Topic: Crimea

Global News Blog Got an appointment with Vladimir Putin? Better bring a book.

It doesn't matter if you're a business leader, a prime minister, royalty, or even the pope: Russian President Vladimir Putin keeps everyone waiting, sometimes for hours.

Ukraine's trial of Yulia Tymoshenko backfires

Unkrainian President Viktor Yanukovych appears to have miscalculated the political consequences of bringing a corruption case against his rival, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Ukraine struggles to balance lure of Europe, pull of Russia

Russia is dangling billion-dollar benefits if Ukraine joins a Moscow trade alliance, a move that would scuttle Kiev's chance at an EU free-trade deal.

Ukraine's dangerous ode to Stalin

Ukraine-Russia relations: Why Kiev made a dramatic U-turn back toward Moscow

President Viktor Yanukovich was elected in February on pledges to restore Ukraine-Russia relations. But he has acted more swiftly than anyone imagined, reversing the pro-West moves of the Orange Revolution.

Eggs flying in Parliament, Ukraine approves deal for closer Russia ties

The Ukraine parliament approved a deal today to extend a Russia naval lease on Sevastopol in exchange for cheaper gas, despite an egg-throwing fracas by enraged opposition members.

Ukraine heads back into the arms of Mother Russia

Despite a dispute over fraud allegations in the wake of Sunday's presidential vote in Ukraine, pro-Russian candidate Viktor Yanukovich is set to become the next president in what will be a dramatic shift back to pro-Kremlin policies.

Ukraine tense as election fraud allegations fly

The Ukraine Central Election Commission posted an announcement late Monday on its website showing Viktor Yanukovich is in the lead to be Ukraine's next president. But his main rival Yulia Tymoshenko is alleging fraud.

Ukraine braces for political showdown

Ukraine votes Feb. 7 in a runoff between bitter rivals Yulia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yanukovych that some say could destabilize the democratic process.

Ukraine presidential race revives bitter rivalry

After voters on Sunday rejected incumbent President – and 'Orange Revolution' hero – Viktor Yushchenko, the Feb. 7 second round will revolve around the starkly differing styles of rivals Yulia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yanukovich.

Would Russia really use nuclear weapons against neighbors?

A new Russian doctrine – which says it can use nuclear weapons preemptively against small regional adversaries – is seen either as a sign of aggression or bluster to mask insecurity.

When the Berlin Wall came down

Twenty years later, the rest of the world is a different place because of that event.

Opinion: A wake-up call for Georgia, Ukraine – and the West

Bickering and divisiveness among democrats within former Soviet states could lead to authoritarian, anti-Western rule.

Exiled by Stalin, Ukraine's Tatars still struggling to recover

Many Tatars have returned to the Crimean Peninsula, but they continue fight for the return of their land and rights.

The Rose of Sebastopol

A shy, stay-at-home young woman becomes the unlikely heroine of this highly entertaining historical novel.

Letters to the Editor

Readers write about how Hamas is treated in Western media, holding politicians responsible for their actions, why the US should take the lead in helping Zimbabwe, and how Russia's actions have provoked Ukraine.

The Monitor's View: Ukraine needlessly pokes Russia

Kiev is provoking Russia in the gas crisis and other ways. It's a backfire strategy.

Opinion: Europe, not the US, can get Russia to behave

Europe must take advantage of its special pull on Russians.

Putin: Ukraine gave military aid to Georgia in war with Russia

The Russian prime minister called Ukraine's involvement a 'crime,' but still agrees to a gas contract with Kiev.

The Monitor's View: Medvedev's 'principles'

In foreign policy, Russia's president is straddling two different centuries.

Post-Soviet 'frozen conflicts' heat up as big-power interests collide

Tensions are growing as NATO and a resurgent Russia divide over future of breakaway statelets.

U.N. takes up Russia-Georgia crisis over downed drone

The Security Council meets today to discuss Tbilisi's allegation that Russia shot down its spy aircraft. Moscow says the drone's flight over the breakaway region of Abkhazia violates a cease-fire.