Border Alert: Nuke war risk rising, Russia warns

14.11, 16:27

In the spirit of transparency, President Dmitry Medvedev has reiterated Moscow’s need for written guarantees that the US missile defense shield in Europe would not be targeted at Russian territory.

Medvedev-Obama 25.10, 16:32

NATO officials say they are willing to “cooperate” with Russia in the US missile defense system, while balking on the possibility of building a single system.

Russia-NATO relations 27.05, 17:20

In a press conference following the conclusion of the G-8 Summit in Deauville, France, President Dmitry Medvedev discussed Russia’s response to missile defense talks with the US.

Medvedev-Obama 26.05, 15:52

President Dmitry Medvedev arrived in the affluent Normandy resort of Deauville, France for a two-day summit in which turmoil in the Arab world, as well as the controversial missile defense shield will rank high on the agenda.

Published: 17 November, 2011, 16:19

Russian Chief of Staff, General Nikolai Makarov addresses the Public Chamber, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011.

(15.2Mb) embed video
To include this chart in your web page, paste the following HTML tag into your web page HTML:

TAGS: Military, NATO, Nuclear, Putin, Russia, Politics, Europe, USA, Peter Oliver, Rory Suchet, Robert Bridge

The danger of local armed conflicts along Russia's borders exploding into full-scale nuclear war has grown following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia’s chief of staff said on Thursday.

­General Nikolai Makarov told the Russian Public Chamber there is a dangerous level of mistrust with former Soviet states that border the country.

"The possibility of local armed conflicts virtually along the entire perimeter of the border has grown dramatically," Makarov said. “I cannot rule out that, in certain circumstances, local and regional armed conflicts could grow into a large-scale war, possibly even with nuclear weapons.”

Makarov mentioned NATO’s steady encroachment toward Russia’s borders as one of the key reasons for the heightened level of mistrust in the region since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

"Almost all countries formerly belonging to the Warsaw Pact have become NATO members, and the Baltic States that were earlier a part of the USSR have also joined the alliance,” Russia’s top military official said.

Moscow has often criticized the western military bloc for going back on its word not to expand following the collapse of the USSR.

"At time of the withdrawal from Eastern Europe, the NATO Secretary General promised the USSR it could be confident that NATO would not expand beyond its current boundaries," Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said in a past comment. "So where is it now?” I asked them [the NATO officials]. They have nothing to say. They deceived us in the rudest way.”

Meanwhile, the comments by Chief of Staff Makarov did contain a silver lining in the nuclear cloud.

Speaking on the prospects of the New START treaty, signed by President Dmitry Medvedev and his US counterpart Barack Obama, Makarov was optimistic.

"The previous START treaty was flawed, but there were attempts to extend it,” he said. “The new START is the first treaty that satisfies us.”

On the US missile defense system planned for Eastern Europe, the Russian general said the new START gives Moscow the flexibility its new defense measures require.

“This treaty gives us the ability to secede in certain cases,” he said, specifically mentioning the “European missile defense problem” as a national security threat that could force Moscow to breach the treaty.

Robert Bridge, RT

17.11, 16:02

The US has offered a $5 million reward for the information leading to the location of Russia’s most wanted Chechen terrorist leader, Doku Umarov.

View the original article here

Russia sends another aid convoy to Kosovo Serbs

01.12, 17:48

Russian laws do not allow for the granting of citizenship to Kosovo Serbs, but Russia will find other ways to support the suppressed minority, the Foreign Ministry spokesman has said.

15.11, 16:26

Russia’s State Duma has not yet received a petition from Kosovo Serbs requesting Russian citizenship. Deputies are cautious in their assessment of such an unprecedented situation and say, in any case, they are not authorized to settle such questions.

14.11, 15:44

Around 21,000 Serbs from Kosovo have appealed to Russia’s lower house of parliament for help in obtaining Russian citizenship.

