Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 10:00 (Moscow time), on 31 December 2014)
SUMMARY Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Russian Federation (RF). The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). Overall cross-border traffic flows increased significantly at both BCPs due to the upcoming New Year. The OM continued to observe a significant number of persons in military-style clothing crossing the...
Dealing with the crisis in and around Ukraine is Serbia OSCE priority, says Incoming Serbian chair
BELGRADE, 1 January 2015 – De-escalation of the situation in Ukraine, based on a ceasefire respected by all sides, will be Serbia’s priority as it takes over the OSCE chairmanship in 2015, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said today. Speaking as Serbia assumed the rotating Chairmanship of the Organization in the year when we mark the 40th...
Yes, Russia’s Military Is Getting More Aggressive
As Russia’s relations with the U.S. and Europe have deteriorated following Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine, fly-bys of European neighbors by Russian aircraft have taken on new urgency. How should the West think about these provocative flights in light of understanding Russia’s nuclear threat? …read more Source:...
Radio Free Acton: Remembering Holodomor with Luba Markewycz
In this edition of Radio Free Acton, Paul Edwards speaks with Luba Markewycz of the on Radio Free Acton: Remembering Holodomor with Luba Markewycz… The post Radio Free Acton: Remembering Holodomor with Luba Markewycz appeared first on Acton Institute PowerBlog.Related posts:Video: Lessons from Ukraine’s Holodomor and Soviet Communism Radio...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 28 December 2014
This report is for media and the general public. The SMM continued to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum and the work of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC). There were bomb explosions in Kherson and Odessa. The Lviv mayor’s residence was attacked and hit by a rocket-propelled...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 29 December 2014
This report is for media and the general public. The SMM continued to monitor the implementation of the provisions of the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum and the work of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC). Ukrainian Border Guard representatives in the Kherson region told the SMM that train connections to Crimea have been...
OSCE proven its capacity to act in crisis year 2014 – continued efforts to reconsolidate European security needed, says outgoing Swiss chair
With Switzerland’s Chairmanship of the OSCE drawing to a close, Swiss Foreign Minister and Chairperson-in-Office Didier Burkhalter called on all participating States to redouble efforts at overcoming the crisis of European security and help strengthen the OSCE as an anchor of cooperative security in Europe. Security in Europe has...
Rapprochement With Russia?
The ruble’s fragility presents an opportunity for American and European diplomats to offer Putin a deal that de-escalates the war in Ukraine, provides Russia sanctions relief, and revitalizes Moscow’s economic ties with the West. …read more Source:...
Betting on Ukraine
One might have expected the heroic commitment of Ukrainians to Europe’s democratic ideals to trigger a rush of Western support for the country as it simultaneously battles Russian aggression and economic collapse. But, so far, passivity and platitudes have prevailed. …read more Source: Project...
Putin’s Winning Streak
Since Russia invaded Crimea last summer, the West has relied on a strategy of economic sanctions and isolation to compel the Kremlin to stop intervening in eastern Ukraine. But Russia’s recent diplomatic successes – particular with Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan – have all but negated the effectiveness of this strategy. …read more...
