47 minutes ago
The EU calls on China at the United Nations to press Russia for a “just peace” in Ukraine
European Council President Charles Michel will call on China directly at the United Nations Security Council to do more to push Russia toward a “just peace” in Ukraine, according to a draft of his speech seen by Portal at the U.N. General Assembly has seen.
At Wednesday’s Security Council meeting during the annual high-level UN General Assembly in New York, Michel will call for “a just peace that respects the UN Charter and its fundamental principles – the territorial integrity of a sovereign nation.”
Michel will then address the Chinese delegation directly and say: “Let us join forces as responsible nations – to persuade Russia to end this criminal war that harms so many,” the draft says.
US President Joe Biden speaks at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City, USA on September 19, 2023.
Mike Segar | Portal
China’s Vice President Han Zheng is in New York for the annual UNGA meeting of world leaders and is currently expected to attend the meeting of the 15-member China Council, diplomats said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected to take part in the council meeting.
China abstained from the vote in the 193-member UN General Assembly, which overwhelmingly demanded that Moscow withdraw its troops from Ukraine and stop fighting. Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022.
China’s abstentions appeared to reflect an attempt to remain diplomatic over the war in Ukraine. Beijing has said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, but – in a nod to Russia’s unease over NATO – believes all security concerns should be taken into account.
—Portal
46 minutes ago
Biden will never be as popular as Putin, says the Kremlin
The Kremlin criticized US President Joe Biden’s statements to the UN General Assembly.
Addressing the gathering on Tuesday in New York, Biden urged world leaders to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia’s “illegal war of conquest,” saying: “Russia believes the world will grow tired and allow that Ukraine is being treated brutally without any consequences.”
“If we allow Ukraine to be divided, will the independence of a nation be secured? I would respectfully suggest that the answer is no. We must withstand this naked aggression today to deter other potential aggressors tomorrow,” he said. to applause. “Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately. “Russia’s price for peace is the surrender of Ukraine, the territory of Ukraine and the children of Ukraine.”
Biden did not mention Putin by name during the speech. But when reporters asked him on Wednesday to comment on Biden’s remarks, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Putin “never descends to this level of discussion and never will.”
“Putin enjoys a very high level of support. Biden has never reached the level of public support for Putin. We assume that the election campaign is underway in the United States,” Peskov added in comments translated by NBC News.
– Holly Ellyatt
An hour ago
Kremlin rejects Armenian claims that Russia has not done enough in Nagorno-Karabakh
The Kremlin on Wednesday rejected claims by Armenia that Russia had not done enough to prevent fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, saying the matter concerned Azerbaijan’s actions on its own territory.
Azerbaijani troops attacked Nagorno-Karabakh on Wednesday, killing at least 32 people, according to Armenia. Many more were injured in the breakaway region controlled by ethnic Armenians, despite calls from Russia and the United States to stop fighting.
Nagorno-Karabakh’s capital Stepanakert, its Armenian name, or Khankendi as Azerbaijan calls it.
Walter Bibikov | Digital vision | Getty Images
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was continuing its contacts with Armenia, Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians in Karabakh.
Peskov said the timing of a telephone conversation between President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was still being clarified.
The Interfax news agency reported that separatist Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh had agreed to the terms of a ceasefire proposed by Russian peacekeepers.
—Portal
An hour ago
According to the United Kingdom, Russia’s troop deployment south is weakening Bakhmut’s defenses
A Ukrainian soldier in combat position toward the Bakhmut front line in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, August 21, 2023.
Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Moscow’s attempts to strengthen its forces in the southern Zaporizhzhia region have left its units in Donetsk’s Bakhmut region more vulnerable, according to Britain’s Ministry of Defense on Wednesday.
“The recent transfers of Russian airborne troops from Bakhmut to Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine have likely weakened Russian defenses around Bakhmut,” the ministry said in an intelligence update on X, formerly Twitter.
Last week, Ukraine claimed to have liberated the villages of Klishchiivka and Andriivka, a few miles south of Bakhmut in Donetsk. Russia said the settlements were in a “gray area” and were still disputed.
The British Ministry of Defense noted that “Ukraine’s tactical success brings Ukrainian forces closer to the T 05-13 road, one of the main supply routes to Bakhmut from the south,” but noted that “Russia continues to hold the railway line that runs along of a dam.” between Klishchiivka and the T 05-13, creating an easily defensible obstacle.
– Holly Ellyatt
3 hours ago
Russia’s losses appear to be increasing in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, analysts said
Russian losses in Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region have increased significantly as Ukraine’s counteroffensive gains momentum, according to an analysis by the Institute for War Research released late Tuesday.
