Ukraine war – live: Putin ‘sacks one of most senior commanders’ amid heavy Russian losses
The Russian ministry of defence has highly likely fired Colonel-General Rustam Muradov as commander of the Eastern Group of Forces (EGF) in Ukraine, marking the most senior Russian military dismissal of 2023 so far, the British defence ministry said today.
“The EGF under Muradov has suffered exceptionally heavy casualties in recent months as its poorly conceived assaults repeatedly failed to capture the Donetsk oblast town of Vuhledar,” the MoD said in its latest intelligence update.
Commander Muradov’s operations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine “attracted intense public criticism from across the spectrum of Russian commentators - including Muradov’s own troops”, the British intelligence update said.
This comes as Volodymyr Zelensky said that the battle for the city of Bakhmut and other hotspots along the Ukrainian frontline will change with more and swifter military aid and not just as a result of his own military’s heroism.
Mr Zelensky has also said that Poland would help form a coalition of Western powers to supply warplanes to Kyiv as he visited Warsaw yesterday.
Key Points
Putin fires most senior commander of 2023 so far – MoD
Bakhmut situation can change with more military aid, says Zelensky
Zelensky denies Russia’s hold over Bakhmut
Putin claims West helped Kyiv mount acts of ‘terror and sabotage’
Finland joins Nato, doubling military alliance’s border with Russia
Putin responsible for Finland’s ‘historic’ accession to Nato, says alliance chief
Paranoid Putin stays in bunker because he 'fears for his life', says ex-security guard
Putin fires most senior commander of 2023 so far – MoD
06:26 , Arpan Rai
The Russian ministry of defence has highly likely fired Colonel-General Rustam Muradov as commander of the Eastern Group of Forces (EGF) in Ukraine, the British defence ministry said today.
“The EGF under Muradov has suffered exceptionally heavy casualties in recent months as its poorly conceived assaults repeatedly failed to capture the Donetsk Oblast town of Vuhledar,” the ministry said in its latest intelligence update.
It added that the operations led by commander Muradov “attracted intense public criticism from across the spectrum of Russian commentators - including Muradov’s own troops”.
“Muradov took over the EGF after its disastrous attempt to assault Kyiv from the north-west during the initial full-scale invasion,” the MoD said.
This is the most senior Russian military dismissal of 2023 so far, but more are likely as Russia continues to fail to achieve its objectives in the Donbas, it added.
ICYMI | Defecting Russian protection officer labels Vladimir Putin ‘war criminal’
06:00 , Emily Atkinson
Zelensky denies Russia’s hold over Bakhmut
05:52 , Arpan Rai
On the frontlines, Volodymyr Zelensky has said that while Ukrainian troops faced a difficult situation in the battle for Bakhmut, Russian forces do not control the salt-mining city.
The Ukrainian military would take “corresponding” decisions to protect them if they risked being encircled by Russian forces, Mr Zelensky said.
“We are in Bakhmut and the enemy does not control it,” the Ukrainian president said, refuting claims by Russian forces that they had captured the city, in ruins after enduring months of attritional warfare and bombardment.
“For me, the most important is not to lose our soldiers and of course if there is a moment of even hotter events and the danger we could lose our personnel because of encirclement - of course the corresponding correct decisions will be taken by generals there,” Mr Zelensky said, apparently referring to withdrawal.
One of the biggest and bloodiest grounds of battle between Russia and Ukraine in the 14-month long invasion, the Bakhmut city is one of the last urban centres yet to fall to Russia in eastern Donetsk province.
According to th eUkrainian military commanders, the importance of holding Bakhmut and other cities is paramount along with inflicting losses on Russian troops before an anticipated counter-offensive against them in the coming weeks or months.
“Bakhmut is performing the key task of inflicting as many losses on Russia as possible and, most importantly, to prepare for a counter-attack to take place in late April-May,” military analyst Pavel Narozhniy told NV Radio in Ukraine.
Ukraine saw 1,800 Russian attacks in March – official
05:33 , Arpan Rai
Ukraine witnessed 1,800 Russian attacks last month with more than 900 clashes seen between Ukrainian border guards and Russian forces, spokesperson for the state border guard service of Ukraine said.
The 900 clashes represent an 11 per cent increase compared to the month before, the spokesperson Andriy Demchenko told Ukrainian state news outlet Ukrinform yesterday.
