The end of Novorossiya: Putin on the verge of defeat

The next round of talks on stabilizing the situation in eastern Ukraine were slated to take place in Minsk on December 9 [though on December 12 the date still has not determined]. The plans are to focus less on new peace initiatives and more on forging a mechanism to allow the implementation of agreements that had been reached back in September but were not fulfilled.

The situation now is fundamentally different than it was back in September. Back in September Ukraine was in a losing position. The infamous Battle of Ilovaisk had just taken place and the Ukrainian military had suffered a severe blow. President Poroshenko was seeking a way to stabilize the situation in eastern Ukraine not only to halt Russia’s advance on Mariupol but to carve out some time for parliamentary elections, hoping to gain reasonable support.

In many ways the September agreements that were reached were far from ideal for Ukraine and Kyiv reacted with a great deal of criticism. Kyiv was dissatisfied with the political part of the agreement: the militants in Donbas were given de facto recognition, it was agreed that they could keep the occupied territory, and a certain “special status” would be guaranteed that was perceived by many to be a first step in federalizing the country following the Kremlin’s directions.

It’s true that neither the Ukrainian leadership nor the separatist leaders proceeded to fulfill their obligations in any serious way. In Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts illegal and unrecognized local elections were held and that gave Kyiv grounds to ignore the political and financial obligations that had been reached in the agreement. The ceasefire and withdrawal of troops which had been agreed upon in the memorandum also did not take place.

It seemed there were no significant changes in the conflict zone after the agreement. Yet it only seemed that way. The overall situation around the frozen conflict evolved quite rapidly and almost always in Ukraine’s favor.

Firstly, President Putin was completely ostracized by the western leaders and China at the G20 Summit in Brisbane. The chief of the Kremlin was made to understand that no one believes his lies about Russian claims of non-intervention in Ukraine. He was also made to understand that if he continues to fan the flames the most severe sanctions will be implemented, including the exclusion of the Russian banks from SWIFT, “the global provider of secure messaging services.” That would be a severe blow to Russia’s financial institutions, all the more since they are already on shaky ground. With that threat the western leaders have actually defused the danger that Russian-supported separatists will further escalate the conflict. Any attacks on Mariupol or Debaltseve would now be a death blow to Russian banks and to the whole economy.

Secondly, with the coming of winter it has become evident that the separatist leadership is incapable of providing any kind of normal life for the inhabitants in the occupied territories without external financial support. Bitterly cold Donetsk and Luhansk find themselves on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe. Smaller towns have already crossed the line: if we are to name things what they are, there is famine in the towns. Old people in particular are suffering. With the absence of functioning social and medical agencies the old people are slowly dying in their freezing homes with no food or medicines.

Thirdly, the separatist groups are wrangling over the dwindling resources and over retaining the support of Moscow. The possibility that a unified leadership in the so-called DNR and LNR can or will emerge is non-existent. Because they are fragmented, because there is an absence of a unified leadership they are unable and unwilling to abide by the ceasefire. That circumstance makes it impossible for them to agree on what their strategic objectives are. There are those who want independence, some want to join Russia, and others want broad autonomy within Ukraine. Until recently each group had its supporters in Moscow and each sought Putin’s political support.

By the beginning of December, the overall status of the separatists deteriorated. The hope that after the Battle of Ilovaisk Ukraine would agree to recognize the separatists and would agree to provide an official plan to federalize eastern Ukraine has been dashed. The isolation of the occupied territories from any financial means has led to the crash of the local economy. Moscow has ended up with a bunch of armed people, a destabilized region, and a famished and freezing population.

The Russian leadership is left with four options:

• To escalate the conflict and to force the Ukrainian side to declare federalization and to take on the responsibility for Donbas and its people
• To drop the Novorossia project, let the people fend for themselves, close off the border to Russia and  admit and declare defeat
• To freeze the conflict by absorbing Donbas and its resources
• To try to achieve the original objectives through negotiation

The first option has been rejected by the hawks in the Kremlin citing the above-mentioned reasons (collapse of the economy, social upheaval and popular unrest).

The second option is unacceptable for ideological reasons. The Russian people who for over a year have been told that “those are our people” will be unable to comprehend or to accept such a decision. Today already men like Strelkov-Girkin are explicitly blaming the Kremlin for betraying “Novorossia” and are gaining popularity among the most conservative segment of Russian society. Besides, in Moscow everyone understands that abandoning Donbas will not lift the international sanctions that are in place. Crimea is next in line. For the Kremlin it is essential to keep stoking instability in eastern Ukraine for as long as possible. Capitulation is not an option.

http://euromaidanpress.com/2014/12/12/the-end-of-novorossiya-putin-on-the-verge-of-defeat/

Graphic novels on the Holodomor

Translated from an article by Anna Lazareyeva for BBC (November 13, 2010) and an article in Ukrainska Pravda (December 2, 2014)

GRAPHIC NOVELS ABOUT THE HOLODOMOR AND OTHER STORIES FROM LIFE IN THE USSR HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN FRANCE

“It all started as a project about Chekhov’s home in Yalta. But in Ukraine I was shocked by what I saw and heard. Nothing like that had ever happened to me. I called my publisher to let him know that I want to do a different book…”

Ukrainian Notebooks (Memories of Life in the USSR), a series of graphic novels, has been published in France. The author, the famous Italian artist Igort [Igor Tureri, b. 1958], has already sold 10,000 copies in Italy. His illustrated collection of memories and stories that people in Ukraine have shared with him about their lives in the recent past will soon be coming out in English, German and Spanish.

