Video - Canada's PM Harper: "Putin's invasion of Ukraine ... must not be allowed to stand"

Ukraine Today: Ukraine's debt to private creditors should be restructured...in plain words: "We are broke and won't pay our debts"....expect fireworks.

Considering it's an election year for Harper and the large number of Ukrainian Canadians, it's 'normal' to hear this kind of talk.

Remains the fact that Ukraine is broke, has a mountain of debts from not paying their bills and no gas reserves for coming Winter.This situation is bound to escalate.

Putin has two options: Option slow retreat and the option of an insane escalation.

Putin has two options: Option slow retreat and the option of an insane escalation.(Espreso) [Google translate].

- Hello, Andrei. I read your tweet, where he wrote that Putin now has a choice: "To lose power as banal thief or lose power as the leader of the embattled Russian world." Once you have written that the Federation Council may soon come. Could you explain what you mean

- The fact that Moscow was made two very curious statement. 

Chairman of the Federation Council, Mrs. Matvienko, Russian senators asked not to go too far from Moscow, as in the near future may be called an extraordinary meeting of the Federation Council. This could explain some bills in the Duma, they say they need to take place before the summer holidays by the Federation Council. But just half an hour after it was made, Mr. Sands, who somehow suddenly decided to remind the city and the world that actually Putin can once again turn to the Federation Council with a request to give him authority to use the Armed Forces beyond our borders. This is all very worrying signals. They can, of course, be considered as part of the continuous military blackmail, which deals with Putin. But right now I would rate the likelihood of military escalation as a higher than even a few weeks ago.

Quite close to my assessment of the situation given, for example, is very far away from me in the next man Prohanov Sabbath Solovyov. However, he has formulated it somewhat differently according to their political outlook. He said: "We have a choice of either World War III or the second restructuring." The second restructuring in its language - Putin's retreat, his political defeat and displacement. Prohanov continued: "Perestroika, we still lose, and World War III can be won. So let's go to the Third World War. "

I believe that something similar can move and head of Putin himself. Therefore, the next few days, a week - they are very important. And it's strange attack at Marinka two days ago also seems to me not accidental, but an attempt to "feel out" the situation including within his own entourage. . I think that everything will depend on how Putin single-handedly controls the situation.

We are going through very troubled days. An intermediate situation can not continue indefinitely. Choice - escalation or slow retreat - the Kremlin in general, or Putin, if he is single-handedly controls the entire system of government should take in the near future.

- Recently, there are reports from Russian sources, with reference to the same Valentina Matvienko, that the Federation Council can vote for the accession of Transnistria. And, given that Ukraine has blocked Transnistria, this news sounds very anxious. Do you think Russia will dare even to the annexation of Transnistria?

- You know, taking off his head, the hair do not cry. Transnistria, it is a tactic. The question is different: whether the regime will be decided on a real war with Ukraine, Moldova and, indeed, with the West? Where he decides: the Donbas, Moldova, or maybe it is now actively offering Russian media to throw special squad to Odessa, grab Saakashvili, bring him in a cage to Moscow and Putin, his one seat hangs - it is technical details.

Very anxious, of course, what is being discussed and aggravation of the situation around Transnistria. It simply underscores that the scenario of military escalation, in spite of all his madness, is regarded very seriously. And where they will arrange a new provocation: in Marinka, Tiraspol or in Odessa - this is not essential. Now Putin will have to decide for themselves the question or slow, very boring, viscous and hopeless retreat, or challenge the West and the fate and the insane escalation, in which, as said Mr. Prokhanov, "What if we have a chance and win ? '

- What do you think, what will be the reaction of the West, because, in principle, have already begun and military provocations is absolutely clear that the Minsk Agreement thwarted?

- Today I watched meeting of the Security Council. At that time Samantha Power "drove a muzzle on the table" Churkin accident. But the Security Council in fact does not solve anything. Performances of the British and American representatives were, however, rigid and clearly indicate what they see as the culprit running escalation.

I have no doubt that the reaction of the West to be very sharp. I think that the basis for this conclusion is all that is said and what makes the West over the past two to three weeks with respect to Putin and the Kremlin's power. The West warned Moscow about the consequences of military escalation in very uncertain terms.