Finland’s Nato membership poses ‘real dilemma’ for Putin, western officials warn
05:00 , Emily Atkinson
Finland’s new Nato membership poses a “real dilemma” for Russian President Vladimir Putin, western officials have warned.
The latest addition to the alliance will be able to make a “significant” contribution to its armament, officials said on Wednesday.
Finland, which has an 830-mile border with Russia, formally became the 31st member of the bloc in a ceremony at Nato’s Brussels headquarters on Tuesday.
More on this story here:
Finland’s Nato membership poses ‘real dilemma’ for Putin, western officials warn
Bakhmut situation can change with more military aid, says Zelensky
04:15 , Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the situation in the city of Bakhmut and other frontline cities depends on the speed and volume of military aid received from international partners, and not just the heroism on display by the Ukrainian military.
“The most difficult situation on the territory of our state is in Bakhmut. The greatest use of various weapons and artillery is there. There is a very, very difficult story,” he said during a meeting with reporters after talks with Polish president Andrzej Duda in Warsaw.
He added: “And there is a shortage every day: sometimes there is artillery and enough shells on our side, sometimes there are less of them. This happens every day. Sometimes there is success in some parts of Bakhmut, we go forward, then there is no success, and we retreat to our positions again. But we are in Bakhmut, and the enemy does not control the city. This is the situation as of today.”
“...The more and faster weapons and ammunition will arrive in Ukraine, the faster the armed forces will change the situation not only in Bakhmut, but also in other areas of the front on the territory of our country,” the war-time president said.
Latest images from the frontline in Ukraine
04:00 , Emily Atkinson
Ukraine will speak to Russia on Crimea if counteroffensive succeeds – official
03:55 , Arpan Rai
Ukraine is willing to speak with Russia about the future of Crimea if the forces sent by Kyiv reach the border of the Russia-held peninsula, a top official to Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
“If we will succeed in achieving our strategic goals on the battlefield and when we will be on the administrative border with Crimea, we are ready to open [a] diplomatic page to discuss this issue,” Andriy Sybiha, the deputy head of Mr Zelensky’s office, told FT.
“It doesn’t mean that we exclude the way of liberation [of Crimea] by our army,” the top adviser said.
After Crimea’s annexation in 2014 and since taking office in 2019, Mr Zelensky has ruled out peace talks on the disputed peninsula with the Russian forces along with all separatist territories, seeking that the soldiers deployed by Moscow leave all of Ukraine.
UN nuclear chief discusses Ukraine nuclear plant in Russia
03:00 , Emily Atkinson
The head of the UN’s atomic energy watchdog met with Russian officials in Kaliningrad on Wednesday for negotiations on the safety of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently held by Russian forces.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi’s trip to the Russian exclave came a week after he visited the plant, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
“I met high level officials from several Russian agencies in Kaliningrad,” Grossi said on Twitter. “I continue my efforts to protect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant,” he said, emphasizing that this was “in everyone’s interest.”
Read our full report here:
UN nuclear chief discusses Ukraine nuclear plant in Russia
Watch: Zelensky and wife welcomed with military honours to Poland
02:00 , Emily Atkinson
Ukraine and Poland ‘find solution to ease farmer anger’
01:00 , Emily Atkinson
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday he expected decisions to be announced in the coming days and weeks to alleviate anger among Polish farmers linked to Ukrainian grain imports.
He told reporters at a briefing standing alongside Poland’s prime minister that he had discussed the matter of Ukrainian and Polish farmers at talks in Warsaw on Wednesday and found a solution.
“We have found a way out, I believe that in the coming days and weeks we will finally resolve all issues as there cannot be any questions, any complications between such close partners and real friends as Poland and Ukraine,” he said.
Polish agriculture minister Henryk Kowalczyk resigned earlier on Wednesday amid rising anger among farmers over the impact of Ukrainian grain imports on prices.
Putin: West helped Ukraine mount acts of sabotage
Thursday 6 April 2023 00:00 , Emily Atkinson
Russian President Vladimir Putin charged Wednesday that Western intelligence agencies have helped Ukraine carry out acts of sabotage, as he urged his officials to mount a stronger response.
Putin spoke during a call with members of his Security Council that focused on efforts to shore up control of the four Ukrainian provinces that Russia claimed as part of its territory in September — a move that was rejected by most of the world as an illegal annexation.
