Section: KXAN (USA)
Central Europe guardedly welcomes US military spending boost
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Countries in Central and Eastern Europe are welcoming a U.S. plan to quadruple military spending in Europe in reaction to Russia’s military resurgence, yet the tone from several governments appears guarded as it remains unclear how much of the spending will translate into a real and lasting presence of troops and...
Ukrainian official resigns, says reform efforts blocked
MOSCOW (AP) — Ukraine’s economy minister says routine efforts from government leadership to shoot down reforms— further damaging the country’s already crippled economy— prompted him to resign from his post. Aivaras Abromavicius wrote in his resignation letter published on Wednesday that Ukraine’s leadership lacks the political...
Ukrainian border guards stop cigarette-smuggling horses
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials say they have intercepted a small herd of horses attempting to bring thousands of euros worth of contraband cigarettes across the border from Ukraine to Romania. The country’s border guard service told The Associated Press the four horses were carrying 40 large boxes of cigarettes and an additional...
Germany’s Merkel presses Putin on Ukraine separatists
BERLIN (AP) — The German government says Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged President Vladimir Putin to use Russia’s influence with separatists in eastern Ukraine to help secure progress toward a political solution. Merkel’s office said the two leaders spoke by phone Tuesday at Putin’s request. The call came a day after Merkel...
AP Exclusive: Putin aide: Kiev refuses to honor Minsk deal
MOSCOW (AP) — Kiev has failed to meet its obligations under the Minsk peace accord and has instead introduced an economic blockade of eastern Ukraine, Russia’s security chief says. Patrushev — a longtime associate of President Vladimir Putin who serves as the executive secretary of the presidential Security Council — made the remarks in a...
AP Exclusive: Putin aide: Syrian vote must include refugees
MOSCOW (AP) — Syrian refugees should be given an opportunity to cast their ballots in the country’s future elections, Russia’s security chief has told The Associated Press, adding that the international community should focus on creating conditions for a free vote in Syria. However, demands for the immediate departure of Syrian...
Russian FM: West must persuade Ukraine to honor peace deal
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s foreign minister says the extension of Western sanctions against Russia has been interpreted by Ukraine as a permission to drag its feet on fulfilling its end of a peace deal. Lavrov said Tuesday that Ukraine is obliged to hold elections in the rebel east and give it broad rights under peace deal. The February 2015...
Romania offers Moldova $65 million loan to spur reforms
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania’s prime minister offered Moldova a loan of 60 million euros ($65 million) on Tuesday to prevent economic collapse in the impoverished ex-Soviet republic — if certain conditions are met. To get the money, Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos said Moldova will have to reform its justice system, fight corruption, sign...
Polish, Lithuanian and Ukrainian brigade to be ready in 2017
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s defense minister says that a new brigade consisting of Polish, Lithuanian and Ukrainian troops should be fully operational in the region by 2017. Antoni Macierewicz spoke Monday in the eastern city of Lublin during a ceremony launching the new force that is intended to strengthen the defense of a region...
Burials begin for Burkina Faso nationals killed by jihadists
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AP) — Burials have begun for the 10 Burkina Faso nationals killed in last week’s attack on a cafe and hotel in the capital, Ouagadougou, highlighting the local toll suffered in the latest West African country targeted by Islamic extremists. Three burial services were held Friday and more were expected over the...
