Ukraine News. Wednesday 19 December. [Ukrainian sources]

TUESDAY HEADLINES:
Russia - not a friend for small countries, it pursues neo-imperialist views - US Deputy Secretary of State Sullivan.  Volker called the condition for a meeting with Surkov: a signal from the Russian Federation that she is ready to free Ukrainian sailors.  It is clear to the United States, the EU and NATO that Russia acted illegally when attacking Ukrainian ships. It was a military aggression - Volker.  US Congress in January will hear information about the allocation of $ 125 million in military aid to Ukraine - Volker at a meeting with Parubiy.  The occupied Crimea intends to visit the leader of the French ultra-right Marin Le Pen.  The British intelligence ship arrived in Odesa.  Russian mercenary Ivanov died in a Ukrainian colony. He asked Putin for an exchange. His body is not in a hurry to take away,.  Ukraine is preparing a new passage of ships through the Kerch Strait, - Turchinov.  The US extended sanctions against former head of "Berkut" Kusyuk and 12 other human rights violators.  Disappointed in the "Russian Spring," more and more Russians are sorry for the collapse of the USSR, now as many as two-thirds - polls.  

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Russia takes small countries on its western border not as friendly nations, but from the standpoint of their own neo-imperialist views.

With such a statement, speaking on a visit to Skopje, US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, Censor.NET with reference to Ukrinform.

"Russia's aggressive actions are aimed at undermining Western values ​​of freedom and democracy, Russia's goal is to undermine the national sovereignty of countries on its western frontiers, Russia is not a friend of small countries, it pursues neo-imperialist views," Sullivan said.

He added that the Kremlin authorities are resorting to oppressing the opposition in their own country and trying to weaken democratic institutions throughout Europe.

"From events in the Kerch Strait, we see that Russia continues to violate the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine and Georgia," said Deputy Head of the State Department.

In this regard, he also stressed that Moscow is trying to deprive Macedonia of its right to determine its future in NATO, which the Macedonian people want.

The US State Department spokesman also said that the main purpose of his current visit to Europe was to focus on counteracting Russia's malicious influence on the sovereignty and democracy of the countries of the region.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Special Representative of the United States Department of State for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, spoke at a meeting with MPs, who canceled a meeting with Russian President's assistant, Vladislav Surkov, because there were no signals from Moscow about the readiness to free Ukrainian seamen who were captured in the Kerch Strait.

According to Censor.NET, referring to Interfax-Ukraine, the People's Deputy, Anna Hopko, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Affairs, reported this.

"Volker said that he had canceled his meeting with Surkov and hopes that in the new year Russia will have a more progressive approach, rather than the absence of any steps by the Kremlin regarding the peacekeeping mission and the release of Ukrainian hostages," Hopko told reporters on Wednesday. following a meeting with Volcker in Kyiv.

"He said President Trump (US President Donald Trump - Ed.) Abolished the meeting (with Russian President Vladimir Putin - Ed.) During the G20 summit, since he had not seen any progress on the part of the seamen, which is a prisoner of war. Therefore, there was no need to meet, "the People's Deputy said.

According to Hopko, the US special representative also assured that if the Russian side demonstrates readiness for shifts in the release of Ukrainian seamen, from January next year you can negotiate a meeting with Surkov.

The People's Deputy noted that Volker could meet with the assistant to the president of the Russian Federation, "if there are signals from the RF that they are ready to dismiss Ukrainian sailors, talk about progress in the issue of the introduction of a peacekeeping mission in the Donbas."

Gopko also said that people's deputies thanked the United States in the name of Volker for the recent resolutions approved by the Congress: the recognition of the Holodomor as a genocide, the inadmissibility of the launch of the North Stream 2 pipeline and the militarization of Russia by the Azov Sea.

According to the chairman of the parliamentary committee, during the meeting, they also discussed the issues of cyber defense of the upcoming elections in Ukraine, the change of the electoral legislation in order to ensure that the elections meet the standards.

Recall that the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on November 25th reported that the border ships of the Russian Federation committed aggressive actions against Ukrainian ships, which carried out a planned transition from the port of Odesa to the port of Mariupol Azov Sea. In particular, the Russian border ship "Don" carried a ram of the Ukrainian raiding tug, which damaged the main engine of the ship, lining and liner fencing, as well as a life raft lost. The Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stressed that the intention to implement the transition was warned in advance and acted within the framework of international law.

At the same time, the Russian Federal Security Service says that the three Ukrainian warships in the Azov Sea "illegally entered the territorial waters of the Russian Federation and headed for the Kerch Strait."

Later, the Ukrainian Navy reported that the Russian Federal Security Service's boats were defeated by defeat to the "Berdyansk" MABAK, is wounded . And then they announced the seizure of all three ships by special forces of the Russian Federation and six wounded.