“There are reasons to believe that the capabilities of third countries, Western special services, have been involved in preparation of acts of sabotage and terror attacks,” Putin said, without elaboration and without providing any evidence.
More from the Associated Press here:
Putin: West helped Ukraine mount acts of sabotage
Kyiv: Situation at front is completely under control
Wednesday 5 April 2023 23:00 , Emily Atkinson
The situation at the front is “completely under control” despite repeated Russian attempts to take Bakhmut and other cities in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv’s deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar has stated.
Malyar wrote on Telegram that Ukrainian soldiers were repelling dozens of attacks a day around Bakhmut, Lyman, Avdiivka and Marinka.
Russian media mocks Trump over arrest days after he defended Putin
Wednesday 5 April 2023 22:00 , Emily Atkinson
Donald Trump’s indictment in New York City has been met with ridicule by state TV in Russia, where hosts have enjoyed themselves by showcasing artwork depicting the former president wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and speculating about future jail time.
Mr Trump appeared at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon to plead not guilty to 34 felony charges relating to the falsification of business records to conceal a series of hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels, Playboy model Karen McDougal and a former Trump Tower doorman on his behalf in exchange for their silence about his alleged extramarital affairs.
More on this from my colleague Joe Sommerlad here:
Russian media mocks Trump over arrest days after he defended Putin
Poland will help form coalition to supply warplanes to Ukraine - Zelensky
Wednesday 5 April 2023 21:00 , Emily Atkinson
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said during his trip to Warsaw today that Poland would help form a coalition of Western powers to supply warplanes to Ukraine, as it did with battle tanks.
The Ukrainian leader, in a speech on a square in Warsaw, said that Russia would not defeat Europe while Ukraine and Poland are standing “shoulder to shoulder”.
Putin claims West helped Kyiv mount acts of ‘terror and sabotage’
Wednesday 5 April 2023 20:06 , Emily Atkinson
Vladimir Putin has accused Western intelligence agencies of helping Ukraine carry out acts of “terror and sabotage” – but fell short of providing any evidence for his bold claim.
He made the remarks during a call with members of his Security Council that focused on efforts to shore up control of the four Ukrainian provinces that Russia claimed as part of its territory in September — a move that most of the world rejected as an illegal annexation.
“There are reasons to believe that the capabilities of third countries, Western special services, have been involved in preparation of acts of sabotage and terror attacks,” Putin said, without elaborating.
He said the four provinces have experienced Ukrainian shelling and acts of sabotage aimed at scaring the local population, and that Russian authorities must act “harshly and effectively to ensure control over the situation.”
Putin opens talks with Belarus leader
Wednesday 5 April 2023 19:30 , Emily Atkinson
Russian president Vladimir Putin welcomed Belarus counterpart Alexander Lukashenko to Moscow on Wednesday for two days of talks, but in their opening public remarks both men steered clear of the war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week the two leaders would discuss Lukashenko’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. Last month Putin said Russia would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.
“I must say that we have done a lot as a result of our joint work in all areas,” Putin told Lukashenko in comments broadcast by state television.
“We will discuss all of this tomorrow - this applies to our cooperation in the international arena and jointly solving questions of ensuring the security of our states.”
Moscow is Minsk’s closest political and financial backer. Lukashenko allowed Putin to use the territory of Belarus as a launch pad for the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia and Belarus are formally part of a Union State, a borderless union and alliance between the two former Soviet republics. Russia’s pre-war population was around 140 million compared to just 9 million for Belarus.
Russia has committed war crimes, says Polish president
Wednesday 5 April 2023 19:00 , Emily Atkinson
Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine which must be punished, the Polish president said on Wednesday during a visit to Warsaw by his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
“(Ukraine) could not be intimidated even though the targets of attacks are civilian facilities, hospitals, kindergartens.. these are war crimes that must be brought to justice and the criminals must be punished,” Andrzej Duda said.
ICYMI: Zelensky visit tightens bonds with Poland amid Russian war
Wednesday 5 April 2023 18:30 , Martha Mchardy
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky won new pledges of deeper cooperation on a state visit to Poland on Wednesday as the neighbours sought to forge a tighter relationship in defiance of Russia’s full-scale war against Kyiv that has reshaped international alliances.
Polish president Andrzej Duda said his country has provided four Soviet-designed MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine to help it beat back the Kremlin’s assault. Four more are in the process of being handed over and another six are being prepared, he said.
