Section: KXAN (USA)
Russian diplomat slams “destructive” US stance
MOSCOW (AP) — A senior Russian diplomat on Friday accused the U.S. administration of taking a “destructive” stance in bilateral relations and warned that Moscow could deal “painful” counterblows. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Secretary of State John Kerry breached “diplomatic ethics” when he told U.S. lawmakers earlier this...
Soviet army monument banned from returning to Warsaw street
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Warsaw city councilors have banned a 1945 monument of Polish-Soviet brotherhood in arms from being returned to its place on a city street. The move, a reversal of their own previous decision, comes as ties between Warsaw and Moscow are strained over the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The councilors voted 51-2 late Thursday to...
Ukraine government forces, rebels withdraw heavy weapons
NOVOAMVROSIIVSKE, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian and Russian-backed separatist forces drew back some heavy weapons from the front line in the east Friday in compliance with a cease-fire deal, although officials in Kiev accused rebels of falling short of requirements. Separatist fighters moved rocket launchers to a location 70 kilometers (43 miles) back...
Reports: Ukraine says it paid $15 million for Russian gas
MOSCOW (AP) — Ukrainian gas company Naftogaz says that it has paid $15 million for another month of Russian gas after fears escalated that Moscow could cut off supplies. Interfax-Ukraine news agency quoted Naftogaz’s executive, Andrei Kobolev, as saying that the company had paid for gas supplies from Russia for the month of March....
NATO ready to advise Libya on security, eyes more drones
ROME (AP) — NATO’s chief said Thursday the alliance was ready to advise Libya’s government on defense and security issues, saying the deteriorating situation in the country is posing new security threats for Europe that require a more robust defense. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also told a news conference in Rome that the...
Ukraine will start pulling back heavy weapons in the east
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s military said it would start pulling back its heavy weapons Thursday from the front line with Russian-backed separatists as required under a cease-fire agreement. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that it reserved the right to revise its withdrawal plans in the event of an attack by rebel forces,...
Russia could cut off gas to Ukraine by ‘end of week’
MOSCOW (AP) — A spokesman for the Russian gas giant Gazprom says the company could cut off supplies to neighboring Ukraine by the end of the week, barring further payments. Sergei Kupriyanov said in televised remarks Thursday that “if no new funds are received from Kiev, then naturally we cannot continue delivering gas to Ukraine.” Following a...
Think tank: Some NATO countries cutting defense spending
BRUSSELS (AP) — Despite stern talk and solemn pledges from NATO, a British-based think tank says some alliance member nations are cutting their spending on defense. In a report released Thursday, the European Leadership Network said Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Hungary and Italy are all on track to reduce military expenditures in 2015. In...
Russian court refuses to release Ukrainian prisoner
MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian court on Wednesday refused to release a Ukrainian prisoner whose fate has attracted global attention. Moscow’s City Court turned down an appeal by Nadezhda Savchenko’s lawyers, ruling that she should remain behind bars pending an investigation. Savchenko, a Ukrainian military officer captured by Russia-backed...
Cyprus signs military deal with Russia
MOSCOW (AP) — Cyprus on Wednesday signed a deal with Russia allowing its navy ships to make regular port calls on the island. The deal with European Union member Cyprus, which also hosts British military bases, comes amid Russia-West tensions over Ukraine, the worst since the Cold War times. Russian President Vladimir Putin said after...
