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Articles by Nikolaus von Twickel
opinion
Nikolaus von Twickel
Russia’s Rushed Referendums
Moscow’s decision to hold “referendums” in the occupied Ukrainian regions about joining Russia was both expected and unexpected. Expected...
opinion
Nikolaus von Twickel
Can Ukraine and Russia Make Things Work This Time?
The next steps towards reconciliation are going to be extremely difficult and painful for a number of reasons.
opinion
Nikolaus von Twickel
MH17: A Tragedy That Did Not Change the War
The MH17-effect turned out to have less of an effect on the course of the conflict than originally thought.
opinion
Nikolaus von Twickel
The State of Play in the Donbass
The European public has become comfortably numb about the war in the Donbass.
news
Classic MT: Space Race Started With a Cosmic Blunder
On Oct. 5, 1957, the main headline on Pravda's front page said the country should prepare for winter. The real news of the day, however, was somewhat clumsily...
news
Camera-Wielding Fleet Wages War on Bad Parking
When it comes to parking, Moscow has long been gripped by anarchy. Anybody who has walked the city will confirm that drivers habitually park their cars...
news
Ingush Ski Slope Opens Without Snow
After months of delays, Ingushetia's first ski slope has finally opened.
news
EU Commission Meeting to Be 'Largest Ever'
Moscow will see an unprecedented influx of EU officials this Thursday when European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso and 16 commissioners arrive...
news
Missile Defense Is a Nice Problem to Have
Washington's decision to scrap the last phase of the planned NATO missile shield for Europe elicited expectations that U.S.-Russian relations might...
news
Corruption Fight Progressing, Watchdog Says
Europe's top intergovernmental corruption watchdog has found that Russia has made modest progress in fighting graft between 2010 and 2012.
news
Stephen Fry Interviews Milonov for Gay Documentary
British actor and celebrity Stephen Fry sat down on Thursday for an interview with Vitaly Milonov, the author of St. Petersburg's controversial gay...
news
Navalny Targets Senator Malkin
Federation Council Senator Vitaly Malkin has become the latest lawmaker to be targeted by anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny for unethical behavior...
news
Navalny Targets Senator Malkin
Federation Council Senator Vitaly Malkin has become the latest lawmaker to be targeted by anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny for unethical behavior...
news
Kickbacks Still 'Dwarf' Top Officials' Salaries, Despite Raises
The salaries of top state employees have doubled since December, but such remunerations remain minute compared with unlawful kickbacks to the echelons...
news
Lugovoi Ends Cooperation With London Over Litvinenko
State Duma Deputy Andrei Lugovoi announced Tuesday that he would no longer cooperate with British authorities over the case of Alexander Litvinenko,...
news
EU Visa Deal Looks Likely, But Catches Remain
A much-touted agreement with the European Union making travel easier for businesspeople, students, NGO workers and other professionals might go into force...
news
Hollande and Putin Warm Relations
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday hosted his French counterpart Francois Hollande for four-hour-long talks in the Kremlin, which diplomats said were...
news
Internet Sleuths a Real Threat to Lawmakers
The ouster of Vladimir Pekhtin from the State Duma is considered a milestone victory for opposition-minded online sleuths like blogger Doctor Z, so much...
news
Hollande Coming to Moscow to Meet With Putin
Just days after French film star turned Russian citizen Gerard Depardieu provoked mockery and disgust by dining and dancing with Chechen strongman Ramzan...
news
No Visas for Accredited Olympic Members
Athletes, coaches, journalists and support staff will not need to obtain Russian visas to attend the Winter Games. But regular fans will.
news
Ulyanovsk Hub Not Getting Much Use by NATO
NATO and Russia pride themselves on cooperation over Afghanistan and the fight against terrorists and pirates, but a planned logistics hub to transport...
news
Moscow Gives Up Hopes for Visa-Free Olympics
An easing of visa requirements for Europeans is unlikely even for next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, as officials from both Moscow and the EU...
news
EasyJet Still Has No Permit for Flights
Exactly one month before the launch of flights between Moscow and London, British no-frills carrier EasyJet has confirmed that it has yet to receive...
news
Mafia War Brewing After Killing of Usoyan
Less than a month after the violent death of legendary crime boss Aslan Usoyan, better known as Grandpa Khasan, there is growing evidence that a bloody...
news
Sochi Is a Hard Nut to Crack for PR Gurus
One year before the Winter Olympics are to kick off, it looks like Sochi 2014 is getting mired in controversy.
