6th EU Human Trafficking Conference

Today is something of a rushed post.  Yesterday was my birthday, a day when I spent much time being kissed by many people I would prefer not to be kissed by, and a day when I was not kissed by many people I would happily be kissed by.  Hmmm! Anyway, as you can imagine, there […]

Osmayev seeks asylum in Ukraine

Quite topically, I mentioned Adam Osmayev in a recent post relating to Russian opposition activists seeking asylum in Ukraine only a week ago. As is quite apparent, if you know anything about Mr Osmayev’s case, he is not really a standard asylum seeker.  After all, not many asylum seekers in Ukraine have actually managed to […]

ODIHR/OSCE election monitoring vacancies - Ukraine elections 2012

Short and sweet today. ODIHR/OSCE has these vacancies for the monitoring team related to the October 2012 parliamentary elections in Ukraine. All are based in Kyiv. Obviously from the point of view of both ODIHR/OSCE and Ukraine it is important they are filled quickly. Normal ruminations continue tomorrow!

Baroness Ashton, Ms Tymoshenko and press releases

Oh dear.  No wonder the European External Action Service (EEAS) is in such a muddle. Baroness Ashton on 26th April, releases this statement which claims she is preoccupied with the affairs in Ukraine over Yulia Tymoshenko, currently on hunger strike.  That is rather sad considering her responsibilities, the absolute mess her department is in and […]

Farewell to “Our woman in Kyiv” – Judith Gardiner

Today I am supposed to be attending the leaving function of Judith Gardiner, Deputy Head of Mission (Second in Command) of HM Embassy Kyiv. Unfortunately due to a rather heavy cold I will not be going despite a genuine desire to be there. Whilst numerous pharmaceutical wonders undoubtedly will mask the symptoms, being responsible for […]

Seeing out 2011 - Top 5 most read posts of the year

As seems to be en vogue, I will see out 2011 with a list of the top 5 most read posts of the year from Odessablog. Counting down from five to the most read at number one, at number five we have a tale of a standard day in the most elite and nefarious business […]