Connect with us

World

Ukraine tape: Biden warns of a 'Christmas gift’ for Putin

Published

on

Ukraine tape: Biden warns of a 'Christmas gift’ for Putin

9:22pm: US Republicans – Another aid package for Ukraine won’t come quickly

According to Republicans, more US aid to Ukraine will not come quickly. It is „virtually impossible” for Congress to pass an additional funding package before Christmas – even if there is an agreement in the coming days, says US Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. There will be no law to support Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region unless US President Joe Biden, Democrats and Republicans, participate in talks to restrict the crossing of migrants at the US-Mexico border. Even then, McConnell said, it will be virtually impossible to come up with a solution and get it through the Senate and House before Christmas. Members of both chambers are expected to leave Washington for the Christmas holiday on Thursday, and may not meet again until the second week of January.

9:14 pm: Biden warns of a “Christmas gift” for Putin

US President Joe Biden used urgent words to warn against the US Parliament imposing a further blockade on the release of more US aid to Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia. Congress must approve the funding before the start of the Christmas holiday, Biden said before a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. Otherwise, he would have given Russian President Vladimir Putin “the greatest birthday gift” anyone could give him. At the same time, Biden tried to spread optimism. “I don’t want you to lose hope,” he told Zelensky.

Biden warned that decisions made now will determine the future for decades to come, especially in Europe. The US President also announced that he would provide Ukraine with military aid worth $200 million. However, these are funds that have already been approved.

READ  It is clear that Hamas leaders view the Israeli proposal with suspicion

9:05 p.m.: The Ukrainian army announced heavy fighting around Avdiivka

According to the army, the situation around the city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine, which has been under fire for weeks, has become more dangerous. The head of the local military administration, Vitaly Barabash, told Ukrainian television: “It is very hot. In fact, it is hotter today than yesterday and the day before.” According to him, the new wave of attacks launched by the Russians is linked to the ground that has become hard due to the recent frosts, which allows the attackers to use armored vehicles.

According to him, the defenders have already shot down dozens of vehicles. However, the pressure of the attackers was still high, due to the use of air power as well.

8:35 pm: From the American inside – 315 thousand Russian dead and wounded since the outbreak of the war

According to a US insider, 315,000 soldiers on the Russian side have been killed or wounded in the war in Ukraine. This represents roughly 90 percent of the personnel Russia had at the start of the conflict in February 2022, insiders say, citing a US intelligence report. The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Russian side has repeatedly said in the past that Western estimates of the number of Russian deaths are greatly exaggerated.

7:42 pm: Ukrainian Defense Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces visit the front

According to official information, Kiev Defense Minister Rustam Omerov and Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valery Zalushnyj visited the front in the east of the country together. The Ministry of Defense said that they were informed of the current situation, honored the soldiers and developed a joint action plan for further work.

READ  24-year-old dies after touching wrong spoon

At the same time, the authority published a photo of Omgerov and Salushnyg with Army Commander Oleksandr Sirskij, in which the three show their unity. Recently, there have been several reports of increasing quarrels in the Ukrainian leadership and alleged rivalry between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Saluzny. There has been speculation that Zelensky wants to replace his commander-in-chief, who has been popular in opinion polls, with Siersky. The photo may also serve to quell such speculation.

5:50 pm: The US blacklists hundreds for circumventing sanctions against Russia

The United States has blacklisted more than 250 individuals and companies from multiple countries to improve enforcement of sanctions imposed on Russia over the Ukraine war. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday it was about holding Russia accountable for its crimes in Ukraine and “those who fund and support the Russian war machine.” Those affected come from China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, among other countries. They were accused of evading Russian sanctions.

5:42 pm: The EU Commission wants to make Russian assets usable in Ukraine

The European Commission wants to make the frozen Russian assets usable in the reconstruction of Ukraine. An EU official said it proposed a step-by-step plan to member states on Tuesday. It’s unclear exactly how much money could be raised and when. German government departments said the project would have to be examined „very comprehensively.”

Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, the European Union has frozen about 200 billion euros in Russian assets. However, due to significant legal hurdles in Germany and other countries, they cannot simply be confiscated.

READ  Putin is also fighting against critics in Russia in the Ukraine war

5:02 PM: US Senator talks about “strong meeting” with Zelensky

US Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer described the meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington as a „strong meeting.” Schumer said that during the closed-door meeting with senators on Tuesday, Zelensky explained in great detail what kind of help he needed and how it would help Ukraine win. He also explained that a Putin victory would also be “very, very dangerous for the United States.” Schumer said the Ukrainian president also stressed the need to help quickly — not just because of battlefield needs, but because otherwise many allies would be left wondering what’s going on.

On Tuesday afternoon (local time), US President Joe Biden wanted to receive Selensky at the White House. The release of new US aid to Ukraine is currently blocked by a dispute in the US Parliament.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Twój adres e-mail nie zostanie opublikowany. Wymagane pola są oznaczone *

World

Prime Minister assassination attempt: Slovakia comes together after the shooting of Robert Fico – despite all the polarization

Published

on

Prime Minister assassination attempt: Slovakia comes together after the shooting of Robert Fico – despite all the polarization

DrSlovak MP Lubos Blaha is not exactly known for his soft tones. Even on Wednesday, shortly after learning of an attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico, left-wing populist Blaha, a Fico supporter, had not backed down. “This anger, this anger, this hatred: this is your job today,” he told Slovak TV cameras. “The opposition, the progressives and the liberal media. “We are full of emotions,” Blaha said. The fact that FICO is unpopular with all segments of the population is due, among other things, to the planned judicial and media reform.

Milan Nick, an expert on Eastern Central Europe at the German Foreign Policy Association, is not surprised by this reaction. “It does not surprise me that Blaha, known for such rhetoric, would say this. But so far it has been an exception, as many politicians from various parties, including Fico Smer’s party, have expressed their dissatisfaction and called for calm and caution.

Robert Fico, here in Budapest in January

Source: Associated Press/Denis Erdos

In fact, Liberal President Zuzana Čaputová gave a well-received speech. She clearly condemned the attack and wished „that Robert Fico would have a lot of strength at this critical moment so that he could recover from the attack. Peter Pellegrini, the president-elect, made a similar statement.” Pellegrini comes from the government coalition led by Robert Fico and was elected president in April. However, he will not be sworn in until June.

Meanwhile, 59-year-old Fiko is still receiving treatment in hospital in the town of Banska Bystrica. His deputy, Thomas Taraba, told the BBC late on Wednesday evening that he appeared to have survived an emergency operation after the attack and was no longer in a life-threatening situation. Slovak media reported early Thursday morning that Fico had regained consciousness.

After a cabinet meeting on Wednesday in the town of Handelova, when Fico went out into the street, a 71-year-old man fired four to five shots at him. The suspected perpetrator was arrested at the scene and the Prime Minister was airlifted to hospital by helicopter.

READ  Iranian police need clarification after holding a protester's buttocks

Concerns about state restructuring

Government officials assume a „political motive.” There are many photos and video recordings of the attack itself. Slovak news platform aktuality.sk She also stated that the suspected killer was legally in possession of a gun. The 71-year-old was not undergoing psychiatric treatment. These rumors have been reported previously.

There is also speculation on social media in Slovakia about the possible politicization of the alleged killer. This intensifies the already heated mood in the country, which reached two peaks during the parliamentary elections in September last year and the presidential elections in April this year.

Security forces arrested the suspected shooter at the scene

Security forces arrested the suspected shooter at the scene

Source: Agence France-Presse/-

Both elections were accompanied by an aggressive mood and disinformation campaigns on social media, as well as questionable rhetoric by the actors involved. Fico’s Smer Party considers itself a social democratic party, but in the eyes of many observers it is characterized as a left-wing nationalist. It became the strongest force in the recent parliamentary elections, with 22.9 percent of the votes. In October 2023, Fico was able to assume the reins of government in a coalition with the Social Democratic Party of Halas and the far right.

