Macron, Scholz and Draghi arrive in Kyiv for Historic Visit
This is a message of European unity addressed to Ukrainian men and women, of support.
This is a message of European unity addressed to Ukrainian men and women, of support.
On June 11, ambassadors of EU member states agreed to prolong restrictive measures against Russia on Crimea. The decision is formalized by a "written procedure" without discussion.
Sanctions were imposed on several TV channels and Internet companies, including 1C, ABBYY and their Ukrainian subsidiaries. In addition, Russia’s VKontakte and Odnoklassniki social networks, Mail.ru and Yandex companies were banned.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has called a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to decide on Ukraine’s further steps following the enemy attack on the positions of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in Donbas on Feb. 18 morning,
"We are confident that this work on restoring peace and trust is very important," he stressed. Macron noted the significance of the discussion that "has finally been held seriously in the last three years.".
"To tell you the truth, the document is not very ambitious, but rather very cautious. At the moment, the document envisages emphasizing the achivements," the Evropeyskaya Pravada newspaper quoted Pristayko as saying.
Special attention was paid to the prospects of establishing and launching the Constitutional Committee, including in view of the agreements reached at the quadrilateral (Russia-Turkey-Germany-France) summit in Istanbul in October 2018.
"There is not a discussion ongoing right now in the military dimension in response to Sea of Azov. Obviously my job in uniform is to make sure that the President has options available, should he decide to respond with military force," Gen. Joseph Dunford added.
Secretary Michael R. Pompeo spoke on the phone with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today to discuss a range of bilateral issues.
The US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has urged Presidents Poroshenko and Putin to engage directly to resolve the situation on the Kerch Strait accident.
"The National Security and Defense Council’s decision concerning "emergency measures to ensure Ukraine’s state sovereignty and independence and declare martial law in Ukraine’ is hereby enacted," the document reads.
According to the report, Poroshenko informed Mr. Stoltenberg about the act of Russia's aggression against Ukraine in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov water zones as well as about Ukraine's intention to impose martial law.
The FSB said three Ukrainian sailors had been wounded in the incident and were getting medical care. Their lives were not in danger.
The EU is not satisfied with the reforms on the judiciary and fight against corruption done by Ukraine.
The US state department issued "Crimea Declaration" reaffirming its rejection of "annexation of Crimea". The text of the document is published on the official website of the department.
This was not the first time, that the activists were trying to exercise ’’censorship’’.
He added that he and Putin spoke "very strongly about bringing peace to Syria" and "very strongly about North Korea."
"I know that they (the authorities) try to get rid of me. They can twist me, to be deported… even kill. I am not afraid”, – Saakashvili said.
"Have no doubt," Mattis said at a news conference with Poroshenko. "The United States stands with Ukraine." He said Washington does not, "and we will not," accept Russia's annexation of Crimea, a 2014 action that was followed by Russian military intervention in support of separatists in eastern Ukraine.
In fact, in the case of the Ukrainian crisis as well the US President Donald Trump's administration may ignore the position and interests of the European partners, which is happening in case of the US new anti-Russian sanctions.
"We should be supported by the residents of the regions. This solution is possible provided that the international community supports the idea," Zakharchenko said.
However, it is worth noting that Europeans are in turn dissatisfied with the Association Agreement. It should be recalled that in March the EU transferred to Ukraine another tranche of macro-financial aid at the amount of 600 million euros, although the provision of these resources was initially connected with the ban on export of timber from Ukraine, and the Ukrainian lawmakers boycotted the initiatives....
"My personal impressions are the following: he is a wonderful leader, with great charisma and great political will. He is a great friend of Ukraine, who helps me to achieve peace in my country," Poroshenko said.
... public use, demonstration, or wearing of St. George's ribbons or their images are punishable by a fine in an amount of 50 to 150 tax deductible minimal revenues of citizens with the confiscation of St. George's ribbons and objects bearing their image
IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice said that the mission to Ukraine would visit the country in early November to discuss the next financial aid tranche with Kiev.
According to the Minsk agreements, one of the points of conflict resolution in Donbass is providing real special status to Donetsk and Lugansk, which includes the fixation of this special status in the legislation, as well as the procedure of holding local elections.
