2nd Post of Ukraine-Eastern Ukraine Peace Proposals

27th April 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/792061

LPR and DPR have no say in Ukraine's constitutional reform - Russian Foreign Ministry.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/792032

Russia appoints Special Representative in Ukraine Contact Group - Kremlin.

http://tass.ru/en/world/792011
Normandy format needs no expansion - Russian deputy FM.

EU leaders in Kiev for talks

European Council has said "We can only talk about civilian mission not military" and told Ukraine they are worried about ceasefire violations in the east of the country. Mr Tusk said that EU would send civilian assessment mission to Kiev to explore ways to boost security assistance for Ukraine and ruled out peacekeeping forces.

We all thought OSCE and SMM was doing their job to keep the peace, and report violations so it is unacceptable to say that boosting security assistance is the right way to go. The best way is to confirm properly to EU or UN either through the appropriate media or in writing or making their presence known verbally confirming facts. We cannot have the European Council left in the dark. We cannot have hollow conversations. It is good that EU leaders are showing solidarity but they must seek the truth and accept that the self defence forces are not aggression.

If Ukraine wants greater economic integration with EU, then that is fine but it does not do justice if Ukraine is treating the EU like a bank with no real intentions to use the money properly.

One of the European Council leaders, EU President Jean Claude Juncker attended the Kiev talks. It is the first such summit since a key EU-Ukraine Association Agreement was signed last June. The EU agreed to delay implementing the Association deal with Ukraine until January 2016 in response to Russian complaints. Talks will continue until late tomorrow in Kiev. The EU has been, and is still anxious for Ukraine to enact far reaching economic reforms to tackle unsustainable debts, inflation and widespread corruption but EU does not seem to see with eyes wide open how incompetent Verkovna Rada is, and not capable of reaching decisions and making reforms.

President Juncker said Ukrainians' living conditions were very difficult, and pledged more EU financial assistance to help in the painful reform process. That Ukrainian citizens wants to live in a corrupt free country. That sounds irresponsible, as the war has to stop first to give humanitarian aid, and Ukraine must implement the Minsk Accords.

It is a little more positive what the European Council have said. Ukraine could join the European Free Trade Association (EFA) instead of renewing the Association Agreement next January. Russia does not want cheap goods to flood their country though. Humanitarian Aid is welcome for Ukrainians as long as Ukraine does not squander the money on defence, and prolonging the war. European Council must seek facts not fiction, about who is violating the Minsk Accords and how many times the violations have occurred. Ukraine does not need a boost to security assistance, and should expel all the illegal battalions fighting on the Ukraine's side.

There would be more progress if the European Council finally sees the truth, and be able to put a stop to Ukraine's misdemeanours, lies and evil actions. There is no solidarity without truth.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/792076

Russia will never stop supporting the compatriots in Ukraine, and must be reconciled in a united Ukraine.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/792057

Russia became target of unprecedented confrontation campaign - Lavrov.

2nd June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/798080

State Duma speaker stresses importance of Kosice process in resolving Ukrainian crisis.

http://tass.ru/en/world/798156

Ukraine parliamentary opposition urges Minsk peace deal fixed in law.

http://tass.ru/en/world/797957

Over 6,400 people killed in Eastern Ukraine - UN

Verkhovna Rada must remember they do not own the people, their possessions or their homes and lands. The Ukrainian government only run the country. 

In spite of continuing violations mostly from the Ukrainians' side. Progress has been made and talks are still ongoing. Contact groups have, and is still talking. At the moment they are talking about the problems of the forthcoming local elections. I hope that Ukrainians can vote while residing in Russia and Europe who fled from Eastern Ukraine. Ukrainians may still have time to gather lost IDs like birth certificates, passports and visas etc. No doubt all the embassies will process the voting papers.

The Normandy Four Merkel, Hollande, Poroshenko and Putin is due to meet sometime this week or next week. Contact groups are meeting today.

3rd June 2015

Verkhovna Rada's obsession putting capitalism above people to remove any trace of Russian people, their language and their culture. The Ukrainian Parliament have put the fate in taxpayers Donetsk Airport, Football Stadium and other assets like mining etc.

There is no cooperation from Verkhovna Rada, and is blind to see that destroying taxpayers infrastructure of any kind is not going to help the Parliament if there are no taxpayers to prop up the economy.

Ukraine's war can go very far against Eastern Ukraine unless stopped. Using arms and weaponry are not going to do the trick. The fate of Eastern Ukraine whom they hate above the fight against the Russians. Ukraine have introduced terrorism and a vacuum at the start of the war which is leading to nowhere and broken up Ukraine.

Unless Ukraine will do something about their obsession and capitalism, there will never be a united Ukraine.

http://uk.businessinsider.com/afp-poroshenko-says-ukraine-waging-real-war-with-russia-2015-5?r=US

Poroshenko said 'This is not a fight with Russian backed Separatists, this is a real war against Russia'. This is verbal proof of what Poroshenko said to the BBC.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/05/29/the-not-very-nice-things-u-s-officials-used-to-say-about-ukraines-new-president/

The not very nice things US officials used to say about Ukraine's new President. President Poroshenko said that he will not have Oligarchs in Ukraine, which is stupid as he is one himself, and they help to build the economy. Without them, economy is getting to zero point. More truths about Poroshenko in the Washington Post about his past. and how corrupt he is.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/798411
Russia reveals name of key witness in MH17 crash investigation.

http://tass.ru/en/world/798454
Russia, Swiss foreign ministries hail first sessions by working subgroups for Ukraine.

http://tass.ru/en/world/798266
Ukraine opposition activist says no mention of Donbas special status in constitutional draft.

http://tass.ru/en/world/798245
OSCE official says compromise reached at Ukraine Contact Group talks in Minsk yesterday.

http://tass.ru/en/world/798242
Italian FM says political reforms in Ukraine essential for settlement in Donbas.

http://tass.ru/en/world/798191
Kiev not to win Russian expulsion from OSCE monitoring mission - Russian Envoy.

It has emerged that more countries like Italy, Slovakia, Switzerland, France, etc including myself are joining forces to have a say that a political situation in Ukraine must be remedied and restored by Verkhovna Rada signalling for a new Parliament and reforms as well as elections.

http://tass.ru/en/world/798643
Escalation of Donbas conflict may put off political settlement for long - Envoy.

http://tass.ru/en/world/798634
Nearly 3,500 houses damaged in Donetsk as a result of shelling from Ukraine - Mayor.

6th June 2015

This is what President Putin said in his interview with the Italian newspaper II Corriere della Sera.

"The European market despite all the existing agreements, here is reluctance to acknowledge the legitimacy of our actions and reluctance to cooperate with integration associations in the territory of the former Soviet Union. I am referring to the Customs Union, which we created and which has now grown into the Eurasian Economic Union. 

Because it is all right when integration takes place in Europe, but if we do the same in the territory of the former Soviet Union, they try to explain it by Russia's desire to restore an empire. I don’t understand the reasons for such an approach. You see, all of us, including me, have been talking for a long time about the need to establish a common economic space stretching from Lisbon to Vladivostok.  But  the Baltic States have joined the European Union. 

Now let’s look at the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. It does not require that Ukraine becomes part of the European energy system, but it is considered possible. If this happens, we will have to spend not 2‑2.5 billion but, probably, about 8‑10 billion euro for the same purpose. 

The question is: why is this necessary if we believe in building a common economic space from Lisbon to Vladivostok? What is the objective of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership? Is it to integrate the whole former Soviet Union into a single space with Europe, I repeat for the third time, from Lisbon to Vladivostok, or to cut something off and establish a new border between modern Russia and the western territories including, say, Ukraine and Moldova? 

What are the roots of the Ukrainian crisis? Its cause seems to be completely disproportionate to what has become an utter tragedy today claiming many lives in southeast Ukraine. What sparked the crisis? Former President Viktor Yanukovych said that he needed to think about signing Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the EU, possibly make some changes and hold consultations with Russia, its major trade and economic partner. In this connection or under this pretext riots broke out in Kiev. They were actively supported both by our European and American partners. Then a coup d'état followed – a totally anti-constitutional act. The new authorities announced that they were going to sign the Association Agreement but would delay its implementation until January 1, 2016. The question is: what was the coup d'état for? Why did they need to escalate the situation to a civil war? The result is exactly the same. 

What is more, at the end of 2013 we were ready to give Ukraine $15 billion as a state loan supported by a further $5 billion via commercial banks; plus we already gave it $3 billion during the year and promised to cut gas prices by half if they paid regularly. We were not at all against Ukraine signing an Association Agreement with the European Union. But, of course, we wanted to participate in the final decisions, meaning that Ukraine was then and is still now, today, a member of the CIS free trade area, and we have mutual obligations as its members. 

How is it possible to completely ignore this, to treat it with utter disrespect? I simply cannot understand that. The result that we have – a coup d'état, a civil war, hundreds of lives lost, devastated economy and social sphere, a four-year $17.5 billion loan promised to Ukraine by the IMF and complete disintegration of economic ties with Russia. But Russian and Ukrainian economies are very deeply interconnected.

The European Union unilaterally removed its customs duties for Ukraine. However, the volume of Ukraine’s sales to the European market did not grow. Why not? Because there is nothing to sell. There is no demand in the European market for Ukrainian products, either in terms of quality or price in addition to the products that were already sold before. 

We have a market for Ukraine, but many ties have been severed unilaterally by the Ukrainian side. For example, all engines for our combat helicopters came from Ukraine. Now deliveries have stopped. We have already built one plant in St Petersburg and another plant will be completed this year, but the production of these engines in Ukraine will be shut down because Italy, France or Germany don’t need and will never need such engines. It is impossible for Ukraine to divert its production in any way; it will need billions in investment to do this.

I don’t understand why this was done. I have asked many of my colleagues, including in Europe and America, about it. The situation got out of control. You know, I would like to tell you and your readers one thing. Last year, on February 21, President Yanukovych and the Ukrainian opposition signed an agreement on how to proceed, how to organise political life in the country, and on the need to hold early elections. They should have worked to implement this agreement, especially since three European foreign ministers signed this agreement as guarantors of its implementation. If those colleagues were used for the sake of appearances and they were not in control of the situation on the ground, which was in fact in the hands of the US ambassador or a CIA resident, they should have said: “You know, we did not agree to a coups d'etat, so we will not support you; you should go and hold elections instead.” 

The same could be said about our American partners. Let’s assume that they also lost control of the situation. But if America and Europe had said to those who had taken these unconstitutional actions: "If you come to power in such a way, we will not support you under any circumstances; you must hold elections and win them” – (by the way, they had a 100‑percent chance of a victory, everybody knows that), the situation would have developed in a completely different way.

So, I believe that this crisis was created deliberately and it is the result of our partner’s unprofessional actions. And the coverage of this process has been absolutely unacceptable. I would like to emphasise once more: this was not our choice, we did not seek it, we are simply forced to respond to what is happening.

In conclusion – forgive me for this protracted monologue – I would like to say that it is not that we feel deceived or treated unfairly. This is not the point. The point is that relationships should be built on a long‑term basis not in the atmosphere of confrontation, but in the spirit of cooperation. 

That is exactly what we are doing. I think that today the document we agreed upon in Minsk, called Minsk‑II, is the best agreement and perhaps the only unequivocal solution to this problem. We would never have agreed upon it if we had not considered it to be right, just and feasible.

On our part, we take every effort, and will continue to do so, in order to influence the authorities of the unrecognised self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics. But not everything depends on us. Our European and US partners should exert influence on the current Kiev administration. We do not have the power, as Europe and the United States do, to convince Kiev to carry out everything that was agreed on in Minsk.

