Section: News & Summaries

      Kiev: Russia threat to democratic world

      President Petro Poroshenko told an international conference that Russia remained a treat to the “entire democratic world”. ||| Kiev – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told an international conference on Friday that Russia remained a treat to the “entire democratic world” but that he held out hope a new truce with pro-Moscow insurgents...

      ‘We’re afraid of terrorism, disease’

      A potent mix of fear, ignorance and Islamophobia is fuelling widespread opposition in eastern Europe to taking in refugees. ||| Gabcikovo, Slovakia – A potent mix of fear, ignorance and Islamophobia is fuelling widespread opposition in eastern Europe to taking in refugees despite EU pressure for a new quota system.In Gabcikovo, a village on...

      Juncker appeals to Europe on refugees

      EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker appealed to European countries to share out a wave of refugees crowding in on their frontiers. ||| Strasbourg – European Union chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker appealed to European countries on Wednesday to share out a wave of refugees crowding in on their frontiers, but at the same time promised tougher...

      Reforms Will Succeed, But They Alone Won’t Save Ukraine
      Sep09

      Reforms Will Succeed, But They Alone Won’t Save Ukraine

      Will Ukraine make it? Conditions necessary for Ukraine’s current reform drive to succeed look more promising than they did in 2013. Not only does Ukraine now have its most pro-European parliament and reform-oriented government since independence in 1991; it’s also seen at least four other significant shifts in domestic politics that,...

      Russia from Ukraine to Syria: Helping the Cat Down the Tree
      Sep09

      Russia from Ukraine to Syria: Helping the Cat Down the Tree

      Russia’s military involvement in Syria and Ukraine obligates the United States and its European allies to bring the Kremlin back to Earth and recognize that such adventures cannot be sustained indefinitely. Russia simply does not have the money and human resources to do so in view of low oil prices and birth rates. It will find itself...

      Kremlin Uses Minsk Protocol to Undermine Ukraine Government
      Sep09

      Kremlin Uses Minsk Protocol to Undermine Ukraine Government

      In peacetime, September 1 is an eventful day for Ukrainian children—it marks the first day of school. But the war in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, now in its second year, has put a dark stain on this usually festive occasion. This year, Ukrainian kids in Kyiv started school following violent protests outside Parliament. On August 31, a...

      ICC gets wider scope in Ukraine probe

      Ukraine has granted wider juristiction to ICC prosecutors to investigate possible war crimes committed during Russia’s annexation of Crimea. ||| Amsterdam – Ukraine granted wider jurisdiction to the International Criminal Court on Tuesday that will enable ICC prosecutors to investigate possible war crimes committed during...

      Aid for farmers hit by Russia sanctions

      The EU announced a 500 million euro aid package to provide relief for farmers stung by slumping prices, triggered partly by the loss of exports to Russia. ||| Brussels – The European Commission announced a 500 million euro ($557 million) package of measures on Monday to provide relief for farmers stung by slumping prices, triggered partly...

      Russia threatens Ukraine trade embargo

      Ukraine sought political support from NATO as talks with Russia in Brussels failed to bridge differences over a trade deal. ||| Brussels – Ukraine sought political support from NATO on Monday as talks with Russia in Brussels failed to bridge differences over a trade deal at the heart of east-west tensions and Kiev said Moscow was...

      Anti-government protests hit Moldova

      Protesters who camped in the Moldovan capital demanding the resignation of the president and snap elections. ||| Chisinau – Moldovan opposition protesters on Monday pitched around 100 tents in the centre of the capital Chisinau, demanding the resignation of the president and snap elections after a big weekend demonstration.The tents went up...