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RUSSIA & UKRAINE: JRL 2014-#88 contents with links :: Thursday PM 17 April 2014

St. Basil's file photo

Johnson’s Russia List :: 2014-#88 :: 18 April 2014 E-Mail: davidjohnson@starpower.net A project of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George  Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs: www.ieres.org JRL homepage: russialist.org JRL on Facebook: facebook.com/russialist  JRL on Twitter: twitter.com/JohnsonRussiaLi Support JRL: russialist.org/funding.php To subscribe to the JRL email version, email David Johnson at davidjohnson@starpower.net 1. Russia Direct: Simon Saradzhyan, How Russia’s red line

Putin Hovering on the Brink of a Massive Invasion of Ukraine

Kremlin and Saint Basil's File Photo

(Eurasia Daily Monitor: Volume 11, Issue 73 - Pavel Felgenhauer – Jamestown Foundation – jamestown.org – April 17, 2014) The Ukrainian crisis and the “reunification” of Crimea with the rest of Russia dominated President Vladimir Putin’s almost four-hour-long televised national phone-in-an annual PR performance that had been previously dominated by discussion of pensions, utility payments, inflation,

Putin Shows Victor’s Benevolence at Annual Call-In

Kremlin and Saint Basil's File Photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Ivan Nechepurenko – April 17, 2014) Breaking his tradition of publicly tongue-lashing opponents at home and abroad, President Vladimir Putin assumed a non-predatory stance Thursday to diffuse fears of escalation of the ongoing rift with the West over the Ukraine crisis during his annual live call-in show broadcast on national

RUSSIA & UKRAINE: JRL 2014-#87 contents with links :: Thursday AM 17 April 2014

St. Basil's file photo

… 11. New York Times: Talks a Chance for Russia to Step Back on Ukraine.
12. Irish Times: Ukraine’s anti-terror operation undone by villagers.
13. Wall Street Journal: Ukrainian Troops Encounter Angry Words, Gifts of Food.
14. The Guardian: Ukrainian troops ‘demoralised’ as civilians face down anti-terror drive. …

NEWSLINK: Is Vladimir Putin Another Adolf Hitler?

File Photo of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler Riding in Convertible

["Is Vladimir Putin Another Adolf Hitler?" - Forbes - Paul Johnson - May 5, 2014] Forbes recalls the aggressive expansion of the Third Reich and draws parallels with the ideology and policies of today’s Putin-led Kremlin. … Had the Allies stopped Hitler at the beginning, when he was remilitarizing the Rhineland, he’d have been overthrown and World War II

NEWSLINK: A fearful new world, imperiled by Russia’s subterfuge

Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

["A fearful new world, imperiled by Russia's subterfuge" - Anne Applebaum - Washington Post -  April 17, 2014] The Washington Post covers Russia’s reported involvement in Ukraine, including the role of Russia special forces and military intelligence: … So far, the Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine looks nothing like these battles. This war involves not

NEWSLINK: U.S., EU, Russia Talks Working Toward Joint Statement on Ukraine; First Sign That Geneva Discussions are Making Progress

Ukraine Map and Flag

["U.S., EU, Russia Talks Working Toward Joint Statement on Ukraine; First Sign That Geneva Discussions are Making Progress" - Wall Street Journal - Laurence Norman - April 17, 2014] The Wall Street Journal reports on unfolding talks in Geneva between the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Russia, the U.S. and the European Union.  While there reportedly was mention of a

Duma Bill Ending Mayoral Elections Passes First Reading

Russian State Duma Building file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Christopher Brennan – April 17, 2014) The State Duma has approved in a first reading a bill that would put an end to direct mayoral elections in some of Russia’s largest cities in what critics said was an attempt to ensure the appointment of mayors loyal to the Kremlin. The

Homegrown Films Beat Hollywood Imports in the Battle for Viewers

Movie Theater file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Delphine d’Amora – April 17, 2014) After a string of domestic blockbusters and the strongest first quarter in recent years, it seems fair to say that the Russian film industry is on the rise – but the story is far from over, a local producer says. “Russian cinema is experiencing

Putin Family Values

File Photo of Vladimir Putin at Outdoor Rally with Microphone in Hand and Heavy Coat

