Ukraine News. Sunday 19 August. [Ukrainian sources]

SUNDAY HEADLINES:
Germany will seek to establish a cease-fire regime in the Donbas before the start of the new academic year, - Merkel before talks with Putin.  US suspects Russia, China, Iran and DPRK plan to intervene in future elections.  The UN calls on the world to take measures to protect the civilian population in the Donbas.  Rain in Kiev: the flow of water distorted the asphalt to Antonovich.  "This will be the last days of a policy in Belarus, which will decide to join the Russian Federation," - Lukashenka.

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Germany will seek to establish a silence regime in the Donbas before the start of the new academic year in Ukraine.

This was stated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel before talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports Censor.NET with reference to DW.

In a brief statement to the press, which outlined the main topics of the future dialogue, Merkel noted that in the east of Ukraine, the "stable ceasefire regime" is still not possible. She expressed hope that talks with Putin would discuss the possibility of involving a "UN peacekeeping mission, which might have played a role in pacifying the parties".

For his part, Putin emphasized Russia's interest in the work "within the" Norman format "and the contact group" on the settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Moscow will continue to promote the "UN special monitoring mission", he emphasized.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Advisor to the President of the United States on national security, John Bolton, said that the Russian Federation is just one in four countries for which there are fears of potential interference with the elections that will take place in the country in 2018.

Reported Cenzor.NET with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.

"I can confidently say that there are concerns about the interference of China, Iran and North Korea with national security, so we are taking steps to try to prevent it. So, in fact, all four (together with the Russian Federation - Ed.) Countries are causing concern in the context. elections in 2018, "said Bolton in an interview with the BBC BBC.

In the United States, an investigation into alleged interference of the Russian Federation in the US presidential election in 2016 continues. It is run by the Special Prosecutor Robert Muller. In addition, the Intelligence Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the Senate Legal Committee, conduct their own investigations.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The United Nations on the occasion of the 10th World Humanitarian Aid Day urged the international community to take urgent measures to protect the millions of civilians in Ukraine suffering from the active hostilities that continue in eastern Ukraine.

This is stated in a press release by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Cenzor.NET reports, citing Ukrinform.

"I request the international community to increase its support for expanding measures aimed at alleviating the suffering of the civilian population of Ukraine suffering as a result of this crisis, regardless of where they live in the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine, and once again call for full compliance with the requirements of international humanitarian law," noted UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Ms. Osnat Lubrani.

It is noted that during the fifth year of the crisis in eastern Ukraine more than 3,000 civilians - men, women and children - died and more than 9,000 were injured. More than 3.4 million people face difficulties in obtaining food, water, housing, medical services and education. It is noted that this deepens the vulnerability of their position and exhaust the ability to restore viability.

Ms. Lubrani also expressed gratitude to the humanitarian workers who help millions of civilians affected by the hostilities in Ukraine "to alleviate their suffering and to help overcome their dignity".

It is specified that during the first half of 2018 more than 600,000 Ukrainian civilians in all affected regions of Ukraine received vital humanitarian assistance.

"To accomplish this very important work that saves lives, safe and reliable access is needed to all victims, so I would like to emphasize that, according to humanitarian practice, the UN humanitarian activities in Ukraine are carried out in accordance with generally accepted humanitarian principles, impartiality and neutrality, and are consistent with UN resolutions, which confirm the support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, "added Lubrani.

She also noted efforts to find the necessary solutions for Ukrainians, who became displaced as a result of the crisis. "I want to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of the Government's action plan for internally displaced persons in Ukraine and to reaffirm the commitments made by the UN in providing full support for its implementation," said Lubrani.

Lubrani also stressed that, although she is convinced that this important work of the humanitarian community will continue, an urgent increase in funding is needed in order to meet the huge humanitarian needs in eastern Ukraine.

"I am worried that financing humanitarian response is secured by less than a third of the required amount," Mrs. Lubrani said.

It is clarified that, despite such underfunding, local, national and international humanitarian actors are still trying to provide in the year 2018 assistance to approximately 2.3 million men, women and children who are in a vulnerable position. "I urge the states that are members of the UN to demonstrate their solidarity with people in Ukraine and to support our tireless efforts," she said.

August 19 marks the World Humanitarian Aid Day.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The US leadership has prepared a bill on sanctions that could prevent the completion of the construction of the North Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany.

This is reported by The Wall Street Journal with reference to current and former US officials, informs Censor.NET.

It is noted that restrictions can be imposed within a few weeks for companies involved in the construction of the gas pipeline, or banks and other companies that finance the North Stream 2.

The American side believes that the new pipeline will increase the already high dependence of Europe on Russian gas, strengthening the "political lever of the Kremlin" and significantly increasing its revenues.

Earlier, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a meeting on August 18 agreed that the Nord Stream 2 project should be protected from attacks by third countries.

"North Stream-2" is a gas pipeline project from the Russian Federation to the Federal Republic of Germany to bypass Ukraine through the Baltic Sea. 51% of shares belong to Gazprom. Russia wants to build two threads of the gas pipeline with a capacity of up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year. The cost of the project is € 9.5 billion. It is expected that the pipeline will be launched by the end of 2019.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

On the street Antonovich in Kiev, the asphalt washed out with water, resulting in a blocked block from the intersection with Zhilyanskaya Street to the street Physical culture.

On the earth, there were sand and stones, lots of earth.

Utilities clean the nails. "Megamarket", which is located at the crossroads of Antonovich and FIZkultura streets, works, there was no flood.




ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko categorically disagrees with the idea that Belarus could become part of the Russian state.

Lukashenko said this during a government appointment on Saturday, reports Censor. NET with reference to the BelTA State Agency.

"What do we want from Russia? If Russia has signed an agreement with Belarus, we demand that it be carried out impeccably, and I openly say that we will never become a vassal of any country," Lukashenko said.

"We do not have to demand from us how some begin to write for the day's wickedness:" Lukashenko should be sooner to join Russia and Belarus there to reset. This will be the last days of a policy in Belarus, which will make such a decision, "the president said.

At the same time, Lukashenko noted that Russia is "the country nearest to us". "We are one people in fact. We are from one root, Belarusians, Russians and Ukrainians," he said.

"We do not want to repeat what is happening in Ukraine with Russia - this is a conflict, we do not need it, and Russia is not needed, because it has the only window in the 1 thousand kilometers east-west to be Belarus. Russia needs a stable one. Belarus", - said Lukashenko.

Commenting on the statement that the republic was turning to the West, the president of Belarus said: "But we are not going anywhere and turning around. Our destiny is determined by God to be here - in the center of Europe, this is a solid, reliable bridge between East and West."

"And then, if some Russians always reproached us that we are talking to the West, so I think we have to look at ourselves. Perhaps more than Russia, nobody aspires to the West or to establish relations with the West and with America. What do you rebuke us? " - he summed up.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український