Published: 09 December, 2011, 18:03

RIA Novosti / Aleksey Kudenko

TAGS: Kosovo, Russia, Politics, Human rights, Immigration

The Russian Emergencies Ministry has said it is sending another aid convoy to Kosovo Serbs on President Medvedev’s orders.

A ministry spokesman said on Friday a truck convoy had left the Moscow Region that morning for Serbia carrying diesel generators, stoves, folding furniture, blankets and bed linen as well as foodstuffs. The total weight of the second batch of goods is 160 tons.

A first convoy was sent from Moscow Region to Serbia on December 7 and in November, Russia sent a cargo aircraft with 36 tons of aid.The local Red Cross took delivery of the aid and transported it into Kosovo where it was distributed amongst the population.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered the boost in support in November, after around 21,000 Serbs from Kosovo – residents of the region as well as refugees – appealed to the State Duma for help in obtaining Russian citizenship, citing concerns over personal safety. Russia considered the request but had to decline when it was found to breach Russia’s internal laws.

Today: 15:53

Russia’s Public Chamber has criticized calls for the results of elections to the State Duma to be cancelled, adding that they oppose all public discussion of the issue.

Parliamentary Elections 2011

View the original article here

Investor’s dream: Russia axes profit tax to zero

17.11, 01:40

Meeting WTO standards may come as a heavy burden to some industries, but the Russian government is ready to help deal with it to provide a smooth transition.

Russia and WTO 07.11, 18:26

Business phenomenon Oleg Tinkov shared with RT secrets of his success, explaining how enterprises outside of the energy sector can flourish in Russia.

18.10, 22:43

Moscow is reportedly planning to follow Paris and Rome's example and tax its tourists €1-3 per day.

//

Published: 17 November, 2011, 23:16

RIA Novosti/Igor Zarembo

(30.6Mb) embed video
To include this chart in your web page, paste the following HTML tag into your web page HTML:

TAGS: Investment, Regional development, Russia and the global economy, Prime Time Russia, Modernization, Natalia Novikova, Anya Fedorova, Neil Harvey, Innovation

In a radical step to boost certain areas of its economy, Russia has abolished profit taxes for companies in the medical and education sectors.

The authorities believe the move will help attract more investment and inspire entrepreneurs to set up new private schools and hospitals. Such changes, it is hoped, will increase competitiveness, lower prices and generally improve the quality of services.

The law on zero taxes for these kinds of entrepreneurs was signed last year, but it was not until now that the government finally approved the list of services.Now the organizations providing the listed services will be exempt from the 20 per cent profit-tax.

Among the tax-free services are dietary science, exercise therapy, sports medicine, massage, general practice and family medicine, cosmetology, manual therapy, dentistry, facial surgery, medical tests, as well as organ and sperm transportation.

In the educational sector, the list includes major programs, from kindergartens all the way up to higher education.

The only condition is that the organizations are properly certified in their field.

Economy specialists say that while the measure could be highly effective in the short term, there is a need for something bigger in the long term.

“I think this is a good step,” Tatyana Komissarova, from the Higher Schools of Economics, told RT. “But the main burden on a company is not profit tax, but income tax. If we are talking about a company with many highly qualified employees, salary costs can amount to 50 per cent of total expenses. Can you imagine that? I wish they would eliminate income tax too.”

17.11, 22:52

An unprecedented number of British businessmen are enquiring about setting up business in Russia, says head of Russo-British Chamber of Commerce Chris Gilbert.

View the original article here

Russia defeated in third straight Super Series clash

15.11, 13:26

The OHL All-Stars have won their second straight game against Russia’s junior hockey squad to help Canada level the score in the Super Series at 2-2.

10.11, 12:47

In a repeat of events two days ago, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League All-Stars were unable to find the keys to success against Russia’s junior hockey team in game two of the Super Series in Canada.

08.11, 18:08

Russia’s junior hockey team got off to a solid start in the six-match Super Series in Canada, collecting a 2-0 win against the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League All-Stars.

