Page 53 - Ukraine

Ukraine will find war solutions no matter who wins US election: Defence min

Ukraine will find a way to battle Russia's invading forces even if former President Donald Trump wins a second term and imperils vital US support for its defence, Ukraine's defence minister said Wednesday. In carefully framed comments to an audience of US policymakers and journalists, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov reflected the diplomatic and military difficulty facing Ukraine as Trump and running mate JD Vance gain momentum in the US presidential race. Vance, an Ohio senator, has battled in Congress to block US military and financial aid to Ukraine as it fights Russian forces and cross-border attacks, while Trump has said he will bring the war to an immediate end if he wins in November. Trump, a Republican, has not said how he would do that. Analysts say that could include withdrawal of US aid to Ukraine unless it agrees to a cease-fire on Russian terms, including surrendering Ukrainian territory to Russia. We believe in US leadership, and we believe America wants its partners an

Ukraine faces twin challenges of fighting Russia, shifting US politics

After almost 30 months of war with Russia, Ukraine's difficulties on the battlefield are mounting even as its vital support from the United States is increasingly at the mercy of changing political winds. A six-month delay in military assistance from the US, the biggest single contributor to Ukraine, opened the door for the Kremlin's forces to push on the front line. Ukrainian troops are now fighting to check the slow but gradual gains by Russia's bigger and better-equipped army. The next two or three months are going to be probably the hardest this year for Ukraine, military analyst Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment said in a recent podcast. Lurking in the background is another nagging worry for Ukraine: how long will Western political and military support critical for its fight last? On Monday, former President Donald Trump chose Sen. JD Vance of Ohio as his running mate for the Republican ticket in November's U.S. election, and Vance wants the United States to attend to

Amid Ukraine war, Russia upgraded to 'high-income' nation; here's why

Thriving in a war economy: Amid heavy sanctions, Russia's economy defied expectations, achieving a high-income status for the first time since 2014, according to the World Bank

Shelling kills 4 in Ukraine; drone attack ignites fire at Russian oil depot

Russian shelling of Ukraine killed four people on Saturday, officials said, as the two countries exchanged drone attacks, one of which set ablaze a Russian oil depot. Two people died in Ukraine's partly occupied Kherson region and two were wounded in the attack close to the regional capital, said Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin. Two other people died Saturday afternoon and 16 were wounded in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, according to Gov. Oleh Syniehubov. An oil depot in the Tsimlyansky district, deep inside Russia's southwestern Rostov region, was set ablaze in the early hours of Saturday following a Ukrainian drone attack the latest long-range strike by Kyiv's forces on a border region. Ukraine has in recent months stepped up aerial assaults on Russian soil, targeting refineries and oil terminals in an effort to slow down the Kremlin's war machine. Moscow's army is pressing hard along the front line in eastern Ukraine, where a shortage of troops and ammunition in the third year

Ukraine's Zelenskyy takes his case for military aid to US state governors

Away from Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought to broaden support for US military aid by telling state governors Friday the world's leaders should see for themselves the carnage wrought since Russia invaded his country more than two years ago. Zelenskyy's plea at the National Governors Association summer meeting in Salt Lake City came days after NATO leaders met in the US capital and pledged more help for Ukraine. The only thing we ask for is sufficient support air defence systems for our cities, weapons for our men and women on the frontline, support in protecting normal life and rebuilding, Zelenskyy told the governors. This is all we need to withstand and drive Russia from our land and to send a strong signal to all other potential aggressors which are watching. NATO members this week agreed to a new programme to provide reliable military aid to Ukraine and prepare for its eventual membership in the alliance. They declared Ukraine was on an irreversible .

US official asks India to play a constructive role for peace in Ukraine

India, as a critical security provider globally, must play a constructive role in ensuring peace in Ukraine and providing it with the impetus to be able to negotiate with Russia, a senior US official has said. Liam Wasley, Director of the Office of European Security and Political Affairs at the US State Department said this, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile visit to Moscow and his meeting with President Vladimir Putin, including on the Ukraine conflict. Wasley said Indians should understand how much of a threat President Putin and his country are to America's European allies and the NATO alliance. It has also been a very jarring direct threat to the security of a billion members of democracies, Wasley told PTI in an interview. I think that the Indian people can recognise how that is impacting the understanding and the approach of our NATO allies. It's really important for India to be playing a constructive role in ensuring a just peace for Ukraine and providin

Nato summit was about Ukraine, Prez Joe Biden: All you need to know

NATO leaders met this week to celebrate the alliance's 75th anniversary under the cloud of deep political uncertainty in its most powerful member the United States. But even as questions swirled about President Joe Biden's future and the implications of a possible return to the White House by NATO sceptic Donald Trump, the 32 allies put a brave face on their strength and unity going forward, particularly in relation to Ukraine. Over three days in Washington, Ukraine, Russia, the threat posed by an increasingly aggressive China and NATO's future dominated the formal summit discussions, although all eyes were on Biden. He hoped to use the summit as a symbol of his strength as leader of the free world as he struggles to salvage his reelection campaign. Biden is facing growing calls to withdraw after a poor debate performance against Trump last month. Here are key takeaways from the summit: Biden gets some slack Biden stunned the audience at a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on

India abstains from UNGA resolution urging Russia to cease its aggression

India has abstained in the UN General Assembly on a resolution that demanded that Russia immediately cease its aggression against Ukraine and urgently withdraw its military and other unauthorised personnel from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The 193-member UN General Assembly adopted the resolution on Thursday with 99 votes in favour, nine against and 60 abstentions, including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Egypt, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Those voting against the resolution included Belarus, Cuba, North Korea, Russia and Syria. The resolution titled Safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant' demanded that Russia immediately cease its aggression against Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. It also demanded that Russia urgently withdraw its military and other unauthorised personnel

