British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday that Russia's pullout from captured Snake Island shows futility of President Putin's strategoc goals in Ukraine.

"In the end, it will prove impossible for Putin to hold down a country that will not accept his rule," Johnson told a news conference after a NATO summit in Madrid.

Johnson added that agreement over any peace deal would be entirely upto Ukraine. He stressed&nbsp;unity against Russia from the NATO alliance and from G7 countries at a leaders' summit in Germany.

"We've seen what Ukraine can do to drive the Russians back," Johnson said.

"We've seen what they did around Kyiv and Kharkiv, now on Snake Island. I think the right thing for us is to keep going on the course that NATO has set out, no matter how difficult."

At the G7 summit, Johnson joked to fellow leaders that they could emulate Putin by posing topless to show their toughness.

The Russian leader responded that seeing Johnson and the other leaders half-naked would be "disgusting".

The prime minister refused to extend the war of words, arguing that Putin should reflect instead "about the consequences of his barbaric actions", including NATO's planned admission of Finland and Sweden.

"The most important conclusion that Vladimir Putin needs to draw from today and the last few days at NATO, and previously in the G7, is we are totally united in condemning what he has done in Ukraine," Johnson said.

Driven by Russia's actions, NATO members were committed to spending at least 2.0 percent of their gross domestic product on defence, he stressed.&nbsp;

Britain "will reach 2.5 percent of GDP on defence by the end of the decade", he added, although a row has erupted in London over whether Johnson's government is indeed sticking to that commitment.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday that Russia's pullout from captured Snake Island shows futility of President Putin's strategoc goals in Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday that Russia's pullout from captured Snake Island shows futility of President Putin's strategoc goals in Ukraine. "In the end, it will prove impossible for Putin to hold down a country that will not accept his rule," Johnson told a news conference after a NATO summit in Madrid. Johnson added that agreement over any peace deal would be entirely upto Ukraine. He stressed unity against Russia from the NATO alliance and from G7 countries at a leaders' summit in Germany. "We've seen what Ukraine can do to drive the Russians back," Johnson said. "We've seen what they did around Kyiv and Kharkiv, now on Snake Island. I think the right thing for us is to keep going on the course that NATO has set out, no matter how difficult." At the G7 summit, Johnson joked to fellow leaders that they could emulate Putin by posing topless to show their toughness. The Russian leader responded that seeing Johnson and the other leaders half-naked would be "disgusting". The prime minister refused to extend the war of words, arguing that Putin should reflect instead "about the consequences of his barbaric actions", including NATO's planned admission of Finland and Sweden. "The most important conclusion that Vladimir Putin needs to draw from today and the last few days at NATO, and previously in the G7, is we are totally united in condemning what he has done in Ukraine," Johnson said. Driven by Russia's actions, NATO members were committed to spending at least 2.0 percent of their gross domestic product on defence, he stressed. Britain "will reach 2.5 percent of GDP on defence by the end of the decade", he added, although a row has erupted in London over whether Johnson's government is indeed sticking to that commitment. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

'Impossible' to subdue Ukraine, says UK after Russian retreat from Snake Island

The important Black Sea outpost of Snake Island has been evacuated, according to the Russian military. For both sides in the conflict, the small patch of land in the Black Sea next to the Ukrainian port city of Odesa has acquired symbolic significance. 
 
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had finished the tasks it had been given and was strategically pulling back to provide room for grain exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

The Russian Federation decided to abandon its positions on Zmeiny Island "in order to organise humanitarian grain corridors as part of the fulfilment of mutual agreements agreed with the cooperation of the UN," the defence ministry stated.

Ukraine claims recapture

Ukraine, on the other hand, claimed to have forced Russian forces to escape overnight on two speed boats. The statement from Ukraine's southern command claimed that combat was still going on since it was still possible to hear explosions and see smoke covering the island.

The island has reportedly been recaptured by Ukraine, weakening any potential Russian ground strike on that section of its coastline. 
 
The head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office, Andriy Yermak also confirmed that Russian forces had withdrawn from Snake Island.

"KABOOM! No Russian troops on the Snake Island anymore. Our Armed Forces did a great job," Yermak wrote on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
KABOOM! 
 
No Russian troops on the Snake Island anymore. Our Armed Forces did a great job. 
More kaboom news to follow. All will be 🇺🇦 <a href="https://t.co/ItdP3oQvHK">pic.twitter.com/ItdP3oQvHK</a>
— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndriyYermak/status/1542427080255836160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The important Black Sea outpost of Snake Island has been evacuated, according to the Russian military. For both sides in the conflict, the small patch of land in the Black Sea next to the Ukrainian port city of Odesa has acquired symbolic significance.

The important Black Sea outpost of Snake Island has been evacuated, according to the Russian military. For both sides in the conflict, the small patch of land in the Black Sea next to the Ukrainian port city of Odesa has acquired symbolic significance. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had finished the tasks it had been given and was strategically pulling back to provide room for grain exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports. The Russian Federation decided to abandon its positions on Zmeiny Island "in order to organise humanitarian grain corridors as part of the fulfilment of mutual agreements agreed with the cooperation of the UN," the defence ministry stated. Ukraine claims recapture Ukraine, on the other hand, claimed to have forced Russian forces to escape overnight on two speed boats. The statement from Ukraine's southern command claimed that combat was still going on since it was still possible to hear explosions and see smoke covering the island. The island has reportedly been recaptured by Ukraine, weakening any potential Russian ground strike on that section of its coastline. The head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office, Andriy Yermak also confirmed that Russian forces had withdrawn from Snake Island. "KABOOM! No Russian troops on the Snake Island anymore. Our Armed Forces did a great job," Yermak wrote on Twitter. KABOOM! No Russian troops on the Snake Island anymore. Our Armed Forces did a great job. More kaboom news to follow. All will be 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/ItdP3oQvHK — Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) June 30, 2022 ×

Russia says it has withdrawn its military from Snake Island in the Black Sea

Norway was hit by a cyberattack that temporarily shut down websites of several private and public institutions. &nbsp;Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said that the attack “has not caused any significant damage” to his knowledge.

In the last 24 hours, a number of institutions, including the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, were subjected to distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) cyberattack, the Norwegian National Security Authority said.

The aortitis believe that pro-Russian hackers might be responsible for this attack.

"We are working to find out whether there is a link with state-sponsored actors," NSM chief Sofie Nystroem later told broadcaster TV2.

"We are quite certain that no sensitive information was taken."

The attacks come days after Russia threatened to take “retaliatory measures” after Norway imposed sanctions, blocking&nbsp;goods destined for Russian-populated settlements on the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.

Norwegian media reported that the country’s ambassador to Moscow was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday for a complaint over Russian supplies being prevented from transiting via Norway to an Arctic Russian coal-mining settlement.

Svalbard, located midway between Norway’s north coast and the North Pole, is part of Norway, but Russia has the right to exploit the archipelago’s natural resources under a treaty signed in 1920, and some settlements on the archipelago are populated mainly by Russians.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladmir-putin-issues-warning-to-finland-and-sweden-on-installing-nato-infrastructure-493118">Putin issues warning to Finland and Sweden on installing NATO infrastructure</a>

Norway, which is not in the European Union but enforces&nbsp;EU sanctions&nbsp;against Russia, has said sanctions would not affect the transport of goods by ship to Svalbard.

Norway’s restrictions have disrupted the work of the Russian consulate-general on Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, and a Russian coal mining settlement there, the Russian foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-announces-to-deploy-more-american-troops-across-europe-to-counter-russia-493128" hreflang="en">US President Joe Biden announces to deploy more American troops across Europe to counter Russia</a>

Moscow has long wanted a bigger say in the archipelago, which it insists on calling Spitsbergen rather than the Norwegian Svalbard and has been a haunt of its hunters, whalers and fishermen since the 16th century.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Norway was hit by a cyberattack that temporarily shut down websites of several private and public institutions. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said that the attack “has not caused any significant damage” to his knowledge.

Norway was hit by a cyberattack that temporarily shut down websites of several private and public institutions. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said that the attack “has not caused any significant damage” to his knowledge. In the last 24 hours, a number of institutions, including the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, were subjected to distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) cyberattack, the Norwegian National Security Authority said. The aortitis believe that pro-Russian hackers might be responsible for this attack. "We are working to find out whether there is a link with state-sponsored actors," NSM chief Sofie Nystroem later told broadcaster TV2. "We are quite certain that no sensitive information was taken." The attacks come days after Russia threatened to take “retaliatory measures” after Norway imposed sanctions, blocking goods destined for Russian-populated settlements on the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Norwegian media reported that the country’s ambassador to Moscow was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday for a complaint over Russian supplies being prevented from transiting via Norway to an Arctic Russian coal-mining settlement. Svalbard, located midway between Norway’s north coast and the North Pole, is part of Norway, but Russia has the right to exploit the archipelago’s natural resources under a treaty signed in 1920, and some settlements on the archipelago are populated mainly by Russians. Also read | Putin issues warning to Finland and Sweden on installing NATO infrastructure Norway, which is not in the European Union but enforces EU sanctions against Russia, has said sanctions would not affect the transport of goods by ship to Svalbard. Norway’s restrictions have disrupted the work of the Russian consulate-general on Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago, and a Russian coal mining settlement there, the Russian foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Also read | US President Joe Biden announces to deploy more American troops across Europe to counter Russia Moscow has long wanted a bigger say in the archipelago, which it insists on calling Spitsbergen rather than the Norwegian Svalbard and has been a haunt of its hunters, whalers and fishermen since the 16th century. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Hit by cyberattack, Norway suspects pro-Russian hackers

Syria recognised the independence of eastern Ukraine's two separatist republics on Wednesday, making it the first state other than Russia to do so, as reported by AFP. The breakaway states of Donetsk and Lugansk, whose independence Moscow recognised in February, are situated in the Donbas region at the centre of Russia's invasion and have escaped Kyiv's control since 2014. 
&nbsp; 
"The Syrian Arab Republic has decided to recognise the independence and sovereignty of both the Lugansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic," a source at Syria's foreign ministry told the official SANA news agency. 
&nbsp; 
"We will communicate with both countries to agree on frameworks for strengthening relations, including establishing diplomatic relations in accordance with established rules," the source said, as reported by AFP.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-russia-ukraine-prisoner-swap-144-ukrainian-soldiers-freed-493067">Massive Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap, 144 Ukrainian soldiers freed 
&nbsp;</a> 
Earlier this month, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with a Russian delegation and representatives of the Donetsk republic. During the meeting, he said Damascus was ready to start political relations with Donetsk. 
&nbsp; 
This is not the first time that the Syrian government, which since 2015 has been heavily backed by Russia in its own civil war, has supported Moscow's recognition of breakaway states. In 2018, Syria recognised South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent from the former Soviet state of Georgia, prompting Tbilisi to cut diplomatic ties. 
&nbsp; 
Abkhazia and South Ossetia are internationally recognised as part of Georgia, which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but Russia and a handful of other countries recognise their independence. 
&nbsp; 
(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Syria recognised the independence of eastern Ukraine's two separatist republics on Wednesday, making it the first state other than Russia to do so, as reported by AFP.

Syria recognised the independence of eastern Ukraine's two separatist republics on Wednesday, making it the first state other than Russia to do so, as reported by AFP. The breakaway states of Donetsk and Lugansk, whose independence Moscow recognised in February, are situated in the Donbas region at the centre of Russia's invasion and have escaped Kyiv's control since 2014. "The Syrian Arab Republic has decided to recognise the independence and sovereignty of both the Lugansk People's Republic and the Donetsk People's Republic," a source at Syria's foreign ministry told the official SANA news agency. "We will communicate with both countries to agree on frameworks for strengthening relations, including establishing diplomatic relations in accordance with established rules," the source said, as reported by AFP. Also Read: Massive Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap, 144 Ukrainian soldiers freed Earlier this month, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with a Russian delegation and representatives of the Donetsk republic. During the meeting, he said Damascus was ready to start political relations with Donetsk. This is not the first time that the Syrian government, which since 2015 has been heavily backed by Russia in its own civil war, has supported Moscow's recognition of breakaway states. In 2018, Syria recognised South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent from the former Soviet state of Georgia, prompting Tbilisi to cut diplomatic ties. Abkhazia and South Ossetia are internationally recognised as part of Georgia, which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, but Russia and a handful of other countries recognise their independence. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Syria first country other than Russia to recognise Ukraine separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk

In a massive prisoner exchange, 144 soldiers, most former defenders of the Azovstal steelworks in the southern port city of Mariupol, had been freed in a prisoner swap with Moscow on Wednesday, Ukrainian officials said, as reported by AFP.

"This is the largest exchange since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion," the main intelligence directorate of Ukraine's defence ministry said on Telegram. "Of the 144 freed, 95 are Azovstal defenders," he added.&nbsp;

It did not specify when and where the swap took place or how many Russian prisoners were released as part of the exchange. But Pro-Russian separatist leader Denis Pushilin said 144 soldiers from Russia and the Donetsk People's Republic -- the name of the breakaway region recognised by Moscow -- had "returned home".

The Ukrainian ministry statement said most of their exchanged soldiers had been seriously wounded by bullets or shell fragments, while others were suffering from burns and fractures.&nbsp;

It said that 43 of the freed servicemen belonged to the Azov regiment, a former paramilitary unit that is now integrated into the Ukrainian army.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-stock-market-slips-as-consumer-confidence-plummets-493036">Global stock market slips as consumer confidence plummets</a>

Russia considers the unit a neo-Nazi organisation and has previously said its soldiers should stand trial.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmygal confirmed the exchange on Telegram, saying only that the work to free the prisoners had been "complicated".

Moscow and Kyiv have exchanged prisoners several times since Russia invaded on February 24.

The most recent previous exchange took place on Tuesday and involved 17 Ukrainian prisoners.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

In a massive prisoner exchange, 144 soldiers, most former defenders of the Azovstal steelworks in the southern port city of Mariupol, had been freed in a prisoner swap with Moscow on Wednesday, Ukrainian officials said, as reported by AFP.

In a massive prisoner exchange, 144 soldiers, most former defenders of the Azovstal steelworks in the southern port city of Mariupol, had been freed in a prisoner swap with Moscow on Wednesday, Ukrainian officials said, as reported by AFP. "This is the largest exchange since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion," the main intelligence directorate of Ukraine's defence ministry said on Telegram. "Of the 144 freed, 95 are Azovstal defenders," he added. It did not specify when and where the swap took place or how many Russian prisoners were released as part of the exchange. But Pro-Russian separatist leader Denis Pushilin said 144 soldiers from Russia and the Donetsk People's Republic -- the name of the breakaway region recognised by Moscow -- had "returned home". The Ukrainian ministry statement said most of their exchanged soldiers had been seriously wounded by bullets or shell fragments, while others were suffering from burns and fractures. It said that 43 of the freed servicemen belonged to the Azov regiment, a former paramilitary unit that is now integrated into the Ukrainian army. Also Read: Global stock market slips as consumer confidence plummets Russia considers the unit a neo-Nazi organisation and has previously said its soldiers should stand trial. Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmygal confirmed the exchange on Telegram, saying only that the work to free the prisoners had been "complicated". Moscow and Kyiv have exchanged prisoners several times since Russia invaded on February 24. The most recent previous exchange took place on Tuesday and involved 17 Ukrainian prisoners. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Massive Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap, 144 Ukrainian soldiers freed

On Monday, sanctions-hit Russia acknowledged that two of its debt payments had not reached the creditors. Nonetheless, the nation denied that this amounted to default on a loan. In a statement, the Russian finance ministry claimed that international settlement and clearing systems had "received funds in full in advance," but that "the actions of third parties" prevented the payments from reaching the intended beneficiaries.&nbsp;Following reports of the alleged default, the Kremlin too insisted that there were "no grounds" to say that Moscow had defaulted on its foreign-currency sovereign debt. This comes as the West hammers Russia with sanctions over its operation in Ukraine.

