Western media is greeting the Biden administration’s Russian sanctions as “signaling a tougher stance on Russia than under former President Donald Trump.” Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin Wray hints at federal response to SolarWinds hack Kremlin: Musk invitation to Putin to chat on Clubhouse 'some kind of misunderstanding' Biden to sanction Russia over Navalny poisoning, jailing MORE likely thinks otherwise. It looks as if the Biden administration has blinked on Putin’s key foreign policy objective — the completion and operation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, delivering Russian gas to Europe. The sanctioning of a few Kremlin officials is petty change compared to the decade-long profitable effects of Russian pipeline politics. Indeed, the new U.S. sanctions do freeze foreign assets and impose travel restrictions on a number of Russian officials associated with the attempted poisoning and sham imprisonment of Putin opponent Aleksei Navalny . … [Read more...] about Do Biden’s ‘tough new sanctions’ give Putin Nord Stream 2?
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Russia warns western countries after ‘unacceptable’ sanctions
MOSCOW: Moscow hit back at western countries on Wednesday (Mar 3) for sanctioning senior Russian officials over the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, warning its foes "not to play with fire". The Kremlin accused Washington and Brussels of interference after the US and the EU introduced fresh penalties Tuesday over Navalny, who was jailed last month when he returned from Germany where he was recovering from exposure to a nerve agent. The sanctions further erode ties between Moscow and the West since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. "We believe such measures are absolutely unacceptable because they significantly damage already bad relations" with Washington and Brussels, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday. READ: US and EU impose sanctions on Russia over Navalny poisoning, jailing He said the new sanctions amounted to "interference" in Russia's domestic affairs and vowed to take action in response, without specifying measures. His … [Read more...] about Russia warns western countries after ‘unacceptable’ sanctions
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev celebrates his 90th birthday
Mikhail Gorbachev turned 90 on Tuesday, with several world leaders sending well-wishes to the former leader of the Soviet Union. The former leader of the Soviet Union and secretary-general of the Communist Party is considered by some as one of the greatest reformers of the 20th century — but remains a controversial figure at home. How did he celebrate his birthday? Still active, Gorbachev heads a political foundation and co-owns the Kremlin-critical newspaper, Novaya Gazeta . He celebrated his birthday while staying in a hospital as a precaution amid the coronavirus pandemic. Gorbachev was scheduled to have video calls with his aides and associates who gathered at his foundation to congratulate him. He also spoke with world leaders and read messages from admirers worldwide. Gorbi and the Germans: Mikhail Gorbachev at 90 Remembering the 'Fathers of Unity' The first and only president of the former Soviet Union turns 90 on March 2. Since German … [Read more...] about Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev celebrates his 90th birthday