<p>Dutch prosecutors have accused Russia of trying to sabotage the investigation into the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight 17 in Ukraine in 2014, saying this has cast ''a dark shadow''&nbsp;over the impending trial of four suspects.</p>

<p>Three Russians and a Ukrainian are on trial over the 2014 crash of the Malaysia Airlines jet in rebel-held eastern Ukraine with the loss of all 298 people on board, 196 of the Dutch.</p>

<p title="title"><strong>Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/five-key-questions-about-the-mh17-trial-284521c">Five key questions about the MH17 trial</a></strong></p>

<p>Moscow had tried to track down witnesses in the trial that started in the Netherlands, leaving some in fear for their lives in case they were identified, prosecutors said.</p>

<p>"There are clear indications that Russian security services are actively attempting to disrupt efforts to establish the truth behind the shooting down of flight MH17," prosecutor Thijs Berger told judges.</p>

<p>Russian spies had also tried to hack Malaysian and Dutch authorities investigating the crash, he said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mh17-calls-show-ties-between-russian-officials-rebels-262134">MH17 calls 'show ties between Russian officials, rebels'</a></strong></p>

<p>"Seen as a whole, this information casts a dark shadow over these proceedings," Berger said.</p>

<p>The trial opened in the absence of the suspects which includes Russian nationals Igor Girkin, Sergei Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Ukrainian citizen Leonid Kharchenko.&nbsp;</p>

<p>International investigators say the Boeing 777 was hit by a Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile, fired from territory held by pro-Moscow rebels battling Kiev.</p>

<p>Relatives of those who died have repeatedly called for the trial to examine the role of&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in the crash.</p>

<p>The case was adjourned for two weeks and will resume on 23 March.</p>

<p>MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on 17 July 2014 when it was shot down by a missile fired from territory held by pro-Moscow rebels amid fighting in eastern Ukraine.</p>


Dutch prosecutors have accused Russia of trying to sabotage the investigation into the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight 17 in Ukraine in 2014, saying this has cast ''a dark shadow'' over the impending trial of four suspects.

Dutch prosecutors have accused Russia of trying to sabotage the investigation into the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight 17 in Ukraine in 2014, saying this has cast ''a dark shadow'' over the impending trial of four suspects. Three Russians and a Ukrainian are on trial over the 2014 crash of the Malaysia Airlines jet in rebel-held eastern Ukraine with the loss of all 298 people on board, 196 of the Dutch. Also see: Five key questions about the MH17 trial Moscow had tried to track down witnesses in the trial that started in the Netherlands, leaving some in fear for their lives in case they were identified, prosecutors said. "There are clear indications that Russian security services are actively attempting to disrupt efforts to establish the truth behind the shooting down of flight MH17," prosecutor Thijs Berger told judges. Russian spies had also tried to hack Malaysian and Dutch authorities investigating the crash, he said. Also read: MH17 calls 'show ties between Russian officials, rebels' "Seen as a whole, this information casts a dark shadow over these proceedings," Berger said. The trial opened in the absence of the suspects which includes Russian nationals Igor Girkin, Sergei Dubinsky, Oleg Pulatov and Ukrainian citizen Leonid Kharchenko. International investigators say the Boeing 777 was hit by a Russian-made BUK surface-to-air missile, fired from territory held by pro-Moscow rebels battling Kiev. Relatives of those who died have repeatedly called for the trial to examine the role of Russia in the crash. The case was adjourned for two weeks and will resume on 23 March. MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on 17 July 2014 when it was shot down by a missile fired from territory held by pro-Moscow rebels amid fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Russian meddling casts 'dark shadow' over MH17 trial, says prosecutors

<p>Ukraine's Prime Minister Oleksiy Goncharuk has resigned after six months in the job and will be replaced by one of his deputies, according to members of parliament.</p>

<p>Goncharuk had offered to quit in January after a leaked recording emerged of him questioning President Volodymyr Zelensky's grasp of economics, only for the head of state to refuse his resignation.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-pm-oleksiy-honcharuk-offers-resignation-after-leaked-recording-274852">Ukrainian PM Oleksiy Honcharuk offers resignation after leaked recording</a></strong></p>

<p>Although government officials did not confirm that Goncharuk was stepping down, MPs from Zelensky's party said his departure was announced during a meeting with the president and that a parliamentary vote to approve it would be held on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Zelensky planned to replace his 35-year-old prime minister, the youngest premier in Ukraine's history because he was unhappy with the government's performance on economic issues as per&nbsp;official sources.</p>

<p>Goncharuk denied having presented his resignation on Monday but admitted: "consultations on the subject" had taken place with the president.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-zelensky-rejects-pms-resignation-after-leaked-recording-274964">Ukraine President Zelensky rejects PM's resignation after leaked recording</a></strong></p>

<p>However, late on Tuesday, MPs from the president's Servant of the People party were told of his resignation during a meeting with Zelensky, parliamentary deputy Ievgenia Kravtchuk said.</p>

<p>Zelensky told party members that Denys Chmygal, one of the&nbsp;vice-premiers, would take up the reins of government, Kravtchuk said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The news was confirmed by two of her parliamentary colleagues, who said the foreign, finance and defence ministers would also be replaced.</p>

<p>Goncharuk had been nominated for the post by Zelensky last August against the backdrop of a struggling economy and a protracted war with Russian-backed separatists in the east.</p>

<p>But since the president's refusal to accept his last resignation, Zelensky's party has criticised the work of his government.</p>

<p>Comedian-turned-politician Zelensky came to power last April promising to "break the system" that had ruled Ukraine since independence in 1991.</p>

<p>Among his campaign promises were ending the conflict in the east, fighting corruption and launching economic reforms in one of Europe's poorest countries.</p>

<p>His party won legislative elections in July and formed a government including a number of inexperienced ministers.</p>


Ukraine's Prime Minister Oleksiy Goncharuk has resigned after six months in the job and will be replaced by one of his deputies, according to members of parliament.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Oleksiy Goncharuk has resigned after six months in the job and will be replaced by one of his deputies, according to members of parliament. Goncharuk had offered to quit in January after a leaked recording emerged of him questioning President Volodymyr Zelensky's grasp of economics, only for the head of state to refuse his resignation. Also read: Ukrainian PM Oleksiy Honcharuk offers resignation after leaked recording Although government officials did not confirm that Goncharuk was stepping down, MPs from Zelensky's party said his departure was announced during a meeting with the president and that a parliamentary vote to approve it would be held on Wednesday. Zelensky planned to replace his 35-year-old prime minister, the youngest premier in Ukraine's history because he was unhappy with the government's performance on economic issues as per official sources. Goncharuk denied having presented his resignation on Monday but admitted: "consultations on the subject" had taken place with the president. Also read: Ukraine President Zelensky rejects PM's resignation after leaked recording However, late on Tuesday, MPs from the president's Servant of the People party were told of his resignation during a meeting with Zelensky, parliamentary deputy Ievgenia Kravtchuk said. Zelensky told party members that Denys Chmygal, one of the vice-premiers, would take up the reins of government, Kravtchuk said. The news was confirmed by two of her parliamentary colleagues, who said the foreign, finance and defence ministers would also be replaced. Goncharuk had been nominated for the post by Zelensky last August against the backdrop of a struggling economy and a protracted war with Russian-backed separatists in the east. But since the president's refusal to accept his last resignation, Zelensky's party has criticised the work of his government. Comedian-turned-politician Zelensky came to power last April promising to "break the system" that had ruled Ukraine since independence in 1991. Among his campaign promises were ending the conflict in the east, fighting corruption and launching economic reforms in one of Europe's poorest countries. His party won legislative elections in July and formed a government including a number of inexperienced ministers.

Ukrainian PM Oleksiy Honcharuk resigns after six months

<div>Ukraine's health minister volunteered to spend two weeks in quarantine as authorities looked to ease panic Friday after protesters attacked buses carrying evacuees from coronavirus-hit China.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>On Thursday, protesters had blocked roads and hurled stones at vehicles carrying 72 people evacuated from China and bound for a medical facility in the town of Novi Sanzhary in the central Poltava region.</div>

<div>
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<p title="title"><strong><span>Also see:</span></strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/clashes-jeers-and-stone-pelting-during-coronavirus-evacuation-in-ukraine-281955"><strong><span> Clashes, jeers and stone-pelting during coronavirus evacuation in Ukraine</span></strong></a></p>
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Protesters said they feared the evacuees would be carrying the virus and threatening their community.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>Riot police with armoured vehicles moved in to disperse the protesters, sparking clashes that injured nine policemen and one civilian.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>Authorities called for calm, with senior officials rushing to the town and President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-leaders-nazi-collusion-comment-enrages-moscow-277131">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> urging solidarity.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>In a bid to allay fears, Health Minister Zoryana Skaletska said she would be joining the evacuees, who include 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreigners, in quarantine.</div>

<div>
<p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-zelensky-rejects-trumps-claim-that-ukraine-is-corrupt-280875"><strong>Ukrainian President Zelensky rejects Trump's claim that Ukraine is corrupt</strong></a></p>

<p>"I will spend the next 14 days with them, in the same premises, under the same conditions," she said.</p>
</div>

<div>"These people are our compatriots... We live in one country and have to take care of their health and safety."</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>Zelensky said "unprecedented" measures had been taken to prevent the spread of the virus across Ukraine.</div>

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<div>He also urged Ukrainians to refrain from staging protests.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>"Most of the passengers are people under 30. They are almost like children to many of us," Zelensky said.</div>

<div>
<div>"But there is another danger that I would like to mention. The danger of forgetting that we are all human and we are all Ukrainians," he said.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>The interior ministry said it had beefed up security in the town of 10,000 people, with some 200 police on patrol around the medical facility where the evacuees would be under quarantine.</div>

<div>
<div>Ukraine has not confirmed any cases of the new coronavirus, which has killed more than 2,200 people and infected over 75,000 in China and 1,100 abroad.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the evacuees had been checked by Chinese and Ukrainian doctors and showed no symptoms.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>"Let's be a little more noble and generous," he said.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>Protesters had said the evacuees should be quarantined away from populated areas, instead of in a facility in their community.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>
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Ukraine's health minister volunteered to spend two weeks in quarantine as authorities looked to ease panic Friday after protesters attacked buses carrying evacuees from coronavirus-hit China.

Ukraine's health minister volunteered to spend two weeks in quarantine as authorities looked to ease panic Friday after protesters attacked buses carrying evacuees from coronavirus-hit China. On Thursday, protesters had blocked roads and hurled stones at vehicles carrying 72 people evacuated from China and bound for a medical facility in the town of Novi Sanzhary in the central Poltava region. Also see: Clashes, jeers and stone-pelting during coronavirus evacuation in Ukraine Protesters said they feared the evacuees would be carrying the virus and threatening their community. Riot police with armoured vehicles moved in to disperse the protesters, sparking clashes that injured nine policemen and one civilian. Authorities called for calm, with senior officials rushing to the town and President Volodymyr Zelensky urging solidarity. In a bid to allay fears, Health Minister Zoryana Skaletska said she would be joining the evacuees, who include 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreigners, in quarantine. Also read: Ukrainian President Zelensky rejects Trump's claim that Ukraine is corrupt "I will spend the next 14 days with them, in the same premises, under the same conditions," she said. "These people are our compatriots... We live in one country and have to take care of their health and safety." Zelensky said "unprecedented" measures had been taken to prevent the spread of the virus across Ukraine. He also urged Ukrainians to refrain from staging protests. "Most of the passengers are people under 30. They are almost like children to many of us," Zelensky said. "But there is another danger that I would like to mention. The danger of forgetting that we are all human and we are all Ukrainians," he said. The interior ministry said it had beefed up security in the town of 10,000 people, with some 200 police on patrol around the medical facility where the evacuees would be under quarantine. Ukraine has not confirmed any cases of the new coronavirus, which has killed more than 2,200 people and infected over 75,000 in China and 1,100 abroad. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the evacuees had been checked by Chinese and Ukrainian doctors and showed no symptoms. "Let's be a little more noble and generous," he said. Protesters had said the evacuees should be quarantined away from populated areas, instead of in a facility in their community.

