump in Washington next year.

"Undoubtedly (we are) ready," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists after Bolton reportedly said such a summit was possible.&nbsp;

Peskov said the issue had been "raised" but "so far there is no concrete decision on this."

Bolton arrived in Moscow on Sunday evening and held talks with Putin and top officials including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev.

The US official said the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, a key Soviet-era agreement abandoned by George W. Bush, was previously considered a cornerstone of global security, but that the world had remained safe without it.&nbsp;

President Vladimir Putin warned Wednesday of a new arms race if America pulls out of weapons treaties, and said Russia would respond "in kind" to any new US missiles placed on European soil.

President Vladimir Putin warned Wednesday of a new arms race if America pulls out of weapons treaties, and said Russia would respond "in kind" to any new US missiles placed on European soil. At the weekend, US President Donald Trump sparked concerns globally when he said he would ditch a key Cold War-era nuclear weapons pact, the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). Speaking after hosting Trump's national security advisor John Bolton on Tuesday, Putin warned that abandoning the treaty, and failure to extend another key arms control agreement known as the New START, would unleash a new arms race and put Europe in danger. Putin said dismantling a global arms control system was "very dangerous," adding Russia was concerned about the fact that the United States had already abandoned the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, planned to ditch the INF, and that the future of the New START was unclear. "There would be nothing left except an arms race," he said at a news conference after talks with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. The Russian president said that if Washington moved to abandon the INF and placed more missiles in Europe, Russia would respond "in kind." "Will we be able to respond?" he said. "Yes, we will and this will be very quick and effective." Putin said any European countries agreeing to host US missiles would be at risk of a Russian attack. "These are obvious things," the Russian leader said. Pershings in Europe "We will return to the situation with the Pershing missiles in Europe," he said, referring to US missiles stationed in Western Europe in the 1980s. Putin accused the United States of violating the INF treaty which Trump has said Russia is in breach of. The Russian president said he wanted to discuss the issue with his American counterpart when they attend a November 11 event in Paris commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I. "We are ready to work with our American partners without any hysterics," he added. Italy's Conte said his country was also concerned about a possible collapse of the INF agreement, adding he would speak to Trump on the subject. "I've already let President Putin know that I was really young in the era of the Pershing missiles and I would not want to return to the time that we have been able to overcome," the 54-year-old said in remarks translated into Russian. "We should focus on other prospects of cooperation and avoid an escalation that could be alarming for us all." Trump had said the United States was ready to build up its nuclear arsenal because Russia violated the INF agreement. "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," he said Monday, referring to America's nuclear stockpile. Trump's announcement sparked concern globally, with the European Commission urging the United States and Russia to pursue talks to preserve the treaty, and China calling on Washington to "think twice." Bolton has said that Britain, Japan, and other countries supported the US position. Earlier Wednesday, the Kremlin said it was ready to discuss the possibility of a summit between Putin and Trump in Washington next year. "Undoubtedly (we are) ready," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists after Bolton reportedly said such a summit was possible. Peskov said the issue had been "raised" but "so far there is no concrete decision on this." Bolton arrived in Moscow on Sunday evening and held talks with Putin and top officials including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev. The US official said the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty, a key Soviet-era agreement abandoned by George W. Bush, was previously considered a cornerstone of global security, but that the world had remained safe without it.

Putin warns of a new 'arms race' with America

Donald Trump wishes to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations, the US president's National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Tuesday.

"I think President Trump will look forward to seeing you in Paris on the sidelines of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice," Bolton told Putin in televised remarks as the two met for talks in Moscow.

Putin said: "It would be useful to continue a direct dialogue with the president of the United States... for example in Paris, if the American side is interested."

Both leaders will be in Paris for the November 11 World War I commemorations, which 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend.

Trump and Putin held their first bilateral summit in Helsinki in July, after which the US president came under strong criticism at home for adopting a very conciliatory tone with his Russian counterpart.

Bolton met Monday with several senior Russian officials before his talks with Putin.

His visit comes after Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader.

Donald Trump wishes to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations, the US president's National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Tuesday.

Donald Trump wishes to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations, the US president's National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Tuesday. "I think President Trump will look forward to seeing you in Paris on the sidelines of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice," Bolton told Putin in televised remarks as the two met for talks in Moscow. Putin said: "It would be useful to continue a direct dialogue with the president of the United States... for example in Paris, if the American side is interested." Both leaders will be in Paris for the November 11 World War I commemorations, which 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend. Trump and Putin held their first bilateral summit in Helsinki in July, after which the US president came under strong criticism at home for adopting a very conciliatory tone with his Russian counterpart. Bolton met Monday with several senior Russian officials before his talks with Putin. His visit comes after Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader.

