hello and welcome to the money with the business of russia is business i'm peter lavelle with the start of two thousand and fourteen economists c.e.o.'s and investors are finalizing their plans for the new year the past year was a bit bumpy but two thousand and fourteen should see the russian economy rebound and the showcase called salty may make more than a few investors have a fresh look at the russian market. to discuss the russian economy i'm joined by robert may he is the managing partner at robert may consulting group we also have been heiress he is the editor in chief of business new europe and we also have john hello big he is the managing partner of a group ben let me start out with you what is the major theme you're looking for in two thousand and fourteen in one word investment investment we need to wait and wait ok robert in one word yes what am i looking for here i think more of the same stagnation probably speculation ok john labor productivity ok why investment investment is the achilles heel of the russian economy and we've had this horrible slowdown last year was the ru

russia today. first i must to make the kind of disclaimer because you mentioned political and military aspects emily atm non governmental organization when they are doing politics he is a no no for me to comment on that chair. but to that is set well known that the russia it has the cutest day two am. couple that lives in newark and another cop and asian students and that even in russia. national symbol the eu leaders to head south to me and said that one can go on you replace full list here than any other real time nation to the east. so we are or may be called a euro each and country exactly that and that we are trying to play our role in bowls continents in a shack. and in europe had to help economically. to participate in the integration process is tied to the main color on contribution to the sustainable development on all the empty these days is staying in the region. so that the people. in these aren't the region as well as globally because we are living in the era of globalization and the q

the money with the business of russia is business i'm peter lavelle with the start of two thousand and fourteen karimi c.e.o.'s and investors are finalizing their plans for the new year the past year was a bit bumpy but two thousand and fourteen should see the russian economy rebound and the showcase called salty may make more than a few investors have a fresh look at the russian market. to discuss the russian economy i'm joined by robert may he is the managing partner at robert may consulting group we also have been heiress he is the editor in chief of business new europe and we also have john hello big he is the managing partner of a group ben let me start out with you what is the major theme you're looking for in two thousand and fourteen in one word investment investment we need to wait and wait ok robert in one word yes what am i looking for here i think more of the same stagnation probably sec nation ok john labor productivity ok why investment investment is the achilles heel of the russian economy and we had this horrible slowdown last year was the rushes and and as i read this

will do well but the remainder of the economy i mean production is down i think russia has not reached really the point it needs to be productivity but that's going to give the impetus for more reform i mean it's a political issue as well it's all a face that i mean there are challenges here president putin came out at the end of last year in december and said look we have our own domestic problems before it was more external issues now he's saying we have to deal with them domestically john. yeah well i don't share the general sentiment that russian economy was particularly bad last year we had one hundred percent growth and no budget deficit a deficit there and just a just not indebted full employment compare with what's going on in the european union so i think that people and i missed the point thing is that russia has reached historic level of development and now it's time to find you in. the business and what needs to be fine tune what's the top of your list for this year well one your management practices because awful management practices in russian companies also look for an i

this russia e.u. summit has been consistently billed in the past as a platform for furthering the street strategic cooperation between russia and the e.u. went to great extent it was in terms of the topics that they did touch upon however we know that coming into this summit there was this huge issue out of ukraine that was hanging over the meeting and the relations were strained after the decision of . which not to go ahead to sign that agreement with the e.u. in favor of closer ties with russia so that was one of the sticking points of this is skosh and what came out of it basically all of the representatives. of the european commission report of the european council all condemning the violence also but also saying that violence is not the answer to this and the e.u. urging that those who are guilty of this violence be tried in the country however moving forward together russia the e.u. says that they will go on with the consultation on the eastern partnership program with ukraine being a part of it

russia today. first i must make the kind of disclaimer because you mentioned political and military aspects emily atm non governmental organization when they are doing politics he is unknown for me to comment on that chair. but to that is set well known that the russia it has the cutest eight two am. couple that lives in newark and another cop and asian students and a human in russia remains a national symbol the eel week to head to me and said that one can go on you replace full list here than any other real time asia to the east so we are or may be called a euro each and country exactly that and that we are trying to play our role in bowls continents in a shack. and in europe had to help economically. to participate in the integration process this. i've too many colorado contribution to the sustainable development on all the empty these days is staying in the region. so that the people. in these aren't the region as well as globally because we are living in the era of globalization and the code t

