"We understand but we do not appreciate the attempts of France and other EU countries to claim a dominant role in Africa and other regions," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says.
The absence of Russians during the May holidays spells a disaster for the European tourism sector as experts predicted losses of billions of dollars.
Ivan Kuliak, an artistic gymnast, had placed the letter 'Z' on his chest at a World Cup event in Doha in March.
The fast-food giant's decision is part of an exodus of foreign corporations including H&M, Starbucks and Ikea in reaction to Russia's incursion in Ukraine in February.
As Russia reels from economic sanctions by the West, the country's president warns that the economic fallout will have global repercussions.
Facing the prospect of jail time in Russia, Pussy Riot activist flees the country in what she calls a "big 'kiss-off' to the Russian authorities".
Russian President Vladimir Putin leads commemorations of Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany, but Ukraine, under unrelenting attack, is desperate to deny Moscow any sense of military invigoration.
High winds have led to fires breaking out in one of Russia's largest regions leaving at least five people dead and affecting dozens of buildings.
The parade is an annual event since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 but it has gained prominence during President Vladimir Putin's two decades in power as a display of military muscle.
The rouble was 0.7 percent stronger against the dollar at 70.49 as it gained 1.2 percent to trade at 73.84 versus the euro.
"Many future generations of Ukrainian citizens will pay for all the ammunition, equipment and food that the United States will supply," said Russia's most senior lawmaker.
Ex-US Marine Trevor Reed was serving a nine-year sentence in Russia after being convicted in 2019 of endangering the lives of two police officers, while Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko was in US jail on drug charges.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for all latest in-depth, on the ground reporting from around the world.
Copyright © 2022 TRT World.
Like
Follow