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Anna SMOLCHENKO
US President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on October 22, 2018. (SAUL LOEB/AFP)
October 23, 2018, 7:48 am
Trump: US will build nuclear arsenal until Russia, China ‘come to their senses’
President’s warning comes after announcement he intends to jettison atomic treaty — a step Moscow cautions would be a major blow to global security
By Maggy DONALDSON and Anna SMOLCHENKO
US National Security Adviser John Bolton, left, is greeted by Russian Security Council chairman Nikolai Patrushev in Moscow, Russia, October 22, 2018. (Press Service of the Russian Security Council via AP)
October 22, 2018, 11:50 pm
Russians tell US security chief they’re ready to cooperate over nuclear treaty
Bolton expected to discuss future of arms pact with Putin on Tuesday; UN Security Council warns accord’s end would deal ‘serious blow to non-proliferation and arms control’
By Maria Antonova and Anna SMOLCHENKO
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and US President Donald Trump pose ahead a meeting in Helsinki, on July 16, 2018. (AFP Photo/Brendan Smialowski)
July 28, 2018, 11:44 am
White House says Trump ‘open’ to Moscow visit
Putin reveals he invited US president to Russian capital, says he’s ready to go to Washington after proposed summit delayed
By Michelle GUMEDE and Anna SMOLCHENKO
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and US President Donald Trump during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Danang, Vietnam, November 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)
March 20, 2018, 10:51 pm
Seeking closer ties, Trump and Putin plan summit
Two leaders stress importance of joint efforts to limit an arms race and boost economic cooperation after Russian spy attack row with Britain plunges Kremlin’s relations with West
By Anna SMOLCHENKO
Supporters of opposition leader Alexei Navalny take part in a rally calling for a boycott of March 18 presidential elections, at Pushkinskaya Square in Moscow, January 28, 2018. (AFP PHOTO / Alexander NEMENOV)
January 28, 2018, 4:31 pm
Russian police arrest Putin rival Navalny at protest as thousands rally
Opposition leader calls on supporters to demonstrate over upcoming presidential election expected to extend Putin’s Kremlin term to 2024
By Anna SMOLCHENKO and Ola CICHOWLAS
Ukrainian soldiers ride armored vehicles to Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine, Donetsk region, on February 1, 2015. (AFP/Oleksander Stashevsky)
December 24, 2017, 2:22 am
Russia warns US decision to arm Ukraine encourages ‘new bloodshed’
Washington reportedly set to supply revanchists with anti-tank missiles, including possibly the advanced Javelin system
By Anna SMOLCHENKO and Oleksandr SAVOCHENKO
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at a ceremony to present state awards to Russian military personnel who fought in Syria at the Kremlin in Moscow, on March 17, 2016. (AFP PHOTO / SPUTNIK / YEKATERINA SHTUKINA)
March 17, 2016, 5:00 pm
Putin: Russia can ramp up Syria presence within ‘hours’
After surprise withdrawal, president praises Assad’s ‘restraint’ and ‘sincere desire to achieve peace’
By Anna SMOLCHENKO
Russian President Vladimir Putin (center), shakes hands with Syrian President Bashar Assad as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (right), looks on in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, October 20, 2015. (Alexei Druzhinin, RIA-Novosti/Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
October 22, 2015, 12:53 pm
US snipes at Assad’s ‘red-carpet’ welcome in Moscow
Putin hosts Syrian strongman, who thanks him for his airstrikes against rebels in Syria
By Anna SMOLCHENKO
A visitor looks at an artwork depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin as Batman during the "Putin Universe" exhibition in Moscow on October 6, 2015. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP)
October 8, 2015, 1:23 pm
Putin birthday marked with cartoon pics of president
Exhibition of art by members of Russian leader’s Facebook fan club shows paintings of him as Buddha, Gandhi and Batman
By Anna SMOLCHENKO
Smoke rising in Homs, Syria in 2012 (AP/Shaam News Network)
September 30, 2015, 3:21 pm
Russia carries out first Syria airstrikes near Homs
Putin says strikes will target Islamic State jihadis before they ‘come to us’; at least 30 rebels, 12 child soldiers reported killed
By Anna SMOLCHENKO
A woman walks past a board listing foreign currency rates against the Russian ruble outside an exchange office in central Moscow on December 16, 2014. (Photo credit: AFP/ Kirill Kudryavtsev)
December 16, 2014, 10:56 pm
Russia grapples with shock ruble fall
Plunging oil prices and economic sanctions push Moscow’s economy to the brink of collapse
By Anna SMOLCHENKO
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