Moscow: Obama's visit to Russia postponed, not cancelledAugust 22, 2013 - 17:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Barack Obama's official visit to Russia has been postponed, not cancelled, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday, August 22, according to RIA Novosti. “The visit has been postponed, not cancelled,” Alexander Lukashevich said. “The invitation that Mr. Obama has is still in force, and we hope that he will use it at some point in time.” Obama was due to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the G20 forum in St. Petersburg in early September, but the U.S. called off the visit earlier in the month, citing Russia’s granting of temporary asylum to fugitive former U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden. Two weeks ago, Obama called for “a pause” in U.S. relations with Russia, while both countries stressed that cooperation is crucial to their mutual interests and to the world despite clear differences on a broad range of issues. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. Mkhitaryan raises arrest of former Karabakh leaders in Azerbaijan Inter Milan star Henrikh Mkhitaryan has shared a news story about the extension of the arrest of former Karabakh leaders. |