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☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy Publishes Income as Part of Transparency Drive
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made public his income over a two-year period on Sunday as part of a drive to promote transparency and root out endemic corruption. In a post on the presidential website, Zelenskiy noted that his income had declined in 2021 and further in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February. In 2021, the year before the invasion, Zelenskiy and his family reported income of 10.8 million hryvnias ($286,168), down 12 million hryvnias from the previous year. In 2022, the Zelenskiy family’s income fell further to 3.7 million hryvnias as he earned less rental income from real estate he owned because of the outbreak of the war. Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention, one of several bodies devoted to exposing and eliminating graft, last month reopened to public scrutiny a register on declared income.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Reuters, European Union, International Monetary Fund, National Agency on Corruption Locations: Russia, Ukraine

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy: Russia Is 'Playing With the Lives of Ukrainian POWs'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for full clarity on Wednesday on the circumstances of the crash of a Russian plane in a Russian border region and accused Moscow of "playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners of war." "It is clear that the Russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners, the feelings of their loved ones and the emotions of our society," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video broadcast. Russian officials accuse Ukraine of deliberately shooting down the Il-76 military transport and said it was carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war due to take part in a swap. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Chris Reese)

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Chris Reese Organizations: Reuters Locations: Russian, Moscow, Ukraine

☆ Drones Are Hit and Miss for Ukrainian Soldiers
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, have become vital for Ukraine's military since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. "And most of them are because of low-quality parts that are used very often to make the drones even cheaper." AN INTEGRAL PART OF UKRAINE'S WAR EFFORTUkraine's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the soldiers' remarks. Drones range from small UAVs controlled remotely to larger devices that can fly hundreds of kilometres deep into Russian territory. Despite their impact, Sam said drones could not win the war on their own.

Persons: Inna, Sam, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Elaine Monaghan, Timothy Heritage Organizations: Reuters, Russia, Artillery, Russian Locations: DONETSK, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Donetsk, Russia, Russian

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy Vows to Help Business After Banker's Detention
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pledged on Monday to take whatever measures were needed for the smooth operation of Ukrainian enterprises after the detention of a prominent banker caused an uproar in the business community. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said he had held "difficult" talks with prominent businessmen and was resolved to iron out the serious problems business people were confronting. And I have requested the necessary work be done to resolve all difficulties between government officials, businesses and law enforcement," he said. "During wartime, we must be united by one task, the strength of Ukraine, the power of our society, our economy," he said. He has been a frequent critic of law enforcement agencies and judges, accusing some of them of abusing their powers.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Reuters, National Security, Defence Council, Concorde Capital Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Polish

☆ Zelenskiy Counts on More Western Defence Aid for Ukraine in Next Two Months
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Nick StarkovKYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that he expected a number of new Western defence packages for Ukraine to be signed this and next month. "We are preparing new agreements with partners - strong bilateral agreements," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv's Western allies united in providing unprecedented military and other aid to help Zelenskiy defend his country. Zelenskiy did not name the countries with which he hoped to finalise agreements. The Ukrainian president has spent weeks on an international diplomatic frenzy trying to secure more political and military support.

Persons: Nick Starkov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Kyiv's, Kyiv's staunchest, Emmanuel Macron, Lidia Kelly, Chizu Nomiyama Organizations: Nick Starkov KYIV, Russia, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, United States, Ukraine's, Britain, finalise, Paris, Melbourne