19.11.2010, 15:00

Russia’s youth hockey team have collected a historic win in the Super Series against their Canadian contemporaries, sealing the deal with a 5-2 win over Western Hockey League all-stars squad.

Published: 17 November, 2011, 12:00

WHL All-Stars's forward, Jordan Weal (Image from subwaysuperseries.com)

TAGS: Hockey, Russia's hockey squad

Russia’s junior hockey squad have lost to the WHL All-Stars 5-3, allowing the Canadian Hockey League to take the lead in the Super Series.

­The Russians got a head start through Bogdan Potekhin in the middle of the first half, but found themselves a goal down in the second.

Pavel Medvedev leveled matters for Valery Bragin’s men at 2-2, but that was all the Western Hockey League squad allowed the visitors to do on the night.   

The game took place in Regina, Canada and it was local player Jordan Weal, who scored the winner for the Canadians late in the second period.

Two more goals from Max Reinhart and Brad Ross in the final 20 minutes sealed the deal for the WHL All-Stars, 5-3.

“It’s always good when you beat the Russians,” Jordan Weal, WHL All-Stars forward, told Ottawa Citizen newspaper. “We got on them early. We took a couple of penalties, but we recovered from that. We played a good 60 minutes and never let up. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

This third loss in a row sees Russia trail in the Super Series with 3-2 score line. Russia’s lads could still finish the event in tie though, if they wreak revenge on the WHL in Game 6 on Thursday.

15.11, 21:31

Held in Moscow over the weekend, the Cup of Legends saw the brightest stars of Soviet hockey, representing CSKA, Dynamo, Spartak and VVS, back on the ice on the eve of a great jubilee.

Today: 16:11

Despite having to get by without head coach Andrey Nazarov, Vityaz Chekhov, who are rock bottom in the KHL’s Western Conference, have claimed a 3-2 away victory against Spartak Moscow.

View the original article here

Russia makes progress in anti-corruption struggle

01.12, 21:55

For the first time since 2004, Russia has improved its position in Transparency International's annual corruption index.

22.07, 19:11

Despite the authorities’ wide anti-corruption measures, the cost of a bribe in Russia has risen this year to 293,000 rubles ($10,000).

16.02, 17:21

Adding teeth to his anti-corruption campaign, President Dmitry Medvedev is looking to substantially increase the penalty for individuals found guilty of corruption.

10.11.2009, 18:29

The Coat of Arms of Moscow depicts St. George astride a horse slaying a dragon, which today could be interpreted as the monster of corruption breathing down Russia’s neck at every turn.

Published: 09 December, 2011, 22:33

Police arrest bribe-taker (RIA Novosti / Maksim Bogodvid)

(41.8Mb) embed video
To include this chart in your web page, paste the following HTML tag into your web page HTML:

TAGS: Russia, Law, Prime Time Russia, Corruption, Darya Pushkova, Anya Fedorova, Neil Harvey

As the world celebrates International Anti-Corruption Day, Russian law enforcement officials report the results of their fight against bribery.

More than 1,000 corruption cases are opened in Russia every month, said Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for the Russian Investigative Committee.

“More than 10,000 corruption cases were launched in 2008, and over 11,000 cases were opened over the first nine months of 2011," Markin said.

In addition, investigators have handled more than 200 criminal cases into illegal company takeovers over the last two years.

But with International Anti-Corruption Day, come accusations that a former Russian anti-corruption officer extorted a $30,000 bribe. He allegedly demanded the sum from a businessman, threatening to initiate a criminal case on made-up charges.

This comes a week after Transparency International drew its annual Corruption Index, in which Russia has improved its position – for the first time since 2004.

The country scored 2.4 points, upgrading its position to 143rd place from 154th place in 2001 (among 183 countries).

The Corruption Index incorporates all the possible forms of corruption, including bribes to officials and illegal or improper use of budgetary funds. The rankings also evaluate the effectiveness of any anti-corruption measures taken by the government.

