US ‘threatens peace’ in the Middle East – Russia

Washington is fanning the flames of conflicts in the Middle East by conducting unlawful strikes in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia has said.

Russia has requested an urgent session of the UN Security Council after the US carried out airstrikes in Syria and Iraq in response to a drone attack on an American military outpost in Jordan.

The bombings have “once again demonstrated the aggressive nature of US policy in the Middle East and Washington’s complete disregard for the norms of international law,” Nebenzia said during the UNSC meeting in New York on Monday.

The Russian diplomat argued that the US is “pouring gasoline on the fire” by conducting strikes that pose “a direct threat to international peace and security” and undermine “the central role of the UN.” He reiterated that US bases in Syria are “illegal” because American military presence has not been authorized by Damascus.

Moscow to take corresponding measures in response to the expansion of NATO towards Russian borders

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that the Moscow would continue to take corresponding measures in response, especially as NATO keeps expanding its military infrastructure towards Russia’s borders.NATO’s Steadfast Defender 2024 that kicked off in Europe last week present a threat to Russia’s national security, Peskov said.

The exercises, hailed to be the largest NATO has held in decades, are said to involve some 90,000 troops from all 31 member states as well as Sweden and will last for several months, ultimately ending in May, according to the bloc’s Supreme Allied Commander for Europe Christopher Cavoli.It’s also noted that some 1,100 combat vehicles, including 133 tanks and 533 infantry fighting vehicles, as well as over 50 naval vessels and 80 helicopters, drones and fighter jets are set to take part in the exercises.

Peskov also said that NATO has always been intended as a “instrument of confrontation” that is controlled by Washington.The alliance, in fact, was conceived, formed, configured and is currently managed by the United States precisely as an instrument of confrontation. This instrument continues to fulfill its role and, of course, it is a threat to us,” the Kremlin spokesperson said.

The launch of NATO’s military drills come as a number of officials from its member countries, including the UK, Germany, and Estonia, have been urging the bloc to prepare for a full-scale military confrontation with Russia in the near future, suggesting that Moscow had plans to attack Europe in the next few decades.

Russia has vehemently denied any such plans, calling the claims a “hoax.” Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted that Moscow “has no interest … geopolitically, economically or militarily … in waging war against NATO” and would instead prefer to develop a relationship with the US-led bloc.

Largest ever prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged the largest number of prisoners since the start of the war.

According to the Ministry of Defense of Russia, 195 Russian soldiers have returned home from the Ukrainian-controlled territory under the prisoner exchange, while 195 Ukrainian soldiers have been transferred to Kiev.The released Russian soldiers will be taken to Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed the transfer of prisoners and said that 207 soldiers have returned home. However, as the Russian Ministry of Defense said that only 195 Ukrainian soldiers were returned, there was no confirmation about how the other 12 prisoners were added.

The prisoner exchange, which was scheduled to take place last week, was postponed after a Russian Il-76 plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners was attacked. Russia has been demanding an investigation saying that the plane was attacked by Kiev.

Report on National Assembly Elections to the President

Kathmandu- The Election Commission has submitted the report with the results of the National Assembly elections to the President Ramchandra Paudel.

Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission Dinesh Kumar Thapalia presented the report to President Paudel at a program held on Sunday at Rashtrapati Bhawan Sheetal Niwas.

According to Section 60 of the National Assembly Member Election Act, 2075, the report with the election results of the National Assembly Member Election, 2080 has been submitted to the President’s Office.

Elections were held in all the seven provinces for 19 seats.
The remaining 1 seat will be nominated by the President on the recommendation of the government.

Russia is open to proposals for a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine conflict – Russian Foreign Ministry

Alexey Polishchuk, head of the Second Department of the CIS countries under the Russian Foreign Ministry, said Russia is open to proposals for a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine conflict.

He also said that there is no hope that the West will change its approach to the Ukrainian settlement.

He said, “The current Kiev leadership is primarily a puppet of Washington, London and Brussels, and they have benefited from exacerbating the Ukrainian crisis. According to him, the West has not only used Ukraine to achieve the goal of a strategic defeat to Russia, but also to implement measures to weaken the economies of its competitors on the European continent. He also said that Russia was presented in a chaotic manner.

However, he said, Russia is always open to really concrete proposals on how to overcome the current crisis through political and diplomatic methods.

North Korea fires cruise missiles off east coast

North Korea has fired several cruise missiles in waters off its east coast. launch took place near the port of Sinpo.Neither the number nor type of missiles is clear yet says South Korea’s military.

Reporting the new launch, which took place at 08:00 (23:00 GMT Saturday), South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said “our military has been closely coordinating with the United States to monitor additional signs of North Korea’s provocations”.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been increasingly aggressive in his policy direction and rhetoric in recent months, ending several agreements aimed at peace-keeping and ramping up military action.

Pyongyang claims to have tested a new solid-fueled missile and its underwater attack drone, which can carry nuclear warheads.

Earlier this month, Kim Jong Un named South Korea as a “main enemy,” announcing that the former primary goal of reunification with South Korea had ended. This raised concerns that North Korea was preparing for war, South Korea said.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has said that if the North increases its provocations, it will respond strongly.

We will seriously review the alliance with Congress: Barshman Pun

CPN-Maoist Center Deputy Secretary General Barshman Pun has said that after the results of the National Assembly election in Koshi Province, there is a need to seriously review the alliance with the Congress.

While training the Maoist representatives and district level leaders in home district Rolpa, Pun commented that the Congress has lost their trust.

He said that in every election, they vote for the Congress honestly, but the process of being cheated by the Congress is repeating.

A new turn has come in national politics with the results of the National Assembly election of Koshi province. We have reached the point where we have to seriously review the alliance with the Congress”, Pun said, “what is the loss or profit for us politically from the alliance with the Congress? How long will it last if we continue to vote for Congress honestly in every election and Congress keeps betraying.

Earlier, in various cases, the Congress leadership used to point to factionalism and power struggle within the party as the reason. Pun recalled that two years ago, the Congress was dishonest by not voting for the candidate in the National Assembly from Koshi. Pun also said that the Congress betrayed Kedar Karki by making him the Chief Minister of Koshi in an alliance with the UML, contrary to the agreement reached at the top leadership level.

Deputy General Secretary Pun has also demanded the Congress leadership to review the anarchy and apolitical tendencies within them. He said that the Congress’s betrayal in Koshi will be discussed in the power alliance meeting.

In the National Assembly elections held on Thursday, the ruling coalition nominated Congress LLeader Krishna Prasad Sitaula and Maoist Champadevi Karki as candidates. Although Sitaula won, Karki lost to UML’s Rukmini Koirala.

PM Dahal’s emphasized on dialogue between the warring parties for world peace

KATHMANDU – Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has emphasized dialogue between the warring parties for upholding world peace.

During the meeting with a high-level delegation of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, led by Izumi Nakamitsu, Prime Minister Dahal said Nepal is always in favor of world peace, adding Nepal’s peace process has become an example for other countries in the world. 

He stressed that dialogue is the only option for world peace, adding, “Many areas of the world are still in very sensitive condition.  Incidents including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel and Hamas war have added challenges to global peace. But we stress on seeking the solution to conflicts through dialogue.”

The PM recalled Nepal’s remarkable role in different international forums for the establishment of peace in the world.

Talking about the role played by Nepal from the position of leader of the least developed countries in the UN General Assembly, PM Dahal underscored that Nepal would always support the UN’s efforts to establish peace and play a leading role in world peace.

“The role the United Nations has played for world peace and disarmament is laudable. We are with the United Nations in its every step and express our commitment to remain so in the future as well,” he said.

Under-Secretary-General and the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Nakamitsu, said the office of the South Asia Centre on Disarmament Affairs has been set up in Nepal and the expectation is that Nepal will become a center of peace in the South Asia region.

“The Centre has been established with the expectation that Nepal will become a peace center amongst its nuclear-armed neighbors. It is expected that like in the past Nepal will play its role in support of regional and world peace in an effective manner,”

On the occasion, Izumi also praised the role Nepal has been playing in the UN peacekeeping missions as the second-largest troops-contributing nation.

UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Hanna Singer, the foreign affairs advisor to the Prime Minister, Rupak Sapkota, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among other officials were present on the occasion.

RSS

Amicus curiae to give its opinion on the petition against the decision to remove the word “OM” from the dictionary

Kathmandu: The amicus curiae of the court is giving its opinion in the case related to the decision to remove the word “OM” from the Nepali dictionary. The argument of the amicus curiae is going to start today as the argument of the lawyer for the petitioner and the lawyer of the government side has finished.

Writ petitioner and lawyer Swagat Nepal has informed that since the arguments of the petitioner, witness and the government lawyer in the writ against the removal of the word “OM” have been completed, the amicus curiae will be debated from today.The writ is being debated in the joint bench of Judge Sapna Malla Pradhan and Saranga Subedi .

