Contents tagged with NATO

  • Lithuanian Ambassador in Kiev: Cooperation between Ukraine and NATO continues to increase

    Marius Janukonis, Lithuania's Ambassador to Ukraine, stated in an interview with Apostrof that recently, the level of cooperation between NATO and Ukraine has increased significantly. The country appears certain of counting on the Alliance’s support in modernizing its defense system.

    "There are more events, more Ukrainian servicemen engaged in military exercises at NATO standards, more servicemen involved in joint exercises,” a diplomat described.

    “A serious reform of the Ukrainian Defense …

  • Polish President: NATO Summit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the Alliance's eastern flank

    The President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, expects that the NATO summit in Warsaw will create an opportunity to strengthen the eastern flank of the Alliance. The head of the Polish State said stressed on the 10th of June during his speech at the University of Copenhagen that NATO can’t hesitate in making this decision.

    “The deployment of NATO forces in Poland and the Baltic countries is a guarantee of safety for this part of Europe and if we look at historical maps then we can freely say that …

  • Finnish PM: Finland's NATO membership should be determined by a referendum

    Finland may apply for NATO membership, but it will require broad support from the local population, as stated by Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, speaking at a party congress in the city of Seinäjoki.

    "I consider it is important, that if one day we will come to this decision, a referendum will be held," Sipilä said.

    "This does not mean that those who make decisions in the country are transferring their responsibilities [to the people], this means that they understand that such a big decision …

  • Pentagon: Russia would be able to capture Riga or Tallinn in 60 hours

    The Pentagon has agreed with analysts’ views that Russia could capture Riga or Tallinn in less than three days. This was reported by the Weekly Standard.

    The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Michael Carpenter, has agreed with a report of RAND research center which states that Russian troops would be able to seize the city of Riga in 60 hours or less.

    “NATO would have a few options for further action, of which none are good. These options include an offensive action, which is associated …

  • Russia holds military exercises in the Black Sea

    The Russian Federation is conducting military exercises aimed at the conditional destruction of NATO ships in the Black Sea, as announced by a representative of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate during a briefing on Thursday, June 9th, as reported by RBC-Ukraine.

    "The Russian Federation continues activities to increase the ability of the aerospace forces to conduct large-scale offensive operations in the Black Sea region," Skibitsky said. He added that the purpose …

  • Ukrainian Naval cadets to train with Polish Navy

    Cadets from the Faculty of Naval Forces of the Ukrainian National University, Odessa Maritime Academy, have started an internship aboard a Polish Naval training ship, Radio Svoboda reported with reference to a statement issued by the Navy Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

    "The internship, the purpose of which is to train future naval officers in specialty skills, runs until the end of July this year. As planned, in accordance with the route, Ukrainian cadets will travel together with …

  • US Admiral: Aircraft carrier was transferred to the Mediterranean to send a message to Moscow

    The USS Harry Truman aircraft carrier was transferred from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea as a warning to Moscow, according to an article published in the Wall Street Journal that cited Rear Admiral Bret Batchelder.

    As the Admiral explained, the redeployment of the aircraft carrier is meant to demonstrate that the US, in partnership with its NATO allies, is committed to “maintaining the balance of forces in the Mediterranean”.

    “It is a demonstration of capability. That’s for sure. …

  • Media: The Netherlands wants to modify the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement

    According to the Austrian newspaper, Die Presse, citing Dutch diplomats, the Government of the Netherlands wants to modify certain provisions of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. The Dutch Government intended to take such a step after the referendum in April in which the Dutch voted against the ratification of the Association Agreement.

    "The government in The Hague prefers quiet diplomacy behind the scenes. And now, when the Netherlands is holding the EU Presidency they have an opportunity …

  • Ukraine wants to cease purchases of Russian military equipment components by 2018

    Ukraine plans to completely abandon the practice of purchasing military equipment and spare parts manufactured in Russia by 2018. These plans are outlined in the Strategic Defense Bulletin approved by the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, TASS reports.

    By the end of this year, Kiev also plans to adopt a law which will provide for a law enforcement body within the Ukrainian army. The new agency will be able to conduct pre-trial investigations of crimes committed by servicemen.

    By the end …

  • US general: Eastern Europe needs a real deterrent against Russia

    Central and Eastern Europe need real military power to deter Russia, according to the Commander of US Army Europe, General Ben Hodges, Delfi reported.

    “I will not speculate on the decisions that will be made at the NATO summit with regard to the strengthening of the presence of the Alliance. However, I have advised, and I believe, that we need to achieve a real deterrence against Russia’s actions, and not a symbolic one,” Hodges said.

    He also said that the international community needs Russia …