Windows to Russia

A huge blast has hit a gas station in the West of Moscow, causing a fire that is trying to spread to residential areas of the city. So far the explosion that happened around midnight Moscow, Russia time is not showing any signs of lessening and people are evacuating the residential areas near the fire.

Read more of the story…

comments always welcome.

May 8, 2009,
State Kremlin Palace, Moscow

Speech at Concert Celebrating the 64th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War

PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA DMITRY MEDVEDEV: Dear war veterans, comrades, friends,

First of all, I would like to congratulate you from all my heart on the Victory Day and wish you good health and good spirits.

We are celebrating our most cherished and sacred holiday together once again. It is a revered and heartfelt holiday for our people. I am certain that the feeling of pride and common involvement in this great feat of victory will be with our people forever.

The heroic deeds during the war, and the memories of them will be handed down from generation to generation with a sense of gratitude toward those who defended the freedom and independence of our country, those who fought on the fronts and laboured in the back lands, those who fought in partisan groups and joined the underground resistance, those who rescued and cared for the wounded, and those who endured unimaginable hardships and saw countless lives lost during the terrible years of that war.

The history of the Great Patriotic War is not simply a timeline of battles. Dearest veterans, this history is shaped by the stories of your lives. Each of you has your own personal story of making it through the war, a story filled with sorrow and self-denial, loyalty and solidarity between warriors. And today, you are living examples of strong moral courage and commitment to your Motherland. Each of you contributed to the victory. It is the government’s duty – our duty – to assure that you have a dignified life. As you know, we are trying to do everything possible to make this happen.

Dear friends, the memory of that war is stronger than time. The war took many millions of lives, and to this day, families seek out the places where their fathers and grandfathers lost their lives. We are still burying soldiers from what I hope will be our last world war, and we bow our heads before the memory of those who died in battle, those who perished from their wounds or from hunger, and those who were tortured in concentration camps.

We will never forget that our country – the Soviet Union – made the input that decided the outcome of the Second World War. It was our people who destroyed Nazism, and it was our nation that saved the entire world, paying an enormous price for this. We will forever cherish and hold onto this truth about the war. Nobody should ever doubt its veracity.

Our obligation is to ensure that no new wars ever take place, and to do everything in our power to create a modern system of international security. As you know, Russia has suggested several initiatives in this regard, including signing a special European security treaty.

We will continue to modernise and strengthen our Armed Forces. They must be capable of defending Russia’s sovereignty, ensuring calm, normal lives for our people, and fending off any aggression directed against our nation.

Dear veterans, dear friends,

Next year, we will be celebrating the 65th anniversary of this victory. A month ago, I signed an executive order on establishing an anniversary medal. These medals will be awarded to veterans living both in Russia and in other countries. I know that today, there are veterans here who arrived from other CIS nations. This is our tradition, and our celebration cannot be divided by state lines.

I am certain that even as the years pass, the sacred date of May 9 and the events of the Great Patriotic War will never be forgotten. We will remember that war as a great tragedy, and as a harsh lesson to those who would encroach on the lives and freedom of our people.

Dear friends, I want to once more congratulate you on the Victory Day.

Hello,

Looks like the USA has been knocked out of the “World Hockey Finals” in a tough match which Russia won 3-2.

This leaves the finals to be played between Russia and Canada. Russia will defend their title in the final of the World Championships against Canada who posted a 3-1 win over Sweden in the other semi final game.

Kyle and Svet

comments always welcome.

Russia News Source: May 8th, 2009!

Russia successfully launches space freighter to ISS:
Russia has launched a Progress M-02M cargo spacecraft from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on a resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), a spokesman for Russia’s space agency Roscosmos has said.

Nicaragua plans to buy Russian combat aircraft, helicopters:
Nicaragua intends to buy Russian aircraft and helicopters for its armed forces, regional media quoted the country’s top military official as saying on Friday.

Pyongyang vows to bolster nuclear deterrent:
North Korea announced on Friday it would keep strengthening its nuclear deterrent if the United States did not abandon its hostile policies toward Pyongyang, the Xinhua news agency said.

