June 2018 - Russia Special Weapons News

Lavrov warns Russia might withdraw from OPCW Press TV 30 Jun 2018 -- Russia has warned that it could withdraw from the global chemical weapons watchdog after member states voted to allow the group to assign responsibility for chemical weapon use.
Lavrov rules out Russian pullout from Syria Press TV 30 Jun 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the West's interventions in the Middle East and North Africa benefit Takfiri terrorist groups operating in the region.
Russia Becoming More Self-Reliant Because Of Western Sanctions: Lavrov RFE/RL 30 Jun 2018 -- Russia is learning to be more independent and self-reliant as a result of Western sanctions, though it still has extensive trade ties with Western Europe, Russia's foreign minister has said.
Russian Military to Ink Contract for First Batch of Su-57 Fighters Sputnik 30 Jun 2018 -- Russia is learning to be more independent and self-reliant as a result of Western sanctions, though it still has extensive trade ties with Western Europe, Russia's foreign minister has said.
Putin Ready To Reiterate Denials Of Election Meddling To Trump RFE/RL 29 Jun 2018 -- The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to reiterate to U.S. President Donald Trump that Moscow did not meddle in the 2016 U.S. elections if Trump raises the issue during their upcoming summit.
Trump Doesn't Rule Out Recognizing Russia's Annexation Of Crimea RFE/RL 29 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has declined to rule out recognizing Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula only days ahead of a planned summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
France Warns RT Over Claims In Broadcast On Syrian Chemical Attack RFE/RL 29 Jun 2018 -- France's media regulator has issued a warning to RT France, the French outlet of Russia's state-run broadcaster, for allegedly misrepresenting facts in a program about a chemical weapons attack in Syria.
Russia outraged at U.S. reducing participation in UN counter-terrorism confab People's Daily 29 Jun 2018 -- Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said on Thursday he was "indignant and outraged" by the United States lowering its participation in a counter-terrorism conference underway at UN Headquarters.
Russia to reach military modernization goal by 2021: Putin People's Daily 29 Jun 2018 -- The amount of modern weapons in the Russian Armed Forces is close to 60 percent and is expected to reach the planned figure of 70 percent by 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.
EU leaders extend economic sanctions against Russia Press TV 29 Jun 2018 -- European Union leaders have agreed to extend the bloc's economic sanctions against Russia for another six months.
Russia decades ahead of rivals in military capability: Putin Press TV 29 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country has made a breakthrough in designing new weapons, which are years or even decades ahead of its rival countries.
EU Leaders Agree To Extend Sanctions On Russia RFE/RL 29 Jun 2018 -- European Union leaders have agreed to extend the bloc's economic sanctions penalizing Russia for its aggression in Ukraine.
Irish Prime Minister Confirms EU Council Agreed to Prolong Anti-Russia Sanctions Sputnik 29 Jun 2018 -- EU leaders have agreed to extend the bloc's sanctions against Moscow during the two-day European Council session, which concluded in Brussels earlier in the day, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Friday.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, June 28, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28 Jun 2018
Trump-Putin Summit Set for Helsinki on July 16 VOA 28 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will hold their first formal summit July 16 in Helsinki.
Statement from the Press Secretary on a Bilateral Meeting Between the United States and Russia The White House 28 Jun 2018
Putin-Trump Summit Set For Helsinki On July 16 RFE/RL 28 Jun 2018 -- The first summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be held on July 16 in Helsinki, the Kremlin and the White House have said in synchronized announcements.
Trump Ex-Campaign Chairman 'Got Loan' From Russian Billionaire RFE/RL 28 Jun 2018 -- Newly released court filings reveal that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort received a $10 million loan from Kremlin-connected Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, Reuters reports.

RFE/RL

Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of the Depositary Governments for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons US Dept. of State 28 Jun 2018 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of The United States of America, The United Kingdom, and the Russian Federation.
Putin Says Russia Withdrew Many Troops, Aircraft From Syria RFE/RL 28 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says more than 1,000 military personnel and dozens of aircraft have been withdrawn from Syria over the past several days.
13 warplanes, 1,140 Russian troopers withdrawn from Syria over past few days: Putin Press TV 28 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country has pulled out 1,140 military personnel and 27 aircraft from war-ravaged Syria during the past few days.
