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☆ Biden instructed aides to dial up attacks on Trump’s wild comments
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —President Joe Biden personally directed his senior campaign aides in recent days to focus more aggressively on former President Donald Trump’s inflammatory comments, according to two sources familiar with the president’s edict. For weeks, his campaign has said they are fully prepared for Trump to emerge as the GOP nominee. “Freedom and democracy itself are on the ballot in November.”That marked only the second time, according to a campaign official, that a Biden campaign statement was attributed directly to the president. It’s un-American.”The next day, the campaign went after Trump again after the former president repeated his threat to NATO members. He’s gone,” Trump taunted at a campaign rally), Biden quickly slammed those comments on X.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Biden, “, ” Ammar Moussa, “ Donald Trump, ”, Robert Hur’s, Hur, “ Donald Trump’s, Putin, America’s, excoriated Trump, ” Biden, Nikki Haley’s, He’s, ” Trump, Major Haley Organizations: CNN, Republican, Trump, GOP, Biden, NATO, National Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Baltic States, Russian

☆ Speaker Mike Johnson faces critical decision on Ukraine aid as international pressure grows to act
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —Speaker Mike Johnson is facing international criticism over his lack of swift action on Ukraine aid, which is ratcheting up pressure to make a critical decision that will not only have massive implications for his rookie speakership but also for Ukraine’s ongoing war effort against Russia. “If there is a Mike Johnson plan, there aren’t any House Republicans that are aware of its existence.”The pressure cooker Johnson is facing has exposed some frustration over how he has approached his speakership. At a time when House Republicans are looking to their leader to make a decisive choice, the speaker has instead elevated members to bring forward their own ideas without articulating his own preferences. “Ukraine is in desperate need of the US aid, passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote on the floor of the United States Senate. “We’re looking at a number of options on our leadership team.”Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has repeatedly hammered Johnson over his inaction.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, –, Alexei Navalny, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, Sen, J.D, Vance, Johnson —, Warren Davidson, ” Davidson, Virginia Sen, Mark Warner, ”, Ben Cardin, “, ” Cardin, It’s, Brian Fitzpatrick, someone’s, Mitch McConnell, Vladimir Putin, ” Johnson, Steve Scalise, Trump, ” Scalise, Joe Biden, ” Biden, NATO … I’ve, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Putin “, Vladimir Putin’s, ” Schumer, it’s, There’s, Mike Turner, ” CNN’s Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, Russia, Democratic, Congress, Global, Security, Republicans, Republican, NATO, GOP, Caucus, languishes, Senate Intelligence, United, United States Senate, Senate, NATO …, New, New York Democrat, House Intelligence, Ohio Republican, Press, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Warren Davidson of Ohio, “, Munich, United States, Russia, Pennsylvania, Baltic, Florida, New York, Washington

☆ Why Alexey Navalny's death is unlikely to change Congress' Ukraine aid quagmire
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewLeaders in both parties vowed that Russian President Vladimir Putin must pay for the death of famed opposition leader Alexey Navalny. It's unclear though how their tributes will translate into tangible action, especially on Congress' long-delayed push to send more aid for Ukraine's defense. House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement that international leaders "must be clear that Putin will be met with united opposition." While it's true that the foreign aid bill could garner 218 votes, getting the bill on the floor is another matter entirely. Ukraine aid still hasn't passed.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Alexey Navalny, Mike Johnson, Putin, Johnson, Donald Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kevin McCarthy, hasn't, McCarthy, Matt Gaetz, Trump, Matt Glassman, Glassman, It's, there's, Volodymyr Zelensky, Schumer, Churchill Organizations: Service, Business, Georgia Republican, Ukraine, GOP, California Republican, Florida Republican, Georgetown University's Government Affairs Institute, Republicans, Trump, Republican Locations: Ukraine, United States, Baltic, Georgia, California, Florida, Mexico, Mexican

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that the apparent death of Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny brings new urgency to the need for Congress to approve tens of billions of dollars for Ukraine to stave off Moscow's invasion. Speaking at the White House, Biden said that no matter the cause, he holds Russian President Vladimir Putin responsible for Navalny's death. He added, “I hope to God it helps” push U.S. lawmakers to send more aid to Ukraine. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesThe president sharply criticized House Republicans for letting the chamber enter a two-week recess without moving on the Ukraine funding. “President Biden pledged ‘devastating’ consequences should Navalny die in prison; now he must follow through.

