From RFE/RL's News Desk:
The Kremlin-backed head of Russia's Chechnya region, Ramzan Kadyrov, has sparked controversy by saying he is "ready to resign and fight" alongside pro-Russian separatists in their conflict with government forces in eastern Ukraine.
In his interview with Russia's NTV television on December 16, the outspoken Kadyrov said that he intends to ask President Vladimir Putin to let him resign so that he can go to eastern Ukraine "to destroy devils who have neither honor nor dignity."
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on December 17 that Kadyrov had made no request to resign.
Kadyrov expressed anger last week over what he said were expressions of support by several Ukrainian lawmakers for militants involved in an attack in the Chechen capital, Grozny, that killed 14 police officers on December 4.
Ukrainian authorities say Chechen troops loyal to Kadyrov have fought alongside the pro-Russian rebels in the conflict, which has killed more than 4,700 people since April.
Kadyrov denies it.
Poroshenko Begins Poland Visit, Will Address Parliament
Warsaw (dpa) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met with Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski after arriving in Warsaw on Wednesday, beginning a two-day visit to Poland that will focus on the Ukraine conflict and reforms for the Ukrainian economy and administration.
Poroshenko is also due to meet with Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz and give a speech to parliament.
According to an interview with the Ukrainian leader published in the Gazeta Wyborcza Polish daily, Poroshenko wants Ukraine to learn from Poland's transformation after the end of communism 25 years ago.
"Poland is our role model," he said.
EU membership is the most important future goal of Ukraine,
Poroshenko said, adding that he hoped Ukraine might fulfill the
criteria for EU membership in six years.
Winning the fight against corruption and transforming the Ukrainian economy are also important aims, he said.
EU To Tighten Sanctions On Crimea In Time For Leaders Summit -- Officials
BRUSSELS, Dec 17 (Reuters) - The European Union has agreed to widen its ban on investment in Crimea to target Russian Black Sea oil and gas exploration and will adopt the measures by the EU leaders summit later this week, three EU officials said on Wednesday.
As reported exclusively by Reuters on Dec. 10, the sanctions will also ban EU citizens from buying or financing companies in Crimea, a region of Ukraine which Russia annexed in March, prompting the worst East-West stand-off since the Cold War.