Section: Voice of America (USA)
Zelenskiy Says Called Putin After Four Ukrainian Soldiers Killed in East
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says he has spoken with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, after four Ukrainian soldiers were killed in shelling in eastern Ukraine.”I called him urgently. I told him that this brings us no closer to peace,” Zelenskiy said during a news briefing in Kyiv, adding that he had urged...
Ukraine Calls for More Peace Talks After 4 Die in Eastern Donbass
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged the leaders of Russia, Germany and France to resume talks on a peaceful solution to the separatist conflict in Ukraine’s eastern Donbass region after four soldiers were killed in shelling Tuesday.Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said this was the highest death toll in a single day since last...
Norway Worried by Russian Sea, Air Maneuvers
Russia has told Norway its navy and air force will hold exercises near the Nordic nation’s Arctic waters later this month, a worrying sign of greater assertiveness by its eastern neighbor, the Norwegian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.NATO member Norway and neighboring Russia have both increased their military presence along NATO’s...
Filing Details Services for Ukrainian President in Runup to Election
This story originated in VOA’s Ukrainian Service. WASHINGTON — Washington-based lobbying firm Signal Group Consulting has filed documentation of services it provided to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington between April 3, 2019, and May 21, 2019, contradicting his claim that his campaign never employed foreign lobbyists....
UN Study Finds Businesses Fund Myanmar Army Abuses
A United Nations fact-finding mission called Monday for an embargo on arms sales to Myanmar and for targeted sanctions on businesses with connections to the military after finding they are funding human rights abuses.The mission released a report detailing how businesses run by Myanmar’s army, also known as the Tatmadaw, are engaged in such...
Was Polish Scandal a Russian Test for US Election Tampering?
High-ranking Polish politicians used a side door to get to the VIP section of Sowa & Przyjaciele, a posh Warsaw restaurant. Sealed off from other patrons, government ministers and lawmakers felt free to speak their minds while enjoying continental cuisine and wine at taxpayers’ expense.But the privacy was an illusion, the special dining...
Russia Says New US Sanctions Over Skripal Poisoning Hurt Ties
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday a move by the United States to impose another round of sanctions on Moscow over the poisoning of a former spy in Britain hurt ties and was regrettable.Washington last year imposed a first batch of sanctions on Russia after determining that Moscow had used a nerve agent against a former...
Ukrainian President’s Chief of Staff Tries to Quit After Two Months
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff sent in a letter of resignation, after two months in his job, but Zelenskiy has not signed it, according to a statement on the presidential website on Friday.Mystery has surrounded the status of Andriy Bogdan, the head of the presidential administration, since Thursday evening. The...
Poland Waives Tax for Young Employees to Counter Brain Drain
Poland on Thursday scrapped its personal income tax for young employees earning less than $22,000 a year, as part of a drive to reverse a brain drain and demographic decline that’s dimming the prospects of a country that is otherwise experiencing strong economic growth.A new law by the right-wing government took effect Thursday, slashing...
Senate Panel Backs Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Sanctions
This story originated in VOA’s Ukrainian Service. Some information is from Reuters.WASHINGTON — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday approved legislation to sanction construction of the underwater Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany.“Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act,” which passed committee by a 20-2...
