It was once the most destroyed city in Europe, until last year bearing a striking resemblance to Stalingrad. But, almost nine years after Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to recapture the separatist republic of Chechnya at any cost, its capital Grozny has been transformed. The bullet-ridden houses have disappeared. There is a new airport, with […]
‘West need not fear resurgent Russia’
Russia and the United States must lead efforts to replace existing arms limitation rules with an international, legally binding regime, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Sunday. The West need not fear Russia’s growing economic and political clout, Sergei Ivanov said on Sunday in a conciliatory speech that called for a new […]
British Council Row Escalates As Russia Arrests Director
The row between Russia and Britain over the fate of the British Council dramatically escalated today after the council confirmed that one of its senior British staff members – the son of Neil Kinnock – had been arrested. The council said it was "deeply concerned" for the safety of its British and Russian staff in […]
Russia Detains British Council Director
The row between Russia and Britain over the fate of the British Council escalated today when the council confirmed that one of its senior British staff members had been arrested. The council this morning said it was "deeply concerned" for the safety of its British and Russian staff in Russia after the detention last night […]
Putin’s meddling is baffling
The Russian parliamentary elections are over. Party strategists, local officials, factory managers and university lecturers, all drafted to get people into polling stations and vote for United Russia, can now enjoy a well-deserved break. But the job of explaining what happened on Sunday has just begun. Why, for example, did the Kremlin resort to such […]
Putin’s Dictatorial Streak
Russian President Vladimir Putin isn’t anywhere near as funny as his predecessor Boris Yeltsin, yet his actions are far more outrageous. He’s little short of a dictator too. Just over one week ago, Putin shocked both domestic onlookers and the international community by stating his plans to hold onto power at the end of […]