Re: L'invasion Russe en Ukraine

[Tatou]

merci beaucoup

cela me rappelle un peu la france quand même...

De rien, mais ton commentaire est énigmatique... Rappeler la France ??? Je vois pas...

Tu t'intéresses à Kharkov pourquoi ? Relation sentimentale ou prochaine destination professionnelle ?

Cordialement,

Kris

je disais par rapport à la france, que ici aussi, les gens ne croit plus à la politique, et aux désamours par rapport aux politiciens.

Sinon, non je m'intéresse pas particulièrement à kharkov, juste j'ai entendu parler de khiev, du dombass, et juste je me demandais quelle était la position des gens de kharkov, c'est tout. Pas d'attache sentimentale ou professionnelle.

[Caduce62]

AFP, publié le jeudi 15 septembre 2016 à 12h18
Ukraine: les chefs de la diplomatie française et allemande dans l'Est, une première depuis le début du conflit qui a fait plus de 9.500 morts

Les ministres français et allemand des Affaires étrangères se sont rendus jeudi dans l'est de l'Ukraine, notamment à Slaviansk, une première depuis le début en avril 2014 du conflit qui a fait plus de 9.600 morts.

Dans cet ancien bastion des séparatistes prorusses, Jean-Marc Ayrault et son homologue allemand, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, ont observé un pont en ruines sur la rivière Kazenny Torets, qui traverse cette ville reprise par les forces de Kiev en juillet 2014.

La visite des ministres européens a pour but de relancer la dynamique des accords de paix de Minsk, dont la mise en oeuvre "avance à pas d'escargot", a déploré mercredi le chef de la diplomatie allemande.

Paris et Berlin tablent notamment sur la signature prochaine d'un accord de démilitarisation dans trois zones pilotes dans l'est, afin de relancer le processus de paix et permettre l'organisation à l'automne d'un sommet des dirigeants français, russe, allemand et ukrainien.

"Avec mon collègue, nous cherchons à créer les conditions pour organiser un sommet avec le président Hollande, la chancelière Merkel et les présidents Porochenko et Poutine", a déclaré M. Ayrault. "Nous sommes très impliqués" pour faire de nouveaux "pas vers la paix", a-t-il ajouté, s'exprimant en anglais.

Les deux ministres étaient arrivés dans la matinée à Kramatorsk, une autre ville sous contrôle des forces ukrainiennes proche de la ligne de front.

- 'Ne répétez pas Munich 1938' -

Se rendant dans un bâtiment des observateurs de l'Organisation pour la sécurité et la coopération en Europe (OSCE), ils avaient été accueillis par une quarantaine de manifestants opposés à l'idée d'accorder un statut d'autonomie aux régions séparatistes de Donetsk et de Lougansk.

"Ne répétez pas Munich 1938", symbole historique de la capitulation diplomatique des démocraties européennes face à l'Allemagne nazie, "Nous disons non au statut spécial pour le Donbass" ou "Nous sommes l'Ukraine", proclamaient les banderoles des manifestants.

Les ministres ont ensuite rencontré des responsables de l'OSCE dans la région, qui leur ont présenté le quotidien de leur mission d'observation des violations du cessez-le-feu dans la zone. Ils leur ont également montré des échantillons de mines, grenades et autres engins explosifs retrouvés dans la zone.

L'Ukraine est en proie depuis plus de deux ans à un conflit l'opposant à des séparatistes prorusses qui sont, selon Kiev et les Occidentaux, soutenus militairement par la Russie, ce que Moscou dément.

Des accords de paix, signés à Minsk en février 2015, prévoient une série de mesures politiques et économiques pour mettre fin au conflit.

L'ensemble de ces mesures, notamment des élections dans les zones séparatistes, n'a cependant pas encore été mis en place, les deux parties s'en rejetant la responsabilité.

Les Ukrainiens doivent notamment modifier leur Constitution pour donner davantage d'autonomie aux régions rebelles et organiser ces élections. Mais ces mesures provoquent de vifs débats à Kiev, où elles sont considérées comme un risque de légaliser de facto le séparatisme et de déstabiliser le reste de l'Ukraine.

Les Occidentaux considèrent pour leur part les élections comme un moyen de réintégration politique des territoires séparatistes.

- 'Risque d'escalade de la violence' -

Malgré l'instauration de plusieurs trêves, la dernière en date remontant au 1er septembre à l'occasion de la rentrée scolaire, les affrontements se sont poursuivis dans l'est de l'Ukraine.

Dans son dernier rapport, concernant la journée du 13 septembre, l'OSCE indique avoir enregistré 275 explosions dans la région de Donetsk, la plupart concentrées dans la région de Avdiïvka-Iassynouvata, à quelques kilomètres du fief rebelle de Donetsk.

"Si la situation s'est améliorée depuis le dernier cessez-le-feu le 1er septembre, la situation le long de la ligne de front reste très instable (...) Il y a un réel risque d'escalade de la violence à tout moment", a déclaré Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, Haut-Commissaire de l'ONU aux droits de l'Homme, dans un communiqué publié jeudi.

Selon l'ONU, le conflit a fait près de 9.640 morts et 22.431 blessés depuis son déclenchement.

[Александр]

Le rapport de l'OSCE: avant le nouveau "cessez-le-feu".

Voilà ce que ça dit:

Donbas militants break latest ceasefire vow again and open fire 50 times

Tank and artillery were used by Russian-backed forces despite pledges to halt hostilities at midnight 
       

Ukraine's defense forces near the militant-held east of the country have accused Russian-backed fighters of opening fire 50 times on Wednesday, including the use of artillery fire, Newsweek reports.
The two militant groups in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions called for an end to hostilities starting at midnight on Thursday morning. This is despite the fact that Ukraine and Russia agreed a frequently violated ceasefire in 2015, and that all parties pledged to cease hostilities at the start of September.

Troops stationed in the counrtry's Anti-Terrorist Operation Zone announced on Thursday that 26 of the violations occurred near the city of Donetsk, four near the city of Luhansk, and another 20 occurred further south towards the port of Mariupol.

Ukraine also reported that combined Russian-separatist forces had opened fire with tanks in the town of Avdiivka, near Donetsk.

Following the start of the pledged halting of hostilities at midnight, government forces have reported three violations from the separatist side.

No Donbas ceasefire promises given to Germany as Russia "not party to conflict" - Kremlin


Russian President Vladimir Putin's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov during the annual press conference on December 17, 2015 in Moscow, Russia (Getty Images)
Un gros menteur

Moscow has not agreed yet to hold Normandy Four summit at the highest level 
       

The Kremlin has stated it did not promise Germany ensuring the ceasefire in Donbas as Russia "is not a party to the conflict", and it is "the armed forces of Donbas" that oppose Ukraine, Russia's presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"There is a ceasefire, which is violated... In this wording, Moscow could not promise it, because Moscow is not a party to the conflict. Moscow cannot declare a ceasefire," Peskov said, answering the question, whether Russian officials had promised Germany the establishment of ceasefire in the east of Ukraine.

"On the one hand, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are on the demarcation line, and on the other hand, there are 'the armed forces of Donbas', i.e. 'militants'," Peskov said.
Read also Putin: absurd to expect Russia to implement Minsk agreements

 
Answering the question, whether the Kremlin wishes to comment on the visit of the foreign ministers of France and Germany to Ukraine, Peskov said: "This is not our concern.These are the contacts within the framework of bilateral relations. There's no reason to comment."

"If these visits contribute to the implementation of Ukraine's obligations under the Minsk agreements, it is to be welcomed," he added.

Reported by UNIAN

German, French Foreign Ministers visit eastern Ukraine


Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Jean-Marc Ayrault and Pavlo Klimkin, Kyiv, Ukraine, September 14, 2016 (UNIAN Photo)

Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Jean-Marc Ayrault together with their Ukrainian colleague Pavlo Klimkin are on a trip to Slovyansk and Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine 
       

Three foreign ministers - of France, Germany, and Ukraine - have travelled easterly to evaluate the freshly installed ceasefire for themselves. Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Jean-Marc Ayrault have just returned from Moscow, where they discussed the ways of implementation of the constantly violated Minsk agreements. Upon arriving in Kyiv, ministers announced the new ceasefire agreement had been reached in Moscow. 

"The ceasefire gives us a chance to work on the other things that are so important...We've had six months of stagnation and that has worsened the security situation," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters on Thursday.

Yet, later Kremlin denied it. Russia denies it promised Germany to ensure a ceasefire, as it does not think of itself as a part of the conflict. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russia hoped that the foreign ministers' visit would encourage Ukraine to fulfill its Minsk obligations. Meanwhile, Ukraine reports on new arrivals of Russian weapons and munitions to Donbas. The previous ceasefire, established just several days ago, was violated by separatist forces several hundred times. 

Read more Klimkin: No status quo in Donbas, Russian troops must leave

In Kramatorsk, the diplomats were briefed on the situation by OSCE international monitors. They are one of the highest-level delegations to travel close to the 487-km (303-mile)front line.

Read more Donbas militants break latest ceasefire vow and open fire 50 times

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault stressed the need for the adoption of a law on local elections in Donbas and insisted it is important to grant special status to the region. Ukraine reminds - the elections are impossible unless Kyiv fully controls the state border and security level would become satisfactory. European diplomats reiterated that they are Ukraine's friends, that is why they do not accept Russian occupation of Crimea. It means they consider Duma elections, scheduled on this Sunday, illegal.

 






Now it's official: EU prolongs sanctions over Russia's actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity


EU extends sanctions against Russian individuals and entities

The decision has been made earlier this month, but approved by the EU Council and published in the Official Journal of the EU on September 15

The European Union Council prolonged by six more months the application of EU sanctions targeting 146 persons and 37 entities for their actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. The sanctions consist of asset freezes and travel bans.
The decision was taken by the European Union Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) on September 7. But the procedure was formally completed on September 15, when the decision was approved by the EU Council, and the legal acts were published in the EU Official Journal.
The restrictive measures against Russia are prolonged for another six months, until March 15, 2017.
The sanctions were first introduced in March 2014 in response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. Their targets include companies and individuals in Crimea, leaders of the Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, as well as Russian politicians like Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and Dmitry Kiselyov, a state media executive and presenter whom many regard as the Kremlin's chief propagandist.
The EU's economic sanctions that target Russia's energy, military, and financial sectors are up for renewal on January 31.
These sectoral sanctions will be discussed at a Brussels summit of EU leaders in October.





Klimkin: No status quo in Donbas, Russian troops must leave


Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin speaks at a media conference in Kyiv, on Sept.14, 2016 (UNIAN photo)

Ukrainian authorities insist that it will be impossible to grant special status to Donbas without withdrawal of Russian hybrid troops and their weapons 
       

Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin says that no status quo will be maintained in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, as Ukrainian citizens must have their normal life back.

"Donbas is an integral part of Ukraine – these are millions of citizens of Ukraine. The status quo virtually means a protectorate of the Russian military, the Russian special services, but Ukrainian citizens must have peace and just their normal life back, so that they could have civilization there. Now they don't feel civilized there," he said.

