Section: Voice of America (USA)
Ukraine Demands Say in Any Russia-US Talks to End Conflict on Its Territory
Ukraine must have a say in any deal struck between Russia and the United States aimed at ending violence in eastern Ukraine, its deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday. Ukraine, which has been battling pro-Russian separatists in its eastern Donbas region for nearly three years, is worried that U.S. President Donald Trump will cut Kyiv out of...
Shaken by Trump’s Criticism of NATO, Europe Mulls Building Own Military Force
European leaders were left shaken following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments that NATO is “obsolete”. The organization has formed the bedrock of Europe’s security since World War II, but some EU leaders say Europe must now take responsibility for its own defense. The continent would face a huge deficit in...
Watchdogs: Abuses, Detentions Continue in Ukraine
Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists have detained and abused people “with complete impunity”, according to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. Wednesday in Kyiv, the groups repeated concerns voiced in a joint report released last year documenting arbitrary, prolonged, and occasionally secret detentions. The...
Ukraine President Calls for Sustained US Sanctions on Russia
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Tuesday called on world powers to maintain sanctions against Russia, apparently in response to comments by President Donald Trump that indicated a U.S. willingness to ease the longstanding restrictions. Earlier this month, Trump told The Wall Street Journal he would consider lifting some sanctions if Moscow...
NATO, Pentagon Chiefs Discuss Military Budgets, Terrorism
NATO’s chief and new U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis have discussed military spending and combating terrorism, the source of criticism of the alliance by President Donald Trump. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s office said Tuesday that the two men “agreed on the fundamental and enduring value of NATO for the...
Britain’s Leader Faces Difficult Balancing Act When Meeting Trump
Britain’s power since 1945 has depended on hugging the United States as hard as it can — the trans-Atlantic partnership between Washington and London has magnified Britain’s global clout. The country’s politicians and press fret when there’s any perceived chill. Comparisons are made inevitably to the strength of the...
Dutch Elections Overtaken by Populist and Anti-Establishment Parties
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his right-liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy ran a full page newspaper advertisement Monday calling for people to “act normal or leave” the Netherlands if they do not like the country and its values. The message is seen by critics as targeted at Dutch citizens of a non-Western...
Russia PM Calls Idea US Will Lift Sanctions Soon ‘Illusion’
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says the west’s sanctions on Russia are likely to remain in place “for a long time” despite expectations Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president will lead to warmer relations between Washington and Moscow. Medvedev told members of the ruling United Russia party on Sunday that...
Kremlin Hopes for Rapport With US, But Differences to Stay
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman voiced hope for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trump’s administration in comments broadcast Saturday, but warned that differences will remain. Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with state Rossiya television that it would be an “illusion” to expect that U.S.-Russian relations...
Kremlin Hopes for Rapport With US, But Differences to Stay
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman voiced hope for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trump’s administration in comments broadcast Saturday, but warned that differences will remain. Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with state Rossiya television that it would be an “illusion” to expect that U.S.-Russian relations...
