Kohl pilloried over visit to Russia

Kohl pilloried over visit to Russia

Moscow - Helmut Kohl began a three-day visit to Russia, his ears ringing with allegations from opponents that the trip was tantamount to giving his personal blessing to Boris Yeltsin's efforts to remain in the Kremlin, writes Phil Reeves. Although there is little doubt where the Chancellor's sympathies lie, officials denied that the trip had any connection with the Russian presidential election in June. The issues were not Russia's leadership, but more immediate concerns, including the Chechen war, economic relations, and the expansion of Nato eastwards.