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OSCE expresses regret that Russian observers are banned from monitoring Ukraine's presidential elections
OSCE Secretary General, Thomas Greminger, expressed regret and concern regarding decision to ban Russian citizens from being official observers at the 2019 elections in Ukraine, reports Interfax-Ukraine.
“I share the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) director's regret and concern because it is not very good not to follow the structure of the monitoring methodology,” he said.
Greminger noted that he follows with interest what is happening in Ukraine. However, he …
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Estonia puts forward territorial claims against Russia
The city of Ivangorod in Russia’s Leningrad region and part of the Pskov region belonged to the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic, and should be returned to Estonia, said Henn Polluaas, deputy chairperson of Estonia’s Conservative People’s Party, as reported by Sputnik.Estonia.
“Russia took these territories from us by force. Of course, we would not be able to take them back by force. But we have waited 50 years for the restoration of our independence, and we can wait longer and longer. …
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European Committee for the Prevention of Torture condemns Russia for human rights abuse in Chechnya
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture accused Russia of not cooperating on the situation in Chechnya and two other republics of the North Caucasus, Mediazone reported with a reference to the Committee's statement.
The organization stated that torture in Chechnya shows the failure of the republic's authorities to fulfill their duties, as well as to the lack of state control over the situation. The committee believes that Russia does not recognize the seriousness of what is …
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Latvia builds a 93 km fence on the border with Russia
The news outlet f Delfi reports that Latvia has completed the construction of a 93-kilometer stretch of barbed wire fence on the border with Russia.
The construction project includes a fence with a length of 193.6 km, and also wooden footpaths, patrol booths, and culverts. The height of the fence is 2.7 meters, and the total cost of construction is 21.168 million euros.
As of December 31, 2018, 207 km of border zone was equipped and 93 km of the fence. The entire border zone is expected to be …
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US to start producing components for missiles prohibited by Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
The US intends to start producing components for ground-based cruise missiles after it withdraws from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, announced US Defense Spokesperson Michelle Baldanza on Monday, 11 March.
Previously the US could not engage in such production due to its obligations under the INF Treaty, the Pentagon spokesperson added. She noted that the components will be produced as part of a research program, which could be canceled “if Russia returns to full and …