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Moldovan municipal elections are mixed result for pro-Western government
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 07 Nov 2023

On November 6 the results came in. The mayor of the capital was re-elected. His National Alternative Movement (MAN) is said to be pro-Moscow. The Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) is the ruling party. PAS wants the country to join the EU. PAS won 19 out of the 32 counties in the country. Presi...

German Foreign Minister visits Armenia and Azerbaijan on peace mission
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 06 Nov 2023

On November 4 and 5 Annalena Baerbock visited the two countries. She is trying to prevent the conflict between the two Caucasian countries from breaking out anew. The European Union is trying to establish itself as a force in the region. Georgia was rejected for EU candidate membership in 2022 bu...

Kazakhstan bans fuel exports to Tajikistan
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 05 Nov 2023

On October 20 Kazakhstan made the move saying it needs fuel for itself. The bank covers liquefied petroleum gas, propane and butane. The ban is to last until 2026. A fuel price hike in Kazakhstan in January 2022 caused massive protests and riots that left over 200 dead. Therefore the government i...

US sanctions on countries accused of supplying Russia
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 04 Nov 2023

On November 3 the US said it was sanctioning individuals and entities whom it believes are enabling Russia to prosecute its war in Ukraine. The people and entities are from the United Arab Emirates, China and Turkey. Russia is sourcing technology and equipment for its armed forces from abroad. Ru...

Kazakhstan hosts Turkic Summit
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 04 Nov 2023

On November 3 the members of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) met in Astana. It marked the 10th anniversary of the OTS. The presidents of its members attended.  The Kazakh president stated the 8 pillars for his chairmanship of the OTS in 2024. He seeks deeper cooperation. There is talk of ...

Senior Ukrainian general says war is a stalemate
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 04 Nov 2023

On November 1 Valery Zaluzhny said in an article in The Economist that neither side can make a breakthrough unless they get new technology. He tacitly admitted that the counter-offensive had failed. Zaluzhny is asking for long term aid. He says a war of attrition favors Russia, which outnumbers U...

Putin withdraws Russia from nuclear treaty
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 02 Nov 2023

On November 2 Putin signed the de-ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). CTBT forbade nuclear weapons tests. This takes effect immediately. Russia and the US signed it on 1996. Although Russia ratified it, the US never did so. Several other nuclear weapons states refuse...

Essential CIS Politics: November 2023
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · Report · 02 Nov 2023

* Russia hosts Hamas for talks in Moscow during the Israel-Hamas conflict. * Russia is increasing arms production and allegedly buying from N Korea. * Fighting in Ukraine shows no advantage being gained for either side. * Armenia was forced to hand Nagorno-Karabakh back to Azerbaijan. *...

Growing rift between Russia and Israel
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 31 Oct 2023

On October 31 Israel criticized the Russian government for failing to prevent a crowd trying to stop a plane from Israel landing in Russia. The crowd of hundreds took over the Makhachalka Airport and was looking for Israelis and Russian Jews. One police officer was killed in clashes. 60 people ha...

Crowd storms Russian airport
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 30 Oct 2023

On October 29 people in Dagestan burst onto the airport runway in a failed attempt to stop a flight from Israel landing at Makhachkala Airport. The people were protesting against Israel's attacks on Gaza. Dagestan is a Muslim majority republic of Russia. They were angry that Israelis can come to ...

Azerbaijan-Turkey military exercises
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 28 Oct 2023

On October 23 the two countries began three days of joint drills. The two countries speak almost the same language and often boast of their fraternal relationship. 3,000 troops took part in the drills, which are named in honor of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Ataturk. Some of the drills to...

Russia recruiting from prisons again
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 26 Oct 2023

The Defense Ministry is seeking men in prison to volunteer for service in Ukraine. Previously it was Wagner Group that did this. The men are offered their freedom and the expungement of their criminal records if they survive 6 months at the front. Salaries are USD 2,000 a month. This is enormous ...

Russian Federal Council votes to end nuclear test ban treaty
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 25 Oct 2023

On October 25 the Federal Council made the decision unanimously. The lower house of Parliament already voted for the same thing on October 20. It is almost certain that Putin will sign off on this decision. Russia will withdraw from the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). CTBT outlaws nuclear e...

Moldova moving away from Russia
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 23 Oct 2023

On October 17 Canada sanctioned 9 Russian people and 6 Russian TV channels that it said had been trying to undermine Moldova's independence and democracy. The people sanctioned are allegedly connected to a Moldovan oligarch, Vlad Plahotniuc. He used to lead the Democratic Party and allegedly disa...

Kazakhstan bans sales of dual use goods to Russia
RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS · In Brief · 21 Oct 2023

On October 19 Astana announced that 106 items can no longer be exported to Russia. Western countries had repeatedly accused Kazakhstan of knowingly selling goods to Russia that had a military application. Russia found it easy to get around sanctions. The items now forbidden for sale to Russia inc...

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