The then Minister of Education, Dinanath Sharma forced to remove the word”OM”from the cabinet meeting on 6th August 2012 and implemented it. Advocate Swagat Nepal, Tapendra Bahadur Karki and others filed a writ in the Supreme Court on 9th September 2016 against the government’s decision.

They filed a writ saying that the word ‘om’ has been removed from the dictionary with the aim of ending Nepali, language, culture and tradition under foreign influence.

Earlier, the joint bench of Supreme Court Justices Kumar Chudal and Vinod Sharma had ordered to summon ‘Amicus Curiae’ to hear the writ. An order was made in the name of Nepal Bar to send an amicus curiae including a person with language and legal competence.

The petitioner has demanded that the amendment approved by the Ministry of Education on the proposal of the Curriculum Development Center should be cancelled. The word ‘om’ has been removed from the comprehensive Nepali dictionary of the 10th edition published in 2018.

Vaccination against measles-rubella from February 25th

Kathmandu: The government is going to conduct a vaccination campaign against measles-rubella across the country from February 25th to March 20. Considering the risk of measles-rubella infection, the target is to vaccinate about 5.7 million children across the country.

The Ministry of Health and Population is going to give measles-rubella vaccine to all children between the ages of nine months and 15 years. According to Dr. Abhiyaan Gautam, Head of Child Health and Vaccination Branch of the Department of Health Services, all the children of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur in Kathmandu valley and 21 districts highly infected with Measles-Ruella bordering India will be given the vaccine.

“The children of the remaining 51 districts will also be made to participate in the vaccination campaign,” said Chief Dr. Gautam. Director of Family Welfare Division Dr. Vivek Kumar Lal said that the government is going to conduct a vaccination campaign with the goal of eliminating measles-rubella by 2026. Measles-rubella is the most contagious disease. One person can spread this disease to 18 people. ‘Measles-rubella is more contagious’, Dr. Gautam, Head of Vaccination Branch, said, ‘That’s why we have started conducting vaccination campaigns across the country this year.’

Maoist became the largest party in the National Assembly

Kathmandu – With the results of today’s election of the National Assembly, the CPN Maoist Center has succeeded in becoming the largest party in the National Assembly. According to today’s vote results, the Maoist Center has become the largest party in the National Assembly with 17 seats, while the Congress is in second place with 16 seats.

In the National Assembly elections held for 19 seats, 10 people were elected from the Congress, 5 from the Maoist Center, 2 from the United Socialist Party and 1 each from the Janata Samajwadi Party and the CPN-UML. With today’s voting results, the party equation in the National Assembly has changed.

Who won the National Assembly member election?

In the election for National Assembly members, Krishna Sitaula of Congress and Rukmini Koirala of UML were elected from Koshi Province, while Anand Prasad Dhungana of Congress and Pooja Chaudhary of Jaspa were elected from Madhesh Province.

In Bagmati, Jeetjung Basnet and Vishnudevi Pudasaini of Nepali Congress, Srikrishna Adhikari of CPN Maoist Center and Ghanshyam Rizal of CPN Unified Socialist were elected, while in Gandaki, Kiran Babu Shrestha of Congress, Padma Bahadur Pariyar and Manrupa Sharma of Maoist were elected.

Similarly, Bishnu Kumari Sapkota of the Congress and Jhakkuprasad Subedi of the Maoist Center were elected from Lumbini Province, while Savitri Malla of the United Socialist Party, Vishnu BK of the Maoist and Krishna Bahadur Rokaya of the Congress were elected in Karnali.

Similarly, Maoist’s Renu Chand from the women’s side, Congress’s Narayan Bhatt from the disability side and Baldev Bohra from the Congress have been elected from Far West Province.

Vote count started in Janakpur

Janakpur- Vote count for the National Assembly member election has started in Janakpur. Voting started at 9 am and ended at 3 pm in all the 14 polling stations of seven provinces.

According to the Election Commission, 99.32 percent votes were cast in the election. Commission spokesperson Shaligram Sharma Poudel informed that the voting was peaceful and all the results will be available by 8 pm.

According to Paudel, counting of votes has already started in Janakpur of Madhesh province. All-party meetings have also started in other states. Counting of votes will begin in all provinces in the next hour.

Elections were held today for 19 seats in the National Assembly and one will be nominated by the President. 51 candidates from eight teams are competing for 19 seats .

Health ministry seeks expert’s advice to dispose 4 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine

Officials said that the Ministry of Health and Population has started consultation with vaccine experts to dispose 4 million doses of Sinovac-Coronavac Covid-19 vaccine that expired in December last year.

The vaccine was provided by China two years ago. When China sent the vaccine as a support, other vaccines were also available in Nepal . When the vaccine arrived, most of the Nepalese were already vaccinated and due to the less number of Nepalese remain to be vaccinated, the vaccine was not used and got expired.

Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, has said that he has started taking expert’s advice to dispose 4 million doses of the vaccine . “We have consulted experts from the World Health Organization, vaccine experts of the country and the National Vaccine Advisory Committee on cost-effective and easy ways to dispose the vaccine .” Officials said they have also consulted with experts from China’s vaccine manufacturing companies to dispose the vaccine doses.

Nepal used various brand of coronavirus vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Vero Cell, Pfizer-Biotech, and Moderna manufactured in several countries.

Houthis announce operation against US forces in Gulf of Aden

Houthi rebels from Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement announced a military operation against US warships in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saria said on Telegram.

A clash with several destroyers and US warships, who tried to protect two US commercial vessels, occurred in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The result was a direct hit of a US warship. The two US commercial vessels were forced to retreat and return,” he said.

According to the statement, the clash “lasted more than two hours.” The Houthis used “several ballistic missiles,” and some of them “reached their targets” despite US attempts to intercept them.TASS

Russia demands UN Security Council meeting in response to Belgorod airstrike

Russia requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council to discuss the shooting down of a military plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference in New York on Wednesday afternoon, hours after the incident.

The IL-76 cargo plane crashed in Belgorod Region on Wednesday morning, claiming the lives of 65 Ukrainian POWs, as well as six crew members and three Russian soldiers, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The prisoners were being transported to Belgorod, a city near the Ukrainian border, to be exchanged for captured Russian troops.

The ministry accused Ukrainian forces of shooting the plane down with air-defense missiles. “By committing this terrorist act, the Ukrainian leadership showed its true face, disregarding the lives of its citizens,” the ministry said.

Speaking to reporters at UN headquarters, Lavrov said that he had urged the Security Council’s French chairmanship to grant the meeting without delay.

”We do not want to repeat the situation of April 2022 after the staging of Bucha,” he added, referring to the supposed massacre of Ukrainians by Russian forces, which Moscow insists was staged by Kiev to draw international support. At the time, the British chairmanship of the Security Council refused Russia’s request for an emergency sitting for 72 hours.

The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said that military transport aircraft approaching Belgorod often carry weapons, and that Ukrainian forces “take measures to destroy delivery means and control the airspace to eliminate the terrorist threat.” However, the military command did not explicitly accept responsibility for shooting down the IL-76.

Parliament session called by President Paudel

Kathmandu – President Ramchandra Paudel has called a session of both houses of the Federal Parliament. On the Recommendation of the Council of Ministers President Paudel has called a meeting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.

Spokesperson of the President’s Office, Shailaja Regmi Bhattarai, informed that President Paudel has called a meeting of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly to be held at 4 pm on 5th February.

Clause (1) of Article 93 of the Constitution provides that the President shall convene a session of the Parliament on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.

Sunil Poudel and Vikal Poudel arrested in security printing press and payment gateway case

Kathmandu – The then managing director of Nepal Telecom, Sunil Paudel, and the then executive director of Surakshan Mudran Kendra, Vikal Paudel, have been arrested in connection with the security printing and payment gateway case.

It is said that they were arrested by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority in the National Payment Gateway and security printing press case. The authority has filed a case against Sunil poudel in a special court with a demand of Rs 23,27,58,0 77 and 13 years imprisonment.

Similarly, the authority’s team arrested Vikal Paudel for allegedly corrupting around 700 million in the purchase of electrical infrastructure needed for Security Press. The authority has demanded a fine of 698 million rupees and three years imprisonment against Poudel.

Three-member committee formed to study the new stock exchange

Kathmandu- The government has formed a three-member committee to study the new stock exchange. The Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday formed a study committee chaired by former Deputy Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank Chintamani Siwakoti.

Government Spokesperson and Minister of Communications and Information Rekha Sharma has informed that a three-member study committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Nepal Rastra Bank’s former Deputy Governor Sivakoti to study the organized sector that operates the securities market.