Klimkin says that Russia is, in fact, making Donbas its colony, while the logic of the Minsk peace agreement is that Russia should leave eastern Ukraine and the international community will gain control there. After free and fair elections are held in Donbas, it should get back to normal life "with the help of our friends," Klimkin said.

Read also Donbas autonomy will legitimize Russia's protectorate there - Ukraine FM

As reported earlier, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said at a press conference with Klimkin in Kyiv on Wednesday that a law on local elections in Donbas should be adopted and special status should be granted to the region after the elections.

Reported by UNIAN

[Matt]

Hier soir Vasyl le cousin de ma femme disait que la situation est très difficile: il y a trop de moskals (russes) . . . que l'OSCE ne voit pas . . . 

[Александр]

Le rapport de l'OSCE: "The SMM noted an increase in violence recorded in Donetsk region on both 17 and 18 September, including 246 and 322 explosions respectively, compared with 39 explosions recorded on 16 September."

Cessez-le-feu vous avez dit?

French, Russian ministers discuss situation in eastern Ukraine



Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France Jean-Marc Ayrault on the eve of the 71st UN General Assembly held a telephone conversation with Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov and underlined the need to implement the Minsk agreements by Russia.

This has been said in a statement made by the French Foreign Ministry, which is available to Ukrinform.

"Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France Jean-Marc Ayrault held a telephone conversation with Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov. The two ministers exchanged updated information on the situation in the eastern part of Ukraine after the visit of the French and German ministers (to the country)," reads a statement.

The French minister urged Russia to fulfill the Minsk agreements.

The ministers also discussed the situation in Syria and the peace process in the Middle East.

Mais les fous:

LPR and DPR continue to obstruct OSCE SMM observers - Hug



Observers of the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) of the OSCE are still facing obstructions to their access to the areas controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics (the so-called DPR and LPR).

There is no complete freedom of movement on the territories beyond the control of Kyiv, OSCE SMM Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said at a briefing in Donetsk on Monday.

In his words, the OSCE SMM monitors want to do their work efficiently, without intervention from the LPR and the DPR, which should be immediately stopped.

He recalled that the OSCE SMM can help only when they have a full access. If the observers have access, they can monitor the situation, the first deputy head of the mission said.

Hug recalled that two years have passed since the signing of the Minsk agreements and called on the parties to the conflict to observe all the provisions of the document.

La république Tchèque donne son soutient:

Lethal aid for Ukraine way to resolve Donbas conflict – Member of the European Parliament

The only way to end the conflict in Ukraine is to supply lethal weapons to Ukraine, that`s according to Czech Republic`s Jaromir Stetina, Member of the European Parliament, who paid a visit to Donbass, according to Donbas News.

The Minsk agreements are initially ineffective, according to the Member of the European Parliament. Stetina added that it was necessary to strengthen sanctions against Russia.

Jaromir Stetina holds the position of deputy head of European Parliament`s Subcommittee on Security and Defence.

He and two other Members of the European Parliament, Rebecca Harms and Michel Boni, on Monday visited Maryinka checkpoint in Donbas, using an opportunity to talk to those crossing the demarcation line.

Earlier, former US Secretary of Defense (2011-2013), ex-director of the Central Intelligence Agency (2009-2011) Leon Panetta said that defensive weapons had to be provided to Ukraine, while talking to Russia would only be effective from a position of strength.

[Александр]

Perspective pour hier

17 Sep - 16 Oct 2016



L’exposition « Perspective pour hier » proposée par l’association nantaise MPVite présente les œuvres de Mykola Ridnyi. Des photographies et vidéos qui explorent à travers la crise ukrainienne les mécanismes de manipulation et de répression.



Mykola, Ridnyi, Dima, 2013. SD video. 07:57 min.Courtesy de l’artiste


Mykola, Ridnyi, Regular places (détail), 2015.Vue d’expositon, « All the World's Futures », 56-th Venice biennale for contemporary art, 2015. Photo: Alessandra Chemollo / la Biennale di Venezia


Mykola, Ridnyi, Blind spot, 2014-15. Acrylic spray on c-print. 42 x 59,4 cmCourtesy de l'artiste et Nova gallery, Krakow


Mykola, Ridnyi, Shelter, 2015.Vue d’expositon, "Politics of form", Museum for contemporary art Leipzig, 2015. Photo: Michael Ritzmann

Ukrainian troops repel militant attack in Luhansk region - ATO HQ


Ukrainian troopers in fortified positions near Avdiyivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine, 2016 (Photo by Anatolii Stepanov / Facebook)

Russian proxies commence attack to recon Ukrainian defense, ATO HQ say 
       

Russian-controlled forces in Donbas made 22 violations of the ceasefire per day, Ukrainian Antiterrorist Operation HQ reports. In one episode near the village of Novozvanivka in Luhansk region

Ukrainian soldiers had to open fire to repel the attack of militant reconnaissance group.

The details of the clash were revealed by the LIGA.net referring to ATO HQ speaker Ivan Arefiev.

"Reconnaissance group of Russian mercenaries of three persons closed to the Ukrainian military positions near Novozvanivka from the occupied village Kalynove. Group came close to our positions, opened provocative fire. ATO fighters were forced to return fire, there was a combat clash," Arefiev specified.

Read also Pro-Russian militant leader from Eastern Ukraine shot dead near Moscow – media

According to his data, militants were forced to retreat, the fighting lasted about 10 minutes, from 17:50 to 17:57 Kyiv time. At least one of the attackers was wounded, Arefiev said. He stressed that this is the way militants were scouting Ukrainian position.

Yuriy Klymenko of Luhansk Regional State Administration said LІGA.net that the militants made three fire raids only on Novozvanivka using grenade launchers and small arms. ATO HQ in turn recorded four violations of "regime of silence" in all Lugansk area. 18 attacks more Russian proxies commenced in Donetsk region, one of them – using medium mortars. This shelling took place in Avdiyivka industrial zone, which is ‘the hottest spot' of the frontline for last few months.

Read also Russian Army is a ‘colossus with feet of clay' – Ukrainian Chief of Staff

Also ATO HQ noted that Russian proxies are strengthening their first echelon units, improving the system of fortification, bringing new equipment to defensive lines and positions.

Yesterday ATO HQ reported that Ukrainian troops were attacked 18 times, miitant sniper groups reported. 

Conflit gelé en Ukraine : les (dés)Accords de Minsk persistent



Crédits photo : GLEB GARANICH/REUTERS

FIGAROVOX/TRIBUNE - Les ministres français et allemand des Affaires étrangères se sont rencontrés en Ukraine. Sur fond de rivalités américano-russes et de divisions européennes, Kiev n'a de cesse de repousser l'application des Accords de Minsk, estime Jean-Claude Galli.

---

Jean-Claude Galli est Grand reporter, basé à Kiev depuis le mois d'avril 2014 pour TF1/LCI et la Radio Télévision Suisse. Spécialiste des relations internationales et des questions de défense, il est auditeur de l'Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (IHEDN).

---

Aux yeux de Kiev, les accords de Minsk sont frappés du sceau de l'infamie. Ils sont le fruit d'une série de revers militaires, essuyés dans le Donbass durant l'été et l'automne 2014, aboutissant à la perte de la ville stratégique de Debaltseve le 18 février 2015.

Des revers actés, quelques jours plus tôt, lors d'un sommet organisé à Minsk, la capitale biélorusse, où dirigeants français, allemand, ukrainien et russe se trouvent réunis (dans un format quadripartite appelé Normandie). Là, Petro Porochenko, sous le regard amusé de Vladimir Poutine, et ceux gênés de François Hollande et Angela Merkel, est contraint à des concessions politiques qu'il considère pourtant comme dangereuses pour l'intégrité territoriale et l'indépendance de son pays.

Les autorités ukrainiennes n'ont eu de cesse de repousser la mise en œuvre de ces accords. Et il n'y a absolument aucune raison pour que cela change.

Voilà pourquoi les autorités ukrainiennes n'ont eu de cesse de repousser la mise en œuvre de ces accords. Et il n'y a absolument aucune raison pour que cela change. Bien au contraire.

Pour le président Porochenko et son équipe, il n'existe aucun problème identitaire, aucun courant politique séparatiste à considérer en Ukraine. Une partie de l'est du pays est simplement tombée aux mains de «terroristes» qui travaillent pour «l'envahisseur russe». Tout contact direct avec les autorités des républiques de Donetsk et Lugansk autoproclamées par les rebelles est proscrit.

Il faut bien comprendre que pour Kiev, l'organisation d'élections locales dans ces territoires et une réforme de la constitution ukrainienne permettant de leur conférer un certain niveau d'autonomie politique - telles que prévues par Minsk - reviendraient à légitimer un pouvoir étranger sur le sol national.

Une autre réalité politique et militaire

Les accords de Minsk ne correspondent plus à la réalité politique et militaire d'aujourd'hui. Avec l'aide de conseillers de l'OTAN - anglais et américains notamment - les forces armées ukrainiennes se sont depuis réorganisées, renforcées et modernisées. Elles ont retrouvé de l'assurance et des capacités.

Par ailleurs, le manque d'enthousiasme des autorités à l'égard de Minsk est conforté par les divisions qui existent entre pays occidentaux - et au sein de l'Union Européenne - concernant les relations avec Moscou.

La France, l'Italie et l'Allemagne envisagent, si des progrès sont réalisés par la Russie, un assouplissement des sanctions économiques prises contre elle.

Alors que la France, l'Italie et l'Allemagne envisagent, si des progrès sont réalisés par la Russie dans la mise en place des fameux accords, un assouplissement des sanctions économiques prises contre elle (suite à son annexion de la Crimée en mars 2014 et pour son soutien aux séparatistes du Donbass), d'autres pays comme les USA, la Grande-Bretagne ou la Pologne, se prononcent pour leur maintien voire leur renforcement tant que Moscou n'aura pas restitué le contrôle de sa frontière à Kiev et celui du Donbass qui l'accompagnerait inévitablement.

Consensus européen et solidarité atlantique obligent, le couple franco-allemand n'a jamais eu le pouvoir de conditionner le soutien politique et l'aide financière apportés par les pays occidentaux à l'Ukraine à la mise en œuvre effective des réformes prévues par Minsk. Pourquoi se gêner alors? Il suffit pour les dirigeants ukrainiens d'acquiescer formellement aux demandes réitérées lors des sommets et des multiples rencontres diplomatiques et ensuite... de ne rien faire.

Kiev pousse pour une entrée des Américains dans la négociation. On parle de «format de Genève».

D'autant que d'autres espaces politiques s'offrent à eux. Considérant que Paris et Berlin ne sont pas assez durs avec Moscou dans le cadre du format Normandie, Kiev pousse, plus ou moins ouvertement, pour une entrée des Américains dans la négociation. On parle de «format de Genève», en référence à une réunion organisée au bord du Léman au début de la crise du Donbass, en avril 2014 et à laquelle participaient les États-Unis.

