VISUAL REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: Krym Nash Trumps Yury Gagarin
Russians today are more proud of annexing Crimea than they are of their accomplishments in space exploration or literature.
Ukrainian PM Says Blockade Forces Firms To Buy From Russia
In an interview, Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman said that the nationalist blockade of coal supplies from separatist territory in the east is forcing Ukrainian firms to buy coal from Russia.
Ukraine Simplifies Legal Process For Gender Transition
Ukraine's Health Ministry has taken steps to reduce the legal obstacles faced by transgender people.
OTHER NEWS
Separatists Seize Ukraine Billionaire's Operations As Tensions Rise Over Blockade
Russia-backed separatists paralyzed a telecom firm and a charity controlled by Ukraine’s richest man, escalating tensions over a trade blockade between separatist-controlled territory and the rest of the country.
Kremlin 'Waiting' For Indications About Trump Policies On Russia
Russia has said it is waiting with "patience" for indications about the future course of Washington's policy toward Moscow.
Sweden To Bring Back Conscription
Sweden announced March 2 that it will reintroduce compulsory military service starting this summer to respond to global security challenges.
Ukraine To Sell Off Thousands Of State-Owned Enterprises
In an interview with Current Time TV, Prime Minister Volodymyr Hroysman said that the government plans to auction off 3,500 state-owned enterprises, most of which serve as “feeders of their directors.” (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Republican Senator Expects Bipartisan Support For Renaming Washington Street
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio said he expects bipartisan support for renaming the street in front of the Russian Embassy in Washington to honor Russia's slain opposition politician Boris Nemtsov.
Moldova Recalls Russia Envoy, To Moscow’s Surprise
Russia has voiced surprise at Moldova's decision to recall its envoy from Moscow, saying it had not been officially notified of the move.
Transdniestrian Parliament Adopts Russian Flag As State Symbol
Cting the desire to be “reunited with Russia,” the legislative branch of Moldova’s self-declared Transdniester Republic has adopted a bill recognizing the Russian tricolor flag as a state symbol. (In Russian, Current Time TV)
EU Foreign Policy Chief Begins Tour Of Western Balkans
At the start of a tour through the Western Balkans on March 2, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told lawmakers in Montenegro to press on with efforts to join the 28-nation bloc despite regional tensions.
Macedonian Opposition Leader Refused Mandate To Form Government
Macedonia's President Gjorge Ivanov says he will not give a mandate to Social Democratic Union leader Zoran Zaev to form a government, despite documents showing that Zaev has support for a majority coalition in parliament.
France Court Postpones Decision On Extradition Of Ex-Kosovo PM
A French appeals court has postponed a decision on the extradition of former Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who was a guerrilla commander during the 1998-99 Kosovo war.
Nazarbaev Recommends Dropping Proposed Amendment On Private-Property
Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbaev has recommended that a controversial proposal for a constitutional amendment on private property ownership be abandoned, saying "the issue is sensitive and not supported by many people in the country."
Kyrgyz Party Claims Leader's Arrest Linked To Plane Crash Probe
The turmoil in Kyrgyzstan over the arrest of opposition party leader Omurbek Tekebaev has taken a new turn amid claims that he was targeted for prosecution to suppress evidence that a cargo plane which crashed outside the capital in January was carrying goods belonging to President Almazbek Atambaev.
Karimov Nephew Released From Uzbek Psychiatric Clinic
A journalist and nephew of late Uzbek President Islam Karimov has been released from a psychiatric clinic where he was held almost continuously for more than 10 years.
THE POWER VERTICAL: Belarus And Russia: This Time It's Different
Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka seems to be doing what he does best: flirting with the West, antagonizing Russia, and implicitly threatening to stray from Moscow's orbit.
MOST READ/RUSSIA: Brazilian Separatist Fighter Grows Disillusioned In Donbas
Rafael Marques Lusvargui, a Brazilian citizen who initially fought with separatist forces in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region and is now in prison under Ukrainian authority, told RFE/RL that he came to Donbas to fight against what he believed was fascism. He said he grew disillusioned when separatists referred to his division as “monkeys from South America,” and after seeing how “the military suffers ...and how civilians suffer on both sides.” (Ukrainian Service, over 35k views on Russian Service website)