From Russia: Ukraine Plays more Games With Europe’s Freezing Citizens!


Hello,

So I had just read some articles from the Western press (CNN) (Time) these articlesWindows to Russia! point blank played all the blame on Russia! Lets look at one and if you like more just Google, the Internet is full of Bad Russia good Ukraine articles:

CNN had a title that read:

Russia Backs Off Deal With Ukraine!
Just as millions of Europeans struggling through cold winter temperatures thought a resolution had been reached in the Russia – Ukraine natural gas standoff, Russia said it will not proceed on a the deal.
(They make this sound like Russia just changed her mind! How come the article title did not start with “Ukraine Plays more Games With Europe’s Freezing Citizens!”? )

I just shake my head in disbelief…

Kyle & Svet

comments alway welcome.

From Russia: Ukraine Has Changed!


Hello, (This article is an old article that will give you an idea about how things in Ukraine have changed. Things are much better in Ukraine… Kyle)
Windows to Russia!
While Svetlana and I checked out Kiev, Ukraine this last visa trip. Svet and I took a walk like we always do. We walk for about an hour and a half and always take the same route. That we we can see the changes that are happening.

About half way through the walk Svet turned to me and said the people are sad! They look like us Russians do, but they feel and act sad, unlike Russians.

What Svet means is: Ukraine people are a much more expressive people than Russians to strangers. They are more inclined to smile and to show facial expressions to strangers. This is something that Svet has noticed in our trips to Ukraine that the people act different than in Russia.

Ukraine until this trip, has always been happy even when they did not have any gas for heat this winter when I was there.

I saw it the first trip that we took. Ukrainians are what I call more of an extrovert society – Russia is more of an introvert society.

This time Svet and I both saw a huge change in the Ukrainians, They are sad and show it on their faces. Everywhere we went there was large crowds of men standing in groups. They seem to have nothing to do and act lost.

I use to be able to ride the metro in Kiev and not be the only person looking around to see what everyone is doing. Now this time the metro ride was very similar to Moscow Metro ride. Everyone was quiet.

We always eat at the greatest pizza place in the world near the hotel and you could see it on the people eating there. Sad faces that made me feel sad also. (I do not know the name of it just that it is the greatest pizza and cheapest that I ever had. Yummy!)

This was interesting to me because Kiev is or was the same as Moscow in levels of happiness. It was just that people in Kiev expressed it more readily than people in Moscow. Now that the smiles are gone in Kiev it seems and feels unhappy.

Moscow, Russia looks unhappy, but does not feel unhappy.

Kiev, Ukraine use to look and feel happy, but now it looks and feels sad…

Make any sense? 🙂

Windows to Russia!

Russia: New Metro (Subway) Rules!


Starting Oct. 11th, 2008:

Moscow has adopted new instructions for use of the metro in the city. The new rules regulate the usage of metro tickets and introduce some new obligations for passengers.

Now the passengers are obliged to show their tickets or metro cards on the request of the metro staff, who work at the self-acting check-points, the source said. It is demanded after introduction of tickets for persons entitled to benefits, because the metro authorities registered lots of cases when the benefit cards are used not only by the people, who have the right to the benefits, but also by their relatives and friends. Now it contradicts the Code on Administrative Violations. Earlier this restriction was not mentioned.

The new rules assign the free of charge pass to children less than seven years old, setting aside the previously obscure wording “preschool-age children.”

Passengers will not have to abide by the old rule of holding onto the handrail on the right side of the escalator, and walking on the left. Starting immediately, escalator workers will be managing the crowds in conditions of intensive passenger traffic. Their job will be to order commuters to access the left or right side of the escalators.

Perhaps the most stringent introduction is a ban on the private trade of metro cards. The city authorities were forced to initiate this rule because during rush hours and first days of the month, when the demand for metro cards is the greatest and the queues occasionally stretch out of the metro stations, people offer others to enter the metro using their cards for a charge, which can be lower than the official ticket cost.

This behavior falls within the purview of the Code on Administrative Violations.

Now only persons, authorized by metro authorities, have the right to sell metro cards and to let people to pass through the check points of the metro stations,” the source said.

Additionally, beggars, sellers, moneychangers, and others will be banned from the metro premises.

It is unlawful to prevent metro employees from carrying out their duties, to ignore their justifiable claims, to approach passengers [with the intent to sell them some product or service], not to follow the legitimate claims of police officers when the latter are on duty, according to the the new rules. (Link)

Windows to Russia!

