Putin & Erdogan all smiles in Sochi after Turkish leader voiced frustration with Biden & declared intent to move closer to Russia

Forest fires, gas pipelines, nuclear power plants and conflicts in Syria and the Caucasus were among the topics discussed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi on Wednesday. … Read More >Putin & Erdogan all smiles in Sochi after Turkish leader voiced frustration with Biden & declared intent to move closer to Russia

Western media claimed Sochi would be post-Olympic ghost town. Now, Russian city’s mayor reveals population has doubled in a decade

When Sochi won the battle to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, many claimed that investment in a dilapidated Soviet resort, partially on swampland, was just for show, and that the city would quickly turn into a Potemkin village. … Read More >Western media claimed Sochi would be post-Olympic ghost town. Now, Russian city’s mayor reveals population has doubled in a decade

Lukashenko meets Putin in Sochi as western-backed Belarusian opposition figure Tikhanovskaya threatens to cancel any agreements

Exiled former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has criticized Russia’s President Vladimir Putin for meeting with the “usurper,” a term she has used to describe the country’s president, Alexander Lukashenko. … Read More >Lukashenko meets Putin in Sochi as western-backed Belarusian opposition figure Tikhanovskaya threatens to cancel any agreements

After Putin-Lukashenko talks in Sochi, Russia disbands controversial standby National Guard unit stationed near Belarus border

Moscow has disbanded a law enforcement reserve unit stationed on its border with Belarus following talks between the presidents of the two countries. The force was formed last month at Minsk’s request and raised eyebrows abroad. … Read More >After Putin-Lukashenko talks in Sochi, Russia disbands controversial standby National Guard unit stationed near Belarus border

Russia’s ‘secret weapon’ for winning influence in Africa – and it’s not what you might think

Russia’s efforts to boost its influence in Africa, which was highlighted at this week’s summit in Sochi, is not only about arms, nuclear power and investment deals, but also about the less tangible things. … Read More >Russia’s ‘secret weapon’ for winning influence in Africa – and it’s not what you might think