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble – Staunton, April 17, 2014) Given the Kremlin’s promotion of traditional family values and Russian interest in all things Putin, a distant relative of the Kremlin leader has put out a second edition of his genealogy of the family, the presentation of which in Moscow this week speaks volumes

RIA Novosti: Kiev’s Claim of Russian Involvement in Ukraine ‘Smells of Paranoia’ – Moscow

Sergei Shoigu file photo

MOSCOW, April 17 (RIA Novosti) – Kiev’s claim that Russian special forces are involved in orchestrating protests in Ukraine “smells of paranoia,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday. Shoigu’s comment followed a statement by Ukrainian security chief Valentin Nalivaichenko, who alleged Russian special forces are participating in ongoing pro-federalization protests in southeastern Ukraine. “These

Russian Anti-Americanism Today Very Different and Much Worse than Soviet-Era Variant, Mirsky Says

Kremlin and Saint Basil's File Photo

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble – Staunton, April 17, 2014) Some see the rising tide of anti-Americanism and anti-Western attitudes in Russia as a recrudescence of the Cold War, but in fact, the attitudes that the Putin regime is promoting now are very different and much worse than those which his Soviet predecessors sponsored,

RIA Novosti: Opinions: Russia and Ukraine Can Find Common Ground at Geneva Talks

Ukraine Map and Flag

WASHINGTON, April 17 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow and Kiev can find common ground during Thursday’s four-party talks on the crisis in Ukraine in Geneva, former US Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Karl Pifer told RIA Novosti. If Russian Prime Minister Sergei Lavrov comes with a mandate to try to defuse the crisis, “the US, EU, Ukrainian

Will Ukraine be able to find an alternative to Gazprom?

Russian Gas Facility file photo

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Alexei Lossan, RBTH – April 15, 2014) After seeing its gas discounts canceled by the Russian gas giant, Kyiv is seeking alternatives to purchasing gas directly from Russia. Ukraine has proposed obtaining more than 50 percent of its gas by reversing gas flows from the EU, but Gazprom

Nervous Kyiv Authorities Post Civil Defense Notices — And Then Take Them Down

Maidan Square file photo

(RFE/RL – rferl.org – Tom Balmforth – KYIV, April 16, 2014) Upon hearing a long, protracted siren, all citizens at home should turn on their radios, learn the location of the nearest bomb shelter, and inform their neighbors. They should then close all their windows, turn off the gas and water supply at the mains, gather up necessities including

RIA Novosti: Kiev Regime Backs Up on Russian Language Ban

Maidan Square file photo

KIEV, April 17 (RIA Novosti) – Ukrainian authorities are open to discussing granting Russian the status of an official language in the country’s southeastern regions, the acting head of the ruling political party in parliament said Thursday. “We will regulate this issue in a law that will stipulate the right of regions with a large

BNE: Ukraine military operation in east in disarray as forces unprepared, ill-equipped

Ukraine Map and Flag

(Business New Europe – bne.eu – Harriet Salem in Slaviansk and Kramatorsk – April 17, 2014) The Ukrainian government’s military operation to disarm the pro-Russian separatists and take back the seized buildings in the east of the country is in chaos, with soldiers surrendering, abandoning materiel and fleeing in the face of a better organised

Russia Beyond the Headlines: What are the options for de-escalation in Ukraine?

Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Nikolai Gorshkov, special to RBTH – April 17, 2014) While both Russia and the West are calling for a de-escalation of the situation in eastern Ukraine, there appear to be fundamental differences between each side’s view as to what constitute appropriate measures to achieve this aim. What are

RIA Novosti: Putin Hints Dialogue Possible Between Moscow, Kiev

File Photo of Vladimir Putin Sitting at Desk

MOSCOW, April 17 (RIA Novosti) – Russia and Ukraine have grounds for dialogue, Russian political scientists said after analyzing President Vladimir Putin’s comments during a live question and answer session with the public on Thursday. “These words give hope that dialogue is still possible,” Alexei Makarkin, an analyst and deputy director at the Center for

Interfax: Putin believes in decency, courage of Obama

File Photo of Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama Seated Before Russian and U.S. Flags

MOSCOW. April 17 (Interfax) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said U.S. President Barack Obama would save him if he was drowning because he is a decent and courageous person. When asked by six-year-old Albina, whether Obama would save him if he was drowning, Putin said: “I can not say that we have some special personal

