Ukraine News. Wednesday 4 July. [Ukrainian sources]

WEDNESDAY HEADLINES:
Allies of the United States in NATO responded to Trump's critical letters  NATO spokesman assured that Ukraine will take part in the summit of the alliance, despite the position of Hungary.  Kremlin urges Theresa May to refuse 2016 World Cup boycott and arrive in Russia.  There are fears that Trump will offer Putin a "reset" of relations.  Will discuss Ukraine too: Putin's prediction of his talks with Trump appeared.  In Ukraine, they explained what to expect from the meeting between Trump and Putin.  Ukraine was given advice on how to respond to Putin's new military provocation.  UN peacekeepers’ presence in Donbas scares Putin because they will enter Crimea next.  Pro-Russian president of Moldova intimidates a new war on the Dniester: authorities provoke Russia's intervention.  The Swiss court resumed arrest of Gazprom's assets.  We associate a lot with Tymoshenko - Russian political technologist, who was banned from entering Ukraine.  Putin's security forces detained Russians who held a vivid campaign in support of Sentsov: photo.  Russia they told why Putin called the military units of Russia in honor of Ukrainian cities.  Russia will not pay contributions to the Council of Europe to resume the rights of the Russian delegation.  It became known why Russia is satisfied with the blockade of Ukraine in the Sea of ​​Azov.  Kremlin-held Ukrainian Gryb got beaten, robbed by inmates as he was escorted from Krasnodar to Rostov-on-Don prison. Peskov says Russia has no intent to release Sentsov at Jagland's request. ICC receives list of foreigners who fought in ranks of Russian mercenaries in Ukraine's Donbas.

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US Allies in NATO do not agree with the critique of US President Donald Trump, who on the eve of sending letters to Norway, other European allies and Canada with a requirement to increase defense spending

In a letter to the Associated Press, the Norwegian defense minister Frank Bakke-Jensen said that his country "is committed to the goal set at the NATO Summit in 2014, and will continue to pursue it," Voice of America reports .

According to him, Norway spends much more on purchasing military equipment than agreed by NATO member states.

Prime Minister of Belgium Charles Michel called the letter "typical" on the eve of the summit.

"I'm not intimidated by this letter," said Charles Michel, adding that Belgium is fully committed to NATO.

Canadian Secretary of Defense Rene Fiatro said Canada is pursuing a plan to increase defense spending. Moreover, she said, Canada intends to increase military allocations by 70%.

Earlier, Trump wrote letters to leaders of a number of NATO countries , which, in a rather sharp form, demanded that they meet their commitments to increase defense spending.

In a letter to Trump, he noted that he was "losing patience" in anticipation of the fulfillment of their promises. For example, in a message to German Chancellor Angela Merkel Trump wrote that insufficient defense spending by Berlin undermines NATO security and gives reason to other members of the Alliance not to fulfill their obligations.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

A senior NATO spokesman said that the letter from Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban with a promise to block any steps towards Ukraine's entry into the alliance that could be made at the upcoming summit will not affect the relations between Kyiv and NATO.

This is reported by Censor.NET with reference to Voice of America.

On Monday, the Ukrainian edition of "European Pravda" reported that the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent an official message to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, which stated: "Orban intends to vote against any document that will be offered to alliance members based on a meeting with leaders of Ukraine and Georgia."

According to the "European Law", the letter was sent several days after the meeting between the Ministers of Ukraine and Hungary at the level of ministers, which generally resolved disagreements over the law of Ukraine on education, which contradicts the decision of the Venice Commission, an advisory body to the Council of Europe.

Representatives of Hungary said that if Ukraine agrees to comply with these decisions, they will stop blocking Kyiv's efforts to join NATO.

As a NATO member since 1999, Hungary, through its permanent delegation, may veto the efforts of countries wishing to become members of the Alliance, for example, Ukraine.

Representatives of NATO and Hungary did not comment on the sudden change in Budapest's position on NATO-Ukraine relations and did not agree to reveal the contents of the letter.

Representatives of NATO on Tuesday confirmed the receipt of the letter, but offered to ask for its contents to Budapest.

"The Hungarian Government has appealed to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with a letter regarding Ukraine," said the NATO representative to the Ukrainian Voice of America service. "I propose to address Hungarian authorities on all issues regarding its content."

"NATO provides strong political and practical support to Ukraine, and there is no plan to change this situation," added the representative of the alliance. "In recent years, Ukraine has undergone major security and defense reforms, as well as in such areas as health, education and It is important that Ukraine continues to go through reforms."

Although it is not clear whether Orban's letter was intended to block Ukraine's participation in the summit, NATO spokesman wrote: "Ukraine will take part in the NATO summit next week, and the Summit forms will be announced soon." We expect the leaders of the Alliance to recognize Ukraine's efforts and to declare a solid the intention to give it further political and practical support".

Hungarian Foreign Ministry officials refused to respond to Voice of America requests by telephone and e-mail sent prior to publication.

