Ukraine, National Security

Ukraine starts light weapons withdrawal in east

Ukraine has started withdrawing tanks and light artillery from the frontline in the eastern region of Luhansk in accordance with a recent agreement with pro-Russian separatists, the Ukrainian military said on Oct. 5

Court upholds prolongation of Savchenko arrest

The Rostov regional court on Oct. 5 upheld the decision made by the Donetsk City Court, Rostov region, to prolong the arrest of Ukrainian citizen Nadia Savchenko, court press officer Alexei Shimolin told Interfax. 

EU-Ukraine, Foreign Affairs

Leaders agree to postpone Minsk deal implementation and Donbas elections

After the elections, Russian troops must be withdrawn from Ukraine, and Ukraine should regain control over its border with Russia in the parts of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts where it does not currently have control, he added.

Russia and Ukraine plan debt talks this week, Siluanov says

Russia's finance minister said he plans to meet his Ukrainian counterpart this week to discuss debt as the two neighbors remain deadlocked over the $3 billion Eurobond due to the government in Moscow.

Relationship Between Arab States, Russia Shows Strain

Russia’s launching of airstrikes against Mr. Assad’s opponents last week has drawn sharp rebukes from many Arab governments

Increase in Russia's activities in Syria doesn't change France's position on Ukraine

FrenchPresident Francois Hollande has no intention of changing France's position onthe Ukrainian settlement in the light of the increase in Russia's activities inSyria

In Paris Russia insisted on need to defer enactment ofEU-Ukraine FTA from Jan 1, 2016 effective date

TheRussian delegation at the talks in Paris insisted on postponing theimplementation of the trade part of the European Union-Ukraine association agreement,deputy chief of the Ukrainian presidential administration Kostiantyn Yeliseyevhas said.

Kyiv says no need to pass new laws on amnesty, specialDonbas status

Ukrainewas suggested adopting a new separate law on a special status of Donbas and afull amnesty for militiamen at the Paris talks last week but Kyiv denied theproposals, Deputy Head of Ukraine's presidential administration KostiantynYeliseyev has said.

No agreements signed at Normandy Four meeting in Paris –Poroshenko

"Noagreements were signed in Paris. We have discussed in the Normandy format inParis the timeframe and the steps to intensify and speed up the implementationof the Minsk agreements," he said.

Russia releases footage claiming strikes on IS targets inSyria

Syrians condemn Russian interventionhoping the country 'will be a graveyard for Russian invaders'

Politics

Poroshenko says Putin promised to ask Ukraine rebels tocancel vote

UkrainianPresident Petro Poroshenko said on Sunday Russia's Vladimir Putin had promisedto ask pro-Russian separatists to cancel elections planned in rebel-heldterritory in defiance of Kiev.

Elections in Donbas should be held according to Ukrainianlegislation within 80 days after enactment of relevant law

FrenchPresident Francois Hollande said upon the results of the 'Normandy Quartet'talks in Paris that the elections in the Donbas should be held according to theUkrainian legislation within 80 days after the enactment of the relevant law.

Ukrainian government suggests introducing new posts ofdeputy prime ministers for energy and industry

The Ukrainian government has askedthe parliamentary coalition to decide on candidates of three deputy primeministers, including to set up new posts of deputy prime ministers for energyand for industry, and two ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Viacheslav Kyrylenkohas said.

Publications,articles,press releases, statements & opinions

Movers and Shakers | 5 October 2015(theParliament)

Keeptrack of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with ourmovers and shakers column.

MEPs and big business welcome EU Commission's CMU actionplanby William Louch (the Parliament)

Human Rights are an excuse for killing in Ukraine andSyriaby Dr. Lada Roslycky (UA Today)

EU-brokeredtalks on Ukraine: Towards a Minsk 3?by AndrewRettman (EU Observer)

The next phase of European power politics(EurActive)

Turkey Says Russian Fighter Jet Violated Its AirspaceWith Syriaby Emre Peker(the WSJ)

Putin's Bombs Add to Reasons Why Syria's War Is Here toStayby Donna Abu-Nasr (Bloomberg Business)

Is Putin Winning?by RossDouthat (the New York times)

Proposed EU financial rules could have dire consequencesfor energy companies and the European economyby PaulDawson (EurActive)

Delegationof the EU to Ukraine, European Commission

Statement by the Spokesperson on the agreement reachedwithin the Trilateral Contact Group on the withdrawal of weapons in easternUkraine(Delegation of EU to Ukraine)

Intellectual Property Rights: EU and Ukraine will heldhighest profile dialogue meeting ever (Delegationof EU to Ukraine)

Commission holds Colloquium on combatting antisemitismand anti-Muslim hatred, as survey shows 50% of Europeans believe religious discriminationis widespread(European Commission - Press release)

Fighting Tax Avoidance: Commissioner Moscovici welcomesfinal adoption of international tax reform package(EuropeanCommission - Statement)