rferl--2020-02-28--U.S. Judge Considers Contempt Charge Against Russian-Controlled Firm

A federal judge says she is considering whether to hold a company reportedly controlled by Kremlin-linked Russian financier Yevgeny Prigozhin in contempt for ignoring court orders .
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich on February 27 gave lawyers for the firm Concord Management and Consulting until the end of February 28 to explain why their client should not face a civil penalty for missing a deadline to produce documents .
Washington last year imposed sanctions on several entities and people associated with the Internet Research Agency ( IRA ) and Prigozhin , its financier , in connection with Russian interference in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Petersburg-based organization known as the Russian `` troll farm , '' was mentioned repeatedly by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election .
In February 2018 , the Justice Department indicted the IRA and Concord Management and Consulting and Concord Catering as well as Prigozhin himself and 15 other Russian individuals for alleged fraud `` for the purpose of interfering with the U.S. political and electoral processes , including the presidential election of 2016 . ''
Concord was charged with conspiracy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in election meddling aimed at sowing discord in the United States , helping Republican candidate Donald Trump , and harming his Democratic opponent , Hillary Clinton .
Prigozhin has been nicknamed `` Putin 's chef '' by Russian media because of the elaborate banquets he has organized for President Vladimir Putin .
He also controls the Vagner private security firm , which has sent Russian mercenaries to fight in Ukraine , Syria , and several African countries .
Prosecutors have asked the judge to hold Concord Management and Consulting LLC in contempt for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , such as corporate registration records , company internet IP addresses , and files relating to its officers .
The judge ordered company representatives to appear in court on March 2 for a contempt hearing .
Concord has several times unsuccessfully attempted to have the charges dismissed .
Concord ’ s trial is scheduled to begin with a jury selection hearing on April 1 .
After months of investigation , Mueller documented election interference by Russia but said he did not find sufficient evidence to demonstrate a criminal conspiracy between Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of the last remaining cases related to Mueller ’ s probe .
With reporting by Reuters and Politico

A federal judge says she is considering whether to hold a company reportedly controlled by Kremlin-linked Russian financier Yevgeny Prigozhin in contempt for ignoring court orders.
U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich on February 27 gave lawyers for the firm Concord Management and Consulting until the end of February 28 to explain why their client should not face a civil penalty for missing a deadline to produce documents.
Washington last year imposed sanctions on several entities and people associated with the Internet Research Agency (IRA) and Prigozhin, its financier, in connection with Russian interference in U.S. elections.
The IRA, a St. Petersburg-based organization known as the Russian "troll farm," was mentioned repeatedly by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
In February 2018, the Justice Department indicted the IRA and Concord Management and Consulting and Concord Catering as well as Prigozhin himself and 15 other Russian individuals for alleged fraud "for the purpose of interfering with the U.S. political and electoral processes, including the presidential election of 2016."
Concord was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States for its role in election meddling aimed at sowing discord in the United States, helping Republican candidate Donald Trump, and harming his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton.
Prigozhin has been nicknamed "Putin's chef" by Russian media because of the elaborate banquets he has organized for President Vladimir Putin.
He also controls the Vagner private security firm, which has sent Russian mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, Syria, and several African countries.
Prosecutors have asked the judge to hold Concord Management and Consulting LLC in contempt for defying subpoenas for information related to the case, such as corporate registration records, company internet IP addresses, and files relating to its officers.
The judge ordered company representatives to appear in court on March 2 for a contempt hearing.
Concord has several times unsuccessfully attempted to have the charges dismissed.
Concord’s trial is scheduled to begin with a jury selection hearing on April 1.
After months of investigation, Mueller documented election interference by Russia but said he did not find sufficient evidence to demonstrate a criminal conspiracy between Trump's campaign and Moscow.
The Concord case is one of the last remaining cases related to Mueller’s probe.
With reporting by Reuters and Politico


rferl--2020-02-28--Turkey Retaliates Against Syrian Forces After 33 Of Its Soldiers Killed In Air Strikes

Turkey says at least 33 of its soldiers have been killed in an air strike by Russia-backed Syrian government forces in northwestern Syria , rising tensions between Ankara and Damascus ally Moscow .
Rahmi Dogan , governor of Turkey ’ s Hatay Province bordering Syria , said on February 28 that 32 wounded troops were being treated in hospitals after the strikes in Idlib Province .
In response to the attack , Syrian government targets “ have come and will continue to come under fire from the air and ground , '' said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 's communications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s government has made no immediate comments on the latest escalation in Idlib , which Russia-backed Syrian forces are trying to retake from rebels .
A total of 54 soldiers have been reported killed in the province since the beginning of the month , including the latest fatalities .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry said that Turkish troops who came under fire by Syrian troops were among `` terrorists . ''
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar rejected the claim , saying `` there were no armed groups around our military units '' during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fleet said it was sending two warships equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles to the Mediterranean Sea toward the Syrian coast .
The United States said that `` we stand by our NATO ally Turkey '' and demanded that Syria and Russia end their `` despicable '' offensive in Idlib .
`` We are looking at options on how we can best support Turkey in this crisis , '' a State Department spokeswoman said .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart spoke by phone to discuss the recent flare-up in Idlib , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke by phone to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and `` condemned the continued indiscriminate air strikes by the Syrian regime and its backer Russia in Idlib Province . ''
Stoltenberg `` urged all parties to de-escalate this dangerous situation and avoid further worsening of the horrendous humanitarian situation in the region , '' he added .
NATO ’ s top decision-making body , the North Atlantic Council , is to meet later in the day at Turkey ’ s request to discuss the situation in Syria , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the international community “ must act to protect civilians and impose '' a no-fly zone over Idlib .
Turkish media reported that hundreds of migrants were flocking to Turkey 's borders with Greece and Bulgaria , after a senior official was quoted as saying Ankara had decided “ not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe.
” Police , coast guard , and border security officials were ordered to stand down on refugees ’ land and sea crossings toward Europe , the unidentified Turkish official told Reuters .
At the UN , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the greatest firmness the intense bombardments by the aviation of the regime and its allies , in particular Russia , '' he said , citing a humanitarian disaster caused by attacks on hospitals , schools , and refugee shelters .
Vassily Nebenzia , Russia 's UN ambassador , downplayed widespread reports of a humanitarian disaster in Idlib , saying the `` only long-term solution [ to conflict in Syria ] is to chase the terrorists from the country . ''
Meanwhile , U.S .
Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria `` who is their reliable partner and who is n't . ''
“ I hope that President Erdogan will see that we are the ally of their past and their future , ” she said , adding that Ankara needs to cancel its purchase of the sophisticated S-400 missile-defense system from Russia .
Turkey has sent thousands of troops and heavy military equipment into northwest Idlib Province to support rebels looking to hold back an offensive by Syrian government and Russian air forces aimed at recapturing the rebel stronghold .
The fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could come into direct combat against Russian forces in Syria .
Russia , along with Iran , has provided crucial political , military , and financial support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the country ’ s long civil war , which has killed more than 400,000 people and displaced millions since it began with a crackdown on anti-government protesters in March 2011 .
The United States and Turkey have backed differing rebel groups , while extremists linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State also entered the conflict , although they have mostly been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by dpa , Reuters , AP , and AFP

Turkey says at least 33 of its soldiers have been killed in an air strike by Russia-backed Syrian government forces in northwestern Syria, rising tensions between Ankara and Damascus ally Moscow.
Rahmi Dogan, governor of Turkey’s Hatay Province bordering Syria, said on February 28 that 32 wounded troops were being treated in hospitals after the strikes in Idlib Province.
In response to the attack, Syrian government targets “have come and will continue to come under fire from the air and ground," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's communications director, Fahrettin Altun.
A war monitor reported that the Turkish reprisals killed 16 Syrian soldiers.
Syria’s government has made no immediate comments on the latest escalation in Idlib, which Russia-backed Syrian forces are trying to retake from rebels. A total of 54 soldiers have been reported killed in the province since the beginning of the month, including the latest fatalities.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said that Turkish troops who came under fire by Syrian troops were among "terrorists." Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar rejected the claim, saying "there were no armed groups around our military units" during the attack.
Russia's Black Sea Fleet said it was sending two warships equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles to the Mediterranean Sea toward the Syrian coast.
The United States said that "we stand by our NATO ally Turkey" and demanded that Syria and Russia end their "despicable" offensive in Idlib.
"We are looking at options on how we can best support Turkey in this crisis," a State Department spokeswoman said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart spoke by phone to discuss the recent flare-up in Idlib, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Earlier, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke by phone to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and "condemned the continued indiscriminate air strikes by the Syrian regime and its backer Russia in Idlib Province."
Stoltenberg "urged all parties to de-escalate this dangerous situation and avoid further worsening of the horrendous humanitarian situation in the region," he added.
NATO’s top decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, is to meet later in the day at Turkey’s request to discuss the situation in Syria, Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.
Altun tweeted that the international community “must act to protect civilians and impose" a no-fly zone over Idlib.
Turkish media reported that hundreds of migrants were flocking to Turkey's borders with Greece and Bulgaria, after a senior official was quoted as saying Ankara had decided “not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe.”
Police, coast guard, and border security officials were ordered to stand down on refugees’ land and sea crossings toward Europe, the unidentified Turkish official told Reuters.
At the UN, France also said it "condemns with the greatest firmness the intense bombardments by the aviation of the regime and its allies, in particular Russia," he said, citing a humanitarian disaster caused by attacks on hospitals, schools, and refugee shelters.
Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's UN ambassador, downplayed widespread reports of a humanitarian disaster in Idlib, saying the "only long-term solution [to conflict in Syria] is to chase the terrorists from the country."
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison called on the Turks to learn from the fighting in Syria "who is their reliable partner and who isn't."
“I hope that President Erdogan will see that we are the ally of their past and their future,” she said, adding that Ankara needs to cancel its purchase of the sophisticated S-400 missile-defense system from Russia.
Turkey has sent thousands of troops and heavy military equipment into northwest Idlib Province to support rebels looking to hold back an offensive by Syrian government and Russian air forces aimed at recapturing the rebel stronghold.
The fighting has raised concerns that NATO member Turkey could come into direct combat against Russian forces in Syria.
Russia, along with Iran, has provided crucial political, military, and financial support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the country’s long civil war, which has killed more than 400,000 people and displaced millions since it began with a crackdown on anti-government protesters in March 2011.
The United States and Turkey have backed differing rebel groups, while extremists linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State also entered the conflict, although they have mostly been driven from their strongholds.
With reporting by dpa, Reuters, AP, and AFP


rferl--2020-02-27--Russia’s Chief Auditor Says 1-In-3 Hospitals Lacks Running Water

