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COUNTRY INSIGHTS

Putin says he is open to peace talks
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 23 Nov 2023

On November 22 Putin addressed the G20 Summit by videolink. He said that everyone needed to consider ways to end the war, which he called "tragic". He blamed Ukraine for refusing peace talks. It is true that since mid 2022 Ukraine has refused to talk until Russia withdraws from Ukraine, including...

Germany to give Ukraine USD 1.3 billion in arms
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 21 Nov 2023

On November 21 the announcement was made by the German Defense Minister, who visited Kyiv. He was marking 10 years since the Euromaidan protests began that toppled the pro-Russian president, Victor Yanukovich. On November 20 the US pledged another USD 100 million. That is a drop in the ocean comp...

US Defense Secretary in Kyiv
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 20 Nov 2023

On November 20 Lloyd Austin visited Ukraine for the second time since the war began. He assured Ukraine that the US is committed to helping Ukraine fight for the long term. Zelensky said Ukraine is ingratiated to the US for all its help. 55% of Ukraine's military aid comes from the United States....

Russia ships grain to Africa for free
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 19 Nov 2023

On November 17 Moscow announced the shipments had been dispatched bound for Somalia and Burkina Faso. They are due to arrive by the end of November 2023. Two ships were sent and they each contained 25,000 tons. In July 2023 Putin said Russia would give 200,000 tons of grain to six African nations...

Finland closes 4 of its 6 border crossings to Russia
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 17 Nov 2023

On November 16 Finland announced it will close the border crossings with Russia on November 17 at midnight. The aim of keeping 2 border crossings open is to permit asylum seekers to enter. The border is over 1,000 km long.  In November 2023 there was a huge influx of people crossing the border in...

New UK Foreign Secretary visits Ukraine
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 16 Nov 2023

On November 16 Lord David Cameron met Zelensky in Kyiv. It is his first trip abroad since being appointed. Cameron is the former British Prime Minister. Lord Cameron was appointed Foreign Secretary on November 13. He reiterated that the United Kingdom shall support Ukraine in every way until the ...

Bulgarian elections narrowly drive wedge with Russia
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · Report · 16 Nov 2023

Among various EU members, Bulgaria has a close cultural and historical affinity with Russia, but the two countries’ politics have diverged over the post-Soviet period. In the context of the Ukraine war, as well as redrawn energy pipelines, we examine how events in internal politics in Bulgaria lo...

Putin signs laws restricting reporting on 2024 election
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 15 Nov 2023

On November 15 Putin inked the law that permits elections to be held in occupied Ukraine, which is under martial law. It also limits media reporting at polling stations. Non-accredited journalists will be forbidden from filming at polling stations at military bases. Opposition groups suspect that...

Iranian President visits Tajikistan
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 13 Nov 2023

On November 13 the visit took place. The two countries have decided to allow visa-free travel between them. They also inked agreements on trade and transport. President Raisi also visited Tajikistan in 2022. Tajikistan is one of the few countries that welcomes the Iranian president. Iran is very ...

Russia evacuates its citizens from Gaza
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 13 Nov 2023

On November 13 an announcement was made that Russian officials from the Emergency Situations Ministry and diplomats are bringing Russian citizens out of Gaza. There are over 600 Russians in Gaza. So far Israel has only allowed 80 Russians out of Gaza. 60 Russians have gone from Gaza to Egypt. Rus...

Western sources say Ukraine blew up Nord Stream Pipeline.
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 12 Nov 2023

On November 11 The Washington Post and a German magazine cited Western and Ukrainian intelligence sources as saying that Ukraine was behind the explosion in 2022. Ukraine has accused Russia of blowing up the gas pipeline. Russia said that Ukraine did it. The pipeline in the Baltic Sea carried gas...

Latvia's former interior ministry convicted of spying for Russia
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 11 Nov 2023

On November 10 the court found that Janis Adamsons has worked for the Russian Federal Security Service and gathered intelligence for decades. He was awarded 8 years in jail. A Russian citizen was his accomplice, and a former KGB officer was given 7 years.  Adamsons was interior minister in the mi...

Russian missile hits merchant ship in Ukraine
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 10 Nov 2023

On November 10 Ukraine claimed that a Russian missile struck the Liberian flagged-cargo ship in Odesa and 1 sailor was killed. Russia has neither confirmed nor denied this. The ship was hit with an anti-radar missile, so the strike might be accidental. Kyiv claimed the ship was due to take iron o...

Putin in Kazakhstan
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 09 Nov 2023

On November 9 Putin met his Kazakh counterpart in Astana. President Tokayev said that the relationship between the two former Soviet states has a bright future. The chemistry between the two seemed to be surprisingly good. This is only Putin's third trip abroad since the Ukraine War began. In 202...

European Commission recommends Ukraine and Moldova for EU membership
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 09 Nov 2023

On November 8 the President of the European Commission said that the two countries should be admitted to the EU. Ursula von der Leyen noted that both had made tangible progress towards meeting the EU's requirements in only a few months. The Commission suggested introducing a negotiating framework...

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