• Russia to urge Ukraine to start direct negotiations with LPR and DPR at Normandy summit

    At the Normandy summit in Paris on December 9, Russia intends to urge Ukraine to begin direct dialog with the ringleaders of the Russia-backed separatist armed groups, the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, which occupy parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

    “We heard from the previous administration in Ukraine, from the previous regime, statements that they will never negotiate directly with Donetsk and Luhansk, we …

  • Lithuanian President urges Zelensky not to make harmful concessions to Putin

    During a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Lithuania, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda urged Zelensky not to make harmful concessions at the upcoming Normandy Four Summit on December 9.

    "We hope that the Normandy Four meeting will take place soon, and we wish every success to our partners during the negotiations. We want you not to make concessions that could harm you. We hope that the negotiations will help facilitate steps that will reduce tension in your …

  • Ukrainian and Estonian presidents call on Russia to withdraw from Crimea and Donbas

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid signed a joint statement on cooperation, in which Estonia reaffirms its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine with Crimea and the Donbas, reports the press service of the Ukrainian President.

    "The presidents reiterated their firm commitment to international law and the basic principles of international relations. They called on the Russian Federation to cancel the illegal occupation of …

  • Zelensky and Putin to meet in Paris

    During the Normandy Four Summit in Paris, the personal meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky is planned, reports Kommersant, citing a source familiar with the details of the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and preparations for the Summit.

    The Kommersant's  source estimated the probability of such a meeting close to 100%. According to him, it is easy to find an opportunity to talk personally at events like the Normandy Four Summit.

    As …

  • Ukraine willing to accept gas in lieu of Gazprom’s $3 billion debt

    Naftogaz of Ukraine has responded to Gazprom’s official one-year gas transit proposal, Yuriy Vitrenko, executive director of the Naftogaz group, wrote on Facebook.

    He effectively confirmed that Ukraine finds the proposal unacceptable, and pointed out that “Gazprom has every opportunity to sign a new long-term contract for gas transit through Ukraine” according to European regulations. Ukraine is hoping that Russia will reserve transit capacity for 10 years.

    Vitrenko remarked that even if it …