the russia e.u. summit in brussels president putin stating none of the existing economic agreements with ukraine will be revised as he urges europe not to put additional. meanwhile ukraine's president accepts the resignation of the prime minister and the cabinet has rolled back most of the new protests but the opposition protesters stay put in their camps. carry on until the president goes. is about to throw open its doors for the games a flurry of allegations from the world's media can. create a debate. in the international media. a senior member of the international olympic committee claims the media used his remarks on corruption and out of context to cause a sensation. this is not international live from a studio in moscow which just turned midnight and first to some breaking news from the u.s. we're learning that at least two people reported injured in a school shooting one of them supposedly a seventeen year old student incident took place early in the morning at result high school in the state

this russia e.u. summit has been consistently billed in the past as a platform for furthering the street strategic cooperation between russia and the e.u. went to great extent it was in terms of the topics that they did touch upon however we know that coming into this summit there was this huge issue out of ukraine that was hanging over the meeting and the relations were strained after the decision of . which not to go ahead to sign that agreement with the e.u. in favor of closer ties with russia so that was one of the sticking points of this is what came out of it basically all of the representatives. of the european commission. of the european council all condemning the violence also saying that violence is not the answer to this and the e.u. urging that those who are guilty of this violence be tried in the country however moving forward together russia and the e.u. says that they will go on with the consultation on the eastern partnership program . part of it now there were a lot of questions as to

you for joining me kate bought ridge for the r t sports show a pic of the best sporting action from russia and around the globe coming up and here are the top stories. pauling cvs maria sharapova and world number one serena williams crash out of the australian open but victoria azarenka remains on course to defend her title in melbourne. last sort she's a bread machine and they chose start trouble that so is named captain of russia's twenty five month paice hockey roster as the red machine go in search of the country's first olympic gold at their home games next month. and holding court russian balls people team him keith crush israeli champions marketing hype back in the euro cup to extend their unbeaten run to twenty one games. but first to tennis and it's been a bad couple of days for the women's top seeds at the australian open after both maria sharapova and world number one serena williams went crashing out at the last sixteen stage third seed sharapova went to slovakia's dominika to both of us three six six four six one as the russian four time major winner took a magical moment afte

sports show a pic of the best sporting action from russia and around the globe coming up and here are the top stories. forming cvs maria sharapova and world number one serena williams crown shattered the australian open but victoria azarenka remains on course to defend her time in melbourne. last sort she's a bread machine and a child star couple that so is named captain of russia's twenty five month peise hockey roster as the red machine go in search of the country's first olympic gold at their home games next month. and holding court russian balls he will team him keith crush israeli champions marketing hype in the euro cup to extend their unbeaten wrong to twenty one games. but first to tennis and it's been a bad couple of days for the women's top seeds of the australian open after both maria sharapova and world number one serena williams went crashing out at the last sixteen stage third seed sharapova went on to slovakia's dominika to both of us three six six four six one as the russian four time major winner took a magical moment after the second set and posted a total of forty f

we begin russia's ambassador the united nations, vitaly churkin. >> we would encourage russia and the united states work very closely, sergei lavrov and john kerry talking almost everyday on the phone, two dozen meetings, et cetera, et cetera, most on syria. so there are some ingredient which is make us theme it can be a success. but obviously obstacles are enormous and there are some players who don't want to see any settlement at all, who want syria to disintegrate, who want syria to become a hub of international terrorism. so it's -- we are working, trying to overcome tough obstacles. >> rose: we conclude with a conversation about the future of turkey with james jeffrey, dexter fill kins, elmira bayrasli and benjamin harvey. >> erdogan has basically prosecuted, arrested or otherwise marginalized huge numbers of the turkish elite and that's -- so what's happening now that that the vanguard, the sort of turkish vanguard that has done this led by erdogan is starting to crackup itself and that's basically it's split into two lanes so i think what's so -- what's troubling to me is that

potential suicide bombers russia says, hunting for targets. one is likely dead already, killed in this gunfight on saturday. but the others, police suspect the two men may be somewhere in southern russia. and the three surviving women, one of them may already be in sochi. they're called black widows, because they became terrorists after their husbands were killed. they were used to take more than 800 hostages in a moscow theater in 2002. 200 people, including the kidnappers, were killed when russian commandos stormed in. most black widows are from the caucasus, where russia has a bloody history. its forces killed tens of thousands there in chechnya in the 1990s. yet russian president putin assured the world that the olympics in nearby sochi would be safe, the safest ever. russia built a $2 billion security zone around sochi, a so-called ring of steel. 60 miles long, 25 miles deep, 1,500 miles of fences. heavily guarded but perhaps not impenetrable. >> this ring of steel is nothing like a ring of steel. in fact, there are gaping holes in the se