Ivanna Klimpush-Tsintsadze, vice-premier of the Ukrainian government on European and Euro-Atlantic integration, told the Voice of America that she remains optimistic about continuing NATO-Ukraine cooperation.

In June, NATO officially invited the Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko, to the upcoming Summit to be held on 11-12 July in Brussels.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The Russian authorities continue to persuade British Prime Minister Teresa May to come to Russia for the World Cup and to abandon the boycott announced by the United Kingdom through the poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skrypka and his daughter Julia in Salisbury.

This is reported by The Guardian.

It is noted that Russia has sent a new invitation to May after the England team won in the penalty shootout Colombia and went to the quarterfinals World Cup 2018.

According to the publication, the British prime minister has already received several invitations from the Kremlin, but did not respond to them.

In the 1/4 finals, the British play against the Swedish national team. As the newspaper notes, the power of the Scandinavian country "is less resolute" in the intention to boycott the mundial.

"The British government believed that Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Leuven promised that the Swedish ministers would not attend any match in the tournament," the statement said.

Earlier, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Margot Wallström said that Stockholm promised to boycott only the opening of the mundial and the group stage.

A 66-year-old citizen of Russia Sergey Skrypal was hit by a hospital with severe poisoning on March 4. With him was his daughter Julia.

The British investigation believes that the poisoning of the former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal would hardly have been carried out without the approval of the Kremlin.

British Prime Minister Teresa May announced that Russia is likely to be involved in the poisoning of the Violinist, and the crime was committed with the help of the paramilitary paralysis material of the "Newbie" class developed in the Russian Federation.

Because of the Violin poisoning, members of the royal family and British ministers refused to go to the 2018 World Cup.

In April, 46 members of the European Parliament called on EU governments not to attend the World Cup.

Earlier, Ukrainians were urged not to go to him because of the danger of detention and possible aggression.

The National Public Television Company of Ukraine (NSTU) decided not to broadcast the FIFA World Cup.

In the European Parliament, they called for ignoring the World Cup in the Russian Federation.

hromadske.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Sanctions against the Russian Federation should be effective until the Kremlin changes its aggressive policy towards Ukraine.

As the Tsenzor.NET referring to Ukrinform, told Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Chaputovych.

"Until Russia changes its behavior, and I mean primarily the aggressive policy regarding Ukraine in the Donbass and the annexation of the Crimea, sanctions must act, because they are a way to show countries whose behavior is unacceptable," Chutupovich said.

He noted that the EU now votes from countries that do not want sanctions against the Russian Federation. However, during a vote last week in Brussels, all countries supported the continuation of sanctions.

"The overwhelming majority of countries are in favor of extending sanctions, while others have shown solidarity, despite having separate considerations," said the head of Polish diplomacy, expressing the hope that everything will remain.

Chutupovych also noted positively the continuation of European sanctions against Russia before the US-Russian presidents' meeting, which will take place on July 16 in Helsinki. At the same time, the Polish minister expressed some concerns over whether during this meeting, Donald Trump will not offer Vladimir Putin some sort of "reload" of relations.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

It is unlikely that at a meeting of US President Donald Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin, it will be possible to reach important agreements.

About this "Apostrophe" told the head of the "Maydan Foreign Affairs" fund Bogdan Yaremenko.

It is noted that the price of oil, Iran, Syria and Ukraine will be the subject of discussion between American and Russian state leaders - the questions behind which the interests of the US and Russia are diametrically opposed.

"In the spirit of the show, Trump will try to imagine some of the agreements reached, he will talk and celebrate a lot, but it's very difficult to imagine what there can be in general," the diplomat said.

"It is unclear what Trump is going to sacrifice in the interests of the United States and whether he has such a general intention. In the Crimean block, as in the block of nuclear issues, it is not clear where Trump and Putin could agree. The US and Russia's interests in Syria are similar, and there is no need to discuss them in the issue of the Iranian nuclear deal: the United States imposes sanctions, it is resolved. Hope that Trump will suddenly change his position is completely groundless. I do not think that one of the serious politicians hopes for this", - he continued.

"It is clear that all these issues will be discussed, but I find it difficult to imagine any framework of agreements - so far I do not see them," Yaremenko summed up.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The meeting between President of the United States Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will soon begin in Helsinki. After the latest statements by Trump, there are hearings about whether leaders can reach a "big deal". In particular, can Donald Trump, who has recently responded deeply to the question of the possibility of recognizing the Crimea Russian, may offer Volodymyr Putin a de facto recognition of an annexation in exchange for Russia's political actions in the Donbass. Bogdan Yaremenko, the head of the "Maydan of Foreign Affairs" Foundation, spoke about his expectations from the "Apostrophe" meeting.

From the point of view of reaching concrete agreements from the meeting with Trump and Putin, I do not expect anything that could remain on paper. About Ukraine - almost guaranteed. And in relation to other issues, it can be said that with a great deal of probability, it will be faster the sounding of mutual positions, the way to classify problems, look for points of contact. But no agreement.

