Section: US & Canada
Ukrainian Forces Prepare to Defend Mariupol
Shelling continues on the outskirts of Mariupol, in southeast Ukraine, as Russia-backed rebels have gradually advanced from the northeast on the strategic port city. Ukrainian troops posted at checkpoints say they are prepared to defend the city, but could use more support. While in the city center, joint patrols and “anti-violator” drills are...
Duel Personality: The Ukraine Crisis Devolves to Pistols at Dawn
Duels fell out of favor in the 19th century. Evidently, nobody told Igor Plotnitzky. The newly elected head of the Luhansk People’s Republic challenged Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday in an effort to resolve differences between the two countries. Poroshenko has yet to respond. Generously, Plotnitzky will allow his...
World War 3 Coming Soon? Vladimir Putin Claims West is Provoking Russia
Russian president Vladimir Putin says that the West, including the United States, is provoking Russia into a new cold war, or a World War 3, with a series of military moves. Putin was asked by German broadcaster ARD if the accusations lobbed from both sides and a notable increase in Russian military near other countries pointed to a new cold war...
Russia’s Relations With Hungary Warm as Ties With West Chill
President Vladimir Putin hailed Hungary as one of Russia’s most important partners on Wednesday, giving his seal of approval to a budding relationship with a Soviet-era ally that is worrying some of its European Union allies. While the Ukraine crisis is straining ties between many EU capitals and Moscow, Hungary – which relies heavily...
Editorial: Beyond Harper’s G20 sound bite
The fawning over Prime Minster Stephen Harper’s “you need to get out of Ukraine” hostile handshake with Russian President Vladimir Putin has ranged from reasonable to ridiculous. Some have praised the Canadian leader’s moral clarity and personal courage, which is fair (really, imagine saying that to Putin’s face rather than...
New U.S. ambassador to Russia faces tough challenges
MOSCOW — Ask most Russians and they will tell you that the U.S. instigated the conflict in Ukraine with the ultimate aim of subjugating Russia. The arrival of new U.S. Ambassador John Tefft, a career diplomat with experience in Russia and Ukraine, offered some hope of improved lines of communication. “We are ready for practical cooperation with...
Q and A: How Canada ‘set an example’ on Ukraine
Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada returns home Nov. 30 to help co-ordinate his country’s foreign service. During his years in Ottawa, Vadym Prystaiko has both lauded the federal government for its strong stance against Russia, and chided it over aid delays. He spoke with the Citizen’s Dylan Robertson. Q. You were chargé...
AFPTV video journalist wins British media prize
London (AFP) – An AFPTV video journalist from Central African Republic on Wednesday won the Rory Peck Award for News from a British media group that highlights the work of freelancers and campaigns for their safety.Pacome Pabandji, 23, was picked for his extensive coverage of the brutal civil conflict that has torn his country over the past...
Petraeus says ISIL momentum halted
OTTAWA – Retired U.S. general David Petraeus, the architect of America’s surge in Iraq in 2007, says the current U.S.-led coalition there, which includes Canadian fighter jets, has halted the momentum of the Islamic State.Though he ruled out any future need for Western ground troops, Petraeus said a Western victory over the Islamic...
Putin: Russia Wants Relationship with US Based on ‘Respect’
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that his country wanted a relationship with the United States based on “respect,” a day after accusing the U.S. of seeking to “subdue” Russia. Speaking at a Kremlin ceremony during which a group of new ambassadors to Russia presented their credentials, Putin said Russia was...
