Russian President Putin builds ties in Moldova, Kazakhstan and Baltics

View Photo Gallery — Ukraine talks mark the start of tenuous negotiation: A day after Ukrainian troops suffered their single heaviest loss of life against pro-Russian separatists in an ambush attack, Ukraine’s interim leaders began discussions on national unity amid grandstanding and accusations in Kiev.

Ethnic Russians in former Soviet republics

By Michael Birnbaum, Published: May 17

MOSCOW — Vowing to defend ethnic Russians wherever they live, President Vladimir Putin has embarked on an aggressive campaign to rebuild the pride and assertiveness of the Russian people, which he says was lost in the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Russian President Putin Builds Ties in Moldova, Kazakhstan and Baltics by Thavam Ratna