Russia ’ s latest report on children ’ s health released this month notes a shortage of qualified doctors and singles out medical facilities that are in poor condition .
About one-third of 117,000 medical facilities that were inspected lack running water and more than 40 percent lack central heating , according to the Audit Chamber , the Russian government ’ s public spending watchdog .
Most of the buildings housing medical institutions are in “ unsatisfactory sanitary and technical condition , ” contributing to their natural dilapidation , the report says of the inspections carried out in January .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have hot water , 35 percent lack sewer systems , and 47 percent aren ’ t accessible by wheelchairs .
Major repairs are needed at 14 percent of the inspected buildings .
“ There ’ s a lack of qualified pediatricians in the regions and the conditions of most buildings used for children ’ s clinics can ’ t provide patients the needed comfort , ” the Audit Chamber said .
The figures haven ’ t changed much from 2016 when a similar report was compiled .
The chamber ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was missing at more than 40 percent of Russian clinics or hospitals and running water was absent in 31 percent .
“ The watchdog also criticized President Vladimir Putin ’ s $ 400 billion national spending program for earmarking a small fraction of the funds on children ’ s health care through 2024 , ” The Moscow Times reported .

Russia’s latest report on children’s health released this month notes a shortage of qualified doctors and singles out medical facilities that are in poor condition.
About one-third of 117,000 medical facilities that were inspected lack running water and more than 40 percent lack central heating, according to the Audit Chamber, the Russian government’s public spending watchdog.
Most of the buildings housing medical institutions are in “unsatisfactory sanitary and technical condition,” contributing to their natural dilapidation, the report says of the inspections carried out in January.
Slightly more than half the buildings don’t have hot water, 35 percent lack sewer systems, and 47 percent aren’t accessible by wheelchairs.
Major repairs are needed at 14 percent of the inspected buildings.
“There’s a lack of qualified pediatricians in the regions and the conditions of most buildings used for children’s clinics can’t provide patients the needed comfort,” the Audit Chamber said.
The figures haven’t changed much from 2016 when a similar report was compiled.
The chamber’s previous chief auditor then said central heating was missing at more than 40 percent of Russian clinics or hospitals and running water was absent in 31 percent.
“The watchdog also criticized President Vladimir Putin’s $400 billion national spending program for earmarking a small fraction of the funds on children’s health care through 2024,” The Moscow Times reported.


rferl--2020-02-27--Kosovo To Partially Lift Serbian Import Tariffs

Kosovo announced it will lift tariffs on Serbian imports of raw materials starting on March 15 in a step to normalize relations with its Balkan neighbor .
Tariffs in place for all other Serbian goods will be eliminated on April 1 for a period of 90 days if Belgrade halts its campaign of prodding other countries not to recognize Kosovo ’ s statehood and removes trade barriers for Kosovo , Prime Minister Albin Kurti said at a news conference in Pristina on February 27 .
He said if Serbia doesn ’ t respect Kosovo 's act of goodwill , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will reciprocate in kind -- first in trade then in political terms .
Kurti also voiced hopes the measures will prompt the EU to ease visa and travel restrictions for Kosovars ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit in Zagreb on May 7 .
He added the tariffs will be reimposed on June 15 if Serbia ’ s actions don ’ t “ reflect ” on Pristina 's initial decision to lift tariffs for raw materials .
Kosovo 's former prime minister , Ramush Haradinaj , who imposed 100 percent tariffs on Serbian and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's decision was perilous .
`` This is the beginning of the return of Serbia and Russia to Kosovo , '' Haradinaj wrote on Facebook .
Relations between Pristina and Belgrade have remained strained since the Kosovo war , which claimed more than 10,000 lives and left over 1 million people homeless .
Serbia continues to consider its former province part of its territory , although Kosovo 's independence , declared in 2008 , has been recognized by about 100 countries , including the United States .
Talks on normalizing diplomatic relations were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposition of 100 percent tariffs on Serbian goods and services in response to Belgrade 's continued lobbying for countries to reverse their recognition of Kosovo .
However , the United States and EU envoys have been mediating talks for the two sides to come back to the negotiating table .
Earlier this month , Serbian and Kosovar officials signed a deal to restore a railway link between Belgrade and Pristina and to connect the two capitals with a highway .
The move came after the two sides last month signed an agreement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kosovo that were halted two decades ago when the 1998-99 Kosovo conflict escalated .

Kosovo announced it will lift tariffs on Serbian imports of raw materials starting on March 15 in a step to normalize relations with its Balkan neighbor.
Tariffs in place for all other Serbian goods will be eliminated on April 1 for a period of 90 days if Belgrade halts its campaign of prodding other countries not to recognize Kosovo’s statehood and removes trade barriers for Kosovo, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said at a news conference in Pristina on February 27.
He said if Serbia doesn’t respect Kosovo's act of goodwill, then, starting on April 1, Kosovo will reciprocate in kind -- first in trade then in political terms.
Kurti also voiced hopes the measures will prompt the EU to ease visa and travel restrictions for Kosovars ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit in Zagreb on May 7.
He added the tariffs will be reimposed on June 15 if Serbia’s actions don’t “reflect” on Pristina's initial decision to lift tariffs for raw materials.
Kosovo's former prime minister, Ramush Haradinaj, who imposed 100 percent tariffs on Serbian and Bosnian imports in 2018, said Kurti's decision was perilous.
"This is the beginning of the return of Serbia and Russia to Kosovo," Haradinaj wrote on Facebook.
Relations between Pristina and Belgrade have remained strained since the Kosovo war, which claimed more than 10,000 lives and left over 1 million people homeless.
Serbia continues to consider its former province part of its territory, although Kosovo's independence, declared in 2008, has been recognized by about 100 countries, including the United States.
Talks on normalizing diplomatic relations were derailed in November 2018 by Pristina's imposition of 100 percent tariffs on Serbian goods and services in response to Belgrade's continued lobbying for countries to reverse their recognition of Kosovo.
However, the United States and EU envoys have been mediating talks for the two sides to come back to the negotiating table.
Earlier this month, Serbian and Kosovar officials signed a deal to restore a railway link between Belgrade and Pristina and to connect the two capitals with a highway.
The move came after the two sides last month signed an agreement on the resumption of commercial flights between Serbia and Kosovo that were halted two decades ago when the 1998-99 Kosovo conflict escalated.


rferl--2020-02-27--Wartime Killing Of Muslims Commemorated In Belgrade

Several dozen activists on February 27 assembled in downtown Belgrade to commemorate 27 years since 20 mostly Muslim men were tortured and killed by Serbian paramilitaries after being removed from a train during the 1990s war in neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina .
The incident started at the Strpci train station near the border with Bosnia on February 27 , 1993 .
Armed Serbs stopped a train there and took 20 passengers , mostly Muslims , and brought the men to Visegrad in eastern Bosnia , where they tortured and killed all of them , dumping their bodies in the Drina river .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sandzak area in western Serbia , which borders Bosnia .
Activists in the Serbian capital symbolically assembled at 3:48 p.m. , the time when the train was halted .
They stood in silence , holding banners with the victims ’ names and leaflets that resemble train tickets .
Court proceedings for the war crimes are ongoing both in Serbia , involving five suspects , and Bosnia , against 10 suspects .
A total of 16 suspected members of the paramilitary group were arrested in 2014 in Republika Srpska , the Bosnia Serb entity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eleven have gone on trial in Sarajevo , one of whom pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 5 years in prison in 2016 after reaching a deal with the prosecutors .
Another member of the group was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2002 by a court in nearby Montenegro .
The remains of only four victims have been found to date .
In 2009 , the group 's leader , Bosnian Serb Milan Lukic , was sentenced to life in prison by a UN tribunal for war crimes during Bosnia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged over the Strpci massacre , but his brother , Gojko Lukic , figures among the five recently accused .
Bosnia 's 1992-1995 war claimed around 100,000 lives .