He is considered a veteran of Slovak politics, having ruled from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018. His companion Peter Pellegrini won the presidential election in April. Fico polarized the country for several months and thousands of Slovaks took to the streets against his policies.

There are major concerns among many Slovaks about an authoritarian state restructuring similar to what happened in Hungary or Poland. The Slovak Parliament approved a first legislative package in April as part of a controversial judicial restructuring process. The law provides, among other things, for the dissolution of the Special Public Prosecutor’s Office or the reduction of penalties for serious crimes such as murder.

READ  It is clear that Hamas leaders view the Israeli proposal with suspicion

The EU Commission has already expressed concern that the so-called judicial reform could violate EU law. In addition, there are verbal attacks on journalists from politicians – and concrete plans to control the media. Public television station RTVS is set to be transformed into a state broadcaster over which the government will have enormous influence. A similar law could be passed in June.

Before the Cabinet meeting in Handelova, Fico received local residents.  After the meeting he was shot

Before the Cabinet meeting in Handelova, Fico received local residents. After the meeting he was shot

Source: German Press Agency/Radovan Stoklasa

The NGO Transparency Law also made international headlines. If an organization receives €5,000 or more from abroad in one year, it should in the future be classified as an “organisation receiving support from abroad”. Critics fear the government will ban organizations it doesn’t like as a result.

Fico also reoriented Slovakia’s foreign policy. He himself and other members of the government have loudly criticized the course of the European allies towards Russia and Ukraine. Fico criticizes Russian sanctions as well as arms shipments to Ukraine. His government stopped supplying weapons from Slovak stockpiles to Ukraine. The partly pro-Russian policy of Slovakia, a member of the European Union and NATO, is also worrying diplomats and politicians in Brussels and other European capitals.

It is striking that Slovak society now seems to be uniting and that politicians from different political camps are strongly condemning the attack. Religious organizations, bishops and Islamic associations also commented on this. Expert Nick said, „The assassination attempt on Fico represents a turning point for Slovak politics, regardless of whether he will be able to take office again or not.”

Read also

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia

Another turning point for Slovakia was the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kusnirova in 2018. Through his research, Kuciak uncovered organized crime connections in Slovak politics. He worked for aktuality.sk, a news portal of Ringier Axel Springer Slovakia, a joint venture between Axel Springer SE (including WELT and “Bild”) and Swiss Ringier AG.

READ  Russia appears to be leasing a missile system from Kaliningrad

The murder of Kuciak and his fiancée attracted much attention in Slovakia and internationally. Fico, who was prime minister at the time, was forced to resign after mass protests following the killings. Even then, Fico’s policies were radically rejected by many Slovaks, but he always enjoyed a stable fan base, as demonstrated by his recent electoral victory in 2023.

However, expert Nick does not see a direct link between the assassination attempt on Fico and the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his wife. “This aggression against politicians and the cruelty of the conflict is not just a Slovak phenomenon. We see something like this everywhere in Europe, and unfortunately also attacks on politicians. Look at Germany: from the assassination attempt on Wolfgang Schäuble many years ago to the recent attacks on politicians,” says Nick.

Speculation about the paramilitary organization

Despite voices calling for calm in Slovakia, observers are also concerned that the government camp, after a brief period of calm, will use the attack to further divide society and consolidate its power. Blaha statements are the first sign. Fake news is also likely to spread quickly on social media, and disinformation campaigns can be launched.

The evening after the attack on Fiko, a report was published in Slovak online media that was likely to increase speculation about the background of the crime: the famous Hungarian investigative journalist Száblocs Bánje shared old photos of the alleged killer, which had a connection to a loyalist Slovak paramilitary women’s organization. For Russia, it is called the „Slovak Brotherhood”. Photos from 2016 are considered original.

