Russian FM accuses Ukraine of ignoring ceasefire agreementMarch 23, 2016 - 14:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Ukrainian's government of dragging its feet on implementing last year's ceasefire agreement, the Associated Press reports. Although last year's ceasefire has largely held, none of the political elements of the deal like calling a local election there has been implemented. Lavrov, who was hosting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Moscow on Wednesday, March 23, told reporters that Kiev's inaction is the main stumbling block to a peace settlement in the east. Lavrov said Germany floated an idea of holding an election in the rebel-occupied territories this summer but Kiev said no. Kiev insists it can't hold the vote there because of security concerns. Steinmeier on Wednesday urged both sides to comply with the partial withdrawal and warned of a possible escalation. Related links: 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 | Police try to impede Armenian Church head’s access to war memorial Police tried to stop the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, from visiting a war memorial. Greece says ready to help as Armenia fights flooding consequences Greece is ready to assist Armenia in combatting the consequences of deadly floods in the country’s north. “He will leave”: Protest leader no longer demands meeting with Pashinyan Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan no longer demands a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. |