themoscowtimes--2020-04-24--Russia’s New Military Mega-Church to Feature Putin, Stalin, Crimea Mosaics

The 95-meter Armed Forces cathedral , a symbol of close defense-church ties in Russia , is expected to open on May 9 — the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II — at a sprawling military-themed park near Moscow .
Once completed , the building will become one of the tallest Orthodox churches in the world .
The walls of Russia ’ s new Orthodox cathedral dedicated to the Armed Forces will be decorated with the faces of President Vladimir Putin , Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Soviet leader Josef Stalin , the MBKh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cathedral ’ s mosaics shows Putin and Shoigu flanked by prominent politicians including Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko and State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin as well as security officials like FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov and the head of the Army ’ s General staff Valery Gerasimov .
Another depicts the World War II Victory Day parade of 1945 on Red Square , with Stalin ’ s portrait held above a crowd of Soviet soldiers , photos published by MBKh News showed .
Russia ’ s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depicting a group of women with a sign that reads “ our Crimea ” held aloft behind them .
Following MBKh News ' report , the Russian Orthodox Church confirmed that the cathedral 's interior will depict Stalin and of the Crimean annexation , calling the depictions `` appropriate . ''
`` [ The Church 's council on art ] considers these images to be absolutely appropriate , reflecting historical truth from which pages can not be torn out arbitrarily , '' Archpriest Leonid Kalinin , the chair of the Russian Orthodox Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restoration , told the state-run TASS news agency .
Stalin ’ s image within Russia has been gradually rehabilitated in the 2000s from that of a bloody autocrat to an “ outstanding leader.
” Today , his approval rating among Russians is at historic highs .
Dozens of Western countries targeted Russia with economic sanctions over its annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 following an unrecognized referendum .
According to the Resurrection Foundation which oversees donations to the Armed Forces cathedral , the public has donated more than 3.6 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cathedral 's construction .
While Russia has indefinitely postponed its annual Victory Day celebrations due to the coronavirus pandemic , plans to open the Armed Forces cathedral on May 9 are still on .

The 95-meter Armed Forces cathedral, a symbol of close defense-church ties in Russia, is expected to open on May 9 — the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II — at a sprawling military-themed park near Moscow. Once completed, the building will become one of the tallest Orthodox churches in the world.
The walls of Russia’s new Orthodox cathedral dedicated to the Armed Forces will be decorated with the faces of President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Soviet leader Josef Stalin, the MBKh News website reported Friday.
One of the cathedral’s mosaics shows Putin and Shoigu flanked by prominent politicians including Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko and State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin as well as security officials like FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov and the head of the Army’s General staff Valery Gerasimov.
Another depicts the World War II Victory Day parade of 1945 on Red Square, with Stalin’s portrait held above a crowd of Soviet soldiers, photos published by MBKh News showed.
Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine is also celebrated, with one mosaic fragment depicting a group of women with a sign that reads “our Crimea” held aloft behind them.
Following MBKh News' report, the Russian Orthodox Church confirmed that the cathedral's interior will depict Stalin and of the Crimean annexation, calling the depictions "appropriate."
"[The Church's council on art] considers these images to be absolutely appropriate, reflecting historical truth from which pages cannot be torn out arbitrarily," Archpriest Leonid Kalinin, the chair of the Russian Orthodox Church's council on art, architecture and restoration, told the state-run TASS news agency.
Stalin’s image within Russia has been gradually rehabilitated in the 2000s from that of a bloody autocrat to an “outstanding leader.” Today, his approval rating among Russians is at historic highs.
Dozens of Western countries targeted Russia with economic sanctions over its annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 following an unrecognized referendum.
According to the Resurrection Foundation which oversees donations to the Armed Forces cathedral, the public has donated more than 3.6 billion rubles ($41 million) toward the cathedral's construction.
While Russia has indefinitely postponed its annual Victory Day celebrations due to the coronavirus pandemic, plans to open the Armed Forces cathedral on May 9 are still on.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-24--Former Georgian Leader Eyes Political Comeback in Ukraine

