Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Friday 17 March. [Ukrainian sources]

FRIDAY

Please scroll to view news items added during the day.

NEWS:
Trump’s former advisor Flynn received over $50,000 from Russian companies. US demanded the release of Russian hackers.  "We want to see it resolved peacefully," - Department of State on Donbas trade blockade.  EU Releases 600 Million Euros In Aid To Shore Up Shaky Ukraine Economy.  Putin ashamed because of his writing: published video. Putin said the possible cancellation of the recognition of "passports" "DNR" - "LNR". In Lithuania scandal erupted ties with Russia's Deputy. Georgia accused Russia in building the air defense systems in Abkhazia.

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Episodes of sunshine with a shower in spots this afternoon

U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, released new documents confirming that Trump’s former national security advisor Michael Flynn received funds from the Kremlin-backed companies.

As reported by Censor.NET citing the statement by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Cummings sent a letter to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, and FBI Director James Comey requesting information about whether Lt. General Michael Flynn fully disclosed-as part of the security clearance and vetting process for his return to government-his communications with and payments from Russian agents, Turkish agents, or any other foreign agents, as well as his payments from foreign sources.

As part of his letter, Cummings released new documents obtained by the Oversight Committee-including payment vouchers, international financial transaction logs, and detailed email exchanges with Russian media officials-showing that the Kremlin-backed media outlet known as RT paid more than $45,000 for Flynn's participation at a gala in Moscow in December 2015, during which he dined with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in apparent violation of the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

U.S. intelligence agencies have warned since 2012 -- while Flynn was serving as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency -- that RT is an instrument of the Russian government. Flynn, who was President Trump's campaign adviser before becoming National Security Advisor, has dissembled regarding the source of these funds and has refused to disclose the amounts he was paid.

The documents reveal that Flynn also received $11,250 from a Russian charter cargo airline and $11,250 from a top Russia-based cybersecurity corporation.

"I cannot recall any time in our nation's history when the President selected as his National Security Advisor someone who violated the Constitution by accepting tens of thousands of dollars from an agent of a global adversary that attacked our democracy," Cummings wrote. "I also cannot recall a time when the President and his top advisers seemed so disinterested in the truth about that individual's work on behalf of foreign nations-whether due to willful ignorance or knowing indifference," the senator wrote in his letter.

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

The US Justice Department has asked the Russian government to demand the extradition of three Russian citizens who are charged with cybercrime.

This is the agency "Interfax".

Commenting on the appeal, US Justice spokesman Mark Raymond said that although the Russian and American sides are not connected extradition treaty, but Washington expects that it will not prevent Russian authorities to detain offenders and transfer to the court. US Justice Department ensures that all rights will be respected accused, provided by US law.

Earlier, on March 15, a court in California has put forward charges FSB Dokuchaev Dmitry and Igor Suschynu and hackers Belanov and Alex Brown Baratova. They are suspected of large-scale theft of information from Yahoo! account


A spokesman for the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the allegations, said that they do not relate to the Russian state, but only related to the activities of individuals and Russia is ready to cooperate in combating cybercrime.

Earlier "Apostrophe" reported the US Justice intends to propose formal charges hackers, suspected in turn accounts Yahoo .

apostrophe.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Politicians should not blame bad things on Brussels while taking all the credit

As she prepares for her 60th birthday party in Rome next weekend, Europa is in bad shape. A recent medical check-up revealed one hand about to be amputated (gangraena brexitosa), one foot terribly inflamed (putinisma ukrainica), a skin disease across many body parts compounded by a dangerous allergic reaction (xenophobia populistica), an ulcer eating away her stomach (eurozonitis), as well as logorrhoea and memory loss.

The doctor also fears that her heart may soon go into cardiac arrest (arrhythmogenic Le Pen syndrome). When Europa was in her thirties, back in the hope-filled years after 1989, Ukrainians and Moldovans, Turks and Egyptians would turn their heads when this magnetically attractive woman walked into the room; now they take no notice. And to cap it all, her partner of many years has gone off his rocker (egomania narcissistica trumpica).

The image of Europa as a woman is probably as old as the word itself. Readers will recall that the Angelina Jolie of ancient Greek mythology was carried off by a repeat sex offender called Zeus, who disguised himself as a bull. But the EU — today’s “Europa” — more resembles the 16th-century cartographer Sebastian Münster’s wonderful image of Europa regina, queen Europe, her body composed of many European countries and regions. Munster’s Europa is a rather stately lady, with crown, orb and sceptre, but also has many distinct parts. For Europe as a single nation, nation Europa, is a figment of federalist dream and Eurosceptic nightmare, not the reality.