Zelensky said at a news conference with Duda that his government would “extend a hearty welcome” to Polish businesses seeking to help Ukraine’s postwar rebuilding, which the World Bank has estimated could cost $411 billion. He met later with prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki and said he would sign agreements on developing Ukrainian infrastructure.
Poland heaped military honours and praise on Zelenskyy as it welcomed him and his wife on a joint visit, during which they thanked the country for its crucial military support as well as being a haven for Ukrainian refugees. The former Soviet satellite that is now a member of the European Union and NATO feels especially threatened by Russia and has been a leading advocate for aid to Kyiv.
Russian president Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, said Moscow’s relations with Washington are “in deep crisis” as the U.S. has led its allies in supplying aid and weapons to Ukraine.
Speaking at a ceremony where he accepted diplomatic credentials from ambassadors of 17 nations, including the U.S., Putin alleged that Washington’s support for the 2014 protests in Kyiv that ousted a pro-Kremlin president led to Russia’s sending troops into Ukraine.
Zelensky and Duda said they wanted to leave behind any World War II-era grievances that linger in Ukraine and Poland.
“There are no taboo topics between us,” Duda said. “There are still open wounds in the memory of many people.”
The visit to Warsaw was a rare wartime foray out of Ukraine for Zelenskyy. While he also travelled to the United States, Britain, France and Belgium, the trip to Poland stood out because it was announced in advance and undertaken without the secrecy of past foreign trips. It also was the first time Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska travelled abroad together since the war began in February 2022, said Marcin Przydacz, head of Duda’s foreign policy office.
Duda awarded Zelensky Poland’s oldest and highest civilian distinction, The Order of the White Eagle.“We have no doubt that your attitude, together with the bravery of the nation, has saved Ukraine,” the Polish president told Zelensky.
At a ceremony in the courtyard of the presidential palace, Duda and the two countries’ first ladies were dressed in formal attire, while Zelensky wore the military-style sweatshirt and khaki trousers that have become his uniform since the invasion.
His trips to London, Paris and Brussels in February were part of his push for warplanes and for his country admission to the EU and NATO, and his visit to Washington in December was intended to shore up U.S. support.
Zelenskyy travelled through Poland on his previous foreign trips, but until now had not made it his sole destination. The purpose of the journey to Warsaw was primarily to thank a country that has been an international cheerleader for Ukraine, as well as a safe haven for Ukrainian refugees and a transit hub for Ukraine-bound humanitarian aid and weapons.
The visit highlighted the central European nation’s rising role in a new international security order that has emerged from the war. Poland is seeking to modernize its military by purchasing tanks and other equipment from U.S. and South Korean producers. The United States has also bolstered its military presence in Poland.
Zelensky also was meeting with Ukrainians who have fled to Poland. More than 1.5 million Ukrainians have registered with the Polish government since the war began.
His visit comes at a delicate time, with Polish farmers increasingly angry because Ukrainian grain that has entered the country has created a glut, causing prices to fall.
The grain is only meant to be stored temporarily before being sent to markets in North Africa and the Middle East. But farmers say the grain is taking up space in silos and entering Polish markets, causing local prices to fall. Romanian and Bulgarian farmers say they face the same problem.
That anger is emerging as a headache for Morawiecki’s government ahead of fall elections, particularly since his conservative ruling party, Law and Justice, gets much of its support in rural areas. Agriculture minister Henryk Kowalczyk, the focus of the farmers’ anger, resigned Wednesday.
In Ukraine, the military authorities said Russian forces in the previous 24 hours had launched 47 airstrikes, three missile strikes and 42 attacks from multiple rocket launchers. At least four civilians were killed and 16 others wounded in that period, Zelensky’s office reported.
UN nuclear chief discusses Ukraine nuclear plant in Russia
Wednesday 5 April 2023 18:00 , Martha Mchardy
The head of the U.N.’s atomic energy watchdog met with Russian officials in Kaliningrad on Wednesday for negotiations on the safety of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently held by Russian forces.
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi’s trip to the Russian exclave came a week after he visited the plant, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.
“I met high level officials from several Russian agencies in Kaliningrad,” Grossi said on Twitter. “I continue my efforts to protect the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant,” he said, emphasizing that this was “in everyone’s interest.”
UN nuclear chief discusses Ukraine nuclear plant in Russia
Blinken says WSJ reporter 'wrongfully detained' by Russia
Wednesday 5 April 2023 17:30 , Martha Mchardy
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday he has “no doubt” that Russia has wrongfully detained an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was arrested last week on spying allegations.