The committee will have to submit recommendations to the government within 45 days .After the proposal to license the new stock exchange reached the cabinet, the government formed a study committee to study it. The Securities Board has already accepted applications for new stock exchanges.

Three applications have been received for the new stock exchange. Himalayan Stock Exchange, National Stock Exchange and Annapurna Exchange have applied for the new stock exchange.

Govt prepared to operate Nepal Airlines under management contract

KATHMANDU – The government is preparing to operate the national flag-carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) under management contract.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Sudan Kirati said that processes have been advanced for the management contract of the NAC for its restructuring.

At a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Tuesday, Minister Kirati said, “We are preparing to go for this system as we are required to embrace the management contract of the Corporation’s restructuring.” The Ministry has already sent a proposal for a management contract to the cabinet. “A decision will be made soon on this agenda,” he shared.

Minister Kirati argued that reforms in the NAC were inevitable through management contracts based on the studies and recommendations of the stakeholders. Since the management contract modality has generated good results in different countries, this model could be appropriate in Nepal too, he claimed.

On the occasion, Minister Kirati shared that the ministry has drawn the conclusion that the NAC cannot be run in the existing situation and that plans were being prepared to run the organization by bringing about structural reforms. On the occasion, lawmaker Udaya SJB Rana said that the NAC’s presence should be made robust in the international market even by adding more aircraft.

Likewise, lawmaker Dr Dhawal SJB Rana said that the NAC’s management contract was appropriate but it should advance only on the basis of relevance. However, lawmaker Prem Suwal opposed the idea of operating the NAC through a management contract and called for all to become responsible for reforms in the NAC.

(RSS)

Local businessmen stage protest against KMC

The local businessmen of the New Road area are protesting against the Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s decision on parking banin the New Road area.

After the Metropolitan Corporation banned parking on black paved roads around Dharmapath, Juddha Shalik to Indrachok, Khichapokhari, Mahabauddha, Bir Hospital, the businessmen of that area have started protesting for the second day today.

The businessmen have closed the shutters of their businesses and have embarked on street protests demanding to withdraw the unilateral decision of metropolis to remove the parking lot without any coordination with the businessmen and the option of parking.

The businessmen have started the street movement by forming a struggle committee consisting of local social associations, business associations and stakeholders.

Naresh Katuwal, founder president of Nepal National Federation of Businessmen, has said that the decision to remove the parking lot in the area has caused injustice to businessmen, locals and customers and the business future of New Road is in crisis. He has also alleged that prohibition of parking without giving an alternative may caused the businessmen of the New Road area to collapse and flee.

Russian President Putin meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur region of Russia. Video shared by the Kremlin showed the two leaders shaking hands as they greeted each other on Wednesday.

Putin arrived in Vostochny after a two-day visit to the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The North Korean leader continued his journey in his armored train after entering Russian territory on Tuesday morning.

Noting that this year marks North Korea’s 75th founding anniversary and the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, as well as 75 years of diplomatic relations with Russia, Putin said he was very happy to meet Kim .Kim also thanked Putin for the invitation and his warm welcome.

Commenting on the agenda for the Russian-North Korean summit, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said the upcoming talks would focus on a number of “sensitive issues” as well as bilateral economic and cultural cooperation and the overall situation in the region.

Kim’s visit to Russia has been of great interest to the West amid the Russia-Ukraine war and rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Russia to meet Putin

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

South Korea’s defense ministry confirmed that Kim’s armored train entered Russia on Tuesday morning. Kim’s tour team includes North Korean military personnel and high-ranking government officials.

With Kim Jong Un’s visit to Russia, there is a possibility that Russia and North Korea could discuss an arms deal, US officials said.

The meeting between Kim and Putin amid the Ukraine conflict seems to have been taken with great interest by the West.

Ukrainians blame Zelensky for corruption

A new study has revealed that the vast majority of Ukrainians believe that President Vladimir Zelensky is at fault for widespread corruption in the country’s government and military,

The poll, released on Monday, found that 78% of Ukrainian adults see Zelensky as “directly responsible” for Kiev’s corruption problem. It was conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Charitable Foundation and the Kiev International Institute of Sociology.

Prior to the launch of Russia’s military offensive in February 2022, Ukraine consistently ranked among the world’s most corrupt nations, but it was touted as a bastion of freedom and democracy as the US and its NATO allies rallied public support for massive aid to Kiev. However, Ukrainian corruption remains a concern and could hinder the country’s bid to join the European Union, an unidentified Western diplomat told Politico on Monday.

Ukraine is a “very corrupt country,” the diplomat said, adding that Zelensky’s plan to use the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to prosecute graft cases could “send the wrong message.” Upon landing in Kiev for a surprise visit on Monday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reportedly said Ukraine needed to step up its efforts to fight corruption.

The Ukrainian poll was conducted from July 3 to July 17 in face-to-face interviews with thousands of citizens across the country. There were no major differences in findings based on region or socioeconomic factors. Respondents aged 60 and older took a harsher view, with 81% saying Zelensky was responsible for government corruption. The rate was 70% in the youngest segment, ages 17 to 29. Overall, only 18% of Ukrainian adults disagreed with the statement that Zelensky bears responsibility.

Documents obtained by the International Association of Investigative Journalists in 2021 showed that Zelensky and his business partners set up offshore companies to purchase lavish properties in central London. Zelensky transferred his stake in one of the companies to an aide just before he was elected president in 2019. Supporters of former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko accused Zelensky and his associates of using their offshore accounts to evade taxes.RT

Russia and Belarus could go into direct conflict with NATO in the future

Russia and Belarus may go into direct conflict with NATO in the future, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin has said.

At the international security conference held in Moscow, he warned that the conflict in Ukraine has turned into a global conflict between the West and the East, and that the possibility of direct war with NATO is increasing in the future.

While questions and doubts are being raised about the weapons deployed by Moscow in Belarus, Russia has said that it will remove its weapons deployed in Belarus only if the US removes its nuclear missiles and their related infrastructure from Europe.

On the other hand, Western supporters of Ukraine have claimed that they are not directly involved in the conflict in Ukraine, however, the warplanes and long-range missiles provided by Europe and the United States are helping Ukraine to provoke a direct conflict with Russia. Ignoring Moscow’s repeated warnings, Moscow has said that the arms package provided to Ukraine has brought the US and NATO closer to active participation in the conflict.

Khrenin says that the war between Russia and Ukraine has turned into a global confrontation between West and East on the territory of Ukraine, and that the Ukraine proxy war has actually brought the entire planet to the brink of World War III.

Russian embassy demands that UK authorities provide info on Skripals

The UK authorities continue to conceal the information about Russian nationals Sergey and Yulia Skripal, whose fate remains unknown to date, the Russian Embasy in London said in a statement.

“Still no news from two Russian nationals – Sergei and Yulia Skripal. It has been more than five years now since Yulia’s most recent public appearance. Her brief pre-recorded message in 2018, apparently translated from English, raises many questions,” the embassy said.

“Our nationals have not been forgotten. Five years on, we continue to demand that the British authorities allow us to ascertain they are safe and sound. London carries full responsibility for their well-being,” the statement says.

If the British version of the incident involving the Skripals is to be believed, on March 4, 2018, former GRU Colonel Sergey Skripal, convicted in Russia of espionage for Britain, and his daughter Yulia were exposed to the Novichok nerve agent in Salisbury. London later claimed that the substance had allegedly been developed in Russia and accused Moscow of being involved in the incident. Russia categorically rejected all speculation in this regard. Experts at Britain’s laboratory in Porton Down have not been able to establish the origin of the substance with which the Skripals were allegedly poisoned.

On September 5, 2018, the then British prime minister, Theresa May, briefed parliament on the findings of the investigation. She said that two Russians with passports issued in the names of Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov were suspects in the attempt on the Skripals’ lives. The British intelligence services consider both as “GRU agents.” Both men agreed to grant an interview to the RT television channel, in which they denied these charges. Later, Scotland Yard said another man, Denis Sergeyev, allegedly a “GRU agent”, too, was also charged in the Skripal case.tass

US troops will not fight in Ukraine – Washington

Both the United States and the EU have ruled out deploying troops from individual NATO members against Russia.

US President Joe Biden has no intention of sending US troops to Ukraine, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. However, while NATO forces may not be openly fighting the Russians, an unknown number of US military personnel are said to be active in the war-torn region of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the EU has rejected the idea of any such military mission. The Director General of the European Union Military Staff, Vice Admiral Hervé Blazian, has said that neither Europe nor NATO can send their troops to Ukraine, saying that sending troops to Ukraine means being a party to the war, going to war with Russia.

However, the Pentagon acknowledged in November that a “small number” of US forces were guarding and monitoring the US embassy in Kiev. In April, leaked Pentagon documents also revealed that as of mid-March, 14 US special forces personnel had been deployed to Ukraine and 50 military special forces had been deployed from Britain.