Persons: Joe Biden, Alexei Navalny, Biden, Vladimir Putin, hasn't, ” Biden, ”, Mike Johnson, “, Putin, ” Johnson, Donald Trump, Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, ” Jeffries, Vladimir Putin’s, Republican Sen, Tom Cotton of, Trump’s Putin, Illinois Sen, Dick Durbin, Carolina Sen, Thom Tillis, Navalny, ” Tillis, eyeing, Harry Truman Organizations: WASHINGTON, White, Republicans, Ukraine, GOP House, Democratic, Senate, Republican, America, ” Lawmakers, Trump, NATO Locations: Russian, Ukraine, U.S, United States, Baltic, Russia, Israel, Taiwan, Vladimir Putin’s Russia, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Illinois, ., Carolina, America

☆ Biden Says 'Putin and His Thugs' Caused Navalny's Death
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Steve HollandWASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Alexei Navalny's death, saying he was "not surprised" but "outraged" by the opposition leader's passing. Make no mistake, Putin is responsible for Navalny's death." He also said he was "contemplating" additional steps to punish Russia in the aftermath of Navalny's death, paying tribute to the opposition leader for "bravely" standing up to Putin's government's "corruption" and "violence." The 47-year-old Navalny had been a leading critic of Putin, and Biden had said after meeting Putin in Geneva in June 2021 that Nalvany's death would risk devastating consequences for Putin. She also met with Alexei Navalny's wife Yulia on the margins of the conference and "expressed her sorrow and outrage" over reports of her husband's death, a White House official said.

Persons: Steve Holland WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Alexei Navalny's, Nalvany, Putin, Biden, Navalny, Donald Trump, Mike Johnson, Kamala Harris, Yulia, Trump, Steve Holland, Ismail Shakil, Gabriel Araujo, Doina, Trevor Hunnicutt, Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: White, Republican, U.S, Congress, NATO, House, Representatives Locations: Russia, Russian, Geneva, Ukraine, U.S, Baltic, Munich, Michigan , Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, NATO

☆ Biden rips the House for taking 2-week break as he presses for Ukraine funding
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Michael Williams | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden on Friday criticized the House for taking a two-week break amid a heated push for additional funding for Ukraine in its war against Russia. The Senate passed a bipartisan $95 billion bill that provided the Ukraine funding, along with support for Taiwan and Israel, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled he won’t bring the bill to the House floor. Democrats made some concessions for the Senate bill, but prospects of a funding bill passing the House were torpedoed after former President Donald Trump pushed Republicans to oppose it. And the prospects of additional funding after the election remains in question if Trump, the GOP frontrunner who recently signaled indifference to Russia invading a NATO ally, wins in the fall. Asked whether Navalny’s reported death would burgeon support for additional funding from members of Congress, Biden said “I hope to God it helps.”This story has been updated with additional reporting.

Persons: Joe Biden, Alexey Navalny’s, Biden, “, ” Biden, they’re, Mike Johnson, Nalvany’s, Johnson, ” Johnson, Donald Trump, Trump, ”, Navalny’s Organizations: Washington CNN, Ukraine, Russia, Congress, Republicans, NATO, Representatives Locations: Ukraine, United States, Taiwan, Israel, Baltic, Russia

☆ Russia's NATO neighbors are building hundreds of bunkers and anti-tank ditches in case of an invasion
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementEstonia, Lithuania, and Latvia are busy building massive defensive installations along their collective 1,000 miles of border with Russia and Belarus. The Baltic Defense Line, comprising hundreds of bunkers and other defensive measures, was a key part of an agreement struck between the three countries last month, prompted by the war in nearby Ukraine. Advertisement"A Baltic defensive line is a huge project," Lukas Milevski, a research fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, wrote recently. A diagram of prototype bunkers published by Estonia's defense ministry shows how the oblong structures are designed to fit into a T-shaped dugout, their entrance protected by earthworks.

