In an exclusive conversation with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni with Eric Njoka on WION's Global Leadership, he said, we did not support motions against Russia at United Nations. He added, Russia & Ukraine must negotiate and not fight.

Global Leadership Series: 'Russia & Ukraine must negotiate and not fight,' says Ugandan Prez

As Russia's military continues to pound Ukraine with missiles and other lethal weapons, Western nations have responded in part by targeting Russia's&nbsp;defence&nbsp;industry with sanctions. The latest round came on Tuesday, when the United States issued new sanctions on some arms makers and executives at the heart of what it dubbed Russian President Vladimir Putin's "war machine". 
 
But a Reuters examination of companies, executives and investors underpinning Russia's&nbsp;defence&nbsp;sector shows a sizable number of players have yet to pay a price: Nearly three dozen leaders of Russian weapons firms and at least 14&nbsp;defence&nbsp;companies have not been sanctioned by the United States, the European Union or the United Kingdom. In addition, sanctions on Russia's arms makers and tycoons have been applied inconsistently by these NATO allies, with some governments levying penalties and others not, the Reuters review showed. 
 
Among the weapons moguls who have not been sanctioned by any of those three authorities is Alan Lushnikov, the largest shareholder of Kalashnikov Concern JSC, the original manufacturer of the well-known AK-47 assault rifle. Lushnikov owns a 75 per cent&nbsp;stake in the firm, according to the most recent business records reviewed by Reuters. 
 
The company itself was sanctioned by the United States in 2014, the year Russia invaded and annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. The EU and UK&nbsp;levelled&nbsp;their own sanctions against Kalashnikov Concern this year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-iron-curtain-descending-between-russia-and-west-says-defence-minister-493684">New ‘iron curtain’ descending between Russia and West, says defence minister</a> 
 
The company accounts for 95 per cent&nbsp;of Russia's production of machine guns, sniper rifles, pistols and other handheld firearms, and 98 per cent&nbsp;of its handheld military machine guns, according to its website and most recent annual report. Its weapons include the AK-12 assault rifle, an updated version of the AK-47, some of which have been captured from Russian forces by Ukrainian soldiers. The Kalashnikov Concern also produces missiles that can be fired from aircraft or on land. 
 
A former Russian deputy transport minister, Lushnikov once worked for commodities tycoon Gennady Timchenko, a longtime friend of Putin. The United States sanctioned Timchenko in 2014 following Russia’s invasion of Crimea, naming him as a member of the Kremlin’s “inner circle”. 
 
Neither Lushnikov, Timchenko or the Kalashnikov Concern responded to requests for comment. 
 
It’s the same pattern with Almaz-Antey Concern, a Moscow-based&nbsp;defence&nbsp;company&nbsp;specialising&nbsp;in missiles and anti-aircraft systems. The company has been sanctioned by the United States, EU and UK, but CEO Yan Novikov has not been punished. 
 
Almaz-Antey’s website displays the motto “Peaceful Sky is Our Profession”. The company makes Kalibr missiles, which Russia’s Ministry of&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;has credited with destroying Ukrainian military installations. In a statement last month, the ministry said Russia had fired long-range Kalibr missiles at a Ukrainian command post near the village of Shyroka Dacha in eastern Ukraine, killing what the ministry claimed were more than 50 generals and officers of the Ukrainian military. 
 
Neither Almaz-Antey nor CEO Novikov responded to requests for comment. 
 
In response to a list of questions submitted by Reuters about Western sanctions aimed at Russia, a Kremlin spokesperson said "the consistency and logic of imposing sanctions, as well as the legality of imposing such restrictions, is a question that should be put directly to the countries that introduced them". 
 
The Reuters findings come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that current Western sanctions against Russia “are not enough” as Russian troops make gains in their assault on Ukraine’s eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. 
 
The Ukrainian military has been outgunned by Russian artillery in places such as the industrial city of Sievierodonetsk, which it ceded to Russian forces last week after weeks of intense fighting. 
 
Putin has portrayed his military’s assault on Ukraine as a “special military operation” aimed at&nbsp;demilitarising&nbsp;and “denazifying” its democratic&nbsp;neighbour. On Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced it would bar Jill Biden and Ashley Biden, the wife and daughter of US&nbsp;President Joe Biden, from entering Russia indefinitely in what it said was a response to “constantly expanding US&nbsp;sanctions against Russian politicians and public figures”. 
 
US National Security advisor Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that Russia's action was not surprising because "the Russian capacity for these kinds of cynical moves is basically bottomless". 
 
The Russian invasion has killed thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, but the exact number is unknown. The United Nations human rights office said, as of Monday, that 4,731 civilians had been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began on Feb&nbsp;24, including more than 300 children, with another 5,900 civilians injured in the conflict. The agency said most of the casualties were caused by the use of “explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes”,&nbsp;and that the actual number of dead and wounded was likely far higher.

Watch |&nbsp;Vladimir Putin signs a new decree as Russia takes over the Sakhalin gas project

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The West has levied sanctions on a swath of Russia’s economy to punish Moscow, an effort that so far has done little to deter the Russian&nbsp;offencive. Like the bans on other Russian firms, sanctions on weapons companies are meant to hamper their ability to sell to foreign customers. These penalties limit their access to imported components and generally make it more costly and time-consuming to produce weaponry. Levying sanctions on the people behind those firms goes a step further to make the pain personal. It allows Western nations to go after any mansions, yachts and other offshore wealth of those who supply Russia’s military, and it limits where they can travel abroad. 
 
“You’re demonstrating that being a regime collaborator comes with a cost”,&nbsp;said Max Bergmann, a former State Department official during the Obama administration who worked on U.S. arms transfers and safeguarding US&nbsp;military technology. “They feel it very personally. You’re creating a disgruntled class of people that are tied to the Kremlin”, said Bergmann, now director of the Europe&nbsp;programme&nbsp;at the&nbsp;Centre&nbsp;for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based national security think tank.

<h2> 
Ammunition makers unscathed</h2>

Other companies in Russia’s&nbsp;defence&nbsp;industry identified by Reuters that have not been sanctioned by the United States, EU or UK include the VA&nbsp;Degtyarev Plant, a facility 165 miles northeast of Moscow that makes machine guns, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons that are sold to the Russian military. Its weapons include the Kalashnikov PKM and PKTM machine guns, as well as Kord rifles and machine guns, some of which are mounted on&nbsp;armoured&nbsp;vehicles. 
 
The Degtyarev Plant did not respond to a request for comment. 
 
Also not sanctioned is the Klimovsk&nbsp;Specialised&nbsp;Ammunition Plant, south of Moscow, where “world-famous cartridges” for pistols and Kalashnikov assault rifles are produced, according to an archived version of its website. Neither is the Novosibirsk Cartridge Plant, an ammunition manufacturer that calls itself “one of the leading engineering enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Russia”. 
 
Neither ammunition plant responded to requests for comment. 
 
Last month, Reuters sought comments from sanctions officials in the UK, EU and United States regarding the news agency’s findings that they had failed to punish a raft of Russian&nbsp;defence&nbsp;firms and tycoons&nbsp;fuelling&nbsp;Putin’s war effort. As part of that process, Reuters provided those Western authorities with a detailed list of more than 20 companies and more than three-dozen people that had escaped sanctions. 
 
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which levies sanctions for Britain, said it could not comment on future sanctions. It added that London and its allies had levied "the largest and most severe economic sanctions that Russia has ever faced, to help cripple Putin’s war machine".&nbsp;Elizabeth Rosenberg, assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crimes at the Treasury Department, said in a statement that sanctions have "made it harder for Russia to obtain what it needs to procure and produce weapons". 
 
According to a report by Reuters, on Tuesday, in conjunction with a meeting of leaders of the G7 nations in the German Alps, the Treasury Department released a new round of&nbsp;defence-related sanctions that included eight of the weapons firms and two of the executives on the list provided earlier.

One of those newly sanctioned executives, Vladimir Artyakov, has played key roles in Russia’s weapons industry for decades, and serves as the No.&nbsp;2 executive at Rostec, a military-industrial giant with hundreds of subsidiaries employing more than half a million people, according to its website and annual reports. Artyakov is also the chairman of at least five Russian weapons firms, among them Russian Helicopters JSC, which builds several lines of military helicopters including the Ka-52 "Alligator", some of which have been shot down and documented in Ukraine. 
 
He has not been sanctioned by the EU or UK. 
 
Artyakov and Russian Helicopters did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
Rostec has been sanctioned by Washington since 2014. On Tuesday the United States targeted the company again, levying sanctions on more than 40 Rostec subsidiaries and affiliates. Among those hit was Avtomatika Concern, a company linked to cyber warfare. It was on the list of Russian&nbsp;defence&nbsp;firms that Reuters had submitted to the Treasury Department last month seeking an explanation as to why the companies had not been sanctioned. 
 
Rostec and Avtomatika Concern did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
Other firms on the list that were sanctioned just this week by the Treasury Department include PJSC Tupolev, a maker of fighter jets such as the Tu-22M3 bomber. The Ukrainian military said Tu-22M3 bombers were responsible for a missile strike at a crowded shopping&nbsp;centre&nbsp;in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk on Monday, which killed at least 18 people and injured about 60.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-accuses-russia-of-firing-phosphorus-bombs-on-snake-island-493706">Ukraine accuses Russia of firing phosphorus bombs on Snake Island</a> 
 
PJSC Tupolev and another firm on the list, JSC VNII Signal, have not been sanctioned by the EU or UK. JSC VNII Signal is a producer of mechanical and navigational systems that power Russian military tanks and some of the country’s most advanced missile systems. 
 
PJSC Tupolev and JSC VNII Signal did not respond to requests for comment.

<h2>Top brass untouched</h2>

Executives at a host of Russian weapons firms, meanwhile, have largely escaped sanctions from Western authorities. 
 
Nearly three months after a Tochka-U ballistic missile hit a train station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on April 8, Russian weapons executives linked to the company that makes those missiles have yet to pay a price. The strike killed more than 50 people, including children, and injured more than 100 others. 
 
The Russian firm JSC Research and Production Corporation Konstruktorskoye Byuro Mashynostroyeniya, known as KBM, has been the primary manufacturer of Tochka-U missiles, according to a US&nbsp;Army database of worldwide military equipment. Neither Washington, Brussels or London have sanctioned Sergey Pitikov, KBM’s chief executive. 
 
The three Western allies have likewise spared Alexander Denisov, the CEO of NPO High Precision Systems, KBM’s parent company. High Precision Systems oversees production of a wide range of missiles, artillery, grenade launchers and machine guns used by Russian troops and outfitted on military helicopters, aircraft, tanks and warships. 
 
Sanctions on Russia’s arms companies and tycoons have been applied inconsistently by the Western allies. The United States and EU have sanctioned High Precision Systems, for example, while the UK has not. The United States has sanctioned KBM, but the EU and UK have not. 
 
High Precision Systems, Pitikov and Denisov did not respond to requests for comment. KBM confirmed that Pitikov is its chief executive. 
 
Europe and the United States have failed to coordinate sanctions even on makers of banned weapons. 
 
Since the outset of Russia’s invasion in late February, Western governments and human rights groups have decried its use of cluster munitions: small bombs delivered by missiles or rockets, which scatter and explode over an area as large as a city block. A 2008 international treaty bans their use or production under any circumstances because of the devastating effects on civilians. 
 
Russia used a Uragan – which translates to “Hurricane” – rocket launcher system to fire cluster bombs in Kharkiv on March 24, killing eight civilians and injuring 15 others, according to the U.N. human rights office and Ukrainian officials. 
 
The Uragan is made by JSC Scientific and Production Association Splav, a Russian firm whose systems have been sold abroad to countries including India. The company has been sanctioned by the United States, but not by the UK or EU. Its CEO, Alexander Smirnov, has escaped sanctions altogether. 
 
Splav and Smirnov did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
It’s much the same for Splav’s parent company, NPK Techmash. The United States and the EU have sanctioned the firm, but the UK has not. Techmash CEO Alexander Kochkin has not been targeted by American or European authorities. 
 
Techmash and Kochkin did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
In a June 10 statement, the European Commission said there is an effort to align sanctions lists “as much as legally possible” among allies to achieve “the maximum cumulative effect of the sanctions with all our like-minded partners”. In cases where the lists do not align, the Commission statement said, people and companies not currently on the EU’s sanctions list could be added later if there is sufficient evidence. 
 
"Nothing is off the table", the statement said. 
&nbsp;

<h2>Western connections</h2>

One of the highest-profile Russian firms to escape Western sanctions is VSMPO-Avisma Corp, which is the world’s largest titanium supplier and 25 per cent&nbsp;owned by Rostec. It supplies Russia’s&nbsp;defence&nbsp;industry, but also counts major Western aerospace companies among its clients. 
 
Based in Verkhnyaya Salda, in central Russia, VSMPO-Avisma has subsidiaries with facilities in the United States, Switzerland and the UK, as well as sales and distribution staff in the United States, Europe and Asia, according to its website and annual reports. That’s no doubt a factor that has allowed the company to escape punishment, according to three sanctions and Russian&nbsp;defence&nbsp;experts who spoke with Reuters. 
 
VSMPO-Avisma’s vice chairman and majority shareholder, Russian billionaire Mikhail Shelkov, ranked by Forbes this year as Russia’s 59th-richest person, likewise has not been sanctioned. 
 
According to past press releases, VSMPO-Avisma has long-term contracts to supply titanium to United Aircraft Corp, a Rostec subsidiary that oversees production of Russian fighter jets such as the Su-34 that have been shot down in Ukraine. United Aircraft has been sanctioned by the United States, EU and UK. 
 
VSMPO-Avisma also sells to Europe’s Airbus, and it supplied US&nbsp;aerospace behemoth Boeing Co up until March, when the Arlington, Virginia-based company said it stopped purchasing titanium from Russia. Boeing had announced just months earlier, in November 2021, that VSMPO-Avisma would be its largest titanium supplier “for current and future Boeing commercial&nbsp;aeroplanes”. 
 
VSMPO-Avisma and shareholder Shelkov declined to comment. Boeing said in a statement that it has worked since 2014 to diversify its sources of titanium around the world, and that its current inventory and sources "provide sufficient supply for&nbsp;aeroplane&nbsp;production". 
 
Airbus did not answer specific questions about its relationship with VSMPO-Avisma. But in an emailed statement it said potential sanctions on Russian titanium “would massively damage the entire aerospace industry in Europe” while doing little to harm Russia because those sales are but a small portion of that nation's overall exports. 
 
In 2020, foreign sales accounted for about two-thirds of VSMPO-Avisma’s 1.25 billion dollars in revenue, according to the company’s most recent annual report. 
 
That puts Western officials in a tough spot, said Richard Connolly, director of Eastern Advisory Group, a UK consultancy that advises governments and businesses on the Russian economy and its&nbsp;defence&nbsp;industry. Slapping sanctions on VSMPO-Avisma would curtail its lucrative export trade, but it would also force major players in global aviation to switch suppliers or risk sanctions themselves. 
 
“That’s the classic sanctions conundrum: If you want to hurt somebody, you’re going to hurt yourself”, Connolly said.

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As Russia's military continues to pound Ukraine with missiles and other lethal weapons, Western nations have responded in part by targeting Russia's defence industry with sanctions.

