Showing posts with label President Petro Poroshenko. Show all posts
Showing posts with label President Petro Poroshenko. Show all posts

Sunday, February 15, 2015

DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: The Hours Before The Ceasefire Between Ukraine And Pro-Russian Rebels – In Picture

DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: The Hours Before The Ceasefire Between Ukraine And Pro-Russian Rebels – In Picture
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 14, 2015Fears for Ukraine’s ceasefire as clashes with Russia-backed rebels intensify. Neither side seems to expect an end to the conflict, and both were trying to shore up their positions before the deadline.

Fighting between government and rebel forces in eastern Ukraine trailed off in the first hours after a midnight ceasefire began – but steady shelling resumed later in the morning near the besieged city of Debaltseve.

Kiev and the breakaway republics in the east said fighting had quietened and the ceasefire was mostly being observed.

But the Guardian heard mortar fire to the east of Luhanske on the highway to Debaltseve, where up to 8,000 Ukrainian troops have been under rebel attack for weeks.

The UN security council was convening an emergency session on Sunday to hear a Russian resolution on the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

South of Luhanske is a 10-mile stretch of road that is often shelled by rebels and is reportedly mined, largely cutting off Debaltseve from the rest of the Ukrainian forces. Further north on the highway a destroyed troop transport truck was still smoking on Sunday morning.

Soldiers at the last checkpoint in Luhanske said the guns had gone quiet after the midnight ceasefire, but shelling of Ukrainian positions in the area had resumed around 6am – a report confirmed by the press service of Kiev’s “anti-terrorist operation”.

“There’s no ceasefire here,” said a Ukrainian soldier who would give only his first name, Andrei.

“It’s a present from Putin,” joked another soldier, gesturing in the direction of the shelling.

The soldiers said Ukrainian forces were not shooting back, but some of the shelling to the east of Luhanske sounded like outgoing fire. Ukrainian army command said its forces were observing the ceasefire but would return fire if attacked or if the rebels shelled residential areas.

Related - DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: The Hours Before The Ceasefire Between Ukraine And Pro-Russian Rebels – In Picture







*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Defense News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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Saturday, September 20, 2014

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Canadian Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bombers in Arctic

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Canadian Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bombers in Arctic
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources CBC News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 20, 2014Fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers flying about 75 kilometres off Canada’s Arctic coast in the early morning hours Thursday, NORAD revealed to CBC News.

Two CF-18s met the Tupolev Tu-95 long-range bombers, commonly referred to as "Bears," at around 1:30 a.m. PT as they flew a course in “the western reaches” of Canada’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the Beaufort Sea, said Maj. Beth Smith, spokeswoman for North American Aerospace Defence Command.

The ADIZ extends approximately 320 kilometres from Canada’s coastlines, a distance far beyond the 22 kilometres, or 12 nautical miles, from the coast that define a nation’s sovereign airspace. Smith made it clear that the Russian bombers never entered Canada’s sovereign airspace, but did come within about 75 kilometres of Canada's mainland. 

The encounter comes one day after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko delivered a speech in Parliament thanking Canada for its ongoing support as his country’s forces battle with pro-Russian separatist rebels.

“This is disturbing. We’ve heard stories like in the past, of Russian bombers challenging Canadian airspace,” said James Bezan, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of National Defence and a Conservative MP from Manitoba.

“This plays into the narrative of a Putin regime that’s more aggressive not just in Crimea, not just in Ukraine, but indeed testing their neighbour in their entire region," he said. 

About six hours before the CF-18s intercepted the Russian bombers, American F-22 fighter jets were scrambled from a base in Alaska to meet a group of Russian aircraft, including two refuelling tankers, two MiG-31 fighters and two long-range bombers.

After the U.S. jets made contact, the group headed west back towards Russian airspace.

“We’re seeing increased aggressive actions being taken by the Russian Federation,” Bezan said during an interview on CBC’s Power & Politics.

Despite the ongoing tensions between Western allies and Russia, it is not the first time Canadian and U.S. aircraft have intercepted Russian bombers seemingly flying toward sovereign airspace.

According to Smith, NORAD has dispatched fighter jets to make contact with Russian long-range bombers “in excess of 50 times” in the last five years.

Canadian jets intercepted the same type of long-range bombers off the coast of Newfoundland in 2010. After that incident, Peter MacKay, then minister of defence, told CBC News that Canadian military aircraft intercept between 12 and 18 Russian bombers annually.