Lawmakers have conveyed as much directly to the White House, a US official told CNN. Biden met with House and Senate lawmakers at the White House on Wednesday to outline what is at stake for Ukraine. House Speaker Mike Johnson makes a statement alongside Reps. Mike Turner, Mike Rogers and Mike McCaul on January 17, outside the White House. Privately, some US and Western officials say there could be as many as five more years of fighting. In the near term, Ukraine may be able to hang on, albeit in a stalemate, without US support, a Western intelligence source said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Jake Sullivan, National Intelligence Avril Haines, Mike Johnson, I’ve, ‘, ’ ” Johnson, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, ”, ” Biden, Mike Turner, Mike Rogers, Mike McCaul, Samuel Corum, Donald Trump, Trump, Mike Quigley, CNN Max, “ He’s, Putin, outlast, “, Sen, Lindsey Graham, Michael McCaul, ” Said, Kostiantyn, don’t, Volodymyr Zelensky, Gitanas Nauseda, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ints Kalnins, ” Zelenskyy, ” Trump, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, frontloading Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, White, Pentagon, Defense, National Intelligence, White House, NATO, Republicans, Getty, Kyiv, ” Democratic, Administration, Trump, Republican, Biden, Ukrainian National Guard, Army Tactical Missile Systems, Reuters, Russian Central Bank Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, Kyiv, Europe, Ukrainian, Kreminna, Donetsk Oblast, Moscow, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Sevastopol, Melitopol, Vilnius, Lithuania, New York City, West

☆ Russia Calls Ukraine Peace Meetings 'Pointless', Says Plan Can't Succeed
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Russia said on Tuesday that it was increasingly apparent to the world that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's plan to resolve the nearly two-year war had no hope of succeeding and dismissed meetings devoted to it as "pointless and harmful". The fourth in a series of meetings bringing together officials from several dozen countries - but not Russia - was held this week in Davos. "All such meetings ... including the Davos gathering and those to follow it, are pointless and harmful for settling the Ukrainian crisis." Russia is pointedly not invited to the meetings centred on Zelenskiy's peace plan, which calls for withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine, recognition of its 1991 post-Soviet borders and a mechanism to bring Moscow to account. The Swiss government agreed after the latest gathering on Zelenskiy's peace plan to host a global peace summit on Ukraine at Zelenskiy's request.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Zelenskiy, Vladimir Putin, Andriy Yermak, Dmitry Peskov, Ron Popeski, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Reuters, Economic, Kyiv, Staff, Davos Locations: Russia, Davos, Russian, Ukraine, Moscow, Swiss

☆ China's Premier Li to Address Davos as Its Economy Struggles
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Antoni SlodkowskiDAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to address global investors and politicians in Davos on Tuesday, as Beijing grapples with a sluggish post-pandemic recovery and a real estate slump. Li, who leads a large government delegation at this week's World Economic Forum, is the most senior Chinese official to rub shoulders with global business and political elites at the Swiss ski resort of Davos since President Xi Jinping in 2017. He would "promote global cooperation, address various risks, bridge the development divide, and seek peaceful coexistence and win-win outcomes", Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported. "China is generating a steady stream of growth momentum and potential for its economy," Xinhua's report added. Li, a career bureaucrat, was revealed as the pick for China's No.2 role last October when Xi unveiled a leadership line-up stacked with loyalists.

Persons: Antoni Slodkowski, Li Qiang, Li, Xi Jinping, Xi, Antony Blinken, Wang Yi, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Zelenskiy, Alexander Smith Organizations: Economic, Xinhua, China's, U.S Locations: Antoni Slodkowski DAVOS, Switzerland, Davos, Beijing, China, Swiss, consultancies, Gaza

☆ Putin Says Ukraine's Statehood at Risk if Pattern of War Continues
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Ukraine's statehood could suffer an "irreparable blow" if the pattern of the war continued, and Russia would never be forced to abandon the gains it had made. Putin made his televised comments a day after Switzerland agreed to host a global summit at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Putin dismissed "so-called peace formulas" being discussed in the West and Ukraine and what he called the "prohibitive demands" they entailed. "Now it is quite obvious, not only (Ukraine's) counter-offensive failed, but the initiative is completely in the hands of the Russian armed forces. If this continues, Ukrainian statehood may suffer an irreparable, very serious blow."

