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opinion Nikolaus von Twickel

The World Missed the Warning of 2014 Ukraine Invasion

Ten years on, the Battle of the Donbas shows that the West should never have assumed they could work with Russia like business as usual.

opinion Nikolaus von Twickel

Russia’s Rushed Referendums

Moscow’s decision to hold “referendums” in the occupied Ukrainian regions about joining Russia was both expected and unexpected. Expected...

opinion Nikolaus von Twickel

Can Ukraine and Russia Make Things Work This Time?

The next steps towards reconciliation are going to be extremely difficult and painful for a number of reasons.

opinion Nikolaus von Twickel

MH17: A Tragedy That Did Not Change the War

The MH17-effect turned out to have less of an effect on the course of the conflict than originally thought.

opinion Nikolaus von Twickel

The State of Play in the Donbass

The European public has become comfortably numb about the war in the Donbass.

Classic MT: Space Race Started With a Cosmic Blunder

On Oct. 5, 1957, the main headline on Pravda's front page said the country should prepare for winter. The real news of the day, however, was somewhat clumsily...

Camera-Wielding Fleet Wages War on Bad Parking

When it comes to parking, Moscow has long been gripped by anarchy. Anybody who has walked the city will confirm that drivers habitually park their cars...

Ingush Ski Slope Opens Without Snow

After months of delays, Ingushetia's first ski slope has finally opened.

EU Commission Meeting to Be 'Largest Ever'

Moscow will see an unprecedented influx of EU officials this Thursday when European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso and 16 commissioners arrive...

Missile Defense Is a Nice Problem to Have

Washington's decision to scrap the last phase of the planned NATO missile shield for Europe elicited expectations that U.S.-Russian relations might...

Corruption Fight Progressing, Watchdog Says

Europe's top intergovernmental corruption watchdog has found that Russia has made modest progress in fighting graft between 2010 and 2012.

Stephen Fry Interviews Milonov for Gay Documentary

British actor and celebrity Stephen Fry sat down on Thursday for an interview with Vitaly Milonov, the author of St. Petersburg's controversial gay...

Navalny Targets Senator Malkin

Federation Council Senator Vitaly Malkin has become the latest lawmaker to be targeted by anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny for unethical behavior...

Navalny Targets Senator Malkin

Federation Council Senator Vitaly Malkin has become the latest lawmaker to be targeted by anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny for unethical behavior...

Kickbacks Still 'Dwarf' Top Officials' Salaries, Despite Raises

The salaries of top state employees have doubled since December, but such remunerations remain minute compared with unlawful kickbacks to the echelons...

Lugovoi Ends Cooperation With London Over Litvinenko

State Duma Deputy Andrei Lugovoi announced Tuesday that he would no longer cooperate with British authorities over the case of Alexander Litvinenko,...

EU Visa Deal Looks Likely, But Catches Remain

A much-touted agreement with the European Union making travel easier for businesspeople, students, NGO workers and other professionals might go into force...

Hollande and Putin Warm Relations

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday hosted his French counterpart Francois Hollande for four-hour-long talks in the Kremlin, which diplomats said were...

Internet Sleuths a Real Threat to Lawmakers

The ouster of Vladimir Pekhtin from the State Duma is considered a milestone victory for opposition-minded online sleuths like blogger Doctor Z, so much...

Hollande Coming to Moscow to Meet With Putin

Just days after French film star turned Russian citizen Gerard Depardieu provoked mockery and disgust by dining and dancing with Chechen strongman Ramzan...

No Visas for Accredited Olympic Members

Athletes, coaches, journalists and support staff will not need to obtain Russian visas to attend the Winter Games. But regular fans will.

Ulyanovsk Hub Not Getting Much Use by NATO

NATO and Russia pride themselves on cooperation over Afghanistan and the fight against terrorists and pirates, but a planned logistics hub to transport...

Moscow Gives Up Hopes for Visa-Free Olympics

An easing of visa requirements for Europeans is unlikely even for next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, as officials from both Moscow and the EU...

EasyJet Still Has No Permit for Flights

Exactly one month before the launch of flights between Moscow and London, British no-frills carrier EasyJet has confirmed that it has yet to receive...

Mafia War Brewing After Killing of Usoyan

Less than a month after the violent death of legendary crime boss Aslan Usoyan, better known as Grandpa Khasan, there is growing evidence that a bloody...

