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Moldova protests Russian exercises in Transnistria
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova expressed discontent with Russian diplomats concerning recent exercises conducted by Russian troops in the territory of Transnistria.
On 18 August, the Ministry gave a statement indicating that the exercises are "illegal, provocative and inadmissible." The statement notes that the exercises are focused on "undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Moldova.
The Ministry reiterated Chisinau’s demand that Russia withdraw its troops and …
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Russia's PARNAS opposition party will not campaign in the Crimea without Ukraine's permission
Candidates to the State Duma of the Russian Federation from the PARNAS party will not campaign in the Crimea without Ukraine’s permission, as stated by the Krasnodar branch of the party.
“We will take Ukraine’s advice and will act according to international law. PARNAS will not campaign in the Crimea,” the statement on the official page of the branch stated on the social network, Vkontakte.
Earlier the Ukrainian Director-General of the Directorate General for Policy and Communications, …
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Putin: Ukraine is unwilling to implement the Minsk Agreements
Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a meeting with the members of the Security Council in the Crimea, accused Ukraine of its "unwillingness or inability" to implement the Minsk Agreements regarding the settlement of the conflict in the Donbas. According to him, this explains Ukraine’s "provocative acts" in the Crimea.
At the same time Putin expressed hope that this is not Ukraine’s "final choice" and that "common sense will prevail."
Putin also stated that Moscow is not going to sever …
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WTO rules against Russia on pork ban
The World Trade Organization has supported the EU in the another trade dispute with Russia, RBC reports.
The panel of arbitrators at the WTO ruled that Russia’s ban on importing European pork is contrary to the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
In early, 2014 Russia imposed a ban on imports of live pigs and pig products from all EU countries, referring to the outbreak of African swine fever in Lithuania and Poland.
The WTO concluded that the ban on pork …
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Russia's Permanent Representative to NATO: Military buildup in Crimea is not directed against NATO
The build-up of Russian military forces in the Crimea is not directed at anyone, including NATO. According to RIA Novosti, this was said by Russia's Permanent Representative to NATO, Alexander Grushko.
“Somehow, there exists a kind of contrived element of intimidation of public opinion if we talk about the perception of what we are doing in the Crimea. NATO is actually well aware that a very serious Russian component has always been present in the Crimea at all times,” Grushko explained. …