The point is not to be sympathetic to the Western Ukraine or the absence of such sympathies. The West is now most acute problem solve their own security. Because about Ukraine because he could tell, and he said, Obama and Rasmussen on the first day of the conflict a year ago: "Ukraine is not a member of NATO, so our military intervention is absolutely impossible." And there will be a military intervention. Yes this is not necessary. The West has enough economic and political means to inflict a humiliating defeat Putin.

They certainly it will cause, because if they would allow Putin to triumph in Moldova, Ukraine or anywhere else, then the next day his "little green men" will appear in the Baltic states on the territory of a NATO member country. 

There will not be able to avoid a war with Russia. If Western politicians betray Estonia - a member of NATO, do not fulfill their obligations under para. 5 of the NATO Charter, then it will be the infamous end of NATO, the end of the West as a subject of world politics, leaving the United States from the world stage as a guarantor of the security of the West.

And if they come to the aid of Estonia - a war with nuclear power, led by a person in a different reality, and brandishing nuclear weapons. It's unthinkable choice. Therefore, as I see the situation, the West made a firm decision not to bring the situation to such a choice, and stop Putin here and now in Ukraine, with the maximum use of a set of economic and political means, but «without boots on the ground».

Pick up the rhetoric of recent days. All influential Western leaders speak with one voice. Obviously, they were discussing the issue and Putin came to a common denominator. Thus, the Canadian Prime Minister said: "As long as Putin in the Kremlin - is no place for Russia in the Group of Eight will not." However, shrederovsky "fosterling" Steinmeier - Germany's foreign minister, to try something squeak that "in fact, we need Russia to solve some issues in Iran and Syria." But then he straightened Merkel sharply.

For the West, came a kind of "moment of truth". This situation is quite unusual for Putin. His game with the nuclear blackmail in political poker burst. For a year these Trenin, Lukyanov, Karaganov on any "informal talks" with the American political scientists sincerely whispered: "Well, understand, after all, Ukraine more important for us than for you. Therefore, we will raise rates until the use of nuclear weapons. You still flinch and turn away. " West did not flinch, did not give up and will stand up to Putin is very tough. Therefore, a new and very unpleasant situation for him. Hmmm....If i were Putin the 05 July at 03,00 AM would seem a good time to start. Read the full story here.

Video - Rostov Russia - Echelon military equipment & Howitzers transport in direction of Ukraine. June 6, 2015

These are heavy 152mm 2S3 Akatsiya self propelled howitzers & they come with #Russia troops. So full invasion of #Ukraine in on! #PutinAtWar

— Thomas C. Theiner (@noclador) June 6, 2015

#Russia artillery battalion painted over its insignias (seen @AVechera) +5x wagons full of troops = #Ukraine invasion pic.twitter.com/Jtxlad38eV

— Thomas C. Theiner (@noclador) June 6, 2015

Crazy stuff. All identification marks painted over. Upper right pic shows Kamaz 4350, seen in Ukraine 3 days ago. https://t.co/NwXGLd3w89

— Julian Röpcke (@JulianRoepcke) June 6, 2015

These self-propelled guns seem to be the 152.4 mm "2S3 Akatsiya". http://t.co/bOd5ux5iVc pic.twitter.com/5iBoDU9NAU

— Ukraine@war (@DajeyPetros) June 6, 2015

Russia's tank corp heading for summer "vacation" in Ukraine #ruSSiaInvadedUkraine pic.twitter.com/nw4c0Rn4xk

— Тошу Триниті (@ToshuTrinity) June 6, 2015

Obama 'Admin' Threat of US Missile Deployment in Europe Should Be Taken Seriously.

Obama 'Admin' Threat of US Missile Deployment in Europe Should Be Taken Seriously. (SP).

The possibility of US missile deployment in Europe to counter alleged Russian violations of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) arms control treaty should not be underestimated, former Pentagon official and vice president of the Lexington Institute think tank Dan Goure told Sputnik on Friday.

“This is not a threat the [US President Barack] Obama administration would make lightly,” Goure said. Goure noted the discussion of a possible US counterforce response “is remarkable considering the Obama Administration's efforts to develop a positive relationship with Moscow.”

