Deadly Russian Assault on Odesa Sparks Mourning, Allegations of War Crimes
Tragedy struck the Ukrainian port city of Odesa as Russia unleashed a devastating assault, claiming the lives of five people and leaving over 30 injured
During his bi-annual news conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday, French President Francois Hollande expressed hope that recent progress in the implementation of the ceasefire in Ukraine will result in the lifting of sanctions against Russia.
Hollande proposed a meeting in the so-called Normandy format, comprising himself, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.
The talks on Ukraine will be likely held ahead of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, which will begin at the end of September, the BBC informs.
Both Hollande and his Ukrainian counterpart marked the recent progress in the implementation of the ceasefire, which had been agreed in Minsk in February, but has often been violated, especially during the summer.
However several other commitments have to be fulfilled, including the holding of local elections in the autumn and implementing decentalisation reforms granting more autonomy to eastern regions.
Hollande assured that if local elections are held and decentralisation reform occurrs, then he will ask for the lifting of sanctions.
Poroshenko similarly reaffirmed on Saturday that over the past week the ceasefire was respected for the first time.
The Ukrainian President is working on the devolution of some powers to the regions in the east despite internal opposition.
Last week, Ukrainian MPs approved at first reading amendments to the constitution granting greater autonomy to the regions in the east, which are under the control of the pro-Russian separatists.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Chinese President Xi Jinping is embarking on a six-day tour of Europe amidst escalating trade tensions with the European Union and concerns over China's support for Russia. The trip, Xi's first to the continent since 2019, includes visits to France, Serbi
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has issued a compelling call for the expedited integration of candidate countries from the Western Balkans into the European Union
French President Emmanuel Macron has ignited controversy by calling for France's nuclear arsenal to be integrated into the European defense discourse
Brussels has called upon 15 prominent companies, including Lidl, Coca-Cola, and L'Oréal, to halt their advertising campaigns in pro-Kremlin media outlets across Bulgaria
European Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Ylva Johansson, has highlighted the pressing need for increased labor migration in the European Union
The European Parliament has voted to impose a €10,000 limit on cash payments within the European Union
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022