En attendant cet hypothétique changement de format, on s'active. La semaine dernière, le général à la retraite, John Abizaid, ancien chef du CENTCOM (United States Central Command) a été nommé par le Secrétaire de la défense américain, Ashton Carter, conseiller du Ministre de la défense ukrainien, le général Stepan Poltorak. Il sera chargé, notamment, de travailler à l'interopérabilité des forces armées ukrainiennes avec celles de l'OTAN.

Un autre retraité prestigieux, l'ancien Secrétaire général de l'OTAN, Anders Forgh Rasmussen (2009-2014) posait ses valises à Kiev pour devenir le conseiller du président Petro Porochenko...

En mai dernier, c'est un autre retraité prestigieux, l'ancien Secrétaire général de l'OTAN, Anders Forgh Rasmussen (2009-2014), qui posait ses valises à Kiev pour devenir le conseiller du président Petro Porochenko...

Alors que nombre de responsables politiques européens s'indignent - mollement il est vrai - de l'embauche récente de l'ancien président de la Commission Européenne, José Manuel Barroso, par la banque d'affaires Goldman Sachs (pour étudier les conséquences du Brexit sur ses activités financières), nul ne trouve à redire à cette nomination d'un homme qui pendant des années a partagé les informations les plus sensibles et les renseignements des 28 pays membres de l'Alliance. Les conflits d'intérêts n'existent-ils pas en matière de défense et de sécurité?

Bien qu'il ait été indiqué à Kiev, lors du dernier sommet de l'OTAN à Varsovie, qu'une adhésion à l'organisation militaire n'était pas envisageable dans un avenir proche, les programmes de coopération en matière de défense signés par l'Ukraine avec l'Alliance et les États-Unis laissent penser exactement le contraire. De l'aveu même du président ukrainien, son pays atteint un niveau de coopération: «sans précédent avec les États membres de l'Alliance, ajoutant, notre objectif stratégique demeure l'adhésion à l'OTAN».

Bien qu'il ait été indiqué à Kiev qu'une adhésion à l'OTAN n'était pas envisageable, les programmes de coopération signés entre l'Ukraine l'Alliance et les USA laissent penser exactement le contraire.

Faut-il rappeler que c'est la perspective de voir, un jour, dans le port de Sébastopol, flotter des bateaux de guerre américains à côté de ceux de la flotte russe de la Mer Noire ou bien, celle de regarder des chars de l'US Army se balader le long des 1200 km de frontières que partagent l'Ukraine et la Fédération de Russie, qui ont convaincu les Russes d'annexer la Crimée et qui sont la cause de la guerre dans le Donbass?

Pour le Kremlin, les entités séparatistes - outre qu'elles permettent d'empêcher Kiev de réformer le pays, l'effort de guerre pesant sur des finances publiques exsangues - ont vocation à prévenir l'extension de l'organisation militaire aux frontières de la Russie. Soit ces territoires obtiennent une forme d'autonomie accompagnée d'un droit de regard (une sorte de véto politique) sur l'appartenance du pays à l'OTAN, soit ils seront maintenus dans cet état actuel de guerre larvée afin de dissuader l'Alliance d'intégrer l'Ukraine dans ses rangs tout en faisant fuir de potentiels investisseurs étrangers.

«Nous vous protégerons, nous vous aimons»

Même si, comme l'affirme Jean-Marc Ayrault, il n'existe pas de plan B pouvant se substituer aux accords de Minsk, une autre politique est possible en Ukraine. Une politique d'indépendance et d'unité nationale qui, dans un premier temps, ne nécessite ni élections, ni reforme constitutionnelle.

Les Ukrainiens n'ont pas à choisir entre l'Est et l'Ouest. De par leur histoire et leur géographie, ils appartiennent aux deux. Ils sont les deux.

Les Ukrainiens n'ont pas à choisir entre l'Est et l'Ouest. De par leur histoire et leur géographie, ils appartiennent aux deux. Ils sont les deux.
Le pouvoir aujourd'hui en place à Kiev plutôt que de se considérer comme le poste avancé de l'Occident aux portes de la Russie devrait capitaliser sur cette double appartenance vécue et ressentie comme telle, de Lviv à Kharkov, par la vaste majorité des habitants du pays.

Au lieu d'avoir comme priorité le changement des noms des villes, des rues et des lycées ou bien la promotion de l'usage de l'ukrainien et celui de l'anglais dans son pays, Petro Porochenko devrait commencer par adresser, chaque jour, un message d'amitié à ses millions de concitoyens vivant dans l'est de l'Ukraine.

Un message pour leur dire: «Nous reconnaissons vos particularités culturelles et linguistiques et nous les respectons. Riches de cette diversité, forts de nos différences, nous allons construire ensemble un beau pays, une grande Ukraine, indépendante et européenne, qui n'a pas besoin d'aller chercher sa feuille de route politique à Moscou ou à Washington.

Les habitants du Donbass ne font pas confiance à un gouvernement qui sous prétexte de décommuniser leur pays cherche à le dérussifier.

Une Ukraine dont l'inévitable vocation, sous peine de désintégration, est d'être un pont entre le monde russe et l'Europe occidentale. Nous reconnaissons le russe comme une langue nationale (ndlr: une majorité d'Ukrainiens y sont d'ailleurs favorables si cela permet d'arrêter la guerre) au même titre que l'ukrainien et nous en garantirons l'usage. Nous vous protégerons. Nous vous aimons.»

Il suffit de les interroger pour s'en convaincre: presque tous les habitants des territoires du Donbass tenus par les rebelles se considèrent comme des Ukrainiens. Toutefois, ils ne font pas confiance à un gouvernement qui sous prétexte de décommuniser leur pays cherche, dans bien des cas, à le dérussifier. Ce qui revient à nier leur culture. Si Kiev leur apporte demain la considération qu'ils méritent et cesse de les traiter comme des citoyens de seconde zone (ndlr: la population ouvrière du Donbass est souvent moquée par les élites du pays) leur soutien apparent - et contraint - aux autorités des républiques séparatistes autoproclamées sera certainement remis en cause. D'autant que la plupart d'entre deux ne se font guère d'illusion sur la capacité des leaders et des cadres politiques séparatistes à les diriger. Ils ne croient pas en eux, tout simplement.

Enfin, la mise en œuvre d'une telle politique compliquerait singulièrement la tâche de Moscou qui s'est donné pour mission de protéger les populations russophones de son voisinage. Sans compter qu'elle donnerait une formidable leçon de démocratie au locataire du Kremlin.

[Krispoluk]

Ouaip, bien gentil le journaliste en question, mais malgré sa brochette de titres ronflants, semble se foutre le doigt dans l'oeil jusqu'au coude !

Dire que c'est l'activité de séduction accrue de l'Otan vers l'Ukraine qui a conduit la Russie à "défendre ses intérêts" de la manière qu'on connait, c'est pour moi inverser le lien de cause à effet, non ?

Ferait mieux de proposer ses talents à Pervi Kanal ou Russia Today, il y sera payé rubis sur l'ongle (tant qu'y z'ont du fric...) 

[Александр]

J'ai hésité entre ici et propagande . . .

[Krispoluk]

Ouaip, on se complète bien et on forme une bonne équipe...

Et quand Maya se sera installée en tant que conseillère "es-intégration" des ukrainiennes en Europe et aussi conseillère matrimoniale, ça sera encore mieux...

PS : Tselouyou (pas toi, hein !)

[Александр]

Là ça fera "la fine équipe".

[benoit77]

Le "galli" est pas vraiment neutre
https://twitter.com/jcgalli

il incline souvent son propos pour la russie et contre l'ukraine.

L'hiver dernier, il disait comme les RT et Sputnik, que l'ukraine serait en défaut de paiement.

Il officie pour TF1 et Figaro qui sont très russophiles . en particulier Figaro qui laisse les trolls pro-russe envahir tous les commentaires en faveur du Putler.

un de ces derniers twittos : "Kiev veut placer la Crimée et le Donbass dans un isolement politique complet"


c'est clairement orienté formulé contre Kiev. il y a 76 caractères  il pouvait donc dire en moins de 140


"Kiev veut placer la Crimée et le Donbass dans un isolement politique complet et retrouver sa souveraineté sur ces territoires."


C'était 126 caractères et bien plus juste.


Mais non , il fait un tweet qui charge Kiev et manipule le lecteur tout comme Moreira l'a fait.

[Krispoluk]

Le "galli" est pas vraiment neutre
https://twitter.com/jcgalli

il incline souvent son propos pour la russie et contre l'ukraine.

L'hiver dernier, il disait comme les RT et Sputnik, que l'ukraine serait en défaut de paiement.

Il officie pour TF1 et Figaro qui sont très russophiles . en particulier Figaro qui laisse les trolls pro-russe envahir tous les commentaires en faveur du Putler.

un de ces derniers twittos : "Kiev veut placer la Crimée et le Donbass dans un isolement politique complet"


c'est clairement orienté formulé contre Kiev. il y a 76 caractères  il pouvait donc dire en moins de 140


"Kiev veut placer la Crimée et le Donbass dans un isolement politique complet et retrouver sa souveraineté sur ces territoires."


C'était 126 caractères et bien plus juste.


Mais non , il fait un tweet qui charge Kiev et manipule le lecteur tout comme Moreira l'a fait.

Ouais, d'accord avec toi sur ce point ! Les pro-moskals ont les sent arriver à 10 km à la ronde... Le problème c'est que dans le camp d'en face, ils ne nous donnent pas beaucoup de raisons d'espérer en un avenir meilleur !!!

Quand on voit les progrès "phénoménaux" des enquêtes sur la corruption et l'identification des sommes détournées : quelques millions de $ sur plusieurs dizaines de milliards en cause, ça fait se poser des questions...

Bon, un peu normal cependant, vu que ceux qui en ont profité, siègent toujours à la Rada ou se retrouvent dans les allées du pouvoir...

Cependant Poro devrait bien se rendre compte qu'à force de faire le grand écart entre deux chaises, il va finir par se claquer les c....... par terre un de ces jours!

Peut-être qu'il se dit simplement comme Laetizia Buonaparte : "Pourvou qué ça doure !"

[Thuramir]

Cependant Poro devrait bien se rendre compte qu'à force de faire le grand écart entre deux chaises, il va finir par se claquer les c....... par terre un de ces jours!

Peut-être qu'il se dit simplement comme Laetizia Buonaparte : "Pourvou qué ça doure !"

Il ne faut pas non plus se montrer trop bisounours avec le personnage de Poroshenko. Il possède une usine de chocolat/bonbons en Russie et il y exporte une partie non négligeable de sa production en Ukraine.

[Krispoluk]

Cependant Poro devrait bien se rendre compte qu'à force de faire le grand écart entre deux chaises, il va finir par se claquer les c....... par terre un de ces jours!

Peut-être qu'il se dit simplement comme Laetizia Buonaparte : "Pourvou qué ça doure !"

Il ne faut pas non plus se montrer trop bisounours avec le personnage de Poroshenko. Il possède une usine de chocolat/bonbons en Russie et il y exporte une partie non négligeable de sa production en Ukraine.