On Thursday, the Associated Press reported the Obama administration is considering deploying missile capable of striking targets inside Russia, as a counter force measure to alleged Russian violations of the INF Treaty.

The United States is weighing the option of improving “the ability of US nuclear weapons to destroy military targets on Russian territory,” according to the report.

Goure, who served as an analyst and advisor in the Pentagon, noted that US counterforce options “are likely to be the nearest-term and the most effective conventional counter to the growing Russian threat.”

In the past six months, US officials, including Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, have presented three possible US responses to alleged INF violations: counterforce, active defensive or deterrent measures and fully withdrawing from the INF Treaty. Goure commented that the INF Treaty “is dying.”

He added, “We are rapidly returning to the Cold War days of escalation ladders, nuclear umbrellas and limited options.” Washington has accused Russia of testing a ground-based cruise missile in violation of the bilateral arms control treaty. Russia has repeatedly denied violating the INF Treaty, and has accused the United States of deploying defense systems in Romania and Poland with capabilities that violate the Treaty. Hmmmm....I think Putin is thinking 'just make my day'. He'll use the US Deployment to install way more nukes.

Video - Russian Army moving towards the Ukrainian border.

Vehicle in Al Jazeera video https://t.co/UZn5HZuDSU is a BTS-4 (T-54T) armoured tractor with snorkel (stowed down) pic.twitter.com/7tkJuowHS3

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) June 1, 2015

Russian tanks, APCs, AA, engineers and EW vehicles nr Matveev Kurgan, Rostov region (20km from Ukraine border) 26 May pic.twitter.com/nps1LDuVxc

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

Vehicle (left) at Matveev Kurgan, Rostov reg 26 May is Borisoglebsk-2B R-330BMV jammer (right, manufacturer photos) pic.twitter.com/W35asFYb4L

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

Tanks + Tunguska anti-aircraft + obstacle clearing + Borisoglebsk-2 EW vehicle, Matveev Kurgan, Rostov region 26 May pic.twitter.com/3Kz1QTTFn1

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

We'd like expert opinion if this is "Borisoglebsk-2" EW/countermeasures/jamming/radio vehicle? http://t.co/Adw5uzfxh9 pic.twitter.com/m5TqIcT09w

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

Russian RS-24 "Yars" mobile ICBM systems at Teykovo (near Ivanovo) Russia (uploaded 31 May) https://t.co/jS7PYBI6TS pic.twitter.com/xH06ooDr8v

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 31, 2015

Manufacturer "Borisoglebsk-2B": VHF radio jamming station designed to interfere with land-line http://t.co/j7VZRBnng0 pic.twitter.com/uPyj6LeqGS

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

Latest Russian weapons: "Borisoglebsk-2B" complex for SIGINT and electronic warfare jamming, 1 April 2015 https://t.co/z5VNssW2o6

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) May 28, 2015

Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) Cmdr V. Shamanov: risk of Russia being drawn into war increases http://t.co/7zLhKJgSdc pic.twitter.com/PFmQPLleAR

— GorseFires Collectif (@GorseFires) June 1, 2015

Gazprom to demand more than $8bn from Ukraine in ‘take-or-pay’ contract penalties, total gas debt almost $29.5 billion.

Gazprom to demand more than $8bn from Ukraine in ‘take-or-pay’ contract penalties, total gas debt almost $29.5 billion.(RT).

Russia’s Gazprom wants Ukraine’s Naftogaz to pay penalties for taking less than the agreed upon amount of gas in 2014, considering the so-called “take-or-pay” contract signed by the companies.
Gazprom would require Naftogaz of Ukraine to pay $8.197 billion in “take-or-pay” contract penalties, said company head Aleksey Miller at the European Business Congress on Thursday.

Russian natural gas producer also put Ukraine's total gas debt at almost $29.5 billion.

At the end of 2014 Russia, Ukraine and the EU agreed to put a freeze on the “take-or-pay” principle for five months which means that in the period spanning 1 November 2014 to 31 March 2015, Russia would not impose fines on Ukraine.