China hits out at Nato for branding it as 'decisive enabler' of Ukraine war

China on Thursday hit out at NATO for terming it as a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war against Ukraine, lodging a diplomatic protest to the Western alliance for the "provocative" remarks and asking it not to bring the same "chaos" to Asia. The China-related paragraphs in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's Washington summit declaration are "biased, provocative and aimed at vilifying" Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing here. "We strongly deplore it and firmly oppose it and lodged a serious representation, (diplomatic protest) to NATO," Lin said. He also lashed out at the NATO Asia-Pacific push, saying the organisation is strengthening ties with China's neighbours and US allies trying to seek security at the expense of others and asked it not to bring the same "chaos" to Asia. NATO's Asia Pacific strategy has damaged China's interests, he said and urged it to stop interfering in its internal affairs. China will firmly safeguard its ...

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Nato pledges $43 bn military aid, F-16s to Ukraine, eyes membership path

Moreover, the Nato communique also strengthened past language on China, calling it a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war effort in Ukraine

Russian attack on Kyiv's hospital complicates cancer treatment of kids

The National Cancer Institute in Kyiv was busier than usual after a Russian missile struck Ukraine's largest children's hospital this week, forcing the evacuation of dozens of its young patients battling cancer. Russia's heaviest bombardment of the Ukrainian capital in four months severely damaged Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital on Monday, terrorizing families and severely impacting their children already battling life-threatening diseases. Now, some families face a dilemma of where to continue their children's treatment. Oksana Halak only learned about her 2-year-old son Dmytro's diagnosis - acute lymphoblastic leukemia - at the beginning of June. She immediately decided to have him treated at Okhmatdyt, because it is one of the best hospitals in Europe. She and Dmytro were in the hospital for his treatment when sirens blared across the city. They couldn't run to the shelter as the little boy was on an IV. It is vitally important not to interrupt these IVs, Halak said. After the fi

New UK PM Starmer offers strong support for Ukraine at Nato summit

Newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is making his maiden appearance on the international stage with a strong signal of support for Ukraine as he attends the NATO summit in Washington. After he and other European leaders met American lawmakers, Starmer sat down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday. They embraced and leaned in close, smiling, before holding private talks. Afterward, he reaffirmed Britain's full-throated backing for Kyiv as it battles Russia's invasion. Starmer said he and his new Labour government would use our opportunity here with our allies to make sure that that support is agreed by NATO's members. As he arrived for the summit, Starmer added that it was also important for him to "reinforce, in a sense as a message to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, the resolve of NATO bigger now than it's ever been, more united than it's ever been and absolutely clear-eyed about the threat of Russian aggression. Starmer will also meet one o

India, Austria back any efforts for peaceful resolution to Ukraine conflict

India and Austria on Wednesday supported any collective effort to facilitate a "peaceful resolution" consistent with international law and the UN Charter to the Ukraine conflict and said that achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace in the eastern European country requires bringing together all stakeholders. A joint statement issued after the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer here said the two leaders exchanged in-depth assessments of recent developments in Europe as well as West Asia. The two leaders underscored the importance of democratic countries such as India and Austria working together to contribute to international and regional peace and prosperity. Modi arrived in Vienna from Moscow on Tuesday night after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Nehammer "exchanged in-depth assessments of recent developments in Europe as well as West Asia/Middle East. They noted the complementarities in

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Ukraine can use UK missiles to strike inside Russia, says PM Starmer

Starmer agreed that it was up to Ukraine how it used the Storm Shadow missiles donated by the UK

Nato to set up new military command in Germany to train Ukraine forces

US official noted that Russia's defence industry is on a wartime footing and with help from Iran, China, North Korea, and is attempting to undertake the most significant defence expansion

Unsure of Trump's actions if re-elected in US elections: Zelenskiy

Zelenskiy, speaking in Washington as world leaders gather for this week's Nato summit, said he hoped Trump would not quit the 75-year-old Nato alliance

Make no mistake, Russia is failing in this war, says Prez Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced a historic donation of air-defence equipment for Ukraine and said Russia is failing in this war. Welcoming leaders of NATO member countries for the historic summit on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, Biden said the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy will provide Ukraine with the equipment for five additional strategic air-defence systems. In the coming months, the US and its partners intend to provide Ukraine with dozens of additional tactical air-defence systems, he said, adding that the US will make sure that when "we export critical air-defence interceptors, Ukraine goes to the front of the line". "They will get this assistance before anyone else gets it. All told, Ukraine will receive hundreds of additional interceptors over the next year, helping protect Ukrainian cities against Russian missile and Ukrainian troops facing air attacks on their front lines," Biden said. "Make no mistake, Russia is failing i

Nato pledges dozens of air-defense systems to Ukraine, including 4 Patriots

The US and an array of other NATO allies will send Ukraine dozens of air-defence systems in the coming months, including at least four of the powerful Patriot systems that Kyiv has been desperately seeking to help fight off Russian advances in the war, according to a new joint agreement. President Joe Biden announced the broader commitment when he spoke on Tuesday at the opening of the NATO summit in Washington. According to the statement, the US, Germany and Romania will send Ukraine additional Patriot batteries, while the Netherlands and others will provide Patriot components to make up one more battery. Italy will provide a SAMP-T air-defence system. Other allies, including Canada, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom, will provide a number of other systems that will help Ukraine expand its coverage. Those systems include NASAMS, HAWKs, IRIS T-SLM, IRIS T-SLS and Gepards. And other nations have agreed to provide munitions for those systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky