Tag: Ukraine

  • Ukrainian President imposes martial law as Putin declares war

    Ukrainian President imposes martial law as Putin declares war

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has imposed martial law in the country in response to Russian invasion.

    President Zelensky said to his people “not to panic and be strong”.

    “Today each of you should keep calm. Stay at home if you can. We are working. The army is working. The whole sector of defense and security is working”, the Ukrainian president added.

    Andrew Simmons, Al Jazeera’s reporter, revealed, “The whole sky was awash with red and orange when these missiles struck – some of which were apparently cruise missiles. And the main international airport did come under attack – it is not clear what the damage is there, but all air space is closed.”

    As per Zelensky’s Twitter account, several nations are in contact with Ukraine. In a tweet, he noted that “the world is with us”.

    Prior to this, Donetsk and Luhansk — collectively known as Donbas — was recognised by Russia as separate nations. The region consists of separatists and is pro-Russia.

    Background:

    The history goes back to 1991 when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) disintegrated, resulting in the independence of Ukraine. It was the Ukrainian revolution when things got out of hand, Russian-favoured former President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by popular protests and his own parliament in February 2014. He fled to Russia, where he is living in exile. Later, a new government was formed, which had United States (US) favour.

    This all led to a conflict in eastern Ukraine that began in April 2014 with low-level fighting between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatist rebels in Donbas who seized some towns in predominantly Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine. For the time being, a ceasefire was signed between the two parties.

    Last year, there were speculations that Ukraine is making progress toward gaining North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership. However, NATO has always denied this. Russia argued that western military presence represents an existential threat to Russia. 

    Since then, Russia has been sending its troops towards the Ukrainian border. The estimated number of Russian troops deployed in and around Ukraine has ranged from 100,000 to 190,000 in recent weeks.

    According to the New York Times, there are both geopolitical and historical reasons behind Moscow’s endless pressure on Kyiv, which was the birthplace of the first Russian state in the 9th Century. The Russian language is still widely spoken in the country despite Ukraine’s own language.

    It is pertinent to mention that Ukraine is the European Union’s (EU) fourth-biggest external food supplier. It provides the bloc with about a quarter of its cereal and vegetable oil imports, including almost half of its corn.

    According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global food prices reached a 10-year record in 2021 and the war would only make that a lot worse.  

  • ‘Every responsible country needs to voice concern on Putin’s actions’: US reacts to PM Khan’s visit to Russia

    ‘Every responsible country needs to voice concern on Putin’s actions’: US reacts to PM Khan’s visit to Russia

    United States (US) State Department Spokesperson Ned Price responded to a question related to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s Russia visit.

    “We believe it’s the responsibility of every responsible country around the world to voice concern and to voice objection to what Putin appears to have in mind for Ukraine,” said Price.

    Price’s comments in relevance to PM Khan’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

    PM Khan landed in Moscow for a two-day visit — from February 23-24 — to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline to be built in collaboration with Russian companies.

    World leaders have also voiced their concern about Russia’s action on Ukraine.

    President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky said, “Ukraine is launching its own defensive measures.” He urged Ukrainians to stay calm and stay home. He says he spoke to President Biden.

    “A minute ago I spoke to President Biden. The USA has started to unite international support,” said Zelensky.

    “Today we need each of you to stay calm. If you can, stay at home. We are working. The army is working. The whole security and defence sector of Ukraine is working,” said Zelensky.

    Prime Minister United Kingdom (UK) Boris Johnson tweeted, “President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”

    President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen tweeted, “In these dark hours, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men, and children as they face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives.”

    Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) António Guterres said, “President Putin, in the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia. This conflict must stop now.”

  • ‘What a time I have come, so much excitement’: PM Khan’s first words as he lands in Moscow

    ‘What a time I have come, so much excitement’: PM Khan’s first words as he lands in Moscow

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan landed in Moscow for a two-day visit — from February 23-24 — to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline to be built in collaboration with Russian companies.

    Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Igor Morgulov welcomed the Prime Minister.

    While walking on the red carpet, PM Khan said, “What a time I have come, so much excitement.”

    “Let me tell you, we are so excited to come to Moscow,” said PM Khan.

    PM Khan will see Russian President Vladimir Putin in a one-on-one three-hour-long meeting today at 3pm Pakistan time, amid the Ukraine-Russia crisis.

    The meeting has been extended from one hour to three. Earlier the meeting was to be held for one hour.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine on Thursday with explosions heard soon after in the capital and other parts of the country.

    In an interview ahead of his trip, PM Imran Khan had expressed concern about the situation in Ukraine and the possibility of new sanctions and their effect on Islamabad’s budding cooperation with Moscow.

