Global Research

UNIAN
April 1, 2015

Poroshenko and Merkel discuss Minsk agreements and deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko discussed the situation in the Donbas with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday, the presidential press service has reported.

The two leaders, speaking by phone, agreed that the Russian-backed militants must comply with the ceasefire and implement all provisions of the Minsk agreements, including the release of prisoners.

Poroshenko and Merkel also called for there to be another meeting of the “Normandy Four” foreign ministers of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France in the coming days to discuss further progress on the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the deployment of a peacekeeping mission in the Donbas…

Civil Georgia
April 1, 2015

Ukraine Rejects Georgia’s Request for Extradition of Saakashvili

Tbilisi: Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine said on April 1 it declined Tbilisi’s request for extradition of Georgia’s former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who now serves as Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s adviser.

Saakashvili is wanted by the Georgian authorities on multiple criminal charges…Court in Tbilisi ordered Saakashvili’s pre-trial detention in absentia in August, 2014.

“As a result of review of [Georgia’s extradition request] Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine has concluded there is a significant risk that extradition request for Saakashvili was made by the competent Georgian agency with the purpose of his prosecution for political motives,” Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office said in a statement on April 1, adding that extradition of Saakashvili would be in conflict with the European Convention on Human Rights.

It also said that the Georgian chief prosecutor’s office has been notified about its decision to reject the extradition request.

A close ally of Saakashvili, former Georgian MP from UNM party, Davit Sakvarelidze was appointed as Deputy General Prosecutor of Ukraine on February 16, joining several other former Georgian officials who took senior government posts in Ukraine, among them Eka Zguladze, who is Ukraine’s Deputy Interior Minister; Gia Getsadze, who is Ukraine’s Deputy Justice Minister, and Alexander Kvitashvili, who is Ukraine’s Healthcare Minister.

On February 13 Saakashvili himself was appointed by Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko as his adviser and head of International Advisory Council on Reforms…

ACTMedia
April 1, 2015

SACEUR Breedlove: NATO to announce soon a decision on prepositioning heavy weapons in Romania

The Supreme Allied Commander Europe, US four-star General Philip Breedlove announced a decision in the near future on prepositioning NATO heavy weapons in Romania; he voiced his confidence in Romania’s prompt response and agreement with this decision.

He confirmed the Alliance’s intention in a joint press conference with Defence Minister Mircea Dusa; the Romanian official mentioned that technical talks to this effect were already in progress…

Ukraine Today
March 31, 2015

NATO commander says military convoy in Czech Republic sends reassuring message

NATO’s top military commander General Philip Breedlove has said an armoured vehicles convoy travelling by road in the Czech Republic sent a message of reassurance. Speaking in Romania, Breedlove said he and NATO are ready to defend against Russian belligerence.

Philip Breedlove, NATO Commander, US European Command: “Crowds have come out to welcome these soldiers and their vehicle. They return home. So, it’s been a good message of reassurance, a good message to our nations, and we were able to exercise some skills that we haven’t exercised in quite some time.”

Breedlove said a decision on whether Romania would host heavy military equipment from NATO will soon be made public…

U.S. Air Forces in Europe
U.S. Air Force Africa
March 31, 2015

F-15 theater security package arrives in Europe

F-15C Eagles taxi into position at Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, March 31, 2015.

F-15C Eagles from the Florida Air National Guard’s 159th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron are deployed to Europe as the first ever ANG theater security package here.

These F-15s will conduct training alongside our NATO allies to strengthen interoperability and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the security and stability of Europe.

Stars and Stripes
March 31, 2015

Exercise will test NATO’s new quick-reaction team

NATO will begin testing the capabilities of a new spearhead unit that has been carved out of the NATO Response Force. The unit, formally known as the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, was formed in response to Russia’s intervention in Ukraine.
By John Vandiver

STUTTGART, Germany: NATO will begin testing the readiness of its new “spearhead” reaction force on Wednesday, marking the start of a series of exercises intended to bolster the alliance’s crisis-response capabilities.

Noble Jump, a 10-day drill in the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, will focus on mobilizing NATO’s new quick-response team, formally known as the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force. The high-readiness unit will practice responding to rapid “orders to move,” under the new VJTF framework, NATO says…

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Maritime Command 
March 31, 2015

Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 visits Casablanca

CASABLANCA, Morocco: Ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) have arrived in Casablanca for a scheduled port visit.

Led by Rear Adm. Brad Williamson (USA N), SNMG2 is currently comprised of the flagship USS Vicksburg (CG 69), HMCS Fredericton (FFH 337), TCG Goksu (F 497), ITS Aliseo (F 574) , FGS Spessart (A 1442) and FS Marne (A 630).