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Mark Trevelyan, Nick Macfie Organizations: Reuters Locations: MOSCOW, Russia, Switzerland, West, Ukraine, Russian

☆ Ukraine says China needed for peace process after Davos meeting
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

China needs to be involved in talks to end the war with Russia, Ukraine's top representative said after a high-level diplomatic meeting ahead of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Ukraine's presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on Sunday it was important that Russian ally China was at the table when Kyiv convenes further meetings on its peace formula. Zelenskiy is due to arrive in Bern, Switzerland on Monday to meet the President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd. We must find ways to work with China on this," Cassis said, adding that both Russia and Ukraine were not willing to make concessions. The role of the Global South in Ukraine's peace formula talks has come into focus in the lead up to Davos.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Andriy Yermak, Li Qiang, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Li, Yermak, Viola Amherd, Ignazio Cassis, Cassis, Jamie Dimon, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Economic, Swiss, JPMorgan, Ukraine, Bloomberg News, Dimon, Cuban Missile, European Union, Kyiv, Global, United Nations Locations: Davos, China, Russia, Ukraine's, Switzerland, Ukrainian, Bern, Swiss, Ukraine, Brazil, India, South Africa, Africa, Latin America, East, Asia

☆ Ukraine Foreign Minister Muses About 'Punching' Russia's Lavrov
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Kuleba said at the time that the talks in Turkey had been difficult and dealt with a ceasefire and arranging humanitarian corridors. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejects talks with Moscow until Russian troops are withdrawn from the slightly less than 20 percent of Ukraine they now hold. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin says Russia is ready for talks but has vowed to pursue what Moscow calls its "special military operation". In Moscow, Russia Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Kuleba's latest remarks underscored the incompetence of Ukraine's leadership. "Perhaps he belongs in a no-holds-barred bout rather than the foreign ministry?"

Persons: Dmytro Kuleba, Sergei Lavrov, Kuleba, Lavrov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Vladimir Putin, Maria Zakharova, Zakharova, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Ukrainian, Moscow, Russia Foreign Locations: Ukrainian, Antalya, Ukraine's, Belarus, Turkey, Moscow, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Top diplomats meet in Davos on Ukraine 'peace formula'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a joint press conference with Lithuania's President (not in picture) in Vilnius, Lithuania, on January 10, 2024. Ukraine pushed ahead with its peace formula to end nearly two years of war with Russia with a meeting of national security advisers from around the world in Davos on Sunday. Switzerland, which hosted the NSA representatives, said the Ukraine peace talks aimed to finalise principles "for a lasting and just peace in Ukraine" at the level of national security advisers. The role of the Global South in Ukraine's peace formula talks has come into focus in Davos. It is unclear, however, if countries in the Global South agree with that as a peace formula.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Andriy Yermak, Penny Pritzker, James O'Brien, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Nuhu Ribadu, Yermak Organizations: Lithuania's, Sunday, Economic, U.S, State, Eurasian Affairs, National, NSA Locations: Vilnius, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia, Davos, Switzerland, Africa, Latin America, East, Asia, Swiss

☆ Congress could punt Ukraine aid to 2024, snarl government funding talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-13 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"I would stay here indefinitely, but I don't know that all our colleagues will be able to do that," Speaker Johnson said at a Wall Street Journal conference on Monday. A small but vocal group of hardline House Republicans nearly shut down the government over their opposition to $6 billion of Ukraine aid included in the federal budget. Hours before a government shutdown deadline of Oct. 1, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy agreed to strip out the Ukraine aid to pass a bill to keep the government open. If Ukraine funding talks get delayed to 2024 and become a pawn in the coming budget negotiations, Speaker Johnson could be at risk of meeting the same fate McCarthy did. Johnson already faces an uphill budget battle, without the added burden of Ukraine aid talks.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's, Joe Biden's, Sen, Lindsey Graham, Zelenskyy, we're, I'm, Chuck Schumer, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy Organizations: White, Republican, Democratic, Street, Top, Republicans, House Republicans Locations: Washington , U.S, Washington, Ukraine, Ky

☆ Cameron to Reaffirm British Support for Ukraine in US Visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's foreign minister David Cameron will underline the importance of support and humanitarian funding for Ukraine during his first visit to Washington since he assumed his post last month, the UK foreign office said on Wednesday. The former prime minister will travel to the United States to reaffirm both the strength of Britain's relationship with Washington and London's continued support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion. Last month, Cameron used his first trip abroad to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv. The foreign office said that in Washington Cameron would also discuss the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and getting humanitarian aid to those affected in Israeli-besieged Gaza. Britain and the United States can work towards a long-term two-state solution which allows both Israel and the Palestinians can co-exist in peace, his office said.

