29.05.2009
Foreign Policy in Review
May, 2009The following resource is meant to quickly introduce the reader to Russia's relations with other countries (excluding most of Eurasia, which has its own review). For more news reviews, see the newsletter for this corresponding month. To receive SRAS's free monthly newsletter and obzori by email, simply sign up. Africa Russia may prosecute Somali pirates
Russian courts may prosecute Somali pirates for attacks on Russian ships. In 2008 there were 293 incidents of piracy against ships worldwide -- 11 percent up on the year before. Attacks off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden almost trebled. Arctic US to seek new cooperation in thawing Arctic
The United States will seek cooperation with Russia and other Arctic states as global warming thaws the polar region, Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg. Russia to submit new Arctic shelf boundary data to UN
Russia is to submit to the UN new data on the boundaries of its continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean. U.S. analyst says NATO-Russia Council ideal for Arctic talks
A leading U.S. analyst has said the NATO-Russia Council is the perfect forum for talks on Arctic security. "There seems to be a growing interest and importance in the Arctic region. Certainly, Russia has a fundamental interest in the Arctic and its future development in terms of economics and resources. Natural gas in the Arctic is mostly Russian
Nearly one-third of the natural gas yet to be discovered in the world is north of the Arctic Circle and most of it is in Russian territory. Asia Russia and China announce new era of military cooperation
Russia and China announced plans for an intensified programme of military cooperation yesterday as part of a burgeoning "strategic partnership." Medvedev Overplays the "Military Card" in Trying to Impress Obama
On his March 17, 2009 speech to Russia's top military brass, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev raised the specter of a strong and robust Russian military. The fact is that while Russia is undergoing a major reform of its armed forces, and beginning to pump money into it, it will be several years, 2020. Vietnam honours Ho Chi Minh's Russian embalmers
Vietnam has awarded medals to Russian embalmers and scientists who have helped preserve the body of revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh since he died 40 years ago. The revolutions of 1989 will shape the leaders of tomorrow
Between now and the end of the year, few weeks will pass without the 20th anniversary of a revolution being commemorated somewhere. On Thursday, even as Poland celebrates two decades since the elections that brought Solidarity to power, so vigils will be held around the world to remember the victims of Tiananmen Square. North Korea Russia Offers Use of Territory for North Korean Satellite Launches
Russia is a member of the six-party talks aimed at persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program. It has often sided with China to prevent tough U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang. Russia fears Korea conflict could go nuclear
Russia on Wednesday called in the North Korean ambassador to the foreign ministry, where he was told Moscow had "serious concern" over this week's nuclear test. Russia opposes punishment 'for its own sake' against N.Korea
Russia's foreign minister said on Wednesday that the United Nations Security Council must take action to prevent North Korea from further nuclear activities, but should seek dialogue and avoid futile punishments. Russia has called for a "strong resolution" against Pyongyang, while other countries have proposed sanctions. Can Moscow stop North Korea's nuclear march
After North Korea's nuclear bomb test on Monday, US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly noted hopefully that Pyongyang's actions had drawn "very strong statements" of condemnation from its traditional friends China and Russia. Europe OSCE Chief Dismisses Criticism, Says 'We're Working On The Long Haul'
OSCE Secretary-General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut talks to RFE/RL about a range of issues facing Europe's leading human-rights organization, including Kazakhstan's upcoming chairmanship, Russia's influence on the organization, and whether political upheaval in Moldova has endangered a Transdniestrian peace settlement. 'Russian Davos' kicks off amid economic worries
Russia on Thursday opened its premier economic forum but with worries about the timing of the economic recovery diluting an event marked by swaggering confidence in previous years. Poland Seeks Missiles Regardless of Shield
The Polish government is pushing hard to reach agreement with the United States over stationing a battery of Patriot missiles near Warsaw by the end of this year, despite President Barack Obama's decision to examine the costs and reliability of deploying a separate, and controversial, missile defense system in Eastern Europe. Eastern Partnership The Eastern Partnership proves to be yet another bone of contention at the EU-Russia summit
The latest EU-Russia summit, which took place last week in the Russian Far East, made clear that the two sides have yet another topic that they fail to see eye-to-eye on. Along with energy and trade policy, Georgia and human rights - to name just a few - one can now add the Eastern Partnership. EU's Eastern Partnership program not against Moscow
