Steve Rosenberg

How is Donald Trump’s criticism of President Zelensky interpreted in Moscow? “As a mandate to continue military pressure,” writes one Russian paper. I ask Muscovites to name one word that’s important to them & read what Russian schoolkids are taught about “defence of the Motherland.” #ReadingRussia

In today's Russian papers, surprise at the the defeat of Moscow ally Aleksander Vučić in Serbia. One paper: “Russia can expect nothing good from this.” Another: “The results benefit the EU.” But several point out: “The Serbs are dependant on Russian gas.” #ReadingRussia

One Russian paper today concludes that the war in Ukraine has reached “a fork in the road: either real peace talks on the entire range of issues, or the next level of escalation.” What the Russian press is saying about the prospects for peace. #ReadingRussia

Steve Witkoff's in St Petersburg to meet President Putin: what are this morning’s Russian newspapers saying about the visit? Plus, an interesting editorial…with a warning for the Russian authorities. #ReadingRussia

Donald Trump says the Russian sanctions waiver is to help negotiate peace. But one Russian paper today writes: “We will make a deal with Ukraine entirely on our terms.” Another paper: “Russia’s borders, as we know, do not end anywhere.” #ReadingRussia

“A beautiful deal”, "a rotten fish" and a very long journey back to Russia. My reflections on a dramatic week. And Valentina has sent me a present. #ReadingRussia

"In this building lived and worked journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Killed 7 October 2006"

20 years ago today Anna Politkovskaya, one of Russia’s most prominent investigative journalists, was murdered. I found no mention of the anniversary in today's Russian newspapers. #ReadingRussia

What’s top story today on Irkutsk TV? Not the death of a Russian plague researcher. I watch the local TV news bulletin and take a look at today’s Russian newspapers. #ReadingRussia

Today one Russian paper claims “Russia’s military has been given political blank cheque to carry out full demilitarisation & deindustrialisation of Ukraine.” But nothing in the papers from Irkutsk, where there have been reports of a potentially “dangerous infection.” #ReadingRussia

My musical tribute to legendary broadcaster and campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen who has died at the age of 86.

"In the closed world of Russian politics, what clues can we find to what comes next?" Our report from Moscow on Vladimir Putin's appearance at a foreign policy forum.

Today one Russian newspaper writes: “The parliamentary elections are over. The time has come for unpopular measures.” Another reports on contacts between the Kremlin and Germany's far-right AfD. #ReadingRussia

“What should I do if I need my motherland, but she doesn’t need me?” Superheroes, special operations and “shaping the mindset of children.” An extended edition of #ReadingRussia

Today one Russian newspaper doubts that Vladimir Putin will attend the G20 summit in Miami and predicts “an even tougher and bloodier phase of the Ukraine conflict this winter.” Its headline: “Ahead Russia has not peace, but war.” #ReadingRussia

Today’s Russian papers write about “the deterioration of the economic situation in Russia”, where “housing construction is deep in the red” & “increasingly expensive groceries & petrol are making people worry more about inflation.” #ReadingRussia

Today’s Russian papers reflect the Kremlin’s take on the parliamentary election: “Putin won a referendum. Russians backed the special military operation.” Another paper predicts “at least 50” MPs will be war veterans: “These days you need people who know the smell of gunfire.” #ReadingRussia

Moscow mayor says Moscow oil refinery hit in Ukrainian drone attack and claims that, since yesterday, more than 1,600 drones have been "repelled" over Russia; describes the attack as "unprecedented" and an attempt "to disrupt the [parliamentary] election."

In Moscow I visit a new Metro station that references the war in Ukraine, a museum that heroises Russian & North Korean soldiers and I try to gauge the mood on the streets. An extended edition of #ReadingRussia

In today’s Russian papers: “hole in the state budget” bigger than expected; “growing demand in Russia for insurance cover for drone attacks”. And a senior official claims: “Russia can survive only as a great power. We’re either a great power, or nothing.” #ReadingRussia

From today’s Russian papers: ▪️“In Russia one in three companies is losing money” ▪️“severe shortage of workers” ▪️Plus, schoolchildren now being shown “films about the heroes of the special military operation” #ReadingRussia

Change, apples and a national idea. An extended edition of #ReadingRussia

"Diplomacy of the Doomed" is how one of today's Russian papers sums up Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner's talks with Vladimir Putin, adding "Their mission was doomed to underachievement from the outset." #ReadingRussia

Yesterday Prime Minister Modi of India urged Vladimir Putin to move towards peace in Ukraine. What are today’s Russian newspapers saying about that? And how should we interpret the Kremlin leader’s response? #ReadingRussia

Today’s Russian papers report on Russia’s economic problems: “Stagnation in industry” & “Investment downturn significantly worse than expected.” But it's not just Russia that has problems, thinks one paper: “The destruction of the world order can't be stopped.” #ReadingRussia

In this extended #ReadingRussia: Remembering Mikhail Gorbachev who died four years ago today. I read some of the new textbooks for Russian schools. And the petrol queues have made it into the joke pages of Russian newspapers. Plus, a long overdue spring clean.