Apparatchik Apartments: Behind the facades of the House on the Embankment

Back side of House on Embankment (central part), view from Patriarshy Bridge pedestrian walkway, from Wikimedia Commons, user NVO, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moscow,_House_on_Embankment_back_side.jpg

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Dmitriy Romendik, RBTH – April 16, 2014) This huge apartment block across the river from the Kremlin is one of the enduring symbols of the Stalin era. In the 1930s the apartments inside were allocated only to senior officials and the Soviet elite, but when many of them

RUSSIA & UKRAINE: JRL 2014-#86 contents with links :: Wednesday 16 April 2014

St. Basil's file photo

… 3. Wall Street Journal: First Shots Rile Pro-Russian Crowds in Ukraine.
4. The Guardian: Troops fire as locals in Kramatorsk confront Ukraine general Vasily Krutov.
5. Reuters: Separatists fly Russian flag over Ukrainian armoured vehicles.
6. The Guardian: Ukraine crisis stirs resentment in birthplace of fugitive president. ….

Putin Pushing World to Something Worse than Cold War, Piontkovsky Says

File Photo of Vladimir Putin Sitting at Desk

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble – Staunton, April 15, 2014) Vladimir Putin, in his effort to save his rule by intervening militarily in Ukraine, is pushing the world not toward a new cold war as many say but rather to something far worse and more dangerous, one in which one or another side may

NEWSLINK: Russia believed to have plans to split Ukraine in three

Maidan Square file photo

["Russia believed to have plans to split Ukraine in three" - Australian Broadcasting Company - April 15, 2014] The Australian Broadcasting Company intereviews Taras Berezovets, Ukrainian political analyst and strategist.  Berezovets also served as an advisor to Yulia Tymoshenka during her second term as Ukraine’s Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010. According to Berezovets, interrogations of captured Russian intelligence

NEWSLINK: United States backs Ukraine military action in east region

Ukraine Map and Flag

["US backs Ukraine military action in east region" - AP - April 15, 2014] AP reports that the Obama administration is giving tacit support to Ukrainian military action against pro-Russia separatists: White House spokesman Jay Carney says such action isn’t the preferred option, but that the Ukrainian government has to respond to what he says is an


RUSSIA & UKRAINE: JRL 2014-#88 contents with links :: Thursday PM 17 April 2014

April 17, 2014 JRL Tables of Contents, News No comments
St. Basil's file photo

Johnson’s Russia List :: 2014-#88 :: 18 April 2014 E-Mail: davidjohnson@starpower.net A project of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George  Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs: www.ieres.org JRL homepage: russialist.org JRL on Facebook: facebook.com/russialist  JRL on Twitter: twitter.com/JohnsonRussiaLi Support JRL: russialist.org/funding.php To subscribe to the JRL email version, email David Johnson at davidjohnson@starpower.net 1. Russia Direct: Simon Saradzhyan, How Russia’s red line

Putin Hovering on the Brink of a Massive Invasion of Ukraine

April 17, 2014 Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Ukraine No comments
Kremlin and Saint Basil's File Photo

(Eurasia Daily Monitor: Volume 11, Issue 73 - Pavel Felgenhauer – Jamestown Foundation – jamestown.org – April 17, 2014) The Ukrainian crisis and the “reunification” of Crimea with the rest of Russia dominated President Vladimir Putin’s almost four-hour-long televised national phone-in-an annual PR performance that had been previously dominated by discussion of pensions, utility payments, inflation,

Putin Shows Victor’s Benevolence at Annual Call-In

April 17, 2014 Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Ukraine No comments
Kremlin and Saint Basil's File Photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Ivan Nechepurenko – April 17, 2014) Breaking his tradition of publicly tongue-lashing opponents at home and abroad, President Vladimir Putin assumed a non-predatory stance Thursday to diffuse fears of escalation of the ongoing rift with the West over the Ukraine crisis during his annual live call-in show broadcast on national

RUSSIA & UKRAINE: JRL 2014-#87 contents with links :: Thursday AM 17 April 2014

April 17, 2014 JRL Tables of Contents, Ukraine No comments
St. Basil's file photo

… 11. New York Times: Talks a Chance for Russia to Step Back on Ukraine.
12. Irish Times: Ukraine’s anti-terror operation undone by villagers.
13. Wall Street Journal: Ukrainian Troops Encounter Angry Words, Gifts of Food.
14. The Guardian: Ukrainian troops ‘demoralised’ as civilians face down anti-terror drive. …

NEWSLINK: Is Vladimir Putin Another Adolf Hitler?

