Month: January 2023

Pavel Leads Ahead of Czech Vote; Opponent Plays on War Fears 

Retired general and former NATO official Petr Pavel led billionaire ex-prime minister Andrej Babis by a nearly 18-point margin ahead of a Czech presidential election run-off vote, according to the final Ipsos agency poll published on Monday. Czech presidents do not wield much daily powers but they appoint prime ministers, central bank governors, and have a limited role in foreign policy. They also shape public debate and can pressure governments on policies. Pavel was polling at 58.8% to 41.2% for Babis in the survey conducted on Jan. 20-22. The two candidates meet in the second round of the election on …

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У розвідці прогнозують активні бойові дії на Донбасі найближчі два місяці

У найближчі два місяці будуть активні бойові дії на Донецькому і Луганському напрямках, повідомив представник Головного управління розвідки Міністерства оборони Вадим Скібіцький в інтерв’ю агенції «Укрінформ». «Лютий-березень будуть активні бойові дії, і саме в Луганській і Донецькій областях. Ми ще бачимо зараз перекидання 2-ї механізованої дивізії 1-ї танкової армії з Білорусі. Не виключаємо, що вони можуть знову спробувати зайти на нашу територію через кордон, це Куп’янський напрямок, можливе і відновлення наступальних дій з метою повернення під контроль раніше захоплених ворогом територій в Луганській області», – сказав він. Читайте також: Данілов: РФ готується до наступу, перша ознака – активні інформаційні заходи На початку …

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Erdogan: Turkey Elections to Be Held May 14

Turkey’s president has announced May 14 as the date for the country’s next parliamentary and presidential elections. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who plans to seek reelection, made the announcement during a Saturday youth conference in northwestern Bursa province. A video of the event was released Sunday. “I thank God that we are destined to share our path with you, our valued youth, who will vote for the first time in the elections that will be held on May 14,” said Erdogan, who had hinted at the date last week. He said in Bursa he would make the formal call on …

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Pressure Mounting on Germany to Deliver Leopard 2 Tanks to Ukraine

French and German leaders held a summit in France Sunday as pressure mounts on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to approve a shipment of Leopard 2 heavy tanks to Ukraine. The chancellor did not say whether Germany would agree to provide Ukraine with a delivery of battle tanks, but the Reuters news agency cited him as saying such decisions would be made in coordination with allies including the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron said he does not rule out the possibility of sending Leclerc tanks to Ukraine. He cautioned, however, that sending tanks must not endanger France’s security or escalate …

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Greek Police Search Ryanair Passenger Plane Over Bomb Threat 

Police on Sunday were searching a Ryanair RYA.I passenger plane that landed at Athens International Airport for any suspicious items after receiving an alert for a bomb threat, police officials said. The pilot of the Boeing 737 aircraft, with about 190 passengers and crew on board, had earlier alerted authorities over a possible explosive device on board, one of the officials said. The plane, which was flying from Katowice in Poland to Greece arrived in Athens escorted by two fighter jets at 5:35 p.m. (1535 GMT). Firefighting engines were on standby as it landed. Police were later searching passengers as …

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День Соборності України: відзначили його і українці у Празі (фотогалерея)

22 січня у столиці Чехії відбулася акція до Дня Соборності. Українці зібралися у Празі, щоб відзначити день єдності, розгорнути великий український стяг, а також подякувати чехам за підтримку. …

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France, Germany Renew Alliance Strained Amid War in Ukraine 

France and Germany are seeking to overcome differences laid bare by Russia’s war in Ukraine while celebrating their decadeslong friendship with a day of ceremonies and talks Sunday on Europe’s security, energy and other challenges. Germany’s entire Cabinet is in Paris for joint meetings, and 300 lawmakers from both countries are coming together at the Sorbonne University to mark 60 years since a landmark treaty sealed a bond between the longtime enemies that underpins today’s European Union. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will oversee two rounds of talks at the Elysee Palace, focusing first on energy …

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UK: Russia Will ‘Likely Struggle’ to Staff, Equip Planned Force Expansion

The British Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russia “highly likely assesses that an enhanced conventional military threat will endure for many years beyond the current Ukraine war.” In the intelligence update posted on Twitter Sunday, the ministry said, Russia would “highly likely struggle to staff and equip the planned expansion.” Russia’s Defense Ministry announced last week that it intends to increase its armed forces staffing to 1.5 million people. Russia also announced plans to reestablish Moscow and Leningrad military districts. The U.K. Defense Ministry said that move represents “a partial return to the Soviet era organization of forces in Western …

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Swedish Prime Minister Condemns Quran Burning

Sweden’s prime minister has condemned as “deeply disrespectful” the weekend burning of a Quran in Stockholm, which has raised tensions with Turkey as the Nordic country courts Ankara over its NATO bid. Far-right politician Rasmus Paludan set fire to a copy of the Muslim holy book on Saturday in front of Turkey’s embassy in the Swedish capital. Furious that Paludan had been permitted by Swedish police to carry out the protest, Ankara canceled a visit by Sweden’s defense minister and summoned Stockholm’s ambassador. Late on Saturday, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson tweeted: “Freedom of expression is a fundamental part of democracy. …

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Голова ГУР розповів, чому вбитого СБУ Кірєєва залучали до переговорів України і Росії

«Оскільки людина вже загинула, ми можемо про це казати: головне завдання, яке ми йому поставили – це затягнути процес для того, щоб виграти час. Оскільки пан Кірєєв особисто знав двох осіб з того переговорного процесу, які представляли російську сторону» …

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В ISW оцінили дії українських військових під Бахмутом

«Захід сприяв нездатності України скористатися цим утриманням російських сил у Бахмуті, повільно розгортаючи або притримуючи системи озброєння й постачання, необхідні для широкомасштабних контрнаступальних операцій» …

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