Fighter jets intercepted two Russian bombers flying about 75 kilometres off Canada’s Arctic coast in the early morning hours Thursday, NORAD revealed to CBC News.

Two CF-18s met the Tupolev Tu-95 long-range bombers, commonly referred to as "Bears," at around 1:30 a.m. PT as they flew a course in “the western reaches” of Canada’s Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the Beaufort Sea, said Maj. Beth Smith, spokeswoman for North American Aerospace Defence Command.

The ADIZ extends approximately 320 kilometres from Canada’s coastlines, a distance far beyond the 22 kilometres, or 12 nautical miles, from the coast that define a nation’s sovereign airspace. Smith made it clear that the Russian bombers never entered Canada’s sovereign airspace, but did come within about 75 kilometres of Canada's mainland. 

The encounter comes one day after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko delivered a speech in Parliament thanking Canada for its ongoing support as his country’s forces battle with pro-Russian separatist rebels.

“This is disturbing. We’ve heard stories like in the past, of Russian bombers challenging Canadian airspace,” said James Bezan, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of National Defence and a Conservative MP from Manitoba.

“This plays into the narrative of a Putin regime that’s more aggressive not just in Crimea, not just in Ukraine, but indeed testing their neighbour in their entire region," he said. 

About six hours before the CF-18s intercepted the Russian bombers, American F-22 fighter jets were scrambled from a base in Alaska to meet a group of Russian aircraft, including two refuelling tankers, two MiG-31 fighters and two long-range bombers.

After the U.S. jets made contact, the group headed west back towards Russian airspace.

“We’re seeing increased aggressive actions being taken by the Russian Federation,” Bezan said during an interview on CBC’s Power & Politics.

Despite the ongoing tensions between Western allies and Russia, it is not the first time Canadian and U.S. aircraft have intercepted Russian bombers seemingly flying toward sovereign airspace.

According to Smith, NORAD has dispatched fighter jets to make contact with Russian long-range bombers “in excess of 50 times” in the last five years.

Canadian jets intercepted the same type of long-range bombers off the coast of Newfoundland in 2010. After that incident, Peter MacKay, then minister of defence, told CBC News that Canadian military aircraft intercept between 12 and 18 Russian bombers annually.

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*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources CBC News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

DTN News - UKRAINE NEWS: Ukraine-European Union Ratify A Landmark Political And Free Trade Deal Agreement

DTN News - UKRAINE NEWS: Ukraine-European Union Ratify A Landmark Political And Free Trade Deal Agreement
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources European Parliament / News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 16, 2014: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko shows a document about the ratification of a Ukraine-EU agreement after it was signed by him in the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, 16 September 2014. 

The parliaments of Ukraine and the European Union were set 16 September to ratify a landmark political and free trade deal, but some lawmakers expressed displeasure over a delay in the agreement. 

The political and trade deal ratified by parliaments in Ukraine and the European Union were the first step towards membership in the bloc, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said. 

The European Parliament gave its consent to the EU-Ukraine Association agreement, which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), on Tuesday in Strasbourg. At the same time, the Agreement was also ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev. The deal will establish a deep political association and economic integration between the EU and Ukraine and provide for mutual free market access.

MEPs backed the agreement with 535 votes in favour, 127 against and 35 abstentions.

"Through this ratification, Ukraine's European choice will be institutionalized and will bind the futures of the EU and Ukraine together. Ukrainian society has paid the highest price for its European aspirations, grieving the deaths of numerous people, suffering territorial occupation by Russia and experiencing deteriorating economic conditions. With this ratification, the EU gives Ukraine the strongest sign of support, despite the regrettable proposal to delay implementation of the agreement" said rapporteur Jacek Saryusz-Wolski (EPP, PL) before the vote.

He added that the agreement was "not a definitive goal of EU-Ukraine relations" and stressed that the common future of the EU and Ukraine must now be protected from Russian aggression by introducing "increasingly heavy sanctions until the cost for Russia will be too high to sustain its policy".

"This is an historic moment", said EP President Martin Schulz in his address to MPs in the Strasbourg and Kiev chambers via a video link. "The two parliaments freely determined to vote today at the same time on this agreement. This is free democracy, the opposite of directed democracy. The European Parliament has always defended the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and will continue to do so", he added.

Just before the Ukraine Parliament ratified the deal, President Poroshenko said "The Ukrainians have reversed the express-train going East, and I hope that also today's vote will confirm that. Our synchronised ratifications will be a feast, not just for Ukraine but also for Europe because without Ukraine there is no united Europe. I would like to thank Europe for the support it has given us in these difficult times. At the same time I would like to address our government - the EU only asks for one thing in return from us - the reforms. I urge you not to delay them in any way".