Persons: —, 🛡️, evkur, e cade, " ERR, Baker, ure, ely, vic, ted as say Organizations: Service, Baltic Defense, ici Locations: Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Eston, ain

☆ NATO chief says Trump’s comments on abandoning alliance endangers US and European troops
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In a statement Sunday, Stoltenberg said such comments put European and American soldiers at an increased risk. He also criticized American defense pacts with Asian allies Japan and South Korea. The conflict has raised concerns Putin may have further expansionist ambitions, which the leader denies, or that a NATO country may become directly embroiled. European Council President Charles Michel also hit back against the comments and said they reemphasize the need to keep the alliance strong. You got to pay your bills.”Biden said Sunday that Trump “is making it clear that he will abandon our NATO allies” and outlined the potential consequences of Trump’s comments.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Donald Trump, Trump, Stoltenberg, ” Stoltenberg, “, NATO Ally, ”, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Trump’s, Joe Biden’s, Charles Michel, ” Michel, ” Trump, ” Biden Organizations: CNN, NATO, International Criminal, Washington, European, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Sunday, Trump, “, Ukraine Locations: Russia, Europe, South, Taiwan, Asia, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, Sweden, Finland, Turkey, China, Korea, North Korea, Philippines, United States, Pacific, Soviet Union, Canada, Poland, Baltic States, Israel

☆ Analysis: The 2024 campaign gets grimmer, with Trump’s extremism on full display alongside concerns over Biden’s age
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Trump is giving every impression that his second term would be even more aberrant than his first, as he vows to use presidential power to exact retribution against his enemies. While a Biden vs. Trump race would be a rematch of 2020, it would not necessarily be the same. In Trump, voters can pick an ex-president facing 91 criminal charges who has been found liable for fraud, sexual battery and defamation in court. It also offered a potential roadmap to the substance and character of his possible second term. Why the 2020 election lineup may be locked inThe renewed focus on Biden’s age is likely to open another round of speculation about whether he could be replaced on the Democratic ticket.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Trump, he’s, Vladimir Putin, Nikki Haley’s, crave, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, —, “ Donald Trump’s, Putin, ” Biden, Trump’s, ”, Florida GOP Sen, Marco Rubio, “ Donald Trump, ” Rubio, Charles Michel, Russia, Tucker Carlson, Manuel Balce Ceneta, Michael, He’s, Michael Haley, Nikki Haley, Arizona Sen, John McCain, Robert Hur’s, parry, Mandel Ngan, gaffes —, “, Ro Khanna, Jake Tapper, Biden’s missteps, Haley, Nancy Pelosi, he’d, Dean Phillips, Kamala Harris, Harris Organizations: CNN, Oval, Biden, Trump, NATO, White, Florida GOP, Foreign Relations, Union, European Council, GOP, ABC, Getty, ” Democratic, Democratic, Democratic Party Locations: South Carolina, Russia, NATO, Europe, miscalculations, Moscow, Ukraine, Poland, Baltic States, Florida, “ State, Russian, Conway , South Carolina, Africa, Arizona, Vietnam, Egypt, Mexico, AFP, California, reunifying

You gotta pay your bills.’”NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the 31 allies are committed to defending each other. Photos You Should See View All 21 Images“NATO remains ready and able to defend all allies. Under NATO’s mutual defense clause, Article 5 of its founding treaty, all allies commit help of any member who comes under attack. Article 5 has only ever been activated once – by the U.S. in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. NATO has undertaken its biggest military buildup since the Cold War since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Persons: Donald Trump, Władysław Kosiniak, Kamysz, “, Trump, ”, ’ ” Trump, Jens Stoltenberg, ” Stoltenberg, Putin, ___ Cook, Kirsten Grieshaber Organizations: NATO, Republican, . Defense, ”, ’, Foreign Ministry, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Trump, Associated Press Locations: WARSAW, Poland, U.S, Russia, Europe, Conway , South Carolina, ” Russia, NATO, Anchorage, Erzurum, Baltic, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moscow, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Ukraine’s Crimean, Brussels, Berlin

