Section: National Post (Canada)
Leonid Bershidsky: Europe is losing its resolve on Russian sanctions
Each time the European Union’s sanctions against Russia come up for renewal, there’s speculation that some countries might break ranks and vote against the trade and financing restrictions. There will probably be no deserters this time around either; but a softening of the sanctions is on the cards in the near future. In December, the...
Canadian ambassador fears Ukraine conflict could drag on for decades
OTTAWA — Canada’s top diplomat in Ukraine is worried the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has resulted in a new Cold War between Russia and the West, could drag on for years or even decades. Wikimedia Commons But while advances have been made in stamping out corruption in the police and government, Ambassador Roman Waschuk says...
‘This song is about our tragedy’: Crimean Tatars celebrate Ukraine’s Eurovision win as Russians cry foul
KYIV, Ukraine — Crimean Tatars on Sunday celebrated Ukrainian singer Jamala’s win at Eurovision with a song that sheds light on their horrific deportations to Central Asia under Soviet dictator Josef Stalin but also hints at their recent treatment under Russian President Vladimir Putin. Many Russians, whose Eurovision Song Contest entry won...
Ukraine celebrates ‘brilliant operation’ recovering stolen Italian paintings worth $23.7 million
KIEV, Ukraine — The 17 precious paintings stolen from a museum in Verona, Italy, including works by Tintoretto, Rubens and Mantegna, have been recovered by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies in what the nation’s president hailed Wednesday as a “brilliant operation.” President Petro Poroshenko said the recovery of the stolen art estimated to...
Ukraine celebrates ‘brilliant operation’ recovering stolen Italian paintings worth $23.7 million
KIEV, Ukraine — The 17 precious paintings stolen from a museum in Verona, Italy, including works by Tintoretto, Rubens and Mantegna, have been recovered by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies in what the nation’s president hailed Wednesday as a “brilliant operation.” President Petro Poroshenko said the recovery of the stolen art estimated to...
Couple whose three children died in the downing of flight MH17 welcome baby girl
Maslin Family handout, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade via AP SYDNEY, Australia — An Australian couple whose three children were killed in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Ukraine two years ago has welcomed a new baby, saying the birth has given them faith that love trumps hate. Anthony Maslin and Marite Norris,...
Federal government resists calls to end Ukraine visa requirements
OTTAWA — The federal government is resisting calls to follow the European Union’s lead and begin lifting visa requirements for Ukraine. Representatives from Canada’s largest and most influential Ukrainian lobby group made the request during a meeting with Immigration Minister John McCallum this month, arguing that visa-free travel for...
Leonid Bershidsky: Ukraine gets a new government, same corrupt politics
When he resigned on Sunday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said he was proud of his government’s achievements. They will, he predicted, be appreciated in due time. That may be so, but just now he is one of Ukraine’s most despised men, someone who failed to make the country more European but instead made deals with...
Government and business leaders around the world respond to fallout from Panama Papers leak
FRANKFURT, Germany — Governments around the world tried Tuesday to contain the fallout from the publication of thousands of names of rich and powerful people who conducted offshore financial activity through a Panamanian law firm. China dismissed as “groundless” reports that relatives of current and retired politicians, including President Xi...
Here is what the ‘Panama Papers’ tell us about the embattled President of Ukraine
Analysis Reports based on the Panama Papers – a collection of leaked documents from a Panamanian law firm – suggest that the president of Ukraine attempted to use an offshore company for a pre-sale restructuring of his business. Our initial analysis suggests, though, that there is no direct evidence of major wrongdoing. The incident will,...
