Afanasyev and Soloshenko released

 Illegaly imprisoned in Russia, Ukrainian citizens Hennadiy Afanasyev and Yuriy Soloshenko, have been returned to Ukrainian soil yesterday.  Afanasyev was accused of participation in a “terrorist group”, kidnapped in 2014, beaten up, tortured and forced to testify against  Oleksandr Kolchenko and Oleg Sentsov (currently imprisoned in Russia). Ukrainian pensioner, Soloshenko captured in Moscow in 2015, being accused of “espionage”.  According the President Poroshenko, the release of prisoners has happened due to efficient work of Minsk agreements. He reminded that the goal of Ukrainian state was to return all Ukrainian hostages held in Russia.

Georgia: EU visa free movement dispute

Georgian state has fulfilled all requirements to obtain a visa-free movement for its citizens in the European Union. Delay in EU visa liberation for Georgia is a result of foreseeing approach to the process by Germany and France. Politicians of these countries would prefer to have a back up plan: fast return of visa regime if there is a rise of illegal actions caused by Georgians (or other nations granted visa-free movement) in EU. In media Georgian situation is presented along with Turkish, however, these cases are very different. Georgians just need a little bit of patience, meanwhile there is a long process of negotiations regarding requirements fulfilment with Turkey.

Boris Nemtsov Foundation Prize 2016

On Sunday, June 12 2016, the Boris Nemtsov Foundation Prize will be awarded in Bonn, Germany to Lev Schlosberg, Russian journalist and human rights activist. Lev Schlosberg was the first who published the material about death of two Russian paratroopers from Pskov on Ukrainian soil in 2014. The prize for “outstanding courage in fighting for democratic values, human rights and freedom in Russia” will be awarded for the first time. Top 5 candidates for the award was Ildar Dadin, Lev Schlossberg, Victor Shenderovich, Aleksiej Nawalny and Nadiya Savchenko. Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom was established by Zhanna Namtsova, a daughter of murdered in 2015 Russian politician, Boris Nemtsov.

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. 

Glory of Ukraine

Yesterday Nadiya Savchenko imprisoned by Russia pilot and deputy of the Ukrainian Parliament has been released and safely arrived to her motherland. Presidential aircraft transported her from Russia to Ukraine where her mother and sister could not wait to greet her. As well as entire Ukrainian nation and people from all over the world who were waiting for that day for a long time. Let’s hope that this day would mark the time when a country started value its citizen, when its fight for him/her. There were dark times in Eastern Europe when prisoner of war returned to a country and immediately accused for betrayal was sent to concentration camp. A motherland did not want such heroes, hero had to die no matter what. Is it worth to die for your motherland or is it worth to live for it? Live and bring glory to your land, unbroken bravery and endless readiness to serve it.

Foto: charter97.org

News from Vatican

The news about possible visit of Pope Francis to Belarus left sleepless from excitement Belarusian Catholics. Belarusian President, Lukashenko, recently visiting Vatican proposed to Pope Francis to come to Belarus. How much will was in these words, no one knows. Perhaps, the last year meeting of heads of EU states for Minsk agreement in Belarus inspired Lukashenko for further development of his image as a “peacekeeper”. And the Pope’s parting wishes that „Minsk could be the place of peace” left a hope for him to stop being a derelict in the international community. Anyway, Belarusians would be so happy to host Pope Francis in their beautiful motherland.

1944/2014

The winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 taken place in Sweden is Jamala representing Ukraine with her song “1944”. The song is dedicated to the tragedy of Crimean Tatars, deported from their motherland. Nowadays, the Crimean Tatars again undergo the human rights abuse in annexed by Russia Crimea. In regard of political motive of the song, Russian state reacts inadequate, even calling to boycott the next year Contest that will take place in Ukraine. If the Contest became political is the discussion for the last five years. However, the beauty of the song and the message that could be applied to ethnic groups being oppressed all over the world should be heard.

                                                                             Foto: hromadske.tv