I can tell you what needs to be done; maybe I will anticipate your next question. The key aspect of the political settlement was to create conditions for this joint work, but it was essential to stop the hostilities, to pull back heavy weaponry. On the whole, this has been done. Unfortunately, there is still shooting occasionally and there are casualties, but there are no large‑scale hostilities, the sides have been separated. It is time to begin implementing the Minsk Agreements.

Specifically, there needs to be a constitutional reform to ensure the autonomous rights of the unrecognised republics. The Kiev authorities do not want to call it autonomy, they prefer different terms, such as decentralisation. Our European partners, those very partners who wrote the corresponding clause in the Minsk Agreements, explained what should be understood as decentralisation. It gives them the right to speak their language, to have their own cultural identity and engage in cross‑border trade – nothing special, nothing beyond the civilised understanding of ethnic minorities’ rights in any European country.

A law should be adopted on municipal elections in these territories and a law on amnesty. All this should be done, as the Minsk Agreements read, in coordination with Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, with these territories.

The problem is that the current Kiev authorities don’t even want to sit down to talks with them. And there is nothing we can do about it. Only our European and American partners can influence this situation. There is no need to threaten us with sanctions. We have nothing to do with this, this is not our position. We seek to ensure the implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

It is essential to launch economic and social rehabilitation of these territories. What has happened there, exactly? The current Kiev authorities have simply cut them off from the rest of the country. They discontinued all social payments – pensions, benefits; they cut off the banking system, made regular energy supply impossible, and so on. So you see, there is a humanitarian disaster in those regions. And everybody is pretending that nothing is wrong.

Our European colleagues have taken on certain obligations, in particular they promised to help restore the banking system in these territories. Finally, since we are talking about what can or must be done, and by whom, I believe that the European Union could surely provide greater financial assistance to Ukraine. These are the main points.

I would like to stress that Russia is interested in and will strive to ensure the full and unconditional implementation of the Minsk Agreements, and I don’t believe there is any other way to settle this conflict today.

Incidentally, the leaders of the self-proclaimed republics have publicly stated that under certain conditions – meaning the implementation of the Minsk Agreements – they are ready to consider themselves part of the Ukrainian state. This is a fundamental issue. I think this position should be viewed as a sound precondition for the start of substantial negotiations.

You know, the Crimean scenario does not reflect Russia’s position; it reflects the position of the people who live in Crimea.

All our actions, including those with the use of force, were aimed not at tearing away this territory from Ukraine but at giving the people living there an opportunity to express their opinion on how they want to live their lives.

I would like to stress this once again, as I have said many times before: if Kosovo Albanians were allowed this, why is it prohibited to Russians, Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars living in Crimea? And by the way, the decision on Kosovo’s independence was made exclusively by the Kosovo Parliament, whereas Crimea held a region-wide referendum. I think that a conscientious observer could not but see that people voted almost unanimously for reunification with Russia.

I would like to ask those who do not want to recognise it: if our opponents call themselves democrats, I would like to ask what exactly democracy means. As far as I know, democracy is the rule of the people, or the rule based on the will of the people. So, the solution of the Crimean issue is based on the will of the people of the Crimea.

In Donetsk and Luhansk people voted for independence, and the situation there is different. But the main thing, something we must always bear in mind, is that we should always respect the feelings and the choice of the people. And if somebody wants these territories to remain part of Ukraine, they should prove to those people that their lives would be better, more comfortable and safer within a unified state; that they would be able to provide for themselves and ensure their children’s future within this state. But it is impossible to convince these people by means of weapons. These issues, issues of this kind can only be resolved by peaceful means.

Russia has virtually no bases abroad. We have the remnants of our armed forces (since Soviet times) in Tajikistan, on the border with Afghanistan, which is an area where the terrorist threat is particularly high. The same role is played by our airbase in Kyrgyzstan; it is also aimed at addressing the terrorist threat and was set up at the request of the Kyrgyz authorities after a terrorist attack perpetrated by terrorists from Afghanistan on Kyrgyzstan.

We have kept since Soviet times a military unit at a base in Armenia. It plays a certain stabilising role in the region, but it is not targeted against anyone. We have dismantled our bases in various regions of the world, including Cuba, Vietnam, and so on. This means that our policy in this respect is not global, offensive or aggressive.

Sometimes I am asked about our airplanes flying somewhere far, over the Atlantic Ocean. Patrolling by strategic airplanes in remote regions was carried out only by the Soviet Union and the United States during the Cold War. In the early 1990s, we, the new, modern Russia, stopped these flights, but our American friends continued to fly along our borders. Why? Some years ago, we resumed these flights. And you want to say that we have been aggressive?

American submarines are on permanent alert off the Norwegian coast; they are equipped with missiles that can reach Moscow in 17 minutes. But we dismantled all of our bases in Cuba a long time ago, even the non-strategic ones. And you would call us aggressive?

You yourself have mentioned NATO’s expansion to the east. As for us, we are not expanding anywhere; it is NATO infrastructure, including military infrastructure, that is moving towards our borders. Is this a manifestation of our aggression?

Finally, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, which was to a large extent the cornerstone of the entire international security system. Anti-missile systems, bases and radars are located in the European territory or in the sea, e.g. in the Mediterranean Sea, and in Alaska. We have said many times that this undermines international security. Do you think this is a display of our aggression as well?

Everything we do is just a response to the threats emerging against us. Besides, what we do is limited in scope and scale, which are, however, sufficient to ensure Russia's security. Or did someone expect Russia to disarm unilaterally?

I have proposed to our American partners not to withdraw from the treaty unilaterally, but to create an ABM system together, the three of us: Russia, the United States and Europe. But this proposal was declined. We said at the time: "Well, this is an expensive system, its efficiency is not proven, but to ensure the strategic balance we will develop our strategic offensive potential, we will develop systems of overpowering anti-ballistic defence. And I have to say that we have made significant strides in this area.

As for some countries’ concerns about Russia's possible aggressive actions, I think that only an insane person and only in a dream can imagine that Russia would suddenly attack NATO. I think some countries are simply taking advantage of people’s fears with regard to Russia. They just want to play the role of front-line countries that should receive some supplementary military, economic, financial or some other aid. Therefore, it is pointless to support this idea; it is absolutely groundless. But some may be interested in fostering such fears. I can only make a conjecture.

Let me tell you something – there is no need to fear Russia. The world has changed so drastically that people with some common sense cannot even imagine such a large-scale military conflict today. We have other things to think about, I assure you, It is not a matter of identity. Identity is built on culture, language and history. This war is a tragic page in our history. When we mark such days, festive but also sad given the number of lives lost in that war, we think about the generation that made our freedom and independence possible, about those who triumphed over Nazism. We also think about the fact that no one has the right to forget this tragedy, first of all, because we must think about how to avoid the repetition of anything like that in the future. These are not just words; it is not an unfounded fear.

What is so difficult about it? If the opposition proves that it can tackle the challenges faced by a district, a region or the whole country, then, I think, people will always notice it.

The number of parties in our country has multiplied, in recent years we liberalised the process of establishing a political party and taking it to a regional and national level. It is all about their competence and ability to work with the electorate, to work with people".

Russia have been modernised since the previous communist era with the State Duma Parliament much improved with such talented and intelligent people. European Eastern Partnership is dysfunctional and should not be for Europe alone. Europe must see the sense to integrate with other countries like Russia to show goodwill and cooperation. It is modern Russia with Eurasian Economic Union which is a very good constitution, that Europe can integrate and be part of  to expand  It has got nothing to do with creating an empire. Russia wants Europe to be part of the Eurasian Economic Union so that it is seen as an integrated world. Europe cannot function efficiently or economically without either Western or Eastern countries that has no security measures to protect their own economy. Europe at present is isolated from other parts of the world. Russia's aim is to merge all countries all over the world into one union to make the union prosperous, profitable, secure  and peaceful.

NATO said it does not want confrontation with Russia and Russia said it does not desire to fight with anyone. Russia has repeatedly said that weapons are not the answer, and will not put the Russian people at risk of having a war of any kind. Russia will always act in the interests of the Russian people. Which is why Russia have repeatedly called for implementation of the Minsk Accords. The Minsk Accords have got to be implemented, and it is not there to ignore. 

Like Putin, I think President Poroshenko as well as Verkhovna Rada is obstructing the Minsk Accords. I also think perhaps after exploring all options and avenues, the opposition of Verkhovna Rada try and exert more pressure, and take whatever action is necessary to impose making the Minsk Accords work. It is feasible for countries to join the Eurasian Economic Union in a united effort giving Ukraine a helping hand with its own economy. Ukraine is isolated without the Minsk Accords. 

On the other hand Crimea was never part of Ukraine and by accident Crimea became reunited with Russia. There is no way Ukraine can split Crimea from Russia while it still has its own identity of keeping its Russian language, culture and history. The same goes for some Russians who still live in Ukraine which was part of Russia before it broke away from USSR.

9th June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/799547

Opposition accuses Kiev of trying to cut Donbas off from Ukraine-sabotage of Minsk Accords.

LPR and DPR are ready to remain part of Ukraine 

The self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk people’s republics (LPR and DPR) are ready to remain part of Ukraine for the sake of ending hostilities in Donbas, today while commenting on new proposals from the LPR and DPR on amendments to the Ukrainian constitution. 

"The fact that Luhansk and Donetsk are ready to meet the Kiev authorities halfway was announced not now by our proposals for the constitution, and not even in the winter. It was announced by the republics back in September last year at the first meeting in Minsk. The documents signed September 5 [last year] stipulate movement in that direction. 

Back then, despite military successes of the militia, for the sake of stopping bloodshed, the republics agreed to such a huge compromise and to remain part of Ukraine as independent entities. It seems unthinkable, but people who seized power in Kiev are not ready to meet halfway our integration back into Ukraine by means of decentralization. Nevertheless, we are still ready for peaceful constructive dialogue and continuation of that process," Deinego said. 

On Monday, DPR and LPR representatives sent coordinator of the Contact Group's political working subgroup from the OSCE Pierre Morel additional proposals regarding draft amendments to the Ukrainian constitution. 

In particular, they suggest stipulating that the Ukrainian law "On a special procedure of local self-rule in certain districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions" be valid without time limits. It is also suggested that the function of ending the powers of chief executives of certain districts with a special status in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions be solely in the jurisdiction of those regions. 

Kiev has regularly violated the ceasefire regime imposed as part of the Package of Measures on implementation of the September 2014 Minsk agreements. The Package (Minsk-2) was signed on February 12, 2015 in the Belarusian capital Minsk by participants of the Contact Group on settlement in Donbas. 

The Package, earlier agreed with the leaders of the Normandy Four (Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine) first of all envisions an overwhelming cessation of fire and withdrawal of heavy armaments to create a security area in the region at least 50 kilometers wide.

The constitutional reform and decentralization of power in Ukraine are also among the document’s key provisions. The renewed fundamental law should enter into force by the end of this year. The Package of Measures stipulates the holding, in districts with a special status, of local elections, agreed with representatives of the region and corresponding to OSCE standards.

10th June 2015

Crimea issue raised talks is not included in the Minsk Accords. The self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics consider Crimea part of Russia and withdraw all the proposed draft amendments to Ukraine’s constitution mentioning Crimea and Sevastopol in order to avoid speculations", their envoys said in a joint statement on today.

The Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) certainly consider Crimea part of Russia. The Donetsk and Luhansk republics’ envoys, Denis Pushilin and Vladislav Deinego, said the Ukrainian constitution has articles devoted to Crimea. "That’s why the draft amendments to certain articles of the current Ukrainian constitution which we propose mention Crimea only in the technical and judicial sense. 

To avoid further speculations on this issue, we withdraw those draft amendments to Ukraine’s constitution proposed by us that mention Crimea and Sevastopol," the statement stresses.The envoys stressed that their proposal is that the special rights of the DPR and LPR should not be enshrined in Ukraine’s laws that they do not recognize. 

