Kremlin preparing for sanctions on Russian Mir payment system

The Bank of Russia is preparing for sanctions to be imposed on the Mir national payment system, which has been rolled out on a mandatory basis for all state employees. Preparation has been underway since August, when reports came out that the US may intensify its sanctions on Russia, stated Svetlana Romashkina, deputy head of the Central Bank’s national payment system department, at a meeting with bankers on Thursday. According to her, work was begun after the sanctions were announced “on TV”. …


Russia pays Ukraine court expenses for Yanukovych debt case

Russia has reimbursed Ukraine for the court fees paid previously in the case concerning the repayment of a $3 billion bond – the so-called Yanukovych debt, Interfax-Ukraine reported, citing its own sources.

The source did not specify the amount, but noted that it had been paid in full.

On September 14, the London Court of Appeal ruled that the Yanukovych debt case was to be fully reviewed. In this way, Ukraine won its appeal on the previous instance’s ruling.

In autumn 2013, after Viktor …


Finland accuses Russia of GPS failures during NATO exercises

The Finnish Foreign Ministry said that they agree with the conclusions of the Norwegian military that the interference in the GPS navigation system during the NATO exercises was caused by Russia. Nevertheless,  in a statement published on its website, the Ministry said that it believed it was  inappropriate to disclose details of this case to the public, it was stated  .

As noted by the ministry representative, the authorities continue to investigate the incident and are currently discussing …


Putin: Normandy format meetings before the elections in Ukraine meaningless

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his briefing to the Russian media, stated that meetings in the Normandy format before the presidential elections in Ukraine, which will take place on March 31, are meaningless.

“At the moment, meeting in the Normandy format during the election campaign that is taking place in Ukraine, is pretty much meaningless because today’s Ukrainian authorities have not shown any desire to comply with the Minsk agreements. They do nothing to implement these …


Kyiv: Ukraine has arrested 15 ships for visiting closed Crimean ports

Ukraine has already arrested or placed other restrictions on 15 foreign vessels that have visited the closed ports of Russia-annexed Crimea, said Oleh Slobodyan, assistant to the head of Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service (SBGS), Radio Liberty reports.

Ukraine’s border guards take actions when they see that ships are entering Ukraine’s economic sea zone or ports.

“Already 15 vessels have been placed under arrest or other restrictions. These are all vessels that have violated Ukraine’s …