Russia

U.S. attempts to control Syrian oil fields are "illegal," said Russia's top diplomat on Nov. 11.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for the creation of a Russian online encyclopedia today to become an alternative to Wikipedia, according to France Press, citing RIA Novosti.

With Russia's reengagement in Africa, the continent is perceived to be set for a new Great Game, which may no longer remain confined to political and diplomatic confrontation, but to ensue a trade war between the powers.

The work on the TurkStream in Bulgaria and Serbia will be completed in 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Budapest, TASS reported.

The Executive Board of UNESCO established the creation of a new award in the name of Dmitri Mendeleev. The initiative was proposed by Russia, which is also its co-author, RIA Novosti reported.

The value of Russian defense production orders for African countries located south of the Sahara desert has exceeded $ 2 billion. This was reported by Dmitry Shugaev, director of The Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, quoted by BGNES.

The entire portfolio of orders from African countries amounts to $ 14 billion, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Bulgaria Ekaterina Zaharieva regrets that Sofia failed to sign a program of cooperation with Moscow in the spheres of culture and education, TASS reported, cited by Focus News Agency.

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forests Desislava Taneva and Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev discussed the restrictions imposed on the import of Bulgarian plant products into Russia, said the press office of her ministry.

Turkey and Russia signed an agreement to increase the use of local currencies -- Turkish Lira and Russian Ruble -- in bilateral trade, the Russian Finance Ministry announced on Oct. 8.

Turkey has the legal right to protect its territories from terrorism, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow on Oct. 2.