Section: Main news
Biden to Ukraine: “The United States stands firmly with the people of Ukraine”
“Today Russia is occupying sovereign Ukrainian territory. Let me be crystal clear: the United States does not, will not, [and] never will recognize Russia’s attempt to annex the Crimea,” US Vice President Joe Biden said in a December 8 address to Ukraine’s parliament.The parliament gave Biden a standing ovation. Geoffrey...
The IMF Outfoxes Putin: Policy Change Means Ukraine Can Receive More Loans
Today the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will reverse its “policy on not lending into arrears.” Historically, the IMF has refused to lend to any country that has not serviced its debt to any sovereign. The IMF staff started contemplating a rule change in the spring of 2013 because nontraditional creditors,...
Nord Stream 2: Downgrading Europe’s Security of Supply Where it Matters
Nord Stream 2 is the latest Russian incarnation meant to bypass Ukraine and bring its gas directly to the European border. It would double the existing Nord Stream capacity to 110 billion cubic meters/year with two additional strings between Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea. In spite of a recently signed shareholders agreement between...
Putin’s Goal is a New Yalta
I recently met with Ilya Yashin, a Russian opposition leader, political activist, and former colleague of the assassinated politician Boris Nemtsov. When I asked Yashin what the West could do to help those brave enough to defy the Russian regime, his main point was that governments and organizations must support Ukraine.The reason is obvious:...
Take It to the Next Level: Create a Biden-Poroshenko Commission
Ukraine has made great strides in the last two years. The democratic and pro-Western Ukrainian leaders that gained power in February 2014 have returned democracy to Ukraine and have conducted three free and fair elections at all levels of power. The Ukrainian nation has come together and successfully defended itself against Russian aggression....
Biden in Ukraine to reaffirm US support
US Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Kiev late Sunday to reassure its pro-Western leaders that Washington remains committed to Ukraine despite stepped-up efforts to work with Russia against Islamic State jihadists. …read more Source:...
Putin-Erdogan: from friends to foes?
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin have suffered a ferocious falling-out that will harm relations for years to come. ||| Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin, leaders with remarkable similarities who built a new era of cooperation between Turkey and Russia, have suffered a ferocious falling-out that will harm relations for years to...
Vega launcher with Ukrainian engine was successfully placed into orbit LISA Pathfinder satellite
A Vega light rocket with the Ukrainian engine carrying the European Space Agency’s Lisa Pathfinder was successfully placed into orbit LISA Pathfinder satellite of the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission lifted off from the Ensemble de Lancement Vega (ELV) launch pad at the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) or Guiana Space...
We hope Russia will complete Minsk Agreements – US Secretary of State John Kerry Press Availability at NATO
Secretary of State @JohnKerry Press Availability at @NATO – https://t.co/WaZ8KcKIR2 pic.twitter.com/SlNaU6STVA — U.S. Embassy Kyiv (@USEmbassyKyiv) December 2, 2015 Secretary of State John Kerry Press Availability at NATO, December 2, 2015 Now, it is no secret that NATO faces a series of security challenges from all directions – from...
Minimizing the Kremlin’s Influence on Europe
Ukraine can play a key role in Europe’s effort to decrease dependence on Russia’s natural gas. Europe’s over-weaning dependence on Russian energy is the focus of my new Atlantic Council study: Developing a Western Energy Strategy for the Black Sea Region and Beyond. Gazprom’s—and Moscow’s—energy clout has become a...