Ukraine minister to join China evacuees in bid to ease virus panic

Clashes, jeers and stone-pelting during coronavirus evacuation in Ukraine

<p>Residents in central Ukraine protested the arrival of a plane <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-chinas-hubei-province-reports-108-more-deaths-2-dead-in-iran-281693">carrying evacuees from China's Hubei province</a> on Thursday, fearing they could be infected with the coronavirus despite authorities insisting there was no danger.</p>

<p>Protesters from the village of Novi Sanzhary blocked the road leading to a sanatorium where the evacuees are due to be held in quarantine for at least two weeks to make sure they were not carrying the virus.</p>

<p>Hundreds of police were dispatched to keep order, and some were seen dragging some protesters away from the crowd at the demonstration, which the authorities said had started overnight.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Coronavirus - China records biggest drop in new COVID-19 cases</strong></p>

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<p>The protest prompted President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to issue a statement reassuring Ukrainians that there was no danger, that the authorities had done everything possible to make sure the virus would not spread to Ukraine.</p>

<p>"But there is another danger that I would like to mention. The danger of forgetting that we are all human and we are all Ukrainian," he said.</p>

<p>"Attempts to block routes, block hospitals, not allow Ukrainian citizens into Ukraine - this does not show the best side of our character. Especially when you consider that most passengers are people under 30 years of age. For many of us, they are almost like children."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/how-vulnerable-is-xi-jinping-over-coronavirus-281802">Also read: How vulnerable is Xi Jinping over coronavirus?</a></p>

<p>In addition to 45 Ukrainians, there were 27 citizens of Argentina on the plane that landed in Ukraine on Thursday, as well as citizens from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica and other countries.</p>

<p>The Ukrainian authorities say all passengers on board had been screened twice for the virus before being allowed to fly, but that was not enough to quell the protesters.</p>

<p>"I ask people not to sow panic - everything is fine. All who are on board they are healthy," Kharkiv regional Oleksiy Kucher told a televised briefing.</p>

<p>Ukraine has no confirmed cases of the virus.</p>

<p>China reported a drop in new cases in the province at the heart of the coronavirus outbreak on Thursday, though the death toll so far at over 2,000 has made it one of the biggest global health emergencies in recent decades.</p>


Residents in central Ukraine protested the arrival of a plane carrying evacuees from China's Hubei province on Thursday, fearing they could be infected with the coronavirus despite authorities insisting there was no danger.

Residents in central Ukraine protested the arrival of a plane carrying evacuees from China's Hubei province on Thursday, fearing they could be infected with the coronavirus despite authorities insisting there was no danger. Protesters from the village of Novi Sanzhary blocked the road leading to a sanatorium where the evacuees are due to be held in quarantine for at least two weeks to make sure they were not carrying the virus. Hundreds of police were dispatched to keep order, and some were seen dragging some protesters away from the crowd at the demonstration, which the authorities said had started overnight. Watch: Coronavirus - China records biggest drop in new COVID-19 cases × The protest prompted President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to issue a statement reassuring Ukrainians that there was no danger, that the authorities had done everything possible to make sure the virus would not spread to Ukraine. "But there is another danger that I would like to mention. The danger of forgetting that we are all human and we are all Ukrainian," he said. "Attempts to block routes, block hospitals, not allow Ukrainian citizens into Ukraine - this does not show the best side of our character. Especially when you consider that most passengers are people under 30 years of age. For many of us, they are almost like children." Also read: How vulnerable is Xi Jinping over coronavirus? In addition to 45 Ukrainians, there were 27 citizens of Argentina on the plane that landed in Ukraine on Thursday, as well as citizens from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica and other countries. The Ukrainian authorities say all passengers on board had been screened twice for the virus before being allowed to fly, but that was not enough to quell the protesters. "I ask people not to sow panic - everything is fine. All who are on board they are healthy," Kharkiv regional Oleksiy Kucher told a televised briefing. Ukraine has no confirmed cases of the virus. China reported a drop in new cases in the province at the heart of the coronavirus outbreak on Thursday, though the death toll so far at over 2,000 has made it one of the biggest global health emergencies in recent decades.

Fearing infection, residents protest coronavirus evacuees landing in Ukraine

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<p>Three US senators will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Friday, seeking to reinforce the importance of his country as a strategic US ally after he found himself at the centre of President Donald&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-takes-impeachment-victory-lap-over-vicious-democrats-279141" target="_blank">Trump's acrimonious impeachment trial</a>.</p>

<p>"The US-Ukraine relationship is as important now as ever,"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-acquitted-of-impeachment-charges-in-republican-majority-senate-278933" target="_blank">Republican Senators</a>&nbsp;Ron Johnson and John Barrasso and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said in a statement on Wednesday announcing their trip.</p>

<p>"The future of Ukraine matters to the United States and we must make sure Ukraine knows that we view them as a strategic ally," they said.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ousts-two-officials-who-testified-against-him-in-impeachment-279317" target="_blank">Two days after his acquittal, Trump ousts two star impeachment witnesses</a></p>

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<p>Johnson and Murphy last met with Zelenskiy in Kyiv on September 5, as his government was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-trial-of-donald-trump-all-star-defence-team-scared-of-going-near-bolton-276987" target="_blank">dealing with Trump's decision</a>&nbsp;to freeze nearly $400 million (£308.43 million) in security assistance.</p>

<p>Murphy told reporters at a news conference in Washington with Johnson on September 10 that Ukrainian officials did not have a full understanding of why the money might be withheld, and that they had brought up the issue in every meeting during their trip.</p>

<p>That decision, and Trump's telephone call with the Ukrainian leader to discuss it, became central to an investigation of Trump that led to his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mitt-romney-becomes-first-senator-in-us-history-to-vote-against-own-partys-president-278985" target="_blank">impeachment by the Democratic-led House of Representatives</a>&nbsp;late last year.</p>

<p><strong>Also See:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/winners-and-losers-from-impeachment-and-acquittal-of-donald-trump-279025" target="_blank">Winners and losers from impeachment and acquittal of Donald Trump</a></p>

<p>The Republican-led Senate acquitted Trump last week. His defence argued that the money had been withheld because of corruption in Ukraine, not to put pressure on Zelenskiy. Trump insisted his call with Zelenskiy had been "perfect."</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Democratic impeachment managers contended that Trump withheld the money to put pressure on Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a Democratic rival to Trump as he seeks re-election this year, and Biden's son, Hunter Biden, who was on the board of a Ukrainian company.</div>

<p>Johnson is chairman, and Barrasso and Murphy are members, of a Senate subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation.</p>


Three US senators will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Friday, seeking to reinforce the importance of his country as a strategic US ally after he found himself at the centre of President Donald Trump's acrimonious impeachment trial.

Three US senators will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Friday, seeking to reinforce the importance of his country as a strategic US ally after he found himself at the centre of President Donald Trump's acrimonious impeachment trial. "The US-Ukraine relationship is as important now as ever," Republican Senators Ron Johnson and John Barrasso and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said in a statement on Wednesday announcing their trip. "The future of Ukraine matters to the United States and we must make sure Ukraine knows that we view them as a strategic ally," they said. Also Read: Two days after his acquittal, Trump ousts two star impeachment witnesses Johnson and Murphy last met with Zelenskiy in Kyiv on September 5, as his government was dealing with Trump's decision to freeze nearly $400 million (£308.43 million) in security assistance. Murphy told reporters at a news conference in Washington with Johnson on September 10 that Ukrainian officials did not have a full understanding of why the money might be withheld, and that they had brought up the issue in every meeting during their trip. That decision, and Trump's telephone call with the Ukrainian leader to discuss it, became central to an investigation of Trump that led to his impeachment by the Democratic-led House of Representatives late last year. Also See: Winners and losers from impeachment and acquittal of Donald Trump The Republican-led Senate acquitted Trump last week. His defence argued that the money had been withheld because of corruption in Ukraine, not to put pressure on Zelenskiy. Trump insisted his call with Zelenskiy had been "perfect." Democratic impeachment managers contended that Trump withheld the money to put pressure on Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a Democratic rival to Trump as he seeks re-election this year, and Biden's son, Hunter Biden, who was on the board of a Ukrainian company. Johnson is chairman, and Barrasso and Murphy are members, of a Senate subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation.

US Senators plan on visiting Ukraine after Trump impeachment trial

<p>US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo <gwmw class="ginger-module-highlighter-mistake-type-1" id="gwmw-15804758481624880179160">emphasised</gwmw> Washington's support for Ukraine on a visit to Kyiv on Friday, as both countries sought to smooth over relations buffeted by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-i-am-legally-required-to-testify-will-be-happy-to-do-it-pompeo-on-trumps-impeachment-275980">impeachment trial of President Donald Trump</a>.</p>

<p>Ukraine was thrust into a domestic political battle in Washington last year as Trump faced allegations he pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate the son of his Democratic rival, Joe Biden.</p>

<p>Pompeo has also walked back from comments <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/radio-reporter-says-pompeo-cursed-at-her-after-testy-interview-276466">he was accused</a> of making to a National Public Radio reporter before his trip that appeared to play down Ukraine's importance to Americans.</p>

<p>Pompeo is the highest-ranking US official to travel to Ukraine since the impeachment began. His visit comes as Trump's impeachment trial was set for a climactic vote on Friday or Saturday that is likely to acquit the president.</p>

<p>After meeting Zelenskiy, both men played down the fallout from impeachment. "Today I'm here with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-leaders-free-to-come-up-with-a-counter-offer-pompeo-277390">a clear message</a>: The United States sees that the Ukrainian struggle for freedom, democracy and prosperity is a valiant one. Our commitment to support it will not waver," Pompeo said.</p>

<p>Ukraine counts on Washington for diplomatic support, sanctions on Moscow and military aid to buy Javelin anti-tank missiles and other hardware as it battles Russian-backed fighters in a war that has killed more than 13,000 people.</p>

<p>Trump had frozen nearly $400 million in US security assistance shortly before speaking to Zelenskiy in a July phone call, prompting accusations from Democrats he had misused US foreign policy for personal gain.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read</strong>: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-probe-possible-surveillance-of-ukraine-envoy-pompeo-274945">Will probe possible surveillance of Ukraine envoy: Pompeo</a></p>

<p>Trump's camp has called on Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, who was on the board of a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma.</p>

<p>Impeachment overshadowed the first months of Zelenskiy's presidency, and he has voiced frustration about being constantly asked about it. He has repeatedly denied being pressured by Trump to launch investigations.</p>

<p>"I was wondering when this question would come up. When we speak with the USA, there is always a question about the impeachment of President Trump," Zelenskiy said on Friday when asked whether impeachment had spoiled bilateral ties.</p>

<p>"It seems to me honestly that, on the contrary, there are very good relations between our countries, not just in words. The US supports and defends Ukraine."</p>

<p>Pompeo also denied suggestions that Zelenskiy would only be granted a visit to the White House to meet Trump if Ukraine agreed to announce investigations into Hunter Biden and Burisma.</p>

<p>"No, there's no condition of the nature you described for President Zelenskiy to come to Washington and have that visit," Pompeo said in response to a question. "We'll find the right time. We'll find the appropriate opportunity."</p>

<p>Asked before the trip whether he would raise Burisma or the Bidens with Ukrainian officials, Pompeo had said, "I don't want to talk about particular individuals."</p>

