Ukraine’s legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, has turned down the resignation Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk submitted earlier in July. Yatsenyuk announced he was stepping down last week after the governing coalition collapsed due to the decision of two of its parties, UDAR and Svoboda, to quit. 

The US intends to provide USD 19M to bolster Ukraine’s military operation, which pro-Kiev authorities conduct against militias in the southeastern regions of the country. Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby announced the Obama administration has asked Congress for authority to spend USD 19M next year to train and equip Ukrainian National Guard forces

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that he has ordered the government to think over retaliatory measures against western sanctions, local media reported. “Political tools of pressure on the economy are unacceptable and contradict all norms and rules. The Russian government has already proposed a number of