In today’s Russian papers there’s scepticism over the current round of diplomacy. One paper: “The European-Ukrainian gang will ‘correct’ Trump’s plan so that it’s unacceptable for Russia.” Another: “I don’t think the Special Military Operation will end this year.” #ReadingRussia

In today’s Russian papers there’s scepticism over the current round of diplomacy. One paper: “The European-Ukrainian gang will ‘correct’ Trump’s plan so that it’s unacceptable for Russia.” Another: “I don’t think the Special Military Operation will end this year.” #ReadingRussia

45 years ago I made a pitch for the Director-General job. Didn’t get it – mind you, I was only 13. But I did get a reply from Ian Trethowan, who was DG at the time. All these years later I’m proud to work for the BBC.

I’ve been looking back at my old Russian newspaper reviews. They highlight how much Russia has changed - and signs of what lay ahead. #ReadingRussia

No signs of compromise in Moscow. Today one Russian newspaper states: “Putin is ready for talks on Ukraine on Russia’s terms.” Another paper points out: “After the Alaska summit, from our side there were no good will gestures. Just an intensification of attacks.” #ReadingRussia

No signs of compromise in Moscow. Today one Russian newspaper states: “Putin is ready for talks on Ukraine on Russia’s terms.” Another paper points out: “After the Alaska summit, from our side there were no good will gestures. Just an intensification of attacks.” #ReadingRussia

Today one Russian paper is crowing over reports of a US-Russia peace plan: “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine? That’s all in the past.” But the state of Russia’s economy is nothing to crow about: “Recession is almost inevitable.” Plus, one editorial, with two messages..?

Today one Russian paper is crowing over reports of a US-Russia peace plan: “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine? That’s all in the past.” But the state of Russia’s economy is nothing to crow about: “Recession is almost inevitable.” Plus, one editorial, with two messages..?

In today’s Russian papers: the new icebreaker Stalingrad, 14-year-olds can now be prosecuted for sabotage & “Russia’s industry is somewhere between stagnation and decline.” #ReadingRussia

In today’s Russian papers: the new icebreaker Stalingrad, 14-year-olds can now be prosecuted for sabotage & “Russia’s industry is somewhere between stagnation and decline.” #ReadingRussia

“The Russian car market is on the way to becoming like Cuba, or the USSR", reports one Russian paper today. Another writes about “the crisis in mortgages and housing construction.” #ReadingRussia

One Russian paper today reports that “Half of all clothes and shoe shops in Russia have shut down….[due to] drop in incomes & slowing economic growth.” Another wonders whether Russia is suffering from “economic stagnation or technical recession.” #ReadingRussia

This morning I played the Brahms Lullaby on ‘Broadcasting House’ @BBCRadio4 Wishing everyone, everywhere calmer, more peaceful times.

This morning I played the Brahms Lullaby on ‘Broadcasting House’ @BBCRadio4 Wishing everyone, everywhere calmer, more peaceful times.

Interesting editorial in one of today’s Russian papers. It states that in a political system like Russia's “politicians who find themselves in power get used to having more and more powers [and] have no external incentive to change.” #ReadingRussia

Interesting editorial in one of today’s Russian papers. It states that in a political system like Russia's “politicians who find themselves in power get used to having more and more powers [and] have no external incentive to change.” #ReadingRussia

What kind of Vladimir Putin do we find in the "Putin 2026" calendars out now in Russia? I've been taking a look.

From today’s Russian papers: “Nearly 7,000 transport companies in Russia on the verge of bankruptcy”, “A record one in four companies have overdue loans”, “Decline in civilian sectors of industry.” #ReadingRussia

In today’s Russian papers: ▪️ Russia’s budget deficit gets bigger ▪️ plans for a new “tax on gadgets” ▪️ a “cooling off period” for SIM cards ▪️ the dangers of rehabilitating Joseph Stalin #ReadingRussia

In today’s Russian papers: ▪️ Russia’s budget deficit gets bigger ▪️ plans for a new “tax on gadgets” ▪️ a “cooling off period” for SIM cards ▪️ the dangers of rehabilitating Joseph Stalin #ReadingRussia