Sochi Is a Hard Nut to Crack for PR Gurus

One year before the Winter Olympics are to kick off, it looks like Sochi 2014 is getting mired in controversy.

Foreign Agent Law Complaint Sent to Strasbourg

Eleven prominent rights groups have sent a complaint against Russia’s so-called foreign agent law, which targets NGOs engaged in political activities...

Bilalov to Lose 'All Positions'

If President Vladimir Putin’s word is the law, then Akhmed Bilalov will have to give up at least three jobs: deputy president of the Russian Olympic...

Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Named EU Envoy

The European Union has picked former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas to head its delegation to Russia.

Georgian Wine Could Be Allowed by Spring, Onishchenko Says

Georgian wine and mineral water could return to Russian store shelves as early as this spring, Russia’s chief sanitary official said Monday.

Sochi Olympics Most Expensive in History

One year before they kick off, the Sochi Winter Olympics have already bagged a world record. They will go down as the most expensive games in history...

Winter Time Decision Near, Kozak Says

The government will make a decision in the coming days regarding whether to turn back the country's clocks one hour because of the Olympic Games...

Last Year's Repression 'Worst' in Decades

A leading rights group lashed out at President Vladimir Putin on Thursday by saying he had “unleashed the worst political crackdown” in the country’s...

Kerry Seen as Best Choice for Putin

Moscow pundits gave a warm welcome to John Kerry on Tuesday, as U.S. senators were expected to confirm their veteran colleague as secretary of state...

Ingushetia Unveils Plan to Lure Skiers

Skiers, mountain hikers and sports enthusiasts can add another unconventional destination to their travel schedule: Ingushetia is to open its first...

In Protest, U.S. Quits Working Group

Washington has effectively ended a key working group with Moscow for discussing human rights and democracy, arguing that the panel had become meaningless...

Georgia-Russia Relations Warming

A cocktail-party chat that lasted only minutes has triggered hopes that the country's troubled relations with Georgia might be headed for substantial...

U.S. Quits Key Bilateral Working Group

The United States has quit a key bilateral platform for discussing human rights and democracy with Russian officials because of "new restrictions...

Suicide Sheds Light on Asylum Challenges

The suicide of activist Alexander Dolmatov in a Dutch extradition center has highlighted the challenges for Russian opposition members to get political...

Olympic Committee Requests Turning Clocks Back for 2014 Winter Games

The International Olympic Committee, or IOC, has asked the government to turn clocks back one hour so that European television viewers can enjoy the 2014...

Russia Needs Immigrants, FMS Chief Says

Russia urgently needs to attract immigrants over the coming years to avoid labor shortages, the country’s top migration officer said Monday.

Holland Accused in Opposition Activist's Suicide

Friends and lawyers over the weekend accused the Netherlands of complicity in the suicide of opposition activist Alexander Dolmatov in a Dutch extradition...

Germany Tries Couple on Spy Charges

Germany put a married couple thought to be in their mid-40s on trial this week on suspicion that they spied for Russia for more than two decades...

Reputed Mob Boss Usoyan Shot Dead

One of the country's purportedly most influential crime bosses was killed by a sniper in broad daylight Wednesday, police said, prompting fears of a...

Kadyrov Faces Sanctions Under Magnitsky Act

One month after U.S. President Barack Obama signed the Magnitsky Act, it is clear that Russo-American relations have entered a difficult period.

Depardieu Weighs In on Russian Politics

Actor and newly minted Russian citizen Gerard Depardieu belittled the country's opposition as disoriented and attacked foreign critics of the prosecution...

EU-Russian Visa Regime Hot Topic at Summit

The European Union insists that Russia agree to its terms for a visa facilitation agreement before any progress can be made toward a visa-free travel...

Putin Shows He's Back in Business

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signaled a return to the classic days of his presidency by presiding over a 4 1/2-hour news conference, which...

Tough Talks Expected At EU-Russia Summit

President Vladimir Putin will meet with European Union leaders in Brussels on Friday for a pre-Christmas summit, but the mood will hardly be festive...

Deputies Threaten Harsh Measures Against U.S.-Linked NGOs

As the State Duma considers a bill countering the U.S. Magnitsky Act, a group of lawmakers is threatening to add a provision that would massively...

