Politics – Page 398 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Russia

Russia to expel ten American diplomats & limit staff, also considering ‘painful’ measures aimed at US businesses – FM Lavrov

Posted on April 17, 2021April 17, 2021By Editor

Ten US diplomats will have to leave Russia in response to Washington’s expulsion of Russian diplomats, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said, adding that Moscow is looking at other sanction options if unfriendly steps continue. … Read More >Russia to expel ten American diplomats & limit staff, also considering ‘painful’ measures aimed at US businesses – FM Lavrov

Op-ed

Biden’s Sanctions Binge represents the high-water mark of the ‘Putin Whisperers’

Posted on April 17, 2021April 17, 2021By Editor

Joe Biden has announced a new wave of sanctions against Russia and signalled the potential for more. Biden’s mouth is writing checks the US can’t cash, and his latest tantrum is likely the last gasp of failed anti-Russia strategy. … Read More >Biden’s Sanctions Binge represents the high-water mark of the ‘Putin Whisperers’

Taiwan ‘very willing’ to work with US to counter China’s ‘adventurous maneuvers and provocations’

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

Taiwan is “very willing” to work with the US and other “like-minded countries” to deter China, the island’s president has said, as she met an unofficial delegation from Washington sent as a “personal signal” by Joe Biden. … Read More >Taiwan ‘very willing’ to work with US to counter China’s ‘adventurous maneuvers and provocations’

Russia

Russia pledges retaliation, summons US envoy over new sanctions, as NATO & EU back Biden’s move to target country’s national debt

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that it would soon respond in kind to a new package of sanctions unveiled against the country by US President Joe Biden, with Washington also expelling ten of Moscow’s diplomats. … Read More >Russia pledges retaliation, summons US envoy over new sanctions, as NATO & EU back Biden’s move to target country’s national debt

Russia

US imposes new sanctions against Russia, expels ten diplomats & targets national debt in move Moscow may view as major escalation

Posted on April 16, 2021April 16, 2021By Editor

US President Joe Biden signed a decree on Thursday imposing a new round of sanctions on Russia. They target more than 30 individuals and organizations. The White House also moved to expel nearly a dozen of Moscow’s diplomats … Read More >US imposes new sanctions against Russia, expels ten diplomats & targets national debt in move Moscow may view as major escalation

Russia

Turkey backs Ukraine’s NATO bid & Crimea policy, says military industry cooperation with Kiev is ‘not aimed against 3rd countries’

Posted on April 12, 2021April 12, 2021By Editor

Ankara has backed Ukraine’s bid to join NATO and vowed to expand defense industry cooperation as well as “coordinate steps” with Kiev to reclaim Crimea, while also insisting it does not seek to take steps against third countries. … Read More >Turkey backs Ukraine’s NATO bid & Crimea policy, says military industry cooperation with Kiev is ‘not aimed against 3rd countries’

Russia

Donbass crisis: Domestic political battles in Kiev, Moscow & Washington could see Ukraine & Russia stumbling into war nobody wants

Posted on April 12, 2021April 12, 2021By Editor

The military build-up in Ukraine is creating the possibility for a major war. However, conflict remains unlikely for the simple reason that it is not in the self-interest of any protagonist. Nevertheless, that may not be enough. … Read More >Donbass crisis: Domestic political battles in Kiev, Moscow & Washington could see Ukraine & Russia stumbling into war nobody wants

Russia

Ukraine will be ‘irreparably weakened’ if Russia & Germany allowed to complete Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, warns Kiev’s deputy PM

Posted on April 11, 2021April 11, 2021By Editor

Completing Nord Stream 2 will cost Kiev billions of dollars by ending Russia’s reliance on Ukraine for transporting gas, and therefore must be stopped, according to Aleksey Reznikov, the country’s deputy prime minister. … Read More >Ukraine will be ‘irreparably weakened’ if Russia & Germany allowed to complete Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, warns Kiev’s deputy PM

New US guidelines encourage more interaction with Taiwan amid tensions with China

Posted on April 11, 2021April 11, 2021By Editor

The US State Department has issued new guidelines making it easier for American diplomats to meet with officials from Taiwan. The move may seriously clash with Beijing’s “One-China” policy of sovereignty over the island territory. … Read More >New US guidelines encourage more interaction with Taiwan amid tensions with China

‘Do Chinese warships go to the Gulf of Mexico?’: Beijing blames Washington’s aggression for Taiwan tensions

Posted on April 9, 2021April 9, 2021By Editor

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has dismissed accusations that Beijing is engaging in “intimidation” and “coercion” in Taiwan, and called on the US to recognize the one-China principle and refrain from coercive practices. … Read More >‘Do Chinese warships go to the Gulf of Mexico?’: Beijing blames Washington’s aggression for Taiwan tensions