Ukraine has reported several advances in the south and east in the last week, including the recapture of two villages – Andriivka and Klishchiivka – south of Bakhmut in Donetsk. It’s a remarkable victory, although Russian officials say the settlements are still being contested.
The ISW noted in its analysis that “Russian and Ukrainian sources blamed better Ukrainian combat coordination, more precise artillery fire and stronger electronic warfare systems for the recent Ukrainian advances south of Bakhmut, while continued discussion of significant Russian losses in the region.”
A Bradley infantry fighting vehicle crew member of the 47th Magura Mechanized Brigade who took part in the battles to liberate the village of Robotyne from Russian invaders in southeastern Ukraine.
Photo only | Photo only | Getty Images
Following recent reports of a Ukrainian breakthrough in one of the three main layers of Russian defense in southern Ukraine, the country’s armed forces appear to be building on successes. The ISW noted that “Russian casualties in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast have reportedly increased significantly.” [region] in recent days, and the Russian military is likely struggling with a lack of available combat-effective units that the Russian command is willing to deploy laterally to this sector of the front.”
The spokesman for the Tavria region of Ukraine’s armed forces operating in the south, Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun, stated in a nationwide telethon on Monday evening that the Russian armed forces lost 313 soldiers on September 18 and that this number has increased since the previous two days, in which a An estimated 200 Russian soldiers were killed every day.
More than five square kilometers of territory in the south had been liberated in the past week, Shtupun said, and Russia was withdrawing its reserves. Shtupun explained that Russian airborne troops had been called in to carry out defensive operations in the region and that “Storm-Z” units made up of Russian convicts had also been observed.
– Holly Ellyatt
3 hours ago
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrives in New York
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov chairs a Security Council meeting to defend the principles of the UN Charter at the UN headquarters in New York on April 24, 2023.
Timothy A. Clary | AFP | Getty Images
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in New York yesterday evening “to take part in the political week of the UN General Assembly,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Telegram.
Lavrov missed the first day of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, where US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky separately addressed the assembly in poses for global peace.
He is scheduled to attend the UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, where he could meet Zelensky.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a post that Lavrov “will take part in a number of multilateral events, including those organized by the UN Security Council, the BRICS countries and the CSTO.” [the Collective Security Treaty Organization, an intergovernmental military alliance in Eurasia] and the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter. Events are also planned within the SCO [Shanghai Cooperation Organisation].”
In addition, the ministry said, Lavrov intends to hold around 20 bilateral meetings with colleagues from different states and heads of international organizations. A conversation with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is also planned.
Lavrov will address the UN General Assembly on September 23.
– Holly Ellyatt
3 hours ago
Zelensky wants to advance peace plan when he speaks to the UN Security Council
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters on September 19, 2023 in New York City.
Adam Gray | Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the UN Security Council on Wednesday for a meeting where he is expected to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed last night that Lavrov had arrived in New York for the meeting. Posts on Telegram showed Lavrov greeting Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, and Russian Ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov.
Russia is one of five permanent members (along with the US, Britain, France and China) of the UN Security Council, a body responsible for maintaining global peace and stability. Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there have been repeated calls for its removal.
Zelensky, Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken are among the delegates expected at the meeting on Wednesday, where Lavrov is expected to give a speech and the Ukrainian leader is expected to present Kiev’s peace plan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at the general debate at the UN General Assembly. More than 140 heads of state and government are on the speaker list.
Michael Kappeler | Picture Alliance | Getty Images
“Last year I presented the outlines of the Ukrainian peace formula to the UN General Assembly and later the full formula in Indonesia. And last year, the peace formula became the basis for updating the existing security architecture,” Zelensky said while addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
“Now we can bring the UN Charter back to life and guarantee full power for the rules-based world order. And tomorrow I will present this at a special session of the UN Security Council.”
– Holly Ellyatt
18 hours ago
The US is urging Ukraine’s allies to go deep into ground-based air defense
US Secretary of Defense LLoyd Austin (l) and US Chief of Staff Mark Milley speak to the media after the 15th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base on September 19, 2023 in Ramstein-Miesenbach. Germany.
Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin has called on members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, an alliance of around 50 countries, to “continue to work intensively on ground-based air defense for Ukraine.”
Austin said the group “stepped up” with donations from Patriot, IRIS-T, HAWK, NASAMS, SAMP/T and other air defense systems and that this saved lives.
“We must continue to work hard to provide Ukraine with the air defense systems and interceptors it needs. And right now, in the heat of battle, we must also continue to work to get Ukraine the ammunition it needs to continue the fight, including 155-millimeter ammunition,” he said.
However, there were no announcements at the meeting about an increase in deliveries of long-range missiles, which Ukraine has repeatedly called for.
These include Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which have a range of up to 190 miles (306 km). US delivery of ATACMS reportedly continues to be discussed.
