08/03/2015 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - March 8 is yet the public holiday

03/08/2015 Daily Highlights by the "Digests & Analytics - Ukraine" News Agency

Topics of the day

Despite the growing threat of attack, Ukraine completely withdrawn heavy weapons from the zone of conflict. March 8 is yet the public holiday.

Key Events of Ukraine

• Deputy Foreign Minister Prystayko said that the official Ukrainian authorities will not negotiate with rebel leaders, but only with the elected representatives after the complete withdrawal of Russian troops and weapons.

Ukraine at War

• Militants’ attack groups concentrated on Gorlivka, Mariupil, Volnovakha and Pervomaisk directions. Preparations of attacks on Stanitsa Luhanska and Schastya were detected.
  Ukrainian authorities announced the completion of a full withdrawal of heavy artillery from the war zone.
• Shelling of ukrainian positions continues. During the day one soldier was killed, several injured.

Ukraine and the World

• President Putin has officially confirmed that the Russian authorities helped in escape of the former President Viktor Yanukovych from Ukraine. The annexation of the Crimea and the Donbass was planned.
• The commander of NATO forces in Europe Breedlove not confirming removal of heavy weapons by militants due to the fact that the OSCE observers are not allowed on-site of relocation, border with Russia is open and it is continuing supplies of arms and mercenaries to Donbass.
• Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria have agreed to launch the gas pipeline project "Eastring", which is an alternative to the "South Stream" and diversifies risks of natural gas supplies from Russia.
• The deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Klintsevich in response to the EU initiative of creating its own army said that in the nuclear age the army does not guarantee additional safety, and it is just a provocation.
• Moscow court arrested the residents of Chechnya accused by Russian authorities of the murder of opposition politician Nemtsov.

The Trends

• The President and the government have a long weekend whilst Russia is ready to continue its offensive in the Donbass. The Verkhovna Rada is working in a normal mode, despite the military operations in the country, the session will continue only in two weeks time.