Fred Weir

Moscow

Special Correspondent at The Christian Science Monitor

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

A simple journalist, covering Russia and the former SU, for the Christian Science Monitor

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Articles

Forget Europe, Russian travel agents say. How about a North Korean resort?

1 week ago | flipboard.com | Fred Weir

Forget Europe, Russian travel agents say. How about a North Korean resort? During the Cold War, an exotic foreign vacation for a Russian tourist usually consisted of a visit to a Soviet satellite state such as Bulgaria or …
Forget Europe, Russian travel agents say. How about a North Korean resort?

1 week ago | csmonitor.com | Fred Weir

During the Cold War, an exotic foreign vacation for a Russian tourist usually consisted of a visit to a Soviet satellite state such as Bulgaria or Poland – assuming they could get all the right documentation. The collapse of the USSR wrenched open the entire world, in a very real way, for the formerly isolated Russian population. In subsequent years, Russians were able to flock to the sites of London and Berlin, the cafés of Paris and Rome, the beaches of Turkey and even Florida.
With hope for peace dimming, Russia brings its demands to Ukraine talks

4 weeks ago | csmonitor.com | Fred Weir

Despite a major increase in airstrikes by both Ukraine and Russia, the Kremlin says that it is ready to go forward with direct peace talks with Kyiv on June 2 in Istanbul. The announcement of talks comes amid growing doubts in Washington that any peace process is even viable. For weeks, almost every night has seen both Ukraine and Russia fire scores of drones and missiles at each other.
If US ends sanctions on Russia, will Russia welcome back US businesses?

1 month ago | csmonitor.com | Fred Weir

The prospect of peace in Ukraine remains elusive. But its mere possibility, raised by the talks between Washington and Moscow and the prospect of Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul Thursday, has triggered a sharp debate in Russian business and political circles about the future of sanctions. In particular, a debate over the amount of relief that the war’s end might be expected to bring to Russia – and how much is even desirable.
Russia and the US seem near a Ukraine peace deal. Kyiv’s role may be moot.

2 months ago | csmonitor.com | Fred Weir

President Donald Trump’s hopes of securing a quick Ukraine peace deal hang in the balance after Washington’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, held his fourth Kremlin meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday. The talks’ focus is reportedly to bridge the gap between Russia’s demands for recognition of its annexations, and those of Europe-backed Ukraine to ensure its territorial integrity and security.
Russia and the US seem near a Ukraine peace deal. Kyiv’s role may be moot.

2 months ago | csmonitor.com | Fred Weir

President Donald Trump’s hopes of securing a quick Ukraine peace deal hang in the balance after Washington’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, held his fourth Kremlin meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday. The focus of today’s talks is reportedly to bridge the gap between Russia’s demands for recognition of its annexations, and those of Europe-backed Ukraine to ensure its territorial integrity and security.
‘Connected to another world’: What Voice of America meant to Russians in Cold War

Mar 21, 2025 | csmonitor.com | Fred Weir

Voice of America started programming in Russian in 1947 at the start of the Cold War, and from the very beginning the Soviets sought to silence it. Authorities made elaborate efforts to jam the signals of foreign radio stations like VOA that broadcast news happening both inside and outside the USSR. In the era of Vladimir Putin, VOA came under attack again. In 2014, Kremlin authorities labeled it a “foreign agent” spreading propaganda aimed at undermining the Russian state.
Putin agrees to Trump’s Ukraine ceasefire, but only on his terms

Mar 14, 2025 | csmonitor.com | Fred Weir

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is ready in principle to accept Donald Trump’s idea of a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, but that the devil is in the details and that more work is needed to craft an acceptable deal. Mr. Putin met Mr. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, in the Kremlin Thursday night, but neither side had anything to say when they emerged.
To Russia, with love? Why some in West are heading east to start over.

Mar 11, 2025 | csmonitor.com | Fred Weir

A couple of years ago, Arend Feenstra and his wife, Anneesa, were unhappy with their lives in northern Saskatchewan. Mr. Feenstra says that it was getting increasingly difficult in Canada to make a living as a farmer, with costs going up and too many middlemen between field and grocery store partaking of the profits. Moreover, they were fed up with what they describe as “woke” culture, particularly the defense of LGBTQ+ and trans causes, which he claims is ubiquitous in Canada.
Russia likes the US turn on Ukraine. But do Putin and Trump share an endgame?

Mar 5, 2025 | csmonitor.com | Fred Weir

President Donald Trump’s rapid about-face on relations with Russia, Europe, and Ukraine has shocked foreign policy-makers around the world. And the Kremlin seems as surprised as everyone else. Now, say Russian analysts, the midnight oil is likely burning in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s office as his team tries to figure out the best way to exploit the many opportunities that have opened up.