Trump wants to meet Putin in Paris on November 11: US's Bolton

US National Security Advisor John Bolton met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu Tuesday during a visit to Moscow, after President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw from a nuclear arms treaty.

"Today, there are a large number of problems in the world that we could solve through joint efforts," Shoigu said in comments carried by the RIA Novosti agency.&nbsp;

He mentioned "strategic questions linked to nuclear deterrence as well as to the solution of major, long-running conflicts."

The minister said the first summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin this summer had shown ties between the two countries were gradually being reestablished.

Bolton for his part said he had been sent to Moscow with the task of "deepening and strengthening" dialogue with Russia, in comments translated into Russian.

Bolton is expected to meet with Putin later Tuesday.&nbsp;

Trump sparked concern globally at the weekend by saying he wanted to jettison the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by former US president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader.

Signed in 1987, the INF resolved a crisis over Soviet nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles targeting Western capitals.

In Moscow on Monday, Bolton said the pact seemed to have run its course, accusing Russia of violating the treaty.&nbsp;

Russia rejects the claims and accuses Washington of violations.

US-Russia ties are under deep strain over accusations Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election. The two states are also at odds over Russian support for Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria's civil war, and the conflict in Ukraine.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu Tuesday during a visit to Moscow, after President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw from a nuclear arms treaty.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu Tuesday during a visit to Moscow, after President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw from a nuclear arms treaty. "Today, there are a large number of problems in the world that we could solve through joint efforts," Shoigu said in comments carried by the RIA Novosti agency. He mentioned "strategic questions linked to nuclear deterrence as well as to the solution of major, long-running conflicts." The minister said the first summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin this summer had shown ties between the two countries were gradually being reestablished. Bolton for his part said he had been sent to Moscow with the task of "deepening and strengthening" dialogue with Russia, in comments translated into Russian. Bolton is expected to meet with Putin later Tuesday. Trump sparked concern globally at the weekend by saying he wanted to jettison the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by former US president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader. Signed in 1987, the INF resolved a crisis over Soviet nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles targeting Western capitals. In Moscow on Monday, Bolton said the pact seemed to have run its course, accusing Russia of violating the treaty. Russia rejects the claims and accuses Washington of violations. US-Russia ties are under deep strain over accusations Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election. The two states are also at odds over Russian support for Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria's civil war, and the conflict in Ukraine.

John Bolton, in Russia for nuclear talks, meets defence minister Shoigu

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday offered his condolences to the victims of Amritsar train accident in which around 60 people were crushed to death by a running train.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered condolences to President of India Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Amritsar train accident, news agency ANI reported.

The accident took place when a DMU (diesel multiple unit) train ran over the people who were watching Dussehra celebrations in Choura Bazar yesterday.

''I offer my deepest sympathies over tragic consequences of an accident on railways in Punjab. I ask to convey my words of sympathy and support to families and friends of killed people,'' Putin's condolances message said.&nbsp;

The Russian president also wished ''soonest recovery'' to those injured.

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I offer my deepest sympathies over tragic consequences of an accident on railways in Punjab. I ask to convey my words of sympathy&amp;support to families &amp; friends of killed people &amp; to wish soonest recovery to those injured: Russia President Vladimir Putin on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmritsarTrainAccident?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmritsarTrainAccident</a> <a href="https://t.co/h3MlcB786t">pic.twitter.com/h3MlcB786t</a>
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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday offered his condolences to the victims of Amritsar train accident in which around 60 people were crushed to death by a running train.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday offered his condolences to the victims of Amritsar train accident in which around 60 people were crushed to death by a running train. Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered condolences to President of India Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Amritsar train accident, news agency ANI reported. The accident took place when a DMU (diesel multiple unit) train ran over the people who were watching Dussehra celebrations in Choura Bazar yesterday. ''I offer my deepest sympathies over tragic consequences of an accident on railways in Punjab. I ask to convey my words of sympathy and support to families and friends of killed people,'' Putin's condolances message said. The Russian president also wished ''soonest recovery'' to those injured. I offer my deepest sympathies over tragic consequences of an accident on railways in Punjab. I ask to convey my words of sympathy&support to families & friends of killed people & to wish soonest recovery to those injured: Russia President Vladimir Putin on #AmritsarTrainAccident pic.twitter.com/h3MlcB786t — ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2018 ×

Amritsar train accident: Russian President Vladimir Putin expresses condolences 

Moscow on Saturday condemned Washington for indicting a Russian woman for interfering in US 2018 elections, saying the accusations were fabricated in order to impose further sanctions on Russia.

"We understand that Washington is fabricating a pretext in order to impose its notorious sanctions once more against our country," deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying in a statement.

He complained that after previous accusations involving the 2016 presidential elections won by Donald Trump, "in Washington they are now trying to play the same card ahead of the approaching election day in the US."

