Ukraine
Far-right marches in Kiev as report documents crimes by Ukraine’s paramilitary forces
By Andrea Peters, 6 July 2015
The neo-fascist Right Sector demonstration in Kiev called for expanded war in the southeast, where paramilitary units operate as criminal armed gangs, according to a leaked report.
Russia suspends natural gas shipments to Ukraine
By Niles Williamson, 2 July 2015
The delivery of Russian natural gas to Ukraine was halted after Kiev refused to accept Russia’s proposed price.
NATO increases support for Ukrainian regime, warns of renewed fighting
By Niles Williamson, 26 June 2015
NATO is deepening ties with Ukraine, a move that increases the danger of a war between the US and Russia: the world’s two largest nuclear armed powers.
NATO announces expansion of military force targeting Russia
By Niles Williamson, 25 June 2015
The decision to expand the size of the NATO Response Force to 40,000 troops can be understood only as part of preparations for war with Russia.
Pentagon chief outlines war preparations against Russia
By Niles Williamson, 24 June 2015
The announcement by the US that it will deploy heavy military equipment and soldiers to Eastern Europe is a further step on the road to a US-NATO war against Russia.
Ukrainians testify to a life of poverty and violence under US-backed government
By Jason Melanovski, 22 June 2015
The WSWS recently spoke with Ukrainian workers and students on the current state of social and economic conditions under the right-wing regime of Petro Poroshenko.
Belgian and French authorities move to seize Russian assets
By Andrea Peters, 20 June 2015
Implementing a ruling handed down by the Hague, law enforcement officials are working to seize billions of dollars of Russian assets in Europe and around the world.
US House approves measure blocking training of neo-Nazi militia in Ukraine
By Niles Williamson, 17 June 2015
The passage of the amendment to the House’s Pentagon budget bill restricting support for the Azov Battalion is a further confirmation of the leading role played by fascist forces in Ukraine.
US police instructors go to Ukraine to train Kiev regime’s security forces
By Evan Blake, 15 June 2015
The State. Department revealed a program in which American police instructors trained their Ukrainian counterparts to build a new, 2,000-member patrol unit in Kiev.
“Human rights” imperialism in Ukraine
By Patrick Martin, 12 June 2015
The right-wing government of Ukraine, installed in a coup spearheaded by neo-fascists, is now being proclaimed the front line of the “free world.”
Protests mount against US-backed regime in Ukraine
By Thomas Gaist, 10 June 2015
Thousands of protesters marched in Kiev this weekend to oppose the savage austerity policies of the US-backed puppet government.
Canadian prime minister backs right-wing regime in Ukraine
By Roger Jordan, 8 June 2015
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Kiev Saturday to reaffirm his support for Ukraine’s pro-western regime and the US-led drive against Russia.
US officials consider nuclear strikes against Russia
By Niles Williamson, 5 June 2015
Among the possibilities being considered by the Pentagon for escalating its war plans in Eastern Europe is a nuclear first strike against Russian missile forces.
Ukraine names ex-Georgian President Saakashvili governor of Odessa
By Derek Bell, 5 June 2015
The appoinment of Saakashvili, who launched a brief and unsuccessful US-backed war against Russia in 2008, is a political provocation.
Historian Timothy Snyder falsifies history at German-Ukrainian conference
By Clara Weiss and Wolfgang Weber, 5 June 2015
The Yale professor has developed a new narrative of European history that serves the needs of the nationalist regime in Kiev and war propaganda against Russia.
Thousands of Ukrainians protest Kiev regime’s draconian utility price hikes
By Alex Lantier, 25 May 2015
Kiev is slashing subsidies to basic goods in order to funnel money to the regime’s Wall Street creditors and increase military spending on the war in east Ukraine.
New York Times lies, falsifies history to promote neo-fascist Kiev regime
By Barry Grey, 2 May 2015
Kramer’s article is part of a broader campaign of historical falsification, portraying the Russian Revolution and the struggle for socialism as the root causes of the catastrophes of the last century.
US troops arrive at western Ukraine training camp
By Patrick Martin, 22 April 2015
The 290 soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade will train and equip some 900 Ukrainian National Guard troops, including some publicly linked to neo-Nazi groups.
Wave of assassinations in Ukraine targets critics of Kiev regime
By Alex Lantier, 18 April 2015
Responsibility for the murders lies with the imperialist powers that installed the Kiev regime and support its anti-Russian propaganda and rehabilitation of fascism.