-russia relations. senator ted cruz of texas one of those speaking at the event, accusing the obama administration of allowing russia to expand its influence in the world. this is an hour and a half. >> all right, if everyone will take their seats. we already have one panelist doing interviews, but you've already talked to him so you can talk to him when he gets here. ok. to anyone who just came in on the streaming video, welcome to the heritage foundation. i'm dr. steve bucci. i'm the director of the allison center for foreign and national security policy. we have part two of our russia event today. we retreated a little earlier to a great trio of speakers who laid down a foundation as to what's going on in russia and what it may mean. now we have four more speaks that are are going to go a little bit shorter than the others and then get a little more time for q&a, i hope. i'm going to give very short introductions and then let them use up the time for their actual remarks. first we're going to have th

come to russia, and see with the new russia is like. it is completely different than what the old soviet union was like. this is not your father's buick. this is the new russia. it is one reason why they spent so much money. a lot of it has been embezzled or whatnot. and it is as a showcase. >> one point. the question about protest is an interesting and important one. in planning the security of any event, whether it is the olympics or anything else, you have to account for potential disruptions. to the extent that there's been planning, i am assuming that there is planning around everything from low-level criminality all the way to high-level terrorism. in between there, are unanticipated gatherings of individuals that could be disruptive. your question is a good one because we have been focused on the terrorist threat. but any security service looking at a major event like this is looking at a whole suite of potential disruptions that have to be taken into account both singularly and then in combination. >> i am with the hispanic link

and it's happening in the northern caucuses in russia. and outside of there in volgograd, which is formerly stalingrad, at the train station. very similar to what we saw in boston with the backpacks and blowing up things. all the briefings i've received from the intelligence community and the fbi indicate serious concerns. and we need to do a lot to step up security. i believe putin is doing a lot of that. these are the largest securities for the olympics games in the history of the olympics. >> if a constituent said i want to watch the olympics in sochi, would you tell them to go? >> well, that's a very good question. i have concerns. i know when i get back, i'll have better opinions on that. but i know the state department has issued a travel warning. that's something to take seriously. i have constituents in my district that are participants in the olympics. but i think we have to be optimistic that we can go forward with the olympics successfully. i would like to wager a bet that the u.s. team is going to get more medals than the russ

. >> we travel to russia just days before the start of the olympics, uncover the unlikely connection between an alleged drug kingpin, corrupt politicians, and the most expensive games ever. skyfall. what you're seeing now is an experienced sky diver doing a routine jump until this -- the clock is ticking with 90 seconds tops between life and death. an amazing free fall and an even more spectacular save. and water baby. nothing can get between this woman and her waives. not even a baby bump. she surfed throughout her entire pregnancy. but how? [[dad] [laughs] [boy] mom! [mom] yes? [boy] whoa,whoa,whoa... [mom and dad] [laughing] [boy] whoa,whoa,whoa... [mom] you've got two left feet,boo. a. >> good evening, and thanks for joining us. with the winter olympics fast approa approaching, there is a substantial potential for a terrorist attack at the sochi games. so how did a russian beach side resort become the site for the games in the first place? tonight a whistleblower with a price on his head makes startling allegation about shady deals to abc's chief investigative correspondent brian

he is russia's ambassador to the united nations. the country is also a key player in nuclear negotiations with iran. close to the home, president vladimir putin recently bailed out ukraine's embattled government as an attempt to increase influence. the eyes of the world are on russia as it prepares to host the winter olympics in sochi next month. as concern mounts over terror threats, president obama has offered full security assistance. i'm pleased to have vitaly churkin back at this table. welcome. >> thank you. good to be back. >> let's start at the g-2 conference. it seems to be a dispute among some people over the objective of the conference. certainly what it means for president bashar al-assad. where is russia? >> the objective is to end the crisis in syria, the killing. for that objective to be attainable almost a year-and-a-half ago, we negotiated the so-called geneva communiquÉ. now it is regarded as the basis of negotiations. it is a complex document. parties idea is the two should get together and discuss a transition t

