Moscow, Russia | Xinhua | Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed political, trade and economic cooperation, as well as the impact of Western sanctions with the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) and Senegalese President Macky Sall in the southern Russian city of Sochi on Friday. Putin and Sall addressed a …
Read More »Russia concerned over Finland, Sweden’s decision to join NATO: Kremlin
Moscow, Russia | Xinhua | The Kremlin said Monday it is concerned about the decision of Finland and Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and will closely study all implications. “We have already said that…this is an issue that we are monitoring very closely,” local media reported, citing …
Read More »Putin congratulates Biden on presidential victory
Moscow, Russia | Xinhua | Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sent U.S. President-elect Joe Biden a congratulatory telegram on his election victory, the Kremlin said in a statement. In the telegram, Putin wished Biden success and expressed confidence that despite existing differences, Russia and the United States can contribute to …
Read More »Putin rushes to move on from virus with vote on reforms
Moscow, Russia | AFP | It took less than a week after he said Russia’s coronavirus crisis had peaked for President Vladimir Putin to fast-track a vote on constitutional reforms allowing him to serve more Kremlin terms. By pushing ahead with the public vote on July 1 — despite Russia still …
Read More »Russia denies bribing FIFA officials to host 2018 World Cup
Moscow, Russia | AFP | The Kremlin on Tuesday “categorically” denied allegations that Russia had bribed FIFA officials for the right to host the 2018 World Cup. “Russia absolutely legally got the right to organise the World Cup,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He said the decision was “not linked to any bribes, we …
Read More »As Kremlin scrambles for Africa, Moscow university eyes soft power
Moscow, Russia | AFP | As the Kremlin seeks to boost ties with Africa, a Moscow university that was a training ground for the continent’s elite during the Cold War is once again working to bolster Russia’s soft power. The Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, created in 1960 to improve …
Read More »Facebook has ‘new tools’ against EU election meddling
Brussels, Belgium | AFP | Facebook unveiled Monday new tools to counter online political meddling in the European elections, part of a campaign to answer growing pressure to rein in disinformation. The US tech giant’s vice president, former British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, said in a speech the methods …
Read More »Kremlin says Putin, Trump to speak ‘briefly’ in Paris
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Vladimir Putin will speak “briefly” with Donald Trump when the two presidents meet in Paris this weekend for World War I centenary events, an advisor for the Russian leader said Wednesday. “It has been agreed that the leaders of the US and Russia will talk …
Read More »Kremlin says world ‘more dangerous’ if US drops nuclear treaty
Moscow, Russia | AFP | The Kremlin on Monday said the world would be less safe if Washington goes ahead with plans to withdraw from a Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty that banned intermediate-range missiles. “Such steps, if taken, will make the world more dangerous,” said presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov …
Read More »Putin, Trump want better ties, planning summit
Moscow, Russia | AFP | US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on Tuesday discussed holding a possible summit as the American leader congratulated the Russian President on his re-election. “I had a call with President Putin and congratulated him on his electoral victory,” Trump said, two days after Putin’s re-election. …
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