Section: US & Canada
Darth Lenin Comes to Odessa
For decades, a statue of Vladimir Lenin had stood in a square adjacent to a factory in Odessa. The sculpture’s days were numbered: In April 2015, Ukraine’s parliament passed a law banning the former Soviet republic’s remaining Communist monuments. But instead of dismantling the figure, the factory allowed artist Alexander Milov...
Russia Says Will Stay In IMF Despite ‘Politicization’
Russia will stay in the International Monetary Fund despite the fund’s ‘political’ motives for changing its rules this week so Ukraine could more easily skip payments on its debt to Russia. …read more Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio...
Ukraine Invites Netherlands To Help Search For Stolen Art
Ukraine’s police chief invited the Netherlands to help find a trove of Dutch 17th century paintings that was stolen from a Dutch museum. …read more Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio...
Unrest in Syria, Ukraine Focal Points of Latest Kerry Trip
In spite of differences with the United States over the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Secretary of State John Kerry says Russia has been “constructive” in the multi-national effort to find a political settlement for Syria. On the sidelines of the climate change summit in Paris, Kerry said he intends to travel to Moscow next week for...
Unrest in Syria, Ukraine are Focal Points of Latest Kerry Trip
Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday that in spite of differences with the United States over the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russia has been “constructive” in the multinational effort to find a political settlement for Syria. Kerry commented on the sidelines of the climate change summit in Paris as he announced plans to...
European Union Will Likely Extend Sanctions Against Russia
The EU targeted Russia’s energy, banking and defense sectors in July 2014, blaming Moscow for driving a separatist revolt in east Ukraine. …read more Source:...
With Turkey Bashing, Putin Seeks to Save Face
Photo credit: Zaman, Turgut Engin Downing of a Russian warplane by Turkish jets on the Turkish-Syrian border has provided an enabling environment for Russian President Vladimir Putin to polish his image. Increasingly sharp rhetoric from the Russian side has two primary goals: To avoid hard military action and prop up the Russian leader. Russia...
Diplomats See EU Extending Russia Sanctions Next Week
The European Union is likely to extend economic sanctions against Russia next week before leaders of the bloc meet for a summit, diplomats said, after unexpected opposition by Italy blocked the rollover earlier this week. The EU targeted Russia’s energy, banking and defense sectors in July 2014, blaming Moscow for driving a separatist...
All Is Forgiven?
Besides Vladimir Putin, who has benefitted the most from the terrorist attacks in Paris and from the wave fear that has gripped Europe? Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary, as well as several other populist leaders from Central Europe, are determined not to let this crisis go to waste, using it to boost their approval ratings at home and...
Economists Slam Russian PM’s Optimistic Growth Forecast
Russian economists have slammed Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s optimistic outlook on his country’s economy. In a group interview with five Russian television channels Wednesday, Medvedev claimed Russia’s economy was no longer receding and, by his estimation, would begin growing in 2016. “Based on the data that are available to...
