Section: Voice of America (USA)
Ukraine Cease-Fire Holds for 2nd Day
Ukrainian soldiers and pro-Russian rebels are largely honoring a declared halt in hostilities for a second consecutive day in eastern Ukraine. Only sporadic gunfire was reported early Wednesday – 24 hours after both sides began observing the so-called “Day of Silence.” It is designed to encourage both sides to observe the wider...
Putin Headed to India for Trade, Energy Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin is headed to India on a trip aimed at expanding trade and energy cooperation. Putin is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday in New Delhi. India and Russia have had close ties since the Cold War. Analysts say India will look for ways in which Russia can help the emerging South Asian...
Ukraine, on Anti-graft Drive, Mulls Selling Stakes in State Firms
Ukraine will conduct audits of state companies with a view to selling stakes on international markets, Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said on Tuesday, as part of the new government’s drive to reform corrupt and inefficient state institutions. Around 1,500 state firms cannot be privatized by law at present, but the Kyiv government will...
Russia’s Lavrov Says Moscow Concerned by German Leaders
Russia said on Tuesday it was concerned by the behaviour of German leaders and warned that Europe would suffer if Berlin stopped playing a constructive role in relations between Moscow and the West. Under Chancellor Angela Merkel, Berlin has taken the lead in trying to convince President Vladimir Putin to engage with the West during the crisis in...
Turkey Rebuffs EU Criticism Over Foreign Policy Role
Turkey hit back on Tuesday at European Union accusations that it has drifted apart from the bloc on foreign policy, saying Ankara had been kept out of decision-making despite making major contributions to EU defense. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Monday that Turkey, an EU membership candidate, had signed up to less than a...
Ukraine, Rebels Observe ‘Day of Silence’
The Ukrainian army and pro-Russian rebel forces are laying down their arms in an attempt to revive a September cease-fire. A spokesman confirmed the military has suspended hostilities as part of Tuesday’s so-called “Day of Silence.” Rebel leaders have also promised to abide by the truce. But it is not clear when the warring...
IMF Visits Ukraine for Bailout Talks
Officials from the International Monetary Fund are visiting Ukraine Tuesday for talks on its $17 billion aid program — a key step towards bringing more funds to the cash-strapped country. The visit coincides with a so-called “Day of Silence,” when both Ukrainian forces and rebels have pledged to observe an effective truce on the...
Human Rights Day Used to Highlight ‘Horrific 2014’
Wednesday is United Nations’ Human Rights Day. Many observers describe 2014 as a horrific year for human rights violations. War is the major source of abuses around the world – and in the past twelve months, major conflicts have intensified. The Syrian civil war is approaching its 4th year. Hundreds of thousands have been killed and...
Ukraine Peace Talks May Take Place This Week
Russia says it is committed to holding talks this week on ending the violence in eastern Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Russia is ready for another meeting of the so-called “contact group” on eastern Ukraine this week. “Contact group” members Russia, Ukraine,...
US, UK Finally Join in Major Nuclear Meeting
The United States and Britain took part for the first time Monday in an international conference on nuclear weapons’ humanitarian impact and were expected to face pressure to do more to eliminate their atomic arsenals. The three other officially recognized nuclear weapon states – Russia, France and China – shunned the two-day meeting, which...
