Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Monday 10 April. [Ukrainian sources]

MONDAY

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NEWS:
Republican Senator Inhofe: "Russia now has a fear of the United States".  Putin reacted hysterically to prepare new US sanctions against Russia.  Britain to urge G7 countries to impose new sanctions against Russia.  Prominent journalist pointed out the biggest foreign policy failure of Putin.  A fight at a rally in Odessa, has a new video activists clash.  It's all fake, West spoke harshly about the prospects of Ukraine's membership in NATO.  Putin's scandalous bikers gathered again in Berlin.  Murder of Litvinenko: The media learned about the attempted poisoning of British detectives in Russia.  In Russia, the Communists supported the protests against Putin.

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At a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Lucca, Italy, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is set to demand further tightening of sanctions against Russia in response to the latest events in Syria unless Moscow ceases to support Damascus.

Censor.NET reports citing The Times.

Johnson ordered the preparation of relevant papers for a meeting that starts today. He stressed these should be "very punitive sanctions".

The Russian embassy in London suggested that if Moscow received an ultimatum from western powers this week it could lead to "real war".

Russia and Iran warned jointly yesterday that they would "respond with force" if there were further US attacks in Syria.

Earlier Boris Johnson canceled his visit to Russia due to the recent developments in Syria.

He noted London regrets Russia's continued support for the Assad regime even after a chemical airstrike against innocent civilians.

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

The times of Russia's impunity for its crimes in Ukraine has gone.

As reported by Censor.NET referring to Dialog.UA, Republican party Senator Jim Inhofe said in an interview with a U.S. TV channel.



Inhofe noted that Russia really liked the Barack Obama period, when Moscow could do whatever it wanted. He mentioned Russia's military invasion of Ukraine and stressed it wouldn't had happened if Moscow had realized Washington would provide Ukraine with defensive weapons. Now the times have changed, according to him.

"Now, they have a new respect for us," Inhofe said.

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

Member of the Russian Federation Alexei Pushkov reacted to the news that the administration of US President Donald Trump discusses the possibility of new sanctions against Russia.

This Pushkov wrote in his Twitter.

"Trump should think thrice before entering new sanctions against Russia", - said Pushkov.

According to him, in this case the US president deserves applause American Senator John McCain's last chance but will undermine the dialogue.

"Last chance for dialogue" blew Putin, and for a long time! The question is, when it comes to Trump "," hope for dialogue? Oh naive. There is a wonderful country - North Korea. And Cuba is still "" in favor of sanctions, as we have explained, "" A dialogue-it was? Russia the whole world against itself configured and wants dialogue? "" And then what? Russians deny Big Mac? "- commented the words Pushkov's Twitter.

Earlier, in another publication, Pushkov called the bluff conclusions about the involvement of the US government to the Syrian chemical attack in Idlib.

As reported by "Apostrophe" in social networks because of White House statements about the possibility of new sanctions against Russia recalled inadequate applause of the Russian State Duma caused Trump elected president.

apostrophe.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

According to recent US actions, Russian President Vladimir Putin suffered a devastating defeat in the international arena.

About this in his blog at " Echo of Moscow " wrote the famous journalist Yevgeny Kiselyov.

"59 US cruise missiles fired in the air base in Syria on the orders of the US president, Donald Trump, meaning that Putin's foreign policy has covered herself even a copper basin, and thus the name, which, unfortunately, can not say out loud - but you do know"- says Kiselev.

This reporter noted that the defeat of the Kremlin suffered not only in Syria, "Driving dances around Trump obrenulos not the greatest foreign policy failure for all of Putin's. The sanctions from Russia Trump shoot is going Conversely, if Syria and then it will, USA promise to impose new sanctions. annexation of Crimea neither de jure nor de facto a new American president is not going to recognize, on the contrary, said that Crimea should be returned to Ukraine."

Also Kiselev remembered attempt Trump establish friendship with China, against which Beijing apparently no objection "And it does matter - at the first meeting with Trump Chinese leader Xi, like Putin ally (or at least, Putin and company so it seemed) expressed understanding of US attacks on the air base in Syria."

