Section: Politics
Freedom House calls on Rada to consult with civil society before choosing Ombudsman
As Ukraine`s parliament debates selection of a new Ombudsman, who has a vital role in calling attention to human rights and democratic governance issues, Freedom House suggests that Rada consider postponing the vote to ensure participation of civil society in the decision-making process. ”We urge the Rada to consider a wide range of candidates...
Flynn to decline U.S. Senate subpoena in Russia probe: media
Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn will decline to comply with a subpoena from the Senate Intelligence Committee investigating possible Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, according to media reports on Monday. Flynn will invoke his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination, the Associated Press,...
PGO appeals court for permission to convict Azarov, Stavytsky in absentia
The Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko has said that a petition was sent to the Kyiv Pechersk District Court for permission to convict former Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and former Minister of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine Eduard Stavytsky in absentia, according to an UNIAN correspondent. ”As for Azarov, we have...
Belize launches investigation into money laundering by Yanukovych, Manafort – Bloomberg
Belize authorities have launched an investigation into money laundering by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and American political technologist Paul Manafort, according to Bloomberg. See also: Manafort falsified invoice to Belize company to legitimize Yanukovych`s $750,000 payment to himself – Ukrainian MP In the five-year period from...
McCain: Russian diplomat didn`t belong in the Oval Office
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Sunday that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov did not belong in the Oval Office for a meeting with President Trump, according to The Hill. McCain told host Chris Wallace on ”Fox News Sunday” that Lavrov ”had no business in the Oval Office,” The Hill reported. The senator said the Russian foreign minister is...
Russian ambassador Kislyak and close Putin’s friend, Ukrainian oligarch Medvedchuk was in contact with Trump campaign – Reuters
Michael Flynn and other advisers to Donald Trump`s campaign were in contact with Russian officials and others with Kremlin ties in at least 18 calls and emails during the last seven months of the 2016 presidential race, current and former U.S. officials familiar with the exchanges told Reuters. Six of the previously undisclosed contacts described...
FBI once warned Congressman Rohrabacher of recruitment attempt by Russian spies
The FBI warned Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher in 2012 that Russian spies were trying to recruit him, officials told The New York Times, an example of how aggressively Russian agents have tried to influence Washington politics. The congressman, Dana Rohrabacher of California, has been known for years as one of Moscow`s biggest defenders...
Ukraine`s Rada refuses to ask NSDC to slap sanctions on Yanukovych, his allies
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine`s parliament, has failed to find the needed number of votes to apply to the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) for the introduction of personal sanctions against former high-ranking officials, including disgraced ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, and businessmen, according to an UNIAN correspondent....
Ukraine`s property fund asks court to undo Ukrtelecom privatization
Ukraine`s State Property Fund (SPF) has lodged a lawsuit with a Kyiv-based economic court against Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov`s ESU company and the State Export-Import Bank of Ukraine to cancel the sale of shares of Ukraine`s telecoms giant Ukrtelecom and recover UAH 2.17 billion, or US$82.1 million, in fines, according to the SPF`s...
Human Rights Watch asks Poroshenko to revoke ban on Russian social media in Ukraine
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to revoke a ban on Russian social media platforms and news outlets, as it infringes the right to freedom of expression and information in Ukraine. ”Poroshenko should immediately reverse the ban, which affects such internet platforms as VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, RBC, and...