Ukraine: Construction of Kerch bridge by Russia violates international law

Russia is violating international maritime law by constructing the Kerch bridge in occupied Crimea, which will cause a reduction in trade between Ukraine and other countries.

Such an opinion was expressed by the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies (CACDS), Interfax-Ukraine reported.

As noted in the CACDS statement, contrary to the reassurance given by Russia’s political leadership, the construction of this facility will restrict the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and …


Muzhenko: Russia’s Zapad-2017 military exercises threaten NATO

The Zapad 2017 exercises have a broader context than it has been announced by Russia. They have the goal of preparing the Russian forces for offensive action, and are a threat both to NATO and to the states of the post-Soviet space, stated Viktor Muzhenko, Chief of the General Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.

“We are considering various scenarios of enemy action, including offensive action,” he noted.

According to …


Russia accuses U.S. of seizing its diplomatic facilities

In a statement posted on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website on Sunday , Russia has accused the U.S. of seizing its Consulate-General in San Francisco and a trade mission in Washington.

 “On September 2, U.S. authorities seized buildings of the Russian Consulate-General in San Francisco and a trade mission in Washington, which are Russian property and have diplomatic immunity. Russian representatives were also denied access to the leased premises of a trade mission in New York,” the Russian …


NATO exercises with participation of Ukrainian military begin in Georgia

NATO Agile Spirit 2017 multinational military exercises began in Georgia on September 3, reported News-Georgia news agency.

The Agile Spirit exercises have been held annually since 2011. They are one component in an effort to improve Georgia’s cooperation with the U.S. and NATO. The purpose of the exercises is to improve the interaction between the Georgian military and its counterparts from the United States and partner countries, as well as improve preparedness to respond to crises and …


Lithuanian ambassador to Ukraine: Lithuania concerned about human rights violations in Crimea

Lithuania is extremely concerned about human rights violations in the annexed Crimea, including the rights of the Crimean Tatars, with whom Lithuania has close historical ties.

Ukrinform reports that Lithuanian Ambassador to Ukraine Marius Janukonis, who took part in the 4th Baltic-Black Sea Economic Forum as part of a delegation led by the Lithuanian Seimas Chairman Viktoras Pranckietis, spoke about this topic on September 1 at a briefing in Kherson.

"This is the first such visit at the …