Other draft amendments need to be adopted as soon as possible, they said. As part of the Minsk agreements, the official representatives of the DPR and LPR in mid-May presented their proposals for the constitution concerning their special status in Ukraine detailing their rights and duties. 

On June 8, the self-proclaimed republics unveiled their additional proposals concerning the powers of the current local authorities. Therefore, the text of the Ukrainian constitution remained unchanged.Some media reports said that Crimea, which joined Russia more than a year ago, was mentioned as the Ukrainian territory in the document. In comments on this, the envoys said Ukraine’s propaganda tries to "overblow a kind of a political event" from minor formalities.

If Verkhovna Rada is not happy with the new amendments, and is still insisting on Crimea being part of Ukraine, that the Parliament still want war. There have to be an inclusion in the draft amendments to say Crimea could have another referendum with legal representation. Crimea has got nothing to lose, but is Verkhovna Rada aware of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol? 

The Supreme Council of Crimea and the Sevastopol City Council adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol on March 11, 2014, against the backdrop of the political crisis and regime change in Ukraine. The Black Sea peninsula held a referendum on March 16, with its residents overwhelmingly voting for reunification with Russia (96,77% of voters in Crimea and 95,6% - in the city of Sevastopol). An agreement on the incorporation of Crimea and Sevastopol into Russia was signed on March 18. 

The United States and the European Union refused to recognised Crimea’s independence and its reunification with Russia. United Nations also does not recognise the reunification with Russia, despite Russia saving Crimeans from bloodshed and chaos. It is either another referendum or United Nations can settle it once and for all, that Ukraine cannot have Crimea in spite of it never having belonged to Ukraine.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/800100

Some 400,000 uses Russia's government resettlement program since 2007

12th June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/opinions/800352

Military analyst - Kiev tries to provoke Russia - NATO clash over Transdniestria.

15th June 2015

Russian Foreign Ministry's envoy for human rights, democracy and the supremacy of law

Kiev’s policy of blockading Donbas runs counter to the Minsk agreements on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian foreign ministry’s envoy for human rights, democracy and the supremacy of law Konstantin Dolgov said on Monday, commenting on Kiev’s threats to toughen blockade of Ukraine’s south-eastern regions.

"The ongoing blockade runs counter to the spirit and the letter of the Minsk agreements and Kiev knows it perfectly well. We hope proper conclusions will be drawn and the situation will change. But international community must have its say," he said, adding he was confident this "defective and vicious policy of blockade must be abandoned."

The Russian diplomat said the unnatural restrictions the region is facing due to the Ukrainian government’s actions were "a violation of fundamental human rights." "Russia continues to carry the bulk of the humanitarian burden of assistance to Donbas while Ukraine is doing nothing serious in this sphere and continues to confine itself to shallow declarations."

17th June 2015

Contact Group

The Contact Group on the Ukrainian settlement has practically reached agreement on the issue of the withdrawal of less than 100mm caliber weapons, Vladislav Deinego, the representative of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) at the Minsk talks, said last Tuesday after meeting of the Contact Group and its working subgroups.

He noted "some positive dynamics." "We have reached agreement on certain provisions, in particular, on weapons of less than 100mm caliber. Now technical details are being coordinated. It means that the issue has been practically settled," he said.

Under the Minsk Accords signed on February 12, 2015  between the Normandy Four leaders. The parties to the conflict agreed to pull out heavy weapons of 100mm caliber and more from the line of engagement. However, the sides have been using weapons of smaller caliber. So, the issue of pulling out smaller caliber weapons from the engagement line has become topical.

It is extremely important that Ukrainian troops and the two Republics implement the Minsk Accords to achieve peace to give freedom to the people who wants to be free from the war.

Belarus and NATO

Belarus is concerned with NATO’s deployment of additional military contingents near its borders, including those equipped with heavy weaponry, the Belarusian Defense Minister Gen. Lt. Andrey Ravkov said on Wednesday. "Along with strengthening the aviation component of NATO member-countries in the Baltics States and Poland that perform the functions of hoarding the airspace, the Alliance is gradually concentrating additional military contingents equipped with heavy weaponry near the Belarusian borders," Ravkov said.

The defense minister noted that "the end of 2014 was marked by increasing military activity of neighboring countries, intensifying activities of operational and combat training." "Regardless of geopolitical prerequisites for such decisions made by our foreign partners, Belarus cannot ignore changes in the military-political situation in the region, that bear additional risks, challenges and threats to the country’s military security," Ravkov added.

He stressed that the Belarusian leadership took into consideration those aspects when developing the Plan of Preparation for the Armed Forces in 2014-2015, and it is "practically reflected in carrying out activities of operational and combat training planned for this year."

Belarus proceeds from the disposition that "no country is currently seen as a potential enemy," Ravkov said. However, "every country has the right to protect its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity," he noted. "Trained armed forces are needed for that, and we treat with understanding the training activities of the armed forces of other countries," the defense minister continued. "We also want our neighbors to demonstrate similar understanding," he concluded. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on tuesday said the global situation is not getting calmer, and NATO’s activities in the vicinity of Belarusian and Russian borders are alarming.

"They are demonstrating their activities constantly and candidly," Lukashenko stressed. "These activities cannot but be disturbing for us," the Belarusian leader added.

According to him, Belarus understands the propaganda aspect behind NATO’s activities. "It is necessary to keep one’s powder dry. We have always said that," Lukashenko went on to say.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/801179

Putin rather sees threat in US missile defence system, than weapons deployment in Europe.

http://tass.ru/en/world/801211

US to end training of three Ukraine's National Guard battalions in October - US Commander.

This is proof that US has been involved in training Ukraine's troops, and it is obvious that US intends to disregard the Minsk Accords in the hope of getting the Donbas region back. US is controlling NATO which we do not want. This urgently needs attention that OSCE to take control over NATO from US. We have to make that happen. Russia and Belarus and countries belonging to CSTO have concerns about increasing presence of NATO deployment of additional military contingents near its borders, including those equipped with heavy weaponry.

18th June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/801811

Progress in Ukraine talks possible if US does not interfere - Donetsk Republic Envoy.

Russian Foreign Ministry's human rights ombudsman

There exists a danger the ceasefire in Ukraine will be disrupted on a large scale, Russian Foreign Ministry’s human rights ombudsman Konstantin Dolgov told TASS on Thursday.

"God save us from the large-scale disruption of ceasefire agreements, with all the consequences that come with it," Dolgov said. "There are such fears as the Ukrainian authorities are reluctant to implement the agreements fully. The Ukrainian army and battalions continue to destabilise and provoke the situation," he said. Moscow continues to record "gross violations of human rights in Ukraine," he said. "First, it means killing civilians. We are handing the information over to corresponding international structures and will be doing so," he said recalling "quite a series of political assassinations in Ukraine. There have never been any investigations, and there still are not, to say nothing about any punishment," Dolgov said expressing the hope that positive dynamics in settlement of the Ukraine crisis "will get the upper hand." 

Talks of the Normandy Four (Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine) leaders on the Ukrainian issue along with regular talks of the Contact Group on resolving the Ukraine conflict took place in the Belarusian capital Minsk on February 12.

The talks ended by adoption of a 13-point package of measures, which contained in particular a ceasefire starting from February 15, withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line disengaging the Kiev troops and militias of the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as measures on long-term political settlement in Donbas.

http://tass.ru/en/world/801130

Political persecution and pressure on the opposition bloc of Verkhovna Rada. It may be possible that Poroshenko had a hand in the assassinations of politicians.

21st June 2015

I do not know what this is really about Poroshenko, wanting  to keep the radicals and opposition at bay from DPR and LPR defence forces. If I did remove the Ukrainian troops, there will less numbers to fight against. And would know who the radicals are, and what we are dealing with and try and obliterate them. The Tornado battalion is full if convicts and murderers for instance. It makes it easier for the self defence forces to concentrate on these radicals without the Ukrainian troops getting in the way, and escalating the conflict. So the Minsk Accords should have been implemented by Poroshenko a long time ago.

http://tass.ru/en/world/802840

Ukraine's interior ministry says it is working with Tornado battalion gunmen.

http://tass.ru/en/world/802418

Manipulations of Verkhovna Rada. Russia is not cause of Ukraine's crisis.

http://tass.ru/en/world/802823

Death of civilian in Donetsk - Kiev's appalling breach of Minsk 2 agreements. There have been several breaches violating the Minsk Accords.

Civilians are dying every day in the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics. Patriarch Krill said "vast sorrow and deep wound of the heart" for the Russian and Ukrainian citizens.  

We do not need needless killings of civilians. No one should target people to kill them while there are deep seated problems of animosity and selfishness. Problem shared is a problem solved. It could take the beatings of the drum or a magic word to raise the ghosts of the dead marching for justice. The dead will not be at peace until it is all over.

http://tass.ru/en/world/802841

Poroshenko wants to secure himself by proving Yanukovich's ousting illegal and faces a future in disgrace - DPR Envoy.

Sergei Ivanov

Kremlin administration chief Sergei Ivanov said " Of course, it is naive to think about strengthening relations until the conflict in Ukraine is settled. As to the Russian-American relations, we never wanted them to deteriorate. That is the leading country in the world, both economically and militarily. What is worrying is, that in my point of view, the rhetoric has started to go off scale, sometimes from both sides. That I admit". Ivanov spoke about Kerry's visit to Sochi in positive terms, and had long and detailed talks with President Putin and Lavrov in friendly normal atmosphere and that it was good to break the ice. Ivanov said to be frank " there are practically no channels for interaction left, and from that perspective Kerry's visit is positive".

Unfortunately, Ukraine's crisis happens for a reason just as Libya, Iraq, Syria and Yemen almost turning into a World war III both physically, mentally and verbally. There was always a communication breakdown in each war torn countries, and no dialogues in World War I and II. 

These things happen to enable to bring countries and United Nations closer together than ever before, making them realise more about things, staying more closer, to have cooperation, understanding  and so on. Politics have greatly improved with new policies, and more debates and the people of democracy are voicing concerns than ever before. This is what has been achieved through the common goal of wanting dialogues and talks. That must continue. We understand US better. We understand Russia better, We understand Islam better, and so on even if there are differences. We should recognise all that, and we have to acknowledge that we are the more wiser for problems today than centuries ago. If we are not ready to acknowledge to each other (countries) then we are just ignoring the war torn countries in that sense literally. There have been a lot of mistakes, and we have to acknowledge them as well and try and move on more positively learning more along the way. It was Hitler that first taught us about racism and ethnic cleansing, and now we are dealing with it more positively going from strength to strength. It has taken a long time for us to get here from where everything all started. We must never give up to strive for wisdom, peace, harmony, hope and love amongst our neighbouring countries. We have gone through testing times often with frustration, but the burden is lifting slowly each day.

22nd June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/russia/802870

Russian Security Council Secretary says US engineered state coup in Ukraine for $5bln.

This is true as I have got evidence of that in my articles somewhere in the first post or the second post of my blog. Sir Mark Lyall and George Soros was also involved as well as Poroshenko.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/802859

Russian lawmaker says state coup in Ukraine engineered by West to drag into NATO - Puskov.

 http://tass.ru/en/world/802882

Russia does not want to get into civil conflict - top security official.

http://tass.ru/en/world/802916

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister's aid, and hundred of Ukrainian soldiers and officers have joined forces in DPR.

Lithuania

http://uatoday.tv/politics/lithuania-to-become-first-country-to-arm-ukraine-against-russia-442955.html

Lithuania to become first country to arm Ukraine against Russia. Lithuanian Ambassador says it is ready to start shipping weapons to Ukraine to help stop Russia seizing more of its territory.

