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EU: the draft bill on the Anti-corruption Court contradicts Kyiv’s commitments
The European Union formally criticized the Presidential Administration over the President’s submission of the draft bill on the Anti-corruption Court (ACC) contrary to Kyiv’s promises and the recommendations of the Venice Commission, according to a written statement by the EU press secretary published by Evropeiska Pravda.
Brussels recalled that their Ukrainian partners repeatedly made the commitment to establish the ACC.
“The establishment of a truly independent and effective Anti- …
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Ukraine adopts Donbas reintegration bill calling Russia ‘country-aggressor’
On Thursday, January 18, the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) approved in the second reading and overall the draft law "On the specifics of the state policy on securing the state sovereignty of Ukraine on the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions" submitted by President Poroshenko.
The law recognizes Russia as an aggressor state. At the same time, the deputies refused to support the proposal to denounce the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership …
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Budapest: Hungary will block Ukrainian relations with NATO
Radio Liberty reports that Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, following a meeting with Chairman of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Cultural Association (KMKSZ) and Verkhovna Rada MP Vasyl Brenzovich, stated that Hungary will not help facilitate a meeting between the defense ministers of NATO and Ukraine.
According to Szijjártó, Hungary's position remains unchanged; Budapest will not support the European aspirations of Kyiv while it "violates European and international law."
The …
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Russia calls Ukrainian bill on reintegration of Donbas ‘preparation for war’
The bill on the reintegration of Donbas, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in the second reading, legally allows Kyiv to solve the problems in the region by force, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the joint operational headquarters, the creation of which is envisaged by the bill, will be able to use the armed forces “against civilians throughout the country” and “without the formal introduction of martial law.”
“Poroshenko is receiving …
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Ukraine and Georgia to pull together for EU and NATO membership
Ukraine and Georgia should unite their efforts to achieve joint goals: membership in the European Union and NATO, said Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
"Our states have common challenges, and therefore we should unite our efforts to respond to them and achieve our goals... Our main goal is full membership in the European Union and NATO. In this context, it is very important to pool our efforts so that it does happen," Kobakhidze stated at …