German-Russian Friendship Blossoms

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (left) and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov shake hands during a joint press conference following their meeting at the Reception House of Russia’s Foreign Ministry. (Sergei Savostyanov\TASS/Getty Images)

 

Germany bows to Russia in negotiations over the Kerch Strait and Azov Sea as dangerous cooperation between the two increases.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas visited his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Moscow on January 18 to discuss, among other things, a new proposal to ensure unimpeded shipping through the Kerch Strait and Azov Sea. After the meeting, Maas flew to Ukraine to inform its leaders of the negotiations. The exclusive discussions between Germany and Russia, excluding Ukraine, reveal the close ties developing between these two powers.

New wave of military drafting to begin in Ukraine

KIEV, January 20. /TASS/. A new wave of highly controversial drafting for service in the Armed Forces begins in Ukraine on Tuesday. It will be followed by two more waves in April and June.

Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak said earlier some 104,000 individuals could be conscribed this year all in all, while the current wave of drafting would pluck some 50,000 men out of everyday civilian life.