As Russia's military continues to pound Ukraine with missiles and other lethal weapons, Western nations have responded in part by targeting Russia's defence industry with sanctions. The latest round came on Tuesday, when the United States issued new sanctions on some arms makers and executives at the heart of what it dubbed Russian President Vladimir Putin's "war machine". But a Reuters examination of companies, executives and investors underpinning Russia's defence sector shows a sizable number of players have yet to pay a price: Nearly three dozen leaders of Russian weapons firms and at least 14 defence companies have not been sanctioned by the United States, the European Union or the United Kingdom. In addition, sanctions on Russia's arms makers and tycoons have been applied inconsistently by these NATO allies, with some governments levying penalties and others not, the Reuters review showed. Among the weapons moguls who have not been sanctioned by any of those three authorities is Alan Lushnikov, the largest shareholder of Kalashnikov Concern JSC, the original manufacturer of the well-known AK-47 assault rifle. Lushnikov owns a 75 per cent stake in the firm, according to the most recent business records reviewed by Reuters. The company itself was sanctioned by the United States in 2014, the year Russia invaded and annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. The EU and UK levelled their own sanctions against Kalashnikov Concern this year. Also read | New ‘iron curtain’ descending between Russia and West, says defence minister The company accounts for 95 per cent of Russia's production of machine guns, sniper rifles, pistols and other handheld firearms, and 98 per cent of its handheld military machine guns, according to its website and most recent annual report. Its weapons include the AK-12 assault rifle, an updated version of the AK-47, some of which have been captured from Russian forces by Ukrainian soldiers. The Kalashnikov Concern also produces missiles that can be fired from aircraft or on land. A former Russian deputy transport minister, Lushnikov once worked for commodities tycoon Gennady Timchenko, a longtime friend of Putin. The United States sanctioned Timchenko in 2014 following Russia’s invasion of Crimea, naming him as a member of the Kremlin’s “inner circle”. Neither Lushnikov, Timchenko or the Kalashnikov Concern responded to requests for comment. It’s the same pattern with Almaz-Antey Concern, a Moscow-based defence company specialising in missiles and anti-aircraft systems. The company has been sanctioned by the United States, EU and UK, but CEO Yan Novikov has not been punished. Almaz-Antey’s website displays the motto “Peaceful Sky is Our Profession”. The company makes Kalibr missiles, which Russia’s Ministry of Defence has credited with destroying Ukrainian military installations. In a statement last month, the ministry said Russia had fired long-range Kalibr missiles at a Ukrainian command post near the village of Shyroka Dacha in eastern Ukraine, killing what the ministry claimed were more than 50 generals and officers of the Ukrainian military. Neither Almaz-Antey nor CEO Novikov responded to requests for comment. In response to a list of questions submitted by Reuters about Western sanctions aimed at Russia, a Kremlin spokesperson said "the consistency and logic of imposing sanctions, as well as the legality of imposing such restrictions, is a question that should be put directly to the countries that introduced them". The Reuters findings come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that current Western sanctions against Russia “are not enough” as Russian troops make gains in their assault on Ukraine’s eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. The Ukrainian military has been outgunned by Russian artillery in places such as the industrial city of Sievierodonetsk, which it ceded to Russian forces last week after weeks of intense fighting. Putin has portrayed his military’s assault on Ukraine as a “special military operation” aimed at demilitarising and “denazifying” its democratic neighbour. On Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced it would bar Jill Biden and Ashley Biden, the wife and daughter of US President Joe Biden, from entering Russia indefinitely in what it said was a response to “constantly expanding US sanctions against Russian politicians and public figures”. US National Security advisor Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that Russia's action was not surprising because "the Russian capacity for these kinds of cynical moves is basically bottomless". The Russian invasion has killed thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, but the exact number is unknown. The United Nations human rights office said, as of Monday, that 4,731 civilians had been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began on Feb 24, including more than 300 children, with another 5,900 civilians injured in the conflict. The agency said most of the casualties were caused by the use of “explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes”, and that the actual number of dead and wounded was likely far higher. Watch | Vladimir Putin signs a new decree as Russia takes over the Sakhalin gas project The West has levied sanctions on a swath of Russia’s economy to punish Moscow, an effort that so far has done little to deter the Russian offencive. Like the bans on other Russian firms, sanctions on weapons companies are meant to hamper their ability to sell to foreign customers. These penalties limit their access to imported components and generally make it more costly and time-consuming to produce weaponry. Levying sanctions on the people behind those firms goes a step further to make the pain personal. It allows Western nations to go after any mansions, yachts and other offshore wealth of those who supply Russia’s military, and it limits where they can travel abroad. “You’re demonstrating that being a regime collaborator comes with a cost”, said Max Bergmann, a former State Department official during the Obama administration who worked on U.S. arms transfers and safeguarding US military technology. “They feel it very personally. You’re creating a disgruntled class of people that are tied to the Kremlin”, said Bergmann, now director of the Europe programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based national security think tank. Ammunition makers unscathed Other companies in Russia’s defence industry identified by Reuters that have not been sanctioned by the United States, EU or UK include the VA Degtyarev Plant, a facility 165 miles northeast of Moscow that makes machine guns, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons that are sold to the Russian military. Its weapons include the Kalashnikov PKM and PKTM machine guns, as well as Kord rifles and machine guns, some of which are mounted on armoured vehicles. The Degtyarev Plant did not respond to a request for comment. Also not sanctioned is the Klimovsk Specialised Ammunition Plant, south of Moscow, where “world-famous cartridges” for pistols and Kalashnikov assault rifles are produced, according to an archived version of its website. Neither is the Novosibirsk Cartridge Plant, an ammunition manufacturer that calls itself “one of the leading engineering enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Russia”. Neither ammunition plant responded to requests for comment. Last month, Reuters sought comments from sanctions officials in the UK, EU and United States regarding the news agency’s findings that they had failed to punish a raft of Russian defence firms and tycoons fuelling Putin’s war effort. As part of that process, Reuters provided those Western authorities with a detailed list of more than 20 companies and more than three-dozen people that had escaped sanctions. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which levies sanctions for Britain, said it could not comment on future sanctions. It added that London and its allies had levied "the largest and most severe economic sanctions that Russia has ever faced, to help cripple Putin’s war machine". Elizabeth Rosenberg, assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crimes at the Treasury Department, said in a statement that sanctions have "made it harder for Russia to obtain what it needs to procure and produce weapons". According to a report by Reuters, on Tuesday, in conjunction with a meeting of leaders of the G7 nations in the German Alps, the Treasury Department released a new round of defence-related sanctions that included eight of the weapons firms and two of the executives on the list provided earlier. One of those newly sanctioned executives, Vladimir Artyakov, has played key roles in Russia’s weapons industry for decades, and serves as the No. 2 executive at Rostec, a military-industrial giant with hundreds of subsidiaries employing more than half a million people, according to its website and annual reports. Artyakov is also the chairman of at least five Russian weapons firms, among them Russian Helicopters JSC, which builds several lines of military helicopters including the Ka-52 "Alligator", some of which have been shot down and documented in Ukraine. He has not been sanctioned by the EU or UK. Artyakov and Russian Helicopters did not respond to requests for comment. Rostec has been sanctioned by Washington since 2014. On Tuesday the United States targeted the company again, levying sanctions on more than 40 Rostec subsidiaries and affiliates. Among those hit was Avtomatika Concern, a company linked to cyber warfare. It was on the list of Russian defence firms that Reuters had submitted to the Treasury Department last month seeking an explanation as to why the companies had not been sanctioned. Rostec and Avtomatika Concern did not respond to requests for comment. Other firms on the list that were sanctioned just this week by the Treasury Department include PJSC Tupolev, a maker of fighter jets such as the Tu-22M3 bomber. The Ukrainian military said Tu-22M3 bombers were responsible for a missile strike at a crowded shopping centre in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk on Monday, which killed at least 18 people and injured about 60. Also read | Ukraine accuses Russia of firing phosphorus bombs on Snake Island PJSC Tupolev and another firm on the list, JSC VNII Signal, have not been sanctioned by the EU or UK. JSC VNII Signal is a producer of mechanical and navigational systems that power Russian military tanks and some of the country’s most advanced missile systems. PJSC Tupolev and JSC VNII Signal did not respond to requests for comment. Top brass untouched Executives at a host of Russian weapons firms, meanwhile, have largely escaped sanctions from Western authorities. Nearly three months after a Tochka-U ballistic missile hit a train station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on April 8, Russian weapons executives linked to the company that makes those missiles have yet to pay a price. The strike killed more than 50 people, including children, and injured more than 100 others. The Russian firm JSC Research and Production Corporation Konstruktorskoye Byuro Mashynostroyeniya, known as KBM, has been the primary manufacturer of Tochka-U missiles, according to a US Army database of worldwide military equipment. Neither Washington, Brussels or London have sanctioned Sergey Pitikov, KBM’s chief executive. The three Western allies have likewise spared Alexander Denisov, the CEO of NPO High Precision Systems, KBM’s parent company. High Precision Systems oversees production of a wide range of missiles, artillery, grenade launchers and machine guns used by Russian troops and outfitted on military helicopters, aircraft, tanks and warships. Sanctions on Russia’s arms companies and tycoons have been applied inconsistently by the Western allies. The United States and EU have sanctioned High Precision Systems, for example, while the UK has not. The United States has sanctioned KBM, but the EU and UK have not. High Precision Systems, Pitikov and Denisov did not respond to requests for comment. KBM confirmed that Pitikov is its chief executive. Europe and the United States have failed to coordinate sanctions even on makers of banned weapons. Since the outset of Russia’s invasion in late February, Western governments and human rights groups have decried its use of cluster munitions: small bombs delivered by missiles or rockets, which scatter and explode over an area as large as a city block. A 2008 international treaty bans their use or production under any circumstances because of the devastating effects on civilians. Russia used a Uragan – which translates to “Hurricane” – rocket launcher system to fire cluster bombs in Kharkiv on March 24, killing eight civilians and injuring 15 others, according to the U.N. human rights office and Ukrainian officials. The Uragan is made by JSC Scientific and Production Association Splav, a Russian firm whose systems have been sold abroad to countries including India. The company has been sanctioned by the United States, but not by the UK or EU. Its CEO, Alexander Smirnov, has escaped sanctions altogether. Splav and Smirnov did not respond to requests for comment. It’s much the same for Splav’s parent company, NPK Techmash. The United States and the EU have sanctioned the firm, but the UK has not. Techmash CEO Alexander Kochkin has not been targeted by American or European authorities. Techmash and Kochkin did not respond to requests for comment. In a June 10 statement, the European Commission said there is an effort to align sanctions lists “as much as legally possible” among allies to achieve “the maximum cumulative effect of the sanctions with all our like-minded partners”. In cases where the lists do not align, the Commission statement said, people and companies not currently on the EU’s sanctions list could be added later if there is sufficient evidence. "Nothing is off the table", the statement said. Western connections One of the highest-profile Russian firms to escape Western sanctions is VSMPO-Avisma Corp, which is the world’s largest titanium supplier and 25 per cent owned by Rostec. It supplies Russia’s defence industry, but also counts major Western aerospace companies among its clients. Based in Verkhnyaya Salda, in central Russia, VSMPO-Avisma has subsidiaries with facilities in the United States, Switzerland and the UK, as well as sales and distribution staff in the United States, Europe and Asia, according to its website and annual reports. That’s no doubt a factor that has allowed the company to escape punishment, according to three sanctions and Russian defence experts who spoke with Reuters. VSMPO-Avisma’s vice chairman and majority shareholder, Russian billionaire Mikhail Shelkov, ranked by Forbes this year as Russia’s 59th-richest person, likewise has not been sanctioned. According to past press releases, VSMPO-Avisma has long-term contracts to supply titanium to United Aircraft Corp, a Rostec subsidiary that oversees production of Russian fighter jets such as the Su-34 that have been shot down in Ukraine. United Aircraft has been sanctioned by the United States, EU and UK. VSMPO-Avisma also sells to Europe’s Airbus, and it supplied US aerospace behemoth Boeing Co up until March, when the Arlington, Virginia-based company said it stopped purchasing titanium from Russia. Boeing had announced just months earlier, in November 2021, that VSMPO-Avisma would be its largest titanium supplier “for current and future Boeing commercial aeroplanes”. VSMPO-Avisma and shareholder Shelkov declined to comment. Boeing said in a statement that it has worked since 2014 to diversify its sources of titanium around the world, and that its current inventory and sources "provide sufficient supply for aeroplane production". Airbus did not answer specific questions about its relationship with VSMPO-Avisma. But in an emailed statement it said potential sanctions on Russian titanium “would massively damage the entire aerospace industry in Europe” while doing little to harm Russia because those sales are but a small portion of that nation's overall exports. In 2020, foreign sales accounted for about two-thirds of VSMPO-Avisma’s 1.25 billion dollars in revenue, according to the company’s most recent annual report. That puts Western officials in a tough spot, said Richard Connolly, director of Eastern Advisory Group, a UK consultancy that advises governments and businesses on the Russian economy and its defence industry. Slapping sanctions on VSMPO-Avisma would curtail its lucrative export trade, but it would also force major players in global aviation to switch suppliers or risk sanctions themselves. “That’s the classic sanctions conundrum: If you want to hurt somebody, you’re going to hurt yourself”, Connolly said. 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.

Dozens of Russian weapons tycoons have faced no Western sanctions

Pakistan telecom operators have warned that mobile and internet services might be shut down in the wake of the nationwide power outages in the country.

"Telecom operators in Pakistan have warned about shutting down mobile and internet services due to long hours of power outages nationwide, as the interruption is causing issues and hindrance in their operations," the Pakistan National Information Technology Board (NITB) wrote on Twitter.

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TECH NEWS UPDATE || BY NITB✅ 
Telecom operators in Pakistan have warned about shutting down mobile and internet services due to long hours power outages nationwide, as the interruption is causing issues and hinderance in their operations.✔️ 
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It comes days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had warned that the country might face increased loadshedding in July.

On Monday, he said that Pakistan could not get the required liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, however, added that the coalition government was trying to make the deal possible.

The country is facing an escalation of its power crisis after it failed to agree on a deal for natural gas supply next month. Tenders for July were scrapped due to high price, and low participation as the nation is already taking action to tackle widespread blackouts, reports Geo News.

Pakistan has reduced working hours for public servants and ordered shopping malls, factories to shut early in various cities, including Karachi, in a bid to conserve energy.

"The government is speaking to Qatar about a new five or 10-year LNG supply deal for three monthly cargoes, as well as an additional cargo under an existing deal," Pakistan Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said.

The main reason cited for the power outages in Pakistan is the lack of power and energy sources. The country is facing a major fuel shortage, which has led to 12-hour long blackouts in several states. Due to the lack of fuel, the electricity supply is taking a major hit in Pakistan.

The fuel shortage accentuated following the global energy shortage due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Pakistan telecom operators have warned that mobile and internet services might be shut down in the wake of the nationwide power outages in the country. "Telecom operators in Pakistan have warned about shutting down mobile and internet services due to long hours of power outages nationwide, as the interruption is causing issues and hindrance in their operations," the Pakistan National Information Technology Board (NITB) wrote on Twitter.

