Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Sunday 26 March. [Ukrainian sources]

SUNDAY

Please scroll to view news items added during the day.

NEWS:
US concerned about the crackdown of peaceful actions in Belarus.  "It is surprising and disappointing," - Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the introduction of new US sanctions. In Moscow detained Navalny anti-corruption action. Canada registered a petition calling lethal weapons to Ukraine.  On Freedom Day in Minsk have detained more than 700 people, including 25 journalists and opposition leaders.  Rally and march against corruption in Russia. Live Stream.  Russia complains that the US squeeze of her arms market. Putin disappointed by the new US sanctions against Russia.

WEATHER:
Kyiv, Ukraine
4c / 40f HI | RealFeel® 5c / 41f
Precipitation 50%
Periods of clouds and sun with a shower in the area later this afternoon

Calls on the Belarusian authorities to immediately release the detained peaceful demonstrators.

As the Tsenzor.NET about this in a statement on the website of the embassy.

"The United States with deep concern the opposition Belarusian authorities carrying out peaceful actions on the occasion of the annual Day of Freedom. Large-scale detention of peaceful demonstrators, human rights activists and several journalists are contrary to democratic values. There are reports of the use of force against peaceful demonstrators and others," - said in message.

Some of the detainees were released. US will continue to monitor the situation closely and urge the Government of Belarus to immediately release the rest of the arrested peaceful demonstrators, human rights activists and journalists and ensure citizens' right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression in accordance with its international obligations.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

According to ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova, it undermines the prospects of cooperation in the fight against IDIL.

As the Tsenzor.NET, the decision of the US administration on the introduction of new sanctions against Russian companies, according to the Foreign Ministry, undermining prospects for multilateral cooperation to defeat IDIL and other terrorist groups that threaten all countries, including the United States. Reads a Facebook Russian Foreign Ministry, referring to the official representative Maria Zakharova.

"The decision of the US Administration on restrictive measures on a number of Russian organizations, including those related to aeronautics and flight training experts, is surprising and disappointing. No major problems we need this new piece of sanctions, of course, has not, but Americans are not even named reason, and only referred to its legislation prohibiting themselves to cooperate with Iran and Syria, "- said in a statement.

Zakharov also said that the move "totally fits with calls that sound from Washington to prioritize the fight against terrorism, including the fact that wriggle and nest on Syrian territory."

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

In the capital of Russia held a protest against corruption in the government.

As Tsenzor.NET, protests held under the slogan "Dimon answer." Similar action is in dozens of Russian cities.

The demonstrations are driven by opposition leader Alexei Navalny and focus on his recent claims that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has amassed a collection of mansions, yachts and vineyards.
Russian protesters denouncing government corruption have gathered in cities across Russia and some have scuffled with police, Censor.NET reports.

The protesters demand the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. The detentions started after protesters unfurled banners reading "Corruption steals our future" and "The prime minister should answer".



ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

New US sanctions against Russia are designed to limit the work of Russian competitors in world markets

And they also have to demonstrate superiority of American law over international. This statement was made head of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Konstantin Kosachev commented restrictive measures against eight companies in the Russian defense industry.

He called the move "openly hostile" taken in the spirit of the former US administration policy in the Russian direction. "Waiting any change of policy under the new administration is rapidly melting," - concluded Kosachev.

The day before it became known that the United States under the so-called law on non-proliferation on Iran, North Korea and Syria have introduced sanctions against eight Russian organizations, including such powerful structures as "Rosoboronexport", NGO "Basalt" 150 th Aircraft Repair Plant, Kolomna Design office machinery.

glavcom.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

To get to the debate in Parliament, the petition lacks only 400 signatures.

As the Tsenzor.NET , reported the agency " Ukrinform ". In the Canadian Parliament registered e- petition calling for the government to begin deliveries of lethal weapons Ukraine.

To petition came up for discussion in Parliament, it lacks only 400 signatures, the report said.

deputy Conservative James Bezan on the Facebook page urged to sign a petition and to signal the government.

"Confrontation with Russia supported the rebels in eastern Ukraine worsened. Ukraine needs lethal weapons to protect its citizens and sovereignty. Sign the petition and sends a signal to the government", - said Bezan.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

According to human rights activists, aware of the more than 700 detained during the action dedicated to Freedom Day in Minsk. Most people were taken to Moscow and Soviet police department. After 17:30 people started to release from police.

