Section: San Francisco Chronicle (USA)
Russia: Ukraine’s NATO ambitions threaten talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin spelled out a seven-point plan for ending hostilities and expressed hope for a breakthrough at talks in Minsk, Belarus, on Friday. […] Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in televised remarks Thursday that statements by senior government officials in Kiev that Ukraine will be seeking to join NATO are...
Obama casts Russia as threat to peace in Europe
Multiple rounds of U.S. and European economic sanctions have done little to shift Putin’s tactics, and Obama remains staunchly opposed to U.S. military intervention. Unlike the Baltics and other Eastern European nations, Ukraine is not a member of NATO, meaning the U.S. and other allies have no treaty obligation to come to its defense....
Obama to talk Ukraine, militants with Euro leaders
NEWPORT, Wales (AP) — President Barack Obama will convene a meeting of European allies to discuss the West’s response to Russia’s provocations in Ukraine and Islamic militants in Syria and Iraq. The meeting will occur Thursday morning on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Wales. Obama arrived here Wednesday night after a whirlwind...
France puts warship delivery to Russia on hold
PARIS (AP) — Responding to international pressure, France suspended the delivery of a warship to Russia at least until November amid security concerns over Moscow’s role in the Ukraine crisis, officials said Wednesday. The Vladivostok, the first of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers ordered by Russia, was due to be delivered next month...
Christie’s Mexico trip touches on trade, politics
With his state exporting $2 billion worth of goods to Mexico, and tens of thousands of New Jersey jobs relying on the relationship, Christie becomes the latest potential presidential contender to cross the border on official business — and in pursuit of international expertise and credibility. “If you’re a national leader of the party...
EU looking to deepen sanctions against Russia
Several member states came out on Wednesday against the idea of taking action against Russia’s high-profile sports events, such as its hosting of the 2018 World Cup, describing it as unrealistic at this stage. The EU’s executive Commission said in a statement that it offered proposals to the 28 member states to complement sanctions...
Obama: US committed to Estonia’s security
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Mounting a show of solidarity with NATO allies, President Barack Obama announced plans Wednesday to send more Air Force units and aircraft to the Baltics, as he sought to reassure nations on edge over Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. With Moscow supporting pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, NATO allies such...
Putin, Poroshenko discuss settlement in Ukraine
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed a peace settlement in eastern Ukraine with President Petro Poroshenko and found that they “largely share views” on ways out of the crisis, Putin’s spokesman was quoted as saying on Wednesday. Ukraine and the West have accused Russia of sending its troops and weapons to...
Tiny Estonia seeks strong support from Obama
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Spooked by Russia’s intervention in Ukraine, Estonia is hoping for a strong signal of support from President Barack Obama when he arrives Wednesday in a country that two decades ago had Russian troops on its soil. The U.S. and many other Western countries never recognized the nearly five-decade Soviet occupation,...
AP Analysis: Putin digs in for long Ukraine fight
MOSCOW (AP) — Riding a wave of military gains by pro-Russia rebels, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it exceedingly clear that he wants a peace deal for Ukraine on his terms and will not be stopped by economic costs. Prospects for a political settlement looked dim just a few weeks ago while the Ukrainian troops were methodically...
