Elderly, Disabled Unable to Flee Ukraine War, Charities Say

Millions of elderly and disabled Ukrainians are “at high risk” because they are unable to flee the fighting, the United Kingdom Disasters Emergency Committee alliance of leading aid charities warned Thursday. More than 2 million people have fled Russia’s military assault and “older people and those with disabilities in Ukraine risk being left behind and …

Ukraine War Galvanizes EU Military Drive

Against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a European Union summit later this week aims to assert the bloc’s energy independence from Russia — and strengthen its collective defense. For VOA, Lisa Bryant reports from Paris. Camera: Lisa Bryant Produced by: Rob Raffaele …

Can China Shield Africa From Fallout of Sanctions Against Russia?

Tall, stately and clad in brightly colored fabrics that stand out against the arid landscape, the women at a U.N. food distribution site in Jonglei state, South Sudan, wait patiently in line in the stifling heat to receive their monthly rations.      “My life changed since [South Sudan’s 2011] independence. Now I’m getting aid …

Spanish Journalist Denies Spying for Russia

Pablo González is a Spanish journalist also known by his Russian name, Pavel Rubtsov. His Spanish-Russian citizenship might explain the reason for his current whereabouts: a Polish prison cell on accusations of spying for Russian intelligence. If convicted, he could serve up to 10 years in jail. Poland’s secret services claim he used his role …

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Accuses Russia of Destroying Mariupol Maternity Hospital

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that a Russian airstrike had destroyed a maternity hospital in the southeastern port city of Mariupol and that children were among those “under the wreckage.” Russia has not commented on the allegation. It has denied targeting civilians in its invasion of Ukraine. A senior Ukrainian official, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said …

Calls Mount for West to Impose No-Fly Zone, Give Jets to Kyiv

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris travels to Poland’s capital, Warsaw, Wednesday as the Biden administration and its NATO allies debated the best ways to fortify Ukraine while avoiding being drawn directly into the fighting, which would risk a wider European war. U.S. officials say Harris will be carrying a message to Poland that the United …

Turkey to Host Meeting of Ukrainian and Russian Foreign Ministers

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is headed to Turkey ahead of a meeting Thursday with his Ukrainian counterpart at a Turkish resort. Ankara, which has close ties with Moscow and Kyiv, has been seeking to mediate since Russia invaded Ukraine. Turkey’s resort city of Antalya will be the venue for the first meeting between Lavrov …

Ukrainian Americans come together to support Ukraine

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine intensifies, the Ukrainian American community of the Washington metro area sponsored a donation drive for humanitarian relief and supplies for Ukraine, with the help of a local church. Saqib Ul Islam reports from Silver Spring, Maryland, where hundreds of Ukrainian Americans got together for a special service and charity …

Judgement Day: European Nations Start Probing Alleged Russian War Crimes in Ukraine

In an impassioned video speech earlier this week, Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the Russian shelling of fleeing civilians from a town on the outskirts of Kyiv, saying there can be no forgiveness for the shooting of unarmed people. “Instead of forgiveness, there will be a day of judgment,” he intoned. Germany and Britain are …

 EU Agrees to Broaden Sanctions on Russian Officials, Oligarchs

The European Union has agreed to expand its third round of sanctions being imposed on Russia to target a larger number of oligarchs and officials close to President Vladimir Putin over Moscow’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The French Presidency of the European Council said in a series of tweets on March 9 that the new …

Heineken, Universal Music Group Join List of Companies Leaving Russia   

Dutch brewer Heineken and Universal Music Group have become the latest companies to pause business in Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.    Heineken announced Wednesday it also will suspend operations in Russia, including the sale, production and advertising of its popular beer, and said it would “step up support and donations for …

Harris’s Trip to Poland, Romania will Focus on Next Steps Against Russia

WASHINGTON — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will collaborate with Poland and Romania on next steps to respond to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and reassure them of Washington’s support during her meetings with leaders of both countries starting Thursday.  The countries have been increasingly anxious about Russia’s aggression in the region and are NATO’s easternmost …

Explainer: What Does a US Ban on Russian Oil Accomplish?

With Russia intensifying its war on Ukraine, killing civilians and triggering a mass refugee crisis, President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced a U.S. ban on imported Russian oil. Critics of Russia have said that sanctioning its energy exports would be the best — perhaps only — way to force Moscow to pull back. A full …

Russia Appeals FIFA, UEFA Ban From Football Competition

The Russian Football Union (RFU) has appealed FIFA and UEFA bans on its football teams. The football governing bodies suspended Russia from competition on February 28 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. “The RFU will demand the restoration of all men’s and women’s national teams of Russia in all types of football in the tournaments …

US Bans Imports of Russian Oil Amid Ukraine Invasion

The U.S. is banning all imports of Russian oil and gas, President Joe Biden announced Tuesday — a move that he said “will deal another powerful blow to Putin’s war machine” as the Russian army continues its assault on Ukraine. This step, outlined in an executive order, is the latest move by Washington to squeeze …

Situation in Parts of Ukraine ‘Apocalyptic’ as People Run Out of Essential Supplies

U.N. and international aid agencies are calling for an end to hostilities in Ukraine as the number of civilian casualties grows and more people flee in terror to safety in neighboring countries.  The latest U.N. figures put the number of civilian casualties at 1,335, including 474 people killed and 861 injured. The U.N. office of …

‘Some Kind of Terrible Dream’ for Ukrainian Women Refugees

It’s a global day to celebrate women, but many fleeing Ukraine feel only the stress of finding a new life for their children as husbands, brothers and fathers stay behind to defend their country from Russia’s invasion. The number of refugees fleeing Ukraine reached 2 million on Tuesday, according to the United Nations, the fastest …

Is This the Beginning of the End of Vladimir Putin?

Thirteen days into a brutal war in Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin has failed to subjugate Ukraine. He appears no nearer to replacing its defiant government with a puppet regime. An out-gunned Ukraine has defied widespread pre-war predictions that it wouldn’t be able to hold out for long against superior Russian forces, and the …

Invasion of Ukraine Prompts Exodus of Western Companies from Russia

A growing number of Western businesses are either halting operations in Russia or exiting altogether over that country’s military incursion of neighboring Ukraine. The major hit to Russia’s economy will likely come from the crucial oil and gas industry. British-based BP announced Sunday that it is divesting its $14 billion stake in Russian state-owned oil …