Here you will find content from third parties

In order to view embedded content, it is necessary to obtain your revocable consent to the transfer and processing of personal data, as providers of embedded content require this consent as third-party service providers. [In diesem Zusammenhang können auch Nutzungsprofile (u.a. auf Basis von Cookie-IDs) gebildet und angereichert werden, auch außerhalb des EWR]. By setting the switch to „On”, you agree to this (revocable at any time). This also includes your consent to the transfer of certain personal data to third countries, including the USA, in accordance with Article 49(1)(a) of the GDPR. You can find more information about this. You can revoke your consent at any time using the key and privacy at the bottom of the page.

“However, in the next few days we are likely to see an increase in disinformation campaigns and the like on social networks. What happened is a reason for this,” says Milan Nick. But a lot will depend on whether Fico will survive the attack.

Continue Reading

World

Georgians continue their protests against the controversial law

Published

on

Georgians continue their protests against the controversial law

As of: May 15, 2024 at 10:12 p.m

The day after the controversial NGO law was passed, tens of thousands protested again in Georgia. The foreign ministers of European Union countries also participated. Meanwhile, Türkiye announced a similar proposed law.

In Georgia, tens of thousands of people took to the streets again to protest a recently passed law on “foreign influence.”

An Agence France-Presse journalist reported that about 30,000 people gathered in front of Parliament in the capital, Tbilisi, on Wednesday alone. Demonstrations also took place in the cities of Kutaisi and Zalinghikha in the west of the country.

European ministers demonstrate

The foreign ministers of Estonia, Iceland and Lithuania, who were visiting Georgia, also participated in the protests in Tbilisi. Senior diplomats addressed the demonstrators.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told AFP that he and his colleagues participated in the protest „to support the desire of the Georgian people to become part of the European Union and NATO.” The Georgian national anthem and the European anthem „Ode to Joy” were played at the demonstration.

The demonstrators waved the flags of Georgia and the European Union.

Parliament in Tbilisi approved the controversial law on Tuesday. According to this, organizations and media that receive at least 20% of funding from abroad must in the future be registered in the former Soviet republic as bodies “pursuing the interests of foreign powers.”

Similarities with Russian law

Critics see similarities with the law against „foreign agents” in Russia, which enables authorities there to take wide-ranging measures against critical media and organizations. There have been massive protests against the law in Georgia for weeks.

READ  Vladimir Putin: alleged mother Vera Butina from Georgia dies at 97 | Policy

The adoption of the law sparked international criticism. The European Union, the United Nations and NATO called on the government in Tbilisi to change course. It also called on the federal government to withdraw the law. Georgia has been an official candidate for European Union membership since December. With the new law, it has become difficult to imagine the European future of this Caucasian country.

Türkiye plans to issue a similar law

On the other hand, a draft law has been introduced in neighboring Turkey requiring the imprisonment of journalists and scholars who work for foreign “interests”. The proposed amendment to the Turkish Penal Code stipulates prison sentences ranging from three to seven years, according to the text obtained by Agence France-Presse.

The draft law applies to “any person who conducts or orders the conduct of research on (Turkish) citizens or institutions on behalf of or for the strategic interest of a foreign organization or state in order to act against the security, political, internal or external interests of the state.” „.

Björn Blaschke, ARD Moscow, now Tbilisi, Tagesschau, May 15, 2024 at 7:13 am

Continue Reading

World

Robert Fico: The life of the Slovak Prime Minister is in danger after he was shot

Published

on

Robert Fico: The life of the Slovak Prime Minister is in danger after he was shot
outside Arrest the suspect

The life of Slovak Prime Minister Fico is in danger after he was shot

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot after a cabinet meeting in the town of Handlova. The Slovak News Agency reported that he was taken to hospital.

You can listen to our WELT podcasts here

In order to view embedded content, it is necessary to obtain your revocable consent to the transfer and processing of personal data, as providers of embedded content require this consent as third-party service providers. [In diesem Zusammenhang können auch Nutzungsprofile (u.a. auf Basis von Cookie-IDs) gebildet und angereichert werden, auch außerhalb des EWR]. By setting the switch to „On”, you agree to this (revocable at any time). This also includes your consent to the transfer of certain personal data to third countries, including the USA, in accordance with Article 49(1)(a) of the GDPR. You can find more information about this. You can revoke your consent at any time using the key and privacy at the bottom of the page.

