Vladimir Putin

Russia and Saudi 'very close' to oil deal – Moscow envoy

Kirill Dmitriev, one of Russia's top oil negotiators who also heads the sovereign wealth fund, says a deal is imminent, a month after oil prices tumbled due to the coronavirus pandemic and a price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

How world leaders are living through Covid-19

Some world leaders had to self-isolate due to proximity to the virus or even testing positive, but all of them are carefully monitored by medical professionals and maintained regular appearances both remotely and publicly.

Russia's Putin orders non-working month to curb coronavirus

Meanwhile, the Russian parliament strengthened punishment for lockdown violations, introducing heavy fines and prison terms of up to seven years in cases when a breach results in deaths.

Putin critics forced to scale back protests in Russia before big vote

President Vladimir Putin's changes, which have been approved by both houses of parliament, would overturn a current constitutional ban on him running for president again in 2024, allowing him to potentially stay in power until 2036.

Has the coronavirus exposed populist regimes?

Botched responses from governments have ranged from denial to disinformation while exacerbating a global leadership vacuum.

Russian author, political activist Limonov dies at 77

Eduard Limonov – a controversial figure who founded a radical nationalist party and led protests against President Vladimir Putin before supporting Kremlin on Crimea's annexation – passed away in Moscow, his party says.

Putin asks court if he can amend constitution to run again for president

His intervention raised the prospect of him serving another two six-year consecutive terms after 2024, though the Kremlin points out that Putin has not yet said whether he will run again in 2024.

Turkey, Russia agree on details of truce in Idlib, Syria

First Turkish-Russian joint patrol on M4 highway in Idlib to be conducted on March 15, says Turkish defence minister.

How a new refugee deal can be a win-win situation for both Turkey and EU

While both sides have traded barbs on the refugee situation, they are working towards finding common ground to diffuse tensions on the Greek border.

Allies back Russia's Putin as critics denounce 'president for life' plan

Constitutional changes allowing Vladimir Putin to run for president again in 2024 sail through both houses of parliament, raising prospect he could clock up over three decades in Kremlin and rule longer than Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

Russia's Putin lays out path to staying in power

President Vladimir Putin says there could be a presidential "reset" allowing him to run after his current term expires as Kremlin-controlled lower house, Duma, endorses proposed constitutional amendments by a 382-0 vote with 44 abstentions.

Russians held in Sweden for Chechen blogger attack

A spokesperson for the Russian embassy in Sweden said the diplomatic mission had been notified by local authorities about the arrests of a man and a woman.