Persons: David Cameron, London's, Joe Biden's, Cameron, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Washington Cameron, ” Cameron, Farouq Suleiman, Mark Heinrich Organizations: Ukraine, Russia's, U.S, Congress, Ukrainian Locations: Washington, United States, Ukraine, Kyiv, Britain, Russia, Gaza, China, Israel

[1/4] Ukrainian servicemen take part in anti-sabotage drills, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv region, Ukraine December 5, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON/KYIV, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff said on Tuesday that the postponement of U.S. assistance for Kyiv being debated in Congress would create a "big risk" of Ukraine losing the war with Russia. If the aid is postponed, "it gives the big risk that we can be in the same position to which we're located now," he said, addressing the audience in English. "And of course, it makes this very high possibility impossible to continually liberate and give the big risk to lose this war." On Monday, White House officials said the U.S. was running out of time and money to help Ukraine fight its war against Russia.

Persons: Valentyn, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Andriy Yermak, Joe Biden's, Yermak, Jonathan Landay, Tom Balmforth, Christina Fincher, Angus MacSwan, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, White, Russia, Kyiv, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Chernihiv region, WASHINGTON, KYIV, Russia, U.S, Israel, Washington

State-owned Motor Sich is Ukraine's main manufacturer of aircraft and helicopter engines, including for some of the world's largest cargo planes. Many legacy Ukrainian defense companies will trigger "red flags" during the lengthy due diligence and compliance reviews conducted by Western defense companies, said one U.S. defense executive. A Motor Sich representative stopped by ITA's booth and spoke briefly about their company's capabilities, the spokesperson said. ROOTING OUT CORRUPTIONZelenskiy has made rebuilding Ukraine's defense and aerospace sector a top priority, which includes deeper investment in drone technology. While the talks in Washington later this week and last month's Dubai air-show contacts are potentially promising, the political realities that Western defense officials are grappling with could hinder any progress.

Persons: Gleb Garanich, Olexiy Nikiforov, Lockheed Martin, Pavlo Verkhniatsky, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Korzh, Trump, Nikiforov, RTX, Northrop, Valerie Insinna, Joanna Plucinska, Tim Hepher, Jo Mason, Jane Merriman Organizations: Motor Sich, REUTERS, State, Sich, Reuters, Lockheed, White, U.S, Western, U.S . Department of Commerce, Dubai Air Show, Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Republicans, Ukraine –, Thomson Locations: Ukrainian, Kyiv, Ukraine, WASHINGTON, Russia, China, Washington, U.S, Moscow, Zaporizhzhia, Dubai, Gaza, London

☆ Control over devastated eastern Ukrainian town uncertain
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Most accounts of Maryinka, southwest of the Russian-held regional centre of Donetsk, describe it as a ghost town amid daily reports of Ukrainian forces defending different districts. Ukrainian forces, it said, remained in control of other districts. Ukrainian social media accounts noted Russian advances, but quoted soldiers as rejecting the notion that Moscow's troops controlled the entire town. Russian forces, focused on eastern Ukraine, have been attacking the town of Avdiivka, 40 km (25 miles) north of Maryinka, since mid-October. Ukrainian forces, he said, had repelled attacks near Kupiansk, a northeastern area seized by Russia after invading in February 2022, but retaken by Ukrainian troops a year ago.

Persons: Andriy Yermak, Rybar, Maryinka, Volodymyr Fitio, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ron Popeski, Leslie Adler Organizations: Ukraine's, Staff, Russia's Defence Ministry, Thomson Locations: Maryinka, Ukraine, Donetsk Region, Russian, Donetsk, Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Kupiansk, Russia

☆ Russians Ease Attacks in Eastern Ukraine, Shattered Town May Still Be Held by Kyiv
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

(Reuters) - Russian forces eased attacks on the beleaguered eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka on Saturday and unofficial reports from the region suggested they had failed to capture the devastated town of Maryinka to the southwest. Russia's military has focused on eastern Ukraine since abandoning an advance on Kyiv in the first days after the February 2022 invasion. "We acknowledge that there was an advance there of the Russian military," Zhdanov said in an online presentation. "But the southwestern and northwestern parts of the town are under the control of Ukrainian forces." The town, also shattered by months of fighting, was captured by Russian forces in May, but Ukrainian troops have since taken back nearby villages.

