Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Sunday 1 January. [Ukrainian sources]

SUNDAY

Please scroll to view news items added during the day.

NEWS:
Putin’s Real Long Game. Trump's Incoming Press Secretary Questions Whether Obama's Russia Sanctions Are Out of 'Proportion'. Donald Trump’s Press Secretary Won’t Say Whether Russia Was Behind The DNC Hack.  Rep. Schiff: Congress will push for Russia sanctions if Trump undoes Obama's action.  Spicer questions Obama's Russia hacking response.  Gingrich Says Biggest Worry About Trump Administration is That They Might 'Lose Their Nerve'.

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The world order we know is already over, and Russia is moving fast to grab the advantage. Can Trump figure out the new war in time to win it?

A little over a year ago, on a pleasant late fall evening, I was sitting on my front porch with a friend best described as a Ukrainian freedom fighter. He was smoking a cigarette while we watched Southeast DC hipsters bustle by and talked about ‘the war’ — the big war, being waged by Russia against all of us, which from this porch felt very far away. I can’t remember what prompted it — some discussion of whether the government in Kyiv was doing something that would piss off the EU — but he took a long drag off his cigarette and said, offhand: “Russia. The EU. It's all just more Molotov-Ribbentrop shyte.”

His casual reference to the Hitler-Stalin pact dividing Eastern Europe before WWII was meant as a reminder that Ukraine must decide its future for itself, rather than let it be negotiated between great powers. But it haunted me, this idea that modern revolutionaries no longer felt some special affinity with the West. Was it the belief in collective defense that was weakening, or the underlying certitude that Western values would prevail?

Months later, on a different porch thousands of miles away, an Estonian filmmaker casually explained to me that he was buying a boat to get his family out when the Russians came, so he could focus on the resistance. In between were a hundred other exchanges — with Balts and Ukrainians, Georgians and Moldovans — that answered my question and exposed the new reality on the Russian frontier: the belief that, ultimately, everyone would be left to fend for themselves. Increasingly, people in Russia’s sphere of influence were deciding that the values that were supposed to bind the West together could no longer hold. That the world order Americans depend on had already come apart.

From Moscow, Vladimir Putin has seized the momentum of this unraveling, exacting critical damage to the underpinnings of the liberal world order in a shockingly short time. As he builds a new system to replace the one we know, attempts by America and its allies to repair the damage have been limited and slow. Even this week, as Barack Obama tries to confront Russia’s open and unprecedented interference in our political process, the outgoing White House is so far responding to 21st century hybrid information warfare with last century’s diplomatic toolkit: the expulsion of spies, targeted sanctions, potential asset seizure. The incoming administration, while promising a new approach, has betrayed a similar lack of vision. Their promised attempt at another “reset” with Russia is a rehash of a policy that has utterly failed the past two American administrations..................

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

President-elect Donald Trump's incoming White House press secretary questioned whether President Obama’s actions against Russia for an alleged cyberattack on Democratic political organizations may be out of "proportion."

"I think one of the questions that we have is, 'Why the magnitude of this?' I mean you look at 35 people being expelled, two sites being closed down, the question is, is that response in proportion to the actions taken?" incoming White House press secretary and communications director Sean Spicer said in an exclusive interview on "This Week.”

The White House announced Thursday that the president was expelling 35 suspected Russian intelligence operatives and sanctioning five Russian entities and four individuals in response to the alleged cyberassault that the U.S. says was intended to interfere with the 2016 election.

Spicer's comments are in sharp contrast to the response of some Republican congressional leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who called the sanctions long overdue or an initial step....................

Access complete text of the editorial:  abcnews.go.com In English

The so-called Vostok Battalion participating as part of the Russian terrorist troops in the Donbas fighting lost 200 mercenaries in 2016.

This was announced by terrorist leader Alexander Khodakovsky during online conference, Censor.NET reports.

A video has been uploaded to YouTube showing the militant as saying: "We have had 200 persons killed and 300 wounded that were officially confirmed in 2016. This makes up almost 70 percent of the losses incurred during 2014-2015 fighting. 2016, the year of this weird cease-fire, has seen such losses in Vostok Battalion," he said.

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

Incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer questioned Sunday morning President Barack Obama imposing sanctions on Russia, asking “is that response in proportion to the actions taken?”

“I think one of the questions that we have is why the magnitude of this?” Spicer said on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos. “I mean you look at 35 people being expelled, two sites being closed down, the question is, is that response in proportion to the actions taken? Maybe it was; maybe it wasn't but you have to think about that.”

Spicer was responding to Obama announcing last week that the U.S. will impose sanctions on Russia and expel 35 Russian diplomats from America in retaliation for Russia’s election-related hacking of the U.S.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, stated that Russia wouldn’t reciprocate – a move Spicer said shows Trump’s early successes in international diplomacy.