"The President of the French Republic Francois Hollande will go to Berlin on Wednesday, October 19 at the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel for participation in a Normandy format meeting," the statement runs.
The weapons withdrawal from the line of contact in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine will begin this week, one of the Ukraine's representatives in the Contact Group on Donbass, the former head of the Security Service of Ukraine Yevgeny Marchuk said.
"I receive over a dozen letters from people, including [the Center’s head Vitaliy] Shabunin, whose letter was the premise for an inquiry into – you won’t believe it – Interior Minister Avakov, because everyone is equal," the chief prosecutor said, without disclosing the cause of the probe.
The leaders also expressed concern over persisting instability at the contact line and numerous ceasefire violations and pointed to the need for strict compliance with the ceasefire agreement, the withdrawal of heavy weapons under the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission’s control.
Russian prime minister said he considered the subversion act in Crimea a crime against the Russian state and its people.
The three leaders stressed the need for granting special legal status to eastern Ukraine, holding constitutional reform, an amnesty and local elections
The decision to roll over the measures was made by EU ambassadors already last week, but Italy slowed down the confirmation process and insisted that the final decision be taken after the EU summit in Brussels on June 28-29.
Attempts to rewrite the Minsk agreements on the Ukrainian reconciliation are unacceptable.
Putin called for an immediate end to attacks by Ukrainian armed groups on settlements in Donbass.
Kremlin in its turn called the talks with State Department representative short exchange of views on the situation in Donbass. "This meeting should not bring any result," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
the German publication Spiegel published another material stating that "Eurovision is politicized, and that's good as the international competition cannot be apolitical in such stressful times.
The Dutch government plans to embark on talks with European countries to amend the association agreement with Ukraine, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Thursday after debates in the parliament.
It should be noted that "strategic cooperation" between Turkey and Ukraine intensified after the incident of shooting down the Russian jet by the Turkish forces.
The procedure of removing him from his post was held with gross violations of Ukrainian Constitution.
Joe Biden assured that the implementation of the Minsk agreement by all sides remained the best way forward for resolving the conflict.
The corresponding resolution on the anti-Russian sanction was passed by the European Parliament on 4th of February.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker called on voters to act as European strategists and realise that the issue goes beyond domestic Dutch concerns.
"In general, over the past days 61 times the militants have resorted to armed provocations against the forces of ATO and have twice beaten on the peaceful settlement Vadenoe, near Mariupol," the statement said.
A phone conference call between the Normandy four leaders...
"Nobody wants to financially support Ukraine… At the same time, they [the West] want to shift the financial burden to Russia… Let’s share the risks, we said. We are ready to restructure Ukraine’s debt to us… They do not want to share this risk."
Avakov stressed the lawsuit concerned the protection of honor and dignity.
Sanctions against Russia can be removed only if the Minsk peace deal on Ukraine...
If the Ukrainian conflict is resolved and we continue to successfully overcome the obstacles, and if Russia continues to work ...
Aviation authorities of Russia and Ukraine held expert consultations on air service in Brussels ...
In 2014, the Dutch approved legislation to allow ''advisory referendums'' on controversial topics, if supporters can gather 300,000 signatures.
Ukrainian epic has its own logic of development. And largely it is related to the fact that the West and Russia both have exchanged with roles. If earlier the West financed the non-governmental sector in Ukraine, then at some point Putin openly stated that "if you are interested in the Europeanization of Ukraine, then pay for everything that is happening there, pay for Ukraine."
The formula, announced by the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel after the meeting, shows the vision of the mediators and the key to the settlement of the crisis.
The ceasefire in Ukraine has been widely respected and the security situation has improved, French President Francois Hollande said after Normandy Four meeting, rt reports. However, the Minsk peace accords are unlikely to be fully implemented by the end of the year.
The money will be used to buy food...
In his speech the Ukrainian leader particularly referred to as he called Russia's efforts of "blocking the establishment of an international tribunal to investigate the Malaysian airlines MH17 crash in eastern Ukraine, as well as establishment of a peacekeeping operation in the country".
It is necessary to clearly distinguish between security in Ukraine and in Syria...
Those asylum seekers live in Kharkiv and Lviv, far away from the conflict area.
"Ukraine will take part in an election to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member. The vote, as I understand it, will most likely take place in October, and Ukraine has no competitors, Ukraine is nominated by the Eastern European group," Churkin said.
"I ask the EU to introduce visa-free regime for Ukrainians. We must support the democratic process in Ukraine," he said.
He said that NATO Secretary General agreed to take part in a meeting of the Security Council of Ukraine, and to speak to the members. It will be "an unprecedented event," said the Minister.
he change in the Constitution and status of Donetsk and Lugansk present one of those cornerstones the agreement around which will result in the real progress in the resolution of the crisis.
This decision should be taken by EU countries based on the European Commission's proposals...
"Russia needs to expand its sanctions list at the expense of people who made the decision considering the visa for the speaker of the Federation Council, which contradicts the fundamentals of international law — Secretary of State John Kerry and his deputies," Morozov said.
"Military operations must stop and arms be withdrawn… Secondly, we need the right conditions for elections in the Donbass, I hope Monday's meeting will allow us to advance on both points. We hope to have a solution by December at the latest."
"Despite enormous difficulties, you have made remarkable progress towards [independence]. You stood up to do battle with the oppressive regime, corrupt bureaucracy and aggressive neighbor — all in the name of a free, democratic and prosperous future," the message read.
"It is clear that such a person is more concerned about maintaining Russophobia in the West, about artificially escalating tensions and thereby diverting attention from his own inability to fulfill what he signed up for," Lavrov said.
Donetsk authorities declared that the incident was organized by Ukrainian special forces to destabilize the situation in Minsk in order to accuse Donetsk of failing to fulfill Minsk agreements. Kiev notes in its turn that the incident was organized by the Donbass authorities reflecting the desire of Russia to get rid of the international observers from the region.
They will come to LPR to assess the condition of water supply facilities...
Meanwhile, military activities in the country continue, Ukraine has no control over Donbass and for stabilizing the situation it should resort to serious concessions by providing Lugansk and Donetsk a certain level of autonomy. This, for the authorities that came into power as a result of "Euromaidan" revolution and lost Crimea, is more than risky.
The two sides continue to accuse each other for violating the ceasefire. It seems that the success of the initial phase of the peace process is at a deadlock. There are some provisions left to be implemented by the Minsk agreements, most of which cause deep disagreements between the parties.
They will work not for criminals but for people...
Analysts consider "Right Sector" statement as absolutely realistic, moreover, they believe that it is quite possible to have military confrontation with the authorities. ""Right Sector" members have long been talking about their intention to continue the revolution, saying that it was stolen from them."
"We are both an educated people and have such history together […] So why must we engage in this bickering? We [Germany and Russia] must restore and recover what we once had," he added.
They also urge Kiev to withdraw the Minsk peace agreements.
"The Alliance must realize that actions inciting revenge policies of the Kiev 'party of war' could threaten the blossoming progress in the peace settlement of the deep internal crisis in Ukraine," the statement said.
It is still not clear who was guilty of the crash. Separatists of Donbass are the first ones to be suspected, and not only Kiev blames them, but also most of the western world. Separatists, in turn, blame Ukrainians for the tragedy, and this time Moscow shares their view.
"Nuland got ahead of herself. Poroshenko's amendments to the constitution are far from the Minsk Agreements and only close to his own political fantasies," Pushkov wrote on his Tweeter.
As this source writes, "evidence points" to Donbass militia, adding that the draft report includes the type of missile used to shoot down the plane and the trajectory of the missile.
One militia fighter was killed.
As the source writes, earlier the Czech President Milos Zeman has also declared about intentions to ramp up the security of the country’s border with Ukraine because of the events in Mukachevo.
He also added that it is bad that the interests of nations are being subjected to someone’s desires for gaining power.
Kiev began strengthening the border with Moldova in September.
On his Facebook page Saakashvili wrote that the 25-year-old Euromaidan activist has "led a global campaign in defense of Ukraine's freedom."
"Unilateral sanctions imposed against Russia do not apply to other BRICS countries. The opposition to the unilateral sanctions is the consensus reached by the leaders of the BRICS countries in the Ufa Declaration and it represents their political stance," Zhang Jun noted.
