Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Sunday 29 January. [Ukrainian sources]

SUNDAY

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NEWS:
German politics: Russia’s next target?.  In Britain, a petition against the visit Trump has more than 260 thousand votes.  Russia blocked the implementation of the Minsk agreements in anticipation of the change of leadership in the US and EU.  Three Ukrainian soldiers killed in attack at Avdiivka industrial zone. Shooting on the market in Odesa injured woman.  

WEATHER:
Kyiv, Ukraine
-2c / 28f HI | RealFeel® -2c / 29f
Precipitation 1%
Areas of low clouds and freezing fog this morning, then mostly cloudy this afternoon

Officials fear Moscow may interfere in this year’s election to benefit the hard-right

Lisa was a Russian-born teenager living in Berlin who last January said she had been abducted and raped by three men she alleged were immigrants, noting they were “southerners” who spoke poor German.

As the story spread on social media, Russian media outlets pounced on it, widely reporting the 13-year-old girl had been held as “a sex slave”.

Before the police could complete their investigation, Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, accused the German authorities of “sweeping problems under the rug”. Berlin responded by warning Moscow not to exploit the case “for political propaganda”.

A few days later, prosecutors concluded the girl had not been abducted or raped, but had gone to a friend’s home to hide from her parents after getting into trouble at school. Despite the prosecutors’ findings, Russian media issued dire warnings about sex crimes committed by immigrants, prompting an outcry in Germany’s ethnic Russian community. Protests were staged across the country, including a demonstration by 700 people outside Angela Merkel’s chancellery.

For Germans braced for Russian interference in this year’s federal election, the “Lisa case” offers a precedent for how it might unfold. The case erupted during election campaigns in three regions, when emotions were running high about the flow of 1m refugees into Germany and support was surging for the hard right Alternative for Germany party.................

Access complete text of the editorial:   (Financial Times)  In English

Performing Minsk II was blocked by Russia in anticipation of a new administration in the United States and change managers several European countries.

About this on his page in Facebook announced First Vice Speaker Irina Gerashchenko, reports Tsenzor.NET.

"Implementation of Minsk II was blocked by Russia and puppet" leaders of the republics "and that Russia is not going to have to leave the Donbass (but the goal in Moscow - this is not the conquest of the mining region, and the whole Ukraine), and that the Kremlin sincerely expect that the new administration in the US can be loyal. And the Kremlin expects that 2017 will bring loyal governments in several European countries.

That is why September is actually blocked the release of hostages issue. For Moscow this trump bid for the lifting of sanctions. It is about political prisoners in Russia, and the hostages in the occupied territories. Bad that the world allows the Kremlin that more than two years illegally holding Ukrainian use hostages as part of the auction, "- wrote Gerashchenko.

In her view, "a very important position solidarity of EU countries have suggested the leaders of Germany, France, Britain, sanctions should continue until the full implementation of the Minsk agreements, that Ukraine to return control over the border. And the security and humanitarian issues should be a priority"

ua.censor.net.ua , In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Militants attacked Ukrainian positions this morning.

Three soldiers killed and another one wounded in a fighting at the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area this morning. This was announced by Defense Ministry spokesperson on ATO matters Oleksandr Motuzianyk, Censor.NET reports citing 112 TV Channel.

Ukrainian forces suffered losses in the vicinity of Avdiivka industrial zone which was attacked by the militants.

The militants fired the industrial zone in Avdiivka from small guns and mortars and then stormed the positions of the Ukrainian military.

Also, a blind shell launched from the occupied territory was discovered in the center of Avdiivka today.

Another two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded over the past 24 hours in the ATO zone, Motuzianyk added.

Earlier, the ATO Staff spokesperson Leonid Matiukhin reported that three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded during the assault at Avdiivka, while there had been no information on the exact number of the dead.

ua.censor.net.ua, In Ukrainian / на українській мові

The petition does not preclude the arrival of Donald Trump in the UK under normal working visit

Living in the UK actively support the petition, which refers to the prohibition of the official visit of US President Donald Trump in the UK.

Petition to the website of the Parliament signed more than 200 thousand. People.



"Donald Trump be allowed to enter the UK as head of the US government, but we should not send an invitation to come on an official state visit, because it will cause inconvenience to Her Majesty the Queen," - says the petition.

As justification for such a ban petition authors indicate zhenonenavysnytskyy views Trump and his vulgar behavior, which, in their view, preclude the possibility of receiving the 45th US President Queen Elizabeth or the Prince of Wales. The text of the appeal states that such a method could put the queen in an awkward position.

At the same time, the petition does not preclude the arrival of Donald Trump in the UK under normal working visit without meeting with members of the royal family.

Under existing rules, if a petition signed by over 10,000 people, the government is obliged to publish a formal response to it. If the petition is gaining more than 100 thousand signatures Parliament may begin debate on sensitive issues.