☆ Commission to Discuss New Russia Sanctions Proposal With EU Countries
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Julia PayneBRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission will start informal high-level meetings with member states on Saturday on the details of a proposed new set of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, three diplomatic sources said on Wednesday. The EU is keen to put a 13th package of measures together to mark the second anniversary of the war on Feb. 24. The discussions that begin on Saturday are a final step before the Commission officially delivers a new package to be debated and voted on by EU countries in the Council. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 ImagesOne source added that some minor sectoral measures such as new import bans were also likely. Poland and the Baltic states have been calling for import bans on Russian aluminium and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Persons: Julia Payne BRUSSELS, Julia Payne, Sandra Maler Organizations: European, Russia, EU, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Poland, Baltic

☆ Russia's Putin Derides 'Russophobia' in Europe at World War Two Memorial
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin castigated Europe on Saturday for "Russophobia" and criticized the Baltic States over human rights at the unveiling of a World War Two memorial. Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet Union and itself suffered devastation at the hands of Hitler's forces, rejects comparisons as spurious pretexts for a war of conquest. In his speech, Putin also lambasted the Baltic States over human rights. "In the Baltic states, tens of thousands of people are declared subhuman, deprived of their most basic rights, and subjected to persecution," Putin said, referring to migration crackdowns. Moscow has repeatedly accused the Baltic nations of xenophobia and treating Russian minorities as "second-class".

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Kyiv exalts, Vladimir Soldatkin, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: European Union, NATO Locations: MOSCOW, Baltic States, Ukraine, Kyiv, Leningrad, Germans, Soviet, Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moscow, Baltic

☆ Belarus adopts new military doctrine involving nuclear weapons
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Mariya Knight | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Belarus on Friday adopted a new military doctrine that – if approved – would be the first step toward deploying nuclear weapons across the country. The Union State of Belarus and Russia Treaty sets up a legal basis for a wide-ranging alliance between the two countries. Baltic states reinforce bordersThe move by Belarus came as neighboring Baltic states signed an agreement to reinforce their borders with Belarus and Russia. During an interview with state news agency Belta in August last year, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said his country did not “bring nuclear weapons here in order to scare someone.”“Nuclear weapons represent a strong deterring factor. But these are tactical nuclear weapons, not strategic ones.

Persons: Viktor Khrenin, ”, Khrenin, “, Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, Hanno Pevkur Organizations: CNN, ” Belarusian, Belarus ’, Collective Security, Organization, Union State, NATO, The Union, The Union State of, Russia Treaty, Belarusian People’s Assembly, Novosti, UN, OSCE, ” Minsk, Estonian Defense Ministry, Estonian Minister of Defense, Belta Locations: Belarus, Republic of Belarus, Russian, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, The Union State, The Union State of Belarus, Ukraine, NATO, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Baltic, Estonia, Estonian

☆ Putin is starting to talk tough about the Baltics, laying the groundwork for 'future escalations' with NATO: ISW
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Washington-based think tank reported that Putin on Tuesday claimed that Latvia and other Baltic nations were "simply throwing out" ethnic Russian people from their borders. The think tank said it hasn't found any indication yet that Russia plans to attack the Baltics soon. However, the ISW warned that Putin may be laying the groundwork for "future aggressive Russian actions abroad under the pretext of protecting its 'compatriots.'" Undermining their sovereignty and portraying them as bullies toward Russians would fit within Putin's ultimate goal of weakening NATO, the ISW said. The think tank said it previously assessed that Putin's aim in invading Ukraine was to destabilize NATO instead of defending a NATO attack against Russia as he has stated.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Putin, hasn't, Russia's Organizations: Service, NATO, Institute, Study, Business, RIA Novosti, Kremlin, Lithuania — Locations: Baltic, The Washington, Latvia, Latvian, Russia, Ukraine, Baltics, Soviet, Estonia, Lithuania

