All News, Russia and former Soviet Union


Gorbachev thinks 'positively' of Putin, slams his decision to run for president MOSCOW - Ex-Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev insists that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin should not be running for the president.
Feb 13 at 21:00 | Interfax-Ukraine
Observer: Turkmenistan presidential election just a show MOSCOW - Sunday's presidential election in Turkmenistan, which gave one more term to incumbent Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, was a put-up job with the president's rivals being "part of the stage scenery," a local election observer said on Monday, Feb. 13
Feb 13 at 20:32 | Interfax-Ukraine
Russia wants peace before peacekeeping mission to Syria (updated) MOSCOW - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made clear on Monday that Moscow would not support a plan to send U.N. peacekeepers to Syria unless there was a halt to violence by both government forces and their armed opponents.
Feb 13 at 18:49 | Reuters
Seeking Kremlin return, Putin pledges spending MOSCOW - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin set out plans to increase spending on healthcare, education and social services on Monday, trying to woo protesting middle-class voters before a presidential election he is expected to win.
Feb 13 at 16:30 | Reuters
Lukashenko: Belarus, Russia to form single regional air defense system MINSK - Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Monday confirmed in Decree 65 an agreement between Belarus and Russia to jointly protect the Union State's external air border and to form a single regional air defense system, the Belarusian presidential press service told Interfax.
Feb 13 at 15:47 | Interfax-Ukraine
Cold kills 215 people in Russia since Jan. 1 A total of 5,546 people in Russia, including 154 children, have suffered from hypothermia and frostbite from Jan. 1 to Feb. 13, the Health and Social Development Ministry told Interfax on Monday.
Feb 13 at 15:14 | Interfax-Ukraine
Alpine test for 2014 Sochi Games called a success KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) — The first major test event for the 2014 Sochi Olympics was hailed as a success. Construction for the games may be behind schedule elsewhere, but the Alpine skiing venue is ready.
Feb 13 at 14:26 | Associated Press
Russian submarine had nukes during December fire MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian magazine says a fire aboard a docked Russian nuclear submarine could have sparked a catastrophe because it was carrying nuclear-tipped missiles, despite official statements to the contrary.
Feb 13 at 13:52 | Associated Press
Russia studying Syria peacekeeper proposal MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's foreign minister says his country will study an Arab League proposal for a joint peacekeeping mission in Syria with the United Nations.
Feb 13 at 13:07 | Associated Press
Turkmen president re-elected with 97 percent of vote (updated) ALMATY, Kazakhstan (AP) — Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov won a new five-year term by capturing 97 percent of the vote, election officials said Monday, but a Western expert called the vote a democratic sham.
Feb 13 at 10:45 | Associated Press