On November 6, Americans will vote in mid-term congressional elections.

The finance chief of Russia's leading troll farm, named as Yelena Khusyainova, was indicted by the US Justice Department on Friday, becoming the first person to face charges of interfering in next month's vote.

Ryabkov accused "certain US politicians" of waging "a shameful slanderous campaign" in order to gain political advantage and "at the same time put pressure on Russia."

Moscow warned Washington that by "demonstrating enmity," it will "just receive an even more forceful rebuff."

Moscow on Saturday condemned Washington for indicting a Russian woman for interfering in US 2018 elections, saying the accusations were fabricated in order to impose further sanctions on Russia.

Moscow on Saturday condemned Washington for indicting a Russian woman for interfering in US 2018 elections, saying the accusations were fabricated in order to impose further sanctions on Russia. "We understand that Washington is fabricating a pretext in order to impose its notorious sanctions once more against our country," deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as saying in a statement. He complained that after previous accusations involving the 2016 presidential elections won by Donald Trump, "in Washington they are now trying to play the same card ahead of the approaching election day in the US." On November 6, Americans will vote in mid-term congressional elections. The finance chief of Russia's leading troll farm, named as Yelena Khusyainova, was indicted by the US Justice Department on Friday, becoming the first person to face charges of interfering in next month's vote. Ryabkov accused "certain US politicians" of waging "a shameful slanderous campaign" in order to gain political advantage and "at the same time put pressure on Russia." Moscow warned Washington that by "demonstrating enmity," it will "just receive an even more forceful rebuff."

Moscow slams US for 'fabricating' election indictment

Russia's defence minister said Saturday that almost 88,000 rebels had been killed in Syria in the three years since Moscow's intervention to back government forces.

"Over the course of the operation, a total of more than 87,500 rebels have been eliminated, 1,411 settlements have been liberated and more than 95 per cent of Syria's territory," Shoigu was quoted as saying at a forum in Singapore in a ministry statement.

"Most of the rebels have been liquidated," Shoigu said.

Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says close to 365,000 people have been killed during the seven-year civil war.

Russia launched strikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad's regime in September 2015.

Russian air forces have carried out more than 40,000 bombing missions, hitting about 120,000 targets of "terrorist" infrastructure, Shoigu said.

The defence minister said that "Syrian armed forces currently control territory where more than 90 per cent of the population lives."

Russia's defence minister said Saturday that almost 88,000 rebels had been killed in Syria in the three years since Moscow's intervention to back government forces.

Russia's defence minister said Saturday that almost 88,000 rebels had been killed in Syria in the three years since Moscow's intervention to back government forces. "Over the course of the operation, a total of more than 87,500 rebels have been eliminated, 1,411 settlements have been liberated and more than 95 per cent of Syria's territory," Shoigu was quoted as saying at a forum in Singapore in a ministry statement. "Most of the rebels have been liquidated," Shoigu said. Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says close to 365,000 people have been killed during the seven-year civil war. Russia launched strikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad's regime in September 2015. Russian air forces have carried out more than 40,000 bombing missions, hitting about 120,000 targets of "terrorist" infrastructure, Shoigu said. The defence minister said that "Syrian armed forces currently control territory where more than 90 per cent of the population lives."

Moscow's intervention has killed around 88,000 rebels in Syria: Russian defence ministry

Russia and Uzbekistan on Friday hailed the construction of an $11 billion nuclear power plant that should help solve an energy deficit in the Central Asian country while binding it tighter to Moscow politically.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was paying a first state visit to Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev since Mirziyoyev replaced the late Islam Karimov, who ruled for nearly three decades before his death in 2016.&nbsp;

During the visit the two countries signed deals worth $27.1 billion, according to the Uzbek economy ministry.&nbsp;

"Uzbekistan is our loyal ally and our strategic partner... We will do all we can to strengthen our cooperation," Putin said while meeting Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the capital Tashkent.

"Dear Russian friends, welcome to Uzbekistan!" read billboards along the main roads of Tashkent where Russian and Uzbek flags flew side by side.&nbsp;

The nuclear power plant, set to be completed by 2028, has strategic significance for Moscow which is looking to reassert its economic and political clout in Central Asia amid fierce competition from China and other players.&nbsp;

According to the Russian Rosatom nuclear energy agency overseeing the project the plant's output should account for a fifth of Uzbekistan's overall power generation. &nbsp;

Putin suggested on Friday that the facility -- the first of its kind in ex-Soviet Central Asia -- might also help provide power to other countries in the region where the Chernobyl disaster and Soviet-era atomic weapons testing in the Kazakh steppe have coloured attitudes towards nuclear power.&nbsp;

Authoritarian regime intact

Addressing the two leaders via tele-link from the western region of Navoi where the plant is set to be built, Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev assured Uzbekistan that the plant would be built in strict accordance with international standards. &nbsp;

"The main criteria here is safety," Likhachev said at a ceremony marking the start of the project.&nbsp;

Bilateral trade between Russia and Uzbekistan jumped by more than a third year-on-year to $3.7 billion in 2017 as Uzbekistan shakes off nearly three decades of economic isolation under Karimov's rule.

