Ukraine failing its test on democracy, U.S. official saysSeptember 15, 2012 - 19:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A top U.S. official says Ukraine is failing its test on democracy in the run up to parliamentary elections, citing the jailing of ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and shrinking media freedoms, The Associated Press reported. The jailing of Tymoshenko, the country's top opposition leader and heroine of the 2004 Orange Revolution, has strained Ukraine's relations with the West. The European Union has frozen a key cooperation deal with Kiev. Thomas Melia, the U.S. assistant deputy secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, said Saturday, Sept 15, the election set for October has been compromised by jailing of Tymoshenko and another top opposition leader. Melia said Ukraine "failed the test today." Tymoshenko has spent over a year in jail, after being convicted of abuse of office charges she rejects and describes as political. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Welcome to CaseKey 2024. Byblos Bank Armenia firmly stands by future innovators Strategic business cases, invaluable experience, innovative approaches and more than 25 events are in store for the participants of CaseKey 2024. Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. Blinken says U.S. reviewing a number of aid requests from Armenia He said the U.S. is reviewing the requests to determine what more it can do to increase its assistance to Armenia. At least 2 CSTO members participated in preparing 44-day war against Armenia – PM Nikol Pashinyan has declared that at least two CSTO member countries participated in preparations for the 44-day war against Armenia. |