Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Tuesday 17 January. [Ukrainian sources]

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NEWS:
Russia dismisses Trump’s proposal to cancel sanctions in exchange for nuclear disarmament.  US diplomats wore wigs, dressed as women to penetrate Russian embassy, - Lavrov.  "Social media as a tool of hybrid warfare": EU develops guidelines to identify pro-Kremlin trolls. VIDEO.  China could help in resolving the conflict in Donbas - Poroshenko.  In the Czech Republic during a sporting event collapsed roof of the arena, photos, videos.

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Moscow is looking forward to a dialog with Washington to cut the nuclear weapons, but this issue cannot be linked to cancelling economic sanctions against Russia, Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said in New York, Radio Svoboda reports Jan. 17.

“The sanctions are not a matter for the dialog. Russia did not impose them, and Russia won’t lift them. All the sanctions were imposed illegally and thoughtlessly,” he said.
 
Moscow won’t make any concessions in exchange for sanctions lifting, the official stressed.
 
 Recently, President-elect Trump proposed to Russia to cut significantly the nuclear arsenals as a precondition for the lifting of sanctions.

zik.ua

The number of U.S. intelligence services' attempts to recruit Russian diplomats grew during the second term of the Obama administration.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a press conference on the results of Russian diplomacy and foreign policy in 2016, Censor.NET reports citing TASS

"U.S. officials wore wigs and dressed as women trying to penetrate Russian compounds," Lavrov said.

According to him, American diplomats have been repeatedly seen taking part in the rallies of opposition, anti-government forces, unauthorized rallies, including times when they wore disguise.

"Do the math yourselves," Lavrov said.

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

The EU Delegation to Ukraine has published a video guide to identify pro-Kremlin trolls on social media.

Censor.NET reports referring to the mission website.

The guide consists of four basic steps: identifying a troll, doing a background research, labeling and ignoring.



As noted, trolls tend to comment longer than four lines and out of context, be openly aggressive and hostile, do language errors.

Searching the Internet helps identify a troll (step 2). They usually post the same messages to different articles under different profiles.

After identifying a troll, it is preferable to label them correspondingly (step 3) for others to know and ignore such users in the future (step 4), since discussing with trolls makes them more credible and visible and indirectly suggests the significance or authenticity of their provocative statements.

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

Xi Jinping said that China supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine

President Petro Poroshenko hopes that China will promote the return of the Crimea and the settlement of the conflict in Donbas. This was discussed during his meeting with the head of China Xi Jinping at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"It was agreed to continue bilateral cooperation for peace and stability at the regional and global levels, including in the UN Security Council," - said Poroshenko.

According to him, both countries show a sincere interest in strengthening the traditional friendship and expanding fruitful cooperation.

The parties stressed the Ukrainian-Chinese relations are strategic and based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries.

Xi Jinping said that China supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people's choice.

Earlier it was reported that Poroshenko arrived in Davos at the World Economic Forum.

During the forum Poroshenko will hold a series of bilateral meetings with heads of states and governments, heads of international organizations and presidents of leading foreign companies and international investors.

As reported by "head office", January 17 in Davos, Switzerland opened 47 in a row the World Economic Forum.

glavcom.ua , In Ukrainian / на українській мові

In the Czech town of Ceska Trebova collapsed roof of the sports complex. The incident occurred during a match with floorball.

Already in the first minute of the match game participants, organizers and spectators (total - about 80 people) had to hastily leave the room as the roof began to slowly sink. After some time in the hall lights went out.

As Sznews.info, according to police during the evacuation of minor damage received two people. One damaged a knee in the fall, the second hit his shin against the door.

Police ascertain the event. Presumably, the roof could not stand the weight of snow due to errors in the construction of the building.





apostrophe.ua , In Ukrainian / на українській мові

US intelligence agencies have tried to recruit counselor of the Embassy of Russia in Washington.

This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, RBC reports.

Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry said that it was in April 2016- th. "At the level of the second person in the embassy at the level of Minister-Counselor had recruiting approach with a proposal to work," - said Lavrov.

He also said that Russian "diplomat senior management" US intelligence services were trying to "make an offer recruiting" - in his absence, put in a car 10 thousand dollars "with the proposal on cooperation."

apostrophe.ua , In Ukrainian / на українській мові

[center]One of the guests of the forum in Davos, has called Trump "a fox that got into the chicken coop"[/center

Oxfam International specializes in analyzing poverty and inequality.

