Russia

August 09, 2008 -- Chicago, IL -- "I just spoke separately with Secretary Rice and President Saakashvili about the grave crisis in Georgia. I told President Saakashvili that I was deeply concerned about the well-being of the people of Georgia.    » read more »

Java, August 13, 2008 – Human Rights Watch researchers in South Ossetia on August 12, 2008, saw ethnic Georgian villages still burning from fires set by South Ossetian militias, witnessed looting by the militias, and learned firsthand of the plight of ethnic Ossetian villagers who had fled Georgian soldiers during the Georgian-Russian conflict over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.    » read more »

4 August 2008 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says 24 Russian Sukhoi fighter jets have been delivered to Venezuela.

Mr. Chavez made the announcement Sunday on his weekly radio program.

The president said the jets are for defensive purposes only against "imperialist" aggressions.

Mr. Chavez has warned the recently reactivated U.S. Fourth Fleet to stay out of Venezuelan waters.

U.S. officials deny Washington has designs on Venezuela.

Source: VOA News

CAMDEN, N.J., July 1, 2008 -- Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB) today outlined the evolution of several key strategies and detailed innovations planned for the upcoming fiscal year at a meeting with investors. Campbell's management described plans for its U.S. soup business and its expansion in Russia and China. A replay of the presentation can be accessed via a Web cast at campbellsoupcompany.com.    » read more »

Biden: “We need diplomacy to forge a common strategy among energy consuming countries in Europe, a shared effort that can confront Russian dominance.”

June 12, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) held a hearing this afternoon entitled, “Oil, Oligarchs, and Opportunity: Energy from Central Asia to Europe” to examine Russia's use of its enormous oil and gas reserves, and regional pipeline system, to expand its global political influence and economic leverage.

Russian oil pump: Photo by Amanda Graham (CC)    » read more »

23 April 2008 -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games concluded its first full visit (22-23 April 2008) to the Russian host city today.

The Commission, led by IOC member Jean-Claude Killy, took advantage of the visit to review first-hand the sites of the venues for the 2014 Games, and heard updates from the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee (Sochi 2014) on a number of key areas of Games preparations, such as the Organising Committee’s structure, transport, marketing, environment and construction.    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement regarding the inauguration of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev:

"I sincerely hope the beginning of the Medvedev presidency will also be the beginning of a new era for Russia and for U.S.- Russian relations. The next U.S. President should look forward to working closely with President Medvedev on the great issues of our day.

John McCain: Photo by Kyle Tsui (CC)    » read more »

April 6, 2008 -- Sochi, Russia -- PRESIDENT PUTIN: (As translated.) Dear Mr. President, may we once again welcome you here in Sochi. I'm very pleased that you've accepted this invitation. And I'm pleased that after the meeting in Bucharest, you now have the opportunity to discuss with me our bilateral relations and security issues.

President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin: White House photo by Chris Greenberg

Yesterday we actually started discussing those issues, and today we have the opportunity to discuss this in a calmer working manner. And on top of all, I am delighted to show you around Sochi, which will be the capital of the Olympic games in 2014.

Welcome, Mr. President.    » read more »

April 6, 2008 -- Sochi, Russia -- PRESIDENT-ELECT MEDVEDEV: (As translated.) Good afternoon, Mr. President -- we meet again. I would like to once again thank you for warm congratulations on my election. I'm grateful for the congratulations.

President Bush greets Russian President-elect Dmitry Medvedev: White House photo by Chris Greenberg

President Putin and you, over these last eight years, have done a lot to advance Russian-U.S. relationship, and the relationship between Russia and the United States is a key factor of international security. When I officially assume my duties, I would like to do my best to keep up that relationship -- our relationship so there will be constructive engagement between us.    » read more »

April 3, 2008 -- Bucharest, Romania -- MR. HADLEY: There were a number of issues that were addressed in the morning session. I know [in a briefing this morning my colleague] gave a backgrounder that went through a number of the issues that got adopted and moved forward in the discussions this morning. So it was a fairly rich agenda.    » read more »

April 1, 2008 -- Kyiv, Ukraine -- PRESIDENT YUSHCHENKO: Dear Mr. President, dear Mrs. Bush, dear guests and ladies and gentlemen. It is with great pleasure that I express my feelings of utmost respect for His Excellency, President George Bush. The active cooperation between our countries extends from the idea of a partnership focused on the future.

President George W. Bush and President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine, raise their glasses in a toast April 1, 2008: Photo by Eric Draper    » read more »

April 1, 2008 -- PRESIDENT YUSHCHENKO: (As translated.) Dear Mr. President, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, this is a great honor for Ukraine and Ukrainian government to welcome the delegation chaired by the U.S. President. We just had one-on-one negotiations and expanded negotiations, and we can make general assessment of our talks. We are very pleased with the frankness and the atmosphere that the talks were carried out in.

President George W. Bush participates in press availabilty with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, April 1, 2008: Photo by Chris Greenberg    » read more »

Mar 18, 2008 -- MOSCOW — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice landed here March 17 for two days of talks with their Russian counterparts aimed at gaining ground on key issues that could forge ahead a missile defense plan for all of Europe.

Speaking to reporters during the flight, Gates said a full range of topics is on the table, including economic relationships, counterterrorism and arms sales. But on top on the agenda is locking in some type of commitment by Russia for the U.S. plan to post defensive missiles in Europe, the secretary said.    » read more »

Chicago, IL - March 03, 2008 -- "Yesterday, Russians went to the polls to elect a new president and begin the process of a peaceful transition of power in the Kremlin. Against the backdrop of hundreds of years of autocratic rule, Dmitri Medvedev's election as Russia's next president may appear to represent progress.    » read more »

March 3, 2008 -- ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement on the outcome of the Russian election:

"Yesterday we saw what is unfortunately yet another step away from democracy in Russia. In an election that was uncontested, where opposition candidates were either suppressed or arrested, where the result was foreordained by the manipulations of a corrupt and undemocratic regime, the one thing that was never in doubt was the result.    » read more »