Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 10:00hrs (Moscow time), 09 June 2015
SUMMARY Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both BCPs. The overall cross-border traffic increased at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). DETAIL OM’s staff composition The OM is currently operating with 20 staff members, consisting of 19 permanent international observers (incl. the...
Moscow-Backed Terrorism Likely to Spread Across Ukraine
All eyes are currently on the actions of Moscow-supported units in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region. Speculations abound as to when and where these forces will attack next and whether the Ukrainian military will be able to hold back or even repulse them. But an even larger threat, albeit one that has so far attracted less attention, is the...
Moscow Announces the Creation of Rapid Reaction Forces—Again
Russia’s top brass re-announced the creation of rapid reaction forces, with overall numbers of up to 70,000, based upon the existing elite Airborne Forces (Vozdushno Desantnye Voyska—VDV). The idea of creating such a capability is hardly new, but the timing of its latest incarnation is interesting in that it coincides with the summer combat...
OSCE supports Belarus and Ukraine in assessing environmental risks to facilitate safe border demarcation in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
KYIV, 9 June 2015 – The concluding meeting of the project “Assessment of Environmental Risks in the Exclusion Zone along the Ukrainian and Belarusian Borders” was organized by the OCEEA on 9 June in Kyiv. With some 500 kilometres of the common border crossing the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Belarus and Ukraine face the challenge of ensuring the...
Transatlantic Ties: It’s Time To Rebuild Trust
The trans-Atlantic relationship — with the US-German partnership at its core — is more important than ever in a world which is rapidly changing and braving urgent economic and security challenges. That basic premise explains why Chancellor Merkel refers to the United States as Germany’s indispensable ally and President Obama...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 8 June 2015
This report is provided for the media and the general public. The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations*. The SMM was unable to monitor in Shyrokyne due to security considerations. The SMM unmanned...
Revolutions of Dignity: 1989, the Arab Spring, and Ukraine
The German Marshall Fund of the United States’ (GMF) Young Transatlantic Network (YTN) represents a generation that has grown up in a world where Germany is united, the Iron Curtain has fallen, the Soviet and Yugoslav and Czechoslovak unions are a part of history, and the European Union and NATO have expanded to include most of the European...
“Obama Says G7 Supports Increased Sanctions On Russia” With Michael McFaul
Interviewsinterview with Michael McFaulvia MSNBCHoover Institution fellow Michael McFaul talks about President Obama’s remarks Monday from the G7 Summit on increasing sanctions on Russia. …read more Source: Hoover...
A Brief History of Anti-Americanism in Modern Russia
Or how contemporary Russians came to see the United States as Enemy No. 1. From Carnegie.ru. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
OSCE’s Ukraine Envoy Resigns, Macedonian Political Rivals to Hold Fresh Talks
Plus, Moldovan prime minister in hot water over fake school documents, China signs up Hungary for its grandiose new Silk Road project. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
