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Muzhenko: if the situation in Donbas escalates Ukrainian army will be strengthened with more than a hundred thousand reservists
If the situation in eastern Ukraine escalates, more than 100,000 reservists are ready to replenish Ukrainian Armed Forces. Over the period of six waves of mobilization, more than 200,000 people were called up for service that then resigned or signed contracts. A large number have already completed their service and now they form the basis of the stand-by reserve, said the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Viktor Muzhenko in an interview with Ukrinform.
He noted that a serious …
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Gazprom: transit contract with Ukraine will not be extended
The Russian gas monopoly Gazprom and NJSC Naftogaz Ukraine have not yet begun negotiations on the future of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. Deputy Chairman of the Management Committee of Gazprom Alexander Medvedev stated that presently, there are only consultations on the issue, Interfax-Ukraine reported.
"The current contract will not be extended under any circumstances, even if the sun in the sky or moon changes. The transit contract through Ukraine will not be extended but it does not …
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US urges Russia to withdraw weapons and troops from Eastern Ukraine
The U.S. Department of State urged Russia to withdraw weapons and troops from eastern Ukraine. Heather Nauert, the Press Secretary of the American Foreign Ministry, made a statement on April 23, the anniversary U.S. citizen Joseph Stone’s death. Stone served as a paramedic with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (SMM).
Nauert stated: “The United States calls on Russia to initiate a real and durable ceasefire, to withdraw its …
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Ukraine refuses to attend FIFA Congress in Moscow
The Soccer Federation of Ukraine (FFU) announced that it will not send its representatives to the 68th FIFA Congress, which will be held in Russia on June 12-13. According to a post by the FFU’s official website, the decision not to attend was made on April 24 at an FFU executive committee meeting.
It is within FIFA’s power to place sanctions on Ukraine due to the absence of its representatives at the congress. To avoid this, the FFU announced they would empower the Charge d’Affaires of …
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Vice-burgomaster of Austrian Linz banned from entering Ukraine after visiting the Crimea
Ukraine has banned the Vice-burgomaster of the Austrian city of Linz, Detlef Wimmer, from entering the country. Wimmer crossed the state border while visiting annexed Crimea. Russian media reported that Wimmer took part in the so-called “Yalta Economic Forum,” which was organized by the Russian administration of the peninsula.
“Despite numerous appeals of the Embassy, Vice-burgomaster Detlef Wimmer demonstratively violated Ukrainian sovereignty and participated in the activities of the …
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PACE recognizes 'Russian occupation of Donbas'
Evropeyskaya Pravda reports that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has formally adopted a decision recognizing "the occupation of certain regions of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions by the Russian Federation".
This recognition is contained in a resolution titled “State of Emergency", concerning derogations occurring under Article 15 of the European Convention on Human Rights. At present, three countries have used this option: Ukraine (after the attack by the Russian …
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Israel prepared to destroy Russian S-300 missile systems in Syria
Israeli Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman has commented on the possible delivery of Russian S-300 air defense systems to Syria.
According to Lieberman, Israel’s only concern regarding the systems delivery is which targets the systems may be used against. The Minister stressed that Israel’s problem is not Russia, as Russian air defense systems have already been deployed in Syria and not used against Israel.
“What's important to us is that the defensive weapons the Russians are giving Syria …
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Russia claims it repulsed a drone attack on Syria Khmeimim airbase
Anti-aircraft defenses at the Russia’s Khmeimim airbase in Syria destroyed unknown small-sized air targets that were "far from the airfield", RIA Novosti reported, citing an airbase spokesperson.
According to the airbase representative, the airborne threats were discovered on April 24 around twilight. "All of the targets were destroyed by the antiaircraft fire means of the Russian airbase," he said. No one was hurt on the base; the facility also suffered no material damage, and has returned “ …
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Kremlin: Russia continues to maintain communication with the US on Syria
Russia and the United States will continue their dialogue in the aftermath of the airstrikes of the US, UK and France in Syria, as announced by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. He noted that Moscow would always be "ready for dialogue" with Washington on the Syrian issue according to the UN Security Council resolution 2254."The contacts are continuing on the military side as part of de-conflicting," Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation said to journalists during a response …
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Kyiv to ban all Russian vessels from entering Ukraine's inland waters
After the incident with the "Nord" vessel, ships from Russia may lose the right to visit Ukraine. Kyiv cited "the high level of terrorist threats" as its justification.
The Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine has proposed to close the entrance of the inland waters to all Russian vessels, Deputy Infrastructure Minister Yuriy Lavrenyuk said. The Ministry wants this proposal to be considered by the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC).
According to Lavrenyuk, it is unacceptable for …