The 44-year-old Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most visible and persistent critic, started a hunger strike more than three weeks ago to protest prison authorities’ refusal to allow him to be seen by a private doctor.

Pro-Navalny protest planned in Russia as Alexei Navalny's health deteriorates

The United States on Sunday warned Russia of consequences if Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny died in prison. Doctors have said on Saturday that the jailed politician can die "any minute". Aides of Navalny have called for nationwide protests to ensure there was no harm to Navalny's life. Navalny is currently on a hunger strike inside the jail.

US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Washington had warned the Kremlin that it would be "held accountable by the international community" if Navalny died. Sullivan added that Kremlin was told "that there will be consequences if Mr Navalny dies."

Biden had said on Saturday that Navalny's plight was "totally, totally unfair, totally inappropriate".

On Sunday, France, Germany and the European Union (EU) joined growing chorus over Navalny's plight. EU foreign ministers are going to discuss the situation on Monday.

Russia has increasingly found itself cornered on many global issues. It is facing heat for its troop buildup near border with Ukraine. US has expelled Russian diplomats alleging Russian interference in US Election. Condition of Alexei Navalny may prove to be another front for Russia to face the global political heat.

Call for Nationwide protests in Russia

Navalny's team on Sunday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalny-aides-call-for-protests-to-save-his-life-378419">called for massive protests across Russia</a> on Wednesday evening, just hours after Putin is set to deliver his state of nation address.

"It's time to act. We are talking not just about Navalny's freedom but his life," Navalny's right-hand man Leonid Volkov said on Facebook.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalny-aides-call-for-protests-to-save-his-life-378419">Alexei Navalny aides call for protests to save his life</a>

Volkov said Wednesday's rally could become a decisive battle against "absolute evil" or Russia's last opposition rally for years to come.

"Call on all your acquaintances and take to central squares," wrote Volkov, who heads Navalny's regional offices, adding that the protests should be massive.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States on Sunday warned Russia of consequences if Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny died in prison. Doctors have said on Saturday that the jailed politician can die "any minute".

The United States on Sunday warned Russia of consequences if Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny died in prison. Doctors have said on Saturday that the jailed politician can die "any minute". Aides of Navalny have called for nationwide protests to ensure there was no harm to Navalny's life. Navalny is currently on a hunger strike inside the jail. US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Washington had warned the Kremlin that it would be "held accountable by the international community" if Navalny died. Sullivan added that Kremlin was told "that there will be consequences if Mr Navalny dies." Biden had said on Saturday that Navalny's plight was "totally, totally unfair, totally inappropriate". On Sunday, France, Germany and the European Union (EU) joined growing chorus over Navalny's plight. EU foreign ministers are going to discuss the situation on Monday. Russia has increasingly found itself cornered on many global issues. It is facing heat for its troop buildup near border with Ukraine. US has expelled Russian diplomats alleging Russian interference in US Election. Condition of Alexei Navalny may prove to be another front for Russia to face the global political heat. Call for Nationwide protests in Russia Navalny's team on Sunday called for massive protests across Russia on Wednesday evening, just hours after Putin is set to deliver his state of nation address. "It's time to act. We are talking not just about Navalny's freedom but his life," Navalny's right-hand man Leonid Volkov said on Facebook. Also Read | Alexei Navalny aides call for protests to save his life Volkov said Wednesday's rally could become a decisive battle against "absolute evil" or Russia's last opposition rally for years to come. "Call on all your acquaintances and take to central squares," wrote Volkov, who heads Navalny's regional offices, adding that the protests should be massive. (With inputs from agencies)

US warns Russia of 'consequences' if Alexei Navalny dies

Russia on Saturday expelled a Ukrainian diplomat who it said was caught "red-handed" trying to obtain sensitive information. Although Russia has detained a number of Ukrainian nationals in recent years, expulsion of a diplomat is rare and is being seen as sign of sharply rising tensions between the two countries.

"A Ukrainian diplomat, a consul of Ukraine's Consulate General in Saint Petersburg, Alexander Sosonyuk, has been detained by Russia's FSB," the security service said in a statement, using the Russian language spelling of his name.

The diplomat was detained on Friday, the security service said. Kiev said the diplomat had spent several hours in detention.

Russian foreign ministry said later on Saturday that it had summoned Ukraine's charge d'affaires Vasyl Pokotylo and told him that the Ukranian diplomat had 72 hours to leave the country "beginning April 19"

"The Russian side pointed to the inadmissibility of such kind of activity," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Russia's domestic intelligence agency said that Sosnyuk had been caught "red-handed" during a meeting with a Russian national as he sought to receive "classified" information.&nbsp;

"Such activity is not compatible with his diplomatic status and is of clearly hostile nature towards the Russian Federation," the FSB said.

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have seen sharp escalation in recent weeks. On Saturday, Russia reinforced its naval presence in the Black Sea by sending two warships. These ships are capable of carrying tanks and troops for assault landings.

Ukraine has been accusing Russia of having built up military presence on its borders to destroy "Ukrainian statehood"

Moscow claims that the troop build-up is defensive in nature.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia on Saturday expelled a Ukrainian diplomat who it said was caught "red-handed" trying to obtain sensitive information. Although Russia has detained a number of Ukrainian nationals in recent years, expulsion of a diplomat is rare and is being seen as sign of sharply rising tensions between the two countries.

Russia on Saturday expelled a Ukrainian diplomat who it said was caught "red-handed" trying to obtain sensitive information. Although Russia has detained a number of Ukrainian nationals in recent years, expulsion of a diplomat is rare and is being seen as sign of sharply rising tensions between the two countries. "A Ukrainian diplomat, a consul of Ukraine's Consulate General in Saint Petersburg, Alexander Sosonyuk, has been detained by Russia's FSB," the security service said in a statement, using the Russian language spelling of his name. The diplomat was detained on Friday, the security service said. Kiev said the diplomat had spent several hours in detention. Russian foreign ministry said later on Saturday that it had summoned Ukraine's charge d'affaires Vasyl Pokotylo and told him that the Ukranian diplomat had 72 hours to leave the country "beginning April 19" "The Russian side pointed to the inadmissibility of such kind of activity," the foreign ministry said in a statement. Russia's domestic intelligence agency said that Sosnyuk had been caught "red-handed" during a meeting with a Russian national as he sought to receive "classified" information. "Such activity is not compatible with his diplomatic status and is of clearly hostile nature towards the Russian Federation," the FSB said. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have seen sharp escalation in recent weeks. On Saturday, Russia reinforced its naval presence in the Black Sea by sending two warships. These ships are capable of carrying tanks and troops for assault landings. Ukraine has been accusing Russia of having built up military presence on its borders to destroy "Ukrainian statehood" Moscow claims that the troop build-up is defensive in nature. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia expels Ukrainian diplomat after detaining him amid border tensions

As tensions around the Ukraine border spike, Joe Biden has proposed a face to face meeting with Vladimir Putin to settle all differences. Can two leaders work together after having called each other killers? WION's Palki Sharma tells you what's at stake.

Gravitas: US vs Russia: Are we heading towards Cold War 2.0?

The Russian Kremlin said that it will consider US President Joe Biden's proposal to hold a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. In a phone call on Tuesday, Biden proposed that the two leaders should hold a summit "in the near future".

Kremlin says Russia will study US proposal for Putin-Biden summit

Russia on Thursday said that the US sanctions for alleged election interference and hacking will "not help" a possible summit between US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;

The reaction came after the US media reported that Washington on Thursday will impose sanctions on over 30 Russian entities, expel more than 10 Russian diplomats&nbsp;from the US, and push an existing ban on US banks transacting in Russian government debt.

Watch |&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-warned-russia-against-military-build-up-near-ukrainian-border-377642/embed" width="560"></iframe>

"What is currently being discussed -- likely sanctions -- will in no way help such a meeting. That is unambiguous," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, as reported by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Biden invited Putin in a phone call for a summit on the neutral ground after tensions between the West and Russia intensified in recent weeks over the conflict in Ukraine.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-slap-new-sanctions-on-russia-for-election-interference-cyber-attack-sources-377685">US to slap new sanctions on Russia for election interference, cyber attack: Sources</a>

The Kremlin spokesperson, however, said that it will up to both the president to decide whether the summit could go ahead or not.&nbsp;

A Russian troop formation on the Ukrainian border, where the government forces have been fighting pro-Russia separatists since 2014 has caused concerns in the West and issued warnings by NATO.&nbsp;

Though, in the Putin-Biden phone call, both leaders called for continual dialogue after ties between both the nations reached a new low when Biden described his Russian counterpart as a "killer" last month.

&nbsp; 
(With inputs from agencies)

Russia on Thursday said that the US sanctions for alleged election interference and hacking will "not help" a possible summit between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Russia on Thursday said that the US sanctions for alleged election interference and hacking will "not help" a possible summit between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The reaction came after the US media reported that Washington on Thursday will impose sanctions on over 30 Russian entities, expel more than 10 Russian diplomats from the US, and push an existing ban on US banks transacting in Russian government debt. Watch | "What is currently being discussed -- likely sanctions -- will in no way help such a meeting. That is unambiguous," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, as reported by news agency AFP. On Tuesday, Biden invited Putin in a phone call for a summit on the neutral ground after tensions between the West and Russia intensified in recent weeks over the conflict in Ukraine. Also read | US to slap new sanctions on Russia for election interference, cyber attack: Sources The Kremlin spokesperson, however, said that it will up to both the president to decide whether the summit could go ahead or not. A Russian troop formation on the Ukrainian border, where the government forces have been fighting pro-Russia separatists since 2014 has caused concerns in the West and issued warnings by NATO. Though, in the Putin-Biden phone call, both leaders called for continual dialogue after ties between both the nations reached a new low when Biden described his Russian counterpart as a "killer" last month. (With inputs from agencies)

US sanctions on Russia won't 'help' Biden-Putin summit: Kremlin

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to lower tensions on the Ukrainian border and suggested they hold their first summit.

