Ukraine News in brief. Sunday 11 March. [Ukrainian sources]

SUNDAY HEADLINES:
The elimination of the LNR-DNR will not: Russia has opened a new Putin plan concerning Ukraine.  In Russia they called the only way the West could curb Putin.  Putin's cyberattacks and compromise: US plans to respond to Russia's interference in elections.  An attempt at the murder of a former Russian intelligence officer in Britain: traces of poison are found in a new place.  A group of American senators headed by Sanders wants a dialogue with Russia.  Britain is preparing sanctions against corrupt Russian officials.  Britain will discuss the poisoning of the Russian intelligence with NATO allies.  Putin answered the question, if he is going to return the occupied Crimea to Ukraine.  The EU is ready to support the introduction of peacekeepers in the Donbas  Five countries signed a letter to the EU on the danger of the North Stream-2.  Russian students are threatened with eviction from hostels due to the lack of a presidential election.

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The Kremlin will not be able to destroy Ukraine in a military way, but at the same time it will not stop supporting the militants of the Donbas.

The Russian journalist Semen Novoprudsky told about this "Apostrophe".

"It will not be resolved in the near future to completely destroy Ukraine by military means, but to eliminate the DPR and the LNR, too," the journalist says.

According to him, authoritarian tendencies will be strengthened in Russia.

"In general, Russia will continue to drift toward Putin's personalist dictatorship with more intense interference with private life of citizens, censorship in the sphere of culture and mass media, and also imperial insults in foreign policy and attempts to affirm Russia's importance in the world through hybrid wars and political provocations ", - stressed Novoprudsky.

He also believes that the Russian Federation is likely to try to destabilize the situation in Ukraine and intervene in the parliamentary and presidential elections of our country.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Russian President Vladimir Putin chose a strategy of a long game in confrontation with the West, hoping for a frequent change of power in Western countries.

This opinion was expressed in the commentary to the "Apostrophe" by Russian journalist Semen Novoprudsky.

"Putin does not hide what he puts on foreign policy and hopes to replay the West in the long game, given that the power in the western countries is constantly changing through elections, and in Russia, in fact, there is a life-long presidential rule," he says.

According to Novoprudsky, serious changes in the Kremlin's foreign policy are possible only after the imposition of personal sanctions against the largest businessmen and officials from Putin's environment. It is also necessary to introduce restrictions on the export of oil from the Russian Federation.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Yahoo journalist Michael Isicof and editor-in-chief Mother Jones David Corn wrote a book entitled "Russian Roulette: The Insider Story of Putin's War against America and the election of Donald Trump", which describes how the White House was about to respond to Russia's interference in elections. President of the United States.

This is reported on Yahoo's news site.

The book is based on conversations with then-White House employees.

One of the suggested options was the corresponding cyberatta under the leadership of the NSA against some Russian sites and the hackers Guccifer 2.0 and DCLeaks, which were involved in the theft of personal documents of representatives of the Democratic Party. In addition, it was a possible DDOS attack on intelligence agencies of the Russian Federation.

In particular, Celeste Wallander, Senior Assistant to Barack Obama from Russia and Central Asia at the National Security Council, offered to publish a classified compromise on President Vladimir Putin.

Thus, Wallander suggested organizing a leak of passages of classified data in order to uncover the bank accounts in Latvia of the daughter of Putin.

In addition, Wallander and then Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland proposed to transfer "to Russian sites rumors about the money Putin, friends of Russian officials, corruption in" United Russia ".

"We wanted to raise rates by the method that Putin acknowledged," said Nuland.

However, responding to the Kremlin for interference, American elections in the White House were eventually abandoned, as information on the preparation of the answer could leak in the media that "will drive the president in the framework" and force him to act.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Employees of the anti-terrorist unit of the British police found traces of nerve-paralytic substance in the pizza Zizzi, where ex-officer of the GRU of Russia Sergey Skripal and his daughter Julia lunch on Sunday, March 4.

This is reported by the "Russian BBC Service".

At the moment, there is no reason to believe that someone from the restaurant at the same time as the victims is in danger, or they have some kind of relation to getting into the pizzeria of the poisonous substance.