Recall that German Chancellor Angela Merkel says wrong "antymihratsiynyy" decree of President of the United States Donald Trump, which was suspended reception of refugees in the US and banned from entering the country for citizens of seven Muslim countries.

As you know, Donald Trump on Friday signed a "antymihrantskyy" decree according to which the State Department agrees to 120 days to suspend the program for migrants Refugee Admissions Program, which applies to all countries.

In addition, the decree for a period of 90 days, cease issuing permits for immigration to US residents, "involved in terrorism" - Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Iran and Libya. Today it became known that the inhabitants of the above seven Muslim countries can not enter the US even with Card Green.

glavcom.ua , In Ukrainian / на українській мові

At Starokinnoho market in Odessa today, January 29, 2017, there was a conflict with the shooting.

As the Tsenzor.NET , resulting in fire injured woman, said " Dumskaya ."

"Today, 29 January, at Rozkydaylivskiy street there was a conflict with the shooting, was wounded person" - said in a statement. As noted, according to eyewitnesses, the conflict occurred because of parking spaces between several men.

"During the conflict, one of them took out a weapon (by preliminary data - gun) shot and hit the woman, who was next to the events," - said in a statement.

According to the newspaper, the woman who suffered as a result of shooting in Odessa, transported to the hospital.

Read more: In the Transcarpathian region drunk man made a fire in the parking lot. PHOTO

addition, information about the shooting in Odessa confirmed by local police. The one who fired, arrested and taken to the police station to clarify the circumstances.

ua.censor.net.ua , In Ukrainian / на українській мові

On the destruction of an entire brigade of fighters reporters Yuri Butusov

During Avdiyivka destroyed by a group of Russian mercenaries led by the commander of the 1st Battalion of the 100th Brigade, "NPT", one of the most experienced terrorists "Greek."

This page in Facebook reports journalist Yuri Butusov citing "NSDC Secretary NPT" Alexander Khodakovsky.

According Butusova, the part of the enemy during war Avdiyivka one of the most combat-ready units - "Republican Guard", also known as the 100th brigade of internal troops "Interior of the NPT."

He said that the "Republican Guard" in the structure of "MIA" is a special privileged position and is fighting the most important for the direction of the enemy - in Donetsk, near Sand, Avdeevki, Marinka.

"Destroyed is now commander of the 1st Battalion of the 100th Brigade of the Republican Guard" DNR "call sign" Greek, "was one of the most experienced field commanders of militants who fought beginning with Slavic, participated in the fighting in the border areas" D "from June 2014 year, near Marinovka, Snow, Saur-Tombs, when a number of our units, including 72 brigade, were surrounded by Russian regular army and troops of mercenaries also participated in the battles for Yasinovataya in August 2014 year commanded Special Forces "south" brigade of mercenaries "East" - said Butusov.

According to him, the terrorist "Greek," "after the command of the Russian occupation army, led by the 1st Battalion of the Republican Guard and two years leading the battle of Donetsk."

"About him know that a former citizen of Ukraine, a former soldier from Donetsk, who took part in the first days of anti-Ukrainian demonstrations organized by the Russian secret services on March 1 st 2014 and defected to the enemy. The elimination of "Greek" - is an important merit of men from 72 th "- added the journalist.

glavcom.ua, In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Hard-bargain rhetoric on Brexit drives the UK into the hands of the US

Does President Donald Trump want to destroy the EU? We cannot answer this question definitely, but the signals he has sent out suggest the bloc should take the potential threat more seriously than it is.

Just consider this statement by Ted Malloch, the man widely tipped to be Mr Trump’s ambassador to the EU. Mr Malloch, a professor at the Henley Business School at the University of Reading, said he wanted to “short the euro”. The single currency was at risk of collapsing within the next 18 months, he said.

I am not the greatest euro optimist myself, but I would be happy to be a counterparty to this particular trade. The worst-case scenario for the euro is not its total annihilation but the loss of one of its members.

More worrying for the EU than a tough-talking would-be diplomat are the trade negotiations that will follow last Friday’s meeting between Mr Trump and Theresa May, the British prime minister. Opponents of Brexit in the UK have dismissed the possibility of a trade pact with the US on the grounds that Mr Trump’s protectionist agenda would affect Britain as well. Except that this deal will not be primarily about trade. It will be a political deal, a vehicle to sow discord between the UK and the EU, the one trade deal Mr Trump may go soft on for strategic reasons.

This is why the hard-bargain rhetoric on Brexit by some politicians in Brussels is counter-productive because it drives the UK into the hands of Mr Trump. It is in the EU’s interests to maintain an open relationship with the UK. Britain would get more out of a fair deal with Europe than from even the cosiest agreement with Mr Trump. The UK will always trade more with the EU than the US. Geography matters..............

Access complete text of the editorial: (Financial Times)  In English