Canada sending troops to Ukraine on two-year training mission
By Roger Jordan and Keith Jones, 18 April 2015
The deployment marks a further escalation of the aggressive drive the US, Canada and its other imperialist allies are mounting against Russia—a drive that threatens to spark all-out war between nuclear-armed states.
Ukrainian regime rehabilitates Nazi collaborationists, bans communism
By Alex Lantier and Stefan Steinberg, 16 April 2015
The official promotion of fascist forces who participated in the Nazi Holocaust exposes the ultra-right character of the putsch NATO backed last year in Kiev.
Media lends support to Toronto Symphony’s barring of pianist
By Roger Jordan, 16 April 2015
Instead of denouncing the TSO’s barring of Valentina Lisitsa as a blatant act of political censorship, the media has widely portrayed it as nothing more than a public relations blunder.
NATO rearmament increases risk of war in Europe
By Johannes Stern, 11 April 2015
NATO’s military buildup in Eastern Europe is increasingly taking the form of preparation for war against Russia.
Toronto Symphony bans pianist critical of Kiev regime
By Roger Jordan, 9 April 2015
The cancellation of Valentina Lisitsa’s Toronto performances is a brazen act of political censorship.
Fascist leader Yarosh appointed advisor to Ukrainian army
By Johannes Stern, 7 April 2015
On the basis of the struggle against “communism,” the regime in Kiev installed and financed by the West is turning ever more directly into an ultra-right dictatorship.
US Army to train Ukrainian fascist militias
By Patrick Martin, 1 April 2015
American commandos will begin training Ukrainian National Guard units, including the notorious Azov Battalion, on April 20.
US armored convoy: A military provocation in Eastern Europe
By Stefan Steinberg, 27 March 2015
A long convoy of US armored Stryker vehicles is traveling from Estonia on a trip transversing Eastern Europe via Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic and ending in Germany.
Clash of oligarchs shakes Ukrainian regime
By Bill Van Auken, 26 March 2015
The confrontation between President Petro Poroshenko and oligarch Igor Kolomoisky has laid bare the real social base of the US-backed regime in Kiev.
US to train special police forces in Ukraine
By David Levine, 19 March 2015
Washington is helping Kiev create tactical assault units akin to American SWAT teams.
Visiting Berlin, Poroshenko steps up drive against Russia
By Johannes Stern, 18 March 2015
German Chancellor Angela Merkel used a joint press conference in Berlin to endorse Poroshenko, declaring she had “great respect” for “all of the efforts” of his government.
Russian President Putin says Ukraine crisis threatens nuclear war
By Alex Lantier, 17 March 2015
Putin said that after Western-backed forces came to power in Kiev, the Kremlin feared a NATO attack on Russia and ordered its nuclear forces to prepare for all-out war.
Danger of war with Russia grows as US sends military equipment to Ukraine
By Johannes Stern and Alex Lantier, 13 March 2015
Washington’s moves to provide military hardware to its right-wing puppet regime in Kiev, despite sharp opposition from Russia, threaten all-out war.
IMF loans $17 billion to Ukraine to repay banks, loot economy
By Alex Lantier, 13 March 2015
The International Monetary Fund formally signed off yesterday on a $17.5 billion, four-year loan to the far-right regime in Kiev.
Canada helping arm Kiev regime to fight Ukrainian civil war
By Roger Jordan, 11 March 2015
The Canadian-Ukrainian network Ottawa has been used to promote pro-western “civil society” groups in Ukraine is now supplying arms to the Ukrainian Army.
New Anti-capitalist Party calls for escalating intervention in Ukraine
By Alex Lantier, 11 March 2015
The NPA’s statement, fraudulently published under the name of the ICFI, calls for the deployment of “UN peacekeepers” to police Ukraine in the interests of the imperialist powers.
“Ukraine Tomorrow”: Domestic oligarchs and western politicians plunder Ukraine
By Johannes Stern, 7 March 2015
At the invitation of notorious oligarch Dmytro Fertash, representatives of the European elites met in Vienna under the banner of “Ukraine tomorrow.”
Dozens killed in fatal methane blast at east Ukraine coal mine
By Robert Stevens, 5 March 2015
The deaths at the Zasyadko mine underscore yet again the bloody price that workers living in the former Soviet Union are paying for the restoration of capitalism.
Pentagon provocation on Russia’s border
By Bill Van Auken, 26 February 2015
As US armored vehicles paraded within sight of the Russian border, a senior American commander stressed that Washington has nuclear weapons at the ready to prosecute its conflict with Moscow.
UK joins US, Poland in sending military trainers to Ukraine
By Jean Shaoul, 26 February 2015
London is joining the US and Polish governments in arming the Kiev regime, risking outright war with Russia.