However, Gazprom has every right under the contract to fine Naftogaz for failing to provide payments from January 1 to October 31, 2014; there was no such freeze for the period of time spanning January 1 to October 31, 2014.

Naftogaz has reacted by saying it has never paid penalties arising from the “take-or-pay” rule and does not intend to do it in the future. The Ukrainian company claims the “take or pay” condition is not part of the contract.


At the same time the company welcomes the intention of Gazprom to submit their claims to an arbitration court. “Arbitration is the most civilized way to resolve commercial disputes when the parties cannot find a consensus through negotiations,” said the head of Naftogaz Andrei Kobolev, commenting on the statement of his Russian counterpart Aleksey Miller.

 “The corresponding claim will be addressed to Naftogaz of Ukraine today, the same claim will be directed to the Stockholm arbitration,” said Miller, quoted by RIA.

Miller estimated the total debt of Naftogaz to Gazprom at more than $29 billion. He said $200 million are owed to Gazprom for gas deliveries to the Donetsk and the Lugansk regions in Eastern Ukraine.

Earlier Gazprom filed an action to the Stockholm arbitration against Naftogaz, demanding $18.5 billion for the gas volumes in 2012-2013 that weren’t delivered by Gazprom but had to be paid for by Ukraine under the “take-or-pay” agreement. Hmmm.....Come Winter Ukraine will have No Gas reserves and no money.....get ready for war. 

Massive Air Force Drill Under Way In Russia

Left Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin

Massive Air Force Drill Under Way In Russia.(rferl).

The Russian Defense Ministry says that its air forces have begun a massive exercise involving hundreds of aircraft and thousands of service personnel.

In a May 25 statement, the ministry described the four-day drill as a "massive surprise inspection," to check combat readiness.

"The inspection involves about 12,000 military service personnel, as well as up to 250 planes and helicopters and 689 various weapons and pieces of military hardware," the statement said.

The manoeuvers began on the same day as NATO and some of its partners started an Arctic training exercise.

Russia's involvement in Ukraine and incursions into Western airspace have led to rising tensions with the West.

A ministry spokesperson said that, during the inspection, "Long-range aviation aircraft will carry out cruise missile strikes against a mock enemy's ground targets at the Pemboi test and training area (in the Komi Republic)."

Asked about Russia's assertiveness in a television interview, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin joked that "tanks don't need visas." Read the full story here.

Russia To Adopt 'Tough' Position If Ukraine Defaults on end of the year debts.

Russia To Adopt 'Tough' Position If Ukraine Defaults on end of the year debts. (rferl).

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says Russia would adopt what he calls a tough position if Ukraine decides not to repay debts owed by its previous government.

Speaking to Russian TV in an interview broadcast May 23, Medvedev says if Ukraine were to default on its obligations, Russia would "defend its national interests."

Earlier this week, Ukraine's parliament approved a law that would give the government the right to miss payments to its international creditors as it renegotiates payment terms.

Russia holds a $3 billion Ukrainian eurobond whose full repayment is due by the end of the year.

Medvedev also says the Russian government was right to allow its currency, the ruble, to float and that it was "optimal" to achieve a balance in the foreign-currency market.

The ruble has lost about a third of its value with respect to the U.S. dollar in the past year. Hmmmm.....By Winter Ukraine has no gas reserves and no money......welcome to WWIII

Over 4,500 Russian Military Servicemen Begin Month long Drills in Western Siberia.

Over 4,500 Russian Military Servicemen Begin Month long Drills in Western Siberia. (SP).

More than 4,500 Russian military personnel have begun exercises in three regions of the Urals, the Russian Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

"The exercises will continue for a month… Artillery units will hold more than 30 controlled exercises with rocket strikes and firing artillery," the ministry said in a press release.

The exercises will be held in the Kemerovo, Chelyabinsk, and Orenburg regions in western Siberia, half of them to be conducted at night, the ministry said. The drills will include Grad and Uragan rocket complexes.

The large-scale Center 2015 exercises are also expected to be held from summer through fall 2015 in several Russian regions as well as some areas abroad, with the participation of tens of thousands of military personnel, the Russian Defense Ministry said last December.

