Yelena Tregubova

While many in the West have written the conflict off as a stalemate, the Kremlin has not

This time, the Russian president, who does not normally express emotions during state meetings, gave Merkel a bouquet of pink flowers.
Although the topics of conversation are difficult, especially due to the crisis in Afghanistan, which affects the whole world, during the meeting, photos of a rather cordial conversation between the two statesmen were taken.

Reports that Vladimir Putin has told officials to fly relatives living abroad back to Russia, leaving many worried about a call of war, are being downplayed by a leading rumour-busting website.
The Daily Star reports local media as saying Putin wants Russian officials and politicians to return to the “Fatherland” now.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin has hit out at the West over their sanctions, claiming they have thrown out the trade rulebook in dealing with the Kremlin