Pakistan telecom operators have warned that mobile and internet services might be shut down in the wake of the nationwide power outages in the country. "Telecom operators in Pakistan have warned about shutting down mobile and internet services due to long hours of power outages nationwide, as the interruption is causing issues and hindrance in their operations," the Pakistan National Information Technology Board (NITB) wrote on Twitter. TECH NEWS UPDATE || BY NITB✅ Telecom operators in Pakistan have warned about shutting down mobile and internet services due to long hours power outages nationwide, as the interruption is causing issues and hinderance in their operations.✔️ Stay tuned for more information.🔜 pic.twitter.com/CA1d4gx7xa — National Information Technology Board (@NationalITBoard) June 30, 2022 × It comes days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had warned that the country might face increased loadshedding in July. On Monday, he said that Pakistan could not get the required liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, however, added that the coalition government was trying to make the deal possible. The country is facing an escalation of its power crisis after it failed to agree on a deal for natural gas supply next month. Tenders for July were scrapped due to high price, and low participation as the nation is already taking action to tackle widespread blackouts, reports Geo News. Pakistan has reduced working hours for public servants and ordered shopping malls, factories to shut early in various cities, including Karachi, in a bid to conserve energy. "The government is speaking to Qatar about a new five or 10-year LNG supply deal for three monthly cargoes, as well as an additional cargo under an existing deal," Pakistan Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said. The main reason cited for the power outages in Pakistan is the lack of power and energy sources. The country is facing a major fuel shortage, which has led to 12-hour long blackouts in several states. Due to the lack of fuel, the electricity supply is taking a major hit in Pakistan. The fuel shortage accentuated following the global energy shortage due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pak warns of shutting down mobile, internet services amid power outages

This weakened, the Group of 7 (G7) countries, the world’s wealthiest, will converge in Germany’s Bavarian Alps to discuss pressing matters like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sanctions on Russian oil, economic and environmental crises.

On Sunday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will host this year's G7&nbsp;summit of leaders from France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Canada, and the United States, at a five-star hotel in Elmau.

Apart from that, other countries such as India, Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa have also been invited as part of the grouping’s efforts to broaden the engagement.

Though Ukraine will be the top of the agenda, there are also other pressing issues that will be discussed.

Price cap on Russian oil?

According to Politico, US and other West allies have expressed disappointment that their sanctions are being skirted by countries like India and China—who have turned out to be the biggest buyers of Russian crude due to the discounts being offered by Moscow.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has proposed to tackle this issue with a price cap, meaning the West might lift the embargo for those countries that accepted to only buy Russian oil at an agreed maximum price.

US officials claim that Russia and its oil-purchasing partner countries are struggling to find insurance for tankers, and that the price cap can be used as a leverage in exchange for sanctions relief.

‘Climate club’ and post-Covid economic recovery

At the G7 summit, the German government intends to promote international climate cooperation by establishing a climate club. This club is envisioned to&nbsp;foster the implementation of the Paris climate goals, and better coordinate carbon pricing and other schemes for reducing emissions.

A bigger session with the invited countries and international organisations will discuss ways to make a “clean and just transition to climate neutrality”.

The countries will also deliberate on ways to secure energy supplies and control the global soaring fuel prices. They will also brainstorm on the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening preparedness and response, and improving the global health architecture.

They will also discuss the darkening global economic outlook, the official said - the challenge being controlling government spending without sending the economy into shock.

(With inputs from agencies)

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This weakened, the Group of 7 (G7) countries, the world’s wealthiest, will converge in Germany’s Bavarian Alps to discuss pressing matters like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sanctions on Russian oil, economic and environmental crises.

This weakened, the Group of 7 (G7) countries, the world’s wealthiest, will converge in Germany’s Bavarian Alps to discuss pressing matters like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sanctions on Russian oil, economic and environmental crises. On Sunday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will host this year's G7 summit of leaders from France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Canada, and the United States, at a five-star hotel in Elmau. Apart from that, other countries such as India, Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa have also been invited as part of the grouping’s efforts to broaden the engagement. Though Ukraine will be the top of the agenda, there are also other pressing issues that will be discussed. Price cap on Russian oil? According to Politico, US and other West allies have expressed disappointment that their sanctions are being skirted by countries like India and China—who have turned out to be the biggest buyers of Russian crude due to the discounts being offered by Moscow. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has proposed to tackle this issue with a price cap, meaning the West might lift the embargo for those countries that accepted to only buy Russian oil at an agreed maximum price. US officials claim that Russia and its oil-purchasing partner countries are struggling to find insurance for tankers, and that the price cap can be used as a leverage in exchange for sanctions relief. ‘Climate club’ and post-Covid economic recovery At the G7 summit, the German government intends to promote international climate cooperation by establishing a climate club. This club is envisioned to foster the implementation of the Paris climate goals, and better coordinate carbon pricing and other schemes for reducing emissions. A bigger session with the invited countries and international organisations will discuss ways to make a “clean and just transition to climate neutrality”. The countries will also deliberate on ways to secure energy supplies and control the global soaring fuel prices. They will also brainstorm on the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening preparedness and response, and improving the global health architecture. They will also discuss the darkening global economic outlook, the official said - the challenge being controlling government spending without sending the economy into shock. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

G7 Summit: What will be on the agenda at the meet?

Nike said Thursday it will permanently leave the Russian market after suspending its operations over the conflict in Ukraine, joining a long list of Western firms that have pulled out of the country.

Nike temporarily closed its stores in Russia after Russian troops entered Ukraine in late February, triggering unprecedented sanctions and sparking an exodus of foreign firms such as Adidas, Ikea, H&amp;M, McDonald's and Starbucks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vkusno-tochka-russias-mcdonalds-reopens-under-new-brand-name-in-moscow-487488">‘Vkusno &amp; tochka’: Russia’s McDonald’s reopens under new brand name in Moscow</a>

"Nike Inc. made a decision to leave the Russian market," the US apparel maker said in a statement. "The Nike stores were temporarily closed recently and will not reopen."

It added that its website and app will no longer be available in the country.

Watch |&nbsp;14th BRICS Summit: Russia trying to forge closer ties with Asia

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Last month, the US company said it will not be renewing licensing agreements with Russian retailers.

Also on Thursday, US tech giant Cisco announced its decision to "begin an orderly wind-down" of operations in Russia and its ally Belarus, saying it wanted to ensure its employees in these countries "are treated with respect".

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/tired-of-paying-uk-man-gets-favourite-nike-shoes-tattooed-on-his-feet-489482">&nbsp;'Tired of paying': UK man gets favourite Nike shoes tattooed on his feet</a>

Russian authorities have warned that they were ready to nationalise foreign assets, and some officials assured Russians that their favourite brands would have domestic alternatives.

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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>.

Nike said Thursday it will permanently leave the Russian market after suspending its operations over the conflict in Ukraine, joining a long list of Western firms that have pulled out of the country.

Nike said Thursday it will permanently leave the Russian market after suspending its operations over the conflict in Ukraine, joining a long list of Western firms that have pulled out of the country. Nike temporarily closed its stores in Russia after Russian troops entered Ukraine in late February, triggering unprecedented sanctions and sparking an exodus of foreign firms such as Adidas, Ikea, H&M, McDonald's and Starbucks. Also read | ‘Vkusno & tochka’: Russia’s McDonald’s reopens under new brand name in Moscow "Nike Inc. made a decision to leave the Russian market," the US apparel maker said in a statement. "The Nike stores were temporarily closed recently and will not reopen." It added that its website and app will no longer be available in the country. Watch | 14th BRICS Summit: Russia trying to forge closer ties with Asia Last month, the US company said it will not be renewing licensing agreements with Russian retailers. Also on Thursday, US tech giant Cisco announced its decision to "begin an orderly wind-down" of operations in Russia and its ally Belarus, saying it wanted to ensure its employees in these countries "are treated with respect". Also read | 'Tired of paying': UK man gets favourite Nike shoes tattooed on his feet Russian authorities have warned that they were ready to nationalise foreign assets, and some officials assured Russians that their favourite brands would have domestic alternatives. 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.

Nike to make full exit from Russia

Russian players will not be allowed to compete at Wimbledon this year due to Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine, according to a report in sports industry news site Sportico on Tuesday. Earlier this month, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), which organises the grasscourt Grand Slam, said it was in talks with the British government on the participation of players from Russia and Belarus.

The organisers said it planned to announce a decision in mid-May ahead of the entry deadline for the June 27-July 10 tournament. The AELTC did not immediately respond to request for comment on the report. 
A ban on Russian players would prevent world number two Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, ranked eighth, from competing in the men`s draw. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is 15th in the women`s rankings. 
The report said it was unclear whether players from Belarus would also be banned. Belarus is a key staging area for the invasion, which Russia calls a "special operation".

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dominic-thiem-loses-against-john-millman-on-return-from-injury-at-serbia-open-472254">Dominic Thiem loses against John&nbsp;Millman on return from injury at Serbia Open</a>

Tennis governing bodies banned Russia and Belarus from international team competitions following the invasion. Individual players are allowed to compete on tours but not under the name or flag of their countries. British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said last month that he would not be comfortable with a "Russian athlete flying the Russian flag" and winning Wimbledon in London.

Russian players will not be allowed to compete at Wimbledon this year due to Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine, according to a report in sports industry news site Sportico on Tuesday.

Russian players will not be allowed to compete at Wimbledon this year due to Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine, according to a report in sports industry news site Sportico on Tuesday. Earlier this month, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), which organises the grasscourt Grand Slam, said it was in talks with the British government on the participation of players from Russia and Belarus. The organisers said it planned to announce a decision in mid-May ahead of the entry deadline for the June 27-July 10 tournament. The AELTC did not immediately respond to request for comment on the report. A ban on Russian players would prevent world number two Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, ranked eighth, from competing in the men`s draw. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is 15th in the women`s rankings. The report said it was unclear whether players from Belarus would also be banned. Belarus is a key staging area for the invasion, which Russia calls a "special operation". ALSO READ | Dominic Thiem loses against John Millman on return from injury at Serbia Open Tennis governing bodies banned Russia and Belarus from international team competitions following the invasion. Individual players are allowed to compete on tours but not under the name or flag of their countries. British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said last month that he would not be comfortable with a "Russian athlete flying the Russian flag" and winning Wimbledon in London.

Russian players set to be barred from competing at Wimbledon 2022: Report

Wimbledon will be stripped of ranking points over its decision to exclude players from Russia and Belarus from competing at the 2022 Championships due to Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine, the men`s ATP Tour said on Friday.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-no-5-rafael-nadal-plays-down-chances-of-14th-french-open-crown-480771">World No. 5 Rafael Nadal plays down chances of 14th French Open crown</a>

The move by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) is the first time players have been banned on grounds of nationality since the immediate post-World War Two era when German and Japanese players were excluded.

Wimbledon will be stripped of ranking points over its decision to exclude players from Russia and Belarus from competing at the 2022 Championships due to Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine, the men`s ATP Tour said on Friday.

Wimbledon will be stripped of ranking points over its decision to exclude players from Russia and Belarus from competing at the 2022 Championships due to Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine, the men`s ATP Tour said on Friday. ALSO READ | World No. 5 Rafael Nadal plays down chances of 14th French Open crown The move by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) is the first time players have been banned on grounds of nationality since the immediate post-World War Two era when German and Japanese players were excluded.

Wimbledon loses ranking points following Russia, Belarus ban

World number two Daniil Medvedev has not given up hope of competing at Wimbledon next month even though tournament organisers have banned Russians and Belarusians from playing at the grasscourt Grand Slam due to Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine. The decision was swiftly condemned by the men`s and women`s tours and a number of players, with Rafa Nadal calling the ruling "unfair".

Over the past week, there have also been suggestions that Wimbledon could be stripped of its ranking points by the two tours if the ban remains in force - effectively reducing the world`s most famous tennis tournament to an exhibition event.

"I tried to follow what`s happening because I don`t have any decisions to make. It`s right now about Wimbledon itself, the ATP, maybe the British government is involved," the Russian, who will be returning to action in Geneva after spending the last six weeks recovering from a hernia operation, told reporters on Sunday.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-no-1-iga-swiatek-retains-italian-open-title-with-28th-straight-win-479328">World No. 1 Iga Swiatek retains Italian Open title with 28th straight win</a>

"It`s a tricky situation and like every situation in life, you ask 100 players, everybody`s going to give a different opinion. "(When) you show a tennis ball to 100 people, I`m sure some of them are going to say it`s green and not yellow. I think it`s yellow. (But) if somebody tells me it`s green, I`m not going to get in conflict with this person."

Medvedev, who lost in the Australian Open final to Rafa Nadal in January, missed the beginning of the European claycourt season as he had to skip events in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome while he recovered his fitness. The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) barred players from the two countries from competing at this year`s Wimbledon in response to what Russia calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine. Belarus has been a key staging area for the invasion.

The AELTC said it made the decision following discussions with the British government. U.S. Open champion Medvedev said he remained hopeful that the AELTC might make a late u-turn on its decision. 
"I don`t know if this decision is 100% and it`s over (for me)," he said. "If I can play, I`m going to be happy to play in Wimbledon. I love this tournament. If I cannot play -- well, I`m going to try to play other tournaments and prepare well for next year if I have the chance to play."

World number two Daniil Medvedev has not given up hope of competing at Wimbledon next month even though tournament organisers have banned Russians and Belarusians from playing at the grasscourt Grand Slam due to Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine.

World number two Daniil Medvedev has not given up hope of competing at Wimbledon next month even though tournament organisers have banned Russians and Belarusians from playing at the grasscourt Grand Slam due to Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine. The decision was swiftly condemned by the men`s and women`s tours and a number of players, with Rafa Nadal calling the ruling "unfair". Over the past week, there have also been suggestions that Wimbledon could be stripped of its ranking points by the two tours if the ban remains in force - effectively reducing the world`s most famous tennis tournament to an exhibition event. "I tried to follow what`s happening because I don`t have any decisions to make. It`s right now about Wimbledon itself, the ATP, maybe the British government is involved," the Russian, who will be returning to action in Geneva after spending the last six weeks recovering from a hernia operation, told reporters on Sunday. ALSO READ | World No. 1 Iga Swiatek retains Italian Open title with 28th straight win "It`s a tricky situation and like every situation in life, you ask 100 players, everybody`s going to give a different opinion. "(When) you show a tennis ball to 100 people, I`m sure some of them are going to say it`s green and not yellow. I think it`s yellow. (But) if somebody tells me it`s green, I`m not going to get in conflict with this person." Medvedev, who lost in the Australian Open final to Rafa Nadal in January, missed the beginning of the European claycourt season as he had to skip events in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome while he recovered his fitness. The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) barred players from the two countries from competing at this year`s Wimbledon in response to what Russia calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine. Belarus has been a key staging area for the invasion. The AELTC said it made the decision following discussions with the British government. U.S. Open champion Medvedev said he remained hopeful that the AELTC might make a late u-turn on its decision. "I don`t know if this decision is 100% and it`s over (for me)," he said. "If I can play, I`m going to be happy to play in Wimbledon. I love this tournament. If I cannot play -- well, I`m going to try to play other tournaments and prepare well for next year if I have the chance to play."

World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev still hopeful of playing in Wimbledon 2022

UK’s new top Army general General Sir Patrick Sanders has asked every soldier to prepare to fight against the Russian army in a potential World War III.

General Sanders, who took over from General Sir Mark Carleton Smith on Monday, told the British soldiers that they must prepare "to fight in Europe once again" as the conflict in Ukraine continues.

"There is now a burning imperative to forge an Army capable of fighting alongside our allies and defeating Russia in battle," Sir Patrick said.

According to&nbsp;The Sun, the warning came in his first speech since he became Chief of the General Staff this month, taking overall control of the British Army.

“We are the generation that must prepare the Army to fight in Europe once again.”

"I am the first Chief of the General Staff since 1941 to take command of the Army in the shadow of a land war in Europe involving a continental power,” General Sanders added.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underlines our core purpose — to protect the UK by being ready to fight and win wars on land.”

The remarks come at a time when General Saunders will be leading the smallest British Army in the last 300 years, after the government&nbsp;cut the force to 73,000 troops.

