Tag: Antony Blinken
USA, Lithuania in talks aimed at China
Washington – In March 1990, Lithuania became the first republic to break away from the Soviet Union by declaring itself an independent state, a decision applauded by the White House. Thirty-three years later, this Baltic country of about 2.7 million people is making bold moves to counter China, the rising global power of the century, […]
Live: Ukraine says ‘survived the hardest winter in our history’
Ukraine has survived the “hardest winter” in its history, enduring months of Russian strikes on critical infrastructure, the country’s foreign minister said on Wednesday. The fight to defend the eastern city of Bakhmut from Russian forces intensified, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday. Follow our live blog for the latest updates on the war in […]
Jaishankar holds bilateral meeting with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Sweden
New Delhi [India]March 3 (ANI): Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held bilateral meetings with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Saudi Arabia’s counterpart Faisal bin Farhan and Sweden’s Tobias Billström on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue. “Happy to meet FM Sameh Shoukry from Egypt. Welcomed his participation in the G20 meeting yesterday. Our discussions […]
Donors pledge $1.2 billion in Yemen aid, far short of UN target
The United Nations collected $1.2 billion in humanitarian aid for Yemen, but the amount is far short of a $4.3 billion goal the United Nations set to help the war-torn country. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a global donor conference in Geneva on Monday that the US would provide $444 million in humanitarian […]
The EU approves the tenth package of sanctions against Russia
The European Union approved a tenth package of Russia sanctions on Friday night, the anniversary of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, the Swedish EU presidency said. Follow our live blog for the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT+1). 8:46 a.m.: Biden says he doesn’t “anticipate” China providing arms to Russia United States President Joe […]
Roundup: Germany mum on Nord Stream explosions amid US sabotage claims
BERLIN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) — The German government is condoning the explosions that destroyed the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines on Sept. 26 last year, even as the country continues to suffer a severe energy crisis following the disruption of Russian gas supplies. Without even giving access to members of the German Bundestag (the […]
Germany mum on Nord Stream explosions amid US sabotage claims
© Provided by Xinhua Without even giving access to members of the German Bundestag, all information on the matter has been classified as “highly confidential” due to the so-called third-party rule, which prevents conflicts with the interests of the allied states or their intelligence services. BERLIN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) — The German government is condoning […]
NATO chief sees ‘some signs’ China may support Russia’s war
Warsaw, Poland – NATO’s chief said on Wednesday that the military alliance has seen “some signs” that China may be planning to support Russia in its war in Ukraine, and he strongly urged Beijing to refrain from what would be a violation of international law. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also told The Associated Press […]
Evidence of US guilt for Nord Stream more than a smoking gun Russia
Blocking a UN probe would make the West look even more suspicious, Moscow’s ambassador told Security Council The destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines was an act of international terrorism and must be addressed to avoid “chaos” on the high seas, Moscow’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, told the UN Security Council on Tuesday. Russia has […]
Fighter jets, earthquakes, NATO efforts: Are US-Turkish ties on the mend
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Monday came in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that have shattered the Turkish leader’s projection of his country as a regional hegemon. With Turkey turning into a recipient of generous US humanitarian aid, will Ankara play the role of […]
Xinhua Middle East News Roundup at 2200 GMT, 20 February
ANKARA – At least three people were killed and 213 others were sent to hospital after two new earthquakes shook southern Turkey on Monday night, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said. Rescue teams have been working at three wreck sites to rescue six people trapped in the latest tremors, Soylu told reporters in southern Hatay […]
Blinken calls for NATO expansion during the visit to Turkey
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to Ankara on Monday that the Biden administration supports the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. He also expressed confidence that both Sweden and Finland will soon join the NATO alliance. The US Congress must approve the $20 billion sale of F-16s, which includes […]
Blinken supports NATO expansion, fighter jet sales in Turkey visit