The fight against corruption has been a cornerstone of President Medvedev’s domestic policy. New laws have obliged officials to declare their incomes and assets, and has imposed tougher sanctions and penalties for bribe-takers and givers. The Russian Ministry of Justice encourages citizens to report bribe-takers to the authorities.

However, research published in July 2011 revealed that the average bribe in Russia has increased almost sevenfold – to a whopping $10,000.

Today: 21:58

This week, in light of the results of Russia's parliamentary elections, Moscow’s expat community is actively discussing the big upcoming protest rally – and its possible outcomes.

Today: 22:44

As a retrospective of Ruth Orkin's works opens at the Lumiere Brothers House of Photography, RT talked to the exhibition’s curator about Orkin’s American life and Russian roots.

View the original article here

VTB: Russia gearing up for external pressure

08.12, 13:37

VTB Group, Russia’s second largest banker, boosted its net profit 87% in the first nine months of 2011 year on year. Higher efficiency, as well as healthy lending growth helped the Group to offset global trends.

01.09, 11:29

Russia’s second largest bank, VTB, has posted a 1H 2011 net profit of 53.6 billion roubles under IFRS.

20.11, 04:55

As Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan move a step closer to a Common Economic Space, a union bearing similarities with the EU, could they run into the same troubles? The man at the heart of the matter explained to RT how to avoid pitfalls.

Eurozone crisis

Published: 09 December, 2011, 14:03

Denis Sinyakov / Reuters

(54.7Mb) embed video
To include this chart in your web page, paste the following HTML tag into your web page HTML:

TAGS: Russia and the global economy, Corporate news, Resources, Banking, Economy, Finance

While the EU struggles with the debt crisis which has almost spiralled out of control Russia is trying to distance itself by expanding export opportunities. Herbert Moos CFO of VTB says Russia will do well to learn from the EU experience.

Today: 13:29

Travelers flying from Russian airports may have to go 'cold turkey' as new regulations will force duty free shops to stop selling alcohol.

Today: 17:03

New Central Bank requirements for a minimum of capital could put dozens smaller Russian banks out of business. They have less than a month left to bring their capital up to mandatory 180 million rubles by January 1, 2012

View the original article here

US puts up $5 mln for info on Russia most wanted

01.05.2010, 16:22

Russian authorities are dismayed at the conspicuous absence of Doku Umarov, the architect of last month’s brutal attack on the Moscow Metro, on Washington’s annual list of terrorists.

26.01, 02:03

Thirty-five people have been killed in an explosion at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport according to the airport spokesperson. Up to 180 are said to have been injured in what the Investigative Committee believes to be a terrorist attack.

Global terrorism 24.06.2010, 02:39

The US has finally designated one of Russia's most wanted men, Doku Umarov, as a terrorist. He is the man who took responsibility for masterminding the deadly Moscow Metro bombings in March.

Published: 17 November, 2011, 16:02

Doku Umarov (AFP Photo)

TAGS: Crime, Russia, Politics, Terrorism, Law, USA

The US has offered a $5 million reward for the information leading to the location of Russia’s most wanted Chechen terrorist leader, Doku Umarov.

“Proceeding from Russia’s Supreme Court ruling and under an appeal by the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office on the acknowledgement of the so-called Caucasus Emirate, led by Doku Umarov as a terrorist organization, the US Secretary of State put him on the list of the most dangerous terrorists and announced a $5 million reward for the information about his whereabouts,” Russian Deputy Prosecutor General Viktor Grin said on Thursday, as cited by Interfax agency.

The Chechen warlord claimed responsibility for a number of terrorist attacks on Russian soil, including the explosions at Moscow Domodedovo Airport and the Moscow Metro, as well as the Nevsky Express train attack.

Speaking at a Moscow conference on the suppression of extremism and terrorism, Grin noted that lately Russian courts have pronounced 27 organizations as extremist and 19 organizations as terrorist. He underlined that countering terrorism is a priority for Russian prosecutors.

