Turnout at 5pm was sharply higher than for the 2022 elections at nearly 58%, according to the interior ministry, and – very unusually – also slightly up on the first round vote last Sunday, suggesting the final figure could be the highest for 50 years. #FranceElections2024 #EU #Ukraine
#France on course for highest turnout in decades at pivotal election
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/07/french-election-national-rally-marine-le-pen
Looks like #Ukraine has nothing to worry about re: #UK. Next up, #France 😬
Defence secretary #JohnHealey is in #Ukraine. He held a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart #RustemUmerov in the #BlackSea city of #Odesa
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2024/jul/07/keir-starmer-labour-uk-general-election-scotland-wales-northern-ireland-visit-latest-news?page=with:block-668abb3c8f08a83a9aece4f1#block-668abb3c8f08a83a9aece4f1
And #Macron's party is in 2nd place. Guess who's 3rd 😁
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Here is the first projected #SeatDistribution, from #Ipsos. It shows the #Left in the lead, in a major shift compared to opinion polls during the campaign. #FranceElections2024 #EU #Ukraine
The polls are closed in #France and the first projections have been published.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jul/07/french-election-2024-results-latest-france-news-marine-le-pen-national-rally-emmanuel-macron?page=with:block-668ac2c68f08a83a9aece57b#block-668ac2c68f08a83a9aece57b
And now the final results have arrived with the #LeftWing #NFP alliance on 182, #Macron’s centrists on 163 and the #FarRight #RN and its allies on 143:
The results mean no bloc has an outright majority in parliament – 289 out of the 577 seats are needed for that – meaning there are tumultuous days ahead for #France. #FranceElections2024 #EU #Ukraine
Officials who normally focused on #SecurityPolicy said they would pay close attention to #Biden’s behaviour during his public appearances at the #Nato summit, including a speech in the #MellonAuditorium on Tuesday and then meetings with the other member and partner countries on Wednesday. #Ukraine #Russia
Biden’s health and threat of a second #Trump term loom over #NATOSummit
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/08/nato-summit-biden-trump
#MartinSebena, a lecturer at the University Hong Kong who specialises in #China-#Europe relations, said the timing and location of the drills mean they are likely to be seen as further signaling of #ChineseSupport for #Russia and its allies in #Europe.
#Ukraine war: Why China is conducting military exercises in #Belarus
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/china-belarus-military-exercises-ukraine-war-b2575798.html
I believe in bad karma and that pretty terrible things happen to people (or countries) who accumulate a lot of it .
Russia is long overdue.
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#JoeBiden has called one of the heaviest Russian airstrikes on #Ukraine since the war began “a horrific reminder of #Russia’s brutality”, amid widespread international revulsion at Monday’s attacks.
Biden decries Russian ‘brutality’ over deadly Ukraine strikes as #Nato leaders gather
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/09/biden-russia-strikes-ukraine-kyiv-nato-leaders
The #Ohmatdyt #ChildrensHospital treats children with serious conditions, such as #cancer and #KidneyDisease, and had about 670 child patients and 1,000 staff at the time of the missile attack on #Kyiv yesterday.
Just a few hours before #Modi touched down in #Moscow, Russian air missiles struck #Ukraine’s largest #ChildrensHospital, among other #CivilianTargets, killing dozens and prompting global condemnation. #India
Modi and #Putin cement ‘bonds of friendship’ despite Ukraine tensions
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/09/modi-putin-summit-bonds-of-friendship-ukraine-tensions
#RussianCompanies are increasingly unable to make payments for goods slated to be imported from #China by #rail as #ChineseLenders take extra precautions to avoid running afoul of #sanctions over #Moscow's war against #Ukraine.
China Stops Paying Russia for Cargo #TrainShipments
https://www.newsweek.com/china-stops-paying-russia-cargo-train-shipments-1922673
A court in #Moscow has issued an arrest warrant for the widow of #RussianOpposition leader #AlexeiNavalny on charges of #extremism, according to state media.
The charges brought against #YuliaNavalnaya, who lives outside #Russia, in absentia are to do with her alleged "participation in an extremist society", Tass news agency said. #Ukraine
#RussianCourt orders arrest of Yulia Navalnaya
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg3mjzyp40go?utm_source=press.coop
Mr #Zelenskiy is due to meet Mr #Biden at the #WhiteHouse on July 11 and is scheduled to deliver an address on the evening of July 10.
After rebuffing calls from some fellow #Democrats for Mr Biden to step down, the White House hopes to turn the focus back to his ability to govern normally.