Talking to reporters after a key payment deadline's expiry, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that "there are no grounds to call this situation a default."

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Russia could default on its debt within days

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-russia-could-default-on-its-debt-within-days-462324/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He asserted that the loan was settled by Russia in May, calling the "claims of default" absolutely wrong.

For the first time in more than a century, according to a story by Bloomberg News published earlier on Monday, Russia 'defaulted' around $100 million in interest payments that were due on Sunday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/whats-the-impact-of-a-russian-debt-default-492137">What’s the impact of a Russian debt default?</a>

Russian officials claim that the West is attempting to push Moscow into a false default, and finance minister Anton Siluanov has even called the whole thing a "farce."

Moscow has been largely cut off from the global financial system as a result of punitive Western sanctions, making it challenging for Moscow to pay its debts.&nbsp;

The last time Russia missed a payment on a foreign currency loan was in 1918, when Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik revolution, refused to acknowledge the debts of the overthrown tsar's government.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

On Monday, sanctions-hit Russia acknowledged that two of its debt payments had not reached the creditors. Nonetheless, the nation denied that this amounted to default on a loan.

On Monday, sanctions-hit Russia acknowledged that two of its debt payments had not reached the creditors. Nonetheless, the nation denied that this amounted to default on a loan. In a statement, the Russian finance ministry claimed that international settlement and clearing systems had "received funds in full in advance," but that "the actions of third parties" prevented the payments from reaching the intended beneficiaries. Following reports of the alleged default, the Kremlin too insisted that there were "no grounds" to say that Moscow had defaulted on its foreign-currency sovereign debt. This comes as the West hammers Russia with sanctions over its operation in Ukraine. Talking to reporters after a key payment deadline's expiry, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that "there are no grounds to call this situation a default." Watch | Gravitas: Russia could default on its debt within days He asserted that the loan was settled by Russia in May, calling the "claims of default" absolutely wrong. For the first time in more than a century, according to a story by Bloomberg News published earlier on Monday, Russia 'defaulted' around $100 million in interest payments that were due on Sunday. Also read | What’s the impact of a Russian debt default? Russian officials claim that the West is attempting to push Moscow into a false default, and finance minister Anton Siluanov has even called the whole thing a "farce." Moscow has been largely cut off from the global financial system as a result of punitive Western sanctions, making it challenging for Moscow to pay its debts. The last time Russia missed a payment on a foreign currency loan was in 1918, when Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik revolution, refused to acknowledge the debts of the overthrown tsar's government. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sanctions-hit Russia calls reports of loan default a 'farce'

One of the close allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that London would be bombed first as the potential NATO target if World War III erupts.

Andrey Gurulyov, a member of Russia’s parliament’s defence committee, made these chilling remarks while speaking to Russian state-controlled Channel 1.&nbsp;He was discussing how a possible full-scale invasion of NATO’s Baltic state members would work out, reports UK-based Metro newspaper.

“We’ll destroy the entire group of enemy’s space satellites during the first air operation,” said lieutenant-general Gurulyov, a senior commander who now represents United Russia, the main pro-Vladimir Putin political party.

The move to bomb the UK first as a NATO member would trigger clause five of the military alliance and might lead to World War Three.

Article 5 states that if a NATO Ally is the victim of an armed attack, each and every other member of the Alliance will consider this act of&nbsp;violence&nbsp;as an armed attack against all members and will take the actions it deems necessary to assist the Ally attacked.

‘No-one will care if they are American or British, we would see them all as NATO. Second, we’ll mitigate the entire system of anti-missile defence, everywhere and 100 per cent. Third, we certainly won’t start from Warsaw, Paris or Berlin,” he was quoted as saying.

“The first to be hit will be London. It’s crystal clear that the threat to the world comes from the Anglo-Saxons,” he added.

He said the invasion of Baltic countries was the only way to prevent the West from blockading Kaliningrad, a Russian semi-exclave between Lithuania and Poland.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-will-supply-belarus-with-missile-systems-capable-of-carrying-nuclear-weapons-491833" hreflang="en">Putin promises Belarus nuclear-capable missiles to counter 'aggressive' West</a>

Gurulyov said Western Europe would be “cut off from power supplies” – which he said would also be destroyed – and “immobilised.”

“In the third stage, I shall see what the USA will tell Western Europe on continuing their fight in the cold, without food and electricity,” he continued. “I wonder how they [the US] will manage to stay aside.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-farm-animals-burned-alive-in-russian-bombing-491640" hreflang="en">Ukraine farm animals burned alive in Russian bombing</a>

“This is the rough plan, and I deliberately leave out certain moments because they are not to be discussed on TV.”

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

One of the close allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that London would be bombed first as the potential NATO target if World War III erupts. Andrey Gurulyov, a member of Russia’s parliament’s defence committee, made these chilling remarks while speaking to Russian state-controlled Channel 1.

One of the close allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that London would be bombed first as the potential NATO target if World War III erupts. Andrey Gurulyov, a member of Russia’s parliament’s defence committee, made these chilling remarks while speaking to Russian state-controlled Channel 1. He was discussing how a possible full-scale invasion of NATO’s Baltic state members would work out, reports UK-based Metro newspaper. “We’ll destroy the entire group of enemy’s space satellites during the first air operation,” said lieutenant-general Gurulyov, a senior commander who now represents United Russia, the main pro-Vladimir Putin political party. The move to bomb the UK first as a NATO member would trigger clause five of the military alliance and might lead to World War Three. Article 5 states that if a NATO Ally is the victim of an armed attack, each and every other member of the Alliance will consider this act of violence as an armed attack against all members and will take the actions it deems necessary to assist the Ally attacked. ‘No-one will care if they are American or British, we would see them all as NATO. Second, we’ll mitigate the entire system of anti-missile defence, everywhere and 100 per cent. Third, we certainly won’t start from Warsaw, Paris or Berlin,” he was quoted as saying. “The first to be hit will be London. It’s crystal clear that the threat to the world comes from the Anglo-Saxons,” he added. He said the invasion of Baltic countries was the only way to prevent the West from blockading Kaliningrad, a Russian semi-exclave between Lithuania and Poland. Also read | Putin promises Belarus nuclear-capable missiles to counter 'aggressive' West Gurulyov said Western Europe would be “cut off from power supplies” – which he said would also be destroyed – and “immobilised.” “In the third stage, I shall see what the USA will tell Western Europe on continuing their fight in the cold, without food and electricity,” he continued. “I wonder how they [the US] will manage to stay aside.” Also read | Ukraine farm animals burned alive in Russian bombing “This is the rough plan, and I deliberately leave out certain moments because they are not to be discussed on TV.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

London will be bombed first if World War III happens, warns Vladimir Putin’s ally

Russia is on the brink of its first debt default since 1998 as the Sunday deadline to make a $100m interest payment seems certain to be missed. Russia has the money and is willing to pay, but sanctions make it impossible to get the payments to international creditors, as reported by BBC.

On Thursday, Russia made two interest payments on dollar-denominated debt in rubles, as Moscow faces the risk of an external debt default.

"Funds for the payment of coupons on external bonds of the Russian Federationmaturing in 2027 and 2047 in the total amount of 12.51 billion rubles (the equivalent of £234.85 million) have been received by the National Settlement Depository (NSD) payment agency," the ministry said in a statement.

In the statement, the ministry said that it is using a new temporary payment system which came into force on June 22, after sanctions imposed over Ukraine made it difficult for Moscow to service its foreign debt.&nbsp;

Under the new system, the ministry transfers the ruble equivalent of the coupon's value to the Moscow-based National Settlement Depository that reimburses creditors in rubles at the Central Bank exchange rate "to ensure the maximum equivalence of payments".&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/cash-strapped-sri-lanka-on-lookout-for-discounted-russian-oil-492001">Cash-strapped Sri Lanka on lookout for discounted Russian oil</a>

Russia's finance ministry said in a statement earlier, "ready to consider and, if there are necessary grounds, to bilaterally settle all complaints regarding the complete fulfilment of debt obligations on the 'Russia-2022' Eurobonds".

The statement provided two e-mail addresses to which complaints should be directed, adding that "all requests will be considered". Some creditors are requesting "additional interest" for as long as the payments are outstanding, the statement said.

The ministry blamed the delay in processing payments on the "illegal actions of foreign financial intermediaries."

(with inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Russia is on the brink of its first debt default since 1998 as the Sunday deadline to make a $100m interest payment seems certain to be missed. Russia has the money and is willing to pay, but sanctions make it impossible to get the payments to international creditors, as reported by BBC.

Russia is on the brink of its first debt default since 1998 as the Sunday deadline to make a $100m interest payment seems certain to be missed. Russia has the money and is willing to pay, but sanctions make it impossible to get the payments to international creditors, as reported by BBC. On Thursday, Russia made two interest payments on dollar-denominated debt in rubles, as Moscow faces the risk of an external debt default. "Funds for the payment of coupons on external bonds of the Russian Federationmaturing in 2027 and 2047 in the total amount of 12.51 billion rubles (the equivalent of £234.85 million) have been received by the National Settlement Depository (NSD) payment agency," the ministry said in a statement. In the statement, the ministry said that it is using a new temporary payment system which came into force on June 22, after sanctions imposed over Ukraine made it difficult for Moscow to service its foreign debt. Under the new system, the ministry transfers the ruble equivalent of the coupon's value to the Moscow-based National Settlement Depository that reimburses creditors in rubles at the Central Bank exchange rate "to ensure the maximum equivalence of payments". Also Read: Cash-strapped Sri Lanka on lookout for discounted Russian oil Russia's finance ministry said in a statement earlier, "ready to consider and, if there are necessary grounds, to bilaterally settle all complaints regarding the complete fulfilment of debt obligations on the 'Russia-2022' Eurobonds". The statement provided two e-mail addresses to which complaints should be directed, adding that "all requests will be considered". Some creditors are requesting "additional interest" for as long as the payments are outstanding, the statement said. The ministry blamed the delay in processing payments on the "illegal actions of foreign financial intermediaries." (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Dollar bankruptcy: Russia may soon default on debt servicing

Russian authorities have removed a Polish flag from a memorial commemorating the thousands of Poles killed by the Soviet Union, amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Warsaw over the Ukraine conflict.

Historians and visitors to the Katyn memorial in western Russia's Smolensk region noted the flag's disappearance on social media on Friday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pioneering-russian-journalist-sells-nobel-peace-medal-for-ukraine-489394">Pioneering Russian journalist sells Nobel Peace medal for Ukraine</a>

The mayor of Smolensk city confirmed the removal on Friday evening, publishing a photo showing the Russian flag flying alone at the memorial's entrance.

"There cannot be Polish flags on Russian monuments. Even less so after the frankly anti-Russian comments by Polish political leaders," Andrei Borisov said on social media platform VKontakte.

"The culture ministry of the Russian Federation made the right decision by removing the Polish flag. Katyn is a Russian memorial."

The decision to take down the flag comes as tensions between Russia and Poland have spiked since Moscow launched its military operation in neighbouring Ukraine in February.

Watch |&nbsp;Former Soviet Union World War 2 soldier lashes out at Russia for destroying his home in Ukraine

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/former-soviet-union-world-war-2-soldier-lashes-out-at-russia-for-destroying-his-home-in-ukraine-477600/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Poland, a member of NATO and the European Union, has vocally supported Ukraine diplomatically and by supplying it with weapons.

The country has also hosted by far the largest number of Ukrainian refugees within the bloc -- more than 1.1 million according to the latest UN figures.

The Katyn memorial was erected in memory of the 25,000 Poles, mostly army officers deemed anti-communist, massacred by the Soviet Union's political police in a forest near Smolensk in 1940 on the orders of Joseph Stalin.

The Soviet Union had long denied responsibility for the killings, accusing the Nazis of the crime, before admitting the truth in 1990.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-pranksters-trick-jk-rowling-by-posing-as-ukrainian-president-zelensky-488975">Russian pranksters trick JK Rowling by posing as Ukrainian President Zelensky</a>

The episode poisoned relations between Russia and Poland.

In 2010, a Smolensk-bound plane carrying the Polish president crashed, killing its 96 passengers. The investigation into the incident became another source of tension after the countries tried to improve their ties.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Russian authorities have removed a Polish flag from a memorial commemorating the thousands of Poles killed by the Soviet Union, amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Warsaw over the Ukraine conflict.

Russian authorities have removed a Polish flag from a memorial commemorating the thousands of Poles killed by the Soviet Union, amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Warsaw over the Ukraine conflict. Historians and visitors to the Katyn memorial in western Russia's Smolensk region noted the flag's disappearance on social media on Friday. Also read | Pioneering Russian journalist sells Nobel Peace medal for Ukraine The mayor of Smolensk city confirmed the removal on Friday evening, publishing a photo showing the Russian flag flying alone at the memorial's entrance. "There cannot be Polish flags on Russian monuments. Even less so after the frankly anti-Russian comments by Polish political leaders," Andrei Borisov said on social media platform VKontakte. "The culture ministry of the Russian Federation made the right decision by removing the Polish flag. Katyn is a Russian memorial." The decision to take down the flag comes as tensions between Russia and Poland have spiked since Moscow launched its military operation in neighbouring Ukraine in February. Watch | Former Soviet Union World War 2 soldier lashes out at Russia for destroying his home in Ukraine Poland, a member of NATO and the European Union, has vocally supported Ukraine diplomatically and by supplying it with weapons. The country has also hosted by far the largest number of Ukrainian refugees within the bloc -- more than 1.1 million according to the latest UN figures. The Katyn memorial was erected in memory of the 25,000 Poles, mostly army officers deemed anti-communist, massacred by the Soviet Union's political police in a forest near Smolensk in 1940 on the orders of Joseph Stalin. The Soviet Union had long denied responsibility for the killings, accusing the Nazis of the crime, before admitting the truth in 1990. Also read | Russian pranksters trick JK Rowling by posing as Ukrainian President Zelensky The episode poisoned relations between Russia and Poland. In 2010, a Smolensk-bound plane carrying the Polish president crashed, killing its 96 passengers. The investigation into the incident became another source of tension after the countries tried to improve their ties. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia removes Polish flag from Soviet massacre memorial

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) is holding talks with the British government on the participation of players from Russia and Belarus at this year's Wimbledon, saying on Tuesday that it hopes to announce a decision in mid-May.

Russian and Belarusian players have been allowed to compete on the regular ATP and WTA Tours but not under the name or flag of their countries following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Belarus was a key staging area for the invasion, which Russia says is a "special military operation."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/korea-open-malvika-bansod-beats-chinas-hue-yan-in-a-thriller-to-enter-second-round-468569">Korea Open: Malvika Bansod emerges on top of China's Hue Yan in a thriller to enter second round</a>

Russia was also banned from defending its Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team titles.

"We have noted the UK Government's guidance regarding the attendance of Russian and Belarusian individuals in a neutral capacity at sporting events in the UK," the AELTC, organisers of the grasscourt Grand Slam, said in a statement.

"This remains a complex and challenging issue, and we are continuing to engage in discussion with the UK Government, the Lawn Tennis Association, and the international governing bodies of tennis.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/korea-open-indias-lakshya-sen-sweats-it-out-versus-choi-ji-hoon-to-earn-hard-fought-win-468547">Korea Open: India's Lakshya Sen sweats it out versus Choi Ji Hoon to earn hard-fought win</a>

"We plan to announce a decision in relation to Wimbledon ahead of our entry deadline in mid-May."

British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston had said last month that he would not be comfortable with a "Russian athlete flying the Russian flag" and winning Wimbledon in London.

He added that U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev may have to provide assurances that he does not support Russian president Vladimir Putin if he is to compete.

