Tag: Russia

Finland in ‘historic’ decision to supply arms to Ukraine

Finland has taken the “historic” decision to supply weapons to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of its pro-Western neighbour, the country’s government announced Monday. Helsinki will send 1,500 rocket-launchers, 2,500 assault rifles, 150,000 rounds of ammunition, and 70,000 servings of field rations, said Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen. “It is a historic decision for Finland,” Prime Minister Sanna Marin told reporters. Finland is a member of the European Union but not of NATO, although it does have […]

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EU dampens Ukraine plea for ‘immediate’ membership

by Marc BURLEIGH The EU on Monday poured cold water on a plea from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for “immediate” membership to the bloc for his country as Kyiv battled a Russian invasion. EU officials stressed that the adherence procedure takes years, dampening Ukraine’s hopes that suddenly becoming part of the European club could help it better weather the Russian onslaught and speed up military, financial and political support. Several officials walked back a comment […]

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Russia bans residents from transferring money abroad: Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday banned residents from transferring money abroad as part of measures to prop up the ruble which has plummeted in value as a result of Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A decree signed by Putin also said that exporters would be required to hold at least 80 percent of revenue in rubles in a move to prop up the Russian economy. jbr/spm   © Agence France-Presse

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Moscow, Kyiv plan ‘second round’ of conflict talks

  Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia will return to their capital cities for consultations and have plans for fresh talks, both sides announced Monday after meeting for their first talks since the outbreak of war last week. “The delegations are returning to their capitals for consultations and have discussed the possibility of meeting for a second round of negotiations soon,” Ukrainian negotiator Mikhailo Podolyak said. “We agreed to keep the negotiations going,” the Russian delegation […]

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Ukraine invasion getting ‘more and more ruthless’: EU

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is becoming increasingly merciless, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday, as strikes were reported on residential areas. “The Russian military campaign is becoming more and more ruthless and Ukrainian armed forces are fighting back with courage,” Borrell told journalists. “There are a lot of civilian casualties… and the flow of people looking for shelter, escaping the war is increasing.” The EU on Sunday unveiled a 450-million-euro ($500-million) package to […]

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IOC calls for ban on Russians from world sport

The International Olympic Committee on Monday urged sports federations and organisers to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from international events following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The recommendation could trigger further announcements with FIFA in “advanced discussions” to expel Russia from the 2022 World Cup, a source with knowledge of the talks told AFP. Russia are due to take part in the play-offs next month, but plans to play on neutral territory were dismissed […]

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Russian army says Ukraine civilians can ‘freely’ leave Kyiv

  KYIV, Ukraine (AFP) — The Russian army said Monday that Ukrainian civilians could “freely” leave the country’s capital Kyiv and claimed its airforce dominated Ukraine’s skies as its invasion entered a fifth day. “All civilians in the city can freely leave the Ukrainian capital along the Kyiv-Vasylkiv highway. This direction is open and safe,” Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in televised remarks. Vasylkiv is located to the southwest of Kyiv. Konashenkov hinted […]

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Over 100 civilians killed in Ukraine war, including seven children: UN

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The UN human rights chief said Monday at least 102 civilians, including seven children, had been killed in Ukraine since Russia invaded five days ago, warning true numbers could be far higher. Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, Michelle Bachelet said her office had recorded 406 civilian casualties in Ukraine, including 102 deaths, since Russia began its full-scale attack last Thursday. “Most of these civilians were killed by explosive weapons […]

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Ukraine demands ‘immediate ceasefire’, Russian withdrawal

KIEV, Ukraine (AFP) – Ukraine demanded an immediate Russian ceasefire and troop withdrawal on Monday as its delegation arrived in Belarus for talks with Russian negotiators on the fifth day of the Kremlin’s offensive. Ukraine’s delegation is set to meet Russian representatives for the first talks since Moscow’s invasion, as the fighting for several Ukrainian cities continues and the Russian ruble collapses. The meeting will take place just across the border in neighbouring Belarus, a […]

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Russia’s central bank hikes key rate to 20 percent

  MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Russia’s central bank announced Monday it was raising its key interest rate to 20 percent from 9.5 percent as the West pummelled the country with sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. “The Bank of Russia’s board of directors has decided to raise the key rate to 20 percent,” the central bank said in a statement. It said it was taking the emergency measure because the Russian economy’s situation had “drastically […]

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Rare UN General Assembly session to have say on Russia

  UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — Russia will find out just how isolated it is on the world stage Monday as the United Nations holds a rare emergency special session of the General Assembly to discuss whether to condemn Moscow’s attack on Ukraine. All 193 members will have their say as the global body decides if it will support a resolution condemning Russia’s “unprovoked armed aggression” in Ukraine and demand its immediate withdrawal. It is only […]

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US-Russia tensions spill into space, but ISS safe — for now

by Issam AHMED Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (AFP) – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has placed a question mark over the future of the International Space Station, long a symbol of post Cold War cooperation, where astronauts and cosmonauts proudly live and work side-by-side. The outpost was the subject of a menacing Twitter thread by Russian space agency head Dmitry Rogozin, who warned Thursday that US sanctions could “destroy our cooperation” and said the […]

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