During the port visit, SNMG2 leadership will meet with local Moroccan authorities and Navy officials to discuss issues of shared importance and to finalize an upcoming exercise at sea between SNMG2 and the Royal Moroccan Navy (RMN).

Morocco is one of seven countries in NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), designed to foster communication and cooperation between NATO and the MD countries…[Libya has been invited to join and Lebanin and Syria are no doubt targeted for the same.]…

Xinhua News Agency
March 31, 2015

NATO head outlines areas for increased cooperation with EU

BRUSSELSZ: NATO head Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday that he is “a strong supporter of closer cooperation between the European Union and NATO” and that more can be achieved “if we work more closely together.”

While addressing the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Sub-Committee on Security and Defence, Stoltenberg outlined three areas where he sees great potential for increased cooperation between NATO and the EU.

The first area is “building resilience together, by strengthening our defense in facing new threats such as for instance hybrid warfare.” The second is “building resilience together with our neighbors, in the east and the south.” The third is “defense investment…”

Ukrinform
March 31, 2015

NATO explains when it considers Ukraine’s membership

KYIV: NATO monitors the reform process in Ukraine to assess its readiness to join the military-political bloc.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament in Brussels on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

“Ukraine has recently announced the launch of the reform process, in order to join NATO. As I said before, it will take some time. We will assess any request coming from Ukraine, just like from any other country, but this will happen only if and when there is an application,” Stoltenberg said.

He also said that Russia’s interference in the choice of neighboring countries, regarding NATO membership, is unacceptable.

“We consider escalation in the east of Ukraine as a result of Russia’s behavior, more drastic Russia, which is responsible for the aggressive actions in Ukraine and uses military force to change the borders and annex the part of another country,” he said.

Interfax-Ukraine
March 31, 2015

Over 21,000 Ukrainians to be drafted in April-May 2015 – Defense Ministry

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the number of Ukrainian citizens to be drafted for active military service in April-May 2015.

A total of 21,126 people will be called up during this period.

According to the Defense Ministry’s website, Cabinet decree No. №274-р dated March 18, which was posted on March 31, states that 12,296 draftees will serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 7,630 – in the National Guard of Ukraine, 1,200 – in the State Special Transport Service.

The amount of expenses incurred by the drafting process in April-May was set at UAH 1.967 million. The money needed to prepare and carry out the drafting of one person was set at UAH 93.13 (without taking into account money for food and transportation). The money must arrive by April 10.

The Defense Ministry said that 20-27-year old men who can’t be relieved of military duty are to be drafted.

Army conscripts will not be sent to the anti-terrorist operation zone, the Defense Ministry added.

Trend News Agency
March 30, 2015

Georgia to host joint exercise with NATO this summer

Baku, Azerbaijan: NATO and Georgia are to hold a joint exercise this summer, said James Appathurai, the NATO secretary general’s special representative for the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

He made the remarks during an online Q&A with the Georgian non-governmental organization, the Atlantic Council of Georgia, on March 30, News Georgia reported.

“The pace [of implementation of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package] is very good,” said Appathurai, adding that the NATO experts have been helping Georgia to set up a joint training center.

He also said the members of the core team, who will soon be in Georgia, have been identified, and there will be a joint exercise in Georgia this summer.

Earlier, during NATO’s Wales Summit, held in September 2014, a package of measures was approved to help Georgia in its aspiration for its membership in the alliance…

Civil Georgia
March 30, 2015

NATO Envoy: Pace of Implementation of Substantial Package with Georgia ‘Very Good’

Tbilisi: Pace of implementation of substantial package of cooperation with Georgia, approved by NATO at its summit in Wales, is “very good” and both the Alliance and the Georgian authorities are moving “fast” in this process, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, James Appathurai, said.

In an online question and answer session, hosted by Tbilisi-based think tank Atlantic Council of Georgia, Appathurai said that NATO experts are helping Georgia to set up the joint training center, members of the NATO core team of experts for defence capacity building assistance to the Georgian MoD have been identified and will “soon” be in the country, NATO Liaison Office “is being beefed up” and NATO exercises will be held in Georgia this summer…

Ukrinform
March 30, 2015

US Congressmen to discuss supply of lethal weapons during their Ukraine visit

KYIV: On Monday, March 30, the delegation of US congressmen arrives in Kyiv, including Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services William Thornberry (R-TX), and the House Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

The news is reported by Radio Liberty.