In reviews both critics and readers describe Igort as one of the most popular Italian artists whose specialty is graphic novels. He is the recipient of many prizes, the founder and owner of a publishing company and an author renowned for his exciting illustrated detective novels.

“This kind of delving into the history of the twentieth century is essential to help us better understand the post-Soviet countries that are now going through many of their own revelations and discoveries,” writes a French reviewer.

“The horrors people experienced in life under the communist dictatorship are well known, but not many of us are familiar with the terrible tragedy that was forced on the Ukrainian people, the Holodomor. Millions starved to death because one person willed that,” writes another reviewer. “Ukrainian Notebooks deserve to be included in school curricula.”

Ukraine was a shock and a revelation

Emmanuel, from the Parisian bookstore “Galérie BD Spirit” that specializes in comic books, is impressed by the scale of the projects the Italian artist likes to take on. He says, “Igort is one of the most popular, if not the most popular Italian master in the art of comics in the last thirty years. He is manager of the best specialty publishing company in Italy, “Coconino Press,” and likes to takes part in those international projects that publish the graphic novels in other languages to have direct sales in the global market.”

Ukrainian Notebooks is in essence a new genre for the author

In an interview conducted by the BBC, Igort said that this was the first time in his life as an artist that he became so interested in a subject that he ended up putting his other projects on hold.

http://euromaidanpress.com/2014/12/10/graphic-novels-on-the-holodomor/

Military banned from attending public places in the Donetsk region with weapons

Head of Donetsk Regional State Administration Oleksandr Kikhtenko declared a ban on visits to public places Ukrainian soldiers with arms in the Donetsk region. “began to struggle with alcohol consumption by soldiers. I asked the local authorities with a request to establish control over the sale of alcoholic beverages. We have adopted today decision to ban visits to places of public men in uniform with weapon, “- said in an interview Kikhtenko Hubs .

“Today the problem is clearly defined regional prosecutor’s office, the security service, Provincial Department of the Interior. Fix each case (violations by the military. – Ed.) And to conduct impartial investigations, to prosecute those responsible. This work we have already started. I’ll do anything to organize joint patrols streets settlements. patrol police and military will, “- he added.

Read:

Donetsk Governor: Russia can not fight against the whole world

According to the governor, cleaning up the roadblocks in Donetsk. “We introduce a clear algorithm inspection equipment, people, the rule of law at the same time. Some will remove roadblocks,” – said the head of Donoghue.

He also announced personnel changes in the power structures of the region.

Read:

Kikhtenko told about the operation of volunteer battalions

As reported by the “Observer”, previously Kikhtenko expressed dissatisfaction with the international observers in the Donbas .

http://obozrevatel.com/crime/08235-voennyim-zapretili-poseschat-obschestvennyie-mesta-v-donetskoj-oblasti-s-oruzhiem.htm

Wasn’t aware there were many UA troops IN Donetsk.

The new Minister of Health said that will be with bribery

Those doctors and officials who used to live at the expense of bribes must themselves go, or they will understand law enforcement agencies. In an interview with “TSN.Tizhden” on Sunday, December 7 said Health Minister Alexander Kvitashvili.

“Otherwise, if they will not be interested in me, and other organs,” – he said.

Read:

Saakashvili refused the post in the Cabinet of Ukraine, Kvitashvili – agreed

According to Kvitashvili, all will be checked for bribery and it is possible that by using “dummy” bribe.

The Minister noted that “such things can just change.”

“No doctor in any country does not want to climb to the patient in the pocket” – Kvitashvili said, stressing that doctors receive a small salary.

http://obozrevatel.com/politics/58924-vrachej-budut-proveryat-na-vzyatochnichestvo-kvitashvili.htm

Yatsenyuk people in the Ministry of Health lied on camera about his family business (VIDEO)

Acting Health Minister Vasyl Lazoryshynets lied to journalists that his wife has a private business in the building of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery named Amosova.

This is stated in the video shown in the TV program “Nashі groshі”

.Meanwhile, reporters found that the firm wife Lazorishentsa not only located on the third floor of a public institution, but also robs places most financially affluent customers – foreigners.

Read:

“Hyenas” Yatsenyuk captured “Kyivproject”

In the story says that the private “Clinic of new technologies” was founded in 1997. Among the co-founders of Tatiana Lazoryshynets and Alla Knyshova – the wife of the then and current director of the Institute of Amoz Gennady Knyshova. Agreement to lease space on the request of journalists failed to provide leadership institute.

In the story tells that now Alla Knyshova withdrew from the co-founders of the clinic, but the wife of acting Minister – remained.

“The main purpose of this clinic is to serve foreigners. In order to separate the flows of our citizens, who in turn pay taxes to the budget and foreigners who do not, so there was no confusion – created this clinic,” – said the director of “Clinics new technologies “Yuri Semushkin.

Read:

Because of the “effective premiership” Yatsenyuk Ukrainians were missing $ 3.6 billion

The program says that the private clinic – not the only family business Lazorishintsa. Health facility located on the territory of the state kardioinstituta. On the territory Institute. Amosov also has three private pharmacies, which are controlled by the minister and his business partner Gennady Knyshov. This pharmacy “YUMED”, “doctor” and “Pharmacy 58”.

Reporters learned that the pharmacy “YUMED” center founded “The Child and the heart.” Co-founder of the company, until recently, was Mr. Lazoryshynets. Acting now share Minister received Lesya V. Shulga, nee – Les Lazoryshynets.

