Page 109 - Latest Updates on Ukraine peace talks

Russian President Putin signs new decree to boost troop numbers by 170,000

It reported that as per the new decree signed by Putin, the total number of people serving in the Russian Armed Forces has been set at 2,209,130, including 1,320,000 servicemen

Russia's Lavrov insists goals in Ukraine unchanged amid criticism

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday his government was not prepared to review its goals in Ukraine delivering a blunt and confrontational message to Western leaders on a rare trip to a NATO member state. We aren't seeing any signals from Kyiv or its masters about their readiness to seek any kind of political settlement, Lavrov told reporters while attending a security conference in North Macedonia. We see no reason to review our goals, he said. North Macedonia, which joined NATO in 2020, waived a flight ban on Russian officials so that Lavrov could attend the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, prompting the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to skip the meeting in protest. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a brief stop in North Macedonia's capital of Skopje before Lavrov arrived. Participants at the two-day conference accused Moscow of undermining the OSCE. The Vienna, Austria-based organisation originally created

President Zelenskyy faces manpower dilemma in Ukraine's stalled offensive

Kostenko, 40, who is also fighting in southern Ukraine, said the military is struggling after long queues at recruitment centers last year have dwindled, with volunteer fighters long at the front line

Russia attacked with 21 drones, 3 cruise missiles: Ukraine's Air Force

The Iranian-made Shahed drones were headed towards the Khmelnitskyi region, and the missiles for the southern parts of Ukraine, the air force said on the Telegram messaging app

Ukraine says Russian strikes hit coal mine, private homes; four killed

Three apartment buildings, two industrial enterprises, an administrative building, and vehicles were damaged. Power lines and a gas pipeline were also targeted

Baltic nations boycott OSCE meet over Russian foreign minister's attendance

The foreign ministers of the three Baltic states have said they will boycott a meeting by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe being held this week in North Macedonia, in objection to the participation of Russia's foreign minister. The foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania issued a joint statement on Tuesday saying they deeply regret the decision enabling the personal participation of Russia's Sergey Lavrov. It will only provide Russia with yet another propaganda opportunity. Lavrov said on Monday he planned to travel to Skopje for the OSCE foreign ministers' meeting, a trip which would mark his first visit to a NATO member country since Russia invaded Ukraine. In September, he was in New York to attend the United Nations' annual gathering of world leaders. The 57-nation OSCE was set up during the Cold War to help defuse tension between East and West. North Macedonia currently holds the organisation's rotating presidency and its foreign minister invit

Ukraine shipping more grain through Black Sea despite threat from Russia

Grain thunders into rail cars and trucks zip around a storage facility in central Ukraine, a place that growing numbers of companies turned to as they struggled to export their food to people facing hunger around the world. Now, more of the grain is getting unloaded from overcrammed silos and heading to ports on the Black Sea, set to traverse a fledgling shipping corridor launched after Russia pulled out of a UN-brokered agreement this summer that allowed food to flow safely from Ukraine during the war. It was tight, but we kept working we sought how to accept every ton of products needed for our partners, facility general director Roman Andreikiv said about the end of the grain deal in July. Ukraine's new corridor, protected by the military, has now allowed him to free up warehouse space and increase activity. Growing numbers of ships are streaming toward Ukraine's Black Sea ports and heading out loaded with grain, metals and other cargo despite the threat of attack and floating .

Russia puts Facebook owner Meta's spokesman Andy Stone on a wanted list

Russia has added the spokesman of US technology company Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, to a wanted list, according to an online database maintained by the country's interior ministry. Russian state agency Tass and independent news outlet Mediazona first reported that Meta communications director Andy Stone was included on the list Sunday, weeks after Russian authorities in October classified Meta as a "terrorist and extremist" organisation, opening the way for possible criminal proceedings against Russian residents using its platforms. The interior ministry's database doesn't give details of the case against Stone, stating only that he is wanted on criminal charges. Meta didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. According to Mediazona, an independent news website that covers Russia's opposition and prison system, Stone was put on the wanted list in February 2022, but authorities made no related statements at the time and no news media reported on the matter unti