Russia has been given a guarantee that the European Union's Eastern Partnership program is not directed against Moscow. The Eastern Partnership summit is scheduled for May 7 in Prague. The program is designed to improve human rights and the rule of law in six former Soviet republics and address trade and visa issues. Energy Russia, EU spar over energy supplies at summit
Russia and the European Union failed to agree Friday on measures to prevent another cutoff of gas supplies to Europe. EU leaders said their summit with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev improved a relationship severely strained by Russia's war with Georgia last summer and a winter gas cutoff of Russian supplies via Ukraine — but there were no major breakthroughs. Russia, EU spar over energy supplies at summit
EU leaders said their summit with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev improved a relationship severely strained by Russia's war with Georgia last summer and a winter gas cutoff of Russian supplies via Ukraine — but there were no major breakthroughs. EU Will Mull Medvedev's Energy Proposals, Aims to Keep Charter
The European Union insisted it won't replace an energy charter that has aroused Russian opposition while acknowledging that President Dmitry Medvedev had made "useful" proposals to review energy cooperation. EU should lend Ukraine money for gas payments
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged the European Union to lend Ukraine money he said Kiev needed to meet its gas payment obligations. The Russian leader said he doubted Ukraine's ability to pay four billion dollars for 19.5 billion cubic metres of gas that Kiev needs to replenish its underground reservoirs in time for winter. Middle East Russia, Israel play down Mideast differences
Right-wing Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Tuesday hailed Russia as a key partner as he moved to play down differences with Moscow over Iran and Palestinian militants. Russia plays up its international role - especially in Mideast peace
Russia is moving to reassert its role in the Middle East - and in particular in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process - as President Obama prepares to receive principal leaders in the conflict at the White House in the coming weeks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov chaired a special meeting Monday of the United Nations Security Council that endorsed the idea of holding a Middle East peace conference. Latin America Russia, Cuba agree to renew joint nuclear research
Russia and Cuba have agreed to renew their cooperation in nuclear research with Cuba's Nuclear Energy Agency. Missiles U.S.-Russian Team Deems Missile Shield in Europe Ineffective
A planned U.S. missile shield to protect Europe from a possible Iranian attack would be ineffective against the kinds of missiles Iran is likely to deploy, according to a joint analysis by top U.S. and Russian scientists. Military Russia to axe top military personnel over lack of skills
A large number of senior Russian military officials are to be discharged over a failure to pass an aptitude test. "We are not going to keep officers who are not fit for their positions. Disgruntled Russian army upset at reform
Russia's grand anniversary celebrations of victory in World War Two disguise an army deeply disgruntled by far-reaching military reforms demanded by the Kremlin. How to Dodge the Draft in Russia
Finally diagnosed with a mild mental illness, he won't say what the diagnosis actually is; the important thing for him is that the general finding is stamped across his identification papers. It prevents him from ever getting a job in the Russian government. But more importantly for Dmitri, that medical certification prevents him from being drafted into the army. Soldiers' Mothers Suspect 'Roundups'
The Soldiers' Mothers human rights group is crying foul at what the organization's head Ella Polyakova describes as "massive roundups" carried out by the city's military commissions with the aim of catching potential conscripts trying to avoid from compulsory service in the army. Discontent Rises Sharply Among Russian Troops
Low morale over pay and housing has afflicted the Russian military since the fall of the Soviet Union, but grumbling in the ranks is rising sharply as President Dmitry Medvedev attempts to carry out the most ambitious restructuring of the nation's armed forces. Only 8 Russian strategic submarines are combat-ready
Russia's navy has 12 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines in service, but only eight of them are combat-capable. Russia begins massive military modernization effort
After nearly two decades of false starts and failures, the Kremlin appears determined to begin the radical military reforms needed to fashion a modern army from the tangled wreckage of its Soviet-era armed forces. NATO Gorbachev blasts NATO eastward expansion
Mikhail Gorbachev has criticized NATO's eastward expansion and the failure by Western powers to keep their promise not to deploy military bases near Russia's borders. Russia wants CSTO to be as strong as NATO
Russia is planning to build a strong military contingent in Central Asia within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) comparable to NATO forces in Europe. NATO Struggles With Conflicting Views on Russia