  • Biden puts sanctions on Russia but has no intention of fighting its long rival

    Biden puts sanctions on Russia but has no intention of fighting its long rival

    United States (US) President Joe Biden has announced that they are imposing the first tranche of sanctions against Russia for launching an invasion of Ukraine and warned that more would come if there are further incursions.

    In a video, Biden said, “We are implementing full blocking sanctions on two large Russian financial institutions and comprehensive sanctions on Russia’s sovereign debt. We have cut off Russia’s government from Western financing.” He added that the US will also impose sanctions on Russia’s elites and their family members.

    Speaking at the White House, the US President lashed out at Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Who in the Lord’s name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries [Donetsk and Luhansk] that belonged to his neighbour [Ukraine].”

    Biden said that the US would continue to provide “defensive assistance” to Ukraine but has no intention of fighting Russia. He said that the authorised additional movements of US forces are already stationed in Europe to strengthen Baltic allies Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

    He further revealed that the decision has been taken by the US and its allies. “I have told Putin to his face more than a month ago that we (US and allies) would act together if Russia invaded Ukraine,” he stated.

    According to Russian news agencies, Putin did not watch Biden’s speech and Russia will first look at what the US has outlined before responding, reports Reuters. Previously, Putin said, “They are trying to blackmail us again. They are threatening us again with sanctions” adding that the US just needs “an excuse to impose sanctions”.

    The development came a day after Putin recognised pro-Moscow separatist regions Donetsk and Luhansk as independent entities and allowed Russian troops to enter this region.

    Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly called up the country’s reservists and warned that Ukraine could face a battle.

    Ukraine is deeply divided, with a large Russian-speaking minority. Since fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014, separatist rebels of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics have been accused of being proxies for Russian interests.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan is going to Russia today (Wednesday) on a two-day visit.

  • Putin allows Russian forces to enter Ukraine rebel regions

    Putin allows Russian forces to enter Ukraine rebel regions

    Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops on Monday to “maintain peace” in two rebel regions of eastern Ukraine.

    The development came forward hours after Putin recognised pro-Moscow separatist regions Donetsk and Luhansk as independent entities in a televised national address, reports Reuters.

    “I consider it necessary to take a long-overdue decision to immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic. I ask the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation to support this decision, and then to ratify the treaties of friendship and mutual assistance with individual republics,” Putin announced despite West’s warnings.

    Putin termed United States-backed Ukraine as a failed state and “puppet” of the West, repeatedly kept suggesting that it is essentially part of Russia. He said, “Ukraine never had a tradition of genuine statehood.”

    He demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities in Kyiv and warned, saying, “Otherwise, all responsibility for the possible continuation of the bloodshed will be entirely on the conscience of the regime ruling on the territory of Ukraine.”

    Talking about North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) the Russian President stated, “US strategic planning documents contain the possibility of a so-called preemptive strike against enemy missile systems. And who is the main enemy for the US and NATO? We know that too. It’s Russia. In NATO documents, our country is officially and directly declared the main threat to North Atlantic security.”

    “We will never compromise our sovereignty, national interests, and our values,” he said while adding that the country has every right to take retaliatory measures to ensure its security. That is exactly what we will do.

    Responding to the news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed his nation and said that the country had initiated an emergency meeting with the Normandy Four (Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and France), reports CNN.

    In a video address, Zelensky said the move was a violation of Ukraine’s “national integrity and sovereignty.”

    Ukraine is deeply divided, with a large Russian and Russian-speaking minority. Since fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014, separatist rebels of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics have been accused of being proxies for Russian interests.

    Several leaders of the state across the globe have condemned the act. The US is reportedly coordinating with allies and will announce new sanctions against its long rival Russia

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan is set to visit tomorrow (Wednesday). In August, Putin and PM Khan talked over the phone and exchanged views on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and bilateral relations.

  • Petrol price likely to go up by Rs13 today, price at Rs160 per litre

    Petrol price likely to go up by Rs13 today, price at Rs160 per litre

    Petroleum prices are expected to increase across Pakistan from today (Tuesday) in the wake of Russia-Ukraine hostilities, reports Geo News.

    The price of petrol and fuel are likely to increase by Rs13 per litre and diesel by Rs18 per litre. The current price of petrol is Rs147.83 per litre, the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) stands at Rs144.62 and Light Diesel Oil (LDO) at Rs114.54 per litre.

    According to Reuters, oil prices jumped to a seven-year high on Monday when the United States (US) warned that Russia could soon invade Ukraine.