The 56-year-old has previously commanded on operations in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

He has also promised to accelerate plans to modernise the Army and to deploy overseas more often to respond swiftly to crises.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-chief-warns-of-russia-ukraine-conflict-could-last-for-years-pm-johnson-too-echoes-concern-489570" hreflang="en">NATO chief warns Russia-Ukraine conflict could last ‘for years’, PM Johnson also echoes concern</a>

The remarks of the British Army Chief reflect the overall sentiment of Europe in the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

UK's&nbsp;neighbours Finland and Sweden have already shed their military neutrality and are already close to clinching&nbsp;membership of the US-led NATO military alliance.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-visits-war-torn-city-of-mykolaiv-489503" hreflang="en">Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky visits war-torn city of Mykolaiv</a>

The move is expected to receive a blowback from Russia, which had started the invasion after Ukraine expressed similar interests.

(With inputs from agencies)

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UK’s new top Army general General Sir Patrick Sanders has asked every soldier to prepare to fight against the Russian army in a potential World War III. General Sanders, who took over from General Sir Mark Carleton Smith on Monday, told the British soldiers that they must prepare "to fight in Europe once again" as the conflict in Ukraine continues.

UK’s new top Army general General Sir Patrick Sanders has asked every soldier to prepare to fight against the Russian army in a potential World War III. General Sanders, who took over from General Sir Mark Carleton Smith on Monday, told the British soldiers that they must prepare "to fight in Europe once again" as the conflict in Ukraine continues. "There is now a burning imperative to forge an Army capable of fighting alongside our allies and defeating Russia in battle," Sir Patrick said. According to The Sun, the warning came in his first speech since he became Chief of the General Staff this month, taking overall control of the British Army. “We are the generation that must prepare the Army to fight in Europe once again.” "I am the first Chief of the General Staff since 1941 to take command of the Army in the shadow of a land war in Europe involving a continental power,” General Sanders added. “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underlines our core purpose — to protect the UK by being ready to fight and win wars on land.” The remarks come at a time when General Saunders will be leading the smallest British Army in the last 300 years, after the government cut the force to 73,000 troops. The 56-year-old has previously commanded on operations in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. He has also promised to accelerate plans to modernise the Army and to deploy overseas more often to respond swiftly to crises. Also read | NATO chief warns Russia-Ukraine conflict could last ‘for years’, PM Johnson also echoes concern The remarks of the British Army Chief reflect the overall sentiment of Europe in the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. UK's neighbours Finland and Sweden have already shed their military neutrality and are already close to clinching membership of the US-led NATO military alliance. Also read | Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky visits war-torn city of Mykolaiv The move is expected to receive a blowback from Russia, which had started the invasion after Ukraine expressed similar interests. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

UK’s new Army Chief asks soldiers to prepare for potential World War III

Russian&nbsp;journalist&nbsp;and Nobel Peace laureate Dmitry Muratov is auctioning his Nobel medal for Ukrainian refugees, distraught at the eradication of independent media in his country, where he says fewer and fewer people support Moscow's military campaign.

Muratov is the&nbsp;co-founder and long-time editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, a newspaper critical of the Kremlin that was itself established in 1993 with money from former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev's Nobel Peace Prize.

For years it defied tightening restrictions on dissenting media, but in March it finally suspended its online and print activities after it became a crime punishable by 15 years in jail to report anything on the conflict that veered from the government line.

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>

"My country invaded another state, Ukraine. There are now 15.5 million refugees. We thought for a long time about what we could do and we thought that everyone should give away something dear to them, important to them," Muratov told Reuters in an interview.

Auctioning his golden medal would mean he shared in some way in the fate of refugees who had lost their mementoes and "their past", he said.

"Now they want to take away their future, but we must make sure that their future is preserved the most important thing we want to say and show is that human solidarity is necessary."

Muratov's medal is being sold by Heritage Auctions on June 20, World Refugee Day, with the support of the prize committee.

It had called the award to Muratov and Maria Ressa, a&nbsp;journalist&nbsp;from the Philippines, an endorsement of the right to free speech that was in jeopardy around the world.

Muratov dedicated his prize to six Novaya Gazeta&nbsp;journalists murdered for their work, among them some of the highest-profile critics of President Vladimir Putin.

Media Clampdown

He lamented the lack of a free media, and the severity of the state's crackdown on protest.

"The absence of real freedom of speech, of real exchange of opinions, of real freedom of expression is leading to the fact that people have no choice. They just have to believe what the state propagandists tell them," he said.

"There are no free media outlets. Rallies are actually banned, including in the regions. For any statement, an administrative or criminal case is initiated.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine moves one step closer to joining the EU but full membership still to take years

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"Independent journalism is impossible in modern Russia. Content delivery is possible, for example, through the YouTube platform. It is possible to deliver some content alternative to the state view through VPN services. But this is getting more and more difficult every day."

Nevertheless, he questioned research indicating that most&nbsp;Russians support the invasion.

"When they call you on the phone ... and ask: 'Do you support the actions of President Putin?' or 'Do you support the action of the&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;army?' or 'Do you support the military operation in Ukraine?' - how does the person respond, do you think?

Muratov believes that in reality, support for the war, often shown by a display of a 'Z' from the Latin alphabet, is dwindling.

"If you walk through the streets of Moscow now, you will see that there are practically no 'Z's left on the streets."

Moscow says it sent troops into Ukraine to defuse a military threat and protect&nbsp;Russian-speakers from persecution, assertions that Kyiv and its Western allies say are a baseless pretext for an unprovoked war of acquisition.

"I see what people say to me in the streets," Muratov said. "I see what our readers are writing, and I understand that it's impossible to say Russia supports the invasion of Ukraine with one voice."

He said even the Kremlin acknowledged that 25-30% of the population that did not support the operation.

United Leadership

But Muratov said those who believed change may occur in Russia as a result of a split in the elite were mistaken.

"The powers-that-be have never been so united, never been so monolithic. People in power have nowhere to go: not Europe, not America, they are not allowed anywhere else. They are here. They are here like the crew of a submarine with no escape. And of course, they are united around the president."

He also questioned suggestions that&nbsp;Russians might turn against the authorities if their standard of living suffered from Western sanctions, saying they were more likely to evoke the 'can-do' spirit of those who survived the privations of World War Two.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-says-ukraine-will-introduce-visas-for-russians-from-july-1-489090">No more free entry: Ukraine to launch visas for Russians from July 1, says Zelensky</a>

"Russia has arrived at the point where&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;President Putin will remain in power for as long as he sees fit - as he sees, it for the good of Russia. Whether he will be president or some kind of monarch, I don't know. But the tendency towards absolutism is absolutely obvious."

Asked how much he expected the medal to raise, Muratov said he had heard forecasts of $2 million or more, but had no real idea:

"The finale will be as unexpected for me as it is for you."

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Russian journalist and Nobel Peace laureate Dmitry Muratov is auctioning his Nobel medal for Ukrainian refugees, distraught at the eradication of independent media in his country, where he says fewer and fewer people support Moscow's military campaign.

Russian journalist and Nobel Peace laureate Dmitry Muratov is auctioning his Nobel medal for Ukrainian refugees, distraught at the eradication of independent media in his country, where he says fewer and fewer people support Moscow's military campaign. Muratov is the co-founder and long-time editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, a newspaper critical of the Kremlin that was itself established in 1993 with money from former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev's Nobel Peace Prize. For years it defied tightening restrictions on dissenting media, but in March it finally suspended its online and print activities after it became a crime punishable by 15 years in jail to report anything on the conflict that veered from the government line. Also read | Russia has 'nothing against' Ukraine joining EU, says Vladimir Putin "My country invaded another state, Ukraine. There are now 15.5 million refugees. We thought for a long time about what we could do and we thought that everyone should give away something dear to them, important to them," Muratov told Reuters in an interview. Auctioning his golden medal would mean he shared in some way in the fate of refugees who had lost their mementoes and "their past", he said. "Now they want to take away their future, but we must make sure that their future is preserved the most important thing we want to say and show is that human solidarity is necessary." Muratov's medal is being sold by Heritage Auctions on June 20, World Refugee Day, with the support of the prize committee. It had called the award to Muratov and Maria Ressa, a journalist from the Philippines, an endorsement of the right to free speech that was in jeopardy around the world. Muratov dedicated his prize to six Novaya Gazeta journalists murdered for their work, among them some of the highest-profile critics of President Vladimir Putin. Media Clampdown He lamented the lack of a free media, and the severity of the state's crackdown on protest. "The absence of real freedom of speech, of real exchange of opinions, of real freedom of expression is leading to the fact that people have no choice. They just have to believe what the state propagandists tell them," he said. "There are no free media outlets. Rallies are actually banned, including in the regions. For any statement, an administrative or criminal case is initiated. Watch | Ukraine moves one step closer to joining the EU but full membership still to take years "Independent journalism is impossible in modern Russia. Content delivery is possible, for example, through the YouTube platform. It is possible to deliver some content alternative to the state view through VPN services. But this is getting more and more difficult every day." Nevertheless, he questioned research indicating that most Russians support the invasion. "When they call you on the phone ... and ask: 'Do you support the actions of President Putin?' or 'Do you support the action of the Russian army?' or 'Do you support the military operation in Ukraine?' - how does the person respond, do you think? Muratov believes that in reality, support for the war, often shown by a display of a 'Z' from the Latin alphabet, is dwindling. "If you walk through the streets of Moscow now, you will see that there are practically no 'Z's left on the streets." Moscow says it sent troops into Ukraine to defuse a military threat and protect Russian-speakers from persecution, assertions that Kyiv and its Western allies say are a baseless pretext for an unprovoked war of acquisition. "I see what people say to me in the streets," Muratov said. "I see what our readers are writing, and I understand that it's impossible to say Russia supports the invasion of Ukraine with one voice." He said even the Kremlin acknowledged that 25-30% of the population that did not support the operation. United Leadership But Muratov said those who believed change may occur in Russia as a result of a split in the elite were mistaken. "The powers-that-be have never been so united, never been so monolithic. People in power have nowhere to go: not Europe, not America, they are not allowed anywhere else. They are here. They are here like the crew of a submarine with no escape. And of course, they are united around the president." He also questioned suggestions that Russians might turn against the authorities if their standard of living suffered from Western sanctions, saying they were more likely to evoke the 'can-do' spirit of those who survived the privations of World War Two. Also read | No more free entry: Ukraine to launch visas for Russians from July 1, says Zelensky "Russia has arrived at the point where Russian President Putin will remain in power for as long as he sees fit - as he sees, it for the good of Russia. Whether he will be president or some kind of monarch, I don't know. But the tendency towards absolutism is absolutely obvious." Asked how much he expected the medal to raise, Muratov said he had heard forecasts of $2 million or more, but had no real idea: "The finale will be as unexpected for me as it is for you." 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.

Pioneering Russian journalist sells Nobel Peace medal for 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 |&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

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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.

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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

Amid all the suffering due to inflation and supply chain issues, tampon supply has been hit hard adding to the woes of the women in the menstruating age group in the United States. The war in Ukraine has further crimped supply because Russia and Ukraine are both major exporters of fertilizer, which is used to grow cotton

Women are complaining on social media about missing tampons on the shelves of the supermarkets. The issue garnered national interest this week after an article in TIME magazine called the dearth of tampons and pads the shortage “no one is talking about.”

Procter &amp; Gamble told Bloomberg that the company was "working hard to ramp up production to meet the increased demand for our products." The company owns a number of the biggest sanitary product brands in the US, including Tampax and Always.

A spokesperson for Edgewell Personal Care, which makes Playtex and o.b. tampons, said that its stocks have been "impacted due to extensive workforce shortages caused by two separate Omicron surges in the US and Canada in late 2021 and early 2022, respectively".

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-says-uk-government-not-deterred-by-criticism-of-rwanda-deportation-policy-488127">Boris Johnson says UK government 'not deterred' by criticism of Rwanda deportation policy</a>

Tampon prices are up significantly — nearly 10% from a year ago, according to Bloomberg. But an Amazon spokesperson denied rumours of price gouging, saying its policies "help ensure sellers are pricing their products competitively," and that the company actively monitors pricing and removes offers that violate its fair pricing policy.

On Monday, the US Senator for New Hampshire, Maggie Hassan, wrote to the CEO of Procter &amp; Gamble, urging the manufacturer to tackle the shortages, which she labelled "very troubling."

Hassan cited a story in Time Magazine, in which a reporter was unable to find tampons across several states, and criticized the "price gouging" of items.

(with inputs from agencies)

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Amid all the suffering due to inflation and supply chain issues, tampon supply has been hit hard adding to the woes of the women in the menstruating age group in the United States.

Amid all the suffering due to inflation and supply chain issues, tampon supply has been hit hard adding to the woes of the women in the menstruating age group in the United States. The war in Ukraine has further crimped supply because Russia and Ukraine are both major exporters of fertilizer, which is used to grow cotton Women are complaining on social media about missing tampons on the shelves of the supermarkets. The issue garnered national interest this week after an article in TIME magazine called the dearth of tampons and pads the shortage “no one is talking about.” Procter & Gamble told Bloomberg that the company was "working hard to ramp up production to meet the increased demand for our products." The company owns a number of the biggest sanitary product brands in the US, including Tampax and Always. A spokesperson for Edgewell Personal Care, which makes Playtex and o.b. tampons, said that its stocks have been "impacted due to extensive workforce shortages caused by two separate Omicron surges in the US and Canada in late 2021 and early 2022, respectively". Also Read: Boris Johnson says UK government 'not deterred' by criticism of Rwanda deportation policy Tampon prices are up significantly — nearly 10% from a year ago, according to Bloomberg. But an Amazon spokesperson denied rumours of price gouging, saying its policies "help ensure sellers are pricing their products competitively," and that the company actively monitors pricing and removes offers that violate its fair pricing policy. On Monday, the US Senator for New Hampshire, Maggie Hassan, wrote to the CEO of Procter & Gamble, urging the manufacturer to tackle the shortages, which she labelled "very troubling." Hassan cited a story in Time Magazine, in which a reporter was unable to find tampons across several states, and criticized the "price gouging" of items. (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.

Is United States actually facing tampon shortage crisis?

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky made it clear that he believes that his country will prevail in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has already crossed 100 days and a large number of territories are currently under the control of Russian military. However, in a video address to the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Zelensky said that Ukraine will keep resisting the Russian forces and insisted that ‘future rules of this world’ will depend on this war.

“We are definitely going to prevail in this war that Russia has started. It is on the battlefields in Ukraine that the future rules of this world are being decided,” Zelensky said during his address.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ursula-von-der-leyen-visits-ukraine-to-discuss-its-bid-to-get-eu-candidacy-status-487183">Leyen says EU will finalise advice 'next week' on Ukraine's hopes to join bloc</a>

Zelensky also urged the international force to pressurise Russia in ending the naval blockade of the Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea. The blockage has resulted in the wastage of a huge amount of food grains and the break in supply chain has caused major damage to economies all around the world.

“If due to Russian blockades, we are unable to export our foodstuffs, which is so sorely missing in global markets, the world will face an acute and severe food crisis and famine – famine in many countries of Asia and Africa,” Zelensky said while addressing the participating nations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-russian-passports-handed-out-to-ukrainians-in-kherson-region-report-487234" hreflang="en">First Russian passports handed out to Ukrainians in Kherson region: Report</a>

Earlier, Britain’s Defence Ministry said that Sievierodonetsk experienced “intense street to street fighting” as Russian forces asked them to cede control. The Luhansk region, where the city lies, is already under Russian control along with parts of the neighbouring Donetsk region.

