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US Special Representative for Ukraine: Russia motivated only by sanctions
In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker called the outgoing year the most violent since the beginning of the conflict in the Donbas, saying that sanctions against the Russian Federation should continue.
In addition, Volker called the impression that the crisis in eastern Ukraine was over "absolutely mistaken".
"The year 2017 was the most violent year. The number of violations of the ceasefire has increased, the number of dead …
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Putin: Russia’s economic growth will outpace the world
Speaking at a rally of the ruling party, United Russia, President of Russia Vladimir Putin stated that the Russian economy will grow faster than the world economy.
“Economic crises and foreign restrictions prevented us from achieving the task of our economy surpassing the world economy in terms of growth. But we must do this. And we will do this,” the President promised. Putin also said that he expected Russia to bridge the gap between it and the world’s leading countries in terms of GDP per …
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Moldovan parliament approves the bill banning Russian news broadcasts
On December 22, the Moldovan parliament voted again for the bill banning Russian propaganda, which the country's president, Igor Dodon had previously refused to sign, reported Noi.md news website.
Maxim Lebedinsky, the Moldovan president’s legal advisor said that this project is contrary to the Constitution and has nothing to do with ensuring the information security of the country. He also stated that the provisions of the document contradicted the European Convention on Human Rights.
" …
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Russia agrees to pay $15 million fine to International Olympic Committee
The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) has agreed to pay $15 million to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the development of a global anti-doping system, as stated by the head of the ROC, Alexander Zhukov, reports TASS news agency.
"We will pay. There is a contractual process currently in process with the IOC, and a payment deadline will be established," he reported.
On December 5, 2017, the IOC Executive Committee decided to suspend the membership of the Russian Olympic Committee, …
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European countries call on Russia to return representatives to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination in Donbas
Germany and France have called for Russian officers to return to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire in the Donbas. A joint statement was signed on December 23 by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, reports Radio Liberty.
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed anxiety over the withdrawal of Russian representatives from JCCC.
"This measure [is] yet another attempt at undermining security of the monitors’ work …