Section: The American Center for a European Ukraine (USA)
SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR NEW AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, DC (UNIS) – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) held confirmation hearings on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 for several nominees for ambassadorial posts throughout the world. On the docket were nominees for Lithuania, Ukraine, and Greece – Anne Hall, Marie Yovanovitch, and Geoffrey Pyatt, respectfully. The...
Dethroning Ukraine’s Oligarchs: A How-To Guide
Ukraine’s oligarchs are its biggest problem. If there is a single obstacle to establishing a functioning state, a sound economy, and true democratic accountability, it is the tycoons who control the country. Real reform does not stand a chance unless the tycoons suffer a severe blow to their wealth and influence. FP: Dethroning...
Plan for life after Vladimir Putin
The only thing that constrains Putin is the fear of an immediate strong-arm response that could destabilize the regime. It was the West’s unexpectedly concerted and tough actions that limited the Kremlin’s aggression in Ukraine. Europe’s ability to act in concert is now Putin’s chief geopolitical target, because without it...
Things are heating up in eastern Ukraine. Here are three reasons why.
Russia’s military command chain is looking to consolidate control and discipline in part because being more assertive in eastern Ukraine entrenches Russia’s hold over Donbas. The Kremlin is also taking charge of economic reconstruction efforts in Donbas, rather than leaving this task to Russian private enterprises. Claiming dominance...
Ukraine’s corrupt judges targeted in constitutional reforms
Bribery in the court system is seen as a major obstacle to Ukraine’s broader reform effort under a $17.5 billion International Monetary Fund bailout program that political infighting has threatened to derail. The bill, which aims to curb political influence on the appointment of judges and limit their immunity in case of malpractice, was...
Dozens in Russia imprisoned for social media likes
At least 54 people were sent to prison for hate speech last year, most of them for sharing and posting things online, which is almost five times as many as five years ago. Many of the shares that led to the recent rash of convictions were of things critical of Russia’s involvement in Ukraine. It’s […] …read more Source: The...
Russia frees the Ukrainian pilot it convicted of bogus war crimes
Ms Savchenko has a chance to change Ukraine’s political landscape. She commands a moral authority unlike any other Ukrainian politician. She will probably prove hostile to any compromise with Russia, including even the Minsk agreements. She may also be repulsed by Mr Poroshenko’s failure to deliver on the promises of the revolution...
THE BRIDGE TO CRIMEA
Russia has begun construction on a 19-kilometer bridge aimed at bypassing mainland Ukraine that will connect Kerch, in annexed Crimea, to Russia. It’s expected to open in December 2018. rferl: THE BRIDGE TO CRIMEA …read more Source: The American Center for a European...
Last Man Standing
Putin is hoping that Russia’s economy stays afloat long enough for Ukraine to collapse. The Kremlin has done its best to help the process along, by supporting far-right parties throughout the EU. Putin adopted a series of measures designed to destabilize Turkey from within. project-syndicate: Last Man Standing …read more Source: The...
Putin says Romania, Poland may now be in Russia’s cross-hairs
Putin sounded a defiant note over Crimea. He said it was acting on the will of the Crimean people, who voted to join Russia, but Western governments say it was an illegal land grab. “As far as Crimea is concerned, we consider this question is closed forever,” Putin said. “Russia will not conduct any discussions […] …read more Source: The...