C'est bien ce que je sous-entendais, peut-être exprimé un peu maladroitement, non ?

Poroshenko possède toujours des intérêts commerciaux et financiers en Russie, il a intérêt à ménager la chèvre et le chou (et même le loup).

La guerre l'arrange bien car il peut lui imputer l'absence ou la lenteur des réformes et il ne souhaite qu'une seule chose, que ça continue comme ça très longtemps...

C'est que je laissais entendre de manière plus imagée, précédemment...

[Александр]

Je regrette de ne pas l'avoir posté, mais un reporter a pris une photo sur le parking de la Rada pendant la session de rentrée.
Evident que ces gens sont (très) pauvres . . .

La rapport du jour de l'OSCE: "The SMM recorded significantly fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (including 35 explosions) compared with 18 September (which included 322 explosions). In Luhansk region the Mission recorded 11 ceasefire violations (no explosions), compared with none during 18 September."

New snipers arrive in occupied Yasynuvata – Ukrainian defense speaker

Groups of snipers have arrived in the occupied town of Yasynuvata in Donetsk region to reinforce Russian-backed militant troops, according to a Ukrainian defense ministry spokesman.

”Military intelligence reports say that a sniper unit has arrived in Yasynuvata to beef up illegal armed groups,” Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman for Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) issues Andriy Lysenko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday.

”The ATO forces are closely monitoring any threatening movement of militants and ready to fight back if necessary,” he added.

As we reported earlier, the Russian occupation forces attacked Ukrainian troops 22 times in the past day. In particular, 10 attacks were reported in the Donetsk sector, eight in the Mariupol sector, and four in the Luhansk sector. What is more, the ATO headquarters reported one episode near the village of Novozvanivka in Luhansk region when Ukrainian soldiers had to open fire to repel an attack by an enemy reconnaissance group.

Lysenko earlier reported about three Ukrainian soldiers wounded on Monday. No Ukrainian soldiers were killed on that day.

No plot from abroad after EuroMaidan – Obama

No external pressure was exerted upon Ukraine in the process of the change of government in 2014, after the Revolution of Dignity, President of the United States Barack Obama said during his address to the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

”In Europe, the progress of those countries in the former Soviet bloc that embraced democracy stand in clear contrast to those that did not. After all, the people of Ukraine did not take to the streets because of some plot imposed from abroad.They took to the streets because their leadership was for sale and they had no recourse,” Obama said while addressing the General Assembly, according to the White House.

”They demanded change because they saw life get better for people in the Baltics and in Poland, societies that were more liberal, and democratic, and open than their own,” said the U.S. President.

Earlier, the Russia Federation had repeatedly accused the United States and the European Union of setting up a ”coup” in February 2014.

Deputy Rada Speaker names conditions for holding elections in Donbas

The elections in the occupied areas of Donbas can only take place after ”sustainable peace” is reached, as well as complete disarmament of militants and re-establishment of control over the Ukrainian-Russian border First Deputy Head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Gerashchenko said during a working session of the fourth meeting of the Ukraine-EU Association Parliamentary Committee.

”The Ukrainian side insists that the elections in the occupied areas can only take place in a situation of sustainable peace – not for a week, not for two weeks, but sustainable peace, with complete disarmament, because today there are 38,000-strong armed groups are present in the occupied areas. Where else in the world can the elections be held when there will soon be more arms and mercenaries than the local residents in the area, when we have 400 kilometers of uncontrolled border, and it is through this border that the weapons is supplied for mercenaries,” Gerashchenko said.

She noted that the so-called humanitarian convoys also pass through this uncontrolled border, taking out [the equipment from] the Ukrainian factories as it was during World War II – ”complete looting by the aggressor state.”

Gerashchenko stressed that Russia and its mercenaries today do not fulfill any of the provisions of the Minsk agreements, starting with the very ”silence regime”.

She has also stressed that the European Parliament does not allow its representatives to visit eastern Ukraine.

”And how does the European side see international observers doing their job there?,Those will be the citizens of France, Germany, Belgium and other countries… How are they to work for the observation mission if the representatives of the European Parliament are not allowed to go there?” said Gerashchenko.

She noted that today it is impossible to talk about a sustainable peace, and it is therefore strange to hear from the European partners the offers to the Ukrainian Parliament to proceed to a vote for the key political provisions of the Minsk agreements after the heavy military equipment is withdrawn from three sectors of the contact line.

”What will be happening in other parts of the contact line? Daily attacks?” Gerashchenko said, addressing the representatives of the European Parliament.

She noted that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission must have full access to the occupied territory, up to the Ukrainian-Russian border. At the same time, she reminded that today the OSCE mission has no such access.

Gerashchenko noted that the MEPs should ask themselves, why the so-called humanitarian convoys from Russia have access to the occupied areas while the Red Cross has no such access.
She stressed that the Ukrainian side insisted that the security and humanitarian issues were priority issues and ”they provide the foundation for the transition to political issues.

[Александр]

Ukraine : les forces russes… si proches

Les forces russes ont opéré, ces dernières semaines, un redéploie­ment sans précédent aux abords des 2 200 km de frontières avec l’Ukraine. Selon la DIA, il s’agirait d’une stratégie de long terme visant à se prépositionner sur des points stra­tégiques dans l’hypothèse où le sou­tien aux séparatistes russo­phones deviendrait une nécessité. (Sic)

Construc­tion de nouvelles infrastructures et intensification des entraînements ont accompagné le déploiement de la 20^e armée habituellement stationnée à Nijny Novgorod, sur Boguchar, situé à moins d’une heure de route de la frontière, et soutenu par un nouvel état-major régional à Voronej. Plusieurs divisions sont désormais positionnées à quelques kilomètres de la frontière, comme la 28^e Brigade motorisée à Klintsy au nord, la 23^e Brigade motorisée à Valuyki à l’est, et la 150^e division blindée à Rostov sur le Don, soit à proximité de la zone séparatiste.

Au cours de l’été, le cessez-le-feu a été rompu à plu­sieurs reprises entre séparatistes et forces ukrainiennes, et l’exercice Kavkaz 2016, qui a mobilisé 12 500 soldats russes à proximité du territoire ukrai­nien, du 5 au 10 septembre, soutenu par les flottes de la mer noire et de la Caspienne, ainsi que par l’armée de l’air et les forces aéromobiles, devrait permettre à Moscou d’aguerrir ses troupes et de renforcer le sentiment d’impunité de ses partisans. (re Sic)

Opening Remarks from U.S. Assistant Secretary for Human Rights, Democracy, and Labor Tom Malinowski | 2016 HDIM

Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Government and Civil Society Representatives,

My name is Tom Malinowski, and I am the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.

Forty-one years ago, the Helsinki Final Act enshrined the principle that respect for human rights within states is essential to security and cooperation among states. The Final Act “recognized the universal significance of human rights and fundamental freedoms” and committed every signatory nation “to promote universal and effective respect for them.”

Time and again, we have seen the wisdom of the Final Act proven. Every threat to the security of Europe, from the Cold War, to the Balkan wars of the 1990s, to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine today, has resulted from the actions of states that deny human rights to their own people; every advance for peace in these situations has come about when respect for rights was restored. That’s why the stakes here are so high.

Yet these principles are being challenged today, even in some of our most established democracies. There are cynical winds blowing across this continent, fanned by those eager to go back to a time when might made right in Europe, by those who see the idealism and universalism embodied in the Helsinki principles as a threat to their power over their people and over neighboring countries.

And so, at a moment when many people are uncertain about the future, I wish to make one thing clear: The United States will continue to uphold and to champion the democratic ideals embodied in the Final Act. We will continue to defend the OSCE and resist every effort to weaken its institutions and our common commitments. We know we can count on the support of the vast majority of participating States and the vast majority of their people in this effort. We are confident that history and time are on the side of the Helsinki ideals, even if certain governments and politicians today are not.

Over the years, some have accused us and countries that support the rights of individuals to assemble peacefully, to speak freely, and to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives, of interference in the internal affairs of others. This view was considered and rejected at our 2010 summit in Astana, when all OSCE participating States reaffirmed that human dimension commitments are matters of direct and legitimate concern to all participating States, and do not belong exclusively to the internal affairs of the State concerned. Intervening in the internal affairs of another state means trying to determine or limit the choices its people make about their future. The defense of human rights does the opposite: it empowers people to decide their own futures.

To that end, the United States has long supported observation of elections across the OSCE, like yesterday’s mission in Russia, not to favor any side (though those who rig elections might see things differently) but to support the right of all individuals to choose their leaders. We have supported organizations in Ukraine uncovering corruption, not just in the former government, but in the current one. Likewise, we have welcomed OSCE observers to American elections. We have never objected to the European Union funding NGOs that campaign against the death penalty in the United States. No confident country or government secure in its democratic legitimacy would be frightened by defenders of electoral integrity or cross-border collaboration among defenders of human rights.
Those governments that persecute as so-called “foreign agents” civil society groups that are so essential to maintaining checks and balances in any democracy are clearly violating the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. They are hurting and disrespecting their people, as Russia so clearly has done in cracking down on citizens groups dedicated to such allegedly dangerous pursuits as fighting torture, educating about HIV/AIDS, and even protecting migratory birds. I join my colleague from the European Union in noting our concern about similar crackdowns in Azerbaijan and countries in central Asia. They are also pursuing policies that will almost certainly fail.

You can cut off activists from foreign funding. You can demonize or persecute those who cooperate with international organizations. Yet in the end people still resist corruption, still protest the destruction of their forests and their lakes, still demand a say in their politics. You cannot stop movements for accountability by blaming foreign interference, because the life force of such movements in all our countries is coming from within, not without. All you will do is to reveal your own insecurity and weakness.

Let’s be clear about where we do see true interference in the internal affairs of states today: we see it in outright military intervention to annex territory or impose one’s will on another country. When Russia, for example, uses threats, force or other forms of coercion to try to keep Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine from acting on sovereign decisions to deepen their integration with Europe, that is the most blatant example of the kind of intervention that the Helsinki Final Act was meant to stop.

Nowhere is Russia’s intervention in internal affairs more brazen and bloody than in the conflict in Ukraine, which Russia continues to fuel by arming, training and commanding so-called “separatists.” The conflict in the Donbas has cost almost 10,000 lives and displaced 1.7 million people. There must be full implementation of the Minsk agreements to end Russian aggression in the Donbas and return the international border to Ukrainian control. And in Crimea, Russia must end its occupation, stop its repression, including of the Tatar minority, and return control of the peninsula to Ukraine. With the vast majority of countries in the world, we steadfastly refuse to recognize Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in these opening remarks, I cannot cover all of the important Human Dimension aspects of security, but I will quickly mention just a few more that are relevant to countering terrorism and combatting intolerance. In upcoming sessions, we’ll discuss these subjects and other subjects more extensively.

