Kremlin deplores use of ‘Russia card’
MOSCOW – The Kremlin says it is unhappy with frequent references to Russia and President Vladimir Putin in the U.S. presidential campaign. “To our regret, we know that the Russian card and mentioning our president have practically become an inseparable part of America’s election campaign,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on October 5. The remark appeared aimed at reminding Russians and the world of Moscow’s influence on the international scene and did not address U.S. officials’ recent warnings that Russian intelligence agencies might be determined to disrupt or otherwise affect November’s U.S. elections, including through computer hacks on voting systems and the Democratic Party. Mr. Peskov said the rhetoric of all participants in the U.S. election campaign is “subject to opportunistic change.” He made the comments after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on October 4 that Russia had broken a deal with the United States over a ceasefire in Syria and that Putin does not respect U.S. leaders. Later in the day, Mr. Trump’s running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, said the U.S. should use military force against Syrian government targets if Russia continues its “barbaric attack” on the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. During the first and only vice-presidential debate, Mr. Pence repeatedly defended Mr. Trump against charges from Democratic candidate Tim Kaine that the real estate mogul idolizes Mr. Putin and his strong-arm tactics. “Donald Trump, again and again, has praised Vladimir Putin, and it’s clear that he has business dealings with Russian oligarchs…that he refuses to disclose,” Mr. Kaine said. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by Reuters, TASS and Interfax)
Dzhemilev candidate for Sakharov Prize
BRUSSELS – Crimean leader Mustafa Dzhemilev, Yazidi activists Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar, and Turkish journalist Can Dundar have been named as the final candidates for the 2016 Sakharov Prize given annually by the European Parliament. Mr. Dzhemilev, 72, has been banned from Crimea since Russia invaded and annexed the peninsula in early 2014. He was the chairman of the Crimean Tatars’ Mejlis, or council, until it was banned by pro-Moscow representatives in Crimea. He was a leading human rights activist during the Soviet era and was jailed several times. The trio were shortlisted by members of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Development committees. The winner – who will receive 50,000 euros ($55,000 U.S.) – will be decided by the European Parliament president and the leaders of the eight political groups in the assembly on October 27. (RFE/RL)
EU officials see no end to sanctions
OTTAWA – Reuters reported on October 10 that European Parliament President Martin Schulz stated that “the EU’s sanctions against Moscow were linked to the Minsk peace agreement that was supposed to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine and could only be lifted when the conditions for their withdrawal had been met.” Mr. Schulz condemned in harsh terms Russia’s actions in Ukraine and its support for right-wing nationalists in Europe. Reuters also reported that some European lawmakers have called for the European Union to impose fresh sanctions against Russia for its role in the mounting civilian death toll in Syria. France and the United States have also called for an investigation into war crimes they say have been committed by Syrian and Russian forces in eastern Aleppo. European Council President Donald Tusk stated,” It’s obvious for me today, the only way is to prolong the sanctions against Russia… Otherwise it will be a clear capitulation.” (Ukrainian Canadian Congress Daily Briefing)
Steinmeier on East-West tensions
BERLIN – German Foreign Affairs Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called the current escalation of tensions created by souring relations between the United States and Russia “more dangerous” than the Cold War. In the German tabloid Bild, Mr. Steinmeier cited differences over Ukraine, where Russia-backed separatists controlling swaths of territory; cyberwarfare; the recently announced end of some cooperation to dispose of weapons-grade plutonium; and Syria, where the United States this week suggested Russia might be guilty of war crimes. “It’s a fallacy to think that this is like the Cold War,” Mr. Steinmeier said. “The current times are different and more dangerous.” (RFE/RL, based on reporting by Bild and AFP)
Re: U.S.-Ukraine economic cooperation
OTTAWA – Ukraine’s Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker issued a joint statement on Ukraine-U.S. economic cooperation, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers reported. The statement reads: “Despite continued Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine and the illegal occupation of Crimea, the reform process continues. In the last year, Ukraine has loosened capital controls in order to facilitate further investment; reduced gas royalty rates to spur the energy sector; finalized a platform for electronic asset declaration to reduce conflicts of interest; implemented a world-class electronic procurement system; made progress on corporate governance reforms in state-owned enterprises; and acceded to the World Trade Organization’s Government Procurement Agreement. Continued progress on the IMF program, anti-corruption efforts, and deeper and accelerated economic reforms will be critical to attract long-term foreign direct investment to Ukraine.” The statement also noted: “During our consultations, both sides discussed progress on a ‘roadmap’ featuring several short-term, actionable steps that will further increase business confidence. The U.S. and Ukrainian sides underscored the urgency of such measures and the importance of continued consultation among the U.S. business community, Ukrainian government officials and the [Verkhovna] Rada. Both sides agreed on the importance of quickening momentum on reforms, to ensure a smooth transition of work areas with the incoming U.S. administration. With the continued support of the United States, Ukraine will intensify anti-corruption efforts through reforms in the Prosecutor General’s Office and implementation of judicial reform; improve tax and customs administration to provide predictability in business operations; conclude the privatization of the Odesa Portside Plant and energy companies in accordance with international practices; accelerate deregulation to eliminate unnecessary licensing and permitting; and pursue corporate governance reform of state-owned companies.” (Ukrainian Canadian Congress Daily Briefing)
