Kiev, Ukraine | Xinhua | The Russian Armed Forces have attacked multiple locations since Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized on Thursday morning “a special military operation” in Donbass. Moscow expressed its willingness to talk with Kiev with a focus on obtaining a guarantee of neutral status and non-deployment of offensive weapons …
Read More »Putin authorizes “special military operation” in Donbass region
Moscow, Russia | Xinhua | Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday authorized “a special military operation” in the Donbass region, and Ukraine confirmed that military targets across the country were under attack. “Our plans do not include the occupation of Ukrainian territories. We are not going to impose anything on anyone …
Read More »France, Germany mediating in Ukraine crisis through shuttle diplomacy
Paris, France | Xinhua | France, which is holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, and its ally Germany have been engaged in shuttle diplomacy, trying to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis. Following his visits to Moscow and Kiev on Monday and Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron met …
Read More »Turkey, Ukraine vow to boost cooperation amid COVID-19 pandemic
ISTANBUL, Turkey | XINHUA | Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday pledged to enhance cooperation in a wide range of areas amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Ukraine and Turkey are ready to develop their strategic partnership in every field in which they have mutual …
Read More »Ukraine to cooperate with Poland to boost European integration
Kyiv, Ukraine | XINHUA | Ukraine and Poland intend to cooperate to further deepen Ukraine’s relations with the European Union and boost bilateral economic cooperation, the two countries’ presidents, Volodymyr Zelensky and Andrzej Duda, said following their meeting in Kiev on Monday. According to a joint statement released on the …
Read More »Ukraine swaps prisoners with rebels ahead of Orthodox Easter
Kiev, Ukraine | AFP | Ukraine’s government on Thursday swapped prisoners with Russia-backed separatists in the war-torn east of the country, ahead of Orthodox Easter celebrations. Twenty people who had been held captive in two breakaway regions were handed over to the government, Kiev said. Separatists took back 14 prisoners but …
Read More »Historic Trump impeachment trial to begin in earnest
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump’s historic impeachment trial begins in earnest Tuesday in the Senate, with Democrats calling for his removal from office and Republicans determined to acquit him — and quickly, if possible. Four months after the Ukraine scandal exploded and went on to overshadow the …
Read More »Russia and Ukraine finalise gas transit deal ahead of NYE deadline
Kiev, Ukraine | AFP | Moscow and Kiev on Monday signed a five-year agreement on the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine, after months of difficult talks but just ahead of a looming New Year deadline. The current gas transit deal between the two ex-Soviet countries expires Tuesday and …
Read More »Ukraine rivals to exchange prisoners in controversial swap
Kramatorsk, Ukraine | AFP | Ukrainian authorities and pro-Russian separatists in the war-torn east of the country are expected Sunday to swap dozens of prisoners in a frontline operation that stirred controversy in Kiev. As part of the swap, Kiev is expected to hand over to separatists several riot policemen suspected …
Read More »Trump impeachment: what you need to know ahead of the vote
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump is facing a likely impeachment vote in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. Only two US presidents have been impeached — Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998 — although both survived a trial in the Senate that would …
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