Poroshenko authorises a blockade of the Donbas
The National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDC) decided to immediately suspend freight traffic from the self-proclaimed ‘republics’ in the Donbas. …read more Source: Centre for Eastern Studies...
Military Operations in Ukraine Have Had Some Surprisingly Positive Side Effects for Modern Businesses
The Russian military operation began, in Crimea, on the 20th of February, 2014. A month later, after the questionable referendum on self-determination, Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of Crimea. Demonstrations by pro-Russian and anti-government groups took place in the Donetsk (in the photo) and Luhansk oblasts (collectively the Donbas)...
Huge Ukraine Arms Blast Blamed on Saboteurs
Thousands are being evacuated from area around military base near Kharkiv. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
The New World Order | Episode 3, Europe: entrenched in crises
Europe has been rocked by a number of crises in recent years, be it the EU’s Euro Crisis, the Ukraine Crisis or the International Refugee Crisis. With this legacy of crises along with the foreboding implementation of Brexit later this month, what does the future hold for Europe? (6:40) The trigger of the European financial crisis and the...
Reading Room: Return to Moscow
Given Russia’s return to the world stage in the Caucasus, in Ukraine and in Syria, plus the allegations of involvement in Trump’s election victory, it is timely to have a new analysis of Putin’s Russia. Tony Kevin, a former Australian diplomat, has written an interesting book, part political defence of Putin and part travelogue,...
Menacing FSB interrogations of Ukrainian Cultural Centre activists in Russian-occupied Crimea
Four members of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre have faced FSB interrogation in a move that seems clearly aimed at intimidation and at labelling any pro-Ukrainian activities, however unpolitical, as ‘extremist’. Another activist is facing possible criminal charges for a photo on her social network page with a Ukrainian flag. …read more...
Open Letter to the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenka
We, 48 undersigned organizations from 24 countries, strongly condemn the continuing wave of detentions and harassment of peaceful protesters, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society activists, anarchists and opposition party members in Belarus. …read more Source: Kharkiv Human Rights Protection...
Parliament pass law that could help Yanukovych avoid justice while hurting Ukrainians
It is unlikely that President Petro Poroshenko will veto a law that he has himself lobbied for, but that is precisely what civic activists are demanding. Draft law No. 5610, passed by the Verkhovna Rada on March 16, will not help bring ex-president Viktor Yanukovych to justice, while seriously narrowing Ukrainian citizens’ rights, they warn...
The Emperor’s New Clothes
Can an ordinary Belarusian dress just like President Lukashenka? …read more Source: Transitions Online...
The Dutch defeat ‘the wrong kind of populism’
Especially three developments appear to have caused Wilders’ “defeat” in the election. Still, the next Dutch government will chose a centre-right course on social-economic, climate and immigration policies. Prime Minister Mark Rutte labeled the Dutch elections of March 15 2017 as the quarterfinal in the battle against the “wrong kind of...