It is expected that the purpose of their visit will be to discuss a possibility of U.S. lethal weapons supplies to Ukraine in order to ensure peace and security in the East…

Interfax-Ukraine
March 30, 2015

U.S. army personnel to train National Guardsmen in Lviv region

On April 20, U.S. army personnel will arrive at Yavoriv training ground in Lviv region to participate in a joint military exercise with National Guard of Ukraine personnel, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said.

“American commandos, numbering 290, will come to Yavoriv training ground, Lviv region, on April 20. This is where a long-term military exercise of 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team of the U.S. Army and combat units of the National Guard will be held,” he wrote on Facebook on Sunday.

Avakov said that 900 guardsmen will participate in the exercise.

“Three parts with 300 national guardsmen each. Three parts for eight weeks each. Then the joint exercise [will be held],” he said.

According to Avakov, the following battalions will take part in the exercise – Azov [Right Sector], Kulchynsky Yahuar (jaguar), Omega, and others from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Odesa, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia…

“I’m grateful to Victoria Nuland, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, and the employees of U.S. embassy in Ukraine. Without their vigor, the important and complicated preparation of training would have been impossible,” Avakov said, and he added that the agreement on the military exercise had been reached during negotiations between Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden…

North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations
March 30, 2015

Exercise Summer Shield set to wrap up

ĀDAŽI, Latvia: In support of the Alliance’s enhanced readiness, more than 1100 troops have taken part in Operation Summer Shield XII at the Ādaži Training Area, Latvia. The exercise which began on 21 March concludes on Tuesday, 31 March.

The annual training event is a combined land, air and naval exercise, with participants from Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Luxembourg, Canada and the U.S.

The goal for the training event is to integrate and coordinate fire support in infantry unit operations through combat support elements…

Ukrinform
March 27, 2015

Soros: Europe’s ignorance of Ukraine terrible mistake

KYIV: American billionaire and philanthropist George Soros believes that the EU ignores the financial condition of Ukraine. He urged Brussels to allocate additional funding to Kyiv.

He said this in an interview with BBC.

According to him, Europe is too preoccupied with financial problems in Greece.

Soros believes that it would be better to encourage the Ukrainians, who tend to Europe and confront the threat from Russia.

“This is a country with more than 40 million people who want to be Europeans, and who really want to stand up and fight, sacrificing their lives, but Europe is ignoring them. This is a terrible, terrible mistake on the part of Europe. And therefore, Europe needs to wake up before it’s too late,” Soros said.

Previously, he said that Ukraine needs financial assistance worth $50 billion.

Two weeks ago, the IMF decided to provide Ukraine with $17.5 billion in the framework of a four-year financial aid program. As IMF Chairman Christine Lagarde said, Ukraine may receive up to $40 billion, taking into account funds from other lenders.

Ministry of Defence of Georgia
March 28, 2015

Defence Minister Met with Acting Assistant Secretary General of NATO

Acting Assistant Secretary General of NATO on Public Diplomacy, Ted Whiteside pays a visit to Georgia. Minister of Defence of Georgia, Mindia Janelidze hosted the NATO official at the Defence Ministry today. Mindia Janelidze thanked Ted Whiteside for active support of the North Atlantic Alliance towards Georgia’s membership aspirations.

Importance of the Public Diplomacy and effective strategic communication on Georgia’s NATO integration path was the main topic of discussion. The sides talked about Georgia’s EU and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and implementation process of the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package. Georgia’s contribution to global security and professionalism of the Georgian military contingent was emphasized at the meeting…

Ministry of Defence of Georgia
March 28, 2015

International Week completed at Davit Agmashenebeli National Defence Academy. First Deputy Defence Minister Gocha Ratiani, Chief of General Staff of the GAF, Major General Vakhtang Kapanadze and his deputy, BG Vladimer Chachibaia attended the closing ceremony. They addressed to the Georgian Junkers and the students of foreign military educational institutions and awarded them with the relevant certificates.

Within the International Week, students of American, German, Lithuanian, Latvian and Polish military institutes visited National Defence Academy. Foreign students took part in various kinds of academic and cultural activities together with the Georgian Junkers. The juveniles visited LEPL Military Scientific-Technical Center “DELTA” and Colonel Besik Kutateladze Sachkhere Mountain Training School…

U.S. Department of Defense
March 27, 2015

Carter, NATO Official Meet at Pentagon to Discuss Issues

WASHINGTON: Defense Secretary Ash Carter yesterday met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the Pentagon to discuss critical transatlantic security issues, according to a DoD news release.

The two leaders discussed Russian actions in Ukraine and the status of NATO assurance activities, instability in North Africa and the Middle East, and allied efforts in Afghanistan, the release said…