Meanwhile, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, a missile attack on a temporary Ukrainian armed forces base in the city of Donbass killed “20 foreign mercenaries and military advisers,” and photos and videos circulated on social media after the attack allegedly showed English-speaking military personnel in US uniforms dead and wounded at the base.

Moscow considers the US and NATO complicit in the conflict, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of not wanting to end the war against Russia “until the last Ukrainian remains alive”.

China warns of unbearable disaster

A military conflict between China and the US would have terrible consequences not only for the two countries, but for the whole world, Beijing’s Defense Minister Li Shangfu has said.

“China and the US have different systems and are different in many other ways. However, this shouldn’t keep the two sides from seeking common ground and common interests to grow bilateral ties and deepen cooperation,” Li suggested during his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Sunday.

“It’s undeniable that a severe conflict or confrontation between China and the US will be an unbearable disaster for the world,” he added.

The Chinese defense minister also warned that “a Cold War mentality is now resurgent, greatly increasing security risks.” He didn’t mention Washington and its allies directly, but said “some countries” had been intensifying the arms race and interfering in the internal affairs of other nations.

According to the minister, those trying to create “NATO-like” military blocs in the Indo-Pacific are looking “to hold countries in the region hostage and play up conflict and confrontation.” He was apparently referring to the AUKUS pact agreed between the US, UK and Australia in 2021.

Li also reiterated Beijing’s stance that “Taiwan is China’s Taiwan, and how to resolve the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese to decide.”

US President Joe Biden has pledged on several occasions that Washington would defend Taiwan militarily if Beijing decided to use force to take control over the self-governed island. Earlier this year, the media got hold of a memo from the head of US Air Mobility Command, General Mike Minihan, who speculated that Washington and Beijing could go to war over Taiwan by 2025.

During his speech at the summit on Saturday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin criticized his Chinese counterpart for refusing to hold a meeting with him in Singapore. “The more that we talk, the more that we can avoid the misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to crisis or conflict,” he argued.

Two Chinese military officers told Reuters that, before military contacts could resume, Beijing wanted to see clear signs of a less confrontational approach in Asia from Washington, including the revocation of sanctions against Li.RT

Xi Jinping holds a phone conversation with Zelensky

April 26- President of China, Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Zelensky for the first time since Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine.

It is said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has told his Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky that China will push for an early ceasefire in Ukraine and China is determined to facilitate the peace process and a ceasefire as soon as possible.

“Chinese authorities have no intention to quietly observe the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, but at the same time will not fuel the flame,” President Xi said during a phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky.He aslo said that “dialogue and negotiations are the only viable way out.”

President Zelensky also tweeted that the dialogue was “long and meaningful.” He said the call, along with the appointment of an ambassador to China, will “give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations.”

Russia to use national currency in energy trade: Euro and Dollar in energy exports will be abandoned

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has said that Russia will now switch to national currencies in energy trade.

According to the official, most transactions are already made in these currencies, mostly in Chinese yuan and Russian rubles, and in the future Moscow intends to abandon the euro and dollar in energy exports altogether.

“The trends have changed greatly toward reducing the use of dollars and euros. Considering the current problems with these currencies, in our settlements we are switching almost exclusively to national currencies,” he said, referring to economic restrictions placed on Russia by Western states due to the Ukraine conflict, which have effectively made it impossible for Russia to conduct transactions in euros and dollars.

“Our partners in China are already paying for gas in yuan, as well as partly for oil. They also pay in rubles. We will continue to improve these mutual settlements in national currencies,” Novak pledged.

Earlier many contries from Asia, Middle east and Latin america including Bricks nation has agreed upon De-dollarisation.

Europe is bleeding over the sanctions on Russia: Hungarian PM

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban has repeatedly called for “the failed policy of Brussels” to be changed, noting that the sanctions “didn’t fulfill the hopes that were pinned on them,” while Europe is “slowly bleeding.”

The European Union has exhausted its options for further economic restrictions against Russia. But even after the ten rounds of sanctions in response to the Ukraine conflict and currently working on an eleventh package of punitive measures against Moscow, EU officials have admitted that those parts of the Russian economy that were left unsanctioned are parts that one or more EU member states “can’t live without,” and thus measures targeting them would be vetoed.

One of the EU officials told that“We are done, “If we do more sanctions, there will be more exemptions than measures.” Officials have admitted that the embargo harms the EU and West more than Moscow.

Newly planned restrictions could reportedly target Russia’s nuclear fuel and services exports, but those would be opposed by some member-states, such as France, Hungary, and others.

Jack Teixeria charged over leaked classified files of US Intelligence

Jack Teixeira, the US airman suspected of leaking hundreds of classified documents online, appeared for the first time in a Boston court on Friday.

The alleged leaker faced formal charges of unauthorized removal, retention, and transmission of classified national defense information.

Teixeira, an enlisted airman first class and member of the 102nd Intelligence Wing based in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, was arrested at his home by the FBI on Thursday.

The leaked Pentagon documents had been circulating online for weeks already before drawing the attention of the media – and of the US government – last week. The documents, which were color-printed and then photographed, ended up being uploaded to a gaming chat server.

A significant part of the trove of documents are related to the US and NATO war-planning effort in Ukraine, and included data on arms deliveries, training schedules, and estimates of losses sustained by both Moscow and Kiev, among other information.

Poland would not survive a Russia-NATO war: Dmitry Medvedev

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has claimed that Poland would cease to exist if a direct war were to occur between Russia and NATO, regardless of the outcome. He was responding to remarks by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who expressed confidence that the Western alliance would win such a conflict.

Morawiecki, who is currently visiting the US, commented on the Ukrainian conflict in an interview with NBC News on Friday. Host Kristen Welker asked whether he was concerned that Ukrainian strikes outside its territory risked “a wider war, drawing Poland… into the conflict.”

The prime minister replied that he was not concerned, as it would be “a war between Russia and NATO, and Russia would lose this war very quickly.”

“They believe that fighting with Ukraine they are fighting with the West and fighting with NATO, whereas the fact of the matter is that we are only supporting a brutally invaded country”, Morawiecki said.

Medvedev, who serves as deputy chair of Russia’s National Security Council, tweeted in response that he was not so certain about which side would win, “but considering Poland’s role as a NATO outpost in Europe, this country is sure to disappear together with its stupid prime minister.”

The Russian official has previously warned against a possible escalation of the Ukraine conflict, which Moscow perceives as a proxy war against it by the US and its allies. If that were to happen, hostilities could go nuclear, Medvedev believes, and all sides would be catastrophically harmed.RT

Leaked Classified documents warn of major shortfalls in Kyiv’s forces and their ability to reclaim territory

Leaked US intelligence documents paint a bleak picture for a much anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive, according to the Washington Post, raising doubts about Kiev’s ability to field the manpower and ammunition needed to sustain major combat operations in the coming months.

Part of leaked trove that began circulating online last month, files labeled “top secret” reveal American reservations about the upcoming counter-attack, warning that a lack of troops and ammunition could mean that Ukraine falls “well short” of its ambitious goals to retake lost ground over the spring, the Post reported on Monday.

Enduring Ukrainian deficiencies in training and munitions supplies probably will strain progress and exacerbate casualties during the offensive,” the document says, going on to cite Russia’s sturdy network of defensive installations across the southern Kherson region and Kiev’s ongoing “force generation and sustainment shortfalls.”

The document also suggests Ukrainian forces will aim to capture territory in the south and east, apparently hoping to cut off Russian troops advancing from Crimea. However, the intelligence assessment predicts only “modest” success in those goals.

A separate classified briefing prepared by the National Intelligence Council, seen by only select lawmakers on Capitol Hill, concluded that Kiev’s counter-offensive is “unlikely” to be as successful as operations last fall, which did result in some regained ground, according to sources cited by the Post.

Yet another leaked document cited by the Wall Street Journal on Sunday also warned that Ukraine faces a “looming air defense crisis” which could prevent its military from massing the frontline forces needed for its counteroffensive. The assessment predicts that, at the current rate of consumption, Kiev will have exhausted its supply of Buk air defense missiles sometime this week, and all of its S-300 ammunition by May 3, leaving its skies largely undefended.

During a briefing Pentagon spokesman Chris Meagher has acknowledged that both the Pentagon and Justice Department are probing the matter, and that a criminal investigation was underway to determine the source of the unauthorized disclosures. A previous report in the New York Times indicated “more than 100” pages had been leaked in total.

The document trove contains a wealth of information about US and NATO war planning in Ukraine, including timelines for training and arms deliveries, data on ammunition expenditures, the structure of Ukrainian combat units, estimated Russian and Ukrainian losses, and, apparently, information regarding foreign special forces on the ground. Officials have declined to confirm the accuracy of their contents, however, saying only that they are investigating the leak.