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration supports the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, and expressed confidence that both Sweden and Finland will soon join the NATO alliance, as he visited Ankara for talks with Turkish leaders on the Monday. The US Congress must approve the $20 billion sale of […]
US Sends Another $100 Million in Earthquake Aid to Turkey, Syria
The United States is sending an additional $100 million in humanitarian aid to Turkey and Syria to help the two countries cope with the devastating earthquake that has killed more than 46,000 people and left millions homeless. The new aid brings total US assistance to $185 million and will be given to international and non-governmental […]
US blew up Nord Stream pipeline in covert operation, says top investigative journalist
Washington [US]February 11 (ANI): American investigative journalist and political writer Seymour Hersh claimed that the bombing of the Nord Stream undersea gas pipelines in September 2022 was carried out by the US in a covert operation, according to the results of his investigation published in Substack. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hersh noted that the decision to […]
Trkiye denies the connection between the F-16 agreement and Nordic NATO bids
Ankara hopes to buy 40 new Lockheed-produced jets, but the deal has opponents in Washington Turkey’s proposed purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the US and its gatekeeping for NATO as Finland and Sweden seek to join the US-led military bloc are “not related,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has insisted. The arms sale would […]
NATO allies US, Turkey Trying to mend fences but cracks remain
WASHINGTON – The United States and Turkey tried on Wednesday to iron out differences that have strained relations for years but failed to report progress in resolving differences over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and NATO expansion that have strained ties between the allies. At a meeting in Washington, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken and visiting Turkish […]
F-16 deal dependent on Turkey’s support for NATO expansion, Syria
Washington – Turkey’s request for F-16 fighter jets from the US and the possibility of another Turkish military operation in northern Syria are expected to top the agenda during talks in Washington when Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu meets with Foreign Minister Antony Blinken on Wednesday. Analysts say any F-16 deal would be tied to […]
Pakistan ‘most exposed’ to Chinese influence, new research shows
Washington – A new study on China’s global influence puts Pakistan at the top of the list. Cambodia and Singapore are ranked second and third respectively as the “most exposed” to Beijing’s influence. Among the ten countries most exposed to influence from China, eight are in Asia. Paraguay, North Macedonia and Albania were ranked as […]
Basketball star Brittney Griner returns to the United States after a prisoner exchange with Russia
Washington [US]December 10 (ANI): American basketball player Brittney Griner reached her home country on Friday after being released from a Russian prison in exchange for an arms dealer. Speaking at a news briefing Friday, U.S. Chancellor’s Assistant Secretary Vedant Patel said Griner arrived at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and was taken to Brooke […]
The US expects Sweden and Finland to join NATO soon
The US administration is convinced that Sweden and Finland’s formal accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will soon be completed, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said at a joint press conference after talks with Finnish and Swedish counterparts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. . “Finland and Sweden are ready to become NATO allies. […]
Putin vows to continue targeting Ukraine’s power grid
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia will continue to strike Ukraine’s energy grid after waves of missile attacks have left parts of the country without clean water and electricity. Pope Francis broke down and wept as he spoke about the suffering of Ukrainians during a prayer at Rome’s Spanish Steps. Read our live […]
Antony Blinken hails release of Brittney Griner, says US continues to work ‘relentlessly’ to bring home Paul Whelan
Washington [US]December 9 (ANI): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has hailed the release of American basketball player Brittney Griner from Russian detention. He stated that the administration will continue its efforts to bring Paul Whelan back to the United States. Griner was released in a prisoner swap involving Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, according […]
Live: Putin vows to continue targeting Ukraine’s power grid
President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia will continue to strike Ukraine’s energy grid after waves of missile attacks have left parts of the country without clean water and electricity. Pope Francis broke down and wept as he spoke about the suffering of Ukrainians during a prayer at Rome’s Spanish Steps. Follow our live […]
Suomen Haavisto in DC discusses NATO membership, Ukraine and security
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto meets US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken.