Terrorism threatens all of our countries. Many of us have suffered grievous attacks. Most of us are partnering to take the fight to those responsible. Here at HDIM, where we focus on the Human Dimension of security, it is also important to recognize that the choice some states try to impose on their citizens — between security and freedom — is a false choice. Terrorists do not need free elections, free media, or free speech to walk into a public place and gun people down. But these freedoms are needed by the civic organizations through which citizens organize themselves against violent extremists, and the political movements that give people the hope that change can be won peacefully. To limit our freedom is to lower our defenses. The United States has learned from our own experience that we can’t afford to do that.

Nor can we afford the rising intolerance that is a byproduct of the fear terrorism creates. Today’s populist demagogues propagate a message that in many ways mirrors the ideology of Da’esh – blaming minority groups, migrants, and refugees for their nations’ problems, selling the illusion that a return to an imagined past of racial purity will bring safety. Political leaders and public figures, including in the United States, bear a special responsibility to condemn this intolerance, and to remember our history.

Let us remember today the Poles, including Polish Jews, who fled this country in1939 and were welcomed in Muslim Turkey, the free French refugees who found safety in North Africa in 1940, the Hungarian freedom fighters who came to America and many of our countries after 1956. I think it’s safe to say that not all these people had their papers in order when they bundled their families onto a boat or crawled through a hole in a border fence to reach safety, any more than the Syrians of today. Here is what it would not be safe to say: that the tables will never turn, that we ourselves will never again need the generosity of others?

Ladies and gentlemen, we are meeting at a time when all ten of the OSCE’s foundational principles are under attack. Our response to those breaking the rules shouldn’t be to rewrite them, but to reinforce them. We must defend our foundational principles and protect the independence, mandates, and budgets of the OSCE institutions that translate the principles into practice, including ODIHR, the Representative on Freedom of the Media, and the High Commissioner on National Minorities. They hold all of us accountable. None of us should fear them.

My delegation welcomes honest discussion of our own country’s challenges. This year, as before, we will report on the promises we made at the previous HDIM, and I encourage other delegations to do likewise.

It is also a pleasure to be here in the country of my birth, which so graciously hosts this annual gathering, and is home to the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Community of Democracies. Poles have sacrificed and contributed so much in the cause of democracy, for their sake and for others, and the world needs Poland to lead by example more than ever. As Poland works through its current constitutional challenges, I hope that it will continue to take into account the views of civil society and the recommendations of the Venice Commission, so that the process and its outcome serve as further demonstrations of Poland’s deep commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.

From the beginning, human rights defenders have been the life force of the Helsinki process. I especially wish to thank the activists and human rights defenders who have taken personal risks to come here. I also want to pay particular tribute to those whose governments prevented them from being here. Fortunately, their voice will be heard anyway, as we will be beaming them into our HDIM conversations through the power of technology. To those governments that engage in this practice, I’d say that the blocked activists may get even more attention than those who are here. So, congratulations.

At HDIM and every day throughout the year, we will stand with those who work in Baku and Ashgabat, Moscow and Dushanbe, Ankara and Astana, Budapest and Bishkek, Minsk and Tashkent, to defend human dignity, universal rights and democratic government. I hope our discussions will be worthy of their courage. With their contributions, as we have so often before, we will beat back the challenges, and keep realizing the vision and purpose of this extraordinary organization.

U.S. Remarks from Assistant Secretary for Human Rights, Democracy, and Labor Tom Malinowski at the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting 2016 Opening Plenary

US Mission to the OSCE

[Александр]

Real human costs of Russian aggression in Ukraine still uncounted, UN says


As a result of the Russian occupation, about 1.5 million of Donbas residents are at risk of hunger reported the United Nations press service in April 2016. 

At a minimum, 9640 people have been killed and 22,431 wounded as a result of military actions in eastern Ukraine, according to the United Nations monitoring mission’s latest quarterly report.

But the document notes that the indirect costs of the clashes there on the civilian population remains “unknown.”

The report which includes losses both among Ukrainian defenders and Moscow’s military forces, was released in Geneva on September 15, is available online and is discussed in detail.

 
Ruins of Iversky Monastery after shelling near Donetsk International Airport. The Donbas, Ukraine. 18 May 2015 (Image: Mstyslav Chernov)
 
Child soldiers in the Russian hybrid army occupying the Donbas, Ukraine (Image: charter97.org)
 
Internally Displaced Persons from Donbas, Ukraine. Photo by AP.
 
Devastation in the Donbas, Ukraine brought by the Russian invasion (Image: znak.com)
 
Russia is no longer interested in the Donbas destroyed as a result of its military invasion and occupation. To Putin, it is only a mechanism to exert pressure on Ukraine. (Image: UNIAN)
 
Russia is trying to freeze the war in the Donbas and make it into a second depressive Transdniestria. (Image: UNIAN)
 
Avdiyivka ruins, Donbas
 
Russian occupation force entering a captured town in the Donbas, Ukraine in April 2014 (Image: kommersant.ru)
 
Russia’s 5th Tank Brigade in Donbas (Source: InformNapalm)
 
An apartment building in Makeyevka destroyed by artillery fire as result of Russian military aggression in the Donbas, Ukraine. (Image: Ilya Filimonov, Segodnya.ua)
 
Families with children in a bomb shelter in Donetsk hiding from artillery shelling as result of the Russian military aggression in the Donbas, Ukraine (Image: A. Umanets / Segodnya.ua)
 
Graves in the Iver Cemetery in Donetsk near the airport destroyed by artillery fire as a result of the Russian military aggression in the Donbas, Ukraine. December 2014 (Image: social media)
 
Devastation in the Donbas brought by the Russian military aggression in Ukraine. This picture taken on April 23, 2015 shows a bus stop and a church damaged by artillery shelling in the village of Peski near Donetsk. (Image: Oleksandr Ratushniak / AFP)
 
Putin’s military aggression in Donbas devastated Ukrainian territories under the Russian occupation (Image: Novosti Segodnia)
 
Devastation in the Donbas – the product of Putin’s military aggression into peaceful Ukraine. (Image: Slavyansk Delovoy)
 
A funeral for unidentified soldiers killed in action liberating the Donbas region of Ukraine from the hybrid army of the Russian Federation. The funeral was held in the town of Kushugum, Zaphorizhze oblast, on October 1, 2014.
 
A Russian mercenary in the Donbas with heavily bleeding leg wounds being evacuated in the rear (Image: censor.net.ua)
 
Russian Federation servicemen from Chechnia arriving in Donbas in 2014 (Image: AFP)
 
Devastation caused by Russian aggression in Donbas, Ukraine (village of Peski) (Image: http://maxrokotansky.livejournal.com)
 
Devastation caused by Russian aggression in Donbas, Ukraine (village of Peski) (Image: http://maxrokotansky.livejournal.com)
 
Devastation caused by Russian aggression in Donbas, Ukraine (village of Peski) (Image: http://maxrokotansky.livejournal.com)
 
Russian occupation soldier at the devastated Donetsk airport in Donbas, Ukraine (Image: LB.ua)
 
Devastation at Donetsk airport caused by the Russian aggression in Donbas, Ukraine (Image: LB.ua)
 
Devastation at Donetsk airport caused by the Russian aggression in Donbas, Ukraine (Image: LB.ua)
 
Devastation caused by the Russian aggression in Donbas, Ukraine (Image: Tim Judah | NYRblog)
 
Devastation caused by the Russian aggression in Donbas, Ukraine (Image: Tim Judah | NYRblog)
 
One of the groups of Russian special forces and mercenaries that started the Russian invasion in Donbas, Ukraine
 
A house in Donbas destroyed by Russian artillery fire (Image: YouTube screengrab)
 
Russian mercenaries in Donbas, Ukraine (Image: uainfo.org)
 
Devastation from the Russian invasion in Donbas, Ukraine
 
Devastation from the Russian invasion in Donbas, Ukraine (village of Troitske)
 
Devastation from the Russian invasion in Donbas, Ukraine (village of Troitske)
 
Devastation in the Donbas from the Russian aggression

Particularly disturbing is the UN’s finding that the number of combat losses for the last three months has gone up by 66 percent to 28 killed in action and 160 wounded.

The report says that most of these losses were along the front line but adds that there were more losses as a result of mines laid near those lines.


And it specifies that “the number of civilians who have died as a result of secondary consequences of military actions, including the lack of water, medicines or healthcare institutions remains unknown,” implicitly suggesting that the numbers involved in this category is likely quite large.

As the UN has done in earlier quarterly reports, the international organization also points to “the deteriorating situation with regard to human rights” in occupied Crimea. In particular, it notes that law enforcement organs there “continue to question and persecute people for the expression of views which are considered extremist.”

Group of MEPs visit Maryinka to see living conditions there

Members of the European Parliament Rebecca Harms, Michal Boni and Jaromir Stetina, who together with Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Gerashchenko and Ukrainian parliamentarians Maria Ionova and Andriy Lopushynsky visited Donbas. They were able to assess the situation in Maryinka, the eponymous check point and nearby positions of Ukrainian military, as well as to talk to local residents.

"As members of the Parliamentary Committee for [EU-Ukraine] Association we wanted to talk to villagers near the line of contact, visit the check point, talk with IDPs and to visit the front line, the Ukrainian military. It is a pity that only three MEPs out of the 20 who originally planned to go to the east, ventured to make this important trip to see with their own eyes whether it is possible to hold elections there when the same European parliament has recommended its members not to go further than Kyiv because of the danger," Gerashchenko wrote on her Facebook page on Monday.

"Today it is Maryinka, Lenin Street renamed into Prokofiev Street. Locals are joking gloomily that every night they are facing the music… This morning there was shooting by a sniper. The enemy positions are just 500 meters away... A family with two young children, one child with epilepsy, so each shelling ends in heavy epileptic seizure. They showed pieces of grenades, which hit their home a year ago... the Europeans are shocked. They are going down to the cellar, where the family spends nights when the Grads and mortars are hitting," Gerashchenko said.

According to the Verkhovna Rada vice speaker, there still people living in Maryinka and the neighboring Krasnohorivka. Some 5,000 people currently live in Maryinka alone. "There are problems with gas and electricity, the enemy does not allow maintenance of the electricity grids and people are expecting to go through the winter without heat and light. An excavator, which was holding repairs and laying pipes, has been shelled three times now," she said.

Gerashchenko also spoke about the MEPs visit to Maryinka checkpoint. According to her, everything was quite at the check point on Monday, however a few days ago it was closed due to shelling.
"The European guests were able to talk to people from the occupied territories. They go to the government-controlled areas to get pensions and cheaper products," Gerashchenko said. In her words, it was important for locals to see foreigners in their area.

In addition, the group of MEPs visited the place of deployment of Ukrainian military, where they saw their living conditions.
"Our European counterparts believe that those who argue for lifting of sanctions from Russia, should come here, to see the effects of 'brotherly love' on Maryinka," the vice speaker of the Verkhovna Rada said.

Hollande tells UN he will do everything possible for peace in Ukraine

S'il le dit . . .



Speaking from the rostrum at the UN in New York French President Francois Hollande has once again promised to do everything possible, together with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, for peace in Ukraine.