China has been simulating how it would hit key targets on Taiwan

China has simulated precision strikes against key targets on Taiwan and its surrounding waters during a second day of military drills.

The drills – which Beijing has called a “stern warning” to the self-governing island – are a response to Taiwan’s president visiting the US last week.

As the Chinese military simulated an encirclement of the island, the US urged China to show restraint.

Taiwan said at least 71 Chinese jets flew around the island on Saturday.

Taiwan also said 45 warplanes either crossed the Taiwan Strait median line – the unofficial dividing line between Taiwanese and Chinese territory – or flew into the southwestern part of Taiwan’s air defence identification zone.

Nine Chinese ships were also spotted. The operation, dubbed “Joint Sword” by Beijing, will continue until Monday. Taiwanese officials have been enraged by the operation.

On Saturday defence officials in Taipei accused Beijing of using President Tsai’s US visit as an “excuse to conduct military exercises, which has seriously undermined peace, stability and security in the region”.

A state department spokesperson said the US was “monitoring Beijing’s actions closely” and insisted the US had “sufficient resources and capabilities in the region to ensure peace and stability and to meet our national security commitments”.

US President Joe Biden has said on several occasion that the US would intervene if China attacked the island, but US messaging has been murky.

Taiwan’s status has been ambiguous since 1949, when the Chinese Civil War turned in favour of the Chinese Communist Party and the country’s old ruling government retreated to the island.

Taiwan has since considered itself a sovereign state, with its own constitution and leaders. China sees it as a breakaway province that will eventually be brought under Beijing’s control – by force if necessary.

China’s President Xi Jinping has said “reunification” with Taiwan “must be fulfilled”.

US deploys nuclear sub to Middle East

The US Navy has broken with its regular protocol in announcing the deployment to the Middle East of a nuclear submarine capable of launching 154 Tomahawk missiles. The show-of-force move comes amid ongoing tensions with Iran.

“[The submarine] is capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and is deployed to US 5th Fleet to help ensure regional maritime security and stability,” said Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins, a spokesman for the 5th Fleet based in Bahrain, on Saturday.

Hawkins added that that submarine had passed through the Suez Canal on Friday on its route to an undisclosed location in the Middle East. He declined to comment on the specifics of the submarine’s mission or what had led to its deployment.

The US Navy rarely discloses information about the locations or deployments of its submarines. Its 5th Fleet operates in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and some parts of the Indian Ocean. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passageway through which around 20% of all oil is transported, is also under the fleet’s remit.

The US and UK, and others, have accused Iran in recent years of attacks on commercial oil tankers, including the 2019 assaults on Norwegian and Japanese vessels, which forced both crews to abandon ship. Tehran has vigorously denied the allegations.

The US has also accused Iran of “dangerous and harassing approaches” towards its navy in recent years in the Persian Gulf. Tensions between the two were renewed last month after the US launched missile attacks on Iran-backed forces in Syria. This was in retaliation for the killing of a US contractor in a rocket attack in the northeast of the country. Seven other Americans were injured in the attack.

The rise in tensions was then fueled after then-President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 accord to provide Iran with sanctions relief, and despite the Biden administration’s attempts to seek a diplomatic remedy.

Washington has also expressed concern at Tehran’s support for Russian forces in Ukraine. The US also objects to Iran’s position as it relates to Israel – with whom it has a so-called proxy conflict – and to China, who brokered the restoration of diplomatic ties last month between Iran and Saudi Arabia.RT

Ukraine will disappear: Medvedev

Ukraine is a mistake created by the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said that Ukraine will disappear because its Western backers, the rest of the world, and even its own citizens have no need for the troubled country to keep existing.

“Why would Ukraine disappear? Because nobody needs it,” Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, wrote in a post on the VK social network on Saturday.

The EU doesn’t need Ukraine because supporting the country amid the conflict with Russia “on the order of their American mentor, plunged the Europeans into a real financial and political hell,” he insisted. Detrimental anti-Russia sanctions, spiking inflation, high energy prices, and the “decay” of businesses have already led to protests in various parts of the continent, the official pointed out.

“The prospect of decisively planting Ukrainian blood-sucking parasites on the neck of the shriveling EU” is real and, if it happens, it’s going to signal the demise of the bloc, Medvedev warned.

Kiev’s prime backer, the US, doesn’t need Ukraine either, because most ordinary Americans have no idea where it’s located and consider it “some abstract part of Russia,” the post read. They wonder “why the establishment in the US isn’t trying to deal with inflation and [the lack of] jobs or emergencies in their home states, but is instead occupied with this 404 country,” the former president wrote, referring to the “404 error” protocol in network communications.

Former president urges Russians to pirate Western content
Only “political demagogues” in Washington, “who have long conceded their impotence and dementia, are trying to make PR gains from military and sanctions campaigns,” he added.

Africa and Latin America reject Ukraine because the “billions that the US is wasting on senseless battles somewhere in Ukraine would’ve been enough to fund many social-development programs” in those regions, Medvedev wrote.

Asian countries don’t need Ukraine because, through the example of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, “they see how the technologies of ‘color revolutions’ are being developed to eliminate the largest competing powers. They understand what scenario the collective West, led by the US, has prepared for them in case of disobedience,” the official explained. Besides, Russia is much closer to such nations as China and India in a geopolitical sense and has historically proven to be their reliable partner, he added.

Medvedev also claimed that Russia doesn’t need Ukraine because the country is “a mistake created by the collapse of the Soviet Union,” .

Nuclear warning issued to Ukraine over Crimea

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned that any Ukrainian attempt to capture Crimea could be met with a nuclear response by Moscow. He insisted, however, that Kyiv’s claims that it could seize the peninsula are nothing more than hollow threats.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Medvedev dismissed the likelihood that Ukraine would carry out an attack on Crimea, asserting that “this is propaganda and should be treated that way, during the war it always exists.”

Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, added that “if we talk about some sort of serious offensive that is associated with an attempt to retake Crimea, it is quite obvious that this is the basis for the use of all means of protection, including those provided for by the fundamentals of the Doctrine of Nuclear Deterrence when the use of any types of weapons against Russia threatens the existence of the state itself.”

Crimea became part of Russia in 2014 after the local population voted overwhelmingly in favor of the move following a Western-backed coup in Kiev. Ukraine and its Western supporters have refused to recognize the step, and Kiev has repeatedly vowed to retake the peninsula by force.

Medvedev stressed that any attempt to break off part of Russia would be considered as a threat to the nation’s existence. “Therefore, draw your own conclusions. There are absolutely grounds for using any weapon here. Absolutely any kind. And I hope our ‘friends’ across the ocean understand this,” the former president said.

He also stressed that the prospect of a nuclear conflict has not faded, but instead continues to grow. Every day that Western weapons are delivered to Ukraine, the closer the world moves towards a “nuclear apocalypse,” Medvedev cautioned, adding that “it doesn’t mean that this will happen, but the horsemen of the apocalypse continue to move.”

The former Russian leader also claimed that without military aid and “direct cash injections” from NATO, the “Kiev regime would not have survived even a week” against Russian forces. The greater the supply of weapons, the more difficult the situation becomes, Medvedev added.

He stated that it is “obvious” Kiev is preparing some sort of new offensive, although Russia’s General Staff is making its own assessments and planning a response. Medvedev insisted that Russia would prefer to resolve all issues peacefully, but that the West seems uninterested in such a resolution.RT

The US focused on delivering weapons to Ukraine, not diplomacy: Secretary of state -Blinken

While Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had said earlier that Moscow was still ready for negotiations on Ukraine and ready to listen to the West’s proposals to ease tensions, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that The United States prefers providing weapons and military equipment to the Kyiv government over reconciliation-themed diplomatic contacts with Russia.

In Blinken’s opinion, “there has to be a just and durable peace” in Ukraine. “Just in the sense that it reflects the principles of the United Nations Charter. If it’s a peace that allows Russia to keep all the territory seized by force, that’s not justice,” the secretary of state said. He also explained that by ‘durable,’ he implied “that no one wants to see Russia repeat this a year or two or three years later.”

“With those principles in mind, every day we are looking for ways to see if we can bring the war to an end. I see no evidence that right now Russia is interested in a diplomatic resolution and negotiation that would end this war,” Blinken told reporters during his visit to Niger’s capital Niamey on thursday.

“And so the quickest way to end it is to continue to support Ukraine so that it is strong on the battlefield <…> so that hopefully, at some point, Mr. Putin recognizes the reality that this has to stop, that he’s not going to succeed. And he’s prepared for diplomacy and for negotiation. When that day comes we’ll be the first to engage to try to end things. But as I said, in this moment, at least, I don’t see any evidence of that,” he said.

