Sunday 7 June 2015
U.S., Germany Still Back Russia Sanctions
The White House says President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have both agreed that economic sanctions against Russia should remain until the "full implementation" of the Minsk II peace accord and until Moscow respects Ukraine's sovereignty.
Ukraine Coast Guard Killed In Mine Blast
A small boat belonging to the Ukrainian Coast Guard has hit a mine off the coast of the eastern port city of Mariupol, causing an explosion that has killed one coastguard officer and wounded five others.
Navalny Rallies Voters In Siberia
Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny has visited Siberia's biggest city to urge voters to participate in primaries that will choose opposition candidates for regional elections.
Russia, Egypt Begin Joint Naval Drill
Russia's Defense Ministry says Russian and Egyptian warships have begun their first ever joint naval exercises in the Mediterranean.
Two Russians Abducted in Darfur Freed
Two Russians kidnapped in Sudan's restive Darfur region in January have been freed by their captors, a spokesman for Russia's embassy in Khartoum said on June 6.
Ukraine Looms Large At G7 Summit
U.S. President Barack Obama said ahead of a Group of Seven (G7) summit that the meeting would look at how to stand up to Russia's "aggression" in Ukraine and challenges posed by Islamic extremism.
Diplomat To Leave Ukraine OSCE Role
The Swiss government says diplomat Heidi Tagliavini will step down as the representative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) representative in talks between Moscow, Kyiv, and pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine.
Moscow Rally Held For Science Fund
The rally on June 6 comes two weeks after Justice Ministry officials put the private Dynasty Foundation -- a top sponsor of science in Russia -- on its list of foreign agents.
Chechnya's Best-Kept Secret: The Workings of the Akhmad Kadyrov Fund
Among the damaging allegations made against Ramzan Kadyrov in a recent documentary is the claim that all Chechens have to give some of their salary to a murky fund named after the Chechen leader's late father.
In Moscow, Plans For Statue Of Kyiv Prince Vladimir Face Opposition
A giant statue of the ruler of Kievan Rus is to be built this year at a prominent spot above the Moscow River in Russia's capital. The plan has plenty of opponents -- some of whom say Russian President Vladimir Putin is co-opting a symbol of Kyiv at a time of great strife between Russia and Ukraine.
Bowing Out, NATO's Man In Moscow On Deteriorating Ties
Robert Pszczel, the outgoing head of NATO's information bureau in Moscow, looks back at the sharp decline in the alliance's relations with Russia during his four-year tenure.
Ukraine Military Says One Serviceman Killed In Past 24 Hours
The Ukrainian military says one serviceman has been killed and 10 have been wounded as a result of fighting in the country's eastern territories in the past 24 hours.