Page 23 - Russia Ukraine Conflict

'Sooner, the better': Russian Prez Putin says wants to end war in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was aiming for a speedy end to the conflict in Ukraine and that fighting should end as soon as possible, a news report said

US Senate passes $1.7 trillion spending bill to fund govt, aid Ukraine

The Senate passed a massive $1.7 trillion spending bill Thursday that finances federal agencies through September and provides another significant round of military and economic aid to Ukraine one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's dramatic address to a joint meeting of Congress. The bill, which runs for 4,155 pages, includes about $772.5 billion for domestic programs and $858 billion for defense and would finance federal agencies through the fiscal year at the end of September. The bill passed by a vote of 68-29 and now goes to the House for a final vote before it can be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. This is one of the most significant appropriations packages we have done in a very long time, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. The range of people it helps is large and deep." Lawmakers were racing to get the bill approved before a partial government shutdown would occur at midnight Friday, and many were anxious to complete the ta

Ukraine welcomes president Zelenskyy back from US; Putin dismisses trip

Ukrainians welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy back from a wartime visit to the United States, hailing his trip as successful while Russian officials said on Thursday that the visit only fuelled the conflict. The US has announced a new USD 1.8 billion military aid package, including supplies of the Patriot air defense systems, the most powerful such weapons to be delivered to Ukraine yet. They say they may send Patriot there, fine, we will crack the Patriot too, Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters, adding that the deliveries will only extend the fighting. Those who do it do so in vain, it only drags out the conflict. Ukranians saw their president's trip as a rousing success. It's an historical visit, the first one since the war began, said Illia Shvachko, a 32-year-old computer specialist in Kyiv. Getting weapons helps. Putin reaffirmed that Russia is ready for talks with Ukraine on ending the conflict. One way or another, all armed conflicts end with talks, Putin

Russia's Gazprom turns off tap, GAIL's hunt for LNG may continue for a year

Its petrochem plant in UP running at 40% utilisation

Zelenskyy urges US Congress to help Ukraine turn the corner in war

"If your Patriots stop the Russian terror against our cities, it will let Ukrainian patriots work to the full to defend our freedom," said Zelenskyy

IAEA chief discusses Ukraine nuclear plant protections with Russia

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog met on Thursday in Moscow with officials from Russia's military and state atomic energy company as he pursues a long-running drive to set up a protection zone around a Russian-occupied nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Russian company Rosatom described the talks on measures needed to safeguard Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the surrounding region as substantive, useful and frank. International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi indicated that more negotiations were needed after another round of necessary discussions". It's key that the zone focuses solely on preventing a nuclear accident, he tweeted. I am continuing my efforts towards this goal with a sense of utmost urgency. The meeting in Moscow came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a defiant wartime visit to the US capital, his first known trip outside his country in the nearly 10 months since Russia invaded. The visit to Washington was a

Germany nationalises Uniper after EU approval to prevent gas shortage

The German government said on Thursday that it has nationalised energy company Uniper after the European Union gave its blessing for it to rescue the gas supplier. The government announced its plan to nationalise Uniper in September, expanding state intervention in the energy sector to prevent a shortage resulting from Russia's war in Ukraine. The deal built on an initial rescue package agreed in July and features a capital increase of 8 billion euros (USD 8.5 billion) that Germany is financing. Uniper's existing shareholders approved the measures on Monday. The EU's executive Commission gave its conditional approval on Tuesday. The government is obliged to reduce its stake to 25 per cent plus one share by 2028, a deadline that can only be extended with the Commission's approval. Germany's finance and economy ministries said Thursday that the government has now taken a stake of some 99 per cent in the company. Uniper's existing management remains in place. Uniper was controlled u

Zelenskyy tells US Congress he proposed 10-point peace formula to Biden

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the US Congress that he proposed a 10-point peace formula during his meeting with President Joe Biden, which he hoped would result in joint security guarantees for decades ahead. Zelenskyy, 44, met President Biden in the Oval Office and jointly addressed a press conference at the White House on Wednesday. He was given the rare distinction of addressing a joint session of the US Congress on a day packed with back-to-back meetings. We need peace. Ukraine has already offered proposals, which I just discussed with President Biden, our peace formula, ten points which should and must be implemented for our joint security guarantees for decades ahead. And the summit, which can be held, Zelenskyy said in his historic address to the joint session of the Congress. He said that any such discussions would also depend on Russia's willingness to negotiate and the participation of the international legal order, even as he slammed Russian President ...

