From our newsroom:
Russia on December 8 displayed some of its mobile air-defense missile systems in central Moscow in a show of military might amid tensions with the West over Ukraine.
Russia's Defense Ministry said the equipment was displayed to mark the 100th anniversary of the creation of Russia's air-defense forces.
The S-400 "Triumph" and Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile systems, as well as the Kasta radar station, were publicly displayed outside the Russian Army Theater in Moscow.
President Vladimir Putin said last week that Russia would have enough resources and resolve to defend itself from what he described as enemies seeking to dismember the country.
The West has voiced growing concern over what it says is military muscle flexing by Russia.
Recently, Russia has intensified its air activity around Europe and stepped up its military presence on the Crimean peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in March.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax
An editorial in "The Washington Post" warns:
Western leaders were surprised when Mr. Putin responded to Ukraine’s pro-Western revolution by launching a covert military invasion of Crimea, and surprised again when Moscow fomented an armed insurgency in eastern Ukraine. They should not be surprised if similar aggression is launched against Moldova. Its leaders and its voters have stood up against Mr. Putin’s imperialism; Western governments should be prepared to do the same.
I, for one, wouldn't have expected Depardieu to have so much trouble reading his lines without constantly glancing at cue cards. I guess his Russian isn't coming along so great.
From RFE/RL's News Desk:
The Ukrainian military and pro-Russian separatist leaders in eastern Ukraine say they are prepared to meet in Minsk this week for truce talks.
Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said Kyiv officials are ready to talk as early as December 9 to try to improve the shaky cease-fire that was originally agreed to in Minsk in September.
Russia also expressed strong support on December 8 for a plan to hold a new round of talks this week involving Ukrainian, Russian, and separatist officials along with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Denis Pushilin, a leader of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic, indicated he was also ready for meeting in Minsk this week, but did not say when.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said over the weekend that a preliminary agreement had been reached for a December 9 meeting.