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(With inputs from agencies)

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky made it clear that he believes that his country will prevail in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has already crossed 100 days and a large number of territories are currently under the control of Russian military.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky made it clear that he believes that his country will prevail in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has already crossed 100 days and a large number of territories are currently under the control of Russian military. However, in a video address to the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Zelensky said that Ukraine will keep resisting the Russian forces and insisted that ‘future rules of this world’ will depend on this war. “We are definitely going to prevail in this war that Russia has started. It is on the battlefields in Ukraine that the future rules of this world are being decided,” Zelensky said during his address. Also read | Leyen says EU will finalise advice 'next week' on Ukraine's hopes to join bloc Zelensky also urged the international force to pressurise Russia in ending the naval blockade of the Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea. The blockage has resulted in the wastage of a huge amount of food grains and the break in supply chain has caused major damage to economies all around the world. “If due to Russian blockades, we are unable to export our foodstuffs, which is so sorely missing in global markets, the world will face an acute and severe food crisis and famine – famine in many countries of Asia and Africa,” Zelensky said while addressing the participating nations. Also read | First Russian passports handed out to Ukrainians in Kherson region: Report Earlier, Britain’s Defence Ministry said that Sievierodonetsk experienced “intense street to street fighting” as Russian forces asked them to cede control. The Luhansk region, where the city lies, is already under Russian control along with parts of the neighbouring Donetsk region. 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. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine 'will prevail' over Russia with global support, says Volodymyr Zelensky

On 24 February 2022, when Russia launched its assault on Ukraine many assumed it would be more of shock &amp; awe. The much superior Russian military would soon overpower its much weaker neighbour. But four months on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-war-a-timeline-of-100-days-of-fighting-that-killed-thousands-of-civilians-484629#february-24-russia-invades-ukraine-484612">battle rages on.</a> There are no clear winners. Both Moscow &amp; Kyiv keep making claims &amp; counterclaims of having the upper hand. But in the fog of war, nothing can be seen clearly.

<a href="https://twitter.com/ruslanbortnik?lang=en">Ruslan Bortnik</a> Director of the Ukrainian Institute of politics, from Kyiv, told Wion that 'Russia was unable to use the effect of surprise and the most prepared part of its army to achieve a quick surrender of Ukraine. But strategically, the Ukrainian state, the economy and the armed forces suffered a lot of damage, which will definitely have a negative impact on Ukrainian opportunities in the future.'

In an op-ed Joe Biden, President of the United States, said, 'the Ukrainian people surprised Russia and inspired the world with their sacrifice, grit and battlefield success.' Something even the Kremlin won't disagree in private. But the war has caused great pain like any other conflict. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are killed; millions more have been forced out of their homes. The incessant Russian assault has reduced entire cities to rubble.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-turns-off-two-surveillance-cameras-belonging-to-un-nuclear-watchdog-report-486301">Iran turns off two UN nuclear watchdog surveillance cameras: Report</a>

The theatre of battle has now shifted east to the Donbas region. In eastern Ukraine, Russian forces have been making slow but steady advances after being beaten back from other parts of the country, including Kyiv. With a see-saw battle for control of the strategically important city of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-advances-on-severodonetsk-forces-fight-on-streets-484280">Severodonetsk raging on</a>, regional governor Sergiy Gaiday said that his country's forces now control “half of the city”. If the claims are true then it would be a great tactical advantage as the Ukrainian troops were on the verge of being driven out of the key cities. Severodonetsk -- the largest city still in Ukrainian hands in the Lugansk region of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-says-war-in-donbas-region-at-maximum-intensity-482459">Donbas region</a> -- has been a focal point in recent weeks.

The United States last week announced it would give Kyiv its high mobility artillery rocket system, known as HIMARS, which can simultaneously launch multiple precision-guided missiles &amp; is superior in range &amp; precision to existing systems Ukraine has. It is the latest in a long list of weaponry sent or pledged to the pro-Western country. The U.S. move prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to warn on Sunday that Moscow will strike new unspecified "targets" if the West supplies the missiles to Ukraine &amp; said new arms deliveries to Kyiv were aimed at "prolonging the conflict"

Boris Volkhonsky, Associate Professor, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University told Wion, ‘If the West persists in its strategy of fighting Russia up to the last Ukrainian &amp; goes on supplying heavy armaments to what is left of Ukraine, this may mean a much longer process &amp; much greater number of casualties – both military and civilian. The sooner the West realises the futility of such attempts, the better.’

With the conflict raging on countries like <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-votes-overwhelmingly-in-favour-of-supplying-heavy-weapons-to-ukraine-amid-ongoing-conflict-474643">Germany</a> which were reluctant initially, have now pledged arms &amp; ammunition to Ukraine. In the latest, the UK Ministry of Defence said it has coordinated closely with Washington over its gift of the multiple-launch rocket systems, known <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-us-now-britain-to-send-multiple-launch-rocket-systems-to-ukraine-485401">as MLRS, to help Ukraine</a> defend itself against Russian aggression. The M270 launchers, which can strike targets up to 80 kilometres away with precision-guided rockets, will "offer a significant boost in capability for the Ukrainian forces," the ministry added. London has so far offered more than $937 million in military support to Ukraine. This includes air defence systems, thousands of anti-tank missiles &amp; various types of munitions, hundreds of armoured vehicles &amp; other equipment.

The NATO allies continue to stress that these weapons are defensive in nature and won’t be used to strike inside the Russian territory. But Moscow isn’t convinced. Over the last four months, as the battle intensifies, the U.S. &amp; its European allies have pumped in more advanced &amp; deadlier weapons to Kyiv. Russian forces meanwhile have claimed to have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-claims-destruction-of-large-batch-of-western-supplied-weapons-in-missile-strike-in-ukraine-474303">destroyed multiple batches of western weapons</a> meant for Ukrainian forces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-to-provide-elon-musk-with-complete-data-on-fake-users-says-report-486349" hreflang="en">Twitter to provide Elon Musk with complete data on fake users, says report</a>

So how is this conflict going to end? Well, Ruslan Bortnik told Wion, 'The war in Ukraine will end only when one of the participants in the war wins or all sides of the war are convinced of the impossibility of victory. At the same time, one must understand that the Ukrainian-Russian war is only part of the global confrontation between the United States &amp; its allies and Russia and its allies for the right &amp; rules to determine the new world order. This is how this war is perceived by all global states.'

Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine along with the crippling sanctions on Russia has disrupted supplies of fertiliser, wheat &amp; other commodities from both countries, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-could-cause-mass-hunger-and-famine-due-to-food-insecurity-un-warns-480297">pushing up prices for food</a> &amp; fuel, especially in developing nations. Ships loaded with grain remain blocked in Ukraine, which before February was a leading exporter of corn &amp; wheat &amp; alone accounted for 50% of world trade in sunflower seeds &amp; oil. &nbsp;Putin has said Moscow is ready to look for ways to ship grain blocked in Ukrainian ports but has demanded the West lift sanctions.

Clearly, as the war rages on in Ukraine, it also compounds the problems around the world. The global economy was slowly coming out of the pandemic induced slowdown but the biggest military conflict in Europe in decades has added to the economic woes. This is continuously pushing up food &amp; fuel prices around the globe.

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On 24 February 2022, when Russia launched its assault on Ukraine many assumed it would be more of shock & awe. The much superior Russian military would soon overpower its much weaker neighbour.

On 24 February 2022, when Russia launched its assault on Ukraine many assumed it would be more of shock & awe. The much superior Russian military would soon overpower its much weaker neighbour. But four months on the battle rages on. There are no clear winners. Both Moscow & Kyiv keep making claims & counterclaims of having the upper hand. But in the fog of war, nothing can be seen clearly. Ruslan Bortnik Director of the Ukrainian Institute of politics, from Kyiv, told Wion that 'Russia was unable to use the effect of surprise and the most prepared part of its army to achieve a quick surrender of Ukraine. But strategically, the Ukrainian state, the economy and the armed forces suffered a lot of damage, which will definitely have a negative impact on Ukrainian opportunities in the future.' In an op-ed Joe Biden, President of the United States, said, 'the Ukrainian people surprised Russia and inspired the world with their sacrifice, grit and battlefield success.' Something even the Kremlin won't disagree in private. But the war has caused great pain like any other conflict. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are killed; millions more have been forced out of their homes. The incessant Russian assault has reduced entire cities to rubble. Also read | Iran turns off two UN nuclear watchdog surveillance cameras: Report The theatre of battle has now shifted east to the Donbas region. In eastern Ukraine, Russian forces have been making slow but steady advances after being beaten back from other parts of the country, including Kyiv. With a see-saw battle for control of the strategically important city of Severodonetsk raging on, regional governor Sergiy Gaiday said that his country's forces now control “half of the city”. If the claims are true then it would be a great tactical advantage as the Ukrainian troops were on the verge of being driven out of the key cities. Severodonetsk -- the largest city still in Ukrainian hands in the Lugansk region of the Donbas region -- has been a focal point in recent weeks. The United States last week announced it would give Kyiv its high mobility artillery rocket system, known as HIMARS, which can simultaneously launch multiple precision-guided missiles & is superior in range & precision to existing systems Ukraine has. It is the latest in a long list of weaponry sent or pledged to the pro-Western country. The U.S. move prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to warn on Sunday that Moscow will strike new unspecified "targets" if the West supplies the missiles to Ukraine & said new arms deliveries to Kyiv were aimed at "prolonging the conflict" Boris Volkhonsky, Associate Professor, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University told Wion, ‘If the West persists in its strategy of fighting Russia up to the last Ukrainian & goes on supplying heavy armaments to what is left of Ukraine, this may mean a much longer process & much greater number of casualties – both military and civilian. The sooner the West realises the futility of such attempts, the better.’ With the conflict raging on countries like Germany which were reluctant initially, have now pledged arms & ammunition to Ukraine. In the latest, the UK Ministry of Defence said it has coordinated closely with Washington over its gift of the multiple-launch rocket systems, known as MLRS, to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression. The M270 launchers, which can strike targets up to 80 kilometres away with precision-guided rockets, will "offer a significant boost in capability for the Ukrainian forces," the ministry added. London has so far offered more than $937 million in military support to Ukraine. This includes air defence systems, thousands of anti-tank missiles & various types of munitions, hundreds of armoured vehicles & other equipment. The NATO allies continue to stress that these weapons are defensive in nature and won’t be used to strike inside the Russian territory. But Moscow isn’t convinced. Over the last four months, as the battle intensifies, the U.S. & its European allies have pumped in more advanced & deadlier weapons to Kyiv. Russian forces meanwhile have claimed to have destroyed multiple batches of western weapons meant for Ukrainian forces. Also read | Twitter to provide Elon Musk with complete data on fake users, says report So how is this conflict going to end? Well, Ruslan Bortnik told Wion, 'The war in Ukraine will end only when one of the participants in the war wins or all sides of the war are convinced of the impossibility of victory. At the same time, one must understand that the Ukrainian-Russian war is only part of the global confrontation between the United States & its allies and Russia and its allies for the right & rules to determine the new world order. This is how this war is perceived by all global states.' Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine along with the crippling sanctions on Russia has disrupted supplies of fertiliser, wheat & other commodities from both countries, pushing up prices for food & fuel, especially in developing nations. Ships loaded with grain remain blocked in Ukraine, which before February was a leading exporter of corn & wheat & alone accounted for 50% of world trade in sunflower seeds & oil. Putin has said Moscow is ready to look for ways to ship grain blocked in Ukrainian ports but has demanded the West lift sanctions. Clearly, as the war rages on in Ukraine, it also compounds the problems around the world. The global economy was slowly coming out of the pandemic induced slowdown but the biggest military conflict in Europe in decades has added to the economic woes. This is continuously pushing up food & fuel prices around the globe. 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.

Who is winning the Ukraine war?

Even as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson struggles to find supporters in his country in the wake of lockdown party scandals, the Conservative leader seems to have an admirer across the border in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv city where a bakery has created and named a pastry in honour of Johnson and his unruly hairdo.

Cafe Zaertailo said they came up with the fabulous pastry as they were “inspired by the English apple pie and the charming haircut of Boris Johnson.”

“Boris Johnson is not just a prime minister but is also now a croissant,” announced Cafe Zaertailo on Instagram Monday, June 6.

The café added that this dish “dedicated to our British friends in tribute for their support in the war against Russia.”

The pastry is described as “a croissant pastry crust, with custard vans, baked apples, Italian meringue and the final touch – a vat of old school ice cream on gumballs. And a charismatic croissant!”

The cake, which costs 97 hryvnias (3 euros), has caught the attention of many online followers, with one commenting, “Now Boris Johnson just has to come to visit you for a croissant.”

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Another follower echoed said, “Boris is just simply obliged to come and try one of your croissants”.

The Telegraph newspaper reported that the popular pastry had already sold out.0

Notably, the cake naming is not the first time that Johnson praise by Ukrainians. In April, a small town near Odesa in southern Ukraine decided to rename one of its roads after him, reports the Independent.

The admiration of the UK PM stems from the fact that UK has helped Ukraine in war against Russia by supplying weapons for its soldiers. The Ukrainian armed forces have been posting videos on their social media channels describing the success they received after using these weapons.

Meanwhile, Johnson secured a narrow win in a no-confidence vote&nbsp;on Monday over revelations that he and his staff held parties that broke the COVID-19 lockdown rules their government imposed across the UK.

(With inputs from agencies)

Even as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson struggles to find supporters in his country in the wake of lockdown party scandals, the Conservative leader seems to have an admirer across the border in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv city where a bakery has created and named a pastry in honour of Johnson and his unruly hairdo.

Even as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson struggles to find supporters in his country in the wake of lockdown party scandals, the Conservative leader seems to have an admirer across the border in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv city where a bakery has created and named a pastry in honour of Johnson and his unruly hairdo. Cafe Zaertailo said they came up with the fabulous pastry as they were “inspired by the English apple pie and the charming haircut of Boris Johnson.” “Boris Johnson is not just a prime minister but is also now a croissant,” announced Cafe Zaertailo on Instagram Monday, June 6. The café added that this dish “dedicated to our British friends in tribute for their support in the war against Russia.” The pastry is described as “a croissant pastry crust, with custard vans, baked apples, Italian meringue and the final touch – a vat of old school ice cream on gumballs. And a charismatic croissant!” The cake, which costs 97 hryvnias (3 euros), has caught the attention of many online followers, with one commenting, “Now Boris Johnson just has to come to visit you for a croissant.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Завертайло. (@zavertailo.kyiv) × Another follower echoed said, “Boris is just simply obliged to come and try one of your croissants”. The Telegraph newspaper reported that the popular pastry had already sold out.0 Notably, the cake naming is not the first time that Johnson praise by Ukrainians. In April, a small town near Odesa in southern Ukraine decided to rename one of its roads after him, reports the Independent. The admiration of the UK PM stems from the fact that UK has helped Ukraine in war against Russia by supplying weapons for its soldiers. The Ukrainian armed forces have been posting videos on their social media channels describing the success they received after using these weapons. Meanwhile, Johnson secured a narrow win in a no-confidence vote on Monday over revelations that he and his staff held parties that broke the COVID-19 lockdown rules their government imposed across the UK. (With inputs from agencies)

Kyiv bakery names cake after UK PM Boris Johnson in honour of his unruly hair

The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has dealt&nbsp;a major blow to the world economy and the resulting food crisis and damage to the supply chain has also deeply impacted its growth. The adverse impact of the ongoing invasion was clear once again on Wednesday as the World Bank cut its global growth forecast by 1.2 percentage points down to 2.9% for 2022. According to the report published by the institution, this was a result of both the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic that was detrimental to a lot of economies around the world.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-lot-of-happy-tears-cancer-disappears-in-every-patient-in-a-small-drug-trial-485905">'Lot of happy tears': Cancer disappears in every patient in a small drug trial</a>

The Global Economic Prospects report stated that the world economy was already struggling from the aftermath of the pandemic and with the Russian invasion making things worse, the global economy is currently headed towards “a protracted period of feeble growth and elevated inflation”.

