Section: Voice of America (USA)
Kerry to Assess Coalition Efforts to Fight Islamic State
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is traveling in Europe this week for talks with NATO foreign ministers and other officials on issues including terrorism, climate change and events in Ukraine. On Wednesday, Kerry will chair a ministerial-level meeting of the Counter-ISIL Coalition, a group that has been working to defeat Islamic State militants...
Putin Drops South Stream Pipeline to EU, Courts Turkey Instead
Russia on Monday scrapped the South Stream pipeline project to supply gas to southern Europe without crossing Ukraine, citing EU objections, and instead named Turkey as its preferred partner for an alternative pipeline, with a promise of hefty discounts. The EU, at loggerheads with Moscow over Ukraine, and keen to reduce its energy dependence on...
Poland’s Tusk Takes EU Helm, Promising Leadership
Former Polish prime minister Donald Tusk took over as president of the European Council of EU leaders on Monday, promising strong leadership in foreign policy and “ruthless determination” to end Europe’s economic crisis. The center-right Tusk, 57, who led Poland for seven years of economic growth and rising EU influence,...
Afghan Leaders Formalize New Relationship at NATO
Afghanistan’s president and chief executive are at NATO headquarters in Brussels to formalize their country’s new relationship with the alliance, which will end its more than 10-year combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of this month. The two Afghan leaders walked into NATO headquarters Monday at dusk, greeted by new Secretary...
Bilateral Trade Likely to Top Agenda During Putin’s Visit to Turkey
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Turkey Monday to discuss a broad range of issues concerning the two countries, including trade, economics and energy. Syria is also high on the list. On his arrival in Ankara, Putin received the full trappings of a state visit. The presidential convoy was escorted by mounted horsemen and Turkish...
NATO Chief: Russia Violating Ukraine Cease-fire
NATO says Russia is violating a truce in eastern Ukraine by sending in convoys with advanced weapons and personnel reinforcements for pro-Russia separatists fighting Ukrainian government troops. “We see a significant military buildup in and around Ukraine… large transfers of Russian advanced weapons, equipment and military personnel to violent...
Putin Meets With Erdogan in Ankara
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived Monday in Turkey’s capital Ankara, where he is holding talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan likely to focus on trade ties and regional issues. Turkey is the second largest buyer of Russian natural gas after Germany. Around 60 percent of Turkey’s natural gas imports come from Russia, which...
Russian Ruble Falls as Oil Prices Tumble Further
The ruble looked set for its steepest one-day fall since the Russian financial crisis of 1998, plunging about 4 percent on Monday as oil prices slid below $70 a barrel. Battered by low oil prices and the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the ruble has been declining throughout the year, losing about 42 percent of this value since January. The Russian...
Pro-Europe Parties Lead in Moldova Election
Results from parliamentary elections in Moldova show parties that want to pursue closer ties to Europe leading those that want closer relations with Russia. With 85 percent of the vote counted early Monday, a group of pro-Europe parties had about 44 percent of the vote for the 101-member parliament. The Socialist Party, which wants Moldova to...
Pope Wraps Up Visit to Turkey
Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church is concluding a three-day visit to Turkey in Istanbul, meeting with the head of the Orthodox Christian Church. The two religious leaders called for an end to violent persecution of Christians in Iraq and Syria and more dialogue with Muslims. On the final day of his visit to Turkey, Pope Francis celebrated...