He said this during a speech at the 71st session of the General Assembly, an Ukrinform correspondent has reported.

"France, together with Germany in the ‘Normandy format’, will try to do everything possible for Ukraine for the implementation of the Minsk agreements and peace," said Hollande.

He expressed the hope that all parties would soon be able to move towards a peaceful settlement, and added that he is relying on atop-level meeting with leaders of the ‘Normandy Four’."

It should be noted that "the Ukrainian topic" was only the fourth in the speech of the French leader. Francois Hollande said the priority for France was implementing decisions adopted by the Paris climate conference in combating global warming and ensuring energy supplies in Africa, the conflict in Syria and peaceful settlement of the situation in the Middle East. The French leader focused separately on the need to combat terrorism.

[benoit77]

Accord pour la suppression des armes de moins de 100mm
Si c'est comme l'accord la suppression des armes de plus de 100mm , ça n'ira pas loin.

https://www.facebook.com/darka.olifer/posts/1077734885679946?pnref=story.unseen-section

В Минске подписано рамочное решение Трехсторонней контактной группы о разведении сил и средств.
Украина последовательно выполняет обязательства, взятые на себя в рамках Минских договоренностей и строго придерживается режима тишины. В продолжение этого украинская сторона подписала данное рамочное решение, чтобы обеспечить выполнение Минских соглашений со стороны ОРДЛО.
Документ предполагает деэскалацию в районе линии соприкосновения и фактически создает условия, в которых стрелковое оружие не может использоваться для обстрелов. В то же время, рамочное решение предусматривает полное выполнение предыдущих договоренностей Трехсторонней контактной группы об отведении с линии соприкосновения орудий калибром менее 100 мм.
В соответствии с рамочным решением о разведении сил и средств СММ ОБСЕ совершает «на постоянной основе мониторинг и верификацию процесса разведения сил и средств на согласованных участках разведения».
Следует особо отметить, что данное разведение запланировано только на трех участках с чётко определёнными координатами. В то же время украинская сторона считает, что в ходе имплементации этого рамочного решения могут быть отработаны подходы к возможному разведению сил и средств вдоль всей линии разграничения.
При подготовке документа украинская сторона полностью исключила попытки вольного толкования параметров и статуса линии разграничения, поскольку в тексте рамочного решения зафиксировано, что данный документ принимается в продолжение протокола от 5 сентября 2014 г., меморандума от 19 сентября 2014 г., комплекса мер по выполнению Минских соглашений от 12 февраля 2015 г.
От Украины рамочное решение подписал Леонид Кучма, от ОБСЕ – Мартин Сайдик, от России - Борис Грызлова.

[Александр]

Le long de la ligne de front seulement!

Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk agrees on withdrawal of forces from Donbas frontlines


Ukrainian army forces continuing their operation against separatists in the east of the country (Getty Images)

Framework agreement provides for pullout of forces at three key sectors in eastern Ukraine 
       

The Trilateral Contact Group working on settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine has reached a framework agreement on withdrawing troops and heavy weapons from a demarcation line in Donbas.

This was reported by Darka Olifer, the spokesperson of Ukraine's envoy to the Minsk talks Leonid Kuchma.

"The document implies de-escalation around the contact line and actually creates the conditions under which small arms cannot be used for attacks. At the same time, the framework decision provides for full implementation of the previous agreements of the Trilateral Contact Group on withdrawal of all weapons of the caliber less than 100 mm," Olifer wrote on her Facebook page.

Read also Ukraine reports de-escalation in Donbas: 13 attacks in last day

According to the framework agreement, OSCE SMM "conducts permanent monitoring and verification of the withdrawal process at the agreed sectors."

Kuchma's press secretary underlined that the pullout was negotiated at three sites only
.
The Ukrainian side believes that the implementation of the aforementioned agreement is the first step to the full withdrawal of forces along the whole contact line.

The framework agreement was signed by Ukraine's representative Leonid Kuchma, OSCE special representative Martin Sajdik, and Russia's Boris Gryzlov.

Certain que c'est un voeux pieux . . .

[benoit77]

Galli disait donc que l'ukraine serait en défaut de paiement fin 2015 . reprenant les bobards russes au prétexte que le FMI ne soutenait plus l'ukraine:

septembre 2016 : le FMI soutient toujours l'ukraine qui se reforme tant bien que mal. Les seuls à s'opposer au soutien , c'est les russes qui sont désormais tout seul le nez dans leur merde :
http://economy.apostrophe.ua/article/finansy-i-banki/2016-09-15/rossiya-teryaet-soyuznikov-v-mvf/7282

[Александр]

Logique, on ne récolte que ce que l'on sème . . . à méditer!

[Александр]

Le rapport du jour de l'OSCE: "The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations both in Donetsk (including 38 explosions recorded) and Luhansk (one explosion recorded) regions compared with the previous reporting period (including 35 and no explosions recorded, respectively)."

Pas de russes en Ukraine hein?

6K Russia's regular troops, 35K mercenaries- trained, commanded by Russian military- in east Ukraine via @MFA_Ukraine #stoprussianaggression



A propos de l'accord d'hier, plus de précisions:

Trilateral contact group signs separation of forces deal for 3 sections in Donbas

The Trilateral Liaison Group in Minsk has signed a framework agreement on separation of forces in three sections of the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine providing specific coordinates for their relocation, according to Darka Olifer, a spokesperson for Ukraine`s envoy to the group, former president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma.

Olifer noted that Ukraine had been consistently fulfilling its commitments within the framework of the Minsk agreements, strictly adhering to the ceasefire introduced earlier.

”To continue the process, the Ukrainian side signed this framework decision in order to ensure the implementation of the Minsk agreements by the representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions [occupied territories],” reads the report.

Olifer has told that the document suggests de-escalation along the contact line and actually creates the conditions in which small arms cannot be used for attacks.

At the same time, the framework decision provides for full implementation of the previous agreements of the Tripartite Liaison Group regarding the withdrawal from the contact line of artillery with caliber under 100mm.

Also in accordance with the framework decision on the separation of forces and weapons, the OSCE SMM ”on a regular basis monitors and verifies of the process of separation of forces and weapons in the areas agreed.”


”It should be noted that the separation is planned only at three sections with clearly-defined coordinates At the same time, the Ukrainian side believes that in the course of implementation of the framework decision, the approaches can be worked out to a possible separation of forces and weaponsm along the whole contact line,” she wrote.

In addition, Olifer stressed that in drafting the document, the Ukrainian side had completely eliminated the attempts to free interpretation of parameters and status of the contact line, as the text of the framework decision stipulates that this document was adopted in continuation of the protocol dated September 5, 2014, a memorandum of September 19, 2014 , and a package of measures to implement the Minsk agreement of February 12, 2015.

From the Ukrainian side, the framework decision was signed by Leonid Kuchma, from the OSCE – by Martin Sajdik, and from Russia – by Boris Gryzlov.
According to Sajdik, the three sections are the settlement of Stanytsia Luhanska and the towns of Petrivske and Zolote.

Encore des soucis pour les russes (non présents n'est-ce pas)

Russian officers throw militants into cesspit as punishment – Ukraine Intel

A group of combatants attempted to leave their brigade, which the Russians didn't like, report says 
       

On September 21, Ukrainian Intelligence Service published a report, claiming 23 combatants from the co-called ‘2nd brigade', located in Luhansk, had filed a request to demob from their division.

Read also: Pro-Russian militant leader from Eastern Ukraine shot dead near Moscow – media

According to the report, the militants weren't pleased with their Russian commanders, who had allegedly forced them to do reconstruction and general labor activities during the relatively solid ceasefire. The Russians didn't take the request too good, and decided to punish ‘the rebels'.

‘Russian Majors Alexey Bogakov and Andrey Frolov threw the militants into a cesspit, which only further decreased the moral among the combatants', Ukraine Intel said.


Read also: Ukraine shows PACE how Russian propagandist torments maimed hostage

The relatively solid ceasefire is holding, the report stated, although occasional violations of the truce still take place. While the guns were completely silent in the Luhansk region during the last 24 hours, the Russian backed-separatist forces opened fire 13 times overnight near Donetsk.

‘No Ukrainian soldiers died or were wounded as a result of the combat', Ukraine's Defense Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk reported.

In the meantime, the Russians are using the ceasefire to send more weapons and military vehicles to the militants in eastern Ukraine. According to Motuzyanyk, more than 200 tons of ammunition were delivered to separatist-held Debaltseve, while three tanks T-64, seven trucks and several armored cars were transported to Donetsk. 
Here's the latest map, depicting the situation in the conflict region.

[Александр]

Après les accords d'hier, ce n'est pas fini:

Contact Group to discuss creation of another seven security zones on Donbas contact line

The Contact Group for Ukraine will soon discuss the possible creation of another seven security zones on the Donbas contact line, a source from the security subgroup has told Interfax.

"Implementation of the security zone mechanism in three pilot areas will be studied and the formation of another seven security zones on the contact line will be pondered in the future. Hence, their total number will grow to ten," the source said.

As reported, the Contact Group would again converge in Minsk on October 5.

Poroshenko Lambasts Russia Over Conflict In Eastern Ukraine


Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko addresses the UN General Assembly in New York on September 21.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has criticized Russia for being "the instigator and major participant" in the ongoing deadly conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Poroshenko told the UN General Assembly on September 21 that Russia was financing, sponsoring, and coordinating "terrorist groups which have committed countless crimes against my compatriots."

He added that "the terrorist component of the undeclared hybrid war that Russia wages against Ukraine is evident."

More than 9,600 people have been killed since separatist forces and Ukrainian government troops began fighting in April 2014.

Poroshenko also used his UN speech to criticize what he called the UN Security Council's "inefficiency" in resolving the war in Syria or reacting more forcefully to "Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of Crimea." 

He said the council's limitations "undermines the mission" of the UN and "challenges its existence."

Poroshenko met with U.S. President Barack Obama later on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session. The Ukrainian president said the two discussed the next steps in implementing the Minsk agreements and U.S. financial aid to Kyiv of some $1 billion in loan guarantees.

In Minsk, Ukrainian officials and Russia-backed separatist representatives agreed on September 21 to pull back troops and heavy weapons from several areas in eastern Ukraine in an effort to uphold a tenuous peace deal reached in the Belarusian capital in 2015.

Based on reporting by AP and Interfax

President Poroshenko: World failed to pass exam with the Budapest memorandum



Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that the non-fulfilment of the Budapest Memorandum is not only the defeat of Ukraine, but of the entire democratic world too.

“Let’s be frank, we failed to pass exam with the Budapest memorandum. Then democratic world lost its first battle – it was not only about Ukraine, but also about credibility of agreements. However, Ukraine as a responsible international actor has always been and remains a committed advocate of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament,” President Poroshenko said at the 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

He recalled that Ukraine voluntarily dismantled its own nuclear arsenal, the third largest in the world in exchange for security, sovereignty and territorial integrity assurances under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum. “Regretfully, all these assurances remained just a piece of paper,” President Poroshenko noted.

