Section: US & Canada
EU Extends Sanctions Against Yanukovych, 15 Associates
The European Union has extended an asset freeze against former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and 15 of his close associates for alleged misappropriation of state funds. …read more Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio...
A Ukrainian plane company is threatening to overtake defense giant Lockheed Martin
Liz Kaszynski/Lockheed MartinUkraine has lost Crimea, and much of its eastern border region as well, to invading troops from Russia. But could this beleaguered country soon book a win in the airplane market? Several recent news items suggest that it could — and that it could do this at Lockheed Martin’s expense. Last month, we relayed to...
The US Air Force is losing ground to Russia and China
via U.S. Air ForceThe Air Force’s top general is warning Congress that one day soon the U.S. might not be able to keep pace with Russia and China when it comes to producing and fielding next-generation fighter jets. In two Capitol Hill appearances this week, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh sounded the alarm about the advancements...
Ukraine Peace Process Flounders
There has been no breakthrough in the latest diplomatic attempt to implement a peace deal in eastern Ukraine, but observers say the so-called Minsk agreements are not “dead” yet. In Paris on Thursday, foreign ministers from France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine — the so-called Normandy Format — tried to get the peace process back on...
France Calls for Timetable for Ukraine Prisoner Exchange, Elections
France’s foreign minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, called for a timetable for elections in eastern Ukraine and for release of prisoners on Thursday after meeting with his counterparts from Germany, Russia and Ukraine. While there has been no breakthrough in the region, VOA’s Nike Ching reports there is a concern Russia is using the talks...
Gazprom Goes Hat in Hand to China for a Loan
Gazprom is having cash flow problems, which is why it turned to the Bank of China for a 2 billion euro loan this week. The FT reports: The Russian state-controlled gas group agreed the five-year loan — one of the largest ever from a Chinese lender to a Russian company — with Bank of China’s London branch at a meeting in Shanghai on...
What Ukraine needs now
Two years ago, the people of Ukraine toppled the criminal and tyrannical regime of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych after police opened fire on protestors in Kyiv’s Independence Square. Over 100 people were murdered for making one simple demand of their government — that Ukraine’s citizens be treated with dignity. Those...
High school whiz kid was 23-year-old Ukrainian man
Artur Samarin stayed in the U.S. after his visa expired and spent four years as Asher Potts. …read more Source: Toronto...
Ukraine To Stay Out of EU and NATO For 20 Years, Says Jean-Claude Juncker
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has dashed Ukraine’s hopes of joining the EU and NATO anytime soon, estimating that it will take at least two decades before the former Soviet state is a member of either. “Ukraine will definitely not be able to become a member of the EU in the next 20-to-25 years, and not of NATO...
Russia threatens U.S. with further sanctions after Obama prolongs penalties
Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday said Moscow reserves the right to reciprocate against Washington after President Obama this week renewed sanctions imposed as a result of the 2014 annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. “We regret to note that the United States continues to enthusiastically play the anti-Russian...
