Month: May 2022

US Senate to Vote on Ukraine Aid

The U.S. Senate is set to vote Thursday on a $40 billion aid package for Ukraine. The measure includes money for military equipment, training and weapons for Ukraine, replenishing stocks of U.S. equipment sent to Ukraine and financing to help other countries that aid Ukraine. It also includes billions of dollars in humanitarian aid, including helping money to address global food shortages caused by the conflict. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly gave its approval to the package last week. If the Senate approves the measure, it will go to President Joe Biden for his signature.  …

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Jailing of Georgian Media Owner Sends ‘Bad Message’

The jailing of a politician turned media owner sends a “bad message” from Georgia about the country’s commitment to press freedom and Western ideals, international bodies and rights groups say. Nika Gvaramia, director of the opposition station Mtavari TV, appeared in court in the capital, Tbilisi, on Monday accused of harming the financial interests of a media outlet that he previously ran. The court convicted Gvaramia of abuse of power related to his time as general manager and director of the independent TV station Rustavi 2. He was sentenced to three years and six months in prison. His lawyer, Dimitri …

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Russian Soldier Pleads Guilty to Killing Ukrainian Civilian

A 21-year-old Russian soldier pleaded guilty Wednesday to killing an unarmed Ukrainian civilian in the first war crimes case Kyiv has brought since the Russian invasion three months ago. Sergeant Vadim Shishimarin could be sentenced to life in prison for shooting a 62-year-old Ukrainian man in the head through an open car window four days after Russia launched the invasion in late February.  Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova previously has said her office is preparing war crimes cases against 41 Russian soldiers for offenses that included bombing civilian infrastructure, killing civilians, rape and looting. It is not clear how many …

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Finland and Sweden Formally Submit Application to Join NATO

Finland and Sweden have officially applied for membership in the NATO military alliance, spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg made the announcement Wednesday at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, flanked by the ambassadors from both countries after receiving their formal application letters. “This is a good day at a critical moment for our security,” Stoltenberg said. “All allies agree on the importance of NATO enlargement. We all agree that we must stand together. And we all agree that this is an historic moment which we must seize.” Finland’s parliament overwhelmingly voted to join NATO earlier Wednesday …

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Україна має достатньо зерна, щоб прогодувати себе більше року – радник президента з економічних питань

Олег Устенко зауважив, що країни ЄС допомагають Україні з альтернативними логістичними коридорами, але продовжують сплачувати Росії мільярди доларів за енергоносії. …

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German Ex-Leader Schroeder Loses Privileges Over Russia Ties 

Germany’s three governing parties plan to strip former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of his office and staff after he maintained and defended his long-standing ties with Russia despite the war in Ukraine. Schroeder’s own Social Democratic Party said Wednesday that lawmakers on the parliamentary budget committee had agreed to link some of the former German leader’s privileges to actual duties, rather than his status as former chancellor. They planned to submit a proposal to lawmakers on Thursday. Schroeder has become increasingly isolated in recent months due to his work for Russian state-controlled energy companies. The 78-year-old is chairman of the supervisory …

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На Київщині через війну зруйновані понад 4500 житлових будинків – голова ОВА

У Київській області внаслідок бойових дій зруйновано понад 4500 приватних і багатоповерхових житлових будинків, повідомив голова Київської обласної військової адміністрації Олександр Павлюк. «Унаслідок бойових дій в області зруйновано понад 4500 приватних та багатоповерхових житлових будинків. Критичних руйнувань завдано в Бучанській, Ірпінській, Гостомельській, Бородянській, Макарівській, Великодимерській та Пісківській територіальних громадах», – написав Павлюк у телеграмі. Він зазначив, що моніторингові групи продовжують роботу з фіксування руйнувань. 2 квітня Київщина була звільнена від російських військ. За даними міністра розвитку громад і територій Олексія Чернишова, станом на 2 квітня внаслідок повномасштабної російської агресії в Україні знищені чи пошкоджені вже майже 6,8 тисячі житлових будинків. …

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Latest Developments in Ukraine: May 18

For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. All times EDT: 2:17 a.m.: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the decision of Finland and Sweden to apply for membership in the alliance is “a good day at a critical moment for our security.” Speaking alongside the ambassadors of both nations at NATO headquarters in Brussels. the secretary-general said: “You have both made your own choice after thorough democratic processes, and I warmly welcome the requests by Finland and Sweden to join NATO,” Stoltenberg said to them. “All allies …

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