Page 58 - Latest Updates on Vladimir Putin
Ruble slides past 100 against dollar, Kremlin censures central bank
The rouble fell to 100.4975 per US dollar, its weakest point in almost 17 months
 "Ruble slides past 100 against dollar, Kremlin censures central bank")
Russia intercepts drones heading for Moscow; no casualties, damage reported
It wasn't clear where the drones were launched, and Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment. Ukraine usually neither confirms nor denies such attacks
 "Russia intercepts drones heading for Moscow; no casualties, damage reported")
Wagner troops inch closer to Polish border, nation fears 'hybrid attack'
Putin reviews parade of warships and nuclear submarines, says navy to get 30 new ships this year
 "Wagner troops inch closer to Polish border, nation fears 'hybrid attack'")
Russian President Putin says ready for talks, but Kyiv refusing to join
Russia has repeatedly said any talks must take account of these "new realities"
 "Russian President Putin says ready for talks, but Kyiv refusing to join")
Trade between Russia, Africa reached $18 billion in 2022: Vladimir Putin
Talking about trade ties, Putin said, "Our mutual trade reached approximately 18 billion US dollars in 2022 and increased by nearly 35 per cent in the first six months of 2023."
 "Trade between Russia, Africa reached $18 billion in 2022: Vladimir Putin")
Putin promises 50,000 tons of no-cost Russian grain to 6 African countries
Promising Russian food exports is key to Putin's stated goal of using summit in St. Petersburg to bolster ties with continent of 1.3 bn people that is increasingly assertive on global stage
 "Putin promises 50,000 tons of no-cost Russian grain to 6 African countries")
Will provide free grains to Africa, promises Russian President Putin
Putin told the summit that over 70 per cent of Ukrainian grain exported thanks to the now-lapsed deal had gone to high-or-above-average-income countries
 "Will provide free grains to Africa, promises Russian President Putin")
Upper house of Russian parliament gives nod to ban on gender changes
The upper house of Russia's parliament on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill outlawing gender-affirming procedures, sending the measure to President Vladimir Putin to be signed into law
 "Upper house of Russian parliament gives nod to ban on gender changes")
Putin to skip summit next month because of ICC arrest warrant: South Africa
The decision means South Africa will not face the dilemma of whether it should carry out an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against the Russian leader
Arresting Putin in S Africa would be declaration of war: Prez Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa argued in his affidavit that South Africa's Bill of Rights required the government to protect and promote certain rights, including "the right to be free from all forms of violence."
Putin vows response against Crimea bridge blast, calls it terrorist attack
"Tonight another terrorist attack took place against the bridge," Putin said in a meeting with officials Monday
 "Putin vows response against Crimea bridge blast, calls it terrorist attack")
China intensifies joint military exercises with Russia amid US sanctions
China and the armed forces of Vladimir Putin conducted six joint military exercises together last year, the most in data going back two decades
 "China intensifies joint military exercises with Russia amid US sanctions")
Offered Wagner mercenaries option to keep operating as a single unit: Putin
The Russian president has previously said that Wagner troops had to choose whether to sign contracts with the Russian Defence Ministry, move to neighbouring Belarus or retire from service
Putin says Wagner mercenary group 'doesn't exist' as it has no legal basis
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that there is no law on private military organisations and that it simply doesn't exist
Putin hosted Russian mercenary leader Prigozhin at Kremlin after mutiny
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin at the Kremlin days after the commander led a short-lived rebellion, a senior government spokesman said Monday
 "Putin hosted Russian mercenary leader Prigozhin at Kremlin after mutiny")
Nearly 50,000 Russian men died in conflict with Ukraine, shows report
Russians who are missing but not officially recognized as dead, as well as citizens of Ukraine fighting in units of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics, are not included in these counts
 "Nearly 50,000 Russian men died in conflict with Ukraine, shows report")
Armed rebellion by Prigozhin underscores erosion of Russian legal system
Instead, a campaign is underway to portray the founder of the Wagner Group military contractor as driven by greed, with only hints of an investigation into whether he mishandled billions of dollars
 "Armed rebellion by Prigozhin underscores erosion of Russian legal system")
Putin says Russian economy faring better than expected; GDP positive
'Our results, at least for the time being, let's say, cautiously, are better than previously expected, better than predicted,' Putin said, according to a transcript on the Kremlin's website
 "Putin says Russian economy faring better than expected; GDP positive")
Will stand up against sanctions and 'provocations', says Vladimir Putin
Putin told the group there was a growing risk of a new global economic and financial crisis fuelled by developed countries' debts and worsening food and environmental security
Russian President Putin losing control of his own people: Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy in an exclusive interview with CNN said: We see Putin's reaction. It's weak.
 "Russian President Putin losing control of his own people: Zelenskyy")