Lavrov: Moscow's recognition of breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine would be 'counterproductive'
The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has said that recognizing the independence of the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) in eastern Ukraine would be “counterproductive” at the moment. He said this during an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda.
“Recognizing the independence of the DPR and the LPR is counterproductive. It will give the West a reason to stop pressuring Kiev to implement the Minsk II agreements,” TASS quoted Lavrov as saying.
Lavrov also …
European Broadcasting Union delegation arrives in Ukraine to discuss Eurovision 2017
A delegation of the European Broadcasting Union arrived in Kiev to discuss the terms and conditions of the Eurovision song contest which will be held in Ukraine next year, Ukrainskie Novosti reported with reference to the Minister of Culture, Yevhen Nyshchuk.
"Today, in Ukraine, a delegation of the European Broadcasting Union arrived,” Nyshchuk said.
According to him, the delegation is meeting with the National Television Company.
The Ukrainian contestant, Jamala, won Eurovision 2016 in …
Trial of four Crimean Tatars begins in Russia
Hearings on the “Case of Hizb ut-Tahrir”, in which four Crimean Tatars are accused of participating in an international terrorist organization, have begun in Russia’s North Caucasus District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don, Korrespondent.net reported.
The defendants include Ruslan Zeytullaeva, Ferati Sayfullaeva, Rustem Vaitova and Nuri Primova.
Charges were initially filed against the four Crimean Tatars on April 28th. They were arrested last winter in the Crimean city of Sevastopol.
Russia …
NATO Liaison Officer: NATO will increase its practical assistance to Ukraine
At the summit in Warsaw, NATO will decide to increase its practical assistance to Ukraine, according to the NATO Liaison Officer in Ukraine, Alexander Vinnikov, Evropeyskaya Pravda reported.
“We expect… a joint political declaration, which confirms the unwavering support of NATO towards Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Vinnikov said during an interview with Segodnya.ua.
“The adoption of the comprehensive support package will increase our practical assistance to Ukraine. It …
Nearly 30,000 Ukrainians have enlisted in the army this year
More than 29,500 people have enlisted and signed contracts with the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of 2016. Of this amount, 3,000 are officers. This was reported by the press center of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According the agency’s Facebook page, the placement of these contract servicemen in the military units was implemented according to the “maximum quality at optimum quantity” principle.
“The priorities in these placements remain unchanged. The first …