Lynn Berry, The Associated Press

  • Senior Russian military commander Sergei Rudskoi (L) speaks during a news briefing on the situation in Syria, Moscow, May 5, 2017. Russia on May 5 said it has already stopped bombing in areas of Syria set to be designated safe zones under an agreement inked with Iran and Turkey. / AFP PHOTO / Vasily MAXIMOV (Photo credit should read VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images)
    Russia-backed Syrian safe zones plan goes into effect

    A deal hammered out by Russia, Turkey and Iran to set up "de-escalation zones" in mostly opposition-held parts of Syria went into effect in the early hours of Saturday.

  • Day after Putin call, GOP warns Trump on lifting sanctions

    A day after Donald Trump's first call as president with Russia's Vladimir Putin, leading congressional Republicans made clear they oppose any attempt by the new administration to wipe away U.S. penalties imposed on Moscow by the Obama White House.

  • FILE - In this Friday, March 4, 2016 file photo, Russian fighter jets and bombers are parked at Hemeimeem air base in Syria. Russian warplanes have mostly stayed on the ground since the Russian- and U.S.-brokered cease-fire has begun last weekend. Russia's defense ministry said Tuesday, March 15, 2016, that the first group of warplanes stationed at the Russian air base in Syria has left for home following a pullout order from President Vladimir Putin. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File)
    Russian warplanes start leaving Syria following Putin order

    MOSCOW — Russian warplanes and troops stationed at Russia's air base in Syria started leaving for home on Tuesday after a partial pullout order from President Vladimir Putin the previous day, a step that raises hopes for progress at the newly reconvened U.N.-brokered peace talks in Geneva.

  • FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015 file photo provided by Russian Emergency Situations Ministry, Egyptian Military on cars approach a plane's tail at the wreckage of a passenger jet bound for St. Petersburg in Russia that crashed in Hassana, Egypt. The Russian passenger plane that crashed in Egypt was brought down by a homemade bomb placed on board in a
    Russia: Plane brought down by homemade explosive device

    A homemade explosive device brought down a Russian passenger plane over Egypt last month, the head of Russia's FSB security service said Tuesday, telling President Vladimir Putin it's now clear the crash that killed 224 people was a "terrorist" act and offering a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin heads a meeting on military issues at the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, on Monday, Nov. 9, 2015. President Vladimir Putin says Russia's air campaign in Syria has proven the military's increased combat readiness and capability. (Alexei Druzhinin/RIA Novosti, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
    Kremlin-controlled TV airs 'secret' plans for nuclear weapon

    Details of a new Russian submarine-launched nuclear torpedo have been shown on state-controlled TV, a secret the Kremlin said should never have been aired. Some observers, however, saw it as a deliberate leak.

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin walks on the podium after the Russian Formula One Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom circuit on October 11, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC
    Syrian troops gain as Putin defends strikes

    Syrian troops backed by Russian airstrikes advanced against insurgents in the center of the country as President Vladimir Putin defended Moscow's intervention in the conflict, saying it would aid efforts to reach a political settlement.

  • Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, left, chats with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov upon being welcomed by Lavrov for their meeting in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015. The two are holding talks expected to focus on the implementation of the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, as well as international efforts to mediate the conflict in Syria. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
    Russia reportedly gets Iran's clearance for Syria flights

    Iran has granted permission for Russian planes to fly over its territory en route to Syria, Russian news agencies reported Wednesday, a bypass needed after Bulgaria refused overflights amid signs of a Russian military buildup in Syria.

  • Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in Tbilisi, Georgia on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. In an interview Tuesday with the Associated Press, President Giorgi Margvelashvili said Russia's 2008 war with Georgia and its seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 show that Moscow is ready to exploit any instability in countries it still considers to be under its sphere of influence. (AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov)
    Georgia's leader warns of Russian expansion

    Russia is poised to use its armed forces to expand further into former Soviet states, Georgia's president said Tuesday, calling on the West never to accept any Russian aggression.