"Givi" killed, another death of well known separatist in Eastern Ukraine

             Today the commander of one of the battalion of the self-proclaimed  Donetsk People's Republic was killed. Mikhail Tolstych was known as “Givi”. This is not the first death of high rank separatists well known from Russian media. In October last year famous separatist named “Motorola” was killed. It cannot come as a surprise to the people serving to the war in Eastern Ukraine. If you are take part in the invasion to the sovereign state, you are the reason of exodus of residents from the territory and you are damaging many lives and destinies, you cannot believe that your life will end up peacefully. 

Georgian pass to EU: "We don't need no thought control"

     Georgian aspire to travel to the Schengen zone without a visa will soon come true. This week the majority of the European Parliament voted for visa-free regime for Georgian citizenship. The procedure still requires some technical realizations. In case of increase of migration or asylum seekers from Georgia, EU will be able to suspend the visa-free travel. The regime is designed for travelling, visiting and business purposes trip but not working on the territory of Schengen. Ukraine is going through similar procedure of EU visa liberalization. However, the war in Eastern Ukraine brings the case on another level of consideration and procedures.  

Four-way talks in Berlin: the weight of promisses

            The one and half years ago four-way talks were focused on armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine only. Yesterday the Syrian issue was added to a meeting of the heads of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia. Apparently, the meeting was more a formal way of showing that West is interested in regulate the conflict though dialog in a peaceful way. Putin agrees on certain things, however the question is would these agreements be respected? Putin used to agree and sign documents on e.g. ceasefire anf the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine but keep destabilizing the situation in Ukraine and bombing Syrian city Allepo targeting kindergartens and hospitals. What is the cost of the word when Kremlin talks?

Eastern Ukraine: "Motorola" was killed

               One of the leaders of self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic Arsen Pavlov, nickname „Motorola”, was killed by an explosion in the elevator. He was an ex-Russian soldier who came to Eastern Ukraine to support its occupation by Russians. “Motorola” was known by his cruelty: he was torturing and killing captives. Was his death a demonstrative one? The colleagues of “Motorola” will state with foam at the mouth that it was a deed of the President of Ukraine, special agency etc. If it is so, it means the Ukrainian forces are much more skilled perfuming such mission. However, Russian forces are the part of the system where there should be only one leader and there is no place for any other. “What nourishes me destroys me”.

The cost of truth: flight MH17

             Today the Joint-Investigation Team (JIT) has revealed the outcome of the investigation regarding the catastrophe of flight MH17 in July 2014. The missile was fired by Russian-made Buk from the territory controlled by Russian separatists. For some people it did not come as a revelation, for others even most obvious facts won’t be enough. This investigation might be important being another evidence of Russian forces’ presence in eastern Ukraine. But how many people are still doubting? The most horrifying and sad moment is that the acknowledgement of Russian aggression in Ukraine costs 298 lives.

Imitation of normal life in Luhansk

Maria Varfolomeieva, Ukrainian photojournalist, was captured by separatists in Luhansk (East Ukraine). She was accused of belonging to the “Right Sector” and imprisoned for 14 months. There was neither proper investigation nor trial.
            Varfolomeieva describes life in Luhansk nowadays as a “imitation of life in Russia”. Hospitals are open but there are no medicine. Schools work without books because the ones used previously are not “updated” anymore. National university is empty because no one wants to get a diploma from “Luhansk People’s Republics”. Residents of Luhansk think that they belong to Russia, however Russia is not eager to recognize them. 

Russia: unwillingness of taking responsibility

Tools of democracy are hardly present in Russia. Now it is not left for Russia in Strasbourg, either. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has suspended the right to vote, to participate in the session of the authorized organs and in the monitoring missions for the Russian delegation starting early 2015. Russian politicians boil over from perturbation. International condemnation for its actions in Eastern Ukraine and related sanctions has led to Russia refusing to confirm the presence of its delegation in the following session of PACE. It will allow to avoid further sanctions and public shame.