Xi Jinping to visit Russia

The Chinese president’s visit to Russia has been confirmed. The Chinese president will arrive in Moscow next Monday and stay for three days.

According to the Kremlin and the Chinese Foreign Ministry, President Xi Jinping of China will make a state visit to Russia next Monday. The trip will last until Wednesday. Xi will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss “aspects of further development of comprehensive partnership,” according to a statement from the Kremlin.

There will also be a discussion of the international agenda and cooperation between the two nations in world affairs, the Kremlin added. Russian and Chinese officials are expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements.

Putin invited Xi to Russia during a phone call in late December, but the date of the trip was not previously announced. This visit is expected to be significant while it has been closely monitored by west after Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine in early 2022.

Ukraine looking for a way to directly involve the US and NATO in the conflict: ex-CIA official

Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is looking for ways to directly involve the US and NATO in the conflict, as former CIA officer Philip Giraldi speaks about the recent drone strikes inside Russia’s borders.

On the other hand, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the US has nothing to do with the Ukrainian drone attack on two air bases within the borders of Russia, but will continue to supply everything that Kyiv needs.

Speaking to reporters, Blinken said, “We have neither encouraged nor enabled the Ukrainians to attack inside Russia. What really matters is how Ukraine responds to the ongoing Russian aggression,” he said. It is determined to provide the equipment it needs to defend its territory, to defend its independence, but when the US first sent HIMARS to Ukraine, it said it received assurances from Kyiv that those weapons would not be used against Russian territory.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, two strategic bomber camps in the Ryazan and Saratov regions were attacked by drones on Monday morning. Moscow said three soldiers were killed and two bombers were lightly damaged by drones shot down by air defenses.

Meanwhile, Moscow has warned that providing heavy weapons to Ukraine has crossed Russia’s “red line” and threatens that it will involve the US and NATO directly in the conflict.

Ukraine wants to frame Russia as ‘nuclear terrorist’ – Moscow

Russia has been warning the West about the alleged plans of Ukraine to use a dirty bomb to frame Russia. The West has also remained largely dismissive of these warnings.

The Defense Ministry of Russia claimed that Ukraine is planning on labeling Moscow as a nuclear terrorist organization in order to launch a powerful anti-Russia campaign. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the West’s refusal to believe that Ukraine is planning on using dirty bombs makes the threat still relevant.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine is planning to detonate a “dirty bomb” in a bid to intimidate the local population, trigger a refugee exodus to the European Union and portray Moscow as “a nuclear terrorist,”

The UN also called on all parties in the conflict to show restraint. During a briefing on Monday, Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, said that all parties should avoid actions that could trigger further escalation.

NATO closer to direct confrontation with Russia: Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said the flow of NATO weapons into Ukraine and military support for Kyiv raised the possibility of direct military confrontation between the NATO alliance and Russia.

She said that while NATO countries are moving ahead with planning how to conduct military operations against Russia by supplying arms and ammunition to Kyiv as well as providing intelligence training personnel, it increases the possibility of direct armed conflict between NATO countries and Russia.

Zakharova also drew attention to the fact that according to the latest statistics, Western military aid for Ukraine reached 42.3 billion dollars.

Zakharova said that NATO countries are not only accomplices in the crimes committed by the Kiev regime, but also sponsors of terrorist activities.

Prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine

According to the Ministry of Defense of Russia, 110 Russian citizens returned to Russia as part of the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine.

In exchange for 110 Russian citizens under a prisoner exchange, Russia has released 108 Ukrainian female soldiers it had detained. It is said that 2 of the released female soldiers decided not to return to Ukraine because they wanted to stay in Russia.

Kyiv detained dozens of Russian citizens who had been in boats that stopped at Ukrainian ports in late February after the war broke out.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Moscow and Kyiv have frequently exchanged prisoners since the conflict between the two neighbours began in late February.
At the end of last September, Ukraine released 55 Russian soldiers from Donbas, and Russia also released Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, since the war began, Russia has released 215 Ukrainian soldiers under prisoner exchange.

image:sputnik

Russia has no intention of destroying Ukraine: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the Russian Federation has no intention of destroying Ukraine.

Speaking to journalists after a summit with regional leaders in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, President Putin said, “What is happening today is not pleasant, to put things mildly,”. “But at the same time, if Russia hadn’t attacked, Russia would have been in the same situation, only the conditions would have been worse for us. So we’re doing everything correctly and at the right time.”

President Putin also said that if Ukraine had not cut the water supply to Crimea, where 2.4 million people live there would have been no retaliatory actions, but we didn’t have any other options apart from entering the area and reopening the water supply to Crimea.

President Putin said it was not Russia’s intention to destroy Ukraine, but he did not regret the invasion as Ukraine was joining NATO and playing according to the west to weaken Russian Federation.

He said most of the designated targets had been hit, and the recent stike had destroyed 22 out of the 29 targets in Ukraine set by the military and that they are getting the remaining seven.

He also said that the wave of missile strikes on cities across Ukraine recently was the retaliation for a blast which damaged a key bridge between Russia and annexed Crimea.

Meanwhile, Analyst says that all this comes after the Russian forces are retreating where the Ukraine is advancing its attack and Russia’s influence in the region is declining.

Declining influence of American power

Despite the US opposition, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies have agreed to cut oil production by more than expected. Experts said that this move by OPEC confirms the declining influence of American power in the world order and this move will increase the distance between OPEC member countries and the US.

Experts say that the Biden administration, in the face of inflation, will have to face more political pressure before the upcoming mid-term elections, and the energy prices will increase and will affect the economic situation of Europe. It is estimated that this decision will further weaken the European countries that are supporting American power economically and socially. For this reason, recently, the differences between the European countries on whether to accept the decision of America or not have started to be clearly seen on the surface.

OPEC and its allies have decided to cut oil production by two million barrels a day, which equates to 2 per cent of global oil supplies. After this decision of OPEC, the price of oil has increased in the world market.

Deputy Secretary General of the Digital-Real Economy Integration Forum, said that in the background of the US shifting its strategic focus from the Middle East to the Asia Pacific region, Middle Eastern countries no longer need to rely on the US for geopolitical protection as before.

He also said that American policies are becoming increasingly self-centered and that they are building economic development on the foundations of the collapse of the other countries. Analysts have also said that, although there were many countries around the dominance of American national power in the past, in today’s environment where the world order is shaky, American power is declining due to economic problems such as weak international foreign policy and inflation.

Image:financial times

USA taking advantage of Europe’s energy crisis

As the European Union faces an energy crisis due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the US must not be allowed to dominate the global energy market, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has said.

Addressing the French National Assembly, he also said that the Russia-Ukraine conflict should not end with US economic dominance and EU weakness. He said that the US took advantage of the energy crisis in Europe caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the EU countries are now forced to purchase the same gas at a price four times higher.

Before the Russia-Ukraine conflict, most of Europe’s energy was imported from Russia. But due to the sanctions imposed by the European Union countries including the United States on Russia and the explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline that happened only a short time ago, Russian gas supplies to the European Union have been significantly reduced.

Russian Missile hits central Kiev

Russian missiles struck several locations in central Kyiv at once on Monday morning.

Mayor Vitaly Klitschko has urged residents of Kyiv to seek shelter and avoid travelling to the capital. He said that the city’s important infrastructures were under attack.

Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to the interior minister, said the attack took place on Vladimirskaya Street, where the headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is located.

After Ukraine attacked the bridge connecting Russia and Crimea by detonating a truck on President Putin’s birthday, the Kremlin said that it would act more strongly against Ukraine and that Ukraine’s action encouraged the war.

Protests against NATO and EU hit Paris streets

A massive crowd of protesters marched through the centre of Paris demanding that France change its stance on NATO and the EU.

The demonstrators were holding a large banner reading ‘Resistance’ and ‘Frexit’ – a reference to a demand that France leave the EU.

According to videos published on social media, the crowd was chanting: “Let’s get out of NATO!” They also demanded the ouster of French President Emmanuel Macron as they marched near the parliament building.

The protesters denounced NATO “warmongering,” as well as economic “disruption” and “energy and health restrictions,” linked to the sanctions the EU imposed on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.

The unrest comes as France increasingly struggles to cope with the ongoing energy crunch, a major cause of which is the EU’s sanctions policy.

Ukraine’s referendum challenges NATO and the West

The referendum held by Ukrainians in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions from September 23 to 27 on joining Russia has ended.

A referendum held in these four regions of Ukraine will undoubtedly include those regions in Russia. Despite the opposition of the European Union and the Western countries, this referendum has sent a message to the Western countries and especially the United States that are indirectly fighting with Russia by pushing Ukraine forward, that Russia will not back down from the war under any circumstances. Taking precedent of the fact that the United States and NATO recognized Kosovo as an independent country in 2008, Russia annexed Crimea to its territory in 2014 and again will include four regions of Ukraine in its territory giving an example of Kosovo.