NATO leaders spent a great deal of time at their 60th anniversary summit meeting last weekend trying to overcome Turkish opposition to a new secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who will take charge of the alliance in August. But little time was spent on the more important issue of the Russian bear, sitting outside the room. NATO, Russia to share information on airborne threats
Poland, Norway and Turkey are planning to set up a radar early warning network which will exchange information on airborne threats with Russia. Russia criticizes NATO Georgia war games, urges boycott
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday criticized NATO exercises in Georgia next month as harmful and said other countries should join Russia in boycotting them. NATO says Georgia will join as maneuvers are held
NATO said Monday that Georgia will eventually become a member — reaffirming its support for the country with which it is hosting joint military exercises, to Russia's dismay. Expulsions Jolt for Obama as NATO expels Russian 'spies'
The Obama administration's hopes of reversing years of heightening tension with Russia suffered a setback yesterday when the Kremlin reacted furiously to the expulsion of two Russian diplomats at Nato headquarters in Brussels over allegations of spying. Moscow says NATO ties OK, despite expulsions
Russia and NATO sought to limit damage to their relationship Wednesday, after expelling each other's envoys and despite Moscow's criticism of military exercises in former Soviet Georgia. Russia's Lavrov drops NATO talks over expulsions
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has dropped plans to attend a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council this month in protest at NATO's expulsion of Russian diplomats. Treaties Linkage is everything in Russian-US nuclear talks
As the only comprehensive document limiting strategic nuclear warheads for two nations that possess 90 per cent of the world's nuclear weapons stockpiles, START-1, which expires in December, is on everyone's agenda - but how to resolve the endless bargaining points is a different matter. Text of US-Russia statement on nuclear arm
Text of a joint statement by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama, as released by the White House. Russia offers to revive European arms-control deal
Russia said Thursday it was proposing a new version of a key European arms-control treaty it suspended more than a year ago, and could once again honor the agreement if the U.S. and its NATO allies accept the changes. Russia links nuclear talks to U.S. anti-missile plan
The United States and Russia have held two days of successful talks on ways to slash vast stockpiles of Cold War nuclear weapons. Finding a replacement for the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) before it expires on December 5 could herald a thaw in relations between the world's biggest two nuclear powers. Issues for future U.S./Russia arms deal
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama will sign a declaration on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty next Wednesday. Moscow and Washington going to Rome to count warheads
Russian and American experts will start talks in Rome, which may lead to the first breakthrough in bilateral relations and new reductions in nuclear arms, notably, a new treaty to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-1). Russia waits for U.S. proposals on stored nuclear warheads
Moscow is awaiting Washington's proposals on control over the number of nuclear warheads stored by both countries. According to some sources, the U.S. is not planning to include control over currently stored nuclear warheads in the provisions of a new strategic arms reductions treaty aimed to replace the START-1 treaty due to expire in December this year. Russian chemical weapons destruction plant opens
Russian and American officials formally dedicated the high-tech plant, built with the help of $1 billion from the U.S. and designed to destroy about 2 million chemical weapons shells. Strategic arms deal may be drafted before Obama visit
A new draft strategic arms reduction deal to replace the START 1 treaty may be ready before U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Moscow on July 6-8. US-Russia nuclear disarmament talks 'productive'
Russia and the U.S. have had "productive" talks on cutting their nuclear arsenals. Russia Ties Nuclear Cuts to US Moves
Russia will not cut its nuclear arsenal while the U.S. missile defense plans for Europe remain unclear. UN Ban denies charge of bowing to "Russian blackmail"
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday rejected Georgia's accusation that he caved in to "Russian blackmail" by changing the language in his latest report on the Caucasus state. US What Russia Will and Won't Trade With Washington
The Russians have been projecting optimism about upcoming meetings with the Americans in Europe, reinforcing the "reset button" theme that the Obama administration had introduced. However, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev gave a speech Sunday night with a somewhat different sensibility. Medvedev-Obama meeting a win for Russia
President Dmitry Medvedev's first meeting with Barack Obama brought Russia a shot of prestige, upbeat headlines about nuclear-arms cuts and a powerful signal that Moscow has the ear of the new U.S. president. The West's Reckless Approach to Relations with Russia