And here begins the problem with some of the prescriptions produced by Brussels doctors. Take the distinguished Luxembourgish gastroenterologist Jean-Claude Juncker’s recent European Commission white paper, interestingly subtitled “reflections and scenarios for the EU27 by 2025” (no more enlargement, then?). It helpfully lays out five pithily titled scenarios: “carrying on”, “nothing but the single market”, “those who want more do more”, “doing less more efficiently” and “doing much more together”.

Access complete text of the editorial:   (Financial Times)  In English

The U.S. Department of State has emphasized the importance of a peaceful settlement of the situation around the introduction of a temporary ban on the movement of goods across the demarcation line between government and terrorist-controlled territories in Ukraine's east.

Mark Toner, the spokesman for the State Department, said at an off-camera briefing on Thursday, Censor.NET reports.

"We're closely monitoring this blockade in eastern Ukraine," he said.

Toner stressed the "importance of resolving the issue peacefully and in a way that supports Ukraine's territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders."

He did not comment on whether the Minsk agreements are infringed by the blockade, noting that the situation is "fluid." However, according to him, "potentially serious consequences" may follow.

"That's why we want to see this resolved. We want to see it resolved peacefully and, as I said, in a way that supports Ukraine's territorial integrity," the U.S. official summed up.

March 15, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine imposed a temporary ban on the movement of goods across the demarcation line in the Donbas. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the only exception was humanitarian aid supplied by Ukrainian and international organizations.

March 16, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed a decree to enact the previously adopted NSDC decision.

France has expressed concerns over the move and urged the Ukrainian authorities to take efforts to lift the blockade.

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

Russia may refuse to recognize the "documents" issued to terrorist organizations NPT and the performance of LNR Ukraine Minsk agreements.

This was stated by the Permanent Representative of the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich, Russian edition gazeta.ru.

"Recall that the decision to recognize documents issued to citizens of Ukraine in parts of Donetsk and Lugansk regions, can be changed after full implementation Kyiv Minsk agreements," - said Lukashevich.

Recall that on February 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on recognition granted in the occupied Donetsk and Luhansk documents.

As reported, "Apostrophe", earlier in the intelligence described the attempt on one of the militant leaders of so-called military commissioner "LNR" Colonel Igor Marshubu.

apostrophe.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Russia will not give US citizens who are accused of committing cyber attacks.

About this in his Twitter wrote a member of the Federation Council, former head of State Duma Committee on International Affairs Alexei Pushkov.

He said the United States in a similar situation would not grant its citizens, because Russia will not do otherwise.

"A strange request to give them US citizens of Russia. The USA will do so in the case of appeal: US does not extradite its citizens" - said in a statement. Earlier, the US Department of Justice has asked the Russian government to demand the extradition of three Russian citizens who are charged with cybercrime. As reported, "Apostrophe" previously became aware of the intention of the UK government to create a ministry to combat subversion, which will deal with combating cyberthreads. wrote:

apostrophe.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Russian President Vladimir Putin at a congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs could not read their records without the help of the hall.

Video of the incident published Life Channel on YouTube.



This oddity occurred in the finished meeting. Summing up, Putin addressed the recordings, but could not make out his handwriting.

"Uh. It's like you said, no reason ... for what?" - Stammered Vladimir Putin.

Only after suggestions from the audience, Russian President said: "To be pessimistic, I have written so as chicken paw, he can not read. As in school."

As reported, "Apostrophe" before Russian President Vladimir Putin held a closed meeting with entrepreneurs through Ukraine sanctions against Russian banks.

apostrophe.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Georgian Foreign Minister Mikhail Janelidze said that Russia has deployed in breakaway Abkhazia (de jure - the territory of Georgia) anti-aircraft missile systems S-300.

It is reported by " Georgia Online ".

"In terms of combining forces Sc.. South Ossetia is another proof of the policy, which is focused on the actual annexation, and not focused on security in the world. As well as the information recently circulated in connection with the introduction of additional Abkhazia sets of anti-aircraft missile systems S-300 type "- Janelidze said.

"With the support of our partners and the international community, we will do everything to with the Russian Federation ensured respect for international law and principles," - he added.

As reported, "Apostrophe" Russia intends to strengthen the group of anti-missile systems in the occupied Crimea.

apostrophe.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

The European Commission has agreed to send Ukraine 600 million euros to shore up its deteriorating economy, ending months of delays over conditions linked to the loan.

With Ukraine in a third year of war, the European Union softened demands that Kyiv first lift a ban on Ukrainian wood exports, saying the money could now be sent because the government had submitted a bill to change that policy.

"Ukraine has done a remarkable job of stabilizing and reforming its economy, despite the armed conflict unfolding on its soil," Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said on March 16.

