Estonia urges NATO to place Patriot anti-aircraft systems in the Baltic States
Estonian news portal Delfi reported that Riho Terras, the Estonian Defense Forces Commander, stated that the Baltic countries need Patriot missile systems to deter Russia from attacking.
He noted that insufficient air defense makes the Baltic region vulnurable to possible surprise attacks from Russia. According to Terras, NATO has the ability to increase the strength of the Air Force stationed in the region and form batteries of Patriot systems.
"For our defense capability it is very …
Kiev demands explanation from Germany after Minister suggested lifting sanctions on Russia
Ukraine has demanded an explanation following the remarks of German Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel about the gradual lifting of sanctions against Russia.
German newspaper Tagesspiegel quotes the Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, Andriy Melnyk as saying "We sent a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asking to clarify whether this view is the position of the federal government.”
He added that in Kiev "the words of Gabriel were received with bitterness and …
The US will not recognize a referendum in South Ossetia to join Russia
The US does not support the possibility of holding a referendum to allow the state of South Ossetia to join the Russian Federation. This was said by the State Department spokesman, Mark Toner, and was reported on the department’s website.
“We support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, which includes South Ossetia. This means that we do not accept any attempts by South Ossetia to break away or declare its sovereignty,” Toner said.
South Ossetia has changed the date for …
Poroshenko imposes sanctions against the heads of Russia Today and other Russian media outlets
As reported on the Ukrainian President’s website on May 27th, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a decree of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine imposing personal sanctions against the leaders of the largest Russian media conglomerates.
The sanction list includes 17 leaders of various Russian media agencies. Ukraine imposed sanctions against the General Director of Channel One, Konstantin Ernst and host Irada Zeinalova, the General Director of the TASS news Agency, …
Biden calls for the release of all Ukrainians held in Russian prisons
During a phone call with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, US Vice President Joe Biden called for the release of all Ukrainian prisoners being held in Russia, according to a statement on the White House’s website.
“The Vice President congratulated President Poroshenko on the release of Ukrainian pilot and Rada member Nadiya Savchenko and called for the release of all Ukrainians unlawfully detained in Russia,” the statement read.
Nadiya Savchenko was released on Wednesday as part of a …