– Jenni Reid
20 hours ago
Moscow judge suspends reporter Evan Gershkovich’s appeal
U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich, arrested on espionage charges, stands in a defendant’s cage before a hearing to consider an appeal against his extended pre-trial detention at the Moscow City Court in Moscow, September 19, 2023.
Natalia Kolesnikova | Afp | Getty Images
A Moscow judge has suspended journalist Evan Gershkovich’s recent appeal against his pretrial detention on espionage charges, according to NBC News.
The judge said there were “procedural violations” that needed to be addressed and sent the appeal back to be heard in a lower court.
Gershkovich, his employer, the Wall Street Journal, and the U.S. government have strongly denied the espionage allegations, saying he was doing his job as a reporter when he was arrested in March.
Gershkovich’s previous appeals failed in April and June. His pretrial detention was extended in August until November 30, and a date for his trial has not yet been set.
– Jenni Reid
23 hours ago
According to media reports, there is evidence that a Ukrainian missile caused a market attack
Eyewitness accounts and an analysis of video and weapons fragments suggest that a Ukrainian missile that failed to hit its intended target was the cause of a deadly attack on a Ukrainian market in September, The New York Times reported Monday.
The rocket attack on a market in Kostiantynivka killed at least 16 civilians and injured more than 30 others and was initially blamed on Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was a “premeditated terrorist attack,” following numerous other incidents of Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. Russia denies attacks on civilians.
However, evidence collected and analyzed by The New York Times — including missile fragments, satellite images, witness accounts and social media posts — “strongly suggests that the catastrophic attack was the result of a faulty Ukrainian air defense missile fired from a Buk launch system became”. the newspaper said in a report published Monday.
Firefighters extinguish a fire at a market in Kostiantynivka, Ukraine on September 6, 2023.
Andriy Reznikov | Global Images Ukraine | Getty Images
“The attack appears to have been a tragic mishap. Air defense experts say missiles like the one that has hit the market can go off course for a variety of reasons, including an electronic malfunction or a damaged or broken guide fin during launch,” the paper said.
The missile’s likely failure came amid the area’s usual back-and-forth fighting, the newspaper added, after Russian forces shelled Kostiantynivka the night before.
A spokesman for the Ukrainian Armed Forces told the NYT that the country’s security service was investigating the incident and could not comment further under national law.
– Holly Ellyatt
23 hours ago
Putin and Xi will meet in Beijing in October
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for talks in Beijing in October, a close Putin ally said on Tuesday.
“In October, we expect detailed bilateral negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing,” Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of the Russian Security Council, said in a meeting with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, according to the Interfax news agency.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 21, 2023.
Xinhua News Agency | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images
He said the talks would take place as part of the One Belt, One Road international forum in Beijing. Putin will attend the meeting after Xi invited him during a high-profile visit to Moscow in March.
The visit to Beijing will be Putin’s first since an international arrest warrant was issued against Putin, accusing him of responsibility for the illegal deportation and transfer of children during the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin denies the allegations.
– Holly Ellyatt
Tue, September 19, 2023, 2:54 a.m. EDT
Zelensky may meet senior Russian officials over his speech at the United Nations
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could meet senior Russian officials this week as he prepares to deliver a speech to world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday.
Zelensky will also speak at a U.N. Security Council meeting on Ukraine on Wednesday, an event where he could sit in the same room as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is also expected to address the council.
When asked Monday whether he would stay to listen to Lavrov’s remarks, Zelensky said: “I don’t really know what it will be like,” AP reported.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Ed Jones | AFP | Getty Images
Russia is one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and, like its other permanent members (the United States, Britain, China and France), has the right to veto UN resolutions; For example, last year Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution condemning the attempted annexation of four Ukrainian regions.
Ukraine has repeatedly questioned how and why Russia continues to hold a top position in the United Nations even though it has invaded its neighbor and promoted war and instability.
In his nightly address, Zelensky said: “The territorial integrity of the state is a key principle of all fundamental international documents, including the UN Charter. And it is necessary to return to it the full force destroyed by the Russian invasion and to increase the capabilities of the United Nations to stop and prevent aggression. “Ukraine will make a clear proposal to UN members in this regard.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Staten Island University Hospital in the New York City borough of Staten Island with wounded Ukrainian soldiers on September 18, 2023.
Bryan Woolston | AFP | Getty Images
Zelensky arrived in New York on Monday, where he visited Northwell Health’s Staten Island University Hospital to recognize efforts to support medical providers in Ukraine. He also met wounded Ukrainian soldiers who had received advanced prosthetics and critical rehabilitation after being seriously injured in the Russian invasion.
– Holly Ellyatt
5 hours ago