Eurasia

MOSCOW – Aspiring NATO member Ukraine is prepared to adopt legislation banning the alliance’s bases from its soil, Russia’s RIA news agency quoted Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko as saying on Wednesday.

MOSCOW – Russia expressed surprise on Tuesday that the United States had scrambled fighter jets at the weekend to intercept strategic Russian bombers, one of which flew over a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Pacific.

MOSCOW – Russia agreed on Monday to write off most of Iraq’s $12.9 billion debt in a deal that opens up Iraq for $4 billion in investment from Russian firms, including oil major LUKOIL.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iran’s ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan Nasir Hamidi Zare said that Tehran has eased visa regime between the two countries.

MOSCOW – A jailed former oil executive gravely ill with HIV/AIDS was transferred to a specialist clinic on Friday, Russia’s prison service said, following an international campaign on his behalf.

MOSCOW  – President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia would not allow itself to be drawn into what he called a new arms race.

ANKARA – Turkish warplanes struck some 70 Kurdish guerrilla targets in northern Iraq on Monday in the latest in a series of strikes, the General Staff said.

MOSCOW  – Poland and the Czech Republic could become targets for the Russian military if they agree to host elements of a U.S. missile defense system, Russian news agencies quoted a senior Russian lawmaker as saying on Monday.

TUNCELI, Turkey – Ten separatist Kurdish guerrillas were killed in clashes with the Turkish troops in Bingol province on Sunday, army officials said.

SOCHI, Russia – Vladimir Putin’s chosen candidate for next month’s presidential election seized the opportunity to emphasize the continuity of power at an event on Sunday in Russia’s future Winter Olympics capital.