According to human rights activist Anastasia Loiko, the Moscow police department brought about 170 people (according TUT.BY - about 120), the Soviet - 170, -100 Factory, Leninsky - 150 people, reports Tsenzor.NET.

"It is not known whether people brought all the police department - says human rights activist.





The detention in Minsk on March 25

Total in Minsk next nine parts. According to the police department of Central district, they arrested there. In partisan police department - one arrested. As of 22:00 in the Soviet police department detained remained in Lenin - 15 people in the factory - 20 people.



Human rights activists reported that evening after drawing up reports for violation of organizing and holding mass events (Article 23.34 of the Administrative Code) began to release detainees from the police department.

In particular, the duty of Leninsky district released almost all minors.
"The criteria are released, is difficult to determine. But there are people who were with him documents," - says Anastasia Loiko.

"The detainees during a protest in Minsk on the Day of Will make records might then be discharged penalties. Some activists were detained before the action quickly and had to sentence a day", says Belarusian partisans .
Several people were released from the Moscow police department. First at large were pensioners, minors and journalists.

Around 17.30 the Moscow police department came pensioner Natalia. She said it with a friend just watched the action near the Central Department Store.

"We, like other spectators, just looking at the action. And then we were pushed into a paddy wagon and taken to the police department. About an hour we are in the courtyard stood in the street in the rain. My passport has become unusable. All things taken away, they hung shortcuts names - said Natalia. - Later became one take away from the street to the house. They drew up a protocol, was fingerprinted and released.

"Viasna" reports that some detainees have already received 12 days of administrative arrest. This Ahromenko Constantine, Hleb and Sergei Vajkule batons. They were detained before the action was taken and in Zhodino.

Journalists met those released after the action on Freedom Day of the Moscow police department of Minsk.

At least 25 journalists arrested during the Freedom Day in Belarus on Saturday. Reported Belorusskaya Association of journalists.

"As of 18:30 March 25th known that delayed at least 25 person. 20 released," - said at the association.

Remaining detainees Denis Ivashin (site InformNapalm), which - in the Frunze district police department Alexander grooves ( "Belsat") - the Moscow police department.

Also known location independent journalist Dmitry Korenka and Russian photographer Anton Karlinera.

"Colleagues can not find a British journalist Philip Warwick. Information or about his detention or about where he is with him there," - told the association. He later wrote that riot police chained him in handcuffs, was not allowed to contact the embassy, was beaten in the face.

Also detained in Vitebsk is Artem Sizintsav, "Radio rational" in Atlanta - Larissa Schyrokova.

However, the Belarusian journalist edition of "Radio Liberty" comments Valery Kalinowski in " Public " said that while the shares to the Freedom Day in Minsk were detained, according to various estimates, from 500 to 1,000 people.

"There are different figures. According to what we use and human rights, is 500-600 people. Independent media provide up to 1,000 people. Final figures will be hard to count" - he said.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Previously reported 10 detained at Pushkin Square.

In Moscow detained opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who joined the campaign against corruption. Navalny was detained when he went Tverskaya Street, said Tsenzor.NET with reference to the site " Medusa ."

News Director Fund to Fight Corruption Roman Rubanov.

Participants who were close to the flood, police blocked the bus, which was placed policies and do not let him leave the place of detention.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

In none of the federal channels did not interrupt the scheduled transmission to report thousands of anti-corruption action.

It said "rain."

Channel One broadcast series "Romanov" channel "Russia" - melodrama "City Rhapsody" on NTV went on the show "Jeopardy" in Russia 24 - Documentary series about special forces, on TVC - Romance "scavenger" Ren TV - series " Capercaillie ".

In the news at 16.00 on NTV showed disperse rallies in the US and Yemen, and talked about how in Moscow hosted Earth Day.

Information about the protest rallies did not get among the top news "Yandex".

On the first screen agency RIA Novosti site of action is also not reported, headline news there are reports of injured fans in Belgrade.

TASS promotions so called "unauthorized action participants in Moscow threatening fines and imprisonment up to 15 days."

espreso.tv, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

The police department of Moscow brought hundreds of participants in demonstrations against corruption in the Russian government, the website of "ATS-info".

