Volker: Russia has been violating the Minsk Agreements every day for the last four years

US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker stated on Twitter that Russia has long been violating the Minsk Agreements without cease.

"Four years ago, Russia signed the Minsk Package of Measures with the first point being a February 14 ceasefire. About a week later Russia and its proxy forces seized Debaltseve,” Volker said. "In the four years since, Russia has continued to violate the Minsk Agreements every day.”

On February 12, 2015, because of negotiations in Minsk, participants of …


Russian parliament passes 'sovereign internet' bill on first reading

Russia’s State Duma has reviewed and passed the bill “on the reliable Russian internet”, also known as the “sovereign internet” bill, on its first reading. 

The bill is intended to “ensure the reliable operation of the Russian segment of the internet in the event of disconnection from the global infrastructure of the World Wide Web”. 

The document was authored by Andrey Klishas, chairperson of the Federation Council’s committee on constitutional legislation, his first deputy Lyudmila Bokova, …


Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov warns Pompeo against sanctions for Skripals poisoning

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have recently spoken over the phone at the latter’s initiative, the Russian foreign policy department reported on Tuesday. 

The officials discussed two main topics. 

The first was the possible imposition of new sanctions on Russia due to the poisoning of former GRU agent Sergey Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the UK. Lavrov warned that this would cause further deterioration in the two countries’ relations and …


Expert: Poland foiled Russia’s plans in Baltic Sea

A Polish anti-ship coastal defense missile division has “buried once and for all” Russia’s hopes of controlling the maritime transport routes in the Baltic Sea. In an article for Defence24, Polish military expert Maksymilian Dura explained why he believes that Poland is the only regional power capable of influencing the development strategy of Russia’s Baltic Fleet.

“The most notable reaction of the Baltic Fleet was caused by the appearance of Polish NSM anti-ship missiles… which are capable …


Ukraine sends a note of protest to Italy after DPR representative office opens in Verona

The Ukrainian Embassy to Italy  reported on Facebook that a note was sent to the Italian Foreign Ministry regarding a DPR (Donetsk People's Republic) representative office which opened in Verona. 

It is noted that the Ukrainian embassy condemns and considers the support of pro-Russian militants in Italy unacceptable, in particular, the opening of a DPR representative office in Verona on February 9th. 

“In connection with, the Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine presented …