On November 26, the Verkhovna Rada voted for the introduction of a military state for 30 days in Vinnytsa, Donetsk, Zaporozhye, Lugansk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson and Chernihiv regions, as well as the internal waters of the Azov-Kerch water area.

The decision to introduce a martial law was taken in connection with the act of aggression against Ukraine in the Kerch Strait. As a result of illegal actions of Russian security forces, three ships of the Ukrainian Navy were captured and 24 Ukrainian servicemen captured.

On November 30, seamen were transported to Moscow: 21 Ukrainians were taken to the Moscow prison "Lefortovo", three wounded - in "Sailor's silence".

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

It is clear to the United States, the EU and NATO that Russia acted illegally when attacking Ukrainian ships.

As Censor.NET informs referring to the press service of the Verkhovna Rada, a special spokeswoman for the United States on Ukraine Kurt Volker said at a meeting with Verkhovna Rada Speaker Andriy Parubiy in Kyiv.

The United States Special Representative noted that for the United States it is absolutely clear and transparent that the attack on Ukrainian sea ships was completely illegal: "It was an illegal claim to maritime territorial waters. It was illegal to block and capture ships and seamen."

He said that this was a reaction of many countries, noting that yesterday in Brussels, during meetings with the EU and NATO representatives, it was stressed that Russia acted illegally - it was a military aggression."

"We support Ukraine's aspiration to strengthen the combat readiness of the armed forces to respond to Russian aggression," Volker said, noting that it is very important not to continue to act in a timely manner and to adhere to democratic principles.

He also praised the adoption of mining laws, which has an impact on the lives of people in the eastern regions, the preparation of a law on procurement in the defense sector.

Recall that the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on November 25th reported that the border ships of the Russian Federation committed aggressive actions against Ukrainian ships, which carried out a planned transition from the port of Odesa to the port of Mariupol Azov Sea. In particular, the Russian border ship "Don" carried a ram of the Ukrainian raiding tug, which damaged the main engine of the ship, lining and liner fencing, as well as a life raft lost. The Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stressed that the intention to implement the transition was warned in advance and acted within the framework of international law.

At the same time, the Russian Federal Security Service says that the three Ukrainian warships in the Azov Sea "illegally entered the territorial waters of the Russian Federation and headed for the Kerch Strait."

Later, the Ukrainian Navy reported that the Russian Federal Security Service's boats were defeated by defeat to the "Berdyansk" MABAK, is wounded . And then they announced the seizure of all three ships by special forces of the Russian Federation and six wounded.

On November 26, the Verkhovna Rada voted for the introduction of a military state for 30 days in Vinnytsa, Donetsk, Zaporozhye, Lugansk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson and Chernihiv regions, as well as the internal waters of the Azov-Kerch water area.

The decision to introduce a martial law was taken in connection with the act of aggression against Ukraine in the Kerch Strait. As a result of illegal actions of Russian security forces, three ships of the Ukrainian Navy were captured and 24 Ukrainian servicemen captured.

On November 30, seamen were transported to Moscow: 21 Ukrainians were taken to the Moscow prison "Lefortovo", three wounded - in "Sailor's silence".

Anastasiya Samorukova's lawyer has already visited Volodymyr Tereshchenko in Lefortovo.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

In the US Congress in January 2019, they will hear information about the allocation of $125 million in military assistance to Ukraine.

As Censor.NET informs referring to the press service of the Verkhovna Rada, a special spokeswoman for the United States on Ukraine Kurt Volker said at a meeting with Verkhovna Rada Speaker Andriy Parubiy in Kyiv.

The Special Representative said that in January next year in the US Congress will be heard information on the allocation of the next $125 million. Military assistance to Ukraine - half of the aid for the next year.

"America has a desire to support Ukraine in its intentions to strengthen its defense at sea, coastline and air defense," he said and stressed that the adoption of the law on the sale of military equipment would signal not only taxpayers in the US but also for European countries.

censor.net.ua    In Ukrainian/український

She is going to take part in the Yalta International Economic Forum, says the organizers of the meeting.

Andriy Nazarov, co-chairman of the Yalta International Economic Forum in the temporarily occupied Crimea, said that the leader of the French ultra-right party "National Union" Marin Le Pen next spring is planning to take part in the forum. This was reported by the Russian agency RIA Novosti, informs Censor.NET.

"They made an invitation on behalf of the organizing committee and received confirmation that Marin Le Pen is scheduled to take part in the plenary session of this forum on April 19. Also, Louis Alio as Vice President of the National Association will be required to participate," said journalists Nazarov after meeting with Le Pen and Aliou.

The 2019 Yalta forum will be held from April 17 to April 20. According to the organizers, the forum will be attended by three thousand participants from over 100 countries. Delegations from France and Syria plan to assign the status of "honorary".