The White House and the Kremlin reported only the second conversation between the two since Biden took office in January. Western officials urged Moscow to end the build-up and Russia, in words recalling the Cold War, said its "adversary" should keep US&nbsp;warships well away from the Crimea region.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-russia-ukraine-conflict-explained-377141/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and fighting has increased in recent weeks in eastern Ukraine, where government forces have battled Russian-backed separatists in a seven-year conflict that Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people.

In a sign of concern about tensions spinning out of control in the Ukraine crisis, Biden phoned Putin to propose they meet in a third country while underlining US&nbsp;commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"President Biden also made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to Russia's actions, such as cyber intrusions and election interference," the White House said in a statement.

"The president voiced our concerns over the sudden Russian military build-up in occupied Crimea and on Ukraine’s borders, and called on Russia to de-escalate tensions," it said.

In the first public Russian description of the build-up, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had moved two armies and three paratrooper units to its western border as part of a large snap drill meant to test combat readiness and respond to what he called threatening military action by NATO.

Shoigu said on state TV that the three-week exercise, which he called successful, was due to wrap up in the next two weeks.

Shoigu said NATO was deploying 40,000 troops and 15,000 pieces of military equipment near Russia's borders, mainly in the Black Sea and the Baltic regions.

The Western alliance denies any such plans.

A senior U.S. State Department official told reporters: "We know Russia's capacity. This enormous build-up that they've made militarily ... to take aggressive action, but we don't know their intentions obviously," the official said.

Russia has regularly accused NATO of destabilizing Europe with its troop reinforcements in the Baltics and Poland since the annexation of Crimea.

Two US&nbsp;warships are due to arrive in the Black Sea this week in response to what U.S. and NATO officials say is the largest massing of Russian forces - with thousands of combat-ready troops - since Moscow seized Crimea from Ukraine.

"We warn the United States that it will be better for them to stay far away from Crimea and our Black Sea coast," Ryabkov said. "It will be for their own good. He called the US&nbsp;deployment a provocation designed to test Russian nerves.

Blinken met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Brussels after Group of Seven foreign ministers condemned what they said was the unexplained rise in Russian troop numbers.

Echoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who met Kuleba earlier, Blinken said Moscow's military actions on Ukraine's doorstep were "very provocative".

"Russia must end this military build-up in and around Ukraine, stop its provocations and de-escalate immediately," Stoltenberg said at a news conference with Kuleba.

Kyiv has welcomed the show of Western support, but it falls short of Ukraine's desire for full membership of NATO.

Kuleba said Kyiv wanted a diplomatic solution, though he also appealed for further economic sanctions against Moscow and more military assistance to Ukraine.

Separately, two diplomats said Stoltenberg would chair a video conference with allied defense and foreign ministers on Wednesday. Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were to be present at NATO headquarters to brief the other 29 allies on Ukraine, as well as on Afghanistan, the diplomats said.

In contrast to former president Donald Trump's reluctance to criticize Putin, Biden came into office in January openly attacking what he says is the Kremlin's meddling in US elections, &nbsp;mounting of a huge cyber attack last year, and the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Biden said in a March interview that he agreed Putin is a "killer."

The White House has promised retaliatory actions but has yet to make public any details.

In a surprise move Tuesday, Biden also used the call to suggest a summit with Putin somewhere other than in the United States or Russia.

"President Biden reaffirmed his goal of building a stable and predictable relationship with Russia consistent with US interests, and proposed a summit meeting in a third country in the coming months to discuss the full range of issues facing the United States and Russia," the White House statement said.

Putin similarly held a summit in Finland in 2018 with Trump, who caused a furor at home by appearing to ignore his own intelligence community's assessment and to accept the Russian leader's denials of election meddling.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the summit was being proposed for "the coming months," which would mean "this summer."

However, she expressed US skepticism over how much could be achieved in relations with Putin's Russia.

"What we're working toward is predictable and stable. We're not looking for an establishment of trust as much as a predictability and stability," she told reporters.

Moscow earlier Tuesday responded to criticism of its troop deployments by saying they were "training exercises" and said Russia felt threatened by the western NATO alliance.

In its readout of the Biden-Putin call, the Kremlin said "both sides expressed their readiness to continue dialogue on the most important areas of ensuring global security."

It also said that Biden proposed a summit "in the near future" but did not say whether the idea had been accepted.

Amid fears in Ukraine that Russia could launch a large-scale assault, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met in Brussels with top officials of NATO nations including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who voiced his strong support for Kiev.

(With input from agencies)

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to lower tensions on the Ukrainian border and suggested they hold their first summit.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to lower tensions on the Ukrainian border and suggested they hold their first summit. The White House and the Kremlin reported only the second conversation between the two since Biden took office in January. Western officials urged Moscow to end the build-up and Russia, in words recalling the Cold War, said its "adversary" should keep US warships well away from the Crimea region. Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and fighting has increased in recent weeks in eastern Ukraine, where government forces have battled Russian-backed separatists in a seven-year conflict that Kyiv says has killed 14,000 people. In a sign of concern about tensions spinning out of control in the Ukraine crisis, Biden phoned Putin to propose they meet in a third country while underlining US commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "President Biden also made clear that the United States will act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to Russia's actions, such as cyber intrusions and election interference," the White House said in a statement. "The president voiced our concerns over the sudden Russian military build-up in occupied Crimea and on Ukraine’s borders, and called on Russia to de-escalate tensions," it said. In the first public Russian description of the build-up, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had moved two armies and three paratrooper units to its western border as part of a large snap drill meant to test combat readiness and respond to what he called threatening military action by NATO. Shoigu said on state TV that the three-week exercise, which he called successful, was due to wrap up in the next two weeks. Shoigu said NATO was deploying 40,000 troops and 15,000 pieces of military equipment near Russia's borders, mainly in the Black Sea and the Baltic regions. The Western alliance denies any such plans. A senior U.S. State Department official told reporters: "We know Russia's capacity. This enormous build-up that they've made militarily ... to take aggressive action, but we don't know their intentions obviously," the official said. Russia has regularly accused NATO of destabilizing Europe with its troop reinforcements in the Baltics and Poland since the annexation of Crimea. Two US warships are due to arrive in the Black Sea this week in response to what U.S. and NATO officials say is the largest massing of Russian forces - with thousands of combat-ready troops - since Moscow seized Crimea from Ukraine. "We warn the United States that it will be better for them to stay far away from Crimea and our Black Sea coast," Ryabkov said. "It will be for their own good. He called the US deployment a provocation designed to test Russian nerves. Blinken met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Brussels after Group of Seven foreign ministers condemned what they said was the unexplained rise in Russian troop numbers. Echoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who met Kuleba earlier, Blinken said Moscow's military actions on Ukraine's doorstep were "very provocative". "Russia must end this military build-up in and around Ukraine, stop its provocations and de-escalate immediately," Stoltenberg said at a news conference with Kuleba. Kyiv has welcomed the show of Western support, but it falls short of Ukraine's desire for full membership of NATO. Kuleba said Kyiv wanted a diplomatic solution, though he also appealed for further economic sanctions against Moscow and more military assistance to Ukraine. Separately, two diplomats said Stoltenberg would chair a video conference with allied defense and foreign ministers on Wednesday. Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were to be present at NATO headquarters to brief the other 29 allies on Ukraine, as well as on Afghanistan, the diplomats said. In contrast to former president Donald Trump's reluctance to criticize Putin, Biden came into office in January openly attacking what he says is the Kremlin's meddling in US elections, mounting of a huge cyber attack last year, and the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Biden said in a March interview that he agreed Putin is a "killer." The White House has promised retaliatory actions but has yet to make public any details. In a surprise move Tuesday, Biden also used the call to suggest a summit with Putin somewhere other than in the United States or Russia. "President Biden reaffirmed his goal of building a stable and predictable relationship with Russia consistent with US interests, and proposed a summit meeting in a third country in the coming months to discuss the full range of issues facing the United States and Russia," the White House statement said. Putin similarly held a summit in Finland in 2018 with Trump, who caused a furor at home by appearing to ignore his own intelligence community's assessment and to accept the Russian leader's denials of election meddling. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the summit was being proposed for "the coming months," which would mean "this summer." However, she expressed US skepticism over how much could be achieved in relations with Putin's Russia. "What we're working toward is predictable and stable. We're not looking for an establishment of trust as much as a predictability and stability," she told reporters. Moscow earlier Tuesday responded to criticism of its troop deployments by saying they were "training exercises" and said Russia felt threatened by the western NATO alliance. In its readout of the Biden-Putin call, the Kremlin said "both sides expressed their readiness to continue dialogue on the most important areas of ensuring global security." It also said that Biden proposed a summit "in the near future" but did not say whether the idea had been accepted. Amid fears in Ukraine that Russia could launch a large-scale assault, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met in Brussels with top officials of NATO nations including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who voiced his strong support for Kiev. (With input from agencies)

Biden tells Putin to ease tensions on Ukrainian border, proposes summit

Amid increasing rift between the United States and Russia over Kremlin border army buildup, US President Joe Biden has proposed a high-level meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Mr Biden reiterated the U.S.’s “unwavering commitment” to Ukraine’s sovereignty according to the White House.

