Caught Between the Ruble and Red Tape
Belarus’ sole traders are sinking as the currency slides and new customs regulations kick in. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
OSCE Secretary General addresses White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism
Communication and Media Relations Section The OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security, which embraces human rights and democracy, economics and environment as well as politico-military security, offers a powerful antidote to violent extremism, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier told high-level officials from around the world at the...
Whether Minsk Deal Holds or Not, Ukraine Has Time to Save Itself
Ukraine’s latest ceasefire agreement will not make constitutional reform happen, but the deal can help refocus Ukrainian and Western attention on that process. …read more Source: Carnegie Endowment for International...
Russia refuses to make the compromises that would lead to de-escalation in Donbas
A cease-fire reached on 12 February 2015 stop fighting in eastern Ukraine echoes a similar pact struck five months ago. This time the leaders of France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia were present to bless – although they did not sign – a deal that could be the last chance to halt a conflict that has spiraled toward all-out war over the past month,...
At OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Winter Meeting, ODIHR Director stresses importance of joint observation efforts for local elections in Ukraine’s east
VIENNA, 19 February 2015 –Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in an address today to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) annual Winter Meeting, stressed the importance of an effective, co-operative effort in observing local elections agreed for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions...
Implementation of the new Minsk agreements will depend on Russia’s attitude towards them
Some observers noted that the Declaration adopted in Minsk on 12 February on behalf of the “Normandy four” had not been signed by any of the leaders of these states. Does it mean that Vladimir Putin who admits that he can influence the separatists did not want to take responsibility for the implementation of the declared steps? — asks the news...
Poland to Pay Out in Rendition Case, Ukraine Seeks UN Peacekeepers
Plus, Montenegro approves a broad surveillance law and Romania’s universities start to empty out. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
‘Hybrid’ truce in the Donbas
2015-02-18Witold RodkiewiczRafał SadowskiAndrzej WilkThe formal coming into force of a ceasefire, in accordance with the Minsk agreements, has not stopped the fighting in the east of Ukraine. …read more Source: Centre for Eastern...
OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine to hold news briefing in Kyiv today
Michael Bociurkiw, the Spokesperson of the SMM, will talk about the recent Mission’s activities and the general security situation throughout Ukraine. Journalists are invited to attend the news briefing today, 19 February, at 13:00 (Kyiv time), at the Ukrainian Crisis Media Centre (4 Instytuts’ka Street, Hotel “Ukrayina», 3rd...
Europe and the End of Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity
Despite much rhetoric to the contrary, EU leaders have torn up the post–Cold War rules of territorial integrity by failing to defend Ukraine’s borders. …read more Source: Carnegie Endowment for International...