It is quite possible that this summit will be of great importance from another point of view - the further destruction of the security architecture and the change of the US's traditional foreign and security approaches in the performance of at least one president, Donald Trump. This is a rather symbolic and milestone meeting, which, obviously, any other US president would never allow under the current foreign policy circumstances.

Not by letter, but as a matter of fact, now the US policy towards Crimea is identical to the policy of non-recognition of occupation of the Baltic States by the Soviet Union. Then the US had diplomatic relations with the USSR and continued limited, but cooperation, and now the approach is identical. Therefore, I would not expect any changes in this direction from the meeting.

According to reports, first of all will bring to the discussion of Iran, oil prices, Syria, Ukraine... It is clear that in the spirit of the show, Trump will try to present some of the agreements reached. He will talk and celebrate a lot, but it is very difficult to imagine what can be an agreement at all. It is clear to everyone that the approaches and interests of the United States and Russia are exactly the opposite.

It is unclear what Trump is going to donate to US interests and whether he has such a general intention. In the Crimean bloc, as well as in the block of nuclear issues, it is not clear what around Trump and Putin could agree. I also do not see what the interests of the US and Russia in Syria could coincide. They also have nothing to discuss in the Iranian nuclear deal: the United States imposes sanctions, it is resolved. Hope that Trump will suddenly change his position is completely unfounded. I do not think that one of the serious politicians hopes for it.

It is clear that all these issues will be discussed. But it's hard for me to imagine some framework of arrangements - so far I do not see them.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Ukraine is unlikely to expect any written agreements on Crimea or Donbass from the scheduled meeting of US and Russian presidents, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

About this "Apostrophe" told the head of the "Maydan Foreign Affairs" fund Bogdan Yaremenko.

" From the point of view of reaching concrete agreements from the meeting between Trump and Putin, I do not expect anything that could remain on paper. As for Ukraine, it is almost guaranteed. And on other issues, it can be said that with a great deal of likelihood it will be faster to voice mutual positions, a way to classify problems, look for points of contact, but there is no agreement,"- he says.

At the same time, according to Yaremenko, the meeting will have serious and far-reaching implications for US foreign policy in general.

"It is possible that this summit will be of great importance from another point of view - the further destruction of the security architecture and the change of the US's traditional foreign policy and security approaches by at least one president, Donald Trump, is a symbolic and milestone meeting, which is obviously any another president of the United States would never allow for the current foreign political circumstances, "the diplomat said.

As for the Crimea, the United States follows the "Baltic" scenario, so expecting changes from this issue from the meeting is not worth it.

"Not by letter, but now the US policy towards Crimea is identical to the policy of not recognizing the occupation of the Baltic states by the Soviet Union. Then the US had diplomatic relations with the USSR and continued to be limited, but cooperation, and now the approach is identical. Therefore, I would not expect any kind of meeting from the meeting. changes in this direction", - the expert concludes.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Ukraine must continue to strengthen the Armed Forces in response to such provocations by Russian President Vladimir Putin as the assignment of a number of parts of the Russian army to the names of Ukrainian cities.

About this Russian financier and blogger Slava Rabinovich told the "Apostrophe".

It is noted that Putin's decision, which he substantiated the need to "preserve glorious military historical traditions" and commemorate the participation of parts in the liberation of Ukrainian cities during the Second World War, was called "a gross provocation."

"For such decisions of Ukraine should be reacted in the most active way: for such kind of provocations of Russia to twist the finger at the temple and to continue to strengthen the Armed Forces every day," - emphasized Rabinovich.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Deputy Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Akhtem Chiygoz, believes pressure on President Vladimir Putin of Russia over Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine should be maintained at meetings of the Normandy Four leaders.

"The [talks in the] Normandy format (Germany, France, Ukraine, Russia – Ed.) should determine combined pressure on Putin. For example, the presence of peacekeepers in the east of Ukraine scares Putin because the next step will be their deployment in Crimea," Chiygoz said on air of ICTV channel, Censor.NET reports.

He also believes that following Sentsov’s liberation, Russia is going to imprison other Ukrainians.

"They apprehended four persons the day after my and Umerov’s release. We will certainly succeed in liberation of a number of prisoners, who are much talked about by the entire world community. But be sure that they will imprison more of those who will also be holding on to their dignity in prisons and show resistance," Chiygoz added.

Umerov and Chiygoz were released by Russia and extradited from Crimea to Turkey.

In 2016, FSB investigators initiated a criminal case against Crimean Tatar, deputy head of Mejlis and participant of Crimean Tatars national liberation movement Ilmi Umerov. He is charged with public calls to violate the territorial integrity of Russia.

Umerov's detention, search and the criminal case, and his keeping in psychiatric hospital and pushing through forced psychiatric expertise stirred global response.

Simferopol city court controlled by the Kremlin started hearing the case against Umerov on June 7, 2017. Umerov believes his case is politically charged.

On Sept. 11, the Supreme Court of Russia-occupied Crimea sentenced Chiygoz to eight years in prison.