“The danger of stagflation is considerable today. Subdued growth will likely persist throughout the decade because of weak investment in most of the world. With inflation now running at multi-decade highs in many countries and supply expected to grow slowly, there is a risk that inflation will remain higher for longer,” World Bank President David Malpass wrote in the report.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-walks-out-of-security-council-meeting-after-eu-blames-kremlin-for-looming-food-crisis-485958" hreflang="en">Russia walks out of Security Council meeting after EU blames Kremlin for looming food crisis</a>

This is the worst growth rate seen in the global economy since the 1970s and by 2024, the pace of global growth is projected to slow by 2.7 percentage points – two times the rate in the late 1970s.

The only winners in the current situation are predicted to be the commodity exporters who can take advantage of the high energy prices, according to the report by the World Bank.

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The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has dealt a major blow to the world economy and the resulting food crisis and damage to the supply chain has also deeply impacted its growth.

The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine has dealt a major blow to the world economy and the resulting food crisis and damage to the supply chain has also deeply impacted its growth. The adverse impact of the ongoing invasion was clear once again on Wednesday as the World Bank cut its global growth forecast by 1.2 percentage points down to 2.9% for 2022. According to the report published by the institution, this was a result of both the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic that was detrimental to a lot of economies around the world. Also read | 'Lot of happy tears': Cancer disappears in every patient in a small drug trial The Global Economic Prospects report stated that the world economy was already struggling from the aftermath of the pandemic and with the Russian invasion making things worse, the global economy is currently headed towards “a protracted period of feeble growth and elevated inflation”. “The danger of stagflation is considerable today. Subdued growth will likely persist throughout the decade because of weak investment in most of the world. With inflation now running at multi-decade highs in many countries and supply expected to grow slowly, there is a risk that inflation will remain higher for longer,” World Bank President David Malpass wrote in the report. Also read | Russia walks out of Security Council meeting after EU blames Kremlin for looming food crisis This is the worst growth rate seen in the global economy since the 1970s and by 2024, the pace of global growth is projected to slow by 2.7 percentage points – two times the rate in the late 1970s. The only winners in the current situation are predicted to be the commodity exporters who can take advantage of the high energy prices, according to the report by the World Bank. 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.

World Bank lowers 2022 global growth forecast to 2.9% from 4.1% in January

Slamming the US for its decision to send rocket systems and other sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, Russia has warned that it could widen the conflict and increase the risk of direct confrontation with Washington.

On Wednesday, the US unveiled a new $700 million package of arms and ammunition for Ukraine in a bid to prevent Russia from seizing the final swaths of land in the Donbas region. Among the arms that have been promised to send to Kyiv is High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a multiple rocket launcher system.

The US officials had said that the systems being sent to Ukraine will allow them to launch rockets about 49 miles—far less than the systems’ maximum range but greater than anything Kyiv has been sent to date, reports CNN.

According to Reuters, Reacting sharply to the move, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “We believe that the United States is purposefully and diligently adding fuel to the fire.”

Asked later if the US move increased the chances of a third country becoming involved in the conflict, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, "Such risks certainly exist."

He told a news conference in Saudi Arabia, "It is a direct provocation (by Ukraine), aimed at involving the West in military action."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antony-blinken-expects-many-months-of-russia-ukraine-conflict-484243" hreflang="en">Antony Blinken expects 'many months' of Russia-Ukraine war</a>

However, US claimed that they were given assurances by Ukraine that the weapons systems provided by Washington won’t be used “against targets on Russian territory.”

Appearing at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “There is a strong trust bond between Ukraine and the United States, as well as with our allies and partners."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-advances-on-severodonetsk-forces-fight-on-streets-484280" hreflang="en">Russia advances on Severodonetsk, troops fight in streets</a>

But Russian Deputy Prime Minister Peskov said Moscow did not trust such assurances. He said it was assessing the risk of rockets being fired into Russian territory and was taking appropriate measures, but that it viewed Washington's step "extremely negatively."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Slamming the US for its decision to send rocket systems and other sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, Russia has warned that it could widen the conflict and increase the risk of direct confrontation with Washington.

Slamming the US for its decision to send rocket systems and other sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, Russia has warned that it could widen the conflict and increase the risk of direct confrontation with Washington. On Wednesday, the US unveiled a new $700 million package of arms and ammunition for Ukraine in a bid to prevent Russia from seizing the final swaths of land in the Donbas region. Among the arms that have been promised to send to Kyiv is High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a multiple rocket launcher system. The US officials had said that the systems being sent to Ukraine will allow them to launch rockets about 49 miles—far less than the systems’ maximum range but greater than anything Kyiv has been sent to date, reports CNN. According to Reuters, Reacting sharply to the move, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “We believe that the United States is purposefully and diligently adding fuel to the fire.” Asked later if the US move increased the chances of a third country becoming involved in the conflict, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, "Such risks certainly exist." He told a news conference in Saudi Arabia, "It is a direct provocation (by Ukraine), aimed at involving the West in military action." Also read | Antony Blinken expects 'many months' of Russia-Ukraine war However, US claimed that they were given assurances by Ukraine that the weapons systems provided by Washington won’t be used “against targets on Russian territory.” Appearing at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “There is a strong trust bond between Ukraine and the United States, as well as with our allies and partners." Also read | Russia advances on Severodonetsk, troops fight in streets But Russian Deputy Prime Minister Peskov said Moscow did not trust such assurances. He said it was assessing the risk of rockets being fired into Russian territory and was taking appropriate measures, but that it viewed Washington's step "extremely negatively." (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.

Russia says US sending rocket systems to Ukraine will increase risk of direct confrontation

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine entered its 100th day on Thursday and there seems to be no solution in sight right now. The Russian forces have been attacking Ukrainian cities on multiple fronts but an impressive resistance from the local army and citizens have seen the aggressors face massive setbacks during the invasion. However, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the Russian military forces currently control around 20 per cent of Ukraine’s territory but added that “Ukrainian defence forces have liberated 1,017 localities till now”.

“Russian troops invaded 3,620 populated localities of Ukraine. 1,017 of them have already been liberated, another 2,603 need to be liberated. As of today, about 20 per cent of our territory is controlled by the occupiers, almost 125,000 square km. It is much more than the area of all Benelux countries combined,” Zelensky said in his address to politicians and the people of Luxembourg according to AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suicide-by-firearms-among-youth-in-the-united-states-highest-in-20-years-report-484444">Suicide by firearms among youth&nbsp;in the US highest in 20 years: Report</a>

During the address, Zelensky also said that the invasion started eight years ago when Russia started attacking parts of Ukraine and between 2014 and 2022, they ended up controlling around 43,000 square km of Ukraine’s territory.

The captured Ukrainian areas included Crimea and a major chunk of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-sarmat-missiles-can-destroy-us-coast-claims-russian-lawmaker-484411">Two Sarmat missiles can destroy US coast, claims Russian lawmaker</a>

The AFP report also stated that Zelensky pointed out during the speech that around 300,000 square km of Ukraine’s territory were filled with mines since the invasion started – something that can contaminate the soil of the country for years to come.

&nbsp;“Moreover, 12 million Ukrainians have become internally displaced persons and more than 5 million, mostly women and children, have left the country,” he added.

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(With inputs from agencies)

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine entered its 100th day on Thursday and there seems to be no solution in sight right now. The Russian forces have been attacking Ukrainian cities on multiple fronts but an impressive resistance from the local army and citizens have seen the aggressors face massive setbacks during the invasion.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine entered its 100th day on Thursday and there seems to be no solution in sight right now. The Russian forces have been attacking Ukrainian cities on multiple fronts but an impressive resistance from the local army and citizens have seen the aggressors face massive setbacks during the invasion. However, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the Russian military forces currently control around 20 per cent of Ukraine’s territory but added that “Ukrainian defence forces have liberated 1,017 localities till now”. “Russian troops invaded 3,620 populated localities of Ukraine. 1,017 of them have already been liberated, another 2,603 need to be liberated. As of today, about 20 per cent of our territory is controlled by the occupiers, almost 125,000 square km. It is much more than the area of all Benelux countries combined,” Zelensky said in his address to politicians and the people of Luxembourg according to AFP. Also read | Suicide by firearms among youth in the US highest in 20 years: Report During the address, Zelensky also said that the invasion started eight years ago when Russia started attacking parts of Ukraine and between 2014 and 2022, they ended up controlling around 43,000 square km of Ukraine’s territory. The captured Ukrainian areas included Crimea and a major chunk of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Also read | Two Sarmat missiles can destroy US coast, claims Russian lawmaker The AFP report also stated that Zelensky pointed out during the speech that around 300,000 square km of Ukraine’s territory were filled with mines since the invasion started – something that can contaminate the soil of the country for years to come. “Moreover, 12 million Ukrainians have become internally displaced persons and more than 5 million, mostly women and children, have left the country,” he added. 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. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia controls 'about 20 per cent' of Ukraine, says president Volodymyr Zelensky

THE U.S. WILL HELP UKRAINE BE IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE POSITION AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. WE DO NOT WANT TO PROLONG THE WAR JUST TO INFLICT PAIN ON RUSSIA.

The invasion Vladimir Putin thought would last days is now in its fourth month. The Ukrainian people surprised Russia and inspired the world with their sacrifice, grit and battlefield success. The free world and many other nations, led by the United States, rallied to Ukraine’s side with unprecedented military, humanitarian and financial support.

As the war goes on, I want to be clear about the aims of the United States in these efforts.

America’s goal is straightforward: We want to see a democratic, independent, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine with the means to deter and defend itself against further aggression.

As President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has said, ultimately this war “will only definitively end through diplomacy.” Every negotiation reflects the facts on the ground. We have moved quickly to send Ukraine a significant amount of weaponry and ammunition so it can fight on the battlefield and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table.

That’s why I’ve decided that we will provide the Ukrainians with more advanced rocket systems and munitions that will enable them to more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield in Ukraine.

We will continue cooperating with our allies and partners on Russian sanctions, the toughest ever imposed on a major economy. We will continue providing Ukraine with advanced weaponry, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger antiaircraft missiles, powerful artillery and precision rocket systems, radars, unmanned aerial vehicles, Mi-17 helicopters and ammunition. We will also send&nbsp;billions more in financial assistance, as authorized by Congress. We will work with our allies and partners to address the global food crisis that Russia’s aggression is worsening. And we will help our European allies and others reduce their dependence on Russian fossil fuels, and speed our transition to a clean energy future.

We will also continue reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank with forces and capabilities from the United States and other allies. And just recently, I welcomed Finland’s and Sweden’s applications to join NATO, a move that will strengthen overall U.S. and trans-Atlantic security by adding two democratic and highly capable military partners.

We do not seek a war between NATO and Russia. As much as I disagree with Mr. Putin, and find his actions an outrage, the United States will not try to bring about his ouster in Moscow. So long as the United States or our allies are not attacked, we will not be directly engaged in this conflict, either by sending American troops to fight in Ukraine or by attacking Russian forces. We are not encouraging or enabling Ukraine to strike beyond its borders. We do not want to prolong the war just to inflict pain on Russia.

My principle throughout this crisis has been “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” I will not pressure the Ukrainian government — in private or public — to make any territorial concessions. It would be wrong and contrary to well-settled principles to do so.

Ukraine’s talks with Russia are not stalled because Ukraine has turned its back on diplomacy. They are stalled because Russia continues to wage a war to take control of as much of Ukraine as it can. The United States will continue to work to strengthen Ukraine and support its efforts to achieve a negotiated end to the conflict.

Unprovoked aggression, the bombing of maternity hospitals and centers of culture, and the forced displacement of millions of people makes the war in Ukraine a profound moral issue. I met with Ukrainian refugees in Poland — women and children who were unsure what their lives would be, and whether the loved ones who stayed behind in Ukraine would be OK. No person of conscience could be unmoved by the devastation of these horrors.

Standing by Ukraine in its hour of need is not just the right thing to do. It is in our vital national interests to ensure a peaceful and stable Europe and to make it clear that might does not make right. If Russia does not pay a heavy price for its actions, it will send a message to other would-be aggressors that they too can seize territory and subjugate other countries. It will put the survival of other peaceful democracies at risk. And it could mark the end of the rules-based international order and open the door to aggression elsewhere, with catastrophic consequences the world over.

I know many people around the world are concerned about the use of nuclear weapons. We currently see no indication that Russia has intent to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, though Russia’s occasional rhetoric to rattle the nuclear saber is itself dangerous and extremely irresponsible. Let me be clear: Any use of nuclear weapons in this conflict on any scale would be completely unacceptable to us as well as the rest of the world and would entail severe consequences.

Americans will stay the course with the Ukrainian people because we understand that freedom is not free. That’s what we have always done whenever the enemies of freedom seek to bully and oppress innocent people, and it is what we are doing now. Vladimir Putin did not expect this degree of unity or the strength of our response. He was mistaken. If he expects that we will waver or fracture in the months to come, he is equally mistaken.

THE U.S. WILL HELP UKRAINE BE IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE POSITION AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. WE DO NOT WANT TO PROLONG THE WAR JUST TO INFLICT PAIN ON RUSSIA. The invasion Vladimir Putin thought would last days is now in its fourth month.

THE U.S. WILL HELP UKRAINE BE IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE POSITION AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. WE DO NOT WANT TO PROLONG THE WAR JUST TO INFLICT PAIN ON RUSSIA. The invasion Vladimir Putin thought would last days is now in its fourth month. The Ukrainian people surprised Russia and inspired the world with their sacrifice, grit and battlefield success. The free world and many other nations, led by the United States, rallied to Ukraine’s side with unprecedented military, humanitarian and financial support. As the war goes on, I want to be clear about the aims of the United States in these efforts. America’s goal is straightforward: We want to see a democratic, independent, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine with the means to deter and defend itself against further aggression. As President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has said, ultimately this war “will only definitively end through diplomacy.” Every negotiation reflects the facts on the ground. We have moved quickly to send Ukraine a significant amount of weaponry and ammunition so it can fight on the battlefield and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table. That’s why I’ve decided that we will provide the Ukrainians with more advanced rocket systems and munitions that will enable them to more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield in Ukraine. We will continue cooperating with our allies and partners on Russian sanctions, the toughest ever imposed on a major economy. We will continue providing Ukraine with advanced weaponry, including Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger antiaircraft missiles, powerful artillery and precision rocket systems, radars, unmanned aerial vehicles, Mi-17 helicopters and ammunition. We will also send billions more in financial assistance, as authorized by Congress. We will work with our allies and partners to address the global food crisis that Russia’s aggression is worsening. And we will help our European allies and others reduce their dependence on Russian fossil fuels, and speed our transition to a clean energy future. We will also continue reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank with forces and capabilities from the United States and other allies. And just recently, I welcomed Finland’s and Sweden’s applications to join NATO, a move that will strengthen overall U.S. and trans-Atlantic security by adding two democratic and highly capable military partners. We do not seek a war between NATO and Russia. As much as I disagree with Mr. Putin, and find his actions an outrage, the United States will not try to bring about his ouster in Moscow. So long as the United States or our allies are not attacked, we will not be directly engaged in this conflict, either by sending American troops to fight in Ukraine or by attacking Russian forces. We are not encouraging or enabling Ukraine to strike beyond its borders. We do not want to prolong the war just to inflict pain on Russia. My principle throughout this crisis has been “Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.” I will not pressure the Ukrainian government — in private or public — to make any territorial concessions. It would be wrong and contrary to well-settled principles to do so. Ukraine’s talks with Russia are not stalled because Ukraine has turned its back on diplomacy. They are stalled because Russia continues to wage a war to take control of as much of Ukraine as it can. The United States will continue to work to strengthen Ukraine and support its efforts to achieve a negotiated end to the conflict. Unprovoked aggression, the bombing of maternity hospitals and centers of culture, and the forced displacement of millions of people makes the war in Ukraine a profound moral issue. I met with Ukrainian refugees in Poland — women and children who were unsure what their lives would be, and whether the loved ones who stayed behind in Ukraine would be OK. No person of conscience could be unmoved by the devastation of these horrors. Standing by Ukraine in its hour of need is not just the right thing to do. It is in our vital national interests to ensure a peaceful and stable Europe and to make it clear that might does not make right. If Russia does not pay a heavy price for its actions, it will send a message to other would-be aggressors that they too can seize territory and subjugate other countries. It will put the survival of other peaceful democracies at risk. And it could mark the end of the rules-based international order and open the door to aggression elsewhere, with catastrophic consequences the world over. I know many people around the world are concerned about the use of nuclear weapons. We currently see no indication that Russia has intent to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, though Russia’s occasional rhetoric to rattle the nuclear saber is itself dangerous and extremely irresponsible. Let me be clear: Any use of nuclear weapons in this conflict on any scale would be completely unacceptable to us as well as the rest of the world and would entail severe consequences. Americans will stay the course with the Ukrainian people because we understand that freedom is not free. That’s what we have always done whenever the enemies of freedom seek to bully and oppress innocent people, and it is what we are doing now. Vladimir Putin did not expect this degree of unity or the strength of our response. He was mistaken. If he expects that we will waver or fracture in the months to come, he is equally mistaken.