Spicer told host Jonathan Karl that Trump's relationship with Russia and Putin comes from "an understanding of the role that Russia plays in our world right now."................

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

California Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said Sunday that there will be a stronger push for sanctions against Russia if Donald Trump moves to undo them.

"The direction is going to be even more vigorous, I'm convinced, in favor of stronger sanctions against Russia," he said. "You're going to see Democrats and Republicans like McCain and Graham and others come together with a strong sanction package."

Speaking on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," Schiff said not enough has been done to Russia following their hacking of the U.S. presidential election, adding that there is "bipartisan support in Congress for stronger sanctions against Russia."

President Barack Obama last week imposed sanctions and expelled 35 Russian diplomats in response to Russia’s hacking of the U.S. elections. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, stated he wouldn’t retaliate yet.................

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

President of the Republic was carrying in his speech on New Year's security concerns. A century in Finland, he calls to remember also those who are too tired to celebrate.

Nobody was hardly a surprise that the President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö opened the traditional New Year's speech by highlighting the current year Finland celebrates its centenary. President believes anniversary thrilling for all age groups, including young people.

- Many time ago probably starts - oh it is a such an important, high fives Finland! Niinistö enthused.

But the president also urges to remember those whose lives have been too difficult for the festivities.

- Hundred-year-old Finnish one important message might be: are you well when no one can feel sick. So please help, what you can. The feeling reasonably be your responsibility, even from yourself. So do what you can.

"We now we are moving in the shadows"

Niinistö took his speech, the Syrian crisis and the terrorism that plagues Europe.

- We now we are moving in the shadows, in this world. Every day brings the message of cruelty and death, when Alepposta, at Berlin, from the next.

Istanbul nightclub blow was not yet known when the speech was recorded. In his speech, the president stopped to consider what to do if facing settle collective security and individual rights.

- Many times afterwards asked why the time is not done enough to stop the terrorists. Poor answer is that there has not been sufficient powers. Such a response conveys a sense of powerlessness.

"Europe weaker and more fragmented than ever"

Niinistö, Europe is now having to defend the traditional values ​​within its own borders. Of the President considers that the Union is more necessary than in decades, even though it is weaker and more fragmented than ever.

- The EU has been losing ground in international politics. Now is beckoned by Presidents Putin and Trump will enter into a debate over the Europe. The EU can not be absent from the tables where the future is organized, Niinistö staked.

President asks what is most important for European people and families and is responsible for: to live in peace and security.

Support defense cooperation

Niinistö's view migration before last year showed how EU countries turned against each other, when the stand-alone solution were made. Random benefits gleaned in the end will flow to the beneficiary's loss. The EU is only as strong as its weakest link.

Gradually, launched some EU defense cooperation between the President supports.

- The debate should not leave such a way that first of all define what co-operation is not. It is better to proceed step by step and see how far the journey takes ado, Niinistö outlined.

"Happy anniversary, and God's blessing"

the President believes that World of Shadows is hope.

- If there is understanding and involvement of the people, the human kingdom or natural kingdom, the shadow gives way, consider Niinistö somewhat cryptic.

- I would like to wish you all a Happy Finland 100th anniversary, as well as the blessing of God, President of the Republic decided very traditionally.

Access complete text of the editorial:  yle.fi In Finnish

President-elect Donald Trump claims to have inside information on Russia's meddling in the United States' election -- and promises to reveal it "Tuesday or Wednesday."

At a New Year's Eve party at his Mar-A-Lago estate, a tuxedoed Trump maintained that another culprit aside from Russia could have been behind the election intrusion.

"It could be somebody else. And I also know things that other people don't know, and so they cannot be sure of the situation," he said.

Asked to describe what undisclosed information he knew, Trump said: "You'll find out on Tuesday or Wednesday."

The latest developments in Trump's denial of the American intelligence community's assessment -- widely accepted by both Democrats and Republicans -- that Russia hacked Democratic operatives' emails in a bid to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton will be among the leading political stories this week, as Trump's transition efforts resume and a new Congress is sworn in........

cnn.com

President of the Foundation "Potomac" Philip Carbury said that the OSCE is not intended to oversee military operations.

Activities of the OSCE observation mission in Ukraine is ineffective, the president of the American Foundation Potomac Philip Carbury, reports "Voice of America" .

He said that the OSCE was never intended to oversee military operations.

"I characterize them more as advisers marriage than divorce attorney. The idea was that they would do their job, to insist on the inspection and quick reports. But they are just organically are not able to do that, because the team has Russians ", - said Carbury.

According to him, in Mariupol number of Russian observers, more than all the people of other countries.
"They went from the position of the Ukrainian military and entered the coordinates of their location to their mobile phones OSCE is not an independent organization." - Said Carbury.

gordonua.com , In Russian / На русском