Section: Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand)
Vladimir Putin defiant over economy, Ukraine in annual phone-in
President Vladimir Putin tried to reassure Russians over the ailing economy and said Washington wanted “vassals” rather than allies in his annual phone-in on Thursday (Friday NZT), but offered no new financial remedies and gave no ground over Ukraine. …read more Source:...
Clashes rage in Ukrainian town, making mockery of truce
To reach rear-guard government positions in the seaside town of Shyrokyne, Ukrainian soldiers gingerly wind their off-roaders through private gardens hugging a precipice along the Azov Sea. …read more Source:...
Body count from world’s bloodiest wars spikes in 2014
The war in Ukraine and extremist violence contributed to a spike in the death toll from the world’s most brutal conflicts last year, analysts say. …read more Source:...
Vladimir Putin says plan to take Crimea was hatched before referendum
Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he ordered officials to start work on taking control of Crimea weeks before a referendum which, the Kremlin has asserted until now, prompted the region’s annexation from Ukraine. …read more Source:...
Top US General: Time to consider arming Ukrainian forces
The top US military officer has expressed openness to providing weapons to Ukrainian forces, joining a growing number of senior American officials who say greater US involvement may be needed in Kiev’s fight against Russian-backed separatists. …read more Source:...
Leaders threaten Russia with tougher sanctions
US President Barack Obama and European leaders warned Russia that they were ready to step up sanctions if there were further violations of a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine, officials said. …read more Source:...
Ukraine devalues already near-dead currency
Ukraine came under greater economic pressure after unexpectedly banning most currency trading and then abruptly reversing course, wreaking havoc on the hryvnia, just as a truce in the east took hold on Wednesday, local time, with no combat fatalities reported. …read more Source:...
Kerry hints Russia sanctions decision could come soon
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday, local time, additional sanctions against Russia are “teed up” should events in eastern Ukraine warrant them, and he suggested a decision may come soon. …read more Source:...
Putin pressures Ukraine, ignores sanction threat
Russian President Vladimir Putin evoked “genocide” in accusing Ukraine of cutting natural gas flows to areas mired in a separatist conflict as the European Union and the US warned of more sanctions if the crisis escalates. …read more Source:...
US: ‘Major decisions coming’ on Iran, Ukraine and Islamic State
The Obama administration is on the cusp of major decisions on Ukraine, the Islamic State and Iran, US Secretary of State John Kerry told senators today, though he declined to specify the direction in which those decisions are heading. …read more Source:...
