Page 122 - Latest Updates on Ukraine peace talks

Global recession, crisis due to Russia-Ukraine conflict led to fall in FDI

Threat of a global recession, economic crisis triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war and dip in the real GDP growth rate of countries like Singapore, the US and UK are some of the reasons for FDI decline in India in 2022-23, Parliament was informed on Friday. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into India declined 22 per cent to USD 46 billion in 2022-23, dragged by lower inflows in computer hardware and software, and automobile industry. Total FDI, which includes equity inflows, reinvested earnings and other capital, also declined 16 per cent to USD 70.97 billion in the last fiscal as against USD 84.83 billion in 2021-22. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash said the major reasons for shortfall in FDI in 2022-23 include a tighter financial environment and a string of financial crises in global markets in general and developing markets in particular besides the economic crisis due to Russia-Ukraine conflict. "Post pandemic, countri

Russia aims missiles at Ukraine's farm storage after days of hitting ports

Russian cruise missiles, flying low and hugging the terrain to dodge Ukrainian air defences, destroyed farm storage buildings in the Odesa region early Friday, Ukrainian officials said, as the Kremlin's forces expanded their targets following three days of bombardment of the region's Black Sea port infrastructure. Two missiles struck the storage facility, starting a fire, and while workers fought to put it out another missile hit, destroying farm and firefighting equipment, the southern Odesa region's Gov. Oleh Kiper said. The attack injured two people and destroyed 100 metric tons of peas and 20 metric tons of barley, according to Kiper. The attack was small-scale in comparison with barrages in recent days that put Odesa in Russia's crosshairs after Moscow tore up a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain through the key Black Sea port. Russia targeted Ukrainian critical grain export infrastructure after vowing to retaliate for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge betwe

Poland to move soldiers to east of country over Wagner risks: Report

On Thursday, the Belarusian defence ministry said Wagner mercenaries had started to train Belarusian special forces at a military range just a few miles from the border with NATO-member Poland

US imposes new sanctions to cut Russia's access to war supplies, revenue

The US on Thursday imposed sanctions on roughly 120 firms and people from Russia to the United Arab Emirates to Kyrgyzstan in an effort to choke off Moscow's access to products, money and financial channels that support its invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions imposed by the Treasury and State departments target dozens of Russian mining, technology and munitions firms and commercial banks. In addition, a group of Kyrgyzstan-based electronics firms and its leadership were targeted as exporters of components and other technology to Russia. A UAE-based engineering company that sent dozens of shipments of electronics to Russia was also sanctioned. The latest sanctions build on those imposed on Russia when the US and other Group of Seven nations rolled out a wave of global actions during a Japan summit in May. Since Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States, working with our allies and partners, has taken unprecedented steps to impose costs on Russia and promot

Russia imposes travel restrictions on British diplomats amid Ukraine war

Russia on Thursday imposed travel restrictions on most British diplomats in the country, a practice reminiscent of the Soviet Union's tight control over the movement of foreigners. The Foreign Ministry summoned UK charge d'affaires Tom Dodd to announce the policy, saying it was a response to the hostile actions of London, including hindering the normal functioning of Russian overseas missions in the UK. The ministry also said it upbraided Dodd for the UK's support of the terrorist actions of the Kyiv regime. Britain is among the countries most strongly supporting Ukraine in the fighting with Russia. Under the restrictions, most UK diplomatic personnel will be required to give Russia five days' notice of intent to travel out a 120-kilometer (75-mile) radius and to state the purpose of the trip, the route, accommodations and planned contacts. The ambassador, the consuls in Moscow and the deputy chief of mission are exempt from the order.