Kremlin Says Trump-Putin Summit to Take Place VOA 27 Jun 2018 -- Kremlin officials say there is an agreement for Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump to hold a summit in a third country.
Russia 'Hawk' Laid Groundwork for Trump-Putin Summit VOA 27 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have agreed to hold their first formal summit in the coming weeks – with a final announcement of the timing and location of the meeting to be announced simultaneously by the White House and the Kremlin on Thursday.
Trump Says He Will Raise Ukraine, Syria At Upcoming Summit With Putin RFE/RL 27 Jun 2018 -- The United States and Russia have agreed to hold a summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, with Trump telling reporters he will bring up the war in Syria and the crisis in Ukraine.
Russia sticking to Syria de-escalation agreements Press TV 27 Jun 2018 -- Russian authorities have rejected media reports about Moscow's alleged withdrawal from agreements to maintain de-escalation zones in Syria.
Putin: US-Russia relations not in 'best state' Press TV 27 Jun 2018 -- Relations between Russia and the US are not in the "best state" these days, Russian President Vladimir Putin has told visiting US National Security Adviser John Bolton, citing the ongoing political discord in America as the main reason.
Russia's Novak Says Discussed Sanctions, Energy With Top Trump Officials RFE/RL 27 Jun 2018 -- Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak has met with his U.S. counterpart Rick Perry and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to discuss energy issues and U.S. sanctions on Russia.
Russian Billionaire's Firm Moves To Dismiss U.S. Election Meddling Case RFE/RL 26 Jun 2018 -- A Russian company accused of helping fund a propaganda operation aimed at swaying the 2016 U.S. presidential election in Donald Trump's favor has asked a U.S. judge to dismiss the case brought against it by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
Russia Considers Developing Super-Powerful Nuclear Torpedo Sputnik 25 Jun 2018 -- With global tensions running high, the Russian military has considered reviving a decades-old weapon project envisioned by the architect of a Soviet thermonuclear weapon project capable of creating man-made tsunamis and wreaking havoc on coastal regions.
Monitoring Group Says Russian Jets Aid Syria In New Assault RFE/RL 24 Jun 2018 -- A monitoring group says Russian jets have struck rebel-held areas in southern Syria in the first such attacks since Moscow agreed to a cease-fire in July 2017, endangering one of the so-called "de-escalation" zones.
Russian Military Demines Syria's Al-Naseriyah, South Douma Sputnik 24 Jun 2018 -- Mine clearance operations have been successfully completed in Syria's settlement of al-Naseriyah in the southwestern Rif Dimashq province as well as in the southern districts of Douma, located in the Damascus suburbs, the Russian Defense Ministry's Syria reconciliation center said late on Saturday.
UN Backs Call For Withdrawal Of Russian Troops From Transdniester RFE/RL 23 Jun 2018 -- The United Nations General Assembly has backed a call from Britain, Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine and seven other countries for Russia to withdraw its troops from a breakaway region of Moldova.
U.S. Warns Russia To Rein In Syrian Assault In Southwest Cease-Fire Zone RFE/RL 23 Jun 2018 -- The United States has warned Russia to rein in its ally Syria after reports that government forces have stepped up attacks on rebels in an area of southwest Syria that was designated as a "de-escalation zone" last year.
Russia Slams U.S. Ahead Of UN Report On Syria Chemical Attacks RFE/RL 22 Jun 2018 -- Moscow has charged that the United States and its allies fabricated evidence to implicate Syrian government forces in chemical-weapons attacks against civilians.
U.S. Lawmakers Urge Sanctions Probe For Russian Billionaire Yevtushenkov RFE/RL 22 Jun 2018 -- Two U.S. lawmakers have urged U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to consider hitting Russian billionaire Vladimir Yevtushenkov with sanctions and examine whether he has engaged in corruption.
Planning Underway for Trump-Putin Summit, White House Officials Say VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- Planning is underway for a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to White House officials.
US, Russia Locked in Battle Over Human Rights Narratives VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- Russia wasted no time in seeking to exploit the U.S. decision Wednesday to withdraw from the U.N. Human Rights Council, putting forward its candidacy for a seat on the Geneva-based body and casting the American exit as a reflection of Washington's new unilateralist approach to global affairs.
