Articles - The Moscow Times

Support The Moscow Times!

Contribute today

opinion

Maxim Samorukov

Is the Kremlin Finally Ready to Play Hardball With Belarus?

Russia needs Belarus and Lukashenko to serve as an alluring example to other post-Soviet rulers of how beneficial integration with Russia can be.

Threatened independence

Hundreds Protest Russia-Belarus Integration Pact in Minsk

Protesters waved flags and chanted “No to occupation,” while video showed people tearing up photos of Putin.

UNION STATE

Latest Russia-Belarus Integration Talks Fall Flat

Five-hour meeting between Vladimir Putin and Belarus' Alexander Lukashenko ends without agreement.

NO NEED TO WORRY

Belarus' Lukashenko Dismisses Fears Russia Could Swallow His Country

Lukashenko dismissed fears that a possible integration with Russia could end with his country losing its independence.

Flip-flop

Are Russia and Belarus Creating a Unified Cabinet and Parliament?

Comments made by Belarus’ top diplomat in Moscow have set Russian-speaking media abuzz.

'foregone conclusion'

Opposition Wins no Seats in Belarus Election as Lukashenko Vows to Stay Put

"I have promised that I would not hang on to this seat until my fingers turn blue," Lukashenko said.

neighbors' quarrel

Belarus Slams Russia Over Warplanes, Joint Border

A spat over payment for fighter jets is the latest crack in the relationship between the two allies.

Indicted abroad

Belarus Detains Russian Accused of U.S. Election Meddling

The Internet Research Agency (IRA) translator and data analyst was reportedly detained at the request of the U.S.

road bump

Belarus Rejects Russia’s ‘Unacceptable’ Terms of Integration

Integration talks between Minsk and Moscow have fueled concerns of a possible quiet annexation.

Moscow snubbed

Russia Complains Over Belarus's Refusal to Host Airbase

Minsk says the base would risk exacerbating regional tensions.

underground ring

Belarus Finds Illegal Ukrainian Arms Shipments to Russia

The smuggling network moved weapons, parts and ammunition from Ukraine through Lithuania and Belarus to reach Russia.

Steps to unity

Russia, Belarus to Form Economic ‘Confederacy’ by 2022 – Kommersant

“The partial economic integration is on a level no less than in the European Union,” the newspaper wrote after seeing the plan of action.

opinion

Can an Ambassador's Sacking Save Russia-Belarus Relations?

On April 30, Vladimir Putin relieved Russian ambassador to Belarus Mikhail Babich of his duties and replaced him with Dmitry Mezentsev, a former senator...

Dirty oil

Belarus In the Dark About When Clean Russian Oil Flows Will Resume

Transmission via the Druzhba pipeline was halted due to high levels of organic chloride.

opinion

Leonid Bershidsky

Belarus Seizes a Chance to Hit Russia Where It Hurts

Lukashenko is happy to play hardball over contaminated oil in an important pipeline to Europe.

Sudden sacking

Putin Sacks Russian Envoy to Belarus Amid Oil Row

The oil spat has exacerbated wider political differences.

Planning ahead

Putin's Closest Ally Fears Takeover as Kremlin Plots Succession

Vladimir Putin may look beyond Russia for a mechanism to keep power after his current term ends.

Cut off

Belarus Halts Exports Due to Low-Quality Russian Oil

Belarus found that the Russian oil contained 17 times the normal level of chlorides.

Bad apples

‘Brazen’ Import Ban Prompts Belarus to Close Russian Pipeline

A new flare-up in tensions between Russia and Belarus is straining talks of merging the sides into one country.

Friendly distance

Half of Russians Oppose Full-Fledged Union With Belarus, Poll Says

Observers say the results reflect a hidden fear that the union could produce a mixed bag for the Russian economy.

View more articles