News Mash-up: US-Russian Relations

Category: Top Stories

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. culinary / ˈkʌl ə ˌnɛr i / (adj.) – relating to cooking or kitchens
    Example:

    Why did you hire your friend as a chef? He has no culinary experience!


  2. arms / ɑrmz / (n.) – weapons
    Example:

    The company was accused of selling arms to several rebel groups.


  3. gain / geɪn / (n.) – something important that’s achieved
    Example:

    It was a difficult year, but our gains were greater than our losses.


  4. pragmatic / prægˈmæt ɪk / (adj.) – dealing with things in a practical or realistic way
    Example:

    Our CEO is very pragmatic. She bases all her decisions on data and facts.


  5. constructive / kənˈstrʌk tɪv / (adj.) – intended to help or further develop something
    Example:

    The professor gave constructive criticism on the student’s essay.


Article

Read the text below.

Geneva baker serves up ‘Peace Cake’ for 1st summit between Biden and Putin


A Swiss baker has invented a “Peace Cake” to mark the first Biden-Putin presidential summit. She said it was inspired by U.S. and Russian culinary traditions.


The cake shows the words “Peace of Cake” next to flags and symbols from the two countries: a doll and samovar for Russia and a Coca-Cola and marshmallows for the United States.


Inside, the cake is half honey-flavored, according to the Russian tradition, and half red velvet, a kind of layer cake that is popular in the United States.


“You can understand it as a ‘piece of cake’ or ‘peace cake,’” said Olga Johnson, owner of Christie’s Bakery in Geneva, where the summit took place on June 16. Johnson has Russian parents and is married to an American.


“The plan wasn’t to sell the cake, the plan was just to have like a souvenir,” said Johnson. She said she hoped the cake would make people smile. (Reuters)


First Biden-Putin summit makes small gains


U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed June 16 to hold arms control and cybersecurity talks, recording small gains and big differences at a first summit they both described as pragmatic rather than friendly.


The discussions at the lakeside Villa La Grange in Geneva lasted three hours. The U.S. president said they had been intense and detailed, and that “we didn’t need to spend more time talking.”


Putin, 68, called Biden, 78, a constructive, experienced partner, and said they spoke “the same language,” but added that there had been no friendship. (Reuters)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • To decorate the “Peace Cake,” the Swiss baker chose a doll and samovar for Russia and a Coca-Cola and marshmallows for the US. She also made it half honey-flavored for Russia and half red velvet for the US. What do you think of her choices? If you baked a similar cake, what decorations and flavors would you choose for the two countries? Why? Discuss.
  • If you made a cake to represent your country, what decorations and flavor(s) would you choose for it? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Putin called Biden a constructive, experienced partner, and said they spoke “the same language,” but added that there had been no friendship. Do you think it’s important for leaders of different countries to be on friendly terms? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • The US and Russia have a long history of not being very friendly. What countries are not on friendly terms with your country? Do you think that situation is likely to change in the near future? Why or why not? Discuss.