India is diplomatically able to mediate in global conflicts: Amb Kamboj

India's strategic position enables it to engage with various power blocs constructively and its ability to navigate complex diplomatic waters showcases the country as a potential mediator in international conflicts, the country's envoy to the UN has said. "In an era marked by rapid changes and complex challenges, India emerges not just as a nation of immense diversity and cultural richness, but also as a key player on the international stage, embodying the principles of cooperation, peace and mutual respect, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said here. Kamboj delivered a special address on the topic India in the Emerging Global Order' at the India: The Next Decade' conference hosted by the Deepak and Neera Raj Center at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs last week. Kamboj said India's ancient philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' the world is one family - positions the country uniquely as a mediator and conciliator in

Russia launched largest drone attack since start of the invasion: Ukraine

Russia on Saturday morning launched its most intense drone attack on Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion in 2022, targeting the Ukrainian capital, military officials said. In total, Russia launched 75 Iranian-made Shahed drones against Ukraine, of which 74 were destroyed by air defences, Ukraine's air force said. Kyiv was the main target, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on his Telegram channel. The attack was the most massive air attack by drones on Kyiv, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv city administration. Ukrainian air force spokesman Yurii Ihnat confirmed later that the air defences shot down 66 air targets over the capital and surrounding region throughout the morning. At least five civilians were wounded in the hourslong assault, which saw several buildings damaged by falling debris from downed drones, including a kindergarten. The wounded included an 11-year-old child, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. In the city's Solomia

Russia launches 'largest drone attack' on Ukraine since start of invasion

Russia launched Saturday morning its most intense drone attack on Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion in 2022, targeting the Ukrainian capital, military officials said. Kyiv was the main target, wrote Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, on his Telegram channel. In total, Russia launched around 75 Iranian-made Shahed drones against Ukraine, of which 71 were destroyed by air defense, Ukraine's armed forces said. The attack was the most massive air attack by drones on Kyiv, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv city administration, noting that air defense shot down more than 60 air targets over the capital throughout the morning. The assault on Kyiv began at 4 am local time, continuing in waves for over six hours, and caused power outages in 77 residential buildings and 120 institutions, according to Popko. At least five civilians were wounded in the hours-long drone assault on Kyiv, which saw several buildings damaged, including a kindergarten. The wound

French foreign minister holds talks in China on climate and global tensions

France and China should work together to reduce global tensions and address issues such as climate change and biodiversity, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said on Friday. Colonna was on an official trip to Beijing ahead of a major UN climate conference starting next week in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and an EU-China leaders meeting next month. Her visit coincided with the start of a four-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war. "As big powers, we both share the responsibility to tackle global challenges .... and we can make concerted efforts in alleviating tensions around the world, she said at a meeting with Premier Li Qiang, China's No. 2 leader. Today's tensions range from the wars in Gaza and Ukraine to the competition between China and the YS over trade, technology and security. A delegation of Arab foreign ministers held talks in China and France in recent days as part of a series of meetings with permanent members of the UN Security Council to push for a cease-fire in

Russian consumers find themselves in a bind as high inflation persists

The shelves at Moscow supermarkets are full of fruit and vegetables, cheese and meat. But many of the shoppers look at the selection with dismay as inflation makes their wallets feel empty. Russia's Central Bank has raised its key lending rate four times this year to try to get inflation under control and stabilize the ruble's exchange rate as the economy weathers the effects of Russia's military operation in Ukraine and the Western sanctions imposed as a consequence. The last time it raised the rate to 15 per cent, doubled that from the beginning of the year the bank said it was concerned about prices that were increasing at an annualized pace of about 12 per cent. The bank now forecasts inflation for the full year, as well as next year, to be about 7.5 per cent. Although that rate is high, it may be an understatement. If we talk in percentage terms, then, probably, (prices) increased by 25 per cent. This is meat, staple products dairy produce, fruits, vegetables, sausages. My

Oil slips 1% to $81.11 a barrel on growing angst over delayed OPEC+ meeting

Producers - mainly a trio of African countries - were struggling to agree on output levels and hence possible reductions ahead of the meeting originally set for Nov. 26, OPEC+ sources said

