Section: Voice of America (USA)
Go West, US Vice President Pence Tells Balkan Leaders
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence accused Russia on Wednesday of working to “destabilize” the Western Balkans and divide the region from the West where he said its future lies. Pence spoke in Montenegro, which joined NATO this year in defiance of Russia, on the final leg of a tour designed to reassure Eastern Europe of Washington’s...
Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Bill Into Law
U.S. President Donald Trump imposed new sanctions Wednesday on Russia, signing legislation with penalties aimed at Moscow for its interference in last year’s U.S. election designed to help him win the White House. Trump had objected to the measure because it gives Congress a 30-day review period during which it could block Trump from easing...
US Begins Russia Drawdown After Kremlin Retaliates for Sanctions
The United States began removing furniture and equipment from a diplomatic property in Moscow on Tuesday in the first sign of compliance with a Kremlin order to slash its presence in Russia as retaliation for new U.S. sanctions. President Vladimir Putin has ordered the United States to cut around 60 percent of its diplomatic staff in Russia by...
In Georgia, Pence Assures Eastern Europe of US Backing
On the latest leg of his first official tour of Eastern Europe, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence assured regional allies the United States will stand by their side. Facing a crowd of Georgian and international journalists at government offices in Tbilisi, Pence, standing alongside his host, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, said America...
Pence: Reversing Sanctions Requires Russia to Change
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence says diplomatic actions taken by Russian in response to fresh sanctions will not deter U.S. commitment to its security and that of its allies. Speaking Tuesday during a visit to Georgia, Pence said the sanctions bill President Donald Trump will soon sign sends a “very clear message” that with...
Experts Say Russian Retaliation Against US Could Backfire
Russian authorities are now barring American diplomats and their families from a U.S. recreational residence on the outskirts of Moscow, part of sweeping retaliatory measures announced by Kremlin leader Vladmir Putin. The Russian president ordered the U.S. on Sunday to cut its overall staff of more than 1,200 in Russia by 755 people, in response...
Pence: Baltic States’ Greatest Threat Comes from Russian Aggression
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Monday there is no larger threat to Baltic states than the “specter of aggression” by Russia, as he pledged support for NATO allies Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Pence met in Tallinn with the presidents of all the Baltic states — Estonia’s Kersti Kaljulaid, Latvia’s Raimonds Vejonis and...
US, for First Time, to Sell Coal to Ukraine
The U.S. said Monday that for the first time it will sell coal to Ukraine, easing its reliance on Russia and Moscow-back separatists in eastern Ukraine to meet its energy needs. The accord calls for Xcoal Energy & Resources in the eastern state of Pennsylvania to ship 700,000 tons of thermal coal by the end of the year to Ukraine’s...
US Vice President Begins Baltic Tour in Estonia
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is in Estonia for talks on military support, beginning a tour of three Baltic members of NATO. The tour comes amid requests from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for U.S. military support in the face of Russian expansionism. “To our allies here in Eastern Europe, we are with you, we stand with you on behalf of...
Egypt Officials Say Resort Knife Attacker Tasked by IS
Security officials said on Sunday that the Egyptian man who stabbed to death three tourists and wounded three others earlier this month in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada was tasked by the Islamic State group to carry out an attack against foreigners. The officials said that investigations revealed 29-year old Abdel-Rahman Shaaban had communicated...
