Word: russia
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Most importantly, perhaps, Russia is incensed about E.U. efforts to draw the countries that lie between the E.U. and Russia closer into its orbit. Russia has traditionally regarded Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and other former Soviet states along its border as its "privileged sphere of influence," in the words of President Dmitry Medvedev. The E.U.'s new "Eastern Partnership" initiative, launched in May, offers these countries economic integration and stronger political ties. Although the E.U. has shied away from talking about the prospect of membership, however distant, it hopes to help its eastern neighbors to become richer, more stable and more...
...help modernize the Ukrainian pipeline system - conduit for 70% of Russian gas sales to Europe - Russian leaders were furious. Moscow has also tried to foil European attempts to build stronger energy links with Azerbaijan. Potential for conflict exists in Georgia, where E.U. observers are the only ones left after Russia forced Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and United Nations' monitors to leave Abkhazia and South Ossetia...
...officials like to insist that its eastern policy does not clash with Russian interests in their common neighborhood. They have asked Russia to take part in some regional initiatives such as an effort to strengthen energy security. So far, though, Russia has refused to play ball. But the E.U. cannot simply pull back and allow Russia to dominate Eastern Europe. It must stick firmly to its objective of helping its neighbors to decide their own destiny. If Europe is to remain credible, there is no other course worth pursuing...
...Russia This Is Just A Test Russia has deployed 8,500 troops, 200 tanks and a number of artillery units to the Caucasus region near the Georgian border for a weeklong session of war games expected to be the biggest since its clash with Georgia last year. Russia admits that the exercises--which are scheduled to end on July 6, the day President Obama arrives for his first official visit to Moscow--are "quite major" but says they're simply for practice. Tbilisi is worried they presage another attack similar to last summer's skirmish over the breakaway region...
...biggest economies are expected to grow in 2009: China's and India's. Brazil's government still thinks it can eke out positive growth for the year too, although outside forecasters don't quite buy it. Let's call these three countries the BICs. BRIC - for Brazil, Russia, India, China - is the better-known acronym, coined in 2001 by Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill as shorthand for the globe's emerging economic giants. In mid-June, leaders of the four BRICs even held their first summit meeting. But Russia, a resource-rich land with an otherwise feeble economy...