UK steps up militaristic propaganda against Russia
By Julie Hyland, 23 February 2015
Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, Sir Adrian Bradshaw stated that the alliance must prepare for a “Russian blitzkrieg” against the continent.
Refugees deported from the EU, imprisoned in Ukraine
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 21 February 2015
Refugees who manage to cross the border into EU countries have been immediately deported back to Ukrainian prisons where they are tortured and abused.
US-backed Kiev regime faces military debacle in east Ukraine war
By Alex Lantier, 20 February 2015
After its defeat at Debaltseve, the Kiev regime has provocatively called for military intervention by European Union peacekeepers along the border with Russia.
US steps up threats against Russia as Ukrainian troops retreat from Debaltseve
By Niles Williamson, 19 February 2015
US and EU officials continued to threaten further economic sanctions and military escalation as pro-Russian separatists solidified control over a key transit hub in eastern Ukraine.
Minsk cease-fire verging on collapse as fighting continues in east Ukraine
By Niles Williamson, 18 February 2015
Behind the continued conflicts is the determination of the US, which installed the right-wing regime in Kiev last February, to press ahead in its campaign against Russia.
Hostilities ease in eastern Ukraine on first day of cease-fire
By Niles Williamson, 16 February 2015
The intensity of fighting declined in eastern Ukraine as the cease-fire negotiated in Minsk last week came into effect.
US and Ukrainian officials seek to torpedo Minsk cease-fire agreement
By Niles Williamson, 14 February 2015
Talk of stepped-up Russian military involvement in eastern Ukraine suggests that the Obama administration is seeking to justify a decision to directly arm the Kiev regime.
Ukrainian government moves to stifle dissent as military morale plunges
By David Levine, 14 February 2015
The Ukrainian military is showing signs of decomposition and demoralization, as antiwar sentiment erupts among Ukrainians in Kiev-controlled territories.
The Minsk truce: A hiatus in an escalating war
By Peter Schwarz, 13 February 2015
The Minsk agreement between Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine only came about because the regime in Kiev has its back to the wall and urgently needs a respite.
IMF announces new $17 billion loan agreement for Ukraine
By Niles Williamson, 13 February 2015
The latest multi-billion dollar loan agreement is a prelude to further attacks on the living standards of the working class throughout Ukraine.
Ceasefire agreement for Eastern Ukraine announced after Minsk summit
By Alex Lantier, 12 February 2015
The announcement of a ceasefire agreement in eastern Ukraine came as Washington is pushing for an escalation of the conflict that threatens to make any deal a dead letter.
Leading German newspaper says Russia should be threatened with nuclear war
By Peter Schwarz, 12 February 2015
A co-editor of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung made clear he was prepared to consider the use of nuclear weapons against Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
German Left Party backs Merkel on Ukraine crisis
By Ulrich Rippert, 12 February 2015
As tensions between Berlin and Washington have surfaced, the Left Party has abandoned all pretensions of distancing itself from German imperialism.
Fighting in Ukraine intensifies ahead of Minsk talks
By Niles Williamson, 11 February 2015
Fighting flared in east Ukraine as pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces sought to make territorial gains ahead of today’s cease-fire talks in Belarus.
Obama refuses to rule out arming Kiev following talks with Merkel
By Patrick Martin and Barry Grey, 10 February 2015
The White House meeting focused on the intensifying crisis in Ukraine, as the US considers massive arms shipments.
German media backs confrontation with Russia over Ukraine
By Peter Schwarz, 10 February 2015
Despite differences over whether to arm Ukraine, not a single major media outlet in Germany rejects the strategy of pursuing an aggressive confrontation with Russia.
Europe on the brink of war
By Alex Lantier, 7 February 2015
“Unfortunately, war with Russia is conceivable,” former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung at the Munich Security Conference.
German, French leaders fly to Russia amidst warnings of “total war” over Ukraine
By Alex Lantier, 6 February 2015
While Washington considers directly arming Ukraine, European leaders warned of an uncontrolled escalation that could set off a war between nuclear armed powers.
NATO meeting in Brussels heightens danger of war with Russia
By Johannes Stern, 5 February 2015
Today’s meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels is aimed at consolidating the military alliance against Russia.
Washington moves toward arming Ukrainian regime
By Niles Williamson, 4 February 2015
The plans are being formulated behind the backs of the American people by a cabal of unelected, high-ranking military and diplomatic officials.