Karimov, who died in 2016, maintained generally good relations with Moscow but was wary of the Kremlin's influence over Uzbekistan and the Central Asian region.

Mirziyoyev, who served as Karimov's prime minister for 13 years, has kept the authoritarian regime intact while also reversing some of his predecessor's most controversial policies.

Putin on Friday paid tribute to reforms launched by Mirziyoyev that have whetted the appetites of foreign investors eyeing new markets in a commodity-rich country of around 33 million people.&nbsp;

"We see how quickly and how fundamentally the situation in Uzbekistan is changing, how reforms are being organised and carried out," Putin said.&nbsp;

Under Mirziyoyev, the government has overhauled its foreign exchange policies, pledged to modernise its banking system and re-launched ties with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development that were effectively severed more than a decade ago.

Among the other economic agreements signed at a business forum running parallel to the two leaders' talks was a memorandum of understanding between Russia's Lukoil energy major and Uzbek state energy company Uzbekneftgaz.&nbsp;

Security was also high on the agenda during talks between the two heads of state. &nbsp;

Under Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has declared its readiness to host talks between the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan, with whom Uzbekistan shares a border.

"It is in our common interest to normalise the situation in Afghanistan," Putin said, backing the initiative.

Russia and Uzbekistan on Friday hailed the construction of an $11 billion nuclear power plant that should help solve an energy deficit in the Central Asian country while binding it tighter to Moscow politically.

Russia and Uzbekistan on Friday hailed the construction of an $11 billion nuclear power plant that should help solve an energy deficit in the Central Asian country while binding it tighter to Moscow politically. Russian President Vladimir Putin was paying a first state visit to Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev since Mirziyoyev replaced the late Islam Karimov, who ruled for nearly three decades before his death in 2016. During the visit the two countries signed deals worth $27.1 billion, according to the Uzbek economy ministry. "Uzbekistan is our loyal ally and our strategic partner... We will do all we can to strengthen our cooperation," Putin said while meeting Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the capital Tashkent. "Dear Russian friends, welcome to Uzbekistan!" read billboards along the main roads of Tashkent where Russian and Uzbek flags flew side by side. The nuclear power plant, set to be completed by 2028, has strategic significance for Moscow which is looking to reassert its economic and political clout in Central Asia amid fierce competition from China and other players. According to the Russian Rosatom nuclear energy agency overseeing the project the plant's output should account for a fifth of Uzbekistan's overall power generation. Putin suggested on Friday that the facility -- the first of its kind in ex-Soviet Central Asia -- might also help provide power to other countries in the region where the Chernobyl disaster and Soviet-era atomic weapons testing in the Kazakh steppe have coloured attitudes towards nuclear power. Authoritarian regime intact Addressing the two leaders via tele-link from the western region of Navoi where the plant is set to be built, Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev assured Uzbekistan that the plant would be built in strict accordance with international standards. "The main criteria here is safety," Likhachev said at a ceremony marking the start of the project. Bilateral trade between Russia and Uzbekistan jumped by more than a third year-on-year to $3.7 billion in 2017 as Uzbekistan shakes off nearly three decades of economic isolation under Karimov's rule. Karimov, who died in 2016, maintained generally good relations with Moscow but was wary of the Kremlin's influence over Uzbekistan and the Central Asian region. Mirziyoyev, who served as Karimov's prime minister for 13 years, has kept the authoritarian regime intact while also reversing some of his predecessor's most controversial policies. Putin on Friday paid tribute to reforms launched by Mirziyoyev that have whetted the appetites of foreign investors eyeing new markets in a commodity-rich country of around 33 million people. "We see how quickly and how fundamentally the situation in Uzbekistan is changing, how reforms are being organised and carried out," Putin said. Under Mirziyoyev, the government has overhauled its foreign exchange policies, pledged to modernise its banking system and re-launched ties with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development that were effectively severed more than a decade ago. Among the other economic agreements signed at a business forum running parallel to the two leaders' talks was a memorandum of understanding between Russia's Lukoil energy major and Uzbek state energy company Uzbekneftgaz. Security was also high on the agenda during talks between the two heads of state. Under Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has declared its readiness to host talks between the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan, with whom Uzbekistan shares a border. "It is in our common interest to normalise the situation in Afghanistan," Putin said, backing the initiative.

Russia, Uzbekistan hail $11 billion nuclear plant project during Putin visit

Putin gives Sisi a ride in Sochi

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