By Ben Aris in Berlin Russian President Vladimir Putin said on February 21 that Western sanctions have played a “stimulating role” in Russia’s economic development, rather than bring it to its knees.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow and Washington could make a deal on mining rare earth minerals both in Russia and parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine.

BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar’s military government traveled to Russia on Monday on an official visit to a major ally of the Southeast Asian nation that has been shunned by much of the West for overthrowing a democratically elected government and subsequent brutal repression.

The two sides reached deals to cooperate on nuclear and space technology, among many others, and the junta boss backed Russia’s war in Ukraine.

President Trump wrote on social media that he was discussing “major Economic Development transactions” between the U.S. and Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of "forces" attempting to derail Ukraine peace talks currently being brokered by Washington and Moscow. Newsweek has contacted the Russian Foreign Ministry for comment by email.