Ukraine News in brief. Thursday 30 November. [Ukrainian sources]

THURSDAY HEADLINES:
The actions of Trump team are a little different from Obama's course, Lavrov.  Russian journalists have been denied accreditation in the US Congress. US State Department said that the gas pipeline "North Stream 2" bypassing Ukraine is unlikely to ever build.  Courtroom carnage: Two persons killed, nine injured in grenade explosion in Nikopol court.  Russian Federation, the placement of UN peacekeepers is allowed after coordination with Kiev and militants.  UK Parliamentarians Start Visit to Ukraine: Donbas Tour Planned.  Russia will transfer to Crimea a powerful anti-aircraft weapon.  The French have detected radioactive cesium in fungi from the Russian Federation.  American assistance in Ukraine is aimed at supporting reforms and resistance to Russian aggression.  The Armed Forces have experience of war with the Russian Army, and we have something to learn from them.  Russian Orthodox Church has taken an important decision regarding the status of the Ukrainian church.  All those involved in the construction of the Kerch Bridge Company will be subject to international sanctions. The mercenary of the Russian Federation will appear before the court for participating in military operations against the Ukrainian Armed Forces and torture of Ukrainian soldiers.

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Russia sees no significant differences in the actions of US President Donald Trump's team compared to the policies of his predecessor, Barack Obama.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said this, describing Russian-American relations as "extremely difficult", reports Tsensor. NET with reference to Voice of America .

"Unfortunately, many of the specific actions of the Donald Trump team have an inertial character, essentially different from Barack Obama's course," Lavrov said in an interview with the Italian newspaper Libero, published Thursday.

"Moreover, since the presentation of the anti-Russian lobby in Washington, all the new unfriendly moves in various areas are taking place, including the expansion of one-sided restrictions, the implementation of global anti-missile plans, the expansion of US and NATO military presence near our borders, and efforts to discredit Russia's foreign policy," the diplomat added.

Lavrov suggested that "the White House has not yet made a clear approach to the Russian direction," and noted that both during the election campaign and now Trump "continues to assure that he would like to achieve normalization of relations, to establish interaction with topical international those".

According to Lavrov, "on the wave of Russophobic hysteria" in the United States adopted a law on countering Russia with the help of sanctions.

Lavrov complained that "because of the rush of Russophobia over the ocean, the potential for cooperation in world and bilateral affairs remains largely untapped," and noted that so far it is difficult for Moscow to expect some positive steps from Washington.

In these conditions, Russia will continue to act pragmatically, not seeking confrontation, Lavrov said.

ua.censor.net.ua In Ukrainian/український

The Los Angeles radio and television correspondent, who deals with media access to the US Congress, has been stripped of the Russian-funded television channel RT (formerly known as Russia Today) for accreditation under the US lawmaking body.

This is reported by Radio Liberty.

The Lobby Executive Committee sent an RT message stating that it was inadmissible to continue accreditation in Congress after registering the serving RT company of T & R as a foreign agent.

In the committee added, the decision to deprive the accreditation television channel RT was adopted unanimously on November 21.

The Radio and Television Gallery, which is the link between the media and the US Congress, is controlled by the executive committee of correspondents who determine which media to provide accreditation.

An RT network operating in the United States, like the Russian state news agency Sputnik, was named in the report of the American secret services as active participants in the campaign of Russia's interference in the US presidential election in 2016.

November 13 Russia Today registered as a foreign agent in the United States .

In response, the State Duma of Russia approved on 15 November amendments  to the law on foreign agents, which is in force since 2012. These foreign media equated to foreign agents. President Putin has already signed amendments to the law .

Earlier,  Twitter has banned Russia Today  and Sputnik from advertising. Also, Twitter  blocked one of the accounts of Russia Today, which operated under the name of the British Embassy.

hromadske.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The US State Department doubts that the Russian gas pipeline bypassing Ukraine "North Stream 2" will be built once
This was stated by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State John McCarrick, reports Radio Free Europe .

"It's not something we can guess what's going to happen," said McCarrick, who works at the State Energy Agency's Bureau of Energy.

The official clarified that, in addition to other reasons, the US is against the construction of this gas pipeline.

"There are a number of reasons why this can not happen. The bottom line is that we are against it. We do not see this possible, so why consider some other options?" - added McCarrick.

-Earlier, the European Commission stated that North Stream 2 did not meet the interests of the EU.

-Poland believes that the North Stream 2 threatens the security of Europe.

-Gazprom completed the construction of a part of the "Turkish Stream" in Russia.

-The EU approved changes in legislation that would allow controlling the gas pipeline bypassing Ukraine.

-The head of the European Council, Donald Tusk, called on the EU countries to agree on the European regulation of the North Stream 2 gas pipeline as soon as possible.

