Diplomats who have served in Belarus say Lukashenko is the ultimate enigma. Certainly, using Russian money to keep his state-dominated economy alive. But too simplistically dismissed as a Russian lackey.

Baku is livid about what it says is Armenia’s refusal to hand over maps of mined areas or even discuss the issue.

Folk dance is as important for Georgians as their history, language, delicious cuisine and famous hospitality traditions.

Since the new government came to power, it has embarked on an ambitious economic reform plan. And that includes the long-ignored tourism sector.

The areas around the formerly occupied Azerbaijani districts have long been regarded as some of the most heavily mined on earth.

In the Soviet era, such gritty industries were regarded as sacred pieces of the country’s clunky economy.

The move comes as Minsk faces further isolation by the European Union after the incident involving a routine flyover of its airspace.

Russian companies have for years relied on migrant workers from typically less affluent ex-Soviet states – Armenia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

This transformation of the city is somewhat remarkable, and change has always been a constant here. It has had six names since its first mention in 1830 and four in just the last three decades.

Zelensky may be hoping for more explicit U.S. support, but no new format for talks to resolve the Ukrainian crisis is likely before Biden meets Putin.