KIEV, Ukraine (AFP) – by Olga SHYLENKO Ukraine on Friday reported its first combat death since a new ceasefire with pro-Russian rebels went into effect on September 1 before the new school year. The announcement delivered a worrying signal that one of the most enduring in a series of truces risked collapsing just as tensions between Moscow and Kiev are scaling new hights. “In the past day, as a result of military activities, one of […]
Tag: Crimea
US expands Russia sanctions over Ukraine conflict
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The United States announced a long list of fresh sanctions on Thursday aimed at Russia over its continuing support for Ukraine’s rebels and the 2014 seizure of Crimea. The new list took aim at a key unit of Bank Rossiya, often called the personal bank of Russian president Vladimir Putin, and some of Russia’s largest construction companies. It included 17 Ukrainian separatists, 11 of them officials of the government Russia […]
Putin hints at war in Ukraine but may be seeking diplomatic edge
(REUTERS) Ukraine says it thinks Vladimir Putin is planning a new invasion, and it’s not hard to see why: the Russian leader has built up troops on its border and resumed the hostile rhetoric that preceded his annexation of Crimea two years ago. But despite appearances, some experts say Putin is more likely seeking advantage through diplomacy than on the battlefield, at least this time around. “It’s about sanctions,” Andrey Kortunov, director general of […]
Russia and Ukraine square off over Crimea ‘raids’
MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) – by Max DELANY with Dmitry ZAKS in Kiev Russia and Ukraine stepped up security around Crimea on Thursday as tensions soared over accusations by Moscow that Kiev had attempted armed incursions into the disputed peninsula. Russia’s FSB security service said on Wednesday it had thwarted “terrorist attacks” in Crimea this week by Ukrainian military intelligence and beaten back armed assaults, but Kiev fiercely denied the claims. The allegations ratcheted up the […]
U.S. begins F-22 fighter deployment to reassure NATO allies facing Russia
The United States began its biggest European deployment of F-22 fighters with a visit to the Black Sea in an exercise aimed at beefing up military support for NATO’s eastern European allies who say they face aggression from Russia. President Barack Obama promised in 2014 to bolster the defences of NATO’s eastern members which were spooked by Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and the Kremlin’s use of pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. A U.S. […]
U.S., Japan and Australia vow to oppose Russian action in Crimea
(Reuters) – The leaders of the United States, Japan and Australia lined up together against Russia on Sunday, vowing to oppose Russian incursions into Crimea during a rare trilateral meeting held at the G20 summit in Brisbane. President Barack Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said they would oppose “Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea and its actions to destabilize eastern Ukraine,” and were committed to “bringing to justice those responsible for the downing of Flight MH17.” […]
Ukraine’s new leader stands up to Moscow over Crimea and Europe
(Reuters) – Ukraine’s new president Petro Poroshenko said his country would never give up Crimea and would not compromise on its path towards closer ties with Europe, spelling out a defiant message to Russia in his inaugural speech on Saturday. The 48-year-old billionaire took the oath of office before parliament, buoyed by Western support but facing a crisis in relations with Russia as a separatist uprising seethes in the east of his country. Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in […]
Putin calls Russian interference in Ukraine ‘nonsense,’ backs Geneva talks
President Vladimir Putin has called claims Russia is behind eastern Ukraine’s unrest “nonsense.” He has accused the government in Kyiv of raising tensions in the region, while expressing hope for crisis talks. During the beginning of a televised call with the nation on Thursday, Putin said Ukraine’s decision to send armed forces to the country’s restive east rather than establishing a dialogue was a “grave crime.” He also dismissed Western accusations that Russian special forces […]
Ukraine, Russia And The United States Trade Accusations At Emergency U.N. Meeting
(Reuters) — The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on Sunday night (April 13) to discuss the escalating crisis in Ukraine, just hours before a deadline by Kiev for pro-Russian separatists to disarm by Monday morning or face a “full-scale anti-terrorist operation” by its armed forces. The Council began meeting at 8 p.m. (0000 GMT on Monday) at Russia’s request afterMoscow called Kiev’s plans to mobilize the army to put down a rebellion by pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine “criminal.” Ukraine along with […]
U.N. Security Council meets over Ukraine hours before deadline
(Reuters) – The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on Sunday night to discuss the escalating crisis in Ukraine, just hours before a deadline by Kiev for pro-Russian separatists to disarm by Monday morning or face a “full-scale anti-terrorist operation” by its armed forces. The Council began meeting at 8 p.m. at Russia’s request after Moscow called Kiev’s plans to mobilize the army to put down a rebellion by pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine […]
Mcdonald’s closes three restaurants in Crimea
Mcdonald’s has suspended work in its three Crimean restaurants as diplomatic tensions heightened between Russia and the west.
Japan Condemns Russia’s Move to Annex Crimea
International crisis in Ukraine continues to escalate as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty that returns Crimea to Russia. The Japanese government condemned Russia’s move, reiterating that this infringes Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that Japan would consult with Group of Seven allies and would look into on taking further steps against Russia.