The detainees were taken to 30 departments of internal affairs of the capital.

At least 10 detainees - minors, human rights activists say.

Tass quoted a source says that during the meetings, "He will not Dimon" detained more than 500 people in Moscow in law enforcement. According to the agency, for the majority of the detainees will be drawn up protocols on administrative violations of law violations of the established order of the meeting. Some of the detainees were released after the talks, said the source agency.

At the same time, another police source told Tass that detainees face fines up to 20 thousand. Rubles (about 9400 USD) and arrests to 15 days.

More than demonstrations against government corruption have been a hundred cities in Russia. The reason for the anti-corruption protests was the publication of the investigation fund the fight against corruption Navalny, who on March 2 issued an investigation of "corrupt empire," Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called "He will not allow". In the fund argue that the Prime Minister and his associates created a criminal scheme, based on a charitable fund managed friends, classmates and proxies head of government.



gordonua.com, Original in Russian / На русском

Over the past decade Europe has sleepwalked into an increasingly precarious and less safe place. The postwar order that provided so much peace and stability across the continent appears to be breaking up.

Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, as much as rejoiced in this at the recent Munich security conference when he spoke of the a new “post-west” era in Europe. Reversing the breakup of the Soviet Union and restoring the Russian empire have now become an obsession for the Kremlin. There are three things central to understanding what motivates Russia, and how Vladimir Putin’s government works.

The first is Russkiy mir – “Russian world”: a philosophy that harks back to the Soviet era. Central to it is the belief that Ukraine is part of a greater Russia. In 1991, after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia was too weak to resist when more than 92% of my fellow Ukrainians voted for an independence we had hungered for over centuries. Gradually, however post-Soviet Russia has sought to exert its influence over my country, and when in 2014 a popular revolution ousted Viktor Yanukovych, it was more than Russia could stomach.

It subsequently illegally annexed Crimea and invaded Donbas in support of the so-called “People’s Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk”, which my government believes to be little more than a mixture of terrorist and criminal organisations.

Russia’s appetite for hegemony does not stop with Ukraine. It greedily eyes other former states and satellites of the Soviet Union, and more broadly seeks to destabilise and divide the rest of Europe and the wider transatlantic alliance. It is instructive that the Kremlin is commissioning new statues of Stalin, one of the 20th century’s worst mass murderers..................

Access complete text of the editorial: theguardian.com  In English

A federal control board overseeing Puerto Rico's finances amid a dire economic crisis announced Thursday that it appointed Ukraine's former finance minister as its executive director.

The board's chairman said Natalie Jaresko served during a critical time in Ukraine's history from 2014 to 2016 as it faced a deep recession.

"Ukraine's situation three years ago, like Puerto Rico's today, was near catastrophic, but she worked with stakeholders to bring needed reforms that restored confidence, economic vitality and reinvestment in the country and its citizens. That's exactly what Puerto Rico needs today," said chairman Jose Carrion.

He said Jaresko was born in Chicago to Ukrainian immigrants and was chosen out of a group more than 300 candidates during a four-month search. She previously worked in various economic positions at the U.S. State Department and also co-founded private equity fund manager Horizon Capital, where she served as CEO. As Ukraine's finance minister, she maintained a strong reputation with Western governments and investors and helped negotiate a deal to restructure the country's $15 billion debt after its economy contract by nearly 18 percent in the first quarter of 2015.

Jaresko, 51, grew up in west suburban Wood Dale, and later moved to Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood.

Even as she spoke mostly English at home, her parents insisted that their children attend Ukrainian Saturday school and Ukrainian Orthodox church on Sunday.

"Monday through Friday, we were very American. On Saturday and Sunday, we were very Ukrainian, between Ukrainian school, seeing our grandparents and going to church," Jaresko told the Tribune in 2015.

She showed an inclination for political engagement from a young age. As a 21-year-old accounting major at DePaul University in 1986, she organized a vigil at Daley Plaza days after the Chernobyl nuclear accident in Ukraine. The event, which she emceed, attracted 500 people, including more than 20 bishops, priests and ministers.

Jaresko said in a statement that she will pursue a decisive and successful recovery for Puerto Rico..................

Access complete text of the editorial:  chicagotribune.com In English