Head of Oxfam International said Winnie Byanyma broadcast Davos live , that US President-elect Donald Trump behaves like a "fox in the hen house" to the socially vulnerable.

"I see the danger that Trump will behave like a fox that got into the chicken coop. He learned the pain points of ordinary people and gave them a beautiful promises during the election campaign. But in reality gathered around him a team of billionaires. We see all the signs that he is going in the wrong direction, "- she said.......

unian.ua , In Ukrainian / на українській мові

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said that arranged a meeting with US president-elect Donald Trump.

"I was among the first world leaders with whom Donald Trump spoke after the election call. We agreed to meet, "- said Poroshenko.

In addition, according to press secretary of the President of Ukraine Svyatoslav Tseholko, Poroshenko said that the "window of opportunity in the election of US President Donald Trump is open."......

unian.ua , In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Moldova could scrap its trade agreement with the EU in favour of a rival Russia-led economic bloc, the country’s president said in Moscow on Tuesday.

The announcement by Igor Dodon, who took office in December after beating his pro-European rival at the polls, marks a potential triumph for Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in his efforts to resurrect what Moscow considers as its rightful sphere of influence in countries of the former Soviet Union.

“This agreement hasn’t given Moldova any benefits,” Mr Dodon said at a joint press conference with Mr Putin, referring to the EU deal signed in 2014. “We lost the Russian market and — strangely — our export volumes to the EU have fallen as well.”

He added that he hoped the Socialist party, which he led before becoming president, would win the 2018 parliamentary elections “and this agreement will be annulled”..............

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

MP Hope Savchenko said that the liberation of Donbass peacefully lead to putting occupied Crimea.

About this Savchenko said in the air of 112 .

People's Deputy does not believe that the release of Donbass may occur due to the fact that Russia will not withstand sanctions. According to her, it must be the surrender of Crimea at the time.

Savchenko believes that can be released without Donbas war at the negotiating table for that Ukraine should abandon the Crimea, which is still unrecognized occupied territories.

She called the Crimea "another Transnistria". Savchenko believes that a similar fate awaits and Donbas. According to Savchenko, more peaceful way to release Donbas but to temporarily hand over Crimea, until she sees.

apostrophe.ua, In Ukrainian / на українській мові

I've been holding my justification for some time, since she started making some questionable moves which haven't been kosher. This remark by Savchenko now clearly shows her motives.

A true Ukrainian would never sellout to Putin and this has finally shown her colors and motives. I wonder what's in it for her.

I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but how could anyone, after what she just said. This should've never even entered her mind. IMO, she's not a Ukrainian patriot, to even go there. She has a lot to answer for this crazed idea. I now believe it's time to make an extensive investigation. No matter how much I pushed for her release and support, I'd have to say she's lost all my respect.

She was released by Putin. But there are still others imprisoned. Will they be offered to turn on their country in return for being released? We can now see another example on how deep Putin's influence is with Ukraine's government, and that doesn't include the Regions Party which we know bow to whatever Putin wants. So for those crying and bashing the current government, look at what they're against. It's going to take some time to clean it out, not by tomorrow. And I've yet to see even one name who can do what is dreamed of. To have the entire country and government TOTALLY clean of all the countries enemies. Not even the Svboda or Radical Party leaders could do better. Ukraine's got a long road ahead of them, and events like this won't help it any.

Russia is an important international partner and world leaders should consider inviting it back to the annual summit of major industrialized nations.

This was said by Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano on Tuesday, Censor.NET reports citing Reuters.

Looking to pave the way for good Italian relations with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Alfano said the world would welcome warmer relations between Washington and Moscow. He also signaled that Rome was open to revising NATO's global role.

Russia used to be part of the so-called Group of Eight (G8) meetings until it was suspended in 2014 after it annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula following a popular uprising in Kiev that toppled its pro-Moscow president.

The pared-down G8 has been rebranded the Group of Seven (G7) and Italy will host this year's summit in the Sicilian town of Taormina in May. Alfano said it might be impossible to involve the Russians in the 2017 event, but thought the G8 might be revived in future.

"We discuss with Russia all the most delicate international crises. This is the truth. Perhaps it won't be possible for Taormina, but we should consider in the future returning to a G8 that replaces the current G7," Alfano told parliament.

