Day: March 2, 2022

The European Union adopted sanctions Wednesday against Belarus for undermining or threatening Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The EU imposed asset freeze sanctions and a travel ban on 22 high-ranking Belarusian military officials, the Council of the European Union said in a statement.

“Belarus is supporting the Russian military aggression against Ukraine – inter alia – by allowing Russia to fire ballistic missiles from the Belarusian territory, enabling transportation of Russian military personnel and heavy weapons … allowing Russian military aircraft to fly over Belarusian airspace into Ukraine, providing refuelling points,” it said.

The EU also restricted the importation of goods used for the production or manufacturing of mineral fuels, bituminous substances, tobacco, potash, wood, cement, iron and steel products and rubber products and the export of technology that can be used for military purposes.

The decision takes the number of individuals sanctioned to 702 and entities to 53 for violating Ukraine’s sovereignty.

The new sanctions also add to restrictive measures that the bloc imposed against Belarus for human rights violations related to a crackdown on protests against alleged rigged elections in August 2020.

On Tuesday, the European Parliament called on EU member states to exclude Belarus from the SWIFT international banking system after the bloc adopted similar measures on certain Russian banks.

?Since Russia’s war on Ukraine began last Thursday, it has been met by outrage from the international community, with the EU, UK, and US implementing a range of economic sanctions on Russia.

At least 142 civilians, including 13 children, have been killed and 408 others, including 26 children, injured in Ukraine, according to UN figures.

More than 874,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, the UN Refugee Agency said on Wednesday.

The EU adopted three sanctions packages last week against Russia, targeting among others Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the Russian banking sector and key state-owned companies.

Source: Anadolu Agency

EU ambassadors on Wednesday agreed to put sanctions on Belarusian officials and military leaders “involved in the Russian aggression against Ukraine,” the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union said.

In a Twitter post, it said that “certain sectors of the Belarusian economy, in particular wood, steel and potash sectors” will also be hit by the bloc’s new restrictive measures.

EU capitals have yet to officially approve the decision which is expected in a short time.

?The new sanctions will add up to the restrictive measures that the bloc has imposed against Belarus over human rights violations related to a crackdown on protests against alleged rigged elections of August 2020.

On Tuesday, the European Parliament called on EU member states to exclude Belarus as well from the SWIFT international banking system after the bloc adopted similar measures on certain Russian banks.

?Since Russia’s war on Ukraine began last Thursday, it has been met by outrage from the international community, with the EU, UK, and US implementing a range of economic sanctions on Russia.

At least 136 civilians, including 13 children, have been killed and 400 others, including 26 children, injured in Ukraine, according to UN figures.

Nearly 680,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, the international body said on Tuesday.

The EU adopted last week three sanctions packages against Russia, targeting among others Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Russian delegation for peace talks with Ukraine will wait for the opposite side at the Belarusian-Polish border this evening, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a daily briefing in Moscow, Peskov said Russia hopes Ukraine’s delegation will come for the second round of negotiations.

“Let’s hope that happens (the Ukrainian delegation arrives). Our people will be on the spot and will be ready to sit down at the negotiating table in the evening.”

Responding to a question, Peskov said “the fulfillment of the conditions formulated by the Russian president to resolve the situation” would be what Russia will consider as a successful result of negotiations.

“All conditions necessary to resolve this situation have been formulated quite clearly by the President of Russia (Vladimir Putin) on several occasions.

“In particular, we listed these conditions, because Putin explained them in detail to his international interlocutors during telephone conversations,” he noted.

Peskov added that Vladimir Medinsky, the presidential advisor, will continue to serve as the head of the Russian delegation.

As for a meeting between Russian and Ukrainian presidents, Peskov said it is too early to speak about that.

Russia’s economy suffers ‘heavy blow’

Peskov said the Russian economy is experiencing a heavy blow, adding that the government works vigorously to alleviate the stress.

“In these conditions, those measures are being taken that will help minimize the risks, consequences and insure us against the rocking of the economy. Since these unfriendly measures are unprecedented, in such conditions, it is necessary to act firmly, thoughtfully, and neatly,” he said.

The spokesman promised that reciprocal measures will follow.

“The response to these unfriendly, hostile actions, of course, must be analyzed. No one is going to shoot in the leg to spite someone. We will do as we need, as we benefit. And with a sober head,” he said.

Peskov said the Nord Stream 2 project is not dead, noting that the “historical reality” currently makes it impossible to launch the pipeline, but the infrastructure is ready and can be used if necessary.

“Common sense and economic expediency speak of the need to launch the Nord Stream 2 as soon as possible,” he said.

Since Russia’s war on Ukraine began last Thursday, Moscow has been met by outrage from the international community, with the EU, UK, Canada, Japan, and the US implementing a range of economic sanctions.