<p>Democrats had hoped to hear from former National Security Adviser John Bolton as a witness in Trump's impeachment trial, but they do not appear to have enough support from Republicans to bring witnesses to the proceedings.</p>

<p>A report, which Bolton has not denied, said Bolton had written in an upcoming book that Trump told him he wanted to freeze military aid to Ukraine until it investigated both Bidens.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo emphasised Washington's support for Ukraine on a visit to Kyiv on Friday, as both countries sought to smooth over relations buffeted by the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo emphasised Washington's support for Ukraine on a visit to Kyiv on Friday, as both countries sought to smooth over relations buffeted by the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. Ukraine was thrust into a domestic political battle in Washington last year as Trump faced allegations he pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate the son of his Democratic rival, Joe Biden. Pompeo has also walked back from comments he was accused of making to a National Public Radio reporter before his trip that appeared to play down Ukraine's importance to Americans. Pompeo is the highest-ranking US official to travel to Ukraine since the impeachment began. His visit comes as Trump's impeachment trial was set for a climactic vote on Friday or Saturday that is likely to acquit the president. After meeting Zelenskiy, both men played down the fallout from impeachment. "Today I'm here with a clear message: The United States sees that the Ukrainian struggle for freedom, democracy and prosperity is a valiant one. Our commitment to support it will not waver," Pompeo said. Ukraine counts on Washington for diplomatic support, sanctions on Moscow and military aid to buy Javelin anti-tank missiles and other hardware as it battles Russian-backed fighters in a war that has killed more than 13,000 people. Trump had frozen nearly $400 million in US security assistance shortly before speaking to Zelenskiy in a July phone call, prompting accusations from Democrats he had misused US foreign policy for personal gain. Also Read: Will probe possible surveillance of Ukraine envoy: Pompeo Trump's camp has called on Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, who was on the board of a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma. Impeachment overshadowed the first months of Zelenskiy's presidency, and he has voiced frustration about being constantly asked about it. He has repeatedly denied being pressured by Trump to launch investigations. "I was wondering when this question would come up. When we speak with the USA, there is always a question about the impeachment of President Trump," Zelenskiy said on Friday when asked whether impeachment had spoiled bilateral ties. "It seems to me honestly that, on the contrary, there are very good relations between our countries, not just in words. The US supports and defends Ukraine." Pompeo also denied suggestions that Zelenskiy would only be granted a visit to the White House to meet Trump if Ukraine agreed to announce investigations into Hunter Biden and Burisma. "No, there's no condition of the nature you described for President Zelenskiy to come to Washington and have that visit," Pompeo said in response to a question. "We'll find the right time. We'll find the appropriate opportunity." Asked before the trip whether he would raise Burisma or the Bidens with Ukrainian officials, Pompeo had said, "I don't want to talk about particular individuals." Democrats had hoped to hear from former National Security Adviser John Bolton as a witness in Trump's impeachment trial, but they do not appear to have enough support from Republicans to bring witnesses to the proceedings. A report, which Bolton has not denied, said Bolton had written in an upcoming book that Trump told him he wanted to freeze military aid to Ukraine until it investigated both Bidens.

US state secretary Pompeo pledges support for Ukraine amid Trump impeachment trial

Former national security adviser John Bolton wrote in a draft of his forthcoming book that Donald Trump told him in August that he wanted to freeze aid to Ukraine until the country aided investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens. The Republicans have denied wrongdoing in his dealings with Ukraine. On January 27, Trump denied telling Bolton anything about his decision to hold up aid to Kyiv and said he hadn’t seen the manuscript of the coming book.

White House could block Bolton testimony

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-speeds-up-russian-political-shake-up-details-new-power-centre-275623">Kremlin</a> reacted with fury on Tuesday after Ukrainian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-president-zelensky-rejects-pms-resignation-275011">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> said Soviet collusion with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/explained-hitlers-relationship-with-india-277103">Nazi </a>Germany led to the outbreak of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-expels-japanese-journalist-in-military-espionage-row-sources-277045">World War II</a>.</p>

<p>"We categorically disagree with this statement," President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-speeds-up-russian-political-shake-up-details-new-power-centre-275623">Vladimir Putin</a>'s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, accusing Zelensky of backing the "highly erroneous" position of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-protest-against-polands-plan-to-discipline-judges-274146">Poland</a> on the historical events.</p>

<p>The Soviet collaboration with the Nazis remains highly sensitive in the ex-Soviet bloc and frequently crops up in political rhetoric.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-spies-hacked-ukrainian-energy-firm-at-center-of-trumps-impeachment-274153"><strong>&nbsp;Russian spies hacked Ukrainian energy firm at center of Trump impeachment</strong></a></p>

<p>Nazi <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suspected-woman-linked-to-islamic-state-returned-to-germany-264251">Germany</a> and the Soviet Union invaded and carved up Poland in September 1939 under a secret clause of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.</p>

<p>The Nazi invasion prompted<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/barnier-warns-european-union-and-britain-must-rebuild-after-brexit-276906"> Britain</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-outbreak-3-cases-in-france-1-in-australia-us-expecting-more-cases-276474">France</a> to declare war on Germany.</p>

<p>While visiting Poland on Monday to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/auschwitz-survivors-to-sound-alarm-75-years-after-liberation-276907">Auschwitz</a> death camp, Zelensky said the Poles "were the first to feel the consequences of the criminal collusion of the totalitarian regimes".</p>

<p>"This led to the start of World War II and allowed the Nazis to launch the lethal Holocaust machine," he told a joint briefing with Poland's President Andrzej Duda.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/auschwitz-survivors-to-sound-alarm-75-years-after-liberation-276907">75 years after liberation, Auschwitz survivors return to Nazi death camp</a></strong></p>

<p>Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz, where the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/explained-hitlers-relationship-with-india-277103">Nazis</a> killed more than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews.</p>

<p>Peskov said Zelensky's comment had offended "tens of millions" of citizens of Russia, Ukraine and other post-Soviet states that battled against Nazi troops.</p>

<p>"We do not accept this statement. We consider it erroneous and offensive from the point of view of our grandfathers' memory," he said.</p>

<p>Zelensky met Putin for the first time in December at a summit in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-christchurch-call-macron-ardern-host-paris-summit-219050">Paris</a> on resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine.</p>

<p>Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Russian parliament's upper house, accused Zelensky of betraying the Ukrainians who helped liberate Europe and delivering a blow to Russian-Ukrainian ties.</p>

<p>Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's foreign intelligence service, told reporters that Zelensky was getting increasingly drawn towards ideas of Ukrainian nationalism.</p>

<p>Last month, Putin accused Poland of colluding with Hitler and contributing to the outbreak of World War II, sparking new tensions between Moscow and Warsaw.</p>


The Kremlin reacted with fury on Tuesday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Soviet collusion with Nazi Germany led to the outbreak of World War II.

The Kremlin reacted with fury on Tuesday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Soviet collusion with Nazi Germany led to the outbreak of World War II. "We categorically disagree with this statement," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, accusing Zelensky of backing the "highly erroneous" position of Poland on the historical events. The Soviet collaboration with the Nazis remains highly sensitive in the ex-Soviet bloc and frequently crops up in political rhetoric. Also read: Russian spies hacked Ukrainian energy firm at center of Trump impeachment Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union invaded and carved up Poland in September 1939 under a secret clause of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The Nazi invasion prompted Britain and France to declare war on Germany. While visiting Poland on Monday to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz death camp, Zelensky said the Poles "were the first to feel the consequences of the criminal collusion of the totalitarian regimes". "This led to the start of World War II and allowed the Nazis to launch the lethal Holocaust machine," he told a joint briefing with Poland's President Andrzej Duda. Also read: 75 years after liberation, Auschwitz survivors return to Nazi death camp Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz, where the Nazis killed more than 1.1 million people, most of them Jews. Peskov said Zelensky's comment had offended "tens of millions" of citizens of Russia, Ukraine and other post-Soviet states that battled against Nazi troops. "We do not accept this statement. We consider it erroneous and offensive from the point of view of our grandfathers' memory," he said. Zelensky met Putin for the first time in December at a summit in Paris on resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Russian parliament's upper house, accused Zelensky of betraying the Ukrainians who helped liberate Europe and delivering a blow to Russian-Ukrainian ties. Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia's foreign intelligence service, told reporters that Zelensky was getting increasingly drawn towards ideas of Ukrainian nationalism. Last month, Putin accused Poland of colluding with Hitler and contributing to the outbreak of World War II, sparking new tensions between Moscow and Warsaw.

Ukraine leader's Nazi collusion comment enrages Moscow

United States Former national security adviser John Bolton confirms in his new book President Donald Trump in August told him that he wanted to continue holding military aid to Ukraine until the country helped with investigations into Democrats, including former Vice President Joe Biden. Watch the video for more information.

Trump linked Ukraine aid to Biden inquiry | WION News | World News

Trump had Ukraine aid withheld, Reveals Bolton's new book

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuiduAyJdqWGnUue" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>Donald Trump demanded the dismissal of Marie Yovanovitch, the ambassador to Ukraine and a key figure in the president's impeachment trial, according to a video recording released to US media on Saturday. The footage was reportedly taken during an April 2018 donor dinner at a hotel and released to news outlets by an attorney for Lev Parnas, an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-did-nothing-wrong-white-house-opens-senate-defence-276572">indicted associate of Trump's</a> attorney Rudy Giuliani.</p>

<p>Parnas and his business partner Igor Fruman are key players in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-legal-team-to-begin-defence-arguments-at-us-senate-impeachment-trial-276533">Trump's alleged campaign</a> to pressure the government of Ukraine to dig up dirt on Joe Biden, a potential election opponent for the president.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-first-president-to-attend-anti-abortion-rally-276464">issue is central to Trump</a>'s ongoing impeachment trial in the US Senate. His order to fire the ambassador came after Parnas told him that Yovanovich was an impediment, and claiming that she had privately disparaged the President.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read</strong>:<strong>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trumps-impeachment-democrats-lay-out-abuse-of-power-case-276260">Donald Trump's Impeachment: Democrats lay out abuse of power case</a></p>

<p><img alt="Marie Yovanovitch" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dbf602aa-d844-4838-b5c8-0f3fe65d8589" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2876%29_1.jpg" /><br />
<em>[Former US ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch (Courtesy: AFP) ]</em></p>

<p>"Get rid of her!" Trump says on the tape, reportedly addressing a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-lawyers-say-voters-should-decide-trumps-fate-276578">White House</a> aide at the dining table. "Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it."</p>

<p>Images taken at an awkward angle appear at the start of the one hour, 23-minute-long video. The rest of the recording shows a tan background as if the camera were covered, but Trump's distinctive voice is clear.</p>

<p>In a TV interview with MSNBC News last week, Parnas said Trump "knew exactly what was going on" with his and Fruman's efforts to pressure Ukrainian authorities to investigate Biden.</p>

<p>His appearance came after Democrats released documents that showed Giuliani worked with Parnas to pressure Kyiv to investigate Biden. Both Parnas and Fruman were charged with violating US campaign finance laws in October.</p>

<p>The documents also showed the pair, working with Ukrainian officials, trying to force out Yovanovitch, a respected career diplomat who Trump eventually removed in May 2019. Saturday's recording corroborates much of what Parnas said in his TV interview, including that he knew Trump - something the president has denied.</p>

<p><strong>More recordings</strong></p>

<p>In October Yovanovitch testified to Congress that she was recalled due to "unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives."</p>

<p>Joseph Bondy, an attorney for Parnas, said that he submitted the evidence to investigators in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. He also told CNN that Parnas has more recordings and photographs that may be released to the public.</p>

<p>The release of the tape increases pressure on US senators to subpoena witnesses for the impeachment trial, a move several polls show has strong support among the US public. White House lawyers began Trump's defence in the impeachment trial on Saturday.</p>

<p>They have argued that the president did nothing wrong in his dealings with Ukraine and that US voters - not Congress - should decide his fate. Trump's lawyers will resume his defence on Monday.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Donald Trump demanded the dismissal of Marie Yovanovitch, the ambassador to Ukraine and a key figure in the president's impeachment trial, according to a video recording released to US media on Saturday.