Turkish attacks on America’s Kurdish allies echo the Ukraine war
Bucharest, Romania – US President Joe Biden’s administration is toughening its language toward NATO ally Turkey as it tries to dissuade Turkish President Recep Erdogan from launching a bloody and destabilizing ground offensive against US-allied Kurdish forces in neighboring Syria. Since November 20, after six people died in a bomb attack in Istanbul a week […]
Live: Ukraine calls on NATO to speed up aid as more aid is promised
Ukraine called on NATO members on Tuesday to speed up arms deliveries and help restore its shattered power grid, as Western allies pledged to boost support to help Kyiv through the winter in the face of Russia’s attacks. Follow our blog to see how today’s events unfolded. All times are Paris time (GMT+1). 04:23: Ukraine […]
EU seeks special court for Russian crimes against Ukraine
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday called for a special court to prosecute Russian crimes against Ukraine. Von der Leyen proposed a UN-backed court “to investigate and prosecute Russia’s crimes of aggression.” She also said that Russia and Russian oligarchs must pay for the costs of rebuilding Ukraine from the damage done […]
Live: China urges ‘calm’ after missile strike in Poland
China on Wednesday called for “calm” following a deadly missile strike on a Polish village near the border with Ukraine. Follow FRANCE 24’s live blog for the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT+1). 9:27am: NATO holds emergency talks after missile lands in Poland Ambassadors from the 30 NATO nations gathered in Brussels Wednesday […]
Live: France urges ‘extreme caution’ over origins of strike in Poland
France urged “extreme caution” on Wednesday about the origin of a deadly missile attack on NATO member Poland, saying many countries in the region have similar weapons. Follow FRANCE 24’s live blog for the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT+1). 06:42: Blinken calls Polish, Ukrainian FMs about missile attack US Secretary of State […]
Putin says civilians in Ukraine’s Kherson should be evacuated
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that civilians in Ukraine’s Kherson region should be evacuated from the conflict zone, the Kremlin chief’s first acknowledgement of a deteriorating situation in a region he claims to have annexed. Read FRANCE 24’s liveblog below to see how the day’s events unfolded. All times are Paris local time […]
EU strengthens infrastructure protection Bloomberg
Member states must strengthen their energy and other key sectors against potential sabotage, the bloc warned Europe must take steps to protect its energy, communications, transport and other critical infrastructure from potential sabotage, the European Commission will recommend this week, according to Bloomberg. The EU’s governing body will also issue a “blueprint” for responding to […]
EU states withdraw from the joint Nord Stream investigation – media
Sweden, Denmark and Germany are reportedly conducting separate investigations into the incident Stockholm, Copenhagen and Berlin have refused to conduct a joint investigation into the alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, the Tagesschau news portal, owned by ARD media, reported on Friday. According to the report, the three nations “actually wanted to investigate […]
Nord Stream saboteurs plunged the EU into energy poverty in Moscow
The destruction of Russian gas pipelines has ?undoed? EU energy security, said Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak The perpetrators of the attacks on the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines have destroyed the EU’s hopes for a secure and sustainable energy supply, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksander Novak has declared on the sidelines of the Russian Energy […]
Nord Stream saboteurs threw EU to top energy poverty minister
The destruction of Russian gas pipelines has ?undoed? EU energy security, said Moscow’s deputy prime minister The perpetrators behind the attacks on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 natural gas pipelines have destroyed the EU’s hopes for a secure and sustainable energy supply, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksander Novak has said on the sidelines of the […]
Sweden explains the rejection of the joint Nord Stream probe
Stockholm’s own investigation findings have been deemed too confidential to share with other nations, a Swedish official has said. Stockholm has rejected a plan to set up an official joint investigation team with Germany and Denmark to investigate the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in late September, Reuters reported, […]
EU states withdraw from joint Nord Stream probe media
Sweden, Denmark and Germany are reportedly conducting separate investigations into the incident Stockholm, Copenhagen and Berlin have refused to conduct a joint investigation into the alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, the Tagesschau news portal, owned by ARD media, reported on Friday. According to the report, the three nations “actually wanted to investigate […]
EU countries withdraw from joint Nord Stream explosion probe media
Sweden, Denmark and Germany will carry out investigations into the incident separately, reports the TV company ARD Stockholm, Copenhagen and Berlin have refused to conduct a joint investigation into the alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, the Tagesschau news portal, owned by ARD media, reported on Friday. According to the report, the three […]
Moscow demands answers to Nord Stream explosions
Russia’s Foreign Ministry summons envoys from Germany, Denmark and Sweden for their refusal to provide access to the investigation Russia will not recognize the results of the ongoing investigation into the explosions at the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines in late September unless its experts are allowed to participate in the […]