Persons: Moscow's, Oleksandr Shtupun, Avdiivka, Shtupun, Rybar, Vitaliy Barabash, Oleh Zhdanov, Zhdanov, Volodymyr Fitio, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ron Popeski, Maria Starkova, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Reuters, Channel, Russia's Defence Ministry, Ukrainian, Russian, Kyiv Locations: Avdiivka, Maryinka, Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Winnipeg, Canada

☆ Russians ease attacks in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv still may hold Maryinka
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's military has focused on eastern Ukraine since abandoning an advance on Kyiv in the first days after the February 2022 invasion. But unofficial Ukrainian reports on Saturday said its forces were holding some districts. There were no official Ukrainian reports on Maryinka, but military analyst Oleh Zhdanov said reports of its capture by Russian troops were untrue. "We acknowledge that there was an advance there of the Russian military," Zhdanov said in an online presentation. Ukrainian forces have focused on recapturing occupied villages in the east and south in a counteroffensive launched in June, though President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has acknowledged that advances have been slower than Kyiv wanted.

Persons: Andriy Yermak, Moscow's, Oleksandr Shtupun, Avdiivka, Shtupun, Rybar, Vitaliy Barabash, Oleh Zhdanov, Zhdanov, Volodymyr Fitio, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ron Popeski, Maria Starkova, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Acquire, Reuters, Channel, Russia's Defence Ministry, Ukrainian, Russian, Kyiv, Thomson Locations: Maryinka, Ukraine, Donetsk Region, Avdiivka, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Winnipeg, Canada

☆ What to watch at COP28 on Saturday?
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Delegates walk past flag posts at the Dubai's Expo City after attending the World Climate Action Summit, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 1, 2023. Among the headliners expected to speak at COP28 are U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whose video address had originally been scheduled for Friday. Governments also are poised to announce a promise to triple renewable energy capacity, boost nuclear energy capacity and rein in emissions of methane. Friday's first day at the summit highlighted tensions between the United Nations, whose secretary general urged leaders to commit to quitting fossil fuels, and the COP28's UAE hosts, who have urged cooperation with oil companies. ___For daily comprehensive coverage on COP28 in your inbox, sign up for the Reuters Sustainable Switch newsletter here.

Persons: Thomas Mukoya, Kamala Harris, Mia Mottley, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Katy Daigle, Diane Craft Organizations: United Nations, Change, United Arab Emirates, REUTERS, Rights, UAE, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Dubai, United Arab, COP28, Barbados, Gaza

☆ Ukraine's ex-president says he was blocked from leaving country
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Ukraine's ex-President Petro Poroshenko said he had been stopped from leaving the country on Friday morning in what he described as a politically motivated bid to disrupt his work. The Ukrainian parliament's deputy speaker, Oleksandr Korniyenko, later confirmed he had cancelled Poroshenko's permission to leave the country. Poroshenko said he had planned to travel to Poland to help negotiate an end to a truckers' blockade and then to the United States to build support for Ukraine's war effort. "This is an anti-Ukrainian diversion," Poroshenko wrote. "It is not just the hampering of my entire team's diplomatic work, but unfortunately a blow to Ukraine's defence capabilities."