Several dozen activists on February 27 assembled in downtown Belgrade to commemorate 27 years since 20 mostly Muslim men were tortured and killed by Serbian paramilitaries after being removed from a train during the 1990s war in neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The incident started at the Strpci train station near the border with Bosnia on February 27, 1993. Armed Serbs stopped a train there and took 20 passengers, mostly Muslims, and brought the men to Visegrad in eastern Bosnia, where they tortured and killed all of them, dumping their bodies in the Drina river.
All the victims were from the Muslim-dominated Sandzak area in western Serbia, which borders Bosnia.
Activists in the Serbian capital symbolically assembled at 3:48 p.m., the time when the train was halted.
They stood in silence, holding banners with the victims’ names and leaflets that resemble train tickets.
Court proceedings for the war crimes are ongoing both in Serbia, involving five suspects, and Bosnia, against 10 suspects.
A total of 16 suspected members of the paramilitary group were arrested in 2014 in Republika Srpska, the Bosnia Serb entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and in Serbia proper.
Eleven have gone on trial in Sarajevo, one of whom pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 5 years in prison in 2016 after reaching a deal with the prosecutors.
Another member of the group was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2002 by a court in nearby Montenegro.
The remains of only four victims have been found to date.
In 2009, the group's leader, Bosnian Serb Milan Lukic, was sentenced to life in prison by a UN tribunal for war crimes during Bosnia's 1992-1995 conflict.
He was never charged over the Strpci massacre, but his brother, Gojko Lukic, figures among the five recently accused.
Bosnia's 1992-1995 war claimed around 100,000 lives.


rferl--2020-02-27--EU: Accession Talks With Albania, North Macedonia Could Open In Weeks

The European Union could open membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia within weeks amid good progress made by the two Balkan countries in their preparations , the 27-member bloc 's enlargement chief , Oliver Varhelyi , said on February 27 .
France , which together with the Netherlands blocked the opening of talks with the two in October , earlier this month indicated that enlargement talks could start if the European Commission , the bloc 's executive body , gave them a positive review next month .
Varhelyi said that the commission 's report , due to be released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is serious progress in both countries .
I am very encouraged by the fact that these two countries have chosen to accelerate [ their preparations ] , '' he said after a meeting of the Visegrad Group with the western Balkans states hosted by Prague .
`` With this report I do hope to convince member states that they are ready and we should be ready to open negotiations , '' Varhelyi said , adding that he hoped `` very much to start negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania in the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told RFE/RL , `` there is no such thing as cast-iron guarantee in politics , '' adding , `` What I try to rely on is progress that we can report on , achievements on the ground . ''
`` I hope that this will be taken into due account and this will convince the two member states [ France and The Netherlands ] , who have been unable to support the opening of accession negotiations in October , now to come on board , '' Varhelyi said .
If allowed to open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set for a summit with EU leaders and all six western Balkan candidate countries - Serbia , Kosovo , Montenegro , Albania , Bosnia , and North Macedonia -- in Croatia in May .
French President Emmanuel Macron had refused to approve the start of accession talks at a summit in October , saying the process of admitting new members needed to change .
The European Commission earlier this month proposed reforms to the enlargement process along the lines of a French proposal made in November , giving EU governments more say and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiations and freeze funds .
Membership talks usually take years to complete .
With reporting by RFE/RL 's Balkan Service and Reuters

The European Union could open membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia within weeks amid good progress made by the two Balkan countries in their preparations, the 27-member bloc's enlargement chief, Oliver Varhelyi, said on February 27.
France, which together with the Netherlands blocked the opening of talks with the two in October, earlier this month indicated that enlargement talks could start if the European Commission, the bloc's executive body, gave them a positive review next month.
Varhelyi said that the commission's report, due to be released next week, was encouraging.
"There is serious progress in both countries. I am very encouraged by the fact that these two countries have chosen to accelerate [their preparations]," he said after a meeting of the Visegrad Group with the western Balkans states hosted by Prague.
"With this report I do hope to convince member states that they are ready and we should be ready to open negotiations," Varhelyi said, adding that he hoped "very much to start negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania in the coming weeks."
However, Varhelyi separately told RFE/RL, "there is no such thing as cast-iron guarantee in politics," adding, "What I try to rely on is progress that we can report on, achievements on the ground."
"I hope that this will be taken into due account and this will convince the two member states [France and The Netherlands], who have been unable to support the opening of accession negotiations in October, now to come on board," Varhelyi said.
If allowed to open enlargement negotiations, the stage would be set for a summit with EU leaders and all six western Balkan candidate countries - Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia, and North Macedonia -- in Croatia in May.
French President Emmanuel Macron had refused to approve the start of accession talks at a summit in October, saying the process of admitting new members needed to change.
The European Commission earlier this month proposed reforms to the enlargement process along the lines of a French proposal made in November, giving EU governments more say and making it easier to stop or reset negotiations and freeze funds.
Membership talks usually take years to complete.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Balkan Service and Reuters


rferl--2020-02-27--Russia Removes Crimean Journalist Semena From 'Terrorist' List

RFE/RL contributor Mykola Semena -- a journalist who was convicted of separatism in Ukraine 's Russia-occupied Crimea region before a court there expunged his criminal record -- has been removed from Russia ’ s list of “ terrorists and extremists.
” The news was reported on February 27 by Graty , a Ukrainian nonprofit that receives funding from the Czech People in Need foundation to monitor judicial and law enforcement issues .
Semena , 69 , is listed in the section of individuals who have been “ removed ” from the list on the website of the Russian Federal Financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say in its current form , the terrorist and extremist list is an additional method of pressuring people Russia deems objectionable because , contrary to the principle of presumption of innocence , it allows authorities to impose sanctions before court decisions are made .
The Crimean journalist is currently seeking medical care in Kyiv for a heart condition and damaged spine .
In 2017 , Semena was convicted of separatism and handed a 2 1/2-year suspended sentence together with a ban from `` public activity '' for three years .
On January 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital , Simferopol , ruled to prematurely terminate Semena 's sentence period and expunge his criminal record .
The journalist has said he has plans to “ indefinitely ” stay in mainland Ukraine .
“ As long as part of Ukraine is occupied , I can not consider it my home .
My family thinks the same , ” he said of Crimea , which Russia invaded and annexed in 2014 .

RFE/RL contributor Mykola Semena -- a journalist who was convicted of separatism in Ukraine's Russia-occupied Crimea region before a court there expunged his criminal record -- has been removed from Russia’s list of “terrorists and extremists.”
The news was reported on February 27 by Graty, a Ukrainian nonprofit that receives funding from the Czech People in Need foundation to monitor judicial and law enforcement issues.
Semena, 69, is listed in the section of individuals who have been “removed” from the list on the website of the Russian Federal Financial Monitoring Service.
Rights groups in Ukraine say in its current form, the terrorist and extremist list is an additional method of pressuring people Russia deems objectionable because, contrary to the principle of presumption of innocence, it allows authorities to impose sanctions before court decisions are made.
The Crimean journalist is currently seeking medical care in Kyiv for a heart condition and damaged spine.
In 2017, Semena was convicted of separatism and handed a 2 1/2-year suspended sentence together with a ban from "public activity" for three years.
On January 14, a court in Crimea’s capital, Simferopol, ruled to prematurely terminate Semena's sentence period and expunge his criminal record.
The journalist has said he has plans to “indefinitely” stay in mainland Ukraine.
“As long as part of Ukraine is occupied, I cannot consider it my home. My family thinks the same,” he said of Crimea, which Russia invaded and annexed in 2014.


rferl--2020-02-27--Putin Justifies Police Violence During Unsanctioned Protests

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said protesters who took part in unsanctioned rallies last summer were provoking security forces who responded with violence .
In an interview with Russian news agency TASS that was published on February 27 , Putin said people who complain about being beaten by police at such rallies `` must first receive permission to rally , and then express their opinions . ''
When asked to watch a video showing a police officer `` hitting a female protester , for which nobody was held responsible , '' Putin added that “ if people are acting within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to swing the baton ?
On the contrary , [ the police ] would protect them.
” The question most likely referred to a video showing the ordeal of activist Daria Sosnovskaya who was punched in the stomach by police at an unsanctioned rally in Moscow in August .
The video of Sosnovskaya ’ s arrest , widely circulated on the Internet , showed two men in uniforms that resemble those of Russia 's National Guard taking her toward a police van .
The video added to outrage at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to block opposition candidates from running in elections for Moscow ’ s city council .
When the TASS journalist asked Putin about cases when police and National Guard officers complained that they `` suffered '' after being hit by water bottles some protesters threw at them , Putin said such attacks against law enforcement may `` unbalance '' the situation in the country .
Putin also commented on the conviction of blogger Vladislav Sinitsa , who was sentenced to 5 years in prison in September for a tweet advocating retaliation against the children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow .
`` They [ law enforcement officers ] carry out their duties .
And they must do it .
Now they are dealing with demonstrators here , tomorrow they will go to a battlefield and take part in combat operations .
And somebody on the Internet calls for killing their children .
What is that ? ''
Putin said .
Russia has in recent years increasingly criminalized online content , frequently jailing people for sharing or publishing information deemed extremist or illegal .
The law currently forbids the sharing of content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this label is also applied to opposition material .