Moscow Disagrees with US Claims of UNHRC's Hostility Toward Israel – Lavrov Sputnik 21 Jun 2018 -- Moscow hopes that the US decision to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is not final, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
Trump Says He's 'Considering' A Meeting With Putin Next Month RFE/RL 21 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says he is considering a meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in July.
Kremlin Confirms Bolton Headed to Moscow to Discuss Summit VOA 21 Jun 2018 -- With World Cup 2018 now firmly under way in Russia, the Kremlin indicated it was back to business Thursday, holding a new round of talks with neighboring Ukraine and hinting at movement toward a possible summit meeting with President Donald Trump as early as next month.
Weak Response To Russian Meddling Emboldened Moscow, Official Says RFE/RL 20 Jun 2018 -- Russia was emboldened by the lack of a decisive response by President Barack Obama's administration during the 2016 presidential election and will seek to interfere in future elections, a former top U.S. official says.
Russia welcomes US pullout from UNHRC, says council can work better now Press TV 20 Jun 2018 -- Russia has welcomed the United States' pullout from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), saying the body has lost nothing and can operate more freely now.
Russia Calls Trump's Space Force Plan 'Alarming' RFE/RL 20 Jun 2018 -- Russia has expressed alarm over President Donald Trump's pledge to maintain U.S. dominance in space and create a separate branch of the military called the "space force."
A Common Language: Russia's 'Ethnic' Republics See Language Bill As Existential Threat RFE/RL 20 Jun 2018 -- On June 19, the State Duma passed in its first reading a bill on the teaching of native languages in Russia that representatives of many minority peoples regard as a profound threat to their cultures.
As World Watches Russia, Opposition Seeks To Score With Pension Protests RFE/RL 20 Jun 2018 -- As World Cup fever mounts in Russia, opponents of a government plan to raise the retirement age find themselves jostling for political position, with a handful of protests announced against the proposed measure set to coincide with soccer's centerpiece event.
Russia's Advanced Weapons' Production Up Fourfold Over Last 5 Years - Shoigu Sputnik 20 Jun 2018 -- The draft plan for shifting weapons and military equipment to domestic software is designed to further ensure the stable development and information security of the Russian defense industry, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
S7 Space Mulls Restoring Production of Heavy Soviet Rocket Engines in Russia Sputnik 19 Jun 2018 -- Russia's S7 Space, part of the S7 Group, plans to build a plant in Samara to produce Soviet-designed NK-33 and NK-43 rocket engines for super heavy-lift launch vehicles and intends to purchase production capacities from the state-owned United Engine Corporation (UEC) for this purpose, S7 Space General Director Sergey Sopov said in an interview.
Russia may have updraded nuclear weapons storage site in Kaliningrad: Satellite images Press TV 19 Jun 2018 -- Russia may have upgraded a nuclear weapons storage bunker in its Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad amid rising tensions between Moscow and NATO, a report suggests.
Reports: Executive At Russian Energy Giant Inter Arrested On Spying Charges RFE/RL 19 Jun 2018 -- Russian news reports say an executive with energy holding company Inter RAO has been arrested and charged with spying for an unnamed foreign country.
Report: Russia Rebuilding Key Weapons Storage Bunker In Kaliningrad RFE/RL 18 Jun 2018 -- Newly published satellite photographs suggest that Russia has rebuilt a weapons storage bunker in its Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad, suggesting that Moscow could be considering placing nuclear weapons there, according to a U.S. think tank.
Briefing on Individuals Unjustly Imprisoned by Russia US Dept. of State 18 Jun 2018 -- Special Briefing by Senior State Department Official
Moscow, Riyadh eye 1.5m bpd OPEC output hike Press TV 17 Jun 2018 -- Russia says it will join Saudi Arabia to ask the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to increase production by 1.5 million barrels a day (bpd) in the third quarter of 2018.
Russia, Saudis Agree To Request Increase In OPEC+ Oil Output RFE/RL 17 Jun 2018 -- Russia and Saudi Arabia will ask OPEC to increase oil output by 1.5 million barrels a day in the third quarter of 2018 to counter fears that U.S. sanctions on Iran could disrupt supplies.
