The US urges Russia to return Crimea to Ukraine
On the occasion of the second anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea, US State Department spokesman John Kirby issued a statement which reiterated the US's commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
"The United States does not accept Russia's 'referendum' on March 16, 2014, and does not recognize an attempt of the annexation of Crimea, which violates the international law," a press release by the United States Foreign Service stated.
Kirby stressed that since …
Russian State Duma considering draft to 'rigorously punish' those who insult the President
A bill is currently being drafted in the Russian State Duma "On protection of honor and dignity of the President of Russia". According to Izvestiya, the initiative was taken by LDPR Duma Deputy Roman Khudyakov.
Today, insults against any Russian official, including the President of the country, are included in the Common Article 319 of the Criminal Code (Insulting the authorities). The article imposes various penalties up to 1 year of correctional labor. The Deputy proposed to elaborate a …
Canadian Foreign Minister: We will continue to support Ukraine in its struggles against Russia
Canada, together with the international community, will support Ukraine in the fight for the return of Crimea, as stated by the Foreign Minister of Canada, Stephane Dion.
"Canada, together with our international partners, supports Ukraine. We will continue working with our partners to put pressure on Russia to force it to adhere to international obligations regarding the respect for the human rights and Ukrainian sovereignty as well territorial integrity," Dion said as quoted by UKRINFORM. …
Bill on countering Russian propaganda presented in the US Senate
A new bill aimed at strengthening Washington’s efforts in countering propaganda and misinformation spread by Russia, China and other countries, was presented in the US Senate. The bill, entitled Countering Information Warfare Act of 2016, was created in response to calls by the US Congress, European governments and NATO to strengthen forces to counter misinformation campaigns.
The new US legislation, developed by the United States Senator from Ohio, Rob Portman and the United States Senator …
Ukrainian MFA: Ban of Crimean Tatar Mejlis is reminiscent of forced deportations in 1944
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign affairs, the attempts of the Russian-Crimean authorities to ban the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People is evidence that Russia is attempting to oust the Crimean Tatars from the occupied Peninsula, Interfax-Ukraine reported.
"We regard the plans for the banishment of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People on the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea to be a deliberate imposition by Moscow of a sentence on the presence of the Crimean Tatar people …