RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE China questions sovereignty of ex-Soviet states China’s ambassador to France has called into question the sovereignty of Ukraine and other former Soviet republics, suggesting that their hazy status under international law makes it difficult to resolve conflicts over disputed territories such as Crimea. “Even these countries of the former Soviet Union don’t have effective status in international law because there is no international agreement to make their status as a sovereign country concrete,” Ambassador Lu Shaye said on Saturday in an interview with French broadcaster LCI. Asked by Swiss journalist Darius Rochebin whether Crimea is Ukrainian territory, Lu…

Little let-up in Khartoum fighting despite Sudan truce declaration Sporadic shelling rang out late on Friday in Sudan's capital even though warring factions announced a truce, while one force said it was willing to allow airports to reopen for the evacuation of foreign nationals. The United Nations, U.S., UK, Japan, Switzerland, South Korea, Sweden and Spainhave said they were making preparations or attempting to remove their personnel after almost a week of violence. Forces commanded by two previously allied leaders of Sudan's ruling council began a violent power struggle last weekend. Hundreds have died so far, and a nation reliant…