news
Foreign Agent Law Complaint Sent to Strasbourg
Eleven prominent rights groups have sent a complaint against Russia’s so-called foreign agent law, which targets NGOs engaged in political activities...
news
Bilalov to Lose 'All Positions'
If President Vladimir Putin’s word is the law, then Akhmed Bilalov will have to give up at least three jobs: deputy president of the Russian Olympic...
news
Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Named EU Envoy
The European Union has picked former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas to head its delegation to Russia.
news
Georgian Wine Could Be Allowed by Spring, Onishchenko Says
Georgian wine and mineral water could return to Russian store shelves as early as this spring, Russia’s chief sanitary official said Monday.
news
Sochi Olympics Most Expensive in History
One year before they kick off, the Sochi Winter Olympics have already bagged a world record. They will go down as the most expensive games in history...
news
Winter Time Decision Near, Kozak Says
The government will make a decision in the coming days regarding whether to turn back the country's clocks one hour because of the Olympic Games...
news
Last Year's Repression 'Worst' in Decades
A leading rights group lashed out at President Vladimir Putin on Thursday by saying he had “unleashed the worst political crackdown” in the country’s...
news
Kerry Seen as Best Choice for Putin
Moscow pundits gave a warm welcome to John Kerry on Tuesday, as U.S. senators were expected to confirm their veteran colleague as secretary of state...
news
Ingushetia Unveils Plan to Lure Skiers
Skiers, mountain hikers and sports enthusiasts can add another unconventional destination to their travel schedule: Ingushetia is to open its first...
news
In Protest, U.S. Quits Working Group
Washington has effectively ended a key working group with Moscow for discussing human rights and democracy, arguing that the panel had become meaningless...
news
Georgia-Russia Relations Warming
A cocktail-party chat that lasted only minutes has triggered hopes that the country's troubled relations with Georgia might be headed for substantial...
news
U.S. Quits Key Bilateral Working Group
The United States has quit a key bilateral platform for discussing human rights and democracy with Russian officials because of "new restrictions...
news
Suicide Sheds Light on Asylum Challenges
The suicide of activist Alexander Dolmatov in a Dutch extradition center has highlighted the challenges for Russian opposition members to get political...
news
Olympic Committee Requests Turning Clocks Back for 2014 Winter Games
The International Olympic Committee, or IOC, has asked the government to turn clocks back one hour so that European television viewers can enjoy the 2014...
news
Russia Needs Immigrants, FMS Chief Says
Russia urgently needs to attract immigrants over the coming years to avoid labor shortages, the country’s top migration officer said Monday.
news
Holland Accused in Opposition Activist's Suicide
Friends and lawyers over the weekend accused the Netherlands of complicity in the suicide of opposition activist Alexander Dolmatov in a Dutch extradition...
news
Germany Tries Couple on Spy Charges
Germany put a married couple thought to be in their mid-40s on trial this week on suspicion that they spied for Russia for more than two decades...
news
Reputed Mob Boss Usoyan Shot Dead
One of the country's purportedly most influential crime bosses was killed by a sniper in broad daylight Wednesday, police said, prompting fears of a...
news
Kadyrov Faces Sanctions Under Magnitsky Act
One month after U.S. President Barack Obama signed the Magnitsky Act, it is clear that Russo-American relations have entered a difficult period.
news
Depardieu Weighs In on Russian Politics
Actor and newly minted Russian citizen Gerard Depardieu belittled the country's opposition as disoriented and attacked foreign critics of the prosecution...
news
EU-Russian Visa Regime Hot Topic at Summit
The European Union insists that Russia agree to its terms for a visa facilitation agreement before any progress can be made toward a visa-free travel...
news
Putin Shows He's Back in Business
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signaled a return to the classic days of his presidency by presiding over a 4 1/2-hour news conference, which...
news
Tough Talks Expected At EU-Russia Summit
President Vladimir Putin will meet with European Union leaders in Brussels on Friday for a pre-Christmas summit, but the mood will hardly be festive...
news
Deputies Threaten Harsh Measures Against U.S.-Linked NGOs
As the State Duma considers a bill countering the U.S. Magnitsky Act, a group of lawmakers is threatening to add a provision that would massively...
news
Medvedev Upholds Strict Gun Laws
The prime minister calls a U.S. school shooting a "horrifying tragedy" and says he opposes public ownership of firearms.
