MOSCOW (RFE/RL)—An Armenian army unit participated in Saturday’s massive Russian military parade in Moscow held on the 70th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, which was also officially marked in Armenia. The 64-strong unit and similar contingents from Azerbaijan, several other ex-Soviet states as well as China and India joined…
Russia and China Plan EEU Integration, Silk Road Project
MOSCOW (TASS)—Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a joint statement Friday on cooperation on the construction of the joint Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and Silk Road projects. The document has been approved by the leaders of the two countries on the basis of bilateral talks held in the Kremlin. Vladimir…
Russia Addresses Armenian Concerns over Arms Sales to Baku
YEREVAN (RFE/RL)—Russia is addressing serious concerns that have been voiced by Armenia about its large-scale sales of offensive weapons to Azerbaijan, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian implied on Thursday. Ohanian stressed in that context the importance of Russian military aid to Armenia, saying that it is continuing unabated. “Very important [Russian-Armenian] documents signed recently also ensure…
Erdogan Snubs Putin’s Invite to Moscow Ceremony
MOSCOW—Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declined an invitation from his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to attend ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II, in an apparent diplomatic reprisal against the Russian leader’s decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide last month, the Hürriyet Daily News reports. Russian diplomatic…
Armenia Agrees on Russian Plan to Keep Nuclear Plant Alive
YEREVAN (Arka)—Armenia’s lawmakers gave their approval to two agreements signed with Russia that aim to prolong the operation of Armenia’s Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant through the provision of loans and grants. In December 2014, Russia and Armenia signed a cooperation agreement to extend the life of the second unit of the nuclear power plant until…
Lavrov Discusses Karabakh Conflict with OSCE Chairman
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the Nagorno-Karabkah conflict Wednesday with his Lithuanian counterpart Audronius Ažubalis, whose country holds the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Russian Itar-Tass news agency reported.
Four Armenians Among Injured in Moscow Blast
Official reports from Moscow indicate that four people with Armenian last names were among the injured in Monday’s deadly blast at the Domodedovo airport.
Lavrov, Davutoglu Discuss Cooperation, Band Together on Iran
Russian and Turkish foreign ministers signed a strategic cooperation protocol in a bid to enhance their bilateral relations Thursday ahead of a scheduled meeting Friday of a six-state meeting to discuss Iran’s nuclear issue.
Russian Leaders Hail ‘Strategic Partnership’ With Armenia, Azerbaijan
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have described their country’s relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan as a “strategic partnership” and called for the further expansion of Moscow’s ties with both countries.
Russian Duma Ratifies CSTO Rapid Reaction Forces
The lower house of Russia’s parliament on Wednesday ratified an agreement formalizing the creation of a rapid reaction force for the Collective Security Treaty Organization, bringing the Russian-led alliance closer to a more NATO-like structure.