Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Russia's New Weight Tips Global Scales

Putin's policies on Kosovo, Iran, nukes ruffle US, Euro feathers

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 4, 2007 12:22 PM CDT

(Newser) – Vladimir Putin's Russia is charging back into the international spotlight, the Christian Science Monitor reports, challenging European and US policies on a variety of issues. Putin has thrown a wrench into Kosovo’s all-but-assured independence from Serbia, backing Belgrade’s efforts to keep the province. Russian planes recently violated Norwegian airspace, and the Kremlin has stalled on sanctions for Iranian uranium enrichment.

Said an expert, “Europe's strategic partnership with Russia isn't working properly.” Indeed, Putin has changed his tune on EU and NATO expansion, now fighting the membership of Ukraine and Belarus. Some say the Cold War loser is only looking for some influence, and not for actual confrontation: Indeed, warnings about withholding gas deliveries appear to have been mere posturing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin riding horseback during a trip in the Western Sayan Mountains in Siberia's Tuva region, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007. When he flexes Russia's diplomatic and military muscle,... (Associated Press)

Russian President Vladimir Putin walks along the Khemchik River in the Tuva region of Siberia in this Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007, file photo. When he flexes Russia's diplomatic and military muscle, President... (Associated Press)

A Kosovo Albanian youth walks beside graffiti reading "Free Kosova" near the bridge that ethnically divides the Albanian south and Serbian north of Kosovska Mitrovica on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007. (AP... (Associated Press)

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, left, and Russia's Federal Atomic Energy Agency Chief Sergei Kiriyenko, right, walk before talks in Moscow, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007. Iran's foreign minister... (Associated Press)

A Kosovo Serb family stand on their balcony behind a banner reading in Cyrillic "RUSSIA HELP" in the ethnically divided town of Kosovska Mitrovica in Kosovo on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Visar... (Associated Press)

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov seen at a news conference in Moscow, Tuesday, May 15, 2007. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday met... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

NATO Bars Former Soviet States in Blow to US

Ukraine, Georgia, Macedonia blocked

(NEWSER) - In a blow to the US, a divided NATO has refused to permit membership bids by former Soviet states Georgia and the Ukraine. The decision is an indication that Europe is wary of antagonizing an increasingly belligerant Russia, Bloomberg reports. Germany and France led the opposition to membership. In another defeat for American diplomacy, Greece blocked the admission of Macedonia. More»

Moscow Warns NATO Not to 'Play With Fire'

But US backs bids by Georgia and Ukraine to join alliance

(NEWSER) - Moscow urged NATO today not to absorb ex-Soviet republics Georgia and Ukraine, Reuters reports. "It's a dangerous game to play with fire," said Foreign Minster Sergei Lavrov, who warned that Russia's military ties with NATO were at stake. His remarks come days before a NATO summit in Bucharest, where Vladimir Putin will attend—and Georgia and Ukraine will seek roadmaps into the alliance. More»

Cold War Ends: Russia, Ukraine Settle Gas Dispute

Both sides agree to international inspectors monitoring exports

(NEWSER) - Russia and Ukraine have settled their feisty gas dispute, allowing fuel supplies to start flowing to shivering European nations “within hours,” the Wall Street Journal reports. Both sides agreed to international teams monitoring the pipeline system in Ukraine, which Russia accuses of stealing EU gas for its own use. About 80% of the EU’s Russian gas is channeled through Ukraine. More»

Hey NATO, Lay Off Russia: Qadaffi

West should stop meddling with nuclear giant: Qaddafi

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama would be wise to harken back to the no-meddling Monroe Doctrine and stop the West’s “addiction to interfering in the affairs of other countries,” Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi writes in the Washington Times. He blames NATO expansion to Russia’s border for moving the nuclear power to beef up its arsenal. “Intimidating Russia threatens the world, again, with nuclear war,” he writes. More»

West to Put Screws to Russia

New fury at Russia's formal recognition of breakaway states

(NEWSER) - The West is preparing to crank up diplomatic pressure on Russia after its challenging move formally recognizing breakaway Ossetia and Abkhazia in the wake of its invasion of Georgia. The US, Europe and NATO have condemned the action, but Russia remains defiant. "We are not afraid of anything, including a new cold war," said Russian President Dmitri Medvedev after formally recognizing Georgia's restive states. "If Europeans want a worsening in relations, they will get it of course." More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Russia's New Weight Tips Global Scales

Putin's policies on Kosovo, Iran, nukes ruffle US, Euro feathers

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Russia • NATO • Serbia • European Union • Vladimir Putin • Kosovo • Norway • Cold War • Ukraine • US • Belarus

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

NATO Bars Former Soviet States in Blow to US

Ukraine, Georgia, Macedonia blocked

Moscow Warns NATO Not to 'Play With Fire'

But US backs bids by Georgia and Ukraine to join alliance

Cold War Ends: Russia, Ukraine Settle Gas Dispute

Both sides agree to international inspectors monitoring exports

Hey NATO, Lay Off Russia: Qadaffi

West should stop meddling with nuclear giant: Qaddafi

West to Put Screws to Russia

New fury at Russia's formal recognition of breakaway states

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Russia's New Weight Tips Global Scales

Putin's policies on Kosovo, Iran, nukes ruffle US, Euro feathers

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Russia • NATO • Serbia • European Union • Vladimir Putin • Kosovo • Norway • Cold War • Ukraine • US • Belarus

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

NATO Bars Former Soviet States in Blow to US

Ukraine, Georgia, Macedonia blocked

Moscow Warns NATO Not to 'Play With Fire'

But US backs bids by Georgia and Ukraine to join alliance

Cold War Ends: Russia, Ukraine Settle Gas Dispute

Both sides agree to international inspectors monitoring exports

Hey NATO, Lay Off Russia: Qadaffi

West should stop meddling with nuclear giant: Qaddafi

West to Put Screws to Russia

New fury at Russia's formal recognition of breakaway states

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?