#Nato boosts #Ukraine’s air defences as Biden makes forceful speech amid cloud over his future
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/ukraine-will-stop-putin-biden-tells-nato-in-forceful-speech
Delegations from across #Europe were quietly slotting in meetings with advisers and others with links to #DonaldTrump as they grapple with the possibility — some say likelihood — that he will reclaim the #OvalOffice.
They were hoping to get a clearer sense of just what a #TrumpVictory might mean for an alliance he regularly targets for criticism. #Ukraine
#NATO Allies Gloomy on #Biden’s Prospects Seek Out #Trump Circle
https://www.yahoo.com/news/nato-allies-gloomy-biden-prospects-190410054.html
All member states of the #UN were required to repatriate any #NorthKoreans earning income in their jurisdiction by the end of 2019 under #UNSC #Resolution2397, adopted in 2017.
Experts said #China may be trying to increase its leverage on #NorthKorea at a time when #Pyongyang has been bolstering military and other cooperation with #Russia. #Ukraine
China believed to demand N. Korea bring back all of its workers: source
https://m.koreatimes.co.kr/pages/article.asp?newsIdx=378328
The #ChineseMilitary exercises coincide with a #NATO summit in #Washington where a draft communique says #China has become a decisive enabler of #Russia's war effort in #Ukraine and #Beijing continues to pose systemic challenges to #Europe and to #security.
#Taiwan monitors Chinese military surge, calls China a threat to stability
https://www.rappler.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwan-monitors-surge-chinese-military-activity-pacific-exercises/
(1st UPDATE) The Chinese military exercises coincide with a NATO summit in Washington where a draft communique says China has become a decisive enabler of Russia's war effort in Ukraine and Beijing continues to pose systemic challenges to Europe and to security
“#NATO hyping up #China’s responsibility on the #Ukraine issue is unreasonable and has sinister motives,” spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily briefing.
China has also expressed concern about Nato’s budding relationships with countries in the region. #Australia, #NewZealand, #Japan and #SouthKorea sent their leaders or deputies to the Nato summit this week.
China tells Nato not to create chaos in #Asia and rejects label of 'enabler' of #Russia's #UkraineWar
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jul/11/nato-summit-live-china-accuses-alliance-of-seeking-security-at-expense-of-others-after-ukraine-row?page=with:block-668fa8548f082cd445a10795#block-668fa8548f082cd445a10795
#Ukraine’s top presidential aide on Thursday called for an end to restrictions imposed on the use of allied-supplied weapons against targets deep inside #Russia, saying it would be a “gamechanger” in fighting #Moscow’s occupation, reports Reuters.
Ukraine official calls for end to limits on use of allied-supplied arms
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jul/11/nato-summit-live-china-accuses-alliance-of-seeking-security-at-expense-of-others-after-ukraine-row?page=with:block-668ff14f8f08cae75f96cc84#block-668ff14f8f08cae75f96cc84
#Ukraine probably has enough pilots but not tech & support personnel for both
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The decision was influenced by the availability of #F16 fighters, which are more commonly used by #NATO countries. #Kyiv decided that managing two different #AircraftSystems would be overly complex.
#Kyiv Declines #Gripen Warplane Offer From #Sweden – At Least For Now
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/35650
Use of the weapons is currently limited to strikes on #RussianForces and positions that are launching attacks on #Ukraine, but Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called for all limitations to be lifted. #Russia
Allowing Ukraine to attack Russian territory would be 'dangerous escalation', says Kremlin
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jul/12/russia-ukraine-war-live-ukraine-downs-five-missiles-and-11-drones-overnight?page=with:block-66910ba98f08c5bdd9f24dca#block-66910ba98f08c5bdd9f24dca
The #UnitedStates and #Germany announced at a #NATO summit in #Washington on Wednesday that they would begin deploying long-range fire capabilities in Germany in 2026 to demonstrate their commitment to NATO and European defence at a time when #Russia is waging war in #Ukraine.
Russia to counter 'threatening' US deployment of long-range missiles in Germany
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-says-it-will-work-military-response-us-long-range-missiles-germany-2024-07-11/
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a bill that raises income taxes for the rich, part of efforts to help fill government coffers depleted by the war in Ukraine. The tax hikes were being presented domestically as "systemic reforms".
"The myth that Russian boots never leave territories they had once stepped in is shattered. #Russia is out, #TheWest is in," said Azerbaijani political scientist #EldarNamazov. #Armenia #Ukraine
Russia quietly exits #Nagorno-#Karabakh seven months after Azerbaijani offensive, ceding its clout 'for good'
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-20/russia-quietly-exits-karabakh-ceding-its-clout-for-good-/103749418
Russian troops deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh four years ago to keep the peace between bitter foes Armenia and Azerbaijan. But last September, when Azerbaijani forces swept through the mountainous region and crushed Armenian separatist forces in a matter of hours, the mission looked lost.
