Born behind the Iron Curtain, it's back. The Intervision Song Contest has been brought back to life by the Kremlin. My piece for BBC News about politics and pop. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

How are today's Russian papers reporting the story of Russian drones over Poland? By turning things around & blaming Ukraine. But one paper highlights the seriousness of the situation: “Russia & Nato come dangerously close to a direct clash.” #ReadingRussia

The Kremlin's first comments about the drones over Poland...and it's 'no comment.' "We wouldn’t like to comment on this,” Dmitry Peskov told journalists on a daily conference call. “This is not for us to do so. It’s a matter for the [Russian] Defence Ministry.”

Economic problems again feature heavily in today’s Russian papers: “More & more regions of Russia are facing a shortage of petrol” ▪️ “Devaluation of the rouble is inevitable” ▪️ “Russians have less and less money left over.” #ReadingRussia

Couldn’t be clearer. One Russian paper lays out Moscow’s position on the war: “The Kremlin believes Russia is slowly but surely achieving its goals in Ukraine. So Moscow doesn't intend to stop or feel any desire for half-hearted solutions & half-baked compromises” #ReadingRussia

Today’s Russian papers offer a mixture of geo-political bravado & concern for the domestic economy. You’ll find “Global liberalism is a spent force” & “Europe is crazy about war with Russia.” But also: “Budget deficit’s a serious problem for the Russian economy.” #ReadingRussia

In Vladivostok Vladimir Putin warned that foreign troops in Ukraine would be viewed by Russia as “legitimate targets.” (But what, I asked his spokesman, about North Korean troops in Russia?) Our report from Vladivostok. Thanks to the Moscow team.

“Raisa liked my singing.” My jam sessions with Mikhail Gorbachev, who died three years ago today.

“Russia’s economy is rapidly approaching freezing point,” warns one Russian paper today, adding “The economy risks going into the red.” Another paper reports: Russia’s Education Ministry has sent schools “a list of patriotic songs for children to learn.” #ReadingRussia

In today’s Russian papers: Russia bans the International Baccalaureate & plans to withdraw from European Convention against Torture. One paper writes: “The authorities are demonstrating Russia is no longer accountable to the global community.” #ReadingRussia

A gasoline shortage is headline news in today's Russian papers, which report: “Russia on the verge of a full-scale fuel crisis” and “In Primorye [Russian Far East] & Khabarovsk region drivers report kilometre-long queues at gas stations.” #ReadingRussia

In today’s Russian papers no sign that Moscow’s position on Ukraine has changed. But plenty of indications of economic problems: “business stagnation”, “one in two Russians looking for a second job", petrol prices “hit new record high.” #ReadingRussia

Russian state TV reacts positively to President Trump showing off a photo of him & Putin in Alaska. “Donald Trump’s impressions of the Alaska summit haven’t lost their shine…” the reporter says.

My dad loved the music of John Denver. His songs were always playing on long family car journeys. So, to accompany images from my recent trip to Alaska, I play John Denver’s Alaska and Me.

Following the meeting of Trump, Zelensky & European leaders one Russian paper says “Zelensky & Europeans poured sugar into the gas tank of the Alaska negotiations. They sweet-talked Trump.” Another paper: “Details of Ukraine settlement are more & more confusing.” #ReadingRussia

“Trump has adopted Russia’s position,” writes one Russian paper today. “He will present his peace ultimatum to Zelensky. And there’s no doubt it’s an ultimatum.” My review of today’s Russian papers. #ReadingRussia

Russian media are hailing the Alaska summit as a big win for Moscow: • “a tactical victory for Russian diplomacy” • “huge diplomatic victory for Vladimir Putin” • “Trump perceived Russia’s interests as legitimate.”

What are the messages coming out of Moscow two days before the Putin-Trump summit in Alaska? En route to Anchorage I take a look at what some of today’s Russian newspapers are saying. #ReadingRussia

A legend of children's television has passed. Biddy Baxter was editor of BBC TV's Blue Peter for 23 years. She made it her own and millions of kids (me included) used to tune in. Here's my musical tribute to a pioneering TV producer.

Russian papers welcome Alaska as venue for the Putin-Trump summit: “No British spies here, Ukrainian agents or European ‘well-wishers’ to disrupt dialogue.” “The 2 leaders are isolating Europe & Ukraine.” One paper: Moscow only intends to “stop the conflict on Russia’s terms.” #ReadingRussia

Sad to hear that actor Ray Brooks has died. I will always remember him as the narrator of my favourite TV show as a kid, Mr Benn. Here’s my musical tribute to one of the voices of my childhood.

Dmitri Shostakovich 1906-1975. I play Waltz No.2

He was one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. Dmitry Shostakovich died fifty years ago today. I play an extract from his Piano Concerto No.2

The speculation was: UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Turkey, Switzerland, or the Vatican The reality is: USA Wasn't expecting that. Trump-Putin summit in Alaska next Friday.

