Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 16 June 2016
This report is for media and the general public. In Donetsk region, the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations during the night of 15 June, as compared to the previous night, while it recorded more ceasefire violations during the daytime of 16 June compared to the previous day. In particular, it noted a sharp increase in the number of ceasefire...
Escalation in Donbas is favourable neither to Ukraine nor Russia
The situation in the conflict area in Eastern Ukraine has escalated; Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Herashchenko announced the highest number of dead and wounded in the last month. Military experts attribute this to the pressure on Ukraine to hold an election in the occupied area of Donbas and the situation around sanctions...
Exodus of Churches from Orthodox Summit
A once-in-a-millennium meeting is on shaky ground, and some wonder about Russia’s role. Plus the Ukrainian Orthodox Church seeks independence from its Moscow leadership. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Pressure on Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Occupied Crimea Intensifies
While not daring to provoke international protest by openly banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Kyiv Patriarchate, the occupation regime has from the outset done everything to drive its clergy and believers away, including the latest eviction and attacks on churches. Archbishop Kliment says that the pressure is mounting and he has...
Kremlin Propaganda in Czech Republic plays long game to sow distrust in EU
Sowing distrust and disbelief in Europe and its institutions is the main aim of Russian propaganda in the Czech Republic, according to a new study. …read more Source: Kharkiv Human Rights Protection...
Ukraine’s New Reform Plan Is Better but Not Radical Enough
Two months ago, the Ukrainian parliament appointed Volodymyr Groisman as the country’s new prime minister. “I will show you how the country should be managed,” he said in his appointment speech. Groisman’s predecessor Arseniy Yatsenyuk was widely criticized for lacking a detailed action plan, so the new prime minister began managing...
US, NATO Boost Aid to Beleaguered Ukraine
The war in eastern Ukraine has taken its toll on the economy. This should help. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Crisis of leadership in human rights to be debated at OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 25th Annual Session
COPENHAGEN, 16 June 2016 – Stressing that a revitalization of the OSCE’s commitment to the human dimension of security is needed at a time when a “crisis of leadership and ideas” is coinciding with a humanitarian emergency related to Europe’s refugee and migrant crisis, a report and draft resolution authored by Serbian parliamentarian...
Kyiv, Moscow Exchange More Prisoners
In latest swap, Russia sends two Ukrainians home in return for … two Ukrainians. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Ukrainian Guns Could Flood Western Europe, Experts Caution
Arrest of Frenchman with a small arsenal has ramped up concerns about Donbas weapons being smuggled westward. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