In a #NewYorkTimes op-ed in April, the #Ohio senator said he remains “opposed to virtually any proposal for the #UnitedStates to continue funding this war,” and previously said it is in #America’s best interest “to accept #Ukraine is going to have to cede some territory to the Russians.” #UkraineWar #TrumpBidenFight #Biden
#Trump’s pick of #JDVance as running mate likely to alarm Ukraine and its supporters
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-pick-j-d-vance-213824283.html
The highly unusual decision to have the #EuropeanCommission president and other top officials of the body boycott the meetings was made “in light of recent developments marking the start of the Hungarian (EU) presidency”, commission spokesperson #EricMamer posted on Monday on X. #Russia #Ukraine
Top #EU officials to boycott informal meetings hosted by #Hungary
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/15/top-eu-officials-to-boycott-informal-meetings-hosted-by-hungary
In the middle of a #HeatWave too.
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The nuclear power unit was allegedly shut down automatically due to turbogenerator malfunctions.
The Rostov Nuclear Power Plant has four power units. It is the largest station in southern Russia, with a capacity of 4 GW and provides about 75% of the electricity production in the #Rostov region. #Ukraine
#PowerOutages begin in #Russia and #Crimea due to major failure at #RostovNPP
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/power-outages-begin-in-russia-and-crimea-1721148553.html
German aid to Ukraine will be cut to 4 billion euros ($4.35 billion) in 2025 from around 8 billion euros in 2024, according to a draft of the 2025 budget seen by #Reuters.
Germany hopes Ukraine will be able to meet the bulk of its military needs with the $50 billion in loans from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets approved by the #G7.
#Germany to halve military aid for #Ukraine despite possible #Trump #WhiteHouse
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-halve-military-aid-ukraine-despite-possible-trump-white-house-2024-07-17/
Just like France.
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#UrsulaVonDerLeyen has been voted in for a second term as #EuropeanCommission president, winning an emphatic victory as mainstream groups in the #EuropeanParliament united to deny a win for #AntiEU and #ExtremeRight forces.
In the end, 401 MEPs voted in her favour, 284 against, 15 abstained and seven votes were void. She needed 360 votes to be re-elected. #EU #Europe #Ukraine
Ursula von der Leyen wins second term as European Commission president
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/18/ursula-von-der-leyen-wins-second-term-european-commission-president
The Ukrainian president was invited to become the first foreign leader to speak at a British Cabinet meeting since #BillClinton in 1997, in a show of solidarity with #Kyiv from the new #LabourGovernment.
#Zelenskyy told #Starmer and his senior ministers that being able to strike inside Russian territory would help prevent attacks on residential areas in #Ukraine. #Russia
Zelenskyy calls on Starmer to approve missiles
https://www.politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelenskyy-keir-starmer-approve-missile-ukraine-uk-russia-war/?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication&utm_source=press.coop
#Kyiv last month adopted #sanctions blocking the transit of #PipelineCrude sold by #Moscow’s largest private oil firm, #Lukoil, to #CentralEurope, sparking fears of supply shortages in #Budapest and #Bratislava.
#EU ‘ready’ to negotiate as #Hungary-#Ukraine oil row boils over
https://www.politico.eu/article/european-union-hungary-ukraine-oil-lukoil-russia-war-slovakia/
"We cannot just finish because (if we do) #Ukraine is unable to defend itself and it has to surrender. And the Russian troops will be in the Polish border and Ukraine will become a second #Belarus. Do you want this kind of ending the war? No." #EU
If we don't support Ukraine, Ukraine will fall in a matter of days,' says #JosepBorrell
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/05/05/if-we-dont-support-ukraine-ukraine-will-fall-in-a-matter-of-days-says-josep-borrell
In a significant move, #China has declared a ban on exporting unregulated #CivilianDrones that could serve #military or #terrorist purposes. This decision follows heightened Western criticism over China's position in the #Russia-#Ukraine conflict.
