Categories
-Top News Europe

Ukraine Delays Parliamentary and Presidential Elections

Ukraine was due to hold parliamentary elections in October last year, while the presidential elections were initially slated for spring 2024…reports Asian Lite News

Ukrainian authorities have decided not to hold parliamentary and presidential elections amid the ongoing martial law which was imposed in the wake of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said.

“It has been decided that elections will not be held in Ukraine while martial law is in place,” Xinhua news agency quoted Stefanchuk as saying.

There were many discussions at both the parliamentary and government levels in Ukraine over the possible elections, he said.

Kiev also held consultations with its partners over the issue, in particular with foreign parliament speakers, the Speaker added.

Ukraine was due to hold parliamentary elections in October last year, while the presidential elections were initially slated for spring 2024.

President Volodymyr Zelensky declared the martial law on February 24 2022, just hours after Russia launched its war against Ukraine.

In a televised address to the nation, he had clarified that all able-bodied men from 18–60 years old were not allowed to leave the country as the country began a general mobilisation of all reserve forces.

Since then, the martial law has been extended several times.

In November last year, it was prolonged till February 14, 2024.

ALSO READ-France to Deliver 40 SCALP Missiles to Ukraine

Categories
-Top News Europe

Italy Extends Strong Backing for Ukraine Amid Russia Conflict

A few hours later, the Senate recorded 103 votes in favour, 24 against and 27 abstentions…reports Asian Lite News

Italy’s Parliament has approved a resolution reaffirming the country’s support for Ukraine for another year in that country’s conflict with Russia.

Both Houses of the Italian Parliament on Wednesday supported the resolution, with the Lower House casting 195 votes in favour, 50 against and 55 abstentions. A few hours later, the Senate recorded 103 votes in favour, 24 against and 27 abstentions.

In a change to previous resolutions of support in Italy, the vote also called for the Italian government to support “all diplomatic efforts” to negotiate an end to the conflict as long as those efforts lead to a “lasting” and “balanced” peace, Xinhua news agency reported.

Italy is among the countries sending military equipment to Ukraine since the start of the conflict. Public support for aid to Ukraine from European Union member states has eroded in recent months.

ALSO READ-Russia launches 28 drones at Ukraine overnight

Categories
-Top News Defence USA

US Launches F-16 Training for Ukrainian Pilots

After the trainees grasp the necessary language skills, they will then be trained on how to actually fly the F-16, and this process will begin in October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona, Ryder said…reports Asian Lite News

The US will begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets in September at US Air Force bases in two southern states, the Department of Defense announced.

The training, which will include “several pilots and dozens of maintainers,” will start in September with English-language classes to be offered at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder told a press briefing on Thursday.

After the trainees grasp the necessary language skills, they will then be trained on how to actually fly the F-16, and this process will begin in October at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona, Ryder said.

The training in the US “will be the fundamental fighter pilot training,” he said, adding that the exact curriculum for the Ukrainian pilots will depend on their levels of experience, of which an assessment is also part of the training programme, Xinhua news agency reported.

On the duration of the training, Ryder said it typically takes eight months for a new F-16 pilot with not a lot of training on the US side to complete the process, and “within the five-month range” for an experienced pilot receiving “upgrade training”.

Currently, European countries are leading the effort to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and other advanced fighters made by Western countries, with Demark and the Netherlands now prepared to undertake the task. The US government previously said it would do its part to provide training on US soil if and when Europe reached the full capacity.

Without giving a specific timeline of F-16 deliveries, Ryder said it could be months ahead, adding that European countries are looking to provide the aircraft “and the US will support that effort through the third-party transfer process”.

ALSO READ-Thousands flee homes across British Columbia from wildfires

Categories
-Top News UK News

Zelensky sacks Ukrainian envoy to UK  

Prystaiko was interviewed about the exchange the following day, where he was asked whether there was a “hint of sarcasm” in Zelenskyy’s response to Wallace…reports Asian Lite News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired his ambassador to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystaiko on Friday, days after criticism of his remarks regarding comments by UK Defence Secretary, CNN reported.

A statement published Friday on the Ukrainian presidency’s website confirmed Prystaiko’s dismissal, however, did not provide a reason.