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said protesters who took part in unsanctioned rallies last summer were provoking security forces who responded with violence.
In an interview with Russian news agency TASS that was published on February 27, Putin said people who complain about being beaten by police at such rallies "must first receive permission to rally, and then express their opinions."
When asked to watch a video showing a police officer "hitting a female protester, for which nobody was held responsible," Putin added that “if people are acting within the existing rules and laws, who’s going to swing the baton? On the contrary, [the police] would protect them.”
The question most likely referred to a video showing the ordeal of activist Daria Sosnovskaya who was punched in the stomach by police at an unsanctioned rally in Moscow in August.
The video of Sosnovskaya’s arrest, widely circulated on the Internet, showed two men in uniforms that resemble those of Russia's National Guard taking her toward a police van.
The video added to outrage at home and abroad over a decision by officials to block opposition candidates from running in elections for Moscow’s city council.
When the TASS journalist asked Putin about cases when police and National Guard officers complained that they "suffered" after being hit by water bottles some protesters threw at them, Putin said such attacks against law enforcement may "unbalance" the situation in the country.
Putin also commented on the conviction of blogger Vladislav Sinitsa, who was sentenced to 5 years in prison in September for a tweet advocating retaliation against the children of officers who violently dispersed a rally in Moscow.
"They [law enforcement officers] carry out their duties. And they must do it. Now they are dealing with demonstrators here, tomorrow they will go to a battlefield and take part in combat operations. And somebody on the Internet calls for killing their children. What is that?" Putin said.
Russia has in recent years increasingly criminalized online content, frequently jailing people for sharing or publishing information deemed extremist or illegal.
The law currently forbids the sharing of content considered extremist, though rights groups say this label is also applied to opposition material.


rferl--2020-02-27--Putin Says He Was Offered Body Doubles But Refused

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he was offered body doubles for his personal safety during Russia 's second war against Chechen separatists in the early 2000s .
Questions about Putin 's possible body doubles were asked in the past , but he never answered directly .
In an interview with TASS news agency , a portion of which was published on February 27 , Putin said he was offered the option , but declined .
`` I refused to have doubles .
It was during the most difficult time of the fight against terrorism , '' Putin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The First Chechen War that lasted from 1994-1996 ended inconclusively and claimed at least 30,000 civilian deaths .
Russia managed to retake control of the rebellious region only after the Second Chechen War ( 1999-2009 ) that Moscow officially called a counterterrorism operation .
Putin , first as acting president then as elected president , visited Russian troops in Chechnya several times .
A former KGB officer and chief of Russia 's Federal Security Service , the KGB successor , Putin has ruled Russia as president or prime minister for more than 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he was offered body doubles for his personal safety during Russia's second war against Chechen separatists in the early 2000s.
Questions about Putin's possible body doubles were asked in the past, but he never answered directly.
In an interview with TASS news agency, a portion of which was published on February 27, Putin said he was offered the option, but declined.
"I refused to have doubles. It was during the most difficult time of the fight against terrorism," Putin said, without giving any other details.
The First Chechen War that lasted from 1994-1996 ended inconclusively and claimed at least 30,000 civilian deaths.
Russia managed to retake control of the rebellious region only after the Second Chechen War (1999-2009) that Moscow officially called a counterterrorism operation.
Putin, first as acting president then as elected president, visited Russian troops in Chechnya several times.
A former KGB officer and chief of Russia's Federal Security Service, the KGB successor, Putin has ruled Russia as president or prime minister for more than 20 years.
With reporting by Lenta.ru and AP


rferl--2020-02-27--Tajik Opposition In Exile Urges Austrian Authorities Not To Extradite Asylum Seeker

Tajik opposition activists in exile have urged Austria not to extradite a Tajik citizen to Dushanbe , where they say he will face torture and an unfair trial .
Vaisaiddin Odinaev , a Tajik political activist abroad , told RFE/RL on February 27 that 29-year old Hizbullo Shovalizoda arrived in Austria a year ago , but was not granted asylum as he sought but instead was placed under arrest on January 22 .
According to Odinaev , although Shovalizoda is not a member of any political party , he used to be a supporter of the United Tajik opposition and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( PMT ) , which unites several Tajik opposition political parties and movements in exile .
Odinaev also said that Shovalizoda was arrested in Austria at the request of Tajik officials , who allege he is involved in extremist activities .
His deportation is scheduled for March 4 .
Tajik authorities would neither confirm nor reject the information .
In October , Tajikistan 's Supreme Court labeled PMT as a terrorist and extremist organization .
The PMT was established in Warsaw in September 2018 at a gathering of Tajik opposition activists living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tajik authorities have been criticized for cracking down on dissent for years .
In 2014 , the opposition movement Group 24 was labeled as terrorist and extremist and banned .
In March 2015 , the movement 's founder , Umarali Quvatov , was assassinated in Istanbul , Turkey .
Another opposition group , the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan ( IRPT ) , long an influential party with representatives in the government and parliament of Tajikistan , was labeled a terrorist group and banned in 2015 .
Dozens of IRPT officials and supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imprisoned , drawing criticism from human rights groups .

Tajik opposition activists in exile have urged Austria not to extradite a Tajik citizen to Dushanbe, where they say he will face torture and an unfair trial.
Vaisaiddin Odinaev, a Tajik political activist abroad, told RFE/RL on February 27 that 29-year old Hizbullo Shovalizoda arrived in Austria a year ago, but was not granted asylum as he sought but instead was placed under arrest on January 22.
According to Odinaev, although Shovalizoda is not a member of any political party, he used to be a supporter of the United Tajik opposition and openly supports the National Alliance of Tajikistan (PMT), which unites several Tajik opposition political parties and movements in exile.
Odinaev also said that Shovalizoda was arrested in Austria at the request of Tajik officials, who allege he is involved in extremist activities. His deportation is scheduled for March 4.
Tajik authorities would neither confirm nor reject the information.
In October, Tajikistan's Supreme Court labeled PMT as a terrorist and extremist organization.
The PMT was established in Warsaw in September 2018 at a gathering of Tajik opposition activists living in various countries of the European Union.
Tajik authorities have been criticized for cracking down on dissent for years.
In 2014, the opposition movement Group 24 was labeled as terrorist and extremist and banned. In March 2015, the movement's founder, Umarali Quvatov, was assassinated in Istanbul, Turkey.
Another opposition group, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), long an influential party with representatives in the government and parliament of Tajikistan, was labeled a terrorist group and banned in 2015.
Dozens of IRPT officials and supporters have been prosecuted and many of them imprisoned, drawing criticism from human rights groups.


rferl--2020-02-27--Police Find 40 Migrants In Van In North Macedonia

Police in North Macedonia have detained 40 migrants found inside a van and arrested the driver on suspicion of human trafficking .
The Interior Ministry said on February 27 that the 39-year-old driver from the town of Veles was arrested and detained at the Stip police station for further processing near where the van was discovered , some 90 kilometers south of the capital , Skopje .
Police said there were 36 Afghans and four Pakistanis inside the vehicle , who most likely entered the country illegally from Greece along what is known as the “ Balkan route.
” They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the border town of Gevgelija pending deportation back to Greece .
Although the smuggling route through North Macedonia has been shut for years , thousands still pay lofty sums of money to smugglers to help them through Balkan borders as they make their way to more prosperous countries of the European Union .
In the first three weeks of January , a total of 1,365 migrants were detained after entering North Macedonia illegally .
According to the Interior Ministry , 47 migrants were found in an abandoned truck near the borders of Bulgaria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a week after finding 53 migrants in another truck .
It said 37 of the migrants in that vehicle were Afghans , 12 were Pakistanis , two were Indians , and there was one Iraqi and one Egyptian .
The driver was identified as a 43-year-old citizen of North Macedonia .

Police in North Macedonia have detained 40 migrants found inside a van and arrested the driver on suspicion of human trafficking.
The Interior Ministry said on February 27 that the 39-year-old driver from the town of Veles was arrested and detained at the Stip police station for further processing near where the van was discovered, some 90 kilometers south of the capital, Skopje.
Police said there were 36 Afghans and four Pakistanis inside the vehicle, who most likely entered the country illegally from Greece along what is known as the “Balkan route.”
They were transferred to a detention center in the border town of Gevgelija pending deportation back to Greece.
Although the smuggling route through North Macedonia has been shut for years, thousands still pay lofty sums of money to smugglers to help them through Balkan borders as they make their way to more prosperous countries of the European Union.
In the first three weeks of January, a total of 1,365 migrants were detained after entering North Macedonia illegally.
According to the Interior Ministry, 47 migrants were found in an abandoned truck near the borders of Bulgaria and Greece on February 21, just over a week after finding 53 migrants in another truck.
It said 37 of the migrants in that vehicle were Afghans, 12 were Pakistanis, two were Indians, and there was one Iraqi and one Egyptian. The driver was identified as a 43-year-old citizen of North Macedonia.
With reporting by AP