Donald Trump demanded the dismissal of Marie Yovanovitch, the ambassador to Ukraine and a key figure in the president's impeachment trial, according to a video recording released to US media on Saturday. The footage was reportedly taken during an April 2018 donor dinner at a hotel and released to news outlets by an attorney for Lev Parnas, an indicted associate of Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani. Parnas and his business partner Igor Fruman are key players in Trump's alleged campaign to pressure the government of Ukraine to dig up dirt on Joe Biden, a potential election opponent for the president. The issue is central to Trump's ongoing impeachment trial in the US Senate. His order to fire the ambassador came after Parnas told him that Yovanovich was an impediment, and claiming that she had privately disparaged the President. Also Read: Donald Trump's Impeachment: Democrats lay out abuse of power case [Former US ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch (Courtesy: AFP) ] "Get rid of her!" Trump says on the tape, reportedly addressing a White House aide at the dining table. "Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it." Images taken at an awkward angle appear at the start of the one hour, 23-minute-long video. The rest of the recording shows a tan background as if the camera were covered, but Trump's distinctive voice is clear. In a TV interview with MSNBC News last week, Parnas said Trump "knew exactly what was going on" with his and Fruman's efforts to pressure Ukrainian authorities to investigate Biden. His appearance came after Democrats released documents that showed Giuliani worked with Parnas to pressure Kyiv to investigate Biden. Both Parnas and Fruman were charged with violating US campaign finance laws in October. The documents also showed the pair, working with Ukrainian officials, trying to force out Yovanovitch, a respected career diplomat who Trump eventually removed in May 2019. Saturday's recording corroborates much of what Parnas said in his TV interview, including that he knew Trump - something the president has denied. More recordings In October Yovanovitch testified to Congress that she was recalled due to "unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives." Joseph Bondy, an attorney for Parnas, said that he submitted the evidence to investigators in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. He also told CNN that Parnas has more recordings and photographs that may be released to the public. The release of the tape increases pressure on US senators to subpoena witnesses for the impeachment trial, a move several polls show has strong support among the US public. White House lawyers began Trump's defence in the impeachment trial on Saturday. They have argued that the president did nothing wrong in his dealings with Ukraine and that US voters - not Congress - should decide his fate. Trump's lawyers will resume his defence on Monday.

Trump caught saying 'get rid' of Ukraine ambassador on tape: report

<p>The flag-draped coffins of the 11 Ukrainians who died in a plane mistakenly shot down by Iran amid heightened tensions with Washington arrived in Kiev on Sunday.</p>

<p>President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazen-and-unlawful-donald-trumps-legal-team-rejects-impeachment-charges-275143">Volodymyr Zelensky</a>, Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-zelensky-rejects-pms-resignation-after-leaked-recording-274964">Oleksiy Goncharuk</a>, and other officials attended the solemn ceremony at Kiev's Boryspil airport to see the downed plane's nine Ukrainian flight crew and two passengers were removed from the aircraft, according to live video footage.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-khamenei-stands-by-revolutionary-guards-after-unrest-over-downed-plane-275015">Ukraine International Airlines</a> staff, some in tears, stood on the tarmac clutching flowers.</p>

<p>The Kiev-bound UIA Boeing 737, crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran on January 8, killing all 176 people on board, mostly Iranian and Canadian citizens.</p>

<p>The Boeing crashed shortly after Iran launched missiles at US forces in Iraq in response to the killing of top Iranian general <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-iran-shot-down-ukranian-passenger-plane-after-us-jets-were-seen-at-its-borders-275045">Qasem Soleimani</a> in a US drone strike in Baghdad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tehran admitted it had mistakenly shot down the plane&nbsp;several days later.</p>


The flag-draped coffins of the 11 Ukrainians who died in a plane mistakenly shot down by Iran amid heightened tensions with Washington arrived in Kiev on Sunday.

The flag-draped coffins of the 11 Ukrainians who died in a plane mistakenly shot down by Iran amid heightened tensions with Washington arrived in Kiev on Sunday. President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Oleksiy Goncharuk, and other officials attended the solemn ceremony at Kiev's Boryspil airport to see the downed plane's nine Ukrainian flight crew and two passengers were removed from the aircraft, according to live video footage. Ukraine International Airlines staff, some in tears, stood on the tarmac clutching flowers. The Kiev-bound UIA Boeing 737, crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran on January 8, killing all 176 people on board, mostly Iranian and Canadian citizens. The Boeing crashed shortly after Iran launched missiles at US forces in Iraq in response to the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike in Baghdad. Tehran admitted it had mistakenly shot down the plane several days later.

Bodies of Ukrainian victims of downed plane repatriated from Iran

<p>Iran is sending to Ukraine the black boxes of the Ukrainian passenger plane that its military accidentally shot down this month, Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday.</p>

<p>The Iranian authorities are also prepared for experts from France, Canada and the United States to examine the data from the boxes, the semi-official news agency said.</p>

<p>All 176 people aboard the plane were killed when the Ukrainian International Airlines flight was shot down on January&nbsp;8 shortly after take-off from Tehran en route to the Ukrainian capital Kiev.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-iran-shot-down-ukranian-passenger-plane-after-us-jets-were-seen-at-its-borders-275045">Russia says Iran shot down Ukranian passenger plane after US jets were seen at its borders</a></strong></p>

<p>"With the use of the expertise of the countries of France, Canada and America we will try to read the (flight data recorder) in Kiev," Hassan Rezaifar, a director in charge of accident investigations at Iran's Civil Aviation Organization was quoted as saying by Tasnim.</p>

<p>"If this effort is unsuccessful then the black box will be sent to France."</p>

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<p>The black boxes will not be read in Iran, Rezaifar said, according to Tasnim.</p>

<p>Fifty seven of the dead were Canadian. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has been pressing for a full investigation into the plane downing, said on Friday that Iran should send the black boxes to France for analysis.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-countries-demand-iran-compensate-relatives-of-plane-crash-victims-274790">Five countries demand Iran compensate relatives of plane-crash victims</a></strong></p>

<p>France was one of the few countries with the ability to read the flight and cockpit data recorders from the jet, which he said were badly damaged, Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa.</p>

<p>Iran has faced a deepening crisis abroad and at home over the plane disaster, with authorities taking several days to announce that its military had accidentally shot the plane down.</p>

<p>The downing occurred as Iran was on high alert for possible retaliatory action following its strikes on Iraqi bases housing US&nbsp;troops.</p>

<p>Those strikes were in revenge for the US&nbsp;killing of top military commander Qassem Soleimani in a drone attack in Baghdad on January&nbsp;3.</p>


Iran is sending to Ukraine the black boxes of the Ukrainian passenger plane that its military accidentally shot down this month, Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday.

Iran is sending to Ukraine the black boxes of the Ukrainian passenger plane that its military accidentally shot down this month, Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday. The Iranian authorities are also prepared for experts from France, Canada and the United States to examine the data from the boxes, the semi-official news agency said. All 176 people aboard the plane were killed when the Ukrainian International Airlines flight was shot down on January 8 shortly after take-off from Tehran en route to the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Also read: Russia says Iran shot down Ukranian passenger plane after US jets were seen at its borders "With the use of the expertise of the countries of France, Canada and America we will try to read the (flight data recorder) in Kiev," Hassan Rezaifar, a director in charge of accident investigations at Iran's Civil Aviation Organization was quoted as saying by Tasnim. "If this effort is unsuccessful then the black box will be sent to France." × The black boxes will not be read in Iran, Rezaifar said, according to Tasnim. Fifty seven of the dead were Canadian. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has been pressing for a full investigation into the plane downing, said on Friday that Iran should send the black boxes to France for analysis. Also read: Five countries demand Iran compensate relatives of plane-crash victims France was one of the few countries with the ability to read the flight and cockpit data recorders from the jet, which he said were badly damaged, Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa. Iran has faced a deepening crisis abroad and at home over the plane disaster, with authorities taking several days to announce that its military had accidentally shot the plane down. The downing occurred as Iran was on high alert for possible retaliatory action following its strikes on Iraqi bases housing US troops. Those strikes were in revenge for the US killing of top military commander Qassem Soleimani in a drone attack in Baghdad on January 3.

Iran says it is sending black boxes of downed plane to Ukraine

<p>Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday he wanted to give his prime minister a "second chance" and refused to accept his resignation after a recording emerged of the premier questioning the head of state's grasp of economics.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Oleksiy Goncharuk had offered to quit after the leaked recording revealed him saying the president had a "primitive understanding" of the economy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I have decided to give you and your government a second chance," Zelensky said during a meeting with Goncharuk in a video released by the presidency.</p>

<p>It marked the first major political test for Zelensky, a comedian with no previous political experience, who swept to power in a landslide victory at last year's presidential election.</p>

<p>His "Servant of the People" party later won a large majority in parliament.</p>

<p>He has been embroiled in the US impeachment process and faced tough talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but had thus far managed to avoid any significant domestic political problems.</p>

<p>The audio recording was leaked on social media on Wednesday and came from an informal December meeting between ministers and senior officials from the National Bank.</p>

<p>According to local media reports, the participants discussed how to explain recent economic developments to Zelensky.</p>

<p>"Zelensky has a very primitive understanding of economic processes, or rather a simple understanding," Goncharuk said on the recording, adding that he himself was an economic "ignoramus".</p>

<p>After initially denying reports he would step down, Goncharuk announced on his official Facebook page on Friday that he had offered to resign.</p>

<p>"To remove any doubts about our respect for and trust in the president, I have written a resignation letter," wrote Goncharuk.</p>

<h6><img alt="Ukraine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="45f44a09-88c9-4800-ab70-b64c7623acee" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_30.jpg" /><br />
<em>Image: Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Goncharuk (C) attends a session of the parliament in Kiev on January 17, 2020 | AFP</em><br />
&nbsp;</h6>

<p><strong>'Looks like theatre'</strong></p>

<p>In the video released by the presidency, Zelensky did not mention the leaked comments but did refer to "a scandal" and "a very unpleasant situation".&nbsp;</p>

<p>He urged the prime minister to "improve the cooperation with parliament and to optimise the salaries of government officials".</p>

<p>The payment of large bonuses to officials has caused a scandal in recent weeks in the former Soviet republic, one of the poorest countries in Europe.</p>

<p>"Such wages cannot occur in Ukraine with the current state of the economy," Zelensky said in the video, which depicted a round-table meeting with Goncharuk in an ornate, gilded room.</p>

<p>Goncharuk thanked the president for his confidence, admitting a "shortcoming in the work" of the government.</p>

<p>Before Zelensky rejected the resignation offer, several analysts were sceptical he would ever accept.</p>

<p>"It looks like theatre... in which Zelensky plays the role of a good tsar" by refusing the offer, said analyst Anatoliy Oktysiuk of Democracy House in Kiev.</p>

<p>He said the crisis likely reflected an internal struggle for influence over the new president.</p>

<h6><img alt="Ukraine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="30061a38-c29a-487f-a865-b6994052e5f0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_17.jpg" /><br />
<em>Image:&nbsp;In this file photo taken on September 02, 2019 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) listens as the Prime Minister Oleksiy Goncharuk speaks during a meeting with the new members of the government and new president of Parliament, in Kiev | AFP</em><br />
&nbsp;</h6>

