The Moscow Times
Amsterdam-based independent English and Russian news site on Russia
The Moscow Times is an independent online newspaper about Russia, published in English and Russian. It was founded in Moscow in 1992 by the Dutch publisher Derk Sauer and was a print paper until 2017, when it went online-only. In March 2022, after Russia passed a law restricting coverage of the invasion of Ukraine, it moved its editors to Amsterdam. Since July 2017 its operations have been run by Stichting 2 Oktober, a Dutch foundation. Sauer bought the paper back in 2017 and remained involved until his death on 31 July 2025.Sources:1Wikipedia: The Moscow Times, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)4Wikipedia: Derk Sauer, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)
Russia's justice ministry designated the paper a "foreign agent" in 2023, and on 10 July 2024 the Prosecutor General declared it an "undesirable organisation", which effectively bans it in Russia and exposes anyone who cooperates with it to prosecution. The paper asks readers for donations and says their support helps it "remain independent".Sources:1Wikipedia: The Moscow Times, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)2Meduza: Russia bans The Moscow Times as 'undesirable organization', Meduza, 10 July 2024 (source, opens in a new tab)3The Moscow Times: Together we keep independent journalism alive, The Moscow Times (source, opens in a new tab)
Who it favours
Our reading of 1 article by The Moscow Times on stories with competing sides. A story counts only when two signals point the same way; balanced coverage counts too. How we decide.
Balanced in every story we analysed.
Who controls it
Whoever owns an outlet, provides most of its money or directs it controls it. Our rule.
No government, party or politician is documented as its owner, main funder or director.
Owners, funders and directors
- OwnerStichting 2 OktoberDutch foundation that has run the paper's operations since July 2017 Sources:1Wikipedia: The Moscow Times, Wikipedia (source, opens in a new tab)
As documented, nearest first. Each note says what the source supports.
How we use it
2 stories cite The Moscow Times directly.
October 2026
- Kremlin says Russia-Ukraine-US talks set for first half of November in Abu DhabiKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the next trilateral round of Ukraine peace talks is planned in Abu Dhabi in the first half of November, and Zelensky confirmed the timing.
- Putin says renewed Ukraine talks must cover security guarantees and Europe's security frameworkA day after meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff, Putin confirmed Russia is ready to resume US-mediated talks next month but wants a final settlement, not a short ceasefire.
Outside left–right raters
For comparison only. Western raters place outlets on a left–right line, which says nothing about whom they favour in a given story or who funds them; our own tally is above.
AllSides: Center (checked 24 Oct 2026) · Ad Fontes Media: Middle (checked 24 Oct 2026) · Media Bias/Fact Check: Left-Center (checked 24 Oct 2026)
Sources
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