Officials from the United States (US) spent this past week preparing for this coming week’s diplomatic talks with their counterparts from the Russian Federation, amid tension over Russia’s military build-up at Ukraine’s border and unrest in Kazakhstan that saw Russian paratroopers deployed at the behest of the Kazakh government. European and US officials will be jointly focused on Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan the week ahead, as diplomatic talks with Russia commence, starting with a Russia-US bilateral forum on 10 January. The Government of the United Kingdom (UK) echoed American officials this past week in warning Russia against a potential incursion into Ukraine.
Also ahead, the U.S. Senate is set to vote on a Nord Stream 2 pipeline sanctions bill. Meanwhile, in the European Union (EU), the European Parliament’s proposal for addressing foreign subsidies is starting emerge. The UK Government released a report on the Build Back Better Business Council’s progress in 2021. Transatlantic partners are also grappling with increased COVID-19 cases of the Omicron variant. To mitigate the spread of Omicron in workplaces, the UK Government announced it would provide critical workers with daily COVID-19 rapid tests.
American officials continue to monitor closely the situation along Ukraine’s border, with US diplomats reaching out to broad-based Western allies and stressing support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. The United States and Russia agreed to hold...
Actress Nana faces a crucial legal moment today as the appeal sentencing trial is held for a man in his 30s, identified as A, who broke into her home and later counter-sued her. The Seoul High Cou...