However, Blinken said a formal determination of Evan Gershkovich’s wrongful detention has not yet been made, something that would elevate the priority of his case within the U.S. government. Blinken said the legal process for such a determination would be completed soon.
“In Evan’s case we are working through the determination on wrongful detention. There is a process to do that,” he said. “I’ll let that process play out.
“In my mind, there is no doubt that he is being wrongfully detained by Russia,” Blinken told reporters.
Matthew Lee reports:
Blinken says WSJ reporter 'wrongfully detained' by Russia
As Finland joins its ranks NATO ponders Ukraine's prospects
Wednesday 5 April 2023 17:00 , Martha Mchardy
As Finland joined NATO this week, casting aside a history of military nonalignment, a small but noisy group of Ukraine supporters outside the security fence at the alliance’s headquarters used a loudspeaker system to chant “Ukraine needs NATO,” “Ukraine in NATO,” and “Ukraine needs fighter jets.”
Russia’s war on Ukraine has driven Finland into NATO’s ranks to benefit from its security guarantee that an attack on any one of the now-31 member countries will be met with a response from them all. Sweden, Bosnia, Georgia and — most urgently — Ukraine, want in, too.
At their summit in Lithuania on July 11-12, U.S. President Joe Biden and his counterparts want to offer Ukraine something more, something stronger, in line with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s expectations more than a year into a war that has killed tens of thousands and driven millions from their homes. The question, NATO diplomats say, is: What, exactly?
Read the full story:
As Finland joins its ranks NATO ponders Ukraine's prospects
Russia's Lavrov to discuss Ukraine, grain and energy in visit to Turkey
Wednesday 5 April 2023 16:56 , Martha Mchardy
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu will discuss the conflict in Ukraine, energy cooperation and the Black Sea grain deal during a two-day visit by a Russian delegation this week.
Turkey has positioned itself as a potential intermediary between Kyiv and Moscow in the 13-month conflict, brokering the only significant diplomatic breakthrough so far in the shape of a deal that facilitates exports of grain from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports despite a Russian blockade.
Russia’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Mr Lavrov and Mr Cavusoglu would use the visit on Thursday and Friday to touch base on the “situation in Ukraine” as well as consult on a wide range of regional and international issues.
“The ministers will exchange views on the current state of the Ukraine crisis, discuss the principles and means of a peaceful settlement of the conflict - which is only possible if Kyiv takes into account Russian interests and concerns,” the ministry said.
Moscow has said it is open to negotiations, but that Kyiv, must recognise the “new realities” of the conflict - namely Russia’s unilateral annexation of four Ukrainian regions last year and Crimea in 2014.
President Zelensky has said he will not discuss a ceasefire until Russian troops have left every inch of Ukrainian territory.
Moscow said Mr Lavrov and Mr Cavusoglu would also discuss the state of the grain deal - which Russia said last month it would extend for 60 days despite the United Nations, Ukraine and Turkey pushing for a repeat 120-day rollover.
Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan said a week ago that Russian president Vladimir Putin could visit in April for the inauguration of the Russian-built Akkuyu nuclear power plant, but the Kremlin has said there are no plans for a visit
Macron says China could play ‘major role’ in Ukraine peace as he arrives in Beijing
Wednesday 5 April 2023 16:30 , Martha Mchardy
Emmanuel Macron said China can “play a major role” towards establishing “peace” amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, in his first remarks while on a visit to the country.
The French president reached Beijing on Wednesday with a delegation of 50 people, including business executives, filmmakers, artists and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, for a three-day visit.
This is Mr Macron’s first trip to China since 2019 and has been widely billed as an attempt to engage with Chinese president Xi Jinping on hastening the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine by wielding his influence with Vladimir Putin.
Shweta Sharma reports:
Macron says China could play ‘major role’ in Ukraine peace as he arrives in Beijing
Poland scraps fencing event because of Russian participation
Wednesday 5 April 2023 16:00 , Martha Mchardy
A fencing World Cup event in Poland has been cancelled because the sport’s governing body decided last month to let Russians and Belarusians compete.
The Polish Fencing Association said Wednesday it will not host the Olympic qualifying event for women’s foil from April 21-23 in Poznan.
Last month, the International Fencing Federation voted to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to resume competing after an exclusion of more than a year.
