Politics of Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine, if the country doesn't pay its debts.

In a letter to 18 world leaders, the Russian head of state warned that Ukraine's USD 2.2 B debt for delivered gas means that supplies could be stopped, something which would affect the European Union as well.

Russian and international intelligence services thwarted planned terror attacks during the Sochi Olympics, according to the Director of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).

Ukraine will temporarily stop buying Russian gas until the price issue is settled, the country's Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan announced Wednesday.

Prodan said that Kiev was not satisfied with the sum it has to pay from April 1 this year, as ITAR-TASS agency quoted him as saying.

Ukraine's acting Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk says his country does not accept the new prices for gas introduced by Russia.

This week, Russian energy giant Gazprom announced a major price hike for delivery of gas to Ukraine, up to USD 485 per 1000 cubic meters from the previous USD 268.

McDonald's has suspended work at its restaurants in Crimea for "manufacturing reasons", the U.S. fast food chain said on Friday. 

This is the second international company to cease operations this week on the peninsula annexed by Russia.

Ukraine is ready to accept a loan from Russia in order to pay its debt to Gazprom, the country's Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Prodan announced.

The event follows the statement of Gazprom's chief Alexei Miller, who insisted that Ukraine should "immediately" deliver on its liabilities to the energy giant worth USD 2.2 B (EUR 1.6 B).

Russia will raise the price of gas for Ukraine to USD 485 per 1000 cubic meters.

The Russian energy company, Gazprom has raised the price it charges Ukraine for gas by 43.6%.

The company's chief executive Alexei Miller said the change was because Kiev has failed to pay its bills.

He said its current debt to Russia stood at just over USD1.7 B.

"Putin won't stop trying to expand Russia"

LONDON -- After "annexing Crimea and with troops massed on the border of Ukraine," Vladimir Putin "will not stop trying to expand Russia."

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Barack Obama have discussed the situation in Ukraine over an hour-long phone call.

The phone call was made by Putin, during Obama's visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday, the BBC reveals.