The coming G7 will be the first involving Trump, who has spoken warmly of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has pledged to improve relations with Moscow.

Trump's views on Moscow have raised eyebrows in the West and the outgoing CIA chief John Brennan sharply criticized the incoming president on Sunday, saying he did not yet have a full understanding of Russia's actions.

However, Alfano said it would be good to see improved ties between Moscow and Washington.

"Any responsible person must hope for a thaw in relations between the United States and Russia," he told a Senate commission. He added that Russia had proved "a reliable partner in energy supply, and at the same time a very useful partner in fighting international terrorism".

Trump has also stoked concern in Europe with his views on NATO. In an interview with the Times newspaper on Sunday, he repeated his view that the military alliance was obsolete but said it was still very important for him.

"One might criticize Trump, but it is clear that NATO is looking east while there are asymmetric, fluid threats that come from the south," Alfano said, adding that Western allies should consider creating "a defensive system that looks south".

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

The investigators of the military prosecutor's office collected irrefutable documentary evidence of act of treason committed by fugitive ex-President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych.
As reported by Censor.NET, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yurii Lutsenko wrote on Facebook.

"The lawyers of fugitive Yanukovych have recently been inventing numerous fake sensations. The reason is simple - the trial of Yanukovych is getting closer along with the increasing number of evidence of his treason," he wrote.

According to Lutsenko, Ukraine's permanent mission to UN provided the Main Military Prosecutor's Office with the formal letter from the United Nations Secretariat with attached copy of Yanukovych's request of March 03, 2014, authenticated by the U.N. seal, to bring Russian troops in Ukraine. All official papers, which were attached by the Russian Federation to the request of the Russian representative to U.N. Vitaly Churkin, were also obtained by Ukraine's law enforcement agency.

"All papers obtained by the Ukrainian investigators were recognized by the U.N. as official documents provided by the Russian Federation. The military prosecutor's office investigators received irrefutable documentary evidence of the act of treason committed by Yanukovych. The prosecutor investigating Yanukovych's treason granted me a permission to disclosure details of the pre-trial investigation," Lutsenko wrote.



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

Biden's visit indicates that the U.S. stance on Ukraine is unlikely to change. On the other hand, Biden has put up "red flags" for the Ukrainian authorities.

Censor.NET reports quoting Samopomich MP Taras Pastukh as saying.

Watch more: Leaders and people should put needs of Ukraine above narrow personal interests,- US Vice President Biden in Kyiv. VIDEO

According to him, Ukraine's international partners are waiting for concrete steps.

"This includes the start of work of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and other agencies intended to combat top level corruption and not only to expose local officials or doctors," Pastukh said.

"Let us recall Joe Biden's main points: friends, the whole world stands by you until it sees your readiness to change. If you are not willing to carry out reforms and fight corruption, the world will turn its back on you. The same rhetoric comes from other U.S. officials.

"We've recently met in the framework of inter-faction association to discuss NATO membership with representatives of the Pentagon, generals who deal with security issues. They put it clearly that in spite of corruption in Ukraine, they are concerned about what is happening in the country's defense sector against the backdrop of the war. Every time, it is more difficult for them to convince the American parliament, senators, congressmen to render assistance over constant corruption scandals," the MP added.

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

There are documented cases of attacks and harassment of staff of diplomatic missions of the USA, said Kirby

Statements by Russian Foreign Minister about the lack of pressure on US diplomats in Russia are not true: there are documented cases of attacks and harassment of staff of diplomatic missions of the USA.
This response gave the Russian side the US State Department spokesman John Kirby.

"The only thing I would say what we talked about many times before, the last year or more than we actually observed increased pressure on our diplomats. You have seen very sad videos like on one of our employees was attacked when he tried to get into the embassy", - stated the representative of the US foreign ministry.

In addition, he said that the US side made statements on specific cases of harassment of American diplomats in Russia and attacks on their home.

Kirby said that, including through strengthening of pressure President Obama, along with the recent introduction of sanctions vydvoryv 35 Russian diplomats and closed the two institutions acting on" specific intelligence purposes".

Earlier on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference in Moscow that the US side has invented about the oppression of the Russian Federation.

"As to the allegations, though the US embassy under President Obama is subjected to some special harassment, do not see any reason in such statements," - said the Russian minister.

glavcom.ua , In Ukrainian / на українській мові