-Denmark has passed a law that could hinder the construction of the North Stream 2.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

At least two people were killed and nine were injured after a person detonated one or two grenades at the hearing of the Nikopol regional court in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

As reported by Censor.NET citing spokesperson for the local police directorate Hanna Starchevska, the bomber and one of the defendants were killed by the blast while nine people received injuries.





"Nine people have received injuries as of now. Two persons lost their lives including the one who set off the explosion and one of the defendants in the case," she said.



During the hearing of a murder case, the man took out one or two hand grenades and detonated them. The law enforcers are establishing the exact number of blasts. The eyewitnesses reportedly heard two explosions.



Starchevska also said that the court was hearing a case of murder committed in late 2015 (two people were gunned down in a car). It was the father of one of the murdered who set off the explosion in the courtroom, she said.



ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Russia admits the appearance of UN peacekeepers in the Donbass after coordination with the Ukrainian authorities, as well as representatives of illegal formations in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

This was stated by the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry Sergey Lavrov in an interview with the Italian newspaper Libero, the translation of which is published on the agency's website.

"The essence of the proposal is that the UN forces should ensure the security of the OSCE PMM observers, which will be located in the breeding zone on both sides of the collision line, as well as patrolling other areas of the conflict in accordance with its mandate for the implementation of the Minsk accords. The UN contingent will be introduced into the conflict zone after the dissolution of the forces and means of the parties. The placement of UNV should be agreed with the authorities in Kiev and in Donetsk and Luhansk, "the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said.

Lavrov earlier said that Ukraine wants to make "occupation troops" from the peacekeepers for Donbas.

On November 10, it was reported that the United States would offer Russia to place 20,000 peacekeepers in the Donbas. The Kremlin has not confirmed the approval of the US proposal to host 20,000 peacekeepers in the Donbass. At the same time, Putin's assistant Surkov said that Russia had agreed on three of the 29 paragraphs of the US proposal to deploy peacekeepers in the Donbas. He did not report what points he supported the Russian Federation.

On November 11, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine informed that Ukraine and the United States agreed to deploy a peacekeeping mission to the Donbas.

For Ukraine, it is crucial to deploy a mission throughout the Donbas, an agreement without the consent of the militants, and the absence of Russian troops among UN peacekeepers.

Ukraine excludes Russia's participation in the UN peacekeeping mission in the Donbass.

In September, Russian President Putin instructed the Russian Foreign Ministry to bring to the UN Security Council a draft resolution on peacekeepers in the Donbas. Putin called the peacekeeping mission exclusively on the clash line. But after talking to Merkel, Putin agreed to take into account the comments on the mission. Poroshenko assured that the introduction of UN peacekeepers to the Donbas will not happen under the scenario of Russia.

hromadske.ua  In Ukrainian/український

British parliamentary delegation headed by the "Friends of Ukraine Friendship Group" in the British Parliament, John Whittingdale, on November 30, began a visit to Ukraine, during which the Donbas will visit.

This is reported in an account on the Twitter of the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK, reports Tsensor . NET.

"Today, a visit to Ukraine by a British parliamentary delegation headed by the head of the Friends of Ukraine Group in the British Parliament John Whittingood begins in Kyiv, and most importantly, a visit to Donbass to see the results of Russian aggression against our country," - said in a message.

Also, members of the delegation are Jonathan Janogli and Bob Seyli.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

In the occupied Crimea, Russia plans to deploy another anti-aircraft missile system S-400 "Triumph".

This was announced by the press service of the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces.

"In the near future, a new complex will engage in combat duty in the Crimea to protect the airspace of the Russian Federation", - they told there.

The air defense system C-400 was supplied to armament units of the Russian Army in Crimea in 2016.

The C-400 "Triumph" can strike aerodynamic targets at a distance of up to 400 km, and at a distance of 60 km - ballistic targets flying at speeds of up to 4.8 km / s at altitudes from several meters to several dozen kilometers.

Sergei Zgurets, a military expert, told about the deployment of new S-400 batteries and other equipment before the "Apostrophe" in the Crimea: " With military potential in the Crimea Putin can get to the UK."

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Traces of radioactive cesium have been found in mushrooms imported by France from Russia.
This was announced Thursday, November 30, chairman of the French Nuclear Safety Agency, Pierre-François Cheve, reports Cenzor.NET with reference to Reuters.

"According to the latest information that I have, it seems that the traces of cesium are found in mushrooms that came from Russia," Cheve said during a speech at a hearing in the French Senate.

In this regard, France has stepped up control over the quality of food imported from abroad, the head of ASN said.

Cheve also said that the radioactive contamination caused by the emission of radioactive routhenium-106 (Ru-106) in Russia does not pose a threat to the health and safety of French citizens.

