VISUAL REPORTS
H-Hour For Ukraine's 'Normandy Four'
The “Normandy Format” meeting in Paris on December 9 will be the first between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France in more than three years, and the first time ever that Russian President Vladimir Putin will come face-to-face with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
In Kyiv, Crowd Lays Out 'Red Lines' For Zelenskiy Ahead Of Peace Talks
Thousands of Ukrainians gathered in downtown Kyiv on December 8 under the banner "Red Lines For Ze" and calling for a tough stance from President Volodymyr Zelenskiy when he participates in peace talks in Paris on December 9.
Ukraine Court Extends Arrest Of Ex-U.S. Soldier Wanted Over Florida Killings
A Ukrainian court has denied a defense request for house arrest, extending by 60 days custody of a U.S. combat veteran who fought in the Donbas conflict and who is wanted in the United States on charges related to a double homicide.
Meet Garbie: One Ukrainian’s Apocalyptic Makeover Of Barbie
A Ukrainian filmmaker has used plastic toothbrushes, plastic bags, and garbage to build the set for Garbie, new cartoon in which a plastic Barbie doll faces an apocalyptic future.
Thousands In Russia's Northwest Protest Dumping Of Moscow’s Waste
Thousands have rallied in the northwestern Russian town of Kotlas, near the regional capital, Arkhangelsk, against the construction of a new landfill for waste from Moscow.
Serbian Anti-Government Protesters Mark 53rd Week
Serbian anti-government protesters chanted "Uprising!" and symbolically knocked on the doors of the Serbian parliament, as thousands joined the Belgrade rally on December 7, the 53rd straight Saturday march against the government.
OTHER NEWS
U.S. Confirms Lavrov To Meet With Pompeo In Washington
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will travel to Washington to meet with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on December 10 to “discuss a broad range of regional and bilateral issues," the U.S. State Department has said in a brief statement.
Russian Defense Minister Says Relations With NATO 'Degrading Every Day'
Speaking on the state-run Rossiya 1’s Sunday show, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu suggested that relations between Moscow and NATO are "not just halted but...degrading every day," citing a falloff that began "about five years ago."
Supporters Credit Public Pressure For Putin Critic’s Unexpected Release
Yegor Zhukov, the student, YouTube blogger, and self-avowed libertarian who was judged guilty of inciting extremism online in a case condemned as politically motivated, has emerged from prison as one of the faces of a new youth vanguard in the Russian opposition movement.
WADA Votes Unanimously To Impose 4-Year Ban On Russia Over Doping
The World Anti-Doping Agency's executive committee has sent a "robust" rebuke of Russia's sports authorities, banning the country's athletes and officials from the Olympics and world championships in a range of sports for four years.
OPEC, Russia Agree To Extend Cuts In Oil Output To Help Boost Prices
The OPEC cartel and its partners, including Russia, said on December 6 they have agreed to cut oil production further as part of efforts to boost prices while global supplies rise amid a worldwide economic slowdown.
Kyiv Gives ICC Evidence Of Separatists’ 'Executions' Of Ukrainian Soldiers
Photo and video evidence that Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine killed nine soldiers in their captivity execution-style has been forwarded to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
IMF Agrees To Three-Year Lending Plan With Ukraine
International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva announced on December 7 that the lender reached agreement with Ukraine on a new three-year loan program worth $5.5 billion following “a very constructive” phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Council Of Europe Criticizes Ukrainian Language Laws
The Council of Europe’s so-called Venice Commission of constitutional experts has criticized controversial language legislation adopted in Ukraine earlier this year, and said it considers quotas for minority languages in radio and TV programs to be unbalanced.
KGB General Appointed Chief Of Belarus Presidential Administration
Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has appointed former Deputy KGB Chairman Major-General Igor Sergeenko as head of his presidential administration. There is no biography of Sergeenko on official websites. Interfax reports he was born in 1963 in the Vitebsk region, and has worked in state security bodies since 1988. The independent publication Nasha Niva reports that he was responsible during the last decade for identifying “extremist” literature. (Belarus Service)
Hundreds In Minsk Defy Police State To Protest Deeper 'Integration' With Russia
Hundreds of protesters have gathered in the Belarusian capital on December 8 for a second day to oppose "deepening integration" with Russia, despite warnings from police that they risked possible arrest.
Prosecutors Seek Lengthy Prison Terms For Former Bishkek Mayors
Kyrgyz prosecutors in a high-profile corruption trial have asked a court to sentence Albek Ibraimov and Kubanychbek Kulmatov, two former mayors of Bishkek, to prison terms of 20 and 15 years, respectively. The two were charged along with 11 others for alleged corruption while in office.
IRAN: Iranian President Presents ‘Budget Of Resistance And Perseverance’
PHOTOGALLERY: Poverty-Stricken North Korea Unveils Mountain Ski Town
PRESSROOM: Russian 'Foreign Agent' Law Targets Journalists And Threatens Isolation