Section: Voice of America (USA)
Ukrainian Leader to Seek Greater US Support on Visit
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko visits Washington this week amid a shaky cease-fire with Russian-backed separatists, the ratification of an EU pact, and moves to grant self-rule to eastern Ukraine. As he tackles a range of challenges, the Ukrainian leader is expected to press for greater U.S. support during talks Thursday with President...
Future of Former Ukraine President’s Estate Remains Uncertain
More than six months after Ukraine’s former President Viktor Yanukovych fled revolution to Russia, authorities have yet to gain control of his palatial estate. Protesters have occupied the grounds and opened it to tourists, but they are also refusing to turn it over to the state. VOA’s Daniel Schearf reports from Mezhigirya, north of...
Russia Urges Calm as Currency Continues Plunge
Moscow urged the Russian public not to panic Tuesday, as its battered currency, the ruble, plunged to an all-time low against the U.S. dollar. The national currency fell below 38 rubles per dollar amid investor worries about the impact of new Western sanctions aimed at punishing Moscow for its role in the Ukraine crisis. Deputy Russian Finance...
Q&A: Ukraine’s Donbas Battalion Commander Seeks US Support
The commander of Ukraine’s famed Donbas Battalion, Semen Semenchenko, is in Washington this week to lobby U.S. officials for stepped-up non-lethal aid and possible West Point training for his men. Semenchenko, who was recently wounded during an attack on the eastern city of Ilovaysk and walks with a cane, arrived just ahead of Ukrainian...
Ukraine Parliament Grants Self-rule to Eastern Regions
…read more Source: Voice of...
Romania Accuses Russia of Playing Games With Gas Supply
Romania’s energy minister said on Tuesday Russia was playing games with gas supplies to cause concerns in EU states, after analysts warned that Moscow could use the flows to retaliate against sanctions imposed over its role in Ukraine. Razvan Nicolescu said Russia’s state-owned Gazprom had warned of an imminent 10 percent cut in gas...
Ukraine Parliament Adopts Law on Self-Rule for Eastern Region
Ukraine’s parliament has adopted legislation giving greater autonomy to the separatist regions in the east of the country, as well as amnesty for most of those involved in recent fighting with government forces. The new laws, which were proposed by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, are aimed at ending the five-month conflict that has...
Top NATO Commander Questions Russian Intentions Toward Moldova
U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove said on Monday that Russia appeared to be following some of the same “hybrid warfare” script in dealing with the former Soviet republic of Moldova that it used before annexing Crimea and intervening in eastern Ukraine. …read more Source: Voice of...
US Secretary of State Recognizes International Day of Democracy
Monday was International Day of Democracy and the theme this year was “Engaging Young People in Democracy.” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that “powerfully underscores the importance of youth in building and preserving democracy.” He added that “Democratic societies are strong societies, because people are...
US to Lead Peacekeeping Exercises in Ukraine
The U.S. military is set to lead peacekeeping exercises Monday in western Ukraine involving 15 nations, as President Barack Obama prepares to host Ukraine’s president for talks at the White House later this week. The Defense Department announced the 12-day exercise earlier this month, saying 1,300 personnel would take part, including 200...