<p><strong>'Important test'</strong></p>

<p>Goncharuk, 35, became Ukraine's youngest-ever prime minister after Zelensky nominated him in August, part of a team of fresh faces he promised would shake up the stagnant political scene.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The lawyer was tasked with helping to revive an economy hit hard by corruption and Ukraine's five-year conflict with Moscow-backed separatists in the east.</p>

<p>Considered a supporter of liberal economic reforms, Goncharuk had co-founded a law firm at the age of 24 and managed an EU-funded NGO to improve the business environment in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Timothy Ash, a London-based economist and expert on Ukraine, said accepting the resignation would have sent "a very negative message to reformers".</p>

<p>"This is an important test of Zelensky's reform credentials," he said.</p>

<p>The hiring and firing of prime ministers is the formal remit of the parliament and some criticised Goncharuk for sending his letter directly to the president.</p>

<p>Zelensky came to power promising sweeping change and has since taken several steps to resolve the separatist conflict, including prisoner exchanges and a landmark meeting with Putin in Paris last month.</p>

<p>But critics have accused him of doing little so far to boost the economy or tackle endemic corruption.</p>


Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday he wanted to give his prime minister a "second chance" and refused to accept his resignation after a recording emerged of the premier questioning the head of state's grasp of economics.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday he wanted to give his prime minister a "second chance" and refused to accept his resignation after a recording emerged of the premier questioning the head of state's grasp of economics. Prime Minister Oleksiy Goncharuk had offered to quit after the leaked recording revealed him saying the president had a "primitive understanding" of the economy. "I have decided to give you and your government a second chance," Zelensky said during a meeting with Goncharuk in a video released by the presidency. It marked the first major political test for Zelensky, a comedian with no previous political experience, who swept to power in a landslide victory at last year's presidential election. His "Servant of the People" party later won a large majority in parliament. He has been embroiled in the US impeachment process and faced tough talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but had thus far managed to avoid any significant domestic political problems. The audio recording was leaked on social media on Wednesday and came from an informal December meeting between ministers and senior officials from the National Bank. According to local media reports, the participants discussed how to explain recent economic developments to Zelensky. "Zelensky has a very primitive understanding of economic processes, or rather a simple understanding," Goncharuk said on the recording, adding that he himself was an economic "ignoramus". After initially denying reports he would step down, Goncharuk announced on his official Facebook page on Friday that he had offered to resign. "To remove any doubts about our respect for and trust in the president, I have written a resignation letter," wrote Goncharuk. Image: Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Goncharuk (C) attends a session of the parliament in Kiev on January 17, 2020 | AFP 'Looks like theatre' In the video released by the presidency, Zelensky did not mention the leaked comments but did refer to "a scandal" and "a very unpleasant situation". He urged the prime minister to "improve the cooperation with parliament and to optimise the salaries of government officials". The payment of large bonuses to officials has caused a scandal in recent weeks in the former Soviet republic, one of the poorest countries in Europe. "Such wages cannot occur in Ukraine with the current state of the economy," Zelensky said in the video, which depicted a round-table meeting with Goncharuk in an ornate, gilded room. Goncharuk thanked the president for his confidence, admitting a "shortcoming in the work" of the government. Before Zelensky rejected the resignation offer, several analysts were sceptical he would ever accept. "It looks like theatre... in which Zelensky plays the role of a good tsar" by refusing the offer, said analyst Anatoliy Oktysiuk of Democracy House in Kiev. He said the crisis likely reflected an internal struggle for influence over the new president. Image: In this file photo taken on September 02, 2019 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) listens as the Prime Minister Oleksiy Goncharuk speaks during a meeting with the new members of the government and new president of Parliament, in Kiev | AFP 'Important test' Goncharuk, 35, became Ukraine's youngest-ever prime minister after Zelensky nominated him in August, part of a team of fresh faces he promised would shake up the stagnant political scene. The lawyer was tasked with helping to revive an economy hit hard by corruption and Ukraine's five-year conflict with Moscow-backed separatists in the east. Considered a supporter of liberal economic reforms, Goncharuk had co-founded a law firm at the age of 24 and managed an EU-funded NGO to improve the business environment in Ukraine. Timothy Ash, a London-based economist and expert on Ukraine, said accepting the resignation would have sent "a very negative message to reformers". "This is an important test of Zelensky's reform credentials," he said. The hiring and firing of prime ministers is the formal remit of the parliament and some criticised Goncharuk for sending his letter directly to the president. Zelensky came to power promising sweeping change and has since taken several steps to resolve the separatist conflict, including prisoner exchanges and a landmark meeting with Putin in Paris last month. But critics have accused him of doing little so far to boost the economy or tackle endemic corruption.

Ukraine President Zelensky rejects PM's resignation after leaked recording

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected country's Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk's resignation, he asked to stay in the job. Honcharuk submitted his resignation after he was caught on tape saying Zelenskiy knows nothing about the economy.

Ukraine President Zelensky rejects PM's resignation

<p>Ukraine's prime minister offered his resignation on Friday after audio was leaked of him reportedly criticizing President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-spies-hacked-ukrainian-energy-firm-at-center-of-trumps-impeachment-274153">Volodymyr Zelensky's</a> understanding of the economy.</p>

<p>"To remove any doubts about our respect for and trust in the president, I have written a resignation letter and handed it over to the president," Oleksiy Goncharuk wrote on his official Facebook page.</p>

<p>He said the audio "artificially created an impression that my team and I do not respect the president".</p>

<p>"This is not true," he said. "I came to this post to carry out the president's programme."</p>

<p>Zelensky's office said it had received the letter of resignation and would consider it.</p>

<p>The alleged recordings, which emerged this week, came from an informal December meeting between ministers and senior officials from the National Bank.</p>

<p>According to local media reports, the participants discussed how to explain recent economic developments to Zelensky, a 41-year-old comedian and political neophyte who won a surprise election victory last year.</p>

<p>Goncharuk, 35, is reportedly heard saying that explanations need to be simple because Zelensky has a "primitive understanding" of the economy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also called himself an economic "ignoramus".</p>

<p>After the recordings emerged on Wednesday, media reported that Goncharuk resigned but his office denied this.</p>

<p>Goncharuk became Ukraine's youngest-ever prime minister after Zelensky nominated him for the post in August amid a stalling economy and war with separatists in the east.<br />
Goncharuk's candidacy was quickly approved by MPs as Zelensky's "Servant of the People" party holds a majority in parliament.</p>

<p>His appointment was in line with Zelensky's vow to bring in fresh faces and shake up Ukraine's stagnant politics.</p>

<p>He replaced Volodymyr Groysman, 41, who offered his resignation after Zelensky was inaugurated in May.</p>

<p>A young lawyer with virtually no experience in government, Goncharuk was little known to the public.</p>

<p>Goncharuk, who studied law and public administration before co-founding a law firm at the age of 24, is considered a supporter of liberal economic reforms.</p>

<p>Before becoming deputy head of the president's office when Zelensky came to power, he managed for several years an EU-funded NGO that works to improve the business environment in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Timothy Ash, a senior emerging markets strategist at Bluebay Asset Management, said this week that while Zelensky was not a trained economist, he has hired "a decent economic team.".</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/countries-demand-iran-compensate-relatives-of-plane-crash-victims-274765">Ukraine's</a> economy has been hit hard by the conflict in the east and is reliant on foreign aid.</p>


Ukraine's prime minister offered his resignation on Friday after audio was leaked of him reportedly criticizing President Volodymyr Zelensky's understanding of the economy.

Ukraine's prime minister offered his resignation on Friday after audio was leaked of him reportedly criticizing President Volodymyr Zelensky's understanding of the economy. "To remove any doubts about our respect for and trust in the president, I have written a resignation letter and handed it over to the president," Oleksiy Goncharuk wrote on his official Facebook page. He said the audio "artificially created an impression that my team and I do not respect the president". "This is not true," he said. "I came to this post to carry out the president's programme." Zelensky's office said it had received the letter of resignation and would consider it. The alleged recordings, which emerged this week, came from an informal December meeting between ministers and senior officials from the National Bank. According to local media reports, the participants discussed how to explain recent economic developments to Zelensky, a 41-year-old comedian and political neophyte who won a surprise election victory last year. Goncharuk, 35, is reportedly heard saying that explanations need to be simple because Zelensky has a "primitive understanding" of the economy. He also called himself an economic "ignoramus". After the recordings emerged on Wednesday, media reported that Goncharuk resigned but his office denied this. Goncharuk became Ukraine's youngest-ever prime minister after Zelensky nominated him for the post in August amid a stalling economy and war with separatists in the east. Goncharuk's candidacy was quickly approved by MPs as Zelensky's "Servant of the People" party holds a majority in parliament. His appointment was in line with Zelensky's vow to bring in fresh faces and shake up Ukraine's stagnant politics. He replaced Volodymyr Groysman, 41, who offered his resignation after Zelensky was inaugurated in May. A young lawyer with virtually no experience in government, Goncharuk was little known to the public. Goncharuk, who studied law and public administration before co-founding a law firm at the age of 24, is considered a supporter of liberal economic reforms. Before becoming deputy head of the president's office when Zelensky came to power, he managed for several years an EU-funded NGO that works to improve the business environment in Ukraine. Timothy Ash, a senior emerging markets strategist at Bluebay Asset Management, said this week that while Zelensky was not a trained economist, he has hired "a decent economic team.". Ukraine's economy has been hit hard by the conflict in the east and is reliant on foreign aid.

Ukrainian PM Oleksiy Honcharuk offers resignation after leaked recording

<p>Russian spies hacked a Ukrainian energy company at the centre of the impeachment trial of US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bernie-sanders-said-no-woman-could-beat-donald-trump-in-2020-elizabeth-warren-274125">Donald Trump</a>, a cybersecurity firm said Monday.</p>

<p>Russia's GRU spy agency launched a "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-linked-hackers-stole-sensitive-information-microsoft-271217">phishing</a>" attack in November to access the email of Burisma Holdings employees, California cyber firm Area 1 Security said in a report.</p>

<p>"The timing of the GRU's campaign in relation to the 2020 US elections raises the spectre that this is an early warning of what we have anticipated since the successful cyberattacks undertaken during the 2016 US elections," Area 1 co-founders Oren J. Falkowitz and Blake Darche said in the eight-page document.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here's a link to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Area1Security?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Area1Security</a> report on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/phishing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#phishing</a> of Burisma Holdings by the GRU <a href="https://t.co/oTEvMwmsjs">https://t.co/oTEvMwmsjs</a> <a href="https://t.co/XEmXumrww8">pic.twitter.com/XEmXumrww8</a></p>
— Oren J. Falkowitz (@orenfalkowitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/orenfalkowitz/status/1216874240848228352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump was impeached in December over allegations that he improperly pressured Ukraine to announce an investigation into Burisma and its links to former board member Hunter Biden, the son of the president's election rival Joe Biden.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-government-linked-hackers-targeting-anti-doping-authorities-sports-organizations-microsoft-258571">GRU</a> figured heavily in the Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, which concluded that Russia hacked the Democratic Party and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shameful-for-uk-not-to-publish-russia-meddling-probe-clinton-261520">Hillary Clinton's</a> campaign to help Trump.</p>

<p>The president triggered wide alarm in Washington in July 2018 after he met President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-and-russias-putin-discuss-regional-global-issues-in-telephonic-conversation-274090">Vladimir Putin</a> in Helsinki and appeared to take at face value Putin's denials of Russian meddling.</p>

<p>In a July 2019 phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-demands-punishment-compensation-for-airliner-downed-by-iran-273583">Volodymyr Zelensky</a>, Trump pushed for Kiev to investigate a debunked Kremlin conspiracy theory that Biden, one of the Democrats most likely to challenge Trump for the White House in November, had tried to quash a graft probe of Burisma to protect his son.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The GRU, a military intelligence unit, got into the servers of Burisma Holdings, Area 1 said, although it is not clear what they found or what they were looking for.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Russians appear to be at it again. According to a new report, they’re hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020.<br />
<br />
And again, it appears aimed to help Trump.<br />
<br />
We must reject foreign meddling.<br />
<br />
Americans should decide American elections. <a href="https://t.co/ipFsqq5yJz">https://t.co/ipFsqq5yJz</a></p>
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepAdamSchiff/status/1216921237009633281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"The Russians appear to be at it again," tweeted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-am-prepared-to-testify-in-trump-impeachment-trial-john-bolton-272608">Adam Schiff</a>, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who led Trump's impeachment investigation for the Democrats.</p>

<p>"According to a new report, they're hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020. And again, it appears aimed to help Trump."</p>

<p>The report was released with Trump expected to stand trial in the Senate as early as this week on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.</p>


Russian spies hacked a Ukrainian energy company at the centre of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump, a cybersecurity firm said Monday. Russia's GRU spy agency launched a "phishing" attack in November to access the email of Burisma Holdings employees, California cyber firm Area 1 Security said in a report.

