Putin orders destruction of smuggled Western foodRussian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree ordering the destruction of Western food smuggled into the country in breach of an official embargo.
Ukraine bans Putin buddy Depardieu for five yearsUkraine said it had blacklisted French film star and newly minted Russian national Gerard Depardieu in apparent retribution for reportedly refusing to recognise the independence of the former Soviet state.
Putin welcomes BRICS leaders amid standoff with WestRussian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the leaders of emerging powers for a summit Moscow hopes will show it not isolated despite the standoff with the West over Ukraine.
09 July 2015
Putin hosts BRICS summit amid standoff with WestRussian President Vladimir Putin is to meet world leaders including China's Xi Jingping and India's Narendra Modi ahead of the start of a summit of the BRICS emerging economies.