The conditions the EU has attached to the aid are aimed at modernizing the economy and ridding Kyiv of entrenched corruption.

The aid payment takes the total of EU loans to Ukraine to 2.8 billion euros since 2014. Kyiv badly needs the money. It estimates that a blockade of trade with eastern areas held by Russia-backed separatists that was announced this week would cause the economy to shrink by 2 percent........

rferl.org

Ukraine's suspended tax and customs service chief, Roman Nasirov, has been released on bail from his two-month pretrial detention on embezzlement charges.

Nasirov's wife paid 100 million hryvnyas ($3.7 million) bail for Nasirov's release. He should now be transferred to house arrest.

In a rare attempt to prosecute a high-level official in Ukraine over alleged corruption, Nasirov is being investigated on suspicion of defrauding the state of 2 billion hryvnyas ($74 million).

Nasirov was suspended from his post on March 3 and a district court in Kyiv on March 7 ordered him placed in pretrial detention for two months.

Ukraine’s National Anticorruption Bureau says Nasirov signed off on grace periods for a number of taxpayers, including companies linked to a former lawmaker who fled the country in 2016 while facing a corruption investigation.................

rferl.org

Lithuanian Parliament on March 16 voted to start impeachment on the MP from the Social Democratic Party Mindaugas Bastysa after refusing him access to special services a higher level.

It is reported by Euractiv .

Bastysa suspected of links with Russian business and Russian media, which put at risk the national security of Lithuania. In turn, Deputy though resigned as Deputy Speaker, but denies all made in his address the charges.

Latvian security services believe that Bastys had close links with the Russian state monopoly "Rosatom" and "Gazprom" and the Russian state television.

"Rosatom" is building a nuclear power plant in Belarus near the Lithuanian border. The Government of Lithuania strongly object to this building.

As reported, "Apostrophe" in late February in Lithuania were sentenced to prison terms of two Russian spies .

apostrophe.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

A court in Ukraine's southern city of Odesa has ruled to confiscate a ship detained for visiting occupied Crimea.

Censor.NET reports citing the military prosecutor's office of the Southern region press service.

On March 15, 2017, the Malynovskyi district court of Odesa studied an administrative protocol on the violation of customs regulations with regard to the captain of the freight Tanzanian ship Sky Moon.

The vessel was detained on Nov. 30, 2016 near the port of Reni on the Danube river by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine jointly with the military prosecutor's office of Ukraine's Southern region. The court found the captain guilty of bypassing the Ukrainian customs control while carrying more than 3,000 tons of soda ash from the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and ordered the confiscation of the smuggled cargo worth almost 18.5 million hryvnia ($681,577). The court also ruled to seize the ship.

This is for the first time in the history of Ukraine that the court has decided to confiscate a sea vessel.

The captain of the vessel as well as one of the founders of the shipment company, a citizen of Moldova, have already been brought to justice and are to face the Ukrainian court.

Following the results of the investigation, the military prosecutor's office intends to officially inform the Czech authorities about the violation of the European restrictions on trade with temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea by a Czech-registered legal entity.

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

Svoboda, Right Sector, National Corps and several other nationalist parties and organizations have made a commitment to build a national Ukrainian state and signed a National Manifesto.

Censor.NET reports citing the statement by the National Corps.

"We, the Ukrainian nationalists, realizing the dire situation in our country and aiming at the establishment and development of a great nation state capable of ensuring well-being of Ukrainians and the future of Ukrainian children, unite our efforts based on the fundamental, undeniable and unbreakable principles and goals we all share. We offer a clear Priority Action Plan to achieve this goal," reads the Manifesto signed by the nationalist parties and organizations on Thursday.

The document was also endorsed by OUN (Organization of Ukrainians Nationalists) headed by Bohdan Chervak, the Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists chaired by Stepan Bratsiun, and S14 organization lead by Serhii Mazur.

The National Manifesto reads that its signatories advocate creation of the Baltic-Black Sea Union; severance of diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation; return of nuclear power status to Ukraine; introduction of the right to possess weapons; introduction of efficient proceedings to impeach the president; and the creation of a single local church governed from Kyiv.

The signatories also advocate the return of the right to restore Ukraine's nuclear potential as a way to protect national security in connection with the violation of the Budapest Memorandum; create a high-tech professional army and reserve army manned on a territorial basis; codify the right to possess firearms and use them for self-defense.

The nationalists also propose clearing the Ukrainian information space off the enemy propaganda and provide Ukrainian language the status of a single state language. They also propose to actually cleanse the ranks of the power; enhance accountability for corruption; introduce efficient proceedings to impeach the president; pass a law allowing to recall the deputies of all levels, judges, and officials; introduce elective judiciary.

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