Notably, Prystaiko had criticized Zelenskyy over his reaction to recent remarks by British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who had suggested Ukraine had not expressed sufficient “gratitude” for Western financial support.

Prystaiko said Zelensky’s response to Wallace amounted to “unhealthy sarcasm”, CNN reported.

The tension began at a NATO summit in Lithuania earlier this month when Wallace said that “whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude for the West’s military contributions to Ukraine’s war effort”. “I said to the Ukrainians last June when I drove 11 hours to be given a list – I’m not Amazon,” CNN quoted Wallace as saying.

When asked about those remarks by a reporter at the NATO summit, Zelenskyy was ‘nonplussed’. “I just don’t know what he means. How else should we thank him? Well, let him write to me and tell me how I need to thank people so that we can be fully grateful. We can also wake up in the morning and thank the minister personally,” CNN quoted Zelenskyy as saying.

Prystaiko was interviewed about the exchange the following day, where he was asked whether there was a “hint of sarcasm” in Zelenskyy’s response to Wallace. Responding to this, Prystaiko conceded there was “a little bit of sarcasm,” and went on to say: “I don’t believe this sarcasm is healthy.”

“We don’t have to show the Russians that we have something between us. They have to know that we are working together. If anything happens, Ben can call me and tell me everything he wants,” CNN quoted Prystaiko as saying.

ALSO READ-Biden to meet Zelensky during NATO Summit



Categories
-Top News Europe UK News

‘Wagner not participating in Ukraine war in any significant way’

On Wednesday, Russia announced that its army had received more than 2,000 pieces of military hardware, including tanks, from Wagner, following the rebellion…reports Asian Lite News

Wagner mercenaries are no longer participating in “any significant capacity” in combat operations in Ukraine, the Pentagon said Thursday, more than two weeks after the group’s aborted mutiny in Russia.

“At this stage, we do not see Wagner forces participating in any significant capacity in support of combat operations in Ukraine,” Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder told a news briefing.

The armed group, which played a key role in the Ukraine offensive, sought to topple Russia’s military leadership during the brief rebellion, before backing down.

The whereabouts of its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin are largely unknown in the wake of an agreement with the Kremlin that allowed for him to be exiled to neighbouring Belarus.

Ryder said the United States assessed that “the majority” of Wagner fighters were still in areas of Russian-occupied Ukraine.

Russian army chief of staff Valery Gerasimov Gerasimov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had for months been the targets of fierce criticism from Prigozhin, leading up to the attempted rebellion.

Since the failed mutiny, speculation has been rife that there could be a reshuffle among Russia’s military leadership, while details about the deal that ended the Wagner rebellion remain uncertain.

The Kremlin has said that President Vladimir Putin met with Prigozhin during an hours-long meeting in Moscow days after the mutiny.

On Wednesday, Russia announced that its army had received more than 2,000 pieces of military hardware, including tanks, from Wagner, following the rebellion.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that Putin held secret talks at the Kremlin with the Wagner warlord who staged an armed mutiny against his regime.

The unannounced session took place on July 1, a week after the revolt by Yevgeny Prigozhin and his Wagner mercenary army, according to French publication Liberation, which cited secret service sources.

Since the alleged meeting, Prigozhin appears to be remaining in Russia rather than forced into exile in neighbouring Belarus as seemed his fate earlier.

The claims about a sensational head-to-head between Putin and Prigozhin come amid a chilling separate theory that the Wagner boss may be tasked with using his armed force to assassinate Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky — and ‘bring his head’ to the Kremlin.

Prigozhin may seek to carry out ‘some great atrocity for the benefit of Russia’ to work his way back in with the Putin regime after his armed revolt aimed at toppling Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Defence Staff Valery Gerasimov, said one of Moscow’s most-respected editors, Nobel prize-winner Dmitry Muratov.

“I think [Yevgeny Prigozhin] may not ask for forgiveness [from Putin],” Muratov, who runs the pioneering investigative news outlet Novaya Gazeta, told Zhivoy Gvozd in his YouTube show.