US Prez Joe Biden proposes a high-level summit with Vladimir Putin

From Sputnik-1 to Sputnik V: Russian scientific achievements

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law allowing him to potentially hold on to power until 2036. The move formalises constitutional changes endorsed in a vote last year.

Putin signs law allowing him to hold power until 2036

A Moscow court on Tuesday fined TikTok more than $30,000 for failing to delete posts calling for minors to join unsanctioned protests in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

The court said on its Telegram channel that the video-sharing platform had been found guilty of failing to remove information that violates Russian law and sentenced to an administrative fine of $34,000 (2.6 million rubles/28,000 euros).

The ruling comes as Russia ramps up pressure on foreign&nbsp;tech&nbsp;platforms, with a Moscow court also hitting Twitter on Friday with three fines totalling 8.9 million rubles ($116,700/99,000 euros) for the same violation as TikTok.

In January, authorities accused foreign social media platforms including TikTok and Twitter of interfering in Russia's domestic affairs by not deleting calls to rallies in support of Navalny late that month and early February.

Russia's media watchdog Roskomnadzor said last month it would draw up protocols demanding the foreign social media platforms be fined for failing to delete the calls after it had warned them to do so.

Roskomnadzor described the calls to protests as "inciting teenagers" to take part in "illegal activities", or "unauthorised mass events".&nbsp;

Last month the media watchdog also began throttling the speeds of Twitter's services, accusing it of failing to remove content related to child pornography, drug use and calls for minors to commit suicide.

On Monday, it gave the US&nbsp;tech&nbsp;giant an ultimatum of deleting the posts by mid-May or face a complete blockage in the country.&nbsp;

Moscow regularly fines foreign internet companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Google for failing to comply with its legislation.

TikTok came into the view of the authorities more recently after videos on the platform in January calling for Russians to join rallies in support of Navalny garnered hundreds of thousands of views.&nbsp;

President Vladimir Putin that month complained about the growing influence of large technology companies that he said are competing with states.&nbsp;

A Moscow court on Tuesday fined TikTok more than $30,000 for failing to delete posts calling for minors to join unsanctioned protests in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

A Moscow court on Tuesday fined TikTok more than $30,000 for failing to delete posts calling for minors to join unsanctioned protests in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. The court said on its Telegram channel that the video-sharing platform had been found guilty of failing to remove information that violates Russian law and sentenced to an administrative fine of $34,000 (2.6 million rubles/28,000 euros). The ruling comes as Russia ramps up pressure on foreign tech platforms, with a Moscow court also hitting Twitter on Friday with three fines totalling 8.9 million rubles ($116,700/99,000 euros) for the same violation as TikTok. In January, authorities accused foreign social media platforms including TikTok and Twitter of interfering in Russia's domestic affairs by not deleting calls to rallies in support of Navalny late that month and early February. Russia's media watchdog Roskomnadzor said last month it would draw up protocols demanding the foreign social media platforms be fined for failing to delete the calls after it had warned them to do so. Roskomnadzor described the calls to protests as "inciting teenagers" to take part in "illegal activities", or "unauthorised mass events". Last month the media watchdog also began throttling the speeds of Twitter's services, accusing it of failing to remove content related to child pornography, drug use and calls for minors to commit suicide. On Monday, it gave the US tech giant an ultimatum of deleting the posts by mid-May or face a complete blockage in the country. Moscow regularly fines foreign internet companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Google for failing to comply with its legislation. TikTok came into the view of the authorities more recently after videos on the platform in January calling for Russians to join rallies in support of Navalny garnered hundreds of thousands of views. President Vladimir Putin that month complained about the growing influence of large technology companies that he said are competing with states.

Russia fines TikTok over calls for minors to join protests

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be in New Delhi on a two-day visit on April 5-6, with a focus on Russian President Vladimir Putin's India visit and Afghanistan. Lavrov will hold a meeting with his Indian counterpart External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and call on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"On April 5th and 6th, Russian FM will visit New Delhi and hold talks with his Indian counterpart. They will discuss the current status of bilateral relations and preparation of the summit meeting, cooperation in fighting the pandemic" Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova announced.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/russian-foreign-minister-sergey-lavrov-to-visit-india-next-week-374518">Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit India next week</a>

WION broke the story first on Wednesday, with all the details. This is the first visit of any top Russian government official to India this year.&nbsp;

Lavrov will be accompanied by the Russian special envoy on Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov. The development comes even as Moscow had hosted the troika plus talks--US, Russia, China and Pakistan on Afghanistan. India was not invited to the meet.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla was on a visit to Moscow during which he extended invitation to Lavrov to visit India. During FS's Moscow visit, a roadmap was decided on the high-level visits and engagement. The big focus will be the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual India Russia summit. The summit could not happen last year due to the Covid pandemic.

Interestingly, from Delhi, Lavrov will be going to Islamabad from April 6 to 7, accompanied by Kabulov again. Zakharova said, "He is going to have talks with his Pak counterpart on the status of ties, and strengthening of trade, counter-terror and Afghanistan".

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be in New Delhi on a two-day visit on April 5-6, with a focus on Russian President Vladimir Putin's India visit and Afghanistan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will be in New Delhi on a two-day visit on April 5-6, with a focus on Russian President Vladimir Putin's India visit and Afghanistan. Lavrov will hold a meeting with his Indian counterpart External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and call on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "On April 5th and 6th, Russian FM will visit New Delhi and hold talks with his Indian counterpart. They will discuss the current status of bilateral relations and preparation of the summit meeting, cooperation in fighting the pandemic" Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova announced. Also read | Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit India next week WION broke the story first on Wednesday, with all the details. This is the first visit of any top Russian government official to India this year. Lavrov will be accompanied by the Russian special envoy on Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov. The development comes even as Moscow had hosted the troika plus talks--US, Russia, China and Pakistan on Afghanistan. India was not invited to the meet. Earlier this year, India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla was on a visit to Moscow during which he extended invitation to Lavrov to visit India. During FS's Moscow visit, a roadmap was decided on the high-level visits and engagement. The big focus will be the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual India Russia summit. The summit could not happen last year due to the Covid pandemic. Interestingly, from Delhi, Lavrov will be going to Islamabad from April 6 to 7, accompanied by Kabulov again. Zakharova said, "He is going to have talks with his Pak counterpart on the status of ties, and strengthening of trade, counter-terror and Afghanistan".

Russian foreign minister to arrive in New Delhi next week, with focus on Putin's India visit, Afghanistan

Armenia's prime minister has gone into self-isolation as a preventative measure against coronavirus ahead of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, officials said on Friday.&nbsp;

It is common for anybody meeting in person with 68-year-old Putin to isolate beforehand to protect him from the contagion.

Nikol Pashinyan, who faces backlash at home after the country's humiliating defeat in last year's war with Azerbaijan over control of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, is expected to meet with Putin next Wednesday.

"Due to the planned meeting with Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Pashinyan is working in self-isolation since April 2," his spokeswoman Mane Gevorgyan told journalists.

A report published by the BBC's Russian service this week estimated that Russia had spent billions of rubles on efforts to protect the president from the virus.&nbsp;

A large portion of that money was spent on hotel rooms for medical observation for those who come into contact with the president, including journalists, drivers and pilots.&nbsp;

World War II veterans who took part in Russia's annual Victory Day parade on May 9 alongside Putin had to self-isolate as well.

When asked about the BBC report, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov this week described the measures as an "absolutely normal situation".

Russia introduced one of the strictest lockdowns in the world as the first wave of the pandemic swept across the country, sealing off borders, shuttering businesses and even requiring digital passes for movement around the capital Moscow.&nbsp;

During the lockdown, Putin worked from his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, taking part in government meetings via video link&nbsp;

In June, the Kremlin revealed that the residence was equipped with a disinfection tunnel for all outside visitors that sprays people with disinfectant solution.

Putin received his first dose of a Russian coronavirus vaccine last week, months after the start of a vaccination campaign in the country.&nbsp;

Armenia's prime minister has gone into self-isolation as a preventative measure against coronavirus ahead of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, officials said on Friday.

Armenia's prime minister has gone into self-isolation as a preventative measure against coronavirus ahead of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, officials said on Friday. It is common for anybody meeting in person with 68-year-old Putin to isolate beforehand to protect him from the contagion. Nikol Pashinyan, who faces backlash at home after the country's humiliating defeat in last year's war with Azerbaijan over control of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, is expected to meet with Putin next Wednesday. "Due to the planned meeting with Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Pashinyan is working in self-isolation since April 2," his spokeswoman Mane Gevorgyan told journalists. A report published by the BBC's Russian service this week estimated that Russia had spent billions of rubles on efforts to protect the president from the virus. A large portion of that money was spent on hotel rooms for medical observation for those who come into contact with the president, including journalists, drivers and pilots. World War II veterans who took part in Russia's annual Victory Day parade on May 9 alongside Putin had to self-isolate as well. When asked about the BBC report, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov this week described the measures as an "absolutely normal situation". Russia introduced one of the strictest lockdowns in the world as the first wave of the pandemic swept across the country, sealing off borders, shuttering businesses and even requiring digital passes for movement around the capital Moscow. During the lockdown, Putin worked from his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, taking part in government meetings via video link In June, the Kremlin revealed that the residence was equipped with a disinfection tunnel for all outside visitors that sprays people with disinfectant solution. Putin received his first dose of a Russian coronavirus vaccine last week, months after the start of a vaccination campaign in the country.

