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By Tom Balmforth, Russia Profile
August 26, 2010
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich has ordered that “everything possible” be done to find Vasil Klementiev, an investigative journalist critical of local police who went missing two weeks ago. The Ukrainian leader is seeking to calm critics who say media freedoms have been curtailed under his rule. Some influential Ukrainian officials have their own reasons to expand their media empires, which means that Yanukovich may well be telling the truth when he denies having ordered any clampdown on Ukraine’s mass media. Nonetheless, analysts say Yanukovich stands to benefit from a trend for slanted reporting as local elections approach in October, and the Supreme Rada prepares itself to vote on amendments to election legislation on Monday.
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By Roland Oliphant, Russia Profile
August 25, 2010
The decision by a Thai court to allow the extradition to the United States of suspected arms dealer Victor Bout has raised a storm of protest in Moscow, which has called the decision “unjust” and “political.” That in turn has raised speculation in the Western press that the former Red army translator and air freight tycoon knows things the Russians don’t want made public. But whatever Victor Bout has done, and whoever he was doing it for, he was far from alone.
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By Diana Markosian, RIA Novosti
August 19, 2010
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Armenia Thursday evening on a two-day visit. His agenda: the Russian military base, ongoing discussion on the “frozen” Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and a visit to the genocide memorial. But one thing that was not made a priority was the environmental crisis currently gripping Armenia.
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By Tom Balmforth, Russia Profile
August 18, 2010
A Romanian diplomat on Monday became the latest to be embroiled in the frenzy of spy busts this summer when Russian FSB agents accused him of stealing Russian military secrets relating to the breakaway Moldovan region of Transdnestr. Gabriel Grecu has now been expelled and Bucharest responded tit-for-tat. With the approach of a possible resolution on Moldova’s sixteen month political crisis, regional players like Russia and Romania are taking more of an interest in the region. But while Romania has every reason to be gathering military intelligence on Transdnestr, its role as a haven for money laundering is just as much of a threat to national security.
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By Tai Adelaja, Russia Profile
August 9, 2010
Two years after Russia fought a five-day war to repel Georgia's assault on Tskhinvali, the Kremlin is still struggling to polish its image as the worthy defender of the weak in the breakaway states of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. President Dmitry Medvedev visited Abkhazia on Sunday, his first visit since the pro-Moscow separatist region gained de-facto independence after the 2008 conflict. He held talks with Abkhazia's leader Sergei Bagapsh, and promised to develop full political, economic, and security relations with Abkhazia.
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Comment by Oksana Antonenko, Special to Russia Profile
August 9, 2010
For Russia, the August 2008 war with Georgia is now firmly incorporated into its heroic history, at least rhetorically. Russian forces responded to Georgia’s attack against the Russian peacekeepers and its citizens residing in South Ossetia. Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to prevent any future conflict, which could be triggered by Georgia’s use of military force in either of the regions. And last but not least, Russia has demonstrated its “red lines” in the NATO enlargement process, by forcing the alliance to shelve its plans for Georgia’s membership in the foreseeable future. Moreover, Russia’s demonstration of force sent a signal to other post-Soviet states about the perils of attempting to challenge Russia’s vital interests in the region.
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By Dan Peleschuk, Special to Russia Profile
July 30, 2010
During Patriarch Kirill’s visit to Ukraine – the third in a year – he made sure to characterize it as a simple matter of spirituality. But the increasing frequency of his visits, especially in the midst of Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich’s election in February, sends signals that spirituality may not be the only priority on Kirill’s Ukrainian agenda.
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Comment by Sergey Markedonov, Special to Russia Profile
July 28, 2010
The UN International Court last week effectively recognized the legality of the Kosovo authorities’ 2008 decision to declare independence from Serbia. But the significance of this problem goes far beyond the limits of formal jurisprudence. The “Casus Kosovo” has a bearing on the formation of the basic principles of world order. And if ethnic nationalism is allowed in the Balkans, why shouldn’t it be allowed in the mountains of the Caucasus or in the deserts and tropics of Africa?
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By Tom Balmforth, Russia Profile
July 27, 2010
Russia has suspended humanitarian aid to Transdnestr in a tentative sign that Moscow is changing its policy and preparing to restart serious negotiation on conflict resolution. At the same time, Russian state banks are preparing to close correspondent accounts with Transdnestr’s Gazprombank in connection with embezzlement allegations involving the president’s son. The move could indicate Moscow’s displeasure with Transdnestr’s President Igor Smirnov, but could also mean Russia is laying the groundwork for a push toward conflict resolution. Meanwhile Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin today arrived in Chisinau for talks with Moldovan leaders, but will also visit Tiraspol.
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By Tom Balmforth, Russia Profile
July 21, 2010
Moldova’s wine industry now looks increasingly precarious after Russia’s Federal Consumer Protection Service head Gennady Onishchenko threatened a blanket ban on Moldovan wine imports unless Chisinau ups the quality of its exports. Meanwhile, Moldovan officials say that they have not been given any official evidence of poor quality. Moldovan-Russian relations have nosedived since Moldova’s Acting President Mihai Ghimpu infuriated the Kremlin by declaring June 28 the “day of Soviet occupation.” True, the decree has had no shortage of critics domestically, even from within the fractious ruling coalition. But analysts say the timing of the trade spat must be politically motivated.
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