Obama confident that U.S., Russia can improve ties:
U.S. President Barack Obama said after a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Moscow and Washington had a great chance to “reset” relations.

Russian scientists develop tests for A/H1N1 swine flu:
Russian scientists have developed tests to detect the A/H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, a department head at the Epidemiology Central Research Institute said Thursday.

St. George ribbons handed out in France:
Ahead of events marking the 64th anniversary of victory in WWII, St. George ribbons have been distributed in Paris through a Russian food store chain.

Medvedev marks year in office with anti-corruption vow:
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev marked on Thursday the first anniversary of his inauguration and vowed to continue the fight against corruption by taking the effort under his personal control.

Russia, Japan to sign banking, nuclear deals during Putin’s visit:
Russia and Japan will sign a number of deals during Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to Tokyo, a deputy government chief of staff said Thursday.

Hello,

Our car this Winter was attacked and someone tried to break our windshield out. These are the pictures of the cracked windshield…

A very good video on a debate of Who Runs Russia. Remember that Russia does not run under the same standards as America. So you can not use the standards that America runs on to compare.

So Who Runs Russia?

Both Men, and they are doing a fantastic job at running Russia! Medvedev is President and Putin is Prime Minister. The two most powerful spots in Russia…

Russia is lucky that they get along so well, but then Putin picked Medvedev didn’t he!

Windows to Russia!
Kyle and Svet

comments always welcome.

Hello,

Today we are going to try a recipe of one of my very favorite foods. When you serve it rolled in cabbage leaves it always comes out delicious and fit for a king! 🙂

Golubtsy: stands for meat (any meat) wrapped in a cabbage leaf and then stewed. Yummy!

Ingredients:

1 lb – Ground meat pre-cooked (your choice – In Russia most likely pork or chicken. In America most likely ground beef.)
2 cup – cooked Rice (white)
1 medium – Onion chopped
1 nice – Carrot grated
1 large – Tomato diced
Dill, parsley, coriander, ground peppers, garlic (too taste)
A big delicious cabbage
Sour Cream

Cooking:

First, lets get the leaves of cabbage needed:
For this, take a big meat fork and punch the stub. Then put the whole thing into big pot of boiling water. Fork up of course. 🙂

As the outer leaves cook they become semi transparent, so as they cook and soften, cut them carefully at the base and slowly remove from the head (careful we are talking about boiling water and steam) and get about 10 to 15 soften cooked leaves. Set them aside on a plate to cool for later use.

Second, now the stuffing:
Take the pre-cooked ground meat and mix it with the cooked rice in a big bowl.

Then in a separate frying pan you’ll need to fry grated carrots and finely chopped onions, then add finely chopped tomatoes. Fry until onions are translucent then put in crushed garlic, herbs, salt, and ground peppers. Fry until all flavors are blended well. (About 2 – 3 minutes more)

In the big mixing bowl that has the meat and rice, add the ingredients from the fry skillet. Mix well. Let cool so that you can handle without burning yourself.

Third, Roll – em – up:
Take a cabbage leaf and lay on clean and sanitized flat surface. Add the mixture (2 tablespoons or more and more and more) that you just created in the skillet, to one end of the cabbage leaf and roll like a burrito. Tucking the sides in as you roll. That is why you must cook the cabbage leaves first.

Fourth, finish cooking them to perfection:
Just lay them tightly side by side in a big sauce pan, pour some hot water over, add a piece, no better yet a chunk, of butter or margarine and let it cook for 20 minutes on a medium fire.

Fifth, lets eat – Yummy! (Do not forget to smother in sour cream or not!)

Note:
I make these also with all raw products but find that by doing it this way, the product is a more consistent item. Instead of cabbage leaves try stuffing raw peppers and baking in the oven. You can use green, red or yellow peppers for this method.