China to Ban Export of Unregulated Civilian Drones Amid Scrutiny Over Russia-Ukraine Conflict
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3036924-china-to-ban-export-of-unregulated-civilian-drones-amid-scrutiny-over-russia-ukraine-conflict
In a significant move China has declared a ban on exporting unregulated civilian drones that could serve military or terrorist purposes This decision follows heightened Western criticism over Chinas position in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
They're desperate for manpower. Putin is even throwing in the Chechen barrier troops into the frontlines
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The new sign-on bonus is more than double the lump-sum payment of 195,000 rubles ($2,200) the federal government has offered new recruits to fight in #Ukraine since September 2022. #Russia
#Putin doubles army sign-on bonus, offering new recruits $4,600 to fight in Ukraine
https://meduza.io/en/news/2024/07/31/putin-doubles-army-sign-on-bonus-offering-new-recruits-4-600-to-fight-in-ukraine
The F-16s provided to #Ukraine in the coming weeks cannot deliver instant air superiority over #Russia’s robust Russian air defenses, but they will allow #Kyiv to transition to a Western-style air force and better employ U.S. munitions, the U.S. Air Force’s top general in Europe said July 30. #F16
F-16s Not a ‘Golden Bullet’ for #Ukraine, But They Are an Upgrade, USAFE’s Hecker Says
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/ukraine-master-f-16s-good-start-usaf-general-europe/
Vladimir Kara Murza was among the 16 prisoners the Kremlin released.
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Even during his trial, #KaraMurza voiced confidence that #Putin's reign would end and #Russia would be free.
"The day will come when the darkness over our country will dissipate, when those who kindled and unleashed this war — rather than those who tried to stop it — will be recognized as criminals," he said to the court.
Poisoned and jailed: Kremlin critic Kara-Murza
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/08/02/world/politics/kremlin-critic-kara-murza/
The Ukrainian military said it launched a successful strike against a Russian #submarine on Friday and damaged an #S400 air defense system in occupied #Crimea.
"In the port of #Sevastopol, the submarine of the Russian #BlackSea fleet 'Rostov-on-Don' was successfully attacked."
#Ukraine claims sinking of #Russia submarine in Sevastopol
https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-submarine-sunk-by-ukraine-military-claims/?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication&utm_source=press.coop
A very balanced article on a pretty thorny reality.
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The backlash to the first set of public comments by some of those released in last week's historic #PrisonerExchange is a stark indication of the chasm between #Kyiv and #Russia's #AntiWar opposition.
Freed Russian Anti-War Politicians Trigger Backlash in #Ukraine
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/36926
#UkrainianForces staged an overnight ambush on a #RussianConvoy 25 miles inside the international border in #Russia’s #Kursk province, as the #Kremlin declared a federal emergency and said it was transferring extra forces to try to snuff out a four-day incursion that has badly damaged its credibility.
#Ukraine ambushes Russian convoy in Kursk as Kremlin declares emergency
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/09/ukraine-ambushes-russian-convoy-in-kursk-as-kremlin-declares-federal-emergency
“The unfolding events demonstrate the extent to which #Moscow has deeply depended on sanctuary in Russian territory to wage its war against #Ukraine,” Barros told CNN. “#Russia has undermanned its borders and border fortifications, relying on its perception of safety because it has not felt vulnerable.”
Doing the least obvious thing’: Ukraine embarrasses #Putin with surprise assault on southern Russia
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/10/europe/ukraine-putin-embarrasses-surprise-assault-analysis-intl/index.html
At a Kremlin meeting on Wednesday, Vladimir Putin fixed the commander in chief of Russia’s military, General Valery Gerasimov, with a cold stare and a look of exasperation. The video, released Wednesday by the Kremlin, showed the Russian president was not happy with news from the southern region of Kursk.
#Russia’s army had said about 1,000 Ukrainian troops were deployed in the cross-border incursion that began on Tuesday and appeared to catch the #Kremlin off guard, allowing #Ukraine’s forces to penetrate Russian defensive lines.
Asked whether the 1,000 figure was correct, the official said: “It is a lot more … Thousands.”
Ukraine aims to ‘destabilise Russia’ with thousands of troops in #KurskIncursion
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/11/thousands-of-ukrainian-troops-aim-to-destabilise-russia-with-kursk-incursion
#Russia urged more civilians to flee an intensifying Ukrainian assault Monday after a stunning incursion that has seen #Kyiv's forces advance some 20 miles and seize back the initiative in the 2½ year war.
On the 7th day of the #KurskIncursion, residents in parts of neighboring #Belgorod were also urged to flee their homes.
Russia evacuates another border region as #Ukraine advances after surprise incursion
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-evacuates-belgorod-kursk-incursion-fire-nuclear-plant-rcna166172
#Russia urged more civilians to flee an intensifying Ukrainian assault Monday after a stunning incursion that has seen #Kyiv's forces advance some 20 miles and seize back the initiative in the 2½ year war. On the 7th day of the #KurskIncursion, residents in parts of neighboring #Belgorod were also urged to flee their homes. #Kursk Russia evacuates another border region as #Ukraine advances after surprise incursion https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-evacuates-belgorod-kursk-incursion-fire-nuclear-plant-rcna166172
Norobiik @
Scubyw