Earlier, Marin Le Pen stated that the occupation of the Ukrainian Crimea by Russia "was not illegal" because in the referendum "people voted to join Russia."

After this, the SBU sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to agree the possibility of a ban on the entry of Le Pen, but then changed his mind to declare her a non grat.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

This is the first ship of a NATO member who visited Ukraine after Russia's aggression in the Kerch Strait.

The HMS Echo's naval reconnaissance ship has arrived today in the port of Odessa, reports Censor.NET with reference to the "Dumsky".

Approximately at 10:35, he was moored to the pontoon mooring of the yacht club "Odessa". This is the first NATO ship that visited Ukraine after Russia attacked Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait.

HMS Echo will stay in Odesa for a few days. After the visit, the maneuvers of the PASSEX type with the flagship of the Naval Forces of Ukraine, the Hetman Sagaidachny frigate will take place. Earlier, the British Ministry of Defense stated that the ship would remain in the Black Sea for a long period, but the Convention on the Duct Mode (Montreux Convention) limits the duration of the navy's navy's stay in the Black Sea water area for 21 days. Perhaps after the expiration of this term, HMS Echo will change HMS Enterprise.




The ship is intended for reconnaissance operations in support of submarines or landing ships. Can provide information in real time. In addition, it can serve as a platform for managing demining tasks.



The ship was adopted in March 2003. It has a length of 91 meters, a width of 17, and a draft of 5.5 meters. The displacement is about 4000 tons. Speed ​​15 knots. The crew is 72 people. For long-term stay at one point equipped with so-called azimuthal engines. The weapon consists of three six-barrel 7.62 mm machine guns M134 Minigun, two 20 mm anti-aircraft fire-fighting guns "Erlikon" and four large-gauge machine guns.



censor.net.ua    In Ukrainian/український

The Russian mercenary Valery Ivanov, sentenced by the Ukrainian court to 12 years in prison, died in the Drohobych colony in obscure circumstances.

As informs Censor.NET, on this page on Facebook wrote a public activist, coordinator of the NGO "Media Initiative for Human Rights" Olga Reshetylova.

"Ivanov came to Donbass from a distant Arkhangelsk to fight for Novorossiysk and against the Nazis in December 2014. He says he was detained near Stanislau Lugansk when he was in reconnaissance, although in fact eyewitnesses claim that Ivanov himself was drunk at the position of Ukrainian military "- she wrote.



Reshetylova said that he asked Putin for an exchange, but did not wait for him.

Also watch: Against the Serbian Sniper Bogiry, who fought in the Donbass, there was no cause in Serbia or Ukraine. VIDEO.

"The Russians are in no hurry to take away even his body," she said.



According to the website "The Peacemaker", Ivanov arrived in the territory of Ukraine on 16.12.2014. Was in "Cossack" formations "LNR". Previously, he participated in the first and second Chechen wars as a serviceman of the Pskov and Ryazan brigades of VAT. At the beginning of August 2015, he was captured by the military service of the Armed Forces in the district of Stanislau Luhansk.

Date of birth: September 12, 1973. Place of birth: Abay, Karaganda region, Kazakhstan.

"02/21/2015 07:50 Notification under 102, 2 GB Dmitryuk that Ivanov Valery Alexandrovich, born in 1973, who lives at the address: Arkhangelsk, Voronin str., 30/502 soldier regiment, Feb 16, 2015 In the year-on-year, at a stanitsa-Lugansk mine-explosive trauma, ZCHMT, slaughter of the brain, neurology, injured during combat operations, no claims to anyone, no investigations to be carried out.Direction: Investigation Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of LNR No. 42/334 of 23.02. 2015

December 2018 A Russian officer who was convicted of terrorism died in Drogobych. Already the second week the body of a 45-year-old officer lies and the consulate does not want to take him home. They argue this because they did not find relatives. Valeriy Ivanov is a native of Arkhangelsk, a Russian native soldier, who has the experience of the Chechen war. In Ukraine, he fought on the side of the "LNR" militants. He was detained and sentenced for 12 years. He served his sentence in Drohobych,"- says the website" The Peacemaker".

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Ukraine, with the involvement of international partners, plans to make a new passage through the Kerch Strait

This was stated by the secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Turchinov, reports the Air Force.

Asked whether Ukraine's warships would still try to go through the Kerch Strait, Turchinov replied:

"Yes, that's fundamentally for us. If we stop and retreat, Russia will actually fulfill its task of seizing the Azov Sea, bringing the self-defined new sea borders to the world in the Black Sea, de facto legalizing the occupation of the Crimea."

He stressed that this transition is possible in the near future.