The journalist continued: "Speaking the language for some time now increasingly speak Russian diplomats is" kidalovo. "He drew attention to the promise of Russia close its skies over Syria air defenses -" to protect Assad his Russian patrons did not."

As reported by "Apostrophe" in the US is really talking about the possibility of new sanctions against Russia and Iran through Syria.

apostrophe.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

The network has a new video of the conflict between the participants of the meeting to mark the 73 th anniversary of liberation from Nazi Germany in Odessa on the Walk of Fame at the Tomb of the Unknown sailor and nationalist activists.

The video was posted on YouTube. Careful, the video may be present profanity!



The video displayed verbal altercation activists of nationalist organizations and protesters together. In the conflict police intervened without allowing escalation.

Earlier it was reported that during clashes between activists, police detained 16 people. About the victims of the incident were reported.

Previously there was a fight in Odessa activists during a protest to mark February 23 at the Tomb of the Unknown sailor on the Walk of Fame.

As reported by "Apostrophe" before the network published photos of a fight that occurred at a rally in Donetsk.

apostrophe.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

NATO does not intend to take in its composition Ukraine.

Such an opinion in an interview with "apostrophe" expressed a corresponding member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chattam House) James Sherr.

According to him, discussions that Ukraine may receive security guarantees from NATO is fake: "In Ukraine there is no way to join NATO, or something similar to NATO as long as the conflict with Russia."

He stressed that under no circumstances 28 NATO countries agree to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, as in the case of Latvia.

"This political reality and Ukraine must accept this. You need to focus on improving efficiency and supporting NATO allies Ukrainian Armed Forces," - said Sherr.

According to experts, this is not primarily about providing lethal weapons and meant full support in defense. The main goal - to increase the defense capability of the Armed Forces. In particular, to the Armed Forces can conduct combined military maneuvers, which is the strong point of "this is an area where practical assistance and practical political support - this way, which Ukraine needs most. If Ukraine will these things and also if it will do the what to do in their own interests within the country, then I do not believe that Russia can win."

Recall Sherr spoke about the new tactics the Kremlin to aggression against Ukraine.

apostrophe.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

With pro bikers club "Night Wolves" reiterated intention to motor race to Berlin.

This was reported on the website of the biker club.

Motocross, entitled "Victory Road - in Berlin in 2017" to begin April 27 in Moscow and finish May 9 in Berlin. Marsh is divided into three phases - the Russian, Belarusian and European. The site reported that the shares may take up to 20 thousand motorcyclists.

It is noted that motoprobehy plan to representatives of the club "Night Wolves" in Germany, Poland and Bulgaria. Also participating organizations march chief adviser of the Department of Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights Foreign Minister Sergei Morozov.

As reported by "Apostrophe", earlier in the Czech Republic staged a "corridor of shame" biker from the club "Night Wolves".

apostrophe.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

In the Irkutsk region of Russia Regional Committee of the Communist Party joined the truckers protest against the system charge "Plato" and demanded the resignation of "Putin-Medvedev government."

It is reported by local resource "Tayha.Ynfo"

Also, Russian Communists expressed outrage detention coordinator of the Irkutsk branch of the Association of Sergei Khmeleva carriers and about 40 truckers in Dagestan.

"Most of the shares of LLC" Invest RT Transport Systems "(which collects fees from carriers) is Igor Rotenberg, the son of tycoon Arkady Rotenberg, in turn, is closely associated with President Putin. This leads one to suspect corruption in the fact that the company has entered into concession agreement with the Federal road agency without competition, "- said in a statement Irkutsk Regional Committee of the Communist Party.

"We call to join the strike, those who have not done <...> levies hit not only truckers, ultimately through higher prices tribute to Mr. Rotenberg to pay all workers in. We encourage truckers to maintain appearances" - Communists said.

As reported by "Apostrophe" in Dagestan for the crackdown truckers drove armored vehicles.

apostrophe.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Detectives from Scotland Yard believe that they tried to poison while in Moscow, where they went with the aim to investigate the murder of former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko.

Reported by the Daily Mail .