In addition to the restaurant Zizzi, surrounded by four more locations in Salisbury - the house of the Violinist, the Bishop's Mill Pub, a bench in the park, where Sergey Skripal and his daughter were found, as well as the cemetery where the wife and son of an ex-employee of the GRU of the Russian Federation were buried.

British Ambassador Ember Rudd said Saturday, March 10, that more than 250 employees of the anti-terrorist unit of the British police were involved in the investigation. The investigation established over 200 witnesses and collected over 240 proofs that are "quickly and professionally" studied by experts.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Senator Democrats Edward Markie, Jeff Merkley, Dayan Feinstein, and Independent Senator Berni Sanders sent a letter to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressing concern over the exacerbation of tensions in relations with Moscow and urged him to launch a new round of strategic talks with Russia without delay, to minimize the likelihood of a conflict between the two countries

This is reported by "Voice of America".

"The need for US-Russia strategic dialogue is even more acute in light of President Putin's speech on March 1, in which he spoke about several types of new nuclear weapons that are allegedly being developed in Russia, including cruise missiles and submarine nuclear at this moment, do not apply the restrictions under the START Treaty, and the setting of which on arms can have a destabilizing effect, "the senators believe.

The Senators admit that Washington has, of course, significant disagreements with Russia, including about its "proactive intervention in the 2016 elections, its violations of the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Longer-Range Missiles, Military Intervention in Ukraine, and Illegal Attachment Crimea, as well as destabilizing actions in Syria".

At the same time, they write, "it is precisely because of these political differences, and not contrary to them, the US should urgently start a dialogue with Russia in order to avoid miscalculations and reduce the likelihood of a conflict."

They also call on the administration to raise the issue of violations of the treaty on RSMD, to extend the START III and to work towards increasing transparency in the field of non-nuclear weapons.

All these steps are designed to reduce the likelihood that nuclear weapons will ever be used again, said the legislators.

Commenting on a letter from American lawmakers, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during a meeting with journalists during his stay in Ethiopia, said that Russia is always in favor of "maintaining a dialogue on strategic stability between Russia and the United States".

The initiator of this message, the vermont senator, Berni Sanders, represents the left-wing flank of the American political community and is one of the two senators who voted against the law in July 2017, reinforcing anti-Russian sanctions. In 2016, one of the most likely presidential candidates from the Democratic Party was considered a race, but eventually lost to the Hillary Clinton nomination.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

Britain is discussing sanctions against Russians suspected of corruption and human rights abuses - London is preparing to ban entry offenders

According to Sky News , representatives of the Conservatives said that now with the senior ministers of the British government are being consulted on the introduction of the British version of the so-called "Magnitsky Act" in the law on sanctions, which now passes through the parliament.

The Magnitsky Act was approved in the United States in 2012. It is aimed at punishing Russian officials involved in the death of a lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, who investigated corruption among officials.

The discussion of the possible approval of the "Magnitsky Act" in Britain began even before attempting to kill the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Julia. However, it is believed that the case of the Defender would make the "Magnitsky Act" more lawful than the law.

The The Telegraph announces that Foreign Minister Boris Johnson and UK Interior Minister Ember Rudd have already agreed that London will propose its version of the "Magnit Act." In particular, the restrictions are foreseen for non-issuance of visas and freezing of assets.

As previously reported, Britain's Foreign Minister Boris Johnson warned Russia about possible sanctions if Russia's involvement in the attempt to kill the ex-spy Sergei Skripal was proven.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

Great Britain plans to discuss the situation with the poisoning of former double agent Sergey Skripal with his allies in the North Atlantic Alliance

This was announced by Tobias Ellwood, Parliamentary Deputy Defense Secretary of the United Kingdom, writes DW.com.

"We should not go ahead, we need to give an informed answer. Let's discuss it with our NATO partners," he pointed out. "There are a number of serious issues, including how to confront a clandestine and harmful attack inflicted specifically to sow chaos in our society".

As the British newspaper The Independent specifies, the position of Ellwood was also supported by Gavin Williamson, head of the defense department of the country.

The latter also mentioned "influential allies" of London, saying that the United Kingdom is prepared to use "all its resources" after the investigation establishes who "was behind the attack."