Recall, according to the IAEA, at the end of September - early October, ruthenium-106 was detected in an atmosphere in a number of European countries. The German radiation protection agency believes that a high-probability source of emissions is located in the Southern Urals in the Russian Federation. Subsequently, in Russia, "extreme" radioactive contamination was recognized in the south of the Urals .

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The US assistance to Ukraine aims to help the state build effective economies and democracy, protect itself from external aggression and build a country that Ukrainians dreamed of during the Revolution of Dignity.

US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Jovanovic stated this at a solemn ceremony to swear allegiance to the new US Peace Corps volunteers in Ukraine, according to Tsensor.NET, referring to Ukrinform.

"American support for reforms in Ukraine is comprehensive and works in two mutually reinforcing directions - support for the reform process in Ukraine and resistance to Russian aggression and active leadership in the peace process," Yovanovich said.

According to her, the US programs are seeking to help Ukraine create an effective economy and democracy, meet the Ukrainian aspirations and European standards.

"Our cooperation in the military sphere and security support are also aimed at strengthening Ukraine's ability to protect itself from external Russian aggression," the ambassador emphasized.

Jovanovich noted that American support helps Ukraine become the state your fellow citizens dreamed of during the Revolution of Dignity.

"Both directions help create a country that the Ukrainians sought to see in 2014 - with a strong democracy based on Western values ​​that is not exposed to external pressure and a more capable partner. for the US, "she said.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Lieutenant-General Ben Hodges, who holds the post of Commander of the US Land Forces in Europe, assures that the US Army has much to learn from its Ukrainian counterparts in connection with its experience in countering Russian aggression.

He stated this in a speech at the Lviv Security Forum, reports Tsensor. NET with reference to the "European truth".

"We have never faced Russian troops, we never had to oppose the Russian electronic warfare, and Ukrainian soldiers have this experience, which is why we have something to learn from Ukrainian soldiers and cooperation with Ukraine is good for us," Hodges said.

Hodges also said that the use of US military equipment by Ukraine, which was handed over to Ukrainian military forces, allowed the United States to obtain unique data from field trials.

"Our anti-malware radar detecting where bombardment of Ukrainian positions is being performed was even better than we thought. We got the best data on their effectiveness," the general said.

He also said that the fire of Russian military destroyed one of the radar, while others have "successfully worked."

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The Bishops' Council in Moscow separately wrote in the statute of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) that the Center for the Management of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) is located in Kyiv.

This is reported by RIA Novosti.

"It is noted that the center of administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is in Kiev .... The Statute fixes what was in practice," - said in a text broadcast of the meeting of the Bishops' Council, which was conducted by the church portal Prichod.ru.

Earlier, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Onufriy (UOC-MP) at a meeting of the Bishops' Council called for the special status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate to be underlined in the statute of the Russian Orthodox Church.

It is noted that "the proposal of His Beatitude (Metropolitan Onuphrius, ed.) Was adopted unanimously".

Also, in the statute of the Russian Orthodox Church, clarified that the Universal Sovereign Court has jurisdiction throughout the Russian Church, except the UOC.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

According to the Minister of Justice, American and European partners of Ukraine adhere to this position.

Any company involved in the construction of the Kerch Bridge will be subject to international sanctions. This statement was made Minister of Justice of Ukraine Pavlo Petrenko Thursday, reports Tsenzor.NET referring to "112 Ukraine".

"As a legal ministry, we fully co-operate with the appropriate consultations, assistance from profile ministries with their directions of response to relevant international organizations on this kind of facts. On the other hand, any company that will be involved in the so-called construction of the Kerch Bridge will fall under international sanctions. This is the clear position of our American and European partners, this is a serious argument, "said Petrenko.

He added that any illegal actions with Ukrainian property in the territory of the occupied Crimea will be appreciated by international courts.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

A citizen of Russia who participated in hostilities on the side of the so-called "DNR" and "LNR", as well as tortured prisoners of war, will be judged in Odesa.

This was reported in the press service of the prosecutor's office in the Odessa region, informs Tsensor.NET.

Law enforcers found that a Russian citizen in 2014 joined the so-called "DNR" and "LNR" and, by June 2017, had been actively involved in hostilities against Ukrainian military personnel.

Read also "Tsensor.NET": Former "judge of the DPR", who fell into disgrace to Zakharchenko, was released from criminality in Ukraine

"This foreigner personally tortured prisoners of war, and also agitated the local population for joining illegal armed formations," the press service of the public administration of the prosecutor's office said, adding that the suspect had experience of conducting military operations on the territory of Moldova and Georgia.

The man was detained in June this year when he tried to cross the Ukrainian-Moldavian border for counterfeit documents of a citizen of Ukraine. During the investigation, the suspect was detained. Now the indictment on the fact of participation of a suspect in a terrorist organization has been transferred to court.

The detainee is threatened with up to 15 years' imprisonment.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український