President Biden: What America will and will not do in Ukraine

Russian troops are driving mobile propaganda vans with large-screen televisions at the captured Mariupol city of Ukraine in a bid to change their perception of the war and Moscow. Videos shared by the TASS news agency showed the vans, dubbed “mobile information complexes”, playing state TV news segments and political chat shows where experts speak highly of the invasion in a city which lacks electricity and running water and has been one of the victims of the worst shelling of the Ukraine war, which began on February 24. Three mobile complexes for informing the population are deployed in Mariupol, reported TASS.

"They broadcast news from federal and republican TV channels, provide background information to residents and show cartoons to children."

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russians display propaganda from a van. Three such "propaganda vehicles" are driving around <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mariupol?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mariupol</a> in an attempt to persuade people that their lives are being improved. Nevermind that a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding 
Source: advisor to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mariupol?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mariupol</a> town mayor <a href="https://t.co/jyOt6ugVcU">pic.twitter.com/jyOt6ugVcU</a>
— Olena Halushka (@OlenaHalushka) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlenaHalushka/status/1529771860497420288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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According to the Guardian, these mobile screen vans have been deployed to places where Mariupol residents are receiving humanitarian aid, Russian documents, and at points in the city where drinking water is available.

“The practice of ‘there is nothing to eat, so feed them lies’ is gaining momentum,” wrote Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian mayor of Mariupol.

He called it “cynicism of the highest level”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-says-war-in-donbas-region-at-maximum-intensity-482459" hreflang="en">Ukraine says war in Donbas region at 'maximum intensity'</a>

The press service of Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations told TASS that the vans were deployed in the city because, for nearly three months, the "residents of Mariupol were in an information vacuum due to a lack of power supply."

Such an Orwellian move by Russia is an attempt to pacify and integrate captured cities like Mariupol despite earlier assurances by Vladimir Putin that Russia did not seek to occupy new territory in Ukraine, The Guardian reports.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-vladimir-putin-will-not-win-ukraine-war-says-german-chancellor-olaf-scholz-482403" hreflang="en">Vladimir Putin will not win' Ukraine war, says German Chancellor Olaf Scholz</a>

It comes after Putin on Wednesday signed a law that would fast-track applications for citizenship from Mariupol, as well as the Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia that are partly under government control.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian troops are driving mobile propaganda vans with large-screen televisions at the captured Mariupol city of Ukraine in a bid to change their perception of the war and Moscow.

Russian troops are driving mobile propaganda vans with large-screen televisions at the captured Mariupol city of Ukraine in a bid to change their perception of the war and Moscow. Videos shared by the TASS news agency showed the vans, dubbed “mobile information complexes”, playing state TV news segments and political chat shows where experts speak highly of the invasion in a city which lacks electricity and running water and has been one of the victims of the worst shelling of the Ukraine war, which began on February 24. Three mobile complexes for informing the population are deployed in Mariupol, reported TASS. "They broadcast news from federal and republican TV channels, provide background information to residents and show cartoons to children." russians display propaganda from a van. Three such "propaganda vehicles" are driving around #Mariupol in an attempt to persuade people that their lives are being improved. Nevermind that a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding Source: advisor to #Mariupol town mayor pic.twitter.com/jyOt6ugVcU — Olena Halushka (@OlenaHalushka) May 26, 2022 × According to the Guardian, these mobile screen vans have been deployed to places where Mariupol residents are receiving humanitarian aid, Russian documents, and at points in the city where drinking water is available. “The practice of ‘there is nothing to eat, so feed them lies’ is gaining momentum,” wrote Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian mayor of Mariupol. He called it “cynicism of the highest level”. Also read | Ukraine says war in Donbas region at 'maximum intensity' The press service of Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations told TASS that the vans were deployed in the city because, for nearly three months, the "residents of Mariupol were in an information vacuum due to a lack of power supply." Such an Orwellian move by Russia is an attempt to pacify and integrate captured cities like Mariupol despite earlier assurances by Vladimir Putin that Russia did not seek to occupy new territory in Ukraine, The Guardian reports. Also read | Vladimir Putin will not win' Ukraine war, says German Chancellor Olaf Scholz It comes after Putin on Wednesday signed a law that would fast-track applications for citizenship from Mariupol, as well as the Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia that are partly under government control. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE -

Russia’s Orwellian move: ‘Propaganda vans’ deployed to captured Mariupol in a bid to 'win over' people

Ukraine`s Lesia Tsurenko on Monday called for stronger support for her country from the tennis world following Russia`s invasion and said she was desperate not to play Russians or Belarusians&nbsp;on the tour.

The 32-year-old Tsurenko, a qualifier in Paris who lost in the first round to overwhelming favourite Iga Swiatek, thanked her opponent for wearing a Ukraine pin but said more players needed to speak out.

"I hate what Russian propaganda is saying about Ukraine in general. I really hate it. I feel a lot of anger because there is a lot of lies about my country and it hurts me a lot," Tsurenko told a news conference.

"I don`t know if I can ask players to care more, but I would like to see that from the players, from the WTA, from the ATP, I would like top players just to support more and to show more understanding of what is really going on."

The ATP and WTA Tours last week stripped Wimbledon of its ranking points after the Grand Slam event banned Russian and Belarussian players from this year`s tournament.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tennis-parry-knocks-out-reigning-champion-krejcikova-to-delight-paris-crowd-481554">French Open: Diane Parry knocks out reigning champion Barbora Krejcikova in first round</a>

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 calling it a "special military operation" to demilitarise and "de-nazify" its neighbour. Ukraine and the West call that a false pretext to launch a war of aggression. Belarus has been a key staging area for the invasion.

"I don`t feel good to play against Russian and Belarusian players just because it reminds me what is going on in my country," Tsurenko said.

"It`s painful, I`ll be honest. It`s very painful and I`m always hoping not to get them in my draw."

She has played against Russians several times this year, including once since the invasion.

"I don`t feel good and it was also another question that I had inside of me if I should play or I should just give up, you know, should I just decide not to play against them," she said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/french-open-japans-naomi-osaka-knocked-out-in-opening-round-by-amanda-anisimova-481466">French Open: Japan's Naomi Osaka knocked out in opening round by Amanda Anisimova</a>

Russian and Belarusian tennis players are competing on the tour as neutral athletes. Tsurenko backed Wimbledon`s decision to ban players from Russia and Belarus, saying it was only a small price to pay for what was happening in Ukraine.

"We see a lot of sports, they banned Russians. In tennis it`s only one tournament," she said. "I honestly think that this is not a very big price for them (Russians and Belarusians) to pay or to accept."

Ukraine`s Lesia Tsurenko on Monday called for stronger support for her country from the tennis world following Russia`s invasion and said she was desperate not to play Russians or Belarusians on the tour.

Ukraine`s Lesia Tsurenko on Monday called for stronger support for her country from the tennis world following Russia`s invasion and said she was desperate not to play Russians or Belarusians on the tour. The 32-year-old Tsurenko, a qualifier in Paris who lost in the first round to overwhelming favourite Iga Swiatek, thanked her opponent for wearing a Ukraine pin but said more players needed to speak out. "I hate what Russian propaganda is saying about Ukraine in general. I really hate it. I feel a lot of anger because there is a lot of lies about my country and it hurts me a lot," Tsurenko told a news conference. "I don`t know if I can ask players to care more, but I would like to see that from the players, from the WTA, from the ATP, I would like top players just to support more and to show more understanding of what is really going on." The ATP and WTA Tours last week stripped Wimbledon of its ranking points after the Grand Slam event banned Russian and Belarussian players from this year`s tournament. Also Read: French Open: Diane Parry knocks out reigning champion Barbora Krejcikova in first round Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 calling it a "special military operation" to demilitarise and "de-nazify" its neighbour. Ukraine and the West call that a false pretext to launch a war of aggression. Belarus has been a key staging area for the invasion. "I don`t feel good to play against Russian and Belarusian players just because it reminds me what is going on in my country," Tsurenko said. "It`s painful, I`ll be honest. It`s very painful and I`m always hoping not to get them in my draw." She has played against Russians several times this year, including once since the invasion. "I don`t feel good and it was also another question that I had inside of me if I should play or I should just give up, you know, should I just decide not to play against them," she said. Also Read: French Open: Japan's Naomi Osaka knocked out in opening round by Amanda Anisimova Russian and Belarusian tennis players are competing on the tour as neutral athletes. Tsurenko backed Wimbledon`s decision to ban players from Russia and Belarus, saying it was only a small price to pay for what was happening in Ukraine. "We see a lot of sports, they banned Russians. In tennis it`s only one tournament," she said. "I honestly think that this is not a very big price for them (Russians and Belarusians) to pay or to accept."

French Open 2022: It's painful playing against Russians, says Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko

Vadim Shishimarin, a 21-year-old sergeant in the Russian army, was sentenced to life in prison by a Ukrainian court for committing war crimes during the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This was the first time that a trial took place in relation to war crimes in the ongoing crisis and the judge decided to hand Shishimarin a life sentence after he was found guilty of killing 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov in Sumy region of Ukraine. The trial has developed into a crucial opportunity for Ukraine to prove that the Russian military has been attacking civilians without any regard for the rules of war.

Serhii Ahafonov, the judge presiding over the case, announced his verdict and said that although Shishimarin has expressed remorse, there was no leniency in the statement handed out to him.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-rules-out-ceasefire-or-any-territorial-concessions-to-russia-481349" hreflang="en">Ukraine rules out ceasefire or any territorial concessions to Russia</a>

After the verdict, Ukraine’s prosecutor general, Iryna Venediktova, has said that she has more than 40 similar cases and they will all be going to trail in the near future. She added that this is just the beginning as authorities have registered more than 10,000 instances of war crimes across Ukraine.

The main defense from Shishimarin’s lawyer was that the 21-year-old was forced to shoot the civilian with a rifle while travelling in a car with his fellow soldiers. However, he pleaded guilty to the crime and the court said in its statement that they did not have concrete evidence of coercion.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sees-red-at-us-indo-pacific-strategy-calls-it-a-ploy-to-fuel-confrontation-481368">China sees red at US Indo-Pacific strategy, calls it a ploy to create division</a>

"I feel very sorry for him but for a crime like that - I can't forgive him," victim's widow Kateryna Shelipova told BBC.

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Vadim Shishimarin, a 21-year-old sergeant in the Russian army, was sentenced to life in prison by a Ukrainian court for committing war crimes during the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Vadim Shishimarin, a 21-year-old sergeant in the Russian army, was sentenced to life in prison by a Ukrainian court for committing war crimes during the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This was the first time that a trial took place in relation to war crimes in the ongoing crisis and the judge decided to hand Shishimarin a life sentence after he was found guilty of killing 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov in Sumy region of Ukraine. The trial has developed into a crucial opportunity for Ukraine to prove that the Russian military has been attacking civilians without any regard for the rules of war. Serhii Ahafonov, the judge presiding over the case, announced his verdict and said that although Shishimarin has expressed remorse, there was no leniency in the statement handed out to him. Also read | Ukraine rules out ceasefire or any territorial concessions to Russia After the verdict, Ukraine’s prosecutor general, Iryna Venediktova, has said that she has more than 40 similar cases and they will all be going to trail in the near future. She added that this is just the beginning as authorities have registered more than 10,000 instances of war crimes across Ukraine. The main defense from Shishimarin’s lawyer was that the 21-year-old was forced to shoot the civilian with a rifle while travelling in a car with his fellow soldiers. However, he pleaded guilty to the crime and the court said in its statement that they did not have concrete evidence of coercion. Also read | China sees red at US Indo-Pacific strategy, calls it a ploy to create division "I feel very sorry for him but for a crime like that - I can't forgive him," victim's widow Kateryna Shelipova told BBC. WATCH WION LIVE HERE -

Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin jailed for life by Ukrainian court over war crime

Leaders from all across the globe are meeting in Davos for the World Economic Forum's annual meeting, the in-person meeting comes after two years break due to the covid-19 pandemic.

World Economic Forum meet in Davos, Russia-Ukraine war to dominate agenda

Russia is reportedly trying to bolster the manpower of its armed forces by considering allowing citizens over 40 and foreigners over 30 to sign up for the military, even as the war against Ukraine drags on.

Russian Parliament’s lower house, State Duma, on Friday said that it is considering moving a bill that would allow the military to utilise the skills of older professionals.

“For the use of high-precision weapons, the operation of weapons and military equipment, highly professional specialists are needed. Experience shows that they become such by the age of 40–45," the website of the State Duma said, according to Reuters.

Currently, Russians aged 18-40 and foreigners aged 18-30 can enter into a first contract with the military.

The Duma said the proposed legislation would also make it easier to recruit civilian medics, engineers and operations and communications specialists.

The latest move comes in the wake of purported setbacks in the forms of Russian soldier casualties and loss of equipments in the two-and-a-half-month-old battle where Ukraine has able mobilised practically its entire adult male population.

Moreover, the Ukrainian forces have managed to retake large areas around Kyiv in early April after Russia abandoned its push towards the capital.

Ukrainian forces have been successful in repelling recent Russian advances around Izyum, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peresvet-and-zadira-russia-unveils-new-laser-weapons-against-ukraine-war-480775" hreflang="en">'Peresvet' and ‘Zadira': Russia unveils new laser weapons against Ukraine war</a>

But Russian troops have made progress in the Luhansk region, taking control of Rubizhne and Popasna as they move towards their target of Severodonetsk.

The ISW reports that Russian troops withdrawn from around Kharkiv are now being redeployed to the Donetsk region.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-exclusive-interview-to-wion-chechen-leader-says-russian-operations-end-depends-on-ukrainian-govt-480548" hreflang="en">In exclusive interview to WION, Chechen leader says Russian operation’s end depends on Ukrainian govt</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine on February 24 in a bid to overthrow the Zelensky regime, which has been dubbed as “neo-Nazis” by the Kremlin.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia is reportedly trying to bolster the manpower of its armed forces by considering allowing citizens over 40 and foreigners over 30 to sign up for the military, even as the war against Ukraine drags on.