Medvedev Upholds Strict Gun Laws

The prime minister calls a U.S. school shooting a "horrifying tragedy" and says he opposes public ownership of firearms.

NATO General Says Russian Air Hub Being Tested

A planned air cargo route for NATO countries' military equipment from Afghanistan via Ulyanovsk is being testing and should be operating soon, a top...

General: NATO Air Hub Being Tested

A planned air cargo route for NATO countries' military equipment from Afghanistan via Ulyanovsk is being tested and should be operating soon, a top...

Russia Implicated in Litvinenko Death

The dramatic affair about the death of Alexander Litvinenko resurfaced with force Thursday, when a lawyer told a London judicial hearing that an initial...

Putin Offers Little Political Reform

The government will continue to bolster the country's economic and military prowess as well as dole out benefits to citizens, but political change...

NATO's Volga Airport Hits Snarl

Five months after Moscow finalized an agreement with NATO to use Ulyanovsk's airport for transporting military equipment from Afghanistan, not a single...

TV Channels Passing Blame Over Leaked Medvedev Comments

Television channels were passing the blame Monday after unofficial footage from an interview with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was leaked Friday.

EU Under Pressure to Draft Magnitsky List

European lawmakers say support from EU member countries for a black list of suspected human rights violators is growing.

Clinton and Lavrov Bicker Over OSCE

Open disagreement between Moscow and Washington over human rights and democracy as well as intra-organization infighting overshadowed high-level talks...

NATO Commitment to Georgia Still 'Solid'

Two months after an opposition party swept elections in Georgia, NATO on Tuesday reconfirmed its 2008 decision to treat the nation as a future member...

Lavrov's Injuries Are Subject of Speculation

Speculation regarding the health of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov lingered Wednesday, as news reports and the Foreign Ministry gave contradictory explanations...

Lavrov Yields to NATO Missile Plan in Turkey

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov signaled on Tuesday that Moscow was ready to improve cooperation with NATO by offering a slightly softened stance on Syria...

Pussy Riot Clip Classified as Extremist

A city court has declared Pussy Riot's “punk prayer” video extremist, meaning that media outlets can face closure for publishing the all-female band's...

Japanese Premier Postpones Visit Due to Putin's Health, Reports Say

Talk about Vladimir Putin's health resurfaced Friday after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda reportedly said he had postponed a visit to Moscow...

Better Business Climate Gets New Impetus

Business executives are urgently calling on the government to improve conditions for entrepreneurship, which they say remains massively underdeveloped...

Russia Threatens EU With 'Retaliation' if No Visa Deal by 2014

The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday threatened the European Union with "retaliation" if visa-free travel is not introduced in time for the Sochi Olympics...

Putin to Travel After 2 Months at Home

President Vladimir Putin is visiting Turkey and Turkmenistan next week, signaling that he is fit for travel again after a two-month hiatus that raised...

Court Ruling Ramps Up Pressure on Internet Providers to Block Content

A recent Supreme Court decision increases pressure on Internet providers to block websites without direct state interference, lawyers said Friday.

Kashin Fired From Kommersant

Kommersant has fired opposition-minded journalist Oleg Kashin for writing too much for other media and too little for his employer, the leading daily's...

Senior Lawmaker Suggests Lengthening Military Service

A senior lawmaker called for the service time for conscripts to be lengthened from one year to 18 months, but the Kremlin on Thursday quickly denied that...

Investigators Refuse to Open Case Into Razvozzhayev 'Torture'

The Investigative Committee won't open a criminal case into claims by detained opposition activist Leonid Razvozzhayev that he was kidnapped and tortured...

NGOs Face 'Foreign Agent' Harassment

On the day that a much-criticized "foreign agent" law came into force, at least four nongovernmental organizations that spearheaded the opposition...

Activists Scoff at NGO Law

Although much-debated amendments for nongovernmental organizations go into force this Wednesday, do not expect foreign-funded NGOs to rush to re-register...

Putin and Merkel Trade Barbs in Kremlin Talks

President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel traded barbs over Pussy Riot, human rights and democracy during Kremlin talks Friday that...

Putin and Merkel Spar Over Human Rights and Pussy Riot

President Vladimir Putin sparred with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over Pussy Riot, human rights and mutual criticism Friday, in what marked a new...