Putin hints at the culprits behind Nord Stream sabotage
The explosions on the gas pipelines have made it easier to force American LNG on Europe, says the Russian president Those who benefit most from the damage to the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea are the ones responsible for it, Russian President Vladmir Putin has said. “Everyone understands who is behind this […]
Sweden will not share the results of the Nord Stream probe with the Russian Prime Minister
Magdalena Andersson cited the confidential nature of the investigation while suggesting that Moscow could conduct its own investigation Sweden will not share the results of its investigation into the explosions that severely damaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in late September with Russia, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has said. President Vladimir Putin […]
Sweden will not share the findings of Nord Stream’s probe with Russia – PM
Magdalena Andersson cited the confidential nature of the investigation while suggesting that Moscow could conduct its own investigation Sweden will not share the results of its investigation into the explosions that severely damaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in late September with Russia, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has said. The Swedish authorities […]
Interview: US scientists say Nord Stream leaks ‘need honest investigation’
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) — U.S. attempts to blame Russia for the Nord Stream gas pipeline leaks are “very unconvincing,” a prominent U.S. scientist and a senior U.N. adviser have said, calling for an honest investigation. “The evidence is of course incomplete at this stage, but the US attempt to blame Russia is very unconvincing […]
Italy tightens surveillance of submarine cables
The move comes in response to sabotage on the Nord Stream pipelines, an official told Reuters The Italian government has stepped up surveillance and controls on underwater energy and telecommunications cables off its coast, a source close to the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. The decision comes in response to the explosions discovered at the […]
US scientists say Nord Stream leaks ‘need honest investigation’
© Provided by Xinhua “It makes Europe more dependent on the US. It robs Russia of a negotiating tool for negotiations,” said Sachs, special adviser to three UN secretaries-general from 2001 to 2018 and now chair of the UN Sustainable Development Network. WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) — U.S. attempts to blame Russia for the Nord […]
Russia points the finger at the sole recipient of pipeline sabotage
The pipelines were the last thing that ensured the EU’s energy independence, Moscow’s UN envoy said The sabotage of Russia’s Nord Stream gas pipeline benefits the United States, not Russia or the EU, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said on Friday. “The main question is whether what happened with Nord Stream […]
The Nord Stream pipeline leaks appear to be the result of deliberate action
washington – European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Wednesday that all indications are that leaks from two Nord Stream natural gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea “are the result of a deliberate act.” “We will support any investigation aimed at getting to the bottom of what happened and why, and will take further […]
Live: First shipment of Ukrainian grain reaches Turkish waters
The first shipment of Ukrainian grain since Russia’s invasion reached Turkish territorial waters on Tuesday near the entrance to the Bosphorus. The number of border crossings from Ukraine has exceeded 10 million, the UN refugee agency reported. Follow FRANCE 24’s live blog for the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT+2). 21:30: Fighting in […]
Första sändningen av ukrainsk spannmål når turkiska vatten
Den första transporten av ukrainskt spannmål sedan Rysslands invasion nådde turkiskt territorialvatten på tisdagen nära inloppet till Bosporen. Antalet gränsövergångar från Ukraina har passerat 10 miljoner, rapporterade FN:s flyktingorgan. Läs om dagens händelser när de utvecklades på vår liveblogg. Alla tider är Paris-tid (GMT+2). Den här livesidan uppdateras inte längre. För mer av våra bevakning […]
Russia accuses the United States of a direct role in the war in Ukraine
He claimed that the United States approved the targets for the American-made Himars artillery used by Ukrainian forces. “It is the Biden administration that is directly responsible for all Kiev-sanctioned rocket attacks against residential areas and civilian infrastructure buildings in settlements in the Donbass and other regions that caused mass civilian deaths,” Konashenkov said. The […]
The Republican senator slows down the US approval of Finland’s NATO application
The outspoken Republican senator intends to postpone the American approval of Finland’s NATO application, which must be approved by all 30 NATO member countries. Its. Rand Paul Kentucky has called on the US to ignore NATO’s Article 5, which automatically guarantees US aid to another member state under attack. He argues that any such action […]
Ukraine sets new defensive lines in Donetsk after losing Luhansk
Ukrainian forces on Tuesday took up new defensive lines in Donetsk a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed victory in neighbouring Luhansk province, which a senior Ukrainian official vowed would be a “last victory for Russia on Ukrainian soil”. Read about the day’s events as they unfolded on our liveblog. All times are Paris […]