On Aug. 2, 2016 Russian-controlled Supreme Court of Crimea started to consider materially "the case of Feb. 26" against Akhtem Chiygoz. Earlier, on July 20, 2016, during hearing in camera, the court divided "the case of Feb. 26" into two separate cases: one against Akhtem Chiygoz and another against the rest of the defendants.

After Crimea was occupied by Russia, Kremlin puppets started trials against Crimean Tatar activists who participated in protests in support of Ukraine's territorial integrity. The events took place on Feb. 26, 2014. According to occupant authorities, two protesters were killed in a stampede, 79 people received injuries. Those detained in connection with the case - Akhtem Chiygoz, Ali Asanov, and Mustafa Degermendzhy - were named political prisoners by Russian Memorial human rights center.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Moldovan President Igor Dodon accused the opposition of trying to rebuild the conflict in Transnistria with a view to attracting Russia to it

Deschide writes about it.

"I am worried about the possibility of resuscitation of the Transnistrian conflict in order to draw Russia into it. Is it risking our democrats to implement such a scenario? I hope not," he said.

"The people are frightened by threats from the RF and Transdniestria, since the pro-European vector has nothing to say. On Wednesday, four years after the signing of the Moldova-EU association agreement, but there are no expected results," added Dodon.

He hopes that parliamentary elections scheduled for autumn will "put everything in place, people will vote for those who are trusted."

Dodon also threatened to block the draft National Defense Strategy if Parliament did not consider his proposal.

The project envisages "the development of a viable and effective defense system to combat possible aggression, attacks and subversion against the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity of the country and / or the security of its citizens."

Among the threats and risks are: military potential in the Transnistrian region (including the Operational group of Russian troops), use of tools of information propaganda, cyberattacks, illegal migration, illicit arms trafficking, terrorist activities.

On June 22, the UN General Assembly approved a resolution on the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Transnistrian region.

The document calls on the Russian Federation "in full compliance with the rules to unconditionally and urgently complete the withdrawal of the operational group of Russian Armed Forces from the territory of Transnistria in accordance with the commitments made at the Istanbul OSCE Summit in 1999."

Earlier, Igor Dodon called the "provocation" decision to send Russian diplomats from Moldova.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

Supreme Court of the Swiss canton Zug resumed arrest of shares of Nord Stream AG and Nord Stream 2 AG, owned by Russian Gazprom.

This is stated in the press release of Naftogaz of Ukraine.

It is noted that the seizure of these assets will be valid at the time of the appeal of Naftogaz. The Ukrainian company appeals against the decision of the local debt collection agency, which has removed the arrest of shares of Gazprom.

Nord Stream AG and Nord Stream 2 AG have argued that these assets are outside the Zug Canton and therefore do not fall under the jurisdiction of a local debt collection authority. However, the court did not agree with this.

It should be noted that Nord Stream AG is the operator of the already operating Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 AG, the North Stream 2, which Gazprom builds.

As it was reported, the Ministry of Justice wants to raise 172 billion hryvnias from Gazprom in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Recall that on June 5, the court in the Netherlands granted the petition of Naftogaz of Ukraine to arrest the shares of Gazprom PJSC in its Dutch subsidiaries.

On May 30, it became known that Naftogaz began the process of compulsory collection from Gazprom of $2.6 billion. For winning an arbitration court, the company will reward its employees with a sum of $ 46 million.

On behalf of Poroshenko, Naftogaz will expand the list of countries in which it will confiscate Gazprom's property.

Recall that on June 14, it became known that Gazprom managed to suspend the execution of the Stockholm arbitration award in a case against Naftogaz.

The Russian gas monopolist appealed to the court of the County of Svea , Sweden, at the end of March 2018. Later, Gazprom reported that they would not pay off Naftogaz's compensation until they received the decision of this court of appeals.

Let's remind that Naftogaz is suing Gazprom from 2014 on two big questions: prices for Russian natural gas and transit.

On December 22, 2017 Naftogaz declared that it won arbitration against Russian Gazprom in the case of gas supply. Naftogaz has also succeeded in reducing its future mandatory annual volumes by more than 10 times in line with its actual gas import needs.

On February 28, Stockholm Arbitration satisfied the demands of Naftogaz to Gazprom for a lawsuit on gas transit for the amount of 4.673 billion US dollars. Thus, according to the results of two arbitrations between companies for the supply and transit of gas, Gazprom will pay Naftogaz Naftogaz 2.56 bln. Dollars.

Gazprom has confirmed its commitment to pay Naftogaz 2.56 bln, but said it does not agree with such a decision.

According to the decision of Stockholm, Ukraine is obliged to buy Russian gas according to the formula "take or pay". However, on March 1, 2018, Gazprom canceled supplies of gas already paid to Ukraine.

hromadske.ua  In Ukrainian/український

OLEXION SITNIKOV , a well-known political technologist , who has been working in political consulting since the 1990's and in particular consulted Yulia Tymoshenko, was not allowed in Ukraine . According to sources in the Security Service of Ukraine, this decision is connected with violation of the Sitnik rules of crossing the state border of Ukraine.