Wimbledon will be held from June 27-July 10.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) is holding talks with the British government on the participation of players from Russia and Belarus at this year's Wimbledon, saying on Tuesday that it hopes to announce a decision in mid-May.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) is holding talks with the British government on the participation of players from Russia and Belarus at this year's Wimbledon, saying on Tuesday that it hopes to announce a decision in mid-May. Russian and Belarusian players have been allowed to compete on the regular ATP and WTA Tours but not under the name or flag of their countries following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Belarus was a key staging area for the invasion, which Russia says is a "special military operation." ALSO READ: Korea Open: Malvika Bansod emerges on top of China's Hue Yan in a thriller to enter second round Russia was also banned from defending its Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team titles. "We have noted the UK Government's guidance regarding the attendance of Russian and Belarusian individuals in a neutral capacity at sporting events in the UK," the AELTC, organisers of the grasscourt Grand Slam, said in a statement. "This remains a complex and challenging issue, and we are continuing to engage in discussion with the UK Government, the Lawn Tennis Association, and the international governing bodies of tennis. ALSO READ: Korea Open: India's Lakshya Sen sweats it out versus Choi Ji Hoon to earn hard-fought win "We plan to announce a decision in relation to Wimbledon ahead of our entry deadline in mid-May." British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston had said last month that he would not be comfortable with a "Russian athlete flying the Russian flag" and winning Wimbledon in London. He added that U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev may have to provide assurances that he does not support Russian president Vladimir Putin if he is to compete. Wimbledon will be held from June 27-July 10.

Wimbledon organisers holding talks with British government on participation of players from Russia, Belarus

Conceived in almost hysterical circumstances in Paris in 1920, the Spitsbergen treaty gives the citizens of 46 countries the right to exploit the Arctic archipelago which is now officially known by its Norwegian name of Svalbard. Before then it was regarded as "terra nullus", meaning owned by nobody.

It was possibly the only international treaty ever conceived in bed by two gay men. The two key diplomats who drew up the treaty in Paris in the aftermath of World War I were having an adulterous affair at the time.

As reported by AFP, &nbsp;the influential former Norwegian diplomat Sverre Jervell said, "It's an epic tale."&nbsp;

"The Norwegian ambassador Fritz Wedel Jarlsberg was having a homosexual relationship with the French foreign ministry's legal advisor, Henri Fromageot.

"The treaty was drafted in bed," he added.

Jarlsberg wrote the first article giving Norway sovereignty over Svalbard and Fromageot added the following ones "saying Norway didn't have complete responsibility.

"When the text was sent to Oslo, the foreign minister was really worried. He was against it because he was afraid of the Russians," who had been major players in the region until the Russian Revolution and civil war that followed threw the country into chaos.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/37-year-old-brazilian-woman-married-to-homemade-rag-doll-now-has-a-baby-too-read-details-here-490938">37-year-old Brazilian woman 'married' to homemade rag doll now has a baby too.</a>&nbsp;

But the treaty was signed anyway, pushed through by Norway's diplomats, and came into force in 1925.

The treaty gives the citizens of the countries who have signed the treaty an equal right to exploit Svalbard's rich resources through any kind of maritime, industrial, mining or trade activity. In reality, however, only two nations Norway and Russia have made much use of their rights, as reported by AFP.

The European Union of which Norway is not a member but is associated through the European Economic Area has unilaterally given permits to its fleets to fish for cod and snow crab within the 200-mile zone.

(with inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Conceived in almost hysterical circumstances in Paris in 1920, the Spitsbergen treaty gives the citizens of 46 countries the right to exploit the Arctic archipelago which is now officially known by its Norwegian name of Svalbard.

Conceived in almost hysterical circumstances in Paris in 1920, the Spitsbergen treaty gives the citizens of 46 countries the right to exploit the Arctic archipelago which is now officially known by its Norwegian name of Svalbard. Before then it was regarded as "terra nullus", meaning owned by nobody. It was possibly the only international treaty ever conceived in bed by two gay men. The two key diplomats who drew up the treaty in Paris in the aftermath of World War I were having an adulterous affair at the time. As reported by AFP, the influential former Norwegian diplomat Sverre Jervell said, "It's an epic tale." "The Norwegian ambassador Fritz Wedel Jarlsberg was having a homosexual relationship with the French foreign ministry's legal advisor, Henri Fromageot. "The treaty was drafted in bed," he added. Jarlsberg wrote the first article giving Norway sovereignty over Svalbard and Fromageot added the following ones "saying Norway didn't have complete responsibility. "When the text was sent to Oslo, the foreign minister was really worried. He was against it because he was afraid of the Russians," who had been major players in the region until the Russian Revolution and civil war that followed threw the country into chaos. Also Read: 37-year-old Brazilian woman 'married' to homemade rag doll now has a baby too. But the treaty was signed anyway, pushed through by Norway's diplomats, and came into force in 1925. The treaty gives the citizens of the countries who have signed the treaty an equal right to exploit Svalbard's rich resources through any kind of maritime, industrial, mining or trade activity. In reality, however, only two nations Norway and Russia have made much use of their rights, as reported by AFP. The European Union of which Norway is not a member but is associated through the European Economic Area has unilaterally given permits to its fleets to fish for cod and snow crab within the 200-mile zone. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Spitsbergen treaty: Arctic treaty conceived in bed by two gay men

In an awful incident, the remains of a woman, who died around two weeks ago, were allegedly eaten by around 20 Maine Coon cats she had reared at her residence in Bataysk, Russia. The woman was a known cat breeder, as per media reports. The police recovered the body of the woman after two weeks of her death when a co-worker called the cops on arriving at her residence. The police were also horrified to see the remains of the woman inside the residence.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/newborn-baby-goat-with-19-inch-long-ears-hogs-limelight-looks-to-bag-guinness-world-record-in-pakistan-490577" hreflang="en">Newborn baby goat with 19-inch-long ears hogs limelight in Pakistan, looks to bag Guinness World Record</a>&nbsp;

Hungry cats had surrounded the body, reported the New York Post. According to the initial investigation, the woman seems to have died around two weeks ago. After getting nothing to eat for a long time, the cats became hungry and began to eat the body of their deceased owner. &nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The Maine Coon cats are a very popular purebred cat breed and native to the state of Maine in the United States. They are known for their huge size. In the world's pet cat popularity rankings, it presently ranks third. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

In an awful incident, the remains of a woman, who died around two weeks ago, were allegedly eaten by around 20 Maine Coon cats she had reared at her residence in Bataysk, Russia.

In an awful incident, the remains of a woman, who died around two weeks ago, were allegedly eaten by around 20 Maine Coon cats she had reared at her residence in Bataysk, Russia. The woman was a known cat breeder, as per media reports. The police recovered the body of the woman after two weeks of her death when a co-worker called the cops on arriving at her residence. The police were also horrified to see the remains of the woman inside the residence. Also Read: Newborn baby goat with 19-inch-long ears hogs limelight in Pakistan, looks to bag Guinness World Record Hungry cats had surrounded the body, reported the New York Post. According to the initial investigation, the woman seems to have died around two weeks ago. After getting nothing to eat for a long time, the cats became hungry and began to eat the body of their deceased owner. WATCH WION LIVE HERE The Maine Coon cats are a very popular purebred cat breed and native to the state of Maine in the United States. They are known for their huge size. In the world's pet cat popularity rankings, it presently ranks third. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

20 Maine Coon cats eat body of deceased owner for two weeks in Russia. Find out why

Ukraine's southern Kherson region, where Moscow has already introduced the ruble and began distributing Russian passports, is now broadcasting Russian television, as said by the Russian army on Tuesday. It said that the Russian armed forces have “reconfigured the last of the seven television towers in the Kherson region to broadcast Russian television channels” for free.

Bordering the Crimea peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, the Kherson region was occupied by Russian forces in the days following the Kremlin's offensive in late February. Tuesday, one of the pro-Moscow officials in the region, Kirill Stremousov, said that the territory could join Russia "before the end of the year."

The city in southern Ukraine, which had 300,000 inhabitants before the war, has been virtually cut off from the outside world since it fell into Russian hands. Residents are subjected to "constant checks at numerous checkpoints" with Russians checking "documents, phones and bags".

On a Moscow-organised visit to Kherson earlier this month, there were only a few soldiers in the centre, but many checkpoints on the outskirts, as reported by AFP. &nbsp;But he said, unlike in other towns and cities in the south, such as the port of Berdyansk, few Russian flags were flying.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/toki-modern-phoenix-of-japan-brought-back-from-extinction-490258">Toki, 'modern phoenix' of Japan brought back from extinction</a>

Tetyana said some residents had painted Ukrainian flags in the streets or hung blue and yellow ribbons on tree branches in protest. &nbsp;Russian forces were also struggling to enforce the use of the Russian ruble in Kherson, with people insisting on "paying in (Ukrainian) hryvnia".&nbsp;

Since the takeover, residents of Kherson and other occupied areas say food prices have skyrocketed. After severe shortages of medicine in the region, some critical drugs were once again available but hard to get hold of, she said.

Not everyone in Kherson has given up hope that the Ukrainian army will eventually liberate the town.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Ukraine's southern Kherson region, where Moscow has already introduced the ruble and began distributing Russian passports, is now broadcasting Russian television, as said by the Russian army on Tuesday.

Ukraine's southern Kherson region, where Moscow has already introduced the ruble and began distributing Russian passports, is now broadcasting Russian television, as said by the Russian army on Tuesday. It said that the Russian armed forces have “reconfigured the last of the seven television towers in the Kherson region to broadcast Russian television channels” for free. Bordering the Crimea peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, the Kherson region was occupied by Russian forces in the days following the Kremlin's offensive in late February. Tuesday, one of the pro-Moscow officials in the region, Kirill Stremousov, said that the territory could join Russia "before the end of the year." The city in southern Ukraine, which had 300,000 inhabitants before the war, has been virtually cut off from the outside world since it fell into Russian hands. Residents are subjected to "constant checks at numerous checkpoints" with Russians checking "documents, phones and bags". On a Moscow-organised visit to Kherson earlier this month, there were only a few soldiers in the centre, but many checkpoints on the outskirts, as reported by AFP. But he said, unlike in other towns and cities in the south, such as the port of Berdyansk, few Russian flags were flying. Also Read: Toki, 'modern phoenix' of Japan brought back from extinction Tetyana said some residents had painted Ukrainian flags in the streets or hung blue and yellow ribbons on tree branches in protest. Russian forces were also struggling to enforce the use of the Russian ruble in Kherson, with people insisting on "paying in (Ukrainian) hryvnia". Since the takeover, residents of Kherson and other occupied areas say food prices have skyrocketed. After severe shortages of medicine in the region, some critical drugs were once again available but hard to get hold of, she said. Not everyone in Kherson has given up hope that the Ukrainian army will eventually liberate the town. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian television starts broadcast in Ukraine’s Kherson

Russia&nbsp;has&nbsp;promised to continue&nbsp;gas&nbsp;shipments&nbsp;to&nbsp;Hungary&nbsp;and that Gazprom will fulfil its contractual obligations to the country,&nbsp;Foreign&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;Peter Szijjarto said in an interview on public service radio on Sunday.

In&nbsp;Russia's response to Western sanctions imposed on Moscow since its invasion of Ukraine, state energy giant Gazprom&nbsp;has&nbsp;cut supplies to Denmark's Orsted&nbsp;and to Shell Energy&nbsp;for its contract to supply&nbsp;gas&nbsp;to Germany.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indias-russian-coal-buying-spikes-as-traders-offer-steep-discounts-489537">India's Russian coal buying spikes as traders offer steep discounts: Report</a>

It also cut supplies to Dutch&nbsp;gas&nbsp;trader&nbsp;GasTerra along with Bulgaria, Poland and Finland for refusing to make payments for&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;gas&nbsp;in roubles under a new rouble scheme.

Szijjarto said that Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller and&nbsp;Russia's deputy prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;Alexander Novak had both&nbsp;assured&nbsp;him in a phone call that the company would fulfil its obligations towards&nbsp;Hungary&nbsp;set out in its contract.

The&nbsp;minister&nbsp;did not say when the phone call took place. The&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Watch |&nbsp;NATO chief warns Russia-Ukraine war might last long

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-chief-warns-russia-ukraine-war-might-last-long-489735/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Under a deal with Gazprom signed last year,&nbsp;Hungary&nbsp;receives 3.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) of&nbsp;gas&nbsp;per year via Bulgaria and Serbia under its long-term deal with&nbsp;Russia, and a further one bcm via a pipeline from Austria.

The agreement is valid for 15 years, with an option to modify purchased quantities after 10 years.

Szijjarto also said on Sunday that&nbsp;Hungary's energy security, including its&nbsp;gas&nbsp;supply, is stable and that&nbsp;gas&nbsp;shipments&nbsp;have been arriving daily as per the contract, on schedule, and without any disruptions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-has-nothing-against-ukraine-joining-eu-putin-489203">Russia has 'nothing against' Ukraine joining EU, says Vladimir Putin</a>

Russian&nbsp;gas&nbsp;flows to Europe fell short of demand on Friday as Italy and Slovakia reported receiving less than half of the usual volumes through the Nordstream 1 pipeline, which crosses the Baltic Sea from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;to Germany and accounts for around 40 per cent&nbsp;of&nbsp;Russian pipeline flows to the European Union.

On Sunday Germany announced further steps to boost&nbsp;gas&nbsp;storage levels to prepare for the next winter season, when it fears&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;could reduce or even completely halt supplies.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

&nbsp;

Russia has promised to continue gas shipments to Hungary and that Gazprom will fulfil its contractual obligations to the country, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in an interview on public service radio on Sunday.

Russia has promised to continue gas shipments to Hungary and that Gazprom will fulfil its contractual obligations to the country, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in an interview on public service radio on Sunday. In Russia's response to Western sanctions imposed on Moscow since its invasion of Ukraine, state energy giant Gazprom has cut supplies to Denmark's Orsted and to Shell Energy for its contract to supply gas to Germany. Also read | India's Russian coal buying spikes as traders offer steep discounts: Report It also cut supplies to Dutch gas trader GasTerra along with Bulgaria, Poland and Finland for refusing to make payments for Russian gas in roubles under a new rouble scheme. Szijjarto said that Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller and Russia's deputy prime minister Alexander Novak had both assured him in a phone call that the company would fulfil its obligations towards Hungary set out in its contract. The minister did not say when the phone call took place. The foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Watch | NATO chief warns Russia-Ukraine war might last long Under a deal with Gazprom signed last year, Hungary receives 3.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas per year via Bulgaria and Serbia under its long-term deal with Russia, and a further one bcm via a pipeline from Austria. The agreement is valid for 15 years, with an option to modify purchased quantities after 10 years. Szijjarto also said on Sunday that Hungary's energy security, including its gas supply, is stable and that gas shipments have been arriving daily as per the contract, on schedule, and without any disruptions. Also read | Russia has 'nothing against' Ukraine joining EU, says Vladimir Putin Russian gas flows to Europe fell short of demand on Friday as Italy and Slovakia reported receiving less than half of the usual volumes through the Nordstream 1 pipeline, which crosses the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany and accounts for around 40 per cent of Russian pipeline flows to the European Union. On Sunday Germany announced further steps to boost gas storage levels to prepare for the next winter season, when it fears Russia could reduce or even completely halt supplies. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia has assured Hungary of continued gas shipments: Foreign Minister

India's purchases of Russian coal have spiked in recent weeks despite global sanctions on Moscow, as traders offer discounts of up to 30%, according to data reviewed by Reuters.&nbsp;

Russia, facing severe Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, warned the European Union in April against sweeping sanctions on coal, saying they would backfire as the fuel would be redirected to other markets.