'Ukraine is alive and kicking', says Zelenskyy in address to US Congress

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed members of the US Congress saying, 'Against all odds, and doom and gloom, Ukraine did not fall. Ukraine is alive and kicking'

Ukraine President Zelenskyy thanks 'every American,' sees 'turning point'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked every American for their support of Ukraine as he delivered an address to Congress on Wednesday aimed at sustaining U.S. and allied support for his country's defense against Russia's brutal invasion. Zelenskyy called U.S. support vital to Ukraine's efforts to beat back Russia, and thanked lawmakers and everyday citizens for tens of billions of dollars in military and economic assistance over the last year. The Ukrainian leader predicted that next year would be a turning point in the conflict, when Ukrainian courage and American resolve must guarantee the future of our common freedom the freedom of people who stand for their values. Zelenskyy received thunderous applause from members of Congress and presented lawmakers with a Ukrainian flag autographed by front-line troops in Bakhmut, in Ukraine's contested Donetsk province, which was held up behind him on the rostrum by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Schumer urges show of support for Ukraine with spending Bill amid war

The Senate inched closer to passing a $1.7 trillion government funding bill Wednesday with supporters pointing to a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the evening as another reason to advance the measure in a show of support for the beleaguered nation. The measure includes $44.9 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine and NATO allies, above even President Joe Biden's request, and ensures that funding flows to the war effort for months to come. The measure would also boost U.S. defense spending by about 10% to $858 billion, addressing concerns from some lawmakers that more investment in the nation's military is needed to ensure America's security. The Senate could approve the bill as soon as Wednesday. The House will then have to take it up and pass the measure before midnight Friday to avoid a partial-government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., took to the floor Wednesday urging colleague

Russian military announces plan to expand to 1.5 mn, create new units

Russia on Wednesday announced an ambitious plan to beef up its military from 1 million to 1.5 million and create multiple new units, an attempt to bolster the forces that have lost momentum and many soldiers in the war in Ukraine. Russia's military chief cited NATO's plans to incorporate Finland and Sweden as a factor in the buildup. Here is a glance at Moscow's military plans. A PUSH FOR A BIGGER FORCE Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu declared Wednesday that the country needs a force of 1.5 million to guarantee the fulfillment of tasks to ensure Russia's security. The Russian military currently has about 1 million soldiers, compared with China's force of 2 million and the U.S. force of 1.4 million. The Kremlin previously considered the size of its military as sufficient, but the calculus changed after hopes for a quick victory over its neighbor were shattered by fierce Ukrainian resistance. Amid the war, Russia and Ukraine both have kept a tight lid of secrecy on their mil

Zelenskyy says war with Russia ends with Ukraine's sovereignty restored

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a defiant wartime visit to Washington on Wednesday to thank US leaders and ordinary Americans for their support in fighting off Russia's invasion and pledged there would be no compromises" in trying to bring an end to the war. President Joe Biden and Congress responded with billions in new assistance and a pledge to help Ukraine pursue a just peace. Biden welcomed Zelenskyy to the Oval Office, saying the U.S. and Ukraine would continue to project a united defense as Russia wages a brutal assault on Ukraine's right to exist as a nation. Zelenskyy, on his first known trip outside his country since Russia invaded in February, said he wanted to visit earlier and his visit now showed the situation is under control, because of your support. For me as a president, just peace' is no compromises, Zelenskyy told reporters. He said the war would end once Ukraine's sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity were restored, as well as the payback f

'It's an honour to be by your side': Biden tells Zelenskyy at White House

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked President Joe Biden, U.S. lawmakers and ordinary people of America for their support as he visited the White House on Wednesday. Biden told Zelenskyy that Ukrainians inspire the world, before the two leaders began an Oval Office summit that was Zelenskyy's first known trip outside his home country since Russia invaded in February. In a brief remarks before reporters, Biden told Zelenskyy that it's an honor to be by your side and he pledged continued financial, military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Biden also warned that Russia is trying to use winter as a weapon" in the war. Zelenskyy said he wanted to visit the United States at an earlier time, but could not. He stressed that the war is not over and that his country faces many challenges in battling Russia.