The US arming of Ukraine and the danger of World War III
By Alex Lantier, 3 February 2015
US plans to spend billions of dollars to equip the far-right Kiev regime with offensive weapons threaten to unleash ethnic massacres in eastern Ukraine and full-scale war between NATO and Russia.
Russian central bank cuts interest rate amid growing economic chaos
By Nick Beams, 2 February 2015
The rate cut is a sign of the deepening crisis of Russia’s economy resulting from the economic, diplomatic and military offensive led by Washington.
Gorbachev warns Ukraine could ignite World War III
By Niles Williamson, 31 January 2015
Gorbachev’s warning comes amid escalating fighting between forces of the Western-backed regime in Kiev and pro-Russian separatists in the east.
State of emergency declared in eastern Ukraine, as US vows more sanctions against Russia
By Niles Williamson, 27 January 2015
President Obama threatened to use all means short of open war to increase pressure on Russia in the wake of renewed hostilities in Ukraine’s eastern Donbass region.
US announces plans to deploy military advisers to Ukraine
By Niles Williamson, 23 January 2015
The announcement came amidst renewed fighting between Ukrainian armed forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine opens offensive against pro-Russian separatists in the east
By Niles Williamson, 20 January 2015
The secretary of the Ukrainian National Defense Council warned of “full-scale continental war” as the Kiev regime began operations to take control of the Donetsk airport.
Ukraine premier’s pro-Nazi version of World War II: USSR invaded Ukraine, Germany
By Lena Sokoll, 19 January 2015
On Germany’s public television channel ARD, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said the USSR was the aggressor against Ukraine and Germany in World War II.
The Nazi war of annihilation against the Soviet Union: Part two
Nazi Policy on the Eastern Front, 1941: Total War, Genocide, and Radicalization
By Clara Weiss, 13 January 2015
The volume provides insight into the criminal historical antecedents of the current siege of cities in eastern Ukraine by the Western-installed regime in Kiev, spearheaded by Ukrainian fascist forces.
The Nazi war of annihilation against the Soviet Union: Part one
Nazi Policy on the Eastern Front, 1941: Total War, Genocide, and Radicalization
By Clara Weiss, 12 January 2015
The volume provides insight into the criminal historical antecedents of the current siege of cities in eastern Ukraine by the Western-installed regime in Kiev, spearheaded by Ukrainian fascist forces.
Czech president condemns Nazi demonstration in Kiev
By Markus Salzmann, 10 January 2015
Zemen said something was “wrong” with both Ukraine and the EU, which did not condemn the demonstration.
The New York Times and Washington’s “propaganda bubble” on Ukraine
By Bill Van Auken, 6 January 2015
The Times’ “investigation” is dedicated to portraying the events of last February as merely a “meltdown” of the Ukrainian government, rather than a Western-orchestrated coup.
Putin approves new Russian military doctrine
By Clara Weiss, 31 December 2014
The new military doctrine identifies the expansion of NATO and attempts to destabilise Russia and neighbouring countries as the biggest security threats.
Ukraine parliament approves move towards NATO
By Patrick Martin, 24 December 2014
Ukraine’s parliament repealed a constitutional amendment defining the country as “non-aligned,” paving the way to an eventual application to join NATO.
Putin appeals to the Russian oligarchs
By Clara Weiss, 24 December 2014
The Putin regime responds to Western pressure by seeking to appease imperialism and the Russian billionaires.
Ukrainian government prepares extreme austerity measures
By David Levine, 23 December 2014
Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s recently unveiled economic program will unleash an economic and social catastrophe in Ukraine.
European Union ramps up sanctions against Russia amid ruble crisis
By Alex Lantier, 20 December 2014
Despite concerns about the impact on the European economy of a possible collapse of the Putin government, an EU summit kept up Europe's financial strangulation of Russia.
Russian president downplays economic crisis
By Andrea Peters, 19 December 2014
In a marathon press conference, Putin failed to elaborate any clear measures to address the country’s currency crisis, even as reporters raised the possibility of a “palace coup.”
US Congress authorizes new sanctions against Russia, arms shipments to Ukraine
By Niles Williamson, 15 December 2014
The US Congress unanimously passed a bill authorizing Obama to impose new economic sanctions on Russia and deliver military aid to the right-wing regime in Kiev.
Putin accuses US of seeking to undermine Russian sovereignty
By Andrea Peters and David Levine, 11 December 2014
In his annual address to parliament last week, Putin charged the US with meddling in Russia’s sphere of influence, destabilizing international security and sponsoring separatism within Russia’s borders.