Ambassadors do not speak military rhetoric which is helping to escalate the conflict. They are supposed to be diplomats working in peaceful sphere. Russia has not seized any of the territory. Crimea belongs to Crimeans, and Russia is only looking after them not Russians. We have the Minsk Accords created by all parties involved waiting to be implemented. Lithuanian Ambassador should be sacked.

Vilnius renders different types of support to Ukraine, but does not deliver weapons to Kiev, Lithuania’s Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius today.

"We support Ukraine, but we do not deliver weapons," he said. His remarks came following a statement of Lithuania’s Ambassador to Ukraine Marius Janukonis who told reporters Vilnius was willing to provide necessary weapons to Ukraine. "I believe the Ambassador has exceeded his authority," Butkevicius noted, adding that as soon as Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius returned from a foreign business trip, "a separate conversation" on the Ambassador’s remarks would follow.

Lithuania is the only NATO member-country whose Foreign Minister formally admitted that it had previously supplied "elements of particular weapons" for the Ukrainian armed forces. However, he failed to specify what was meant by that.

Minsk Accords

http://tass.ru/en/world/803027

Putin stresses the need to stop Kiev's bombing of Eastern Ukraine talking with Hollande and Merkel in a telephone conversation.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/802979

US desire to dominate, threatens global security, destroying foundations of global collective security.

23rd June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/803298

EU recommends Kiev to grant special status to Donbas - Media.

Local elections

Ukraine’s Samopomich (Self-Help) parliamentary faction is preparing amendments to the law on local elections introducing a list of Donbas towns and villages where elections won’t be held, the parliament’s vice speaker said on Tuesday. "Local elections should not be held there as this is not safe," Oksana Syroyed told reporters. The vice speaker reiterated that local elections due in Ukraine on October 25 should not take place on the territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that are not controlled by Kiev. Elections can be held only on condition of their "transparency and control of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)," 

This is right to bring it to attention and OSCE should be notified. Verkhovna Rada should know that there are embassies who will help with the voting papers for displaced people as well as refugees in Russia, Europe and any part of the world.

24th June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/803519

Kiev forces over 50 shells at Donetsk Republic destroying 15 residential buildings - DPR Defence Ministry.

25th June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/russia/803871

President Putin has said Russia has no aggressive plans and poses no threat to anyone on the International scene.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/804018

OSCE to increase its role in pan European architecture - Russian Foreign Minister.

http://tass.ru/en/world/797928

Russia plans to urge OSCE to create tool of preventing state coups which was printed in TASS on 1st June 2015. A draft resolution calls any member states to refrain from plans to "help, create, finance, encourage or allow armed, subversive or terrorist activity at changing the regime in another state by violence and also to meddle in the domestic struggle in another state".

26th June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/804179

Ukraine's Constitutional Commission adopts basic version of constitution amendments.

http://tass.ru/en/world/804231

Poroshenko says Donbas took part in drafting changes to Ukraine constitution.

http://tass.ru/en/world/804165

Donbas on brink of resuming full scale military actions - DPR People's Council speaker.

http://tass.ru/en/world/804295

Over 270 Ukrainian mines and shells hit LPR territory over past week - LPR.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/804031

Russia still hopes for inter-parliamentary dialogue "Normandy Format".

27th June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/804345

Number of refugees from Ukraine exceeding 900,000 says UN report.

http://tass.ru/en/world/804306

Kiev human rights envoy proposed payments instead of blockade.

It is against human rights to deny people pensions, social payments. It is the duty of the government to pay people to help them survive and have basic necessities. If every government fulfilled their duty to make payments to people. Then we would not need any blockades and humanitarian aid.

http://tass.ru/en/world/804362

Kiev's military violate ceasefire twice over 24 hours - LPR.

Looks like firing has almost subsided and decreased for now.

28th June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/804388

Poroshenko statement about fulfilled Minsk agreements - another lie - DPR head.

http://tass.ru/en/world/804456

Constitution changes unrelated to Ukraine's federalisation - Poroshenko.

http://tass.ru/en/world/804470

Poroshenko statement about constitutional amendments are senseless - DPR lawmaker.

29th June 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/804695

LPR leader says Kiev has over 75,000 servicemen in conflict zone in Donbas.

http://tass.ru/en/world/804673

Donetsk Republic sees redeployment of Kiev tanks to Maryinka.

1st July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/russia/805166

Kremlin curious about requested probe into legality of Baltic countries independence.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33325842

Russia examines 1991 recognition of Baltic independence. Russia chief prosecutor declared illegal the transfer of Crimea from Russia to Ukraine in 1954.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/805297

Russia ready to return over 20 Ukrainian ships based in Crimea to Ukraine.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/805260

Russia supplies no military products to Kiev that may be used for aggression - deputy PM.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805129

Donetsk Republic says unilaterally declares Shirokino a demilitarised zone.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805321

Poroshenko to submit to parliament this evening - decentralisation amendments to constitution. Says changes do not envisage granting special status.

We do not really know what is happening with the Constitution Commission whether it has been submitted or not. We feel so messed about.  Urgent action is needed to get OSCE to intervene to check everything is in order, and that DPR and LPR can give consent and approval etc. Nobody knows if the Constitution Commission has been altered or changes made by Poroshenko. He says one thing and then another, losing credibility to deliver the Constitution Commission. Any tampering of the Constitution Commission by Poroshenko and his parliament , and failing to deliver in the right form of the constitution is a violation of the Minsk Accords.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805287

Passing of Law on elections without consent of Donetsk and Luhansk to violate Minsk Accords.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805115

Donetsk Republic preparing report on Kiev's breach of UN Convention on Children's Rights.

2nd July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/805405

Special regime of self governance introduced in DPR - Alexander Zakharchenko.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805496

Poroshenko submits to Rada decentralisation bill.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/805457

Kiev needs reading again terms of Minsk Accords - Putin's spokesman.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805460

Donetsk militia withdrawn from Shirokino and is now demilitarised.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805599

DPR Defence Ministry - European Mercenaries are present in Mariupol area.

3rd July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/russia/805744

EU can play more active role in Ukrainian crisis settlement - Lavrov.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/805744

Statements of Poroshenko, Biden about local elections in Donbas are 'inadequate'.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/805781

Ukraine draft constitution fails to fulfill requirements of Minsk deal - Lavrov.

I do not like the tone about Ukraine must be the main language, any political party cannot make citizens choose Ukraine language as the main language while it is supposed to be multicultural. Those who are not Ukrainians cannot be forced to speak Ukrainian language.

Humanitarian situation is dire

The speaker of Russia's parliamentary lower house, Sergey Naryshkin said on Friday that the West together with authorities in Kiev was simulating constitutional process in east Ukraine's war-torn Donbas region.

Speaking after a session at the State Duma, Sergey Naryshkin said: "The West together with the Kiev authorities only simulates constitutional process in Ukraine, aggravating the humanitarian crisis in Donbas."

These actions undermined the Minsk peace process endorsed by leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France, Naryshkin said, referring to the peace deal signed in February in the Belarussian capital.

Based on September’s stillborn Minsk peace protocol, the deal laid out a road map for a lasting settlement in Ukraine, including local elections and constitutional reform to give the self-proclaimed eastern republics of Donetsk and Luhansk more autonomy.

My top concern is that Poroshenko and Verkhovna Rada keeps delaying the peace process, simulating the constitutional process and stalling the peace process. It is aggravating the situation in war torn Ukraine with the MInsk Accords being dissolved day by day. The humanitarian crisis is increasing. Ukraine draft constitution fails to fulfil requirements of Minsk deal.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805807

LPR militias - Kiev troops getting prepared for offensive.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805820

Ukraine completes construction of fortifications on demarcation line.

I sense a lot of hypocrisy there, no one is interested in fortifications. Kiev should not spend millions of pounds building fortifications while the top priority is to implement the Minsk Accords. Poroshenko is acting like a general there inspecting the fortifications. It looks like he is keeping citizens prisoners.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805837

Two Ukrainian traffic officers defect to side of DPR.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805850

Ukraine's justice ministry denies registration to UNA-UNSO nationalist organisation.

http://tass.ru/en/world/805898

About 4,000 extremists march in central Kiev demanding revocation of Minsk agreements.

This is just as I feared. Right wing sector party is in Parliament, and supposed to help with the political settlement, and it was fighting in the conflict as well at the same time.

5th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/806002

No DPR militiamen in Shirokino - OSCE SMM deputy chief monitor.

http://tass.ru/en/world/806055

DPR leader says demilitarisation of Shirokino was goodwill gesture ahead of Minsk meeting.

6th July 2015

Ukraine’s new constitutional reform gives absolute powers to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Oleg Bondarenko, director of the Strategic Communications Agency, said at a roundtable meeting at TASS on Monday. "The constitutional reform has been announced by Poroshenko to strengthen and expand the presidential powers without pursuing a policy of decentralization. The word federalization is forbidden in Ukraine.

That is why they are using the term decentralization to bring the presidential power closer to the communities’ level. Ukraine has a unitary communal system, in which there is no place for Donbas. Another expert who took part in the roundtable meeting said that Kiev was forcing Donbas out of the constitutional space and was unwilling to talk to the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and Lugansk People’s Republic. Kiev’s steps are forcing Donbas out of the [Ukrainian] constitutional space. If the Ukrainian ruling class is not going to talk to the self-proclaimed republics [DPR and LPR], it is unlikely to succeed in incorporating Donbas on any terms," 

Alexey Chesnakov, the head of the Russian Center for Political Conjuncture, said adding it’s time to show goodwill and take a political commitment not to let the constitutional process go beyond the point of no return. "The authorities in Kiev are carrying out their own independent constitutional process, leaving few chances for Donbas to join it.

The is an unexpected downturn. I suspect the West has got something to do with wangling its way of real decentralisation for Donbas region and getting Poroshenko have more powers and control of Donbas region. There is a difference between false decentralisation and real decentralisation which the Donbas region really needs. Knowing Poroshenko I cannot envisage goodwill and implementation of the Minsk Accords. Poroshenko is effectively digging a hole in the ground and is getting deeper and deeper. We are losing sight of the MInsk Accords, only DPR and LPR are taking action to implement what they can without Poroshenko.

8th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/806331

Kiev denies compromise opportunities offered by self proclaimed republics.

http://tass.ru/en/world/806338

Rally in Odessa demands resignation of Saakashvili.

http://tass.ru/en/world/806214

Proposals on amendments to Ukraine's constitution sent to officials - DPR envoy.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/806127

Russia gave no reason for accusations of desire to disintegrate Ukraine - Lawmaker.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/806352

EU must respect Crimea's choice like it respects results of Greece's voting - Lawmaker of Crimea.

http://tass.ru/en/world/806499

Ukrainian constitution's draft amendments contradict Minsk Accords - Lawmaker.

http://tass.ru/en/world/806872

Donetsk, Luhansk Republic's push for UN international tribunal on Donbas.

http://tass.ru/en/world/806578

Ukrainian radical lawmakers move to ban Russia coined words for 'historical justice'. Ukraine is the only country that would have a bill and I do not see other countries wants to follow suit.

9th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/russia/807377

Moscow not to change its decision on Crimea - Reunification of Crimea still stands - Russian Foreign Ministry.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/807333

Russia and US to continue consultations on defusing Ukrainian crisis - diplomat.

http://tass.ru/en/world/807299

West continues to protecting frustrated semi-criminal Ukraine - Russian Lawmaker Pushkov.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/807202

Russian investigators ready to send evidence on Ukraine crimes to International courts.

15th July 2015

http://rada.gov.ua/en/news/News/113642.html

This is a very big blow which proves that Verkhovna Rada does not want to have anything to do with the Minsk Accords. And has shown determination that it does not want to give up Crimea and Sevastopol and Donbas region. Verkhovna Rada have passed a law on elections on Crimea that has nothing to do with them anymore, and have excluded the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics elections. Ukrainian troops have escalated the violence since the law was passed on elections which could now be a very long drawn out war. All these actions are gross violations of the Minsk Accords by Verkhovna Rada and the Ukrainian troops. Peace is now out of our sight, and so far away.