According to the interlocutors in the intelligence service, the political technologist visited the annexed Crimea, having drove there from Russian territory, thereby violating Ukrainian legislation. However, in a conversation with the "Apostrophe" Sitnikov called the main political version.

- As it became known to "Apostrophe", you have been banned from entering Ukraine for three years. Is it true that you "unfolded" directly at the airport "Borispol"?

- Yes, it happened on Sunday morning. I want to note that the border guard service and the SBU, whose employees were present at the same time, behaved very benevolently. Due to the fact that I am always becoming a non grata person, the situation was familiar. Somehow arguing, swearing in vain. The guys who voiced the ban on entry do not know the reasons. The papers I have issued say only that the entry was banned for three years. I smiled, turned around and flew to Minsk ...

There is definitely a mixed policy here. The campaign for the presidential elections in Ukraine begins. It is clear that people with twenty years of experience in Ukraine, the high efficiency of the team, good connections abroad, and so on, of course, are afraid of modern Ukraine. In principle, I understood that once this (ban on entry - "Apostrophe") had to happen.

- I would like to clarify: for the first time you have been banned from entering Ukraine?

- Previously there were other countries. We have held over 400 campaigns in dozens of countries around the world for almost 30 years. But usually I do not stand the entire ban. The new government in the country brings apologies to me and opens the border. This is already a sign: if I was awarded the status of non grata, then this power will change very quickly.

- On the Internet, your photos of the annexed Crimea are walking. The media reported that last autumn you worked at the election headquarters of Dmitry Ovsyannikov on the so-called "elections" of the "governor" of Sevastopol. The decision of the SBU is connected with this circumstance?

- Journalists are looking for a black cat in the room where she is not. If this was due to the events of September last year ("elections" - "Apostrophe"), this (decision on Sitnikov - "Apostrophe") would have happened almost in a year, but not before. And since it happened now, then there is a political background. Apparently, you mean photographs not from Sevastopol, but from Stavropol. In the picture I have a "field" behind me, but it was not in Sevastopol.

Second: I've been acquainted with Ovsyannikov for a long time ... As for politics, there was no contract with him. And as for my moves ... I repeat: I work around the world. I have patients: I'm still a psychotherapist, a clinical psychologist, a drug therapist, a life coach, and so on. These are private consultations that have nothing to do with politics. They do not go to me, but I am to them. My moves are private history. And wherever I sign a contract, as a rule, everything is happening openly. Like, I'm working with such a candidate.

I also came to Kiev from personal affairs in Kiev. My son's family lives here. I wanted to see him and my grandson. I often go to them. My wife, by the way, from Kiev and recently visited his own graves.

My activity is absolutely legal. I enter not only in Russian but also in all world associations of political consultants. My team around the world has a good reputation ... In Ukraine, I know very well. For me, for example, I was one of those who created the Party of Regions back in 2002 while sitting in Donetsk. I worked at the headquarters of the Orange Revolution, and this we invented the orange ropes as some easy way to wink with like-minded people. I have been familiar with Yulia Tymoshenko for 20 years, and we have very confidential relations. We have much to do with the mutual desire of peace and prosperity in this country to love the philosopher and my friend Ken Wilber. Once again: I know all, not only politicians, but also singers, showmen. But I do not have a political client in Ukraine right now. Of course, our participation in a political player's campaign will greatly increase his resource. And this causes tensions from other players. There was hardly any other reaction to my arrival ...

- Will you appeal against your decision in Ukrainian courts?

- Scattering meaningless. It is necessary to understand not with consequences, but with reasons. I do not know any person who would have won such a court. I do not think that it is worth losing time. The litigation itself will last longer than the electoral cycle.

- How will your absence affect the desire of potential clients in Ukraine to work with you?

- Not so. The person who signs a contract with us needs our strategic technology and the experience of electoral campaigns around the world. And they will not be taken by us, and it does not matter where I personally stay. And one hundred members of our team, for example, international sociologists, to send is practically impossible. Of course, there is the question of my personal first-person coaching. However, if this is an experienced person, then we talked to her for a long time. And she can do something without me. In terms of coaching, I do not think that the same Yulia Volodymyrivna can recommend something. A more experienced politician, but with such charisma, energy will not be on Ukrainian territory for decades. Yes, and my connections in the world, too, no one will pick. Therefore, the ban on entry into Ukraine is a pyrrhic victory. Good say:

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

In Russian St. Petersburg, the police detained four participants in the action in support of Ukrainian political prisoner Oleg Sentsov and torture in local prisons.

Photo shares are published on social networks.

It is noted that three of the detainees are minors. All of them are members of the youth democratic movement "Spring".

The action was held at a temporary monument dedicated to the Mascot World Cup 2018, the wolf Zabyvak. The girl in the "bloody" dress, lay down at the feet of Zabivak, adding the composition as if a fun wolf player kicked her.''

