39 minutes ago
NATO will increase its support for Bosnia, Georgia and Moldova
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg delivers a news conference concluding a two-day meeting of the alliance’s defense ministers at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, February 15, 2023.
Kenzo Tribouillard | AFP | Getty Images
NATO will step up support to Ukraine and other vulnerable partners, namely Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Moldova, a statement said after a meeting of the alliance’s members in Brussels.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed pledges by members of the 30-nation alliance to continued and redoubled support for Ukraine, including “more heavy weapons and military training,” the statement said.
The meeting included the approval of new guidelines for NATO defense planning, which Stoltenberg said “reflect the reality that we live in a more dangerous world.
“It will drive capacity changes for years to come,” he added. “And ensure our deterrence and defenses remain strong and credible.”
— Natasha Turak
Before an hour
Russia’s upper house of parliament will hold an extraordinary session on February 22
The upper chamber of Russia’s parliament, the Federal Council, will hold an extraordinary session on February 22, almost exactly a year after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported.
The meeting will focus on legislation integrating four annexed regions of Ukraine into Russia, RIA quoted a lawmaker as saying. At the end of September 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of the four regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson. The annexation of the territories is illegal under international law and has not been recognized by any international body.
Putin is expected to deliver his annual address to the Federal Assembly, which forms the upper and lower chambers of Russia’s parliament, on February 21.
— Natasha Turak
Before an hour
According to a poll, popular support in the US for the supply of arms to Ukraine has fallen
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 21: US President Joe Biden (R) and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky walk down the colonnade as they make their way to the Oval Office at the White House on December 21, 2022 in Washington, DC . Zelenskyy is meeting with President Biden on his first known trip outside of Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, and the two leaders are expected to discuss continuing military aid. Zelensky will reportedly address a joint session of Congress later this evening. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Alex Wong | News from Getty Images | Getty Images
American support for providing arms and military support to Ukraine has waned somewhat since the immediate months following the full-scale invasion of Russia in February last year.
The poll, conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found that 48% of respondents support the US giving arms to Ukraine, up from 60% in May 2022. Currently, 29% of US adults oppose the support and According to the survey, 22% have no position on this.
When it comes to providing direct funding to Ukraine, Americans are roughly evenly distributed, with 37% in favor and 38% against. 23 percent of Americans polled said they neither support nor disapprove.
Military and financial support for Ukraine is becoming more contentious as far-right politicians and pundits criticize the Biden administration’s position and some show sympathy for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
US President Joe Biden often says Washington will stand by Ukraine “as long as necessary”. During 2022, Congress approved about $24.9 billion in military aid to the country, along with about $25 billion more in humanitarian and financial assistance, according to the State Department.
— Natasha Turak
Before an hour
Air raid warnings sounded over Kyiv
Residents take shelter at a metro station during an airstrike alert in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev February 10, 2023 amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Dimitar Dilkoff | AFP | Getty Images
Air raid sirens sounded over Kiev and neighboring Cherkasy, activated after Russian attacks were spotted, local official channels reported.
“An enemy air target has been detected in the sky over the city of Kyiv,” announced the Kyiv military administration through its Telegram channel. It advised all residents of the Kyiv and Cherkassy regions to take shelter and remain calm.
— Natasha Turak
2 hours ago
Finland’s defense minister is calling for Sweden and Finland to join NATO at the same time
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a joint news conference with the foreign ministers of Sweden and Finland after their meeting at NATO Headquarters in Brussels January 24, 2022.
Johannes Thys | AFP | Getty Images
It is better for NATO if Sweden and Finland join the alliance simultaneously rather than individually, Finnish Defense Minister Mikko Savola said during a NATO meeting in Brussels.
The comments come a day after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that speedy Nordic accession was more important than simultaneous accession.
“It’s better for Finland, better for Sweden and also for NATO that we both become members as soon as possible,” Savola was quoted as saying by Portal.
“It’s better for planning, we work very closely with Sweden, which is our closest partner.”
The Nordic neighbors formally applied to join NATO in May last year after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a historic departure from their traditionally non-aligned positions. The accession of new members requires the consent of all existing coalition partners. Turkey and Hungary are the only states still to give their consent.
— Natasha Turak
3 hours ago
Briton named Jonathan Shenkin killed in Ukraine
A Briton killed in Ukraine while working as a paramedic there has been identified as Jonathan Shenkin, Sky News reported.
Shenkin, 45, from Glasgow, was killed in December. He is one of eight British nationals known to have died in Ukraine since Russia launched its all-out invasion of the country in February 2022.
In social media posts, Shenkin’s family described him as a “hero” who died “in an act of bravery as a medic,” according to Sky.
“In enlisting in the Armed Forces of Ukraine he made the ultimate sacrifice to defend the values we all believe in. He is survived by his son and daughter, to whom he was devoted,” the tribute post wrote, adding that he was awarded the Medal for “Bravery in Combat” for his work in Ukraine.
Earlier in his life, Shenkin served in the Israeli army and later founded his own security company, which took him to conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia.