we're only at war with russia. it may be part of the reason that putin is not looking for outside help in the same way is because he does regard this perhaps as largely an internal conflict. >> when whey come back we'll talk more about this part of the world and it's recent history why there is so much restlessness in the north c caucuses. >> it's a parental right to say this is the way i'm gonna homeschool my child. >> home schooling, or no schooling, part of our weekl long, in depth series. america tonight only on al jazeera america >> al jazeera america is a straight-forward news channel. >> its the most exciting thing to happen to american journalism in decades. >> we believe in digging deep. >> its unbiased, fact-based, in-depth journalism. >> you give them the facts, dispense with the fluff and get straight to the point. >> i'm on the ground every day finding stories that matter to you. >> in new orleans... >> seattle bureau... >> washington... >> detroit... >> chicago... >> nashville... >> los angeles... >>

showcase russia to the world. so. stay tuned for more reports from this year's city of olympic gold dreams from top to say will be airing throughout this month here on our team. so much for the twenty fourteen olympics what's this place like why is is so special as the russian resort prepares to welcome the world how are the games shaping the city's present and future life so it will bring you this is the moment they are reporting from a very cold and snowy windy mountainous stuff yet the son dylan picks what they say. on our team. they can few moments now to look back at the main events that defined two thousand and thirteen in those i will leave their mark on the year to come as americans celebrate the new year with hopes of leaving all their troubles behind there are still plenty of challenges to face in two thousand and fourteen or makes sense if cuts to the ever looming debt ceiling to pressure to rein in mass surveillance are his guide and she has been taking a look at what's ahead for the states it was a year o

he is russia's ambassador to the united nations. the country is also a key player in nuclear negotiations with iran. president vladimir putin -- russia prepares to host the winter olympics in sochi next month. president obama has offered full security assistance. i'm pleased to have vitaly churkin back at this table. >> thank you. good to be back. let's go back to a conference. there seems to be a dispute among some people over the object to of the conference and certainly what it means for bashar al-assad. >> the conference is to end the crisis in syria, the killing. we negotiated the so-called -- geneva communiquÉ. now it is regarded as the basis of the negotiations. it is a complex document. the maindea the document is that the two parties should get together and discuss a transition to a future syria where everyone would be comfortable to live under all groups in the country. this is where we are coming from. this particular matter of the future of president assad is certainly complex and delicate. it is a thorny issue. the gov

but he has come to russia. there are many marks the start of the longest tools relay in a limb take a street the same good scrape this so many people have turned out for the start of the russian relay it looks like a lot of fun out there. in a minute. but it was. a stone not picked up in the end it was on my mantelpiece and if that isn't a sign i don't know what it is. i knew i had to get down to red square and experienced atmosphere for myself fortunately they were having a two day event. so from sunny greece to rather soggy moscow just at the very start of the torch is journey around the whole of russia i'm excited. the days first run there was paralympic star alessio bloody who picked up two gold medals in the beijing and london games. we do called in peace talks to him big gold medal is there still something special for you. of course it's a unique feeling because i had never carried the torch before i had first i ran with it quite easily then i felt i was becoming heavier and heavier but i was determined t

but he has come to russia. there are many marks the start of the longest tools relay in a limb take a street the same boy it's great that so many people have turned out for the start of the russian relay it looks like a lot of fun out there. in a minute you. couldn't pick. but it was. the stone i picked up in the end it was on my mantle piece and if that isn't a sign i don't know what it is. i knew i had to get down to red square and experienced atmosphere for myself fortunately they were having a two day event. so from sunny greece to rather soggy moscow just at the very start of the torch is journey around the whole of russia i'm excited. the days first run there was paralympic star less. who picked up two gold medals in the beijing and london games. possibly do you still a big gold medal is there still something special for you. of course it's a unique feeling because i had never carried the torch before i had first i ran with a quite easily then i felt i was becoming heavier and heavier but i was determined

the twice yearly russia e.u. summit is taking place today it has been consistently billed as a summit that furthers the strategic partnership of russia and the e.u. however there is one big issue that's hanging over this meeting and that is the issue of ukraine the relations have been strained ever since the ukrainian president viktor yet of course taken the decision to a not go ahead with signing trade of political deals with the e.u. would favor of closer ties with russia or the russian ambassador to the e.u. would says that this is not a summit on ukraine however did acknowledge that in light of the recent dramatic developments it is a source of serious concern for both parties. from a bubble boy it also said that there are quote a number of differences that have to be refined and discussed at the summit though the other topics that will be discussed include of course energy trade talks with russia being the third largest partner of the e.u. after the u.s. and china as well as the syrian conflict negotiations