news
NATO General Says Russian Air Hub Being Tested
A planned air cargo route for NATO countries' military equipment from Afghanistan via Ulyanovsk is being testing and should be operating soon, a top...
news
General: NATO Air Hub Being Tested
A planned air cargo route for NATO countries' military equipment from Afghanistan via Ulyanovsk is being tested and should be operating soon, a top...
news
Russia Implicated in Litvinenko Death
The dramatic affair about the death of Alexander Litvinenko resurfaced with force Thursday, when a lawyer told a London judicial hearing that an initial...
news
Putin Offers Little Political Reform
The government will continue to bolster the country's economic and military prowess as well as dole out benefits to citizens, but political change...
news
NATO's Volga Airport Hits Snarl
Five months after Moscow finalized an agreement with NATO to use Ulyanovsk's airport for transporting military equipment from Afghanistan, not a single...
news
TV Channels Passing Blame Over Leaked Medvedev Comments
Television channels were passing the blame Monday after unofficial footage from an interview with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was leaked Friday.
news
EU Under Pressure to Draft Magnitsky List
European lawmakers say support from EU member countries for a black list of suspected human rights violators is growing.
news
Clinton and Lavrov Bicker Over OSCE
Open disagreement between Moscow and Washington over human rights and democracy as well as intra-organization infighting overshadowed high-level talks...
news
NATO Commitment to Georgia Still 'Solid'
Two months after an opposition party swept elections in Georgia, NATO on Tuesday reconfirmed its 2008 decision to treat the nation as a future member...
news
Lavrov's Injuries Are Subject of Speculation
Speculation regarding the health of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov lingered Wednesday, as news reports and the Foreign Ministry gave contradictory explanations...
news
Lavrov Yields to NATO Missile Plan in Turkey
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov signaled on Tuesday that Moscow was ready to improve cooperation with NATO by offering a slightly softened stance on Syria...
news
Pussy Riot Clip Classified as Extremist
A city court has declared Pussy Riot's “punk prayer” video extremist, meaning that media outlets can face closure for publishing the all-female band's...
news
Japanese Premier Postpones Visit Due to Putin's Health, Reports Say
Talk about Vladimir Putin's health resurfaced Friday after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda reportedly said he had postponed a visit to Moscow...
news
Better Business Climate Gets New Impetus
Business executives are urgently calling on the government to improve conditions for entrepreneurship, which they say remains massively underdeveloped...
news
Russia Threatens EU With 'Retaliation' if No Visa Deal by 2014
The Foreign Ministry on Tuesday threatened the European Union with "retaliation" if visa-free travel is not introduced in time for the Sochi Olympics...
news
Putin to Travel After 2 Months at Home
President Vladimir Putin is visiting Turkey and Turkmenistan next week, signaling that he is fit for travel again after a two-month hiatus that raised...
news
Court Ruling Ramps Up Pressure on Internet Providers to Block Content
A recent Supreme Court decision increases pressure on Internet providers to block websites without direct state interference, lawyers said Friday.
news
Kashin Fired From Kommersant
Kommersant has fired opposition-minded journalist Oleg Kashin for writing too much for other media and too little for his employer, the leading daily's...
news
Senior Lawmaker Suggests Lengthening Military Service
A senior lawmaker called for the service time for conscripts to be lengthened from one year to 18 months, but the Kremlin on Thursday quickly denied that...
news
Investigators Refuse to Open Case Into Razvozzhayev 'Torture'
The Investigative Committee won't open a criminal case into claims by detained opposition activist Leonid Razvozzhayev that he was kidnapped and tortured...
news
NGOs Face 'Foreign Agent' Harassment
On the day that a much-criticized "foreign agent" law came into force, at least four nongovernmental organizations that spearheaded the opposition...
news
Activists Scoff at NGO Law
Although much-debated amendments for nongovernmental organizations go into force this Wednesday, do not expect foreign-funded NGOs to rush to re-register...
news
Putin and Merkel Trade Barbs in Kremlin Talks
President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel traded barbs over Pussy Riot, human rights and democracy during Kremlin talks Friday that...
news
Putin and Merkel Spar Over Human Rights and Pussy Riot
President Vladimir Putin sparred with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over Pussy Riot, human rights and mutual criticism Friday, in what marked a new...
news
Peskov Plays Down Criticism Ahead of German Talks
On the eve of crucial talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Vladimir Putin's spokesman blamed "hotheads" and the start of the election...
