OSCE Chairperson Dačić pledges support for reforms as he visits Mission to Skopje
SKOPJE, 18 February 2015 – OSCE Chairperson in Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today pledged support in building democracy and promoting reforms as he visited the OSCE Mission to Skopje, accompanied by High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors. Stressing OSCE commitments to the country and its people,...
The Next European Flashpoints
The most pressing task for the West is to help Ukraine defend itself and survive economic catastrophe. But the West also needs a broader strategy to discourage future Russian coercion of neighbors, help them protect themselves, and counter President Vladimir Putin’s false narrative about Western intentions and lack of political will....
Spot report by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), 18 February 2015: SMM facilitates dialogue on ceasefire and access to Debaltseve
This report is provided for the media and general public On 17 February, the SMM went to the headquarters of the JCCC, temporarily relocated to Soledar (77km north of Donetsk, government-controlled). The SMM was present at four video conference sessions with the Russian General formerly representing the Russian Federation at the JCCC, the Russian...
Statement on the rejection of Russia’s designation of Olga Kovitidi as a Member of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
VIENNA, 18 February 2015 – The Bureau of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly today unanimously rejected the Russian Federation’s designation of Olga Kovitidi as a Member of the OSCE PA. Ms. Kovitidi was identified by the Russian Federation as a Member of the Federation Council representing the so-called government of Crimea. The Bureau made its...
OSCE Secretary General concludes visit to Ukraine
Communication and Media Relations Section On 13 February 2015 the OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier concluded a three-day working visit to Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk. During the visit, Zannier held meetings with government officials, representatives of the regional administration and civil society. In Dnipropetrovsk, he visited the Centre for...
The too little, too late presidency
With the supposed cease-fire in eastern Ukraine a mirage, the White House can soon be expected to return to its public pondering of whether to supply Kiev’s military with lethal aid to fend off the Russian-backed insurgency. If President Obama finally does decide to send antitank weapons and other hardware the Ukrainians have pleaded for,...
Russia-Backed Rebels Seize Debaltseve, Putin Visits an EU Ally
Plus, Croatia’s ex-president is implicated in a Finnish bribery trial, and falling water in Lake Baikal sets off alarms. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Seeking a Golden Ticket out of Eastern Ukraine
In addition to shelling, those fleeing besieged towns now have to contend with paperwork. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Decline in sales of Russian goods in Ukraine is worth hundred million dollars
While Ukrainian stores and large retail chains mark the price tags of Russian goods with the Russian flag and gradually are withdrawing the items from shelves, civil activists are organising demonstrations in Ukrainian cities protesting the sale of Russian products, such as food, clothing, household cleaners and home appliances, the Southeast...
The President, Lies, and a Video
In defending Russia, the Czech head of state adopts the Kremlin’s approach to the facts. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