Persons: Petro Poroshenko, Gleb Garanich, Poroshenko, Oleksandr Korniyenko, Korniyenko, Volodymyr Zelenskiy's, Zelenskiy, Reportig, Dan Peleschuk, Max Hunder, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Solidarity, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Poland, Ukrainian, Russian, United States

☆ Moldova denounces new Russian ban on fruit imports
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Alexander Tanas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCHISINAU, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Pro-European authorities in Moldova on Friday dismissed as groundless a ban imposed by Russia on imports of its fruit and vegetables, the latest display of deteriorating relations between Moscow and the ex-Soviet state. Russia's farm goods oversight agency, Rosselkhoznadzor, said on Thursday it was reinstating restrictions last imposed in 2022. It cited "continuous, systematic observation of elements subject to quarantine" and said Moldovan authorities had taken no action to right the situation. "The decision by the Russian authorities contradicts phytosanitary principles and is in no way grounded in real arguments," it said in a statement. We ship to 28 countries," Iurie Fala, Executive Director of the Moldovan Fruit Producers Association, told Reuters.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Maia Sandu, Charles Michel, Valentyn, ANSA, Sergei Lavrov, Lavrov, Fala, Alexander Tanas, Ronald Popeski, Sandra Maler Organizations: European, REUTERS, Rights, Moldovan, European Union, Moldovan Fruit Producers Association, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Rights CHISINAU, Moldova, Russia, Moscow, Soviet, Romania, Russian

☆ Ukraine's president visits troops on northeastern frontline
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy listens to Commander of the Ground Forces colonel general Oleksandr Syrskyi as he visits a position of Ukrainian servicemen in the town of Kupiansk, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine November 30, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreKYIV, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has visited troops near the Kupiansk sector of the frontline in the country's northeast, he announced on social media on Thursday. Zelenskiy posted a video of him visiting a command post in the area alongside one of Ukraine's top generals. The president thanked the troops for their sacrifices. Moscow has made some small, incremental gains in the area since September, but the front lines have not moved significantly.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Zelenskiy, Max Hunder, Yuliia, Alex Richardson Organizations: Ground Forces, Presidential Press, Thomson Locations: Kupiansk, Ukraine, Kharkiv region, KYIV, Moscow

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy calls for fortifications in key frontline areas
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Zelenskiy issued his appeal after touring Ukrainian positions in the northeast, one of several areas where Russian forces have been trying to make recent headway - and recapture areas taken back by Ukrainian troops a year ago. Russian occupying forces have built solid fortifications and minefields of their own in areas they have held since pouring over the border in February 2022. Military spokesperson Oleksandr Shtupun said Ukrainian forces had rebuffed Russian attacks on the coking plant. RUSSIAN DRIVE AROUND BAKHMUTRussian forces have also been pressing near contested villages surrounding the equally shattered town of Bakhmut, captured by Russian forces in May after months of fighting. Initial investigation showed Russian forces had dropped two bombs, in the second assault on the town throughout the day.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Rustem Umerov, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Zelenskiy, Lyman, Oleksandr Shtupun, Shtupun, Espreso, Avdiivka, Serhiy Hrabskyi, Hrabskyi, Ron Popeski, Oleksandr Kozhukhar, Alistair Bell, Stephen Coates Organizations: Defence, Ground Forces, Presidential Press, Military, Reuters, Russian, Russia's Defence Ministry, Wednesday, Radio, Thomson Locations: Kupiansk, Ukraine, Kharkiv region, Ukrainian, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Russia, Luhansk, Avdiivka, Russian, RUSSIAN, Bakhmut, Toretsk, Kostyantynivka

☆ What to watch at COP28 on Friday?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

United Arab Emirates Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber speaks during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 30, 2023. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky Acquire Licensing RightsDUBAI, Dec 1 (Reuters) - This year's COP28 climate summit, being held in the glitzy Middle East city of Dubai, clicks into its first full day of scheduled events on Friday. Britain's King Charles III, who has spent decades working on environmental issues, is expected to address the conference. A second day of leaders' speeches is planned for Saturday. The summit's opening on Thursday featured pleas by the COP28 president, Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, for all parties to work together toward a consensus on the future of fossil fuels.

Persons: Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Amr Alfiky, Britain's King Charles III, William Ruto, Tayyip Erdogan, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Sultan Ahmed al, Jaber, Katy Daigle, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: United Arab Emirates Minister of Industry, Advanced Technology, United Nations, Change, United Arab Emirates, REUTERS, Rights, Kenyan, Saudi, Thomson Locations: Dubai, United Arab, East

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