The Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko, in an interview with Ukrinform, provided the reasons for the failure to withdraw forces in the Donbas.

Prystaiko admitted that in Ukrainian society withdrawal of the troops deeper into Ukraine is perceived as a retreat. "To move away deeper into our territory is painful," he said. The Minister noted that now it is "a hot topic that causes a lot of emotions" in Ukraine.

"The Ukrainian Armed Forces were withdrawing, but the Ukrainian government, …

The Russian Black Sea Fleet started escorting the US Navy destroyer USS Porter, which entered the southern part of the Black Sea, reports TASS news agency, citing the Russian National Defense Management Center.

The Center notes that constant monitoring of the American battleship is carried out by the forces and means of the Black Sea Fleet. The Russian Admiral Essen frigate, small rocket ships Vyshny Volochyok and Orekhovo-Zuyevo, are involved in direct monitoring l of the ship's maneuvers. …

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said that Ukraine is in a crucial stage of preparing an exchange of three groups of prisoners with Russia, reports Radio Liberty.

"This process is at a crucial stage. But I can't report either how many people or the dates of the exchange," said Prystaiko.

Prystaiko added that he does not talk about the dates and number of citizens for exchange because, in such a process, any word can "play a dramatic role," not in favor of the prisoners. Answering …