the opinion of for russia and the plans are for russia in terms of space exploration will be a key element in a global a space exploration scenario we're very pleased to see that also small countries who are still a few years nobody could think about them being actively involved in space projects they are more and more understanding the value of space services they are more and more on the spending of key in four turns to play a role in the global. space exploration scenery and more and more of these countries are developing capabilities which are amazing spacestation for me is. that such corporation can work despite all the feel different approaches differences in different countries. u.s. officials say and in the indian diplomat who was asked to leave the country the woman was handcuffed arrested and strip searched in december following accusations that involved had treatment of the nanny get the full details on r t v dot com. also while you online any e.u. parliament or inquiry condemns the under president and indiscriminate gathering of data by u.s. and british intelligence agencies th

we're only at war with russia. so it may be that part of the reason that putin is not looking for outside help in the same way is because he does regard this perhaps largely as an internal conflict. >> when we come back, we'll talk more about that part of the world and its recent history, why there is so much restlessness in the north caucuses. this is "inside story." real reporting that brings you the world. giving you a real global perspective like no other can. real reporting from around the world. this is what we do. al jazeera america. is, because the demand is driving the poaching. credit to namibia, but should we be selling permits for the world's most endangered animals because someday wants to shoot one of them. what if somebody wants to shoot a sigh we areian tiger or asian he will insanity if these folks at the safari club want to contribute to namibia's good programs, they don't need to link their contribution to the killing of an animal, just give the money. that's what advocates do every day. >> one l

russia today. first i must to make it kind of disclaimer because you mentioned political and military aspects emily atm non governmental organization when they are doing politics he is a no no for me to comment on that chair. but to that is set well known that the russia it has the cutest into a m the couple that lives in newark and another cop and asian students and that even in russia the terms of national symbol the eu leaders to head to me and said that one can go on you replace full list here than any other real time asia to the east. so we are may be called a euro each and country exactly that and that we are trying to play our role in bowls continents in a shack. and in europe had to help economically. to participate in the integration process is that too and make our own contribution to the sustainable development on all the empty these days is staying in the region. so that the people. in these aren't the region as well as globally because we are living in the era of globalization and the

any treaty with russia is not worth the paper it was signed on. key of still has the crowds what's more twenty fifteen will see ukraine choose its next president a leader who needs to make a difference whether it's embittered sides continue to fight or unite. the one thing which are pretty mises the happenings at the might done right now is better is the christmas tree over there usually it is a christmas tree which the authorities set up in the central square for people to come here to celebrate right now is something of a protest symbol is covered with ukrainian flag as it's covered with protest banners and even. the banner of the former prime minister yulia tymoshenko who is now in jail indeed the euro might done has become something of a state within a state it lives by its own laws people are sleeping here they set up tent camps they're cooking food and it's really unlikely they're willing to disperse that anytime soon the opposition already said about its plan to hold the protesters at least until the end of january then in fact holding a hu

this is the new russia. this is one reason why they spent so much money, even though a lot of it has been embezzled or whatnot, you know, as a showcase. >> just one quick point to the question on protests is a very interesting -- interest in what an important one. in planning for the security of anything, whether it's a g20 meeting or the olympics, you've got to account for multiplicity of disruptions, potential disruption. and so do the extent there's been planning, i'm assuming there's planning around everything from dealing with low-level criminality all the way to high end terrorism and in between there are disruptions tied the demonstrations or unanticipated gatherings of individuals that could be disruptive and could then combined with other threats to greater problem to your question is a good one because we've been focused on the terrorist threats, security around that, by any security service that's looking at a major event like this is looking at a full suite of potential disruption. it has to be t

for vladimir putin and for russia and russian whose want to see great games. russian culture will be on display, that is going to be a big part, not just the opening ceremonies but in the whole runup to these olympics, there is a big matter of national pride here. there will be a lot of russian whose will say look, our athletes will be competing in all 15 sports, tell us what kind of games has russia really been able to put on a good show that london did in the summer games. >> rose: and a week ahead to football with cowher and nantz, talk over. >> rose: talk about the atmospherics when you get to this stage you are one victory away from the super bowl. >> you know, you are so close, and this is the one game that, to me, you know, i lost many of these games, it hurts, because you are so close, and yet you are just coming off having played, so there is no, not a whole lot of buildup to it but the magnification of the game is you you are one game awa from a championship. >> rose: we conclude with john elliott gardiner talking about js bach. >> i think he was a m