India has refrained from condemning Russia, with which it has longstanding political and security ties while calling for an end to violence in Ukraine. New Delhi defends its purchases of Russian goods as part of an effort to diversify supplies and argues a sudden halt would jack up world prices and hurt its consumers.&nbsp;

U.S. officials have told India there is no ban on energy imports from Russia but they do not want to see a "rapid acceleration". Yet as European importers shun trade with Moscow, Indian buyers are lapping up huge quantities of Russian coal despite high freight costs.&nbsp;

Its purchases of coal and related products jumped more than six-fold in the 20 days through Wednesday from the same period a year earlier to $331.17 million, according to unpublished Indian government data reviewed by Reuters.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/crypto-crash-bitcoin-last-down-74-at-18915-489531">Crypto Crash: Bitcoin last down 7.4 per cent at $18,915</a>

Indian refiners similarly have snapped up cheap Russian oil shunned by Western countries. The value of India's oil trade with Russia in the 20 days through Wednesday jumped more than 31-fold to $2.22 billion, the data showed.

"The Russian traders have been liberal with payment routes and are accepting payments in Indian rupee and the United Arab Emirates dirham," one source said. "The discounts are attractive, and this trend of higher Russian coal purchases will continue."

(with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

India's purchases of Russian coal have spiked in recent weeks despite global sanctions on Moscow, as traders offer discounts of up to 30%, according to data reviewed by Reuters.

India's purchases of Russian coal have spiked in recent weeks despite global sanctions on Moscow, as traders offer discounts of up to 30%, according to data reviewed by Reuters. Russia, facing severe Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, warned the European Union in April against sweeping sanctions on coal, saying they would backfire as the fuel would be redirected to other markets. India has refrained from condemning Russia, with which it has longstanding political and security ties while calling for an end to violence in Ukraine. New Delhi defends its purchases of Russian goods as part of an effort to diversify supplies and argues a sudden halt would jack up world prices and hurt its consumers. U.S. officials have told India there is no ban on energy imports from Russia but they do not want to see a "rapid acceleration". Yet as European importers shun trade with Moscow, Indian buyers are lapping up huge quantities of Russian coal despite high freight costs. Its purchases of coal and related products jumped more than six-fold in the 20 days through Wednesday from the same period a year earlier to $331.17 million, according to unpublished Indian government data reviewed by Reuters. Also Read: Crypto Crash: Bitcoin last down 7.4 per cent at $18,915 Indian refiners similarly have snapped up cheap Russian oil shunned by Western countries. The value of India's oil trade with Russia in the 20 days through Wednesday jumped more than 31-fold to $2.22 billion, the data showed. "The Russian traders have been liberal with payment routes and are accepting payments in Indian rupee and the United Arab Emirates dirham," one source said. "The discounts are attractive, and this trend of higher Russian coal purchases will continue." (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India's Russian coal buying spikes as traders offer steep discounts: Report

Russian oligarch Vitaly Malkin is suing Credit Suisse for the loss of $515 million he claims was the fault of a former adviser at the&nbsp;Swiss banking giant, Sonntagszeitung daily reported Sunday.

Malkin, a resident of Monaco and an ex-business partner of former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, has hired the American firm Quinn Emanuel to sue Credit Suisse in the case concerning Patrice Lescaudron, the newspaper reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pioneering-russian-journalist-sells-nobel-peace-medal-for-ukraine-489394">Pioneering Russian journalist sells Nobel Peace medal for Ukraine</a>

Lescaudron was a former private banker at Credit Suisse in Geneva but was sacked in 2015. A Swiss court later sentenced him to five years in prison in 2018 on charges of fraud and forgery, Swiss media reported. Lescaudron died by suicide in 2020.

The bank told AFP it "rejects all the allegations".

"Credit Suisse was recognised as the aggrieved party by all criminal authorities seized with this matter," it said in a statement.

The latest case comes after a Bermuda judge ruled in March that Ivanishvili suffered a loss of $553 million because of failures by a Credit Suisse affiliate in Bermuda.

Watch |&nbsp;Russian media releases videos of two US nationals captured by Russian forces

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-media-releases-videos-of-two-us-nationals-captured-by-russian-forces-489496/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The ruling said the Credit Suisse affiliate did not prevent Lescaudron's fraud because "it was prioritising the revenues Mr Lescaudron generated for Credit Suisse over the interests of its clients".

Credit Suisse said it would appeal against the ruling. The bank insists Lescaudron acted alone.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-spy-held-for-trying-to-enter-international-criminal-court-via-internship-in-netherlands-488938">Russian spy held for trying to enter war crimes court in Netherlands, sent back to Brazil</a>

"All investigations into this matter conducted by the bank, FINMA (The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) and the criminal authorities since 2015 have shown that the former relationship manager was not supported by any other employee of the Credit Suisse in his criminal activities," it said, referring to all the claims against Lescaudron.

Swiss business news agency AWP reported this week that prosecutors have launched separate legal proceedings against the bank after Lescaudron's death.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Russian oligarch Vitaly Malkin is suing Credit Suisse for the loss of $515 million he claims was the fault of a former adviser at the Swiss banking giant, Sonntagszeitung daily reported Sunday.

Russian oligarch Vitaly Malkin is suing Credit Suisse for the loss of $515 million he claims was the fault of a former adviser at the Swiss banking giant, Sonntagszeitung daily reported Sunday. Malkin, a resident of Monaco and an ex-business partner of former Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, has hired the American firm Quinn Emanuel to sue Credit Suisse in the case concerning Patrice Lescaudron, the newspaper reported. Also read | Pioneering Russian journalist sells Nobel Peace medal for Ukraine Lescaudron was a former private banker at Credit Suisse in Geneva but was sacked in 2015. A Swiss court later sentenced him to five years in prison in 2018 on charges of fraud and forgery, Swiss media reported. Lescaudron died by suicide in 2020. The bank told AFP it "rejects all the allegations". "Credit Suisse was recognised as the aggrieved party by all criminal authorities seized with this matter," it said in a statement. The latest case comes after a Bermuda judge ruled in March that Ivanishvili suffered a loss of $553 million because of failures by a Credit Suisse affiliate in Bermuda. Watch | Russian media releases videos of two US nationals captured by Russian forces The ruling said the Credit Suisse affiliate did not prevent Lescaudron's fraud because "it was prioritising the revenues Mr Lescaudron generated for Credit Suisse over the interests of its clients". Credit Suisse said it would appeal against the ruling. The bank insists Lescaudron acted alone. Also read | Russian spy held for trying to enter war crimes court in Netherlands, sent back to Brazil "All investigations into this matter conducted by the bank, FINMA (The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) and the criminal authorities since 2015 have shown that the former relationship manager was not supported by any other employee of the Credit Suisse in his criminal activities," it said, referring to all the claims against Lescaudron. Swiss business news agency AWP reported this week that prosecutors have launched separate legal proceedings against the bank after Lescaudron's death. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russian oligarch sues Credit Suisse over alleged $515 million loss

Russia is putting the world at risk of famine through its blockade of Ukraine's shipments of grains and restrictions on its own exports, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Saturday.

The threat to food security and a "battle of narrative" with Russia on Western-imposed sanctions on Moscow over Ukraine will dominate European Union foreign ministers' talks in Luxembourg on Monday.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-has-nothing-against-ukraine-joining-eu-putin-489203">&nbsp;Russia has 'nothing against' Ukraine joining EU, says Vladimir Putin</a>

"We&nbsp;are ready to work with the UN and our partners to prevent any unwanted impact on global food security," Borrell said in an article published on his official blog.

"Russia's conscious political choice is to 'weaponise'" grain exports and "use them as a tool for blackmail against anyone that opposes its aggression" in Ukraine, Borrell said.

"Russia turned the Black Sea into a war zone, blocking shipments of grain and fertiliser from Ukraine but also affecting Russian merchant shipping. Russia is also applying quotas and taxes on its grain exports," he added.

Watch |&nbsp;European Commission to propose Kyiv's EU membership, a glimmer of hope for Ukraine?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/european-commission-to-propose-kyivs-eu-membership-a-glimmer-of-hope-for-ukraine-489091/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The sanctions imposed by the EU "do not prohibit Russia to export any agricultural goods, payment for such Russian exports or the provision of seeds, provided that sanctioned individuals or entities are not involved".

"We are fully aware that there is a 'battle of narratives' around this issue" of sanctions, Borrell continued.

He added that it was imperative that Ukrainian exports be allowed to resume by ship.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commission-recommends-eu-candidate-status-for-ukraine-489054">'Manipulation': Russia slams European Union move to give 'candidate status' to Ukraine</a>

"We are working closely with the UN on this issue and the EU and its member states are ready to do their part of the necessary actions to achieve this."

"We hope that a solution can be found in the coming days. Not doing this threatens to cause a global food catastrophe," he warned.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Russia is putting the world at risk of famine through its blockade of Ukraine's shipments of grains and restrictions on its own exports, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Saturday.

Russia is putting the world at risk of famine through its blockade of Ukraine's shipments of grains and restrictions on its own exports, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Saturday. The threat to food security and a "battle of narrative" with Russia on Western-imposed sanctions on Moscow over Ukraine will dominate European Union foreign ministers' talks in Luxembourg on Monday. Also read | Russia has 'nothing against' Ukraine joining EU, says Vladimir Putin "We are ready to work with the UN and our partners to prevent any unwanted impact on global food security," Borrell said in an article published on his official blog. "Russia's conscious political choice is to 'weaponise'" grain exports and "use them as a tool for blackmail against anyone that opposes its aggression" in Ukraine, Borrell said. "Russia turned the Black Sea into a war zone, blocking shipments of grain and fertiliser from Ukraine but also affecting Russian merchant shipping. Russia is also applying quotas and taxes on its grain exports," he added. Watch | European Commission to propose Kyiv's EU membership, a glimmer of hope for Ukraine? The sanctions imposed by the EU "do not prohibit Russia to export any agricultural goods, payment for such Russian exports or the provision of seeds, provided that sanctioned individuals or entities are not involved". "We are fully aware that there is a 'battle of narratives' around this issue" of sanctions, Borrell continued. He added that it was imperative that Ukrainian exports be allowed to resume by ship. Also read | 'Manipulation': Russia slams European Union move to give 'candidate status' to Ukraine "We are working closely with the UN on this issue and the EU and its member states are ready to do their part of the necessary actions to achieve this." "We hope that a solution can be found in the coming days. Not doing this threatens to cause a global food catastrophe," he warned. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia putting world in danger of famine, warns European Union

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (June 17) said that Russia had 'nothing against' Ukraine joining the European Union (EU). His words came on the same day European Commission recommended granting Ukraine a candidate status in the EU. Putin was speaking at Russia's annual economic showcase, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

"We have nothing against it. It's their sovereign decision to join economic unions or not... It's their business, the business of the Ukrainian people," said Putin.

Russia is currently invading Ukraine. Putin has in past expressed Russia's fierce opposition to Ukraine joining North Atlantic Treaty Organisation&nbsp;(NATO). Such a scenario has been deemed a 'security threat' by Moscow.

But "as far as their economic integration is concerned, it is their choice", Putin said.

"The EU is not a military alliance, unlike NATO," he said.

Watch | Gravitas: Is Poland Russia's next target?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-poland-russias-next-target-488916/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The Russian president, however, said he believed that if Ukraine went ahead with joining the EU it would "turn into a semi-colony" of Western countries.

"That's my opinion," he said.

Russia not cause of global issues, says Putin

During his speech, Putin defended Russia by saying global economic problems were not caused by the Russian invasion.

"What is happening is not the result of recent months, much less the result of a special military operation that Russia is conducting in the Donbas," Putin said referring to the predominantly Russia-speaking region of Eastern Ukraine.&nbsp;

"The rising prices, inflation, the problem with foods, prices for fuel.. are the result of systematic mistakes in the economic policy of the current US administration and European bureaucracy," Putin said in televised remarks at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. &nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-germany-italy-romania-leaders-back-ukraine-membership-bid-during-crucial-kyiv-visit-488906">France, Germany, Italy, Romania back Ukraine's EU membership bid during crucial Kyiv visit</a>

Moscow's military action became a "lifeline" for Western countries "that allows them to blame their own miscalculations on others, in this case, on Russia,"&nbsp;he added.

Gas prices were also on the rise Friday, exacerbated by the decision by Russian energy giant Gazprom to slash deliveries to Europe, citing repair works.&nbsp;

Putin said that high energy prices "have been observed since the third quarter (of last year), long before the start of our operation in Donbas", adding that the price hikes were also the result of Europe's "failed energy policy".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (June 17) said that Russia had 'nothing against' Ukraine joining the European Union (EU). His words came on the same day European Commission recommended granting Ukraine a candidate status in the EU.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (June 17) said that Russia had 'nothing against' Ukraine joining the European Union (EU). His words came on the same day European Commission recommended granting Ukraine a candidate status in the EU. Putin was speaking at Russia's annual economic showcase, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. "We have nothing against it. It's their sovereign decision to join economic unions or not... It's their business, the business of the Ukrainian people," said Putin. Russia is currently invading Ukraine. Putin has in past expressed Russia's fierce opposition to Ukraine joining North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Such a scenario has been deemed a 'security threat' by Moscow. But "as far as their economic integration is concerned, it is their choice", Putin said. "The EU is not a military alliance, unlike NATO," he said. Watch | Gravitas: Is Poland Russia's next target? × The Russian president, however, said he believed that if Ukraine went ahead with joining the EU it would "turn into a semi-colony" of Western countries. "That's my opinion," he said. Russia not cause of global issues, says Putin During his speech, Putin defended Russia by saying global economic problems were not caused by the Russian invasion. "What is happening is not the result of recent months, much less the result of a special military operation that Russia is conducting in the Donbas," Putin said referring to the predominantly Russia-speaking region of Eastern Ukraine. "The rising prices, inflation, the problem with foods, prices for fuel.. are the result of systematic mistakes in the economic policy of the current US administration and European bureaucracy," Putin said in televised remarks at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. Also Read | France, Germany, Italy, Romania back Ukraine's EU membership bid during crucial Kyiv visit Moscow's military action became a "lifeline" for Western countries "that allows them to blame their own miscalculations on others, in this case, on Russia," he added. Gas prices were also on the rise Friday, exacerbated by the decision by Russian energy giant Gazprom to slash deliveries to Europe, citing repair works. Putin said that high energy prices "have been observed since the third quarter (of last year), long before the start of our operation in Donbas", adding that the price hikes were also the result of Europe's "failed energy policy". (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Russia has 'nothing against' Ukraine joining EU, says Vladimir Putin

France has not received any Russian natural gas through pipeline since June 15, said GRTgaz, a network operator. The development has followed Russian gas giant Gazprom's warning earlier this week about cutting delivery of gas to Europe. Gazprom maintains that reduction in supply is due to repair work, but the move is widely perceived to be a political one.

Experts have been quoted in media reports saying that Russia is seeking to put pressure on allies of Ukraine.

France is dependent on Russia for 17 per cent of its natural gas.

Supplies had already been reduced by 60 percent since the beginning of this year, sending prices soaring.

But GRTgaz said there was no risk to French supplies currently, with reserves at 56 percent capacity compared with 50 percent in June normally.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday returned from Ukraine. This was his first visit to Ukraine since Russian invasion. Macron was accompanied by Italian PM Mario Draghi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.&nbsp;

The European Commission on Friday (June 17) recommended a 'candidate' status for Ukraine in the European Union. Russia is fiercely opposed to co-operation between Ukraine and Europe.

In the run-up to the invasion Russian President Vladimir Putin had expressed his opposition to Ukraine joining NATO.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

France has not received any Russian natural gas through pipeline since June 15, said GRTgaz, a network operator. The development has followed Russian gas giant Gazprom's warning earlier this week about cutting delivery of gas to Europe.