Peskov Plays Down Criticism Ahead of German Talks

On the eve of crucial talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman blamed "hotheads" and the start of the election...

Merkel Faces Balancing Act in Kremlin

Angela Merkel faces a seemingly impossible task in Moscow this Friday.

Internet Censorship Faces Obstacles

As the number of websites banned or blocked under the new Internet law grows, the country’s media watchdog backpedaled Tuesday by acknowledging that...

Duma Lawmaker Slams U.S. Vote as 'Unfair'

A prominent State Duma lawmaker who observed the United States presidential election lambasted the vote as “systemically unfair” and riddled with organizational...

U.S.-Russian Reset Likely to Lose Momentum

U.S. President Barack Obama’s re-election was widely praised in Moscow, although opposition leaders and analysts cautioned that the much-touted “reset”...

Putin's Crane Flight Hurt His Back, Report Says

Fresh speculation that President Vladimir Putin has health problems was swirling Thursday, when a media report said the 60-year-old was suffering from...

Navy and Courts' Migration North Draws Criticism

When the Navy's blue-and-white St. Andrews flag goes up on Wednesday above its new headquarters in St. Petersburg, the landmark Admirality building...

'Frost' Delays Putin Call-In Show

President Vladimir Putin has postponed his annual call-in show on state television to the summertime, so that participants’ “ears and feet” won’t...

Airlines Face Visa Woes

Just two days before a Moscow-imposed ultimatum, some European airlines do not have Russian visas for their crews, while those who obtained them complained...

Despite Abduction, Russians Still Seeking Freedom in Ukraine

Despite the harrowing kidnapping of opposition activist Leonid Razvozzhayev by Russian agents, other dissenters are pressing ahead in their bids for political...

No Time Change This Fall

When Europe turns its clocks back an hour Sunday, two nations are going to have it their own way: Russia and Belarus will move out of step with much...

Razvozzhayev Tells Harrowing Tale

Opposition leaders and human rights groups on Wednesday lambasted the apparent kidnapping and torture of Left Front activist Leonid Razvozzhayev as a return...

Russian Lawmakers to Observe U.S. Elections

When Olga Alimova flies to Washington next month, it will be the first time the Communist State Duma deputy visits the United States.

Yevkurov Denies Persecuting Opposition Leader

Ingush leader Yunus-Bek Yevkurov on Tuesday dismissed allegations that his administration is persecuting a local opposition leader.

Germany's Publicizing of Spy Case Causes Head-Scratching

The German government offered the Kremlin a spy swap involving the exchange of a couple arrested in Germany on charges of being Russian sleeper...

Radio Liberty Hiring New Team, Executive Says

Radio Liberty is hiring dozens of staff to rebuild its operations in a modern multimedia format, a senior executive of the station's parent company...

Radio Liberty's Fate Unclear

Soviet listeners tuned in to Radio Liberty, Voice of America and the British Broadcasting Corp.'s Russian service to get objective information.

EU Airlines Face Visa Ultimatum

The crews of some European airlines will need visas to enter Russia as of Nov. 1 if the European Union does not scrap its visa policy for Russian...

Rights Activists Frustrated by Nobel Peace Prize Choice

Russian human rights activists expressed dismay at the news that the EU will be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Sobyanin Speaks Out Against Building Many Mosques

Mayor Sergei Sobyanin spoke out against construction of a large number of mosques for the city's booming Muslim population because many worshippers...

Nuclear Disarmament Program's End Draws Near

News that Moscow wants to end a multibillion-dollar program with Washington to dismantle nuclear and chemical weapons triggered fears Thursday that...

German NGOs Need Work Permits

German nongovernmental organizations operating in Russia are facing bureaucratic troubles because their foreign staff is now required to obtain work...

Medvedev Praises Win by Georgian Opposition

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev praised the results of Georgia's parliamentary elections, in which the main opposition coalition defeated the party...

Moscow Silent Ahead of Key Georgian Vote

When Georgia elects a new parliament Monday, the small South Caucasus nation is likely to get the most global attention it's received since its 2008...

Medvedev Seen Hanging in the Balance

When Dmitry Medvedev announced on Sept. 24, 2011, that he would step aside to let Vladimir Putin return as president, he disappointed critics and supporters...