At least 136 civilians, including 13 children, have been killed and 400 others, including 26 children, injured in Ukraine, according to UN figures.

Nearly 680,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, the international body said on Tuesday.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Commenting on the situation in Ukraine, the Romanian envoy in Ankara said he is “horrified by the tragic loss of life and devastating human suffering caused by this unprovoked and illegal war.”

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ambassador Stefan Tinca said: “The grave situation in Ukraine has a major impact in the region and on the entire Euro-Atlantic security and will have long term consequences.”

On behalf of his country, Tinca “strongly” condemned “the unprovoked aggression by Russia against Ukraine, which is a blatant violation of international law and of the basic principles that underpin the rules-based international order.”

“We will continue to support the sovereignty of Ukraine and its territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders,” he added.

Regarding the role of international and regional platforms in de-escalation, Tinca said: “The reaction of the international democratic community in condemning and sanctioning the behavior of Russia has been firm and united.”

He hailed the position of the EU, NATO, and other UN members, saying that they “have reacted in the only possible way faced with this aggression”.

“Democracies around the world have warned Russia that aggression will come with huge costs,” the Romanian envoy said while noting that “these costs are tangible and painful.”

Citing the “large-scale sanctions” against Russia by various countries, the diplomat noted that “Euro-Atlantic solidarity has led NATO allies to take measures to enhance security on the Eastern Flank, including by increasing the military presence of allies in countries like my own (Romania).”

“NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to protect allies,” he added.

Tinca also said, “on the role of regional platforms, unfortunately, even regional cooperation enthusiasts have to admit that they are frozen. They can simply no longer function under these circumstances.”

On cooperation between Turkiye and Romania, Ambassador Tince said the two countries “have taken immediate steps to cooperate in terms of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.”

Saying that Romania’s first important measure was to exempt foreign nationals arriving from Ukraine from visa and COVID-related requirements, he said that such a move eased the passage of the foreign nationals via the Romanian land border checkpoints and allowed for thousands of people to return to their home countries by using the Romanian international airports, railway, transport infrastructure.

“Second, Romania is ready to act as a distribution hub for the humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, given its position as a neighbouring state with the longest border with Ukraine,” he added.

Noting that both Turkiye and Romania have organized humanitarian transports of life supplies and medical equipment to Ukraine, Tinca assured the two countries will continue to do so, “this is a security situation that has only begun to unfold.”

Citing the Romanian government’s decision to host up to half a million refugees from Ukraine, Tinc said: “Almost 90,000 Ukrainian nationals, out of which around half have only transited Romania and have already departed our territory” since the start of the war.

“We have received several thousands of asylum requests, which are being addressed according to the Romanian asylum legislation,” the ambassador added.

“Romania is providing these unfortunate people with shelter, basic comfort and, most important, Romanians are providing them with lots of affection and human warmth,” he said.

On cooperation between Turkiye and Romania regarding evacuations, the Romanian ambassador gave data from the Turkish Embassy in Bucharest saying that “since the beginning of the conflict, between 8,000 and 10,000 Turkish citizens have been entered Romania from Ukraine.”

“Romanian consular and border authorities are providing all the needed support to the Turkish diplomatic missions in Romania to manage this process smoothly and efficiently and prevent loss of innocent lives,” he said.

He also hailed the cooperation history between the two countries as Tinca noted that “Romania and Turkey have already a history of cooperation on such humanitarian matters, as it was the case several years ago when my country has repatriated a large number of fellow Romanians from Syria through Turkey, with good cooperation from the Turkish authorities.”

Source: Anadolu Agency

As the Russia-Ukraine war rages on, some Africans attempting to flee the country claimed they experienced racist treatment at the border because of their skin color.

Eswatini student Vkile Dlamini, who crossed to Romania from Ukraine, said that she undertook the most difficult journey of her life.

“We were exposed to a lot of racism. Police pointed guns at us. I am still getting over it. I was physically and mentally exhausted,” she said.

Victor Eldred from Nigeria said: “In Lviv, only Ukrainians were allowed on the train. We waited in the cold for hours, but somehow, after a difficult journey, we managed to get out of Ukraine.”

Eldred who reach Slovakia said the Nigerian government has not gotten in touch with him yet.

Another student, Issa Dasylva from Senegal, who reached Poland, said that he did not encounter any problems at the border crossing.

Noting that it took 48 to 72 hours to reach the border, Dasylva said: “The Senegalese authorities paid close attention to us. I have not seen any Senegalese having problems crossing the border. The Senegalese Embassy in Poland is in constant communication with us.”

20% of foreign students in Ukraine are African

Ukraine is among the first choice for foreign students due to its affordable fees.

According to the data released in 2020 by Ukraine’s Education Ministry, about 80,000 students from 158 countries are studying in the country.