Earlier it was reported that the British authorities are considering the possibility of a collective boycott of the World Cup that will take place this year in Russia, because of the poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal.

As is known, poisoned Russians were found unconscious in the center of Salisbury on Sunday, March 4th. The investigation is conducted under the article "attempt at murder," although previously the possibility of qualifying the incident as a terrorist attack was considered, taking into account the potential danger of the applied neuroparalytic substance.

Earlier on Saturday, British Interior Minister Ember Rudd held a second weekly COBRA Extraordinary Committee meeting on the incident in Salisbury. As a result, she reported that more than 250 employees of the anti-terrorist unit of the British police were involved in the investigation.

-On March 5, in the British city of Salisbury, a former Russian intelligence broker, a violinist, became poorly in the mall, after which he was hospitalized with serious poisoning with an unknown substance.

-British officials are threatened with sanctions if it is confirmed that Russia poisoned its former spy on British territory.

-In the UK, policemen were investigated who were investigating a case of poisoning of the ex-employee of the Russian GRU Sergei Skripal.

-According to Prime Minister May, because of Violent poisoning, ministers may refuse to visit the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

-The investigation has already managed to establish over 200 witnesses and gather more than 240 evidence, which are now "quickly and professionally" studied by relevant experts.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that it was categorically impossible for him to return to the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea invaded by Russian troops

This is reported by the Russian news agency TASS with reference to his statement in the new propagandistic film "Putin" directed by Andrei Kondrashov, the author of the scandalous film "Crimea. Return to the homeland."

"But what did you move out of sight or what? There are no such circumstances and will never be", - he said in response to the question about the possibility of the appearance of circumstances for the return of the Crimea.

FILM "Putin" posted in Russian social network another Putin's propagandist - Dmitry Kiselyov.

Recall the Ukrainian paratrooper, veteran ATO, and now the traveler and blogger Valery Ananiev met in the Italian Verona of the leading Channel One (Russia) Artem Sheynin and spit in his face.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

The European Union will support the introduction of a UN peacekeeping mission to the Donbas, if it helps in the implementation of the Minsk Agreements and the settlement of the conflict.

This was stated by the head of European diplomacy Federik Mogerin, UNIAN reports.

She noted, however, that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission should have access to the entire territory of Ukraine, including along the Ukrainian-Russian border, in accordance with its mandate.

According to Federika Mogherini, the Minsk accords provided a plan for resolving the situation in eastern Ukraine and stopped the escalation of the conflict. She added that it is necessary to continue the implementation of the agreements.

As already reported, in the same statement Mogherini called on the Ukrainian authorities to step up the fight against bribery and ensure the work of the Supreme Anticorruption Court.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

In Vilnius, the leaders of the parliaments of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia signed an appeal to the heads of parliaments of the EU countries, which condemned the construction of the North Stream 2 pipeline. Ukraine and Moldova signed an appeal earlier.

This is reported by "Polish Radio".

"The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is aimed at energy dependence of the European Union states on Russia," the statement reads.

"Due to the fact that this document was signed by a group of countries, and not by individual states, such a voice is more audible," - told reporters.

Speaker of the Sejm of Poland Marek Kukhtsinsky explained that due to the fact that the document "signed by a group of countries, and not by individual states, such a voice will be more audible".

"One principle is the general concern about the security of all EU countries, as well as those of its eastern part," he added.

The letter says that energy security will become a key component of a united and prosperous Europe.

According to the authors of the letter, in spite of the fact that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is presented as a commercial project, it is in fact "an instrument of the policy of the Russian state".

Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Latvia and Moldova have called on European countries to ensure that the operation of the gas pipeline will be in accordance with the EU rules.

Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Moravetsky, said that he believed the Nord Stream 2 was dangerous for Europe, especially for the Baltic region.

Earlier, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that North Stream 2 would monopolize Russia's gas supplies to the EU.

Recall that on Jan. 31, Germany allowed the laying of "North Stream 2" on its territory.

At the same time, the United States opposes the construction of the North Stream-2.

