July 12, 2014
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin met Argentina's president on Saturday as part of a Latin American tour aimed at building Russia's influence and investments in the region.
Putin and President Cristina Fernandez, who has been out of the public eye for a week due to an acute throat infection, were expected to sign a series of agreements, including cooperation on nuclear energy generation.
The Russian leader then was heading to Brazil for a summit of leaders from the so-called BRICS nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. About 150 members of the local Ukrainian community waved flags and held large banners outside the Pink House presidential palace to protest Russia's annexation of Crimea and alleged support for separatists elsewhere in the country.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande urged Russia this week to use its influence on rebels in eastern Ukraine so that a meeting on a possible cease-fire can take place as soon as possible.
Merkel is due to watch her country's team play in the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, the same day Putin is expected to be in the city. So far, the countries on Putin's itinerary have been sympathetic or uncritical of Russia's position on the conflict. Fernandez has accused the United States and Britain a double standard for criticizing a pro-Russian secession vote held in Crimea while backing a status referendum in the Falkland Islands claimed by Argentina.
A few dozen activists also turned out to protest anti-gay laws and prejudice in Russia, which does not recognize gay marriages or civil unions. Putin approved a law last year banning what it calls gay "propaganda" from reaching minors.
"It's not only the government's problem but the Russian society, which discriminates against us. I have friends who have committed suicide because of this," said Marina Mironova, 38, a teacher who said she lost her job in Russia because of her sexual orientation and who is now seeking asylum in Argentina with her partner.
"We want to stay here and marry legally. There's freedom, nice people and the president is tolerant." Argentina is the first country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage. Two Russian homosexuals married in Argentina earlier this year and are also seeking asylum.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin met Argentina's president on Saturday as part of a Latin American tour aimed at building Russia's influence and investments in the region.
Putin and President Cristina Fernandez, who has been out of the public eye for a week due to an acute throat infection, were expected to sign a series of agreements, including cooperation on nuclear energy generation.
The Russian leader then was heading to Brazil for a summit of leaders from the so-called BRICS nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. About 150 members of the local Ukrainian community waved flags and held large banners outside the Pink House presidential palace to protest Russia's annexation of Crimea and alleged support for separatists elsewhere in the country.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande urged Russia this week to use its influence on rebels in eastern Ukraine so that a meeting on a possible cease-fire can take place as soon as possible.
Merkel is due to watch her country's team play in the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, the same day Putin is expected to be in the city. So far, the countries on Putin's itinerary have been sympathetic or uncritical of Russia's position on the conflict. Fernandez has accused the United States and Britain a double standard for criticizing a pro-Russian secession vote held in Crimea while backing a status referendum in the Falkland Islands claimed by Argentina.
A few dozen activists also turned out to protest anti-gay laws and prejudice in Russia, which does not recognize gay marriages or civil unions. Putin approved a law last year banning what it calls gay "propaganda" from reaching minors.
"It's not only the government's problem but the Russian society, which discriminates against us. I have friends who have committed suicide because of this," said Marina Mironova, 38, a teacher who said she lost her job in Russia because of her sexual orientation and who is now seeking asylum in Argentina with her partner.
"We want to stay here and marry legally. There's freedom, nice people and the president is tolerant." Argentina is the first country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage. Two Russian homosexuals married in Argentina earlier this year and are also seeking asylum.
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