Section: Main news
Ruble fall is record-breaking
The Russian ruble collapsed again: as of 12:00 a.m. Moscow time it reached 66.09 RUB/USD and within 11 minutes fell to 67 rubles per dollar. It is reported by TASS. Euro is already 83 rubles. To remind, on a Tuesday night, in response to a sharp depreciation of the ruble, the Bank of Russia has sharply raised its key interest rate from 10.5% to...
New representatives will negotiate on ceasefire in Donbas
In Debaltseve, rotation of personnel is held at the joint center for control and coordination of the ceasefire and stabilization of the boundary sides. Acting chief of the press service of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Vladyslav Selezniov told a briefing in Kyiv, Ukrinform’s correspondent reported. “In the...
Turchynov appointed secretary of National Security and Defense Council – decree
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a decree appointing Oleksandr Turchynov as secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine. The text of the decree has been posted on the official website of the head of state. As reported, the post of the NSDC secretary has been vacant since August this year when Andriy...
EU to strengthen sanctions on Crimea on Thursday – Mogherini
Additional EU sanctions on Crimea will be approved on Thursday, December 18. This was stated by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, UNIAN reports. “I would expect the work at the working group level to be finalized in these very same hours and then a written procedure could finalize their...
Militants rejected from Stanytsia Luhanska
Near Stanytsia Luhanska, the ATO forces rejected militants to the starting position. Head of the Information Resistance group Dmytro Tymchuk wrote on Facebook. “Near Stanytsia Luhanska, after the preliminary fire, militants attempted to take on a number of positions in the” buffer zone.” However, they were met with a dense fire...
Merkel speaks in favor of new negotiations on South Stream
Germany and Bulgaria stand for holding new negotiations with Russia on construction of the gas pipeline South Stream, based on a number of bilateral agreements, concluded by Moscow with the EU since 2006. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, DW reports. “All open issues, related to the...
Turchynov to head National Security and Defense Council – source
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has decided to appoint Oleksandr Turchynov secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), a source in the Presidential Administration has told Ukrinform. According to the source, the head of state will introduce the new chief to the NSDC staff at 11.30. As reported, Andriy Parubiy...
EU says when it will provide financial support to Ukraine
Brussels will support Kyiv financially only if the necessary economic and political reforms are conducted in Ukraine. This is stated in a press release following the first inaugural meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council. “The Association Council acknowledged the importance of intensifying much needed political and economic reforms...
Airports of Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk operating now – Selezniov
Airports of Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk, closed since December 13 for flights, have already resumed their work. Antiterrorist measures still continue at the Zaporizhzhia airport. Acting chief of the press service of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Vladyslav Selezniov told a briefing in Kyiv, Ukrinform’s correspondent...
Ukraine, EU reaffirm course for visa-free travel
The EU-Ukraine Association Council, which began its work on December 15, has confirmed the determination of both parties to achieve a visa-free regime provided that conditions for well-managed and secure mobility are in place. This is stated in a press release following the first inaugural meeting of the council. “[The Association Council]...