ALSO READ-Wagner group ‘simply does not exist’, says Putin

Categories
-Top News

Ukraine, 11 Countries sign memorandum on training pilots on F-16s

The creation of the coalition opens the doors to include other types of fighter aircraft in the program, he added…reports Asian Lite News

Ukraine has signed a memorandum with 11 countries to create a coalition for training pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said.

“It’s official: a coalition for F-16 training of the Ukrainian Air Force has been formed,” Reznikov tweeted.

Apart from pilots, technicians and support staff will participate in a training program, Xinhua news agency quoted the Minister as saying.

The creation of the coalition opens the doors to include other types of fighter aircraft in the program, he added.

Reznikov thanked Denmark and the Netherlands for their leadership in creating the coalition.

Separately, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystayko said that 20 Ukrainian pilots will begin training on Western fighter jets in Britain at the end of this month or at the beginning of August.

Prystayko noted that Britain does not operate F-16 fighters, but has other European-made aircraft. 

ALSO READ-NATO allies affirm support for Ukraine’s push for membership

Categories
-Top News Europe

Russian forces gain ground near Ukrainian town of Svatove

Maliar said that while Ukrainian fighters are moving forward along the southern flank in the Bakhmut area, having “partial success,” Russia has moved two air assault regiments to the northern flank and the fighting continues…reports Asian Lite News

Ukraine’s deputy defense minister on Sunday said Russian forces have gained some ground near the eastern Ukrainian town of Svatove, CNN reported.

The defence official Hanna Maliar in a Telegram post said: “Fierce fighting is taking place there. The enemy is attacking Bilohorivka and Serebrianka.” She was referring to two smaller villages south of Svatove.

The eastern town, which is located in the Luhansk region, has long been regarded as a key target for Ukrainian forces. It is situated along key Russian supply routes, so any eventual recapture of the town would have important strategic implications for Ukraine, as per CNN.

“Heavy fighting” continues along the entire eastern front line, with Russia attacking in several directions. The cities of Avdiivka, Marinka and Lyman are among them, Maliar said, echoing a report from the Ukrainian military Saturday.

Maliar said that while Ukrainian fighters are moving forward along the southern flank in the Bakhmut area, having “partial success,” Russia has moved two air assault regiments to the northern flank and the fighting continues.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he’s afraid to lose bipartisan support from the United States, following what he called “dangerous messages coming from some Republicans”, CNN reported.

Zelenskyy in a news conference with Spanish media in Kyiv on Saturday, said: “Mike Pence has visited us, and he supports Ukraine. First of all, as an American, and then as a Republican.”

“We have bipartisan support. However, there are different messages in their circles regarding support for Ukraine. There are messages coming from some Republicans, sometimes dangerous messages, that there may be less support,” he said. (ANI)

ALSO READ-How Putin averted Civil War in Russia

Categories
-Top News Europe

Russian missiles hit Kiev

Air raid sirens reportedly also rang out across several other Ukrainian regions. Local military commanders in Kiev accused Russia of changing its tactics and deliberately targeting the civilian population…reports Asian Lite News

Russian missiles have hit Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, following two nights of heavy drone strikes, the media reported. They were all reportedly shot down and there are no reports of casualties.

Flaming debris from the intercepted missiles landed in residential areas in central Kiev. Russia has launched 16 air attacks on the Ukrainian capital this month.

The latest, however, was unusual because it took place during the day — and seemed to be targeted at the city centre.

All other air assaults on the capital so far in May have taken place at night and appeared to be directed at critical national infrastructure and air defences on the outskirts.

Air Force spokesman Yuri Ihnat said that Iskander ballistic missiles were used in the latest attack and that it was possible S-300 and S-400 missiles had also been fired. According to reports, only one person was injured and all missiles were destroyed by Ukrainian air defences. Russian authorities claimed all their targets had been hit.

Air raid sirens reportedly also rang out across several other Ukrainian regions. Local military commanders in Kiev accused Russia of changing its tactics and deliberately targeting the civilian population.

It certainly appears that Moscow wants to step up its pressure on Ukraine even further ahead of any counter-offensive, the BBC reported.

Ukrainian Parliament backs 50-year sanctions on Iran

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Parliament has endorsed a decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to impose sanctions on Iran for 50 years, lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko said on Telegram.