☆ Leaked German military documents laid out a doomsday scenario where Russia wins in Ukraine then invades Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewLeaked German military documents describe a chilling scenario where Russia wins in Ukraine and then goes to war with NATO. The Baltic states and their neighbors. Google MapsThe end goal would be to move Russian troops into the Suwałki Gap, Bild reported, citing the documents. If occupied by Russia, it would cut the Baltic states off from other parts of Europe. Under the scenario obtained by Bild, NATO would fight Russia to prevent it from occupying the gap.

Persons: —, Axel Springer, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Joe Biden's, Jacek Siewiera Organizations: Service, Russia, NATO, Business, Bild, Germany's Defense Ministry, Google, Defense Ministry, Kremlin Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Eastern Europe, Baltic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus, Kaliningrad, NATO's, Europe, US, Russian

☆ OSCE Limps Through Another Year as Russia Relents on Veto
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Dec. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SKOPJE (Reuters) - The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) should continue to function for another year as frequent holdout Russia joined others on Friday in approving Malta as OSCE chair for 2024 and extending four senior officials in their positions. The OSCE is the successor to a body set up during the Cold War for the east and west to engage with each other. In recent years, however, and especially since it invaded Ukraine, Russia has used what is effectively a veto each country has to block many key decisions, often crippling the organization. Russia spent months preventing NATO member Estonia from becoming the next OSCE chair as originally planned. While relenting on vetoes that could have brought the OSCE even closer to collapse, Russia showed no sign of warming to its critics among the OSCE's 56 other member states, particularly the United States.

Persons: Russia, Helga Schmid, Ukraine's, Sergei Lavrov, Antony Blinken, relenting, Lavrov, Blinken, OSCE Michael Carpenter, Fedja Grulovic, Felix Light, Francois Murphy Organizations: Reuters, Organization, Security, Cooperation, OSCE, NATO, Russian, Union Locations: SKOPJE, Europe, Malta, Ukraine, Russia, Estonia, Friday's, Macedonia, Skopje, Baltic, U.S, United States, Moscow

☆ NATO navies are worried about Russia using its unique weapons to pick a fight on territory nobody controls
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Constantine Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Recent damage to undersea pipelines and cables in Europe has raised concern among NATO members. AdvertisementThe emphasis on defending underwater infrastructure is visible in the alliance's operations. The annual Dynamic Messenger exercise includes a focus on protecting critical underwater infrastructure and involves information exchanges between alliance militaries and private-sector actors. OLE BERG-RUSTEN/NTB/AFP via Getty ImagesProtecting underwater infrastructure is no simple task, however. AdvertisementThe situation becomes more complicated because underwater infrastructure often passes through international waters, muddling the legal framework around its protection and making a response harder.

Persons: —, David Cattler, Shawn Coover, Adm, Ben Key, Jens Köhler, JEF, Andrey Luzik, Key, Constantine Atlamazoglou Organizations: NATO, Service, Finnish Border Guard, REUTERS, Steam, US Marine Corps, Staff, British Royal Navy's, Royal Navy, Getty, Joint Expeditionary Force, Norwegian Coast Guard, OLE BERG, Russia Ministry of Defense, Directorate, Fletcher School of Law, LinkedIn, Twitter Locations: Europe, Russia, NATO's, Estonia, Finland, Baltic, Norway, Norwegian, Germany, Ukraine, Hiddensee, Nordic, AFP, Severomorsk

☆ Estonian PM Kallas Signals Interest in Top NATO Job -Politico
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

OSLO (Reuters) - Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said late on Tuesday she would like to be considered for the job of NATO secretary general once Jens Stoltenberg steps down, Politico reported. Speaking at a Politico conference in Washington, Kallas responded "yes" when she was pressed on whether she'd like to be considered for the role, according to the report. NATO diplomats have said, however, Kallas may be regarded as too hawkish by some members of the Western defence alliance. Stoltenberg has been in post since 2014 and is due to step down in October 2024. Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has also said he would be interested in the job of leading NATO.

