Kohl, whose 12-year partnership with outgoing Socialist President Fran?ois Mitterrand has been the central axis of European politics, was nominally returning a visit Balladur made to his private home in Oggersheim, Germany, last year. But the timing of the trip, two weeks before Balladur is expected to announce his candidacy for the election in April and May, was widely interpreted as a political signal.
Their talks were expected to cover E. U. affairs as well as the conflict in Chechnya and the crisis in Algeria.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.