. >> we travel to russia just days before the start of the olympics, uncover the unlikely connection between an alleged drug kingpin, corrupt politicians, and the most expensive games ever. skyfall. what you're seeing now is an experienced sky diver doing a routine jump until this -- the clock is ticking with 90 seconds tops between life and death. an amazing free fall and an even more spectacular save. and water baby. nothing can get between this woman and her waives. not even a baby bump. she surfed throughout her entire pregnancy. but how? a. >> good evening, and thanks for joining us. with the winter olympics fast approa approaching, there is a substantial potential for a terrorist attack at the sochi games. so how did a russian beach side resort become the site for the games in the first place? tonight a whistleblower with a price on his head makes startling allegation about shady deals to abc's chief investigative correspondent brian ross in our exclusive "olympic gold olympic greed." >> reporter: this year's winter olympics could have been held in the austrian alps with its st

but he has come to russia. there are many marks the start of the longest toss relay in a limb take a street the same good scrape this so many people have turned out to the start of the russian relay it looks like a lot of fun out there. in a minute. but it was. the stone i picked up in and then it was on my mantel piece and if that isn't a sign i don't know what it is. i knew i had to get down to red square and experienced atmosphere for myself fortunately they were having a two day event. so from sunny greece to rather soggy moscow just at the very start of the torch is journey around the whole of russia i'm excited. the days first run there was paralympic star alessio bloody who picks up two gold medals in the beijing and london games. we do curling peace talks to him big gold medals is there still something special for you. of course it's a unique feeling because i had never carried dorsch before i had first i ran with a quite easily then i felt he was becoming heavier and heavier but i was determined to car

we're live in russia with the te

any treaty with russia is not worth the paper it was signed on. key of still has the crowds what's more twenty fifteen will see ukraine choose its next president a leader who needs to make a difference in whether its embittered sides continue to fight or unite. the one thing which ever to my eyes is the happenings at the my gun right now the better is the christmas tree over there usually it is a christmas tree which the authorities set up in the central square for people to come here to celebrate right now is something of a protest symbol is covered with ukrainian flags it's covered with protest banners and even. the banner of the former prime minister yulia timoshenko who is now in jail indeed the euro might done has become something of a state within a state it lives by its own laws people are sleeping here they set up tent camps they're cooking food and it's really unlikely they're willing to disperse that anytime soon the opposition already said about its plan to hold the protesters at least until the end of january then in fact holding a hug

russia has a presence in the middle east. there are many factors for assad to stay in power and not give up. to josh's point, yes, he's willing to negotiate on things that will achieve his goals, which is what anyone does in negotiation. they're not willing to compromise to is that fair power, bring others into power, build an inclusive syria with the opposition now. he has put all bets down on fighting, killing, and staying in power. >> the idea that his backers will be pulled away starts to look remove, doesn't it? >> if the russians are happy with the agreement, if an agreement is reached, the agreement that they're hoping to reach in gentlema geneva with td regime staying in power. i don't believe assad would allow such a thing to happen. this whole delegation that is in geneva now supposedly, if all of them defected it would not really cause much damage to the assad regime. it's basically the army and the security. >> well, let's flip the question around. has the united states painted itself into a corner by creating suc

and russia should sit together and see how they can solve this ok russia is equally here even more forcefully it has a role to play terms of the crisis it was. done for the two years since all right let's go to joe let's go to joe in new york go ahead joe well they have such together and they've come up with this this deal to get rid of syria's chemical weapons and that was the russian initiative and united states wisely went along with that. and they got all they got killed obama sure got killed by the by the saudis and by netanyahu for not bombing which nobody knows the consequences would have been had us intervened you could say anything that would have ended the war mediately or would have spread the thing into a completely regional conflict which may happen anyway given as i said before the sectarian war and the civil war from the mediterranean to the euphrates river that seems to be developing engulfing lebanon syria and iraq that could stretch even this far south you know i mean yemen is a playground for saudis and iranians as well so i mean rusher and did a great job there and getting

