Section: Voice of America (USA)
Ukraine: Unauthorized Convoy Crosses Border From Russia
Ukraine accused Moscow on Sunday of again using alleged aid shipments to send weapons and ammunition to the separatist rebels as a Russian convoy entered its eastern region without permission. Russian media reported that the convoy was delivering food and building materials to residents of rebel-held Donetsk. Armed guards watched as the trucks,...
Moldova Votes in Key Poll
Moldova is voting in a crucial parliamentary election Sunday, which analysts say is really a referendum on whether the impoverished ex-Soviet country will pursue integration with Europe or return to Russia’s fold. Moldovans are voting for lawmakers to serve a four-year term in the 101-seat parliament. Surveys indicate public opinion is just...
Russian Warships Enter English Channel
A squadron of Russian warships entered the English Channel on Friday, but a NATO official dismissed a Russian media report that they were there to conduct military exercises. Russian news agency RIA quoted the Northern Fleet as saying its vessels, led by anti-submarine ship Severomorsk, had passed through the Strait of Dover and were now in...
EU Adds 13 Ukrainians, 5 Groups to Sanctions List
The European Union on Thursday added five separatist groups and 13 Ukrainians to the bloc’s sanctions list for their roles in elections this month in rebel-held eastern Ukraine, diplomats said. The action taken by the 28 EU ambassadors “responds to the separatist vote which undermined … the implementation of the Minsk...
NATO Concerned Over Russian Activity in E. Ukraine
NATO’s top military commander says a “large number” of Russian troops are still operating in eastern Ukraine, providing the “backbone” to separatists fighting government forces. U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove spoke to reporters in Kyiv on Wednesday, after meeting with top Ukrainian officials. “Inside Ukraine we still...
Saudis Signal no Push for Oil Cut
OPEC leader Saudi Arabia signalled on Wednesday it was unlikely to push for a major change in oil output at the producer group’s meeting this week, a day after Russia refused to cooperate in any production cut. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said he expected the oil market “to stabilize itself eventually” but did not comment on talks with...
Donetsk Feels Pinch From Economic Blockade
Daily life in Donetsk, which is controlled by Moscow-backed separatists, is unpredictable. Shell and rocket exchanges on the outskirts of the city between insurgents and Ukrainian forces have a habit of over-shooting. Last week a pump station was hit, leaving an entire district without water. What isn’t unpredictable is the hardship many...
Critics: UN Resolution on Nazism Too Restrictive on Rights
As Russia continues to deny military involvement in Ukraine, it appeared to be fighting an image war last week at the United Nations – in what has become an annual exercise in condemning Nazism and racism. For about a decade, the U.N. General Assembly committee that deals with human rights has voted each year on a Russian-drafted resolution...
French Far-right National Front Reveals Russian Financing
Amid growing evidence of links between the Kremlin and far-right groups across Europe, France’s National Front has admitted taking a multimillion-dollar loan from a bank controlled by Russia. The admission came as the French government postponed a contract to deliver two warships for Russia. In a statement Tuesday, the French...
Merkel Hits Diplomatic Dead-end with Putin
After nine months of non-stop German diplomacy to defuse the crisis in Ukraine, Chancellor Angela Merkel decided in mid-November that a change of tack was needed. Ahead of a summit of G20 leaders in Australia, Merkel resolved to confront Vladimir Putin alone, without the usual pack of interpreters and aides. Instead of challenging him on what she...
