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 …

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 …

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 …

Following the declining demand for Russian gas in Europe, plummeting spot prices at gas hubs and a whopping cash gap in the budget, the Russian gas monopoly Gazprom has resorted to selling gas to itself, finanz.ru reports.

In the first half of the year, the company’s gas exports to Europe fell by 8.9%. In the first six days of August, the export volume had dropped by as much as 22%.

Russia’s Interfax news agency reports that Gazprom has been assisted by a mysterious client, which bought …

The Ukrainian government has allocated more than 245 billion hryvnia (around $9.9 billion) to national security in the draft budget for 2020, said Ukrainian Finance Minister Oksana Markarova, as cited by UNN.

“We are planning to allocate 245.8 billion [hryvnia] to various administrators who are involved in security and defense,” she said, clarifying that not all of it would be allocated to specific administrators.

“There is a separate new article – these are the funds that are supposed to be …

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 …

The strategic command and staff exercises Tsentr-2019 began at Russia's and other countries military ranges, reports TASS news agency. Russian Defense Ministry also invited Foreign Military Attaches to the drills.

Foreign military representatives accredited in Russia will attend the military exercises. At a press briefing with participation of more than 100 military attaches, representing 71 countries, including 20 NATO member countries, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel-General …

Turkey received all components of the second battery of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, reports the press service of the Turkish Defense Ministry. The equipment was delivered to Mürted Airfield Command in Ankara on August 27.

Works on the installation of the system and training of personnel are continuing. The system should be operational by April 2020.

In 2017, Turkey and Russia signed a contract for the supply of four S-400 missile systems with a total cost of $2.5 billion. The …