In May this year, it was already reported that the US would pay a reward for information about Doku Umarov, who had been designated as a terrorist in America about a year before the announcement.

According to the US Department of State, Umarov “is the senior leader and operational commander of the North Caucasus-based Caucasus Emirate group, whose stated goal is to establish an Islamic emirate through violence in the North Caucasus, Southern Russia, and Volga regions of the Russian Federation, with Umarov as its Emir.”

Today: 12:58

A PACE rapporteur for Belarus has expressed concern over the fate of jailed ex-presidential candidate Andrey Sannikov, who has reportedly disappeared, and demanded that Minsk immediately clarify the situation.

Today: 16:19

The danger of local armed conflicts along Russia's borders exploding into full-scale nuclear war has grown following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia’s chief of staff said on Thursday.

Russia-NATO relations

View the original article here

‘Russia maintains dialogue both with Assad and Syrian opposition’

16.11, 20:00

The foreign ministers of the Arab League, consisting of 22 members, have confirmed the suspension of Syria from the group, blaming it for the violent suppression of anti-government rallies.

Arab world protests 15.11, 15:49

As violence continues unabated in this Arab Republic, members of the Syrian opposition are telling Russian diplomats they are against any foreign military intervention in the settlement of their country's conflict.

Syria unrest 15.11, 10:45

Syrian opposition leaders said that they want to prevent any military intervention in Syria and avoid a Libyan scenario. The statement comes during their visit to Moscow as pressure piles on the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Syria unrest 14.11, 23:44

Syria is becoming increasingly isolated with its neighbors turning their backs on it. Some believe that the Arab League and especially the Gulf states are doing the bidding of the West by putting more pressure on Damascus.

Syria unrest 14.11, 17:02

The “illegitimate” decision to suspend Syria from the Arab League has received wide support from the EU and the US. Russia, however, has strongly opposed the measure, which is starting to look like another step on the road to a Libya-style scenario.

Arab world protests Syria unrest 13.11, 22:23

As massive pro-Assad demonstrations continue across Syria, Damascus has called for an emergency meeting of Arab League heads of state in an apparent attempt to avert its suspension from the regional bloc.

Syria unrest //

Published: 17 November, 2011, 07:09

Syrians wave national flags as they rally in central Damascus on November 16, 2011. (AFP Photo/Louai Beshara )

(53.7Mb) embed video
To include this chart in your web page, paste the following HTML tag into your web page HTML:

TAGS: Conflict, Military, Russia, Politics, Kevin Owen, Opposition, Syria

Russian lawmaker and foreign policy architect Konstantin Kosachev thinks that Russia is “probably one of the very few, or maybe the only country, which maintains dialogue both with Assad and with the opposition.”

Kosachev told RT that the opposition has visited Russia recently.

“We had rather a good discussion in Moscow – nobody else does the same thing. People either support this or that part. We are impartial, we have dialogue with each side, and hopefully we will succeed in promoting further political process there.”

The head of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the State Duma believes that targeting Damascus is counterproductive to solving the crisis in Syria, while, he notes, the situation is getting more and more alarming.

“For me the fact that the violence is escalating is a reflection of the wrong approach taken by certain states, a unilateral approach, when they keep saying to the people of Syria that ‘You, people, are right, and the authorities are wrong’. This is a wrong approach, because that type of messages introduces an illusion that, the people of Syria can get freedom and democracy by using violence against the ruling authorities and not by negotiations.”

According to Kosachev, the message being sent to the Syrian authorities and the Syrian people by Russia is “much more appropriate.”

The sanctions by the Arab League and the West are based on the argument that Damascus is cracking down on peaceful demonstrators. But Damascus says it is fighting the Free Syrian Army, which is apparently well-armed and coordinated, and is staging a full-on assault on the regime. As for Russia’s view on the way the Free Syrian Army are conducting themselves, there are certain “questions” to them concerning this, as the Russian lawmaker points out.