Former Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili said on Friday that he wants to help steer Ukraine through an economic crisis as the new deputy prime minister .
His plans sparked controversy both in Kiev and his native Georgia .
President Volodimir Zelensky , who has vowed to secure Western investment and rid the country of corruption , has proposed appointing Saakashvili as deputy prime minister in charge of reforms after restoring his Ukrainian citizenship last year .
The candidacy of the 52-year-old - who also served as governor of a key Ukrainian region - must now be approved by parliament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We have to make unconventional decisions in order to save the Ukrainian economy , '' Saakashvili told reporters in Kiev .
`` The president has entrusted me with conducting negotiations with the International Monetary Fund .
Ukraine needs much more aid than it is receiving now , '' he added .
Saakashvili said lawmakers were expected to vote on his appointment next Thursday .
Saakashvili 's appointment would come at a particularly difficult time for Ukraine , with observers warning that the shocks from the coronavirus pandemic may cause the country 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % this year .
Zelensky 's government has sought to unlock an $ 8 billion loan from the IMF and negotiate an end to a six-year separatist conflict .
Observers were divided over the politician 's return .
Some claimed he would be instrumental in helping Zelensky reform Ukraine , while others warned that a new Saakashvili stint would spell trouble .
`` I think he will eclipse everyone , '' a senior government member told AFP .
Yegor Sobolev , a former lawmaker who closely worked with Saakashvili , said his `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country of corruption and red tape .
`` Most of state functions and institutions are in a catastrophic state , so people like Saakashvili are needed , '' he told AFP .
If confirmed by parliament dominated by Zelensky 's party , the appointment would mark a spectacular new chapter in Saakashvili 's turbulent career which saw him put ex-Soviet Georgia on a pro-Western path after leading the bloodless Rose Revolution in 2003 .
During his 2004-2013 presidency , Saakashvili reformed Georgia 's economy and attracted foreign investment , but also went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions .
Georgia on Friday denounced Saakashvili 's possible appointment as `` totally unacceptable , '' with Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia threatening to recall the country 's Ukraine ambassador .
Saakashvili is wanted by the Georgian authorities on charges of abuse of office , which he denies as politically motivated .
After Saakashvili left Georgia , Zelensky 's predecessor Petro Poroshenko appointed him governor of Ukraine 's strategic Odessa region in 2015 .
But his stint at the helm of the Black Sea region was dogged by controversy , as he criticized the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell out with Poroshenko and was kicked out of the country .
Anatoliy Oktysyuk , an analyst with Democracy House think tank , said Zelensky was taking a major risk with the choice of Saakashvili , who has ties to his chief of staff Andriy Yermak .
`` Zelensky is opening Pandora 's box with [ this ] appointment , '' Oktysyuk told AFP .

Former Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili said on Friday that he wants to help steer Ukraine through an economic crisis as the new deputy prime minister. His plans sparked controversy both in Kiev and his native Georgia.
President Volodimir Zelensky, who has vowed to secure Western investment and rid the country of corruption, has proposed appointing Saakashvili as deputy prime minister in charge of reforms after restoring his Ukrainian citizenship last year.
The candidacy of the 52-year-old - who also served as governor of a key Ukrainian region - must now be approved by parliament.
"Ukraine is entering an economic storm. We have to make unconventional decisions in order to save the Ukrainian economy," Saakashvili told reporters in Kiev.
"The president has entrusted me with conducting negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. Ukraine needs much more aid than it is receiving now," he added.
Saakashvili said lawmakers were expected to vote on his appointment next Thursday.
Saakashvili's appointment would come at a particularly difficult time for Ukraine, with observers warning that the shocks from the coronavirus pandemic may cause the country's economy to shrink by up to 10% this year.
Zelensky's government has sought to unlock an $8 billion loan from the IMF and negotiate an end to a six-year separatist conflict.
Observers were divided over the politician's return. Some claimed he would be instrumental in helping Zelensky reform Ukraine, while others warned that a new Saakashvili stint would spell trouble.
"I think he will eclipse everyone," a senior government member told AFP.
Yegor Sobolev, a former lawmaker who closely worked with Saakashvili, said his "enormous political experience" could help rid the country of corruption and red tape.
"Most of state functions and institutions are in a catastrophic state, so people like Saakashvili are needed," he told AFP.
If confirmed by parliament dominated by Zelensky's party, the appointment would mark a spectacular new chapter in Saakashvili's turbulent career which saw him put ex-Soviet Georgia on a pro-Western path after leading the bloodless Rose Revolution in 2003.
During his 2004-2013 presidency, Saakashvili reformed Georgia's economy and attracted foreign investment, but also went to war with Russia over two breakaway regions.
Georgia on Friday denounced Saakashvili's possible appointment as "totally unacceptable," with Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia threatening to recall the country's Ukraine ambassador.
Saakashvili is wanted by the Georgian authorities on charges of abuse of office, which he denies as politically motivated.
After Saakashvili left Georgia, Zelensky's predecessor Petro Poroshenko appointed him governor of Ukraine's strategic Odessa region in 2015.
But his stint at the helm of the Black Sea region was dogged by controversy, as he criticized the huge wealth of some politicians.
He fell out with Poroshenko and was kicked out of the country.
Anatoliy Oktysyuk, an analyst with Democracy House think tank, said Zelensky was taking a major risk with the choice of Saakashvili, who has ties to his chief of staff Andriy Yermak.
"Zelensky is opening Pandora's box with [this] appointment," Oktysyuk told AFP.


