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Ukraine celebrates National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai

Ukraine celebrates National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai

Ukraine on Monday hosted a number of activities in celebration of its National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai, with the attendance of high-ranking officials from both countries…reports Asian Lite News

Present at the opening activity, which took place at Al Wasl Plaza, were Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai; Mariam Hareb Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; and Iryna Novikova, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine; in addition to a number of officials from both countries and visitors of Expo 2020 Dubai.

In his opening speech, Sheikh Nahyan said, “Since becoming a member of the BIE in 1960, Ukraine has regularly participated in World and Specialized Expos with award winning successes in its history of participation, so we are pleased to see a strong representation of Ukraine at Expo 2020.”

EXPO 2020

“As we proudly host Expo 2020 Dubai and welcome the world to the United Arab Emirates, we feel joy in celebrating our Nation’s Golden Jubilee with our global family of nations. Expo 2020 is providing an opportunity for our global community to work together on an accelerated path to recovery, to build a safer, happier future. Our theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ is even more relevant today,” he added.

Sheikh Nahyan referred that Ukraine’s exhibition, titled ‘Smart Ukraine: Connecting Dots’, allows to discover how future technology and smart living can help create a more balanced world. “The pavilion invites us to explore three zones focused on life, thinking and feeling,” he added.

He highlighted that the UAE is the first country in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region to host the World Expo and is looking to strengthen economic and cultural ties with countries around the world.

ALSO READ: France National Day celebrated at Expo 2020

“The UAE continues to be an expanding partner of Ukraine, and our thriving relations have resulted in the establishment of the Ukrainian Business Council in Dubai, among other milestones in the economic, cultural, and educational spheres,” he said.

“With Expo 2020, we hope to build on the existing partnerships between our two countries, as we seek to grow our cooperation further within fields of mutual interest, such as space exploration, tourism, and clean energy,” he added.

From her side, Novikova highlighted the distinguished bilateral relations between the UAE and Ukraine, saying that Expo 2020 Dubai is a remarkable global event that inspires the entire world, creates opportunities and boosts the level of cooperation between countries.

After that, Sheikh Nahyan and the accompanying delegation toured the Ukraine Pavilion which is located in the Opportunity District.

Under the theme of ‘Smart Ukraine: Connecting Dots’, the Ukraine Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai is a single space divided into three thematic groups: smart life, smart thinking, smart feelings. It seeks to “solve humanity’s problems” with creativity and common sense.

Ukraine celebrates National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai

Among the exhibits at the Ukraine Pavilion are an e-bike that can travel 380km after a single charge, and a 3D printer for ceramics and solar blinds that are capable of generating energy, thus reflecting the uniqueness and originality of the Ukrainian people and its culture through the prism of modern technologies.

Ukraine Pavilion presents a “field” created from real ears of wheat, “nano-wheat”, and digital wheat. This solution symbolically demonstrates Ukraine’s movement into the future in harmony with nature and technological progress.

The pavilion will also run an entertainment programme that includes fashion shows, topical seminars and creative performances.

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USA

Biden to host Ukrainian President on Aug 30

The two leaders would also discuss energy security cooperation and anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine…reports Asian Lite News

President Joe Biden will host his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on August 30, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.

“The visit will affirm the US’ unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression in the Donbas and Crimea,” Psaki said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The two leaders would also discuss energy security cooperation and anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine, according to the statement.

The announcement came as the US and Germany reached an agreement on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline issue, which Ukraine opposes.

The 1,230-km gas pipeline, expected to be completed next month, would bring 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea.

Biden had first extended the invitation for Zelensky to visit the White House last month, ahead of the US leader’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva.

ALSO READ: ‘Russia-US ties approach dangerous confrontational point’

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-Top News UK News

UK to help boost Ukrainian naval capabilities

The government has signed a Memorandum of Implementation (MOI) with the Ukraine ministry of defence…reports Asian Lite News.

