Contents tagged with Russia
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The Russian rouble has fallen to 1998 levels
The Central Bank set a record U.S. Dollar rate against the Ruble. The American currency has reached an historic high. On Tuesday, December 15th, the Central Bank of Russia set the Dollar exchange rate against the Ruble at around 70.82 rubles. This was the highest rate for the U.S. currency since 1998. Compared to the previous trading day, the Dollar rose more than 60 cents.
The Euro exchange rate of the Central Bank was set at 78.23 rubles. The European currency has not yet exceeded its …
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Russia sends FSB patrol ship to protect disputed rigs in the Black Sea
A Russian FSB ship has been tasked with ensuring the safety of the drilling rig "Tavrida" to protect "the economic interests of the Russian Federation." On Tuesday, December 15, the Border Service of the FSB in annexed Crimea sent a patrol ship, the "Amethyst," to protect from Ukrainian Navy the drilling rig "Chernomorneftegaz,” as reported by the Press Service of the Ministry.
On the morning of December 15, the ship of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine came to the floating drilling …
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Poroshenko: We must prevent Crimea from turning into a Russian military base
At a briefing with the President of Poland, Petro Poroshenko stated that it’s important to prevent the annexed Crimea from becoming a Russian military base. The President of Ukraine thanked him for Poland’s firm position in support of Ukrainian sovereignty, independency and territorial integrity.
He indicated that he and Duda have discussed the situation in eastern Ukraine including strategies to resolve the issue of non-recognition of the annexation and the continued illegal occupation of …
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Russia to suspend free-trade treaty with Ukraine
Effective January 1st, 2016, Russia is suspending its free-trade treaty with Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is reported to have signed a decree citing "exceptional circumstances, which impact the interests and economic security of the Russian Federation."
Currently, Russia and Ukraine are engaged in trade in accordance with the free trade agreement between CIS countries. However, starting next year the economic part of Kiev's Association Agreement with the EU comes into force, …
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Ukraine to file new human rights complaint; Russia rejects ECHR
The Deputy Justice Minister of Ukraine, Natalia Sevostyanova, reported that Ukraine has been documenting human rights violations in Crimea and the Donbas region, and will file a new complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Two previous complaints are pending.
In response to questions about the reviews of the pending complaints pertaining to events in Crimea and the Donbas region, Sevostyanova reminded journalists that Russia had requested a prolongation of their communication …
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Russians Reluctant to Sell Homes in Turkish Marmaris
Several hundred Russian property owners refused to sell their assets in the Turkish city of Marmaris. According to the Association of Realtors, foreign tourists who invested in real estate in Marmaris, refused to put their property up for sale despite the deterioration of relations between the two countries after a Russian bomber was shot down by Turkey.
"The Russian sailors bought hotels and houses for themselves and their relatives, making great investments in real estate. Last year alone …
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Russian Conditions for End of Turkish Crisis
Russian authorities have made demands that would end the current crisis with Turkey. Interfax reported that Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov outlined three conditions.
First, Turkey must formally apologize for the incident with the Russian Sukharov-24 bomber that was shot down by Turkish fighter jets on November 24th. Second, the responsible parties must be brought to justice. Third, Turkey must compensate Russia for the losses incurred in the incident.
Speaking about the death …
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Free Syrian Army Denies Military Cooperation with Russia
Representatives of the "Free Syrian Army" (FSA) told Reuters that Russian aviation not only supports them, but also regularly bombs rebel forces.
Groups identifying themselves as FSA, together with Kurdish police, formed a new coalition called the "Democratic Forces of Syria" (DFS), which has received U.S. support for fighting ISIL.
The Alliance has acknowledged that Russian air strikes indirectly helped them during the recent battles with the enemies of "al-Nusra", a member of terrorist …
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Belarus Foreign Minister discusses cooperation with EU and NATO
As reported by Belarusian news agency Belta.by, the country's Foreign Minister Uladzimer Makey visited Brussels on December 13-14 to discuss cooperation with EU and NATO officials.
Mr. Makey's talks with NATO Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow, EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini are seen as another sign of warming relations between Minsk and the West.
In late October, the EU …
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More EU Sanctions for Russia?
An automatic extension of EU sanctions against Russia has not yet happened, and Italy is insisting that EU governments engage in meaningful political discussion to consider their effectiveness over the Kremlin’s policies.
A discussion of the effectiveness of the sanctions, which are set to expire December 31st, could help EU member states decide if the current sanctions should be extended, weakened, or removed altogether. As EU Ministers meet in Brussels in the coming days, they are expected …