Pharmacy “Physician” director of the institute founded wife Alla Knyshova. Now co-founder of the pharmacy is Brigider Andrei Viktorovich. “Pharmacy 58” director of the institute founded daughter Natalia Knyshova. Now co-founder of the pharmacy is the same Brigider Andrei Viktorovich.

Read:

Chornovil: Cabinet headed by Yatsenyuk cool the ardor of the EU

Dining at the institute as “ministerial”. The owner of the dining room – the same company “YUMED.” Director of the dining room – Valentine Mazhuga – also recorded the head “YUMED” and another family Lazorishintsem business – the company “Yaroslav”, co-founder is the wife of acting Minister Tatyana Lazoryshynets.

Recall a week ago Yatsenyuk proposed to leave Basil Lazorishintsa at the head of the Ministry of Health.

Read:

In Poroshenko reminded Yatsenyuk that he does not live in “the prime minister’s country”

As reported by the “Observer”, the former chairman of the State Service for Regulatory Policy and Entrepreneurship Development Michael Brodsky said in his article that the Cabinet has allocated financial assistance to someone Yatsenyuk that exceed the costs of the ATO .

http://obozrevatel.com/crime/43927-chelovek-yatsenyuka-v-moz-vral-na-videokameru-o-svoem-semejnom-biznese.htm

Half-naked girls in the city center raised money for the Ukrainian soldiers: post a photo

Scantily clad girls collected money to buy warm clothes soldiers that protect the integrity of Ukraine in the Donbass.

Photo courtesy of “UNIAN” .

As reported by the “Observer”, November 16 in Ternopil girls in summer dresses held a rally , which aimed to raise money to buy warm clothes Ukrainian soldiers fighting in the east of Ukraine.

http://kiyany.obozrevatel.com/life/83967-poluobnazhennyie-devushki-v-tsentre-kieva-sobirali-dengi-dlya-ukrainskih-soldat-opublikovanyi-foto.htm

The “TEC” and the team “Babylon 13” presented a new video about patriotic war in Ukraine (Nice video)

The leader of the Ukrainian group “TEC” Victor Broniuk presented his work, emotional patriotic song called “The smell of war,” he wrote 12 years ago.

READ:

In Warsaw, the Polish brothers arranged for Ukraine touching concert

Presentation of the songs took on the air of  “EspressoTV”

“In a country where the war when she touches each person, it is becoming a common problem, one that brings people together. When people today, about to raise a glass to the world, they understand what they say. Because, unfortunately, the war became a half of Ukrainian homes and many who managed to feel its taste and smell, “- said Broniuk.

“As for the songs, – he added. – That it was written 12 years ago, we never used it. Somehow, she wrote and lying, I think it was her time.”

READ:

In Kiev, presented a clip dedicated pilots Savchenko

According Broniuk, video work for the song “The smell of war” group “TEC” made in collaboration with a team of “Babylon 13” i Slavik Pilunsky.

Leader of the “TEC” stressed that the song is dedicated volunteers.

“I want to thank the volunteers and all those people who have left their work that they were engaged in life, and are actively involved in volunteer work” – summed up the singer.

http://show.obozrevatel.com/news/84059-gruppa-tik-i-komanda-vavilon-13-prezentovali-novyij-patriotichnyij-klip-pro-vojnu-v-ukraine.htm

The network has the video of movement of armored vehicles tergruppirovok “Hold” and “Somalia” (VIDEOS)

The network has video and photo travel columns of military hardware militants with the words “In Mariupol.”

Read:

Defenders of Mariupol eliminated enemy tanks and mortar – witnesses

The column consists of dozens of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, the Urals, the gas-66, artillery, anti-aircraft and machine communication.

Pro life “Russian Spring” reported that in Mariupol relocated illegal paramilitary units “Hold” and “Somalia”, reports informator.lg.ua.

Recall, according to the NSDC terrorists “LC” and “DNR” spend centralization and systematization of their gangs to create a so-called “Army of New Russia”.

http://obozrevatel.com/crime/05312-byilo-zamecheno-massovoe-peredvizhenie-tankov-tergruppirovok-oplot-i-somali-opublikovanyi-foto-i-video.htm

“The opposition bloc” rejected the proposal of the coalition – Lutsenko

Fractions “Oppozitsiionnogo block” received an offer to head the three parliamentary committees. However, the opposition rejected the idea of a coalition.

This was on December 4 briefing said the chairman of the faction “Block Poroshenko” Yuriy Lutsenko, reports Ukrinform .

Read:

Lutsenko Dovgiy struck from the list of heads of committees

“We went to them (” opposition bloc “- Ed.) Forward, offered three committees, but they do not want just three committees, namely the ones that they want,” – said Lutsenko.

According to him, the distribution of the committees between the factions was going on a proportional basis, according to which “the opposition bloc” really belonged to three committees. Thus, Lutsenko said that the opposition proposed Regulation Committee, the Committee on mezhdunatsionalnyh relations and commission on control over privatization.

Read:

Ten voted for the dictatorial laws Jan. 16 seats in the People’s Deputy tag management committees

At the same time, Lutsenko said that the representatives of the “opposition bloc” to refuse to provide their suggestions and put the requirement for leadership in the regulation committee, the Committee on Freedom of expression and human rights.

He stressed that the coalition could not accept such demands, because it is the people’s deputies, which are included in the “opposition bloc”, involved in the leveling of freedom of speech and human rights in Ukraine.

