The Russians are coming, but the Australian Government isn't about to panic. Four Russian warships are exercising in the Coral Sea before this weekend's G20.

It wasn't quite a 'shirtfront' but Tony Abbott has confronted Vladimir Putin over Russia's role in the downing of flight MH17, calling for an apology and compensation.

Apec shirts mocked for their similarity to Star Trek uniforms, but there's no shirtfronting as Tony Abbott and Vladimir Putin pose for a portrait.

A 'massive mystery explosion' shook residents outside of London, before two RAF jets reportedly escorted a Russian-made Latvian cargo jet into Stansted airport.

'One giant leap for mankind', proclaimed Neil Armstrong from the moon's surface. Did that just underscore the status of women's future in space?

As the tough talk between the leaders escalates, Tony Abbott has been called a "foul-mouthed, despicable, loutish oaf," while Vladimir Putin has "blood on his hands".

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, 83, has been hospitalised but is determined to fight for his life, Russian press agencies report.

A ceasefire between Ukraine and separatist rebels began last night and appears to still be in place following a five-month bloody conflict left more than 2,000 dead.

Russia's decision to play hardball with Western food producers could not have come at a worse time for the New Zealand dairy sector as the season starts to get into full swing.

The European Union will strike at the heart of Russia's economy by extending sanctions to block all investment in the country's oil companies.

President Barack Obama's ban on the import of Russian Kalashnikov rifles.

Half a dozen bodies, burned and contorted, were all that was left of the crews of the charred armoured personnel carriers.

Dairy farmers in this country can expect to come under financial pressure if milk powder prices remain low and tensions in Europe continue to mount, say economists.

Vladimir Putin has boasted to European leaders his forces could sweep into Kiev in two weeks if he wanted.

Swathed in tight security in Newport and nearby Cardiff, Nato's 28 heads of state and government will map the future of their 65-year-old pact.

Russia widened investigations into McDonald's restaurants in what looks like a tit-for-tat retaliation against American interests after the West imposed sanctions over Ukraine.

The information just released suggesting William Sutch really was a KGB agent means I've personally known two potential spies during my sojourn in New Zealand.

Russia is scouring the world for produce ranging from Chilean salmon to Egyptian oranges to fill a big hole left by its ban on Western food imports.

Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine are being bolstered by 1200 troops who "trained for four months in Russia", according to the separatists' leader.

Russia's defence secretary has assured his US counterpart that there are no military personnel in its controversial aid convoy for Ukraine, the US says.

A one-year ban instituted by Russia on food imports from the West could hurt NZ's dairy trade, even though local exports are exempt, say economists.

A New Zealander, who was found guilty of a child sex crime committed in Russia, has lost his appeal against his conviction.

People should be sceptical of Moscow’s huge aid convoy to eastern Ukraine, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says.

Despite all the talk of action against Vladimir Putin, Exxon Mobil, the largest US energy company is undeterred, starting work on $700m oil well in the Arctic.