The failure last week of Russian talks with the European Union on energy supplies to Europe is one more occasion for Russian-Western tension. This has sent the Europeans off to look for other energy sources. US looking for Russians, Chinese to lead
The Obama administration has tough words for North Korea, but it's looking to China and Russia to do the heavy lifting to punish Pyongyang for its latest nuclear explosion. Russian Thinking on America's Role In Afghanistan
Russian officials have recently sent contradictory messages in regard to American policies in Afghanistan. On the one hand, Moscow signaled that it is quite concerned with the possibility of a U.S. debacle and wishes the Americans to win the war. On the other hand, the very fact that the U.S. publicly entertained the idea of finding a friendly Taliban leader ready for compromise was displeasing. Lessons from Moscow and Tehran
Following three decades of mutually hostile postures characterized by minimal communication and limited and sporadic cooperation, the United States and Iran may be about to reengage more constructively. Obama Vows to Expand Energy Cooperation in Russia's Backyard
President Barack Obama pledged to promote cooperation in the oil-rich Caspian region as the U.S. administration seeks to expand a "southern energy corridor" to Europe that bypasses Russia. Do Russia and US have potential to improve economic ties
While addressing Russian and foreign economists in Moscow Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov noted that a normal business environment and investment climate had largely been created in the Russian economy in the last four years. Military and Spies U.S buys Su-27 fighters from Ukraine for 'aggressor' training
The United States has bought two Su-27 Flanker fighter jets U.S. pilots to cope with the growing number of Russian 4th-generation aircraft sold around the globe. Russia warns US on Georgia
Russia sent a strong warning to the United States Thursday about supporting Georgia in the U.S. ally's efforts to rebuild its military following last year's war. Cyberspies penetrate electrical grid
Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system. The spies came from China, Russia and other countries, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls. US opens route to Afghanistan through Russia's backyard
In the far boundary of the Soviet empire the US and Nato are planning a new operation to avoid Pakistan's perilous tribal areas and the ambush-prone Khyber Pass. This northern corridor is essential if Barack Obama's Afghan-Pakistan strategy is to work. With convoys supplying US and Nato forces regularly attacked by the Taliban on the Pakistan route, the US is again courting the former Soviet republics. U.S. spies on China from Kyrgyz base?
Russian state television accused the United States on Sunday of spying on China and Russia after secretly turning its only remaining air base in Central Asia into a state-of-the-art surveillance center. Interviews and Statements US Department of State: John Beyrle, Russia and America's Shared Economic Future
It's an honor to be here with you today, at a time of great hope in Russian-American relations. Kerry Advocates A New Partnership In US-Russian Relations
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) delivered a speech today titled, "A New Partnership for a New Moment in US-Russian Relations" on the United States policy toward Russia. Obama, Medvedev: 'We Disagree' on August War
The U.S. and Russian Presidents, Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, said in a joint statement released after meeting in London on April 1, that "significant differences" remained between the two countries on the August war. Russia's Kudrin says U.S. treats his country as pupil
The United States' treatment of Russia as a junior partner in negotiations is the biggest hurdle in bilateral relations. The Obama administration has pledged to "reset" relations with Russia after they reached post-Cold War lows under former President George W. Bush, most recently over Russia's war with Georgia and the planned U.S. anti-missile system. Interview on US-Russia Relations
An interview with Stephen F. Cohen, Professor of Russian and Slavic Studies at New York University and author of several books, including Failed Crusade: America and the Tragedy of Post-Communist Russia. As ambassador to Russia, Muskegon's John Beyrle sees possibilities
It's vital, not just for the United States and for Russia, but for the whole world, that we get U.S.-Russian relations right. Our presidents have gotten off to a fresh start and given us an action plan. Interview with Sergei Lavrov
I know you've addressed in great detail the issue of US/Russian relations, but could you just in a minute tell us, is there a reason for hope now that relations between the United States and Russia will improve, and if so, why? Remarks by Obama and Lavrov After Meeting
I think we have an excellent opportunity to reset the relationship between the United States and Russia on a whole host of issues, from nuclear weapons and nuclear proliferation, the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, how we approach Iran, how we approach the Middle East, commercial ties between the two countries. Find out more! SRAS Travel Services
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