Russia Launches Soyuz-2.1b Carrier Rocket With Glonass-M Navigation Satellite Sputnik 17 Jun 2018 -- Russia launched a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket from the Plesetsk space center on Sunday to orbit a Glonass-M satellite, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
U.S. Warns Of 'Terrorism' Risk During World Cup In Russia RFE/RL 16 Jun 2018 -- The U.S. State Department is warning that "terrorists" may target World Cup venues in Russia, which is hosting the monthlong soccer tournament, but it did not point to any specific threat.
Top aides ignored Trump request for summit with Putin: Report Press TV 16 Jun 2018 -- US President Donald Trump's top aides had been resisting his request for a one-on-one summit with the Russian President Vladimir Putin ever since he met his Russian counterpart in Vietnam last year, says a new report.
U.S. Nominee Says Will Try To Prevent Russian Arms Sales To Allies RFE/RL 16 Jun 2018 -- Planned purchases of weapons from Russia by U.S. allies in the Middle East likely would violate U.S. sanctions against Moscow's defense sector, and Washington will work to discourage the sales, a top State Department nominee has said.
Russian Government Submits Bill On Raising Retirement Age RFE/RL 16 Jun 2018 -- The Russian government has submitted proposed pension-reform legislation that would raise the retirement age -- long a sensitive issue in Russia.
Chinese, Russian presidents discuss Korea events on phone Press TV 16 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with his Chinese counterpart over the Korean Peninsula a day after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited the Chinese capital.
Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, June 15, 2018 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 15 Jun 2018
Trump Floats Idea Of Summer Meeting With Putin RFE/RL 15 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump says "it's possible" he will meet with Russian President Vladimir this summer and has pressed again for Moscow to be allowed to rejoin the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized countries.
Kremlin Distances Putin From Plan To Raise Retirement Age RFE/RL 15 Jun 2018 -- The Kremlin has sought to distance President Vladimir Putin from plans to raise the retirement age, saying that Putin has not been involved in recent discussions on the matter - a sensitive issue in Russia for decades.
Russia, Saudi Arabia Agree To Expand Cooperation On Oil, Gas RFE/RL 15 Jun 2018 -- Russia and Saudi Arabia say they have agreed to expand their cooperation on oil and gas matters after having teamed up to help bolster oil prices in the past two years.
Russia urges removal of unilateral sanctions against North Korea Press TV 15 Jun 2018 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has called for a swift removal of all unilateral sanctions against North Korea in light of a recent agreement reached between Pyongyang and Washington.
EU Lawmakers Urge Russia To Reverse Recognition Of Abkhazia, South Ossetia Independence RFE/RL 14 Jun 2018 -- The European Parliament has passed a resolution demanding that Russia reverse its "decision to recognize the so-called independence of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia."
US 'blackmails' Turkey into scrapping S-400 deal with Russia: Minister Press TV 14 Jun 2018 -- Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli has slammed as "blackmail" Washington's pressure on Ankara to scrap its finalized deal to with Russia to purchase the S-400 air defense missile systems.
Turkey offered Russia to jointly produce S-500 missile system: Erdogan Press TV 14 Jun 2018 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he has offered his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for Ankara and Moscow to jointly produce a new generation of S-500 high-altitude missile defense systems.
Turkey Slams US Demand to Drop S-400 Deal in Exchange for F-35s as 'Blackmail' Sputnik 14 Jun 2018 -- US lawmakers have introduced a bill that proposes banning the shipment of F-35 jets slated for Turkey unless it cancels its deal with Russia on the purchase S-400 air defense systems.
Turkey's Erdogan Offers Putin to Jointly Produce New Gen S-500 Missile System Sputnik 14 Jun 2018 -- Turkey is eyeing a long-range missile defense system of its own as part of its current effort to enhance the county's defensive strategic military capabilities.
Kaspersky To Halt Cooperation With Europe To Fight Cybercrime RFE/RL 14 Jun 2018 -- Russia's Kaspersky Lab says it will no longer cooperate on several European cybercrime-fighting initiatives after the European Parliament moved to ban its antivirus software.
Kaspersky Lab Cuts Ties With Europol Over EU Branding Its Software "Malicious" Sputnik 14 Jun 2018 -- The European institution's action comes in the wake of previous bans on Kaspersky lab by the American and Dutch governments, particularly over the claims of Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 US elections. These accusations have repeatedly been denied by Moscow as baseless, and no evidence of Russia's involvement has ever been provided.