Armenian PM self-isolates ahead of Putin meeting

Top Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Wednesday announced that he has gone on a hunger strike until he gets proper medical help to treat his severe back pain and numbness in his legs.&nbsp;

Navalny, in an Instagram post on Wednesday, said the back pain that had numbed his right leg is now causing his left one to lose sensitivity too.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/us-intel-blames-kremlin-for-poisoning-of-navalny-367726/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"I have gone on a hunger strike demanding that the law be obeyed and that a visiting doctor be allowed to visit me," the post said.&nbsp;

Last week, Navalny, who is serving a 2.5-year prison sentence said he was suffering from a pinched nerve that had led his right leg to go numb.&nbsp;

He also said that guards wake him eight times every night to keep a check on him and he has to say to a recording camera that he is still in his cell.&nbsp;

In his post on Wednesday, Navalny said that instead of receiving medical attention, he was persistently "tortured with sleep deprivation".&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-navalny-says-he-risks-solitary-confinement-over-infractions-374079">Kremlin critic Navalny says he risks solitary confinement over infractions</a>

Russia's prison authority last week said that Navalny's health was in "satisfactory" condition after his lawyers and allies complained about his worsening well-being.&nbsp;

"According to the results of the examination, his state of health was assessed as stable and satisfactory," the prison service told Russian news agencies.&nbsp;

Navalny is currently serving a 2.5 years sentence on old embezzlement charges and was detained in January after returning to Russia from Germany.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Top Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Wednesday announced that he has gone on a hunger strike until he gets proper medical help to treat his severe back pain and numbness in his legs.

Top Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Wednesday announced that he has gone on a hunger strike until he gets proper medical help to treat his severe back pain and numbness in his legs. Navalny, in an Instagram post on Wednesday, said the back pain that had numbed his right leg is now causing his left one to lose sensitivity too. Watch | "I have gone on a hunger strike demanding that the law be obeyed and that a visiting doctor be allowed to visit me," the post said. Last week, Navalny, who is serving a 2.5-year prison sentence said he was suffering from a pinched nerve that had led his right leg to go numb. He also said that guards wake him eight times every night to keep a check on him and he has to say to a recording camera that he is still in his cell. In his post on Wednesday, Navalny said that instead of receiving medical attention, he was persistently "tortured with sleep deprivation". Also read | Kremlin critic Navalny says he risks solitary confinement over infractions Russia's prison authority last week said that Navalny's health was in "satisfactory" condition after his lawyers and allies complained about his worsening well-being. "According to the results of the examination, his state of health was assessed as stable and satisfactory," the prison service told Russian news agencies. Navalny is currently serving a 2.5 years sentence on old embezzlement charges and was detained in January after returning to Russia from Germany.

Navalny begins hunger strike until he receives proper medical attention

Russian President Vladimir Putin's art of the photo op

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;said on Monday he could be locked up in solitary confinement in a punishment cell after being accused of numerous minor infractions.

Navalny, one of President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critics, said he had been given six reprimands in the space of two weeks at Russia's IK-2 corrective penal colony, 100 km (60 miles) east of Moscow.

In an Instagram post, he said that two reprimands were technically enough to be sent to a punishment cell and that a prison tribunal considers such cases.

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The Kremlin said it was not following reports of&nbsp;Navalny's health and had not requested information from prison authorities.

"The condition of convicts and people who are serving time in correctional institutions is being monitored by their administrations. That's their job," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The prison service earlier on Thursday insisted that&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;has been checked by medics and that "his state of health was assessed as stable and satisfactory".

The United States and the European Union have slapped sanctions on Russia for jailing&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;and for allegedly orchestrating last year's poisoning, a charge Moscow has denied.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said on Monday he could be locked up in solitary confinement in a punishment cell after being accused of numerous minor infractions.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said on Monday he could be locked up in solitary confinement in a punishment cell after being accused of numerous minor infractions. Navalny, one of President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critics, said he had been given six reprimands in the space of two weeks at Russia's IK-2 corrective penal colony, 100 km (60 miles) east of Moscow. In an Instagram post, he said that two reprimands were technically enough to be sent to a punishment cell and that a prison tribunal considers such cases. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Алексей Навальный (@navalny) The Kremlin said it was not following reports of Navalny's health and had not requested information from prison authorities. "The condition of convicts and people who are serving time in correctional institutions is being monitored by their administrations. That's their job," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. The prison service earlier on Thursday insisted that Navalny has been checked by medics and that "his state of health was assessed as stable and satisfactory". The United States and the European Union have slapped sanctions on Russia for jailing Navalny and for allegedly orchestrating last year's poisoning, a charge Moscow has denied.

Kremlin critic Navalny says he risks solitary confinement over infractions

A few days ago, Russia's President Vladimir Putin got vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus with an unspecified Russian-made vaccine.

However, unlike other world leaders, Putin decided to not have the process broadcasted in front of the media and the world.

While Kremlin had declined requests of giving any details, the Russian leader has now, himself, addressed questions of media regarding his vaccine shot.

During an interview on a Russian TV show, Putin said he opted to get the jab in private, rather than on television because he did not want to "ape" like other —hinting he did not want to follow other leaders and out on a show.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-gets-covid-vaccine-kremlin-refuses-to-share-details-372644">Putin gets Covid vaccine; Kremlin refuses to share details</a>

He also stressed that he cannot get himself to do this on television simply because other world leaders did the same.

Putin also claimed that there is no use in putting on such a show as the vaccination can be easily faked.

"You can show the injection, but actually inject saline or just about anything," he said.

Talking about his experience of getting vaccinated, he revealed that he did feel slight discomfort after receiving the jab and has since then refrained from exercising.

The Kremlin had, earlier, denied requests of media for details. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, earlier told reporters that the media would have to take the Kremlin's word for Putin's vaccination, adding the president did not like the idea of being vaccinated on camera.

"We are deliberately not saying which shot the president will get, noting that all three Russian (-made) vaccines are absolutely reliable and effective," said Peskov.

A few days ago, Russia's President Vladimir Putin got vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus with an unspecified Russian-made vaccine. However, unlike other world leaders, Putin decided to not have the process broadcasted in front of the media and the world.

A few days ago, Russia's President Vladimir Putin got vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus with an unspecified Russian-made vaccine. However, unlike other world leaders, Putin decided to not have the process broadcasted in front of the media and the world. While Kremlin had declined requests of giving any details, the Russian leader has now, himself, addressed questions of media regarding his vaccine shot. During an interview on a Russian TV show, Putin said he opted to get the jab in private, rather than on television because he did not want to "ape" like other —hinting he did not want to follow other leaders and out on a show. Also read | Putin gets Covid vaccine; Kremlin refuses to share details He also stressed that he cannot get himself to do this on television simply because other world leaders did the same. Putin also claimed that there is no use in putting on such a show as the vaccination can be easily faked. "You can show the injection, but actually inject saline or just about anything," he said. Talking about his experience of getting vaccinated, he revealed that he did feel slight discomfort after receiving the jab and has since then refrained from exercising. The Kremlin had, earlier, denied requests of media for details. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, earlier told reporters that the media would have to take the Kremlin's word for Putin's vaccination, adding the president did not like the idea of being vaccinated on camera. "We are deliberately not saying which shot the president will get, noting that all three Russian (-made) vaccines are absolutely reliable and effective," said Peskov.

'Cannot ape': Putin explains why he chose to get vaccinated in private

The United States has invited the leaders of 40 countries, including that of China and Russia, to participate in a global summit on climate change in April.

US President Joe Biden's Earth Day global summit on climate is part of his effort to elevate climate change as a top priority. It will be held virtually given pandemic restrictions and will be live-streamed for public viewing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are invited to the April 22-23 summit, according to a White House statement.

Biden told reporters he had not yet spoken to the two leaders about it, "but they know they're invited."

At his first solo news conference since taking office, Biden on Thursday called Xi and Putin supporters of autocracy.

The White House statement said a key goal of the Earth Day summit and a separate gathering in the Scottish city of Glasgow in November will be to galvanise efforts to keep within reach a goal of limiting planetary warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Climate was also a topic when Biden spoke to European leaders on Thursday in a virtual summit of the European Council.

The Biden administration is expected to announce what the White House called "an ambitious 2030 target" for reducing carbon emissions by the time of the summit.

The summit will bring together 17 countries responsible for 80 percent of global emissions and global GDP. The invitee list of 40 nations includes Canada and Mexico as well as allies in Europe and Asia as well as Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and South Africa.

Biden is urging world leaders to use the summit as an opportunity to outline how their countries will contribute to reduced emissions, the White House said.

The United States has invited the leaders of 40 countries, including that of China and Russia, to participate in a global summit on climate change in April. US President Joe Biden's Earth Day global summit on climate is part of his effort to elevate climate change as a top priority.

The United States has invited the leaders of 40 countries, including that of China and Russia, to participate in a global summit on climate change in April. US President Joe Biden's Earth Day global summit on climate is part of his effort to elevate climate change as a top priority. It will be held virtually given pandemic restrictions and will be live-streamed for public viewing. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are invited to the April 22-23 summit, according to a White House statement. Biden told reporters he had not yet spoken to the two leaders about it, "but they know they're invited." At his first solo news conference since taking office, Biden on Thursday called Xi and Putin supporters of autocracy. The White House statement said a key goal of the Earth Day summit and a separate gathering in the Scottish city of Glasgow in November will be to galvanise efforts to keep within reach a goal of limiting planetary warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Climate was also a topic when Biden spoke to European leaders on Thursday in a virtual summit of the European Council. The Biden administration is expected to announce what the White House called "an ambitious 2030 target" for reducing carbon emissions by the time of the summit. The summit will bring together 17 countries responsible for 80 percent of global emissions and global GDP. The invitee list of 40 nations includes Canada and Mexico as well as allies in Europe and Asia as well as Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and South Africa. Biden is urging world leaders to use the summit as an opportunity to outline how their countries will contribute to reduced emissions, the White House said.

