The red area in Moscow

MOSCOW, November 15 (RIA Novosti) - Forming...

MOSCOW, November 15 (RIA Novosti) - Forming a state monopoly to produce and sell alcohol could provoke a rise in bootlegging of spirits, Russia's Finance Ministry said on Thursday.

South Ossetia has not imposed additional...

South Ossetia has not imposed additional travel restrictions for local ethnic Georgians, a government official told RIA Novosti.

MOSCOW, September 27 (RIA Novosti) -- Russian...

MOSCOW, September 27 (RIA Novosti) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that the presence of major global car manufacturers would help develop the domestic auto industry. Speaking on live television and radio, Putin said: "Many foreign companies, such as BMW and some Asian manufacturers, have already arrived on the Russian market and we are holding negotiations with Volkswagen and Mercedes." Russia, however, he said, had to create the appropriate conditions for these companies to enter the domestic market. "The government has recently taken a number of steps that have prompted a varied response," Putin said. "These steps must be balanced...in order to avoid a negative impact on consumers." In spring 2005, the government adopted a decision to assemble foreign cars in Russia and, consequently, lowered import tariffs on foreign car parts.