Section: Voice of America (USA)
Ukraine Close to Retaking Rebel-held Donetsk
The Ukrainian military said on Monday it was preparing for a “final stage” of taking back the city of Donetsk from pro-Russian separatists after making significant gains that have split rebel forces on the ground. Spokesman Andriy Lysenko said Kyiv’s troops had now cut Donetsk off from the other main rebel-held city of Luhansk,...
Ukraine Demands Rebels Surrender as Fighting Rages in Donetsk
A Ukrainian military spokesman rejected a pro-Russian separatist call for a cease-fire, as fighting continues unabated in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian troops have surrounded Donetsk in a “tight ring” and the only thing for rebels left to do is surrender, said Andriy Lysenko, the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council...
Fighting Rages in Donetsk, Ukraine
Fighting raged Sunday in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk despite a request from the pro-Russian rebels there for a cease-fire to prevent a “humanitarian catastrophe.” …read more Source: Voice of...
Ukraine Separatists: Ready for Cease-Fire
Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine say they are ready for a cease-fire with the government amid gains by Ukrainian forces against the rebels. Kyiv has not yet responded to the rebel offer. But the government has said it could agree to a cease-fire if the separatists give up their weapons. The Ukrainian military is continuing to squeeze separatist...
Obama Speaks With Merkel About Ukraine
U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the situation in Ukraine during an Air Force One flight on Saturday. Obama was flying to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts for a wo-week vacation with his family. There was no detail on the conversation between the two leaders. …read more Source: Voice of...
Ukraine Says Stops Russian Troops Invading, Moscow Calls Statement ‘Fairy Tale’
Ukraine said on Saturday it had headed off an attempt by Russia to send troops into Ukraine under the guise of peacekeepers with the aim of provoking a large-scale military conflict, a statement Moscow dismissed as a “fairy tale”. Ukraine has made several similar statements about Russian aggression during months of conflict with...
Kyiv Battles Separatists Along Border; Proposes New Sanctions
Ukrainian government forces battled Russian-backed separatists in eastern regions Friday, a top official said, as Kyiv proposed sanctions against dozens of Russian companies and individuals. The fighting came as Ukraine’s armed forces tightened cordons in and around the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, the last remaining strongholds for...
Australia Slams ‘Retaliatory’ Russian Sanctions
Australia has issued a stern statement following Russia’s decision to impose sanctions on a range of western countries. In Canberra, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop called it “disappointing” that Russia has not addressed international concerns over its support of rebels in eastern Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea....
Responding to Sanctions, Russia Bans Imports Of Food From West
Russia has announced a ban on imports of food and agricultural products from the United States, Europe and other Western countries. It’s in retaliation for sanctions imposed by the West following Moscow’s forceful takeover of Crimea and continued support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Henry Ridgwell reports the...
Fears Growing of Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Fears are growing that Moscow may be ready to invade Ukraine. The top U.S. defense official this week said the action is “absolutely” a possibility. VOA’s Jeff Seldin reports from the Pentagon. …read more Source: Voice of...
