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The OSCE is ready to send armed observers to the Donbas
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is open to sending armed personnel to eastern Ukraine if this proposal is agreed to by all parties. This was declared by the Secretary General of the OSCE, Lamberto Zannier.
The organization is currently supervising a fragile ceasefire between Ukrainian forces and rebels in Donbas.
Comments made by Zannier reflect the extent of the danger that the current unarmed observers are exposed to while monitoring the ceasefire. He says …
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OSCE: Military parades in Donetsk and Luhansk violated the Minsk Agreements
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine stated that the presence of heavy weaponry in Luhansk and Donetsk during Victory Day parades is a violation of the Minsk Agreements, as reported on Facebook page of the Special Monitoring Mission.
“The SMM was entrusted with the task of monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire and other provisions of the Minsk Agreements, including the withdrawal of weapons. In this case, the presence of heavy weaponry in Luhansk and Donetsk during the …
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Ukrainian Armed Forces: The situation in the Donbas continues to deteriorate
The headquarters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced that the situation in the Donbas has deteriorated significantly over the last several days, Glavnoe reported.
“Yesterday, pro-Russian gangs opened fire on the positions of the Ukrainian defenders 15 times,” the headquarters wrote on Facebook.
It was reported that Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka were attacked by separatists using rocket propelled grenades and small arms.
According to the Ukrainian headquarters, separatists also …
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Poroshenko: Ukraine spends one fifth of its budget on the Army
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that one fifth of the state budget is spent on the defense sector, RBC-Ukraine reported.
“Almost one fifth of the state budget we spend on Army and that’s justified,” Poroshenko stated.
“We have created a modern army in two years and every Ukrainian has a legitimate right to be proud of it,” the President noted.
Poroshenko did not rule out the possibility of a partial mobilization in 2016.
“The only thing I still can’t promise is that there will …
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Poroshenko calls on the West to impose more sanctions against Russia
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko stated that the countries that doubt the effectiveness of the sanctions against Russia should consider strengthening them.
“From time to time, we hear that some European countries believe that the sanctions are not effective. Well, then, if someone considers them ineffective, they should not be lifted or eased, on the contrary, they should be extended and tightened!” Poroshenko said at the First Minute of Peace gathering in Kiev on Sunday evening. …