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Ukraine's 'Iron lady' Tymoshenko: Bruised but Unbowed

Glamorous revolutionary or calculating and corrupt? From the podium to prison and back again, Ukraine's ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko is a polarizing political figure whose steely ambition has not been swayed by the scandals that have dogged her career.

Fresh from three years in prison, the highly-divisive Tymoshenko hopes to rise again following the ouster of the man who jailed her, Viktor Yanukovych, and finally secure the presidential office for herself.

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U.N. Rejects Russian Annexation of Crimea

The U.N. General Assembly on Thursday adopted a Western-backed resolution declaring Crimea's breakaway referendum illegitimate and refusing to recognize Russia's annexation of the peninsula.

The non-binding measure passed with a comfortable majority in the 193-member body, with 100 votes in favor and 11 votes against. But 58 abstained and more than 20 did not vote.

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Ukraine's Tymoshenko to Run for President as 100,000 Russian Troops Near Ukraine

Ukraine's divisive opposition icon Yulia Tymoshenko completed an improbable return to politics Thursday by announcing plans to contest snap polls to replace the ousted pro-Russian president whose regime sent her to jail.

"I intend to run for president of Ukraine," the 53-year-old told reporters after gingerly walking into a press room with the help of a walking stick she uses due to chronic back pain.

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Obama Meets Pope Francis, Looks for Catholic Boost

Barack Obama will meet Pope Francis for the first time Thursday for talks on a shared agenda to fight inequality which the U.S. President hopes will help boost support at home.

The talks between the first Latin-American pope and first African-American U.S. president will focus on tackling the gap between the rich and the poor, but are likely to spill over into thornier issues such as abortion, homosexuals and contraception.

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Ukraine's Navy 'Decimated' by Russian Intervention

Ukraine's maritime forces have been severely diminished by the Russian intervention in Crimea after they lost 12 of their 17 warships to Moscow, defense analysts Jane's said Wednesday.

Around 12,000 of the Ukrainian navy's 15,450 personnel were based in Crimea when Russia first intervened on February 27, and since then have lost the bulk of their assets, Jane's said in a commentary.

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Georgia Seeks Non-Aggression Promise from Russia

Nervous over Russia's recent assertive behavior in Ukraine, Georgia on Wednesday sought a fresh pledge from Moscow that it would not use force to resolve their simmering territorial conflict.

"Georgia remains committed to its non-use of force pledge unilaterally taken in 2010," said chief negotiator David Zalkaliani after the latest round of internationally-brokered peace talks in Geneva.

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U.S. Says Russia Building Up Troop Levels on Ukraine Border

Russia has moved more troops closer to Ukraine's borders in recent days despite assurances it will not invade, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Wednesday.

Although Russia's defense minister Sergei Shoigu had told Hagel last week that Moscow would not send troops into eastern Ukraine, "the reality is that they continue to build up their forces," Hagel said.

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Romania Fears Could be Target for Spies after Crimea Seizure

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Wednesday warned the former communist state could become a target for spies in the wake of Moscow's annexation of Crimea.

"We must definitely take into account the risks of growing espionage activities on Romania's territory in the wake of developments in the region," Basescu said.

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Switzerland Holds Off on Russia Sanctions

Switzerland on Wednesday decided not to impose sanctions against Russia for its seizure of Crimea, claiming it wanted to find a "balance" between international law and Swiss interests.

"The position of our country is independent of the U.N.," Swiss president Didier Burkhalter told a press conference in Bern, saying Switzerland can only use sanctions when they are based upon "international law and the interests of the Swiss".

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Germany Says 'Violent Fantasies' Cross Line in Ukraine Crisis

Germany said Wednesday that Ukraine's former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko had crossed a line with leaked comments in which she is heard urging the "wiping out" of Russians.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said Ukraine's political leadership must reject "violent fantasies" and strive for stability and inclusion of minorities

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