Russian President Vladimir Putin

Banks are still lending to Russia but sanctions are making it more difficult.

Unnamed diplomat ordered to leave Ukraine for undertaking 'intelligence activities'.

Blogs with 3,000 page views will receive same treatment as media outlets.

Russian president photographed at former chancellor's birthday party during Ukraine tensions

The encroachment into Ukrainian airspace is the latest sign of rapidly escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

Russian stocks and rouble drop after S&P cuts Russia's foreign currency ratings.

Intercepted communications said to show pro-Russian troops have shoot-to-kill orders from Kremlin

Obama says protesters must surrender their arms, while Putin asks US president to help prevent more bloodshed.

Palladium has outperformed other precious metals this year with a 14% jump in prices.

Nigel Wilson asks if Vladimir Putin's threat to Ukraine is yet more sabre-rattling or a genuine warning

Moscow warns Russians not to travel to countries that have extradition treaties with US

Separatists release 56 people from local headquarters in eastern Ukraine

Ukraine arrests 70 pro-Russian protesters in Kharkov and recaptures regional administration building.

Anti-Kiev demonstrators call for Crimea-style referendum to decide autonomy from Ukraine.

Ukraine's Interior Ministry says Oleksandr Muzychko, aka Sashko Bily, died during arrest.

Neo-Nazi editor has been regular pundit for four years on state-funded Russian channel

US and EU sanctions target wealthy Russians close to President Vladimir Putin.

93% vote for independence from Ukraine according to Crimean elections chief

Vladimir Putin tells German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Crimea Referendum complies with international law.

Ukraine's ousted president blames Kiev's new authorities for Crimea wanting to secede.

However, Putin's body language decodes not used in decisions on Crimean crisis.

Crimean lawmakers favour union with Russia.

Ukraine's Paralympic Committee head Valeriy Sushkevich asks Putin to ensure peace during Games.

Russian president defends Kremlin's actions in Ukraine saying they are within international law

18 people have assets frozen, protesters clash in Donetsk, EU and UN members hold emergency talks

EU Foreign Affairs Chief Catherine Ashton and Estonian Foreigh Minister Urmas Paet say recording is genuine

Hitler was nominated for the peace accolade in 1939 - slightly inappropriate given he started a war that year.

Russian president still considered for Nobel Institute prize despite ongoing tensions in Ukraine

Military exercises in area that borders crisis-hit Ukraine ends as scheduled and gold drops from four-month high.

Russia's MICEX index up 4.19% after opening 5% higher.