Recall that Litvinenko died Nov. 23, 2006 in London as a result of poisoning by the radioactive material polonium-210.

Detectives said they were poisoned by bacteria. Detective Brian Tharp (Brian Tarpey) said during a visit to Moscow colleague complained of stomach cramps. Then Tharp did not attach special significance, but the next day he felt too bad. Detective said the symptoms were similar to gastroenteritis.

The publication writes that British detectives are in Moscow for two days, arriving there just after the death of Litvinenko. It is noted that for British agents during their stay in Moscow, constantly monitored and in their hotel rooms carried out searches. Tharp said that Russian security services beat them like a chess game.

British detectives have to meet with Litvinenko murder suspect Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun. Speaking Kovtun, who was in hospital, detectives said he was completely bandaged, could see only his eyes. Because they doubt that it is talking with Kovtun.

More information about the murder of Litvinenko , see the article "apostrophe".

apostrophe.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Fears Nord Stream 2 will strengthen Russia’s dominance of the European gas market

Denmark’s government wants to change the country’s laws in a way that could allow a proposed Russian gas pipeline to Europe to be blocked, in a sign of the growing unease in the EU over the project.


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EU officials have been seeking ways to delay or halt Gazprom’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, fearing the initiative will strengthen Russia’s dominance of the European gas market and help the state-controlled energy group bypass Ukraine.

Lars Christian Lilleholt, Denmark’s energy minister, told the Financial Times that the government was proposing a bill to allow foreign and security policy considerations to be taken into account in assessing whether projects such as Nord Stream 2 should be allowed.

The Danes at present only consider the environmental impact of such projects. This would be unlikely to stop the Nord Stream 2 project as it follows the route of the first Nord Stream pipeline from Russia to Germany.

Denmark and Sweden have a say over the project as it goes through their territorial waters.

“The Danish government has not decided whether or not such new legislation will be applied to the (Nord Stream 2) application at hand,” Mr Lilleholt said....................

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

The decision of the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Public Utilities to charge the Ukrainians for the transportation and distribution of natural gas was to take effect on April 1. As of now, it has been canceled.

Censor.NET reports quoting commission's chief Dmytro Vovk as saying at a meeting broadcast by 112 Ukraine.

"We have to make a decision to hold additional consultations and ensure that no Ukrainian sees the increase in the price of gas ... We revoke our decision that was to take effect on April 1," he said.

People's deputy Oleh Liashko asked Vovk to take a vote to cancel the decision on the introduction of gas distribution fee.

Vovk held a vote and commission members supported the cancellation.

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

Vladimir Putin has yet to decide whether he will receive the US secretary of state

When Rex Tillerson flies to Moscow this week for the first time as US secretary of state, the goodwill established in his long career doing oil deals in Russia — including his personal relationship with President Vladimir Putin — will be put to a severe test.

Mr Tillerson’s mission to the Kremlin follows hostile exchanges between Russia and the US, after Washington launched cruise missile strikes on a Syrian air base to punish Bashar al-Assad’s regime for a chemical weapons attack that killed more than 80 people.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has all but accused Russia of complicity with the Syrian regime. It has signalled it is time for Mr Putin to drop Mr Assad, the Syrian president rescued from defeat in the civil war by Russian military support..........................

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

The self-proclaimed ‘Donetsk people’s republic’ [DPR] and Russian media have widely reported militant claims that the head of Ukraine’s counter-intelligence service was behind the killing of two prominent militants, with US involvement also stressed. No evidence is provided nor any explanation as to why Ukraine would kill two militants whom it wanted to try for war crimes. It is also unclear whether the USA is viewed as a knowing or unsuspecting accomplice to the ‘crime’.

The DPR’s so-called ‘ministry of state security’ has asserted that Oleksiy Petrov, head of the Ukrainian SBU counter-intelligence department ‘commissioned’ the killings of Russian mercenary Arseny Pavlov [‘Motorola’] and Ukrainian militant Mykhailo Tolstykh [Givi]. The claim, uncritically repeated by the Russian state-controlled Rossiya-24, is that Petrov’s department has “special units which carry out terrorist war against Donbas, and which are created with financial support from the USA”.

