Politics & Economics

The European Union continues to discuss a widely supported 10th round of sanctions against Russia, and its final approval is possible by the end of this week. “Today, we have been discussing the 10th package of sanctions that, as High-Representative and [with] the [European] Commission, together, we have presented as a regulation for the Council to approve. We are on the way to approving it, and I think it is going to be approved during the next hours, in the next days - before 24 [February], in any case. The 10th package of sanctions will be approved by written procedure…

On the day of the 9th anniversary of the beginning of the temporary occupation of the territory of Ukraine by Russia, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly underscored that Crimea is part of Ukraine. “Today marks 9 years since Russia illegally annexed Crimea and began the oppression of its people. We will soon mark a year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” Cleverly posted on Twitter. Crimea is Ukraine and we will not forget that, he noted. The minister added that “Putin could stop this war at any time by withdrawing his troops.” On February 20, 2014, Russian troops began the…

Currently, none of the paths to liberating Russia-occupied Crimea is ruled out, while the diplomatic efforts could complement the military ones. That’s according to the Deputy Head of the President’s Office, Ihor Zhovkva, who spoke in an interview with RFE/RL’s Crimea.Realities, Ukrinform reports. "We can say that, for example, the diplomatic path can complement the military one. We can say that the fact that Crimea doesn’t disappear from the agenda of the international community allows, for example, helping our military in obtaining the appropriate weapons, which would allow us to de-occupy it. Therefore, there is a combination of ways," Zhovkva…

U.S. President Joe Biden has said that the Ukrainian capital has captured a part of his heart and that he is glad to return to Kyiv. According to Ukrinform, he said this on his Twitter account. "Kyiv has captured a part of my heart. I knew I would be back," Biden wrote. Kyiv has captured a part of my heart.I knew I would be back. pic.twitter.com/5HYcoEL47Y — President Biden (@POTUS) February 20, 2023 He also published a post in Ukrainian about support for Ukraine. "One year later, Kyiv stands. Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. America - and the world - stands…

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine insists on the need to establish a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war criminals. The Ukrainian leader stated this during a joint press conference with U.S. President Joseph Biden in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "In our opinion, there is no alternative to creating a special tribunal. This is Ukraine's position. We will promote this position," Zelensky said. The head of the Ukrainian state emphasized that the issue of restoring justice is extremely important both for all those who suffered from Russian terror, from the war unleashed by the Russian Federation and its aggression, and…

President Volodymyr Zelenskyi of Ukraine said the country has received a new assistance package from Italy. This is reported by Ukrinform with reference to Italy’s Rai. "We received a (new - ed.) aid package, which means that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s support has not changed," Zelensky said. The president added that, within the framework of military aid from Italy and European allies, a decision is expected regarding an air defense system to ensure the possibility of protecting Ukrainian power plants. He also emphasized the need for joint assistance to Ukraine on the part of the entire European continent. At the…

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine by his decree put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of February 19, 2023 "On the application and introduction of amendments to personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)". This was reported by Ukrinform referring to the president’s website. "The decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of February 19, 2023 "On the application and introduction of amendments to personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)" (as attached) shall be enforced," the decree says. The NSDC endorsed the motions put forward by the…

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said China would be making a colossal blunder if it decides to provide lethal aid to Russia for its war with Ukraine. That’s according to Politico, Ukrinform reports. “If you jump on the Putin train, you’re dumber than dirt,” the South Carolina Republican said of China in an interview with ABC. Graham urged the Joe Biden administration to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, which would enable the U.S. to penalize nations that provide assistance to Russia in its war with Ukraine, which began a year ago. Read also: US senators submit draft resolution on…

The Russian military is deliberately blocking rotations of IAEA staffers to the Zaporizhia NPP, which is a gross violation of international law. That’s according to a statement released by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ukrinform reports. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns the blocking by the Russian Federation of the rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts to the temporarily occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant," the statement reads. It is noted that the occupying forces also continue active militarization of the Zaporizhia NPP and surrounding area, deploying military equipment and servicemen there. "The Russian Federation grossly…

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron have discussed defense cooperation and the implementation of Ukraine’s Peace Formula. The relevant statement was made by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. “I continued a friendly dialogue with President of France Emmanuel Macron. We touched upon defense cooperation and bringing peace closer,” Zelensky wrote. In particular, the parties summarized the results of the recent visits and discussed in detail the upcoming diplomatic events, namely those related to the implementation of Ukraine’s 10-step Peace Formula. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine