Contents tagged with Ukraine

  • Lavrov: Russia is not interested in severing diplomatic relations with Ukraine

    Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia is not interested in breaking off diplomatic relations with Ukraine, RIA Novosti reported.

    Speaking at a press conference following a meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Lavrov said “I do not think that we are now in a situation in which someone is interested in severing diplomatic relations. This is an extreme measure.”

    “I think the main thing now is to not succumb to emotions, not to fall into some extreme …

  • Ukraine is investigating corruption scheme involving top Trump advisor during Yanukovych presidency

    Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has discovered handwritten ledgers apparently linking Paul Manafort, the chairman of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, to more than $12 million in undisclosed payments during his time as advisor to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, The New York Times reported.

    The ledgers are currently being investigated by Ukraine’s newly-formed NABU as possible evidence of widespread corruption during the Yanukovych presidency. Investigators believe …

  • Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Canada sees no proof supporting Russia’s accusations against Ukraine

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stephane Dion, said in his statement that Canada found no evidence to support Russia’s recent accusations against Ukraine regarding the situation in the occupied Crimea.

    “I’m concerned by the increase in tension between Russia and Ukraine, and by the actions and rhetoric that are contributing to this tension. We have seen no evidence to support recent Russian accusations. At this critical juncture, Canada calls on all parties to intensify diplomatic efforts and …

  • Ukraine has exported more than $1 billion of wheat in 6 months

    In January—July 2016 wheat exports generated revenues of $1.121 billion for Ukraine, as reported by the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine.

    It was reported that Egypt has become the largest market for Ukrainian wheat, importing $217,993 million, which represents 19.43% of the total volume. Indonesia is the second at $157,785 million, representing 14.06%, and the third, Bangladesh, $135.668 million, representing 12.09% of the total volume.

    Wheat imports over the same period totaled only $127,000. …

  • Ukrainian official: Russia is not ready for full-scale military operations

    The Ukrainian Deputy Minister for the Temporarily Occupied Territories, George Tuka, stated on Channel 112 Ukraine that Russia is not ready for full-scale military operations with Ukraine.  

    "Russia is not ready for full-scale military operations, and they have enough common sense not to do it. As for provocative actions, tactical actions with the aim to seize any locality; I suppose it may happen," Tuka said. According to him, servicemen from one of the sides may lose their composure.

    "As …

  • Military expert: Russia could involve the Navy and Air Force in a large-scale operation from Crimea

    Mikhail Samus, the Deputy Director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies (CACDS), claimed in an interview with Krym.Realii that Crimea may be involved in a “big operation” in terms of air and sea power. He made reference to three groups of Russian shock troops stationed in the north, east and south of Ukraine, noting that Crimean land forces are not likely to comprise a main attack.

    "The support of submarines and surface vessels by cruise missiles, sea-borne troop landings, …

  • US General: Russia must allow international observers access to exercises in Crimea

    Russia must admit observers, including Western journalists, to the military exercise which will be held in the south of the country and in annexed Crimea. According to Reuters, this was the hard line presented by Lieutenant General Frederick Benjamin "Ben" Hodges, the commander of the United States Army in Europe.

    Hodges said that Russia could emulate military exercises that were held under the guidance of the USA and its allies in Europe, which allowed the country to send observers.

    "The …

  • State Border Guard Service of Ukraine: Russia has begun a new stage of the hybrid war in Crimea

    The head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Viktor Nazarenko, stated in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine that the next stage of hybrid war between Russia and Ukraine has begun in the Crimea. According to him, provocative actions from Russia have the specific objective of increasing the level of confrontation in the territory. Nazarenko admitted that reserves from the Ukrainian Army, including heavy weapons, were deployed to the annexed Crimea.

    The head of the State Border Guard …

  • Steinmeier and Lavrov to discuss situation in Ukraine

    The Russian and German Foreign Ministers, Sergey Lavrov and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, will meet to discuss the situation in Ukraine and Syria on August 15, RIA Novosti reported, with reference to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs press service. On that day, Steinmeier will visit Yekaterinburg for the opening of a Russian-German summer school in the Ural Federal University. After this event, his meeting with Lavrov will take place.

    “The most relevant aspects of bilateral cooperation in the …

  • Russia will not allow the OSCE mission in the Crimea

    Moscow will not grant the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission access to the Crimea, as stated by the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation at the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich, RIA Novosti reports.

    "The Crimea is a Russian territory. We had already stipulated long ago, that the mission has nothing to do with the Crimea as it is a part of the Russian Federation. But our Western colleagues interpret this to mean the whole territory of Ukraine, including the Crimea," he said.

    According to …