Russia is reportedly trying to bolster the manpower of its armed forces by considering allowing citizens over 40 and foreigners over 30 to sign up for the military, even as the war against Ukraine drags on. Russian Parliament’s lower house, State Duma, on Friday said that it is considering moving a bill that would allow the military to utilise the skills of older professionals. “For the use of high-precision weapons, the operation of weapons and military equipment, highly professional specialists are needed. Experience shows that they become such by the age of 40–45," the website of the State Duma said, according to Reuters. Currently, Russians aged 18-40 and foreigners aged 18-30 can enter into a first contract with the military. The Duma said the proposed legislation would also make it easier to recruit civilian medics, engineers and operations and communications specialists. The latest move comes in the wake of purported setbacks in the forms of Russian soldier casualties and loss of equipments in the two-and-a-half-month-old battle where Ukraine has able mobilised practically its entire adult male population. Moreover, the Ukrainian forces have managed to retake large areas around Kyiv in early April after Russia abandoned its push towards the capital. Ukrainian forces have been successful in repelling recent Russian advances around Izyum, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Also read | 'Peresvet' and ‘Zadira': Russia unveils new laser weapons against Ukraine war But Russian troops have made progress in the Luhansk region, taking control of Rubizhne and Popasna as they move towards their target of Severodonetsk. The ISW reports that Russian troops withdrawn from around Kharkiv are now being redeployed to the Donetsk region. Also read | In exclusive interview to WION, Chechen leader says Russian operation’s end depends on Ukrainian govt Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine on February 24 in a bid to overthrow the Zelensky regime, which has been dubbed as “neo-Nazis” by the Kremlin. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia mulling to allow citizens above 40 and foreigners over 30 to join military

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is currently in its third month and with the Russian military making advances in different parts of the country, Ukraine faces a tough challenge to maintain their resistance. However, this is good news for Kyiv as G7 leaders pledged an amount of $19.8 billion to bolster Ukraine’s public finances amid the ongoing Russian invasion. The aim of this financial support is to make sure that Ukraine does not run out of funds while resisting the Russian forces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-looking-to-construct-military-bases-in-pakistan-report-480699" hreflang="en">China looking to construct military outposts in Pakistan: Report</a>

"In 2022, we have mobilised 19.8 billion US dollars of budget support, including 9.5 billion US dollars of recent commitments ... to help Ukraine close its financing gap and continue ensuring the delivery of basic services to the Ukrainian people," the G7 said in their communique according to AFP.

"Furthermore, we welcome ongoing work across the G7 and international financial institutions on further substantial financing to Ukraine, notably including the proposal by the European Commission for up to 9 billion euros of additional macro-financial assistance."

"Additional planned support to Ukrainian state-owned enterprises and the private sector through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation amounts to $3.4 billion."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-italy-pm-silvio-berlusconi-accused-of-keeping-sex-slaves-at-infamous-bunga-bunga-parties-480688">Ex-Italy PM Berlusconi accused of using 'sex slaves' at 'bunga bunga' parties</a>

"We will continue to stand by Ukraine throughout this war and beyond and are prepared to do more as needed," the official statement concluded.

The G7 – comprised of the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Britain – also said that they will be providing more funds to Ukraine in case of a prolonged conflict with Russia.

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(With inputs from agencies)

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is currently in its third month and with the Russian military making advances in different parts of the country, Ukraine faces a tough challenge to maintain their resistance.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is currently in its third month and with the Russian military making advances in different parts of the country, Ukraine faces a tough challenge to maintain their resistance. However, this is good news for Kyiv as G7 leaders pledged an amount of $19.8 billion to bolster Ukraine’s public finances amid the ongoing Russian invasion. The aim of this financial support is to make sure that Ukraine does not run out of funds while resisting the Russian forces. Also read | China looking to construct military outposts in Pakistan: Report "In 2022, we have mobilised 19.8 billion US dollars of budget support, including 9.5 billion US dollars of recent commitments ... to help Ukraine close its financing gap and continue ensuring the delivery of basic services to the Ukrainian people," the G7 said in their communique according to AFP. "Furthermore, we welcome ongoing work across the G7 and international financial institutions on further substantial financing to Ukraine, notably including the proposal by the European Commission for up to 9 billion euros of additional macro-financial assistance." "Additional planned support to Ukrainian state-owned enterprises and the private sector through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation amounts to $3.4 billion." Also read | Ex-Italy PM Berlusconi accused of using 'sex slaves' at 'bunga bunga' parties "We will continue to stand by Ukraine throughout this war and beyond and are prepared to do more as needed," the official statement concluded. The G7 – comprised of the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Italy and Britain – also said that they will be providing more funds to Ukraine in case of a prolonged conflict with Russia. WATCH WION LIVE HERE - (With inputs from agencies)

G7 countries pledge financial aid of $19.8 billion to Ukraine amid Russian invasion

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on Wednesday excluded Russia and Belarus from participating and hosting international tournaments until further notice following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The men`s teams of Russia and Belarus have been withdrawn from European qualifiers for the World Cup next year and are not being replaced. Russia has called the invasion a "a special military operation" while Belarus has served as a key staging area.

Russia`s women`s team, who were due to play in the World Cup in Australia this year, have been withdrawn and replaced by Puerto Rico, while the Under-17 women`s team of Russia have been replaced with Serbia for the World Cup in Hungary.

Neither country is allowed to participate in 3X3 competitions this year, including the World Cup. 
Several sports federations have banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, and moved or cancelled events in the countries.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on Wednesday excluded Russia and Belarus from participating and hosting international tournaments until further notice following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on Wednesday excluded Russia and Belarus from participating and hosting international tournaments until further notice following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The men`s teams of Russia and Belarus have been withdrawn from European qualifiers for the World Cup next year and are not being replaced. Russia has called the invasion a "a special military operation" while Belarus has served as a key staging area. Russia`s women`s team, who were due to play in the World Cup in Australia this year, have been withdrawn and replaced by Puerto Rico, while the Under-17 women`s team of Russia have been replaced with Serbia for the World Cup in Hungary. Neither country is allowed to participate in 3X3 competitions this year, including the World Cup. Several sports federations have banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, and moved or cancelled events in the countries.

International Basketball Federation bans Russia and Belarus from international competitions

The allegations of cyber-attacks are nothing new for Russia as they have been accused of targeting various government agencies and even individuals in the past. The accusations have resurfaced as UK and UK intelligence agencies blamed Russia for targeting an American commercial satellite company called Viasat just hours ahead of launching their invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

According to the statement released by the agencies, the cyber-attack on Viasat resulted in outages for a huge number of Ukrainian customers and also affected windfarms in Central Europe.

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The satellite company, that provides broadband to both commercial as well as military customers, suffered major damage due to the attack with around ten thousand terminals getting damaged.

The statement, which was issued by the UK, US and EU authorities, stated that they were suspicious of Russia’s involvement in the attack but now, they are “almost certain” of Russia’s involvement.

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“This is clear and shocking evidence of a deliberate and malicious attack by Russia against Ukraine which had significant consequences on ordinary people and businesses in Ukraine and across Europe,” UK foreign secretary Liz Truss said according to the statement issued by the authorities.

“We will continue to call out Russia’s malign behaviour and unprovoked aggression across land, sea and cyberspace, and ensure it faces severe consequences,” Truss added.

The British intelligence also accused Russia of constant cyber-attacks on Ukraine and over time, they have started targeting other countries as well. However, Ukraine has been successful in withstanding that attack to a certain extent because of the defences they have created in the recent years.

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 |&nbsp;Ukrainian troops evacuate from Mariupol, Azovstal steel plant was symbol of Ukrainian resistance

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The allegations of cyber-attacks are nothing new for Russia as they have been accused of targeting various government agencies and even individuals in the past. The accusations have resurfaced as UK and UK intelligence agencies blamed Russia for targeting an American commercial satellite company called Viasat just hours ahead of launching their invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

The allegations of cyber-attacks are nothing new for Russia as they have been accused of targeting various government agencies and even individuals in the past. The accusations have resurfaced as UK and UK intelligence agencies blamed Russia for targeting an American commercial satellite company called Viasat just hours ahead of launching their invasion of Ukraine on February 24. According to the statement released by the agencies, the cyber-attack on Viasat resulted in outages for a huge number of Ukrainian customers and also affected windfarms in Central Europe. Also read | More than 260 Ukrainian soldiers evacuated from Mariupol steel plant The satellite company, that provides broadband to both commercial as well as military customers, suffered major damage due to the attack with around ten thousand terminals getting damaged. The statement, which was issued by the UK, US and EU authorities, stated that they were suspicious of Russia’s involvement in the attack but now, they are “almost certain” of Russia’s involvement. Also read | United States successfully tests a hypersonic weapon “This is clear and shocking evidence of a deliberate and malicious attack by Russia against Ukraine which had significant consequences on ordinary people and businesses in Ukraine and across Europe,” UK foreign secretary Liz Truss said according to the statement issued by the authorities. “We will continue to call out Russia’s malign behaviour and unprovoked aggression across land, sea and cyberspace, and ensure it faces severe consequences,” Truss added. The British intelligence also accused Russia of constant cyber-attacks on Ukraine and over time, they have started targeting other countries as well. However, Ukraine has been successful in withstanding that attack to a certain extent because of the defences they have created in the recent years. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH | Ukrainian troops evacuate from Mariupol, Azovstal steel plant was symbol of Ukrainian resistance

Russia accused of cyberattack on American company just before invading Ukraine

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has impacted the global economy deeply and the Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey believes that the global food prices can reach ‘apocalyptic’ levels if the war continues. The disruption in supply chain has resulted in surging inflation across the world and Bailey warned the MPs on the Treasury Select Committee of a "very big income shock".

“The [risk] I'm going to sound rather apocalyptic about I guess is food.”

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“Ukraine does have food in store, but it can’t get it out at the moment. While [the finance minister] was optimistic about crop planting, he said at the moment we have no way of shipping it out as things stand, and it is getting worse.”

“That is a major worry. It is not just a major worry for this country, it is a major worry for the developing world.

“I am by no stretch of the imagination a military strategist, but whatever can be done to help Ukraine get its food out would be a huge contribution,” Bailey said according to The Telegraph.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has already predicted that the growth rate of Europe will be cut down by almost half because of the conflict and according to estimates, a huge number of food stock has been destroyed because of Russian blockade of the Ukrainian supply ships.

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Food price are already rising due to the shortage of grains in some parts of the world and when asked about the situation, Bailey said that it is 'more than uncomfortable'.

&nbsp;“It is a very very, more than uncomfortable - I am trying to think of a word that is even more severe than that - it is a very very difficult place to be.

“To forecast 10pc inflation and to say there is not a lot we can do about 80pc of it, I can tell you it is an extremely difficult place to be. We have to recognise the reality of the situation we face.”

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 |&nbsp;Ukrainian troops evacuate from Mariupol, Azovstal steel plant was symbol of Ukrainian resistance

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The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has impacted the global economy deeply and the Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey believes that the global food prices can reach ‘apocalyptic’ levels if the war continues.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has impacted the global economy deeply and the Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey believes that the global food prices can reach ‘apocalyptic’ levels if the war continues. The disruption in supply chain has resulted in surging inflation across the world and Bailey warned the MPs on the Treasury Select Committee of a "very big income shock". “The [risk] I'm going to sound rather apocalyptic about I guess is food.” Also read | More than 260 Ukrainian soldiers evacuated from Mariupol steel plant “Ukraine does have food in store, but it can’t get it out at the moment. While [the finance minister] was optimistic about crop planting, he said at the moment we have no way of shipping it out as things stand, and it is getting worse.” “That is a major worry. It is not just a major worry for this country, it is a major worry for the developing world. “I am by no stretch of the imagination a military strategist, but whatever can be done to help Ukraine get its food out would be a huge contribution,” Bailey said according to The Telegraph. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has already predicted that the growth rate of Europe will be cut down by almost half because of the conflict and according to estimates, a huge number of food stock has been destroyed because of Russian blockade of the Ukrainian supply ships. Also read | Russia accused of cyberattack on American company just before invading Ukraine Food price are already rising due to the shortage of grains in some parts of the world and when asked about the situation, Bailey said that it is 'more than uncomfortable'. “It is a very very, more than uncomfortable - I am trying to think of a word that is even more severe than that - it is a very very difficult place to be. “To forecast 10pc inflation and to say there is not a lot we can do about 80pc of it, I can tell you it is an extremely difficult place to be. We have to recognise the reality of the situation we face.” You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH | Ukrainian troops evacuate from Mariupol, Azovstal steel plant was symbol of Ukrainian resistance

Bank of England warns of 'apocalyptic' food prices due to ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict

Scores of protesters hit the streets on Friday in southern Iran city to protest against the sudden price rise of essential food items that saw a massive 300 per cent jump.

At least 22 agitators were arrested from two southern provinces of the city. State-run IRNA news agency reported that 15 people were arrested overnight in the southwestern city of Dezful in Khuzestan province and seven others from Yasuj city in Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad Province.

The report also said that 200 people had gathered in another city in Khuzestan province — Andimeshk — where one firefighter was injured after demonstrators threw stones at police and firefighters.

The arrests follow Iran's sudden announcement this week that the cost of cooking oil, chicken, eggs and milk would rise by as much as 300 per cent.

The prices rise was attributed to global supply chain snarls and Russia’s invasion of major food exporter Ukraine.

Though Iran produces half of its wheat requirements, it relies on Russia for other half. It also imports half of its cooking oil from Ukraine, where fighting has kept many farmers from the fields.

Apart from that, drought is already wreaking havoc on Iran's economy, which is already batted with Western sanctions over Iran's nuclear deal.

According to AP news agency, inflation has soared to 40 per cent— the highest level since 1994.

Around 30 per cent of Iranian households are below the poverty line, according to Iran's Statistics Center.

Smuggling of Iran’s highly subsidised bread into neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan has also spiked as hunger spreads across the region.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has promised to create jobs, lift sanctions and rescue the economy, but talks to revive Iran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers remain deadlocked.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Scores of protesters hit the streets on Friday in southern Iran city to protest against the sudden price rise of essential food items that saw a massive 300 per cent jump.

Scores of protesters hit the streets on Friday in southern Iran city to protest against the sudden price rise of essential food items that saw a massive 300 per cent jump. At least 22 agitators were arrested from two southern provinces of the city. State-run IRNA news agency reported that 15 people were arrested overnight in the southwestern city of Dezful in Khuzestan province and seven others from Yasuj city in Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad Province. The report also said that 200 people had gathered in another city in Khuzestan province — Andimeshk — where one firefighter was injured after demonstrators threw stones at police and firefighters. The arrests follow Iran's sudden announcement this week that the cost of cooking oil, chicken, eggs and milk would rise by as much as 300 per cent. The prices rise was attributed to global supply chain snarls and Russia’s invasion of major food exporter Ukraine. Though Iran produces half of its wheat requirements, it relies on Russia for other half. It also imports half of its cooking oil from Ukraine, where fighting has kept many farmers from the fields. Apart from that, drought is already wreaking havoc on Iran's economy, which is already batted with Western sanctions over Iran's nuclear deal. According to AP news agency, inflation has soared to 40 per cent— the highest level since 1994. Around 30 per cent of Iranian households are below the poverty line, according to Iran's Statistics Center. Smuggling of Iran’s highly subsidised bread into neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan has also spiked as hunger spreads across the region. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has promised to create jobs, lift sanctions and rescue the economy, but talks to revive Iran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers remain deadlocked. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

300% rise in prices of staple foods sparks protest in Iran, 22 arrested

The group of seven wealthy nations collectively known as the G7 on Sunday decided to issues fresh sanctions against Russia. US President Joe Biden confirmed on Twitter that all G7 nations are committed to phasing out its dependency on Russian oil.

G7 nations pledge to stop importing Russian oil, issues new sanctions

Russia's May 9 Victory Day celebrations to mark anniversary of Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany

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