Russian spies hacked a Ukrainian energy company at the centre of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump, a cybersecurity firm said Monday. Russia's GRU spy agency launched a "phishing" attack in November to access the email of Burisma Holdings employees, California cyber firm Area 1 Security said in a report. "The timing of the GRU's campaign in relation to the 2020 US elections raises the spectre that this is an early warning of what we have anticipated since the successful cyberattacks undertaken during the 2016 US elections," Area 1 co-founders Oren J. Falkowitz and Blake Darche said in the eight-page document. Here's a link to the @Area1Security report on #phishing of Burisma Holdings by the GRU https://t.co/oTEvMwmsjs pic.twitter.com/XEmXumrww8 — Oren J. Falkowitz (@orenfalkowitz) January 14, 2020 × Trump was impeached in December over allegations that he improperly pressured Ukraine to announce an investigation into Burisma and its links to former board member Hunter Biden, the son of the president's election rival Joe Biden. The GRU figured heavily in the Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, which concluded that Russia hacked the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton's campaign to help Trump. The president triggered wide alarm in Washington in July 2018 after he met President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki and appeared to take at face value Putin's denials of Russian meddling. In a July 2019 phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump pushed for Kiev to investigate a debunked Kremlin conspiracy theory that Biden, one of the Democrats most likely to challenge Trump for the White House in November, had tried to quash a graft probe of Burisma to protect his son. The GRU, a military intelligence unit, got into the servers of Burisma Holdings, Area 1 said, although it is not clear what they found or what they were looking for. The Russians appear to be at it again. According to a new report, they’re hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020. And again, it appears aimed to help Trump. We must reject foreign meddling. Americans should decide American elections. https://t.co/ipFsqq5yJz — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 14, 2020 × "The Russians appear to be at it again," tweeted Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who led Trump's impeachment investigation for the Democrats. "According to a new report, they're hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020. And again, it appears aimed to help Trump." The report was released with Trump expected to stand trial in the Senate as early as this week on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Russian spies hacked Ukrainian energy firm at center of Trump impeachment

<p>Iran on Sunday hinted de-escalation of tensions with the United States which were triggered nearly two weeks ago when top commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike by Washington in Iraq.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Sunday, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said that both countries agreed de-escalation is the "only solution" to the ongoing crisis after he met Iran's President Hassan Rouhani in his visit to Iran.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-sole-female-olympic-medalist-kimia-alizadeh-says-she-left-her-country-for-europe-273826">Iran's sole female Olympic medalist Kimia Alizadeh says she left her country for Europe</a></strong><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><img alt="Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Hassan Rouhani" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8b9fc5ef-312a-4883-8d35-60c6f19ae722" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1NN4XQ.jpg" /></p>

<p><em>(Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (L) and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani | Photo Credit: AFP)</em></p>

<p>"This visit comes at a critical time in the region," Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/do-not-kill-your-protesters-us-president-trump-to-iranian-authorities-273818">'Do not kill your protesters, world is watching', Trump warns Iran</a></strong></p>

<p>"We agreed... that the only solution to these crises is de-escalation from everyone and dialogue."</p>

<p>Rouhani said: "We've decided to have more consultations and cooperation for the security of the entire region."</p>

<p><img alt="Iran protests" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8519d58b-2ecb-4685-8a50-3ff30a643aed" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/hqL8YOpo.jpg" /></p>

<p><em>(A woman shouts slogans as she gathers with people to show their sympathy to the victims of the crash of the Boeing 737-800 plane, flight PS 752, in Tehran,&nbsp;Iran | Photo Credit: Reuters)</em></p>

<p>Earlier today, Trump tweeted that US NSA suggested that "sanctions &amp; protests have Iran choked off," and will force the country to "negotiate".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and “don’t kill your protesters,” the tweet added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">National Security Adviser suggested today that sanctions &amp; protests have Iran “choked off”, will force them to negotiate. Actually, I couldn’t care less if they negotiate. Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and “don’t kill your protesters.”</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1216506722153639942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The protests began on Saturday in Iran after Rouhani admitted that "human error" brought down the Boeing 737, which killed 176 people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hundreds of students also shouted "death to liars" at a memorial at Tehran's Amir Kabir University on Saturday. Some protests in the Islamic Republic also demanded the resignation of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Sunday, heightened tensions were observed once again after security was beefed up near the iconic Azadi Square south of the centre in Tehran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Riot police were deployed in Amir Kabir, Sharif and Tehran universities and Enqelab Square in the Iranian capital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said that "Canada and the world still have many questions, questions that must be answered". Trudeau also said it is necessary for Canada to participate in the investigation of the crashed aircraft in which 57 Canadians were killed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ukraine demanded that guilty of those responsible in the crash be brought to justice and asked for the payment of compensation to the victims' family.&nbsp;</p>


Iran on Sunday hinted de-escalation of tensions with the United States which were triggered nearly two weeks ago when top commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike by Washington in Iraq.

Iran on Sunday hinted de-escalation of tensions with the United States which were triggered nearly two weeks ago when top commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike by Washington in Iraq. On Sunday, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said that both countries agreed de-escalation is the "only solution" to the ongoing crisis after he met Iran's President Hassan Rouhani in his visit to Iran. Also read: Iran's sole female Olympic medalist Kimia Alizadeh says she left her country for Europe (Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (L) and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani | Photo Credit: AFP) "This visit comes at a critical time in the region," Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said. Also read: 'Do not kill your protesters, world is watching', Trump warns Iran "We agreed... that the only solution to these crises is de-escalation from everyone and dialogue." Rouhani said: "We've decided to have more consultations and cooperation for the security of the entire region." (A woman shouts slogans as she gathers with people to show their sympathy to the victims of the crash of the Boeing 737-800 plane, flight PS 752, in Tehran, Iran | Photo Credit: Reuters) Earlier today, Trump tweeted that US NSA suggested that "sanctions & protests have Iran choked off," and will force the country to "negotiate". "Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and “don’t kill your protesters,” the tweet added. National Security Adviser suggested today that sanctions & protests have Iran “choked off”, will force them to negotiate. Actually, I couldn’t care less if they negotiate. Will be totally up to them but, no nuclear weapons and “don’t kill your protesters.” — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2020 × The protests began on Saturday in Iran after Rouhani admitted that "human error" brought down the Boeing 737, which killed 176 people. Hundreds of students also shouted "death to liars" at a memorial at Tehran's Amir Kabir University on Saturday. Some protests in the Islamic Republic also demanded the resignation of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. On Sunday, heightened tensions were observed once again after security was beefed up near the iconic Azadi Square south of the centre in Tehran. Riot police were deployed in Amir Kabir, Sharif and Tehran universities and Enqelab Square in the Iranian capital. Earlier, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said that "Canada and the world still have many questions, questions that must be answered". Trudeau also said it is necessary for Canada to participate in the investigation of the crashed aircraft in which 57 Canadians were killed. Ukraine demanded that guilty of those responsible in the crash be brought to justice and asked for the payment of compensation to the victims' family.

Iran hints at de-escalating tensions with US

Not so long ago, Iranians mourned the killing of Gen. Soleimani. But now, the people of Iran have turned from mourning to protesting. Tehran has lost all the sympathy after admitting that it shot down Ukrainian passenger plane due to a 'human error'. WION's Palki Sharma summarises. #Gravitas #Iran #US #SoleimaniKilling

Gravitas: Iran's 'unforgivable mistake' triggers protests

In Iranian capital Tehran, thousands of protesters took to the streets after Iran admitted to having shot down Ukranian passenger plane. #WION #Iran #IranPlaneCrash

Protesters condemn government over its initial denial of downing Ukrainian plane

Iran has said that it has unintentionally brought down Ukrainian International Airlines airplane. As per the reports, the Ukrainian plane had flown close to a sensitive military site. The crash killed all 176 people who were on board including many Iranians and Canadians. Iran's foreign minister Javad Zarif took to Twitter today and confirmed the same. #WION #Iran #IranPlaneCrash #JavadZarif

Iran admits unintentionally shooting down Ukraine Jet

Iran admits unintentionally shooting down Ukraine jet

<p>Iranian protesters and newspapers&nbsp;piled&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-foreign-minister-to-visit-iran-saudi-arabia-to-discuss-developments-in-middle-east-273726">Tehran</a> on Sunday&nbsp;after&nbsp;Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Ukrainian airliner</a>.</p>

<p>Riot police fired teargas at thousands of&nbsp;Iranians who had taken to the streets late on Saturday in the capital and other cities, many chanting "Death to the dictator", directing their anger at&nbsp;Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Ali Khamenei</a>.</p>

<p>Reports of the&nbsp;protests&nbsp;were carried by state-affiliated news agencies, while video clips circulated on social media.</p>

<p>Tehran residents told reporters&nbsp;that police had stepped up their presence in the capital on Sunday morning.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Protesters condemn government over its initial denial of downing Ukrainian plane</strong></p>

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<p>"Apologise and resign,"&nbsp;Iran's moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the "people's demand" was for those responsible for mishandling the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crisis to quit.</p>

<p>All 176 people aboard the flight, many of them&nbsp;Iranians with dual citizenship, were killed.</p>

<p>Protests&nbsp;erupted&nbsp;after&nbsp;Saturday's&nbsp;admission&nbsp;that the military accidentally shot down the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-demands-punishment-compensation-for-airliner-downed-by-iran-273583">Ukraine International Airlines</a>&nbsp;plane&nbsp;minutes&nbsp;after&nbsp;takeoff on Wednesday when&nbsp;Iranian forces were alert for US&nbsp;reprisals&nbsp;after&nbsp;tit-for-tat&nbsp;strikes.</p>

<p>For days,&nbsp;Iranian officials had vigorously denied it was to blame, even as Canada, which had 57 citizens on the flight, and the United States said their intelligence indicated an&nbsp;Iranian missile was to blame, albeit probably fired in error.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake.<br />
<br />
My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences. <a href="https://t.co/4dkePxupzm">https://t.co/4dkePxupzm</a></p>
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) <a href="https://twitter.com/HassanRouhani/status/1215856679423823872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Iran's president said it was a "disastrous mistake" and apologised. But a top Revolutionary Guards commander added to public anger about the delayed&nbsp;admission when he said he had told the authorities a missile hit the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;the day it crashed.</p>

<p>Another moderate daily Jomhuri-ye Eslami, or the Islamic Republic, wrote in an editorial: "Those who delayed publishing the reason behind the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crash and damaged people's trust in the establishment should be dismissed or should resign."</p>

