Section: The Guardian (The United Kingdom)
Ukraine rebels say they cannot ‘morally’ stop fighting government troops
Struggle for the rail junction of Debaltseve in east Ukraine involves ‘internal territory’ and therefore separatists will fight on despite ceasefire agreement, says spokesmanPro-Russian separatists cannot “morally” stop fighting for the town of Debaltseve in east Ukraine because it is “internal territory” and must respond to fire from...
West must learn to live with Putin, former MI6 head warns
Sir John Sawers says provoking the Russian president risks deepening the security crisis facing EuropeSir John Sawers, the former head of MI6, has warned against stepping up pressure on Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, over Ukraine and said any change in power in the Kremlin “may well be for the worse”.The west would have to learn to live...
Russian resurgence: how the Kremlin is making its presence felt across Europe
Moscow is influencing policy and shaping opinion all over the continent, with ties to both the far right and the hard leftComing off the early shift at Hungary’s sole nuclear power station on the Danube south of Budapest, Jozsef, a 30-year-old turbine engineer, is grateful to have a relatively secure job that pays considerably more than the...
There’ll be no peace while Putin is squatting in Ukraine’s living room | Timothy Garton Ash
Unless Moscow withdraws and Kiev regains control of its eastern frontier, we could see a Syria in Europe“Never again!” Europeans cried after the first world war. Then it happened again. “Never again!” Europeans cried after 1945; then it happened again. “Never again!” Europeans cried after Bosnia, in 1995, and now it has happened again. I hope as...
Shakhtar Donetsk’s refugees providing escapism for war-torn Ukraine
The Ukraine goalkeeper Andrei Pyatov concedes that the fighting in east Ukraine has affected Shakhtar but says, ‘our task is to play and give people hope and good feelings’• Shahktar Donetsk say armed men have occupied offices• Fifa apologises for video showing Crimea as part of RussiaThe dressing room talk of Shakhtar Donetsk last week was...
Ukraine ceasefire in tatters as fighting escalates in east
Pro-Russia forces and government fight for control of Debaltseve, with Ukrainian military saying rebels have fired on its troops 112 times in last 24 hoursFighting has escalated in eastern Ukraine as government and pro-Russia forces struggle for control of the besieged town of Debaltseve, leaving the new ceasefire in tatters on its second day.The...
Russia’s answer to Sinatra added to new EU sanctions list
Sanctions slapped on 19 individuals and nine organisations including popular singer Joseph Kobzon, Russian military leaders and Ukrainian separatistsThe EU has sent a tough message to President Vladimir Putin that it intends to keep up the pressure over Ukraine by slapping sanctions on three senior Russian military leaders, prominent Ukrainian...
First day of Ukraine ceasefire deal still sees fighting
Kiev and breakaway republics say ceasefire mostly being observed, but mortar fire is heard east of Luhansk on highway to DebaltseveThe fighting in east Ukraine dropped in intensity on Sunday, but the first day of a ceasefire deal still saw fighting, especially around the contested town of Debaltseve.The deal to end the conflict, which has killed...
Residents of eastern Ukraine divided over chances of ceasefire holding – video
Civilians in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk had mixed feelings on Sunday after a ceasefire came into effect at midnight. Although residents went about their day without the sound of artillery fire, some weren’t optimistic about the chances that peace would last. Despite quiet in Donetsk, steady shelling resumed on Sunday morning in...
Ukraine points towards the start of a tumultuous new era in world politics | Dmitri Trenin
As Vladimir Putin achieves his minimal goal in Minsk, Russia is isolated from Europe and the US but spreading its reach to new alliancesAfter the ceasefire negotiated in Minsk, a peace settlement in eastern Ukraine remains distant. Most of the points in the agreement, including Ukraine’s constitutional reform and the resumption of...
