Area Total | 17,098,242 sq km |
Climate | ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast |
Natural Resources | wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, bauxite, reserves of rare earth elements, timber |
Imports | China 21.2%, Germany 10.7%, US 5.6%, Belarus 5%, Italy 4.5%, France 4.2% (2017) – machinery, vehicles, pharmaceutical products, plastic, semi-finished metal products, meat, fruits and nuts, optical and medical instruments, iron, steel |
Government | semi-presidential federation |
Capital | Moscow |
Population | 142.1 million (July 2018 est.) |
Ethnicity | Russian 77.7%, Tatar 3.7%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Bashkir 1.1%, Chuvash 1%, Chechen 1%, other 10.2%, unspecified 3.9% (2010 est.) |
Language | Russian (official) 85.7%, Tatar 3.2%, Chechen 1%, other 10.1% (2010 est.) |
Exports | China 10.9%, Netherlands 10%, Germany 7.1%, Belarus 5.1%, Turkey 4.9% (2017) – petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, metals, wood and wood products, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and military manufactures |
News about Russia
- Bending with the wind. Created to co-opt urban voters, this minority party’s wartime struggles expose how little space remains for opposition politics in Russiaby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
In September 2021, the New People party won enough votes to claim seats in the lower house of Russia’s parliament, despite being founded just 18 months earlier. For the first time in 15 years, five parties secured representation in the State Duma instead of the usual four. Created with the Kremlin’s backing, New People was designed to attract the […]
- Russia hits out at British PMby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
London has been behind every Western escalatory move in the Ukraine conflict, the Russian UK Embassy says Read Full Article at RT.com
- Ukraine conflict could have ended in weeks – Russia’s top negotiatorby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
The Ukraine conflict could have ended in weeks had Kiev talked to Moscow instead of listening to the West, Vladimir Medinsky has said Read Full Article at RT.com
- Ukrainian negotiator made ‘fantasy’ claim that Russia plans to attack NATO state – sourceby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
The Kremlin delegation has reportedly laughed off Kiev’s remark that Moscow intends to invade Poland in 2030 Read Full Article at RT.com
- ‘We’re prepared to fight forever. How about you?’. Moscow opens first direct talks with Ukraine in three years by threatening endless war and new land grabsby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
The negotiators convened at Turkey’s Dolmabahçe Presidential Palace. The first round of discussions lasted two hours. The Russian delegation is led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and includes Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin. Defense Minister Rustem […]
- Once red hot, Russia’s war-driven economy is slowing down. What does that mean for consumers, the Kremlin, and Ukraine?by Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
As the full-scale war in Ukraine rages on for its fourth year, and Moscow’s defense and security spending continues at levels not seen since the Soviet era, Russia's economy has started to cool from its peak of 4.5 percent GDP growth in late 2024. What's behind this sudden slowdown? And does it threaten the Kremlin's ability to keep its invasion going? […]
- Moscow reportedly demanded Kyiv recognize Crimea as Russian territory at Istanbul talksby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
During negotiations in Istanbul on Friday, Moscow demanded that Kyiv recognize Crimea as Russian territory in exchange for a ceasefire agreement, according to Suspilne.
- Zelensky, Macron, Merz, Starmer, and Tusk hold call with Trump following Russia–Ukraine negotiations in Istanbulby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump shortly after the conclusion of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul.
- Russia reportedly threatened to seize Ukraine’s Kharkiv and Sumy regions during Istanbul talksby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
During negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, the Russian delegation threatened to seize the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, according to Economist correspondent Oliver Carroll, citing a “well-placed” source.
