The new tactical Kievan missiles Breaking News, 14th of December, 2018

President of the European Council Donald Tusk announced that EU leaders agreed to extend the EU economic sanctions against Russia since they don’t see the progress on the Minsk agreements. The sanctions are extended for the next 6 months — the current sanctions will expire on 31st of January. The last time the EU economic sanctions against Russia were extended back in the summer. The sanctions were introduced in 2014.

The responsibility for the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi lies on the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud — said the US Senate. In addition, the senators called on Riyadh to not cooperate with Moscow and Beijing. Senators adopted the corresponding resolution unanimously. The Senate called on Riyadh to bring all the people, involved in this murder, to justice — TASS reports with a reference to Reuters. In addition, the Senate called for the termination of US military participation in the actions of the coalition of Saudi Arabia in Yemen. Senators warned Saudi Arabia that the purchase of military property, and enhancement of their ties with Russia and China pose risks for both Riyadh and Washington.

The Republic of Korea and the United States couldn’t reach a compromise during the 10th round of negotiations on their share in the expenses for the maintenance of the American military contingent at the south of the Korean Peninsula, TASS reports with a reference to the agency ‘Yonhap’. The 5-year long financing agreement for the stay of nearly 29,000 US troops in South Korea expires on 31st of December. According to the agreement — the Seoul administration’s yearly expenses on such purposes reach about $ 860 million. However, according to the media reports, US President Donald Trump demanded South Korea to double the funding of the American troops, which caused sharp objections in Seoul.

Turkish President Erdogan promised that Turkish troops will enter the Syrian city of Manbij if the Kurdish formations won’t leave it, TASS reports. He announced it during his speech on a conference of higher courts of the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul. “We intend to ensure the stability and security on the east of Euphrates. If Manbij won’t be cleared out — we will go in there” — he said. In addition he noted that “the United States are trying to divert Turkish attention by delaying the implementation of the Manbij road map. The United States are trying to weaken our resolve to combat the terrorists” — Erdogan said.

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill sent his appeal to the heads of states, international organizations, and world churches about the violation of the rights of hierarchs and believers of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This was reported by the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church. His message was sent to Pope Francis, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. “The recent intervention of the leaders of the secular Ukrainian state in the church affairs has become a gross pressure on the episcopate and clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which makes it possible to speak about the beginning of a full-scale persecution” — he said. The patriarch noted that the actions of Kiev violate the constitutional rights and freedoms of Ukrainian citizens. He urged the world community to make every effort needed to protect the clergy and believers from the discrimination and pressure.