Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a New Year's greeting to Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, in which he expressed the hope that the radical changes in the gradual reconstruction of the country caused by the armed conflict would continue in Syria in the coming year, the Kremlin's press-service reports.

Putin noted that the victory over the terrorists and the prompt normalization of the situation in Syria served the interests of peace and security throughout the Middle East. In addition, he …

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent best wishes to his American counterpart Donald Trump on the coming New Year and expressed hope that the relations between the two countries will develop following the principles of equality, the Kremlin press service reported.

In Putin’s message sent to the heads of foreign states, governments and heads of international organizations, it is noted that "in the current difficult international situation, the building of a constructive Russian-American …

The Russian Embassy to the US has published a statement saying that Russia has refused to issue a visa to US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and that the politician had been put on a "blacklist" created in response to anti-Russian sanctions.

"The [Russian] Embassy received a visa application for a Congressional delegation consisting of senators and their staff. Visas were issued to all members of the delegation, with the exception of Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who is on a Russian ‘blacklist’ created in …