April 17, 2014 Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Ukraine No comments
File Photo of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler Riding in Convertible

["Is Vladimir Putin Another Adolf Hitler?" - Forbes - Paul Johnson - May 5, 2014] Forbes recalls the aggressive expansion of the Third Reich and draws parallels with the ideology and policies of today’s Putin-led Kremlin. … Had the Allies stopped Hitler at the beginning, when he was remilitarizing the Rhineland, he’d have been overthrown and World War II

NEWSLINK: A fearful new world, imperiled by Russia’s subterfuge

April 17, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

["A fearful new world, imperiled by Russia's subterfuge" - Anne Applebaum - Washington Post -  April 17, 2014] The Washington Post covers Russia’s reported involvement in Ukraine, including the role of Russia special forces and military intelligence: … So far, the Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine looks nothing like these battles. This war involves not

NEWSLINK: U.S., EU, Russia Talks Working Toward Joint Statement on Ukraine; First Sign That Geneva Discussions are Making Progress

April 17, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Ukraine Map and Flag

["U.S., EU, Russia Talks Working Toward Joint Statement on Ukraine; First Sign That Geneva Discussions are Making Progress" - Wall Street Journal - Laurence Norman - April 17, 2014] The Wall Street Journal reports on unfolding talks in Geneva between the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Russia, the U.S. and the European Union.  While there reportedly was mention of a

Duma Bill Ending Mayoral Elections Passes First Reading

April 17, 2014 Politics, Government, Protests, Elections No comments
Russian State Duma Building file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Christopher Brennan – April 17, 2014) The State Duma has approved in a first reading a bill that would put an end to direct mayoral elections in some of Russia’s largest cities in what critics said was an attempt to ensure the appointment of mayors loyal to the Kremlin. The

Homegrown Films Beat Hollywood Imports in the Battle for Viewers

April 17, 2014 Life in Russia, Culture, Arts, Theater, Music No comments
Movie Theater file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Delphine d’Amora – April 17, 2014) After a string of domestic blockbusters and the strongest first quarter in recent years, it seems fair to say that the Russian film industry is on the rise – but the story is far from over, a local producer says. “Russian cinema is experiencing

Putin Family Values

April 17, 2014 Politics, Government, Protests, Elections No comments
File Photo of Vladimir Putin at Outdoor Rally with Microphone in Hand and Heavy Coat

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble – Staunton, April 17, 2014) Given the Kremlin’s promotion of traditional family values and Russian interest in all things Putin, a distant relative of the Kremlin leader has put out a second edition of his genealogy of the family, the presentation of which in Moscow this week speaks volumes

RIA Novosti: Kiev’s Claim of Russian Involvement in Ukraine ‘Smells of Paranoia’ – Moscow

April 17, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Sergei Shoigu file photo

MOSCOW, April 17 (RIA Novosti) – Kiev’s claim that Russian special forces are involved in orchestrating protests in Ukraine “smells of paranoia,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday. Shoigu’s comment followed a statement by Ukrainian security chief Valentin Nalivaichenko, who alleged Russian special forces are participating in ongoing pro-federalization protests in southeastern Ukraine. “These

Russian Anti-Americanism Today Very Different and Much Worse than Soviet-Era Variant, Mirsky Says

April 17, 2014 United States, U.S.-Russian Relations No comments
Kremlin and Saint Basil's File Photo

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble – Staunton, April 17, 2014) Some see the rising tide of anti-Americanism and anti-Western attitudes in Russia as a recrudescence of the Cold War, but in fact, the attitudes that the Putin regime is promoting now are very different and much worse than those which his Soviet predecessors sponsored,

RIA Novosti: Opinions: Russia and Ukraine Can Find Common Ground at Geneva Talks

April 17, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Ukraine Map and Flag

WASHINGTON, April 17 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow and Kiev can find common ground during Thursday’s four-party talks on the crisis in Ukraine in Geneva, former US Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Karl Pifer told RIA Novosti. If Russian Prime Minister Sergei Lavrov comes with a mandate to try to defuse the crisis, “the US, EU, Ukrainian

Will Ukraine be able to find an alternative to Gazprom?

