Section: The Epoch Times (USA)
Merkel: Germany, France to Use ‘All Power’ for Ukraine Peace
BERLIN— German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she and French President Francois Hollande will “use all our power” on their visit to Moscow to try and stop the bloodshed in eastern Ukraine. Speaking Friday before flying to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin, Merkel said she couldn’t speculate on whether she and Hollande, who were...
EU Targets 19, Including 5 Russians, With New Sanctions
BRUSSELS— The European Union is targeting 19 individuals linked to the fighting in eastern Ukraine, including five Russians, in a new list of sanctions set for approval on Monday. Diplomats said Friday that a meeting of EU foreign ministers only needs to rubberstamp the list, barring a major breakthrough on the diplomatic front over the weekend....
French, German Leaders Push New Peace Plan for East Ukraine
KIEV, Ukraine—The leaders of France and Germany proposed a new peace plan Thursday to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine, flying to Kiev to present it in person before heading to Moscow. The surprise move appeared aimed at heading off any U.S. decision to give Ukraine lethal weapons, something Europeans fear could spark even wider hostilities....
NATO to Double Response Force to Face Russia, Islamic Extremist Threats
BRUSSELS—NATO defense ministers have agreed to more than double the size of the alliance’s Response Force to meet simultaneous challenges from Russia and armed Islamic extremists. The foreign ministers on Thursday also decided to form a new quick-reaction force of 5,000 ground troops that could begin deploying within 48 hours. NATO...
After Hefty Currency Fall, Ukraine Raises Key Interest Rate
KIEV, Ukraine— Following a massive fall in its currency that has stoked inflationary pressures, Ukraine has raised a key interest rate by a massive 5.5 percentage points. The National Bank of Ukraine said in a statement on Thursday that the refinancing rate has been raised from 14 to 19.5 percent in a bid to “provide a stable and controllable...
US Envoy Kerry Urges Russia to Back Peace in Ukraine
KIEV, Ukraine— In a new push for peace in eastern Ukraine, the leaders of France and Germany announced Thursday they were heading to Kiev and Moscow with a proposal to end the fighting. The surprise move appeared aimed at heading off U.S. considerations of giving Ukraine lethal military aid, something many European nations oppose. The flurry of...
European Leaders Push New Peace Plan as Ukraine Fears Mount
KIEV, Ukraine— In a new push for peace in eastern Ukraine, the leaders of France and Germany announced Thursday they were heading to Kiev and Moscow with a proposal to end the fighting. The surprise move came as the U.S. edged toward offering Ukraine lethal military aid. The flurry of high-level diplomacy aimed to end the resurgent fighting in...
Top NATO General Warns of Russian Reaction to Arming Ukraine
BRUSSELS— The top NATO commander says any move to provide Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons must take into account any possible angry reaction from Russia. U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove says any action the U.S. or other Western nations take “could trigger a more strident reaction from Russia.” His remarks come amid signals that the...
Civilians Suffer as Fighting Intensifies on Ukraine Front Line
DEBALTSEVE, Ukraine—The morning silence is an uneasy prelude to the artillery fire that inevitably follows. Sealed off from the world by war, some inhabitants hesitantly approach visitors for news. There’s no time for anything more than a few words, as soldiers bark instructions at exhausted people boarding evacuation buses with overflowing...
NATO Ministers Meeting to Consider Further Actions to Defend Against Russia
BRUSSELS—With NATO officials calling Russia more unpredictable now than during the Cold War, alliance defense ministers on Thursday are expected to approve further measures to enhance the organization’s ability to deter or respond to military threats from Moscow. Adam Thomson, Britain’s permanent representative to NATO, predicted...
