Section: Voice of America (USA)
Former Ukraine President Kravchuk: Sanctions Not Enough, Must Negotiate for Peace
Ukraine’s first president, who help usher in the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union 25 years ago, said Ukraine’s leaders today must find a similarly peaceful resolution of the separatist conflict in the east. “We heeded our peoples then and signed the [dissolution] accords, and so why can’t the country leaders today...
IMF Team: Ukraine Shows Signs Of Recovery, Progress Depends On Reforms
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team visiting Ukraine on a fact-finding mission says the country’s economy is showing signs of recovery but the strength and durability of the recovery depend on progress in implementing reforms. Ron van Rooden, head of the IMF mission team that visited Kyiv from November 3-17, said Ukraine’s...
Obama’s Farewell Calls on Europe to Work with Trump
Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama has bid farewell to European allies, capping his final trip to Europe as president with reassurances of America’s enduring support and calls for allies to stand up to Russia. The U.S. leader left Berlin Friday after a four-day tour of the region that started with Greece, the cradle of western-style...
US: Anti-Nazi Resolution at UN Restricts Free Speech
The United States was one of three countries to vote against a U.N. resolution condemning the glorification of Nazism on Thursday, citing freedom of speech issues and concerns Russia was using it to carry out political attacks against its neighbors. The resolution entitled “Combating glorification of Nazism, Neo-Nazism and other practices that...
Russia’s ICC Withdrawal Called Bad Sign for Justice
International human rights groups have condemned the decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin withdrawing Russia from the International Criminal Court, calling it a cynical move and a bad omen for justice. The Rome Statute created the court in 1998. Putin signed the treaty in 2000, but Russia never ratified it. Tanya Lokshina, the...
Putin Withdraws Signature from International Criminal Court
President Vladimir Putin has decided Russia is out of the International Criminal Court. Putin signed a decree Wednesday removing the country from the first legal body with permanent international jurisdiction to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Putin’s decree was published on the Kremlin’s website and a...
UN Committee Condemns Russian Occupation of Crimea
A United Nations committee approved a draft resolution Tuesday condemning Russia’s occupation of Crimea and reiterating that it does not accept Russian annexation from Ukraine. The measure passed by a vote of 73-23 with 76 abstentions. It is expected to pass in the full U.N. General Assembly next month. The text calls on Russia to uphold...
Obama Begins Final Foreign Trip in Greece
President Barack Obama will stress economic issues as he meets with Greek leaders Tuesday on the first leg of the final planned foreign trip of his presidency. White House officials expect Obama and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to talk about the need for continued economic reforms, including transparency and cleaning up the country’s...
Putin Telephones to Congratulate Trump
Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned congratulations to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Monday and said Russia is ready for a “partner-like dialogue” with the United States. Trump’s office said the incoming president told Putin he is very much looking forward to a strong and enduring relationship with Russia and its...
Moscow Clout Rises as Bulgaria, Moldova Elect Pro-Russia Leaders
Voters in Europe’s poorest country, Moldova, and the European Union’s poorest member, Bulgaria, elected Russia-leaning presidents Sunday. In Bulgaria, Socialist-backed General Rumen Radev, a former air force commander who wants to lift EU sanctions against Russia, won by a wide margin against the ruling center-right GERB Party...
