Section: Voice of America (USA)
EU Pushes for Urgent Energy Deal in US Trade Pact
The United States should commit to exporting oil and natural gas to Europe under a transatlantic trade deal in light of the European Union’s geopolitical situation, the EU trade commissioner said on Tuesday. Tension between Russia and the West over the future of Ukraine is spurring the European Union to renew efforts to end decades of...
OSCE: Let Journalists in Crimea Do Their Jobs
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has called for the de-facto authorities in Crimea to allow media members to do their job without hindrance. Speaking in Vienna on Tuesday, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, expressed concern about the intimidation of free voices in Crimea, following the detention...
Ukraine’s Poroshenko Vows to Defend Mariupol from Separatists
Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko has vowed to crush Russia-backed rebels if they break a shaky cease-fire and attack the strategic port city of Mariupol. Poroshenko says Ukrainian forces and people in Mariupol are prepared to defend the city, but not everyone agrees. VOA’s Daniel Schearf reports from Mariupol. …read more...
Donetsk, in E. Ukraine, Shelled Despite Cease-Fire
The city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine was shelled overnight, despite a cease-fire signed by the government and pro-Russian separatists late last week. Witnesses said Ukrainian positions in the rebel-held city were hit by mortar and rocket fire four times during the night. It was unclear if there were casualties. The cease-fire has largely held...
Report: MH17 Hit by ‘High-Energy Objects,’ Split up Mid-air
Dutch investigators say Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 likely broke up mid-air over eastern Ukraine after being hit by numerous “high-energy objects.” The preliminary report released by the Dutch Safety Board comes nearly two months after the plane crashed in rebel-held territory in Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. Western...
EU Tightens Sanctions Against Russia
The European Union is expanding sanctions against Russia as reports of new fighting in Ukraine threaten a fragile cease-fire agreement. The new measures are expected to go into effect in the coming days if the cease-fire fails to hold. EU officials say the latest sanctions are reversible, depending on Moscow’s next moves on Ukraine –...
US, Russia to Hold Talks on 1987 Arms Accord
Russian and U.S. officials will meet in Moscow on Thursday to discuss a 1987 arms control treaty whose future could be in doubt. Washington and Moscow have questioned each other’s commitment to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty and their relationship has deteriorated over the Ukraine crisis, with tensions heightened...
Ukraine’s Coast Guard Admiral: Mariupol’s Port Won’t Be Taken
A cease-fire between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed rebels appears to be falling apart, as the separatists have been advancing on the strategic port city of Mariupol (mare-ee-OH-puhl). Ukraine’s Coast Guard says it is confident it can defend the port, despite a deadly attack by rebels last week. VOA’s Daniel Schearf reports from...
Medvedev Vows ‘Asymmetric’ Response to Any New Sanctions
Russia’s prime minister says Moscow would respond “asymmetrically” to any new Western sanctions placed on his country’s energy or financial sectors in response to Russia’s widely perceived support of rebels in eastern Ukraine. Dmitry Medvedev threatened restrictions on Russia’s airspace if new sanctions are...
Developments in Ukraine – Sunday, Sept. 7
Strong explosions were heard early Sunday on the outskirts of the main rebel-held city in eastern Ukraine near the airport, raising new fears that a cease-fire signed two days ago is on the verge of collapse. Blasts powerful enough to be heard in downtown Donetsk came from the area near the airport, which has been under the control of government...