<p>Criticism of the authorities in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;is not unusual, but it tends to stay in narrow boundaries.</p>

<p>The press attacks and&nbsp;protests&nbsp;add to challenges facing the establishment, which in November faced the country's bloodiest unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution.</p>

<p>As Saturday's&nbsp;protests&nbsp;spread across&nbsp;Iran, including major cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan, Hamedan and Orumiyeh, US&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Donald Trump</a> said on Twitter: "We are following your&nbsp;protests&nbsp;closely, and are inspired by your courage."</p>

<p>"There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching," he said, posting his tweets in both Farsi and English.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching.</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1216120362230067202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Britain said its ambassador in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;had been briefly detained on Saturday by the authorities in Tehran. A news agency said he was detained outside a university for inciting&nbsp;protests.</p>

<p>Condemning the arrest, British Foreign Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-denounces-brief-arrest-of-envoy-in-tehran-as-violation-of-law-273690">Dominic Raab</a> said&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;"can continue its march towards pariah status&nbsp;or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Foreign Secretary <a href="https://twitter.com/DominicRaab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DominicRaab</a> calls brief detention of <a href="https://twitter.com/HMATehran?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HMATehran</a> a “flagrant violation of international law.” Full statement: <a href="https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb">https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb</a></p>
— Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/foreignoffice/status/1216114167888912385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Protests&nbsp;inside&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;followed a build-up of tension between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and the United States, which withdrew from Tehran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and then re-imposed sanctions that have steadily crippled the&nbsp;Iranian economy.</p>

<p>On January&nbsp;3, a US&nbsp;drone&nbsp;strike&nbsp;in Iraq killed prominent&nbsp;Iranian commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-general-soleimanis-killing-was-self-defense-us-ambassador-kelly-craft-to-un-273117">Qasem Soleimani</a>, responsible for building up&nbsp;Iran's network of regional proxy armies in Iraq and beyond, and Tehran responded with missile&nbsp;strikes on US&nbsp;targets in Iraq.</p>

<p>No US&nbsp;soldiers were killed, but in the tense hours&nbsp;after&nbsp;that, the Ukrainian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Boeing 737</a> was cleared to take off from Tehran airport and then brought down by a missile fired in error by an operator who mistook the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;for an attacker.</p>

<p><img alt="Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="93f67be6-2401-4cdf-a0e8-7eef59ffee84" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_8.jpg" /><br />
[ <em>Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine&nbsp;(Courtesy: Reuters)</em> ]</p>

<p>"Shooting down a civilian aircraft is horrific.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;must take full responsibility," Canadian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ottawa-lowers-canadian-death-toll-in-iran-air-crash-to-57-273604">Justin Trudeau</a> said.</p>

<p>Trudeau said&nbsp;Iranian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">Hassan Rouhani</a> had committed to collaborating with Canadian investigators, working to de-escalate tensions in the region and continuing dialogue.</p>

<p>Rallying to the establishment,&nbsp;Iranian lawmakers praised the elite force's commanders for courage in admitting the error, according to Fars, a news agency seen as close to the Guards, a parallel military set up to protect the theocratic system.</p>

<p>Iranian officials sought to portray the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;disaster as a second blow to a mourning nation&nbsp;after&nbsp;Soleimani's death in a US&nbsp;drone&nbsp;strike.</p>

<p>Soleimani's funeral had prompted huge public gatherings, which the authorities described a show of national unity. But the displays of emotion have been swiftly overshadowed and protesters on Saturday tore up pictures of the slain general.</p>

<p>Public fury at&nbsp;Iran's authorities had grown as questions about the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;crash mounted.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-warns-iran-nuclear-deal-may-collapse-273585">Iranians</a> on social media asked why officials were busy fending off criticism from abroad rather than sympathising with grieving families. Others asked why the&nbsp;plane&nbsp;was allowed to take off at a time of high tension.</p>


Iranian protesters and newspapers piled pressure on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in Tehran on Sunday after Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner.

Iranian protesters and newspapers piled pressure on the country's leadership and riot police stepped up their presence in Tehran on Sunday after Iran's military admitted that it had mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner. Riot police fired teargas at thousands of Iranians who had taken to the streets late on Saturday in the capital and other cities, many chanting "Death to the dictator", directing their anger at Iran's top authority, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Reports of the protests were carried by state-affiliated news agencies, while video clips circulated on social media. Tehran residents told reporters that police had stepped up their presence in the capital on Sunday morning. Watch: Protesters condemn government over its initial denial of downing Ukrainian plane × "Apologise and resign," Iran's moderate Etemad daily wrote in a banner headline on Sunday, saying the "people's demand" was for those responsible for mishandling the plane crisis to quit. All 176 people aboard the flight, many of them Iranians with dual citizenship, were killed. Protests erupted after Saturday's admission that the military accidentally shot down the Ukraine International Airlines plane minutes after takeoff on Wednesday when Iranian forces were alert for US reprisals after tit-for-tat strikes. For days, Iranian officials had vigorously denied it was to blame, even as Canada, which had 57 citizens on the flight, and the United States said their intelligence indicated an Iranian missile was to blame, albeit probably fired in error. The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake. My thoughts and prayers go to all the mourning families. I offer my sincerest condolences. https://t.co/4dkePxupzm — Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 11, 2020 × Iran's president said it was a "disastrous mistake" and apologised. But a top Revolutionary Guards commander added to public anger about the delayed admission when he said he had told the authorities a missile hit the plane the day it crashed. Another moderate daily Jomhuri-ye Eslami, or the Islamic Republic, wrote in an editorial: "Those who delayed publishing the reason behind the plane crash and damaged people's trust in the establishment should be dismissed or should resign." Criticism of the authorities in Iran is not unusual, but it tends to stay in narrow boundaries. The press attacks and protests add to challenges facing the establishment, which in November faced the country's bloodiest unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution. As Saturday's protests spread across Iran, including major cities such as Shiraz, Isfahan, Hamedan and Orumiyeh, US President Donald Trump said on Twitter: "We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage." "There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching," he said, posting his tweets in both Farsi and English. The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian people. There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an internet shutdown. The world is watching. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2020 × Britain said its ambassador in Iran had been briefly detained on Saturday by the authorities in Tehran. A news agency said he was detained outside a university for inciting protests. Condemning the arrest, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Iran "can continue its march towards pariah status or take steps to de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards." Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab calls brief detention of @HMATehran a “flagrant violation of international law.” Full statement: https://t.co/bcx5dYInUb — Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) January 11, 2020 × Protests inside Iran followed a build-up of tension between Iran and the United States, which withdrew from Tehran's nuclear pact with world powers in 2018 and then re-imposed sanctions that have steadily crippled the Iranian economy. On January 3, a US drone strike in Iraq killed prominent Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, responsible for building up Iran's network of regional proxy armies in Iraq and beyond, and Tehran responded with missile strikes on US targets in Iraq. No US soldiers were killed, but in the tense hours after that, the Ukrainian Boeing 737 was cleared to take off from Tehran airport and then brought down by a missile fired in error by an operator who mistook the plane for an attacker. [ Relatives of the flight crew members of the plane that crashed in Iran, mourn at a memorial at the Boryspil International airport outside Kiev, Ukraine (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "Shooting down a civilian aircraft is horrific. Iran must take full responsibility," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. Trudeau said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had committed to collaborating with Canadian investigators, working to de-escalate tensions in the region and continuing dialogue. Rallying to the establishment, Iranian lawmakers praised the elite force's commanders for courage in admitting the error, according to Fars, a news agency seen as close to the Guards, a parallel military set up to protect the theocratic system. Iranian officials sought to portray the plane disaster as a second blow to a mourning nation after Soleimani's death in a US drone strike. Soleimani's funeral had prompted huge public gatherings, which the authorities described a show of national unity. But the displays of emotion have been swiftly overshadowed and protesters on Saturday tore up pictures of the slain general. Public fury at Iran's authorities had grown as questions about the plane crash mounted. Iranians on social media asked why officials were busy fending off criticism from abroad rather than sympathising with grieving families. Others asked why the plane was allowed to take off at a time of high tension.

Iranians step up protests after Tehran's admission that it shot down Ukrainian airliner

How does an anti-aircraft missile differentiate between passenger and war plane?

Ukrainian experts have gained access to the black box flight recorders of the Ukrainian plane that crashed in Iran, Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko confirmed on Friday. "Our team has now got access to the black boxes," Prystaiko told a briefing. #WION #Iran #Ukraine

Iran gives black box to Ukraine

Reactions have begun to pour in after Iran has admitted that it unintentionally brought down Ukrainian International Airlines airplane. As per the reports, the Ukrainian plane had flown close to a sensitive military site. The crash killed all 176 people who were on board including many Iranians and Canadians. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that the closure and the accountability needed. Russia has said that it is time for Iran to learn lessons from Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17). #WION #Iran #IranPlaneCrash

Downing of Ukrainian airplane by Iran was a human error?

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-under-pressure-at-home-over-plane-crash-warns-iran-world-is-watching-273502">Canada</a> on Friday lowered the number of its citizens killed in the crash of a jetliner in Iran from 63 to 57.</p>

<p>"This is based on additional information we had about birth dates and comparing the travel documents that people were travelling on when they boarded the flight," Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaishankar-meets-canadian-counterpart-provides-accurate-understanding-of-developments-in-kashmir-269326">Francois-Philippe Champagne</a> told a press conference.</p>

<p>All 176 people on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">Ukraine International Airlines</a> (UIA) flight died in the crash this week just after takeoff from Tehran on a flight to Kiev.</p>

<p>The minister said Iran had given visas to only two of a dozen Canadian investigators due to take part in the probe of the crash.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-demands-punishment-compensation-for-airliner-downed-by-iran-273583">Iran</a> is denying suggestions from Canada and other western countries that the plane may have been shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile.</p>

<p>Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-prefer-to-download-black-boxes-iran-after-plane-crash-blamed-on-missile-273396">Justin Trudeau</a> said multiple intelligence sources indicate that Iran shot down the Ukrainian airliner built by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-regulator-to-fine-boeing-54-million-for-defective-parts-of-737-max-planes-273532">Boeing</a>, although he conceded it may have been unintentional.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: PM&nbsp;Justin Trudeau:&nbsp;'Closure, accountability needed'&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>Canada is home to a large Iranian diaspora and UIA offers relatively inexpensive flights between Toronto and Tehran, with a layover in Kiev.</p>

<p>Iran and Canada have not had formal diplomatic relations since 2012.</p>


Canada on Friday lowered the number of its citizens killed in the crash of a jetliner in Iran from 63 to 57. "This is based on additional information we had about birth dates and comparing the travel documents that people were travelling on when they boarded the flight," Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told a press conference.

Canada on Friday lowered the number of its citizens killed in the crash of a jetliner in Iran from 63 to 57. "This is based on additional information we had about birth dates and comparing the travel documents that people were travelling on when they boarded the flight," Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told a press conference. All 176 people on the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flight died in the crash this week just after takeoff from Tehran on a flight to Kiev. The minister said Iran had given visas to only two of a dozen Canadian investigators due to take part in the probe of the crash. Iran is denying suggestions from Canada and other western countries that the plane may have been shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said multiple intelligence sources indicate that Iran shot down the Ukrainian airliner built by Boeing, although he conceded it may have been unintentional. Watch: PM Justin Trudeau: 'Closure, accountability needed' × Canada is home to a large Iranian diaspora and UIA offers relatively inexpensive flights between Toronto and Tehran, with a layover in Kiev. Iran and Canada have not had formal diplomatic relations since 2012.

