Section: Singapore
Sanctions may be benefiting Putin’s circle
ABINSK, Russia – When Russia recently banned imports of some foreign fruit and other foods, it was seen as retaliation against Western sanctions. The move will also benefit a venture by one of the president’s long-standing supportersAs US and European sanctions piled pressure on Russia earlier this year, the Kremlin hit back with an...
Russia must influence separatists to end Ukraine crisis, says Merkel
BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel appealed to the Russian government on Sunday to use its influence on separatists in eastern Ukraine to implement a ceasefire plan agreed in Minsk in September aimed at ending the conflict.Planned talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to further...
Lithuania adopts euro to cement ties with the West
VILNIUS – Lithuania hopes joining the eurozone on Jan 1 will boost its security at a time of heightened anxiety over Russia, but many in the Baltic state fear the currency switch will also bring price hikes.The stroke of midnight will signal the end of a year marked by Russian intervention in Ukraine – the biggest threat to the Baltic...
After turbulent 2014, next year may be no calmer
NEW YORK – From financial crisis in Russia to cyber warfare with North Korea, 2014 has generated new flashpoints right into its final days, setting 2015 up to be just as turbulent.Almost all of the major confrontations, such as the battle with Islamic State militants, the West’s stand-off with Russia over Ukraine and the fight against...
President Poroshenko hails Ukraine ‘warriors’ freed by rebels
December 28, 2014 1:24 AMKIEV (AFP) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Saturday welcomed home as heroes 145 soldiers freed by pro-Russian rebels during the largest prisoner swap of the eight-month separatist war. …read more Source: The Straits...
Ukraine secures cheap Russian coal and power supplies
Moscow promised to resume shipping coal and provide electricity to Ukraine for the first time in three years despite Kiev’s failure to guarantee energy supplies to Russian-occupied Crimea. …read more Source: Channel...
Belarus’ Lukashenko dismisses prime minister and top ministers
MINSK – Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has dismissed the country’s prime minister, central bank head and other top ministers, the presidential press service said on Saturday, in the biggest government reshuffle since 2010.The shake-up follows Belarussian moves to protect its economy, run along Soviet-style command lines by...
Russia says to supply coal, electricity to Ukraine
MOSCOW/KIEV – Russia has agreed on a new deal to supply coal and electricity to Ukraine, which is struggling with a lack of raw fuel for power plants due to a separatist conflict in the industrial east, Russian officials said on Saturday.The move comes a day after Kiev said it would suspend train and bus services to Crimea, effectively...
Kiev and rebels swap hundreds of captives in peace push
KOSTYANTYNIVKA , Ukraine – Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels were on Saturday set to complete a swap of hundreds of prisoners as part of a new push for peace that came despite Kiev’s decision to cut off key transport links to breakaway Crimea.The exchange began Friday on a dark and isolated stretch of a road north of the devastated...
Ukraine and separatists swap prisoners as peace talks falter
MOSCOW – The Ukrainian government and separatists from the country’s southeast yesterday (Dec 26) began swapping hundreds of prisoners of war in a rare sign of cooperation between the two sides. The prisoner exchange, which was reported by the Interfax news… …read more Source:...
