Charles Maynes

Bootleg screenings of the movie Barbie are a hit in Moscow's theaters — demonstrating the enduring allure of American popular culture despite Russia's isolation from the West.

A shaky cease-fire in the South Caucasus appears to be holding. The ex-Soviet republic of Azberbaijan says it has reestablished control over the breakaway ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Separatist leaders in Nagorno-Karabakh said that after "a lack of concrete actions" by international parties, their forces had few options to ensure civilians' safety.

Azerbaijan has attacked Armenian forces as Russia, the official peacekeeper in the region, appears absorbed by its war in Ukraine.

Azerbaijan has renewed efforts to regain control of Nagorno-Karabkh, a disputed enclave with a majority ethnic Armenian population and a decades-long source of conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged support for Russia's war in Ukraine at his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the Russian city of Vladivostok — the same site as their last meeting in 2019, but under different circumstances.

U.S. officials announced last week that the two leaders would meet in Vladivostok, as Russian President Putin seeks more arms to supply his war in Ukraine.

In talks in Sochi, Russia, President Vladimir Putin rejected efforts by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to revive a United Nations-backed deal to allow the safe passage of grain from Ukraine.

Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a plane crash last week. Many Russians are mourning — and speculating about the crash.