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Russian Lawmakers Discouraged From Foreign Contacts at Victory Day Events – Reports

Putin's adviser reportedly sent instructions to lawmakers “so that there’s no independent activity during the holidays.”

'indifferent attitude'

Positive Opinions Toward Putin Drop by 10% – Poll

“In general, all authoritarian regimes are held up on such an alienated attitude,” the head of the Levada Center said.

presidential invitation

We Hope Trump Visits Russia for Victory Day in May, Putin Says

Putin said it would be the "right" thing for Trump to attend the commemorative event.

political limbo

Putin Hangs Netanyahu Out to Dry Over Hashish Jailing

Putin has snubbed repeated requests from Netanyahu to free Naama Issachar, sentenced to 7 1/2 years in jail for carrying a small amount of hashish.

opinion

Leonid Bershidsky

Macron’s Vision of Russia's Future Is Half-Baked

Macron thinks Russia has no choice but integration with Europe. Putin has other ideas.

Behind-the-scenes business

Putin’s Ex-Wife Co-Owns Top Russian Microlender – Sobesednik

The startup's portfolio has grown an estimated 30% in the year since she reportedly purchased the shares.

KEEP IT RUSSIAN

Putin Wants to 'Replace' Wikipedia With 'Reliable' Russian Version: 4 Takeaways From Speech

The president warned of attempts to squeeze Russian to the "global periphery."

opinion

Putin's Declassified KGB Record Shows He Was No High-Flier, but a Solid B

A recent report about Vladimir Putin as a KBG officer shows that he was seen as worthy, serious and reliable, but not as a high-flier or a leader.

PHONE DIPLOMACY

What If Trump Calls Putin? Balts and Poles Worry After Syria

Trump's willingness for Russia to return to the G7 and his actions in Syria are raising alarm bells in eastern European countries.

That's my opinion

3 Quotes From Putin’s Trip to Hungary

He mourned the plight of Christians in the Middle East and questioned his Ukrainian counterpart’s abilities.

Good communist

‘Prompt, Disciplined, Meticulous’: Putin’s KGB Profile Declassified

“Comrade V.V. Putin constantly improves his ideological and political standards," the file reads.

wave of manipulation

Facebook Suspends Accounts Tied to Putin Ally Over Alleged Africa Meddling

The accounts were said to reach more than 1 million followers in eight African countries.

NEW WORLD ORDER

At Russia's Inaugural Africa Summit, Moscow Sells Sovereignty

The Kremlin is leaning on its "anti-colonial" past for greater influence in Africa.

spy exchange

Putin Urged to Pardon Norwegian Jailed for Spying Amid Hopes of Swap

Frode Berg was detained in December 2017 and jailed for 14 years after being convicted of gathering intelligence about nuclear submarines.

DOING BUSINESS

Russia Rises in World Bank’s Business Rating

The country edged up three places, but failed to reach Putin’s top 20 goal.

FALLING FAVOR

Russians Trust Putin Less Than Army – Poll

The president’s trust rating fell in 2018 and never recovered, while the military is seen as a strong protector.

opinion

Leonid Bershidsky

The Putin-Erdogan Deal Poses a Challenge to the West

The Kremlin offers authoritarians a brokerage service based on cynical principles of mutual gain rather than values and allegiances.

Syria summit

Turkey, Russia Strike Deal to Remove Syrian Kurdish YPG, Launch Joint Patrols

The meeting comes amid weeks of tensions between Moscow, Ankara and Damascus over fighting in northern Syria.

big brother

Vladimir Putin Wants Everyone to Love the Way He Watches Them

These days it’s not just foreigners who are being tracked, but all 12.6 million Muscovites, too.

Kicked out

Putin Appoints TV Presenter as Human Rights Head, Pushes Out Liberals

Well-known liberal figures like Yekaterina Schulmann and Pavel Chikov will no longer advise the Kremlin on human rights.

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