The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is preparing a response to Germany's intentions to participate in the construction of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, as stated in the comments to LB.ua by the Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Committee for European Integration and Deputy from Petro Poroshenko Bloc, Maria Ionova.

"We have already discussed this issue (Germany’s permission to build Nord Stream 2) and I can say that on behalf of the parliament we will once again make a statement regarding …

Russia’s  Gazprom has refused to comply with the decisions of the Stockholm Arbitration Court regarding the supply and transit of gas through Ukraine, as reported by the press service of Naftogaz Ukraine following the results of talks held last week, Interfax-Ukraine reports.

 “Gazprom made clear that the Russian gas monopoly refuses to resume deliveries to Ukraine as ordered by the Arbitration Tribunal in the Gas Sales Case concluded in December last year, and refused to confirm that it will …

The Russian government has refused to support a bill to legalize private military companies (PMCs) in Russia, Interfax reports. The relevant revocation was sent to the State Duma.

The Cabinet of Ministers said that the bill goes against Russia’s constitution. Section 5 article 13 of the Russian constitution prohibits the creation and activity of public unions whose goals and activities are directed at the creation of armed formations. Article 71 stipulates that matters of defense and security, …

Last week, Russia’s Gazprom and Ukraine’s Naftogaz began negotiations on the contracts termination for the supply and transit of gas. According to Interfax, this was announced by Alexander Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Gazprom.

"Yes, indeed, last week the meeting between Gazprom and Naftogaz took place. The negotiation on the procedure of contracts termination for the supply and transit of gas has begun," he said. Medvedev added that Gazprom notified the Ukrainian company of its …

Moldovan President Igor Dodon has condemned the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Moldova as an “anti-Russian provocation."

He wrote this in Facebook in a comment on the decision by the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to declare three Russian diplomats persona non grata.

"I express my profound indignation at the decision of the Government to expel Russian diplomats from the Republic of Moldova. I categorically condemn this as a new anti-Russian provocation," Dodon said.

The President …

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has placed an entry ban on the 23 Russians who were expelled from the UK in connection with the poisoning of former intelligence agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter, as announced in statement of the SBU’s website.

 “SBU head Vasyl Hrytsak said that their activity is a brazen mockery of one of the key functions of the diplomatic representation determined by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 – to promote friendly relations between …

Nord Stream 2 AG received permission to build and operate the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline in Germany’s economic zone, reports Interfax-Ukraine.

“The Federal Office for Shipping and Hydrography issued a permit for the construction of a 30-kilometer section in accordance with the Mining Law of the Federal Republic of Germany,” the construction company reported.

Earlier, on January 31, the Stralsund Mining Authority authorized the construction and operation of the offshore section of the Nord …

U.S. troops prevented a confrontation with Russian military in Syria similar to the one that resulted in the death of Russian mercenaries from a United States air strike in February. Secretary of Defense James Mattis stated this on Tuesday, March 27.

“Russian elements” moved along the line of demarcation to the east of the Euphrates River, to the territory where parties can conduct operations,” Mattis said. However, he said that they came too close to the positions of U.S. soldiers. Chairman …