Saudis Should Not Buy Russia's S-400 - Assistant US Secretary of State Nominee Sputnik 14 Jun 2018 -- Saudi Arabia and other US allies should not buy Russian military equipment, including S-400 air defense systems, as such purchases can be punishable by sanctions, Assistant US Secretary of State for Near East Affairs nominee David Schenker said during a confirmation hearing.
Russian Prime Minister Proposes Raising Retirement Age RFE/RL 14 Jun 2018 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has proposed a plan to gradually increase the retirement age for men and women.
Russia to Respond to New US Sanctions, Keeping Measures Unannounced Sputnik 14 Jun 2018 -- Moscow is sure to take retaliatory measures in response to the newest round of US sanctions against Russia, but will probably decide against announcing them, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Thursday.
NATO should respect 'indivisible' security agreements: Lavrov Press TV 13 Jun 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called on the NATO military alliance to respect agreements on "indivisible security," criticizing the US-led pact's growing military presence on the Russian borders.
Russia Says New NATO Combat Readiness Plan A Threat To Security RFE/RL 13 Jun 2018 -- Russia says that a new NATO plan to enhance its combat readiness in Europe would weaken security on the continent, and is warning that Moscow would take that into account in its own military planning.
Amid Russia's World Cup Moment, Human Rights Concerns Linger VOA 13 Jun 2018 -- Back in 2010, President Vladimir Putin helped secure Russia's bid for the World Cup with guarantees he would introduce the world to an open and welcoming Russia.
China, Moscow See Views Vindicated in Singapore Summit VOA 13 Jun 2018 -- China and Russia see the now-concluded Singapore summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un as vindicating their views on how the thorny issue of a nuclear armed North Korea could and should be approached. Security analysts, however, are less certain about the outcome of the summit, especially Trump's announcement that he would halt "war games" on the peninsula.
Japan Protests Russian Plan To Lay Cable To Disputed Kurile Islands RFE/RL 12 Jun 2018 -- Japan has lodged a protest against Russia's plan to lay fiber-optic cables to disputed islands that lay between the two countries, calling the construction work illegal and "extremely deplorable."
FMs of Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France hold talks on Ukraine truce, UN force Press TV 12 Jun 2018 -- The foreign ministers of Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and France have held talks in Berlin on the execution of a fragile truce deal for Ukraine as well as the deployment of UN peacekeepers there.
Germany, France Hopeful Of More Lasting Cease-Fire In Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 12 Jun 2018 -- Germany and France are voicing cautious optimism that Russia and Ukraine will take steps to revive the long-stalled cease-fire in eastern Ukraine, but said no agreement was reached on deploying a UN peacekeeping mission there.
Russia to respond to new US sanctions: Foreign ministry official Press TV 12 Jun 2018 -- A senior Russian Foreign Ministry official has indicated that Moscow will reciprocate a move by the United States to impose new sanctions on Russia over alleged malign activity in the cyber space.
Russia Blasts 'Fruitless' U.S. Sanctions RFE/RL 12 Jun 2018 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has angrily reacted to the latest round of U.S. sanctions targeting Russian individuals and entities, calling it another "fruitless" attempt to impose pressure on the country.
China, Russia react to Trump-Kim summit Press TV 12 Jun 2018 -- China and Russia have reacted positively to the historic summit between the American and North Korean leaders, with Beijing suggesting sanctions relief for Pyongyang in light of the new diplomatic developments.
Neither Russia Nor US Interested in Undermining INF Treaty - Russian FM Sputnik 11 Jun 2018 -- The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has adopted a statement on the Russia-US Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, adding that no state is interested in undermining the INF.
Ukraine, Russia Views 'Far Apart,' As Berlin Hosts Peace Talks RFE/RL 11 Jun 2018 -- The German, French, Russian, and Ukrainian foreign ministers were meeting in Berlin late on June 11 for talks on bringing an end to the fighting in eastern Ukraine.
U.S. Targets Russian Cyberfirms, Diving-Equipment Companies With New Sanctions RFE/RL 11 Jun 2018 -- U.S. authorities hit three Russians and five companies with new sanctions, targeting a cyberresearch company and one that specializes in providing underwater diving equipment to Russia's lead security agency, the FSB.
