Presidents of Russia

 The United States does not seek conflict with Russia, US President Joe Biden said for The Washington Post.

"In my phone calls with President Putin, I have been clear and direct. The United States does not seek conflict. We want a stable and predictable relationship where we can work with Russia on issues like strategic stability and arms control," he pointed out.

The global economy may see the highest growth rates in decades following a decline caused by the coronavirus pandemic, while Russia's economy is already approaching pre-crisis levels, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, addressing the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Friday.

President Joe Biden will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva on June 16, the first summit between the two leaders since the American president took office.

"The leaders will discuss the full range of pressing issues, as we seek to restore predictability and stability to the U.S.-Russia relationship," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement Tuesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to discuss with his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky Crimea in the context of border cooperation between the two countries' regions, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The gun rampage at a school in the city of Kazan has prompted President Vladimir Putin to order a tightening of Russia's gun controls.

A 19-year-old, Ilnaz Galyaviev, was detained and he is the suspected shooter. Seven children and two adults were killed. Dozens more were wounded and some are in critical condition.

 Russia has proposed arms control and security talks for President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden to meet.

The leadership in Moscow is still waiting for a response from Washington to such a summit, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday at a virtual UN conference on disarmament.

 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Ukraine this week reflects the Biden administration's concern about the danger of Russian aggression against its western neighbor. Though President Vladimir Putin has temporarily eased tensions by ordering Russian troops to pull back from the border, he remains determined to undermine the Ukrainian government's control over its own territory.

Russia has placed entry bans on eight officials from EU states, including members of the European Parliament and the European Commission. The move comes after the EU hit Russian officials with sanctions in March.

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "naked, thieving king" on April 29, looking gaunt but defiant in a courtroom video link from prison, his first public appearance since ending a hunger strike last week.   

Russia said it will begin pulling thousands of troops back from areas near the Ukrainian border starting Friday, in a step that could calm tensions with the West that have surged in recent weeks.

The military units will return to their bases by May 1, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday in Crimea, where he's on a visit to review maneuvers.