"Nord Stream 2" is a project of a main gas pipeline from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea. One of the main objectives of the project is to stop the transit of gas through Ukraine, which will lead to a decrease in the revenues to the budget of Ukraine.

hromadske.ua  In Ukrainian/український

In Russia, Orenburg, students are crushed in order to force them to come and vote in the presidential elections in Russia, which will take place on March 18. So, in the absence of students, threatened with eviction from hostels.

This is reported by Twitter user Michael Avrinsky, informs Censor.NET.

Russians also published an ad that states that the further residence of students in the dormitory depends on their appearance in the elections.

Russian youth is also strongly encouraged to schedule all their affairs in such a way that they have time to appear for election and vote.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

US President Donald Trump said he would cancel the import duty on aluminum and steel for the EU only if Europe cancels its barriers to America.

He wrote about it on Twitter.

"The European Union, the beautiful countries that are very badly involved with the US in trade, are complaining about the duty of steel and aluminum. If they refuse their barriers and customs duties on US products, then we will give up theirs. If not, we will tax cars and so on. True!"- said the president of the United States.

Andald Trump introduced a duty on imports of steel (25%) and aluminum (10%). The orders signed by the president will come into force on March 23. Mexico and Canada are still excluded from the list of countries.

However, Trump said that other states could also be excluded from the list.

At the same time, President Trump stated that "the United States is ready to show great flexibility and cooperation with true friends." American media noted that Australia was the first to talk about it.

In their turn, the Cabinet stated that the government is trying to cancel US customs duties on Ukrainian aluminum and steel.

Merkel condemned the introduction by the United States of duties on metals.

hromadske.ua  In Ukrainian/український

More than three thousand people - citizens of Hungarian nationality - took part in a rally in the Romanian city of Tirgu-Mureş. The demonstrators demanded the granting of territorial autonomy to counties with a compact residence of Hungarians.

This is reported by Tsensor. NET with reference to Ukrinform.

Read also: "Dear Hungarian neighbors: have you forgotten the Soviet tanks on the streets of Budapest in 1956?" - Hopko about the statements of the Hungarian ambassador on autonomy in Transcarpathia

The participants gathered near the monument to the Seychelles martyrs in the city of Targu-Mureş, launched a huge secrecy flag (the Romanian sects are also called ethnic Hungarians of Transylvania) and chanted: "Autonomy."



The meeting was attended by a member of the European Parliament from the Democratic Party of the Romanian Hungarians, Loslo Tekesh and representatives of the Basques from Spain.

Participants of the meeting adopted an appeal to the parliament, government and the president of Romania with a demand for autonomy.

"We want to remind that the autonomy of the Seychelles does not affect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Romania and does not undermine the rights of Romanians and citizens of other nationalities living in this region." The autonomy does not contradict the Romanian Constitution, "the statement reads.



Places of compact residence of Hungarians in Romania are the counties of Hargita, Kováns and Mures.

On the eve of the Romanian border guards officers banned entry to the country to the representative of the National Council of Hungary's Sections Atilly Dabishu. There are no reports of the reasons for the refusal to enter Romania. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary expressed regret at the actions of the Romanian border guards.

Earlier, the Romanian Hungarians also demanded that they grant autonomy, but official Bucharest ignored these demands.

Recall that on March 7, Hungarian Ambassador to Ukraine Erno Keshken commented on the issuance of Hungarian passports to ethnic Hungarians - citizens of Ukraine who live in Transcarpathia. In his opinion, this is the norm. He also said that there is nothing wrong with the autonomy.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

US Defense Secretary James Mattheys said that the threats of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the possible use of Russian nuclear weapons against the US were disappointing, but not surprised.

The minister said on the plane on the way from Washington to the Middle East, writes The Washington Post.

Mettis also believes that Russia is investing money in the arms race "by itself."

According to him, Putin's statement does not change the strategic plans of the Pentagon to counter Moscow.

He noted that he had not seen anything new about the military capabilities of the Russian Federation.

Recall that on March 1, during the recourse to the so-called "Federal Assembly", Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia had tested a new cruise missile with a nuclear power plant. According to Putin, the new missile has an unlimited radius of action and an unpredictable flight path.

In addition, Putin said that Russia had completed the test of the Hypersonic Airborne Missile Complex "Kinzhal", which is capable of overcoming all existing air defense and missile defense systems.

hromadske.ua  In Ukrainian/український