Biden invites 40 world leaders, including Xi and Putin, to virtual climate summit

France on Friday accused Russia of using its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine as a tool to spread Moscow's influence and message rather than as way to fight the global health crisis.

"In terms of how it is managed, it (the Sputnik V vaccine) is more a means of propaganda and aggressive diplomacy than a means of solidarity and health aid," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told France Info radio.&nbsp;

The Russian vaccine has come under much criticism in Western countries, while President Vladimir Putin,&nbsp;who got a Sputnik jab himself on Tuesday, has dismissed the scepticism as "strange".

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-gets-covid-vaccine-kremlin-refuses-to-share-details-372644">Putin gets Covid vaccine; Kremlin refuses to share details</a>

Le Drian said both Russia and China were using their vaccines to gain influence abroad "even before vaccinating their own populations".

The minister said Russia had announced "with a lot of media attention" that it would deliver 30,000 vaccine doses to Tunisia.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-how-safe-are-made-in-china-vaccines-371239/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But the UN-backed Covax initiative had already delivered 100,000 doses to the north African country, with 400,000 more to come by May, he said.

"That is what real solidarity work looks like, that is true health cooperation," Le Drian said.

The Kremlin rejected Friday the suggestion Russia and China were using their vaccines as tools to win geopolitical clout, after accusations the two countries were using their jabs to gain influence abroad.

"We absolutely disagree with the fact that both Russia and China are waging some kind of war. And we absolutely disagree with the fact that Russia and China are using the coronavirus pandemic and vaccines as tools of influence," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.&nbsp;

Russia registered Sputnik V in August, ahead of large-scale clinical trials, prompting worries among many experts over the fast-track process.

Later reviews have been largely positive, with leading medical journal The Lancet publishing results showing it is safe and more than 90 percent effective.

The European Medicines Agency this month launched a rolling review of Sputnik V, a key step towards it being approved as the first non-Western coronavirus jab to be used across the 27-nation bloc.

France on Friday accused Russia of using its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine as a tool to spread Moscow's influence and message rather than as way to fight the global health crisis.

France on Friday accused Russia of using its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine as a tool to spread Moscow's influence and message rather than as way to fight the global health crisis. "In terms of how it is managed, it (the Sputnik V vaccine) is more a means of propaganda and aggressive diplomacy than a means of solidarity and health aid," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told France Info radio. The Russian vaccine has come under much criticism in Western countries, while President Vladimir Putin, who got a Sputnik jab himself on Tuesday, has dismissed the scepticism as "strange". Also read| Putin gets Covid vaccine; Kremlin refuses to share details Le Drian said both Russia and China were using their vaccines to gain influence abroad "even before vaccinating their own populations". The minister said Russia had announced "with a lot of media attention" that it would deliver 30,000 vaccine doses to Tunisia. But the UN-backed Covax initiative had already delivered 100,000 doses to the north African country, with 400,000 more to come by May, he said. "That is what real solidarity work looks like, that is true health cooperation," Le Drian said. The Kremlin rejected Friday the suggestion Russia and China were using their vaccines as tools to win geopolitical clout, after accusations the two countries were using their jabs to gain influence abroad. "We absolutely disagree with the fact that both Russia and China are waging some kind of war. And we absolutely disagree with the fact that Russia and China are using the coronavirus pandemic and vaccines as tools of influence," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. Russia registered Sputnik V in August, ahead of large-scale clinical trials, prompting worries among many experts over the fast-track process. Later reviews have been largely positive, with leading medical journal The Lancet publishing results showing it is safe and more than 90 percent effective. The European Medicines Agency this month launched a rolling review of Sputnik V, a key step towards it being approved as the first non-Western coronavirus jab to be used across the 27-nation bloc.

France accuses Russia of using its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine as 'propaganda' tool

Russia's prison service said Thursday that jailed opposition figure Alexei Navalny was in "satisfactory" condition after allies reported his health was deteriorating in one of the country's most notorious prisons.

The prison service told Russian news agencies that medics had carried out a check on Navalny on Wednesday and that "according to the results of the examination, his state of health was assessed as stable and satisfactory".

Navalny's allies had earlier raised an alarm over his health, and said they had been concerned by a deterioration in his health.&nbsp;

His lawyers added they had not been allowed to visit him in prison, demanding immediate access, saying he had complained of back pain and leg numbness.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-health-deteriorating-in-prison-claim-his-lawyers-372939">Also read |&nbsp;Alexei Navalny's health deteriorating in prison, claim his lawyers</a>

Navalny was arrested in January on his return to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from exposure to the Soviet-designed nerve toxin Novichok. He was later jailed in February for two-and-a-half years on old embezzlement charges in a move his allies said was a pretext to silence his criticism of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

He is serving his sentence outside Moscow in a penal colony notorious for harsh discipline.

Western countries have slapped sanctions on Russia for jailing Navalny and also for orchestrating a poisoning attack against him last year.

Navalny's allies this week launched a campaign seeking his release and announced plans to stage what they said would be "modern Russia's biggest protest."

Russia's prison service said Thursday that jailed opposition figure Alexei Navalny was in "satisfactory" condition after allies reported his health was deteriorating in one of the country's most notorious prisons.

Russia's prison service said Thursday that jailed opposition figure Alexei Navalny was in "satisfactory" condition after allies reported his health was deteriorating in one of the country's most notorious prisons. The prison service told Russian news agencies that medics had carried out a check on Navalny on Wednesday and that "according to the results of the examination, his state of health was assessed as stable and satisfactory". Navalny's allies had earlier raised an alarm over his health, and said they had been concerned by a deterioration in his health. His lawyers added they had not been allowed to visit him in prison, demanding immediate access, saying he had complained of back pain and leg numbness. Also read | Alexei Navalny's health deteriorating in prison, claim his lawyers Navalny was arrested in January on his return to Russia from Germany where he had been recovering from exposure to the Soviet-designed nerve toxin Novichok. He was later jailed in February for two-and-a-half years on old embezzlement charges in a move his allies said was a pretext to silence his criticism of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He is serving his sentence outside Moscow in a penal colony notorious for harsh discipline. Western countries have slapped sanctions on Russia for jailing Navalny and also for orchestrating a poisoning attack against him last year. Navalny's allies this week launched a campaign seeking his release and announced plans to stage what they said would be "modern Russia's biggest protest."

Russia's prison service says Navalny's health 'satisfactory'

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is in great pain, his lawyer said Thursday after visiting him in prison, adding that allies were afraid for his life.

His supporters said a day earlier they were concerned by a deterioration in his health and his lawyers said they had not been allowed to visit him in prison. They returned on Thursday to try to see him.

Leonid Volkov, a close&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;ally, has said that&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;began to experience serious back pain last week, had felt a numbness in his leg and been unable to stand on it. He was given two Ibuprofen pills for the pain, Volkov said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-health-deteriorating-in-prison-claim-his-lawyers-372939">Alexei Navalny's health deteriorating in prison, claim his lawyers</a>

The Federal Penitentiary Service said earlier on Thursday that the 44-year-old opposition politician's health was stable and satisfactory.

It said prisons in the Vladimir region, where&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;is being held, had carried out medical examinations on inmates on Wednesday. The checks had been conducted at inmates' request, it said, and&nbsp;Navalny&nbsp;had been examined, too.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-intel-blames-kremlin-for-poisoning-of-navalny-367726/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"His health is deemed stable and satisfactory, according to the results of the examination," the penitentiary service said, according to the Interfax news agency.

"He is suffering from strong back pain and pain in his right leg," lawyer Olga Mikhailova said in remarks on Dozhd television.

'Really worried'

"Now we are really worried,"&nbsp;Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation wrote on Twitter. "Even the Federal Penitentiary Service can’t call&nbsp;Navalny’s condition `good'."

Nearly 160 cultural figures, including writers, musicians and film directors, published an open letter to the authorities on Thursday demanding&nbsp;Navalny's lawyers be given access to him and that he be held in normal conditions.

They said they had "serious grounds to be concerned about his health and life".

In particular, they demanded that the practice of waking him up every hour during the night due to his classification as a flight risk be ended.

The Kremlin said it was not following developments with&nbsp;Navalny's health, which it said was a matter for prison authorities.

Navalny&nbsp;was jailed last month for two and a half years on charges he called politically motivated. He was arrested as he returned to Russia from Germany in January, where he had been recovering from what doctors said was a nerve agent poisoning.

The West, including the European Court of Human Rights, has demanded Russia release&nbsp;Navalny. Moscow dismissed the court's ruling as "unlawful" and has called similar appeals unacceptable interference in its internal affairs.

Navalny's allies on Tuesday announced plans to stage what they hope will be the biggest anti-Kremlin street protest in modern Russian history this spring, in a bid to have him released. The authorities have said such protests are illegal.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is in great pain, his lawyer said Thursday after visiting him in prison, adding that allies were afraid for his life. His supporters said a day earlier they were concerned by a deterioration in his health and his lawyers said they had not been allowed to visit him in prison.

Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is in great pain, his lawyer said Thursday after visiting him in prison, adding that allies were afraid for his life. His supporters said a day earlier they were concerned by a deterioration in his health and his lawyers said they had not been allowed to visit him in prison. They returned on Thursday to try to see him. Leonid Volkov, a close Navalny ally, has said that Navalny began to experience serious back pain last week, had felt a numbness in his leg and been unable to stand on it. He was given two Ibuprofen pills for the pain, Volkov said. Also read| Alexei Navalny's health deteriorating in prison, claim his lawyers The Federal Penitentiary Service said earlier on Thursday that the 44-year-old opposition politician's health was stable and satisfactory. It said prisons in the Vladimir region, where Navalny is being held, had carried out medical examinations on inmates on Wednesday. The checks had been conducted at inmates' request, it said, and Navalny had been examined, too. "His health is deemed stable and satisfactory, according to the results of the examination," the penitentiary service said, according to the Interfax news agency. "He is suffering from strong back pain and pain in his right leg," lawyer Olga Mikhailova said in remarks on Dozhd television. 'Really worried' "Now we are really worried," Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation wrote on Twitter. "Even the Federal Penitentiary Service can’t call Navalny’s condition `good'." Nearly 160 cultural figures, including writers, musicians and film directors, published an open letter to the authorities on Thursday demanding Navalny's lawyers be given access to him and that he be held in normal conditions. They said they had "serious grounds to be concerned about his health and life". In particular, they demanded that the practice of waking him up every hour during the night due to his classification as a flight risk be ended. The Kremlin said it was not following developments with Navalny's health, which it said was a matter for prison authorities. Navalny was jailed last month for two and a half years on charges he called politically motivated. He was arrested as he returned to Russia from Germany in January, where he had been recovering from what doctors said was a nerve agent poisoning. The West, including the European Court of Human Rights, has demanded Russia release Navalny. Moscow dismissed the court's ruling as "unlawful" and has called similar appeals unacceptable interference in its internal affairs. Navalny's allies on Tuesday announced plans to stage what they hope will be the biggest anti-Kremlin street protest in modern Russian history this spring, in a bid to have him released. The authorities have said such protests are illegal.

Kremlin critic Navalny in 'strong' pain, allies fear for his life

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Wednesday, said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for "terrible things", but stayed clear of labelling him as a "killer", unlike <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Biden.</a>

A few days after US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/subtle-art-of-diplomacy-biden-and-putin-engage-in-verbal-spat-371511">Joe Biden labelled Putin as a 'killer'</a>, Trudeau, in a rare moment, criticised the Russian leader.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-regrets-us-refusal-to-attend-putin-biden-live-debate-372284">Russia says regrets US refusal to attend Putin-Biden live debate</a>

The Canadian prime minister is not known for openly criticising world leaders. However, during an interview on SiriusXM radio's The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge, when he was questioned about Biden's remarks against Putin, Trudeau raised questions about Putin's behaviour.

"I'm sure (Putin) is responsible for all sorts of terrible things because his behaviour continues to demonstrate that," he said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prepared-for-worst-kremlin-on-possible-new-cold-war-with-us-371691">'Prepared for worst': Kremlin on possible new Cold War with US</a>

Trudeau used Russia's annexation of Crimea as an example saying that "significant cyberattacks he's responsible for and the attempts to destabilize our democracies."

He also recalled his interactions with Putin and described him to a man who will "look at you and say whatever is convenient to him at any given moment."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/moscow-recalls-its-envoy-to-us-for-emergency-consultation-after-killer-row-372356">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/moscow-recalls-its-envoy-to-us-for-emergency-consultation-after-killer-row-372356/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"He is not particularly interested in what the Western world or what Canada thinks of him," he added.

Talking about the relations between Canada and Russia, Trudeau agreed that the two nations do not work closely. "I certainly know he's not someone who is supportive or a friend of Canada or Canadians in any way shape or form," he said. "And we have to very much be wide-eyed and clear-eyed about how we approach (relations with Russia)."

However, unlike Biden, Trudeau steered clear of labelling the Russian President as a 'killer'. When the PM was asked in an interview if he agreed with Biden's view on Putin, Trudeau refused to use the label explaining that he doesn't "have the information to make that assertion."

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Wednesday, said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for "terrible things", but stayed clear of labelling him as a "killer", unlike Biden.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Wednesday, said he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for "terrible things", but stayed clear of labelling him as a "killer", unlike Biden. A few days after US President Joe Biden labelled Putin as a 'killer', Trudeau, in a rare moment, criticised the Russian leader. Also read | Russia says regrets US refusal to attend Putin-Biden live debate The Canadian prime minister is not known for openly criticising world leaders. However, during an interview on SiriusXM radio's The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge, when he was questioned about Biden's remarks against Putin, Trudeau raised questions about Putin's behaviour. "I'm sure (Putin) is responsible for all sorts of terrible things because his behaviour continues to demonstrate that," he said. Also read| 'Prepared for worst': Kremlin on possible new Cold War with US Trudeau used Russia's annexation of Crimea as an example saying that "significant cyberattacks he's responsible for and the attempts to destabilize our democracies." He also recalled his interactions with Putin and described him to a man who will "look at you and say whatever is convenient to him at any given moment." Watch | "He is not particularly interested in what the Western world or what Canada thinks of him," he added. Talking about the relations between Canada and Russia, Trudeau agreed that the two nations do not work closely. "I certainly know he's not someone who is supportive or a friend of Canada or Canadians in any way shape or form," he said. "And we have to very much be wide-eyed and clear-eyed about how we approach (relations with Russia)." However, unlike Biden, Trudeau steered clear of labelling the Russian President as a 'killer'. When the PM was asked in an interview if he agreed with Biden's view on Putin, Trudeau refused to use the label explaining that he doesn't "have the information to make that assertion."

Canada's Trudeau says Putin capable of 'terrible things' but won't call him 'killer'

Russia's top opposition leader Alexei Navalny's lawyers and ally on Wednesday expressed concerns over his deteriorating health in prison, saying he is experiencing leg numbness and back pain. &nbsp;

The jailed Kremlin critic began feeling serious back pain last week, and later experienced numbness in his leg and was unable to stand on it, his close ally Leonid Volkov said, as reported by news agency Reuters. &nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/us-intel-blames-kremlin-for-poisoning-of-navalny-367726/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He also said that Navalny had only been given two pills of Ibuprofen to get some respite.&nbsp;

Olga Mikhailova, one of the lawyers representing Navalny, also confirmed that he complained recently of strong back pain and his leg went numb this week, reports news agency AFP.&nbsp;

The lawyer added that a neurologist was unable to diagnose the Kremlin critic's problem and simply gave Ibuprofen.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-claims-he-is-locked-up-in-concentration-camp-outside-moscow-370910">Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny claims he is locked up in 'concentration camp' outside Moscow</a>

"That's all his treatment," Mikhailova said, suggesting that the pill did not ease out Navalny's pain.&nbsp;

"I don't know what's wrong with him. He should be seen by a proper doctor."&nbsp;

Maria Pevchikh, chief of investigations at Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation also expressed her concern on Twitter over the deterioration of health, saying "his life is in danger".&nbsp;

"We believe that Navalny's life is in danger and demand immediate access to him for his lawyers," Pevchikh wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

Volkov also claimed that the prison administration might be covering up the worsening of Navalny's health and he might have been shifted to a prison infirmary.

Russia's top opposition leader Alexei Navalny's lawyers and ally on Wednesday expressed concerns over his deteriorating health in prison, saying he is experiencing leg numbness and back pain.

Russia's top opposition leader Alexei Navalny's lawyers and ally on Wednesday expressed concerns over his deteriorating health in prison, saying he is experiencing leg numbness and back pain. The jailed Kremlin critic began feeling serious back pain last week, and later experienced numbness in his leg and was unable to stand on it, his close ally Leonid Volkov said, as reported by news agency Reuters. Watch | He also said that Navalny had only been given two pills of Ibuprofen to get some respite. Olga Mikhailova, one of the lawyers representing Navalny, also confirmed that he complained recently of strong back pain and his leg went numb this week, reports news agency AFP. The lawyer added that a neurologist was unable to diagnose the Kremlin critic's problem and simply gave Ibuprofen. Also read | Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny claims he is locked up in 'concentration camp' outside Moscow "That's all his treatment," Mikhailova said, suggesting that the pill did not ease out Navalny's pain. "I don't know what's wrong with him. He should be seen by a proper doctor." Maria Pevchikh, chief of investigations at Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation also expressed her concern on Twitter over the deterioration of health, saying "his life is in danger". "We believe that Navalny's life is in danger and demand immediate access to him for his lawyers," Pevchikh wrote on Twitter. Volkov also claimed that the prison administration might be covering up the worsening of Navalny's health and he might have been shifted to a prison infirmary.

Alexei Navalny's health deteriorating in prison, claim his lawyers

Russian President Vladimir Putin has got vaccinated against COVID-19 with an unspecified Russian-made vaccine.

The Kremlin Tuesday told Russian news agencies that Putin was feeling well, however, declining to disclose details or provide photographs.

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, earlier told reporters that the media would have to take the Kremlin's word for Putin's vaccination, adding the president did not like the idea of being vaccinated on camera.

"We are deliberately not saying which shot the president will get, noting that all three Russian (-made) vaccines are absolutely reliable and effective," said Peskov.

The Kremlin told Russian news agencies on Tuesday evening that the president had got the shot. "He has a full working day tomorrow," the RIA news agency's Kremlin pool cited the Kremlin as saying.

Apart from Sputnik V, Moscow has also given emergency approval to two others, EpiVacCorona and CoviVac.

Putin said on Monday that the decision to get vaccinated was a purely voluntary one for Russians. He said that 4.3 million Russians had so far got two shots of a vaccine, that vaccine production for domestic use was a priority, and that output needed to be ramped up.