In total, Russia has planned at least 4,000 drills for 2015, according to the deference ministry. Hmmm......Preparing for coming Winter?


Related:    Russian Jets Penetrate NATO Ships' Air Defenses in Black Sea.

Gazprom Confirms Ukraine Pays $15 Million, Enough For One Day Gas.

Gazprom Confirms Ukraine Pays $15 Million, Enough For One Day Gas. (Rferl).

The Russian state-controlled energy company Gazprom says it has received a $15-million advance payment for gas from Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz, sufficient funds to provide Ukraine with one more day of gas supplies.

Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov confirmed on February 17 that "today at 9:20 a.m. Gazprom received a $15-million payment from Naftogaz Ukrainy. At the current level of shipments, this prepayment is enough for only about one day."

Kupriyanov said the amount of gas Ukraine has now paid for should be sufficient to last until March 2 when the energy ministers of Russia and Ukraine are due to meet in Brussels with officials from the European Union in an attempt to reach a new gas agreement.

Gazprom had threatened to cut off supplies to Ukraine at the end of this month claiming Ukraine had used all the gas it paid for in advance.

Under a deal brokered in October by the EU, Ukraine would continue to receive Russian gas but must pay in advance.

Putin: Gas supplies to Europe could suffer in 3-4 days if Kiev doesn't pay for future deliveries.

Putin: Gas supplies to Europe could suffer in 3-4 days if Kiev doesn't pay for future deliveries.(RT).

Russia will cut off gas supplies to Ukraine if Kiev fails to pay in “three or four days,” President Vladimir Putin said, adding that this "will create a problem" for gas transit to Europe.


Russia will completely cut Ukraine off gas supplies in two days if Kiev fails to pay for deliveries, which will create transit risks for Europe, Gazprom has said.

Ukraine has not paid for March deliveries and is extracting all it can from the current paid supply, seriously risking an early termination of the advance settlement and a supply cutoff, Gazprom's CEO Alexey Miller told journalists. The prepaid gas volumes now stand at 219 million cubic meters.

"It takes about two days to get payment from Naftogaz deposited to a Gazprom account. That's why a delivery to Ukraine of 114 million cubic meters will lead to a complete termination of Russian gas supplies as early as in two days, which creates serious risks for the transit to Europe,” Miller said.

Earlier this month, Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak estimated Ukraine's debt to Russian energy giant Gazprom at $2.3 billion.

In the end of 2014, Kiev's massive gas debt that stood above $5 billion, forced Moscow to suspend gas deliveries to Ukraine for nearly six months. On December 9, Russia resumed its supplies under the so-called winter package deal, which expires on April 1, 2015.

Naftogaz said it would not make advance payments for Russian gas without knowing Gazprom will implement its side of the contract, and the EU - brokered 'winter plan.'

“Europe currently is the main source of gas supplied to Ukraine, that’s why the flawless implementation of our liabilities to transport gas to the EU is our major strategy,” the head of Naftogaz, Andrey Kobolev said.

On Monday, Ukrainian state energy company Naftogaz accused Gazprom of failing to deliver gas that Kiev had paid for in advance. Naftogaz says Russia has broken an agreement to deliver 114 million of cubic meters of natural gas to Ukraine by delivering only 47 million cubic meters.

During a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on February 20, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev expressed concern about an increase in daily applications by Ukraine for the supply of gas, TASS reports.

He noted that "Ukraine's consumers have requested a larger supply; the volume has increased by 2.5 times. This means that the prepaid volumes left are enough for no more than two to three days.”

Last week, Medvedev ordered the energy minister and the head of Gazprom to prepare proposals on fuel deliveries to the self-proclaimed Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR and LPR) after Kiev had cut off the delivery pipeline into the southeastern regions. Hmmm......The problem of Ukraine their 'Gas Reserves' is way bigger then what the story mentions.

Related:  Ukraine gas-supply agreement end in two months, Gas storage at all time low.

With less than two months before Ukraine’s Russian gas-supply agreement ends, analysts are warning of critically low storage that would threaten all of Europe.

