SOFIA, Bulgaria — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in Bulgaria, where she will urge the country to break its energy dependence on Russia by diversifying its oil and gas supplies.
U.S. officials say Clinton will use her visit to promote alternatives to existing pipeline routes as well as developing new energy sources. They say Eastern Europe's reliance on Russia for energy leaves it vulnerable to "unhealthy" political pressure from Moscow.
Russia drew Washington's fury on Saturday when it vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Syria. Clinton will also encourage the former Soviet satellite to share its experiences in moving to democracy with Arab nations emerging from authoritarian rule.
(AP)
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.