Thus, timely and effective action of the international community – the Security Council in the first place – in response to the North Korean nuclear test is one more exam for all of us, the Head of the Ukrainian state noted.

“We must not allow plunging the world into a new nuclear arms race. Huge global instability and ever-growing security challenges increasingly demand strong leadership both in states and in international organizations. The United Nations is no exception,” President Poroshenko stated.

President of Ukraine calls on UNICEF to prevent abuses of children in occupied areas in Donbas



Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko speaking at the 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday called on the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to tackle the situation with teenagers who have been taken hostage in occupied areas in Donbas, the president’s press service reports.

“We were shocked to know that recently Russia-backed illegal armed formations in the occupied areas of Donbas took children hostages. They showed a video of interrogation of teenagers who they absurdly accuse of conspiring and carrying out subversive operations. This behavior is out of place in the 21 century. We call on UNICEF to intervene and prevent abuses and tortures of these children,” President Poroshenko stated.

He also noted that in its third year, the aggression against Ukraine continues bringing pain and suffering to the Ukrainian people.

”2, 430 people have been killed. Significant part - over the past year. The total death toll of this war in the heart of Europe inflicted on us has amounted to 2,500 military and 7,500 civilians. Altogether 10,000 people. Hundreds of hostages remain in unlawful captivity in Donbas and in Russia,” President Poroshenko said and called on the world leadership to influence on the country-aggressor.

Il est évident qu'il profite de l'auditoire pour régler quelques comptes . . .

[Александр]

Précisions:

L'armée de Kiev et les séparatistes se retireront de trois lieux

L'Ukraine et les séparatistes soutenus par la Russie ont décidé mercredi de retirer leurs troupes de trois petites communes de la ligne de front dans l'est de l'Ukraine, un projet-pilote qui fait partie de la dernière initiative pour faire régner le calme dans la région.

Dans le cadre de l'accord conclu, les forces armées des deux camps n'ont plus le droit d'entrer dans les trois secteurs, qui font chacun quatre kilomètres carrés sur une ligne de front de 480 km. Le retrait doit commencer d'ici un mois et doit être achevé en trois jours.

Les trois communes sont Stanitsia Louhanska et Zolote, dans la région de Louhansk, et Petrovske dans la région de Donetsk, a indiqué l'Organisation pour la sécurité et la coopération en Europe (OSCE).

Cette décision fait suite à une nouvelle trêve conclue le 15 septembre dernier après la conclusion d'un cessez-le-feu temporaire le 1er septembre. et
Depuis avril 2014, la guerre dans l'est de l'Ukraine a tué plus de 9.600 militaires, civils et rebelles pro-russes.

Les ministres allemand et français des Affaires étrangères ont salué l'accord tout en restant prudents.

"Nous avons dû apprendre que ni les déclarations de bonne volonté ni les promesses de retrait des armes n'étaient suffisantes pour parvenir à un cessez-le-feu durable", a déclaré Frank-Walter Steinmeier au quotidien Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Son homologue français est allé dans le même sens.

"Il ne s'agit donc pas d'un aboutissement, mais du début d'un processus qui vise à consolider le cessez-le-feu fragile qui est entré en vigueur le 1er septembre 2016. À ce titre, cet accord doit être pleinement exécuté par ses signataires, puis étendu à d'autres points de la ligne de contact", a déclaré Jean-Marc Ayrault.

(Andreï Makhovski avec John Irish à New York et Andrea Shalal à Berlin; Danielle Rouquié pour le service français)

[Александр]

Texte paru sur la page FB de l'ambassade UKR aux USA:

UA/EN
Палата представників Конгресу США одностайно схвалила закон H.R. 5094 “Про підтримку стабільності і демократії в Україні” http://bit.ly/2cSbcwW, раніше підтриманий Комітетом у закордонних справах.

Документ, ініційований Співголовою Комітету у закордонних справах Палати представників Еліотом Енгелем та внесений ним спільно з конгресменом-республіканцем Адамом Кінзінгером, фіксує збереження американських санкцій проти РФ до своєчасного, повного і доведеного виконання нею Мінських домовленостей.

Закон містить заборону на визнання Сполученими Штатами анексії Російською Федерацією Криму. Передбачається, що відповідні санкції залишатимуться чинними доки Президент США не надасть до Конгресу свідчення про відновлення суверенітету України над півостровом.

До переліку передбачених законом координованих з союзниками та партнерами США засобів підтримки України включено летальні оборонні системи озброєнь. Окремі його положення спрямовані на посилення протидії російській інформаційній пропаганді та сприяння залученню іноземних інвестицій в економіку України.

Співавторами документа виступили біля 40 конгресменів від Демократичної та Республіканської партій. Перед його підписанням Президентом США ідентичний за змістом законопроект має бути підтриманий Сенатом.
_____
The U.S. House of Representatives passed unanimously H.R. 5094 “Stability and Democracy for Ukraine Act” earlier reported favorably by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs http://bit.ly/2cSbcwW.
The document, sponsored by House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel and introduced by him together with Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, states that it is the policy of the United States to ensure that any relevant sanctions relief for the Russian Federation is contingent on timely, complete, and verifiable implementation of Minsk agreements.

 The bill includes prohibitions against United States recognition of the Russian Federation’s attempted annexation of Crimea and provides for the maintenance of U.S. sanctions with specific respect to Russian Federation’s occupation of the Ukraine’s peninsular.

 It also states that it is the policy of the United States to further assist the Government of Ukraine in restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity to contain, reverse, and deter Russian aggression in Ukraine and that that policy shall be carried into effect, among other things, through a comprehensive effort, in coordination with allies and partners of the United States, that includes sanctions, diplomacy, and assistance, including lethal defensive weapons systems.


 The legislation directs the Secretary of State to develop and implement a strategy to respond to Russian Federation-supported dis-information and propaganda efforts aimed toward persons in countries bordering the Russian Federation. Also, according to the bill, it is in the United States national security interest to increase the availability of insurance to support increased private investment in Ukraine. 

 The bill is currently cosponsored by nearly forty Democratic and Republican congressmen. Before the President can sign the bill into law, identical version of the document must pass the U.S. Senate.

Le soucis apparait en lisant le texte officiel du congrès:

H.R.5094 - STAND for Ukraine Act

114th CONGRESS
2d Session

H. R. 5094

To contain, reverse, and deter Russian aggression in Ukraine, to assist Ukraine’s democratic transition, and for other purposes.

---

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 28, 2016

Mr. Engel (for himself, Mr. Kinzinger of Illinois, Mr. Levin, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Costa, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Pompeo, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Shimkus, Mr. Keating, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Cohen, and Mr. Ribble) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

---

A BILL

To contain, reverse, and deter Russian aggression in Ukraine, to assist Ukraine’s democratic transition, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title and table of contents.


(a) Short title.—This Act may be cited as the “Stability and Democracy for Ukraine Act” or “STAND for Ukraine Act”.

(b) Table of contents.—The table of contents for this Act is as follows:


Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Statements of policy.

TITLE I—CRIMEA ANNEXATION NON-RECOGNITION

Sec. 101. United States policy against recognition of territorial changes effected by force alone.
Sec. 102. Prohibitions against United States recognition of the Russian Federation’s annexation of Crimea.
Sec. 103. Codification of sanctions under certain Executive orders relating to Ukraine.

TITLE II—SANCTIONS PROVISIONS

Sec. 201. Prohibiting certain transactions with foreign sanctions evaders with respect to the Russian Federation.
Sec. 202. Reports on certain foreign financial institutions.
Sec. 203. Requirements relating to transfers of defense articles and defense services to the Russian Federation.
Sec. 204. Amendments to Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012.

TITLE III—OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 301. Consortium to support increased private investment in Ukraine.
Sec. 302. Strategy to respond to Russian Federation-supported information and propaganda efforts directed toward Russian-speaking communities in countries bordering the Russian Federation.



SEC. 2. Statements of policy.


(a) In general.—It is the policy of the United States to further assist the Government of Ukraine in restoring its sovereignty and territorial integrity to contain, reverse, and deter Russian aggression in Ukraine. That policy shall be carried into effect, among other things, through a comprehensive effort, in coordination with allies and partners of the United States where appropriate, that includes sanctions, diplomacy, and assistance for the people of Ukraine intended to enhance their ability to consolidate a rule of law-based democracy with a free market economy and to exercise their right under international law to self-defense.

(b) Additional statement of policy.—It is further the policy of the United States—

(1) to use its voice, vote, and influence in international fora to encourage others to provide assistance that is similar to assistance described in subsection (a) to Ukraine; and



(2) to ensure that any relevant sanctions relief for the Russian Federation is contingent on timely, complete, and verifiable implementation of the Minsk Agreements, especially the restoration of Ukraine’s control of the entirety of its eastern border with the Russian Federation in the conflict zone.

TITLE I—Crimea annexation non-recognition

SEC. 101. United states policy against recognition of territorial changes effected by force alone.


Between the years of 1940 and 1991, the United States did not recognize the forcible incorporation and annexation of the three Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the Soviet Union under a policy known as the “Stimson Doctrine”.


SEC. 102. Prohibitions against United States recognition of the Russian Federation’s annexation of Crimea.


(a) In general.—In accordance with United States policy enumerated in section 101, no Federal department or agency should take any action or extend any assistance that recognizes or implies any recognition of the de jure or de facto sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea, its airspace, or its territorial waters.

(b) Documents portraying Crimea as part of Russian Federation.—In accordance with United States policy enumerated in section 101, the Government Publishing Office should not print any map, document, record, or other paper of the United States portraying or otherwise indicating Crimea as part of the territory of the Russian Federation.

SEC. 103. Codification of sanctions under certain Executive orders relating to Ukraine.


(a) Codification of Executive orders.—

(1) EXECUTIVE ORDERS 13660, 13661, AND 13662.—United States sanctions provided for in the Executive orders described in subsection (b), imposed on or before April 6, 2014, and as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect until the date on which the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees a certification described in subsection (c).



(2) EXECUTIVE ORDER 13685.—United States sanctions provided for in Executive Order 13685 (December 19, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg. 77357; relating to blocking property of certain persons and prohibiting certain transactions with respect to the Crimea region of Ukraine), as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect until the date on which the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees a certification described in subsection (c).



(b) Executive orders described.—The Executive orders described in this subsection are the following:

(1) Executive Order 13660 (March 6, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg. 13493; relating to blocking property of certain persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine).



(2) Executive Order 13661 (March 16, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg. 15535; relating to blocking property of additional persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine).



(3) Executive Order 13662 (March 20, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg. 16169; relating to blocking property of additional persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine).



(c) Certification.—A certification described in this subsection is a certification of the President that—

(1) Ukraine’s sovereignty over Crimea has been restored; or



(2) the status of Crimea has been resolved, through an internationally supervised process, to the satisfaction of a democratically elected Government of Ukraine.



(d) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the authority of the President to impose additional United States sanctions with specific respect to the Russian Federation’s occupation of Crimea pursuant to the Executive orders described in subsections (a)(2) and (b).

