Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Belarus’ authoritarian president on Wednesday defended his action to divert a European flight that triggered bruising European Union sanctions and accused the West of waging a “hybrid war” to “strangle” the ex-Soviet nation.

KIEV, May 25. /TASS/: Kiev will halt flights to and from Belarus starting at midnight on May 26 and will also prohibit Ukrainian air carriers from using Belarusian airspace, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal wrote on Telegram on Tuesday.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s leader said Thursday that France and Germany have recently softened their stance in talks with Moscow on settling a conflict with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also told a news conference that his office has reached out to the Kremlin to prepare a meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

KIEV, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian parliament dismissed Health Minister Maksym Stepanov on Tuesday due to the country's slow vaccination pace, the parliament's press service reported.

The corresponding decision was supported by 292 members of parliament, while the minimum required number is 226.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the main reason for the dismissal of Stepanov was the unsatisfactory pace of the nation's vaccination campaign against COVID-19, which stems from the constant postponement of the delivery of vaccines to the country.

KIEV, May 15. /TASS/: Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Alexei Danilov has not ruled out that Kiev could offer Moscow to exchange head of the Political Council of the Opposition Platform - For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk for Ukrainian nationals convicted in Russia in case of a guilty verdict against the opposition politician.

(Reuters) --- Ukrainian prosecutors asked a Kyiv court on Thursday to set bail for prominent pro-Russian lawmaker Viktor Medvedchuk at 300 million hryvnia ($10.85 million) or detain him in a treason case.

Medvedchuk, who promotes closer ties with Moscow and says President Vladimir Putin is godfather to his daughter, is widely seen as Russia's most prominent political ally in Kyiv.

KIEV, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a resolution to establish the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine to combat offenses undermining the state economy, Ukrinform news agency reported Wednesday.

As a central executive body, the bureau will be directed by the Cabinet of Ministers, with the bureau director appointed by the government on the proposal of the prime minister.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — On the frontlines of the battle against Russia-backed separatists and in the halls of government in Kyiv, Ukrainians hold strong hopes for Thursday’s visit of the U.S. Secretary of State — increased military aid and strong support for NATO membership among them.

By visiting so early in his tenure, before any trip to Russia, Antony Blinken is signaling that Ukraine is a high foreign-policy priority for President Joe Biden’s administration. But what he can, or will, deliver in the meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is unclear.

(Reuters) --- Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Saturday eased tough restrictions imposed last month to prevent the rapid spread of the new coronavirus.

In early April, Kyiv limited its public transport services, closed schools and kindergartens, theatres and shopping centres, and banned spectators from sporting events.

Starting from Saturday, the capital will allow the operation of transport, cafes and restaurants, although passenger and customer numbers will be restricted. Wearing masks is still mandatory in transport and public places.

LUGANSK, April 30. /TASS/: Ukraine unilaterally and without prior notification stopped passage of people through the Stanitsa Luganskaya checkpoint on the contact line in Donbass, the Ministry of State Security (MGB) of the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) announced Friday.