• Merkel sees no reason to ease sanctions against Russia

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel sees no reason to ease the sanctions against Russia.

    According to Reuters, this was stated by the German Deputy Government Spokesperson, Christiane Wirtz.

    On Tuesday, the German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that some European Union (EU) countries are skeptical about extending sanctions against Russia. He also said that it was not clear whether or not the EU would extend them.

    “I can only say that the Chancellor is in constant communication …

  • Final comprehensive package of aid to Ukraine could be approved during meeting of NATO defense ministers

    NATO officials have reacted positively to the Strategic Defense Bulletin adopted by Ukraine. This was reported by the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. Radio Liberty reported that she took part in the NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting held in Brussels on the 1st of June.

    “NATO have welcomed the Strategic Defense Bulletin and they are really hoping that all intentions and plans stated in the document will be implemented,” …

  • Ukraine offers joint production of rocket engines with US to replace Russian models

    Ukraine has proposed a joint development and production of a rocket engine designed to replace Russian models that are currently used for the launch of U.S. military satellites, Radio Svoboda reported.

    On the 31st of May, the Head of the State Space Agency of Ukraine, Luybomyr Sabadosh stated that he proposed a plan to replace Russian RD-180 rocket engines during his visit to the U.S.A. Congress decided to stop using RD-180 engines until 2019.

    “This is a challenging task but we can handle it,” …

  • Ukraine begins criminal proceedings over power bridge between Russia and Crimea

    A criminal case is being investigated under the article ‘Violation of the order of entry in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and departure from it.’

    As was reported by the General Prosecutor’s office to the weekly Tyzhden, the Security Service of Ukraine, under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Kherson region, has started criminal proceedings based on the construction of a power bridge to Crimea by Chinese vessel JIAN JI 3001.

    "Despite the existing ban, the …

  • Mingarelli to become next EU Ambassador to Ukraine

    The European External Action Service has finally decided on a candidate to replace Jan Tombiński as Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine. Italian citizen Hugues Mingarelli, who prevailed over other candidates in internal competition, will become the new Ambassador to Ukraine, European Pravda reported.

    “Since 2012, Mingarelli has been responsible for the 'hot' Mediterranean region in the European External Action Service, including Syria, where full-scale civil war continues …