The sanction bill, which was submitted to the Parliament by President Volodymyr Zelensky, was on Monday supported by 328 votes in favour, with the required minimum of 226.

On May 27, the NSDC approved a decision, envisaging the introduction of restrictive measures against Iran, which include a complete ban on trade with military equipment and dual-use goods and services.

The sanctions also include the suspension of transit of resources, flights and transportation in Ukraine by Iranian residents.

The prohibition of performing some economic and financial obligations in favor of Iranian residents and a ban on the transfer of technologies to Iranian residents are also on the sanction list.

Earlier this month, Zelensky said Iran was supplying combat drones to Russia, which are used in attacks against Ukraine.

ALSO READ-5-day ceasefire extension in Sudan

Categories
-Top News EU News Europe

EU to train up to 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the EU’s decision to establish the training mission for Ukraine’s armed forces and told reporters in Brussels that it would complement what NATO countries already do…reports Asian Lite News

The European Union has ramped up its support to Ukraine by launching a military assistance mission for Ukrainian troops, more than eight months after Russia invaded Ukraine.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday that this mission is a direct response to Ukraine’s request for such support and said that “up to 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers will be trained in different European member states” as a part of the mission.

“It is going to be a big effort in order to renew, increase, improve the capacities of the Ukrainian army,” Borrell said, adding that it would be operational in less than three months.

The mission will be led by Frenchman Vice Admiral Hervé Bléjean, and EU defence ministers also agreed to allot a fund worth 16 million euros ($16.5m) under the European Peace Facility (EPF) – an EU financial instrument to prevent conflicts and build peace – to support the mission for 24 months.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the EU’s decision to establish the training mission for Ukraine’s armed forces and told reporters in Brussels that it would complement what NATO countries already do.

“But it is important we provide more training because Ukrainians are fighting a bloody battle which is very challenging,” he told reporters at an EU defence ministers meeting in Brussels.

Both France and Germany have repeatedly been criticised by Ukraine for not sending enough weapons. Nedelcu said this EU military training assistance mission with France and Germany playing a key role, is a way for them to make up for that criticism.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels before an EU defence ministers meeting, German defence minister Christine Lambrecht said that “up to 5,000 Ukrainian soldiers will be trained in Germany until June 2023, and a repair centre will be established in Slovakia.”

As the war grinds on with Russian missiles continuing to hit Ukraine’s key cities, EU foreign policy chief Borrell also highlighted that while the EU will continue supplying arms to Ukraine, it is also important for the bloc to think of its own arms stock and defence capabilities.

“European armies have to share, they have to be interoperable, they have to go together as much as possible to replenish their stocks,” he told reporters.

ALSO READ-India a leading player on Climate Action: European report

Categories
-Top News EU News

EU plans to shore up alternative routes for Ukrainian grain exports

However, hopes are currently pinned on the agreement with Russia enabling a resumption of regular Ukrainian agricultural exports via the Black Sea…reports Asian Lite News

Despite the resumption of grain exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports under a UN and Turkish-brokered deal between Moscow and Kiev, the European Union (EU) intends to continue its efforts to create alternative freight routes for Ukrainian grain exports.

Despite the re-opening of maritime routes, an immediate return to pre-war levels of Ukrainian exports remains challenging and alternative export routes are still crucial, an EU Commission official said.

European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean stressed that there was “room for improvement”, in the alternative routes being worked on, citing a lack of freight wagons, barge operators and storage facilities for Ukrainian produce.

According to the European Commission, Ukraine was the world’s largest exporter of sunflower oil, the third largest exporter of rapeseed and barley, the fourth largest exporter of maize, and the fifth largest exporter of wheat before the beginning of Ukraine’s invasion by Russia in February.

However, hopes are currently pinned on the agreement with Russia enabling a resumption of regular Ukrainian agricultural exports via the Black Sea.

According to EU figures, before the war, up to 5 million tonnes of grain passed through Ukraine’s Black Sea ports each month.

Reaching that level again in the near future is considered highly unlikely, however, with the first ship to leave the port of Odessa under the UN deal carrying just 26,000 tonnes of maize.

ALSO READ-‘Russia a danger to Europe’