Section: The Japan Times (Japan)
Ukraine rattled by Russia troop movements as separatists vote
Separatists in eastern Ukraine held elections Sunday as claims of “intensive” troop movements crossing the Russian border cast new doubts over a truce. The vote in the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic and Lugansk People’s Republic was condemned by Kiev and the West, but backed by Russia, billed as bringing a degree of...
EU, Russia, Ukraine reach breakthrough gas accord
Russia agreed Thursday to resume gas deliveries to war-torn Ukraine through the winter in a European Union-brokered, multibillion dollar deal signed by the three parties in Brussels. In a hard-fought accord the EU hopes will ease the broader crisis over Ukraine, Russia agreed to ensure supplies until the end of March. “I’m glad that...
Poland says it will bolster its eastern military capacity amid Russia tensions
Poland plans to increase its number of troops in the country’s east amid tension with Russia over the conflict in neighboring Ukraine, Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said Tuesday. “We’d like to reinforce our units in Poland’s east,” which borders Ukraine, he told Polish public radio. He added that it was “too early” to go...
Russia to recognize Ukraine rebel votes, Lavrov says
Russia plans to recognize elections being organized next weekend by rebels in east Ukraine in defiance of the government in Kiev, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview on Tuesday. “We expect the elections will go ahead as agreed, and we will of course recognize the results,” Lavrov told Izvestia daily ahead of Sunday […] The post...
After poll, Kiev sets sights on European-style reforms
As Ukraine’s most ardently pro-European parties pocketed a resounding collective election triumph Monday, thoughts turned to a reform agenda that promises pain and progress in equal doses. Although the outcome of Sunday’s vote is partly the fruit of a surge in anti-Russian sentiment, Moscow says it will recognize the result and urged...
Residents of Ukraine rebel city live underground for months
Ever since fierce shelling in east Ukraine’s rebel stronghold Donetsk forced her to flee her home four months ago, Svetlana, a grandmother, has been living underground. “I’ve spent four months in this bomb shelter,” she said, cradling her 19-month-old grandson. “Whenever I go out, I risk being killed by a shell.” Standing around her...
Darth Vader runs into trouble in Ukraine election
Darth Vader is in trouble in Ukraine — again. A candidate posing as the iconic villain from the “Star Wars” movies already had his Ukrainian presidential ambitions thwarted by suspicious authorities in May. But the scary man from the dark side of the Force was not going down without a fight. An impressive six Darth […] The post Darth Vader runs...
Ukraine votes for pro-West parties, peace talks
Pro-Western and nationalist parties swept Ukraine’s parliamentary election Sunday, exit polls showed, in a boost for President Petro Poroshenko’s anti-corruption reforms and his promise to make peace with pro-Russian rebels. The results indicated overwhelming consensus on Ukraine’s bid to steer from Russia’s orbit onto a...
Ukraine separatists turn backs on parliament election
Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine spurned a parliamentary election being held Sunday, saying they already knew the results: more war. “There is nothing good to expect from these elections in Ukraine. War, bombardments, all this horror will continue,” said Natalia, 42, a resident of the main separatist-held city Donetsk. There were no...
Ukrainians vote in election likely to strengthen Poroshenko’s mandate
Ukrainians voted Sunday in an election that is likely to install a pro-Western parliament and strengthen President Petro Poroshenko’s mandate to end separatist conflict in the east, but may fuel tension with Russia. Voting started on a cold but sunny morning in Kiev in the first parliamentary election since street protests in the capital...