Read the full story:
Poland scraps fencing event because of Russian participation
Russia says it will ignore media lobbying for release of arrested US reporter
Wednesday 5 April 2023 15:47 , Martha Mchardy
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told journalists on Wednesday that Moscow would ignore a letter from media organisations urging the release of a U.S. reporter accused of espionage, saying it was hypocritical.
Blinken says U.S. working on "wrongful detention" label for WSJ reporter
Wednesday 5 April 2023 15:33 , Martha Mchardy
The United States is working through the process to determine if Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s detention by Russia is “wrongful”, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, adding that it would soon be completed.
“It’s something that we’re working through very deliberately, but expeditiously as well. And I’ll let that process play out. In my own mind, there’s no doubt that he’s being wrongfully detained by Russia,” Mr Blinken said at a press conference in Brussels.
Russia complains that West has not expressed concern over blogger killing
Wednesday 5 April 2023 15:30 , Martha Mchardy
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova complained on Wednesday that Western countries had not expressed concern over the killing of a military blogger with a bomb in St Petersburg on Sunday, which Russia has called an act of terrorism.
Zelensky visits Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Poland state visit
Wednesday 5 April 2023 15:20 , Martha Mchardy
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a state visit in Poland on Wednesday.
Mr Zelensky attended wreath laying ceremony at the Pilsudski Square in Warsaw and lay a wreath in the colours of the Ukrainian flag on the tomb, before signing a commemorative book.
Future NATO membership has to be based on independent, democratic Ukraine - Stoltenberg
Wednesday 5 April 2023 15:00 , Martha Mchardy
NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday Ukraine’s future membership of the alliance had to be based on the country being independent and democratic, which is now challenged by Russia’s invasion.
Stoltenberg told a media briefing after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels that Ukrainian forces should have the highest possible level of interoperability with the alliance when the war ended.
US envoy demands journalist's release in call with Russian counterpart
Wednesday 5 April 2023 14:59 , Martha Mchardy
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Wednesday she had spoken with her Russian counterpart Vassily Nebenzia to demand the immediate release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.
Mr Gershkovich was arrested and charged with espionage in Russia last week. Thomas-Greenfield said she spoke with Mr Nebenzia on Tuesday.
Russia's Belarus nuclear threat shows "empty promises" of China statement: Stoltenberg
Wednesday 5 April 2023 14:50 , Martha Mchardy
Russia’s announcement that it will station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus shows that a Russia-China joint statement days earlier amounted to “empty promises”, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement came just days after Russia and China jointly declared countries should not deploy nuclear weapons outside their borders, Mr Stoltenberg told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
He said this showed such statements are “empty promises and what we need to watch closely is what Russia is doing.”
Mr Stoltenberg said NATO had not seen any signs so far that Russia was following through on Putin’s announcement.
Putin tells US its support for 2014 revolution led to today's Ukraine situation
Wednesday 5 April 2023 14:45 , Martha Mchardy
Russian president Vladimir Putin told new U.S. ambassador Lynne Tracy in a Kremlin ceremony on Tuesday that U.S. support for a revolution in Ukraine in 2014 had led to the current situation where Russia and Ukraine were in conflict.
He said relations with Washington were in a deep crisis.
Mr Putin also told the European Union’s ambassador at a Kremlin ceremony on Wednesday that relations between Russia and the bloc had “seriously degraded”, and that the EU had initiated a “geopolitical confrontation” with Russia.
To counter China, US trade rep seeks closer ties to allies
Wednesday 5 April 2023 14:30 , Martha Mchardy
The Biden administration is pressing its case for a new approach to global trade, arguing that America’s traditional reliance on promoting free trade pacts failed to anticipate China’s brass-knuckled brand of capitalism and the possibility a major power like Russia would go to war against one of its trading partners.
In a speech Wednesday at American University, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai is calling for a strategy of what’s known as “friend-shoring’’ — building up supply chains among allied countries and reducing dependence on geopolitical rivals such as China. Rising tension with Beijing and supply-chain bottlenecks arising from the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the risks of relying too heavily on Chinese suppliers.
To counter China, US trade rep seeks closer ties to allies
Russia's Lavrov to visit Turkey for talks April 6-7
Wednesday 5 April 2023 14:29 , Martha Mchardy
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Turkey on April 6-7 for talks with his Turkish counterpart, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.
