Igor Ivanov's appointment as Russian foreign minister is being marked by a recrudescence of the anti-Baltic campaign launched by his predecessor, Yevgeny Primakov. The new minister gave the signal on September 22 and 23, in his maiden address to the UN General Assembly and a... MORE

As payment for part of its arrears, the Moldovan government has tentatively approved a plan to turn over to Gazprom 50 percent of stock in the country's gas supply system. Moreover, Transdniester would receive 13 percent of the stock under this scheme, which would lay... MORE

A Russian political group has called on the State Duma to examine a Russian-Japanese fishing agreement that came into force earlier this year. The Public Committee for the Defense of the Kurils and of the Territorial Integrity of Russia, which met in Moscow yesterday, urged... MORE

A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman suggested to reporters yesterday that the spy scandal which erupted this week between Finland and Russia "is virtually over." Valery Nesterushkin said that there are "no signs that the scandal will continue." Nesterushkin also conceded, however, that other figures connected... MORE

To persuade the IMF, World Bank and Western governments to release more funds on the basis that tougher domestic policies will soon be undertaken is to ask for yet another round of loans in exchange for promises. Such pledges of tougher action look especially unconvincing... MORE

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, may run for governor of Leningrad Oblast, according to Aleksei Mitrofanov, deputy leader of the party's faction in the Duma. The post has fallen vacant following the appointment of Vadim Gustov as first deputy premier in charge... MORE

Russia and the West appeared to be moving in opposite directions on the issue of Kosovo yesterday, as NATO leaders advanced the alliance closer to military actions in Yugoslavia while Moscow continued to insist that a foreign military intervention could destabilize a large part of... MORE

Russian economic policy remains in a state of confusion with conflicting policy pronouncements coming from different parts of the government. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Shokhin, who has oversight of financial policy, said yesterday that he would be negotiating over the next few days with the... MORE

The first thousand cubic meters of natural gas from Turkmenistan has been delivered to Iran through the Korpeje-Kurt Kui gas pipeline. The event marks the opening of the first-ever gas export route out of Turkmenistan that does not go to Russia. It is also the... MORE

Russian and Armenian troops began yesterday a joint combat exercise at regimental level. It is being held at the Marshal Baghramian training range and surrounding area in Armavir county under the joint command of Lieutenant-General Nikolai Andreyev, commander of the Russian Group of Forces in... MORE