Ukraine’s referendum has become a serious challenge to the US and Western countries, which are indirectly fighting the Ukraine war to weaken Russia. If the Western countries, which are continuously supporting Ukraine with arms and money, wanted to stop the Russia-Ukraine war and move forward with the peace talks, yesterday they could have done so only on the condition that Russia would withdraw its troops and Ukraine would not join NATO. But today the conditions for peace talk might include the four regions of Ukraine annexed by Russia to be returned, which Russia will never agree with.

By promising to help Ukraine to fight the war against Russia, America is prolonging the Russia-Ukraine conflict and now it has reached a situation where the war will not stop even if it wants to. In the meantime, the issue of how to help Ukraine and what to help has become a challenge for America. In this sense, the Ukraine war was a conflict between Russia and America and even today this war is indirectly a war between Russia and America. Because Ukraine did not have the power to fight a war against Russia yesterday and still does not have it today. Therefore, the US wants to prolong the war to weaken Russia on the one hand, and on the other hand to increase its arms sales. But after the referendum, Russia has openly challenged the use of nuclear weapons to protect the territories annexed by Russia. After this incident, Russia has decided to deploy weapons and troops in full capacity, considering the territory as Russia’s border.

Ukraine’s next path is to seek help from Western countries to return the lost territory or to give up the lost territory and negotiate peace. But the US still wants to prolong the Russia-Ukraine conflict and weaken Russia. Therefore, the possibility of peace talks is very low. Also, Europe and America have declared that the referendum and its results are not valid. But that declaration will not make any difference to Russia and Russia will now provide full security to that territory. Now, in this scenario, if the US still wants to prolong this war, the US and NATO countries, which have been fighting the Ukraine war against Russia in the background until now with weapons and financial support, will have to come directly to the war and if that happens, the next direct war will not be Russia vs. Ukraine, but Russia vs. America and NATO nations.

If indeed NATO nations and the US join forces against Russia, Russia will have no choice but to start a nuclear war. But the possibility of direct military intervention against Russia by the NATO countries that understands America’s war policy is very low, and America does not have the ability to fight a war with Russia alone without the support of NATO countries. Another thing is that as the US mid-term elections approach closer, the US itself is less likely to join the war directly. In order for the US to join the war directly or stand up more aggressively in favor of Ukraine, the US Senate and its majority members and the American people will have to approve . In American politics, a unilateral decision by the president can make no big difference. But in the case of President Putin and Russia, this scenario is completely reversed. Therefore, if the Russia-Ukraine war continues, Ukraine will have to face more crisis.

Image: Global Times

EU sanctions on Russia have backfired: PM Viktor Orban

Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has said that the EU sanctions on Russia have backfired on Europe. He said that the sanctions had driven up the energy prices in Europe.

Addressing the parliament, PM Orban criticised the EU sanctions on Russia and referring to the election in Italy, he said that the governments are falling apart in Europe amid the crisis.

He also said that the government must be prepared for the worst as there is a chance of prolonging the war.

Russia will use nuclear weapons to defend its territory: Dmitry Medvedev

The former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has said that any weapons in Moscow’s arsenal, including strategic nuclear weapons, could be used to defend territories incorporated into Russia from Ukraine.

He also said that referendums being organised in Ukrainian territory will take place and there is no going back and the protection of all the territories would be significantly strengthened by the Russian armed forces.

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin also warned that Moscow would use “all available means” to protect Russia’s “territorial integrity” as he moved to mobilise 300,000 reserve forces to fight in Ukraine.

Russia has announced that not only mobilisation of troops, but also any Russian weapons, including strategic nuclear weapons and weapons based on new principles could be used to defend its territory.

Ukrainians to hold a referendum to join Russia

Kyiv vows to use force against breakaway regions

Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions to hold a referendum from Sep 23-27

Ukrainians from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions have said that they will hold referendums on joining Russia from September 23 to 27.

Head of the Luhansk People’s Republic, Leonid Pasechnik was the first to sign a law on “holding a public referendum in the republic on the inclusion of the region into the Russian Federation,” after its parliament unanimously supported the move and set a date for the vote.

LPR’s decision was soon followed by Donetsk People’s Republic leader Denis Pushilin, who declared that his state would also be holding a similar referendum on the same date. Pushilin said he had already introduced the relevant legislation in the DPR’s parliament.

Pushilin also said that,“The long-suffering people of Donbas deserve to be part of the Great Country, which they always considered their Motherland.”

Donbas region was recognised as independent by Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly before sending troops to Ukraine in February.

The referendum will also be held in the southern Kherson region and the partly Russian-controlled Zaporizhia region.

The head of the Kherson region,Vladimir Saldo, said that the entry of the Kherson region into the Russian Federation will secure our territory and restore historical justice.He also said that it was a “necessary decision in the face of constant acts of terror by the armed forces of Ukraine and NATO member countries that supply weapons to kill civilians on our soil”.

The head of the Zaporizhia, Yevgeny Balitsky, also said that he has signed an order on the holding of a referendum on the territorial allegiance of the region from September 23 to 27.

Shortly after these announcement of referendum, the head of Russia’s parliament has also said that Moscow will support the regions joining Russia.

Meanwhile,It is believed that the annexation of Ukrainian regions into Russia would significantly escalate the war between Russia and Ukraine, as Kyiv has announced to use force against the breakaway regions.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk has said that any person who takes part in referendum could be sent to prison for up to 12 years.

Ukraine crisis could lead to collapse of EU: Alexis Tsipras

The Former prime minister and current leader of the opposition in Greece, Alexis Tsipras has said that the EU has been the second biggest loser apart from Ukraine in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Addressing the press conference he said, “The US is not losing, neither economically nor geostrategically. But the European Union is the one that has lost its position both economically and geostrategically in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

He added, “Economically, Russia is not losing either. The ruble has become one of the strongest currencies now.”

While expressing his solidarity with the people of Ukraine he said that EU must do everything to put an end to the war.Tsipras claimed that apart from innocent civilians the “biggest loser” is the European Union, which is in “turmoil,” and “clearly lacks leadership, vision, strategy.”

He also said that the EU need to re-evaluate the sanctions. He asked,“ Were the measures correct or are we shooting ourselves in the foot ?”
“Unless the EU defends its own interests it will face existential problems, he added.”

Gas flows to Europe won’t resume until sanctions lifted: Russia

The Kremlin has said that the Russian gas supplies to Europe will not resume until Western sanctions against Moscow are lifted.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said that sanctions were the sole reason behind Russia’s decision to shut the Nord Stream pipeline. Moscow initially said it was shutting the pipeline for maintenance.The Nord Stream pipeline is the single biggest gas pipeline carrying gas between Russian and western Europe.

EU officials have repeatedly accused Russia of intentionally reducing the flows in retaliation for Western sanctions. The United States has also accused Russia of using energy as a weapon, adding though that Europe will have enough gas to face the winter months.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU needs to step up plans for renewable energy products and to reform its electricity market.

Meanwhile, energy prices have hit new highs,forcing countries to accelerate their search for alternatives to Russian gas.

Russia accuses Ukraine of involvement in Darya Dugin’s murder

Russia has accused Ukraine’s special services of carrying out the car bombing in Darya Dugina’s murder.

The FSB said that Natalya Vovk, a Ukrainian citizen, committed the murder and then fled to Estonia.

Russia’s intelligence agency released CCTV footage and military ID of the alleged killer, saying she belongs to the Azov Regiment of Ukraine.

Alexander Dugin’s 29-year-old daughter died on Saturday when a remote-controlled explosive device planted in Dugin’s Toyota Land Cruiser detonated.

It is believed that the explosion was intended to kill Alexander Dugin, a Russian philosopher known as “Putin’s brain”.

NATO increases its presence in Kosovo

US troops have reportedly been sent to northern Kosovo after talks between the Serbian and Kosovo leaders collapsed

The NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) has increased its patrols of the northern part of the province amid ongoing tensions between Belgrade and Pristina.

Troops were deployed in significant numbers to two checkpoints at the border between Serbia and Kosovo, the reports said, adding that KFOR had vowed to “intervene” if necessary.

The move follows the collapse of talks between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Thursday.

“We would like to assure everyone that KFOR is ready to intervene, if necessary,” the NATO-led force said. The development comes just three days after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg vowed that the military bloc would take action if “stability” in Kosovo is jeopardized. He also urged “all sides” to “show restraint and avoid violence.” The NATO chief also met both Vucic and Kurti earlier this week.