April 17, 2014 Oil, Gas, Energy, Ukraine No comments
Russian Gas Facility file photo

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Alexei Lossan, RBTH – April 15, 2014) After seeing its gas discounts canceled by the Russian gas giant, Kyiv is seeking alternatives to purchasing gas directly from Russia. Ukraine has proposed obtaining more than 50 percent of its gas by reversing gas flows from the EU, but Gazprom

Nervous Kyiv Authorities Post Civil Defense Notices — And Then Take Them Down

April 17, 2014 Politics, Government, Protests, Elections No comments
Maidan Square file photo

(RFE/RL – rferl.org – Tom Balmforth – KYIV, April 16, 2014) Upon hearing a long, protracted siren, all citizens at home should turn on their radios, learn the location of the nearest bomb shelter, and inform their neighbors. They should then close all their windows, turn off the gas and water supply at the mains, gather up necessities including

RIA Novosti: Kiev Regime Backs Up on Russian Language Ban

April 17, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Maidan Square file photo

KIEV, April 17 (RIA Novosti) – Ukrainian authorities are open to discussing granting Russian the status of an official language in the country’s southeastern regions, the acting head of the ruling political party in parliament said Thursday. “We will regulate this issue in a law that will stipulate the right of regions with a large

BNE: Ukraine military operation in east in disarray as forces unprepared, ill-equipped

April 17, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Ukraine Map and Flag

(Business New Europe – bne.eu – Harriet Salem in Slaviansk and Kramatorsk – April 17, 2014) The Ukrainian government’s military operation to disarm the pro-Russian separatists and take back the seized buildings in the east of the country is in chaos, with soldiers surrendering, abandoning materiel and fleeing in the face of a better organised

Russia Beyond the Headlines: What are the options for de-escalation in Ukraine?

April 17, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Nikolai Gorshkov, special to RBTH – April 17, 2014) While both Russia and the West are calling for a de-escalation of the situation in eastern Ukraine, there appear to be fundamental differences between each side’s view as to what constitute appropriate measures to achieve this aim. What are

RIA Novosti: Putin Hints Dialogue Possible Between Moscow, Kiev

April 17, 2014 Ukraine No comments
File Photo of Vladimir Putin Sitting at Desk

MOSCOW, April 17 (RIA Novosti) – Russia and Ukraine have grounds for dialogue, Russian political scientists said after analyzing President Vladimir Putin’s comments during a live question and answer session with the public on Thursday. “These words give hope that dialogue is still possible,” Alexei Makarkin, an analyst and deputy director at the Center for

Interfax: Putin believes in decency, courage of Obama

April 17, 2014 United States, U.S.-Russian Relations No comments
File Photo of Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama Seated Before Russian and U.S. Flags

MOSCOW. April 17 (Interfax) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said U.S. President Barack Obama would save him if he was drowning because he is a decent and courageous person. When asked by six-year-old Albina, whether Obama would save him if he was drowning, Putin said: “I can not say that we have some special personal

Apparatchik Apartments: Behind the facades of the House on the Embankment

April 17, 2014 History, Soviet Union, Life in Russia, Culture, Arts, Theater, Music No comments
Back side of House on Embankment (central part), view from Patriarshy Bridge pedestrian walkway, from Wikimedia Commons, user NVO, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moscow,_House_on_Embankment_back_side.jpg

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Dmitriy Romendik, RBTH – April 16, 2014) This huge apartment block across the river from the Kremlin is one of the enduring symbols of the Stalin era. In the 1930s the apartments inside were allocated only to senior officials and the Soviet elite, but when many of them

RUSSIA & UKRAINE: JRL 2014-#86 contents with links :: Wednesday 16 April 2014

April 16, 2014 JRL Tables of Contents, News No comments
St. Basil's file photo

… 3. Wall Street Journal: First Shots Rile Pro-Russian Crowds in Ukraine.
4. The Guardian: Troops fire as locals in Kramatorsk confront Ukraine general Vasily Krutov.
5. Reuters: Separatists fly Russian flag over Ukrainian armoured vehicles.
6. The Guardian: Ukraine crisis stirs resentment in birthplace of fugitive president. ….