In addition, Lutsenko also noted that the working group on preparation of the decision of the leadership of parliamentary committees have been removed from the post of chairman, deputy and first deputy, all those people who voted for the law on Jan. 16, but they could not be removed from office secretaries and others of committee posts.

http://obozrevatel.com/politics/07658-oppozitsionnyij-blok-otverg-predlozhenie-koalitsii-lutsenko.htm

I take it they’d rather have the budget and tax committee’s to start with, along with the PGO.

Norway refused to cooperate with Russia in the military sphere to the end of 2015

Norway finally became convinced that Russia is destabilizing the situation in Ukraine and decided to suspend bilateral military cooperation with the aggressor country for at least another year.

Norway finally became convinced that Russia is destabilizing the situation in Ukraine and decided to suspend bilateral military cooperation with the aggressor country for at least another year.

It is reported by the press service of the Ministry of Defence of Norway.

Read:

At the border of Norway in the sky “lit up” Russian fighter

The initial decision to suspend cooperation was taken in March 2014 as well. However, the Government of Norway has examined the issue again and decided to continue the suspension of all bilateral military cooperation until the end of 2015.

“The situation is serious in eastern Ukraine, and Russia, of course, plays a destabilizing role. Russia supports separatists in eastern Ukraine, as well as holding the military and armed forces along the border. This is unacceptable,” – said the head of the Ministry of Defence of Norway Ine Eriksen Soreyde.

Read:

Lavrov reputed ignorant, reaching out to the King of Norway

At the same time, as the site of the Ministry of Defence of Norway, the country will continue cooperation with Russia in the field of coastal and border protection and rescue operations, as well as for the prevention of incidents at sea.

Earlier, the armed forces of Norway published a video that shows how the Russian MiG-31 passes too close to the Norwegian F-16s.

http://obozrevatel.com/abroad/78254-norvegiya-otkazalas-sotrudnichat-s-rossiej-v-voennoj-sfere-do-kontsa-2015-goda.htm

Russian Foreign Ministry considered the law of the US Congress to support Ukraine’s “anti-Russian”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation expressed regret approved by both houses of the US Congress US law “On Freedom Support of Ukraine”, said in a statement on the Foreign Ministry website.

Thus, the site of the Russian Foreign Ministry, this law was considered “anti-Russian”. “The approved by both houses of the US Congress without proper discussion and voting law” On Freedom Support of Ukraine “is a cause of deep regret his openly confrontational. Once again, in Washington leveled against Russian sweeping accusations baseless and threaten us with new sanctions, “- said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich. “Members of the US Congress it’s time to leave illusions about the effectiveness of the sanctions heated campaign against Russia. blackmail, we will not succumb, the national interest is not received, intervention our internal affairs will not allow, “- he added.

Read:

The State Duma suspected US to strengthen the basis for the policy of the Cold War

We emphasize that in his speech Lukashevich did not mention that the Ukrainian servicemen more than six months fighting the terrorists in eastern Ukraine, where the Russian authorities to fully support.

Read:

The US Senate passed a bill recognizing Ukraine’s military partner outside NATO

As reported by the “Observer”, US House of Representatives by a majority vote  adopted a resolution at number 758 , which condemned Russia’s policy in respect of a number of former Soviet republics, such as Ukraine, as well as demands from the Obama administration to continue the policy of sanctions against Russia.

http://obozrevatel.com/abroad/70346-mid-rf-schitaet-zakon-kongressa-ssha-o-podderzhke-ukrainyi-vmeshatelstvom-v-dela-moskvyi.htm

Oil continued its record fall again

On Friday, December 12, world oil prices have continued to fall.

As reported by Bloomberg , as of 8:24 Moscow time on fyuchersovoy intercontinental stock exchange ICE cost of a barrel of Brent crude oil for January delivery dropped to a mark of 63.48 dollars. January futures price of crude oil WTI reached the mark of 59.51 dollars.
Read:
Russian today is better not to wake up

According to Bloomberg, the decline in world oil prices is due to many factors: this provision Saudi Arabia discounts for Asia and the decision of the Iranian authorities to increase the level of oil production.

“It is clear that the time from Saudi Arabia we are talking about a price war, and there are no signs that the country retreat, then oil prices continue to fall,” – said the agency market analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago Phil Flynn.
Read:
How cheap oil and sanctions are killing the economy of Russia: Expert Evaluations

Energy Information Administration US Department of Energy announced that the country’s oil production peaked in 1983. Many experts have previously reported that the drop in oil prices may be due to a sharp increase and demand for oil due to the United States.

As reported by the “Observer” on December 11, for the first time in five years the price of WTI crude oil fell below $ 60 a barrel .

Note that on Thursday evening, for an hour several times tested the euro mark 69 rubles 99 kopecks, and then crossed the mark of 70 rubles 9 cents.

http://finance.obozrevatel.com/economy/71985-neft-snova-prodolzhila-rekordnoe-padenie.htm

Terrorists “DNR” “ordered” OSCE observers to get out Pavlopolya

Terrorists are the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic of Representatives made a special monitoring mission (SMM) of the OSCE to leave the city Pavlopol Donetsk region.

“SMM was forced to leave the city, was ordered by two armed men belonging to the” Donetsk People’s Republic “- quoted by RBC-Ukraine information OSCE.

In the last report of the OSCE reported that the gunmen were not allowed observers in a number of settlements.