Meanwhile,Moscow has accused the West of fueling the conflict between Belgrade and Pristina and pressuring Serbia to adopt anti-Russian sanctions supported by much of the continent.

Gazprom plans to shut down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline for three days

Russia’s state-owned gas company Gazprom will shut down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline for three days from August 31 to September 2, citing maintenance on the pipeline.

The closure of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline for three days is expected to further increase Europe’s energy disruptions. Following Gazprom’s announcement, European gas prices rose 7% to over $2,600 per thousand cubic meters.

According to a statement issued by Gazprom, the installation of turbines at a major compressor station along a pipeline connecting western Russia and Germany will be carried out jointly with experts from the German manufacturer, Siemens, according to the current maintenance contract.

According to Gazprom, five turbines need to be operated to pump gas at full capacity. This is the last one of the six turbines in the pipeline that was in operation. Due to sanctions imposed on Russia, a turbine brought to Canada for repair is currently stuck in Germany.

European Union countries have condemned this step of Russia as energy politics by Russia.

China to send troops to Russia for joint military exercises

Beijing’s Ministry of Defense said Chinese troops will travel to Russia to take part in joint military exercises starting later this month. India, Belarus, Mongolia and Tajikistan will also be involved in the Vostok military exercise.

Beijing and Moscow have close defence ties and China has said it wants to take bilateral ties to a “higher level” despite Moscow facing international sanctions and widespread condemnation over its February 24 attack on Ukraine.

A statement issued by China’s Ministry of Defense said, “The aim is to strengthen practical and friendly cooperation with the militaries of the participating countries, increase the level of strategic cooperation between the participating parties, and strengthen the ability to deal with various security threats”.

Relations between Russia and China have grown increasingly close under Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, and Beijing has come under pressure to oppose sanctions imposed by many Western countries over the war. Beijing said its decision to participate in the joint exercises was “irrelevant to the current international and regional situation”.

A year ago, Russia and China held joint military exercises in north-central China involving more than 10,000 troops. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu praised the exercise conducted in China’s Ningjia and suggested that it could be further developed.

In October, Russia and China held joint naval exercises in the Sea of ​​Japan..The Vostok exercise is the second joint military exercise by the Chinese and Russian forces this year.

Russia warns of ‘direct military clash’ with US

Russia has warned of a “direct military confrontation” with the US.

The Russian Embassy in the United States has warned that the behaviour of the United States on the world stage may lead to a direct conflict between the nuclear nations.

In a statement released by the embassy through its Telegram channel, the United States continued actions without regard for the security and interests of other countries may contribute to the threat of nuclear conflict.

The embassy also says that the US move to engage more in a hybrid confrontation with Russia in the context of the Ukrainian crisis has unexpectedly increased the direct military confrontation of the nuclear powers.

The statement also noted that the US had recently withdrawn from two major arms control treaties, the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which banned certain classes of land-based missiles, and the 1992 Open Skies Treaty, which allowed for surveillance flights over each other’s territories.

The embassy also urged the United States to take a closer look at its own nuclear policy instead of making baseless accusations against countries whose whose worldviews do not coincide with the American ones.

Diplomats of the embassy have said that we will faithfully fulfill our obligations as a nuclear weapons state and make every effort to reduce nuclear risks.

The embassy issued such a statement after the United States accused Moscow of using the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine as a cover for its soldiers. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia’s action “the height of irresponsibility”.

Refuting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement, Moscow said that its own artillery fire by the Ukrainian army had caused several fires and power outages in many places this month.

Russia initiated a UN Security Council meeting last week regarding the situation around the Zaporozhye power plant. Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect the nuclear power plant as soon as possible and said that Russia would fully cooperate with it.

Gas prices in Europe hit all-time high after Russia cut gas supplies

Gas prices rose after Russia cut gas supplies to Germany and other Central European countries.

European gas prices rose 2% to an all-time high after Russia invaded Ukraine. Critics have accused the Russian government of using gas as a political weapon. Similarly, Ukraine has accused Moscow of cutting gas supplies to spread terror among people.

On the other hand, Russian energy firm Gazprom has said that the gas supply has been reduced due to maintenance work on turbines.

China’s response to the proposed Russian oil embargo

China has opposed a bill introduced by US Senator Marco Rubio to punish Beijing for buying oil from Moscow.

Beijing opposed a proposal by US Senator Marco Rubio to ban any entity that buys oil or other energy supplies from Russia and delivers them to China. Speaking at a regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, “China has always been against unilateral and illegal sanctions that have no basis in international law.” He also said that the general economic and trade cooperation between China and Russia is not against any third party and it will not be affected by any kind of external interference. He also said that Senator Rubio, who knows no political ethics, wants to blame China for everything.

The anti-China proposal, introduced by Rubio along with fellow Republicans Rick Scott and Kevin Cramer, aims to punish any entity that insures or registers tankers carrying oil or liquefied natural gas from Russia to China.

Ukraine shows no desire to stick to preliminary peace deal: Putin

Russian President Putin has said, Ukraine has shown no desire to meet the terms of what he described as a preliminary peace deal reached in March.

Speaking on television after his visit to Iran, Putin said that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have offered to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. However, when asked about a possible meeting with Zelensky, he said Ukraine is not sticking to the terms of the initial peace deal that was “practically achieved” in March.

“The final outcome, of course,” he said, “depends on the will of the contracting parties to implement their agreement.” But Kiev seems to have no desire for a peace deal .”

Iran to start trading in Russian ruble


Iran’s foreign currency exchange starts trading in the riyal-ruble currency pair.

Iran’s official foreign exchange has listed the Russian currency and said it will begin trading in the ruble-riyal currency pair. The listing came ahead of President Putin’s visit to Tehran, and the head of Iran’s central bank described it as “an important step in the development of economic relations between Iran and Russia.”

Moscow had previously promised to phase out the use of the US dollar in its trade with Iran. Trade between the two countries has grown by 31% in the first four months of this year.

Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow and Tehran are preparing a major new cooperation agreement, saying that Russia and Iran are among the most sanctioned countries in the world and that both countries will work together to reduce the impact of international sanctions on the economy.

Britain to provide military training to Ukrainians


The United Kingdom has announced a new military program to train 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers.

In a statement, the UK said the first group of Ukrainian had arrived in the UK.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the use of world-class expertise by the British military would help Ukraine rebuild its military and increase resistance to defend its sovereignty and the right to choose its own future.

The training will also provide volunteers with no military experience to be effective in front-line combat. The training, based on basic British military training, will teach weapons handling, battlefield first aid, fieldcraft, patrol tactics and the rules of armed conflict.

This war is the beginning of the complete dissolution of American world order: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia is ready to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, but those who deny the possibility of talks and try to prolong the ongoing conflict will only make the situation worse.

President Putin has challenged those who say Russia has lost its grip on the Ukraine conflict can try and defeat us on the battlefield. He also said that those who think we are loosing our grip should know that we haven’t started anything yet.

Putin said it is a tragedy for the Ukrainian people that the West is willing to fight till the last Ukrainian. He also said that NATO had jeopardized Russia’s consistent efforts to create a fair international security system .

He said the West’s goal of provoking a conflict between Russia and Ukraine had clearly succeeded, but that Moscow’s launch of a military operation in Ukraine was a defeat of the West. He also said that the beginning of this war is the beginning of the complete dissolution of the American world order.

West Urges to remove Russia & Belarus from sports governing board

Western Countries have called on international sports federations to remove Russians and Belarusians involved in the Ukraine invasion from the sports governing board.

The 35 nations of the West and Japan and South Korea have issued a joint statement saying not to hold any international sports events in Russia or Belarus and ban their citizens from international competitions.

The statement also called for the suspension of Russian and Belarusian governing bodies by international sports federations.
Meanwhile, international governing bodies have banned Russia and Belarus from participating in the World Ice Hockey Championships.

Bulgaria to expel 70 Russian diplomats: Russia banned US president Biden’s wife and daughter from entering Russia

Bulgaria is set to expell 70 Russian diplomats. This will be the first time that so many diplomats have been expelled from the Balkans at once.

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said,”They are being expelled because our services have identified them as the people working against our interests.”

Meanwhile,Russia has also banned US President Biden’s wife Jill and daughter Yashley from entering Russia.Russia has previously banned hundreds of US diplomats from entering Russia, including US President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

EU Parliament votes in favour of Ukraine’s candidacy status


The European Parliament has adopted a resolution with 529 votes in favour to 45 against and 14 abstentions that calls on heads of state – who hold their summit on Thursday and Friday – to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova “without delay”.

They should do the same with Georgia “once its government has delivered” on the priorities indicated by the European Commission, the parliament said in a statement.

“Ukrainians, Moldovans and Georgians deserve to live in free, democratic and prosperous countries that are proud and committed members of the European family,” it added.

Aljazeera