Ukraine is on course to rebuild the capabilities of its navy with the help of a possible deal with UK warship builder and support-services company Babcock International, media reported.

The government has signed a Memorandum of Implementation (MOI) with the Ukraine ministry of defence.

Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Tony Radakin were joined by Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Oleksandr Myroniuk and industry representative David Lockwood from Babcock on the Type 45 Destroyer.

Naval ensign of Ukraine (Wikipedia)

UK had signed an agreement in October last year. As part of this, the two nations and their industrial partners will now push Ukrainian naval capabilities enhancement projects (UNCEP) forward.

These projects will include; the introduction of new capabilities through the delivery of new naval platforms and defensive shipborne armaments, the training of Ukrainian Navy personnel, the creation of new naval bases, and the purchase of two Sandown class mine countermeasure vessels.

Signing the MOI on behalf of the UK, Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin said, the UK and Ukraine have a close defence relationship, and “we continue to strengthen this partnership to help deter shared threats.”

“I am delighted that British and Ukrainian industry will work together on these projects, which will provide world-leading capabilities and provide opportunities for both our nations to boost our shipbuilding enterprises,” he added.

Babcock International will lead British and Ukrainian industrial partners to assist the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence in delivering these projects, with funding made available by UK Export Finance (UKEF).

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence said: “Ukraine and the UK are good friends and allies. Today’s Memorandum gives a new impetus to our co-operation in naval industry and will facilitate further development of the Ukrainian Navy. We appreciate the British support and value your experience.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4ELCSwgr48

Signing the MOI on behalf of industry, David Lockwood, CEO Babcock International saidthe agreement marks the beginning of a new international relationship for Babcock, “bringing together our new ship capability, our infrastructure and support capability and our new strong relationship with the UK Government.”

Highlighting UK’s commitment to Black Sea regional security, and to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, HMS Defender’s visited the port of Odesa as part of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group deployment.

During the visit by Ministers a trilateral exercise between the UK, Ukraine and the US took place on board the ship, showcasing our support to maritime capability development and interoperability.

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READ MORE-Ukraine, UK step up defence ties

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-Top News Asia News UK News

Ukraine, UK step up defence ties

UK Ukraine ink military pact

The deal was signed during the visit of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Ruslan Khomchak to the UK on April 19-20…reports Asian Lite News

Ukraine and the UK have reached an agreement on expanding the Orbital training mission and working on strengthening the Ukrainian Navy.

This agreement was reached during the visit of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Ruslan Khomchak to the UK on April 19-20 and his meeting with the British Chief of the General Staff, General Nick Carter, reports Xinhua news agency.

Khomchak thanked the UK for its assistance in increasing the combat capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and their compatibility with NATO troops.

UK Ukraine ink military pact

Carter, in turn, said the British Armed Forces had trained over 20,000 Ukrainian servicemen as part of bilateral military cooperation.

He also said the British side leads the initiative to train the Ukrainian Navy and supports defense reform in Ukraine.

Britain-led Operation Orbital, a training program for the Ukrainian armed forces, was established in 2015 following the request of the Ukrainian authorities.

Also read:Covid surge: India on UK’s red list

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-Top News EU News

Macron wants to get tough on Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron

Macron has put himself at the forefront of the diplomatic push to ease the latest flare up in Ukraine’s conflict….reports Asian Lite News

French President Emmanuel Macron said it was “unacceptable” that Russian troops are amassing along Ukraine’s eastern border and called for a tough stance against the threat of fresh military aggression from Moscow.

“The situation today and the level of tension at the border is absolutely counterproductive and unacceptable,” Macron said in an interview that aired on Sunday, DPA news agency reported.

While he was in favour of accelerating diplomatic efforts to ease the tensions, Macron said the discussions with Moscow needed to be “clear and tough”.

“I think we have to define clear red lines with Russia,” Macron told US television channel CBS.