Persons: Kaja Kallas, Jens Stoltenberg, Kallas, Stoltenberg, Mark Rutte, Terje Solsvik, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Estonian, Politico, European Union, NATO, Dutch Locations: OSLO, Washington, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, NATO, Ukraine

☆ As the West courts Russia's neighbors, Putin shows he won't give up its backyard without a fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Eurasian Economic Summit on Nov. 9, 2022, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at a joint news conference at the Kremlin in Moscow, on Feb. 10, 2022. "Central Asia obviously has to keep a fine balance and tread that line," Hess said. Analysts note that while an economically isolated Russia wants and needs to keep Central Asia on side, it is gradually losing its grip on the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrive for a working breakfast of the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2023.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Keen, Emmanuel Macron, Putin, Ilham Aliyev, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Emomali Rahmon, Alexander Lukashenko, Sergei Lavrov, —, it's, Max Hess, Hess, Kassym, Mikhail Klimentyev, Xi Jinping, Florence Lo, they've, Temur Umarov, Tokayev, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Vladimir Smirnov Organizations: Economic, Getty, Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States, Russian, Central Asia —, Central Asian, Kazakh, CIS, West, Georgia, Foreign Policy Research Institute, CNBC, Kremlin, Reuters Central, Central, Central Asia Summit, Afp, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Commonwealth of Independent, Sputnik Locations: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, Moscow, Russian, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakh, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China, Soviet, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Baltic States, Soviet Union, Moldova, Ukraine, U.S, Afghanistan, Asia, Xian, Shaanxi

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Russia claims Kyiv attacked 3 nuclear power plants; Putin says post-Soviet space is being weakened
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN - OCTOBER 13 Russian President Vladimir Putin speeches during his press conference at the Commonwealth of Independent States's Head of States Meeting at the Ala-Archa State Residence, October 13,2023, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images)Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that a number of countries are acting in a way that is "directly aimed" at weakening power the post-Soviet space. Russia called on the CIS, a regional intergovernmental organization in Eurasia, to beef up collective security. Putin said Russia and its neighbors faced common threats of terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal migration, as well as radicalism and extremism. The CIS includes Russia and former Soviet republics including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, formely Pishpek, Putin, Holly Ellyatt Organizations: Commonwealth, Independent, Indendent, CIS, Commonwealth of Independent States, RIA Novosti, EU, Georgia Locations: BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, formely, Frunze, Central Asia, Commonwealth, Russian, Moscow, Russia, Eurasia, Soviet, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Baltic, Moldova, Ukraine

☆ Life in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia oblast, from an expert who just visited the front lines
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

Ukrainian soldiers, go away." And there were Ukrainian soldiers chit-chatting with the older ladies there buying food. I spoke with Ukrainian soldiers in Zaporizhzhia. The same set of Ukrainian soldiers that's been serving has been serving for more than 600 days. When you talk to actual Ukrainians, they're not getting caught up in, "Is it Crimea?

Persons: Melinda Haring, Haring, —, It's, There's, Mykola Vinnichenko, Andrey Liscovich, it's, They're flinty, haven't, that's, there's, they're, What's, would've, I'm, Nobody, we've, Putin, let's, He'll, he'll, — you've, you've, Ukraine —, We're, They're Organizations: Atlantic Council, Service, Eurasia Center, Ukraine doesn't, NATO, CNN Locations: Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Orikhiv, Kyiv, Orkihiv, Washington, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, There's, Crimea, Russia, Poland, Baltic, United States, NATO, Taiwan

HELSINKI (AP) — Finland and Estonia said Sunday that the undersea Balticconnector gas pipeline running between the two countries across the Baltic Sea was temporarily taken out of service due to a suspected leak. Gasgrid Finland and Elering, the Finnish and Estonian gas system operators, said they noted an unusual drop in pressure in the pipeline shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, after which they shut down the gas flow. “Based on observations, it was suspected that the offshore pipeline between Finland and Estonia was leaking,” Gasgrid Finland said in a statement. After the shutdown of Balticconnector, gas for Estonian consumers was coming from Latvia, it said. The pipeline is bi-directional, transferring natural gas between Finland and Estonia depending on demand and supply.

