The 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, also known as the Ottawa Convention, prohibits signatories from keeping or using antipersonnel mines.

MOSCOW, Feb 20 (Reuters) - American financier Gentry Beach, who has ties to U.S. President Donald Trump's family, signed an agreement with Russia’s energy giant Novatek last autumn to develop natural gas in Alaska amid Western sanctions against Russia,

Russia said ⁠on ⁠Thursday that it ⁠was seeing an unprecedented escalation of tension ​around Iran as the United States moved military assets ‌into the Middle East, ‌and the Kremlin urged both Tehran ⁠and "other parties" ⁠to exercise prudence and restraint.

Russia is stepping up covert attacks across Europe — rail sabotage, drones, cyberstrikes — testing NATO. Polish officials warn "disposable agents" are sowing fear and weakening support for Ukraine.

President Trump pushed Volodymyr Zelensky to "get moving" on a deal ahead of a new round of U.S.-brokered negotiations this week.

"We can state that Russia is trying to drag out negotiations that could already have reached the final stage."

A delegation of U.S. senators is returning from a trip to Ukraine. They hope to spur action in Congress for a series of sanctions meant to economically cripple Moscow and pressure President Vladimir Putin to make key concessions in peace talks.

The humble cucumber, a favourite in Russian salads and meals, is the latest staple to suddenly skyrocket in price, angering consumers and stirring up politicians and regulators keen to tamp down any popular discontent at a time of war.

Moldova and Ukraine have launched a joint investigation into an alleged Russia-backed plot to assassinate prominent Ukrainian public figures. Authorities say investigators suspect Russian special services planned to target individuals in Kyiv.