Contents tagged with Russia
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Former U.S. Ambassador John Herbst: Extradition of Firtash would be good for Ukraine
The extradition of billionaire Dmytro Firtash to the United States of America, if it really happens, would be a good sign for Ukraine, as stated by the former United States Ambassador to Ukraine, John Herbst, in his interview with the Voice of America. He recalled the negative role played by Dmytro Firtash in Ukrainian-Russian relations.
"Firtash was a businessman and was associated with the corrupt deals between the Kremlin and the leaders in Ukraine – the corrupt gas deals,” John Herbst …
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Russia is ready to discuss the creation of safe zones in Syria with the US
The Kremlin is ready to discuss creation of a safe zones in Syria with the USA, however any such plan must be agreed upon with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a press conference in Moscow on February 22, reported Radio Liberty.
Lavrov further stated that he had briefly discussed this topic with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson when they met last week in Germany, however, Tillerson told him that the concept of the creation of such safe zones was …
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Japan voices protest against Russia over plans to station division in the Kuril Islands
The Government of Japan has voiced protest over the Russian Defense Ministry’s plans to place a division in the Kuril Islands within the year. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced the official position at a press conference, reports Nikkei media outlet.
According to Suga, the strengthening of Russia's military presence on the Kuril Islands "is incompatible with the position of Japan." Suga also added that the issue would be discussed at a meeting of the foreign and defense …
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Swedish Foreign Ministry: Sanctions on Russia will not be lifted until the Crimea is returned to Ukraine
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Margot Wallström, stated in an interview with Dozhd that European sanctions imposed against Russia will be maintained as long as the Crimea remains under Russian control.
“Our sanctions, the decision on which was made by the European Union, were imposed due to the events that took place in the Crimea… The territory was illegally taken from another European country. This is prohibited by the European security policy,” Wallström said.
“Our sanctions …
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Montenegro accuses Russia of trying to destabilize the Balkans
Former Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Đukanović accused Russia of trying to destabilize the situation in the Balkans. He stated on the 21st of February that pro-Moscow groups “deployed a lot of destructive material in Montenegro” in the attempt to organize a coup.
“A new puppet government would serve only the interests of Moscow, which wants to send a message to Europe and NATO, that they can’t expand to the Balkans without Russian consent,” said Đukanović, who was the initiator of his …
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Russia to form four new divisions in 2017, including in the Kuril Islands
The Russian Ministry of Defence plans to complete the formation of four new divisions in 2017, and included in this will be the protection of the Kuril Islands. This was announced on February 22 in the State Duma on the television show “Parliamentary Hour” (Parlamentsky Chas) by Minister of Defence Sergey Shoygu, TASS reported.
“This year we hope to fully put in place three divisions on the western border and in the southwest. We are actively protecting the Kuril Islands. We must place a …
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Poroshenko: The threat posed by Russia persists
In a speech to the key military personnel, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko claimed that at present the threat of a full-scale military invasion by Russia in Ukraine remains unchanged, and that the buildup of Russian military presence near the Ukrainian border has continued.
Poroshenko made the comments during a speech to senior personnel at the information-collection headquarters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kyiv, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.
"The threat of a full-scale Russian …
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Russian military created an 'information operations force'
The Russian armed forces have created an information operations force, which will be tasked in counter-propaganda, Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu said, speaking on Wednesday in the Russian State Duma, as reported by Interfax.
“An information operations force has been established that is more efficient and stronger,” Shoygu said, responding to a question about the need to recreate the administration, which would be engaged in counter-propaganda.
"Propaganda must be smart, competent and …
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National Bank of Ukraine strengthened measures to prevent capital outflow to Russia
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has tightened measures to prevent capital flows to the Russian Federation, according to the central bank's website.
The statement outlined that "from now on, the National Bank has the right to refuse to issue individual licenses for certain foreign exchange transactions, if information in submitted documents reveals that either the participant or the person in whose favor the operation is carried out is a person who resides in a country that is recognized by …
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Edrogan to discuss supply of S-400 with Putin
Press Secretary for the President of Turkey Ibrahim Kalin announced the meeting topics for Recep Tayyip Erdoğan when he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, set to take place in the beginning of March.
During the meeting the leaders will discuss the numbers and supply of the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, according to him.
“Negotiations are currently ongoing for the S-400, to solve many technical aspects. The administration and the president are closely following the …