"We do not oppose the Championship as such and its ordinary participants, but we want to remind that the authorities use a football holiday as a reason to restrict the rights and freedoms of citizens. During the Championship, freedom of expression was restricted and already depressed - and in many cities it was forbidden even single pickets.Active and indifferent citizens are detained and isolated from society under false accusations.In the prisons, innocents, such as Oleg Sentsov, are starving, and they are perceived holy as an anesthetic for the robbery of the country: additions, excises and retirement age", - reads the official statement of activists, published in the social network" Vkontakte".







apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Assigning the names of Ukrainian cities to Russian military units is aimed not only at the provocation of Ukraine, but also to the internal audience in the Russian Federation.

This Russian Apologist Slava Rabinovich told the "Apostrophe".

According to him, this decree by President Vladimir Putin can not be considered a "pure" provocation against Ukraine.

"This decree is the appropriation of so-called historical names not only for Ukrainian cities, therefore it is impossible to treat this decision as a chemically pure provocation against Ukraine, on the one hand, it is, of course, a provocation, but it is awkwardly veiled, and, of course, the decision and for the internal audience: in the Kremlin think that they are killing one hit of two rabbits", - says blogger.

Rabinovich is skeptical about this decision of the Russian authorities, which continues the general ideological policy of the Kremlin. In addition, he points to her immediate results in the mood of Russian youth.

"Pobedobiesiya" on May 9, we do not have enough. We do not have a lot of memorials to Stalin and worship before him. It is necessary to invent something completely sad. This happened on the same day, when even the Pryraklem VTSVGD (All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion, "The Apostrophe") published data that approximately one third of all young people in Russia want to emigrate from the country. This is all you need to know about the real state of affairs. Adjusted for the fact that this is the VTIPHD, and probably the real numbers, is that two thirds of Russian young people want to emigrate, "says Rabinovich.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Russia refuses to pay contributions to the Council of Europe until the Russian delegation is resumed in rights

This is stated in a statement on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

"In the summer of 2017, the decision was made to suspend payment of contributions to the Council of Europe" to the unconditional restoration of the full powers of the delegation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation to the PACE. "Over the past year, the powers of our parliamentarians have not been restored, and accordingly there are no grounds for the restoration of payments," says in the statement.

At the same time, Russians hint that they may not recognize the legitimacy of PACE officials. elected without the participation of the Russian delegation.

"The PACE's thoughtless actions have already led to the fact that almost half of the judges of the European Court of Human Rights and the Human Rights Commissioner are elected without the participation of Russian parliamentarians. The elections of the Secretary-General should be held in June 2019. The legitimacy of high-ranking officials of the Council of Europe, elected without Russian votes , is for us a question, "- say the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of.

At the same time, the Russians welcomed the work of the current Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Turbjörn Jagland and some other officials.

"It should be emphasized that in Moscow, the active efforts of all those who contributed to overcoming the systemic crisis, which endangered the very existence of the Council of Europe, are appreciated in Moscow. We note the consistent position of Secretary-General T. Jagland in favor of preserving the Council of Europe as the foundation of a unique European legal space. We hope for the active role of the presiding countries in the Committee of Ministers in the coming year. A good assignment to eliminate the imbalance in the PACE rules of procedure was created based on the results worked in January-June and under the leadership of the President of the Assembly, M. Nikolette and with the participation of Russian parliamentarians of the Special Committee on the role and mission of the PACE, "the statement said.

The Russians promise to resume payment of contributions and pay all overdue immediately after the return of the Russian delegation to the halls.

"We confirm once again that after full restoration of the rights of the delegation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation to the PACE, Russia will meet all financial obligations in the period from the moment when the decision to terminate payments is made", - they promise to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

PACE has the right to impose sanctions on the delegations of countries that grossly violate the principles of the Council of Europe. On these grounds, in the years 2014 and 2015, the PACE restricted the Russian delegation to the rights. Since 2016, Russia has ceased to participate in the work of the Assembly and has not submitted to Strasbourg a list of its deputies, thus avoiding confirmation of sanctions. Russia's work in all other organs of the Council of Europe continued.

In 2017, Russia ceased to pay contributions to the Council of Europe budget, demanding that the PACE regulation introduce changes that will not allow sanctions to be imposed on them. The idea of ​​lifting sanctions from Russia and restoring its contributions is openly supported by the Council of Europe Secretary General Turbjørn Jagland and a number of deputies.

The PACE Bureau decided to consider proposals for the return of the delegation of Russia.

The Ukrainian delegation did not go to Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Turbjörn Jagland, to save money from the organization on the background of financial blackmail from Russia.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

Recent provocations in the waters of the Azov Sea The Kremlin is trying to force Ukraine to withdraw from the treaty on friendship with Russia, as well as to create a "logistic squeeze" around the Ukrainian Azov Sea.

This was stated by the political scientist, director of the Azov Development Agency Konstantin Batozsky, "Crimea. Realia".

According to him, in this region, Russia pursues several goals at once.

