Page 86 - Ukraine

Ukraine conflict must be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy: Quad

The Quad leaders on Saturday called for the resolution of the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy while asserting that it must not be an era of war, a formulation that echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's position. Modi, US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese held talks on pressing global challenges including the Ukraine conflict at the annual Quad summit in Hiroshima. After the summit, the leaders released a joint statement that touched upon the Ukraine conflict, the situation in the East and South China seas and their vision for the Indo-Pacific region. The leaders said they stand for adherence to international law, peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for principles of the UN Charter, including territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states. "In this context, today we express our deep concern over the war raging in Ukraine and mourn its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences,"

PM Modi meets Ukranian President Zelenskyy in Hiroshima on G7 sidelines

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit here. It is the first in-person meeting between the two leaders after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year. "PM @narendramodi held talks with President @ZelenskyyUa during the G-7 Summit in Hiroshima," the prime minister's office tweeted. The prime minister arrived in Hiroshima on Friday to attend the annual summit of the G7 grouping in the first leg of his three-nation tour that will also take him to Papua New Guinea and Australia. The Ukrainian president is also attending the G7 summit following an invitation by Japan, the current chair of the powerful grouping.

G7 tightens Russia sanctions, looks to cut China trade reliance

G7 leaders, who will be joined this weekend by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, vowed to restrict any exports to Russia that could help it in its 15-month war against Ukraine

PM Narendra Modi to meet Zelenskyy on sidelines of G7 on Saturday

In his interview with Nikkei, the PM also discussed India's security challenges

Biden endorses plans to train Ukrainian pilots on US-made F-16 fighter jets

President Joe Biden on Friday endorsed plans to train Ukrainian pilots on US-made F-16 fighter jets, according to two people familiar with the matter, as he huddled with allies at the Group of Seven summit on how to bolster support for Kyiv against Russia's invasion. The people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss Biden's private conversations with allies, said he announced he had approved the training, which is likely to be conducted in Europe over the coming months, during a meeting of G7 leaders in Hiroshima, where the leaders also announced new sanctions on Moscow in advance of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joining them at the summit on Sunday. Biden told the leaders that decisions on when, how many, and who will provide the fourth-generation fighter jets for Ukraine to use in battle will be made in the months ahead while the training is underway. Zelenskyy has consistently called for the supply of Western fighter jets to bolster his country's defences against ...

Explained | What is the Storm Shadow missile, and why is the UK supplying it to Ukraine?

The UK has supplied Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles. So, what is this missile? Watch the video to know.

Russian PM to visit China amid criticism of Western arms sales to Ukraine

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will visit Beijing next week for talks, China's Foreign Ministry said Friday, marking the latest exchange in a relationship in which Russia is becoming increasingly reliant on China for economic and diplomatic support. During the visit, the two sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on practical cooperation in bilateral relations and issues of common concern, ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily briefing. We look forward to further strengthening cooperation between the two sides, deepening people-to-people and local exchanges (and) injecting strong momentum into the recovery of the world economy, Wang added. Mishustin's visit is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Meanwhile, China's Deputy Permanent U.N. Representative Geng Shuang again criticised Western arms sales to Ukraine, saying it would only lead to escalation, more civilian casualties and displacement, and make it harder to obtain a ceasefire and start peace ...

Volodymyr Zelensky to visit Japan to attend G7 summit this weekend: Report

Zelensky will make the trip to seek a continued supply of aid and arms to the war-torn country

Russian conduct unchanged with Western warships in east Med: US commander

A U.S. Navy commander said Wednesday there is no significant change in the conduct of Russian aircraft and warships toward Western naval and air assets in the eastern Mediterranean as Moscow's war in Ukraine grinds on. Cmdr. Peter C. Flynn said that Russian warplanes and naval vessels have been conducting themselves professionally, like other military forces in the region, and there's been no indication of any heightened aggression or hostility. We obviously study what is going on in theater and you know that certainly plays a role in what we do and what we prepare for, but not a significant change in the attitude of Russian forces, Flynn told The Associated Press aboard the USS Arleigh Burke. The destroyer, one of the United States' most capable warships, is docked at Cyprus' main Limassol port. Russia has a naval base in Tartus, Syria, the only such facility that Moscow has outside the former Soviet Union. In 2017, Moscow struck a deal with Syrian President Bashar Assad to extend

NATO mulls security guarantees for Ukraine but wary of igniting a war

NATO leaders are discussing ways to ensure that Ukraine does not come under attack from Russia again once the war is over, but they are concerned about doing anything that might drag the organization into a wider conflict, the head of the military alliance said on Monday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seeking security guarantees from the 31-nation alliance to ward off any future attack from Ukraine's neighbour. Some countries are weighing what could be done to avoid a repeat of the war. Russia already annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. There are consultations that are going on, ahead of a summit involving US President Joe Biden and his counterparts in Lithuania on July 11-12, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said during an interview with his predecessor, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, at a conference in Copenhagen. Stoltenberg declined to provide details about those talks. NATO allies benefit from a collective security guarantee so called Article 5 of the ...