rferl--2020-02-29--U.S., Taliban Poised For Biggest Step Yet Toward Afghan Peace

U.S. officials and Taliban negotiators are poised to meet on February 29 in Qatar to take what could be the most important step yet toward ending America ’ s longest war -- the conflict in Afghanistan .
More than 18 years after President George W. Bush ordered the bombing and invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11 , 2001 , terror attacks in the United States , the stage is set for an agreement that could lead to the withdrawal of U.S. troops and a peace deal between the Taliban and West-backed Kabul government .
U.S. President Donald Trump on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo was being sent to oversee the signing of deal with the Taliban .
The anticipated signing would come after a week in which both U.S.-led forces and the Taliban committed to a reduction in violence .
Under the plan being signed , the United States is to reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan to 8,600 from about 13,000 .
In return , the Taliban has pledged not to let extremists use the country as a staging ground for attacks on U.S. or coalition forces and vowed to hold talks with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far refused to talk directly to the Afghan government , calling it a puppet of the West .
Talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban could still prove difficult , with many in Kabul doubting the extremists ’ sincerity or their ability to control all of the group ’ s militant fighters .
A U.S.-led coalition of forces invaded Afghanistan in 2001 to drive the Taliban from power after the group refused to hand over Al-Qaeda terrorist Osama bin Laden .
Since then , about 2,400 U.S. soldiers have been killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of Afghan soldiers , extremist fighters , and civilians .
Trump campaigned on a pledge of pulling U.S. forces out of “ endless wars.
” On February 28 , he urged the warring sides to seize the opportunity to make peace .
`` Soon , at my direction , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will witness the signing of an agreement with representatives of the Taliban , while Secretary of Defense Mark Esper will issue a joint declaration with the government of Afghanistan , '' Trump said in a statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan live up to these commitments , we will have a powerful path forward to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home , '' Trump said .
“ These commitments represent an important step to a lasting peace in a new Afghanistan , free from Al-Qaeda , [ Islamic State ] , and any other terrorist group that would seek to bring us harm , '' Trump said .
He added , however , that `` ultimately it will be up to the people of Afghanistan to work out their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , urge the Afghan people to seize this opportunity for peace and a new future for their country , '' he added .
Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told RFE/RL that the agreement would be signed by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar , leader of the political wing of the group .
A deal has been close before .
In September 2019 , Trump suddenly called off a planned signing ceremony with the Taliban at Camp David , Maryland , after a series of Taliban attacks .
But talks eventually resumed , led by U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the Taliban has a representive office .
With reporting by RFE/RL ’ s Afghan Service , Radio Mashaal , AFP , AP , Reuters , and dpa

The United States has signed a historic agreement with the Taliban that could lead to the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan and an end to the country’s 18-year conflict.
The agreement signed in Doha in Qatar on February 29 lays out a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in return for various security commitments from the insurgents and a pledge to hold talks with the government in Kabul.
U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the deal and said he would meet soon with Taliban leaders.
According to a joint declaration published by the U.S. and Afghan governments on February 29, the United States and NATO would withdraw all troops in Afghanistan within 14 months if the Taliban upheld the commitments made in the agreement.
The deal was signed by U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, leader of the political wing of the group.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Taliban leaders attended the signing ceremony. Representatives from over two dozen countries and international organizations, among them the foreign ministers of Pakistan and Turkey, were also present at the event.
"We are just at the beginning," Pompeo said ahead of the signing. "A significant reduction in violence will create conditions for peace, and the absence of it the conditions for failure," he added.
Pompeo said that Afghans need to live in peace and prosperity with respect for the rights of women, while the United States must be assured there will not be a terrorist threat from the country.
Speaking in Kabul, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that the United States would not hesitate to nullify the deal if the Taliban did not uphold its end.
"If the Taliban upholds the agreement the United States will begin a conditions-based, and I repeat a conditions-based, reduction in forces," Esper said, calling this a "pivotal moment in the peace process."
Esper and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani signed a joint statement committing the Afghan government to support the U.S.-Taliban deal, which is viewed with skepticism by many war-weary Afghans.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg heralded the agreement as a "first step to lasting peace."
"The way to peace is long and hard. We have to be prepared for setbacks, spoilers, there is no easy way to peace but this is an important first step," the former Norwegian prime minister told reporters in Kabul.
The European Union welcomed the peace agreement by the Taliban and the United States and the joint Afghan-U.S. joint declaration as "important first steps" toward a lasting resolution of the country's decades-long conflict.
"The current opportunity to move towards peace should not be missed," EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell says in a statement, adding that negotiations talks should start "without delay" and include all political factions and groups of society.
"The conflict needs a political solution in which human rights, including women's rights, are respected and common grievances are addressed," the statement said.
Under the agreement, the United States would draw its forces down to 8,600 from 13,000 in the next three to four months, with the remaining U.S. forces withdrawing in 14 months. The complete pullout, however, would depend on the Taliban meeting their commitments to prevent terrorism.
NATO pledged to adjust the coalition troop levels in the first phase too, bringing down NATO's numbers to about 12,000 from roughly 16,000 troops at present.
The signing comes after a week in which both U.S.-led forces and the Taliban committed to a reduction in violence.
The Taliban has so far refused to talk directly to the Afghan government, calling it a puppet of the West.
Talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban could still prove difficult, with many in Kabul doubting the extremists' sincerity or their ability to control all of the group's militants.
At a press conference at the White House later on February 29, Trump said he will "be meeting personally with Taliban leaders in the not-so-distant future." Trump also said he thought negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government would be successful because "everyone is tired of war."
Robert Malley, president and CEO of the International Crisis Group, welcomed the deal. "No agreement is perfect, and the U.S.-Taliban deal is no exception. But it represents the most hopeful step to end a war that has lasted two decades and taken countless American and especially Afghan lives. It ought to be celebrated, bolstered and built upon to reach a genuine intra-Afghan peace."
A U.S.-led coalition of forces invaded Afghanistan in 2001 to drive the Taliban from power after the group refused to hand over Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Since then, about 2,400 U.S. soldiers have been killed in fighting, along with tens of thousands of Afghan soldiers, extremist fighters, and civilians.
Trump campaigned on a pledge of pulling U.S. forces out of "endless wars." On February 28, he urged the warring sides to seize the opportunity to make peace.
"Soon, at my direction, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will witness the signing of an agreement with representatives of the Taliban, while Secretary of Defense Mark Esper will issue a joint declaration with the government of Afghanistan," Trump said in a statement.
"If the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan live up to these commitments, we will have a powerful path forward to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home," Trump said.
"These commitments represent an important step to a lasting peace in a new Afghanistan, free from Al-Qaeda, [Islamic State], and any other terrorist group that would seek to bring us harm," Trump said.
He added, however, that "ultimately it will be up to the people of Afghanistan to work out their future."
"We, therefore, urge the Afghan people to seize this opportunity for peace and a new future for their country," he added.
In September 2019, Trump suddenly called off a planned signing ceremony with the Taliban at Camp David, Maryland, after a series of Taliban attacks.
But talks eventually resumed, led by U.S. special envoy Khalilzad, in Qatar, where the Taliban has a representative office.
With reporting by RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal, AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters, The New York Times, and the BBC


rferl--2020-02-29--Cape Verde Court Convicts Russian Ship Captain, Crew Of Drug Trafficking

A court in the Atlantic archipelago of Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa has convicted the Russian captain and crew of a cargo ship of drug trafficking and sentenced them to long prison terms .
`` All the defendants were aware of the narcotic drug placed on the vessel and acted with intent , freely and consciously in exchange for economic benefit , '' Judge Angela Rodrigues read in a court judgment on February 28 .
Cape Verde authorities said the cargo ship was captured in February 2019 with the biggest cocaine haul ever seized in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was traveling to Morocco from South America when it docked at the port of Praia for legal reasons following the death of a crew member .
Captain Sergei Kotlovsky testified that he had been forced to take the drugs onboard in the Caribbean by the ship 's owner and that the 10 crew members were not aware of the cargo .
Kotlovsky received a 12-year sentence for international drug trafficking , while crew members received 10 years each .
They were acquitted of a second charge of criminal association .
The defense lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal the decision .

A court in the Atlantic archipelago of Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa has convicted the Russian captain and crew of a cargo ship of drug trafficking and sentenced them to long prison terms.
"All the defendants were aware of the narcotic drug placed on the vessel and acted with intent, freely and consciously, in exchange for economic benefit," Judge Angela Rodrigues read in a court judgment on February 28.
Cape Verde authorities said the cargo ship was caught in February 2019 with the biggest cocaine haul ever seized in the country -- some 9.5 tons.
The ship was traveling to Morocco from South America when it docked at the port of Praia for legal reasons following the death of a crew member.
Captain Sergei Kotlovsky testified that he had been forced to take the drugs on board in the Caribbean by the ship's owner and that the 10 crew members were not aware of the cargo.
Kotlovsky received a 12-year sentence for international drug trafficking, while crew members received 10 years each. They were acquitted of a second charge of criminal association.
The defense lawyer, Martinho Landim, said he would appeal the decision.
Based on reporting by Reuters


rferl--2020-02-29--Russians To Commemorate Fifth Anniversary Of Nemtsov Killing

People in Moscow and elsewhere in Russia are due on February 29 to pay tribute to Boris Nemtsov -- the former opposition politician and vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin -- who was killed five years ago near the Kremlin .
A march starting around noon through the Russian capital has been approved by Moscow authorities .
A rally to commemorate Nemtsov has also been approved in Russia ’ s second city , St. Petersburg .
Commemorations are also expected in Nizhny Novgorod , capital of the region Nemtsov governed in the 1990s .
Some opposition supporters have said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest proposed amendments to the country ’ s constitution .
Critics say the planned changes are aimed at extending Putin ’ s grip on power after his current presidential term ends in 2024 .
Nemtsov was shot dead at close range on the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge , a stone ’ s throw away from the Kremlin in central Moscow , on February 27 , 2015 .
In June 2017 , a Russian court sentenced a former Chechen battalion leader Zaur Dadayev to 20 years in prison for killing Nemtsov .
Four other Chechens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 11 to 19 years .
But critics , including relatives and colleagues of Nemtsov , say Russian authorities failed to determine who ordered the killing .
Some have expressed suspicions that the killing was ordered by someone within the inner circles of Putin or Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov .
A report from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) on February 20 called for “ a new and full investigation ” into the Nemtsov slaying .
The report , by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Margareta Cederfelt , said shortcomings in Russia 's original investigation left many questions unanswered .
“ His death was a tragedy for Russia and had a strong impact on the political climate , spreading fear and possibly opening up for further attacks and repression , ” the report said .