"I think that this issue can not be delayed. We propose and our partners to take part in this passage from the Ukrainian Black Sea ports to the Ukrainian ports on the Azov coast. We will invite representatives of the OSCE and other international organizations to attend their ships for the purpose of to prove to the whole world that Ukraine and its sailors do not violate any laws and international rules. We have no alternative to such actions, "Turchinov said.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

US President Donald Trump has continued sanctions against human rights abusers and corrupt officials from different countries for a year. Among them is the former head of the Kiev special unit "Berkut" Sergei Kusiuk.

The corresponding decree was published December 18 at the White House website, reports Censor. NET.

This decree continues the sanctions imposed on December 20, 2017 for 13 people.

Among them is a Ukrainian who fled to Russia, because in Ukraine he is suspected of crimes against the Maidan.

Also in this list is Artem Chaika - one of the sons of the Prosecutor General of Russia Yuri Chaika.

Gulnara Islamovna Karimova, a former Uzbek leader, was sanctioned and sanctioned.

The sanctions were imposed in accordance with the "Magnitsky Act" adopted by the US Congress in 2012 against Russian human rights violators, and in 2016 the law extended to officials from other countries who were found guilty of violating human rights.

Kusyuk repeatedly commanded the dispersal of peaceful actions in Kyiv, in particular the dispersal of the participants of the rally on Independence Square in Kyiv on the night of November 29-30, 2013. After the Revolution of Virtue, Kusiuk fled to Crimea. In the summer of 2015, the Prosecutor General's Office announced it wanted on suspicion of preventing a rally and exceeding official authority.

Kusyuk is being held by suspects in seven criminal proceedings, including those related to the events of 2010 at the Volyn massacre exhibition in Kyiv.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The number of people who grieve for the Soviet Union has reached the maximum in the last 10 years, including many young people 18-24 years old.

The number of Russians who regret the collapse of the Soviet Union has reached a peak in the last decade. This is evidenced by the polls of Levada Center, published by the Russian newspaper Vedomosti, according to Censor.NET.

The share of those who believe that the collapse of the USSR could have been avoided has reached 60%, which has peaked over 13 years of polls. More often than others, the disintegration of the USSR is damaged by people 55 years of age, but such mood also grows among young Russians aged 18-24.

Among the main reasons why Russians lack the USSR, the respondents referred to the fact that in 1991 a single economic system (52%) was destroyed and people lost their sense of belonging to a great power (36%). Every third (31%) also said that mutual suspicion and cruelty had increased.

According to sociologists, Russia's occupation of Crimea and the support of terrorists in the Donbass initially reduced the number of miserable people for the Union. After all, aggression against Ukraine and confrontation with the West largely offset the need of Russians in the great power, says sociologist Levada Center Karina Pipia.

But, disappointed with the effects of the so-called "Russian spring," the Russians began to dream about the USSR again.

"At first there was a feeling that the Maidan was a temporary phenomenon, appeared as a phantom of Novorossiia, but now realized that Ukraine would not return, but if it does not return, then others too, all of which excite nostalgia," explains political scientist Alexei Makarkin.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The capture of Ukrainian ships violates not only the agreement with the Russians about Azov, but also the international convention on freedom of navigation

About this in the program "Verdict" with Sergei Rudenko on Esprito.TV told political analyst Vladimir Gorbach.

"If we had broken the deal with Azov from Russia in 2003, then we would be in a different situation. We could say that Russia violates international maritime law in this territory. But even now we see that Russians violate international maritime law The capture of our ships violates not only the agreement with the Russians on Azov, but also the convention on freedom of navigation. Now that Russia has violated this treaty and made it worthless, then it will be time to formally stop it, "said Gorbach

According to him, this may be useful, when Ukraine invites NATO ships to their ports. Because of this current agreement, only the warships of Ukraine and Russia can go to Azov ports.

 espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український

The US Senate presents a resolution calling for increased defense assistance to Ukraine and supports the abandonment of the construction of the North Stream 2 pipeline

The press service of the Ukrainian embassy in the United States reports.

In a document presented by a group of senators from the Republican and Democratic parties, legislators urge the US president to take advantage of the provisions of the law on "US budget for 2018 for national defense needs" to strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and provide additional security through the respective programs of the State Department and the Pentagon. support to our state, especially in order to strengthen Ukraine's maritime capabilities.

Senators urge the US president to urgently conduct a joint operation with the US allies to ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to demonstrate support for internationally recognized borders, bilateral agreements and the principle of safe passage by vessels of the Kerch Strait and the Azov Sea.

Senators appeal to NATO to strengthen the presence and capacity of the Alliance in the Black Sea, including monitoring of the situation on the sea and coastal defense. Separately, lawmakers urge allies and partners in Europe to refuse the ships of the Russian Navy to enter their ports for replenishment of supplies and refueling.

The senators also congratulate and support the resolution of the European Parliament of December 12, 2018, which condemns Russian aggression in the Kerch Strait and calls for the abolition of the North Stream-2 because of its threat to Europe's energy security.

espreso.tv  In Ukrainian/український