Tag: Russia

(Window on Eurasia – Paul Goble – Staunton, April 21, 2014) The Geneva accords represent “a complete victory” for Vladimir Putin and “the complete capitulation of Europe and Ukraine,” which when translated out of diplomatic language gives the Kremlin leader “a mandate” to seize as much of Ukraine as he wants, according to Yuliya Latynina. On her Saturday evening program […]

(opendemocracy.net – Roman Osharov – April 14, 2014) Roman Osharov is a Moscow-based freelance journalist. His work has appeared in Voice of America’s Russian Service, The New Times magazine and Slon.ru Ukraine’s border and security officials are applying a restrictive policy on Russians entering the country, particularly male Russians of military age, and reporters In early February Andrei Yurov, a […]

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Sergei Markedonov, political scientist – April 21, 2014) The crisis in Ukraine has demonstrated the weakness of post-Soviet states, which should not be forced into making “either-or” choices between one side or another. The only way for these states to forge a productive future is to engage with both the West and Russia […]

LUHANSK, April 18 (RIA Novosti) – Federalization supporters in the eastern Ukrainian city of Luhansk are engaged in talks with the country’s acting defense minister about turning the region’s militia into a lawful unit, a leading activist said on Friday. The coordinator of local protesters, who identified himself as Oleh, said they have been in talks with acting Interior Minister […]

KIEV, April 18 (RIA Novosti) – Special operations to crack down on protests in eastern Ukraine are continuing, but have switched to an “inactive phase” following an agreement at four-party talks in Geneva on Thursday, the country’s Security Service said Friday. “In line with the Easter holidays and the Geneva agreements, operations are now in an inactive phase. Headquarters is […]

[“A fearful new world, imperiled by Russia’s subterfuge” – Anne Applebaum – Washington Post –  April 17, 2014] The Washington Post covers Russia’s reported involvement in Ukraine, including the role of Russia special forces and military intelligence: … So far, the Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine looks nothing like these battles. This war involves not soldiers but local thugs and […]

(Business New Europe – bne.eu – Harriet Salem in Slaviansk and Kramatorsk – April 17, 2014) The Ukrainian government’s military operation to disarm the pro-Russian separatists and take back the seized buildings in the east of the country is in chaos, with soldiers surrendering, abandoning materiel and fleeing in the face of a better organised and more disciplined opposition. This […]