Russia’s military: the weak links
Although President Putin has repeated time and again that he will not be drawn into an arms race for fear of bankrupting Russia, that is precisely what his policies imply. On 28 January 2015, two Russian TU-95 bombers, presumably armed with nuclear weapons, approached British airspace and disrupted civil aviation. The last in a series of fifty...
OSCE Chairperson Dačić commends Government’s reform agenda as he visits Mission to Montenegro
PODGORICA, 17 February 2015 – OSCE Chairperson in Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today conveyed his full support for the Government’s reforms and commended progress achieved towards the country’s strategic objective of Euro-Atlantic integration, urging it to make the most of OSCE support in key areas such as...
In Copenhagen, OSCE PA Secretary General deplores weekend’s terror attacks
COPENHAGEN, 15 February 2015 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Secretary General Spencer Oliver issued the following statement today on the weekend’s dual terror attacks in Copenhagen: “I deplore in the strongest terms this weekend’s terror attacks in Copenhagen, the home city of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s International...
The Origins of Separatism in Donetsk
The virus plaguing eastern Ukraine has its roots in the coal mines of Donbas. From The Ukrainian Week …read more Source: Transitions Online...
The Next European Flashpoints
The West’s most pressing task 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....
Heavy Fighting Erupts in Ukraine, Moldova Lurches Toward New Government
Plus, an Armenian opposition leader lashes out at heavy-handed government tactics, and Kazakhstan’s loyal politicos urge snap presidential elections. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Put Up or Shut Up
There is no easy solution for the eurozone economy, for Greece, for Ukraine, or for any of the other major challenges we face today. But unless protagonists are sure that announcements, campaign promises, and peace agreements will give rise to clear, purposeful action, they should think twice before opening their mouths. …read more Source:...
OSCE/ODIHR Director Link condemns terrorist attacks in Copenhagen, calls for greater efforts by governments to meet security needs of Jewish communities and protect freedom of speech
WARSAW, 16 February 2015 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), today condemned attacks that killed a security guard at a synagogue and a participant in a freedom of speech event in Copenhagen on Saturday. “I am shocked by the terrorist attacks in Copenhagen on the weekend,” Link...
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office urges all sides to refrain from actions that might endanger ceasefire in eastern Ukraine
BELGRADE, 16 February 2015 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today strongly urged all sides to refrain from any action that might endanger the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, which came into effect on 15 February 2015. “I expect all parties to demonstrate the highest level of responsibility by fully...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 15 February 2015
This report is for media and the general public. The SMM began monitoring the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM monitored the ceasefire which commenced at 00:00hrs on 15 February. It observed that the ceasefire has been adhered to despite some incidents in Sievierodonetsk (90km...
