Ukraine goes on counter attack. There are reports that the Ukrainian troops have launched a counter attack against the Russian forces in Kyiv region, near Kharkiv, toward Mykolayiv and Kherson. A convoy of the Russian troops was seen moving from Mykolayiv region toward Kherson. The Russian forces could stage a provocation that involves a missile strike, said head of the Mykolayiv regional administration Vitaliy Kim on March 15. Fighting rages in several villages in Mykolayiv region where hostile tanks are changing positions.
“Following an operation by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Chornobayivka, a convoy of occupation forces flees Mykolayiv region via Kherson. I learnt that they spread reports of a possible massive air strike on Kherson. The Ukrainian army does not plan airstrikes on Kherson. Is it them who will conduct an air raid? Keep an eye on their redeployment,” Vitaliy Kim said.
PACE expels Russia. The decision was passed by a vote of 216 to none with three abstentions.
As the resolution was considered, Russia submitted a claim to leave the Council of Europe. In the resolution, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recommends to suspend Russia’s membership in PACE as its actions go counter to the organization’s principles. Formally, Russia remains a PACE member by the end of the year. PACE asked the European Court of Human Rights to consider claims against Russia quicker.
As Russia left the organization, PACE vows to continue to support non-governmental institutions that counter Putin’s dictatorship. The Council of Europe will support the human rights actors, democratic forces, free media and independent society in Russia, the resolution reads. Council of Europe members will provide funding for that. PACE also suggests to bolster support for the member states that accept the most refugees from Ukraine.
PACE unanimously passed an amendment to recognize Transnistria an area occupied by the Russian forces.
Ukraine-Russia talks to continue. Today’s Ukraine-Russia talks will continue on Wednesday, said advisor to the head of the Office of the President Mykhailo Podolyak. “The talks will continue tomorrow. Difficult negotiations advance slowly. There are fundamental disagreements. Yet there is space for a compromise,” Podolyak said. The work in subgroups will continue.
Ukraine and Russia discuss a ceasefire and withdrawal of the Russian troops from Ukraine, Podolyak said. “The parties express their positions. Negotiations are difficult, but they advance. We have very different political systems. In Ukraine, that’s a free dialogue and consensus. In Russia, the society is suppressed.”
Explaining Ukraine, podcast episode on Day 20 of war
20 days of Russian invasion of Ukraine: Russian missiles hit Kyiv residential areas; humanitarian disaster in Mariupol; Ukraine’s resistance is smart and brave. — We continue our “Explaining Ukraine” podcast by sharing our analysis of the Russian invasion and Ukrainian resistance. Hosts: Volodymyr Yermolenko, analytics director at Internews Ukraine, and Tetyana Ogarkova, in charge of international outreach at the Ukraine Crisis Media Centre. Listen to the podcast.
Ukraine on Fire #5. The way home: EU membership or candidate status. What Ukraine and the EU should do
Ukrainian and European officials and experts analyse what the Versailles decision really means for Ukraine.
Speakers:
Natalia Forsiuk, Director General of the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration
Andrius Kubilius, Member of the European Parliament
Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, MP and Head of the committee for integration of Ukraine to European Union
If you want to support Ukraine against Russian aggression, check the link with recommendations by Ukraine Crisis Media Center – https://uacrisis.org/en/help-ukraineNGO EuroAtlantic Course collects donations to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces and civilians: https://eac.org.ua/ua/main-page/