Also if you want add onions and carrots plus any other veggie you want to to final cooking in the sauce pan. (You may want to increase cooking time if you add ingredients) This will make a soup type product. Then just serve like a soup in a big huge bowl with a daub of sour cream.

The cabbage rolls are great cold and reheated the next day also.

Windows to Russia!
Kyle and Svet

comments always welcome.

Hello,

I was drinking my morning cup of coffee here in Moscow, Russia. The news was abuzz in over the accusations against Russia from Georgia over an mutiny attempt by a Georgian Military unit. The TV, papers and internet was lit up…

I waited before spouting my mouth off, because I did not see where Russia had anything to do with this mutiny attempt that was being spread by the Georgian propaganda machine.

The first sign that all was not well with this Georgia tale, was when earlier today CNN printed an article: “(CNN) — Georgian authorities foiled an attempted army mutiny that they believe was designed to disrupt planned NATO exercises in the former Soviet republic, the country’s interior ministry said Tuesday.” (Link)

I read this article and there was no mention of Russia until the end of the article and then it only talked about NATO / Russia issues. Now that was a change in the Western press. From that point all the Western press articles steered clear of Russia involvement and kept repeating that NATO has not verified the information from Tbilisi.

I have been expressing my opinion about the fact that NATO should stay clear of Georgia until the direst has been solved. I have not changed that thought and now that thought has only been reconfirmed.

The opposition to Saakashvili, which has been leading protests in Tbilisi for nearly a month demanding Saakashvili’s resignation, called the mutiny a “theatrical show” staged by Saakashvili.

“What we saw looked like a one-man theater show – one person giving specific names and painting an apocalyptic picture of men returning to Georgia from exile to kill long-serving politicians,” David Gamkrelidze, an opposition leader, said.(Link)

I find these tactics on par for a rapscallion like Saakashvili!

So does Russia have anything to do with this mutiny? Not that I can see and nothing is obvious except Sassy and his mouth…

So NATO – Georgia is ticking and NATO needs to stay away. 6 -7 countries have already pulled out of the exercises and now it is time for NATO to say “Lets Wait – until things calm down!”

Windows to Russia!
Kyle & Svet

comments always welcome.

Russia News Source: May 5th, 2009!

Armenia may pull out of NATO-led drills in Georgia:
Armenia will not take part in the upcoming NATO-led Cooperative Longbow /Cooperative Lancer 2009 military exercises in Georgia, an Armenian newspaper said on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.

Communists seek damages over color version of Soviet spy series:
A communist group in St. Petersburg is to seek some $30 million in compensation for moral damages caused by the color reissue of a legendary Soviet spy series.

Russia to start building world’s first offshore nuclear plant:
A St. Petersburg-based shipyard will start building the world’s first offshore nuclear power plant on May 18, the city’s governor said on Tuesday.

Moscow pulls out of Russia-NATO Council meeting over expulsions:
Moscow said on Tuesday it would not send delegates to a planned Russia-NATO Council meeting over the expulsion by the military alliance of two diplomats based at its NATO mission in Brussels.

Russia’s Medvedev welcomes new U.S. stance on missile defense:
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev welcomed on Tuesday the readiness of the new U.S. administration to take on board Moscow’s objections to the deployment of a U.S. missile shield in Central Europe.

Eurovision public events center opens in Moscow:
A public events center for the upcoming Eurovision-2009 Song Contest was opened in central Moscow on Tuesday.

Georgian army unit refusing to obey orders after coup reports:
An armored infantry battalion refused to obey orders at the Mukhrovani military base outside the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Tuesday amid reports of an alleged military coup plot, Georgia’s defense minister said.

Belarus, Moldova leaders to skip EU eastern summit in Prague:
The presidents of Belarus and Moldova will not attend a EU summit designed to boost ties with ex-Soviet republics due in Prague on Thursday, Czech media reported on Tuesday.

Russian, Polish foreign ministers to talk missile defense, energy:
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski arrives in Moscow on Tuesday for a two-day working visit to discuss European security, energy supplies and missile defense issues with his Russian counterpart.