Russian News Agency TASS

Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to address both chambers of the country's legislative body, the Federation Council and the State Duma.

This year his annual event comes amid tough times for the Russian economy partially caused by Western sanctions and also after a surprising decision to end the South Stream project.

Russia has no immediate plans to file a claim against France after it delayed the delivery of a hi-tech warship over the Ukraine crisis, Deputy Defence Minister Yury Borisov said Nov. 25.
      

Director General of Romania's National News Agency AGERPRES Alexandru Giboi on Tuesday was elected to the board of the Black Sea Association of National News Agencies (BSANNA).

The election was part of the 7th convention of the BSANNA general assembly hosted by Erevan, Armenia.

The West does not even conceal its "anti-Russian" sanctions are aimed at toppling down the ones in power, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned Saturday.

Lavrov explicitly said Russia was "not going to shoot itself in the leg" by renouncing cooperation with Europe, "but everybody understands that "business as usual" [the latter phrase said in English] is already impossible."

CNN International will stop broadcasting on cable networks in Russia at the end of the year following legislative changes further limiting foreign ownership in Russian media outlets.