Charles Maynes

Representatives from Russia and Ukraine gather for peace talks in Istanbul. The meeting comes after the two countries each launched large-scale drone attacks on one another over the weekend, including an audacious Ukrainian strike on Russia's bomber aircraft fleet. We hear the latest from the talks and about how Ukraine's drone capabilities have evolved.

Russians remember the longtime artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, who died recently. Yuri Grigorovich held the position for the last three decades of the Soviet Union and staged productions that were wildly popular at home and projected soft power overseas.

And in Nepal, people have complained of monkey's stealing food from their property for years. Now, the government is holding its first-ever monkey census to understand exactly how bad the problem is.

Today we take a break from the serious and often depressing international news beat to bring you the sound's of Soviet Central Asia in the 1970's and 80's. Our Moscow correspondent introduces us to an anthology of songs that came out of a record factory in Tashkent documenting a wide variety of music from the silk road in that time period.

As President Trump takes office he inherits two international conflicts in which the United States is deeply involved. On the campaign trail he said he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Last month he said there would be "hell to pay" if Hamas and Israel did not reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal before he assumed office. A temporary and fragile ceasefire began on Sunday.

We hear from NPR correspondents in Israel, Russia and Ukraine to hear about those countries' expectations for the Trump presidency.

The former Soviet republic of Moldova narrowly passed a referendum to pursue membership in the European Union. That puts it at odds with Russia, which is accused of meddling in the election. Our correspondent in Moscow tells us what the vote could mean.

And we go to the bar in Paris that for over a century has held a U.S. presidential straw poll that is usually accurate.

In Russia, polls consistently show support for the war in Ukraine somewhere around 70%. But a recent independent study of Russians' opinions indicates the picture is more complex. We hear more from our correspondent in Moscow.

And in Ukraine, couples who are separated by the war can now propose and get married online over an app. The service is so popular there is a months-long wait for virtual ceremonies.

In the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and many western governments sought to isolate Russia politically and economically through sanctions. But Russia insists it still has plenty of friends in the world. Our Moscow correspondent went to meet some of them at an economic forum in Saint Petersburg.

President Putin starts his first foreign trip of this new term: a two-day visit to China to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Here's the significance of this trip and what we can expect from it,

Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China for a state visit this week. The invitation from his Chinese counterpart marks the first international trip of Putin's new term.

Russia marked the 79th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Russian President Vladimir Putin drew parallels between history and the current fight in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday will be inaugurated to another six-year term. Most European Union countries are boycotting the ceremony.

Protesters in the small southern Caucasus nation of Georgia say a Russia-style draft law will hurt free speech and democracy.

A controversial draft bill in the small former Soviet republic of Georgia's parliament targets the country's civil society. Critics say the bill shows Kremlin influence.

The attack killed 143 people and injured scores more after the attackers set the venue on fire. The group ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack — an assessment the U.S. has deemed credible.

A Russian court has extended the detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich by three more months, nearly a year after he was detained by Russian forces on spying allegations.

Russia marks national day of mourning after concert hall attack that killed more than 130 people. Four men have been charged in the attack.

The death toll in Friday's attack on a Moscow concert hall has reached over 130. Russian officials announced Saturday that they've captured 11 people including four shooters.

Russian media say gunmen killed several dozens of people at a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow. An ISIS terrorist group has claimed responsibility.

Gunmen have attacked a concert hall just outside the Russian capital. The Moscow Mayor has conveyed condolences to those who have died.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed victory in an election where the outcome was never in doubt.