russia

Not So Fast, Putin

Aug 11, 2007
For years the North Pole has been considered international territory, and that seemed to suit everyone just fine until global warming came along, making it theoretically easier to extract oil and gas from the region. The Russians kicked off the land grab by planting an underwater flag, and now Denmark is launching a similar expedition. Canada, Norway and the U.S. also have territory disputes in the Arctic.
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Russian Flag on North Pole Seabed

Aug 3, 2007
Although Canada and the U.S., among other nations, are disputing Russia's claim to vast territory in the Arctic, Russia has planted its flag on the ocean floor at the North Pole. Why does it matter? Well, some 25 percent of the Earth's oil reserves might be at stake.

Russia Claims Much of Arctic

Jul 25, 2007
Russia is launching an underwater expedition to the North Pole in order to back up its claim to a massive section of the Arctic, which may contain vast energy reserves. "The Arctic is ours and we should demonstrate our presence," said a Russian parliamentarian and explorer who will participate in the flag-planting expedition.

Gone Fishin’: Bush and Putin Try to Patch Things Up

Jul 2, 2007
President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin once gazed into each other's eyes and each found a friend, but developments with a proposed missile defense shield, Iran and Kosovo have strained the relationship. So the two have scheduled some male-bonding time at the Bush family resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, where they'll try to relieve some of their tension by fishing.

U.S. Sticks to Its Missiles in Eastern Europe

Jun 15, 2007
Defense Secretary Robert Gates is shooting down a proposition from Russia to swap out the US's planned missile shield in Eastern Europe for a radar system in Azerbaijan, according to the Associated Press Meanwhile, ABC News reports that higher-ups from Russia's Energia Space Rocket Corp are concerned that U-originated equipment aboard the space station may have caused a "fatal flaw" in the works.

Rice, Putin Trade Sharp Words

May 11, 2007
Russian President Vladimir Putin, awaiting a visit by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, compared U foreign policy to that of the Nazis in the 1930s Meanwhile, Rice criticized Putin's administration for centralizing too much power at the Kremlin .

Putin Blasts Missile Shield Scheme

Apr 26, 2007
Russian President Vladimir Putin took a moment during his final parliamentary address to make it eminently clear that he disapproves of a U.S. plan to create a missile shield in Eastern Europe, vowing to put a hold on Russian compliance with a key European military treaty in retaliation.

Yeltsin Mourned, Buried in Moscow

Apr 25, 2007
Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, the country's first elected president, was laid to rest in Moscow on Wednesday. Former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush joined other dignitaries for the state funeral at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the first such ceremony for a Russian leader to be held in a church in more than 100 years.

Boris Yeltsin Dead at 76

Apr 23, 2007
The Kremlin released word on Monday of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin's death, apparently of heart failure. Yeltsin leaves behind a complex legacy. He was instrumental in Russia's transformation from Soviet state to democracy, but, as Mikhail Gorbachev noted, Yeltsin also made some "serious errors."