U.S. and Russia Vow Cooperation on Global Security Issues

Readout of Vice President Biden's Call with Russian Prime Minister Putin

Vice President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Putin this morning and discussed a range of issues including Russia’s World Trade Organization accession, the Obama Administration’s commitment to terminate Jackson-Vanik’s application to Russia, and next steps on missile defense cooperation. The Vice President and Prime Minister agreed on the importance of continuing momentum in relations between the United States and Russia. Vice President Biden underscored the continued need for cooperation between the United States and Russia on global security issues and pledged to continue to work with Russia on facilitating travel between our two countries.

NSC Responds to Strategy 31 Protests in Russia

The Russian Federation on the Globe

Statement by National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor
on Strategy 31 Protests in Russia

"The United States is concerned by reports of the detention on March 31 of many Russian citizens who were participating in peaceful rallies throughout Russia to demonstrate their support for Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees Russian citizens the right to peaceful assembly. The United States reiterates the importance of embracing and protecting universal values, including freedoms of expression and assembly, enshrined in the Russian Constitution as well as in international agreements Russia has signed. Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are not only vital ingredients of sound political systems, they are essential for economic modernization and broad-based prosperity. Without freedom of assembly, it will be impossible to foster genuine competition during Russia’s upcoming parliamentary elections in December."

Photo source: Wikipedia
Permission: GNU Free Documentation License