Treasury Sanctions Russian Federal Security Service Enablers US Treasury 11 Jun 2018 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated five Russian entities and three Russian individuals under Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, "Blocking the Property of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities," as amended, and Section 224 of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). One of the designated entities in controlled by and has provided material and technological support to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), while two others have provided the FSB with material and technological support. OFAC is also designating several entities and individuals for being owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, the three entities that have enabled the FSB.
US Sanctions 5 Russian Entities, 3 Individuals VOA 11 Jun 2018 -- The U.S. sanctioned five Russian entities and three individuals Monday, accusing them of malicious cyber activities to provide material and technological support to Moscow's intelligence service.
U.S. slaps new sanctions on Russian entities, individuals over cyber security People's Daily 12 Jun 2018 -- The U.S. Treasury announced on Monday that it has imposed sanctions on five Russian entities and three Russian individuals, accusing them of conducting "malicious cyber-enabled activities."
Trump Repeats Call For Russia's Return To G7, But Final Communique Assails Moscow RFE/RL 09 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has repeated his call for Russia to be readmitted into the Group of Seven (G7) during a press conference on the sidelines of a summit in Quebec, Canada.
Ball in US court for improving bilateral ties: Russian president Press TV 09 Jun 2018 -- President Vladimir Putin has expressed hope relations between Moscow and Washington would ameliorate but says the ball is in the United States' court.
Europe leaders unanimously reject Trump's call to Russia's return to G7: France Press TV 09 Jun 2018 -- European members of the G7 industrial nations have unanimously rejected a call by US President Donald Trump for Russia's readmission to the group.
Putin says Russia after 'strict implementation of JCPOA' IRNA 10 Jun 2018 -- Russian president announced on Sunday that Moscow 'stands for a consistent, strict implementation of the JCPOA, and Moscow will continue to follow all its commitments.'
Putin Warns U.S. Withdrawal From Iranian Deal Could 'Destabilize' Region RFE/RL 10 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized the withdrawal of the United States from the Iranian nuclear deal, saying the decision could "destabilize" the MIddle East.
China, Russia, Mongolia vow to strengthen cooperation People's Daily 10 Jun 2018 -- The presidents of China, Russia and Mongolia pledged to strengthen trilateral cooperation during their meeting here on Saturday.
Mueller indicts Russian citizen, files new charges against Manafort Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- US Special Counsel Robert Mueller has filed new criminal charges against President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort as well as Russian citizen and former Manafort operative Konstantin Kilimnik.
U.S. Special Counsel Charges Russian Associate Of Ex-Trump Campaign Chief RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- U.S. authorities have indicted a Russian man who was a key associate in Ukraine for President Donald Trump's ex-campaign chief on obstruction of justice and other charges.
New Charges Filed Against Manafort in Russia Probe VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- The special counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election escalated the pressure Friday on President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, bringing additional charges against him in connection with several alleged attempts Manafort and a former associate made to influence two witnesses in his case.
Trump Calls for Russia's Reinstatement to G-7 VOA 08 Jun 2018 -- Russia should be invited back to the summits of leading advanced countries, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for the Group of Seven meeting in Canada.
Trump Calls For Russia To Rejoin G7, Deepening Divide With U.S. Allies RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- U.S. President Donald Trump has called for readmitting Russia into the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations, a call that puts him directly at odds with some of the United States' closest allies.
Trump says Russia shall be invited to G7 meeting Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- US President Donald Trump has called for the rejoining of Russia to a leading group of industrialized nations prior to his visit to the upcoming G7 summit.
Top U.S., Russian Generals Discuss European Security, Tensions RFE/RL 08 Jun 2018 -- The top Russian and U.S. generals discussed security in Europe and ways to reduce global tensions during a meeting in Helsinki, the two countries' militaries say.
Italy's pro-Moscow government unnerves NATO Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- Italy's new pro-Moscow government has caused cracks in NATO as the US-led military alliance is seeking further measures to deter what it calls the Russian threat.
Turkey will purchase S-400s from Russia to safeguard own security: Interior Min. Press TV 08 Jun 2018 -- Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu says his country has an unalienable right to protect its own security and will spare no efforts to procure sophisticated Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to achieve such a goal.
