Russia

Russo-Georgian talks in Geneva suspended

Russia GeorgiaGeneva - The first talks between Georgia and Russia since their five-day war in August have been suspended without resolution at a United Nations meeting in Geneva Wednesday, a UN representative said.

Representatives from the United States, European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) were taking part in the talks.

Politkovskaya murder trial opens in Moscow

Anna PolitkovskayaMoscow  - A Russian military court opened the trial Wednesday

UN court to rule on Georgia-Russia case

The Hague - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is due to rule Wednesday on Georgia's claim against Russia concerning the alleged violation of its territorial integrity in August.

Georgia says Russia violated international law by entering the province of South Ossetia on August 7.

It also claims Russia previously caused unrest in South Ossetia, as well as in the breakaway province of Abkhazia.

Georgia, which filed its case against Russia in the ICJ on August 15, also claims Russia committed genocide and ethnic cleansing in South Ossetia.

Russia has rejected all allegations and says it entered Georgia's South Ossetia region to protect the civilian population from violence committed by the Georgian Army.

Multi-party talks begin in Geneva over Georgia crisis

Geneva - Leaders from Russia, Georgia, the US, the EU and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are to meet in Geneva on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Georgia.

The closed meeting is also to include leaders of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in an effort to find a long-term solution for stability in the region.

A five-day war occurred in August when Russia invaded South Ossetia in response to Georgian efforts to impose its rule there.

The precise agenda for the meeting is not yet clear, although Russia is expected to push for an arms embargo on Georgia, which it blames for the conflict.

Medvedev names new deputy premier to head 2014 Sochi Olympics prep

Sochi Olympics 2014Moscow - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday named a new tsar to oversea Russia's preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Regional development minister Dmitry Kozak was promoted to deputy prime minister for the job.

Kozak warned last week the financial crisis pushed Russian shares to their lowest point since the national default in 1998 could force the state to fork up more cash for the constructions marathon run-up to the Games.

US, EU, UN Geneva meeting with Russia on Georgia is downgraded

RussiaGeneva - A Geneva-hosted top meeting on Georgia between French and Russian leaders due Wednesday has been downgraded to one at "expert" level involving officials from Russia, the European Union, the US and UN, it was stated Tuesday.

The decision was taken because a meeting had already taken place in the French Lake Geneva resort of Evian last week between Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, current EU Council head, UN officials said in Geneva.

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