Section: The Malaysian Insider (Malaysia)
Nerves over Russia overshadow Estonian election
Estonians vote Sunday in an election marked by nerves in the vulnerable Nato member over a militarily resurgent Russia and a popular pro-Kremlin party, but opinion polls suggest the centre-left coalition is poised to return to power. Moscow’s annexation of Crimea last year and its meddling in eastern Ukraine has galvanised the EU...
Ukrainian journalist killed in shelling despite ceasefire
A Ukrainian journalist was killed by shelling in east Ukraine on Saturday, his newspaper said, even as the Ukrainian military reported a significant drop in rebel attacks, boosting hopes for a two-week-old ceasefire. Photographer Serhiy Nikolayev died after artillery fire struck near the village of Pesky, northwest of the rebel-held city...
Ukraine mourns slain Russian opposition leader Nemtsov
Kiev today paid homage to slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was gunned down in Moscow hours after calling on people to protest against Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine. President Petro Poroshenko, writing on Facebook, called Nemtsov a “bridge” between the two countries in troubled times. “I remember his...
Ukraine leader says troop deaths ‘serious breach’ of truce
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko declared the killing of three government troops by pro-Moscow rebels a “serious breach of the ceasefire”, during a telephone call yesterday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, her office said. “The firing by separatists on Ukrainian troops who were withdrawing constitutes a serious breach...
Russian opposition leader Nemtsov shot dead near Kremlin
A Russian opposition leader and fierce critic of President Vladmir Putin, Boris Nemtsov, was shot dead by an unidentified attacker who fired multiple rounds at the politician as he was walking in central Moscow late yesterday. The murder of the 55-year-old politician, who has been an outspoken critic of Russia’s involvement in Ukraine,...
US spy chief predicts spring attack on Ukraine port
Russia wants to secure a land corridor in eastern Ukraine that could include Mariupol but pro-Moscow rebels may wait until the spring to attack the strategic port city, the US spy chief said yesterday. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s aim was not to seize all of Ukraine but to carve out territory linking up with the Crimean peninsula,...
US fury towards Putin remains amidst UN-backed Ukrainian ceasefire
A UN-backed ceasefire showed signs of finally taking hold in Ukraine on Wednesday, even as the United States accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of destabilising the country through land grabs. Wednesday was the first day since the truce took effect 10 days ago that no deaths were reported on the front, but the relative peace was met...
Kiev says cannot withdraw heavy weapons as attacks persist
Kiev accused pro-Russian rebels of opening fire with rockets and artillery at villages in southeastern Ukraine on Monday, all but burying a week-old European-brokered ceasefire deal. The Ukrainian military said it could not pull weapons from the front as required under the tenuous truce, as long as its troops were still under attack…....
Ukraine, pro-Russia rebels swap dozens of prisoners
Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists have exchanged dozens of prisoners in east Ukraine, a Ukrainian Security Council aide confirmed on Sunday, a step towards implementing an internationally brokered peace deal. Reuters reporters in the village of Zholobok, 20km west of the rebel stronghold of Luhansk, saw more than 130…...
Ukraine conflict to dominate talks as Kerry lands in London
US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in London today for meetings with his British counterpart, and a senior official said they would discuss possible penalties that could be imposed against Russia if violence in eastern Ukraine continues. The senior US official said the Ukrainian conflict was expected to dominate the talks between...
