Moscow

Moldova announces state of emergency over gas shortages

The ex-Soviet country's parliament has approved a government-requested state of emergency until November 20 as it tries to ease gas shortages amid soaring world energy prices.

Russia ends mission to NATO in response to expulsion of its staff

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow was suspending its official mission to NATO from November 1 after the alliance expelled eight Russians in a row over spying.

Putin hosts Assad as the two sides eye Syria’s consolidation

Despite international sanctions and condemnation, the Russia-backed Assad regime is exploring ways to take back opposition and rebel-held territory where millions of displaced Syrians reside.

Russia threatens to fine Apple, Google unless they remove Navalny app

The company's refusal to delete the opposition app created by Kremlin critic could be considered interference to the country's parliamentary elections later this month, Moscow says.

Russia to supply arms and helicopters to Afghanistan's neighbours

Orders for weapons come as countries in ex-Soviet region, where Moscow holds military bases, have raised concerns over Taliban's rise to power.

Russia's Putin and Italy's Draghi discuss ways to stabilise Afghanistan

The two leaders spoke in favour of consolidating international efforts to foster peace and stability in Afghanistan as Europe and the US cut Taliban's financial lifeline.

Anti-Taliban forces coming together in Panjshir Valley, says Russia

Former Afghan vice president Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud hope to lead a resistance from the valley northeast of Kabul.

Russia's vaccine diplomacy is overhyped and underwhelming

Moscow’s South-South vaccine efforts have fallen short of expectations and don’t pose as big a challenge to the West as initially presumed.

What’s Russia’s strategy in Afghanistan?

As US withdrawal nears and the Taliban makes sweeping territorial gains, Russia’s security presence in Central Asia and diplomatic involvement in Afghanistan is rapidly growing.

Escalatory violence is Russia’s stick — and carrot ahead of Syria talks

The timing of Moscow and the Syrian regime’s attacks over the past few months indicates a desire to pressure the international community before major international meetings on the Syrian war.

Bashar al Assad’s Daraa offensive reveals the limits of Russian power

By continuously breaking Russia-brokered ‘peace’ agreements, the regime is hampering Moscows’s long-term vision of exploiting Syria economically.

Hundreds of Afghans flee to Tajikistan as Taliban advances

The refugees, including children, have escaped as the militia takes control of vast areas in Afghanistan.