Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov renewed Moscow's attack on NATO enlargement yesterday, calling it a move in the wrong direction and one which would only create new dividing lines in Europe. Ivanov's remarks came during talks in Moscow with Knut Vollebaek, current chairman of the... MORE

The mood music in the talks between Russia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lightened a bit, with hints that the Primakov government may win an agreement to restructure its debt to the Fund and even to receive fresh credits. The change in atmosphere... MORE

Yesterday's government meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov on President Boris Yeltsin's orders, did not approve the use of force in solving the Chechen conflict sparked by the abduction of General Gennady Shpigun. In fact, no decision at all was taken at... MORE

While Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbaev maintains a resentful silence in the Berezovsky affair, other Kazakh officials have taken to lecturing Moscow on international law and organizational due process. Following Prime Minister Nurlan Balgimbaev (see the Monitor, March 9), the heads of the international affairs commissions... MORE

Karimov took the opportunity of Shevardnadze's visit to break his silence over the Kremlin's violation of CIS collegial prerogatives in replacing CIS Executive Secretary Boris Berezovsky. "Such a precedent is intolerable," Karimov said. "I told Boris Yeltsin that the CIS has a charter and procedural... MORE

Presidents Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan and Eduard Shevardnadze of Georgia, meeting yesterday in Tashkent, confirmed their intention to quit the CIS Collective Security Treaty when it comes up for renewal next month (see the Monitor, February 5, 23, March 1). The presidents also indicated at... MORE

For the time being, at least, Sergeev seems safe. During a series of ceremonies which surrounded Russia's February 23 military holiday (see the Monitor, February 24, 26), the Russian president appeared to give Sergeev an unqualified show of support. That demonstration followed a meeting earlier... MORE

Intense, behind the scenes maneuvering is reportedly continuing among top-ranking Russian military officials over a proposal which would unify command of Russia's nuclear forces under the Strategic Missile Troops. The proposal is a controversial one which has been pushed by current Defense Minister Igor Sergeev,... MORE

Boris Yeltsin, who remains in the Central Clinical Hospital, where he is being treated for a bleeding ulcer, has tasked Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov with implementing Interior Minister Sergei Stepashin's program of measures for dealing with the Shpigun kidnapping and the overall crisis in Chechnya.... MORE

While tensions between Moscow and Djohar (Grozny) remain high after the March 5 kidnapping of General Gennady Shpigun, Russian officials yesterday toned down their rhetoric somewhat. Even as the deadline which Moscow set for Shpigun's release arrived, Oleg Sysuev, first deputy head of the Kremlin... MORE