Unsuccessful reforms are a bigger threat to Ukraine than the Russian aggression
Despite the Kremlin’s intervention, Ukrainians elected a new president, Petro Poroshenko, followed by a new parliament with a strong mandate for change. Now frustration is growing about the pace of reform – not only domestically but among the country’s biggest backers abroad. If it isn’t torn apart by war, Ukraine risks slipping...
Protesters Call for Macedonian PM to Quit, Ukraine Bans Soviet Symbols
Plus, Azerbaijan’s capital gets a facelift ahead of the European Games, and gay athletes complain of unsportsmanlike conduct in Kazakhstan’s ‘nontraditional’ sex legislation. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Merkel Holds the Line Over Eastern Europe
Germany’s role in the Ukraine crisis will influence the EU’s future policy toward Eastern Europe. …read more Source: Carnegie Endowment for International...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 14 May 2015
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.* Fighting continued around Donetsk airport. In Shyrokyne, the SMM observed a decrease in the intensity of the fighting. The SMM visited a Right Sector camp in...
PayPal Accused of Blocking Nemtsov Report Account, Russian Living Standards Dive
Plus, Azerbaijan is pressured over political prisoners ahead of a major athletics tournament and Russia’s anti-Nazi propaganda drive reaches surreal proportions. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
OSCE Representative welcomes legislation aiming to enhance journalists’ safety in Ukraine
VIENNA, 15 May 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed the adoption of a law in Ukraine which increases penalties for crimes committed against journalists and their close relatives. On 14 May, the Supreme Rada amended the Criminal Code increasing criminal responsibility for hindering journalists’...
What Orwell would make of the Ukraine crisis
Moscow may end up controlling Ukraine in one way or another, but it has probably lost the hearts and minds of the Ukrainian people of the 21st century. …read more Source: European Council on Foreign...
One Belt One Road: Opportunities for Europe-China cooperation
Europe faces new opportunities for cooperation with China. In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping initiated the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, comprising the ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’ and the ‘21st Century Maritime Silk Road’, which envisages a comprehensive network of railways, roads, air and sea links, pipelines and...
Private creditors may agree to soft restructuring of Ukraine’s debt
Ukraine is hoping to reach an agreement with external creditors on restructuring of the commercial debt. For holders of Ukrainian bonds, it may mean billions in losses. Are investment funds ready for cuts? asks the news agency Deutsche Welle. Director of Economic Programmes of the Razumkov Centre Vasyl Yurchyshyn predicts that such radical...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 13 May 2015
This report is 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 observed continued fighting around Shyrokyne and Donetsk airport. At a “DPR” heavy weapons...
