Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an investigation into claims the country's athletes have been part of a systematic doping programme.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country can use Western sanctions to boost economic development by becoming more self-reliant. 

 President Barack Obama has said Vladimir Putin made a "strategic mistake" when he annexed Crimea, in a move that was "not so smart".

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called on European Union (EU) leaders to jointly hold urgent consultations over Ukraine's gloomy economy, insisting that Russia had been playing a supporting role in the country's stability.

 Some 95.5% of voters in Crimea have supported joining Russia, officials say, after half the votes have been counted in a disputed referendum.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any US military strike on Syria that circumvents the United Nations would undermine the global body and risk unleashing a wave of terror.

 Fugitive U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden will leave Russia when opportunity emerges, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila Putina on Thursday announced their divorce.