France has not received any Russian natural gas through pipeline since June 15, said GRTgaz, a network operator. The development has followed Russian gas giant Gazprom's warning earlier this week about cutting delivery of gas to Europe. Gazprom maintains that reduction in supply is due to repair work, but the move is widely perceived to be a political one. Experts have been quoted in media reports saying that Russia is seeking to put pressure on allies of Ukraine. France is dependent on Russia for 17 per cent of its natural gas. Supplies had already been reduced by 60 percent since the beginning of this year, sending prices soaring. But GRTgaz said there was no risk to French supplies currently, with reserves at 56 percent capacity compared with 50 percent in June normally. French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday returned from Ukraine. This was his first visit to Ukraine since Russian invasion. Macron was accompanied by Italian PM Mario Draghi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The European Commission on Friday (June 17) recommended a 'candidate' status for Ukraine in the European Union. Russia is fiercely opposed to co-operation between Ukraine and Europe. In the run-up to the invasion Russian President Vladimir Putin had expressed his opposition to Ukraine joining NATO. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

France no longer receiving Russian gas via pipelines, says network operator 

The US President Joe Biden has announced another USD 1 billion assistance to Ukraine in weapons which include anti-ship systems, artillery rockets and round of howitzers; this was announced following a call between President Biden and President Zelensky of Ukraine, who has been demanding additional and more sophisticated military assistance to defend his country from the Russian aggression; this is the 12th military package from the USA since the launch of “ Special Military Operation” by Russia in Ukraine on 24th February 2022. It is thus abundantly clear that the West remains committed to continued augmenting of Ukraine’s defence capacities in the latter’s conflict with Russia on the one hand and punishing Russia through severe economic sanctions on the other. One can therefore foresee a prolonged conflict unless Russia and Ukraine surprise the rest of the world by entering into a compromise deal, chances of which appear remote at the moment.

Meanwhile, even though is Ukraine under fire, the heat is being felt all over the world in one way or the other. In short, the impact of the war has assumed global dimensions and is reflected in physical security, energy security, food security, disruptions in supply chains and resultant high inflation rates, etc.&nbsp;

Watch: Russia-Ukraine crisis | 500 front-line soldiers injured daily: Ambulance teams

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-crisis-500-front-line-soldiers-injured-daily-ambulance-teams-488817/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In terms of physical proximity, the European continent is closest to the war zone. For the first time since WWII, Europe is witnessing a conflict of massive dimensions which is posing a serious threat to its physical security. As a result, one can see a change in the mindset. Germany has revised its traditional policy and decided to supply arms to Ukraine during wartime. Finland and Sweden have decided to give up their traditional neutrality and are seeking NATO membership as a security guarantee from any possible aggression by Russia.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-germany-italy-romania-leaders-back-ukraine-membership-bid-during-crucial-kyiv-visit-488906">France, Germany, Italy, Romania back Ukraine's EU membership bid during crucial Kyiv visit</a>

The strong punitive measures by the US and allies against Russia have further strengthened the emerging alliance between Russia and China who, pushed by the USA in any case were moving closer to each other for some time now and their relations had evolved to reach by 2019 a “comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for new era”.&nbsp;

The partnership covers a wide range of spheres for the promotion of bilateral ties, besides adopting a coordinated approach on regional and global issues.

The Indo-Pacific region is one fine example of their coordinated approach. Both Russia and China describe the region differently as Asia-Pacific and are on the same page as far as the revival of Quad, creation of Aukus and NATO’s eastwards expansion are concerned.&nbsp;

During President Putin’s visit to China in February this year Russia and China, in an implied reference to Quad, declared that they “stand against the formation of closed bloc structures and opposing camps in the Asia-Pacific region and remain highly vigilant about the negative impact of the United States' Indo-Pacific strategy on peace and stability in the region”. The two of them went on to claim in this regard that they have “made consistent efforts to build an equitable, open and inclusive security system in the Asia-Pacific Region (APR) that is not directed against third countries and that promotes peace, stability and prosperity”.&nbsp;

They also expressed concern over the “formation of the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom (AUKUS)”, alleging that “such actions are contrary to the objectives of security and sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region---“. Opposing the “further enlargement of NATO” Russia and China called on the NATO “to abandon its ideologised cold war approaches---“&nbsp;

Watch | Countering China's influence in the Pacific: The US promises a new Pacific initiative

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/countering-chinas-influence-in-the-pacific-the-us-promises-a-new-pacific-initiative-489005/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

From the &nbsp;US perspective, China is a key factor and Taiwan is a potential flash point in the Indo-Pacific region. The USA has repeatedly warned China against any military action in Taiwan. It remains to be seen whether China will be emboldened by Russia’s military action in Ukraine and embark on any adventure to integrate Taiwan with mainland by use of force or will it be deterred by the resolute, concerted and united stand taken by the US and allies in support of Ukraine and to isolate and weaken Russia.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/big-boost-china-launches-most-advanced-aircraft-carrier-called-fujian-find-out-why-it-is-special-489015">China launches 'most advanced' aircraft carrier called Fujian. Find out why it is special</a>

Besides the international geopolitical and strategic affairs, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is also causing an adverse impact in areas of energy and food security. The punitive sanctions on imports of Russian oil and gas have pushed the energy prices worldwide creating a difficult situation particularly in poor and developing countries which are witnessing high inflation as a cascading effect of costlier energy.&nbsp;

Europe depends heavily on Russia for its requirements of energy resources, particularly natural gas. Any interruption in supplies will have a serious impact on gas-operated industries and in turn on economy. While EU has followed the USA in imposing sanctions on Russia in many other areas, the energy sector is one where Europe is finding itself in a tight spot. After prolonged deliberations, the EU decided (30th May) on some partial measures when it announced its decision to cut its 90% oil imports from Russia by end of the year.&nbsp;

Russia and Ukraine are major suppliers of wheat accounting for 30% of global needs. In addition, the two countries also are major suppliers of edible oil and fertilisers. The war has created serious disruptions in supplies to global markets as a result of which the food prices have soared and the world is facing a serious food crisis. Several countries, including India, have imposed full or partial ban on food exports keeping in mind their own food security.&nbsp;

In an alarming statement, the UN Secretary-General said last month that the shortages of grain and fertilisers due to war could cause “mass hunger and famine” and these shortages threaten to “tip tens of millions of people over the edge into food insecurity” He warned that the global food crisis could last for years unless checked. In this context, the World Bank is reported to have announced an additional $12bn in funding to mitigate its “devastating effects”

When the armed conflict broke out on 24th February, most experts thought it will be over in a week or so but has already crossed 100 days mark and there are no signs of any breakthrough. More importantly, the USA doesn’t seem to be interested in early resolution of the conflict. Russia has gone too far and unlikely to retract unless its bottom-line objectives of gaining control over east Ukraine is achieved.&nbsp;

It is a matter of speculation at this point of time how long and how much the rest of the world, particularly poor and developing countries, will have to bear the short and long-term adverse impact due to big-powers rivalry.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The US President Joe Biden has announced another USD 1 billion assistance to Ukraine in weapons which include anti-ship systems, artillery rockets and round of howitzers; this was announced following a call between President Biden and President Zelensky of Ukraine, who has been demanding additional and more sophisticated military assistance to defend his country from the Russian aggression; this is the 12th military package from the USA since the launch of “ Special Military Operation” by Russia in Ukraine on 24th February 2022.

The US President Joe Biden has announced another USD 1 billion assistance to Ukraine in weapons which include anti-ship systems, artillery rockets and round of howitzers; this was announced following a call between President Biden and President Zelensky of Ukraine, who has been demanding additional and more sophisticated military assistance to defend his country from the Russian aggression; this is the 12th military package from the USA since the launch of “ Special Military Operation” by Russia in Ukraine on 24th February 2022. It is thus abundantly clear that the West remains committed to continued augmenting of Ukraine’s defence capacities in the latter’s conflict with Russia on the one hand and punishing Russia through severe economic sanctions on the other. One can therefore foresee a prolonged conflict unless Russia and Ukraine surprise the rest of the world by entering into a compromise deal, chances of which appear remote at the moment. Meanwhile, even though is Ukraine under fire, the heat is being felt all over the world in one way or the other. In short, the impact of the war has assumed global dimensions and is reflected in physical security, energy security, food security, disruptions in supply chains and resultant high inflation rates, etc. Watch: Russia-Ukraine crisis | 500 front-line soldiers injured daily: Ambulance teams × In terms of physical proximity, the European continent is closest to the war zone. For the first time since WWII, Europe is witnessing a conflict of massive dimensions which is posing a serious threat to its physical security. As a result, one can see a change in the mindset. Germany has revised its traditional policy and decided to supply arms to Ukraine during wartime. Finland and Sweden have decided to give up their traditional neutrality and are seeking NATO membership as a security guarantee from any possible aggression by Russia. Also Read | France, Germany, Italy, Romania back Ukraine's EU membership bid during crucial Kyiv visit The strong punitive measures by the US and allies against Russia have further strengthened the emerging alliance between Russia and China who, pushed by the USA in any case were moving closer to each other for some time now and their relations had evolved to reach by 2019 a “comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for new era”. The partnership covers a wide range of spheres for the promotion of bilateral ties, besides adopting a coordinated approach on regional and global issues. The Indo-Pacific region is one fine example of their coordinated approach. Both Russia and China describe the region differently as Asia-Pacific and are on the same page as far as the revival of Quad, creation of Aukus and NATO’s eastwards expansion are concerned. During President Putin’s visit to China in February this year Russia and China, in an implied reference to Quad, declared that they “stand against the formation of closed bloc structures and opposing camps in the Asia-Pacific region and remain highly vigilant about the negative impact of the United States' Indo-Pacific strategy on peace and stability in the region”. The two of them went on to claim in this regard that they have “made consistent efforts to build an equitable, open and inclusive security system in the Asia-Pacific Region (APR) that is not directed against third countries and that promotes peace, stability and prosperity”. They also expressed concern over the “formation of the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom (AUKUS)”, alleging that “such actions are contrary to the objectives of security and sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region---“. Opposing the “further enlargement of NATO” Russia and China called on the NATO “to abandon its ideologised cold war approaches---“ Watch | Countering China's influence in the Pacific: The US promises a new Pacific initiative × From the US perspective, China is a key factor and Taiwan is a potential flash point in the Indo-Pacific region. The USA has repeatedly warned China against any military action in Taiwan. It remains to be seen whether China will be emboldened by Russia’s military action in Ukraine and embark on any adventure to integrate Taiwan with mainland by use of force or will it be deterred by the resolute, concerted and united stand taken by the US and allies in support of Ukraine and to isolate and weaken Russia. Also Read | China launches 'most advanced' aircraft carrier called Fujian. Find out why it is special Besides the international geopolitical and strategic affairs, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is also causing an adverse impact in areas of energy and food security. The punitive sanctions on imports of Russian oil and gas have pushed the energy prices worldwide creating a difficult situation particularly in poor and developing countries which are witnessing high inflation as a cascading effect of costlier energy. Europe depends heavily on Russia for its requirements of energy resources, particularly natural gas. Any interruption in supplies will have a serious impact on gas-operated industries and in turn on economy. While EU has followed the USA in imposing sanctions on Russia in many other areas, the energy sector is one where Europe is finding itself in a tight spot. After prolonged deliberations, the EU decided (30th May) on some partial measures when it announced its decision to cut its 90% oil imports from Russia by end of the year. Russia and Ukraine are major suppliers of wheat accounting for 30% of global needs. In addition, the two countries also are major suppliers of edible oil and fertilisers. The war has created serious disruptions in supplies to global markets as a result of which the food prices have soared and the world is facing a serious food crisis. Several countries, including India, have imposed full or partial ban on food exports keeping in mind their own food security. In an alarming statement, the UN Secretary-General said last month that the shortages of grain and fertilisers due to war could cause “mass hunger and famine” and these shortages threaten to “tip tens of millions of people over the edge into food insecurity” He warned that the global food crisis could last for years unless checked. In this context, the World Bank is reported to have announced an additional $12bn in funding to mitigate its “devastating effects” When the armed conflict broke out on 24th February, most experts thought it will be over in a week or so but has already crossed 100 days mark and there are no signs of any breakthrough. More importantly, the USA doesn’t seem to be interested in early resolution of the conflict. Russia has gone too far and unlikely to retract unless its bottom-line objectives of gaining control over east Ukraine is achieved. It is a matter of speculation at this point of time how long and how much the rest of the world, particularly poor and developing countries, will have to bear the short and long-term adverse impact due to big-powers rivalry. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Russia-Ukraine: Brace for a prolonged conflict and big power rivalries

Macron, Scholz, Draghi visit Kyiv, vow to back Ukraine against Russia - see pics

The Dutch intelligence service said on Thursday it had stopped a Russian spy claiming to be a 33-year-old Brazilian citizen named Viktor Muller Ferreira, who was posing as an intern from accessing the Hague-based International Criminal Court, which is investigating war crimes in Ukraine.

The Dutch named him Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov. The man used a Brazilian cover identity but was unmasked as a member of Russia's GRU military intelligence and refused entry in April as a "threat to national security", the AIVD (General Intelligence and Security Service) said in a statement.

"The AIVD prevented a Russian intelligence officer from gaining access as an intern to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague," the AIVD statement said.

"The person in question works for the Russian Military Intelligence Service GRU, but he used a Brazilian cover identity to travel from Brazil to the Netherlands," AVID added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-ukraine-bids-farewell-to-its-war-heroes-488400">In pics: Ukraine bids farewell to its war heroes</a>

Covert access to the Hague-based ICC would be "highly valuable to the Russian intelligence services" as it is probing both Ukraine and the Russian war in Georgia in 2008. The illegal was supposed to commence an internship with the ICC, which would mean he would have access to the ICC's building and systems.

Had the Russian spy succeeded "he would have been able to gather intelligence there and to look for (or recruit) sources, and arrange to have access to the ICC’s digital systems, he might also have been able to influence criminal proceedings of the ICC," it added.

The Dutch agency said it "holds him to be a threat to national security" and alerted the immigration services before his arrival. "On these grounds, the intelligence officer was refused entry into the Netherlands in April and declared unacceptable. He was sent back to Brazil on the first flight out," it said.

The ICC has also been informed of this case. There was no immediate response from the ICC, which opened a probe into potential war crimes in Ukraine shortly after Russia's invasion on February 24.

(with inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The Dutch intelligence service said on Thursday it had stopped a Russian spy claiming to be a 33-year-old Brazilian citizen named Viktor Muller Ferreira, who was posing as an intern from accessing the Hague-based International Criminal Court, which is investigating war crimes in Ukraine.

The Dutch intelligence service said on Thursday it had stopped a Russian spy claiming to be a 33-year-old Brazilian citizen named Viktor Muller Ferreira, who was posing as an intern from accessing the Hague-based International Criminal Court, which is investigating war crimes in Ukraine. The Dutch named him Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov. The man used a Brazilian cover identity but was unmasked as a member of Russia's GRU military intelligence and refused entry in April as a "threat to national security", the AIVD (General Intelligence and Security Service) said in a statement. "The AIVD prevented a Russian intelligence officer from gaining access as an intern to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague," the AIVD statement said. "The person in question works for the Russian Military Intelligence Service GRU, but he used a Brazilian cover identity to travel from Brazil to the Netherlands," AVID added. Also Read: In pics: Ukraine bids farewell to its war heroes Covert access to the Hague-based ICC would be "highly valuable to the Russian intelligence services" as it is probing both Ukraine and the Russian war in Georgia in 2008. The illegal was supposed to commence an internship with the ICC, which would mean he would have access to the ICC's building and systems. Had the Russian spy succeeded "he would have been able to gather intelligence there and to look for (or recruit) sources, and arrange to have access to the ICC’s digital systems, he might also have been able to influence criminal proceedings of the ICC," it added. The Dutch agency said it "holds him to be a threat to national security" and alerted the immigration services before his arrival. "On these grounds, the intelligence officer was refused entry into the Netherlands in April and declared unacceptable. He was sent back to Brazil on the first flight out," it said. The ICC has also been informed of this case. There was no immediate response from the ICC, which opened a probe into potential war crimes in Ukraine shortly after Russia's invasion on February 24. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Dutch intelligence stops Russian spy from entering ICC investigating war crimes in Ukraine

Russia, supported by Belarus, Central African Republic, Kyrgyzstan and Mali, has torpedoed a Western-backed proposal to discuss whether its diamonds are funding war ahead of an international conflict diamond meeting in Botswana, letters seen by Reuters show.

