Protests in Ukraine escalate

[Natalka]

Feb. 23

#Ukraine's First Deputy Speaker, and hero of #Euromaidan, Andriy Parubiy, speaks in the Speaker's chamber in #Ottawa



Parubiy addresses a crowd gathered to commemorate sniper victims of #Euromaidan



Canadians remember the Небесна Сотня of #Euromaidan- victims of Kremlin-backed gov't sniper attack against own people

[Natalka]

The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Andriy Parubiy, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) of Ukraine and former secretary of the National Security and Defence Council.

Minister Nicholson and Mr. Parubiy discussed the security situation in eastern Ukraine, including concerns over Mariupol, and the steps taken toward reform by Ukraine’s government. Canada is committed to working closely with the Government of Ukraine to build a united, democratic and prosperous Ukraine.

Mr. Parubiy thanked Canada for taking a leadership role in supporting Ukraine and for the new economic sanctions and travel bans imposed on February 17, 2015, against 37 Russian and Ukrainian individuals and 17 Russian and Ukrainian entities. Minister Nicholson and Mr. Parubiy also discussed the February 12 Minsk agreement and the persistent ceasefire violations by the Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Minister Nicholson offered his sympathies to the Ukrainian people following this weekend’s bombing of a peaceful demonstration in Kharkiv. The Minister also called on the Putin regime to withdraw its forces immediately from Ukraine and to use its influence on the separatists to have them lay down their weapons, and he reiterated Canada’s steadfast support for Ukraine.

This visit coincides with the first anniversary of the attacks on the Maidan protesters.

http://www.international.gc.ca/media....aspx?lang=eng

[Natalka]

Warrior music project - Moonlight Sonata

This Ukrainian pianist/soldier was captured and held by the terrorists for several weeks. While in captivity, he discovered a damaged piano while fixing a damaged school for the terrorists. He was allowed to repair the piano, which he ultimately used to play for his captors. He claims that they cried when he played, and the music probably saved his life. He was released through a POW exchange program, and today he plays in hospital for his injured comrades.

[Natalka]

Message of support from students in Tbilisi, Georgia

[Natalka]

Remains of 7 #Cyborgs have been extracted from wreckage of the #Donetsk airport today. Works to continue tomorrow.

[Natalka]

Hundreds ppl in Kharkiv came to say goodbye to Euromaidan coordinator Ihor Tolmachev who was killed by bomb on Sunday

[Natalka]

Last goodbyes to 15 y.o. Danylo Didyk who died from injuries in a recent bomb blast in #Kharkiv.

[Natalka]

Minister Nicholson Calls for Russia to Release Ukrainian Air Force Pilot Nadiya Savchenko

February 25, 2015 - The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:

“Today marks the 75th day of Nadiya Savchenko’s hunger strike to protest her unlawful detention by the Russian authorities.

“Canada unequivocally condemns Ms. Savchenko’s illegal incarceration and is concerned by reports of her declining health.
“We call on Russia to immediately end her detention and return her to Ukraine.

“Russia and the separatists in eastern Ukraine must abide by the commitments made in Minsk on February 12 and proceed with the release and exchange of all hostages and unlawfully detained persons.

“We reiterate our call that the Kremlin and the Russian-sponsored insurgents implement all of their Minsk commitments, including the ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons, and halt the flow of fighters and equipment from Russia into Ukraine. Failure to do so will result in further costs for Russia and its proxies in Ukraine.”

http://www.international.gc.ca/media....aspx?lang=eng

[Natalka]

Ukraine 'starts heavy weapons withdrawal'


Ukraine's army is starting the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line in the east as part of a truce, the defence ministry says.
It says the pullout of 100mm calibre artillery "is the first step" and will be monitored by OSCE observers.

Pro-Russian rebels earlier said they had started withdrawing their weapons. This has not been verified by monitors.

In a statement, the Ukrainian defence ministry said Thursday's weapons pullout was part of the ceasefire agreed in Minsk, Belarus, on 12 February.
It warned that if there were any "attempts to attack", the pullout timetable would be "corrected".
The decision to begin moving artillery from the front line came shortly after Ukraine's military said its forces had suffered no fatalities in the past 48 hours, although several soldiers had been wounded.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva later said he was "profoundly disturbed by the illegal separatists' continuing refusal to grant unlimited, safe access to OSCE monitors on the ground in Ukraine and their violations of the Minsk Package of Measures".
"By extension, I am also disturbed by Russia's apparent unwillingness to publicly insist that the rebels immediately allow the monitors access, stop all ceasefire violations and withdraw all heavy weapons."

Under terms agreed in Minsk, both Ukraine's government forces and the rebels must pull out their heavy weapons, creating a buffer zone of at least 50km (30 miles).

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31640649

[Natalka]

London Euromaidan

[Natalka]

Thursday, February 26. MUKACHEVE – Relatives, parents, friends, citizens met soldiers of the 128th Detached Mountain Brigade. Over 1,000 people welcomed servicemen returned from Artemivsk. Their commander, Hero of Ukraine Col. Serhiy Shaptalo greeted them, too.









http://www.mil.gov.ua/en/news/2015/0...e-are-at-home/

[Natalka]

ATO forces start to withdraw the artillery systems

Thursday, February 26. DONBAS – According to the ATO press center, the anti-terror operation troops start to withdraw artillery systems from the frontline to implement the Minsk agreements. Today, on February 26, 100 mm MT-12 ‘Rapira’ anti-tank guns are being redeployed to regions located at the distance of at least 25 km from the line defined by the Minsk agreements.



The OSCE representatives will control the weapon withdrawal.



http://www.mil.gov.ua/en/news/2015/0...llery-systems/

[Natalka]

Graduation of officers and sergeants in Kharkiv

Thursday, February 26. KHARKIV – Over 300 officers and about 40 sergeants graduated from Kharkiv Ivan Kozhedub Air Force University. All the graduates are Air Force and air defense specialists. Most of them will join Air Force.
“For the first time since the Great Patriotic War we have early graduation of officers. Camouflage ACU instead of parade uniform is a reflection of current situation in Donbas. I believe in victory of our state over terrorism and I’m sure lieutenants will accomplish all the tasks assigned and will defend their people and state”, Lieutenant General Viktor Sidash, Deputy Commander, Ukrainian AF, stressed.
According to the University leaders, the professional level of officers is very high despite the reduced program of training. The cadets had full course of practical training and exercises.












http://www.mil.gov.ua/en/news/2015/0...ts-in-kharkiv/

[Natalka]

A year ago, on 27 February 2014, Russian flag was raised on the building of the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
De facto this was the beginning of the Russian occupation of Crimea.
On 18 March 2014, Russia, in flagrant violation of all norms of international law, annexed the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

[Argo53]

Such a sad way to mark such a sad anniversary.

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The Associated Press
Published Friday, February 27, 2015 5:33PM EST
Last Updated Friday, February 27, 2015 5:37PM EST

MOSCOW - Russia's Interior Ministry says Boris Nemtsov, a leading opposition figure and former deputy prime minister, has been shot and killed near the Kremlin.

Nemtsov, a sharp critic of President Vladimir Putin, was killed early Saturday. His death comes just a day before a major opposition rally in Moscow.

The Interior Ministry, which oversees Russia's police force, said that Nemtsov was shot four times from a passing car as he was walking a bridge just outside the Kremlin.

Nemtsov served a deputy prime minister in the 1990s and later became a prominent opponent to Putin, helping organize street protests and exposing official corruption.