- Moscow and Kiev exchange remains of fallen soldiers – MPby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
Russia has handed 909 bodies to Ukraine in exchange for the remains of 34 servicemen, a lawmaker has said Read Full Article at RT.com
- Participants from over 150 countries to attend Moscow security conferenceby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
The Russian capital will host international talks focused on combating cyber terrorism and protecting critical information infrastructure Read Full Article at RT.com
- Say ‘No’ in style. Introducing Meduza’s new merch collection, inspired by our 10th anniversary art exhibitionby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
We at Meduza love sharing new drops from our store — especially when it comes to our merch. We wear it ourselves, give it to people we love as gifts, and truly believe it’s some of the most comfortable and best-looking gear out there. Today’s launch includes five new items for summer, all connected to our “No” art exhibition in Berlin. To see the […]
- Russia and Ukraine announce 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap after Istanbul talksby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
A prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine involving 1,000 people from each side may take place in the near future, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said after talks in Istanbul, according to RBC Ukraine.
- Topics discussed during Istanbul talks revealedby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
Russian and Ukrainian teams have discussed ceasefire options, a POW exchange, and a potential next meeting, Moscow’s top negotiator has said Read Full Article at RT.com
- Russian forces take out Ukrainian rotorcraft drone bombers – MOD (VIDEO)by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
The Russian Defense Ministry has showcased interceptions of Ukraine’s ‘Baba Yaga’ bomber drones Read Full Article at RT.com
- Russia’s top negotiator outlines key outcomes of Istanbul talks (FULL STATEMENT)by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
Moscow’s delegation is satisfied with the outcome of the talks and is ready to continue contacts, Vladimir Medinsky said Read Full Article at RT.com
- Kremlin weighs in on resuming Russia-NATO partnershipby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
It is “difficult to talk” about détente with NATO while it is essentially at war with Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Read Full Article at RT.com
- Ukraine considers Russia’s demands in talks unrealistic — Reutersby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
Russia’s demands during the talks in Istanbul were “unrealistic” and far exceeded the scope of previous discussions, Reuters reported, citing a source within Ukrainian diplomatic circles.
- Talks between Russia and Ukraine conclude in Istanbul — TASS and CNNby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
Talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul have concluded, according to sources cited by TASS and CNN.
- Russia-Ukraine talks concludeby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
The negotiations in Türkiye lasted around two hours Read Full Article at RT.com
- Russia and Ukraine start peace talks in Türkiyeby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
Representatives of Kiev and Moscow are holding their first direct negotiations since 2022 Read Full Article at RT.com
- Ukraine wasted $770 million on bogus arms deals – FTby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
Kiev often relied on unreliable foreign contractors, and widespread graft also played a role, the report claims Read Full Article at RT.com
- Delegations from U.S., Ukraine, and Turkey hold talks in Istanbulby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
U.S., Ukrainian, and Turkish delegations met at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace on Friday morning, according to BBC News and Suspilne.
- Trump wants to meet Putin ‘as soon as it can be set up’by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he is ready to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as soon as it can be set up Read Full Article at RT.com
- Any Ukraine truce must support lasting peace – senior Russian diplomatby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
Moscow won’t be tricked into giving Kiev time to regroup, Rodion Miroshnik has said Read Full Article at RT.com
- E.U. leaders weighing punitive tariffs on Russia after Putin skips Istanbul talks — Politicoby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
European leaders are weighing the possibility of imposing punitive tariffs on imports from Russia after President Vladimir Putin failed to attend planned talks in Istanbul, Politico reports.
- BBC and Mediazona confirm deaths of more than 108,600 Russian soldiers in Ukraineby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
A team of volunteers and journalists from BBC News Russian and Mediazona has identified the names of 108,608 Russian soldiers who have died in the full-scale war in Ukraine.
- Ukraine admits to losing third F-16by RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
Kiev said “an emergency occurred” on board the US-designed jet Read Full Article at RT.com
- Ukraine confirms loss of another F-16 during combat missionby Meduza.io on May 16, 2025
One of the F-16 fighter jets provided to Ukraine by its Western allies was lost during a combat mission, the country’s Air Force said on Friday.
- France leading West’s ‘party of war’ – Russiaby RT (RT Russia & Former Soviet Union) on May 16, 2025
Russia has accused France of using sanctions as blackmail Read Full Article at RT.com