As Russia moves troops into the Donbas region of Ukraine, experts warn that the prospect of a shooting war erupting in Europe, combined with heavy sanctions on Russia, is likely to cause instability in the energy market, possibly translating into significantly higher costs for both gasoline and natural gas. Because Russia is one of …
Read more “War in Ukraine Expected to Trigger Higher Fuel Prices”
The psycho-social wellbeing of an entire generation of Ukrainian children is at risk from war in the country’s eastern Donbas region, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund. With legions of Russian troops pouring in, the situation is only worse, as VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias reports. …
President Joe Biden cut off Russia from Western financing and placed sanctions on large Russian banks in response to what he called the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. VOA’s Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine has more. Skype video courtesy, Michael Kimmage soundbite …
Greek authorities have suspended the search for 10 people missing in a ferry fire near Greece. The vessel is being towed to a mainland port five days after the blaze started. The Euroferry Olympia caught fire last Friday three hours after leaving Igoumenitsa, Greece, for Brindisi, Italy. The ferry was carrying 292 people. Only …
Read more “Greek Authorities Suspend Search for 10 Missing in Ferry Fire”
An hourslong hostage standoff at the Apple Store in Amsterdam ended late Tuesday with police in a car driving into the hostage taker as he ran from the store. His hostage was safe, police said. “We can confirm that the hostage taker is out of the Apple Store,” police said in a tweet. “He is …
Read more “Standoff Ends at Amsterdam Apple Store; Hostage Safe”
Monday nights in any city — even the liveliest — can be quiet, but on this Monday evening, Kyiv was noticeably more subdued than usual. The roads were emptier, there were fewer pedestrians about, and the bars and restaurants were pretty much abandoned. It was as if the season finale of a popular reality TV …
Read more “Reporter’s Notebook: The 56 Minutes That Shook Ukraine “
U.S. President Joe Biden cut off the Russian government from international financing on Tuesday and imposed sanctions on two large banks, declaring that its movement of troops into eastern Ukraine was “a flagrant violation of international law.” In a brief White House speech to the American public, Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order late …
Read more “Biden Cuts Off Russia from International Financing Over Ukraine Action”
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday said he is conscripting reservists for a special period but ruled out a general mobilization after Russia announced it was moving troops into eastern Ukraine. One of Europe’s worst security crises in decades is unfolding after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two areas of eastern Ukraine as independent. Both adjoin …
Read more “Ukrainian President Drafts Reservists, Rules Out General Mobilization for Now”
Germany on Tuesday halted the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea natural gas pipeline project designed to double the flow of Russian gas to Germany, a day after Moscow formally recognized the Russian-occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as independent states. What is Nord Stream 2? The more than $11 billion project that …
Read more “EXPLAINER: What is the Nord Stream 2 Gas Pipeline?”
Despite his country’s recently warming ties with Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned Moscow’s decision to recognize the two Ukrainian enclaves of Donetsk and Luhansk. Speaking to reporters, President Erdogan described as “unacceptable” Russia’s recognition of the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, calling on all parties to abide by international law. Turkey …
Read more “Erdogan Criticizes Moscow over Ukraine, at Great Risk”
Police in the Central African Republic have detained four French soldiers who are with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country (MINUSCA). The arrests sparked false rumors that France had attempted to assassinate the C.A.R.’s president. The French military personnel were arrested Monday at the airport in Bangui. The four men were in the …
Read more “Police in Central African Republic Arrest 4 French Soldiers “
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to travel to Russia on Wednesday to meet with President Vladimir Putin, as the West condemns the Russian leader over the deepening Ukraine crisis. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said Putin and Khan “will review the entire array” of relations between the two countries, including energy cooperation. “They will …
Read more “Pakistan’s PM Urges Peaceful End to Ukraine Crisis Ahead of Visit to Russia”
U.S. lawmakers stepped up calls Tuesday for sanctions against Russia, urging the Biden administration to act swiftly to penalize Russian President Vladimir Putin for recognizing the occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as independent states. Despite significant bipartisan unity for deterring Russian aggression in Ukraine, Democrats and Republicans have struggled to agree …
Read more “US Lawmakers Condemn Russian Incursion into Eastern Ukraine”
Russia’s decision to send troops into two separatist enclaves in eastern Ukraine is forcing a difficult choice for China, which has aligned itself closer with Moscow but could face blowback if it is seen as supporting the unilateral redrawing of international borders, analysts say. The government of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday formally recognized …
Read more “China and Russia Vowed Closer Ties, Ukraine is Challenging That “
Governments around the world have responded to Russia’s recognition of breakaway areas in eastern Ukraine as independent states, with many condemning the move and urging a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. “We must make it clear that an attack on Ukraine is an attack on the sovereignty of every U.N. member state and the U.N. …
Russia has drawn the world’s attention with its aggressive stance toward Ukraine. The former Soviet power has been rebuilding ties with Africa more quietly, strengthening economic and military cooperation, but also raising Western concerns about its tactics and goals there. Russian flags waved in Burkina Faso’s capital following January’s military coup in the West African …
While the ongoing situation in Ukraine is the world focus, Russia has been rebuilding ties with Africa more quietly, strengthening economic and military cooperation on the continent. That is raising Western concerns about its tactics and goals there, as VOA’s Carol Guensburg reports. Contributor: Danila, Joad. Videographer: Betty Ayoub …
So, the tortuous suspense continues as we wait to see if European history is going to be wrenched off its current post-Cold War axis and thrust into an unforeseen direction. On the eve of World War I, then British foreign minister Earl Grey somberly told a hushed House of Commons: “Last week I stated that …
Read more “Reporter’s Notebook: What is the Actual State of Affairs in Ukraine Now? “
US has warned of an imminent Russian invasion, saying Moscow would face ‘severe consequences’ …
Russia on Sunday extended its military drills in Belarus, along Ukraine’s northern border, after two days of sustained shelling in eastern Ukraine between Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. The Russian exercises with Belarusian forces had been scheduled to end Sunday. They were extended amid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s show of force along the Ukrainian border …
Read more “Russia Extends Troop Drills in Belarus Amid Sustained Shelling in Eastern Ukraine “
Firefighters are struggling to put out a fire that broke out on Wednesday on a vessel carrying thousands of luxury cars, which is adrift off the coast of Portugal’s Azores islands, a port official said, adding it was unclear when they would succeed. The Felicity Ace ship, carrying around 4,000 vehicles including Porsches, Audis and …
Read more “Firefighters Struggle to Douse Fire on Luxury Cars Vessel “
Queen Elizabeth, 95, has tested positive for COVID and is experiencing mild symptoms but expects to continue light duties this week, Buckingham Palace said on Sunday. “The queen has today tested positive for COVID,” the Palace said. “Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the …
U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with the National Security Council on Sunday, the White House announced Saturday as it reaffirmed that “Russia could launch an attack against Ukraine at any time,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. Psaki said Biden was briefed Saturday on Vice President Kamala Harris’ meetings at the Munich Security …
Read more “Biden to Huddle with National Security Council Sunday on Ukraine”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Saturday that “now is the moment of truth” to determine whether Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers can be salvaged, and the Iranian leadership needs to make a choice. Iran’s foreign minister, though, said that it’s up to Western countries to show flexibility and “the ball is now in …
Read more “Germany’s Scholz Says Now is ‘Moment of Truth’ for Iran Deal”