In front of the entire planet

                It is crucial for Russia who will become the next US President from every angle. It is also not an enigma for the world that Russia would try to impact the outcome. Recent email leak of Democratic National Committee (DNC) revealing a preference for Hillary Clinton's campaign was commented by Barack Obama as possible action of Russian. The US foreign policy will change no matter who will be the President: Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. However, Trump is more favourable for Russia as he likes Putin and his leadership and most probably would lift the sanctions. No doubt, Russia wants to see him as a leader of the first “enemy” country.

Games Russia plays

            The decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to not ban Russia from its participation in the Rio Games has been condemned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in particular. The IOC has chosen not to be linked to its decision but let it be solved at the level of the international federations. Despite the proof of four years state-sponsored doping program,  Russia will be represented at the Games.  Apparently, there is another power of decision making, not based on facts and justice. The IOC also denied the participation in Games of whistleblower Yulia Stepanova, discouraging whistleblowing in sport.

Russia: will The Olympic Mishka stay home?

               While International Olympic Committee (IOC) delays its decision on ban the participation of Russia in the Rio Games a tension is growing. However, there is no sign of guilt in Russia. Russian officials do not want to take collective responsibility, blaming athletes themselves despite the allegations of state-sponsored doping.  Whereas the sport community decides whether Russian sportsmen should be in Rio next month, is should consider the sportsmen from all over the world. Olympic Games is not only ground for community, international contacts but also arena of fairness and just. If one country has not played fair, should it be forgiven without any consequences? 

Pavel Sheremet: life that won't be replaced

            Recently, Belarusians were remembering the disappearance of the journalist Dmitry Zavadky in 2000. Sixteen years later there is still no evidence, no track of finding out what had happened to him. Today shocking news about death of  the Belarusian journalist, Pavel Sheremet, strengthen the acknowledgement of dangerous position of independent media and journalists in particular. Pavel Sheremet was killed by explosion of his car this morning in Kyiv. Ukrainian General Prosecutor states that it was a murder. Will this time justice find its way by exposing a perpetrator? There is always hope for good, nevertheless today Belarus and the region lost its prominent journalist. 

Source: charter97.org

One in one out?

            It seemed like what could be worse than one of the EU member states would leave the European Union? It would mean that EU lost its appeal for the countries willing to join the Union. It also seemed like EU would stop its enlargement for many years. In reality no one got scared that people of the United Kingdom have decided - the EU is no good for them. Western Balkans  and Ukraine are still looking in the direction of the EU membership. At the same time, EU does not close the doors in front of them after the outcome of British referendum. 

Weekend in Turkey

            This weekend could not be relaxing for Europe by all means: attempt of coup in Turkey, unclear tension in Yerevan, Armenia. Till Monday the leadership of getting less democratic states in the region has moved to President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It is not yet clear how exactly the EU-Turkey, Turkey-Russia relationship will evolve in these circumstances. Recently tension between Turkey and Russia has decreased: Russian tourists happily recommenced spending summer vacations in so familiar Turkish resorts. Would Putin cooperate better with Erdogan seeing in him the same spirit, only further events will reveal it.

Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement signed

Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) has been signed in Kyiv, where Minister of Canada,  Justin Trudeau, is with his two days visit. Before its implementation the agreement have to be ratified by parliaments of two countries.  CUFTA allows not only preferential access for goods to the territories of Ukraine and Canada but also impacts such areas like cooperation in trade, public procurement, regulation in the trade disagreements and intellectual property rights.  President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, states that Canadian businessmen are invited to take part in the Ukrainian privatization that will be proceeded in transparent and efficient way.