VISUAL REPORTS
Citizenship Restored, Saakashvili Returns To Ukraine
Mikheil Saakashvili returned to Ukraine on May 29, one day after new President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reinstated the former Georgian leader's citizenship in a country he told RFE/RL he considers his homeland.
Diplomats Call For Calm As Kosovo-Serbia Dispute Heats Up
European diplomats are warning that a dispute pitting Serbia and Russia against Kosovo over a series of raids by Kosovar police in the country's Serb-dominated north threatens to ignite the Balkan region.
Woke In Kazakhstan: Viral Videos Open Eyes To Political Problems
A video of Kazakhs criticizing aspects of life in their country went viral and sparked a widespread debate ahead of June's presidential election.
OTHER NEWS
U.S. Says Russia May Be Testing Low-Yield Nukes
A top U.S. military official has said that U.S. intelligence agencies believe Russia may be conducting low-yield nuclear testing that may violate the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Lieutenant General Robert Ashley added on May 29 that Russia "has not been willing to affirm" it is adhering to the pact.
Putin Submits Bill To Suspend INF Treaty
Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted a bill to the State Duma on the suspension of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). It is scheduled for review by the Duma on June 18. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Russian, Iranian Diplomats Meet To Discuss Nuclear Deal
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi have met in Tehran to discuss issues related to the 2015 nuclear deal amid increased tension between Tehran and Washington.
May Sukhoi Superjet Crash Attributed To Human Error
Rosaviatsia, Russia’s federal air transport agency, has found that a Sukhoi plane that crashed at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on May 5, killing 41, was in ideal technical condition, attributing the tragedy to a “human factor.” Sergei Furgal, the governor of the Khabarovsk region where the plane is produced, has told Russian media that the production of the plane will not be stopped, but, on the contrary, will be increased. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Russian Intellectuals Rally Around Gulag Historian Facing Trial
Prominent Russian intellectuals and Soviet-era dissidents have attended an event to support gulag researcher and historian Yury Dmitriyev, who is on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting his adopted daughter, a charge he and his supporters vehemently deny as politically motivated.
Exhibition In Support Of Jehovah’s Witnesses Opens In St. Petersburg
A cultural center in St. Petersburg has launched “Without Witnesses,” an exhibit dedicated to the violation of the religious rights of minorities, including the persecution of members of Jehovah’s Witnesses, both in Nazi Germany and Modern Russia. The exhibit showcases photographs by imprisoned Jehovah’s Witness Dennis Christensen. (Russian service)
Zelenskiy Brings Crowdsourcing To Politics In Ukraine
Candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy crowdsourced his winning presidential campaign platform and potential cabinet picks on social media. On May 27, the new president announced an online contest for spots on his party’s ticket ahead of parliamentary elections set for July 21. His administration has also used a new online platform to solicit project ideas and applications for government positions.
Zelenskiy Submits Impeachment Bill To Ukrainian Parliament
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has submitted a bill to the parliament proposing procedures for removing a president from office. A spokesperson said that Zelenskiy did “what he promised during the election campaign.” (Ukrainian Service)
Four Killed In Military Helicopter Crash In Western Ukraine
An Mi-8 military helicopter crashed late on May 29 during a training exercise in western Ukraine, killing three crew members and their commander, Ukraine's military has said.
EU Commission Calls For Start Of North Macedonia, Albania Accession Talks
The European Commission has recommended the launch of EU accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania as soon as possible, saying the two Balkan countries have "delivered on reforms."
Kazakh Ex-President Collects Yet Another Title
Kazakhstan's former president, Nursultan Nazarbaev, has received yet another title -- honorary member of the Senate, the upper house of the Central Asian state's parliament.
Turkmen President Pardons Hundreds Of Inmates
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has pardoned 764 inmates to mark the Night of Revelation, an important religious event during the holy month of Ramadan.
Kyrgyz Authorities Probe Atambaev's Eavesdropping Accusations
Kyrgyz authorities have launched a probe into claims by former President Almazbek Atambaev that his office was bugged by the State Committee for National Security.
MAJLIS PODCAST: Tajikistan’s Dangerous Prisons