Three missing after crane sinks
SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine – Three members of a floating crane crew are missing after it sank near the Russia-controlled Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. Russian Emergencies Ministry representatives in Crimea say five crew members were rescued after the floating crane sank four kilometers away from the town of Livadiya on October 12. The crane was being towed from Russia’s Krasnodar region to the Crimean city of Sevastopol when it suddenly started sinking, the ministry said. A rescue team was sent to search for the three missing crew members. According to preliminary data, the floating crane might have sunk due to bad weather. The site of the accident is close to where Moscow is building a huge bridge from Russian territory over the Kerch Strait to Crimea, which Russia invaded and forcibly annexed in early 2014. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by RIA Novosti and TASS)
Russia charges journalist with espionage
MOSCOW – Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, who was detained in Russia on September 30, has been charged with espionage. Mr. Sushchenko’s lawyer, Mark Feigin, told TASS on October 7 that his client was officially charged with espionage, adding that he had pleaded not guilty. Mr. Sushchenko, a Paris-based correspondent of the Ukrinform news agency, was detained in Moscow on suspicion of collecting classified information. On October 1, a court in Moscow sent him to pretrial detention for two months. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by TASS)
Ukraine summons Russian Consul
KYIV – Ukraine has summoned the Russian consul in Kyiv after Moscow detained one of its state media journalists for alleged espionage. Roman Sushchenko, a Paris-based correspondent of the Ukrinform news agency, was detained in Moscow on September 30 and later charged with espionage. Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokeswoman Mariana Betsa said the Russian consul was summoned on October 6 to give an explanation as to why Kyiv officials had been denied access to the reporter. “This is a direct violation of human rights and international law,” Ms. Betsa said. Russia has no ambassador in Kyiv. Meanwhile, some 30 Ukrainian reporters picketed Russia’s Embassy in the Ukrainian capital in protest over Mr. Sushchenko’s arrest, and some Ukrainian lawmakers pushed for the introduction of travel visas for Russians in retaliation for Moscow’s move. Mr. Sushchenko’s lawyers say the charge against their client is trumped-up, adding that he was in the Russian capital to visit relatives. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by AFP and Interfax)
Ukraine detains alleged Russian spy
KYIV – Ukrainian authorities say a Ukrainian citizen with permanent residence in Russia has been detained in the northwestern city of Rivne. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on October 9 that the man, whose identity was not disclosed, is suspected of attempting to obtain classified information by offering a large sum of money and Russian citizenship to a Ukrainian military officer. The suspect was detained on October 8, one day after Russian authorities officially charged Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, who was detained in Russia on September 30, with espionage. Ukraine-Russia ties have deteriorated since Moscow forcibly annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and supported pro-Russia separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Pavlo Klimkin said on October 9 that Kyiv is considering leaving the Commonwealth of Independent States, of which Russia and eight other former Soviet republics are members. Ukraine and Turkmenistan are only associate members of the bloc. (Crimean Desk of RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service; with reporting by UNIAN)
Canada, U.S. support vaccination programs
OTTAWA – Canada and the United States will support routine vaccinations programs in Ukraine, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine stated. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, only 30 percent of children in Ukraine were vaccinated against measles, 10 percent against hepatitis B and 3 percent against diphtheria. These low numbers were caused by supply shortage of vaccines and refusal of parents to vaccinate, the ministry stated. Vaccines are now being purchased through UNICEF and the United Nations Development Program. At a press event with Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Waschuk and U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, Ukraine’s acting Minister of Health Ulana Suprun stated, “Thanks to the assistance of our international partners, we’ve been able to secure the procurement of high-quality vaccines, and are working to renew routine vaccinations.” Ambassador Yovanovitch stated, “I am especially pleased to join acting Minister of Health Suprun, whose vision of healthcare in Ukraine is so clear and compelling and one that the United States is very proud to support. …I’m very impressed that Minister Suprun and Prime Minister Groysman have ensured the Ukrainian people’s access to vital drugs and vaccines this year – or next year – by doubling next year’s health budget.” (Ukrainian Canadian Congress Daily Briefing)
Kerry confers with Lavrov
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart resumed discussions on Syria on October 5, despite a U.S. decision earlier this week to suspend direct talks with Moscow on trying to end the conflict. Mr. Kerry and Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone about Syria, Ukraine and North Korea. The State Department said the chat was outside the engagement that Washington put on hold just 48 hours earlier due to continued Russian bombardment of the besieged city of Aleppo. “It would be irresponsible for us, given what’s happening in Aleppo, not to touch base with Foreign Minister Lavrov periodically,” spokesman Mark Toner said. He added that Kerry had also spoken about Syria with the top diplomats from Britain, the European Union, France, Germany, Turkey and Qatar. The call with Mr. Lavrov “was part of those multilateral efforts now that are going to continue because we recognize they’ve got to be part of the conversation,” Mr. Toner said. He said the suspension of contacts with Russia had to do only with implementing a ceasefire that Messrs. Kerry and Lavrov had agreed to on September 9 but that quickly broke down. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by AP and Reuters)