EVENT

Russia ready to confirm its security guaranties to Ukraine and Kazakhstan

Sergey Lavrov, RF Minister of Foreign Affairs, criticized the statements of the US representatives concerning the way Russia fulfills its commitments with regard to the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances.

“These statements are not very honest,” he said yesterday to the press conference in Kharkiv, commenting on the statement made by US Assistant Secretary of Defense Alexander Vershbow, who urged Russia to fully meet its Budapest Memorandum commitments.

Lavrov stressed that the Russian side proposed discussing this topic within the framework of the US consultations on the new START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty). “We are ready to confirm to the fullest the security guaranties to Ukraine and Kazakhstan,” Russian minister said.

The 1994 Budapest Memorandum provided security guaranties for Ukraine and Kazakhstan in exchange for their voluntary renunciation of their nuclear status and joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

During his visit to Kyiv on Sept. 29, 2009, Vershbow said at a press conference that he does not regard it reasonable to reconsider the Budapest Memorandum concerning Ukraine and hopes that Russia will keep to the memorandum.

Ukrainian Olena Burkovska wins marathon race

Ukrainian Olena Burkovska set a course record at the 86th International Peace Marathon in Kosice, Slovakia, Europe’s oldest traditional marathon. The press service of the Athletics Federation reported that Burkovska won the 42-kilometer race with a result of 2:30:50. Her performance sliced 38 seconds from the previous course record which had remained unbeaten for 20 years.

“This result did not come as a complete surprise to me. I was preparing for my debut marathon in a most thorough way and I wanted to show a really high result,” Burkovska said after the finish. The runner-up, Ethiopian Radiya Adlo Roba, was more than four minutes behind.

Kyiv Zoo marks its 100th anniversary

On Oct. 17, 2009, the Kyiv Zoo will mark its 100th anniversary. The Kyiv City Administration’s press service said to the UNIAN that the festivities will include a solemn awarding ceremony for the winners of My Favorite Zoo Competition of children’s artistic works. A charitable auction will also be held, offering an opportunity to buy certificates entitling the holder to name a newborn animal. The guests will be treated to a nearly two-meter cake made for the occasion.

Teachers have to speak Ukrainian

The Cabinet of Ministers adopted resolution No. 1033 requiring that teachers in non-specialized education institutions, both state-funded and municipal, must constantly speak Ukrainian during the working day, LihaBiznesInform reported. In state-funded and municipal schools where the language of instruction is a minority language, teachers may speak this language along with Ukrainian.

Minister of Education and Science Ivan Vakarchuk believes that the language policy carried out by the ministry fully meets international standards.