"The first is to create a situation in the waters of the Azov Sea that will force Ukraine to raise the issue of revision of the existing great treaty on friendship with Russia." This treaty is interesting in several aspects: firstly, it states the status of the Sea of ​​Azov as the internal waters of Russia and Ukraine. Secondly, mutual recognition by the parties to state borders If Ukraine unilaterally withdraws from this treaty, Russia will consider it as a refusal to recognize borders, that is, as a refusal to fight both for the Crimea and for the occupied territories. but that the Kremlin uses this argument in a further struggle to recognize Crimea by Russian territory, "Batozsky said.

Political scientist also argues that for Russia it will be advantageous to change the status of the Azov Sea.

"In this case, Moscow will proceed from the fact that the new state border should include the Crimea. And since Ukraine will never agree to this, Russia will continue to regard the Sea of ​​Azov as internal waters, which will allow it to justify an uncontrolled build-up of forces on Azov security considerations and uncertainty", - he notes.

Another goal of the Kremlin, which is being pursued in the Azov Sea, is blocking Ukrainian trade and creating economic problems.

"Russia's second goal is to create a" logistic shuffle "around the Ukrainian Priazovy by deliberate, at the limit of the law, restrictions on the freedom of navigation, through unlawful inspections of FSB forces following the Ukrainian ports of ships, which results in a disturbance of the route schedule, leading to direct losses Another way to limit the freedom of navigation is to create permanent "traffic jams" for the passage of ships through the Kerch-Yenikalsky Strait through false constraints related to the construction of a bridge transition from the mainland Russia to the Ukrainian Crimea. Thus, the "logistic zashmorg" created by Russia causes direct losses to the Mariupol metallurgical combines, since it is impossible to increase logistics through the existing railway network today",

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Ukrainian political prisoner Pavlo Hryb held in Russia was beaten by convicts who found out the charges brought against him. They also took all his personal belongings and food earlier brought to him by Ukrainian consuls.

"Lawyer Marina Dubrovina made it into the remand prison to visit Pavlo two hours ago. He said that he was beaten to a pulp by other Russian prisoners while being escorted to Rostov-on-Don after they learned about the charges brought against Pavlo. They took all his belongings and food that the Ukrainian consuls brought him earlier. A pair of shorts and a T-shirt is all he has left. He no longer has personal hygiene products or spare underwear," Pavlo's father Ihor Hryb wrote on social media, Censor.NET reports.

According to political prisoner's father, Pavlo also told his lawyer that he would continue facing the same attitude on the part of inmates.

Earlier, Ukrainian reserve officer Ihor Hryb announced his son Pavlo Hryb was kidnapped by Russian FSB in Belarus: "FSB had lured Pavlo to Gomel under the guise of meeting a girl, and detained him."

On Aug. 24, 2017, Pavlo Hryb, aged 19, left for Belorussian Gomel to see a girl he met through social media, without knowing her personally, the father wrote. The girl was supposed to come from the Russian Federation. Pavlo was to return home on the same day, but he didn't. His father went to search for his son in Gomel the next day, and found that Pavlo was wanted by Russian FSB for a terrorist attack. Russian investigators claim that Hryb is a supporter of radical nationalist views and is charged with persuading his female acquaintance from Krasnodar to blow up a self-made explosive device during a school year end ceremony at Sochi-based school No. 26.

On Sept. 8, 2017, Hryb's attorneys said they were not allowed to see their client in Krasnodar prison.

On Sept. 13, 2017, a court in Krasnodar, Russia, arrested Hryb until Oct. 17.

On April 29, 2018, the Krasnodar-based court extended Hryb's pre-trial detention until July 4, 2018.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian president, says he is not aware if the Kremlin has received the petition of Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland to pardon Oleh Sentsov but notes that it is not a prerequisite for any legal action from the point of view of the Russian legislation.

Putin’s spokesperson told reporters on Tuesday, Censor.NET reports citing Interfax-Ukraine.

"It was probably sent through diplomatic channels. I have not seen this letter so far, so I cannot comment on it," he said.

"You must be aware that from the point of view of the Russian legislation, such a request cannot become ground for any action because you know well how the pardon procedure is held in the Russian Federation," Peskov added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Voice of America said Jagland filed a petition to President Putin for pardoning a hunger-striking Sentsov. The press office of the Council of Europe said that the petition had already been sent, and an official confirmation via Russian diplomatic channels was expected.

It is noted that as the head of the Council of Europe, the secretary-general has the right to make such move under the European Convention on Human Rights.

On June 20, Jagland visited Moscow, where he met with President Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russia's Ombudsperson Tatiana Moskalkova. Following the visit, the Secretary General said he was ready to file a petition to Putin calling for Sentsov's pardon.

As reported, Sentsov is serving a sentence in the maximum security labor camp in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. This prison's inmates are serving sentences for commission of grave and especially grave crimes.