Washington trip tops Ukrainian prez Zelenskyy's list of surprise war moves

President since 2019, Zelenskiy has made it a point of his leadership to stay in his battered country, close to the people and soldiers fighting in a war

US to send $1.8 billion in aid, patriot battery, to Ukraine against Russia

The US will send USD 1.8 billion in military aid to Ukraine in a massive package that will for the first time include a Patriot missile battery and precision guided bombs for their fighter jets, US officials have said, as the Biden administration prepares to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington. US officials on Tuesday described details of the aid on condition of anonymity because it has not yet been announced. The aid signals an expansion by the U.S. in the kinds of advanced weaponry it will send to Ukraine to bolster the country's air defenses against what has been an increasing barrage of Russian missile strikes. The package, which was expected to be announced Wednesday, will include about $1 billion in weapons from Pentagon stocks and another USD 800 million in funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which funds weapons, ammunition, training and other assistance, officials said. Zelenskyy and other Ukraine officials have pressed Weste

IMF approves new program to support Ukraine's macroeconomic stability

The programme is aimed at mobilising state budget revenues, strengthening the financial sector, and improving management transparency and effectiveness for state-owned enterprises

Ukraine's Zelenskyy preparing to visit Washington to meet Prez Biden

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is preparing to visit Washington on Wednesday, according to three AP sources, in his first known trip outside the country since Russia's invasion began in February. Two congressional sources and one person familiar with the matter confirmed plans for the visit. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the highly sensitive nature of the trip. They said Zelenskyy's visit, while expected, could still be called off at the last minute due to security concerns. The visit to Washington is set to include an address to Congress on Capitol Hill and a meeting with President Joe Biden. It comes as lawmakers are preparing to vote on a year-end spending package that includes about $45 billion in emergency assistance to Ukraine and as the U.S. prepares to send Patriot surface-to-air missiles to help stave off Russia's invasion. The latest tranche of U.S. funding would be the biggest American infusion of assistance yet to Ukraine, above even Biden'

Russian govt intensifies crackdown targeting human rights group and maps

The Russian government has intensified its crackdown on critics and what it sees as harmful information about its special military operation in Ukraine with moves to ban a human rights group and publication of maps that omit annexed Ukrainian land. The crackdown fits a theme Russian President Vladimir Putin sounded Tuesday in a video address honouring Russia's military and security agencies. Putin, a former KGB operative, called on those forces to redouble their efforts to protect the stability of society and the security of the government against direct threats to internal security. His speech coincided with a report by the state Tass news agency that Russia's Justice Ministry filed a lawsuit to disband one of the country's oldest human rights organizations, the Moscow Helsinki Group. No reason was given for the action, but it fits a pattern against other organizations the government accuses of working against the country's interests. One of the group's leaders told the Meduza news

Zelenskyy visits front-line city of Bakhmut; Putin meets troops in Kremlin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Tuesday with troops in the eastern city of Bakhmut, the scene of some of the most intense combat since Russia invaded the country, praising their courage, resilience and strength" as artillery boomed in the background. For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the courage and self-denial of his forces in Ukraine but he did so at a ceremony in an opulent and glittering hall at the Kremlin in Moscow, not on the battlefield. Both leaders sought to build morale as the stalemated conflict grinds through its 10th month and winter sets in. Zelenskky met with military personnel in a dimly lit building possibly a disused factory in Bakhmut, which he has called the hottest spot on the entire front line, his office said. The city, about 600 kilometers (380 miles) east of Kyiv, has remained in Ukrainian hands, thwarting Moscow's goal of capturing the rest of Donetsk province and the entire Donbas industrial region. The Ukrainian leader