Politics

  Bloomberg Top US and Russian diplomats agreed to keep talking even as they acknowledged a first round of security discussions did little to resolve their differences over Russia’s troop buildup near Ukraine or Moscow’s concern about the possibility that Nato may expand its presence further east. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov repeated Russia’s insistence it has no plans to ...

  Bloomberg Mali’s military ruler said he’s open to talks with West Africa’s economic bloc about returning the nation to civilian rule and asked the group to reconsider sanctions imposed over his refusal to hold elections next month. While the government regrets the “illegal, illegitimate and inhumane nature of certain decisions, Mali remains open to talks with the Economic Community ...

  Bloomberg Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro suffered a rare electoral loss when his candidate was defeated in a vote to elect the next governor of Barinas state, the birthplace of Hugo Chavez, who started the so-called socialist revolution. Jorge Arreaza, a former foreign minister and Chavez son-in-law, conceded defeat to little-known opposition candidate Sergio Garrido. The Electoral Council said Garrido ...

  Bloomberg President Vladimir Putin vowed to protect Russia and its ex-Soviet allies from what he called outside efforts to destabilize their governments with public protests, just days after Russian-led troops helped Kazakh authorities subdue nationwide demonstrations. “We won’t let anyone disturb the situation in our homes and won’t allow scenarios of so-called color revolutions to be played out,” Putin ...

  Bloomberg The US agreed to limit military personnel’s movements off base in Japan, after regional governors blamed American troops for helping to introduce the Omicron variant of Covid. For two weeks starting Monday, US Forces Japan personnel will only be allowed outside military facilities for activities deemed essential, the two sides announced in a statement late Sunday. The US ...

  Bloomberg Sweden called Russia’s warning to NATO and its allies “unacceptable” amid a military buildup at Ukraine’s borders, vowing to deepen its relationship with the defense bloc. Comments from Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist highlight a public backlash in the non-NATO members Sweden and Finland to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demands for assurances that the defense alliance stops eastward expansion ...

  Bloomberg Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to another four years in prison after a special court found the ousted civilian leader guilty in a second round of charges brought against her by the military junta that took power in February. Suu Kyi, 76, was found guilty for illegally importing and possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies as well as breaking ...

  Bloomberg The head of Denmark’s military intelligence service, Lars Findsen, has been jailed, charged with leaking classified material, according to local media. Last month, Danish police arrested four current and former intelligence workers on charges they had leaked highly classified information. Broadcaster TV2 and other media reported on Monday that Findsen, 57, was among those four after the district ...

  Bloomberg Kazakh forces, backed by Russian-led troops, are pressing ahead with operations to restore control after crushing the biggest protests in the central Asian nation in decades. About 5,800 people, including foreigners, have been detained since the demonstrations erupted, and law enforcement is carrying out raids throughout the country, the Kazakh presidential administration said on its website Sunday. Dozens ...

  Bloomberg Secretary of State Antony Blinken stepped up the Biden administration’s sharp rhetoric against Russia ahead of talks meant to ease tensions over Ukraine, accusing Moscow of using military threats, disinformation and targeted killings to build a sphere of influence beyond its borders. “No one should be surprised if Russia instigates a provocation or incident then tries to use ...