NATO prepares “rapid reaction force” for confrontation with Russia
By Bill Van Auken, 3 December 2014
As the NATO foreign ministers met in Brussels, the US military moved to deploy tanks and armored vehicles near Russia’s borders.
France balks on delivery of Mistral helicopter-carrier to Russia
By Francis Dubois, 29 November 2014
Tensions between Paris and Moscow surged as François Hollande's Socialist Party government blocked delivery of the first of two warships for the Russian navy.
One year since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine
By Peter Schwarz, 28 November 2014
Saturday marks the first anniversary of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s decision not to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union.
New coalition plans to expand war against eastern Ukraine
By Christoph Dreier, 27 November 2014
The integration of right-wing thugs into the new Ukrainian government makes clear that the regime can only enforce its reactionary program through the use of force.
Economic blockade of Ukrainian rebel regions inflicts mass suffering
By David Levine, 26 November 2014
The Ukrainian government has cut off economic relations with the rebel-controlled Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic, deepening the social and economic crisis engulfing the region.
In Ukraine, US Vice President Biden issues new threats against Russia
By Niles Williamson, 24 November 2014
Biden traveled to Ukraine to shore up the right-wing regime in Kiev and threaten further economic sanctions against Russia.
Netherlands covers up secret pact controlling investigation of MH17 crash
By Alex Lantier, 22 November 2014
The imperialist powers have exploited the tragedy as a propaganda exercise for the purpose of threatening Russia.
Russia and China expand economic cooperation
By Clara Weiss, 21 November 2014
An alliance between Russia and China is emerging in response to the US-led Pacific and Atlantic trading blocs and the Russia-NATO confrontation over Ukraine.
Russian conductor barred from German music festival
By Verena Nees, 21 November 2014
The witch-hunt against Valery Gergiev is part of the pro-war campaign of the German media and government.
Kiev, NATO step up threats against Russia
By Christoph Dreier, 20 November 2014
The Kiev government feels strengthened by the international campaign against Putin.
Canada’s Prime Minister spearheads attack on Russia at G-20 summit
By Roger Jordan, 19 November 2014
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper took the lead in the hostile reception accorded Russian President Vladimir Putin at last weekend’s G-20 summit.
NATO intensifies threats against Russia over Ukraine
By Christoph Dreier, 15 November 2014
While NATO powers are accusing Russia of violating Ukrainian sovereignty, they are themselves preparing a massive escalation of military violence.
Russian strategic bombers to patrol off US coastlines
By Alex Lantier, 14 November 2014
This is a dire warning that Moscow sees the civil war in Ukraine and the NATO build-up in Eastern Europe as an existential threat, potentially requiring a nuclear response.
Kiev escalates war in eastern Ukraine
By Christoph Dreier, 12 November 2014
The fiercest fighting since the signing of a ceasefire agreement in early September took place in the eastern Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Luhansk over the weekend.
Dozens of “near miss” incidents bring NATO and Russia to brink of war
By Alex Lantier, 11 November 2014
A London think tank report shows that NATO’s militarization of Eastern Europe over the Ukraine crisis has set armies worldwide on a hair trigger, risking nuclear war.
US, Europe issue new threats after elections in Ukraine’s separatist regions
By Andrea Peters, 4 November 2014
Kiev is signaling its readiness to renew its military offensive against the region on the grounds that the November 2 vote violated the fragile peace deal signed with the separatists in September.
Poland to send troops to eastern border
By Sonja Bach, 4 November 2014
The historic realignment of military forces is part of NATO’s escalation against Russia.
Ukraine’s recession continues to deepen
By David Levine, 30 October 2014
National elections were held in Ukraine on Sunday as social conditions in the country continued a steep decline.
Gas dispute between Ukraine, EU and Russia threatens to escalate
By Clara Weiss, 29 October 2014
A cutoff of Russian gas supplies to the EU would spell economic disaster for a number of European countries.
US, EU hail election staged by ultra-right regime in Ukraine
By Niles Williamson, 28 October 2014
Sunday’s parliamentary elections will be utilized to legitimize further attacks on pro-Russian opponents of the US puppet regime and impose sweeping austerity measures on the working class as a whole.
Right-wing nationalist parties dominate Ukrainian parliamentary elections
By Andrea Peters, 27 October 2014
The vast majority of the electorate in eastern Ukraine did not participate in Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
Right-wing oligarchs vie for power in Ukraine elections
By Markus Salzmann and Christoph Dreier, 25 October 2014
Far from ushering in a period of democracy and freedom, the coup in February and new western-backed government have plunged Ukraine into war and dictatorship.
Follow the WSWS