What does the deal involve?

The deal provides both for a political association and for free trade. The political provisions take Ukraine one step closer to the EU, by opening new channels for political dialogue and establishing ground rules for cooperation in areas such as energy, transport, and education. It requires Ukraine to implement reforms and respect democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law.

Among other rules, the deal provides for greater movement of workers, sets targets for establishing a visa-free travel regime and aligning the two sides’ regulatory systems by laying down detailed timetables for Ukraine to transpose parts of the EU acquis legislation into its national laws and put them into effect.

The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement part substantially integrates the EU and Ukraine markets, by dismantling import duties and banning other trade restrictions, albeit with specific limitations and transitional periods in “sensitive” areas, such as trade in agricultural products. It will also partially integrate public procurement markets.

When will it take effect?

As a result of today's votes both in the EU and Ukrainian Parliament, the deal will be applied provisionally but the date still needs to be confirmed by the Council. To take full legal effect, the deal has to be ratified by the 28 EU member states. So far, it has been ratified in six member states,, but several years may elapse before the process is completed in all member states.

It was planned to apply the trade rules from 1 November this year, but last Friday 12 September the EU, Ukraine and Russia agreed in talks to delay the provisional entry into effect of the trade rules until 31 December 2015.


The EU Commission says that it will continue to apply EU “autonomous trade preferences” to Ukraine, which in effect opens the EU market to Ukraine unilaterally. A decision to prolong these preferences later would need the backing of the European Parliament.


*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources European Parliament / News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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Monday, September 08, 2014

DTN News: Ukraine Crisis Top Stories / Headlines News Dated September 8, 2014

DTN News: Ukraine Crisis Top Stories / Headlines News Dated September 8, 2014
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 8, 2014: Comprehensive daily news related to Ukraine Crisis Top Stories / Headlines News for the world of TODAY.

*Comprehensive daily news related to Ukraine Crisis Top Stories / Headlines News for the world of TODAY
  1. UPI.com

    Ukraine unrest: Blasts near Donetsk airport spark fear of truce collapse

    Firstpost-Sep 7, 2014
    Donetsk, Ukraine: Strong explosions were heard early Sunday on the outskirts of the main rebel-held city in eastern Ukraine near the airport, ...
  2. Ukraine unrest causes International Gymnastics Federation to ...

    Sports Mole-14 hours ago
    Ukraine unrest causes International Gymnastics Federation to cancel tournament ... tournament in Ukraine due to the ongoing political unrest.
  3. On GPS Sunday: Analysis on Ukraine, ISIS and the unrest in Pakistan

    CNN (blog)-20 hours ago
    “We must understand that these protests and the turmoil they have generated is just the symptom of a deeper, deeper disease,” Haqqani says.
  4. Hungary's Forint Plunges to 27-Month Low as Ukraine Unrest Hits ...

    International Business Times UK-Sep 6, 2014
    Escalating geopolitical unrest in Russia and Ukraine as well as the Middle East has been weakening emerging market currencies broadly, but ...
  5. BBC: Key players in eastern Ukraine unrest

    Kyiv Post-Aug 12, 2014
    New prime minister of Ukraine's self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" Alexander Zakharchenko speaks as he gives a press conference ...
  6. ISIS threat & unrest in Ukraine front & center at NATO Summit

    whnt.com-Sep 4, 2014
    Also on the packed agenda for the 28-member NATO alliance are the challenge posed by Russia's actions in Ukraine and NATO's future role in ...
  7. European investors focus on ECB despite Ukraine unrest

    The Malay Mail Online-Sep 1, 2014
    Reuters picLONDON, Sept 1 — European markets advanced despite the conflict in Ukraine, focusing on whether the European Central Bank ...
  8. Evraz warns over impact of Ukraine unrest

    The Independent-Aug 27, 2014
    It said its operations in Ukraine had not been affected by the unrestthere. Its reorganisation allowed it to cut its debts 7 per cent to $6billion from ...
  9. MiamiHerald.com

    Ukraine unrest upsets stocks again

    Los Altos Town Crier-Aug 20, 2014
    Stocks fell big-time Friday, erasing three days of gains on the Dow Jones industrial average after Ukrainian forces engaged a Russian armored ...
  10. Stocks Indexes Fall Modestly, Shaking Off Ukraine Unrest

    Investor's Business Daily-Aug 28, 2014
    Stocks Indexes Fall Modestly, Shaking Off Ukraine Unrest ... session — a fairly resilient performance amid heightened violence in Ukraine.
*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - UKRAINE UNREST: Ceasefire Violations in Eastern Ukraine #3

DTN News - UKRAINE UNREST: Ceasefire Violations in Eastern Ukraine #3
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 7, 2014: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, left, examines a map at a military base close to Slovyansk, in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine ceasefire in doubt after shelling heard in Donetsk. 









