A former senior official from breakaway eastern Ukraine said Russia directly finances pensions and public sector salaries in the two pro-Russian regions there.

• October 5, 2016

France is to launch a new push for United Nations backing for a ceasefire in Syria that would allow aid into the city of Aleppo after some of the heaviest bombing of the war.

• October 5, 2016

The United Nations human rights chief told Russia on Tuesday that air strikes on civilian targets in the Syrian city of Aleppo may amount to crimes against humanity which could be brought before the International Criminal Court.

• October 4, 2016

The United States on Monday suspended talks with Russia on trying to end the violence in Syria and accused Moscow of not living up to its commitments under a ceasefire agreement.

• October 3, 2016

Russia is sending more warplanes to Syria to ramp up its air campaign, a Russian newspaper reported on Friday, as the United States said diplomacy to halt the violence was "on life support" but not dead yet.

• October 2, 2016

The United States called the assault on Aleppo by Syria and Russia "a gift" to Islamic State on Thursday, saying it was sowing doom and would generate more recruits for the militant group.

• September 29, 2016

Russia is aiming to keep its oil production at near-record levels despite OPEC's decision to modestly reduce its output, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday.

• September 29, 2016

The European Union's executive wants to boost the bloc's joint defense and security with an initial investment of 90 million euros ($100 million) in research, marking a turning point after years of cuts.

• September 28, 2016