International Round-Up: Refugees are struggling to find work in Denmark, but are doing better in Norway and Sweden
Refugees in Denmark may face a harder time when it comes to finding work, at least compared to those in neighboring countries, according to a new report by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research. The study, which examined how Nordic integration policy affects refugees’ entry into the […]
NATO Secretary General meets with top US officials
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will meet with top US officials starting on Wednesday, almost two weeks after top leaders from Finland and Sweden met with US President Joe Biden to join the military alliance. – Other media news – Stoltenberg will meet Foreign Minister Antony Blinken on Wednesday and the two […]
Turkey’s issues with Finland in NATO can be resolved before the Madrid summit: Foreign Minister
“We believe that these problems raised by Turkey can be resolved, and it is probably very important that results can be achieved before the Madrid Summit, which is an important moment for NATO and also for us as candidate countries at the end of June,” Haavisto said at the news conference. Negotiations between Finland, Sweden […]
Talks between Finland, Sweden and Turkey on NATO membership were “good”: Haavisto
Moscow [Russia]May 28 (ANI / Sputnik): Finland, Sweden and Turkey had “good” negotiations on the Nordic countries’ NATO bids, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said on Friday. “Regarding Turkey, our delegations visited [Turkey] on wednesday … had good negotiations there. Negotiators agreed to continue these talks “, said Haavisto after his meeting with US Secretary […]
See: The Finnish Secretary of State will meet with the United States Secretary of State in Washington
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto (The Greens) met in Washington on Friday to discuss Finland’s NATO membership, which has been halted by Turkey’s security concerns. Speaking at the Foreign Ministry’s Benjamin Franklin room, Blinken expressed strong US support for Finland’s and Sweden’s membership in […]
Finland and Sweden begin talks with Turkey on NATO protests
On Wednesday, Finnish and Swedish diplomats began talks with Turkish representatives in the capital, Ankara, to discuss Turkey’s opposition to the two Nordic countries joining NATO. Finland and Sweden submitted their applications for membership at the same time last week, but Turkey blocked the preliminary examination of the bids. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan […]
Russia is stepping up attacks in eastern Ukraine
Russia intensified its offensive against eastern Ukraine on Friday, using artillery, rocket-propelled grenades and aircraft to strike the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, destroying residential buildings and killing a number of civilians, according to Ukrainian civilian and military officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described conditions in the Donbas region, which includes Luhansk and Donetsk, as “hell” […]
Thursday ‘s newspapers: Turkey blocks talks, Finnish vegetables and "NATO pen"
Helsingin sanomat newspaper contains a timeline describing Finland’s latest developments and Sweden’s application for NATO membership after Turkey blocked the union’s decision to process the two countries’ applications on Wednesday. HS writes that the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu met with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken In New York on Wednesday and told […]
Russia: 959 Ukrainian troops surrender in Mariupol
Russia’s defense minister said on Wednesday that 959 Ukrainian troops had surrendered this week at the last stronghold in the besieged port city of Mariupol. A ministry spokesman told reporters that the number included 694 who had capitulated in the past 24 hours. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the figures. Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Anna […]
Russia on the way to control Mariupol
The fall of the Ukrainian port of Mariupol to Russia seemed imminent on Tuesday as Ukraine moved to abandon the city’s vast steelworks, and hundreds of Kyiv warriors held there surrendered to Russian forces in an agreement reached by the warring parties. The conquest of Mariupol, a pre-war city of 430,000 people along the north […]
Turkey’s Foreign Minister is facing difficult questions in Washington
Istanbul – Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will meet with Foreign Minister Antony Blinken in Washington on Wednesday – the latest step in the process of repairing ties between the two NATO allies. The Turkish diplomat will have difficult questions to answer regarding Turkey’s efforts to veto Finland’s and Sweden’s bid to join the Atlantic […]
Ukraine says troops are winning in Kharkiv
Ukraine said on Monday that its forces had repulsed Russian troops in the Kharkiv region in a counter-offensive that allowed the Ukrainians to reach the Russian border. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense posted a video showing what it said was its troops at the border, in which a soldier told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “We […]
Blinken discusses Ukraine, Iran nuclear agreements with German, French, British counterparts
Berlin [Germany]May 16 (ANI): In addition to NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting on Sunday (local time), US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his counterparts from Germany, Britain and France in Berlin to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the ongoing negotiations with Iran on the revival of the nuclear deal. . Blinken met with […]
NATO Summit in Madrid in June to evaluate future NATO-Russia relations: Blinken
