Section: Voice of America (USA)
Kyiv Reports Highest One-Day Death Toll in Weeks
Ukrainian officials say eight soldiers have been killed and 16 wounded from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning, in a sign of intensifying violence between government forces and pro-Russia rebels. Three Ukrainian soldiers were killed by shelling and five others died in a land mine explosion in the Luhansk area, according to the National Security...
E. Ukraine Faces Water Crisis
The United Nations Children’s Fund warns up to 1.3 million people in battle-scarred areas of eastern Ukraine are facing a serious water crisis. UNICEF reports ongoing fighting between government forces and pro-Russian separatists are damaging or destroying water lines, leading to acute water shortages. UNICEF says more than 470,000 people...
Russia Hails Iran Deal, Observers More Skeptical
Russia’s top officials on Tuesday hailed the agreement that world powers reached with Iran to restrict its nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. However, some Russian observers warned that it may be a case of “be careful what you wish for.” President Vladimir Putin said in a statement that the world...
Ukraine: Push Launched for MH17 Tribunal
Ukraine says it and four other countries have launched a push for the creation of an international criminal tribunal to bring to account those responsible for the downing one year ago of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine. A petition by Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine has been submitted to the United...
Strategic Concerns Impact Greek Crisis
When Greek and other European leaders came to the 17th hour of their all-night talks that culminated in an agreement Monday morning, their immediate concerns were economic. But experts say there were also serious strategic issues driving them toward the accord. The leaders avoided the unprecedented removal of a country from the common euro...
US Plans to Train Ukraine Army
The commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe says the United States is planning to train Ukrainian army soldiers after completing the current training of Ukraine’s National Guard troops. Lt. General Ben Hodges told reporters at the Pentagon Monday the so-called “phase two” of training would begin in late November if the plan is approved....
Ukraine Nationalists: Country Headed for Coup
In recent days, the kind of armed violence previously limited to Ukraine’s beleaguered east came within 30 miles of the country’s European Union borders. In the city of Mukacheve, one person was killed in a Saturday gun fight between members of far-right nationalists known as Right Sector and security guards connected to a Ukrainian...
Russia Protests Closing of News Agency Account in Britain
The Russian Foreign Ministry demanded Monday that Britain immediately clarify why the London bank account of Russia’s main state news agency has been closed. The ministry said it had information that Rossiya Segodnya’s (Russia Today) account with Barclays was closed Wednesday because of sanctions on its general director, Dmitry...
Ukraine PM Addresses US Business Leaders
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Ukrainians and Americans should stand shoulder to shoulder “to make the world really free.” Yatsenyuk spoke at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Monday at a forum for U.S. and Ukrainian business leaders. The forum brought together business leaders from the two countries for high-level talks...
Poroshenko: Ukraine Terrorist Threat Has ‘Significantly Risen’
President Petro Poroshenko said on Friday the threat of terrorism had “significantly risen” in Ukraine, describing the country as awash with weapons trafficked from the east where a shaky ceasefire has eased fighting against pro-Russian rebels. At a meeting with Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk and Interior Minister Arsen Avakov,...