news
Merkel Faces Balancing Act in Kremlin
Angela Merkel faces a seemingly impossible task in Moscow this Friday.
news
Internet Censorship Faces Obstacles
As the number of websites banned or blocked under the new Internet law grows, the country’s media watchdog backpedaled Tuesday by acknowledging that...
news
Duma Lawmaker Slams U.S. Vote as 'Unfair'
A prominent State Duma lawmaker who observed the United States presidential election lambasted the vote as “systemically unfair” and riddled with organizational...
news
U.S.-Russian Reset Likely to Lose Momentum
U.S. President Barack Obama’s re-election was widely praised in Moscow, although opposition leaders and analysts cautioned that the much-touted “reset”...
news
Putin's Crane Flight Hurt His Back, Report Says
Fresh speculation that President Vladimir Putin has health problems was swirling Thursday, when a media report said the 60-year-old was suffering from...
news
Navy and Courts' Migration North Draws Criticism
When the Navy's blue-and-white St. Andrews flag goes up on Wednesday above its new headquarters in St. Petersburg, the landmark Admirality building...
news
'Frost' Delays Putin Call-In Show
President Vladimir Putin has postponed his annual call-in show on state television to the summertime, so that participants’ “ears and feet” won’t...
news
Airlines Face Visa Woes
Just two days before a Moscow-imposed ultimatum, some European airlines do not have Russian visas for their crews, while those who obtained them complained...
news
Despite Abduction, Russians Still Seeking Freedom in Ukraine
Despite the harrowing kidnapping of opposition activist Leonid Razvozzhayev by Russian agents, other dissenters are pressing ahead in their bids for political...
news
No Time Change This Fall
When Europe turns its clocks back an hour Sunday, two nations are going to have it their own way: Russia and Belarus will move out of step with much...
news
Razvozzhayev Tells Harrowing Tale
Opposition leaders and human rights groups on Wednesday lambasted the apparent kidnapping and torture of Left Front activist Leonid Razvozzhayev as a return...
news
Russian Lawmakers to Observe U.S. Elections
When Olga Alimova flies to Washington next month, it will be the first time the Communist State Duma deputy visits the United States.
news
Yevkurov Denies Persecuting Opposition Leader
Ingush leader Yunus-Bek Yevkurov on Tuesday dismissed allegations that his administration is persecuting a local opposition leader.
news
Germany's Publicizing of Spy Case Causes Head-Scratching
The German government offered the Kremlin a spy swap involving the exchange of a couple arrested in Germany on charges of being Russian sleeper...
news
Radio Liberty Hiring New Team, Executive Says
Radio Liberty is hiring dozens of staff to rebuild its operations in a modern multimedia format, a senior executive of the station's parent company...
news
Radio Liberty's Fate Unclear
Soviet listeners tuned in to Radio Liberty, Voice of America and the British Broadcasting Corp.'s Russian service to get objective information.
news
EU Airlines Face Visa Ultimatum
The crews of some European airlines will need visas to enter Russia as of Nov. 1 if the European Union does not scrap its visa policy for Russian...
news
Rights Activists Frustrated by Nobel Peace Prize Choice
Russian human rights activists expressed dismay at the news that the EU will be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
news
Sobyanin Speaks Out Against Building Many Mosques
Mayor Sergei Sobyanin spoke out against construction of a large number of mosques for the city's booming Muslim population because many worshippers...
news
Nuclear Disarmament Program's End Draws Near
News that Moscow wants to end a multibillion-dollar program with Washington to dismantle nuclear and chemical weapons triggered fears Thursday that...
news
German NGOs Need Work Permits
German nongovernmental organizations operating in Russia are facing bureaucratic troubles because their foreign staff is now required to obtain work...
news
Medvedev Praises Win by Georgian Opposition
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev praised the results of Georgia's parliamentary elections, in which the main opposition coalition defeated the party...
news
Moscow Silent Ahead of Key Georgian Vote
When Georgia elects a new parliament Monday, the small South Caucasus nation is likely to get the most global attention it's received since its 2008...
news
Medvedev Seen Hanging in the Balance
When Dmitry Medvedev announced on Sept. 24, 2011, that he would step aside to let Vladimir Putin return as president, he disappointed critics and supporters...
news
Billionaire Lebedev Charged With Hooliganism
Kremlin critic and billionaire Alexander Lebedev has been charged with hooliganism over a fistfight on a television show last year.