Merkel due to arrive in Ukraine for talksAugust 23, 2014 - 11:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to arrive in Ukraine for talks, a day after calling Russia's decision to send an unauthorised aid convoy there a "dangerous escalation", BBC News reports. More than 100 Russian lorries entered eastern Ukraine on Friday, Aug 22, without permission from Ukraine's government. Some of the lorries have now begun crossing back into Russia. Kiev and Western officials fear the convoy could be part of a general military intervention by Russia. But Kremlin officials say it is only carrying generators, food and drink. The lorries had already been waiting at the border for a week. The Russians said they could not wait any longer, owing to the worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine, which is held by pro-Russian militias. The first lorries have now reached the besieged city of Luhansk. Four months of fighting in the region have left more than 2,000 people dead and caused more than 330,000 people to flee their homes. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. |