Ukrainian troops have left hundreds of factories and countless pieces of agricultural equipment burnt out or unusable. External debts and war have pushed Kiev to the brink. Last March IMF announced $40 bln package to Kiev including $17.5 bln new loans and write offs of previous ones worth between $15 to $20 bln. This was supposed to tackle corruption that wrecked the economy. This is a very poor investment to the economy. A new government under Poroshenko was left to deal with war, corruption, rocketing inflation, plummeting economy, declining GDP. External debts reached $73 bln at the start of this year. Kiev convinced IMF to release the first $1.8 bln of funds last month but the proposed write off remains in dispute, fearing it would enrich a small group of oligarchs already racked up billions of debts. With hyperinflation and the war shows no signs of easing only to get worse, along with the economy getting worse as well.

Donbas region is still very upbeat and confident that despite the fighting, it will have the Donbas region resurrected and made new again. It is still determined to be independent if need be in spite of obstacles put before them by Poroshenko and Verkhovna Rada.

16th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/809028

Foreign diplomatic corps gathers for Ukrainian Rada meeting on constitution amendments.

http://tass.ru/en/world/809066

Ukrainian Parliament sends draft amendments of main law to Constitutional Court about decentralisation. First reading is in August and the next is in Autumn. No one knows if it becomes law in time for elections in October. The news is very hopeful to allow parts of Donbas region be decentralised. Looks like Minsk Accords is being implemented after all as it was another part of constitutional law to pass to Constitutional Court.

17th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/809081

DPR said "Poroshenko has offered the Verkhovna Rada his amendments to Ukraine’s Constitution. Once again grossly violating the Minsk agreement, without coordinating with Donbas and even without submitting the draft amendments to the Contact Group, he, together with [Verkhovna Rada speaker Volodymyr] Groysman, has shown the value of the word he pledged in Minsk. For Ukraine, the obligations it has undertaken have no significance whatsoever, it doesn’t care about residents of Donbas. Nor does it care about the efforts of the international mediators from Germany, France and Russia".

http://tass.ru/en/world/809269

Local election in Ukraine to be held on October 25th 2015. Does not include parts of Donbas region.

http://tass.ru/en/world/809217

Ukrainian lawmaker says Poroshenko's constitutional law aims at centralisation of power not decentralisation.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/809213

Russia says US Victoria Nuland 'jumping to conclusions' backing Ukraine constitutional law.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/809335

Russia urges Kiev government to implement Minsk agreements and start a national dialogue. The statement which Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko made at Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) on July 16, 2015 proves just said. He said the draft of constitutional amendments did not provide for any special status for Donbas. We are urging the Ukrainian side to stop creating semblance of a political settlement, and meticulously follow the letter and spirit of Minsk-2," the foreign ministry’s statement said.

http://tass.ru/en/world/809396

Right Sector leader suggests amnesty for participants in Mukachevo clashes. Seeks resignation of Poroshenko, Rada and Government.

18th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/809461

Bill on elections in Donetsk Republic passes first reading. I find that acceptable, and it has been endorsed by OSCE after discussions in contact groups making it legal. It needs clarification about whether foreign embassies can be used for refugees in Russia, Europe and elsewhere who wants to vote. This is a very good step to implementing the Minsk Accords giving all citizens of Ukraine the right to vote and have democratisation legally and morally. 

DPR and LPR can in any way implement the Minsk Accords. 

The Minsk Accords have got the full support of all world leaders, and therefore must be implemented with or without the President Poroshenko, Verkhovna Rada and its Government. 

OSCE has got the power to give legal status for any elections to go ahead, and can get involved in monitoring elections.

OSCE Parliament to adopt law on General and Local election? 

Constitution amendments

The legislative act envisions major principles, organization and the order of holding of election of deputies to the Verkhovna Rada of regional, district, city, city district, village, village councils, and the election of village, small town and city heads.

The Law rules that: 

• the election of deputies to village, small town councils are conducted under the majority election system of relative majority in single mandate constituencies the territory of respective village (several villages, whose residents into village community), small town, the territory of village, small town  territorial community are divided for;

• the election of deputies to the Verkhovna Rada of the regional, district, city district, is conducted under the proportional election system in multi-mandate constituency under the election list of local organizations of political parties with the assignation of candidates to the territory election constituencies, a multi-mandate constituency is divided for, which coincides with the territory of the region, district, city territory in compliance with existing administrative and territorial structure or the territory of city territorial community set in accordance with the Law of Ukraine.

• the election of city (cities, where the number of voters equals or exceeds 90,000) heads is conducted under majority election system of absolute majority in the only single mandate constituency that respectively coincides with the territory of the city in compliance with existing administrative and territorial structure or the territory of  city community;the election of village, small town, city (cities, where the number of voters is less than 90,000) heads is conducted under the majority election system of relative majority in the only single mandate constituency comprising the territory of respective village (several villages, whose residents into a village community) small town, the territory of village, small town community, the territory of the city.

In compliance with results of the voting, district Election Commission counts the votes given for each local organization of a political party. Intermediate territorial Election Commission only set intermediate results of the voting separately on each territorial constituency and pass them to the territorial election commission that finally sets respective voting returns.

Electoral Commission to determine which political party who registers, qualifies for political status and recommend change of name of political party if it is deemed offensive. E.g Neo Nazis, Islamist State, Loony Party, Patriotic Party etc.

Electoral Commission cannot grant permission to any political party who are armed and taking part in violence unless they disarm and condemn violence in order to take part in the elections to represent a party through political talks only. Disqualification will take place if such arming occur whilst in Parliament.

The Law improves the procedure of establishment of single mandate constituencies; provision on transparency of financing of election campaigns; sets precise and clear system of cooperation between Election Commissions during preparation of the election, setting of voting returns.

The Law allows parties registered not later than 365 days before the day of the election and the ones that were renamed not later than 180 days before the election to take part in the election.

The Law introduces amendments into the Administrative Court Procedure Code of Ukraine, Laws of Ukraine "On local self-government in Ukraine," "On State register of voters," "On state procurements," "On status of local councils deputies,"  "On decentralisation of some regions, including special status of Donbas" etc. "Social and economic restoration and revival of some regions including Lvov and Odessa".

The changes to the legislation of the constitution are related to implementation of the Package of Measures on fulfilment of the Minsk agreements of February 12, 2015 and of the protocol to consultations of the Contact Group of September 5, 2015, which regulates organisation of local elections under the special status of Donbas".

The addendums, for example, read that residents, registered in DPR, but "temporarily away" will enjoy the right of participating in the voting. The Republic’s Central Elections Commission "establishes locations and order for the local elections’ voting at foreign polling stations [foreign embassies?] for those registered in the territory, organising elections, and who have to be outside the Donetsk People’s Republic temporarily."

"The right to be elected, is granted to citizens of the self-proclaimed republic living there for ten years, including the year prior to the elections".

The local elections "use the election standards of the Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe," and international observers will be watching the voting.

Work at the elections will be forbidden to the mass media, which "violate the principles of organising elections, stipulated by the new law, or which are involved in fuelling the civil conflict, in distribution of calls for violence or of knowingly false information on the situation in the Donetsk People’s Republic."

"First elections of the local legislators are organised at the order of DPR’s head, who announces date and territories of the elections."

[DPR and LPR claim Kiev does not fulfil the Minsk agreements as it is stipulated in the Package of Measures]. Thus, Heads of the Republics announced they would comply with the agreements unilaterally and later on announced organisation of local elections. DPR appointed the date for October 18, and LPR - for November 1. 

A 13-point Package of Measures on implementation of the September 2014 Minsk agreements was adopted at the February talks.

The package in particular included an agreement on cessation of fire from February 15, withdrawal of heavy armaments, as well as measures on long-term political settlement of the situation in Ukraine, including enforcement of a special self-rule status for certain districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions. The ceasefire has been repeatedly violated since and must be stopped.

Acting President of Ukraine [Linda Breeze]

20th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/809527

DPR pulls 41 tanks and 84 armoured infantry carriers from engagement line.

http://tass.ru/en/world/809536

LPR withdraw all weapons of caliber under 100mm from engagement line.

http://tass.ru/en/world/809565

Support for constitutional amendments gets head of Rada Foreign Affairs Committee fired. 

This is a good step to start amending the constitution by supporters for decentralisation of the Donbas region. However, Poroshenko is not off the hook for omitting amendments submitted by the Donbas region for implementation to submit to Constitution Commission.

Karasin and Nuland "exchanged views by telephone on the situation with the implementation of the Minsk agreements reached on February 12, 2015," Particular attention has been paid to political issues linked to carrying out a real constitutional reform in Ukraine, strengthening security as well as economic and humanitarian problems in the Donbas region.

The Russian side has emphasized the importance of establishing direct dialogue between representatives of Kiev, Donetsk and Luhansk, adding that the sides also highlighted the key role played by European security watchdog OSCE in resolving the internal Ukrainian conflict".

The ministry said the diplomats also considered issues related to a new meeting involving representatives of the Contact Group on the Ukraine crisis, scheduled to take place in the Belarusian capital Minsk on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, July 21, envoys of Moscow, Kiev, the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will gather in Minsk to continue Contact Group meetings reviewing progress of the ceasefire. Discussions are expected to include four working groups that were set up to deal with political, security, economic and humanitarian issues.

http://tass.ru/en/world/809680

More than half of Ukrainians is negative about PM and President's policy - opinion poll. They believe the best path to a lasting settlement was further peace talks on the basis of Minsk agreements.

We have had to take few steps backwards, so more feet forward to speed up the process to the Constitution Commission and peace talks.

22nd July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/809903

Contact Group reaches agreement on withdrawal of weapons under 100mm caliber - OSCE. There is progress in all issues.

http://tass.ru/en/world/810036

DPR completes withdrawal of weaponry of less than 100mm caliber from contact line.

The poll in Ria Novosti says 91.2% think it is an unnecessary escalation of hostilities against NATO drills in Ukraine undermining the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

http://tass.ru/en/world/810102

US weapons found at Luhansk airport storehouse earlier controlled by Kiev military - LPR.

24th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/russia/810528

Russia investigators assemble Eastern Ukraine crimes evidence.

Some of us think Kiev has no plans to give up the Donbas region. Poroshenko's government have been paid billions of dollars, and is defending the Donbas region for the Americans interested in mining including Burisma Holdings based in Cyprus. US has been, and is trying to profit from the war. Foreign investment in Ukraine is not welcome while the war is on, and any investment is confisticated and rendered invalid. No one can claim back their property invested during the war as it is not legal and binding. The mining rights still belongs to the Donbas region to do what they want to do with it. It is against environmental health and has environmental repercussions if fracking took place. Poroshenko gave permission and sold,  without consulting Verkhovna Rada and its departments as well as Donbas region. Verkhovna Rada did not pass any bill or legislation. The Donbas region legally belongs to Donbas region itself. The paper it is written on is not valid. The same applies to all foreign investments made during the war.

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150721/1024894225.html

Americans have been profiteering from making wars including Victoria Nuland and her husband.

http://tass.ru/en/world/810631

Lawmaker stressed that it's important to pass a law on impeachment of the President, and on provisional parliamentary investigative commission. Some parties have pressed for a law to be passed on impeachment and I agree it should be done. I hope the law on impeachment will be passed to bring justice to Ukraine.

25th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/economy/810628

Ukrainian expert says IMF policies destroying state gas production in Ukraine. Private investors should not be investing in state gas production. IMF should not have an interest in state gas, and have greedy hands on getting some money from state gas. This is causing problems for Ukraine's fiscal economy. There does not seem to be any real management or guidelines at all dealing with selling gas to citizens of Ukraine. This is weird and unreal.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/25/us-ukraine-crisis-usa-idUSKCN0PY28A20150725

US troops to train regular Ukrainian military troops - State Department.

