Ukraine News in brief. Tuesday 16 January. [Ukrainian sources]

TUESDAY HEADLINES:
In the center of Kiev protesters had smoked tires and fireworks.  The new American bill provides for sanctions against anyone who will intervene in the US elections.  In the United States, Ukraine pointed out how to fight for the minds and hearts of the inhabitants of the occupied Donbas.  Russia has renewed armed forces and is the greatest threat in Europe - General Danford.  Domestic arms manufacturers successfully tested upgraded S-125 M Pechora missile system with homing SAMs.  Russian illegal annexation of Crimea violates the Budapest memorandum, - the head of the NATO mission Vinnikov on the statement of Lavrov.  Russia uses the unrecognized Transnistria to bypass European sanctions.  The IOC has annoyed Russians with plans to ban the use of USSR symbols on the OI-2018.  NATO can not ignore Russia's aggression against Ukraine.  

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Protesters brought tire in Kiev to the walls of the Verkhovna Rada on January 16.

Protesters set fire to the tire's parliament building. Together with the tires the Russian flag was burnt down. After this, the security forces tried to push the activists and a fight broke out between them. Soon the clash ceased and the firefighters who fired the fire came to the scene.

We publish photos from the place of the adventure, which was made by photojournalist "Apostrophe" Alexander Goncharov.







At the moment, the situation on the walls of the Council has normalized.

Recall that today people's deputies are considering a bill on the reintegration of the Donbas. Earlier, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Irina Gerashchenko said that 675 amendments were submitted to the said law.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

American senators have drafted a bill that would impose new sanctions on Russia, as well as sanctions against other countries in the event of attempts to interfere in the US elections.

Reported Tsenzor.NET with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.

The authors of the bill, dubbed "DETER" (Protecting Elections for Red Line Redundancies - Ed.), Were made by Maryland Senator, Chris van Hollywood and Republican Senator, from Florida, Marco Rubio.

"This bill will help to ensure the integrity of our election process, using key national security tools to hold foreign powers from interfering in our elections," said M. Roubio, a TV channel.

"We can not be a country that allows foreign intelligence agencies to try to influence our political processes without any consequences," added the senator.

For his part , Chris Van Hall Le said that the bill "would understand Russia and other foreign players who may follow her example: if you attack us, the consequences will be serious."

According to the TV channel, both authors of the bill noted that Russia is not the only country that, in their opinion, poses a threat to US elections. US intelligence officials also marked China, Iran and North Korea as countries that could "try to use the weaknesses of the next US election cycle," said CNN.

At present, a number of US Congressional Committees are investigating Russia's alleged interference with American elections. A similar team is under the leadership of Robert Muller, the special prosecutor.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The US government believes that Ukraine should restore social benefits to citizens who were in the occupied territory.

This was described by the US Ambassador to Ukraine Mari Jovanovich, reports RBC-Ukraine.

"It is in this way that the Ukrainian government can demonstrate that it considers Ukrainian citizens of all people, including those who by chance have not appeared on the other side of the contact line, and will do everything to ensure their support. And it is important right now to demonstrate that Russian propaganda about the fact that Ukraine does not care about people in the east is not true, "the diplomat noted.

According to her, such a step will become important for future prospects of reintegration of the occupied regions.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Russia's actions in the past years and its investments in the military sector lead to the conclusion that this country is a danger to European and other countries.
According to Cenzor.NET , referring to the DW , it was stated in Brussels on Monday, January 15, by the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Armed Forces Joseph Dunford on the eve of the meeting of the NATO Military Committee.

Strengthened Russia is the greatest threat in Europe, and the North Atlantic Alliance has put in place adequate means to curb its eastern neighbor, said General Dunford. He reminded that NATO strengthened its groundbreaking forces by placing four multinational military units in Poland and the Baltic States.

According to Joseph Dunford, Russia has updated many branches of its armed forces, in particular nuclear power, naval forces, the development of new means of warfare in cyberspace and electronic warfare, as well as the deployment of anti-space defense assets.

And Russia will use its potential, says the general. "It's enough to look at her behavior, remember and look at Georgia and Ukraine," said Danford.

He recalled that in 2008 Russian troops invaded the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which are still under Russian occupation. In Ukraine, Russia illegally annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014. In order to invade this region, Moscow used tanks and servicemen without distinctive signs. Russian troops also invaded the Ukrainian Donbass, and military operations there are still ongoing. According to General Dunford, the United States and other NATO countries are teaching Ukrainian troops helping them defend the sovereignty of the country.

States have the right to defend themselves against attacks from other countries, the general said. This applies not only to the direct intrusion of soldiers in the form, but also to attacks carried out in non-traditional ways - information operations, cyberspace activities, economic pressure, political influence. "This is also a violation of sovereignty," said Joseph Dunford.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Radionika and Luch Kyiv State Design Bureau carried out firing test of upgraded S-125 M Pechora surface-to-air missile system.