Putin Pushing World to Something Worse than Cold War, Piontkovsky Says

April 16, 2014 Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Ukraine No comments
File Photo of Vladimir Putin Sitting at Desk

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble – Staunton, April 15, 2014) Vladimir Putin, in his effort to save his rule by intervening militarily in Ukraine, is pushing the world not toward a new cold war as many say but rather to something far worse and more dangerous, one in which one or another side may

NEWSLINK: Russia believed to have plans to split Ukraine in three

April 16, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Maidan Square file photo

["Russia believed to have plans to split Ukraine in three" - Australian Broadcasting Company - April 15, 2014] The Australian Broadcasting Company intereviews Taras Berezovets, Ukrainian political analyst and strategist.  Berezovets also served as an advisor to Yulia Tymoshenka during her second term as Ukraine’s Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010. According to Berezovets, interrogations of captured Russian intelligence

NEWSLINK: United States backs Ukraine military action in east region

April 16, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Ukraine Map and Flag

["US backs Ukraine military action in east region" - AP - April 15, 2014] AP reports that the Obama administration is giving tacit support to Ukrainian military action against pro-Russia separatists: White House spokesman Jay Carney says such action isn’t the preferred option, but that the Ukrainian government has to respond to what he says is an

NEWSLINK: Separatists fly Russian flag over Ukrainian armoured vehicles

April 16, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

[Separatists fly Russian flag over Ukrainian armoured vehicles - Gabriela Baczynska & Thomas Grove - April 16, 2014] Reuters covers emerging events in eastern Ukraine, including separatists hoisting a Russian flag … efforts by the Ukrainian government to reclaim buildings from armed rebels … and upcoming talks between Ukraine, Russia, the United States and the European Union

NEWSLINK: First Shots Rile Pro-Russian Crowds in Ukraine; Ukraine’s ‘Antiterrorist’ Operation Runs Into Strong Passions in Eastern City

April 16, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Maidan Square file photo

["First Shots Rile Pro-Russian Crowds in Ukraine; Ukraine's 'Antiterrorist' Operation Runs Into Strong Passions in Eastern City" - Wall Street Journal - James Marson - April 16, 2014] The Wall Street Journal covers the Ukrainian government’s military deployment against separatists in eastern Ukraine: Ukraine launched what it called an antiterrorist operation Tuesday, deploying a couple of hundred

Ukraine Takes Action to Quell Russian-Provoked Unrest

April 16, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Maidan Square file photo

(The Heritage Foundation - heritage.org - Daniel Kochis - April 15, 2014) Today, the Ukrainian military began “anti-terror” operations to wrest control of some eastern police stations and government buildings from pro-Russian militants who had seized these installations during the previous week. These militants, along with suspected Russian Special Forces, have stirred up unrest in cities in eastern

RIA Novosti: NATO to Boost Military Presence in Baltic, Mediterranean

April 16, 2014 Baltics, NATO, Ukraine No comments
NATO meeting file photo

BRUSSELS, April 16 (RIA Novosti) – NATO will intensify air patrols over Eastern Europe and dispatch extra ships to the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas due to the crisis in Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said after a meeting of alliance ambassadors in Brussels. “We will have more planes in the air, more ships

RIA Novosti: International Community Must Persuade Ukraine to Start Constitutional Reform – Lavrov

April 16, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Sergei Lavrov file photo

HANOI, April 16 (RIA Novosti) – All parties interested in settling the ongoing crisis in Ukraine must call on the Kiev authorities to move from words to action, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday. “Those who are a sincere friend of Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, are obliged to convince the current authorities to move

RIA Novosti: Moscow Dismisses Russia’s Alleged Threats to Invade Ukraine, Europe as Nonsense

April 16, 2014 Politics, Government, Protests, Elections No comments
File Photo of Russian Tanks in Military Parade

MOSCOW, April 16 (RIA Novosti) – Statements that Russia allegedly threatens Ukraine and Europe with a military invasion are “nonsense,” Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told Rossiya24 TV channel Wednesday. “All the horror stories that Russia will take over Ukraine today and tomorrow the Russian troops will reach the English Channel, Bordeaux and the Cote

Ukrainian communists condemn operation in eastern regions, call for decentralization referendum