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Also read:Ukrainian diplomat expelled from Russia for ‘spying’

“This is the only way to be credible. I think that sanctions are not sufficient in itself, in themselves, but sanctions are part of the package,” he said.

Macron has put himself at the forefront of the diplomatic push to ease the latest flare up in Ukraine’s conflict.

He held discussions with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. The three demanded Russia pull back troops and urged that a shaky ceasefire in eastern Ukraine be recommitted to.

Ukrainian border patrol troops guard the country’s border to Hungary on Wednesday. Moscow is warning countries not to supply weapons to Kiev, amid an escalation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Photo: -/Ukrinform/dpa/IANS

New consultation-level talks with Franco-German mediation are planned for Monday, according to Zelensky.

Anxiety is growing about the conflict that erupted between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed separatist rebels in 2014, the same year that Russian forces annexed the Crimean peninsula further south.

Parts of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions along the Russian border have been controlled by rebels supported by Moscow for nearly seven years.

Also read:France likely to join Indian Ocean initiative

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-Top News World

Ukrainian diplomat expelled from Russia for ‘spying’

Kremlin Palace (L) and the Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, capital of Russia

The Russian Foreign Ministry asked a Ukrainian diplomat to leave the country after he was caught red-handed receiving classified information from a citizen of Russia.

In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry said it had summoned Ukraine’s Charge d’Affaires Vasily Pokotilo after the Federal Security Service intelligence agency briefly detained Ukrainian consul Aleksandr Sosonyuk in St. Petersburg on Friday for obtaining classified information about Russian law enforcement agencies, reports Xinhua news agency.

Ukrainian border patrol troops guard the country’s border to Hungary on Wednesday. Russia is warning countries not to supply weapons to Kiev, amid an escalation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Photo: -/Ukrinform/dpa/IANS

The Russian side pointed out the inadmissibility of Sosonyuk’s activity, which was incompatible with the status of a consular officer and detrimental to Moscow’s security interests, the statement said.

The Ministry said that his stay on Russian territory is undesirable and that it is “recommended” that he leave the country within 72 hours starting April 19.

Categories
-Top News World

Russian warships in Black Sea amid Ukraine tension

Russian Defence Ministry declared that certain sea areas in Crimea would be closed off for months because of the manoeuvres, reports Asian Lite News

Amid renewed tension in eastern Ukraine, Russia has sent 15 warships to the Black Sea for a manoeuvre, which passed through the Kerch Strait on the Crimean Peninsula on Saturday, the Navy said.

It was not initially said how long the exercises would last, dpa news agency reported.

The US had previously cancelled the deployment of two warships to the Black Sea following complaints from Russia.

Also Read – Moscow warns against Ukraine’s NATO membership

On Friday, the Russian Defence Ministry declared that certain sea areas in Crimea would be closed off for months because of the manoeuvres.

However, shipping in the strait was not affected, it said.

The European Union, NATO and Ukraine criticised Russia’s actions.

In response, a senior EU official said it was an “extremely worrying development”.

Ukrainian border patrol troops guard the country’s border to Hungary. Moscow is warning countries not to supply weapons to Kiev, amid an escalation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. (Photo: -/Ukrinform/dpa/IANS)

International concern is growing about an escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine because of Russian troop deployments not far from the Ukrainian border.

Meanwhile, the head of Ukraine’s military operation, Sergei Nayev, indicated that he does not expect a new war.

“We don’t see any attack preparations there,” he told Ukrainian television on Friday night.

“In fact, field hospitals have been set up.” All units are in camps, on firing ranges, he said.

Also Read – US imposes new sanctions on Russia

“In military language, we are talking about a show of force.”

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian diplomat has been arrested in the Russian city of St Petersburg.

He had obtained classified documents, the domestic intelligence service FSB announced, which is not compatible with the status of a diplomat.

Also Read – Russia upset over US, UK missile deployment