SBU detained supporters of terrorists in the Donbas

Counterintelligence SBU detained three Ukrainian citizens who assisted members of the terrorist organization “Donetsk People’s Republic”, informs the press center of the SBU. It was found that a resident of the city of miners was recruited by a militant “DNR”, nicknamed “Santa”. To perform its tasks, he collected information on the movement of dislocations and technical characteristics of the Ukrainian army units that participate in the ATO. “Under the guise of a civilian informant came to engineering fortifications Ukrainian military, determine their coordinates, observed the movement of personnel, and the resulting intelligence passed on to terrorists “- reported in the department. Another detainee, a resident Druzhkivka, with arms on duty at a checkpoint in the city, check the documents of drivers of vehicles found among them pro-Ukrainian-minded citizens. Another accomplice of terrorists detained in the liberated Ukrainian territory. “He actively supported the illegal armed groups” DNR “in social networks, creating anti-Ukrainian community on the Internet, through which to distribute materials with calls to join the terrorists”, – informed the SBU.

http://obozrevatel.com/crime/14928-sbu-zaderzhala-na-donbasse-posobnikov-terroristov.htm

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http://zenrus.ru/

“Russia is no longer an emerging nation. Instead, it’s hiding its face from the world.”

“Backed by a considerable segment of Russian society, Moscow’s leaders are slamming the door on the world. This anger is puerile and misplaced. The West has played its role in antagonizing Russia, too, but my country bears the larger part of the blame. A new, vengeful isolationism has prevailed in Moscow.”

There was a time when we Russians thought of our country as one of those burgeoning, dynamic places, a land of diamonds in the rough. But today Russia is no longer an emerging nation. Instead, it’s hiding its face from the world.

As a result of the Kremlin’s own actions, and Western countermeasures, Russia may gradually find itself cut off from many of its international links, “unplugged” from capital markets, global news media, foreign expertise, and even the World Wide Web. To stay on top of Russia’s power pyramid, President Vladimir V. Putin and his minions feel they must corral and tame the Internet.

Russian news anchors and official commentators are constantly telling us the outside world is a dangerous place, and the global Internet is increasingly presented as a vehicle for hostile foreign influence. The Russian Interior Ministry calls the web “the main channel for the dissemination of destructive and extremist ideologies.”……………”

http://www.ukrainebusiness.com.ua/news/14346.html

Tablet: “Right-wing Ukrainian leader is (surprise) Jewish, and (real surprise) proud of it” (Interesting read)

Bereza: “For my ideological brothers in the movement I am much more Ukrainian than an ethnic Ukrainian like [Ukrainian Communist Party leader Petro] Symonenko. When we speak, for example about Bandera, I was too once one of those who thought, having imbibed Soviet propaganda, that he was a fascist. But I was able to read many books and to think and figure out the truth: that this was a man who spent much of the war inside of a German internment camp. That he was liquidated by Soviet, rather than Nazi, intelligence agents.”

Q&A with the Right Sector Parliamentarian Borislav Bereza

By Vladislav Davidzon for the Tablet:

My meeting with Right Sector’s Borislav Bereza, newly elected member of the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, took place on a sunny Friday morning. We met at a table with a magnificent view of the Dnieper River on the third-floor food court of the Sky Mall in Kiev. Despite the prognostications of Russian television, the right wing and ultra-nationalist party that is widely considered to be emblematic of the new iteration of “Ukrainian Fascism” failed to breach the 5 percent threshold required for parliamentary representation. Only two of its deputies were elected from the party to represent specific constituencies, party leader Dmitry Yarosh and party speaker Bereza, who ran a slightly frenzied campaign that focused on his busting up illegal unlicensed bars and underground casinos. That Bereza is a proudly outspoken and synagogue-going Jew is often pointed out by those who do not agree with the mounting equivalence of Right Sector with neo-fascism.

We were put in touch by a mutual friend whom we both highly respect, a Kiev-based Orthodox Jewish film producer. Bereza is very tall and has a muscular build. He has the broad shoulders and wide gait of a boxer along with a receding hairline and piercing gray eyes. He wears a diamond earring in his left ear and sports smart blue blazers over polka dot blue shirts with the Ukrainian emblem pinned to his lapel. Loquacious, and bluntly plain spoken, he speaks in a quick flow of short and declarative sentences and often cannot wait for you to finish your sentence before launching into the breathless reply. The day before we met he had told a Ukrainian newspaper that “Putin understands very well that his modern Russia could very well follow in the footsteps of the USSR with a complete collapse.”

Undiplomatic and completely intense, Bereza, who spoke with me in Russian, turned out to be one of the most likable politicians I had ever met, a cross between a drinking buddy, an Israeli paratrooper, and the aggressively militant Jewish partisan played by Liev Schreiber in Defiance. I congratulated him with a “Mazel tov” on his being elected a deputy and he responded with an enthusiastic “Baruch Hashem!”

Q. You are a Jew?

Yes. I am a Jew.

Q. So, you are Jewish believer, I am told you go to synagogue, and also that you strongly consider yourself to be a member of the Jewish people.

 Of course. I am not an Orthodox Jew, I do not wear peyes, or a kippah in public, but I try to go to synagogue as often as I can. I study the Torah, and that is absolutely a harmonically integrated part of my life. I go to Israel every year, since 1993, and I have lived there.

Q. But you are also a member of Right Sector?

I am a Jew and also a Cohen. There have never been any questions about this. Right Sector is composed of people of varied nationalities, not just Ukrainians and Jews, but also Poles and Belorussians, Georgians, Chechens, we have people of every [Soviet] ethnicity represented. The question is not one of ethnicity; it is “are you a Ukrainian? Do you support Ukraine? Are you a Ukrainian patriot?” In which case, you are my brother. If you are Ukraine’s enemy, whatever nationality you might be, you and I have nothing to talk about.