This shows more interference and escalation by US troops. A sign that US is still trying to get Donbas region for themselves eyeing on mining assets there. According to myself and a lot of people who want peace, US troops are unwelcome and is intrusive. They are hampering the efforts of implementing the Minsk Accords peace process.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/810734

Visit of French Parliamentarians to Crimea and Sevastopol will let Europe "learn the truth" and will destroy the myth about "aggressive Russia" - Leonid Slutsky.

Ukraine is a destabilizing factor, which "strongly influences the change of an attitude to Russia for the worse," renowned French parliamentarian Yves Pozzo di Borgo said on Saturday.

The destabilization of the relations now affects the whole of Europe. The Minsk accords on the ceasefire in the Donbass region, which were signed by the leaders of the Normandy format countries comprising Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France have launched a reconciliation process that should be completed by January next year.

"Then, the warring sides in this conflict - the Kiev authorities and the authorities in the Donbass region will be finally able to find peaceful settlement. If this process is over by January, this will be a key to a review of the relations between the European Union and Russia for the better," the French senator said.

It brings to mind that while Ukraine is a destabilising factor, the elections will help solve and stabilise Ukraine. All citizens of Ukraine seeks reconciliation only through peace and unity, and with disarmament. All vote with their hands, not hands on guns. Guns will never destroy democracy and human rights. [Linda Breeze].

http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150724/1024982660.html

Ukrainian crisis can be resolved only in Ukraine by Ukrainians - Medvedev.

27th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/810813

OSCE delegation to Ukraine gets under shelling.

28th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/811094

Local elections and the implementation of the decentralisation will be high on the agenda. Lack of progress at the talks is the stance of Kiev which is unwilling to honor the Minsk agreements. There are still violations of the Minsk Accords by Kiev troops' shelling every day bringing no ceasefire.

http://tass.ru/en/world/811081

OSCE monitor wounded during shelling in Shirokino.

29th July 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/811533

At least 68 children killed in East Ukraine conflict - WHO.

http://tass.ru/en/world/811523

Poroshenko rules out special status for Donbas region saying Ukraine always been and remain a unitary state. This is unbelievable, and Poroshenko is determined not to change his mind. With Poroshenko as President, he is violating Minsk Accords and not letting Donbas region have decentralisation and elections etc. He is not doing his job and is not working for peace.

31st July 2015

The new constitutional proposition, must include a decentralization reform that will make Ukraine a federal state, changing its administrative and territorial system. After the law is passed, there will be three levels of governance: municipal, district and regional (or provincial). The central (federal) government will always be represented at any local level by officials appointed by Kiev at the discretion of the president. The constitutional commission draft is only a mere formality, and is not legal as there have been no consultations from the Donbas region to adapt it to correspond with the Minsk Accords. This is to ensure swift economic recovery, ceasefire and no more bloodshed bringing peace and unity to the Ukrainians.

4th August 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/812365

Local elections to take place in Kiev controlled territory of Donbas region - Central Electoral Commission.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/812334

Russian Lawmaker takes news on creation of Ukraine salvation committee with restraint. I am sceptical because Azarov used to be Prime Minister, and he does not seem to have much expertise in political matters otherwise the economy would have been so much better in his time. I do not think the salvation committee can conjure up a new President hoping for a better economy without plans put in place on how to have an economy and make the economy foolproof, stable, swift, and secure etc. 

The present economy is a very deep mess and only Ukraine can sort it out inside, not outside where there are people willing to throw money at it and interfere. Some say it is going to take a very long time for the economy of Ukraine to be back to normal whereas I would speed up and bring growth etc with my expertise and deep knowledge. I would be happy if someone does take over as long there is someone as good as me.

The funding by IMF recently, Ukraine will have to pay back dearly: harsh and systemic control by international moneylenders, and consequently, the lack of political, financial and economic independence will be guaranteed. The tight structural pegs and deadlines have established for all liabilities and arrangements made for total, comprehensive and exhaustive reporting to the IMF by the National Bank of Ukraine and all ministries and agencies.

The IMF’s approval of another loan tranche to Ukraine will increase the authorities’ political and financial dependence. The debt trap our country has found itself in as a result of ‘self-sacrificial’ activity by the kamikaze-type reformers will grow still deeper. The IMF has approved of the disbursement of a $1.7-billion second loan tranche to Ukraine. The overall amount provided under the current Extended Fund Facility will total $6.7 billion. IMF tranche is putting Ukraine under full western control. Under new presidency, IMF debts will have to be paid in full to be free from full western control.

http://tass.ru/en/world/812660

Donetsk Republic calls for returning to Normandy format talks to Kiev's actions. The Normandy three must have talks with Normandy four Poroshenko to try and instil common sense. And get him to take action that military action is not the solution to get peace. People are dying, is very ill or getting killed.

7th August 2015

http://tass.ru/en/economy/813076

Donetsk Republic supplied more than 400,000 tons of coal to Ukraine in July.

http://tass.ru/en/world/813107

More than 2,000 houses are to be rebuilt in Luhansk Republic - LPR Prime Minister. 

http://www.rt.com/news/311800-osce-russia-ukraine-weapons/

OSCE saw no military hardware, weaponry crossing from Russia to Ukraine - Mission Head.

http://tass.ru/en/world/813142

Donetsk Envoy says OSCE shocked by Kiev's decision not to sign treaty on weapons withdrawal.

http://tass.ru/en/world/813198

OSCE reports increased ceasefire violations in Ukraine's unrecognised Donetsk Republic.

9th August 2015

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150809/1025558858.html

That awkward moment Obama officially recognises Donbas independence in Captive Nations Week in his presidential declaration every year without realising Donbas region was Cossackia is independent since 1959. That is according to UN resolution of 1959.

12th August 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/814058

Kiev says deploying weaponry in Donbas "not at variance with Minsk deals.  Kiev still greatly view the Donbas republics as enemies. Moscow calls on Kiev to show restraint. Kiev says it is observing the Minsk Accords which is blatantly ridiculous, as Kiev is supposed to be implementing the Minsk Accords.

http://tass.ru/en/world/814029

Donetsk Republic does not rule out resumption of full scale military actions in Donbas.

http://tass.ru/en/world/813815

Ukrainian President signed a law approving defence budget increase by $250 million, money used with Europe given to Ukraine intended for economy and humanitarian aid. Shows that Poroshenko is still the determined aggressor building up stock of new weaponry etc. Millions have already been spent on fortifications.

Increased defence budget will only increase tensions, bloodshed and destruction violating the Minsk Accords even further and is escalating the conflict. Kiev is refusing to cooperate and has not got the slightest intention to deal with the Minsk Accords. Meaning that Kiev have practically thrown the Minsk Accords on the scrapheap. This greatly distresses me knowing that no such moves will be made to disarm or reduce weaponry as well as not going to implement the Minsk Accords by Kiev to withdraw from the Donbas region.

http://tass.ru/en/world/813715

Kiev's national security strategy aimed at long term confrontation with Moscow. I think Kiev intends to fight to the last to try, and get the Donbas region and Crimea back. Kiev has got to realise that they never have them back, and must let go and move on for the sake of the people of Ukraine. Kiev must not target innocent people to get back at Russia. Poroshenko, Turchynov and others supporting the war must go.

16th August 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/814668

Germany FM calls for urgent meeting with military representatives to help defuse the Ukrainian conflict. The Ukrainian military needs a good talking to.

http://tass.ru/en/world/814617

Kiev military prepare attack on Luhansk. Unit of so called anti-terror organisation operation consisting of 92 and 54 mechanised brigades which count to 5,000 military is going to strike with massive support from the artillery. The unit of so called anti-terror organisation is Kiev itself and are terrorists. Donbas region self defence forces are not terrorists. The world is viewing Kiev as terrorists killing its own people in the attempt to get Donbas region back. If there is going to be a fully fledged war with so much bloodshed, and if Kiev succeeded in wiping out the Donbas region population. Kiev will still not win because Kiev cannot use force, and use a military solution to the Ukraine conflict. Kiev's fight will always be in vain, and will always be a loser with war crimes mounting against it.

Donetsk Republic does not rule out resumption of full scale military actions in Donbas from Kiev.

17th August 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/814780

Recent events in Ukraine resemble Kiev's preparation for hostilities - Lavrov.

http://tass.ru/en/world/814683

Basurin said "We call on the international community to take urgent measures to prevent inhumane and criminal plans of Poroshenko to unleash a spiral of combat operations and genocide in Eastern Europe. It is not yet late to prevent a fire of a new war in Europe".

The Ukraine crisis is a global problem now, and I have always feared for a fully fledged war in Ukraine will spread across Europe as it will invite undesirables wanting to fight . It will then spread all over Europe. We cannot have a fully fledged war. Ukraine has got a political problem but Verkhovna Rada cannot agree on impeachment, on ceasefire, on constitution, on Minsk Accords. Therefore no one can deal with the political problem because we have a ghost parliament and its president. 

http://tass.ru/en/world/814678

DPR suggests OSCE take three steps to normalise situation in Donbas.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/814709

Russian Emergencies Ministry has delivered more than 43,000 tons of humanitarian aid to the region since last August. Thank you Russia.

http://tass.ru/en/world/814802

Death toll rises to nearly 8,000 in Ukraine crisis - UN.

http://tass.ru/en/world/814862

Kiev confirms militias setting free 2,852 people.

http://tass.ru/en/world/814675

State only seem to be functioning due to foreign borrowing.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his special message, "I am sure that despite all the difficulties of the current period of time, the situation in Ukraine will be rectified too, Ukraine will be developing positively and will depart from this disgraceful practice that we see today, namely putting a whole huge European country under the external administration with key positions in the government and in the regions being held by foreign nationals. I think that all this is humiliating for the Ukrainian people".

I agree that it is Ukraine's problem have to be dealt with internally without interference from Europe and US government officials. Ukrainians are already humiliated by having to borrow money from foreign borrowing, having to scrimp and scavenge for food or rely on charities to survive, to have to accept refuge etc, having no money, being forced to degradation of living resulting from the war, and being forced to look up to Europe for money etc. All these difficulties will stop if the war does stop, then Ukraine will be able to develop positively while living in peace.

http://www.rt.com/news/312644-lavrov-poroshenko-minsk-agreement/

Poroshenko pushes [Russian aggression against Europe] barrow as smokescreen  to deviate from thinking about Minsk agreements - Lavrov.

http://tass.ru/en/world/814916

OSCE says East Ukraine shelled by Grad rocket launchers the last few days.

http://tass.ru/en/world/814899

Donetsk Republic says no plans for direct contact with Kiev. Dialogue can only be conducted through OSCE. Preparations are underway to hold a meeting of experts from Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France. Date to be set.

18th August 2015

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=51628#.VdK7prJViko

UN agency to give cash assistance to meet food needs.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=51656#.VdK9AbJViko

Ban Ki Moon calls on parties to resume dialogue.

19th August 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/815022

Kiev's troops shelling gets less intensive as OSCE deputy chief monitor visits Donbas.

http://tass.ru/en/world/815204

OSCE sees increase in fighting near Donetsk, Gorlovka, Mariupol - Missions chief.

http://tass.ru/en/world/815140

OSCE reports civilian casualties and types of weaponry used by Kiev.

http://tass.ru/en/world/815118

Russia informed OSCE of Kiev's heavy weaponry build up - FM.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/815057

Kiev, not militias is to blame for escalating violence in Ukraine - Putin.

http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150819/1025923220/kiev-army-deployment-donetsk.html

Kiev gathers huge 65,000 strong army on frontline near Donetsk.

http://tass.ru/en/world/815368

Telmanovo new flashpoint in Donbas - OSCE mission.

