The Verkhovna Rada approved participation of NATO soldiers in exercises in Ukraine

On Thursday, 19 January, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved the holding of exercises in 2017 with the participation of NATO armed forces in the country. 236 of 329 MP’s present at the meeting voted in favor of the proposed law approving the decision of Petro Poroshenko. The remaining members did not vote, as indicated on the Rada’s website.

According to the addendums to the proposed legislation on the website of the Ukrainian parliament, the proposal for the international training …


Interpol rejects Russia's request to put Chief of Ukraine’s General Staff on wanted list

Interpol has refused to place Viktor Muzhenko, the Chief of Ukraine’s General Staff, on the international wanted list at Russia’s request, as was stated during a press conference by the head of the Ukrainian Interpol Bureau, Vasyl Nevolya.

According to him, the same decision was made regarding Russia’s request to search for the ex-governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ihor Kolomoyskyi, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Arsen Avakov. "The answer was the same... it is contrary to Interpol’s …


Polish Foreign Minister: It will be hard for EU countries to protect themselves against Russia without U.S. assistance

The Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Witold Waszczykowski, stated at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Europe will have to persuade the United States, led by Donald Trump, to remain committed to its allies. Otherwise, it will be hard for European countries to protect themselves against Russia without Washington’s assistance.

“We need to persuade the United States to stay with us because Europe will not be able to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine without America on its side. We …


Media: Italy discusses return of Russia to the G8

Italy, which currently holds the presidency of the Group of Seven (G-7), favored the return of Russia to the summit, which would once again make the group the G8, Corriere della Sera reported.

The G-7 summit will take place on May 26th-27th, in Taormina. The number of the forum members hasn’t been confirmed yet. However, according to the edition, the Italian authorities are discussing Russia’s participation in this forum.

This issue was also raised at the meeting between the Head of the …


Non-oil-and-gas exports from Russia fell to a seven year low

The Russian export of goods excluding oil, gas, and oil products decreased by another 10% in 2016, as reported by the Central Bank of Russia.

Despite the authorities' statements about success in the development of non-mining sectors of the economy, the volume of non-oil exports totaled $128.3 billion, the lowest since 2009.

According to the Federal Customs Service of Russia, over the past 11 months the export of machinery fell by 1.5%, mechanical equipment by 29%, chemical products by 23.7%, …