Section: KXAN (USA)
EU leaders start consulting on new Ukraine measures
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union president is opening consultations with EU leaders to consider new steps to pressure separatists in eastern Ukraine and Russia to stick to last week’s peace agreements. EU President Donald Tusk said Friday there had been “more than 300 violations” of the ceasefire which was supposed to kick in last...
Poland: Europe seeks to counter Russian media propaganda
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s foreign minister says European nations are discussing how to counter the Russian propaganda they say is seeping into Europe through Kremlin-backed media. Observers say Russia’s foreign-language broadcasters like Russia Today television or online media are disseminating Kremlin’s views in order to...
France, Germany hold out sanctions if Ukraine accords break
PARIS (AP) — France and Germany have warned that sanctions could be leveled if the Minsk accords to stabilize Ukraine are not respected. President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel pressed for respect for the cease-fire and withdrawal of heavy arms during a joint news conference on Friday. Hollande said that “every country...
Pope calls for Ukraine cease-fire to be respected
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has called for Ukraine’s cease-fire to be respected amid fresh reports by the Ukrainian military that separatist rebels were still firing on government positions and that Russia was sending in more tanks. Francis delivered the plea for peace Friday during a meeting with Ukrainian bishops visiting Rome. He...
Ukraine says rebel attacks continue despite cease-fire
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — A Ukrainian military spokesman says separatist rebels fired on Ukrainian positions nearly 50 times over the past day, despite a cease-fire that was called into effect five days ago. Lt. Col. Anatoliy Stelmakh said Friday that the village of Kurakhovo, west of the rebel stronghold of Donetsk, was hit by fire from Grad rockets...
Russian opposition leader Navalny given 15 days in custody
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s leading opposition figure Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to 15 days in police custody for handing out leaflets in the subway. A district court in Moscow ruled Thursday that Navalny, an anti-corruption crusader who spearheaded protests against President Vladimir Putin’s rule, violated the law when he...
Ukraine finance chief: West, IMF won’t flag in bailout aid
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s finance minister rejects the idea that international bailout lenders’ efforts to help Greece might restrict their ability to support Ukraine in coming years. The International Monetary Fund last week announced a $40 billion support package for Ukraine. It includes $17.5 billion of direct IMF funding,...
Walesa: Solidarity in sanctions would change Putin’s policy
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s former president and Solidarity leader Lech Walesa believes that global solidarity in economic sanctions against Russia would lead President Vladimir Putin to change his aggressive policy. Speaking to The Associated Press on Thursday, Walesa said: “We can quickly win with Putin, but we need solidarity.” Walesa...
Polish leader holds ‘difficult’ talks with Hungary’s Orban
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The prime minister of Poland, one of Europe’s most critical voices on Russia, has held what she called “honest and difficult talks” with her Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban, who faces sharp criticism in the West for cultivating closer ties with Russia. Ewa Kopacz and Orban met Thursday in Warsaw, part of an effort...
UK defense chief says NATO must be ready because Russia poses threat to Baltics
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s defense minister says Russia poses a “real and present danger” to European security. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon’s comments come after Royal Air Force jets were scrambled to escort two Russian bombers away from British airspace after they approached the coast of southwest England on Wednesday. Prime...