Q. The reason such questions arise is that, as you know, this country has historically witnessed many problems between its constituent nationalities. There have always been problems between Poles and Ukrainians, Ukrainians and Russians and, yes, Ukrainians and Jews.

Yes, that is so. I do not deny that. I have myself experienced casual everyday anti-Semitism. This is something I have experienced continuously since living in the Soviet Union, when my father could not go to the university he wanted to attend because he was a Jew. There were quotas for Jews, he was told. Yes, of course you are right.

I know that anti-Semitism still exists on the everyday level in Ukraine, I have felt it myself. But it is a minor problem. There is also Russophobia and Ukrainaphobia here in certain quarters, it certainly exists. But the question of anti-Semitism is not a serious ideological problem or question in this society.

Q. All right, I understand and respect your position. However that answer is not entirely satisfying. Many of the emblems and symbols of your movement strike many people as problematic. These are World War II symbols that—

Which symbols?

Q. —Well, let’s start with the Red and Black flag of the UPA [or Ukrainian Insurgent Army], under which you march. Under which you fight.

Great! Wonderful! You have to understand: It was not merely the representatives of the Red Army that were annihilated under the auspices of the Red and Black flag, but also fascists, as well as all those who were invading Ukrainian lands. The Red and Black flag of the UPA represented the fight for an independent Ukraine. Do you know the three classic principles that [Stepan] Bandera postulated in relation to all the national minorities living in Ukraine?

No, I don’t.

He said: “If you help me, reach out your hand to help me create a free Ukraine, you are my brother.” He also added, “However, if you don’t help me, do not reach out your hand to help me, but neither do you hinder me, you can live here. There is enough room here and you can live here.” That was his classic phrase, “There is room here.” But, the conclusion: “If you hinder the process, stick spokes in the wheel, then you are an enemy and you need to be destroyed.” So, it is all very simple.

For my ideological brothers in the movement I am much more Ukrainian than an ethnic Ukrainian like [Ukrainian Communist Party leader Petro] Symonenko. When we speak, for example about Bandera, I was too once one of those who thought, having imbibed Soviet propaganda, that he was a fascist. But I was able to read many books and to think and figure out the truth: that this was a man who spent much of the war inside of a German internment camp. That he was liquidated by Soviet, rather than Nazi, intelligence agents.

Q. Right Sector is also often accused of being quite reactionary on the question of LGBT rights, gay rights. What is your relationship personally and also as a party toward gays?

Again, the infringement of LGBT rights is, much like anti-Semitism, a real and substantive problem, but I do not know of a single country where homophobia does not exist. I do not know of a country where there are no homophobes or xenophobes. Such people exist everywhere. Personally I have no issues with LGBT and think this to be a matter of personal freedom.

I support the comment of Faina Ranevskaya, who once said that a tragedy will come upon any government that is concerned with what the citizenry chooses to do with their asses. Which is a very crude way to put it, of course.

Yet, even more than that: I personally want to go on the record as saying that I love the work of Freddie Mercury and I like to wear nice things designed by Armani.

http://www.ukrainebusiness.com.ua/news/14344.html

OSCE: Ukraine should itself determine mechanism of control over its border with Russia

Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (OSCE SMM) Alexander Hug said this at a press conference in Kyiv on Friday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“This is a prerogative right of the government of Ukraine to design its border control mechanisms,” he said, when asked how the OSCE SMM sees Ukraine might secure its with Russia.

According to the Hug, the OSCE can only observe these efforts.

In addition, he noted that, according to the Minsk agreements, OSCE SMM patrols monitor the section of the border that is temporarily controlled by militants.

http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/osce_ukraine_should_itself_determine_mechanism_of_control_over_its_border_with_russia_327705

Basically the OSCE doesn’t want to do what they’re job is. Thanks for nothing. Funds should be cut to the OSCE if they’re useless.

Pro-Ukrainian Russians active in Novosibirsk

Unidentified Russians have painted several monuments in Novosibirsk in the national colors of Ukraine, blue and yellow. The photos are available in the social networks.

The monument to Lenin had the words ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ written by the activists.

In addition, the WWII tank and Katiusha missile battery in the local park was also painted in blue and yellow.

The Novosibirsk authorities have confirmed the fact, ZN.UA reports Dec. 12.

http://zik.ua/en/news/2014/12/12/proukrainian_russians_active_in_novosibirsk_548734

Russian financier: Russian authorities no longer control the situation

Western economic sanctions against Russia led to the fact that the Kremlin has lost control of the financial market.

Wrote about this on his Facebook page Russian financier, head of the Diamond Age Capital Advisors Slava Rabinovich.

Read:

China rejected the ruble as currency for international payments

According to him, it happened for the reason that the political and military leadership of the country deprived of the Ministry of Finance of the controls.

“Today we are witnessing, finally, the entrance to the acute phase of the financial meltdown-a. Why now? Because the financial authorities of the Russian Federation completely lost control of the situation. And they could not lose, because the political and military leadership of the country deprived them of control levers. Russian stock market went down every working day of the last 14 trading days, except one. from the present day, he fell 14 of the last 15 days, and, sometimes, with the giant size of the daily fall to 3-4% per day, “- Rabinowitz writes.

He stressed that the ruble depreciated by about continued along the same path.