Berlin [Germany]May 15 (ANI): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that the NATO summit in June will evaluate the military alliance’s future relationship with Russia, which has deteriorated since the start of the “military operation” in Ukraine. He made these comments after an informal meeting with NATO allies in Berlin. Blinken is […]
Blinken discusses security, financial assistance with Kuleba in Berlin
Berlin [Germany]May 15 (ANI): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba next to the NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Berlin on Sunday and discussed security and financial assistance to Kyiv. “Met FM @DmytroKuleba before today’s @NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting to discuss the security and financial assistance that Ukraine needs […]
Niinistö will meet with US senators in Helsinki on Monday
President Sauli Niinistö meets with the Republican leader of the U.S. Senate Mitch McConnell and three other Republican senators in Helsinki on Monday. Others are John Barrasso From Wyoming, Susan Collins Reputation and John Cornyn From Texas. According to a press release from Niinistö’s office on Sunday afternoon, he and the senators are scheduled to […]
Finland formally announces that it is seeking NATO membership
Finland has formally announced its intention to apply for NATO membership. President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced the move on Sunday at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. “This is a historic day,” Niinisto said. “A new era begins.” Finland’s announcement that it is seeking membership of the Western military alliance with 30 […]
Ukraine: The Russians withdraw from Kharkiv, Batter East
KYIV, UKRAINE – Russian troops withdrew from Ukraine’s second largest city after bombing it for several weeks, the Ukrainian military said on Saturday as Kyiv and Moscow forces engaged in a fierce battle for the country’s eastern industrial heart. The Ukrainian military said Russian forces were withdrawing from the northeastern city of Kharkiv, focusing on […]
Niinistö to Putin: Finland will soon apply for NATO
President Sauli Niinistö called Russia president Vladimir Putin on Saturday, telling him that Finland would apply for NATO membership in the coming days. According to his office, Niinistö told his Russian colleague about the matter "how thoroughly Russia’s demands at the end of 2021, aimed at preventing countries from joining NATO and Russia’s massive invasion […]
Russia is accused of food theft when the G7 tries to unlock Ukraine’s ports
Russia is accused of large-scale grain theft when top diplomats from the group of seven rich nations gather in northern Germany for three days of talks on Ukraine’s global impact on food and energy prices. “This is a particularly disgusting form of war led by Russia,” German Agriculture Minister Cem Oezdemir said on Friday at […]
World Insights: Serious consequences await if NATO expands further
STOCKHOLM, 9 May (Xinhua) – The Office of the President of Finland has recently confirmed that President Sauli Niinisto will make a statement on Finland’s NATO membership by 12 May. At the same time, Tobias Baudin, Secretary General of the ruling Swedish Social Democratic Party, said that the party will probably make a final decision […]
BTI: Germany, France and the United States promised military support to Finland during the NATO process
The United States, Germany and France have joined alongside the United Kingdom to promise military support to Finland as a possible NATO membership period, if the need arises, says the news agency STT. However, the promises are not legally binding agreements, as such guarantees would require a legislative process in each country that is likely […]
Blinken tests positive for Covid
Fully vaccinated and boosted US Secretary of State works from home with “mild symptoms” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday afternoon, the State Department announced. The top official is experiencing only mild symptoms and will work from home until he can return to his department, his spokesman added. “The […]
Blinken reassures Sweden ahead of the country’s NATO application
Washington [US]May 5 (ANI / Sputnik): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed in a telephone conversation with his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde US support for NATO’s open door policy, says State Department spokesman Ned Price in a press release. Sweden can apply for NATO membership later this month or in June, while Finland is […]
Blinken is testing positive for covid, says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Washington – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tested positive for covid-19 on Wednesday and will move to a virtual work schedule, the State Department said. “The secretary is fully vaccinated and boosted against the virus and is experiencing only mild symptoms,” the department said in a statement. Blinken has not seen President Joe Biden […]
The United States’ leading diplomat tests positive for Covid
Fully vaccinated and boosted Foreign Minister Antony Blinken works from home with? Mild symptoms? US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday afternoon, the State Department announced. Blinken only experiences mild symptoms and will work from home until he can return to Foggy Bottom, his spokesman added. “The secretary is fully […]
The United States is awaiting a decision from Sweden, Finland on NATO accession before the June summit
Washington [US]April 29 (ANI / Sputnik): The United States is awaiting formal decisions from Sweden and Finland on whether to join NATO in the preparations for an alliance summit in June, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said on Thursday. “It is under very active consideration by both countries. It is a NATO summit, as you know […]
Mariupol is still Ukrainian, says mayor of besieged port city
