Obama orders ban of goods, technology and services to CrimeaDecember 20, 2014 - 10:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered a ban on the export of goods, technology and services to Crimea, BBC News reported. The executive order also imposes new sanctions on certain Russian and Ukrainian individuals and companies. The West has imposed various sanctions on Russia since Crimea annexation after the removal of Ukraine's pro-Moscow leader Viktor Yanukovych in February. Obama said his latest decision was to show that the U.S. would not accept the annexation. The annexation was followed in April by pro-Russian militants taking control of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine and declaring independence. Some 4,700 people have died and another million have been displaced by fighting since then, the UN says. On Friday, December 19 five Ukrainian soldiers were killed in fighting - the highest death toll since the latest attempt at a ceasefire began on 9 December. Related links: 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 | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |