Far-right nationalism in Ukraine continues to spur violence against foreigners and activists. Taras Bohay, an ecological activist who was violently attacked and sustained painful injuries, recounts his experience with his attackers and police.
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NBC News: Ryan Says He’s Been Shown No Evidence On Russia’s Role In Campaign
House Speaker Paul Ryan says the intelligence community has presented no evidence that any Americans colluded or coordinated with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Rubio moves to name street outside Russian embassy after slain opposition leader (The Hill)
The new Russia hysteria continues its hold on Congress: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced legislation on Monday to name street in front of the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C., after a slain Russian opposition leader.
Clashes break out between Ukrainian ultra-nationalists and police in central Kyiv (Deutsche Welle)
Clashes broke out between Ukrainian ultra-nationalist demonstrators and police in central Kyiv on Sunday evening, a correspondent with the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency said. Security forces had escorted the protesters as they marched from the Ukrainian capital’s Independence or Maidan square to the offices of the president.
Ukraine Nationalists Demand Purge of Government (EuroNews)
Thousands of nationalists have rallied in Kiev in a so called ‘‘Dignity’‘ march demanding a purge of Ukraine’s current government.
Lithuanian nationalists celebrate Holocaust-era quisling (JTA)
Lithuanian ultranationalists marched near execution sites of Jews with banners celebrating a pro-Nazi collaborationist who called for ethnic cleansing and a symbol popular with members of the U.S. “alt-right” movement. Lithuania is the only country that officially defines its domination by the former Soviet Union as a form of genocide.
Ukrainians Urge Jewish World To Help Prevent Looting of Holocaust Graves (JPost)
In recent years dozens of incidents have been recorded on the outskirts of cities such as Zhytomyr and Berdychiv. Thieves have dug up the graves of Jews murdered in the Holocaust in search of gold, teeth, jewelry and children’s skulls. The latter have been found at markets in town and cities, according to a statement released on Thursday by the European and Americans forums of Russian-speaking Jews
One million Ukrainian children now need aid as number doubles over past year (UNICEF)
As the volatile conflict in eastern Ukraine enters its fourth year, one million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance – nearly double the number this time last year, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on February 17th.
Kucinich Pins Flynn Leak on Intel Community, Warns of Another Cold War (FoxBusiness)
“What’s at the core of this is an effort by some in the intelligence community to upend any positive relationship between the U.S. and Russia,” Kucinich said.
As Trump re-evaluates NATO, NATO must rethink Russia (Deutsche Welle)
“To think that our disputes will be solved by military posturing is a dangerous illusion,” said Ambassador Jack Matlock, who represented the US in Moscow between 1987 and 1991 and played a key role in reducing the tensions between the USSR and the West under President Ronald Reagan.
Senate Foreign Relations takes hard line on Russia (The Hill)
There was bipartisan agreement in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday that the legislative branch should take decisive action against Russia, even if that means circumventing the White House’s expressed desire for a better relationship between the two nations.
Russia’s apparent meddling in U.S. election is not an act of war, cyber expert says (WaPo)
Russia’s hacks of the Democratic National Committee and its election meddling were alarming, but not an act of war, said a leading scholar of international law in cyber operations.
German intelligence finds no evidence of Russian meddling (Politico Europe)
German intelligence authorities found no concrete proof of disinformation campaigns targeting the government and have decided against publishing the 50-page report to avoid further straining relations with Moscow…
Flynn to recommend Trump back NATO membership for Montenegro (Politico)
National security adviser Michael Flynn will recommend that President Donald Trump support allowing the small Balkan nation of Montenegro to join NATO, POLITICO has learned — despite strong opposition from Russia.
Russia, Turkey, Iran discuss Syria ceasefire in Astana (Reuters)
Experts from Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United Nations held a technical meeting in the Kazakh capital on Monday to discuss the implementation of the Syrian ceasefire agreement, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said.
Guns fall silent in flashpoint Ukraine town (AFP)
The guns fell quiet in a flashpoint eastern Ukrainian town Sunday after a week-long surge in violence that prompted US President Donald Trump to pledge to help bring peace to the European Union’s backyard.
Donald Trump’s Russia Comments Sow Confusion, Draw Fire (WSJ)
U.S. President Donald Trump faced criticism Sunday from fellow Republicans as his administration sowed confusion about its approach to Russia…
NATO flexes military muscle near Russia (CNN)
NATO members flexed their military muscle in Russia’s backyard Monday, as allied warships headed toward the Black Sea while American tank fire echoed across Polish plains.
Russia in biggest Arctic military push since fall of the Soviet Union (Independent UK)
The expansion has far-reaching financial and geopolitical ramifications. The Arctic is estimated to hold more hydrocarbon reserves than Saudi Arabia and Moscow is putting down a serious military marker.
Fighting escalates in eastern Ukraine (FT)
Fighting in breakaway eastern regions of Ukraine has escalated, with seven government soldiers and about 15 Russian-backed militants killed in battles near the separatist stronghold of Donetsk, officials said.