The rift in the Kimberley Process (KP), which certifies rough diamond exports, risks paralyzing the body which makes decisions by consensus.

The letters, which have not been previously reported, show a dispute over a proposal by Ukraine, the European Union, Australia, Britain, Canada, and the United States to discuss&nbsp;Russia's invasion of Ukraine and whether to broaden the KP's definition of conflict diamonds to include state actors at its June 20 - 24 meeting in Botswana.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-howitzers-among-other-nato-weapons-destroyed-in-western-ukraine-488535">Russia: Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny moved to 'strict-regime' penal colony</a>

The United States and Britain have already placed sanctions on&nbsp;Russia's Alrosa, the world's largest producer of rough diamonds, which accounted for around 30% of global output last year, and is partly state-owned.

A draft agenda dated May 20 included an hour-long slot to discuss the issue, but the item was removed after objections from&nbsp;Russia, Belarus, Central African Republic (CAR), Kyrgyzstan, and Mali. "We find ourselves at an impasse," Botswana's KP chair Jacob Thamage told participants, who include 85 nations, industry representatives, and civil society organisations in a June 9 letter urging them to find common ground.

The KP defines conflict diamonds as gems used to fund rebel movements seeking to undermine legitimate governments.

Officially labelling&nbsp;Russian diamonds "conflict diamonds" would require widening the definition. The KP Civil Society Coalition has been calling&nbsp;for such a change for years, along with some KP member countries.

The certification scheme, designed to eliminate the trade in so-called "blood diamonds", was set up in 2003 in the wake of devastating civil wars in Angola, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, which were largely financed by the illicit diamond trade.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine-Russia conflict: EU leaders take night train to Kyiv

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-russia-conflict-eu-leaders-take-night-train-to-kyiv-488661/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Russia's KP delegate said in a May 20 letter that the situation in Ukraine has "no implications" for the Kimberley Process and is "absolutely beyond the scope" of its certification scheme. Belarus, CAR, Kyrgyzstan and Mali all similarly argued that the proposal was "political" or outside the scope of the KP, and that its inclusion on the agenda was inappropriate.

All four countries have backed&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in recent United Nations General Assembly votes. War-torn CAR is the only country in the world currently under a partial KP embargo for rough diamond exports.&nbsp;Russia, with which it has close trade and security ties, has worked to lift those restrictions.

Mali also has close ties with&nbsp;Russia. Hundreds of&nbsp;Russian military contractors have deployed there since the beginning of this year to help the government fight insurgents.

"If the Kimberley Process is to be a credible guarantor that diamonds exported with a KP certificate are actually conflict-free, it cannot refuse to consider the valid questions that have been raised about whether rough diamonds exported by&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;are financing its invasion of Ukraine," Canada's Ioanna Sahas Martin wrote to the KP chair earlier this month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-howitzers-among-other-nato-weapons-destroyed-in-western-ukraine-488535">Russia says howitzers among other NATO weapons destroyed in western Ukraine</a>

In a letter to the chair on Monday, Ukraine KP representative Andrii Tkalenko proposed two amendments to the certification scheme: To widen the definition to include government actors, and to allow KP countries, by a majority vote, to expel a country that infringes on another KP member's sovereignty.

Britain, the European Union and the United States also said&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;should step down from the KP committees it currently chairs.

&nbsp;"Inaction would undermine the credibility and integrity of the Kimberley Process not only as a conflict prevention mechanism but also as a trade regulation mechanism," the European Commission's Marika Lautso-Mousnier said in a letter

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Russia, supported by Belarus, Central African Republic, Kyrgyzstan and Mali, has torpedoed a Western-backed proposal to discuss whether its diamonds are funding war ahead of an international conflict diamond meeting in Botswana, letters seen by Reuters show.

Russia, supported by Belarus, Central African Republic, Kyrgyzstan and Mali, has torpedoed a Western-backed proposal to discuss whether its diamonds are funding war ahead of an international conflict diamond meeting in Botswana, letters seen by Reuters show. The rift in the Kimberley Process (KP), which certifies rough diamond exports, risks paralyzing the body which makes decisions by consensus. The letters, which have not been previously reported, show a dispute over a proposal by Ukraine, the European Union, Australia, Britain, Canada, and the United States to discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine and whether to broaden the KP's definition of conflict diamonds to include state actors at its June 20 - 24 meeting in Botswana. Also read | Russia: Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny moved to 'strict-regime' penal colony The United States and Britain have already placed sanctions on Russia's Alrosa, the world's largest producer of rough diamonds, which accounted for around 30% of global output last year, and is partly state-owned. A draft agenda dated May 20 included an hour-long slot to discuss the issue, but the item was removed after objections from Russia, Belarus, Central African Republic (CAR), Kyrgyzstan, and Mali. "We find ourselves at an impasse," Botswana's KP chair Jacob Thamage told participants, who include 85 nations, industry representatives, and civil society organisations in a June 9 letter urging them to find common ground. The KP defines conflict diamonds as gems used to fund rebel movements seeking to undermine legitimate governments. Officially labelling Russian diamonds "conflict diamonds" would require widening the definition. The KP Civil Society Coalition has been calling for such a change for years, along with some KP member countries. The certification scheme, designed to eliminate the trade in so-called "blood diamonds", was set up in 2003 in the wake of devastating civil wars in Angola, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, which were largely financed by the illicit diamond trade. Watch | Ukraine-Russia conflict: EU leaders take night train to Kyiv Russia's KP delegate said in a May 20 letter that the situation in Ukraine has "no implications" for the Kimberley Process and is "absolutely beyond the scope" of its certification scheme. Belarus, CAR, Kyrgyzstan and Mali all similarly argued that the proposal was "political" or outside the scope of the KP, and that its inclusion on the agenda was inappropriate. All four countries have backed Russia in recent United Nations General Assembly votes. War-torn CAR is the only country in the world currently under a partial KP embargo for rough diamond exports. Russia, with which it has close trade and security ties, has worked to lift those restrictions. Mali also has close ties with Russia. Hundreds of Russian military contractors have deployed there since the beginning of this year to help the government fight insurgents. "If the Kimberley Process is to be a credible guarantor that diamonds exported with a KP certificate are actually conflict-free, it cannot refuse to consider the valid questions that have been raised about whether rough diamonds exported by Russia are financing its invasion of Ukraine," Canada's Ioanna Sahas Martin wrote to the KP chair earlier this month. Also read | Russia says howitzers among other NATO weapons destroyed in western Ukraine In a letter to the chair on Monday, Ukraine KP representative Andrii Tkalenko proposed two amendments to the certification scheme: To widen the definition to include government actors, and to allow KP countries, by a majority vote, to expel a country that infringes on another KP member's sovereignty. Britain, the European Union and the United States also said Russia should step down from the KP committees it currently chairs. "Inaction would undermine the credibility and integrity of the Kimberley Process not only as a conflict prevention mechanism but also as a trade regulation mechanism," the European Commission's Marika Lautso-Mousnier said in a letter WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Top producer Russia thwarts move to redefine 'conflict diamonds'

Japan's Zipair budget airline has been forced to change its logo with the letter 'Z', which is unfortunately now being linked with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

The symbol shot to controversy worldwide after being spotted on Russian tanks and military uniforms in Ukraine.

It has since appeared on cars and clothing in Russia and online and has become a sign of support for the invasion, a patriotic trend the Kremlin is keen to encourage.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Japanese airline Zipair Tokyo has removed the "Z" logo from the fuselage of its aircraft and completely abandoned its use. 
● Social media users complained about the letter Z on the planes, saying it could be “misunderstood” in the context of the invasion of Ukraine: RBK <a href="https://t.co/POiDs2JkBB">pic.twitter.com/POiDs2JkBB</a>
— Jason Corcoran (@jason_corcoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/jason_corcoran/status/1537350313606250496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Zipair president Shingo Nishida said on Wednesday that the company is ditching the logo to avoid anyone mistakenly thinking his business is in favour of the bloody conflict.

"Some people might feel that way when they see it without any explanation," he told reporters, according to Kyodo News.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-and-egypt-sign-mou-with-eu-to-boost-gas-exports-to-europe-488729">&nbsp;Israel and Egypt sign MoU with EU to boost gas exports to Europe</a>

Zipair's new logo -- a green, black and white geometric design -- will from Saturday replace the black 'Z' currently on the tail fin of its planes, the reports said.

Zipair, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, links Narita International Airport near Tokyo with Bangkok, Seoul, Honolulu, Singapore and Los Angeles. The airline was launched in 2020.

(with inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Japan's Zipair budget airline has been forced to change its logo with the letter 'Z', which is unfortunately now being linked with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The symbol shot to controversy worldwide after being spotted on Russian tanks and military uniforms in Ukraine.

Japan's Zipair budget airline has been forced to change its logo with the letter 'Z', which is unfortunately now being linked with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The symbol shot to controversy worldwide after being spotted on Russian tanks and military uniforms in Ukraine. It has since appeared on cars and clothing in Russia and online and has become a sign of support for the invasion, a patriotic trend the Kremlin is keen to encourage. Japanese airline Zipair Tokyo has removed the "Z" logo from the fuselage of its aircraft and completely abandoned its use. ● Social media users complained about the letter Z on the planes, saying it could be “misunderstood” in the context of the invasion of Ukraine: RBK pic.twitter.com/POiDs2JkBB — Jason Corcoran (@jason_corcoran) June 16, 2022 × Zipair president Shingo Nishida said on Wednesday that the company is ditching the logo to avoid anyone mistakenly thinking his business is in favour of the bloody conflict. "Some people might feel that way when they see it without any explanation," he told reporters, according to Kyodo News. Also Read: Israel and Egypt sign MoU with EU to boost gas exports to Europe Zipair's new logo -- a green, black and white geometric design -- will from Saturday replace the black 'Z' currently on the tail fin of its planes, the reports said. Zipair, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, links Narita International Airport near Tokyo with Bangkok, Seoul, Honolulu, Singapore and Los Angeles. The airline was launched in 2020. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japanese airline ditches letter 'Z' logo, which may seem pro-Russia

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and according to the Chinese state media, Beijing has said that they will continue to back Moscow on "sovereignty and security".&nbsp;For the first time in nearly 45 years, a violent skirmish between Indian and Chinese troops broke out in the Galwan Valley on June 15, 2020, resulting in losses on both sides and marking a new sour turn in China-India relations.&nbsp;Why would K-pop titans BTS decide to step back from their supergroup and focus on solo careers while at the pinnacle of their success? South Korea's mandatory military service, analysts say.

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-back-russia-on-sovereignty-and-security-xi-jinping-tells-vladimir-putin-488469">China to back Russia on 'sovereignty and security', Xi Jinping tells Vladimir Putin</a>

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and according to the Chinese state media, Beijing has said that they will continue to back Moscow on "sovereignty and security". The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said that Xi has made it clear that China is "willing to continue to offer mutual support (to Russia) on issues concerning core interests and major concerns such as sovereignty and security". From the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, China has refused to condemn their actions and according to a number of reports, they have been buying oil and natural gas from the Kremlin.
<img alt="1" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="271a6147-9fa0-447d-8a1b-67fc758fb480" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/271101-1.png_0.jpeg" />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nord-stream-gas-deliveries-to-be-cut-by-a-third-announces-gazprom-488496">Gazprom makes more cuts in Nord Stream gas supplies, Germany fumes</a>

Gazprom, the Russian gas giant announced on Wednesday (June 15) that it was cutting daily gas deliveries through Nord Stream pipeline by further 33 per cent. The step has been taken after Germany slammed an earlier cut as having been political.&nbsp;"From 01:30 am Moscow time on June 16 the daily output of the Portovaya compression station will be up to 67 million cubic metres per day," Gazprom said in a statement on Telegram.&nbsp;
<img alt="2" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d8ab7419-76b5-4750-8a80-cb724b727807" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/252944-gazprom.jpg" />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/two-years-into-india-china-clash-in-galwan-valley-much-remains-unsolved-488290">Two years into India-China clash in Galwan valley, much remains unsolved</a>

For the first time in nearly 45 years, a violent skirmish between Indian and Chinese troops broke out in the Galwan Valley on June 15, 2020, resulting in losses on both sides and marking a new sour turn in China-India relations. In India, the gruesome clash sparked popular indignation, and anti-China sentiment peaked. Meanwhile, alarm over the rapid deterioration of China-India relations was obvious in China.
<img alt="3" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="829a4981-1e71-4005-8625-1ae16ce8f4c6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/231273-india-2.jpg" />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/5g-india-to-hold-spectrum-auction-in-july-mobile-connectivity-set-to-get-10-times-faster-488302">5G: India to hold spectrum auction in July, mobile connectivity set to get 10 times faster</a>

The Indian Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has accepted a proposal from the Department of Telecommunications to hold a spectrum auction, with successful bidders receiving spectrum to offer 5G services to the public and businesses.The Indian government has given final clearance to a proposal that would allow businesses to allocate airwaves directly to them, allowing them to operate private 5G networks.
<img alt="4" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f3bb3cbb-7a01-4fdd-8176-5bf900c51071" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/237629-5g.jpg" />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-shanghai-to-paris-here-are-worlds-most-expensive-cities-to-live-in-for-rich-people-488479">From Shanghai to Paris: Here are world's most expensive cities to live in for rich people</a>

For the wealthy people who live in cities London, the higher cost of luxury items like designer handbags, shoes, watches etc, doesn't even keep with up the overall inflation rates of countries.&nbsp;Here's a list of world's most expensive cities to live for the rich people.&nbsp;
<img alt="5" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b6bba84b-49e7-45e0-8afc-c9fd04e69069" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/271085-shanghai.jpg" />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/listing-worlds-most-lucrative-sports-leagues-after-ipl-media-rights-auction-488414">Listing world's most lucrative sports leagues after IPL media rights auction</a>

After the end of the IPL media rights auction, the Indian T20 league has become the second-most lucrative sports league. Here's a list of the top five most-profitable leagues across the sporting fraternity.
<img alt="6" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cab67864-6a91-406e-889f-2be4881b3515" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/271053-1-nfl.jpg" />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/no-way-around-bts-break-as-military-service-looms-analysts-488472">No way around BTS break as military service looms: analysts</a>

Why would K-pop titans BTS decide to step back from their supergroup and focus on solo careers while at the pinnacle of their success? South Korea's mandatory military service, analysts say.&nbsp;Many of the group's fans -- known as ARMY -- were moved by the "exhausted" pop stars' emotional plea for time apart to grow, but analysts say there may be a more strategic reason behind the pending hiatus.
<img alt="7" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8704403f-5754-4f1a-8dfd-0eaa179921ec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/252133-8.jpg" />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-tonga-volcanic-eruption-creates-stunning-skies-around-new-zealand-488420">In pics - Tonga volcanic eruption creates stunning skies around New Zealand</a>

Places all around Australia and New Zealand have been experiencing vibrant sunrises and sunsets in the past few weeks and the reason behind the phenomenon can be Tonga’s volcanic eruption in January.
<img alt="8" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f605862e-6ce7-4dc0-a70f-61a0e712e1dd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/271038-1.png.jpeg" />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-india-logs-8822-new-cases-highest-daily-count-in-3-months-488274">Covid-19: India logs 8,822 new cases, highest daily count in 3 months</a>

In the last 24 hours, India has registered 8,822 new coronavirus cases, raising the total number of COVID-19 infections to 4,32,45,517. According to the Health Ministry, India's active COVID-19 caseload is now at 53,637.The overall number of recoveries has now reached 4,26,67,088 after 5,718 recoveries in the last 24 hours.
<img alt="10" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b5cadf6d-2c6b-4058-ae5c-7afdb6d4855a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/269865-covis.jpg" />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-this-man-was-swallowed-by-a-humpback-whale-he-lived-to-tell-an-incredible-tale-of-survival-488428">Watch: This man was swallowed by a humpback whale. He lived to tell an incredible tale of survival</a>

A man from the United States recalled his encounter with the humpback whale as he revealed chilling details about the moment when he thought he was going to die after being swallowed by the huge animal. The horrific incident happened in June last year when Michael Packard, a 56-year-old man, found himself inside the mouth of a humpback whale off the coast of Provincetown, Massachusetts.&nbsp;
<img alt="10" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9d6b01a0-b5e3-4997-8e57-acff7dc48590" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/271067-humpback-whale.jpg" />
&nbsp;

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and according to the Chinese state media, Beijing has said that they will continue to back Moscow on "sovereignty and security".