MOSCOW -- Thousands of people have marched in Moscow and staged protests in other Russian cities, marking the anniversary of the killing of Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic Kremlin critic and former deputy prime minister who was gunned down five years ago near the Kremlin.
The February 29 demonstrations were the biggest political protests in Russia since last summer, when several weeks of anti-government meetings challenged the authorities in Moscow over local city council elections.
The protests come as lawmakers and Kremlin officials prepare for a national vote on major changes to the country's constitution unveiled last month by President Vladimir Putin.
Chants of "Putin is a thief" and "Russia without Putin" echoed among the crowd in the Russian capital, with many demonstrators carrying Russian flags and flags of the political party Nemtsov was affiliated with. Others held photographs of Nemtsov, and signs reading "Propaganda kills" and "Say no to constitutional amendments."
On the bridge where Nemtsov was killed on February 27, 2015 -- just a couple hundred meters from the Kremlin's walls -- people lit candles and placed flowers, photographs, and small Russian flags.
The protests "are about freedom in general, it's not just about the life of a single person anymore," one unnamed woman told RFE/RL's Russian Service as she went to lay a bouquet of white roses at the site. Nemtsov "was a symbol of the overall social movement, about how to live more justly."
One group held a banner that read "Ukraine, we are with you" -- a reference to the six-year war in eastern Ukraine, pitting Ukrainian government forces against Russia-backed militias.
"We don't need a cult, we need a leader," one participant told Current Time at the Moscow rally. "We need a normal economy that's right for a giant country like ours.... Education, science, social welfare, we're in last place in so many rankings. It's a disgrace."
"It's not only about Nemtsov, it's about everything that's going on in our country," another unnamed man told Current Time. "In particular, it's about what kind of regime we have in place, how our law enforcement and judiciary is organized and all the legal cases that are going on [against opposition figures]. I think one has to speak up about that and to show one's position."
White Counter, a nongovernmental organization that estimates attendance at political protests, said more than 22,000 people had participated in the Moscow demonstration, which had been authorized by city officials. Moscow city police estimated 10,500 people attended.
The Kremlin had no immediate comment as the demonstrations got under way.
No mass arrests were reported in Moscow or elsewhere, though there were scattered reports of activists being detained.
In Russia's second-largest city, St. Petersburg, an estimated 8,000 people marched to mark the anniversary. OVD-Info, a nongovernmental organization that monitors police arrests at political protests, said eight people were detained there, though it was unclear on what charges.
Other, smaller events took place in Russia's second-largest city, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and many other cities across the country. In the Pacific port of Vladivostok, several people were detained by the police as they held placards commemorating Nemtsov.
A handful of arrests were reported in Moscow and other locations, according to OVD-Info, a nongovernmental organization that monitors police arrests at political protests. Five demonstrators were detained in St. Petersburg, the organization said.
"Nemtsov fought for a free Russia. But in the five years since his death, Russia has become even more authoritarian," Assol Trubetskaya, the head of a local political organization in the Siberian city of Omsk, told RFE/RL's Russian Service.
Democracy activist Vladimir Kara-Murza thanked those who turned out in Twitter post. "Lots of people today. Thanks to everyone who came. A person is alive as long as his memory lives," Kara-Murza wrote about his friend and political mentor, Nemtsov.
Some opposition supporters said they planned to use the event to protest proposed amendments to the country's constitution. Critics say the planned changes are aimed at extending Putin's grip on power after his current presidential term ends in 2024.
The amendments unveiled by Putin last month are the most substantive changes to the constitution since its adoption in 1992.
The Kremlin has set April 22 as the date to hold a national referendum on the proposed constitutional changes, which include a proposal that some critics say opens the door for Putin to remain in power beyond the end of his current term in 2024.
Protest organizers, including anti-corruption crusader Aleksei Navalny, called for a mass turnout, calling it a test of Russians' willingness to push back against Putin's proposals.
"The Kremlin is going to look at how many people attend the Nemtsov march," Navalny said on February 28.
A deputy prime minister under Putin's predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, Nemtsov was a charismatic and vocal critic of Putin. He was shot at close range on the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge, a stone's throw away from the Kremlin, as he walked with a female companion.
In June 2017, a Russian court sentenced a former Chechen military officer, Zaur Dadayev, to 20 years in prison for killing Nemtsov.
Four other Chechens were found guilty of involvement in the killing and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 11 to 19 years.
But critics, including relatives and colleagues of Nemtsov, say the Russian authorities failed to determine who ordered the killing.
Some have expressed suspicions that the killing was ordered by someone within the inner circles of Putin or Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
A report from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on February 20 called for "a new and full investigation" into Nemtsov's slaying.
The report, by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's special rapporteur, Margareta Cederfelt, said shortcomings in Russia's original investigation left many questions unanswered.
"His death was a tragedy for Russia and had a strong impact on the political climate, spreading fear and possibly opening up for further attacks and repression," the report said.
With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, the Siberian Desk of RFE/RL's Russian's Service, and AFP


rferl--2020-02-28--Trump Sending Pompeo To Witness Signing Of Deal With Taliban

U.S. President Donald Trump says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is being sent to oversee the signing of deal with @ @ @ @ @ number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan .
The agreement is due to be signed in @ @ @ @ @ Trump in a statement on February 28 also called on the Taliban and the Afghan @ @ @ @ @ opportunity for peace , '' and said that if they fulfill their commitments , `` @ @ @ @ @ path forward to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home . ''
@ @ @ @ @ refused to talk directly with the Kabul government , calling it a puppet of foreign @ @ @ @ @ of the deal would come after a week in which both U.S.-led forces and the @ @ @ @ @ reduction in violence . ''
Under the plan being signed , the United States is @ @ @ @ @ troops in Afghanistan to 8,600 from about 13,000 .
Based on reporting by AFP , @ @ @ @