April 16, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Ukraine Map and Flag

KYIV. April 16 (Interfax) – Ukrainian Communist Party leader Petro Symonenko has expressed his indignation at the operation in eastern Ukraine and proposed an immediate referendum on the administrative and territorial division of Ukraine and the broadest powers of local communities. “This is the only way to preserve the integrity and unity of the country,”

West should help Ukraine’s economy, not give promises – Russian PM

April 16, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Dmitry Medvedev file photo

(Interfax – Moscow, April 15, 2014) Europe and America should stop talking about the need to help Ukraine and finally do something to help its economy, Russian Prime Minister Dmitriy Medvedev has said. “All those who talk about the need to help Ukraine should finally do something for Ukraine. I mean our European partners and

RUSSIA & UKRAINE: JRL 2014-#85 contents with links :: Tuesday 15 April 2014

April 15, 2014 JRL Tables of Contents, Ukraine No comments
St. Basil's file photo

… 24. BBC: Jonathan Marcus, Ukraine crisis: What now?
25. Irish Times: Daniel McLaughlin, Ukrainian army rendered lame by Yanukovich’s neglect.
26. Voice of America: Q&A with US Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt: Ukraine Crisis Escalates as War Fears Grow.
27. Business New Europe: Ben Aris, MOSCOW BLOG: Nato refutes Russian claim was promised no expansion.
28. Moscow Times: Alexander Golts, Why NATO Should Erect a Monument to Putin. …

Nabi Abdullaev to Replace Andrew McChesney as Moscow Times Editor

April 15, 2014 Media, Internet, Social Media, Television No comments
Moscow Times logo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – April 15, 2014) Nabi Abdullaev, a former deputy editor-in-chief of The Moscow Times, will replace Andrew McChesney at the helm of the newspaper later this week, MT publisher Ekaterina Movsumova said Monday. Abdullaev, who most recently headed RIA Novosti’s foreign-language news service, said he would concentrate on further developing The

Russian schoolchildren no longer fit into their uniforms

April 15, 2014 Children, Adoptions, Orphans, Health, Alcohol, Smoking, AIDS, Epidemics No comments
File Photo of U.S. Diplomat Teaching Class to Russian Students

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Marina Obrazkova, RBTH – April 15, 2014) According to statistics, children in Russia have grown bigger over the past 10 years, largely due to changes in lifestyle and the quality of food. Experts have expressed concern over the trend and claim it is a symptom of a growing

U.S. sanctions may spur economy reforms in Russia – business ombudsman

April 15, 2014 Economy, Business, Investment, Trade No comments
Boris Titov file photo

(Interfax – April 15, 2014) New U.S. sanctions against Russia may impact the global economy but may in the end stimulate economic reforms in Russia, businessmen’s rights commissioner Boris Titov said. “Of course, we would like to avoid sanctions. Money loves tranquility that is why the economy can develop only when international relations in the

RIA Novosti: Medvedev Says Russian Financial System Reliable

April 15, 2014 Economy, Business, Investment, Trade No comments
Dmitry Medvedev file photo

MOSCOW, April 15 (RIA Novosti) – Russia’s financial sector is reliable and under control, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said during a meeting with finance officials Tuesday. “We are in a very uneasy situation indeed, that’s why we need to make some allowances … but they are not supposed to be fundamental. On the whole,

Russia’s First Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill Under Consideration by Duma

April 15, 2014 Human Rights, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections No comments
Russian State Duma Building file photo

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Katie Davies – April 15, 2014) Russia’s first anti-sexual harassment law has been submitted to the State Duma, despite concerns among critics that its terms will be used to deport foreign workers unfairly. The changes will protect the honor and dignity of “the more beautiful, but weaker sex,” said Oleg

RIA Novosti: ‘Direct Line with Vladimir Putin’ to Cover Crimea, Sanctions and NATO Buildup

April 15, 2014 Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Ukraine No comments
Kremlin and Saint Basil's File Photo

MOSCOW, April 15 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin will answer questions from the public Thursday during his twelfth yearly call-in show called “Direct Line with Vladimir Putin.” This year’s “Direct Line” comes as the country is facing accusations of fomenting unrest in Ukraine after the breakaway republic Crimea voted by a landslide to

A Way Forward in Ukraine

April 15, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Ukraine Map and Flag

Subject: A Way Forward in Ukraine Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2014 16:58:59 -0500 From: rware@siue.edu A Way Forward in Ukraine By Robert Bruce Ware Robert Bruce Ware is a professor at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He is the co-author of Dagestan: Russian Hegemony and Islamic Resistance, and editor of The Fire Below: How the Caucasus

Book Review: What Can We Learn From the Crimean War?

