• Russia and Belarus to unify economies

    Russia and Belarus have agreed to establish a unified Tax Code and Civil Code within the Union State format, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reports.

    The program of economic integration between Russia and Belarus was signed at the beginning of September, but was not publicized until now. The program envisages the partial unification of the two countries’ economic systems starting in January 2021.

    This will involve a unified Tax Code, foreign trade regime and Civil Code, a unified record of …

  • Kremlin confirms that ‘CIA agent’ Smolenkov worked in Russian embassy in USA

    Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova has confirmed that former Russian presidential administration employee Oleg Smolenkov, whom CNN considers a CIA agent, also worked in the Russian embassy in the US. She added that she did not know him personally, and that he was involved in economic matters.

    “At some point in his career he worked in our embassy in Washington. I have no more to comment on that. I did not know him personally, our paths did not cross. The only thing I know …

  • Putin offers S-400 missile systems to Saudi Arabia after drone attack

    Saudi Arabia could buy Russian S-400 aerial defense systems to protect itself, proposed Russian President Vladimir Putin, as cited by the TASS news agency.

    All that the Saudi authorities need to do is to “make a wise government decision” and buy the systems, which will “reliably protect all of Saudi Arabia’s facilities and infrastructure,” the Russian president remarked. He pointed out that Iran has already purchased S-300 systems and Turkey has bought S-400s.

    When asked by reporters whether …

  • Volker: No Donbas elections until Russian troops are withdrawn

    US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker said that Ukraine’s international partners will not pressurize it to hold elections in the Donbas while there are still Russia-controlled forces in the region.

    “I don’t see a scenario where Ukraine is pushed toward holding elections while the territories remain occupied. The ‘Steinmeier Formula can only be implemented after elections have been held,” Volker told the TV channel 1+1 in an interview.

    He said that in order to hold free and fair …

  • Pope welcomes prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine

    Pope Francis during the traditional Sunday sermon welcomed the release of prisoners by Russia and Ukraine, reports RIA Novosti news agency.

    "Last week a long-awaited exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine took place. I am pleased with the news about the released people who were able to hug their families, and I continue to pray for a quick end to the conflict and sustainable peace in Eastern Ukraine," he said.

    On September 7, Russia and Ukraine exchanged the prisoners according to …