Section: Voice of America (USA)
Ukraine Stops Funding for Rebel-Held Regions
Ukraine on Wednesday announced it will halt government funding to its eastern regions controlled by Russian-backed separatists. Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Wednesday the cutoff will apply as long as the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk are held by “terrorists.” Yatsenyuk, who made his comments during a cabinet meeting,...
Gazprom Says It Received First Debt Repayment From Ukraine
Russia’s top natural gas producer Gazprom said on Wednesday it had received $1.45 billion from Ukrainian energy firm Naftogaz in repayment for unpaid debt, the first step toward Russia resuming gas supplies to Ukraine. The payment by Naftogaz is the first to Gazprom since May, when a row over gas pricing and unpaid debts escalated between...
Dutch PM: Thorough, Independent Probe Needed of Downed Flight MH17
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday stressed the importance of a thorough, independent investigation of the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 before any decision on where those responsible should face trial. The Dutch have the lead role in investigating the downing of the Boeing 777 aircraft, which crashed over rebel-held...
Ukraine Rebel Leader Sworn In After Disputed Election
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Ukraine Holds Crisis Talks Following Disputed Rebel Election
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will hold crisis talks with his security chiefs Tuesday after pro-Russian separatists held elections meant to assert their independence from Kyiv. Poroshenko said the Sunday vote was a farce that violated a September cease-fire with the rebels, whom he dismissed Monday as “bandits, terrorists and...
Kerry Heads to Asia, Europe, Middle East
Secretary of State John Kerry is traveling to Europe, the Middle East and Asia for talks with his counterparts on issues including economic cooperation, security and global health issues. Secretary of State John Kerry’s first stop will be Paris. Kerry will sit down for talks with Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on issues including...
Eastern Ukraine Rebels Elect Leader
Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine say the acting prime minister of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic has won an election that Kyiv and the West have made clear they will not recognize. Election officials said Monday that Alexander Zakharchenko received about 79 percent of Sunday’s vote as part of the elections for...
Ukraine Rebels Begin Controversial Election
Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine began voting Sunday in controversial elections that Kyiv and the West say they will not recognize. The separatists who control parts of eastern Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk regions are holding elections for leadership and legislative bodies in the areas they control. The European Union and United...
Putin’s Popularity Rooted in Nationalism
Russia’s economy was struggling even before it was hit with western sanctions for annexing Crimea from Ukraine. Despite the downward trend, President Vladimir Putin’s popularity has reached an all-time high on a wave of nationalistic fervor. But analysts say the high numbers are set to drop. The value of the Russian currency, the...
Pentagon: Russian Military Flights in Europe Unhelpful to Security
The Pentagon says increased Russian flights over parts of Europe are unhelpful to the security situation there and risks an escalation of tensions. NATO has been tracking Russian fighter jets, long-range bombers and tankers across the Baltics, North Sea, and Atlantic Ocean. Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said Friday the flights could...
