Ukraine’s other war
Ukraine is fighting two wars simultaneously. The most obvious is the hybrid conflict in the east, fuelled and sustained by Russia. But while the ‘hot phase’ in this arena is over, at least for now, Ukraine is also engaged in a war against itself. It is locked in a struggle against its own dysfunctionality and endemic levels of corruption...
Saakashvili in Odessa
Odessa has served as a spring board for foreign politicians before. The governor of the region between 1803 and 1814, Armand-Emmanuel du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu, went on to serve as prime minister of France twice. But (temporarily) hosting for a former president is something new. The appointment of Mikheil Saakashvili – a restless yet...
‘Putin Call’ to Elton John on Gay Rights a Hoax
“Pranks are funny” said the singer, a gay rights advocate. “Homophobia, however, is never funny.” …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Expert meeting on online abuse of female journalists stresses need for concrete actions
VIENNA, 17 September 2015 – Media experts, journalists, policymakers and government representatives gathered in Vienna today to discuss the ramifications of online abuse of female journalists. This first expert meeting on this topic, hosted by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, showed the need for concrete actions from all sides of...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 16 September 2015
The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded few ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces and “DPR” heavy weapons holding areas...
Rebuilding Economic and Political Stability in Ukraine
Ukraine faces two severe and immediate challenges: armed pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country and a sharp, nationwide economic deterioration stemming in no small part from that military threat.CFR convened a group of experts to discuss Ukraine’s economic challenges and identify possible ways for outside actors to...
Spot Report by OSCE Observer Mission: A thirty-eighth Russian convoy of 44 vehicles crossed into Ukraine and returned through Donetsk Border Crossing Point
Please note that this report is for media and the general public SUMMARY On 17 September 2015 at 06:56hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 44 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services. All the vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by...
Correction: OSCE to receive the Kaiser-Otto-Prize 2015 in Magdeburg, Germany
BELGRADE, 17 September 2015 – The OSCE will receive on Saturday, 19 September 2015, the Kaiser-Otto-Prize 2015 Award at Magdeburg Cathedral, Germany, for its work in political crisis management and conflict prevention, as well as its mediating role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign...
OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine to present a thematic report on access to water in conflict‐affected areas tomorrow
KYIV, 17 September 2015 – The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) will present its new thematic report “Access to water in conflict‐affected areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions” at a press conference tomorrow in Kyiv, Luhansk and Horlivka. Alexander Hug, the SMM’s Deputy Chief Monitor, and Anna Gay, the SMM Human Rights...
OSCE media freedom representative deplores sanctions in Ukraine banning entry of journalists
VIENNA, 17 September 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said the sanctions introduced in Ukraine, banning several dozen foreign journalists from entering the country, is a severe threat to the rights of journalists to freely collect information. “I fully respect governments’ legitimate right to fight...
