German Chancellor Angela Merkel feels that the decision to exclude Russia from the international G8 forum was correct, and she sees no reason why the country should be restored, despite tense relations with the U.S. Merkel said this in answer to a question asked by a deputy of the Bundestag who belongs to the right-wing Alternative for Germany party.

According to Merkel, the G8 forum is based on respect for international law, which Russia has brazenly violated.

“The annexation of Crimea was a …

The United States of America has added Ukrainian company Dart Airlines to the list of sanctioned companies because of its cooperation with Iranian Caspian Air airlines, as reported on the website of the United States Federal Register.

Sanctions against Iran were applied to the Ukrainian carrier because of its cooperation with the Iranian airline Caspian Air.

“For providing assistance, funding or providing financial, material, technologic support or financial or any other services to support …

The Netherlands does not consider Ukraine responsible for the crash of the Malaysian Boeing in the Donbas due to the airspace over the region not being closed.

Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok responded to a question on this matter from ministers of parliament, Dutch news outlet NOS reports. In the question, the legislators noted that, if Ukraine had information that Buk missile launchers had appeared in the conflict region, Kyiv would have had reason to close the airspace over the dangerous …

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has signed a motion for the Verkhovna Rada to dismiss Finance Minister Oleksandr Danylyuk.

“I have signed a motion for the Verkhovna Rada to dismiss Finance Minister Oleksandr Danylyuk from his position. After the conflict he provoked at the government session, he allowed himself to take actions which, in my view, are incompatible with him remaining a member of the Cabinet of Ministers. The distribution of distorted information among our …

Russia’s actions in the Black Sea region have violated the zone’s military balance, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs James Appathurai stated, the Agerpres agency reports.

Appathurai, who is NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, made this statement while speaking on Tuesday at a forum devoted to security in the Atlantic and Black Sea.

Following the annexation of the Crimea by Russia, “a lot of military equipment was …

Ukraine could grant special status to the Donbas, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin stated in an interview with Austrian TV channel ORF.

Putin reminded the journalists that the same thing happened in Russia with Chechnya, which was granted the status that gave it a "great degree of independence within the  Russian Federation".

According to Putin, the decision was "very difficult" but it had to be taken because Al‑Qaeda terrorists wanted "to tear off" Chechnya, creating an Islamic …

Moldovan President Igor Dodon will take part in the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Dodon on Tuesday in an interview with the NTV-Moldova television channel.

"Next week I will be at the World Cup, as I promised Putin in response to his invitation. There will be an opportunity to talk with many leaders of state, including Vladimir Vladimirovich. During the first match I will be rooting for Russia and, overall, I have a few …

Countries that permit airplanes from Iran to land and be serviced at their airports may face consequences, including sanctions. Acting US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Sigal Mandelker, who also serves as Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, announced this on Tuesday while speaking at the Washington-based Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

 “Countries and companies around the world should take note of the risks associated with granting landing …