Russia's Military Aviation to Receive Upgraded An-124 Sputnik 07 Jun 2018 -- The military transport aviation division of the Russian Aerospace Forces plans to receive three new Il-76MD-90A strategic airlifters and one An-124 Ruslan heavy transport aircraft, which will be delivered after being upgraded, this year, Mikhail Kozlov, the division's chief engineer, said on Wednesday.
Dunford to Discuss Deconfliction With Russian Counterpart in Helsinki AFPS 07 Jun 2018 -- The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is meeting with his Russian counterpart in Helsinki tomorrow to discuss operations in Syria and other matters.
US Wary as Russia, China Set Sights on South, Central America VOA 07 Jun 2018 -- Russia and China are making steady progress in reshaping the current international order, worrying the United States and its regional allies.
Russian troops to stay in Syria as long as needed: Putin Press TV 07 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow has no immediate plans for withdrawing troops from Syria, stressing that his country's military forces would remain in the war-ravaged Arab country as long as it is in Russia's interests.
Putin says Russia's new hypersonic ICBMs travel over 20 times faster than sound Press TV 07 Jun 2018 -- Russian president Vladimir Putin says his country has developed new "Avant-garde" hypersonic intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) that are capable of traveling over 20 times faster than sound, guaranteeing Russia's military parity with the United States.
Putin Bullish On Russian Economy, Blasts West In Q&A Session RFE/RL 07 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin painted an upbeat picture of the country's economy and accused the West of seeking to thwart its progress, setting a familiar tone for his new term in his marathon call-in show broadcast live on state TV.
No Fireworks As Putin, Officials Read From Same (Dull) Script During Call-In Show RFE/RL 07 Jun 2018 -- The big innovation in this year's rendition of Russian President Vladimir Putin's Direct Line question-and-answer program turned out to be a dud.
Real or Theater? Putin's Annual Call-in Show with Russian Citizens VOA 07 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin held his annual televised call-in show with Russians on Thursday in a semi-choreographed event that highlighted the Russian president's efforts to raise living standards at home while defending Russian interests abroad.
Putin: North Korea Wants 'Absolute' Security Guarantee To Abandon Nuclear Arms RFE/RL 07 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the United States will have to offer North Korea "absolute" security guarantees if it wants Pyongyang to get rid of all its nuclear weapons.
NATO is Not Planning to Isolate Russia – Stoltenberg Sputnik 06 Jun 2018 -- NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stressed Wednesday that divergence on Iran, trade Issues between the US and other NATO countries won't undermine alliance's unity.
France Rules Out Quick Review Of Russia Sanctions RFE/RL 06 Jun 2018 -- France's foreign minister says Paris opposes any quick rethink of European sanctions imposed on Russia over its aggression of Ukraine, insisting that their lifting be conditioned on advances in the peace process in Ukraine.
Italy's New Prime Minister Calls For Ending Some EU Sanctions On Russia RFE/RL 06 Jun 2018 -- New Italian populist Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has said top priorities for his government will be ending illegal immigration and strengthening ties with Russia.
Putin calls on EU to remove anti-Moscow sanctions Press TV 06 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the EU to halt its sanctions imposed on Moscow over the situation in Ukraine.
Russia's T-80BVM 'Jet Tanks' Get Cold Weather Upgrades Sputnik 06 Jun 2018 -- Russian Armed Forces in the Arctic have begun receiving upgraded T-80BVM tanks, dubbed "jet tanks," to protect the country's northernmost regions.
U.S. Extends Sanctions Deadline For Two More Deripaska Companies RFE/RL 05 Jun 2018 -- The U.S. Treasury Department has granted investors in the sanctioned Russian firm En+ Group and its subsidiary EuroSibEnergo a reprieve from an impending June 5 deadline, saying they have until October 23 to divest their holdings.
Putin Calls U.S. Indictment Of Kremlin-Connected Tycoon 'Ridiculous' RFE/RL 05 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has ridiculed the U.S. indictment of a Kremlin-connected billionaire for allegedly meddling in the 2016 presidential election, scoffing at the idea that someone described as his chef could sway U.S. voters.
India-Russia Defense Ties Unhindered by US Sanctions - Indian Defense Minister Sputnik 05 Jun 2018 -- Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that since most of India's military assets are sourced from Russia and many more purchase deals are in the pipeline, the US sanctions against Russia would not be impacting "this particular characteristic of India-Russia defense cooperation."