Medvedev Sparked off Scathing Criticism in Japan…


Kuril Islands
Kuril Islands…

Dmitry Medvedev just  made a visit to the Kuril Islands. The islands are Russian territorial, so there should be no reason for Japan to be hopping up and down acting like the big bear stole your candy!

But since Japan still lays claims to the Southern Kuril Islands as part of its northern mainland territories. This makes for a sensitive issue in Japan. Meanwhile in not so past history, the islands became part of the USSR as a result of WWII, with Russia’s sovereignty over them entrenched in the UN Charter and many other international documents. Japan though seems to not agree with those documents…

So on this Monday when Medvedev went to Kunashir Island, a island that is part of the Kuril Islands. Medvedev set off the chickens squawking in the hen house…

So now the rumors are flying that Medvedev did it on purpose, that Medvedev wants war with Japan and that Medvedev is showing that he is a tough guy like Putin is…

I have got to say that I give Medvedev credit. Japan said, don’t you dare visit the Kuril Islands and Medvedev gave his answer in his actions…

They are my damn Islands and I will go there if I want to… 🙂

Just look at the news articles below that have to do with the happening. This is just a few articles by the way…

Hummm…

Windows to Russia!

Cherry Nalivka…


Want a vodka beverage that will tempt your soul? How about a ruby red vodka that is fit for that special guest? Try Cherry Nalivka…

To make real cherry nalivka it is necessary to follow the rules…

1. Only use high quality vodka…

2. Only use ripened, pure, whole and undamaged cherries…

3. Only fill the bottle 2/3 full of cherries, the cherries must be not be squished into the bottle. So use a bottle with a big enough opening and it has a good lid…

4. Pour over the vodka make sure that the cherries are covered well…

5. Then seal and leave to brew for 2 months…(do not chill)

6. The next important step (after two months) is to strain the nalivka, but not squeezing juice from berries… (yes you can eat the berries and they are great on icecream)

7.  Then sugar is added to the beverage, the amount of sugar is as a rule of thumb: 5% by volume for men to drink and 40% by volume for women to drink…

8.  Now the mixture should be brought to a boil in a sauce pan with the sugar and cooled down very quickly such as in the refrigerator…

9. Now comes the final bottling of nalivka. Pour into clean sanitized bottles that have good sealing corks and this time you may use regular vodka bottles. Seal them tight after filling and store in the cellar or similar place, to wait for that special guest to stop by and have a drink…

Red Vodka...

10. Three months later in the cellar, cherry nalivka is absolutely perfect. This dark ruby palatable vodka doesn’t have high percentage of alcohol and can be kept for many years in the cellar. The nalivka is ready to drink immediately but the longer you wait the better it gets. Nalivka ripens to perfection by the amount of sugar you use. The more sugar the longer it takes…

Notes: Nalivkas are also served as dessert, with tea, coffee and are added to sweets, jellies and drinks. Nalivkas are also made from any all all fruits. Some very popular combination’s are cranberries and gooseberries. Mixed fruit is very popular. One note about Russian cherries and American type cherries. Russian cherries are very sour and not like the sweet American cherries. So the amount of sugar should be adjusted… 🙂

Windows to Russia!

Georgia and Iran: Things That Make You Go Hummmm…


Hummm...

Iran opened a consulate in the Georgian port city of Batumi on Thursday along with the signing of documents that has made visa free travel between Georgia and Iran…

I guess I am confused! I thought Georgia and the USA were the best buddies in the whole world?

Looks like a new club, “The we hate Russia /America club…”

Things that make you go Hummm…

Windows to Russia!

Russia’s Election!


Hello,

The Election breaks down like this……

A glance at Sunday’s parliamentary elections in Russia:

_ WHO’S VOTING: 107 million people eligible to cast ballots for one of 11 parties to fill 450 seats in parliament’s lower house, State Duma. Polls predict United Russia, Kremlin-backed party whose ticket is topped by President Vladimir Putin, will win as many as 80 percent of seats.

_ WHO’S WATCHING: Officials from several international groups will monitor the vote, but none from Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, whose election reports are considered authoritative in West. OSCE blames excessive Russian restrictions; Moscow accuses Washington of pressuring the organization.

_ WHAT’S AT STAKE: Vote will be less a competitive election and more a referendum on Putin’s nearly eight-year presidency. If United Russia achieves expected overwhelming sweep, Kremlin could take that as mandate for Putin to lead Russia in some capacity after his second term ends next year.

