Putin accuses West of playing 'double game' with Syria terrorist groups
President Vladimir Putin accused the West of playing a "double game" with terrorist groups in Syria, where a US-led coalition is conducting a bombing campaign.
Russia seeks firm foothold in strategic Syria
Russia has shocked the West by boosting its military presence in Syria as President Vladimir Putin seeks to not just defeat Islamic State radicals but also to gain a firm foothold in the strategic Middle Eastern country.
Russian police smash illegal $30 million cheesemaking ring
Russian police said they had detained an "international criminal gang" that produced contraband cheese worth some $30 million using banned Western ingredients.
Putin orders destruction of smuggled Western food
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree ordering the destruction of Western food smuggled into the country in breach of an official embargo.
Iran nuclear talks will reach compromise 'soon': Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believed global powers and Iran will "soon" reach a compromise in talks on Tehran's nuclear programme.
Nursultan Nazarbayev hails Eurasian integration
Nursultan Nazarbayev says Eurasian integration is the way of progress and success.
Putin extends Western food ban for one year
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended a ban against most Western food imports for a year, saying the longer-than-expected measure would ensure the country's security.
West hikes warnings over Ukraine truce as new flashpoint ignites
The West sounded more forceful warnings over Ukraine's battered truce as fighting raged around the port city of Mariupol.
West's defence of Charlie Hebdo worries moderate Asia Muslims
The West's defence of Charlie Hebdo's right to offend is testing the patience of Muslims even in moderate Indonesia and Malaysia.
Sanctions-hit Russia in risky bet on Ukraine talks
It seems to have played out exactly as Western powers hoped: sanctions and falling oil prices have hit Russia hard.
China city bans Christmas in schools, warns over 'Western' culture
A Chinese city has banned schools from holding Christmas events, highlighting official suspicions about the increasingly popular festival because of its foreign origins.
Challenging Russia, Ukraine moves to drop neutral status
Ukraine's president openly challenged the Kremlin by submitting a bill allowing the former Soviet republic to join NATO and make the Western alliance its defender.
Russia on the spot as fears mount over east Ukraine conflict
Russia hit back against Western claims that it was sending fresh military hardware into eastern Ukraine which could fuel a return to all-out conflict.
Russia backs Ukraine rebel vote despite West criticism
Russia endorsed a crushing victory for Ukraine's pro-Moscow rebel leadership after controversial polls that the EU slammed as a "new obstacle" for peace.
Iran denies claim nuclear deal is 'finalised'
Iran's government was forced to deny it had already struck a nuclear deal with the West, after a lawmaker accused its negotiators of secretly selling the country short.
Russia angers West by backing rebel polls as EU uphold sanctions
Russia announced it will recognise separatist polls in Ukraine next weekend, sparking an angry reaction from Washington and Kiev's newly elected pro-Western leaders.
Russia's Rosneft takes EU to court over sanctions
Russian oil giant Rosneft and a close associate of President Vladimir Putin are fighting the EU in court over sanctions imposed on some of Russia's biggest companies.
Kazakhstan to export oil to China and Iran should anti-Russian sanctions escalate
The Ministry of National Economy of Kazakhstan is looking for alternative routes in case the West applies additional sanctions against Russia.
West to learn if sanctions softened Russia on Ukraine
Western allies should learn if their punishing sanctions on Russia have softened its stance on Ukraine enough to justify Europe's economic recovery.
More than 330 killed in Ukraine since truce: UN
More than 330 people have been killed in Ukraine since a fragile truce began a month ago, with five million people affected by continuing violence.