US Secretary of State supports the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s pursuit of autocephaly
The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that Washington supports “Ukrainians’ rights to pray the way they want to” and called on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and government officials to actively promote these values of “tolerance, restraint, and understanding,” according to his statement published on the State Department’s website on October 19.
"The United States reiterates its strong support for religious freedom and the freedom of members of religious groups, including Ukraine’s …
Russia accuses the US of creating false excuses to impose sanctions
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the US of creating excuses to impose sanctions.
In response to Washington's charges against a Russian woman accused of interfering in the Congressional midterm elections, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the US is leading “a shameful slanderous campaign” against Russia, which stems from the desire of some American politicians to gain the upper hand in “interparty brawls”.
“They use illegible means, including evidently ordered criminal …
Kyiv: Fewer foreign ships enter Crimean ports
The Ukrainian Ministry of Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons reports that the number of foreign ships entering the ports of the annexed Crimea has decreased since the beginning of this year.
“A total of 1207 cargo ships and tankers entered the ports and coastal areas of the occupied Crimea from August 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018,” said the ministry, adding that this refers to vessels equipped with automatic identification systems.
According to the report, 98 …
Washington: Russia can influence public opinion through RT and Sputnik
In a joint statement of the Director’s office of the National Intelligence Agency, Ministry of Justice, FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security, the United States said that Russia, China, and Iran are “attempting” to undermine the institution of democracy and influence public opinion.
The statement is published on the website of the head of national intelligence.
“We are concerned about ongoing campaigns by Russia, China and other foreign actors, including Iran, to undermine confidence …
LPR threatens to shoot down Ukrainian aicraft near the contact line in Donbas
A representative of the Defense Department of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), Lieutenant Colonel Andrey Marochko said that LPR militants would shoot down Ukrainian military aircraft if Ukrainian Armed Forces use them near the contact line in the Donbas, reports Luginform news outlet.
“The use of combat aircraft is a gross violation of the agreements reached in Minsk,” he said. According to Marochko, Luhansk has the right to shoot down air targets, which fly into the 30- …