Russia and the West continued to butt heads yesterday over the issue of Moscow's participation in the international security force now deploying into Kosovo. Russian President Boris Yeltsin and U.S. President Bill Clinton discussed the issue by telephone yesterday--their second such conversation in two days--but... MORE

On June 12 in Astana, Kazakh Prime Minister Nurlan Balgimbaev and Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Aksenenko discussed current difficulties which Kazakhstan is anxious to resolve in bilateral economic relations. The Kazakh side urgently needs Russian consent to transiting oil from Atyrau and gas... MORE

The Cooperative Partner-99 naval exercise starts in the Black Sea today, to continue until June 28 with massive participation of warships and naval aviation of NATO countries. While Russia is staying out as a demonstration of displeasure, Ukraine is participating in the joint exercise with... MORE

On June 11 Armenian President Robert Kocharian nominated Vazgen Sarkisian as prime minister--a direct consequence of the Unity bloc's victory in the May 30 parliamentary elections. Sarkisian is relinquishing the post of defense minister only to become the country's civilian strongman. His military associates are... MORE

Estonia's Defense Ministry announced on June 11 that it suspects, following a recent investigation, at least eighteen officers of having forged their higher-education diplomas and other credentials. The ministry has ordered a follow-up investigation and a more general check of personal data of military officers.... MORE

President Valdas Adamkus has nominated the Lithuanian-American Jonas Kronkaitis, a U.S. Army Reserves colonel, to the post of commander in chief of Lithuania's armed forces. The nomination is subject to parliamentary approval, which seems certain, particularly after its endorsement by Parliament Chairman Vytautas Landsbergis. Kronkaitis,... MORE

On June 10, the Supreme Court of Karachaevo-Cherkessia declared valid the results of the May 16 elections for the republic's head. That vote was one for Vladimir Semenov, the former head of Russia's ground forces and a Karachaev by nationality. The court's decision will now... MORE

On June 11, Russian Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin and Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov held talks in the Ingushetian capital of Magas. Their closed meeting lasted more than an hour, after which they were joined by Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Rushailo and Ingushetian President Ruslan Aushev.... MORE

The surprise entry of 200 Russian airborne troops into Kosovo early on June 12 has generated much speculation inside Russia about precisely who gave the orders and who is ultimately in charge in Moscow. Various Russian media have reported that Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin, presidential... MORE

The current confrontation between NATO and Russia reflects the enduring bitterness among much of Russia's political and military elite over the course of events in the Balkans. Although Russia--particularly in the person of special Balkans envoy Viktor Chernomyrdin--was party to the negotiations which eventually led... MORE