Over 200,000 Russians have so far died of COVID-19 -- making it the world's third highest death toll behind only the United States and Brazil.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has got vaccinated against COVID-19 with an unspecified Russian-made vaccine. The Kremlin Tuesday told Russian news agencies that Putin was feeling well, however, declining to disclose details or provide photographs.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has got vaccinated against COVID-19 with an unspecified Russian-made vaccine. The Kremlin Tuesday told Russian news agencies that Putin was feeling well, however, declining to disclose details or provide photographs. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, earlier told reporters that the media would have to take the Kremlin's word for Putin's vaccination, adding the president did not like the idea of being vaccinated on camera. "We are deliberately not saying which shot the president will get, noting that all three Russian (-made) vaccines are absolutely reliable and effective," said Peskov. The Kremlin told Russian news agencies on Tuesday evening that the president had got the shot. "He has a full working day tomorrow," the RIA news agency's Kremlin pool cited the Kremlin as saying. Apart from Sputnik V, Moscow has also given emergency approval to two others, EpiVacCorona and CoviVac. Putin said on Monday that the decision to get vaccinated was a purely voluntary one for Russians. He said that 4.3 million Russians had so far got two shots of a vaccine, that vaccine production for domestic use was a priority, and that output needed to be ramped up. Over 200,000 Russians have so far died of COVID-19 -- making it the world's third highest death toll behind only the United States and Brazil.

Putin gets Covid vaccine; Kremlin refuses to share details

Diplomacy is a subtle art. American journalist Isaac Goldberg called it the nicest way of doing the nastiest things. By and large, world leaders have followed this. Even while condemning their counterparts, there is a semblance of respect, but sometimes they drop the pretence, and when they do, there can be consequences.

The already strained ties between the US and Russia are on the verge of collapse because Joe Biden let loose in a recent interview and said "I do" when asked if he thinks Putin is a "killer". He also called Putin a "man with no soul".

Biden was addressing the US report that accused Russia of meddling in the 2020 elections while cheering for Donald Trump.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/takes-one-to-know-one-putin-strikes-back-on-bidens-killer-comment-371402">'Takes one to know one': Putin strikes back on Biden's 'killer' comment</a>

Putin, a&nbsp;former KGB officer, a survivor of the cold war and Russia's ruler for the past two decades, too, returned the compliment. "Takes one to know one," is what Putin told Biden.

Both sides are on the offensive but they are also leaving the door open for strategic cooperation. Putin says Russia will work on its own terms and Biden is talking about making Russia pay.

However, truth be told, the US president may have crossed a line and Russia is not going to let this go. The Kremlin wants an apology from the president of the United States. In addition to this, Russia has recalled its envoy to Washington. It says it wants to halt the irreversible deterioration of ties.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-dismisses-us-reports-on-poll-meddling-as-biden-doubles-down-on-allegations-371153">Russia dismisses US reports on poll meddling as Biden doubles down on allegations</a>

While both the presidents are well within their rights to criticise each other and sanction each other, language plays an important role in diplomacy.

In 2006's UNGA, the speaker, Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez, called the then-US President George Bush a "devil".&nbsp;

Understandably, America was outraged. Democrat Nancy Pelosi defended her Republican president, who had rock bottom approval ratings at that point.

While Biden has Russia to deal with now, he also got belligerent China and North Korea to tackle.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-joe-biden-calls-vladimir-putin-a-killer-371517">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-joe-biden-calls-vladimir-putin-a-killer-371517/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, America is shoring up its alliances in Asia. Top diplomat Antony Blinken and Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin are wrapping up the second leg of their tour in South Korea. They held 2+2 dialogues with their South Korean counterparts and also met president Moon Jae-in.

The top priority was denuclearising the Korean peninsula. Secretary Blinken said the US was considering its options but the problem is that North Korea doesn't seem interested. The US has been reaching out since mid-February but Pyongyang calls it a cheap trick.

US-Japan-South Korea alliance is the bulwark against the north but as they exert more pressure, North Korea is moving closer to its only ally — China.

On his return journey from Seoul, Antony Blinken will make a stop in Alaska where he will meet top Chinese officials including foreign minister Wang Yi. This will be the first meeting between the two sides under the Biden administration.

Chinese officials have already clarified two issues: no compromise on Xinjiang or Hong Kong, but the US will most likely raise them anyway. Beijing wants a rollback of Trump-era policies which Biden will not be willing to agree to because Biden and Trump disagreed on most issues but China wasn't one of them.

Blinken will arrive in Alaska with a lot of momentum. He's just been to Japan and South Korea — key Pacific allies of the US. It's almost certain that the White House choreographed the visit this way.

Many are raising the question if a meeting of the two presidents is on the cards, but both sides are tight-lipped. However, US media reports indicate China is interested. If the meeting goes well, China could seek a summit.

The date April 22, which is celebrated as Earth Day, keeps popping up. Climate change will be the focus. However, the rest remains to be seen.

Diplomacy is a subtle art. American journalist Isaac Goldberg called it the nicest way of doing the nastiest things. By and large, world leaders have followed this.

Diplomacy is a subtle art. American journalist Isaac Goldberg called it the nicest way of doing the nastiest things. By and large, world leaders have followed this. Even while condemning their counterparts, there is a semblance of respect, but sometimes they drop the pretence, and when they do, there can be consequences. The already strained ties between the US and Russia are on the verge of collapse because Joe Biden let loose in a recent interview and said "I do" when asked if he thinks Putin is a "killer". He also called Putin a "man with no soul". Biden was addressing the US report that accused Russia of meddling in the 2020 elections while cheering for Donald Trump. Also read | 'Takes one to know one': Putin strikes back on Biden's 'killer' comment Putin, a former KGB officer, a survivor of the cold war and Russia's ruler for the past two decades, too, returned the compliment. "Takes one to know one," is what Putin told Biden. Both sides are on the offensive but they are also leaving the door open for strategic cooperation. Putin says Russia will work on its own terms and Biden is talking about making Russia pay. However, truth be told, the US president may have crossed a line and Russia is not going to let this go. The Kremlin wants an apology from the president of the United States. In addition to this, Russia has recalled its envoy to Washington. It says it wants to halt the irreversible deterioration of ties. Also read | Russia dismisses US reports on poll meddling as Biden doubles down on allegations While both the presidents are well within their rights to criticise each other and sanction each other, language plays an important role in diplomacy. In 2006's UNGA, the speaker, Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez, called the then-US President George Bush a "devil". Understandably, America was outraged. Democrat Nancy Pelosi defended her Republican president, who had rock bottom approval ratings at that point. While Biden has Russia to deal with now, he also got belligerent China and North Korea to tackle. Watch | Meanwhile, America is shoring up its alliances in Asia. Top diplomat Antony Blinken and Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin are wrapping up the second leg of their tour in South Korea. They held 2+2 dialogues with their South Korean counterparts and also met president Moon Jae-in. The top priority was denuclearising the Korean peninsula. Secretary Blinken said the US was considering its options but the problem is that North Korea doesn't seem interested. The US has been reaching out since mid-February but Pyongyang calls it a cheap trick. US-Japan-South Korea alliance is the bulwark against the north but as they exert more pressure, North Korea is moving closer to its only ally — China. On his return journey from Seoul, Antony Blinken will make a stop in Alaska where he will meet top Chinese officials including foreign minister Wang Yi. This will be the first meeting between the two sides under the Biden administration. Chinese officials have already clarified two issues: no compromise on Xinjiang or Hong Kong, but the US will most likely raise them anyway. Beijing wants a rollback of Trump-era policies which Biden will not be willing to agree to because Biden and Trump disagreed on most issues but China wasn't one of them. Blinken will arrive in Alaska with a lot of momentum. He's just been to Japan and South Korea — key Pacific allies of the US. It's almost certain that the White House choreographed the visit this way. Many are raising the question if a meeting of the two presidents is on the cards, but both sides are tight-lipped. However, US media reports indicate China is interested. If the meeting goes well, China could seek a summit. The date April 22, which is celebrated as Earth Day, keeps popping up. Climate change will be the focus. However, the rest remains to be seen.

Subtle art of diplomacy: Biden and Putin engage in verbal spat

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed his US counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a> for calling Russia's Vladimir Putin a "killer," saying the comments by the US president were "unacceptable".&nbsp;

"Mr. Biden's statements about Mr. Putin are not fitting of a president, and a president coming out and using such remarks against the president of a country like Russia is truly unacceptable, not something that can be stomached," Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul, as reported by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Watch |

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-joe-biden-calls-vladimir-putin-a-killer-371517/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In a TV interview when Biden was asked whether he considers the Russian president a killer, the US president responded "I do".&nbsp;

Putin in his response mocked Biden which roughly translates into "it takes one to know one" and wished him good health.&nbsp;

Erdogan also praised Putin for his response to the US president, calling his answer "very smart" and "elegant".&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/subtle-art-of-diplomacy-biden-and-putin-engage-in-verbal-spat-371511">Subtle art of diplomacy: Biden and Putin engage in verbal spat</a>

"In my opinion, Mr. Putin has done what is necessary by giving a very, very smart and elegant answer," the Turkish president said.&nbsp;

The remarks by Erdogan can escalate tensions between Washington and Ankara as Biden's administration has been critical of Turkey's worsening record on human rights, something his predecessor Donald Trump was silent of.&nbsp;

Despite Turkey growing proximity with Russia during Trump-era, the ties remained largely normal, however, Biden since his inauguration has not engaged in any conversation with Erdogan so far via a phone call.&nbsp;

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed his US counterpart Joe Biden for calling Russia's Vladimir Putin a "killer," saying the comments by the US president were "unacceptable".