29th August 2015

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/29/ukraine-crisis-ceasefire-idUSL5N1140DY20150829

France, Germany and Russia back ceasefire plan for Eastern Ukraine from 1st September - Reuters.

3rd September 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/818540

Russia wants constitution to be real rather than imaginary.

http://tass.ru/en/world/818309

Donetsk Republic calls Kiev decentralisation reform a farce.

http://tass.ru/en/world/818545

US - Ukraine Black Sea drills are wrong signal.

http://tass.ru/en/world/818320

Kiev is violating UN Security Council resolution on Minsk agreements.

http://tass.ru/en/world/818266

All sides of Ukrainian conflict should adhere to Minsk agreements - OSCE.

http://tass.ru/en/world/818597

OSCE reports truce violations in East Ukraine after Sept 1st. The ceasefire is aimed to keep alive or be in existence, keep safe from harm or injury, protect or spare lives and preserving Ukrainians's liberties as free citizens. Addendums to the Minsk package are still needed to confirm by signatures by Ukraine's representative or official.

8th September 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/818750

Kiev does not implement conditions of political settlement - Putin.

http://tass.ru/en/world/819179

Radical Party leader calls Poroshenko election as Ukraine's President greatest mistake.

http://tass.ru/en/russia/819450

Ukraine has no chances to be admitted to EU in foreseeable future. A lot of people think they can have a better standard of living with EU which is delusional. The European Union is in a great mess.

12th September 2015

http://tass.ru/en/politics/820671

Question of Donbas future should be decided not by Russia - Putin.

It would have enormous ramifications for Ukraine not implementing the Minsk Accords for peace. It would put a dent in history of the peace process which requires great psychological and moral importance on both sides of the border. [Ukraine and East Ukraine]. Ukraine has history of sectarianism, divisions, discrimination etc. It is a history not worth repeating.

Ukraine and Russia have got something in common sharing the Christianisation of Kievan Rus going back as early as 867. We have Kievan Rus in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine etc, and they hold a special celebration each year to commemorate the Christianisation of Kievan Rus. Ukraine is violating the fundamentals and principles of religious values, and are not real Christians. Religious values have decreased considerably due to being racist, using sectarianism, hate and discrimination against Russia.

Peace attracts business, tourists, young people who wants to hang around. Peace makes presence in the face of war making absence.

At its core it is about society coming to terms with history and memory, and what we have learnt from the past. We have to learn and experience PEACE.

13th September 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/820741

German Foreign Minister says less confrontation and ceasefire holding.

Peace is legislation and commonly recognised criteria. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed process, because that would be to reduce the truth to a bargaining chip and I will not insult the suffering of victims and survivors by trading the truth against issues. The former is a matter of credibility, the latter are matters of good government. There can be no twin track strategy and that means no side deals and no parallel process.

30th September 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/824751

OSCE hails weapons withdrawal agreement as path to peace in Donbas. Now the signing is done, we have yet to wait for implementation of weapons withdrawal under the 100mm calibre.

1st October 2015

An agreement has been reached in Paris with the Normandy Four that a special status of Donbas should come into effect after the day of coming elections. I welcome that wholeheartedly.

President Hollande said " As for a special status of Ukraine’s eastern regions, we have agreed that the law will be applied starting from the day of the vote, clarifying that at first the status would be temporary, and then would become permanent".

This is helping to defuse the Ukrainian crisis.

On February 12, the sides signed the Minsk agreements on the settlement of the situation in Ukraine after negotiations in Minsk.The Minsk Accords envisage ceasefire, weaponry withdrawal, prisoner exchange, local elections in Donbas, constitutional reform in Ukraine and establishing working sub-groups on security, political, economy and humanitarian components of the Minsk accords.

The Kremlin expects "an additional impulse" from this meeting in "fully implementing the Minsk Agreements." "We want the implementation to proceed in all directions, all points of the Minsk Agreements should be implemented," Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said.

The day after the elections, it remains to be seen who will be in power and whether the Minsk Accords are needed, as I would expect normalisation as it was before the war. Whether the civilians would have human rights and democracy restored. I very much hope so.

5th October 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/826319

Elections explained for DPR and LPR. Trilateral contact group to meet tomorrow.

13th October 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/828254

Poroshenko condemns DPR and LPR plans to hold elections in 2016 after Verkhovna Rada passed a relevant law.

President Putin has been saying "There are many problems there but the majority of them are not in our competence. Do our colleagues in Europe and the United States see it? I think they do. I have reasons to assume that they see it but it is uncomfortable for them to say that the current authorities in Kiev are unable to solve them. It is much easier to pass it on to us and say 'Look, you need to strengthen there, to increase by three times and six times'. It is needed that our partners fulfill their commitments as well, the process to search for compromise on elections in Donbas will be complicated but Kiev should do that. This will be a complicated process to seek compromise, but there is no other way and there are no problems there on our part there. Despite all intra-political restrictions, our colleagues in Kiev should do that. There is no alternative to the Minsk deals, this is already becoming not serious, unfunny and just ridiculous. The key thing that should underlie the settlement of the situation in Ukraine's south east is a 'political process' ".

There is definitely no alternative to the Minsk agreements and the West and Europe asking Russia to implement them becomes ridiculous. I am not amused, as Russia really does not have anything to do with Ukraine except be peacemaker. If there was a war in one of the Baltic States, no one in their right mind would ask Russia to implement any agreements just because it has Russians living abroad. It is out of Russia's jurisdiction to interfere or get involved if their own people [Russians] should want to go abroad, and fight or protest. [Human rights violations on Russians in the Baltic States].

It is Poroshenko's responsibility as President to implement the Minsk Accords, and make sure Verkhovna Rada pass the Ukrainian law on elections, special status, amnesty etc. They had all the time in the world to implement them since February 2015, and all they ever done is do nothing. These problems lie with Ukraine, and not Russia. The Donbas region have cancelled the elections until 20th April 2016 to give Ukraine time to pass the Ukrainian law. If Ukraine does not pass the Ukrainian law by then, that is Ukraine's problem not Russia. It is stupidity of the West and Europe to be placing demands on Russia. Would they try and implement the Minsk Accords? I do not think so. Imposing sanctions on Russia will not make Russia implement the Minsk Accords. There is no compromise, and I believe the Minsk Accords should be adhered to as it has already been agreed by all parties. Not adhering to the Minsk Accords is violation of human rights, democratic rights and freedom.

14th October 2015

http://tass.ru/en/politics/828953

Kiev needs to implement Minsk deal to restore full control over border.

17th October 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/829605

More than half Ukrainians disapprove president, parliament and government work.

25th October 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/831632

Local elections kick off in Ukraine.

http://tass.ru/en/world/831634

Polling stations do not open in Mariupol in East Ukraine, elections disrupted. This is not the first, as other areas have been hit but have been able to hold elections today. Mariupol will have to wait until November to hold their own elections to make sure there is no corruption.

http://tass.ru/en/world/831622

Oligarchs Poroshenko and Kolomoisky to be main rivals in Ukraine local elections. This is such a big headache knowing that Oligarchs are involved in funding the elections. I do not think it is legal, as we are supposed to be relying on the funding of Ukrainians' memberships of each party, and funding by legitimate companies or sponsors. There has got to be a limit to how much each sponsor can give. Because one party gets more sponsorship, it compromises other parties. This system is buying voters, so whoever is richer is buying more voters through more advertising etc.

http://tass.ru/en/world/831623

Mariupol territorial election commission wants to put off elections to November 15th. Violations were made by the print shop which was supposed to print voting ballots. Like I said this is not the first, and other areas were hit by the same problems of printing voting ballots.

http://tass.ru/en/world/831648

240 Polling stations fail to open in Ukraine local elections over electoral breaches.

http://sputniknews.com/europe/20151025/1029073019/ukraine-elections-corruption.html

Maidan coup leaves Ukraine corrupted, controlled by Oligarchs - Media.

https://www.rt.com/news/319629-ukraine-local-election-fraud/

More details on Ukraine election fraud. Please can all polling stations shut down due to fraud and corruption on such a scale especially controlled by Oligarchs

26th October 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/831837

OSCE recognises Ukrainian election but admits big biz pressure was heavy.

http://tass.ru/en/politics/831754

Local election in Ukraine show tiredness of authorities with no one to vote for - Deputy Duma speaker.

http://tass.ru/en/world/831744

Ukraine's elections marked by numerous violations - observers.

Vladislav Deinego, one of the representatives in the Donbas region said, "These elections are held in absolutely unacceptable conditions when torrents of lies are poured down on the voters who are openly intimidated. It would be no surprise for me if the voter turnout in Donbass is not more than ten percent. If it is higher, it will speak about open falsification. They [the Ukrainian authorities] are fully aware that there [in Kiev-controlled Donbass territories], they can have no support at all, that is why they are afraid to show the world the real picture. So, it’s only natural that they have opted to use whatever a pretext that might be not to hold elections in these territories. Rather acute contradictions have taken shape in Ukraine, where they authorities are using all possible tools to rig the elections in their advantage. There is also a rather radically-minded opposition, also seeking to rig votes. In such conditions it is impossible to speak about any objective elections. People’s unwillingness to take part in the polling demonstrates that they don’t believe in the existing system of the organisation of authorities. Whereas people came to the presidential elections with some share of consciousness believing that this way they could put an end to the revolutionary orgy reigning in the country at that time, now people believe neither those who are in power nor those who potentially claim this power. They don’t want to have anything in common with the process of the legitimisation of those extremist groups that are seeking to get to power. People don’t want to have anything in common with the crimes the current authorities are indulging in. That is why the low voter turnout in such conditions can be seen as growing civil consciousness of people".

It has been a very huge disappointment about the low turnout for the local elections, and the way the electoral system is run with electoral breaches. And Ukrainians not knowing who to vote for as there is no one really suitable to meet their needs. It is very hard to put trust in someone who they think could be another corrupt person or not another honest person. It seems to be that candidates may not have been vetted before the elections which would bring problems. The local elections have proved that there have been lies, mass advertising, buying of votes through desperation for food, and rigging as well as printing errors.

We have to accept what OSCE says that it recognises Ukraine election, and make the most of it. We have got a second round of elections to go through. There is a petition system if one is not happy with a Mayor or a Superior. There is no guarantee that any one of the new authorities will not be corrupt. So far Kiev have failed to tackle corruption etc. Ukrainians would not have to put faith in any authority if corruption was dealt with promptly. I do not know how the Ukrainian authority works, but I suspect it is a maladministration on its part.

If I was President, I would make sure each authority has a treasurer who is non-party, for impartiality and employed by the government on good financial credentials. This treasurer would make sure there is no interference from the government, and is acting on its own on behalf of the citizens with a three monthly report on finance to present to government officials belonging to all parties in one city or town. This would be corruption proof with genuine bookkeeping.

It is so very obvious that a lot of Ukrainians are unhappy with any one of the parties who cannot meet their needs. They really need to pull together to form a new party. They have reason to fear about the next election next year to vote for MPs and President. We cannot have history repeating itself with more elections being rigged, corrupted, riddled with lies as well as having very low turnout.

Ukrainians must show valiant of spirit, and show that they are not to be intimidated, and have courage to stand up against those who are not honest and got criminality, to get the democracy they want.

I could stand for President but I am British, and would do it, if the Ukrainians needs me to help the transition from a negative to a positive government. It is preferable that the Ukrainians do find someone who can form a party, and be a candidate for MP or Presidency. But if there is no one to turn to, then the option would be that I get Ukrainians get together to form a party called 'Prymyrennya' [reconciliation] Party as leader of that party. But I do need approval from disillusioned Ukrainians who genuinely wants a legitimate party, and this cannot be done without sponsorship. I do hope that the Ukrainians do find a born political leader amongst them who genuinely cares about them with Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial and political integrity.