Persons: Elering, Kai Mykkänen, “, ” Organizations: HELSINKI, —, Sunday, Nord, Nordic, European Union, NATO, Moscow Locations: — Finland, Estonia, Baltic, Finland, Estonian, Germany, Russia, Inkoo, Latvia, Paldiski, Lithuania, Ukraine

Nearly $100 billion in military aid to UkraineIndividual countries around the world have committed nearly $100 billion in direct military assistance to Ukraine. The US Congress has approved around $46.6 billion in direct military aid to Ukraine since NATO countries began organizing support for Ukraine a month before the full-scale invasion, data shows. This is part of a total $113 billion aid budget for both defense and civilian needs – though not all of it is meant to go directly to Ukraine. The United Kingdom has pledged more than $7 billion in direct military aid. Around 78% of Poland’s direct support for Ukraine goes to refugee costs – $17 billion out of nearly $22 billion.

Persons: CNN —, that’s, –, Kevin McCarthy, Joshua Berlinger Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, Republicans, Kiel Institute, NATO, Union, European Union, Russia —, Latvia —, United Nations, UN, US Locations: Ukraine, United States, Russia, Germany, Denmark, Poland, United Kingdom, Kiel, Norway, Baltic, Russia — Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia

According to preliminary results released by Slovakia’s Statistical Office at 6 a.m. local time, Robert Fico’s populist SMER party won 23.3% of the vote. While in opposition, Fico became a close ally of Hungary’s Prime Minister Victor Orban, especially when it came to criticism of the European Union. Fico previously served as Slovakia’s prime minister for more than a decade, first between 2006 and 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018. Kuciak reported on corruption among the country’s elite, including people directly connected to Fico and his party SMER. In the Czech Republic, which used to form one country with Slovakia, 71% of people blame Russia for the war.

Persons: Robert Fico’s, Fico, upend, Peter Pellegrini, Hlas, ”, Pellegrini, Slovakia “, “, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Victor Orban, Orban, Jan Kuciak, Martina Kušnírová, Kuciak, Věra Jourová, GlobSec, – Organizations: CNN, Kremlin, NATO, Slovakia’s, SMER, Progressive, Ukrainian, Ukraine, European Union, Russia, Hungary’s, European, Justice, Kyiv Locations: Slovakia, Ukraine, Progressive Slovakia, Slovak, Kyiv, Brussels, Russia, Bratislava, Baltic, Czech Republic, States

☆ Slovak election: A NATO country could soon have a pro-Russian leader
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Fico previously served as Slovakia’s prime minister for more than a decade, first between 2006 and 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018. Heger continued as a caretaker prime minister but he, too, ended up quitting in May and was replaced by a technocrat, Ludovit Odor. Eduard Heger, pictured in Tallinn, Estonia, in November 2022, resigned as caretaker prime minister in May. In the Czech Republic, which used to form one country with Slovakia, 71% of people blame Russia for the war. “The government took a very quick and firm decision — and I’d say in doing so found itself on the right side of the history — to support Ukraine,” he said.

Persons: Robert Fico’s, Kyiv’s, “, ”, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Fico, Grigorij, Jan Kuciak, Martina Kušnírová, Kuciak, Igor Matovič, Matovič, Eduard Heger, Heger, Ints Kalnins, ” Mesežnikov, “ SMER, GlobSec, —, Dominika Hajdu, Mesežnikov Organizations: CNN, Kremlin, NATO, Institute of Public Affairs, Voters, Independent, Republika, for Democracy, Resilience, Austro, Ukraine, “, it’s, European Union Locations: Slovakia, Russia, Ukraine, Slovak, Moscow, SMER, Tallinn, Estonia, ” Slovakia, Bratislava, Baltic, Czech Republic, States, Hungary, Trianon, “ Slovakia

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