There’s been little progress on a new deal before the March 31 expiry, with Russia saying it will revert to a standard contract based on disputed prices that won’t be reviewed by international arbitrators until 2016. If the supply stops, then Ukraine’s inventories may shrink to the smallest in a decade by Oct. 1, says Eclipse Energy Group, a consultant in Norway.

That raises the risk that Ukraine will need to use Russian gas destined for the European Union next winter, according to Energy Aspects Ltd., a London-based consultant. The 28-nation EU is seeking to help broker a new deal because Russia supplies a third of its gas, with 40 percent flowing through pipelines across Ukraine. Flows to Europe via Ukraine were disrupted during pricing disputes in 2006 and 2009.

“If they cannot re-inject enough gas, the risks for Europe will be greater next winter than this winter,” May Mannes, head of gas and liquefied natural gas analysis at Stavanger, Norway-based Eclipse, said by phone Jan. 22. “Ukraine’s need for storage re-injection has been overlooked by many.”

Ukraine will have 10 billion cubic meters in storage in October if it only gets fuel from the EU and its own production, said Mannes, who has tracked the industry for two decades. That compares with 16.6 billion last October and 23.1 billion on average in the past 10 years. Read the full story here.

Video - Possible War Crimes evidence in East Ukraine: Frozen corpses with hands tied seen at Donetsk Airport

Video - Possible evidence of War Crimes in East Ukraine: Frozen corpses with hands tied seen at Donetsk Airport.(UANews).

Footage was shot during press tour organized by militants of the destroyed complex.

Disturbing video filmed amid the ruins of the airport showed dead prisoners of war purported to be Ukrainian soldiers, with their hands tied together.

The footage shot on Monday sparked online speculation that war crimes, illegal under the Geneva Convention, had been committed by Russian-backed militants at the destroyed complex.

One correspondent on the tour organized by militants in Donetsk was Alex Thomson, a reporter from UK broadcaster Channel Four. In an online blog, Thomson recounts he saw six bodies - with their hands tied with white electric cable, lying next to two burnt out vehicles and several live shells.

Militant leaders claimed those dead were Ukrainian soldiers. However, Thomson insisted the video is not conclusive evidence of a cold-blooded execution and questioned whether the dead soldiers were placed at Donetsk Airport for the world's media.

Social media users also speculated the soldiers' hands were tied to make transportation easier. This is not the first time militants have been accused of committing war crimes. Read the full story here.

Video - Ukraine - Large contingent of pro-Russian infantry moving in towards central Debaltseve

Source:

VIDEO: Large contingent of pro-Russian infantry moving in towards central #Debaltseve #Ukraine https://t.co/uJnjVfe9gr
— Conflict News (@rConflictNews) February 17, 2015

EU has expanded its anti-Russian sanctions list to 19 more people and nine new companies.

EU has expanded its anti-Russian sanctions list to 19 more people and nine new companies.(RT).

The European Union has expanded its anti-Russian sanctions list to 19 more people and nine new companies. The EU blacklist now includes 151 citizens of Russia and Ukraine’s self-proclaimed eastern republics and 37 Russian companies.

The newly sanctioned individuals include three top military officials: Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s First Defense Minister, Army General Arkady Bakhin, and the head of the main Operation Directorate of General Staff, Lieutenant General Andrey Kartapolov.

Two members of the Russian lower house of parliament, the State Duma, singer Iosif Kobzon and Valery Rashkin, who heads the Russian Communist Party branch in Moscow, are also on the list. The remaining 14 people are officials of the self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine.

European Union today published the names of 14 leaders of the militias, which are recorded in the EU sanctions list http://t.co/swrvjIozGO
— MFS - The Other News (@MFS001) February 16, 2015

Among them - Arseny Pavlov, who is also known under the call sign "Motorola",EU #Sanctions #Russia http://t.co/swrvjIozGO
— MFS - The Other News (@MFS001) February 16, 2015

Ukraine - Poroshenko declares cease-fire in place (TRANSCRIPT)

Ukraine - Poroshenko declares cease-fire in place (TRANSCRIPT). (KievPost).

Editor's Note: The following is a statement from Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

  Read the statement here and below

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has declared ceasefire along the entire line of hostilities in Donetsk and Luhansk region from February 15, 00:00.

