Russia
Entering a new, more Putin-like, Russia
On 25 June 2020, the Russian citizens embarked on a journey that might transform their country in many ways and keep the Russian president Vladimir Putin and his apparatchiks in power until 2036, writes Pavel Havlicek.
Russia and Europe trade barbs over WWII narratives
The Kremlin has become entrenched in a war of words with Europe over the legacy of World War II, as both sides accuse each other of cynically rewriting history for political gain.
German prosecutors accuse Russia of ordering murder in Berlin
German federal prosecutors accused Russia on Thursday (18 June) of ordering the killing of a former Chechen rebel in Berlin last summer and indicted a Russian man for the murder, which has severely strained diplomatic ties.
Tensions build after Russia jails ex-US marine for 16 years on spying charges
A Russian court convicted former US marine Paul Whelan of spying for the United States on Monday (15 June) and sentenced him to 16 years in jail, a ruling that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said outraged Washington.
Russians bypass coronavirus travel ban via Belarus
Russians are using Belarus as a springboard to travel abroad as their country’s international borders remain largely closed as part of efforts to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, transport sector sources say.
US, Russia agree to resume nuclear arms talks in June, China invited to join
A US-Russian preliminary agreement to resume nuclear arms talks could become a historic opportunity for a safer world - but many question marks remain.
US senators move to tighten sanctions on Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream
US senators announced a bill on Thursday (4 June) expanding sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream natural gas pipelines and targeting the projects Washington says will boost Moscow's economic and political influence in Germany and other European countries.
Rosneft replaces sanctioned trading arm with new one
Russia’s Rosneft, which closed its oil trading arm after sanctions were imposed by US authorities in February, has set up a new Geneva-based trading business, four trading sources familiar with the matter said.
Russia revamps its nuclear policy amid simmering tensions with NATO
President Vladimir Putin approved a strategic document on the fundamentals of Russia’s nuclear deterrence policy on Tuesday (2 June), naming the creation and deployment of anti-missile and strike weapons in space as one of the main military threats to Russia....
EU’s chief diplomat takes position against readmitting Russia to G7
The EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, rejected on Tuesday (2 June) the idea floated by the White House over the weekend to reinvite Russia to this year's G7 gathering hosted by the US, saying the conditions had not been met.
Putin and Trump discuss G7 summit
US President Donald Trump told President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Monday (1 June) about his idea of holding an expanded Group of Seven summit later this year with a possible invitation for Russia, the Kremlin and the White House said.
Russia applauds SpaceX launch but calls Trump’s reaction ‘hysteria’
Russia’s space agency criticised Donald Trump’s “hysteria” about the first spaceflight of NASA astronauts from US soil in nine years, but also said on Sunday (31 May) it was pleased there was now another way to travel into space.
Georgia targeted by fake stories of US secret labs spreading COVID-19
EU foreign ministers are discussing China on Friday (29 May), as the country started to back Russian narratives of Washington-led biological weapon development in Georgia and other post-Soviet countries. One widely circulating allegation in the internet during the pandemic claimed...
NSA warns of ongoing Russian hacking campaign against US systems
The US National Security Agency on Thursday (28 May) warned government partners and private companies about a Russian hacking operation that uses a special intrusion technique to target operating systems often used by industrial firms to manage computer infrastructure.
Germany calls in Russian envoy, seeks sanctions over hacking
Germany's foreign ministry on Thursday (28 May) called in the Russian ambassador to discuss possible sanctions over a 2015 hacking attack on the German parliament, in an escalating diplomatic row.
US military says Russia flew 14 MiG 29s and Su-24s to Libya
Russian military personnel flew MiG 29 and SU-24 fighter planes to a Libyan airbase escorted by other Russian fighter jets, the US military said on Wednesday (27 May), detailing a deployment of air power that could have a big impact on Libya’s war.
Putin sets new date for Red Square military parade postponed over coronavirus
President Vladimir Putin set a new date of 24 June for a grand Red Square military parade he was forced to postpone over a coronavirus outbreak that is still triggering thousands of new infections each day.
Ukraine is getting itself into US election troubles
Ukraine is losing friends: among other mistakes, by playing internal politics, the country’s President has taken sides in the US elections, which may be disastrous for the country in the future, writes Pavlo Fedykovych.
US withdrawal from Open Skies Treaty takes European allies by surprise
Washington announced on Thursday (21 May) it would withdraw from the 35-nation Open Skies Treaty, allowing unarmed surveillance flights over signatory states, the Trump administration’s latest move to pull the country out of yet another major global landmark accord.
Russia probes FT, NYT after virus death toll reports
Russia on Thursday (14 May) launched a probe into the Financial Times and the New York Times after the newspapers said local authorities could be vastly under-reporting deaths from the coronavirus in the country.
Chizhov: Coronavirus cannot diminish the significance of Victory Day
In a wide-ranging interview, Russian Ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, discussed Victory Day, Russia’s relations with its wartime allies, conspiracy theories about COVID-19, sanctions, disinformation and more.
Putin uses WW2 anniversary for bridge-building with US, Britain
President Vladimir Putin sent telegrams on Friday (8 May) to US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggesting the need to rekindle their nations’ cooperation during World War Two to solve today’s problems.
US, Eastern Europe take aim at Russia bid to ‘falsify’ history
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and nine Central and Eastern European foreign ministers took a swipe at Russia on Thursday (7 May), denouncing what they described as "a regrettable effort to falsify history".