As reported by Censor.NET citing Luch Design Bureau, the new missiles are equipped with active radar seekers.

In the initial stage of the flight, the rocket moves along an airballistic trajectory which substantially increases its range. The new missiles are capable of hitting a target in a 40-kilometer radius. At the same time, its operational ceiling reached 25 kilometers.



ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Russia violated the Budapest Memorandum, which was obliged to respect the independence, sovereignty and the 1994 borders of Ukraine, as well as others, assumed international obligations and international law.

This was stated in a comment to journalists by the Head of the Delegation, the director of the NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine Oleksandr Vinnikov, according to Tsensor.NET, referring to Ukrinform.

"Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea violates international law and international obligations that Russia has undertaken, including the Budapest memorandum," Vinnikov said, commenting on the statement of the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov that Russia did not violate the Budapest memorandum.

Vinnikov stressed that NATO does not recognize the annexation of the Crimea and this position will be valid.

Earlier, at a press conference in Moscow, Lavrov in his own way interpreted the essence of the Budapest memorandum, stating that it in general violated Ukraine, and not Russia, which encroached on the territorial integrity of the neighboring country. According to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, no violation of the Budapest memorandum from the RF has taken place. He also said that Russia "respects the" territorial integrity of Ukraine "in its current borders after the" referendum "in Crimea."

As is known, paragraph 1 of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum reads as follows: "The Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America confirm Ukraine their commitment... to respect the independence, sovereignty and current borders of Ukraine."

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The promotion of separatism is a dangerous trend that threatens the whole of Europe, says People's Deputy of the Party "Petro Poroshenko Bloc", Irina Frisz, chairman of the Subcommittee on Security of State Information Systems of the Verkhovna Rada on National Security and Defense, commenting on the situation in Transnistria".

Reported Tsenzor.NET with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.

"Russia uses unrecognized Transnistria to avoid sanctions. Russian goods come to the Transnistrian region (the so-called" Transnistrian Moldavian Republic", which is not under the control of the Moldovan authorities), where they obtain" Transnistrian origin "and are exported to the European Union. Tiraspol has access to the DFTA in fact, as a part of Moldova, which should contribute to reintegration with Chisinau, while the PMR leadership continues to discuss plans for integration with the Russian Federation or the building up of an independent state, "said Frice.

According to her, the continuation of the "gingerbread" policy for Tiraspol is false without the use of a "hard stick". "At the same time, as the PMR gives Russia the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of access to the EU market, Tiraspol does not take any step towards demilitarization and the withdrawal of the Russian occupation contingent from the territory," the parliamentarian noted.

I.Friz also drew attention to the fact that "the formats of international peacekeeping forces with the UN mandate have been repeatedly offered to Tiraspol, but were rejected by the Transnistrian puppet leadership and the Kremlin."

The parliamentarian emphasizes that the approach to the Transnistria problem must obviously be revised internationally. "Russia is using the peace treaty" On the settlement of armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova "to freeze the conflict, which is the frozen conflicts that allow the Kremlin to influence the pro-European states of the post-Soviet space," said I.Frees.

"Therefore, any statements by the Kremlin to support the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova are frankly lies. The Kremlin hopes that the puppet leaders of quasi-national self-proclaimed entities will be an obstacle to the European course of the countries, which will make them a buffer zone," explains the politician.

She is convinced that it is Russia's speculation in peaceful settlement of the same conflicts created by it that should be the basis for changing such a policy and forcing self-proclaimed puppet republics to play according to other rules.

"Promotion of separatism is a dangerous trend that threatens the whole of Europe," I.Fris summed up.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The Special Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the near future plans to consider the use of Soviet symbols by Russian athletes at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

"All such issues are dealt with by the Working Group on Olympic athletes from Russia. The IOC will in due time issue guidelines for the implementation of the group's decisions, as stated in the statement of the IOC Executive Board of December 5," the IOC press office reported.

This message caused a flurry of dissatisfaction from Russian citizens. Dozens of indignant Russians began to rudely address the organization's post under Twitter, but there were those who supported the IOC policy.

Recall that due to a scandal with doping, many Russian athletes received lifelong disqualifications. In addition, the IOC banned the Russian national team to use Russian flags and an anthem on the OI-2018.

Earlier, the "Apostrophe" reported that Russia is preparing sanctions against WADA officials due to suspension from the 2018 Olympics.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Russian aggression against Ukraine has challenged the entire European security order.

This was stated by Head of the Delegation, Director of the NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine Oleksandr Vinnikov during the round table on "Threats to security of Ukraine and other countries of the Eastern Partnership region and possible answers to them", Censor reports. NET with reference to Ukrinform.

"Ukraine faces critical challenges for its security and prosperity, both external and internal. Russian aggression challenged the whole European security order, which was established after the end of the Cold War. For the first time since the Second World War, one country takes the territory of another country by force. It is obvious that NATO can not ignore it, "he said.

