The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper published a commentary by political observer Reinhard Veser, who evaluated the statements of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier regarding a possible rapprochement of the West with Moscow.

“Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has put himself in an ambiguous position. Through a variety of statements all summer he was creating the impression that the common position of the German authorities on the Russian aggression in Ukraine is in …

Russia’s Caucasus 2016 military exercises have begun, involving the entire Southern Military District, the Crimea, and the Black Sea and Caspian fleets, Reuters reported. A total of 12,500 troops are expected to take part.

Last week, Russia conducted a series of combat readiness checks in the lead up to the exercises.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Caucasus 2016 is the last major military exercise of the year. It is scheduled to end on September 10th.

An unspecified number of aircraft, …

US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China, RIA Novosti reported.

In an informal 90-minute meeting, the two leaders discussed the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine.

The key discussion point was the war in Syria, specifically providing humanitarian aid, reducing the level of violence, and combating extremist groups, such as the so-called Islamic State.

The two leaders also discussed the war in Ukraine, with Obama urging …