US-Russia relations

Russia has named career diplomat Alexander Darchiev as new ambassador to the United States

Russia has named career diplomat Alexander Darchiev as new ambassador to the United States, filling a role vacant since last year in another sign of easing tensions. US president Donald Trump has sought to restore ruptured ties with Moscow since taking office, reaching out to president Vladimir Putin and initiating high-level talks for the first time since Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine in 2022. Putin withdrew his former envoy […]

1 March, 2025 48

World

American prisoner released by Russia

Russia has freed American detainee Marc Fogel. The 63-year-old school teacher was released from prison on Tuesday, according to US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. He'd been arrested for the illegal possession of cannabis back in 2021 and was given a 14-year prison sentence, which the United States viewed as "wrongful." Benji Hyer reports.

12 February, 2025 37

World

Senior Russian lawmakers indicate Trump could meet Putin this month

A senior Russian lawmaker believes a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could happen as early as this month or next. Chair of the Russian Parliament's International Affairs Committee, Leonid Slutsky, told Russian state media that plans for a meeting are at an "advanced stage" and that "it will take place soon". Stuart Smith has more from Kyiv:

7 February, 2025 46

Africa

Russia has tightened its hold over the Sahel region – and now it’s looking to Africa’s west coast

By Olumba E. Ezenwa, Royal Holloway University of London and John Sunday Ojo, University of Portsmouth Armed troops in Niger overthrew the government in July 2023, seizing power for themselves. The following months were rife with speculation that the military government would align with Moscow and possibly form ties with the Russian military or its associates. This has now become a reality, to the detriment of western […]

2 May, 2024 24