and should be first of all the russia has all was. respect it is respecting and a will respect. the sovereign rights of all international and. including new states that emerge after the breakdown of the m soviet union as well as any other nation anywhere in the world any decision in terms of cost benefits for any nation should be made by the nation in question through the recording procedures. as to the issue of ukraine's signing of the association agreement with the euro but the concern here is not the sovereign. choice of the ukraine but the economic impact of that some agreements and we had a detailed discussion without colleagues and today having existence in the free trade zone that ukraine is in right now in fact the zone of was originally promoted by the ukraine. but would most likely fail to preserve the current preferential regime for the ukraine if it signs of the association agreement so that's something that it pertains directly to us another concern is a large unit assembly i'm including in the automotive industry and our reading of the treaty of the agreement text

seeurrent russia with not with nazi russia germany. for putin, he has said this said this on numerous occasions. to host the olympic games, you have to be a country, to put it in layman's terms, that has its act together. you have to be a major country. this is not a small undertaking to put on an olympic games. so this represents. this is not rush of the 1990s that was the wild, wild east. where we had the images of the russian mafia running the country to the extent that it could be run. -- or as i refer to it, disorganized crime. this is where he has restored a sense of order and stability to the country and the country finds itself much more wealthy than it was. the timing, now, in 2007, this is after russia became financially solvent. in 2009, russia pays off its debt to the imf. in 2006, it pays off its debt to the paris club. so russia is financially sovereign, which means russia is politically solvent. we are actually a real independent country again. so the timing that he can go down to guatemala city and do this is significan

as soon as russia's black sea resort was awarded the game seven years ago. as a question the choice of host city such as close proximity to the volatile caucasus region was they argued a cause for concern. and the recent twin terror attacks in volgograd summer seven hundred kilometers from sochi have reignited some of those worries organizers say security has been their main priority since day one tourism is the global threat and for terrorism there is no bond there is no terrorists but here in sochi from the very beginning of the construction phase the state that's already. made those all it must prepare the special measures to stop them from this screening all their own materials checking in all the venues and preparing incredible measures of the security to provide this safe environment here with less than a month to go now until the games begin tight security measures are already in place around forty thousand police and security offices are expected to be on patrol all sales of dangerous hunting equipment a banned for the duration of the games there's a

strategic cooperation between russia and the eu went to great extent. it was in terms of the topics that we did touch up on what we know that coming into this as some kid there was this huge day she got of the crane that was happening over at the bleating and relations were strained after at the yak decision of fact the thing in the forgettable fiction not to go ahead to sign the agreement with the eu in favor of closer ties with russia to that was one of the sticking points of this discussion of what came out of it. basically all of the representatives who stands at just a little brusque the european commission the hem and put a plate of the european council all condemning the violence and also grossest that violence is not the answer to this anti eu urging add that to those who are guilty of this violence the trike in the country however moving forward together. russia and the us as the people going on with consultation on the eastern partnership program the ukraine being a part of it now. there were a lot of questions as to russia's position politica

much more important. >> a used to be part of russia? -- it used to be part of russia? >> it is part of our common history. over 1000 years of history. >> that is an interesting point. is it your wish and president putin's wish to restore the soviet union? >> it does not. we are realists. we think economic integration is important. we think that ukraine will benefit if they were to work on integration with the russia. we believe and it is important to understand that the future anyway is common economic space between that union. the current circumstances, we have been clear about that. it is the decision that ukraine needs to make on their own. the association agreement that was offered by the european consequences for the economy of ukraine. i could have a negative impact on the russian economy -- that could have a negative impact on the russian economy here. at the last moment, they realized what was offered was something that would bring about the collapse of the economy. they change their mind. >> as you pointed out correctly, we give credit to the ukrainians. >> wi

and russia but of course overshadowed by those events in ukraine where russia has accused the e.u. of interfering with those events there in kiev and so as a result of that obviously ukraine became very much part of the the main element of the discussion just to say though that started off by saying that russia consultations about eastern partnerships will continue despite what's happening in ukraine talked about a lot of cooperation between the two particularly trade and also the joint threat they're facing from terrorism and also the e.u. took a very strong stance against those guilty of violence in the country saying that they all should be brought to account and also but also who we just heard at the end there were saying that the use of force was certainly not the answer in ukraine . which is obviously a criticism of the way the violent element of the protests of being ongoing there in the country now president putin he did have very much a positive and cooperative message for europe saying he's offering the idea of creating a free trade zone between the two and the ear asian

