Russian MFA: Sanctions were imposed on McFaul because he had caused 'deliberate detriment' to bilateral relations
Former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul was included on the Russian sanctions list because he had caused deliberate harm to relations between Moscow and Washington, as stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, on the air of the television station Russia-1, RBC reported.
She explained that McFaul’s proximity to the current US president, Barack Obama, was not the reason why he was put on the sanctions list, although he conjectured the opposite. …
Peskov has not ruled out the possibility that Putin and Trump could meet prior to the inauguration
The Kremlin has not ruled out the possibility that contact between Russian president Vladimir Putin and his future American counterpart, Donald Trump, may take place before the US presidential inauguration, Interfax reported.
“I do not know whether there will be any contact between our president and Trump before the inauguration. I do not know this for sure, but of course it can’t be ruled out. A congratulatory message has already been sent,” the spokesman for the Russian leader, Dmitry Peskov, …
Iceland supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and sanctions against Russia
Iceland expressed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the continuation of sanctions against neighboring Russia, stated the ambassador to Ukraine, Kristín Árnadóttir, during a meeting with the minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine, Pavlo Klimkin.
“Iceland’s position regarding Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and also the sanctions policy against Russia, remains unchanged,” Árnadóttir noted.
As was noted in the ministry, Árnadóttir led the government delegation of Iceland …
OSCE: Ceasefire violations in Luhansk have doubled
The observers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission recorded a reduction in the number of shelling incidents in the Donetsk region and an increase in the Luhansk region, according to the Mission’s report published on the Organization’s website. The report revealed that 527 explosions were recorded in the Luhansk region, more than double the incidents observed in the previous recording period when approximately 225 explosions were documented.
“The …
McFaul has predicted a 'clash' between Russia and the US over Iran
After the recent election of Donald Trump as the next US president, Moscow and Washington may have disagreements on the Iranian nuclear program, according to former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul.
“The first clash will be over Iran as Trump has promised that he will eliminate the six-party agreement,” he said in an interview with the Dozhd TV channel.
McFaul also suggested that Moscow may soon become disappointed with the newly elected American president. “I do not rule out that this …