Shooting in Slovakia: Prime Minister Robert Fico shot after a cabinet meeting. The government said his life was in danger. According to media reports, the attacker was arrested. Chancellor Schultz speaks of a „cowardly assassination attempt.”

DrSlovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in mortal danger after being attacked. This was announced by the government office in Bratislava, TASR news agency reported.

Fico was shot after a cabinet meeting at the House of Culture in the town of Handlova. He was taken to hospital. Handlova is located about 150 kilometers northeast of the capital, Bratislava. The exact background was clear at first.

TASR reported that Deputy Speaker of Parliament Lobos Blaha confirmed the attack during a parliamentary session and postponed it until further notice. A Reuters employee said he heard several gunshots and saw police arresting a man. Security forces took the arrested man to a car and took him away.

Security guards bring Vico to his car and run towards the shooter

Source: Reuters

Emergency services told TASR that a helicopter carrying an emergency doctor was sent to Vico after the accident. The police evacuated the House of Culture, where the government meeting was being held.

Slovak President Zuzana Caputova condemned the “brutal and brutal attack.” She added: “I hope Robert Fico has a lot of strength at this critical moment to recover from the attack.”

A suspect has been arrested

A suspect has been arrested

Source: Reuters

A few days ago, Fico himself accused the liberal opposition of creating a climate of hostility against the government. It cannot be ruled out that violence will occur at some point in such a climate.

Schulz and von der Leyen comment on the attack

Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly condemned the attack. He wrote on the online platform “X”: “I am shocked by the news of the cowardly assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Fico. Violence should have no place in European politics. During these hours, my thoughts are with Robert Fico, his relatives and the citizens of Slovakia.”

Here you will find content from third parties

In order to view embedded content, it is necessary to obtain your revocable consent to the transfer and processing of personal data, as providers of embedded content require this consent as third-party service providers. [In diesem Zusammenhang können auch Nutzungsprofile (u.a. auf Basis von Cookie-IDs) gebildet und angereichert werden, auch außerhalb des EWR]. By setting the switch to „On”, you agree to this (revocable at any time). This also includes your consent to the transfer of certain personal data to third countries, including the USA, in accordance with Article 49(1)(a) of the GDPR. You can find more information about this. You can revoke your consent at any time using the key and privacy at the bottom of the page.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the attack as “abhorrent.” “Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our greatest common good,” she wrote on X. Her thoughts were with Vico and his family.

Here you will find content from third parties

In order to view embedded content, it is necessary to obtain your revocable consent to the transfer and processing of personal data, as providers of embedded content require this consent as third-party service providers. [In diesem Zusammenhang können auch Nutzungsprofile (u.a. auf Basis von Cookie-IDs) gebildet und angereichert werden, auch außerhalb des EWR]. By setting the switch to „On”, you agree to this (revocable at any time). This also includes your consent to the transfer of certain personal data to third countries, including the USA, in accordance with Article 49(1)(a) of the GDPR. You can find more information about this. You can revoke your consent at any time using the key and privacy at the bottom of the page.

European Council President Charles Michel was also shocked. “Violence and such attacks cannot be justified by anything,” he wrote on X.

Fiko has been the Prime Minister of Slovakia again since 2023. He was Prime Minister from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018.

Fico is one of the founders of his party Samir. Their policies fall into „socialist internationalism”, and their policies are also criticized as populist. Recently, Fico angered people by saying that Ukraine is a country controlled by the United States. Slovakia will prevent Kiev from joining NATO. During a visit to Uzhhorod, right on the Slovak-Ukrainian border However, Fico said afterwardsHe said that his country would continue to provide humanitarian aid despite differences of opinion and would not prevent private arms deals. Regarding domestic politics, Fico is accused of restructuring the state to serve his own interests, similar to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

READ  Israel News ++ “Kill Underground” - Israel names a new tactic against Hamas terrorists ++
Continue Reading

Trending