that i'm rejecting the year i think that russia may now rethink its. i think their way russia offer to make it is by a small disbursements. first just bought a bus meant is supposed to be three billion euros it was not made of dependent or and they include in a lot inclusion or ukraine in this is sort of agreement but it's a good will of russia if ukraine changes its government if there is in fact i think it's a coup d'etat in ukraine then why should russia respect a grievance that were made with a government that doesn't doesn't exist anymore john if this is were you know why exactly where i want to go on this program because it looks like irrespective how you feel about mr you know covert is that you know with the with the firing or the resignation of the government here i mean what is his political calculus here because the liberals in care of hate him they've always hated him ok always but what about his base in the east because it's the decisive indecisive does he have a plan because if you look at his the way he dealt with the association agreeme

because few people know russia. can understand the russians better so this is my vision on the situation and i think it is reasonable what the president of crimea have called on the opposition in order to try to find means of understanding that we calm down the situation reduce the tension which is becoming extremely dangerous and one might means of understanding because it's completely obvious at this point that opposition doesn't really control the crowds anymore who would the government talk to if they wanted to that's why passive finalization precisely. i do not. statements are very very strong and it is obvious that. they control or they don't control you see in any case i think it is in the interest of the opposition as it is in the interest of the government to find an understanding in order to calm down the situation. if it is obvious also that if you tell me that the crowds that are in the streets now what days in kiev in the northern cities are not controlled by any body in you see then then it would be ve

europe and russia in the not to come part become part of the camp which looks upon ukraine as a tool of geopolitical long term game of surrounding and strangle aggression which is bad for ukraine bad for russia and bad for your father word then from the border check please in brussels then it's absolute nonsense it's absolute rubbish it's up to the ukrainian people to decide what do they want whether they want the associations agreement or whether day one closer relations with russia president yanukovych had the mandate to negotiate the deep and comprehensive free trade make remained association agreement at the last moment under russian pressure he drew from dead and danced the reaction of the russian no he didn't as i said we are against violence so let's negotiate let's have a dialogue let's have a round table in kiev but you know as i said that was the cause of the of the demonstration now there is violence we reject violence but we want dialogue right here and it is entirely neutral zone he really has a funny story it's i mean how do you decide what do they do day or i'd like yo

but he has come to russia. there are many marks the start of the longest toss relay in a limb pick a street the same good scrape there's so many people have turned out for the start of the russian really looks like a lot of fun up there. in a minute. but it was. the stone i picked up in the end it was on my mantle piece and if that isn't a sign i don't know what it is. i knew i had to get down to red square and experience the atmosphere for myself fortunately they were having a two day event. so from sunny greece to rather soggy moscow just at the very start of the torch is journey around the whole of russia on excited. the days first run there was paralympic star alessio bloody who picked up two gold medals in the beijing and london games. we do called in peace talks to him big gold medal is there still something special for you i guess of course it's a unique feeling because i had never carried the torch before i had first i ran with a quite easily then i felt he was becoming heavier and heavier but i was det

with russia supporting syria as assad and russia backing the opposition coalition, kerry stat down with russian foreign minister. >> we will send signals to all the syrian side for a need of cease-fire. and a need to look at the possibility of exchanging prisoners including civilians. we're working on widening humanitarian access on areas that are currently blocked. >> they agree on three possible confidence building measures including access to humanitarian aid. an example used was the damascus suburb where around 160,000 people are trapped by fighting. prisoner exchange, which the syrian opposition says it's ready to engage in, and regional cease-fire specifically in the war-torn city of aleppo. one issue the u.s. and russia remain divided on is iran's role in the peace talks. as a staunch ally and weapons supplier, iran is a key influence in the syrian conflict by supporting it's own interests there. russia said the iranian delegation should be present in geneva. >> i'm always ready to go to geneva without pre-conditions. we're prepared to participate actively and positively in findi

i don't quite understand the question russia rejected the. i think that russia may need to rethink its side. i think there. are offer to make it is by a small disbursements. first just bought a bus meant is supposed to be three billion euros it was not made of dependent or including a lot inclusion or ukraine in this is sort of agreement but it's a good will of russia if ukraine changes its government if there is in fact i think it's a coup d'etat in ukraine then why should russia respect a grievance that were made with a government that doesn't doesn't exist anymore jon if this is were you know why exactly where i want to go on this program because it looks like irrespective how you feel about mr unique overture is that you know with the with the firing or the resignation of the government here i mean what is his political calculus here because the liberals in care of haiti and they've always hated him ok always but what about his base in the east because is he decisive indecisive does he have a plan because if you look at his the way he dea