Police were on hand but said the rally passed without any serious violations, putting participants at 500.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's close ally has been overwhelmingly re-elected Moscow's mayor, election officials said on Monday.

Vladimir Putin said he hoped Washington would realise that its policy of imposing sanctions on Moscow for its perceived misbehaviour was misguided.

The White House on Friday said US President Donald Trump was open to a controversial visit to Moscow, after an apparent invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Syria's government and allied forces backed by Russia and Iran have swiftly recaptured other rebel strongholds in the southwest and vowed to push on and recover all of the country.

Russia hosted the World Cup in 11 cities in June and July without any major security or discriminatory incidents.

The Republican president accused the media of distorting comments in which he gave credence to Putin's denials of election interference.

Trump's news conference alongside Putin drew fire from members of both political parties.

Russia was the target of almost 25 million cyber-attacks during the World Cup, President Vladimir Putin said, though he did not indicate who may have been behind the attacks.

Vladimir Putin welcomed His Highness the Amir and congratulated him for officially receiving the 2022 FIFA World Cup host's mantle.

His Highness the Amir extended congratulations to the Russian president and the Russian people for the success of organising the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Macron and his wife Brigitte met the Russian leader at the Kremlin on Sunday afternoon before the match.