themoscowtimes--2020-04-24--Russia Seeks to Revive Coronavirus-Hit Tourism Industry By Cutting Visa Red Tape

Russia grounded international flights , except those that return its nationals from abroad ; closed border crossings ; and suspended issuing visas and e-visas last month as the country began to see a surge in Covid-19 cases .
Rostourism warns that the measures will lead to “ colossal losses for the economy ” of at least 300 billion rubles ( $ 4 billion ) per quarter .
Russia ’ s Federal Tourist Agency ( Rostourism ) wants to help the industry recover from the coronavirus crisis by relaxing visa rules after the country reopens its borders , the RBC news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple-entry tourist visas valid for up to five years in order to offset these losses , according to Rostourism ’ s recommendations cited by RBC .
Current rules only allow single- and double-entry visas valid for up to 30 days for tourists .
Rostourism also seeks to cut visa processing time down to three business days .
Current tourist visa holders who were unable to travel to Russia due to coronavirus-related restrictions should be able to re-apply for new visas free of charge , according to Rostourism ’ s reported recommendations .
Additionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ e-visas , which are due to take effect on Jan. 1 , 2021 , from 16 days to 90-120 days and make them multiple-entry .
Rostourism confirmed to RBC that it ’ s involved in talks over “ a large block of questions on visa simplification ” with the Foreign Ministry and other agencies .
It was not immediately clear whether the Foreign Ministry , which was drafting its own legislation to ease tourist visa rules before the outbreak hit , would adopt Rostourism ’ s recommendations .
The measures could not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by up to 30 % compared to pre-crisis levels in 2021 , Rostourism ’ s chief Zarina Doguzova was cited as saying .
Tourists around the world have frequently cited difficulties with obtaining visas as a barrier to visiting Russia .
Russia has adopted a series of emergency measures easing its restrictive immigration laws during the coronavirus outbreak .
It automatically extended visas and banned authorities from deporting foreigners if their immigration documents expired between March 15 and June 15 .
After Russia reopens its national borders , authorities plan to track foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus prevention , the Kommersant business daily reported earlier in April .

Russia grounded international flights, except those that return its nationals from abroad; closed border crossings; and suspended issuing visas and e-visas last month as the country began to see a surge in Covid-19 cases. Rostourism warns that the measures will lead to “colossal losses for the economy” of at least 300 billion rubles ($4 billion) per quarter.
Russia’s Federal Tourist Agency (Rostourism) wants to help the industry recover from the coronavirus crisis by relaxing visa rules after the country reopens its borders, the RBC news website reported Friday.
Russia should introduce multiple-entry tourist visas valid for up to five years in order to offset these losses, according to Rostourism’s recommendations cited by RBC. Current rules only allow single- and double-entry visas valid for up to 30 days for tourists.
Rostourism also seeks to cut visa processing time down to three business days. Current tourist visa holders who were unable to travel to Russia due to coronavirus-related restrictions should be able to re-apply for new visas free of charge, according to Rostourism’s reported recommendations.
Additionally, the agency wants to extend proposed e-visas, which are due to take effect on Jan. 1, 2021, from 16 days to 90-120 days and make them multiple-entry.
Rostourism confirmed to RBC that it’s involved in talks over “a large block of questions on visa simplification” with the Foreign Ministry and other agencies. It was not immediately clear whether the Foreign Ministry, which was drafting its own legislation to ease tourist visa rules before the outbreak hit, would adopt Rostourism’s recommendations.
The measures could not only help restore but also increase inbound tourism by up to 30% compared to pre-crisis levels in 2021, Rostourism’s chief Zarina Doguzova was cited as saying. Tourists around the world have frequently cited difficulties with obtaining visas as a barrier to visiting Russia.
Russia has adopted a series of emergency measures easing its restrictive immigration laws during the coronavirus outbreak. It automatically extended visas and banned authorities from deporting foreigners if their immigration documents expired between March 15 and June 15.
After Russia reopens its national borders, authorities plan to track foreign tourists' movements through smartphone geolocation for coronavirus prevention, the Kommersant business daily reported earlier in April.