Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Thursday 17 November. [Ukrainian sources]

THURSDAY

Please scroll down to view news items added during the day.

NEWS:
No specific agreements on Trump's visit to Russia – Kremlin.  Belarus, Russia speak with one voice when it comes to key foreign policy issues, - Lukashenko.  Lukashenko complains about surge in arms smuggling due to Ukraine.  US lawmakers want response to Russia's interference in election, actions in Ukraine and Syria.   Russia alarms its combined arms army near Ukrainian border.  Deadly and accurate Ukrainian weapon.

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Alexander Lukashenko says Belarus and Russia have strong allied relations.

As reported by Censor.NET referring to BelaPAN news outlet, he told the Russian media at a press conference in Minsk Nov. 17.

"We have got an incomparable treasure - peace and harmony in our common home," he said.

"We must protect this treasure by all means so that we will not have to pay in blood for peaceful life, as has occurred in many parts of the world unfortunately including in our near and dear Ukraine," Lukashenko said.

According to him, strong allied relations between Belarus and Russia "are consistently manifested on the global stage where we face new threats and challenges."

"Today, the world is reeling from civil wars, terrorism, armed conflicts. We have repeatedly demonstrated unconditional agreement of opinion discussing these issues with the Russian president. In fact, the two states have no disagreements regarding the international agenda," the president of Belarus said.

According to him Belarus and Russia speak with one voice when it comes to key foreign policy issues.

"Belarusians and Russians need to hold together, be strong, be able to speak for ourselves, protect our mutual interests together at this challenging time," Lukashenko said.

"We share pain, glory, and future with you. You will never be strangers in Belarus," he added.

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

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says the situation in Ukraine has brought many problems to Belarus, including a surge in illegal flows of weapons and explosives, according to a Belarusian news outlet.



"We have put our back into sealing 1,200 km of the border with Ukraine, because there are flows of weapons, explosives. We stop them not only on the border but also at the railway station. It's very difficult for us," he said, according to TUT.BY. According to him, the entire flow of weapons and explosives, which was previously smuggled from the west to the east via the Baltic states and Ukraine, has been redirected through Belarus today. "On the one hand, this is good, but on the other hand, we need more effort and expense to maintain security here," Lukashenko said................

unian.info/politics

Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refuted media reports on the upcoming US president-elect Donald Trump's visit to Moscow.

"As of today, there are no specific agreements [on Trumps's visit to Russia]. Putin and Trumps discussed the intention to renew contacts, to meet in person, but nobody mentioned when it could happen," Peskov told journalists in Moscow, UNIAN reports......

uatoday.tv

Senior Democratic and Republican US lawmakers want Washington to respond to Russia's alleged interference in the US election and actions in Ukraine and Syria, according to Reuters.

Senator Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Wednesday he was working on "comprehensive" legislation to respond to Russian actions contrary to US interests in Europe and Syria, as well as cyber attacks blamed on Moscow during the campaign.

"Russia presents a very serious challenge for America. They're not our partner. They're a bully," Cardin told reporters........

uatoday.tv/politics

The 20th army's of the Russia's Western military region conducted the memetic warfare exercises in Voronezh, Briansk and Belgorod regions.

"The drills were planned to exercise a military operation in a strategic vector with the wide range of engagement options. The command units are to show the ability to assess the situation operatively, to accept right decisions and provide a constant and sustainable command in dynamic circumstances," the defence department informs...........

uatoday.tv

Ukraine army has made another successful round of testing a new accurate and powerful tactical missile, Poroshenko’s adviser Yury Birukov wrote in Facebook Nov. 16.

 “It’s a deadly and accurate Ukrainian missile,” the official wrote.

The testing of the new missile, called Vilha (Alder), was first shown in September.

The head of the National Security and Defense Council, Olexandr Turchynov, remarked, “Unlike the Russian analogue, the Ukrainian missile is a guided one and therefore, more accurate, something the tests have revealed.”

Military expert Serhy Zhurets believes the long range of the Alder makes it the analogue of the Russian-made Tochka (Point) missile [SS-21 by NATO category], with a much greater accuracy of fire.

zik.ua

Number of attacks in the area ATO last week increased by 150% compared to the previous week

OSCE observers SMM record a sharp increase in attacks in the area ATO in Donbas.

This was stated by First Deputy Head of Mission in Ukraine Alexander Hug, said on Twitter the OSCE.



