Contents tagged with Russia

  • France urges EU countries not to recognize Russian COVID vaccine

    Paris believes that the European Union countries should not recognize COVID-19 vaccines created in China and Russia, said the Secretary of State for European affairs in the French government, Clément Beaune, speaking on the air of the TV channel France 2.

    He pointed out that the list of vaccines, which will allow travelers to enter France, should be limited to those vaccines, in the effectiveness of which the French authorities are confident. So far, only four vaccines have been recognized in …

  • Russia loses $2 billion after converting its U.S. dollar holdings to yuan and gold

    The de-dollarization of the Russian National Welfare Fund (NWF), announced with fanfare at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, immediately resulted in losses.

    In June, the Russian Finance Ministry converted its dollar holdings into gold, euro and Chinese yuan and reported a reduction in the NWF’s liquid assets by 363 billion rubles ($4.85 billion), according to the data on the Ministry’s website.

    Of the $39.8 billion or 20% of liquid assets that the Fund had at the beginning of …

  • Zelensky wants to discuss Nord Stream 2 with Merkel

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he intends to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and discuss with her the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

    "Tthere will be an important meeting with Mrs. Merkel on energy security not only for Ukraine, but also for Europe. Thanks God that Europe does not feel these threats yet," Zelensky said at a press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Vilnius.

    The Ukrainian President stressed that security, not the economy, should be …

  • Putin approves new National Security Strategy preparing Russian economy for war

    The economy of the Russian Federation, all its entities and municipalities must be prepared to provide protection against armed attack and meet the needs of the state and the population in wartime, reads the updated National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation, which was approved by President Vladimir Putin.

    The document, which is prepared by the Security Council, is the cornerstone for all government decisions and serves as the basis for the formation of industry strategic doctrines. …

  • Baltic countries to stop energy imports from Russia and Belarus

    The Baltic countries are beginning to exit the electricity network with Russia and Belarus, which they have been using since the Soviet times.

    According to Interfax, on Tuesday, Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator Litgrid AB announced a three-fold reduction in the electricity intake from Belarus.

    From September 15, the maximum transmission capacity from Belarus to Lithuania will be reduced from the current 1,250 megawatts to 400 megawatts.

    Lithuania has restricted electricity …

  • Russia invites Lukashenko to visit Crimea

    “Crimea is ready to welcome the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko”, said the head of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, on his VKontakte page.

    "When our president and foreign ministry agree on the visit of the Belarusian leader, we will be happy to welcome Alexander Grigoryevich in Crimea," Aksyonov wrote.

    Aksyonov called Belarus the "closest" and "brotherly" country. The head of annexed Crimea expressed confidence that Lukashenko, as well as all other Belarusian citizens, will feel at home in …

  • France hopes Russia won't interfere in forthcoming presidential elections

    The French leadership hopes that Russia will not interfere in the presidential elections in 2022 but Paris is under no illusions about the practices of hacking and information attacks that Russia uses against other countries, said in an interview with LB.ua Pierre Person, a member of the French National Assembly and one of the closest associates of President Emmanuel Macron.

    "In 2017 and 2018, during a meeting with the Russian leadership, President Macron made it clear that such interference …

  • Russia conducts air force drills in Black Sea amid Sea Breeze multinational exercises

    The Russian Force and Air Defense units conducted training flights over the Black Sea. The exercises involved 10 aircraft, reported the press service of the Russian Navy.

    The Russian military has worked out missile and bomb attacks on the ships of the conventional enemy. Su-30SM multirole fighters, Su-24M front-line bombers, Su-27 and Su-34 fighter jets of the Southern Military District were involved in the exercises.

    Before the beginning of the "exercise" the Russians conducted …

  • Kyiv: Russia, fearing Sea Breeze–2021 exercises, has sent its entire Black Sea Fleet to the area

    Russia, fearful of Sea Breeze–2021 exercises, has sent its entire Black Sea Fleet to the area, reported the press service of the General Intelligence Directorate of Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

    "We see that to monitor the exercises, Russia has sent all the ships to the area, which are now not performing their usual tasks. The aggressor country is trying to demonstrate that it is ready to defend its interests by military force. But Russia clearly lacks the strength and resources in the Black Sea, …

  • Putin signs law allowing Russian authorities to block foreign social networks and video platforms

    Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree tightening regulation for large foreign Internet companies in Russia.

    The document, introduced by a group of deputies from the Committee on Information Policy and Senator Alexei Pushkov, mandates that resource owners with a daily audience of more than 500,000 users set up local branches, open offices or establish Russian legal entities "who should fully represent the interests of the parent companies."

    Beginning January 1, 2022, international …