• The last of eight new NATO mini-headquarters in Eastern Europe was opened in Slovakia

    The NATO Force Integration Unit, the last of eight mini-headquarters in Eastern Europe, was opened in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava, Radio Svoboda reported. Its main task is the preparation of rapid response measures at need. 41 servicemen—21 from Slovakia and 20 on rotation from other NATO countries—will work in the mini-headquarters. It is expected that the center will become fully operational in June 2017.

    “The signal is clear: NATO is here, in Slovakia. We are committed to protection …

  • Russia drafts new Syrian constitution

    Russian specialists have prepared a draft of the new constitution for Syria, as stated by the special representative of the Russian President on Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev.

    Lavrentiev stated that the draft constitution was given to the Syrian armed opposition for study. BBC reports that Russia is waiting for their reaction.

    "I wish to particularly emphasize: we did it solely for the reason that we want to speed up this process and to give some additional stimulating impetus without intruding …

  • Polish Foreign Ministry has declassified document from 2008 on the transition to a pro-Russian course

    The Polish Foreign Minister, Witold Waszczykowski, disclosed the details of a secret document about the country's transition to a pro-Russian course in 2008, the Polish news agency PAP reported.

    The document is dated March 4th, 2008, and is called the "Theses on the Polish policy towards Russia and Ukraine." In 2008, only four people had access to the document, among which was Radosław Sikorski, who was at that time the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

    "Even without mentioning huge economic …

  • International military inspectors note a Russian military build up near border with Ukraine

    An international military inspection was not allowed access to Russian artillery systems in the Rostov region in the area of Novocherkassk, Ukrainski Novyny reported, citing the leader of the inspection team, Oleksiy Vershygora.

    "Significant accumulation of artillery systems of various types was visually detected and have been identified. The inspection team was denied access to the facility, and they were also prohibited from taking photographs of the artillery,” he said.

    Vershygora noted …

  • The Deputy Head of Russia’s FSB Border Service accused Ukraine of provocations at the border

    On the 22nd of January, the Deputy Head of Russia’s FSB Border Service, Admiral Gennady Medvedev, accused Ukraine of violating the Russian State border and carrying out provocative actions. According to Medvedev, actions of the Ukrainian Naval Forces in the Black Sea pose a real threat to the security of maritime economic activities of the Russian Federation. Medvedev noted that Russian Security Services jointly with the Russian Navy curb such activities.

    According to him, Ukraine allegedly …