-
Volker: No Donbas elections until Russian troops are withdrawn
US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker said that Ukraine’s international partners will not pressurize it to hold elections in the Donbas while there are still Russia-controlled forces in the region.
“I don’t see a scenario where Ukraine is pushed toward holding elections while the territories remain occupied. The ‘Steinmeier Formula can only be implemented after elections have been held,” Volker told the TV channel 1+1 in an interview.
He said that in order to hold free and fair …
-
Pope welcomes prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine
Pope Francis during the traditional Sunday sermon welcomed the release of prisoners by Russia and Ukraine, reports RIA Novosti news agency.
"Last week a long-awaited exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine took place. I am pleased with the news about the released people who were able to hug their families, and I continue to pray for a quick end to the conflict and sustainable peace in Eastern Ukraine," he said.
On September 7, Russia and Ukraine exchanged the prisoners according to …
-
Turkey receives second battery of S-400 missile systems from Russia
Turkey received all components of the second battery of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, reports the press service of the Turkish Defense Ministry. The equipment was delivered to Mürted Airfield Command in Ankara on August 27.
Works on the installation of the system and training of personnel are continuing. The system should be operational by April 2020.
In 2017, Turkey and Russia signed a contract for the supply of four S-400 missile systems with a total cost of $2.5 billion. The …
-
Volker: Crimea sanctions on Russia will remain until ‘de-occupation of peninsula'
US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker said that the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia due to its annexation of Crimea will remain in force until Russia has fully de-occupied the peninsula.
When asked for his opinion on factoring Crimea out of the peace agreements pertaining to eastern Ukraine, Volker said that it is necessary to differentiate between the sanctions imposed on Russia in connection with Crimea and those relating to the Donbas.
“First of all, we imposed …
-
Russian Navy escorts US warship in Black Sea
On Sunday, September 15, the Russian Black Sea Fleet started escorting the transport ship USNS Yuma, which entered Black Sea waters at around 17:30, Interfax reports, citing Russia’s National Defense Management Center.
“The designated on-duty forces and vessels of the Black Sea Fleet are continuously tracking the American ship,” the article states.
At the end of June, the Yuma brought a battalion of US marines and vehicles to Odessa, Ukraine, for the Sea Breeze 2019 exercise. According to …