Medvedev orders Russia poll inquiry, gets insults

President Dmitry Medvedev ordered an investigation on Sunday into allegations of fraud in Russia’s parliamentary election, one day after tens of thousands of protesters demanded it be annulled and rerun. (more…)

Putin plots his return to Russia’s presidency , Q/A

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has announced he wants to return to the presidency in an election in March.
Following are some details of his strategy and what the outcomes might be:

What is Putin’s plan? (more…)

Putin: Russian 2012 election will be dirty

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that the March 2012 presidential election campaign would be dirty, but stopped short of saying whether he would seek another stint as Kremlin chief.

Putin, Russia’s most popular politician, made clear he would play a significant role in the election but told supporters he would need to cleanse politics after the campaign. (more…)

Medvedev hints he and Putin won’t run against each other in 2012

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed talk of a deepening rift with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in remarks published Monday, strongly hinting they would not run against each other for president next year.

In a Financial Times interview, he also said he hoped Barack Obama, (more…)

Possibility of power struggle as Putin moves to reclaim presidency

RUSSIAN Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has decided to run for the presidency next year, raising the possibility of a power struggle with his protege Dmitry Medvedev, the incumbent Kremlin leader, say highly placed sources. (more…)

Iran threatens to make an enemy of Russia over sanctions

Iranian President, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, criticized Russia’s latest stance against his country, describing it as “unacceptable.” Addressing a massive crowd in the city of Kerman, Ahmadinejad called on the Russian government to reconsider its position so that the Iranian people will not add Russia to the list of Tehran’s historical enemies.

While Iranians are used to attacks by their political leaders against the US administration, they have not heard this tone of voice used against Russia. (more…)

Russia to provide political and military support to Lebanon

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called on Thursday for the full implementation of U.N. Security Council resolution 1701 and vowed coordination with Lebanese authorities to fight terrorism.

“I told the Lebanese president that Russia always called for preserving Lebanon’s sovereignty. Interference in its internal affairs is unacceptable. The Lebanese should themselves solve their problems,” Medvedev said during a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman in Moscow. (more…)

Lebanese and Russian presidents to meet

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman will head to Russia on Wednesday. Suleiman will reportedly meet with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, on Thursday, following which they will hold a joint press conference.

Also, according to the correspondent, ministers Elias al-Murr, Ali Shami, Mohammad Safadi, Abraham Dedeyan, Adnan al-Kassar will accompany the president on his official trip.

He also said that Suleiman will meet with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and request assistance in preventing any possible Israeli military operations in the region. (Now Lebanon)

Putin praises Stalin

Joseph Stalin sent millions to their deaths during his reign of terror, and his name was taboo for decades, but the dictator is a step closer to rehabilitation after Vladimir Putin openly praised his achievements. The Prime Minister and former KGB agent used an appearance on national television to give credit to Stalin for making the Soviet Union an industrial superpower, and for defeating Hitler in the Second World War.
Putin’s view contrasted sharply with that of President Medvedev, Russia’s nominal leader, who has said that there is no excuse for the terror unleashed by Stalin. Source: Timesonline.com