Fred Weir

1 week 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.

3 weeks 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.

1 month 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.

1 month 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.

2 months ago | 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.