Russia may reconsider its $15 billion bailout offer to Ukraine if the current government is removed, a senior official said Tuesday, hours after Ukraine’s prime minister offered his resignation in an effort to calm a growing protest movement.
News Highlights
Russian Senators Pass Extremism, Transport Safety Bills
Russia’s upper house of parliament approved two bills Wednesday to stiffen penalties for extremism-related crimes and increase security inspections on public transportation.
Russia authorities blasted for restricting sensitive pre-Olympics news coverage from Sochi
An international journalism watchdog on Tuesday criticized Russian authorities for restricting news coverage of preparations for the Sochi Olympics.
Russia Must Staff Interior Troops With Priests – Patriarch
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church said Monday that priests should be assigned staff positions within the ranks of the Interior Ministry’s troops following the success of a similar move in the military.
Bach Backs Russia on Security for Sochi Olympics
IOC President Thomas Bach defended the choice of Sochi as host of the Winter Olympics on Monday and said he’s “sleeping very well” despite the terror threat hanging over the games.
Russia Mulls Jailing WWII Revisionists After Scandalous Poll
Russian legislators threatened to criminalize World War II revisionism after being outraged by an online survey that asked if Leningrad should have surrendered to the Nazis.
Parcel block by DHL and FedEx hits Russian consumers
The express delivery services DHL and FedEx have suspended shipments of parcels to private individuals in Russia, blaming stricter customs rules.
Russia’s Central Bank: Bitcoin Users Can Face Jail Time
Russia’s top monetary authority slammed digital currencies Monday, warning that Bitcoin use can lead to criminal charges in the country.
Sochi 2014: No gay people in city, says mayor
The mayor of Sochi, host of the Winter Olympics, has said there are no gay people in the city.
Russia frees Khodorkovsky ex-partner Lebedev
Platon Lebedev, the ex-business partner of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, has been released after spending 10 years in jail in Russia, officials say.