Syrian troops gain as Putin defends strikes
By SARAH EL DEEB and LYNN BERRY Syrian troops backed by Russian airstrikes advanced against insurgents in the center of the country as President Vladimir Putin defended Moscow’s intervention in…
Russia government
Syrian troops launch ground offensive in central regions
By ALBERT AJI and NATALIYA VASILYEVA Syrian government troops launched a ground offensive Wednesday in the country’s central region under cover of Russian airstrikes, a Damascus official said. And in…
The Latest: France says Russia didn’t appear to target IS
The latest developments as Russia and other nations counter Islamic State militants in Syria. All times local: 7:40 p.m. France’s Foreign Minister says “initial indications” show Russian airstrikes in Syria…
Obama and Putin: Awkward moments, few breakthroughs
By JULIE PACE U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first formal meeting in more than two years started with an awkward handshake and ended without a breakthrough…
Obama: US willing to work with Russia, Iran on Syria crisis
By JULIE PACE and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV Straining for a solution to Syria’s civil war, President Barack Obama on Monday said the United States is willing to work with Russia, as…
Putin criticizes US policy in Syria ahead of Obama meeting
Russian President Vladimir Putin sharply criticized U.S. military support for Syrian rebels, describing it as not only illegal but counterproductive, in an interview broadcast Sunday before his meeting with President…
Putin moves to establish Russian military base in Belarus
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled his intentions to establish a Russian military air base in neighboring Belarus. Belarus has made clear it would not welcome a Russian base but…
Kerry: Russian fighter jets in Syria raise serious questions
By KEN DILANIAN The United States is disturbed by Russia’s movement of tactical aircraft to Syria, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday, acknowledging that the jets could pose…