The education of girls and women is universally accepted in more than 200 countries and territories, including nearly 50 Muslim-majority nations.
But Afghanistan’s hard-line Islamist Taliban rulers have banned teenage girls from attending school after the sixth grade since they returned to power two years ago. The ban was extended in December to women in universities.
Countless protests by Afghans inside the country, pressure from the international community, and lobbying by Muslim scholars and clerics have failed to convince the fundamentalist Taliban leaders to reopen schools.
Experts are divided over whether the ban is rooted in how the Taliban’s interpretation of Islam is shaped by conservative Pashtun tribal customs and cultural practices or if it is prompted by how senior Taliban ideologues interpret Islamic teachings.
Most Taliban leaders are ethnic Pashtun, Sunni Muslim clerics. Many were educated in Deobandi madrasahs in neighboring Pakistan. Deobandism emerged as a puritanical Islamic revivalist movement in 19-century British Colonial India. Based on the Sunni Hanafi school of jurisprudence, it is a prominent strain among Islamists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Tribal Influences
Sami Yousafzai, a veteran Afghan journalist and commentator, argues that the Taliban restrictions against women are linked to social customs and cultural practices in eastern and southern Afghanistan.
Most Taliban leaders come from various Pashtun rural tribal communities in these regions bordering Pakistan.
"They believe that a woman's place is either inside a house or in a grave," Yousafzai said of the basic Taliban belief influenced by the status of women in the families of clerics and religious leaders in these Pashtun regions.
“Women living in the households of the current Taliban policymakers were never educated and never left their homes,” said Yousafzai, who has tracked the Islamist group since it emerged as a ragtag militia in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar in late 1994. “These women never performed any government or nongovernmental jobs.”
Yousafzai says the Taliban backs policies shaped by this worldview by leaning on Islamic teachings supporting such ideas. He says Taliban leaders rely on sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad that discourage women from leaving their homes.
“Their primary belief is that pubescent girls should not leave home under any circumstance,” he said. “This is why they view women leaving home for education or work as engaging in moral corruption.”
In Afghanistan, a Muslim nation of some 40 million people, activists and rights advocates accuse the Taliban of implementing "gender apartheid" by denying women education, work, freedom of movement, and deciding how they can appear in public.
Most Muslims agree that Islam allows women to get an education. Yet the Taliban publicly says that it will allow girls access to education only after ensuring complete gender segregation and other unspecified conditions.
Almost all Afghan secondary schools were gender segregated and universities imposed a strict separation between men and women after the Taliban takeover.
Yousafzai says in conservative and traditional Muslim societies around the world, some clerics also favor restrictions on women's education, work, and their role in public life. But the governments in those countries usually oppose or limit such ideas.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia -- one of the most conservative Sunni Muslim nations -- has allowed women to drive and granted them freedom of movement without a male guardian. These steps are part of a reform and modernity drive by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
The Taliban ban on education has invited universal condemnation from Muslims globally.
“The Taliban's ban on women's education is not rooted in [the Islamic] Shari’a law but rather reflects cultural biases that contradict the teachings of Islam,” said Salam al-Marayati, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council in the United States.
He said that contrary to Taliban practices, “Islam emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and encourages all individuals, regardless of gender, to acquire an education.”
Historical Conflict
But Islamic scholars and those who have attempted to convince the Taliban about reopening girls schools offer a different explanation.
John Mohammad Butt, an Islamic scholar and former BBC broadcaster who is the only Westerner to graduate from India’s Darul Uloom Deoband, argues that the Taliban's policy on girls' education is not tribal but shaped by the century-old conflict over modern education.
“The problem is that girls' education in Afghanistan -- indeed, contemporary education in general -- has generally been introduced in Afghanistan in line with a secular agenda,” he said.
In the 1920s, a coalition of conservative clerics and tribal and community leaders deposed reformist King Amanullah Khan. He wanted to modernize Afghanistan along Turkish leader Kamal Ataturk's secular lines and championed modern education and rights for women.
This opposition to modernity and secularism continued, and conservative clerics opposed women's education and work. It became a key part of the Islamist opposition to the pro-Soviet Afghan communist governments after the April 1978 military coup that ended the Afghan monarchy. The mujahedin accused the communists of spreading immorality by promoting women’s education and empowerment.
“This has led to particular wariness on the part of conservative circles in Afghanistan with regard to girls' education,” Butt said.
'Deep Ideological Conviction'
Obaidullah Baheer, a political science lecturer at the American University of Afghanistan, became part of an effort to rescind the ban by talking to the Taliban last year.
But he says the effort failed because “the ban is a matter of deep ideological conviction” for the current supreme leader of the Taliban, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada.
Baheer says that the most prominent Taliban leaders have studied in Pakistani madrasahs and were thus disconnected from village and tribal life.
“They have been indoctrinated by the Deobandi school of thought so that they now enforce the strictest version of Islam on the Afghan population,” he said.
He argues that the ban on girls’ schools is a deliberate policy championed by Akhundzada, who he says has endorsed Taliban Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani's Arabic language book The Islamic Emirate And Its System. In this book, Haqqani supports a fringe Islamic opinion of preferring the choice of one of the Prophet Muhammad's wives, Sawdah Bint Zam'ah, who chose to stay at home until her death.
Baheer says Haqqani ignores his other wives and other female companions that played an active role in many sectors of society and how they served as students and teachers for men.
“This fringe opinion is not held by all Taliban leaders but is one that the current absolute sovereign, the Taliban emir, seems to be convinced of,” he said.
Butt says that even Haqqani has acknowledged the principle that if there is something that women need to act upon, then that is also something that women need to learn about.
“I hope the Taliban authorities will come to realize in the not-too-distant future that education for women will make Afghan women into better Muslims,” he says. “It will enable them to make a stronger contribution to the well-being of their country.”
Two years after grappling with the issue, Western diplomats appear to be encouraging Afghan conservative and clerical circles to find ways to end the ban.
Tom West, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, recently tweeted that Afghan women must be educated and contribute to the economy to help their country stand on its own two feet.
“If change to policies is made, it will be because Afghans have asked for it, not a result of foreign requests,” he wrote.


rferl--2020-02-28--In Call With Erdogan, Trump 'Reaffirms' Support For Turkey In Syria's Idlib

President Donald Trump has `` reaffirmed '' U.S. support for Turkey in a phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan while urging President Bashar al-Assad 's regime , Russia , and Iran to halt their offensive in Syria 's northwestern Idlib Province -- the last rebel-held area in northwestern Syria -- the White House said on February 28 .
The two talked after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed the previous day in an air strike by Russian-backed Syrian regime forces , triggering a deadly response by Ankara .
Trump `` reaffirmed his support for Turkey 's efforts to de-escalate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanitarian catastrophe , '' the White House said , without giving specifics about the support .
Meanwhile , the Turkish presidency said Erdogan and Trump agreed on measures to avoid a `` humanitarian tragedy '' in Idlib .
`` The two leaders agreed on additional steps without delay in order to avert a big humanitarian tragedy unfolding in the Idlib region , '' it said in a statement .
Erdogan told Trump that Turkey had delivered the necessary response to the perpetrators of the `` despicable attack aimed at our heroic soldiers '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` regime elements '' from areas in Idlib covered by a cease-fire agreement signed by Ankara and Moscow in 2018 , the statement said .
A war monitor said Turkish reprisals killed 31 Syrian soldiers in Idlib on February 28 .
The retaliatory drone and artillery strikes hit Syrian Army positions in southern and eastern parts of the province that were recaptured by the government in a nearly three-month-old offensive against the rebel enclave , Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said .
Syria did not immediately confirm the reported troop deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fighting was `` one of the most alarming moments '' of the Syrian war and called for an immediate cease-fire .
Hours after the February 27 strike , Turkey warned it was opening the gates for refugees to flee to Europe , a move that could have major repercussions for its western neighbors , which swiftly moved to boost border security .
Turkey 's neighbors Greece and Bulgaria reinforced their borders in response to Ankara 's threat to reopen the frontier , shut under an agreement that halted the 2015-16 migration crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Europe by foot .
With reporting by Reuters , dpa , AP , and AFP

President Donald Trump has "reaffirmed" U.S. support for Turkey in a phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan while urging President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Russia, and Iran to halt their offensive in Syria's northwestern Idlib Province -- the last rebel-held area in northwestern Syria -- the White House said on February 28.
The two talked after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed the previous day in an air strike by Russian-backed Syrian regime forces, triggering a deadly response by Ankara.
Trump "reaffirmed his support for Turkey's efforts to de-escalate the situation in northwest Syria and avoid a humanitarian catastrophe," the White House said, without giving specifics about the support.
Meanwhile, the Turkish presidency said Erdogan and Trump agreed on measures to avoid a "humanitarian tragedy" in Idlib.
"The two leaders agreed on additional steps without delay in order to avert a big humanitarian tragedy unfolding in the Idlib region," it said in a statement.
Erdogan told Trump that Turkey had delivered the necessary response to the perpetrators of the "despicable attack aimed at our heroic soldiers" and reiterated Ankara's determination to clear "regime elements" from areas in Idlib covered by a cease-fire agreement signed by Ankara and Moscow in 2018, the statement said.
A war monitor said Turkish reprisals killed 31 Syrian soldiers in Idlib on February 28.
The retaliatory drone and artillery strikes hit Syrian Army positions in southern and eastern parts of the province that were recaptured by the government in a nearly three-month-old offensive against the rebel enclave, Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Syria did not immediately confirm the reported troop deaths.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the escalation of fighting was "one of the most alarming moments" of the Syrian war and called for an immediate cease-fire.
Hours after the February 27 strike, Turkey warned it was opening the gates for refugees to flee to Europe, a move that could have major repercussions for its western neighbors, which swiftly moved to boost border security.
Turkey's neighbors Greece and Bulgaria reinforced their borders in response to Ankara's threat to reopen the frontier, shut under an agreement that halted the 2015-16 migration crisis when more than a million people crossed into Europe by foot.
With reporting by Reuters, dpa, AP, and AFP


rferl--2020-02-28--Supplier Of Deadly Bath Lotion In Siberia Jailed

IRKUTSK , Russia -- A person who supplied a Siberian city with bath lotion that killed dozens of people who drank it in 2016 has been convicted and sent to prison .
The Lenin district court in the city of Irkutsk on February 27 found local resident Afig Abbasov guilty of premeditated sales of a group of products dangerous for public safety , and sentenced him to 2 1/2 years in prison .
Investigators say Abbasov and his associate brought to Irkutsk 2,000 plastic bottles with fake bath lotion that contained methanol -- which can be fatal if consumed -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Poisonings with surrogate alcohol are frequent in Russia , where people sometimes drink substances that contain alcohol that are cheaper than alcoholic beverages .
In and around Irkutsk , a regional capital 4,200 kilometers east of Moscow , 78 people died in December 2016 after drinking a scented bath lotion called Boyaryshnik , Russian for Hawthorn .
The deaths led to restrictions on the sale of surrogate alcohol across Russia and tightening of control over production and sale of drinks , perfumes , and other liquids with more than 25 percent alcohol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Abbasov , who for some time managed to avoid arrest , is the last person sentenced in the high-profile case .
In general , 19 men and women , including Abbasov 's associate , local officials , as well as owners and employees of several shops , were arrested right after the mass deaths .
Some of them received lengthy prison terms , while some were fined .

