Tag: Russia-Ukraine War

Regional Poll Highlights Moldova’s Shaky Position between EU and Russia

Moldova’s semi-autonomous Gagauzia region this week confirmed the election of a pro-Russia leader who supports closer ties with Moscow. “We want further friendship with the Russian Federation and friendship with other countries,” Evghenia Gutul told reporters after being elected as the region’s “bashkan” (leader) on May 14. But unlike Gutul and her pro-Russian Sor Party,…


Russia Has ‘Intent and Ability’ to Target Undersea Infrastructure Warns Defence Secretary

There is no doubt Russia has “the intent and the ability” to target undersea energy and communication lines, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said. He made the comments as Britain agreed with Norway to increase cooperation on undersea capabilities, including countering threats to undersea infrastructure. At a press conference alongside Norwegian Defence Minister Bjorn Arild…


South Korea Agrees to Provide Ukraine With $130 Million Financial Aid

South Korea has agreed to provide Ukraine with $130 million in financial aid after the Ukrainian first lady requested humanitarian assistance from the government amid the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine. Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho and his Ukrainian counterpart, Yulia Svyrydenko, signed a preliminary agreement on the package during a meeting in Seoul on May…


Australia Slaps Fresh Sanctions, Export Bans on Russia

Australia has imposed fresh sanctions against Russia and the country’s entities, as well as an export ban on machinery and related parts. The new financial sanctions target 21 entities, including subsidiaries of the state-owned atomic energy corporation Rosatom, which took over a Ukrainian nuclear power plant. Russia’s largest petroleum and gold companies, Rosneft and Polyus,…


Pentagon Says It Accidentally Overvalued US Military Aid to Ukraine by $3 Billion

Military aid, including weapons and ammunition, sent by the United States to Ukraine was overestimated by at least $3 billion owing to an accounting mistake by the Pentagon, Defense Department officials have said. “During our regular oversight process of presidential drawdown packages, the Department discovered inconsistencies in equipment valuation for Ukraine,” said Pentagon deputy press…


G7 Summit Gets Underway in Hiroshima With Fresh Sanctions on Russia

HIROSHIMA, Japan—The war in Ukraine takes center stage at this year’s Group of Seven (G-7) summit, with leaders planning to introduce new sanctions “to continue tightening the screws on Russia” as they begin their three-day meeting in Hiroshima. The G7 leaders are expected to issue a strong declaration of “unity, strength, and commitment” in reaction…


Cruz Suggests Biden Admin’s Russia-Ukraine Policy Hampered By Focus on Securing Iran Nuclear Deal

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) railed on May 17 at what he said was the Biden administration approaching the Russia-Ukraine conflict through the goal of achieving a nuclear deal with Iran. Since last year, indirect nuclear talks between the United States and Iran have been indefinitely suspended. The United States withdrew from the 2015 deal, formally…


Russia Orders Arrest of Prominent Producer, Director Who Criticized Ukraine War

TALLINN, Estonia—A Moscow court has ordered the arrest of prominent film producer Alexander Rodnyansky and theater director Ivan Vyrypaev for “spreading false information” about the Russian army. The initial court hearings against Rodnyansky and Vyrypaev were held on April 27, but not reported by the court until Wednesday. According to the court’s press service, Rodnyansky…


Putin, Zelenskyy Agree to Meet With ‘African Leaders Peace Mission,’ Says South Africa President

CAPE TOWN, South Africa—Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have agreed to separate meetings with a delegation of leaders from six African countries to discuss a possible plan to end the war in Ukraine, South Africa’s president said Tuesday. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he spoke with Putin and Zelenskyy by…


Russia Agrees to Extend Ukraine Grain Deal in a Boost for Global Food Security

ANKARA, Turkey—Russia agreed to a two-month extension of a deal that has allowed Ukraine to ship grain through the Black Sea to parts of the world struggling with hunger, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Wednesday, a boost to global food security after the war drove up prices. Turkey and the U.N. brokered the breakthrough…