The Kremlin’s New Policy in Its Near Abroad
In August 2008, Russia’s relations with its post-Soviet neighbors reached an all-time low in the aftermath of the Russia-Georgia war. Not one single country in the region recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia because it would have endangered its own claim to territorial integrity.
Athens presses for South Stream pipeline
The South Stream gas pipeline to Europe will top the agenda during bilateral talks between Greek and Bulgarian officials Tuesday in Sofia, officials said.
Moscow calls for resumption in Transdniestria talks
Moscow is calling for negotiations to resume on settling the conflict over Transdniestria, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Secretary of State Grigory Karasin said.
Russia: EU sanctions on Iran 'unacceptable'
Moscow has said the new EU sanctions on Iran will undermine efforts for a political-diplomatic resolution with Iran. Russia backed last month's UN sanctions but condemned unilateral measures by the US and the EU.
Lithuania and Poland are a striking contrast to Russia in terms of environmental protection
Environmentalists who traveled by bike along the Baltic coast earlier in July 2010 have slammed Russia's environmental policy, drawing unfavorable comparisons with that of its neighboring Baltic countries, LETA reports referring to St.Petersburg Times.
Tolerant to Western criticism, Iran is sensitive to Russia's
Moscow and Tehran have been living through a period of chill in their relations. It was evidenced in Moscow's reaction to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent words accusing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev of becoming "the spokesman for the Iran' s enemies."
Will Russia Buy Up Ukraine?
The description of Belarusian President, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, as “pro-Russian” has side-stepped the fact that he is a Soviet Belarusian nationalist which developed after 2002, when he rejected the then Russian President, Vladimir Putin’s, offer to unite both countries
EU Floats Serbia-Kosovo Talks Offer, Ratchets Up Iran Sanctions
In a bid to break the deadlock between Serbia and Kosovo over the latter's status, the EU has offered to mediate talks between the two sides in Brussels.
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