Vinnikov stressed that in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, NATO is strengthening its security and deterrence capabilities, first of all, on its eastern and south-eastern flank.

"As for Ukraine, NATO is immutable in the issue of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Since the beginning of Russian aggression, the practical and political support that NATO provides to Ukraine has become unprecedented. We do this because we are in solidarity with Ukraine, and we believe that supporting the reform of the Ukrainian security sector and reforms is the best way to ensure Ukraine's security, "said a NATO spokesman.

He also stressed that Ukraine has long been an important partner of NATO, participating in Alliance missions and operations. "Ukraine remains a priority partner for NATO and Ukraine's success is vital for the Euro-Atlantic area as a whole. That is why we will continue to provide Ukraine with strong political and practical assistance in Ukraine's efforts to uphold sovereignty, independence and reform, "said Vinnikov.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Jovanovic said Ukraine will receive Javelin anti-tank complexes from the United States free of charge.

She said this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.

"Indeed, last year, the Administration (the President of the United States - ed.) Made a decision to provide Ukraine with additional defense capabilities. So far, there is no details as to how this will be done. As in Ukraine, we have a certain procedure for implementing these decisions we must inform the Congress on how this will be done. And only after passing this procedure, to begin to implement, "Yovanovich said.

She added that details on the possibility of using this lethal weapon in the area of ​​anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in the Donbass are currently being processed.

"We are working not only within our internal process with the Congress, but also during negotiations and coordination with the Government of Ukraine, however, I emphasize once again that it is precisely on defense weapons," said Yovanovich.

The US ambassador also clarified that it was precisely supplies from the US government.

"Now we are talking about the defense assistance provided to Ukraine by the United States Government. Commercial contracts and commercial sales are a completely different issue," Yovanovich summed up.

As reported by the "Apostrophe", previously it became known about the training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to receive Javelin from the United States.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

US Ambassador to Ukraine Mari Jovanovic said defense aid from the US government will be provided free of charge to Kiev

This was stated by Yovanovich in an interview with "RBC-Ukraine".

"Last year, the administration of the United States of America decided to provide Ukraine with expanded defense capabilities, so far there is no details as to how this will be done. We, as in Ukraine, have a certain procedure - in order to implement these decisions, we must inform the Congress about how it will be done. And only after passing this procedure, to begin realization, "the ambassador said.

When asked if the information is correct that Ukraine will not be able to use this weapon in the ATO zone, the ambassador replied that the details are still being processed. Also, the ambassador did not answer what weapon will be provided to Ukraine besides Javaline's anti-tank missile complexes and when it will happen.

"Now we are talking about the defense assistance provided to Ukraine from the United States Government. Commercial contracts and commercial sales are a completely different issue," the ambassador noted.

On the question of the journalist, whether Ukraine will receive a lethal weapon for free, the ambassador replied in the affirmative.

Commenting on the disagreement between the US and Russia regarding the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping mission to the Donbas, the ambassador said that the lack of consensus is natural in the negotiation process.

"If the positions coincide, then there is no point in negotiating. Our point of view, and it is supported by the majority of the international community, that the peacekeeping contingent should operate throughout the entire territory concerned up to the internationally recognized border of Ukraine with Russia, and the responsibility of the peacekeepers would be to be broader, not only to protect the members of the OSCE's special monitoring mission, "added Yovanovich.

The ambassador said that it is difficult for her to imagine the presence of Russians in the UN peacekeepers in the Donbass. But on this occasion negotiations are underway, and various options are considered.

"Russia armed anti-government forces, trained them, managed them and participated in battles with them. Russia should use its influence on the separatist forces it supports in eastern Ukraine to stop violence and return to a progressive move towards the implementation of the Minsk accords."- summed up the ambassador.

-Recall that the State Department approved a commercial license that allows the export of sniper systems Model M107A1, ammunition and related accessories and accessories in Ukraine for the amount of $ 41.5 million.

-Later in the State Department said that the United States will provide Ukraine with "enhanced defense capabilities."

-On December 24, Republican senator John McCain, chairman of the armed forces committee, called "an important step in the right direction" to Washington's decision to begin delivering anti-tank Javelin anti-tank missiles to Kiev.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

An attempt by Russia to intervene in the DPRK led to a negative reaction from China, which plans to restore its protectorate over North Korea.

Oleg Zhdanov, a military expert, wrote about this in his column on "Apostrophe".

"I think that North Korea is now a bargain between the United States and China, because the latter very much wants to return the protectorate to the DPRK, is very angry with Russia for having intervened there with their money in terms of support and funding of the North Korean Army. Everyone will pay the United States to the Chinese (North Korea), but so long as the US presence in the Far East is very beneficial to them, they are not going to rush to the crisis, and now they will press Kim Jong-il to quietly hold the Olympics, but will continue to be slow strangulation"- sure Zhdanov.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український