Page 54 - Ukraine

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 ...

News updates: Supreme Court to deliver judgment on Arvind Kejriwal's challenge to ED arrest on Fri

From PM Modi's pre-Budget meeting to RBI's retain inflation estimate for June, catch latest news updates from across the world here

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

News updates: India has given Buddha to the world, not war, says PM to Indians in Austria

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Austria visit to Mumbai's hit-and-run case, and from Bihar's bridge collapse to bypolls in seven states, catch all the latest news updates here

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

World can't wait for US election to take action to repel Putin: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the world must not wait for November to drive back Russia's offensive against his country. Zelenskyy made the remarks while attending this week's summit of NATO leaders in Washington. He said the world was waiting to see what would happen in November, when voters are expected to decide between incumbent President Joe Biden and Republican opponent Donald Trump. But he said there needed to be action before then to defeat Russian President Vladimir Putin in his war against Ukraine. Zelenskyy has proven to be an adept navigator of international relations in defence of his war-ravaged country, publicly cajoling and sometimes loudly complaining to get the military assistance it needs to defend itself against Russia's invasion. But, as he attends the NATO summit, his most coveted prize -- membership in the military alliance -- remains elusive. The European and North American countries making up NATO are in no hurry to admit Ukraine, especially

Zelenskyy adept at pushing for Ukraine aid, Nato membership still elusive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proven to be an adept navigator of international relations in defense of his country, publicly cajoling and sometimes loudly complaining to get the military assistance his war-ravaged country needs to defend itself against Russia's invasion. But, as he attends this week's summit of NATO leaders in Washington, his most coveted prize membership in the military alliance remains elusive. The European and North American countries making up NATO are in no hurry to admit Ukraine, especially while it is engaged in active hostilities with Russia that could drag them into a broader war. Zelenskyy, who was feted as a champion of democracy in Washington in the aftermath of Russia's 2022 invasion but was forced to plead his case for aid to US lawmakers just last year, will find himself once again in the American capital as bridesmaid. At the NATO summit, he'll be trying to navigate a tumultuous American political landscape as President Joe Biden trie

US urges India, allies to back efforts for peace resolution in Ukraine war

White House Secretary also reiterated that India is a strategic partner with whom the US engages in frank dialogue

Russia war threatens Ukraine's Olympic future; a young gymnast offers hope

When Oleksandra Paskal first took to the mat as a 4-year-old, her rhythmic gymnastics coach saw nothing but potential in a sport where the Olympics is the ultimate goal. Then a Russian missile crushed her summer house in the southern Odesa region, burying her beneath the debris and severing her left leg. Oleksandra's coach, Inga Kovalchuk, prides herself on her ability to spot the future. But it's increasingly clear that Russia's war on Ukraine is demolishing the seeds of a sports culture that was a European powerhouse. Two years after she was injured in May 2022, Oleksandra was among 12 girls diligently following the instructions of their demanding coach. No one paid attention to her prosthetic leg, but although she has even more of the grit and dedication that first caught Kovalchuk's eye, she will never be quite the same. Oleksandra, you do the exercise on full foot, the others on half toes, Kovalchuk told the group. Now 8, the girl who once aimed to compete at the Olympics now

Ukrainian boxer sacrifices Olympic dream to fight against Russia's invasion

Maksym Halinichev won silver at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in a match described at the time as two of the best young fighters going for glory. He considered the bout a loss it wasn't gold, after all but it gave him a map for the future. So Halinichev made plans: He would defeat that boxer the next time around. He would teach his daughter the basics of his sport so she could defend herself. And he would win a medal for Ukraine at the Paris Olympics. Halinchev outlined those ambitions as an athlete in an interview for the Ukraine Boxing Federation website in December 2021, as Russian troops were already massing at Ukraine's borders. Asked if he was afraid before a fight, he described his thinking. Fear can influence people in various ways. Some people are paralyzed by it. Some react by becoming more liberated, he said then. If you can control yourself and your body and if you can set yourself the right way, then the fear will retreat. He'll not get to prove that philosophy

Ukrainian high jumper keeps her eye on raised bar, but mind remains on war

Kateryna Tabashnyk's success depends upon utter concentration on the here and now, on the height of the bar in front of her and her body's ability to leap it. That focus and drive is a requirement for all high-level athletes. But the 30-year-old Ukrainian high jumper's mind wanders often to her bombarded native city of Kharkiv and the Russian missiles that have stolen so much: her mother, her apartment, a pain-free childhood for her nephew, even the fields where she trained. Part of her is always home, she said, and when your home has been destroyed, it feels like a large void. She, like most other Ukrainian athletes, carries the war with her everywhere: To Turkey, her first refuge after the full-scale invasion started in February 2022; to the European Indoor Championships in Turkey, where the 30-year-old took a bronze medal, and now to Monte Gordo in southern Portugal, where the ocean breeze drifts over the stadium that she shares with other Ukrainians training to qualify in the ..

Xi calls on world powers to help Russia, Ukraine resume direct dialogue

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on world powers to help Russia and Ukraine resume direct dialogue and negotiations during a meeting Monday with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbn, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Orbn made a surprise visit to China after similar trips last week to Russia and Ukraine to discuss prospects for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine. Orbn praised China's constructive and important initiatives for achieving peace and described Beijing as a stabilizing force amid global turbulence, according to CCTV.

Nato summit hosted by Prez Biden to show strong support for Ukraine

The NATO summit, being hosted by US President Joe Biden here this week, is likely to show a strong demonstration of America and its allies' support for Ukraine and make significant new announcements to increase military, political and financial support for the European country, in addition to holding a meeting with the EU and Indo-Pacific partners to deepen their cooperation, according to administration officials. The NATO summit will be the first to include Sweden as a member of the alliance. Sweden officially joined the alliance in March. The historic summit would also mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which is now a strong military alliance of 32 countries. "It has been truly indispensable to Euro-Atlantic security, deterring threats to the United States and our allies," a senior administration official told reporters ahead of the summit. Being held in the American capital, within days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi havi