Russia’s Grushko: NATO-Moscow dialogue is at “critical zero” but has no intention of open conflict
On January 12, 2022, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attended the NATO-Russia Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium.
Olivier Houslett | Reuters
As NATO foreign ministers gathered in Brussels to celebrate the defense alliance’s 75th anniversary, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told state news agency RIA Novosti that talks between Washington and Brussels with Moscow had reached “critical zero.” ”.
Grushko reportedly said that relations between the two countries had deteriorated “predictably and deliberately” but that Russia had no intention of entering into an open conflict with any NATO member.
— Elliot Smith
Russian drone attack in Kharkov kills four people, including three rescuers
A Russian drone attack in Kharkiv early on Friday killed four people, including three rescue workers, and injured 12 others, Ukrainian officials said.
Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov posted on the Telegram messaging app that an Iranian-made drone struck a 14-story residential apartment building, destroying several floors and killing one person and injuring many others. casualties.
Terekhov added: “Three rescuers died when a residential building in another location was attacked multiple times. A total of four people died.”
“Among the victims was an emergency medical nurse who arrived with the rescue team to provide assistance.”
— Elliot Smith
Pictures show latest developments in Russia-Ukraine war
Photos released via Getty Images on Wednesday show people reacting to Russian shelling in the Sumy region of northern Ukraine and a military band performing in west Lviv to mark the 34th anniversary of the raising of the Ukrainian flag.
On April 3, 2024, in Sumy Oblast, Ukraine, people loaded food that survived from stores damaged by Russian shelling into trucks. A man died in the Krasnopilya neighborhood due to shelling by Russian troops. Twenty houses, a school, kindergarten, village committee and a pharmacy were also damaged.
Global Image Ukraine | Global Image Ukraine | Getty Images
On April 3, 2024, in Sumy Oblast, Ukraine, a company employee stood in the ruins of a warehouse filled with products after a Russian night air raid.
Global Image Ukraine | Global Image Ukraine | Getty Images
Olena, a relative of the deceased, reacts after being hit by Russian shelling in Sumy Oblast, Ukraine, on April 3, 2024. A man died in the Krasnopilya neighborhood due to shelling by Russian troops. Twenty houses, a school, kindergarten, village committee and a pharmacy were also damaged.
Global Image Ukraine | Global Image Ukraine | Getty Images
On April 3, 2024, Lviv, Ukraine, to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the raising of the Ukrainian flag, the military band of the Chief Peter Saheidani State Ground Forces Academy performed on the market square in front of the Lviv City Hall.
Global Image Ukraine | Global Image Ukraine | Getty Images
Russia’s prosecutor general’s office issues probe to Western countries over terror attacks
Russia’s prosecutor general’s office has issued formal information requests to the United States, France, Germany and Cyprus over suspicions that Western countries may be involved in terrorist attacks in Russia, state news agency TASS reported, citing a statement from the government office.
TASS reported that the office’s inquiry followed a request from Russian State Duma lawmakers to investigate possible foreign involvement in terrorist attacks, including the late March attack at Moscow’s Crocus City concert hall that killed At least 144 people died, and the Nord Stream gas pipeline exploded.
Russia’s top prosecutor said in a statement that it hoped “our colleagues in these countries will seriously consider these requests and implement the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the 1997 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism” “Obligations under the “Bombing” incident, which involves providing information to investigate, assisting efforts to obtain evidence needed for the investigation, and ensuring that penalties are appropriately enforced. “
— Natasha Turak
NATO’s Stoltenberg proposes plan to change aid delivery to Ukraine
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has urged the alliance to become more directly involved in providing military assistance to Ukraine.
Speaking at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, Stoltenberg said the organization would look into how to play a greater role in coordinating weapons and other equipment for Kyiv – which has so far been the U.S.-led liaison Terms of reference of the group.
“Ukraine has urgent needs – any delay in providing support will have consequences on the battlefield,” Stoltenberg told attendees. “So we need to change the dynamics of our support.”
“We must ensure long-term reliable and predictable security assistance to Ukraine so that we rely less on voluntary contributions and more on NATO commitments, and less on short-term assistance and more on multi-year commitments,” he said. He refused provided specific details but added that multi-year financial commitments would also be part of the plan.
“NATO allies provide 99 percent of their military support to Ukraine,” he said. “So doing more under NATO leadership will make our efforts more efficient and effective.”
— Natasha Turak
Ukraine thanks Finland for €188 million in military aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conference in Kiev, Ukraine, Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Ukraine’s defense minister thanked Finland for announcing 188 million euros ($202.5 million) in military aid to Kyiv, detailing the two countries’ latest cooperation in a post on X.
“I would like to thank our Finnish partners and Minister @anttihakkanen for another military aid to Ukraine worth up to 188 million euros,” Rustem Umerov wrote in the post. “We have also strengthened defense cooperation : Today, Ukraine and Finland signed a security cooperation and long-term support agreement.”
“Finland will provide long-term military and financial assistance and strengthen political, financial, humanitarian and reform cooperation,” the post read. “Together, we are stronger. Thank you for your unwavering support.”
— Natasha Turak
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