Ottawa lowers Canadian death toll in Iran air crash to 57

<p>A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">killing</a> of a&nbsp;top&nbsp;general and turmoil in&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany.</p>

<p>Russia's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-fully-respect-iraqs-sovereignty-says-irans-un-ambassador-after-ballistic-missile-strike-273064">Vladimir Putin</a> will hold talks with German Chancellor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/angela-merkel-visits-auschwitz-for-first-time-266657">Angela Merkel</a> in Moscow on Saturday afternoon, her first visit since May 2018 when the two leaders met at Sochi on the Black Sea.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Crimea?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Crimea</a>: The President watched the joint exercises of the Northern and Black Sea fleets <a href="https://t.co/ZusR628AYx">https://t.co/ZusR628AYx</a> <a href="https://t.co/DJn09l0VWe">pic.twitter.com/DJn09l0VWe</a></p>
— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) <a href="https://twitter.com/KremlinRussia_E/status/1215291712173694976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Putin visited Syria and Turkey this week and is keen to stress his role as a regional powerbroker.</p>

<p>German Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-plotting-imminent-action-threatening-hundreds-of-american-lives-pompeo-271975">Heiko Maas</a>, who will attend the talks, said a "key reason" for the&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;was the escalating crisis in&nbsp;Libya, where Germany is acting as a mediator in a conflict he has warned could become a "second Syria".</p>

<p>"We are involving Europe and those players who are influential there, for that we need Russia," Maas told Germany's NTV television. "For us, it's not too far to fly to Moscow to discuss that with Putin."</p>

<p>Merkel is to invite Putin to a Berlin conference on&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;later this month, diplomatic sources told reporters.</p>

<p>Putin and Turkish President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/sports-has-emerged-as-battlefield-for-freedom-of-expression-270322">Recep Tayyip Erdogan</a> called for a ceasefire in&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;on Wednesday, although they are seen as supporting opposing sides in the conflict.</p>

<p>While Turkey has sent troops to support the UN-backed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-haftar-forces-seize-large-parts-of-sirte-city-272759">Tripoli</a> government, Moscow is accused of backing mercenaries supporting strongman Khalifa Haftar in his fight against the government.</p>

<p>Haftar said he would fight on despite the call for a ceasefire.</p>

<p>The Kremlin said last week that Saturday's talks would cover the "escalation of tensions" in the Middle East after the US killed&nbsp;top&nbsp;Iranian commander General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-was-probably-planning-to-attack-four-us-embassies-donald-trump-273535">Qasem Soleimani</a> in a drone strike close to Baghdad.</p>

<p>Putin warned the killing could "seriously aggravate the situation in the region".</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Iran gives black box to Ukraine</strong></p>

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<p>Iran, an ally of Moscow, responded with missile attacks on Iraq bases housing American troops.</p>

<p>While Germany condemned the tit-for-tat violence and urged Tehran to end a "spiral" of conflict, Putin said using force would "not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East".</p>

<p>Tehran has announced a further rollback on its commitment to a 2015 nuclear accord following the United States' unilateral withdrawal in 2018. Russia and Germany are among world powers still backing the deal.</p>

<p>The talks also come after a Ukrainian airliner crashed in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;on Wednesday killing all 176 onboard. Canada and the US have suggested&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;downed it with a missile, which Tehran denies.</p>

<p>The Kremlin said the talks would also cover the conflict in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The war with Moscow-backed separatists broke out after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and has killed more than 13,000 people.</p>

<p>Putin in December held talks with Ukrainian counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-given-important-data-on-iran-plane-crash-ukraine-foreign-minister-273408">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> in Paris in the "Normandy format" hosted by German and French leaders.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thanked <a href="https://twitter.com/HeikoMaas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HeikoMaas</a> for German support and sympathy after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ps752?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ps752</a> tragedy. During the phone call we agreed to cooperate for independent and transparent investigation. We discussed also "Minsk settlement". Waiting for news ater the meeting between Merkel and Putin on 11 January.</p>
— Vadym Prystaiko (@VPrystaiko) <a href="https://twitter.com/VPrystaiko/status/1215373166224330752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Ukrainian Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-gets-access-to-crashed-planes-black-boxes-foreign-minister-273477">Vadym Prystaiko</a> tweeted on Friday that he had spoken to Maas about the Ukraine conflict and was "waiting for news" to emerge from the talks.</p>

<p>Political analysts in Kiev said they expected the topic to be overshadowed by&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;tensions, while Merkel could ask Putin to push Tehran for a transparent investigation of the plane crash.</p>


A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US killing of a top general and turmoil in Libya are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany.

A confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US killing of a top general and turmoil in Libya are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany. Russia's Vladimir Putin will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Moscow on Saturday afternoon, her first visit since May 2018 when the two leaders met at Sochi on the Black Sea. #Crimea: The President watched the joint exercises of the Northern and Black Sea fleets https://t.co/ZusR628AYx pic.twitter.com/DJn09l0VWe — President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) January 9, 2020 × Putin visited Syria and Turkey this week and is keen to stress his role as a regional powerbroker. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who will attend the talks, said a "key reason" for the meeting was the escalating crisis in Libya, where Germany is acting as a mediator in a conflict he has warned could become a "second Syria". "We are involving Europe and those players who are influential there, for that we need Russia," Maas told Germany's NTV television. "For us, it's not too far to fly to Moscow to discuss that with Putin." Merkel is to invite Putin to a Berlin conference on Libya later this month, diplomatic sources told reporters. Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a ceasefire in Libya on Wednesday, although they are seen as supporting opposing sides in the conflict. While Turkey has sent troops to support the UN-backed Tripoli government, Moscow is accused of backing mercenaries supporting strongman Khalifa Haftar in his fight against the government. Haftar said he would fight on despite the call for a ceasefire. The Kremlin said last week that Saturday's talks would cover the "escalation of tensions" in the Middle East after the US killed top Iranian commander General Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike close to Baghdad. Putin warned the killing could "seriously aggravate the situation in the region". Watch: Iran gives black box to Ukraine × Iran, an ally of Moscow, responded with missile attacks on Iraq bases housing American troops. While Germany condemned the tit-for-tat violence and urged Tehran to end a "spiral" of conflict, Putin said using force would "not contribute to finding solutions to the complex problems in the Middle East". Tehran has announced a further rollback on its commitment to a 2015 nuclear accord following the United States' unilateral withdrawal in 2018. Russia and Germany are among world powers still backing the deal. The talks also come after a Ukrainian airliner crashed in Iran on Wednesday killing all 176 onboard. Canada and the US have suggested Iran downed it with a missile, which Tehran denies. The Kremlin said the talks would also cover the conflict in Ukraine. The war with Moscow-backed separatists broke out after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and has killed more than 13,000 people. Putin in December held talks with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris in the "Normandy format" hosted by German and French leaders. Thanked @HeikoMaas for German support and sympathy after #ps752 tragedy. During the phone call we agreed to cooperate for independent and transparent investigation. We discussed also "Minsk settlement". Waiting for news ater the meeting between Merkel and Putin on 11 January. — Vadym Prystaiko (@VPrystaiko) January 9, 2020 × Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko tweeted on Friday that he had spoken to Maas about the Ukraine conflict and was "waiting for news" to emerge from the talks. Political analysts in Kiev said they expected the topic to be overshadowed by Iran tensions, while Merkel could ask Putin to push Tehran for a transparent investigation of the plane crash.

Libya and Iran top agenda in Merkel-Putin meeting

Russia: Iran must learn from MH17 crash

<p>President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Saturday that Iran punish those <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-airplane-brought-down-due-to-human-error-iran-273506">responsible for the downing of a Ukrainian airliner</a>, pay compensation and apologise.</p>

<p>"We expect Iran... to bring the guilty to the courts," the Ukrainian leader wrote on Facebook, calling also for the "payment of compensation" and the return of remains.</p>

<p>Tehran admitted Saturday that it accidentally downed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-given-important-data-on-iran-plane-crash-ukraine-foreign-minister-273408">Ukraine International Airlines</a> (UIA) plane, killing all 176 people on board on Wednesday, shortly after launching missiles at bases hosting US forces in Iraq.</p>

<p>"We hope the inquiry will be pursued without deliberate delay and without obstruction," Zelensky added</p>

<p>He urged "total access" to the full inquiry for 45 Ukrainian experts, and in a tweet also sought an "official apology".</p>

<p>Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said earlier Saturday that Tehran "deeply regrets this disastrous mistake".</p>

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<p>UIA chief Yevhenii Dykhne also posted on Facebook, saying: "We never had any doubt that our crew and our plane could be the cause of this terrible catastrophe. They were the best."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-aircraft-was-not-hit-by-a-missile-irans-civil-aviation-chief-273368">Ukraine</a> said Friday its experts dispatched to Iran had been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-gets-access-to-crashed-planes-black-boxes-foreign-minister-273477">granted access to the flight's black boxes</a>, debris from the plane, the crash site and to recordings of conversations between the pilot and the airport control tower.</p>

<p>Iran's official IRNA news agency published a statement from the military saying the Boeing 737 was mistaken for a "hostile plane" at a time when threats were at the highest level.</p>

<p>Tehran has invited the United States, Ukraine, Canada and others to join the crash investigation.</p>

<p>The majority of passengers on UIA Flight PS752 from Tehran to Kiev were Iranian-Canadian dual nationals but also included Ukrainians, Afghans, Britons and Swedes</p>

<p>Many in Kiev have compared the crash to the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17 killing 298 people over eastern Ukraine where pro-Russian separatists are fighting government forces.</p>

<p>Moscow has denied the findings of international investigators that a Russian BUK misile hit the Malaysian flight.</p>

<p>"Iran has shown itself more civilised than Russia," pro-western Ukraine MP Volodymyr Ariev wrote on Facebook.</p>

<p>"Tehran has admitted its guilt in three days while Russia continues to try to get out of it."</p>


President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Saturday that Iran punish those responsible for the downing of a Ukrainian airliner, pay compensation and apologise. "We expect Iran.

President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded Saturday that Iran punish those responsible for the downing of a Ukrainian airliner, pay compensation and apologise. "We expect Iran... to bring the guilty to the courts," the Ukrainian leader wrote on Facebook, calling also for the "payment of compensation" and the return of remains. Tehran admitted Saturday that it accidentally downed the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) plane, killing all 176 people on board on Wednesday, shortly after launching missiles at bases hosting US forces in Iraq. "We hope the inquiry will be pursued without deliberate delay and without obstruction," Zelensky added He urged "total access" to the full inquiry for 45 Ukrainian experts, and in a tweet also sought an "official apology". Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said earlier Saturday that Tehran "deeply regrets this disastrous mistake". × UIA chief Yevhenii Dykhne also posted on Facebook, saying: "We never had any doubt that our crew and our plane could be the cause of this terrible catastrophe. They were the best." Ukraine said Friday its experts dispatched to Iran had been granted access to the flight's black boxes, debris from the plane, the crash site and to recordings of conversations between the pilot and the airport control tower. Iran's official IRNA news agency published a statement from the military saying the Boeing 737 was mistaken for a "hostile plane" at a time when threats were at the highest level. Tehran has invited the United States, Ukraine, Canada and others to join the crash investigation. The majority of passengers on UIA Flight PS752 from Tehran to Kiev were Iranian-Canadian dual nationals but also included Ukrainians, Afghans, Britons and Swedes Many in Kiev have compared the crash to the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17 killing 298 people over eastern Ukraine where pro-Russian separatists are fighting government forces. Moscow has denied the findings of international investigators that a Russian BUK misile hit the Malaysian flight. "Iran has shown itself more civilised than Russia," pro-western Ukraine MP Volodymyr Ariev wrote on Facebook. "Tehran has admitted its guilt in three days while Russia continues to try to get out of it."

Ukraine demands punishment, compensation for airliner downed by Iran

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