Many of the islands that make up the Maldives rise little more than one meter above sea level, and could disappear under the sea if global temperatures continue to rise.

VOA: standard.2009.11.09

Nesterenko says if there is persistence, political will, and genuine desire to make a qualitative move away from the level of relations that characterized recent years and away from the standstill that affected the bilateral agenda, then a new treaty is entirely within reach.

VOA: standard.2009.04.02