12th November 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/834837

Ukraine's Tymoshenko considers results of local election falsified.

http://tass.ru/en/world/835218

Law on Donbas special status should enter into force on election day - German Foreign Minister. This has got to happen whether Verkhovna Rada like it or not.

http://tass.ru/en/world/835689

Ukrainian troops ordered to shoot to kill to protect their lives - Ukrainian President. He accused the militias in the Donbas region of attempts to thwart the Minsk agreements. If the Ukrainian President did want the Ukrainian troops to protect their lives. They should not have been fighting against the militias of the Donbas region in the first place, their own flesh and blood.

http://tass.ru/en/world/835794

Monitoring centre confirms Luhansk's compliance with all withdrawal commitments.

13th November 2015

http://tass.ru/en/politics/836268

Threat of provocations still real in Donbas - Russia's OSCE envoy.

http://tass.ru/en/world/836101

OSCE official concerned with escalation of violence in Ukraine, calls for restraint.

17th November 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/837330

Contact group on Ukraine urges all parties to conflict in Donbas to ceasefire - OSCE.

21st November 2015

It is very worrying for the Ukrainians living in Russia with the uncertainty about their future. That is because the conflict is more or less the same, despite attempts at ceasefire needed for the settlement of Ukraine. The Minsk agreements still had not been adhered to permanently, and is still the basis for resolving the conflict. These agreements is aimed to prevent armed confrontation for humanitarian reasons, and they are not supposed to cause any frustration resulting from the Minsk agreements. These agreements again, are supposed to help people move forward, and all we are getting is taking a step forward, then a step backward and taking one step forward, and then two steps backward and so on. This is because Verkhovna Rada is reluctant to stop fighting the civil war between Ukrainian citizens. Ukrainians wants restoration of Ukraine despite closeness of the two nations between Ukraine and Russia. Refugees, displaced people and homeless people are still waiting for a reconciliation in their own homeland. Ukrainians living in Russia after fleeing the civil war proved that they can co-exist, and still want Russia to be its next door neighbour. They still want Ukraine to be a single state and opts for a better workable government [Verkhovna Rada]. The Minsk Accords are very important and attainable to peace. Russia does genuinely cares for the people of Ukraine [same DNAs], and the last thing Russia wants is for them to have a conflict because of Verkhovna Rada's problems. Which is why the Minsk Accords created by Russia are so very important, and that there is still no alternative, because there are points to follow like the withdrawal of heavy weaponry for instance. Unless we can give up arms and weaponry to start with, there is no possibility of a non-violence nation with peace and harmony. The world all agrees that Minsk Accords are the answer to peace. That Minsk Accords are to help stabilise, make the country secure, for humane reasons, bringing economic growth, prosperity, better standards of living etc. Ukraine is still a nation in its own rights with sovereignty and integrity. Russia is just a very good neighbour to live next door to. It is so heartbreaking for the world to watch the civil war go on, and the two sides are not doing anything constructively and permanently.

24th November 2015

I make it clear that when I said that 'there is no possibility of a non-violence nation with peace and harmony'. I mean that you cannot have non-violence, peace and harmony all at the same time. The withdrawal of heavy weaponry is only part of the Minsk Accords. The Minsk Accords needs to be fulfilled and completed without violations of the UN and OSCE principles.

I do not know if it is true that the Armed Forces of Ukraine continues to concentrate military equipment and personnel at the line of contact. I cannot rely on the information of LPR or DPR as I need confirmation from OSCE or another body who does the monitoring of all armed forces. It is assumed that due to recent information, about 2,000 troops of the Ukrainian army and fighters from the nationalist battalions are around some areas either in the LPR or DPR regions. The buildup of military equipment and troops are not a good sign, and goes against the basis of the Minsk Accords. 

We do not need any more hostilities, let alone increasing them. And we cannot have many units of the Ukrainian army who are dissatisfied with Kiev's actions and policies be made to fight against their Ukrainian citizens. It is not acceptable to increase 160 pieces of military equipment as well as two combat helicopters. They are stoking the war, and destroying the peace process. 

According to the agreement reached at peace talks in Minsk, a complete ceasefire was declared on the contact line in Ukraine's Donbas region starting from September 1st, however it seems the Ukrainian forces have systematically violated it, as they regularly shell on a nearly daily basis, and is increasing day by day. That has got to stop, and with Christmas coming, the situation must be resolved.

I do know that there are contact groups, but we do need a meeting between all armed forces including self defence forces of LPR and DPR without delay to try, and see reason and common sense that nothing must help to fuel the war, and that peace is in sight. They must understand that Ukraine will always have sovereignty, integrity and unity.

I repeat human lives are at stake, and this is not helping if there is no infrastructure to support such human lives, and without degradation of such human lives. I am talking about health, sanitation, water, warmth etc.

There is no way the Ukrainian forces can try and retake all the areas of LPR and DPR regions as they are truly stuck with the Minsk agreements. They cannot go back on it. The Minsk agreements still stands. Agreements have been made which cannot be violated, and must be implemented. This is aimed to prevent both sides with stubbornness, who will kill each other until there is no one left, and no one winning at the end. We have to think of the future of Ukraine. Both sides have got to accept that victory only comes from those who has the lesser evil.

26th November 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/839603

Shirokino, Gorlovka, and Donetsk airport turn into trouble spots again - OSCE.

It seems that Ukraine was only having the quietest ceasefire to enable the elections to take place last month. The civil war is escalating back to what it was before, and there is no one to try and stop it.

27th November 2015

http://tass.ru/en/politics/839700

Moscow warns against US plans to continue Ukrainian troopers training which could have negative consequences.

http://tass.ru/en/politics/839903

Russian delegation stripped of powers last year from PACE caused problems for Ukraine.

Lack of developments in Ukraine lies with United States and NATO interference of fuelling the war, training troopers and supplying equipment. Also with Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe reaching a stalemate. Russian voting rights denying them to vote at the Assembly's sessions as they were stripped of powers last year. We seem to have reached a dead end in trying to get the Minsk deal implemented. United States and Europe have successfully blocked the Minsk Accords, and in doing so they are hypocrites. Russia have got no way of helping Ukraine in many forms while being blocked. The Minsk Accords have stalled, and cannot move a way forward. It is Europe influencing President Poroshenko and Verkhovna Rada, they have not made attempts to remove the negative policies and penalties. The Donbas regions are also being blocked when it comes to trying to withdraw heavy weaponry. That is because there is so much unwillingness from the Ukrainian side to give up heavy weaponry.

30th November 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/840206

OSCE - JCCCM analyse night shelling of Donetsk.

http://tass.ru/en/politics/839825

Kiev delays agreement on election modalities with Donbas on purpose - Russia's OSCE envoy.

There is no real reason why Kiev could not work constructively with Donetsk and Luhansk if it is for the good of its future for Ukraine. We have a very weak leader who would dismiss everything just to bring chaos and destruction for Ukraine.

8th December 2015

Joe Biden, Vice President of US said " America would never accept Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and will continue to pressure Russia to live up to the Minsk agreements including withdrawal of its troops and weapons and the return of eastern borders to Ukraine's control. He also said in his passionate speech and urging Ukraine to seize the opportunity to become a truly democratic nation. Once again standing in the face of Russian aggression and widespread corruption. One that cannot be bullied, bribed or bought. So long as the people of Ukraine continue to strive for freedom and democracy, they can count on the unwavering commitment of the United States to stand with them".

How dare he make his presence known in the Ukrainian parliament and give a passionate speech about Russian aggression and influence the politicians speaking up for himself. There is no Russian aggression as Russia is not involved in the civil war. Russia cannot live up to the Minsk Accords as it has nothing to do with the civil war. It is United States bullying, bribing and buying Ukraine, and does not want Ukraine to strive for freedom and democracy. Russia is not in conflict with Ukraine. It is all lies what the United States have said, implicating Russia having a hand in the civil war.

It is the Oligarchs who are not interested in reforms, Oligarchs cannot use influence in courts and justice as they are corruption siphoning off the people of Ukraine and from the economy of Ukraine. The nation's prosecutorial and judicial system does need to be overhauled to deliver justice to Ukrainians.

Without justice in the government and the judicial system, there will be consequences in building a whole, united and democratic Ukraine.

It is up to the United Nations now to stop the civil war by declaring that Crimea should be returned to Crimea as it is the Crimean's  wish to be under the wing of Russia. This would put paid to the United States comments which is inciting violence, unrest, discord etc. and its influence by interfering in Ukraine's affairs.

http://www.voanews.com/content/biden-warns-ukraine-of-backsliding-on-corruption/3093156.html

Voice of America - Biden promises continued support on conflict with Russia.​

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/80464-croatia-helps-migrants-settle-by-cooking-taste-of-home

We hav​e Ukraine opening up criminal cases against European politicians for their visit to Crimea and their support for Crimea. We have had activists blocking energy and food supplies to Crimea. We have had bullying, bribery and even bought in Verkhovna Rada which is threatening to Ukrainian citizens' freedom and democracy. What is happening now is a theatre of absurdity, and is completely unacceptable. There must be justice and true democracy not only in Ukraine but in Crimea as well. I have mentioned  in my yesterday's article about Crimea's situation in another post [Linda Breeze - New President of Ukraine] which is a coincidence. Again, I ask the United Nations to settle this with United States and with the world.

Acting President of Ukraine in the absence of its President and Verkhovna Rada [Linda Breeze]

http://tass.ru/en/politics/842391

No influence or pressure on Russia by US, regarding Crimea's reunification with Russia.

http://tass.ru/en/world/842436

OSCE confirms buildup of Ukrainian forces in Donbas buffer zone. There is no sign of easing, only showing more aggression from the Ukrainian forces with battalions [nationalists, foreigners and extremists] ready to support them.They show no regard for protecting infrastructure, homes, roads etc. They seem ready for the offensive, and it is not putting any pressure on Russia, only on the Ukrainian citizens who may be forced to flee their homes and businesses becoming refugees. This may mean more homelessness and more poverty which is concerning.

9th December 2015

http://tass.ru/en/world/842794

UN report says 9,000 people killed and 20,000 wounded during conflict in Donbas - UN.

The solution to the problem of the continuing war would be to arrange confiscation of all heavy weaponry and rockets on both sides. They could be stored somewhere out of reach of Ukraine so they cannot be used inside Ukraine. These are lethal weapons that cause so much damage to infrastructure, homes, and lives which is against International Law and the UN Charter as well as Human Rights. The civil war would be a lot quieter without these heavy weaponry on both sides. Why should we let them use them as I do not think withdrawal of heavy weapons are really enough? Both sides cannot make up their minds as they do not trust each other. Besides, the self defence forces [Ukrainian citizens] wanted to protect themselves, their homes, lands and livelihoods. They cannot be defenceless.

http://tass.ru/en/politics/842732

Biden's remarks in Kiev maintain tension in Ukraine to put pressure on Russia with bad formula. Special status for Donbas must be permanent - Lavrov.

10th January 2016

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160108/1032845327/ukraine-falls-victim-to-us-neocon-regime-change-experiment.html

The success story of Ukraine's 'democratic revolution' is falling apart at the seams as the country risks becoming another failed state, being torn by greedy politicians and foreign plutocrats. Politicians should not have their own businesses while being MPs.

http://tass.ru/en/world/848592

Recorded facts that sabotage groups hampered the international monitoring mission's work - DPR.

2nd February 2016

http://tass.ru/en/world/853820

Kiev's unwillingness to discuss the constitutional reform with representatives of Donbas has been the main obstacle for the peace process. As Ukraine's parliament avoids implementation of Minsk agreements.

http://tass.ru/en/world/855840

Security situation in Donbas continues deteriorating - OSCE.