    Russia is one of the world’s largest oil and gas producers, and fear that Russia could invade Ukraine has driven the rally in oil closer to $100 per barrel, a level not seen since 2014.

    However, no official notification by the government has been released yet.

    Last month, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan rejected the summary of increasing prices of petroleum products in the public interest.

  • VIDEO: Reporter asks Biden’s spokesperson to show ‘evidence’ that Russia is starting a war in Ukraine

    VIDEO: Reporter asks Biden’s spokesperson to show ‘evidence’ that Russia is starting a war in Ukraine

    United States (US) State Department Spokesperson Ned Price was questioned by Associated Press (AP) reporter Matt Lee about the evidence behind US officials’ belief that Russia intended to release an elaborate propaganda video on Ukraine in order to justify beginning a war.

    A heated argument between the two [Price and Lee] can be heard in a video. Lee demanded Price to show the evidence to which he responded by saying that the information came from US intelligence, thus is classified.

    “Okay, well, where is it? Where is this information?” Lee asked. Price responded by asking Lee if he would want a printed-out transcript of the briefing.

    “That’s not evidence, that’s you saying it. I would like to see some proof that shows that the Russians are doing that,” Lee continued the argument.

    Following the press briefing, Price said that he and Lee have had their fair share of sparring sessions. “Nothing but respect for him, which I underscored in a call to him after the briefing,” he added.

    Russia has long resisted Ukraine’s move towards European institutions, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) as it shares a border with Ukraine.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky have denied the news of an invasion. However, the US argued that Russia has no explanation for the troops posted close to Ukraine.

  • World powers unanimously declare nuclear war unwinnable

    World powers unanimously declare nuclear war unwinnable

    The countries widely considered world powers (China, Russia, Britain, the United States, and France) have unanimously agreed to refrain from a nuclear arms race, according to a joint statement by the five nuclear powers published by the Kremlin on Monday.

    These five countries being members of the United Nations Security Council shoulder the responsibility to keep away from war.

    “We affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought,” the English-language version of the statement read.

    “As nuclear use would have far-reaching consequences, we also affirm that nuclear weapons — for as long as they continue to exist — should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war.”

    The statement from the so-called P5 group comes as bilateral relations between the United States and Moscow have fallen to their lowest since the end of the Cold War, while relations between Washington and China are also at a low over a range of disagreements.

    The western countries have shown consternation on massive build-up at Ukraine’s border by Russia.

    As Russian forces build at the Ukraine border, last Thursday US President Joe Biden told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that a possible move on Ukraine will draw sanctions and an increased US presence in Europe.

  • United States and Russia ready to talk

    United States and Russia ready to talk

    Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed tensions with the west over growing concerns about troop buildup on its border near Ukraine, reports BBC.

    The Russian president wanted quick surety on the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) to stem the crisis.

    “The ball is in their court, they have to give us some response,” Putin said at his annual press conference.

    The United States (US) warned of sanctions if Putin does not refrain from his actions.

    Ukraine security officials say more than 100,000 Russian troops have been sent close to its borders, and the US has threatened Putin with sanctions “like none he’s ever seen” if Ukraine comes under attack.

    Russia wanted Nato to give up all military action in Eastern Europe.

    “It’s you who must give us guarantees, and give them immediately, now,” Putin said on Thursday, stressing that military measures were not his preferred choice.

    United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she welcomed the fact that Moscow had “signalled it is willing to enter talks in January”, but warned any Russian attack would be met with sanctions that would hit Russia’s economy.

  • Ukrainian army defends decision to make female soldiers march in high heels

    Ukrainian army defends decision to make female soldiers march in high heels

     Ukraine’s defense ministry is facing backlash for making its female cadets march in high heels at a parade to mark the 30th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union on August 24.

    Photos published by the ministry on Facebook shows the women from the Military Institute at the Taras Shevchenko National University in the country’s capital, Kyiv, marching in high heels.

    As per reports, the cadets have been practicing twice daily, for an average of four hours a day, the ministry said in a social media post.

    Politicians of the country and social media users criticised the plan but the country’s ministry of defence has defended its decision.

    Read More: Video of Police Head Constable carrying differently-abled woman wins hearts

    Ivanna Medvid, a cadet at the Military Institute of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, has been training for more than a month. “Today, for the first time, training takes place in high-heeled shoes,” she told Army Inform. “It’s a little harder than in boots, but we try.”


    Elena Kondratyuk, deputy chairman of the Ukrainian parliament joined other members of to call on Defence Minister Andrei Taran to reconsider the decision.

    According to CNN, following the criticism, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence said on Saturday that it will issue “new, improved footwear” for female soldiers.