"The sides agreed to continue… contacts, and, maybe, we shall find a frame to communicate and discuss the same issues before the end of July," Russian official added.
Russian energy minister Alexander Novak hailed the decision "unfortunate".
"2015 is marked by a serious examination in the relations between Germany and Russia. First of all, the situation in Ukraine led to significant differences. This is why it is essential to use every opportunity to establish an open dialogue," the German Chancellor said.
"We must prepare NATO and our allies for cyber challenges, particularly from Russia," Carter said in prepared remarks.
The convoy will soon deliver to the Luhansk and Donetsk regions foodstuffs, medicines, essential supplies and other items required for the residents of Donbas...
In a statement made after the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that there are forces that do not want to improve the situation.
The meeting is to take place against a backdrop of strained relations between Russia and the European Union, whose foreign policy chiefs voted on Monday to extend sanctions against Moscow until the end of January 2016.
As the Kremlin press service said on Monday,Vladimir Putin, Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have negotiated on the situation in Ukraine in a phone conversation ahead of the upcoming Normandy format ministerial meeting.
She also referred to the worsening situation with the human rights in eastern Ukraine. Referring to the reforms by the Ukrainian government to improve the situation.
In addition the German businessman expressed hope that Europeans finally understood that anti-Russian sanctions are hurting the EU itself.
If the sanctions regime continues, then the food embargo will continue.
Approximately 2,100 soldiers from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and the United States have been participating in the NATO exercises over the last week.
Thus these are the challenges that the White House is to consider before confirming the proposal from the Pentagon to avoid future tension in the relation with Moscow.
Key topics of the Munich Security Conference will include the Ukraine crisis, the future relationship with Russia as well as current challenges to energy security in Europe.
In the explanatory note it is stated that the law is to widen the range and make the content of the measures of martial law more detailed, to introduce guarantees of the activities of the president, the parliament, more precisely regulate the administration and the lifting of martial law regime, to normalize the activities and powers of the military command, public authorities under martial law.
The Vice President particularly noted that the United States and its G-7 allies stand ready to impose significant additional sanctions "if necessary to respond to Russia’s actions."
"Tomorrow we will present a draft resolution calling on the government not to continue sanctions against Russia. These sanctions damage our interests, resulting in significant financial losses.
During the meetings among other global issues, the Ukrainian crisis is also to be discussed.
Like the latest Summit held in Brussels, this Bavarian one also showed that currently it is just impossible to face the global challenges without the full participation of world powers - in this case, without Russia.
The same source informs that over 300 people and more than 60 units of equipment are hurted and damaged at the result of the fire.
We call on Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency on verification of Iran's nuclear activities and to address all outstanding issues, including those relating to possible military dimensions. We urge Iran to respect the human rights of its citizens and to to contribute constructively to regional stability.
"Understand that there can be no resumption of normal relations with the Russian Federation, not because we don’t like it, there is just no theoretical possibility," Klimkin said at a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Interparliamentary Council in Kiev.
"Everything we do, we do in response to the threats that we are faced with. And we do it to a very limited extent, but big enough to ensure Russia’s security," Putin added.
"NATO wants to expand through Ukraine, it has changed the political system in Kiev that will act in the interest of the European Union and NATO bloc," one of the activists in the protest noted.
And that’s how it will be with everyone who disrupts the presidential task in regard to fulfilling the technical agreements on a visa-free regime.
The city of Maryinka that has been devastated by months of heavy fighting, is a strategically located town 9 miles west of Donetsk which had a pre-conflict population of about 9,900.
The Turkmen gas may diversify the purchases alongside with liquefied natural gas imports’’, - said Kolyshnik.
Active citizens reminded Saakashvili who he is by wearing ties with the words "For Misha". And Saakashvili by himself understands that he is in the hostile atmosphere and is always accompanied with bodyguards carrying guns.
The decision not to use the RD-180 engines during the launches of its military and intelligence satellites last year because of national security reasons and the escalation of relations with Russia amid the Ukrainian crisis.
All in all, before the Summit we had a bit different expectations. As for the declaration and its part referring to Ukraine, it was important for us to have the European perspective of Ukraine confirmed; the thing which did not happen. The second important thing was the facilitation of visa regime. Let us put it in this way, Ukraine did get neither status nor any signal.
"Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has begun a working trip to the Donetsk region," the statement reads.
By chance or by coincidence on the same day, May 28, we have witnessed similar signals both from the US and Russia high level officials according to which their stances on Syria "come closer".
It is interesting to note that although Poroshenko vowed to sell off his business, Roshen Confectionery Corporation, in order to focus on governance, it is reported that the company is still in his property.
After Crimea unified with Russia, the G7 leaders decided to stay away from their planned summit in Sochi and, instead, gathered in Brussels without Russia.
"The alliance has one significant flaw – the complicated procedure of decision making. NATO embraces 28 member countries, and all of them have to reach an agreement," he added
Commenting on the situation to Kommersant newspaper, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin stated that "this is an act of betrayal by Ukrainian authorities towards their own citizens living in Transnistria, who number at least 60,000. From now on, it will fall on Russia's shoulders to ensure their protection."
Germany along with France, Russia and Ukraine is one of the four Normandy format countries that brokered the ceasefire deal between Kiev and Luhansk and Donetsk.
"We switch the conversation to business — give us our money back… We're now discussing just one thing — the exact sum of money France owes Russia," Oleg Bochkaryov, a deputy chairman of the Russian Military Industrial Complex said.
According to a final declaration approved at an Eastern Partnership summit in Riga on May 22 the EU has reaffirmed its position as outlined in a joint statement issued at the April 27 EU-Ukraine summit.
"Russia is Greece's ally and friend. The unbreakable bonds of a common religion as well as economic ties help unite the two countries," added Greek Minister.
Moratorium on foreign debt payments in Ukraine would mean a technical default.
By adopting it, the Ukrainian Parliament has given the government the right to impose a moratorium on payments of the country’s foreign debts.
"If US missile defense systems are deployed in Ukraine, that would require Russia to take responsive measures to provide for its own security," added Peskov.
Ukrainian politicians should have the courage to understand that they should not expect a development of relationship with the EU.
The trade turnover with Russia will never be as big as it was before the crisis
NATO communiqué informs that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to meet with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of the European Council of Ministers session.
The resignation of the current prime minister will help to save the majority coalition in Ukraine's parliament...
He said that Russia hardly supports the implementation of Minsk Agreements.
Sochi is obviously not the best resort and the best place for a conversation with the Russian president and the Russian Foreign Minister.
Under provisions of the U.S. Constitution concerning the interaction of Members of Congress with foreign governments, I am obligated to decline the invitation.
This thing is called a "debt operation" in the program of extended financing, and we don’t participate in debt operations.
However, he assured that Kiev does not intend to renew hostilities in Donbas, as the settlement of the conflict is not possible by force.
He also added that with great pleasure he would help Ukraine, but first of all that needs to comply with Senate rules.
The overall assistance program totaled $40 billion; it includes a $17.5 billion IMF loan and other $7.5 billion in bilateral assistance.
Timing of the visit, when the United States is stepping up its military presence and enhancing joint drills in Europe, is of particular attention.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s plans to "take back" the airport in the conflict-hit eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk violate the Minsk reconciliation agreement.
In spite of this over a half of Russians exclude the possibility that the two countries can start a war against each other as according to them such a conflict would have no winners.
In one stage Russia should start compensating. We should start counting, we should be ready and use our lobbing in all those places, where it is possible.
Swedish military officials did not say exactly where the training would be held.
The Trilateral Contact Group aims at finding diplomatic resolution of the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine.
According to NATO Ukrainian Defense Ministry and the Ukrainian Army are not inclined sufficiently to realize reforms.
Naftogaz which is Ukraine's national oil and gas company is seeking over $16 billion from Gazprom.
The Ukrainian president added that combat operations in the conflict zone would be carried out "for as long as it is necessary."
In addition the former UN Secretary-General noted that, if all the measures stipulated by the deal are not implemented as soon as possible and in full measure, the situation in southeastern Ukraine "could get out of hand."
The press release of the Russian Foreign Ministry reads that Lavrov commented on the urgency of establishing direct dialogue between Kiev authorities and the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people's republic.
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