EU lifts most sanctions against Belarus

The European Union (EU) has finally lifted the sanctions against 170 citizens of Belarus, as well as three Belarusian companies.  The decision was adopted by the Foreign Ministers of 28 countries at a scheduled meeting of the EU Council.  This was reported by the Brussels correspondent of Radio Liberty, Rikard Jozwiak, via Twitter.

"The Foreign Ministers of the EU have decided to exclude 170 people and three Belarusian companies from the sanctions list.  The embargo on arms supplies still …


Klimkin: Ukraine will Address the Issue of Russian Transit in Accordance with International Law

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Pavlo Klimkin, stated that Kiev will address the issue of the blockage of Russian trucks at the border in accordance with international law, but also in terms of Ukrainian national interests, Interfax reported.

“Each aspect should be considered separately on the basis of the rules of international law. We are a State based on the rule of law and we will not act like Russia; but at the same time, we will take care of our interests. Russia will not be …


Poland asks US for Help with Investigation into Plane Crash that Killed President Kaczynski in 2010

Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said that on Monday, during his visit to the U.S., he will ask for Washington's help with the investigation into the Smolensk disaster that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski in 2010.

"We'll ask whether the U.S. has any data that could be useful in the investigation of the crash... Perhaps their satellites recorded something at the moment of the disaster, or whether U.S. intelligence has received information which could be important," as quoted …


Finland concerned about possible influx of refugees to Russia

The President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, has said that Russia could face the same influx of refugees that Turkey is witnessing.  This was reported by Interfax on the 14th of February, with reference to a statement made by Niinistö in the Finnish edition of MTV News during the Munich Security Conference.

"If Turkey closes its border, or its running stream is under control, the uncontrollable wave of people will move somewhere else," Niinistö said.  "In this sense, Russia could become the next …


Pro-Russian separatists are no longer in a hurry to hold elections in Eastern Ukraine

The leaders of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) previously stated that they sought to hold elections in the spring. A representative of the so-called LPR, however, recently said that the elections can be conducted no sooner than December.

Vladislav Deinego, the representative of self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic, made the announcement during the forum entitled "Minsk Agreements as the Basis of Donbas Sovereignty".

According to Deinego, …