Section: The Malaysian Insider (Malaysia)
Fierce clashes as Ukraine MPs back more autonomy for rebels
At least 90 people, mainly police, were wounded in fierce clashes outside the Ukrainian parliament on Monday as lawmakers gave initial backing to controversial reforms granting more autonomy to pro-Russian separatists. A loud blast was heard outside the parliament building in Kiev and vast clouds of black smoke billowed into the air as…...
Hollande, Merkel to discuss EU migrant crisis, Ukraine unrest
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande will meet in Berlin on Monday to give a new push to European efforts to tackle the biggest migrant crisis in 50 years. The pair will also hold talks on the resurgence of violence in Ukraine and will be joined by that country’s president Petro Poroshenko later in the...
Ukraine leader urges unity to bring change, combat Russian ‘aggressor’
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called on all political forces in the country on Sunday to rally behind his plans for constitutional change aimed at ending a separatist conflict in the east and defeating what he termed the “Russian aggressor”. Poroshenko used a flag-raising ceremony in Kiev on the eve of Independence Day to make...
Fierce Ukraine clashes kill 10 as fears grow of broader fighting
The European Union and the United Nations on Monday expressed alarm over a spike in violence in east Ukraine that claimed 10 lives as Russia warned Kiev could be preparing a fresh offensive. The single day death toll is the highest in over a month as government troops and pro-Moscow rebels accuse each other of gearing up for a renewed…...
Ukraine artist creates Putin portrait with bullet shells
A young Ukrainian artist has captured global media attention by creating a striking portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin out of 5,000 bullet shells collected in the separatist east. Daria Marchenko’s “The Face of War”, a remarkably realistic and politically tinged depiction of Putin in a dark suit and red tie, stands...
Hollande, Putin reach agreement on cancelled warship deal
France said Wednesday it had agreed a compensation deal with Russia for failing to deliver two Mistral warships due to the Ukraine crisis, drawing to a close a months-long diplomatic and commercial spat. The fate of the ships has long plagued Franco-Russian ties following Paris’ decision in November to put the €1.2 billion (RM5.06...
Ukraine leader calls in generals after failed peace talks
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko convened his generals on Tuesday to discuss the latest failed bid to negotiate an end to clashes with pro-Russian rebels that saw seven troops killed in another wave of attacks. Poroshenko has found himself trapped between more militant Ukrainian nationalists and Western leaders who hope to see an end to...
Ukraine president accuses Putin of wanting ‘whole of Europe’
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Monday accused his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of wanting to take over the “whole of Europe” and potentially aiming his sights next at Finland and the Baltics. “Putin wants to go as far as we allow him – not only Ukraine, but the whole of Europe,” Poroshenko said in an...
After Russia’s UN veto, countries seek court for downed flight MH17 prosecutions
The five countries investigating the downing of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine a year ago are considering setting up an independent international tribunal after Russia vetoed attempts to establish a UN-backed court to prosecute suspects. Russia deployed its permanent member’s veto in the United Nations Security Council on Monday,...
Russia opens trial against Ukrainian aviator
Ukrainian pilot and lawmaker Nadiya Savchenko went on trial in Russia on Thursday in a politically charged case that could send ties between Moscow and Kiev to a new low. The 34-year-old helicopter navigator faces up to 25 years in prison for her alleged involvement in the killing of two Russian journalists in war-torn eastern Ukraine last…...