The ceasefire between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels is in doubt after a witness heard prolonged shelling near Donetsk airport and saw plumes of black smoke filling the sky. 


The shelling near the airport, which has been in the hands of Ukrainian government forces though pro-Russian rebels control the city.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Sunday, September 07, 2014

DTN News - UKRAINE UNREST: Ceasefire Violations in Eastern Ukraine #2

DTN News - UKRAINE UNREST: Ceasefire Violations in Eastern Ukraine #2
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 7, 2014: Ukraine ceasefire in doubt after shelling heard in Donetsk. 






The ceasefire between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels is in doubt after a witness heard prolonged shelling near Donetsk airport and saw plumes of black smoke filling the sky. 


The shelling near the airport, which has been in the hands of Ukrainian government forces though pro-Russian rebels control the city.

*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + (Photo courtesy DTN News)

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - UKRAINE UNREST: Ceasefire Violations in Eastern Ukraine

DTN News - UKRAINE UNREST: Ceasefire Violations in Eastern Ukraine
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth - from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 7, 2014: Ukraine ceasefire in doubt after shelling heard in Donetsk. 




The ceasefire between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels is in doubt after a witness heard prolonged shelling near Donetsk airport and saw plumes of black smoke filling the sky. 

The shelling near the airport, which has been in the hands of Ukrainian government forces though pro-Russian rebels control the city.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Pictures of The Day
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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Friday, September 05, 2014

DTN News - NATO SUMMIT - WALES: NATO Allies Agree ISIL Poses ‘Significant Threat,’ Obama Says

DTN News - NATO SUMMIT - WALES: NATO Allies Agree ISIL Poses ‘Significant Threat,’ Obama Says
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth + By Jim Garamone  DoD News, Defense Media Activity
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 5, 2014: NATO allies agreed today that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant poses “a significant threat” to the alliance and that key allies will join the United States in confronting the terrorists, President Barack Obama said.

Obama spoke today at the conclusion of the NATO Summit in Wales.

NATO allies and partners are prepared to join in a broad international effort to combat the threat posed by ISIL, the president said. “Already, allies have joined us in Iraq, where we have stopped ISIL’s advances,” he added. “We’ve equipped our Iraqi partners and help them go on offense. NATO has agreed to play a role in providing security and humanitarian assistance to those who are on the front lines.”

NATO allies are ready to confront the ISIL threat via military, intelligence, law enforcement and diplomatic efforts, Obama said. The president has dispatched Secretary of State John F. Kerry to the Middle East to continue building the broad-based coalition that he said will degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL.

Allies agree

Obama said he did not get any “push-back” to the basic notion that NATO has a critical role to play “in rolling back this savage organization.” The United States is the only nation launching airstrikes against ISIL, but other nations are involved with humanitarian efforts and in supplying Iraqi forces, including the Kurdish Peshmerga.

The president said the strikes in Iraq against ISIL have degraded the terror group’s capabilities, while ensuring U.S. citizens and U.S. critical infrastructure were safe. The strikes also provide the space for a new, more inclusive Iraqi government to form.

“Our hope is that the Iraqi government is actually formed and finalized next week,” he said. 

“That then allows us to work with them on a broader strategy.”

Coalition needs Arab states

Any coalition against ISIL must have Arab states -- particularly Sunni Arab states -- as members, Obama said. People in the region need to see those states “rejecting the kind of extremist nihilism that we’re seeing out of ISIL,” he added.

The way ahead in Iraq now is to first encourage the formation of the new Iraqi government, then to build on U.S. assessments to conduct limited airstrikes to protect personnel, critical infrastructure and engage in humanitarian activities, Obama said.

“The third phase will allow us to take the fight to ISIL, [and] broaden the effort,” he added. 

“Our goal is to act with urgency, but also to make sure we’re doing it right.”


(Follow Jim Garamone on Twitter: @GaramoneDoDNews)

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*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + By Jim Garamone  DoD News, Defense Media Activity

*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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