(e) Appropriate congressional committees.—In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives; and



(2) Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.

TITLE II—Sanctions provisions

SEC. 201. Prohibiting certain transactions with foreign sanctions evaders with respect to the Russian Federation.


The Support for the Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy, and Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–95; 22 U.S.C. 8901 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:


“SEC. 10. Prohibiting certain transactions with foreign sanctions evaders with respect to the Russian Federation.



“(a) In general.—The President is authorized to impose with respect to a foreign person the sanctions described in subsection (b) if the President determines that the foreign person knowingly—

“(1) has materially violated, attempted to violate, conspired to violate, or caused a violation of any license, order, regulation, or prohibition contained in, or issued pursuant to any covered Executive order; or



“(2) has facilitated significant deceptive or structured transactions for or on behalf of any person subject to United States sanctions concerning the Russian Federation.





“(b) Sanctions described.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The sanctions described in this subsection are the exercise of all powers granted to the President by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to the extent necessary to block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of a person determined by the President to be subject to subsection (a) if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person.



“(2) EXCEPTION.—

“(A) IN GENERAL.—The authority to impose sanctions under paragraph (1) shall not include the authority to impose sanctions relating to the importation of goods.



“(B) GOOD DEFINED.—In paragraph (A), the term ‘good’ has the meaning given that term in section 16 of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2415) (as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)).





“(3) PENALTIES.—A person that is subject to sanctions described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.





“(c) Waiver.—The President may waive the application of sanctions under subsection (b) on a case-by-case for a period of not more than 120 days, and may renew that waiver for additional periods of not more than 120 days with respect to a person if the President determines that such a waiver is in the national interests of the United States and on or before the date on which the waiver takes effect, submits to the appropriate congressional committees a notice of and justification for the waiver.



“(d) Implementation authority.—The President may exercise all authorities provided to the President under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) for purposes of carrying out this section.



“(e) Regulatory authority.—The President shall issue such regulations, licenses, and orders as are necessary to carry out this section.



“(f) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means—

“(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives; and



“(B) Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.





“(2) COVERED EXECUTIVE ORDER.—The term ‘covered Executive order’ means any of the following:

“(A) Executive Order 13660 (March 6, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg. 13493; relating to blocking property of certain persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine).



“(B) Executive Order 13661 (March 16, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg. 15535; relating to blocking property of additional persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine).



“(C) Executive Order 13662 (March 20, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg. 16169; relating to blocking property of additional persons contributing to the situation in Ukraine).



“(D) Executive Order 13685 (December 19, 2014; 79 Fed. Reg. 77357; relating to blocking property of certain persons and prohibiting certain transactions with respect to the Crimea region of Ukraine).





“(3) FOREIGN PERSON.—The term ‘foreign person’ means—

“(A) an individual who is not a United States person;



“(B) a corporation, partnership, or other nongovernmental entity which is not a United States person;



“(C) any official, representative, agent, or instrumentality of, or an individual working on behalf of a foreign government; or



“(D) a foreign government.





“(4) UNITED STATES PERSON.—The term ‘United States person’ means—

“(A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States; or



“(B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity, or any person in the United States.”.







SEC. 202. Reports on certain foreign financial institutions.


The Support for the Sovereignty, Integrity, Democracy, and Economic Stability of Ukraine Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–95; 22 U.S.C. 8901 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 10 (as added by section 201 of this Act) the following new section:


“SEC. 11. Reports on certain foreign financial institutions.



“(a) In general.—Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section, and every 180 days thereafter for a period not to exceed 2 years, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury shall jointly submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on—

“(1) foreign financial institutions that are in direct control of Government of Ukraine state-owned or controlled assets in a manner determined by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to be in violation of the sovereignty, independence, or territorial integrity of Ukraine;



“(2) foreign financial institutions determined by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to be complicit in illicit financial activity, including money laundering, terrorism and proliferation financing, transnational organized crime, or misappropriation of state assets, that are—

“(A) organized under the laws of the Russian Federation and have a capitalization of not less than $20,000,000,000; or



“(B) owned or controlled by a foreign person whose property or interests in property have been blocked pursuant to any covered Executive order; and





“(3) foreign financial institutions that are directly or indirectly assisting or otherwise aiding the violation of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.





“(b) Form.—The report required to be submitted under this subsection shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.



“(c) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means—

“(A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives; and



“(B) Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate.





“(2) COVERED EXECUTIVE ORDER.—The term ‘covered Executive order’ has the meaning given the term in section 10(f) of this Act.”.





SEC. 203. Requirements relating to transfers of defense articles and defense services to the Russian Federation.


(a) Statement of policy.—It is the policy of the United States to oppose the transfer of defense articles and defense services from any country that is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to, or on behalf of, the Russian Federation, during any period in which the Russian Federation forcibly occupies the territory of Ukraine or of a NATO member country.

(b) Adoption of NATO policy.—The President shall use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States in NATO to seek the adoption of a policy by NATO that is consistent with the policy of the United States specified in subsection (a).

(c) Monitoring and identification of transfers.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall direct the heads of the appropriate departments and agencies of the United States to monitor all transfers of defense articles and defense services from NATO member countries to the Russian Federation and identify those transfers that are contrary to the policy of the United States specified in subsection (a).



(2) REPORT.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The President shall submit a written report to the chairmen and ranking members of the appropriate committees of Congress within 5 days of the receipt of information indicating that a transfer described in paragraph (1) has occurred.



(B) FORM.—The report required under subparagraph (A) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex.





(d) Restrictions on transfers.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—If a NATO member country transfers, or allows a transfer by a person subject to its national jurisdiction of, a defense article or defense service on or after the date of the enactment of this Act that is intended for a military end-use or end-user and which makes a significant contribution to the military capabilities of the Russian Federation in contravention of the policy of the United States specified in subsection (a) and is identified pursuant to subsection (c), an application for a license or other authorization required under the Arms Export Control Act for the transfer of any defense article or defense service to, or on behalf of, that NATO member country shall be subject to a presumption of denial.



(2) EFFECTIVE PERIOD.—A presumption of denial shall apply to an application for a license or other authorization under paragraph (1) only during a period in which the President determines that the Russian Federation has forcibly occupied the territory of Ukraine or of a NATO member country.



(3) NATIONAL SECURITY WAIVER.—The President may waive the restriction on the transfer of any defense article or defense service to, or on behalf of, a NATO member country in paragraph (1) if the President—

(A) determines that the waiver is in the national security interest of the United States; and



(B) submits to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the determination and the reasons for the determination.





(4) AMENDMENT TO ITAR.—Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall amend the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations for purposes of implementing this subsection.



(e) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.—The term “appropriate committees of Congress” means—

(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives; and



(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.





(2) DEFENSE ARTICLES AND DEFENSE SERVICES.—The terms “defense article” and “defense service” have the meanings given such terms in section 47 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2794 note).



SEC. 204. Amendments to Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012.


(a) List of persons.—Section 404 of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended—

(1) in the section heading, by striking “gross violations” and inserting “serious abuses”; and



(2) in subsection (a)(2)—

(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “gross violations” and inserting “serious abuses”; and



(B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting after “Russia” the following: “or in any territory forcibly occupied or otherwise controlled by the Government of the Russian Federation”.





(b) Effective date.—The amendments made by subsection (a) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to updates of the list required to be submitted under section 404 of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 on or after such date of enactment.

TITLE III—Other matters

SEC. 301. Consortium to support increased private investment in Ukraine.


(a) Findings.—Congress finds the following:

(1) Private investment in Ukraine is essential for Ukraine’s long-term economic recovery, employment, and fiscal stability.



(2) Private investment in Ukraine requires the availability of insurance to protect investors against loss due to armed conflict, political violence, expropriation, and other risks that constitute an obstacle to private investment.



(3) It is in the United States national security interest to seek to establish an international consortium, with other national governments, multilateral organizations, and investors and insurers, to increase the availability of insurance to support increased private investment in Ukraine.



(4) An international consortium would be an effective mechanism to spread the risk against loss among a broad group of governmental and private insurers.



(b) Establishment.—The Secretary of State, after consultation with the Government of Ukraine, shall seek to establish an international consortium to support increased private investment in Ukraine and to provide for participation by the Government of the United States in such consortium.

(c) Membership.—The consortium established pursuant to subsection (b) should be composed of the following members:

(1) The Government of the United States, to include the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.



(2) The national governments of other interested countries.



(3) Appropriate multilateral organizations.



(4) Private insurance companies and other appropriate private sector entities.



(d) Duties.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The consortium established pursuant to subsection (b) should issue insurance, upon such terms and conditions as the consortium may determine, to protect investors against the risk of loss of private investments in Ukraine.



(2) ADDITIONAL DUTIES.—The consortium should—

(A) ensure that members of the consortium share in issuing insurance and are liable for payments of claims by investors in proportion to each member’s agreed-upon share;



(B) at a minimum, ensure that members of the consortium provide insurance against the risk of loss due to armed conflict, political violence, and expropriation in Ukraine;



(C) provide reinsurance to entities that have issued or underwritten insurance to investors in Ukraine against the risk of loss; and



(D) establish a procedure for processing, negotiating, and settling claims for losses incurred and should utilize, to the maximum extent possible, the resources of the members of the consortium to carry out such functions.





(e) Role of OPIC.—Upon the request of the Secretary of State, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation should—

(1) assist the Secretary of State in securing membership of private insurance companies and other appropriate private sector entities in the consortium;



(2) participate in underwriting insurance consistent with the statutory provisions applicable to the Corporation; and



(3) provide staff with relevant expertise to assist in establishing and administering the consortium, on a reimbursable basis.



SEC. 302. Strategy to respond to Russian Federation-supported information and propaganda efforts directed toward Russian-speaking communities in countries bordering the Russian Federation.


(a) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that the Broadcasting Board of Governors shall establish Crimean Tatar services subordinate to the Ukrainian language services and shall broadcast and direct Crimean Tatar language content into Crimea.

(b) In general.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall develop and implement a strategy to respond to Russian Federation-supported disinformation and propaganda efforts directed toward persons in countries bordering the Russian Federation.

(c) Matters To be included.—The strategy required under subsection (b) should include the following:

(1) Development of a response to propaganda and disinformation campaigns as an element of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, specifically—

(A) assistance in building the capacity of the Ukrainian military to document conflict zones and disseminate information in real time;



(B) assistance in enhancing broadcast capacity with terrestrial television transmitters in Eastern Ukraine; and



(C) media training for officials of the Government of Ukraine.





(2) Establishment of a partnership with partner governments and private-sector entities to provide Russian-language entertainment and news content to broadcasters in Russian-speaking communities bordering the Russian Federation.



(3) Assessment of the extent of Russian Federation influence in political parties, financial institutions, media organizations, and other entities seeking to exert political influence and sway public opinion in favor of Russian Federation policy across Europe.



(d) Report.—The Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the strategy required under subsection (b) and its implementation.

(e) Appropriate congressional committees.—In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives; and



(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate.

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