11:10
17.5.2014
In editorial, The Kyiv Post criticizes Europe's financial ties to Russia:
Read the whole thing here.
More than two months after Russia destroyed the post-Cold War order by invading and annexing Crimea, European Union heavyweights France, Germany and even Great Britain continue to dither in the face of Vladimir Putin’s aggression.
Their weakness has shown that business lobbies in the three nations are willing to turn a blind eye to Moscow’s war crimes as long as their companies are making money. Now we understand better why two world wars started in Europe and the dangers of appeasement.
Their weakness has shown that business lobbies in the three nations are willing to turn a blind eye to Moscow’s war crimes as long as their companies are making money. Now we understand better why two world wars started in Europe and the dangers of appeasement.
Read the whole thing here.
11:13
17.5.2014
The Kyiv Post weighs in on France's deal to sell MIstral warships to Russia:
Read it all here.
The sale of two French Mistral class warships to Russia is making waves on both sides of the Atlantic.
When the French government signed a $1.6 billion contract in 2010 to sell Russia the two amphibious assault ships, no one envisaged that Russia would annex Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and threaten a deeper military invasion of the nation.
When the French government signed a $1.6 billion contract in 2010 to sell Russia the two amphibious assault ships, no one envisaged that Russia would annex Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and threaten a deeper military invasion of the nation.
Read it all here.
11:20
17.5.2014
Hromadske TV reporting that separatists in Donetsk want to introduce the ruble.
"Donetsk Pseudo-Republic wants to give up the hryvna for the ruble."
"Donetsk Pseudo-Republic wants to give up the hryvna for the ruble."
11:22
17.5.2014
11:26
17.5.2014
In case you haven't seen it, here's a strong piece by RFE/RL's Claire Bigg on systematic torture in eastern Ukraine:
Read the whole report here.
When he ripped down a separatist flag from the main government building in Novohradovka, his hometown in eastern Ukraine, Oleksandr Hurov knew he was in for trouble.
Retaliation was quick, and ruthless.
Two weeks later, the 36-year-old coalminer lies in a Kyiv hospital with a fractured jaw, a broken nose, a lacerated arm, and cracked ribs.
Retaliation was quick, and ruthless.
Two weeks later, the 36-year-old coalminer lies in a Kyiv hospital with a fractured jaw, a broken nose, a lacerated arm, and cracked ribs.
Read the whole report here.
11:31
17.5.2014
Aleksei Kudrin, Russia's former finance minister, says Moscow will not face full isolation over Ukraine crisis. This via Interfax:
VLADIVOSTOK. May 17 (Interfax) - Former Russian Finance Minister and member of the presidium of the presidential Economic Council Alexei Kudrin believes Russia is not facing full isolation because of the events in Ukraine and the U.S.' and the EU's sanctions.
"I don't believe in a scenario of full political or economic isolation. I don't think the things will go this far. After all, I hope we, as a country, and our leadership feel where this line is and where the damage will be significant for the economy. I am sure everyone is assessing this," Kudrin said in an interview shown in a Saturday TV program hosted by Marianna Maksimovskaya on REN-TV channel on Saturday.
"I think everyone will be looking for a political solution," Kudrin said.
"I don't believe in a scenario of full political or economic isolation. I don't think the things will go this far. After all, I hope we, as a country, and our leadership feel where this line is and where the damage will be significant for the economy. I am sure everyone is assessing this," Kudrin said in an interview shown in a Saturday TV program hosted by Marianna Maksimovskaya on REN-TV channel on Saturday.
"I think everyone will be looking for a political solution," Kudrin said.
11:37
17.5.2014
11:38
17.5.2014
11:52
17.5.2014
11:55
17.5.2014
This via AFP:
KIEV, May 17, 2014 (AFP) - Ukraine's election body issued a stark warning Saturday that it may be impossible to hold next week's crucial presidential election in the east, where a pro-Moscow insurgency is threatening to plunge the country into all-out civil war.
And Russia also questioned how an election taking place under the "thunder of guns" could possibly meet democratic norms.
The Central Election Commission called for the authorities in Kiev to take urgent action to ensure security in the east, saying almost two million people could be prevented from voting on May 25 because of the rebellion.
And Russia also questioned how an election taking place under the "thunder of guns" could possibly meet democratic norms.
The Central Election Commission called for the authorities in Kiev to take urgent action to ensure security in the east, saying almost two million people could be prevented from voting on May 25 because of the rebellion.