Among them, India tops the list with 18,429, Morocco with 8,233, Azerbaijan with 5,470, and Nigeria with 4,379.

African students make up 20% of foreign students in Ukraine.

After videos on social media showing Africans being denied access to trains evacuating people from Ukraine triggered outrage, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has affected Ukrainians and non-citizens in many devastating ways. Africans seeking evacuation are our friends and need to have equal opportunities to return to their home countries safely. Ukraine’s government spares no effort to solve the problem.”

Russia’s war on Ukraine has been met with outrage from the international community, with the European Union, UK and US implementing a range of economic sanctions against Russia.

Russia was further isolated after its planes were barred from flying in European and Canadian airspace, and a number of its banks were kicked out of the SWIFT international banking system.

So far, at least 136 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, including 13 children, and 400 others injured, including 26 children, according to UN figures.

Some 680,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, the UN Refugee Agency said Tuesday

Source: Anadolu Agency

Ukraine’s foreign minister said Wednesday that his country is ready to negotiate with Russia to stop the war.

“We are ready for negotiations and diplomacy, but we are against the Russian ultimatum,” Dmytro Kuleba said in a Facebook video.

Ukraine did not “take a step back” in the first round of talks, he said. “Russia’s demands did not change. These are the demands that Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced in his address before starting the war.”

Highlighting the importance of protecting his country from missile attacks, Kuleba said Ukraine applied to NATO for a no-fly zone declaration.

“NATO is examining this request. In terms of defense, we also have alternative mechanisms to ensure airspace security. We will do our best to protect Ukrainians by air,” he said.

The second round of Russia-Ukraine talks is expected to be held late Wednesday as the war between Moscow and Kyiv enters seventh day.

The first round of peace talks ended Monday. After the five-hour talks, both sides agreed to hold a second round to achieve a cease-fire.

Since Russia’s war on Ukraine began Feb. 24, it has been met by outrage from the international community, with the EU, UK, Canada, Japan and the US implementing a range of economic sanctions on Moscow.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Over 2,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed in seven days since Russia launched a war, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said on Wednesday.

“Russia destroyed transportation infrastructure, houses, hospitals and kindergartens,” the service said in a statement. “During this time, more than 2,000 Ukrainians died, excluding our defenders.”

It added that the service managed to save more than 150 people on Wednesday, put out more than 400 fires that broke out after enemy shelling, and evacuated more than 500 people. Pyrotechnicians also neutralized 416 explosive devices.

Ten rescuers were killed and 13 were injured in the process, the statement said.

The announcement came ahead of the expected second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks. The first session was held on Monday.

Russia’s war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has met international outrage with the EU, US and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

Many countries are also supplying Ukraine with weapons, have shut their airspace for Russian airlines, and banned Russian state-run media.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Russian state space corporation Roscosmos demanded that the UK government give up its shares of OneWeb before an upcoming satellite launch, state-run news agency Tass reported on Wednesday.

The British government must quit being a shareholder of the UK-based OneWeb for the launch of the company’s communications satellites via a Russian Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket on Saturday, Roscosmos said in a statement, according to the report.

“Owing to Great Britain’s hostile attitude towards Russia, the British government’s withdrawal from OneWeb’s shareholders is yet another condition for the launch of satellites on March 5,” it added.

Roscosmos argued that refusing to launch the satellites would not harm it economically since it had already been paid to build the rockets and boosters.

It added that the satellites, located at the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan would remain there until the situation is resolved.

The UK-based OneWeb’s low-orbit satellites, which are initially planned to be a 648-satellite constellation, are designed to establish a space-based communications system to provide high-speed internet access around the world.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Japan on Wednesday announced that it will accept people fleeing Ukraine amid the war with Russia.

“… Japan will in the future move forward with accepting into Japan people who fled Ukraine for third countries including Poland,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a phone talk with his Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki, according to a statement by Kishida’s office.

The premier also said Japan will implement emergency humanitarian assistance of $100 million, which includes assistance for Ukrainians evacuating to Poland and other countries neighboring Ukraine.

Since Russia’s war on Ukraine began last week, it has been met with outrage from the international community, with a number of Western countries and their allies implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow. They are supplying Ukraine with weapons, have shut their airspace for Russian airlines, and banned Russian state-run media.

Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu said Tuesday the “special military operation will continue until set goals are achieved.”

He said the operation’s main goal is “to protect the Russian Federation from the military threat posed by Western countries.”

Russia is said to have intensified it bombardment of Ukrainian cities, and the number of people who have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries has reached 874,000, according to the latest UN Refugee Agency data.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said humanitarian agencies and their NGO partners have launched an appeal to donors for $1.7 billion to support affected people inside Ukraine and refugees from Ukraine in the region.

Source: Anadolu Agency