“Today, the Central Bank of Russia, in the act of impotent despair and senseless, with no tools to combat geopolitical crisis that Deplete the financial and economic system of the Russian Federation, raised its key interest rate by 100 basis points to 10.5%. In a statement, incoherent Central Bank said: “According to the Bank of Russia, inflation in 2014 will be about 10%.” Prior to this decision, the RTS index to “float” in a slightly negative zone, with half-point drop from yesterday’s closing. The ruble went down smoothly, “- wrote the financier.

“After the announcement of the decision of the Central Bank, the stock market shares, ie” collective mind of investors, “throwing stones down. Why? Because the collective mind of investors know:” The financial authorities of the country in a complete panic, they do not know what to do. Central Bank in a panic. Monetary controls finances and the economy are exhausted, they are no more. There is only one huge geopolitical gamble, and multiple international and war crimes, political and military leadership of the Russian Federation. And nothing more. Tools are no more “,” – says the situation financier.

http://finance.obozrevatel.com/business-and-finance/57294-rossijskij-finansist-o-kurse-rublya-vlasti-rf-uzhe-ne-kontroliruyut-situatsiyu.htm

Australia will provide Ukrainian military aid of $ 2 million

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott during a meeting with the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko announced the decision to provide assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for more than $ 2 million.

It is reported by the press service of the head of state.

Also during the meeting, the sides discussed the possibility of participation of Australia in the donor conference to be held in early 2015.

In addition, the talks dealt with the intensification of cooperation in agriculture.

Prime Minister Abbott praised the first in the history of bilateral relations visit of the President of Ukraine in Australia. He confirmed his intention to Australian authorities to continue to actively support Ukraine.

“Australia stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Last month, Australia morally and economically support helps Ukraine”, – he said.

In turn Poroshenko thanked the leadership of Australia for his active support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Read:

Australia decided to educate, train and equip the Ukrainian army

“Thank you for unity and solidarity with Ukraine,” – said the Ukrainian president.

The President stressed that the Ukrainians sympathy in the loss of life as a result of the crash, “Malaysia Airlines’ flight MH-17, on board of which there were 38 people in Australia. “Ukraine is doing everything possible to investigate the tragedy was an independent, transparent and effective,” – he said, adding that those responsible for the disaster should be held accountable for their actions.

Poroshenko invited Tony Abbott to visit Ukraine early next year. The Prime Minister said that in February, plans to open the Australian Embassy in Kiev.

As reported by the “Observer”, during a state visit to Australia on December 11 , President Poroshenko met with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott. They discussed a number of issues, particularly in the energy sector.

http://obozrevatel.com/politics/87124-avstraliya-predostavit-ukrainskim-voennyim-2-mln-pomoschi.htm

In Russia, the overturned bus with Ukrainians

In Russia, in the Belgorod region, in the area w / moving city Gubkin overturned bus with Ukrainian numbers.

According to preliminary reports, 54-year-old driver, a citizen of Ukraine, driving the bus “MAN”, before reaching the railway crossing, lost control – the bus slid into a ditch and overturned, the press service of the Ministry of Interior of the Belgorod region.

Read:

War on the roads: 49 accidents and 8 dead

As a result of the accident three passengers were taken to the casualty department of a local hospital.

Currently working at the scene investigative team, investigated all the circumstances incident.

http://auto.obozrevatel.com/news/92635-v-rossii-perevernulsya-avtobus-s-ukraintsami.htm

Shenderovich told about Putin’s Last Chance

Russian President Vladimir Putin will keep the voltage, as this is his last chance.

In an interview with ” Echo of Moscow “ said the Russian writer and journalist Viktor Shenderovich.

“He has no other agenda. It will support in every possible way the tension. If he loses, and it … He lost to the economy, he lost to Russia’s status – he lost this year. He’s an absolute loser. With us, however, with us. And this will be reflected on our well-being more than him. But he lost as a politician. And this theme Korsun – it’s all one theme: the great Russian sacred areas – that’s it. This whole dregs – the only thing that it is. This all pseudo-patriotic demagoguery – the only thing that remains to him. If he will lose if he loses the opportunity to chat about language … and it is necessary to silence him at all, “- he said.

Read:

Shenderovich: Kadyrov – this is not a subject for discussion, it constitutes a crime

According to Shenderovich, Putin did not talk about that, because he lost everything.

“He did not comment on the euro. He had nothing … he should just keep quiet,” – said the writer.

Read:

In Russia took up the writers for questioning already caused Shenderovich and Rubinstein

As reported by the “Observer”, previously Shenderovich urged Russians not to take an example from the koala hugging with Putin. 

http://obozrevatel.com/abroad/89764-shenderovich-putin-budet-podderzhivat-napryazhenie-eto-ego-poslednij-shans.htm

Putin shocked the world that had brought with him to India Aksenov

Official Washington has expressed concern that the governor of the Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Crimea annexed by Sergey Aksenov became part of the official delegation of the Russian president during his official visit to India. 

It stressed on Thursday during a briefing in Washington Speaker US State Department Jen Psak, reports Ukrinform.

“We are concerned about reports that the delegation accompanying Putin (in India – Ed.), May be included Sergei Aksenov,” – said Psak.

Read:

Kremlin puppet Aksenov thought of drilling a tunnel in Russia

In this regard, it expressed its “understanding” of the position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India, which noted that it was not officially informed of the arrival of Aksenov or his participation in the delegation of the Russian Federation.

According to Russian media, the so-called “head of the Republic of Crimea” Aksenov on Thursday arrived in India with the Russian leader Putin in the presidential plane. His trip he described as a private “in order to find business partners and investors.”

