Section: AsiaOne (Singapore)
Merkel urges co-operation after missing Russian WWII victory parade
MOSCOW – German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday paid tribute to Soviet soldiers killed in WWII as she called for co-operation with Russia amid tensions over Ukraine.Merkel flew to Moscow to lay a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin walls, in an apparent compromise gesture after she skipped Russia’s main...
Putin brushes off Western snub at huge WWII victory parade
MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday presided over a huge military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany, brushing off a snub by Western leaders over Ukraine.In what is seen as punishment for Kremlin meddling in Ukraine, Western countries led by Russia’s World War II allies boycotted...
Merkel’s Moscow trip highlights 2 sides of Germany
BERLIN – In early March, Angela Merkel told Vladimir Putin she wanted to visit Moscow this year to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.RELATED STORIES FROM WSJ.COM‘Very Big Muscles’: Chinese Propaganda Video Lavishes Praise on PutinChina Parades Closer Ties in MoscowPutin Puts On Vast Victory Day...
Russia stages huge military parade, Western leaders boycott
MOSCOW – Thousands of Russian troops marched across Red Square, tanks rumbled through the streets and jets screamed overhead on Saturday in a huge military parade marking the 70th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany.Western leaders boycotted the parade over Russia’s role in the Ukraine crisis but President Vladimir Putin was...
Russia to show off new weapons at WWII victory parade
MOSCOW – Russia will use the grandiose Red Square parade on May 9, marking 70 years since victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, to show off a range of new weaponry.According to IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, some of the armoured vehicles on show “represent the biggest change in Russia’s armoured fighting vehicle families...
US envoy trusts new UK government will keep NATO defence pledge
BRUSSELS – The US ambassador to NATO said on Friday he was confident that newly re-elected British Prime Minister David Cameron would stick to a NATO defence spending pledge despite expectations that his budget-tightening plans could spell more defence cuts.Britain is one of only four of NATO’s 28 members that meet a target of...
Putin snubs Ukraine leadership in WWII salute
MOSCOW – President Vladimir Putin on Fiday congratulated “citizens” of Ukraine but snubbed its leaders on the 70th anniversary of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in WWII amid a deep feud between Moscow and Kiev.Putin pointedly sidestepped addressing Ukraine’s pro-Western authorities as he issued a congratulatory statement...
Germany hails ‘liberation’ from Nazis 70 years on
BERLIN – Germany on Friday celebrated its “liberation” from the Nazis 70 years ago, with the speaker of parliament Norbert Lammert hailing the willingness of the country’s neighbours to forgive.During a joint session of parliament’s two houses attended by Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck, Lammert...
Separatist conflict colours Ukraine’s war anniversary events
LVIV, Ukraine – Of all the medals on his military tunic, it is the one marking his role in the UPA Ukrainian nationalist resistance fighting Nazis, Poles and Soviets in the war that ended 70 years ago on Saturday that gives Vasyl Chelepys the most pride.Gaunt and white-haired, he is now 92 and loses himself in memories of combat, arrest,...
Pentagon chief calls for new multi-year defence spending deal
WASHINGTON – Calling Republican defence spending plans a “road to nowhere,” Defence Secretary Ash Carter appealed on Wednesday for lawmakers to work with him toward a new bipartisan budget deal to provide stable funding for a US military hurt by years of steep cuts.Carter told a Senate appropriations panel that Republican...