After outlier record high global diesel cracks in 2022, margins plunge

A crash in global cracks in April-June this year will shrink profits of refiners when compared with the outlier period of last year, an analysis of data and industry experts said

Top rice exporter India bans most shipments as late monsoon hits crop

India accounts for more than 40% of world rice exports but low inventories mean any cut in shipments will fuel food prices driven up by Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year and erratic weather

After outlier record high global diesel cracks in 2022, margins plunge

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year pushed diesel and petrol cracks to record in the following quarter, giving oil refiners globally unprecedented profits but they have crashed this year, denting refiners' profits. A crash in global cracks in April-June this year will shrink profits of refiners when compared with the outlier period of last year, an analysis of data and industry experts said. Rising demand, low inventories and oil market disruption centered around Russia's invasion of Ukraine pushed cracks -- the differential between a barrel of crude oil (raw material) and the petroleum products refined from it -- upwards starting March last year. Diesel cracks shot to over USD 30 per barrel and petrol inched closer to USD 20 and the upward trajectory continued in April-June quarter. Diesel cracks in June last year soared to USD 74.95 a barrel while petrol cracks neared USD 42. Jet fuel cracks soared to USD 62. An analysis of data for past five years showed petrol ..

Pakistan is not providing weapons to Ukraine: Foreign Minister Bilawal

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday said that Pakistan was not supplying weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, as he called for a peaceful resolution of hostilities between Russia and the eastern European country. Bilawal made the remarks at a joint press appearance with Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba after the two held detailed talks on matters of mutual and bilateral interests. He said the two sides discussed the situation in Ukraine and Pakistan shared with the foreign minister "our deep concern at the prevailing situation and offered our condolences on the loss of precious lives and immense human suffering". Responding to a query, Bilawal said that "Pakistan is not providing any weapons to Ukraine". Bilawal also said that Pakistan believed that prolonged conflict brings immense hardship and suffering to the civilian populations and hoped that peace would prevail so that the people of Ukraine and Russia can enjoy peace dividends. "In our meeting, I emphasised

Pakistan is not providing weapons, ammunition to Ukraine: Bilawal Bhutto

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday said that Pakistan was not supplying weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, as he called for a peaceful resolution of hostilities between Russia and the eastern European country. Bilawal made the remarks at a joint press appearance with Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba after the two held detailed talks on matters of mutual and bilateral interests. He said the two sides discussed the situation in Ukraine and Pakistan shared with the foreign minister "our deep concern at the prevailing situation and offered our condolences on the loss of precious lives and immense human suffering". Responding to a query, Bilawal said that "Pakistan is not providing any weapons to Ukraine". Bilawal also said that Pakistan believed that prolonged conflict brings immense hardship and suffering to the civilian populations and hoped that peace would prevail so that the people of Ukraine and Russia can enjoy peace dividends. "In our meeting, I emphasised

Wagner mercenaries, Belarus hold military exercises near Poland's border

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was shown in a video on Wednesday welcoming his fighters to Belarus, telling them they would take no further part in the Ukraine war for now

At least 21 injured in third night of Russian air attacks against Ukraine

A third night of Russian air attacks targeted Ukraine's southern cities, including the port city of Odesa, and wounded at least 21 people, Ukrainian officials said Thursday. At least 19 people were injured in Mykolaiv, a southern city close to the Black Sea, the region's Governor Vitalii Kim said in a statement on Telegram. Russian strikes destroyed several floors of a three-story building and caused a fire that affected an area of 450 square meters (4,800 square feet) and burned for hours. Kim said two people were hospitalised, including a child. In the port city of Odesa, at least two were injured following a Russian air attack that damaged buildings in the city center and caused a fire affecting an area of 300 square meters (3200 square feet), said Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper. The attacks come one day after an intense Russian bombardment using drones and missiles damaged critical port infrastructure in Odesa, including grain and oil terminals. The attack destroyed at least 60,000

