Back to the Future · Items · DS at Swarthmore

Russia Won’t Congratulate Biden on U.S. Election Victory Before Official Results – Kremlin

Putin refuses to officially congratulate Joe Biden for his projected win in the 2020 U.S. Election, despite that several world leaders from France, England, etc. already have, and that he had congratulated Trump within an hour of his victory declaration 4 years prior. This is yet another clear indicator of Russia's bias towards a Trump presidency with the hope of softer anti-Russia rhetoric.

Russians Sickened by Virus Surge Feel Lucky To Be in Well-Off Moscow

In comparison to the rest of Russia's underfunded and poorly staffed hospitals, the affluent Moscow is faring much better in response to the new surge of coronavirus cases. This difference reveals the problematic wealth disparity between Moscow and the rest of Russia.

Russia’s Election Panel Criticizes ‘Alarming’ U.S. Mail-in Vote

Nikolai Bulayevand other leading members of Russia's election panel are skeptical of this year's American Election's legitimacy, citing concerns regarding mail-in votes such as “people who are long dead are casting ballots and [] mailboxes are being broken into.” Though presented under the guise of non-bias (for example claiming that both candidates will commence lawsuits), these sentiments wholly echo Donald Trump's attempts to delegitimize the election's results in myriad swing states leaning in Biden's favor.

Brussels sources say EU set to impose sanctions on Alexander Lukashenko

This article reports on the EU sanctioning Alexander Lukashenko

Putin Proposes Closing Gay Marriage Loophole – Vedomosti

A current legal loophole allows same-sex marriages to be recognized by Russian authorities if the marriage was registered abroad. According to the Vedomosti daily newspaper, Putin has proposed draft amendments to Russia’s Family Code that forbid “immoral interpretations” of international treaties governing family affairs in order to close this loophole. A partner at a reputable law firm in Russia described the use of morality to determine what gets banned as legally “strange” to Vedomosti, yet this is wording is not at all surprising based on the government's past usage of rhetoric such as the preservation of "traditional values" when defending its actions. This wording also gives the government flexibility and power because morality is subjective, which means that any international ruling they claim to be immoral could be overruled in Russia.

The regime changers Russia now rejects such talk as ‘color revolution,’ but Vladimir Putin and Bill Clinton discussed removing Slobodan Milošević from power 20 years ago

Vladimir Putin and Bill Clinton's discussion about removing Yugoslavian leader Slobodan Milosevic in 2000 reveals the double-standard of Russian government.

W. House Calls Putin Proposal on Nuclear Treaty 'Non-Starter'

Russia and the US disagree on the conditions of a potential New START nuclear treaty extension. The US demands that both nations freeze their nuclear warhead stocks between now and the treaty's expiration on February 5, 2021, but Russia refused this condition among others proposed by the US. The US was surprised that Russia rejected this proposal (initially assuming they'd accept), but both sides do see a potential deal as a victory for both sides, so it's fair to assume negotiations will continue.

Putin calls on Armenia and Azerbaijan to halt fighting, exchange bodies and prisoners, and meet in Moscow for talks

The article describes the Kremlin's latest efforts at reining in the ongoing Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region

Anger From Moscow, Minsk as EU, U.S. Sanction Belarus

This article reports on the sanctions placed on Belarus by the EU and America because of election protests as well as the retaliation by Belarus and Russia.

France’s Foreign Ministry Investigating Alleged Leak of Macron–Putin Conversation on Navalny to the Press

French newspaper "Le Monde" leaks phone conversation between Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the poisoning of Alexey Navalny. Putin supposedly claimed that Navalny may have poisoned himself with the nerve agent, as opposed to common belief that the Kremlin was behind his poisoning. The Kremlin is furious about the leak, but hasn't entirely refuted the version of the presidents' conversation provided by "Le Monde."

Putin offers UN staff FREE DOSE of Russia’s pioneering Sputnik V jab as he calls for global conference on Covid-19 vaccine

At the UN General Assembly, Russian president Vladimir Putin proposes a meeting on joint global development of a COVID-19 vaccine, and offers free Sputnik V shots to UN staffers.

Tens of Thousands Protest in Belarus Capital Against Lukashenko

This article speaks to the present protests in Belarus surrounding the validity of Lukashenko's re-election.

Pair of Russian military servicemen arrested after viral video shows them washing their shoes with holy water

Two military servicemen were arrested for "insulting other peoples' religion" by washing their shoes in holy water in a Kaliningrad cathedral. They were arrested using a 2013 law that criminalizes insulting other peoples' religions, which blurs the lines between church and state.

How the Russian state media rescued Belarusian broadcasters from political pluralism

An article describing Russian journalists' activities in Belarus after the Belarus election in 2020.

Serbian president Vucic informs Russia’s foreign minister Lavrov about US-brokered deal with Kosovo

The United States helps Serbia negotiate deal between Serbia and breakaway region Kosovo, normalizing economic relations. Although this came with benefits to US foreign policy (both Serbia and Kosovo plan to build embassies in Jerusalem and the latter will commence diplomatic relations with US ally Israel), political tensions between Serbia and Kosovo will not falter, as the former still refuses to grant independence to the region. Russia remains adamant that Serbia, a major buyer of Russian natural gas, maintain control over the region.

Russia’s Covid-19 Vaccine Breaches Crucial Scientific and Ethical International Standards

Russia has approved a Covid-19 vaccine called Sputnik V and will start mass vaccinations in October. However, this vaccine does not meet scientific standards and ethical standards, and also has a lack of transparency. If Russia were to release this vaccination in an attempt to "win the vaccine race" and achieve global supremacy, it could greatly worsen the effects of the corona virus

Sorry we exist - The emergence, blossoming, and almost complete defeat of Russian drug activism

The history of drug activism in Russia following the fall of the Soviet Union is one of great significance and turmoil, spanning over twenty-two years and a variety of movements. While calls for the humanization and medical treatment of drug-users in Russia have been persistent, victims of the country's opioid epidemic are continually oppressed by law enforcement, as civil dissent is increasingly prohibited. As Russia's opioid epidemic worsens, and more individuals fall victim thereof, many aspects of the calls for change in the country are strikingly familiar to social justice movements globally.

Putin, Lukashenko To Talk 'Integration' Amid Belarus Protests

This article explores the possibility of Russian and Belarusian integration