Outgoing defense minister is now widely expected to take helm of Russia’s powerful Security Council.

Yerevan continues to distance itself from Moscow’s CSTO, a six-nation military alliance.

The latest bombardments come as ‘retaliation’ for Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, according to Moscow.

Russia reportedly summons French and British ambassadors to explain ‘bellicose statements’ emanating from Paris and London.

Longstanding leader calls for dialogue with the West ‘free of arrogance, conceit, or sense of exceptionalism.’

Moscow to rehearse deployment of nuclear weapons in response to ‘provocations and threats’ by Western officials.

Politician accuses West’s ‘global war party’ of pushing the country into conflict with Russia.

Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014 and now regards the strategic peninsula as sovereign Russian Federation territory.

Trip revives speculation about a pending deal between the two countries that would let Russia establish a naval base on Sudan’s Red Sea coast.

Bill’s supporters note similar legislation in other countries, including Washington’s own Foreign Agents Registration Act.