• Poroshenko awards Breedlove the Order of Yaroslav the Wise

    Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has awarded General Philip Breedlove the Order of Yaroslav the Wise, fifth class, Interfax-Ukraine reported. 

    "For significant contribution to the development of Ukraine's relations with NATO, and defending the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, I decree: To award the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise V class to Philip Mark Breedlove- the Allied Forces Supreme Commander in Europe," Poroshenko's decree stated.

    The Order of Prince …

  • OSCE notes the success of the Orthodox Easter ceasefire in the Donbas

    In the last three days, attacks have been minimal in the Donbas

    As was stated during a briefing by OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, the ceasefire in the Donbas, as agreed before the May holidays, is being successfully maintained, Terra Espana reported.

    "During the celebration of Orthodox Easter, a ceasefire agreement was reached and it has been successful; the number of incidents in the last three days have been reduced,” Zannier noted.

    However, he also emphasized that there has been …

  • EU Commissioner: Ukraine, Georgia and perhaps Turkey will get a visa-free regime this year

    The Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, said that Ukraine has fulfilled all obligations required for visa-free entry into the European Union (EU).

    During an interview with Radio Liberty, Hahn noted that the implementation of legislation is an essential prerequisite for Ukraine in developing its relationship with the EU.

    “I am well aware of the challenges faced by Ukraine. Armed conflict continues, there are 1.5 million people displaced …

  • U.S. Secretary of Defense introduces new NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe

    The United States Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter, introduced the newly appointed NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Curtis Scaparrotti. The event took place on the 3rd of May in Stuttgart where the U.S. European Command is based.

    Curtis Scaparrotti replaced a four-star General in the Unites States Air Force, Philip Breedlove, who resigned his post. Scaparrotti advocated for the provision of weapons to Ukraine, in particular, man-portable anti-tank missiles such as the Javelin. …

  • Armenian government to consider a legislative initiative to recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh

    The government of Armenia will debate a bill which recognizes the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, as reported on Tuesday, May 3rd on the Prime Minister’s website.

    The draft bill is included on the agenda for the May 5th session. The language of the draft bill indicates that its approval is contingent upon negotiations between Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic with "due regard for further developments and external factors." Representatives of the oppositional factions, …

  • Spain issues arrest warrant for Russian politicians with ties to Putin

    Spain has issued an international arrest warrant for Russian politicians and former officials who are closely associated with Russian President Vladimir Putin. These individuals are suspected of being involved in two organized crime groups.

    A list of these suspects was made public by Judge José de la Mata. It includes high-ranking officials who have worked, or who are still working for, Russian law enforcement agencies. It also includes individuals working in the judiciary, business, banking …

  • Russian Defense Minister announces plan to create three new divisions to counteract NATO build up

    Russia is planning to create three new army divisions to counteract the buildup of NATO forces.

    The Russian RIA Novosti agency reported that Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu made this announcement on Wednesday.

    Two new divisions will be created in the Western army district and one in the Southern.

    "The Ministry of Defense is taking a series of steps to counteract the buildup of the NATO forces in the immediate proximity of Russian borders. By the end of the year two new divisions will …

  • Czech Republic expands Foreign Ministry staff at its consulates in Ukraine

    On May 2nd, the Czech Government decided to increase the number of Foreign Ministry employees in its offices in Ukraine.

    According to the Czech Republic, this decision is aimed at speeding up the processing of applications for work permits in the Czech Republic received from Ukrainians, Radio Svoboda reported.

    In particular, this change will increase the number of Consulate officials by five people at the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Lviv.

    The increase in the number of staff in …

  • Ukrainian energy companies file suit against Russia for lost assets

    Two Ukrainian energy companies have brought a claim to the UN Arbitration Court asking for compensation for losses due to the inability to control assets in the Crimea after the peninsula was annexed by Russia, as reported by Reuters on Monday, May 2nd.

    According to the agency, the two companies involved are Ukrnafta and Stabil.

    They contend that Russia violated its obligations under the Russian-Ukrainian bilateral investment agreement by "expropriating" the investments of these companies …

  • NATO fighters intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic five times last week

    According to Postimees, NATO fighters had to accompany Russian military aircraft five times last week. The Russian planes were flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.

    On the 26th of April, NATO fighters stationed in the Lithuanian city of Šiauliai were alerted to a Su-27 plane travelling from the Kaliningrad region of Russia. It is alleged that the plane was flying without submitting a flight plan, had its transponder switched off and did not maintain connection with the Mission …