April 15, 2014 History, Soviet Union, Ukraine No comments
Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – D. Garrison Golubock – April 15, 2014) As President Vladimir Putin mobilizes soldiers on Russia’s Ukrainian border and NATO threatens consequences for any interference in eastern Ukraine, the atmosphere of angry rhetoric and brinkmanship seems frighteningly similar to the imperial squabbles of the 19th century that led to the Crimean

Fragile Europe Weakens U.S. Push for Russia Sanctions

April 15, 2014 Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Europe, EU, Ukraine, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations No comments
EU Map

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Sangwon Yoon – April 14, 2014) The U.S. readiness to impose new economic sanctions on Russia over Ukraine is offset by the European Union’s reluctance to introduce stronger measures that could threaten its already fragile economic recovery. While the Obama administration said yesterday that it’s prepared to ramp up sanctions, possibly

Most Russians Support McDonald’s Closures, Poll Says

April 15, 2014 Politics, Government, Protests, Elections No comments
File Photo of Russian McDbnald's Crew with U.S. Diplomat

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – April 15, 2014) Liberal Democrat Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s call to close all McDonald’s restaurants in Russia received a lot of media attention, and a recent poll shows that most Russians would be glad to see the back of the fast food chain. Sixty-two percent of respondents support the closure

Interfax: Yatsenyuk’s idea of dialogue with southeastern Ukraine is right, albeit belated – Russian foreign minister

April 15, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Sergei Lavrov file photo

BEIJING. April 15 (Interfax) – Acting Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s initiative proposing dialogue with the southeastern regions of the country is a step in the right direction, albeit a belated one, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said. “As for the initiatives linked with Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s recent trip to the southeast and his announcement

Interfax: Medvedev: Kyiv authorities fall into their own trap

April 15, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Dmitry Medvedev file photo

(Interfax – April 15, 2014) The illegitimate Kyiv authorities are falling into their own trap: they are trying to restore the order they trampled upon when they took power in an armed revolt, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Facebook. “Blood has been spilled in Ukraine again. The country is on the verge of

NATO refutes Russian claim was promised no expansion

April 15, 2014 NATO No comments
NATO meeting file photo

(Business New Europe MOSCOW BLOG – bne.eu – Ben Aris in Moscow – April 15, 2014) The Kremlin is very unhappy about the EU’s bid to pull Ukraine into its economic orbit through the Association Agreement that Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych failed to sign in November. But what really gives Moscow the willies is Nato’s

Q&A with US Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt: Ukraine Crisis Escalates as War Fears Grow

April 15, 2014 Politics, Government, Protests, Elections No comments
Geoffrey R. Pyatt file photo

(Voice of America – April 14, 2014) The escalating situation in Ukraine appears to be on the verge of armed conflict as Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov asked the United Nations Monday to send peacekeeping troops to the east of the country, where pro-Russia militias have seized government buildings and blocked major highways with impunity. Geoffrey

Interfax: Initial democratic impulse of Ukrainians devalued by bet on radicals – Naryshkin

April 15, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Russian State Duma Building file photo

PARIS. April 15 (Interfax) – Democracy in Ukraine, as well as in any other country, can not be affirmed via nationalists’ ideology, Russian State Duma Chairman Sergei Naryshkin said. “The initial democratic impulse of many people [in Ukraine] has been essentially devalued by depending on radicals – those, who rattle their sabers in a domestic

Criminal Case for Separatism Opened Against Ukrainian Presidential Candidate Severely Beaten in Kiev

April 15, 2014 Ukraine No comments
Ukraine Map and Flag

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Christopher Brennan – April 15, 2014) A pro-Russian candidate for the Ukrainian presidency was beaten on Tuesday morning by a crowd in Kiev and remains in critical condition, the politician’s press service said. Oleh Tsaryov, a former Party of the Region’s deputy, was attacked by armed men outside the ICTV

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