The Russian press continues to discuss John Ratcliffe’s surprise trip to Moscow. One paper: “The visit of a CIA chief is not a sign of peace & not a sign of war. It’s a sign normal channels are no longer effective and that the heavy artillery is required.” #ReadingRussia

Why did the CIA director fly to Moscow? “There’s always a reason for a visit like this,” says the Russian government paper. But what is it? Different versions in today’s Russian papers. Plus, an editorial with a message…for Europe? #ReadingRussia

In today’s Russian papers: a Putin decree, Russians “withdrew more cash than they deposited, praise for Marine Le Pen and a message for Andy Burnham: “He won’t see Moscow in his dreams. He should…in his nightmares.” #ReadingRussia

Two very different headlines today in Russia. The army paper: “Victory will be ours!” Nezavisimaya Gazeta: “Is there a way out of the petrol crisis if infrastructure isn’t protected?” #ReadingRussia

Spotted in a Russian newspaper: “The logic of this war is becoming more and more harsh: either they will destroy Russia, or we will crush them.” A week of petrol queues, growing geo-political tension & no end in sight to Russia’s war in Ukraine. #ReadingRussia

VIDEO: Our interview with Russian journalist and Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov. Producer @bbcbentavener.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=IngA...

Russian journalist and Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov talks to me about the war in Ukraine, repression at home and the man who’s been in power in Russia for more than a quarter of a century: Vladimir Putin.

Russian officials say 12 people killed, 39 wounded in Ukrainian drone attack on Nizhnekamsk. The city, 1000 km east of Moscow, is a hub for oil refining and petrochemical industries.

In Reading Russia Weekend Extra I ask Russians for their reaction to last weekend’s restaurant bomb & drone attacks on Wildberries warehouses. Plus, the Putin 2027 calendar is out already: what messages does it contain?

40 years ago I began my Russian degree course at the University of Leeds. It was the era of perestroika & glasnost. Who could have imagined then what the world would look like four decades on. At night, on a short wave radio, I’d listen to music from the USSR. I still remember some of the melodies.

Today’s Russian papers report on Russia’s “Anti-crisis petrol” – lower grade fuel now being sold “to prevent a petrol shortage.” One paper warns: “regular use of lower grade petrol” causes problems for modern cars. #ReadingRussia

In today’s #ReadingRussia: a look at the language Moscow uses to describe the war on Ukraine. Plus, more on the consequences of Ukrainian drone attacks. And a Hollywood blockbuster (unofficially) hits Russian cinema screens.

What will be the consequences of Ukrainian drone strikes on Wildberries warehouses? One Russian paper today: “Russian enterprises will face a deterioration in financial performance due to rising logistics costs & damage to warehouse infrastructure.” #ReadingRussia

What are this morning’s Russian papers saying about Saturday’s restaurant bombing in Moscow? Almost nothing. #ReadingRussia

I’m on leave away from Moscow. Just wanted to say thank you for watching, reading, listening to my posts and for all your comments. I look forward to meeting again here soon.

Corruption, coping with uncertainty, hugging trees: this week’s round-up of some of the lesser-known Russian newspapers. #ReadingRussia

Today’s Russian papers call the Ukrainian drone strike on Moscow “a record attack”, but claim “Russian attacks do more damage to Ukraine than they do to us.” One paper wonders: “From Moscow’s perspective, what level of escalation is permissible, and what isn’t?” #ReadingRussia

From today’s Russian papers: “The number of Russian regions with restrictions on the sale of fuel is multiplying.” The reason given? “Unscheduled repairs at oil refineries.” #ReadingRussia

Today’s Russian papers publish Moscow’s threat to launch a new wave of “systematic strikes” on Kyiv. But one paper reports on a “split [inside Russia] between those in favour of continuing the special military operation and those who believe it’s time to end it…” #ReadingRussia

Today’s Russian papers lead with the strike on the student dorm in Starobilsk. Also today, one newspaper suggests that through Russian history “major geopolitical losses were sometimes more useful than brilliant victories.” #ReadingRussia youtu.be/AQw7qeS3t5U

In today’s Russian papers: “nuclear muscle-flexing,” carrots and cabbages, “two scenarios” for Russia’s future and what a Russian singer said after getting an award from Vladimir Putin. #ReadingRussia

One Russian paper says Russia's “on verge of recession” & warns of “a large-scale bank liquidity crisis.” After Putin & Xi failed to reach a deal on the 'Power of Siberia 2' pipeline, another paper writes: “Chinese media ignored the topic of the gas pipeline.” #ReadingRussia

Romance, bromance and the realities of geo-politics. My take on Vladimir Putin's visit to China.

Today one Russian newspaper reports “increased anxiety” in Russian society. Another paper: Russian-Belarusian nuclear drills “send a signal to Ukraine…EU & Nato’s eastern flank”. Plus, stinging criticism of Donald Trump over his social media posts. #ReadingRussia