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Well-known Russian writer Roman Roslovtsev seeks asylum in Ukraine
On August 21, the State Border Service of Ukraine reported that "a well-known Russian writer and public figure" asked for asylum due to political persecution in Russia. As Novaya Gazeta reported, this man is Roman Roslovtsev.
As Roslovtsev explained in an interview to Hromadske Radio, he asked for political asylum in Ukraine because of persecution by the Federal Security Service (FSB). According to him, he can no longer continue his protest activities in Russia. He also added that he arrived …
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Former Estonian PM: Compared to Ukraine, Estonia 'got off easy'
The pattern of events in Ukraine is similar to those of Estonia around the statue of the Soviet soldier—the so-called “bronze night”—several years before it was dismantled. However, the price that the Estonian community had to pay was relatively low. Former Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip expressed these sentiments to DELFI.
“This tension lasted for years. It has been stoked deliberately for many years and this is a culmination. If we had not solved this problem in 2007, the price that …
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Russia to stop using Iranian airbase
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has announced that Russia has stopped using the Hamedan airbase for the time being, Reuters reported.
Last week, Russian Tu-22M3 and Su-34 bombers took off from the Iranian airbase to carry out airstrikes in Syria, drawing condemnation from Washington and some lawmakers in Tehran. Critics claim the arrangement violates Iran’s constitution which forbids "the establishment of any kind of foreign military base in Iran, even for peaceful purposes".
Hossein Dehghan, …
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Moscow is ready to engage the leaders of Israel and Palestine in direct negotiations
The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin assured him of Moscow’s readiness to hold direct negotiations with the leader of Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a report on Al Watan’s online portal.
“Russian President Vladimir Putin informed me that he is ready to meet with Mahmoud Abbas and Benjamin Netanyahu in Moscow to hold direct negotiations,” El-Sisi said. The …
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Iranian Defense Minister: Iran will not purchase S-400 air defense systems from Russia
The Minister of Defense of Iran, Hossein Dehghan, stated that Iran isn’t going to buy Russian S-400 air defense systems, although Moscow offered such weapons to Tehran, Tasnim reported. According to Dehghan, Russia offered S-400s and other air defense systems to Iran but Tehran declined.
The Minister reported that Iran has voluntarily withdrawn a lawsuit against Russia over undelivered S-300 systems.
“However, Iran retains the right to legally reopen the case if the S-300 air defense systems …
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Ukraine may sue Gazprom for up to $50 billion
Ukraine can be awarded approximately 50 billion dollars from the Russian gas company, Gazprom, in the Stockholm arbitration, as was stated during an interview with Andriy Kobolyev, the Chief Executive Officer of Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz, on TV Channel 5, Ukrinform reports.
"In September of this year we will have a final hearing of the case on the gas purchase and sale contract in Stockholm. After that, within six months of the completion of all procedures, we will have a …
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Eastern Ukrainian separatist leader proposes prisoner exchange
On Sunday, August 20, the head of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) Igor Plotnitsky sent a proposal to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on a possible exchange of prisoners of war.
Plotnitsky suggested that Kiev be the first to release imprisoned separatists. The head of the self-declared republic that he would be prepared to release Ukrainian POWs the following day. He also added that the leader of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, agreed to …
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Erdogan tells Poroshenko Turkey doesn't recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko have discussed the situation in the Crimea during a telephone conversation, the press service of Ukrainian President reported.
“Recep Tayyip Erdoğan assured Petro Poroshenko of the stance of Turkish authorities on support of independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine in its internationally recognized borders. Erdoğan also stated that the Republic of Turkey doesn’t recognize the occupation of the …
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Advisor to Ukraine's MIA is confident Clinton would provide Ukraine with lethal weapons
Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Zoryan Shkiryak is sure that if Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton becomes the next US President, Ukraine will receive lethal weapons.
According to the 112 Ukraine TV channel, Shkiryak said that a lot depends on the results of the elections in the United States and expressed the hope that the Democrats win.
"I am convinced that Clinton made the corresponding statement that during her presidency, Ukraine can be given lethal weapons," …
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Yildrim: Turkey is open to allowing Russia to use NATO's Incirlik airbase
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said Ankara would not object to allowing Russia to use the Incirlik airbase to carry out airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State, Anadolu reported.
Responding to question posed by journalists, Yıldırım said Russia has not requested use of the base.
“Turkey opened Incirlik airbase to fight Islamic State terrorists. It is being used by the US and Qatar. Other nations might also wish to use the airbase, which the Germans are also now using,” Yıldırım …