— Natasha Turak
3 hours ago
The European Commission unveils a new package of sanctions against Russia targeting exports and oligarchs
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on December 21, 2022 in the European Council building in Brussels.
Johannes Thys | AFP | Getty Images
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave details of the EU’s tenth package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine, which will require EU member countries’ approval. The restrictions target 11 billion euros ($11.78 billion) worth of export bans, exports of dual-use goods and advanced technology products, and Russian propagandists.
The sanctions include new measures to prevent circumvention, von der Leyen said in a statement, including prosecuting oligarchs who try to “hide or sell their assets” to avoid sanctions.
“We now have the toughest sanctions ever introduced by the European Union. And we must ensure that they are applied rigorously,” the statement said.
“We will go after oligarchs who try to hide or sell their assets to avoid sanctions. And together with the Member States, we will create an overview of all frozen Central Bank assets held in the EU. We need to know where these are and how much they are worth. This is crucial in view of the possible use of Russian public assets to fund reconstruction in Ukraine.”
“Together we are tightening the screws against Russia,” said von der Leyen and called on the member states to adopt the package quickly. “Our goal, together with our G7 partners, is to have other significant sanctions in place by February 24 – exactly one year after Putin launched his imperial war.”
— Natasha Turak
5 hours before
UK Defense Secretary has thrown cold water at Ukraine’s fighter jet hopes
A Belgian F-16 jet fighter participates in the NATO Air Nuclear Drill “Steadfast Noon” at Kleine-Brogel Air Force Base in Belgium, Oct. 18, 2022.
Kenzo Tribouillard | AFP | Getty Images
British Defense Minister Ben Wallace has dampened the fighter jets for Ukraine that have been urgently demanded for months.
Wallace outlined the complications involved in deploying fighter aircraft as opposed to land-based systems, including the large amount of training and maintenance personnel that such an effort would require.
“I don’t think we’re going to necessarily get rid of fighter jets in the next few months or even years because they’re very different weapon systems, as you know, hand-held anti-tank missiles,” Wallace told the BBC from Brussels.
“Not only do these planes present tremendous challenges, you know, you just can’t learn to fly in a week or two, it’s going to take a long time.”
He added that the Jets also “come with a pit crew like a Formula One team, you know, they come with hundreds of engineers and pilots. And you can’t just generate that in a few months, and neither will we.” Deploying 200 RAF personnel to Ukraine in wartime.”
— Natasha Turak
6 hours ago
Russian forces have relocated at least 6,000 Ukrainian children to camps since war began: report
A pair of children’s shoes lie on the floor near a poster in support of Ukraine, A woman places children’s shoes on the floor, as part of a Ukrainian art installation to raise awareness of the killings of civilians and especially children during the war in Ukraine . The Hague, April 2, 2022.
Romy Arroyo Fernández | Nurphoto | Getty Images
According to a new report, Russian forces have taken at least 6,000 Ukrainian children to camps and facilities across Russia for forced adoption and military training.
The allegations detailed in the 35-page report, such as kidnapping or detaining children, may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity. The allegations were detailed by the Conflict Observatory, a program supported by the US State Department.
The report, entitled Russia’s Systematic Program for Re-education and Adoption of Ukrainian Children, took more than a year to produce. He outlines the Kremlin’s systematic efforts to kidnap children, prevent their return to Ukraine and “re-educate” them for pro-Russian “re-education.”
About three-fourths of the camps appear to be “exposing Ukrainian children to Russian-centric academic, cultural, patriotic, and/or military education…with the apparent goal of integrating Ukrainian children into the Russian government’s vision of national culture, history, and society,” write the authors of the report.
Read the whole story here.
– Amanda Macias
17 hours ago
The Pentagon places an order with the Northrop Grumman Army for more ammunition
A howitzer belonging to a Ukrainian artillery battery attached to the 59th Mechanized Brigade fires at points controlled by Russian troops in support of the Ukrainian army during the Russo-Ukrainian War on November 5, 2022 in the Kherson Oblast, Ukraine.
Metin Atkas | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
The Pentagon awarded Northrop Grumman and Global Military Products Inc. a contract worth more than $522 million to manufacture and supply 155mm artillery ammunition. The US Army order is funded by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
“This is an example of the Army’s continued commitment to continue to work closely with industry to support the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and award replacement contracts as quickly as possible through indefinite contract measures, indefinite supply/indefinite quantity contracts and other instruments.” timelines will be used to accelerate acquisition,” the Pentagon wrote in a statement.
– Amanda Macias
17 hours ago
Two ships leave Ukrainian ports as part of the Black Sea Grains Initiative
Vessels, including those transporting grain from Ukraine, awaiting inspections are moored off the coast of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey, 02 November 2022.
Chris McGrath | Getty Images
Two ships carrying more than 81,000 tons of grain and other food left Ukrainian ports, the organization that oversees exports of agricultural products from the country said.
The ships are destined for China and India and transport sunflower oil and sunflower meal.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, an agreement negotiated in July between Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations, eased the Russian naval blockade and led to the reopening of three key Ukrainian ports.
So far, more than 700 ships have left Ukrainian ports.
– Amanda Macias
6 hours ago