IRKUTSK, Russia -- A person who supplied a Siberian city with bath lotion that killed dozens of people who drank it in 2016 has been convicted and sent to prison.
The Lenin district court in the city of Irkutsk on February 27 found local resident Afig Abbasov guilty of premeditated sales of a group of products dangerous for public safety, and sentenced him to 2 1/2 years in prison.
Investigators say Abbasov and his associate brought to Irkutsk 2,000 plastic bottles with fake bath lotion that contained methanol -- which can be fatal if consumed -- instead of regular alcohol, or ethanol.
Poisonings with surrogate alcohol are frequent in Russia, where people sometimes drink substances that contain alcohol that are cheaper than alcoholic beverages.
In and around Irkutsk, a regional capital 4,200 kilometers east of Moscow, 78 people died in December 2016 after drinking a scented bath lotion called Boyaryshnik, Russian for Hawthorn.
The deaths led to restrictions on the sale of surrogate alcohol across Russia and tightening of control over production and sale of drinks, perfumes, and other liquids with more than 25 percent alcohol content as well as medicines containing ethanol.
Abbasov, who for some time managed to avoid arrest, is the last person sentenced in the high-profile case.
In general, 19 men and women, including Abbasov's associate, local officials, as well as owners and employees of several shops, were arrested right after the mass deaths. Some of them received lengthy prison terms, while some were fined.


rferl--2020-03-01--Putin Says Oil Prices 'Acceptable' Ahead Of OPEC+ Meeting

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called current oil price levels `` acceptable '' in a possible sign that Moscow is willing to bend when the world 's biggest oil exporters gather this week in Vienna to discuss supply curbs as coronavirus effects pummel oil demand and prices .
Putin also said Moscow was approaching a so-called OPEC+ meeting this week in Vienna as an `` instrument for long-term stability , '' according to Interfax .
Reports last week quoted sources saying some influential OPEC members , including Saudi Arabia , were likely to call for a larger-than-expected reduction in oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of coronavirus and related effects slow economies and depress international demand for oil .
But Russia was said to be resisting further curbs too far beyond an existing deal that has kept a lid on demand through the end of March .
`` I want to stress that for the Russian budget , for our economy , the current oil prices level is acceptable , '' Putin told Russian energy officials and producers gathered in Moscow to discuss the coronavirus and its implications on March 1 .
He said Russia 's budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 42.40 a barrel for supplies from the estimated $ 560 billion in oil reserves under Russian territory .
Russia 's economy has recovered significantly from a downturn that followed its 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and a falling-off of oil prices around the same time , prompting painful measures that dented Putin 's popularity well into his fourth overall term as president .
`` Our accumulated reserves , including the National Wealth Fund , are enough for ensuring a stable situation , the fulfillment of all budget and social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the global economic situation , '' Putin said on March 1 .
OPEC+ , a group of OPEC 's 14 members and 10 other major oil producers , has `` proved to be an effective instrument to ensure long-term stability on global energy markets , '' Putin said , saying the cooperation had resulted in `` extra revenues . ''
Last week , the ruble slumped to more than 67 to the U.S. dollar , its weakest level since early 2019 , and its stock market slid amid a global sell-off and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid competing military interests in Syria .
Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called current oil price levels "acceptable" in a possible sign that Moscow is willing to bend when the world's biggest oil exporters gather this week in Vienna to discuss supply curbs as coronavirus effects pummel oil demand and prices.
Putin also said Moscow was approaching a so-called OPEC+ meeting this week in Vienna as an "instrument for long-term stability," according to Interfax.
Reports last week quoted sources saying some influential OPEC members, including Saudi Arabia, were likely to call for a larger-than-expected reduction in oil output by the group as the global spread of coronavirus and related effects slow economies and depress international demand for oil.
But Russia was said to be resisting further curbs too far beyond an existing deal that has kept a lid on demand through the end of March.
"I want to stress that for the Russian budget, for our economy, the current oil price level is acceptable," Putin told Russian energy officials and producers gathered in Moscow to discuss the coronavirus and its implications on March 1.
He said Russia's budget assumes an average Brent crude price of $42.40 a barrel for supplies from the estimated $560 billion in oil reserves under Russian territory.
Russia's economy has recovered significantly from a downturn that followed its 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and a falling-off of oil prices around the same time, prompting painful measures that dented Putin's popularity well into his fourth overall term as president.
"Our accumulated reserves, including the National Wealth Fund, are enough for ensuring a stable situation, the fulfillment of all budget and social liabilities, even under a possible deterioration of the global economic situation," Putin said on March 1.
OPEC+, a group of OPEC's 14 members and 10 other major oil producers, has "proved to be an effective instrument to ensure long-term stability on global energy markets," Putin said, saying the cooperation had resulted in "extra revenues."
Last week, the ruble slumped to more than 67 to the U.S. dollar, its weakest level since early 2019, and its stock market slid amid a global sell-off and fears of tensions between Russia and Turkey amid competing military interests in Syria.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax


rferl--2020-03-01--Syrian Jets 'Downed' As Turkey Says 'No Desire Or Intention To Clash With Russia'

Turkey 's defense minister said on March 1 that his country was `` successfully '' continuing its military operation in northwestern Syria against the Russian-backed regime in Damascus and that Ankara does n't have `` the desire or intention to clash with Russia . ''
Within hours of that statement , reports from Syria claimed that Turkish forces had downed Syrian warplanes as concerns mounted of an escalation of direct clashes between NATO member Turkey and forces of Russian ally Syria .
Turkish military forces announced an intensification of their campaign via Operation Spring Shield after 34 Turkish soldiers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Idlib region , where Russian air power has been used to help forces loyal to embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad .
`` Following the heinous attack on February 27 in Idlib , Operation Spring Shield successfully continues , '' Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted by AFP as saying via state news agency Anadolu , adding , `` We do n't have the desire or intention to clash with Russia . ''
Idlib is part of the last remaining Syrian territory held by Turkey-backed rebels .
Later on March 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing the airspace in the northwestern part of the country , Damascus alleged that Turkey had `` targeted '' two of its jets over Syrian airspace .
A rebel group and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , a Britain-based war monitor , said the two planes had been `` downed . ''
Syria 's official news agency , SANA , said the four pilots ejected and landed safely .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- whose country is a NATO member -- said on February 29 that he told Russian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should stand aside in Syria to let Turkey deal with Syrian government forces .
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the same day that the two sides had agreed to reduce tensions while continuing military actions there .
Erdogan reportedly also spoke with other world leaders , including U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel .
Russia 's state news agency Sputnik said on March 1 that the head of its Turkey operations had been `` taken into custody '' by police in Istanbul .
RT and Sputnik chief editor Margarita Simonyan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact employees in Ankara after attacks by `` rioters '' who were trying to break into their apartments .
That information could not immediately be confirmed .
Turkey had responded to the death of dozens of its troops in the air strike this week in Syria with deadly bombardments of its own in the Idlib region .
Syrian and Russian warplanes on February 29 kept up air strikes on the Idlib city of Saraqeb , the Syrian Observatory war monitor reported .
The city is located on a key highway that has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
Turkey on February 29 heaped pressure on the international community to confront anew the flow of migrants from war-torn Syria , with President Erdogan announcing an `` open door '' policy that would not prevent migrants on Turkish territory from continuing on toward the European Union .
That sparked a flood of attempts at illegal crossings into Greece and possibly Bulgaria that put the EU 's border authority , Frontex , on `` high alert '' on March 1 .
Based on reporting by AP , AFP and Reuters

Turkey's defense minister said on March 1 that his country was "successfully" continuing its military operation in northwestern Syria against the Russian-backed regime in Damascus and that Ankara doesn't have "the desire or intention to clash with Russia."
Within hours of that statement, reports from Syria claimed that Turkish forces had downed Syrian warplanes as concerns mounted of an escalation of direct clashes between NATO member Turkey and forces of Russian ally Syria.
Turkish military forces announced an intensification of their campaign via Operation Spring Shield after 34 Turkish soldiers were killed in a Syrian air strike in the Idlib region, where Russian air power has been used to help forces loyal to embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"Following the heinous attack on February 27 in Idlib, Operation Spring Shield successfully continues," Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted by AFP as saying via state news agency Anadolu, adding, "We don't have the desire or intention to clash with Russia."
Idlib is part of the last remaining Syrian territory held by Turkey-backed rebels.
Later on March 1, after Syria's government said it was closing the airspace in the northwestern part of the country, Damascus alleged that Turkey had "targeted" two of its jets over Syrian airspace.
A rebel group and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said the two planes had been "downed."
Syria's official news agency, SANA, said the four pilots ejected and landed safely.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan -- whose country is a NATO member -- said on February 29 that he told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation that Moscow should stand aside in Syria to let Turkey deal with Syrian government forces.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the same day that the two sides had agreed to reduce tensions while continuing military actions there.
Erdogan reportedly also spoke with other world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Russia's state news agency Sputnik said on March 1 that the head of its Turkey operations had been "taken into custody" by police in Istanbul.
RT and Sputnik chief editor Margarita Simonyan claimed the organization had been unable to contact employees in Ankara after attacks by "rioters" who were trying to break into their apartments.
That information could not immediately be confirmed.
Turkey had responded to the death of dozens of its troops in the air strike this week in Syria with deadly bombardments of its own in the Idlib region.
Syrian and Russian warplanes on February 29 kept up air strikes on the Idlib city of Saraqeb, the Syrian Observatory war monitor reported. The city is located on a key highway that has been a flash point of fighting in recent days.
Turkey on February 29 heaped pressure on the international community to confront anew the flow of migrants from war-torn Syria, with President Erdogan announcing an "open door" policy that would not prevent migrants on Turkish territory from continuing on toward the European Union.
That sparked a flood of attempts at illegal crossings into Greece and possibly Bulgaria that put the EU's border authority, Frontex, on "high alert" on March 1.
Based on reporting by AP, AFP and Reuters