Russian press reaction to potential Putin-Trump summit range from “hastily organised summits risk unrealistic expectations” to “real chance for deal on Ukraine.” Meanwhile “In Russia risk of recession in 2026” & “Russia’s budget deficit up by a trillion roubles.” #ReadingRussia

We’ve gone from talking about American ultimatums & deadlines to ‘Let’s have a summit.’ Our latest report from Moscow for @BBCNews on the day the Kremlin announced that Vladimir Putin & Donald Trump would meet “in the coming days.”

President Trump claimed “great progress was made” at Steve Witkoff's talks in the Kremlin. But he still went ahead with secondary sanctions and hiked tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. Our report from Moscow.

Two different Russias in today’s Russian papers. One view: “Today most [Russians] feel better off than three years ago.” Another headline: “Russian industry sinks into pessimism.” #ReadingRussia

A Russian newspaper recently described Vladimir Putin & Donald Trump as “locomotives speeding towards each other: a head-on collision seems unavoidable.” Is it? Or will they do a deal? A few thoughts. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Today’s Russian papers dismiss Donald Trump’s announcement on moving nuclear submarines closer to Russia as “PR & political games”, “a temper tantrum,” “theatrical & Trumpian.” One paper: “The US President both threatens Russia & tries to do a deal with it.” #ReadingRussia

Donald Trump says he's repositioned two US nuclear submarines closer to Russia. How is Russia reacting? My piece for BBC News. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A Russian paper concludes: “The CIS ceases to be a zone of exclusively Russian influence.” What today’s Russian papers tell us about Moscow's ties with post-Soviet states. Plus, “Collision unavoidable. The Trump & Putin locomotives are careering towards each other” #ReadingRussia

The Russian press used to praise Donald Trump. But today one Russian paper claims it “couldn’t give a damn” that he's disappointed with Vladimir Putin & warns him “false pride never ends well.” Plus, what a Russian clinical psychologist says about Donald Trump. #ReadingRussia

Judging from today's Russian papers it doesn’t sound like Donald Trump’s reduced deadline will persuade Moscow to end the war in Ukraine: “The ultimatum was not taken seriously. Not 50 days, not 10-12 days.” “Moscow has no intention of caving to pressure.” #ReadingRussia

In today’s Russian papers: MP proposes fines for people who “discredit Russian goods & services.” Retail trade reacts: “This initiative aims to muzzle everyone.” Another paper criticises “vagueness of wording & breadth of interpretation” of recent bans in Russia. #ReadingRussia

My musical tribute to Dame Cleo Laine who has died at the age of 97. Such a great jazz singer. But not only jazz. Pop, classical, she did it all. I remember her performing He Was Beautiful (Cavatina) with classical guitarist John Williams. Beautiful.

“I’m just a dreamer. I dream my life away.” My tribute to the one and only Ozzy Osbourne.

In today’s Russian papers: a new nuclear submarine, “car manufacturing down 30%...car market in one of its worst crises”, plus a warning that “political rehabilitation” of dictator Joseph Stalin leads to “rehabilitation of Stalin’s methods and practices.” #ReadingRussia

From today’s Russian newspapers: ▪️“Economy on the verge of recession” ▪️“Beetroot prices up 58% this year” ▪️“Petrol prices to rise” Plus, how the Russian government paper is covering the street protests in Ukraine. #ReadingRussia

The Russian government paper today features Tucker Carlson (and his comments praising Vladimir Putin). While Moskovsky Komsomolets warns: “[Russia’s] relations with Azerbaijan are heading to the point of no return.” #ReadingRussia

Today’s Russian papers on the economy: “More & more enterprises plan to cut output.” “Russia is shut off from technological advances. It’s naïve to think everything we need we can make ourselves or get from China.” #ReadingRussia

Today’s Russian papers on the economy: “More & more enterprises plan to cut output.” “Russia is shut off from technological advances. It’s naïve to think everything we need we can make ourselves or get from China.” #ReadingRussia

To mark the start of BBC Proms 2025, here’s my version of the Postman Pat theme tune in the style of a tango.

Today’s Russian papers focusing again on economic problems: ▪️ “To pay utility bills some Russians are falling into debt" ▪️ “Rise in bread prices outstripping inflation” ▪️“Cement factories on the brink” ▪️ Call to "freeze basic food prices to battle inflation" #ReadingRussiahttps

Today’s Russian papers focusing again on economic problems: ▪️ “To pay utility bills some Russians are falling into debt" ▪️ “Rise in bread prices outstripping inflation” ▪️“Cement factories on the brink” ▪️ Call to "freeze basic food prices to battle inflation" #ReadingRussiahttps

In today’s Russian papers: “Foreign VPNs won’t be banned in Russia, but risks will grow for users.” Plus, legislation in Russia that would impose “fines for searching [online] for knowingly extremist materials.” #ReadingRussia

Russia today. On sale in a Moscow kiosk.

Not one, not two, but three different editions of George Orwell’s 1984 on sale now in my local Moscow supermarket.

Flash floods, geo-political storm clouds and continuing war. Our latest report from Moscow for BBC News. Producer @bbcbentavener.bsky.social

Today's Russian papers on Donald Trump’s Russia announcement: “As so often with Trump the teaser was more interesting than the main show.” “The 50 days [before tariffs are implemented] is a long time for Trump. In that time he can change his mind many times.” #ReadingRussia