US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to discuss Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and efforts to bolster Ukraine’s energy grid. The meeting comes ahead of a crucial NATO summit in Washington next week, where Ukraine hopes to secure further assurances on its membership bid.
A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that public support for NATO remains strong across 13 member nations, despite ongoing challenges such as Russia’s aggression and concerns about US commitment under a potential Trump presidency. The survey highlights varying levels of support within the alliance, with Poland and Sweden exhibiting the highest levels, while Greece shows the lowest.
Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk will host their UEFA Champions League matches at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The agreement with Schalke covers all home games and potential knockout matches. This marks a significant move for Shakhtar, who have been unable to play in their home city of Donetsk since 2014 due to the Russian-backed separatists. The partnership also reflects Schalke’s shift away from their previous relationship with Russian gas giant Gazprom.
Russia’s UN ambassador has dismissed former US President Donald Trump’s assertion that he could resolve the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, arguing that the crisis is far more complex and blaming Ukraine’s Western allies for hindering peace talks. The ambassador also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace plan as unrealistic, while highlighting Russia’s own ceasefire offer.
Rep. Young Kim, a Korean American Congresswoman, warns of North Korea’s increasing aggression and its partnership with Russia, calling for a strong US response to deter their actions and protect regional stability.
A disabled Punjabi youth, Mandeep Kumar, was tricked by travel agents into traveling to Russia instead of Italy, where he was forced to join the Russian army. This is not an isolated incident, as several other young Indians have been lured into similar situations, including a Hyderabad youth who was killed in the Ukraine war after being promised a job but forced into the Russian army.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia will resume production of short and intermediate-range missiles. This decision comes as a direct response to the United States’ deployment of nuclear-capable missiles in various parts of the world. The move escalates tensions between the two nuclear superpowers and raises concerns about the future of arms control agreements.
Tatyana Bakalchuk, the founder of Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries, has become the country’s richest self-made businesswoman with an estimated net worth of $7.4 billion. Her journey from an English teacher to a successful entrepreneur started with a small investment of Rs 32,000 during her maternity leave. Now, Wildberries, often called the ‘Amazon’ of Russia, employs 48,000 people and generates billions in revenue. Despite her immense wealth, Bakalchuk remains grounded and continues to take risks to fuel the growth of her business empire.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has invited eight top Russian tennis players, along with Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka from Belarus, to compete as neutral athletes at the Paris Olympics. However, some athletes have already declined the offer, citing reasons such as scheduling conflicts and health concerns. The invitation comes as part of the IOC’s vetting process to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in individual Olympic sports while excluding them from team sports due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The European Union and Lithuania and Estonia signed security agreements with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels, pledging support in defense, military training, and demining. These pacts complement other agreements with Ukraine’s allies, aiming to bolster its defense against Russia’s invasion.