Thus, the number of violations of the ceasefire, the OSCE recorded, a record high since the beginning of the year.

In addition, he said, the number of attacks last week increased by 150% compared to the previous week.

However, as noted last week, observers recorded 3.444 explosions caused bombometalnymy units, tanks, artillery, rocket systems of volley fire - also a record number for the year.

#ОБСЕ Хуг: много взрывов и др нарушений режима прекращения огня происх в и вокруг населенных пунктов на вост #Украина pic.twitter.com/ulxZ01niPt

— ОБСЕ (@osce_ru) November 17, 2016

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

[b]Social network LinkedIn made in Russia to register infringers of personal data

Roskomnahlyad introduced social network LinkedIn to register infringers of personal data sent to lock operator. It is reported by the site office.

"The court decision, which came into force social network LinkedIn entered in the register infringers of personal data and sent to operators to block connection" - said in a statement.

August 4 Tagansky District Court. Moscow satisfied the claim Roskomnahlyadu social network LinkedIn to protect the rights of general public - of personal data. November 10 the Moscow City Court upheld the trial court.

Roskomnahlyad in its lawsuit demanding data transfer Russian users of LinkedIn to Russia.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Entry visa liberalization for Ukraine to be held simultaneously with the entry into force of the new mechanism of suspension of visa-free regime

Council of the EU decided to start negotiations with the European Parliament interinstitutional on completion of the abolition of visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens. The issue on Thursday upheld Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States in the EU Council, said "Ukrinform" at the leading institutions of the European Union.

"17 November, the Committee of Permanent Representatives of member countries of the Council of the EU decided on the negotiating position on visa liberalization with Ukraine ... The Council took note of the view that the entry visa liberalization for Ukraine to be held simultaneously with the entry into force of the new suspension mechanism (visa requirements for all third countries. - Ed.) ", - stated in the governing institutions of the European Union.

However, the main political condition for the completion of this process should be primarily adoption of the new, so-called preventive mechanism to suspend visa-free travel with all third countries.

So based on this mandate Slovak presidency in the EU Council start negotiations with the European Parliament on the abolition of visa requirements for Ukrainian citizens.

"By providing today" green light "to negotiations, taking into account that all requirements met, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to visa-free travel for citizens of Ukraine", - said the permanent representative of Slovakia to the EU Council.

He also noted that it would be a positive signal before the EU - Ukraine Summit on 24 November in Brussels.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

According to Daniel Bэera Mission observed link between the restriction of access by militants and violations of ceasefire

US Ambassador at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Daniel Beyer said about a possible attack joint Russian-terrorist forces in Mariupol and its surroundings.

He said this at a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, the agency " UNIAN ".

"We are still serious concerns about the buildup joint Russian-separatist forces outside of Mariupol" - said Beyer.

He said that on November 14 the Russian-terrorist forces blocked access Special observers monitoring mission of the OSCE, who wanted to visit two areas, located to the northeast of Mariupol.

"Noting that the observed relationship between SMM limited access and violations of the ceasefire, we are deeply concerned that the combined Russian-separatist forces may be planning more attacks on Mariupol or its surroundings," - said Beyer .

The diplomat recalled that just two weeks ago, the Russian-made separatist forces shelling suburbs of Mariupol rocket systems of volley fire. "We call on Russia and the separatists, which it supports, to give observers full and unrestricted access to areas near Mariupol and immediately withdraw prohibited weapons," - said Beyer.

ua.112.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared its readiness to work with the new administration of the White House on solving the Ukrainian crisis.

It is reported by "Ukrinform".

"We worked very closely together on the annexation of the Crimea and the attempts of Ukraine to win and it actually did so, taking the territory. We want to come to a peaceful resolution. We will continue what the previous administration have reached", - said Merkel.

She expressed hope that the cooperation between Germany and the US, Europe and America, "military involvement, coupled with the political road map" will continue.

"We want to look for political solutions ... and we founded the" Norman "format, in close cooperation with the United States," - she assured.

Merkel said that the Russian language in question is about "respect certain principles," as the German and the European perspective.

"Over 70 years we lived in a world that is largely based on the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty, respect countries. We must strongly resist attempts to violate these principles, so as not to step on a slippery track," - said Merkel.

However, Merkel recalled that Russia - a neighbor, and in Europe there is interest in that relationship with her was good. But that should not stop Europeans in cases where they have great differences of opinion, to defend his own, but must decide exclusively by political means, she said Germany, promising to seek cooperation on these issues with a future US administration.

ukr.obozrevatel.com In Ukrainian / на українській мові

U.S. President Barack Obama said it during a press conference after today's meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, Censor.NET reports.

