Contents tagged with Donbas
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Lavrov: Peacekeepers will never be in the Donbas
During an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that he categorically rejects Ukraine’s condition that security in eastern Ukraine be a precondition for elections in the Donbas.
"Now, security has suddenly become the main issue for Poroshenko, not only the ceasefire but also ensuring the presence of some security forces in the entire territory of the Donbas. I’d like to say: the Donbas will never agree to that," Lavrov stated.
According to the …
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Lavrov: Moscow's recognition of breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine would be 'counterproductive'
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has said that recognizing the independence of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) in eastern Ukraine would be “counterproductive” at the moment. He said this during an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda.
“Recognizing the independence of the DPR and the LPR is counterproductive. It will give the West a reason to stop pressuring Kiev to implement the Minsk II agreements,” TASS quoted Lavrov as saying.
Lavrov also …
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Separatist Leader: Elections in the Donbas will be held on our terms
The leader of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Alexander Zakharchenko, has stated that he will not adhere to the Minsk Agreements with regard to the local elections. He said this on Saturday while at a press conference in Donetsk.
“We will hold the primaries in order to gauge people’s reactions and to show the world that we are ready to hold elections without the consent of Kiev,” Zakharchenko said.
“I am not going to dance to the tune of Ukraine, France and Germany who want us …
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OSCE mission came under fire near Avdiivka
Members of the OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine came under fire near Avdiivka, according to a statement released by the mission’s head Alexander Hug.
“OSCE SMM patrol came under small arms fire in the area of Avdiivka/Yasynuvata. Nobody injured,” the Organization wrote on Twitter
Further details on the incident have not yet been released.
Avdiivka has seen heavy fighting over the last several months. Reports suggest that the distance between Ukrainian forces and members of the so- …
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OSCE Mission opens forward patrol base in Shchastia, Ukraine
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has opened a new Forward Patrol Base in the government-controlled town of Shchastia in the Luhansk region. According to the OSCE press service, the base was opened on the 25th of May and will improve the Mission’s ability to monitor the security situations in all areas.
“The new Forward Patrol Base is located less than 500 meters from the contact line. Our observers can now be closer to the areas where the most violations take place. They will …
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Putin noted the fragility of the ceasefire in the Donbas
More and more cases of ceasefire violations have been noted, and the Kremlin says the frequent violations are a threat to the continued truce in eastern Ukraine, Radio Liberty reports.
"The issue is very serious. More and more cases of violations are being noted. Unfortunately, this threatens the ceasefire. This truce is a cornerstone of the Minsk Agreements. And of course, this concern was expressed by Russian President Putin," the Press Secretary of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, said. …
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Separatists attempt to overtake Ukraine positions near Novotroitske
On Tuesday evening, Russian-backed separatists attempted to break through the Ukrainian defenses near Novotroitske, but the government forces were able to repel the attack, as reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the Facebook page of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
According to the post, separatists used infantry fighting vehicles, snipers, and grenade launchers as part of their assault on the Ukrainian positions.
“Ukrainian soldiers opened fire and shot an infantry combat vehicle of the …
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Zakharchenko: Ukrainian political parties will not participate in the primaries in the Donbas
According to the head of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Alexander Zakharchenko, Ukrainian parties will not participate in early voting in the region.
“Under no circumstances will Ukrainian parties participate in the primaries in the DPR. I know that today’s reports on early public voting has caused excitement in the Ukrainian media and has resulted in a wave of false insinuations. It is untrue that we are supposedly waiting for Ukrainian parties to participate in our elections,” …
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Switzerland sends humanitarian aid to the Donbas
Two convoys with medicine and materials for water purification were delivered from Switzerland to the east of Ukraine, as announced by the Swiss government.
As the government explained, a train carrying supplies for water treatment went from Switzerland to Donetsk on Sunday morning.
"The goods are intended for water pumping stations in the Donbas region which provide drinking water to the population on both sides of the line of contact," the message states. In addition, medical supplies, in …
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Stratfor: Washington and Moscow may be making progress in talks over Ukraine
The United States is likely making slow headway in the negotiation process with Russia on the crisis in Ukraine but this week demonstrated significant progress. Voice of America reports that this statement was released by the American analytical center Stratfor in a new analysis named "Anticipation of progress in negotiations on Ukraine."
On May 18th, Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland once again visited Moscow where she met with Russian Presidential Assistant Vladislav Surkov. This …