Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia is not interested in breaking off diplomatic relations with Ukraine, RIA Novosti reported.

Speaking at a press conference following a meeting with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Lavrov said “I do not think that we are now in a situation in which someone is interested in severing diplomatic relations. This is an extreme measure.”

“I think the main thing now is to not succumb to emotions, not to fall into some extreme …

Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has discovered handwritten ledgers apparently linking Paul Manafort, the chairman of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, to more than $12 million in undisclosed payments during his time as advisor to former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, The New York Times reported.

The ledgers are currently being investigated by Ukraine’s newly-formed NABU as possible evidence of widespread corruption during the Yanukovych presidency. Investigators believe …

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stephane Dion, said in his statement that Canada found no evidence to support Russia’s recent accusations against Ukraine regarding the situation in the occupied Crimea.

“I’m concerned by the increase in tension between Russia and Ukraine, and by the actions and rhetoric that are contributing to this tension. We have seen no evidence to support recent Russian accusations. At this critical juncture, Canada calls on all parties to intensify diplomatic efforts and …

In January—July 2016 wheat exports generated revenues of $1.121 billion for Ukraine, as reported by the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine.

It was reported that Egypt has become the largest market for Ukrainian wheat, importing $217,993 million, which represents 19.43% of the total volume. Indonesia is the second at $157,785 million, representing 14.06%, and the third, Bangladesh, $135.668 million, representing 12.09% of the total volume.

Wheat imports over the same period totaled only $127,000. …

Oil trader Mercuria, the largest seller of Russian Urals oil in Poland, is closing down its oparations with Urals oil and emptying Russian oil out of its tanks in the port of Gdansk, Reuters reports.

It is noted that the oil trader will use a tanker to bring in Iranian oil. Mercuria will send more than 250,000 tons of unsold Urals oil to Asia using the super tanker Atlantas (VLCC). The same tanker will bring back two million barrels of Iranian oil to Gdansk.

According to the agency, Polish …

Gazprom, Shell, Uniper and Wintershall, which are all part of a consortium for the construction of Nord Stream 2 have withdrawn their application to create a joint venture. The group had already submitted the application to the Polish antimonopoly agency, as reported in the companies’ statement.

This decision will not affect the gas pipeline project, the report says. It also will not affect the Nord Stream 2 construction schedule.

The project will be implemented by a Swiss-registered Nord …

The Ukrainian Deputy Minister for the Temporarily Occupied Territories, George Tuka, stated on Channel 112 Ukraine that Russia is not ready for full-scale military operations with Ukraine.  

"Russia is not ready for full-scale military operations, and they have enough common sense not to do it. As for provocative actions, tactical actions with the aim to seize any locality; I suppose it may happen," Tuka said. According to him, servicemen from one of the sides may lose their composure.

"As …

Mikhail Samus, the Deputy Director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies (CACDS), claimed in an interview with Krym.Realii that Crimea may be involved in a “big operation” in terms of air and sea power. He made reference to three groups of Russian shock troops stationed in the north, east and south of Ukraine, noting that Crimean land forces are not likely to comprise a main attack.

"The support of submarines and surface vessels by cruise missiles, sea-borne troop landings, …