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between NATO and the Russian Federation,”
which creates a permanent joint council
including Russia in NATO decision making.
(June) Russian-Belarus Union Charter goes into
effect.
Tajik Peace and National Reconciliation Accord
signed in Moscow.
Acting President Putin temporarily suspends Rus-
sian bombardments in Chechnya in observance
of Orthodox and Muslim religious holidays.
(March) Vladimir Putin elected president of the
Russian Federation.
(May) Putin proposes reforms to recentralize
Russian federal system.
First decree reorganizes 89 gubernatorial territo-
ries into seven administrative districts over-
seen by a regional official reporting to Putin.
The second decree proposes to abolish the 89
guaranteed seats that regional governors had
on the Federation Council, one of the two
houses of the Russian legislature.
(August) The nuclear submarine Kursk sinks in
the Arctic Ocean. One hundred eighteen sailors
are killed.
1998
(March) Yeltsin fires Prime Minister Viktor Cher-
nomyrdin, reorganizes cabinet.
(April) Sergei Kirienko finally confirmed as
prime minister.
(May) Massive sell-off of Russian bonds, securi-
ties, and rubles.
(July) Nicholas II and family interred in St.
Petersburg.
(August) Russian financial crisis: Kirienko
announces ruble devaluation; market para-
lyzed by liquidity shortages; share prices
plunge; Russia defaults on foreign loans;
Yeltsin sacks entire government and reap-
points Chernomyrdin interim prime minister.
(September) Chernomyrdin steps aside as Duma
rejects nomination twice.
Evgenii Primakov named prime minister and
confirmed by Duma.
2001
(July) Russia and China sign treaty of friendship
and cooperation.
(September) Terrorist attacks in New York and
Washington. Russia offers support to United
States in worldwide struggle against terrorism.
(November) Putin travels to United States for
first official visit and meets U.S. president
George W. Bush in Crawford, Texas.
Russia signs agreement with Moldova pledging
to cooperate against pro-Russia separatists in
Transdnistria region of Moldova.
1999
(May) Yeltsin fires Primakov and cabinet.
Duma begins impeachment proceedings against
Yeltsin, but final vote falls short of impeach-
ment.
Duma approves Sergei Stepashin as new prime
minister.
(August) Yeltsin dismisses Stepashin as prime
minister.
Vladimir Putin confirmed as prime minister.
(September) Russian money-laundering scheme
via Bank of New York is unveiled.
2002
(December) United States renounces from 1972
Antiballistic Missile Treaty.
(April) Aleksandr Lebed, former general, presi-
dential candidate in 1996, and governor of
Krasnoyarsk in Siberia, dies in helicopter
crash.
(October) On October 23, terrorists attack the
Dubrovka Theater Center in Moscow and hold
audience hostage. Three days later, Russian
security forces launch a rescue operation with
nerve gas that results in more than 100
deaths.
2000
(January) Former president Boris Yeltsin visits
Israel and the sites of the Holy Land.
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