Russia spares no effort to settle tensions in Korean Peninsula: Putin Press TV 05 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow will "exhaust every effort" to resolve the simmering tensions in the Korean Peninsula peacefully, stressing that the Kremlin abhors the very idea of a possible nuclear war between Russia's neighbor North Korea and the US.
Russia's Putin signs US counter-sanctions legislation Press TV 04 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a counter-sanctions bill in response to the US' latest sanctions against the country.
Putin Signs Russian Countersanctions Bill RFE/RL 04 Jun 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill that provides for countermeasures against the United States and other countries that imposed sanctions against Russia.
Moscow court gives Ukrainian journalist 12 years for espionage Press TV 04 Jun 2018 -- A court in Russia has sentenced a Ukrainian journalist to 12 years in prison after convicting him of spying for his native country, a move that could further sour ties between Moscow and Kiev.
Moscow Court Sentences Ukrainian Journalist To 12 Years In Prison For Espionage RFE/RL 04 Jun 2018 -- A Russian court has sentenced Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko to 12 years in prison after convicting him of spying in a case that Kyiv and rights activists say is politically motivated.
Kremlin officially invites North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit Russia Press TV 04 Jun 2018 -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin has officially invited North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit the Russian Federation in September, Kremlin says, days after Russian Foreign Minister paid an official visit to the peninsular country for the first time in nearly a decade.
Russia-Friendly, Pro-European Moldovan Candidates Face Off In Chisinau Runoff RFE/RL 03 Jun 2018 -- Voters in Moldova's capital are heading to the polls on June 3 for the second round of a snap mayoral election that is seen as a test for the country's political parties ahead of parliamentary polls later this year.
After Decades-Long Hiatus, Russia Seeks Renewed Africa Ties VOA 03 Jun 2018 -- On Sunday, Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, will visit Rwanda to meet his counterpart, Louise Mushikiwabo, and President Paul Kagame. They plan to discuss economic development and fighting terrorism, Russia's foreign ministry said, along with Russia's involvement with the Africa Union, which Kagame chairs until the end of the year.
Russia Discusses Supplying Air Defense Systems to Rwanda - Foreign Minister Sputnik 03 Jun 2018 -- Russia and Rwanda are discussing possible supplies of Russian air defense systems to the African nation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday.
UK sends warship, chopper to tail Russian vessels Press TV 03 Jun 2018 -- The UK Royal Navy has deployed a warship and an aircraft to shadow a Russian navy ship as it passed through the English Channel.
Counterterrorism Operation Regime Introduced in Russia's Dagestan Sputnik 03 Jun 2018 -- A counterterrorism operation regime has been introduced in the Tsumadinsky District of Russia's Dagestan Republic, a spokesman for the operation headquarters told Sputnik on Sunday.
Russia Plans to Supply S-400 to Qatar Despite Saudi Opposition – Lawmaker Sputnik 02 Jun 2018 -- Russia's plans to supply S-400 Triumf air defense systems to Qatar will not be affected by the opposition of Saudi Arabia, Russian senior lawmaker Aleksei Kondratyev told Sputnik.
Ukraine Claims Found List Of 47 Russian Assassination Targets RFE/RL 02 Jun 2018 -- Ukrainian authorities claim they have uncovered a hit-list of 47 people - mostly journalists - who are potential Russian assassination targets as a result of their sting operation staging the faked murder of exiled Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko.
Russia to dispatch new missile cruiser to Mediterranean Press TV 02 Jun 2018 -- Russia plans to dispatch its new cruise missile-launching warship to the Mediterranean to join the country's naval task force in the region.
Apple Reportedly No Longer Complying With Russian Ban On Telegram RFE/RL 02 Jun 2018 -- Apple is no longer complying with a Russian ban on Telegram and is now providing an updated version of the popular messaging service through its App store for iPhone users, Telegram said.
Report: Plans Underway for Possible Trump-Putin Summit VOA 02 Jun 2018 -- White House officials are making plans for a possible summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Saudi Arabia: S-400 sale talks with Russia 'advancing well' Press TV 02 Jun 2018 -- Saudi Arabia says negotiations over the purchase of Russian S-400 missile system are "advancing well."

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

June 2018 - Russia Special Weapons News