Zelenskyy arrives in Berlin day after Germany announces military package

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Berlin, Germany, for the first time since Russia started its special military operation in February 2022.Taking to Twitter, Zelenskyy said, "Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defence. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security."His visit comes a day after Germany announced military aid to Ukraine since the war began.He also thanked Germany for the military aid. "I thank Germany for the largest military aid package since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. German air defence systems, artillery, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are saving Ukrainian lives and bringing us closer to victory. Germany is a reliable ally! Together we are bringing peace closer!" Zelenskyy said in another tweet.Even in Berlin, Zelenkyy, while speaking to reporters, said, "I want to emphasize that Germany needs help [in] its defence, defence of life, protection of lives of our people in cities and villages everywhere, which helps to

Zelenskyy arrives in Berlin to meet German leaders, discuss arms deliveries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin early Sunday for talks with German leaders about further arms deliveries to help his country fend off the Russian invasion and rebuild what's been destroyed by more than a year of devastating conflict. A Luftwaffe jet flew Zelenskyy to the German capital from Rome, where he had met Saturday with Pope Francis and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. On the eve of his arrival which took place amid tight security the German government announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine with aid worth more than 2.7 billion euros (USD 3 billion), including tanks, anti-aircraft systems and ammunition. Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security, Zelenskyy tweeted Sunday, in an apparent reference to the key priorities of his trip. After initially hesitating to provide Ukraine with lethal weapons, Germany has become one of the biggest suppliers of arms to Ukraine, including Leopard 1 an

Four Russian military aircraft shot down near Ukraine's border, says report

Two Russian fighter jets and two military helicopters were shot down on Saturday close to the Ukrainian border, reported Sky News

Have retaken territory near embattled eastern city of Bakhmut: Ukraine

Ukrainian military commanders said on Friday that their troops had recaptured more territory from Russian forces at the scene of the war's longest and bloodiest battle, for the eastern city of Bakhmut, but it wasn't clear if this marked the start of Kyiv's long-expected counteroffensive. Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said Kyiv had stepped up attacks north of the region. The 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of territory retaken by Ukrainian forces south of Bakhmut this week represented a significant gain and will protect an important supply chain, according to commanders of Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, a special forces unit that led the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he met with the top military commanders Friday, noting that he heard a report from Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi whose forces stopped the enemy and even pushed him back in some directions. In a statement on Telegram on Friday, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar confirmed that Ukrainian forces

China to send special envoy to Ukraine, Russia as part of peace efforts

China is sending a special envoy to Ukraine and Russia starting next week in an effort to help reach a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, its Foreign Ministry said Friday. Li Hui, who is China's special representative for Eurasian affairs and a former ambassador to Moscow, will also visit Poland, France and Germany, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said. China says it remains neutral over Russia's war in Ukraine but has declared it has a no limits relationship with Moscow and blames the US and NATO for provoking the conflict. Beijing has put forward a peace plan for Ukraine that has been largely dismissed by the country's supporters, who say a resolution can only come when Russia ceases its attacks and withdraws its troops from Ukrainian territory. Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month, setting the stage for the diplomatic push. The visit of the Chinese representative to relevant countries expresses Chi

Zelenskyy barred from addressing 'nonpolitical' Eurovision Song Contest

This weekend's Eurovision Song Contest will have Ukrainian flags, Ukrainian musicians and Ukrainian fans but not the country's wartime leader. Organisers rejected a request from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a video address to the final of the pan-continental music competition on Saturday. He was expected to urge the world continue its support for Ukraine's fight to repel Russian invasion. The European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, said that letting Zelenskyy participate would breach the nonpolitical nature of the event. Zelenskyy's request "to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted by the European Broadcasting Union management as it would be against the rules of the event, the organization said. Founded in 1956 to help heal a continent shattered by war, Eurovision strives to keep pop and politics separate. Overtly political lyrics, signs and symbols are banned. But politics can

Ukraine needs more than a $30 billion arsenal for counterstrike on Russia

A dramatic breakthrough similar to Ukraine's Kharkiv offensive last year could help bring an early end to an invasion that's disrupted energy and grain markets, fueling cost-of-living crises

No intention of benefiting from war in Ukraine: China Foreign Minister

China's foreign minister said Tuesday that his country has no intention of benefiting from the war in Ukraine and hopes for further discussions on a peace plan Beijing proposed earlier this year. Speaking after a meeting with his German counterpart in Berlin, Foreign Minister Qin Gang noted the recent talks the government in Beijing had with both Moscow and Kyiv, and said China's special envoy for Europe was expected to visit Ukraine again soon. We won't pour oil on the fire of the war, Qin said, according to an official interpreter. Western countries have accused Beijing of providing political and material support to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The European Union is currently considering imposing sanctions against companies that supply critical components to Russia's arms industry. Qin denied Chinese firms were doing so. He said China maintains normal trade relations with Russia, not mentioning a significant bump in China's purchases of Russian crude oil

Russia's Wagner group appears to do U-turn on Bakhmut withdrawal

Elsewhere, Ukrainian and Russian media reported explosions across Russian-occupied Crimea

UN's nuclear watchdog growingly worried over Ukraine plant safety

The head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog is expressing growing anxiety about the safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, after the governor of the Russia-occupied area ordered the evacuation of a town where most plant staff live amid ongoing attacks in the area. The plant is near the front lines of fighting, and Ukrainian authorities on Sunday said that a 72-year-old woman was killed and three others were wounded when Russian forces fired more than 30 shells at Nikopol, a Ukrainian-held town neighbouring the plant. The general situation in the area near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is becoming increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous," International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said in a warning that came Saturday before the latest report of attacks. I'm extremely concerned about the very real nuclear safety and security risks facing the plant. Grossi's comments were prompted by an announcement Friday by Yevgeny Balitsky, the ...