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and according to the Chinese state media, Beijing has said that they will continue to back Moscow on "sovereignty and security". For the first time in nearly 45 years, a violent skirmish between Indian and Chinese troops broke out in the Galwan Valley on June 15, 2020, resulting in losses on both sides and marking a new sour turn in China-India relations. Why would K-pop titans BTS decide to step back from their supergroup and focus on solo careers while at the pinnacle of their success? South Korea's mandatory military service, analysts say. Click on the headlines to read more: China to back Russia on 'sovereignty and security', Xi Jinping tells Vladimir Putin Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and according to the Chinese state media, Beijing has said that they will continue to back Moscow on "sovereignty and security". The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said that Xi has made it clear that China is "willing to continue to offer mutual support (to Russia) on issues concerning core interests and major concerns such as sovereignty and security". From the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, China has refused to condemn their actions and according to a number of reports, they have been buying oil and natural gas from the Kremlin. Gazprom makes more cuts in Nord Stream gas supplies, Germany fumes Gazprom, the Russian gas giant announced on Wednesday (June 15) that it was cutting daily gas deliveries through Nord Stream pipeline by further 33 per cent. The step has been taken after Germany slammed an earlier cut as having been political. "From 01:30 am Moscow time on June 16 the daily output of the Portovaya compression station will be up to 67 million cubic metres per day," Gazprom said in a statement on Telegram. Two years into India-China clash in Galwan valley, much remains unsolved For the first time in nearly 45 years, a violent skirmish between Indian and Chinese troops broke out in the Galwan Valley on June 15, 2020, resulting in losses on both sides and marking a new sour turn in China-India relations. In India, the gruesome clash sparked popular indignation, and anti-China sentiment peaked. Meanwhile, alarm over the rapid deterioration of China-India relations was obvious in China. 5G: India to hold spectrum auction in July, mobile connectivity set to get 10 times faster The Indian Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has accepted a proposal from the Department of Telecommunications to hold a spectrum auction, with successful bidders receiving spectrum to offer 5G services to the public and businesses.The Indian government has given final clearance to a proposal that would allow businesses to allocate airwaves directly to them, allowing them to operate private 5G networks. From Shanghai to Paris: Here are world's most expensive cities to live in for rich people For the wealthy people who live in cities London, the higher cost of luxury items like designer handbags, shoes, watches etc, doesn't even keep with up the overall inflation rates of countries. Here's a list of world's most expensive cities to live for the rich people. Listing world's most lucrative sports leagues after IPL media rights auction After the end of the IPL media rights auction, the Indian T20 league has become the second-most lucrative sports league. Here's a list of the top five most-profitable leagues across the sporting fraternity. No way around BTS break as military service looms: analysts Why would K-pop titans BTS decide to step back from their supergroup and focus on solo careers while at the pinnacle of their success? South Korea's mandatory military service, analysts say. Many of the group's fans -- known as ARMY -- were moved by the "exhausted" pop stars' emotional plea for time apart to grow, but analysts say there may be a more strategic reason behind the pending hiatus. In pics - Tonga volcanic eruption creates stunning skies around New Zealand Places all around Australia and New Zealand have been experiencing vibrant sunrises and sunsets in the past few weeks and the reason behind the phenomenon can be Tonga’s volcanic eruption in January. Covid-19: India logs 8,822 new cases, highest daily count in 3 months In the last 24 hours, India has registered 8,822 new coronavirus cases, raising the total number of COVID-19 infections to 4,32,45,517. According to the Health Ministry, India's active COVID-19 caseload is now at 53,637.The overall number of recoveries has now reached 4,26,67,088 after 5,718 recoveries in the last 24 hours. Watch: This man was swallowed by a humpback whale. He lived to tell an incredible tale of survival A man from the United States recalled his encounter with the humpback whale as he revealed chilling details about the moment when he thought he was going to die after being swallowed by the huge animal. The horrific incident happened in June last year when Michael Packard, a 56-year-old man, found himself inside the mouth of a humpback whale off the coast of Provincetown, Massachusetts.

Top 10 news: China to back Russia, Gazprom makes supply cuts, World's most expensive cities, and more

Gazprom, the Russian gas giant announced on Wednesday (June 15) that it was cutting daily gas deliveries through Nord Stream pipeline by further 33 per cent. The step has been taken after Germany slammed an earlier cut as having been political.

"From 01:30 am Moscow time on June 16 the daily output of the Portovaya compression station will be up to 67 million cubic metres per day," Gazprom said in a statement on Telegram.&nbsp;

The company added it was halting the operation of a gas turbine due to the "technical condition of the engine".&nbsp;

Germany, meanwhile, has accused Russia of trying to 'drive up' gas prices.

Watch | Ukraine under attack: Is Severodonetsk the next Mariupol?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-under-attack-is-severodonetsk-the-next-mariupol-488477/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"It is obviously the strategy to unsettle and drive up prices," said Germany's Economy MInister&nbsp;Robert Habeck. He stressed that&nbsp;"saving energy is the order of the day".

On Tuesday (June 14) Gazprom announced a 40 per cent cut in gas deliveries due to "repair" work on compressor units by German company Siemens.

Habeck said at the time that&nbsp;move was a "political decision and not a technically justifiable solution".&nbsp;

The minister said that while he was aware of the need to service the pipeline, it did not need such a drastic cut in gas deliveries.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/justice-for-ukraine-no-longer-the-top-concern-for-european-public-new-survey-shows-488378">‘Justice for Ukraine’ no longer the top concern for European public, new survey shows</a>

Moscow has lost several European gas clients after it demanded that all "unfriendly" countries pay for Russian natural gas in rubles in response to a barrage of Western sanctions over Ukraine.

Poland, Bulgaria, Finland and the Netherlands have had their natural gas deliveries suspended over refusing to pay in rubles.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Gazprom, the Russian gas giant announced on Wednesday (June 15) that it was cutting daily gas deliveries through Nord Stream pipeline by further 33 per cent. The step has been taken after Germany slammed an earlier cut as having been political.

Gazprom, the Russian gas giant announced on Wednesday (June 15) that it was cutting daily gas deliveries through Nord Stream pipeline by further 33 per cent. The step has been taken after Germany slammed an earlier cut as having been political. "From 01:30 am Moscow time on June 16 the daily output of the Portovaya compression station will be up to 67 million cubic metres per day," Gazprom said in a statement on Telegram. The company added it was halting the operation of a gas turbine due to the "technical condition of the engine". Germany, meanwhile, has accused Russia of trying to 'drive up' gas prices. Watch | Ukraine under attack: Is Severodonetsk the next Mariupol? × "It is obviously the strategy to unsettle and drive up prices," said Germany's Economy MInister Robert Habeck. He stressed that "saving energy is the order of the day". On Tuesday (June 14) Gazprom announced a 40 per cent cut in gas deliveries due to "repair" work on compressor units by German company Siemens. Habeck said at the time that move was a "political decision and not a technically justifiable solution". The minister said that while he was aware of the need to service the pipeline, it did not need such a drastic cut in gas deliveries. Also Read | ‘Justice for Ukraine’ no longer the top concern for European public, new survey shows Moscow has lost several European gas clients after it demanded that all "unfriendly" countries pay for Russian natural gas in rubles in response to a barrage of Western sanctions over Ukraine. Poland, Bulgaria, Finland and the Netherlands have had their natural gas deliveries suspended over refusing to pay in rubles. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Gazprom makes more cuts in Nord Stream gas supplies, Germany fumes

Swedish furniture giant Ikea said Wednesday it would "scale down" its activities in Russia and Belarus, after putting them on hold following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Along with a slew of Western companies, Ikea announced in early March that it was suspending its Russian and Belarusian activities, affecting nearly 15,000 employees.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/justice-for-ukraine-no-longer-the-top-concern-for-european-public-new-survey-shows-488378">‘Justice for Ukraine’ no longer the top concern for European public, new survey shows</a>

"Unfortunately, the circumstances have not improved, and the devastating war continues," Ingka Group, which manages the majority of Ikea's stores, said in a statement Wednesday.

"Businesses and supply chains across the world have been heavily impacted and we do not see that it is possible to resume operations any time soon," the company said, adding that it and the Inter Ikea Group had "decided to enter a new phase to further scale down the Ikea business in Russia and Belarus."

The group said the retail business "will remain stopped, and the workforce will be reduced, meaning that many co-workers will be affected."&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine war: Europe looks to West Asia for gas supplies

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-europe-looks-to-west-asia-for-gas-supplies-488263/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ikea has a total of 15,000 employees in Russia, including 12,500 employed by Ingka Group, the company said.

An Ingka Group spokesman said the company was not yet able to provide details on how many would be let go.

The company added that it planned "to sell out its home furnishing inventory in Russia," and that&nbsp;the production side in Russia will "reduce the workforce and start the process of finding new ownership for all four factories."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-moved-to-strict-regime-penal-colony-488438">Russia: Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny moved to 'strict-regime' penal colony</a>

Two purchasing and logistics offices in Moscow and Minsk would also be permanently closed.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, along with triggering unprecedented sanctions, sparked an exodus of foreign corporations including H&amp;M, Starbucks and McDonalds.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Swedish furniture giant Ikea said Wednesday it would "scale down" its activities in Russia and Belarus, after putting them on hold following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Swedish furniture giant Ikea said Wednesday it would "scale down" its activities in Russia and Belarus, after putting them on hold following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Along with a slew of Western companies, Ikea announced in early March that it was suspending its Russian and Belarusian activities, affecting nearly 15,000 employees. Also read | ‘Justice for Ukraine’ no longer the top concern for European public, new survey shows "Unfortunately, the circumstances have not improved, and the devastating war continues," Ingka Group, which manages the majority of Ikea's stores, said in a statement Wednesday. "Businesses and supply chains across the world have been heavily impacted and we do not see that it is possible to resume operations any time soon," the company said, adding that it and the Inter Ikea Group had "decided to enter a new phase to further scale down the Ikea business in Russia and Belarus." The group said the retail business "will remain stopped, and the workforce will be reduced, meaning that many co-workers will be affected." Watch | Russia-Ukraine war: Europe looks to West Asia for gas supplies Ikea has a total of 15,000 employees in Russia, including 12,500 employed by Ingka Group, the company said. An Ingka Group spokesman said the company was not yet able to provide details on how many would be let go. The company added that it planned "to sell out its home furnishing inventory in Russia," and that the production side in Russia will "reduce the workforce and start the process of finding new ownership for all four factories." Also read | Russia: Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny moved to 'strict-regime' penal colony Two purchasing and logistics offices in Moscow and Minsk would also be permanently closed. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, along with triggering unprecedented sanctions, sparked an exodus of foreign corporations including H&M, Starbucks and McDonalds. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ikea to 'scale down' Russia, Belarus operations over Ukraine war

Russian&nbsp;opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been abruptly transferred from the prison where he is serving an 11.5&nbsp;year sentence to an undisclosed location, nearly two years since he was poisoned with what the West said was a nerve agent.

Navalny, by far Russia's most prominent opposition leader, casts President Vladimir Putin's Russia as a dystopian state run by thieves and criminals where wrong is cast as right and judges are in fact representatives of a doomed elite.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-destroys-last-bridge-out-of-key-east-ukraine-city-487958">Russia destroys last bridge out of key east Ukraine city</a>

Navalny's top aide informed about the transfer on the Telegram app on Tuesday.

Just last month, Navalny lambasted Putin via video link in a&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;court, casting the Kremlin chief as a madman who started a "stupid war" that was butchering the innocent people of both Ukraine and Russia.

When his lawyer arrived at Correctional Colony No. 2, a prison camp in Pokrov, 119 kilometres (74 miles) east of Moscow, he was told: "There is no such convict here," according to Navalny's chief of staff Leonid Volkov.

"Where Alexei is now, and which colony he is being taken to, we don't know," Volkov said in a statement on Telegram.

Navalny's spokeswoman said there was speculation that he was being taken to the high-security penal colony IK-6 Melekhovo near Vladimir, about 250 km (155 miles) east of Moscow.

Russia's prison service could not be reached for immediate comment.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Russia cuts off Severodonetsk as three connecting bridges were destroyed

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-conflict-russia-cuts-off-severodonetsk-as-three-connecting-bridges-were-destroyed-488148/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The problem with his transfer to another colony is not only that the high-security colony is much scarier: it is more that we don't know where Alexei is," his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said.

"He is one-to-one with the system that has already tried to kill him."

He earned admiration from the disparate&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;opposition for voluntarily returning to Russia in 2021 from Germany where he underwent treatment for what Western laboratory tests showed was an attempt to poison him with a nerve agent in Siberia.

On his return he was jailed for parole violations. Russia denies Navalny's claims that Russia's secret police poisoned him with Novichok.

On March 24, Navalny was sentenced to a further nine years in prison for fraud and contempt of court. The opposition leader says the charges against him are fabricated and aimed at thwarting his political ambitions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wikipedia-fights-russian-order-to-remove-ukraine-war-information-488088">Wikipedia fights Russian order to remove Ukraine war information</a>

The judge ordered that Navalny be transferred to a maximum-security prison, where his rights to visits and correspondence will be reduced.

Navalny's political network has been largely dismantled since his jailing, having been banned as an "extremist" organisation. Senior aides and organisers have either been jailed or forced into exile.

Navalny said two weeks ago that he had been charged in a new criminal case with creating an extremist organisation and inciting hatred towards the authorities, offences that carry a maximum jail term of 15 more years.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been abruptly transferred from the prison where he is serving an 11.5 year sentence to an undisclosed location, nearly two years since he was poisoned with what the West said was a nerve agent.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been abruptly transferred from the prison where he is serving an 11.5 year sentence to an undisclosed location, nearly two years since he was poisoned with what the West said was a nerve agent. Navalny, by far Russia's most prominent opposition leader, casts President Vladimir Putin's Russia as a dystopian state run by thieves and criminals where wrong is cast as right and judges are in fact representatives of a doomed elite. Also read | Russia destroys last bridge out of key east Ukraine city Navalny's top aide informed about the transfer on the Telegram app on Tuesday. Just last month, Navalny lambasted Putin via video link in a Russian court, casting the Kremlin chief as a madman who started a "stupid war" that was butchering the innocent people of both Ukraine and Russia. When his lawyer arrived at Correctional Colony No. 2, a prison camp in Pokrov, 119 kilometres (74 miles) east of Moscow, he was told: "There is no such convict here," according to Navalny's chief of staff Leonid Volkov. "Where Alexei is now, and which colony he is being taken to, we don't know," Volkov said in a statement on Telegram. Navalny's spokeswoman said there was speculation that he was being taken to the high-security penal colony IK-6 Melekhovo near Vladimir, about 250 km (155 miles) east of Moscow. Russia's prison service could not be reached for immediate comment. Watch | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Russia cuts off Severodonetsk as three connecting bridges were destroyed "The problem with his transfer to another colony is not only that the high-security colony is much scarier: it is more that we don't know where Alexei is," his spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said. "He is one-to-one with the system that has already tried to kill him." He earned admiration from the disparate Russian opposition for voluntarily returning to Russia in 2021 from Germany where he underwent treatment for what Western laboratory tests showed was an attempt to poison him with a nerve agent in Siberia. On his return he was jailed for parole violations. Russia denies Navalny's claims that Russia's secret police poisoned him with Novichok. On March 24, Navalny was sentenced to a further nine years in prison for fraud and contempt of court. The opposition leader says the charges against him are fabricated and aimed at thwarting his political ambitions. Also read | Wikipedia fights Russian order to remove Ukraine war information The judge ordered that Navalny be transferred to a maximum-security prison, where his rights to visits and correspondence will be reduced. Navalny's political network has been largely dismantled since his jailing, having been banned as an "extremist" organisation. Senior aides and organisers have either been jailed or forced into exile. Navalny said two weeks ago that he had been charged in a new criminal case with creating an extremist organisation and inciting hatred towards the authorities, offences that carry a maximum jail term of 15 more years. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Jailed Russian opposition leader Navalny moved to undisclosed location

Russian forces have destroyed last bridge to the city of Severodonetsk which has seen a pitched battle between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian officials were quoted by Reuters to report the destruction of the bridge that could have possibly served as an evacuation route for civilians.&nbsp;

Regional governor Sergei Gaidai said that with the last bridge to the city destroyed, remaining civilians are trapped in the city and it has now become impossible to deliver humanitarian supplies.

Watch | 'We are dealing with absolute evils,' says Zelensky after Russia destroys bridges in Severodonetsk

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/we-are-dealing-with-absolute-evils-says-zelensky-after-russia-destroys-bridges-in-severodonetsk-487954/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Gaidai said some 70 per cent of the city was under Russian control.

Ukraine has repeatedly given urgent calls for more Western heavy weapons to defend Severodonetsk. Moscow has criticised Western help to Ukraine.

The city is a key to control Donetsk region where&nbsp;Russia has&nbsp;concentrated its firepower on after getting repelled from Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. The war is in its fourth month.

Late on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the battle for the eastern Donbas would go down as one of the most brutal in European history. The region, comprising the provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk, is claimed by Russian separatists.

"For us, the price of this battle is very high. It is just scary," he said.

"We draw the attention of our partners daily to the fact that only a sufficient number of modern artillery for Ukraine will ensure our advantage."

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Pescov said on Monday that Russia's main goal was to protect Donetsk and Luhank. These regions are part of Donbas region. These regions have territory held by pro-Russian proxy forces.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-black-sea-blockade-ukraine-grain-supply-reaches-spain-via-baltic-sea-487889">Amid Black Sea blockade, Ukraine's grain supply reaches Spain via Baltic Sea</a>

Ukraine needs 1,000 howitzers, 500 tanks and 1,000 drones among other heavy weapons, Presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Monday.

Moscow issued the latest of several recent reports saying it had destroyed US and European arms and equipment.

Russia's defence ministry said high-precision air-based missiles had struck near the railway station in Udachne northwest of Donetsk, hitting equipment that had been delivered to Ukrainian forces.

Ukraine's interior ministry on Telegram said that Udachne had been hit by a Russian strike overnight Sunday into Monday, without mentioning whether weapons had been targeted.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Russian forces have destroyed last bridge to the city of Severodonetsk which has seen a pitched battle between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian officials were quoted by Reuters to report the destruction of the bridge that could have possibly served as an evacuation route for civilians.

Russian forces have destroyed last bridge to the city of Severodonetsk which has seen a pitched battle between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian officials were quoted by Reuters to report the destruction of the bridge that could have possibly served as an evacuation route for civilians. Regional governor Sergei Gaidai said that with the last bridge to the city destroyed, remaining civilians are trapped in the city and it has now become impossible to deliver humanitarian supplies. Watch | 'We are dealing with absolute evils,' says Zelensky after Russia destroys bridges in Severodonetsk × Gaidai said some 70 per cent of the city was under Russian control. Ukraine has repeatedly given urgent calls for more Western heavy weapons to defend Severodonetsk. Moscow has criticised Western help to Ukraine. The city is a key to control Donetsk region where Russia has concentrated its firepower on after getting repelled from Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. The war is in its fourth month. Late on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the battle for the eastern Donbas would go down as one of the most brutal in European history. The region, comprising the provinces of Luhansk and Donetsk, is claimed by Russian separatists. "For us, the price of this battle is very high. It is just scary," he said. "We draw the attention of our partners daily to the fact that only a sufficient number of modern artillery for Ukraine will ensure our advantage." Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Pescov said on Monday that Russia's main goal was to protect Donetsk and Luhank. These regions are part of Donbas region. These regions have territory held by pro-Russian proxy forces. Also Read | Amid Black Sea blockade, Ukraine's grain supply reaches Spain via Baltic Sea Ukraine needs 1,000 howitzers, 500 tanks and 1,000 drones among other heavy weapons, Presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Monday. Moscow issued the latest of several recent reports saying it had destroyed US and European arms and equipment. Russia's defence ministry said high-precision air-based missiles had struck near the railway station in Udachne northwest of Donetsk, hitting equipment that had been delivered to Ukrainian forces. Ukraine's interior ministry on Telegram said that Udachne had been hit by a Russian strike overnight Sunday into Monday, without mentioning whether weapons had been targeted. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Russia destroys last bridge out of key east Ukraine city

The Wikimedia Foundation, which owns&nbsp;Wikipedia, has filed an appeal against a Moscow court decision demanding that it remove information related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, arguing that people have a right to know the facts of the war.

A Moscow court fined the Wikimedia Foundation 5 million roubles ($88,000) for refusing to remove what it termed disinformation from Russian-language&nbsp;Wikipedia&nbsp;articles on the war including "The Russian Invasion of Ukraine", "War Crimes during the Russian Invasion of Ukraine" and "Massacre in Bucha".

"This decision implies that well-sourced, verified knowledge on&nbsp;Wikipedia&nbsp;that is inconsistent with Russian government accounts constitutes disinformation," Stephen LaPorte, Associate General Counsel at the Wikimedia Foundation, said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-destroys-last-bridge-out-of-key-east-ukraine-city-487958">Russia destroys last bridge out of key east Ukraine city</a>

Wikipedia, which says it offers "the second draft of history", is one of the few remaining major fact-checked Russian-language sources of information for Russians after a crackdown on media in Moscow.

"The government is targeting information that is vital to people's lives in a time of crisis," LaPorte said. "We urge the court to reconsider in favor of everyone's rights to knowledge access and free expression."

The Moscow court argued that what it cast as the disinformation on&nbsp;Wikipedia&nbsp;posed a risk to public order in Russia and that the Foundation, which is headquartered in San Francisco, California, was operating inside Russia.

The Foundation was prosecuted under a law about the failure to delete banned information. The case was brought by Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment on&nbsp;Wikipedia.

The&nbsp;Wikipedia&nbsp;appeal, which was filed on June 6 with details released on Monday, argues that removing information is a violation of human rights. It said Russia had no jurisdiction over the Wikimedia Foundation, which was globally available in over 300 languages.

Watch |&nbsp;'We are dealing with absolute evils,' says Zelensky after Russia destroys bridges in Severodonetsk

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/we-are-dealing-with-absolute-evils-says-zelensky-after-russia-destroys-bridges-in-severodonetsk-487954/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Wikipedia&nbsp;entries are written and edited by volunteers.

Narratives of the war, Europe's biggest ground invasion since World War Two, vary drastically and have become highly politicised with journalists in both Moscow and the West routinely accused of misreporting the war.

Ukraine says it is the victim of an unprovoked imperial-style land grab by Russia and that it will fight to the end to reclaim the territory that Russian forces have occupied. Kyiv has repeatedly asked the West for more help to fight Russia.

President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials do not use the words "war" or "invasion". They cast it a "special military operation" aimed at preventing the persecution of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amnesty-international-accuses-russia-of-war-crimes-in-ukranian-city-of-kharkiv-487872">Amnesty International accuses Russia of ‘war crimes’ in Ukranian city of Kharkiv</a>

Putin also says the conflict is a turning point in Russian history: a revolt by Moscow against the United States, which he says has humiliated Russia since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union and pushed to enlarge the NATO military alliance.

Ukraine and its Western backers deny Moscow's claims that Russian speakers were persecuted. Kyiv says Russian forces have committed war crimes, including killings, torture and rape in places such as Bucha.

Russia says the alleged evidence of war crimes consists of carefully constructed fakes and that Ukraine and its Western backers have spread disinformation about Russian forces.

($1 = 57.0000 roubles)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The Wikimedia Foundation, which owns Wikipedia, has filed an appeal against a Moscow court decision demanding that it remove information related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, arguing that people have a right to know the facts of the war.

The Wikimedia Foundation, which owns Wikipedia, has filed an appeal against a Moscow court decision demanding that it remove information related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, arguing that people have a right to know the facts of the war. A Moscow court fined the Wikimedia Foundation 5 million roubles ($88,000) for refusing to remove what it termed disinformation from Russian-language Wikipedia articles on the war including "The Russian Invasion of Ukraine", "War Crimes during the Russian Invasion of Ukraine" and "Massacre in Bucha". "This decision implies that well-sourced, verified knowledge on Wikipedia that is inconsistent with Russian government accounts constitutes disinformation," Stephen LaPorte, Associate General Counsel at the Wikimedia Foundation, said in a statement. Also read | Russia destroys last bridge out of key east Ukraine city Wikipedia, which says it offers "the second draft of history", is one of the few remaining major fact-checked Russian-language sources of information for Russians after a crackdown on media in Moscow. "The government is targeting information that is vital to people's lives in a time of crisis," LaPorte said. "We urge the court to reconsider in favor of everyone's rights to knowledge access and free expression." The Moscow court argued that what it cast as the disinformation on Wikipedia posed a risk to public order in Russia and that the Foundation, which is headquartered in San Francisco, California, was operating inside Russia. The Foundation was prosecuted under a law about the failure to delete banned information. The case was brought by Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wikipedia. The Wikipedia appeal, which was filed on June 6 with details released on Monday, argues that removing information is a violation of human rights. It said Russia had no jurisdiction over the Wikimedia Foundation, which was globally available in over 300 languages. Watch | 'We are dealing with absolute evils,' says Zelensky after Russia destroys bridges in Severodonetsk Wikipedia entries are written and edited by volunteers. Narratives of the war, Europe's biggest ground invasion since World War Two, vary drastically and have become highly politicised with journalists in both Moscow and the West routinely accused of misreporting the war. Ukraine says it is the victim of an unprovoked imperial-style land grab by Russia and that it will fight to the end to reclaim the territory that Russian forces have occupied. Kyiv has repeatedly asked the West for more help to fight Russia. President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials do not use the words "war" or "invasion". They cast it a "special military operation" aimed at preventing the persecution of Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine. Also read | Amnesty International accuses Russia of ‘war crimes’ in Ukranian city of Kharkiv Putin also says the conflict is a turning point in Russian history: a revolt by Moscow against the United States, which he says has humiliated Russia since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union and pushed to enlarge the NATO military alliance. Ukraine and its Western backers deny Moscow's claims that Russian speakers were persecuted. Kyiv says Russian forces have committed war crimes, including killings, torture and rape in places such as Bucha. Russia says the alleged evidence of war crimes consists of carefully constructed fakes and that Ukraine and its Western backers have spread disinformation about Russian forces. ($1 = 57.0000 roubles) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Wikipedia fights Russian order to remove Ukraine war information

Russia has blown up a bridge linking Ukrainian city Severodonetsk to another city across river, as per Ukrainian officials. The destruction of the bridge has cut off possible evacuation route for civillians.

Severodonetsk is the last major city in Donbas under Ukrainian control. Pro-Russia separatists have held territory in Donbas since 2014 and fight between Russia and Ukraine over Severodonetsk has been linked with control over Donbas. Parts of the city have been pulverised in some of the bloodiest battles since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

"The key tactical goal of the occupiers has not changed: they are pressing in Sievierodonetsk, severe fighting is ongoing there - literally for every meter," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly video address, adding that Russia's military was trying to deploy reserve forces to the Donbas.

He said that image of a 12-year-old injured in a Russian attack was the enduring face representing deeds of Russia.

"These very facts will underscore the way in which Russia is seen by the world," he said.

"Not Peter the Great, not Lev Tolstoy, but children injured and killed in Russian attacks," he said, in an apparent reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin's remarks last week comparing Moscow's military campaign to Russian emperor Peter the Great's 18th century conquest of lands held by Sweden.

Serhiy Gaidai, the governor of Luhansk province in Donbas, said that two armies were fighting street-to-street on Sunday. He said that Russians had control of most of the city but Ukraine maintained control over industrial area and the Azot chemical plant.

Civillians have take refuge in the chemical plant.

"About 500 civilians remain on the territory of the Azot plant in Sievierodonetsk, 40 of them are children. Sometimes the military manages to evacuate someone," Gaidai said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/think-tank-says-global-nuclear-arsenal-to-grow-for-first-time-since-cold-war-487610">Think tank says global nuclear arsenal to grow for first time since Cold War</a>

Russians had destroyed a bridge over the Siverskyi Donets River linking Sievierodonetsk with its twin city of Lysychansk, Gaidai said.

That left just one of three bridges still standing.

"If after new shelling the bridge collapses, the city will truly be cut off. There will be no way of leaving Sievierodonetsk in a vehicle," Gaidai said, noting the lack of a cease-fire agreement and no agreed evacuation corridors.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Russia has blown up a bridge linking Ukrainian city Severodonetsk to another city across river, as per Ukrainian officials. The destruction of the bridge has cut off possible evacuation route for civillians.

Russia has blown up a bridge linking Ukrainian city Severodonetsk to another city across river, as per Ukrainian officials. The destruction of the bridge has cut off possible evacuation route for civillians. Severodonetsk is the last major city in Donbas under Ukrainian control. Pro-Russia separatists have held territory in Donbas since 2014 and fight between Russia and Ukraine over Severodonetsk has been linked with control over Donbas. Parts of the city have been pulverised in some of the bloodiest battles since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. "The key tactical goal of the occupiers has not changed: they are pressing in Sievierodonetsk, severe fighting is ongoing there - literally for every meter," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly video address, adding that Russia's military was trying to deploy reserve forces to the Donbas. He said that image of a 12-year-old injured in a Russian attack was the enduring face representing deeds of Russia. "These very facts will underscore the way in which Russia is seen by the world," he said. "Not Peter the Great, not Lev Tolstoy, but children injured and killed in Russian attacks," he said, in an apparent reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin's remarks last week comparing Moscow's military campaign to Russian emperor Peter the Great's 18th century conquest of lands held by Sweden. Serhiy Gaidai, the governor of Luhansk province in Donbas, said that two armies were fighting street-to-street on Sunday. He said that Russians had control of most of the city but Ukraine maintained control over industrial area and the Azot chemical plant. Civillians have take refuge in the chemical plant. "About 500 civilians remain on the territory of the Azot plant in Sievierodonetsk, 40 of them are children. Sometimes the military manages to evacuate someone," Gaidai said. Also Read | Think tank says global nuclear arsenal to grow for first time since Cold War Russians had destroyed a bridge over the Siverskyi Donets River linking Sievierodonetsk with its twin city of Lysychansk, Gaidai said. That left just one of three bridges still standing. "If after new shelling the bridge collapses, the city will truly be cut off. There will be no way of leaving Sievierodonetsk in a vehicle," Gaidai said, noting the lack of a cease-fire agreement and no agreed evacuation corridors. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Russia destroys bridge in Severodonetsk cutting escape route

russia-0

Russia, News on Russia, stories on Russia, articles on Russia, Russia stories at Wion, Russia news, Russia latest news

russia 0