Respective statement was made by the President on the premises of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Saturday, February 14, at 23:55.

"Ukraine has always treated its international commitments with great responsibility. We are willing to prove that once again. In a few minutes, glorious Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Border Troops, the units of the Ministry of the Interior and the Security Service of Ukraine will execute my order as Supreme Commander-in-Chief to cease fire along the entire line of clash with the enemy in Donetsk and Luhansk regions as stipulated by the agreements achieved in Minsk in the Normandy format with participation of the Presidents of Ukraine, France, Russia and the Chancellor of Germany," the President noted.

The Head of State emphasizes that Ukraine counts on a responsible attitude of the opposite party to the fulfillment of undertaken obligations, as negotiations have reached the highest level.

The Ukrainian Crisis Media Center also translated his live broadcast below:

Ukraine has always complied with its international obligations. We are ready to demonstrate our determination and uphold this principle again. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is going to order the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard of Ukraine and the Border Guard to cease their fire along the entire frontline in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the next minutes. The ceasefire takes place according to the agreements reached in Minsk between the leaders of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia.

Pacta sunt servanda is a principle that was not invented by us, but we strictly abide to it.

Ukraine expects the opposing side will act with much greater responsibility than before, considering the fact that negotiations have been conducted at the highest political level.

We have accounted for the announcement of one of militant leaders regarding his intentions to cease fire. We hope that the price of his words will be worth the paper on which he signed the order.

We are experiencing a whole array of sentiments in these minutes: optimism and pessimism, hope and skepticism, faith and concern. The situation around Debaltseve causes great concerns. For us it is a military springboard, while claims about encirclement is either a sick hallucination or wishful thinking. We can just recall an old proverb that honey is sweet, but the bee stings.

The Russian side demonstrated an excessive interest in the situation around Debaltseve on the eyes of the whole world during the Minsk negotiations. We were ready to take the Russian representatives on the battlefield. Yet they did not express any desire to come there and see that there is no encirclement around the city. Debaltseve, or rather what has remained from it after intensive shelling by the terrorists, is under control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Therefore I think the fact of using the tense situation on the outskirts of Debaltseve by militants-terrorists-mercenaries poses a great threat, which can violate the ceasefire regime. I am warning all participants of the Minsk negotiations, including the Russian Federation, which identifies itself as the guarantor of the reached agreements. In my opinion, it is too much to say that force is necessary to guarantee action from those you fully control; a mere political will is enough.

In the course of the last two days, I have divided my virtually round-the-clock working time on two major parts: meetings with the heads of the Ukrainian military and law-enforcement in order to ensure ceasefire, and diplomatic consultations regarding the same issue. I had a telephone conversation with President Barack Obama just a couple of hours ago after group telephone call with Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Barak Obama. The whole world held its breath, arduously anticipating tomorrow's sunset.

I will not tell what are we going to do in case if the militants decide to violate ceasefire. I will only tell that if we get attacked, we shall retaliate, and let God help us.

This is probably the last chance to restore a hard and long-term pathway toward political settlement of the conflict in Donbas.

I will put all my efforts to prevent any careless actions or unjustified fire that may undermine this opportunity.

Ukraine is interested in peace more than anyone else. For those who like to speculate about protecting the “Russian-speakers", Russian-speaking Ukrainians and Ukrainian-speakers too are only a cannon fodder in the struggle for the restoration of empire.

Video - Putin 'Confesses' the origin of Ukrainian - Russian problems (English captions)

Hmmm........Who abducted this Putin and replaced him with a lookalike?

Video - Poroshenko: "He (Putin) is fighting a dirty, unfair war." Lukashenko: "I know, I know. And everyone understood that."

Deciphering the conversation in the video

Poroshenko: "He started unfair and dirty ... (did not catch the game) 

Lukashenka: "I know, I know ... but everyone understood it"

Second version:

Poroshenko about Putin: he is dishonest, dirty game.

Lukashenko: I know, i know.....Everyone understands this.

Hmmm....Lukashenko ...would sell his mother if it was needed.

