US Department of State Special representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker has said that Russia has two options for action in the Donbas, but denies the possibility of the situation transforming into a long-term conflict.

Volker said this during a briefing at the US Department of State, reports Voice of America.

"Look, I think it’s a binary choice for Russia. Would it like to create another frozen conflict, occupied territory, like Abkhazia or South Ossetia or Transdniestria, which…carries with it …

The State Duma Deputy, Mikhail Degtyarev, has expressed the opinion that the report by the New York Times on the possible ban of the Russian anthem at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea is a "provocation" aimed at "demoralizing the Russian national team." He stated it in a conversation with R-Sport.

 In his opinion, "the provocation of the New York Times is aimed at demoralizing the Russian national team, all sports officials, and putting pressure on our country and the International Olympic …

From January to October 2017, Ukraine increased its imports of hard coal and anthracite that is 1.8 times greater than the same period last year. According to data from the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, the increase amounts to $2.15 billion worth of coal imports, UNIAN reports.

According to the statistics of the State Fiscal Service, the main supplier for this period was Russia with 55.7% or 1.2 billion dollars’ worth of coal. The second largest supplier of coal is the USA with 25.4% or 546. …

After Russia’s annexation of Crimea, 3991 of the 13468 Ukrainian military personnel moved to mainland Ukraine. This was the Defense Ministry’s response to MP Dmitry Tymchuk’s question.

“We inform you that on 1 March 2014, 13468 military personnel served in the military units and institutions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine based in the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, of them 4637 were officers and 8831 were privates, sergeants and petty officers. 3991 military personnel came to …

Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski, after a visit to Lviv, said on Polish radio that he had “no optimistic news for the president.”

According to Waszczykowski, the decision on the visit of the President of Poland to Ukraine belongs to Andrzej Duda.

“I want to present to the president what I saw and what I heard in Lviv during the talks yesterday and the day before yesterday. I can only say that I do not have optimistic news for the president,” Waszczykowski said.

At the same time, …

On November 6, in the Lithuanian Seimas, ambassadors of the countries participating in the Eastern Partnership Program presented the so-called “Marshall Plan” – the EU's financial assistance plan to help Ukraine.

According to the plan, politicians are offering to allocate 50 billion euros to Ukraine for the promotion of small and medium-sized businesses. This would begin in 2018 and extend over a period of ten years.

“I would like to emphasize that this was first Lithuania’s plan to help …

The extent to which Russia withdraws its forces in Syria after victory over Islamic State will depend on how the situation develops, but both bases will probably remain, Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov told RIA Novosti.

In March 2016, President Vladimir Putin decided to withdraw most of the Russian Aerospace Forces following the successful completion of their missions. However, Russia did not renounce its commitment to supply the Syrian government with weaponry and military equipment …

The Ukrainian company Luhansk Energy Union (LEU) said that as of Monday 6 November, inhabitants of the Luhansk province will have no water supply due to the waterworks’ debt, as reported by the TV channel 112 Ukraine with reference to the LEU’s statement.

According to the TV channel, power to the Petrovsk pump station of the Popasna waterworks which supplies the inhabitants of the Luhansk province will be switched off. The LEU’s report notes that the company’s leadership has repeatedly asked …