Wednesday, September 27, 2023
08:41
A MINUTE OF SILENCE PLANNED FOR SUNDAY IN UKRAINE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced throughout the country that tributes would be paid to soldiers who died in combat since the start of the war. “This day is dedicated to everyone who fights for our nation, to everyone who contributes to the strength of Ukraine, and to everyone who gave their lives for Ukraine,” he wrote, announcing that “on this day, Ukraine is a one “-minute break.”
08:34
THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY IS GROWING THIS YEAR
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) estimates that Russia’s economy will grow by 1.5% this year, while an earlier forecast predicted a contraction of the same magnitude, as the country has proven more resilient than expected western sanctions. Moscow’s revenues were supported more than expected “by the rise in oil prices and by Russia’s ability to offset the impact of the cap imposed by the West (on the price of a barrel, editor’s note) through exports to new markets.” China and India, the EBRD said on Wednesday on the sidelines of a forecast report.
“In our last forecasts, we assumed that sanctions – in particular capping oil prices – would limit Russian activities more effectively,” the institution continues in a statement sent to AFP. In addition, “activity remained robust – particularly private consumption and public spending related to the ongoing conflict (in Ukraine, editor’s note) – and second quarter GDP figures were surprisingly high,” said the EBRD, which, however, says it expects a slowdown after that.
For Ukraine, however, the institution has not changed its expectations and continues to forecast growth of 1% this year and 3% next year. “This reflects very negative annual growth compared to January and February last year,” the report said, ahead of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but expecting a recovery with the resumption of more activity and improved energy supplies.
07:04
THE AUDITORS
A video reportedly shows two Leopard tanks destroyed in Ukraine with a “crew of German soldiers” on board. Berlin denies the information. According to our research, the two tanks are not the ones supplied by Germany.
06:59
EU: Accession negotiations for Kiev to open before the end of 2023?
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola hopes that the EU will open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova by the end of the year and calls not to “disappoint” the hopes of these candidate countries. During an interview on Tuesday with the European Newsroom, a coalition of European press agencies including AFP, the Maltese official was asked about the 2030 date for EU enlargement proposed by Council President Charles Michel.
“Instead of focusing on the date – let’s say it’s good that there is a date – let’s focus on opening accession negotiations hopefully ‘by the end of the year’,” said Ms Metsola (PPE Group, right) . “If Ukraine and Moldova are ready, accession negotiations should begin and then steps can be taken step by step. Every country goes its own way, but we should not disappoint the millions of people who consider “Europe their home,” she urged.
06:56
WELCOME
Hello and welcome to this live stream dedicated to news about the war in Ukraine. Here you will find current information about the conflict.