Section: Voice of America (USA)
NATO Briefly Shifts Command HQ to Romania
NATO will briefly move an allied joint force command headquarter to Romania as the alliance continues to hone its ability to react to Russia’s moves in Ukraine and other security challenges, a top commander said Tuesday. The Allied Joint Force Command based in Naples, Italy, will relocate to Cincu, in mountainous central Romania, for 12...
Russia’s ‘Victory Day’ Glory Over Nazis Overshadowed by Ukraine
Russia is preparing to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, known since the Soviet era as “The Great Patriotic War,” with a massive parade on May 9th of military hardware and millions of medals handed out to veterans or their relatives. But critics say the Soviet-style display of power and nationalism overshadows tragic...
WWII Anniversary Brings Old Friends and New Worries
The 70th anniversary of the end of World War II has special significance, with Russia becoming more assertive in Ukraine and sending its military planes to the edges of western countries’ airspace. Changes in the geostrategic balance and the transatlantic relationship are felt across the continent, not least in German towns that have hosted...
Russia’s ‘V-Day’ Glory Over Nazis Overshadowed by Ukraine
Russia is preparing to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, known since the Soviet era as “The Great Patriotic War,” with a series of events, including a massive parade of military hardware and millions of medals handed out to veterans or their relatives. But critics say the Soviet-style display of power and nationalism...
EU: Turkmenistan Could Supply Europe with Natural Gas by 2019
A top European official says the 28-nation European Union could begin receiving natural gas supplies from Turkmenistan by 2019, as part of a push to lessen dependence on Russia for Europe’s energy needs. European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic, speaking last week, stressed the importance of Turkmenistan diversifying its export...
US, Ukraine Urge Russia to Pursue Political Solution to Ukraine Conflict
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk have urged Russia to fulfill its commitments under the Minsk agreement, which calls for a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine and a de-escalation of military involvement. The White House said the two men issued the appeal Friday in a phone conversation that...
Experts: Trip Cancellation Unlikely To Affect Moscow-Pyongyang Ties
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sudden cancellation of a tentative trip to Moscow is not likely to affect overall relations between Moscow and Pyongyang, experts say. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, told reporters that Kim would not be attending Russia’s Victory Day ceremony next...
NATO Commander: Russia May Be Preparing New Ukraine Offensive
The NATO supreme allied commander said Thursday that the alliance needs better military intelligence on the ground in eastern Ukraine, where he said Russian forces appeared to be fortifying military gains despite a two-month cease-fire. U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove, testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington,...
Four Leaders Discuss ‘Fragile’ Ukraine Cease-fire
The leaders of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia discussed the shaky cease-fire in eastern Ukraine in a four-way telephone conversation Thursday. The office of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the four leaders agreed that the “fragile” cease-fire needs to be “stabilized,” and that the political process that started...
Carter Pleased with Russia’s Embrace of Minsk Agreement
Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter says he is pleased with Russia’s commitment to implement the Minsk agreement. Carter and other former global leaders met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for 2.5 hours Wednesday in Moscow. The group, called the Elders, visited at a time when Russia’s relations with the West are severely strained...
