The junta plans this year to hold an election, which critics have derided as a sham to keep the generals in power through proxies. Along with China, Russia is a supporter of Myanmar's military and both powers vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning alleged human rights abuses in the country.

Following an eruption of violence in Syria, Russia and the U.S. jointly requested a closed-door meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the developing crisis, according to Dmitry Polyanskiy,

The Alawites are seen as religious deviants by the Sunni Islamists, and as remnants of the ousted regime, and their position is precarious in post-Assad Syria. During the sectarian bloodbath that unfolded in and around the cities of Latakia and Tartous, Syrian forces reportedly also killed Christians.

In a dramatic shift in transatlantic relations under President Donald Trump, the United States has split with its European allies by refusing to blame Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in votes on three U.

Russia is coordinating with the U.S. on the Syrian conflict amid rising violence, reports TASS. Clashes between Assad loyalists and Islamist rulers have killed over 1,000 people. Russia, formerly supporting Assad,

Military officials from more than 30 nations are expected to take part in Paris talks on the creation of an international security force for Ukraine.