Kyle

comments always welcome.

Windows to Russia!

American’s Nose into Ukraine’s Election…


America has her nose in the wrong place...

No sooner had the observers from the CIS For Fair Elections international public organization promoting the development of electoral technologies, said that the Oct. 31 local elections in Ukraine were open and democratic. The USA announced that the elections in Ukraine did not meet standards for openness and fairness…

(Like America has room to talk! and, Just how nosy is America?)

This side of the world has a much different thought on the Ukraine elections. In fact the only ones that seem to be caring about what the American Government has said is Yulia and company. But we all over here know about Yulia the USA backed cry baby…

A quote from the local news,  “It was a routine smooth process… This routine demonstrates one characteristic thing: they (the elections) were quite open. The work of the electoral commissions could also be described as open,” a representative of the mission of observers, lawyer Sergei Mirzoev (Russia), said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday.

Now it seems that a little stupidity has just crossed the ocean from an administration that needs to worry more about their elections than Ukraine’s elections…

According to the Ukraine president Viktor Yanukovych, the election did not differ from those in all other countries: “There were those satisfied and dissatisfied, winners and losers. That is life. “

He has got that correct!

Now America keep your nose out of Ukraine’s business…

Windows to Russia!

Russian News Time… (11/04/2010)


Coffee News...

Georgia, Iran agree visa-free travel:
Georgia and Iran have agreed visa-free travel for their citizens for a period not exceeding 45 days. The document was signed by Foreign Ministers Grigol Vashadze and Manuchehr Motaki on Wednesday and will come into force next year.

Israel refuses to cooperate with UNESCO:
Israel has suspended cooperation with UNESCO over its recognition of Palestinian sovereignty over some religious shrines. Deputy Foreign Minister Dani Ayalon made this statement on Wednesday.

Chernomyrdin to be buried at Novodevichye on Friday:
Russians are paying their last respects to the former Prime Minister and former Russian ambassador to Ukraine Viktor Chernomyrdin who died on Wednesday at the age of 72. His body lies in state at the Government Reception House at the Vorobyovy Hills. T he farewell ceremony will begin at 4:00 p.m.

Moscow hosts electronic entertainment show:
More than 90,000 visitors are expected at Russia’s biggest electronic entertainment show Igromir-2010 in Moscow. About 100 participants from Russia and abroad are expected to attend the annual exhibition to present their computer games. Moscow has hosted Igromir since 2006. Last year it attracted more than 80,000 visitors.

Medvedev, Karzai discuss anti-drug efforts:
The Russian and Afghan Presdidents Dmitry Medvedev and Hamid Karzai have come out for a tighter joint crackdown on drug trafficking. The two had a telephone talk on Saturday. They also spoke about a recent operation in Afghanistan, with assistance from the Russian and American anti-drug services, during which four heroin laboratories were destroyed.

Tokyo rejects calls for anti-Russian sanctions:
In Japan, supporters of a tougher stance towards Russia are calling for economic sanctions, for vetoing its accession to the World Trade Organization and for suspending funding for joint projects.

START ratification delayed:
The Republican takeover of the US House of Representatives in mid-term elections on Tuesday makes the Obama presidency a lame duck with little clout to pursue the lsquo;resettingrsquo; of Russian-American relations and push through the ratification of the latest Russian-American strategic arms reduction agreement, signed at a Prague summit on April 8th.

Russia celebrates National Unity Day:
Russia is celebrating National Unity Day. Established in 2004 on the initiative of the ruling United Russia party, it commemorates the feat of Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky who led a volunteer army during the liberation of Moscow from Polish-Lithuanian invaders in 1612. Unity Day ceremonies and political actions are being held in Moscow and other Russian cities.

Iran confirms its willingness to begin talks on nuclear issue:
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki reiterated Tehrans readiness on Wednesday to begin negotiations on its nuclear program. We are ready to resume talks today.

http://english.ruvr.ru/

Windows to Russia!

No Frozen Chicken says Russia…


Frozen Chicken...

Next year, January 1st 2011 is the day that Russia will introduce a ban on the sale of deep-frozen poultry. The ban will cover both importers and producers. Deep freezing destroys the nutritional value of poultry…

Earlier this year (something like the 1st of January also) Russia introduced a ban on chlorine-treated poultry imports, which hit hard on US farmers. We had just semi solved that issue and now this little snag came into the works…

Looks like Russia really does not want American chicken…

I do not blame them…

Windows to Russia!