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

When flying from Moscow these days, you can never be sure your flight will depart until you actually take off. We’ve been asked to leave the plane & return to the terminal. “Closure of air space for security reasons” is the announcement.

"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 the 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

From the Russian newspapers: the “Special Election Operation”, a giant tuna and rising prices. Also: “A record rise in pessimism in Russia.” And Muscovites tell what they believe constitutes a “great country.”#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