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed his US counterpart Joe Biden for calling Russia's Vladimir Putin a "killer," saying the comments by the US president were "unacceptable". "Mr. Biden's statements about Mr. Putin are not fitting of a president, and a president coming out and using such remarks against the president of a country like Russia is truly unacceptable, not something that can be stomached," Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul, as reported by news agency Reuters. Watch | In a TV interview when Biden was asked whether he considers the Russian president a killer, the US president responded "I do". Putin in his response mocked Biden which roughly translates into "it takes one to know one" and wished him good health. Erdogan also praised Putin for his response to the US president, calling his answer "very smart" and "elegant". Also read | Subtle art of diplomacy: Biden and Putin engage in verbal spat "In my opinion, Mr. Putin has done what is necessary by giving a very, very smart and elegant answer," the Turkish president said. The remarks by Erdogan can escalate tensions between Washington and Ankara as Biden's administration has been critical of Turkey's worsening record on human rights, something his predecessor Donald Trump was silent of. Despite Turkey growing proximity with Russia during Trump-era, the ties remained largely normal, however, Biden since his inauguration has not engaged in any conversation with Erdogan so far via a phone call.

Erdogan slams Biden for 'killer' remarks, says Putin's response 'elegant'

U.S.-Russia ties reached a new low after Joe Biden called Vladimir Putin a killer. The Russian leader replied saying 'it takes one to know one'. Does this rule out any hope of reconciliation? Can the two leaders move beyond their 'killer' remarks? WION's Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Joe Biden calls Vladimir Putin a 'killer'

Amid the verbal spat, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday invited his US counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a> for virtual talks.&nbsp;

"I want to invite President Biden to continue our discussion, but on condition that we will do this practically live, as they say, online," the Russian president said in televised comments, hinting that their talks could be held either on Friday or Monday.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-us-russia-tensions-escalate-over-killer-remarks-371471/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He added that the discussion would be an "open direct" one and "interesting" for the people of both nations.&nbsp;

Putin's comments came after Washington and Moscow exchanged barbs following Biden's comments in which he said he agrees that Putin is a "killer" in an interview.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/takes-one-to-know-one-putin-strikes-back-on-bidens-killer-comment-371402">'Takes one to know one': Putin strikes back on Biden's 'killer' comment</a>

Biden also told ABC News in the interview that Putin would "pay a price" for attempting to undermine his candidacy in the 2020 US election.

The White House on Thursday defended the American president, saying the "president gave a direct answer to a direct question.&nbsp;

Earlier on Thursday, the Russian president mocked Biden's "killer" comments, saying "it takes one to know one".&nbsp;

The US president's remarks escalated one of the biggest diplomatic crisis between Russia and the US in years as Moscow late Wednesday asked its Washington ambassador to return back for urgent consultations.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Amid the verbal spat, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday invited his US counterpart Joe Biden for virtual talks. "I want to invite President Biden to continue our discussion, but on condition that we will do this practically live, as they say, online," the Russian president said in televised comments, hinting that their talks could be held either on Friday or Monday.

Amid the verbal spat, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday invited his US counterpart Joe Biden for virtual talks. "I want to invite President Biden to continue our discussion, but on condition that we will do this practically live, as they say, online," the Russian president said in televised comments, hinting that their talks could be held either on Friday or Monday. Watch | He added that the discussion would be an "open direct" one and "interesting" for the people of both nations. Putin's comments came after Washington and Moscow exchanged barbs following Biden's comments in which he said he agrees that Putin is a "killer" in an interview. Also read | 'Takes one to know one': Putin strikes back on Biden's 'killer' comment Biden also told ABC News in the interview that Putin would "pay a price" for attempting to undermine his candidacy in the 2020 US election. The White House on Thursday defended the American president, saying the "president gave a direct answer to a direct question. Earlier on Thursday, the Russian president mocked Biden's "killer" comments, saying "it takes one to know one". The US president's remarks escalated one of the biggest diplomatic crisis between Russia and the US in years as Moscow late Wednesday asked its Washington ambassador to return back for urgent consultations.

Amid row over Biden's 'killer' remarks, Putin invites US president for virtual talks

Russian President hits back at Joe Biden's 'killer' remarks. Vladimir Putin called the remarks unprecedented & recalled its ambassador from Washington.

WION Dispatch: US-Russia tensions escalate over 'killer' remarks

Almost a day after US President Joe Biden agreed that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, is a 'killer', the latter has broken his silence. Putin, on Thursday, talking about Biden's comment said&nbsp;it "takes one to know one".

The Russian President also acknowledged Biden's statement about the two leaders knowing each other well. "As for the statement by my American counterpart, we really are, as he said, personally acquainted. What would I answer him? I would tell him: stay healthy! I wish him good health," Putin said in televised remarks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-dismisses-us-reports-on-poll-meddling-as-biden-doubles-down-on-allegations-371153">Russia dismisses US reports on poll meddling as Biden doubles down on allegations</a>

He also pointed out that people usually project onto others what they think about themselves. "There have been many difficult, dramatic, and bloody events in the history of each nation. But when we assess other people, when we assess other states, other peoples, we are always looking in the mirror. We always see ourselves there."

Putin added that Moscow would not sever ties with Washington but would work with the US on terms "beneficial" to Russia.

His&nbsp;statement came a few minutes after Kremlin expressed disappointment in the weakening relationship between the two countries. On Thursday, the Kremlin said it is clear that Joe Biden has no interest in improving the strained relationship between the two countries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-recalls-washington-envoy-for-consultations-371250">Russia recalls Washington envoy for consultations&nbsp;</a>

"These statements from the president of the United States are very bad. It is clear that he does not want to get the relationship with our country back on track, and we will proceed from that," the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

This has come after Biden, during an interview, said "I do" when asked if he thinks Putin is a 'killer'.&nbsp;The US President had also claimed that Putin will "pay a price" for allegedly meddling in the US election 2020.

"I know him [Putin] relatively well," Biden said, recalling his conversation with the Russian ruler in January 2021. "The most important thing dealing with foreign leaders in my experience [...] is just know the other guy," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-biden-talks-about-putins-interference-in-us-elections-371382">Watch |</a>&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-biden-talks-about-putins-interference-in-us-elections-371382/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Biden had also described Putin to have no soul, which is the first time the newly-elected President has passed such a harsh statement on some foreign leader.

These claims, however, have been declined by the Kremlin and recalled the Russian envoy back to the country for consultations on ties with the US to prevent an 'irreversible deterioration' in relations.&nbsp;

"The Russian ambassador in Washington, Anatoly Antonov, has been invited to come to Moscow for consultations conducted with the aim of analysing what should be done and where to go in the context of ties with the United States," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chairman of parliament’s upper house, took to Facebook to condemn Biden's comments, which Kremlin claims are an attack on Russia as a whole.

“I suspect it will not be the last one if no explanation or apology follows from the American side,” Kosachyov said in a Facebook post. "This kind of assessment is not allowed from the mouth of a statesman of such a rank. This kind of statement is not acceptable under any circumstances."

Almost a day after US President Joe Biden agreed that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, is a 'killer', the latter has broken his silence. Putin, on Thursday, talking about Biden's comment said it "takes one to know one".

Almost a day after US President Joe Biden agreed that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, is a 'killer', the latter has broken his silence. Putin, on Thursday, talking about Biden's comment said it "takes one to know one". The Russian President also acknowledged Biden's statement about the two leaders knowing each other well. "As for the statement by my American counterpart, we really are, as he said, personally acquainted. What would I answer him? I would tell him: stay healthy! I wish him good health," Putin said in televised remarks. Also read | Russia dismisses US reports on poll meddling as Biden doubles down on allegations He also pointed out that people usually project onto others what they think about themselves. "There have been many difficult, dramatic, and bloody events in the history of each nation. But when we assess other people, when we assess other states, other peoples, we are always looking in the mirror. We always see ourselves there." Putin added that Moscow would not sever ties with Washington but would work with the US on terms "beneficial" to Russia. His statement came a few minutes after Kremlin expressed disappointment in the weakening relationship between the two countries. On Thursday, the Kremlin said it is clear that Joe Biden has no interest in improving the strained relationship between the two countries. Also read | Russia recalls Washington envoy for consultations "These statements from the president of the United States are very bad. It is clear that he does not want to get the relationship with our country back on track, and we will proceed from that," the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. This has come after Biden, during an interview, said "I do" when asked if he thinks Putin is a 'killer'. The US President had also claimed that Putin will "pay a price" for allegedly meddling in the US election 2020. "I know him [Putin] relatively well," Biden said, recalling his conversation with the Russian ruler in January 2021. "The most important thing dealing with foreign leaders in my experience [...] is just know the other guy," he added. Watch | Biden had also described Putin to have no soul, which is the first time the newly-elected President has passed such a harsh statement on some foreign leader. These claims, however, have been declined by the Kremlin and recalled the Russian envoy back to the country for consultations on ties with the US to prevent an 'irreversible deterioration' in relations. "The Russian ambassador in Washington, Anatoly Antonov, has been invited to come to Moscow for consultations conducted with the aim of analysing what should be done and where to go in the context of ties with the United States," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement. Meanwhile, Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chairman of parliament’s upper house, took to Facebook to condemn Biden's comments, which Kremlin claims are an attack on Russia as a whole. “I suspect it will not be the last one if no explanation or apology follows from the American side,” Kosachyov said in a Facebook post. "This kind of assessment is not allowed from the mouth of a statesman of such a rank. This kind of statement is not acceptable under any circumstances."

'Takes one to know one': Putin strikes back on Biden's 'killer' comment

The United States President Joe Biden believes that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin is a 'killer' and would 'pay a price' for interfering in US elections.

US President Biden talks about Putin's 'interference' in US elections

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