Contents tagged with crimea
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Volker announces plans to intensify anti-Russian sanctions
The US does not recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea, and believes that “words are not enough”, US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker said on 26 February during the opening of the fifth international forum titled: “Occupation of Crimea: 5 years of opposition” in Kyiv.
“We does not and will not accept Russia’s claimed annexation of Crimea. But words are not enough. We are very clearly and closely following the human rights situation in Crimea, and we are carefully following the …
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Poroshenko and Volker visit US missile destroyer in Odessa
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met with US State Department Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker on board the missile cruiser USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), which had recently arrived at the Port of Odessa, the president’s website reported.
Poroshenko remarked on the symbolism of the meeting taking place on board the Donald Cook, which is a frequent visitor to the Black Sea and Odessa.
“It is a legendary ship, and it is an important signal to the Kremlin in the fifth year of …
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Former Ukrainian Chief of General Staff arrested on charges of high treason
Ukrainian Chief Military Prosecutor Anatolii Matios confirmed at a press conference on Monday that the country’s former Chief of General Staff, Volodymyr Zamana, had been arrested, UNN reports.
“Colonel-general Zamana, former Chief of General Staff, is suspected of committing the crimes envisaged in part 1 article 111 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code – high treason, in the wording from 2001. In 2015, the wording of this article was replaced with more severe [wording],” the prosecutor said. …
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NATO admits it was not prepared for Crimea's annexation by Russia
During a speech in the European Parliament, NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe James Everard stated that NATO was not ready for the annexation of the Crimea by Russia, Polish Radio reports.
“In 2014, we were shocked when Russia annexed the Crimea. It completely changed the Euro-Atlantic security environment. We were not ready for this,” Everard stated. The General noted that Russia is the North Atlantic Alliance’s only opponent.
“Today, we have to fight against a more dangerous …
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Russia will exhibit weapons seized in Syria in annexed Crimea
A mobile train exhibition featuring “trophy weapons and military equipment” seized from Syria will stop at Sevastopol and Kerch, reports the press service of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
The report notes that this exhibition will be held from March 1 to March 3 as part of the “military-patriotic action” the “Syrian Turning Point”.
According to the RIA Novosti news agency, the exposition consists of ten open railway platforms displaying models of military engineering equipment, artillery …
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Lithuania to propose new sanctions against Russia
During a visit to Poland, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė said that Vilnius intends to propose additional sanctions against Russia if Moscow continues its aggressive policy towards Ukraine, BNS reports.
“If things continue to develop poorly, and Russia doesn’t start talking, but continues its aggressive policy throughout Ukraine and at the Kerch Strait, then, without a doubt, we will propose additional sanctions,” the Lithuanian leader told reporters in Lublin.
She added that the EU …
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Klimkin: Ukrainian ships are getting ready to pass through Kerch Strait
Ukraine is planning a new passage of ships through the Kerch Strait and it is taking certain measures and getting ready for the passage together with international partners. The Ukrainian Navy will likely be able to “surprise Russia”, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said in an interview with Censor.net.
According to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, the presence of foreign observers onboard the ships is hardly possible but there will be international monitoring. In particular, the …
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Ukrainian military test surface-to-air missiles near annexed Crimea
The press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported that the Ukrainian military tested air defense systems in the Kherson region. The exercises using modernized 2К12-2D Kub and BM9K330 Tor air defense systems were conducted at Yahorlyk test range, near the annexed Crimea.
“Tests of the modernized air defense systems, which are being brought back to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, are in the final phase. It will give us the opportunity to form new units, to significantly increase …
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Former NATO Secretary-General: Belarus faces annexation by Russia
The former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in an interview with LIGA.net, stated that Belarus faces the threat of annexation by Russia.
“The key risk is a repeat of what happened in Ukraine after the war and the annexation. Belarus can expect the same scenario if it does not begin reforms,” he said.
Rasmussen called on Belarus to begin reforms which would lead to democracy and freedom before it's too late.
“We heard Vladimir Putin’s statement where he said that Belarus must be …
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Syrian Ambassador to Russia: Assad will not visit annexed Crimea
Syrian President Bashar Assad is unlikely to attend the Yalta International Economic Forum in April, stated Syrian Ambassador to Moscow Riyad Haddad, as quoted by Russian media.
The forum will be held on April 17-20.
“I don't think he [Assad] will participate in the forum,” Haddad told reporters.
Andrei Nazarov, the co-chairman of the forum’s organizing committee, previously stated that Bashar Assad and the French right-wing leader Marine Le Pen will attend the Yalta International Economic …