Russian President Vladimir Putin orders a nationwide week-long paid holiday starting on October 30 to curb Covid infections amid record coronavirus deaths.

Russian President Vladimir Putin questions the point of meeting with Ukraine's leader, claiming Volodymyr Zelensky's country is effectively run by leaders in Washington and European capitals.

Russia has begun production of the Aurus Senat luxury sedan car promoted by President Vladimir Putin. The country unveiled plans for the Aurus line of cars first in 2013.

The two leaders, at odds with the West over recent political maneuvers, have enjoyed a boat trip near Sochi. Last week, a plane was forced to land in Minsk to arrest a blogger critical of the Lukashenko regime.

The talks about a new ceasefire in Ukraine are already "at the finish line," said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A meeting with Vladimir Putin was also on the cards.

Russia does not want to burn any bridges, but its response to threats would be "asymmetrical, quick, and tough," President Vladimir Putin said in an annual address.

Vladimir Putin is trying to force the United States and the EU to put pressure on Ukraine's government. The Russian strongman's experiences since 2014 make him think he just might succeed, DW's Konstantin Eggert writes.

US President Joe Biden has raised concerns over the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny in his first phone call with Vladimir Putin. All G7 foreign ministers condemned Navalny's arrest as "politically motivated."