Minsk II agreement - A set of measures for the implementation of the Minsk Agreement, signed by the Trilateral Contact Group, Minsk, 12 February 2015

A set of measures for the implementation of the Minsk Agreement, signed by the Trilateral Contact Group, Mi... by Europarlament

Video - "Normandy Four" Cease Fire to start on February 15Th - Live updates.

"Normandy Four" Cease Fire to start on February 15Th - Live updates.

Will:  Thank God peace is the outcome, still considering the arms modernization race Russia is going through under Putin/Rogozin it might 'limited' in Time. 

More then once i said and say it again "Putin is not ready ...yet" to take Europe once his modernization plan is finished there will be no 'Minsk Summit' and we better brush up on our Russian.

#Ukraine: #Russia's Putin statement on #MinskSummit - http://t.co/BEpzcd2DfR ...then @poroshenko says this. pic.twitter.com/XtEiLu6JIo

— Noel Dolan (@cybernoelie) February 12, 2015

.@KyivPost has a (rough) translation of the #Minsk II deal http://t.co/K5uJseBgOp

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) February 12, 2015

Full text of the Minsk II agreement http://t.co/VvNIkpaBpO #Ukraine #MinskSummit #Minsk

— Ayhan Şimşek (@simsekayhan) February 12, 2015

#Ukraine crisis: Leaders agree peace roadmap http://t.co/lHcsElAOQS #MinskSummit

— Sonja Jo (@Sonja_Jo) February 12, 2015

Heavy weapons to be pulled out: Beginning on 17 Feb and completed in two weeks. #Ukraine #MinskSummit @BBC

— Sonja Jo (@Sonja_Jo) February 12, 2015

All prisoners to be released; amnesty for those involved in fighting. #Ukraine #MinskSummit @BBC

— Sonja Jo (@Sonja_Jo) February 12, 2015

key points from #ukraine agreement reached at #minsksummit http://t.co/FBzlQw1FzY via @world_reporter @DarynaKrasno @patrickjdo

— Scott Rose (@rprose) February 12, 2015

After #MinskSummit Merkel said Putin also put pressure on the separatists, so that they understood that there would be a cease-fire.

— Carlo Angerer (@carloangerer) February 12, 2015

Marathon #Ukraine talks end with peace deal; ceasefire start Sunday (21000 GMT or 4 p.m. EST Saturday) http://t.co/z5NGSlXqon #MinskSummit

— Sonja Jo (@Sonja_Jo) February 12, 2015

Ray of hope for Eastern #Ukraine: Ceasefire agreement in #MinskSummit. Reuters' updated report: http://t.co/z3wTIGXj9c

— Yannis Koutsomitis (@YanniKouts) February 12, 2015

Putin announces creation of Ukraine 'demilitarization zone’ Video: http://t.co/i2Gmxm6Fd7 #MinskSummit pic.twitter.com/BVqaVd4uQN

— Ruptly (@Ruptly) February 12, 2015

Withdrawal of all foreign armed formations, weapons & mercenaries from #Ukraine territory. Disarmament of all illegal groups. #MinskSummit

— Sonja Jo (@Sonja_Jo) February 12, 2015

"It's lonely and cold on the top... lonely and cold." Judy Garland #MinskSummit #Putin #Russia @WTEpaminondas pic.twitter.com/xkTP9jsXtD

— MFS - The Other News (@MFS001) February 12, 2015

https://t.co/xz9wbpY4rM #Putin: "Not the best night of my life, but the morning, in my view, is good." New "ceasefire": Feb15. #MinskSummit
— Ukrainian Updates (@Ukroblogger) February 12, 2015

Is this @reuters photo from #Minsk enough to make you feel hopeful? #ukraine #merkel #hollande #minsksummit pic.twitter.com/RetebnFjcd
— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) February 12, 2015

"@AFP: #BREAKING #Merkel says has 'no illusion' after Ukraine deal, 'big hurdles' remain" #MinskSummit
— Loretta Blasi (@lablegia) February 12, 2015

@poroshenko: Main achievement of #MinskSummit: unconditional ceasefire starting midnight Feb 15 + liberation of all hostages”
— George Tsereteli (@GTsereteli) February 12, 2015

Video - LIVE: “Normandy format” Ukraine peace talks in Minsk