Ukraine said it was not opening humanitarian corridors on Wednesday that would allow civilians to evacuate, accusing Russian forces of violating agreements on granting safe passage. Mariupol’s mayor, Vadym Boichenko, told a press conference that Russian forces had destroyed all the buses slated for use in evacuations. Follow the day’s events as they unfolded on […]
Recent developments in Ukraine: 16 March
For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flash point Ukraine. For the latest developments of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, constantly EST: 01:30: As civilians in Ukraine bear the brunt of Russian artillery attacks, the White House announced that President Joe Biden will travel to Brussels next week to coordinate deterrence and […]
NATO rejects demands for a no-fly zone as the Ukrainian FM Kuleba calls for help
Brussels [Belgium]March 4 (ANI): NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who completely refuses to police a no-fly zone over Ukraine, warned on Friday that such a move could provoke a major war in Europe with Russia as Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for urgent assistance from NATO and European countries. The statements came during the […]
NATO strengthens co-operation with Finland and Sweden
The Alliance and the two Nordic nations condemned Russia’s actions as the? Worst military aggression in Europe in decades? NATO will strengthen its coordination with Finland and Sweden on the crisis in Ukraine, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced at an extra meeting with the Alliance’s foreign ministers in Brussels. The announcement came at a press […]
The Council of Europe urges Russia to withdraw recognition of the two separatist regions of eastern Ukraine
“We call on the Russian Federation to repeal this decision and to refrain from further aggravating the situation. We urge Member States to resolve their differences through dialogue based on respect for the principles enshrined in the Council of Europe and the EU Charter.” Earlier today, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that […]
Allies still divided over Russian intentions
Warsaw – The guessing game about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions continued on Sunday, with worried Western military officials and independent experts agreeing that the Kremlin has gathered enough forces to invade Ukraine. However, disagreement remains between allies over whether the military build-up is a feint designed to extract Western concessions or an invading force […]
Live: Biden warns that Putin invades Ukraine would entail “heavy costs”
Efforts to calm the crisis in Ukraine via telephone diplomacy failed to ease tensions on Saturday, with US President Joe Biden warning that Russia faces “rapid and heavy costs” if its troops carry out an invasion. Follow our live updates below. 07.45 Paris time US OSCE personnel begin to withdraw from Donetsk US Security and […]
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs urges Finns to leave Ukraine immediately
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has called on Finns in Ukraine to leave the country immediately. The invitation came in an updated travel bulletin released by the ministry late Friday night. According to the ministry, the situation in Ukraine is unpredictable and may change rapidly. It urges the country’s Finns to follow the information channels […]
Follow Putin in the footsteps of Peter the Great
Three hundred and forty kilometers east of the Ukrainian capital Kiev is the city of Poltava. In its heart is a semicircular square with a cast iron pillar and almost two dozen Swedish 18th century cannons captured at the Battle of Poltava in 1709, a decisive meeting in the Great Northern War, fought between Russia’s […]
Putin, Following in Peter’s footsteps
Three hundred and forty kilometers east of the Ukrainian capital Kiev is the city of Poltava. In its heart is a semicircular square with a cast iron pillar and almost two dozen Swedish 18th century cannons captured at the Battle of Poltava in 1709, a decisive meeting in the Great Northern War, fought between Russia’s […]
The presidents of Finland and Russia demand the security of Europe, Ukraine
President Sauli Niinistö and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation on Friday about geopolitics, including European security and the situation in Ukraine. Niinistö described their conversation in a tweet he posted on Friday morning "long and thorough". The President’s Office in Helsinki later stated in a press release that President Niinistö expressed […]
Macron’s call for EU talks with the Kremlin is making European allies nervous
French President Emmanuel Macron’s call on the EU to continue its own talks with the Kremlin raises fears of a split that is developing in the Western world’s response to the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Macron has previously struggled to convince its EU partners of the need for Europe to take regional […]
NATO countries called for more arms to be delivered to Ukraine
Germany is under increasing pressure from European allies to drop its long-standing refusal to supply weapons to Ukraine to help the country defend itself from a Russian attack. Britain flew short-range anti-tank missiles to Ukraine on Monday, avoiding German airspace. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has indicated to lawmakers that more military aid and extra […]
Ukraine receives British anti-tank missiles
Weapons have been delivered by Britain to Kiev in the midst of the conflict with Russia Ukraine thanked Britain for a new supply of weapons on Tuesday. Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Petrenko said the supplies “will only be used for defense purposes”, to protect troops and civilians from “any act that could lead to escalation.” […]