“We do have questions because we can see they use heavy weapons, they are well equipped, so it is not just about throwing stones at policemen or bodyguards – this is about using heavy weapons and this is a real war. And for Russia the most important thing is to prevent further casualties and victims, and the only way to do that is to maintain the political process once again. I believe that Russia, the US and the EU, the Arab League and anybody else is to send the only message to all conflicting sides in the country – that is to try and speak to each other.”

Today: 01:10

With the credibility of an IAEA report on Iran’s secretive nuclear activity being questioned, some experts say the Iranian people should ask their government why their country is still a member of the UN nuclear agency.

Today: 10:37

Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York have returned to the epicenter of the movement, Zuccotti Park, but without their tents and sleeping bags. Massive rallies are expected to resume throughout the United States.

Occupy Wall Street

View the original article here

Russia and WTO: closer than ever

27.10, 20:05

Georgia has agreed to new proposals on Russia's WTO accession, paving the way for its larger neighbor to become a WTO member in the near future. Russia has yet to respond to the move.

27.10, 20:12

As all eyes are on Russia to see how it responds to Georgia’s latest move regarding WTO accession, Business RT discusses the issue with Ben Aris, editor - in - chief of Business New Europe.

27.10, 20:56

Yaroslav Lissovolik, chief economist at Deutsche Bank, discusses with Business RT the possible aftermath of WTO accession for Russian industries.

Published: 03 November, 2011, 19:30

Russia and Georgia agreed on the last issue blocking Russia´s membership in WTO

TAGS: Markets, Russia and the global economy, Big deal

Moscow has okayed a draft proposal to smooth out remaining issues with Georgia, which had blocked Russia’s accession to the WTO. The move should put an end to the 18-year saga of the country’s attempts to join the organization.

The final hurdle on Russia´s way to the WTO – the issue of monitoring trade on the country’s border with former Georgian regions Abkhazia and South Ossetia – has finally been cleared. The draft bilateral agreement "is based on a concept which we proposed, and corresponds to the framework of Russia's principal position," says Maxim Medvedkov, head of the Russian delegation at the WTO talks.

The document envisages electronic information sharing, as well as trade data auditing by an independent company, with Russia and Georgia submitting such data to an integrated WTO database.

International observers will be placed at both ends of three trade corridors, says Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kapanadze, who heads his country's delegation to the talks on Russia's accession.

"These trade corridors will stretch from the Psou River to the town of Zugdidi, from the Roki Tunnel to the town of Gori, and from the Verkhny Lars checkpoint to the Kazbegi checkpoint," the deputy minister specified.

Russia’s economy should benefit from WTO accession, believes Natalia Orlova, chief economist at Alfa-Bank, as “the WTO will provide for cheaper access to global technologies and high-tech equipment, which at the moment are subject to relatively high import duties. And Russia will also look more attractive for foreign investors”, adds Orlova, as “the management, costs and tariffs will become more transparent.”

WTO accession will also make Russia a bigger player internationally, the analyst concluded.

“WTO entry will potentially offer Russia the possibility of becoming an OECD member – a window of opportunity to become more important on the global political level.”

Chris Weafer, chief strategist at Troika Dialog, says the net economic effect of Russia’s membership in the WTO would be positive and should mean“a more serious approach to economic reform and industrial efficiency” , which will become evident only over time.

“As the benefits of those changes materialize, sustainable incremental economic growth may reach between 1% and 3% annually, according to the World Bank, while a gradual reduction in the risk premium will significantly cut the discount at which Russian equities have consistently traded against global market peers,” the expert said.

A formal meeting of a working group to approve all the documents on Russia’s accession, is scheduled for November 10 – 11. Should all go smoothly, the 153 members of the WTO will look at the papers on December 15-17. The documents will then go to Russia for ratification, and a month after that, Russia should finally join the WTO.

03.11, 17:20

In the latest winter gas-price wrangle, Moldova is courting Gazprom for a discount on its gas supplies. A new deal for 2012-2016 must be signed before the year is out.

View the original article here