Gorbachev's View on Crimea's Recent Split from Ukraine

Former Premier of the USSR, Gorbachev, more liked in the West than in the CIS, thinks it is good that Crimea has been given the chance to decide its own fate. He also makes insightful comments about the state of the US's foreign policy. Whatever one might think of his opinions, the view from a person who experienced the decline of the Soviet empire and was directly involved has the potential to provide a longer term narrative and perspective than is possible in the current sound bite media.

Potential Blowback on Investments in Russia after Crimea

This linked article provides a view on the potential impact stronger state controls in Russia's economy in addition to the recent Crimea take over might be having on investors and major companies, as well as consumers, in Russia. At this stage, it is too early to separate out the specific impact on specific factors from the fallout over Crimea on Russia, her producers and consumers. For the past several years, capital outflows have been trending upwards. This has probably been in part due to a weakening in various aspects of Russia's business climate, perceptions and expectations changing over the country's potential, but also the economic situation in the West; many investors and western banks have been pulling finances out of riskier markets globally to shore up reserves to deal with the recent financial crisis.

Мутко: Лет'c ми спик фром май харт, ин инглиш

Russia's bid for FIFA 2018.

TRANS-SIBERIAN RAILWAY - CROSSING YENISEY

The vast openness of Russia. This video I found on youtube provides some imagery of the Yenisey.

BORDEAUX, THE FRENCH FANAGORIA

Well, I am surprised. I found this wine in an underground bar off Nevsky Prospect last week. It is from a region in the south of Russia called Fanagoria, and on the back of the bottle, a map displays how it is located along the same lattitude as Bordeaux.

The red, Saperavi, usually associated with Georgian wines in the CIS, was deep, dark, dry, and tasted similar to a Grenache. It has an odour after opening similar to some Spanish wines I have tried; a barnyard smell. This can be overcome by letting the bottle breathe a bit before drinking.

I have not yet tried the Chardonnay, displayed on the right. These bottles are priced at Red: 188 rubles and white: 150.

Definitely not what I expected and are decent every day drinking wines.