"There has been a very clear proof that they [the Russians - ed.] have been engaged in cyber attacks. This isn't new, it's not unique to Russia," Obama said.

He pointed out cyber attacks had been committed in a number of states before, although at a lower level, including industrial espionage. According to the president, such actions should be curbed.

Obama said that in a conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin before the presidential election in the United States, he made it clear that "although Russia's intelligence gatherings will sometimes take place even if we don't like it, there's a difference between that and meddling with elections or going after private organizations or commercial entities."

He didn't specify if the proof will be made public.

Earlier, Senator Ben Cardin said he was working on a comprehensive bill intended to be a response to recent cyber attacks during the U.S. election campaign, which, according to the American side, were organized by the Russian Federation.

In early October, the United States accused Russia of involvement in hacker attacks on the Democratic Party and promised to retaliate. A representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry said the U.S. lacked evidence.

As NBC further reported, the CIA embarked on developing a plan of cyber attacks against Russia. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden called it a signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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

Protests have been taking place calling for the head of the Ukrainian National Bank to resign, but some people taking part were paid to participate. Reporters from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, posing as people interested in earning money by joining the protest, recorded demonstrators saying how much money they were promised.



rferl.org

October 7 the US publicly accused Russia of organizing a series of cyber attacks on American political organizations

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said that Russia cut cyber-related interference in elections in the US after the administration in Washington has publicly accused Moscow of interfering in this.
According to him, official statements about the involvement of Moscow and then warning of retaliation election stopped subversion.

At the hearing in the House Committee on Intelligence, he said that most likely, Russia will continue to cyber and information war against the United States after the recent elections.

October 7 the US publicly accused Russia of organizing a series of cyber attacks on American political organizations, as well as former and current officials. In the office of the Director of National Intelligence and the National Security Ministry expressed confidence that the Russian authorities ruled declassifying electronic perepysok, including the National Committee of the Democratic Party. Moscow denied the accusations.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

I do not see the prospects of settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine

Russia intends to maintain its presence in the Donbas. This statement was made chairman of the Intelligence James Klepper's speech to the Congress, reports " Interfax-Ukraine".

" I do not see the prospects of settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine or execution of the Minsk agreements. Russia wants to maintain its influence, so the pressure will continue", - he said.

In addition, the US intelligence chief said today that Russia intends to maintain its presence in the Donbass.

"Both Ukraine and Russia will take action against each other, trying to stimulate instability", - said Klepper.

American also said that the recent cases of violations of the truce in the Donbas.

Add, November 17, it was announced that James Klepper wrote a letter of resignation. Service he headed for the past 6 years, and generally worked in intelligence for about half a century.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Zakharov told the Jewish emphasis on funding campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump

Official representative of Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said the TV channel " Russia 1 " that resulted in victory Donald Trump became Jewish money.

Director of Press and Information Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova allowed himself to humiliate the Jews in the program " Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov " November 13, 2016, which is on the channel "Russia 1 " .

The incident occurred during discussion of sources of financial support for the two main US presidential candidates and attitudes of Americans.

"If you want to know what will happen in America, we must talk to anyone? We must speak with the Jews, of course. Of course! "- She said.

(Application Maria Zakharova of Jews began in the third minute).

The presenter Vladimir Solovyov monologue Zakharova listened with a smile, and finally completely laughed.



glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

The EU is to grant visa-free travel rights to Ukraine in a signal of support for a war-torn country worried that Donald Trump’s incoming US administration may weaken western sanctions against Russia.

After months of wrangling, ambassadors for EU member states agreed to grant short-term travel privileges to Ukrainians on condition that the scheme can be suspended in an emergency. This legislation could take several weeks to agree, diplomats said.

The EU deal will deliver a longstanding political goal to Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s pro-western president, at a time when Mr Trump’s victory in the US election has called into question American policy towards the country after he takes office in January.

Mr Poroshenko is due in Brussels next Thursday for a summit with EU leaders, their first direct talks since Mr Trump beat Hillary Clinton after a campaign in which he praised Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president.

Amid uncertainty over Mr Trump’s stance on Ukraine, European agreement on the visa-waiver scheme was presented as a positive signal to authorities in Kiev...............

ft.com