Rossiya-24 quotes a DPR spokesperson Maria Petrova as saying that soon after Givi was killed, Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko appointed Oleksiy Petrov head of the counter-intelligence department “for his services before the Ukrainian authorities which are effectively crimes against the republic”. This supposedly means that Poroshenko personally authorized the killings of Motorola and Givi.

The spokesperson claims that Petrov “is continuing to coordinate the planning and implementation of actions against the population of Donbas”, and that his post “enables him to directly agree these with the head of the SBU and with US representatives.”

There have been fears since the first videoed ‘confessions’ of two captured Ukrainian intelligence officers – Serhiy Ivanchuk and Ivan Deyev – that the militants or Moscow may be planning to use them to try to present Ukraine as a ‘state terrorist’.

The first reports and ‘videoed confessions’ were posted on March 10, a day after preliminary hearings ended at the UN’s International Court of Justice into Ukraine’s charges against Russia of financing terrorism. The timing was clearly deliberate since the men had been captured a month earlier, on Feb 11.

As well as ‘confessing’ to the killings of militants, the men were supposed to have been planning multiple terrorist attacks against civilians in the Luhansk oblast, in cities of Crimea and the Russian Federation.

Although the original videos were posted by the so-called ‘Luhansk people’s republic’ [LPR] and one of the captured men mentioned different names, it seems likely that the new DPR reports are linked to their capture.

Psychologist Oleh Lokalchuk sounded the alarm soon after the videos were publicized. He noted the way Ivanchuk seemed unable to sit straight and said that this could be because of neuroleptic drugs. In general, the attempt to produce supposed ‘interrogations’ had failed, he added, with everything about the men’s condition and behaviour suggesting that illegal forms of interrogation had been applied to obtain such ‘confessions’. Ivanchuk also shows signs of having been beaten, while Deyev appears dazed,

Ivanchuk ‘admits’ responsibility for the car bomb that killed militant ‘police’ head, Oleh Anashchenko on Feb 4, and for involvement in what is claimed to have been the SBU-organized killing of Givi.

Other versions soon appeared, with militant sources reporting plans to kill the head of the so-called Donetsk people’s republic Alexander Zakharchenko.....................

Access complete text of the editorial:  khpg.org In English

Nearly 5 thousand young Crimeans are to be conscripted into Russia’s army in 2017, with Russia thus openly flouting the UN General Assembly and the Fourth Geneva Convention. For the first time since Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, Crimeans will be sent to regions of the Russian Federation. Criminal liability and other measures have also been increased since April 1 against those unwilling to do such ‘military service’. Krym.realii reports that the case was passed to the court last year of a young Yalta man who refused to serve in the Russian army.

The Crimean Human Rights Group has long warned that any conscription of Crimeans breaches international humanitarian law, and specifically the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

Article 51 of this Convention states unequivocally that “The Occupying Power may not compel protected persons to serve in its armed or auxiliary forces. No pressure or propaganda which aims at securing voluntary enlistment is permitted”.

Article 49 prohibits “individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the Occupying Power or to that of any other country, occupied or not”. This, of course, applies also to Russia’s continuing imprisonment in Russia of Ukrainian political prisoners and its ‘deportation’ of Crimean Tatars.

Russia’s denial that it is occupying Crimea has been rejected by the entire democratic world. The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court issued a preliminary report on Nov 16, 2016, which found that the situation with Crimea constitutes an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Russia’s immediate attempt to reject the jurisdiction of the Court in the Hague is legally meaningless, given that this is an international conflict and Ukraine has recognized the Court’s jurisdiction.

The number of international bodies which have reiterated over and over again that Russia is illegally occupying Crimea is very long, and includes the UN General Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the EU and OSCE.

In its Nov 16, 2016 Resolution Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine), the UN General Assembly explicitly condemns Russia’s occupation of Crimea and its application of Russian law in the occupied peninsula.

The situation is particularly serious as there is evidence to suggest that conscripts have been sent against their will to fight in Donbas without

Options................

Access complete text of the editorial:  khpg.org In English