Read:

In Crimea Kremlin puppet conduct an inventory of shelters

As reported by the “Observer”, Russian President Vladimir Putin went to India , where he intends to discuss cooperation in the field of energy, defense and trade.

http://obozrevatel.com/abroad/07283-putin-privez-s-soboj-v-indiyu-aksenova-ssha-vyirazili-obespokoennost.htm

Cargo 200 in no hurry to return to the Russian Federation – Russian human rights activist

Killed on the Ukrainian territory of Russian servicemen in no hurry to return home, so that they continue including providing.

This was stated by Russian human rights activist Elena Vasileva, reports Espreso.TV. 

“It’s a mess Russia, of which we have spoken many times. Yes, people do not believe in human beings. Accustomed to the fact that people are obedient. The officials are doing everything possible to somehow cash in. We have already raised the issue that now every Russian soldier which became “cargo-200”, it is in no hurry to return home because he depends on the software. And on the supply of a good specialist receives, that is, its contents are spent from 5 to 10 thousand. dollars “, – she said.

Read:

Russian human rights activist has published lists had been abducted in the Russian Ukrainians

According to human rights activist as “this man is” supposedly in the service “, it receives the funds.”

“As they (the money – Ed.) Then sawn, I do not know. But most people in the Ministry of Defense who just cashing in on it, they do not care for the grief of parents,” – summed up Vasiliev.

Read:

Russian mother bless sons to slaughter – Vasilyeva

As reported by the “Observer”, Vasilyeva said earlier that   during the antiterrorist operation in eastern Ukraine killed more than five thousand Russian soldiers. 

http://obozrevatel.com/crime/59027-gruz-200-ne-speshat-vozvraschat-v-rf-rossijskaya-pravozaschitnitsa.htm

U.S. Senate Approved Law on Military Assistance to Ukraine as Major Non-NATO Ally

The Senate approved the bill on military assistance to Ukraine.

Censor.NET reports citing the U.S. Senate official cite.

In addition, MP from Samopomich Hanna Hopko confirmed this on Facebook. Another MP from Samopomich Semen Semenchenko commented on the event: “The Senate approved S.2828 – Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014. We are very grateful to our diaspora in the United States, to Dr. Karber, General Clark, Senator McCain, Miroslava Gongadze and all our new and old friends in the United States. General Zamana, Colonel Bereza and Colonel Teteruk – we all have actually done a good job. Glory to Ukraine! PS: We all must combine efforts to lobby Ukraine’s interests abroad, especially in the United States. It is the matter of the future of our country and our children.”

Read also: Russian Foreign Ministry Is Not Embarrassed by Flow of Equipment, Weapons and Armed Forces Personnel Across Border and Their Bodies in Opposite Direction but it Embarrassed by Minsk Obligations – Perebyinis

The author of the document is Senator Robert Menendez. The Senate has unanimously supported Ukraine Freedom Support Act. The bill designates Ukraine as major non-NATO ally, providing assistance to Ukraine for the military, defense, energy, and civilian sectors, and internally displaced persons. In addition, the bill provides the imposition of new sanctions against Russia.

Read also: United States to Allocate $112 Million of Military and $140 Million of Economic Aid to Ukraine in 2015 – Media

“The House of Representatives has yet to adopt its own version of the document for it to become the law. This legislation should be made yet by the current composition of the House, whose work, according to the schedule, ends tomorrow. The lawmakers previously stated that the work of the Congress can be extended to the weekend,” journalist Myroslava Gongadze wrote on Facebook. Censor.NET previously reported that the U.S. Department of the Treasury does not exclude extension of sanctions against Russia.

http://en.censor.net.ua/news/316016/us_senate_approved_law_on_military_assistance_to_ukraine_as_major_nonnato_ally

Psychologist says U.S. Senate’s CIA report makes false charges

One of the two psychologists who devised the CIA’s harsh Bush-era interrogation methods said on Wednesday that a scathing U.S. Senate report on the torture of foreign terrorism suspects “took things out of context” and made false accusations.

“It’s a bunch of hooey,” James Mitchell told Reuters from his home in Florida when asked for his response to the Senate Intelligence Committee’s findings released on Tuesday. “Some of the things are just plain not true.”

A day after the Senate report was issued, the U.S. Defense Department said it was shutting its detention facility at Bagram and no longer has custody of any prisoners in Afghanistan, closing another controversial chapter of Washington’s long fight against Islamic militancy.

The United States faces mounting criticism from the United Nations as well as foreign governments that Washington often reprimands for human rights violations.

The Senate report concluded CIA interrogation tactics were ineffective and often too brutal.

The CIA paid $80 million to a company run by the two former Air Force psychologists without experience in interrogation or counter-terrorism who recommended waterboarding, slaps to the face and mock burial for prisoners captured after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, according to the Senate investigation……………”

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/11/us-usa-cia-torture-idUSKBN0JM24I20141211

Torture report reveals CIA spent $300 million

The CIA spent “well over” $300 million on the CIA’s covert detention and interrogation program, according to the blockbuster Senate report made public Tuesday.

What exactly did that money buy? The report offers some answers — and hides others. A relatively quick scan of the report found more than two dozen instances in which dollar figures were covered over by a thick black bar or omitted entirely.

The money funded an elaborate operation including the detention centers themselves. Additional cash — sometimes called “subsidies” — was used to “show appreciation” to host countries that housed the jails.

But many specifics, such as the names of countries and precise costs, are redacted from the grisly report.

For example, the report says the CIA was offering millions in subsidies to at least three countries that agreed to host detention centers……………”

http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/09/news/economy/torture-report-cost/index.html