Russia
Peace talks on Ukraine end without agreement
MINSK Four-way talks on ending a separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine finished without a breakthrough on Tuesday, with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier declaring that "lip service" statements were not enough to achieve lasting peace.
Albright, Hadley urge U.S. to weigh using more force in Syria
WASHINGTON The United States should prepare to use greater military power and covert action in Syria to help forge a political settlement to end the country's civil war, according to a bipartisan report to be released on Wednesday.
As Syrian rebels squeezed in Aleppo, Turkish backers' eyes are elsewhere
ISTANBUL Time was that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dedicated large parts of his speeches to condemning Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad for atrocities against his people, calling for his ouster and urging greater support for the rebels fighting him.
France, Britain push Syria gas attack sanctions; Russia opposed
UNITED NATIONS France and Britain are pressing to sanction those responsible for chemical weapons attacks in Syria, though Russia says it would not support a United Nations Security Council resolution.
Kremlin orders oil group Rosneft to submit privatization plans
MOSCOW Russia has instructed its top oil producer Rosneft to submit proposals for its privatization by Dec. 1, keeping Moscow on track to receive funds from the sale by the end of the year.
Russia says Syrian army Aleppo advance boon not curse for civilians
MOSCOW Russia said on Tuesday that a Syrian army breakthrough in Aleppo had dramatically altered the situation on the ground, allowing more than 80,000 civilians to obtain humanitarian aid after years of being used as "human shields" by rebels.
Spy chief adds to warnings of Russian cyber attacks on Germany
BERLIN Germany's spy chief has warned that Russian hackers are pelting his country with disinformation that could undermine the democratic process, echoing concerns already voiced by his domestic intelligence counterpart.
Libyan commander visits Russia to ask for help fighting Islamists
MOSCOW Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, the dominant figure in the divided country's east, met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday and said he was seeking Moscow's help in his fight against Islamist militants at home.
U.N. Syria envoy wants Trump to increase fight against Islamic State
BRUSSELS U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura on Tuesday sought to dispel concerns that the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump could strike a deal with Russia over Syria, saying he would welcome it if Washington increased its fighting against Islamic State.
Exclusive: Arrested Russian minister wanted state to cede control over Rosneft - sources
MOSCOW Russia's former Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev privately argued to colleagues in government that the state should give up control over oil giant Rosneft, before he was arrested two weeks ago in a sting inside the company's offices, according to two sources.
Plane taking Brazilian soccer team to cup final in Colombia crashes, 71 dead
LA UNION, Colombia/ CHAPECO, Brazil A plane taking Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense to a South American cup final crashed in Colombia after reporting an electrical fault, killing 71 people, including most of the team and accompanying journalists. | Video