Sentsov was detained by the Russian FSB Security Service in Russian-occupied Crimea in 2014 together with activist Oleksandr Kolchenko. They were brought to Russia and tried in a trumped-up case on charges of organizing acts of terror and arson on the peninsula. On Aug. 25, 2015, Sentsov and Kolchenko were sentenced to 20 years and 10 years in prison respectively. On Oct. 21, 2016, Russia refused to extradite the two Ukrainians to Ukraine, claiming they had automatically acquired Russian citizenship after the annexation of Crimea.

Sentsov’s sister Natalia Kaplan said March 16, 2018 that her brother reported on his failing health in a letter. He in particular said that he is losing his hair and has his teeth crumbling into small pieces.

On May 14, 2018, the fillmmaker said he went on an indefinite hunger strike demanding to release all Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russia.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Ukraine's Main Military Prosecutor Anatolii Matios says the lists of all identified foreigners who fought in the ranks of combined Russian-separatist forces in the Donbas was handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"We [the military prosecutor's office] have submitted to the institutions of the International Criminal Court through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the lists of those identified during the investigation of criminal proceedings into the aggressive war against Ukraine by the northern neighbor. We have submitted not only the lists of Serbs, but also of all foreigners: Italians, Spaniards, Albanians. There are many of them. They are called companies, platoons. They may be 10-15 strong. But their total number is several hundred people," Matios told 112 Ukraine TV channel, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrinform.

The chief military prosecutor also spoke about "double standards" that are sometimes applied to Ukraine by other states when it comes to the mercenaries.

"The main thing is that mercenary activities on the territory of a sovereign state are punishable by the law of all the states from which they came. But for some reason we have not heard about mass trials against these individuals. Double standards that are sometimes applied to Ukraine are very offensive. But they give us no other option but to do everything on our own and prove to the international community and relevant institutions that not only we have some problems that need to be addressed, because there cannot be a selective application of fair punishment for Ukrainians who are at war. And there are also those foreigners who came to fight on the territory of a sovereign state in the center of Europe," Matios added.

On January 16, 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine filed a lawsuit regarding Russia's violation of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Ukraine demands that Russia stop financing illegal armed groups in еру Donbas and resume activities of the Mejlis in occupied Crimea.

The International Court of Justice found insufficient evidence of financing of terrorism by Russia in eastern Ukraine, but obliged Russia to stop discrimination against Crimean Tatars. , The ICJ has recently requested that Russia report on the implementation of the ruling regarding the Mejlis.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The head of the European Parliament, Antonio Tayani, and the Austrian representative, who is now chairing the presidency of the EP, signed a decision to provide macro-financial assistance to Ukraine in the amount of 1 billion euros.

This was announced by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Belgium, Ukraine's representative to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community Mykhaylo Tochitsky, informs Censor.NET with reference to Ukrinform .

"The decision of the EP and the Council on the provision of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine in the amount of 1 billion euros was signed today by President Tayany and the Austrian Presidency on the eve of the 20th Ukraine-EU Summit. Thank you for supporting all the friends of Ukraine in the EU!" - wrote Tochitsky in Twitter.

We remind you that the European Parliament, by an overwhelming majority, has supported the provision of Ukraine's fourth macrofinancial assistance program in the amount of 1 billion euros on June 13.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

President Pyotr Poroshenko in an interview with Serbian television channel RTS stressed that there are no "red lines" for Russia and there is no hot conflict in the Donbas.

This Cenzor.NET reported in the press service of the President.

"First, there are no" red lines "for Russia. If you asked me in January 2014, is it possible that Russia will carry out armed aggression against Ukraine? I would say that it is impossible: the same with Crimea. "red lines", including open war,"- said the head of the Ukrainian state.

"It's not a frozen conflict, it's a hot war," he added.

The President said: "Ukraine is struggling only for peace, and returning Ukrainian sovereignty to the occupied territories, nothing more."

According to him, there are three important documents - the Minsk agreements of September 5, 2014 and September 19, as well as the document dated February 12, 2015. "This complex of measures includes the withdrawal of foreign troops and military equipment from the Ukrainian territory. Now in the occupied territories there are 700 Russian tanks, more than a thousand artillery systems, more than 300 gunfire systems, more than the German Bundeswehr is in. This is a real aggression against the sovereign and an independent state of Ukraine", - said the Head of State.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Seven employees of the international airport of Tbilisi got into a hospital with symptoms of poisoning after a dangerous liquid of a citizen of Russia, their condition is stable and life is in danger

It is reported by Interfax-Ukraine.

Previously, the Georgian state security service reported the arrest of a Russian citizen Dmitry B. after they were buried in the premises of one of the cash departments in the departure hall of the airport of a liquid, dangerous to health.

The incident occurred at the cash desk of the Russian airline Aeroflot on July 2, four technical staff who were hospitalized the same day, and three more technical workers were hospitalized on July 4, informs Georgia Online.

According to doctors, the condition of all hospitalized patients is stable and there is no threat to their health, so they will leave the hospital in the coming hours. Investigation of this incident is conducted by the Department of Counterintelligence of the State Security Service.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український