Section: Voice of America (USA)
Economist: Long Painful Recession in Store for Russia
Russia’s battered currency fell sharply again this week after a government report showed the economy had shrunk in November, the first such decline in five years. The Russian government recently announced steps to stabilize its banks and bolster the value of the beleaguered ruble. But experts say the country still faces a recession next...
US to Station 150 Tanks, Armored Vehicles in Europe
The United States plans by the end of next year to station around 150 tanks and armored vehicles in Europe for use by U.S. forces training there, according to a U.S. military commander. Some of the tanks and vehicles – enough to equip an armored brigade – could be placed in Poland, Romania or the Baltic states, Lieutenant-General Ben...
Ukraine Eyes IMF Credit Lifeline in Early 2015
Ukraine expects the International Monetary Fund to disburse new and overdue loans after a visit next month and still hopes a $17 billion bailout program can be expanded, its central bank chief said on Tuesday. Valeria Hontareva declined to give a value for the payment, even when pressed by journalists, but it is likely to total more than $4...
US Adds Four More Russians to Human Rights Sanctions List
The United States imposed sanctions on Monday on four more Russians for alleged human rights abuses, including two officials said to be involved in the cover-up of the death of a lawyer who died in prison after exposing large-scale corruption. Visa bans and asset freezes also were imposed on two senior officials of the Chechen Republic implicated...
Ukraine Formally Scraps Non-aligned Status
Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko has signed a law revoking Ukraine’s non-aligned status as part of efforts to move the country closer to NATO, the western military alliance. Russia views NATO expansion as a threat and President Vladimir Putin last week signed a military doctrine reiterating those concerns. Poroshenko signed the...
Analysts: Ukraine’s Challenges Are Also Russia’s
Ukraine’s pro-European revolution succeeded this year in replacing its Russia-backed president with leaders favoring European integration. But the Kremlin’s annexation of Crimea, and support for pro-Russia rebels in east Ukraine, has many worried the country will remain unstable or conditions will deteriorate into all-out war....
Russia’s Economy Begins Shrinking
Russia’s battered currency fell sharply on Monday after a government report showed the economy shrank in November, and predicted a four percent decline next year. At one point Monday, the Russian ruble was off six percent, trading around 56 to the dollar. It is the first time the economy has declined since 2009, and follows sharply falling...
Analysts Say Ukraine’s Challenges Are Also Russia’s
Ukraine’s pro-European revolution succeeded this year in replacing its Russia-leaning president with leaders favoring European integration. But the Kremlin’s annexation of Crimea, and support for pro-Russia rebels in east Ukraine has many worried the country will remain unstable or conditions will deteriorate into all-out war....
Ukraine’s Poroshenko to Meet With Putin, Merkel, Hollande
Ukraine’s president, Petro Poroshenko, said on Monday he intends to meet January 15 with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande. The meeting, part of efforts to seek a negotiated end to the conflict in Ukraine’s east, would take place in Kazakhstan’s capital,...
Russian Moves Provide New Mission for NATO
Russia’s more aggressive military posture in Europe during the past year has pushed NATO to take new steps to strengthen its defenses, providing it, analysts say, with a much-needed new mission. The change in NATO-Russia relations grew out of protests in Ukraine that led to the ouster of the country’s pro-Russian president. Russia...