Gaza Strip's loss of life equally shocking as that of Ukraine: Putin at G20

Acknowledging that what is happening in Ukraine is undoubtedly a "tragedy", Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said conflicts elsewhere, including in the Gaza Strip, are also "shocking" and urged the G20 nations to make efforts to end conflicts. Putin made these remarks while virtually addressing the G20 meeting hosted by India. Putin had skipped the in-person G20 summit in New Delhi in September, saying he had to focus on the "special military operation" in Ukraine. Russia's state-run Tass news agency reported that Putin's remarks came in the wake of the statements by some leaders who said they were shaken by the ongoing aggression in Ukraine. I understand that this war can't help but be shocking. But the bloody coup in Ukraine in 2014, which was followed by the Kiev regime's war against its own people in Donbass was that not shocking? And the extermination of civilians in Palestine, in the Gaza Strip now isn't that shocking? Putin said. Russia invaded Ukraine in ...

Ukrainians who fled nation for Israel find themselves living with war again

Tatyana Prima thought she'd left the bombs behind when she fled Ukraine more than a year and a half ago, after Russia decimated her city, Mariupol. The 38-year-old escaped with her injured husband and young daughter, bringing the family to safety in southern Israel. The calm she was slowly regaining shattered again on October 7, when Hamas militants invaded. All these sounds of war that we hear now, they sometimes work as a trigger that brings back memories of what we've gone through in Mariupol, she said. "It's hard feeling like that you're the one responsible for your child, the one who wants what's best for them, and in some way like you've failed them. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, more than 45,000 Ukrainians have sought refuge in Israel, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics and aid groups. Like Prima, most of them were slowly picking up the pieces of their lives and finding ways to cope when the war in Israel erupted. Now they are reliving their traum

US' Austin meets Zelensky in Ukraine to reaffirm support amid Israel crisis

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday in a high-profile push to keep money and weapons flowing to Ukraine even as U.S. and international resources are stretched by the new global risks raised by the Israel-Hamas conflict. Austin, who traveled to Kyiv by train from Poland, met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and was scheduled to meet with Chief of Staff Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi. In Kyiv, Austin said Ukraine's effort to defeat Russia's invasion matters to the rest of the world" and that U.S. support would continue for the long haul." Zelenskyy said Austin's visit was a very important signal for Ukraine. We count on your support, Zelenskyy said, thanking Congress as well as the American people for their backing. This is Austin's second trip to Kyiv, but he's making it under far different circumstances, as the world's attention is drawn to the Middle East and signs of fatigue set in with the almost 21-month ...

Lloyd Austin makes unannounced visit to Ukraine, to meet senior officials

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday in a high-profile push to keep money and weapons flowing to Ukraine even as US and international resources are stretched by the new global risks raised by the Israel-Hamas conflict. Austin, who traveled to Kyiv by train from Poland, is scheduled to meet with senior Ukrainian officials and publicly press Ukraine's urgent military needs as it enters another tough winter of fighting. This is Austin's second trip to Kyiv, but he's making it under far different circumstances. His first visit occurred in April 2022, just two months after Russia's large-scale invasion. At the time, Ukraine was riding a wave of global rage at Moscow's invasion, and Austin launched an international effort that now sees 50 countries meet monthly to coordinate on what weapons, training and other support could be pushed to Kyiv. But the conflict in Gaza could pull attention and resources from the Ukraine fight. The US has worked ...

'Waiting for the thank you': S Jaishankar on India softening oil markets

At an event in London, Jaishankar said that India's approach to oil purchases prevented a surge in global oil prices, preventing potential competition with Europe in the market

Record Russian budget to boost defence spending, shoring up Putin's support

Russia's State Duma took a step forward Wednesday towards approving its biggest-ever federal budget which will increase spending by around 25 per cent in 2024, with record amounts going on defence. Defence spending is expected to overtake social spending next year for the first time in modern Russian history, at a time when the Kremlin is keen to shore up support for President Vladimir Putin as Russia prepares for a presidential election in March. Record low unemployment, higher wages and targeted social spending should help the Kremlin ride out the domestic impact of pivoting the economy to a war footing, but could pose a problem in the long term, analysts say. The draft budget "is about getting the war sorted in Ukraine and about being ready for a military confrontation with the West in perpetuity, said Richard Connolly, an expert on Russia's military and economy at the Royal United Services Institute in London. This amounts to the wholesale remilitarisation of Russian society, h