What has become of Western carmakers' Russia assets after Ukraine invasion

Here is an overview of the fate of foreign carmakers' assets in Russia

Russia strikes Ukraine's port facilities in Odesa after halting grain deal

Russia unleashed intense drone and missile attacks overnight Wednesday, damaging critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, including grain and oil terminals, and wounding at least 12 people, officials said. The bombardment crippled significant parts of export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain, according to Ukraine's Agriculture Ministry. It came days after President Vladimir Putin pulled Russia out of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a wartime deal that enabled Ukraine's exports to reach many countries facing the threat of hunger. It also followed a vow by Putin to retaliate against Kyiv for an attack Monday on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin illegally annexed in 2014. Putin said Wednesday that Russia could return to the deal if the West offers Russian banks involved in servicing payments for the country's agricultural exports an immediate access to the SWIF

Russia preparing for attacks on civilian ships in Black Sea: White House

Days after Russia suspended participation in a wartime deal that allowed grain to flow from Ukraine to countries around the world, the White House on Wednesday warned that the Russian military is preparing for possible attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea. Since leaving the Black Sea Grain Deal this week, Russia has already struck Ukraine's grain export ports in Odesa with missile and drone attacks. Some 60,000 tons of grain were destroyed in the attacks. "Our information indicates that Russia laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports," White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said in a statement. "We believe that this is a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and lay blame on Ukraine for these attacks." The Russian Defense Ministry has declared international waters in northwestern and southeastern parts of the Black Sea "temporarily dangerous" for shipping. That followed Ukraine's .

US approves $1.3 billion package of long-term military aid for Ukraine

The Pentagon announced a new USD 1.3 billion package of long-term military aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, including four air defense systems and an undisclosed number of drones. The new assistance comes on the heels of a meeting Tuesday by defense and military leaders from around the globe to discuss ongoing efforts to give Ukraine the weapons it needs in its battle to retake territory seized by Russian forces. Included in the aid, which is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, will be funding for four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS, and munitions for them, as well as Phoenix Ghost and Switchblade drones. Unlike the presidential drawdown authority that the Pentagon has used repeatedly over the past 17 months to pull weapons from its own stocks and quickly ship them to Ukraine, the USAI-funded equipment could take a year or two to get to the battlefront. As a result, this new package will do little to help Ukraine in its current ..

India's imports of sunflower oil to fall as Black Sea grain deal expires

The drop in sunflower oil imports would force the world's biggest buyer of vegetable oils to increase purchases of palm oil and soyoil to compensate

Russia launches intense attacks across Ukraine, targets southern port city

Russia launched an intense series of night-time air attacks sending drones and missiles toward places across Ukraine, and targeting the southern port city of Odesa for a second night in a row, Ukrainian officials said Wednesday. Meanwhile, Russian emergency officials in Crimea said that over 2,200 people were evacuated from four villages because of a fire at a military facility. The fire also caused the closure of an important highway, according to Sergey Aksyonov, the Russia-appointed head of the region, which was annexed in 2014. He did not specific a cause for the fire at the facility in Kirovsky district, which came two days after an attack on a bridge linking Russia to the peninsula that the Kremlin has blamed on Ukraine. A difficult night of air attacks for all of Ukraine, said Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration in a statement on Telegram. Ukrainian authorities reported more drones and missiles sent against more parts of Ukraine than in recent ...

India at UN urges immediate return to dialogue, diplomacy in Ukraine war

The permanent representative further added, We have consistently advocated that no solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives

Russia targets Ukraine's Odesa, day after halting grain export deal

Ukrainian forces shot down scores of exploding drones and six cruise missiles from a pre-dawn Russian attack on the port of Odesa on Tuesday, Ukrainian authorities said, a day after Moscow broke off a deal that had allowed Kyiv to ship vital grain supplies from the Black Sea city during the war. The Russians first sought to wear down Ukraine's air defenses with the drones and then targeted Odesa with six Kalibr cruise missiles, the Ukrainian military's Southern Command said. All six missiles and 25 drones were shot down by air defences in the Odesa region and other areas in the south but their debris and shock waves damaged some port facilities and a few residential buildings, injuring an elderly man at his home, officials said. Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, said the attack showed the Kremlin is ready to endanger the lives of millions of people around the world who need Ukrainian grain exports. Hunger is a growing threat in Africa, the Middle East and Asi